============================================= || || 11th February 2018 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || || LNU Website: || http://lnu.org/ || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers' hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR 6. Other Reserve Reports and Highlights 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union, the Lincolnshire Bird Club and Lincolnshire Environmental Record Centre [LERC]. Text versions of past Wildnews Bulletins back to Feb 2009: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. The Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Bulletin is being read by over 1000 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. Please use the "forward to a friend" link at the end of every LNU Bulletin and invite new readers to give it a try. We really need your help with this. Please contact the Editor to contribute articles or reports. E-mail: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers' hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor writes... *** We had 7 new readers sign up last week, so efforts to tell others about the Bulletin are working. Many thanks for your help. Very encouraging. As readers will know, we are happy to include information from any natural history group in the county. If you need volunteers, are running events or activities open to non-members etc. we will be pleased to “give you a plug”. All you have to do is let me know in good time. e.g: Star Gazing Lincs – Saltfleetby. Earlier weather forecasts suggested might have snow mid- February – this week even. It seems they were mostly right. BTO's National Nest Box Week - 14-21 February https://www.bto.org/about-birds/nnbw As usual I have included a selection of topical links. Most were sent in by readers. Suggestions for interesting links are always welcome. See: New Zealand gannet 'no mates Nigel' dies alongside fake partner http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-42916451 Sutton on Sea: Protest in resort over 'eyesore' houses http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-42915902 Lincolnshire hare coursing: Three men arrested http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-42944454 Genetic secret of English salmon http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42894161 'Extraordinary' fossil sheds light on origins of spiders http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42945813 Thank you for your contributions this week - excellent. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** LNU Events Diary *** LNU events are listed below in section 11. For LNU meetings, see: https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ [Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm.] Recorders’ Meeting – 10th February 2018 – always good. Overview and highlights of the past years recording provided by the county recorders. Arrive at 12 noon for a chance to catch up with recorders; the overview starts at 2pm as in previous years. [You are welcome to bring a “packup”.] Annual General Meeting – 3rd March 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ Field Meetings 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/ *** Bryophyte meeting 11th February *** Steven Heathcote writes: Toby's Hill, Saltfleet, Lincolnshire – Sunday 11th February 2018 We will be meeting to record bryophytes again, this time at Toby's Hill Nature Reserve, an isolated remnant of the old sand dune system http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/Tobys-Hill Parking and the meeting location is by the reserve entrance on Marsh Lane, Saltfleet (TF453943) at 10AM. This is a public road so please park considerately. We plan to stay out most of the day so please bring warm/dry clothes and a packed lunch. Anyone is welcome for part or all of the day. Please let me know if you plan to attend in case of last-minute changes due to weather. steven.heathcote@gmail.com *** Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important *** Grab a Grid Reference: http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ *** Love Lincs Plants - Updates *** Development and implementation of the project continues. We will keep you informed via the Bulletin and Communique and via Twitter. Love Lincs Plants Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Sir Joseph Banks Society http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/news-events/lincolnshire-plants-project/ Natural History Museum Twitter feed https://twitter.com/nhm_botany?lang=en Lincoln University School of Life Sciences blog https://lifesciences.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/2016/09/30/heritage-lottery-funding-to-safeguard-lincolnshire-plants/ *** February Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Look out for Venus and Mercury [evening], Jupiter, Mars and Saturn [morning]. *** A Solar Minimun Sunspot *** Spaceweather.com writes: With Solar Minimum right around the corner, sunspot counts are at an almost 10-year low. So it came as a surprise yesterday when a relatively large sunspot emerged near the sun's eastern limb. AR2699 has a primary dark core larger than Earth with many smaller magnetic condensations trailing behind it, in all stretching more than 75,000 km across the sun's surface. Rare "solar minimum sunspots" are capable of intense explosions just like sunspots during more active phases of the solar cycle. Visit Spaceweather.com for more information and updates. See: http://spaceweather.com/ https://sdo.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/ *** Star Gazing Lincs – Saltfleetby – Saturday 10th March 2018 *** East Lincolnshire Astronomy Club presents Star Gazing Lincs Saturday 10th March 2018 2pm to 10pm at Marshlands Community Hall, Saltfleetby Louth LN11 7SS A free public event to celebrate Astronomy in Lincolnshire with observing, talks and activities for budding star gazers. Discover the night sky whatever the weather in the planetarium with three presentations over the afternoon, 2:15pm, 3:15pm and 4:15pm. Evening session, special guest speaker, Paul Money FRAS. See real rocks from space with meteorite collector Michelle Clark. Kids activities with space enthusiast Cosmic Carol. Safe solar observing in the afternoon and see the wonders of the night sky using club member's telescopes during the evening (weather dependent). Northern Optics trade stand Lincolnshire astronomy societies attending. Pre-book places in the planetarium or lectures at #Stargazinglincs For further information www.lincsastro.org *** “Beachclean” – Anderby Creek *** Dave Miller writes: Saturday 3rd March 2018 10am Beach Clean at Anderby Creek: as part of the Great British Spring Clean we will be running a beach clean and litter survey at Anderby Creek. Meet in the car park at 10am, bags and litter pickers will be provided. For this event we are trialing the use of hessian coffee sacks rather than bin bags to try and reduce our plastic footprint. *** 'Higher Ground' *** David Rodger writes: Did you know the Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service produces an e-newsletter every quarter? It's packed full of up to the minute articles relating to farming, heritage, chalk streams and everything else going on in the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB. To subscribe, go to our website (www.lincswolds.org.uk) and click on the form at the bottom of the page. David Rodger - Project Officer Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service (01522) 555786 David.rodger@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project – Practical Days*** Will Bartle writes: Friday 23rd February 2018 – River Rase Spring Head Practical day with the LCSP Volunteer Group - The day will involve removing the invasive plant Snowberry from the headwaters of the River Rase. Wellies a definite! Friday 9th March 2018 – Owmby Practical day with the LCSP Volunteer Group - The day will involve maintaining the in stream and bankside vegetation to help keep the chalk stream flowing. Wader sizes are needed in advance so please contact the Monitoring Officer for the Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project Will Bartle. Contact the Monitoring Officer for the Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project Will Bartle before the day – William.bartle@lincolnshire.gov.uk or 01522 555780. Full directions and details can be found in the 'Events and Shows' section on the website www.lincolnshirechalkstreams.org *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ Keith Scarrott writers: The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society At our second meeting of this year, on Monday, 12th February, Chris Manning, the LNU Recorder for Mammals visits to give us his illustrated talk entitled "Deer and Deer Parks in Lincolnshire". Chris has a particularly extensive knowledge about the deer populations and will will be telling us about the various types of deer, their distributions about the County, their behaviours, our concerns about them etc. ALL ARE INVITED TO OUR MEETINGS which start at 7.15pm and take place in the St Bernadette's Church Parish Centre, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. There is a large, free car park at the Church. There is no entry charge to our meetings but a donation bowl is provided. Light refreshments are provided for a small charge at the mid-talk break. For further details contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** Local RSPB links: *** Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby The next meeting of the RSPB Grimsby Local Group is at 7.30pm on Monday 19th February at Holy Trinity Parish Hall (formerly called Corpus Christi Community Centre), corner of Machray Place, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes DN35 7AE. Paul Hobson will give us an illustrated talk entitled "Changing Seasons" There will also be refreshments and a raffle. Entry is £4, payable at the door. The next trip is to Fairburn Ings and Blacktoft Sands (for the harrier roost) on Sunday 25th February, leaving Millman's Coach depot in Wilton Road, Humberston at 7.30am and returning by 6pm. Booking is essential All are welcome. You don't have to be a member of the RSPB to attend this talk, or to go on the trip. For more information, or to book the trip, please contact Martin Francis (Group Leader) at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com (preferred) or on (01472) 883436 Also, please note there has been a change of speaker at the March meeting on the 19th. Graham Catley, (ornithological consultant, photographer and serious local patch birder), will now give an illustrated talk about the birds of Vancouver Island and Western British Columbia" S Lincs RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT *** https://www.facebook.com/LWT-Alford-Mablethorpe-Area-Group-175413729474673/ *** Barton Area Group LWT *** https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk Carolyn Davis writes: On Monday 12th February 2018 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them at their next indoor meeting where bird expert Graham Catley will give an illustrated presentation about the Marsh Harrier. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. There will be a Trust goods stall, raffle and tea & coffee available. Admission £3, all are welcome. On Sunday 18th February 2018 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a bird walk in Cleethorpes Country Park with Ray Hume. Please meet in the car park at 8am. You are advised to wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further information contact Ray - 07814 840682 On Saturday 24th February 2018 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a group visit to Far Ings National Nature reserve near Barton on Humber lead by warden Simon Wellock. Meet Simon LWT regional office at Ness End Farm DN18 5RG at 1pm. You are advised to wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. All are welcome so come along and maybe we'll see some signs of spring? For further information contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** Horncastle & Woodhall Spa area group LWT *** https://www.facebook.com/hwsag/ *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Bird Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ I have adapted RBA pager data/information for the Bulletin by eliminating or consolidating repeated messages. Note - I have been leaving out late/historical reports to save going back to re-do entries. From now on I shall squeeze in important reports, marking them with a * to indicate their lateness. 31/1 5 White-fronted Geese* on Croft Marsh, 2 Snow Buntings*, Slavonian Grebe, Short-eared Owl by visitor centre, Gibraltar Point 1 /2 Spotted Redshank, Framptoin Marsh 5 Waxwings on Peake Parkway by Patrick St underpass, Grimsby Hawfinch flew from field at Aunby, SW of Bourne 5 White-fronted Geese on Croft Marsh, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret in fields between Crowland and Crowland Bridge, Deeping High Bank 2 Bewick's Swans* with 150 Whooper Swans*, Idle Bank, Wroot 2/2 2 Mealy Redpolls on feeder, Park Road, Willingham-by-Stow Hen Harrier ringtail, west end, Deeping High Bank Great White Egret, south pit, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 3/2 Waxwing,1w, Quebec Road opposite Holivans Caravan Park, Mablethorpe Hawfinch in garden, Normanby 2 White-fronted Geese on Croft Marsh, Bittern on Jackson's Marsh, Lapland Bunting, 2 Snow Buntings on Millennium Ridge, Gibraltar Point Kittiwake as at Cove Farm, Westwoodside Little Stint, 3 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh Great Northern Diver at River Witham mouth 25 Snow Buntings, 30 Twite, Saltfleetby Great White Egret, Deeping High Bank west of Crowland bridge 20+ Russian White-fronted Geese with Pink-footed Geese, Saltfleet St Clement 2 Mealy Redpolls on feeder at Park Road, Willingham-by-Stow 4/2 Long-eared Owl, Deeping Lakes Great White Egret, Deeping High Bank west of Crowland bridge Glaucous Gull juv offshore, Gibraltar Point Glaucous Gull imm at Cut End, red-necked Grebe, 2 Slavonian Grebes, 3 Slavonian Grebes, 2 Great Northern Divers, Long-tailed Duck, Shag, 2 Scaup, Cut End, River Witham mouth 2 Hen Harriers 1 male, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh Lapland Bunting*, Gedney Drove End 5/2 4 Waxwings, Holton-le-Clay [for 4th day] Waxwing by B1206, New Holland Shag at Cut End, Great Northern Diver, Short-eared owl, Hen Harrier, River Witham mouth Long-eared Owl, Deeping Lakes 2 Hen Harrier ringtails, Frampton Marsh 5 Bewick's Swans flew south over Grantham 52 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes Hen Harrier male, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier ringtail, Hawthorpe 65 Russian White-fronted Geese at Elm House Farm, Saltfleetby St Clements Scaup ad fem, Apex pit, North Hykeham pits 6/2 Waxwing,1w, Quebec Road opposite Holivans Caravan Park, Mablethorpe 50+ Russian White-fronted Geese at Elm House Farm, Saltfleetby St Clements Glaucous Gull juv on beach at Mill Hill, Gibraltar Point 20 Twite, ringtail Hen Harrier, Rimac Slavonian Grebe, Cut End, River Witham mouth Green-winged Teal, Alkborough Flats Please visit the RBA website for updates/fuller details. Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of their subscription services. Rare Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. ROAD KILLS? Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. Hedgehog numbers 'down by half', warn wildlife groups http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42959766 Your sightings and roadkill records please. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send in your observations and we welcome information from ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks to our regular contributors across the county. Much appreciated. DON'T FORGET - TIME FLIES! Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BARDNEY The Green TF119694 R & A Parsons Starlings 30+ House Sparrows 6+ Dunnock 1 Chaffinch 6+, 3m 3f Goldfinch 4+ Blackbird 2m, 1f Robin 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Black-headed Gull 12+ Jackdaw 2+ Magpie 2+ Collared Dove 3+ Woodpigeon 1 Wren BOSTON (S. by A16) January 2017 Kathleen Pearson I had an excellent month for the BTO Garden BirdWatch in the garden with a total of 26 species counted. The numbers of birds of each species seen together were extremely high, in some cases with six species having totals in double figures.  Two very unusual birds were seen - Green Woodpecker and Tawny Owl. Details follow:- Blackbird 13, Great Tit 2, Blue Tit 5, Woodpigeon 12, Robin 2, Collared Dove 10, Wren 2, Green Woodpecker 1, House Sparrow 3, Goldfinch 21, Dunnock 2, Greenfinch 13, Starling 12, Sparrowhawk 1, Black-headed Gull 5, Chaffinch 4, Long-tailed Tit 4, Blackcap 1, Coal Tit 2, Jackdaw 2, Magpie 2, Herring Gull 4, Common Gull 1, Carrion Crow 1, Song Thrush 1 and Tawny Owl 1. Other sightings were, Grey Squirrel and Buff-tailed Bumblebee. DONNA NOOK Matt Blissett 5/2/18 Peregrine 1 HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762  16/2/2018 Rooks 12 20/1/2018 Long tailed tits 6 22/1/2018 Blue tit 1 Chaffinch 2 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Great tits 2 25/1/2018 Magpies 2 Robins 2 (together on table - Mr and Mrs) Wren 1 30/1/2018 Song thrush 1 2/2/2018 Song thrush 1 Wood pigeons 10 4/2/2018 Chaffinch 3 Song thrush 1 Wood mouse 1 Wren 1 HUTTOFT PITS 30th January 2018 Dave Miller Barn Owl 1 Black-headed Gull 11 Buzzard 1 Crow 4 Common Gull 5 Gadwall 15 Goldfinch 8 Great Tit 4 Kestrel 1 Magpie 2 Mallard 1 male Mute Swan 6 Starling 40 Teal 12 Woodpigeon 56 Wren 1 LEGBOURNE WOOD Matt Blissett 1/2/18 Bullfinch 2 Buzzard 2 - signs of display over wood Hawthorn – buds breaking into leaf on a few sheltered branches LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 10/02/2018 Jayne Knight 05/02/18 Cormorant flew over heading East Goldcrest foraging in cedar tree Carrion Crow taking nesting material into cedar tree Small specimen of Pholcus planangiodes abseiling down kitchen cupboard door Either it has been a busy Monday, wildlife wise, or I’ve been particularly observant. Hope I haven’t peaked for the week! Just wondering why the resident Carrion Crows are harassing the Collared Doves? Flying at individual birds, very nearly catching them, not because doves are near the nest area, they are perched in different trees or flying around. Crows don’t bother with food I put out so not flushing them off that, seems like it is just for the fun of it! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/donna-nook-nnr http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 31st January – 6th February 2018 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Nige Lound, Cliff Morrison & Matt Blissett. Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings The weather for January was very changeable brought about by frequently moving fronts from high and low pressure systems which edged across the country. Nothing was really settled except for six continuous days of low cloud giving dull, often damp dull conditions with mist or fog from the 9th - 14th. Daytime temperatures ranged from an unseasonal high of 14.50°C on the 28th (14.25°C on the 24th) to a raw 4.0°C on the 20th. Frosts were frequent with 15 ground (note -6.25°C on the 21st) and 7 air (note -3.0°C on the 21st). Showers were occasional and snow grains fell midday on the 21st becoming wet snow and settling for two hours before turning to rain and all snow thawed, the 24 hours ppt total was 7.6mm. Of note the winds on twelve days at the time of observation were f5 or above. They were generally from the SW sector but raw f5 and f6 north-easterlies on the 6th and 7th. The following gusts were recorded during the day 57.2mph (3rd), 42.7mph (7th), 35.3mph (8th), 52.4mph (24th) and 35.2mph (28th). Fog observed on the 10th and 11th. Total rainfall for the month was 38.20mm (1.51 inches). 020218 - Over the sea were 35 red-throated diver, 17 great-crested grebe and 7 guillemot. 120 common scoter were offshore south of CB. A kingfisher was around the Haven and 5 ruff were at nearby Elm House Farm. Out from BYL were 30 snow bunting, 50 twite and a peregrine. 030218 – 71 European white-fronts with 1050 pink-footed geese and a single grey lag feeding in pasture at Elm House Farm. Tawny owl calling at Sea View. 2 hen harriers, 388 curlews roosting and c 600 pink foots flying into roost. 040218 – 56 shoveler on Paradise lagoon, 153 wigeon on washland near Sea View and great spotted woodpecker nearby 1 little owl, and 2 water rail calling, 3 barn owls hunting, 4 bullfinch, c 25 chaffinch, 2 great spotted woodpeckers all in Churchill Lane area 050218 - 611 Brent geese were at the Haven lagoon with only 4 young birds. 060218 – Single marsh harrier in the Rimac area, flew out over the saltmarsh otherwise very quiet in the duneland scrub between Rimac and Paradise with just the occasional reed bunting, blackbird and the usual mixture of tits, finches and house sparrows at the Sea View feeding station. In CB-CL area ,1 blackcap female, 2 fieldfare, 2 sparrowhawk, 1 kestrel, 2 long-tailed tit, 2 bullfinch, 20 chaffinch, 70 carrion crow, 40 jackdaw, 2 snow bunting, 62 twite, 1 linnet, 2 pied wagtail. At sea 65 Red-throated divers north between 0745-0830hrs. 14 great black-backed gull feeding on dead seal at Crook Bank. 739 Pinkfeet and 40 white-fronted geese viewable from the road on Elm House Farm. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR These cover a huge area, and records from them and records from volunteer recorders are one of the main inputs to management planning and the protection of rare/scarce and critical species. Reports always welcome. http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/visit/woods-and-nature-reserves/127031.article Also see: Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html LWT Lincolnshire Limewoods http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes/lincolnshire-limewoods ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lincolnshire Dormouse Group The Lincolnshire Dormouse Group meet monthly at Chambers Farm Woods. We always welcome visitors and new members. Dormice are legally protected and sensitive to disturbance; attending the group's meetings provides the opportunity to see dormice legally with licenced surveyors. If you are interested please email lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood, Little and Great Scrubbs Woods, Minting Wood, Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park, and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow (and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Rand Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland, which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and non-designated areas. Since managing the SSSI areas carries particular responsibilities to Natural England, records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS - LNRs, private reserves etc. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin goes out on Thursdays or Fridays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org A list of all the articles contained in Transactions (Transactions page) and a list of the Presidents (Officers page) is also available on the LNU website. LNU Bursaries: The LNU offers bursaries for natural history courses. The upper limit is £250. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk *** CONTACTS LIST *** Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals InsideEcology: Online Magazine for Ecologists, Conservationists and Wildlife Professionals https://insideecology.com/ British geology maps now free to explore on web http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ *** Bird Club Website *** http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Bat Group website *** http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/lincolnshire-chalk-streams *** Lincsbirders *** http://www.lincsbirders.org/ FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 Related Webpages: Hare coursing https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/hare-coursing/ Wildlife Crime http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/issues/crime STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** EasyTide *** http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Weather Underground *** https://www.wunderground.com/ *** Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service *** http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. When asking for help: Please give the the very best information you can provide. If you are not sure, ask what is needed from you to confirm identification. Photographs are helpful but not every species can be identified from a photograph. When asked for further details, get back to them promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcome. *** Botany *** Botanical Group in South Lincs Contact: Sarah Lambert, who writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Also see: http://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 *** Identifying Fungi *** App: http://rogersmushroomsapp.com/ BMS Checklist of names: http://www.fieldmycology.net/GBCHKLST/gbchklst.htm BMS Keys for Macrofungi http://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/library/keys/ *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/ http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species *** How to Identify Bees *** http://www.bwars.com/ http://bumblebeeconservation.org/ LNU Sawflies, Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder Dr. David Sheppard Willing to examine specimens or check photos (bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** Lincolnshire Mammals *** Chris Manning, Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. Mammal Atlas You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. http://www.glnp.org.uk/our-publications/biodiversity/projects-and-reports.php *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further information and to submit records contact: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com You can input reptile and amphibian data at: http://www.recordpool.org.uk/ Please remember, common species are just as important as rarer species. *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Confidential Bat Records *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Non-Marine Molluscs *** Alex Pickwell is the LNU Recorder for Non-marine Molluscs Email: alex.pickwell@environment-agency.gov.uk USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership http://www.glnp.org.uk/ (of which LERC is a part) Contact: charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk *** Life on the Verge and Wildflower Meadow Network Project *** http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Good sources of seeds of Bee-friendly Wild Flowers *** Plantlife and Flora locale have defined protocols that can guide the conservation-minded shopper. See: www.floralocale.org/Alphabetical+supplier+listing *** Lincs Bird Club *** LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Phil Hyde - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk Contact 01507 528223 enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** RSPB local webpages *** https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/find-a-reserve/reserves-a-z/reserves-by-name/t/tetneymarshes/ https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in a few cases may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. For good advice for ALL nature-watchers see the RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ and BTO's pdf: https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u10/downloads/taking-part/health/bwc.pdf [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see http://lnu.org/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Indoor Meetings 2017/8 Annual General Meeting – 3rd March 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you recognise the owner of a 'part-address' below, please let them know that their their Bulletin has 'bounced' this week. Kevin Gunthorpe – hard bounce - This account has been disabled or discontinued. P W Barb – hard bounce - This account has been disabled or discontinued. If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, please let me know. Text copies of current and past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html ....and finally..... Polar bears 'running out of food' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42909866 Plastic pollution: Scientists' plea on threat to ocean giants http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42920383 Biscuits and chocolates take the 'shrinkflation' test http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42864685# Beetles have shrunk 20% in the past century, likely due to climate change https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/beetles-shrunk-20-past-century-likely-due-climate-change/? Eight things more likely to kill you in 1970s Britain than today http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42324984 Bones clue to 'lost' Viking army which made England - Derby http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-42918121 Country diary: the Trickle’s white witchcraft turns everything to stone https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/27/country-diary-trickle-white-witchcraft-stone-welburn-north-yorkshire#comment-111428698 Country diary: watching seals through salt spray and whipped-up sand https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/30/country-diary-winterton-norfolk-seals-nature-reserve Country diary: this stony grazing is littered with prehistoric remains https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/jan/31/country-diary-bodmin-moor-cornwall-prehistoric-remains-ponies Country diary: this is the season for fern sex https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/01/country-diary-this-is-the-season-for-fern-sex Country diary: where sparrows go when they vanish at dusk https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/02/country-diary-sparrows-roost-ivy#comment-111671509 Dance of galaxies challenges current thinking on cosmology https://theconversation.com/dance-of-galaxies-challenges-current-thinking-on-cosmology-91097 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/