============================================= || || 18th 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... *** STOP PRESS! Aidan Neary - LoveLincsPlants Project Officer writes: I have two spaces available on a free winter tree identification session aimed at beginners aged 18-35 to be held at Whisby Education Centre this Thursday 15th February 10am to 4pm. Trainees will have the opportunity to learn how to identify a selection of our native trees and shrubs before they are in leaf or flower. An excellent survey skill to have when assessing habitats outside of the growing season. To book on please ask interested trainee to send an email [quickly] to: Aidan Neary aneary@lincstrust.co.uk. Beast from the East on the way? Earlier weather forecasts suggested might have snow mid-February, this week even. It seems they were mostly right. TWO forecast says: As we head through the second half of February a Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) event is expected to increase the possibility of it turning very cold. See: https://www.theweatheroutlook.com/twoother/twocontent.aspx?type=hpnews&id=4190&title=Spring+2018+weather An excellent LNU Recorders Meeting in 10th February was attended by 42 members. Pre-meeting conversations now form a welcome part of this annual event, a time to share information and raise questions informally. An enjoyable and informative series of pithy presentations followed. If you missed it, make a mental note to be there in 2019. The AGM on 3rd March will be followed by the Presidential Address by Richard Jefferson on ‘Grasses and Grasslands in Lincolnshire’ https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/2018-03-03/ 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: Scotland's red squirrel numbers stabilise http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-42987025 Ancient artefacts found during Hornsea Project One wind farm work http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-42988971 DNA story of when life first gave us lemons http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42960445 Dippy: 'The people's dinosaur' hits the road http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42993354 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.] Annual General Meeting – 3rd March 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ Field Meetings 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/ *** 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]. *** 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 writes: 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 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. 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 7/2 Snow Bunting near reservoir, Freiston Shore 12+ Russian White-fronted Geese, Saltfleetby St Clement Bewick's Swan with 130 Whooper Swans, Idle Bank, Wroot 9+ Hawfinches, Forest Pines Golf Course, Broughton, nr Scunthorpe. Visit shop before entering. 8/2 Lesser-spotted Woodpecker male, Hartsholme Country Park, Lincoln Rough-legged Buzzard reported Haugh Walk Plantation, south of South Thoresby 1+ Mealy Redpoll on feeder, Park Road, Willingham-by-Stow Mealy Redpoll in garden, Ruskington Spotted Redshank*, Frampton Marsh 50+ Russian White-fronted Geese, Elm House Farm, Saltfleetby St Clement c30 Snow Buntings on outer sands, Cleethorpes 22 Snow Buntings, 20 Twite, on beach north of Crook Bank, Saltfleetby Bewick's Swan with 116 Whooper Swas in field north of Huttoft Bank Pit 4 Water Pipits*, Black-throated Diver*, Hen Harrier*, Gibraltar Point 9/2 25 Snow Buntings at Brickyard Lane, Saltfleetby Iceland Gull juv, on roof by Centrica, Grimsby fish docks Great White Egret, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Scaup ad fem, Apex pit, North Hykeham 2 Water Pipits, 12 Slavonian Grebes on sea opposite Mill Hill, Gibraltar Point 10/2 [Warning – I may have misposted some of these by accident!] Mealy Redpoll in garden, Ruskington Hen Harrier male, Frampton Marsh Great White Egret, Deeping Lakes 12 Snow Buntings on beach south of Crook Bank, Saltfleetby 11/2 Great White Egret, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Hawfinch in garden, Normanby 12/2 Iceland Gull flew south past, Lapland Bunting* flew south over, Rimac Little Stint, Frampton Marsh Scaup 1w drk, Willow Lake, Whisby Nature Park Glaucous Gull, Grimsby fish dock 13/2 Hawfinch in churchyard briefly, Middle Rasen Mealy Redpoll on garden feeder, Park Road, Willingham-by-Stow 2 Water Pipits, Gibraltar Point 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. Grantham SK 88821 36312 Peter Morrell 8.2.18 Badger roadkill on A1. Grantham SK 8875 3659 Peter Morrell 8.2.18 Badger roadkill on A1. 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 11/2/2018 Heron over Goldfinch 4+ Chaffinches - 6m, 6f House Sparrows – 3m, 3f Dunnock 1 Robin 1 Pied Wagtail [Not a Pied Flycatcher!] 1 Blackbird 2m, 1f Starling flock 24+ Woodpigeon 2 Collared Dove 3 Great Tit 2+ Blue Tit 2+ BLANKNEY HEATH 9/2/2018 Blankney Heath TF035598 Peter Wilson 3 buzzards in ploughed field CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK 909 580 Jeremy Hutchinson 7th February 2018, 13.00 Barn Owl on the wing in brilliant sunshine. HORKSTOW 7 February 2018 Jenny Haynes The flock of swans on fields adjacent to the River Ancholme has increased in number to about fifty. HUMBERSTON FITTIES (Grid reference TA3304) 5/2/18 Jon Drakes A brief visit to the pools and beach adjacent to the Humber Mouth Yacht Club found the following species present: Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Brent Goose Carrion Crow Collared Dove Common Gull Curlew Great Black Backed Gull Herring Gull House Sparrow Little Grebe Magpie Mallard Oystercatcher Pied Wagtail Redshank Shelduck Shoveler HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 - except where stated 5/2/2018 Lacewing 1 - on lounge ceiling for several days until I moved it to my much colder shed in corrugated cardboard. 6/2/2018 Blue tit 1 Chaffinch 2 7/2/2018 Pussy willow starting to bud Song thrush 1 Wren 1 9/2/2018 Sparrowhawk 1 10/2/2018 Tawny owl 1 - calling 6.05am - first of the year for me 12/2/2018 Short walk up Jolly Common Lane between 6.50-7-40am Barn owl 1 at TF514769 - flying fairly low around the boundary of the small uncultivated field just off the main road Heron 1 at TF516767 - I don't know what type of heron this was but it seemed quite large in flight to me. As we approached the drain, it flew out and gave me a shock as I've never seen one here before. Buzzard 1 at TF517768 - this was on the way back.  Swans 2 - whoopers, I think from the calling. A grand finale, high in the sky, just before reaching the main road. INGHAM Ingham SK 9311 8270 Peter Morrell 13.2.18 Barn owl hunting at 07:45 on the side of Stow Lane. NETTLEHAM David Smith 12/02/2018 15.00 Buzzard - 2 Well within village being mobbed by Crows x2 and other birds SCUNTHORPE Scunthorpe SE 9405 0708 Peter Morrell 12.2.18 Roe deer along track at side of Kirton Road. THEDDLETHORPE John Walker RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch Coastguard Cottage, Theddlethorpe John Walker 27 01 18 Chaffinch 11, blackbird 8, great tit 7, blue tit 5, long tail tit 4, dunnock 5, house sparrow 4, robin 1, pheasant 1, wood pigeon 1, collared dove 2, great spotted woodpecker 1, magpie 2. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 20/01/18 Blackbird x 3 Bullfinch x 5 Chaffinch x 7 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 3 Robin x 1 28/01/18 Blackbird x 1 Blue Tit x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 3 Grey Wagtail x 2 SK773947 Lapwing x 212 over Thurnholmes Moorhen x 1 Stock Dove x 1 Wood Pigeon x 21 02/02/18 Barn Owl x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Fieldfare x 39 Goosander x 2 females SK803992 Little Egret x 2 SE813006 05/02/18 Cormorant x 1 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:30hrs Field Vole x 1 Wood Mouse x 1 WADDINGTON Peter Wilson 12/2/2018 Waddington Lowfields SK952652 25 + swans on field Waddington Lowfields SK955644 15+ swans on field. This is two separate herds of swans, both have been on these fields for a few weeks now . A few years ago there was one large herd of about 75 but then the crop changed on the fields and they went elsewhere but have now apparently returned as the present crops obviously suit them . Not sure what the crop is. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Follows. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 2018 Annual General Meeting – 3rd March 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ Field Meetings 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-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. Gcarchitectural - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying theresa919 – 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..... Plastic waste 'building up' in Arctic http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42947155 UK 'could adopt' Norway bottle recycling system http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42953038 Country diary: blackbird song is all the better for its thievery https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/06/country-diary-blackbird-song-is-all-the-better-for-its-thievery Five ingenious ways snakes manipulate their bodies to hunt and survive https://theconversation.com/five-ingenious-ways-snakes-manipulate-their-bodies-to-hunt-and-survive-90052 How bombardier beetles survive being eaten – and other amazing animal defence mechanisms https://theconversation.com/how-bombardier-beetles-survive-being-eaten-and-other-amazing-animal-defence-mechanisms-91288 Country diary: finely dressed gadwall has an air of austere decency https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/10/country-diary-finely-dressed-gadwall-airedale-west-yorkshire#comment-112043918 Country diary: England's only narrow-headed ants are toughing out winter https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/12/country-diary-england-only-narrow-headed-ants-south-devon#comment-112110775 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/