============================================= || || 7th January 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 will really appreciate 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... *** A relatively minor, sometimes interesting meteor shower, The Quadrantids, peaks on 3rd January, but it will almost certainly be spoiled by a full Moon. Large meteor spotted in skies across UK http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-42534255/large-meteor-spotted-in-skies-across-uk Sky & Telescope predicts that the two best meteor showers in 2018 will be the Perseids in mid-August and the Geminids in mid-December. Details of 2018 showers to bookmark/put in your diary: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/best-bet-meteor-showers-for-2018/ A good New Year resolution is to join "Flu Survey" - easy to do and a useful contribution to epidemiological research. Especially if you get Australian 'Flu! https://flusurvey.org.uk/ Reminder: The draft Lincolnshire Wolds AONB Management Plan 2018-2023 is out for public consultation. If you have not yet made your contribution you have all of January to do so. Please have your say. For more information visit: www.lincswolds.org.uk/looking-after/have%20your%20say As usual I have included a selection of topical links. Most were sent in by readers. Suggestions for interesting links are always welcome. See: Digiscoper of the Year I forgot to make this link "go live" last week. Try it again! http://www.digiscoperoftheyear.com/en/the-winners Seals the deal: a winter wander on the Lincolnshire coast. https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2017/dec/28/lincolnshire-seals-pupping-mating-donna-nook? Lincolnshire hare coursers crash car in bid to escape. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-42505708 Norton Disney rendering plant: Protesters march against plans http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-42522724 Alarming link between fungicides and bee declines revealed https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/29/alarming-link-between-fungicides-and-bee-declines-revealed More topical links are below in "...and finally..." - don't forget to click. Thank you for all your contributions this week - very welcome. 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.] A joint LBC/LNU Meeting - 20th January 2018 - non-members welcome. Lincolnshire Rooks; Living in the shadow of Ash dieback by Andrew Chick The talk will look at 70 years of rook studies in Lincolnshire, starting with the 1947 LNU Transaction paper and compare the results of the 2017 Lincolnshire Bird Club survey which inspected over 250 rookeries and counted 5959 nests. During the 1980s a detailed survey of the trees utilised by nesting rooks was undertaken to assess the likely impact of Dutch Elm Disease on Lincolnshire birds, some 30 years later we are now assessing the potential impact that Chalara dieback will have on Lincolnshire wildlife? The joint Lincolnshire Bird Club/Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union indoor meetings are held in Lincoln at the Whisby Education Centre at Whisby Nature Park. Indoor meetings start at 2pm, with both members and non-members welcome to attend. https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/2018-01-20/ *** 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 *** Planning and implementation of the project continues. We will keep you informed via the Bulletin and Communiquﻯ, and via our Twitter feed. 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/ Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Twitter feed https://twitter.com/lincswildlife?lang=en *** January Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html AuroraWatch UK: action possible..... http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk Spaceweather.com http://www.spaceweather.com/ *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ Keith Scarrott writes: The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society. Our first meeting for the New Year is on Monday, 8th January, 2018, at which Paul Money visits to give his talk "The Triumph of Voyager, Part 1". This is the first of Paul's two talks about NASA's Voyager 1 and 2 missions to Jupiter, Saturn and beyond, which set off in September, 1977. Now in interstellar space, they are still sending data back to earth. Paul will be showing us images of Jupiter and the journey there, followed by the splendour of Saturn. The meeting will take place in the St Bernadette's Church Parish Centre, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, (opposite the Priory Hotel), starting at 7.15pm. There is a large, free car park inside the Church grounds. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. For a small charge light refreshments are available at the mid-talk break. Contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098 for further details. *** RSPB Grimsby Local Group *** Martin Francis writes: The next meeting of the RSPB Grimsby Local Group is at 7.30pm on Monday 15th January at Holy Trinity Parish Hall (formerly called Corpus Christi Community Centre), corner of Machray Place, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes DN35 7AE. Paul Laurie will give us an illustrated talk entitled "The Birds of Blakeney Point" There will also be refreshments and a raffle. Entry is £4, payable at the door. All are welcome. You don't have to be a member of the RSPB to attend this talk, which has local interest - almost! For more information, contact Martin Francis (Group Leader) at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com (preferred) or on (01472) 883436 *** Local RSPB links: *** Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby 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 *** Horncastle & Woodhall Spa area group LWT *** https://www.facebook.com/hwsag/ *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk Carolyn Davis writes: On Saturday 6th January 2018 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invites you to join them on a morning bird walk starting from the Discovery Centre, Cleethorpes. Grid ref. TA320084. Please meet walk leader Ray Hume outside the Discovery Centre at 9am. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing 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 Hume 07814 840682. On Monday 8th January 2018 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them at their first indoor meeting of the New Year when Gemma Atkinson who works for the Forestry Commission at Chambers Farm Wood near Wragby will be talking about the reintroduction of the Hazel Dormouse. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. There will be a Trust goods stall, raffle, tea & coffee available. Admission £3, all are welcome. *** 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 reports to save myself going back to re-do entries. From now on I shall squeeze in important ones, indicating them with a " * ". 28/12 10 Hawfinches at Forest Pines Golf Club, Broughton, ESE of Scunthorpe 7+ Snow Buntings at reservoir, Freiston Shore Hen Harrier ringtail, 3 Short-eared Owls, Black-necked Grebe, Slavonian Grebe, Long-eared Owl at Tabb's Head, Frampton Marsh Iceland Gull 2w, Manby Flashes c40 Snow Buntings north of Buck Beck car park, Cleethorpes 58 Snow Buntings* on foreshore opposite Discovery Centre, Cleethorpes 29/12 Hen Harrier ringtail, Frampton Marsh Glaucous Gull flew north past Crook Bank, Saltfleetby 30/12 c40 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes Hen Harrier male, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Great White Egret, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits 31/12 2 Hen Harriers, 2 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh 6 Snow Buntings at reservoir, Freiston Shore Great White Egret along river, Belton Park near Grantham Bittern on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 21 Hawfinches at Ravensthorpe on Forest Pines Golf Course 1/1/2018 Bittern, Water Pipit on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 2 Great White Egrets at Thorpe Fen in Bell Water Drain, Little Steeping 4 Hawfinches at Ravensthorpe on Forest Pines Golf Course 7+ Hawfinches near Brigg 2 Hawfinches, Haverholme Priory 2 Hen Harriers, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Bewick's Swan, Snow Bunting flew over, Frampton Marsh 1 Twite, 6 Snow Buntings at reservoir, Freiston Shore 2+ Twite between Rimac and Churchill Lane, Saltfleetby Scaup as fem on Apex Pits, North Hykeham Long-tailed Duck fem on River Welland, Long-eared Owl on island, Deeping High Bank 2/1 Hawfinch in trees by near cattle feeder, Fillingham Velvet Scoter flew north past Rimac with 2 Common Scoters 3/1 Hen Harrier male, 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. CAT KILLS? Extend our small mammal knowledge by reporting cat-assisted records! *** 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. ALKBOROUGH FLATS (Grid reference SE8722) 31/12/17 Jon Drakes with Tracey Smith and Mike Wilson A New Year's Eve visit to Alkborough Flats found the following species recorded: Barnacle Goose Bearded Tit Black Tailed Godwit Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Blue Tit Canada Goose Carrion Crow Cormorant Curlew Dunlin Golden Plover Goldfinch Great Black Backed Gull Great Tit Grey Heron Greylag Goose Herring Gull Jackdaw Lapwing Little Egret Magpie Mallard Marsh Harrier- male and female birds seen hunting Mute Swan Pink-footed Goose Redshank Redwing Robin Shelduck Snipe Starling Teal Water Rail Woodpigeon Wren Roe Deer BARDNEY The Green TF119694 R & A Parsons w/o 24/12/2017 Great Tit 2+ Bluie Tit 2+ Blackbird 2 Coal Tit 1+ Robin 1 Goldfinch 3 Chaffinch 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Wren 1 Collared Dove 3 Woodpigeon 1 Starling 12+ House Sparrow 12+ Dunnock 1 Black-headed Gull 12+ Jackdaw 5+ BARDNEY LOCK TF104699 R&A Parsons 31st Dec 2017 and 1st Jan 2018 2 f Goosanders Large skein of Pink-footed[?] Geese over headed north. BOSTON (South by A16) December 2017 Roy and Kathleen Pearson After a slight absence, our garden feeding station has been restored and we have had a good month's record for the BTO Garden BirdWatch in December, with a total of 25 species being recorded. Compared with earlier in the year, there has been an absence of the large gulls, but three species of birds received double figures being present at one time, with Goldfinches, Woodpigeons and Blackbirds being very numerous. Mistle Thrush was an unusual visitor, but has since disappeared following the reduction of holly berries. A Blackcap has been present on several days. The 25 species seen follow with the number being the largest count present at one time. Goldfinch 25, Woodpigeon 14, Blackbird 10, Robin 2, Blue Tit 5, Collared Dove 4, House Sparrow 5, Chaffinch 2, Greenfinch 4, Coal Tit 2, Dunnock 2, Great Tit 5, Starling 8, Sparrowhawk 1, Wren 1, Goldcrest 1, Mistle Thrush 4, Jay 2, Song Thrush 1, Magpie 1, Long-tailed Tit 4, Black-headed Gull 6, Blackcap 1, Jackdaw 2, Redwing 1. Non-birds included Grey Squirrel 2 and single records of Wood Mouse and Buff-tailed Bumblebee. BOSTON (South by A16) 01/01/2018 Kathleen Pearson Most unusual presence of a Green Woodpecker to start the year in the garden. FISHTOFT (Nr Boston) 26/12/2017 Roy and Kathleen Pearson Green Woodpecker by the church. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden unless otherwise advised) 24/12/2017 TF514769 Barn owl 1 - watched the owl flying low around field adjacent to the road at 7.30am. Fox 1 25/12/2017 TF530778 Roe deer 2 TF534765 Swans 2 28/12/2017 Great tits 6 Long tailed tits 2 Magpies 2 1/1/2018 Wren 1 2/1/2018 TF518765 Barn owl 1 - 7.30am watched the owl flying around the field, then swooping and flying off apparently carrying its prey! KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 28/12/2017 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Bird Watch for the BTO in our back garden were: Blackbird 2 Black-headed Gull 12 Collared Dove 20 House Sparrow 30 Robin 2 Starling 3 Dunnock 3 Great Tit 1 Tree Sparrow 3 Jackdaw 1 Blue Tit 1 Chaffinch 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 National Nature Reserve week ending 3rd Jauary. Peter & Janet Roworth and Cliff Morrison Very quiet between SV and Paradise, couple of collared doves cavorting around SV and great tits heard attempting snatches of song. Best area has been Elm House fields with fair amount of water and birds. The weather for December was influenced by quite a number of fronts from varying quarters giving alternative periods of very cold to unusual mild conditions. On the 1st small patches of remnant snow cover left from the 30th November snowfall soon thawed by the end of the day. The only other day when snow was observed was the 10th when flakes of wet snow fell in a raw ESE but soon gave way to rain, nothing settled. Ground temperatures fell to a keen -7.5°C (air -4.5°C) on the 17th. Overall there were 22 ground frosts and 13 air frosts. Daytime temperatures rose to an unseasonal mild 12.25°C on the 7th, and similar conditions noted on the 20th (11.75°C), 24th (11.25°C), 25th (11.75°C), 30th (12.0°C) and 31st (11.5°). Of the 19 rain days two gave significant amounts of ppt with 11.6mm on the 26th and 11.5mm on the 29th. At the time of weather recording (usually between 0830 hrs and 0900 hrs) the wind force was at f5+ on nine days and of note near gale force 7 conditions were noted on the 7th with a south-westerly and on the 27th a north-easterly. The only fog of note was on the 22nd which was a dank day with low cloud, fog and drizzle. Total rainfall for the month was 52.4 mm (2.06 inches) and the total for the year was 601.6mm (23.7 inches). Interesting weather facts for 2017: Lowest minimum ground temperature was -8.5°C on 22nd and 27th January (19 ground frosts in January and 22 in December). Lowest air minimum temperature was -4.5°C on 17th December (note: on several days there were very warm nights examples as ground/air temperatures 17/16.5 22nd July, 14.75/16.75 20th July, 15.25/16.5 23rd August and 6.25/8.75 7th December). A late ground frost of -0.75°C was recorded on 28th April The highest daytime temperature was 29.25°C on 17th and 19th June (nb: unseasonal 22.25°C on 25th October, 12.25°C on 7th December and 12.0°C on 30th December). The most continuous rain days were from 21st February - 7th March (15 days). The most rainfall recorded during a 24hr period was 25.2mm on 22nd June [and 23.7mm on 28th June]. The wettest month was June 90.0mm (3.55 inches) The total rainfall for 2017 was 601.6 mm (23.7 inches) compared with 2016: 553.0 mm (21.79 inches), 2015: 523.9mm (20.64 inches), 2014: 670.4mm (26.41 inches), 2013: 437.9mm (17.25 inches) and 2012: 728.3mm (28.69 inches). The longest period without rain was from 31st March - 13th April (14 days) (Also of note 1st May - 12th May 12 days and 11th June - 21st June 11 days). The driest month was April with 12.9mm (0.51 inches) A south westerly gust of 62.4mph was recorded on 23rd February (nb: in the early hours of 27th December near gale force 7 north-easterlies gave 11.6mm of rain). Snowfall was recorded on 13th January for 20 minutes, less than 10mm and had thawed later in the day. On 30th November snow fell and settled to a depth of 2.5cmm (on concrete) but had thawed by the next day. On 10th December squally snow flurries were observed but soon turned to rain. Dense fog observed on 20th and 25th January, 6th and 13th February, 28th March, 3rd April and 2nd September. Week ending 3rd Jan 30th - There were at least 29 shoveler on Paradise lagoon and 18 little egrets on the saltmarsh. Single great spotted woodpecker and 18 redwings at Sea View. On nearby pasture land [Elm House farm] were a good display of birds including pink-footed geese 300+, Canada geese 10, grey lag geese 6, dark-bellied brent geese 60, curlew 120+, lapwing 400+, golden plover 250+, wigeon 150+, rooks 40+ and fieldfare 2. 1st - Paradise lagoon held 26+ shoveler, 55+ teal, 4 mallard and 2 wigeon. On Elm House field 1 were 68 curlew, 17 grey lags, 529 pink-feet, 31 dark-bellied brents, 176 wigeon and 300+ lapwing flying over fields beyond (no golden plover seen or heard). Editor adds: If you would like me to email you a copy of last week's report please contact me. old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 http://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 *** 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 Indoor meeting ≈ 20th January 2018 Joint talk with the Lincolnshire Bird Club Lincolnshire Rooks; Living in the shadow of Ash dieback by Andrew Chick Recordersφ Meeting ≈ 10th February 2018 Annual General Meeting ≈ 3rd March 2018 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. uptonvilla - soft bounce - this is a permanent error. 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.....: Gardens under threat from 'game changing' plant disease http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42504931 Country diary: venerable beech hosts a swarm of microscopic life https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/21/country-diary-beech-hosts-microscopic-life-wolsingham-weardale Crocodile in Melbourne front yard surprises couple on Christmas Day https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/dec/26/crocodile-surprise-melbourne-christmas County diary: lines made by walking https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/27/county-diary-artists-lines-made-walking-wenlock-edge-#comment-110148749 Country diary: a little map of bird movements https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/dec/29/country-diary-stamford-lincolnshire-little-map-of-bird-movements ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/