============================================= || || 14th 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... *** Has anyone spotted Waxwings in Lincolnshire yet? Please let us know if you do. Many people begin their interest in natural history with Birds, and birdwatching provides a lifetime's fascination for thousands. This is reflected in LNU Bulletin reports and a steady flow of data on common bird species certainly has value. As you build your ornithological skills you may find yourself wanting to become more ambitious and organised in your bird recording. Or you might start to use your skills to learn about identification of other groups of organisms. If you are not yet recording your local birds, perhaps you should have a go at the RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch on 27 - 29 January as a first step to participating in bird-recording activity with organisations like Lincs Bird Club or BTO. Why not? https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/ Anyone moving in the "scientific birding" direction will be very welcome to attend the next LNU meeting on 20th January. See below. This is the annual meeting with the Lincolnshire Bird Club when we come together to explore a common interest. https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/2018-01-20/ For future meetings and workshops on other groups of species, keep an eye on the Bulletin and LNU website. I know Richard Davidson is planning some very interesting sessions in 2018. https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ Question: Does anyone know where the Kirkby-on Bain starlings might be murmurating? They seem to have moved location. Has anyone any information or advice? The local Wildlife Watch Club would like to see them in action. As usual I have included a selection of topical links. Most were sent in by readers. Suggestions for interesting links are always welcome. See: James Cook: The Voyages - The British Library: To mark 250 years since Captain James Cook's ship Endeavour set sail from Plymouth, this major exhibition will tell the story of Cook's three great voyages through original documents, many of which were produced by the artists, scientists and seamen on board the ship. https://www.bl.uk/events/james-cook-the-voyages? Pollution hotspots revealed: Check your area. Seems most of Lincolnshire is good. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42566393 Storm Eleanor leaves 'tidal wave of waste' in Cornwall http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-42609723 Northern Forest: Plan to plant 'ribbon of woodland' across England http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42591494 Meet the butterflies from 200 million years ago http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42636275 Rainbow peacock spider might inspire the optical technology of tomorrow https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/rainbow-peacock-spider/ More topical links are below in "...and finally..." - don't forget to click. 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. Your opinion matters. For more information visit: www.lincswolds.org.uk/looking-after/have%20your%20say 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 very 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/ *** Bryophyte meeting *** Moor Farm, Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire - Saturday 20th January 2018 We will be meeting to record bryophytes again, this time at Moor Farm Nature Reserve http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/Moor-Farm We will meet in the reserve car park (TF226635) at 10AM. 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 incase of last-minute changes due to weather. steven.heathcote@gmail.com *** 2018 Farmland Bird ID Days for the 2018 Big Farmland Bird Count *** Sponsored by BASF and delivered in partnership with FWAG Association and LEAF with support from the NFU and CLA Ahead of the 2018 Big Farmland Bird Count (taking place 9-18 February) we're running several farmland bird identification days throughout the country. Book now! Each day is run by a farmland bird expert and aimed at farmers, gamekeepers and those taking part in the Big Farmland Bird Count. Refreshments are included and participants are able to go out on a farm to do some bird identification. At the end of the training we hope that participants can recognise the top 20 bird species likely to be seen on farmland over winter. A colour ID guide is provided with a focus on birds that are harder to identify. Places are very limited for each day and tickets are only £10 each. https://www.gwct.org.uk/farming/big-farmland-bird-count/farmland-bird-id-days/? *** 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 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/ *** January Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Note - there will be no full moon in February! The month is "stradded" by the full moons of 31st January and 2nd March. https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/phases/uk/lincoln *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ *** 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 Adrian White writes: Barton Area Group invite you to our January events.  All welcome, Trust membership not necessary. All our events are free although donations are welcomed! Wednesday 17th January "The Geology and Prehistory of the Humber" A talk from Richard Clarke. How the Humber shaped the development of the peoples who lived there. Meet at Ness End Farm for a 7:30pm start Contact Adrian White for details (01724 732152) Refreshments provided Saturday 20th January A walk from Barton to Barrow A half day looking for wintering birds along the Humber bank and lakes. Return by train from Barrow station, approximate fare £2.00. Contact Vernon Chapman for details (01652 660957) Meet in Ness End Car park for a 9.00am start Wear appropriate warm clothing and footwear.  To get to Ness End Farm from Barton-upon-Humber, travel west along Far Ings Road, go past the brown signs for Far Ings visitor centre and past the turning for the hotel. The road narrows and after 300 yards Ness Farm car park is on your right (satnav post code DN18 5RG). *** Horncastle & Woodhall Spa area group LWT *** https://www.facebook.com/hwsag/ *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson Lincoln Area Group Talk January 18th: Birds in Lincolnshire Graham Catley from Lincolnshire Bird Club looks at the current state of birds in Lincolnshire and also at how bird watching in the county has changed over the years. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk *** 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 " * ". 3/1/2018 Hen Harrier male, Water Pipit, Long-tailed Duck flew south, Gibraltar Point Long-eared Owl, Bittern, Deeping Lakes Bittern, Boultham Mere, Lincoln Ring-necked Duck fem. from hide, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits 4/1 Shorelark, 57 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes 2 Black-necked Grebes, Toft Newton reservoir Bittern in reeds, Boultham Mere, Lincoln 6 Snow Buntings at reservoir, Freiston Shore Glaucous Gull juv at Kerwin Brothers fish dock, Grimsby Caspian gull at Greenshanks Creek from Mill Hill, Gibraltar Point Red-necked Grebe on River Welland SW of Cowbit by Gull House Farm Hen Harrier Male, Frampton Marsh 5/1 Hen Harrier, 2 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh 2 Hen Harriers both males over Bird Observatory, Bittern on Tennyson's Sands, Red-necked Grebe south past, 5 Slavonian Grebes off, Gibraltar Point Black Brant with Dark-bellied Brent Geese on realignment, Donna Nook Great White Egret along dirt track at side of Alderfen Fisheries, Wroot 7 Shorelarks on beach off Churchill Lane, 30 Snow Buntings, 30 Twite, Glaucous Gull juv, Saltfleetby Red-necked Grebe, Cut End bear Boston Iceland Gull* flew north past. Slavonian Grebe, Gibraltar Point 6/1 Hen Harrier, 2 Slavonian Grebes, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 7 Shorelarks on beach at Brickyard Lane, 26 Snow Buntings, Saltfleetby Long-eared Owl on island, Deeping Lakes 2 Slavonian Grebes at Cut End, Witham mouth, near Boston Bittern landed in reeds at back of Mere viewed from Mill Hill, Gibraltar Point 7/1 Bittern on Mere, Gibraltar Point Bittern at Boultham Mere, Lincoln Waxwing flew east over Ness End, Far Ings Snow Bunting at outfall, then flew off, Goxhill 6 Snow Buntings at reservoir, Freiston Shore Long-tailed Duck at River Witham mouth, Slavonian Grebe, Cut End, near Boston 8/1 Snow Bunting, 30 Twite, Whimbrel, 2 Hen Harriers, Gedney Marsh Red-necked Grebe, ringtail Hen Harrier, at Cut end, SE of Boston Bittern at Grebe Lake, 2 Jack Snipe, Whisby Great White Egret, Nocton Fen Little Stint, Frampton Marsh 9/1 Mealy Redpoll on feeders, Willingham-by-Stow 14 Hawfinches at Forest Pines, Brigg 2 Black-necked Grebes, Toft Newton Reservoir Black-necked Grebe, Hen Harrier ringtail, Frampton Marsh Bittern*, Grebe Lake, Whisby Nature Park 10/1 Great White Egret near Tattershall bridge between Chapel Farm and +25km marker on River Witham 2 Jack Snipe on saltmarsh, Rimac 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. MAMMAL SIGHTINGS 12 - 25 December 2018 Jane Ostler Badger: Running alongside a cyclist (at night!) before veering off into verge Ingoldsby SK990308 Fox: Raiding dustbins during day after snow  Colsterworth SK932242 Tracks on garden path Woolsthorpe SK920244 Heading for Grantham from Hall's Holl SK930355 Dead on roadside between Twyford and Birkholme SK965234 Rabbit: Young rabbits seen out in day Harrowby SK940354 Adult on roundabout at Old Sutterton TF283 357 Fallow Deer: Seen by above mentioned cyclist at night. About 15 crossing road between Kirkby Underwood and Rippingdale TF085275 Also seen by the night cyclist - "a large number of fallow deer on Lobthorpe Lane apparently travelling towards Twyford Wood" SK956223 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. BARDNEY The Green TF119694 R & A Parsons 5/1/2018 2 Magpies in garden 2 Robins fighting Starlings - flock of 34 House Sparrows - 10 7/1 Pied Wagtail 8/1 Flock of House Sparrows now 32. One quite dark. BARDNEY LOCK TF104699 R&A Parsons 7/1/2018 Remarkable number of mallard in flight over river, mainly in 2pairs or 3s. Mostly coming from Lincoln direction. Some larger groups. DEEPING LAKES Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Date: 03/01/2018 Time: 1315 - 1530 Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Sunny periods, gale force winds Birds: Barn Owl Bittern Blackbird Black-headed Gull Bullfinch Carrion Crow Chaffinch Coot Cormorant Gadwall Goldcrest Goldeneye Goosander Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey heron Greylag Goose Herring Gull Little Egret Long-eared Owl Mallard Magpie Merlin Moorhen Mute Swan Pintail Robin Shoveler Sparrowhawk Stock Dove Teal Wigeon Woodpigeon Wren Yellow-legged Gull Mammals: Grey Squirrel Muntjac GRIMSBY - RIVERHEAD (Grid reference TA2709) Jon Drakes 5/1/2018 Whilst walking into Grimsby town centre, the following species were noted : Black-Headed Gull Feral Pigeon Great Black Backed Gull Herring Gull Mallard Mute Swan Peregrine Falcon - the bird was seen approaching from the direction of the town's telephone exchange building before flying over the Alexandra Dock and heading off in the direction of the Freeman Street flats. KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 01/01/2018 Jon Drakes A New Year's Day morning walk around fields and woodland to the North of the village found the following species present: Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Blue Tit Bullfinch 4 Buzzard 2 Carrion Crow Chaffinch Collared Dove Dunnock Fieldfare Goldfinch Great Tit Herring Gull House Sparrow Jay Kestrel Magpie Mistle Thrush Pheasant Pink-footed Goose approx.60 flying North Redwing Robin Rook Starling Woodpigeon Fox Roe Deer 2 KEELBY (Grid ref TA1609) 1/1/2018 Jon Drakes A late morning walk around fields to the South East of the village found the following species recorded: Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Carrion Crow Chaffinch Collared Dove Fieldfare Grey Wagtail 2 observed at the village sewage works Jackdaw Pied Wagtail Robin Starling Woodpigeon LOUTH TF323867 Nick Adams 28th December - 1st January 2018: mornings ~ 8am 1 Male Blackcap on garden seed and fat ball feeders SOUTHERY WOOD, near Bardney TF135 685 R&A Parsons 4/1/2018 Muntjac adult at wood edge at 18.00hrs THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 19/12/17 Blackbird x 4 Black Headed Gull x 15 Chaffinch x 4 Common Buzzard x 2 Dunnock x 3 Fieldfare x 52 Goldfinch x 5 Little Egret x 3 SK788989 Mute Swan x 2 over Thurnholmes Red Legged Partridge x 2 Robin x 1 Rook x 52 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 02:15hrs Wren x 1 Roe Deer x 1 female SK788989 23/12/17 Blackbird x 5 Blue Tit x 2 Common Buzzard x 2 Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 37 Great Tit x 2 Heron x 1 over Thurnholmes Kestrel x 1 Little Egret x 1 SK788989 Redwing x 5 Stock Dove x 2 Wood Pigeon x 7 Wren x 1 29/12/17 Black Headed Gull x 12 Common Buzzard x 2 Dunnock x 3 Great Black-backed Gull x 2 Kestrel x 1 Little Egret x 1 Red Legged Partridge x 2 31/12/17 Axholme Light Railway Line, Haxey to Burnham Blackbird x 9 Black Headed Gull x 32 Blue Tit x 4 Bullfinch x 6 Dunnock x 3 Fieldfare x 35 Great Tit x 3 Kestrel x 1 Lapwing x 53 Moorhen x 1 Redwing x 17 Robin x 2 Starling x 53 Wood Pigeon x 7 Wren x 1 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 01/01/18 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 5 Black headed Gull x 31 Blue Tit x 2 Bullfinch x 4 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 3 Fieldfare x 25 Golden Plover x 51 over Thurnholmes Goldfinch x 3 Great Black-backed Gull x 2 Kestrel x 1 Lapwing x 15 Little Egret x 1 SK788989 Robin x 1 Rook x 22 Sparrowhawk x 1 female SE773005 Wood Pigeon x 35 Wren x 1 03/01/18 Blackbird x 11 Dunnock x 3 Golden Plover x 8 Great Tit x 2 Little Egret x 1 Moorhen x 1 Starling x 3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 3rd January - 10th January 2018 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Nige Lound & Matt Blissett Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings Very cold, strong, north-easterlies veering to the east from 6th - 8th with gusts of 42.7 mph on the 7th and 35.3mph noted on the 8th 030118 On or over the sea were 150 common scoter, 7 red-throated diver and 2 great- crested grebe. In the CB area were 3 fieldfare, 14 long-tailed tit and 2 sparrow- hawk. 9 adult whooper swan flew north. 040118 Water rail squealing in vegetation on side of Eau near Sea View 050118 Single fieldfare near Sea View, observations of notes from WeBS included c1400 pink-footed geese and 25 whoopers from roost, 204 lapwing, 489 curlew, 2 golden- eye, 136 oystercatcher, 130 knot, 195 dunlin, 52 sanderling, 18 grey plover, 11 little egret, 10 snow buntings, single peregrine and stonechat. Plus at least 670 pink-footed geese flying high and north in several skeins during the morning. 23 red-throated diver, 6 great-crested grebe, a guillemot and around 1150 pinkfeet flew north at sea whilst a drake goldeneye and 124 common scoter were on the sea. Also around today were 30 snow bunting, 40 twite, 100 linnet, 150 fieldfare, 7 shore lark, a juvenile glaucous gull and 2 barn owls hunting. 060118 Theddlethorpe foreshore, 248 dunlin, 48 linnet, 1 glaucous gull. 070118 Crook Bank to Mablethorpe North End, 28 snow bunting, c40 fieldfare, 1 female sparrowhawk, c30 sanderling, 2 eider and 53 common scoter flew north at sea. 080118 - In the area were 20 fieldfare, 3 woodcock, 4 bullfinch, 3 water rail, 2 great spotted woodpecker and a buzzard. 9 eider and a lone red-throated diver flew north at sea. 267 brent geese and a water rail were on the Haven lagoon and 45 shoveler were on Paradise Pool. In field opposite Sea View Road a buzzard seen taking a lapwing in flight from a flock of c50 birds. Single barn owl hunting at Rimac. 090118 On washlands adjacent to the Eau near Sea View Road 220 wigeon, 37 teal, 6 shoveler, 170 lapwing, 44 curlew and 29 redshank, male sparrowhawk over the area and great tit in broken song near SV.  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Recorders’ 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..... Includes some weather and climate change stories... Warmer seas 'turning turtles female' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-42626574/great-barrier-reef-warmer-seas-turning-turtles-female Weather: What to expect in 2018 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-42546395/weather-what-to-expect-in-2018 Coral reefs head for 'knock-out punch' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42571484 Marine wildlife charities' worries over management plan http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-42611115 Mussel power: Bid to save rare shellfish in Wales http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-wales-42536056/mussel-power-bid-to-save-rare-shellfish-in-wales El Nino's long reach to Antarctic ice http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42614412 Fire reductions 'make methane numbers add up' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42555568 Most expensive year on record for US natural disasters http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42608161 Sydney swelters in hottest day since 1939 as mercury hits 47.3C http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-42595180 US shivers amid record-breaking low temperatures http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42576978 China snow: Heavy falls bring chaos and beauty http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-asia-china-42575883/china-snow-heavy-falls-bring-chaos-and-beauty ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/