============================================= || || 28th 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... *** Sorry to be running a bit late this week, I've been “under the weather”. Thanks to all those who sent reports in in good time, that has been a great help in the catching-up process. Remember RSPB's Big Garden Birdwatch on 27 - 29 January https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/ Looking at the weather forecast it seems we may have snow on 7, 8 and 9th February...... 14-21th February brings the BTO's annual National Nest Box Day 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: Lincolnshire hare coursing: Seized dogs to be rehomed http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-42746495 Heard of the Ring-billed Gull, an American vagrant? See: https://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdtrack/news-archive/2011-01/ring-billed-gull How to recognise a Ring-billed/Common Gull hybrid: http://birdingfrontiers.com/2011/02/15/ring-billed-gull-hybrid/ ‘Firehawk’ behaviour http://www.discoverwildlife.com/news/firehawks? 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.] Recorders’ Meeting – 10th February 2018 Overview and highlights of the past years recording provided by the county recorders. Arrive at 12 noon for a chance to catch up with recorders; the overview starts at 2pm as in previous years. [You are welcome to bring a “packup”.] *** Bryophyte meeting 11th February *** Steven Heathcote writes: Toby's Hill, Saltfleet, Lincolnshire – Sunday 11th February 2018 We will be meeting to record bryophytes again, this time at Toby's Hill Nature Reserve, an isolated remnant of the old sand dune system (http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/Tobys-Hill). Parking and the meeting location is by the reserve entrance on Marsh Lane, Saltfleet (TF453943) at 10AM. This is a public road so please park considerately. We plan to stay out most of the day so please bring warm/dry clothes and a packed lunch. Anyone is welcome for part or all of the day. Please let me know if you plan to attend incase of last-minute changes due to weather. steven.heathcote@gmail.com *** Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important *** Grab a Grid Reference: http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ *** Love Lincs Plants - Updates *** 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, shortly about to mutate into February *** 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 "straddled" 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/ Keith Scarrott writers: The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society At our second meeting of this year, on Monday, 12th February, Chris Manning, the LNU Recorder for Mammals visits to give us his illustrated talk entitled "Deer and Deer Parks in Lincolnshire". Chris has a particularly extensive knowledge about the deer populations and will will be telling us about the various types of deer, their distributions about the County, their behaviours, our concerns about them etc. ALL ARE INVITED TO OUR MEETINGS which start at 7.15pm and take place in the St Bernadette's Church Parish Centre, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. There is a large, free car park at the Church. There is no entry charge to our meetings but a donation bowl is provided. Light refreshments are provided for a small charge at the mid-talk break. For further details contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** Local RSPB links: *** Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby 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/ George Rutter writes: Talk: Lincolnshire wildflowers Half Moon Hotel, West Street, Alford, LN13 9DG Monday 29th January - 7:30pm Aidan Neary will talk on this project which aims to enhance both the landscape and wildlife of the county. With the Alford and Mablethorpe Area Group *** Barton Area Group LWT *** https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Louth LWT *** Ray Woodcock writes: The first of the 2018 series of illustrated talks in Louth will be, ‘Lincolnshire Plants - Past and Future’, given by Aiden Neary, the LWT Wildflower Meadow Project Officer. Everyone is welcome at 7.30pm on Friday 26 January at the Nichol Hill Methodist Church, Louth. Entrance is £2.50 which includes refreshments; children are not charged. For more details about the activities of the Louth Area Group, contact Ray on lag2014rww@aol.com *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk *** 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 ones, indicating them with a " * ". 18/1 Waxwing in gardens in Ramsgate where River Lud goes under road, Waxwing in walnut tree, Louth Mealy Redpoll on feeder in Park Road, Willingham-by-Stow 3 Long-eared Owls on island, ad drk Scaup on lake, Deeping Lakes Great White Egret, Alderfen, Wroot, then flew towards New Porters 2 Russian White-fronted Geese, Jack Snipe, 5 Snow Buntings* Freiston Shore 16 Russian White-fronted Geese, Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point Spotted Redshank*, Frampton Marsh 19/1 Mealy Redpoll on feeder in Park Road, Willingham-by-Stow 2 Long-eared Owls on island, Scaup ad drk, Deeping Lakes 5 Snow Buntings at reservoir, ringtail Hen Harrier, Freiston Shore Scaup drk, Bewick's Swan, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Wood duck drk [presumed escape] Priory Fishing Lakes, Ruskington Scaup ad fem, North Hykeham pits Great White Egret*, Messingham Sand Quarry 20/1 Iceland Gull 2w, Manby Flashes 5 Snow Buntings at reservoir, 2 Scaup offshore, Freiston Shore 3 Long-eared Owls on island, Deeping Lakes c60 Russian White-fronted Geese with Pink-footed Geese, opposite church, Saltfleetby St Clement 2 Hen Harriers, 1 male, Saltfleetby Scaup drk, 2 male Hen Harriers, Frampton Marsh Water Pipit, 16 Russian White-fronted Geese at Middlemarsh Wetlands, then flew off. Black-necked Grebe*, on River Welland near Fleet Hall Hawfinch, Doddington 21/1 Water Pipit between East Halton Skitter and Goxhill Mealy Redpoll on feeder in Park Road, Willingham-by-Stow 2 Russian White-fronted Geese with Pink-footed Geese in field near entrance, Frampton Marsh 20 Russian White-fronted Geese with Pink-footed Geese, opposite church, Saltfleetby St Clement Iceland Gull, Manby Flashes 5 Snow Buntings, 2 Hen Harriers 1 male, Gibraltar Point Long-eared Owl*, Deeping Lakes 22/1 Great White Egret, Alderfen opposite fishery, Wroot Ring-billed Gull, Scaup ad drk, Deeping Lakes Hen Harrier male, Spotted Redshank near sea wall, Frampton Marsh 5 Snow Buntings near reservoir, Freiston Shore Bittern, Far Ings, Barton-upon-Humber Rough-legged Buzzard flew SW over Glentham 39 Russian White-fronted Geese*, with Pink-footed Geese, opposite church, Saltfleetby St Clement 23/1 Hen Harrier male, 2 Russian White-fronted Geese, Frampton Marsh 5 Snow Buntings near reservoir, Freiston Shore 3 Snow Buntings at Millennium Ridge, 2 Hen Harriers, 1 male, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, Thorpe Drain by Kent's Bridge, Little Steeping Hawfinch at Aunby, SW of Bourne 2 Russian White-fronted Geese with 400 Pink-footed Geese, west of Candy Farm corner, Wroot Iceland Gull, 2w/juv, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Probable hybrid Ring-billed x Common Gull [not Ring-billed] Deeping Lakes 24/1 Tundra Bean Goose with Greylag Geese, Marston Hen Harrier ringtail, 2 Russian White-fronted Geese, Spotted Redshank, drk Scaup, Frampton Marsh 1+ Snow Bunting at reservoir, ringtail Hen Harrier, Freiston Shore Great White Egret on pit south of landfill site, 2w Iceland Gull in landfill, Kirkby on Bain pits 6 Russian White-fronted Geese with 400 Pink-footed Geese, west of Candy Farm corner, Great White Egret at Alderfen in ditch opposite fishery, Wroot Bittern in reeds on south side, Boultham Mere 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. SOUTH FERRIBY Jenny Haynes 20 January 2018 SE 986198 Dead badger. Close to position of one last year. *** 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. ANDERBY MARSH 18th Jan 2018 Dave Miller Black-headed Gull 2 Carrion Crow 7 Curlew 1 Golden Plover 13 Lapwing 70 Magpie 21 Mallard 37 Pheasant 1 Redwing 1 Starling 90 Teal 8 Wigeon 8 BARDNEY The Green TF119694 R & A Parsons Regular January visitors included: Blackbird 2m, 1f Robin 2+ Dunnock 1+ House Sparrow – flock of up to 20 Starling – flock of up to 20 Pied Wagtail – picks fights with robins Chaffinch 2m 2f Great Tit 2+ Blue Tit 2+ Jackdaw 3+ Magpie 1+ Black-headed Gull raiding party - 12+ Collared Dove 4+ Woodpigeon 1+ Snowdrops are up in St Lawrence's churchyard on Church Lane. BOSTON (S. by A16) 20/01/2018 Kathleen Pearson On most days over the last month, a male Blackcap has been feeding in the garden on mahonia. Today a female was seen in the same bush and we were fortunate enough to ring it after it flew out. CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK 909 580 Jeremy Hutchinson 23/1/2018 Two Common Buzzards feeding on worms in field of winter barley. One bird had relatively pale underparts, the other very dark all over, one of the darkest I have ever seen. Generally, Bullfinches seen (usually a pair) more often than usual recently. Unsure whether they have been the same birds, but seen over a mile radius approx. EAST HALTON SKITTER TO GOXHILL HAVEN (and return) (Grid reference TA1423 to TA1225) 21/1/2018 Jon Drakes An early morning visit to this stretch of the Humber to carry out the monthly WeBS count found the following species present: Barn Owl 1 Bearded Tit 2 Black Tailed Godwit 8 Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Blue Tit Buzzard 1 Carrion Crow Coot 3 Cormorant 3 Curlew 402 Dunlin 3 Fieldfare Golden Plover 100 Goldeneye 42 Goldfinch Grey Heron 1 Herring Gull Kestrel 1 Lapwing 267 Little Grebe 2 Long-tailed Tit Magpie Mallard 74 Marsh Harrier 1 Meadow Pipit 1 Pheasant Pink-footed Goose 1000 Redshank 8 Reed Bunting 9 Rook Shelduck 4 Snipe 11 Sparrowhawk 1 Starling Turnstone 2 Water Pipit 1 Wigeon 232 Woodpigeon Wren Also seen was a Fox. HORKSTOW Jenny Haynes 21 January 2018 There were six roe deer in the field at the back of my house. Not seen them this close before. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 16/1/2018 Robins 2 Rooks 12 18/1/2018 Blue tit 1 Great tits 2 Pheasant 1 20/1/2018 Long tailed tits 6 22/1/2018 Blue tits 2 Chaffinch 2 Great tits 2 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Wren 1 HUTTOFT PIT Wetland Bird Survey 21st Jan 2018 Dave Miller Waterbody was about 80% frozen. Blackbird 4 Black-headed Gull 56 Blue Tit 7 Brambling 2 Buzzard 1 mobbed by crow Chaffinch 1 Common Gull 21 Dunnock 2 Fieldfare 9 Gadwall 9 Goldfinch 4 Great tit 7 Greenfinch 5 House Sparrow 3 Kestrel 1 Mallard 3 Moorhen 5 Pheasant 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Redshank 1 Reed bunting 2 Snipe 1 Stonechat 2 Whooper Swan 1 Woodpigeon 52 Wren 6 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 20/1/18 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Bird Watch for the BTO in our back garden were: Blackbird 4 Black-headed Gull 1 Chaffinch 1 Collared Dove 4 Dunnock 6 House Sparrow 25 Robin 1 Starling 7 Woodpigeon 1 Long-Tailed Tit 2 Goldfinch 2 Blue Tit 1 LEGSBY (WOOD) TF1301 8702 Richard Fox 23.01.2018 Jay Roe Deer doe Snowdrop clumps in flower MABLETHORPE Matt Blissett 19/1/18 2 Common sun star – washed up on tide line MIDDLE RASEN TF1005 8908 Richard Fox 24.01.2018 Kingfisher on pond in middle of housing estate MUCKTON WOOD Matt Blissett 22/1/18 1 Great spotted woodpecker – drumming on mild sunny morning 2 Nuthatch 2 Bullfinch SPENDLUFFE MEADOWS 12th Jan 2018 Dave Miller Blackbird 20 Blue Tit 1 Buzzard 2 Chaffinch 6 Dunnock 2 Great Tit 1 House Sparrow 6 Magpie 3 Mistle Thrush 1 Redwing 1 Robin 2 Wren 4 Muntjac 2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 16th January – 23rd January 2018 Contributors: - Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker & Nige Lound. Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings Days of contrasting weather with the raw cold spell forcing the maximum temperature to only reach 4.0°C on the 20th, snow grains fell mid-day on the 21st followed by two hours of light snowfall with minor settling but this gave way to rain and soon disappeared and then a flow of mild south-westerlies on the 23rd gave an unseasonal high of 13.25°C. Winds with gusts to 52.4mph recorded at Sea View arrived on the 24th. With recent rain all the sites are well flooded in parts and well thawed after recent frosts. 160118 - Over the sea were 24 red-throated diver, 3 great-crested grebe and 200 common scoter. Between BYL and CL were 28 snow bunting and 48 twite. A jack snipe was also flushed from the outer dune here. 36 stock dove were in a field just south of CL. Also in the CB-CL area 2 bullfinch, 350 starling 50 fieldfare 35 redwing, 40+ blackbird and 2 song thrush all feeding on buckthorn. 1 male and female hen harrier over saltmarsh. 170118 – 1 imm glaucous gull in same area as earlier in the year. In the CB-CL area a male and female stonechat and 2 bullfinch. 180118 – Near Sea View single common buzzard and 24 lapwing over, plus 2 mistle thrush in shelterbelt. Flying north at sea were 169 red-throated diver, 21 great-crested grebe and 6 guillemot whilst 200 common scoter were on the sea south of CB. Nearby at Elm House Farm were 53 white-fronted geese, 4 barnacle geese, 70 brent, 156 Canada and 12 greylags. Also here were 768 golden plover, 250+ lapwing, 4 ruff, 18 fieldfare and 7 redwing. In CB-CL area, 1 jack snipe, 3 blackcap and 5 reed bunting. 190118 – In one mixed flock near Sea View were 6 greenfinches, 8 redwing and 10 fieldfares. On the washlands near Stone Bridge alongside the A1031 were 217 wigeon, 12 greylag geese, 5 Canada geese, 30 black-headed gulls, 8 redshank, 27 teal, 1 little egret and 11 curlew. 200118 – In CB-CL area, 51 cormorant, 2 goldcrest, 4 shorelark, 2 bullfinch, 32 snow bunting and 76 red-throated diver. A male and female hen harrier and 3 barn owl seen hunting. Also 3 woodcock in flight and 47 magpie in roost. Birds heard calling include 2 little owl and 3 water rail. A tawny owl also heard calling near Sea View. 210118 – On Paradise lagoon were 42 shoveler, 2 mallard and a little grebe with 50 pink- footed geese and 120+ brent geese flying over. Near Sea View a flock of 15 greenfinch plus singles of common buzzard, sparrowhawk and kestrel. Over saltmarsh 2 hen harrier, 2 sparrowhawk and c 450 pink-footed geese leaving roost. In CB-CL area, 400+ curlew still on beach at 0830 before flying to fields to feed in very icy conditions. 192 fieldfare feeding on buckthorn and flying south. Also 51 twite, 23 snow bunting and 510 red-throated diver. All red-throated divers flying north each morning from dawn till 10.00hrs. Theory is that the birds drift south overnight on rising spring morning tides and fly back at dawn. 220118 - In fine sunny mild weather in the morning the following birds were counted on Elm House Farm, the adjacent Stubbs HLS grassland and LWT 8 acre washland at Seaview. 128 wigeon and 12 teal on LWT and HLS fields. 384 pink-footed geese, 39 white-fronted geese, 3 greylag, 4 brent geese, 87 canada geese, 287 wigeon, 31 mallard, 33 teal, 479 golden plover, 214 lapwing, 112 curlew, 36 redshank, 3 ruff, 3 grey partridge, 113 rook, 178 jackdaw, 332 starling, 42 common gull, 26 black head gull, 117 wood pigeon and 8 stock dove. Flying north at sea were 355 red-throated diver, 22 great-crested grebe and single guillemot whilst 150 common scoter were on the sea. Over the beach were 28 snow bunting, 41 twite, 14 yellowhammer, 5 reed bunting, 50 linnet and a peregrine. A woodcock came in/off and was watched running across a beach path to deep cover. Around 600 fieldfare were recorded today with around 350 flying north and another 250 perched up south of CB. Also around CB-CL area, 2blackcap, 2 stonechat, 3 bullfinch, a single brambling and great-spotted woodpecker. A pair of buzzard were displaying over BYL. Probably at least 5 blackcap feeding on buckthorn berries, with 2 present towards CL and 3 south of BYL. 230118 - Flying north at sea were 66 red-throated diver, 6 great-crested grebe and 2 guillemot whilst 150 common scoter were on the sea again south of CB. 26 snow bunting and 30 twite were again in the BYL area. 87 Canada geese, 48 wigeon, 49 curlew and 68 jackdaw on HLS grassland between NNR and gas terminal. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Gary Cooper – soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying 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..... New Caledonian crows show how technology evolves http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42655705 Tasmania: new find of extremely rare red handfish doubles population to 80 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/24/tasmania-new-find-of-extremely-rare-red-handfish-doubles-population-to-80 Country diary: birds heard but not seen in this glowing glade https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jan/24/country-diary-birds-heard-but-not-seen-wenlock-edge-shropshire#comment-111238808 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/