============================================= || || 4th November 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. Please use the "forward to a friend" link at the end of every LNU Bulletin. We really need your help with this. ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers' hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor writes... *** Waxwings have started to arrive and strong winds may well speed up their migration. Keep an eye on your hedgerow and supermarket car park fruits trees. Superb video here to help you recognise them. Your reports please. https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/waxwing Also see: https://www.bto.org/about-birds/species-focus/waxwing If you are planning a visit to Donna Nook to observe the annual pupping, try to avoid weekends if you can and to be prepared for traffic issues such as the one-way system. There is also a parking fee change to £4/£5. The following webpage will tell you about it. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook I will include the weekly update link in all Bulletins over the season - plus any more exciting news the Donna Nook team puts our way. This week's says: "First seal count of the season: 26 bulls, 36 cows and 6 pups," See Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe NNR Report in section 4 below. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/weekly-update As usual I have included a selection of local/topical links. Don't forget to click. The Roadworks link last week attracted a record number of clicks. A useful site. More links in "..and finally..." 'Worst year' for Horsey seals injured by rubbish https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-45991046 Bell-ringing swans at The Bishop's Palace call for food - watch https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-somerset-45970046/ How to Attract Waxwings to Your Garden http://www.uksafari.com/waxwings_in_your_garden.htm Don't forget to look.Mythbusting the story of the STI-carrying cannibal ladybirds - by Rachel Farrow https://theconversation.com/mythbusting-the-story-of-the-sti-carrying-cannibal-ladybirds-105309 Spectacular sunsets light up UK skies https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45973366 The botanical vicar - listen http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01qlhjf Silhouette signs in bid to reduce New Forest animal deaths https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-45999240 HS2 St James's Gardens excavation disturbs Matthew Flinders https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-45971226 Signs of fracking water found in freshwater mussels https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/fracking-water-found-mussels-24102018/ New optical illusion to prevent raptor collisions https://www.birdguides.com/articles/new-optical-illusion-to-prevent-raptor-collisions/ Camera lens made of ice takes cool photos https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/technology-45973196/ Thank you for all your contributions this week. Please keep them coming. 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/ [Note: 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.] Next meeting: Not to be missed. ‘Freshwater fish of Britain’ – 10th November 2018 Jack Perks. 2pm start. See: http://www.jackperksphotography.com/freshwater-fish https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/2017-11-25/ *** Sir Joseph Banks Society *** The Society's President's Lecture entitled "Joseph Banks: the Consummate Connector" will be given by Prof Jordan Goodman on Saturday 24 November 2018 at 3.00pm at The Collection, Dane's Terrace, Lincoln LN2 1LP. Members £3, non-members £5. Please feel free to bring along friends. *** Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire Entomological Society *** DaNES INSECT SHOW 10th Nov Mark Schofield writes: Thought the LNU members might be interested in this event at Derby University on the 10th November. Saturday 10th November 2018. DaNES Annual Insect Show. Derby University. 10:30am until 4.30pm. Our main Annual event. A large number of exhibits by individuals and organisations - informative displays, demonstrations, hands-on activities, live insects and sales stalls. There will also be a series of interesting talks throughout the day. Plenty to see, do and buy, and a café for refreshments. Wheelchair friendly. Free parking and FREE ADMISSION. For further details please contact Julie Marshall at julmrshll7@aol.com. http://www.danes-insects.org.uk/events.htm *** November Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html *** Love Lincs Plants - Updates from the Partnership *** LoveLincsPlants Webpage: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants Love Lincs Plants Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Natural History Museum Twitter feed https://twitter.com/nhm_botany?lang=en Sir Joseph Banks Society http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/news-events/lincolnshire-plants-project/ Lincoln University School of Life Sciences blog https://lifesciences.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/2016/09/30/heritage-lottery-funding-to-safeguard-lincolnshire-plants/ *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society Keith Scarrott writes: For our Monday, 12th November meeting we have a specialist on molluscs. Terry O'Connor, of the Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland, travels to us from Burley in Wharfedale to give his illustrated talk entitled "Snails in the Dales". Not just the organisms - Terry will discuss snails as proxy evidence of habitats past and present, and how archaeological records and modern field recording can give us a long term view of environmental change, as well as informing work towards restoration ecology. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. Starting at 7.15pm we meet in the St Bernadette's Church Parish Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road.  The church has a large free car park. There is no entry charge to our meetings but a donation bowl is provided. Light refreshments are available for a small charge at the mid-talk break. For further information contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** Local RSPB links: *** https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/ https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** South Lincs RSPB Group *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB Group has released the dates of their 2019 BIRDWATCHING AND SEAL CRUISES aboard The Boston Belle, into The Wash. Details can be found at: https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/ *** LWT Reserves *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves *** LWT Get Involved page *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved *** Boston LWT *** Geof Lee writes: Wildlife in Staffordshire and Shropshire - an illustrated talk by Gill Walsh Gill will take us on a tour of her favourite reserves, including Cannock Chase, Whixall Moss and Prees Heath. The meeting is in the Centenary Methodist Church in Red Lion Street, Boston. It starts at 7.30 P.M. on Thursday, 8th November 2018 - free - a leaving collection. For more info ring Gill on 01205 357009. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk Morning bird walk in Cleethorpes Country Park Carolyn Davis writes: On Sunday 4th November 2018 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join themon a morning bird walk in Cleethorpes Country Park with Ray Hume. Meet Ray in the car park at 8am. Grid ref. TA306067, nearest postcode DN35 0TG. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing, stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact Ray 07814 840682. *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson Lincoln Area Group Talk November 15th: Barn Owl Conservation in Lincolnshire An illustrated talk by Garry Steele. Gary has been actively involved in Barn Owl conservation around Lincolnshire for many years. Talk at Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission £2.50 which includes refreshments. *** LWT Louth *** Area Group Information Coffee Morning - Saturday 10th November Our annual fund-raising event will take place at the ConocoPhillips Room in Louth between 1000hrs and noon on Saturday 10 November. There will be a chance to buy Wildlife Trust Christmas cards and calendars plus the opportunity to view presentations as well as having a coffee and a chat. LWT Warden James Forrester will have a collection of various woods to be found in Snipe Dales whilst Biff Vernon will show us some of the art work that was on display at the #200Fish exhibition. There will be children’s activities and a Raffle. Wildlife Trust Christmas cards and calendars will be available plus you can take the opportunity to have a coffee and a chat. Admission is £1.50 including refreshments for adults whilst children are most welcome and have free entry. For more information contact Ray on lag2014rww@aol.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: Waxwing photos on Rare Bird Alert website: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/gallery.asp?SpeciesID=10480 24/10 Yellow-browed Warbler in plantation/at feeders, Gibraltar Point Long-billed Dowitcher, Ruddy Shelduck, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 5 Pomarine Skuas, 60 Bonxies, Great Northern Diver flew south past North Sea Observatory NNE of Chapel St Leonards 27 Pomarine Skuas past 26 south, 1 north, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, RAF Woodhall Spa 25/10 17 Pomarine Skuas past 15 south, 2 north, Gibraltar Point 4 Waxwings, Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Water Pipits, Hen Harrier ringtail, Ring Ouzel flew south, Gibraltar Point Long-billed Dowitcher, Great White Egret, Spotted Redshank, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Bittern, Boultham Mere, Lincoln Great White Egret at pond, Yellow-browed Warbler north of Theddlethorpe St Helen between Churchill Lane car park and Coastguard cottage 26/10 Long-billed Dowitcher, Ruddy Shelduck, 2 male Hen Harriers, Frampton Marsh 7 Pomarine Skuas past, Velvet Scoter, Chapel Point Waxwing flew south over, 15 Pomarine Skuas past, Snow Bunting, Black-throated diver, Red-necked Grebe, 2 Velvet Scoters, Gibraltar Point 4 Pomarine Skuas, 3 ads 1 juv, flew south, Huttoft Bank 27/10 188 Pomarine Skuas flew past, 2 Little Auks, Grey Phalarope, Long-tailed Duck, 4 Velvet Scoters, Arctic Tern, 12 Short-eared Owls, Long-eared Owl, Hen Harrier, Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Ring Ouzels, Leach's Petrel, 3 Black-throated Divers, 3 Great Northern Diver, 11 Short-eared Owls in off sea, Hawfinch, Gibraltar Point 2 Little Auks past , 2 Pomarine Skuas, Long-tailed Duck, 2 Velvet Scoters, Short-eared Owl, Sandilands Long-tailed Duck drk past , 5 Pomarine Skuas flew west, Short- eared Owl, Hen Harrier, 5 Whooper Swans, East Halton 2 Velvet Scoters, Short-eared Owl in off sea, Slavonian Grebe, 2 Pomarine Skuas flew north past, Cut End Great White Egret, Far Ings 4 Waxwings, Long-eared Owl, 2 Short-eared Owls, Long-tailed Duck, Little Auk past, 30 Pomarine Skuas, Chapel Point 52 Pomarine Skuas past, 3 Snow Buntings on beach, 4 Little Auks, 4 Short-eared Owls, 3 Velvet Scoters, Scaup, Huttoft Car Terrace, Long-billed Dowitcher, Frampton Marsh 28/1 Long-billed Dowitcher, 2 Hen Harriers, Frampton Marsh Great White Egret, Water/s Edge, Barton-upon-Humber 18 Little Auks flew north, Snow Bunting flew south, 10 Pomarine Skua, Sooty Shearwater, Black Guillemot on sea, Great Northern Diver, Little Gull 1w, 2 Black-throated Divers flew past, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, Huttoft Car Terrace Pomarine Skua flew east, 13 Little Auks east of Humber Bridge, Long- tailed Duck, Kittiwake, 6 Gannets, 90 Common Scoters, 3 Guillemots, Barton-upon-Humber 2 Gannets flew NW over Ruskington 2 Long-tailed Ducks, Great Northern Diver, c 7 Arctic Terns, Velvet Scoter, Slavonin Grebe, 10 Little Auks, c100 Pomarine Skuas, Cut End nr Boston Waxwing, 2 Snow Buntings, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, 7 Little Gull, 2 Ring Ouzels, Yellow-browed Warbler, Water Pipit, Firecrest, Long-eared Owl, Short-eared Owl, 2 Hen Harriers, Leach's Petrel, 45 Little Auks, Iceland Gull, 56 Pomarine Skuas, Glaucous Gull, Great Northern Diver, Black-throated Diver, 2 Velvet Scoters, Arctic Tern, Scaup, Hooded Crow, Gibraltar Point Glaucous Gull flew west, 3 Little Auks, Long-tailed Duck, Razorbill,12 Gannets, Red-throated Diver, Red-throated Merganser, 2 Glaucous Gulls, 4 Little Auks, 2 Pomarine Skuas, East Halton 12 Little Auks, 12 Pomarine Skuas, 2 Little Gulls past Chapel Point Great White Egret, Wolla Bank - late report 29/10 Long-billed Dowitcher, Hen Harrier, Ruddy Shelduck, Frampton Marsh Probable Common Crane few SW over Dunsby Red-throated Diver, Ness Pit, Far Ings Little Auk flew north past, 2 Velvet Scoters offshore, Arctic Tern, Huttoft Car Terrace Long-tailed Duck on boating lake, Mablethorpe Little Auk, 2 Slavonian Grebes, at Cut End nr Boston Caspian Gull 1w German-ringed, Trent Port Wetlands, Marton 2 Little Auks, Velvet Scoter, Short-eared Owl, Anderby Creek 7 Little Auks past 2 Pomarine Skuas, 2 Hooded Crows, 1w Caspian Gull, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Mealy Redpoll, 5 Snow Buntings, 3 Ring Ouzels, Water Pipit, 4 Velvet Scoters, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier ringtail, Deeping High Bank by River Welland, 4 Short-eared Owls, Crowland 30/10 Waxwing flew west over, Great White Egret flew over, Firecrest Yellow-browed Warbler, 3 Velvet Scoters, Long-tailed Duck, 2 Hooded Crows, 2 HJen Harriers, Gibraltar Point Long-billed Dowitcher, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier ringtail, Far Ings, Pomarine Skua at Humber Bridge Great White Egret south of Humberston 3 Slavonian Grebes, Black-necked Grebe 3 Long-tailed Ducks at Cut End near Boston 2 Slavonian Grebes, Black-necked Grebe, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, Freiston Shore Hen Harrier ringtail, Deeping High Bank by River Welland, 2 Short-eared Owls, Crowland 4 Hen Harriers, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier ringtail, Deeping High Bank, Deeping St Nicholas 31/10 Hen Harrier ringtail, Far Ings Great White Egret, Alkborough Flats Great Northern Diver, Hen Harrier, Freiston Shore 3 Hooded Crows, Gibraltar Point 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important *** Grab a Grid Reference: https://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. GRANTHAM M. Ellis 24.10.18 SK918356 On 19 September I found a large insect trying to escape from my 3rd floor flat. I photographed it before letting it out and recently sent the picture to Charlie Barnes the insect specialist for the county. He explained why I could not identify it. It turned out to be a bug - Leptoglossus occidentalis, also known as the western conifer seed bug. It's a recent arrival to our shores - first found in the UK in 2008, and Lincolnshire a few years later. It's an American species that has come over with plants via Europe. It lives on conifers, and I have a large one just outside my window, almost in touching distance. This is the link www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/Coreidae/leptoglossus_occidentalis.html ROAD KILLS? Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Thanks to our regular contributors across the county. Much appreciated. We rely on readers to send in their observations and we welcome records from everyone, experts or beginners. Please keep your reports coming. 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 27/10/2018 30+ regular starlings. Collared Dove 7 Wood Pigeon 2 Blackbird 2 Robin 1 House Sparrow 6+ Regular raids by Black-headed Gulls [6-10] Jackdaws [4-5] Magpies [1-2] HUMBERSTON FITTIES (Grid reference TA3304) 24/10/2018 Jon Drakes Species present on the pools and beach at Humberston Fitties during an afternoon visit were: Black-headed Gull Brent Goose (Dark Bellied) 100+ Carrion Crow Cormorant Curlew 50+ Great Black Backed Gull Grey Plover 2 Herring Gull Little Egret 4 Oystercatcher 100+ Redshank Shelduck 100+ Whooper Swan 4 HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 16/10/2018 Pheasant 1 - now regularly sleeping in old apple tree 17/10/2018 Dunnocks 2 Peacock butterfly 1 18/10/2018 Green woodpecker 1 23/10/2018 Small tortoiseshell 1 Speckled wood 1 24/10/2018 White-tailed bumblebee 1 - buzzed loudly when I planting some strawberry runners to overwinter in a pot that already had soil in - quickly covered her up again and chose another pot! 28/10/2018 Starlings 35-40 - cleaning the top of a shed KETTLETHORPE Kettlethorpe SK847757 ALison Brownlow 18.10.2018 Brimstone butterfly, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral Green-brindled Crescent and November moth. WINTER'S POND - EAST HALTON (Grid reference TA1521) 23/10/2018 Jon Drakes A brief late afternoon visit to this location found the following species present: Black Tailed Godwit 2 Black-headed Gull Carrion Crow Coot 1 Cormorant2 Great Crested Grebe 2 Grey Heron 1 Greylag Goose 26 Kingfisher 1 Lapwing 30 Little Grebe 5 Magpie Mallard 12 Moorhen 8 Mute Swan 1 Shoveler 3 Snipe 1 Teal 3 Tufted Duck 2 Woodpigeon WINTER'S POND - EAST HALTON to EAST HALTON SKITTER (Grid reference TA1521, TA1522, TA1422 and TA1423) 26/10/2018 Jon Drakes Species recorded during a morning walk along the Humber bank between Winters Pond and East Halton Skitter were: Black Tailed Godwit 15 Black-headed Gull Blackbird Blue Tit Carrion Crow Chaffinch Coot 1 Cormorant 3 Curlew 3 Dunlin 20 Golden Plover 170 Goldfinch Great Crested Grebe 2 Grey Heron 1 Greylag Goose 3 Herring Gull Lapwing 266 Little Egret 2 Little Grebe 2 Magpie Mallard 90 Marsh Harrier 1 Meadow Pipit 4 Merlin 1 Moorhen 6 Mute Swan 2 Pheasant Pied Wagtail 2 Pink-footed Goose 176 Redshank 18 Reed Bunting 3 Robin Shoveler 6 Skylark 1 Starling Stonechat 1 Teal 145 Tufted Duck 10 Woodpigeon Wren Roe Deer 5 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/far-ings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/gibraltar-point 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 https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 24th October 2018 – 30th October 2018 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor.   Daily news and wildlife sightings: Major passage of seabirds, wildfowl, gulls, shearwaters, gannets and auks over the past week, all 4 species of skua have been seen with over 280 pomarine skuas – not over the NNR. Passerines: several hundreds of thrushes mostly blackbirds and redwings some fieldfares and song thrushes and 2 ring ouzels, c 2000 starlings roosting in the Churchill area, also a scattering of woodcocks, bramblings, siskins and a few redpolls, but very few goldcrests robins and warblers. C 750 pink foot geese and 16 whooper swans are roosting on the foreshore. Birds of prey: merlin 1, sparrowhawk 3, marsh harrier 2, hen harrier 1, tawny owl 2, short- eared owl 2, little owl 1 barn owl 1. 261018 - Red admiral, small copper, common blue, small white, small tortoiseshell, speckled wood, comma. Great white egret. 271018 – Great white egret 281018 - Dusky warbler 291018 - Small copper, small white, red admiral, brown argus. Common darters the only dragonfly being seen. Great white egret. DONNA NOOK Large numbers of brent geese, shelduck and gathering numbers of starlings daily. 261018 – First seal count of the season: 26 bulls, 36 cows and 6 pups 271018 – Short-eared owl hunting over salt marsh 281018 – Short-eared owl hunting over salt marsh 291018 – 7 pups, kestrels hunting over the dunes, sparrowhawk. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/visit/woods-and-nature-reserves/127031.article https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/get-involved/ Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html The Hazel Dormouse https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/cy/node/35 Lincolnshire Dormouse Group Meetings 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports welcome..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Examples: SNIPE DALES https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/snipe-dales WHISBY https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/whisby WILLOW TREE FEN https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/willow-tree-fen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Readers are invited to send in their reports and "reviews" of favourite nature reserves and public wildlife sites. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 usually 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/as 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/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** Lincs Bird Club Website *** http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk 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 *** 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/ STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Check for road works and hold-ups: *** https://roadworks.org/ *** EasyTide *** http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** 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/as 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 *** 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 *** 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 *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lincs-environmental-awards *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Field Studies Council *** Bringing Environmental Understanding to All https://www.field-studies-council.org/ *** NHBS *** Should you need natural history equipment or books, a good place to start is: https://www.nhbs.com/ *** UKGE - Geological Supplies *** https://www.ukge.com/ *** British geology maps - now free to explore on web *** http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ *** 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 *** InsideEcology *** Online Magazine for Ecologists, Conservationists and Wildlife Professionals https://insideecology.com/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Our indoor meetings are normally 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. There is an annual recorders’ meeting, where we review the wildlife highlights of the previous year and to leaven the Annual General Meeting the honorary president gives a presentation on his or her particular interest in wildlife and this is reproduced in full in ‘The Lincolnshire Naturalist‘. This too starts at 2pm but attendees gather from noon to socialise. https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** Mail fails: None this week. 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... Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2018 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-45978380 Grimsby laser pen attack on plane flying at 29,000ft https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-46029572 Humpback whales stop their song when human vessels make noise https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/humpback-whales-sing-vessel-24102018/ Trained marksmen had to shoot and kill escaped stag from Wollaton Park https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/nottingham-news/trained-marksmen-shoot-escaped-stag-2133719 Single-use plastics ban approved by European Parliament https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/world-europe-45965605 Clever crows reveal 'window into the mind' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45968935 Fruit flies' brains studied to help crack dementia https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-45942094 Students make world's first brick out of human urine https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/oct/25/liquid-gold-students-make-worlds-first-brick-out-of-human-urine Are two parents better than one? Yes, but only if you’re a burying beetle https://theconversation.com/are-two-parents-better-than-one-yes-but-only-if-youre-a-burying-beetle-101406 Country diary: how the tawny owl finds its way in the dark https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/25/country-diary-tawny-owl-finds-its-way-in-the-dark-dunton-bedfordshire Country diary: the magical mushroom biology of the fairy ring https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/oct/24/country-diary-the-magical-mushroom-biology-of-the-fairy-ring Country diary: a rocket propelled by wind and water https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/18/country-diary-a-rocket-propelled-by-wind-and-water ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/