============================================= || || 11th 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... *** 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 and parking charges. The following link will tell you about it. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook See Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe NNR Report in section 4 below. This week's says: 02/11/2018 – Seal count for Donna Nook – 103 bulls, 165 cows, 67 pups. 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. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/weekly-update Have you considered attending a Field Studies Council course? 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 See: Bringing Environmental Understanding to All https://www.field-studies-council.org/ As usual I have included a selection of local/topical links. Don't forget to click. UK-to-Denmark power cable 'vital' for UK energy https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-46113131 Ross Edgley sets record for round Great Britain swim https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46088884 Ruston WWI aircraft engine factory to be demolished https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-46096263 RAF Stenigot Cold War communications dishes 'sold for scrap' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-46058571 Pub demolition vote favours Haxey Hood players https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-42904891 UK's 'unhealthiest' High Streets revealed - in Grimsby! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-46059306 Rudies Roots Xmas Tree Hire - a green Christmas alternative. http://www.rudiesroots.co.uk/xmas-tree-hire Pumpkin boat paddled down River Ouse in York https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-46018859/ Man escaping 'aggressive' seals rescued from cliff near Eyemouth https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-46082808 Nominate a scientist for the new £50 note portrait. https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/50-pound-note-nominations The secret of the poet's daffodil https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46079700 DNA project to decode 'all complex life' on Earth https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46046494 More links in "..and finally..." 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/ *** Lincs Bryophyte Meeting - 24 Nov *** Steven Heathcote writes: The first Lincolnshire bryophyte meeting of the winter has now been organised with the kind help of Rachel Graham. We will be meeting at 10AM on Saturday 24th November to survey the sand dunes, saltmarsh and sea front from Cleethorpes Leisure Centre south to Tetney Marsh. We will meet at the Boating Lake Centre (TA31800743). https://www.nelincs.gov.uk/culture-events-and-tourism/discovery-centre-and-boating-lake/ There are two options for parking: free parking opposite Boating Lake, next to food outlets, off King’s Road or paid parking in Boating Lake car park (TA31770735; DN35 0AG). There are old records of the very rare Bryum marattii and B. knowltonii plus a range of other interesting coastal species such as B. warneum. If you are thinking of coming please let me know (steven.heathcote@gmail.com) so I can keep you updated if anything changes. Bring lunch (although we could head to the café if needed) and warm clothing. We will stay out as long as it is light, not snowing and people are still enthusiastic. *** 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 Gobsmacked by this article - I had thought the story must be tabloid fake news. See what you make of it. Interstellar asteroid 'Oumuamua could be an alien light sail. http://spaceweather.com/ *** 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 The next meeting of the Grimsby RSPB Local Group is at 7.30pm on Monday 19th November 2018m at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, (formerly known as Corpus Christi Community Centre), Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7LH Paul Laurie, who delighted us with his photos and videos of Blakeney Point earlier this year, will give us an illustrated talk entitled "Garden Birds and Wildlife". There will also be refreshments and a raffle. Entry is £4, payable at the door. The Group's November Trip is to RSPB Saltholme and Hartlepool Bay on Sunday 25th November 2018 leaving Millman's Coach Depot in Wilton Road, Humberston at 7.30am. The cost of the coach trip is £20 per person. Booking is essential. All are welcome. You don't have to be a member of the RSPB for either event. For more information, contact Martin Francis (Group Leader) at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com (preferred) or on (01472) 883436 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 Carolyn Davis writes: On Monday 12th November 2018 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them at their next indoor meeting where Dave Bromwich, Head of Nature Reserves for the Trust will give a n illustrated presentation entitled: 'Managing Nature Reserves from 400 feet up' which will contain some great aerial views of nature reserves in Lincolnshire. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £3, all are welcome. There will be a Trust goods stall, raffle and tea & coffee available. For further details contact Jennie Redpath - 01472 502858. *** 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 31/10 Hen Harrier ringtail, Far Ings Great White Egret, Alkborough Flats Long-billed Dowitcher, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Great Northern Diver, Hen Harrier, Freiston Shore 3 Hooded Crows, 5 Great White Egrets, Hawfinch flew south over, West Dunes, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Firecrest, Ring Ouzel, Spotted Redshank, 2 Hen Harriers, Twite, Gibraltar Point Slavonian Grebe at River Witham mouth, juv Hen Harrier, Cut End, nr Boston Wood Sandpiper, Tetney 1/11 Caspian Gull, 1w German-ringed, Torksey Lock, Trent Bank Pomarine Skua ad on breakwater opposite Chapman's Pond, Cleethorpes Ruddy Shelduck, Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Hooded Crows, 2 Hen Harriers, Gibraltar Point 2/11 13 Shorelarks south of Brickyard Lane, 14 Snow Buntings, Theddlethorpe Long-tailed Duck, Chapman's Pond, Cleethorpes Hooded Crow in cattle field, Boultham Mere Long-billed Dowitcher, Frampton Marsh 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Hooded Crows, Woodlark, Hen Harrier ringtail, Shorelark, Gibraltar Point Long-tailed Duck, 2 Scaup, Tetney North Cotes Great White Egret, Alkborough Flats 3/11 2 Hooded Crows, 2 Velvet Scoters, 3 Hen Harriers, Spotted Redshank, Shorelark, Pomarine Skua past Gibraltar Point 13 Shorelarks, 2 Snow Buntings, 20 Twite, on saltmarsh, Brickyard Lane, Theddlethorpe Great White Egret, Wolla Bank Bearded Tit, 74 Whooper Swans, Huttoft Pit 3 Twite, 2 Water Pipits freshwater pools, East Halton Skitter Great White Egret flew NE over Goxhill Haven 4/11 7 Shorelarks, Lapland Bunting, Snow Bunting, 80 Twite, Brickyard Lane, Theddlethorpe Probable Rough-legged Buzzard, Donna Nook 2 Hooded Crows, Great White Egret, Short-eared Owl, Ring Ouzel, Ringtail Hen Harrier, Black-throated Diver, 2Great Northern Divers, 2 Velvet Scoters, Scaup, Gibraltar Point Rough-legged Buzzard, Gedney Drove End Great White Egret, Richard's Pipit flew west over, Far Ings Hen Harrier male, 15 Twite, Holbeach Marsh Hen Harrier ringtail, 2 Short-eared Owls, Moulton Marsh Caspian Gull, 1w German-ringed, Trent Port Wetlands, Marton Ring-necked Duck, Woodhall Spa airfield Long-billed Dowitcher, 2 Hen Harriers 1 male, Frampton Marsh 5/11 Spoonbill, Middlemarsh Wetlands Great White Egret, Denton Reservoir Hooded Crow, Great White Egret, Water Pipit, 2 Velvet Scoters, Spoonbill flew north, Gibraltar Point Long-billed Dowitcher, male Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh male Hen Harrier, north of Sandtoft 2 Shorelarks, 2 Snow Buntings, Brickyard Lane, Theddlethorpe 6/11 Ring-necked Duck, Woodhall Spa airfield Hooded Crow, ringtail Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point Shorelark, Cleethorpes Long-billed Dowitcher, Hen Harrier ringtail, Frampton Marsh 7/11 Pallid Swift over Sykes Farm, then Croft Marsh, Gibraltar Point Long-billed Dowitcher, 2 Ruddy Shelducks, Water Pipit, Jack Snipe, Frampton Marsh Probable Rough-legged Buzzard flew west over A15 near Riseholme roundabout, Lincoln 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 *** *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. SWINN WOOD Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Reserve, near Aby. TF420778 Brian Hedley 14 October 2018 LNU Annual Fungi Foray. 14 attendees in totalled by Ray Halstead on a very wet afternoon. The foray was a follow up visit by the LNU after a spring field trip to ascertain the flora at that time. The fungi were very few and far between on this occasion but that is no fault of the wood or the previous management regime, more it is the result of the previous very long dry spell. A lowly total of 22 species were recorded on the day with the majority of these being found on rotten wood, fallen branches, trees stumps etc. Honey Fungus, both Armillaria mellea and A. gallica, were very frequent on a variety of host trees. Daldinia concentrica, Cramp Balls or King Alfred's cakes, were common on the fallen branches of Ash, Fraxinus excelsior. Piptoporus betulinus, the Birch Bracket or Razor Strop fungus and Fomes fomentarius, the Tinder or Horse's Hoof fungus were also numerous on the many standing and fallen trunks of Silver Birch, Betula pendula. A pleasant surprise find was a single specimen of Pleurotus dryinus, Veiled Oyster fungus, on a living trunk of Ash. No detailed plant recording was undertaken due to the time of year but ten specimens for the LoveLincs Plants herbarium project were collected by Brian Hedley and Nick Tribe including Yellow Loosestrife Lysimachia vulgaris. Sixteen bird species were noted including Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus, Goldcrest Regulus regulus, Treecreeper Certhia familiaris and a flock of Siskins Carduelis spinus. Several immature Common Frogs Rana temporaria were noted which is not surprising considering the number of ponds in the wood. Invertebrates recorded included several beetles with the most notable being found by Charlie Barnes: Sepedophilus bipunctatus (the 3rd Lincolnshire record). Other invertebrates included November Moth Epirrita agg, Birch Shield-bug Elasmostethus interstinctus, Oak Bush-cricket Meconema thalassinum and Hornet Vespa crabro (including a large nest which had consumed a tit box). ROAD KILLS? Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. SK920318 Slip road over A1 to Grantham Jane Ostler 25th October 2018 Hedgehog *** 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 3/11/2018 Mosquito - Anopheles maculipennis aggregate, female Determined Phil Porter who writes: Your mosquito is Anopheles maculipennis aggregate, female, so a classic biter of humans, potential malaria vector of the less dangerous strains, and habitual commensal hibernating indoors. Nice immaculate specimen though! The aggregate contains two identical species which differ only in the micro- sculpture of the eggs! 6/11/2018 Black-headed Gulls - resident flock - 35 counted on church roof. Local starling flock of 30+. BARDNEY Mary Porter 5/11/2018 GR TF 119706 Walking the dog along the Viking Way approaching Kings Hill, a curlew was calling and flying overhead, from approximately SW to NE. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 29/10/2018 Blackbirds 8 Chaffinch 3 Great tits 2 Mistlethrush 1 Pheasant 1 Wren 1 31/10/2018 Wrens 2 1/11/2018 Dunnocks 2 Sparrowhawk 1 2/11/2018 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Mistlethrush 1 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 30/10/18 Common Buzzard x 1 Fieldfare x 59 Goldfinch x 9 Great Tit x 2 Magpie x 2 Mallard x 9 over Thurnholmes Mute Swan x 7adult, 4 juv Owston Ferry Warping Drain Pink-footed Goose x 90 North East over Thurnholmes 01/11/18 Barn Owl x 1 [Later on, I attended an excellent talk by Dr Carl Soulsbury on Red Foxes at Haxey Methodist Hall as part of the Isle of Axholme LWT group meetings.] 04/11/18 Blackbird x 5 Blue Tit x 1 Carrion Crow x 9 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 25 Goldfinch x 4 Grey Partridge x 2 Jackdaw x 17 Starling x 11 06/11/18 Blackbird x 4 Blue Tit x 4 Fieldfare x 62 Redwing x 17 Woodcock x 1 in my orchard early morning, presumably brought down by thick overnight fog as I also recorded 3 more at work on Thorne Moors an hour later. WOOLSTHORPE BY COLSSTERWORTH SK 922224 Jane Ostler Week beginning 24th October 2018 MAMMALS Evidence of Hedgehogs in garden until 25th October,2018 BIRDS Pair of Bullfinches in garden feeding on Rowan berries. Cold morning 28th October. Pink Footed Geese seen flying over regularly. Reports that a large flock has decimated crops at Easton. 25th October on Nature Trail, very quiet, just Dunnock and Wren heard. Pleased to say that the Wood Pigeons seem to have deserted the garden. Is the scarecrow by the greens working? INVERTEBRATES Last day butterflies seen in garden was 25th October 2018 when a Brimstone was out with the regular Peacock, Red Admiral, Commas and Small White. A Speckled Wood on the nature Trail on the same day. A Humming Bird Hawk Moth briefly inspected a hanging basket of Petunias in the late afternoon. Wasps, Honey Bees and the Hoverfly Eristalsis tenax were on the flowering ivy. Carder Bees still about, particularly on the Cosmos flowers. 7 spot Ladybirds out on sunny days. A motor home back from a trip to Coalville, Leics on Sunday 28th found they had brought with them a number of black ladybirds - a photo looks as if these were harlequins. They said there had been a swarm of them at Coalville. PLANTS IN FLOWER The frost overnight on 31st killed off the last of the half hardy plants but there is little change on the Nature Trail where both perennials and annuals are still in flower. Noted lots of new and very dainty Black Nightshades in the limestone areas of nature Trail. A marked contrast to the triffid-like plants taking over a field of maize I went to see two years ago. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 31st October 2018 – 6th November 2018 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 011118 – Daily arrivals of mixed thrushes. 20+ Whooper Swan flew over Sea View 021118 - Red admiral, small tortoiseshell and small copper butterflies. Red kite flew over. 031118 - 2 ring ouzels, 2 stonechats, at least 3 water rails heard, c 200 linnets, 50 twite 3 snow buntings and a lapland bunting on the foreshore over the past few days. 051118 - On Paradise lagoon birds included 4 shoveler and 68 lapwing. During late afternoon at least 26 whooper swans flew low over the saltmarsh towards Rimac lagoon. 2 common darter dragonflies. 061118 - Female hen harrier and single merlin hunting over the saltmarsh. 2 goldcrests at Sea View. Great white egret spotted regularly throughout the past week. Seen through the past week: 2 hen harriers, 3 sparrowhawks, 1 merlin, 1 marsh harrier, 1 short eared owl, 1 barn owl, 287 curlews seen at roost at least 23 snipe and 1 jack snipe in the saltmarsh. C750 pink foot geese and 22 whooper swans now roosting. Several flowering species at present with swathes of second growth ragwort in full flower also hawkbits and harebell. DONNA NOOK 021118 – Seal count for Donna Nook – 103 bulls, 165 cows, 67 pups 031118 – Hooded crow 051118 – Hooded crow seen again feeding on seal carcass 061118 – Female hen harrier flew north towards Pyes Hall over saltmarsh   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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.... Siena International Photo Awards 2018 https://www.theguardian.com/travel/gallery/2018/oct/30/siena-international-photo-awards-2018-in-pictures Bird Guides Photo of the Week: 24-30 October - stunning https://www.birdguides.com/articles/photo-of-the-week-24-30-october/ 2018 National Geographic Photo Contest https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6334601/ UCL's morbid pathology museum https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-46091264/ Rise in UK weather extremes over the last decade - Met Office https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46064266 Climate change: Oceans 'soaking up more heat than estimated' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46046067 Is it a crow or a cat? Illusion goes viral https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-6328501/ Giant spike sculpture remade after seagulls kept IMPALING themselves https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6319417/ Humanity has wiped out 60% of animal populations since 1970, report finds https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/30/humanity-wiped-out-animals-since-1970-major-report-finds Coca-Cola, Kellogg’s and Nestle vow to cut all plastic waste in bid to tackle ocean pollution https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/plastic-waste-pollution-coca-cola-kelloggs-nestle-environment-recycling-un-ocean-a8606136.html Country diary: the ivy bees are ready for their close-ups https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/30/country-diary-ivy-bees-close-ups-gentle-hornets#comment-122032367 Country diary: these wrinkled rock stars are boring little molluscs https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/01/country-diary-wrinkled-rock-borers-stars-whitburn-rocks-sunderland#comment-122086758 Country diary: season of mists and morning murkiness https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/03/country-diary-season-mists-morning-murkiness-rutland#comment-122160177 Country diary: a magic spot ready to be peopled with fays or gruffaloes https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/nov/02/country-diary-fays-or-gruffaloes-fly-agaric-sutton-bank-north-yorkshire Country diary: only the adolescent seals still hang out here https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/05/country-diary-only-the-adolescent-seals-still-hang-out-here ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/