============================================= || || 25th 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... *** In the LNU Bulletin I mention recorders and specialists in the Section 8, the Contact Information & Useful Websites list. I hope this has been of use in raising interest and generating records, directly or via the Bulletin. If you are a Recorder listed on the LNU Website but are not yet listed in the Bulletin, I would be happy to give you a mention. Please let me know if you would like me to - with a relevant sentence or two perhaps? https://lnu.org/specialists/ Also - if at some later date you would like to put out specific requests for information, calls for volunteers or notification of events, I will be pleased to do that. The same goes for all natural-history 'partners' in Lincolnshire. 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 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. The latest update is on: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/weekly-update The Coningsby Wildlife Watch group visited Donna Nook last weekend on a perfect winter day. I have been praising the work of the "LWT Seal Team" for years, but was more impressed than ever as they dealt courtesy and kindly with the Sunday rush of humanity. I was also glad to eavesdrop on some encouraging and moving conversations of people observing, enjoying and marvelling at the wonder of the sights and sounds. Play your part in researching influenza. You don't have to be sick to be useful! Sign up to FluSurvey 2018/19 https://flusurvey.net/en/ As usual I have included a selection of local/topical links. Don't forget to click. Benny the beluga: Whale still thriving in River Thames https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-46255755 Boston Stump peregrines 'encouraged to move home' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-46259630 Dr Tim Mackrill is nominated for a Birders' Choice Award https://www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/news/award-nomination-for-the-founder-of-osprey-charity-9049395/ The week in wildlife – in pictures https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2018/nov/16/the-week-in-wildlife-in-pictures Little Rascals pet shop raid: Nearly 100 dogs removed https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-46224776 Climate change: Heatwaves 'halve' male insect fertility https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46194383 For the geologists... The Geology of Lincolnshire - on-line https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-geology-of-lincolnshire-h-h-swinnerton-and-p-e-kent.pdf A Building Stone Atlas of Lincolnshire - British Geological Survey pdf https://www.bgs.ac.uk/downloads/start.cfm?id=2885 Some great links in "..and finally..." this week too. Don't forget to click. Thank you for all your contributions this week. Please keep them coming. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** Bat News *** Annette Faulkner writes: Bats seem to have had a pretty difficult time this year, with evidence of non-breeding and severely underweight females of several species taken into care in July. There have also been few records sent in by readers – is this because bats haven’t been seen, or because readers haven’t got round to sending their sighting records in? To those who have sent in records I say thank you very much, but if you have seen bats in your garden this summer and not recorded them yet I’d be very pleased to have your records, and any additional comments you care to make. They can either be sent via the Bulletin or via my contact details at the bottom. And to the lepidopterists and other invertebrate specialists I would ask what insect populations have been like this year? Of course, bats should now all be in hibernation, and there were certainly none out on Friday night when I took my detector out, but a correspondent told me he had had two out on Thursday night at Coningsby. With the low night-time temperatures forecast for the coming week nobody should be seeing any more – and this is good, as bats don’t want to be out on mild evenings at this time of year when there is little food about and they’re burning up precious fat reserves that are supposed to get them through the winter. *** 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 ‘Bird Migration’ – 5th January 2019 Professor Ian Newton talks on bird migration. 2pm start. Joint talk with the Lincolnshire Bird Club *** 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 so I can keep you updated if anything changes. steven.heathcote@gmail.com 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. *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project – Volunteer Day *** Will Bartle writes: Friday 7th December 2018 – Brigsley Practical day with the LCSP Volunteer Group – Improving this beautiful part of Waithe beck at one of our previous restoration sites. Day starts at 10.30 until about 2pm. No experience necessary just bring along a drink and a pack up. Contact the Monitoring Officer for the Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project Will Bartle before the day and for more details – William.bartle@lincolnshire.gov.uk or 01522 555780. Full directions and details can be found in the 'Events and Shows' section on the website – www.lincolnshirechalkstreams.org *** 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. *** November Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Paul writes: I'm very proud that Nightscenes 2019 is in fact the 20th edition. I could never have imagined that a simple little booklet produced to help my WEA classes could take on a life of it's own and 20 years later still be in demand. You can order direct from the Astrospace web shop via the link below. http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/shop/publications.html#NS2019 *** 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/ Keith Scarrott writes The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society. Breaking with tradition we have another "open to all" meeting for our December meeting instead of a social for members only.  At the meeting, on Monday, 10th, Professor Ian Rotherham, Professor of Ecology and Geography at the Sheffield Hallam University, will be giving us an illustrated talk which he has entitled "Lost Fens - England's Greatest Ecological Disaster". Professor Rotherham is an authority on cultural and historical aspects of landscapes, especially peat bogs and fenlands. This lecture will be of great interest to all who like archaeology and history as well as natural history and geology. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETING which takes place in the St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road, starting at 7.15pm.  There is a large free car park at the Church. There is no entry charge to the meeting but a donation bowl is provided. Light refreshments are provided at the mid-talk break for a small charge. For further details please 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 Martin Francis writes: 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 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 *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk *** Louth LWT *** Ray Woodcock writes: The Louth Group of the Trust had a well-attended meeting at the end of October when Dr Vin Fleming gave members a well illustrated and interesting talk about Fungi. He reminded us that although some have medicinal properties and that some can be eaten, we should ensure that we can identify a species before ingesting a ‘mushroom’. The Louth Group’s last meeting of 2018 will be at 7.30pm at the Nicholl Hill Methodist Church in Louth on Friday 23 November. This is the annual Nancy Loft Memorial Lecture when the Chief Executive of the Trust, Paul Learoyd will talk about, The Work of the Trust’. There have been some dynamic forward-looking developments recently, so this is an ideal opportunity to learn about what is happening and what will happen in the LWT. For more information contact Ray on lag2014rww@aol.com *** Scunthorpe and Brigg LWT *** Keith Scarrott writes: The Scunthorpe and Brigg Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Local Group meeting. The next meeting is on Thursday, 13th December.  We have a welcome return of Geoff Trinder who will be giving his illustrated talk "Animal Magic". Geoff is our well-known wildlife photographer whose exceptional photographs are often seen in the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's "Lapwings" magazine. This talk is guaranteed to show us many superb images of animal behaviour. The meeting takes place in the St Hugh's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AG, which is next to Brumby crossroads, starting at 7.30pm.  There is a £2 entry charge which includes light refreshments at the mid-talk break. For further details please contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: EU funded project saving UK Little Terns https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/EU_funded_project_saving_UK_Little_Terns.aspx? 15/11 Long-billed Dowitcher, Spotted Redshank, Fem Hen Harrier, Water Pipit, Frampton Marsh Parrot Crossbill fem, 2 Hooded Crows, Water Pipit, Pallid or Common Swift over Croft Marsh, Gibraltar Point 11 Shorelarks at end of Brickyard Lane, Theddlethorpe 16/11 Long-tailed Duck, Chapman's Pond, Cleethorpes 11 Shorelarks at end of Brickyard Lane, Theddlethorpe Ring-necked Duck ad drk, Woodhall Spa Airfield Siberian Chiffchaff, Hooded Crow, Gibraltar Point 2 Short-eared Owls, Hawthorpe Long-billed Dowitcher, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Hen Harrier ringtail, Frampton Marsh 17/11 15 Shorelarks, c10 Snow Buntings, at end of Brickyard Lane, Theddlethorpe Great White Egret, Dowsby Fen Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point Long-tailed Duck, Chapman's Pond, Cleethorpes Ring-necked Duck ad drk, 5 Whooper Swans flew east, Great White Egret, Woodhall Spa Airfield 2 Hen Harriers 1 male, Frampton Marsh Great White Egret, Boultham Mere, Lincoln 2 Shorelarks, 3 Hooded Crows, Donna Nook Swift sp, Leasingham 18/11 4 Short-eared Owls, Deeping High Bank, Deeping St Nicholas Long-billed Dowitcher, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Hen Harriers, Great Northern Diver, Frampton Marsh 2 Hooded Crows, Velvet Scoter flew past, Gibraltar Point 19/11 3 Short-eared Owls, Deeping High Bank, Deeping St Nicholas Long-billed Dowitcher ad, 2 Hen Harriers both males, Frampton Marsh 4 Tundra Bean Geese over, Theddethorpe [SM said Thursday!] Waxwing, Hen Harrier, Black Redstart at Sykes Farm, Great Northern Diver south past, Gibraltar Point Long-tailed Duck, Chapman's Pond, Cleethorpes Hen Harrier ringtail, Short-eared Owl, Tetney 20/11 Great White Egret on realignment, ringtail Hen Harrier, Freiston Shore Great White Egret, Boultham Mere, Lincoln Great White Egret, Grebe Lake, Whisby Nature Park Grerat White Egret, Ring-necked Duck, Woodhall spa Airfield Hen Harrier ringtail, Gibraltar Point 2 Hawfinches flew SW over Holbeach Marsh 48 Little Gulls past Huttoft Car Terrace Caspian Gull, Middlemarsh Wetlands Long-billed Dowitcher, Frampton Marsh 21/11 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. ROAD KILLS? Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. CLEETHORPES TA293075 16.11.2018 Peter Crick Fox, large male, 200metres west of Pennells Garden Centre on Grimsby Rd. *** 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. AUBOURN Aubourn SK 925 635 Jeremy Hutchinson 12/11/18 Green Woodpecker Great Spotted Woodpecker Kestrel (male, very small) Moorhen BARDNEY The Green TF119694 R.&A Parsons 17/11/2018 Red Admiral on wing in bright sunshine, 14.30hrs. Bat seen over Woodhall Spa to Bardney road B1190 at 5.30pm. [Between Bucknall and Tupholme] CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK 909 581 Jeremy Hutchinson 13/11/18 Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies on the wing (1 of each), around middle of day Carlton le Moorland SK 909 581 Jeremy Hutchinson 14/11/2018, 12.30 Very late Dragonfly hunting over allotment, one of Chaser species, not sure which. CLEETHORPES TA 300069 20.11.2018 Peter Crick Lots of Primulas well in flower All Shamrocks in garden a mass of flower Lavender still maintaining some flower Heather coming into flower Wild blackberry nearby flowering well GRIMSBY TA 265095 Joyce Attia 20/11/2018 19.45 hrs. Along the river bank: A pair of grey wagtails in the rushes. The mallards and moorhens continue to do well, they are getting hungry and are grateful for any scraps, lots of black headed gulls on the water and on the field adjacent to the river, 2 or 3 juvenile herring gulls also on the field. A small flock (about a dozen) collared doves, a few blackbirds and sparrows and a number of grey squirrels (one very brave as there is lady with peanuts) In the garden: - a pair of great tits and a few sparrows in the tree - large fat garden spiders - there was a very brave moth a couple of days ago, about the size and colour of a Silver Y and lots of midges. I don't know where all my usual birds have gone. Hopefully they will come back when the weather gets cold. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 15/11/2018 Tawny owl 1 - heard 6.30am 20/11/2018  Dunnock 1 Ladybird 7-spot 1  - tucked at the bottom of the stalk of a windfall apple Sparrowhawk 1 21/11/2018 Great tits 2 Longtailed tits 10 Tawny owl 1 - heard 5am  MARTON SK839819 Josh Hedley 10.10.2018 Red Admiral - 2 Resting on fallen leaves. THURLBY WOOD (SK8487) Thurlby Wood near Upton in the Gainsborough area Chris du Feu 17/11/2018 Not a good day for molluscs - in fact not a good year for them. Slugs: Arion ater seg Arion intermedius Deroceras reticulatum Snails Arianta arbustorum Cepaea nemoralis Clausilia bidentata Oxychilus alliarius Trochulus hispidus Insects Hornet - dead while hibernating Violet ground Beetle - very alive Amphibians Common Toad Mammals One Brown Hare and one Muntjac THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 12/11/18 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 7 Black-headed Gull x 5 Blue Tit x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Fieldfare x 38 Lesser Redpoll x 12 Mallard x 7 over Thurnholmes Moorhen x 3 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Mute Swan x 5adult, 2 juveniles Owston Ferry Warping Drain Redwing x 12 Rook x 14 18/11/18 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 12 Black-headed Gull x 3 Blue Tit x 3 Bullfinch x 4 Chaffinch x 7 Common Buzzard x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 65 roosting in my Hawthorn hedge Golden Plover x 15 over Thurnholmes Goldfinch x 4 Kestrel x 1 Lesser Redpoll x 12 Magpie x 2 Mallard x 5 over Thurnholmes Mute Swan x 2 over Thurnholmes Redwing x 21 Robin x 1 Starling x 7 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 23:30hrs Wood Pigeon x 12 Wren x 1 Yellowhammer x 2 TWYFORD WOOD SK950220 Jane and Brian Ostler 14th November 2018 Sunny Max 12C FUNGI The October foray had produced very little so after some rain went to look what we could find. I have put in Scientific names as well as new common names with which I know some people, including myself are not familiar. Birch Brittle Gill (Russula betularum) Aniseed Cockleshell (Lentinellus cochleatus) Grey Knight (Tricholoma terreum) White Fibre Cap (Inocybe geophilla) Lilac Bonnet (Mycena pura) Shaggy Inkcap (Coprinus comatus)  Common Inkcap (C.atramentarius) Magpie (Coprinus picaceus) Pale Brittle Stem (Psathyrella candolleana) As always there were some fresh Birch Brackets and Candlesnuff. Nothing except Pale Brittle Stem was found in quantity. The list does include a few species associated with tree growth (Birch and Beech). The woods diversity seems down every year. Very little in the way of decaying wood or untreated tree stumps. PLANTS 11 species were in flower, including an isolated blackberry, several annuals like common groundsel, five members of dandelion family, hogweed and herb robert. There were strings of black bryony berries along the pathsides and plenty of 'snowberries'. Except for beech most of the mature trees had lost their leaves. MAMMALS A squirrel out near its drey BIRDS Pheasant, Blue Tit, Great Tit, a single Coal Tit, a single Chaffinch, Wood Pigeon, Buzzard calling above the wood. INSECTS A buff-tailed Bee (Queen) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 14th – 20th November 2018 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 151118 - Male hen harrier and short-eared owl hunting over saltmarsh late afternoon. 171118 - Single woodcock and barn owl over dunes near Sea View and late afternoon 44 whooper swans flying over saltmarsh towards Rimac lagoon. 2 barn owls, 1 little owl, 2 water rails heard, 7 snipe and 1 jack snipe flushed from saltmarsh south of Rimac. 181118 - 3 common snipe flushed from the saltmarsh plus a noticeable number of skylarks, at least 20 and some in song. DONNA NOOK 161118 – 334 bulls, 1058 cows, 943 pups Skylarks seen and singing every day. Flocks of starlings and goldfinches moving between sea buckthorn scrub and salt marsh. Brent geese, lapwings and shelduck still numerous. Regular sightings of weasels moving around in the viewing area. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 The group still meets over winter to carry out essential coppice management of the wood and maintenance activities and anyone is welcome to come along and help. Just get in touch via 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 *** British Bryological Society *** http://www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk/ *** 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/ *** 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/ For the geologists... *** UKGE - Geological Supplies *** https://www.ukge.com/ *** British geology maps - now free to explore on web *** http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ The Geology of Lincolnshire https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-geology-of-lincolnshire-h-h-swinnerton-and-p-e-kent.pdf A Building Stone Atlas of Lincolnshire - British Geological Survey pdf https://www.bgs.ac.uk/downloads/start.cfm?id=2885 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Next Meetings: https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ ‘Bird Migration’ – 5th January 2019 Professor Ian Newton talks on Bird Migration. Whisby Education Centre, 2pm start. Joint talk with the Lincolnshire Bird Club Recorders’ Meeting – 9th February 2019 Whisby Education Centre, 12 noon 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. Annual General Meeting – 2nd March 2019 Whisby Education Centre, 2pm Followed by the Presidential Address by David Sheppard ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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.... Downing Street's Larry the Cat gets a helping hand from police https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-politics-46280468/downing-street-s-larry-the-cat-gets-a-helping-hand-from-police 'Crunchy but sawdust-like': Our verdict on edible insects https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46262739 How the seaside birds took over urban Britain https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/16/gulls-gulls-gulls-how-the-seaside-birds-took-over-urban-britain Plantwatch: mind-bending mushrooms have had a good autumn https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/nov/20/plantwatch-hallucinogenic-mushrooms-fly-agaric-good-autumn Scientists unravel secret of cube-shaped wombat faeces https://www.theguardian.com/science/2018/nov/18/scientists-unravel-secret-of-cube-shaped-wombat-faeces Ogden Nash could well have written: The wombat lives across the seas, Among the far Antipodes. Its rectum yields a cube-like poo Which decent humans cannot do. https://cerene.wordpress.com/2006/08/23/the-wombat-ogden-nash/ England's Big Picture: 12 - 18 November https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-46139052 What have the Vikings ever done for us? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-46194699 Lincolnshire - Country diary: waking up to traces of nocturnal animals https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/17/country-diary-waking-up-to-traces-of-nocturnal-animals#comment-122656451 Country diary: bats jink overhead as if tugged on invisible strings https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/16/country-diary-pipistrelle-bats-langston-hampshire And following on from the Country Diary on bats and a comment query on the origin of 'flittermouse', this link is amazing: The origins of the word 'bat' (the animal) https://www.reddit.com/r/etymologymaps/comments/7bl26p/the_origins_of_the_word_bat_the_animal_in_various/ Country diary: a longed-for invasion https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/nov/19/country-diary-longed-for-invasion-bohemian-waxwings-highlands ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/