============================================= || || 21st October 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... *** With clear skies, you might be lucky enough to spot some Orionid meteors this week, peaking on October 21st. These are fragments of Halley's comet. http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/events/orionid-meteor-shower#?date=2018-10-13 Migrants. Readers will have noticed reports of migrants this week such as: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/snow-bunting https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/yellow-browed-warbler/ https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/ring-ouzel/ https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/crossbill/ Roadworks. Thankfulness for long-overdue road repairs etc. does not make diversions and hold ups any less frustrating. This useful map about roadworks should tell you what you need to know to avoid delays and nasty surprises. I shall add it to the Bulletin list of useful websites: https://roadworks.org/ Plastics feedback. Linda Woodward writes about potato starch wraps for magazines. She says: The RSPB mailing this week came in a compostable starch-based see-through wrapper. Thanks goodness it tells you on the wrapper itself that it is compostable, otherwise it does a good impersonation of plastic! A few weeks ago I was reading in a magazine I had received (I can’t remember the organisation now) that the wrapper it had been in was compostable. Too late – had already thrown it in the normal waste bin. It needs to be in noticeable print on the wrapper itself until we get used to seeing it. Alison Brownlow adds: The WI and the National Trust are using the potato based compostable post wraps Alice Nunn writes: I note your comment about potato starch wraps for mags and I noticed that the quarterly RSPB mag arrived late last week in one. I think the last edition did too. So good for them too. Mind you the MCS (Marine Conservation Society) have been sending out their regular quarterly mags completely unwrapped for several years now, and I have rarely, if ever noticed any damage. Several other orgs to which I subscribe seem to have reverted to using good old fashioned brown envelopes, but regret I can't remember which! Coming Events - information below. GNLP Conference - 31st October Chris Packham - Pictures from the Edge of the World - 1st November Whisby Natural History Workshops - Fungi - 3rd November DaNES INSECT SHOW 10th November As usual I have included a selection of local/topical links. Don't forget to click. Gazing monkeys image wins top wildlife photo award https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45870218 Royal Society of Biology reveals Photographer of the Year 2018 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-45829411 Going plastic-free is tough - here are some tips that might help https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/916654ec-0be0-4c55-b7c1-05f1aa7af80e The UK's green discoveries: plastic-eating enzymes and seawater biofuels https://www.theguardian.com/education/2018/oct/16/the-uks-green-discoveries-plastic-eating-enzymes-and-seawater-biofuels New £2 million visitor centre opens at Holkham National Nature Reserve http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/environment/new-2-million-visitor-centre-opens-holkham-national-nature-reserve-the-lookout-1-5735138 Norfolk man who illegally hoarded 5,000 rare eggs faces jail https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-45838441 Storm Callum halts 2,000-mile swimmer Ross Edgley https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-45840191 Restaurant fish fraud not being caught, experts warn https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-45789059 The Big Hedgehog Map from Hedgehog Street https://bighedgehogmap.org/ More links in "..and finally..." Don't forget to look. No one has yet expressed an interest in taking on the editing of the Bulletin. If you think you may have the time/interest to have a go, please get in touch. Contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk 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.] *** On the Trail of Sir John Betjeman *** Stuart Crooks alerts us to: On the Trail of Sir John Betjeman - Wolds Words Festival 2018 An illustrated entertainment about the life and work of Sir John Betjeman Wednesday 17th October 2018 - 7.30pm Conoco Room, Louth Library LN11 0LY Members of the local branch of the Betjeman Society will paint a picture of the poet, broadcaster and conservationist , including readings of his Lincolnshire poems. £3 entrance. More on Wolds Words Festival 2018 programme: https://www.magnavitae.org/events/wolds-words-festival/ *** GNLP Conference *** Conference on Evolving evidence: new and innovative ways to make the case for nature Sarah Baker writes: The Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership’s annual conference takes place on 31 October and will consider the innovative methods being used to support evidence-based policy and decision making for the natural environment. Speakers will include Nick Atkinson of the Woodland Trust on uses for woodland cover and tree canopy data, Dr Niall Burton of the British Trust for Ornithology looking at the techniques being used to build a better under- standing of the impacts of offshore wind farms on seabirds and Gareth Dalglish of Natural England on approaches to strategic licensing for great crested newts. The event will also mark the launch of LERC Search, a pioneering new system developed by the GLNP to provide instant access to data for ecologists and local authorities - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Booking for the conference is essential, please contact events@glnp.org.uk or call 01507 528384. Further details can be found at https://glnp.org.uk/contact/latest-news/ Sarah Baker - Senior Policy Officer 01507 528384 www.glnp.org.uk *** CPRE event with Chris Packham. *** Jenny Haynes writes: CHRIS PACKHAM, the well known TV presenter, naturalist and film maker, will be presenting his new show, called Pictures from the Edge of the World, at the Baths Hall, Scunthorpe on 1st November 2018, starting at 7.30pm. This event is being promoted by CPRE Northern Lincolnshire and we would love to see you there. Tickets, priced at £25 are available from the Baths Hall, either in person at the Box Office, by telephone 08448542776 or online at www.scunthorpetheatres.co.uk *** Whisby Natural History Workshops - Reminder *** At Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln, in the Lafarge Education Building from 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Free of charge. Refreshments included. A few places are still available on: Fungi - November 3rd - Ray Halstead [4 places left] [Places are limited due to the number of microscopes available.] Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com *** 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 *** October Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html AuroraWatch UK - keep checking for alerts. https://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ *** 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/ *** 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 next meeting of the Grimsby RSPB Local Group is at 7.30pm on Monday 15th October 2018 at Cromwell Banqueting Suite, 1 Kings Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 0AJ (Please note that the venue has changed because our regular venue is under maintenance on this date only) Ashley Grove will give us an illustrated talk entitled "Jewels of the Gambia". There will also be refreshments and a raffle. Entry is £4, payable at the door. The Group's October trip is to RSPB Fairburn Ings and Blacktoft Sands on Sunday 28th October 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 We look forward to seeing you at the meeting, or on the trip, or both! Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** South Lincs RSPB Group *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB Group carried out their last Birdwatching Cruise aboard The Boston Belle of 2018,on October 16th. 72 BIRD SPECIES SEEN plus basking harbour seals on and in the River Welland. bar-tailed godwit, black-headed gull, black-tailed godwit, blackbird, blue tit, BRAMBLING, brent goose, buzzard, canada goose, carrion crow, chaffinch, collared dove, common gull, common sandpiper, COMMON SCOTER, common tern, cormorant, curlew, dunlin, feral pigeons, gadwall, GANNET, golden plover flocks, goldfinch, great black-backed gull, great spotted and green woodpecker, greenshank, grey heron, grey plover, grey wagtail, herring gull, HEN HARRIER, house sparrow, jackdaw, kestrel, 3 kingfishers, lapwing, lesser black-backed gull, linnet, little egret, long-tailed tit, magpie, mallard, marsh harrier, meadow pipit, merlin, mistle thrush, moorhen, oystercatcher, peregrine falcons [Boston Stump] pheasant, pied wagtail, pintail, redshank, REDWING, reed bunting, ringed plover, robin, rook, ruff, sandwich tern, SHAG, shelduck, skylark,SHORT EARED OWL,spotted redshank, starling, stock dove,3 [late] swallows, wigeon, wood pigeon, wren,y ellowhammer. The South Lincs RSPB Group have 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 On Saturday 27th October 2018 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a fungus foray  in Linwood Warren Nature Reserve Market Rasen with Ray Halstead.  Meet in the car park area at 10am. Linwood Warren is located on the south side of Legsby Road, Market Rasen opposite the golf club. Grid ref. TF 133877. Nearest postcode LN8 3DZ.  Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout boots suitable for foraging in woodland.  This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust.  For further details contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson Lincoln Area Group Talk October 18th: An Introduction to Bee Keeping An illustrated talk by Jason Rawson who is Chairman of the Lincoln District Beekeepers Association. Talk at Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission £2.50 which includes refreshments. *** Louth LWT *** Ray Woodcock writes: Last month members of the Wildlife Trust delivered a copy of a the ‘Lost Words’ book to all state schools in the county. Louth group members took copies to 18 schools in this area. The publication of the book written by Robert MacFarlane and illustrated by Jackie Morris arose from the realisation that since 2010 common countryside words like acorn, wren, kingfisher and conker started to disappear from children's books. The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust set up 'Crowdfunder' campaign which raised £5,500 to provide copies of the book which has been very well received by both pupils and teachers. The next Louth group’s speaker meeting is at 1930hrs on Friday 26 October in the Nichol Hill Methodist Church, Louth. Dr Vin Fleming from the Nature Conservation Committee will tell us about Earthstars, Brittle Gills and Puddockstools. These are not witches who might be around at Halloween, but they are the names of fungi that can be found during the Autumn. The entry fee, including refreshments, remains at £2.50 whilst children are welcome and have free entry. For more information about the activities of the LWT contact Ray on lag2104rww@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: 11/10 Great White Egret on pool, Woodhall Spa Great White Egret, Far Ings, Barton-upon-Humber Great White Egret in field, Richard's Pipit flew over, Humberston Fitties Arctic [not Greenish] Warbler, 4 Yellow-browed Warblers, Firecrest, Pomarine Skua, Water Pipit, Ring Ouzel, 2 Snow Buntings, Gibraltar Point Wood Sandpiper juv, Baston/Langtoft pits Long-billed Dowitcher, Little Stint, drk Scaup, male Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 12/10 Long-billed Dowitcher, Ruddy Shelduck, Little Stint, 2 Scaup, Frampton Marsh 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Water Pipit, 3 Crossbills, Gibraltar Point Yellow-browed Warbler, Humberston Fitties Cattle Egret, Black-necked Grebe, Baston/Langtoft pits 13/10 Cattle Egret, just west of Thurlby Fen Slipe Red-necked Phalarope, Little Stint, Scaup, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Hen Harrier male flew past reedbed, Great Grey Shrike on path towards river mouth, Frampton Marsh 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, Crossbill, Water Pipit, 5 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Cattle Egret, Baston/Langtoft pits 14/10 4 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Yellow-browed Warbler, Sea View Farm, Saltfleetby Long-billed Dowitcher, Cattle Egret, 2 Little Stints, 2 Scaup, Frampton Marsh Cattle Egret flew over north pit, Black-necked Grebe juv, Baston/Langtoft pits 15/10 Cattle Egret, Temminck's Stint, Baston/Langtoft pits Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Ring Ouzels, Short-eared Owl, Lapland Bunting flew south over, Gibraltar Point Red-necked Phalarope, Black Tern, 2 Hen Harriers 1 male, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill, Alkborough Flats 16/10 Yellow-browed Warbler, Sea View Farm, Saltfleetby 2 Ring Ouzels, Shorelark on beach, Rimac Temminck's Stint, juv Wood Sandpiper, juv Black-necked Grebe, Baston/Langtoft pits Red-necked Phalarope, Scaup, Ruddy Shelduck, Frampton Marsh Curlew Sandpiper, 16 Yellow-browed Warblers - one trapped and ringed, 9 Ring Ouzels, Woodlark flew south, Pied Flycatcher, Gibraltar Point 3 Great White Egrets, Woodhall Spa 17/10 Caspian Gull 1w, German-ringed, Trent Port Wetlands, Marton Long-billed Dowitcher, Frampton Marsh 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, 4 Ring Ouzels, Firecrest, Richard's Pipit, 3 Lapland Buntings over, ringtail Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank, Gannet, Alkborough flats Temminck's Stint, juv Wood Sandpiper, Black-necked Grebe, Baston/Langtoft pits 18/10 Ruddy Shelduck, Frampton Marsh Temminck's Stint, Baston/Langtoft pits 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. PINCHBECK Chris Du Feu Slugs brought to a LWT local group meeting at Pinchbeck on 9th October 2018 Species 10km Grids Notes Ambigolimax valentianus Iberian Three-band Slug TF21, TF22, TF32, TF34, TF41 Ambigolimax sp. Three-band Slug TF22, TF32 Species to be confirmed – possibly Ambigolimax nyctelius Arion ater agg Large roundback slug TF11, TF22 Arion distinctus Brown Soil Slug TF21, TF22, TF32 Arion intermedius Hedgehog Slug TF22 Arion rufus Large Red Slug TF22, TF32, TF74 (Norfolk) Including one rocking very strongly Arion subfuscus Dusky Slug TF12, TF32 Arion vulgaris Vulgar Slug TF22, TF42 Cepaea nemoralis Brown-lipped Snail TF22, TF41 Cornu aspersum Garden Snail TF22, TF41 Deroceras invadens Tramp Slug TF22, TF32 Deroceras reticulatum Netted Slug TF22, TF32 Limacus maculatus Green Cellar Slug TF11, TF21, TF22, TF32, TF41, TF74 (Norfolk) Tandonia budapestensis Budapest Slug TF22, TF32 Trochulus hispida Hairy Snail TF22 Trochulus striolatus Strawberry Snail TF22 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 15/10 Pied Wagtail active in area. Muntjac adult male in beet field north of Henry Lane at TF167706 Also Waddingworth TF181718 Roe deer adult doe CAISTOR Nettleton Nature Reserve (nr Caistor) Ian Whitaker 11/10/2118 Corizus hyoscyami - aka Cinnamon bug or Black and red squash bug CARLTON LE MOORLAND SK 908 580 Jeremy Hutchinson 13 October 2018 Swallow 16 October 2018 Goldcrest Shaggy Parasol fungus 16 October 2018 Albino Gray Squirrel (I was shown a photograph by the person who spotted it). EAST HALTON - WINTER'S POND to GOXHILL HAVEN (Grid reference TA1521, TA1422) 14/10/2018 Jon Drakes Continuous heavy rain and poor visibility resulted in the monthly WeBS count along this stretch of the River Humber being "abandoned". However, species noted before "rain stopped play" were as follows: Black Tailed Godwit 20 Black-headed Gull Carrion Crow Chaffinch Coot 2 Cormorant 2 Curlew 2 Dunnock Great Crested Grebe 1 Grey Heron 1 Greylag Goose 100 Lapwing 6 Little Egret 2 Little Grebe 3 Magpie Mallard 17 Moorhen 8 Pintail 1 Redshank 8 Robin 1 Shoveler 3 Snipe 1 Starling Teal 8 Tufted Duck 2 Woodpigeon A large Otter, presumed to be a male, was seen hunting at Winter's Pond, East Halton. FULBECK SK 950 500 Jeremy Hutchinson 11 October 2018 Red Kite GRIMSBY TA265095 Joyce Attia 12.00 hrs. 15th October 2018 Along the river bank. 12th October and unseasonably warm. A friend and I were walking the dog when our attention was caught by a high pitched bird sound from a nearby conifer. We saw three tiny birds hopping about on a branch. At first we thought they were wrens, but their tails weren't cocked. Then my friend noticed one had gold on its head - big excitement - are they Goldcrests? We had never seen one before. I looked up Goldcrest, but I'm still not sure whether they were or not. They seemed to fit the description except that all pictures and videos show a greyish chest but these seemed to be more rusty. Can anyone help please? Meanwhile the ducks were bowing to each other, I hope they don't think it's Spring. The terrapin is lazing in the reeds. Someone is feeding the swans and a brown rat is getting his share too. I haven't seen the grey geese for weeks. In the garden. The roses and other summer flowers are starting to bloom again, the golden buddleia which I thought was a casualty of the summer is blooming and we have seen bees on it. The perfume of the night scented stocks is almost overpowering. I changed the bird feeder and put fresh food out but it's still being ignored. 15th October and different weather altogether, cold and wet. A walk along the river bank saw the 2 families of swans in quite close proximity, the adults squaring up to each other, just a few yards apart. A few black headed gulls are back again. I went back to the conifer, to see if the little ?? goldcrests were there. I could hear the high pitched sound but couldn't see anything. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 10/10/2018 Frog 1 Sparrowhawk 1 12/10/2018 Common darters 2 14/10/2018 Pheasant 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Roe deer 2 TF526764 15/10/2018 Great tits 8 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 13/10/2018 Jon Drakes The weekly Garden Bird Watch for the BTO was undertaken in our back garden in weather conditions comprising of a strong, southerly gale force winds and unseasonally warm temperatures. Very few birds were recorded in these extreme conditions! The few species that did put in an appearance were: Blackbird 1 Collared Dove 10 House Sparrow 15 Jackdaw 4 Robin 1 LINCOLN, WEDGEWOOD GROVE SK937692 Caroline Crane 13.10.18 Regular nightly sightings of hedgehogs, coming to food put out for them. At least three and possibly five, of various sizes and colours. STALLINGBOROUGH - HOBSON WAY (Grid reference TA2113) 8/10/2018 Jon Drakes Wildlife noted whilst at work was as follows: Carrion Crow Common Gull Dunnock Goldfinch Great Black Backed Gull Magpie Pied Wagtail Starling Woodpigeon WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK922224 Jane Ostler Week beginning 10th October 2018 Mainly garden and surrounding verges MAMMALS No evidence of Hedgehogs in the garden during this stormy week, although it has been mild. Wood mice have again occupied a nest box intended for house sparrows BIRDS Black-headed Gulls seen each late afternoon, an hour before sunset, heading for roosts at Rutland Water. A little later Rooks, with some Jackdaws head for their winter roost - the same Ash tree as last year, but Starlings have been evicted from a large conifer hedge which last year they covered in droppings. In addition to the regular sightings of Canada Geese on the move a skein of Pink-footed Geese were seen, heading south east. Three Little Egrets are regulars at the side of the River Witham to the south of Woolsthorpe. The garden remains remarkable quiet for birds except for brief visits of parties of Long-tailed Tits and a Great Spotted Woodpecker at a feeding station in a neighbours garden. We have more Collared Doves after the chicken food than usual , probably because we have not seen the female Sparrowhawk for some time. No male either so the smaller birds are safe (but not in evidence). INSECTS Hawthorn Shield Bug found on vegetation brought in for a flower arrangement. Surprised to see Wasps on the Michaelmas Daisies after the second day of rain on Monday 15th. The next day one was found tangled in the remains of a Garden Spider's nest. FLOWERING PLANTS We had a mild October ten years ago but I do not remember the garden so full of flowers at this time of the year. Some annuals like Nigella and Pot Marigolds have flowered from seed shed in June. On the verges annuals like Common Chickweed are abundant and perennials like Creeping Thistle are having an extended flowering period. The abundance of hard fruits, Apples, Pears and Quince, in the garden is reflected in heavy fruiting of Apples (grown from discarded cores?) along the railway line. A peach tree which we planted in shade, at the bottom of the garden to keep it well away from area where a previous one had developed peach leaf curl developed this year hundreds of small but very tasty peaches - a source of amazement! PLANT GALLS On creeping thistle the swollen flask of Urophora cardii. On walnut the blisters of Aceria erinea. On dog rose, robin's pincushion Diplolepis rosae. On field maple red nail-like galls Aceria sp. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 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. Whisby Natural History Workshops In partnership with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union. At Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln, in the Lafarge Education Building from 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Free of charge. Refreshments included. Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com Find out more about the various subjects from our local experts. Places are limited due to the number of microscopes available. Next workshop: Fungi - November 3rd - Ray Halstead ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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... Six climate questions for 'Green GB' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45827068 Plans announced to introduce the first kerbside recyclable plant pots https://www.mygreenpod.com/articles/recyclable-plant-pots/ How Blocking Blue Light at Night Can Transform Your Sleep https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/block-blue-light-to-sleep-better Puffin patrol: The children saving Iceland's pufflings https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-45832618/ Bees completely stopped flying during the 2017 total solar eclipse https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/bees-total-eclipse-buzz Australia defies climate warning to back coal https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45798643 Meet Europe's new koala clan https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-45831410/ Country diary: pearl mussels settle down for a ripe old age https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/08/country-diary-freshwater-pearl-mussels-survive-devon Country diary: an explosion of wildlife at an old nitroglycerine plant https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/13/country-diary-explosion-wildlife-old-nitroglycerine-plant-gwynedd Country diary: where Scots pines stand tall https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/12/country-diary-where-scots-pines-stand-tall Country diary: apples and mistletoe, yin and yang https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/10/country-diary-apples-and-mistletoe-yin-and-yang-brockhampton-herefordshire Country diary: it takes big claws to get stuck into a wasps' nest https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/15/country-diary-big-claws-wasps-nest-badger-honey-buzzard-highlands Country diary: a moment’s sympathy for the fen raft spider https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/16/country-diary-a-moments-sympathy-for-the-fen-raft-spider#comment-121535780 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!)