============================================= || || 28th 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... *** Summer time ends on the 28th and we have to make the annual adjustment to our body clocks. It seems to get harder every year. https://www.timeanddate.com/news/time/europe-dst-end-2018.html As we move towards November many of us will be planning a visit to Donna Nook to observe the annual pupping. You will know to avoid weekends if you can and to be prepared for traffic issues such as the one-way system. There is also a parking fee change to £5. The following webpage will tell you about it. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook Pupping has started and you can read the seal news in section 4 below: "Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 10th October 2018" 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 As usual I have included a selection of local/topical links. Don't forget to click. The Roadworks link last week attracted a record number of clicks. A useful site. I shall keep it available in future LNU Bulletins under "Staying Safe" in section 8. "Contact Information & Useful Websites". Meanwhile keep reporting potholes: Report those potholes on this link: fixmystreet.lincolnshire.gov.uk Rose-coloured starling watchers descend on house near Norwich https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-45905647 Benny the beluga: Fireworks display on hold for whale's safety https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-45919635 Who was the real Granny Smith? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-45434973 This bear is getting up to no good in Colorado's snow. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-45897663/a-furry-thief Werewolf Story for Halloween... http://www.bbc.co.uk/lincolnshire/content/articles/2005/08/16/werewolf_dogdyke_feature.shtml No Photoshop involved: this iceberg really is almost perfectly rectangular https://www.zmescience.com/other/offbeat-other/iceberg-rectangular-beautiful-22102018/ 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.] *** 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 *** 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/ 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 Martin Francis writes: 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 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 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. *** Louth LWT *** Ray Woodcock writes: 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 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: 18/10 Ruddy Shelduck, Frampton Marsh Temminck's Stint, Baston/Langtoft pits Purple Sandpiper on beach, Sutton on Sea Ring Ouzel, 4 Yellow-browed Warblers, Gibraltar Point Yellow-browed Warbler in garden of old cottage, Sea View Farm, Saltfleetby Great White Egret, Tetney Lock Long-billed Dowitcher, Hen Harrier, Scaup, Frampton Marsh 19/10 10 Ring Ouzels, Yellow-browed Warbler trapped and ringed, Hen Harrier ringtail, 7 Yellow-browed Warblers, Gibraltar Point 4 Short-eared Owls, Bonby Carrs Temminck's Stint, Baston/Langtoft pits Wood Sandpiper, 3 Scaup, 3 Velvet Scoters, Twite, Tetney/North Cotes Olive-backed Pipit between Tetney and North Cotes point Water Pipit over North Cotes point Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 20/10 Temminck's Stint, Baston/Langtoft pits Long-billed Dowitcher, ringtail Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Great White Egret, 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, Lapland Bunting over, Ring Ouzel, Curlew Sandpiper, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, Boultham Mere, Lincoln 21/10 Yellow-browed Warbler, Great White Egret, Hen Harrier ringtail Gibraltar Point Caspian Gull, Trent Port Wetlands, Marton Long-billed Dowitcher, 2 Hen Harriers, 1m, Ruddy Shelduck Frampton Marsh Velvet Scoter, 4 Scaup, Tetney Haven Richard's Pipit, 4 Short-eared Owls, Tetney Marshes Yellow-browed Warbler, Anderby Great White Egret flew north over Huttoft Pit 8 Velvet Scotars flew north, Mablethorpe 22/10 2 juv Pomarine Skuas, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Hen Harrier, Rough-legged Buzzard over, Great White Egret, Curlew Sandpiper, Ring Ouzel, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, Tetney Marshes Long-billed Dowitcher, 3 Hen Harriers 1m, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Great White Egret, 5 Short-eared Owls, Huttoft Pit Cattle Egret, Great White Egret over, Far Ings, Barton-upon-Humber 18 Whooper Swans, Baston/Langtoft pits 23/10 2 juv Pomarine Skuas flew south, Ring Ouzel, Water Pipit, Jack Snipe on Mere, Gibraltar Point Long-billed Dowitcher, Ruddy Shelduck, Hen Harriers ringtail, Frampton Marsh 24/10 Yellow-browed Warbler in plantation, Gibraltar Point 5 Pomarine Skuas 60 Bonxies, Great Northern Diuver flew south past North Sea Observatory NNE of Chapel St Leonards, 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. *** 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 21/10/2018 6 Collared Doves 2 m Blackbirds 6+ House Sparrows Local flock of 20+ starlings COLSTERWORTH SK93/22 Jane Ostler Week beginning 17/10/18 MAMMALS Hedgehogs still seen in gardens in evening and fresh droppings found during day. One with a distinctive dark patch on face allows its movements to be tracked from garden to garden. Fallow Deer, seen much less frequently in Twyford Wood but evidence of male marking territory in rutting season. Stoat - crossing Stamford Road BIRDS Barn Owl has been seen out during afternoon before dusk - evidence that it is hungry- a poor year for voles? Red Kite - coming into garden to feed Buzzard circling on thermals Kestrel seen regularly hovering over lanes but sparrowhawk not seen about last two months. Collared Doves - newly fledged pair with parents. Robin - number reported to have returned to gardens - evidenced by song being heard, but these may not be the same birds. Tree Creeper watched on Stamford Road, flattened against oak tree bark, where it found a spider. REPTILES Grasssnake, no bigger than a large earthworm, found dead in chicken run where hens had been fighting over it. Mystery where it had come from. INVERTEBRATES Comma, Red Admiral, Small White all seen in gardens, but Small Tortoiseshell, abundant in summer, seem to have disappeared. In one garden, (on 21st) Carder Bees feeding on Michaelmas Daisies, Honey bees on ivy, Marmalade Hover Flies on pot marigolds. On roadside verges Common Wasps on ivy flowers Evidence of leaf cutter bees on roses. FLOWERING PLANTS Not only is there an abundance of wild plants still in flower on waysides but there are odd flowerings of plants out of season in the garden. For example spring crocus in flower on 22nd October. GRIMSBY TA265095 Joyce Attia 23nd October 2018 21.40 hrs. My garden. Two blue tits and a great tit on the bird feeder, and a black bird has been pecking around the garden most days this week. A few bees on the buddleia in the sun and a number of big garden spiders. Along the river bank. We have looked around for the Goldcrests but haven't seen them again, perhaps they were just passing through. Thanks Roger and Stuart for helping to identify them. The juvenile swans are testing their wings and making a great fuss of flying short distances just above the water. The three grey geese have come back and there were 2 Canada geese there yesterday. The mallards and moorhens continue to do well. TA271070 Local cemetery. Lots of mature trees in beautiful Autumn colours. One Acer type tree had a large number of Ladybirds on it - 7 spot ones and black ones with red and white spots. HOLYWELL LAKE 21st October 2018 Ian Misselbrook 0820 -0940 Little Grebes 20 Black Swan 1 Mute Swans 2 Greylag Geese 57 Canada Geese 6 Mallard 174 Gadwall 4 Teal 8 Shoveler 2 Wigeon 16 Red Crested Pochard 1 (female) Tufted Duck 16 Coot 1 Moorhen 11 Black-headed Gulls 34 Common Buzzard 1 Pheasants Red-legged Partridges Wood Pigeons Nuthatch 2 Marsh Tit 1 Great Tits Blue Tits Long-tailed Tits Wren Robin Blackbird Skylarks Meadow Pipits 4 Pied Wagtail 1 Rooks Carrion Crow Jackdaws Siskins 3 Goldfinches Chaffinches MOOR FARM LWT 21/10/2018 R. Parsons list for Ray Halstead: Blusher Plums and Custard Clouded Funnel Cap Butter Cap False Chanterelle Common Yellow Russula Blackish-purple Russula Cortinarius spp Brown Roll-rim Sulphur Tuft Panaeolus semiovatus Brown Birch Boletus Leccinium spp - scabrum? Cep Bay Boletus Birch Polypore Ear-pick Fungus? Stinkhorn 7 SANDILANDS, SUTTON-ON-SEA Ian Whitaker 21 October 2018 Pale November Moth [photo available] THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 05/10/18 Goldfinch x 7 Great Tit x 2 Kestrel x 1 Mallard x 9 Pink-footed Goose x 160 NE over Thurnholmes Wren x 2 09/10/18 Blackbird x 3 Black-headed Gull x 7 Chaffinch x 3 Chiffchaff x 1 singing, Haxey Railway Line SE773005 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 7 Kestrel x 1 Mallard x 9 Moorhen x 2 Mute Swan x 2 adult, 2 young Owston Ferry Warping Drain Robin x 1 Starling x 2 Tree Sparrow x 17 Wood Pigeon x 12 Wren x 1 Brown Rat x 1 (dead) Roe Deer x 3 SE808015 13/10/18 Barn Owl x 1 Fox x 1 (Clare Holmes) 17/10/18 Pink-footed Goose x 41 N over Thurnholmes 24/10/18 Blackbird x 5 Black-headed Gull x 17 Cormorant x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Fieldfare x 23 Goldfinch x 5 Lesser Redpoll x 18 Moorhen x 7 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Mute Swan x 9 adults, 3 juveniles, Owston Ferry Warping Drain Whooper Swan x 5 flying SW over Thurnholmes Wood Pigeon x 31 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 10th October 2018 – 23rd October 2018 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Daily news and wildlife sightings: The very strong winds on the 13th and 14th were generally above 20mph most of the time and a gust of 55.5mph was noted on the 13th and 50.9mph on the 14th. 091018 - Single yellow-browed warbler at Sea View. 101018 – 1 redwing near Sea View. During a warm, sunny mid-day a single hummingbird hawk moth, 6 small tortoiseshells, 1 comma, 1 meadow brown, 1 large white, 4 small coppers, 1 common blue, 5 small whites and 1 brimstone at Sea View. 111018 - Single yellow-browed warbler at Sea View early morning and another sighting late afternoon. 121018 - Two marsh harriers hunting over a high tide saltmarsh plus 700+ black-headed gulls and 24 little egrets. Two common snipe flew in over the dunes and at least 7 redwing and two blackbirds. 131018 - Single yellow-browed warbler at Sea View seen am and late afternoon. 141018 - Another sighting of a yellow-browed warbler at Sea View. Impossible to know if this is the same bird from the 9th or the sightings have been of different birds. A female ring ouzel was seen at Crookbank. The unseasonal very warm day when the temperature reached 25.5? did bring a few butterflies out around Sea View, including 2 red admirals, 5 small coppers, 2 small whites, 1 speckled wood, 3 small tortoiseshells, 1 large white and 1 wall, plus 1 humming bird hawkmoth. 151018 - Single grey wagtail at Sea View. Another wet day giving a total plus yesterday’s of 26.8mm. 161018 - Around Sea View at least 4 goldcrests, possibly 2 yellow-browed warblers and single chiffchaff and blackcap. Between Sea View and the saltmarsh pillbox were minimum numbers of 13 reed buntings, 9 fieldfares, 20 redwing, 9 blackbirds, 2 song thrushes and a single male bullfinch. Several skeins of pink-footed geese (600+ birds) were flying over Sea View from the roost on the mudflats near Churchill to pasture/corn fields on the coastal fringe. Over 1700 golden plover in several flocks flew from the saltings/flats, circled and flew off inland. Near the Haven outfall teal 231 and wigeon 271, oystercatchers in several groups 260, curlew 81, shelduck 23, grey plover 1 and a single shorelark feeding along the high tideline near the outer dunes. 5 common snipe were flushed from the saltmarsh. 171018 - 2 goldcrests, 1 yellow-browed warbler and 1 blackcap at Sea View 181018 - 3 tree sparrows, 1 goldcrest, 1 yellow-browed warbler and 2 male bullfinches at Sea View, a barn owl hunting in the Sea View area late afternoon, 1 marsh harrier over the saltmarsh and a single common snipe flying high over going inland. 191018 - 2 grey wagtails on the bank of the Eau near Paradise and a common snipe flying overhead. At Sea View female blackcap, male brambling, 3 tree sparrows, 19 redwing and a single jay flying over. Late afternoon a garden warbler was in the garden near Sea View, barn owl hunting, a short-eared owl was seen to fly in from over the saltmarsh, high and continued over the dunes inland, 3 marsh harriers were hunting over the saltmarsh. 2 small tortoiseshells and 3 small coppers in flight midday at Sea View. 201018 - 4 whooper swans flew over Paradise and headed south. Between Sea View and salt- marsh pillbox were minimum counts of 15 blackbirds, 10 redwing, 4 fieldfare and 2 song thrushes plus 2 yellow-browed warblers around Sea View. Mid-afternoon there were 8 whooper swans and a single bird was seen to fly low over Saltfleet Haven, south. There at least 450 wigeon on the sea, 179 oystercatchers, 81 curlew, 1 lesser black backed gull and 31 great black backed gulls. On the wing in mid-day sunshine were 3 small tortoiseshells, 1 red admiral and a single hummingbird hawkmoth. 211018 - Female pintail and 11 dunlin on Paradise lagoon, grey wagtail on the edge of the Eau at Black bridge, single but possibly 2 yellow-browed warblers at Sea View. Singles of red admiral, small tortoiseshell and brimstone on the wing. 221018 - 9 lapwing with 12 redshank on Paradise lagoon, jay over Sea View. In late afternoon sunshine along the edge of Paradise wood was a single small tortoiseshell and painted lady on the wing. 231018 - Hummingbird hawkmoth in flight at Sea View plus 2 small tortoiseshells and a red admiral. DONNA NOOK 211018 – Peregrine, merlin and short-eared owl hunting on foreshore. Flocks of brent geese, lapwing and golden plover building in numbers. Weasel seen running across the viewing area path. 221018 – 1st grey seal pup born. 231018 – 2nd grey seal pup born. 7 cows and 5 bulls on inner dunes. 9 whooper swans on beach and 15 flew over flying south westerly. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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... Check NHS cancer, A&E, ops and mental health targets in your area https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-41483322 Destruction of the Ecosystem - First World War https://encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net/article/destruction_of_the_ecosystem Upcycled belts made entirely out of worn or rejected bicycle tyres https://www.mygreenpod.com/heroes/laura-zabo-bicycle-tyre-belts/ Humans are now pooping microplastics https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/microplastic-human-stool-04332/ ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/