============================================= || || 11th December 2019 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || || LNU Website: || http://lnu.org/ || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Information, 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 from Feb 2009 - 10 years worth! 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 building up reader numbers. ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Information, hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor writes... *** It was sad to learn of the death of David Bellamy this week. He was closely involved with the Lincolnshire Environmental Awards over many years and took a great interest in environmental and conservation work in Lincolnshire. The BBC tribute here: "Naturalist and presenter David Bellamy dies at 86" https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-50752089 Donna Nook. Check the Weekly Seal Update before visiting. Please try to avoid weekends. Latest seal count: 06/12/2019 - 466 bulls, 997 cows and 2135 pups https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/weekly-update Bird of the week - the Snow Bunting. Currently being reported at Donna Nook. https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/snow-bunting/ https://www.birdguides.com/articles/species-profiles/focus-on-snow-bunting/ Reminder - the causeway to Short Ferry is still out of action due to flooding. See: https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings?location=lincolnshire Make a note of the dates for the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch: 25-27 January 2020. https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/ A selection of news stories and articles can be found on the following links. Most have been suggested by fellow readers. Young people can't remember how much more wildlife there used to be https://www.newscientist.com/article/2226898-young-people-cant-remember-how-much-more-wildlife-there-used-to-be/ Search continues for missing 82-year-old Lincolnshire man https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-50707035 Photos of the week - Wow! https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2019/dec/06/the-week-in-wildlife-in-pictures Horsey seal released after 'necklace' injury recover https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-norfolk-50730267 'Swanfall' at Slimbridge marks start of winter https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-50705196 Botany: 'Forgotten' elm tree set to make a comeback https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50519036 Botany: Tiny, Rare Wild Plant Brought Back From The Brink https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/about-us/news/tiny-rare-wild-plant-brought-back-from-the-brink-after-being-deliberately-run-over-by-a-huge-tractor Botany: Genetics can play key role in saving trees https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50673661 Seven Worlds, One Planet on i-Player.... https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0009tt8/seven-worlds-one-planet More links in "...and finally..." Thanks for all the support. Please keep your contributions coming. If you need a plug for your Natural History events and activities - please let me know. Always glad to help. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** LNU Events Diary *** LNU events are also listed below in section 11. For LNU meetings and workshops, see: https://lnu.org/meetings/ You should check the link below in case any change has been made. In the event of a late cancellation or other change after the Bulletin has been sent I will also post updated details on the following webpage: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html [Note: Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, and start at 2pm.] Next meetings: Indoor Meetings 2020 https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ ‘Gibraltar Point’ Barrie Wilkinson – 11th January 2020 Recorders’ Meeting – 8th February 2020 Annual General Meeting – 7th March 2020 Followed by the Presidential Address by Chris du Feu *** PTES Stocking fillers *** Adela Crag writes Wildlife charity PTES has a fantastic variety of wildlife/eco themed gifts which make perfect last minute stocking fillers, with 100% of the proceeds made going directly to helping conservation efforts in the UK and internationally. https://ptes.org/shop/ *** December Night Sky... *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html The Geminid meteor shower will peak 14-15 December between late evening and dawn https://www.rmg.co.uk/discover/explore/geminid-meteor-shower-when-and-where-see-it-uk *** Bryophyte meeting - Gibraltar Point - Saturday 14th December *** Steven Heathcote writes: We have arranged a bryophyte outing to Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve at Skegness. We will meet in the northern car park (TF558589) at 10am and bryophyte our way south to the visitor centre for lunch and warming drinks. I'm particularly keen to re-find the population of Tortula viridifolia which is one of only two English east-coast outposts of this species. Let me know if you are planning to attend (steven.heathcote@gmail.com) in case of weather-related problems *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ *** Grimsby & District RSPB *** http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby For more information, contact Martin Francis (Group Leader) at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com (preferred) or on (01472) 883436 Martin Francis writes: The RSPB Grimsby Local Group's next meeting is at 7.30pm on Monday, 16th December 2019 at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, (formerly known as Corpus Christi Community Centre), Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7LH. Our speaker, Graham Catley, who describes himself as an ornithological consultant, photographer and serious patch-watcher, is one of the area's pre-eminent birders. He has previously given us talks about his expeditions to Scandinavia and North America, and his studies of Alkborough Flats and Wood Pipits in Laughton Forest. He is an accomplished speaker and an outstanding photographer This time, Graham will give us an illustrated talk about "Rare Birds in Britain, the Highs and Lows of Bird-finding, and Twitching and Vagrancy Patterns". There will also be festive refreshments and a raffle Entry is £4, payable at the door. Everyone is welcome. You don't have to be a member of the RSPB to attend the meeting. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting. *** LWT Reserves *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves *** LWT Get Involved page - including Area Groups *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust - Boston Branch *** WILDLIFE OF THE SUFFOLK COAST An illustrated talk by Geof Lee. 7.30 P.M., Thursday, 12th December, 2019. The meeting will be in the schoolroom of the Centenary Methodist Church in Red Lion Street, Boston All welcome, refreshment and a leaving collection. For more info contact Geof Lee on 01205 366923 *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson writes: Lincoln Area Group Talk December 19th - The Photography and Conservation of Big Cats An illustrated talk by Barbara Meyer who we welcome back for our Christmas meeting. Donations of seasonal food to consume at the event would be very welcome. At Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission is £2.50 which includes refreshments. *** Scunthorpe and Brigg LWT *** Keith Scarrott writes: At our last meeting for this year on Thursday, 12th December we have Simon Wellock, the South Humber Warden for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, visiting us to give his illustrated talk entitled "Reedbed Rehabilitation on the South Humber Reserves". Simon has enormous experience at managing our reserves for wildlife. The successful breeding and increase in numbers of Bearded Tits, Bitterns, Marsh Harriers and other species at Far Ings and other reserves can be attributed to him and his management team. The meeting starts at 7.30pm and will be held as always at the St Hugh's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AG, which is opposite the filling station between Lloyds Avenue lights and est Common Lane lights. ALL ARE WELCOME AT OUR MEETINHGS. There is a £2 entry charge which includes light refreshments at the mid-talk break. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: Rare Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] RBA note on visiting Middlemarsh Wetlands, Skegness: Access from A52 thru The Pines Caravan Park, TF537628 If visiting Willow Tree Fen see: LWT website for directions and updated information on parking and access. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/willow-tree-fen What is a "ringtail" Hen Harrier? "While males are a pale grey colour, females and immatures are brown with a white rump and a long, barred tail which give them the name 'ringtail'. https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/hen-harrier/ 4/12 Pomarine Skua ad male on beach at seal colony, Lapland Bunting, 6 Twite, Donna Nook Smew Redhead, Slea pit, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point 5/12 Smew Redhead, Slea pit, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Scaup fem, River Witham mouth, Cut End, Boston Hen Harrier male, Frampton Marsh Lapland Bunting from Wash viewpoint, Woodlark flew over fields west of River Steeping, Gibraltar Point 2 Hen Harriers, Baston Fen - late report 6/12 Snow Bunting on beach, Cleethorpes Long-tailed Duck on sea off Mill Hill, Black-throated Diver flew south, Gibraltar Point 3 Twite, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 7/12 29 Snow Buntings, 50 Twite, 2 Hen Harriers 1 male, Lapland Bunting, Bean Goose sp, Black Brant with 696 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Pale-belled Brent Goose, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier, Freiston Shore 2 Hen Harrier 1 ringtail, 2 Water Pipits, Baston Fen 4 Water Pipits, 2 Short-eared Owls, East Halton Skitter Common Scoter, Toft Newton Reservoir - late report 3 Common Cranes over Alkborough Flats 8/12 35 Snow Buntings, Lapland Bunting, Donna Nook 2 Great White Egrets, Bardney Lock Hen Harrier ringtail, Frampton Marsh Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point 9/12 40 Snow Buntings, c20 Twite, Donna Nook 2 Pomarine Skuas south past, 4 Little Gulls, juv Long-tailed Duck, 2 Black-throated Divers, Gibraltar Point Smew redhead, Slea pit, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits Short-eared Owl, Hawthorpe 3 Great White Egrets, by old RAF watchtower, Wrangle, south of Friskney 10/12 3 Scaup - 1 drk - Barton-upon-Humber clay pits Hen Harrier ringtail, Frampton Marsh Water Pipit, Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 11/12 Possible Rose-coloured Starling, flew south, Anderby Creek Hen Harrier ringtail on saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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? PLEASE LET US KNOW. 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 TF120694 R & A Parsons 11/12/2019 Large thrush in garden - not yet identified but probably Mistle Thrush. Hedgerows in this area are being worked by Fieldfares - flocks commonly seen. BOSTON (Garden by A16) Kathleen Pearson November 2019 In November I was able to count in the garden on all thirty days for the BTO Garden BirdWatch. The total number of species occurring in the month was 22. Of these, 9 of the species occurred only in singletons, whilst the highest number of birds at any one time only made double figures for two species, with groups of 10 House Sparrows and Goldfinches. Details of the highest numbers of each species at any one time, are given below:- Dunnock 2, Collared Dove 4, Magpie 2, Blackbird 2, Wren 1, House Sparrow 10, Woodpigeon 9, Goldfinch 10, Great Tit 3, Starling 2, Blue Tit 3, Robin 1, Greenfinch 2, Long-tailed Tit 3, Jay 1, Chaffinch 1, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Goldcrest 1, Blackcap 1, Coal Tit 1, Sparrowhawk 1, Carrion Crow 3. TF511762 (my garden) HUTTOFT Jane Pennington 6/12/2019 Blackbirds 8 - not unusual, I know, but they spotted the rowan berries after having been away for a while! 7/12/2019 Pheasants 2 female 8/12/2019 Roe deer 2 TF520765 9/12/2019 Woodpigeons 80+ in the trees along my ditch during the high winds 11/12/2019 Goldcrest 1 TF513765 My first ever, seen at eye-level in the conifer hedge belonging to an empty house on the side of the main road. It didn't fly off immediately. LINCOLN Long Leys Road David Smith 11/12/2019 10.30 Redwing - 8 Blackbird - 2 feeding in hedgerow MARKET RASEN Ray Halstead Dec 2019 Roe deer showing well on the trail cameras in Walesby Plantation, Market Rasen, at least two young males and three females all young from 2018. Seven badgers occupying the sett, (same location), three cubs from this year have made it to adolescence. Other mammals include Muntjac deer, grey squirrel, foxes, rabbits, brown rats and wood mice. December 2019. SOUTHREY woods Mary and Phil Porter Southrey Wood walks TF 130 681 5th December 2019 Two green woodpeckers “yaffling” about 100 yards each side of the path. One Great spotted woodpecker calling Small parties of long tailed tits Weasel running around in circles like a mad-man in the open, for several minutes. Was it trying to bamboozle a rabbit, I wonder? Bullfinch calling 11th December 2019 Crows calling One or two long tailed tits At least one buzzard flying low amongst the tops of trees (set up the long tailed tits warning calls) Various fungi, as yet unidentified, one was a “yellow jelly” on an oak branch. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves - reports always welcome ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: 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/ LWT Reserves: reports always welcome. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/far-ings https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/gibraltar-point ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 27th November – 11th December 2019 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Weather note - From precipitation records for Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR (taken at Sea View) for 1993 - 2011 the average Autumn (Sept - Nov) rainfall was 166.69mm. The year 2019 was the wettest Autumn since 1993 with a total of 311.80mm. 291119 - Single fieldfare, flock of 6 greenfinches and 2 brambling at Sea View, 27 little egrets on the saltmarsh, merlin hunting nearby and on Paradise lagoon were 39 shoveler, 87 teal and 9 mallard. 301119 - Paradise lagoon 10 mute swans, 4 tufted duck, 43 shoveler, 79 teal, 5 mallard, 3 greylags, 59 black-headed gulls, 4 common gulls and a grey wagtail on the edge of the Eau. At Elm House Farm 160 Canada geese, 17 greylags, 217 pink-footed geese and 16 European whitefronts; 17 whooper swans flew over in a south-westerly direction. MoD to Rimac foreshore: 3 hen harriers: 2 brown 1 grey, 1 sparrowhawk, 1 merlin, 1 barn owl, 11 snipe, 1 jack snipe, 12 rock pipits,1 hooded crow. 011219 - At Elm House Farm were 126 lapwing, 81 black-headed gulls, 78 curlew and minimum of 135 teal and 139 wigeon. Later in the afternoon in a roadside grass field were 286 pink-footed geese, 9 European whitefronts and a single Tundra bean goose. A blue colour ringed little egret, with two white letters, was seen feeding with another 13 birds on the saltmarsh. The sequence was FD // BTO ring. Now known to have been ringed as a Pulli in the nest on 20th June 2019 at Earsham, South Norfolk. Rimac to Brickyard Lane: 6 woodcock, 2 water rail, 1 stonechat, 1 little owl calling, 1 Tawny owl calling, 16 redwing, 3 mistle thrush, 27 blackbirds, 18 long tail tit. 021219 - At dusk a flock of 43 redwing flew in across the saltmarsh and over Sea View. 031219 - Single ring ouzel in garden at Sea View plus a noticeable number of blackbirds between Sea View and Paradise during the morning. 041219 - 4 gadwall on Paradise lagoon, ring ouzel still at Sea View. 051219 - On Paradise lagoon 97 teal, 41 shoveler and 3 grey lags. Ring ouzel at Sea View. 061219 - Single stonechat at Rimac. 071219 - On Great Eau near Paradise 4 little grebes. 081219 - Feeding on saltmarsh 14 little egrets. Minimum count of 200 golden plover and 450 lapwing seen to land on cultivated land adjacent to Elm House grassland and Saltfleet. 091219 - 2 grey and 1 brown harrier over saltmarsh, 1 barn owl in the dunes. 111219 - Small group of thrushes: 1 fieldfare, 6 redwing, 7 blackbirds and 1 ring ouzel feeding on hawthorn berries at Sea View. A group of 9 fieldfare along willows north of MoD track this morning and 1 brambling in the Churchill Lane area. Donna Nook Weekly seal count 061219 – 466 bulls, 997 cows, 1903 pups. Total number of pups so far: 2135 which is an increase of 69 pups from the final total of 2066 last season. 041219 – Last sighting of the pomarine skua. 061219 – Snow buntings, little egrets feeding on the salt marsh. 071219 – Hen harrier 091219 – 50 snow buntings 101219 - Mixed flocks of tits moving through the sea buckthorn along with redwings and blackbirds. Several little egrets feeding in the salt marsh. Kestrel hunting in the dunes. 111219 – 35 snow buntings, twite. Donna Nook. Advice is: Check the LWT Weekly Seal Update. Please try to avoid weekends. Latest seal count: 06/12/2019 - 466 bulls, 997 cows and 2135 pups https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/weekly-update Also check road closures before you go. See: https://roadworks.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Southrey Wood work party volunteers needed starting this November. See: https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html The Hazel Dormouse https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/cy/node/35 The mission to save the hazel dormouse - background https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/40728101 Lincolnshire Dormouse Group Volunteers needed this winter. 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If visiting Willow Tree Fen see: LWT website for directions and updated information on parking and seasonal paths - groundwork is in progress. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/willow-tree-fen Reports always welcome... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** http://lnu.org/ LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given on the website. Downloads of LNU books are available on: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ A list of all the articles contained in Transactions (Transactions page) and a list of the Presidents (Officers page) is also available. 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 *** Love Lincs Plants - Updates from the Partnership *** To view the LWT project page go to: 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.sites.lincoln.ac.uk/2016/09/30/heritage-lottery-funding-to-safeguard-lincolnshire-plants/ Also see: *** Collections Dataset - LNU "historic specimens" *** All of of the specimens that have been processed and digitised to date can now be viewed here: http://data.nhm.ac.uk/dataset/lincs-plants The digital herbarium sheet image data for the LNU historic specimens, plus associated images i.e. the newspaper packets, together with images for the contemporary Lincs specimens will all be pulled into the dataset as and when these are integrated into the museum’s EMu collections management system. It’s a fantastic online resource so please take the time to have a look through it. If you have any questions on this please get in touch with Kath at k.castillo@nhm.ac.uk or Fred Rumsey at f.rumsey@nhm.ac.uk *** The Flora of Lincolnshire by Joan Gibbons - downloadable book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-flora-of-lincolnshire-e-joan-gibbons.pdf *** VC54 North Lincolnshire Plant List *** Paul Kirby has produced a list which details all the vascular plant and stonewort taxa with records on the MapMate botanical database for VC54, North Lincolnshire, at the end of January 2017. You can download this on: https://lnu.org/specialists/vascular-plants/ *** 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 *** 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 Recorder Phil Hyde - County Recorder, Lincs Bird Club recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.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/ *** 2020 Big Farmland Bird Count *** Friday 7th to Sunday 16th February 2020. 2019 results on the BFBC website: https://www.bfbc.org.uk/ 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: Rural Crime News https://www.lincs.police.uk/news-campaigns/news/2019/rural-crime-news/ STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Check for road works and hold-ups: very useful *** 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 *** Lyme Disease *** https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/ 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/ *** 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. https://glnp.org.uk/admin/resources/mammalatlas.pdf *** 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 *** Hedgehog Links *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ http://caddingtonhedgehogs.blogspot.com/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Lincolnshire Environmental Awards www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk *** Field Studies Council *** Bringing Environmental Understanding to All https://www.field-studies-council.org/ *** InsideEcology *** Online Magazine for Ecologists, Conservationists and Wildlife Professionals https://insideecology.com/ *** NHBS *** Should you need natural history equipment or books, a good place to start is: https://www.nhbs.com/ For the geologists... Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 *** British geology maps - now free to explore on web *** http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ *** UKGE - Geological Supplies *** https://www.ukge.com/ The Geology of Lincolnshire - downloadable book https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-geology-of-lincolnshire-h-h-swinnerton-and-p-e-kent.pdf ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. *** Codes of Conduct *** RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ BTO's Birdwatchers' Code: https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u10/downloads/taking-part/health/bwc.pdf BMS Code of Conduct for Responsible Collecting of Fungi https://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/mycology/conservation/code-conduct BSBI Code of conduct for picking, collecting, photographing and enjoying wild plants. https://bsbi.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/Code-of-Conduct-v5-final.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 https://lnu.org/meetings/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Next Meetings: Indoor meetings: https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ Indoor Meetings 2020 https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ ‘Gibraltar Point’ Barrie Wilkinson – 11th January 2020 Recorders’ Meeting – 8th February 2020 Annual General Meeting – 7th March 2020 Followed by the Presidential Address by Chris du Feu ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Reminder: Please check and make sure that your account on Mailchimp does have your GDPR email consent box ticked and that your name/details are as you want them to be. ....and finally... Hundreds of dead birds found in mystery mass death https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-50741457 Frog from Ecuador found in bananas in Northampton Tesco https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-50734441 Grandmother killer whales boost survival of calves https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50693177 Seychelles: The island nation with a novel way to tackle climate change https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-50670808 Climate change: Oceans running out of oxygen as temperatures rise https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50690995 Indian Ocean Dipole: What is it and why is it linked to floods and bushfires? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50602971 Plastic pollution has killed half a million hermit crabs, study says https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50661449 Climate change is causing birds to shrink, study suggests https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50661448 Country diary: oak leaves fall to continue the cycle of life https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/05/country-diary-oak-leaves-fall-to-continue-the-cycle-of-life#comment Country diary: this elegant wader has become a local celebrity https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/06/country-diary-this-elegant-wader-has-become-a-local-celebrity Country diary: time seems to slow down with this languid bird's flight https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/10/country-diary-time-seems-to-slow-down-with-this-languid-birds-flight Turtle doves are disappearing from the UK – but there’s still hope for saving them https://theconversation.com/turtle-doves-are-disappearing-from-the-uk-but-theres-still-hope-for-saving-them-126978 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/