============================================= || || 18th 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... *** Before getting into the news and information, may I wish you Waes Hael and the very best for the Christmastide festivities. The Winter Solstice falls on Sunday 22nd December and soon we shall notice the lengthening days. https://www.rmg.co.uk/discover/explore/when-winter-solstice Many thanks for the kind words and encouragement during my recovery from last February's "events". I am pleased to report that I am a good deal better. As usual I have steered clear of political matters this week, but I enjoyed the comment of a frustrated citizen: "Let's get Biscuit done." [True - I promise.] We don't do party politics, but we can discuss environmental issues such as climate change and the resulting impact on the natural world. Rachel Graham suggested the following: The Buglife Bee and Ladybird winter surveys for the last two weeks of December to add to climate change data: https://www.buglife.org.uk/get-involved/surveys/bee-survey/ https://www.buglife.org.uk/get-involved/surveys/bbc-radio-4-today-winter-ladybird-survey/ Note: Allan and Annette Binding are taking a break from recording. [Harvestmen, Pseudoscorpions, Spiders and Shield Bugs] Please do not send records in for now. We will let you know when alternative arrangements are in place via the LNU website and the Bulletin. Donna Nook. Check Weekly Seal Update before visiting. Please try to avoid weekends. Latest seal count: 13/12/2019 - 360 bulls, 396 cows and 1507 pups on the beach. Total number of pups born to date: 2,168 https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/weekly-update A selection of news stories and articles can be found on the following links. Most have been suggested by fellow readers. BBC Wildlife Magazine's Obituary for David Bellamy https://www.discoverwildlife.com/news/obituary-for-david-bellamy/ Low Barlings - the causeway to Short Ferry is still out of action due to flooding. https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings?location=lincolnshire Ings is an old word of Norse origin referring to water meadows and marshes... http://www.viking.no/the-viking-travels/jorvik-york/yorkshire-dialect-words-of-old-norse-origin/ Bird of the week - The Short-eared Owl - such a wonderful bird. https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/short-eared-owl/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ACiEzeQH3o https://www.birdguides.com/articles/species-profiles/focus-on-eared-owls/ RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch: 25-27 January 2020. https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/ Winterton seal pups die 'due to beachgoers' actions' - "A handful of absolute idiots. " https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-50811710 Search continues for missing 82-year-old Lincolnshire man https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-50707035 Photos of the week - exquisite. The winners of the Nikon Small World photography contest show unseen beauty of the world https://www.zmescience.com/other/nikon-micro-photography-08122019/ DNA from Stone Age woman obtained 6,000 years on - extraordinary! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50809586 Leatherback turtle found washed up in Essex - not that far away from us. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-50784094 Dogwalker finds 65 million-year-old dinosaur skeleton on Somerset beach https://uk.yahoo.com/news/dogs-find-dinousaur-skeleton-somerset-beach-161553398.html Seven Worlds, One Planet on i-Player - watch again. 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/ [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 *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ Keith Scarrott writes: The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society. Our first talk for 2020 is on Monday, 13th January when we have a visit by Dr Miguel Morale-Maqueda of the Natural and Environmental Sciences department at Newcastle University. He comes to give us his illustrated talk that he has entitled "Ocean and Climate - How ocean processes shape Earth's climate". The talk will provide an overview of the history of oceanography as a scientific exploration endeavour and will also discuss the crucial part played by ocean processes in driving and controlling the global climate, notably as regards glaciations and current climatic changes. Starting at 7.15pm we shall meet as usual in the St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is a large, free car park at the Church. There is no charge for entry to our meetings but a donation bowl is provided to help us pay the speaker's fees and travel expenses. There will be a mid-talk break in the meeting during which light refreshments are available for a small charge. For further details please contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** 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 *** LWT Reserves *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves *** LWT Get Involved page - including Area Groups *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved *** 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 11/12 Possible Rose-coloured Starling, flew south, Anderby Creek Hen Harrier ringtail on saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh 12/12 2 Great Egrets, Woodhall Spa airfield 12+ Great White Egrets at Wrangle Flats by old RAF watchtower, Friskney Smew redhead, opposite Sand and Gravel entrance, Kirkby-on-Bain pits Velvet Scoter with 90 Common Scoters off Greenshanks Creek, Gibraltar Point 13/12 Hen Harrier ringtail, Baston Fen Scaup 1w drk, Denton reservoir Hen Harrier as male flew east, Barkston Lane, Marston 6 Short-eared Owls, Holbeach Marsh Lapland Bunting flew south, Water Pipit on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 14/12 Great White Egret, Anderby Marsh 4 Lapland Buntings from Wash viewpoint, Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier ringtail, Frampton Marsh Ring Ouzel at Sea View Farm, Saltfleetby 15/12 Great White Egret on saltmarsh, Water Pipit on reservoir, Hen Harrier ringtail, Frampton Marsh Lapland Bunting, 6 Snow Buntings, Water Pipit, 3 Hen Harriers 1 male, Gibraltar Point 2 Hen Harrier ringtails, Baston Fen roost Short-eared Owl, 3 Water Pipits on freshwater pools, ringtail Hen Harrier, East Halton Skitter Ring Ouzel male, Sea View Farm, Saltfleetby Long-tailed Duck, Apex Pot, North Hykeham 16/12 Great White Egret, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits Great White Egret between Kirkstead and Tattershall by River Witham 4 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 2 Water Pipits, Gibraltar Point Firecrest, on track left of church, North Thoresby Black Brant with 728 Dark Bellied Brent Geese and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Jack Snipe, Donna Nook 17/12 Short-eared Owl, Great White Egret, ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 2 White-fronted Geese flew south over beach, Saltfleetby Lapland Bunting, Gibraltar Point 2 Tundra Bean Geese, Donna Nook 18/12 Smew ad drk, Huttoft Bank Pit ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 No report this week. Reports of a turkey running free in Southery Woods. Anyone seen it? BOSTON (Garden by A16) 12/12/2019 Kathleen Pearson First record this century in the garden of a young male Bullfinch which had been quite common forty years ago, but has never been ringed in the garden since 1996. TF511762 (my garden) HUTTOFT Jane Pennington 11/12/2019 Wood mouse 1 12/12/2019 Blackbirds 10 in rowan Dunnocks 2 Pheasant 1 m. Wren 1 17/12/2019 Great spotted woodpeckers 2 - yes, 2! Long tailed tits, great tits and blue tits approx 12 altogether 18/12/2019 Long tailed tits 6 HOLYWELL LAKE WeBS Holywell Lake 13th December 2019 11.05 -12.10 Ian Misselbrook Little Grebes 18 Little Egret 1 Mute Swans 2 Greylag Geese 53 Canada Goose 1 Mallard 119 Gadwall 6 Wigeon 46 Tufted Duck 18 Moorhen 14 Black-headed Gull 1 Red Kites 3 Kestrel 1 Mistle Thrush 1 Blackbirds 10+ Robins 4 Dunnock 3 Wrens 2 Pied Wagtail 1 Great Tits Blue Tits Wood Pigeons Carrion Crow Rooks Jackdaws Goldfinches © 20 Chaffinches 12 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 28/11/19 Blackbird x 7 Chaffinch x 2 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 142 Redwing x 112 Starling x 500+ (all the above feeding in my Hawthorn hedges) Wood Pigeon x 11 01/12/19 Fieldfare x 175 Kestrel x 1 Little Egret x 1 SK787988 Peregrine Falcon x 1 female flying west over Thurnholmes Pink-footed Goose x 450 flying East, high over Thurnholmes Redwing x 115 Starling x 400+ 17/12/19 Blackbird x 4 Black-headed Gull x 35 Blue Tit x 2 Chaffinch x 4 Common Buzzard x 1 Cormorant x 1 over Thurnholmes Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 38 Goldfinch x 15 Kestrel x 1 Little Egret x 1 SK795988 Little Owl x 1 calling 01:15hrs Moorhen x 1 Mute Swan x 4 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Pink-footed Goose, flocks of 230, 240, 300, 250 & 150 flying south over Thurnholmes in close succession. Redwing x 29 Robin x 1 Starling x 15 Tree Sparrow x 31 Woodcock x 1 TWYFORD WOOD SK950234 13/12/19 Jane and Brian Ostler 6C,cold wind, intermittent sunshine10-30-12-30. Route of fungi foray earlier in year, east of car park, in northern part of wood. There had been several sharp frosts but rain overnight had contributed to standing water on the paths, pools in all the hollows in the wood and a 'lake'in a low lying area. FUNGI Clouded Funnel(Clitocybe nebularis)In rings around trees and most frequent fungus found. Frosty Funnel (Clitocybe phyllophila) This was covered in the characteristic white bloom Buttercap (Collybia butyracea) The grooup we found were greyish cream Snowy Waxcap(Hygrocybe virginea) Large specimens, showy against bronze leaf litter. Sulphur Tuft (Hypholoma fasciculare) Shaggy Bracket (Ischoderma hispida) On dead wood, very colourful orange, with some blackening specimens Hairy Curtain Crust (Stereum hirsutum) Wrinkled Crust (P hlebia radiata) Orange growths along the branch of a dead beech. Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) So varied that keep thinking we've found another species Soft Puffball (Lycoperdon molle) In numbers on a pile of soil Common Puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum) In groups on wood Stump Ball (Lycoperdon pyriforme) In groups on wood Leopard Earthball (Scleroderma areolatum) From moss on wall top. Stag's Horn Xylaria hypoxyon' Several silver birch trees carried 'witch's' brooms FLOWERING PLANTS The frosts have wiped the slate clean this year as far as flowers are concerned (though we did find a single blackberry flower). Few berries except for snowberries which largely remain untouched.Hazel catkins lengthening on trees. MAMMALS Moles have pushed up new hills of clay. Remains of a hedghog which had been eaten by badger. Squirrels - dreys but none seen . No sign of deer. Mice had nibbled at waxcaps. BIRDS Though we were in the woods for two hours, and searched for them we saw not a single bird. There is no shrub layer in this area and most of the conifers have been removed but this does not seem explanation enough. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 11th – 17th December 2019 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 121219 - 16 tufted ducks on Paradise lagoon, 1 kingfisher along the Eau and flying in, high over the marshland were minimum of 1000 lapwing with 450 golden plover. 131219 - 250+ pink-feet over Elm House. 141219 - Ring ouzel at Sea View, 21 tufted duck on Paradise lagoon and between there and Sea View at least 20 fieldfare, 9 redwing, 8 blackbirds plus 1 stonechat and on the nearby wasteland 90 wigeon, 45 teal, 4 mallard and 21 redshank. Little grebe on the Eau. Single barn owl hunting near Sea View at dusk. 4 brown and 2 grey hen harriers over saltmarsh and 1 barn owl seen. 151219 - On Sea View washland: 137 wigeon, 63 teal and 49 redshank, 124 teal on Rimac lagoon, sparrowhawk and merlin over saltmarsh and peregrine nearby. Flushed off saltmarsh: 9 common snipe and 11 little egrets feeding. On grassland at Elm House farm were a minimum of 2000 golden plover with 900 lapwing and 650 pink-feet in an adjacent field. Ring ouzel remains at Sea View. C570 curlews roosting on foreshore. 1 water rail heard, 27 fieldfare and c45 redwing at Rimac. 1 water rail heard, 17 fieldfare, c35 redwing and 2 brambling seen at Churchill Lane 161219 - C870 pink foot geese came into roost on the MoD to Rimac foreshore 171219 - At least 11 blackbirds around Sea View but no reports of ring ouzel which was last seen on the 16th. On the saltmarsh 15 little egrets. In roadside field at Elm House were a minimum of 500 pink-feet, a single whitefront and nearby 24 dark-bellied brents with 66 curlew. Amongst the pink-feet were two neck collars, one grey with black digits VCN and the other a black band with box on which was a white 6. 245 Canada geese roosting on flooded freshwater marsh. Donna Nook Weekly seal count 131219 – 360 bulls, 396 cows, 1507 pups. Total pups born to date: 2168. Snow bunting, redwing and fieldfare being seen on a daily basis. Lapwing, Brent geese, golden plover out on the saltmarsh. Starlings increasing in number. See: 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. 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... Climate watchdog urges PM to get back on track https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2019-50827507 Climate change: Five things we've learned from Madrid talks https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50799903 Tasty moths try to evade predators -- unappetizing moths don't really bother https://www.zmescience.com/science/moths-predator-evasion-behavior-913542434/ Pictures of Scotland: 6 - 13 December - stunning. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-50713100 Sulawesi art: Animal painting found in cave is 44,000 years old - fantastic! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-50754303 Country diary: sawn oaks are a picture of life, death and decay https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/11/country-diary-sawn-oaks-are-a-picture-of-life-death-and-decay Country diary: a plant with a toughness that has weathered 360m years https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/12/country-diary-a-plant-with-a-toughness-that-has-weathered-360m-years Octopus and eagle square off at Canadian fish farm https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-50751898/octopus-and-eagle-square-off-at-canadian-fish-farm Country diary: the tiny wren's voice is so big it seems to defy physics https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/16/country-diary-the-tiny-wrens-voice-is-so-big-it-seems-to-defy-physics Country diary: the solitary ant will not live long https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/17/country-diary-the-solitary-ant-will-not-live-long ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/