============================================= || || 13th November 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... *** This week's heavy rains have caused flooding around the county. Here is a video of the problems nearest to us, at Short Ferry, our route to Lincoln. https://twitter.com/i/status/1193485920873406464 Flooding: Barlings Eau river breach leaves farmer cut off https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-lincolnshire-50381098/ More rain is expected on Thursday. Check weather and flood warnings: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings?location=lincolnshire Keep an eye on flooded land - it may attract an interesting mix of waders, gulls and waterfowl. Let us know if you spot anything of note. Planet Mercury passed across the face of the Sun. I tried to watch - too cloudy. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50377436 Watch a short NASA [SDO] video of the Transit - it's fascinating. https://vimeo.com/372671661 Heads up for the Leonid meteor shower: peaking on 18th November Early morning - expected to be unfavourable but you might get lucky. https://sci.esa.int/web/observational-astronomy/-/37812-about-the-leonids Donna Nook. Advice is: Time your visits to avoid weekends if possible. At the time of writing: 08/11/2019 - 123 bulls, 496 cows and 250 pups Weekly Seal Update page: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/weekly-update Bird of the week is the Fieldfare. I have seen several flocks about this week, and their arrival may be telling us something of possible winter trends. Real winter? I have not yet seen Redwings, but it's only a matter of time. Identification video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4hxUNvzmJU Please let us have news of any other interesting winter visitors [Waxwings?] and also if you spot a starling murmuration. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/blog/rachel-shaw/spectacular-swooping-starlings A selection of news stories and articles can be found on the following links. Most have been suggested by fellow readers. England floods: What is making them worse? Prof Ian Rotherham comments. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50393617 Plantlife : First results from Every Flower Counts. Did you participate? https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/blog/first-results-from-every-flower-counts Seven Worlds, One Planet on i-player - wonderful but worrying.... https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0009tt8/seven-worlds-one-planet Len Pick Barn Owl camera - the story continues. http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 More links in "...and finally..." Thanks for all the support. I am impressed that 65% of you looked at your Bulletins last week. That's great. 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 this link 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: ‘4000 years of recording Mayflies’ Craig Macadam – 16th November 2019 - note the change of date https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/2018-11-10/ 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 *** November 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/ *** 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: November Meeting and Trip. The RSPB Grimsby Local Group's next meeting is at 7.30pm on Monday, 18th November 2019 at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, (formerly known as Corpus Christi Community Centre), Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7LH. Our speaker, Garry Steele, worked as a freelance ecological consultant before retiring. His work involved many inspections of traditional farm buildings prior to their proposed conversion to alternative use, and where necessary, the development of mitigation strategies for barn owls and other protected wildlife species ahead of development. Garry has been awarded a Lincolnshire Environmental Award for his work with barn owls. Garry will give us an illustrated talk entitled ‘Conservation of Barn Owls in Lincolnshire’. There will also be refreshments and a raffle Entry is £4, payable at the door. Our next trip is on Sunday 24th November. We will travel first to RSPB Fairburn Ings. This is a large reserve with a variety of habitats, and a Visitors’ Centre where refreshments are available. On previous visits, we have always seen 70 or more species including kingfisher and willow tit, (which are almost guaranteed), and rarer species like great white egret. In the early afternoon, we will travel to RSPB Blacktoft Sands, arriving in time for the harrier roost, which is a magical experience. There will certainly be roosting marsh harriers and a chance of seeing a ghostly male hen harrier and other birds of prey, including barn owls. The coach leaves the Shoppers Car Park on Waltham Road, Scartho, DN33 2LX, (adjoining Scartho Community Centre) promptly at 7.30am and returns at 6.00 - 6.30pm. The cost of the coach trip is £20 per person. Booking is essential. For more information, contact Tony Bryan at mariners4top@yahoo.co.uk or on 01472 873362 Everyone is welcome. You don't have to be a member of the RSPB to attend the meeting or go on the trip. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting or on the trip, or both! *** LWT Reserves *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves Donna Nook See Weekly Seal Update page: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/weekly-update *** LWT Get Involved page - including Area Groups *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved *** Boston Branch - LWT *** Geof Lee writes: Boston Branch - Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust 14th November, 2019 at 7.30 P.M. Dragons and damsels A talk by Nick Tribe, the County Dragonfly Recorder. The meeting will be held in the schoolroom of the Centenary Methodist Church in Red Lion Street, Boston. Free, all welcome, refreshments - there will be a leaving collection For more info contact Geof Lee on 01205366923 *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson writes: Lincoln Area Group Talk November 21st - Plants in a Changing World An illustrated talk by Professor Libby John - Pro Vice Chancellor and Head of the College of Science and Engineering at Lincoln University. Starting with the basics of plant biology but also then looking at how our relationship with plants is about to become ever more critical in the next few decades. Based on her research into plant ecology, plant-animal interactions, root-soil interactions and biodiversity and touching on all of these subjects. 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 7th November Pallas's Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaff, Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Firecrests in East Dunes, Rough-legged Buzzard, Iceland gull, Water Pipit male, Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point Long-tailed duck, Frampton Marsh 8th November Rough-legged Buzzard and Pomarine Skua from Wash viewpoint, 2 Little Auks north past, Great White Egret, Siberian Chiffchaff in West Dunes, Olive-backed Pipit, Black Redstart, male Hen Harrier, Firecrest, Twite, Water Pipit Croft Marsh, Gibraltar Point Shorelark, 2 Snow Buntings, Huttoft car terrace Purple Sandpiper, 11 Shags, 2 Common Scoters, Covenham reservoir Long-tailed duck fem, Frampton Marsh Pomarine Skua over Humber east of Humber Bridge, Barton-upon-Humber 9th November Great White Egret, Pallas's Warbler, Little Auk flew past, 2 Hen Harriers, Gibraltar Point 2 Little Stints - East bank River Welland mouth, Long-tailed Duck 2 Water Pipits, Frampton Marsh 10th November Water Pipit, ringtail Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Little Auk flew pars, 2 Snow Buntings, Huttoft Bank Great White Egret, Nocton Fen Hen Harrier male, Black Redstart, 3 Great White Egrets, Black Brant [or hybrid], Little Auk, 2 Lapland Buntings, 3 Snow Buntings, Short-eared Owl, Twite, 41 Little Gulls, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret - Bardney Pits Black Brant ad, 2 Lapland Buntings, 2 Twite, Donna Nook 5 Bewick's Swans, Deeping High Bank 2 Water Pipits, East Halton Skitter Hume's Warbler or Yellow-browed Warbler, Sandy Lane, Anderby Creek 11th November 4 Long-eared Owls, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St Nicholas Great White Egret, Far Ings Hen Harrier male, Water Pipit, Black Brant [or hybrid] with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Great White Egret, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier ringtail, Twite, Frampton Marsh Scaup juv drk, Denton reservoir 12th November 2 Water Pipits, Chapel Six Marshes, flew towards Wolla Bank Scaup juv drk, Denton reservoir Hen Harrier male at Wainfleet Marsh, Lapland Bunting, Water Pipit, drk Scaup flew South, Puffin, Gibraltar Point Pallas's Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, Saltfleetby Theddlethorpe Hen Harrier ringtail, Frampton Marsh 13th November Rough-legged Buzzard, Gibraltar Point 5 Long-eared Owls on island from hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St Nicholas ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. http://www.bbc.co.uk/lincolnshire/content/articles/2005/08/30/nature_sightings_feature.shtml 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 10/11/2019 Butterfly on the wing midday - probably Small Tortoiseshell. Robin Blackbird Great Tit 2+ Blue Tit 2+ Collared Dove 6+ House Sparrow 30+ Starling 25+ Magpie Black-headed Gull between 1-12. Grey squirrel! BUCKNALL Ings Lane TF194682 R. Parsons 12/11/2019 Fieldfare flock c50 at 14.30hrs THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 31/10/19 Barn Owl x 1 calling 01:00hrs Blackbird x 2 Chaffinch x 4 Common Buzzard x 1 Golden Plover x 55, fields around Thurnholmes Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 2 Tree Sparrow x 15 Wood Pigeon x 6 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 04/11/19 Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Redwing x 12 Starling x 350 SK713997 06/11/19 Fieldfare x 17 Greenshank x 1 west over Thurnholmes Pink-footed Goose x 120 South East over Thurnholmes Redwing x 10 Robin x 1 Starling x 150 Woodcock x 1 08/11/19 Blackbird x 2 Cormorant x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Fieldfare x 12 Goosander x 1 male, 3 females Owston Ferry Warping Drain Kestrel x 1 Mallard x 2 Mute Swan x 3 with Mallard on flooded fields around Thurnholmes Redwing x 25 Robin x 1 Starling x 150 Tree Sparrow x 15 09/11/19 Kingfisher x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain SK801990 10/11/19 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 4 Fieldfare x 15 Goldcrest x 2 Golden Plover x 16 over Thurnholmes Grey Partridge x 17 Little Owl x 1 Magpie x 2 Mute Swan x 2 still on flooded fields Pied Wagtail x 2 Redwing x 19 Robin x 1 Tawny Owl x 2 calling, early evening Wood Pigeon x 5 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 still some Knapweed with flower heads in my orchard 13/11/19 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 3 Common Gull x 12 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 48 Lesser Black-backed Gull x 4 Peregrine Falcon x 1 female , east over Thurnholmes Starling x 68 Stock Dove x 1 Tree Sparrow x 42 Wood Pigeon x 4 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 WADDINGWORTH - Red House Farm Entrance TF189709 R. Parsons 12/11/2019 Fieldfare flock c50 at 11.30hrs ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 6th November – 12th November 2019 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 231mm of rainfall from 24 September to 11 November; about 37% of average annual rainfall in 13% of the year. Exceptional rainfall all day on the 7th November giving a total of 37.1mm. 061119 - In the Sea View area 3 chiffchaffs, 20+ long-tailed tits, 18 siskin, 3 goldcrests, 2 greenfinch, 20+ blackbirds and 1 fieldfare. 091119 - At Sea View 3 goldcrests, 2 chiffchaffs and 2 blackcaps. Grey and brown hen harrier plus merlin over the saltmarsh and 5 whooper swans on Rimac lagoon. Kingfisher along the Eau near Sea View Road and 8 siskin nearby. 101119 - Blackcap at Sea View and at least 120 curlew and 400 wigeon flying around the adjacent marshland area at Elm House Farm. 2 small bats, several species of flies and some wasps on the last of the ivy flowers, 2 hen harriers, 1 marsh harrier and 1 ring ouzel around and out from Churchill Lane. 121119 - Paradise lagoon 20 shoveler, 12 siskin at Sea View and female bullfinch. Donna Nook 081119 Seal count - 123 bulls, 496 cows and 250 pups. 1 stoat seen. Daily sightings of Brent geese, lapwing, shelduck, curlew, pied wagtail, little egrets and mixed flocks of tits in the sea buckthorn scrub. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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 Long-eared Owls at Willow Tree Fen. See video from 2015. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PazC-52eJc 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/ *** British Mycological Society *** https://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/ *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/ http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species *** How to Identify Bees *** http://www.bwars.com/ http://bumblebeeconservation.org/ LNU Sawflies, Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder Dr. David Sheppard Willing to examine specimens or check photos (bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** Lincolnshire Mammals *** Chris Manning, Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. Mammal Atlas You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. 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/ *** Life on the Verge and Wildflower Meadow Network Project *** http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ 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 A Building Stone Atlas of Lincolnshire - British Geological Survey pdf https://www.bgs.ac.uk/downloads/start.cfm?id=2885 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in a few cases may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. *** Codes of Conduct *** 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 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 for Research and Educational Purposes 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/ ‘4000 years of recording Mayflies’ Craig Macadam – 16th November 2019 - note the change of date https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/2018-11-10/ 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.... Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2019: The winning image - final results. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-49690173 More mountain hares' on grouse shooting moors - say RSPB https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-50374333 Bees: It's not all about honey for Wales' 180 varieties https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-50338987 Criminal cash used to protect birds of prey - Northern Ireland... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-50320080 Climate change: How marine life is on the move - and mobile phones help... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-hampshire-50212721/ Climate change: Sea ice loss linked to spread of deadly virus - PDV https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50333627 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/