============================================= || || 20th 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... *** I went down the Fiskerton Road today to have a look at the flooding. It was impressive. The road is still closed at Short Ferry and word is it will be for some weeks yet. It's a lake. While we were there several baffled- looking drivers arrived - clearly unaware of the situation. Check this week's flood warnings: https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings?location=lincolnshire Donna Nook. Advice is: Time your visits to avoid weekends if possible. At the time of writing: Weekly seal count: 362 bulls, 1254 cows and 872 pups Weekly Seal Update page: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/weekly-update Bird of the week - The Hawfinch https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/visit/where-see-wildlife/where-see-winter-wildlife/where-see-hawfinch I keep reminding readers to check their Mailchimp accounts to ensure you have ticked the consent box to receive emails. I do regular checks on this, and have also check on subscribers who are not opening their Bulletins. If you haven't ticked the consent box I have to remove you from the list. If you don't read your Bulletin, the same applies. Please scroll to the bottom of your last Bulletin and click on the link "update subscription preferences". Click on this, follow the instructions and make sure you have ticked the email consent box. Any difficulties with this, please get in touch. Thanks. A selection of news stories and articles can be found on the following links. Most have been suggested by fellow readers. Superb pictures from Nature Photographer of the Year 2019 - Country Life https://www.countrylife.co.uk/nature/10-superb-pictures-nature-photographer-year-2019-207812 I was intrigued to come across this short vintage 1947 film about the drainage of the fens and the 1947 flood. Interesting to compare. http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/1892 Also see: Winter of 1947.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUcAfHD1BAY 'Alarm' over winter flood prospects in England https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50438041 The 'unnoticed insect apocalypse': How people in towns and cities can help https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-50406278 Seven Worlds, One Planet on i-player.... 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 Help - I can't think of a Christmas present for.... https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/woolsthorpe-manor/features/christmas-at-woolsthorpe-manor https://www.doddingtonhall.com/eating-and-shopping/shopping/ https://www.field-studies-council.org/courses-and-experiences/ https://www.discoverwildlife.com/subscribe/ 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 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: ndoor 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 Trip. 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 *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk Carolyn Davis writes: On Sunday 1st December 2019 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a morning bird walk with Graham Hicks starting from Anthony's Bank, Humberston. Meet Graham at 8am in the carpark Grid Ref. TA 331061. Nearest postcode DN35 0PW. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event however donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact Graham Hicks - 07979089890. *** 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 13th November Rough-legged Buzzard, Black Brant with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Lapland Bunting flew over, male Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshank, Water Pipits, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, Hen Harrier, 2 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh 5 Long-eared Owls on island from hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St Nicholas Reed Warbler, Messingham Sand Quarry Cattle Egret, Millennium Green Lake, North Hykeham 14th November 2 Little Auks past, 2 male Hen Harriers, Water Pipit to Croft Marsh, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Yellow Wagtail heard, Gibraltar Point Slavonian Grebe at Cut End, River Witham Mouth 15th November Probable Waxwing, flew over Sand Lane, Marston sewage works 2 Snow Buntings flew over beach, Leach's Petrel flew north, 7 Pomarine Skuas, juvs, flew south, 2 Sooty Shearwaters flew north, 3 Little Gulls flew south, 2 Little Auks, Chapel Point Great White Egret, Long-tailed Duck, 9000 Black-tailed Godwits, Slavonian Greve on The Wash, Freiston Shore Water Pipit, Frampton Marsh Northern Bullfinch, (nominate form pyrrhula) fem in set-aside by Littleborough Lane, Marton 7 Pomarine Skuas flew past, 3 Little Gulls, 5 Little Auks, Great Northern Diver, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, Velvet Scoter, Hawfinch, Lapland Bunting, 13 Snow Buntings, male Hen Harrier, Firecrest, Spotted Redshank, Purple Sandpiper, Gibraltar Point 16th November Dusky Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, probably an eastern form, Water Pipit, Anderby Creek Hen Harrier ringtail flew south, Huttoft Marsh Pomarine Skua ad on beach, Shorelark, 6 Snow Buntings, 90 Twite, male Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Great Northern Diver, Donna Nook Snow Bunting, Hen Harrier ringtail, Frampton Marsh 3 Waxwings, male Hen Harrier, Snow Bunting, Velvet Scoter, Spotted Redshank, Hawfinch near Sykes Farm, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret on island, Teal Lake, Whisby 1 Snow Goose flew SE over Saltfleetby All Saints towards Theddlethorpe St Helen with 250 Pink-footed Geese Red-crested Pochard, Waters' Edge, Barton-upon-Humber 17th November 2 Waxwings, Hawfinch, Scaup on Mere, Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point Probable Barred Warbler south of Sibsey by A16 in bushes by layby at Limes Farm. Water Pipit flew over Wolla Bank. Great White Egret, then flew west, Hobhole Drain, east of Stickney 1+ Long-eared Owl Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Water Pipit, Read's Island Pomarine Skua ad on beach, Donna Nook 2 Common Cranes, flew NE over Horkstow Road, Barton-upon-Humber Water Pipit, 2 Hen Harriers, Frampton Marsh 18th November Hawfinch in Plantation by feeding station, then died. Snow Bunting, Waxwing, Scaup, Great White Egret, male Marsh Harrier, Grey Phalarope flew north past, Black-throated Diver, Velvet Scoter, 2 Little Gulls, Pomarine Skua, Great Northern Diver, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret on washes, Swanpool Pomarine Skua on beach, Donna Nook Waxwing at Far Ings, Barton-upon-Humber Spoonbill, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Snow Bunting, Chapel St Leonards 19th November Hen Harrier male, Frempton Marsh 2 Bewick's Swans, Freiston Shore Black Brant with 1000 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 10 Twite, Horse Shoe Point 3 Lapland buntings, Pomarine Skua on Beach, male Hen Harrier, 3 Short-eared Owls, 90 Twite, Donna Nook Great White Egret, Chapel Six Marshes 2+ Long-eared Owls on island, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Short-eared Owl, Withern Waxwing at Seacroft, 2 Lapwing Buntings flew south, 2 Lapland Buntings on Greenshanks Ridge, probably Northern Bullfinch in plantation, 2 Water Pipits Croft Marsh, 2 Snow Buntings, 3 Twite, Firecrest, Gibraltar Point 20th November 2 Great White Egrets by River Witham, ESE of Fiskerton 2 Bitterns from Ness hide, Far Ings, Barton-upon-Humber Hawfinch at feeding station in Plantation, Gibraltar Point Pomarine Skua on beach, Donna Nook ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 w/o 12/11/2019 Regular visitors Starling flock c 20+ House Sparrow flock c20+ Blackbird Robin Dunnock Blue and Great Tit Magpie 2+ Jackdaw 5+ Grey Squirrel BOSTON (Garden by A16) 15/11/2019 Kathleen Pearson A male Blackcap was in the garden today feeding on fat balls. The first Goldcrest of the winter was clearly visible now the leaves have fallen. COLSTERWORTH AND WOOLSTHORPE SK92/94 November 1st -10th 2019 Jane Ostler BIRDS To add to the list of unusual visitors to gardens this autumn(e.g. buzzards and kites) a Peregrine Falcon was found sitting on a fence on the Woodlands Estate, apparently watching Blackbirds feeding on fallen apples left for them. 3 Fieldfares had visited earlier in the day. Fieldfares were also heard on an early morning walk along R.Witham on 5th November. In Woolsthorpe on the same day a young male Sparrowhawk was found stunned on the floor of a conservatory. It had apparently got in through a door only slightly ajar. It was put into the garden amongst some shrubs where it eventually recovered and flew off. A Greater Spotted Woodpecker in a garden on the High Street was photographed feeding on a fat ball and has visited regularly since. There have been very late reports of small groups of Swallows and House Martins gathered together before migrating. Last sighting for both species was 3rd November. Skylarks were singing on the same day where they are regularly seen "skylarking" round the hedges in Spring. Little Owl out in late afternoon on Nature Trail on the same day. Skeins of Pink Footed Geese flew over at the beginning of the month. MAMMALS Once again some concern that Hedgehogs born late in Season will not have put on enough weight for hibernation. In my Woolsthorpe garden at least one Hedgehog tucked in amonst the base of the ferns under front window, as last year. A single Bat ( pipistrelle?) seen flying November 1st. A Muntjac seen on Bourne Road estate. A Hare still coming into gardens here. Baby Rabbit out in day Old Post Lane. Squirrels active throughout this period. INSECTS Red Admirals and Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies on Michelmas Daisies until November 4th. FUNGI Blackening Waxcaps on a lawn, very colourful and late on November 3rd. Honey Fungus causing concern in another garden, but no easy answer as to how to protect their apple trees. HOLYWELL LAKE Webs Holywell Lake 16th November 2019 0920 -1040 Ian Misselbrook 35 Little Grebes! – a site record 1 Little egret 1 Black Swan 2 Mute Swans 49 Canada geese 1 hybrid Canada x Greylag 85 mallard 26 Wigeon 4 Teal No Gadwall – first time since I have been counting that there we none 21 Tufted Duck 14 Moorhen 2 Coot 103 Black-headed Gulls 1 Red Kite 1 Buzzard 1Stock Dove singing 3 Siskins Plus the usual common birds 2 Fallow Deer TF511762 (my garden) HUTTOFT Jane Pennington 7/11/2019 TF518783 Weasel 1 Dashed across the road in front of us! 14/11/2019 Dunnock 1 Wood pigeons 30+ (in my trees after feasting on the rape crop next to me) Wren 1 15/11/2019 Long tailed tits 6 17/11/2019 Wood mouse 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 13th – 19th November 2019 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 151119 - Tawny owl calling near Sea View and barn owl hunting in area late afternoon, plus male and female great spotted woodpecker. 161119 - On Sea View washlands 230 lapwing and 90 wigeon, single fieldfare feeding on hawthorn berries, pair of pintail on Rimac lagoon with 107 Canada geese, 3 greylags and 2 mallard. Single peregrine on outer ridge, plus around the Haven Outfall of note 134 curlew, 19 wigeon, 219 shelduck, 11 bar-tailed godwit and 73 dark-bellied Brent geese. 2 woodcock flushed from edge of saltmarsh, plus 8 common snipe and of note on Paradise lagoon 44 shoveler. 171119 - In the Churchill Lane area a flock of 23 siskins flew over, 2 little owls calling , 1 sparrowhawk, 1 male and 1 female hen harrier, 3 water rails calling. 181119 - Male blackcap at Sea View. 191119 - Keen ground frost of -7.0? with an air frost of -2.75? Several skeins of pink-feet flying over Sea View early morning of some 300 birds. c600 pink foot geese left foreshore roost, 1 barn owl hunting 2 brambling around Churchill Lane. Donna Nook 161119 – Weekly seal count: 362 bulls, 1254 cows and 872 pups 15-191119 – A pomarine skua has been seen daily feeding in amongst the seals. Flocks of brent geese and golden plover seen daily. Also pied wagtails, mixed flocks of tits and blackbirds in sea buckthorn. Skylarks singing in the warmth of the sun. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Adela Cragg writes: Britain’s hazel dormice have declined by over 50% since 2000 - report follows New report reveals Britain’s hazel dormice have declined by over 50% since 2000 Loss of quality woodland habitat is a major factor and woodland management is critical to halting the decline of this charismatic species Today [Wednesday 20th November 2019] a new report published by People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) has revealed that Britain’s population of hazel dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius) has declined by 51% since the millennium, decreasing on average by 3.8% per year. The State of Britain’s Dormice 2019 report underlines the importance of providing the right habitat for dormice, and maintaining such habitats via correct woodland management practices, is the key to bringing this endangered species back from t he brink. In Britain, dormice – known for their endearing appearance with soft caramel fur, furry tail and big black eyes – are threatened and are considered to be vulnerable to extinction. In fact, hazel dormice are already extinct from 17 counties in England. The areas where they are still known to exist are almost all entirely south of a line between Shropshire and Suffolk. Ian White, Dormouse & Training Officer at PTES, explains: “The decline in dormouse numbers is due to the loss and fragmentation of their natural woodland and hedgerow habitats, as well as climate change. In particular, it’s the loss of habitat quality that’s of real concern. Sympathetic woodland management is essential for the recovery of dormice. Whether woodlands are managed for timber or public access, shrubby areas should be created beneath the tree canopy. These provide dormice, and many other species with areas to nest and feed in while also being able to access the mature trees. It is this variety of woodland habitats required to help dormice survive.” Hazel dormice are arboreal mammals who prefer structurally diverse habitats – they use tree holes to nest in, dense woodland understory to raise their young and feed in, and hedgerows and bramble banks to disperse through. Critically, the way in which woodlands are managed has changed – with traditional management practices such as coppicing, glade creation and small-scale tree felling (which once created mosaic habits) becoming less common, and as a result many of the woodlands we see today simply aren’t suitable for dormice. These factors, combined with unseasonable or extreme weather (which can affect survival over the winter and impact on their ability to raise young), can be detrimental to dormice survival. But, despite this, there are some areas where dormice numbers are increasing. At 96 of 336 sites (29%) analysed for this report, populations were ‘stable’ or ‘increasing’. Also, at 28 of these sites (8% of the total) the average annual increase was 5% or more per year. But, elsewhere, there is still lots of work to do. PTES is working hard to ensure that dormice can thrive once again in our countryside and manages the National Dormouse Monitoring Programme (NDMP) – the longest- running small terrestrial mammal monitoring programme in the world. Since it began in 1990 hundreds of volunteers across England and Wales have collected over 120,000 records, providing a significant data set which indicates how dormouse populations are faring. It’s these data that have been used in the State of Britain’s Dormice 2019 report. In addition, over the last 26 years, PTES has managed 30 reintroductions at 24 sites, releasing almost 1000 captive-bred dormice to create new populations or improve genetic diversity at existing ones. These reintroductions play an important role in the long-term conservation of the species, returning dormice to 12 counties in England where they have been lost. PTES also provides training and guidance for woodland managers, encouraging them to adopt appropriate land management practices. PTES’ Managing Small Woodlands for Dormice can be downloaded here. www.ptes.org/dormice PTES is working to improve our understanding of dormouse ecology and to improve the problem of habitat fragmentation. The conservation charity is funding research into hibernation when dormice can be very vulnerable; PTES has recently launched the Great British Hedgerow Survey, whereby farmers and landowners are being asked to assess the condition of their hedgerows and PTES are working with the ecological consultancy Animex to create dormouse bridges to improve accessibility between habitats. Ian concludes: “Although the State of Britain’s 2019 report shows a severe decline has taken place over the last 18 years, the good news is that in some areas dormice are doing well. We can help bring this species back if we alter the way we manage our landscape. By providing enough of the right habitat, which is well-connected and managed correctly, dormice, as well as a huge amount of other wildlife, can thrive once again across the country.” To read the full report, and to find out more about PTES’ ongoing dormouse conservation work please visit: www.ptes.org/dormice 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.... 'Scotland's photograph album' goes on display https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-50425911 Architect appointed for fire-ravaged Fair Isle Bird Observatory https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-50439781 Leaf blowers fatal to declining insects, Germans warned https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-50431827 Nasa probes oxygen mystery on Mars - very interesting... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50419917 Country diary: fruiting bodies of fungi burst from dead wood https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/07/country-diary-fruiting-bodies-of-fungi-burst-from-dead-wood#comment-135223682 Country diary: this sombre, subaquatic green gloom is glorious https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/09/country-diary-this-sombre-subaquatic-green-gloom-is-glorious Mouse deer species not seen for nearly 30 years is found alive in Vietnam https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/11/mouse-deer-not-seen-nearly-30-years-found-alive-vietnam ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/