============================================= || || 16th October 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... *** Sorry to be running a bit late this week, I hope you will find this week's news worth waiting for. Would you believe it? The Bulletin was read this week in the USA, Spain, Czech Republic, Belgium, Germany, France, Greece and Spain. Amazing! Bird of the week has to be the Ring Ouzel, which many readers will know. See: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/ring-ouzel/ Fungus of the week for me is the striking "Hen-of-the-Woods", found on the LNU foray last Sunday. A remarkable polypore fungus, Grifola frondosa. https://wildflowerfinder.org.uk/Flowers/H/HenoftheWoods/HenoftheWoods.htm Despite the impressive downpour that morning, the afternoon was much clearer and an excellent foray took place - 14 people attending - with 76 fungus species found and identified by Ray Halstead. A selection of relevant news stories can be found on the following links. Most have been suggested by fellow readers. Yikes! Fox and rodent battle is top wildlife photo https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50036823 Remarkable photos that have not been "photo-shopped"... https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-7558555/ Would you be flooded by a rise in sea level of...? Set the height and locate your locality on the map. http://www.floodmap.net/ Norfolk RSPCA centre saves 50th seal with injuries from rubbish https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-50019738 Natural 'bumblebee medicine' found in heather https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49977867 Humpback whale found dead in Thames was hit by a ship https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-49990664 Microplastics: Seeking the 'plastic score' of the food on our plates https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49798057 How barnacle geese adjust their migratory habits in the face of climate change https://theconversation.com/how-barnacle-geese-adjust-their-migratory-habits-in-the-face-of-climate-change-124918 More links in "...and finally..." Thanks for all the 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 *** Whisby Natural History Workshops 2019 *** In partnership with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union. At Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln, in the Lafarge Education Building from 12.00 pm until 4.00 pm. Free of charge. Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com Find out more about the various subjects from our local experts. Places are limited due to the number of microscopes available. Update on the Whisby workshops. Slugs - October 26th - Chris de Feu - Spaces still available. Fungi - November 2nd - Ray Halstead - fully booked. *** Ornithological and other journals - free to a good home. *** After the death of a friend I have been left with his collection of journals which his son has asked me to pass on where they would be appreciated. They are all free and I am happy to arrange collection/delivery one way or another without resorting to couriers. I have not checked whether the sequences are complete but, if not, they are certainly almost complete. In the list below dates are approximate. British Birds - 1990s to present Bird Study  -1990s to present Ringing & Migration - 1990s to present Nature of Scotland - 2000 to present BTO News - 1990s to present Scottish Birds - 2005 to present Nottinghamshire Birdwatchers monthly bulletin - 1990s to present If anyone would like any (or all) of these, please contact me. Chris du Feu. chris.r.dufeu@gmail.com 01427 848 400 *** October 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: October Meeting and Trip. “The RSPB Grimsby Local Group's next meeting is at 7.30pm on Monday, 21st October 2019 at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, (formerly known as Corpus Christi Community Centre), Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7LH. Our speaker, Richard Baines, is an experienced ornithologist/ecologist whose work as a Wildlife Guide and in Nature Conservation for over 30 years has included setting up the North Yorkshire Turtle Dove Project. Richard will give us an illustrated talk entitled ‘Birding in East and North Yorkshire’. There will also be refreshments and a raffle Entry is £4, payable at the door. Our next trip is on Sunday 27th October to the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s Attenborough Reserve. This is a large reserve with a variety of habitats, and a Visitors’ Centre with a café. On previous visits, we have always seen 60 or more species including unusual sightings like water rail and red-crested pochard. The coach leaves the Shoppers Car Park on Waltham Road, Scartho, DN33 2LX, (which is between Springfield Rd and the Scartho round-a-bout) 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. *** South Lincs RSPB Group *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB Group's 2019 BIRDWATCHING AND SEAL CRUISES aboard The Boston Belle, into The Wash. Full details of the 2019 cruise programme can be found at- https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/news/459075/ Note: The Group has 1 cruise remaining this year, 21st October. For full availability information contact the Groups booking agency, Spalding's South Holland Centre 01775-764777 www.southhollandcentre.co.uk *** 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 On Sunday 20th October 2019 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a morning bird walk in Bradley Woods off Bradley Road, Grimsby. DN37 0AQ with Graham Hicks. Meet Graham at 8am in the car parking area. Grid Ref. TA 244058. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear. This is a free event however donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact Graham Hicks 07979 089890. On Saturday 26th October 2019 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them for a Fungus Foray in Messingham Sand Quarry Nature Reserve with Ray Halstead. Meet At 10.30am in the reserve car parking area which is off the B1400 opposite Scallows Hill Farm. Grid Ref. SE 908032. Nearest postcode DN17 3RD. Please wear suitable out door clothing and stout footwear. This is a free event however donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact Carolyn Davis - 07914 924790. *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson writes: Lincoln Area Group Talk October 17th - Lincolnshire Nature Reserves from the Air Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust head of nature reserves Dave Bromwich takes us on a tour of them with a difference. From an aerial perspective! 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 9th October 2 Ring Ouzels. Great White Egret flew S over, 2 Common Cranes ads flew SW over and landed, 2 Short-eared Owls, Whinchat, Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Water Pipits, 6 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Ring Ouzel, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Ring Ouzel, Sandilands Golf Course 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Saltfleetby - Theddlethorpe dunes Bittern, Far Ings west of Barton-upon-Humber 10th October Yellow-browed Warbler, end of North Sea Lane, Cleethorpes Firecrest, 7 Spotted Redshanks, Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point 15 Twite, Frampton Marsh 11th October Garganey, Marston sewage works Ring Ouzel, Water Pipit, Spotted Redshank, Firecrest, Gibraltar Point Ring Ouzel, Jack Snipe, Donna Nook, 4 Little Stints all juvs, Curlew Sandpiper, Great White Egret, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 12th October 4 Ring Ouzels, Snow Bunting male, Lapland Bunting flew south over, Yellow-browed Warbler, Water Pipit, Garganey, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Spoonbill, 5 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Ring Ouzel, Lapland Bunting, 3 Snow Buntings, Yellow-browed Warbler, Swift sp drifted south over RAF base, Black Brant ad with 257 Dark-bellied Brent Geese on saltmarsh between car park and beach, Donna Nook Ring Ouzel flew over Fairfield Pit towards Goxhill Garganey juv, Marston sewage works 4 Little Stints all juvs, Curlew Sandpiper, ringtail Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 13th October 53 Ring Ouzels, Yellow-browed Warbler, Firecrest, Water Pipit, 9 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Purple Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, 6 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Swift over Saltfleetby NNR 14th October Ring Ouzel. Anderby Creek Ring Ouzel male, Rimac Yellow-browed Warbler, Freiston Shore 34 Ring Ouzels, Water Pipit, Firecrest, 5 Spotted Redshanks, 5 Snow Geese flew off The Wash, Gibraltar Point Black Brant ad with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Jack Snipe, Donna Nook 2 Spotted Redshanks, Great White Egret, 3 Little Stints all juvs, Frampton Marsh 15th October 30 Ring Ouzels, Pallas' Warbler, Hawfinch, 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, Ring Ouzel trapped and ringed, Gibraltar Point 2 Short-eared Owls, 8 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Lapland Bunting, Yellow-browed Warbler, Rimac 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Sea View, Saltfleetby 4 Ring Ouzels, Richard's Pipit over, 2 Water Pipits, Huttoft Bank pit 3 Common Scoters, 2 drks, Boulthan Mere, Lincoln Pied Flycatcher, Mill Lane, Marston sewage works Barred Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, probable Siberian Lesser Whitethroat [form blythi], Donna Nook Yellow-browed Warbler, Horseshoe Point 2 Short-eared Owls, Whaplode Drove fields 16th October 11 Ring Ouzels, Water Pipit, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Spotted Redshank, Hen Harrier ringtail, Purple Sabndpiper, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier male 3 Curlew Sandpipers, Winters Pont. East Halton Great White Egret flew south over Wolla Bank car park Long-eared Owl on island, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. SPALDING 09,10,19 Mick Todd Sadly there was a dead otter on the side of Pinchbeck Road, presumably killed during the night of 08/09th October, has it wasn't there on the 8th. Location TF 24559 24612. *** 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 and A Parsons 0/11/2019 2 bats hunting over garden at 18.20hrs [R. Parsons] HOLYWELL LAKE Holywell Lake 10th October 2019 3.10pm to 4.15pm Ian Misselbrook and Denis Toomey Little grebes 16 Little Egret 1 Mute Swans 2 Black Swan 1 Greylag geese 20 Canada Geese 55 Mallard 81 Shoveler 1 Wigeon 1 Gadwall 3 Teal 16 Tufted Duck 4 Moorhen 14 Black-headed Gulls 2 Kingfisher 1 Red Kite 1 TF511762 (my garden) HUTTOFT and a field in North Devon Jane Pennington 11/10/2019 It's been a quiet week in the garden apart from the occasional robin and blackbird chittering. I went for a walk with my neighbour the other morning though and she really made my day when she told me that a week ago, her 12-year-old son had 'come across' a hedgehog sleeping in the garden next to mine. He had lifted a plank of wood to play with but put it back quickly after finding the hedgehog as he knew not to disturb it. I've only ever seen one flattened near the coast and often wondered if any ever came into my garden with its and grass piles and general 'wildness'. MORKERY WOOD 11th October 2019 Jane and Brian Ostler A circuit in the Northern Section FLOWERING PLANTS Now that the flowering season is coming to an end, individual plants still in bloom take on a new importance. We found scattered specimens of Red Clover, Upright Hedge Parsley, Angelica, Common Knapweed, Blackberry, Wild Basil, Ragwort and White Deadnettle. There were two species which have been in flower here every month this year - Herb Robert and Groundsel. Taking time to revise on the yellow composites I listed Autumn hawkbit, Bristly Oxtongue, Nipplewort, Smooth Sowthistle, Cat's Ear, Smooth Hawksbeard and Dandelion. Unable to identify the one leafy Hawkweed (Hieracium sp.) in flower. There were fruits of Hawthorn, Rose, Sloe and Black Bryony. Acorns are not abundant, some trees have small blackened ones.  One Maple was notable for the large number of keys.  The tree leaves had hardly changed colour - just one brilliant red Wild Cherry. FUNGI New growths of crust fungi appearing - the very variable Turkey Tail, the mauve tinged Silver Leaf and the yellow Hairy Curtain Crust. Of the gill fungi we found Common Inkcap and Lawyer's Wig, Wood Blewit, Buttercap (Collybia butyracea), White Milking Bonnet, Ivory Funnel Cap(Clitocybe dealbata), Lilac Bonnet (Mycena Pura) and Lilac Leg Funnelcap (Inocybe grisealilacinea). LICHENS The rust lichen was typically on ash trunks but also on one oak tree. The elf cup Cladonia fimbriata was on the swollen bole at the base of a silver birch where mud and moss had collected. BIRDS The wood was almost totally silent - not even a robin singing. We saw Blue Tits and a Jay. There were several pheasants, now released from their pens and one a road casualty outside wood. MAMMALS Squirrels were out in sunshine. Evidence of Moles, Wood Mice and Bank Voles. No deer or evidence of rabbits. INSECTS As the day warmed up to 14C at midday a single Red Admiral, a Brown Hawker Dragonfly and several Common Darters in flight. POTTERHANWORTH WOODS TF070664 R&A Parsons 12/10/2019 Phallus impudicus, Stinkhorn Laccaria amethystina, Amethyst Deceiver Agaricus sp near old stump by Carr dyke bridge Lycoperdon perlatum, Stalked puffball ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves - reports always welcome ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx 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 9th – 15th October 2019 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 111019 - Singles of yellow-browed warbler, chiffchaff, blackcap and goldcrest at Sea View and 1 swallow over. 14 little egrets on the saltmarsh. 121019 - Two chiffchaffs at Sea View. A few butterflies still around: small copper, comma, red admiral and speckled wood. 131019 - There was a steady movement of swallows heading south over Sea View after the rain had cleared in the afternoon with at least 80 birds seen in two hours. Flock of 14 siskin and a yellow-browed warbler at Sea View plus 24 redwing flying over. 141019 - 2 goldcrests, 1 chiffchaff and 26+ long-tailed tits around Sea View. Churchill Lane: a few migrant thrushes, chaffinches, robins and goldcrests, also 1 yellow browed warbler, 3 chiffchaffs, 2 blackcaps and 2 swallows. 151019 - During the morning many flocks of thrushes flying over the dunes, some from within the scrub, between Sea View and Paradise totalling 700+ birds. The majority were song thrushes with a lesser number of redwing and fewer blackbirds; a single fieldfare was observed. Also one blackcap, 21 little egrets on the saltmarsh and 2 jays flew over from the east. Several skeins of pink-footed geese heard flying over and a barn owl seen. 2 ring ouzels, tawny, barn and little owl heard calling and 1 short eared owl seen, also 1 adult female and 1 young marsh harrier, 2 sparrowhawks, 3 snow buntings, a scattering of rock pipits in the saltmarsh, 1 stonechat, 1 jack snipe and c15 snipe all in the Churchill Lane area. Donna Nook 151019 – Good numbers of Brent geese, shelduck and little egrets. Siskins, bramblings and 6 pintail. Flocks of 100+ redwing and fieldfare arriving throughout the day along with several skeins of pink-footed geese. Whinchat, ring ouzel, yellow-browed warbler, barred warbler, Lapland bunting and at l east 2 short-eared owls (Chris Aitken). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR These cover a huge area, and records from them and records from volunteer recorders are one of the main inputs to management planning and the protection of rare/scarce and critical species. Reports always welcome. https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/visit/woods-and-nature-reserves/127031.article https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/get-involved/ Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html The Hazel Dormouse https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/cy/node/35 Lincolnshire Dormouse Group 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 Gemma Watkinson adds: "Dormouse can only be disturbed and handled by those that are licenced by Natural England. The group always welcomes visitors to join us when we carry out box check surveys to continue to monitor the dormouse population. We have box checks scheduled for the following dates. Sunday 20th October Anyone interested should email 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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" *** Chris Manning writes: Project Officer Kath Castillo at NHM has improved the accessibility of the LNU historic specimens; creating a collections ‘dataset’ on the NHM Data Portal. 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 *** Editor adds: 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 Contact 01507 528223 enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Bat Group website *** http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/lincolnshire-chalk-streams *** Lincsbirders *** http://www.lincsbirders.org/ Dates for 2020 Big Farmland Bird Count confirmed - 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 pdf: https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u10/downloads/taking-part/health/bwc.pdf 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. There is an annual recorders’ meeting, where we review the wildlife highlights of the previous year and to leaven the Annual General Meeting the honorary president gives a presentation on his or her particular interest in wildlife and this is reproduced in full in ‘The Lincolnshire Naturalist‘. This too starts at 2pm but attendees gather from noon to socialise. Next Meetings: Indoor meetings: https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ Whisby Natural History Workshops In partnership with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union. At Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln, in the Lafarge Education Building from 12.00 pm until 4.00 pm. Free of charge. Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com Find out more about the various subjects from our local experts. Places are limited due to the number of microscopes available. Slugs - October 26th - Chris de Feu Fungi - November 2nd - Ray Halstead ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. If in any doubt, this is what you do: 1. Scroll to the end of any Bulletin and click on "update subscription preferences". 2. Look at the "Marketing permissions" section. Your email box should have a tick. 3. If is doesn't, please give it a tick. Then please click on "Update Profile". That's it. If there are difficulties when doing this, send an email to old.museum@yahoo.co.uk If ever you decide you don't want to receive the Bulletin any longer there is an easy- to-use "Unsubscribe" link to click at the end of every Bulletin. You can sign up again if you miss us. ....and finally.... Safety calls after multiple Walsall canal falls https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-50044189 Sir David Attenborough renews opposition to York bog home plans https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-49983377 The First Climate Change refugees https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-wales-49994428 Rare orchid Irish lady's-tresses spotted at Ceredigion nature reserve https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-49986492 Israel cave bones: Early humans 'conserved food to eat later' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-49998934 Climate change: Big lifestyle changes are the only answer https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49997755 Country diary: a sharp-toothed shellfish hunter was here https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/09/country-diary-a-sharp-toothed-shellfish-hunter-was-here Country diary: richness can be found among the rot https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/oct/11/country-diary-richness-can-be-found-among-the-rot Country diary: honeysuckle is the last port in a storm for this hoverfly https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/10/country-diary-honeysuckle-is-the-last-port-in-a-storm-for-this-hoverfly Country diary: moulting birds leave treasure for collectors https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/14/country-diary-moulting-birds-leave-treasure-for-collectors Country diary: house martins linger on despite signs of winter https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/15/country-diary-house-martins-linger-on-despite-signs-of-winter#comment-134300037 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/