============================================= || || 30th 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... *** Donna Nook - pupping has started. Time your visits to avoid weekends if possible. At the time of writing: 18 bulls, 41 cows and 1 pup. Weekly Seal Update page: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/weekly-update Bird of the week has to be the Waxwing. Please let us know if you see any. https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/waxwing/ Please let us have news of any other interesting winter visitors: Fieldfares, Redwings; Hawfinches; Bramblings - and also if you spot a starling murmuration. https://www.countryfile.com/go-outdoors/what-is-a-murmuration-and-where-are-the-best-places-in-britain-to-see-one/ Seven Worlds, One Planet on i-player if you missed it... Stunning. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0009tt8/seven-worlds-one-planet-series-1-episode-1 Reminder - BBC's Autumnwatch: to watch again... especially the seals. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0009v50 Len Pick Barn Owl camera - the story continues. What a racket! http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 A selection of news stories and articles can be found on the following links. Most have been suggested by fellow readers. Richard Mosse's ultraviolet photography of rainforest flora. Extraordinary. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-50055615 Seal found stuck in plastic waste on Norfolk beach https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-50167858 Seal of approval: Farne Islands population boom gathers pace https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/oct/23/seal-farne-islands-population-boom Invasive species: MPs call for a million people's help https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-50173577 Earthworms' place on Earth mapped https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50157313 Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch Southrey Wood work party volunteers needed starting this November. See: https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html More links in "...and finally..." Thanks for all the support. Please keep your records and contributions coming. If you need a plug for your Natural History events and activities - just let us know. 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 *** October Night Sky - soon to become November night Sky... *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Transit of Mercury: Really good preview for November 11 2019 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhWMOkrzKzs *** 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 *** South Lincs RSPB Group *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: ILLUSTRATED TALK- “Every pixel tells a story”, by Neil Smith [of Boston] A joint venture between The South Lincs RSPB Group and The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Venue-Franklin Hall,Halton Halgate, Spilsby PE23 5LA. Thursday 7th November 2019 at 7-30pm. Admission £3 [on the door ]. *** 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 On Sunday 3rd November 2019 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a morning bird walk in Cleethorpes Country Park with Graham Hicks. Meet Graham at 8am in the car parking area at the end of Park Lane. Grid Ref. TA 306066. Nearest postcode DN35 0QZ. 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 - 07979 089890. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 23rd October Water Pipit, Firecrest, Frampton Marsh 2 Firecrests, 1 Firecrest trapped and ringed, 8 Water Pipits, Siberian Chiffchaff, Black Redstart, Great White Egret, male Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point Waxwing at University of Lincoln, flew towards Morrisons, Black Brant, Donna Nook 2 Great White Egrets, Grebe Lake, Whisby - then flew west Scaup, on sailing pit, Barton-upon-Humber Richard's Pipit, Wood Sandpiper, Alkborough Flats 24th October 2 Firecrests, male Hen Harrier, Great White Egret flew south, Siberian Chiffchaff, Ring Ouzel, 4 Water Pipits, Spotted Redshank, Snow Bunting flew south, Gibraltar Point Caspian Gull [German ringed] 2w, Trent Port Wetlands, Marton Ring Ouzel, Tetney Marshes Water Pipit, Huttoft Pit Little Stint, Water Pipit, Frampton Marsh 25th October Siberian Chiffchaff, Freshney Bog, by River Freshney, north of Laceby Acres, Grimsby Pomarine Skua, Ring Ouzel, Yellow-browed Warbler, Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point Water Pipit, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh Lapland Bunting, Black Redstart, 6 Velvet Scoters, Tetney/NorthCotes 26th October Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 27th October 2 Water Pipits, East Halton Skitter Hen Harrier male, 2 Lapland Buntings, Woodlark flew south, 2 Hawfinches, Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Water Pipits, Mealy Redpoll, Velvet Scoter, Spotted Redshank, Short-eared Owl, Great White Egret, Gibraltar Point Twite, Holbeach Marsh Hen Harrier ringtail, Marston sewage works 13 Bewick's Swans flew south over Nettleton Park, Caistor Lapland Bunting, 2 Snow Buntings, Donna Nook Great White Egret, Nocton Fen Bittern, Far Ings, Barton on Humber - report 2 days late! 28th October Siberian Chiffchaff SSE of Humber Boatworks, Lapland Bunting flew over, Killingholme Water Pipit flew from flooded cattle field, Swanpool, Lincoln Water Pipit, Baston Fen Pomarine Skua juv flew over, Long-tailed Duck flew south, Huttoft Car Terrace Ring Ouzel, Dunsby Fen. Snow Bunting, Little Auk north past, Puffin, 24 Little Gulls, Pomarine Skua, Long-tailed Duck, Water Pipit, Great White Egret, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, Frampton Marsh Little Auk, East Halton Skitter, then killed by Great Black-backed Gull 29th October Hoopoe, Roman Bank near Romany House, Holbeach, then flew south 3 Water Pipits, west of car park, corner of 2nd flooded field, Baston Fen Wryneck, Waxwing, Leach's Petrel flew north past, Red-necked Grebe, 4 Black-throated Divers, 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Puffin, 10 Little Gulls, 8 Little Auks past, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, Velver Scoter, Arctic Tern, Spotted Redshank, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Water Pipits, Gibraltar Point Red-backed Shrike south of Seaview farm, Saltfleetby Theddlethorpe Twite, 2 Hen Harriers, male, Great White Egret, Frampton Marsh 2 Little Auks off Humber Bridge, Barton-upon-Humber 7 Little Auks flew north past, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver, Snow Bunting in off sea, Chapel Point 11 Little Auks flew past, Long-tailed Duck, Black-throated Diver, 2 Velvet Scoters past, 10 Little Auks past, Huttoft Bank 3 Velvet Scoters, Huttoft Car Terrace 30th October Red-backed Shrike 1w south of Seaview Farm, Saltfleetby Red-breasted Flycatcher trapped, Anderby Creek Black guillemot flew south past , 7 Little Auks, Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver, Black-throated Diver flew south past, Snow Bunting in off sea, Chapel Point Pallas' Warbler, ringtail Hen Harrier, Yellow-browed Warbler, Gibraltar Point Water Pipit flew over Wolla Bank Great Northern Diver north past Donna Nook 3 Water Pipits, Baston Fen Rough-legged Buzzard ad, Holbeach St John by South Holland main drain ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Chris du Feu writes: Specimens brought to the Sleaford LWT group on Monday evening [21st October 2019] The collection of slugs was most unusual because of the overall lack of variety - very few species in total but the same species appearing in one sample after another. Do not take this as a complaint about a boring lot of slugs. The purpose of recording such things is to record what is there and what is not there. All records are valuable. I looked at the NBN Atlas maps for these species. Every one will put a new 1 km dot on the national map. We had just two near misses where there was already a record of the same species in an adjacent 1km square but no direct 'hits'. That is excellent - 30 new records out of 30. What can we say about them? Arion vulgaris - the mis-named-by-Daily Mail 'Spanish Slug'. The only large roundback species which can be a major problem, doing harm to crops without doing much for recycling decaying matter. It is not, however, the danger to all human civilisation that the Daily Mail would have us believe. Arion distinctus - very common Blue-black Soil Slug. The commonest of the soil slugs. A pest of crops. The lack of old records is because records before the 1970s refer to either it, or one of two other species which were not split until then. Very useful records helping to show how common is this one and how uncommon are the others (which we did not find). Deroceras reticulatum - the Netted Slug. A native pest of garden plants. The one I call the Milk of Magnesia Slug because of the colour and consistency (and probably taste) of its mucus. Deroceras invadens - the Tramp Slug. Britain's fastest moving slug. A common garden pest. First found in the UK in the 1930s. By 1970 it had spread northwards to a line from the Wash to the Severn but is now seen anywhere as far south as the Channel Islands and as far north as the Shetlands. Tandonia budapestensis - the Budapest Slug. Very common and very unwelcome, particularly to potato growers. The revolting keeled slug appeared in almost all samples. Limacus maculatus - the Green Cellar Slug - a fine beast. Just found in three places. Quite surprising as it is very common around houses - but highly nocturnal and remains in hiding if the weather is wrong. Ambigolimax valentianus - the Iberian Three-band Slug. Just one found. Again surprising that there was just one as it is quite common now. LNU Slug Identification Course - October 26th 2019 - Chris du Feu. In addition to these there was another Ambigolimax slug from Grimsby which may prove to be the far less common, relatively new arrival, Ambigolimax nyctelius. Milax gagates widespread but thinly scattered - first record I have from the county since 2017. Species; Species; Place; Grid Ambigolimax valentianus Iberian 3-band Slug North Hykham SK934659 Arion distinctus Brown Soil Slug North Hykham SK948659 Deroceras invadens Tramp Slug North Hykham SK948659 Limacus maculatus Green Cellar Slug North Hykham SK948659 Ambigolimax valentianus Iberian 3-band Slug Boultham SK961699 Arion flagellus Green-soled Slug Boultham SK961699 Deroceras reticulatum Netted Slug Boultham SK961699 Limacus maculatus Green Cellar Slug Boultham SK961699 Arion distinctus Brown Soil Slug Grimsby TA273084 Arion flagellus Green-soled Slug Grimsby TA273084 Arion rufus Large Red Slug Grimsby TA273084 Arion vulgaris Vulgar Slug Grimsby TA273084 Limacus maculatus Green Cellar Slug Grimsby TA273084 Arion distinctus Brown Soil Slug Metheringham TF063614 Deroceras reticulatum Netted Slug Metheringham TF063614 Ambigolimax valentianus Iberian 3-band Slug Chambers Farm Wood TF147739 Arion flagellus Green-soled Slug Chambers Farm Wood TF147739 Clausilia bidentata Snail Chambers Farm Wood TF147739 Deroceras reticulatum Netted Slug Chambers Farm Wood TF147739 Limacus maculatus Green Cellar Slug Chambers Farm Wood TF147739 Limacus maculatus Green Cellar Slug Sloothby TF497708 Limax maximus Leopard Slug Sloothby TF497708 Ambigolimax valentianus Iberian 3-band Slug Sloothby TF499709 Arion distinctus Brown Soil Slug Sloothby TF499709 Arion flagellus Green-soled Slug Sloothby TF499709 Arion intermedius Hedgehog Slug Sloothby TF499709 Arion rufus Large Red Slug Sloothby TF499709 Arion subfuscus Dusky Slug Sloothby TF499709 Deroceras invadens Tramp Slug Sloothby TF499709 Deroceras reticulatum Netted Slug Sloothby TF499709 Milax gagates Smooth Jet Slug Sloothby TF499709 Tandonia budapestensis Budapest Slug Sloothby TF499709 Limacus maculatus Green Cellar Slug Sloothby TF497708 Limax maximus Leopard Slug Sloothby TF497708 Ambigolimax valentianus Iberian 3-band Slug Sloothby TF499709 Arion distinctus Brown Soil Slug Sloothby TF499709 Arion flagellus Green-soled Slug Sloothby TF499709 Arion intermedius Hedgehog Slug Sloothby TF499709 Arion rufus Large Red Slug Sloothby TF499709 Arion subfuscus Dusky Slug Sloothby TF499709 Deroceras invadens Tramp Slug Sloothby TF499709 Deroceras reticulatum Netted Slug Sloothby TF499709 Milax gagates Smooth Jet Slug Sloothby TF499709 Tandonia budapestensis Budapest Slug Sloothby TF499709 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 No report this week. Fieldfare seen on "Water Rail Way" on 29th October - A. Parsons BASSINGHAM Bassingham SK915612 24/10/2019, 14.00 Jeremy Hutchinson Stoat (first I've seen for a long time) BOSTON 28/10/2019 Kathleen Pearson First Siskin (male) of the year feeding in the garden this morning. CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK909581 24/10/2019 Jeremy Hutchinson The greatest number and variety of fungi I can ever recall growing around the Bramley apple tree in our side lawn: Fly Agaric, Field Mushroom, Cep, and Russula sp (not sure of exact species). With reference to your report of a Common Green Shieldbug, over the last 3 months or so we have seen more of these than in any previous year, as well as several examples of the Hawthorn Shield Bug, and (I think) the Parent Bug, the latter I have not seen before. COLSTERWORTH AND WOOLSTHORPE SK92/24 October 2019 Jane Ostler BIRDS On 15th October a neighbour came home to find a Buzzard sitting in his hedge. There are also more reports of Kites coming into gardens. After the introduction of Red Kites at Fineshades, Northamptonshire, the first sightings in our village were noted with some excitement. Soon, mostly because of the landfill site on the western fringe of Woolsthorpe, they became frequent. On Sundays when the rubbish was turned and levelled, as many as 20 at a time would congregate. Now that work here has finally ceased we have an established nesting population. Seeing Red Kites soaring in the sky is an everyday occurrence. Now records tend only to be of events, like garden visits. A similar pattern has evolved with Buzzards . Rooks have moved from their two nesting sites in ash trees in Woolsthorpe, to winter roosts outside the village. Unlike last year, there have been no Starling murmurations. A tall conifer hedge in which one group nested has been cut down. Jackdaws have also had chimneys nested in last year, barred to them. They have this autumn developed the annoying habit of breaking walnut and hazel shells on the roof ridges. The steady decline of passeringes feeding in gardens continues. Amongst the finches, only the Bullfinch seems to be holding its own. The Kingfishers and the Grey Wagtails have apparently had a successful breeding year on the River Witham. Little Egret have been seen in the fields at the side of the village throughout the year and the Heron has moved to feed regularly further north near the Nature Trail. Swifts returned to all their regular breeding sites, seen in suddenly increasing numbers before the adults left in August. Few swallows returned this year. At one site only one of three nests was occupied, first two broods failed and a third lot of young fledged only at beginning of October. House Martins seemed to have fared better. Houses which border the Nature Trail had young Great Spotted Woodpeckers joining their parents in the garden and Tawny Owls heard on a nightly basis. GRIMSTHORPE ESTATE Jane and Brian Ostler 21st October, 2019 Chestnut Avenue TF025190 A bitterly cold north wind, When sun came out and in shelter, Maximum 10C. FUNGI There were some fine looking brackets on the ancient trees, which include oak, and beech as well as horse chestnut. Unfortunately they would all be contributing to the trees' demise. Lacquered Bracket (Ganoderma pfeifferi), on oak, first found on 15th August 2019. Artist's Bracket (Ganoderma applantatum). Difficutlt to determine from G.australe, a distinguishing feature was the upper crust easily depressed, not the case in G.australe. In addtion G.applanatum is the one usually found on beech. Giant Polypore (Meripilus giganteus) - living up to its name in piles of brackets at the base of a tree. Dryad's Saddle (Polyporus squamatus) a newly emerged bracket of a species often appearing earlier in the year. Species in the surrounding grassland included Wood Blewits (Lepista nuda), Horse Mushrooms and Yellow Stainer (Agaricus arvensis and A. xanthodermus), Lawyer's Wigs, Brittle Stems and Mottle Gills with Soft Puffballs on edges of path. OTHER NOTES At the southern end railway bridge (TF024178) Wasps and Greenbottle flies were feeding on the flowers of ivy. Bush cricketes were active in the long grass. Squirrels were everywhere and in this area had left the eaten husks of maize. 24th October, 2019 Gardens TF04/24 Brief visit on a sunny day (Max 14C) before area closes to public for winter. Weed clearing under the trees has revealed drifts of naturalised cyclamens. A Dark Mullein (Verbascum nigrum) in flower on the outside of the walled garden is a native plant but here may be a garden escape. The herbaceous border still had plenty of flowers, but even the Sedums had no insect visitors. There was just one Peacock butterfly in the kitchen garden. Trees were at last beginning to change colour. Particularly striking were the Indian Bean and Foxglove trees. No parasitic brackets in this area. The grass had scatterings of Brittle Stem fungi and some fine Wood Blewits. A Tree Creeper was climbing a giant Deodora Cedar. TF511762 (my garden) HUTTOFT Jane Pennington 23/10/2019 Small tortoiseshell 1 27/10/2019 Fox 1 8.30am TF516766 Hare 1 in same field as fox above 28/20/2019 Wren 1 30/10/2019 Common darter 1 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 17/10/19 Barn Owl x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain 22/10/19 Barn Owl x 1 SK789994 24/10/19 Barn Owl x 1 (dead) SK792982 Tawny Owl x 3 calling 01:15hrs 27/10/19 Blackbird x 1 Chaffinch x 4 Common Buzzard x 2 Grey Partridge x 2 Pied wagtail x 2 Redwing x 21 Stock Dove x 2 Tawny Owl x 2 calling 01:15hrs Tree Sparrow x 29 30/10/19 Barn Owl x 1 Fieldfare x 2 Golden Plover x 37 Pink-footed Goose x 106 flying high, west over Thurnholmes ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 23rd October – 29th October 2019 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Continual rain on the 25th and 26th giving a total of 34.2mm of precipitation and a current monthly total of 98.3mm at Sea View. 241019 - 11 little egrets on the saltmarsh, 12 lapwing flying west, few thrushes still around mainly blackbirds with a few song thrushes and redwing between Sea View and Paradise, 1 kingfisher on the Eau and at least 125 wigeon on the wastelands at Sea View, single blackcap nearby. 251019 – 3 skeins of pink-feet moving southerly 310, 42, 28 birds, 2 bullfinches at Sea View. 31 whooper swans resting on Theddlethorpe beach then flying south. 271019 - 28 whooper swans leaving Rimac roost. 21 snow buntings in flight over NNR beach, 2 sparrowhawks, 1 female peregrine, 2 tawny owls heard, 2 little owls heard, 1 short eared owl seen, 2 water rails heard and at least 11 snipe, 1 jack snipe in Rimac saltmarsh. 281019 - Little egrets up to 30 birds feeding on the saltmarsh. Merlin hunting in the area and seen to successfully chase and take a pipit. A skein of 100+ pink-feet flew south and at least 120 lapwing over flying west. 291019 - Several scattered thrushes also 4 brambling, 3 siskin, 1 ring ouzel in the Churchill Lane area. Donna Nook 251019 – First seal count: 8 cows, 2 bulls, 0 pups Several adults are now present and at least 3 pups. Next full count to be done on 1st November. 231019 – Kingfisher seen fishing in salt marsh creeks. 241019 – Kingfisher seen fishing in saltmarsh creeks. 291019 – Short eared owl, kestrel, sky larks and several flocks of starlings. See Weekly Seal Update page: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/weekly-update ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 - Report for September 2019 Gemma Watkinson Dormouse numbers were similar to August at over 32, including 4 litters with females and two other juveniles, totalling over 18 young, being found. Again, all the litters were in Ivy East and included one of uncounted GECs, the rest all being juveniles. Two of the litters were with new chipped females. Once more, no dormice were seen in Ivy West or Little Scrubbs woods and there was no sign of any activity in Goslings Corner Wood, which is only checked twice each year. Also seen were: - 9 woodmice; 4 in Minting and 5 in Goslings Corner but none in Ivy East (where all the sightings were in August). 3 shrews; 1 in Little Scrubbs and 2 in Ivy East. 2 bats; a BLE in Minting and possibly a Natterer’s bat in Goslings Corner. 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 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. Fungi - November 2nd - Ray Halstead - fully booked ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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.... Images reveal Iceland's glacier melt https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50160039 Brain illness spread by ticks has reached UK https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-50206382 HMS Beagle: Dock where Darwin's ship 'was dismantled' revealed https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-50209371 Climate change is forcing butterflies and moths to adapt – but some speciescan’t https://theconversation.com/climate-change-is-forcing-butterflies-and-moths-to-adapt-but-some-species-cant-125829 Baby seals: 'love hormone' research reveals swift weight gain in pups https://theconversation.com/baby-seals-love-hormone-research-reveals-swift-weight-gain-in-pups-124835 Migrating Russian eagles run up huge data roaming charges https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-50180781 Wild Humber: A new 25 minute TV documentary celebrating spectacular bird migration on the Humber is now available on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5rxQMkUftU&feature=youtu.be Country diary: this dragonfly is an alien creature from distant lands https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/24/country-diary-this-dragonfly-is-an-alien-creature-from-distant-lands#comment-134703099 Robert E Fuller Wildlife artist from Yorkshire https://twitter.com/robertefuller/status/1187384358551904256?s=12 Country diary: royal fern is monarch of its own boggy kingdom https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/26/country-diary-royal-fern-is-monarch-of-its-own-boggy-kingdom Scientists crack mystery of bird eggs' colour variation https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/oct/28/scientists-crack-mystery-of-bird-eggs-colour-variation Country diary: a little bobbing bird is a joy to behold https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/29/country-diary-a-little-bobbing-bird-is-a-joy-to-behold ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/