============================================= || || 25th September 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 am grateful for the contributions this week. Without this steady support my job would be a lot harder. Please send in your wildlife news items, events, sightings and information. It would be great if every reader sent something in during the course of the year, which is, after all, the deal! Above all we need to add to our mailing list, so please use the "forward to a friend link" at the end of every Bulletin and send it to a likely future reader. We could double our readership in a week if everyone tried to help! Len Pick Barn Owl camera - the story continues! 6 chicks on 17th; a live vole racing about in the nest on the 18th; then only 4 chicks on 20th. Did they guess from eating the vole that siblings might be yummy too? They have also eaten another chick that hatched on 22nd. http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 A selection of relevant news stories can be found on the following links. Most have been suggested by fellow readers. £2m repairs fund set up for flood-hit farmers https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-49766867 Climate change: Warming to drive 'robust increase' in UK flooding https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49731591 Edward Burtynsky's photos/clips are breathtaking and speak for themselves. The Canadian photographic artist has spent 40 years focusing on large-scale human activities such as mining, quarrying, agriculture and deforestation. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-49669971 Climate strike: Thousands protest across UK https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49767327 'Angel-like' kingfisher shot at reserve is 'one in a million' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-49742285 Humpback whale found dead on Northumberland beach https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-49807819 Bird populations 'in global crisis' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49744435 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/ 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 meeting: Moor Farm LWT Reserve and SSSI – Sunday 13th October 2019 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2019-10-13/ Moor Farm LWT Reserve and SSSI, east of Woodhall Spa Access courtesy of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Last LNU visit in 1997 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet and park in reserve car park at TF226635. Nearest postcode: LN10 6YU. NB. Possible need for some verge parking if car park gets full (only takes about 10 cars). Nearest public toilets are in Woodhall Spa. Possibly quite wet along reserve paths. Habitat: Acid Grassland, broadleaved woodland and boggy heathland. Leaders: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk and Roger Parsons 07867 847679 old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ‘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. Two places left on Leafminer Moths but Fungi now fully booked up. Spaces still available on "Slugs". Leafminer Moths - October 5th - Colin Smith Slugs - October 26th - Chris de Feu Fungi - November 2nd - Ray Halstead *** September Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ Keith Scarrott writes: The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society Following our AGM we have Dr Chris Skinner from Hull University to give us his illustrated talk about the impact of "Micro-plastics" on Monday, 14th October. This is a great opportunity to learn about this major pollutant that threatens life forms all over the Earth. Don't miss it. As always we start at 7.15pm and meet in the St. Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. Light refreshments are available for a small charge during the mid-talk break. ALL ARE WELCOME. There is a large, free car park in the church grounds. For further details please contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** Grimsby & District RSPB *** http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby For more information, contact Martin Francis (Group Leader) at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com (preferred) or on (01472) 883436 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 3 cruises remaining this year, 5th and 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 Carolyn Davis writes: On Friday 27th September 2019 popular local folk / rock Merlin's Keep are playing in concert in aid of The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. This will take place in St. Giles Church Scartho, Grimsby DN33 2EU, 7.15 pm for 7.30pm. Admission £5 on the door includes tea & coffee. There will be a raffle and Trust goods sales. Come and enjoy a great concert and help raise money for a worthwhile cause. For further details contact Carolyn Davis 07914924790 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 18th September - late report Lapland Bunting, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 19th September Wood Sandpiper, Alkborough Flats Great White Egret, 15 Spoonbills, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Spotted Redshanks, 4 Whinchats, Short-eared Owl, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh Black Tern, Trent Port Wetlands, Marton Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Buck Beck, Cleethorpes Black-necked Grebe, Boultham Mere, Lincoln 6 Spoonbills, 7 Spotted Redshanks, Little Stint, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, Fiskerton Fen 20th September Common Rosefinch with Linnets the flew north, 2 Lapland Buntings flew south, 5 Spoonbills, Little Stint, 10 Spotted Redshanks, Black Redstart, Gibraltar Point. Short-eared Owl, 6 Spoonbills, Croft Marsh Probable Red-breasted Flycatcher heard [only], towards Wolla Bank Anderby Creek Great White Egret, Bardney - TF 079 717 Garganey, Huttoft Bank Pit Great White Egret on River Glen, midway along Snipe reserve, Thurlby Fen 2 Little Stints, Short-eared Owl, 5 Spoonbills, 6 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Great White Egret, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh 21st September 2 Arctic Skuas flew east past East Halton Skitter Lapland Bunting, 2 Little Stints, Pied Flycatcher north end of East Dunes, 8 Spotted Redshanks, 4 Spoonbills, Great White Egret, Gibraltar Point Garganey, Jack Snipe, [camera trap], Marston Sewage Works Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Spoonbills, 6 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Black-necked Grebe, Boultham Mere, Lincoln 22nd September Yellow-browed Warbler at north end, 5 Spoonbills, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Little Stint, 3 Pied Flycatchers, Gibraltar Point Yellow-browed Warbler in dunes, Theddlethorpe St Helen 2 Pied Flycatchers, Saltfleetby Pallid or Montagu's Harrier in off sea, Pied Flycatcher just beyond Pye's Hall car park, Donna Nook American Golden Plover ad on reedbed, Curlew Sandpiper, Short-eared Owl, Garganey, 2 Spoonbills, 12 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Pectoral Sandpipers 1 juv, Frampton Marsh 23rd September Great White Egret, Trent Port Wetlands, Marton 4 Great White Egrets flew east over Alkborough Flats Great White Egret flew east between Rippingdale Fen and Dunsby Fen 40+ Fieldfares flew west over Saltfleetby St Peter Isabelline Warbler on beach, Gibraltar Point confirmed from photos 2 Great White Egrets, Curlew Sandpiper, Gibraltar Point Pectoral Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh Garganey, Teal Lake, Whisby NP Wood Sandpiper, Middlemarsh Wetlands, Skegness Red-crested Pochard, Waters' Edge Country Park, Barton-upon-Humber 24th September 2 Spoonbills, 2 Little Stints, 5 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret flew east over Far Ings Pectoral Sandpiper juv, 3 Little Stints, Curlew Sandpiper, Short-eared Owl, Cattle Egret on saltmarsh by River Weland, Frampton Marsh Black-necked Grebe, Boultham Mere, Lincoln Wood Sandpiper, Middlemarsh Wetlands, Skegness 25th September Pectoral Sandpiper juv, American Golden Plover ad on reedbed, Frampton Marsh Black-necked Grebe, Boultham Mere, Lincoln ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ROADKILL reports from Peter Crick HOLTON LE CLAY A16 Peter Crick 21-09-2019 Badger juvenile WAITHE A16 Peter Crick 21-09-2019 Badger juvenile FOTHERBY A16 Peter Crick 21-09-2019 Fox, large BILLINGHAY/NORTH KYME A153 Peter Crick 21-09-2019 Badger A15 NR BURNHAM TURN OFF Peter Crick 22-09-2019 DEER GRIMSBY-PYEWIPE ROUNDABOUT A180 (west bound) Peter Crick 22-09-2019 Looks like large hawk, Buzzard size, on its back in west bound gutter, White/pale underparts, pale grey/brownish Speckled underwing, ringed fantail. ROAD KILL reports from Jane Ostler ROAD KILLS Jane Ostler 20/9/19 Twyford, Colsterworth A151 SK950238 HEDGEHOG Corby Glen Jane Ostler 20/9/19 A151 TF010247 HEDGEHOG Edenham Jane Ostler 20/9/19 A151 TF060220 HEDGEHOG (1) SQUIRREL (1) Guthram Gowt, Pinchbeck Jane Ostler 20/9/19 A151 TF173225 RABBIT FISKERTON High Street TF048720 R & A Parsons 21/9/2019 Dead hedgehog - road kill *** 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 No report this week. TF511762 (my garden) HUTTOFT Jane Pennington 17/9/2019 Chiffchaff 1 calling 18/9/2019 Great tits 6 Peacock 1 on ivy Wren 1 20/9/2019 Canary-shouldered thorn moth 1 on bathroom floor and put outside early morning and then seen on shed door later. 22/9/2019 Grey squirrel 1 23/9/2019 Sparrowhawk 1 STIXWOULD Jerry Gunner writes: We took the dogs for one of our preferred walks along the Witham last Wednesday. We start at Stixwould station and walk towards the bridge near Woodhall. We don’t use the cycle track but the piece of grass that borders the drain, ditch or delft that is east of it and separated from it by about 30’ of shrubs and small trees. It is lower in level than the cycle track but probably not as low as the Witham itself. It was a gorgeous day and too hot to walk the dogs if they hadn’t had the opportunity to dive into the ditch at will. The water is crystal clear. Lots of dragon/damsel flies busily mating. We saw, for the second time on our irregular walks along this route a pike holding position with its head tilted slightly towards the surface of the water. It wasn’t a big fish, much smaller than the other we’ve seen in the ditch, about two feet, or a bit less. I’ve always wondered what these animals feed on because I’ve never seen any other fish of any type in the ditch. I suspect we found the answer about a mile further on when a shoal of literally hundreds of brown fish, each about six inches long hurried by in the direction of the pike. They were very closely bunched together and it took quite a while, perhaps half a minute, for them to glide past. I suspect the pike broke his fast about twenty minutes after they passed. There were no birds of any great interest, a couple of jays, lots of blue and great tits, and a few gulls in the fields. TUPHOLME R Parsons 24/9/2019 at 17.50 hrs Weasel crossing B1190 road at approx TF144684 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 18th - 24th September 2019 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. A wide range of weather conditions for the past few days gave a very slight ground frost of -0.25? at Sea View on the 18th, a pleasant maximum of 21.5? on the 19th and a high ground minimum of 13.25? was noted for the 24th. The very welcome rain on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th gave a total of 16.2mm. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 180919 - Single stonechat, lesser whitethroat and chiffchaff near Sea View 190919 - At Sea View chiffchaff in song plus coal tit with blue and great tits. On Paradise lagoon 42 redshank, 8 lapwing, 6 greenshank, 16 teal and small flock of preening black- headed and common gulls. Late afternoon hunting over the saltmarsh a marsh harrier and a fine brown hen harrier. 200919 - Eight greenshank were with 46 redshank on Paradise lagoon. 210919 - Whinchat near Sea View and a brown hen harrier over the saltmarsh. 220919 - Single shoveler with 30 mallard on Rimac lagoon. 230919 - Singles of coal tit and goldcrest at Sea View with 1 swallow over the dunes. Peregrine hunting over the edge of the saltmarsh and outer dunes. At least 400+ pink-feet flying over the Sea View area, most mornings, from their roost to fields around Elm House Farm and beyond. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 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/ 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: Moor Farm LWT Reserve and SSSI – Sunday 13th October 2019 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2019-10-13/ 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. Leafminer Moths - October 5th - Colin Smith 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.... Is individual action pointless in the face of climate change? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49756280 Country diary: stunted stubs of nut signal a difficult year for oaks https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/21/country-diary-stunted-stubs-of-nut-signal-a-difficult-year-for-oaks Country diary: great trees with even greater burdens https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/24/country-diary-great-trees-with-even-greater-burdens Specieswatch: the English oak and its chattering friend https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/24/specieswatch-the-english-oak-and-its-chattering-friend Country diary: September looks like spring for a split second https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/25/country-diary-september-looks-like-spring-for-a-split-second ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/