============================================ || || 30th December 2020 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || || LNU Website: || http://lnu.org/ || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Information, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights from Rare Bird Alert 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves/Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR - including Chambers Wood Farm 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..... don't miss the links... ============================================ 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 - new layout http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Information, hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor writes... *** This is the last Bulletin of 2020. Thank you for all the support you have given. I hope we have managed to keep you informed and entertained during the Covid pandemic. Hopefully we will all keep safe in 2021! We wish you a Happy New Year and look forward to your future contributions. Please send in your reports via the Bulletin or to the appropriate recorder[s] if you prefer: https://lnu.org/specialists/ [If unsure on this, see section 7. "Sending in Reports - contributors please read!"] To email me please use the recommended address: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Are you aware of Bird Flu H5N8 aka Avian Influenza? Would you recognise the signs? The latest DEFRA advice update is worth a read: How to spot avian influenza (bird flu), what to do if you suspect it, and measures to prevent it. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu also - specifically in wild birds: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu#wild-birds-in-england Correction: When pasting across my Tripe Fungus report last week I managed to call Nigel Sardeson "Ray" by mistake. The relevant paragraph below has my correction. Apologies to Nigel and to recorder, Ray Halstead for tangling them up together! Sorry for the slip. [We visited the pigs on 27th December and the fungi were still there but are luxuriant now.] Nigel Sardeson said: "The elm tree that the pigs were made from grew in Potterhanworth church yard, it died of Dutch elm disease and I cut it down perhaps 15 years ago. Interestingly its twin is still there and perfectly healthy, I think they were both “smooth leaved elm” Ulmus carpinifolia which has a tolerance of the disease." https://www.visitlincoln.com/media/downloads/Water_Rail_Way_Leaflet_and_Map.pdf Weather Forecast: 3 - 12 Jan "Likely remaining cold throughout this period with the risk of wintry hazards. It will be dry at times, with the driest and clearest conditions likely in the west and northwest, and showers likely further east. These showers often wintry with hill snow but with a chance of snow falling to lower-levels at times. " https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ Covid-19-related information: Please stay aware of updated government advice and adapt your personal precautions accordingly as the measures "evolve". See: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus "All LNU meetings are cancelled" policy continues. When eventually judged safe, we will announce any plans for resumption of LNU events through the Bulletin, the LNU Twitter feed and LNU meetings webpages. https://lnu.org/meetings/ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus Events/activities for Love Lincs Plants remain suspended until further notice. https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants RSPB: map for which reserves and facilities you can access. https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/coronavirus/reserve-reboot/ Forestry England’s coronavirus guidance: https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide Please let us know of any local Covid-related deveopments readers might need to hear about. Wildlife organisations wishing me to publicise any alterations or new guidelines are welcome to get in touch with updates for the Bulletin. Here is a selection of informative and we hope entertaining links from topical local to national and international news stories and articles sent in by fellow- readers. There should be something to interest you. More links in "...and finally..."' 'Earliest' letter to Santa sent from Lincolnshire in 1895 - nice story https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-55437293 Bright as a feather: Stunning shots of birds in action for RSPB photo contest https://uk.news.yahoo.com/stunning-images-birds-photo-competition-rspb-152549242.html Fishing boat explosion: Seabed munitions may have caused blast off Norfolk https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-55422884 Withernsea: Whales stranded on beach die - sad report https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-55436369 Work begins to remove dead whales from beach - the Whale-climbers https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-55475413 Pi the whale is Christmas treat for Scilly islanders - great report! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-55452865 Rare black fox sighting in Somerset brings traffic to a standstill https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-55470279 In pictures: The Great Conjunction. Did you manage to catch it? We did. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-55409934 Space images: The best of 2020 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-55057865 BBC Radio 3 Gibraltar Point Sound Walk - Slow Radio - Broadcast on Boxing Day and available on BBC Sounds for 30 days. See what you think. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000qhj7 Dynasties - watch on i-Player: Five extraordinary animals, each in a heroic struggle against rivals and against the forces of nature... 5 episodes. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p06mvmmr/dynasties Exploring wonderful winter words - listen - BBC Sounds https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p05qz2jk Eight reasons to love reindeer https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5N6dxWMxYzfZsdpq6xvlL40/ Can you help us find some more readers, please? Try the "forward to a friend" link at the end of the Bulletin. You can also direct people to: https://lnu.org/publications/wildnews-bulletin/ Tip: If possible avoid forwarding on your individual Bulletin to others. Best to use the secure "Forward to a Friend" link at the end of each issue, please. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - this is my best address for emails please. *** Grimsby and Cleethorpes area group LWT cancellation *** Carolyn Davis writes: Due to the ongoing situation with the COVID-19 pandemic the Grimsby & Cleethorpes Area group LWT have taken the decision to cancel the rest of their indoor and outdoor meetings up to and including April 2021. *** South Lincs RSPB Social Group Cruise programme *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB Group announce that , due to the current pandemic and general uncertainty, they are unable to offer any more information or proposed sailing dates about a 2021 Cruise programme. However the Group can announce that the Boat Owners have decided that the “Boston Belle” will not be available for the foreseeable future for ANY cruises. It will however be replaced by a smaller boat with a smaller capacity [compared to the Boston Belle]. Please keep checking the website where we will publish further information when we have it. https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/ *** Heads Up for Big Garden Birdwatch 2021 Friday 29 and Sunday 31 January *** Your reminder may already be winging its way to you. "You can participate in the Birdwatch anytime between Friday 29 and Sunday 31 January. Simply spend an hour counting the birds in your garden, from your balcony or in your local park. Then tell us what you saw. " https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/ *** Moth Night 2021 Dates for the diary *** Planning ahead: Moth Night 2021 takes place over the three nights of 8th - 10th July. The theme for the 2021 event is Reedbeds & Wetlands. Please let us know if you are planning anything. STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. NHS About Coronavirus [COVID-19] https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 Road works and hold-ups. https://roadworks.org/ Met Office Severe Warnings https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails EasyTide http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline - sign up if at risk. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx Lyme Disease https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/ *** December Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html NOTE that due to COVID 19 the 2021 edition on Night Scenes will only be available as a pdf or kindle and produced in 2 parts covering 6 months each. http://www.astrospace.co.uk/nightscenes/ns-current.html NOCTILUCENT CLOUDS ARE MISSING! "Something strange is happening 50 miles above Antarctica. Or rather, not happening. Noctilucent clouds (NLCs), which normally blanket the frozen continent in December, are almost completely missing." https://spaceweather.com/ Meteor Shower Guide 2021 The Quadrantids meteor shower peaks on the afternoon of Jan 3rd. https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/skills/quadrantid-meteor-shower-when-how-to-see/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ 22/12 Hen Harrier male, Thurlby Fen Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier male over saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh 3 Bitterns, Fiskerton Fen Red-necked Grebe, Covenham reservoir 23/12 Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier, Thurlby Fen 3 Bitterns, Fiskerton Fen Red-necked Grebe, Covenham reservoir Waxwing flew north over, Winter's Pond, East Halton Skitter 24/12 7 Long-eared Owls, Main Lake from track to hide, Deeping Lakes Deeping St James 6 Bean Goose sp, 3 White-fronted Geese, 2 Snow Buntings, Iceland Gull, Gibraltar Point Scaup fem on lake, Cleethorpes cCity Park Scaup 1w drk, Winter's Pond, East Halton Skitter Waxwing flew north over, Winter's Pond, East Halton Skitter 25/12 12 Snow Buntings on beach, Cleethorpes 26/12 2 Hen Harriers, 1 male, on saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh 2 Hen Harriers, 1 male, over saltmarsh, Freiston Shore 3 Velvet Scoters, all drks, midway between Brickyard Lane and Crook Bank, Theddlethorpe on sea 2 Great White Egrets at Great Eau, Theddlethope All Saints. 1 in field - 1 flew off. 27/12 4 Short-eared Owls at Deeping High Bank, NE of Deeping St Nicholas 4 Long-eared Owls, Main Lake from track to hide, Deeping Lakes Deeping St James Great White Egret flew over Harlaxton, SW of Grantham Great White Egret at West End GPs along Greatford Cut, Langtoft Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier male over wet grassland Frampton Marsh Grey Phalarope in wet fields near corral, Freiston Shore Hen Harrier ringtail, Rimac Hen Harrier male, over fields south of Burton Road, Heckington Red-necked Grebe, Covenham reservoir Scaup 1w drk, Tallington Lakes Bittern, in reeds from hide, Fiskerton Fen "This Week" (sic) Grey Phalarope, Red-necked Grebe, 2 Long-tailed Ducks, 2 Velvet Scoters, Huttoft Car Terrace 28/12 2 Smew, both drks, Baston+Langtoft GPs 4 Long-eared Owls, Main Lake in gully from track to hide, Deeping Lakes Deeping St James Short-eared Owl at Deeping High Bank, NE of Deeping St Nicholas Grey Phalarope in wet fields near corral, Freiston Shore Scaup 1w drk, Tallington Lakes 29/12 Bewick's Swan, Baston Fen 2 Smew drks, from south bank, Baston+ Langtoft Fen 4 Long-eared Owls, Main Lake in gully from track to hide, Deeping Lakes Deeping St James Short-eared Owl at Deeping High Bank, NE of Deeping St Nicholas Hen Harrier, Heckington Scaup 1w drk, Main Lake, Tallington Lakes Grey Phalarope 1w in wet fields near corral from pillbox, Freiston Shore Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 2 Great White Egrets, Bardney Lock Iceland Hull at river mouth, Red-necked Grebe offshore, Great Northern Diver flew north, Rimac 2 Russian White-fronted Geese at Elm House Farm, Saltfleetby 16 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes 30/12 Red-necked Grebe, Turnstone, Covenham reservoir Grey Phalarope 1w in wet fields near corral Freiston Shore ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work and drop-in sessions at the Queen in the West pub! http://www.bbc.co.uk/lincolnshire/content/articles/2005/08/30/nature_sightings_feature.shtml Useful Hedgehog Links https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ http://caddingtonhedgehogs.blogspot.com/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog: http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ Bird Club - latest sightings: https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/sightings/latest-news Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch - latest sightings: https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/lincolnshire-latest-sightings BTO tracked cuckoos: https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/cuckoo-tracking-project ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Hedgehogs? Badgers? Otters? Reports welcome. None reported this week. Chris Manning writes: It would be helpful if readers would continue to report otter road kills and sightings to help build up relevant data. Carcases may be sent to: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/otter-project [Alas our local EA team no longer support the project by paying for transport.] Potential Bovine TB Hotspot Area - Lincolnshire Wolds "If you find a dead badger or wild deer carcase within the PHA, please report this to the Animal and Plant Health Agency [APHA] via the Defra Rural Services Helpline 03000 200301. They will need the following details: 1. The location of the carcase to assess whether it falls within the PHA and in order to find it, if it’s suitable for collection. This could be an OS grid reference, longitude-latitude co-ordinates, the what3words address (tapping on the exact square where the carcase is located), a postcode or enough detail to precisely locate the carcase 2. Whenever possible an assessment of the condition of the carcase because decomposing or extensively damaged carcases are not suitable for post mortem examination." *** 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/ Chris Manning writes: Please remember to use grid refs, If a recorder doesn't, it not only adds work but must invariably loose accuracy. DON'T FORGET - TIME FLIES! Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. Include the time too if relevant - e.g. for Bat records. *** 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. BARDNEY - The Green TF120694 R & A Parsons No report this week. RIVER WITHAM, NEAR BARDNEY TF119 677 Mary and Phil Porter 27th December 2020 A walk in bright sunshine after heavy overnight rain. X100+ wigeon with their distinctive whistling calls. In several small flocks, coming down just out of sight, but presumably the lagoons at the Sugar Beet factory. X15 teal moving up the river X3 lapwings X100+ fieldfares amongst the hawthorn hedgerows, crossing the river in flocks from time to time X40+ redwings working the same hedgerows Several blackbirds and a wren also in the hedgerow X10 pied wagtails in adjacent field X10 approx pipits also in adjacent fields BLANKNEY Blankney Fen TF125627 Garden 24/12/20 Alan Lazenby Brambling male and female not seen here for many years Greenfinch >8 Gold Finch >6 Dunnock 1 Reed Bunting 2 Black Bird 1 Pheasant Male 1 Blue Tit 2 Great Tit 1 Collared Dove 2 Stock Dove 2 Kestrel 1 Wood Pidgeon 3 Robin 1 Chaffinch 2 Note: For the last 20 yrs. There have been 10—20 Tree sparrows in the garden (no House Sparrows) using > 6 nest boxes generally 3 broods a year. This year from October no Tree Sparrows have been seen. A conversation with my neighbour at Poplar Farm TF1363 indicated that the Tree Sparrows there had all disappeared. When clearing out the nest boxes in November, 2 had dead Tree sparrows sitting on eggs. Most of the surrounding fields are sugar beet. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 19/12/2020 Dunnocks 2 Red-tailed bumble bee 1 21/12/2020 Chaffinch 1 f. Long-tailed tits 8-10 Don't usually see so many here 22/11/2020 Blackbirds 8 Rooks 11 - in oak Wren 1 24/12/2020 Dunnocks 2 25/12/2020 Rooks 24 The birds were again in the oak and breaking off small branches. I was surprised at this. Were they collecting these to repair their nests? 27/12/2020 Chaffinch 2 m & f Long-tailed tits  2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. COASTAL NNRs and Nature Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ LWT Reserves 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Frampton Marsh & Freiston Shore are listed as Open. https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/coronavirus/reserve-reboot/ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19 includes details of which LWT reserves are open and other advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 16th – 29th December 2020 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 161220 - A feeding group of 28 little egrets and 7 lapwing nearby on the saltmarsh. A flock of 97 jackdaws feeding in a pasture field at Elm House Farm and 10 barnacle geese in an adjacent field. 94 whooper swan, 600 pink-footed geese and 200 wigeon roosted on Rimac lagoon 171220 - Elm House Farm: 207 Canada geese, 11 grey lags, 44 pink-feet and at least 300 wigeon. 191220 - On winter rape field near Saltfleet: 52 whooper swans, 18 mute swans and 55 curlew. 201220 - Rimac lagoon: 45 whooper swans and 490 pink-feet, male hen harrier and 2 marsh harriers over saltmarsh. At Sea View a single bullfinch and tawny owl calling at day break.14 snow bunting at Crook Bank. A male merlin and female peregrine were on the beach out from Brickyard Lane. 8 white-fronted geese flew inland (one group of six and two with a small group of pink-footed geese) and 5 whooper swan flew south. 2 velvet scoter and a great northern diver on the sea. Donna Nook 181220 - Seal count: 1,021 pups, 162 cows, 248 bulls. Total number of pups born to date: 2,213 surpassing last years final total of 2,187. Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust have taken the decision to keep the seal viewing area at Donna Nook closed for the rest of the seal pupping season due to Lincolnshire being placed into Tier 3 of coronavirus lockdown conditions. To help stop the spread of the virus and to keep our staff, volunteers, the local community and the seals safe, we will be keeping the seal viewing area closed. We would ask everyone to follow the Government guidelines and not to visit Donna Nook: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook-bookings 22-251220 – A glossy ibis was feeding on the realignment area. Also see: 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Forestry Commission advice: https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch. See: https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html The Hazel Dormouse https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/cy/node/35 Lincolnshire Dormouse Group You can 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. LWT Top Reserves: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on the Coronavirus, Covid-19 plus details of any LWT reserves which are now open and the related advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Recorders and improve the quality and quantity of reports 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! 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.] Bulletin mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually goes out on Wednesdays/Thursdays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ Downloads of LNU books are available on: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ LNU Bursaries: Why not apply for one? The LNU offers bursaries for natural history courses, or for identification materials (e.g. books or online resources) to help recording in any group of plants, animals or fungi in Lincolnshire. The upper limit is £300. You do not need to be a member of the LNU to apply, but it would help. The LNU would, however, expect you to put your newly facilitated skills into practice and derive some Lincolnshire records. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course, or to buy books to help you, please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk *** Love Lincs Plants *** Events and activities for Love Lincs Plants remain suspended until further notice. Love Lincs Plants Twitter feed - active... https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants LLP Project Partners and related links: Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Natural History Museum Twitter feed https://twitter.com/nhm_botany?lang=en Sir Joseph Banks Society Dr Anke Timmermann FLS discusses Joseph Banks’ florilegium https://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/ Lincoln University School of Life Sciences https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/lifesciences/ *** 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 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/ *** 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 https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/2018-10/BC%20Policy%20on%20collecting%2C%20breeding%20and%20photography%202018.pdf *** 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: Lincolnshire Police Advice on Hare Coursing https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/hare-coursing/ Rural Crime News https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Useful identification links: Butterfly guide to part of Europe including Britain - free to download https://assets.vlinderstichting.nl/docs/0b095bc2-0387-4785-9f7e-5f7a987b3468.pdf Fungi Families/Types Identity Parade https://www.first-nature.com/fungi/ British wasp guide: how to identify common species https://www.countryfile.com/wildlife/insects-invertebrates/british-wasp-guide-how-to-identify-common-species-lifecycle-and-why-wasps-sting-in-autumn/ NatureSpot on Ladybirds https://www.naturespot.org.uk/taxonomy/term/19357 Naturespot on Spiders https://www.naturespot.org.uk/taxonomy/term/19515 Naturespot on Beetles https://www.naturespot.org.uk/beetles Identifying British bugs - an online identification guide https://www.britishbugs.org.uk/gallery/heteroptera/Pentatomoidea/pentatomoidea.html LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ 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. *** 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. *** 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) Contact: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com Please have a look at https://www.recordpool.org.uk/index.php for an easy way to record your amphibian and reptile species records. Or you can send any records to Ashley Butterfield (Lincolnshire Amphibian and Reptile Recorder) at LearningOutdoors@btinternet.com Please include Species, Date, Time, Location, numbers as a minimum (Other useful information includes Temperature and Weather conditions.) *** 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 (of which LERC is a part) http://www.glnp.org.uk/ Contact: charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk The Lincolnshire Environmental Awards have now been cancelled for 2020 and will resume in 2021, all being well. *** Field Studies Council *** Bringing Environmental Understanding to All https://www.field-studies-council.org/ *** InsideEcology *** Online Magazine for Ecologists, Conservationists and Wildlife Professionals https://insideecology.com/ *** NHBS *** Should you need natural history equipment or books, a good place to start is: https://www.nhbs.com/ For the geologists... *** Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group *** https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 *** British geology maps - now free to explore on web *** http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ *** UKGE - Geological Supplies *** https://www.ukge.com/ *** The Geology of Lincolnshire - downloadable book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-geology-of-lincolnshire-h-h-swinnerton-and-p-e-kent.pdf *** British Geological Survey at Keyworth *** https://www.bgs.ac.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 instances may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed please 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 *** BMS Code of Conduct for Responsible Collecting of Fungi https://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/mycology/conservation/code-conduct RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ [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/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events - Important message for LNU members *** Précis of Nick Tribe's announcement on future events - full text in 7th Oct Bulletin. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletin2020oct07.txt As the Covid 19 risk remains high the Executive has taken the decision to cancel the first two meetings and (hopefully) postpone the AGM to July/August/September 2021. i.e. January 16th joint talk with Lincolnshire Bird Club February 27th Recorders’ meeting March 27th AGM The Executive will explore dates in the summer for the AGM. ...If a delayed AGM is not possible, the Executive is happy to remain in post until March 2022. We have considered alternatives such as an online AGM, but none appear to be workable. We hope to publish a summary of the accounts in the Spring 2021 Communiqué and should be able to update members on the delayed AGM at that time. Any queries about the accounts can be sent to Chris Manning. The Executive continues to be active via email and telephone and is monitoring the situation with an eye on the 2021 field meeting programme. As with the AGM, the Union may be able to run some field meetings in 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Richard Chadd or Nick Tribe." LNU Officers & Executive https://lnu.org/about/officers-executive/ Richard Davidson says of the Whisby Workshops: "All are cancelled for this year. I am hoping to run them this time next year if at all possible, but that depends on whether something approaching normal life has returned by then." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** None this week. ....and finally... Readers have a wide range of interests which I try to reflect in the news and information given in the Bulletin. Please help with suggestions for future links. Fox and photographer strike up unlikely friendship https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-kent-55431713 Perranporth whale salvage machine overwhelmed by sea https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-55452864 Atlantic discovery: 12 new species 'hiding in the deep' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-55427860 Climate change: 2021 will be cooler but still in top six warmest https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-55365414 Country diary: a heron he would a-wooing go https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/16/country-diary-a-heron-he-would-a-wooing-go Willow tit becomes Britain's fastest declining resident bird, survey finds https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/17/willow-tit-becomes-britains-fastest-declining-resident-bird-survey-finds Lincolnshire - Country diary: green woodpecker makes his annual flying visit https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/19/country-diary-green-woodpecker-makes-his-annual-flying-visit Oysters return to Belfast Lough after more than 100 years https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/26/oysters-return-belfast-lough ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/