============================================= || || 12th February 2020 || || 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 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... *** Weather warning from Met Office: Storm Dennis will bring very strong winds and potential for disruption to many parts of England and Wales on Saturday. https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/press-office/news/weather-and-climate/2020/storm-dennis-will-bring-heavy-rain-and-gales-to-the-uk-on-saturday The Recorders' Meeting was an promising event but less well attended than we had all hoped. The unfamiliar new format may have been an issue. The threat of approaching Storm Ciara was perhaps another factor. I hope the storm did not affect any of you in a serious way. We certainly had a rattling in Bardney, a few trees down in the area and some unexpected wet snowfall during the week! Burgh le Marsh windmill loses sails in Storm Ciara https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-51445119 The next LNU meeting, the AGM, will be followed by our honorary president, Chris du Feu, speaking about: 'Biological records - Cost and Lost. Thoughts of an amateur limacologist.' (Limacologist = slug expert). Chris' talks are ntbm. [ = Not to be missed!] Starts 2pm. £2 parking. A selection of topical news stories and wildlife articles can be found on the following links. Most have been suggested by fellow readers. Storm Ciara: In pictures https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51436720 Great Ponton poultry farm rejected by South Kesteven Council https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-51400970 Lincolnshire Show: Tax row threat to agricultural event https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-51465814 Wildlife photos: Squabbling mice top 'people's poll' award https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-51465064 Bumblebees' decline points to mass extinction – study https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/06/bumblebees-decline-points-to-mass-extinction-study Climate change: Loss of bumblebees driven by 'climate chaos' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-51375600 The Biodiversity Heritage Library made over 150,000 illustrations and 55 million pages of research free to download https://www.zmescience.com/science/the-biodiversity-heritage-library-made-over-150000-illustrations-and-55-million-pages-of-research-free-to-download/ Mendip ponds restored to help great crested newts breed https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-51451917 Badger falls through Northampton Superdrug shop ceiling https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-51465756 My Family and the Galapagos. Watch: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/my-family-and-the-galapagos Patricia Wiltshire on how pollen can solve crimes. The Life Scientific. Listen https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000cz0p National Insect Week 22-28 June 2020 - dates for your diary. If any Lincolnshire "insect events" need a plug, please let me know details. https://www.nationalinsectweek.co.uk/ More links in "...and finally..." 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/ [Note: Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, and start at 2pm.] Next meetings: Indoor Meetings 2020 https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ Annual General Meeting – 7th March 2020 Followed by the Presidential Address by Chris du Feu Field Meetings 2020: https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/ Unless otherside stated, field meetings start at Richard Davidson has sent details for this year's Whisby Workshops All from 12.30 until 16.30 pm. Plant Pressing - Sue Fysh - 30th May. Yellow Flowered Asteraceae / Compositae Plants - Sarah Lambert - 1st August. Owl & Other Bird Pellets - Garry Steele - 21st November. A fourth workshop on Lichens led by Mark Seaward has now been arranged. Lichens workshop - Prof Mark Seaward - Saturday the 17th of October. *** Whisby Natural History "drop-in" sessions *** The LNU has organised some drop-in sessions at the Whisby Education Centre to provide an opportunity to chat ‘natural history’ over a cup of coffee. The first session is on Saturday 15th February and will run from 2pm to 4pm. You can turn up when you like; no booking necessary. Different specialists will be present at each and if you want to discuss something in particular let them know so they can come prepared with, for example, specimens or reference material. See the LNU website for further details: https://lnu.org/meetings/drop-in-sessions/ *** Sea Watch Observer Volunteer Training Courses *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and Seawatch Foundation North Sea Observatory - Chapel Point 28th March 2020 - 9am to 5pm. Find out how to identify the different whales, dolphins and porpoises off the Lincolnshire coast and how you can help us to monitor them. Booking essential - contact Dave Miller at dmiller@lincstrust.co.uk or phone 07919 326646 *** Seal Wardens wanted 2020 *** The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust are hoping to expand their current team of volunteer seal wardens for the 2020 season. Volunteers provide valuable face-to-face contact for visitors, answer questions about the seals and other wildlife, patrol the viewing area, enforce the visitor guidelines and help to run the small gift shop. This work is done alongside the Donna Nook Wardens. For more information and/or to apply for a position please follow this link to the Trust’s website: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/vacancies *** February night sky...*** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Meteor Shower Guide 2020 https://www.rmg.co.uk/discover/explore/how-to-see-meteor-showers-key-dates *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ *** Grimsby & District RSPB *** http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby Martin Francis – Group Leader - writes: RSPB Grimsby Local Group's February Meeting and Trip for inclusion in the LNU Bulletin. The February meeting of the RSPB Grimsby Local Group features the return of Ashley Grove who will give a talk with the title “Shetland to Scilly, Birds of the British Isles”. Ashley, who is officially recommended by the RSPB and the Royal Horticultural Society, lectures widely and leads regular photographic and birding tours to The Gambia, the Shetland Islands, Isles of Scilly, Trinidad & Tobago, the Spanish Pyrenees and elsewhere. In his talk, he will take us on a journey around the British Isles, sharing wonderful images of the birds he has photographed along the way. Starting with Puffins in Shetland and finishing up with the odd rarity found on the Isles of Scilly, we will have clocked up a fair few miles from the comfort of our seat by the end of the night, but will have seen well over 100 species. The talk takes place at 7.30pm on Monday, 17th February 2020 at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, (formerly known as Corpus Christi Community Centre), Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7LH.  There will also be refreshments and a raffle Entry is £4, payable at the door. There are still spaces on our coach trip to Carsington Water in Derbyshire on Sunday 16th February (i.e. the day before the meeting). On previous visits to this reservoir, we have seen over 50 species, including great northern diver. This trip may also appeal to walkers and ramblers who will be most welcome to join us, because there is an excellent walk of about 8 miles round the lake. The coach leaves the Shoppers Car Park in Scartho, (next to Scartho Community Centre) at 7.30am, returning at 6-6.30pm. The cost is £20 per head. Booking is essential. Contact Tony Bryan by email at mariners4top@yahoo.co.uk or by phone at (01472) 873362 Everyone, RSPB members and non-members, is welcome to attend the meeting or join us on the trip. *** South Lincs RSPB *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs. RSPB Group have released details of their hugely popular “Birdwatching cruises into the Wash” programme for 2020. Fourteen cruises are arranged for 2020, at various sailing times and dates, starting 16th April and ending 23rd October. Full details of all cruise dates and times, costs etc., plus 2019 Sightings, can be found at https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/news/ Booking is once again via Spalding's South Holland Centre (01775-764777) or online at 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 *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson Lincoln Area Group Talk February 20th - Farming and Wildlife An illustrated talk in which Nicholas Watts gives a personal overview of the wildlife at Vine House Farm near Market Deeping and outlines some of the measures he has taken to improve the habitat and breeding success of a number of key species of birds. At Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission is £2.50 which includes refreshments. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Bird Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: Rare Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] RBA note on visiting Middlemarsh Wetlands, Skegness: Access from A52 thru The Pines Caravan Park, TF537628 If visiting Willow Tree Fen see: LWT website for directions and updated information on parking and access. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/willow-tree-fen What is a "ringtail" Hen Harrier? "While males are a pale grey colour, females and immatures are brown with a white rump and a long, barred tail which give them the name 'ringtail'. https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/hen-harrier/ 6/02 Black-throated Thrush 1w male still south of Grimsby Institute, Grimsby 2 Great White Egrets flew along River Trent, Trent Port Wetlands, WSE of Marton Cattle Egret by Environment Agency building, Short Ferry Road, Fiskerton Fen Long-eared Owl on island from hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 3 Tundra Bean Geese with Pink-footed Geese, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Gibraltar Point Ring-necked Duck, Great White Egret, Woodhall Spa Airfield 2 Great White Egrets on saltmarsh, 2 Hen Harriers 1 ad male, 3 Twite, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 7/02 Black-throated Thrush 1w male still south of Grimsby Institute, Grimsby Water Pipit by river, Baston Fen 3 Long-eared Owls on island from hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Cattle Egret by Short Ferry Road, between pumping station and pub. Fiskerton Fen Ring-necked Duck, Woodhall Spa Airfield Black Brant + Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Caspian gull, Hen Harrier, Short- eared Owl, 26 Twite, Donna Nook [late report] Little Stint 1 male, Frampton Marsh Richard's Pipit flew to new saltmarsh, Tundra Bean Goose on Croft Marsh, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Gibraltar Point 8/02 Black-throated Thrush 1w male still south of Grimsby Institute, Grimsby 3 Long-eared Owls on island from hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Little Stint, Frampton Marsh Little Stint, Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point Black Brant with 788 Dark-belied Brent Geese on Millennium Ridge, 2 Pale- bellied Brent Geese with 450 Dark-bellied Brent Geese on Croft Marsh, Water Pipit on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Cattle Egret by Short Ferry Road, between pumping station and pub. Fiskerton Fen Ring-necked Duck, Great White Egret, Woodhall Spa Airfield 9/02 Black-throated Thrush 1w male still south of Grimsby Institute, Grimsby 3 Long-eared Owls on island from hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Tundra Bean Goose in field west of River Steeping, Gibraltar Point 10/02 Black-throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute, Grimsby Jackson's Marsh, Water Pipit, Freshwater Marsh, Gibraltar Point Long-eared Owl on island from hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 2 Hen Harriers both ringtails, Frampton Marsh Cattle Egret by Short Ferry Road, Fiskerton Fen 11/02 2 Tundra Bean Geese with Pink-footed Geese on Croft Marsh, Lapland Bunting flew over Wash Viewpoint, Gibraltar Point Scaup, Long-eared Owl on island from hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Hen Harrier ringtail, Deeping High Bank, Crowland Great White Egret. Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Cattle Egret by Short Ferry Road, between pumping station and pub. 12/02 Black-throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute, Grimsby ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Thanks to our regular contributors across the county. Much appreciated. We rely on readers to send in their observations and we welcome records from everyone, experts or beginners. Please keep your reports coming. DON'T FORGET - TIME FLIES! Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BARDNEY - The Green TF120694 R & A Parsons No report this week. TF123706 [RP] 8/2/2020 at 16.00hrs. Barn owl hunting on road verge, Wragby Road B1202 near Bardney CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK909581 11/2/2019 Jeremy Hutchinson Barn Owl 22.30, perched on top of hedge. 12/2/2019 10.00 SK 91494 57540 Barn Owl hunting in daylight (presume recent windy/noisy nights makes finding prey difficult) HARMESTON Harmston Lowfields SK 95038 62046 11/2/2019 22.20 Barn Owl hunting road verge HOLYWELL LAKE Holywell Lake Ian Misselbrook and Denis Toomy 8th February 2020 11.25 – 12.40 Little Grebes 11 Little Egrets 3 Greylag Geese 44 Canada Geese 36 Mallard 69 Wigeon 36 Gadwall 16 Teal 3 Tufted Duck 20 Moorhen 6 Coot 2 Black-headed Gulls 36 Red Kite 1 Buzzard 1 Pied Wagtails 13 Dunnock Robin Nuthatch 2 (pair) Great Tits Blue Tits Starling 1 Jackdaws Carrion Crow Wood Pigeon Goldfinches Chaffinches HUTTOFT TF511762 (my garden) Jane Pennington 2/2/2020 Muntjac 1 4pm 3/3/2020 Great spotted woodpecker 1 heard 4/3/2020 Pheasants 2 m. 5/2/2020 Great tits 4 Ladybird 1 7-spot 6/2/2020 Great spotted woodpecker 1 in oak ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves - reports always welcome ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/ https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ LWT Reserves: reports always welcome. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/far-ings https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/gibraltar-point ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 5th February – 11th February 2020 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Weather note: South-westerly gusts observed near Sea View 67.5mph on the 9th in the morning and 50.1mph in the afternoon before which a storm gave 12.7mm of ppt in 55 minutes; 48.2mph on the 10th in the morning and 40.4mph in the afternoon, 41.1mph on the 11th. Donna Nook recorded a gust of 74 mph on 9th. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Birds now in song - great and blue tit, chaffinch, dunnock, skylark, blackbird & robin. 050220 - Tawny owl calling at Sea View. 060220 - A group of at least 90 redshank feeding on the edge of the saltmarsh near Sea View plus several skylarks in song. Two skeins of pink-feet, 210 and 190, flying NW late afternoon. 070220 - On Paradise lagoon were 8 mute swans, 4 coot, 4 moorhen, 33 wigeon, 29 shoveler, 4 mallard, 2 teal, 5 redshank and 1 shelduck with 23 curlew feeding in adjacent field. One peacock on the wing at Sea View. 080220 - A minimum of 1500 pink-feet feeding on pasture at Elm House Farm. Single marsh harrier and peregrine hunting over saltmarsh with some sparring between the two birds. 100220 - On Paradise lagoon 14 tufted ducks plus the usual wildfowl, 39 little egrets on the saltmarsh. 110220 – 1 female marsh harrier seen over saltmarsh plus 2 ringtail and 2 male hen harrier and 1 barn owl. 1 barn owl in dune near Brickyard lane. 2 little owl calling near Churchill lane. Seal Wardens needed: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust are hoping to expand their current team of volunteer seal wardens for the 2020 season. Volunteers provide valuable face-to-face contact for visitors, answer questions about the seals and other wildlife, patrol the viewing area, enforce the visitor guidelines and help to run the small gift shop. This work is done alongside the Donna Nook Wardens. For more information and/or to apply for a position please follow this link to the Trust’s website: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/vacancies ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 . See: 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 Please see below a link to the latest dormouse monitor magazine which includes an article on the Lincolnshire dormouse group. https://ptes.org/get-informed/publications/magazines/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood, Little and Great Scrubbs Woods, Minting Wood, Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park, and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow (and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Rand Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland, which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and non-designated areas. Since managing the SSSI areas carries particular responsibilities to Natural England, records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS. Examples: SNIPE DALES https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/snipe-dales WHISBY https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/whisby WILLOW TREE FEN https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/willow-tree-fen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If visiting Willow Tree Fen see LWT website for directions and updated information on parking and seasonal paths - groundwork is in progress. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/willow-tree-fen If your favourite locations are under-reported- why not send in some information? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/ 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 *** Metcheck 6-month Forecast - maybe! *** https://www.metcheck.com/WEATHER/180days.asp? *** 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. Reminder: Allan and Annette Binding are taking a break from recording. [Harvestmen, Pseudoscorpions, Spiders and Shield Bugs] Please do not send records in for now. We will let you know when alternative arrangements are in place via the LNU website and the Bulletin. *** Botany *** Botanical Group in South Lincs Contact: Sarah Lambert, who writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Also see: http://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 *** British Bryological Society *** http://www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk/ *** LNU Sawflies, Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Dr. David Sheppard Willing to examine specimens or check photos (bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** Lincolnshire Mammals *** Chris Manning, Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. Mammal Atlas You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. https://glnp.org.uk/admin/resources/mammalatlas.pdf *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further information and to submit records contact: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com 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 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 Deadline for entries: 31 March 2020 www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk *** Field Studies Council *** Bringing Environmental Understanding to All https://www.field-studies-council.org/ *** InsideEcology *** Online Magazine for Ecologists, Conservationists and Wildlife Professionals https://insideecology.com/ *** NHBS *** Should you need natural history equipment or books, a good place to start is: https://www.nhbs.com/ For the geologists... Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 *** British geology maps - now free to explore on web *** http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ *** UKGE - Geological Supplies *** https://www.ukge.com/ The Geology of Lincolnshire - downloadable book https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-geology-of-lincolnshire-h-h-swinnerton-and-p-e-kent.pdf ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in a few cases may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. *** Codes of Conduct *** RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ BTO's Birdwatchers' Code https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u10/downloads/taking-part/health/bwc.pdf BMS Code of Conduct for Responsible Collecting of Fungi https://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/mycology/conservation/code-conduct BSBI Code of conduct for picking, collecting, photographing and enjoying wild plants https://bsbi.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/Code-of-Conduct-v5-final.pdf [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see https://lnu.org/meetings/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Our indoor meetings are normally held in Lincoln at the Whisby Education Centre at Whisby Nature Park. Indoor meetings start at 2pm, with both members and non- members welcome to attend. Next Meetings: Indoor Meetings 2020 https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ Annual General Meeting – 7th March 2020 Followed by the Presidential Address by Chris du Feu Field Meetings: Doddington Hall Estate – Sunday 26th April2020 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2019-04-28/ Anderby Creek area – Saturday 30th May 2020. All dayevent. https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2019-05-12/Pebbles on the beach at the North Sea Observatory – Sunday 31st May. A Lincs. Geological Group event https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/pebbles-on-the-beach-at-the-north-sea-observatory-sunday-31st-may-a-lincs-geological-society-event/ Nettleton Top – Saturday 13th June 2020. All day event. https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2019-06-22/ Belton Park – Saturday 18th July 2020. All day event. https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2019-07-07/ Kirkstead Old Mill – Sunday 16th August 2020 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2019-07-20/ Cadney and Howsham: In the footsteps of Rev A. Woodruff-Peacock – Date TBC August 2020. All day event. https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2019-08-10/ Sudbrooke Scout Campsite – Sunday 6th September 2020 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2019-09-08/ Woodhall Spa Airfield LWT Reserve – Sunday 11th October 2020. Fungus Foray. https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2019-10-13/ Whisby Workshops - Lincoln LWT area group and LNU at Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln, in the Lafarge Education Building from 12.30 to 4.30 pm. All from 12.30 until 16.30 pm. Free of charge but booking is essential. Please contact Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or email rel.davidson@btinternet.com Plant Pressing - Sue Fysh - 30th May. Yellow Flowered Asteraceae / Compositae Plants - Sarah Lambert - 1st August. Owl & Other Bird Pellets - Garry Steele - 21st November. A fourth workshop on Lichens led by Mark Seaward has now been arranged. Lichens workshop - Prof Mark Seaward - Saturday the 17th of October. *** Whisby Natural History "drop-in" sessions *** The LNU has organised some drop-in sessions at the Whisby Education Centre to provide an opportunity to chat ‘natural history’ over a cup of coffee. The first session is on Saturday 15th February and will run from 2pm to 4pm. You can turn up when you like; no booking necessary. Different specialists will be present at each and if you want to discuss something in particular let them know so they can come prepared with, for example, specimens or reference material. See the LNU website for further details: https://lnu.org/meetings/drop-in-sessions/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** Mail fails: 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 has your GDPR email consent box ticked and that your name/details are as you want them to be. ....and finally... EU fishing rules: Did the UK throw away a million tonnes of fish? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51415240 Country diary: sunny 'choirboys' push their ruffs out of the leaf litter https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/31/country-diary-sunny-choirboys-with-emerald-ruffs-push-out-of-the-leaf-litter Country diary: the telltale signs of a wood mouse https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/01/country-diary-the-telltale-signs-of-a-wood-mouse Country diary: tiny shield lichen tell a big story https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/feb/06/country-diary-tiny-shield-lichen-tell-a-big-story Extinct date palms grown from 2000-year-old seeds found in Israel https://www.newscientist.com/article/2232464-extinct-date-palms-grown-from-2000-year-old-seeds-found-in-israel/ Mud wasps used to date Australia's aboriginal rock art https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-51378317 Australia: ‘Bat tornado’ invades Queensland town https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-asia-51411832/ Australia fires: How a unique slug species survived https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-australia-51321031/ Scallop fishermen 'don't want to damage the environment' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-wales-51411680/ ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/