============================================= || || 1st January 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 - 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... *** 2020 is here and I wish readers the very best for the New Year, first of the "20s". I hope you are enjoying the weekly reports and wildlife news stories, and that our selection of Lincolnshire events will attract you to some meetings. If you are not yet sending in reports to LNU recorders, directly or via the Bulletin, please try to get us something this year. Reader contributions are always very welcome. A big thank you goes to all the LNU Recorders, who do so much behind the scenes. If you come along to the Recorders' meeting in February you can put faces to names. Those who know Gibraltar Point should make a note of Barrie Wilkinson's talk on 11th January - definitely one not to be missed. Look out for Quadrantid meteor shower - 1-6 January 2020 - if skies are clear. https://www.rmg.co.uk/discover/explore/how-to-see-meteor-showers-key-dates Flood Alert: Barlings Eau and Duckpool Catchwater - 31st December 2019 https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/target-area/053WAF117BED New appeal - Missing man Fred Gibson - still no news at the time of writing. https://www.lincs.police.uk/news-campaigns/news/2019/new-appeal-missing-man-fred-gibson/ Major road into Lincoln to be closed for up to FIVE MONTHS - Washingborough https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/major-road-lincoln-closed-up-3652977 I have been doing one of my occasional purges of Bulletin "non-openers". If you hear of anyone who has been wrongly unsubscribed please let me know and I will rectify that for them. Donna Nook. Check Weekly Seal Update before visiting. Numbers are dropping swiftly. 30/12/2019 - 2 bulls, 2 cows and 55 pups https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/weekly-update 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. A selection of topical news stories and wildlife articles can be found on the following links. Most have been suggested by fellow readers. Record sightings of whales, dolphins and seals in UK, says Wildlife Trusts https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-50949041 Working on an East Yorkshire cliff edge: 'I have no choice', says farmer - watch https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-humber-50872087/working-on-an-east-yorkshire-cliff-edge-i-have-no-choice-says-farmer Lincolnshire Police take dogs' DNA as hare coursing evidence https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-50958801 Elusive 'Fen Tiger' spotted by dog walker in countryside - has anyone spotted it? https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/elusive-fen-tiger-spotted-dog-3683611 RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch: 25-27 January 2020 https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/ Skomer Island managers seek 'fit and hardy' staff - fall asleep to the shearwaters..... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-50957644 2019 Review - The Year in Science - watch https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000cwgv/review-2019-2-the-year-in-science Climate change: Migrant species do well in warm and wet UK in 2019 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50866337 Extinction: A million species at risk, so what is saved? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50788571 Replanting Britain: 'It’s about the right tree in the right place' https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/dec/28/replanting-britain-its-about-the-right-tree-in-the-right-place Britain's ancient wetlands and peat bogs must be restored to protect thousands of homes ... https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/12/24/britains-ancient-wetlands-peat-bogs-must-restored-protect-thousands/ More links in "...and finally..." Thanks for all the support. Please keep your contributions coming. If you need a plug for your Natural History events and activities - please let me know. Always glad to 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/ [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/ ‘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 *** January 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. Our first talk for 2020 is on Monday, 13th January when we have a visit by Dr Miguel Morale-Maqueda of the Natural and Environmental Sciences department at Newcastle University. He comes to give us his illustrated talk that he has entitled "Ocean and Climate - How ocean processes shape Earth's climate". The talk will provide an overview of the history of oceanography as a scientific exploration endeavour and will also discuss the crucial part played by ocean processes in driving and controlling the global climate, notably as regards glaciations and current climatic changes. Starting at 7.15pm we shall meet as usual in the St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is a large, free car park at the Church. There is no charge for entry to our meetings but a donation bowl is provided to help us pay the speaker's fees and travel expenses. There will be a mid-talk break in the meeting during which light refreshments are available for a small charge. For further details please contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** Grimsby & District RSPB *** http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby *** LWT Reserves *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves *** LWT Get Involved page - including Area Groups *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved *** Boston LWT *** Reserves - An Aerial Perspective A talk by Dave Bromwich, the Trust's Reserve Manager The talk will be at 7.30 P.M. on Thursday, January 9th, 2020 in the schoolroom of the Centenary Methodist Church in Red Lion Street, Boston All welcome, free ( a leaving collection ) refreshments. For more information contact Geof Lee on 01205366923 *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk Carolyn Davis writes: On Sunday 12th January 2020 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a morning bird walk at Covenham Reservoir near Louth with Graham Hicks. Meet Graham at 8am in the carpark Grid Ref. TF 349955, nearest postcode LN11 0PD. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event however donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact Graham Hicks 07979089890. On Monday 13th January 2020 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them at their next indoor meeting where the excellent Steve Lovell will give an illustrated presentation - "Highlands and Islands" - The Best of Scotland. Be prepared for amazing scenery, rugged peaks spectacular sea bird colonies. WARNING This presentation contains cute Puffins! This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30 pm. Admission £3, all are welcome. Trust sales stall, raffle, tea & coffee available. For further details contact Jennie Redpath - 01472 502858. *** South Holland LWT *** Wildlife of the Norfolk Coast A talk by Geof Lee The talk will be at 7.30 P.M. on Tuesday, 14th January, 2020 in Pinchbeck Village Hall Entry £1.50p including refreshments. All welcome. For more information contact Geof Lee on 01205366923 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 26/12 Black-necked Grebe, Thurlby GPs Red-necked Grebe on sea. 2 Velvet Scoters, Water Pipit flew over Sykes Farm, Snow Bunting, Gibraltar Point 27/12 Ring-necked Duck, drk Smew, Ruddy Shelduck, Baston & Langtoft GPs Bittern, Far Ings, Baton-upon-Humber Little Gull over Humber, 2 Short-eared Owls, Goxhill Haven Black Brant from Wash viewpoint with 360 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 3 Velvet Scoters, Red-necked Grebe, Water Pipit, Snow Bunting, Gibraltar Point Black Brant with 200 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 5+ Twite, [late report] Donna Nook 28/12 Ring-necked Duck, Smew drk, Baston & Langtoft GPs Lapland Bunting heard only, Mill Hill, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Velvet Scoters on sea, 2 Hen Harriers from Wash viewpoint, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier ringtail, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh [late report] 29/12 Waxwing, Saltfleetby St Peter 4+ Twite, 5 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes coast 2 Hen Harrier ringtails, 2 Water Pipits, Baston Fen Water Pipit, male Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier, Freiston Shorw [late report] 30/12 Black Brant ad, 30+ Snow Buntings, 12+ Twite from seal viewing area, Gibraltar Point 2 Hen Harriers, both ringtails, Baston Fen Bittern, Far Ings, Barton-upon-Humber [late report] 31/12 Scaup, 1w drk, Denton reservoir 2 Long-eared Owls on island from hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Smew drk at The Ocean, Baston + Langtoft gravel pits Iceland Gull, Manby Flashes Hen Harrier male, Pale-bellied Brent Goose with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Snow Bunting, Gibraltar Point Lapland Bunting, Snow Bunting, 2 Hen Harriers, 3 Velvet Scoters, between Tetney and North Cotes Great White Egret, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 12 Water Pipits, male Hen Harrier, 3 Russian White-fronted Geese, Alkborough Flats 2 White-fronted Geese at Alderfen, Wroot [late report] 1/1/2020 Black-throated Diver flew south past Anderby Creek Long-eared Owl on island from hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Lapland Bunting, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, ad Black Brant, Hen Harrier, c30 Snow Buntings, c20 Twite, 4 Russian White-fronted Geese flew over, Donna Nook Ruddy Shelduck drk, Smew drk at The Ocean, Baston + Langtoft gravel pits Hen Harrier male, 15 Russian White-fronted Geese at Croft Marsh, Gibraltar Point 40+ Russian White-fronted Geese flew over Huttoft Car Terrace Iceland Gull, Manby Flashes Scaup, 1w drk, Denton reservoir ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. OTTER Jonathan Bye Otter 30/12/2019 Found freshly dead on B1165 beside Little South Holland Drain. 100 cm long from nose to tail. Near Saturday Bridge, Whaplode St Catherine TF350202 Chris Manning adds: 15 otters recorded this year, 7 of which were sights, the rest RTA. MOLES Jane Ostler End of December 2019 In the winter during wet periods I note new molehills appearing on the higher ground of roadside verges. This December with the higher rainfall and flooded fields there have been exceptional numbers of molehills along the High Dyke (B6403) between Colsterworth and Ancaster - with groups of forty or more as you approach Ancaster. On the A52 Grantham to Boston, another stretch I regularly record, molehills are at present found either in the narrow 'breed' (3ft) at the road edge or confined to round- about junctions. In the Boston area with water standing in fields of unharvest3ed crops there is virtually nowhere to go. *** 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 27/12/2019 1 regular jackdaw has only one leg. Seems to compensate remarkably. Dunnock - 3 House Sparrow - 12+ Starling - 12+ - 30+ in area Blackbird - 3 Robin - 1 Magpie - 2 Jackdaw - 6+ Black-headed Gull - variable. 24+ in area Blue tits - 4 Great tits 4 CHAMBERS FARM WOODS R & A Parsons 26/12/2019 Notable flush of Hedgehog fungi, Hydnum repandum. Many fruiting bodies seen in broadleaf compartments. Photo taken. GRIMSBY Grid Ref TA265095 Joyce Attia 1st January 2020 09.20 hrs 29th December 2019 A morning walk along the river side - the weather has been very mild for December - the mallards are bowing to each other, the moorhens seem to have paired up, a little grebe has taken up residence, the juvenile swans are growing up and the adult male has driven some of them away - the juvenile with a deformed wing is still with the parents, it is smaller than the others but feeds well and swims well, though I doubt if it will be able to fly. A small flock of black headed gulls came to share the food that people were throwing in for the swans In the distance I could hear a robin. 21.00 hrs I walked over the bridge and just at the edge in the reeds four of the juvenile swans were sleeping with their heads tucked under their wings. Midnight, I let the dog out in the garden and switched the security light off. There were no clouds and the stars were so bright, the beautiful Orion constellation with his hunting dog Sirius so clear you could almost touch it. Those of us who live in towns are plagued with light pollution and really appreciate nights like this. In the garden. I've just begun to feed the birds again, having stopped in the summer when we got a rat. Up to now there has been food for the birds without our help but now January is here the weather is bound to get worse. No bird has yet taken advantage of the food. May I wish everyone a happy 2020 TF511762 (my garden) HUTTOFT Jane Pennington 24/12/2019 Dunnocks 2 Rat 1 Woodmouse 1 26/12/2019 Barn owl 1 Screeching at 4 a.m. WADDINGTON Peter Wilson 27.12 .2019 SK97560 63993 My garden. Approx, 15 long tailed tits flew into my garden, had a good feed on the sunflower hearts feeder, then went round the rest of the garden investigating all the bushes and shrubs for spiders etc before moving on to find another garden to raid. A beautiful sight . Also several days ago a flight of 150 - 200 geese flying over in a north westerly direction, not sure what sort they were , too high up and no binoculars handy. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Donna Nook. Check Weekly Seal Update before visiting. Numbers are dropping swiftly. 30/12/2019 - 2 bulls, 2 cows and 55 pups https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/weekly-update ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR These cover a huge area, and records from them and records from volunteer recorders are one of the main inputs to management planning and the protection of rare/scarce and critical species. Reports always welcome. https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/visit/woods-and-nature-reserves/127031.article https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/get-involved/ Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch Southrey Wood work party volunteers needed. See: https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html The Hazel Dormouse https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/cy/node/35 Lincolnshire Dormouse Group Volunteers needed this winter. The group still meets over winter to carry out essential coppice management of the wood and maintenance activities and anyone is welcome to come along and help. Just get in touch via lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood, Little and Great Scrubbs Woods, Minting Wood, Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park, and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow (and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Rand Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland, which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and non-designated areas. Since managing the SSSI areas carries particular responsibilities to Natural England, records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS. Examples: SNIPE DALES https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/snipe-dales WHISBY https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/whisby WILLOW TREE FEN https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/willow-tree-fen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Reports always welcome... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually goes out on Thursdays or Fridays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** http://lnu.org/ LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given on the website. Downloads of LNU books are available on: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ A list of all the articles contained in Transactions (Transactions page) and a list of the Presidents (Officers page) is also available. LNU Bursaries: The LNU offers bursaries for natural history courses. The upper limit is £250. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk *** Love Lincs Plants - Updates from the Partnership *** To view the LWT project page go to: LoveLincsPlants Webpage: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants Love Lincs Plants Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Natural History Museum Twitter feed https://twitter.com/nhm_botany?lang=en Sir Joseph Banks Society http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/news-events/lincolnshire-plants-project/ Lincoln University School of Life Sciences blog https://lifesciences.sites.lincoln.ac.uk/2016/09/30/heritage-lottery-funding-to-safeguard-lincolnshire-plants/ Also see: *** Collections Dataset - LNU "historic specimens" *** All of of the specimens that have been processed and digitised to date can now be viewed here: http://data.nhm.ac.uk/dataset/lincs-plants *** The Flora of Lincolnshire by Joan Gibbons - downloadable book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-flora-of-lincolnshire-e-joan-gibbons.pdf *** VC54 North Lincolnshire Plant List *** Paul Kirby has produced a list which details all the vascular plant and stonewort taxa with records on the MapMate botanical database for VC54, North Lincolnshire, at the end of January 2017. You can download this on: https://lnu.org/specialists/vascular-plants/ *** Botanical Group in South Lincs *** Contact: Sarah Lambert, who writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Also see: http://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 *** CONTACTS LIST *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** Lincs Bird Club Website *** http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk LBC County Bird Recorder Phil Hyde - County Recorder, Lincs Bird Club recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Bat Group website *** http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/lincolnshire-chalk-streams *** Lincsbirders *** http://www.lincsbirders.org/ *** 2020 Big Farmland Bird Count *** Friday 7th to Sunday 16th February 2020. 2019 results on the BFBC website: https://www.bfbc.org.uk/ FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE: 07768-501895 PAGER: 07654-330877 Related Webpages: Rural Crime News https://www.lincs.police.uk/news-campaigns/news/2019/rural-crime-news/ STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Check for road works and hold-ups: very useful *** https://roadworks.org/ *** EasyTide *** http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service *** http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx *** Lyme Disease *** https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. When asking for help: Please give the the very best information you can provide. If you are not sure, ask what is needed from you to confirm identification. Photographs are helpful but not every species can be identified from a photograph. When asked for further details, get back to them promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcome. *** Botany *** Botanical Group in South Lincs Contact: Sarah Lambert, who writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Also see: http://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 *** British Bryological Society *** http://www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk/ *** 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/ 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/ ‘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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** Mail fails: None this week. If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, please let me know. Text copies of current and past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Reminder: Please check and make sure that your account on Mailchimp does have your GDPR email consent box ticked and that your name/details are as you want them to be. ....and finally... Mountain biker discovers rare lichen in UK first - Bryologists? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-50913402 'Bear Bathtub' Caught on Camera in Yellowstone - watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl5PK5JOXvk&feature=youtu.be Why I spend my weekends ringing birds https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-50822772 The big science and environment stories of 2019 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50631059 The best space images of 2019 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50765663 Are Beavers Nature’s “Little Firefighters”? https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/are-beavers-natures-little-firefighters/ Historic England: 10 English archaeological finds of the decade - the earliest rabbit? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-50895746 Deep-water fishery makes a comeback in a rare conservation success story https://www.zmescience.com/science/deep-water-fishery-makes-a-comeback-in-a-rare-conservation-success-story/ Country diary: waders turn their backs on the urban bustle https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/18/country-diary-away-from-the-urban-bustle-waders-follow-the-tide-line Lincolnshire: Country diary: mistletoe adorns the bare winter branches https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/20/country-diary-mistletoe-adorns-the-bare-winter-branches Country diary: few apples cling on as winter strips the trees https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/19/country-diary-few-apples-cling-on-as-winter-strips-the-trees ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/