============================================= || || 15th 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 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... *** 68% of readers opened their Bulletins this week. Astounding. A big thank you to you all. After looking at the coverage of the horrifying bush fires in Australia one must wonder about unseen fatalities amongst invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles and herbaceous plants. It is a stark reminder that we may be good at spotting the "big stuff", trees, birds and mammals but we may be less skilled and diligent about recording other species. We may not have a full picture of what is present and might be affected by such disasters. [Our recent flooding for example.] Come along to the next Recorders Meeting next month - 8th February 2020. You might find new areas of interest to fascinate you. More info below. A selection of topical news stories and wildlife articles can be found on the following links. Most have been suggested by fellow readers. Why we all love snowdrops... https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/how-to-grow/why-we-all-love-snowdrops-so-much/ https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/snowdrop RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch: 25-27 January 2020 - are you ready? https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/ National Insect Week 22-28 June 2020 - dates for your diary https://www.nationalinsectweek.co.uk/ Lincolnshire Wildlife park to host national turtle sanctuary https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-51082567 HS2 could threaten irreplaceable natural habitats, report warns https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51115637 Centenary of 'vital' Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-50661606 Puffins are now using tools -- and it's making them feel much better https://www.zmescience.com/science/biology/puffins-tool-use-06012020/ Birds and bats have very weird gut bacteria, and it's likely linked to flying https://www.zmescience.com/science/birds-bats-gut-bacteria-microflora-8235235/ Flood Alert: Barlings Eau and Duckpool Catchwater - latest update 15/1/2020 https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/target-area/053WAF117BED 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 More links in "...and finally..." A question from Mary Porter: I have been told there is a brilliant starling murmuration at Wilsford and that they roost in elephant grass there. This sounds encouraging, as I can think of very little use to our local wildlife from elephant grass. I know swallows roost in elephant grass in their millions in warmer climes such as Nigeria. Does anybody else have observations of birds in the UK using it? Might it become a regular thing for starlings if farmers continue to plant it? Thanks for all the contributions this week. Please keep them 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/ Recorders’ Meeting – 8th February 2020 Annual General Meeting – 7th March 2020 Followed by the Presidential Address by Chris du Feu *** Bryophytes *** Steven Heathcote writes: I'll be at the recorders' meeting. I'd be happy to check specimens anyone wants to bring along - a few choice plants plucked from a drive/lawn/wall/tree etc.. Best dried in a paper packet (opened envelopes from incoming post work fine - just folded over a few times to stop the specimen escaping and left to air dry or placed on a radiator for an hour) and labelled with grid reference/collector/date. Any and all records appreciated. Note: Steven is working on some Bryophyte outings - more on that soon! *** Look Out for Slugs *** Chris Du Feu writes: The lack of cold weather during December and early January will have allowed higher survival than normal for many of our slug species. That makes them even easier to find and record than usual. Some species can be difficult to identify so perhaps the best start is to be with three large species which are commonly found near (or even in) houses. These are Limax maximus (the Leopard Slug) and the two cellar slug species (Limacus flavus and L. maculatus). These are subject of a Royal Horticultural Society project so notes on identification an instruction for submission can be found on the RHS web site https://www.rhs.org.uk/slugssurvey All records submitted will be verified in the iRecord system. Once verified they will be freely available via the NBN Atlas https://nbnatlas.org/ Limax maximus is (or should be) unmistakeable and, being carnivorous with pestilential slugs in its diet, is a gardener’s ally. The two cellar slugs are benign, feeding primarily on algae and lichen leaving characteristic feeding trails on greenhouse glass, drain pipes etc. and avoiding your hostas etc. The green species, L. maculatus, has almost completely replaced the yellow species, L. flavus, over the past 20 years with the yellow species now being very rare indeed. The reason is unknown. All records of either of these species are welcome to help document the rapid distribution changes. Note: Chris will be at the Recorders’ day in February. He will be delighted if attenders bring slugs with them for identification. Ensure you have place name, grid reference and date of collection to ensure we can make good records for this under-recorded group. *** Hedgehog Information Please *** Chris Manning, Mammal Recorder, will welcome reports of hedgehogs. As he will not be able to attend the Recorders meeting you may send these in via the Bulletin or directly to Chris. There is the possibility that this wet, mild winter will bring hungry hedgehogs out of hibernation early. If you rescue one, spot a road kill or a live, happy hedgehog, send in a record. Chris Manning, Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Useful Hedgehog links: https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ http://caddingtonhedgehogs.blogspot.com/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** January 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: For its January meeting, the RSPB Grimsby Local Group welcomes back Dr Michael Leach to give his talk about rain forests under the title ‘Beneath the Dark Canopy’. Dr Leach is a full-time wildlife author and photographer who has travelled to all 7 continents and worked with some of world’s most distinguished naturalists while studying many of the world's most charismatic animals - polar bears in the Arctic, gorillas in central Africa, lemurs in Madagascar, sperm whales in the mid-Atlantic, monkeys in the Amazon, penguins in the Antarctic and elephants in Kenya. In this talk, Dr Leach will use his experiences in Indonesia, the Amazon Basin, West Africa and Central America, to explain how a rain forest, (which is the richest terrestrial habitat on Earth containing more than half of all known animal species), works and show some of the specialised animals that have evolved to live in this fragile, intricate environment. The previous talks by Dr Leach were lively, informative, thought-provoking and very entertaining – this talk should not be missed! The talk takes place at 7.30pm on Monday, 20th January 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. Our first trip of 2020 is on Sunday 16th February to Carsington Water in Derbyshire, where we have seen over 50 species, including great northern diver, in the day. 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 and closes on Thursday 30th January. 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 Group and Lincs. Wildlife Trust. *** Talk -“On The Marsh” by Simon Wilson. 11th February at 7-30pm Pinchbeck Village Hall PE11 3RB £1-50 {including refreshments}. Further details at https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/events/ *** 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 January 16th - Dragons and Damsels An illustrated talk by Fiona McKenna about Dragonflies and Damselflies and the work of the British Dragonfly Society. 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/ 9/1 Iceland Gull as at Levee Doors on pool, Manby Tundra Bean Goose with 33 Whooper Swans near Saltfleetby All Saints 2 Water Pipits, male Hen Harrier, 4 White-=fronted Geese, Gibraltar Point Ring Ouzel at Sea View Farm, Saltfleetby 10/1 Scaup 1w drk, Denton reservoir Smew redhead from hide, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits, Lapland Bunting flew to fields west of River Steeping, 2 Russian White-fronted Geese on Croftmarsh, Water Pipit over Sykes Farm, Gibraltar Point Long-eared Owl on island, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 2 Hen Harrier ringtails, Baston Fen 40 Snow buntings, Donna Nook Iceland Gull at Levee Doors, Manby 2 Common Cranes between Sandtoft + Crow Tree Bank east of Moor Lane, in stubble field at Low Levels Bank Tundra Bean Goose in field with 40 Whooper Swans, Saltfleetby St Clement Ring Ouzel at Sea View Farm, in rosehips SE of bridge, Saltfleetby Spoonbill, male Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 11/01 Tundra Bean Goose in field with 40 Whooper Swans, Saltfleetby All Saints Long-tailed Duck 1w drk, Millennium Green, North Hykeham Pits 2 Common Cranes both ads, Sandtoft from Dyke Bridge Slavonian Grebe south of North Sea Observatory, Chapel Point Hen Harrier 1w male. Alkborough Flats c30 Snow Buntings on mudflats at end of seal sanctuary, Donna Nook Smew Redhead, from hide, Kirkby on Bain Spoonbill, 2 Hen Harriers 1 male, Frampton Marsh 21 Russian White-fronted Geese oppposite Sea View junction, Saltfleetby Ring Ouzel male at Sea Rimac, in willow hedge S of car park, Saltfleetby Tundra Bean Goose in field with 40 Whooper Swans, Saltfleetby St Clement Rough-legged Buzzard, Sandtoft Short-eared Owl north of Bardney Dairies Iceland Gull, Manby Flashes [late record] 12/01 3 Lapland Buntings near Saltfleet Scaup 1w drk, Denton reservoir Black-throated Diver, 2 Russian Black-throated Geese, male hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point 13/01 Black Brant ad, Donna Nook 2 Hen Harrier ringtails, Baston Fen 30 Snow Buntings, Donna Nook 2 Bitterns from Ness hide, Far Ings, Barton-upon-Humber Hen Harrier male, 2 Russian White-fronted Geese in fields west of River Steeping, Gibraltar Point 14/01 Bittern at Far Ings, Barton-upon-Humber 2 Short-eared Owls by Humber, Goxhill Hen Harrier ringtail, Rimac Scaup 1w drk, Denton reservoir 4 Lapland Buntings on saltmarsh, 5 Russian White-fronted Geese, Gibraltar Point ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. STICKFORD Stickford TF 367602 Garry Steele 01/01/2020 Great Crested Newts – Four adults (3 male, 1 female), back in my garden wildlife pond this evening, with the males already performing their mating rituals. This date was just one day later than my earliest ever returning date (single male, 31 December 2014), although I am guessing that with four newts already present this time around, if I had checked during the second half of December just gone I would have recorded an even earlier first returning newt record. What is perhaps even more noteworthy was the presence of a female, which are normally a couple of weeks or so behind the males in returning to the pond. Does this observation perhaps add to the possibility that global warming is a reality? Finally, just to mention that all my observations (by lamping) are made under my Natural England GCN survey licence. ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. ROAD KILLS GRIMSBY/A180 Peter Crick 13:01:2020 Fox near Pyewipe roundabout, westbound Fox near Healing sliproad, westbound HOLTON LE CLAY A16 Peter Crick 11:01:2020 Badger x 2 Fox x 1 All within 200 metres of the junction with Cheapside/H'le Clay, and had been there for a while. Badgers noted to be small, last years at a guess. ROAD KILLS Jane Ostler 11/1/20 A1,north lane Harlaxton SK904340 FOX A1, north lane Sedgebrook SK885393 FOX A1,central reservation Sedgebrook SK885393 BADGER A1,south lane, Gonerby Moor SK885398 FOX 12/1/20 Woolsthorpe Road, Woolsthorpe SK913243 TAWNY OWL *** 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 11/1/2020 Snowdrops, Galanthus nivalis, noted in Bardney churchyard. https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/wildflowers/snowdrop 12/1/2020 2 bats hunting in garden 16.40hrs. Gone by 16.45. Bardney Garden Grid ref TF 117 701 Mary and Phil Porter 14th January 2020 We have two plump squirrels feeding off our hanging peanut dispenser, easily recognised apart as one has some lovely chestnut/red colouration on its fur. They have been chasing off the great spotted woodpeckers. We have three of those, two female and one male. While watching the shenanigans at the peanut dispenser, I noticed three bullfinches quietly picking their way at the juicy black berries of the nearby evergreen honeysuckle. Two female, one male. Other birds include: X1 coal tit Several chaffinches, male and female Several greenfinches, male and female Many collared doves (they seem to have built up in numbers again) Male and female sparrow hawk Two wood pigeons Several great tits and blue tits Three robins singing One wren seen during the day, but two were flushed out of the porch at night. We didn’t realise they were roosting in there. X4 jackdaws One or two dunnocks Two fieldfares on the apples COLSTERWORTH SK93/21 Jane Ostler January 1st to 14th, 2020 FLOWERS Snowdrops, including those in churchyard - several lots out before Christmas. Aconites, including those in hedgerow. Also in hedgerows - 5 female flowers on Hazel on Stamford Road, with other trees nearby shedding pollen (7/1/20) Gorse, Winter Sweet (Petasitis hybridus) and Spurge Laurel (Daphne laureola). FUNGI Velvet Shank (Flammulina velutipes) on remains of an ash tree, near base. Collared Earth Star (Geastrum coronatum) these still producing spores on western end of Nature Trail. They have spread about 15 specimens found. INSECTS On 7/1/20  Small Tortoiseshell Butterflies were flying in the church and a single one flying in Village Hall. 10/1/20 Peacock flying in a garden. BIRDS Rooks still building at 3 sites, all in ash trees. Bare branches have revealed a Kite's nest in tree to east of village. Barn Owl regularly observed travelling to and from Manor where pellets examined revealed mainly mice and voles. Barn Owl also seen from the B6403 towards Easton. Pair of Tawny Owls heard nightly from western end of Nature Trail. Little Egrets and Herons daily in fields alongside River Witham. In gardens flocks of Long-Tailed tits and Goldfinch.but only occasional Redwing and Fieldfare. Goldcrest photographed on small conifer. Blackcap overwintering in same garden as last year. Great Spotted Woodpecker feeding on fat balls. MAMMALS Evidence of Badgers out and about. Male Foxes heard calling at night. Grey Squirrels coming to bird tables. Occasional sightings of Muntjak in village. HOLYWELL LAKE Holywell Lake 12th January 2020 12.25 -13.30 Ian Misselbeook and Denis Toomy 19 Little Grebes 1 Little Egret 2 Mute Swans – both cobs 7 Canada Geese 92 Mallard 11 Gadwall 26 Wigeon 5 Teal 1 Mandarin drake 13 Tufted Duck 25 Moorhens 1 Kingfisher 10 Pied Wagtails feeding amongst sheep 2 Kestrels 1 Red Kite Dunnocks Great Tits Blue Tits 1 Coal Tit Robins Blackbirds Starlings Jackdaws Rooks Carrion Crows Wood Pigeons Goldfinches Chaffinches. TF511762 (my garden) HUTTOFT Jane Pennington 10/1/2020 Dunnocks 2 Long tailed tits 4 13/1/2020 Goldcrest 1 Seen by my neighbour TF511763 14/1/2020 Long tailed tits 6 or 8 KIRKBY ON BAIN Kirkby on Bain Grid ref TF233 607 Mary and Phil Porter 6th January 2020 Coningsby Road, just south of the refuse dump and close to Kirkby Pits Nature Reserve Starling murmuration. Approx 20000 birds. We weren’t best placed to see where they went down to roost. Plus a Little Egret flapped elegantly across in front of the murmuration. It would have made a splendid photo! If only! TWENTY TF174226 Jane Ostler 9/1/20 Travelling along the A151, Bourne to Pinchbeck, noted a line of trees and bushes which have in the past been a high spot for passerines (and attendant magpies). The bare branches were completely devoid of nests - unlike last January. However in one flooded field there were 23 Mute Swans on eastern side of road and another two in a field to the west. There were also two herons in an adjacent field. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 8th – 14th January 2020 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Daily news and wildlife sightings: The daytime maximum temperature reached an unseasonal 14.25? on the 7th. In the Sea View area snowdrop buds are bursting, gorse in flower and hazel catkins well formed. 080920 - 2 small bats thought to be pipistrelles flying around Churchill Lane car park in the evening. 090120 - Ring ouzel feeding on rose hips near Sea View Road late afternoon and seen there the next day (per comms Phil Espin). At least 4 water rails calling from the stretch of marsh between Rimac and Churchill Lane. 100120 - Four redwing, 2 song thrush (one in song), single mistle thrush near Sea View. On Paradise lagoon 42 shoveler, 115 teal, 5 mallard, single tufted duck and 39 redshank. A kingfisher flew along one of the creeks on the saltmarsh and a jack snipe flew off near Rimac lagoon. 120120 - Ring ouzel at Rimac (per comms Phil Hyde), 36 little egrets on the saltmarsh. 21 whitefronts feeding on grassland at Elm House Farm. 130120 – Flock of c60 redshank on Paradise lagoon. 1 male stonechat at Rimac, 43 redwing and 35 fieldfare in nearby roadside hedge and pasture. 140120 – Little grebe and kingfisher seen on Great Eau near Sea View. Wigeon and curlew feeding on grassland at Elm House in the area. 3 brown and 1 grey hen harriers seen. Donna Nook Seal update: 2 pups still in the viewing area but expected to head to sea over the next week. 100120 – Fox seen running through saltmarsh. 130120 - C2000 golden plover and 18 common scoter. 150120 – 49 whoopers and 6 mute swans, 60 teal, 39 gadwall, 8 shoveler, 30 wigeon. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Gemma Watkinson adds Please see below a link to the latest dormouse monitor magazine which includes an article on the Lincolnshire dormouse group. Also the remaining dates for the winter coppicing sessions at Chambers Farm Woods. 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 Herpetofauna uk http://www.herpetofauna.org.uk/ *** 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/ 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... Apocalypse Cow: How Meat Killed the Planet - George Monbiot - an intriguing watch https://www.channel4.com/programmes/apocalypse-cow-how-meat-killed-the-planet/on-demand/68432-001 Tortoise with species-saving sex drive returns to Galápagos https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-51073620 Plant life 'expanding over the Himalayas https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-51050456 Australia fires: Aboriginal planners say the bush 'needs to burn' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-51043828 Australia fires: How do we know how many animals have died? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/50986293 Australia fires: A visual guide to the bushfire crisis https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-50951043 'Silent death': Australia's bushfires push countless species to extinction https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/04/ecologists-warn-silent-death-australia-bushfires-endangered-species-extinction Bushfires have reshaped life on earth before https://theconversation.com/bushfires-have-reshaped-life-on-earth-before-they-could-do-it-again-129344 Country diary: seal remains show nature is not sentimental https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/13/country-diary-seal-remains-show-nature-is-not-sentimental Country diary: the dipper's sweet singing lifts the winter gloom https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/10/country-diary-the-dippers-sweet-singing-lifts-the-winter-gloom Sex machine: prolific Galápagos tortoise saves his species https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/13/tortoise-saves-species-sex-drive-galapagos- Betelgeuse: star’s weird dimming sparks rumours that its death is imminent https://theconversation.com/betelgeuse-stars-weird-dimming-sparks-rumours-that-its-death-is-imminent-129730 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/