============================================ || || 11th November 2020 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || || LNU Website: || http://lnu.org/ || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Information, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights from Rare Bird Alert 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves/Saltfleetby'Theddlethorpe 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR - including Chambers Wood Farm 6. Other Reserve Reports and Highlights 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... don't miss the links... ============================================ Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union, the Lincolnshire Bird Club and Lincolnshire Environmental Record Centre [LERC]. Text versions of past Wildnews Bulletins from Feb 2009 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... *** Judging by the speed at which 70% of readers open their Bulletins, we must be doing our bit to keep you informed and entertained in "lockdown". If you are not a regular contributor, why not send in a contribution! I note an appetite for local news stories, so feel free to send in any you think suitable. Will you help us find a few more readers, please? Word of mouth seems to be the best way. Or use the "forward to a friend" link at the end of the Bulletin. You can also direct people to: https://lnu.org/publications/wildnews-bulletin/ Don't miss Gemma Watkinson's Dormouse article in 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR. Weather Forecast 15th-21st November: "Although uncertain, later during this period temperatures look to turn cooler, closer to the seasonal average with an increased risk of overnight frosts especially in central and south-eastern areas." https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ Covid-19-related information: Please stay aware of updated government advice and adapt your personal precautions accordingly as the pandemic evolves. See: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus "All LNU meetings are cancelled" policy continues. When eventually judged safe to do so, we will announce any resumption of LNU events through the Bulletin, the LNU Twitter feed and LNU meetings webpages. https://lnu.org/meetings/ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust have taken the decision to close the seal viewing area and the booking system to view the seals at Donna Nook following the Government announcement of the new national lockdown from Thursday 5 November: "Donna Nook: People should follow the government guidelines and not travel to see the seals. Full details and some FAQs can be found on the LWT website." https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook-bookings Events/activities for Love Lincs Plants remain suspended until further notice. https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants RSPB: map for which reserves and facilities you can access. https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/coronavirus/reserve-reboot/ Forestry England’s coronavirus guidance: https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide Please let us know of any local Covid-related changes readers might need to hear about. Wildlife organisations wishing me to publicise any alterations or new guidelines are welcome to get in touch with updates for the Bulletin. Here is a selection of links to topical local and national stories and articles sent in by fellow-readers. More links for you "...and finally..." Stickney crash: Driver jailed for killing man tending injured deer https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-54825333 Armed officers called to Grantham over reports of people with weapons https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-54863944 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-54879965 Samurai sword seized as seven arrested over Lincoln attack https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-54864581 Northampton Superdrug badger 'sheltering from storm' gets blue plaque https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-54795793 Bristol M32 trees cut down in 'pre-dawn demolition' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-54798698 Dumfries and Galloway Council gull controls set to be extended https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-54809737 Denmark to cull up to 17 million mink amid coronavirus fears: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54818615 What's the science behind mink and coronavirus? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54842643 'Mutant coronavirus' seen before on mink farms, say scientists https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54867653 What happens to the waste products from a mink farm? Not for the squeamish! https://www.truthaboutfur.com/en/what-happens-to-the-waste-products-from-the-farm Scientific American Content: Global - The Denialist Playbook - worth a read "On vaccines, evolution and more, rejection of science has followed a familiar pattern" https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-denialist-playbook/ Don't forget: try the ethical search engine called Ecosia which is strict about tracking rules and plants a tree every time you click! See: https://info.ecosia.org/what Thank you for your reports, stories, news, links and feedback. Very welcome. Your input makes a massive difference to the variety and value of the content. You are very welcome to send me an email of a chatty nature or with reports or other contributions for the Bulletin to keep us all entertained. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - this is my best address for emails please. *** First Frosts and Wildlife *** Annette Faulkner writes For some years I’ve had a theory that first frosts are getting later. In the 50s and 60s when I was growing up in Leicestershire I seem to recall the earliest frosts were in late September – but when did we last have one of those? We moved to Lincs in the early 70s and I started keeping weather records regularly from the mid 80s. So I had a look at the three decades from the 1991 to 2000, and this is what I found: In the 90s the earliest first frost was 4/10/94, the latest first frost was 8/11/96, with 7 earliest in October and 2 earliest in November. In the 00s the earliest first frost was 8/10/09, the latest first frost was 14/11/04, with 6 earliest in October and 3 earliest in November. In the 10s the earliest first frost was 15/10/11, the latest first frost was 23/11/15, with 4 earliest in Oct and 6 earliest in Nov. All this data is for the Spalding area. Does anyone else have similar data runs from other parts of the county that would corroborate this? It would certainly seem to be yet another indication of a warming world. And of course the next question I asked is: Do I have data to show if this is having any impact on the date bats go into hibernation? And the answer is I don’t have nearly enough. How about hedgehogs? Is there any evidence of disruption there? And how about invertebrates? Comments invited. STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. NHS About Coronavirus [COVID-19] https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 Road works and hold-ups. https://roadworks.org/ Met Office Severe Warnings https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails EasyTide http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline - sign up if at risk. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx Lyme Disease https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/ *** November 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 Next : Leonids - Peaking 17/18 November. Fast bright meteors with fine trains. https://www.rmg.co.uk/discover/explore/leonid-meteor-shower-when-and-where-see-it-uk *** COMET ATLAS IS COMING *** "Around the world, amateur astronomers are taking incredible pictures of Comet ATLAS (C/2020 M3), which is approaching Earth for a close encounter this weekend. The big green comet is gliding through the constellation Orion, which makes it very easy to find. Bonus: If you go outside to see Comet ATLAS, you're also likely to spot a Northern Taurid fireball." https://spaceweather.com/ *** Grimsby RSPB Zoom *** "Minsmere - a Home for Nature" A Zoom talk by Ian Barthorpe, Visitor Experience Office This free talk is offered by the RSPB Grimsby Local Group and will take place at 7.30pm on Monday 23rd November. It is open to everybody. You don't need to belong to the RSPB, or have attended Group Meetings. And don't be put off by Zoom. It is easy to use, you don't need any special equipment like a camera or microphone - just an internet connection, and we may able to offer help if you request it. To get a Zoom link to the talk, or if you have any queries, please email Martin Francis at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com before 8pm on Sunday 22nd November If this talk is successful and well-supported, more talks, (for which there may be a small charge and/or an option to donate) will follow. Martin Francis Leader - RSPB Grimsby Local Group ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Bird Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ 4/11 Great White Egret flew west over Marton Long-tailed Duck on lagoon, Manby Flashes 3 Lapland Buntings over, 8 Snow Buntings, Gibraltar Point 3 Little Stints, ringtail Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Long-tailed Duck, Paradise Pool, Saltfleet Haven, SE of Saltfleet 5/11 2 Hawfinches, in plantation, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, Baston+Lanftoft GPs 2 imm Gannets flew east over Manby 6/11 3 Snow Buntings flew south over, 5 Lapland Buntings, 23 Twite, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 2 Water Pipits, Freiston Shore Bearded Tit male, East Pit, Deeping Lakes, then flew west, Deeping St James Great White Egret, on river near Sea View, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Great White Egret flew NW of University of Lincoln Great White Egret on main lake, Messingham Sand Quarry Slavonian Grebe, Covenham Reservoir 7/11 2 Hen Harrier, ad male flew south over, + ringtail, Gibraltar Point 2 Little Stints, ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Spotted Redshanks. Frampton Marsh Great White Egret on River Welland at Deeping High Bank, near Deeping St Nicholas Great White Egret on realignment, Donna Nook Great White Egret between North Cotes and North Thoresby Slavonian Grebe, Covenham Reservoir 8/11 Bean Goose, Great Northern Diver, Freiston Shore Scaup drk, 2 Hen Harriers, 1 male, Frampton Marsh Black Redstart, Gibraltar Point Great Northern Diver on River Welland, Deeping High Bank north of Crowland. Great White Egret on River Welland near Deeping St Nicholas turning, Brent Goose flew west over River Welland towards Deeping Lakes. Great White Egret between Dunsby Fen and Rippingale - flew west Hume's Warbler at north end of Sandy Lane, Anderby Creek Yellow-browed Warbler south of Churchill Lane, Theddlethorpe Great White Egret WNE of Louth at South Elkington 5 Water Pipits, East Halton Skitter Olive-backed Pipit, Goxhill Haven just east of Skitter Ness between bushes and saltmarsh, also Dusky Warbler, Goxhill Haven 9/11 Scaup drk, Frampton Marsh 7 Snow Buntings, north of Golf Road access, Mablethorpe Yellow-browed Warbler, Huttoft Pit Great Northern Diver on River Welland, Deeping High Bank north of Crowland. Great White Egret by River Welland at Gull Farm NE of Deeping St Nicholas Olive-backed Pipit, Goxhill Haven just east of Skitter Ness between bushes and saltmarsh 10/11 Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Great Northern Diver on River Welland, Deeping High Bank north of Crowland. 11/11 2 Scaup, Frampton Marsh Great Northern Diver on River Welland, Deeping High Bank north of Crowland great White Egret, Denton Reservoir ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work and drop-in sessions at the Queen in the West pub! http://www.bbc.co.uk/lincolnshire/content/articles/2005/08/30/nature_sightings_feature.shtml Useful Hedgehog Links https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ http://caddingtonhedgehogs.blogspot.com/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog: http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ Bird Club - latest sightings: https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/sightings/latest-news Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch. Latest sightings: https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/lincolnshire-latest-sightings BTO tracked cuckoos: https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/cuckoo-tracking-project ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Hedgehogs? Badgers? Otters? Reports welcome. It would be helpful if readers would continue to report otter road kills and sightings to help build up relevant data. Chris Manning adds: Carcases may be sent to: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/otter-project Alas our local EA team no longer support the project by paying for transport. Chris Manning sent in the following information: Potential Bovine TB Hotspot Area - Lincolnshire Wolds "If you find a dead badger or wild deer carcase within the PHA, please report this to the Animal and Plant Health Agency [APHA] via the Defra Rural Services Helpline 03000 200301. They will need the following details: 1. The location of the carcase to assess whether it falls within the PHA and in order to find it, if it’s suitable for collection. This could be an OS grid reference, longitude-latitude co-ordinates, the what3words address (tapping on the exact square where the carcase is located), a postcode or enough detail to precisely locate the carcase 2. Whenever possible an assessment of the condition of the carcase because decomposing or extensively damaged carcases are not suitable for post mortem examination." ROAD KILLS THEDDLETHORPE John Walker 281020 A fresh dead badger corpse was on the verge of A1031 c 150 metres north of the water pumping station on Great Eau just north of Theddlethorpe. *** Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important *** Grab a Grid Reference: https://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ Chris Manning writes: Please remember to use grid refs, If a recorder doesn't, it not only adds work but must invariably loose accuracy. DON'T FORGET - TIME FLIES! Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. Include the time too if relevant - e.g. for Bat records. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Thanks to our regular contributors across the county. Much appreciated. We rely on readers to send in their observations and we welcome records from everyone, experts or beginners. Please keep your reports coming. BARDNEY - The Green TF120694 R & A Parsons 5/11/2020 Pied Wagtail at bird bath in garden - midday. A Parsons Bardney 4 November 2020 Mesembrina meridian feeding on ivy, seen at 11.30, also known as "Noonday fly" On "Back Lane" TF118693 what3words: emotional.tops.tribal. ID with help from Phil Porter. BOSTON (Garden by A16) October 2020 Kathleen Pearson I was able to count for the BTO Garden BirdWatch on all 31 days. It was quite a poor month with the total of species at 18 and only two of these made double figures on any single day - House Sparrow 10 and Goldfinch 13. Three very pleasant species that occurred were Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Blackcap. Birds were:- Magpie 3, Woodpigeon 5, Collared Dove 8, Blackbird 2, Goldfinch 13, Blue Tit 3, Wren 1, Great Tit 2, Chaffinch 1, House Sparrow 10, Dunnock 2, Robin 1, Carrion Crow 2, Jay 1, Long-tailed Tit 8, Sparrowhawk 1, Blackcap 1 and Great Spotted Woodpecker 1. Other reports:- Peacock butterfly, Large White and Small White. Hummingbird Hawkmouth. Grey Squirrel. HUTTOFT TF511762 (my garden) Jane Pennington 31/10/2020 Sparrowhawk 1 3/11/2020 Tawny owl 1 - hear 6.25am 9/11/2020 Dunnocks 2 Great spotted woodpecker 1 - desperately trying to make a hole in a bird box SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT nature reserve Steve Hiner 06/11/20 Blackbird x 1 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 6 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 9 Magpie x 2 Redwing x 6 Reed Bunting x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 White Campion still in flower (x 3 heads) STAPLEFORD SK 881 573 9/11/2020 Jeremy Hutchinson Male Stonechat - first I've seen locally. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 04/11/20 Whooper Swan x 12 south over Thurnholmes Roe Deer x 1 male SK795993 06/11/20 Blackbird x 7 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Lesser Redpoll x 12 Wood Pigeon x 4 07/11/20 Grey Partridge x 14 Tawny Owl x 1 08/11/20 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 6 Black-headed Gull x 12 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 6 Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 32 Golden Plover x 17 Goldfinch x 4 Magpie x 2 Redwing x 29 Robin x 1 Tree Sparrow x 15 Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 09/11/20 Blackbird x 4 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 4 Fieldfare x 34 Goldcrest x 2 Golden Plover x 52 Magpie x 1 Redwing x 52 Robin x 2 11/11/20 Blackbird x 4 Black-headed Gull x 59 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 1 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 12 Goldfinch x 15 Kestrel x 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull x 4 Lesser Redpoll x 35 Mute Swan x 2 over Redwing x 30 Robin x 2 Stock Dove x 1 Tree Sparrow x 25 Wood Pigeon x 4 Yellowhammer x 7 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. COASTAL NNRs and Nature Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ LWT Reserves http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/far-ings https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/gibraltar-point ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Frampton Marsh & Freiston Shore are listed as Open. https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/coronavirus/reserve-reboot/ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19 includes details of which LWT reserves are open and other advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Donna Nook Weekly Seal "Pupdate": https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/weekly-update IMPORTANT - Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust says Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust have taken the decision to close the seal viewing area and the booking system to view the seals at Donna Nook following the Government announcement of the new national lockdown from Thursday 5 November. For full details please visit our webpage using the link. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook-bookings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR These cover a huge area, and records from them and records from volunteer recorders are one of the main inputs to management planning and the protection of rare/scarce and critical species. Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Forestry Commission says: "We are open and ready to welcome you" https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch. See: https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html The Hazel Dormouse https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/cy/node/35 Lincolnshire Dormouse Group You can get in touch via lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com *** Dormouse News *** Gemma Watkinson writes: After updating our risk assessments to take account of Covid-19 and implement the necessary precautions, in August a very limited number of licence holders were given a permit by Forestry Commission to undertake nest box surveys in August, September and October - and the results have been really great this year! We found good numbers of dormice in all areas that are monitored, including Ivy Wood West and Little Scrubbs Wood, which have had very few signs of dormice recorded in recent years. Although we didn’t undertake any fur clipping this year, we had a highest count of 4 dormice in Little Scrubbs, and 4 dormice in Ivy Wood West. Good numbers were also found in Ivy East (13), Minting Triangle (8) and Minting Far End (3). Litters of young were recorded in Ivy East and Ivy West, and juveniles also recorded in Minting Triangle and Minting Far End. Two of the micro-chipped mice released last summer were found together. Other finds in boxes included pygmy shrews, woodmice and at least five bats! The really great news is that we have had our first record of presence for Goslings Corner Wood! Amanda and Dave Mylett found a female (27g) and two dormice nests in Goslings in the October check. This is something to celebrate, as it is the first definite evidence we’ve had that dormice have dispersed out of the Chambers Farm Wood complex into the wider landscape. Unfortunately, with the latest government restrictions and lockdown until December, all volunteer activities in Chambers Farm Woods have had to be suspended again. We are still hoping that we will be able to get a permit to complete some coppicing before the winter is through! In the meantime, if you are heading out for a lockdown walk in Chambers or any nearby areas, why not keep an eye out for fallen hazelnuts. Dormice leave a tell-tale sign that they have opened a hazelnut – Dormouse chewed hazelnuts have a smooth inner rim with toothmarks at an angle to the hole on the nut surface (and according to PTES, look a little like a clog!). Further information on what to look for can be found on the PTES website: https://ptes.org/campaigns/dormice/surveying-and-monitoring-hazel-dormice/dormouse-nut-hunt/ With your help we could find evidence that dormice have moved even further out from Chambers! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood, Little and Great Scrubbs Woods, Minting Wood, Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park, and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow (and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Rand Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland, which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and non-designated areas. Since managing the SSSI areas carries particular responsibilities to Natural England, records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS. LWT Top Reserves: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on the Coronavirus, Covid-19 plus details of any LWT reserves which are now open and the related advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to Recorders and improve the quality and quantity of reports and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] Bulletin mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually goes out on Wednesdays/Thursdays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** http://lnu.org/ LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given on the website. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ Downloads of LNU books are available on: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ LNU Bursaries: Why not apply for one? The LNU offers bursaries for natural history courses, or for identification materials (e.g. books or online resources) to help recording in any group of plants, animals or fungi in Lincolnshire. The upper limit is £300. You do not need to be a member of the LNU to apply, but it would help. The LNU would, however, expect you to put your newly facilitated skills into practice and derive some Lincolnshire records. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course, or to buy books to help you, please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk *** Love Lincs Plants *** Events and activities for Love Lincs Plants remain suspended until further notice. Love Lincs Plants Twitter feed - active... https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants LLP Project Partners and related links: Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Natural History Museum Twitter feed https://twitter.com/nhm_botany?lang=en Sir Joseph Banks Society Dr Anke Timmermann FLS discusses Joseph Banks’ florilegium https://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/ Lincoln University School of Life Sciences https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/lifesciences/ *** Collections Dataset - LNU "historic specimens" *** All of of the specimens that have been processed and digitised to date can now be viewed here: http://data.nhm.ac.uk/dataset/lincs-plants *** The Flora of Lincolnshire by Joan Gibbons - downloadable book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-flora-of-lincolnshire-e-joan-gibbons.pdf *** VC54 North Lincolnshire Plant List *** Paul Kirby has produced a list which details all the vascular plant and stonewort taxa with records on the MapMate botanical database for VC54, North Lincolnshire, at the end of January 2017. You can download this on: https://lnu.org/specialists/vascular-plants/ *** CONTACTS LIST *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** Lincs Bird Club Website *** http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk LBC County Bird Recorder Phil Hyde - County Recorder, Lincs Bird Club recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Bat Group website *** http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/2018-10/BC%20Policy%20on%20collecting%2C%20breeding%20and%20photography%202018.pdf *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/lincolnshire-chalk-streams *** Lincsbirders *** http://www.lincsbirders.org/ FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE: 07768-501895 PAGER: 07654-330877 Related Webpages: Lincolnshire Police Advice on Hare Coursing https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/hare-coursing/ Rural Crime News https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. When asking for help: Please give the the very best information you can provide. If you are not sure, ask what is needed from you to confirm identification. Photographs are helpful but not every species can be identified from a photograph. When asked for further details, get back to them promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcome. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ *** 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 British wasp guide: how to identify common species https://www.countryfile.com/wildlife/insects-invertebrates/british-wasp-guide-how-to-identify-common-species-lifecycle-and-why-wasps-sting-in-autumn/ *** Lincolnshire Mammals *** Chris Manning, Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. Mammal Atlas - 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 NatureSpot on Spiders: https://www.naturespot.org.uk/taxonomy/term/19515 *** Identifying British bugs - an online identification guide *** https://www.britishbugs.org.uk/gallery/heteroptera/Pentatomoidea/pentatomoidea.html *** Fungi Families/Types Identity Parade *** https://www.first-nature.com/fungi/ *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) Contact: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com Please have a look at https://www.recordpool.org.uk/index.php for an easy way to record your amphibian and reptile species records. Or you can send any records to Ashley Butterfield (Lincolnshire Amphibian and Reptile Recorder) at LearningOutdoors@btinternet.com Please include Species, Date, Time, Location, numbers as a minimum (Other useful information includes Temperature and Weather conditions.) *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Confidential Bat Records *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Non-Marine Molluscs *** Alex Pickwell is the LNU Recorder for Non-marine Molluscs Email: alex.pickwell@environment-agency.gov.uk USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) http://www.glnp.org.uk/ Contact: charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk The Lincolnshire Environmental Awards have now been cancelled for 2020 and will resume in 2021, all being well. *** Field Studies Council *** Bringing Environmental Understanding to All https://www.field-studies-council.org/ *** InsideEcology *** Online Magazine for Ecologists, Conservationists and Wildlife Professionals https://insideecology.com/ *** NHBS *** Should you need natural history equipment or books, a good place to start is: https://www.nhbs.com/ For the geologists... *** Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group *** https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 *** British geology maps - now free to explore on web *** http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ *** UKGE - Geological Supplies *** https://www.ukge.com/ *** The Geology of Lincolnshire - downloadable book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-geology-of-lincolnshire-h-h-swinnerton-and-p-e-kent.pdf *** British Geological Survey at Keyworth *** https://www.bgs.ac.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in a few instances may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed please contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. *** Codes of Conduct *** BMS Code of Conduct for Responsible Collecting of Fungi https://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/mycology/conservation/code-conduct RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see https://lnu.org/meetings/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events - Important message for LNU members *** Précis of Nick Tribe's announcement on future events - full text in 7th Oct Bulletin. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletin2020oct07.txt As the Covid 19 risk remains high the Executive has taken the decision to cancel the first two meetings and (hopefully) postpone the AGM to July/August/September 2021. i.e. January 16th joint talk with Lincolnshire Bird Club February 27th Recorders’ meeting March 27th AGM The Executive will explore dates in the summer for the AGM. ...If a delayed AGM is not possible, the Executive is happy to remain in post until March 2022. We have considered alternatives such as an online AGM, but none appear to be workable. We hope to publish a summary of the accounts in the Spring 2021 Communiqué and should be able to update members on the delayed AGM at that time. Any queries about the accounts can be sent to Chris Manning. The Executive continues to be active via email and telephone and is monitoring the situation with an eye on the 2021 field meeting programme. As with the AGM, the Union may be able to run some field meetings in 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Richard Chadd or Nick Tribe." LNU Officers & Executive https://lnu.org/about/officers-executive/ Richard Davidson says of the Whisby Workshops: "All are cancelled for this year. I am hoping to run them this time next year if at all possible, but that depends on whether something approaching normal life has returned by then." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** Mail fails: None this week - all plus.com addresses got through. None this week. Plus.com customers received their Bulletins again. ....and finally... Readers have a wide range of interests which I try to reflect in the news and information given in the Bulletin. Please help with suggestions for future links. Light pollution's wasted energy seen from space https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54721921 Climate change: US formally withdraws from Paris agreement https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54797743 A68 iceberg on collision path with South Georgia https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54798031 Climate change: Protecting the rainforest through your shopping basket https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54894962 Rupert Bear turns 100: The adventures continue https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-54280708 Country diary: abiding beauty amid the bareness https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/04/country-diary-abiding-beauty-amid-the-bareness Country diary: watching a still from a gargantuan motion picture https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/nov/05/country-diary-watching-a-still-from-a-gargantuan-motion-picture Country diary: this delicate centipede is the gardener's friend https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/09/country-diary-a-delicate-centipede-with-hidden-dangers Country diary: jay gets to work storing its acorn bounty https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/10/country-diary-jay-gets-to-work-storing-its-acorn-bounty ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/