============================================ || || 25th 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... *** Woke up at 01.45 hrs on Tuesday morning to a smell of cooking so strong I got up and checked over the whole house, even sticking my nose out of the door. Nothing. When my wife clicked the village FB page she learned there had been a fire at our local Ryvita factors some 7 hours earlier. The wind must have changed and wafted the lingering smell our way. I'd heard the Fire Engine rush out yesterday afternoon but had not made the connection. Mailchimp tells me "96% of readers open the Bulletin often and click on some links." That is actually rather good and better than most similar-sized mailings. So "Well done and thank you" to you all. Please keep the contributions coming. I'd suggest during lockdown you keep a lookout for invertebrates in and around your homes: ladybirds, spiders, beetles, moths or slugs. If driving, please let us know of any roadkills you notice. All reports very welcome, via the Bulletin or to the appropriate LNU recorder[s]. NatureSpot on Ladybirds https://www.naturespot.org.uk/taxonomy/term/19357 Naturespot on Spiders: https://www.naturespot.org.uk/taxonomy/term/19515 Naturespot on Beetles https://www.naturespot.org.uk/beetles Notes on Nature TV: Winter moths and your garden wildlife - RSPB https://youtu.be/2fC_I1pEDIE Weather forecast: "During early December, conditions will likely become more changeable across all areas again, alternating between spells of rain with strong winds and brighter but showery interludes. Temperatures varying around average but with some colder spells possible." 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 Donna Nook: 20/11/2020 - 1,378 pups, 1,501 cows and 462 bulls. Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust took the decision to close the seal viewing area and the booking system to view the seals following the national lockdown. For full details and to check for any changes in policy, please use the link: 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. An excellent selection this week. More links for you in "...and finally..." Covid: North Lincolnshire's Haxey Hood game cancelled https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-55035876 Countryfile: Lincolnshire - Anita Rani and Joe Crowley visit the historic South Ormsby estate, lost villages, Sutterby Church, plus Lincoln Longwools and Wolds hedgerows! https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000prjh/countryfile-lincolnshire-wolds Fungi insulation panels to be grown at Watchet's ex-mill - very interesting. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-54998416 Dead sperm whale stranded off Norfolk coast https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-55057540 Dorset barn owls saved by £30k farm renovation works https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-54989960 Dozy dormouse gets stuck in garden bird feeder on the Isle of Wight https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-54992101 Norwich's 'much-loved' otter found dead in illegal trap https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-55028382 Kingfisher rescue - Natures Home magazine uncovered - RSPB https://community.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/b/natureshomemagazine/posts/kingfisher-rescue New Forest Stone Age nutshell 'reveals prehistoric campsite https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-54972027 South Georgia whaling: Antarctic art marks a dark past https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54989066 Stirling pupils penguin project pays off after new colony discovered https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-54965014 Climate change: Warmer winters linked to increased drowning risk https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54989046 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. Can you help us find a few more readers, please? Word of mouth seems to be the best way. Or try the "forward to a friend" link at the end of the Bulletin. You can also direct people to: https://lnu.org/publications/wildnews-bulletin/ Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - this is my best address for emails please. *** Second RSPB Zoom Talk *** "Return of the Red Kite" - A Zoom talk by Keith Betton Martin Francis writes: 'Following the success of our first Zoom talk about Minsmere, the RSPB Grimsby Local Group has arranged another talk which will take place at 7.30pm on Monday 14th December. The talk 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 find out the arrangements for getting a link to the talk, please email Martin Francis at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com before 8pm on Friday 11th December Martin Francis Leader - RSPB Grimsby Local Group' 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 18/11 Siberian Chiffchaff still east of Haven Farm at end of Dawson City Clay Pits, Goxhill Haven Great Northern Diver on River Welland by drop in B1166, Crowland Road, Deeping High Bank 19/11 Snow Bunting, Long-tailed Duck flew south, 3 Great Northern Divers, Gibraltar Point Slavonian Grebe, Freiston Shore 2 Short-eared Owls over sea wall, Wainfleet All Saints Great White Egret, from Church Lane bridge, Appleby Siberian Chiffchaff, lower Farm, Gosberton Long-tailed Duck on Paradise Pool, south of Saltfleet Haven, Saltfleet 20/11 Lapland Bunting, 17 Snow Buntings, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret flew south over Baston + Langtoft GPs Great White Egret along North Drive, Deeping Fen 21/11 Lapland Bunting, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, Fiskerton Fen Great White Egret between Stainfield and Short Ferry, NNW of Bardney Russian White-fronted Goose juv with Greylag Geese on T-junction pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Great White Egret, in field by River Tome, Candy Farm, Wroot 22/11 16 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes Lapland Bunting, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe, Snow Bunting, Twite, juv White-fronted Goose, Saltfleetby Slavonian Grebe, Covenham Reservior Great White Egret in field towards Marshchapel, Eskham Caspian Gull, Great Northern Diver, 16 Snow Buntings, 25 Twite, Donna Nook Hen Harrier ringtail between Sea View Farm and Rimac, Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe Spotted Redshank, Read's Island Lapland Bunting flew north over Winter's Pond, East Halton Skitter Great White Egret at The Mere, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Hen Harrier ringtail flew SE over Baston + Langtoft pits 2 Short-eared Owls south of Baston Fen from Baston Outgang Road Great White Egret, flew east along River Glen, Thurlby Fen 23/11 Lapland Bunting, 2 Snow Buntings, Gibraltar Point Great Northern Diver on sea, Mablethorpe 2 Hen Harriers 1 male, Great White Egret flew over car park, Rimac Hen Harrier male over fields near Cross Drain, Baston + Langtoft GPs 3 Short-eared Owls over fields SW of reserve, Baston Fen 24/11 Hen Harrier male, Spotted Redshank, Great Northern Diver south past, Gibraltar Point 5 Scaup, Spotted Redshank, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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." *** 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 w/o 23/11/2020 Sparrowhawk over 23/11/2020 flying north 30+ Starling flock in area - using church tower 20+ House Sparrow flock Local handyman reports trapping 83 moles on village allotment/recreation area HUTTOFT TF511762 (my garden) Jane Pennington 11/6/2020 Tawny owl 1 - midnight 12/11/2020 Long tailed tits 4 22/11/2020 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Tawny owl 1 - 6.15am 23/11/2020 Great tits 4 SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve 18/11/2020 Steve Hiner Blackbird x 2 Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 25 Great Tit x 2 Tree Sparrow x 12 Wood Pigeon x 1 Roe Deer x 3 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 12/11/20 Blackbird x 4 Black-headed Gull x 17 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 17 Fieldfare x 29 Goldfinch x 2 Lapwing x 6 over Lesser Redpoll x 28 Redwing x 42 Robin x 1 Siskin x 2 Tree Sparrow x 31 Wood Pigeon x 2 Yellowhammer x 12 14/11/20 Blackbird x 2 Black-headed Gull x 49 Fieldfare x 18 Golden Plover x 65 over Rook x 26 15/11/20 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 23:15hrs 20/11/20 Blackbird x 2 Fieldfare x 52 Golden Plover x 2 Kestrel x 1 Lesser Redpoll x 21 Pink-footed Goose x 250 south over Thurnholmes Redwing x 22 Siskin x 2 Tree Sparrow x 35 21/11/20 Little Owl x 1 Tree Sparrow x 3 taking nesting material into nest boxes on back of stables 22/11/20 Blackbird x 4 Black-headed Gull x 52 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 12 Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 51 Golden Plover x 12 over Goldfinch x 4 Lesser Redpoll x 31 Little Owl x 1 Moorhen x 6 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Mute Swan x 3 over Peregrine x 1 male Pied Wagtail x 1 Pink-footed Goose x 150 north over Thurnholmes Redwing x 38 Robin x 1 Starling x 250 murmuration over fields around Thurnholmes 10:00hrs Stock Dove x 1 Tree Sparrow x 51 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 25/11/20 Blackbird x 2 Chaffinch x 12 Fieldfare x 36 Goldfinch x 21 Lapwing x 16 over Lesser Redpoll x 15 Pied Wagtail x 1 Starling x 52 Wren x 1 WOOLSTHORPE AND COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 & SK92/25 Jane Ostler 13/11/20 – 23/11/20 Flowering Plants. On 19th November in Colsterworth churchyard, Snowdrops were in flower. Planted in a south-facing sheltered corner they may not be Galanthus nivalis but what is sometimes called the Russian Snowdrop. What is interesting is to look back over thirteen years of records which show that this same plant has been flowering earlier year by year. 2018 was “exceptionally early" on December 3rd. Looking through other records for this year on 17th November 2018 I recorded twenty species in flower on verges of the same walk round the oldest part of Woolsthorpe which I have done regularly during the Coronavirus restrictions. Around the same date I note that there is not the diversity of yellow composites but more kinds of annuals like Chickweed, Groundsel , and Hairy Bittercress. Musk Mallow and Red Valerian are still a feature. Black Nightshade is new. As then some Annual Meadow Grass continues to flower throughout the year. Canadian Fleabane has survived in one gravelled area. Yellow Corydalis noted for the first time this year I may have overlooked tucked away as it is in the corner of a wall. From other notes I find that in 2007 I found a Turkey Oak planted beside the pond at Woolsthorpe Manor. A tree I have been looking for as hosting the other generation of the Knopper Gall. Insects. On 13th November and again on 21st November a Peacock Butterfly sunning on the garden wall at Woolsthorpe. The late records last year were of the Small Tortoiseshell and in 1918 of the Red Admiral. Mammals. Fallow Deer were seen by early morning walkers in Twyford Wood.. At this time of the year stags can be seen with the females. Circling round in display areas in the rutting season, surrounded by broken stems of shrubs and trees, they can be heard making groans and belching noises. The fallow deer are not often seen in Twyford now. They come into the wood at night when they graze surrounding fields, but shelter by day elsewhere. The felling of large areas of conifers and lack of understorey mean they find other safer areas to spend the day. In addition this year the numbers of walkers (with dogs) has increased dramatically so that at weekend the car parks are full from early morning onwards. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. COASTAL NNRs and Nature Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ LWT Reserves http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/far-ings https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/gibraltar-point ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Frampton Marsh & Freiston Shore are listed as Open. https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/coronavirus/reserve-reboot/ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19 includes details of which LWT reserves are open and other advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 18th – 24th November 2020 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Keen frost recorded on the 20th with a ground minimum of -5.25 degrees C and -1.25 degrees C. 191120 - The long-tailed duck first seen on 26th October still on Paradise lagoon, plus 31 mallard, 77 teal, 1 mute swan and 2 shoveler. On the flooded saltmarsh at least 200 wigeon were feeding with 76 Brent geese. 1 black-tailed godwit flew north up the beach at Crookbank. 2 goldcrests at Sea View. 201120 - On Paradise lagoon: long-tailed duck, 81 teal, 56 mallard, 3 gadwall, 16 shoveler, 12 wigeon and a common snipe. 221120 - Evening flight of at least 300 wigeon flying over Sea View to roost around Saltfleet Haven. WeBS (Churchill Lane to Mablethorpe): 35 whooper swans (26 west, 9 south), c3200 pink footed geese, 1 Lapland bunting, 1 snow bunting, 2 twite, 3 stonechat, 2 bullfinch, 1 woodcock Saltfleetby: a juvenile white-fronted goose with pink footed geese in stubble field. 231120 - Long-tailed duck on Paradise lagoon, pasture field nearby with 5 curlew, 2 lapwing, 4 mistle thrushes and 27 wood pigeon. Churchill Lane beach: c150 dunlin, c100 sanderling, 12 ringed plover, 22 grey plover, c90 golden plover, 25 redshank. Sea View: 2 goldcrest, c500 common scoter distantly on sea out from Haven 241120 - The amazing determination of a male merlin was observed as it flew out at speed from scrub near Sea View, flying in a direct line, low over the saltmarsh and as it reached a creek it suddenly flew vertically, then turned back downwards and along the creek to disappear out of sight. A few smaller startled birds scattered in all directions but the merlin’s chase was unsuccessful. Tawny owls calling regularly in the Churchill Lane area. Donna Nook 201120 – Seal count: 1378 pups, 1501 cows, 472 bulls. 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 new national lockdown from Thursday 5 November: 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: "...Open for recreation and exercise" https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch. See: https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html The Hazel Dormouse https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/cy/node/35 Lincolnshire Dormouse Group You can get in touch via lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood, Little and Great Scrubbs Woods, Minting Wood, Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park, and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow (and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Rand Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland, which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and non-designated areas. Since managing the SSSI areas carries particular responsibilities to Natural England, records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS. LWT Top Reserves: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on the Coronavirus, Covid-19 plus details of any LWT reserves which are now open and the related advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to Recorders and improve the quality and quantity of reports and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] Bulletin mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually goes out on Wednesdays/Thursdays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** http://lnu.org/ LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given on the website. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ Downloads of LNU books are available on: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ LNU Bursaries: Why not apply for one? The LNU offers bursaries for natural history courses, or for identification materials (e.g. books or online resources) to help recording in any group of plants, animals or fungi in Lincolnshire. The upper limit is £300. You do not need to be a member of the LNU to apply, but it would help. The LNU would, however, expect you to put your newly facilitated skills into practice and derive some Lincolnshire records. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course, or to buy books to help you, please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk *** Love Lincs Plants *** Events and activities for Love Lincs Plants remain suspended until further notice. Love Lincs Plants Twitter feed - active... https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants LLP Project Partners and related links: Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Natural History Museum Twitter feed https://twitter.com/nhm_botany?lang=en Sir Joseph Banks Society Dr Anke Timmermann FLS discusses Joseph Banks’ florilegium https://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/ Lincoln University School of Life Sciences https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/lifesciences/ *** Collections Dataset - LNU "historic specimens" *** All of of the specimens that have been processed and digitised to date can now be viewed here: http://data.nhm.ac.uk/dataset/lincs-plants *** The Flora of Lincolnshire by Joan Gibbons - downloadable book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-flora-of-lincolnshire-e-joan-gibbons.pdf *** VC54 North Lincolnshire Plant List *** Paul Kirby has produced a list which details all the vascular plant and stonewort taxa with records on the MapMate botanical database for VC54, North Lincolnshire, at the end of January 2017. You can download this on: https://lnu.org/specialists/vascular-plants/ *** CONTACTS LIST *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** Lincs Bird Club Website *** http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk LBC County Bird Recorder Phil Hyde - County Recorder, Lincs Bird Club recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Bat Group website *** http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/2018-10/BC%20Policy%20on%20collecting%2C%20breeding%20and%20photography%202018.pdf *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/lincolnshire-chalk-streams *** Lincsbirders *** http://www.lincsbirders.org/ FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE: 07768-501895 PAGER: 07654-330877 Related Webpages: Lincolnshire Police Advice on Hare Coursing https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/hare-coursing/ Rural Crime News https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. 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 *** Only one: John Kneale - hard bounce - User unknown ....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. Australia drought: Capturing spectacular storms in the outback - watch https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-australia-54970242 Blue whales have 'rediscovered' South Georgia https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54994814 The booming calls of the blue whale - listen https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-55004663 Global map of bees created in conservation first - 2 related links https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-55006902 https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/researchers-publish-the-ultimate-map-of-bee-diversity-but-theres-still-much-we-dont-know/ Should I buy an electric car? Reality check. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-48108627 Climate pledge on gas boilers for 2023 'vanishes' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-55020558 Plastics an 'unfolding disaster' for US marine life https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-55006333 The Caribbean islands poisoned by a carcinogenic pesticide https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-54992051 The Guardian: The secret world of pygmy seahorses, where males give birth – photo essay https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/19/the-secret-world-of-pygmy-seahorses-where-males-give-birth-richard-smith-aoe ThoughtMaybe describes itself as "an online library of films that aims to provoke your thoughts not only about these important issues, but many other pertinent topics relevant to challenging the fundamental ideas of modern society, industrial civilisation and globalised dominant culture." For example: Blue https://thoughtmaybe.com/blue/ Stingless sugarbags: the joys of keeping native bees https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2020/nov/14/stingless-sugarbags-the-joys-of-keeping-native-bees Country diary: a walk to the estuary is a real hoot https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/14/country-diary-a-walk-to-the-estuary-is-a-real-hoot Country diary: a parasite for sore eyes https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/16/country-diary-a-parasite-for-sore-eyes National Trust steps in to rescue rare English lichen https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/nov/20/national-trust-rescue-rare-english-lichen-lungwort Country diary: the birds here are consigned to memory https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/21/country-diary-the-birds-here-are-consigned-to-memory ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/