=========================================== || || 8th December 2021 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || || LNU Website: || http://lnu.org/ || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Information, events, news 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 Farm Wood 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, events, news and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Editor writes: Over the past two "Covid years" I have tried to keep up to date with the rules for meetings and other events to ensure the safety of ourselves and others. In doing this I have reiterated that advice could well change and so we should be prepared for that and keep ourselves informed. We now learn that a variant of the virus, "Omicron" is active in the UK, including Lincolnshire, and this may raise new issues with regard to infectiousness and immunity. To keep ahead of all this I have included some specific Covid-related links to interesting articles which I hope will give you something to consider and hopefully appreciate. Covid-19: First Lincolnshire Omicron case confirmed - Boston https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-59561517 Lincoln scientists pioneer new face mask which traps 99% of Covid https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2021-12-07/lincoln-scientists-pioneer-new-face-mask-which-traps-99-of-covid Mask wearing wasn’t disputed in previous crises – so why is it so hotly contested today? https://www.bangor.ac.uk/news/mask-wearing-wasnt-disputed-in-previous-crises-so-why-is-it-so-hotly-contested-today If you missed Dame Sarah Gilbert's "Richard Dimbleby Lecture" on Vaccines you can watch it on BBC i-Player. Very impressive and strongly recommended. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0012b15/the-richard-dimbleby-lecture-dame-sarah-gilbert Please stay aware of updated Covid-19 advice and adapt personal precautions accordingly as understanding and measures "evolve" and perhaps change. See: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus Here is this week's selection of links to Lincolnshire and other wildlife-related news stories, mostly local. I hope you find something of interest. Please click. Red deer in bracken https://www.outdoorphotographer.com/blog/last-frame-red-deer-in-bracken/ The 'irreplaceable' trees destroyed in their thousands by Storm Arwen https://www.countrylife.co.uk/nature/the-irreplaceable-trees-destroyed-in-their-thousands-by-storm-arwen-236122 Lincoln Christmas Market: More visitors than pre-pandemic. [Sic] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-59547848 Humber Bridge: End of the line for toll booths after 40 years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-59571756 Bird flu: Two new North Yorkshire cases https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-59550294 Seal pup ridden over by Sea Palling motorcyclists - words fail me https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-59546428 Need help identifying a moth? Want to know which moth species might be on the wing tonight in your area? You can find out easily using ‘What’s Flying Tonight’. https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/whats-flying-tonight 2021 Wildlife Photographer of the Year – People’s Choice Award - astounding. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2021/dec/01/2021-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-peoples-choice-award More general links in "..and finally ..." Please keep using the "forward to a friend" link at the end of the Bulletin. It's best to avoid forwarding your individual Bulletin to others. Use that secure link or you can simply direct people to this link: https://lnu.org/publications/wildnews-bulletin/ Reminder: If you are not yet an LNU member and would like to become one, you will be very welcome to join and support the effort. The webpage to visit is: https://lnu.org/join-the-lnu/ A big thank you to all the regulars who send in interesting news, events info and species reports. Please keep them coming. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - this is my best address for emails please. *** Weather Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ Sunday 12 - 21 Dec "... Moving through the period, largely unsettled conditions are likely to persist, with the chance of further showers and longer spells of rain, heavy in places, with a chance of gales for some exposed areas." *** Next LNU [Indoor] Meeting *** 'The new Birds of Lincolnshire: trials and tribulations in data recording.' LNU/Lincolnshire Bird Club talk by Phil Espin. 2pm - Saturday January 29th 2022 Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park Free to attend. All welcome. There is a £2 parking charge. More information, including whether an indoor meeting is available on Zoom: https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ *** Recording with "irecord"*** More and more people are using irecord, which is recommended by the LNU as the most appropriate platform for on-line recording, with the best validation and feedback. Please look at the website and while you are there why not create an account so you are set up and ready to try? https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** December 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 2021 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/meteor-shower-guide *** LWT Boston Area Group *** Gill Walsh writes: Thursday 9th December 2021 at 7.30pm Talk - Wildlife of The Yorkshire Dales National Park by Geof Lee Centenary Methodist Church, Red Lion Street, Boston, PE21 6NY We are using the large central hall with audience seated around tables to enable social distancing. Refreshments will be served at your table during the interval. Retiring collection, non members welcome. *** Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** Carolyn Davis writes On Monday 13th December the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT hold their next indoor meeting where Roger Wardle will speak on the wildlife and history of St Kilda. This will take place in the Banqueting Room of Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30 pm. Admission £3. We request that attendees wear face masks, use the hand sanitisers provided and maintain a safe social distance. For further information please contact Carolyn Davis 07914924790 *** Lincoln Area Group LWT *** Richard Davidson writes December 16th: From the Natural World to Textile Art An illustrated talk by Suzanne Fysh about the artistic aspects of nature conservation and the natural world, plus how to make your own natural Christmas decorations. At Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission £2.50. Refreshments are provided and there will also be a raffle. Advice from the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is to wear a mask while attending and we will also need to take contact details for Test and Trace purposes, etc. *** Boultham Park Wildlife and Conservation Talks *** Boultham Park will be hosting talks by a range of experts in their field throughout December and January in the Linkage Education Centre. There will be 4 talks covering a range of topics, from managing wetland habitats, to building a thriving community green space from scratch, taking place on a Thursday from 6pm. There will be a small fee of £3.00 on the door, and free refreshments for all attendees. To guarantee a seat, please email us at Boultham.Park@lincoln.gov.uk or call 01522 873607, we hope to see you there! Information from Richard Davidson, who adds: The talks are in the Boultham Park Education Centre which is off Rookery Lane, Lincoln. See: http://www.boulthampark.co.uk/wildlife-and-conservation-talks/ *** LWT Scunthorpe and Brigg Local Group *** Please note that owing to unforeseen circumstances, there has been a change to the scheduled meeting. At the next meeting of the Scunthorpe and Brigg local group of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust on Thursday this week, 9th December, Geoff Trinder will be giving his new talk entitled "Out Of The Darkness". Geoff, our well-known local photographer, world traveller and wildlife enthusiast, has given us the intriguing brief that this talk is all about people, landscapes and wildlife. Starting at 7.30 pm we meet as always in the St Hugh's Church Hall on Ashby Road, which is opposite the filling station near the West Common Lane/Ashby Road crossroad traffic lights. There is some free parking in the Church grounds and also on the Ashby Road nearby. There is a £2 entry charge for the meeting which includes some light refreshments. Names and contact details will be taken on entry for possible track and trace Covid-19 purposes and all are asked to keep appropriate spacing and to wear face masks. *** Zoom Talks - RSPB Grimsby Local Group *** Martin Francis writes: The successful season of well-received Zoom talks offered by the RSPB Grimsby Local Group continues on Monday 20th December at 7.30pm “The Natural History of Christmas” Dr Michael Leach Dr Michael Leach is a full-time wildlife author and photographer who has visited the Grimsby Group on at least 7 occasions in the past, and thrilled us every time! This topical and well-timed talk is based on Michael’s latest book where he explores the natural history of the holly and the ivy, the pre-Christian roots of hanging mistletoe and reveals that turkeys never did come from Turkey! This illustrated talk explains why the robin is our favourite Christmas bird and the origin of the Yule log. But, best of all, it reveals the unlikely story of why we thought that reindeer could fly! Once described as ‘a unique wildlife humorist’, Michael is guaranteed to inform, delight, amuse and surprise his audience. This is one talk that you must not miss under any circumstances! 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 be able to offer help if you request it. To find out the arrangements for getting a link to the talk, please email me at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com before 8pm on Saturday 18th December, stating that you saw the information in the LNU Bulletin. Martin Francis Leader - RSPB Grimsby Local Group" *** Useful Hedgehog Links *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** Reminder: Bat rescue instructions *** Annette Faulkner writes... If you find a grounded bat please don’t try and release it. Put it in an escape proof box - remember, a pipistrelle can get out of a hole the size of your thumb nail - wearing gloves or using a cloth to pick it up with, and phone us on 01775 766286. We’ll do the rest. *** STAYING SAFE *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Bear in mind Covid guidelines may change. Please continue to stay informed about new information and advice on Co-19 and 'flu. Adapt your precautions accordingly at indoor meetings and in groups on reserves or in the field. See: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus 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 - worth signing up for this. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails EasyTide http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx Environment Agency Flood Warnings - Lincolnshire https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings?location=lincolnshire Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline - sign up if a high risk area. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ For RBA's excellent articles: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp 30/11 Water Pipit on Low Wash pools, Baston Fen Little Stint, Hen Harrier over reservoir, Frampton Marsh Great Northern Diver, 4 Snow Buntings on beach, Long-tailed Duck flew past, Gibraltar Point Purple Sandpiper on beach, Mablethorpe Grey Phalarope, SE corner, Covenham Reservoir 1/12 Water Pipit, 2 Jack Snipe, Baston Fen Little Stint, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Great Northern Diver flew south past, 32 Snow Bunting, Gibraltar Point 25 Snow Buntings on beach, 3 Velvet Scoters, 4 Long-tailed Ducks, north end of beach, Mablethorpe Little Auk on St Wulfram's Church, Grantham - taken into care Siberian Chiffchaff in mixed tit flock, Hill Holt Wood, Norton Disney Siberian Chiffchaff on west side of Millennium Green Lake, North Hykeham Hen Harrier male, Wroot Grey Phalarope, SE corner, Covenham Reservoir 2/12 [some errors deleted] 2 Little Stints, Twite, Frampton Marsh 3/12 [some errors deleted] 2 Water Pipits, East Halton Skitter 4/12 [some errors deleted] Snow Bunting, Covenham Reservoir 2 Water Pipits, East Halton Skitter 5/12 Scaup fem on eastern pit, Tallington Lakes Cattle Egret in field east of B1356 Surfleet Road, Pinchbeck Little Stint on reedbed, Frampton Marsh Long-tailed Duck at Cut End as River Witham mouth SE of Boston Black-throated Diver flew south Past, Slavonian Grebe on sea, Gibraltar Point Red-necked Grebe south of Chapel Point 20+ Snow Buntings on saltmarsh and beach between Crook End and Churchill Lane car parks, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Caspian Gull 1w at seal viewing area, Donna Nook 25 Snow Buntings in dunes, Cleethorpes Grey Phalarope in 1w SW corner, Snow Bunting, Covenham Reservoir 6/12 Water Pipit on Low Wash Pools viewed from, footpath on River Glen bank, Baston Fen Little Stint on reedbed, male Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 12 Snow Buntings, Gibraltar Point Possible Glaucous or Iceland Gull flew over North Hykeham Grey Phalarope 1w by north side, Covenham Reservoir 7/12 Curlew Sandpiper on roads farm grassland, Little Stint, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Lapland Bunting flew south past, Great Northern Diver, 3 Snow Buntings. Gibraltar Point 33 Snow Buntings on beach, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Grey Phalarope 1w on north side. Snow Bunting on path in SE corner Covenham 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! *** Links "not to be missed" *** If you have a local starling roost site now's the time to visit it, but be there by 3.30pm when they usually start arriving. You need a "gate code" for visiting Woodhall Spa Airfield. See the relevant page here: "Know before you go" https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/starling-murmurations Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog: excellent photos and information. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ Lincs Bird Club - latest sightings: superb website https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/sightings/latest-news Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch - check the latest sightings: https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/lincolnshire-latest-sightings BTO tracked cuckoos: latest updates. 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. *** 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/ *** 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 R+A Parsons TF120694 2/12/21 Raiding party of 30-40 starlings after fish skin we had thrown out. The local black-headed gulls were very put out. A16 near DALBY TF409736 David Smith 02/12/2021 11.15 Red Kite hunting over field GRIMSBY TA265095 Joyce Attia 6th December 2021 Not a lot happening in my garden, I daren't feed the birds as last year a number of us got rats. Living so near a river it's not unusual but putting feed out obviously encourages them. I'll just have to take the feed over to the park. I've got nuts for the squirrels too. But I will miss my birds. I've seen one solitary blackbird in the garden this week. There were 2 magpies on the bird bath yesterday Last week I was walking along the riverbank when a flock of pigeons burst out of a clearing TA263098 When I turned the corner there was a sparrow hawk crouching over his kill, plucking it's feathers. Another strange thing, I saw a hawk flying amongst a flock of gulls, don't know whether it was hunting but it dropped down and they flew off. A few weeks ago walking along the Humber bank at Barton, we saw a flock of geese flying West when a light aircraft came along flying East. It looked as if it flew through the middle of the flock...the geese turned round and flew East and then turned round again and continued West. Scary for both parties I would think. This morning 2 skeins of geese flew over the garden going North, 30 in one skein and approx 40 in the other. We still have the 2 adult swans on the river, the 6 juveniles have been reduced to 4. TA264097. The black backed gulls have long gone but since the weather has been colder there have been some juvenile gulls on Sainsbury's car park TA 268098, they look a bit big for herring gulls. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 1/12/2021 Woodpigeons 8 eating ivy berries on one hawthorn 2/12/2021 Pheasants 2 male 3/12/2021 Wren 7/12/2021 Collared doves 2 WOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK92 Jane Ostler House and Garden SK923247 Collecting Christmas decorations from loft and other preparations brought some of our ‘housemates’ to our attention:House Mouse in loft. We are on lookout for any Wood Mice , which we have been happy to entertain in the garden as they nested under a low shrub and regularly visited a windowsill bird feeder. Every winter they attempt entry via the conservatory looking for a corner in a cupboard. In the webbing of Pholcus phalangoides, the Daddylonglegs Spider - the Wood Louse Porcellio scaber The Silverfish Lepisma sacharina on the floor at the back of the pant;y. I took this as an opportunity for a closer look at this most primitive of insects. The lacewing Chrysops carnea in the half loft above the utility. Nature Trail SK91/24 A Jay has visited the line and has been seen in several gardens in the area. Redwings are flying with the Fieldfares. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs and Nature Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 RSPB Reserves: RSPB Frampton Marsh & Freiston Shore are listed as Open. https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/coronavirus/reserve-reboot/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ LWT Top Reserves: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list RSPB Freiston Shore https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ RSPB Frampton Marsh http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Weekly seal update from Donna Nook 3/11/2021 Bulls 527, cows 1,488 and pups 2,009. We are expecting a very busy weekend for visitors. If you’re thinking about visiting, please consider if you could visit during the week or even wait until next year. Remember to read our FAQs Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report follows. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 history of the Lincolnshire Limewoods https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/features/19111877.lincolnshire-limewoods/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ British Native Trees - Woodland Trust https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/ The Forestry Commission advice: https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch. See: https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html Lincolnshire Dormouse Group You can get in touch via lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com *** Lincs Dormouse Group update *** Gemma Watkinson writes: The winter work party dates for this winter are below. Sunday 21st November Saturday 18th December Sunday 16th January Saturday 19th February Sunday 20th March We meet at 10am at the wood centre car park, and normally stay until around 3pm with a packed lunch break. All tools are provided, but recommend to bring your own work gloves/ gardening gloves if you have them. Please note that Forestry England have still not opened the toilet facilities at Chambers. We have a lot of winter tasks to catch up on including box repairs and replacements, cutting back a few of the pathways that have become overgrown and coppicing work as part of the management of Ivy Wood. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ South Humber Heritage Trail, Alkborough Flats - LWT leaflet https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/2018-04/south_humber_heritage_trail_alkborough.pdf ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lincsnaturalists/ 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/ *** Love Lincs Plants *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants Love Lincs Plants: Herbarium Hub Aidan Neary writes: we have launched our online herbarium knowledge hub today to help external organisations to develop their own herbarium. Lots of useful information, including instructional videos on plant collection (Jack Perks film) and a Mounting Guide video by NHM’s Kath Castillo as well as links to equipment and materials. See: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants/herbarium-hub https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants/status/1457735102046384133 *** Collections Dataset - LNU "historic specimens" *** All of the LNU 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 - LNU downloadable book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-flora-of-lincolnshire-e-joan-gibbons.pdf *** VC54 North Lincolnshire Plant List - LNU *** 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 *** 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/ *** South Lincolnshire Flora Group *** https://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 *** The Wolds Fungi Group *** Contact Paul Nichol via email pnichol20@gmail.com *** Lincolnshire Dormouse Group *** Contact: lincsdormousegroup@gmail.co FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE: 07768-501895 PAGER: 07654-330877 Related Webpages: Lincolnshire Police Advice on Hare Coursing - we can expect post-harvest 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. 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 Lincolnshire Mammals Chris Manning, Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com For current records please refer to the Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire by C. J. Manning, LNU Mammal Recorder. You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/mammalatlas.pdf Spiders, Pseudoscorpions, Harvestmen Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Email: Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk 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. You can send any records to Ashley Butterfield (Lincolnshire Amphibian and Reptile Recorder) at LearningOutdoors@btinternet.com Local Bat Helpline Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 Email: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com Bat rescue instructions: If you find a grounded bat please don’t try and release it. Put it in an escape proof box - remember, a pipistrelle can get out of a hole the size of your thumb nail - wearing gloves or using a cloth to pick it up with, and phone us on 01775 766286. We’ll do the rest. *** 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 Email: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk Non-Marine Molluscs Alex Pickwell is the LNU Recorder for Non-marine Molluscs Email: mrapickwell@gmail.com 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 welcomed. USEFUL WILDLIFE LINKS 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/ *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk *** Field Studies Council *** Bringing Environmental Understanding to All https://www.field-studies-council.org/ *** InsideEcology *** Online Magazine for Ecologists, Conservationists and Wildlife Professionals https://insideecology.com/ *** NHBS *** Should you need natural history equipment or books, a good place to start is: https://www.nhbs.com/ *** Bird Friendly Coffee Shade-grown from RSPB *** https://birdandwild.co.uk/ For the geologists... Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group *** https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 *** Lincolnshire Geology - The Wolds AONB *** https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/maps/geology *** Cracking up in Lincolnshire - our roads - Geological Society *** https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/Geoscientist/Archive/March-2014/Cracking-up-in-Lincolnshire *** The Geology of Lincolnshire - downloadable LNU book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-geology-of-lincolnshire-h-h-swinnerton-and-p-e-kent.pdf *** British geology maps - now free to explore on web *** http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. https://lnu.org/specialists/ When sending in reports, e.g. unusual plants, it will be good if you can report any sensitive news directly to recorders rather than via the Bulletin please, as we don't want to spoil things with untimely/unwise publicity. Thank you. 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 *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. BSBI Code of Conduct https://bsbi.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/BSBI-Code-of-Conduct.pdf Code of Conduct for Responsible Collecting of Fungi http://www.davidmoore.org.uk/Assets/fungi4schools/Reprints/Pickers_code.pdf 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 updates *** We will post any changes to LNU events through the Bulletin, the LNU Twitter feed, LNU Facebook page and LNU meetings webpage. Please refer to the LNU website for details of any Zoom arrangements for watching online. Indoor Meetings 2022 https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ 'The new Birds of Lincolnshire: trials and tribulations in data recording.' LNU/Lincolnshire Bird Club talk by Phil Espin. 2pm - Saturday January 29th 2022 Species Recording Meeting Overview and highlights of the past years recording provided by the county recorders. Arrive at 12 noon for a chance to catch up with recorders; it will finish at 4pm. 12 noon – 19th February 2022 Annual General Meeting – 12th March 2022 2pm – Followed by the Presidential Address by Owen Mountford For details and any necessary subsequent updates or changes please visit: LNU Website: https://lnu.org/meetings/ LNU Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lincsnaturalists/ Whisby Natural History Workshops See: https://lnu.org/meetings/workshops/ Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com. Places are limited. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** None this week. Advice is: If your Service provider or network can't or won't allow the Bulletin through, use a free email account instead. In the event of a mail failure I will be happy to send you the error report to pass on to your "Help Desk". Just ask. ....and finally... 1970s Hull caught on camera by Chilean Luis Bustamante - vintage photos https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-59463285 Country diary: ’Tis the season to spot the bramblings https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/dec/02/country-diary-tis-the-season-to-spot-the-bramblings Scientists find ‘stealth’ version of Omicron that may be harder to track https://uk.yahoo.com/news/scientists-stealth-version-omicron-not-154427316.html What are symbiotic relationships: nature's matchmaking https://www.zmescience.com/science/what-are-symbiotic-relationships/ To Conserve More Species, Act while Their Numbers Are High https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/to-conserve-more-species-act-while-their-numbers-are-high/ Migratory birds have lighter feathers to deal with the heat https://www.zmescience.com/science/migratory-birds-lightered-colored-06122021/ New UK Red List for birds: More than one in four species in serious trouble https://www.gwct.org.uk/news/news/2021/december/new-uk-red-list-for-birds-more-than-one-in-four-species-in-serious-trouble/ Pacific Ocean garbage patch is immense plastic habitat https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-59521211 Myth-busting Facts about Black Widow Spiders https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/myth-busting-facts-about-black-widow-spiders/ BioLinks Courses – Field Studies Council https://www.field-studies-council.org/biolinks-courses/ ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/