If you observe something, why not report it? ============================================= || || 16th August 2015 || || LNU Website: || http://www.lnu.org/ || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. News from the Lincolnshire Coast 5. News from Far Ings NNR 6. News from Bardney Limewoods NNR 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..... ============================================ The Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Bulletin is being read by 1100 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. If you know someone who would like to receive the Bulletin please send them this webpage link so they can sign up for it: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Past LNU Wildnews Bulletins are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Note: Each address contains the relevant date. Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. Please contact the Editor to contribute articles or reports. E-mail: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** From the Editor.... *** Heads up for The Perseid Meteor Shower, 17th-24th Aug. I managed to see three on the night of 12/13th - the peak - before the cloud came over. Usual story! Horncastle Astronomy Weekend this year is 11-13 Sept and is based at Twin Lakes Conference Centre, Shearman's Wath, Horncastle. Further details on Paul Money's website: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/HAW/haw.html Get ready for the Great British Beach Clean - 18th-21st September 2015 http://www.mcsuk.org/beachwatch/greatbritishbeachclean See the note from Dave Miller below. Thank you for your contributions - always appreciated. Please keep them coming. Every bit of information helps to make the Bulletin more interesting and useful. If you know someone who might find the LNU Bulletin useful, please send them this link and suggest they sign up for it: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Don't forget to have a look at: 12. ...and finally..... Thanks for the suggestions for the links. Roger *** LNU Events - full list in section 11 below - guests welcome *** To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php 2015 Field Meetings. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Note: the Metheringham Delph meeting has been changed as follows: Sunday, September 06, 2015 River Slea Southeast of Ruskington, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Use the riverside North Kesteven 'Stepping Out' car park at TF105 496 which is just west of Haverholme Priory, off the minor road between Ruskington and Ewerby. Habitats: River, woodland, scrub and ditches. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com *** Dormouse Open Day 2015 *** Anne Goodall writes: Dormouse Open Day 2015, at Chambers Farm Wood on Sunday 23rd August, 10am-4pm. This coincides with our normal box checking day, so small parties will be taken to see the checking process, and hopefully also to see and photograph some dormice! Also refreshments, tombola stall, raffle, display, nut hunts...Fun for all the family. https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/VenueDetails.aspx?venuecode=10455 http://www.forestry.gov.uk/chambersfarmwood *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Sunday 30th August 2015 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on an early morning bird walk with Ray Hume. ] Meet at 8am at the roundabout at junction of Moody Lane and Gilbey Road on the Pywipe Estate, Grimsby. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout boots and bring binoculars. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details ring Ray Hume 01472 320878. *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Indoor Meetings *** The Natural History and Geology Section of Scunthorpe Museum Society. The new indoor season for this year starts on Monday, 14th September. Trudy Norris, FNIMH, BACP, Herbalist, Lymphoedema Therapist and Counsellor, will be giving a talk on "Medicinal Plants of Lincolnshire and Their Uses". Please remember that we meet in St Bernadette's Church Parish Hall, opposite The Priory Hotel on Ashby Road, DN16 2RS. Meetings start at 7.15pm There is no entry fee but a donation bowl is provided. There is ample free parking in the church grounds. For more information ring Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** Great British Beach Clean *** Get ready for the Great British Beach Clean - 18th-21st September 2015 http://www.mcsuk.org/beachwatch/greatbritishbeachclean Dave Miller writes: I am running a beach clean at Anderby Creek on Saturday 19th September starting at 10am. Just turn up.I will provide pickers, gloves, hoops and bags. *** Spider Workshop *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (Lincoln Area Group) Workshops, in conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union September 19th: Spider Workshop Interested in Invertebrates but would like to know more in particular about Spiders? Come along and find out more with local expert Imogen Wilde. All workshops will be held in the Lafarge Education Building at Whisby Nature Park from 1:30pm until 4:30pm. They are free of charge and refreshments are included. In conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union. Limited to 20 participants. Booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com. *** RSB Poll to find UK's favourite insect: *** http://www.rsb.org.uk/news/14-news/1314-rsb-launches-poll-to-find-the-uk-s-favourite-insect *** Apple Days 2015 *** Woolsthorpe Manor Apple Day - Sunday October 11th. http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/woolsthorpe-manor/things-to-see-and-do/events/ Southwell Bramley Apple Festival http://www.experiencenottinghamshire.com/whats-on/bramley-apple-festival-2015-p474161 *** Identifying Hawkers *** Some identification tips are available here: http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/anisoptera-dragonflies *** Caring for God's Acre *** Sue Cooper writes: The Beautful Burial Ground Conference Monday 7th Sept, 10am to 4.30pm at St John the Baptist Church, High Toynton, Lincs Simple ways to create a haven for wildlife, for heritage and for people. Hear from specialists in the natural and historic environment, attend workshops of your choice, meet organisations who can help, claim a reduced price Burial Ground Action pack. Cost £15 to include lunch and refreshments To book contact Caring for God's Acre tel: 01588 673041, e-mail: info@cfga.org.uk hyyp://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk *** Reminder - Ray Halstead - Recorder - Fungi *** Request: No records or queries for now, please. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2015 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** South Lincs RSPB *** Members and non-members welcome. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire Programme of events and booking of Wash Trips. *** Find the Grid Reference - always useful *** Chris Manning recommended the following websites to help find grid references. Grab a Grid Reference http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ [Don't forget to scroll down to "And finally ....."] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Birds 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/ 30/7 3 Turtle Doves, 14 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Spotted Redshank, Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point 2 Spoonbills on South Scrape, Short-eared Owl over saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh 4 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 31/7 4 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats Bittern, Boultham Mere 10 Crossbills on Tennyson's Sands, , 10 Spoonbills, on Jackson's Marsh, Montagu's Harrier ringtail, Gibraltar Point 7/9 Wood Sandpiper on realignment, Short-eared Owl, 40+ Arctic Terns in roost, Crossbill flew south, Donna Nook Black Stork 3.45pm appeared to land in fields between reserve and Skegness Wood Sandpiper, Manby Flashes 8/9 15 Spoonbills on saltmarsh, Wood Sandpiper on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Pectoral Sandpiper, yacht club pools, Tetney Marshes Turtle Dove m singing, 5 Crossbills 2 males flew west, Marston sewage works Turtle Dove, Dunsby sewage works Little Stint, Spoonbill, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh Honey Buzzard between Louth and Burwell flew over A16 at 11.45 Black Stork flew over Croft Marsh then SW mid morning, Spoonbill, Gibraltar Point Black Stork circuling over Croft Marsh 10.03-10.10am 4 Spoonbills, Wood Sandpiper, Alkborough Flats 9/8 Pectoral Sandpiper, yacht club pools, Tetney Marshes 3 Turtle Doves, ad + 2 juvs, Dunsby sewage works Spoonbill, Little Stint, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh 2 Little Stints on realignment, Donna Nook Montagu's Harrier, Alkborough Flats Wood Sandpiper, 162 Black-tailed Godwits, Manby Flashes Curlew Sandpiper, Gibraltar Point 10/8 Caspian Gull subad by Willingham Road in tilled field by railway bridge, 5 Yellow-legged gulls, 3 ads 2 juvs, Marton 6 Spoonbills on The Wash, Wood Sandpiper still on Tennyson's Sands, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 3 Spoonbills, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh SDpotted Redshank, Messignham Sand Quarry 11/8 4 Spoonbills, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh 14 Spoonbills, Wood Sandpiper still on Tennyson's Sands. 3 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Pectoral Sandpiper, Yacht Club pools, Tetney Marshes Short-eared Owl, Gooseman's fields, Grimsby Black Stork, Covenham Reservoir late morning Black Stork over Croft Marsh near Skegness, 12.23pm Black Stork circling over Maltholme, NE of North Cockerington, 1.03pm Black Stork flew NW over Paradies Pool, Saltfleet Haven 1.40pm Possible Black Stork Great Cotes NW of Grimsby, flew over Europarc as 2.23pm Black Stork juv bearing French white ring, in field NW of Billings Gate, NE of South somercotes 3.10pm 12/8 Pectoral Sandpiper ad on Fitties End pools, Short-eared owl, Tetney Marshes Short-eared Owl, by Haven, Saltfleetby Red-footed Falcon, Willow Tree Fen WSW of Spalding 4 Spoonbills on South Scrape, Frampton Marsh 10 Spoonbills, 3 Spotted Redshanks on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Little Stint, Saltfleetby Haven Little Stint, 2 Turnstones, Covemnham reservoir Spotted Redshank on flashes, Donna Nook 13/8 2 Garganey, Manby Flashes Black-necked Grebe, Deeping Lakes Spoonbill, 3 Spotted Redshanks, on Tennyson's Sands, Long-tailed Skua past, 6 Arctic terns, Yellow-legged Gull, Gibraltar Point Black Stork, Ferry Road/Thornton Road junction, SW of Goxhill Red-footed Falcon, Willow Tree Fen 6 Spoonbills, 10 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flats Knot at Baston/Langtoft pits Osprey flew south over Humberston Note: I am adapting my RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. Bird Alert website: Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of their subscription services. Strongly recommended. [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. *** Lincoln this week *** I looked-up mid-afternoon on Saturday 8th whilst out shopping and there were several swifts swooping low over Lindum Hill, first I've seen that low down over the middle of the city for several weeks. Then on Wednesday 12th, there were lots of hirundines, mainly swallows and house martins, really actively feeding for about 15 minutes over the Winn Street area. I wondered if there were flying ants about as we always had great gatherings of house martins when the ants flew when I lived in North Yorkshire? Also have noticed a new "moth" in our small urban garden this week - several at once on the marjoram - sent us looking at books, then to the internet when became clear that a micro-moth. We have identified as purple and gold pyralids but they prefer the marjoram to the mint in our garden and have visited for several days. Jacquie Harrison GORSE LOCATIONS: please give full information on each individual Gorse record: the location [with grid ref], your name, the date, and any habitat notes of interest. The stage of flowering is a key observation, from plants with no flowers through the range to plants in full flowering. ROAD KILLS: DALDERBY TF 248654 A153 Robert Walker 26/7/15 Badger 1 roadkill GUNBY TF473672 A158 Robert Walker 9/8/15 Badger 1 roadkill HAGWORTHINGHAM TF ? A158 Robert Walker 2/8/15 Badger 1 roadkill ROAD KILL - correction Missing date: 05.08.2015 TF321761 Bluestone Heath Road between Belchford and Tetford Silvia Fowler Grass Snake dead on road *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send in your observations and we welcome information from ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks. DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BARDNEY Water Rail Way R & A Parsons 9/8/2015 Pigmy Shrew - dead on cycle path. CAISTOR Reports from contributors to Caistor records Week beginning 7.8.15 Wendy Handford Brigg Road wildlife garden TA 111 026 Fox cub takes dead crow 2am 8.8.15. Trailcam Fox cub takes dead rabbit 1am 10.8.15. Trailcam Field vole runs across drive 7pm 7.8.15 Buzzards 3 circling 9.8.15 Grass snake, adult female, dead on lawn 9.8.15 Harlequin ladybird with 19 spots 10.8.15 Black garden ants on the wing from 4 separate nests 7.8.15 Harvestman spiders 17 on bricks around front porch 11.8.15 Brown rollrim fungi 4 under Silver birch 9.8.15 First ripe berries this week Honeysuckle, Rowan, Wild arum Wendy Handford A46 Fir Park TF 102 912 Badger adult roadkill 8.8.15 June Gaughan Grimsby Road garden TA 120 014 Adult Blackbird feeding five newly fledged juveniles 7.8.15 Wendy Collins Shieling farm TA 106 027 Pair of Robins with third brood 7.8.15 Elephant hawkmoth caterpillar on fuchsia 10.8.15. Painted lady on Marjoram, seldom seen previously 10.8.15 CHAMBERS FARM WOOD (Little Scrubbs Meadow in particular) Su Colman & Mark Townsend 12/08/15 *TF14707405* White Admiral 1 Tail end of a deer disappearing into the woods - too quick to identify *TF14717442* Peacock 10+ Common Blue 6+ Ringlet 1 Meadow Brown 4 Comma 1 Painted Lady 1 GIBRALTAR POINT Dave Miller, Coast and The Wash Warden, writes: During the Wildlife Watch sea dipping event on Saturday 8th August at Gibraltar Point we caught lots of shore crabs of all ages, isopods, small fish and sea gooseberries, but the highlight was a compass jellyfish. When put into bucket with seawater you could see it pulsating. Thankfully no-one touched it; they have a very painful sting, but it was a great sight. There is some video of it on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lincs-Coastal-Ranger/197691163628809 HORKSTOW Tuesday 11 August Jenny Haynes A Hummingbird Hawk Moth was spotted in my garden today. It's the first one we've seen here for several years. Other moths include silver Y and large yellow underwing (found in an empty compost bag). Butterflies noted so far this year: peacock, small tortoiseshell, red admiral, comma, large white, small white, brimstone, large skipper, gatekeeper, meadow brown, ringlet, speckled wood and holly blue. Yet to see any painted ladies. HORNCASTLE TF261691 My garden Robert Walker 6/8/15 Hedgehog 1 adult in garden ( First sighting in the garden for this year, however, I had seen droppings on the paths on occasions earlier in the season.) also 8/8/15 1 adult + 1 good sized juvenile 9/8/15 3 adults ( This is a record number for my small town garden) Must be the cat nibbles and water tray that does it, and all those slugs and snails! HUTTOFT Jane Pennington Huttoft TF512763 (my garden) Date 6/8/15 Great tit 1 Greenfinch 1 Date 7/8/15 Blue tits 8 Chaffinch 1 (fledgling) Large white 4 Date 8/8/15 Meadow brown 1 Peacock butterfly 1 Date 10/8/15 Dunnock 1 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Greenfinch 1 Date 11/8/15 Great tit 1 Date 12/8/15 Dunnock 1 Holly blue 1 (on some ivy) Owl 1 (screeching for 10 minutes at 3am) Pheasant 1 Date 13/8/15 Flesh-flies Sarophaga canaria 4 (on the parsnip leaves about 10 minutes after I watered them) Peacock butterfly 1 KETTLETHORPE Rodge Brownlow We have ash dieback (Chalara fraxina) confirmed in our wood. It is very obvious in young trees but not the mature ones yet, but have been told it will sweep through all eventually. We shall lose a thousand trees. Few people realise the impact this will have. Editor adds: Chalara dieback of ash - Forestry Commission webpages: http://www.forestry.gov.uk/ashdieback Chalara dieback of ash - Questions and Answers http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-8w9euv Woodland Trust - Ash dieback http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/tree-diseases-and-pests/key-threats/ash-dieback/?gclid=CKfgyIC_m8cCFSYUwwodpGgAKg MESSINGHAM Messingham Sand Pits - LWT Reserve SE 908032 Tuesday 11th August 2015 - late afternoon John Margetts and Jacquie Harrison Birds: Blue Tits Bullfinch - pair Canada Geese Carrion Crows Chaffinch Common Terns Coot Gadwall Great Crested Grebes Great tits Greylag Geese Jackdaw Lapwings Little egrets Mallards Moorhens Mute Swans Pochard Reed Warbler Robin Sand Martins Shelduck - only saw juveniles Shovelers Teal Tufted ducks Willow Warblers. Insects included: Bumblebees - unsure if garden or white bottomed Carder bees Honeybees Flying ants - several colonies on path as you get to Western boundary and lots of rabbit holes Hawker - I think brown hawkers but no expert. Gatekeeper, large white, peacock and red admiral butterflies. Large pink flowering (almost flat headed) bushes in woodland very attractive to the larger butterflies and bees - yet to identify. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 06.08.2015 Black Ants flying 07.08.2015 Swallow x 8 preening on electricity wire, all juveniles and fairly recently fledged Common Toad (yearling) House Martins still feeding one young in nest Bat 08.08.2015 Yellow Wagtail on wire Wren Gatekeeper butterfly 09.08.2015 Coal Tit x 2 All House Martins now fledged, using nest to roost at night. In summary: Only one successful House Martin brood this year from 5 nests. 7-Spot Ladybird Peacock, Red Admiral, Green-veined White (butterfly numbers still very low, even on my buddleia). Bat 11.08.2015 Robin back in (autumn) song; about 9 days later than last year Tawny Owl Great Spotted Woodpecker (juv.) unsuccessfully checking out squirrel-proof peanut feeder Ca. 25 House Martins in the air and using previously abandoned nests to roost 8 pm: 12 Canada Geese flying over SE to NW THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 07/08/15 Fox, fresh dead on road SK808979 09/08/15 Gatekeeper x 4 G V White x 2 Meadow Brown x 9 Peacock x 17 Small Skipper x 3 Small White x 5 10/08/15 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 12 Starling x 19 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 2 fledged young Common Pipistrelle x 2 Soprano Pipistrelle x 1 Pygmy Shrew x 1 (dead) Common Carpet x 1 Common Rustic x 1 Endotricha flammealis x 1 Silver Y x 1 Single-dotted Wave x 1 Willow Beauty x 1 butterflies at SK813999 Peacock x 4 Red Admiral x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 2 11/08/15 Roe Deer x 1 SK808979 12/08/15 Golden Plover x 1 Tree Sparrow x 37 Common Pipistrelle x 2 Moths on security light; Agriphila tristella Celypha lacunana Common Rustic Mother of Pearl Scarce Footman Silver Y Yellow shell WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons Hurnbridge Road TF 214538 8/8/2015 Buzzard flying west 7.20pm TF 220530 8/8/2015 Male Marsh Harrier flying north across field 7.30pm Canada Farm TF 222539 8/8/2015 Buzzard flying south over woods and calling 10am Castle Dyke Bank TF 240532 8/8/2015 Male Marsh Harrier flying north across field 2.30pm R & A Parsons Adult Fox [vixen?] on camera trap 9th/10th/11th Aug 2015 9/8/2015 TF 218535 Male Marsh Harrier flying north across field 2.30p 9/8/2015 TF 216535 Pigmy Shrew - cat kill 11/6 Dead bank vole - cat kill Grass snake ad roadkill at Great Beats Farm TF 222533 Fresh-looking Painted Lady ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. Lincolnshire Coast NNRs and S Lincs Highlights including RSPB Wash Reserves RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx http://www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ South Lincolnshire bird sightings Pending. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gibraltar Point News. Reports always welcome. It would be great if a Gib "regular" could let us have a contribution from time to time. See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR. http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 and DONNA NOOK ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE NNR. Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report Week ending 13 August 2015 Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth, Nige Lound, John Walker & Rob Lidstone-Scott Birds 6 Aug - 2 hobby, 1 cuckoo, 160 curlew, 1 greenshank, 15 whimbrel flying south & 150+ curlew. 1 short-eared owl and 3 common sandpiper at Paradise Pool 9 Aug - 1 cuckoo, immature marsh harrier, redstart and a group of 25+ long-tailed tits, which is the largest number seen in a single flock for some time. 10 Aug - adult, female and immature marsh harrier, 2 kestrel, 1 hobby, 5 little egret, 1 Arctic skua, 13 cormorant, 150+ common tern & 40+ Sandwich tern 11 Aug - recorded out from Brickyard Lane (BYL) on a mid-afternoon rising tide: 100+common tern, 40+ Sandwich tern, 3 little gull (2 adults & 1 immature), 1 immature kittiwake, 21 cormorant, 5 whimbrel heading south, 20 ringed plover and 60 sanderling. Evening beach count at BYL: 4000+ common gull, 1000+ black-headed gull, 50+ herring gull & 24 great black- backed gull. Black stork seen again. 12 Aug - 2 common sandpiper, juvenile cuckoo, 50+ black-headed gull & 12 common gull at Paradise Pool. Single hobby flying south and a yellow wagtail. Seven species of warbler observed on the reserve: willow, reed, sedge, chiffchaff, common whitethroat, lesser whitethroat & blackcap. Bullfinch also seen and groups of swallows and/or house martins increasing. Mammals/reptiles Grass snake disturbed in fresh water marsh at Rimac which rapidly scurried off into a nearby ditch. Both stoat and weasel seen on or near reserve. Insects Butterflies seen this week include peacock, comma, common blue, wall brown, hedge brown, meadow brown, small heath, speckled wood, painted lady, red admiral, small tortoiseshell, large white (including one seen flying in off the sea), small white, green-veined white, small copper, small skipper & ringlet. Hummingbird hawkmoth & shaded broad-bar moth. Dragonflies include emperor, southern hawker, migrant hawker, common & ruddy darter, blue-tailed damsel and emerald green damselfly Flora Plants in flower include field scabious, harebell, sea lavender, common & lesser centaury, restharrow, meadowsweet, figwort, tansy, red bartsia, autumn gentian, angelica, common fleabane, carline thistle and black knapweed. Ragwort providing an excellent source of nectar in the dunes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. News from Far Ings NNR ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Far Ings News See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/publications/limewoods-walks/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Limewoods are notable for the few reports we receive for the Bulletin, so you can help by sending in sightings if you visit. Two good links about the Limewoods are: Adrian Royle's superb Flickr photo-site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/collections/72157624803742908/ Colin Green has produced the following video about visiting Southrey Wood in Oct 2012. Well worth a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1SpBvd9Ib0 The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Wood (please detail specific area when reporting e.g. Ivy Wood, Little Scrubbs Meadow etc.); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood, Wickenby Wood. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire using modern Information and Communication Technology. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually 'goes to bed' on Fridays. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible to ensure they are included, to: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] *** Find the Grid Reference *** Chris Manning recommended the following websites to help find grid references. grab a Grid Reference http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny http://lnu.org/publications.php ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk *** Contacts List *** No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. 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 Website: http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/ *** National Rural Crime Network *** Call for case studies as new website to tackle rural crime is launched. http://www.lincs.police.uk/Advice/Wildlife-and-Rural-Crime/National-Rural-Crime-Network.html See: http://www.nationalruralcrimenetwork.net/ STAYING SAFE No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Local Tide Tables *** Here is a useful-looking website where you can order local tide tables. Well worth bookmarking. Everyone who uses the coast ought to have local tide tables handy. £1.50 + p&p. https://www.tidetimes.org.uk/ *** TWO - The Weather Outlook *** Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. *** iSpot Keys for computer or mobile *** If you are a beginner to identification of species, you might find the following link useful. http://www.ispot.org.uk/keys The LNU is now represented on the popular iSpot website. A full list of the organisations, recording schemes and societies represented is here: http://www.ispot.org.uk/representatives *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php http://butterfly-conservation.org/ What's That Caterpillar? http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/species_family.php?name=all&stage=larva *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/dragonfly-and-damselfly-identification-help *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde writes: Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). I will be organising a few field meetings to hunt for spiders and other arachnids in due course, but if any LNU members wish to get in touch in the meantime then please contact me on my e-mail address: Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com or tel 07864967057 Ashley Butterfield, LNU Reptile and Amphibian Recorder, adds: The recordpool is a joint ARGUK and ARC Trust project that aims to collect herpetofauna data from the uk that might not otherwise be recorded and make it available for conservation purposes. As such you will have access to your own records at full resolution and other records at a lower resolution. You can input reptile and amphibian data at: http://www.recordpool.org.uk/ Please remember, common species are just as important as rarer species, so please give it a go. Please contact Dr Angela Julian ARGUK with any specific questions. angela.digges@clara.co.uk *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** LNU Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Alan Phillips Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). Aculeates only please, no parasitic wasps such as Ichneumons. If in doubt please contact for advice: aculeates@gmail.com *** How to Identify Bees *** BWARS - Bees Wasps & Ants Recording Society http://www.bwars.com/ Bumblebee Conservation Trust http://bumblebeeconservation.org/ *** Good sources of seeds of Bee-friendly Wild Flowers *** Mark Schofield writes: Always consider the provenance and sustainable sourcing of seed. Plantlife and Flora locale have defined protocols that can guide the conservation-minded shopper. Bee-friendly gardeners should refer to their A-Z suppliers list which can be found here: www.floralocale.org/Alphabetical+supplier+listing Advice: www.wildlifetrusts.org/Bees-needs/growmore bumblebeeconservation.org/get-involved/managing-your-land/wildflower-seed/ *** Mammal Records *** Mammal records can reported to Chris Manning E-mail: Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Identification of Non-Marine Molluscs *** John Redshaw is still available to identify specimens of non- marine shelled molluscs, including brackish marsh species. For larger and medium sized species (down to 1cm) a digital image will usually suffice. For smaller species it may be possible, in some cases, to ID specimens from digital images, but usually actual specimens will be required. If providing specimens, they may be enclosed in old film pots (which photographic shops are usually glad to get rid of). Details of location where specimen found, (with grid reference if known), date and finder's name should be provided. If specimen is provided this information should be noted on a label stuck to the outside of the pot. Please be aware that it is illegal to send live specimens through the post. For further details please contact John by e-mail on ejred7fen@tiscali.co.uk *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has also kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group Update *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in badger reports. USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk Website: http://www.gnlp.org.uk *** Limestone Grassland Project *** Mark Schofield, Limestone Grassland Project Officer, mschofield@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Lincs Bird Club *** LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk John Badley - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Bird Club Website: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Other Useful Websites/contacts *** No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project (LCGMP) *** The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes project produced two films of the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes. They are based on Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) which measures topography accurately. The films reveal many historical and geomorphological features that are not always obvious to the eye. Note that the vertical perspective is exaggerated to enhance the features. Narrated by Jim Broadbent. Watch them here: Southern marshes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwhVamd4j6E Northern marshes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZjqzcMFXi8 *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** A dedicated service to protect and enhance the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). 01507 609740 http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** Project Officer: Ruth Craig http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering or contact the project officer ruth.craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** The South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership *** http://www.lincsfenlands.org.uk/ Contact: slincsfens@lincstrust.co.uk Amanda Jenkins - South Lincolnshire Fenlands Project Officer *** RSPB local webpages *** http://www.rspb.org.uk www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk S Lincs RSPB http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincsbirders *** Lincolnshire's Alternative Birding Group http://www.lincsbirders.org/ Lincolnshire Limewoods Project Bardney Limewoods NNR http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk Botanical Group in South Lincs Sarah Lambert writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, whether experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 some cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net 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 precise 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. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [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 http://www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. 2015 Field Meetings. Note: Metheringham Delph meeting has been changed as follows: Sunday, September 06, 2015 River Slea Southeast of Ruskington, 12.00 for 13.00 start. Use the riverside North Kesteven 'Stepping Out' car park at TF105 496 which is just west of Haverholme Priory, off the minor road between Ruskington and Ewerby. Habitats: River, woodland, scrub and ditches. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, October 11, 2015 Fungus Foray - TBC TBC - see Wildnews Bulletin, website or contact a member of the Executive Committee for further details. Also see: Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (Lincoln Area Group) Workshops, in conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union September 19th: Spider Workshop Interested in Invertebrates but would like to know more in particular about Spiders? Come along and find out more with local expert Imogen Wilde. All workshops will be held in the Lafarge Education Building at Whisby Nature Park from 1:30pm until 4:30pm. They are free of charge and refreshments are included. In conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union. Limited to 20 participants. Booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** A text copy of past Bulletins will be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Latest Mailfails. k.skingle - permanent fatal errors - over quota redpoll dircon - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying bumptydiddle - soft bounce - e-mail could not be delivered because the recipient is not accepting e-mail that contains specific words or phrases. Sue cfga - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying *** And finally...... Contributions to "And finally......" are always welcome. Global warming threatens extinction for UK butterflies http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33849600 Dolphins join Redcar RNLI fishing boat rescue http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-33831141 Short-haired bumblebee numbers increase at Dungeness http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-33850082 Three steps to save Britain’s butterflies http://theconversation.com/three-steps-to-save-britains-butterflies-45967 Butterfly beauty - at London's Natural History Museum http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22025537 Shores are 'final frontier' for archaeology project http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33821094 Headstone for Grantham airman unveiled 92 years after his death http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-33816539 Scotland to ban GM crop growing http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-33833958 The growing problem of space junk http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-33782943 John Piper photo quest to find mystery locations [I recognise the Priory in Stamford!] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-33863300 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/