============================================= || || 7th August 2016 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || LNU Website: || http://www.lnu.org/ || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR 6. Other Reserve Reports and Highlights 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ 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 link so they can sign up for it: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Text versions of past Wildnews Bulletins since Feb 2009 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, the Lincolnshire Bird Club and Lincolnshire Environmental Record Centre [LERC]. 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.... *** We are always willing to give a bit of publicity to any Lincolnshire organisation with an interest in natural history. You will have seen such information: news, field events, talks and calls for volunteers from a wide range of local projects. If you are running a local event or activity which is "All Welcome", please get in touch, tell us what you would like us to include. All we ask is that you provide material in a simple form that allows me to copy/paste it into the Bulletin. Every week we try to include relevant links to interesting items of news or information, selected with you in mind. A few are given here, but most are listed at the end of the Bulletin in section 12, the "..and finally...." section. Please feel free to suggest a link. Cost of rural crime to UK economy reaches £42.5m in 2015. "NFU Mutual statistics show rural crime cost Lincolnshire £2.2m last year - a 19% increase since 2014 - making it the worst affected county in the UK. " http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-36943774 If you have not yet registered with Lincolnshire Alert perhaps it is time to do so. There have already been reports of hare coursers on harvested barley fields in the county. See: https://www.lincolnshirealert.co.uk/ The Freshwater Habitats Trust - a useful link to bookmark. http://freshwaterhabitats.org.uk/ RSB Flying Ant survey page - there is still time for you to see some. https://www.rsb.org.uk/get-involved/biologyweek/flying-ant-survey? Nature Back from the Brink survey: http://www.naturebackfromthebrink.org/ National Dormouse Conference on Friday 9th or Saturday 10th September https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/national-dormouse-conference-2016-tickets-24321590532 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/national-dormouse-conference-2016-tickets-24321590532 Norfolk: Drop in little terns numbers concerns RSPB http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-36916446 Yet more drama! Len Pick Trust Owl Tower Project. Keep watching. http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/page/16/owl-tower-project Kew: The Hive - has anyone been to see it? What did you make of it? http://www.kew.org/visit-kew-gardens/whats-on/thehive Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' for August will be found on the link below. http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html August brings the Perseid meteor shower: July 17th - August 24th. The peak is on 12th August, but conditions are likely to be unfavourable. Nevertheless.... Sky & Telescope on summer Meteor Showers: http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-news/observing-news/delta-aquarids-kick-off-summer-meteor-showers/ Roger *** Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important *** Chris Manning recommends 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/ *** Bat Walk - Snipe Dales - Friday 12th August - MEET UP TIME is 7.30pm *** Helen Scarborough and Garry Steele are having a "Bat Walk at Snipe Dales Country Park on Friday, 12th August. Young people are very welcome, so head's up, Wildlife Watch members. Bulletin readers are very welcome too. Join experts from Lincolnshire Bat Group on a walk round the Country Park to spot these important and elusive mammals. Bat detectors will be available to aid identification and to listen in as they hunt for food. There is also the possibility of seeing individual "rescue" bats at close quarters. All welcome. Free event. No dogs please. MEET UP TIME is 7.30pm The suggested ‘official’ end time for the event is 10.30pm. *** LNU EVENTS - list in section 11 below - guests welcome *** Section 11 now includes the LNU Field Meetings for 2016. To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php 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. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Saturday, August 13, 2016 Tetney Blow Wells LWT Reserve With evening moth/bat recording session (Courtesy of LWT and Anglian Water) South of Cleethorpes 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening session starting at 20.15. Park alongside Church Lane in Tetney village in vicinity of church or nearby. There is a footpath which leads to the reserve just to the east. NB. No mains available for moth traps. Facilities available in local village pubs in Tetney or Tetney Lock. Stiles present. Habitats: Blow wells, marsh, woodland, grassland, streams and scrub. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com *** Sustrans Bioblitz - Friday 19th August *** Sarah Bradbury writes: Join Sustrans for a BioBlitz on the greenway in Skellingthorpe. We will survey a different species every hour from 12-8pm on Friday 19th August. All welcome. No booking required. Drop in any time. Meet at the Youth Centre in Skellingthorpe. For more information email sarah.bradbury@sustrans.org.uk or call 07500856995. *** Festival of free events celebrating Lincolnshire's chalk streams *** Will Bartle, Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Monitoring Officer, writes: "We've got a week of free events coming up as part of our Chalk Streams Festival as well as a photography competition." www.lincswolds.org.uk The Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project is running a week-long festival of free events for all ages between Monday 22nd August and Friday 26th August funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and supported by the Lincolnshire County Council. All events are free and are fun for all ages and abilities, including stream dipping, pop-up theatre and guided walks along the chalk streams. The project is also launching a photography competition, open to all ages, with two categories, 'Urban Chalk Streams of Lincolnshire' and 'Rural Chalk Streams of Lincolnshire', so get snapping! For details of events during the Lincolnshire Chalk Streams festival and how to enter the photography competition please see their Facebook page: @LincolnshireChalkStreams About the Heritage Lottery Fund Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about - from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. www.hlf.org.uk @heritagelottery *** Cricket, lovely cricket? *** The University of Exeter are conducting a project to study the behaviour of crickets. They have had more than 140 digital video cameras filming the crickets in northern Spain. Their problem is that they now have far too much footage to go through it all themselves. They are seeking volunteers to watch clips of crickets in action and put them into categories, such as are they mating, or fighting, or feeding? To get involved visit: http://cricket-tales.exeter.ac.uk To find out more about the overall aims of the project, visit: www.wildcrickets.org *** Comment on the Future of the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB *** Have your say on the future of the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). We would be grateful if you could spare a few minutes to fill in our questionnaire. Your views are important to us and will help the partnership to prepare the next statutory Management Plan for the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB, and in particular how we can all help protect and enhance the special qualities of the area. Click here to download the form, fill it in then e-mail it back to us! If you'd rather, we can post a copy out to you - contact Helen Gamble, AONB Project Officer on 01522 555780 http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/looking-after/have%20your%20say *** Take part in the UK Jellyfish survey! *** When you go down to the beach this summer, please keep your eyes peeled for jellyfish. We don't know much about these wobbly wonders but we do know that several species of threatened sea turtle feed on them. https://www.mcsuk.org/what_we_do/Wildlife+protection/Report+wildlife+sightings/MCS+Jellyfish+Survey *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Scunthorpe Museum Society *** www.scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk *** Barton LWT *** Adrian White writes: Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2015 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** RSPB *** Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ South Lincs RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby *** Heritage Open Days 2016 *** Heritage Open Days in Sept which this year's theme is Natural Heritage, Welton le Wold on the Friday and a Geological walk on the Sunday. Friday 9 September - Where Elephants once Roamed 10:30 am to 1:00 pm. Discover more about this disused gravel and sand quarry as the experts explain about this important geological and archaeological Site of Special Scientific Interest, normally closed to the public. By kind permission of the landowners, this 3 mile walk forms part of the Heritage Open Days. Meet: Welton le Wold disused quarry, accessible from A631 & signposted on the day. Grid ref: TF 279 882 O.S. map 282 Postcode: LN11 0QT Parking: Free parking at the event, look for signage on the day Leaders: Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group & Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service Sunday 11 September - Claxby Ironstone Mine Geology Walk 10:00 am to 1:00pm pm. The walk traverses the Lower Cretaceous sediments within which the Claxby Ironstone Formation is found. The site of the original Claxby Ironstone Mine will be visited and its relationship with the surrounding geology explored, led by Paul Hildreth. BOOKING essential contact John Esser on 01472 851105 or jesser@yahoo.com Full event listing https://www.heritagelincolnshire.org/heritage-open-days *** 2016 Apple Day Diary Dates *** Visiting the website of the Stamford Community Orchard Group, I noted that their Apple Day is on Saturday 1st October this year. This is a great event and well worth a visit. See: http://scog.org.uk/ Wragby's Apple day is on Sunday 2nd October. For details, see: http://www.applesandorchards.org.uk/images/Apple_Days_2016.pdf Woolsthorpe's annual Apple Day will be on Sunday 9th October. See: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/woolsthorpe-manor ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 29/7 White-rumped Sandpiper ad, Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh 2 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Wood Sandpiper, Covenham Reservoir 30/7 9-12 Turtle Dove south of Kirkstead Bridge, Woodhall Spa Little Stint on Paradise Pool, S of Saltfleet Haven, SE of Saltfleet White-rumped Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, 5 Turtle Doves [2 juvs], 2 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh 4 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 15 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 2 Little Stints, Donna Nook Curlew Sandpiper, Pyewipe, Grimsby 31/7 Honey Buzzard NW of Burgh le Marsh flew south over Welton le Marsh 2 Little Stints at south end, Donna Nook White-rumped Sandpiper ad, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 5 Turtle Doves [2 juvs], Frampton Marsh Curlew Sandpiper, Pyewipe, Grimsby 4 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Short-earted Owl, Gibraltar Point 1/8 White-rumped Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint, 2 Turtle Doves, Spoonbill, Frampton Marsh Pectoral Sandpiper on reservoir, Freiston Shore 9 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Caspian Gull, 23+ Yellow-legged Gulls, Norton Disney 2/8 White-rumped Sandpiper, Spoonbill, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Pectoral Sandpiper on reservoir, Freiston Shore Osprey at Pye's Hall, Donna Nook, then at Grainthorpe Haven Turtle Dove male singing, Walesby Moor 14 Spoonbills, Spotted Redshank, Alkborough Flats 3/8 White-rumped Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper. Frampton Marsh Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Pectoral Sandpiper on reservoir, Freiston Shore Note: I am adapting 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. Rare Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of the subscription services. [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. LACK OF BUTTERFLIES? Marion Ellis writes: I read Peter Crick's comments about no butterflies on the buddleia in New Waltham. I visited a friend today in North Hykeham and she made exactly the same comment, usually there are lots, but not this year. Editior adds: Same is true on my Buddleias, only a few bumblebees seem interested. ROADKILLS HIGH TOYNTON A158 TF288700 24/7/16 Robert Walker Fox 1 roadkill on side of road WINCEBY A158 TF317696 24/7/16 Robert Walker Badger 1 roadkill on side of road also near same location Roe deer 1 roadkill A153 Hedgehogs Chris J Manning 26 July 2016 - A153 TF166554 TF181554 TF223581 A52 Wrangle/Friskney 26/07/2016 Roy and Kath Pearson Dead badger on A52 at TF455532. *** 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 ALFORD [near CLAYTHORPE MILL] Rye Lane near Alford TF414788 R & A Parsons 30/7/2016 at 1pm. Large Common Toad crossing road under old railway bridge. ANDERBY CREEK TF552758 R. Parsons 30/7/2016 Merlin juv M at 10.30hrs Caspian tern Cinnabar moth caterpillars common on Ragwort Red Admiral butterfly [No cetaceans!] DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve Date: 02/08/16 Time: 1340 - 1702 Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Cloudy, warm and humid with occassional drizzle. Birds: Blackbird Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Bullfinch Canada Goose Carrion Crow Chaffinch Common Sandpiper Common Tern Coot Cormorant Garden Warbler (another observer) Goldeneye Great Crested Grebe Great Spotted Woodpecker Great Tit Greenfinch Green Sandpiper Green Woodpecker Grey Heron Greylag Goose Hobby (another observer) Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Little Egret Little Ringed Plover Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Pochard Reed Bunting Reed Warbler Ringed Plover Robin Starling Tufted Duck Whitethroat Wigeon Willow Warbler Woodpigeon Sunday 31/07/16 (reported tome by another observer) Black-tailed Godwit Great White Egret Butterflies: Gatekeeper Green-veined White Large White Meadow Brown Peacock Ringlet Small White Reported earlier in day by reserve working party: Brown Argus Common Blue Painted Lady Small Copper Dragons & Damsels: Azure Damselfly Black-tailed Skimmer Brown Hawker Common Blue Damselfly Emerald Damselfly Emporer Dragonfly Ruddy Darter Mammals: Muntjac Deer GIBRALTAR POINT NNR / SEACROFT MARSH 31/7/16 Robert Walker Butterflies :- Meadow Brown 10+ Gatekeeper 6+ Painted Lady 1 Peacock 2 Small White 2 Small Skipper 8+ Cinnabar moth caterpillars 3 Most of the above were to be seen on the flowering Ragwort. HAGWORTHINGHAM A158 TF357691 31/7/16 Robert Walker Buzzard 1 Close encounter of the avian kind ! The buzzard took off from the grass verge, clutching its prey, straight for the car bonnet and windscreen, a click of the prey's trailing claws on the glass, a flurry of it's feathers, and a lucky escape for the buzzard. It could so nearly have been a roadkill report, and probably my broken windscreen! HORKSTOW Jenny Haynes 30 August 2016 Violet Ground Beetle found in my garden (I swept it up with some dead leaves). Butterflies seen this week include: two Red Admirals; several large whites; one Peacock; two Meadow Browns; Gatekeeper. Very few around despite the Buddlea being in full bloom. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 28/7/2016 Goldfinch 1 29/7/2016 Dunnock 1 Robins 4 Wren 1 30/7/2016 Pheasant 1 31/7/2016 Large whites 2 Robins 3 1/8/2016 Small tortoiseshell 1 2/8/2016 Blackbird 1 (fledgling) Great spotted woodpecker 1 Large whites 2 Magpie 1 Red admiral 1 Robins 5 (3 different adults, 2 juveniles) 3/8/2016 Frog 1 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Large whites 2 Meadow brown 2 Red admirals 2 Wren 1 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 30/07/2016 Jon Drakes The following species were noted whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Bird Watch for the BTO in our back garden: Chaffinch 1 House Sparrow 15 Dunnock 4 Tree Sparrow 2 Blackbird 3 Collared Dove 1 Starling 20 Robin 1 Large White Butterfly Small White Butterfly KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 31/07/2016 Jon Drakes A walk around fields and woods to the North of the village on a very bright and warm Sunday morning found the following species present: Bird species: Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Buzzard 2 soaring above Roxton Woods Carrion Crow Chaffinch Chiffchaff 2 heard calling Collared Dove Dunnock Great Tit Greenfinch House Sparrow Kestrel Magpie Moorhen Pied Wagtail Robin Starling Swallow Swift Tree Sparrow Woodpigeon Wren Yellowhammer Butterfliy species noted : Small White Meadow Brown Large White Ringlet Speckled Wood Small Skipper Painted Lady Mammal species noted: Roe Deer Muntjac Deer SCEMBY TF431679 24/7/16 Robert Walker Kestrel 1 Hunting near road verge. STIXWOULD 25/7/16 Robert Walker Little Owl 1 Exact location not given as it is known that this site has had a successful breeding pair here on previous years. THEDDLETHORPE Theddlethorpe Dunes John Cowell Brickyard Lane - Path to the beach 02/08/2016 A Turtle Dove calling at 10am from a few yards North of the path. Is this quite late? WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 31/7/2016 Several juv Robins followed me on the mower today - fearless. Family of pheasants down from 4 chicks to 3! 1/8/2016 Comma butterfly basking on wall 9am - first seen this year. Small white 2. Red Admiral 1, Ringlet 2, Meadow Brown 2. 2/8/2016 Grass snake ad m on compost heap beneath black plastic. Common shrew ad. WILDMORE - Hurnbridge Road TF216540 3/8/2016 Muntjac ad in corner of barley field at 15.45 hrs. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx 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/what-we-do/living-landscapes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/gibraltar-point See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/donna-nook-nnr ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 28th July – 3rd August 2016 Contributors: Peter and Janet Roworth, Cliff Morrison, John Walker, Rory Greer July weather summary The majority of days in July were warm, dry and sunny interspersed with the occasional shower of light rain. Of note the edge of a nearby storm did yield 13.1mm on the 7th. Daytime temperatures gradually rose to the mid-twenties and from the 18th - 22nd the weather was hot and humid. A high of 29°C was recorded on the 20th. Minimum temperatures varied quite markedly with air min 18°C (20th) to 7°C (6th) and grass min 15.25°C (10th) to 4°C (6th). The oppressive hot weather changed to fresher showery conditions from the 28th, influenced by a north-westerly/westerly air flow together with more unsettled spells of showers. Total rainfall for the month was 30.3mm. The number of migrant waders, gulls and terns continues at an increased level with roosting gull flocks on Theddlethorpe foreshore now c.3000 mostly Black Headed Gull. Also single Arctic Skua seen Tues and Weds morning on the high tides, now approaching spring tide height, flooding most of the sandy/silt fore- shore but only small areas of the higher saltmarsh which now has swathes of Sea Lavender in flower, another good source of nectar for bees. Most of the morning song has now ended as the breeding season for the majority of local birds comes to an end, and no adult Cuckoos seen over the past week. 27th Red admiral 2 on the wing at SV Wheatear 2 (moulting juvs) on dune edge near Churchill. 28th Spoonbill 2, Little Stint 1, Curlew Sandpiper 1, Little Ringed Plover 2, Green Sandpiper, Redshank 29, Black-tailed Godwit 1, Common Sandpiper 4 at Paradise lagoon. 29th In the morning at Paradise lagoon were Redshank 71, Common Sandpiper 4, Black- tailed Godwit 3, Ringed Plover 1, Little Ringed Plover 2, Dunlin 3, Little Stint 1, Mallard 33, Teal 3, Black-headed Gull 74, Common Gull 9. Blackcap 2, Willow Warbler (uttering song) and single Common Whitethroat at SV. In a nearby cut grass field were 50+ Curlew and 9 Whimbrel. 30th At Paradise lagoon there were Black-headed Gull 143, Common Gull 4, Common Sandpiper 4, Dunlin 4, Little Stint 1, Little Ringed Plover 4, Ringed Plover 1, Black- tailed Godwit 3, Lapwing 1, Heron 1 and 30+ Mallard. 31st Spoonbill 2 at Paradise lagoon. Singles of comma, peacock and red admiral butterflies on the wing at SV. 1st Paradise lagoon is still attracting a small number of waders with Dunlin 22, Redshank 5, Little Ringed Plover 1, Common Sandpiper 1 and the Spoonbill 2 which roost there. Also a Painted Lady butterfly on the beach at BYL early morning of the 1st. 3rd Swift 6 flying high, south over SV. A single Green Woodpecker over the dunes this morning is an unusual species sighting, but becoming more regular in recent years. Insects Over the past week a small hatch of Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, and Comma has been observed also very small numbers of Small Heath, Brown Argus and Common Blue. In general numbers are at best 20% of average. However, Red Admirals have been moving north in small numbers and a small increase was seen here from Thursday onwards. It seems from casual observation bees populations are also very reduced,ironically due to the cool wet weather of spring and early summer a profusion of nectar bearing flowers is available especially Ragwort, Knapweed, Willowherb, and Meadowsweet. A single Southern Hawker dragonfly was seen on Monday and Migrant Hawker Dragonfly seen early morning on 3rd. Coloured ring Spoonbill update The colour ringed Spoonbill with black flag, yellow, red // metal, black, white observed at Paradise lagoon on 9th June was ringed as a pullus on 4th June 2015 at Onderdijk, Vooroever, The Netherlands. It has been re-sighted at: 26-7-2015 Lauwersmeer, Jaap Deensgat The Netherlands. 101 km from ringing site. Observer Thijs Fijen 26-4-2016 Charente Maritime, Saint-Just-Luzac, Gab, France. 927 km from ringing site, foraging. Observer Bruno Duchenne 9-6-2016 Lincolnshire, Paradise lagoon, Saltfleetby, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom. 337 km from ringing site, foraging. Observers Peter and Janet Roworth 12-6-2016 Carlton Marshes Nat. Res. Lowestoft, Suffolk, United Kingdom. 257 km from ringing site. Observer Andrew Easton 18-6-2016 Suffolk, Orfordness, United Kingdom. 260 km from ringing site. Observer Mike Marsh 30-6-2016 Suffolk, Hollesley Marshes, United Kingdom. 250 km from ringing site. Observer David Fairhurst 1-7-2016 Suffolk, Hollesley Marshes, United Kingdom. 250 km from ringing site. Observer David Fairhurst Note: Dog glove dispensers across the reserve (with the exception of Rimac) have been removed, this is due to Natural England budget cuts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/far-ings See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/visit/woods-and-nature-reserves/127031.article http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/events/2014/07/07/visit-dormouse-project 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. The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Woods (which comprise 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) Also see: Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports from, LNRs always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually 'goes 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 copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** 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 or from the website: http://www.lnu.org/join.php LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny http://lnu.org/publications.php ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk Mammal Atlas Chris Manning has put the new Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire on the link below. You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. https://goo.gl/XIqRZg *** CONTACTS LIST *** Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** 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 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 Website: http://lincs.police.uk/get-help-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/ also see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/issues/crime STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** 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 SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Identifying Fungi *** http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/ *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php http://butterfly-conservation.org/ *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/dragonfly-and-damselfly-identification-help *** How to Identify Bees *** BWARS - Bees Wasps & Ants Recording Society http://www.bwars.com/ Bumblebee Conservation Trust http://bumblebeeconservation.org/ *** 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 *** Mammal Recorder *** Chris Manning E-mail: Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. Mammal Atlas Chris Manning has put the new Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire on the link below. You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. https://goo.gl/XIqRZg *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact: Ashley Butterfield Email: ashleybutterfield@btinternet.com 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 Lincolnshire Bat Group website: http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** LNU Sawflies, Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Dr. David Sheppard 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). If in doubt please contact for advice: d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** 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 ejohnredshaw@gmail.com *** 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 *** 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. 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 USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** 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.glnp.org.uk/ *** Life on the Verge and Wildflower Meadow Network Project *** Aidan Neary, Wildflower Meadow Project Officer, aneary@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825 970930, 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/ *** 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/ *** 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 *** Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** 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: Jonathan Gahan http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering or contact the project officer jonathan.gahan@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** RSPB local webpages *** https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/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/ Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincsbirders *** Lincolnshire's Alternative Birding Group http://www.lincsbirders.org/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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.] 2016 Field meetings Saturday, August 13, 2016 Tetney Blow Wells LWT Reserve With evening moth/bat recording session (Courtesy of LWT and Anglian Water) South of Cleethorpes 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening session starting at 20.15. Park alongside Church Lane in Tetney village in vicinity of church or nearby. There is a footpath which leads to the reserve just to the east. NB. No mains available for moth traps. Facilities available in local village pubs in Tetney or Tetney Lock. Stiles present. Habitats: Blow wells, marsh, woodland, grassland, streams and scrub. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, September 04, 2016 Burkinshaw’s Covert (A private site with access courtesy of Total Lindsey Oil Refinery) North Killingholme, North Lincolnshire 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet at the main car park (by Gate No.7), Rosper Road, North Killingholme (grid ref TA16701754 and post code DN40 3DZ will get you nearby). Assemble at security gatehouse to meet Alan Jones from Humber Nature Partnership. Alan’s mobile no. is 07905 491647 if there are any problems finding the location. NB. Gate 7 is on Rosper Road, to the east of the refinery, not on Eastfield Road which is to the west. We will all need to drive to site (under escort by security staff to unlock gates) and will all need to leave at the same time (just after 16.00). May need to car share depending on numbers. Toilets available at security gatehouse. Habitats: Broadleaved woodland, scrub, grassland and pond. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Site Contact: Alan Jones 07905 491647 alan.jones@humbernature.co.uk Sunday, October 09, 2016 LNU Annual Fungus Foray (National Fungus Day) (Access courtesy of the Forestry Commission) Temple Wood (Access courtesy of the Forestry Commission) North of Bourne 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park at TF058299 at northern entrance track to wood (nearest post code NG34 0HE). Take minor road west from Aslackby, off the A15. Nearest public toilets are in Bourne. Habitat: Broadleaved woodland. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** goffro - hard bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying claire.hutchins - hard bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, text copies of past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html ....and finally..... Cost of rural crime to UK economy reaches £42.5m in 2015. "NFU Mutual statistics show rural crime cost Lincolnshire £2.2m last year - a 19% increase since 2014 - making it the worst affected county in the UK. " http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-36943774 Lincoln Cathedral's WW2 water tank to be excavated in dig http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-36963121 Sir Joseph Banks conservatory to house crocodiles at Woodside http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-36952847 Civic pride 'can help sustain urban biodiversity' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36913655 How I was floored by a tick - Lyme Disease http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-36923336 Yorkshire Dales and Lake District national parks extend http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36905517' Amazing' waterspout off Suffolk coast http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-36941468 Yellow-rattle's priceless gifts https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/aug/02/yellow-rattle-bees-flower-meadows-country-diary https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/aug/02/yellow-rattle-bees-flower-meadows-country-diary Oh we do like to be beside the riverside - River Wharfe https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/aug/01/sun-swimming-river-wharfe-country-diary https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/aug/01/sun-swimming-river-wharfe-country-diary Thorn tree tangle of pagans and poets https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/29/thorn-tree-langley-bush-broze-age-parish-gibbet-poets-pagans-heretics https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/29/thorn-tree-langley-bush-broze-age-parish-gibbet-poets-pagans-heretics Images - Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2016 http://sa.news-switcher.newslabs.co:8001/news/in-pictures-36907268 Debate needed on 1.5C temperature target http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36904990 PM wants positive outcome for science in Brexit talks http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36915846 Plastic bag use plummets in England http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36917174 UK's 7 Natural Wonders http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/zxmqsg8 Tourists walk on the 100-metre-long, 1.6-metre-wide glass skywalk that clings to the cliff of Tianmen Mountain in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. https://media.guim.co.uk/aab0869e1ee32591850deb43663c04aac0e17dbd/0_0_4000_2998/500.jpg https://media.guim.co.uk/aab0869e1ee32591850deb43663c04aac0e17dbd/0_0_4000_2998/500.jpg Butterflies: a feast for more than eyes https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/28/butterflies-a-feast-for-more-than-eyes-country-diary What does the solar system sound like? https://theconversation.com/what-does-the-solar-system-sound-like-63014 In pictures: The beauty of the skies http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-36907268 Parakeets are the new pigeons - and they're on course for global domination http://theconversation.com/parakeets-are-the-new-pigeons-and-theyre-on-course-for-global-domination-63244 Note: If a link does not work, please look at the URL. See if an extra http:// has crept in. ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/