============================================= || || 28th 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 use the "forward to a friend" link at the end of every Bulletin or, if you prefer, 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.... *** The LNU Field Meeting in September is at Burkinshaw’s Covert, North Killingholme in North Lincolnshire. Whilst in the area, those attending may also wish to fit in a visit to another northerly nature reserves such as LWT's Far Ings, Donna Nook or Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe. You could do so on the way to or from the LNU meeting. See: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/far-ings-nnr http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes A reserve close to the Field Meeting venue is Killingholme Haven Pits: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/killingholme-haven-pits The RSB has reported on a 2015/6 survey of starling murmurations. A zoomable 2015-16 murmuration map shows the location of over 1,000 murmuration records. Only 2 sites are shown for Lincolnshire. See: https://www.rsb.org.uk/get-involved/biologyweek/starling-survey It would be good if readers can keep us informed of where murmurations can be seen. Your reports please. September brings the Heritage Open Days, which always offer interesting places to visit and enjoy. 8th - 11th. There are some cracking events this year, with natural history well represented. For the full programme, see: https://www.heritagelincolnshire.org/heritage-open-days September also brings the annual Horncastle Astronomy Weekend on 9th-11th. This year is at a new venue but with fewer spaces. If you wish to know more, visit the HAW page of Paul Money's Astropspace website: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/HAW.html Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' for webpage will be found on the link below. This page is updated monthly; it will shortly transmogrify into September data. http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Roger *** AuroraWatch UK False alert! *** Tue, 23 Aug 2016 16:30:51 +0100 We apologise for the earlier false alert (issued 13:25 UTC today) which was caused by a lawnmower creating a local disturbance at our Lancaster site. Editor adds: This reminds us that the season of watching for the northern lights will soon be with us. In order to get genuine alerts, why not register with them if you have not sone so yet? You won't be swamnped with information. http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ *** 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/ *** 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. 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 **** Rescheduled Diptera (Flies) Workshop *** Richard Davidson 12th November Diptera (Flies) Workshop - Whisby Nature Park, in the Lafarge Education Building.12:30pm until 4:30pm. Free of charge, refreshments 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 Interested in Invertebrates and would like to know more in particular about Flies? Come along and find out more from local experts Phil Porter and David Denman. *** 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 *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2015 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 17/8 10 Curlew Sandpipers, Freiston Shore Pied Flycatcher, Horse Shoe Point Wood Sandpiper, Bardney Puts 10 Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh 2 Little Stints, Gibraltar Point 18/8 17 Curlew Sandpipers, Little Stint, Freiston Shore 2 Spoonbills, Little Stint, Gibraltar Point Pied Flycatcher, Anderby 1 Pomarine Skua with possible imm, south past Anderby Osprey off Pye's Hall, Pied Flycatcher, Redstart, Donna Nook Pied Flycatcher at Sea View Farm, Saltfleetby 2 Wood Sandpipers, Bardney Pits. Spotted Redshank at Paradise Poll south of Saltfleet Haven 19/8 Knot juv, north side of Baston/Langtoft GPs 70 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Spoonbills, 4 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh Garganey on realignment, Whinchat, Donna Nook 9 Spoonbills, 3v Little Stints, Spotted Redshank, Corncrake flew from Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Wood Warbler at Sea View Farm, 5 Spoonbills flew NE, Saltfleetby 20/8 Wood Sandpiper, 7 Curlew Sandpipers, Bardney Pits 20 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 18 Spoonbills, 9 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Little Stints, Gibraltar Point Pied Flycatcher at Sea View Farm, Saltfleetby Osprey, West Rasen, flew towards Toft Newton reservoir 21/8 Wryneck opposite beach car park/in hedge by Tennyson's Sands north hide, 16 Spoonbills, 4 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Little Stints, Purple Sandpiper juv on beach, 4 Spotted Redshanks, 6 Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Whinchats, Gibraltar Point 200 Curlew Sandpipers, Short-eared Owl, Turtle Dove, 4 Little Stints, Pied Flycatcher at Tabbs Head bank, Redstart, Frampton Marsh 6 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints, Donna Nook 18 Spoonbills, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Ruddy Shelduck, Alkborough Flats 2 Spotted Redshanks, Whitton Sands 32 Curlew Sandpipers, on reservoir, 3 Little Stints, Freiston Shore 2 Little Stints, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St Nicholas 22/8 Spoonbill south over allotments, Cleethorpes 243 Curlew Sandpipers, 10 Little Stints, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Red-backed Shrike, Short-eared Owl, 7 Turtle Doves, 2 Whinchats, 2 Redstarts, Frampton Marsh Redstart in bushes by path, 2 Arctic Skuas, Bonxie, Little Tern, River Witham mouth 13 Spoonbills, 5 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Purple Sandpiper juv, 8 Whinchats, Gibraltar Point 10 Curlew Sandpipers, Freiston Shore 2 Little Stints, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, Crook Bank, Theddlethorpe Garganey, Manby Flashes 1 Caspian gull, Bardney Pits Black Tern, Norton Disney 3 Curlew Sandpipers between Stonebridge and Pye's Hall, Little Stint, Redstart, Donna Nook 23/8 5-7 Wood Sandpiper, 8 Little Stints, Spotted Redshank, Pied Flycatcher, c258 Curlew Sandpipers 3 Adults, c255 juvs, Whinchat, Redstart, Frampton Marsh 17 Spoonbills, 3 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Little Stints, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, Redstart, Tree Pipit, 7 Whinchats, Honey Buzzard, Gibraltar Point Osprey flew over Alkborough Flats Whinchat, Sea View, Saltfleetby Camberwell Beauty butterfly flew west over Welton-le-Marsh Temminck's Stint, Teal lake, Whisby Nature Park 24/8 100+ Curlew Sandpipers, 6 Little Stints, Whinchat, Turtle Dove, Spotted Redshank, Pied Flycatcher near Marsh Farm reservoir, Frampton Marsh 13 Spoonbills, 3 Pied Flycatchers, 3 Redstarts, Gibraltar Point Camberwell Beauty butterfly in garden, Welton-le-Marsh 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. SLEAFORD - Water Voles Richard Dawson Sleaford River Slea behind the Drove 18.8.16 A daily delight this summer is to pause on the old tow path and watch a family of water voles. As usual the river is very low at this time of the year as the springs in Rauceby drop to a trickle. Therefore the water is just a few inches deep with a mass of weeds poking through. The voles are easy to spot and reluctant to take flight even when they notice me and the patterdale observing. I see as many as five at a time in close proximity feeding on the weed. It’s good to know this dwindling lovable species seems to be thriving here at least. Also, there are several just-hatched lots of mallard chicks this week and a heron patrolling this stretch of the Slea. *** Owl Tower Camera - summing up - Bob Sheppard writes *** The eggs have been removed under licence and the good news is two of them had embryos in them which had stopped forming at about two weeks old. We believe one of the adults accidentally pierced the eggs at this time thus preventing them growing any more. So at least we know the adults are fertile. This female was not the best mother. She didn't incubate the eggs with any conviction. She often left them to chase flies or chew feathers! During the visit to clean out the nest, the BTO ring on the male was checked and he was ringed in June 2014, about two miles east of the owl tower, as a chick in a nest box. We now look forward to 2017 when we hope they will manage to rear some chicks. ROADKILLS BOSTON ROAD A153, nr HORNCASTLE Near Scrivelsby Beck bridge. R Parsons 22 Aug 2016 Dead adult mutjac deer, west side of A153. Kirton Lindsey SK 96125 99358 Peter Morrell 20.08.16 Hedgehog roadkill on A15. Kirton Lindsey SK 94389 98828 Peter Morrell 20.08.16 Hedgehog roadkill on Redbourne Mere. Stow SK 88269 81875 Peter Morrell 22.08.16 Hedgehog roadkill on Sturton Road. Sturton by Stow SK 88914 80900 Peter Morrell 22.08.16 Hedgehog roadkill on High Street. ColsterworthSK 93666 23972 Peter Morrell 24.08.16 Badger roadkill on A1 *** 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. BISCATHORPE (Grid reference TF2384) 19/08/2016 Jon Drakes Noted during a very quick visit to this location were: Black-headed Gull Buzzard 3 Rook EAST HALTON SKITTER to GOXHILL HAVEN (and return) (Grid reference TA1423 to TA1225) 21/08/2016 Jon Drakes A quieter than usual walk along the bank of the River Humber whilst carrying out the monthly WeBS count for the BTO on a sunny, warm if not very windy morning produced the following species: Black Tailed Godwit 5 Carrion Crow Chiffchaff 1 Common Scoter 20 Coot 1 Curlew 88 Dunlin 15 Golden Plover 450 Goldfinch Greenshank 5 House Martin Kestrel 1 Lesser Whitethroat Linnet 1 Little Egret 7 Longtail Tit Mallard 9 Marsh Harrier 1 Mute Swan 2 Pied Wagtail Redshank 15 Reed Bunting 2 Reed Warbler 1 Ringed Plover 1 Robin Sedge Warbler 1 Shelduck 3 Starling Swallow Whitethroat Woodpigeon Painted Lady Butterfly Large White Butterfly Small White Butterfly Speckled Wood Butterfly Meadow Brown Butterfly Peacock Butterfly HORKSTOW Jenny Haynes 22 August I've just watched a goldfinch feeding a young one, obviously a late brood. They are the most common bird in my garden this year, while a few years ago they were relatively rare. This year has also been a good one for dunnocks, blue tits and blackbirds in my garden and which, because it's so full of shrubs and plants, frequently fly out almost under my feet! HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 19/8/2016 Goldfinch 2 (on thistles) 20/8/2016 Common darters 2 Frog 1 Rats 2 (one dead and one dying - it looks like they are being poisoned) 23/8/2016 Common darters 4 24/8/2016 Frog 1 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Large white 1 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 18/08/2016 Jon Drakes Species noted whilst carrying out the weekly BTO Garden Birdwatch in our back garden were: Starling 20 Blackbird 1 Robin 1 House Sparrow 20 Collared Dove 3 Dunnock 2 Chaffinch 1 Greenfinch 1 Woodpigeon 2 Swallow House Martin LEA MARSHES Track to Lea Marshes Local Wildlife Site SK 82523 86680 Peter Morrell 23.08.16 Two little owls in hawthorn hedgerow at midday NEW WALTHAM TA 285046 Peter Crick 17.08.2016 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Peacock x 1 19.08.2016 Red Admiral x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Southern Hawker x 1 20.08.2016 Peacock x 1 Painted Lady x 1 21.08.2016 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Small Blue butterfly - too far away to identify positively but very bright blue. 22.08.2016 Red Admiral x 1 23.08.2016 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Common Darter x 1 24.08.2016 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 RED HILL NR (LINCS WT) (Grid reference TF2680) 19/08/2016 Jon Drakes A visit to this reserve in the Lincolnshire Wolds on an overcast, cool and breezy morning found the following species present: Blackbird Carrion Crow Goldfinch Herring Gull Kestrel Meadow Pipit Swallow Woodpigeon Yellowhammer Peacock butterfly Meadow Brown butterfly WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 18/8/2016 Brimstone butterfly 16th, 17th and 18th Holly blue 2, Peacock 3, Red Admiral 2. Adult Grass snake still under black plastic on compost heap. Tawny Owl calling in garden 15.00hrs. 21/8 Swallow chicks were still in the nest site this morning. 22/8 4 House mice trapped in apple shed. Swallow chicks were still in the nest site this morning, but it will not be long before they are off. Holly Blue 16.00hrs. 23/8 3 House mice trapped in apple shed. Painted Lady 0630hrs. 9+ Small tortoiseshell pm with another, smaller, Painted Lady. Large White Speckled Wood WOODHALL SPA AIRFIELD Toby Ludlow with Coningsby Wildlife Watch Butterfly Walk - 21/8/2016 10am - noon Butterflies: Common Blue, 14 males, 5 females Small Copper, 1 Meadow Brown, 7 females Small Tortoiseshell, 2 Peacock, 1 Painted Lady, 1 Green-veined White, 1 male Red Admiral, 1 (unconfirmed) Moths: Agriphila tristella, 1; Silver Y, 1 Dragonflies: Ruddy Darter Common Darter WOODHALL SPA 16-17 August 2016 John Hodgson Woodhall Spa Home GR TF 201 629 unless otherwise stated. Woodhall Spa 16 August 2016 Garden Home GR 4 Peacock Butterflies on Buddleia 2 Red Admiral on Buddleia 1 Painted Lady on Buddleia Many Large and Small Whites around the garden A small Blue coloured butterfly near the beech hedge-no positive identification. Wingspan around 12-15mm Woodhall Spa 17 August 2016 Garden Home GR 1 Kingfisher taking a Minnow from the beck. (My first sighting of the Kingfisher this summer). 1 Brimstone butterfly near Beech hedge 1 Painted Lady on Buddleia 3 Peacocks on Buddleia 2 Red Admiral on Buddleia Several Whites Large and Small ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 18th - 24th August 2016 Contributors: Peter and Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Nige Lound Dunes now very dry with only 16 mm rainfall measured this month, the main source of nectar is Fleabane, Watermint and Ragwort. 18th Evening spring tide: Sandwich Tern 200+, Common Tern 200+, Sanderling 70, Ringed Plover 55, Dunlin 30, Redshank 10, Lesser Black-backed Gull 22, Great Black-backed Gull 10, gannet 3. During day Whimbrel, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank and Common Sandpiper all heard flying south. Pied Flycatcher 1, Yellow Wagtail 1 19th Spring tide in morning: Spoonbill 5 south,Greenshank 2, Dunlin 566, Ringed Plover 50, Bar-tailed Godwit 5, Knot 8, Shelduck 5,Common Scoter 35, Teal 38, Gannet 3, Black-headed Gull roost 3,800. Wheatear 4, Yellow Wagtail 1, Blackbird 14+, Wood Warbler 1, Willow Warbler 3 and Goldcrest 1 at SV 20th Female Pied Flycatcher and Swift over at SV, Redshank 139, Ringed Plover 2, Black-headed Gull 480, Common Gull 12 and 1 Common Tern all at Paradise lagoon. Short-eared Owl and female Marsh Harrier hunting over saltmarsh. Very strong south-westerlies all day and a gust of 40.8mph was recorded at Quarry Hill in the afternoon. 21st Morning spring tide: Common Tern 250+, Sandwich Tern 250+, Curlew sandpiper 18, Dunlin 100+, Ringed Plover 150+, Ruff 1, Turnstone 8, Grey Plover 2, Whimbrel 4, Spotted Redshank 1 south, Short-eared Owl 1. At Paradise lagoon Greenshank 2, Little Stint 1, Ruff 1, Redshank 135, Dunlin 32, Ringed Plover 5, Common Sandpiper 2, Teal 13, Shelduck 3 and amongst the Black-headed Gulls one was yellow colour ringed with the digits 2ACV. Swifts 2 over and a single Wheatear on the edge of the dunes. 22nd Wall Butterfly 4 between BYL and CL with singles go Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and Small Heath. Yellow Belle moth, which must be at its northern limits here, 1 on beach. On Paradise Pool were 5 Curlew Sandpiper, 5 Common Sandpiper, 46 Dunlin, 184 Redshank, a Greenshank, a Spotted Redshank, 2 Snipe, 3 Ringed Plover and a juvenile Little Ringed Plover. Nearby were a Whinchat, 2 Whimbrel and a Green Woodpecker. Flying south were a Hobby, a Marsh Harrier, a Ruff, 2 Redpoll sp, a Tree Pipit and 7 Swift. There was a minimum of 50 Willow Warbler between Rimac and Paradise along with 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, a Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, a Redstart, 3 Spotted Flycatcher and a single Pied Flycatcher. Singles of Little Stint and Arctic Tern were reported at Rimac. A noticeable movement of Willow Warblers (70+ in under 2 hours) with Lesser and Common Whitethroats in the SV area also single Spotted Flycatcher, juv Green Woodpecker and Swifts 12+ over. 23rd Spotted Redshank 1 south and 18 Ringed Plover migrating SW overland high Whinchat 2. 8 black tailed godwits on Paradise pool. A steady flow of Willow Warblers continued during the morning with accompanying Lesser and Common Whitethroats plus Blackcaps and Blackbirds, Spotted Flycatchers and Pied Flycatcher. Also singles of Stonechat, Whinchat, Green Woodpecker (juv), Great Spotted Woodpecker, Swift and Kingfisher. A warm sunny day encouraged butterflies to be on the wing with few numbers of red admiral, small tortoishell, common blue, small heath, peacock, speckled wood and wall. 24th Last dropping spring tide wader count was most productive of this tide cycle; Common Tern 1,600+ , Sandwich Tern 180+, Arctic Tern 18 all of which were on beach, Dunlin 400+, Ringed Plover 300+,Sanderling 160+, Curlew Sandpiper 1, Little Stint 2, Greenshank 2 south, Whimbrel 2 south, Great Black-backed Gull 14. Around CB first thing were 15 Lesser Whitethroats, 10 Whitethroat and 8 Willow Warbler. A Greenshank flew north along the beach and there were around 3000 BH Gull out from BYL. Singles of Spotted Flycatcher and Whinchat between Rimac and SV. Fewer Willow Warblers in the SV area this morning with the occasional Blackcap, 3 Common Terns flew over going west before flying back east towards the sea. Butterflies 3 painted ladies on Tues transect at Rimac and 2 at Churchill Lane, a small hatch of common blues, only 2 wall brown, 1 small copper and no small heaths. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. When asking for help, please give the the very best information you can provide. If you are not sure, ask what is needed from you to confirm identification. Photographs are helpful but not every species can be identified from a photograph. When asked for further details, get back to them promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcome. *** 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 a few cases may be difficult or 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 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 *** Heritage Open Days September 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 *** October 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** johnthackery - soft bounce - permanent error - Spam content found [sic] If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, text copies of past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html ....and finally..... Note: If a link does not work, please look at the URL. See if an extra http:// has crept in. New badger culling trials given go ahead across England http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-37158418 Water voles: National Trust releasing 100 in Yorkshire Dales http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37127152 The secret life of a tiny pond https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/aug/20/secret-life-tiny-pond https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/aug/20/secret-life-tiny-pond E-waste is flooding developing countries http://www.mygreenpod.com/articles/tackling-e-waste/ ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/