============================================= || || 3rd July 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.... *** Mammal Atlas Great news - 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. This is a very significant achievement and Bulletin readers have made a very useful contribution to Lincolnshire mammal records. Thanks to all who contributed to this in some way, and congratulations to Chris and Charlie Barnes for an excellent, interesting and useful publication. Hopefully our future efforts will help add records and fill in some gaps. https://goo.gl/XIqRZg Immigrant Watch The Silver-Y moth is a common summer immigrant, often seen in gardens. I spotted one here this week, and there must be a lot more about. See: http://butterfly-conservation.org/51-1522/silver-y.html Another common migratory species is the splendid Hummingbird Hawkmoth: http://butterfly-conservation.org/51-1087/humming-bird-hawk-moth.html and the striking Painted Lady butterfly: http://butterfly-conservation.org/679-849/painted-lady.html You can report sighting of these two species on BC's Migrant Watch: http://butterfly-conservation.org/612/migrant-watch.html Butterfly Conservation website has identification pages on UK Species. http://butterfly-conservation.org/50/identify-a-butterfly.html Another immigrant species you may have seen this year is the Tree Bee, Bombus hypnorum. You can submit your reports of this species on: http://www.bwars.com/submit-bombus-hypnorum-sighting Dragonfly and damselfly enthusiasts will already be looking forward to the next LNU field meeting at Stanton's Pit on Sunday, July 17, 2016. details below or visit: http://lnu.org/events.php Note the British Dragonfly Society's handy UK Species identification page. http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' for July can be found on the link below. It explains a bit more about where to look and what you might see. Look for Jupiter, Mars and Saturn - and at the end of the month [30th] you may spot some of the Southern Delta Aquarid meteors in the early morning. http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Roger *** Len Pick Trust Owl Tower Project - keep watching *** Bob Sheppard writes: Rather surprisingly the Bourne owl tower barn owls started a fresh clutch on 29th June. This is most unusual as barn owls which have moulted don't usually lay again in the same year. The first clutch of eggs were infertile and were removed under licence long after a possible hatch date. We are hoping they will be more successful this time round. http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/page/16/owl-tower-project *** Interesting Met Office Report *** UK wildlife calendar reshuffled by climate change http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/news/releases/2016/climateimpactswildlife *** National Whale and Dolphin Watch Weekend (NWDW) 30th & 31st July. *** Dave Miller writes: This year National Whale and Dolphin Watch Weekend (NWDW) is on 30th & 31st July. http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw/ I am looking for volunteers to help man the watches at Anderby Creek and Skegness Pier. If you think you can help please let me know. It will be split into two three-hour shifts per day at each site. Of course it is also important just to have eyes to the sea, so if you just want to join us or would like to do a watch elsewhere that would be good too. Contact: Dave Miller Coast and The Wash Warden Email: dmiller@lincstrust.co.uk *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** 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, July 17, 2016 Stanton’s Pit LWT Reserve Field meeting to Stanton's Pit LWT Reserve (joint meeting with British Dragonfly Society) Southwest of Bourne 12.00 for 13.00 start. Use car park at TF034173 (nearest postcode PE10 0JN) which is about half-way off minor road between Little Bytham and Witham-on-the-Hill. Nearest facilities in village pubs. Habitats: Former sandpit with lake, marsh, acid grassland and scrub. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (Lincoln Area Group) Workshops *** in conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union. All workshops will be held in the Lafarge Education Building at Whisby Nature Park from 12:30pm until 4:30pm. They are free of charge and refreshments are included. Limited to 20 participants. Booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com. July 9th: Riverflies Workshop Interested in Invertebrates but would like to know more in particular about Riverflies? (May Flies, Caddis Flies and Stone Flies) Come along and find out more with local expert Richard Chadd. July 16th Diptera (Flies) Workshop Interested in Invertebrates but 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 ***Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT*** George Rutter writes: Thursday 12th July Visit to Donna Nook, North Somercotes. Grid reference: TF421 998 Meet at 6pm at Alford's East End car park or on site at 6.45pm. See Donna Nook without the crowds and colder weather of seal pupping time. Warden Lizzie Lemon will show us round and there will also be an opportunity to see the new managed retreat site of Pye's Hall which is adjacent to Donna Nook. *** Barton LWT *** Adrian White writes: Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** NATIONAL MEADOWS DAY IS ON SATURDAY 2 JULY *** The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is working together with the "Save our Magnificent Meadows Project" to host a National Meadows Day at Lincolnshire Wildlife Reserve Redhill, near Goulceby, Louth MR TF 264806 on 2 July between 1000 and 1600 hrs. This is a day when you have the opportunity to visit and explore the reserve. The emphasis is on looking at wild flowers and enjoying yourselves. Children are especially welcome. Be aware that you will have to climb stiles to gain access to the meadows and that dogs are not permitted in the Coronation Meadow. More details from Ray Woodcock Chairman Louth Area Group LWT on lag2014rww@aol.com. *** 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 *** 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/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 24/6 Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, 2 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh 25/6 Garganey, Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Little Gulls, 2 Turtle Doves, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Hoopoe in garden, Trustthorpe Little Gull, Gibraltar Point 26/6 Wood Sandpiper, Paradise Pool, Saltfleetby 2 Turtle Doves, 2 Short-eared Owls, Curlew Sandpiper from Reedbed hide, 2 Little Gulls, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owll flew north over beach, Rimac Turtle Dove in garden, Fulbeck 2 juv Turtle Doves on wire, Dunsby 2 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 27/6 Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Little Gull, 2 Turtle Doves, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl, Deeping High Bank, River Welland 1m north of Crowland water tower 28/6 Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh 29/6 Montagu's Harrier flew south over Tollbar roundabout, Grimsby Little Gull, Frampton Marsh Redwing, Gibraltar Point Spoonbill, Wood Sandpiper, Paradise Pool, Saltfleetby 30/6 3 Little Gulls, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 2 Common Scoters, both drks, Whisby Nature Park, on Millennium Green pm. 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. ROADKILL BARNOLDBY le BECK. TA 233031 Peter Crick 22.06.2016 Hedgehog - medium size CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK 909580 Jeremy Hutchinson 19 June: Hobby seen briefly. Local Buzzards have at least one youngster. Adults seen being mobbed by the local Kestrels (usually the male), but on one occasion both male and female. The Kestrels stoop at the Buzzards from height while calling their alarm call: the Buzzards usually take the hint and go elsewhere. Our nearby Little Owls have at least two young, which are still downy, but out of the nest hole. Parents seen with large beetle prey on two occasions. Young can be heard uttering their wheezy asthmatic call, especially during the evening. The local Barn Owl nest box has young in it (also can be heard as above), but numbers unknown. Male Bullfinch seen in the overgrown hedge alongside my allotment on 19 June, sounded as though there is a nest. I have often heard them in recent weeks, but this was the first sighting for some time. On 26 June we saw a male in our house garden, which is some distance away. Large family of Long-Tailed Tits seen regularly in same hedge. 2-3 weeks ago our neighbours had a number of evening visits by a Leveret, which grazed the clover in their front lawn, staying up to an hour at a time. This is the first time I have heard of Hares visiting gardens. 26 June: Several Large Skippers feeding on Sweet William blooms on allotment. Sweet Williams attract this species every yea, seldom see them otherwise. Bassingham Fen 20 June: friend saw Red Kite on rabbit roadkill (first he'd seen in this area), and t ook a good photograph of the Kite as it flew off. Editor adds: A local farmer with an interest in wildlife has commented on hares in gardens. He reckons it started to happen when buzzards re-established themselves here. [I saw 5 buzzards today - quite locally.] Hares have adapted to that increase by taking advantage of the deterrent effect of human activity - they seem now to make their forms near to farms and houses. Safer. That would tie in with Jeremy's buzzard observations. It would be interesting to hear from anyone with related observations on this. *** 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 COLSTERWORTH AREA Jane Ostler Week ending 29th June,2016 Bee Orchids out, not only on reserves but on roadside verges, including the strips of grass between concrete on a housing estate. Some householders have kept these unmown until later in the year to care for the orchids and other limestone plants. More than one garden in the village has bee orchids in similarly unmown patches. Pyramidal Orchids A few spikes, noted on a roadside verge last year. Common Spotted Orchids On two reserves. in grassland in a wood and one varge. Greater Butterfly Orchid One or two only in flower in local wood. Twayblade In woods, either finished flowering or with bitten off spikes so that they resemble beech seedlings. Early Purple Orchid In woods and abundant along one woodland edge all seeding. Helleborines Leaves now through. GIBRALTAR POINT NNR 19/6/16 Robert Walker Cinnabar Moth 1 solitary caterpillar on Ragwort at rear of Mill Hill. GRIMSTHORPE Chris Howes - Park Ranger 30/06/16 New Quarry – Grimsthorpe Park TF 045206 6 Dark Green Fritillary 30/06/16 Quarry Cottage Garden TF 045204 Single Dark Green Fritillary on Red Valerian 6 Small Tortoiseshell 30/06/16 New Quarry – Grimsthorpe Park TF 045206 2 white Pyramidal Orchid HORNCASTLE TF264682 20/6/16 Robert Walker Kestrel 1 Hunting over side of A153 road. HORNCASTLE - My garden TF261691 29/6/16 Robert Walker Starling - 2 fledglings This brings the known total of young birds up to 15 this season that have visited for their 'breakfast' in our rear garden. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 23/6/2016 Chaffinch 2 Speckled wood 2 (chasing each other) 24/6/2016 Speckled wood 2 (chasing each other - again) 25/6/2016 Corncockles in flower Peacock 1 Small white 1 26/6/2016 Dunnocks 2 (fledglings) 27/6/2016 Broad-bodied chaser 1 (male - never seen one before - my pond is working!) Great tit 1 Speckled wood 2 Pheasant 1 28/6/2016 Nemolphora degeerella moths 4 (all on one raspberry leaf) Speckled wood 1 29/6/2016 Dunnock 1 Frog 1 (in the pond!) Wren 1 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 25/6/2016 Jon Drakes Recorded whilst carrying out the weekly BTO Garden Bird Watch in our back garden were: Blackbird 2 Collared Dove 4 House Sparrow 10 Starling 15 Tree Sparrow 4 Dunnock 2 Greenfinch 2 Chaffinch 2 Goldfinch 1 Woodpigeon 1 Coal Tit 1 Robin 1 Swift KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 26/6/2016 Jon Drakes A walk around the woods and fields to the North of the village found the following species present: Blackbird Blackcap 1 (female) Blue Tit Buzzard 1 Carrion Crow Chaffinch Chiffchaff 5 Collared Dove Dunnock Great Tit Greenfinch Grey Heron 1 (flying over whilst being mobbed by Carrion Crows) House Sparrow Jackdaw Kestrel 1 Linnet Longtail Tit Magpie Pheasant Robin Rook Starling Swallow Swift Treecreeper 2 (first ones noted in local woods) Tree Sparrow Whitethroat 1 Woodpigeon Wren Yellowhammer Speckled Wood butterfly NEW WALTHAM. TA 285046 Peter Crick 23.06.2016 Single Speckled Wood 26.06.2016 Vapourer Moth caterpillar - on Loganberry fruit. Length approx 15mm. Dorsal tufts bright yellow SAUSTHORPE TF375695 19/6/16 Robert Walker Buzzard 1 Over meadow field side of A158 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 24/6/2016 2 Great-spotted woodpecker on nut feeder. 1 juv. 10 juv swallows on neighbours roof. 3 Grey wagtails on Canada Farm Lane. TF226538 Local 'wash-house' swallows priming new nest with grass. 25/6 Cuckoo calling 26/6 Cuckoo still calling. 27/6/2016 cuckoos still calling. 28/6/2016 Silver-Y moth in garden. Many Small tortoiseshells - 12+ 5 Buzzards active in area, 3 over garden. 30/6/2016 Skipper in garden - probably "small". TF224539 R. Parsons 28/6/2016 Muntjac adult, Canada Lane - white "target" clearly visible. WOODHALL SPA John Hodgson Home GR TF 628 201 June 2016 Brown Hare 2, 1 June 2016, Field verge - Stixwould Station Fox 1, 1 June 2016, Home GR - On patrol - rough ground nr Home GR Muntjac deer (buck) 1 4 June Home GR v close to same spot as fox previously seen. Laying down &looked like he was enjoying the late afternoon sun Holly Blue butterfly 1, 5 June, Home GR, On climbing hydrangea flower Tree Creeper 1, 5 June, Home GR - Moving up Oak tree Red Admiral butterfly 1, 6 June, Home GR - On Pyracantha blossom Speckled Wood Butterfly 2, 6 June, Home GR - Dancing around in the air above the garden Brimstone butterfly 1, 6 June, Home GR - Moving around but not settling . Swallows 3, 6 June, Home GR - Taking insects above the beck at bottom of garden. Rabbits >12, 6 June, Fields opp Home GR - ? Eating tops of carrot crop Cuckoo 1, 7 June, Home GR - Just before 0600 - heard from bedroom window. Red Admiral 1, 7 June, Home GR - On Pyracantha blossom Orange Tip 1, 7 June Home GR - Still seeing these around garden Whirligig beetles 2, 7 June, Home GR - In the beck Red Kite 1, 10 June - Osbournby - Nr Junct. of A15 &A52 - Gliding low overhead Sparrow hawk 1 , 11 June, Home GR - Took Great Tit (Juv?) from garden fence WRANGLE COMMON 23/06/2016 Roy and Kath Pearson A BirdTrack count was abandoned owing to onset of very heavy rain with Buzzard being only species of interest seen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 23rd – 29th June 2016 Contributors: Peter and Janet Roworth, Cliff Morrison All warbler species now back into song, with Willow, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Sedge, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and Grasshopper to be heard, with the odd bursts of song from Cetti's Warbler. Very few juvenile birds apparent, so it appears as if first broods of many species have succumbed to the poor spring weather. Equally, Skylarks and Meadow Pipits along the marsh and foreshore have suffered from naturally higher spring tides this spring in April, May and June, along with severe sand blow covering nests. However, there are juveniles from Churchill Lane southwards to Mablethorpe North End, where over a dozen Skylarks can be heard singing on territory. Cuckoo (3 pairs) still across the reserve as of 29th at south of Crook Bank, Churchill and Rimac. 22nd Meadow brown on the wing at Rimac. 24th Single Spoonbill and Black-tail Godwit at Paradise lagoon. Speckled wood on wing near Sea View. Shelduck 8, Curlew 65, Oystercatcher 30, Little Egret 6, Heron 2, Great-crested Grebe 1, Redshank 4, Starling 100+ all at Rimac. 25th Peacock and painted lady (2) on wing near Sea View. 27th Single Spoonbill and Wood Sandpiper, Mallard 21, Redshank 5, heron 2, Tufted Duck 10, Moorhen 1 and Little Grebe 1 at Paradise lagoon. Single Short-eared Owl hunting over saltmarsh near Paradise lagoon. Noticeable Swifts in small numbers feeding over the area during the week. 28th Brickyard-Churchill Lane - Kestrel regularly hunting area and flying inland, Bullfinch pair with several juveniles, Great-spotted Woodpecker 1, Pied Wagtail with 4 juveniles, Goldcrest singing, but recent arrival to area. 29th Crook Bank southwards- Swift 30+ at 0800hrs and then 110+ at 1100hrs moving south ahead of arriving rain, Kestrel 1, Marsh Harrier immature in heavy wing and tail moult, Common Scoter 10. Also Emperor Dragonfly. Butterflies seen in very low numbers at the moment. Only the odd meadow browns, small heaths and speckled woods and tortoiseshells, but I would expect to be seeing increasing numbers by now. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reserve Reports 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 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 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 *** CONTACTS LIST *** *** 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 *** 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 Copy and paste URLs as necessary, please. *** 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. *** 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 *** 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 *** 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. *** 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 Sunday, July 17, 2016 Stanton’s Pit LWT Reserve Field meeting to Stanton's Pit LWT Reserve (joint meeting with British Dragonfly Society) Southwest of Bourne 12.00 for 13.00 start. Use car park at TF034173 (nearest postcode PE10 0JN) which is about half-way off minor road between Little Bytham and Witham-on-the-Hill. Nearest facilities in village pubs. Habitats: Former sandpit with lake, marsh, acid grassland and scrub. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com 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) 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 *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (Lincoln Area Group) Workshops *** in conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union. All workshops will be held in the Lafarge Education Building at Whisby Nature Park from 12:30pm until 4:30pm. They are free of charge and refreshments are included. Limited to 20 participants. Booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com. July 9th: Riverflies Workshop Interested in Invertebrates but would like to know more in particular about Riverflies? (May Flies, Caddis Flies and Stone Flies) Come along and find out more with local expert Richard Chadd. July 16th Diptera (Flies) Workshop Interested in Invertebrates but would like to know more in particular about Flies? Come along and find out more from local experts Phil Porter and David Denman ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, text copies of past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Latest Mailfails. If you recognise any of these part-addresses, please let the owners know. alisontate - hard bounce - mailbox unavailable ....and finally..... In pictures: Nightscapes http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-36640857 Environmental Photographer of the Year winners announced http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20160629-environmental-photographer-of-the-year-winners-announced Ancient birds' wings preserved in amber http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36651471 World Egg Throwing Championships held in Swaton http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-36623850 A bumblebee with a taste for high living https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/23/country-diary-tree-bumblebee  Diligent insects in the summer garden https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/28/diligent-insects-summer-garden-bees-country-diary  I expect all readers have been wondering what happens next after the vote to leave the EU. Here are a few related links: Lincolnshire records UK's highest Brexit vote. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-eu-referendum-36616740 EU referendum: UK science wakes up to new future http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36622842 This is what the Wildlife Trusts had to say on the subject before the Referendum. http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/EU-Ref-Position UK science must be protected in the wake of EU Referendum. [Royal Society of Biology] https://www.rsb.org.uk/news/14-news/1528-royal-society-of-biology-comments-on-eu-referendum If you come across any other articles relating to science, wildlife and conservation in the post-referendum phase, please send them in. I have had some problems with including longer URL's in the Bulletin. For that reason I and just posting the following as text, so you can copy and paste the links below into your browser. More reliable. 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/