============================================= || || 10th 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.... *** The Bulletin is free. It drops into your inbox automatically. You do not have to log on to a website. There is no password to remember, nor any risk of total strangers posting you a message and expecting a reply! Between us we form a network of over 1100 naturalists, including LNU Recorders, who will also be pleased to receive reports from us directly. Our contributions make a huge difference to the impact of the Bulletin. There is so much still to learn about the county's species and the trends and changes that are taking place. Thanks to all the stalwarts who keep the news and reports coming in. To those who may not yet have sent in a report, question or news item, why not give it a try? All help is welcome. There have been quite a few Quail reports this week. See and listen: http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/q/quail/ I have recorded Painted Lady and Hummingbird Hawkmoth this week. Have you? http://butterfly-conservation.org/612/migrant-watch.html Don't forget the LNU Stanton's Pit Field Meeting - dragonflies and damselflies Details below or visit: http://lnu.org/events.php The British Dragonfly Society's handy UK Species identification page is: 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 Juno probe enters into orbit around Jupiter. An astounding story. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36710768 Roger *** Len Pick Trust Owl Tower Project - keep watching *** If all goes well we could see eggs hatching towards the end of July I spotted egg no 4 on 6th July. Keep watching. http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/page/16/owl-tower-project Editor writes: Watching the webcam on 2nd July I heard music from the speakers. I emailed Bob Sheppard: "I've just been watching your owls at 8.30pm and noted quite a lot of music was audible. The owls were obviously noticing it, but stayed put. Is there someone working there with a radio playing, or is is a rave?" Bob replied: "Solved it. It is a summer garden party with a live band in the next village. The next day I was sure I heard a lamb bleating and Bob replied that the owl box was in a sheep field. Amazing what microphones can pick up! [Moral - Be careful what you say near an owl box!] *** Black Ant Flying Day *** Who, What, Why: How do flying ants know it's mating day? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18983219 Useful factsheet from the Royal Society of Biology: https://www.rsb.org.uk/images/Why_do_ants_fly.pdf Please send in your observations. **St Swithun’s Day - 15th July *** St Swithun’s day if thou dost rain For forty days it will remain St Swithun’s day if thou be fair For forty days ‘twill rain nae mare https://www.rmets.org/weather-and-climate/weather/st-swithins-day *** 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 *** Introduction to Wildflower Identification - places available *** Aidan Neary writes: Introduction to Wildflower Identification Day: New to botany or hoping to improve your identification skills? This one day introductory course for beginners and improvers will help you to develop your knowledge of key wildflower families and give you confidence to explore our native flora. Dates Saturday 16th July 2016 and Saturday 23rd July 2016 Venue The Waters' Edge Visitor Centre, Maltkiln Road, Barton-upon-Humber, DN18 5JR. Time 10:30am-3:30pm Information: Please bring suitable outdoor clothing, notepad, x10 hand lens if you have one, and a packed lunch. Booking essential. Register at: info@lincstrust.co.uk or call 01507 526667 Further details at: www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** 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 *** FSC Courses on Identification *** Mark Schofield suggests that the FSC Biodiversity courses might be of interest to Bulletin readers. See the Tomorrow's Biodiversity website: These include: Snowdonia Earthworm weekend 30th - 31st July, Rhyd y creuau. Introduction to Biological Recording 12th - 14th Aug, Malham. Field ID of spiders and harvestmen 31st Aug, Preston Montford. Blowfly ID and ecology Two dates - 9th & 10th Sept. Devon Earthworm weekend 10th - 11th Sept, Slapton. Harvestman ecology & identification 20th Sept, Preston Montford. More details: http://www.tombio.uk/?q=courses Editor adds: If you decide to do one of these you are most welcome to post a message in the Bulletin to see if anyone wants to join you. *** 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 *** 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 *** 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: The July Wednesday Wander on the 20th July is CANCELLED due to safety concerns expressed by North Lincs Council. Sunday 17th July A half day visit to Epworth Turbary. Contact Adrian White (01724 732152) for details. All welcome. 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 *** 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/ 1/7 2 Spotted Redshanks, 3 Wood Sandpipers, Little Gull, Short-eared Owl, 2 Turtle Doves, Frampton Marsh 2/7 Garganey, Freiston Shore Turtle Dove, Anderby Creek Little Gull, Short-eared Owl, Turtle Dove, Spotted Redshank, Wood Sabndpiper, Frampton Marsh 5 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 3/7 Little Gull, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl, 2 m Quails singing, Grainthorpe 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Turtle Doves, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 4/7 2 Quail males singing, in 2nd pea field north of Grainthorpe Haven Quail male singing between Heath farm and old windmill, Scopwick Caspian Gull, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, Norton Disney 2 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Turtle Dove at sleeper track, Gibraltar Point Curlew Sandpiper at Moody Lane outfall, Pywipe, Grimsby 3 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 5/7 Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh 3 Little Gulls, Scaup flew south past, Gibraltar Point 6/7 Short-eared Owl, 2 Turtle Doves, Frampton Marsh 2 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Turtle Doves, Little Gull, Gibraltar Point 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. DEEPING ST. NICHOLAS 01.07.16 Mick Todd I have just had an incredible two weeks on our oil seed rape trial site. It started, a fortnight ago, with a roe deer walking to within 40 meters of where I stood, followed by a red kite and marsh harrier flying over later in the day. The next day started with a barn owl flying along a dyke and buzzards in the afternoon. All this on top of daily views of skylark, pied and yellow wagtail, kestrel and grey partridge. The grand finale was today as I watched three crows mob a marsh harrier and force it to the ground. When it did not reappear I walked over to the area where I thought it had landed, when I noticed a hobby hunting over the neighbouring rape field, presumably chasing the multitude of dragonflies that come from the nearby river. After a few seconds the marsh harrier took off from long grass about 5 meters away, amazing! ROADKILLS BONBY and WRAWBY Jenny Haynes Roadkills 2 July 2016 Hedgehog, B1204 Bonby, North Lincolnshire Hedgehog, B1206, Wrawby, North Lincolnshire SAXBY ALL SAINTS Jenny Haynes Roadkill 4 July 2016 Badger B1204, just north of Saxby all Saints, North Lincolnshire BUTTERWICK (nr. Boston) Roadkill 06/07/2016 Roy and Kath Pearson Dead badger on small road parallel to sea bank. *** 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 BARROW HAVEN REEDBED NR (Grid reference TA0523) 03/07/2016 Jon Drakes A brief visit to this Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Reserve found the following recorded: Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Carrion Crow Chiffchaff Coot Curlew Great Crested Grebe Herring Gull Magpie Mallard Mute Swan Shoveler Swallow Woodpigeon BOSTON (South by A16) June 2016 Kath Pearson I was able to do the BTO Garden Birdwatch on 30 days in June. A first was Swift, a very difficult species to acquire as the rules insist that over-flying birds are not to be counted unless it is clear that the birds were feeding on insects in the garden. The removal of a tall and very overgrown hedge permitted two birds to descend to little over head height on one day, so allowing them to be recorded. During the month, 31 species were recorded and are listed below. The first figure is the number of days on which the species was recorded (max 30), the second figure the highest count of that species present at any one time. Blackbird 30(5), Starling 27(20), Goldfinch 27(7), House Sparrow 21(5), Woodpigeon 30(4), Blue Tit 27(4), Great Tit 17(4), Coal Tit 5(1), Dunnock 10(2), Robin 23(3), Collared Dove 29(3), Jackdaw 12(5), Long-tailed Tit 8(5), Greenfinch 23(2), Carrion Crow 1(1), Chiffchaff 2(1), Magpie 10(2), Swift 1(2), Jay 2(1), Pied Wagtail 4(1), Tawny Owl 1(1), Rook 1(1), Wren 10(2), Chaffinch 4(1), Lesser Black-backed Gull 7(2), Common Gull 1(1), Herring Gull 2(2), Black-headed Gull 4(1), Mistle Thrush 1(1), Sparrowhawk 1(1) and Song Thrush 1(1). CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK909580 Jeremy Hutchinson Sat 25 June Hedgehog pottering about on my allotment, appeared to be in good shape, the first live one seen this year. I have neither seen nor heard a Turtle Dove anywhere this year: very sad. DEEPINGS Venue: Deeping Lakes LWT Reserve Date: 03/07/16 Time: 1340 - 1645 Observer: Ian Gordon Weather: Sunny, warm and humid Birds: Blackcap Black-headed Gull Blue Tit Canada Goose Carrion Crow Cetti's Warbler Chaffinch Chiffchaff Common Sandpiper Common Tern Coot Cormorant Gadwall Garden Warbler Goldfinch Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Green Woodpecker Grey heron Greylag Goose Herring Gull Jackdaw Lapwing Lesser Black-backed Gull Little Egret Little Grebe Long-tailed Tit Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Oystercatcher Pochard Redshank Reed Warbler Robin Rook Sedge Warbler Starling Tufted Duck Willow Warbler Woodpigeon Butterfly: Brimstone Green-veined White Large White Meadow Brown Ringlet Small Tortoiseshell Small White Dragons & Damsels Azure Damslfly Banded Demoiselle Black-tailed Skimmer Common Blue Damselfly Common Hawker Emperor Dragonfly HOLTON LE MOOR - MOOT HALL & St LUKE'S CHURCHYARD (Grid reference TF0897) 02/07/2016 Jon Drakes Noted during a brief early evening visit to this area were: Chiffchaff Great Tit Jackdaw Rook Spotted Flycatcher 2 seen catching insects in the churchyard Swallow Swift Woodpigeon HORKSTOW Jenny Haynes 5 July 2016 Male bullfinch spotted in my garden. First time ever! HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 1/7/2016 Wren 1 2/7/2016 Nemophora degeerella moth 1 6/7/2016 Chaffinch 1 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 01/07/2016 Jon Drakes A pleasant evening sat in the garden found the following species visiting: Collared Dove 2 House Sparrow 10 Dunnock 3 Chaffinch 2 Blackbird 1 Tree Sparrow 1 Robin 1 Woodpigeon 2 Swallow Swift KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 02/07/2016 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Bird Watch for the BTO in our back garden were: Collared Dove 3 Starling 5 House Sparrow 25 Blackbird 4 Dunnock 3 Goldfinch 2 Tree Sparrow 3 Blue Tit 2 Robin 1 Woodpigeon 2 Swallow Swift KIRKBY-ON-BAIN GRAVEL PITS Les Binns 4th July 2016. Elfin Saddle (Helvella sulcata) One Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis) Several Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera) NEW HOLLAND - FAIRFIELD PIT NR (Grid reference TA0724) 03/07/2016 Jon Drakes Species seen during a very brief visit to this reserve included: Black-Headed Gull Carrion Crow Coot Cormorant Feral Pigeon Great Blackback Gull Great Crested Grebe Grey Heron Herring Gull Kestrel Mallard Mute Swan Peregrin Falcon a single individual was seen making the life of the local Black-headed Gulls and Feral Pigeons very uncomfortable! Pied Wagtail Pochard Sedge Warbler RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 24.06.2016 Common Carder Bee Wasp Beetle 30.06.2016 Meadow Brown in good numbers (TF313843) Bee Orchid – 2 (TF313843) 01.07.2016 Grey Heron - 2 Tawny Owl 02.07.2016 Bat (probably Pipistrelle) 04.07.2016 Blue-tailed Damselfly Grey Heron Surprised to find 2 House Martins roosting in nest No. 2 (3/4 built) at noon, having removed the grass that the sparrow had brought in. They came back to roost that night, but made no attempt to resume building. Wren, juv. 06.07.2016 Buzzard No sign of any House Martins near the nests. STALLINGBOROUGH - HOBSON WAY (Grid reference TA2113) 02/07/2016 Jon Drakes Wildlife noted whilst at work on Saturday morning: Goldfinch Kestrel 2 adults and 4 chicks in nest box located on site chnmey stack. Nest box is being monitored via a video camera. Magpie Woodpigeon Yellowhammer THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 20/06/16 14 black slugs SK8099 23/06/16 Poplar Hawk Moth x 1 SK813999 24/06/16 Ghost Moth x 1 Small Magpie moth x 1 25/06/16 Brown Rat x 1 road kill SK809999 26/06/16 Short-eared Owl x 1 SK795955 27/06/16 Barred Straw x 1 29/06/16 Blackbird x 1 Kestrel x 1 Oystercatcher x 1 over Thurnholmes Robin x 1 nest in barn, 4 eggs Tree Sparrow x 5 Wood Pigeon x 6 (1 on nest) 30/06/16 Ringlet x 1 SK809993 Blue-tailed Damselfly x 2 Wasp Beetle x 2 07/07/16 Blackbird x 1 Common Buzzard x 2 with rabbit prey SE793033 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 4 Oystercatcher x 1 over Thurnholmes Pied Wagtail x 1 Swift x 32 Tree Sparrow x 4 Brown Hare x 1 Rabbit x 2 Small Magpie moth x 3 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 2/7/2016 Cuckoo calling 9am. Not heard since. 3/7/2016 Tree Creeper on apple tree, 8.30am. Painted Lady nectering on Valerian 9.15am Meadow brown 3 5/7/2016 Silver-Y moth Small? Skipper 5 eggs in wash-house swallow nest. Hummingbird Hawkmoth nectering on Valerian, 7.30pm 6/7/2016 Humingbird Hawkmoth nectering on Valerian, 7.45am Tawny Owl am spotted in evergreen oaks, being nagged by blackbirds. 7/7/2016 Painted Lady Orange Underwing Lizard spp. Common? WRANGLE COMMON 03/07/2016 Roy and Kath Pearson A BirdTrack count today produced 27 species. The full list was:- Blackbird 3, Blackcap 1, Blue Tit 2, Buzzard 1, Crow 4, Chaffinch 2, Collared Dove 1, Coot 3, Dunnock 1, Great Tit 1, Herring Gull 1, Jackdaw 1, Lesser Black-backed Gull 3, Magpie 2, Mallard 68, Moorhen 3, Pheasant 3, Reed Bunting 4, Reed Warbler 5, Robin 1, Rook 5, Sedge Warbler 1, Skylark 3, Tufted Duck 6, Woodpigeon approx 50, Wren 2 and Yellowhammer 1. Butterflies were:- Small Tortoiseshell 5, Ringlet 14, Gatekeeper 4 and Meadow Brown 2. Other records were, Burnet Moth 1 and Blue-tailed Damselfly 1. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 30th June – 6th July 2016 Contributors: Peter and Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Rory Greer June weather notes: Winds from the northerly sector continued to influence the weather along the coastal fringe giving many cold days with low cloud and sometimes humid thundery weather. Finally the low pressure which gave this weather drifted east from the 17th which provided a few days of fresher weather. However winds from the southwest by the 19th brought a very warm humid air flow giving periods of more unsettled weather with sunshine and showers or longer periods of low cloud. A maximum of 21°C was recorded on the 22nd. Although a low of 3.5°C for both air and ground was recorded on the 28th, many minimum temperatures for the month were in double figures. Of note the average minimum air temperature from the 10th - 18th was 11.6°C and on the 23rd the air minimum was a humid 15°C. Rainfall generally fell as showers with some longer spells and this did give local variation of intensity. For example on the 16th the passing edge of a storm gave 4.2mm of rain in 20 minutes at the recording station but the main effect of the storm was over 2.5km away where in the same time 9mm of rain fell. A 24hr spell of rain on the 29th gave 11.7mm. Total precipitation for the month was 51.6mm. Winds throughout were light - moderate breezes but very strong north-easterly breeze gusting to near gale force were recorded on the 1st and 2nd June. 29th June Single ringlet at Sea View. Movement of Swifts over Sea View during mid-day with at least 400 in 2 hours 1st July Party of Long-tailed Tits 15+ and Starlings 100+ over Sea View. Between Sea View and Paradise were two Short-eared Owls hunting at the same time. 2nd July Rimac - Red Kite over and Cuckoo still calling and seen. Oystercatcher 2 and Black-tailed Godwit at Paradise lagoon and single Short-eared Owl hunting over saltmarsh between Sea View and Rimac. 4th July Spoonbill 2 on Paradise lagoon. Cinnabar caterpillars feeding on ragwort, small skipper and meadow brown butterflies on the wing. Flock of 70+ Starlings, mainly juvs, on saltmarsh 5th July Rimac marsh on the rising evening tide: Montague’s Harrier 1 adult male, Marsh Harrier 1 ad male, Short-eared Owl 1, Curlew 165, Whimbrel 2, Redshank 26, Dunlin 8, Oyster- catcher 42, Little Tern 2, Sandwich Tern 16, Bar-tailed Godwit 2, Eider Duck 1, Common Scoter 12, Shelduck 8. Whimbrel 3 flying and calling high over Sea View. 6th July 2 Black tailed godwits in breeding plumage and 1 green shank at Paradise Lagoon. Other bird species observed on the reserve this week include Curlew 98, Green Sandpiper 2, Dunlin 22, Little Gull 2, Yellow Wagtail 3, Pied Wagtail 7, Marsh Harrier 1, Common Buzzard 2, Barn Owl 2, Little Owl 2, Tawny Owl 1 and 3 singing Grasshopper Warblers. Flowers It is coming to the main season of flowers and currently seen includes: Marsh helleborine, selfheal, sea spurrey, sea lavender, restharrow, wild onion, ragwort, agrimony, common valerian, hair’s-foot clover, common centaury and Perforate St John’s -worts, marsh bedstraw , marsh thistle, yellow rattle, lady’s bedstraw, pyramidal orchid, goatsbeard, catsear, great mullein, hawkbits in flower as well as honeysuckle and privet with their rich scent wafting in the early morning air. Generally, all vegetation looking good with exceptional growth of grasses. Pyramidal orchids are giving a good display.  With the cool wet weather of May and June the nnr dunes have exceptional grass growth. In some areas 1.7m tall, and a fine stand of quaking grass near the easy access trail at Rimac. Insects Butterfly numbers remain low. Newly hatched species include ringlet, small skipper, small tortoiseshell, meadow brown. Also on the wing are red admiral, speckled wood, common blue, small heath, large skipper. A few emperor dragonflies around, bee numbers are low and some nests already dug out by badgers. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BARTON UPON HUMBER - FAR INGS NNR (Grid reference TA0023) 03/07/2016 Jon Drakes An early morning visit to this fabulous reserve found the following species present: Black Tailed Godwit Blackbird Blackcap Black-Headed Gull Blue Tit Bullfinch Carrion Crow Chiffchaff Coal Tit Collared Dove Common Tern Coot Dunnock Great Crested Grebe House Sparrow Kestrel Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Oystercatcher Pochard Reed Bunting Reed Warbler Shelduck Swallow Tufted Duck Water Rail Woodpigeon Wren Grey Squirrel ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BARTON UPON HUMBER - WATERS EDGE COUNTRY PARK (Grid reference TA0323) 03/07/2016 Jon Drakes Following a brief stop for refreshments at the visitors centre, the following species were recorded during a walk around the country park : Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Blue Tit Bullfinch Chiffchaff Coot Dunnock Gadwall Goldfinch Great Crested Grebe House Sparrow Little Egret Little Grebe 4 Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Reed Bunting Reed Warbler Robin Swallow Tufted Duck Woodpigeon Wren Small White Butterfly Large White Butterfly Small Tortoise Shell Butterfly Grey Squirrel ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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 *** *** 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. 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 *** 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. *** 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. ....and finally..... Somme 100: Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Pals that fought in the battle http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36677371 Magna Carta moved from Lincoln Castle vault over rising humidity http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-36716269 Peregrine falcon chick in rehab after Ipswich fall http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-36679581 'Healing' detected in Antarctic ozone hole http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36674996 Climate change: UK backs world-leading climate target http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36673894 Humans make rainforest more flammable http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36656443 The UK's most unusual cannabis farms? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-31132047 BREXIT Matters: Call to assure status of EU scientists in UK post-Brexit http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36675581 Paul Nurse: 'Research needs free movement to thrive' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36667987 World class science 'will endure' in UK after Brexit http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36642961 These final links are "Copy and Paste" only due to issues with long URLs. Strawberry moon is solstice first for Rutland Water https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/30/solstice-rutland-water-strawberry-moon-wetland-birds Nest raids by feral mink take their toll https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/01/country-diary-raided-nest-moorhen-mink-nature-airedale Oceans may become too acidic for animals to smell their way around https://theconversation.com/oceans-may-become-too-acidic-for-animals-to-smell-their-way-around-61786 Growth in artificial lawns poses threat to British wildlife, conservationists warn https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/04/growth-in-artificial-lawns-poses-threat-to-british-wildlife-conservationists-warn These marshes are awash with invisible chemistry https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/05/marshes-awash-invisible-chemistry-country-diary 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/