============================================= || || 17th 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.... *** We had a treat here last Sunday - several sightings of grass snakes in different locations. This year the weather seems to have set them back a bit. I used "Recordpool" to record the first sighting, just to see how it works. It is certainly user-friendly and includes an interactive map to help you pin-point your grid reference. You can also submit a photo to aid validation. It would be interesting to hear from anyone who has used Recordpool. What did you made of it? Feedback, please. You can input your reptile and amphibian data on Recordpool at: http://www.recordpool.org.uk/ You can also submit "herptile" records via the Bulletin or directly to Ashley Butterfield - LNU Recorder - Amphibians and Reptiles. Email: ashleybutterfield@btinternet.com Black Ant Flying Days - send in your observations please. See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18983219 Len Pick Trust Owl Tower Project. Keep watching. 7 eggs now! http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/page/16/owl-tower-project Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' for July can be found on the link below. http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Roger *** Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important *** Chris Manning recommends the following websites to help find grid references. Grab a Grid Reference: http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ *** Artificial Sand Martin Bank *** Stuart Britton writes: Since the mid 1980's the Mid-Lincs Ringing Group have been ringing Sand Martins at a site near Donington on Bain. When the extraction of sand stopped we attempted to scrape the vegetation off the redundant sand faces but this was not very successful due to erosion and predation. Early last year one of our ringers, Andy Chappell, liaised with the landowners who gave us permission to build an artificial "bank" out of breeze blocks, piping and lots of sand! They kindly sponsored some of the cost. There are thirty-six "tunnels" and we are able to access the rear of "bank". Last year there was just one pair which successfully raised six young and they were the first Sand Martin nestlings the Group had ringed. This year, much to our delight, there are at least 15 nests at varying stages. Andy is monitoring them as part of the BTO Nest Record Scheme and we are able to observe the nesting activity which previously we were unable to do. We are a long way off the 200 or so nests in a similar structure at Rutland Water but delighted that we can learn more about these summer visitors. Editor adds: More Sand Martin information from WT website: http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/sand-martin *** 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 still available *** Aidan Neary writes: Introduction to Wildflower Identification Day: 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. Next Date: 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 Bird Club Website *** The Lincolnshire Bird Club has an outstanding website, very well set up and crammed with useful information. It is worth a look. The front page "sets out their stall", and a quick browse through will give you a picture of the expertise and enthusiasm the LBC represents. Have a look at the Album, Forum and Rare Bird News as a taster. See: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/index.htm *** Future of LNU Website and Recording Technology *** Back in the 1990s the idea of the Bulletin seemed very progressive. Use of websites was relatively infrequent in those days of dial-up, and we were quite excited to get as many as 50 hits! At this time many people eschewed the idea of email and similar technology. Since then huge changes in IT capability have taken place. Many people now own a smart phone, giving access to the World Wide Web, email, text, social media and a variety of very useful and attractive "Apps" including some of direct use in taxonomy and biological recording. As in the '90s not everyone is at ease with such technology, but the tremendous range of ways to identify and record species give us all some idea of the direction in which we are moving. It would be helpful to have comments/advice from readers with knowledge or insight into the IT options we could be developing for the LNU. e.g. Website development and use, useful and reliable "Apps", on-line submission of records and validation and the use of social media. Do you know: A really good website which promotes and facilitates biological recording? A reliable App which assists identification of species? A good recording "package" that you use yourself? What else would you like to see on the LNU website? Contact: nick.tribe@ntlworld.com *** George Boole: Sculpture honours Victorian coder *** http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-36743421 More about Boole on Editor's homepages: http://www.rogerparsons.info/george/boole.html *** 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: http://www.tombio.uk/?q=courses Editor adds: If you decide to attend one of these you are welcome to post a message in the Bulletin to see if anyone wants to join you. *** 2016 UK Awards for Biological Recording & Information Sharing *** Why not nominate an exceptional biological recorder or group for the 2016 UK Awards? Hurry though, the deadline is 31 July 2016! http://www.tombio.uk/?q=2016awards *** Tomorrow's Biodiversity -The value of museum collections *** Museum collections are an invaluable tool for taxonomists and biological recorders. As well as being invaluable, they are often under-valued and under-used. http://www.tombio.uk/?q=collections *** National Whale and Dolphin Watch Weekend (NWDW) 30th & 31st July. *** This year National Whale and Dolphin Watch Weekend (NWDW) is on 30th & 31st July. http://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw/ Dave Miller is looking for volunteers to help man the watches at Anderby Creek and Skegness Pier. If you think you can help please let him know. It will be split into two three-hour shifts per day at each site. Dave adds: 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 *** Scunthorpe Museum Society *** www.scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk *** 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 *** 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 *** A bit about the Bulletin *** Editor writes: When the weekly Bulletin goes out I monitor the statistics with interest. MailChimp compares our usage with that of other organisations. What amazes me is the speed at which readers open and scan their copies. Within 24 hours last week an astounding 22.8% had opened their Bulletins, beating the overall industry average of 21.7%. By Sunday it was over 33%. I am not very good at opening my own email newsletters, such as Sky and Telescope, despite my interest in the subject - so I am greatly encouraged and impressed by Bulletin readers' response. It makes the effort worthwhile, so thank you all for the very welcome support. We do lose the occasional reader, so we need to replace them with new ones if we are to break through the '1100 barrier' and encourage as many people as possible to report their sightings. You can help to recruit readers by using the "forward to a friend" link at the end of each Bulletin. You can also help us to keep the Bulletin interesting and relevant by making your own contributions, with records, questions, news, information on events, talks, courses and links. Thanks again. Roger ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 7/7 Turtle Dove, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 3 Spoonbills on realignment, Donna Nook Little Stint, drk Garganey, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, 2 Turtle Doves, Frampton Marsh 8/7 Curlew Sandpiper, Garganey, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh Turtle Dove male singing near Pottergate Golf Club, Branston Moor 9/7 Short-eared Owl, 2 Turtle Doves, Gibraltar Point 3 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point 10/7 Quail males singing in wheat field near Kirkby Underwood Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, 2 Turtle Doves, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh Wood Sandpiper on Paradise Pool, Saltfleetby 10 Spoonbills, 19 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flats Velvet Scoter flew south past Chapel Point Turtle Dove male singing at West Lake, Whisby Nature Park 11/7 3 Spoonbills on realignment, Donna Nook Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh 2 Wood Sandpipers on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 12/7 2 Short-eared Owls near Fitties Pools, Tetney Marshes Short-eared Owl on fence, Wood sandpiper on wet grassland, Turtle Dove near reservoir, Frampton Marsh Quail male singing, in first field north of Grainthorpe Haven 13/7 3 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats Spoonbill, Short-eared Owl, Turtle Dove, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl, Horse Shoe 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. ROADKILLS RUSKINGTON Ruskington (TF0850) Jack Dawson 07/07/16 Roadkills Hedgehog - 1 dead on Priory Road Rabbit - At least 3 dead on Priory Road. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send in your observations and we welcome information from ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks. DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 7/7/2016 Blue tit 1 Chaffinch 1 Dunnock 1 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Lady bird 7-spot 1 (at the beach TF541787) Wren 1 8/7/2016 Barn owl 1 (flew through the garden at 8pm - amazing!) Dunnock 1 Robins 3 (1 fledgling) Small tortoiseshell 1 9/7/2016 Wrens 2 11//7/2016 Lady bird 7-spot 1 Speckled wood 1 Wren 1 12/7/2016 Barn owl 1 (flew through the garden at 8.10pm) Blackbirds in nest - number not known (but have seen parents taking food into the beech hedge and I heard the chicks cheeping) Diamond back moth caterpillars and pupae - lost count at 30! (I saw the leaves on my cauliflower plants looking like lace and covered in caterpillars. This happened overnight. I blamed the small/large whites even though I hadn't seen any but then read about a 'plague' of these moths and sure enough, the description fits the bill. I clearly remember commenting about the number of tiny moths in the garden during the day sometime in May) Great tit 1 Greenfinch 1 Green veined white 1 Speckled wood 1 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 09/07/2016 Jon Drakes Species noted whilst carrying out the weely BTO Garden Bird Watch in our back garden were: Blackbird 4 Jackdaw 2 Woodpigeon 1 House Sparrow 20 Dunnock 4 Greenfinch 3 Collared Dove 6 Tree Sparrow 3 Chaffinch 2 Robin 1 Swift Swallow Starling 2 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1609) 10/7/2016 Jon Drakes A walk around fields located to the South East of the village found the following species present: Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Buzzard Carrion Crow Collared Dove Dunnock Feral Pigeon Goldfinch Greenfinch House Martin House Sparrow Kestrel Lapwing Pied Wagtail Reed Bunting Skylark Starling Swallow Swift Woodpigeon Wren Yellowhammer Meadow Brown Butterfly Large White Butterfly Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly Common Frog KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 10/07/2016 Jon Drakes A couple of hours in the back garden enjoying the afternoon sunshine found the following species recorded: Herring Gull Starling House Sparrow Blackbird Collared Dove Woodpigeon Chaffinch Dunnock Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly Meadow Brown Butterfly Speckled Wood Butterfly RUSKINGTON Ruskington (TF0850) Jack Dawson 07/07/16 Species List Green Woodpecker - One feeding on Finch-Hatton Close green. Goldfinch - One found dead in garden. Greenfinch - At least 12 Great Tit - Many fledglings SPALDING Annette Faulkner Garden TF244218 2/7/16 Comma 4/7/16 The hunting wasps Ectemnius cavifrons have started emerging from their two now-collapsing lime logs at the side of the house, which they have been tunnelling into for years, with small piles of sawdust in cobwebs and on the ground below. The logs are still upright "just about" and I spotted one female in a hole in the top. She emerged and returned several times, and appeared to be fanning away the sawdust with her wings, though that may have been coincidental. This week I noticed pin-sized holes through the centre of two of the Osmia rufa (bee) mud sealed tubes in the "bee home" on the wall. These must have been new when I saw them as a few days later one was much less obvious. Parasites! Allotment TF227218 3/7/16 In mini meadow. Ringlets starting to appear, and also a small tortoiseshell seen, plus the odd white. Very few butterflies generally. THEDDLETHORPE BEACH Clare Brady 10/7/2016 Collected three Painted Topshell shells on the beach. Not seen these before, very pretty with beautiful mother of pearl type luminescence. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 08/07/16 Kingfisher x 1 09/07/16 Nest update Box 3 Tree Sparrow 6 eggs Box 5 Tree Sparrow fledged Box 9 Pied Wagtail 5 small young Box 10 Tree Sparrow fledged Box 14 Tree Sparrow 5 eggs Barn Robin 5 eggs 10/07/16 Moths Small Magpie x 1 Yellow Shell x 1 12/07/16 Lapwing x 4 calling over fields 23:15hrs 13/07/16 Blackbird x 1 Black-headed Gull x 17 Chaffinch x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Pied Wagtail x 1 with grubs in beak Small Tortoiseshell x 3 Small White x 2 Small Magpie moth x 1 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 10/07/2016 Large [f?] Grass Snake basking on top of log pile in garden 8am. Seen three times. Photographed. Painted Lady Butterfly - 8.30am. A rather faded specimen. Hummingbird Hawkmoth 1 working Valerian - 11am. Large stout [f?] Grass Snake making its way into compost heap 12 metres from from this morning's sighting. 1.30pm. 11/7 Marsh Harrier male hunting over fields in area, chased by a flock of murmurating starlings at about 4pm. They then perched on an apple tree, an overhead line in the garden, then a tall "leylandii". Number estimated at 80, some adults and a number of juveniles. 12/7 Hummingbird Hawkmoth working Valerian at 7am. Adult grass snake near compost heap at 1pm. Hen pheasant brought 4 juv chicks into garden 7.30pm. 13/7 Pheasant f with 4 chicks still about. Hummingbird Hawkmoth working Valerian, 10am Adult Grass snake - another individual - seen by both AP and RP. Green woodpecker in garden. 14/7 Pheasant f with 4 chicks still about. Hummingbird Hawkmoth working Valerian, 2pm. Marsh Harrier m and 3 Buzzards hunting in area.10-11am. Green Woodpecker in area. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 7th – 13th July 2016 Contributors: Peter and Janet Roworth, Cliff Morrison Most warblers, Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes, Skylarks, Linnets and Goldfinches still singing 7th Tufted Duck 11, Teal 9, Little Grebe, Greenshank 1, Common Sandpiper 1, Moorhen 1, Coot + 2 juvs, Mallard females with 7, 8 and 5 juvs, Little Egret 1, Pied Wagtail 5, Black-headed Gull 2 all on Paradise lagoon. Whimbrel 2 on the saltmarsh and Sand Martin 1 south, Swift 24 south, Kestrel 1 over sea at high tide from Brickyard Lane. 8th Black-tailed Godwit 14, Common sandpiper 2, Greenshank 1 on Paradise lagoon and a Short-eared Owl hunting over the dune/saltmarsh edge nearby. 9th Black-tailed Godwit 3 and Common Sandpiper 2 on Paradise lagoon.Whimbrel 29 south in 2 groups, but heard birds calling as flying south all day. Redshank one group 30 south, Sand Martin 12 south, Swift 2 south all from Brickyard Lane. 10th Common Sandpiper 2 on Paradise lagoon. Noticeable numbers of Sand Martins over Sea View with other hirundines during day (nothing counted). Single Red Kite drifting west over dunes in afternoon. Sand Martin 22 south, Swift 2 south over Brickyard Lane. 11th Movement of Swifts in morning drifting south. On Paradise lagoon Black-tailed Godwit 8, Redshank 3, Common Sandpiper 3,  Black-headed Gull 29 and a single Common Gull. 12th Sparrow Hawk 1, Mistle Thrush 6 over Brickyard Lane. At Rimac on midday high tide: Common Tern 6, Sandwich Tern 110, Oystercatcher 83, Curlew 277, Whimbrel 5, Ringed Plover 8, Dunlin 2, Knot 7, Little Egret 14, Cormorant 12, Black-headed Gull 50+, Common Gull 20+, GreatBlack-backed Gull 18, Lesser Black-backed Gull 3, Herring Gull 30+, Kestrel 1. 13th Wheatear 1, Goldcrest 1 from Brickyard Lane. Butterflies Recent spells of sunshine have encouraged good numbers of ringlet and meadow brown butterflies plus a few small tortoiseshells and large whites with the occasional green- veined white. But on the whole butterfly numbers are generally very low for time of year. Flowers Spear thistle and rose-bay willowherb in flower. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HAGNABY LOCK FEN E.A. WETLAND RESERVE TF 331595 Garry Steele Monthly maximums and noteworthy ornithological sightings - June 2016:- Common Tern - 2 Coot - 6 Grey Heron - 2 Greylag Goose - 8 Hobby - 1 Lapwing - 6 Mallard - 39 Moorhen - 2 Mute Swan - 2 Shoveler - 2 Teal -1 Tufted Duck - 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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..... Drone delivers ice cream to Mablethorpe beachgoers http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-36779204 Seal pup with stick stuck in eye rescued in Boston http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-36785470 Climate change: Advisers warn of climate change domino effect http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36765925 Tsar plan to tackle 'tacky, run down' resorts http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36765030 These final links are "Copy and Paste" only due to issues with long URLs. Bumblebee slips tether of the absent spider https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/08/bumblebee-slips-tether-of-the-absent-spider A marine heatwave has wiped out a swathe of WA's undersea kelp forest https://theconversation.com/a-marine-heatwave-has-wiped-out-a-swathe-of-was-undersea-kelp-forest-62042 Too many males spell trouble for UK migratory birds https://theconversation.com/too-many-males-spell-trouble-for-uk-migratory-birds-62140 Very long url but very interesting: In defence of wasps: why squashing them comes with a sting in the tale https://theconversation.com/in-defence-of-wasps-why-squashing-them-comes-with-a-sting-in-the-tale-60729?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20July%2013%202016%20-%205228&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20July%2013%202016%20-%205228+CID_7c3267a2c1c10facea3bd441a3a97c16&utm_source=campaign_monitor_uk&utm_term=a%20sting%20in%20the%20tale 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/