============================================= || || 24th 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.... *** I have a very busy week next week which will slow down my response time, but please keep your contributions coming. You will not get my usual immediate thank-you and the Bulletin may be a little late too - but it will arrive eventually. Thanks. The "Hottest June ever recorded worldwide" has been reported by NOAA. Disturbing data. See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36841072 Cuckoo project news: "Cuckoos count cost of shortcut home." http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36827265 Black Ant Flying Days: I am surprised we have not had any reports yet. Please send in your observations. See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18983219 More drama! Len Pick Trust Owl Tower Project. Keep watching. http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/page/16/owl-tower-project Courses: There are hundreds of free online courses from top universities and specialist organisations on the FutureLearn website. Worth a look: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/upcoming 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/ *** 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 *** Take part in the UK Jellyfish survey! *** When you go down to the beach this summer, please keep your eyes peeled for jellyfish. We don't know much about these wobbly wonders but we do know that several species of threatened sea turtle feed on them. https://www.mcsuk.org/what_we_do/Wildlife+protection/Report+wildlife+sightings/MCS+Jellyfish+Survey *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** LNU EVENTS - list in section 11 below - guests welcome *** Section 11 now includes the LNU Field Meetings for 2016. To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Saturday, August 13, 2016 Tetney Blow Wells LWT Reserve With evening moth/bat recording session (Courtesy of LWT and Anglian Water) South of Cleethorpes 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening session starting at 20.15. Park alongside Church Lane in Tetney village in vicinity of church or nearby. There is a footpath which leads to the reserve just to the east. NB. No mains available for moth traps. Facilities available in local village pubs in Tetney or Tetney Lock. Stiles present. Habitats: Blow wells, marsh, woodland, grassland, streams and scrub. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com *** Bat Walk - Snipe Dales - Friday 12th August - MEET UP TIME is 7.30pm *** Garry Steele sent in the following information. Helen Scarborough and Garry Steele are having a "Bat Walk at Snipe Dales Country Park on Friday, 12th August. Young people are very welcome, so head's up, Wildlife Watch members. Bulletin readers are very welcome too. "Join experts from Lincolnshire Bat Group on a walk round the Country Park to spot these important and elusive mammals. Bat detectors will be available to aid identification and to listen in as they hunt for food. There is also the possibility of seeing individual "rescue" bats at close quarters. All welcome. Free event. No dogs please. MEET UP TIME is 7.30pm The suggested ‘official’ end time for the event is 10.30pm. " *** Birdfair 2016 - "The Birdwatching Glastonbury" *** 19th - 21st August Egleton, Rutland The British Birdwatching Fair is jointly organised by the Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust and the RSPB. http://www.birdfair.org.uk/ *** 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. *** Scunthorpe Museum Society *** www.scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk *** Barton LWT *** Adrian White writes: Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2015 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** RSPB *** Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ South Lincs RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby *** Original Bramley apple tree in Southwell is dying *** http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-36826038 *** 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 *** Hedgehog Petition - readers may find this of interest *** M.P., Pauline Latham, is supporting a petition calling for the hedgehog to be added to Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act. She states that she is "supporting Oliver Colville MP in his attempt to collate 100,000 signatures, to force a debate in parliament and push through safeguardsfor hedgehogs whose plight has been fully appreciated only recently". The petitioners also urge the House of Commons to endorse the practical supporting measures of "Hedgehog Street" More information can be obtained from the following sites: www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/121264 The cut-off date for the petition is August 11th. On the parliamentary website - "that the government is against adding the hedgehog to Schedule 5." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 14/7 Short-eared Owl, 2 Turtle Doves, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill flew west over Pursuit Pit, Far Ings Wood Sandpiper, Anderby Marsh 15/7 Short-eared Owl, 2 Turtle Doves, Spotted Redshank, Curlew Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 2 Garganey, Spotted Redshank, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 16/7 Turtle Dove singing in conifer opposite old forestry offices, Willingham Woods Short-eared Owl, Saltfleet Haven 4 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 2 Spoonbills on Paradise Pool, south of Saltfleet Haven Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Pectoral Sandpiper, west of West Ashby, at Shearman's Wath on scrape near River Bain Red-rumped Swallow over barns at Burgh-le-Marsh 17/7 Pectoral Sandpiper, west of West Ashby, at Shearman's Wath south of bridge in flooded field/on scrape near River Bain Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Turtle Doves, Frampton Marsh 2 Garganey, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 5 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 2 Spoonbills on Paradise Pool, south of Saltfleet Haven 18/7 Pectoral Sandpiper, west of West Ashby, at Shearman's Wath south of bridge in flooded field Spotted Redshank, Wood Sandpiper at south end of wet grassland, Curlew Sandpiper with 200 Knot from 360 Hide, Frampton Marsh 2 Garganey, Turtle Dove, ad Whooper Swan on pit opposite gravel works, Kirkby on Bain gravel pits 19/7 Pectoral Sandpiper, west of West Ashby, at Shearman's Wath south of bridge in flooded field 2 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Spotted Redshank, 2 Turtle Doves, Yellow-legged Gull, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill, Barton-upon-Humber 20/7 Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Short-eared Owl, 2 Turtle Doves, Frampton Marsh Pectoral Sandpiper, west of West Ashby, at Shearman's Wath south of bridge on 2nd pond 6 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 21/7 White-rumped Sandpiper, Little Stint, Garganey, Spotted Redshank, Black Redstart by cattle corral, Curlew Sandpiper, Short-eared Owl, Little Gull, Frampton Marsh 9 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Pectoral Sandpiper, west of West Ashby, at Shearman's Wath south of bridge on 2nd pool Pectoral Sandpiper report now considered erroneous. [Pager] 68 Common Scoters on Humber Estuary off Chowder Ness, Barton-upon-Humber 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. STANTON'S PIT LWT RESERVE TF035171 17 July 2016 Joint LNU/ British Dragonfly Society field meeting attended by 14 people on a very hot and sunny afternoon and led by Brian Hedley. A very good assemblage of 13 dragonfly/damselfly species were noted including four new for the reserve list. Both red-eyed and small red-eyed damselflies were seen on the main lake and other species included emerald damselfly, banded demoiselle, ruddy darter, brown hawker and emperor. Butterflies were not as diverse with 10 species noted including small copper, gatekeeper and hundreds of ringlets. Other invertebrates noted included the beetle Cryptocephalus aureoles (4th record for Lincolnshire) and several moths including magpie, six- spot burnet, cinnabar, silver Y, common wave and shaded broad-bar. Red-tailed cuckoo-bee, meadow grasshopper and speckled bush-cricket were also noted. Expecting more invertebrate lists to come. Over 170 plant species were recorded with help from Tim Smith, Annette Faulkner and Neil Harris and included bee orchid, creeping yellow-cress, yellow-wort, wholly thistle, fairy flax and common cudweed. Unfortunately New Zealand pigmyweed has taken a hold in the main lake. Thirty-two bird species included grey, pied and yellow wagtails, bullfinch, green woodpecker, treecreeper and good numbers of linnets. ROADKILLS LINCOLN SK 96510 73814 Peter Morrell 17.07.16 Hedgehog roadkill x2 on Burton Road. A153 - TF317857 Silvia Fowler 15.07.2016 Badger RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY Raithby-cum-Maltby - TF309847 Silvia Fowler 18.07.2016 Rabbit *** 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 BRAMPTON Brampton SK 842 805 5/07/2016 Alison Brownlow At last some butterflies flying. Large White, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown, Ringlet, Speckled Wood, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell and lots of black Peacock caterpillars on Stinging nettles. BUTTERWICK TF3944 18/07/2016 Roy and Kath Pearson We did the first of this year's butterfly surveys on our patch near Boston. Agricultural operations gave some problems and numbers were low. Species counted were: Large White 36, Small White 30, Small Tortoiseshell 2, Comma 1, Gatekeeper 1, Meadow Brown 7 and Ringlet 33. CABOURNE PARVA (Grid reference TA1503) 15/07/2016 to 17/07/2016 Jon Drakes Wildlife observed whilst attending a festival at this splendid venue in the Lincolnshire Wolds were: Swallow (15/7) Yellowhammer (15/7) Yellowhammer (16/7) Swallow (16/7) Woodpigeon (16/7) Magpie (16/7) Goldfinch (16/7) House Sparrow (16/7) House Martin (16/7) Yellowhammer (17/7) Swallow (17/7) Chiffchaff (17/7) Blackbird (17/7) Cinnabar Moth (17/7) Ringlet Butterfly (17/7) COLSTERWORTH SK93/22 Jane Ostler Week Ending July 21st Roe Deer - One reported in Twyford Wood Hedgehogs - Lots of reports of individuals in gardens Swifts - Now that the young have joined the adults in flight it is apparent that there are more than in previous years. Turtle Doves - It seems that for the second year running there are no sightings Grass Snakes - More sightings of them near garden ponds Lizards - A search for these associated with stone walls has been unsuccessful Butterflies - Adults - Painted lady(singleton only), ringlets, speckled wood, meadow brown, small tortoiseshell, small heath, common blue, large and small skipper. Moths Adults - Chimney sweep, elephant hawk moth, humming bird hawk moth, silver Y, large white plume moth. Caterpillars - Mullein moth. Other insects - Hornet's nest in garden. Mass emergence of ants (species?) on 13th July. A 'plague' of thrips on 17th July. COVENHAM RESERVOIR (Grid reference TF3496) 14/07/2016 Jon Drakes Noted whilst trying to avoid the inahalation of too many small black flies (there were millions of them in the air around the reservoir!) were: Black-Headed Gull Coot Cormorant Gadwall Mallard Large White Buttterfly Ringlet Butterfly HORKSTOW Jenny Haynes Sunday 17 July 2016 21.00hrs Barn owl flying across the field opposite my house. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 15/7/2016 Blackbird3 3 (one fledgling) Dunnock 1 Meadow brown 1 Small tortoiseshell 1 Speckled wood 2 Wrens 2 (one fledgling) 16/7/2016 Frog 1 (popped its head out of the pond) Speckled wood 2 17/7/2016 Wrens 2 18/7/2016 Green veined white 2 Ladybird larva 1 Meadow brown 1 Ringlets 2 19/7/2016 Common darter male 1 Greenfinch 1 Green veined white 2 Ringlets 2 20/7/2016 Collared dove 1 Green veined white 2 Large white 1 Meadow brown 1 Ringlets 2 Wrens 2 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 15/07/2016 Jon Drakes Species noted whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Bird Watch for the BTO in our back garden : Blackbird 3 House Sparrow 20 Tree Sparrow 3 Collared Dove 2 Dunnock 3 Swift Swallow Greenfinch 1 KIRTON LINDSEY SE 93726 00468 Peter Morrell 19.06.16 Lesser stag beetle observed at edge of an area of woodland off Cliff Road. MARKET RASEN TF107 897 Richard Fox 20.07.2016 Holly Blue 2 in garden NEW WALTHAM TA 285046 Peter Crick 20.07.2016 Lesser Stag Beetle - spotted briefly on the patio late evening RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 10.07.2017 Swift 7 (TF3183) Buzzard 1 (TF3183) 13.07.2016 Wren eating large moth Several fresh Hedgehog droppings 14.07.2016 Buzzard x 1 being mobbed by Rook x 1 Solomon's Seal Sawfly larvae (Phymatocera aterrima) Small White 1, Meadow Brown 1 Plenty of Bumblebees on the wing, some wasps and hoverflies, but still hardly any butterflies or dragonflies Pollen Beetles in great numbers Pseudoscorpions 5 on wood of compost bin 16.07.2016 Great Spotted Woodpecker (rarely seen in garden since I started using squirrel-proof bird feeders) Small Tortoiseshell - first (or second?) sighting this year; extremely pale and tatty Meadow Brown 1 18.07.2016 Buzzard Jackdaw ca. 60 on power lines Tawny Owl Small White 1, Large White 1, Meadow Brown 1 Blue-tailed Damselfly Bat 1 (on a balmy evening, though surprisingly few moths on profusely flowering honeysuckle) 19.07.2016 Green-veined White 1, Meadow Brown 1, Small Tortoiseshell 2 (1 with fresh, strong colouring) House Martin 2 Starling 2 juv. Rabbit young 20.07.2016 Common Newt in pond Blue-tailed Damselfly 2, mating House Sparrows still feeding young in nest (probably third brood) Collared Doves (pair) noisily chasing 2 offspring (probably) out of their territory SALTFLEET DUNES NNR (PARADISE to SEA VIEW and return) (Grid reference TF4593 and TF4692) 14/07/2016 Jon Drakes My first visit to this reserve found the following species present : Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Buzzard Carrion Crow Coot Cormorant Corn Bunting Curlew Dunnock Great Blackback Gull Grey Wagtail Kestrel Knot Linnet Little Grebe Magpie Mallard Meadow Pipit Moorhen Mute Swan Pied (White) Wagtail Redshank Skylark Starling Swallow Woodpigeon The warm, sunny weather resulted in a good number of butterflies on the wing: Small Tortoiseshell Meadow Brown - several hundred seen Ringlet - several hundred seen. Painted Lady Orange Tip Small Skipper SALTFLEET HAVEN (NEW POOLS) (Grid reference TF4693) 14/07/2016 Jon Drakes A quick visit to this location resulted in the following species being recorded: Black-Headed Gull Carrion Crow Egyptian Goose 6 present Great Crested Grebe Greylag Goose Linnet Little Grebe Mallard Mute Swan Pied Wagtail Redshank Stock Dove SNARFORD Richard Fox 20.07.2016 Barn Owl hunting grass verge just east of Snarford Cross Roads on the A46 SUTTON-ON-SEA Ian Whitaker 21/07/16 Old Lady Moth [not the wife!] Hummingbird Hawkmoth feeding on Stinking Billies THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 16/07/16 nest box update Box 3 Tree Sparrow 1 egg 5 small young Box 9 Pied Wagtail 5 young rung Box 14 Tree Sparrow 6 young rung Robin in Barn 5 eggs cold Common Pipistrelle x 1 feeding on moths around outside light moths Dark Arches x 1 Fan-foot x 1 Lesser Yellow Underwing x 1 Small Magpie x 2 Smoky Wainscot x 1 19/07/16 Ringlet x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 3 Amblyteles armatorius x 1 21/07/16 Blackbird x 1 Pied Wagtail x 1 with beak full of grubs Robin x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 2 Large Yellow Underwing x 1 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 14/7 Hummingbird Hawkmoth working Valerian. 15/7 4 juv Pheasants still visiting garden with mother. Hummingbird Hawkmoth working Valerian. 10am. Adult Grass snake - rather a dark invidual. Green Woodpecker 17/7 Cuckoo heard [AP] 8.45am Grass Snake on compost heap 10am. [AP] Common Frog by pond - 10.15am. [AP] 18/7 Tawny Owl on chimney pot of outbuilding. 01.15hrs. Large Grass snake emerging from compost heap at 8.30am. 100+ swallows, adults and juvs, perched on power line across garden. Swallow nest in old wash-house now has 5 hatchlings, thought to have hatched on 17th. 20/7 Red admiral, holly blue, ringlets Bat spp 1 hunting in garden - 21.00 hrs. 21/7 Red admiral, green-veined white, ringlets Bat spp, 21.30hrs, echolocating at 55kHz, sound like a Pipistrelle feeding - with clicks and feeding bursts. WRANGLE COMMON 18/07/2016 Roy and Kath Pearson A BirdTrack count today yielded a mere 20 species, owing to a lack of bird song and high grass levels on the wet grassland. Birds of particular note were two Buzzards and FIVE Green Sandpipers. Butterflies did rather better with Ringlet 25, Small Skipper 2, Meadow Brown 20, Gatekeeper 5, Small White 7, Large White 5, Speckled Wood 1 and Small Copper 2. Dragonflies were Common Hawker, Common Darter, Ruddy Darter, Broad-bodied Chaser and a Blue-tailed Damselfly. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 13th - 20th July 2016 Contributors: Peter and Janet Roworth, Cliff Morrison, John Walker, Rob Scott During the past few days of very hot weather and accompanying drying winds the dune vegetation, in places, is now beginning to look dry and is 'crunchy' under foot. The amount of rainfall so far this month is only 22.0mm, of which 13.1mm fell during the night of the 7th. The new dunes and samphire beds are proving very attractive for feeding passerines for Pied Wagtails 12, Yellow Wagtails, Meadow Pipits 20, Skylarks 20, along with different Wheatears on 13th & 17th. Several hundreds of gulls now returning from breeding and a few sandwich terns all roosting on beach. Migrant waders include flocks of oystercatchers and whimbrel, also singles of greenshank and green sandpiper with 2 wheatears on morning of 18th. Slugs and snails are especially numerous and song thrushes have prospered with several pairs and some young seen and little owls remain very vocal. 13th Whimbrel 2 over Sea View during the morning then later in afternoon, 12 in one group on the saltmarsh. Short-eared Owl hunting near Rimac in the evening. Butterfly count from BYL to CL yielded 117 Ringlets, 4 Meadow Browns, 11 Small Skippers and 4 Small Tortoiseshells. This time last, year there over 300 Ringlets and 100 Meadow Browns, indicating just how the cold spring has impacted butterflies. 14th Whimbrel 4 over Sea View. Hedge brown on the wing. 15th Single Hobby south over Sea View 17th The first morning when Whitethroats have not been heard singing since they first arrived in the spring and only a couple of Blackcaps heard. Plenty of young birds to be heard in the bushes, so later broods have been more successful than the earlier broods in the cold and wet spring. 18th Comma butterfly on privet bushes at Sea View yard. Ringlet, meadow brown, small skipper, large skipper, large white and 3 commas on the wing at Sea View end of the NNR, encouraged by the very hot, sunny weather when the daytime temperature reached 28.5°C. 19th Noticeable small heath butterflies on the wing on the dunes between SV and Rimac. On the outer beach off Rimac Black-tailed Godwit 28 flew south, Dunlin 25+, Sanderling 12+ (some showing some summer plumage), Ringed Plover 4, Whimbrel 1 and at least 200 Sandwich Terns on the ground and fishing in the Haven outfall area. Starlings 500+ flew off the saltmarsh which is now looking a splendid sight with the flowering sea lavender. At Rimac blue-tailed damselflies, four-spotted chasers and ruddy darters very active over the pond. Six spot burnet moths on viper's bugloss and field scabious and Goldfinches feeding on the marsh thistle seed heads. Evening high tide saw 14 Whimbrel, 24 Sandwich Terns and 2 Common Terns. 20th Morning high tide saw small parties of Knot flying south, 49 Sanderling, 13 Dunlin. Insects Lots of newly hatched common and ruddy darters a few emperors and four spotted chasers and 2 fresh broad bodied chasers seen. Butterfly and bee numbers are well down on an average year with ringlet by far the commonest on the Rimac transect on 19th. Around 80 species of moths recorded this week at Brickyard Lane which will mainly be coming from the adjacent dunes. Flowers Meadowsweet, restharrow , lady's bedstraw, now in full 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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..... Lincoln marks 100th anniversary of the tank http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-36815169 Daisy wheel 'protection graffiti' found at Lincoln Cathedral http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-36857607 Original Bramley apple tree in Southwell is dying http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-36826038 Outdoor learning 'boosts children's development' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36795912 Serviceman threatened with knife treated as abduction http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-36853106 Bee hotel: https://youtu.be/R6muzG-B7-o Bumble bee knitting pattern: http://www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/bee_knitting_pattern.pdf From nightfall to dawn, the garden is the snail's domain https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/14/from-nightfall-to-dawn-garden-snails-domain 2 beautiful videos in this article: The social life of sea mammals is key to their survival https://theconversation.com/the-social-life-of-sea-mammals-is-key-to-their-survival-61834 Unstable weather affecting wildlife http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20160713-how-butterflies-and-birds-cope-with-unpredictable-weather Warning of 'unsafe biodiversity loss' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science_and_environment Countryside faces Brexit anxiety http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36809570 DNA gives insight into crop development http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36805233 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/