============================================= || || 31st 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 am back from my Norfolk walkabout. Thanks to all who sent in such interesting contributions. I am hoping to get along to the Whale and Dolphin Watch Weekend -at Anderby Creek probably, so maybe I will bump in to some of you there? Black Ant Flying Days. Phil Smith writes: Pleased to report that we witnessed, from our garden, a repeat of the annual flying display by ants and seagulls in the Rochford Tower Road area of Fishtoft on the afternoon of Monday 18th July, 4.00-5.00pm. (NGR TF35264417) Almost as spectacular was the low fly pass we had from the "Lanc" on Thursday 21st at about 4.30pm. Nice to see it again too! Are you doing the "Big Butterfly Count"? See: http://www.bigbutterflycount.org/ "2016 could be worst year on record for British butterflies". https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/15/2016-could-be-worst-year-on-record-for-british-butterflies-experts-warn Yet more drama! Len Pick Trust Owl Tower Project. Keep watching. http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/page/16/owl-tower-project Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' for August will 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/ *** Do you want to be involved in a project to study crickets? *** Phil Clay sent in the following: The University of Exeter are conducting a project to study the behaviour of crickets. They have had more than 140 digital video cameras filming the crickets in northern Spain. Their problem is that they now have far too much footage to go through it all themselves. They are seeking volunteers to watch clips of crickets in action and put them into categories, such as are they mating, or fighting, or feeding? To get involved visit: http://cricket-tales.exeter.ac.uk To find out more about the overall aims of the project, visit: www.wildcrickets.org *** Future of the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB *** Helen Gamble writes: Have your say on the future of the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). We would be grateful if you could spare a few minutes to fill in our questionnaire. Your views are important to us and will help the partnership to prepare the next statutory Management Plan for the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB, and in particular how we can all help protect and enhance the special qualities of the area. Click here to download the form, fill it in then e-mail it back to us! If you'd rather, we can post a copy out to you - contact Helen Gamble, AONB Project Officer on 01522 555780 http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/looking-after/have%20your%20say *** Heritage Open Days *** Helen adds: Heritage Open Days in Sept which this year's theme is Natural Heritage, Welton le Wold on the Friday and a Geological walk on the Sunday. Friday 9 September - Where Elephants once Roamed 10:30 am to 1:00 pm. Discover more about this disused gravel and sand quarry as the experts explain about this important geological and archaeological Site of Special Scientific Interest, normally closed to the public. By kind permission of the landowners, this 3 mile walk forms part of the Heritage Open Days. Meet: Welton le Wold disused quarry, accessible from A631 & signposted on the day. Grid ref: TF 279 882 O.S. map 282 Postcode: LN11 0QT Parking: Free parking at the event, look for signage on the day Leaders: Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group & Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service Sunday 11 September - Claxby Ironstone Mine Geology Walk 10:00 am to 1:00pm pm. The walk traverses the Lower Cretaceous sediments within which the Claxby Ironstone Formation is found. The site of the original Claxby Ironstone Mine will be visited and its relationship with the surrounding geology explored, led by Paul Hildreth. BOOKING essential contact John Esser on 01472 851105 or jesser@yahoo.com Here's the full event listing https://www.heritagelincolnshire.org/heritage-open-days *** 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/ *** 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 *** 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 22/7 5 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 4 Little Gulls, Spotted Redshank on realignment, Donna Nook Common Crane, White-rumped Sandpiper, 2 Turtle Doves, Spotted Redshank, Short-eared Owl, Spoonbill, 2 Little Stints, Garganey, Little Gull, Curlew Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Pectoral Sandpiper ny River Bain south of bridge by 2nd pool, Shearman's Wath, West Ashby Baltic Gull, 2 Caspian Gulls, 29 Yellow-legged Gulls, Norton Disney 23/7 Pectoral Sandpiper, by River Bain at Shearman's Wath on pool south of bridge , West Ashby 5 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Whinchat, Horse Shoe Point Pectoral Sandpiper from 360 hide, Spoonbill, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Wood Sandpiper, Teal Lake, Whisby Nature Park Caspian Gull, Norton Disney 24/7 Broad-billed Sandpiper, Spoonbill, Pectoral Sandpiper, 2 Little Stints, 5 Curlew Sandpipers,Turtle dove by car park, Frampton Marsh Roseate Tern, 9 Spoonbills, Gibralter Point Caspian Tern, Faxfleet, viewable from Alkborough 13 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 25/7 Broad-billed Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Spoonbill, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Turtle Doves, 2 L:ittle Stints, Frampton Marsh 5 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 26/7 11-16 Pectoral Sandpiper ad, 2 Little Stints, 3 ad Curlew Sandpipers, Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh 27/7 Broad-billed Sandpiper, ad Pectoral Sandpiper, Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank, 2 Short-eared Owls, Little Stint, 8 Curlew Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh 2 Spoonbills on Paradies Pool, Little Stint, south Saltfleet Haven, Saltfleet Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Wood Sandpiper flew south, Gibraltar Point 28/7 Turtle Dove beyond caravan site, Walesby Moor White-rumped Sandpiper ad, Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Turtle Doves, Frampton Marsh Note: I am adapting RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. Rare Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of the subscription services. [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. ROADKILLS WILDMORE Hurnbridge Road TF216541 R Parsons 24/7/2016 Adult grass snake. [part of] SOUTH FERRIBY Jenny Haynes Roadkill 20 July 2016 SE986203 South Ferriby, B1204 Hedgehog Willoughton SK 93581 92760 Peter Morrell 22.07.16 Hedgehog roadkill on B1398 . Ingham SK 95660 84290 Peter Morrell 22.07.16 Hedgehog roadkill on B1398  Stow SK 90269 82360 Peter Morrell 22.07.16 Hedgehog roadkill on Ingham Road Stow  Sturton by Stow SK 88834 81135 Peter Morrell 22.07.16 Hedgehog roadkill x 2 on Stow Road  Lincoln SK 92989 68594 Peter Morrell 22.07.16 Hedgehog roadkill on Doddington Road  Ingleby SK 89195 77746 Peter Morrell 27.07.16 Hedgehog roadkill on Sturton Road  Saxilby SK 89719 75077 Peter Morrell 27.07.16Hedgehog roadkill on  A57 *** 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 CHAMBERS FARM WOOD AND MEADOWS 23-07-2016 See section 5 below - Bardney Limewoods COLSTERWORTH John Hodgson 21 July 2016 4 Red Kite lazily cruising above the A1 nr Colsterworth EAST HALTON SKITTER TO GOXHILL HAVEN (and return) (Grid reference TA1423 to TA1225) 24/07/2016 Jon Drakes The monthly Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS) for the BTO along this strech of the River Humber found the following bird species present: Black Tailed Godwit 1 (still in breeding plumage) Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Blue Tit 1 Carrion Crow Cetti's Warbler 1 Chaffinch 3 Common Sandpiper 3 Coot 1 Cormorant 1 Curlew 192 Feral Pigeon Golden Plover 5 Greenshank 1 Grey Heron 5 Herring Gull House Martin Kestrel 1 Kingfisher 1 Lapwing 21 Linnet 9 Little Egret 5 Mallard 21 Meadow Pipit 1 Mute Swan 1 Pheasant Pied Wagtail 1 Redshank 3 Reed Bunting 5 Reed Warbler 3 Ringed Plover 2 Sedge Warbler 8 Shelduck 6 Short Eared Owl 2 Skylark 4 Snipe 1 Starling Swallow Tufted Duck 2 Whitethroat 1 Woodpigeon Butterfly species recorded during the walk: Large White Ringlet Small Skipper Meadow Brown Gate Keeper Small Tortoiseshell Small White Peacock Comma Red Admiral Speckled Wood GRANTHAM St. Catherine's Rd SK918356 Marion Ellis 19.7.16 & 20.7.16 Swifts wheeling above early morning & late evening GRANTHAM Noel Herbert Sunday 23rd July Golden Oriole - 3 HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 20/7/2016 Bats 3 or 4 (don't know what sort - appeared about 9pm) 21/7/2016 Greenfinch 1 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Robins 3 Wren 1 22/7/2016 Frog 1 (in pond) Great spotted woodpecker 1 Green veined whites 2 Large whites 2 Wren 1 25/7/2016 Great spotted woodpecker 1 (looked like a juvenile) Large whites 2 27/7/2016 Frog 1 (in pond) Hawthorn shield bug 1 Wren 1 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 22/07/2016 Jon Drakes Butterflies recorded in our back garden on what turned out to be very hot and sunny Friday: Large White Ringlet Meadow Brown As evening fell, the garden was visited by three large adult Hedgehogs. A moth trap attracted the following species between 21:30 and midnight: Swallow-tailed moth Yellow tail Riband Wave Ruby Tiger moth Common Rustic Common Footman Snout Elephant Hawk Moth Small Magpie Miller Grey Dagger Buff Ermine KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 23/07/2016 Jon Drakes Bird species recorded whilst undertaking the weekly GArden Bird Watch for the BTO in our back garden were: Dunnock 4 Blackbird 3 House Sparrow 20 Tree Sparrow 3 Robin 1 Chaffinch 1 Collared Dove 7 Wood Pigeon 1 Swift Swallow Greenfinch 1 Starling 20 Rook 1 Butterfly species noted included: Large White Meadow Brown Small Tortoiseshell Painted Lady A Cuckoo was heard calling from the direction of fields to the North East of the village. The garden was visited by a large adult Hedgehog during the evening. NEW WALTHAM TA 285046 Peter Crick 27.07.2016 Several large Buddlias in garden have been into bloom now for a week or more, usually covered in butterflies and bees. This year not one butterfly seen and very few bees, hover flies also conspicuous by their a absence. Lavender in flower and normally covered in bumble bees, but only a handful this year. Anybody else with this experience. Is this a breeding/population collapse or just an isolated occurrence? RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 21.07.2016 Butterflies: 1 Green-veined White, 2 Meadow Brown, 2 Ringlet, 3 Small Tortoiseshell, 3 Small White 22.07.2016 Butterflies: 1 Gatekeeper, 1 Comma 23.07.2016 Collared Doves mating on power line Long-Tailed Tits (heard) Song Thrush still in song (Blackbirds and Robins have gone quiet) 24.07.2016 Grey Heron Ca. 10 juv Starlings on bird feeders Small Common Toad in border Common Frog in border 28.07.2016 2 Swallows and 3 House Martins – all juveniles Grey Heron STALLINGBOROUGH - HOBSON WAY (Grid reference TA2113) 21/07/2016 Jon Drakes It has been another successful year for the Kestrels that have chosen to nest in the nest box located on one of the chimneys at my place of employment, with all four Kestrel chicks finally leaving the nest on Thursday 21st July. Other wildlife noted on this date included: Blackbird Carrion Crow Magpie Woodpigeon Yellow Wagtail STIXWOULD John Hodgson 12 July 2016 On pathway beside R. Witham Near Stixwould Station 2 Small Tortoiseshell 7 Ringlet 14 July 2016 On pathway beside R. Witham Nr Stixwould Station 4 Ringlet TETNEY TA 3201010 Peter Crick 22.07.2016 Banded Demoiselle, on riverside vegetation. WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 22/7/2016 5 swallow chicks ringed - 2nd brood. Red Admiral 25/7/2016 2 f Roe deer - west of Hurnbridge Road, TF212538, 8.30am Ginger-brown adults, no antlers, consipcuous cream "target" on rump. Heading west into wheat field towards Witham bank by derelict farm house. Marsh Harrier m crossed Hurnbridge Road west to east at TF216537, 9.20am. WOODHALL SPA and other locations. John Hodgson Woodhall Spa Home GR TF 628 201 unless otherwise stated 7 July 2016 2 Meadow Brown on field verge Nr Stixwould Station GR 647153 4 Small Tortoiseshell beside footpath alongside River Witham Nr Stixwould Station also in vicinity 1 Ringlet, 1 Speckled Wood 1 Little Egret 1 Grey Heron 8 July 2016 1 Comma on Clematis in garden at Home GR. 13 July 1 Muntjac crossing the Horncastle Road GR 632198 at 0710 hrs 18 July 1 Gatekeeper patrolling beech hedge at Home GR Wren(s?) at Home GR feeding a new brood. The nest is in the climbing Hydrangea underneath the kitchen window. Adult(s)To and from nest all day long. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 21st - 27th July 2016 Contributors: Peter and Janet Roworth, Cliff Morrison, John Walker Light rainfall during the night/early morning of 27th giving 1.3mm within the 24hr recording period. July remains on course to be the driest July since 2010 when 19mm of precipitation was recorded. The migration of seabirds, wildfowl and waders now well underway with Sandwich, Little, Common and Arctic Terns, Oystercatcher, Greenshank, Common and Green Sandpiper, Turnstone, Dunlin, Sanderling, Knot, Ringed and Little Ringed Plover, Redshank, Whimbrel, and Curlew all seen on the reserve this week. Also Common Scoter, Teal and Shelduck. A pair of Kestrels that have hunted over the dunes around Brickyard Lane have brought their young from the village area this week and whilst it is now three weeks since the last pair of Cuckoos departed back to Africa, a newly flying juvenile has been seen during the week. Good numbers of waders and terns have been noted on the beach at morning high tides, with peaks of 100 Sanderling and 550 Sandwich Terns, whilst 200+ Common Scoters have been on the sea. 22nd Theddlethorpe-Saltfleet section of WeBS count sightings included Whimbrel 15, Curlew 178, Sandwich Tern 85, Common Sandpiper 10, Sanderling 23, Dunlin 69, Little Egret 17, Oystercatcher 126, Knot 8, Ringed Plover 6, Little Ringed Plover 1, Turnstone 1, Redshank 25, Spoonbill 2, Pied Wagtail 14 and Short-eared Owl 1. 23rd Common Sandpiper 10, Little Ringed Plover 1, Pied Wagtail 14 at Paradise lagoon. Swift 2 over Sea View. There were also 3 adult Little Gulls present on the 21st. 24th Little Grebe with 4 imm, Black-tailed Godwit 3, Spoonbill 2 at Paradise lagoon. Kestrel 4 over Sea View and a noticeable movement of Swifts, generally in small groups early evening 58+ counted in half hour. Outside of the NNR, there were 6 Egyptian Goose on the ponds just north of Saltfleet Haven. 25th Spoonbill 2, Common Sandpiper 4, Redshank 11, Little Ringed Plover 1, Curlew 1, Black-headed Gull 27, Common Gull at Paradise lagoon 26th Whimbrel 17 in one flock and a single Short-eared Owl on saltmarsh. Grasshopper Warbler reeling at Rimac and steady stream of Swifts south over Rimac in the late evening with 70+ counted in 15 minutes. Flowers now include: Harebell, scabious, common and lesser centaury , vipers bugloss, marsh bedstraw, sea lavender, carline thistle, lesser meadowrue, ragwort, saint johns wort. Butterflies & moths Small numbers of Small, green veined and large whites, small tortoiseshell, red admiral, peacock, comma, ringlet, hedge brown (gatekeeper), meadow brown, small heath, common blue, small skipper and essex skipper all seen on the NNR. All butterfly species are down this summer by up to 80%. In a count from Brickyard Lane to Churchill Lane this week, in similar conditions to this time last year, there were 61 Ringlet (75% down on last year) 15 Meadow Browns (80% down) ,67 Small Skippers (60% down), 10 Gatekeepers and singles of Large White, Small White, Comma and Tortoishell. The problem presumably relates back to the cold wet spring. There have been no Red Admirals, Tortoiseshells or Whites on buddleia bushes close to the dunes at Brickyard Lane area this year. On a more positive note, good catches of moths next to the NNR have been had this last week in the warm weather and 3 examples a new species of moth for Lincolnshire, Aphoma zelleri, have been caught immediately next to the reserve. This is a dune land species living in mossy areas. Kent Arches and Starwort, 2 species normally only found in the Gibraltar Point area in Lincs, have also been caught. Dragonflies Four Spotted Chaser, Emperor, Broad Bodied Chaser, Ruddy and Common Darter. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 CHAMBERS FARM WOOD AND MEADOWS Geof Lee 23-07-2016 Muntjac - 1 - on the entrance track. Brown hawker - 3 6 spot burnet moth - 6 Butterflies Purple emperor - 3 - photographed 2 males White admiral - 20+ Red admiral - 1 Speckled wood - 5 Small copper - 2 Ringlet - many Meadow brown - many Whites - many ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually 'goes to bed' on Fridays. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible to ensure they are included, to: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] *** Find the Grid Reference *** Chris Manning recommended the following websites to help find grid references. Grab a Grid Reference: http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk or from the website: http://www.lnu.org/join.php LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny http://lnu.org/publications.php ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk Mammal Atlas Chris Manning has put the new Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire on the link below. You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. https://goo.gl/XIqRZg *** CONTACTS LIST *** Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 Related Website: http://lincs.police.uk/get-help-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/ also see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/issues/crime STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** TWO - The Weather Outlook *** Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Identifying Fungi *** http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/ *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php http://butterfly-conservation.org/ *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/dragonfly-and-damselfly-identification-help *** How to Identify Bees *** BWARS - Bees Wasps & Ants Recording Society http://www.bwars.com/ Bumblebee Conservation Trust http://bumblebeeconservation.org/ *** iSpot Keys for computer or mobile *** If you are a beginner to identification of species, you might find the following link useful. http://www.ispot.org.uk/keys *** Mammal Recorder *** Chris Manning E-mail: Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. Mammal Atlas Chris Manning has put the new Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire on the link below. You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. https://goo.gl/XIqRZg *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact: Ashley Butterfield Email: ashleybutterfield@btinternet.com You can input reptile and amphibian data at: http://www.recordpool.org.uk/ Please remember, common species are just as important as rarer species, so please give it a go. Please contact Dr Angela Julian ARGUK with any specific questions. angela.digges@clara.co.uk *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com Lincolnshire Bat Group website: http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** LNU Sawflies, Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Dr. David Sheppard Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). If in doubt please contact for advice: d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Identification of Non-Marine Molluscs *** John Redshaw is still available to identify specimens of non- marine shelled molluscs, including brackish marsh species. For larger and medium sized species (down to 1cm) a digital image will usually suffice. For smaller species it may be possible, in some cases, to ID specimens from digital images, but usually actual specimens will be required. If providing specimens, they may be enclosed in old film pots (which photographic shops are usually glad to get rid of). Details of location where specimen found, (with grid reference if known), date and finder's name should be provided. If specimen is provided this information should be noted on a label stuck to the outside of the pot. Please be aware that it is illegal to send live specimens through the post. For further details please contact John by e-mail on ejohnredshaw@gmail.com *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has also kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in badger reports. Botanical Group in South Lincs Sarah Lambert writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, whether experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk Website: http://www.glnp.org.uk/ *** Life on the Verge and Wildflower Meadow Network Project *** Aidan Neary, Wildflower Meadow Project Officer, aneary@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825 970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Good sources of seeds of Bee-friendly Wild Flowers *** Mark Schofield writes: Always consider the provenance and sustainable sourcing of seed. Plantlife and Flora locale have defined protocols that can guide the conservation-minded shopper. Bee-friendly gardeners should refer to their A-Z suppliers list which can be found here: www.floralocale.org/Alphabetical+supplier+listing Advice: www.wildlifetrusts.org/Bees-needs/growmore bumblebeeconservation.org/get-involved/managing-your-land/wildflower-seed/ *** Lincs Bird Club *** LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk John Badley - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Bird Club Website: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Other Useful Websites/contacts *** Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** A dedicated service to protect and enhance the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). 01507 609740 http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** Project Officer: Jonathan Gahan http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering or contact the project officer jonathan.gahan@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** RSPB local webpages *** https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk S Lincs RSPB http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincsbirders *** Lincolnshire's Alternative Birding Group http://www.lincsbirders.org/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in 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) Temple Wood (Access courtesy of the Forestry Commission) North of Bourne 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park at TF058299 at northern entrance track to wood (nearest post code NG34 0HE). Take minor road west from Aslackby, off the A15. Nearest public toilets are in Bourne. Habitat: Broadleaved woodland. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** goffro - hard bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying claire.hutchins - hard bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, text copies of past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html ....and finally..... Rare bog butterfly flutters back from brink http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36865426 Sunburned dolphin spotted in Moray Firth http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-36865435 Bees spew water at their hive-mates when the temperature rises https://www.newscientist.com/article/2098161-bees-spew-water-at-their-hive-mates-when-the-temperature-rises/ Wild birds 'come when called' to help hunt honey http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36854465 Drought 'shuts down Amazon carbon sink' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36856428 Scuba diver's camera washes up three years after she lost it http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/18/scuba-divers-camera-washes-up-three-years-after-she-lost-it-and/ Wildflower heaven in the west of Ireland https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/25/wildflower-heaven-west-ireland-country-diary Shy dragonfly of the boggy moss https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/22/shy-dragonfly-boggy-moss-country-diary From Neptune's blue hue to Jupiter's red spot: are the colours of the planets real? https://theconversation.com/from-neptunes-blue-hue-to-jupiters-red-spot-are-the-colours-of-the-planets-real-62513 Freaks and uniques: evolution's weirdest creatures https://theconversation.com/freaks-and-uniques-evolutions-weirdest-creatures-62722 Rare pink grasshopper is found in Stamford garden http://www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/news/environment/rare-pink-grasshopper-is-found-in-stamford-garden-1-7495054 Thistles: the darker side of summer https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jul/27/thistles-darker-side-summer-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/