============================================= || || 26th June 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.... *** "Snipe Dales is one of the few semi-natural wet valley systems still surviving in Lincolnshire." says the description on the website of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. I visited the Country Park twice last week. The bird song was impressive, most notably the Chiffchaffs. We had a superb Wildlife Watch meeting there. I was going to say this was the best time of year to go, but every season brings its own charm to the place. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/snipe-dales Lincolnshire Show went well this year, with a steady flow of interesting visitors. It was good to chat to lots of Bulletin readers. Huge thanks to Rachel Shaw and the LWT team, and the volunteers who helped on the LNU stand. At this time of the year we can expect to see Hummingbird Hawkmoths. I had a report at the Show of 15 seen at Gibraltar Point on 21st. Butterfly Conservation asks for reports. They also welcome reports of Painted Ladies: http://butterfly-conservation.org/612/migrant-watch.html Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' for June can be found on the link below. It explains a bit more about where to look and what you might see. http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Roger *** National Whale and Dolphin Watch Weekend (NWDW) *** Dave Miller writes: This year National Whale and Dolphin Watch Weekend (NWDW) is on 30th & 31st July. I am looking for volunteers to help man the watches at Anderby Creek and Skegness Pier. If you think you can help please let me know. It will be split into two three-hour shifts per day at each site. Of course it is also important just to have eyes to the sea, so if you just want to join us or would like to do a watch elsewhere that would be good too. Contact: Dave Miller Coast and The Wash Warden Email: dmiller@lincstrust.co.uk *** LNU EVENTS - list in section 11 below - guests welcome *** Section 11 now includes the LNU Field Meetings for 2016. To check on the details, especially if weather suggests a possible cancellation, visit: http://lnu.org/events.php Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Sunday, July 17, 2016 Stanton’s Pit LWT Reserve Field meeting to Stanton's Pit LWT Reserve (joint meeting with British Dragonfly Society) Southwest of Bourne 12.00 for 13.00 start. Use car park at TF034173 (nearest postcode PE10 0JN) which is about half-way off minor road between Little Bytham and Witham-on-the-Hill. Nearest facilities in village pubs. Habitats: Former sandpit with lake, marsh, acid grassland and scrub. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (Lincoln Area Group) Workshops - still places *** in conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union. All workshops will be held in the Lafarge Education Building at Whisby Nature Park from 12:30pm until 4:30pm. They are free of charge and refreshments are included. Limited to 20 participants. Booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com. July 9th: Riverflies Workshop Interested in Invertebrates but would like to know more in particular about Riverflies? (May Flies, Caddis Flies and Stone Flies) Come along and find out more with local expert Richard Chadd. July 16th Diptera (Flies) Workshop Interested in Invertebrates but would like to know more in particular about Flies? Come along and find out more from local experts Phil Porter and David Denman *** Scunthorpe Museum Society *** www.scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk *** Barton LWT *** Adrian White writes: Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** NATIONAL MEADOWS DAY IS ON SATURDAY 2 JULY *** The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is working together with the "Save our Magnificent Meadows Project" to host a National Meadows Day at Lincolnshire Wildlife Reserve Redhill, near Goulceby, Louth MR TF 264806 on 2 July between 1000 and 1600 hrs. This is a day when you have the opportunity to visit and explore the reserve. The emphasis is on looking at wild flowers and enjoying yourselves. Children are especially welcome. Be aware that you will have to climb stiles to gain access to the meadows and that dogs are not permitted in the Coronation Meadow. More details from Ray Woodcock Chairman Louth Area Group LWT on lag2014rww@aol.com. *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2015 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** RSPB *** Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ South Lincs RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby *** Find the Grid Reference - always useful *** Chris Manning recommended the following websites to help find grid references. Grab a Grid Reference http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Bird Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ 17/6 2 Caspian Terns, adults, Spoonbill, Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 4 Turtle Doves, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Scaup, Barton-upon-Humber gravel pits [sic] 18/6 5-13 Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh 2 Caspian Terns, Garganey, Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Spoonbill, 2 Little Gulls, Alkborough Flats Gannet, Hide Pit, Kirkby-on-Bain 19/6 Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Turtle Doves, 3 Short-eared Owls, 4 Spoonbills flew east over, Frampton Marsh 2 Turtle Doves, Gibraltar Point 2 Turtle Doves, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits 20/6 2 Quail males singing, Scopwick Caspian Gill, Norton Disney [Keep to rights of way] Turtle Dove singing, Whisby Nature Park 21/6 Spoonbill, Curlew Sandpiper, 5 Little Gulls,4 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh Osprey flew south over Weelsby Woods, Grimsby Spoonbill, Turtle Dove, ad Redwing trapped and ringed, Gibraltar Point 22/6 Curlew Sandpiper, Little Gull, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh Osprey, Short-eared Owl, Turtle Dove, Gibraltar Point 23/6 30 Crossbills, Marhet Rasen golf course 3 Crossbills, Willingham Woods Caspian Tern, Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Garganey, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh 3 Little Gulls from Wash Viewpoint, Gibraltar Point Note: I am adapting RBA pager information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. When there is a lot of information I will stick to highlights. Please visit the RBA website for updates or fuller details. Rare Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of the subscription services. [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. ROADKILLS FISKERTON FEN TF035705 approx, west side of B1190. R Parsons 22/6/2016 Dead ad muntjac BROUGHTON SE 95645 06105 Peter Morrell 18.06.16 Badger roadkill on A15. RISEHOLME SK 97528 75166 Peter Morrell 19.06.16 Badger road kill on A15 INGLEBY SK 90061 70308 Peter Morrell 19.06.16 Hedgehog roadkill on Sturton Road GLENTWORTH SK 94715 88594 Peter Morrell 23.06.16 Hedgehog roadkill on Middle Street INGHAM SK 94874 82806 Peter Morrell 23.06.16 Hedgehog roadkill on Lincoln 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 APLEY, WRAGBY. John Hiscox. June 18th. and daily since May 11th. Hardy Gang Wood. Turtle Dove. Heard and seen regularly since 1985. One male calling from three locations and feeding beneath feeders in the garden. Stayed only briefly 2015, and heard only once in 2014. BLYBOROUGH SK 92718 94951 Peter Morrell 18.06.16 2 adult little owls and two young were the highlight of a BTO breeding bird survey. BRACEBY TF 015353 20. 06. 16 Information from M. Ellis Active House Martin nests on Dovecote Cottage 5 at rear (north) 4 at front (south) GAINSBOROUGH SK 81647 88192 Peter Morrell 17.06.16 Took me a while to work out was was calling in dense scrub and I had also heard it a couple of times previously but was surprised to find it was a female cuckoo. I had heard a male calling in the same area over a month ago. GRAYINGHAM SK 92718 94951 Peter Morrell 11.06.16 Adult barn owl and male roe deer were the highlight of a second BTO breeding bird survey. GRIMSTHORPE Chris Howes 21/06/16 New Quarry 043206 First Marbled White and Ringlet for Grimsthorpe 21/06/16 Chimney Sweeper Moth seen in four locations - Bracken Beds TF 021195/ TF 024198, Fox Rough TF 033202 and New Quarry TF 043206 22/06/16 New Quarry TF 043206 Over 2200 Pyramidal Orchid and a new site for a single Common Spotted Orchid 23/06/16 Quarry Cottage TF 045204 Still poor numbers in the moth trap - 28 species, but a nice Treble Brown Spot and first Privet Hawk of the year HUMBERSTON FITTIES POOLS (Grid reference TA3304) 19/06/2016 Jon Drakes Species recorded during a brief visit to the pools and marshland near to Humberston Fitties included: Black-Headed Gull Carrion Crow Grey Heron Herring Gull Little Egret 2 Magpie Mallard Oystercatcher Shelduck Skylark Swallow Woodpigeon HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 16/6/2016 Chaffinch 1 Great spotted woodpecker 1 17/6/2016 Goldfinch 3 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Robins 4 (the adult robins have been chasing the fledglings away from the food today) 18/6/2016 Bluetits 6 19/6/2016 Collared doves 2 20/6/2016 Chaffinch 1 Pheasants 2 (male and female) 21/6/2016 Red Cardinal beetle 1 Ladybirds 2 (don't know the type - one was a miniscule yellow one that was too tiny to count the spots on) Speckled wood 1 22/6/2016 Dunnocks 2 (2 fledglings) KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 18/06/2016 Jon Drakes Recorded whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Bird Watch for the BTO in our back garden were: House Sparrow 10 Collared Dove 2 Blackbird 4 Jackdaw 2 Coal Tit 2 Starling 5 Dunnock 3 Robin 4 (1 adult and 3 juveniles) Chaffinch 2 Greenfinch 2 Tree Sparrow 2 Goldfinch 4 Great Tit 1 Woodpigeon 2 During the evening the garden was visited by three Hedgehogs. We also set up a moth trap, with the following species being trapped and identified: Light Brown Apple moth Lime Hawkmoth Small Magpie moth Privet Hawkmoth Brimstone moth Garden Carpet moth Heart and Dart moth Large Yellow Underwing moth A Tawny Owl was also heard calling from the direction of the fields and woods to the North of the village. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 Silvia Fowler 18.06.2016 Southern Hawker dragonfly emerging below heather by pond edge Another Southern Hawker found dead on pond surface; a spider's web nearby 19.06.2016 House Sparrows feeding fledglings on lawn Wren - 2 fledglings and 1 adult 20.06.2016 Grey Heron Wren - 2 fledglings Magpie very active around bird feeders, apparently chasing the odd fledgling (lots of warning calls from other bird species) House Martins - 6 (close to house at times, but not nest building or roosting) House Sparrow m, exiting from damaged house martin nest No.1 (as before) Swift - 5 Brimstone butterfly BAT (probably Pipistrelle) - first sighting this year! 21.06.2016 Brown Hare Orange Tip - 1, Small White - 1 butterflies A Robin seemed to be singing its melancholy autumn song (usually that starts in August!) Swallow Wren fledgling House Martins - 6 (one seen going to roost in No.2 nest) 22.06.2016 Grey Heron Mallard (f) regularly seen on garden pond House Martin nest No.2 (still incomplete) has had a lot of dry grass added, some hanging out, in the untidy fashion that House Sparrows build; House Sparrow seen entering the nest; House Martins flying close to wall, as last night, but no attempt to enter any nest. STALLINGBOROUGH - HOBSON WAY (Grid reference TA2113) 14/06/2016 Jon Drakes The pair of Kestrels which have nested in a nest box secured to a chimney at my place of work have successfully hatched four eggs and are now raising four healthy looking chicks. Their progress is being watched daily via a camera fitted to the inside of the box. TETNEY BLOW WELLS - LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST RESERVE (Grid reference TA3200) 18/06/2016 Jon Drakes with Peter Drakes and Annabelle Drakes The following species were noted during an afternoon walk around the reserve: Blackbird Bullfinch Buzzard 2 Carrion Crow Chaffinch Chiffchaff Cuckoo Feral Pigeon Herring Gull Jackdaw Mallard Moorhen Mute Swan Pheasant Robin Sedge Warbler Swallow Woodpigeon Meadow Brown butterfly THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 09/06/16 Green Carpet x 1 Pale Tussock x 1 Silver Y x 1 Leopard Slug x 1 10/06/16 Mole, fresh dead SK799990 13/06/16 Blackbird x 1 Pied Wagtail x 1 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Swallow x 2 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 06:30hrs Rabbit x 2 Common Swift x 1 Green Carpet x 1 16/06/16 Mallard x 5 small young SK80190 Mole x 1 drowned in puddle 19/06/16 Speckled Wood x 1 SE804004 Oak Hook-tip x 1 male daytime flying 21/06/16 Blackbird x 1 Chaffinch x 1 Pied Wagtail x 1 Tree Sparrow x 2 Whitethroat x 1 adult + 4 fledged young 22/06/16 Starling x 25 Small Magpie moth x 2 23/06/16 Field Vole x 1 WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 18/6/2016 Cuckoo calling Speckled wood and Orange tip. 19/6 Cuckoo calling 20/6 Brood of 5 wash-house swallows still practicing their flying over the garden and spending nights back at base. Young goldfinch on seed feeder 8.30am. [Sunflower hearts]. 23/6 Grass snake [AP] Mallard f hatched 11 ducklings in garden. She gave them a swimming lesson in the the pond, allowed photos, and departed. 24/6 Tawny Owl on out-house chimney at 3am. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 16th – 22nd June 2016 Contributors: Peter and Janet Roworth, Cliff Morrison, John Walker, Rob Scott 17th June Single Spoonbill at Paradise lagoon, Cuckoo calling near Sea View. 18th June Red-breasted Merganser and 8 Cormorants in north of NNR, plus a Manx Shearwater. 19th June Male Great Spotted Woodpecker feeding juv. around Sea View. Pleasant high tide with around 100 summering Herring Gulls, an adult Mediterranean Gull going into winter plumage, 2 Sandwich Terns and 3 Little Terns north. 20th June Single Spoonbill still at Paradise lagoon, natterjack toads calling near Rimac, Willow Warbler near Sea View. Also, Knot 2, Dunlin 5, Sanderling 1, Ringed Plover 5, Little Tern 3 all at Rimac. Juv. Great Spotted Woodpecker continues to be fed around Sea View and a party of juv. Long Tailed Tits around workbase. 21st June Spoonbill, Mute Swan 7, heron 2, Little Egret at Paradise lagoon and Short-eared Owl hunting over edge of saltmarsh nearby. At Rimac in evening tide were Barn Owl 1, Marsh Harrier 1, Little Tern 3, Ringed Plover 5, Curlew 15, Oystercatcher 35, Osprey flying south out at sea at Howden’s continued into Rimac area, still out at sea. 22nd June Spoonbill still at Paradise lagoon. Noticeable song from Blackcap, Blackbird, Robin, Common Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff during past few days. Sand Martin, Cuckoo 3 calling males and females along the reserve, Barn Owl 3 at Theddlethorpe of which 2 are our breeding birds with young and another carrying food northwards + the Rimac bird. Flora Over the past 15 years or so the outer edge of the southern main saltmarsh has developed a sandy ridge which was considerably enlarged with strong easterlies through much of March 2013 and in places 2.5 metres high and c.20 m wide, the surge tide of December that year battered it lower and wider and it is now c.1 to 1.5 m high and an average of 25 metres wide. This has now developed a dune flora dominated with swathes of birds foot trefoil red and white clover, sorrel, common century, fairy flax, and on the mature salt- marsh abutting the ridge several swathes of southern marsh orchid and a count on Monday evening revealed c 1400 flowering stems, the first time these have appeared post surge tide, illustrating how dynamic nature can be given the chance. The surge tide destroyed a healthy population of the coccinea form of early marsh orchid in a foredune valley, one of only 3 colonies known on the east coast, this week a new small colony of c.100 plants have been seen in a new location never seen there previously nearby a colony of c.500 southern marsh and 240 pyramidal orchids with fairy flax, and yellow-wort. Other plants now flowering are marsh thistle, yellow rattle, and various hawkbits. Vipers bugloss, hemlock, hop trefoil, bee orchid, pyramidal orchid, twayblade, fairy flax, eyebright, marsh thistle and hound’s tongue in flower Butterflies New butterflies this week are the first meadow browns and a good hatch of large skippers. Large skipper, common blue, large white, speckled wood, small heath, peacock and holly blue on the wing near SV. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/far-ings See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/visit/woods-and-nature-reserves/127031.article http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/events/2014/07/07/visit-dormouse-project These cover a huge area, and records from them and records from volunteer recorders are one of the main inputs to management planning and the protection of rare/scarce and critical species. The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Woods (which comprise Ivy Wood, Little and Great Scrubbs Woods, Minting Wood, Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park, and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow (and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Rand Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland, which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and non-designated areas. Since managing the SSSI areas carries particular responsibilities to Natural England, records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) Also see: Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reserve Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually 'goes to bed' on Fridays. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible to ensure they are included, to: rparsons@enterprise.net [A backup e-mail address you can use if ever you experience problems with my "Enterprise" address is: aintree2@yahoo.co.uk ] When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] *** Find the Grid Reference *** Chris Manning recommended the following websites to help find grid references. Grab a Grid Reference http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please let me know ASAP if any of these weblinks fail! *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! Anyone interested can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk or from the website: http://www.lnu.org/join.php LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny http://lnu.org/publications.php ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk *** CONTACTS LIST *** *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 Related Website: http://lincs.police.uk/get-help-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/ also see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/issues/crime STAYING SAFE *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** TWO - The Weather Outlook *** Check the weather forecast for the location or postcode: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/ *** Met Office E-mail Service *** Be warned of the possibility of severe weather. The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. Worth having a look and signing up. See: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Copy and paste URLs as necessary, please. *** Identifying Fungi *** http://www.rogersmushrooms.com/ *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php http://butterfly-conservation.org/ *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/dragonfly-and-damselfly-identification-help *** How to Identify Bees *** BWARS - Bees Wasps & Ants Recording Society http://www.bwars.com/ Bumblebee Conservation Trust http://bumblebeeconservation.org/ *** iSpot Keys for computer or mobile *** If you are a beginner to identification of species, you might find the following link useful. http://www.ispot.org.uk/keys *** Mammal Recorder *** Chris Manning E-mail: Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further details please contact: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com or tel 07864967057 You can input reptile and amphibian data at: http://www.recordpool.org.uk/ Please remember, common species are just as important as rarer species, so please give it a go. Please contact Dr Angela Julian ARGUK with any specific questions. angela.digges@clara.co.uk *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com Lincolnshire Bat Group website: http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Bat Recorder *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** LNU Sawflies, Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Dr. David Sheppard Willing to examine specimens or check photos (but bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). If in doubt please contact for advice: d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. You can telephone him on: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Identification of Non-Marine Molluscs *** John Redshaw is still available to identify specimens of non- marine shelled molluscs, including brackish marsh species. For larger and medium sized species (down to 1cm) a digital image will usually suffice. For smaller species it may be possible, in some cases, to ID specimens from digital images, but usually actual specimens will be required. If providing specimens, they may be enclosed in old film pots (which photographic shops are usually glad to get rid of). Details of location where specimen found, (with grid reference if known), date and finder's name should be provided. If specimen is provided this information should be noted on a label stuck to the outside of the pot. Please be aware that it is illegal to send live specimens through the post. For further details please contact John by e-mail on ejohnredshaw@gmail.com *** Mollusc Identification *** David Feld has also kindly offered to assist readers to identify molluscs, both terrestrial and aquatic. Please e-mail him a description and he will advise you whether and where to send a photograph or an actual specimen. Contact: drf@dfeld.freeserve.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Badger Group *** Ally Townsend of the Weirfield Wildlife Hospital, writes: If you would like to give people the Lincoln number 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website: http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ where a reporting page can be used to send in badger reports. Botanical Group in South Lincs Sarah Lambert writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, whether experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) Contact: Charlie Barnes, charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk Website: http://www.gnlp.org.uk *** Life on the Verge and Wildflower Meadow Network Project *** Aidan Neary, Wildflower Meadow Project Officer, aneary@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825 970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. To find out more and to become involved with the survey and management of Lincolnshire's limestone grassland on road verges see: See: http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Good sources of seeds of Bee-friendly Wild Flowers *** Mark Schofield writes: Always consider the provenance and sustainable sourcing of seed. Plantlife and Flora locale have defined protocols that can guide the conservation-minded shopper. Bee-friendly gardeners should refer to their A-Z suppliers list which can be found here: www.floralocale.org/Alphabetical+supplier+listing Advice: www.wildlifetrusts.org/Bees-needs/growmore bumblebeeconservation.org/get-involved/managing-your-land/wildflower-seed/ *** Lincs Bird Club *** LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk John Badley - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Bird Club Website: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** Contact 01507 528223 or by e-mail: enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk. http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Other Useful Websites/contacts *** Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** A dedicated service to protect and enhance the Lincolnshire Wolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). 01507 609740 http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** Project Officer: Jonathan Gahan http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering or contact the project officer jonathan.gahan@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** RSPB local webpages *** https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk S Lincs RSPB http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincsbirders *** Lincolnshire's Alternative Birding Group http://www.lincsbirders.org/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in some cases they are impossible to verify. If further information is needed on locations or reporters, or if you wish to question/confirm any of these records, contact: rparsons@enterprise.net Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold precise details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. An interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly/thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see http://www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. [Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm.] 2016 Field meetings Sunday, July 17, 2016 Stanton’s Pit LWT Reserve Field meeting to Stanton's Pit LWT Reserve (joint meeting with British Dragonfly Society) Southwest of Bourne 12.00 for 13.00 start. Use car park at TF034173 (nearest postcode PE10 0JN) which is about half-way off minor road between Little Bytham and Witham-on-the-Hill. Nearest facilities in village pubs. Habitats: Former sandpit with lake, marsh, acid grassland and scrub. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Saturday, August 13, 2016 Tetney Blow Wells LWT Reserve With evening moth/bat recording session (Courtesy of LWT and Anglian Water) South of Cleethorpes 12.00 for 13.00 start. Evening session starting at 20.15. Park alongside Church Lane in Tetney village in vicinity of church or nearby. There is a footpath which leads to the reserve just to the east. NB. No mains available for moth traps. Facilities available in local village pubs in Tetney or Tetney Lock. Stiles present. Habitats: Blow wells, marsh, woodland, grassland, streams and scrub. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Sunday, September 04, 2016 Burkinshaw’s Covert (A private site with access courtesy of Total Lindsey Oil Refinery) North Killingholme, North Lincolnshire 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet at the main car park (by Gate No.7), Rosper Road, North Killingholme (grid ref TA16701754 and post code DN40 3DZ will get you nearby). Assemble at security gatehouse to meet Alan Jones from Humber Nature Partnership. Alan’s mobile no. is 07905 491647 if there are any problems finding the location. NB. Gate 7 is on Rosper Road, to the east of the refinery, not on Eastfield Road which is to the west. We will all need to drive to site (under escort by security staff to unlock gates) and will all need to leave at the same time (just after 16.00). May need to car share depending on numbers. Toilets available at security gatehouse. Habitats: Broadleaved woodland, scrub, grassland and pond. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Site Contact: Alan Jones 07905 491647 alan.jones@humbernature.co.uk Sunday, October 09, 2016 LNU Annual Fungus Foray (National Fungus Day) (Access courtesy of the Forestry Commission) North of Bourne 12.00 for 13.00 start. Park at TF058299 at northern entrance track to wood (nearest post code NG34 0HE). Take minor road west from Aslackby, off the A15. Nearest public toilets are in Bourne. Habitat: Broadleaved woodland. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (Lincoln Area Group) Workshops *** in conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union. All workshops will be held in the Lafarge Education Building at Whisby Nature Park from 12:30pm until 4:30pm. They are free of charge and refreshments are included. Limited to 20 participants. Booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com. June 18th: Rushes and Sedges Workshop Interested in plants but would like to know more in particular about Rushes and Sedges? Come along and find out more with local expert Tim Harvey. July 9th: Riverflies Workshop Interested in Invertebrates but would like to know more in particular about Riverflies? (May Flies, Caddis Flies and Stone Flies) Come along and find out more with local expert Richard Chadd. July 16th Diptera (Flies) Workshop Interested in Invertebrates but would like to know more in particular about Flies? Come along and find out more from local experts Phil Porter and David Denman ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, text copies of past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Latest Mailfails. If you recognise any of these part-addresses, please let the owners know. alisontate - hard bounce - mailbox unavailable ....and finally..... 'Licence plated' bees released to find top London spot http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-36578310 Grass mowing services in Lincolnshire cut to save money http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-36559473 Tree planting at 'an all time low' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36555858 Giant crab horde gathers in Australia http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-36556934 UK-funded ice breaker in 'elite' Arctic tourism row http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36541583 Melt ponds suggest no Arctic sea-ice record this year http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36560548 New crop varieties 'can't keep up with global warming' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36579125 I have had some problems with including longer URL's in the Bulletin. For that reason I and just posting the following as text, so you can copy and paste the links below into your browser. More reliable. It's an agile predator, but a gruesome fate often awaits the dung fly https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/16/dung-fly-country-diary-wolsingham-weardale-entomophthora Antarctic CO2 hits 400ppm for first time in 4m years https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/16/antarctic-co2-hits-400ppm-for-first-time-in-4m-years Sea eagle reintroduced to Isle of Mull - photo essay http://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2016/jun/16/sea-eagle-reintroduced-to-isle-of-mull-scottish-natural-heritage-rspb-photo-essay Gravitational waves found again: here’s how they could whisper the universe’s secrets https://theconversation.com/gravitational-waves-found-again-heres-how-they-could-whisper-the-universes-secrets-61056 'Licence plated' bees released to find top London spot http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-36578310 A summer of rain, roses and nightingales https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/22/summer-rain-roses-nightingales-country-diary A scorpion that breathes through its bum https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/jun/20/country-diary-pondlife-water-scorpion 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/