Try the "forward to a friend" link at the end of the Bulletin. ============================================= || || 22nd May 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.... *** Thank you for all your news and reports. Always interesting, often surprising. Please keep them coming, they are what makes the Bulletin worth reading. If you want to compare previous years, see: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Would you recognise a Broad-billed Sandpiper? One has been causing a lot of excitement at RSPB Frampton Marsh this week. See: https://www.birdguides.com/species/species.asp?sp=057083 Bird-watching skills can readily be transferred to the study of other living things. Dragonflies are often called "the birders' insect" for that reason. Reported this week are: Large red damselfly and 4-spot chaser. See: http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/species/large-red-damselfly http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/species/broad-bodied-chaser Try some related links: ttp://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/dragonfly-and-damselfly-identification-help I enjoy posting links for "...and finally..." and try to make sure there is always something of interest for everyone. We welcome your link suggestions, local, national and international. e.g. "Is there any point in planting new trees?" http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36078295 We could do with more readers. Please help us with a bit of publicity. You can use the "forward to a friend" link at the end of the Bulletin. Thanks. Roger *** 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, June 04, 2016 BioBlitz Event - Cleethorpes Country Park and Cleethorpes Boating Lake Grounds All Day with evening moth/bat recording session (Courtesy of North East Lincolnshire Council) Cleethorpes Country Park and Cleethorpes Boating Lake Grounds. 10.00 start with evening session starting at 21.00. Meeting point and parking at TA308066 in Country Park carpark which is free (nearest post code DN35 0PB). People can come and go as they wish. The Discovery Centre at Cleethorpes Boating Lake will be the data collection point, which is just over the road from the eastern end of the Country Park. NB. There is a parking charge in the Boating Lake grounds/Discovery Centre. Possibility of mains available for moth traps at Discovery Centre. Toilets and cafe available at the Discovery Centre. Habitats: Lake, dunes, shore, grassland and scrub. Leader: Rachel Graham Rachel.Graham@nelincs.gov.uk LNU Contact: Charlie Barnes 01507 526667 charlie@cucaera.co.uk *** Space Stuff *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' for May can be found on the link below: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html *** A Pachyrhinus in your garden? *** Charlie Barnes writes: The weevil Pachyrhinus lethierryi was first discovered in the UK in 2003, and is rapidly spreading throughout the country. A non-native species likely introduced by the horticultural trade, it was first found in Lincolnshire in Lincoln in 2013 but has yet to be found anywhere else here. The small green weevil feeds on Cypress firs, in particular Lawson Cypress and Leyland Cypress and is likely much more widespread than current records suggest. It's tricky to spot, and will drop (never to be seen again) at the slightest disturbance - the easiest way to find it is to turn your potted conifers upside down and shake vigorously over a plastic sheet. Or just look closely! They are superficially similar to other green weevils such as Phyllobius and Polydrusus, but sometimes have a brown snout which can help identification. See http://www.eakringbirds.com/eakringbirds4/insectinfocuspachyrhinuslethierryi.htm A good photo can confirm the identification and I'm happy to examine specimens in case anyone is concerned about their prize conifers! Charlie Barnes Lincolnshire recorder for beetles charlie@cucaera.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 *** SCUNTHORPE MUSEUM SOCIETY *** www.scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk *** Barton LWT *** Adrian White writes: Sunday 22nd May Whisby Nature Park A full day visit to hear Nightingales and see Spring migrants For details contact Alex Cawley (07722 555302) Meet at Ness End Farm for 9am start. Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Wednesday 25th May 2016 the Lincolnshire Wildlife trust invite you to join them on a visit to Kingerby Beck Meadows Nature Reserve with warden Jean Dodds. Grid Ref.TF051941. Booking essential. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear. For further details and to book a place contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. On Sunday 5th June 2016 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you on a morning bird walk in Cleethorpes Country Park with Ray Hume. Meet Ray in the car park at 8am. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact Ray 01472 320878. *** 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/ 11/5 Glossy Ibis, Wood Sandpiper, Manby Flashes Wryneck on sea wall, Wood Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Garganey, Frampton Marsh 4 Black Terns flew through Thurlby gravel pits I Black Tern, Whisby Nature Park 3 Black terns, 20 Arctic Terns, Toft Newton reservoir 2 Black Terns, Boultham Mere Pied Flycatcher fem, Donna Nook Hooded Crow, Short-eared Owl on saltmarsh, Marsh Harrier, Gibraltar Point 12/5 Black tern over New Pits, Far Ings 4 Black Terns, Turnstone, Deeping Lakes 2 Black Terns flew through Whisby Nature Park 3 Black Terns flew through Apex Pit, North Hykeham Quail flew from field, Risby Warren Black Tern as Swanpool, Lincoln 2 Black Terns, Boultham Mere 13/5 Black Tern on island, main LWT pit, Turnstone, Arctic Tern Kirkby-on-Bain pits Broad-billed Sandpiper, Temminck's Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Garganey, 4 Little Stints, 2 Turtle Doves, Wood Sandpiper, Arctic Tern, Frampton Marsh 4 Black Terns, Thurlby gravel pits 2 Black Terns, Deeping Lakes Osprey flew west over Chowder Ness 7 Arctic Terns on Tennyson's Sands, Montagu's Harrier, Gibraltar Point Montagu's Harrier ringtail flew over A16 at Wyberton Wood Sandpiper, Manby Flashes 4 Wood Sandpiper near realignment, Short-eared Owl, Donna Nook Little Tern, Whisby Nature Park 7 Black Terns, Millennium Green 14/5 Probable Red-backed Shrike fem near old coastguard cottage, Donna Nook 2 Wood Sandpipers, Willow Tree Fen Temminck's Stint, Little Gull on South Scrape, 3 Turtle Doves, 2 Wood Sandpipers on flood, Whinchat, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, ad Black Brant, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Garganey, Fampton Marsh Hooded Crow over East Dunes, 2 Short-eared Owls, Turtle Dove, Gibraltar Point 4 Black Terns, 6 Arctic Terns, on Apex Pit, North Hykeham White-winged Black Tern, 2 Black Terns, Deeping Lakes 2 Turnstones at old airfield pit, Woodhall Spa Hooded Crow on tip, Kirkby-on-Bain 15/5 2 Wood Sandpipers, Anderby Wetlands Garganey drk, Anderby Marsh Hooded Crow, Little Gull ad, Turtle Dove male singing, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits Little Stints, 2 Short-eared Owls, Donna Nook 2 Short-eared Owls over marsh, Holbeach St Matthew Hooded Crow, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Blue-headed Wagtail male north of Sutton Bridge near sea wall at River Nene mouth Black-necked Grebe on put, Norton Disney Black Brant on South Scraps, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Little Gulls, Black Tern, 2 drk Garganey, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 2 Turtle doves, Frampton Marsh Little Stint, old airfield pit, Woodhall Spa Honey Buzzard, flew NW over fields, Theddlethorpe Turtle Dove male singing, Kirkby-on-Bain 16/5 Garganey drk, Anderby Marsh Knot, old airfield pit, Woodhall Spa Turtle Dove at south end, Donna Nook Spoonbill on Jackson's Marsh, Hooded Crow in East Dunes, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Osprey flew NW over Weelsby Road, Grimsby 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Wood Sandpiper, 3 Little Gulls, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl on marsh near car park at end of Barge Road, Holbeach St Michael Common Crane flew over Saltfleetby 17/5 Great White Egret, Alkborough Flats Common Crane in field just NE of Covenham Reservoir Hen Harrier m flew north over Anderby Marsh Turtle Dove on wires, Walesby Moor Osprey flew south over Northorpe, Bicker Spoonbill, Short-eared Owl, Hooded Crow, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl, Blue-headed x Yellow Wagtail singing, at Nene Mouth north of Sutton Bridge 2 Short-eared Owls, 3 Little Gulls, Frampton Marsh Knot, old airfield pit, Woodhall Spa Short-eared Owl, Donna Nook 18/5 Caspian Gull, Norton Disney Quarry. Keep to public right of way. 2 Dotterel in field south of carv park, Horse Shoe Point Garganey drk, 3 Little Gulls, 2 Turtle Doves, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 19/5 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 their 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. Stuart Britton writes: Please thank Pauline Warman for her entry re ringing. Having been a ringer for over 30 years it is easy for me overlook the fact that there are many people who are starting their birding activities and not aware of what ringing entails and why we do it! I would also ask readers to check avian road casualties, particularly Barn Owls, for a BTO ring. BATS Annette Faulkner writes: The number of casualties we have had in so far this year is about average. The seesawing weather patterns have meant that they've been dipping in and out of hibernation, and are only now really getting going. We always get bats in poor condition at this time of the year, some are old, some just haven't fed up enough, and all are underweight, but usually by May things settle down and are relatively quiet until the end of June/early July. So much depends on the weather, but we're hoping our fears for the non-hibernating pipistrelles are groundless, and they found enough food during their winter forays to keep them going. The next test will be the numbers of females returning to their nursery roosts, with counts taking place next month. ROADKILLS Road Kills Chris Manning 12th May 2016 Hedgehogs, A153 TF204570, TF043446 & TF264722 Muntjac Tathwell TF305822 A153 - TF313843 Silvia Fowler 09.05.2016 Muntjac Deer GLENTWORTH SK 9549 8675 Peter Morrell 13.05.16 Badger roadkill on Middle Street. *** 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 BARDNEY - BARDNEY LOCK 11/5/16 Robert Walker During a short evening walk the highlight had to be : Cuckoo 1 heard over west side of River Witham approx. TF107695 Other birds of note were:- Buzzard 1 Kestrel 1 Barn owl 1 Whitethoat 3 Chiffchaff 2 heard Sedge warbler 1 seen, several heard Swifts 10+ Swallows 6 BUTTERWICK (Boston) 12/05/2016 Roy and Kath Pearson We did the first of our annual BBS counts this morning. Birds of particular interest included a singing Corn Bunting and good numbers of Yellow Wagtails. The latter seem to be quite common on the fields by The Wash. CASTLE CARLTON/AUTHORPE [Grid Ref made available to recorder] C Byatt 13 May 2016 Early Purple Orchids - 5 FILLINGHAM SK 95488608 Peter Morrell 14.05.16 Female roe deer crossing Middle Street GAINSBOROUGH SK 8173 8794 Peter Morrell 16.05.16 Cuckoo calling close to River Trent GIBRALTAR POINT NNR 8/5/16 Robert Walker Cuckoos 2 These were seen together on tree branches at the north end of the reserve on Seacroft Marsh. There was a possible third bird. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 12/5/2016 Sparrowhawk 1 13/5/2016 Blue tit 1 Greenfinch 2 Orange tip 1 (on jack-in-the-hedge) Wren 1 13/5/2016 Carder bees 3 (they like the flowers on the privet) Peacock butterfly 1 15/5/2016 Large white 1 17/5/2016 Goldfinch 1 Holly blue 1 Magpie 1 (collecting large branches from my wood pile) Orange tip 1 (on rosemary) Spiderlings - don't know what type but millions on my garden shed window! Starlings 6 (young had fledged) 18/5/2016 Great tit 1 Greenfinch 2 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 14/5/2016 Jon Drakes Noted whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Birdwatch in our back garden on a cool, overcast morning were: Blackbird 3 Goldfinch 2 House Sparrow 15 Starling 20 Greenfinch 4 Robin 2 Collared Dove 3 Chaffinch 2 Dunnock 3 Tree Sparrow 1 Wren 2 Woodpigeon 1 Magpie 1 Jackdaw 1 Buff-tailed Bumble Bee KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 15/5/2016 Jon Drakes An early morning walk around woods and fields to the North of the village found the following species present: Blackbird Blackcap 1 Blue Tit Buzzard 1 Carrion Crow Chaffinch Chiffchaff 5 Collared Dove Dunnock Goldfinch Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 Great Tit Greylag Goose 4 House Sparrow Jackdaw Lesser Whitethroat 2 Linnet Longtail Tit Magpie Pheasant Robin Rook Song Thrush Starling Swallow Swift Whitethroat 4 Woodpigeon Yellowhammer Roe Deer 2 Muntjac Deer 1 ORFORD TF195945 area 15/5/16 Robert Walker As part of a walk from Binbrook, Stainton le Vale and Kirmond le Mire it goes through the site of the old medieval village and Priory of Orford. This area is well away from roads, has former priory fishponds, old permanent pasture and wet scrapes. The surrounding arable fields are farmed with conservation in mind and this is shown by the biodiversity in the area. Highlights were :- Reed Buntings 6+ Sedge Warbler 1 heard Lapwing 6+ Shelducks 7 Greylag geesa 10+ Skylarks 8+ also Brown Hare 1 This was on an area of bare arable land along with a number of the Lapwing and Skylarks, which had been left for conservation being surrounded on all sides by cereal crops. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 (unless otherwise stated) Silvia Fowler 05.05.2016 Chiffchaff calling St. Mark's Flies in great numbers throughout TF3183/TF3184 Chiffchaff calling, Tawny Owl calling at 14.45 hrs, both in TF312843 Chiffchaff calling (TF311847) House Sparrow seen in old House Martin nest that had just been adopted by a pair of martins 06.05.2016 Green Shieldbug Brown Hare After minor scuffles with the male sparrow during the day, the pair of House Martins were seen roosting in the old nest at 19.45 hours. 08.05.2016 Brimstone butterfly - mating Numerous St. Mark's Flies Goldfinch - 3 House Martin - 5 Swallow - 4 Common Frog - 2 Common Toad - 1 09.05.2016 Brimstone and Peacock butterflies - 1 each Red-legged Partridge - 2 (TF318842) Skylark - 3 (TF3184) 13.05.2016 Male Blackbird attending 3 almost fully developed juveniles; feeding themselves at ground feeders No House Martins have been seen lately, possibly due to the strong, cold NE wind Buzzard 14.05.2016 House Martin - 5-7 Buzzard mobbed by a single corvid (TF311845) 15.05.2016 Red Admiral butterfly in greenhouse - first of the season and in pristine condition (overwintered pupa?) House Martin pair returned to roost in old nest Brown Hare (TF297853) SALTFLEETBY/THEDDLETHORPE NNR SEA VIEW CAR PARK - grid ref: TF504859 Janet Dye Monday 10th May 2016 adult Roe Deer at around 8.30am SPALDING TF245218 Annette Faulkner From week of 9/5/16 Our garden. Having finally put up our "bee hotel" on a south-east facing wall, as per Buglife's instructions, I was delighted to find 2 tubes sealed with mud, and a third being finished off by what I assume was Osmia rufa, a new record for the garden. There are now 4 sealed tubes, but no signs of any other occupants at the moment. And I have been having fun with robins helping me dig out the compost heap, a job that involves raking the compost down to ground level and then bagging it up. They think this is great fun "a McDonald's" constantly getting in the way, but I was so intrigued with what they were picking out that I started to makes a very general list. This has included many, many brown centipedes, [Lythobius sp?] which seem to be real favourites (or is this just opportunistic?), a 12-15mm beetle larva, a caterpillar snatched from a nearby garlic mustard plant, a couple of woodlouse spiders, Dysdera sp, and some very, very small worms. They have a nest in ivy half way up the garden, and what I assume is the female diligently collects her spoils and takes then back. The male, on the other hand, goes for small unidentifiable stuff and scoffs the lot. Or have I got this completely wrong, as I usually only see one at a time, and have only seen both once? WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 12/06/2016 3 Buzzards circling over Canada Farm. 13/5/2016 Cuckoo calling. For the first time this year I spotted swifts overflying the garden so I put up a new swift box and transmitted swift calls. No luck yet. See: https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/discoverandlearn/birdguide/name/s/swift/ 15/5 Stoat in garden hunting a bank vole - seen and photographed by visitor. WILLOUGHTON SK 9311 9319 Peter Morrell 16.05.16 Hairy footed flower bee investigating lime mortar joints in outbuilding wall WRANGLE COMMON 12/05/2016 Roy and Kath Pearson A BirdTrack count today produced 27 species. Summer visitors were Blackcap (2), Chiffchaff (3) and Reed Warbler (4). Surprisingly we failed to record Sedge Warbler, even in a spot used for many years. An unusual record was of fourteen immature Herring Gulls flying inland. A pair of Tufted Ducks has produced six young, but broods of both Canada and Greylag Geese seem smaller than usual. The only wader recorded was a single Lapwing, whilst a Buzzard was the only raptor. Butterflies were, Large White (2), Small Tortoiseshell (1) and our first Speckled Wood of the year here. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 National Nature Reserve Wildlife News Week ending 18th May 2016 Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker & Rob Lidstone-Scott Birds 12th Common sandpiper flying along River Great Eau. 2 wheatears & a hobby at Rimac. Brickyard Lane beach: 6 shelduck, 80 dunlin, 100 ringed plover, 150 sanderling and a sparrowhawk 15th Small groups of whimbrel. Honey buzzard flew over 16th Single short-eared owl hunting over Rimac dunes & 2 avocets on Rimac lagoon. 17th Nightingale near Brickyard. Cuckoo & turtle dove singing strongly at present. Butterflies Small copper, peacock, red admiral, orange tip, green-veined white, small white, green hairstreak, speckled wood, wall brown & holly blue Other Large red damselfly & 4-spot chaser Bird's foot trefoil, mouse-ear hawkweed, cow parsley, cuckoo flower, bulbous buttercup & germander speedwell in flower. Elder & hawthorn starting to 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** Helpers wanted *** Anne Goodall writes: As some readers may remember, last year we held a joint Forestry Commission/LNU/LERC Bioblitz for the Chambers woodlands, concentrating on the three SSSI woods, and some of the other blocks of ancient woodland. This produced a number of really good records, including some new county firsts and national rarities, and since there are a LOT of bottled malaise trap invertebrate specimens still being identified, we are continuing to get more. These data are proving so useful, that it has been decided to extend these surveys for a full year, with one weekend each month through 2016 set aside for making the woods available to surveyors for this purpose. On these weekends vehicle access may be arranged to visit more distant parts of the woods (useful if you need to cart equipment around), and tea/ coffee/biscuits/maps should also be available. The surveys aren't public this year, but are intended to encourage all interested naturalists to come along and add what you can to what we know. The fact that the 2015 surveys added so many records is partly a reflection on the huge number of records provided to LERC and FC which just say 'Chambers Farm Wood' with no indication of which wood, or even a 6-fig grid reference. Sadly these records are of no help for planning either management or protection, and thus are of very limited, if any, use. It would therefore be a great help if anyone who has collected records in this wood- land area in past years and has a record of where these records actually come from, could provide them again to LERC with their actual location. Meantime, anyone interested in coming along on any of the weekends, please contact me or Charlie at LERC for dates and arrangements. Look forward to seeing you... Anne Goodall: Anne.Goodall@esl-lincoln.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** 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 No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. *** EasyTide *** Check tide times on Admiralty EasyTide: http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Local Tide Tables *** Here is a useful-looking website where you can order local tide tables. Well worth bookmarking. Everyone who uses the coast ought to have local tide tables handy. £1.50 + p&p. https://www.tidetimes.org.uk/ *** 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. Not all are "live". *** Videos and photos - additions welcome *** Starlings at Kirkby on Bain - the excellent 2014 video by David Robinson. http://www.flickr.com/photos/poppops/11685708555/ David sent in another fine video of a starling murmuration in January [2016] at Kirkby on Bain gravel pits - LWT's Hide Pit. https://flic.kr/p/BT6HMp Adrian Royle's superb Flickr photo-site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adiroyle/collections/72157624803742908/ Colin Green has produced the following video about visiting Southrey Wood in Oct 2012. Well worth a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1SpBvd9Ib0 *** 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 Records *** Mammal records can reported to 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 *** No hotlinks in this section, just copy and paste URLs, please. Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project (LCGMP) *** The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes project produced two films of the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes. They are based on Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) which measures topography accurately. The films reveal many historical and geomorphological features that are not always obvious to the eye. Note that the vertical perspective is exaggerated to enhance the features. Narrated by Jim Broadbent. Watch them here: Southern marshes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwhVamd4j6E Northern marshes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZjqzcMFXi8 *** 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 *** The South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership *** http://www.lincsfenlands.org.uk/ Contact: slincsfens@lincstrust.co.uk Amanda Jenkins - South Lincolnshire Fenlands Project Officer *** 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/ *** Lincolnshire Limewoods Project Bardney Limewoods NNR *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes/lincolnshire-limewoods http://microsites.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Limewoods/ limewoods@lincolnshire.gov.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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, June 04, 2016 BioBlitz Event - Cleethorpes Country Park and Cleethorpes Boating Lake Grounds All Day with evening moth/bat recording session (Courtesy of North East Lincolnshire Council) Cleethorpes Country Park and Cleethorpes Boating Lake Grounds. 10.00 start with evening session starting at 21.00. Meeting point and parking at TA308066 in Country Park carpark which is free (nearest post code DN35 0PB). People can come and go as they wish. The Discovery Centre at Cleethorpes Boating Lake will be the data collection point, which is just over the road from the eastern end of the Country Park. NB. There is a parking charge in the Boating Lake grounds/Discovery Centre. Possibility of mains available for moth traps at Discovery Centre. Toilets and cafe available at the Discovery Centre. Habitats: Lake, dunes, shore, grassland and scrub. Leader: Rachel Graham Rachel.Graham@nelincs.gov.uk LNU Contact: Charlie Barnes 01507 526667 charlie@cucaera.co.uk 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. DENNISHODGES9 - Hard Bounce - Recipient address rejected - delivery failed; will not continue trying bernie.higgins - Hard Bounce - The email address that you entered couldn't be found. And finally: Life forms 'went large' a billion years ago http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36303051 WHO says glyphosate use unlikely to cause cancer from exposure through food http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07bbjhb#play The UK's EU referendum: All you need to know http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-32810887 April breaks global temperature record http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36303046 Billion people face global flooding risk by 2060, charity warns http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-36299541 Sir Frank Whittle's son toasts 75th anniversary of first jet flight http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-36295942 Musical Lincolnshire garden to feature at Chelsea http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-36259678 Is there any point in planting new trees? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36078295 Dancing dung beetles navigate with 'sky snapshot' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36279682 Magic mushrooms 'promising' in depression http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-36247599 Shrinking bird pays the bill for Arctic warming http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36266692 Short-beaked echidnas snooze to survive http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20160513-when-confronted-with-a-raging-wildfire-echidnas-go-to-sleep Infrared images of Turrialba Volcano eruption http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-35714733 Sentinel satellite pictures a 'clear skies' Africa http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36313251 Superbugs will 'kill every three seconds' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-36321394 Agricultural emissions 'reality check' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-36315952 Thrushling tests the edges of its hedge-world http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/11/country-diary-thrushling-hedge-bird-beginnings Puffins return to the Isle of May http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/09/country-diary-puffins-return-isle-may The whitethroat expresses both acacia thorn and bramble http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/17/country-diary-whitethroat-expresses-acacia-thorn-bramble The false widow spider and the woodlouse http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/13/country-diary-false-widow-spider-woodlouse Sticky fingers: The rise of the bee thieves http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/17/sticky-fingers-rise-of-the-bee-thieves Spectacular bearded vulture spotted for first time in UK http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/16/bearded-vulture-spotted-west-country-lammergeier-first-time-uk 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/