============================================= || || 11th September 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 use the "forward to a friend" link at the end of every Bulletin or, if you prefer, send them this link so they can sign up for it: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php Compare Previous Years. 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 plan to go to "Where Elephants Once Roamed" tomorrow, and then attend the Horncastle Astronomy Weekend, so the Bulletin is coming out early. Thank you for all your contributions - much appreociated. Western Purple Swamphen, Spoonbill and Little Stint have all been recorded in Lincolnshire this week. Have you seen these yet? See: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/gallery.asp?SpeciesID=4270 http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/realdata/gallery.asp?SpeciesID=1440 http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/realdata/gallery.asp?SpeciesID=5010 2016 is the 5th year of Biology Week, organised by the Royal Society of Biology, 8 - 16th October. If your organisation is planning to run an event, please let me know. I will be happy to include details in the Bulletin. If you are not, then perhaps you should consider putting on something exciting in 2017? There is an active local branch of the RSB which I am sure would be pleased to point you in the right direction. https://www.rsb.org.uk/get-involved/biologyweek I hope everyone enjoys this September's Heritage Open Days - 8th-11th September. It is good to see so many partner organisations involved. For the full programme, see: https://www.heritagelincolnshire.org/heritage-open-days The South Lincolnshire Walking Festival is on 24th September to 30th October (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays) and includes 80 walks covering North and South Kesteven, Boston and South Holland. More information below. Hare Coursing update - new text service introduced. Be aware. https://www.lincs.police.uk/news-campaigns/news/2016-2/op-galileo-new-text-service-introduced/ October brings the season of Fungus Forays and if you are running one I will be happy to give yours a plug in the Bulletin. Please let me know. Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on the link below. http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Don't forget to check the links in "..and finally...." Here's a taster - I REALLY like this idea. Ring turns pencil crayons 'digital' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-37255130 Roger *** Heritage Open Days *** Heritage Lincolnshire writes: We hope you're all set for our biggest Heritage Open Days festival in our 25 years! We have some free places left for Tom Lane's illustrated talk on Salt Making in the Lincolnshire Fens this Saturday and thought you wouldn't want to miss out. The talk takes place at 11am on Saturday 10th September at Willow Tree Fen Nature Reserve visitor centre, Counter Drain Drove (opposite Bank House Farm), near Pode Hole between Bourne and Spalding. The postcode is PE11 3JH. Between 1500 BC and 1650 AD salt making took place extensively on Lincolnshire's Marshes. One such Iron Age saltern excavated at Willow Tree Fen is the subject of this detailed and fascinating illustrated talk. Book your free place now on 01529 461499. If you haven't yet decided which of the 180+ events you're going to be visiting, you can download the brochure from https://www.heritagelincolnshire.org/heritage-open-days Have a fantastic HODs festival! *** 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/ *** 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, 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 *** South Lincolnshire Walking Festival *** Beverley Gormley writes: South Lincolnshire Walking Festival. 24th September to 30th October (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays) 80 walks covering North and South Kesteven, Boston and South Holland. Launch and Family Fun Day at Willow Tree Fen nature reserve on 24th September from 12 noon. Details from www.southlincswalking.com **** Rescheduled Diptera (Flies) Workshop *** Richard Davidson 12th November Diptera (Flies) Workshop - Whisby Nature Park, in the Lafarge Education Building.12:30pm until 4:30pm. Free of charge, refreshments included. In conjunction with the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union. Limited to 20 participants. Booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com Interested in Invertebrates and 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 Indood Meetings *** www.scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section for the 2016-2017 "year". Keith Scarrott writes: The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society At our first indoor meeting for the 2016-2017 "year" on Monday, 12th September, John Gardner, ARPS, professional photographer from Wakefield, visits us to give a talk entitled "Wild Life, Wild Places". During breaks from his career he has travelled the world over in pursuit of his lifelong interest in wildlife. His talk uses images taken from his trips around the UK. The meeting takes place in the St. Bernadette's Church Parish Centre, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, and starts at 7.15pm. ALL ARE WELCOME. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. Light refreshment is served for a small charge during the mid-talk break. For further information please contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. ***Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT*** George Rutter writes: Talk: Spiders - no fear! Monday 19th September - 7:30pm The Half Moon Hotel, West Street, Alford Spiders may not be the most popular of small animals but Imogen Wilde will put their place in the environment in perspective and perhaps look on them more kindly. Our speaker, Imogen Wilde is the regional co-ordinator and mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society and an ecologist with the Canal & Rivers Trust. *** Barton LWT *** Adrian White writes: Sunday 18th September Barrow Haven - Half day Returning waders and other migrants Contact; Vernon Chapman (01652 660957) for details. Meet at Ness End Farm car park for a 9am start All welcome, Trust membership not required Sept Wednesday 21st "My First Year" Speaker; Simon Wellock, Far Ings warden. Simon tells us how his first year on the reserve has progressed. Refreshments available. All welcome, Trust membership not required Meet at Ness End Farm for a 7:30pm start. Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Carolyn Davis writes: On Saturday 17th September 2016 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a bird walk starting from Humberston Fitties, Cleethorpes with Ray Hume. Meet in the far end car park on the Fitties near the yacht club at 7am. 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 information ring Ray Hume 01472 320878. *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson Lincoln Area Group Talk September 15th: Kirkby on Bain Living Landscape by Mark Schofield Looking at the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's plans for this fascinating area and it's diverse wildlife. Talk at Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission £2.50 which includes refreshments. *** Louth LWT *** LWT LOUTH AREA GROUP AUTUMN AT SNIPE DALES On Sunday 18 September at 2.00 pm you are invited to join members of the Louth Area Group at the main car park of LWT Reserve Snipe Dales; map reference TF319683. Warden James Forrester will take us on a walk up and down the slopes and along valley of this site where we will see the changing colour of the leaves and hear how the site is managed. The slopes are steep and can be slippery after rain. This is not a good place for those of us who have respiratory problems and there is no access for wheelchairs beyond the car park. For more details, contact Ray on lag2014rww@aol.com *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2016 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 1/9/2016 Little Stint, Bardney pits Little Stint, Alkborough Flats Wryneck, Gibraltar Point 2/9 13-15 Spoonbill, 5 Little Stints, 21 Curlew Sandpipers, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 5 Little Stints, Covenham reservoir Western Purple Swamphen, 10 Spoonbills, 4 Ruddy Shelducks, Alkborough Flats Osprey flew south past Cleethorpes Coast LNR Honey Buzzard dark morph flew north over Langtoft Honey Buzzard dark morph flew south over Cleethorpes Coast Wryneck in Newport Cemetery, Lincoln 8+ Spoonbills, Spotted Redshank, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Little Stint, Gibraltar Point 3/9 Western Purple Swamphen, Spotted Crake, 4 Ruddy Shelducks, 16+ Spotted Redshanks, 8 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats Osprey on pole by road, Marton 15 Spoonbills, Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Spotted Redshanks, 7 Whinchats near Visitor Centre, Gibraltar Point Spoonbill, 12 Curlew Sandpipers, 8 Little Stints, Spotted Redshank, 2 Whinchats, Frempton Marsh 4/9 Western Purple Swamphen, 3 Ruddu Shelducks, Alkborough Flats 5 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point Little Stint, Covenham Reservoir Wryneck reported in Newport Cemetery, Lincoln, has been reidentified as a Nightjar! 5/9 Western Purple Swamphen, Alkborough Flats Icterine Warbler in sallows, 2 Pomarine Skuas flew north, Velvet Scoter flew south, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Little Stints, 2 Pied Flycatchers, 6 Spoonbills, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 2 Whinchats, Churchill Lane, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes 3 Spoonbills on realighment, Donna Nook Pectoral Sandpiper at Middlemarsh Wetlands, Skegness 100+ Curlew Sandpipers, 12 Little Stints, Spoonbill, Frampton Marsh Little Stint, Bardney pits 6/9 Western Purple Swamphen, 8 Spoonbills, 2 Ruddy Shelducks, Alkborough Flats Pied Flycatcher, Pye's Hall, Donna Nook 3 Spotted Redshanks, 40+ Curlew Sandpipers, 6 Little Stints, 2 Wood Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh 16 Spoonbills, 5 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Pomarine Skuas flew past, Gibraltar Point 7/9 Western Purple Swamphen, 8 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 4 Temminck's Stints, 3 Spotted Redshanks, 4,000 Black-tailed Godwits, 58 Curlew Sandpipers, 14 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh Dowitcher past with 10 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Spoonbills, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Spotted Redshank, Redstart, 2 Pied Flycatchers, Gibraltar Point Osprey north of Crowland Bidge, Deeping High Bank 3 Spoonbills at realignment, Curlew Sandpiper, Donna Nook Little Stint at Paradise Pool, Saltfleet Haven, 2 Black Terns, Cleethorpes Coast 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 Harmston SK965624 Peter Wilson 3.9.16 Badger Road kill FRISKNEY TF467565 07/09/2016 Roy and Kath Pearson Dead badger on Fen Bank, south-west of Marfleet's Bridge. BAUMBER A158 18/8/16 Robert Walker Badger 1 roadkill *** 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. BOSTON (south by A16) August 2016 Kath Pearson I was only able to do a BTO Garden Birdwatch on 16 days in August. 22 species were recorded. The list is below with the number of days the species was recorded and the highest count in brackets. The Blue Tit count is not a misprint. Highest species count was on 9th August (17 species) and the lowest on 3rd and 31st August (6 species). Blackbird 15 (5), House Sparrow 10 (3), Greenfinch 12 (6), Chaffinch 13 (2), Starling 13 (16), Robin 15 (3), Collared Dove 15 (5), Goldfinch 9 (4), Great Tit 15 (6), Wren 7 (2), Blue Tit 15 (15), Dunnock 11 (4), Goldcrest 2 (1), Woodpigeon 12( 3), Long-tailed Tit 7 (7), Magpie 1 (1), Herring Gull 1 (1), Lesser Black-backed Gull 1 (2), Willow Warbler 1 ( 1), Carrion Crow 1 (1), Jay 1 (1), Jackdaw 1 (2). Butterflies:- Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Holly Blue, Meadow Brown, Brimstone, Large White. Dragonflies :- Southern Hawker, Common Hawker, Brown Hawker and Common Darter. Other wildlife :- Buff-tailed Bumblebee and Common Frog. BUCK BECK, NEW WALTHAM Julie Harrison Kingfisher spotted flying down the Beck - Grid Ref TA288 057 on 27 August 2016 and also a female Southern Hawker Dragonfly - Grid Ref TA287 056 on 17 August 2016, that was on the Petunias. GIBRALTAR POINT NNR 4/9/16 Robert Walker Butterflies: Red Admiral 1 Speckled Wood 1 Small White 4 Small Tortoiseshell 1 Common Blue 1 also Dragonflies: Migrant Hawker 1 Common Darter 1 HORNCASTLE My garden TF 261691 7/9/16 Robert Walker Since I read recently that hedgehogs like dried mealworms to eat, I have put out a pile each evening along side their usual cat nibbles. Sure enough, the mealworms are eaten first, only moving onto the cat nibbles when the mealworms are finished. Most evenings I see 1 or 2 hedgehogs in to feed and occasionally 3 at the same time. also Having gone a number of weeks with no finches coming into the garden, since 5/9/16 numbers of both goldfinches ( up to 15 at times ) and greenfinches are appearing at the sunflower heart feeders, but still no chaffinches. Along with up to 25 House Sparrows in at the same time it can get quite noisy. However, at around 4.30 pm on 6/9/16, all went very quiet when a Sparrowhawk suddenly appeared and one small bird was taken ! HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 1/9/2016 Chiffchaff 1 Green veined white 2 Painted lady 1 Speckled wood 2 Woodmouse 1 3/9/2016 Common darter 1 Great tits 2 Robins 2 Woodmouse 1 6/9/2016 Small tortoiseshell 1 Speckled wood 2 Green veined white 2 Wren 1 7/9/2016 Large white 1 Southern hawker 1 (flying back and forth over the pond - not seen before) Toad 1 OLD BOINGBROKE TF 344643 26/9/16 Robert Walker Fallow Deer 2 Across stubble fields, then across the road in front of us as we walked. also in local area Brown Hare 2 RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 02.09.2016 Long-tailed Tits (heard) Garden Warbler juv. released from conservatory Dunnock juv. 03.09.2016 Ca. 30 Swallows and House Martins feeding overhead and flying close to abandoned HM nest sites, some House Martins briefly clinging to the wall where the nests used to be. Later: 12 Swallows on power line, incl. some juvs still being fed by adults 04.09.2016 Wasp in conservatory, carrying live fly Rabbit with cloudy, bulging eye limping along road verge – myxomatosis? (A153, TF313843) 05.09.2016 Grey Heron (TF309849) Frog croaking 06.09.2016 Butterflies, mostly on Sedum: Brimstone 1, Green-veined White 1, Painted Lady 1, Small White 3, Small Tortoiseshell 10 Tawny Owl (heard) 07.09.2016 40-50 Swallows on power line and feeding over local pastures WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 2/9/2016 Woodmouse adult - dead - in apple shed. 3/9 Housemouse - dead Grey Squirrel - dead Grey Squirrel on peanut feeder. Bat spp in car park - will try and get echolocation frequency. 4/9 Juv Bank Vole scrumping under bird feeder. 5/9 Dead house mouse. 6/9 Frog - a juv about 20mm long, 21.30hrs, hunting by front door. Bat 122.00hrs - probable soprano pipistrelle echolocating at 55KHz. 7/9 Tawny owls calling in garden overnight. Dead Woodmouse. Bank vole in nest in compost heap. Tree bee queen nectaring in garden. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 1st – 7th September 2016 Contributors: Peter and Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison August weather summary Several periods of hot, sunny days dominated the weather during August. These were influenced by settled high pressure systems over the UK but as these drifted away and replaced by low pressures then the weather became cool and fresher but lasting only a day or so. On occasions as the temperatures rose so did the humidity and this brought about some heavy downpours of rain. Of note 7.4mm was recorded on the 21st and a severe thunder storm with exceptional sheet lightening on the 27th gave 15.4mm of ppt. The maximum day time temperature reached 26.5°C on the 30th. The grass minimum fell to 4°C on the 1st and air minimum 8.5°C on the 1st, 9th, 16th and 29th. However many low temperatures were in the late teens and the air minimum on the 23rd was a very humid 17.75°C (grass 15.75°C). Winds were generally light to moderate but fresh southwesterlies were observed on the 3rd, 4th, 7th and 8th (38mph gust on the 8th) and strong south-westerly breezes noted on the 20th and 21st (40.8mph gust on the 20th). Rainfall total for the month was 42.4mm (1.67 inches). Swallows and House Martins have been moving south daily with a Swift on the 6th. Thursday 1st Single Wheatear near Paradise and still several Blackcaps and Lesser Whitethroats moving through the Sea View area plus a single Sedge Warbler in nearby garden. Single Kingfisher flying along the Eau near Black Bridge. Any rowan bushes with berries are now attracting small numbers of Blackbirds. Morning high spring tide produced good numbers of waders with 270+ Ringed Plovers, 30 Dunlin, 30 Sanderling, 7 Redshank, 3000+ roosting Black-headed Gulls, 50 Herring Gulls and 40 Great Black- backed Gulls. Saturday 3rd Single Wheatear and 2 Common Sandpipers at Paradise lagoon. With declining spring high tides leaving more available sand we saw the highest number of waders in this spring tide cycle with a peak of 540 Ringed Plovers, 870 Dunlin, 90 Sanderling, 22 Knot, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 180+ Sandwich Terns and 2 Common Terns. Sunday 4th On Paradise lagoon - Redshank 33, Common Snipe 1, Common Sandpiper 3, Greenshank 1, Black-headed Gull 67, Common Gull 38, Teal 11 and 80+ Canada Geese flew over. Single Willow Warbler at Sea View and 2 Whimbrel on the saltmarsh with 2 Greenshank flying over. Smaller numbers of waders along the beach today, but 4 Turnstones were new and 55 Whimbrels south. A few Gannets moving offshore. Increased numbers of migrant White- throats, Lesser Whitethroats, 2 Yellow wagtails and a Wheatear. A Song Thrush remains in full song in the Churchill Lane area. Monday 5th Marsh Harrier 2 very distant flying over saltmarsh. 2 whinchats seen on Monday are obvious migrants but in general the dunes are fairly quiet, with the majority of bird action on or over the foreshore, however 2 little and 1 tawny owl were calling strongly on Sunday and Monday evenings. Tuesday 6th Single Common Buzzard circled over Sea View and drifted NW and 15 Common Snipe flew up from the edge of a saltmarsh creek in the afternoon. Insects Tuesday 6th Very hot and sunny with the max daytime temperature reaching 27°C encouraging many small tortoiseshell butterflies to be on the wing with a max count of 48 in a garden near Sea View. One of the small tortoiseshells appeared very much darker than the others and the thought was it was some form of aberration. A photograph was sent to Lawrie Poole of Lincolnshire Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch who commented “I've checked my books and yours is very similar to the form semi-ichnusoides which is produced by high temperatures during the pupal stage”. Also several large whites, small whites and green- veined whites, 3 very worn meadow browns, 2 speckled woods and 2 common blues. Today’s butterfly transect yielded the highest count of small tortoiseshells of this year’s transects with 39 on the route and 31 of these being in one section along the freshwater marsh edge, where several stands of water mint are in full flower. Total of 11 species were recorded with a peak of 15 large white and just 1 painted lady. Whist walking through the tall vegetation on the marsh edge I caught up in a spider web and a very colourful Araneus quadratus climbed onto my arm, a real beauty with vivid colours. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/far-ings See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/visit/woods-and-nature-reserves/127031.article http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/events/2014/07/07/visit-dormouse-project These cover a huge area, and records from them and records from volunteer recorders are one of the main inputs to management planning and the protection of rare/scarce and critical species. The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Woods (which comprise Ivy Wood, Little and Great Scrubbs Woods, Minting Wood, Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park, and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow (and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Rand Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland, which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and non-designated areas. Since managing the SSSI areas carries particular responsibilities to Natural England, records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) Also see: Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports from, LNRs always welcome. HAGNABY LOCK FEN E.A. WETLAND RESERVE TF 331595 Garry Steele Noteworthy ornithological sightings and monthly maximums - August 2016:- Bullfinch - 2 Carrion Crow - 19 Coot - 3 Cormorant - 1 Green Sandpiper - 8 Grey Heron - 1 Greylag Goose - 67 Lapwing - 38 Little Egret - 2 Mallard - 110 Moorhen - 2 Teal - 12 Tufted Duck - 4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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! You 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. ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk http://lnu.org/publications.php LNU Mammal Atlas 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 *** The Met Office website now offers an e-mail notification service for severe weather and other matters which may interest readers. 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. When asking for help, please give the the very best information you can provide. If you are not sure, ask what is needed from you to confirm identification. Photographs are helpful but not every species can be identified from a photograph. When asked for further details, get back to them promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcome. *** 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 *** http://www.bwars.com/ 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, 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 information and to submit records contact: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@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. *** 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). 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: Contact us on 01522 530428 a member of staff will record the sighting or RTA. Or use the Weirfield website where a reporting page can be used to send in badger reports. http://www.weirfield.co.uk/ Botanical Group in South Lincs Contact: Sarah Lambert, who 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 *** Contact: Aidan Neary, Wildflower Meadow Project Officer, aneary@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825 970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. 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. See: 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 *** School of Life Sciences - University of Lincoln *** http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/lifesciences/ *** Natural History Museum *** http://www.nhm.ac.uk/ *** Lincoln - The Collection *** https://www.thecollectionmuseum.com/ *** 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 *** 01507 609740 http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** Project Officer: Jonathan Gahan: jonathan.gahan@lincolnshire.gov.uk http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering *** 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 *** 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 a few cases may be difficult or 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, 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 *** Heritage Open Days September 2016 *** 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 Full event listing https://www.heritagelincolnshire.org/heritage-open-days *** October 2016 Apple Day Diary Dates *** Stamford Community Orchard Group's Apple Day is on Saturday 1st October this year. See: http://scog.org.uk/ Wragby's Apple Day is on Sunday 2nd October. 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you recognise the owner of a 'part-address', please let them know their bulletin has 'bounced/ this week. johnthackery - soft bounce - permanent error - Spam content found [sic] cloxflo - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying hendrina - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, text copies of pastBulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html ....and finally..... Note: If a link does not work, please look at the URL. See if an extra http:// has crept in. Long https addresses seem to cause occasional problems, so I have started posting these as "hotlinks" and also as text that you can copy and paste into your browser should you need to. I hope this helps. In pictures: A celebration of British wildlife http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-37274168 Green light for Triton Knoll windfarm power plans http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-37287687 Tower of London poppies attract 500,000 to Lincoln Castle http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-37254168 Dogs used for hare coursing in Lincolnshire 'will be seized' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-37245714 Ticks found on 'one third' of dogs, researchers say http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37252925 'Ring of Fire' eclipse wows stargazers http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-37248620 Wavy Greenland rock features 'are oldest fossils' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37235447 Plastic microbeads expected to be banned by end of 2017 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37263087 China ratifies Paris climate agreement http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-37265541 Juno probe returns close-up Jupiter pictures http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37259937 Philae: Lost comet lander is found http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37276221 Otter pups gambol on the rocks https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/sep/02/otter-pups-gambol-rocks-country-diary https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/sep/02/otter-pups-gambol-rocks-country-diary Gritty quarry soil is home turf for heather bees https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/sep/01/quarry-home-turf-heather-bees-tormentil-gentians https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/sep/01/quarry-home-turf-heather-bees-tormentil-gentians The race for vast remote 'marine protected areas' may be a diversion https://theconversation.com/the-race-for-vast-remote-marine-protected-areas-may-be-a-diversion-64705 https://theconversation.com/the-race-for-vast-remote-marine-protected-areas-may-be-a-diversion-64705 Free-for-all by wild mushroom pickers puts woodland habitats at risk https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/sep/04/new-forest-bans-fungi-pickers https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/sep/04/new-forest-bans-fungi-pickers ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/