============================================= || || 18th 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.... *** The most effective way to increase the readership of the Bulletin is to tell people about it. You can forward a copy of your Bulletin using the "forward to a friend" link at the end of every Bulletin, or simply send friends the address of the sign-up page on the LNU website: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php It is a free e-newsletter and new readers are always very welcome! This week we have a report of the first Willow Emerald sighting for Lincolnshire at Baston Fen - see Section 3 below. This year's Horncastle Astronomy Weekend took place at Minting; yet another fascinating, informative and entertaining event. The date for next year's 45th HAW is September 8th - 10th, 2017. Apart from lots of astronomical information, I also learned that Minting is one of the "Thankful Villages" of Lincolnshire, which also include Bigby, Flixborough and High Toynton. This is a moving piece of history. If you have not heard about "Thankful Villages" before, see: http://www.hellfirecorner.co.uk/thankful.htm#Minting 2016 is the 5th year of Biology Week, organised by the Royal Society of Biology, 8 - 16th October. See: https://www.rsb.org.uk/get-involved/biologyweek 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. 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. The LNU Annual Fungus Foray (National Fungus Day) takes place on Sunday, October 09, 2016 at Temple Wood North of Bourne 12.00 for 13.00 start. Details below and also on: http://www.lnu.org/events.php Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage for September will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Early Warning of Walkabout I expect to be away 23rd-30th, so the final Bulletin of September will probably go out sometime next week. This will be ideal timing for news of your October events - so please let me know of any activities, talks, etc, needing a bit of publicity. Roger p.s. Don't forget to check the links in "12 ..and finally....". e.g. Fifteen stunning images from the Royal Photographic Society's International Images for Science competition http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-37359256 *** Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important *** 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 *** Water Vole training *** Rosemarie Oliver writes: Water Vole training Date: 16/17 November 2016 – 2 days Venue: Whisby Nature Reserve, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln LN6 9BW Instructor: Derek J Gow Training to attain Natural England License – agenda for the 2 days addresses the 5 points needed to obtain the class license and operate with water voles. Includes mitigation, handling, displacement, trapping, surveying. East Lincs Rural Training and Lincoln Rural Training are 2 groups locally who are part of Rural Training Links in Lincolnshire. We are non profit making and used to be the old Agricultural Training Board and are run by a committee of farmers and one organiser per group. Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust are members of my group along with Natural England, National Trust, Lindsey Marsh Drainage Group etc so we do have members outside of Agriculture. If you are interested in the above course please contact me via Roger. rparsons@enterprise.net **** 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 ***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. On Saturday 24th September 2016 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a Wild food and Medicinal Coastal walk with local Western Medical Herbalist Emma Warrener. Meet at the Cleethorpes Discovery Centre at 2pm. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** Louth LWT *** Ray White writes: 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/ 8/9/2016 Western Purple Swamphen, Alkborough Flats Redwing in East Dunes, 12 Spoonbills, 5 Spotted Redshanks, Curlew Sandpiper,Gibraltar Point 2 Temminck's Stint on wet grassland, 2 Little Stints, Wood Sandpiper, 30 Curlew Sandpipers, 14 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 3 Spoonbills on realignment, 13 Curlew Sandpipers, Donna Nook 3 Curlew Sandpipers, Bardney Pits 9/9 Long-tailed Skua at Greenshank Creek, Gibraltar Point 10/9 10-16 Western Purple Swamphen, 11 Spoonbills, 4 Ruddy Shelducks, Alkborough Flats 2 Little Stints on Paradise Pool, south of Saltfleet Haven Black Tern juv off Anderby Creek 3 Turnstones, Deeping Lakes 5 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh 11/9 Temminck's Stint, Wood Sandpiper, 20 Curlew Sandpipers, Redstart, 12 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh Possible Pomarine Skua on beach at Donna Nook, the flew south Western Purple Swamphen, 2 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats Spoonbill, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, 7 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Osprey, Freiston Shore 12/9 Little Stint juv on Jackson's Marsh, 3 Spoonbills, Spotted Redshank, 12 Spoonbills, Little Stint, 12 Black Terns flew south past, Gibraltar Point Western Purple Swamphen, Great White Egret, Alkborough Flats 3 Spoonbills, Little Stint, Donna Nook 5 Little Stints, Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 7 Black Terns flew south past, Sooty Shearwater, Bonxie, Huttoft Car Terrace 3 Little Stints, 7 Curlew Sandpipers, Wood Sandpiper, 10 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 13/9 5 Spoonbills, Pied Flycatcher, Little Stint juv on Jackson's Marsh, Pomarine Skua, 8 Black Terns flew south, Gibraltar Point Western Purple Swamphen, Great White Egret, Alkborough Flats Shag juv, Deeping High Bank 3 Spoonbills on realignment, Curlew Sandpiper, Donna Nook 14/9 7 Spotted Redshanks on Tennyson's Sands, 6 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 3 Redstarts, Donna Nook Western Purple Swamphen, 15 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 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. BURKINSHAW'S COVERT, NEAR IMMINGHAM TA162182 4th September 2016 LNU field meeting to this private nature reserve area courtesy of Total with access arranged by Alan Jones of Humber INCA. Attended by 15 people in total and led by Brian Hedley on a warm and part sunny/part overcast afternoon. A full day was probably needed to really do justice to the site's varied habitats. Approximately 160 plant species were noted including stone parsley, yellow-wort, hairy buttercup, common spotted orchid and fairy-flax. Twenty-four bird species were noted including sparrowhawk, buzzard, great spotted woodpecker, willow tit and masses of feeding swallows and house martins. Sight/signs of five mammal species were recorded including muntjac, roe deer and wood mouse. Young common frogs were frequent and a young smooth newt was also noted indicating likely successful breeding in the new ponds created on site. Eight species of dragonflies/damselflies were recorded including emerald damselfly, ruddy darter, southern hawker, brown hawker and at least 50 migrant hawkers. The varied habitats on site would seem to be very good for butterflies with 11 species noted on the day (including small copper, small heath, common blue, brown argus and painted lady). Moths included diamondback, brindled green, brown china-mark, silver Y, lesser treble- bar and caterpillars of poplar grey and yellowtail. Other insects included green, hawthorn and woundwort shield bugs, galls of the midge Cystiphora sonchi, reedmace bug and three uncommon beetle records: (Zeugophora subspinosa, Scymnus auritus and Plagiodera versicolor). ROADKILLS Bluestone Heath Road towards Welton-le-Wold TF260835 R.Parsons 9/9/2016 Dead adult Badger CONINGSBY TF 223575 R.Parsons 11/9/2016 Dead juv Hedgehog Scunthorpe SE 91115 08761 Peter Morrell 09.09.16 Hedgehog roadkill on Bellingham Road. Scunthorpe SE 90121 11259 Peter Morrell 09.09.16 Hedgehog roadkill on Brigg Road.  Blyton SK 85728 95593 Peter Morrell 12.09.16 Badger roadkill on Laughton Road.  Hibaldstow SE 97657 01414 Peter Morrell 13.09.16 Hedgehog roadkill on Redbourne Road Hibaldstow SE 97691 01975 Peter Morrell 13.09.16 Hedgehog roadkill on Redbourne Road Blyborough SK 94066 94104 Peter Morrell 13.09.16 Hedgehog roadkill on B1398 Stamford TF 00614 07514 Peter Morrell 14.09.16 Badger road kill on A1 *** 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. BASTON FEN 11/09/2016 Trisha Thompson I found the following at Baston Fen NR (TF145 177) today (11 Sept 2016): Two male Willow Emerald Damselflies. One female Willow Emerald Damselfly ovipositing. Nick Tribe has confirmed that this is a first Willow Emerald sighting for Lincolnshire. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 7/9/2016 Chaffinch 1 Tawny owl 1 (heard middle of night) 8/9/2016 Bats 4 definitely but possibly more at 8pm Magpie 1 Woodpigeons 2 (fledglings on our large woodpile - I think the nest was probably inside - they were keeping perfectly still) 9/9/2016 Green veined whites 2 Shield bug 1 (brown only - not sure of type) 11/9/2016 Common darter 2 Red admiral 1 Speckled wood 1 Woodpigeons 2 (fledglings on large woodpile again) 12/9/2016 Common darters 6 (male) Great spotted woodpecker 1 Great tits 2 Speckled wood 1 Tawny owls 2 (seemed to be continuous calling from 1am-5am!) 13/9/2016 Great tits 2 Woodpigeon feathers in a pile - likely one of the fledglings 14/9/2016 Ichneumon wasp 1 (very yellow legs - no idea which as it appears we have thousands of different ones in the UK!) Large whites 2 Speckled wood 2 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 10/09/2016 Jon Drakes Noted whilst carrying out the weekly BTO Garden Bird Watch in our back garden on a very wet Saturday morning were the following: Collared Dove 4 House Sparrow30 Goldfinch 5 Blackbird 3 Dunnock3 Robin 1 Willow Warbler1 Greenfinch 3 Starling 2 Chaffinch 1 Blue Tit 3 Coal Tit 1 Tree Sparrow 1 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 11/09/2016 Jon Drakes A walk around the fields and woods to the North of the village on a glorious Sunday morning found the following species present: Blackbird Buzzard 2 Chaffinch Chiffchaff 2 Collared Dove Dunnock Goldfinch Great Tit Greenfinch House Martin House Sparrow Kestrel 1 Longtail Tit Magpie Robin Rook Song Thrush Sparrowhawk1 Starling Swallow Woodpigeon Wren Large White Butterfly Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly Speckled Wood Butterfly Common Frog Shrew - unfortunately found dead. NEW WALTHAM TA 285046 Peter Crick 31.08.2016 Holly Blue x 1 Painted Lady x 1 01.09.2016 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 07.09.2016 Small Tortoiseshell x 4 (most seen at one time all summer) 08.09.2016 Small Tortoiseshell x 5 (getting better) Larvae of Swallow Tail Moth NEW WALTHAM TA 285046 Peter Crick 08.09.2016 Small Tortoiseshell x 6 Speckled Wood x 1 09.09.2016 Small Tortoiseshell x 6 Speckled Wood x 1 10 - 14.09.2016 Multiple small Tortoiseshell appearing, max. 7 at one sighting 12.09.2016 Red Admiral x 1 Southern Hawker Common Darter Brown Hawker?? X 2 Not clear ID. Brown/grey body, dark thin segment ring markings broader at base, no visible brighter colours showing. Frustrating as landed together on very top of bean frame. No Peacocks sighted for a long time RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 07.09.2016 Butterflies: Painted Lady 1, Red Admiral 3, Small Tortoiseshell 23 (recovering!), Small White 1 11.09.2016 Long-tailed Tit family Wren Green Shieldbug Speckled Wood butterfly 12.09.2016 Woundwort Shieldbug (Eysarcoris venustissimus) x 21 on top of green waste bin, presumably emerged from discarded plant material Chiffchaff or Willow Warbler, juv. 7 Silver Y moths 13.09.2016 (Sunny, calm, 25 C) Migrant Hawker dragonfly (Aeshna mixta), m. Small Tortoiseshell butterflies: Today I counted at least 60 in my garden (more than I've ever had before). Not sure if this reflects a true recovery of this species or the fact that my rural garden is a hotspot for pollen and nectar in the local area at this time of year with masses of sedums, asters, cosmos, single dahlias, etc. At the same time, I found only a single Red Admiral, 1 Green-veined and 1 Large White. It will be interesting to hear what other contributors have observed. STALLINGBOROUGH - HOBSON WAY (Grid reference TA2113) 08/09/2016 Jon Drakes Species noted whilst at my place of employment included: Blackbird Carrion Crow Goldfinch Grey Heron Kestrel Magpie Woodpigeon Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly STALLINGBOROUGH - HOBSON WAY (Grid reference TA2113) 09/09/2016 Jon Drakes Species noted whilst at work: Goldfinch Pied Wagtail Woodpigeon Large White Butterfly Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly WILDMORE FEN TF216534 unless otherwise stated. R & A Parsons 8/99/2016 Small toad in garden disturbed by my mowing. Grey squirrel - dead. Woodmouse adult in apple shed - dead. 10/9/2016 "Snout" in kitchen. 11/9/2016 2 adult Woodmice in apple shed - dead 13/9/2016 - many darters [sp] and hawkers [sp] noted in garden. Horntail [Urocerus gigas] at 5pm, feeding on flower head of Cornflower var "montana". Rural garden, well provided with pine trees and dead wood. Photo sent to David Sheppard. Sparrowhawk m hunting in garden - perched on outbuilding 5pm. 14/9/2016 Badger scrumping Victoria Plums at 2-2.30am. Videoed on trailcam. Woodmouse adult in apple shed - dead. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 8th - 14th September 2016 Contributors: Peter and Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison Few birds in the dunes with a small number of goldcrests new in, little owl and tawny owls calling locally and c.270 curlews feeding in fields adjacent to the dunes and roosting on NNR foreshore. The samphire beds are proving very good for waders at the moment, with up to 6 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 140+ Ringed Plovers, 4 Little Ringed Plovers, 60+ Dunlin, 4 Snipe, along with over 100 Linnets, 60 Meadow Pipits on the 11th and a Wheatear. Plenty of Sandwich Terns feeding offshore each day. 7th Warm sunny day attracting a good display of small tortoiseshell butterflies (50 counted in garden near SV including the form semi-ichnusoides), and several whites, 1 red admiral and 1 comma. 8th After the constant rain during the day, a group of 25 Common Snipe flew northwards along the foredunes edge, so presumably a migratory group. 4 birds were present on the beach next morning. Ruff 2 near Paradise lagoon and 2 Kingfishers along the Great Eau near Black Bridge. 9th Small tortoiseshell butterflies fewer in number than in previous days but including the aberrant version, 1 red admiral. Single goldcrest in with Blue and Great Tit flock near Sea View. Convolvulus Hawk Moth caught in the moth trap at Brickyard Lane, re-caught again on 13th. 10th Rain all day giving a total of 10.7mm at Sea View and 17mm measured at Coastguard Cottage (Churchill Lane) highlighting the variability in close proximity (2.5km) to Seaview. 11th Willow Warbler 1, Common Whitethroat 3, Reed Bunting 2, Goldfinch 45 near Sea View single Kingfisher on the Eau and 1 Whimbrel heard over the saltmarsh. Fewer hirundines than in previous days with only 6 seen flying south over Sea View during the day. 12th Small group of Swallows 10+ over SV. Single Goldcrest near Sea View. Another warm sunny day with the following butterflies seen near Sea View: small tortoiseshell 30+, small white 15+, green-veined white 5+, large white 2, small copper 2, comma 1, common blue 2, brimstone 1, speckled wood 2. 13th Another day of warm sunshine when the temperature reached 25°C and numbers of butterflies were similar to the previous day including another sighting of comma and brimstone. The aberrant small tortoiseshell was not seen since the 9th. Little Grebe 3 on the Great Eau Outfall near Paradise, Common Sandpiper 1 and 2 Heron over the saltmarsh. NNR butterfly transect on afternoon 13th and a total of only 24 butterflies of 7 species recorded, 10 small white being the most numerous. 14th Great Eau Outfall - Redshank 23, Dunlin 6, Curlew 3, Bart-tailed Godwit 1, Teal 7, Black- headed Gull 14, Little Grebe 5, Kingfisher 1 and 8 Swallows over. Most nectar sources now scarce with only a few ragwort, fleabane and water mint flowers. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** 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 *** 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. deanbird - hard bounce- address cleaned 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 past Bulletins 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. Lincolnshire farmer defies stubble burning ban http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-37318131 Nature loss linked to farming intensity http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37298485 Hundreds of key sites in England at risk of floods http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37306094 DNA confirms cause of 1665 London's Great Plague http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-37287715 Lincolnshire Bomber Command memorial gets £200,000 grant http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-37350606 And finally: What to do about Liberia's island colony of abandoned lab chimps? https://theconversation.com/what-to-do-about-liberias-island-colony-of-abandoned-lab-chimps-64646 Why you can expect a spectacular autumn https://theconversation.com/why-you-can-expect-a-spectacular-autumn-64937 The bats at home in our attic https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/sep/12/bats-attic-wales-country-diary One in 10 UK wildlife species faces extinction, major report shows https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/sep/14/one-in-10-uk-wildlife-species-faces-extinction-major-report-shows Russian scientists trapped in Arctic by polar bears face month-long wait for rescue https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/14/russian-scientists-trapped-arctic-polar-bears-month-wait-rescue A tide is turning for the swallows https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/sep/14/tide-turning-swallows-country-diary Nature is being renamed "natural capital" - but is it really the planet that will profit? https://theconversation.com/nature-is-being-renamed-natural-capital-but-is-it-really-the-planet-that-will-profit-65273 How weeds transformed the Earth's ancient landscape https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/sep/14/earth-weeds-transformed-ancient-landscape-plant-fossils-evolution-life ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons http://rogerparsons.info/