============================================= || || 20th August 2017 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || LNU Website: || http://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 over 1000 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. Please use the "forward to a friend" link at the end of every Bulletin. Text versions of past Wildnews Bulletins back to Feb 2009 are available on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html 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: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers' hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Editor writes... *** Thanks to all who have sent in such interesting contributions. I am a bit late this week due to a broadband failure. Sorry. Charlie Barnes tells us the Mareham Pastures field meeting made it into the Sleaford Standard. The report of the meeting is in section 3 below. http://www.sleafordstandard.co.uk/news/environment/new-species-for-lincolnshire-found-at-bioblitz-wildlife-event-1-8098151 The BBC report last week of a "New grass snake identified in the UK" has raised some questions. If any correction or qualification is needed I will include it as soon as possible. I remind you of Carl Sagan's wise comment: "In science it often happens that scientists say, 'You know that's a really good argument; my position is mistaken,' and then they would actually change their minds and you never hear that old view from them again. They really do it. It doesn't happen as often as it should, because scientists are human and change is sometimes painful. But it happens every day." I was pleased to spot 2 Perseid meteors on Saturday morning at 3am, but saw nothing on the night of 12/13th though - too cloudy. There was some loud cackling and laughing coming from the local bus stop about 1am! 'Impressive' Perseid meteor shower seen over UK http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40909057 The next LNU Field Meeting will be at Gunby Hall 3rd Sept, which we hope will be an exceptionally interesting visit. It is a wonderful place. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/gunby-estate-hall-and-gardens Reminder: Solar Eclipse - just a bit. You might glimpse the partial Solar Eclipse at sunset on 21st August. Usual eye-safety precautions please! http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/zcytpv4 https://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse This year's Heritage Open Days take place 7th - 10th September, and you are sure to find a good selection of interesting places to visit. See: https://www.heritagelincolnshire.org/heritage-open-days The Horncastle Astronomy Weekend also takes place that weekend. http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/HAW/haw.html Your suggestions and contributions are always welcome and we are happy to give a plug to any county organisation involved in conservation, ecology, geology, natural history, or any such environmental topic. Here are some links from readers. If any don't work, "copy and paste" URLs. Countryside crime cost £39m in 2016 says insurers. Lincolnshire was the only county where the cost of rural crime in 2016 exceeded £2.5m. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40900442 Bats set up home inside dinosaur at Devon theme park http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-devon-40922319/bats-set-up-home-inside-dinosaur-at-devon-theme-park 2017 Galapagos photography competition http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-40923459 Church floodlights are driving away the bats that roost there https://www.newscientist.com/article/2143239/ More topical links are below in "...and finally..." so don't forget to click. A full list of LNU Recorders is on the following link and in Communiqué. They will advise on species identification within their field of expertise. Photos for identification are often helpful, but please ask before sending. http://www.lnu.org/ Thank you for all the contributions this week. Very much appreciated. If you have any August events or activities that need publicity, please let me know. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** "Len Pick Trust's Owl Camera" *** Approaching the end of the drama? See diary notes on: http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 *** August Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html You might get a brief glimpse of a bit of the Solar Eclipse on 21st. Worth a try. Check Paul Money's "Astrospace" advice and information on these events. *** LNU Events Diary *** LNU events are listed below in section 11. For LNU meetings, see: http://lnu.org/ 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. Next Field Meeting: Sunday, September 03, 2017 Field Meeting to Gunby Hall (National Trust) Specifically to explore the parkland area with access courtesy of the National Trust. West of Burgh le Marsh. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet at the main car park near to Gunby Hall entrance at TF466669 found at end of access track off the roundabout where the A158 and A1028 meet. NB. Toilets and cafe available on site. Habitats: Parkland with various waterbodies. Leader: Dr. David Sheppard 07880 986923 d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** 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/ *** Badgers and TB - can you help? *** Heather McKay writes: Researchers at the University of Nottingham are conducting a survey into TB in badgers in Lincolnshire and South Yorkshire. This follows on from a large-scale collaborative study in the ‘Edge’ counties. Through the examination of road-kill badgers, the survey aims to address the current knowledge gap surrounding TB in our badgers. Is the disease present in Lincolnshire? If so, where is it, how common is it, and is it of the same strain as that found in cattle? In addition: Locations of found-dead badgers will be shared with Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership and Project Splatter in order to help with population surveys of these areas. Any evidence of illegal killing will be shared with the relevant authorities. The study relies on interested parties picking up suitable road-kill badgers in our target areas, which will then be collected by a researcher within 48 hours. Please contact sv-badger@nottingham.ac.uk to request a ‘badger kit’. Please note that only badgers picked up using the designated kits can be accepted into the survey, and only stop if you feel it is safe. For more info, see: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/vet/survey-for-tb-in-road-killed-badgers.aspx . *** Humber Hounds Annual Humber Bridge Walk *** Kevin Bayes writes: The annual Humber Hounds Bridge Walk will take place again this year on Sunday 3rd September, starting from Waters Edge Visitor Centre, Barton upon Humber, DN18 5JR. The walk will take about 3 hours, with a staggered start from about 10.00am. Please register your interest for the Annual Bridge Walk by going to the Humber Nature Partnership website www.humbernature.co.uk Or go direct to the Eventbrite page https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/humber-nature-partnership-14516087267 Kevin Bayes Humber Nature Partnership *** Scunthorpe Museum Society - "2017/2018 indoor season" *** Keith Scarrott writes: The first meeting of the Natural History and Geology Section of Scunthorpe Museum Society for the "2017/2018 indoor season", is on Monday, 11th September, 7.15pm start, and includes a visit by Peter Short, Humber RSPB Senior Sites Manager, to give an illustrated Talk on "Birds of the Humber". Peter will be describing the work of the RSPB on the Humber. He is currently very busy with a project on the Whitton Sands. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS which take place in St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS. (Opposite the Priory Hotel.) Parking is free in the large Church car park. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. For a small charge light refreshments are provided at the mid-talk break. For more details contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. Website: http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ *** CPRE Archaeology Talk *** Jenny Haynes writes: Dr Kevin Leahy will be talking about the Flixborough Anglo-Saxon settlement excavation on Saturday, 2nd September at Worlaby Village Hall  (DN20 0NA) starting at 2pm. £10 for non-CPRE members. To book please contact Jenny Haynes on 01652 618744 or jenny.hanyes@btinternet.com *** National Whale and Dolphin Watch 2017 *** Dave Miller's NWDW 2017 Report A great weekend starts with a report from Roger Labbett of three porpoises spotted on Friday morning from Wolla Bank. On Saturday 5th August we set up on Skegness Pier and within 10 minutes Matt Laing reports a harbour porpoise north of the pier. We watch the animal for around 20 minutes as it feeds under a flock of diving sandwich tern. We are even able to show a family the dorsal fin of the surfacing porpoise as it passes within 30 metres of the pier. The weather and sea conditions are perfect for spotting and several seals are also seen. Meanwhile at the Round-and-Round hide at Anderby Creek two more harbour porpoise are seen moving north by John and Judith Nickson. Another porpoise is reported from the pier at 2.30pm and at around 3.30pm I also spot a porpoise under a flock of feeding sandwich tern some distance out from Skegness Pier. Sunday is a different day even though the weather and sea conditions are again very favourable. The sea at Anderby Creek and Skegness Pier is very quiet with not even many birds flying about. Finally at around 3.30pm I spot one in the distance from Skegness Pier again associating with a feeding flock of sandwich terns. Dick Lorand reports three porpoise from the mouth of the River Humber from Sunday morning. This brings a total of twelve harbour porpoise reported from the weekend. Over the weekend a total of 63 hours and 40 minutes effort is put in by the amazing team of volunteers and we speak to around 95 members of the public, talking to them about our harbour porpoise monitoring and the wildlife of the North Sea in Lincolnshire. Thank you to Skegness Pier for hosting us once again, and many thanks to all the volunteers: Matt, Nigel, Andrew, Julie, Lianne, Jordan, Gary, Clare, Graeme, Claire, Roger, Dick, John, Judith, Jade and Cliff. Without them this event would just not be possible. *** Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT *** Alford & Mablethorpe Area Group Find us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LWT-Alford-Mablethorpe-Area-Group-175413729474673/ *** Barton Area Group LWT *** Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk Carolyn Davis writes: On Saturday 26th August 2017 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them at Mausoleum Woods, Limber where they will be looking for insects with Mick Binnion. Hoping to find crickets, beetles etc. amongst the vegetation on the Yarborough estate. Meet at 2pm in the car parking area, off A18, near Little Brocklesby House, Limber. Grid Ref. TA133086, nearest postcode DN37 8JL. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further information contact Mick - 07435122933. *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2016 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** Bird Club Website *** http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Bat Group website *** http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ I have adapted RBA pager data/information for the Bulletin by eliminating or consolidating repeated messages. Note - I have been leaving out late reports to save myself going back to re-do entries. From now on I shall squeeze in important ones, indicating them with a " * ". Note: 9/8 12 Spoonbills, 2 Crossbills in North Dunes, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 2 Roseate Terns past Cut End, Boston 4 Spoonbills, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 2 fem Common Scoters, Millenium Green lake, North Hykeham Reported Semiplamated Sandpiper is a Dunlin, Reported Curlew Sandpiper is a Dunlin, Alkborough Flats 10 Spoonbills, Alkborough flats 10/8 2 Black Terns*, Donna Nook 16 Spoonbills, Black Tern flew past, Gibraltar Point Wood Sandpiper, on Teal Lake, Whisby Nature Park 4 Spoonbills. Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, 6 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 11/8 11 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point 4 Spoonbills, 2 Turtle Doves, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 12/8 2 Turtle Doves*, Spotted Redshank *, Frampton Marsh 4 Spoonbills from Sea Wall, 3 Wood Sandpipers, Curlew Sandpiper, Garganey, Frampton Marsh 17 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point 13/8 14 Spoonbills, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point 6 Spoonbills, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flats 4 Spoonbills, Curlew Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Turtle Dove, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh 14/8 14 Spoonbills, Gibralter Point 4 Spoonbills, Wood Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Turtle Dove, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 15/8 !0 Spoonbills, Wood Sandpiper*, Gibraltar Point 2 Spoonbills, Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Turtle Doves, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Little Stints on Middle Scrape, Frampton Marsh Quail male singing* at Water Mill Farm by river Bain Scaup drk, Deeping Lakes 16/8 8 Spoonbills, Garganey ecl drk, Gibraltar Point 4 Spoonbills, Pectoral Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper oin Tennyson's Sands, Little Stint, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh Please visit the RBA website for updates/fuller details. Here you can register free to use the site and get free trials of their subscription services. Rare Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ [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. Jerry Gunner writes: On the evening of Thursday August 10, 2017 at around 2115L I saw the first firefly /glow worm I’ve ever seen in the UK. It was at the base of a dead nettle-type plant in the hen’s compound and was switching itself on and off erratically and emitting a pale lemon-yellow light. I’ve seen them in southern Europe before but never here at home. I had a quick poke around in the foliage but couldn’t find anything that might have been responsible. MAREHAM PASTURES LNR, SLEAFORD Central Grid Ref: TF0713 4474 Brian Hedley 5th August 2017 A BioBlitz event jointly arranged by the LNU and Friends of Mareham Pastures and led by Brian Hedley and Linda Lowndes. Access and assistance courtesy of Lincolnshire County Council, particularly Matthew Davey. A day long recording event with bird-ringing and an evening moth trapping session and also a bat walk led by Annette Faulkner. About 40 people came along to the daytime s ession (including members of the two organisations above plus other members of the local community). About 30 people attended the evening moth/bat recording session (with some overlap of people but around 60 in total for whole event). Over 160 plant species were noted with many planted or seeded. Forty bird species were recorded including many trapped during bird-ringing sessions such as bullfinch and blackcap. Feeding common pipistrelle bats were noted during the evening walk. Invertebrate-wise, the highlight was the discovery of potential new species for the county in the form of the small weevil Zacladus exiguous. This was found by Charlie Barnes and is known to feed on black knapweed which was scattered around the site. An impressive 16 species of butterflies were noted by the attendeesincluding many holly blues and also Essex skipper. Thirty-four moth species were noted during daytime and evening moth trapping session and included brimstone, magpie, straw underwing and abundant straw dots. Six sheildbug species included hairy, bishop's mitre, parent and birch. Other invertebrates included box bug, many Roesel's bush-crickets, tree damselbug and southern hawker. Galls on various plants (especially oak) were frequent and included Artichoke Gall caused by the gall wasp Andricus foecundatrix. ROAD KILLS Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. SNITTERBY CARR Snitterby Carr Lane TF015947 Patty Phillips 11/09/17 10.30pm Badger on roadside verge BISHOP NORTON SK993927 Patty Phillips 12/09/17 4pm Dead badger on roadside verge *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** "If it is worth observing, it is worth recording." 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 The Green TF119694 R & A Parsons Bat spp caught on camera trap, 10.05 hrs on 12th August 2017. 13th August 2017 Tawny owl fem calling from Abbey Road direction 01.15hrs. 15 August 2017 Hedgehog videoed catching and eating a small mammal! 16th August 2017 2 bats hunting in garden 21.30hrs. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 10/8/2017 Common darter 1 Meadow brown 1 Small tortoiseshell 1 Toad 1 11/8/2017 Frog 1 Woodmouse 1 12/8/2017 Frogs 2 (in pond) 14/8/2017 Flying ants - too many to count Speckled wood 1 15/8/2017 Azure damselfly 1 Peacock butterfly 1 16/8/2017 Frogs 3 (all in pond and heads up at the same time!) Speckled wood 2 MARKET/MIDDLE RASEN TF114908 Caistor Road (own garden) Richard Fox 15.08.2017 Brimstone Large White Red Admiral 3 Small Skipper Banded Demoiselle (first for garden) Southern Hawker OSGODBY TF078921 Mill Lane (private address) Richard Fox 11.08.2017 Barn Owl 5 (2 adults 3 fledged) RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 08. and 09.08.2017 = 2 days of steady rainfall produced 30 mm of ppt. 10.08.2017 Swift 1 seen over Louth Cattle Market (TF330870) Adult Woodpigeon brought 2 fledglings to pond this evening to drink and to be crop-fed 11.08.2017 Ca. 1000 mixed gulls flying over and settling on a field (TF3085).  Never seen such a concentration over our patch before; still/again(?) there the next day. 12.08.2017 Noticed Large White butterfly on the ground, frantically flapping its wings, then spotted that a Common (prob.) Wasp was stinging it.  The wasp then let go (not sure whether due to my intervention) while the butterfly’s flapping got weaker and eventually stopped.  It was still alive ca. 15 minutes later, but gone by next morning.  I had been puzzled earlier by a very tatty Peacock butterfly displaying the same flapping behaviour.  No wasp in sight at the time, I thought it was trying to warm itself up and put it on a low roof tile frequently used by butterflies for this purpose.  When I checked the spot after witnessing the wasp attack on the Large White, there were only remnants of the Peacock’s wings left. Buzzard (heard mewing) House Sparrow feeding fledglings (easily a third brood; they seem to have done quite well this year) First tentative Robin song (the autumnal, melancholy kind) Tail-less male Pheasant moving fast and warily across pasture 19:00 hrs: 20-25 Canada Geese flying S to N 21:00-21:15 hrs: 2-3 Tawny Owls heard over nearby wooded garden (possibly m, f and a youngster) causing 50-70 Rooks to fly up and around, settling again but with continuing commotion (TF308848) No Bats seen tonight and subsequent nights. 13.08.2017 5 Swallow fledglings begging on power line Buzzard mewing and soaring directly overhead Long-tailed Tits (heard) Wren Brimstone (m) butterfly Frog croaking in pond 200-250 Rooks and Jackdaws roosting together (TF308848) Tawny Owls heard again 14.08.2017 Grey Wagtail on power line with swallows 15.08.2017 Common Green Grasshopper (prob.; shoulder shield very lightly incurved with cream margin; photos available) released from conservatory Blood-vein Moth (Timandra comae) (photos taken 18:34 hrs.) Ca. 30 Starlings on power line 2 adult Common Toads, several toadlets and at least 1 froglet Young (prob.) Buzzard on power line very vocal as if begging for food; flew into a tree after 20 minutes or so; no feeding observed. Approx 20:00 hrs: 5 skein of 20-30 geese spp. in close succession very high in the sky flying SW to NE. 20:15 hrs: 2 Egrets flew in towards small stream, remained for 10 minutes, perched briefly on a large shrub and flew off again.  Too far away to identify, but probably Little Egrets. (TF310849) TEALBY TF148914 Castle Farm (derelict) Richard Fox 12.08.2017 Barn Owl (2 adults 3 fledged) excellent viewing from The Viking Way THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 06/08/17 Common Shrew x 1 Peacock butterfly caterpillars x 63 on nettles in paddock 12/08/17 Tawny Owl x 1 adult, 2 young calling 23:55hrs Common Pipistrelle x 2 Noctule x 1 Rabbit x 2 Peacock x 2 Red Admiral x 1 Setaceous Hebrew Character x 1 Southern Hawker x 1 13/08/17 Long-eared Owl x 2 juv SK782998 Azure Damselfly x 2 14/08/17 Barn Owl x 1 calling 23:50hrs Goldfinch x 4 Little Owl x 1 calling 23:50hrs Common Pipistrelle x 1 Soprano Pipistrelle x 1 Large White x 1 Peacock x 2 Red Admiral x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 2 Moths on back garden security light; Flame Shoulder x 1 Setaceous Hebrew Character x 2 Azure Damselfly x 1 16/08/17 Blackbird x 5 feeding on largest crop of blackberries I have had in 17 years at Thurnholmes.. Common Buzzard x 1 SK782999 Goldfinch x 2 adults, 4 young SK764997 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR See: Far Ings NNR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports always welcome ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports always welcome ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/donna-nook-nnr http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 9th - 16th August 2017 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, Cliff Morrison & Gary Cooper General Notes and Weather Observations Butterfly numbers are well down this week with a total of 13 species, the commonest being small Heath, second generation, where there were 11. Also had Brimstone, of which there have been several around Brick Yard Lane this week with the strong W-SW winds, also a painted lady. Plenty of darters all week and at least a dozen migrant hawkers, The feeding flock of up to 60 linnets on the beach here has now dispersed and left, as have the 6 pairs of breeding skylarks, so the beach area around Brick Yard Lane is quiet, as are the dunes. Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings 11th A colour ringed Little Egret orange L // Green Z [which was ringed by North Notts Ringing Group as age nestling, sex unknown on 30-May-2015 at Besthorpe Gravel Pits, Newark, Notts] plus 16 Teal were on Paradise lagoon and a single Common Sandpiper on the Eau. Several red admirals and 2 painted ladies on the wing at SV 12th 2000 gulls by estimating, at least 1500 of them being common gulls, along with 200 sandwich terns, at Brick Yard Lane 13th WeBS Theddlethorpe to Saltfleet section of note singles of Peregrine Falcon, Marsh Harrier, Black & Bar-tailed Godwit, Spoonbill, and 3 Whimbrel, 2 Avocets, 3 Common Sandpipers, 9 Grey Plover, 32 Shelduck and 11 Sandwich Terns. The sunny weather did bring out a good range of butterflies around SV including several common blue, small copper 1, small tortoiseshell, speckled wood, red admiral, peacock, painted lady, wall brown and tatty meadow browns. 14th 800 common gulls and 600 black headed gulls, along with 390 sandwich terms and 20 common terns from Brick Yard Lane to Crook Bank, at least 6000 black headed gulls at Brick Yard Lane, Ruddy and Common Darter on the wing over Rimac, Autumn Gentian beginning to flower at Rimac, two Swifts flying south over Sea View 15th 400 sandwich terms, 30 common terms and 100 black headed gulls between Brick Yard Lane and Paradise. There were also 200 sandwich terns at Brick Yard Lane, hobby, ad. m marsh harrier and immature kestrel over Rimac marsh, 101 sanderling on the incoming tide 200 + starlings over salt marsh at Sea View, Forest Shield Bug, pentatoma rufipes, on grass at Sea View, speckled wood, peacock and large white on wing at Sea View, Emperor Dragonfly, Ruddy darter, common darter, migrant hawker and blue-tailed damselfly, all on wing over grass at Sea View On Paradise lagoon, am, were 210 Black-headed Gulls, 27 Common Gulls, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Ringed Plover, 9 Redshanks and 2 Moorhen and a single Short-eared Owl hunting over the salt marsh at dusk. Kestrel seen hunting around the Sea View area late in the afternoon 16th Beginning to see occasional Common Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff passing through in the Sea View area ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR 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. Reports always welcome. http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/visit/woods-and-nature-reserves/127031.article Also see: Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html LWT Lincolnshire Limewoods http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes/lincolnshire-limewoods ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lincolnshire Dormouse Group The Lincolnshire Dormouse Group meet monthly at Chambers Farm Woods. We always welcome visitors and new members. Dormice are legally protected and sensitive to disturbance; attending the group's meetings provides the opportunity to see dormice legally with licenced surveyors. If you are interested please email lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS - LNRs, private reserves etc. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reserve reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin goes out on Thursdays or Fridays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@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.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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://lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org LNU Mammal Atlas You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. http://www.glnp.org.uk/our-publications/biodiversity/projects-and-reports.php LNU Bursaries: The LNU offers bursaries for natural history courses. The upper limit is £250. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk *** 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://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 *** 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 - App *** http://rogersmushroomsapp.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 You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. http://www.glnp.org.uk/our-publications/biodiversity/projects-and-reports.php *** 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. *** 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/ *** Confidential Bat Records *** 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 (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. Tel: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Non-Marine Molluscs *** Alex Pickwell is the LNU Recorder for Non-marine Molluscs Email: alex.pickwell@environment-agency.gov.uk *** Botanical Group in South Lincs *** Contact: Sarah Lambert, who writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Also see: http://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership http://www.glnp.org.uk/ (of which LERC is a part) Contact: charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk *** Life on the Verge and Wildflower Meadow Network Project *** http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Good sources of seeds of Bee-friendly Wild Flowers *** Plantlife and Flora locale have defined protocols that can guide the conservation-minded shopper. See: www.floralocale.org/Alphabetical+supplier+listing *** Lincs Bird Club *** LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Phil Hyde - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Bird Club Website: http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk Contact 01507 528223 enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk *** Other Useful Websites/contacts *** Suggestions for other useful Websites are welcome. Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire's Back Garden : Might your project qualify? *** The HLF want to encourage applications for funding from all champions of natural heritage, particularly small, local and community groups with projects that help raise awareness of the wildlife and nature to be found close to home. See: https://www.hlf.org.uk/about-us/news-features/lincolnshires-back-garden *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk Contact: 01522 555780 [New Number} *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/lincolnshire-chalk-streams Contact: Ruth Craig Ruth.Craig@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** RSPB local webpages *** https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk S Lincs RSPB http://www.southlincsrspb.org.uk Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire link *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincsbirders *** 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 contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk 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 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. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. For good advice for all nature-watchers see the RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ and BTO's pdf: https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u10/downloads/taking-part/health/bwc.pdf [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://lnu.org/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 2017 Field Meetings Sunday, September 03, 2017 Field Meeting to Gunby Hall (National Trust) Specifically to explore the parkland area with access courtesy of the National Trust. West of Burgh le Marsh. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet at the main car park near to Gunby Hall entrance at TF466669 found at end of access track off the roundabout where the A158 and A1028 meet. NB. Toilets and cafe available on site. Habitats: Parkland with various waterbodies. Leader: Dr. David Sheppard 07880 986923 d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com Sunday, October 08, 2017 Field Meeting to Bloxholm Wood LWT Reserve (Fungi Foray) Access courtesy of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. North of Sleaford. 12.00 for 13.00 start. The reserve entrance and parking spot is situated at the south end of the B1191 (southwest of Ashby de la Launde) close to the junction with the A15 at TF037533. NB. There is a 1km walk to the main woodland area. Some verge parking probably needed. Nearest public toilets in Sleaford town centre. Habitat: Broadleaved and mixed woodland habitats. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk *** Field Studies Council courses 2017 *** The latest programme of the FSC lists an impressive range of interesting courses in some wonderful places. Note the partner organisations. Strongly recommended. http://www.field-studies-council.org/individuals-and-families/natural-history.aspx LNU Bursaries: The LNU offers bursaries for natural history courses. The upper limit is £250. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you recognise the owner of a 'part-address' below, please let them know that their their Bulletin has 'bounced' this week. Steve@wragby - soft bounce - message looks like SPAM terrymartin26 - soft bounce - delivery failed If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, please let me know. Meantime text copies of past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html ....and finally.....: Giant pipes wash up on Norfolk beaches http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-norfolk-40886835/giant-pipes-wash-up-on-norfolk-beaches Exposure to oil sends birds off course http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40857379 Climate change has shifted the timing of European floods http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40889934 'Unusual' Greenland wildfires linked to peat http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40877099 As the skylarks fall silent, an ultrasonic din begins https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/aug/10/as-the-skylarks-fall-silent-an-ultrasonic-din-begins Who's the brightest spark out there? It has to be the glow-worm https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/aug/11/brightest-spark-glow-worm-country-diary-hampshire Sci-fi nightmares play out beneath the flowers https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/aug/15/country-diary-jewel-wasps-sci-fi-nightmares Why red squirrels are thriving in one corner of Merseyside https://theconversation.com/why-red-squirrels-are-thriving-in-one-corner-of-merseyside-82024 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/