============================================= || || 2nd July 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... *** The Biologist featured an interesting article this month on the work of "Mr Trilobite" Richard Fortey FRS. In it is a comment which could be echoed by the LNU: "he hopes his popular science work bridges the gap between those who "emote vaguely" about the joys of the countryside and the hardcore "heads down" work of the research scientists describing species in a museum." "I do think that getting down to the nitty gritty - animals, plants, roots, fungi, and how they live and interact - can genuinely increase people's love of nature, and knowledge and feel for the countryside." https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist/158-biologist/features/1769-interview-richard-fortey-2 This issue in The Biologist also contains a review of the 2nd edition of Collins Wild Flower guide: https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist-book-reviews/161-biologist/book-reviews/1772-collins-wild-flower-guide-second-edition I had the privilege of seeing the Dormouse Group in action this week and of meeting 5 dormice. Don't forget to scroll down as far as 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR There are some reports on insects and dormice. Here are a few links -from readers: Great British Bee Count - in pictures https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2017/jun/22/great-british-bee-count-2017-in-pictures Misadventure trims a red admiral's sails https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/22/misadventure-red-admirals-sails The long-jump prize goes to … the froghopper https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/23/the-long-jump-prize-goes-to-the-froghopper Hen harrier plunges towards extinction in England http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40422732 More topical links 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/ Thanks for all the excellent contributions this week. Very much appreciated. If you have July events or activities that need publicity, please let me know. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** Erythristic & Albino Badgers *** Chris J Manning - Mammal Recorder - asks: The British Naturalists Association have asked if I have any records for these colour variants. Alas I don't. Have any readers ever seen one in Lincolnshire? Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com *** Rose flea beetle - present in Lincolnshire? *** Charlie Barnes writes: Luperomorpha xanthodera is a small (4mm) bi-coloured flea beetle that originates from China but has been imported into this county on ornamental plants. It was first found in 2003 in Lancashire but has since turned up in other garden centres around the country. It has yet to be recorded from Lincolnshire, but may well be present - as an adult they can be found on the flowers of various plants, particularly roses. Anyone who has recently brought some new plants for their garden are urged to have a look ! It is not thought the species can survive our cold winters, but may be able to persist in heated accommodation, or populations sustained by repeated imports. For a photo of the beetle see https://www.kaefer-der-welt.de/luperomorpha_xanthodera.htm Potential sightings or suspects gratefully received, Charlie Barnes - LNU recorder for beetles charlie@cucaera.co.uk *** Kingfisher News *** Bob Sheppard writes: For the next week or so the Netherlands kingfishers will be quite entertaining. https://www.birdfood.co.uk/kingfisher-webcam *** "Len Pick Trust's Owl Camera" *** The saga of the 3 chicks continues. They are growing fast. http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 *** July Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Heads up for the Delta Aquarids and Alpha Capricornids July and August http://www.popastro.com/meteor/activity/activity.php?id_pag=225 *** LNU Events Diary *** LNU events and "Whisby Workshops 2017 " 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, July 30, 2017 Field Meeting to Thurlby Fen Slipe Thurlby Fen Slipe LWT Reserve Access courtesy of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Southeast of Bourne. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Car parking on Baston Edge Drove (unmade track) at TF119164. Turn onto Long Drove eastwards from the A15 at Thurlby and look for the LNU sign for the car park. Possibility of evening bat walk here with members of the Lincolnshire Bat Group. Best to confirm nearer the time. NB. Access restrictions may apply to the eastern half of the reserve due to the presence of sensitive wildlife. Nearest public toilets in Bourne town centre. Habitats: Borrow pits, hedgerows, wet woodland, grassland and the north bank of the River Glen. Leader: Nick Tribe 07733 073989 nick.tribe@ntlworld.com CHAPEL SIX MARSHES - Field Meeting Report TF558 742 Brian Hedley 25th June 2017 LNU field meeting to this coastal site which is managed jointly by Lincolnshire County Council and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and is part of the much larger Coastal Country Park. Attended by 14 people and led by Brian Hedley on a dry and mainly sunny but breezy afternoon. Over 140 plant species were recorded including sea bindweed, distant sedge, parsley-leaved water-dropwort, bulbous meadow-grass and wild celery. Thirty-three bird species included Cetti's warbler, lesser whitethroat and many reed and sedge warblers. Six mammal species were noted by sightings or from signs and included grey seal and muntjac deer. Common lizard and common froglets were also recorded. Ten butterfly species included painted lady, comma, red admiral and frequent meadow browns and ringlets. Dragonflies and damselflies were not particularly abundant in numbers but eight species were noted including several emperors, black-tailed skimmers and teneral common darters. Other invertebrates included dune chafer, 11-spot ladybird, brown-tailed moth, both narrow-bordered five-spot burnet and six-spot burnet moths, latticed heath moth, golden-bloomed longhorn beetle and the weevil Pissodes casteneus (3rd Lincs record) found by Charlie Barnes. A surprisinglyimpressive list of mosses and liverworts was made by Stephen Heathcote including some possible notable species for Lincolnshire. *** 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/ *** NWDW Weekend - 5th-6th August *** Dave Miller writes: It is that time of year again when I am asking for volunteers to help us watch the sea for this year’s National Whale and Dolphin Watch Weekend. This year’s event is on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th August and I am planning on holding watches from the Round-and-Round hide, Anderby Creek and Skegness Pier. This is part of a national survey of cetaceans around Britain’s shores. We have had great results in previous years including eight animals seen last year. I usually split the shifts into three hour slots and so I am looking for volunteers to help. Skegness Pier and Round-and-Round hide, Anderby Creek Shifts: Saturday 5th 10am – 1pm Saturday 5th 1pm – 4pm Sunday 6th 10am – 1pm Sunday 6th 1pm – 4pm Very little experience is required just a willingness to watch the sea and chat to members of the public about our marine habitats and fauna. There will be literature and goodies to hand out. You never know you might even see a harbour porpoise (though this cannot be guaranteed)!! Contact: Dave Miller dmiller@lincstrust.co.uk *** The Whisby Workshops 2017 *** Richard Davidson - Programme Secretary - writes: The workshops are free to participants. [Refreshments are also provided.] There are spaces on the next 3 courses: [Timing: 12 noon - 4pm.] Flies/Diptera on the 15th of July Pond Dipping on the 22nd of July (Richard Chadd) Odonata (Nick Tribe and Richard Chadd) on the 29th of July. Contact Richard Davidson on: 01522 525725 or email him on: rel.davidson@btinternet.com *** Chalk Stream volunteer days coming up *** William Bartle writes: We’ve got a Chalk Stream work party coming up soon. Tuesday 18th July – Ashby cum Fenby – Volunteer work party day at the brilliant Classroom in the Woods near Ashby cum Fenby, helping the flow on Waithe beck. Work will mostly include controlling some of the instream vegetation that quickly blocks up the chalk stream at this time of year. Starts at 10am. Details on our website: http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteering/lcsp-volunteer-group  Facebook - @LincolnshireChalkStreams (check the events section) *** 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 *** 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 *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2016 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** Poetry Competition *** Will Bartle writes: The Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project are running a poetry competition for all ages thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. If you're feeling inspired by the wonderfully rare chalk streams found in Lincolnshire why not enter, you could win £250!! Deadline is Friday 14th July. Full terms and conditions, and instructions on how to enter are on their website. http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/poetrycompetition2017 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 summarising/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: 23/6 Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 24/6 3 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 2 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh 25/6 4 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 26/6 4 Spoonbills flew over Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Cattle Egret reported, 2 Spoonbills, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 27/6 Cattle Egret reported, 2 Spoonbills, 5 Red-crested Pochards, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Scaup drk, Deeping Lakes 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. LITTLE OWLS Bob Sheppard writes: Following one of our best ever years for tawny owls, I have just finished monitoring my little owl nest boxes with Alan Ball. This year we have eighty occupied boxes with an average of 2.4 chicks. 95% of the boxes are in old farm buildings with just a handful in trees. They are situated across Lincolnshire with the majority in the south. Across the UK little owls are slowly declining, but our numbers remain stable at around eighty pairs annually. On several nights during the past fortnight I have been watching a pair bringing food to their two owlets in a hole in an old oak tree. The feeds start at 10pm and during the first hour the adults will bring between sixty and eighty prey items! It is most unusual to see anything bigger than a moth, grub, beetle or worm, hence the reason for so many visits to the nest. We are now concentrating on monitoring our kestrels and barn owls across the county. SWALLOW CHICKS David Robinson writes: For the first time for several years Swallows have raised young inside our porch, not without trauma though. When we were away on holiday our neighbour contacted us to say the fish in our pond were dying from the heat and one chick from the Swallows nest had fallen out and was dead. Having that news sent us home early plus our neighbours prompt action putting a hose into the pond oxygenating the water saved the fish except for 3. On getting home we dealt with the poor dead fish and bay Swallow who was a tiny ball of fluff however there were still several young in the nest so all wasn't lost. Unfortunately the following morning the nest must have dried out in the heat, broken and fallen down with the result two tiny chicks were on the ground. They were huddled up in a corner and very cold so I thought they were beyond help. There didn't appear to be enough left of the nest to hold any chicks so we presumed if there had been any more next door cats may have already had them. Chrissy however had hope and had me rig up a wicker basket, put some paper towel in it for warmth then she put the chicks in it. They were tiny and looked far beyond recovery. Amazing as it sounds the parents had other ideas and started to feed them within a few minutes. The following day the chicks were greeting the arrival of parents and food very loudly, bobbing up and down in my precariously balanced home made nest. Over the week since then they have gone from strength to strength and it looks as if they will be fledging soon. Not only are the two little ones doing well but there must have been a sibling up in the wreck of their nest as a day or so after we rescued the first two another chick appeared in the basket. Somehow it had managed to drop from the damaged nest into the basket to join its siblings. Very lucky it didn't land on the ground. During the past week I have had to reposition and secure the basket several times as they have tipped it over in every possible way, rescue individual chicks from the ground three times, they seem very keen on leaving our hospitality as soon as possible, rescue one which had trapped itself between the basket and the door frame or caught its claw in the basket. Despite that they seem to be thriving with parents feeding them constantly and at nights sitting guarding them on the door frame/window sill above the basket. 27/6 update: the 3 chicks are still in basket, standing on the edge preening and wing stretching, they are probable waiting for better weather. https://www.flickr.com/photos/poppops/sets/72157682702020424/ ROAD KILLS Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. ROAD KILL Bill Ball 22.6.17 A46 between Lincoln & Nettleham SK994745 Badger Between Fiskerton and Cherry Willingham TF040719 approx 26/6/2017 R and A Parsons Dead Badger - juv *** 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. Also see FAR INGS, SALTFLEETBY/THEDDLETHORPE and LIMEWOODS reports. BARDNEY The Green TF119694 R. Parsons 24/6/2017 Bat sp seen/detected echolocating over garden 21.30hrs @ 55KHz 25/6/2017 A. Parsons det R. Parsons Summer Chafer Amphimallon solstitialis [Brown pronotum - length 18mm] - found "playing possum" on windowsill. Dashed off like a racehorse once put in garden. Walk Bardney to Bardney Lock 24/6/2017 - 9.00 - 10.30am Barn Owl hunting in fields north of Bardney lock. Kingfisher flew across River Witham south of the lock. 3+ Juv Long-tailed tits in trees beside old railway bridge. 2+ Buzzards near/north of Bardney Bridge. 2+ Cormorants flew north up river. Many Swallows and House Martins. 4+ Swifts. BOSTON (Garden South by A16) 25/06/17 Kathleen Pearson A very unusual visitor on Sunday morning was a young Green Woodpecker that was feeding on the lawn. In the afternoon a young Great Spotted Woodpecker was feeding in the Silver Birch. HORKSTOW Sunday 26 June 2017 10.15pm Jenny Haynes We've just watched a tawny owl perching on a bracket on a telegraph pole opposite our house. While it was there a bat flew past (the house, not the owl). HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 21/6/2017 Red admirals 2 Robins 3 (all fledglings) 22/6/2017 Song thrush 1 Woodmouse 1 23/6/2017 Song thrush 1 (small, suspect fledgling) 25/6/2017 Frog 1 Long tailed tits 2 Squirrel 1 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 24/6/2017 Jon Drakes Whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Birdwatch for the BTO in our back garden the following species were recorded: House Sparrow 20 Blackbird 4 Robin 3 (adult with two juveniles) Dunnock 4 Chaffinch 2 Tree Sparrow 3 Starling 8 Collared Dove 4 Greenfinch 2 Great Tit 1 Goldfinch 1 Woodpigeon 2 Swallow Herring Gull 1 Swift House Martin Red Admiral Butterfly Meadow Brown Butterfly Comma Butterfly Magpie Moth Hedgehog - seen feeding at dusk in areas underneath bird feeders Common Frog - several seen in garden pond STALLINGBOROUGH – HOBSON WAY (Grid reference TA2113) Jon Drakes Wildlife noted whilst at work during the week was as follows: 23/6/2017 Kestrel 5 (2 adult and 3 chicks) Blackbird Black-headed Gull Woodpigeon Collared Dove Pied Wagtail Magpie Carrion Crow Butterflies: Red Admiral Ringlet THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 16/06/17 Hedgehog x 1 (road kill) SK813999 21/06/17 Seal x 1 in River Trent SK814998 22/06/17 Back garden security light moths; Agapeta hamana x 1 Common Swift x 1 Ghost Moth x 1 Heart & Dart x 1 Small Magpie x 1 Snout x 2 22/06/17 Barn Owl x 1 calling 23:15hrs Common Pipistrelle x 2 Painted Lady x 2 Red Admiral x 2 Small Tortoiseshell x 4 24/06/17 Nest box update; Box 5 Tree Sparrow x 6 young rung Box 8 Tree Sparrow x 5 young ready to fledge Box 10 Tree Sparrow x 6 eggs Box 14 Tree Sparrow x 5 young rung 26/06/17 Tree Sparrow, at least 4 fledged young from nest in house roof Red Admiral x 2 Small Tortoiseshell x 23 moths on back garden security light; Barred Straw x 1 Buff Ermine x 2 males Large Emerald x 1 Small Magpie x 5 Willow Beauty x 1 27/06/17 Garden Tiger x 1 Small Magpie x 2 WADDINGTON SK97557 63996 Peter Wilson 23rd June 2017. 5-30pm Red Kite, over my garden again, but so low it was the most fantastic sight I have ever had of a Red Kite, just above the roof top, no binoculars needed, a wonderful moment. WILDMORE - CANADA FARM TF 2353 R. Parsons 23/6/2017 Male Marsh Harrier hunting am. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NR – LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST (Grid reference TA0023 and TA0022) 25/6/2017 Jon Drakes Species noted during a late morning walk around the reserve were as follows: Woodpigeon Blackbird Mallard Cormorant 1 Reed Bunting Coot Reed Warbler Carrion Crow Magpie Moorhen Feral Pigeon Sedge Warbler Tufted Duck Great Crested Grebe 1 Shelduck 2 Swallow Lapwing Mute Swan Black-headed Gull Kestrel 1 House Sparrow Pochard 1 Common Tern 2 Chiffchaff Linnet 1 Sand Martin Marsh Harrier 1 Butterflies: Red Admiral Meadow Brown Ringlet Small Tortoiseshell Speckled Wood ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 21st –28thJune 2017 Contributors: - John Walker, Peter & Janet Roworth, Nige Lound, Gary Cooper & Neil Pike General Notes and Weather Observations British weather at its best. Last week we saw daytime temperatures soar to 29.25°C, this week back to the expected early twenties. However there was a sharp drop in ground temperature on the 26th with 1.5°C (air 6.5°C). Then from around 20.30hrs on the 27ththere was continual rain when 25.2mm was recorded in 12hrs up to 0830hrs on the 28thwhen it was still raining. The heavy rain over Tuesday/Weds has ended the drought in the dunes where some vegetation was stressed; it has also topped up the very low water levels in the natter- jack pools saving c 1500 tadpoles. A good hatch of ringlet and small skipper butterflies over the past week. Flowers include marsh helleborine, pyramidal orchid, rest harrow, lady’s bedstraw, sea lavender, common centaury, lesser sea spurrey, Carr-line thistle and a variety of hawk bits Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings 22nd A juvenile Little Ringed Plover was on Paradise 23rd The juvenile Little Ringed Plover was still on Paradise and a Hobby flew west over Rimac car park. Over the sea were 20 Gannet and 11 Sandwich Tern. 2 Yellow Shell and a Five-spot Burnet Moth were seen at Rimac. 24th Single comma and small tortoiseshell and several red admiral butterflies on the wing near Sea View plus a hummingbird hawk moth Spring Vetch, vicia lathyroides, on outer dune ridge from Rimac 25th Longhorn beetle, Agapanthia villosoviridescens, on Hogweed in fields at Sea View 26th Several red admirals and a painted lady on the wing near Sea View; Little Egrets are beginning to increase in number on the salt marsh with 27 there in the morning plus a Marsh Harrier hunting over. A common darter was seen near Paradise lagoon. Red admiral, meadow brown, comma, tortoiseshell and ringlet, all on privet at Sea View, Southern Hawker seen flying around Natural England office A Snipe was on the saltmarsh at Rimac whilst over the sea were 9 Gannet, 14 Sandwich Tern, 2 Little Tern, a Common Scoter and an auk. 2 unseasonal Red-throated Diver flew south. 2 pairs of Oystercatchers and a pair of Ringed Plover, together with 6 other Ringed Plover on outer dunes at Rimac ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CHAMBERS FARM WOOD Chambers Farm Wood Geof Lee 26-06-2017 Butterflies Small white 10+ Ringlet 100+ Meadow brown 20+ Small skipper 10+ Tortoiseshell 5 Red admiral 20+ White admiral 3 Speckled wood 5 Comma 9 Purple emperor 2 Silver washed fritillary 1 Marbled white 1 Also saw Six spot burnet moth 20+ Brown hawker dragonfly 1 Lincolnshire Dormouse Group Lincolnshire Dormouse Group Meeting - May Report for 20/5/2017 Found in the Dormouse boxes: 13 Dormice (7 males and 6 females) Also found making use of the Dormouse boxes: 2 woodmice several bee and wasp nests A large number of birds' nests (mainly Wren, Great Tit and Blue Tit) 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 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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 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 LNU website. LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny. ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk 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 *** 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 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. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** 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/ Contact: Aidan Neary, aneary@lincstrust.co.uk Mobile: 07825 970930, Switchboard: 01507 526667. *** 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, July 30, 2017 Field Meeting to Thurlby Fen Slipe Thurlby Fen Slipe LWT Reserve Access courtesy of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Southeast of Bourne. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Car parking on Baston Edge Drove (unmade track) at TF119164. Turn onto Long Drove eastwards from the A15 at Thurlby and look for the LNU sign for the car park. Possibility of evening bat walk here with members of the Lincolnshire Bat Group. Best to confirm nearer the time. NB. Access restrictions may apply to the eastern half of the reserve due to the presence of sensitive wildlife. Nearest public toilets in Bourne town centre. Habitats: Borrow pits, hedgerows, wet woodland, grassland and the north bank of the River Glen. Leader: Nick Tribe 07733 073989 nick.tribe@ntlworld.com Saturday, August 05, 2017 Field Meeting to Mareham Pastures LNR with evening moth/bat recording session Mareham Pastures Local Nature Reserve. South of Sleaford. All day Bioblitz event with evening moth/bat recording session. Joint meeting with Friends of Mareham Pastures. Meeting times: 10am, 1pm and 8.15pm at reserve car park at TF072 447 (NG34 8ST). Follow Mareham Lane south out of Sleaford and turn right towards recycling centre then turn right again into car park. NB. No mains available for moth traps. Nearest public toilets in Sleaford town centre. Habitats: Meadows and woodland over restored landfill site. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com 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 *** The Whisby Workshops 2017 *** Richard Davidson - Programme Secretary - writes: The workshops are free to participants as all overhead costs are split between the Lincoln Area Group and the LNU. [Refreshments are also provided.] The aim is not to turn people into experts in an afternoon, but to cascade knowledge and enthusiasm for particular subjects so that participants can go away better equipped to follow them up on their own and also to encourage interest in a broader range of subjects both entomological and botanical. On most of them there has been time inside learning generally about the subject and looking at specimens followed by time outside in the field following this up. The workshops lined up for 2017 are Bees, Flies/ Diptera, Pond Dipping and Odonata. We're very grateful to the various experts who've fronted the workshops for being willing to give up their time and share their knowledge. We couldn't do all this without them. Also to the LNU for being willing to enter into this partnership. In the future we could broaden things to include mammals, birds and many other natural history topics. The dates of the workshops this year are. Bees (David Sheppard) on the 3rd of June - fully booked. Spaces still available on: Flies/ Diptera on the 15th of July Pond Dipping on the 22nd of July (Richard Chadd) Odonata (Nick Tribe and Richard Chadd) on the 29th of July. Contact Richard Davidson on: rel.davidson@btinternet.com *** 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. John.Badley - soft - Email rejected due to security policies simon.wilson - hard - Email rejected due to security policies Chris.Wilson - hard - Email rejected due to security policies terry martin - soft - Delivery has 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.....: Dambusters' release button for 'bouncing bombs' to sell http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-40403595 Two Britons arrested over Microsoft hack http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-40366823 Whaling's 'uncomfortable' scientific legacy http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40385783 Whale body size warning for species collapses http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40370691 Volcanoes 'triggered dawn of dinosaurs' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40333902 Baby elephant rescued by family at zoo http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-40351808/baby-elephant-rescued-by-family-at-zoo ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/