============================================= || || 16th 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... *** Thanks for all your contributions this week. All very much appreciated. If you have any events or activities that need publicity, please let me know. Note the Gibraltar Point and Limewoods reports in section 4 and 5 this week. Also some interesting pieces by Charlie Barnes, Kevin Bayes, Caroline Steel and Geoff Mullett. There are plugs for the NWDW Weekend, Whisby Workshops, a Chalk Stream work party and the July LNU Field Meeting. There is something for everyone, I hope! If not, why not send in something that interests you for the next Bulletin. Here are a few links from readers. If any don't work "copy and paste" URLs. 'Straw-nado' filmed in Shropshire field http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-shropshire-40536476/straw-nado-filmed-in-shropshire-field People call me racist for shooting grey squirrels http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/magazine-40522135/people-call-me-racist-for-shooting-grey-squirrels Fossil sheds light on bird evolution after asteroid strike http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40535631 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/ Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** "Len Pick Trust's Owl Camera" *** The saga of the 3 chicks continues - they are doing well! 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 *** 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/ *** Non-native Species Introductions *** How much of a risk is posed by the introduction of non-native species? Here's the question - you find a living insect in a pack of imported fruit or vegetables. What do you do? 1. Photograph/identify it? 2. Put it in a pot and freeze it and then incinerate it? 3. Stick it on the bird table and let it take its chance with the natives. Charlie Barnes' advice in response to a recent enquiry about a non- native cockroach found on some bananas is: It is actually illegal "to release or allow to escape into the wild any animal which is not ordinarily resident in Great Britain", and for good reason - although it is very unlikely that the cockroach would survive in the wild there is a small chance that it is either carrying fertilized eggs or, as is known with some species of cockroach, when females are isolated from males they can produce fertilized eggs on their own (parthenogenesis). The impact of the establishment of a non-native species can rarely, if ever, be predicted, either on a local scale or more widely. You can compare for instance the spread and of the Harlequin ladybird and the impact it has had on the native ladybird fauna (and no doubt other native species), with the impact (apparently very little) of the species of stick insect which survive along the coasts of Cornwall. Although releasing it into the wild may seem to be the 'kindest' option, it actually isn't. This is not it's native ecosystem and would be very likely to be eaten within a few hours as it would instantly stand out to predators, not having any natural form of camouflage in our environment, or succumb to our cold over night temperatures There is also the issue of potential transfer of diseases and parasites it may be carrying into our native species. Cockroaches are regularly infested with parasitic worms and diptera, the impact of which on our native fauna is just as unknown as the organism which they parasitize. It may also be heavily coated in chemical residue which could affect anything that ingests it - we see these hitch-hikers so rarely because of things like chemical treatments that are applied to crops; this individual is presumably abnormally tolerant or managed to escape the fatal dose but will still likely be carrying some level of chemical. My advice would be to keep it in small plastic container with some substrate (rotten wood /soil/bark mulch) and food (fruit for moisture, dog biscuits for protein) in a warm room (as long as the temperature doesn't drop below 20C / 68F it should be okay) and enjoy it for the remainder of it's 8-12 week lifespan - it's not often we get to see such species close up. Editor adds: experts/recorders are welcome to comment on this important issue. The GB Invasive Non-native Species Strategy was developed to meet the challenge posed by invasive non-native species in Great Britain. See: http://www.nonnativespecies.org/home/index.cfm *** 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. The Annual Bridge Walk is a reminder that Bird Migration time is upon us again. The Humber Estuary is home to hundreds of thousands of birds which can be badly affected by disturbance. Our studies have shown that dogs off leads are the largest source of disturbance during the year. So please show your support and concern by joining us on the Walk and remember to keep your dog under close control when walking near the estuary and flocks of birds. But get out there and enjoy the spectacle! Please register your interest for the Annual Bridge Walk by going to the Humber Nature Partnership website (www.humbernature.co.uk) and following the links to our Eventbrite page; or like us and leave us a message on our Humber Hounds Facebook Page (with the same Eventbrite link) , where you can find more information about the day. Spread the word – everyone welcome. Or go direct to the Eventbrite page https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/humber-nature-partnership-1451608726 If event link not work, try: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/humber-nature-partnership-14516087267 Kevin Bayes Humber Nature Partnership *** 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.] [Timing: 12 noon - 4pm.] 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) *** 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 *** 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 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: 6/7 Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 12 Spoonbills (2ads + juv) (sic) Alkborough Flats * 7/7 2 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh 4 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 8/7 6 Spoonbills, 10 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flats Black Kite, Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore 9/7 Scaup drk, Deeping Lakes 3 Spoonbills, Little Gull, Gibraltar Point 2 Spoonbills, Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 10/7 Cattle Egret, 2 Spoonbills, Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 11/7 6 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 2 Spoonbills, Spotted Redshank,Short-eared Owl, 2 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh 12/7 5 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Turtle Dove, Marston Sewage works 3 Spoonbills, Little Stint, fem Scaup, Common Crane flew west, Pectoral Sandpiper on South Scrape, 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. SWIFT NEST SITE - SK971723 Caroline Steel writes: Since I've lived in uphill Lincoln there have always been up to twenty swifts about each summer. I've always wondered where they nest. On Friday 7 July at around 11.30 I was watching a group of swifts flying low around Burton Rd in Lincoln. I'm 95% certain that one flew into a gap above the 1st floor bay window on the Burton Rd side of the building on the corner of Burton Rd & Turner St (above the shop 'Inside Out'). I'll be keeping a watch on that area, but swifts don't make it easy! Please could anyone in the vicinity look too and send records in to Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre. Ray Woodcock - Chairman Louth Area Group - writes: This morning I received this report from Geoff Mullett who kindly gives a lot of his time and resources recording and caring for the peregrines' progress. I know that in 2016 some Louth group members bought the booklet mentioned below with its splendid photographs. I recommend it as very good account of the peregrines and as a means of supporting the project. THE FINAL REPORT ON THE PEREGRINES THAT HAVE BRED FOR THE 3RD YEAR ON ST JAMES CHURCH, LOUTH. 3 chicks hatched in early April. When ringed, they were found to be 2 male & 1 female. The first flight was noted on 23 June and two juveniles have subsequently been flying strongly, with some spectacular views around the church. However, one of the males fell from the tower on 28 June in foul weather. I caught and returned it after it had been checked by a veterinary nurse, who gave it the all clear. It fell again on 1 July and was returned to the aisle roof, where it remained, unfed, until Wednesday 5 July, when it came down from the roof and we caught it and put it in a box. I had already phoned Kilton Raptor Rescue (Worksop) as the adults were clearly ignoring the bird. They arrived around 17.30 and examined the bird. They said it was "skin and bone" and had ‘Angel Wing’, a birth defect where the bone in the wing is twisted. It also had a deformed talon. It will be examined by a zoological vet to see if there is a chance of release (which is doubtful) and if not, it will be cared for at their centre. They left with the juvenile tucking into some raw mince, its first meal for several days! So a reasonable end to the 2017 season, and with the other 2 juveniles catching their own prey, the plan is to clean up the tower walkway and open it to the public at the weekend. A contribution to the Rescue Centre's petrol expenses was made from the Peregrine book income. You can support this voluntary work by purchasing one of our books. Just order one on line at http://www.louthjazzclub.org.uk/peregrines.html Until 2018, Geoff Mullett ROAD KILLS Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. WOOLSTHORPE SK921244 Woolsthorpe Road 06/07/17 1100 hrs P Mapletoft Adult Hedgehog RAITHBY Silvia Fowler 09.07.2017 TF307847 Hedgehog, medium sized *** 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. HUMBERSTON FITTIES (Grid reference TA3304) 9/7/2017 Jon Drakes A quick visit to this location found the following bird species recorded: Little Egret Black-headed Gull Skylark Cormorant Redshank Woodpigeon Oystercatcher Carrion Crow Herring Gull Mute Swan Shelduck Pied Wagtail Swift HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 6/7/2017 Greenfinch 1 Meadow brown 1 7/7/2017 Green veined white 4 8/7/2017 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Small tortoiseshell 1 9/7/2017 Bats 8-10 (type not known) 10/7/2017 Greenfinch 2 Small whites 1 (laying eggs on nasturtium) 11/7/2017 Ladybird 1 (harlequin) Newts 3 12/7/2017 Four-spotted chaser 1 (my first) KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 7/7/2017 Jon Drakes An evening with a moth trap set in our back garden produced the following species of moth: Swallow-tailed Large Yellow Underwing Brimstone Peppered 1st one recorded in the garden Heart and Dart Yellow-tailed Common Footman Dot 1st one recorded in the garden Silver Y Dark Arches Light Emerald 1st one recorded in the garden KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 8/7/2017 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Birdwatch for the BTO in our back garden were: Collared Dove 2 House Sparrow 15 Starling 3 Blackbird 4 Greenfinch 1 Robin 1 Chaffinch 1 Rook 1 Woodpigeon 3 Swift Swallow Tree Sparrow 2 Dunnock 2 Wren 1 Willow Warbler 1 noted feeding on insects around Sunflower plants Butterflies: Small Tortoiseshell Large White RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 07.07.2017 Butterflies: Comma 1, Large White 1, Small Copper 1, Small Tortoiseshell 1 Common Toad Swallow 2 Skylark Moorhen 08.07.2017 Hoverfly Volucella pellucens 2 on hebe (photos; definitely not the similar Leucozona lucorum) Butterflies: Brimstone 1, Comma 1, Gatekeeper 1, Green-veined White 1, Large White 1, Meadow Brown – several, Red Admiral 1, Ringlet – several, Small Tortoiseshell 1 Bumblebees and Hoverflies in great numbers Smooth Newt in pond Mole, dead on road (no major wounds but could be cat kill) (TF308847) Buzzard (TF3084-TF3085) (fewer sightings than usual this year) Notably fewer breeding Blackbirds this year than in past Chiffchaff still in song Song Thrush very vocal every evening 10.07.2017 Grey Wagtail Grey Squirrel 5 Toadlets emerging from pond Masses of Pollen Beetles RED HILL NR -LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST (Grid reference TF2680) 8/7/2017 Jon and Peter Drakes An afternoon visit to this picturesque reserve found the following species recorded: Yellowhammer Linnet Goldfinch Rook Carrion Crow Skylark Black-headed Gull Jackdaw Woodpigeon Butterflies and moths: Marbled White Large White Meadow Brown Ringlet Small Heath Small Skipper Small Tortoiseshell Green veined White Six Spot Burnet STALLINGBOROUGH – HOBSON WAY (Grid reference TA2113) Jon Drakes Wildlife noted whilst at work during the week was as follows: 3/7/2017 Woodpigeon Pied Wagtail Blackbird Carrion Crow Mistle Thrush Butterflies: Red Admiral 6/7/2017 Mistle Thrush Magpie Woodpigeon Sedge Warbler Butterflies: Small Tortoiseshell Large White Red Admiral THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 05/07/17Common Pipistrelle x 2 Agapeta hamanax 1 Uncertain x 1 06/07/17 Blackbird x 2 Quail x 1 calling from paddock 23:30hrs Stock Dove x 1 Tree Sparrow x 4 Yellowhammer x 1 Grass Snake x 1 SK811912 Green-veined White x 2 Meadow Brown x 2 Red Admiral x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 4 Silver Y x 1 Small Magpie x 1 07/07/17 Yellowhammer x 1 Large White x 1 Meadow Brown x 2 Peacock x 1 Red Admiral x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 4 08/07/17 Magpie x 3 Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 4 fledglings flying around inside barn Yellowhammer x 1 Comma x 1 Green-veined White x 1 Peacock x 2 Red Admiral x 2 Ringlet x 103 on seeding grasses in orchard Small Tortoiseshell x 7 Brown Hawker x 1 Common Blue Damselfly x 4 09/07/17 Nest box update; Box 3 Tree Sparrow, 1 egg Box 5 Tree Sparrow, 4 eggs Box 14 Tree Sparrow, 2 eggs Black-tailed Skimmer x 5 Owston Ferry Warping Drain 11/07/17 Moths around back garden security light; Common Footman x 1 Mother of Pearl x 1 Silver Y x 1 Smoky Wainscot x 1 12/07/17 Chaffinch x 4 Coot x 4 adults, 2 downy young, Owston Ferry Warping Drain Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Pied wagtail x 2 Robin x 1 adult + 3 fledglings & 1 adult with 2 fledglings Swallow x 4 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Swift x 9 Wood Pigeon x 9 Wren x 1 Yellowhammer x 1 Yellow Wagtail x 2 Red Admiral x 4 Ringlet x 3 Small Tortoiseshell x 9 Black-tailed Skimmer x 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 GIBRALTAR POINT NNR TF560588 Jane Ostler July 6th 2017 Mere Pond Path To Sea Hot and Sunny Plants in Flower (40spp recorded) The sides of the path were dominated by lime-loving permanent grassland species. The abundance of yellow rattle, lady's bedstraw, red clover and tufted vetch produced a colourful backdrop for the many feeding insects.In lesser quantity there were other members of the pea family including hop trefoil and black medick. Red bartsia lined the edges of the path. Wetter areas had meadowsweet and lesser spearwort. Towards the sea where the slacks between the sandhills have little humus' the miniatures noted in May, like forget-me-not, hairy bittercress and storksbill have given way to lady's bedstraw and dewberry - both found elsewhere as full size plants. Pyramidal orchids were in the slightly longer grasses. The dewberries already had their first bluish, waxy bloomed fruits. Growing up in this area I remember picking and eating dewberries which I preferred to blackberries. The pink oxalis, a garden escape found near the car park entrance, was popular in our Seacroft garden. The hedge bindweed growing upwards , full of large white bells of flowers and handsome buds is unpopular in gardens everywhere - " a weed is just a plant in the wrong place." Insects (and plants) The ragwort was covered in cinnabar caterpillars. The hoverflies Eristalsis sp, the Marmalade fly and the black and white Scaeva pyrastris were feeding alongside buff/ whitetailed bumble bees on this, and other flowers. The yellow flowers of silver weed, creeping cinquefoil and bulbous buttercup were full of small black beetles. The soldier beetle Rhagonycha fulva was paired up on its dining table of hogweed. The bright red fluffy-looking gall, Robin's pincushion almost obscured the leaves of a seedling dog rose. Of the butterflies Small Skipper, Meadow Browns and Ringlets were abundant. Comma, Small Heath and Small White were occasional. The Brown Hawker Dragonfly was at the Mere Pond. The Blue-tailed Damselfly was out in numbers resting on flowers, as were some Common Blue Damselflies. Further note With only a short time to explore and so much to see I didn't check for the different-sized thorns and the black glands of a plant I thought had the "jizz" of a briar rose, or to check the white bedstraw and the dock in flower. We did make time though to watch the little grebe with seven newly-hatched young, apparently demonstrating to them how they must dive to feed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 5th----12thJuly 2017 Contributors: - John Walker, Peter & Janet Roworth, Gary Cooper, Cliff Morrison & Rob Lidstone-Scott General Notes and Weather Observations Flowers include meadowsweet, honey suckle, rest harrow and lady’s bedstraw are all giving off rich scents also coming into flower sea lavender, lesser centaury, knapweed, bog pimpernel. Butterflies include 100s of ringlet, small skipper, and hedge brown, also 10s of red admiral, small tortoise shell, small heath, 4 fresh comma and 2 painted lady, just 1 small copper Birds include 1 arctic skua, 93 sandwich terns, 2 little gulls, 23 pied wagtails, 5 kestrels, 1 marsh harrier,3 common buzzards, 1 little owl, 1 barn owl. One Essex Skipper among all the small skippers at Brickyard lane Good numbers of young whitethroats and chiffchaffs in the dunes, and over 50 linnets, 20 meadow pipits and pied wagtails on the beach so reasonably successful breeding season. The last cuckoo was seen and heard a week ago, so the adults have now left for Africa. Many swifts seen daily, with a good southerly movement on11th involving many 100s birds. In a moth trapping session on the fore dunes at Brick Yard Lane, 7 Aphomia zelleri were caught, suggesting that this is a breeding site for this species. The first Lincolnshire records for this species was just inland from the dunes in 2015/16, so their origin must be the dunes, also 2 further firsts for the County with both Double Lines and Cypress Carpet being found near Brickyard Lane Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings 5th Barn owl hunting over grassland near Paradise wood, Starling numbers increasing to 500+ in the Sea View area, hedge brown butterfly in flight and good numbers of cinnabar moth caterpillars feeding on ragwort Marsh harrier over the saltmarsh at Rimac 6th Spotted redshank on the pool at Rimac with 4 avocets, freshwater marsh vegetation at Rimac includes Tubular Water Dropwort, Oenanthe fistulosa and Adders Tongue, large parasitic fly, Tachnidae Grosso, spotted on Valerian flower in the freshwater marsh at Rimac, Humming Bird Hawk moth on privet at Sea View 7th Dune vegetation looking fresh again from a short but intense thunder storm and heavy rain late on the evening of the 6th after a few days of dry, hot weather. Good display of lady’s bed straw and common centaury with eyebright, harebell and lesser centaury now beginning to flower. In the damper areas the marsh helleborine was also showing well. Natterjack toads were calling during the morning as the temperature and humidity increased. On Paradise lagoon were 19 Little Egrets, 111 Black-headed gulls, 14 redshank and 5 mallard. Humming Bird Hawk moth feeding on privet again at Sea View 8th Sea lavender giving a good display of colour on the salt marsh, 4 avocets on Rimac lagoon 10th Young birds around Sea View now include pied wagtail, great spotted woodpecker, chiff- chaff and goldfinch plus several red admirals, a single small tortoiseshell and 2 comma butterflies. Turtle Dove heard calling at Churchill Lane Car Park 11th Return wader migration now underway, with dunlin, whimbrel and redshanks to be seen flying southwards daily, with small parties of teal moving north towards the Humber on several days and 2 shoveler south ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SOUTHERY WOOD Main ride TF132685 R & A Parsons 7th and 8th July 2017 Hummingbird Hawkmoth 0, 1 Speckled Wood: 5, 7 Red Admiral: 20+, 40+ White Admiral 1, 1 - TF130679 Meadow Brown - common Gatekeeper - common Ringlet - common Small Skipper - occasional Small White - occasional Large White - occasional 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 Lincolnshire Dormouse Group Meeting - June Report for 25/6/2017 Found in the Dormouse boxes: 11 dormice (6 males and 5 females) plus two litters of baby dormice Notable this month was that dormice seem to be making used of boxes with Wren nests, adding in their own leaves to the mossy nest structure. Also found making use of the Dormouse boxes: Bees, wasps and hornets Great tits, blue tits and wrens ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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. *** 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, 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. Flies/ Diptera on the 15th of July Spaces still available on: 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. Steve@wragby 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.....: Life and Death on you Lawn [i-player] http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b08xyqcs/the-british-garden-life-and-death-on-your-lawn Our research showed a controversial insecticide can harm bees – but it still has its uses https://theconversation.com/our-research-showed-a-controversial-insecticide-can-harm-bees-but-it-still-has-its-uses-80490 How I showed that snails use their shells to trap and kill parasites https://theconversation.com/how-i-showed-that-snails-use-their-shells-to-trap-and-kill-parasites-80564 The first butterfly of the day is the rare wood white https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/07/butterfly-endangered-wood-white-country-diary-devon#comment-101664396 Experience: a ladybird nearly killed me https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/jul/07/experience-a-ladybird-nearly-killed-me Butterfly signals a pause, for reflection https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jul/12/comma-butterfly-country-diary-shropshire#comment-101928726 Male river fish show feminised traits due to chemicals flushed away http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-40477381/male-river-fish-show-feminised-traits-due-to-chemicals-flushed-away Wild ducks caught on camera snacking on small birds http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40445379 Unleashing the power of moss to clean cities http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/magazine-40433931/unleashing-the-power-of-moss-to-clean-cities The secret world of plankton http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-40448070/photographer-ryo-minemizu-finds-the-secret-world-of-plankton ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/