============================================= || || 4th June 2017 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || LNU Website: || http://www.lnu.org/ || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers' hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR 6. Other Reserve Reports and Highlights 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ The Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Bulletin is being read by 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 or send this link to contacts who might like to sign up for it: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php 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... *** Thank you to everyone who has sent in reports and other contributions. It is astounding to see how far afield the Bulletin is read, from China to the USA this week, taking in Turkey, Spain, France, and Germany. I am pleased to tell you that the first Barn Owl chick hatched at 3.20pm on 30th May and the second late on 31st May - see Len Pick webcam link below: http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 Birders often use a shorthand for their records and you may have spotted mentions of a "Red-necked Phal" this week. This is a "Phalarope", seen at Frampton Marsh this week, a charming and fascinating species. http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/red-necked-phalarope The RSPB are asking for Swift records as part of a national survey. See: https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/conservation/conservation-projects/swifts/ Here are a few interesting links - food for thought: Barrier reef suffers huge coral loss http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40094160 Juno peers below Jupiter's clouds http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40053527 Turtle disaster avoided with roadkill rescue http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-40088879 Domesday Book on public display at Lincoln Castle http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-40041016 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/ If you have events or activities that need publicity, please let me know. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** June Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html *** Answer to Jeremy Hutchinson's Owl question *** Geoff Annibal writes Regarding the Owl Question from Jeremy Hutchinson in last week's Bulletin, I am not sure what happened in that case but I have twice seen a kestrel attack a barn owl that was carrying a small mammal and on both occasions the owl dropped the prey and the kestrel made off with it. *** "Len Pick Trust's Owl Camera" *** First Barn Owl chick hatched at 3.20pm on Tuesday 30th May. Keep visiting. http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 Kingfisher webcam: Second brood being incubated. https://www.birdfood.co.uk/kingfisher-webcamingfisher webcam: Also see: Osprey nest https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ Peregrine nest with chicks: http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/falcons *** LNU Events Diary *** LNU events and "Whisby Workshops 2017 " are listed below in section 11. For LNU meetings, see: http://www.lnu.org/events.php Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Next meeting: Sunday, June 25, 2017 Field Meeting to Chapel Six Marshes Part of Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park. North of Chapel St.Leonards 12.00 for 13.00 start. Take minor road north of Chapel St Leonards for about 1km and then track towards sea and parking at TF558741. NB. Nearest public toilets are at Chapel Point. Habitats: Dunes, shore, marsh, waterbodies, grassland, scrub and plantation. Partly a habitat creation area. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.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/ *** 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 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. 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 *** 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 *** Beetles in the Bog training day - Hatfield Moors - June 3rd *** Richard Smith writes: "I believe the training should have broad appeal to any Lincs Nats in the north of the county willing to visit the area, particularly Crowle Moors. " Beetles in the Bog Saturday, June 3, 2017 A training day at Hatfield Moors, Humberhead Peatlands National Nature Reserve, with Brian Eversham - 10am to 4pm. Training aimed at keen naturalists who wish to help record the Humberhead Peatlands’ unique beetles, especially at Crowle Moors. There will be the chance to learn about other iconic, bog invertebrates too. A free event, but booking essential. Please contact Richard Smith at Natural England for further information: richard.smith@naturalengland.org.uk, or 07767 0077 80 office hours. *** Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT *** Alford & Mablethorpe Area Group Find us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LWT-Alford-Mablethorpe-Area-Group-175413729474673/ George Rutter writes: Visit to Goslings Corner Wood nature Reserve, Hoop Lane, Langton by Wragby, TF144752 Wednesday 7th June - 6:30pm Goslings Corner Wood is part of the Bardney Limewoods with oak and small-leaved lime. Areas are coppiced in rotation. As well as the ancient woodland there is an area that has been planted recently which provides a good contrast. We will be shown round by Sophie Hawkridge, South West Regional Warden. Meet at the wood at 6.30pm or at East Street car park in Alford at 6.15pm. *** Barton Area Group LWT *** Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk Carolyn Davis writes Morning bird walk in Weelsby Woods On Saturday 3rd June 2017 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a morning bird walk in Weelsby Woods inGrimsby with Ray Hume. Meet Ray in the car parking area at 7am. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further information contact Ray Hume 07814840682. *** 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: 26/5 Spoonbill, Alkborough Flats Little Gull 1s, on new scrape, Baston + Langtoft gravel pits Quail male singing, corner of realignment, Donna Nook 2 Common Cranes, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, 3 Garganey, Little Gull, Turtle Dove, Lesser Emperor Dragonfly along ditches at Marsh Farm, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Short-eared Owl, Turtle Dove, Gibraltar Point 2 Black Terns on Teal Lake, drk Garganey on Grebe Lake, Whisby Nature Park 27/5 Little Gull 1s flew south, fem Long-tailed Duck, Baston + Langtoft gravel pits 2 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, drk Garganey, Short-eared Owl, Turtle Dove in East Dunes, Black Tern flew over south beach, Gibraltar Point Garganey drk, Toft Newton reservoir Temminck's Stint on north scrape, Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Garganey 1 drk, Frampton Marsh 28/5 Scaup drk on East Pit, Deeping Lakes Probable Black Stork flew north over Healing Golden Oriole in flight, Alkborough Flats Black Stork circled the flew SW, 29 Red Kites flew south over, Short-eared Owl, Turtle Dove, Alpine Swift flew south over Mill Hill, Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Common Crane over the Wash, Temminck's Stint, Little Stint, Little Gull, Garganey, Curlew Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Honey Buzzard over, Common Crane flew south, Tetney Common Crane flew NW over Skegness Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Ref-footed Falcon flew over The Wash, Gibraltar Point 29/5 Common Crane flew west, Temminck's Stint, Little Stint, 3 Garganey, Little Gull, Curlew Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl near Mill Hill, 3 Turtle Doves, also a male singing near entrance to Jackson's Marsh, Garganey drk on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Turtle Dove at south end, Donna Nook Long-tailed Duck fem, Baston + Langtoft gravel pits 30/5 Red-necked Phalarope, 2 Cattle Egrets, Little Stint, Garganey, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Short-eared Owl, Turtle Dove, Gibraltar Point Scaup drk, Deeping Lakes little Gull, Pursuit Pit, Far Ings 31/5 Osprey, Covenham reservoir Garganey drk, Temminck's Stint on wet grassland, 2 Cattle Egrets, Frampton Marsh Great White Egret, Messingham Sand Quarry Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 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. CORRINGHAM SCROGGS / WHARTON WOOD, NR GAINSBOROUGH SK842921 27.05.2017 LNU field meeting to this private woodland site courtesy of the Thonock Estate. Comprising an afternoon session and an evening moth/bat session. Led by Brian Hedley and attended by a total of 10 people. A warm and mostly sunny and dry day but with an occasional thundery shower. Plant-wise, about 180 species were noted including the 'to be confirmed' fragrant agrimony (rare in Lincs), pale sedge, pill sedge, narrow buckler-fernand skullcap. Mammals included muntjac and roe deer, brown hare and also both soprano and common pipistrelle bats (especially numerous feeding over moth traps!). Young froglets were frequent (including tadpoles) and a few young toads were noted. Thirty-five bird species were recorded including tawny owl, garden warbler, treecreeper, bullfinch, jay and both green and great spotted woodpeckers. Invertebrates were out in force and included some very good records including a first for the county in the form of black-headed cardinal beetle Pyrochroa coccinea found by David Shepperd. Other notable beetles/weevils species included Hylocoetes dermestoides (11th Lincs record), Rhinocyllus conicus (6th Lincs record)and Podabrus alpinus (18th Lincs record), rhinoceros beetle, lesser stag beetle and Nicrophorus vespillo. Six butterfly species included painted lady, red admiral and holly blue. Dragonfly and damselfly numbers were good (100's) comprising five species including red-eyed damselfly and many four-spotted chasers. Other invertebrates noted during the afternoon included eyed ladybird, garden chafer, malachite beetle and Europe's largest cranefly species Tipula maxima. The evening moth-trapping session (5 lights used) noted about 55 species including larch pug, map-winged swift (good numbers), maiden's blush, sallow kitten, orange footman, tawny-barred angle, green silver-lines, alder moth and the notable micromoths Luquetia lobella, Dioryctria sylvestrella and Triaxomera fulvimetrella. ROAD KILLS Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. Muntjac road kill R&A Parsons TF130685 Near Southery Wood By B1190 TF130685 Muntjac road kill R&A Parsons TF179651 Stixwould Road *** 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. Alford TF454754 David Sheppard 30 May 2017 Hummingbird Hawk-moth: one adult feeding from Red Valerian. BARDNEY The Green TF119694 R & A Parsons Swifts over in groups ranging from 5 - 12. The Water Rail Way R&A Parsons 25/5/2017 Cuckoo calling to east of cycle path at TF111693 BANOVALLUM HOUSE TF256696 Charlie Barnes 25/05/2017 Bombus hypnorum nesting in bird box CANADA LANE field road, NEW YORK TF226538 R.Parsons 31/5/2017 Cuckoo calling. am. HOLBEACH B. Speight 28/05/2017 First swift - seen over garden. HORKSTOW Jenny Haynes Saturday 27 May 2017 We're used to seeing Great Spotted Woodpeckers on our peanut feeder but on Saturday we were treated to the sight of an adult female with a youngster, also female. While the parent was busy attacking the nuts the youngster was perched on the top of the feeder pole, attempting, without success, to reach its mother lower down. At one point it was hanging upside down, eventually dropping to the ground. It's obviously on a steep learning curve! There is at least one Mason Bee nesting in the concrete base of my greenhouse and a Large Red Damselfly has emerged from my pond. Monday 29 May 2017 As unlikely as it seems (at least in this part of the world) I heard a cuckoo this morning at about 6am. I was so surprised I thought it was someone having a joke! [I haven't heard one here for many years although we did hear one a couple of weeks ago near Bassenthwaite in the Lake District.] KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) Jon Drakes Species recorded visiting our back garden during the week were: 23/5/2017 A single Hedgehog was seen feeding at dusk. 25/5/2017 Two Hedgehogs were seen feeding on the back lawn at dusk. 27/5/2017 Species recorded whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Birdwatch for the BTO were: Starling 15 House Sparrow 15 Blackbird 4 Dunnock 3 Goldfinch 1 Robin 1 Chaffinch 3 Collared Dove 4 Tree Sparrow 1 Swift Swallow Greenfinch 1 Woodpigeon 1 Rook 1 White Ermine Moth (all numbers are maximum seen at any one time) LOUTH OS 3486 C Byatt 26 May '17 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker - m, House Martins - 4. NAVENBY Jennifer Playford 22 May 2017 Cuckoo calling at 6pm at Navenby lowfields. This is the first we've heard here for 14 years. STALLINGBOROUGH – HOBSON WAY (Grid reference TA2113) Jon Drakes Wildlife noted whilst at work during the week was as follows: 22/5/2017 Kestrel - 1 adult and 3 chicks in the nest box on site Magpie Kestrel 25/5/2017 Kestrel - One adult was seen hunting and chasing away any Crows that ventured too close to the nest site, whilst a second adult was seen in the nest box (via a camera) with 3 chicks. 27/5/2017 Magpie Carrion Crow Woodpigeon Goldfinch Kestrel – as per the 25/5/2017 Butterflies: Red Admiral Large White Speckled Wood THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 06/05/17 Cuckoo x 1 SK8199 09/05/17 House Martin x 2 SK813999 Roe Deer x 1 SK8099 11/05/17 Badger x 1 (Clare Holmes) Roe Deer x 1 (Clare Holmes) 13/05/17 Kestrel x 1 Brown Hare x 2 Roe Deer x 1 14/05/17 Chaffinch x 1 Quail x 1 calling 23:55hrs Red-legged Partridge x 2 Rook x 4 Yellowhammer x 1 15/05/17 Blackbird x 1 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Dunnock x 1 Grey Partridge x 1 Wood pigeon x 6 Yellowhammer x 1 19/05/17 Blackbird x 1 Chaffinch x 6 Grey Partridge x 2 Pied Wagtail x 1 with grubs in beak Red-legged Partridge x 2 Robin x 1 Tree Sparrow x 4 Wood pigeon x 4 Yellowhammer x 1 Yellow Wagtail x 1 adult with 4 fully grown young Short-tailed Field Vole x 1 young Nest Box Update; 20/05/17 Box 5 Tree Sparrow x 3 young rung Box 8 Tree sparrow x 3 young flew from nest Box 10 Tree Sparrow x 2 young rung Box 12 Stock dove empty (predated ?) Box 14 Tree Sparrow x 1 dead egg, 5 young rung Box 15 Kestrel x 5 eggs Box 18 Wren 6 eggs? 27/05/17 Box 18 Wren newly hatched young, no count Robin x 5 fledged young in barn 20/05/17 Common Blue butterfly x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain 24/05/17 Greylag Goose x 2 over Thurnholmes Oystercatcher x 2 over Thurnholmes Yellowhammer x 1 Common Pipistrelle x 1 Green Carpet x 1 26/05/17 Red Admiral x 1 Small White x 3 26/5/17 SE804001 1 Brimstone 3 Speckled Wood 27/05/17 Great Tit x 1 Stock Dove x 1 Yellowhammer x 1 31/05/17 Common Buzzard x 4 high over Thurnholmes Swallow x 2 Swift x 12 Yellowhammer x 1 Green Carpet x 1 Tree Bees in nest box on stables WADDINGTON, SK97557 63996 Peter Wilson 30th May 2017. 2.00pm approx. Red Kite directly over my garden ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports always welcome ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/donna-nook-nnr http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 24th ----31st May 2017 Contributors: - John Walker, Peter & Janet Roworth, Nige Lound, Gary Cooper & Cliff Morrison General Notes and Weather Observations We can now add brown argus , specked wood and small white, to butterflies seen, 2 broad bodied chasers, 7 hairy dragonflies and hundreds of four spot chasers, hundreds of azure blue damselflies and dozens of large reds and a few blue tailed, all seen on Saturday. Flowers include, early and southern marsh orchids, twayblades, yellow rattle, birds foot trefoil and flag iris, 2 pipistrelle bats around Coastguard Cottage and nearby Churchill Lane car park area. Rabbit population has increased from 10s to 100s now, fox and stoat seen taking some and presumed feeding young. Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings 24th Heron seen over the Brickyard Lane area 25th The only birds of note in the Rimac area were 11 Turnstone. 2 Brent Geese flew north and a Pink-footed Goose was on the beach briefly before flying south. At Rimac for evening spring high tide there were  Good selection of waders and gulls and wildfowl, including 18 whimbrel, 36 oystercatchers, 28 sanderling, 23 shelduck, 1 pink-footed goose, 450 herring gulls and 2 guillemots south. On return to the car park, a male hobby was successfully catching many dragonflies. Single green hairstreak and small copper on wing near Paradise wood and a very fresh broad-bodied chaser was seen hanging from scrub 26th Morning spring high tide at Brick Yard Lane yielded 3 gannets south,140 knot south, 130 sanderling, 30 ringed plovers2 grey plovers, 1 turnstone and 3 little terns. A female peregrine was actively hunting the waders. Grasshopper Warbler and Sedge Warbler in song at Rimac and 4 Whimbrel on salt marsh Thrift, sea arrow grass and sea milkwort in flower on salt marsh 27th Morning spring high tide towards Crook Bank yielded 90 sanderling, 90 ringed plovers and a few dunlin. A red kite was in the Brick Yard Lane area in the afternoon Ringed Plover 30+ and a single Turnstone on outer beach, 2 Avocets on Rimac lagoon, male Marsh Harrier hunting overhead and a Red Kite drifted south over Sea View before moving inland. Butterflies near Sea View included comma 2, holly blue 2, orange tip 3 and a single red admiral 28th Good numbers of waders on the beach at the spring high tide, with 1 little stint, 70 ringed plovers, 90 sanderling, 30 dunlin and a little tern. A different red kite to the previous day flew south; there was a buzzard and a kestrel in the area. 4 Whimbrel and a single Curlew on salt marsh, painted lady on wing near Paradise and brimstone at Sea View 29th On Paradise were 2 Avocet, a male Ruff and a drake Shoveler whilst nearby was a Short- eared Owl. 4 Gannet were over the sea. Waders on the spring high tide included 90 ringed plovers, 40 dunlin and 120 sanderling Butterflies in the Brick Yard Lane area have included new painted lady, red admiral, brimstone, speckled wood, whites, small heath, green hairstreak and up to 5 walls. 31st Common Blue, Small Heath, Small Copper, Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Comma and Painted Lady all on the wing this morning at Sea View ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ STUBBS MEADOW Colin Green writes: Visit to Stubbs Meadow, Chambers Farm Woods 24 May 2017 Arrived early on what was a beautiful day with the area, damp with dew, quickly warming up. A Comma seen near the info board at the meadow but nothing else seen in the Butterfly Garden nor on the way to the meadow. 5 Marsh Fritallaries seen on the new meadow adjacent to the old Stubbs Meadow which I thought was amazing. Paths had been newly cut around the meadow so I kept to these and counted. Crossed into the old meadow at the end farthest from the entrance and the info board and stood amazed. I stood in one place and could see 5 Marsh Fritillaries nectaring on buttercups. On my walk to the info board my tally rose to 42! One chap I was talking to stated there must be a hundred at least. Another chap who was photographing near the tree clump in the middle of Stubbs Meadow stated he had seen 30 or 40 in that area alone. That area was not part of my count, in fact I stuck to the mown paths. My estimate would be well over 100 - more like 200. Good news on the butterfly front at last. 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 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports always welcomed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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://www.lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org If you are not yet a member, the LNU needs good naturalists like you! You can get membership application forms from Wilma Gammon at the Lincs Wildlife Trust office, e-mail wgammon@lincstrust.co.uk or from the LNU website: http://www.lnu.org/join.php LNU publications [listed on LNU website] may be ordered via: Ian Macalpine-Leny. ian@macalpine-leny.co.uk http://lnu.org/publications.php LNU Mammal Atlas You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. 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://www.lnu.org/events.php ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. 2017 Field Meetings Sunday, June 25, 2017 Field Meeting to Chapel Six Marshes Part of Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park. North of Chapel St.Leonards 12.00 for 13.00 start. Take minor road north of Chapel St Leonards for about 1km and then track towards sea and parking at TF558741. NB. Nearest public toilets are at Chapel Point. Habitats: Dunes, shore, marsh, waterbodies, grassland, scrub and plantation. Partly a habitat creation area. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com 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. sperkins - soft bounce - bad mailbox 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.....: Would you drive a car made from plants? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/39957804/would-you-drive-a-car-made-from-plants Aurora Australis: Colourful show hits Australia and New Zealand http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-40080976 Britain's great explorations now online http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40050593 Domesday Book on public display at Lincoln Castle http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-40041016 HMS Coventry sinking anniversary: 'War we weren't prepared for' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39965515 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/