============================================= || || 11th 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... *** Bob Sheppard and his colleagues will be delighted at the successful hatching of the 4 Barn Owl chicks. We look forward to watching the process of rearing in the coming weeks. A lot can happen yet. Well done to the Len Pick Trust. http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 http://www.barnowltrust.org.uk/barn-owl-facts/ A sizeable group [15] attended the Whisby Workshop on Bees last Saturday. Run by David Sheppard, it was an excellent hands-on session in the lab and outside, getting to grips with features and terms on which the process of identification is based. The new Whisby microscopes are very good indeed. These workshops are a wonderful opportunity to extend your knowledge to unfamiliar groups/species, and they are free to participants. All overhead costs are split between the Lincoln Area Group of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and the LNU. Strongly recommended. There are spaces on the next 3 courses: 12noon - 4pm. Flies/Diptera on the 15th of July Pond Dipping on the 22nd of July (Richard Chadd) Odonata (Nick Tribe and Richard Chadd) on the 29th of July. Contact Richard Davidson on: 01522 525725 or email him on: rel.davidson@btinternet.com Here are a few interesting links - food for thought: Earthquake hits Lincolnshire village measuring 2.1 magnitude http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-40172457# Cat's paw print found in Roman tile at Lincoln dig http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-40158189 Archaeologists find more than 150 skeletons at Lincoln bypass dig http://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/archaeologists-find-more-than-150-skeletons-at-lincoln-bypass-dig/story-30218133-detail/story.html A treasure trove of beetles https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/may/29/macro-lens-treasure-trove-beetles-chester Tigers can roam for hundreds of miles – should they ever be kept in zoos? https://theconversation.com/tigers-can-roam-for-hundreds-of-miles-should-they-ever-be-kept-in-zoos-78556 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 *** "Len Pick Trust's Owl Camera" *** Bob Sheppard says: "The third chick hatched at 9-30pm Friday" [2nd June] and the 4th and final chick hatched on 5th June. http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 Kingfisher webcam: Second brood being incubated. https://www.birdfood.co.uk/kingfisher-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.] 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 *** Bats *** BATS - Annette Faulkner writes: Pipistrelles appear to be having a hard time of it, with a lot of calls in the last few weeks. Virtually all the animals were underweight, and most did not survive, either because already at death’s door, or caught by a cat and had to be euthanased (though of the four calls we took last Saturday two were at least flying – though in people’s houses! – but the fourth was dead on arrival). Why is this? They emerge from hibernation in mid March and then dip in and out of hibernation until the weather warms up a bit and the insects get going, to allow them to feed up and get back in condition. We always get a number of a casualties at that time of year, but by May they should be fine – and we can take our annual holiday. However, in April, as readers will recall, we had those weeks of north-easterlies and late frosts that sent them back into hibernation. As many people know the insect population is already desperately depressed, so I suspect what happened was that the bats, forced back into hibernation, were in such poor condition that it was all too much for a lot of them when they re-remerged and they couldn’t recover. Interestingly, with the exception of one week when we had three whiskered bats in trouble from various parts of the county, all the bats have been pipistrelle spp. Other spp don’t seem to have been affected – or least, if they were they weren’t where people would find them. I’m not going into the pesticide/climate change debate, but what can readers do, since you can’t feed bats as you can birds? Gardens are hugely important for pipistrelles, which feed exclusively on small insects. I’m sure many readers already have wildlife friendly gardens, and keep pesticide use to the absolute minimum, but the more insects a garden can attract and the greater the amount of native flower planting and pond digging there is the greater the amount of bat food it will provide! And of course this works for birds too. (And do please keep looking out for and recording your bats! All records go into the system.) You can contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on: 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** RSPB Grimsby Local Group - next meeting and trip *** Martin Francis writes: The next meeting of the Grimsby RSPB Group is at 7.30pm on Monday 19th June at Corpus Christi Community Centre, corner of Machray Place, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes DN35 7AE. John Kneeshaw, a very experienced birder who has travelled extensively worldwide, but particularly to South America, will give an illustrated talk entitled "Undiscovered Peru". This talk will be preceded by a short AGM There will also be refreshments and a raffle. Please bring (small) items for a car-boot sale - all proceeds to RSPB Entry is £3, payable at the door. The Group's next trip is to RSPB Bempton Cliffs, and then moving on to Top Hill Low on Sunday 25th June, leaving Millman's Coach Depot in Wilton Rd, Humberston at 7.30am. Booking is essential. The cost of the coach trip is £20 per person *** Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT *** Alford & Mablethorpe Area Group Find us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LWT-Alford-Mablethorpe-Area-Group-175413729474673/ *** Barton Area Group LWT *** Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk Carolyn Lovely writes: Monday 12th June 2017 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a summer evening walk in Cleethorpes to view wild flowers including Orchids. Meet walk leader Mick Binnion at 7pm in the car park near the Cleethorpes Discovery Centre, Kings Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 0AG. Please wear suitable out door clothing and stout footwear. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. *** 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: 1/6 Curlew Sandpiper, Cattle Egret, Little Stint, Garganey, Little Gull, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 2/6 Cattle Egret, Frampton Marsh Quail male singing, south of Rimac car park 2 Cattle Egrets at Marsh Farm, 2 little Stints, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh Garganey drk, RAF Woodhall Spa Garganey drk on hide Pit, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits Short-eared Owl, Turtle Dove, Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 3/6 2 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Garganey, Gibraltar Point Turtle Dove male singing, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits 2 Cattle Egrets, Little Stint, drk Garganey, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh 2 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 4/6 Spoonbill, Alkborough Flats 2 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Common Crane over Croft Marsh, Gibraltar Point Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, Spotted Redshank, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh 5/6 Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 7/6 Red-necked Phalarope on pools at Marsh Farm, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh 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. A trip on the Boston Belle Jerry Gunner writes: On Friday June 2, 2017 we took a trip on the Boston Belle down the river from Boston to the Wash then down the River Welland to the A17 and back, a five-and- a-bit hour trip. The bird count, compared with the trip two or so weeks previously, was poor, 52 or so against 83! One of the highlights for me was watching a peregrine stoop like a bomb from about 500' early on in the trip. Two or maybe three avocets were on a small pond on the southern side of The Haven on both the outward and return parts of the trip. I don’t know how many marsh harriers we saw but it seemed to be a lot. Harbour seals were noticeable on the Wash and the Welland, both in the water and lazing on the beach. Several grey plovers, one in breeding plumage were seen and one that confused me because I didn’t think it would be here was a brant goose, maybe two. All in all a very pleasant day with just a sprinkling of a few drops of rain as we berthed to disembark. Harbour or Common Seals: http://www.countryfile.com/article/wildlife-how-identify/did-you-know-10-facts-about-harbour-seals ROAD KILLS Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** "If it is worth observing, it is worth recording." Please keep your reports coming. We rely on you to send in your observations and we welcome information from ALL readers, be they beginners or experts. Thanks. DON'T FORGET Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BARDNEY The Green TF119694 A. Parsons 31/5/2017 "Fox and Cubs" in lawn. http://www.seasonalwildflowers.com/fox-and-cubs.html R.Parsons 1/6/2017 Holly Blue on Holly bush http://butterfly-conservation.org/50-923/holly-blue.html BASSINGHAMSK797984 Jeremy Hutchinson 30th May 2017 Hummingbird Hawkmoth feeding on Red Valerian CANADA LANE field road, NEW YORK TF226538 R.Parsons 3/6/2017 male Orange Tip butterfly. EAST KEAL School Lane, East Keal. Carole Slade TF380636 30/05/2017 Tree bumblebee, Bombus hypnorum, very active nest in triple sparrow nestbox, about 3 metres off the ground. HOLTON CUM BECKERING 30th May 2017 Richard Fox Red Kite feeding on road kill (Rabbit) HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 25/5/2017 Green veined white 1 Smooth newts 2 Speckled Wood 2 26/5/2017 Second bees' nest unearthed, presumably by badger. 27/5/2017 Dytiscus marginalis Great Diving Beetle larva 1 28/7/2017 TF521 765 Yellow hammer 1 29/5/2017 Bats 4-6 (type not known, 9.45pm) Dunnocks 2 (1 fledgling) Fox 1 Red admiral 1 30/5/2017 Chaffinch 2 Pyrochroa serraticornis Cardinal beetle 1 31/5/2017 Goldfinch 2 Small white 1 Song thrush 1 Sparrow hawk 1 1/6/2017 Red admiral 1 Song thrush 1 Speckled wood 4 Woodmice 4 2/6/2017 Pyrochroa serraticornis Cardinal beetle 1 (flying - looked amazing!) Red admirals 4 4/6/2017 Bat 4-6 (type not known, 9.45pm) Long tailed tits 2 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) Jon Drakes Species recorded visiting our back garden during the week were: 2/6/2017 A single Hedgehog was seen feeding at dusk. 3/6/2017 Species recorded whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Birdwatch for the BTO were: Rook 1 Blackbird 3 Collared Dove 5 Robin 1 Starling 10 House Sparrow 20 Blue Tit 1 Dunnock 2 Tree Sparrow 2 Chaffinch 2 Greenfinch 2 Swift Swallow Woodpigeon 2 Greater Spotted Woodpecker 1 Coal Tit 1 Goldfinch 1 Great Tit 1 (all numbers are maximum seen at any one time) KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 4/6/2017 Jon Drakes An early morning walk around woodland and fields to the North of the village found the following species present: Collared Dove House Sparrow Starling Robin Blackbird Woodpigeon Swift Goldfinch Grey Partridge 2 Pheasant Yellowhammer Skylark Whitethroat Linnet Magpie Lesser Whitethroat Blue Tit Carrion Crow Greylag Goose 2 Great Tit Chiffchaff 6 Great Spotted Woodpecker 2 (adult male and juvenile) Chaffinch Jay 2 Song Thrush Reed Bunting Buzzard 2 Jackdaw Blackcap Tree Sparrow Coal Tit Dunnock Greenfinch Rook Butterflies: Painted Lady First sighting of 2017 Speckled Wood Red Admiral Roe Deer stag KETTLETHORPE Kettlethorpe SK 846 754 02.06.2017 Alison Brownlow Chimney sweeper moths flying in the sunshine as the Pignut flowers are going over. Azure damselflies Blue-tailed damselflies Masses of black toad tadpoles aggregating in the pond. LANGWORTH (A158) 30th May 2017 Richard Fox Red Kite LOUTH OS 3486 C Byatt 26 May ‘17 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker - m, House Martins - 4. LUDFORD MAGNA (A631) Richard Fox 1st June 2017 Red Kite flying over the church area NETTLEHAM Vicar's Wood TF007753 Bill Ball 5/6/2017 Coprinopsis lagopus - Hare's Foot Inkcap Several growing on 3-month old pile of woodchips NOCTON Jerry Gunner writes: Sunday June 4. Up at 5ish to take the dogs out. A beautiful cold morning without a cloud in the sky and light winds from the west. I was going to take the dogs into Potterhanworth woods but the noise of deer barking was so loud I decided against and we just walked up and down the road out towards Bardney, our usual route. The woods were full of the sound of birdsong with chaffinch and blackcap being particularly noisy. As we walked away from the woods I heard a cuckoo which was nice but as I got a little further away I turned around just in time to see him, it was a male, flying above the tree canopy. It alighted in a tree a little further north and started calling again, the usual spring call. This was the first one I’ve laid eyes on this year. There was nothing so unusual for the rest of the walk, just the usual bird suspects, oodles of reed warblers, lots of reed buntings, some linnets, meadow pipits, whitethroats and skylarks. I didn’t see any swallows or swifts, presumably it was too cold and early for the insects to be up and about. Hendrix the Doberman found a big hedgehog in the grass at the side of the road. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 30.05.2017 Red Admiral 1, first this season and in pristine condition 31.05.2017 Red Admiral 1 Painted Lady 1, colouring very faded 7 Azure Damselflies around pond, 2 m with f in tow, but not (yet?) in tandem First Hawker type Dragonfly this season, only brief glimpse, no ID 9 Smooth Newts on pond weed near surface 01.06.2017 Harlequin Ladybird in garden border Brown Rat x 2 02.06.2017 Orange Tip 1, Painted Lady 1 Lots of bumblebee workers active, including Tree Bumblebee 07.06.2017 The Mallard ducklings hatched today, 28 days after I first spotted the nest. They should leave tomorrow – where will she take them? SPALDING TF233188 Annette Faulkner 25/5/17 Western verge at corner of A1175 (old A16), and B1172 (Spalding turn off). A spectacular display right round the corner of the verge of rough hawk’s-beard, Crepis biennis, a much larger relative of the far more familiar beaked hawks-beard, C. vesicaria (also out and at its best now), and smooth hawk’s- beard, C. capillaris. I also found one plant on the river bank in Spalding, which allowed me to take a small bit to confirm the identification, as I’ve only see it twice before. It looks like a very tall dandelion with multiple heads (and rather like perennial sow thistle at first glance – but this flowers much later), but is much more beautiful. According to my flora it has a southerly distribution and this far north is classed as rare t o occasional. I find myself wondering a) how it got to be there in such profusion, and b) whether it is spreading north? TATTERSHALL THORPE Tattershall Thorpe Location withheld 30 May 2017 M&R Pocklington It's a good year for the wild Southern Marsh orchids. We counted 23 in flower and more coming - the bee orchids have yet to flower. WOLD NEWTON (Grid reference TF2496) 3/6/2017 Jon Drakes Noted whilst out walking near Wold Newton were: Swallow Chiffchaff Chaffinch Wren Woodpigeon Blackbird Robin Jackdaw Butterflies: Speckled Wood Large White WOOLSTHORPE AND COLSTERWORTH SK 92 Jane Ostler 7th June 2017 MAMMALS The next generation are making an appearance. In the last week fox cubs were out playing in a lane and a stoat moving its family, all in a line behind it. Young badgers are out, sadly one a road casualty. A mouse nest disturbed in a compost heap and the young scattered. The mother gathered them up one by one and placed them back in the remains. A squirrel drey blown down in the high winds had two young in it. BEES The six most common bumble bees are found in our gardens with, in addition to, the most recent arrival the tree bee. Now the queens are in the nests the workers can be more difficult to recognise. In particular separating out the buff from the white tailed so that reports of these being particularly abundant this year could be either species. The flower bee Anthophora plumipes is one of the most commonly recognised and now regularly reported along with the tawny mining bee. The mason bee Osmia bicornis is using the bee hotel on one wall instead of the brickwork which has been repointed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 31st May---7th June 2017 Contributors: - John Walker, Peter & Janet Roworth, Nige Lound, Gary Cooper, Rob Lidstone-Scott & Cliff Morrison General Notes and Weather Observations The first week of May was cold, dry and sunny influenced by a raw N-NE air flow. Winds then veered around from the south-west giving warm and at times humid weather. This gave a spell of showers from the 13th but notably torrential down- pours with hail and thunder were observed from the 16th - 18th giving 44.9mm of ppt. There then followed another period of dry, warm and sometimes very hot weather when daytime temperatures rose to 26.5°C on the 27th. Night-time temperatures were high and the air minimum on the 27th was 19.0°C. Some persistent rainfall on the 29th gave 11.6mm and by the end of the month conditions were fresher with days of pleasant sunshine. Total rainfall 69.8mm (2.75 inches) Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings 31st Two red admirals on the wing at Sea View, 2 Barnacle Geese flew low south along the dunes and a lone Fulmar flew north at sea. A Burnet Companion was seen between Rimac and Churchill Lane Car Park. Drinker Moth caterpillar found on vegetation at Rimac, Hobby in evening around Churchill Lane area, Curlew 3, Pair of kestrels displaying at Brick Yard Lane. Buzzard also seen in the dunes at Brick yard Lane 1st A Hobby was around Churchill Lane Car Park late evening and 2 Grasshopper Warbler were in song at Rimac. Generally, Hobby are seen visiting our coast in the evening, to catch dusk flying male fox moths due to their usual food of dragonflies roosting at this time. The national survey of the Marsh Moth took place overnight. Our dunes are the only place in the UK where the moth can be found and the survey revealed it is still present in small numbers. Also of note were a Flame Wainscot and Starwort. In total, 7 Marsh Moth were found, along with 106 other moths of 36 differing species (see attached list), so all in all a successful night’s moth trapping. On same evening, Moths recorded at Sea View included Treble Lines, Fox Moth, Grass Rivulet, Common Swift, Heart & Dart, Brown Rustic, Lychnis and Pale Prominent 2nd Two brimstones and 1 painted lady at Sea View A Quail was singing from the field south of Rimac car park and a Hobby flew north over Brick Yard Lane. 5 Avocet and a drake Teal were on Rimac lagoon. 2 Turtle Dove seen together at Churchill Lane Car Park. Male Broad-bodied chaser Dragonfly at Churchill Lane pond, also double figures of 4 spot chasers and a single red damselfly and Burnet Companion Moth. Buzzard in the dunes around Brick Yard Lane again 3rd Four painted ladies, 2 red admirals, large skipper and several common blues in flight at Sea View, Buzzard in the dunes at Brick Yard Lane. Great-spotted Woodpecker in the Brick yard Lane area for several days, several painted lady butterflies and gold numbers of red admirals and peacocks Brimstone and Wall butterfly 4th Small groups of Swifts moving south over Sea View during the morning A Butterfly transect revealed large hatches of small heath and common blues , several large skippers all other species scarce, no green hairstreak seen. 5th Around Churchill Lane Car Park were a Little Owl, a Grasshopper Warbler and a Turtle Dove. 2 Avocet were on Paradise. 6th Two Avocets on Paradise lagoon. The recent spell of wet weather has made the sand dune vegetation look lush and there is a particular fine display of bird’s-foot trefoil. Burnet Companion Moth seen on vegetation at both Churchill Lane and Sea View. Vipers Bugloss in flower at Rimac, together with numerous orchids, Bird’s foot trefoil and Yellow Rattle, Yellow Shell Geometer moth at Sea View, Grey Heron seen flying over Sea View heading South List of moth species trapped at Rimac as follows:- No. SPECIES No. of Moths 17 Common Swift 6 966 Cochylis atricapitana 2 993 Cyclamen Tortrix 2 1184 Epiblema scutulana 2 1293 Chrysoteuchia culmella 1 1333 Scoparia pyralella 2 1727 Silver-ground Carpet 2 1758 Barred Straw 1 1764 Common Marbled Carpet 1 1776 Green Carpet 8 1887 Clouded Border 1 1890 Sharp-angled Peacock 1 1906 Brimstone Moth 3 1941 Mottled Beauty 5 1956 Common Wave 1 1980 Eyed Hawk-moth 1 1981 Poplar Hawk-moth 3 1991 Elephant Hawk-moth 1 2011 Pale Prominent 3 2060 White Ermine 5 2061 Buff Ermine 6 2069 Cinnabar 11 2091 Dark Sword-grass 1 2102 Flame Shoulder 2 2107 Large Yellow Underwing 1 2123 Small Square-spot 5 2126 Setaceous Hebrew Character 3 2152 White Colon 1 2216 Shark 1 2302 Brown Rustic 4 2326 Clouded-bordered Brindle 2 2337x Marbled Minor agg 2 2340 Middle-barred Minor 7 2380 Treble Lines 1 2387 Mottled Rustic 2 2474 Straw Dot 6 2493 Dotted Fanfoot 1 No. of Moths: 107 No. of Species: 37 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ HAGNABY LOCK FEN E.A. Wetland Reserve TF 331595 Noteworthy ornithological sightings and Monthly maximums - May 2017 Coot - 3 Gadwall - 5 Grey Partridge - 2 Greylag Goose - 4 Lapwing - 2 Little Egret - 1 Mallard - 28 Moorhen - 2 Mute Swan - 2 Shelduck – 2 Shoveler - 2 Teal - 1 Tufted Duck - 8 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Russ birdman - hard bounce - message could not be delivered Steve Wragby - soft bounce - message could not be delivered 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.....: The benefits of beavers http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-40078066/the-benefits-of-beavers The Red Arrows: A cockpit view of new routine http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-devon-40119687/the-red-arrows-a-cockpit-view-of-new-routine 50 years ago: Distressing sight of a felled woodland https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/may/28/country-diary-felled-woodland-distressing-sight-1967 Skippers and kings in the chalk rubble reserve https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/may/26/skippers-kings-chalk-rubble-reserve-rutland How foxes adapted to life in the cities we built around them https://theconversation.com/how-foxes-adapted-to-life-in-the-cities-we-built-around-them-77439 Gravitational waves: Third detection of deep space warping http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40120680 Nasa renames Sun skimming mission http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40109110 Antarctic ice crack takes major turn http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40113393 Fragile future for US nuclear power http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40099324 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/