============================================= || || 18th 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... *** Would you recognise a Baird's Sandpiper? One was reported at Frampton Marsh this week, but has since been determined as a Dunlin. Try this: http://argyllbirdclub.org/?attachment_id=960 Please don't forward your Bulletin! It contains a link to your subscription details and you need to protect that. This is the reason I keep reminding readers to use the "forward to a friend" link at the end of every Bulletin, or to send the URL of the LNU sign-up form for the Bulletin. Currently this is: http://www.lnu.org/wildnews.php [But it may change shortly.] The Summer Solstice falls on June 21st. Where did those six months go? https://greenwichmeantime.com/longest-day/equinox-solstice-2010-2019/ It looks like we are in for a taste of proper summer for the rest of June: http://www.theweatheroutlook.com/forecast/14-day-uk-weather-forecast It is the Lincolnshire Show next week, 21st and 22nd. The LNU stand will be in the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust tent. Everyone there will be pleased to see you for a chat, so please drop in. https://www.lincolnshireshow.co.uk/ Here are a few interesting links: The battle for nesting sites among the birds and the bees http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40260319 Thousands of bees swarm into car in Hull http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-40252990 Bird caught in amber 100 million years ago is best ever found https://www.newscientist.com/article/2133981-bird-caught-in-amber-100-million-years-ago-is-best-ever-found/ 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" *** The story continues. Chick 4 did not make it, but the first 3 chicks are thriving. http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 *** 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 Field 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. [Refreshments are also provided.] There are spaces on the next 3 courses: [Timing: 12 noon - 4pm.] Flies/Diptera on the 15th of July Pond Dipping on the 22nd of July (Richard Chadd) Odonata (Nick Tribe and Richard Chadd) on the 29th of July. Contact Richard Davidson on: 01522 525725 or email him on: rel.davidson@btinternet.com *** 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 Contact: martin.francis2@ntlworld.com *** Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT *** Alford & Mablethorpe Area Group Find us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LWT-Alford-Mablethorpe-Area-Group-175413729474673/ *** Barton Area Group LWT *** Barton Area Group of the LWT is now on Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2016 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** Poetry Competition *** Will Bartle writes: The Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project are running a poetry competition for all ages thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. If you're feeling inspired by the wonderfully rare chalk streams found in Lincolnshire why not enter, you could win £250!! Deadline is Friday 14th July. Full terms and conditions, and instructions on how to enter are on their website. http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/poetrycompetition2017 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Bird Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ I have adapted RBA pager data/information for the Bulletin by eliminating or summarising/consolidating repeated messages. Note - I have been leaving out late reports to save myself going back to re-do entries. From now on I shall squeeze in important ones, indicating them with a " * ". Note: 8/6 Red-necked Phalarope male at Marsh Farm on pools, Frampton Marsh 2 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 9/6 Wood Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope male at Marsh Farm on pools, Ring Ouzel fem, Little Gull, 2 Turtle Doves, Frampton Marsh Common Crane flew north over, Little Gull on Jackson's Marsh, 2 Turtle Doves, Gibraltar Point Common Crane over Pye's Hall, Donna Nook 11/6 Wood Sandpiper, 2 Turtle Doves, Frampton Marsh 12/6 Baird's Sandpiper on wet grassland, Roads Farm, Frampton Marsh Scaup, Deeping Lakes 2 Turtle Doves, 2 Little Terns on Fenland Lagoon, 2Short-eared Owl, Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 13/6 Reported Baird's Sandpiper on wet grassland, Roads Farm, Frampton Marsh has since been determined as a Dunlin! Garganey, Turtle Dove, Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 14/6 Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 3 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Willow Tit at feeding station, Gibraltar Point 2 Spoonbills on left pit, RAF Woodhall Spa 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. LNU Field Trips: Brian Hedley writes: 30th April Gatecliff Wood (Private woodland near Langworth) A very good turn out of 21 attendees with an evening bat session. Selection of ancient woodland plants noted including moschatel, early purple orchid, hairy wood-rushand goldilock's buttercup. 27th May Corringham Scroggs/Wharton Wood (private estate woodland north of Gainsborough) Attended by 10 people and had an evening moth and bat recording session. Excellent site for notable invertebrates (including a county first: black-headed cardinal beetle)and also plants including narrow buckler-fern, trailing cinquefoil and fragrant agrimony (still to be confirmed). Still many parts of this large site have not been explored. NOCTON NOTES Jerry Gunner writes: Tuesday June 13, 2017. Sitting in the TV room watching the bird-feeders from the comfort of my armchair has become much more interesting than anything on the goggle-box! At the moment there are, as well as the usual myriad of goldfinches scoffing nyjer and sunflower seeds, oodles of babies. Mostly these comprise blue and great tits, chaffinches, goldfinches of course and the occasional robin. Most spectacular are the two greater spotted wood- pecker chicks. These sometimes visit the feeder together or singly with an adult while the other pecks at the lawn. Usually the chick will cling to the central upright, pecking it while waiting for mum or dad to give them a nut. They prefer peanuts. The chicks, greyer than their parents, are clumsy in comparison. The simple act of perching was beyond them at first but they’re getting the hang of it after about ten days. Away from the feeders, opening the garage produces a panicked flurry of baby wrens and robins, both of which nested in there. A hen blackbird is building a new nest in roses in the back garden, I don’t know why because I know she has already reared one clutch successfully not too far away. Down the bottom of the paddock by the pond there are many young blackcaps and long-tailed tits. Even though it’s only a hundred yards or so they never venture up to the house and I’ve not seen any baby chiff-chaffs or goldcrests although the parents are very visible and audible in the garden. The rabbits are demonstrating their renowned fecundity and eating my marigolds in the process. Wild tree bees in the workshop at the end of the garden haven’t bothered us since one stung my wife on her lip. ROAD KILLS Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. Road Kill: TF517766 14.6.2017 Jane Pennington Grass snake 1 Very juvenile, dead on road; about half the width of my little finger and 20 cm in length. RoadKill: Badger 08.06.2017 Silvia Fowler A153 northbound near A 16 junction – TF315854 approx. *** 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 12/13th June 2017 Many Red-tailed bumblebee [B. lapidarius] workers on clover in garden. Grey squirrel passing through. 2 Bats spp seen most nights. BARTON UPON HUMBER – WATERS EDGE COUNTRY PARK (Grid reference TA0323) 11/6/2017 Jon Drakes with William and James Drakes A brief visit to the country park found the following species present: Mallard Coot Moorhen Mute Swan House Sparrow Great Crested Grebe Gadwall Reed Bunting Black-headed Gull Magpie Long-tail Tit Feral Pigeon Lesser Whitethroat Common Tern Sedge Warbler Chiffchaff Dunnock Little Grebe Chaffinch Blue Tit Speckled Wood Butterfly BOSTON (GARDEN BY A16) May 2017 Kathleen Pearson During May I was able to do the BTO Garden BirdWatch on 29 days. Twenty-four species were seen, with the greatest (16 species) occurring on 16th May. Unusual birds were Feral Pigeon (a first occasion I think) on the 7th and also singles during the month of Herring Gull, Mistle Thrush andCoal Tit. Other less usual birds were Pied Wagtail (7days), Great Spotted Woodpecker (15 days), Song Thrush(6days), Jackdaw (2days), Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls (3 days) and surprisingly Wren on only two days. ll species recorded are given below, with the number of days on which seen and the highest number of each species seen all together in brackets. Blackbird 29(3), House Sparrow 25(6), Greenfinch 24(5), Goldfinch 27(5), Starling 26(20), Great Tit 21(1), Robin 24(3), Woodpigeon 28(6), Dunnock 26(3), Collared Dove 27(4), Wren2(1), Magpie 21(2), Blue Tit 14(1), Great Spotted Woodpecker 15(2), Chaffinch 8(2), Feral Pigeon 1(1), Lesser Black-backed Gull 3(3), Herring Gull 1(1), Song Thrush 6(1), Mistle Thrush 1(1), Black-headed Gull 3(1), Jackdaw 2(1), Pied Wagtail 7(2) and Coal Tit 1(1). It was an excellent month for butterflies, with the following seen - Red Admiral, Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Large White, Small White, Holly Blue and Peacock. EAST HALTON SKITTER to GOXHILL HAVEN (and return) (Grid reference TA1423 to TA1225) 10/6/2017 Jon Drakes Another quiet month with most species of wading birds still absent from the banks of the Humber when the WeBS count for the BTO was carried out. However, species recorded were as follows: Chaffinch Herring Gull Lapwing 4 Swallow Shelduck 6 Mallard 15 Chiffchaff 4 Reed Bunting 14 Carrion Crow Woodpigeon Coot 2 Little Egret 3 Skylark 5 Magpie Linnet 2 Pheasant Swift Blackbird Cormorant 1 Reed Warbler 1 Kestrel 1 Pochard 2 (male and female) Grey Heron 3 Sedge Warbler 7 Wren Whitethroat 1 Common Gull 1 Marsh Harrier 1 Buzzard 1 Cuckoo 1 Meadow Pipit 2 Curlew 2 Whimbrel 6 Lesser Black Backed Gull 1 Cetti’s Warbler 1 Rook Butterflies: Speckled Wood Meadow Brown First recorded in 2017 Painted Lady Mammals: Roe Deer Brown Hare FREISTON SHORE RSPB Freiston Shore 11:00 - 13:00 8 June 2017 (Low tide) Su Colman & Mark Townsend 1. SALINE LAGOON Avocets breeding on the lagoon. Three chicks swimming with their parents Little egret fishishing the margin in front of the hide Lots of black headed gulls, some on nests Oystercatchers resting on islands. Mating behaviour observed Magpie with prey being mobbed by mixed group of tits Goldfinches Mute swans Moorhen Blackbirds Swift Ringed plover Swallow Common tern 2. WET GRASSLAND southwest of the lagoon Herring gull Mallard Tufted duck Greylag Gadwall Skylark House sparrow Cormorant 3. RESERVOIR 50+ avocet on the reservoir Pied wagtail 15 swallows on muddy edges Shelduck House Martin Swift 7 common tern HORKSTOW Jenny Haynes Sunday 11 June 2017 Mullein moth caterpillar found on my newly planted verbascum (mullein). I had to remove it elsewhere as it had already stripped one stem! Wednesday 14 June 2017 Jenny Haynes Early this morning, my partner Ray, photographed a fox, a hare and three roe deer, one a youngster, in the very large field opposite our house, which is down to sugar beet. We're lucky to be in an elevated position looking across the Ancholme valley so are able to get good views of wildlife like this. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 8/6/2017 Chaffinches 2 collared dove 1 9/6/2017 Bats 4-6 (type not known, 10pm) Large whites 2 Red admiral 1 Speckled woods 2 Wrens 4 (fledglings) 12/6/2017 Blue tits 4 (all fledglings) Chaffinch 2 (fledglings) Song thrush 1 Sparrowhawk 1 13/6/2017 Wrens 3 (fledglings) 14/6/2017 Speckled woods 2 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 10/6/2017 Jon Drakes Whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Birdwatch for the BTO in our back garden the following species were recorded: Jackdaw 2 Collared Dove 5 House Sparrow 20 Starling 3 Goldfinch 3 Dunnock 4 Greenfinch 1 Blackbird 5 Great Tit 2 Chaffinch 3 Tree Sparrow 1 Robin 2 Tree Sparrow 2 Common Frog Later during the evening, 3 Hedgehogs were seen feeding in the garden. KEELBY (Grid reference TA1510) 11/6/2017 Jon Drakes with William and James Drakes Noted flying low over the Keelby to Brocklesby Road in a westerly direction w as a skein of fifteen Greylag Geese. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 07.06.2017 Barn Owl hunting over pasture around 9pm 08.06.2017 10 Mallard ducklings (from 11 eggs) left the nest at 3.30 pm after several earlier failed attempts. We gave them a little help to scale our rabbit defences and cross the lane. They followed mum up a steep bank into the meadow opposite and on towards the church pond, where they were seen swimming ten minutes later. No other ducks were around, only a Moorhen calling. 09.06.2017 Woodpigeon feeding on young ash tree leaves Red Admiral 1 Green-veined White 1 Silver Y Moth 1 Azure Damselflies, pair in tandem 10.06.2017 Brimstone 1, f Red Admiral 2 on Cotoneaster Lots of Bombus pratorum workers on hardy Geranium, also other bumblebees, ID uncertain. Whilst in the garden, I was alerted by loud quacking from the direction of the church and went to investigate. As I walked down the lane, I saw one adventurous Mallard duckling attempting to cross the road. My appearance persuaded it to seek refuge back in the field from where mum was calling. I went round to the pond where minutes later 8 Mallard ducklings were seen dashing here and there after plentiful insects, Mother Duck leading them with her soft contact quacks. Once back on land they made an unconvincing attempt at preening, clearly copying Mother Duck, who soon took them under her wings for a little nap. A Moorhen was calling, as before. 12.06.2017 2 Smooth Newts in cracks in damp garden borders 13.06.2017 Harlequin Ladybird Brown Rat Brimstone 1 (f), Small Tortoiseshell 1 Southern Hawker Dragonfly (f) emerging by pondside (first this season, though I have found 2 exuvia and a pair of wings) Skylark in song over meadow There seem to be fewer Common Frogs in the garden borders and this ties in with only 3 clumps of spawn this spring against 10 or so in previous years. STALLINGBOROUGH – HOBSON WAY (Grid reference TA2113) Jon Drakes Wildlife noted whilst at work during the week was as follows: 7/6/2017 Kestrel 5 (2 adult and 3 chicks) Carrion Crow Pied Wagtail Woodpigeon Goldfinch Chaffinch Magpie Speckled Wood Butterfly Red Admiral Butterfly 8/6/2017 Kestrel 4 (1 adult and 3 chicks) Magpie Swallow Woodpigeon 9/6/2017 Kestrel 5 (2 adults and 3 chicks) Magpie Blackbird Yellow Wagtail First recorded in 2017 Carrion Crow Speckled Wood Butterfly Painted Lady Butterfly Large White Butterfly THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 20/05/17 Common Blue Butterfly x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain 01/06/17 Barn Owl x 1 22:10hrs Peregrine Falcon x 1 male stooped on a Wood Pigeon over paddock (did not kill but chased after fleeing pigeon, Steve & Sam Hiner) Rook x 2 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 02:30hrs Moths; Blood Vein x 1 Common Carpet x 1 Garden Tiger x 1 Orange Swift x 1 03/06/17 Red Admiral x 3 03/06/17 Nest Box Update; Box 5 Tree Sparrow 3 eggs Box 8 Tree Sparrow 5 eggs Box 10 Tree Sparrow x 2 eggs Box 14 Tree Sparrow 2 eggs Box 15 Kestrel 3 eggs 07/06/17 Barn Owl x 1 SE828014 (Clare Holmes & Sam Hiner) 11/06/17 Barn Owl x 1 23:50hrs Blackbird x 1 Chaffinch x 1 Kestrel x 1 Lapwing x 2 Moorhen x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Oystercatcher x 3 over Thurnholmes Pied Wagtail x 2 Quail x 1 calling 02:30hrs Robin x 1 Magpie x 5 Tree Sparrow x 2 Wood Pigeon x 4 House Mouse x 3 Small Magpie Moth x 4 Buff-tailed Bumblebee x 1 female worker 12/06/17 Azure Damselfly x 3 Blue-tailed Damselfly x 2 13/06/17 Barn Owl x 1 23:50hrs Grey Squirrel x 1 SK812999 Short-tailed Field Vole x 1 Single-dotted Wave 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 7th----14th June 2017 Contributors: - John Walker, Peter & Janet Roworth, Nige Lound, Gary Cooper, Rob Lidstone-Scott & Cliff Morrison General Notes and Weather Observations First bee orchids and pyramidal orchids in flower, also marsh and lady’s bedstraw, restharrow, bog pimpernel, Odd painted lady and brimstone most days, Buzzard in hawthorns north of Churchill most days, sometimes mobbed by a sparrow hawk Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings 7th Brachytron pratense, the Hairy Dragonfly, also known as the Hairy Hawker, seen around the Rimac area ditches 8th Over the sea were 43 Gannet, 3 Guillemot, 4 Sandwich Tern and a Fulmar whilst on Paradise Lagoon were 2 Avocet and a Ruff. 2 Turtle Dove were at Brick Yard Lane paddock. First Ringlet seen on the wing around the Brickyard Lane Area, Greenfinch at Sea View 9th Two Avocets on Paradise lagoon in the morning and in the evening there were three on Rimac lagoon. Five Little Egrets on the saltmarsh and a Hobby hunting over. A Quail was calling from the outer dunes. Broad Bodied Chaser Dragonflies and Speckled Wood butterflies on the wing at Sea View 11th In the Crook Bank area Turtle Dove and Lesser Whitethroat calling plus a good show of marsh orchids, pyramidal orchids beginning to flower and the occasional bee orchid in bloom, also in flower were hound’s- tongue, yellow wort and musk thistle. 12th On Paradise lagoon 5 Avocet and a pair of Gadwall 3 Grey Heron were on Rimac lagoon and another flew south. Pair of Hobby hunting around Rimac and around 150 Swift flew south. Over the sea were 5 Gannet, 5 Common Scoter, a Sandwich Tern and 14 auk sp. Barn Owl hunting late evening near Sea View, good hatch of meadow browns around the Brickyard lane area 13th Single Avocet at Paradise lagoon, male Marsh Harrier hunting over saltmarsh; around Sea View young birds evident including Pied Wagtail, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, House Sparrow, Robin, Blue and Great Tit. Mistle Thrush in song and a Great Spotted Woodpecker briefly showed itself before flying off. Meadow brown and ringlet butterflies on the wing Emperor Dragonfly 2, first ringlet butterfly emerged, 2 Grey Heron and Water vole seen on Great Eau at Sea View, common blue, large skipper and meadow brown all on the wing at Sea View ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Lincolnshire Dormouse Group Meeting - May Report for 20/5/2017 Found in the Dormouse boxes: 13 Dormice (7 males and 6 females) Also found making use of the Dormouse boxes: 2 woodmice several bee and wasp nests A large number of birds' nests (mainly Wren, Great Tit and Blue Tit) The Lincolnshire Dormouse Group meet monthly at Chambers Farm Woods. We always welcome visitors and new members. Dormice are legally protected and sensitive to disturbance; attending the group's meetings provides the opportunity to see dormice legally with licenced surveyors. If you are interested please email lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com Also see: Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html LWT Lincolnshire Limewoods http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes/lincolnshire-limewoods ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (which comprise Ivy Wood, Little and Great Scrubbs Woods, Minting Wood, Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park, and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow (and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Rand Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland, which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and non-designated areas. Since managing the SSSI areas carries particular responsibilities to Natural England, records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS - LNRs etc. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reserve reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin goes out on Thursdays or Fridays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://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. beckside - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying dave.jackson - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying lizritson - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying sperkins - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying clilley - soft bounce - delivery failed; will not continue trying 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.....: Barefoot among the barrel-rolling damselflies https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/08/barefoot-among-the-barrel-rolling-damselflies#comment-99937906 The footballer hoverfly is a little fist of bling https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/07/hoverfly-summer-flowers-country-diary-shropshire Sticky solution: aphids' honeydew suits the bees https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/09/sticky-solution-aphids-honeydew-suits-bees-country-diary Melodious encounter with a family of redstarts https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/13/melodious-encounter-family-redstarts-sussex Mining bees create a theatre of enchantments https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/14/mining-bees-create-theatre-enchantments-shropshire ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/