============================================= || || 28th May 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... *** Thought of the week: "It is, I find, in zoology as it is in botany: all nature is so full, that that district produces the greatest variety which is the most examined." [Gilbert White] I am getting a lot of reports and questions about Tree Bees, Bombus hypnorum. You many be too, and if you want a good information sheet to pass on, try: https://bumblebeeconservation.org/images/uploads/Tree_bee_article_2015.pdf This week saw the finals of the 2017 Lincolnshire Environmental Awards. Details of the Overall Winner, Category Winners and Runners-up, and will be posted on the website shortly: http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ Some of you will be concerned that you may be vulnerable to 'Wannacry', the "ransomware" that has been rampaging through computer networks this month. If you run an older Windows operating system, Xp for instance, a free patch is available on the Microsoft website. Your own Anti-virus provider will probably have the details on their website. If not, you could ask their advice or refer to this link, supplied by my own AV provider: http://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=KB4012598 Here are a few interesting links - food for thought: Treasure trove of new plant discoveries revealed http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39897119 Cities need 'hedges as well as trees' for environment http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39943197 Norway to boost protection of Arctic seed vault from climate change http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39987495 'Killer' flatworm-spread prompts scientists' appeal http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-39913961 Rare 'lefty' snail left on the shelf http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-39940012/rare-lefty-snail-left-on-the-shelf Flamingo balancing act saves energy http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-40016816 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/ Thank you to everyone who has sent in reports and other contributions. If you have events or activities that need publicity, please let me know. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** May Night Sky - soon to transmogrify into June information *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html *** Bees and Ants question *** Jane Pennington writes: A gardening friend (...in Wales) asks: "Had something I had never seen before - over the last couple of weeks I have found five dead bumbles on the path. I put it down to the colder snaps we have been having, but yesterday I found one going around in circles on the path with two ants attached to it. I squashed the ants but it looked as if their bites had done it in and it also died". I've read that ants might enter a bumblebee nest and take the eggs or larvae, so I understand that they are bee predators. David Sheppard responds: Dead/dying queen bumblebees on the ground are not unusual. They could be nematode infected individuals that have never made a nest. Some seem to be drunk so may have imbibed some nectar that had begun to ferment. These recover in time and fly away but are very vulnerable to predation by birds and insects while sleeping it off. Some nectar seems to be toxic to bumblebees. Hybrid lime nectar in particular seems to render the bees incapable of flight and they fall to the ground. Another theory is that Blue Tits and Great Tits prey on the narcotised bees, eating the contents of the abdomen and dropping the rest of the body. Alternatively it may be that a local farmer or gardener has sprayed insecticide which has affected the nervous system of the bees rendering them unable to fly and thus vulnerable to predation. Your correspondent does not state which kind of ants were involved. Wood ants would attack almost any insect but the usual black or red garden ants are much smaller and are unlikely to attack anything as big as a bumblebee. I suspect that the ants found the moribund bee rather than attacking and killing it themselves. Ants are scavengers as well as predators and probably were taking the almost dead bee back to the nest as food for their brood. *** "Len Pick Trust's Owl Camera" *** http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 Kingfisher webcam: First brood has fledged. https://www.birdfood.co.uk/kingfisher-webcamingfisher webcam: Bob Sheppard writes: "The Netherlands kingfishers have laid the first egg of their second clutch of the year today [on 21st]. Amazing turn round. They incubate from the last egg so they all hatch together. Both parents share the sitting and the fishing." [Editor adds: Update: 3 eggs on 23rd May, 4 on 24th, 5 on 25th.] Also see: 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: Saturday, May 27, 2017 Field meeting to Corringham Scroggs with evening bat/moth recording session A private site with access courtesy of Thonock and Somerby Estates. Northeast of Gainsborough. 12.00 for 13.00 start and then at 20.30 again for evening session. Meet and park at SK842919 which is at end of track off A159 (east side), found about halfway between Gainsborough and Blyton. The track may be unsuitable for low vehicles on the day, therefore best to park alongside the track where possible and walk to meeting spot at end. NB. Parts of site quite wet. Insect repellent recommended. Additionally, as a private woodland no exploring before the set time please. No mains available for moth traps. Nearest public toilets are in Gainsborough town centre. Habitats: Broadleaved and mixed woodland (partly wet), ponds and scrub. 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/ *** 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 *** The Botany Collections of the Natural History Museum *** http://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/collections/botany-collections.html *** 3 Month Volunteer placement - extended deadline *** Will Bartle writes: We've extended the deadline for our upcoming volunteer placement. The Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project are currently advertising a 3 month volunteer placement starting in June thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund. The role will involve assisting the staff to organise a week-long festival of family events in August and is an ideal opportunity to gain valuable experience in the field of conservation. Deadline for applications is Tuesday 30th May. Full details can be found on their website http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/volunteer2017 *** Beetles in the Bog training day - Hatfield Moors - June 3rd *** Richard Smith writes: "I believe the training should have broad appeal to any Lincs Nats in the north of the county willing to visit the area, particularly Crowle Moors. " Beetles in the Bog Saturday, June 3, 2017 A training day at Hatfield Moors, Humberhead Peatlands National Nature Reserve, with Brian Eversham - 10am to 4pm. Training aimed at keen naturalists who wish to help record the Humberhead Peatlands’ unique beetles, especially at Crowle Moors. There will be the chance to learn about other iconic, bog invertebrates too. A free event, but booking essential. Please contact Richard Smith at Natural England for further information: richard.smith@naturalengland.org.uk, or 07767 0077 80 office hours. *** 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 *** 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 Davis writes Morning bird walk in Weelsby Woods On Saturday 3rd June 2017 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a morning bird walk in Weelsby Woods inGrimsby with Ray Hume. Meet Ray in the car parking area at 7am. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further information contact Ray Hume 07814840682. *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2016 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on *** Poetry Competition *** Will Bartle writes: The Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project are running a poetry competition for all ages thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. If you're feeling inspired by the wonderfully rare chalk streams found in Lincolnshire why not enter, you could win £250!! Deadline is Friday 14th July. Full terms and conditions, and instructions on how to enter are on their website. http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/poetrycompetition2017 *** 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 *** 38 Degrees Sherwood Forest Campaign *** A Petition against Fracking in Sherwood to sign if you are interested. http://38d.gs/2j8EpDA ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: 17/5 Temminck's Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh 18/5 2 Temminck's Stints, Osprey Over, 3 1s Little Gulls, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Hooded Crow, Boultham Mere Scaup drk, Deeping Lakes 20/5 Scaup drk, Deeping Lakes Great White Egret, Temminck's Stint, Little Stint, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl in East Dunes, Gibraltar Point 21/5 Red-footed Falcon on wires, then flew SE, Tetney Lock 2 Spoonbills flew north over, 1 Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Garganey drk, Paradise Pools, Saltfleet Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Little Gulls, Spotted Redshank, 2 Little Stints, Temminck's Stint on wet grasssland, Frampton Marsh 22/5 Red-footed Falcon flew south over Messingham Sand Quarry Turtle Dove, Burgh-le-Marsh Little Gull, Curlew Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Osprey, Boultham Mere 23/5 Bee Eater flew south over Anderby Creek, Bee Eater flew south over East Dunes and over the Wash, 3 Turtle Doves, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Turtle Dove near Legsby Wood boundary, Linwood Warren Curlew Sandpiper, Garganey, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh 24/5 Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Garganey 2 drks, 3 Turtle Doves, 5+Little Gulls, Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Turtle Dove singing, Kirkby-on-Bain gravel pits 2+ Turtle Doves by quarry, B1202, Metheringham 25/5 Wood Warbler at south end, Donna Nook Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Garganey 2 drks, Turtle Dove, Little Gull, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, srk Garganey of Jackson's Marsh, Short-eared Owl on old saltmarsh, Turtle Dove in East Dunes, 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. Owl Question Jeremy Hutchinson writes on 24th May: ....something I observed at dusk yesterday. I noticed something white on the top of the hedgerow across the field next to our garden, so fetched my binoculars, and as expected it proved to be a Barn Owl. I watched it for several minutes until another bird 'had a go' at it: all I could see was a pair of brownish flapping wings of a larger bird. Due to the briefness of the incident and low light levels I could not identify the bird. There was no fight as such, the Barn Owl just flew off, and I saw no more of the other bird. My first thought was that it might be a Buzzard, because there's a pair nesting about 150m away, but I saw nothing fly away, so I wonder whether it might have been a pheasant? Whatever it might have been it seemed to approach from low level. I've seen nothing like it before: any ideas? Keith Scarrott asks: SCOTTER SE 890 015 10th May, 2017 to 22nd May, 2017 For yet another year the blue tit brood in one of our garden boxes has mainly failed. Three weeks ago I counted 6 alive freshly hatched chicks in the box. We knew the parents were struggling to feed them as they were frantically and continually pecking at the fat balls which I put out and then flew straight back to the nest box. I provided live and dried meal- worms in various protected locations, including beneath the fat balls, hoping they would find them. But they never did. I counted 3 still alive and partly feathered nearly 2 weeks ago, the other 3 dead beneath them.  Later I found one of the feathered ones dead on the garden path. Early this week, missing seeing the parents, I looked in the nest box and found one feathered chick dead on top of the earlier dead chicks. We just hope that the juvenile we saw that day was the lone survivor. This seems to be an annual occurrence.  Has anyone any advice? Editor adds: There was some resent research which indicated that tit survival in birdboxes was not as good as natural nest locations in trees. See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39104672 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 R & A Parsons 20/5/2017 Noted first fledged starling chick being fed on lawn. http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/starling 23/5/2017 Grey squirrel x 4 noted on gutter to west side of house. Suspicious mammal-type noises had previously been heard in the wall/roof. 25/5/2017 2 bats spp echolocating at 55KHz over churchyard west of house. BOSTON (Garden by A16) 22/05/2017 Kath Pearson A pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers seem to be nesting close by and there is regular visiting to the sunflower hearts feeders, especially by the male. We have never had such regular visiting to the garden previously, but visits are now occurring several times a day. CANADA LANE field road, NEW YORK TF226538 R.Parsons Muntjac sighting: 10.00hrs 10/3/2017 Large adult on field side north of Canada Lane CARLTON LE MOORLAND SK909580 Jeremy Hutchinson 20th May  2017 Red Kite 21st May 2017 Red Kite 22nd May 2017 Cuckoo calling (first this year) 23rd May 2017 Brood of newly-fledged Wrens in garden. CASTLE DYKE BANK, NEW YORK TF235537 R. Parsons Muntjac sighting: 12 noon. 18/5/2017 Small adult moving north on east side of Castle Dyke bank near private airstrip. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/species/muntjac-deer HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 18/5/2017 Fox 1 (see him wandering through the garden most evenings now) Peacock butterfly 1 Red admiral 1 19/5/2017 Smooth newts 2 20/5/2017 Red admiral 1 Seem to have missed the blue tits fledging as no feeding go on now. 21/5/2017 Bees' nest (can't identify type) found dug out, probably by a badger. Chaffinch 1 (f) Dunnocks 2 Ladybird 7-spot 1 22/5/2017 Large white 1 Song thrush 1 23/5/2017 Aranea diadematus Garden Cross spiderlings +/- 200 (in two 'balls' between 2 plant pots - gone by this morning, 24/5/17) 24/5/2017 Blackbird 2 (female collecting nesting material) Great tit 1 Wren 1 (collecting moss) NETTLEHAM TF01357549  Su Colman 22 May 2017 Bombus Hypnorum in residence in the soffits, up to 20 drones dancing outside the entrance hole RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 17.05.2017 2 House Sparrow fledglings seen briefly in wet weather 18.05.2017 Regular visits at Bluetit box on ash tree Brimstone Orange Tip 19.05.2017 Kestrel Mallard – 2 males on pasture Moorhen Pied Wagtail 22.05.2017 Still hardly any butterflies (NO overwintered Small Tortoiseshell, only 1 Peacock seen so far) 1 Brimstone, 1 Large White, 1 Blue (not sure which) 1 blue Damselfly (first this year, but no ID) Common Frog croaking 2 Swallows – male singing regularly on power line House Martins: Sadly, after several years of predation by a tawny owl and last year’s bad weather, our small colony of up to 11 nests appears to have died out. I have only seen 3 House Martins locally, probably nesting on another property nearby. Mallard nest Luckily, I can observe the mallard nest (still containing 11 eggs) from an upstairs window. The female leaves the nest at least twice a day, not always at the same time, and returns 2-3 hours later, often with not just one, but 2 drakes in tow. They wait on the lower lawn until she’s waddled up to the nest and settled; then they hang around a bit longer, walking here and there side by side, mirroring each other’s movements, before they take off together in the same direction.  I often see them resting in the meadow opposite, which adjoins the church pond.  More recently they were joined by a white mallard (sex?) in late evening; this bird did not venture into our garden, though. Last night (23.05.) the female returned without escorts, so maybe the time has come for the males to do their own thing.  We will be on the lookout for hatchlings between 31st May and 7th June.  Watch this space! SANDILANDS, back garden Ian Whitaker 20/05/2017 HUMMINGBIRD HAWKMOTH hovering on lobelia http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/species/hummingbird-hawk-moth SOUTHERY WOOD R. Parsons 23/5/2015 at 21.45hrs. TF134684. Several medium-sized bats noted flying over road B1190 at northern wood boundary https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/wood/11617/bardney-limewoods-southrey-wood/ SNIPE DALES Approx location: TF332684 21/5/2017 On pathside vegetation. R. Parsons for Coningsby Wildlife Watch The striking red and black froghopper - Cercopis vulnerata 3+ individuals. Photographed by S. Fox and determined by C. Barnes. See: https://www.britishbugs.org.uk/homoptera/Cercopidae/Cercopis_vulnerata.html Also: Brimstone butterfly A lot of mole activity across the area and hedgehog droppings near car park. STALLINGBOROUGH – HOBSON WAY (Grid reference TA2113) 15/5/2017 Jon Drakes Wildlife noted whilst at work was as follows: Blackbird Carrion Crow Goldfinch Kestrel Magpie Mistle Thrush Pheasant Woodpigeon Wren SUTTON ON SEA Bill Simpson 22 May 2017 Tree bees in disused bird box in garden. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR Robert Walker 21/5/17 Little Terns 2 Whilst my wife and I were having our picnic lunch near the dune along side  Greenshanks creek we were able to watch a pair of Little Terns 'courting' on the opposite bank. The male. presumably, kept flying up in the air, 'hovering' then plunging down into the  water to catch either tiny fish or shrimps, then take them over to the female who remained on the sand.Offering the item to her with much performance of sideways head and neck movements. This went on for some 30 minutes  before they both flew off. SEACROFT MARSH TF565604 Robert Walker 21/5/17 House Martins 20+ During our walk up from Gibraltar Point, my wife and I came across the House Martins collecting mud for nest building. Small groups would come down onto the waters edge of the shallow flooded marsh, only 10-15 yards away from us. This allowed us superb views of the birds. A real pleasure to see. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 17th--- 24thMay 2017 Contributors: - John Walker, Peter & Janet Rowarth, Gary Cooper & Neil Pike   General Notes and Weather Observations   The first rainfall for May was recorded on the 13th with 3.5mm there then followed a period of more persistent rain, including very heavy downpours and thunder up to the 20th giving a total of 58.1mm. Daytime temperatures became very warm and at times humid (per Gary Cooper) Damselflies large red, azure blue, and blue tailed, Dragonflies four spot chaser, hairy. Butterflies , small heath, small copper, small white, green veined white, orange tip, wall brown, green hairstreak, common blue, speckled wood, red admiral, peacock, brimstone, painted lady.   Flowers include early marsh orchid, flag iris, twayblade, silverweed, Yellow Rattle, Bird’s Foot Trefoil, Germander Speedwell and stonecrop. The heavy rains have stimulated considerable natterjack activity with spawning. A few common lizards seen in the un-grazed dunes, The first young long tailed tits, dunnocks, blackbirds, starlings, song thrushes, and linnets seen.   Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings   18th            On the beach of Brick Yard lane were Ring Plover 80, Sanderling 70, Dunlin 60 and 1 Curlew. Wall butterfly were seen on the wing 20th            Grass snake at Rimac, 2 Painted Lady butterflies seen on the wing at Brick Yard Lane, along with Red Admiral most days, Sparrowhawk also seen off Brick Yard Lane   21st            Drake Garganey was reported on Paradise lagoon   22nd       The recent spell of heavy rainfall and warm conditions has given a boost to the dune vegetation which is looking much more lush; mouse-ear hawkweed, goat’s-beard and dewberry are now in flower. Common blue, wall, speckled wood and small heath butterflies have been seen in flight. At least 12 House Martins were collecting mud from the edge of Paradise lagoon    23rd      Ring Plover 12, on the beach off Brick yard Lane, together with Sanderling 40, Dunlin 20, Turtle Dove and the first young Great Tit fledglings of the year in the hedgerows, 2 pairs of cuckoo also at Brick Yard Lane   As a footnote, an interesting Micro Moth showed up in the long grass at Sea View and is, thus far, assumed to be the Fairy Longhorn Moth, Adela reamurella, however, positive identification is, as yet, still to be verified ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Saturday, May 27, 2017 Field meeting to Corringham Scroggs with evening bat/moth recording session A private site with access courtesy of Thonock and Somerby Estates. Northeast of Gainsborough. 12.00 for 13.00 start and then at 20.30 again for evening session. Meet and park at SK842919 which is at end of track off A159 (east side), found about halfway between Gainsborough and Blyton. The track may be unsuitable for low vehicles on the day, therefore best to park alongside the track where possible and walk to meeting spot at end. NB. Parts of site quite wet. Insect repellent recommended. Additionally, as a private woodland no exploring before the set time please. No mains available for moth traps. Nearest public toilets are in Gainsborough town centre. Habitats: Broadleaved and mixed woodland (partly wet), ponds and scrub. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com 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 for next year are now finalized. Bees (David Sheppard) on the 3rd of June, 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. Russ birdman - soft bounce - Message rejected - looks like spam steve Wragby - soft bounce - Message rejected - looks like spam sperkins - soft bounce - bad mailbox If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, please let me know. Meantime text copies of past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html ....and finally.....: Sleaford WWII veteran claims medals after 72 years http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-40015496 Lorry gets wedged under Roman arch in Lincoln http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-39965995 Minke whales die off coast of East Anglia http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-39991646 And finally Toxin-tolerant plants take root in colliery's spoil tips https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/may/18/toxin-tolerant-plants-take-root-in-collierys-spoil-tips Hunting for moths in the night garden https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/may/23/hunting-moths-night-garden-country-diary#comment-99094063 The cuckoo is back and all's right with the world https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/may/24/the-cuckoo-is-back-and-alls-right-with-the-world Damaged flame shell reef declared protected area http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-39963518 Native oysters introduced to Scottish waters for first time in over 100 years http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-39958800 UN looks to protect birds from green energy threats http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39954427 Greece battles locust plague on Agios Efstratios island http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39972713 Florida man tries to kiss rattlesnake; gets bitten http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-39956904 "Worst" products for recycling named http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-39953209 Charity says cats should stay inside to protect wildlife http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-39961402 Would you drive a car made from plants? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/39957804/would-you-drive-a-car-made-from-plants Incredible fungus footage! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO9f6io84ck&feature=youtu.be&utm_source=Kew&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=8221655_Grow%20Wild%20May%20e-newsletter%202017 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/