============================================= || || 15th October 2017 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || LNU Website: || http://lnu.org/ || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers' hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR 6. Other Reserve Reports and Highlights 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ The Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Bulletin is being read by over 1000 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. Please use the "forward to a friend" link at the end of every LNU Bulletin to invite new readers to give it a try. We really appreciate your help with this. 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... *** An autumn foray in the woods is always a treat, whatever the weather. The LNU foray was at the Bloxholme Wood nature reserve, SW of Ashby de la Launde. This is a rather well-drained and dry ash woodland, but we did find some 40 species. Report below in section 3. As we met up a large flock of redwing was flying over, autumn arrivals from northern Europe or Iceland. https://www.bto.org/about-birds/species-focus/redwing For LWT woodland reserves see: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/habitats/woodland Woodland Trust "Find a Wood Near You" https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/map/ The LNU foray marks the end of the Field Meeting season and the programme of indoor meetings starts on 25th November 2017: ‘Shining light on the ‘geological darkness’ of Lincolnshire’ by Dr Jonathan Larwood of Natural England. 2pm start. Indoor meetings are held normally held in Lincoln in the Education building of Whisby Nature Park. Non-members are welcome. As usual I have included a selection of topical links for you to click. Most were sent in by readers, the rest were chosen by me with particular people in mind. Your suggestions for interesting links are always welcome. See: 'Sooty birds' reveal hidden US air pollution - collections can be useful! http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-41557157 Four charged with hunting deer with dogs in Lincolnshire http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-41542671 Search continues for chemical weapons in Lincolnshire http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-41552907 More boxes found in Lincolnshire mustard gas search http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-41571252 More topical links are below in "...and finally..." - 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://lnu.org/ Thank you to all contributors this week. Your reports are much appreciated. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** Love Lincolnshire Plants - Update *** Updates and links on this exciting initiative as it develops: Love Lincolnshire Plants: A plant archive for the next generation http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/news/2017/10/05/love-lincolnshire-plants-plant-archive-next-generation Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust receives £500k grant to create plant archive for future generations http://lincolnshirereporter.co.uk/2017/10/lincolnshire-wildlife-trust-receives-500k-grant-create-plant-archive-future-generations/ NHM https://twitter.com/nhm_botany?lang=en http://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/collections/botany-collections.html http://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/collections/botany-collections/british-irish-herbarium.html LWT http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ SJBS http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/news-events/lincolnshire-plants-project/ LNU https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Flnu.org%2F http://lnu.org/ Lincoln University School of Life Sciences https://lifesciences.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/2016/09/30/heritage-lottery-funding-to-safeguard-lincolnshire-plants/ *** October Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html The Orionid meteors peak on 21st October - a moonless night, so there's hope we may see some. Heads up! Weather permitting, you should see something. Orionid Meteor Shower 2017 weather forecast: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/events/orionid-meteor-shower *** 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/ *** LNU Events Diary *** LNU events are listed below in section 11. For LNU meetings, see: https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ 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. 25th November 2017: ‘Shining light on the ‘geological darkness’ of Lincolnshire’ by Dr Jonathan Larwood of Natural England. 2pm start. Our indoor meetings are held normally held in Lincoln in the Education building of Whisby Nature Park. *** Agonising over that impossible Christmas Present? *** For the partner/friend who has everything: A trail camera? http://www.wildlifeservices.co.uk/hawke.html A bat detector? http://www.bats.org.uk/pages/bat_detectors.html A moth trap? https://www.nhbs.com/equipment/moth-traps Seeds of Bee-friendly Wild Flowers? [Plantlife and Flora locale have defined protocols that can guide the conservation-minded shopper.] www.floralocale.org/Alphabetical+supplier+listing FSC Field Course? [LNU offers bursaries for such courses.] 2018 courses will be available online from 13th October! http://www.field-studies-council.org/ RSPB books and gifts? http://shopping.rspb.org.uk/birds-wildlife/bird-wildlife-books-media/wildlife-nature-books.html The Joseph Banks Centre Shop in Horncastle: http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/ If any "wildlife" organisation plans to open a Christmas shop or stall we will be pleased to give you some publicity - just let us know. *** Chalk Stream Volunteer Days *** Will Bartle writes: Volunteer day coming up: Tuesday 14th November 10-1.30 – Waithe beck, Brigsley We’ll be trimming vegetation back to let light into the stream. Volunteers to bring pack lunch, drink and suitable footwear (wellies or walking boots). Parking is at Brigsley down the track next to the Brigsley Ice Cream place just over the river – bottom of the track near the caravan. Grid Reference TF19468 94585 Please get in contact if you're interested, we like to know who's coming. Full details can be downloaded on our website http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/upcomingevents or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LincolnshireChalkStreams/ *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** The Natural History and Geology Section of Scunthorpe Museum Society. http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ *** Grimsby RSPB Group *** Martin Francis writes: "The next meeting of the Grimsby RSPB Group is at 7.30pm on Monday 16th October, at Corpus Christi Community Centre, corner of Machray Place, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes DN35 7AE. Chris Galvin will give us an illustrated talk entitled "Around the World in 80 Birds". Chris given us talks before and he has proved himself to be and interesting and well- informed speaker, and an excellent photographer. There will also be refreshments and a raffle. Entry is £4, payable at the door. The Group's next trip is to RSPB Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore on Sunday 22nd October, leaving Millman's Coach Depot in Wilton Road, Humberston at 7.30am. The cost of the coach trip is £20 per person. Booking is essential All are welcome. You don't have to be a member of the RSPB for either event. For more information, contact Martin Francis (Group Leader) at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com (preferred) or on (01472) 883436 We look forward to seeing you at the meeting, or on the trip, or both! *** Local RSPB links: *** Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby S Lincs RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation and Lincoln Conservation Group Work Day *** Sunday the 15th of October, at Chambers Farm Wood between Wragby and Bardney. Ring Richard on 01522 525725 or 078 144 14285 for further directions or details. The work is coppicing overgrown Blackthorn bushes along the Minting Park ride to create fresh regrowth next year for Brown Hairstreak butterflies to lay their eggs on. Tools and gloves provided but wear suitable clothes and work boots. Bring a packed lunch if staying all day but refreshments provided. Meet in the car park at 10.00 am and we will be working through to approx 3.30pm. *** Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT *** Alford & Mablethorpe Area Group Find us on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LWT-Alford-Mablethorpe-Area-Group-175413729474673/ George Rutter writes: Talk: Hedgehog Care Half Moon Hotel, West Street, Alford, LN13 9DG Monday 23rd October 7:30pm The hedgehog population has declined steeply over the last few decades and Stacey Hill will discuss the work of the centre at Authorpe which has been running for a number of years in caring for injured or orphaned hedgehogs. *** 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: On Sunday 22nd October 2017 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invites you to join them on a morning bird walk in Humberston with Ray Hume. Meet Ray at 8am in the car park at the far end of Humberston Fitties near the Yacht Club. Grid ref. TA332061 nearest post code DN36 4HE. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout shoes and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event but donations will be welcome for the Trust. For further details ring Ray 07814 840682. *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson Lincoln Area Group Talk October 19th: Earthstars, Brittle Gills and Puddockstools An Autumnal look at Britain's Fungi by local expert Dr Vin Fleming, Chairman of the Bourne Area Group. Talk at Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm.  Admission £2.50 which includes refreshments. *** Louth LWT *** Ray Woodcock writes: The LWT Louth Area Group will meet at the Methodist Church, Nichol Hill, Louth at 1930 hrs Friday 27 October, when Tim Newberry a Meteorologist at RAF Coningsby will give us an illustrated talk about Understanding the Weather including climate change. Entrance is £2.50 which includes refreshments. There is no charge for children who are most welcome. *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events 2016 *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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: 7/10 Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Donna Nook Yellow-browed Warbler along Sykes farm track, Little Stint on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 3 Cattle Egrets at Elm House farm, Saltfleetby St Clement Scaup ad drk, Deeping Lakes 8/10 Ring Ouzel*, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers trapped and ringed in East Dunes, Gibraltar Point 2 Little Stints, Donna Nook Velvet Scoter, Ring Ouzel, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Pied Flycatcher in bushes south of Mill Hill viewpoint, Yellow- browed Warbler by Sykes Farm entrance, Yellow-browed Warbler at Mill Hill, Gibraltar Point 3 Cattle Egrets at Elm House farm, Saltfleetby St Clement Long-billed Dowitcher at Paradise Pool, Saltfleet Haven 15 Little Stints, 10 Curlew Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh 9/10 Spoonbill - then flew north, Donna Nook Short-eared Owl, 8 Little Stints, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh Curlew Sandpiper on lagoon, Freiston Shore 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Ring Ouzel, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Scaup flew south, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Bean Goose sp flew NW over, Pied Flycatcher, 5 Yellow-browed Warblers, Twite, Donna Nook 10/10 Bittern*, Boultham Mere Great White Egret, Far Ings Great Grey Shrike in hawthorn at Fleet Falls, Alkborough Flats Little Stint, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point 11/10 Curlew Sandpiper on Jackson's Marsh, Yellow-browed Warbler at north building, Velvet Scoter flew south, Gibraltar Point Curlew Sandpiper, 4 juv Little Stints, Freiston shore Pomarine Skua juv flew north past Crook bank, drk Velvet Scoter flew north, Slavonian Grebe on sea, Saltfleetby 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. BUTTERFLIES Jackie Freeman reports: 12/9/17 - Brian Oxborrow counted 125 red admirals on ivy growing on a tree at Market Rasen station. 24/9/17 - recorder Jackie Freeman. My garden. TF 133 923 Warm, sunny day. 20 red admirals and 4 commas - on ivy, Michaelmas daisy and sedum spectabile. BLOXHOLM WOOD: LNU Field Meeting Bloxholm Wood LWT Reserve TF048534 8th October 2017 Field Meeting summary from Brian Hedley LNU Annual Fungi Foray led by Ray Halstead and attended by an impressive 25 people in total on an overcast but dry afternoon. The fungi took some searching out but at least 40 species (TBC) were noted with highlights being: Goldleaf Shied (Pluteus romellii), Wrinkled Peach (Rhodotus palmatus) and Giant Funnel (Leucopaxillus giganteus) plus Burgandydrop Bonnet (Mycena haematopus) and Velvet Shank (Flammulina velutipes). About a 100 plant species were noted including bugle, cowslip, sweet violet, red-currant and meadowsweet. Many ornamental trees and shrubs were present. Thirty bird species included flyover siskin, redpoll and many redwings plus in the wood were nuthatch, treecreeper, bullfinch, jay and great spotted woodpecker. Invertebrates included harlequin ladybird, orange ladybird, woundwort shieldbug, vapourer moth, Svensonn's copper-underwing moth, the rare micro-moth Caloptilia semifascia and the Stiltbug Metatropis rufescens. ROAD KILLS Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. Roadkill report. M. Ellis Sat. 6.10. 2017 A52 approx 5 miles east of Grantham Badger *** 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 TF117 699 Steve Green 7th October 2017 18.45 Surprised to see two House Martins still flying around - the only ones seen for a while BARDNEY The Green TF119694 R & A Parsons 7/10/2017 @ 18.50hrs 2 bats hunting in garden and on Church Lane. Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell still on wing.kmoth. Fast wing beats. Seen at a distance but probably a Silver Y. EAST HALTON SKITTER TO GOXHILL HAVEN (and return) (Grid reference TA1423 to TA1225) 8/10/2017 Jon Drakes with Chris Knowles The following species were noted whilst carrying out the monthly WeBS count along the bank of the River Humber between East Halton Skitter and Goxhill Haven: Bearded Tit 14 Black Tailed Godwit 415 Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Brambling 1 Bullfinch 1 Carrion Crow Chaffinch Chiffchaff 1 Cormorant 5 Curlew 93 Dunlin 147 Goldcrest 1 – noted in Hawthorn hedge row adjacent to sea bank Golden Plover 30 - seen feeding in a field at East Halton Skitter Goldfinch Great Black Backed Gull 7 Greater Spotted Woodpecker 1 – seen flying in westerly direction over marsh towards Goxhill. Grey Heron 4 Herring Gull Kestrel 1 Lapwing 41 Little Egret 3 Long-tailed Tit Magpie Mallard 2 Marsh Harrier 1 Meadow Pipit 10 Mute Swan 10 – two adults and eight young on Skitter beck. Oystercatcher 2 Pheasant Pink-footed Goose 442 – seen feeding in fields near East Halton Skitter Red Kite 1 - crossed the river from North before drifting East along Humber. Redshank 7 Reed Bunting 13 Robin Ruff 9 Shelduck 5 Snipe 2 Stonechat 4 Teal 81 Treecreeper 1 – noted in copse at LWT Dawson City reserve Turnstone 23 Wigeon 15 Wren Roe Deer 3 Fox 1 GRANTHAM CANAL SK887337-SK870342 Harlaxton to Denton Reservoir Jane Ostler 8th October 2017 Flowering Plants: Still plenty of flowers providing food for insects. The tabletops of Hogweed, the white trumpets of Greater Bindweed, the funnels of White Deadnettle and Ivy at its flowering best. Dandelions, Daisies and Geranium species continue to be frequent. A Wild Service Tree has become apparent because of its vivid autumn colours but there were apparently no berries. Rosehips were more abundant than haws. Plenty of guelder berries. Acorns seem to have all been taken by squirrels. A few smashed conkers, but the rest probably taken by children. No hazel fruits apparent on the bushes and small trees. The canal banks were lined on both sides with the dry seedheads of Rushes and Great Hairy Willowherbs shedding fruits in profusion. Mammals: A voluntary warden described how mink are now a real problem. hey have taken all young ducklings in this area. Squirrels were busy taking acorns. Fresh molehills. Evidence of badger. Birds: The water up to the Denton Reservoir outlet is covered densely with duckweed. Two male and two female mallard ducks have discovered that the best way to navigate this is in a line with the leading drake parting the weed for the rest. There were no other birds on this section  of the water. At Denton Reservoir Bridge a pair of Mute Swans which nested here earlier in the year, producing five signets now only have three with them. Insects: The flowering ivy was covered in feeding insects in the brief sunshine at the beginning of our walk: Red Admiral, Marmalade and Eristalsis hoverflies, common carder bees. A few wasps were on fermenting blackberries(there seems to be less of these in our garden this year).  A hornet was travelling low over the water on the bankside. Fungi: Surprisingly little in the way of gilled species - Common Ink Cap and the Pleated Inkcap were noted. There were rusts on the red campion and roses and Tar spot was abundant on Sycamore. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 6/10/2017 Red admiral 1 Wrens 2 9/10/2017 Ladybirds 2 7-spots Ladybirds 3 harlequins 10/10/2017 Sparrowhawk 1 - heard its call and turned in time to see it fly out of the hawthorn and it was immediately mobbed by about 6 crows. 11/11/2017 Shaggy parasol 1 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 7/10/2017 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Bird Watch for the BTO in our back garden were: Blackbird 2 Starling 2 Collared Dove 14 Dunnock 4 House Sparrow 25 Tree Sparrow 2 Robin 1 Woodpigeon 1 Blue Tit 2 Greenfinch 2 RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 06.10.2017 7-Spot Ladybird (quite small, 5-6mm) Woodpigeon squab still in nest Mallard 1 m, feeding on pasture with Woodpigeons etc. (TF309848) 07.10.2017 100+ Black-headed Gull feeding on muddy pasture alongside ca. 40 Woodpigeons, a few Rooks and Jackdaws as well as a/the single Common Gull. (TF309848/9) 08.10.2017 Pied Wagtail 4 on power line Magpie 5 Red Admiral 1 7-Spot Ladybird 1 Woodpigeon nest now empty; haven’t seen the single fledgling (hatched 5 weeks ago) Cleared out Bluetit nest box and found an uncompleted nest inside; ties in with my observations earlier in the season. 09.10.2017 Pheasant, 1 m at dusk. There have been noticeably fewer pheasants around this year (shooting or?). Tawny Owl calling 10.10.2017 Pied Wagtail on roof Wren 10.10.2017 2 pm: Over B1200 opposite Louth Garden Centre (TF344858): Small Starling Murmuration (ca. 300 birds, maybe more). They gather on the power lines there every year, but I’ve never seen a murmuration so early in the day. Gone when I passed by again around 3 pm – it would be interesting to find out if there is a roost nearby; I tend not to pass this spot at dusk. 11.10.2017 Skylark, 3 close together, at least one in song, above stubble field in strong SW winds (TF296855) SCOTGROVE WOOD R & A Parsons 5/10/2017 Badger paw print. Many Speckled Wood butterflies Darter spp Fungi Large, 'globular' Agaric yet to be identified. Fly Agaric Bay Boletus Tawny Grisettes Stalked Puff Balls SOUTHERY WOOD 5/10/2017 R & A Parsons Fungi Tawny Grisettes - in flush Clitocybe - "Kummer Cap" Clouded Agarics Deceiver Bonnet Mycena Wood Blewits Common Earth Balls STALLINGBOROUGH – HOBSON WAY (Grid reference TA2113) Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst at work during the week included: 2/10/2017 Carrion Crow Great Black Backed Gull Herring Gull Magpie Robin 3/10/2017 Blackbird Carrion Crow Herring Gull Kestrel Magpie Robin Woodpigeon 4/10/2017 Common Gull Grey Heron Herring Gull Magpie Magpie Pink-footed Goose 21 noted flying in SE direction Woodpigeon 6/10/2017 Magpie Robin Woodpigeon THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 27/09/17 Golden Plover x 15 over Thurnholmes Beaded Chestnut x 1 back garden security light 29/09/17 Lunar Underwing x 1 back garden security light 03/10/17 Kingfisher x 2 SK8099 04/10/17 Blackbird x 6 Bullfinch x 2 SE772008 Golden Plover x 27 SE774008 10/10/17 Common Buzzard x 3 Green Woodpecker x 1 SE772012 Long Tailed Tit x 15 SE767004 11/10/17 Axholme Light Railway - Haxey to Burnham stretch; Blackbird x 19 Blue Tit x 7 Common Buzzard x 2 Great Tit x 2 Green Woodpecker x 1 Kestrel x 1 Long Tailed Tit x 17 WEELSBY WOODS – GRIMSBY (Grid Reference TA2807) 7/10/2017 Jon Drakes with members of LWT Grimsby and Cleethorpes area Turnstones Watch Group. Species noted whilst exploring Weelsby Woods with members of the LWT Grimsby and Cleethorpes area “Turnstones Watch Group” were: Blackbird Buzzard Carrion Crow Herring Gull Jay Magpie Robin Woodpigeon ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 3rd – 10th October 2017 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Nige Lound and Matt Blissett. Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings 3rd - 300 linnets on the beach and a merlin hunting them. 1 Yellow-browed warbler. 4th - The dunes around Crook Bank produced 11 goldcrest, 11 chiffchaff, 1 firecrest and a coal tit whilst on the beach were 2 wheatear. 335 pinkfeet flew south and 60 flew north. On evening high spring tide were 6,000 rooting black-headed Gulls along with 1,000 common Gulls. Still 300 linnets on beach. 450 pink-footed Geese into roost and 63 cormorants. 2 stonechat by Paradise lagoon and single greenshank. 5th – The long-billed dowitcher was on the Eau bank and 49 little egrets feeding on the saltmarsh. Up to 7 reed buntings and a single chiffchaff near Paradise woods and 1 common buzzard and 14 swallows flying over. Near Sea View were 3 mistle thrush, singles of black cap and chiffchaff and a male stonechat on the edge of the saltmarsh and late afternoon a male marsh harrier was hunting over the saltmarsh along the creeks where it was seen to flush a common snipe. High spring tide in morning bolstered by a surge following strong NW winds over several days resulted in the highest tide of the autumn so far. Linnet feeding flock disrupted by the surge, which stripped much of the seed crop from the salicornia on the beach. A single snow bunting among flock of 130 linnet from Brick Yard Lane. 1 Bonxie north. 1 Yellow-browed warbler and a late lesser whitethroat. Despite the fresh north-westerly winds any sheltered areas catching the sun near Sea View did encourage a few red admirals to be on the wing and one comma. 6th – The long-billed dowitcher still in the Paradise area plus 2 ruff and a kingfisher and 3 swallows flying south. At sea there were numerous pink-footed geese, gannet, teal, wigeon and auk sp flying north. Also seen were 19 red-throated diver, 5 Sandwich tern, a red-breasted merganser, 5 great-crested grebe, 3 pintail, an eider, 4 bonxie and an adult Arctic skua. The long-billed dowitcher was again around Paradise, 3 cattle egret nearby on Elm House Farm and a whooper swan was on the Haven lagoon. BYL a single swallow flew south, 5 chiffchaff, 1 redpoll and 19 greenfinch. Several red admiral butterflies and a comma on the wing at Sea View. 7th – At the morning high tide there were 600+ black-headed gulls, 42 little egrets and 3 whooper swans plus 2 marsh harriers hunting over the area. On Paradise lagoon were 16 teal, 10 mallard and a kingfisher flew along the Eau. There were several skeins of pink-footed geese all flying west or north-west totalling some 500+ birds, and 110 wigeon and 30 teal. Around Sea View blackbirds had increased to 16, 2 chiffchaffs, 1 blackcap, a single tree pipit and a flock of 8 common snipe flew west. At CB 1 brambling, 2 siskin, 1 ring ouzel, 2 great spotted woodpeckers and 2 common buzzards. 8th – Highlights from the WeBS section Theddlethorpe to Saltfleet Haven at high tide were 43 little egret, 95 shelduck, 175 wigeon, 108 curlew, 8 common snipe, 2 marsh harrier, 1 greenshank, 10 ruff and 2 rock pipit. The long-billed dowitcher was disturbed from a slightly raised dune edge on the flooded saltmarsh, almost 2km from Paradise area, where it briefly called a faint trill several times and then dropped to the ground out of sight. On the evenings and dawn at CB 2 little owl 1 tawny owl and 1 barn owl heard. Common darters, and 2 migrant hawkers seen, also red admiral, green veined white, and speckled wood. Around Sea View were 20+ blackbird, 2 goldcrest, 2 chiffchaff, 2 yellow-browed warbler, 1 blackcap and 4 tree sparrow. During late afternoon there was a small influx of thrushes with 20+ in Paradise wood and 60+ around Sea View. They were predominately blackbirds with a few song thrushes and at least 3 redwing. Pink-footed geese flew off the roost in a number of skeins giving a total of 867 birds. CB - 450 pink-footed geese off roost. 1 Yellow-browed warbler. First reasonable immigration of thrushes, with 26 song thrushes, 13 blackbirds and 2 redwings over. Also at CB 1 Brambling and at sea 3 red throated diver south, 6 Sandwich terns and 5 common scoter. 9th - 75 pink-footed geese flying NW and 3 whooper swans south. 22 Long-tailed tits in a single party. Long-billed dowitcher still on Saltfleet Haven. 10th – Single yellow-browed warbler and goldcrest plus 2 blackcaps at Sea View with 40+ goldfinch nearby and 2 ruff, 32 redshank, 24 teal and 11 mallard at Paradise lagoon. 384 pink feet and 1 white front geese roosting on Theddlethorpe foreshore and 6 whooper swans over. Ivy blossom still attracting Red Admirals with a peak count of 36. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR These cover a huge area, and records from them and records from volunteer recorders are one of the main inputs to management planning and the protection of rare/scarce and critical species. Reports always welcome. http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/visit/woods-and-nature-reserves/127031.article Also see: Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html LWT Lincolnshire Limewoods http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes/lincolnshire-limewoods ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises 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, private reserves etc. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin goes out on Thursdays or Fridays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org LNU Mammal Atlas You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. http://www.glnp.org.uk/our-publications/biodiversity/projects-and-reports.php LNU Bursaries: The LNU offers bursaries for natural history courses. The upper limit is £250. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk *** CONTACTS LIST *** Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals *** Bird Club Website *** http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Bat Group website *** http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/lincolnshire-chalk-streams *** Lincsbirders *** http://www.lincsbirders.org/ 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 *** http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Weather Underground *** https://www.wunderground.com/ *** Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service *** 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. *** Botany *** Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland http://bsbi.org/ 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 *** Identifying Fungi *** App: http://rogersmushroomsapp.com/ BMS Checklist of names: http://www.fieldmycology.net/GBCHKLST/gbchklst.htm BMS Keys for Macrofungi http://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/library/keys/ *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/ http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species *** How to Identify Bees *** http://www.bwars.com/ http://bumblebeeconservation.org/ 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 *** Lincolnshire Mammals *** 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 Mammal Society http://www.mammal.org.uk/ *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk BAS Spider identification: http://britishspiders.org.uk/wiki2015/index.php?title=Main_Page *** 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 *** Confidential Bat Records *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@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 USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership http://www.glnp.org.uk/ (of which LERC is a part) Contact: charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk *** Life on the Verge and Wildflower Meadow Network Project *** http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Good sources of seeds of Bee-friendly Wild Flowers *** Plantlife and Flora locale have defined protocols that can guide the conservation-minded shopper. See: www.floralocale.org/Alphabetical+supplier+listing *** Lincs Bird Club *** LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Phil Hyde - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk Contact 01507 528223 enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in a few cases may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. For good advice for all nature-watchers see the RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ and BTO's pdf: https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u10/downloads/taking-part/health/bwc.pdf [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see http://lnu.org/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Indoor Meetings 2017/8 Indoor meeting ‘Shining light on the ‘geological darkness’ of Lincolnshire’ – 25th November 2017 Indoor meeting – 20th January 2018 Recorders’ Meeting – 10th February 2018 Annual General Meeting – 3rd March 2018 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. mark@nice - hard bounce - mailbox unavailable Amandat@ - soft bounce - delivery failed 3 Lincolnshire.gov addresses - soft bounce - delivery failed If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, please let me know. Text copies of current and past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html ....and finally.....: Butterfly swarm shows up on Denver radar system http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-41528521 Swallowtail butterfly could benefit from Papua New Guinea project http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-norfolk-41532988/swallowtail-butterfly-could-benefit-from-papua-new-guinea-project Country diary: strange spiders and help from the web https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/05/country-diary-strange-spiders-and-help-from-the-web Country diary: mushrooms work their magic amid the drizzle https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/09/country-diary-mushrooms-work-their-magic-amid-the-drizzle#comment-106491861 Country diary: bats hunt by the light of the silvery harvest moon https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/oct/11/country-diary-bats-harvest-moon-shropshire ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/