============================================= || || 17th September 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 Bulletin. 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... *** To follow the plunge of the Cassini probe into the atmosphere of Saturn on Friday, see: https://saturn.jpl.nasa.gov/news/3075/witness-cassinis-finale-at-saturn-live-from-jpl/ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-41262984 We have had some interesting solar weather with Amber and Red alerts for sightings of the Aurora. If you have not yet signed up for alerts from AuroraWatch, why not do so? http://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ LWT Alford group is gearing up for a Beachclean on 17th September, part of the Marine Conservation Society’s Big Beachwatch Weekend. More information below. http://www.mcsuk.org/beachwatch/greatbritishbeachclean The South Lincs Walking Festival is back for a third year, Saturday 23rd September – Sunday 29th October - on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays https://southlincswalking.com/ The next LNU Field Meeting will be at Bloxholm Wood LWT Reserve on 8th October. It will be the annual LNU Fungus Foray. Details further down the Bulletin. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/bloxholm-wood As usual I have included a selection of topical links worth clicking. I hope you find these of interest. Most were sent in by readers, the rest were chosen by with particular readers in mind. Here is a selection of links from readers: Why are there so many berries this year? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-41229523 Badger culling gets go ahead in 11 new areas of England http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-41228693 Bats 'tricked' into flying into buildings http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-41164615 Orchid gives up the secrets of its success http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-41257104 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. If you have any Autumn events or activities that need publicity, please let me know. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** September Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html *** 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: http://lnu.org/ 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, 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 *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section - 2017/8 *** Keith Scarrott writes: The Natural History and Geology Section of Scunthorpe Museum Society. Our next meeting is on Monday, 9th October starting at 7.15pm as usual. Paul Hildreth, local Geologist, former Teacher and Secretary of the Yorkshire Geology Group will be giving an illustrated talk entitled "Fracking, a Geologist's Impartial View". Paul is also a member of the Panel of the Lincolnshire Biodiversity Group. His talk covers the Geology and Procedures used in Fracking. The meeting will be held in the St Bernadette's Church Parish Centre, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel. ALL ARE WELCOME. There is no charge for entry to our meetings but a donation bowl is provided. There is a large free car park at the Church. Light refreshments are available for a small charge at the mid-talk break. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS which take place in St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS. (Opposite the Priory Hotel.) Parking is free in the large Church car park. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. For a small charge light refreshments are provided at the mid-talk break. Contacts via Website: http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ *** Pollinator Workshops 27th & 28th September 2017 *** 10am-4.30pm All Saints’ Church Heritage Centre, All Saints’ Church, Aston-On-Trent, Derbyshire, DE72 2AZ Are you involved in managing your local greenspace? Come along and find out all about the importance of pollinators and how you can help to create pollinator friendly landscapes. See: http://www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/events/2017/09/28/pollinator-workshop?instance=0 Bookings essential: please book your free place by emailing enquiries@derbyshirewt.co.uk or call 01773 881188 *** Grimsby RSPB *** Martin Francis writes: The next meeting of the Grimsby RSPB Group is at 7.30pm on Monday 18th September, at Corpus Christi Community Centre, corner of Machray Place, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes DN35 7AE. Well-known and well-respected Lincolnshire naturalist and photographer, Geoff Trinder, will give us an illustrated entitled "Photography My Way". This talk will appeal to photographers and well as people with an interest in all aspects of wildlife as Geoff will explain which lens he chose and why using his own photographs from all around the world in all seasons. His photographs feature everything from insects to reptiles, birds to mammals, and even some landscapes and people! There will also be refreshments and a raffle. Entry is £4, payable at the door. The Group's next trip is to Spurn (Kilnsea), on Sunday 24th September, 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 e vent. For more information, contact Martin Francis (Group Leader) at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com (preferred) or on (01472) 883436 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/ *** 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: Beach Clean Crook Bank, Theddlethorpe, LN12 1NP. TF489 883 Sunday 17th September - 2-4pm As part of Marine Conservation Society’s Big Beachwatch Weekend help us survey and clean the beach at Crook Bank. Please bring a pair of gardening gloves or similar, other equipment (litter pickers, bags and clipboards) will be provided. Can we collect more than the 1683 items recorded last year? With the Alford and Mablethorpe Area Group *** 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 *** 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: 7/9 10 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Osprey on post from Lill's Hut, Gibraltar Point White-rumped Sandpiper on Yacht Club pools, Tetney Marshes Osprey flew over, 9 Spoonbills, Pectoral Sandpiper*, 2 Little Stints*, Curlew Sandpiper*, 2 Spotted Redshanks*, Garganry*, Turtle Dove*, Whinchat*, Frampton Marsh 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Spotted Redshank, Little Gull, Freiston Shore 8/9 2 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, 5 Spotted Redshanks, Black tern flew south, Gibraltar Point Scaup drk, Deeping Lakes 9 Spoonbills, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Little Stints, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Great White Egret, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh White-rumped Sandpiper on Yacht Club pools, Tetney Marshes 9/9 6 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 3 Spoonbills on jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Black tern flew past Donna Nook Pectoral Sandpiper, Great White Egret, 2 Little Stints, 4 Curlew Sandpipers 2 Spoonbills, Turtle Dove, Wood sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Cattle Egret on saltmarsh, Sea View car park, Theddlethorpe 10/9 3 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Black Tern juv on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 6+ Little Stints, Great White Egrat, Curlew Sandpiper, Spoonbill, Wood Sandpiper*, Turtle Dove*, Black Tern at river mouth*, Frampton Marsh 6 Spoonbills flew west past Goxhill Haven White-rumped Sandpiper on Yacht Club pools, Tetney Marshes 11/9 Great Northern Diver flew south past, 3 Black Terns, 3 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Long-tailed Skua offshore, Gibraltar Point Scaup drk, Deeping Lakes 15 Curlew Sandpipers, Pectoral Sandpiper - heard only, 2 Spoonbills, Little Stint, Great White Egret, Frampton Marsh Curlew Sandpiper juv, 2 Little Stints, Freiston Shore Cattle Egret on saltmarsh, from Sea View car park, Theddlethorpe Dunes 12/9 6 Spoonbills, Wood Sandpiper, Great White Egret, 9 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Little Stints, 12 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 3 Curlew Sandpipers all juvs on lagoon, juv Little Stint, Freiston Shore 13/9 Curlew Sandpiper on pools, Humberston Fitties Osprey flew south over, Wood Sandpiper, ringtail Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, 5 Little Stints, 15 Curlew Sandpipers, Great White Egret, 7 Spoonbills, 6 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Black Tern flew past Freiston Shore Black-throated Diver flew south over, Roseate Tern juv flew south, Gibraltar Point Cattle Egret opposite Sea View farm, Theddlethorpe Dunes 14/9 Pectoral Sandpiper, Great White Egret, 2 Little Stints, Short-eared Owl, 5 Spoonbills, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 170 Bonxies (including a flock of 110) flew inland, Huttoft Long-tailed Skua flew past, + 2 Pomarine Skuas, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, petrel spp and Great Northern Diver, Donna Nook Long-tailed Skua flew south past, + 3 Pomarine Skuas, Gibraltar Point 2 Cattle Egret in sheep field, Saltfleetby St Clements 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. ROAD KILLS Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. GUNBY PARK TF466668 3 September 2017 Brian Hedley LNU field meeting to the parkland area west and south of Gunby Hall with access courtesy of the National Trust. Led by David Sheppard and attended by 17 members on a rather overcast and breezy afternoon. Over 150 plant species were noted including golden dock, marsh cudweed, thread- leaved water-crowfoot, dewberry and some very large wild cherry trees. Flattened meadow-grass (Poa compressa) was also found on walls inside the ornamental gardens by Tim Smith. Invertebrate highlights, not surprisingly given the parkland habitat, involved some deadwood (saproxylic) beetle species recorded by Charlie Barnes as follows: Plegaderus dissectus - 6th record for Lincs, Siagonium quadricorne - 4th record for Lincs and Sepedophilus bipunctatus - 3rd record for Lincs. Lesser stag beetle was also found on site plus the ladybird mimic beetle Endomychus coccineus (found by Phil Lee). Other invertebrates included the distinctively shaped spider Cyclosa conica noted by George Rutter and was not known from the eastern parts of Lincolnshire until now. Four dragonfly/damselfly species included ruddy darter and migrant hawker and six butterfly species were on the wing including many speckled woods and green-veined whites. Shield bugs included woundwort, green and hawthorn. Roesel's bush-crickets were busy buzzing away in the parkland grasslands and seem to be everywhere now. Thirty-one bird species included hobby, goldcrest, green woodpecker, buzzard, jay and bullfinch. Mammals included muntjac and wood mouse. Common frog was also seen. An evening moth-trapping and bat recording session would undoubtedly be worthwhile earlier in the year at this site and the National Trust are very keen on recording what they have on site. *** 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 Garden GR TF 11753 70025 Mary and Phil Porter wb 11th September 2017 Very high numbers of red admiral butterflies on the ivy flowers. There are as many as 6 at a time in a small clump, and we have many more ivy flowers, complete with butterflies, around the garden. The red admirals seem to have done very well this year, right from the start of the summer. One or two tortoiseshells and whites and only one comma. Only one common wasp - their numbers have been VERY low this year. On Wednesday 13th September I saw an interesting "juxtaposition of seasons" from the kitchen window. I was just watching out first coal tit of the year (a sure sign of autumn), picking it's way around our apple tree when a movement caught my eye just under the kitchen window. A whitethroat (our first actually in the garden) was also picking away, this time around our rose bushes and perennials. There had been high winds in the night and it was still very windy, so I imagine it had dropped in for shelter. EAST HALTON SKITTER TO GOXHILL HAVEN (Grid reference TA1423 to TA1225) 10/9/2017 Jon Drakes Species noted whilst carrying out the monthly WeBS count for the BTO between East Halton Skitter and Goxhill Haven were as follows: Black Tailed Godwit 18 Black-Headed Gull Blue Tit Buzzard 1 Carrion Crow Chiffchaff Cormorant 2 Curlew 71 Dunlin 15 Goldfinch 40 Great Crested Grebe 1 Greater Black Backed Gull 2 Grey Heron 2 Herring Gull House Martin Kestrel 2 Lapwing 30 Linnet 15 Little Egret 2 Little Grebe 1 Magpie Mallard 39 Marsh Harrier 1 Meadow Pipit 1 Moorhen 2 Pheasant Pied Wagtail Redshank 2 Reed Bunting 5 Shelduck 4 Snipe 4 Starling Swallow Woodpigeon Roe Deer 4 Red Admiral butterfly FRAMPTON 14/09/2016 Roy and Kathleen Pearson Four Swifts flying SW at 18:45. GRANTHAM St. Catherine's Road SK918356 10/9/2017 Red Kite flying above Long tailed tits come to fat block daily Great Tits Blue Tits Blackbirds Wood Pigeons HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 8/9/2017 Common darter m. 1 Red admiral 1 9/9/2017 Blackbird 1 - hardly any around at the moment 10/9/2017 Robins 2 - being territorial 12/9/2017 Ladybird 7-spot 1 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 9/9/2017 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Bird Watch for the BTO in our back garden were: Blackbird 2 Starling 6 Collared Dove 6 Dunnock 3 House Sparrow 15 Robin 2 Goldfinch 3 Chaffinch 3 Magpie 1 Greenfinch 2 Woodpigeon 2 Later, during the evening a Tawny Owl was heard calling from the direction of woodland to the North of the village. LINCOLN ARBORETUM SK983 715 Saturday 9 September 2017 John Margetts and Jacquie Harrison Great to see a grey wagtail on the fountain near the top of the arboretum. Underparts very clear. NETTLEHAM TF 01358 75494 Su Colman 8 Sept 2017 20:10 Common Pipistrelle (45 kHz) hunting over the back gardens. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 06.09.2017 Long-tailed Tits (heard) Tawny Owls 2 (heard) 07.09.2017 Speckled Wood butterfly 1, Red Admiral 1 Garden Spider caught and packaged what looked like it might have been a Small Tortoiseshell Still some Swallows passing through, gathering on power line Still finding Buff and White Ermine Moth caterpillars here and there among the plants 11.09.2017 19:55 hrs. Bat x 2 hunting over lane 13.09.2017 Still a handful of House Martins feeding over pasture Small Tortoiseshell 6, Red Admiral 1, mainly on Michaelmas daisies Comma caterpillar on elm (TF308847) Red Admiral 6 on ivy flowers in hedgerow (TF302855) THEDDLETHORPE DUNES AND BEACH TF488 895 Tuesday 12 September 2017 John Margetts and Jacquie Harrison Arctic tern - 1 Black-headed gulls Black-tailed godwits -3 Common gulls - 2 Cormorants Curlew -1 ( more at Salthouse) Dunlin 4 Gannets - 3- including two very young juveniles flying close to shore when planes over Goldfinches Great Black-backed gulls Herring gulls Lesser Black-backed gull - 1 Linnets 50+ Reed bunting - 2 Ringed plovers 8+ Sanderling 12+ split between sand and saltmarsh Sandwich terns - 5+ Swallows - throughout Wren Grey seal - 2 Red Admirals Lesser white butterflies including one that flew straight into waves Speckled Woods. Common darter TORTOISESHELL WOOD AND MEADOWS SSSI SK96/91 Jane Ostler 9th September 2017 On a morning beginning to feel very autumnal with cold wind, some sunshine between showers. No livestock in the fields which had been cut for hay some time ago and the hay baled and taken away. Plants in Flower: This was a good time to see which of the plants in the herb-rich grassland was flowering again. Some dozen were recorded each with a few flowers only. They included Meadow Cranesbill, Red and White Clovers, Meadow and Creeping Buttercups, Bird's Foot Trefoil, Lady's Bedstraw, Agrimony and Autumnal Hawkbit. Hogweed and Ragwort were in the uncut edges. In the wood only a single plant seen in flower along the short member's route, a Herb Robert. Although the hawthorn is not generally heavily fruiting one boundary specimen with larger berries and a mixture of two leaf types prompted further study. The fruits were of two types, one and more than one seed. This confirmed the hybrid between Common and Midland Hawthorn. Along the road boundary a mature ash has come down with a limb previously cut. The ragged heartwood of the split main trunk was showing no signs of fungal rot. Fungi: Old fruits of King Alfred's cakes, a single specimen of a Fibre Cap (Inocybe sp.) and that was all. Molluscs: The large and distinct Arion ater species was all black (Agrion ater ater). Locally I find the colour forms with the red edge to the 'skirt' to be at least as common. Insects: Crane flies were emerging en masse from the grassland. Species awaiting confirmation. Hornets, greenbottle flies and a Red Admiral on a south-facing bank of backberries (the fruits of which are now bitter, so the 'devil has got into them early this year!) Common Blue, one resting and cold on a seedhead of black knapweed.Towards mid-day another male common Blue, Speckled Woods, Ringlets flying. A single Small Heath keeping low in grass stems. Several unidentified buff coloured moths. Emplty pupal c ases of the Six Spot Burnet Moth. Birds: The wood was silent except for a buzzard as it flew overhead and the clattering of Wood Pigeons. A robin singing in hedges near road. Swallows swooping low over fields, the craneflies probably the attraction. Mammals: 3 Muntjak in wood. Evidence of moles escaping tunnels where ground had been flooded. Evidence of rabbits in field. Plant Galls: A first search for these produced a rich variety. A south-facing Pedunculate Oak had Knopper galls, Oak Apple, Cola Nut, Marble, Two kinds of Spangle Galls and the Ramshorn. The last named was only noted in this country in 1997 and is spreading from the south. A line of oak saplings is heavily infected with the Marble Gall. There are a number of less easily identified and therefore with no common names which await identification/confirmation. They include a pouch gall on Wild Service, Nail Galls on Maple and a whole range of galls on Meadowsweet. STALLINGBOROUGH – HOBSON WAY (Grid reference TA2113) Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst at work during the week included: 5/9/2017 Buzzard Carrion Crow Robin Swallow Woodpigeon 7/9/2017 Robin Starling Woodpigeon 8/9/2017 House Sparrow Pied Wagtail Robin Woodpigeon THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 29/08/17 Blue Tit x 2 Heron x 1 over Thurnholmes 31/08/17 Hedgehog x 1 SE806005 (Clare Holmes) 04/09/17 Goldfinch x 6 Common Pipistrelle x 2 Noctule x 1 Red Admiral x 2 Small White x 1 Snout x 2 Migrant Hawker x 2 06/09/17 Large White Butterfly Caterpillars x 9 on Cabbages in vegetable garden 09/09/17 Grey Squirrel x 1 SE804004 10/09/17 Speckled Wood x 1 SK807993 Barn Owl adult female rung 21/05/2008 SK8199 area, found dying 03/09/2017 SK8199 area. 9 years, 3 months 14 days. 13/09/17 Common Buzzard x 1 over Thurnholmes Mute Swan x 6 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Weasel x 1 SK804998 Red admiral x 3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 7th September – 13th September 2017 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, Cliff Morrison, John Walker, Matt Blissett & Nige Lound General Notes and Weather Observations A week of sunny spells and scattered showers. Strong winds on the morning of the 13th, with a gust of 41.2mph recorded near Sea View. Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings 8th – Interesting counts from the WeBS section Theddlethorpe to Saltfleet Haven were 2 bar-tailed godwits, 120 curlew, 15 wigeon, 2 whimbrel, 3 greenshanks, 1 turnstone, 132 oystercatchers and 30 little egrets. 2 willow warblers, goldcrest and blackcap near Sea View. Brickyard Lane to Churchill Lane there were 28 common terns, 53 sandwich terns, 110 ringed plover, 28 great black-backed gulls, single guillemot and wheatear. 2 grey heron, 15 swallow and 12 house martin flew south and a ruff went west. Around Rimac were a drake wigeon, 3 greenshank, 16 gannet and 2 great-crested grebe. 9th – Single chiffchaff calling at Sea View. 11th – At least 40+ house martins plus a few swallows and 2 sand martins all feeding in and over the sycamores at Sea View. The dunes remained quiet in windy conditions. Over the sea were 15 Arctic skua, 1 great skua, 250 Sandwich tern, 36 common tern, 2 black tern, 6 red-throated diver and 4 pintail. Singles of greenshank and little ringed plover were on Paradise Pool. 12th – During mid-day with any sheltered sunny spells there were several red admiral butterflies on the wing plus 2 small tortoiseshells and a single comma at Sea View. Late afternoon there were 2 cattle egrets feeding with 5 little egrets on the edge of the saltmarsh near Sea View and a chiffchaff near Paradise wood. At Rimac a few natterjack toadlets still active. Also at Rimac 2 small copper, single common blue and short-winged conehead. 13th - On Paradise lagoon in very blustery conditions were 71 black-headed gulls, 1 herring gull, 6 common gulls, 51 redshank and a single pied wagtail. A single collared dove was seen feeding on the saltmarsh, 2 mute swans flew over and at least 80 hirundines, mainly house martins with young swallows actively feeding amongst the sycamores at Paradise wood. Dunes and bushes, not surprisingly, were very quiet again in windy conditions. A lone cattle egret was in the field opposite Sea View whilst over the sea were 14 Arctic skua, 37 common tern, 150 Sandwich tern, 2 gannet and 2 red-throated diver. Up to 7 chiffchaff, 1-2 lesser whitethroat and blackcap daily between Brickyard Lane and Churchill Lane. House martins moving through daily with up to 50 on some days. BYL-CL, up to 6 Red Admirals daily, all very fresh. Speckled woods dropped off dramatically with only odd ones now. Commonest butterfly is G-v white, followed by small white, red admiral and large white. Plenty of darters and up to a dozen migrant hawkers during the week. Linnet flock on the beach at BYL with up to 250 daily. Canada geese flighting along dunes morning and evening with up to 150 feeding in adjoining stubble fields. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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://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. 2017 Field Meetings 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. None this week. 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.....: Rooney traveller family jailed for modern slavery offences http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-41241049 'World's biggest' wind farm secures Yorkshire coast contract http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-41228969 Man-of-war spotted along coast in Cornwall and Wales http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-41237286 Beastly beauties – on the hunt for feral gooseberries https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/sep/07/country-diary-favourite-feral-gooseberry-beastly-beauty#comment-104877751 Our native grass snake has been promoted but remains elusive https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/sep/11/grass-snake-species-elusive-country-diary [Nothing further heard on this topic from any LNU snake experts.] Flamingos rehomed ahead of Irma http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/video_and_audio/headlines/41212623/hurricane-irma-flamingos-at-miami-zoo-moved-to-safety West North America lost over 95% of its monarch butterflies in 35 years http://www.zmescience.com/science/monarch-butterflies-death-america/ Snow leopard off endangered list http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-41270646 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/