============================================= || || 15th April 2018 || || 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..... ============================================ 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]. Text versions of past Wildnews Bulletins back to Feb 2009: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. 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 and invite new readers to give it a try. We really need your help with this. Please contact the Editor to contribute articles or reports. E-mail: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers' hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor writes... *** Readers will have noted that data protection is in the news. Holders of personal information must comply with the new regulations. You will have noticed you have been receiving explanatory letters with new terms and conditions relating to this. In a nutshell, the aim is improved transparency. The general data protection regulation (GDPR) comes into force on 25 May 2018. A good summary is available on: https://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2017/may/05/gdpr-charities-prepare-eu-data-protection-changes-consent-fundraising All Bulletin readers will have requested to receive the Bulletin, either by emailing the editor [myself], by using the sign-up link on the LNU website or via a Mailchimp "forward to a friend" invitation. All readers can access their personal data on Mailchimp to check and update/change it with the "update" link at the end of every Bulletin. At any time they can opt out using the "unsubscribe" link or contacting the Editor. You are all therefore able to see, correct, and change your details and opt out from this database. If you have never had a look at how this works, you are encouraged to click on the "Update Subscription Preferences" link at the end of this Bulletin. I hope that you will be more than content with the very basic information you find there. Should you wish to make any corrections or additions, please feel free to do so. If you encounter any difficulties, please let me know. Finally, I affirm that we do not use this database for any other purpose than to mail the Bulletin to subscribers. As usual I have included a selection of topical links. Most were sent in by readers. Suggestions for interesting links are always welcome. See: Nottinghamshire road closed for a month - for toads http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-nottinghamshire-43667559/ 2018 Big Farmland Bird Count results now online https://www.gwct.org.uk/bfbcresults2018?utm Why do entomologists kill so many insects? https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist/158-biologist/features/1931-inside-the-killing-jar Palm oil: What are the issues? http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/39492207 Iceland supermarkets to ban palm oil in own-brand products http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43696948 Thank you for all your contributions this week. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** Barn Owl Nest Box Webcam - Mortality *** Bob Sheppard writes: 10th April 2018 - It hasn't taken him long! We had an unconfirmed report from a viewer of two owls in the box on Sunday. The screen grab today confirms the male has indeed attracted a new female. It only took him twelve days since his original mate died. Not many barn owls across the UK are laying eggs yet. The Beast from the East meant hunting was poor so birds were not in good condition. We can expect our pair to lay later this month. http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 Bob adds: The Loch Arkaig ospreys returned at the weekend. In my opinion the best of the osprey webcams. http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/support-us/support-an-appeal/arkaig-pinewoods/wildlife/osprey-cam/?utm_source=%252ospreycam&utm_medium=furl *** LNU Events Diary *** LNU events are listed below in section 11. For LNU meetings, see: https://lnu.org/meetings/ [Note: 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.] Field Meetings 2018 - details on: https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/ Next meeting: Swinn Wood LWT Reserve – Sunday 29th April 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2018-04-29/ Access courtesy of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet and park at wood entrance which is at TF421777. Nearest postcode: LN13 0ED which is east of the wood. NB. Very restricted parking so please car share where possible. Likely need for reverse parking along entrance track (first in, last out policy). Verges near entrance are Roadside Nature Reserves so please no parking on them, especially if arriving earlier than 12.00. Nearest public toilets in Alford town centre. Habitats: Ancient woodland with ponds and ditches. 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/ *** Love Lincs Plants - Updates *** LoveLincsPlants Website: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lovelincsplants Love Lincs Plants Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Natural History Museum Twitter feed https://twitter.com/nhm_botany?lang=en Sir Joseph Banks Society http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/news-events/lincolnshire-plants-project/ Lincoln University School of Life Sciences blog https://lifesciences.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/2016/09/30/heritage-lottery-funding-to-safeguard-lincolnshire-plants/ *** Whisby Natural History Workshops *** At Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln, in the Lafarge Education Building from 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Free of charge. Refreshments included. Mining Bees - June 2nd - David Shepherd Hoverflies - July 28th - Phil Porter & David Denman Ground Beetles - August 11th - Alan Lazenby Plant Galls - September 8th - Jan Rousseau Bryophytes - October 6th - Steven Heathcote. Fungi - November 3rd - Ray Halstead Places are limited due to the number of microscopes available. Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com *** April Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html ***Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival *** Saturday 19 May to Sunday 3 June 2018. Check out the website for further information and to download the brochure: www.woldswalkingfestival.co.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park *** Debby.Braund writes: Please could you include a link to the 2018 Events Brochure for the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park. Events range from sea dipping and guided walks to beach art and book sales. Something for everyone! https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/coastalcountrypark/events/ *** Nettleham Woodland Trust - Recorders [and records] wanted *** Nettleham Woodland Trust seeks Recorders for Ashing Lane Nature Reserve Do you live near Dunholme and want to help us with recording other species? If you have any questions or would like to get involved, please contact the Acting Secretary, Su Colman, by email s+nwt@smmjv.com *** Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society. *** Section Secretary needed. With the approaching retirement of the current secretary in October this year, the "section" is looking for a successor. The role would suit a person with good organisational skills to carry out the usual tasks of running a voluntary group. For more information contact Keith Scarrott who can explain what is involved. Tel: 01724 762098 *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ *** Local RSPB links: ****** https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/ https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby Martin Francis writes: Note - Change of speaker and Titchwell trip fully booked. The RSPB Grimsby Local Group's next meeting is at 7.30pm on Monday 16th April at Holy Trinity Parish Hall (formerly called Corpus Christi Community Centre), corner of Machray Place, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes DN35 7AE. Tony Mayman will give an illustrated talk about "Seabirds of RSPB Bempton Cliffs" There will also be refreshments and a raffle. Entry is £4, payable at the door. All are welcome. You don't have to be a member of the RSPB to attend this talk. For more information, please contact Martin Francis (Group Leader) at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com (preferred) or on (01472) 883436 The Group's next trip to RSPB Titchwell on 22nd April is now fully booked. S Lincs RSPB 2018 Seal and Birdwatching Cruises. See: http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** LWT Reserves: *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves *** LWT Area Groups *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/area-groups *** Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT *** https://www.facebook.com/LWT-Alford-Mablethorpe-Area-Group-175413729474673/ *** Barton Area Group LWT *** https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk *** Horncastle & Woodhall Spa area group LWT *** https://www.facebook.com/hwsag/ *** Louth area group LWT *** http://lwt-lag.org.uk/ *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events *** 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/historical reports to save going back to re-do entries. From now on I shall squeeze in important reports, marking them with a * to indicate their lateness. 3/4 White-spotted Bluethroat singing along River Humber just west of Winter's Pond ENE of East Halton 2 Scaup, 1 drk, Barton-upon-Humber pits Black Redstart male on grass by main MOD watchtower, Donna Nook Short-eared Owl, Black Redstart near Wash Viewpoint, Gibraltar Point Scaup 1w drk, Whisby Nature Park Yellow Wagtail, Deeping High Bank 4/4 2 Yellow Wagtails, Toft Newton Reservoir Yellow Wagtail flew over West Dunes, Great White Egret flew south over West Dunes, Hen Harrier male from Wash Viewpoint, Hawfinch, Gibraltar Point Reed Warble singing, Barton-upon-Humber Pits New pager awaited - reports suspended. 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. BARDNEY CAUSEWAY TF096687 John Nickson 06/04/2018 Barn Owl. Sadly dead on verge presumed traffic casualty. I think I had seen this owl a week before hunting the roadside. Blyborough Grange SK 96381 94647 Peter Morrell 04.04.18 Badger roadkill on A15. Ancaster SK 97900 42480 Peter Morrell 04.04.18 Hedgehog roadkill on High Dyke Kirton Lindsey SE 94060 00851 Peter Morrell 05.04.18 Hedgehog roadkill on North Cliffe Road. Hemswell Cliff SK 95278 89611 Peter Morrell 08.04.18 Hedgehog roadkill on A631 Blyborough SK 94265 96475 Peter Morrell 10.04.18 Hedgehog roadkill on B1398 *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Thanks to our regular contributors across the county. Much appreciated. We rely on readers to send in their observations and we welcome records from everyone, experts or beginners. Please keep your reports coming. DON'T FORGET - TIME FLIES! Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BARDNEY The Green TF119694 R & A Parsons 6/4/2018 Hedgehog poo on lawn. Plenty of it. 8/4/2019 Pied Wagtail - pair Greenfinch - pair + Dunnock - pair + Goldfinch 4+ Chaffinch 12+ Robin - pair + Blackbird - pair + House Sparrow 12+, 1 male collecting feathers Wren Night of 10/11 April - adult hedgehog caught on trail camera. WASPS NEST TF108664 John Nickson 06/04/2018 Fieldfare c25-30 BARDNEY WATER RAIL WAY TF099704 John Nickson 06/042018 Peregrine falcon. Harassingthe gulls on the flooded fields on the north of the river. BARDNEY garden TF118 699 11/04/2018 Steve Green Male Yellowhammer under bird feeders BARDNEY LOCK TF102 702 06/04/2018 8.20pm Steve Green (Pipistrelle?) bat flying up and down the cyclepath DUNSTON garden TF064 632 08/04/2018 Steve Green Siskin male on nyger feeder LANGTON HILL HORNCASTLE TF251 690 09/04/2018 Steve Green Red Kite BLANKNEY Blankney Heath Peter Wilson 6th April 2018. 1225hrs TF 0374558999 2 hares ran across road in front of my car. 1230 hrs TF 0243458727 2 more hares chasing/boxing in field COWBRIDGE 3/4/2018 Tuesday 1600 Cow Bridge, Boston, Lincs. Gail Cartwright Peacock (large blue bird with a long neck) seen in field opposite Cow Bridge/golf course. I know there used to be one in the cemetery about 20 years ago but still a bit of a surprise. EAST HALTON – WINTER’S POND (Grid reference TA1521) Jon Drakes A couple of visits were made to this location in an attempt to track down the reported White-Spotted Bluethroat. I have to admit that my attempts failed, however other species recorded during my visits were: 4/4/2018 Barn Owl Blackbird Black-Headed Gull Blue Tit Canada Goose Carrion Crow Chaffinch Chiffchaff Collared Dove Coot Cormorant Curlew Dunlin Dunnock Fieldfare Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Grey Heron Greylag Goose Herring Gull Kestrel Lapwing Linnet Little Egret Magpie Mallard Pheasant Redshank Reed Bunting Robin Shelduck Skylark Song Thrush Starling Teal Tree Sparrow Turnstone Woodpigeon Roe Deer 5/4/2018 Blackbird Blue Tit Buzzard 1 Carrion Crow Chaffinch Chiffchaff Cormorant Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Mallard Marsh Harrier Reed Bunting Tree Sparrow Tufted Duck Woodpigeon Wren Yellowhammer First butterflies of 2018 were also seen, with Comma and Small Tortoiseshell being recorded. GRIMSBY – RIVERHEAD (Grid reference TA2709) 6/4/2018 Jon Drakes A Peregrine was observed chasing Feral Pigeons over the Alexandra Dock, Grimsby before landing on a ledge on the top of the telephone exchange building. Other species noted included: Mute Swan Mallard Redshank Herring Gull KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 7/4/2018 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Bird Watch for the BTO in our back garden were: Blackbird 4 Collared Dove 3 Dunnock 3 House Sparrow 20 Robin 2 Starling 2 Woodpigeon 2 Chaffinch 2 Goldfinch 4 Greenfinch 2 Carrion Crow 1 Blue Tit 2 EAST HALTON – WINTER’S POND & EAST HALTON SKITTER (Grid reference TA1521 and TA1422) 8/4/2018 Jon Drakes A short visit to the area on a very damp evening, found the following species present: Blackbird Carrion Crow Chiffchaff Coot Curlew Goldfinch Great Crested Grebe Greylag Goose Herring Gull Kestrel Lapwing Magpie Mallard Marsh Harrier - a single male bird noted. Moorhen Mute Swan Pheasant Pochard Redshank Reed Bunting Shelduck Skylark Snipe Starling Swallow Teal Tufted Duck Woodpigeon MARTON SK843821 07.04.2018 B Hedley Moth trap (15w actinic lamp) produced 57 moths of 12 spp including Early thorn, 2 satellites, twin-spot quaker, 2 red chestnut, shoulder-stripe and Diurnea fagella. Plus 2 of the burying beetle Nicrophorus humator WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK922224 Jane Ostler 5th April 2018 Garden At last a sunny day. Cool wind 11C BUTTERFLIES: Small Tortoiseshell - a pair Brimstone a male and female at different times. Peacock - first seen this year BEES: Honey bees now feeding on Apricot blossom no other fruit blossom out yet. Buff-tailed bumblebee 3 queens some nest searching. Tree bumblebee exploring bird box. Early Bumblebee - just one, found next morning dead on a flower, cold and wet. Unusually have not yet seen Bombus lapidarius, lucorum or pascuorum. Bombus hortorum is in any case usually later. Hairy footed flower bee (A.plumipes) a single male feeding on Pulmonaria - the first this year and two weeks later than usual. OTHER INVERTEBRATES: A queen common wasp. 7 spot ladybirds Greenbottle, Eristalis tenax and Fannia species of flies. NESTING BIRDS: Blackbird and robin in Winter jasmine on north-facing wall. Blackbird, housesparrow in old ivy-covered hawthorn hedge. House sparrows under roof tiles, ignoring suite of boxes put up for them in which a wood mouse spent winter. Dunnock in clematis over gazebo. Wren seen collecting moss from lawn and song thrush is in tree next door. OTHER VERTEBRATES: Wood mouse nest under board. Frogs have left pond and newt seen swimming amongst abundant spawn. (Greater pond snail are feeding on algae on pond lining but no hatch of water fleas apparent under spreading duckweed. Kingcups in flower) Evidence that hedgehogs seen next door has visited our garden. Elsewhere in Woolsthorpe (SK91/24) 5th April 2018 Swallows - just two back in vicinity of stables where they nested last year. A stone wall has nesting blue tits and a dovecote taken  over by blackbirds. Rooks sitting at rookery. On disused railway line willow warblers, blackcap yellow hammers and reed bunting. Pair of greater spotted woodpeckers visiting gardens. Grass Snake sunning on RNR bank. On verges violets, coltsfoot and lesser celandine are abundant enough to provide splashes of colour and pussy willow is shedding pollen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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 4th April 2018 – 10th April 2018 Contributors: - Cliff Morrison, John Walker, Peter & Janet Roworth, Ruth Taylor and Matt Blissett. Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings: This week the first blackthorn, hawthorn and willow coming into leaf, cowslips and sallow now flowering. A total of c530 frog spawn clumps recorded (04 to 070418) and lots of common toad spawning. 030418 – Single chiffchaff calling near Sea View. Also at Sea view two male and one female brambling at garden feeding station. 040418 – On Paradise lagoon 14 tufted duck, 5 coot, 2 pairs of shoveler and 2 pairs of mallard; chiffchaff at Sea View, 5 common buzzards drifting south, high over dunes, small tortoiseshell butterfly on the wing at Sea View. 050418 - A mild sunny day 13.5°C by mid-afternoon. 3 species of bumblebee, several ladybirds, peacock, small tortoiseshell, and comma butterflies seen. 3 chiffchaffs and a willow warbler in song, 1 ring ouzel and 1 peregrine over. 060418 – A beetle Endomychus coccineus (false ladybird) found under sleepers at Sea View was a new record for the reserve. On Paradise lagoon were 12? and 9? tufted duck, 5 coot and a little grebe, 4 brambling at Sea View. 070418 – From Brick Yard Lane, 6 common crane flew over south, later seen flying over Gibraltar Point and on into Norfolk. Chiffchaff singing in Paradise wood. At Sea View brambling, male and female siskin and female blackcap. A pair of gadwall and a single white wagtail on Sea View Washlands. At Churchill Lane 2 blackcap in song, little grebe, water rail heard, 2 little owl and 2 barn owl seen. Common whitlow grass and field woodrush in flower on the dunes. 080418 – At BYL departing bramblings, siskins and redwings, whilst blackcaps and chiffchaffs were singing away. Avocet on pool out from BYL. On Paradise lagoon were 2? and 1? gadwall, 5 pairs of shoveler, 5 coot and a single swallow flying over nearby, singles of chiffchaff at Sea View and Paradise wood. At Sea View a flock of 24 siskin flew into a birch tree, settled briefly and moved on whilst the nearby feeding station attracted 3 siskin and 3 brambling. 090418 – At Sea View one male brambling and a flock of 28 siskin flew into nearby trees. 2 sedge warblers in song and 4 avocets on Rimac foreshore lagoon. Blackcap and chiffchaff calling at Crook Bank. Little owl from Churchill Lane. Moth trapping has recorded the following species this week: Common Quaker Clouded Drab Dotted Border Dark Sward-grass Early Grey Engrailed Hebrew Character Lead-coloured Drab Mottled Grey Red Chestnut Satellite Shoulder Stripe Acleris hastiana Agonopterix heracliana Diurnea fagella ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: LWT Lincolnshire Limewoods http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes/lincolnshire-limewoods Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 A list of all the articles contained in Transactions (Transactions page) and a list of the Presidents (Officers page) is also available on the LNU website. 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 InsideEcology: Online Magazine for Ecologists, Conservationists and Wildlife Professionals https://insideecology.com/ British geology maps now free to explore on web http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ *** 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 Webpages: Hare coursing https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/hare-coursing/ Wildlife Crime 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 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 *** 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 *** 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/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Field Meetings 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/ Swinn Wood LWT Reserve – Sunday 29th April 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2018-04-29/ Swinn Wood LWT Reserve, Northwest of Alford Access courtesy of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet and park at wood entrance which is at TF421777. Nearest postcode: LN13 0ED which is east of the wood. NB. Very restricted parking so please car share where possible. Likely need for reverse parking along entrance track (first in, last out policy). Verges near entrance are Roadside Nature Reserves so please no parking on them, especially if arriving earlier than 12.00. Nearest public toilets in Alford town centre. Habitats: Ancient woodland with ponds and ditches. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Greetwell Hollow LWT Reserve – Sunday 27th May 2018 Greetwell Hollow LWT Reserve, (partly a geological SSSI) Eastern edge of Lincoln Access courtesy of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet and park at TF001717 which is roadside parking in far north-eastern corner of Allenby Road Industrial Estate, Lincoln. Nearest postcode: LN3 4PH. There is a short section of path north to the Hollow through rough grassland/scrub via a ‘gate’ in fence and by crossing Greetwell Road. NB. Some steep slopes, marshy areas, a fairly busy road to cross plus high levels of public usage. Nearest ‘public’ toilets in McDonalds just to north in Carlton Shopping Centre car park or Tescos nearby. Habitats: Calcareous grassland, scrub, stream, marsh, wet woodland, pond, rocks. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Shearman’s Wath / West Ashby Pits – Saturday 23rd June 2018 Shearman’s Wath next to West Ashby Pits. North of Horncastle A private site with access courtesy of Mike Harrison. Afternoon and evening moth/bat session. 12.00 for 13.00 start and then again from 21.00 for evening session. Meet and park on wide roadside verge at TF252719 (just east of River Bain bridge) which is located on minor road which joins the A158 and A153 north of Horncastle. Nearest postcode: LN9 5PP (which takes you slightly NE of meeting spot). NB. Some steep slopes and deep water areas. No mains available for moth traps. Nearest public toilets are in Horncastle town centre. Habitats: Lakes, ponds, marsh, grassland, scrub Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com South Ormsby Estate – Saturday 7th July 2018 Raithby Beck Wood – Saturday 4th August 2018 Sutton Bridge area – Sunday 2nd September 2018 Swinn Wood LWT Reserve – Sunday 14th October 2018 Whisby Natural History Workshops In partnership with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union. At Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln, in the Lafarge Education Building from 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Free of charge. Refreshments included. Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com Find out more about the various subjects from our local experts. Places are limited due to the number of microscopes available. Mining Bees - June 2nd - David Shepherd Hoverflies - July 28th - Phil Porter & David Denman Ground Beetles - August 11th - Alan Lazenby Plant Galls - September 8th - Jan Rousseau Bryophytes - October 6th - Steven Heathcote. Fungi - November 3rd - Ray Halstead ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. jassydrakulic - soft bounce - Email rejected due to security policies cft chutchinson - soft bounce - refused to talk to me - Mail from this IP has been limited. 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..... More than half of your body is not human, say scientists. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-43674270 Big increase in Antarctic snowfall http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-43691671 The whales who love to sing in the dark http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-43630716 Hunting mystery giant lightning from space http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-43585113 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/