============================================= || || 19th August 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. Please use the "forward to a friend" link at the end of every LNU Bulletin. Invite new readers to give it a try. We really need your help with this. ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers' hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor writes... *** It has been a bit of a busy time here. I am feeling a bit lost for words this week. As we seem to be moving towards more unsettled conditions you may notice this reflected in your observations. Have you any news? I will be pleased to receive your reports and contributions and to give a "plug" for Lincolnshire natural history activity. The usefulness of the Bulletin depends on what is sent in. If you can add to the interest, that will be great. In this Bulletin look out for: LNU Field Meeting Sutton Bridge area, east of Long Sutton - 2nd September. #LoveLincsPlants Botany ID training for 18-35 year olds - 18th September. [Trees in Leaf Identification session ] Botanist, Professor Alastair Fitter at The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society on Monday, 10th September. Report on LNU field meeting at Raithby Beck Wood 4th August 2018. Some interesting reports in section 3, including one from Jane Ostler. The wonderful weekly report from Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR. As usual I have included a selection of topical links. Most were sent in by readers. Some I have chosen with the interests of particular readers in mind. Don't forget to click. Lincolnshire conservationists help native crayfish comeback https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-45198494 Photographer's love of Scottish bug life https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-45113736 Heatwave reveals England's lost prehistoric sites https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-45170581 Basking sharks use Scottish seas for courtship https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-45195115 Rare moth found in Edinburgh https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-45186772 Study suggests drastic decline in mountain hares https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-45188858/ Longest staged sea swim 'record broken' by Ross Edgley https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-45185272 Girl, 9, dies after rocks fall from Staithes cliff https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-45122808 More links in "..and finally..." GDPR I shall continue unsubscribing those who have not "consented" to being emailed the Bulletin. If you have not yet done so, please: 1. Click on "update subscription preferences" link at the of the Bulletin. 2. Scroll down to "Marketing Permissions". 3. Tick Email box if unticked. 4. Click "Update Profile" Thanks. Thank you for all your contributions this week. Please keep them coming. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** Barn Owl Nest Box Webcam. The story continues.....*** http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 *** Whisby Natural History Workshops - Reminder *** At Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln, in the Lafarge Education Building from 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Free of charge. Refreshments included. A few places are still available on: Plant Galls - September 8th - Jan Rousseau [6 places left] Bryophytes - October 6th - Steven Heathcote. [3 places left] Fungi - November 3rd - Ray Halstead [2 places left] [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 *** 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/ Sutton Bridge area, east of Long Sutton Sunday 2nd September 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2018-09-02/ 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet and park at layby/verge on minor road at TF483210 which is first turning immediately on left after crossing Sutton Bridge from Long Sutton direction. Nearest postcode: PE12 9YN NB. Some steep slopes and busy roads present plus deep waterbody (River Nene). Nearest public toilets in Sutton Bridge (on Bridge Road). Habitats: River Nene, grassland and saltmarsh with some scrub and plantation blocks Leader: Charlie Barnes 07931 259418 charlie@cucaera.co.uk *** Love Lincs Plants - Updates *** LoveLincsPlants Webpage: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants #LoveLincsPlants Botany ID training for 18-35 year olds Aidan Neary writes: Trees in Leaf Identification session 18th September: Just so you are aware, we will also be running a Trees in Leaf identification session on Tuesday 18th September at Whisby Nature Park in Lincoln. More details to follow shortly. If you are interested in attending this session please mention this in your heathland flora confirmation email. Confirm your booking: To book onto either of these training session please send an email with your mobile telephone number to the following email address: lovelincsplants@gmail.com. I will confirm these events closer to the time. Requirements: Attendees must be aged 18-35 to satisfy the requirements of The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) who are funding this project. Developing the botanical identification skills of the next generation of botanists is a key aim of the project. Please note that other botany training such as informal botany walks for over people aged over 35 will become a regular fixture of the project in 2019 and 2020 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/ *** August Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society. At our first indoor meeting for the 2018 - 2019 "season" on Monday, 10th September, Professor Alastair Fitter, the eminent, botanist, ecologist and co-author of the popular book "Wild Flowers of Britain and Ireland" visits us to give his talk on "Flowering time and Climate Change". Professor Alastair Fitter, CBE, FRS, is a British ecologist at the University of York whose special areas of expertise are in ecology, soil biology and the biological impacts of climate change. His illustrated talk about the timing of the blooming of plants comes in a year when we have become much more aware of the effects of climate change. Starting at 7.15pm the meeting will take place in the St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS. ALL ARE WELCOME. There is ample free parking at the Church which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. There is no entry charge to the meeting but a donation bowl is provided. For any further details contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** CPRE event with Chris Packham. *** Jenny Haynes writes: CHRIS PACKHAM, the well known TV presenter, naturalist and film maker, will be presenting his new show, called Pictures from the Edge of the World, at the Baths Hall, Scunthorpe on 1st November 2018, starting at 7.30pm. Chris loves the challenge of finding beauty in ugly places and travelling to some of the world’s wildlife hotspots he wants to see them in a new way, to put some art into his photos. But at the core of all his work is conservation so expect tales from the frontline and the full-frontal truth about how we get it wrong and get it right. Funny, inspiring, irreverent and packed with information it’s a romp through the wild mind of Chris Packham. This event is being promoted by CPRE Northern Lincolnshire and we would love to see you there. Tickets, priced at £25 are available from the Baths Hall, either in person at the Box Office, by telephone 08448542776 or online at www.scunthorpetheatres.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 South Lincs. RSPB "Birdwatching Cruises into The Wash" 2018 programme. 12 cruises scheduled for 2018 starting 11th May and ending 16th October. Further details,ticket prices and booking arrangements at https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/news/450628/ Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** LWT Reserves *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves *** LWT Get Involved page *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk Carolyn Davis writes: On the evening of Friday 17th August 2018 there will be a bat walk in the North East Lincolnshire Area with the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and guided by members of the North Lincs. Bat Group. As there has to be a restriction on numbers due to the popularity of this walk please ring Jennie Redpath - 01472 502858 to book a place and (get) details of time and location. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout foot wear and bring a torch. (Please note we are told that mobile phone torches are too bright.) This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust and the North Lincs. Bat Group. *** 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: 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important *** Grab a Grid Reference: https://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. ROAD KILLS? Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. Healing TA 23598 11087 Peter Morrell 12.08.18 Badger roadkill on A180 Messingham SE 90840 07002 Peter Morrell 13.06.18 Hedgehog roadkill on Holme Lane  Bottesford SE 89961 05128 Peter Morrell 13.06.18 Hedgehog road kill on Holme Lane RAITHBY BECK WOOD TF365684 4th August 2018 Brian Hedley LNU field meeting to this private woodland site (with ponds, grassland and beck) courtesy of Margot and Keith Charlton. Excellent turnout of 21 people on a very hot and dry afternoon followed by four people for the follow-on evening bat and moth recording session. Led by David Sheppard and Brian Hedley. Some plant collecting for the LoveLincsPlants project was also undertaken by Aidan Neary and helpers. Approximately 130 plant species were noted (with many known to have been planted or seeded about 10 years ago). The plant highlight was Needle Spike-rush (very likely naturally occurring at the site) found in a drying-up pond. Other plants included Sneezewort, Spiny Restharrow, Musk Mallow, Water Horsetail, Bugle and Betony. About 40 bryophyte species were noted by Steven Heathcote, especially on large alders alongside Raithby Beck. Thirty-five birds species made it onto the list including Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Kingfisher, Green Woodpecker, Treecreeper, Bullfinch and Grey Heron. Mammals included Roe Deer, Noctule Bat and both Common and Soprano Pipistrelle Bats. Both Common Toad and Common Frog were noted. Sixty moth species were noted during the afternoon and also the evening trapping session with most new to the site due to very little recording of this group there. These included Elephant Hawk, Gold Spot, Canary-shouldered and Early Thorns, Small Rivulet, Straw Underwing, Dun-bar, Six-striped Rustic, Bulrush Wainscot, Dusky Plume and Agriphila selasella. Butterflies were numerous with 15 species noted including Painted Lady, Common Blue, Brown Argus, Small Copper and Comma. The ponds on site were attractive to a variety of dragonflies and damselflies including frequent Emerald Damselfly plus Ruddy Darter, Brown Hawker and Southern Hawker. Other insects noted included Bulrush Bug, the beetles Cassida vibex, Glischrochilus hortensis and Nicrophorus vespilloides, the huge horsefly Tabanus autumnalis and also Blue, Green and Hawthorn Shieldbugs. *** 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. Parsons No reports this week. DUNSTON, rural garden TF068630 Matthew Harrison General: Over recent weeks several Small tortoiseshell have entered the house and subsequently been released. Interestingly no other butterfly species have been involved and it is speculated whether they are seeking shade from the hot weather being experienced. 04.08.2018 Birds Sparrowhawk - 1 flew low over garden pursued by 8 House Martins. First sighting for several weeks. Amphibians Common Toad - One large (presumed) female discovered under wood and stones Butterflies Large White - 2 Small White - 2 Green veined White - 2 Meadow Brown - 2 Red Admiral - 2 Small tortoiseshell - 1 Comma - 1 Gatekeeper - 1 Moths Discovered roosting during the day were Old Lady - 2 Common Footman - 1 Large Yellow Underwing - 1 Overnight 03/04.08.2018 left out my basic home made moth trap for the third time - cardboard box, lightbulb and egg boxes - nothing much more elaborate. I considered 45 individuals of 25 species a success (not including those that escaped!) Micros Small Purple and Gold - 2 Garden Rose Tortrix - 1 Common Plume - 1 Long-horned Flat-body - 1 Small Grey - 1 Mother of Pearl - 1 Pale-streak Grass-veneer - 1 Straw Grass-veneer - 1 Garden Grass-veneer - 1 Macros Willow Beauty - 7 Setaceous Hebrew Character - 5 Straw Dot - 3 Silver Y - 3 Riband Wave - 3 Flounced Rustic - 3 Brimstone Moth - 2 Flame shoulder - 1 Gold Spot - 1 Burnished Brass - 1 Blood-vein - 1 Dusky Thorn - 1 Garden Carpet - 1 Dusky Sallow - 1 Marbled Beauty - 1 Golden-rod Pug - 1 According to the guides some of the above are quite localised in the UK. I am unsure of their status in Lincs so would be pleased to here is some of the above are of interest in a county context. 07.08.2018 Butterflies Comma - 1 very territorial in one part of the garden chasing other species off and trying the same with people. If stood still will often land on head or shoulder. Great to get so close! Red Admiral - 1 Small White - 1 Large White - 1 Small Tortoiseshell - 1 Holly Blue - 1 Moths Silver Y - 15 around buddleia and flower beds at dusk Mammals Common Pipistrelle - 3 around garden around 15mins after sunset. Great to watch and listen to on bat detector. GRIMSBY TA265095 Joyce Attia 20.00 hrs 7th August 2018 I haven't seen any swifts for a couple of days. The sky is strangely empty and quiet, we wished them a safe journey. It seems to have been a good year for swifts here, we have seen more than usual which is wonderful. Unfortunately there seems to have been fewer swallows. There are usually numerous birds feeding above the river near where we live, but not this year. Butterflies/moths in my garden - Holly blue, small tortoiseshell, comma, large/small white, silver Y, a small pretty reddish brown moth which isn't in my book, but which turns out to be a mint moth (thanks internet), lots of white bottomed bees on the oregano. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 28/7/2018 Common darter 6 - male and female Red admiral 30/7/2018 Ladybird 7-spot 3 12/8/2018 Cat 3 - in one day and at one point one seemed to be stalking an apparently damaged wood pigeon. 14/8/2018 Red admiral 2 Sparrowhawk 1 15/8/2018 Common darter 1 Ladybirds - impossible to count as there were very many, mostly 7-spot, on my various veg plants. I would definitely say 30. MIDDLE RASEN TF 107897 Richard Fox 03.08.2018 Butterflies in own garden Brimstone Brown Argus Comma Holly Blue 3 Peacock 2 Purple Hairstreak Small White 4 RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 02.08.2018 Brimstone 1 7-Spot Ladybird 2 Black Ants flying and House Sparrows taking advantage 04.08.2018 2 Roe Deer in field (TF296848) Holly Blue 1 Red Admiral 1 2 Grey Herons 05.08.2018 Lots more butterflies around (though still fewer than in previous years): Gatekeeper 2 Holly Blue 3 Peacock 2-3 Red Admiral 2 Small Tortoiseshell 2 Various whites 06.08.2018 2 Swallows on power line Tawny Owl calling late at night 07.08.2018 Mixed flock of at least 50 House Martins and Swallows feeding overhead and resting on power lines – seems early for such a large gathering when we’ve seen so few over the last few months. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 05.08.2018 Pyrausta aurata moth (ID in conjunction with Colin Smith) 08.08.2018 7-Spot Ladybird; also seen in substantial numbers while trimming our conifer hedge (more than in previous years) 11.08.2018 7-Spot Ladybird Holly Blue butterfly; lots of whites (mostly small, green-veined and some large) Mixed flock of ca. 30 Swallows and House Martins feeding over pasture Swallow family on power line with 5-6 recent fledglings Small Grass Snake (40-45 cm) in compost bin (quite a cool heap) – first one I’ve seen at this location. 12.08.2018 Grass Snake still in compost bin Common Toad Hedgehog droppings 13.08.2018 Ca. 50 mixed Swallows and House Martins 70-80 Starlings on power lines (TF309849) Common buzzard over pasture (TF309848 and nearby squares) 14.08.2018 Holly Blue 7-Spot Ladybird 20:45 hrs Buzzard still mewing nearby STIXWOULD ROAD, B1190 TF139683 R&A Parsons 14/8/2018 Roe buck on road. WADDINGWORTH TF182718 R & A Parsons 13/8/2018 Roe buck in field. WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK92/22 Jane Ostler Week Beginning 1/8/18 WEATHER The heatwave and drought are the over-riding influences. The 26th July, when temperatures rose to over 30C was the 63rd consecutive day without rain. On 27th July we had a thunderstorm, followed by 3 days with some rain. No rain since and temperatures reaching 30C again. FLOWERING PLANTS In the hedgerows the plants surviving the drought are mainly Composites - Goatsbeards, Canadian Fleabane,Hawkbits, Hawkbits and Thistless, including the scarce Wooly Thistle. Knapweeds and Field Scabious are still providing nectar for bees and butterflies. Some Wild Parsnip still survives as tabletops for hoverflies and beetles. Low down in dead vegetation Eyebright and Red Bartsia have to be searched for. Only Biting Stonecrop is thriving in otherwise bare ground. In the shade Herb Robert kept going throughout the year. Cow Parsley has small flowers on this years seedlings but no Upright Hedge Parsley has been noted in flower. The Wild Clematis is in flower in the hedgerows, where Crown Vetch and Chicory appeared on one verge. INSECTS Since asking for reports on DRAGONFLIES in the parish magazine, there have been a number sent in. Southern Hawker at garden ponds including observations of egg laying in moss or decaying vegetation in both Woolsthhorpe and Colsterworth., and males patrolling the edge of a large pond. In Twyford Wood the figure of eight of a pair 'in cop' hanging from a tree. Common Darter at garden ponds and on disused railway line at Woolsthorpe. Brown Hawker seen in a number of gardens , on disused railway line and in Twyford Wood. BUTTERFLIES.There has been a drop off in the number of Small Tortoiseshells and Peacocks and no Red Admirals seen in the last week. A Comma in the garden on 4th August. Meadow Browns have replaced Hedge Browns. Good numbers of Speckled Woods in shaded hedgerows. Common and Small Whites still abundant. Some Common Blues still about but the main event has been the the numbers of Holly Blues. There are no reports of Painted Ladies. Amongst other insects noted were the small but colourful Mint Moths, Cinnabar caterpillars clinging to a scrap of groundsel where ragwort removed from line and Silver Y moths coming to windows at night. 7-spot Ladybirds have been more evident in gardens but no reports of Harlequins. A Wasp's nest destroyed in the loft after large numbers of them feeding on fallen apples and drowning themselves in the bird bath. REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS It seems as if every garden with a pond has reported Grass Snakes. For some people it was their first sight of a snake and they wanted me to do something about them. Fortunately others accepted some loss of life of their water living animals - mainly undeveloped tadpoles and the Snakes on the whole moved on. Low water levels revealed a surprising number of Common Newts. Frogs were on the aquatic plants and seen in association with watered areas. A Toad sitting in the corner of a greenhouse with the cucumber plant was partly buried in the soil. I have so far been unsuccessful in finding a Lizard out sunning in the hot weather. It is some time since one has been seen in the village. BIRDS Older Swifts have left judging by the drop in numbers last week after we had seen the young join them in the sky. Both House martins and Swallows have produced late broods after early nesting failed in the early cold weather. Some late re-building was abandoned, probably because of the lack of mud.  Parties of finches feeding on abundant seeding plants have included Greenfinch, Bullfinch and in one group about 25 Goldfinches. A pair of woodpigeons watched trying to build a nest in a lilac tree with only slender branches. Twigs fell constantly below them formiing a mound. Their constant calling added to the noise of a collared dove unable to attract a mate. MAMMALS. Moles coming up for water, including one in the garden. Hedgehog families dividing feeding between two gardens. Weasel with young on Woolsthorpe Line but little evidence of rabbits which are usually abundant here. Sitting in garden 8.30p.m. watching wood mice half-hidden in herb garden plants. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/far-ings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/gibraltar-point 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 https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 8th August 2018 – 14th August 2018 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 080818 – A hobby flew over the fields at Rimac, 1 brown argus and 1 wall feeding on fleabane. A fine male sparrow hawk flew fast and low over Paradise lagoon and spooked 20 dunlin, 3 snipe and 2 redshank. 5 swifts flying south over dunes. Single brown argus on the wing near Sea View. 090818 – Field vole, 3 kestrels, 1 wall and 1 painted lady at Rimac. A colony of sea aster mining bees (Colletes halophilus) (c 2000 seen) was discovered on the saltmarsh at Rimac. Along with these were 3 parasitic cuckoo bees Epeolus variegatus which takes over the nests and food provisions of the mining bee. A single wheatear at Paradise. 100818 – 2 arctic skuas on the beach near Brickyard, several wall butterflies and migrant hawkers between Brickyard Lane and Churchill. 3 common buzzards circling high over Sea View and drifting west. 110818 - 2 hummingbird hawk moths seen around Churchill Lane. Big Garden Butterfly Count in Coastguard gardens with 8 buddleia and c 5sqm of fleabane: small white 16, large white 5, green veined white 2, brown argus 3, common blue 3, holly blue 1, small copper 2, small skipper 1, small tortoiseshell 27, red admiral 5, painted lady 2, peacock 9, comma 4, hedge brown 5, meadow brown 1, wall 1, (brimstone 1 flyover). A single white-letter hairstreak near Sea View, noticeable increase in small tortoiseshells and also a single brown argus. Up to two humming-bird hawk moths seen most days. 120818 – Wall butterflies and migrant hawkers again seen between Brickyard Lane and Churchill. Hundreds of hirundines feeding low over areas of sea aster on the saltmarsh late evening. 130818 – (Birds seen between 11-13th) Little gull 2, c 3200 roosting black headed gulls on foreshore, ringed plover 78, dunlin c 180, snipe 5, marsh harrier 2, common buzzard 3, kingfisher 1, barn owl 2, kestrel 4. 140818 – Out from Brickyard Lane in the morning: 120 Ringed Plovers, 180 Sanderling, 180 Dunlin, 3 Knot, 2 Whimbrel and a dozen Sandwich Terns. On Paradise lagoon were 6 common snipe, 18 dunlin and 3 young yellow wagtails, a kingfisher flew along the Eau near Black Bridge and a male stonechat flew from reeds along the fortune path near Sea View. Looking under refugia (where it is generally cooler and damper) within the dune slacks we have found lots of amphibians present: common frogs and toads, smooth newts and natterjack toads.   During the past few days there have been a few willow warblers, chiffchaffs, common whitethroats and a single lesser whitethroat moving through the Sea View area. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/get-involved/ Does anyone know a good website dealing with The Lincolnshire Limewoods NNR? Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lincolnshire Dormouse Group Meetings 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 Hazel Dormouse https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/cy/node/35 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Examples: SNIPE DALES https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/snipe-dales WHISBY https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/whisby WILLOW TREE FEN https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/willow-tree-fen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This slot is for those cracking reserves which don't get the regular mention they should. 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 usually 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/ *** Lincs Bird Club Website *** http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk 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 *** 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/ STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** EasyTide *** http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** 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 *** 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 *** Fresh dead otter required by Cardiff University Otter Project. *** They are looking for a really fresh sample from a male otter, in order to extract DNA for whole genome sequencing by the Wellcome Sanger Institute. https://floundering25.imascientist.org.uk/2017/12/13/thank-you-from-the-floundering-zone-winner-eurasian-otter/ https://www.sanger.ac.uk/ If anyone sees an otter killed on a road, finds an otter still warm, or knows that a roadkill is very recent, we need to know. Please can you get in touch with us ideally by phone (02920 874046) or send a message on Facebook/Twitter, and (we) will try and arrange rapid collection. *** 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 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/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lincs-environmental-awards *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.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/ Sutton Bridge area – Sunday 2nd September 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2018-09-02/ Swinn Wood LWT Reserve – Sunday 14th October 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2018-10-14/ 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. Plant Galls - September 8th - Jan Rousseau Bryophytes - October 6th - Steven Heathcote. Fungi - November 3rd - Ray Halstead ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** I am about to delete mailing list addresses that are not "opted-in". Please check your details now as explained in "Editor writes". 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..... John Caudwell on Lyme Disease https://youtu.be/Y24QL-H5ZLU Why stealthy viruses are making you ill https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-45114842 Lincolnshire council buys Sheffield gym and lingerie factory https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-45096491 Country diary: sleepless on a still, shining night https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/30/country-diary-sleepless-still-shining-night-tawny-owl-beauly-higlands Why the summer sound of noisy crickets is growing fainter https://theconversation.com/why-the-summer-sound-of-noisy-crickets-is-growing-fainter-100912 Country diary: what hope for this everlasting bird? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/11/country-diary-what-hope-everlasting-bird-willow-warbler-talsarnau-gwynedd Country diary: lovely lavender works its charm https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/02/country-diary-lovely-lavender-works-its-charm Country diary: this toad is a familiar and fearless presence https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/08/country-diary-toad-familiar-and-fearless-presence-wenlock-edge-shropshire Country diary: a busy time for spiders https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/13/country-diary-a-busy-time-for-spiders-little-budworth-cheshire ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/