============================================= || || 26th 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... *** We have had a busy week spinning off and jarring honey. Despite the odd weather this year we are well up to our usual productivity. The wasps seem to have done well too and the local pest control folks seem to have been kept busy. Wasp nests calls to pest control rise fivefold https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-45208218 Richard Davidson tells me Jan Rousseau's Plant Galls workshop on the 8th Sept has been cancelled. However, there are some places still, 2 on the Bryophytes on October 6th and 4 on the Fungi workshops on November 3rd. Details below. The next LNU meeting will be near Sutton Bridge on Sunday 2nd September. See https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2018-09-02/ Details below: 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. As usual I have included a selection of topical links. Most were sent in by readers. Don't forget to click What's the truth about spiders in our homes? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-wales-45224687/ Louth Town Hall bird nets 'killing pigeons' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-45208656 New pesticides 'may have risks for bees' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45185261 Ants show 'lazy' approach may be best for digging https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45214560 Truck stop owner [Colsterworth] banned from 'moving traffic cones' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-45274434 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.....*** See the "Abundant Prey" note from Bob Sheppard, with an explanation on what happens next. It has been a memorable project and our thanks and congratulations go to the Len Pick Trust. Well worth doing. 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. Plant Galls - September 8th - Jan Rousseau - CANCELLED A few places are still available on: Bryophytes - October 6th - Steven Heathcote. [2 places left] Fungi - November 3rd - Ray Halstead [4 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 be running a Trees in Leaf identification session on Tuesday 18th September at Whisby Nature Park in Lincoln. More details to follow. 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 - shortly changing to September's 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/ Keith Scarrott writes: 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 *** 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. Blyborough Grange SK 96306 95728 Peter Morrell 17.08.18 Badger roadkill on A15 Holme SE 92108 06889 Peter Morrell 18.08.18 Hedgehog roadkill on Holme Lane Willoughton SK 90973 93076 Peter Morrell 19.07.18 Barn owl hunting Blyton SK 84948 94463 Peter Morrell 20.07.18 Hedgehog roadkill on A159 *** 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 16/17 August 2018 Tawny owl f calling from roof or scaffolding of the house. [AP] BARTON UPON HUMBER TA 051 234 BARTON CLAYPITS (WILDFOWLERS) Alan Jones, Humber Nature Partnership Reliable report by a neighbour of an otter 5.30a, Monday 13th August 2018. also recent but undated sightings of porpoise off Goxhill Haven TA119 253. BOSTON 20/08/18 Kathleen Pearson A young Green Woodpecker was anting on the lawn this morning. This afternoon a Buzzard passed over the garden. CANDLESBY QUARRY TF460682 C Byatt 14/8/18 Peacock butterfly – 1, Red Admiral – 1, Small White – 6. GRIMSBY TA265095 Joyce Attia 10 pm 21/08/2018 Spotted over the last week. My garden. Butterflies, holly blue, lots of large and small white, small tortoiseshell 1, comma 1, speckled wood 3. Moths, Silver Y and caterpillars, mint moths, lots of little white micro moths. 7 spot ladybirds, white bottomed bees. 7 or 8 house sparrows scrabbling among the night scented stocks, looking for ants. Along the nearby river. A small flock of swallows - about 10/12 - feeding around the trees this morning. Juveniles sitting on the wires this afternoon, parents bringing food. Numerous juvenile mallards. 3 broods of water hens, they are about a month old now and thriving, but on 2 occasions we have had to rescue day old chicks trapped in the sun in the thick algae which has clogged the river for weeks. Thankfully it's now beginning to disperse. Sadly we lost one of our beautiful cygnets, we don't know why but it became very sick and died. Unlike the moorhens the RSPCA weren't able to save it. So now there are only six left of this brood.  There is another brood but I haven't seen them for a week or so, the cobs got a bit argumentative so they have probably found a more peaceful spot HORKSTOW Jenny Haynes 19 August 2018 We found a dead dragonfly outside the house this morning. Identified as a female southern hawker. Remarkable to be able to handle such a fine creature. Two garden warblers seen picking insects off my Christmas tree this week. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 18/8/2018 Pentatoma rufipes Forest bug/Red-legged shield bug 1 - on top of recycling bin, probably fallen out of overhanging sycamore 19/8/2018 Green woodpecker 1 - in birch tree RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler Buzzard mewing regularly for some weeks now, often heading into copse; suspect there is a nest as I didn’t hear alarm calls from other birds (TF301852 and adjoining squares) 15.08.2018 Silver-Y moth Common Frog Buzzard 2 (TF308849 approx.) 16.08.2018 Buzzard mewing (NE corner of TF3084) 20-30 House Martins and Swallows feeding over pasture 17.08.2018 Green Shieldbug 20.08.2018 Yellow Wagtail checking out roof gutter House Sparrows have gone for their summer break Wren Tawny Owls calling, m and f Speckled Wood, Small Tortoiseshell NB: NO Painted Ladies so far this summer! Hawker spp (probably Southern) Found 10+ exuvia whilst clearing out pond, so there must have been some dragonflies that I missed. Several 7-Spot Ladybirds; more than I’ve seen for years. 21.08.2018 Comma butterfly, first this year (if my memory serves me right) Speckled Wood 2, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Large White 1, various other Whites Common Darter (pair) Blue-tailed Damselfly 22.08.2018 5 or 6 Buzzards, mobbed by corvids, over woodland (TF292865) THE WASH Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs. RSPB Group report 57 bird species seen from the Boston Belle 20th August 2018 in their cruise from Boston into The Wash estuary. Black headed gull, black tailed godwit, blackbird, blue tit, brent goose ,buzzard, canada goose, carrion crow, chaffinch, collared dove, common gull, common sandpiper, common tern, cormorant, curlew, dunlin, dunnock, feral pigeon,gold- finch, great black backed gull, green sandpiper, greenshank, grey heron, grey wagtail, herring gull, house martin, house sparrow, jackdaw, kestrel, knot, lapwing, lesser black backed gull, linnet, little egret, little gull, little and ringed plover, magpie, mallard, marsh harrier, moorhen, mute swan, oystercatcher, peregine falcon (on Boston Stump), pied wagtail ,redshank, ruff, sandwich tern, adult and juvenile shelduck, starling, swallow, swift, turnstone, wheatear, whimbrel, wood pigeon, yellow wagtail. In addition record numbers of basking common seals were seen on the banks of the river Welland. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/ 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 15th August 2018 – 21st August 2018 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor.   Daily news and wildlife sightings:   140818 – Late record – Creophilus maxillosus a large rove beetle, dune chafer, sea aster mining bees and the parasitic cuckoo bees, 4 whimbrel flying over at Rimac. 160818 – Red underwing moth at Brick Yard Lane. 170818 - Female sparrowhawk hunting low over the saltmarsh and a male wheatear near Paradise. 180818 – Southern hawker dragonflies seen between Churchill and Brick Yard Lane. On Paradise lagoon were 37 redshank, 8 lapwing, 3 common sandpipers, 1 cormorant, 96 black-headed gulls, 9 common gulls, 11 mallard, 20 teal, 1 herring gull, 1 ruff, 1 dunlin and 1 curlew. Butterflies on the wing near Sea View included common blues, small tortoiseshells, red admirals, a very tatty meadow brown and two brown argus. 190818 - Amongst a noticeable increase in willow warblers and chiffchaffs near Sea View, a single goldcrest and 5 blackcaps. 200818 – A young cuckoo and spotted flycatcher seen. On Paradise lagoon: 92 redshank, 5 snipe, 2 common sandpiper, 1 greenshank. Seemingly more red admirals on the wing plus single brimstone and holly blue around Sea View plus hummingbird hawkmoth. Single spotted flycatcher at Sea View late evening. 210818 – At sunrise on the foreshore were c4300 black headed gulls and 180 sandwich terns. 56 common scoter and 1 arctic skua were seen offshore. From the Rimac butterfly transect: large white 1, green veined white 1, small white 12, small copper 5, common blue 31, brown argus 9, small tortoiseshell 3, wall brown 4, meadow brown 4, small heath 8, speckled wood 8. A moth trap set up in the Brick Yard Lane area had 1,100 Setaceous Hebrew Character moths in it. Female pied flycatcher at Sea View mid-day and later in the afternoon sightings of two more, with long-tailed tits in sycamores in the same area plus a single goldcrest. Lots of migrant hawkers flying around. The main source of nectar now is water mint and fleabane with just a little scabious and harebell also in flower. Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Peregrine in the Brick Yard Lane area with several kestrels being seen daily along the coast. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** 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/ Swinn Wood LWT Reserve, northwest of Alford Access courtesy of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Fungus Foray (National Fungus Day) 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. Habitat: Ancient woodland with ponds and ditches. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk 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..... More protection needed for Chinese pangolins https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45250301 Former Conservative MP Sir Peter Tapsell dies aged 88 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-45234741 Rare butterfly makes a comeback after 30 years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-45232688 Golden eagle chicks released to boost south of Scotland population https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-45248409 Chickens run wild on Diss housing estate https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-norfolk-45202365/ Dolphins 'escort' Eyemouth lifeboat to harbour https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-45232647 Why blue-green algae can be toxic to pets and humans https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-45170337 Country diary: a blackbird entranced by the sun https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/16/country-diary-blackbird-entranced-by-the-sun-crook-durham Country diary: the glow-worm is a little beacon in the dark https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/aug/18/country-diary-glow-worm-beacon-in-the-dark-hallsands-devon ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/