============================================= || || 15th July 2018 - correction 22 July 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... *** I continue unsubscribing those who have not "consented" to being emailed the Bulletin. To remain on the list act fast, 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. We had a go at collecting some lovelincsplants specimens at a recent Wildlife Watch meeting. It was good to see both the young people and the adults so enthusiastic about the project! We have set another date for working on our dried specimens and have identified a possible location for collection in 2019. A big thank you to Aidan for an excellent meeting. https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants It is a sobering thought that if past LNU botanists had not established the original herbarium collections; had the LNU trustees not negotiated passing this to the Natural History Museum; had we not had the vision of a modern herbarium to put to the Sir Joseph Banks Society, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and Lincoln University; had the project not been funded by the HLF, then little of this project would have happened! The LWT is the lead partner but it is the active partnership that gives the project its "cope and potential. Each of the components will be vital and every member of these organsations can play a part in making it a success. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants Question from Pete Lilley: "Where are all the Dragonflies and Damselflies? In several days in East Lincolnshire last week I managed to see almost no Dragonflies and no Damselflies at all in the places I would expect them to be. These included Louth Canal (Alvingham); Covenham Reservoir; Tetney Blow Wells, ponds in Swinn Wood, NE of Alford; Manby Wetland; Snipe Dales (single Emperors seen at each of the last three sites); and the coastal reserves of Donna Nook and Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe. Temperatures were not ideal, being overcast 16 to 20C generally, though sunny and up to 26C from Friday afternoon. (Odonata have a 'critical temperature' for activity around 17C, so it shouldn't really have been too cold). Or have they, or their food items, all been poisoned by the surrounding farm prairies? Any comments?" Heads up for the Perseid Meteors, 17th July to 24th August, with the peak on 12th August. The Moon phase is favourable, so cloud permitting we should get to see a decent display. Harvest has started and you will not be the only people making a mental note of the distribution of the Brown Hare in the county. The Hare-coursing fraternity will be getting ready for action. It is a good time to re-read the Police advice on how to help stamp out this illegal activity. Chris Manning reassures me that the Bulletin does not constitute a major risk here. Even if a hare courser or two read it, their knowledge of hares is likely to far exceed the few records that readers send in. If in doubt, concentrate on reporting road kills, which will be of "historic interest". https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/hare-coursing/ Have you any news for the Bulletin? 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 entirely 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. Some I have chosen with the interests of particular readers in mind. Don't forget to click. Pothole-related breakdowns 'at three-year high' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44847684 British salt marshes 'to disappear' as sea levels rise https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-44808202 Nation's botanical treasures to go on display https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44797298 Jellyfish swarm turns sea pink https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/video_and_audio/headlines/44806250/ Iceland accused of slaughtering rare whale https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44809115 Killing rats could save coral reefs https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44799420 More links in "..and finally..." 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.....*** The 2 chicks are growing fast. Keep watching the drama! Bob Sheppard writes: "Our parent owls have been bringing lots of food to the chicks and, weather permitting, this should continue as we enter cereal harvest time. For a few weeks there will be a glut of prey. Our owls have timed their egg laying to perfection. Those who have the opportunity to watch the webcam from around 9pm will hear the extraordinary hissing of the chicks!" More: http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 *** National Cetacean Survey 4/5th August 2018 - Reminder *** Dave Miller is planning to run watches for this national cetacean survey along with Sea Watch Foundation on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th August. Watches from the Round-and-Round hide at Anderby Creek as in previous years, but the plan this year is to use the new North Sea Observatory at Chapel Point as well, watching the sea from inside if the weather is inclement. As ever this event could not be run without the help of volunteers, and the plan is to run watches in the same format: i.e. two watches of three hours per day per site: Contact: Dave Miller - Coast and The Wash Warden Email: dmiller@lincstrust.co.uk *** 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. Hoverflies - July 28th - Phil Porter & David Denman - fully booked. A few places still available on: Ground Beetles - August 11th - Alan Lazenby [4 places left] 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/ Raithby Beck Wood – Saturday 4th August 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2018-08-04/ Raithby Beck Wood, northwest of Spilsby A private site with access courtesy of Margot and Keith Charlton. Afternoon and evening moth/bat session. 12.00 for 13.00 start and then again from 20.30 for evening session. Meet and park on access track which is situated on the east side of the minor road between Hundleby (B1195) and Hagworthingham (A158) at TF365684, immediately north of Raithby Bridge. Nearest postcode PE23 4LF. NB. No mains available for moth traps. Nearest public toilets in Spilsby town centre or at Snipe Dales Country Park. Habitats: Grassland, plantations, stream, ponds Leader: Dr. David Sheppard 07880 986923 d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** 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. *** Love Lincs Plants - Updates *** LoveLincsPlants Webpage: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants 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/ *** July Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Heads up for the Perseid Meteors, 17th July to 24th August, with the peak on 12th August. The Moon phase is favourable, so cloud permitting we should get to see a decent display. The Moon rises "totally eclipsed" on 27th July, near Mars, which will be at opposition - i.e. relatively close in Solar System terms. Why not get out that telescope? Mars is worth observing from July into August and Paul's webpage will explain what is going on and what to look for. *** 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 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 *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson Lincoln Area Group Walk August 4th: Woodhall Spa Airfield Guided walk at Woodhall Spa airfield. Local warden Kevin James will take us round one of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's newest nature reserves and tell us all about plans for it's future. The site was the former home to the RAF's 617 squadron 'The Dambusters'. Meet at the site entrance at 2.00 pm. Access to the reserve is off the B1192 Tattershall to Woodhall Spa road at LN4 4JT. OS Grid reference TF205607 *** 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. None reported this week. *** 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 15/7/2018 Peacock butterfly Small tortoiseshell Many [dozens of] swifts feeding overhead. Many small [10 up to 40 individuals] flocks of starlings moving about village. 16/7/2018 Daddy-longlegs spider - Pholcus phalangioides A common species in the house. Caught and identified. http://srs.britishspiders.org.uk/portal.php/p/Daddy+long+legs+spider BOSTON 15/07/2018 Roy and Kathleen Pearson Peregrine circling over the garden this morning. CONINGSBY - Hunters Lane Les Binns Grid Reference: TF 22113 58272 Grid Reference (6 figure): TF221582 11:18 am on 16/07/18 Bat - 1, species unknown, observed flying and appeared to be feeding, for several minutes. Mobile phone video can be seen here: https://youtu.be/td7AKU-Ftqk EAST HALTON (WINTER'S POND) to GOXHILL HAVEN (Grid reference TA1521, TA1522, TA1422, TA1423, TA1324, TA1325) 15/7/2018 Jon Drakes A walk along the South bank of the River Humber from Winter's Pond towards Goxhill Haven (including the monthly WeBS count along the section from East Halton Skitter to Goxhill Haven) found the following species present: Black-headed Gull Buzzard 1 Canada Goose Carrion Crow Chaffinch Chiffchaff Coot Cormorant 1 Curlew 7 Dunnock Feral Pigeon Great Creste 1 Greylag Goose 14 Herring Gull Hybrid Goose Kestrel 1 Lapwing 9 Little Egret 1 Magpie Mallard 23 Marsh Harrier 2 Meadow Pipit Moorhen 1 Mute Swan 2 Pheasant Pied Wagtail Redshank 2 Reed Bunting 4 Sedge Warbler 3 Shelduck 4 Song Thrush 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Starling Swallow Tufted Duck Whimbrel 1 Whitethroat Woodpigeon Yellowhammer Butterflies: Meadow Brown Large Whiteseveral thousand seen moving along the river bank in large "clouds" - a spectacular site indeed! Small White Small Tortoiseshell Small Skipper Also seen was a lone Roe Deer. FISKERTON Fiskerton Fen NR, LWT R&A Parsons 17/7/2018 Non-native species Sagittaria latifolia [Arrowhead] in drain at TF 080718 Species noted along path at TF 080719 http://www.nonnativespecies.org/factsheet/factsheet.cfm?speciesId=3086 Rough Chervil - Chaerophyllum temulum Wild Carrot - Daucus carota GREAT CARLTON Great Carlton TF 417843 11/7/18 Pete Lilley 6.40pm Hare running down farm access track ahead of car 9.45pm Two Hares in camping field. One strolled past my tent in the dusk HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 11/7/2018 Meadow brown 1 12/7/2018 Green veined whites 4 Small tortoiseshell 1 13/7/2018 Magpies 3 - 2 young ones, I think. 15/7/2018 Red admiral 1 16/7/2018 Common darter 1 17/7/2018 Ladybirds 2 - Both harlequin 18/7/2018 Green veined whites 6 Ladybird 1 - 7-spot Spotted wing drosophila larva - very many on my raspberries KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 14/7/2018 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Bird Watch for the BTO in our back garden were: Collared Dove 6 Starling 9 House Sparrow 25 Blackbird 4 Robin 1 Chaffinch 1 Herring Gull 1 Swift Swallow Woodpigeon 1 Dunnock 1 House Martin Butterflies: Large White Small White Peacock Small Tortoiseshell An early evening walk along a local lane, found the following species present: Black-headed Gull many seen feeding on flying Ants Common Gull many seen feeding with Black-headed Gulls Hobby Goldfinch Magpie Carrion Crow Bullfinch Yellowhammer Chiffchaff Linnet 20 seen perched on power cables. LEGBOURNE Legbourne Wood TF 372833 11/7/18 2.30pm Pete Lilley Hare loping through woods and onto track 10yds ahead, then unhurriedly along woodland track till out of sight. MANBY Manby Wetland TF 407863 13/7/18 midday Pete Lilley Birds noted from hide, out on lake and margins: Black-headed gulls Lapwings Avocets 5 Shelduck 2 Pied Wagtail 1 Moorhens Also about 15 unidentified waders - maybe one of the Godwits? Too far away for my pocket binoculars! RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 20.06.2018 Red Admiral 2 Buzzards (TF309850 approx) 28.06.2018 Swifts over Louth (heard) (TF329872) Muntjac deer crossing Horncastle Road at 11:15 a.m. heading towards Louth Golf Course (TF320863) Brown Hare (TF294848 approx.) 30.06.2018 June Rainfall = only 15 mm 12.07.2018 Brown Hare x 3 (TF302849 approx.) 13.07.2018 Brown Hare x 3 (TF304848) Meadow Brown 1, Ringlet 1, Gatekeeper 1, Small White 2, several other white butterflies 18.07.2018 Newts still in pond; water level dropped by at least 10 cm Still haven’t seen a single dragonfly this year (only a few Azure Damselflies) House Sparrows still have nestlings, probably third brood this year. Ca. 20 mixed Small White and Green-veined White butterflies on catmint; 3 Large White, 1 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Ringlet elsewhere in garden SNIPE DALES Snipe Dales TF 328685 14/7/18 12.30pm Pete Lilley Small Copper - the first I've seen this year. This one will be from a second brood, and I failed to be in the right place to see any from the first broods in May. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 21/06/18 Amblyteles armatorius x 1 (Ichneumon) 11/07/18 Common Frog x 1 15/07/18 Barn Owl x 1 hunting and calling 01:30hrs Linnet x 1 Little Owl x 1 calling 01:15hrs Long-eared Owl x 2 young calling from Hawthorn, Owston Ferry Warping Drain side Pygmy Shrew x 2 Soprano Pipistrelle x 2 Peacock x 9 Small Tortoiseshell x 5 Small White x 5 Brimstone moth x 1 Silver Y x 1 17/07/18 Barn Owl x 1 01:50hrs Blackbird x 4 fledglings Blue Tit x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 St. Martins school, Owston Ferry Kestrel x 1 adult, 3 young Little Owl x 1 SK789977 Long-eared Owl x 2 young calling Yellowhammer x 1 Common Pipistrelle x 2 Field Vole x 2 Green-veined White x 1 Large White x 2 Meadow Brown x 4 Peacock x 15 Red Admiral x 1 Ringlet x 4 Small Skipper x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 9 Small White x 7 Silver Y x 1 WOODHALL SPA TF 190 628 Barry Kirk 07/07/18 Hummingbird hawkmoth feeding on Verbena 14/07/18 Purple hairstreaks at top of oak trees in evening ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 11th July 2018 – 17th July 2018 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, Cliff Morrison, John Walker and Matt Blissett. Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings: 120718 – 9 lapwing, 4 grey herons & 3 little egrets were seen on the Sea View washland & the long staying whooper swan was found dead. 140718 - Paradise lagoon: 2 black-tailed godwits, 1 greenshank, 4 lapwing, 1 common snipe, 2 ringed plovers,19 redshank, 5 dunlin, 10 mallard, 2 mute swans, 4 yellow wagtails & 4 moorhen. On a falling tide during the WeBS count: 11 knot, 107 oystercatchers, 64 curlew, 122 dunlin, 7 sandwich terns & 291 black headed gulls. A single red kite drifted north-west over Sea View in the afternoon. Late evening 2 adult & 2 young marsh harriers hunting over the saltmarsh. Several large white butterflies were flying in off the sea & at least 40 feeding on the flowering sea lavender. In the Brick Yard area butterflies seen were: ringlet 58, meadow brown 26, gatekeeper 32, small heath 2, small skipper 93, common blue 2, small tortoiseshell 3, small white 16, green-veined white 8, comma 1, small copper 1, over 30 ‘small’ whites feeding on the meadowsweet. 797 of around 110 species of moth caught overnight. 16 lapwings, 9 little egrets and 1 grey heron on Sea View washlands. 160718 - Paradise lagoon: 5 little egrets, 3 common sandpipers, 2 greenshank, 2 common snipe, 1 knot, 4 dunlin, 2 oystercatchers, 3 little ringed plovers, 3 lapwing, 7 redshank, 1 cormorant, 13 common gulls, 39 black-headed gulls, 11 mallard & 4 moorhen. At least 4 small tortoiseshell butterflies along the flood bank vegetation at Paradise. Paradise - Sea View 5 red admirals & 3 commas plus at Sea View a single holly blue & humming bird hawkmoth. Noticeable increase of large white butterflies on the wing. 170718 - On Paradise lagoon a single ruff in tatty breeding plumage, 2 common sandpipers, 5 dunlin, 4 lapwing & a single knot. A short-eared owl was hunting along the edge of the saltmarsh & dunes. Dark green fritillary & southern hawker spotted, chiffchaff, willow warbler, whitethroat, lesser whitethroat, blackcap & reed warbler all heard. From the Rimac butterfly transect: small skipper 81, large white 3, small white 21, green veined white 36, small copper 2, common blue 1, red admiral 1, comma 1, wood 2, hedge brown 42, meadow brown 31, small heath 16, ringlet 110. Now in flower: scabious, harebell, meadowsweet, sea lavender, sea rocket, restharrow, marsh cinquefoil, willowherb. Whimbrel, curlew, ringed plover, greenshank, green sandpiper, common sandpiper, black tail & bar tail godwits, dunlin, knot, sandwich & common terns, common scoter, arctic skua and turtle dove have all been seen/heard this week. (Late record from 7th July from Matt Blissett: A dune chafer beetle was found at Rimac.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Hazel Dormouse https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/cy/node/35 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 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/ Raithby Beck Wood – Saturday 4th August 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2018-08-04/ Raithby Beck Wood, northwest of Spilsby A private site with access courtesy of Margot and Keith Charlton. Afternoon and evening moth/bat session. 12.00 for 13.00 start and then again from 20.30 for evening session. Meet and park on access track which is situated on the east side of the minor road between Hundleby (B1195) and Hagworthingham (A158) at TF365684, immediately north of Raithby Bridge. Nearest postcode PE23 4LF. NB. No mains available for moth traps. Nearest public toilets in Spilsby town centre or at Snipe Dales Country Park. Habitats: Grassland, plantations, stream, ponds Leader: Dr. David Sheppard 07880 986923 d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com 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. 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. 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..... The new sharks coming to UK as temperatures rise https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44861520 Iceman's last meal was high-fat, high-calorie feast https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44807101 Prehistoric bake-off: Recipe for oldest bread revealed https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44846874 Country diary: A daddy-longlegs and its eggs have a narrow escape https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/05/country-diary-a-daddy-longlegs-and-its-eggs-have-a-narrow-escape Country diary: wiggling wonder of the common woodlouse https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/07/country-diary-wiggling-wonder-common-woodlouse-norfolk Country diary: wilding calls to the turtle dove https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/09/country-diary-wilding-calls-turtle-dove-knepp-west-sussex Country diary: I looked into the eyes of Britain's most savage killer https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/16/country-diary-britain-savage-wildlife-killer-weasel-aigas-highlands Country diary 1918: wonderful nest-building habits of the leafcutter bee https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/16/country-diary-leafcutter-bees-nest-1918 Country diary: carp find their quarry but become easy prey in the shallows https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jul/19/country-diary-carp-quarry-easy-prey-stanhope-weardale ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/