============================================= || || 3rd June 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. Please contact the Editor to contribute articles or reports. E-mail: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers' hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor writes... *** GDPR: Having removed our archived addresses, deleted or unsubscribed, I am now in the process of deleting remaining addresses which are not yet "opted-in", starting with those who rarely or never open their Bulletins. I have made the assumption that if someone doesn't open the Bulletin much and has not opted-in, they probably don't want to be on the list. I hope my reasoning is correct and that I have not made too many mistakes. If you hear of any complaints please email me on: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Meanwhile, if you are unsure how to check and/or update your Op-in options, please click on "update your subscriptions" at the end of this LNU Bulletin. Look at the "Marketing Permissions" section and if the relevant box, "email" is not yet ticked, give it a tick. If you don't ........ Text Bulletins will continue to be available to all on the following webpage: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Sheep and Ants On 21st I looked out of a window into the field next door which has 6 tups having a bit of a holiday. 3 were busy enjoying digging into a large ant hill, rubbing their foreheads in the dust. An immediate thought was something akin to "anting" in birds to counter parasites. Could they have been eating pupae perhaps? Surely it could not be as simple as a "boys game" : "Who can keep their head in an ant hill the longest?" It seemed quite competitive, some head-to-head pushing. The damage to the ant hill was considerable. Several have since received similar treatment. Most people I have asked have never seen this behaviour. Suggestions have included play and Charlie Barnes has mentioned a piece on Springwatch 29/5 about sheep predating nestlings. https://twitter.com/Nat_B_Zielonka/status/1001555173859381248 A corner of the field now has several "bald" ant hills grouped together which are in regular used as "recliners". The rather well-built, unshorn tups seem to have found them comfortable during the hot weather. I would not accuse sheep of being forward-thinking - but it does make you wonder! The tups are off for shearing now. I wonder if the hill-lounging will continue when they return. BBC2's "Springwatch" ...... keep watching.... https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07dwtvz Bittern-listening. A request from Dave Miller: If any readers are around the reedbeds at Chapel Pit, Chapel Six Marshes, Wolla Bank Reedbed or Huttoft Pit at these times would they please listen out for these reclusive birds and let me know, even if one is NOT heard, at dmiller@lincstrust.co.uk As usual I have included a selection of topical links. Most were sent in by readers. Suggestions for interesting links are always welcome. See: Live and planned roadworks https://roadworks.org/ England could have new national parks in Gove review http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-44268724 Six reasons plants are cleverer than you think http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3xgQcFfKw6741rYn5LzQhJb/ Is this hairy crab the newest species found in the UK? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-43475102 Seal released after recovering from plastic air filter injury http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-norfolk-44247572/ Extinct butterfly to be reintroduced in England http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-44228926 Wandering Tregaron pine marten found 60 miles from home http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-44241832 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.....*** http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 *** Peregrine webcam at Woking *** The pair have four chicks. There will be lots of action in the next few weeks. http://www.wokingperegrines.com/ *** Whisby Natural History Workshops *** At Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln, in the Lafarge Education Building from 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Free of charge. Refreshments included. Mining Bees - June 2nd - David Shepherd - may be places left. Not too late to ask. Hoverflies - July 28th - Phil Porter & David Denman Ground Beetles - August 11th - Alan Lazenby Plant Galls - September 8th - Jan Rousseau Bryophytes - October 6th - Steven Heathcote. Fungi - November 3rd - Ray Halstead Places are limited due to the number of microscopes available. Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com *** LNU Events Diary *** LNU events are listed below in section 11. For LNU meetings, see: https://lnu.org/meetings/ [Note: Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm.] Field Meetings 2018 - details on: https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/ Next meeting: Shearman’s Wath / West Ashby Pits – Saturday 23rd June 2018 Shearman’s Wath next to West Ashby Pits. North of Horncastle A private site with access courtesy of Mike Harrison. Afternoon and evening moth/bat session. 12.00 for 13.00 start and then again from 21.00 for evening session. Meet and park on wide roadside verge at TF252719 (just east of River Bain bridge) which is located on minor road which joins the A158 and A153 north of Horncastle. Nearest postcode: LN9 5PP (which takes you slightly NE of meeting spot). NB. Some steep slopes and deep water areas. No mains available for moth traps. Nearest public toilets are in Horncastle town centre. Habitats: Lakes, ponds, marsh, grassland, scrub Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com GREETWELL HOLLOW LWT RESERVE - LNU Field Meeting TF000722 27 May 2018 Brian Hedley LNU field meeting to this urban-edge reserve courtesy of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. A good turn-out of 20 participants and led by Brian Hedley on a hot, sunny and breezy afternoon. One of the main aims of the meeting was to collect specimens for the LoveLincsPlants project (the new Lincolnshire Herbarium) and a team managed to identify, collect and press 20 specimens in the field. Most of these were species of calcareous grassland such as Erect Brome, Downy Oat-grass and Fairy Flax. Somewhere in the region of 150 plant species were noted around the reserve including Stemless Thistle, various orchids, Hoary Plantain, Common Centaury and unfortunately quite a few alien invaders such as Pirri-pirri Bur and various Cotoneasters. Thirty bird species were noted including Little Owl, many feeding Common Swifts over- head, Lesser Whitethroat and Bullfinch. Invertebrates were not as abundant/diverse as expected but did include some rather good records such as Green Hairstreak (plus nine other butterfly species), Bishop's Mitre shield- bug, Blue Bug and a variety of weevils noted by Charlie Barnes including Microplontus campestris and Tychnius junceus, the latter species being first for VC54 and 2nd for Lincolnshire. *** Love Lincs Plants - Updates *** LoveLincsPlants Website: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lovelincsplants Aidan Neary - LoveLincsPlants Project Officer writes: I have spaces available on a free Field Identification Studies Certificate (FISC) assessment day on Thursday 5th July at Whisby Education Centre led by Alex Prendergast from Natural England in association with the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland (BSBI). The FISC assessment is regarded as the industry standard for assessing botanical survey skill level. For more information about the botanical skills pyramid and the assessment see the BSBI website here: https://bsbi.org/field-skills This is the first FISC assessment to be held in Lincolnshire and will be an opportunity to meet other Lincolnshire botanists while also finding out how you can help with our Heritage Lottery Funded #LoveLincsPlants project. To book on please ask interested trainee to send an email to: Aidan Neary aneary@lincstrust.co.uk TO HELP ASSESS YOUR ELIGIBILITY FOR THIS ASSESSMENT PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS OF YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYMENT i.e. ecologist, student, unemployed. We will not pass your details on to any third party and you may request to be removed from our lists at any time by e-mailing (info@lincstrust.co.uk) or writing to Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Banovallum House, Manor House Street, Horncastle, LN9 5HF stating that you wish to be removed from the project botanists contact list. 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/ *** June Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Also see Pete Lawrence's Star Guide for May into June: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06755dk Heads up for Noctilucent Clouds http://spaceweather.com/ https://britastro.org/node/9456 *** Intriguing Birdsong Question *** Annette Faulkner writes: Has anyone ever tried identifying blackbirds’ garden territories from their songs? They nearly always have some component in there which fits our musical scales and rhythms – so our current one has the first three notes of a well-known Tchaikovsky waltz from one of the ballets (and it would be four notes – except that he’s got the last note wrong!), and also a shrill ‘peep’, which always seem to pop up somewhere in the song wherever he is – so I can trace him round the gardens, and also easily distinguish the tit-for-tat exchanges he has with his neighbour. This has raised some interesting questions. I haven’t written any of this down, except notated one of the phrases of a previous one, but several years ago I seem to recall that particular blackbird with the same song, different area, a second year. How long do they live? Is the song generally consistent the next year, so that it can be used as a means of ageing them? Is the song genetically programmed from father to sons? I’m sure I’ve heard elements of previous songs in the next generation (I definitely heard the ‘peep’ last year too) – or is this just fanciful and they disperse too widely for this to be true? And so on. They will be singing for several weeks yet – and I have to say the five-note phrase that I annotated was driving me mad by the time the bird stopped singing! – so still time to learn what your local blackbirds are singing and work out their territories. ***Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival *** Saturday 19 May to Sunday 3 June 2018. Check out the website for further information and to download the brochure: www.woldswalkingfestival.co.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park *** A link to the 2018 Events Brochure for the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park. Events range from sea dipping and guided walks to beach art and book sales. https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/coastalcountrypark/events/ *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ *** Local RSPB links: *** https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/ https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby Martin Francis writes: Attention All Naturalists The June Trip of the RSPB Grimsby Local Group is to RSPB Lakenheath and Weeting Heath (Norfolk Wildlife Trust). A chance to visit these rare habitats, with their amazing and unique biodiversity, might appeal to a wide range of naturalists. In particular, the Summer Warden at Weeting Heath, James Symonds, has offered to run moth traps on the night before the visit, take groups to view rare Breckland flora, and help find other specific invertebrates, fungi, lichen or flora, if given notice beforehand. It will be possible to spend part of the day at each site, or the whole day at Weeting Heath The trip takes place on Sunday 24th June, leaving Millman's in Wilton Road, Humberston at 7.30am and arriving back at about 6.30pm. Pick-up can also be arranged in Louth and Boston. The cost of the trip is £20 per head, including entry to Weeting Heath - less from the other pick-up points. Booking is essential. To find out more, please contact Martin Francis (Group Leader) at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com (preferred) or on 01472 883436 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 Area Groups *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/area-groups *** Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT *** https://www.facebook.com/LWT-Alford-Mablethorpe-Area-Group-175413729474673/ *** Barton Area Group LWT *** https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk Carolyn Davis writes: On Sunday June 3rd the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a morning bird walk in Cleethorpes Country Park with Ray Hume. Meet Ray in the car parking area at 7am. Grid ref. TA306067. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact Ray Hume 07814 840682. *** Horncastle & Woodhall Spa area group LWT *** https://www.facebook.com/hwsag/ *** Louth area group LWT *** http://lwt-lag.org.uk/ *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Bird Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ I have adapted RBA pager data/information for the Bulletin by eliminating or consolidating repeated messages. Note - I have been leaving out late/historical reports to save going back to re-do entries. From now on I shall squeeze in important reports, marking them with a * to indicate their lateness. 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. KETTLETHORPE R and A Brownlow write: Kettlethorpe near Lincoln SK 846754 After an absence locally for over a year myxomatosis has flared up again. Pleased to see a reduction in rabbit numbers but this a terrible disease and causes much suffering. I kill any rabbits that are infected. ROAD KILLS? Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. *** 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 25/5/2018 Cuckoo flew low over garden at 18.15 hrs. Heading north. 219/5/2018 Buzzard over garden at 08.10hrs COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 Jane Ostler May 13th - 20th PLANTS IN FLOWER On the limestone verges the yellow of an exceptional year for Cowslips gave way to that of Bird's Foot Trefoil. On the sparsely vegetated mound of the Roadside Verge Reserve Kidney Vetch is colonising. Wild Strawberry followed Barren Strawberry and Daisy. Germander Speedwell is replacing the blue of Forget-me-nots. White campion is out before the Bladder Campion. Red Campion was out in shadier areas. In the lusher growth of roadsides dominated by Cow Parsley, Jack by the Hedge appeared in time as food plant for the Orange Tip Butterflies. There is still some Cuckoo Flower in low fields surrounding the River Witham. Dandelions rapidly went to seed, by which time Creeping, Bulbous and Meadow Buttercups were in flower. Garden escapes include Green Alkanet and some very early flowering Red Valerian. Hawthorn, Rowan Whitebeam and Guelder Rose flowered in succesion. Wild Cherry was over within a week. Horse Chestnuts, Lime and Sycamore are in full flower but not Maple as yet. NON FLOWERING PLANTS St George's Mushroom was later this year (not April 23rd but second week in May). On the Nature Trail the Thimble Morel (Verpa conica). MAMMALS Young Badgers out early evenings. 2 found as road casualties. Hedgehog road casualty and several reported in gardens. Fox also seen on woodpile early evening. Stoat crossing Old Post Lane. Young rabbits on verges. Both Roe and Muntjak Deer seen in built up areas of village. BIRDS The numbers of both Swallows and House Martins are down. One Swallow's and two House Martins Nests not returned to. Swifts seem to have fared better. Old sites reoccupied and numbers out hunting in evening. Cuckoo still heard during this week. Skylarks not heard above field at Bridge end this year. There has been some development here. This is the third year when  there have been no eports of Turtle Dove. No Spotted Flycatchers at previous year's garden site..... Little Egret feeding at a garden pond and a sparrowhawk having difficulty rising to glide on thermals to join the Buzzards and Red Kites. BUTTERFLIES On the sparsely vegetated mounds of Colsterworth RNR Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Common Blue, Dingy Skippper. Elsewhere Brimstone, Orange Tips Large, Small and Green Veined Whites, Small Tortoiseshells and Peacocks. EAST HALTON - WINTERS POND to GOXHILL HAVEN (Grid references : TA1521, TA1522, TA1422, TA1423, TA1424, TA1324, TA1325, TA1225) 20/5/2018 Jon Drakes An early morning walk along the bank of the River Humber found the 45 species of bird recorded. The walk included the monthly WeBS count which was carried out on the stretch between East Halton Skitter and Goxhill Haven. Species recorded were as follows: Blackbird Blackcap Bullfinch 1 Buzzard 1 Carrion Crow Cetti's Warbler 1 Chaffinch Chiffchaff 4 Coot 4 Cuckoo 2 Curlew 10 Dunnock Golden Plover 1 Goldfinch 5 Great Crested Grebe 2 Grey Heron 1 Greylag Goose 11 Herring Gull Hybrid Goose Kestrel 1 Lapwing 12 Lesser Black Backed Gull 1 Linnet Little Egret 3 Little Grebe 1 Magpie Mallard 14 Marsh Harrier 1 Meadow Pipit 5 Moorhen Mute Swan 2 Pheasant Reed Bunting 12 Reed Warbler 5 Rook Sedge Warbler 13 Shelduck 17 Short Eared Owl 1 Skylark Stock Dove 1 Swallow Tufted Duck 2 Willow Warbler 1 Woodpigeon Yellowhammer Also recorded were: Roe Deer 2 Brown Hare 5 Butterflies: Green-veined White Orange Tip KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 19/5/2018 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst undertaking the weekly garden bird watch for the BTO in our back garden were: Blackbird 2 Carrion Crow 1 Chaffinch 1 Collared Dove 4 Dunnock 2 Goldfinch 2 Greenfinch 4 House Sparrow 10 Robin 2 Starling 2 Swallow Present overhead Swift Present overhead Woodpigeon 2 RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 16.-23.05.2018 2-3 small blue butterflies seen regularly in sunny weather; probably Holly Blue, but unable to make exact ID 17.05.2018 Red Campion very plentiful around Goulceby (TF2579) 24.05.2018 2-3 Swifts over my house Silver Y moth on bedding plants at Louth Garden Centre (TF345859) Heard Swifts over Louth (TF331875 approx.) 25.05.2018 Bluetit box is active; 2 adults seen going in and out 2, possibly 3, Blackbird nests active, but haven’t seen any fledglings 26.05.2018 7-8 House Martins and 1 Swift feeding above my house (greatest number so far this year) 29.05.2018 2 Swifts over house SCOTGRAVE WOOD near Bardney TF130702 R & A Parsons 27/05/2018 Muntjac slots 2 queen Tree Bees, B. hypnorum, foraging on Self Heal, Prunella vulgaris, along main "ride" 1 small very dark Beefly nectaring - plant spp not noted THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 25/05/18 Tufted Duck x 1 pr. over Thurnholmes 28/05/18 Blackbird x 1 feeding fully fledged young Blue Tit x 1 Chaffinch x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Cuckoo x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Kestrel x 1 Swallow x 2 Tree sparrow x 4 Whitethroat x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 2, 1 on nest in chicken shed Green-veined White x 4 Speckled Wood x 2 Buff Ermine x 1 Hairy Dragonfly x 1 Large-red Damselfly x 2 WADDINGWORTH TF182716 R & A Parsons 27/5/2018 Brown Hare adult ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/donna-nook-nnr http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 16th May 2018 – 22nd May 2018 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, Cliff Morrison, John Walker, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings: The weather continues to be dominated by the continual cold winds from a NE sector, with drifting sea fog and very light drizzle which has held back day-time temperatures to the mid-teens which is some five degrees lower to that experienced further inland. 240518 – 1 green-veined white, 2 orange tip, 2 small copper, 1 holly blue, 1 wall brown, 3 small heath and 2 green hairstreak butterflies seen around Rimac along with many four- spotted and broad-bodied chasers and plenty of damselflies. A roe deer was spotted running across the salt marsh. 250518 – A fox was seen being mobbed by a female kestrel and several woodpigeons. 260518 - 2 grasshopper warblers reeling at Rimac and four-spotted chasers on the wing in good numbers. A flock of 17 sandwich terns flew east over the dunes near Sea View. In flower are sea arrow grass, thrift, sea milkwort, marsh orchids, red clover and silverweed. 270518 - Several wall brown butterflies on the wing plus a single small heath and green hairstreak near Sea view. 8 wall brown between Brickyard and Churchill, sand martin and a whinchat. Between Rimac and Brickyard Lane, butterflies included; orange tip, green hairstreak, wall brown, common blue and small copper. Lots of azure, blue and large red damselflies, many four-spotted chasers and 1 hairy dragonfly near Rimac. 280518 – 1 wheatear, a stoat, 2 wall brown and 1 red admiral were seen at Crook Bank. 290518 – Cuckoo and blackcaps still calling regularly around Sea View. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR These cover a huge area, and records from them and records from volunteer recorders are one of the main inputs to management planning and the protection of rare/scarce and critical species. Reports always welcome. http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/visit/woods-and-nature-reserves/127031.article Also see: LWT Lincolnshire Limewoods http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes/lincolnshire-limewoods Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lincolnshire Dormouse Group Meeting - The Lincolnshire Dormouse Group meet monthly at Chambers Farm Woods. We always welcome visitors and new members. Dormice are legally protected and sensitive to disturbance; attending the group's meetings provides the opportunity to see dormice legally with licenced surveyors. If you are interested please email lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood, Little and Great Scrubbs Woods, Minting Wood, Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park, and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow (and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Rand Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland, which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and non-designated areas. Since managing the SSSI areas carries particular responsibilities to Natural England, records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS - LNRs, private reserves etc. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin 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/ Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals InsideEcology: Online Magazine for Ecologists, Conservationists and Wildlife Professionals https://insideecology.com/ British geology maps now free to explore on web http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ *** Bird Club Website *** http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Bat Group website *** http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/lincolnshire-chalk-streams *** Lincsbirders *** http://www.lincsbirders.org/ FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 Related Webpages: Hare coursing https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/hare-coursing/ Wildlife Crime http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/issues/crime STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** EasyTide *** http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Weather Underground *** https://www.wunderground.com/ *** Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service *** http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. When asking for help: Please give the the very best information you can provide. If you are not sure, ask what is needed from you to confirm identification. Photographs are helpful but not every species can be identified from a photograph. When asked for further details, get back to them promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcome. *** Botany *** Botanical Group in South Lincs Contact: Sarah Lambert, who writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Also see: http://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/ http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species *** How to Identify Bees *** http://www.bwars.com/ http://bumblebeeconservation.org/ LNU Sawflies, Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder Dr. David Sheppard Willing to examine specimens or check photos (bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** Lincolnshire Mammals *** Chris Manning, Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. Mammal Atlas You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. http://www.glnp.org.uk/our-publications/biodiversity/projects-and-reports.php *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further information and to submit records contact: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com You can input reptile and amphibian data at: http://www.recordpool.org.uk/ Please remember, common species are just as important as rarer species. *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Confidential Bat Records *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Non-Marine Molluscs *** Alex Pickwell is the LNU Recorder for Non-marine Molluscs Email: alex.pickwell@environment-agency.gov.uk USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership http://www.glnp.org.uk/ (of which LERC is a part) Contact: charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk *** Life on the Verge and Wildflower Meadow Network Project *** http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Good sources of seeds of Bee-friendly Wild Flowers *** Plantlife and Flora locale have defined protocols that can guide the conservation-minded shopper. See: www.floralocale.org/Alphabetical+supplier+listing *** Lincs Bird Club *** LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Phil Hyde - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk Contact 01507 528223 enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** Website not up to date. http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in a few cases may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. For good advice for ALL nature-watchers see the RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ and BTO's pdf: https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u10/downloads/taking-part/health/bwc.pdf [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see http://lnu.org/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Field Meetings 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/ Shearman’s Wath / West Ashby Pits – Saturday 23rd June 2018 Shearman’s Wath next to West Ashby Pits. North of Horncastle A private site with access courtesy of Mike Harrison. Afternoon and evening moth/bat session. 12.00 for 13.00 start and then again from 21.00 for evening session. Meet and park on wide roadside verge at TF252719 (just east of River Bain bridge) which is located on minor road which joins the A158 and A153 north of Horncastle. Nearest postcode: LN9 5PP (which takes you slightly NE of meeting spot). NB. Some steep slopes and deep water areas. No mains available for moth traps. Nearest public toilets are in Horncastle town centre. Habitats: Lakes, ponds, marsh, grassland, scrub Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com South Ormsby Estate – Saturday 7th July 2018 Raithby Beck Wood – Saturday 4th August 2018 Sutton Bridge area – Sunday 2nd September 2018 Swinn Wood LWT Reserve – Sunday 14th October 2018 Whisby Natural History Workshops In partnership with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union. At Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln, in the Lafarge Education Building from 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Free of charge. Refreshments included. Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com Find out more about the various subjects from our local experts. Places are limited due to the number of microscopes available. Mining Bees - June 2nd - David Shepherd Hoverflies - July 28th - Phil Porter & David Denman Ground Beetles - August 11th - Alan Lazenby Plant Galls - September 8th - Jan Rousseau Bryophytes - October 6th - Steven Heathcote. Fungi - November 3rd - Ray Halstead *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Volunteer Days and Family Events *** Will Bartle writes: Storytelling – Hubbards Hills, Louth Tuesday 29th May 2018 – 10.30am – 1pm Are you sitting comfortably? Come and join the brilliant Rhubarb Theatre as they tell the story of creatures on a chalk stream. Starts at 10.30am followed by a bit of stream dipping. Perfect for 4-8 year olds. Completely FREE thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This is a bookable event – Tel: 01522 555780 or email c halkstreams@lincolnshire.gov.uk Play in a Day – Broadbent Theatre, Wickenby Wednesday 30th May – 10am – 3pm The brilliant Rhubarb Theatre will teach children a play all about Lincolnshire’s chalk streams. They’ll be dancing, acting and prop making. Drop the children off with lunch at 10am and come back to watch the show at 2.30pm. Perfect for 7 – 12 year olds. Completely FREE thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This is a bookable event – Tel: 01522 555780 or email chalkstreams@lincolnshire.gov.uk Skendleby Community Stream Clean Friday 1st June – 10.30am – 12.30pm Come and join the residents of Skendleby village to look after the banks of their wonderful chalk stream. It's ideal habitat for water voles but needs a bit of TLC. Starts at 10.30am. Wear suitable outdoor clothes including wellies. Completely FREE thanks to funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. For more details; Tel: 01522 555780 or email chalkstreams@lincolnshire.gov.uk Friday 29th June 2018 – Laceby blow well Practical day with the LCSP Volunteer Group - The day will involve maintaining one of Lincolnshire's rare blow wells, removing the invasive plant Himalayan Balsam Friday 20th July 2018 – Classroom in the Woods – Ashby Cum Fenby Practical day with the LCSP Volunteer Group – Improving this beautiful part of Waithe beck at one of our previous restoration sites. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Paul Scott - hard - bad mailbox S Goulsbra - hard - bad-mailbox K Raby - soft - Name service error T Mitcham - hard - network error 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..... Stolen bus found in sea at Cleethorpes http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-44250992 Farne Island puffin population drop sparks concern http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-44236755 How ancestors of living birds survived asteroid strike http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44226534 UK's most polluted towns and cities revealed http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-43964341 Galapagos of the Indian Ocean, becomes a disaster zone http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-44235159 Fox catches rabbit, then eagle swoops in http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-44250472/ Loch Ness Monster: DNA tests may offer new clue http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-44223259 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/