============================================= || || 17th 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. ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers' hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor writes... *** If you have received this copy of the Bulletin but have NOT YET given your consent by ticking the correct box on Mailchimp, please note I am about to unsubscribe you. If you wish to continue to receive mailings please click the link at the end entitled "manage subscription preferences", then scroll down and, if necessary, tick the "email" box to give your consent. This is the final reminder. Please act now. If you miss this opportunity and wish to re- subscribe at a later date you will be welcome to do so via the LNU website. http://lnu.org/ The LoveLincs Plants project offers a wonderful opportunity for anyone who would like to extend their botanical knowledge. See Aidan Neary's note below. If you come to the Lincolnshire Show this year, 20th and 21st June, you will be able to visit the LoveLincs Plants stand in the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust tent. Other partners in the project will be there too - the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and the Sir Joseph Banks Society. See: https://lincolnshireshow.co.uk/ Helen Gamble adds: Lincolnshire Show We've got a special addition to the AONB tent this year – the big reveal of the Spirit of Sutterby Woolly Walls Project - a small Wolds church immortalised in craft form, highlighting all the work that the Spirit of Sutterby Community Heritage Group have undertaken over the past 5 years. Members of the team will be on hand between 9.30 am to 4pm to answer question and explain the making of the model, and of course the AONB and Chalk Streams Teams will be there from 8am to 6 pm both days. The Geodiversity Group of the Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership will be availabe in the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust tent to answer questions on the geology and geodiversity of Lincolnshire and this year, how folklore developed around the rocks and fossils of the area. 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 May I also draw your attention to Chris Manning's piece about "fresh otter kills" and John Badley's note on "Stand-in Wash WeBS counter volunteers". As usual I have included a selection of topical links. Most were sent in by readers. Suggestions for interesting links are always welcome. See: Earthquake near Hull and Grimsby 'felt 100km away' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-44428360 Who was... Kathleen Carpenter? [Of Gainsborough.] https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist/158-biologist/features/1968-who-was-kathleen-carpenter One in five UK mammals at risk of extinction https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44461150 Pollution hits fungi that nourish trees https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44382889 Live Kestrel nestbox at Lorton Meadows https://www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/raptorcam.html How to Beach-comb https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist/158-biologist/features/1970-how-to-beachcomb Plastic and other waste found in British mussels https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-44414056 England's Big Picture: 4 - 10 June https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-44357944 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. Hatching has begun. The story continues.....*** Keep watching! http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 *** Stand-in Wash WeBS counter volunteers wanted *** John Badley writes: WeBS is the Wetland Bird Survey, the monthly year-round waterbird counts that are conducted for all important wetlands sites around the country run by the BTO (British Trust for Ornithology). WeBS is how we track the wintering and passage waterbirds using our wetland sites so we can assess importance, pick up species population trends etc. The Wash is the most important wetland site in the UK with a current 5-year mean peak count of 370,005 waterbirds (nearly 200,000 more than any other site!). With so many birds we need a network of sectors and counters to ensure complete coverage. There are around 22 sectors, some of which require more than one counter, so it’s quite an undertaking. Being a Wash WeBS counter is extremely rewarding, you get the chance to contribute to this incredibly important survey, perhaps see a part of the Wash few others might get the opportunity to and often the satisfaction of seeing one of the great bird spectacles in the UK, often all to yourself! The counts are monthly, usually on a Sunday, but sometimes Saturday and take about three hours, usually first thing in the morning. With so many sectors and counters we’re always on the lookout for ‘stand-in’ counters to cover holidays/illness etc to help ensure complete coverage. So if your wader and duck identification skills are pretty good (you’ll need to be satisfied you can identify winter plumaged waders at a distance) and you’d like the option of covering a count every now and then I’d be pleased to hear from you. Contact: John Badley John.Badley@rspb.org.uk *** 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. Hoverflies - July 28th - Phil Porter & David Denman - now fully booked. A few places still available on: 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 Also see: Shearman's Wath Henge, West Ashby https://www.lincstothepast.com/Shearman-s-Wath-Henge--West-Ashby/227181.record?pt=S http://www.stone-circles.org.uk/stone/shearmanswath.htm *** Fresh otter required by Cardiff University Otter Project. ** Chris Manning writes: 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 (following t heir win of the 25 Genomes competition). https://floundering25.imascientist.org.uk/2017/12/13/thank-you-from-the-floundering-zone-winner-eurasian-otter/ https://www.sanger.ac.uk/ They are looking for an otter that is very freshly dead. So – if anyone sees an otter killed on a road, finds an otter still warm, or knows (because they’ve driven the same stretch within a few hours) 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 they will try and arrange rapid collection. *** Love Lincs Plants - Updates *** LoveLincsPlants Webpage: 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. PRIORITY WILL BE GIVEN TO THOSE NOT ALREADY EMPLOYED IN THE ECOLOGY/CONSERVATION SECTOR. 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 *** 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 Saturday 23rd June 2018 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a nature walk along the Louth Canal from Alvingham churches to Willows Lock. It will be a leisurely walk of 3 miles along this beautiful stretch of the canal. Meet the group at 10am in the car park area opposite the Mill and Farm entrance. Grid ref. TF367914. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** 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. ROAD KILLS? Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. Sturton by Stow SK 89075 79952 Peter Morrell 10.06.18 Hedgehog roadkill on Saxilby Road Greetwell SE 94375 04791 Peter Morrell 10.06.18 Hedgehog roadkill on Kirton Road  Bottesford SE 90603 07090 Peter Morrell 10.06.18 Hedgehog road kill on Holme Lane Fenton SK 86272 75174 Peter Morrell 08.06.18 Hedgehog roadkill on A156 Claypole SK 82649 48485 Peter Morrell 11.06.18 Badger roadkill on A1 *** 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 12/6/2018 Mistle Thrush hunting in churchyard. BOSTON 04/06/2018 Roy and Kath Pearson Five Lesser Black-backed Gulls and one Herring Gull feeding on bread in the garden this morning. FAR INGS NNR - LINCS WILDLIFE TRUST (Grid references TA0023 and TA0123) 10/6/2018 Jon Drakes A visit to the reserve, over a couple of hours, late on a gloriously sunny and warm Sunday afternoon found the following species recorded: Black-headed Gull Blackbird Blackcap Blue Tit Canada Goose Carrion Crow Cetti's Warbler Chaffinch Chiffchaff Common Tern Coot Cormorant Dunnock Feral Pigeon Great Crested Grebe Great Tit Grey Heron Greylag Goose House Martin House Sparrow Little Grebe Long-tailed Tit Magpie Mallard Marsh Harrier Moorhen Mute Swan Pied Wagtail Pochard Reed Bunting Reed Warbler Sedge Warbler Swallow Tufted Duck Water Rail Woodpigeon Butterflies: Large White Speckled Wood HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 1/6/2018 Barn owl 1 TF514769 This was a beauty - it flew across the road and got really close to us before noticing and immediately changing direction. 2/6/2018 Blue tits 2 - in and out of nest box Sparrowhawk 1 Wren 1 4/6/2016 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Wrens 5 newly fledged 5/6/2018 Wrens 6 6/6/2018 Dunnocks 2 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Ladybird 1 harlequin 7/6/2018 Song thrush 1 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 9/6/2108 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Bird Watch for the BTO in our back garden were: House Sparrow 20 Starling 30 Collared Dove 6 Woodpigeon 3 Blackbird 2 Goldfinch 2 Dunnock 5 Jackdaw 1 Blue Tit 2 Magpie 1 Chaffinch 1 Greenfinch 1 Swift Swallow Also noted was a Hummingbird Hawk Moth. This is the first sighting of 2018 in our garden. KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 10/6/2018 Jon Drakes An early morning around fields and woodland to the North of the village found the following species present: Blackbird Blackcap Blue Tit Buzzard 2 Carrion Crow Chiffchaff 5 Collared Dove Goldfinch Great Tit Greylag Goose 4 Herring Gull House Sparrow Jay Linnet 18 - a flock of 18 birds was seen perched on power lines. This is the highest count on my Keelby patch for quite some time. Magpie Pheasant Robin Skylark Song Thrush Starling 60 - a flock of 60, mainly young birds was seen perched on the village Methodist Chapel roof. Swallow Swift Tree Sparrow Woodpigeon Yellowhammer Also seen were two Brown Hares. NETTLEHAM TF 0136 7549 Su Colman 11:00 7 June 2018 Leucistic starling feeding on the raisins. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 30.05.2018 5-6 Skylarks over fields within TF3284, their song louder than usual due to the low cloud cover 2 Red-legged Partridges TF321841 31.05.2018 10-12 House Martins feeding high over house MAY Rainfall = 39.5 mm (around average) 01.06.2018 2 Cinnabar moths (TF313843) 4 Rabbits (TF313843) Bee-fly Bombylius major Silver-Y Moth House Martins – 1 pair claimed top nest spot below gable and built small ledge (the latest arrival ever in the last 9 years) 02.-06.06.2018 No further activity at House Martin nest – is it the mostly dull and windy weather? 07.08.2018 Common frog Common Toad Long-tailed Tits (heard) Sparrowhawk (f) near bird feeder (unsuccessful hunt) Red Admiral 1 (fresh looking) Azure Damselfly 1 pair in tandem ovipositing; plus 1 male 08.06.2018 Single specimen of Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii) in same 100m square where I have previously seen a few bee orchids, though these aren’t showing yet. This is a patch of mixed woodland planted ca. 10-12 years ago (TF313843). 11.06.2018 5 Common Newts in pond Mole (dead) Brown Hare (TF305847) STALLINGBOROUGH - HOBSON WAY (Grid reference TA2113) 8/5/2018 Jon Drakes A pair of Kestrels have successfully bred in the nest box positioned high on a chimney stack at my place of employment. Using a "nest cam" it has been possible to monitor their activities over the past weeks. Five eggs were laid and all successfully hatched. However, on Friday 8th June, it was noted that only 3 chicks remained in the nest box. A search on the ground below the next box revealed no chicks that may have either fallen or been ejected from the nest. It must therefore be concluded that two of the chicks have been predated. Hopefully, the remaining three chicks will successfully fledge in the next few weeks. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 03/06/18 Blue Tit brood in nest box ready to fledge Common Buzzard x 1 Swallow x 1 Wren x 2 nests fledged today, 15+ young around yard Moths; Blood Vein x 1 Common Swift x 1 Garden Carpet x 1 Green Carpet x 1 Poplar Hawk Moth x 1 Silver-ground Carpet x 1 White Ermine x 6 06/06/18 Hedgehog x 1 SK813999 08/06/18 Common Pipistrelle x 2 10/06/18 Blue Tit x 5 fledglings in garden Oystercatcher x 2 over Thurnholmes Pied Wagtail x 1 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:30hrs Whitethroat x 1 Brimstone Moth x 1 Silver-ground Carpet x 1 Snout x 1 Blue-tailed Damselfly x 1 THE WASH Jeremy Eyeons List of the 69 different bird species seen on South Lincs RSPB Group organised trip into The Wash aboard the Boston Belle 6th June 2018. avocet, bar-tailed godwit, black headed gull, blackbird, blackcap, blue tit, brent goose, buzzard, canada goose, carrion crow, chaffinch, collared dove, common tern, cormorant, corn bunting, curlew, dunnock, feral pigeon, gadwall, goldfinch, great black backed gull, greenfinch, grey heron, grey plover, grey wagtail, greylag goose, herring gull, house martin, house sparrow, jackdaw, kestrel, knot, lapwing, lesser black backed gull, linnet, little egret, little gull, magpie, mallard, marsh harrier, meadow pipit, mistle thrush, moorhen, mute swan, oystercatcher, peregine, pheasant, pied wagtail, RED BACKED SHRIKE, redshank, reed bunting, ringed plover, robin, rook, sand martin, shelduck, shoveler, skylark, song thrush, starling, stock dove, swallow, swift, teal, turnstone, wood pigeon, wren, yellowhammer. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 6th June 2018 – 12th June 2018 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, Cliff Morrison, John Walker, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings: 060618 – Weasel crossing the road near Sea View, many swallows over farmland in Theddlethorpe. 070618 - 14 sandwich terns off the haven, 8 summering oystercatchers, around 320 summering herring gulls and 15 greater black-backed gulls. 3 grasshopper warblers calling at Rimac. 080618 – Fox being mobbed as it passed through the dunes. 090618 - Sea View to Rimac there were several common blues and small heaths on the wing plus 4 painted ladies 100618 – Butterfly transect recorded 61 small heaths; the highest number for several years. 110618 - At least 30 house martins feeding over the sycamores at Sea View late afternoon and a hobby hawking over the dunes. 3 painted ladies in flight. 5 sanderling, 40 summering oystercatchers. 120618 – 2 sunbathing common lizards at Rimac, a hobby hunting dragonflies over the freshwater marsh. Male and female cuckoos heard in the Rimac and Crook Bank areas. Plants now in flower include meadow rue, hop trefoil, viper's bugloss, marsh thistle, musk thistle, hound's tongue, fairy flax, bitter sweet, sea milkwort, southern and early marsh orchid, birds foot trefoil, sea rocket. Pyramidal orchids starting to flower. Several broad bodied chaser and emperor dragonflies now in flight. Cuckoos still being heard 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. 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. 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: 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. 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..... Social media must be made less addictive, says watchdog https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-44452265 Scientists shocked by mysterious deaths of ancient trees https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44418849 Key 'step forward' in cutting cost of removing CO2 from air https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44396781 Meet the nuns helping save a sacred species from extinction https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-latin-america-44375507/meet-the-nuns-helping-save-a-sacred-species-from-extinction Abandoned 'ghost village' in China becomes overgrown https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-44412576 Country diary: coated with algae, the crab looks like an aquatic Green Man https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/02/country-diary-coated-with-algae-the-crab-looks-like-an-aquatic-green-man 'Foxes stole my sandals': Nagaokakyo's shoe thieves found https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/01/foxes-stole-my-sandals-nagaokakyo-japan-shoe-thieves-found Country diary: herring gulls vomit up their huge sea sound https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/05/country-diary-herring-gulls-garron-point-aberdeenshire Country diary: butterflies instinctively make chemistry sexy https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/06/country-diary-butterflies-chemistry-sexy-wyre-forest-worcestershire Country diary: an old bird cherry tree that supports a profusion of new life https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/07/country-diary-bird-cherry-tree-supports-abundance-of-life-wolsingham-durham ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/