============================================= || || 24th 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... *** I have started to unsubscribe everyone who has NOT YET given consent by ticking the correct box on Mailchimp, starting alphabetically! I've done the As and Bs! If you hear anyone complaining, please tell them everyone who wishes to resubscribe will be welcome to do so via the LNU website. http://lnu.org/ I shall be at the Lincolnshire Show this year. After all the planning, it will be really good to see the LoveLincs Plants stand in the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust tent. Other partners in the project will be there too, the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union, the Sir Joseph Banks Society and Natural History Museum botanists. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants As usual I have included a selection of topical links. Most were sent in by readers. Suggestions for interesting links are always welcome. See: Drone finds missing man stuck in marshes in Titchwell https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-norfolk-44535998/ Horsefly season: How to avoid being bitten? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-wales-44502725/ Wind change sees Heckington Windmill spinning wrong way https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-44480651 Woman dies in river dog rescue attempt at Lincolnshire reserve https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-44494569 'Terrified' trapped Swayfield deer prompts netting warning https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-44505960 A derelict canal in Lincolnshire has new lock gates installed. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-lincolnshire-44537358/ 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.....*** 2 chicks have successfully hatched and are growing fast. Keep watching the drama! 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 *** National Cetacean Survey Sunday 5th August 2018 *** Dave Miller writes: I am planning to run watches for this national cetacean survey along with Sea Watch Foundation on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th August. I hope to have 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 you volunteers, and I plan to run watches in the same format: i.e. two watches of three hours per day per site: Saturday 4th 10am to 1pm Round and Round hide Saturday 4th 10am to 1pm North Sea Observatory Saturday 4th 1pm to 4pm Round and Round hide Saturday 4th 1pm to 4pm North Sea Observatory Sunday 5th 10am to 1pm Round and Round hide Sunday 5th 10am to 1pm North Sea Observatory Sunday 5th 1pm to 4pm Round and Round hide Sunday 5th 1pm to 4pm North Sea Observatory If you can help on any of these shifts it would be much appreciated. But of course you can also turn up as you wish to help us watch the seas. Dave Miller - Coast and The Wash Warden Email: dmiller@lincstrust.co.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 [4 places left] Plant Galls - September 8th - Jan Rousseau [5 places left] Bryophytes - October 6th - Steven Heathcote. [3 places left] Fungi - November 3rd - Ray Halstead [4 places left] Places are limited due to the number of microscopes available. Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com *** LNU Events Diary *** LNU events are listed below in section 11. For LNU meetings, see: https://lnu.org/meetings/ [Note: Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm.] Field Meetings 2018 - details on: https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/ 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: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants 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/ *** July Night Sky coming soon...*** 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 July. The Moon phase is favourable, so cloud permitting we should get to see a decent display. Don't believe everything the papers say about it! 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 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 Get Involved page *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved *** 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. Derrythorpe SE 83152 08441  Peter Morrell 15.06.18 Hedgehog roadkill on Trent Side Messingham SE 88312 03456  Peter Morrell 15.06.18 Hedgehog roadkill on North Moor Road Lincoln SK 92839 68652  Peter Morrell 19.06.18 Hedgehog road kill on Doddington Road Lea SK 82709 85405  Peter Morrell 19.06.18 Badger roadkill on Gainsborough Road Redbourne SE 96021 00616 Peter Morrell 16.06.18 Hedgehog roadkill on A15 Scuunthorpe SE 95134 06942 Peter Morrell 16.06.18 Hedgehog road kill on Mortal Ash Hill Scuunthorpe SE 90343 07467 Peter Morrell 18.06.18 Hedgehog road kill on Timberland Scuunthorpe SE 89077 06813 Peter Morrell 18.06.18 Hedgehog road kill on Seabrook Drive Torksey SK 83790 79815 Peter Morrell 19.06.18 Hedgehog roadkill on A158 Lea SK 82775 86032 Peter Morrell 19.06.18 Hedgehog roadkill on Gainsborough Road Wothorpe TF 03445 04835 Peter Morrell 19.06.18 Badger road kill on A1 Colsterworth SK 94733 15671 Peter Morrell 19.06.18 Two badger road kill 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. ALFORD Clare Brady writes on 14.6.2018 I have been regularly seeing a Red Kite, spotted over QEGS Alford, up the hill out of Alford and towards Harrington Hall. I am hoping they have a nest about and we will be seeing lots more of them in the skies. BARDNEY The Green TF119694 R & A Parsons BAUMBER R. Parsons 14/6/2018 Adult Red Kite flew over village 13.15hrs. BLANKNEY Blankney Heath Peter Wilson TF035 589 13th June 2018 Skylark BOSTON 15/06/2018 Roy and Kathleen Pearson Two birds of interest today were a Jay and a Sparrowhawk. However, despite living here for 42 years, we had a brand new experience today when a swarm of bees arrived. Looking out of the window a mass of the swirling insects was observed over the main lawn. These bees then began to move to the big Silver Birch and formed a huge block some two or three feet long and about half a foot wide. Most of the bees just remained here, whilst a few were in constant movement around the garden. I called in a bee-keeper and said we had a few thousand, to be told that at least twenty thousand would be nearer the mark. Assuming it would take him some time to collect them, I asked if he would need any equipment, to be amusingly told that he was carrying everything necessary - i.e. a cardboard box, into which all the bees disappeared in seconds. DEEPING LAKES NATURE RESERVE 19/6/18 Dave Vandome Turtle dove – calling. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 15/6/2018 Sparrowhawk 1 Speckled wood 1 Wrens 3 - young ones 16/6/2016 Sparrowhawk 1 18/6/2018 Chaffinch 1 Speckled wood 1 19/6/2018 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Ladybird 1 7-spot Speckled wood 2 SCOPWICK Scopwick Heath Peter Wilson TF059 585 13th June 2018 Red Kite SOUTHERY WOOD 19/6/2018 R & A Parsons While Admiral butterfly - first sound sighting of year. Along main "access track". WADDINGTON Waddington Peter Wilson SK982 639 5th June 2018 Peter Wilson Brown hare ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 13th June 2018 – 18th June 2018 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, Cliff Morrison, John Walker, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Finally since May 20th the wind direction changed for a N/NE direction to a south- westerly observed on the 13th and on the 14th a SW gust of 37.2mph recorded. Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings: 140618 - A red kite was spotted twice moving south along the coast from Sea View. A group of 70 common gulls with 1 lesser black backed were huddled against the edge of a dune sheltered from the strong winds at Crook Bank, garden warbler singing nearby and 8 swifts flying over the area. 150618 - Single meadow brown in flight near Paradise wood. 3 buzzards seen between Churchill and Brickyard Lane. 170618 - At least 50 swifts feeding over dunes and surrounding areas at Sea View late afternoon when the weather became very cloudy, humid and a threat of rain. Later in the evening a brief heavy spell of rain gave 5.6mm. A peregrine falcon was spotted at Donna Nook. 180618 - On Paradise lagoon were 7 tufted duck, 4 coot, 30 mallard, 3 teal, 1 shoveler, 1 heron, 3 redshank, 8 black-headed gulls and a single hobby hawking overhead. There was another feeding movement of swifts with 60+ birds in the air between Paradise and Sea View. Lots of small heath butterflies on the wing. Lady’s bedstraw and pyramidal orchids now flowering in the dunes. Male and female cuckoos still being heard along the coast but less frequently. A great spotted woodpecker was seen several times in the Brickyard Lane area. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR These cover a huge area, and records from them and records from volunteer recorders are one of the main inputs to management planning and the protection of rare/scarce and critical species. Reports always welcome. http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/visit/woods-and-nature-reserves/127031.article Also see: 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/ 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 *** 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/ 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..... "New" Giraffe Engravings Found http://the153club.org/giraffe.html Prehistoric frogs surface after 99 million years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44458201 Saiga antelopes: the Ice Age survivors now in peril https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/44474048/saiga-antelopes-the-ice-age-survivors-now-in-peril Antarctica loses three trillion tonnes of ice in 25 years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44470208 Aethelflaed: The warrior queen who broke the glass ceiling https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-44069889 Æthelflæd: The woman who crushed the Vikings - the Bardney connection https://www.historyextra.com/period/viking/aethelflaed-the-woman-who-crushed-the-vikings/ Lincolnshire - Country diary: a tragedy for the exotic hooligans occupying our loft https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/16/country-diary-a-tragedy-for-the-exotic-hooligans-occupying-our-loft Country diary: a powder puff of black feathers swirls down the stream https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/15/country-diary-moorhen-powder-puff-black-down-hermitage-stream-hampshire Country diary: following the sun and an awkward ballet of bumblebees https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/jun/19/country-diary-a-garden-fired-up-by-the-sun ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/