============================================= || || 7th October 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. We really need your help with this. ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers' hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor writes... *** I celebrated Lincolnshire Day with a walk in one of my favourite LWT reserves, Goslings Corner.Wood. Goslings is a little gem with ancient woodland flora and a well-thought-out visitor route that somehow turns a tiny reserve into a "vista". When you next visit Chambers Farm Wood, add Goslings to your day out. It is especially good April to July. It can be wet underfoot, but is dry this week. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/goslings-corner-wood Lincolnshire Apple Days - we have a choice of at least three I know about. Stamford 6th and Wragby 7th October. https://www.scog.org.uk/ https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/events/wragby-apple-day Or visit Newton's home at Woolsthorpe Manor. 14th October. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/woolsthorpe-manor/features/apple-day-at-woolsthorpe Whisby Natural History Workshops There are some places still, 2 on the Bryophytes on October 6th and 4 on the Fungi workshops on November 3rd. See details below. Have you any news? I will be pleased to receive your reports and contributions and to give a "plug" for Lincolnshire natural history activity. When organising meetings, please give the Bulletin a mention and help to find us a few more readers. Thanks. As usual I have included a selection of topical links. Don't forget to click. Tawny owl decline: Public urged to record 'twit-twoos' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45674047 Thames whale: 'Watch Benny from shore' fans urged https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-45693075 Home remedies 'no deterrent' against slugs and snails https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45652170 Seal slaps kayaker in face with octopus https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/27/seal-slaps-kayaker-face-octopus-new-zealand The secret nightlife and ecological role of moths http://www.discoverwildlife.com/news/secret-nightlife-and-ecological-role-moths? Why have so many deep water whales washed ashore in Scotland? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-45723750/ More links in "..and finally..." Don't forget to look. No one has yet expressed an interest in taking on the editing of the Bulletin. If you think you may have the time/interest to have a go, please get in touch. Contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Thank you for all your contributions this week. Please keep them coming. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** On the Trail of Sir John Betjeman *** Stuart Crooks alerts us to: On the Trail of Sir John Betjeman - Wolds Words Festival 2018 An illustrated entertainment about the life and work of Sir John Betjeman Wednesday 17th October 2018 - 7.30pm Conoco Room, Louth Library LN11 0LY Members of the local branch of the Betjeman Society will paint a picture of the poet, broadcaster and conservationist , including readings of his Lincolnshire poems. £3 entrance. More on Wolds Words Festival 2018 programme: https://www.magnavitae.org/events/wolds-words-festival/ *** Long Eau Washlands *** Caroline Tero writes: Readers might be interested in the original case study for Long Eau Washlands http://www.therrc.co.uk/projects/great-and-long-eau Link to poster on development of Long Eau Washlands. There are public footpaths to the northern washland if anyone wants to visit. It's poster 24. http://www.therrc.co.uk/sites/default/files/files/Conference/2018/Posters/24_-_graham_tero_1st.pdf *** Tufa Project *** Caroline Tero writes: The Environment Agency and partners are compiling a tufa inventory for Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and surrounding areas similar to one for Gloucestershire. http://earthwise.bgs.ac.uk/index.php/OR/17/020_Introduction We are very interested in finding tufa sites that are or have been depositing in the 20th Century through to the present. We aren’t looking at geological age tufa or travertine. Tufa is a variety of limestone formed when carbonate minerals precipitate out of ambient temperature water. H7220 Petrifying Springs with tufa formation (Cratoneurion) are terrestrial wetland habitats listed in Annex I of the Habitats & Species Directive. Both H7220 habitat, with the characteristic moss Palustriella commutata, and other tufa features are rare in Eastern England and are likely to have been more widespread in Lincolnshire before watercourses were modified. As well as spring features tufa can also form cross river barrages and cascades. The project is working to identify tufa depositing sites and any remaining features including H7220 Petrifying Springs with tufa formation (Cratoneurion) and highlight their interest. We are also investigating options for creating new tufa features to increase the biodiversity and geomorphological interest of the watercourses. The project is linked in with the Lincolnshire Limestone Becks Project http://www.lincsrivers.org.uk/projects/limestone-becks-project We are not aware of other restoration sites at present in the U.K. but will investigate this further, trial techniques and promote learning to support work on tufa sites throughout the U.K. and EU. There is also a National inventory of H7220 Petrifying Springs with tufa formation (Cratoneurion) sites and qualifying sites will be added to this. At the moment we are aware of a handful of sites on the Lincolnshire limestone and one on the chalk. Please let me know about any sites you have seen now or in the past with recent [not geological] tufa deposition. We are interested in current and lost sites and even places where there is evidence of tufa deposition on leaves in the watercourse. Please email me with any details even if it’s just a vague memory. Caroline.tero@environment-agency.gov.uk Thank you. *** GNLP Conference *** Conference on Evolving evidence: new and innovative ways to make the case for nature Sarah Baker writes: The Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership’s annual conference takes place on 31 October and will consider the innovative methods being used to support evidence-based policy and decision making for the natural environment. Speakers will include Nick Atkinson of the Woodland Trust on uses for woodland cover and tree canopy data, Dr Niall Burton of the British Trust for Ornithology looking at the techniques being used to build a better under- standing of the impacts of offshore wind farms on seabirds and Gareth Dalglish of Natural England on approaches to strategic licensing for great crested newts. The event will also mark the launch of LERC Search, a pioneering new system developed by the GLNP to provide instant access to data for ecologists and local authorities - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Booking for the conference is essential, please contact events@glnp.org.uk or call 01507 528384. Further details can be found at https://glnp.org.uk/contact/latest-news/ Sarah Baker - Senior Policy Officer 01507 528384 www.glnp.org.uk *** October Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html AuroraWatch UK - keep checking for alerts. https://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ *** Whisby Natural History Workshops - Reminder *** At Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln, in the Lafarge Education Building from 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Free of charge. Refreshments included. A few places are still available on: 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/ Swinn Wood LWT Reserve – Sunday 14th October 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2018-10-14/ Swinn Wood LWT Reserve, northwest of Alford Access courtesy of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Fungus Foray (National Fungus Day) 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet and park at wood entrance which is at TF421777. Nearest postcode: LN13 0ED which is east of the wood. NB. Very restricted parking so please car share where possible. Likely need for reverse parking along entrance track (first in, last out policy). Verges near entrance are Roadside Nature Reserves so please no parking on them, especially if arriving earlier than 12.00. Nearest public toilets in Alford town centre. Habitat: Ancient woodland with ponds and ditches. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk *** Love Lincs Plants - Updates from the Partnership *** LoveLincsPlants Webpage: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants Love Lincs Plants Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Natural History Museum Twitter feed https://twitter.com/nhm_botany?lang=en Sir Joseph Banks Society http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/news-events/lincolnshire-plants-project/ Lincoln University School of Life Sciences blog https://lifesciences.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/2016/09/30/heritage-lottery-funding-to-safeguard-lincolnshire-plants/ *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society Our October meeting takes place on Monday the 8th and will start with our section AGM which usually occupies about 20 minutes or so. This will be followed by an illustrated talk "Little in size but big on birds" to be given by our long standing ornithologist member Keith Parker. Keith's talk is about the birds of Costa Rica, Central America. Costa Rica lies on the "Central American Flyway", so its birds feature a "mouth-watering mix" of both tropical residents and North American migrants. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS which start at 7.15pm and take place in St. Bernadette's Church Parish Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. The church has a large free car park. Please note that non- members of the Scunthorpe Museum Society may not participate in the AGM. For further information contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098." *** CPRE event with Chris Packham. *** Jenny Haynes writes: CHRIS PACKHAM, the well known TV presenter, naturalist and film maker, will be presenting his new show, called Pictures from the Edge of the World, at the Baths Hall, Scunthorpe on 1st November 2018, starting at 7.30pm. This event is being promoted by CPRE Northern Lincolnshire and we would love to see you there. Tickets, priced at £25 are available from the Baths Hall, either in person at the Box Office, by telephone 08448542776 or online at www.scunthorpetheatres.co.uk *** Local RSPB links: *** https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/ https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby Martin Francis writes: "The next meeting of the Grimsby RSPB Local Group is at 7.30pm on Monday 15th October 2018 at Cromwell Banqueting Suite, 1 Kings Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 0AJ (Please note that the venue has changed because our regular venue is under maintenance on this date only) Ashley Grove will give us an illustrated talk entitled "Jewels of the Gambia". There will also be refreshments and a raffle. Entry is £4, payable at the door. The Group's October trip is to RSPB Fairburn Ings and Blacktoft Sands on Sunday 28th October 2018 leaving Millman's Coach Depot in Wilton Road, Humberston at 7.30am. The cost of the coach trip is £20 per person. Booking is essential All are welcome. You don't have to be a member of the RSPB for either event. For more information, contact Martin Francis (Group Leader) at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com (preferred) or on (01472) 883436 We look forward to seeing you at the meeting, or on the trip, or both! 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 *** Scunthorpe and Brigg LWT *** The Scunthorpe and Brigg Group for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust The next meeting for the 2018 "indoor season" is on Thursday, 11th October when Matt Cox, our local North West Warden for the LWT, will give us an illustrated talk entitled "Wildlife on the Doorstep". Matt 's message is - "You don't have to travel to see interesting wildlife". ALL ARE WELCOME. You don't have to be a Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust member to attend our meetings which start at 7.30pm and take place in the St Hugh's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe. There is a £2 entry charge which includes light refreshments at the mid-talk break. For further information contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** 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: 24/9 Snowy Owl on The Wash near Sutton Bridge reported on 30/9 27/9 White Rumped Sandpiper, then flew to The Wash, Spotted Crake juv, Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank, Pied Flycatcher, Gibraltar Point Spoonbill, 11 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flats Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, Far Ings Cattle Egret, Ruddy Shelduck, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 28/9 2 Snow Buntings on beach, Purple Sandpiper on outfall, Trustthorpe 3 Spoonbills, Sooty Shearwater flew north past Gibraltar Point Osprey briefly, then flew south, Baston+Langtoft pits Long-billed Dowitcher, Cattle Egret, 2 Little Stints, 10 Spotted Redshanks, Ruddy Shelduck, Frampton Marsh Pomarine Skua as flew past, Leach's Petrel past, Huttoft Bank 29/9 Long-billed Dowitcher as, 2 Little Stints, both juvs, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh Purple Sandpiper, Trustthorpe 6 Great White Egrets, Boultham Mere Spotted Crakes juv, Spoonbill over, Gibraltar Point 30/9 2 Little Stints, both juvs, Cattle Egret, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh Hawfinch at Trent Port Wetlands, Marton Short-eared Owl, 2 juv Arctic terns, 2 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point 1/10 2 Great Northern Divers, Sooty Shearwater, Balearic Shearwater past, 9 Pomarine Skuas past, Huttoft Car Terrace Long-billed Dowitcher, Cattle Egret, 3+ Little Stints, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Turtle Dove, drk Scaup, Frampton Marsh Jack Snipe, Long-tailed Skua past, juv Pomarine Skua, Sooty Shearwater, 1w Caspian Gull following trawler, Gibraltar Point 2 Pomarine Skuas, Cut End, River Witham mouth near Boston 2/9 Sabine's Gull south past, Long-tailed Skua flew north past, imm Pomarine Skua, Sooty Shearwater, Snow Bunting, Osprey, Gibraltar Point Cattle Egret, Long-billed Dowitcher, 2 juv Little Stints, 15 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Hawfinch by lake, Riseholme 3/9 Cattle Egret, 10 Whooper Swans flew towards The Wash, 2 Little Stints by sea wall, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier ringtail, Freiston Shore Great White Egret, Boultham Mere, Lincoln 4 Pomarine Skuas past, Velvet Scoter, Huttoft Car Terrace 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. TF 100 688 Bardney Causeway TF 10028 68820 R & A Parsons Dead Badger *** 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 No report this week. BOSTON 25/09/2018 Roy and Kath Pearson I noticed that Pink-footed Geese were appearing in the Bulletin. Our first flock flew over on Tuesday, a welcome change from the usual Canada Geese. COLSTERWORTH ROADBANKS RNR Jane Ostler A letter awaiting me when I returned from a holiday in Scotland in September. Two naturalist friends from Hampshire had been to visit the site on the last day in August.. Like myself they are interested in the recolonisation of the soil mounds left following the construction of the bridge over the A1. They were amazed at the numbers of Brown Argus butterflies. (Earlier in the year the numbers of Common Blue had been high). The plants they found included Wild Clary Salvia hominoides and Clustered Bellflower which are additions to the list. They agreed with me that the Kidney vetch has grown from imported seed. It is much larger than our native species. There are a number of other doubtful local species but there is no reason to think that a single Wild Liquorice plant I found last year hasn't colonised from the adjacent verge. GRIMSBY  TA265095 JOYCE ATTIA 1st October 2018 22.30 hrs On Saturday 29th Sept we joined with 'Grimsby in Bloom' and 44 volunteers for a river clean. Unfortunately a lot of Grimsby people don't appreciate the river which runs through the town and as well as the algae and vegetation which has clogged up the waterway there is a lot of rubbish. Nobody seems to want too take responsibility for the river so every 3 months or so we meet and do a clean up. If any Grimsby people are reading this and would like to see the photos, they are on 'Grimsby in Blooms' Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/groups/41876761367/ The river now looks a lot cleaner and the water fowl are able to travel without fear of being caught up in rubbish.. The swans are almost as big as their parents now, are growing white feathers and preening and stretching their wings. The ducks and moorhens are also going into adult plumage, there have been one or two black headed gulls over the last week. Gulls are frequent visitors during the winter. I'm told that there are number of terrapins of various size in the river.In the garden. The birds have ignored the feeding station - we usually have a good variety of birds. There has been a persistent magpie on the chimney pot, a blackbird singing in the evening, a collared dove, but very little else. I suppose there is still plenty of food available elsewhere, the hedgerows are weighed down with berries and seeds. We have lots of big garden spiders, some hoverflies, still a few 7 spot ladybirds and the odd wasp. HAINTON Peter White Sunday 30th @ 16-30 Red kite low over the road by the Hainton Inn at Hainton SANDILANDS TO HUTTOFT BANK SEA WALL TF545775 John Nickson 29th September 2018 Small Copper butterfly at least two maybe three SANDILANDS, SUTTON-ON-SEA Ian Whitaker 1 October 2018 LARGE EMERALD MOTH [flew into house after dark. Images available if required]. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 27/09/18 Little Owl x 1 calling 01:15hrs Mallard x 6 over Thurnholmes Skylark x 2 singing high over Thurnholmes Geotrupes spiniger (Dor Beetle) SE80684 00549 (Ann Parkin) 30/09/18 Blackbird x 1 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 4 Collared Dove x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Great Tit x 2 Kestrel x 1 Mallard x 8 over Thurnholmes Mute Swan x 4 ad 1 young, Owston Ferry Warping Drain Redpoll x 2 Robin x 1 Wood Pigeon x 12 Wren x 1 Field Vole x 1 Wood Mouse x 1 03/10/18 Barn Owl x 1 Mute Swan x 7 ad 2 young, Owston Ferry Warping Drain THE WASH List of the the 60 bird species seen from our latest birdwatching cruise aboard the Boston Belle into the Wash estuary on October 2nd 2018. Jeremy Eyeons. bar-tailed godwit, barnacle goose, black-headed gull, black-tailed godwit, brent goose, canada goose, carrion crow, collared dove, common gull, common sandpiper, common tern, cormorant, curlew, dunlin, eider, feral pigeon, gannet, golden plover, goldfinch, great black-backed gull, great tit, greenshank, grey heron, grey plover, grey wagtail, greylag goose, herring gull, house sparrow, jackdaw, kestrel, kingfisher, knot, lapwing, lesser black-backed gull, linnet, little egret, magpie, mallard, marsh harrier, meadow pipit, moorhen, oystercatcher, peregrine falcon, pied wagtail, redshank, ringed plover, robin, rook, ruff, shelduck, skylark, snipe, starling, stock dove, swallow, teal, turnstone, whimbrel, wigeon, wood pigeon. WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK922224 Week Beginning 24 SEPT 2018 Jane Ostler GARDEN Warm days brought the butterflies back. By mid-day Red Admirals , Small Tortoiseshells, Peacocks and Commas were collected on the fallen apples - both the dessert Worcesters and the John Downey Crabs. The Commas seemed to prefer the latter which are now well fermented. The Small Whites are still laying eggs on the nasturtium leaves. The ivy is in flower and on Thursday 27th September(23C) was covered in honey bees. A new buff- tailed bumble bee queen was out on the same day when there were numbers of 7-spot ladybirds just emerged as still yellow adults. A Brimstone Moth flying during day. No harlequin ladybirds. this year. Hedgehogs still paying us daily visits from their base next door. A very quiet time for birds - blackbirds have reared three lots of young this year and are to be found resting amongst the shrubs, their feathers decidedly unkempt. Feeders are not restarted yet. The berries on the whitebeam and the guelder rose are almost untouched, though the rowan berries, ripe first, were taken almost straight away. There is an abundance of seeding plants when the finches decide to come back. A row of sunflowers, which have done very well this year are being enjoyed by the wood pigeons, which was not what was intended. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/far-ings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/gibraltar-point See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 27th September 2018 – 3rd October 2018 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison. Daily news and wildlife sightings: September weather notes - During the middle of the month there was a period of unsettled weather with showers driven on by very strong, at times, gale force south- westerly winds. A gust of 54.1mph was observed on the 19th. From the 23rd high ressure became stablished giving a spell of warm, sunny days. An unseasonal high of 25.0? was recorded on the 27th. With this high pressure minimum temperatures began to fall and ground frosts were recorded on the 24th (-0.5?) and 0.0? on the 9th and 30th. Total rainfall was 21.5mm (0.85mm). Water level on NNR now at a 30+ year low with some ditches and ponds now dry and others with little water 270918 - First dark bellied brent geese and siskins seen, but very few warblers in dune scrub just a scattering of chiffchaffs and blackcaps. 2 peregrine falcons flying over the dunes and then high off over towards the saltmarsh near Sea View. The high daytime temperature of 25? and plenty of sunshine gave a good show of butterflies at Sea View and at one time in the afternoon were 9 small whites, 13 comma, 7 small copper, 3 red admiral, 1 speckled wood, 2 large white and 1 common blue. 280919 - A least 12 comma and 10 small copper on the wing at Sea View plus a single humming bird hawkmoth. Two peregrine falcons over the dunes and heading over the saltmarsh. 290918 - Single tree sparrow, great spotted woodpecker, song thrush, 3 swallow and 2 goldcrest at Sea View, 1 chiffchaff in Paradise wood and on the lagoon 2 black-tailed godwit with 8 lapwing and 16 redshank. A single kingfisher flew along the Eau. 300 plus pink-footed geese in the Sea View area. A marsh harrier was seen hunting over the saltmarsh and at one time suddenly drop to near the ground and flush a short-eared owl. A brief session of mobbing ensued before both birds went their separate ways. 12 small copper and 8 comma at Sea View. 300918 - 2 stonechat in scrub near Sea View. 011018 - Three groups of oystercatcher at rest on outer sand banks near Saltfleet Haven on a receding tide gave at least 1175 birds [681 + 385 + 109 and ‘scope counted]. Later some disturbed by a peregrine in full pursuit. On Paradise lagoon 197 redshank and 2 black-tailed godwit. 021018 - 2 swallow over Sea View. 2 siskin, 2 bullfinch and goldcrest at BYL. 031018 - 16 Whooper swan south. Winds moved to northerly sector on 28th September and 1st October and resulted in interesting sea watches. Maximum daily counts were, 280 gannet, 58 red-throated diver, 17 arctic skua, 12 great skua, 63 common scoter, 4 manx shearwater, 1 sooty shearwater, 2 great-crested grebe. Interesting was a party of 5 snipe coming in off the sea on 1st October. Few swallows and house martins seen this week, pink foot geese have continued to fly over every day. Weekly butterfly count here, BYL-CL 27th Sept; 6 small white, small tortoiseshell, 2 common blue, 8 small copper, 2 brown argus, 1 wall. September is usually when most small coppers seen, this year is highest yet. A fresh wall was exceptional and brown argus latest ever on reserve. Also speckled wood and red admiral seen on other days. Scattered migrant hawker, common and ruddy darter dragonflies still flying. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR These cover a huge area, and records from them and records from volunteer recorders are one of the main inputs to management planning and the protection of rare/scarce and critical species. Reports always welcome. https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/visit/woods-and-nature-reserves/127031.article https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/get-involved/ Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Hazel Dormouse https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/cy/node/35 Lincolnshire Dormouse Group Meetings The Lincolnshire Dormouse Group meet monthly at Chambers Farm Woods. We always welcome visitors and new members. Dormice are legally protected and sensitive to disturbance; attending the group's meetings provides the opportunity to see dormice legally with licenced surveyors. If you are interested please email lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood, Little and Great Scrubbs Woods, Minting Wood, Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park, and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow (and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Rand Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland, which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and non-designated areas. Since managing the SSSI areas carries particular responsibilities to Natural England, records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS. Examples: SNIPE DALES https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/snipe-dales WHISBY https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/whisby WILLOW TREE FEN https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/willow-tree-fen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This slot is for those cracking reserves which don't get the regular mention they should. Reports welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually goes out on Thursdays or Fridays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please copy and paste URLs if/as 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/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** Lincs Bird Club Website *** http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Phil Hyde - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk Contact 01507 528223 enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Bat Group website *** http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/lincolnshire-chalk-streams *** Lincsbirders *** http://www.lincsbirders.org/ FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 Related Webpages: Hare coursing https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/hare-coursing/ STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** EasyTide *** http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service *** http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. When asking for help: Please give the the very best information you can provide. If you are not sure, ask what is needed from you to confirm identification. Photographs are helpful but not every species can be identified from a photograph. When asked for further details, get back to them promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcome. *** Botany *** Botanical Group in South Lincs Contact: Sarah Lambert, who writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Also see: http://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/ http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species *** How to Identify Bees *** http://www.bwars.com/ http://bumblebeeconservation.org/ LNU Sawflies, Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder Dr. David Sheppard Willing to examine specimens or check photos (bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** Lincolnshire Mammals *** Chris Manning, Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. Mammal Atlas You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. http://www.glnp.org.uk/our-publications/biodiversity/projects-and-reports.php *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further information and to submit records contact: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com You can input reptile and amphibian data at: http://www.recordpool.org.uk/ Please remember, common species are just as important as rarer species. *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Confidential Bat Records *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Non-Marine Molluscs *** Alex Pickwell is the LNU Recorder for Non-marine Molluscs Email: alex.pickwell@environment-agency.gov.uk USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership http://www.glnp.org.uk/ (of which LERC is a part) Contact: charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk *** Life on the Verge and Wildflower Meadow Network Project *** http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Good sources of seeds of Bee-friendly Wild Flowers *** Plantlife and Flora locale have defined protocols that can guide the conservation-minded shopper. See: www.floralocale.org/Alphabetical+supplier+listing InsideEcology: Online Magazine for Ecologists, Conservationists and Wildlife Professionals https://insideecology.com/ British geology maps now free to explore on web http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lincs-environmental-awards *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in a few cases may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. For good advice for ALL nature-watchers see the RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ and BTO's pdf: https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u10/downloads/taking-part/health/bwc.pdf [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see http://lnu.org/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Field Meetings 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/ Swinn Wood LWT Reserve – Sunday 14th October 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2018-10-14/ Swinn Wood LWT Reserve, northwest of Alford Access courtesy of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Fungus Foray (National Fungus Day) 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet and park at wood entrance which is at TF421777. Nearest postcode: LN13 0ED which is east of the wood. NB. Very restricted parking so please car share where possible. Likely need for reverse parking along entrance track (first in, last out policy). Verges near entrance are Roadside Nature Reserves so please no parking on them, especially if arriving earlier than 12.00. Nearest public toilets in Alford town centre. Habitat: Ancient woodland with ponds and ditches. Leader: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk Whisby Natural History Workshops In partnership with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union. At Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln, in the Lafarge Education Building from 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Free of charge. Refreshments included. Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com Find out more about the various subjects from our local experts. Places are limited due to the number of microscopes available. Fungi - November 3rd - Ray Halstead ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** Mail fails: None this week. 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... Taller plants moving into warmer Arctic https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45652152 Climate change kills Antarctica's ancient moss beds https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45629395 Will these bats hang around after HS2 construction? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-london-45654758/ Pollution threatens the future of killer whales https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45652149 Glyphosate might be killing bees by messing with their gut bacteria https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/glyphosate-bacteria-bees-432432/ World War II bombs 'felt in space' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45655149 Secret life of rare antelope revealed https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45633272 IPCC: Climate scientists consider 'life changing' report https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45653099 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/