============================================= || || 16th September 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 enjoyed editing the LNU Bulletin and to see the steady growth in reports that we receive. Readers and contributors form a significant network across the county and beyond. I anticipate handing over to a new Editor sometime in the next year or so and would be very pleased to hear from anyone who might be interested in taking it on. If you think you may have the time and interest to have a go please get in touch. Contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Sarah Baker writes: Conference on Evolving evidence: new and innovative ways to make the case for nature 31 October at The Showroom, Tritton Road, Lincoln We have now confirmed the programme for our 2018 conference and full details can be found in this link: https://glnp.org.uk/contact/latest-news/ Booking is essential Please email events@glnp.org.uk or ring 01507 528384 to book a place Reminder: 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 plug 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. The secret life of fungi: Ten fascinating facts https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45486844 There's a way to save hedgehogs – and all of us can help https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/15/citizen-scientists-map-wildlife-hedgehog-housing-census-vital-difference Just Jane Lancaster bomber run offered as auction lot https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-45454398 Norton Disney animal rendering factory plans rejected https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-45408357 Helicopter converted into holiday pad at ex RAF bombing site https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-45422629 Safety fears prompt Sutton on Sea beach hut demolition https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-45482834 UK and France fail to agree scallop fishing deal https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45457150 'Twitter mining' for ants, spiders and birds https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45414011 More links in "..and finally..." Don't forget to look. Thank you for all your contributions this week. Please keep them coming. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** Willow Emerald Damselfly *** From Nick Tribe, county dragonfly recorder. Can Bulletin readers look out for willow emerald damselfly in August and September? Willow emeralds are best seen in August and September basking on small branches, usually above water. They lay their eggs into young wood so the larvae can fall into the water on hatching. They are large all-green ‘emeralds’ with pale pterostigma on the wings. They were first recorded in Lincolnshire in 2016 and have been seen at Kirkby on Bain and Frampton for the first time this year. Some more detail and some pictures are here https://british-dragonflies.org.uk/species/willow-emerald-damselfly *** Barn Owl Nest Box Webcam. The story continues.....*** Owl visits are rare now and the camera will soon shut be off. Thanks, Bob. http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 *** September Night Sky - with September Perseid meteors? *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html AuroraWatch UK https://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ Realtime Aurora Gallery - astounding http://spaceweathergallery.com/indiv_upload.php?upload_id=147765 *** Heritage Open Days 2018 *** Your once-a-year chance to discover some of Lincolnshire's rarely seen historic treasures, with exciting experiences that bring local history and culture to life, for free! Over 180 free events across Lincolnshire during September https://www.heritagelincolnshire.org/heritage-open-days *** Heritage Open Days - Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/heritage-open-days/ A FLORAL DISCOVERY An exhibition of the botanical artistry of Miss May Lane-Claypon (Mrs E M Cheales) 1872-1964 at the Sir Joseph Banks Centre, Horncastle LN9 5HZ Friday 14 September 10.00 am - 4.00 pm & Saturday 15 September 10.00 am - 4.00 pm Lincolnshire Heritage Open Days The Sir Joseph Banks Society has unearthed a collection of stunning wild#flower watercolours which have been re-discovered after spending over a hundred years in a cloth bag. We will have on display the full range of May’s botanical work including original paintings, and mounted and framed reproductions. May Lane-Claypon was born in 1872 and lived at Wyberton near Boston. She trained at the Slade School of Art and also studied in Germany. She became a knowledgeable botanist at a very early age, and developed a passion for illustrating the plants that she found growing near her home. She married Rev Cheales of Friskney and later in life produced wonderful religious paintings for Friskney church and turned her hand to portrait and landscape painting. *** 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: Bryophytes - October 6th - Steven Heathcote. [2 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/ 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 *** 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/ *** 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 17th September 2018 at Holy Trinity Parish Hall (formerly known as Corpus Christi Community Centre), corner of Machray Place, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes DN35 7AE. Matthew Blissett will give us an illustrated talk entitled "Norfolk and the Brecks". There will also be refreshments and a raffle. Entry is £4, payable at the door. The Group's next trip is to Spurn Point on Sunday 23rd September 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 Carolyn Davis writes: On Friday 21st September 2018 popular local folk rock band Merlin's Keep will be performing in concert at St. Giles' Church, Scartho, Grimsby DN33 2EU, in aid of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Please arrive by 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. Admission £5 on the door which includes tea, coffee & biscuits. There will be a Trust goods stall, raffle and Trust literature available. For further details contact Carolyn Davis 01472 312051. *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson Lincoln Area Group Talk - NOTE CHANGE OF SPEAKER Lincoln Area Group Talk September 20th: A Year in the Brecks An illustrated talk by Matt Blissett, the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's Outer Humber and Coastal Warden, about his time working in the Brecklands of Norfolk and Suffolk. Also about the management of some of it's nature reserves for characteristic species of the area including Stone Curlews, Pool Frogs and a variety of rare annual plants and moths. *** 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: 4/9 Long-billed Dowitcher ad, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 5+ Spotted Redshanks, 9 Black Terns, 12 Curlew Sandpipers [juvs], 3 Turtle Doves, Frampton Marsh Great White Egret, Messingham Sand Quarry Great White Egret, Boultham Mere, Lincoln 7 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 5 Spoonbills, Spotted Redshank, Sooty Shearwater flew north, 2 Puffin, 2 Arctic Terns, Gibraltar Point 5/9 2 Great White Egrets, Boultham Mere, Lincoln Common Crane flew north over Ruskington Ruddy Shelduck, Cattle Egret, Wood Sandpiper, Turtle Dove, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, 25 Spotted Redshanks, 5 Whinchats, Frampton Marsh Sabine's Gull, Sooty Shearwater, past Huttoft Car Terrace 3 Spoonbills, Pied Flycatcher trapped and ringed in east dunes, Gibraltar Point 2 Garganey, Hotel Pit, Far Ings, Barton upon Humber 6/9 Long-billed Dowitcher, 2 Spoonbills, 20 Spotted Redshanks, Ruddy Shelduck, Curlew Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 5 Spoonbills, 5 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Cattle Egret, Freiston Shore 7/9 Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint, Spoonbill, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Spoonbill, Ruddy Shelduck, Frampton Marsh Pectoral Sandpiper, Manby Flashes, Louth 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Cattle Egret, Freiston Shore Icterine Warbler trapped and ringed, East Dunes, 5 Spoonbills, juv Caspian Gull, Black Tern, 2 Arctic Terns, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 2 Garganey, Baston and Langtoft Pits [Wader Pit] Caspian Gull, Spotted Redshank, Middlemarsh Wetlands, Gibraltar Point 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Alkborough Flats 8/9 Long-billed Dowitcher, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Cattle Egret, Black-necked Grebe, Frampton Marsh 3 Great White Egrets, Boultham Mere, Lincoln Black-necked Grebe, Covenham Reservoir 2nd day Probable Otolan Bunting over Winter's Pond, East Halton Red-breasted Flycatcher trapped and ringed at Aylmer Avenue, 9 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point Cattle Egret, Freiston Shore 2 Roseate Terns ad + juv at North Cotes Point Black-necked Grebe, Baston/Langtoft pits 9/9 Long-billed Dowitcher, Black-necked Grebe, Curlew Sandpiper, Spoonbill, Little Stint, Osprey over, Frampton Marsh Cattle Egret, Curlew Sandpiper, Freiston Shore 7 Spoonbills, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, Gibraltar Point Osprey flew south over Norton Disney Pectoral Sandpiper, Manby Flashes, Louth Black-necked Grebe, Pectoral Sandpiper, Covenham Reservoir Caspian Gull, Trent Port wetlands, Marton 10/9 Long-billed Dowitcher, Black-necked Grebe, Frampton Marsh 8 Spoonbills, Garganey, Red-footed Falcon juv the flew north, Gibraltar Point Cattle Egret, Freiston Shore 3 Garganey, 83 Red-crested Pochards, Baston/Langtoft pits 11/9 Black-necked Grebe, juv Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpipers ad + juv, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Long-billed Dowitcher, Hen Harrier juv., Frampton Marsh Nightjar, Short-eared Owl, 7 Spoonbills, Red-footed Falcon juv over West Dunes, Curlew Sandpiper, 8 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Cattle Egret, Freiston Shore 2 Great White Egrets, Boultham Mere, Lincoln 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. SUTTON BRIDGE AREA TF483210 Brian Hedley 2 September 2018 LNU field meeting to this distant corner of Lincolnshire. Led by Charlie Barnes with a good turnout of 16 attendees on a sunny and dry afternoon. The attendees split into two groups to cover both east and west of the River Nene. The eastern party proceeded to the lighthouse area closer to The Wash. A great total of over160 plant species were noted including Water-bent, Strawberry clover, Grass-leaved Orache, Sea Milkwort, Sea Wormwood, Sea Plantain, Fern- grass and Black Poplar. Twenty-five bird species included a few late Common Swifts plus Yellow Wagtail and locally breeding House Martins and Swallows. Mammals signs/sightings were sparse but did include a Common Seal in the River Nene. Eleven butterfly species were noted including Holly Blue, Small Copper, Brown Argus, Comma and Red Admiral. Moths included Silver Y and Blood-vein. Dragonflies comprised several Migrant Hawkers and surprisingly only a single Common Darter. A wide variety of other insects were noted including Short-winged Conehead, Wasp Spider, Zigzag Sawfly (signs noted by David Sheppard), Bishop's Mitre shield bug, the burying beetle Nicrophorus vespillo, an aphid gall on poplar Pemphigus spyrothecae, a very large pond skater Aquarius paludum (found by Richard Chadd and potentially a first for Lincolnshire) and various coastal weevils found by Pete Kirby and Charlie Barnes that are scarcely recorded in Lincolnshire including Pseudaplemonus limonii, Trichosirocalus thalhammeri, Sibinia primata and Sibinia arenariae; the latter appears to be the first record for Lincolnshire. ROAD KILLS? Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. Gainsborough SK 82442 92503 Peter Morrell 29.08.18 Hedgehog roadkill on A159 Scotton SK 84505 76669  Peter Morrell 02.09.18 Hedgehog roadkill on A159 Marton SK 84161 81033 Peter Morrell 03.09.18 Hedgehog roadkill on A159 Doddington SK 90988 69581 Peter Morrell 03.09.18 Hedgehog roadkill on Lincoln Road Scotter SE 88078 00490 Peter Morrell 03.09.18 Hedgehog road kill on A159 Messingham SE 88205 04032 Peter Morrell 05.09.18 Hedgehog road kill on North Moor Road Scunthorpe SE 89907 11109 Peter Morrell 05.09.18 Hedgehog roadkill on Station Road GRIMSBY Joyce Attia 12th Sept  18.00 hrs Road kill Beautiful fox on the A180 West of Gilbey Rd roundabout.  *** 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 New feeding station up 3/9/2018 to replace felled sumac. 4/9 Starling juvs on peanut feeder - 3 Goldfinches 3, 2 adults on niger feeder and one juv being fed. Robin 2 Collared Doves 5/9 2 Jackdaws Grey Squirrel 7/9/2018 Vapourer moth m in garden bed on strawberry leaf [AP] Photos taken. Seen again on 8/9 but not on 9/9. 9/9/2018 Flock of 14 Goldfinches visiting garden feeders. Flock of >50 Starlings in area, about 12 visiting garden feeders. 2 Collared Doves regulars at feeder Regular Robin 2 Jackdaws Grey Squirrel quartering lawn for food 10/9 Red Admiral on house roof. 11/9 Bat spp [small - probably Pipistrelle] hunting over garden 06.00hrs. 12/9 Bat spp [slightly larger individual] at 20.00hrs echolocating at 55KHz. BARDNEY TF117699 06/09/18 Steve Green Old Lady moth found during the day, sheltering in the shed CARLTON LE MOORLAND SK 909 581 Jeremy Hutchinson 11/9/18, 21.45 Juvenile Tawny Owl calling to parent(s) in Willows. Young Buzzard(s) calling frequently On a general note, I am sad to report an absence of butterflies. Apart from Large/Small Whites, I have seen one Small Copper, one Comma and one Holly Blue in the last week or so.  Even the Buddleias are empty, devoid of the usual Small Tortoiseshells, Red Admirals and Peacocks: I cannot recall so few in any previous year. EAST HALTON (Winter's Pond) to GOXHILL HAVEN (Grid reference TA1521, TA1522, TA1422, TA1423, TA1424, TA1324, TA1325, TA1225) 9/9/2018 Jon Drakes and Mike Wilson A walk along the South bank of the River Humber found the following species present: Black Tailed Godwit 95 Black-headed Gull Blackbird Buzzard 1 Carrion Crow Chaffinch Coot 1 Cormorant 2 Curlew 10 Dunlin 11 Feral Pigeon Golden Plover 500 Goldfinch Great Black Backed Gull 3 Great Crested Grebe 3 Green Sandpiper 1 Greylag Goose 60 Herring Gull House Martin Kestrel 3 Lapwing 7 Little Egret 3 Little Grebe 2 Magpie Mallard 24 Marsh Harrier 1 Meadow Pipit 1 Merlin 1 Moorhen 4 Mute Swan 3 Pied Wagtail 4 Redshank 13 Reed 1 Sparrowhawk 1 Starling Swallow Turnstone 2 Wheatear 1 Woodpigeon Wren Roe Deer 3 GREETWELL Between Salmonby and Greetwell TF318 725 09.09.18 10.30am Avril Lord Hobby over pastureland There was also maybe a kite over Ruckland just North of the Bluestone Heath Road but not sure. GRIMSBY TA265095 Joyce Attia 19.00 hrs 12th September 2018 Along the river bank Water forget-me-nots, Mint in flower, numerous different Hawkbits, Hawkweeds, Knapweeds, Willow Herb, all going to seed (lots of food for the birds). Along the path at the side of the river there are a number of elderberry trees and beech trees - the path has been covered in beech nuts - the grey squirrels are enjoying that. Now the weather has cooled down a bit, a lot of the algae has gone from the river and there are dozens of fish, mainly Rudd and Roach, There were two large Pike earlier on in the summer, I'm sure they are still lurking around somewhere. The Swans, Mallards and Moorhens are still thriving and they are getting their adult feathers now. I forgot to mention 3 grey geese, they have been here for years, they don't seem to breed, so I presume they are all the same sex. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 30/8/2018 Common hawker dragonfly 1 (I think from its blue colouring but it didn't settle) Small tortoiseshell 1 Speckled wood 2 31/8/2018 Dunnock 1 3/9/2018 Blue tits 2 5/9/2018 Blue tits 2 Wrens 2 KEELBY TA15 1275 07.09.18 11.30am Avril Lord Hobby spotted over ploughed field with swallows and other small birds KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 8/9/2018 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Bird Watch for the BTOin our backgarden were: Blue Tit 1 Blackbird 2 Collared Dove 2 Dunnock 2 Goldfinch 2 House Sparrow 3 Robin 1 NETTLEHAM TF 005756 Brenda Edlington Some good butterflies have been in the garden recently although peacocks (max count 12) and small tortoiseshells (max count 20) disappeared almost overnight in early August with just a few tortoiseshells since then. Star butterfly a brown argus on 30 August confirmed from photos by Dave Wright of Butterfly Conservation. A first for this garden. w/c 26 August 2018 Brown argus 1 Comma 2 Common blue 1 Green-veined white 1 Holly blue 1 Large white 5 Painted lady 1 Red admiral 1 Small copper 2 Small tortoiseshell 2 Small white 2 Speckled wood 3 NORTON DISNEY Norton Disney SK 890 600 Jeremy Hutchinson 9/9/18 Osprey over gravel pits, heading south RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 06.09.2018 Chiffchaff calling Bat along N side of our house (seemed larger than a pipistrelle) 08.09.2018 19:30 Grey Heron fishing at church pond again 19:45 Bat flying round church on N side (larger than a pipistrelle) 11.09.2018 Buzzard 12.09.2018 Long-tailed Tits House Sparrows are back Still the odd House Martin overhead Small Tortoiseshell, some White butterflies 7-Spot Ladybirds here and there in borders SPALDING Annette Faulkner Spalding TF245218 I was out in the garden early on Wednesday evening 5th September, when I heard screaming from the sky. A swift? Surely not. I looked up – and there was indeed a solitary swift wheeling around. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 09/09/18 Carrion Crow x 35 Goldfinch x 14 Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1 Kestrel x 1 Robin x 1 Tree sparrow x 65 Speckled Wood x 2 11/09/18 Common Buzzard x 1 Tawny Owl x 2 hunting around paddock 02:00hrs Wood Pigeon x 2 Common Pipistrelle x 2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Visiting Southrey Wood NR, Lincolnshire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1SpBvd9Ib0 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Bryophytes - October 6th - Steven Heathcote. Fungi - November 3rd - Ray Halstead ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** Mail fails: I am about to delete mailing list addresses that are not yet "opted-in". You may get a note from me reminding you to do something about it. 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.... 'Nature-based' greenhouse gas removal to limit UK climate change https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45486864 Wildlife presenter Johnny Kingdom killed by digger https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-45450278 Hawk knocked unconscious during bird chase https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-45446868 Antlers of extinct Irish Elk found in Lough Neagh https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-northern-ireland-45449128/ Whale stranding death toll rises to 58 in Scotland and Ireland https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-45446869 Giant plastic catcher heads for Pacific Ocean clean-up https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45438736 Japan says it's time to allow sustainable whaling https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-45364696 Monster iceberg's pivot and turn https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-45421315 Country diary: moon jellyfish in the swim https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/01/country-diary-moon-jellyfish-in-the-swim Country diary: rosebay willowherb, the spirited pioneer https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/03/country-diary-rosebay-willowherb-the-spirited-pioneer Country diary: burden of the hawthorn is easily overlooked https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/04/country-diary-burden-of-the-hawthorn-is-easily-overlooked Bogs are unique records of history – here’s why https://theconversation.com/bogs-are-unique-records-of-history-heres-why-100627 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/