============================================= || || 30th 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. We really need your help with this. ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers' hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor writes... *** Walking in the Limewoods this week I was struck by the dryness of the woodland floor and the relative lack of fungi. I would be doing a rain dance but for the fact that builders are busy working on our roof. Huge numbers of dragonflies were to be seen, many darters and quite a few hawkers in Scotgrave Wood. Peacock, Comma and speckled wood butterflies noted. Juvenile common frogs were seen in Chambers Farm Woods. The Big Butterfly Count 2018 results https://www.bigbutterflycount.org/2018mainresults Apple Days Apple Days are coming up at Stamford 6th and Wragby 7th October. https://www.scog.org.uk/ https://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/events/wragby-apple-day Or you could visit to 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 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. Beluga whale spotted in the Thames off Gravesend https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-45642590 The couple helping hedgehogs back into the wild https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-lincolnshire-45603820/ Rare pine marten discovered in Derbyshire https://www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/news/rare-pine-marten-discovered-derbyshire Another Asian hornet nest has been found. at Fowey in Cornwall See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/asian-hornet-second-fowey-nest-destroyed '£1bn in unpalatable county council cuts' ahead in England https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-45573921 The finalists of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/45521504? Glyphosate might be killing bees by messing with their gut bacteria https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/glyphosate-bacteria-bees-432432/ Colin Stafford Johnson spends a year exploring Ireland’s wildest river, the Shannon. A selection of wonderful photos and you can watch the entire programme on i-player. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02whr44/p02whql1 More links in "..and finally..." Don't forget to look. Nobody has expressed an interest in taking on the editing of the Bulletin - yet. 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 *** 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 *** Willow Emerald Damselfly - any records? ** Some more detail and some pictures are here https://british-dragonflies.org.uk/species/willow-emerald-damselfly *** September 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: 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/ 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 Trip to Spurn has been postponed until Sunday 30th September (because of the bad weather forecast for the 23rd!) If you would like to go on this trip, contact Martin - details below 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 Carolyn Davis writes: Reminder On Saturday 29th September 2018 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a morning bird walk starting from St. Anthony's Bank, Humberston, TA061331, nearby postcode DN35 0PW. Meet leader Ray Hume at 9.00am. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event but donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact Ray Hume 07814840682. On Monday 1st October 2018 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them at their next indoor meeting where Imogen Wilde from the British Arachnological Society will giving a presentation on the fascinating life of spiders. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £3, all are welcome. There will be a Trust goods stall, raffle, tea & coffee available. For further details contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** 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: 20/9 Caspian Gull, Middlemarsh Wetlands Little Stint juv, Baston+ Langtoft pits Cattle Egret, Freiston Shore Red-necked Grebe flew south, 8 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Whinchats, Black Tern, Pomaraine Skua flew past, 7 Spoonbills, Short- eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Long-billed Dowitcher, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Whinchat, Ruddy Shelduck, Frampton Marsh Black Tern flewsouth over Skegness. 21/9 3 Long-tailed Skuas south past, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Long-billed Dowitcher, Black-necked Grebe, Little Stint, Ruddy Shelduck, Frampton Marsh Turtle Dove, Cut End, Boston Little Stint juv, Baston+ Langtoft pits Corncrake, Boultham Mere, Lincoln 22/9 Cattle Egret on Croft Marsh, 10 Spoonbills, Hen Harrier, 2 Common Cranes over visitor centre, Ring Ouzel, 16 Whooper Swans flew south over, Black-throated Diver, Gibraltar Point Long-billed Dowitcher, Black-necked Grebe of reservoir, 2 Common Cranes, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh Cattle Egret, Freiston Shore Little Stint juv, Baston + Langtoft pits Short-eared Owl, Deeping High Bank Osprey flew east over Upton, SE of Gainsborough 23/9 3 Pomarine Skuas past , Long-tailed Skua past, Black-throated Diver, Caspian Gull, 15 Sooty Shearwaters, Arctic Tern 1w, Little Egret, Great White Egret, 3 Spoonbills, Hen Harrier, 11 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Long-billed Dowitcher, Black-necked Grebe on reservoir, Little Stint, Cattle Egret, Curlew Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Long-tailed Skua juv flew south past Huttoft Bank, Pomarine Skua past, Huttoft. 12 Black-throated Divers past Chapel Point Cattle Egret, Freiston Shore 24/9 Long-billed Dowitcher, Cattle Egret, Black-necked Grebe, Little Stint, 11 Spotted Redshanks, Ruddy Shelduck, Frampton Marsh Sooty Shearwater flew past Humber Bridge, Barton-upon-Humber 10 Little Gulls, Hen Harrier, 3 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point 25/9 Bittern, Far Ings Spotted Crake, Gibraltar Point Long-billed Dowitcher, Black-necked Grebe, Frampton Marsh Gannet juv, over A1 at Barrowby west of Grantham 26/9 Purple Sandpiper, Covenham Reservoir Spotted Crake juv, 2 Spoonbills, 7 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Long-billed Dowitcher, Cattle Egret, Ruddy Shelduck, 13 Spotted Redshanks, Black-necked Grebe, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh 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. *** Slug Hunting *** Editor writes: A good collection of Slugs and snails was assembled with the help of two Wildlife Watch clubs, Limewoods and Coningsby, collected from several county locations and identified by Chris Du Feu. Chris gave us an introduction to slug taxonomy and the key features for identification. Species identified [not just from Chambers Wood] were: Iberian Three-banded Slug; Large Black Slug; Brown Soil Slug; Green Soled Slug; Dusky Slug; Worm Slug; White-lipped Snail; Brown-lipped Snail; Two-toothed Door Snail; Plaited Door Snail; Garden Snail; Tramp Slug; Reticulated Slug; Rounded Snail; Yellow Cellar Slug; Green Cellar Slug; Tiger Slug; Budapest Slug; Sowerby's Slug. I have got myself a copy of the FSC's "Slugs of Britain and Ireland: Identification, Understanding and Control" and look forward to having a go at identification. *** 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 26/9/2018 at 20.30-45 hrs. 3 bats hunting in garden and over surrounding houses and churchyard. Probably Soprano Pipistrelles, echolocating at approx 55kHz EAST HALTON - WINTER'S POND (Grid reference TA1521) 22/09/2018 Jon Drakes A brief, late afternoon visit to this location adjacent to the River Humber found the following species present: Black Tailed Godwit 32 Black-headed Gull Blackbird Carrion Crow Cetti's Warbler 1 - heard singing Collared Dove Coot 4 Cormorant1 Curlew 2 Great Crested Grebe 2 Greylag Goose House Martin Kestrel 1 Little Grebe 2 Magpie Mallard 19 Merlin 1 Moorhen 4 Mute Swan 1 Pink-footed Goose 25 - flew in from the North East and landed in a field towards East Halton Skitter Pochard 1 Robin Shoveler 7 Starling Swallow Tufted Duck 5 Woodpigeon HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 21/9/2018 Pheasants 4 - females walking around together at about 7pm 22/9/2018 Wren 1 23/9/2018 Speckled wood 1 25/9/2018 Common darter 1 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 22/09/2018 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Bird Watch for the BTO in out back garden were: Blackbird 2 Blue Tit 1 Chaffinch 1 Collared Dove 6 Dunnock 4 House Sparrow 30 Jackdaw 4 Robin 1 Starling 25 Woodpigeon 1 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 23/09/2018 Jon Drakes A skein of 50 Pink-footed Geese was during the late afternoon overflying the village in a South Easterly direction. GRIMSBY TA265095 Joyce Attia. 19/09/2018 20.00 hrs In the garden. I put a bird feeder out last week, sunflower hearts, robin mix and finches favourites. Usually they find it within a couple of days, presumably with the use of Twitter, but this year I haven't seen a single bird though I did hear a wren yesterday. There was a blackbird alarm call in the elderberry tree and a juvenile herring gull on the river wall just outside the back gate. There are a few 7 spot lady birds around and a number of spiders, some beautiful garden spiders and some huntsmen spiders, still one or two white bottom bees around the oregano. Along the river bank More 7 spot ladybirds, a blue damselfly and a brown dragonfly - too fast to identify. The sycamore seeds are whirling in the wind, spinning like mini helicopters, and other Acers are shedding their seeds, beech nuts are crunching underfoot. I wonder if we will have spectacular Autumn colours as we have had following previous hot summers. The water fowl and the fish continue to do well, but nobody has seen the geese for a few days. There is a small terrapin which has obviously been put in the river by some thoughtless person. The local children have named it Terrance. STALLINGBOROUGH - HOBSON WAY (Grid reference TA2113) Jon Drakes Wildlife observed whilst at work during the week has included: 17/09/2019 Carrion Crow Chaffinch Pied Wagtail 2 Robin 1 21/09/2018 Carrion Crow Kestrel 1 Magpie Mallard 2 Mistle Thrush 2 Pied Wagtail 2 Starling 100 Woodpigeon THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 23/09/18 Blackbird x 1 Blue Tit x 2 Bullfinch x 2 Carrion Crow x 12 Golden Plover x 2 Great Tit x 2 Kestrel x 1 Lapwing x 35 Moorhen x 2 Oystercatcher x 1 Red-legged Partridge x 2 Robin x 1 Swallow x 2 Tawny Owl x 1 Tree Sparrow x 59 Wood Pigeon x 7 Wren x 1 Brown Hare x 2 Wood Mouse x 1 Common Toad x 1 thumbnail sized Toadlet 25/09/18 Common Pipistrelle x 2 26/09/18 A male Sparrowhawk flew down the side of my Privet hedge into a flock of 40+ Tree Sparrows but missed all of them and landed on the top of the hedge, saw me and flew off. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 19th September 2018 – 26th September 2018 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Jon Hamnett and Ruth Taylor. Daily news and wildlife sightings: An unsettled few days of weather with strong, at times gale force, south-westerly winds. A gust of 54.1mph was recorded on the 19th. The first ground frost of the autumn observed on the 24th with -0.5?. 200918 - A Cetti’s warbler seen in scrub on a pond margin at Churchill Lane 220918 - Good movement of pink-footed geese with several skeins of at least 80 birds flying over Sea View and 266 feeding on stubble south of Rimac. 57 cormorants seen flying south. 230918 - Single bar-tailed godwit on the edge of the Eau near Paradise and a kingfisher disturbed off the flood gates. 240918 - At least 300 pink-footed geese flying over the dunes and settling on grassland in the Elm House Farm area. Single marsh harrier and 2 common buzzards over near Paradise and a stonechat near Sea View. Butterflies at Sea View included 6 commas, 4 small coppers, 2 small tortoiseshells and 1 red admiral. 250918 - Single greenshank with 9 lapwing and 16 teal on Paradise lagoon. Comma butterflies were 11+ around Sea View. Peregrine and buzzard flying over Crook Bank, hundreds of common darters at Rimac and a whimbrel flying over. Common and ruddy darters seen (several hundred) also 5 migrant and 1 southern hawker during the afternoon in the Churchill Lane area. Some swallows still feeding around Rimac and Sea View. 260918 - 36 wigeon flying over the saltmarsh and landing in the grasslands near Elm House. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Bryophytes - October 6th - Steven Heathcote. 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... Hedgehog-like critters arrive at Chester Zoo https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-39450981/hedgehog-like-critters-arrive-at-chester-zoo Giant spiders' web covers Greek beach https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/20/giant-spiders-web-covers-aitoliko-greek-beach-mating-season Lincolnshire: Country diary: lost in wonder in the underwater jungle https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/25/country-diary-lost-in-wonder-in-the-underwater-jungle#comment-120863093 Country diary: a butterfly living in the now of a golden moment https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/sep/26/country-diary-a-butterfly-living-in-the-now-of-a-golden-moment ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/