============================================= || || 7th August 2019 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || || LNU Website: || http://lnu.org/ || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Information, 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 from Feb 2009 - 10 years worth! 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 building up reader numbers. ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Information, hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor writes... *** Met office weather warnings East Midlands - Friday 9th, Saturday 10th. https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings Exciting Len Pick Barn Owl news from Bob Sheppard, who says on: 2nd August 2019: "Our owls have begun a second clutch!" [3 eggs on 6th!] "Today the female barn owl laid the first egg of her second clutch. The male will now continue to feed the two nine week chicks as well as provisioning the female as she lays her eggs. Second clutches are often very large but don't always do well as food can become scarce. We will follow our owl family with great interest on the latest leg of their journey." http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 On 31st July 31,350 Swifts flew south over Gibraltar Point. [RBA]! I forgot to set the link for this Wood Sandpiper photo last week. http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/gallery_show.asp?galleryid=66637 Coming events: Glebe Farm LNU Field Meeting, Saturday 10th August. Lincoln Area Group Walk August 10th: Walk at Snipe Dales Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section meeting Monday, 9th September - Paul Money on "Triumphs of Voyager, Part 2: Where no probe has gone before." Please note: Whisby Bryophytes workshop has been cancelled. Heads up for Perseid meteor shower peaking Fri 9 Aug – Wed 14 Aug 2019. https://www.popastro.com/main_spa1/meteor/perseids/ Look out for the celebrated "Perseid Fireballs". Let us know if you get lucky. You can report any sightings via: https://ukmeteornetwork.co.uk/ Download your Heritage Open Day brochure ready for the festival in September. https://www.heritagelincolnshire.org/news A selection of topical news stories can be found on the following links. Many have been suggested by readers. Others I have chosen with specific individuals in mind!' Incredible scenes' as huge flocks of birds arrive in Norfolk - a must-watch clip https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-norfolk-49237885/ Seal pup on Norfolk Coast drowned after people pushed it into sea https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-49252385 Stop abusing land, scientists warn - IPCC report - some Fenland content https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/science-environment-49149761 Norwich's eel counter says they could 'disappear in our lifetime' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-49164766 Painted lady butterflies emerge in once-a-decade phenomenon - send in your reports. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-49210010 Warm weather may make 2019 a boom year for butterflies, say experts https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/05/warm-weather-makes-it-a-boom-year-for-butterflies-say-experts Bats can use leaves as ‘mirrors’ to spot hiding prey - but it only works at an angle https://www.zmescience.com/science/bat-hunt-echolocation-leave-155411/ Galápagos Conservation Trust Photography Competition 2019 https://www.discoverwildlife.com/photo-galleries/galapagos-conservation-trust-photography-competition-2019/ Lyme disease may be more common in the UK than we thought https://www.newscientist.com/article/2211905 Lundy Island: New staff wanted for 'magical' pub - we can dream, can't we? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-49163316 More links in "...and finally..." Be a contributor as well as a reader. Please help keep the information interesting by sending in something: wildlife sightings, articles, events, questions and news - anything you feel would be good for other readers to see and enjoy. Thanks to all who sent me a contribution this week. Very much appreciated. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** 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.] Next meeting: Glebe Farm, East Keal (including Keal Carr LWT Reserve and SSSI) – southwest of Spilsby Saturday 10th August 2019 All day event with evening moth/bat session Access courtesy of Alec Coney Farms Ltd and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Last LNU visit in 1988 10.00 start and then again from 13.00. Evening session starting from 20.15. Meet and park at Glebe Farm TF378649 which is at end of track off minor road (last road on left as you head north out of East Keal on A16). Nearest postcode: PE23 4HA. NB. No mains available for moth traps. Nearest public toilets in Spilsby. Some marshy areas and steep slopes. Habitats: Grassland, marsh, ponds, wet woodland, scrub and hedgerows. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Whisby Natural History Workshops 2019 - have you signed up yet? In partnership with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union. At Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln, in the Lafarge Education Building from 12.00 pm until 4.00 pm. Free of charge. 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. Odonata workshop is now fully booked up. Bryophytes course has been cancelled. The other workshops all have a number of places available. Odonata - August 3rd - Fiona McKenna and Grahame Hopwood - fully booked. Bryophytes, focusing on Sphagnum Mosses - August 31st - now cancelled. Leafminer Moths - October 5th - Colin Smith Slugs - October 26th - Chris de Feu Fungi - November 2nd - Ray Halstead *** August Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Perseid meteor shower Fri 9 Aug – Wed 14 Aug 2019. The Perseids start to show in mid July, peaking early to mid August. https://www.popastro.com/main_spa1/meteor/perseids/ *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society Keith Scarrott writes: On Monday, 9th September, we have our opening meeting for the new 2019/2020 "Indoor Season", starting, as always, at 7.15pm. Paul Money will be coming to give his talk "Triumphs of Voyager, Part 2: Where no probe has gone before." This is the talk originally scheduled for last February which Paul had to postpone. For his illustrated talk Paul says; "We follow the exploits of both Voyagers, as Voyager 2 completes successful flybys of Uranus and Neptune and Voyager 1 becomes the first ever probe to reach interstellar space". Paul's excellent images and enthusiastic delivery are well-known. You will not fail to be amazed and entertained by this talk. Don't miss it. We meet in St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is almost immediately opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. There is a large, free car park as you enter the Church grounds through the iron gated front. There is no charge for entry to the meeting but a donation bowl is provided. There will be a "comfort break" about half-way through the talk at which coffee, tea and biscuits are available for a small charge and also during which there will be announcements about future meetings. For further details please contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** Grimsby & District RSPB *** http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby For more information, contact Martin Francis (Group Leader) at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com (preferred) or on (01472) 883436 *** Lincoln RSPB *** http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** South Lincs RSPB Group *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB Group's 2019 BIRDWATCHING AND SEAL CRUISES aboard The Boston Belle, into The Wash. Full details of the 2019 cruise programme can be found at- https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/news/459075/ There are six dates remaining in our 2019 programme,with spaces available on some cruises. Full details at www.southhollandcentre.co.uk *** LWT Reserves *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves *** LWT Get Involved page - including Area Groups *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson writes: Lincoln Area Group Walk August 10th: Walk at Snipe Dales A guided walk around the site led by reserve manager James Forrester. Meet in the Country Park car park at 2.00 pm. Please wear suitable footwear and bring a waterproof in case the weather is showery. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: Rare Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] 31st July 2 White-rumped Sandpipers, 20+ Wood Sandpipers, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Ruddy Shelducks, Freiston Shore 3 Wood Sandpipers, Purple Heron juv, Manby Flashes 9 Wood Sandpipers, 9 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Temminck's Stint, Middlemarsh Wetlands, Skegness 31,350 Swifts flew south over Gibraltar Point. 1st August 6 Spoonbills, 4 Spotted Redshanks, 6 Wood Sandpipers, Gibraltar Point Long-billed Dowitcher, 10 Spotted Redshanks, 10 Wood Sandpipers, 8 Little Stints, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Black-necked Grebes, 6 Short-eared Owls, 2 Garganey , Frampton Marsh 2 White-rumped Sandpipers, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, 13 Wood Sandpipers, Freiston Shore 2 Wood Sandpipers juv East Halton Skitter Black Tern flew past Chapel Point, + ad Little Gull 2nd August Long-billed Dowitcher, 28 Wood Sandpipers, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 7 Spoonbills, 5 Little Stints, 4 Black-necked Grebes, Frampton Marsh 2 White-rumped Sandpipers, 16 Wood Sandpipers, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, Spotted Redshank, Little Stint, 2 Ruddy Shelducks, Freiston Shore Temminck's Stint, Middlemarsh Wetlands, Skegness 2 Turtle Doves between Frognall and Greenfields, Deeping St James 3 Black Terns past, 13 Arctic Terns, 2 ad Little Gulls, Chapel Point 3 Spoonbills, Curlew Sandpiper, Common Rosefinch male singing, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Black Tern flew north, 3 Sandpipers, Great White Egret, Gibraltar Point 4 Wood Sandpipers, Manby Flashes Wood Sandpiper, Wader pit, Baston+Langtoft pits 3rd August Long-billed Dowitcher, 4 Garganey, 15 Wood Sandpipers, 8 Spoonbills, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, Little Stint, 4 Black-necked Grebes, 11 Spotted Redshanks, 4 Short-eared Owls, Hen Harrier, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh 2 White-rumped Sandpipers, ads, 18 Wood Sandpipers, 8 Curlew Sandpipers, Freiston Shore Wood Sandpiper juv, Wadter Pit, Baston+Langroft pits 5 Wood Sandpipers, Spoonbill, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Wood Sandpiper, 25 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flats 2 Wood Sandpipers, juvs, East Halton Skitter 3 Spoonbills, 9 Wood Sandpipers, Manby Flashes 4th August 2 White-rumped Sandpiper, 19 Wood Sandpipers, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, Freiston Shore Turtle Dove, Hen Harrier, 20 Wood Sandpipers, 2 Short-eared Owls, Long-billed Dowitcher, Osprey, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, 8 Spoonbills, Spotted Redshank, 2 Black Terns, 2 Black-necked Grebes, Hen Harrier on saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh 9 Spoonbills, 3 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Wood Sandpipers, Pied Flycatcher trapped and ringed in East Dunes, 2 Arctic Terns, Gibraltar Point 3 Wood Sandpipers, 2 juvs, 2 Spoonbills flew south, East Halton Skitter 3 Wood Sandpipers, 2 Spoonbills, Goxhill Haven Roseate Tern ad flew south past, 3 Arctic Terns, Anderby Creek 2 Spoonbills, both juvs, Cress Marsh, Stallingborough 2 Southern Migrant Hawker dragonflies, 1 male, Alkborough Flats 5th August White-rumped Sandpiper ad, Long-billed Dowitcher, Great White Egret, 6 Curlew Sandpipers, 8 Spoonbills, 3 Wood Sandpipers, Black-necked Grebe, Short-eared Owl, ringtail Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh White-rumped Sandpiper ad, 1+ Curlew Sandpiper, c16 Wood Sandpipers, Freiston Shore 5 Spoonbills, Kentish Plover briefly, 5 Wood Sandpipers, Short-eared Owl, 5 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point 7 Wood Sandpipers, Manby Flashes 6th August 2 White-rumped Sandpipers both ads, c20 Wood Sandpipers, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, Freiston Shore Wood Sandpiper juv, Wader Pit. Baston+Langtoft pits 6 Wood Sandpipers, 4 Spoonbills, 2 Arctic Terns, Gibraltar Point 4 Wood Sandpipers, Manby Flashes 7th August 2 White-rumped Sandpipers, ads, 19 Wood Sandpipers, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Freiston Shore Short-eared Owl, Spoonbill, Gibraltar Point ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. http://www.bbc.co.uk/lincolnshire/content/articles/2005/08/30/nature_sightings_feature.shtml ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. 1st August, 2019 Young Hedgehog TF002247 Jane Ostler A151 Corby Glen and Adult badger TF044237 Jane Ostler A151 Grimsthorpe *** 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 TF120694 R and A Parsons 4/8/2019 Swallow collecting mud from puddle on Abbey Road 5/8/2019 Swallows and house martins feeding low around sycamore in churchyard next door. BOSTON, GARDEN (by A16) July 2019 Kathleen Pearson I was able to do the BTO Garden Bird Watch on 29 days. Twenty-three birds were recorded in the garden this month, with Starling being the highest species total at any one time with 20 birds. However the bird that was most interesting was Jay, which, for the first time ever, had 4 birds feeding together on the bird feeders at the same time. Another unusual record was the high total of butterfly species of 14. The full list is:- Woodpigeon 5, Goldfinch 5, House Sparrow 14, Starling 20, Blackbird 4, Collared Dove 4, Great Tit 3, Dunnock 3, Carrion Crow 3, Robin 2, Magpie 2, Wren 1, Blue Tit 3, Greenfinch 8, Chaffinch 2, Jay 4, Lesser Black-backed Gull 2, Jackdaw 2, Long- tailed Tit 4, Black-headed Gull 2, Herring Gull 2, Song Thrush 1 and Sparrowhawk 1. Butterflies:- Holly Blue, Meadow Brown, Green-veined White, Large White, Small White, Painted Lady, Comma, Gatekeeper, Small Tortoiseshell, Ringlet, Brimstone, Red Admiral, Peacock and Speckled Wood. Other records:- Cinnabar Moth, Brown Hawker, Common Darter, Pipistrelle, hedgehog, common frog and grey squirrel. GRIMSBY TA265095 or thereabouts Joyce Attia 5th August 2019 16.00 hrs. 27th July. Flock of about 20 swifts in the street, some landing briefly on one of the houses across the road, then I didn't see any for a few days and I thought they had gone but then on 2nd August 5 or 6 of them were back. I think they were juveniles. We don't seem to have had many swallows this year. Over the weekend in the garden - it's been lovely and sunny and the Butterfly bush is absolutely covered in bees and butterflies - mainly Red Admiral and Peacocks. There are a few large whites in the garden and silver Y moths in the hanging baskets. We have had lots of bees this year, hundreds of the little honey bees in the rockery campanula which has spread all over - it's been absolutely buzzing. Now the flowers are dying off the bees have gone on to the oregano flowers. We have also had some really large bumble bees, great big fat ones. There are still a number of 7 spot ladybirds around. I had to stop feeding the birds a few weeks ago as we had a very persistent brown rat in the garden. Since then we have had very few birds in the garden. I found a nest in the floribunda rose bush, I think it must have belonged to the blackbirds who raised a couple of chicks in the spring. Along the river bank this morning while walking the dog I heard a distinctive bird call, then another - a pair of hawks which flew into a tree driving out a panic stricken wood pigeon, I couldn't see whether it was a kestrel or a sparrow hawk. The moorhen family continue to thrive as do the swans - still 9 cygnets, I think they are big enough to survive now. I haven't seen the other brood of 5 for a while now, they tend to keep out of each others way. The mallards are still breeding, a little family of a few days old was out this morning.. I haven't seen the water vole either. The terrapin is still in the reeds, someone must have put him in the river. He has survived the winter surprisingly. The birds are very quiet along the park now, we have had robins, chaffinches, sparrows, thrushes, blackbirds, doves, wood pigeons, starlings, but though they are still there now you hardly ever hear them. GRIMSTHORPE Tf03/22 - TF03/20 Jane and Brian Ostler 18/7/2019 and 1/8/19 These were our first excursions on the Grimsthorpe Castle Estate since they were opened to the public. We took Trail 1 on 18/7/19, 3 miles which included edge of Oak Woods, grass field edges and the lakeside. Trail Two, on 1/8/19 was over 5 miles , south past the end of the lake and included limestone grassland of great diversity and interest. All the plants and animals recorded were seen from the paths. PLANTS IN FLOWER On the 18th July 2019 the centre of interest was an extensive area of seeding meadow grasses with Field Scabious, and Greater and Common Knapweed attracting in insects. Nearer to the Lakeside there were areas dominated by Meadowsweet with Valerian. On 1st August one arable field edge with Wild Parsnip Yarrow, Sow Thistles and Wild Lettuce had bees and butterflies on Spear, Common and Marsh Thistles. The extensive 'Pots and Pans' limestone grassland was spectacular for the abun- dance of calcicole plants in the short turf, and for the insects feeding on these. The plants included Yellow Rattle, Small Scabious, Harebells, Lady's Bedstraw, Woolly Thistle, Stemless Thistle, Rock Rose, Wild Mignonette, Wild Carrot and Betony. INSECTS On 18/7/19 Painted Lady Butterflies were everywhere along the route. Small and Large Whites were also widely distributed and constantly on the move, so that although it was possible to see one or two of each species clearly at some point we were not able to assess in what proportions they were. Just one Green- veined White settled near lake.Meadow Browns were still numerous and Ringlets in still higher numbers. Just three Gatekeepers seen. Singletons of Small Skipper, Small Copper, Comma and Brimstone. Finally the find of the day - a Dark Green Fritillary at sunning on grassland at the end of the Lake. On 1/8/19 an area with thistles notable for ll Peacock, 5 Painted Lady, 5 Red Admirals. In the limestone areas generally frequent Gatekeepers. (almost as numerous as the Whites.) Ringlets frequent. Occasional Large Skipper. A green Veined White resting, this time at the side of a ditch. On 18/7/19 Both Brown and Southern Hawker Dragonflies between Oak Woods and the Lakeside. Common Blue Damselflies resting in long Grass, alongside Lake. On 1/8/19 We were surprised to see some thirty dragonflies at the northern end of Chestnut Avenue, very active, circling high at the edge of the trees. None seen close but glimpses of green on thorax suggested Southern Hawker. TF511762 (my garden) HUTTOFT Jane Pennington 1/8/2019 Holly blue 1 Hummingbird hawk moth 1 - it was 'working' the Phlox paniculata 'David' Southern hawker 1 - ovipositing into deciduous branches lying around the pond 3/8/2019 Bats 3 or 4 - 9pm 5/8/2019 Gatekeeper 1 - first time in the garden SANDILANDS, SUTTON-ON-SEA [our garden] Ian Whitaker 05/08/2109 Hummingbird Hawkmoth 06/08/2019 Hummingbird Hawkmoth WOODHALL SPA Coronation Hall A Parsons 5/8/2019 - 09.45 hrs Large Emerald Moth ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves - reports always welcome ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx 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/ 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 31st July – 6th August 2019 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. July weather note: Total rainfall 31.4mm (1.24 inches), maximum day-time temperature 31.75? on the 24th and a very hot/humid air minimum of 19.75? (ground 17.25?) was recorded on the 26th. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 310719 - On Paradise lagoon 4 greenshank, 8 common sandpipers, 4 dunlin, 2 lapwing, 1 curlew and 1 ruff. Good southerly movement of swifts all morning with 226 counted in 30 minutes over Sea View. 010819 - Single ringed plover, 6 common sandpipers, 3 dunlin and 5 greenshank on Paradise lagoon. Single young cuckoo nearby. 020819 - A minimum of 230 black-headed gulls feeding on morning flooded saltmarsh between Sea View and Paradise. On Paradise lagoon 1 green sandpiper, 3 common sandpipers, 1 wood sandpiper,19 redshank, 1 oystercatcher, 3 lapwing, 2 greenshank, 1 ringed plover, 1 dunlin, 1 little stint, 1 moorhen, 66 black-headed gulls and 4 common gulls. Additional on the lagoon in the evening was a single black-tailed godwit and a great white egret flew over Sea View to feed on the saltmarsh with 80+ black-headed gulls. Notable movement of terns, gulls and waders with c850 sandwich and c80 common terns. C1800 black headed gulls roosting on foreshore also 145 sanderling feeding. 030819 - Paradise lagoon 8 lapwing, 1 black tailed godwit, 1 green sandpiper, 4 common sandpipers, 1 wood sandpiper, 36 redshank, 8 lapwing, 1 dunlin 1 common snipe, 1 ringed plover, 33 common gulls, 95 black-headed gulls and a kingfisher along the Eau. 040819 - 2 marsh harriers and 3 sparrowhawks 050819 - Single little-ringed plover on Paradise lagoon plus an orange colour ringed black- headed gull 2APV // bto ring. Six swifts flying south over Sea View. 060819 - Osprey seen to fly in off the sea at 09.35hrs, over the saltmarsh over Rimac before veering N to go over Sea View, Paradise and beyond out of sight towards Donna Nook area. On Paradise lagoon late afternoon were 2 wood sandpipers, 1 green sandpiper, 1 little-ringed plover, 4 dunlin, 4 lapwing and a common snipe plus 3 whimbrel flew over. A good number of fresh painted lady and peacock butterflies but most species now very reduced in number. 3 southern hawker and 2 migrant hawkers seen in recent days. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 The group still meets over winter to carry out essential coppice management of the wood and maintenance activities and anyone is welcome to come along and help. Just get in touch via lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com Gemma Watkinson adds: "Dormouse can only be disturbed and handled by those that are licenced by Natural England. The group always welcomes visitors to join us when we carry out box check surveys to continue to monitor the dormouse population. We have box checks scheduled for the following dates. Saturday 17th August Saturday 21st September Sunday 20th October Anyone interested should email lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** http://lnu.org/ LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given on the website. A list of all the articles contained in Transactions (Transactions page) and a list of the Presidents (Officers page) is also available. 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 *** Love Lincs Plants - Updates from the Partnership *** To view the LWT project page go to: 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.sites.lincoln.ac.uk/2016/09/30/heritage-lottery-funding-to-safeguard-lincolnshire-plants/ Also see: *** Collections Dataset - LNU "historic specimens" *** Chris Manning writes: Project Officer Kath Castillo at NHM has improved the accessibility of the LNU historic specimens; creating a collections ‘dataset’ on the NHM Data Portal. All of of the specimens that have been processed and digitised to date can now be viewed here: http://data.nhm.ac.uk/dataset/lincs-plants The digital herbarium sheet image data for the LNU historic specimens, plus associated images i.e. the newspaper packets, together with images for the contemporary Lincs specimens will all be pulled into the dataset as and when these are integrated into the museum’s EMu collections management system. It’s a fantastic online resource so please take the time to have a look through it. If you have any questions on this please get in touch with Kath at k.castillo@nhm.ac.uk or Fred Rumsey at f.rumsey@nhm.ac.uk *** The Flora of Lincolnshire by Joan Gibbons - downloadable book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-flora-of-lincolnshire-e-joan-gibbons.pdf *** VC54 North Lincolnshire Plant List *** Editor adds: Paul Kirby has produced a list which details all the vascular plant and stonewort taxa with records on the MapMate botanical database for VC54, North Lincolnshire, at the end of January 2017. You can download this on: https://lnu.org/specialists/vascular-plants/ *** 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 *** 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 Recorder Phil Hyde - County Recorder, Lincs Bird Club 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: Rural Crime News https://www.lincs.police.uk/news-campaigns/news/2019/rural-crime-news/ 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. *** Check for road works and hold-ups: *** https://roadworks.org/ *** 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 *** Lyme Disease *** https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/ 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 *** British Bryological Society *** http://www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk/ *** 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 *** 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 *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Lincolnshire Environmental Awards www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk *** Field Studies Council *** Bringing Environmental Understanding to All https://www.field-studies-council.org/ *** InsideEcology *** Online Magazine for Ecologists, Conservationists and Wildlife Professionals https://insideecology.com/ *** NHBS *** Should you need natural history equipment or books, a good place to start is: https://www.nhbs.com/ *** Life on the Verge and Wildflower Meadow Network Project *** http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ For the geologists... Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 *** British geology maps - now free to explore on web *** http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ *** UKGE - Geological Supplies *** https://www.ukge.com/ The Geology of Lincolnshire - downloadable book https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-geology-of-lincolnshire-h-h-swinnerton-and-p-e-kent.pdf A Building Stone Atlas of Lincolnshire - British Geological Survey pdf https://www.bgs.ac.uk/downloads/start.cfm?id=2885 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. *** Codes of Conduct *** 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 Code of Conduct for Responsible Collecting of Fungi for Research and Educational Purposes https://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/mycology/conservation/code-conduct BSBI Code of conduct for picking, collecting, photographing and enjoying wild plants. https://bsbi.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/Code-of-Conduct-v5-final.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 https://lnu.org/meetings/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Our indoor meetings are normally held in Lincoln at the Whisby Education Centre at Whisby Nature Park. Indoor meetings start at 2pm, with both members and non- members welcome to attend. There is an annual recorders’ meeting, where we review the wildlife highlights of the previous year and to leaven the Annual General Meeting the honorary president gives a presentation on his or her particular interest in wildlife and this is reproduced in full in ‘The Lincolnshire Naturalist‘. This too starts at 2pm but attendees gather from noon to socialise. Next Meetings: https://lnu.org/meetings/ Glebe Farm, East Keal (including Keal Carr LWT Reserve and SSSI) – Saturday 10th August 2019 Boston Cemetery – Sunday 8th September 2019 Moor Farm LWT Reserve and SSSI – Sunday 13th October 2019 Whisby Natural History Workshops In partnership with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union. At Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln, in the Lafarge Education Building from 12.00 pm until 4.00 pm. Free of charge. 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. Odonata - August 3rd - Fiona McKenna and Grahame Hopwood - fully booked Bryophytes, focusing on Sphagnum Mosses - August 31st - canbcelled Leafminer Moths - October 5th - Colin Smith Slugs - October 26th - Chris de Feu Fungi - November 2nd - 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 Reminder: Please check and make sure that your account on Mailchimp does have your GDPR email consent box ticked and that your name/details are as you want them to be. If in any doubt, this is what you do: 1. Scroll to the end of any Bulletin and click on "update subscription preferences". 2. Look at the "Marketing permissions" section. Your email box should have a tick. 3. If is doesn't, please give it a tick. Then please click on "Update Profile". That's it. If there are difficulties when doing this, send an email to old.museum@yahoo.co.uk If ever you decide you don't want to receive the Bulletin any longer there is an easy- to-use "Unsubscribe" link to click at the end of every Bulletin. You can sign up again if you miss us. ....and finally.... For Whale-watchers: Rare sighting of humpback whale off coast of Cornwall https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-cornwall-49219571/ Whale washes up in Donegal estuary https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-49206850 For Geologists: Scottish island’s dinosaur site given legal protection status https://www.scotsman.com/news/people/scottish-island-s-dinosaur-site-given-legal-protection-status-1-4975531 Bees' very hairy tongues help them mop up different types of nectar https://www.newscientist.com/article/2212367 Climate change: Heatwave made up to 3C hotter by warming https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49205072 Climate change: July 'marginally' warmest month on record https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49165476 Climate change: UK's 10 warmest years all occurred since 2002 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49167797 Ethiopia 'breaks' tree-planting record to tackle climate change https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-49151523 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/