============================================= || || 14th 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... *** Thanks to Brian Hedley and Richard Davison for a quick decision to postpone last Saturday's meetings in the light of the high winds forecasted. I hope we got the message to you one way or another. Details of rescheduled dates may be found further down this page. Please note: the Whisby Bryophytes workshop has also been cancelled. A gmail user tells me that Google recently gave him a red warning asking him to confirm that the Bulletin is not spam. Has anyone else had such a problem? I have been unsubscribing "non- readers" recently to make room for others. Some 40% of present subscribers seldom open a Bulletin. I will be happy to reinstate anyone I have wrongly removed. If you hear anyone complaining please ask them to contact me. Len Pick Barn Owl camera - the story continues... SIX eggs! http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 A selection of relevant news stories can be found on the following links. Many have been suggested by readers. Others I have chosen with specific individuals in mind! Dolphin spotted juggling with jellyfish in Denmark https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-49304458/ Carlton Marshes expansion 'could protect homes from flooding' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-49129966 Beetles threaten Yorkshire's purple heather moorland https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-49320090 Four things bats can teach us about survival - and other fascinating clips. https://www.bbc.com/ideas/videos/four-things-bats-can-teach-us-about-survival/p07jyqmk Farmer produces ethical king prawns in a Lincolnshire field https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/07/farmer-produces-ethical-king-prawns-in-a-lincolnshire-field Hare coursers' torch car and Cambridgeshire farmer's field https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-49320190 Giant 'sandscaping' plan to save Norfolk coast will only put off the inevitable https://theconversation.com/giant-sandscaping-plan-to-save-norfolk-coast-will-only-put-off-the-inevitable-121346 PTES conference - including Dormice. https://ptes.org/get-involved/events/conferences/ Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) - Chris Manning writes: Tick-borne encephalitis has now been confirmed in ticks in Thetford Forest.. For advice on TBEV,which now needs updating see: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tick-borne-encephalitis/ also see: very interesting https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tick-surveillance-scheme 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/ You should check this link in case any change has been made. In the event being told of a late cancellation or other change after the Bulletin has been sent I will also post updated details on the following webpage. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html [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: rescheduled Glebe Farm, East Keal (including Keal Carr LWT Reserve and SSSI) – southwest of Spilsby Saturday 31st 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 Boston Cemetery – Sunday 8th September 2019 Last LNU visit in 2002 Access courtesy of Boston Borough Council 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet and park at Boston Crematorium TF323454 and post code PE21 9HA. NB. Please respect graves and visitors to the cemetery when undertaking recording/collecting. Several public toilets available in Boston and supermarkets are present nearby. Habitats: Cemetery, grassland, plantations 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. Bryophytes, course on Sphagnum Mosses - August 31st - has been cancelled. The other workshops all have a number of places available. 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 *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ *** Heritage Open Days *** Download your Heritage Open Day brochure ready for the festival in September. https://www.heritagelincolnshire.org/news *** 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/ 45 bird species [and common seals] were seen from the Boston Belle during The South Lincs RSPB Groups latest trip from Boston into the Wash Estuary as follows... avocet, barnacle goose, black-headed gull, black-tailed godwit, Canada goose, carrion crow, collared dove, common gull, common sandpiper, common tern, cormorant, curlew, dunlin, feral pigeon, goldfinch, great black-backed gull, great crested grebe, greenshank, grey heron, grey plover, grey wagtail, greylag goose, herring gull, house martin, house sparrow, kestrel, knott, lapwing, lesser black- backed gull, little egret, magpie, mallard, marsh harrier, oystercatcher, peregrine, redshank, ringed plover, sand martin, sandwich tern, shelduck, starling, swallow, turnstone, whimbrel, wood pigeon. 5 cruises remain in the 2019 cruise program. Further details and seat availabilities at https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/ *** 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 - rescheduled Saturday August 17th: 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. Contact: rel.davidson@btinternet.com [e.g. if weather suggests cancellation] Richard adds: I've just spoken to James the warden out at Snipe Dales and we're both in agreement that the walk on Saturday should go ahead. The weather for the next few days has fallen our way and it looks like the rain will hit on Friday but then Saturday shouldn't be too bad. Both the BBC and Met Office predict a better day than Friday although with the possibility of showers in the afternoon. We can cope with that and will just dress accordingly! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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.] 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 23 Wood Sandpipers, 10 Spoonbills, Great White Egret, 7 Spotted Redshanks, Black-necked Grebe, Long-billed Dowitcher, 2 Short-eared Owls, Hen Harrier ringtail, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh 2 White-rumped Sandpipers, ads, 21 Wood Sandpipers, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Freiston Shore Short-eared Owl, 7 Spoonbills, 3 Wood Sandpipers, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Black Tern flew over, Gibraltar Point Caspian Gull, Middlemarsh Wetlands, Skegness 4 Spoonbills, Cress Marsh on lagoon, Stallingborough 8th August 2 Pied Flycatchers, Wood Sandpiper, Gibraltar Point Long-billed Dowitcher, Short-eared Owl, 9 Spoonbills, 2 Black-necked Grebes, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh White-rumped Sandpiper, 16 Wood Sandpipers, Freiston Shore 9th August 9 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point Long-billed Dowitcher, Curlew Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 10th August Wood Sandpiper juv, Teal lake, Whisby NP Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 8 Spoonbills, 8 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Garganey, Little Tern, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Roseate Tern past, Scaup, Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Black Terns, 9 Spotted Redshanks, 9 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point 11th August Garganey, Whisby NP 8 Spoonbills, Curlew Sandpiper, Black Tern south past, Wood Sandpiper, Gibraltar Point 35 Arctic Terns, Anderby Creek Long-billed Dowitcher, 2 Little Stints, Black Tern, 8 Spotted Redshanks, Short-eared Owl, 2 Turtle Doves, 17 Wood Sandpipers, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, Black-necked Grebe, 9 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh 12th August Great White Egret, Redwing, juv Goshawk in East Dunes, 12 Spoonbills, Turtle Dove flew south over, Gibraltar Point Long-billed Dowitcher, Garganey, Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Turnstone, Whisby NP Quail male singing at Heighington Fen east of Washingborough Quail male singing at Langholme Wood south of Westwoodside 2 Wood Sandpipers, Manby Flashes, east of Louth Caspian Gull ad flew south, Trent Port Wetlands, Marton 13th August Great White Egret, Trent Port Wetlands, Marton Long-billed Dowitcher ad, Black-necked Grebe, 2 Wood Sandpipers, Turtle Dove, 7 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh 6 Wood Sandpipers, Freiston Shore Short-eared Owl, Wood Warbler in East Dunes, Great White Egret, 13 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point 14th August Great White Egret, Trent Port Wetlands, Marton Great White Egret, 5 Spoonbills, 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 Chris Manning writes: Smooth Newts Adult newts were active in my pond from February to mid-July with several tadpoles present.. On two occasions, earthworms that entered the pond were eaten, the newts managing to shake worms longer then themselves as they appeared to pull parts of the flesh off the still alive worm. ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. ROAD KILLS 10/8/19 STOAT TF010462 Lane Ancaster - Nth Rauceby Jane Ostler HORKSTOW 11 August 2019 B1204 SE 987179 Jenny Haynes Road kill Dead badger Harpswell Lane, Hemswell CP, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire, DN21 5UX, SK897907 Carolyn Walton Wednesday 7th August at 14.45 I saw a dead badger at the side of the road at this location. It appeared to be an adult. I didn't stop to investigate. En route from Spalding to the Revesby Show 4/8/19 Annette Faulkner Road records: Approx. TF304373, A16 south of Kirton. Muntjac crossed the road. Casualties: B1183, Carrington going north. Approx. TF314518 Adult hedgehog. Approx. TF312540 Juv hedgehog. *** 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 9/9/2019 Swallow through garden 4pm 2 Swifts over 5pm Holly Blue and Peacock butterflies. 11/8/2019 Over the past week, but especially today, we have noted a number 10-20 of swallows and house martins "orbiting" a single Sycamore tree in the churchyard of St Leonard's Church. They seem to be feeding steadily, but on what? There is a cast of honeybees in a nearby chimney, so perhaps foraging bees form part of their catch. House sparrows have done well this year and the local flock now numbers 25-30. [AP] BARDNEY - Station Road Species: Great Diving Beetle - Dytiscus marginalis - female Reporter: Harry Jeffrey Identified: Roger Parsons on 7th August. Specimen kept. Date: found week of 29th July 2019 Location: Station Road, Bardney - found dead in yard. Grid reference: TF118694 BARDNEY - Abbey Road: Bardney Garden Grid ref TF 117 701 Mary and Phil Porter 7/8/19 At last! Hummingbird hawkmoth on pink phlox, two mornings in a row, at exactly the same time MANY peacock butterflies, at least 20 MANY gatekeepers, at least 30 Approx. 10 painted ladies X2 holly blue, one male, one female X2 meadow brown X1 ringlet ONE small tortoiseshell X1 small tortoiseshell in early “hibernation” in shed. Not sure if it’s the same one. X1 comma X1 speckled wood Many whites, not sure which X1 mint moth X2 orange underwing moths A few large, unidentified dragonflies, showing green and blue, but too fast to ID. About ten-20 swifts high is sky over house late afternoon of 4th August. near BARDNEY LOCK Water Rail Way TF100 703 11th August 2019 6.30pm Steve Green Cuckoo juvenile hanging around in the longer vegetation at the waters edge on South Delph. Watched for 20 minutes. BOSTON (Garden S. by A16) 10/07/2019 Kathleen Pearson For the first time in 43 years a Kestrel occurred in the garden today. The only possibility for its presence would seem to be it was trying to find shelter from the high winds. BOSTON (Garden by A16) 13/08/2019 Kathleen Pearson A Kestrel flew high over the garden this afternoon, but was followed at a lower level by a young female Sparrowhawk which took a young House Sparrow off the feeding site and settled to feed on it by the lawn. HORKSTOW Jenny Haynes 9 August 2019 In my workshop, I have an old shirt hanging on a hook. For the last week or so, I’ve found a moth, sometimes two, within the folds of the shirt, always the same species. Each time I’ve put them outside, but the next day they or maybe another, is back. We’re pretty sure they are Copper Underwings but I’m puzzled as to why they keep turning up. They are supposed to like oak trees but there aren’t any around here! Any ideas? TF511762 (my garden) HUTTOFT Jane Pennington 13/8/2019 Peacock butterflies 3 Red admiral 1 14/8/2019 Painted lady 1 - !'m just back after a few days away to find the field next to my house completely harvested. The thistles and nettles along the edge have also been completely cut down and it seemed that the painted lady was flitting around in despair... LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 10/08/2019 Jayne Knight 04/08 Attention drawn to sky by loudly calling Peregrine falcon sounds and there were two, flying northward, the one behind being a juvenile. Too quick to see if other bird carrying food, but the call definitely similar to that you hear round the Cathedral when youngsters food soliciting. 04/08 Painted Lady butterflies on back garden Buddleia all week. 08/08 Holly Blue and Small Copper butterflies on Ivy Spiders - Enoplognatha ovata, Pisaura mirabilis with egg sac, Araneus diadematus all identified while tidying veg troughs. Number of caterpillars, too, but these fed to VIP Robin! SOUTHERY WOOD Southrey Wood Grid Ref: TF 1310 6804 Main ride Mary and Phil Porter 3/8/19 X3 white admirals X1 male brown argus X10 plus painted ladies Southery Woods R & A Parsons 8/9/2019 White Admiral 6 Painted Lady 12+ SPALDING Annette Faulkner 6/8/19 TF245218 8am Hedgehog on river bank opposite our house. To get there involved crossing a busy road, so collected and brought in. It was a juvenile and as it shouldn’t have been out at that time of day we took it to one of our local vets, who thankfully do hedgehog rescue, to be checked over. Apart from a heavy tick infestation it turned out to be OK, including weight wise, so later on, having been debugged, we took it back and released it in our wildlife friendly and slug infested garden. We later learned that our neighbour had had two adults and a smaller one (this?) regularly rootling around in his garden this summer. Good to have something positive for a change! WOODHALL SPA Witham Road TF 190628 Barry Kirk Oak bush cricket in garden 13.08.19 Park area, St George's Drive TF 185629 Barry Kirk Green woodpeckers Feeding on residential road verges and in park Throughout June and July 2019 Right of way close to Tea House in the Woods TF 196635 Lisa Kirk Grass snake 04.08.19 The Pinewoods TF 194633 Barry Kirk Muntjac 10.08.19 WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 14th August 2019 Jane Ostler FLOWERING PLANTS Single plant of Woolly Thistle and a clump of Soapwort in Flower on Verges. The grasses and many of the limestone plants are seeding in the Nature Trail Meadow and on the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Protected Verges. The clawed fruits of Wild Carrot, the wisps of down carrying the seeds of the various members of the dandelion family, and the coin-shaped seed packets of the Quaking Grass. This year the Hairy Tare is particularly abundant and the Common Toadflax has increased in the Meadow. BUTTERFLIES The Peacock if the most abundant, even rivalling the Whites. Painted Lady is in both gardens and in fields and hedgerows. It has been a good year for Holly Blues in the Garden with Common Blues replacing them on the limestone sites. Count in my garden on 1st August: Small Tortoiseshell (l), Red Admirals (3), Peacock (8). Painted Lady (5), Whites (all Large?)(8), Holly Blue (2), Gatekeepers(3). Count in Nature Trail Meadow on 3rd August: Small Tortoiseshell (2), Red Admirals (3), Peacock (33), Whites (not counted but less than 30), Common Blue (2), Gatekeepers, (not counted many of them low in vegetation, but at least as many as Peacocks), Ringlets 8, Meadow Brown (2), Speckled Wood (1). OTHER INSECTS Silver Y in garden (3/8/19), Photo of Magpie Moth, wings not yet unfurled, blown onto path.. Photo of green caterpillar with dark line along length of body. (Green Pug Moth?). Photos of Southern Hawker dragonfly laying eggs in vegetation at side of pond. Adult Elephant Hawk Moth at rest on Tomato plant in green house. Common Green Grasshopper in Nature Trail Meadow. On 3rd August at 5.50p.m. ants began to appear in 8 circles on the surface of the lawn and 3 lines along the lawn path edges. They were mostly larger winged forms who by 6p.m. had begun to fly but there were also some smaller wingless individuals with them. An hour later when I looked again they had all disappeared. BIRDS Strong winds brought many birds into the shelter of gardens. Several neighbours remarked on the number of sparrows(e.g.25) which are regulars. By contrast the few finches, particularly chaffinch. Greater Spotted Woodpeckers come regularly into gardens bordering the Nature Trail and now their young are coming in to the feeders too. MAMMALS A hare has been coming in to feed in daylight, in gardens where they are seen regularly in adjoining fields. Even more remarkable a leveret was found crouched on the lawn edge but, left undisturbed, had gone the next morning. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 7th August – 13th August 2019 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 070819 - At Paradise lagoon were 4 common sandpipers, 3 dunlin, singles of wood sandpiper, redshank and little ringed plover plus at least 25 pied wagtails feeding and going to roost in the phragmites. 6 little egrets over. Nearby 400+ hirundines feeding over the dunes. Tawny owl seen in flight near Sea View late evening. 090819 – Marsh harrier seen flying above the dunes around Sea View. 110819 - There was a report of 4 clouded yellow butterflies seen over large areas of red clover near Rimac on the 8th. Mid-afternoon on the 11th 2 (possibly 3) were seen in flight over red clover but viewing conditions in strong wind were far from ideal. 120819 - Good numbers of small tortoiseshell butterflies plus painted ladies and a few meadow browns on thistle near Sea View. 2 clouded yellows, several painted ladies, small tortoiseshells, meadow browns, small heath, common blue, peacock, red admirals and gatekeeper butterflies, silver Y and shaded broadbar moths all seen at Rimac. 2 sparrowhawks chasing each other in the Sea View area. Increase of some butterflies especially, red admiral, small tortoiseshell and painted lady with 12, 14 and 11 of these species in the Churchill Lane area. 130819 - 2 clouded yellows on the wing amongst areas of clover near Rimac. Late evening on the banks of the Great Eau at Paradise were 3 green sandpipers, 4 common sandpipers, 5 dunlin and a single grey heron. A kingfisher flew by. 4 common lizards were seen basking in the sun at Rimac. Foreshore waders, terns and gull numbers now at a high, with c6000 gulls roosting mostly black headed gulls. Tern numbers vary with hundreds on some days, waders include ringed plover, curlew dunlin, oystercatcher, knot, whimbrel, redshank and greenshank. Migrant and southern hawker dragonflies and 3 pipistrelle bats seen around Churchill Lane. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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 always 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/ Drug crime mapped: Gangs operating away from home cities https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48343369 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/ 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. 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.... Twig-mimicking caterpillars perceive color through their skin to match their background https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/twig-mimicking-caterpillar-09721/ Tardigrades may have survived spacecraft crashing on moon https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/aug/06/tardigrades-may-have-survived-spacecraft-crashing-on-moon Country diary: birds with itchy feathers flock together https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/30/country-diary-birds-with-itchy-feathers-flock-together Country diary: the seals are equally intrigued by us https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/31/country-diary-the-seals-are-equally-intrigued-by-us-skye#comment-131575693 Country diary: school's out and fish are spawning in the shallows https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/01/country-diary-schools-out-and-fish-are-spawning-in-the-shallows Some relevance to Lincolnshire: Daniel Hauck: 'I'm inspired by photographing wildlife around me' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-49100160 Country diary: a dowdy female with the vapours gets male moths a-flutter https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/02/country-diary-a-dowdy-female-with-the-vapours-gets-male-moths-a-flutter ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/