============================================= || || 11th July 2019 || || 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 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. Readers' hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor writes... *** If you don't know how to spot a Squacco Heron [see Rare Bird Alert report], read this link before you go looking. Useful links at end of their webpage. https://app.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob1080.htm If you are unfamiliar with the song of the male Quail, there's a sound clip here: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/quail It would be good to see our reader numbers grow to over 600 once more. Please help if you can. You could mention the Bulletin to friends/colleagues; at meetings; in newsletters; or best of all forward a copy of the Bulletin to a possible new reader using the "forward to a friend" link at the end of every LNU Bulletin. A selection of topical links follows. I hope you find them of interest. Click any that catch your eye. I may well have meant them for you. Britain's oldest canal in Lincolnshire is up for sale https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-48908186 The Fens: Discovering England's Ancient Depths - BBC Radio 4. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0006lp8 Watch out for "The Great Butterfly Adventure - Africa to Britain with the Painted Lady." Next Monday - BBC FOUR. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b07yqfkq The plants suited to climate change. Stunning images! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/extra/HVJMVYKmjp/seeds-of-life Grow wildflowers with us this Autumn! | Grow Wild https://www.growwilduk.com/form/sign-grow-wildflowers-us-autumn Trees 'most effective solution' for warming https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-48870920 Four steps to make your lawn a wildlife haven https://theconversation.com/four-steps-to-make-your-lawn-a-wildlife-haven-from-green-desert-to-miniature-rainforest-117482 Urban badgers 'found among fly-tipping' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-nottinghamshire-48884155 Eurasian Sparrowhawk by Nick Brown https://www.birdguides.com/articles/photo-of-the-week/photo-of-the-week-26-june-2-july/ First osprey of the season takes flight at Perthshire reserve https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-48899968 Dolphins harassed in River Tyne prompt police warning https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-48892918 Mussels stressed by underwater noise from ships https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-48908656 Sargassum: The biggest seaweed bloom in the world https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-48869100 Len Pick Trust Owlcam - the 2 chicks are now ringed. See photos. http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 More links in "...and finally..." Please help to keep the information interesting by sending in your contributions for next week: wildlife sightings, articles, events, questions and news - anything you feel would be useful for other readers to see. 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: Woodhall Spa Airfield LWT Reserve – Saturday 20th July 2019 All day event with evening moth/bat session Access courtesy of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust A new site for LNU 10.00 start and then again from 13.00. Evening session starting from 20.45. Meet and park at reserve car park at TF206607 which is off the B1192 between Tattershall Thorpe and Woodhall Spa. Nearest postcode LN4 4JT. Dave Bromwich will meet us to indicate best collecting areas. Marshy areas present. No mains available for moth traps. Nearest public toilets in Woodhall Spa or Coningsby. There is a gated pedestrian entrance to the reserve with a code needed. Habitats: Acid Grassland, rough grassland, marsh, lakes, broadleaved woodland, old concrete runways. Leaders: Nick Tribe 07733 073989 nick.tribe@ntlworld.com and 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 - August 3rd - Fiona McKenna and Grahame Hopwood Bryophytes, focusing on Sphagnum Mosses - August 31st - Steven Heathcote Leafminer Moths - October 5th - Colin Smith Slugs - October 26th - Chris de Feu Fungi - November 2nd - Ray Halstead *** July 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.metoffice.gov.uk/events/perseid-meteor-shower I have just registered there is a transit of Mercury in November - Nov 11 at 15:20UT. [Universal Time = GMT] A date for our diaries. Mercury transits are less dramatic than those of Venus, but still fascinating and exciting. If you intend trying to observe it you will need to prepare a safe way to look at the Sun. https://www.popastro.com/main_spa1/transit-of-mercury-2019/ *** National Whale and Dolphin Watch Weekend - volunteers needed *** Dave Miller writes: It is that time of year again planning for this year’s NWDW. This is a first call for volunteers for the first week in August (3rd & 4th). I am planning to run watches at the Round-and-Round hide, Anderby Creek and at the North Sea Observatory at Chapel Point. If you are interested please do contact me and I will commence full planning. Contact: DMiller@lincstrust.co.uk *** Keep looking out for Juniper Shieldbugs *** George Rutter writes: Now seems to be the perfect time to hunt for Juniper Shieldbugs Cyphostethus tristriatus. Editor adds: see https://species.nbnatlas.org/species/NHMSYS0020309134#overview *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ *** 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 has released the dates of their 2019 BIRDWATCHING AND SEAL CRUISES aboard The Boston Belle, into The Wash. Details can be found at: https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/ Full details of the 2019 cruise programme can be found at- https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/news/459075/ *** 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 On Saturday 27th July 2019 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a morning bird walk at Freshney Bog with Graham Hicks. Meet at 8am at St. Michael's Church, carpark off Great Coates Road, Grimsby, DN34 4ND. Grid Ref. TA 240092. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event however donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact Graham Hicks - 07979 089890. On Friday 2nd August 2019 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join us at a Bat and Moth Evening in Cleethorpes Country Park with experts Julie Ellision and Adrian White. Meet in the car park area at 8.40 pm. Grid Ref. 306067, nearest postcode DN35 0TG. There will be a short talk by Julie and Adrian followed by a walk in the park hoping to detect bats led by Julie. Meanwhile Adrian will set up his moth trap so hopefully by the time the walkers return there will be some moths to see. Please bring a small torch and a folding seat and wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout foot wear. Donations will be welcomed for the Lincolnshire Bat Group and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Strictly bookings only through Julie Ellison - 07586293860 / 07791803189 or email julie@julieellison.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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.] 4th July 2 Spoonbills, male Turtle Dove singing, Curlew Sandpiper, Short-eared Owl, 12 Spotted Redshanks, Garganey, 2 Little Gulls, Little Tern briefly, Frampton Marsh 11 Spoonbills, 8 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flats 2 Turtle Doves, 1 male, end of Bowmore Creek, south of Gedney Drove End Spoonbill, 2 Short-eared Owls, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 5th July Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Short-eared Owl, Great White Egret flew NW, Gibraltar Point Squacco Heron, 3 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Little Gulls, 3 Spoonbills, Short- eared Owl, 10 Spotted Redshanks, Turtle Dove singing near "Brenda's bench", Lesser Emperor dragonfly male, Frampton Marsh 6th July Squacco Heron viewable from sea wall, Freiston Shore Temminck's Stint, Black-necked Grebe, 3 Spoonbills, 11 Spotted Redshanks, Short-eared Owl, 2 Turtle Doves, 2 Little Owls, Frampton Marsh 2 Short-eared Owl, Osprey flew south, Gibraltar Point 7th July 4 Black-necked Grebes, 2ads, 2 young, Short-eared Owl, 5 Spoonbills, 2 Little Gulls, Turtle Dove, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Ruddy Shelduck reported at Frampton March is an escaped fem Cape Shelduck - identified from photos. 4 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats Great Northern Diver flew north past Huttoft Quail male singing east end of Thurlby Fen Drove Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 8th July 4 Black-necked Grebes, 2 ads + 2 young, 2 Little Gulls, Short-eared Owl, 3 Spoonbills, 7 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 9th July 54 Black-necked Grebes, 2 ads + 2 young, Spoonbills, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 6 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Tuirtle Doves, Frampton Marsh Spotted Redshank, Short-eared Owl, Arctic Tern, Little Gull, Gibraltar Point 2 Quail males singing, Waddingham Fen 10th July Turtle Dove, Spoonbill, 2 Little Gulls, 6 Spotted Redshanks, rampton Marsh Spotted Redshank, 2 Wood Sandpipers flew south, 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. Badgers lead mammal roadkill list https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-48886673 *** 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 4/7/2019 Bat sp, probably 2+ Pipistrelles, echolocating over garden @ 55kHz - 22.00hrs. Group of up to 20+ swifts flying through village. HORKSTOW 6 July 2019 Jenny Haynes Delightful group of about half a dozen ringlets on the grass verge opposite my house, today. TF511762 (my garden) HUTTOFT Jane Pennington 1/7/2019 Painted lady 2 2/7/2019 Red admiral 2 3/7/2019 Meadow brown 1 - on thistle Speckled wood 1 Small tortoiseshell 10+ - these were on a privet hedge which backs onto the farmer's field next to my lane. This part of the hedge has flowered, having accidentally escaped the chainsaw, I'm sure, by the guy who owns the hedge and the cottage behind it. Hurray!! 4/7/2019 Bats 6 or 8 - I didn't see any last year but was pleased to see these at 10pm Frogs 2 Large skipper 2 5/7/2019 Painted lady 1 - I watched her laying eggs on the thistles 7/7/2019 Robins 2 Wren 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Reports welcome..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/gibraltar-point Reports welcome..... 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 26th June – 9th July 2019 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Weather notes for June: Maximum daytime temperature was 26.75C on the 2nd. The very hot conditions during the last week of the month which dominated the UK were less noticeable along the east coast where temperatures remained lower due to the influence of fresh NE - E winds. However minimum temperatures were relatively high; of note the ground minimum for the 25th was 13.25C, air 13.5C and the maximum only 15.5C. Total rainfall recorded was 98.4mm (3.88 inches) of which there three very wet consecutive days, the 10th (27.8mm), 11th (14.5mm) and 12th (25.3mm). Daily news and wildlife sightings: 290619 – Large numbers of small skipper, meadow brown and ringlet butterflies on the wing at Rimac. Also seen: large skipper, small white, brown argus, common blue, painted lady, small tortoiseshell and small heath. 300619 - A group of 18 curlew were feeding on the saltmarsh and there were increased sightings of painted lady and red admiral butterflies on the wing. 030719 – Small skipper, meadow brown and ringlet numbers still high. Also seen: Essex and large skipper, large white, speckled wood and small heath. Emperor dragonfly laying at Rimac. Hummingbird hawkmoth seen at Donna Nook. 040719 – C1000+ marsh helleborine in flower at Rimac. 070719 - Single great spotted woodpecker and female blackcap at Sea View. On Paradise lagoon 2 black tailed godwits and 1 great crested grebe on the Eau. Curlew at roost between Churchill and the Haven totalled 212, 4 ruff on Rimac lagoon, 11 little egrets on the saltmarsh and a male marsh harrier in the area. During mid- day in the Sea View area good numbers of ringlets, 3 red admirals and 2 commas. 090719 – Meadow brown, small skipper, ringlet, small tortoiseshell, painted lady, small white butterflies and bee orchids seen at Welton-le-Wold. Yellow hammer and whitethroat in good voice. Brown argus at Toby’s Hill. The vegetation, particularly on the dunes has remained lush; ladies bedstraw is giving a good display. Restharrow and privet now in flower and pyramidal orchids can be seen throughout the dunes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch moth night and open day *** Lesley Robinson writes: Moth night at Chambers Farm Wood education centre - 20th July 10.30 pm until late Come and see the amazing variety and number of moths found in the Limewoods Please wear warm clothing, stout shoes and bring a torch Open Day at Chambers Farm Wood education centre - 21st July 11.00 am – 3.00 pm Join the guided walk at 11.00 am for your opportunity to see White Admiral and other butterflies at close quarters Come and have a wander in the butterfly garden attached to the education centre and be inspired to make your own garden more attractive to pollinators Enjoy the displays in the education centre, buy from the sales table and enjoy light refreshments Grid reference for Chambers Farm Wood education centre: TF147740 Post code: LN8 5JR *** Recent release of dormice into Chambers Farm Woods *** Gemma Watkinson writes: "A second release has taken place in Lincolnshire this week, where another 11 dormice have been released. This follows a previously successful reintroduction in 2002, and this addition will strengthen the local dormice population in this area. These reintroductions play an important role in the long-term conservation of this endangered species and are part of the Species Recovery Programme supported by Natural England. This year’s release is the latest in the programme, which has run for over 25 years, releasing almost 1,000 hazel dormice (the majority of which were bred by the Common Dormouse Captive Breeders Group) back into 12 English counties where dormice once existed, in an effort to rebuild lost populations. This further release of animals into Chambers Farm Woods will bolster the existing reintroduced populations of hazel dormice already in the area by increasing genetic diversity and therefore helping the long-term survival of this endangered species. Since the previous reintroduction, dormice have become well dispersed throughout Chambers Farm Woods, which is fantastic as it shows they have adapted and settled into their new surroundings. To ensure these populations continue to thrive, each woodland will require ongoing woodland management, which is something The Lincolnshire Dormouse Group and the local team at Forestry England have been doing successfully since 2002.” 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, and anyone interested should email lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com. Sunday 21st July Saturday 17th August Saturday 21st September Sunday 20th October ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: 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 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/ *** 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... *** 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. 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 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/ Freshney Bog – Saturday 22nd June 2019 Queen Elizabeth Park, Grantham – Sunday 7th July 2019 Woodhall Spa Airfield LWT Reserve – Saturday 20th July 2019 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 Bryophytes, focusing on Sphagnum Mosses - August 31st - Steven Heathcote 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: Colin Green - hard bounce alanatthirteen - soft bounce 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.... Midge song heralds start of Icelandic summer https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-news-from-elsewhere-48873721 Toxic processionary caterpillar plague spreads across Europe https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-48880468 Curious Kids: why do some animals have two different coloured eyes? https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-why-do-some-animals-have-two-different-coloured-eyes-119727 How can penguins stay warm in the freezing cold waters of Antarctica? https://theconversation.com/curious-kids-how-can-penguins-stay-warm-in-the-freezing-cold-waters-of-antarctica-116831 Lunar and solar eclipses make animals do strange things https://theconversation.com/lunar-and-solar-eclipses-make-animals-do-strange-things-119748 What we learned from landing on the moon and why we stopped going https://theconversation.com/to-the-moon-and-beyond-1-what-we-learned-from-landing-on-the-moon-and-why-we-stopped-going-119701 English country gardens can play their part in saving the planet https://www.countrylife.co.uk/gardens/gardening-tips/alan-titchmarsh-english-country-gardens-can-play-part-saving-planet-198712 Country diary: the exquisite joy of a meadow full of flowers https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/02/country-diary-the-exquisite-joy-of-a-meadow-full-of-flowers#comment-130656891 Country diary: freeloading bumblebees find a shortcut to food https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/03/country-diary-freeloading-bumblebees-shortcut-to-food-crook-county-durham Your "and finally" links will be welcome. ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/