============================================= || || 17th 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... *** It looks like we are in for an unsettled end to the week with the possibility of heavy showers on Saturday. Keep an eye on the weather websites. Have you noticed any flying ants yet? It's the right time and conditions. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/when-why-winged-ants-swarm-nuptial-flight.html I am reading an interesting book called "Factfulness" by Hans Rosling et al. Strapline: "Ten reasons why we are wrong about the world - and why things are better than you think." I would recommend it to anyone of a natural history inclination interested in scientific, medical and social issues. Especially if you enjoy a good debate. You may be surprised by what you don't know and hopefully by what you do! Summary: https://www.samuelthomasdavies.com/book-summaries/business/factfulness/ 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. The Fens: Discovering England's Ancient Depths - BBC Radio 4 - listen. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0006lp8 Attenborough-opposed Askham Bog homes plan is rejected https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-48962585 Smooth snakes: Bid to save the UK's rarest reptile with £400k grant https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-49000927 ICES has announced the collapse of the North Sea cod population. https://www.mygreenpod.com/articles/the-cod-crisis/ Giant jellyfish spotted off Cornwall coast https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-cornwall-48956818/ How do starling birds flock? - Life in the Air: Episode 3 Preview - BBC One https://youtu.be/9pRC-lPuhuU Winners of the 2019 Underwater Photographer of the Year Contest https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2019/02/winners-2019-underwater-photographer-year-contest/583639/ What is a species? https://theconversation.com/what-is-a-species-the-most-important-concept-in-all-of-biology-is-a-complete-mystery-119200 Len Pick Trust Owlcam - did you catch Bob and Alan ringing owls and kestrels on BBC Look North? 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 - partial lunar eclipse on 16th/17th July. *** 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. 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 On Sunday 4th August 2019 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a morning bird walk in Irby Dales with Graham Hicks. Meet at 8am outside St. Andrew's Church, Irby on Humber, near Grimsby. Grid Ref. TA 196049. Nearest postcode DN37 7JR. 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 - 07979089890. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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.] 10th July Turtle Dove, Spoonbill, 2 Little Gulls, 6 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Spotted Redshank, 2 Wood Sandpipers flew south, Gibraltar Point 11th July 4 Black-necked Grebes, 2 ads + 2 young, 5 Spoonbills, 9 Spotted Redshanks Frampton Marsh Quail flew in off sea, Gibraltar Point 12th July 4 Black-necked Grebes, 2 ads + 2 young, 3 Spoonbills, Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Turtle Doves, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl, Spotted Redshank on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Wood Sandpiper, Croft Marsh 13th July Short-eared Owl, 2 Spotted Redshanks on Tennyson's Sands, 2 Garganey on Croft Marsh, Gibraltar Point 4 Black-necked Grebes, 2 ads + 2 young, Short-eared Owl, 8 Spotted Redshanks, 5 Spoonbills, 2 Turtle Doves, Frampton Marsh. 14th July 2 Spotted Redshanks, 1 on Tennyson's Sands, 1 on Fenland Lagoon, Short-eared Owl, 2 Garganey on Croft Marsh, Gibraltar Point 3 Black-necked Grebe, 2 ads + 1 young, Turtle Dove, 2 Short-eared Owls, 5 Spoonbills, 5 Little Gulls, 8 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 15th July 4 Black-necked Grebes, 2 ads + 2 young, 5 Spoonbills, ad Curlew Sandpiper, ad Little Stint, Frampton Marsh Great White Egret flew over Far Ings, Barton-upon-Humber Short-eared Owl, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 16th July 4 Black-necked Grebes, 2 ads + 2 young, 5 Spoonbills, 7 Spotted Redshanks, Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Short-eared Owls, 2 Little Gulls, 2 Little Stints, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill at Croft Marsh, Gibraltar Point 17th July Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank and Scaup drk on Tennyson's Sands, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Garganey on Croft Marsh, Gibraltar Point 2 probably Great White Egrets, Whisby NR 4 Black-necked Grebes, 2 ads + 2 young, 2 Short-eared Owls, 5 Spoonbills, 8 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh Hawfinch, Chapel Six Marshes ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. *** 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 10/7/2019 Hummingbird Hawkmoth working lavender at 18.00hrs. 2+ Bats sp over garden 09.30hrs 11/7 Hummingbird Hawkmoth in lavender again, approx 0800hrs 16/7 Flying ants: a few alates of Lasius spp noted in the garden. HALTON HOLEGATE 12/7/2019 Janet Harwood In the greenhouse first thing. Still there at lunch time, so I put it on some privet flowers. TF511762 (my garden) HUTTOFT Jane Pennington 8/7/2019 Frog 1 Southern hawker 2: 1 nearly out of larva case and 1 resting on Common mallow 10/7/2019 Green veined white 1 Large skipper 1 Meadow brown 4 Painted lady 1 Small tortoiseshell 2 11/7/2019 Bats 4 at 10pm 12/7/2019 Cepnea nemoralis Banded snail - yellow colour 1 on mountain ash 13/7/2019 Robins 2 feeding young 14/7/2019 Bats 2 10.15pm Enoplognata - lineata form Candy Stripe Spider 1 which had just caught a white tailed bumble bee on purple toadflax Southern Hawkers 3: one with wings spread and 1 with wings hanging; one nymph twitching slightly 15/7/2019 Common red soldier beetle 2: one on rosebay willowherb and one on crocosmia leaf Meadow brown 1 Enoplognata - lineata form Candy Stripe Spider 1 which had just caught a hoverfly on some comfrey LINCOLN – Yarborough Crecent SK975729 Caroline Steel 15/07/2019 One White-letter hairstreak in the garden. There is a group of three mature elms beside our house so presume that’s where it lives. SOUTHREY WOOD Grid Reference: TF 127 682 A & R Parsons 12/7/2019 White Admiral butterfly - 3+ Purple Hair Streak - 12+ - newly emerged? See: https://butterfly-conservation.org/our-work/reserves/southrey-wood-lincolnshire THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow MV moth trapping 03/07/19 22:00hrs - 02:00hrs Angle Shades x 1 Barred Straw x 2 Beautiful Hook-tip x 2 Birds Wing x 1 (new for site) Bright-line Brown-eye x 3 Brimstone Moth x 2 Buff Ermine x 2 Burnished Brass x 1 Clouded Border x 1 Clouded Silver x 2 Common Wave x 1 Common White Wave x 1 Dark Arches x 1 Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix x 2 Elephant Hawkmoth x 4 Engrailed x 1 Garden Tiger x 4 Heart and Dart x 19 Large Yellow Underwing x 4 Lesser Yellow Underwing x 1 Light Arches x 5 Pine Hawkmoth x 1 (new for site) Poplar Hawkmoth x 1 Privet Hawkmoth x 6 Riband Wave x 2 Small Magpie x 3 Smoky Wainscot x 4 Setaceous Hebrew Character x 7 Uncertain x 2 06/07/19 Large White x 1 Red Admiral x 4 Small Tortoiseshell x 2 Hummingbird Hawkmoth x 1 (showing the value of waiting for Garden Privet to finish flowering before trimming) 07/07/19 Green-veined White x 6 Large White x 2 Painted Lady x 3 Red Admiral x 3 Ringlet x 17 Small Tortoiseshell x 2 09/07/19 Dark Fruit-tree Tortrix x 1 Ghost Moth x 1 male Large Yellow Underwing x 2 10/07/19 Large Yellow Underwing x 6 Privet Hawkmoth x 1 on Honeysuckle 12/07/19 Common Pipistrelle x 2 Common Toad x 1 large female Green-veined White x 1 Red Admiral x 2 Small Tortoiseshell x 2 13/07/19 Blackbird x 1 Blue Tit x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Swift x 15 Willow Warbler x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 Brown Hare x 1 (road kill) SK802996 Green-veined White x 1 Red Admiral x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 11 Shaded Broad-bar moth x 1 Azure Damselfly x 1 TWYFORD WOOD SK94/23 3/7/19 Jane and Brian Ostler On a sunny early afternoon we took the route to the Butterfly Reserve and came back via the main runway. PLANTS IN FLOWER Since our last visit to this area, on the 8th June, the main difference was in the numbers of plants in flower in cracks in the runway and on other concrete paths. Vervain (Verbena officinalis) was abundant. Others included Square-stemmed St John's Wort, Mallow, Centaury, Bird's Foot Trefoil, White Stonecrop (Sedum album) and Wild Basil. On the grass verges Meadowsweet, Ragwort, Hedge and Lady's Bedstraw, Sorrel, Great Burnet, Wild Parsnip, Betony, Agrimony and Ox-eye Daisy. Just one place with Dyer's Greenweed. On the Butterfly Reserve some of the Bee Orchids were pushing through cracks in the path. Plenty of Yellow Rattle and Quaking Grass. INSECTS We didn't see Marbled Whites in this area, although they had been reported at the Glades Butterfly Reserve. A few Large Whites, Small Heath, Speckled Wood, Painted Lady, Ringlet and Small Skipper. Most abundant butterflies were Meadow Brown. Knapweeds and Field Scabious were the favourite feeding flowers. Moths included Cinnabar and Six Spot Burnet. Also on the Butterfly Reserve - Brown Hawker Dragonfly. Evidence that the ant hill mounds (Lasius flavus) are feeding grounds for the Green Woodpecker. Newly hatched Grasshoppers everywhere and the Hoverfly Sphaerophoris scriipta frequent. WAINFLEET (Bycroft Bridge) 14/07/2019 Roy and Kath Pearson Green Sandpiper ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 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.... Four charged over Stamford model railway exhibition damage https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-48974301 Wild gorillas compose happy songs that they hum during meals https://www.newscientist.com/article/2078781-wild-gorillas-compose-happy-songs-that-they-hum-during-meals/ Swinging birds play with rhythm like jazz musician https://www.newscientist.com/article/2140543-swinging-birds-play-with-rhythm-like-jazz-musicians/ Goats reveal their feelings with the sound of distinctive bleats https://www.newscientist.com/article/2209218-goats-reveal-their-feelings-with-the-sound-of-distinctive-bleats/ Arctic fox walked from Norway to Canada in just 76 days. https://nationalpost.com/news/world/an-arctic-fox-walked-from-norway-to-canada-in-just-76-days-thats-3500-km-three-countries-and-two-continents Watch Snowball the cockatoo show off the 14 dance moves he's invented https://www.newscientist.com/article/2208826-watch-snowball-the-cockatoo-show-off-the-14-dance-moves-hes-invented/ Country diary: a golden opportunity to observe silver-studded blues https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/09/country-diary-a-golden-opportunity-to-observe-silver-studded-blues Country diary: July light turns the skipper's wings into flakes of gold https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/11/country-diary-summer-day-lligwy-anglesey Country diary: spawn to be wild https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jul/15/country-diary-spawn-to-be-wild Your "and finally" links will be welcome. ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/