============================================= || || 4th June 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... *** Thank you for all your contributions. Please keep them coming. I have come to know many contributors over the years and we do email a wide range of keen naturalists, from old codgers like myself to younger folks in school or further education and those in the middle of their working lives. My statistics tell me that Bulletin opens seem to reflect this diversity and it gets read in different ways, from "swift scanners" to "keen clickers", plus a few "rare readers". Whoever you are, we appreciate you subscribing and welcome your records, directly to a county recorder or via the LNU Bulletin. Your reports will never be late, because as soon I send out the Bulletin I start working on the next. Having said all that, I have just unsubscribed two dozen readers who never got round to ticking their GDPR email consents. I am catching up on this job following my "time out". If they wish they should be able to log into their Mailchimp accounts [update my subscription] in a past Bulletin and rectify this. Please pass on this advice if anyone should mention it. If you hear of anyone grumbling please ask them to drop me an email. A selection of topical links follows. I hope you find them of interest. They were chosen with specific readers in mind: so remember to click any that catch your eye. I might well have meant them for you. "New wave of protection for the sea announced today" [Friday 31st] https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/news/new-wave-protection-sea-announced-today 'Fear' of killer shrimp may threaten rivers https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-48515645 Insect Extinction? Listen... https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0005f12 Norfolk streetlight upgrade halted by nesting blue tits https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-48478944 Anyone in need of a change of job? How about this one? St Michael's Mount: 'Fairytale' island needs new gardener https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-48464266 How wildcats will be reared for release in England and Wales https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/30/how-wildcats-will-be-reared-for-release-in-england-and-wales Don't kill moles, warns former catcher. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/29/dont-kill-moles-former-catcher-marc-hamer-warns-at-hay-festival Your pictures of Scotland: 24 - 31 May https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-48472958 Loch Ness monster study makes ‘surprising’ find - The Scotsman https://www.scotsman.com/news/people/loch-ness-monster-study-makes-surprising-find-1-4939277 Len Pick Trust Owlcam - hatching in progress - four chicks now! http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 BBC i-Player: Botany - A Blooming History - BBC4. "Series which tells the story of how people came to understand the natural order of the plant world, and how the quest to discover how plants grow uncovered the secret to life on the planet." Catch up on: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b011vf07 Springwatch on BBC2 - catch up on: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007qgm3 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 Freshney Bog LNR, just west of Grimsby All day event Saturday 22nd June 2019 Last LNU visit in 1944 Access courtesy of North East Lincolnshire Council 10.00 start and then again from 13.00 for afternoon session. Meet at car parking area next to St. Michael’s Church in Little Coates (off the A1136) at TA241090. Nearest postcode: DN34 4ND.NB. Can be a very wet site so wellingtons recommended. Nearest toilets probably in local supermarket or McDonalds. Habitats: Marsh, ponds, wet woodland, rough grassland, River Freshney. Leader: Richard Chadd 07990 564519 richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk Whisby Natural History Workshops 2019 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 *** June Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Noctilucent Clouds. https://britastro.org/node/9456 *** Look out for...." Juniper Shieldbugs George Rutter writes: Now seems to be the perfect time to hunt for Juniper Shieldbugs Cyphostethus tristriatus. I found at least 18 on a relatively small cypress tree (roughly 20 foot tall) in my parents' garden at Sloothby on 30th May. Including 4 pairs in-cop and others that were actively feeding - thrusting their proboscis down at the join between the 'leaves' of the tiny brussels-sprout-like fruits on offer. All were on the sunny side of the tree, which was also where the majority of the fruits were. I believe there is a lack of records across the county, with singles being the norm. Anyone with Cypress or other varieties of conifer tree in their garden would be wise to have a look for these charming little insects. Editor adds: see https://species.nbnatlas.org/species/NHMSYS0020309134#overview *** Love Lincs Plants - Updates from the Partnership - more in section 8 *** LoveLincsPlants Webpage: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants Aidan Neary writes: Spaces still available on Lincolnshire’s 2nd Field Identification Skills Certificate (FISC) delivered by BSBI and Natural England. 4th July, Horncastle. Background: A Field Identification Skills Certificate is a simple, affordable test that determines your botanical skill level on a scale from 1 (beginner) to 5 (professional) with 6 being awarded in exceptional cases. A FISC is becoming established as the industry standard for assessing botanical survey skills. The aim of the FISC is to measure your skills in real-life situations. It should not form part of a training course because a FISC tests your long-term botanical ability on a wide range of plants, not your short-term memory. A FISC lasts a day and is fun to do. One of our aims is to make people less fearful of being assessed. Our evidence shows that there is no-one who can identify all plants correctly, so you do not need to worry that you might not be perfect. Your results will be confidential. Some consultancies send their staff on a FISC every year, to encourage them to gain skills and make progress. Each test starts with a lab session, where the candidates are asked to name fresh specimens of 30 species collected around the British Isles. Next there is a site survey, where you spend a couple of hours recording as much as you can in a small, interesting site. Assessors then compare what you have identified with what they know occurs on site and work out what skill level you have. Details and how to book: 4th July 2019 at Horncastle Community Centre with a site visit to Shearman’s Wath. Fee: £75. To book on, visit the BSBI website at: https://bsbi.org/field-skills and Email: Andrea.Perkins@naturalengland.org.uk 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/ *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ *** Local RSPB links: *** https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/ https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ *** Grimsby & District RSPB *** http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby For more information, contact Martin Francis (Group Leader) at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com (preferred) or on (01472) 883436 'The RSPB Grimsby Local Group's next meeting is at 7.30pm on Monday 17th June 2019 at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, (formerly known as Corpus Christi Community Centre), Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7LH The AGM, which usually takes about 30 minutes, will be followed by an illustrated talk by Geof Lee entitled 'Wildlife of the Tees Valley' There will also be refreshments and a raffle Entry is £4, payable at the door. The Group's June Trip is to RSPB Bempton Cliffs and Top Hill Low on Sunday 23rd June 2019, leaving Millman's Coach Depot in Wilton Road, Humberston at 7.30am. Return at 6.00 - 6.30pm. The cost of the coach trip is £20 per person, including Entry Fee at Top Hill Low. Booking is essential. For more information, contact Tony Bryan at mariners4top@yahoo.co.uk or on 01472 873362 Everyone is welcome. You don't have to be a member of the RSPB to attend the meeting or go on the trip, (though there may be an additional entry fee at Bempton Cliffs for RSPB non-members) *** 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/ The South Lincs. RSPB carried out their second birdwatching cruise into The Wash on Bank Holiday Monday, 27th May. 60 bird species were seen,with close-up Marsh Harrier views being the highlight. avocet, black-headed gull, black-tailed godwit, blackbird, blue tit, brent goose, buzzard, carrion crow, Canada goose, chaffinch, cormorant, common tern, collared dove, dunnock, dunlin, eider, feral pigeon, goldfinch, great crested grebe, grey plover, grey wagtail, greylag goose, herring gull, house martin, house sparrow, jackdaw, jay, kestrel, linnet, egret, lesser black-backed gull, magpie, mallard, marsh harrier, meadow pipit, mistle thrush, moorhen, mute swan, oystercatcher, peregrine falcon, pheasant, pied wagtail, redshank, reed bunting, ringed plover, robin, rook, sand martin, sandwich tern, shelduck, shoveler, skylark, song thrush, sparrowhawk, starling, swallow, swift, tufted duck, whimbrel, wood pigeon. 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 Carolyn Davis writes: Visit Woodhall Spa Airfield Nature Reserve On Saturday 8th June 2019 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join themon a visit to Woodhall Spa Airfield Nature Reserve with Mid Lincolnshire Warden Kevin James. Meet at 10.30am in the carparking area at reserve entrance which is off the B1192 Tattershall Road (between Woodhall Spa and Tattershall Thorpe) LN4 4JT. Grid ref. TF 206606. This is a fairly new reserve so Kevin will be able show us some improvements that have been made and how the habitats are developing. For further details contact Carolyn Davis 07914 924790. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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.] 30th May 2 Short-eared Owls, Gibraltar Point Garganey drk, Spoonbill, 2 Short-eared Owls, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh 31st May Great White Egret flew south past Shorebird Hut then landed in Saltmarsh Creek, Gibraltar Point 2 Garganey, both drks, Teal Lake, Whisby Curlew Sandpiper, Spoonbill, drk Garganey, 2 Short-eared Owls, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh 1st June 2 Garganey, both drks, Teal Lake, Whisby Honey Buzzard, Great White Egret, Short-eared Owl, 2 Turtle Doves, Gibraltar Point Spoonbill, SE of Frampton Marsh at River Welland mouth [from south bank]. Little Stint, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, Short-eared Owl, 2 Garganey, Turtle Dove, 6 Spoonbills flew over, Frampton Marsh 2nd June Curlew Sandpiper, Garganey drk, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 3rd June Temminck's Stint on Fenland Lagoon, 2 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 3 Little Stints and 2 Curlew Sandpipers on wet grassland below sea wall, Short-eared Owl, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh 4th June Short-eared Owl by sea wall, Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Little Bittern male ENE of North Thoresby below B1021 Fen Lane "bridge" 5th June No sign of Little Bittern. Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Short-eared Owl, , 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. TATTERSHALL THORPE 29.05.19 R&M Pocklington Tattershall Thorpe Mirror Lake Sad to report that all swan and duck nests had the eggs destroyed, probably by mink. 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 Swifts regularly seen over the garden - up to 9 on 1/6/2019. TF511762 (my garden) HUTTOFT Jane Pennington 26/5/2019 Wren 1 28/5/2019 Frog 29/5/2019 Cardinal beetle 1 - on alkanet Garden cross spiderlings - 100s - it seemed like so many anyway! I moved a pot before seeing them and then had at least half running up my jeans! 30/5/2019 Pale tussock Calliteara pudibunda 1 - on silver birch log 1/6/2019 Holly blue 1 Peacock butterflies 2 SOUTHERY WOOD TF131680 R&A Parsons 2/6/2019 Four-spotted Chaser dragonfly at TF136678 https://british-dragonflies.org.uk/species/four-spotted-chaser/ Deer heard barking - probably Roe. Pair of Blackcaps WADDINGTON Village , 6am Peter Wilson. 29th April 2019 Two deer seen by a friend of mine walking in Waddington High Street adjacent to the Horse and Jockey, they then moved across the road and went into a garden. Not sure what deer they were . 3rd May 2019. Millers road , Waddington. Swallows flying low under trees in field at end of Millers Road, first I have seen this year. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves - reports always welcome ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/far-ings 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 29th May – 4th June 2019 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor.   Daily news and wildlife sightings: Hobby frequently seen hunting over the dunes during the week 310519 – Small skipper, green-veined white, orange tip, small copper, brown argus, common blue, peacock, speckled wood, wall, small heath butterflies at Rimac. A hornet seen and lots of cinnabar moths around. Small elephant hawkmoths and privet hawkmoth in the Brickyard Lane area. 010619 – Elephant, small elephant and poplar hawkmoths seen in the Brickyard Lane area. 020619 - 4 avocets on Paradise lagoon plus single lapwing, 2 tufted ducks, pair of mallard and 10 house martins feeding over the water. Around Sea View brimstone and painted lady on the wing. 030619 - Pair avocets on Paradise lagoon and corn bunting singing nearby. Green veined white, orange tip and common blue butterflies, four spotted chaser dragonfly all seen at Sea View.   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports welcome..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood, Little and Great Scrubbs Woods, Minting Wood, Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park, and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow (and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Rand Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland, which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and non-designated areas. Since managing the SSSI areas carries particular responsibilities to Natural England, records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS. Examples: SNIPE DALES https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/snipe-dales WHISBY https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/whisby WILLOW TREE FEN https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/willow-tree-fen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports welcome... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually goes out on Thursdays or Fridays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** http://lnu.org/ LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given on the website. A list of all the articles contained in Transactions (Transactions page) and a list of the Presidents (Officers page) is also available. LNU Bursaries: The LNU offers bursaries for natural history courses. The upper limit is £250. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk *** Love Lincs Plants - Updates from the Partnership *** 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 Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Phil Hyde - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk Contact 01507 528223 enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Bat Group website *** http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/lincolnshire-chalk-streams *** Lincsbirders *** http://www.lincsbirders.org/ FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 Related Webpages: Hare coursing https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/hare-coursing/ STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** 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 *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lincs-environmental-awards *** 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 LNR – 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: 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 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. You can also continue to read text versions of Wildnews Bulletins on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html ....and finally.... Pod of pilot whales pop up in Orkney harbour - watch spyhopping! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-48466891 Climate change link to puffin deaths [Alaska] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-48447394 Cornwall seal death 'one of world's worst cases' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-48474338 Seabirds treble on Lundy after island is declared rat-free https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/28/seabirds-treble-on-lundy-after-island-is-declared-rat-free Britain in two-week coal-free record https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-48473259 Port of London to get £1m pollution-busting pilot boat - watch https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-norfolk-48476898 West Lothian cat owner catches incredible moment tiny mouse fends off cat named Tom https://www.scotsman.com/news/west-lothian-cat-owner-catches-incredible-moment-tiny-mouse-fends-off-cat-named-tom-1-4939451 Nature’s first aid kit: a fungus growing on the side of birch trees https://theconversation.com/natures-first-aid-kit-a-fungus-growing-on-the-side-of-birch-trees-117290 Country diary: there's a whiff of death outside the badger sett https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/may/31/country-diary-whiff-of-death-badger-sett-inkpen-west-berkshire#comment-129659571 Albino panda caught on camera in China in world first https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/may/28/albino-panda-caught-on-camera-in-china-in-world-first Mount Etna eruptions light up night sky - watch https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-48472188 Hippos invade pitch at rugby club - watch https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-africa-48479999/ Your "and finally" links will be welcome. ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/