============================================= || || 11th September 2019 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || || LNU Website: || http://lnu.org/ || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Information, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR 6. Other Reserve Reports and Highlights 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union, the Lincolnshire Bird Club and Lincolnshire Environmental Record Centre [LERC]. Text versions of past Wildnews Bulletins from Feb 2009 - 10 years worth! http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Please use the "forward to a friend" link at the end of every LNU Bulletin. We really need your help with building up reader numbers. ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Information, hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor writes... *** Gmail question: "At the beginning of this e-mail [4th] I get a warning not to open it or to click on anything. Even if I click on any of the links, they won't open. Any advice or ideas?" Editor's answer: I believe this to be a gmail issue as a few gmail users have reported it. There should be as option to "whitelist" the incoming email address. Please copy and paste and use the following link and see if it gets you any help. https://support.google.com/mail/?hl=en#topic=7065107 If it does, please follow the advice and please let me know how you get on. Bat information - please note: Annette Faulkner says: I should have added to my ramblings of a fortnight ago that I am always very pleased to have all bat sighting records. Even the one bat that flies round your garden for 10 minutes is important, as it tells us where they are. At this level the species is not important, as there are a number of possibilities, though usually pipistrelle, but if you see one that’s doing something obviously different from whizzing round doing figures of eight do let me know – I can always quiz you further to narrow done the possibilities! Do please give a grid reference. Many thanks. Len Pick Barn Owl camera - the story continues... hatching is underway! 3 chicks. http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 A selection of relevant news stories can be found on the following links. Most have been suggested by readers. Others I have chosen with specific individuals in mind!' Weedy crayfish' moved to secret location in Lincolnshire https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-49607672 Market Deeping residents fight for field's village green status https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-49583820 Government rejects Derbyshire badger cull https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-49440749 Rare shop bat added to Natural History Museum collection https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-49583902 Stranded whales: Numbers on the rise around UK shores https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49596734 Drones warning over breeding seals in Pembrokeshire https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-49595781 Climate change damaging purple heather: National Trust https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-49593380 Interesting piece on forest conservation in Wales: Wales' Celtic rainforests in £6.5m restoration project https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-49582150 More links in "...and finally..." Please be a contributor as well as a reader. Help keep the information interesting by sending in something: wildlife sightings, articles, events, questions and news - anything you feel would be good for other readers to see and enjoy. Thanks to all who sent me a contribution this week. Very much appreciated. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** LNU Events Diary *** LNU events are listed below in section 11. For LNU meetings and workshops, see: https://lnu.org/meetings/ You should check this link in case any change has been made. In the event being told of a late cancellation or other change after the Bulletin has been sent I will also post updated details on the following webpage. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html [Note: Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, and start at 2pm.] Next meeting: Moor Farm LWT Reserve and SSSI – Sunday 13th October 2019 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2019-10-13/ Moor Farm LWT Reserve and SSSI, east of Woodhall Spa Access courtesy of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Last LNU visit in 1997 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet and park in reserve car park at TF226635. Nearest postcode: LN10 6YU. NB. Possible need for some verge parking if car park gets full (only takes about 10 cars). Nearest public toilets are in Woodhall Spa. Possibly quite wet along reserve paths. Habitat: Acid Grassland, broadleaved woodland and boggy heathland. Leaders: Ray Halstead 07772 613640 ray.halstead@tiscali.co.uk and Roger Parsons 07867 847679 old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Report on the LNU visit to Boston Cemetery TF326456 8th September 2019 The penultimate LNU field meeting of the year to this marvellous wildlife-rich site (last visited by the LNU in 2002) with access courtesy of Boston Borough Council. 16 attendees appeared in the car park on a sunny and dry afternoon and set-off around the cemetery led by Brian Hedley. Most people headed for the older north-eastern part where nature conservation is high on the agenda and an impressive number of species have been noted over the years. Plant-wise, there was a fascinating mixture of native and ornamental species including some very grand old trees such as Tulip-tree, Giant and Coastal Redwoods, Norway Maple and Red Oak. Twenty plant specimens were collected for the LoveLincsPlants herbarium including Rough Hawkbit, Large Bindweed, White Bryony and several tree species. Two large white willows had very photogenic clumps of the Chicken-of-the-Woods fungi present. Thirty-one bird species were noted including Tawny Owl, Goldcrest, Green Woopecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jay and numerous Treecreepers. Bat droppings were noted on the outside of a derelict chapel. Butterflies (8 species) were plentiful in the autumnal sunshine, especially at clumps of ivy blossom, with Red Admirals, Commas and Speckled Woods most obvious. The ivy also attracted at least ten Hornet Hoverflies plus George Rutter managed to photograph an Ivy Bee at one clump. Migrant Hawkers and Common Darters were numerous in the sunny glades where the darters especially liked to land on grave stones. The distinctive galls of Walnut Leaf Gall Mite were also noted. Both Hawthorn and Red-legged Shieldbugs were also found together with many Harlequin Ladybirds. GLEBE FARM AND KEAL CARR LWT RESERVE, EAST KEAL TF378649 and TF384649 respectively for central locations 31 AUGUST 2019 LNU field meeting led by Brian Hedley to this site courtesy of Alec Coney Farms and LWT and comprised an all-day recording event including an evening moth and bat recording session. Attended by a total of 13 people during the course of the day/evening on a mainly sunny and dry, but breezy, day. The event was postponed from earlier in the month due to very strong winds. At least 170 plant species were recorded from the arable, grassland (including rocky outcrops with acid grassland vegetation), marsh, streams and wet woodland habitats including Small Sweet-grass, Greater Tussock Sedge, Harebell, Giant Bellflower, Great Horsetail, Common Cudweed and Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage. Twenty-six specimens were collected for the LoveLincsPlants herbarium. A total of 37 bird species were noted including several Yellow Wagtails feeding around a cattle herd, Tree Sparrow, Sparrowhawk, Treecreeper, Tawny Owl, Yellowhammer and Bullfinch. At least nine mammals species were noted ( from sight or signs) including Hedgehog, Brown Hare, Roe Deer, Noctule Bat and Common Pipistrelle. The breezy conditions kept many insects at bay but nine butterfly species and four dragonfly/damselfly species were noted in more sheltered spots and included mating Common Emerald Damselfies and Ruddy Darters plus Brimstone, Common Blue Butterfly, Painted Lady (20+) and Small Heath. The evening moth session (only for a couple of hours due to cool conditions and lack of many attendees) managed to record 17 species with highlights being the rather smart looking Frosted Orange plus Lime-speck Pug, Rosy Rustic and Angle Shades. Other insects noted including Hairy Shieldbug, Meadow Grasshopper and Roesel's Bush-cricket plus various galls on Penduculate Oak, Creeping Thistle and Common Nettle. *** 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. The Leafminer Moths and Fungi workshops both have only 3 places left but Slugs still has only 4 people booked on it so still plenty of spare capacity! Leafminer Moths - October 5th - Colin Smith Slugs - October 26th - Chris de Feu Fungi - November 2nd - Ray Halstead *** ‘Great British Hedgerow Survey’ *** Letter from Izzy Wyatt - PTAS At the end of this week we will be formally announcing our new national hedgerow survey called the ‘Great British Hedgerow Survey’ https://hedgerowsurvey.ptes.org/ You may have heard a bit about this already but to give you more of an idea, the survey’s aimed at landowners, farmers, wildlife groups and anyone interested in healthy hedgerows. We want to encourage the UK to health-check the nation’s hedgerows in an attempt to safeguard the future of this important habitat. The survey will provide instant feedback about the condition of the hedge. You’ll receive separate scores for wildlife, connectivity and structure, and tailored management advice to guide surveyors to the best way of managing the hedge to ensure tip top condition for our wildlife in the future. Izzy Wyatt Website and Outreach Officer 0207 498 4533 People’s Trust for Endangered Species 3 Cloisters House, 8 Battersea Park Road, London, SW8 4BG www.ptes.org *** The National Moment - Lincolnshire Wolds *** Helen Gamble writes: The Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service are taking part in the National Moment which all AONBs are participating in on Saturday 21st September at 2pm. The Landscape for Life week information is live on our website here https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/National%20moment The event details are here https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/events/national-moment-be-part-of-the-heart-event We have a pinned tweet about it and a press release will be going out shortly. We are pleased to have secured a local catering van there for hot drinks etc. and facilities are booked. If you require any further information that is not available via the above links, please do not hesitate to contact me. Helen.Gamble@lincolnshire.gov.uk *** September Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html *** Heritage Open Days *** Download your Heritage Open Day brochure ready for the festival in September. https://www.heritagelincolnshire.org/news *** 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 Martin Francis writes: 'The RSPB Grimsby Local Group's new 'season' gets under way on Sunday 15th September with a trip to Spurn Point, where migration will be in full swing. We w ill probably also be calling in at Kilnsea Wetlands, and we have been promised a ringing demonstration sometime during the day. Please note there is a new departure point (because we are using a new coach company, PC Coaches) which is the Shoppers Car Park on Waltham Road, Scartho, DN33 2LX, which is between Springfield Rd and the Scartho round-a-bout. We leave promptly at 7.30am and expect to return at 6.00 - 6.30pm. The cost of the coach trip is £20 per person. Booking is essential. For more information, contact Tony Bryan at mariners4top@yahoo.co.uk or on 01472 873362 Unusually, the trip takes place before the first meeting which is at 7.30pm on Monday, 16th September 2019 at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, (formerly known as Corpus Christi Community Centre), Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7LH Well-known local naturalist and photographer, Geoff Trinder, will give an illustrated talk entitled 'Birds of Prey', which promises to be excellent and maintain the very high standard we have enjoyed. There will also be refreshments and a raffle Entry is £4, payable at the door. Everyone is welcome. You don't have to be a member of the RSPB to attend the meeting or go on the trip. *** South Lincs RSPB Group *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB Group's 2019 BIRDWATCHING AND SEAL CRUISES aboard The Boston Belle, into The Wash. Full details of the 2019 cruise programme can be found at- https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/news/459075/ 69 bird species,in addition to common seals, were seen on the South Lincs RSPBs latest cruise aboard The Boston Belle on 23rd September. The full bird list is as follows... Avocet, black-headed gull, black-tailed godwit, blackbird, blue tit, Canada goose, carrion crow, Caspian tern, chaffinch, collared dove, common gull, common sandpiper, common tern, coot, cormorant, curlew, dunlin, feral pigeon,golden plover, goldfinch, great black- backed gull, great crested grebe, greenfinch, greenshank, grey heron, grey plover, grey wagtail, greylag goose, herring gull, house martin, house sparrow, jackdaw, kestrel, king- fisher, knot, lapwing, lesser black-backed gull, little egret, little grebe, little tern, magpie, mallard, marsh harrier, meadow pipit, moorhen, mute swan, oystercatcher, peregrine, pheasant, pied wagtail, redshank, reed bunting, ringed plover, rook, ruff, sand martin, sandwich tern, shelduck, skylark, snipe, spoonbill, starling, stock dove, swallow, swift, turnstone, whimbrel, wood pigeon, yellow wagtail. The Group has 3 cruises remaining this year,23rd September, 5th and 21st October. For full availability information contact the Groups booking agency, Spalding's South Holland Centre 01775-764777 www.southhollandcentre.co.uk *** LWT Reserves *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves *** LWT Get Involved page - including Area Groups *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk Carolyn Davis writes: On Friday 27th September 2019 popular local folk / rock Merlin's Keep are playing in concert in aid of The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. This will take place in St. Giles Church Scartho, Grimsby DN33 2EU, 7.15 pm for 7.30pm. Admission £5 on the door includes tea & coffee. There will be a raffle and Trust goods sales. Come and enjoy a great concert and help raise money for a worthwhile cause. For further details contact Carolyn Davis 07914924790 *** Lincoln Area Group LWT *** Richard Davidson writes: Lincoln Area Group Talk September 19th - Wasps An illustrated talk in which Lincolnshire county Hymenoptera recorder Dr David Sheppard will look at this extensive and diverse family of insects. At Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission is £2.50 which includes refreshments. Lincoln Area Group Walk September 20th - Whisby Nature Park A guided walk led by Lincoln Area Group Chairman Jan Rousseau looking at Autumn wildlife around the Nature Park. Meet at 'The Barn' next to the wardens building at 1.30 pm. Please wear suitable footwear and bring a waterproof in case the weather is showery. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Bird Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: Rare Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] RBA note on visiting Middlemarsh Wetlands, Skegness: Access from A52 thru The Pines Caravan Park, TF537628 4th September 16 Spoonbills, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 11 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point 9 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats Osprey over Scunthorpe [late report] 5th September 10 Spoonbills, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 16 Spoonbills, 12 Curlew Sandpipers, Wood Sandpiper, Long-billed Dowitcher, 2 Ruddy Shelducks, Frampton Marsh Ruddy Shelduck, Cove Farms GP, Westwoodside 6th September Osprey flew over Waddington 9.52am Osprey flew south over Sturton by Stow 8am 2 Garganey, 2 Ruddy Shelducks, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, 14 Spoonbills, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, juv + ad, Little Stint ad, Frampton March 12 Spoonbills, 9 Spotted Redshanks, Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, 3 Whinchats, Gibraltar Point 7th September 3 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 12 Spoonbills, 2 Ruddy Shelducks, Frampton Marsh Little Stint, Sooty Shearwater north past, Wood Sandpiper, 9 Spoonbills, Pied Flycatcher, Gibraltar Point Garganey, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 8th September Little Stint juv, 2 juv Curlew Sandpipers, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, 2 Ruddy Shelducks, 14 Spoonbills, Cattle Egret, Turtledove, Frampton Marsh Garganey, 2 Turnstones, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Caspian Gull, Middlemarsh Wetlands, Skegness 2 Pomarine Skuas past, 2 Little Gulls, 6 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Pied Flycatchers, Gibraltar Point Pied Flycatcher, Anderby Point 3 Curlew Sandpipers, Manby Flashes east of Louth 9th September Pomarine Skua past, 2 Puffins flew past, Little Stint, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Pied Flycatchers, 3 Spotted Redshanks on Croft Marsh, Gibraltar Point 20+ Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 5 Spotted Redshanks, Garganey, 4 Spoonbills, 2 Ruddy Shelducks, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh Bittern, Boultham Mere, west of Lincoln Little Stint, 10 Spoonbills, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point Scaup drk, as Little Gull, Freiston Shore 10th September Garganey, Marston Sewage Works 2 Ruddy Shelducks, 11 Spoonbills, 10 Curlew Sandpipers, Little Stint, Great White Egret, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Turtle Doves, Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 11 Spoonbills, Little Stint, 2 Great White Egrets, 8 Spotted Redshanks, Black-throated Diver, 2 Pied Flycatchers, Gibraltar Point Dotterel juv with Golden Plovers, Donna Nook 11th September Cattle Egret near prison, Freiston Shore Garganey, Marston Sewage Works 9 Spoonbills, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 4 Whinchats, Gibraltar Point Possible Red-necked Stint or Little Stint, 4 Spoonbills, Great White Egret, Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Little Stints, 2 Turtle Dove, 2 Ruddy Shelducks Whinchat, Frampton Marsh ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Slug News from Chris du Feu. [There are still some places on his course on October 26th.] LINCOLN Lincoln Garden, Saxilby Road. Chris du Feu Garden Snail, Cornu aspersum, abundant Large Red Slug, Arion rufus, very large adult Arion ater agg, three more slugs of this group, very varied appearance, species unclear but eventual dissection may reveal it. Budapest Slug, Tandonia budapestensis, abundant, unfortunately. Iberian Three-band Slug, Ambigolimax valentianus, a few. Tramp Slug, Deroceras invadens, a few specimens, all fairly recent hatchlings. ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Haynes 8 September 2019 Road kill Dead fox A16 WAITHE - NR GRIMSBY Peter Crick 08-09-2019 Roadkill Very Large Badger by side of road *** 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 5-6/9/2019 Hedgehog active [feeding] at approx 22.00 and 2.30hrs. [Trailcam] Weasel ad crossing B1102 Wragby Road East at 12 noon TF126710 8-9/09/2019 Hedgehog feeding visits at 22.30, 00.00 and 03.30hrs. [Trailcam] 9-10/09/2019 Hedgehog visits at 21.10, 01.36-01.57 and 03.53hrs [Trailcam] 10-11/-9/2019 Hedgehog visits at 21.18, 02.57. 03.22 and 4.05hrs. [Trailcam] Hedgehog visits at 0.20, 02.41 and 04.30 on 12/9/2019 BARDNEY - SCOTGRAVE WOOD R and A Parsons 8/9/2019 Deer calling - Roe? TF130702 Common lizard (Lacerta vivipara) - 10+ juvs basking on piece of plywood European hornet (Vespa crabro) Butterflies: Red Admiral 6+, Comma 6+, Small Tortoiseshell 1, Speckled Wood 6+ Large White 2, Small White 6+, Common Blue 2. Many dragonflies, mainly darters. BAUMBER - Walled Garden TF208754 R Parsons 5/9/2019 12+ Painted Lady butterflies Many - 25+ Small Tortoiseshells 12/9/2019 1Comma 12 Small Tortoiseshell BOSTON 06/09/2019 Kathleen Pearson A very late Swift was flying over the garden today. CHAMBERS FARM WOODS R and A Parsons 6/9/2019 TF160742 Many Speckled Wood butterflies - say 20+ and one tattered Painted Lady. Noon approx. COLSTERWORTH SK933239 28th August - 4th September 2019 Jane Ostler A number of gardens, in what is now an estate, have provided invertebrate records in the last week As elsewhere the numbers of Red Admiral Butterflies and Painted Ladies has bee higher than in recent years. Small Tortoiseshells were later and first reported on 28th August. Whites are not as frequent here as in gardens with vegetables. Some Holly Blues but no Common Blues seen. Gatekeepers and Ringlets only in ones and twos. Photos of moths were of adult Elephant Hawk Moth (very tattered), Silver Y and Mint. Also caterpillars of Cinnabar and Privet Hawk Moth. A description fitted an adult of Humming Bird Hawk Moth. A pond dug only last year has had Southern Hawkers visiting and laying eggs on emergent vegetation . A Common Darter was seen resting in another garden with no pond. Brown Hawker Dragonflies seen on several occasions along boundary hedge with trees. HOLYWELL LAKE WeBS Holywell Lake 10th September 2019 12.35 -13.25 Ian Misselbrook Little Grebes 14 Little Egrets 2 Black Swan 1 Greylag Geese 59 Canada Geese 5 Mallard 48 Gadwall 5 Teal 3 Tufted Duck 5 Coot 2 Moorhen 16 Kingfisher 1 Chiffchaffs 3 Raven 1 Swallows 8 House Martins 4 Pied Wagtails 4 Carrion Crow Jackdaw Nuthatch 1 Buzzard 1 Wood Pigeons Robin Dunnock Blue Tit Goldfinch Wren Chaffinch Stanton's Pit 1340 2 Gadwall 1 Hobby 1 Sparrowhawk TF511762 (my garden) HUTTOFT Jane Pennington 7/9/2019 Ladybirds 2 x 7-spots Pheasant 1 Red admiral 1 on ivy 8/9/2019 Common darter 1 Migrant hawkers 3 in flight and 1 landing to pose for a photo Wren 1 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 28/08/19 Kestrel, rung by Paul Snow from pole nest box at Thurnholmes (brood of 6) on 30/05/14, found dead SK7599 (Westwoodside) on 28/08/19. This is 4km from the brood site. 01/09/19 Green-veined white x 2 Painted Lady x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Small White x 5 02/09/19 Blackbird x 3 Goldfinch x 2 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:15hrs Tree Sparrow x 15 Green-veined White x 2 Painted Lady x 1 Red Admiral x 1 with the above butterflies nectaring on a twenty metre square patch of birds foot Trefoil that has self seeded (birds?) in our paddock. 06/09/19 Golden Plover x 6 flying around fields next to Thurnholmes Hedgehog x 1 08/09/19 Green-veined white x 2 Painted Lady x 1 Red Admiral x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 2 Lesser Yellow Underwing x 1 09/09/19 Blackbird x 1 Blue Tit x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Dunnock x 2 Goldfinch x 4 Little Owl x 1 (seen or heard morning and night most days) Stock Dove x 2 Swallow x 2 Tawny Owl x 2 calling 01:05hrs Tree Sparrow x 21 Wood Pigeon x 5 10/09/19 Blackbird x 1 Dunnock x 1 Magpie x 2 Red-legged Partridge x 1 Robin x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 Peacock x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Lesser Yellow Underwing x 1 Meadow Grasshopper x 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: reports always welcome. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/far-ings https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/gibraltar-point ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 4th - 10th September 2019 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Rainfall - with the continued low rainfall, water levels continue to fall with most of the NNR ditches dry and most ponds with low water becoming overgrown. There has been only 4.2mm recorded at Sea View this month so far. Before that the only appreciable amount of rain fell on 16th August with 10.5mm and then only a few showers totalling 6.2mm until 31st August. Dragonflies - dozens of common and ruddy darters, 10’s of migrant hawkers and a few southern hawkers. Butterflies - numbers have fallen by c 85% over recent days. Migrant birds - a few skeins of pink footed geese over NNR plus 2 spotted flycatcher, 3 whinchat, 5 wheatear, 4 goldcrest and 1 redstart. Many waders, terns, gulls and skuas on passage over the weekend in northerly winds. 070919 - Single marsh harrier hunting over saltmarsh, 2 greenshank flying over and 7 little egrets on the saltmarsh. Female blackcap and goldcrest at Sea View. 080919 - Two marsh harriers over saltmarsh and two skeins of pink-footed geese 38 and 41 flying south over dunes mid-afternoon. Mid-day sunshine and warmth encouraged red admirals and small tortoiseshells to be on the wing plus one speckled wood and comma at Sea View. 090919 - One spotted flycatcher 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 Gemma Watkinson adds: "Dormouse can only be disturbed and handled by those that are licenced by Natural England. The group always welcomes visitors to join us when we carry out box check surveys to continue to monitor the dormouse population. We have box checks scheduled for the following dates. Saturday 21st September Sunday 20th October Anyone interested should email lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood, Little and Great Scrubbs Woods, Minting Wood, Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park, and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow (and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Rand Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland, which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and non-designated areas. Since managing the SSSI areas carries particular responsibilities to Natural England, records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS. Examples: SNIPE DALES https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/snipe-dales WHISBY https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/whisby WILLOW TREE FEN https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/willow-tree-fen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports always welcome... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually goes out on Thursdays or Fridays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** http://lnu.org/ LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given on the website. A list of all the articles contained in Transactions (Transactions page) and a list of the Presidents (Officers page) is also available. LNU Bursaries: The LNU offers bursaries for natural history courses. The upper limit is £250. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk *** Love Lincs Plants - Updates from the Partnership *** To view the LWT project page go to: LoveLincsPlants Webpage: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants Love Lincs Plants Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Natural History Museum Twitter feed https://twitter.com/nhm_botany?lang=en Sir Joseph Banks Society http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/news-events/lincolnshire-plants-project/ Lincoln University School of Life Sciences blog https://lifesciences.sites.lincoln.ac.uk/2016/09/30/heritage-lottery-funding-to-safeguard-lincolnshire-plants/ Also see: *** Collections Dataset - LNU "historic specimens" *** Chris Manning writes: Project Officer Kath Castillo at NHM has improved the accessibility of the LNU historic specimens; creating a collections ‘dataset’ on the NHM Data Portal. All of of the specimens that have been processed and digitised to date can now be viewed here: http://data.nhm.ac.uk/dataset/lincs-plants The digital herbarium sheet image data for the LNU historic specimens, plus associated images i.e. the newspaper packets, together with images for the contemporary Lincs specimens will all be pulled into the dataset as and when these are integrated into the museum’s EMu collections management system. It’s a fantastic online resource so please take the time to have a look through it. If you have any questions on this please get in touch with Kath at k.castillo@nhm.ac.uk or Fred Rumsey at f.rumsey@nhm.ac.uk *** The Flora of Lincolnshire by Joan Gibbons - downloadable book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-flora-of-lincolnshire-e-joan-gibbons.pdf *** VC54 North Lincolnshire Plant List *** Editor adds: Paul Kirby has produced a list which details all the vascular plant and stonewort taxa with records on the MapMate botanical database for VC54, North Lincolnshire, at the end of January 2017. You can download this on: https://lnu.org/specialists/vascular-plants/ *** Botanical Group in South Lincs *** Contact: Sarah Lambert, who writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Also see: http://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 *** CONTACTS LIST *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** Lincs Bird Club Website *** http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk LBC County Bird Recorder Phil Hyde - County Recorder, Lincs Bird Club recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk Contact 01507 528223 enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Bat Group website *** http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/lincolnshire-chalk-streams *** Lincsbirders *** http://www.lincsbirders.org/ FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE: 07768-501895 PAGER: 07654-330877 Related Webpages: Rural Crime News https://www.lincs.police.uk/news-campaigns/news/2019/rural-crime-news/ Drug crime mapped: Gangs operating away from home cities https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48343369 STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Check for road works and hold-ups: *** https://roadworks.org/ *** EasyTide *** http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service *** http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx *** Lyme Disease *** https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. When asking for help: Please give the the very best information you can provide. If you are not sure, ask what is needed from you to confirm identification. Photographs are helpful but not every species can be identified from a photograph. When asked for further details, get back to them promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcome. *** Botany *** Botanical Group in South Lincs Contact: Sarah Lambert, who writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Also see: http://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 *** British Bryological Society *** http://www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk/ *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/ http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species *** How to Identify Bees *** http://www.bwars.com/ http://bumblebeeconservation.org/ LNU Sawflies, Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder Dr. David Sheppard Willing to examine specimens or check photos (bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** Lincolnshire Mammals *** Chris Manning, Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. Mammal Atlas You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. https://glnp.org.uk/admin/resources/mammalatlas.pdf *** 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 *** Hedgehog Links *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ http://caddingtonhedgehogs.blogspot.com/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Lincolnshire Environmental Awards www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk *** Field Studies Council *** Bringing Environmental Understanding to All https://www.field-studies-council.org/ *** InsideEcology *** Online Magazine for Ecologists, Conservationists and Wildlife Professionals https://insideecology.com/ *** NHBS *** Should you need natural history equipment or books, a good place to start is: https://www.nhbs.com/ *** Life on the Verge and Wildflower Meadow Network Project *** http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ For the geologists... Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 *** British geology maps - now free to explore on web *** http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ *** UKGE - Geological Supplies *** https://www.ukge.com/ The Geology of Lincolnshire - downloadable book https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-geology-of-lincolnshire-h-h-swinnerton-and-p-e-kent.pdf A Building Stone Atlas of Lincolnshire - British Geological Survey pdf https://www.bgs.ac.uk/downloads/start.cfm?id=2885 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in a few cases may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. *** Codes of Conduct *** For good advice for ALL nature-watchers see the RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ and BTO's pdf: https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u10/downloads/taking-part/health/bwc.pdf Code of Conduct for Responsible Collecting of Fungi for Research and Educational Purposes https://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/mycology/conservation/code-conduct BSBI Code of conduct for picking, collecting, photographing and enjoying wild plants. https://bsbi.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/Code-of-Conduct-v5-final.pdf [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see https://lnu.org/meetings/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Our indoor meetings are normally held in Lincoln at the Whisby Education Centre at Whisby Nature Park. Indoor meetings start at 2pm, with both members and non- members welcome to attend. There is an annual recorders’ meeting, where we review the wildlife highlights of the previous year and to leaven the Annual General Meeting the honorary president gives a presentation on his or her particular interest in wildlife and this is reproduced in full in ‘The Lincolnshire Naturalist‘. This too starts at 2pm but attendees gather from noon to socialise. Next Meetings: https://lnu.org/meetings/ Boston Cemetery – Sunday 8th September 2019 Moor Farm LWT Reserve and SSSI – Sunday 13th October 2019 Whisby Natural History Workshops In partnership with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union. At Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln, in the Lafarge Education Building from 12.00 pm until 4.00 pm. Free of charge. Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com Find out more about the various subjects from our local experts. Places are limited due to the number of microscopes available. Leafminer Moths - October 5th - Colin Smith Slugs - October 26th - Chris de Feu Fungi - November 2nd - Ray Halstead ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** Mail fails: None this week. If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, please let me know. Text copies of current and past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Reminder: Please check and make sure that your account on Mailchimp does have your GDPR email consent box ticked and that your name/details are as you want them to be. If in any doubt, this is what you do: 1. Scroll to the end of any Bulletin and click on "update subscription preferences". 2. Look at the "Marketing permissions" section. Your email box should have a tick. 3. If is doesn't, please give it a tick. Then please click on "Update Profile". That's it. If there are difficulties when doing this, send an email to old.museum@yahoo.co.uk If ever you decide you don't want to receive the Bulletin any longer there is an easy- to-use "Unsubscribe" link to click at the end of every Bulletin. You can sign up again if you miss us. ....and finally.... Loch Ness Monster may be a giant eel, say scientists https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-49495145 Radar study into wind farm impact on sea birds off Aberdeen coast https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-49594699 Butterflywatch: where have the small tortoiseshells gone? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/aug/30/butterflywatch-where-have-the-small-tortoiseshells-gone   Spiders are threatened by climate change – and even the biggest arachnophobes should be worried https://theconversation.com/spiders-are-threatened-by-climate-change-and-even-the-biggest-arachnophobes-should-be-worried-122666 Barn owl visiting the Rutland osprey nest 24 August 2019 https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=46&v=vd_qlJkfSBY ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/