============================================= || || 18th 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... *** Mark Kermode reviewed the documentary "Honeyland" on the BBC his week. For anyone with an interest in honeyhunting and beekeeping or Macedonia it sounds a "must see". Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B27ORUHlp6E Mark Kermode's Review: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0008fkx Len Pick Barn Owl camera - the story continues... hatching is underway! 6 chicks on 17th. http://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 I had a note from the Quekett Microscopical Club about their Annual Exhibition on Saturday 5th October at the Natural History Museum, enclosing an invitation. If you would be interested in seeing a flyer, please ask and I will send you one. 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 readers in mind!' Woodhall Spa mustard gas trio plead guilty https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-49681845 Big Butterfly Count: Fine weather boosts species in UK https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49685108 Wasps: If you can't love them, at least admire them https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49692974 Defra to review release of game birds after legal threat https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/12/defra-review-release-game-birds-legal-threat Decline of migrating birds could be partly due to pesticides https://www.newscientist.com/article/2216318-decline-of-migrating-birds-could-be-partly-due-to-pesticides/ More links in "...and finally..." Please be a contributor as well as a reader and help keep the Bulletin 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. Thank you to all who sent in a contribution this week. Good to hear from you. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** LNU Events Diary *** LNU events are also 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 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 *** 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. Update on the Whisby workshops. Two places left on Leafminer Moths but Fungi now fully booked up. Spaces still available on "Slugs". Leafminer Moths - October 5th - Colin Smith Slugs - October 26th - Chris de Feu Fungi - November 2nd - Ray Halstead *** 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 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 *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ Keith Scarrott writes: The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society Following our AGM we have Dr Chris Skinner from Hull University to give us his illustrated talk about the impact of "Micro-plastics" on Monday, 14th October. This is a great opportunity to learn about this major pollutant that threatens life forms all over the Earth. Don't miss it. As always we start at 7.15pm and meet in the St. Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. Light refreshments are available for a small charge during the mid-talk break. ALL ARE WELCOME. There is a large, free car park in the church grounds. For further details please contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** 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 first meeting of the season 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. *** 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/ Note: 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 12th September Garganey, Marston Sewage Works 2 Cattle Egrets, Great White Egret, 2 Ruddy Shelducks, 2 Little Stints, 2 juv Curlew Sandpipers, 11 Spoonbills, 2 Willow Emerald Damselflies Little Stint, 9 Spoonbills, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point 13th September Great White Egret, Freiston Shore 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Wood Sandpiper, 2 Short-eared Owls, Little Stint, 2 Cattle Egrets, 14 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh Sooty Shearwater north past, 2 Great White Egrets, 10 Spoonbills, Little Stint, Black Tern on beach, Gibraltar Point Garganey, Waters' Edge, Barton-upon-Humber 14th September Garganey, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Garganey, Marston sewage works 3 Wood Sandpipers, 3 Short-eared Owls over saltmarsh, 9 Spoonbills, 9 Spotted Redshanks, Cattle Egret, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh Lapland Bunting over Mill Hill, 10 Spoonbills, 8 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point 15th September Osprey, west of Crowland Bridge, Crowland 6 Spoonbills, 19 Spotted Redshanks, Temminck's Stint, Little Stint, Alkborough Flats Black-necked Grebe, Boultham Mere, Lincoln 2 Spoonbills, East Halton Skitter Short-eared Owl, 3 Great White Egrets, Curlew Sandpiper, 12 Spoonbills, 2 Ruddy Shelducks, Wood Sandpiper, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh Curlew Sandpiper, 13 Spoonbills, 7 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Fieldfares, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, Garganey, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 16th September Leach's Petrel flew north past, 2 Pomarine Skuas, 2 Sooty Shearwaters, Black-throated Diver, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, 11 Spoonbills, Pied Flycatcher, Garganey, Gibraltar Point 2 Garganey, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Black-necked Grebe, Wader Pit, Baston/Langtoft Fen Little Stint Juv, Covenham Reservoir Great White Egret on lagoon, Freiston Shore Black-necked Grebe, Boultham Mere, Baston 17th September Balearic Shearwater flew past Gibraltar Point Curlew Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, 12 Spoonbills, Short- eared Owl, Frampton Marsh Little Stint juv, Covenham Reservoir Black-necked Grebe, Boultham Mere, Lincoln 5 Spoonbills, Sabine's Gull flew north past, juv Long-tailed Skua, 3 Pomarine Skuas, 3 Lapland Buntings, Snow Bunting over, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point 18th September Black-necked Grebe, Boultham Mere, Lincoln 11 Whooper Swans, Alkborough Flats Pectoral Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 2 Common Cranes, Alkborough Flats, then flew west Continental Coal Tit (nominate form ater), Freiston Shore 19th September ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Painted Ladies Alice Nunn writes: In connection with the invasion of Painted Ladies I was performing a wedding at Winterton All Saints on 3 Aug and was delighted to observe that the guests ' confetti was brilliantly upstaged by what looked like maybe a hundred or so Painted Ladies flying around, having been nectaring on the buddleia bushes near the entrance. Messingham Sand Quarry Saturday 7th Sept. Despite on off sunshine there were quite a lot of dragonflies about, Common Darter, Migrant Hawker, a few Brown Hawkers and one or two Emperors & maybe one or two other varieties. Noted interesting behaviour at the "heath" part of reserve. This was seen from a distance so it wasn't easy to positively ID each dragonfly. Noticed some large Hawkers hawking about but every time there was a breeze large amounts of seed material blew up from the Rosebay Willow herb and suddenly more Hawkers appeared and flew into the snowstorm. Presumably the chaff contained insects. It looked like a feeding frenzy to me. When the breeze subsided it was back to around half a dozen hawking as before until it happened again. I've never noticed this before. 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 1-2 bats seen most nights this week. Hedgehog trail camera sightings 13/14th September 2019 21.30, 23.49 and 0021 hrs. 14/15th with trailcam on gate to the garden with "hedgehog-sized hole" 03.34 [out], 04.10 [in] - suggest an alternative point of entry/exit. Bardney Lock 14/9/2019 10am approx 2v Buzzards flying low and calling Kingfisher caught a fish Heron, Moorhen. BARDNEY Bardney Garden Grid ref TF 117 701 Mary and Phil Porter Wb 15th September 2019 16/9/19 Hummingbird hawk moth around the last flowers on the evergreen honeysuckle. Many little family flocks of blue tits and great tits, along with house sparrows, especially having a “wash n brush-up” in the bird baths and pond. Also little flocks of long tailed tits and goldfinches Greenfinches and chaffinches in quite good numbers. Chiffchaff calling. Three buzzards high up overhead Tawny owl calling at night. Red admirals still in good numbers, especially alongside many bees, flies and wasps on the ivy flowers, and on fallen apples. First Coal Tit of the autumn. BOSTON 15/09/2019 Kathleen Pearson A male Blackcap was in the garden this morning. CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK909581 Jeremy Hutchinson 1/9/2019 Dock Shieldbug (Coreus marginatus) on Raspberries Several very large larvae of Buff Tip Moth (Phalera bucephala) on Hazel Carlton le Moorland SK909581 Jeremy Hutchinson 10/9/2019 13.00 Female Hobby circling upwind of village (unusually only the third sighting here this year). Carlton le Moorland SK909581 Jeremy Hutchinson 13/9/2019 Pair of Chiffchaffs in garden, occasional snatch of song. Pair of Tawny Owls hooting (both male) at noon. FISKERTON FEN TF 085 720 https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/fiskerton-fen 14/9/2019 M & P Porter Great White Egret on lake. GRIMSTHORPE ESTATE Jane and Brian Ostler 13.9.19 Old Walled Gardens TF048245 These gardens, after being neglected for several years, are being restored. The main border was full of seeding plants but also there were many daisy-like cultivars like Rudbeckiea and Aster in flower. However the only butterflies were Whites (5) and Red Admirals (7). By contrast the herbaceous border alongside the castle (TF044227) had Small Tortoiseshells (20), Red Admirals(24) and Peacock (2). A favourite flower was Verbena. There were hundreds of honey bees on the Sedums and a single Buff- tailed Bumble Bee Queen. In both areas there were Common Darter Dragonflies. The old orchard trees in the walled garden were laden with mistletoe. The gravel path had miniature plants in flower of Solanum nigrum, Black Bindweed. Caper Spurge was naturalised in the Car Park area. Amongst the ancient trees approaching the walled garden is a Japanese Red Cedar , with two low outgrowths, resembling elephant tusks. The Indian Bean Tree is without fruits and a Walnut has Blister Galls. HUTTOFT TF511762 (my garden) Jane Pennington 9/9/2019 Pheasant 1 - back to roosting in the apple trees Wren 1 11/9/2019 Bats 2 - 8pm Common darters 2 12/9/2019 Bats 2 - 7.45pm Grass snake 1 - caught napping on a patch of sunshine outside my shed but soon disappeared when I appeared 13/9/2019 Dragonflies 2 - too high to identify Painted lady 2 Red admirals 5 - on ivy 14/9/2019 Migrant hawker 1 16/9/2019 Comma 1 on ivy 17/9/2019 Common darters 2 METHERINGHAM AIRFIELD TF105 617 15th September 2019 Steve Green Roe Deer, male and female pair WOOLSTHORPE BY BELVOIR - SK842353 Bill Ball 14/09/19 Many 10's Migrant Hawker, Grantham Canal ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 11th - 17th September 2019 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 110919 - Single goldcrest and blackcap at Sea View. Mixed flock of long-tailed tits, blue tits and great tits plus at least 2 each of willow warbler, blackcap and lesser whitethroat on the edge of Paradise wood. 120919 - Skein of 17 pink-footed geese over dunes near Sea View and in nearby scrub single whinchat with reed bunting, common and lesser whitethroat and greenfinch. On Paradise lagoon 356 black-headed gulls, 9 common gulls, 3 common snipe and 5 redshank. 130919 - On Paradise lagoon 5 greenshank, 2 lapwing, 2 oystercatchers with black-headed gulls; 3 ruff on adjacent bank of the Eau and 2 wheatear plus 2 stonechats nearby. 140919 - Single coal tit at Sea View plus hummingbird hawk moth on the wing late afternoon. On Rimac lagoon 114 pink-footed geese flew off at dawn and several groups of Canada geese flew off from various roosting areas on the edge of the saltmarsh and Saltfleet Haven area totalling 588 birds, plus 15 greylags. 150919 - Single stonechat at Sea View, kingfisher along Eau near Paradise. 160919 - Three stonechat and 5 chiffchaff near Paradise wood. A few migrant passerines seen in the dunes. 170919 - A possible immature tufted duck x scaup hybrid was on the Great Eau near Paradise and the lagoon continues to attract black-headed gulls (100+) and a few common gulls as they preen before dispersing inland. 5 greenshank present with 8 redshank and 12 teal. During mid-day 343 pink-feet were at rest before being spooked by corvids at Elm House Farm. Swallows gathering on the wires at Sea View. 14-150919 - Butterflies seen around Churchill Lane: red admiral, painted lady, speckled wood, small copper, common and holly blue, small and large white, comma. Migrant hawker dragonflies still abundant. Several skeins of pink-footed geese, barn owl, tawny owl and little owl calling and pipistrelle bats seen flying in the Churchill Lane area. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Check for road works and hold-ups: very useful *** 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: Moor Farm LWT Reserve and SSSI – Sunday 13th October 2019 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2019-10-13/ Indoor meetings: https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ 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.... Wild wheat genetics offer climate hope for food crops https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49728101 Comedy Wildlife Photography Award Finalists 2019 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-49690173 If penguins could fly - stunning photos https://www.bbcearth.com/blog/ Country diary: ivy's weird flowers exert a magnetic attraction on insects https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/17/country-diary-ivys-weird-flowers-exert-a-magnetic-attraction-on-insects#comment-133241233 Country diary: wall brown butterflies in a fight for survival https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/18/country-diary-wall-brown-butterflies-in-a-fight-for-survival-stanhope#comment-1332607 Ghost crabs use teeth in stomachs to 'growl' at predators https://www.theguardian.com/science/2019/sep/11/ghost-crabs-use-teeth-in-stomachs-to-growl-at-predators Climate change: Electrical industry's 'dirty secret' boosts warming https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-49567197 Why are countries failing on their promise to stop deforestation? https://www.newscientist.com/article/2216277-why-are-countries-failing-on-their-promise-to-stop-deforestation/ ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/