============================================= || || 5th August 2020 || || 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 http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Information, hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor writes... *** I hope you find the reports and clickable articles and news links are of interest. We have a heads-up for more hot weather again towards next weekend, perhaps with thunderstorms, with the following week being somewhat cooler and wetter. https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ August brings the Perseid meteor shower which can be impressive. Sadly it peaks on the afternoon of 12th August. Paul Money recommends viewing before midnight on 13th before the Moon rises to spoil the show. Jupiter and Saturn will be showing well. On the subject of oak trees: we have 4 oak tree seedlings, largest is about 1ft high, grown from acorns which almost certainly came from Scotgrave Wood in Bardney. If anyone has a suitable place to plant them they are looking for a home. Please let me know of any interesting local "re-openings" other readers might like to know about. Wildlife organisations wishing to publicise changes are welcome to get in touch with updates for the Bulletin. Always glad to help. When eventually decided, we will announce any resumption of LNU events through the Bulletin, LNU meetings webpages and the LNU Twitter feed. Please keep checking. Things could change for better or worse as the pandemic evolves so remain alert and keep up appropriate measures to reduce your risks. RSPB Returning to reserves: Frampton Marsh & Freiston Shore are listed as Open. https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/coronavirus/reserve-reboot/ Virtual Birdfair 2020 goes live... https://birdfair.org.uk/ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19 includes details of LWT reserves which are now open and the related advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus Events and activities for Love Lincs Plants remain suspended until further notice. The Forestry Commission says: Please read our guide to visiting the forest in the summer of 2020. https://www.forestryengland.uk/news/covid-19-stay-home-please-do-not-visit-the-nations-forests Forestry work is underway at Chambers Farm Wood.. The car park is open. A selection of [hopefully] interesting and entertaining links sent in by readers. More links at the end of every Bulletin. Please have a look and a click. Celebration of UK's hen harriers - 8th August https://theecologist.org/2020/jul/31/celebration-uks-hen-harriers James Lovelock: Gaia theory creator on coronavirus and turning 101- watch https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-53644147 Rural crime in England reaches eight-year high of £46m - Lincolnshire... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-53648668 How damaged ecosystems increase the threat of zoonotic disease outbreaks https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist-features/158-biologist/features/2404-there-were-at-least-three-papers-in-2019-that-said-coronaviruses-might-be-a-real-problem-in-south-china-3 Covid-19: Infectious coronaviruses 'circulating in bats for decades' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-53584936 Invasive plants in the UK, and the bioagents used to control them https://www.discoverwildlife.com/plant-facts/invasive-non-native-plants-bioagents-control/ Extinction: Quarter of UK mammals 'under threat' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-53585627 Loss of bees causes shortage of key food crops, study finds https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/29/bees-food-crops-shortage-study Many thanks for the contributions and sightings this week. All very much appreciated. Please stay safe. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - this is my best address for emails please. *** HEDGEHOGS - your reports please... *** Road kills, garden signs, sounds or sightings? Between us we should be able to gather many reports across the county. Please send something in to the Bulletin. Useful links: https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ http://caddingtonhedgehogs.blogspot.com/ *** BATS – please keep your reports coming *** A big thank you to those of you have been sending your bat sightings in. Could I persuade some other contributors to go into your gardens and see if there are any bats around, from about 15 mins after sunset for half an hour. I’m more than happy to take records from all summer, but negative reports are at least as important as positive ones – I’ve had a few ‘Where are my bats?’ enquiries this year already. Annette Faulkner *** LNU Events Diary *** Website says: "All field meetings during 2020 are cancelled." We will update you if/as situation changes, including LNU Workshops and Drop-in sessions and Indoor Meetings. For details of all LNU meetings and workshops, see: https://lnu.org/meetings/ Field Meetings 2020: Website says: "All field meetings during 2020 are cancelled." https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/ *** RSPB Grimsby Local Group's Meetings and Trips *** It is with much regret, but not a lot of surprise, that I have learned this week from the RSPB that all the Local Group's Meetings and Trips must be suspended until 31st December. There will be a review before the end of the year when, hopefully, we will learn when activities can resume. There will be further announcements like this one nearer the time. Best wishes - Stay Safe Martin Francis STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** NHS About Coronavirus [COVID-19] *** https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 *** Check for road works and hold-ups *** https://roadworks.org/ *** Met Office Severe Warnings *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings *** Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service - sign up for your area *** http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** EasyTide *** http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline - are you at risk? *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx *** Lyme Disease *** https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/ *** August Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Meteor Shower Guide 2020 - Delta Aquariids AND The Perseid meteor shower https://www.rmg.co.uk/discover/explore/space-stargazing/meteors-comets-asteroids/Perseid-meteor-shower https://www.rmg.co.uk/discover/explore/how-to-see-meteor-showers-key-dates Stargazing with binoculars: a beginner's guide - skyatnightmagazine https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/skills/stargazing-with-binoculars-a-guide/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] Spoonbills in Lincolnshire 28/7 Curlew Sandpiper on marsh by sea wall, Frampton Marsh 7 Spoonbills, Alkborough flats Turnstone, Baston+Langtoft pits Turnstone, East Pit, Deeping Lakes 29/7 2 Wood Warblers, 1 in East Dunes then Plantation; 1 north of West Dunes, Gibraltar Point Wood Sandpiper, Freiston Shore 3 Curlew Sandpipers, Little Stint, 20 Spoonbills, Frampton March 30/7 15 Spoonbills, 2 Arctic Terns, Gibraltar Point 8+ Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh 1/8 21 Spoonbills, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, Wood Sandpiper, juv Black-necked Grebe, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 1 Spoonbill, Freiston Shore 2 Wood Sandpipers, Paradise Pool, south of Saltfleet Haven 2/8 2 Wood Sandpipers, Paradise Pool, south of Saltfleet Haven 21 Spoonbills, 3 Curlew Sandpipers all ads by sea wall, Frampton Marsh 2 Common Crane, Willow Tree Fen WSE of Spalding 3/8 19 Spoonbills, hybrid Blue-headed x Yellow Wagtail, Spotted Redshank Frampton Marsh Spotted Redshank, Short-eared Owl, Tetney Marshes Great White Egret, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Wood Sandpiper, 20 Spoonbills, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh 4/8 9 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 19 Spoonbills, 9 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Caspian Gull juv, 2 Spoonbills, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Wood Warbler, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret east of Scallow Grove Farm, Messingham Sand Quarry 5/8 White Stork flew over Long Sutton at 12.15pm. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work and drop-in sessions at the Queen in the West pub! http://www.bbc.co.uk/lincolnshire/content/articles/2005/08/30/nature_sightings_feature.shtml Jerry Gunner's walkabouts... Thursday July, 30 2020, Carr Dyke alongside Potterhanworth Woods. Very little in the way of birdlife, longtail, blue and great tits in profusion, two greater spotted woodpeckers drumming, green woodpeckers yaffling and many wrens singing. Interestingly robins seem to be singing what I think of as their winter song already. The most unusual sighting was scores of lesser tortoiseshell butterfly pupae on young stinging nettles. There were lots of caterpillars of course which is how I identified the species and it’s possible that the pupae, light brown in colour, belong to some other species though I doubt it. On the way home swifts were still evident in Potterhanworth and Nocton. Monday August 1, 2020 Nocton. At half past five this morning I let the dogs out as usual and while the kettle boiled I got the feed for the chickens prior to letting them out. I went out into the garden a minute later and there was a female mallard that was showing acute distress appearing to have lost the power of flight. Before I could react the duck hobbled and flapped quickly towards me, pursued by a cocker spaniel before miraculously recovering, springing into the air and zooming upwards leaving the confused dog in her wake. My immediate reaction was to get both dogs indoors so the mother could return and lead her ducklings, which I guessed would be nearby, to safety. Before I could do this two dark brown quarter-size ducks broke cover and ran towards the house. The spaniel had gone off somewhere else in the garden so I thought I could simply put the dogs in and job done. That did not take the suicidal tendencies of the birds into account. In seconds the pair had gone into the utility room through the open back door. By now both dogs were ready to come in for breakfast, in the utility room so there were a few tense moments as I ushered them into the kitchen and shut the door. Interestingly the ducks had stopped making the blood curdling calls they had been uttering at the top of their voices and gone quiet so neither dog seemed to realise we had uninvited guests. This silence made it hard to find the little beggars but eventually both were caught and released into the front garden where mum was waiting with two more of her offspring. Phew! All this and it wasn’t even six o’clock and my tea was cold. Bird Club - latest sightings: https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/sightings/latest-news Have you noticed a Flying Ant Day yet? Please tell us if you do. https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/when-why-winged-ants-swarm-nuptial-flight.html Estimating the age of that oak tree... http://www.wbrc.org.uk/atp/Estimating%20Age%20of%20Oaks%20-%20Woodland%20Trust.pdf BTO tracked cuckoos have set off south. When I last checked Valentine had crossed North Africa as far as Mali. Follow their progress on this link: https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/cuckoo-tracking-project How to connect with nature using technology https://www.countryfile.com/how-to/outdoor-skills/how-technology-can-bring-us-closer-to-nature-best-apps-blogs-and-kit/ ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Hedgehogs? Badgers? Reports welcome. *** 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/ Chris Manning writes: Please remember to use grid refs, If a recorder doesn't, it not only adds work but must invariably loose accuracy DON'T FORGET - TIME FLIES! Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. Include the time too if relevant - e.g. for Bat records. *** 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. BARDNEY - The Green TF120694 R & A Parsons 29/7/2020 Familiar pattern: Bats: Single probable Noctule signal @ 22kHz at 21.15 hrs. Bat, probable Pipistrelle, echolocating at 55kHz hunting through garden from 21.30hrs to 22.00hrs. Hedgehog on trailcam: 23.06hrs to 00.16hrs on 30/7/2020 02/8/2020 Bat, probable Pipistrelle, echolocating at 55kHz hunting through garden from 21.13hrs to 21.30hrs. Hedgehog adult feeding, 23.53hrs to 02.08hrs on 03/8/2020 BOSTON TF309439 [address available] Mike Skinner 30/7/2020 Hedgehogs Last night had three hogs feeding happily on our lawn at Arundel Crescent. However our neighbour was walking her dogs this evening on Rosebery Avenue playing fields when she came across 2 dead adult hogs without apparent injury and then when she came home her daughter had found a baby hog in poor condition which she then took to hedgehog hospital at Old Leake. It was de-hydrated covered in fleas and ticks and very unlikely to survive. It will be interesting to see if we get three feeding again tonight. Mike adds on 31st: Last night we had 2 pairs of hedgehogs feeding at separate times and one single one however whether we can count that as five or did a couple come back for seconds?? What is important is that they have plenty of water to drink and they use our dishes regularly. BOSTON (Garden by A16) July 2020 Kathleen Pearson In July, I was able to count on all 31 days for the BTO Garden BirdWatch. A total of 24 species was recorded. Of special interest were 4 Carrion Crows when adults brought young into the garden to feed them on several occasions. The highest number of any one species was a charm of 9 Goldfinches, followed by 8 House Sparrows. Whilst up to 6 Greenfinches were seen once, numbers fell rapidly towards the end of the month as many died and I spent much time emptying the feeders, washing them and spraying them with specialist anti-bacterial spray on several occasions. It was noted that Wrens were infrequently seen and only singles were recorded on 2 days. Long-tailed Tits were uncommon in July with never more than 2 seen, though double that were seen on the first day of August when young visited. July was an excellent month for butterflies with 11 species recorded. The presence of 3 squirrels was the highest number ever seen in the garden. Of disappointment was the recording of only one frog on a single occasion. Birds:- Woodpigeon 4, Great Tit 3, Blackbird 4, Greenfinch 6, Blue Tit 2, House Sparrow 8, Robin 4, Wren 2, Collared Dove 3, Jay 1, Carrion Crow 4, Herring Gull 5, Dunnock 3, Black- headed Gull 1, Song Thrush 1, Chaffinch 3, Goldfinch 9, Blackcap 1, Starling 6, Long-tailed Tit 2, Magpie 2, Pied Wagtail 1, Lesser Black-backed Gull 2, Sparrowhawk 1. Butterflies present:- Brimstone, Speckled Wood, Peacock, Small White, Holly Blue, Meadow Brown, Small Tortoiseshell, Large White, Green-veined White, Gatekeeper and Red Admiral. Other records:- grey squirrels and frog. BOSTON TF338441 Tracey Lenton W/C 27/07/2020 Large white butterflies have laid eggs on the leaves of my broccoli plants recently; there are caterpillars on some leaves, at different stages, and I am closely watching their development. I have some radish plants I left to flower and have a mass of eggs there too. Bees and hoverflies love the yellow flowers of the broccoli plants. 31/07/2020 Dragonfly Migrant hawker female x 1 (id confirmed) Seen flying around my garden and rested in the conifer hedge where it hung for around 10 minutes Today, 1st August, more butterflies, Red Admiral and Holly Blue, Small and Large white - several CHAMBERS FARM WOOD Chambers Farm Wood TF147739 30th July 2020 Ian Misselbrook 10+ Silver-washed Fritillary 1 Brown Argus 1 Speckled Wood 40+ Gatekeepers 20+ Ringlet 30+ Meadow Brown 4 Brown Hairstreak (the only site for these in Lincolnshire?) 1 White-letter Hairstreak 6 Purple Hairstreaks 15 Brimstone 4 Green-veined White 6 Small White 10 Large White 2 White Admiral 20+ Red Admiral 20+ Peacock © 10 Comma 6 Large Skipper © 20 Small or Essex Skippers 1 Purple Emperor 2 Mint Moths 1 Cinnamon Bug 6 Rose Beetles 2 Migrant Hawkers 1 Southern Hawker 4 Brown Hawkers 1 Common Darter 1 Grass Snake 2 Buzzards 4 Nuthatches 1 Marsh Tit HUTTOFT TF511762 (my garden) Jane Pennington 24/7/2020 Bat sp 2 at 9.37pm Lesser stag beetle 1 - indoors 25/7/2020 Gatekeeper 1 Woodmouse 1 3/8/2020 Dragonfly nymph 1 in pond Frog 1 Tawny owl 1 3.45am calling Also - a report from Devon... 30/7/2020 Devon SS612080 Flying ants - a swarm on the awning attached to our van. I witnessed a wasp catching one and devouring it! MESSINGHAM Messingham Sand Quarry SE91445 03598 Ian Dunn 02.08.20 Birds Common terns x 2 Woodpigeons x 3 Lake adjacent to Duck hide: Black headed gulls x 8 Coots – too numerous to count Grey herons x 2 Greylag geese – huge flock Lapwings x 5 Mute swans x 9 Lake adjacent to Wader hide: Coots – a few mixed in with the geese and a separate group of 34 in their own party Greylag geese – another huge flock Lapwings – at least 30, difficult to count amongst all the geese There were also plenty of ducks, but everyone looked like a female mallard due to eclipse, so I make the excuse that they were too distant! Flora – (all in flower) Autumn hawkbit Birdsfoot trefoil Bird vetch Buddleia – wild specimen in wood Buddleia - (Sungold variety – yellow with rounded flowers) in car park Field scabious Hemp Agrimony Ladies bedstraw Lesser knapweed Musk mallow Meadowsweet Oxeye daisies still in flower Purple loose-strife Ragwort still in flower Scotch heather Water lilies White campion Yarrow The buddleia, hemp agrimony and field scabious were the most popular with the butterflies. Trees bearing fruit Rowan Guelder rose Butterflies Brimstones x 2 Common Blue x 1 (male) Gatekeepers x 13 Meadow Browns x 10 Peacocks x 40 Red Admirals 5 (3 very faded, 2 beautifully new) Speckled Wood x 2 Whites (Large) x 13 All butterflies counted whilst walking, numbers would be far higher with a dedicated count. MOOR FARM A&R Parsons 31/7/2020 Fungi - mostly found on first part of footpath from car park. Under tree cover. Grey Russula - probably Charcoal Burner (Russula cyanoxantha) https://www.first-nature.com/fungi/russula-cyanoxantha.php Red Russula - probably Russula atropurporea https://www.wildfooduk.com/mushroom-guide/blackish-purple-russula/ Yellow/fawn Russula - probably Russula ochroleuca https://www.mushroomdiary.co.uk/2010/10/common-yellow-russula-ochre-brittlegill/ Tawny Grizette - Aminata fulva https://www.wildfooduk.com/mushroom-guide/the-tawny-grisette/ Amanita sp - possible Amanita pantherina https://ultimate-mushroom.com/poisonous/2-amanita-pantherina.html Common earthball, Scleroderma citrinum https://www.mushroomdiary.co.uk/2012/09/common-earthball/ Speckled woods butterflies in good numbers Meadow Browns in good numbers Dragonflies sp numerous Green woodpecker heard Buzzard heard and seen Jays heard and seen 3 patches of Tansy - Tanacetum vulgare Roadside between Waddingworth and Baumber - left side when approaching Baumber approx TF199749 https://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/tansy MORKERY WOOD Morkery Wood near Castle Bytham SK953186 3rd August 2020 Ian Misselbrook 1 Willow Tit – now rare in SW Lincs 3 Marsh Tits 1 Red Kite 1 Buzzard 10+ Silver-washed Fritillary including a dark morph female C 20 Speckled Wood C 30 Ringlet C 39 Gatekeepers 1 Purple Hairstreak 4 Large Skippers 2 Green-veined Whites 8 Small Whites 10 large Whites 3 Peacocks SLEAFORD – off MAREHAM LANE Diane Maltby TF069451 24/7/2020 Flying ant event, noted in our own garden but also seen in town centre & reported by family member who’d been for a run & almost swallowed some. 30/7/2020 About 21.45 – bat seen flying over the garden, just one sighting, unable to identify as it caught me out. Much evidence in the garden that leaf cutter bees have been active, particularly on hardy fuchsias. 4/8/2020 Swifts still seen flying overhead. Greenfinches and goldfinches on sunflower heart feeders, 2 long tailed tits – possibly juveniles – spotted in conifer. SOTBY WOOD TF185781 30/7/2020 A Parsons Purple Emperor fem sunning on forest track at 11.30hrs. Photo taken. Other species noted: Red Admiral Peacock - many Brimstone Gatekeeper 3 Meadow brown 10 Small Skipper sp Small White Large White THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 24/07/20 Green-veined White x 4 Large White x 1 Meadow Brown x 2 Peacock x 22 Red Admiral x 2 Small Tortoiseshell x 4 27/07/20 Chiffchaff x 1 singing Red Admiral x 1 Clouded Border x 1 Large Yellow Underwing x 1 29/07/20 Common Pipistrelle x 1 21:50hrs (Clare Holmes) registering 45hz on detector. 01/08/20 Common Buzzard x 1 + young calling, Sedge Hall Close LWT Nature Reserve Greenfinch fledged in copse Swallows fledged in stables Southern Hawker x 1 Thurnholmes, x 2 Sedge Hall Close LWT Nature Reserve 02/08/20 Dor Beetle x 2 (Clare Holmes) Pisaura mirabilis x 1 with egg-sac 03/08/20 Sparrowhawk x 1 male just killed young Blackbird 04/08/20 Barn Owl x 1 calling 01:30hrs Blackbird x 2 Common Buzzard x 2 high over Thurnholmes Goldfinch x 6 Greenfinch x 4 Kestrel x 1 Moorhen x 3 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Mute Swan x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Stock Dove x 2 Swallow x 8 Swift x 2 Wood Pigeon x 4 Yellowhammer x 1 WHAPLODE FEN Whaplode Fen TF 322208 Simon Rummery 31.07.20 21.30 hrs Pipistrelle sp X3 Feeding together. One noticeably smaller that the others. Whaplode Fen TF 322208 Simon Rummery 02.08.20 Forest Fly Hippobosca equina Very 'clingy' on the skin. Moved quickly, like a spider, sometimes sideways, sometimes jumping. WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK923247 28July - 4th August 2020 Jane Ostler Garden Soapwort, an ancient intrioduction which has naturalised, is in flower in the garden and has Hummingbird Hawk Moth visiting it in the daytime as well as evening. Tansy, another plant which has naturalised locally is in full flower and its yellow 'table tops' visited by flies and beetles. Holly Blue and Speckled Blue Butterflies adults are new this week, the former breeds in the garden, two broods per year. Red Admirals are more frequent. Other Butterflies were Ringlet, Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown and Peacock with only singletons of Comma and Small Tortoiseshell. There have been no Painted Ladies this year. In a neighbour's garden a Blue Tit was seen struggling to keep a Privet Hawk Moth in its beak. Magpie and Silver Y Moths seen in the garden. The solitary bee Andrena cineraria was found sitting in an empty wash basket. Swifts. Because of shielding from covid 19 I have been able to keep a daily record of 'comings and goings' in my immediate area. I thought this would enable me to mark the 'goings' of the swifts since they are seen daily from the garden. I thought they had gone at the end of last week but some have been seen since (lst August). Are they our swifts changing their flight patterns or others in transit? A single bat now a regular at around 8p.m. Nature Trail. A Raven seen and heard in length near our house. A photo of possibly a Violet Carpenter Bee sent to me from the Meadow area of the Nature Trail and another clearer photo of one from a site in neighbouring parish of Gunby. Details to go to David Sheppard. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs and Reserves including RSPB and LWT ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ LWT Reserves http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/far-ings https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/gibraltar-point ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Frampton Marsh & Freiston Shore are listed as Open. https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/coronavirus/reserve-reboot/ All events and activities for Love Lincs Plants are suspended until further notice. The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on the Coronavirus, Covid-19 plus details of any LWT reserves which are now open and the related advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. Back in action - click to read. 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 July – 4th August 2020 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 270720 – Sea View late afternoon several small groups of swifts moving south totalling at least 50 birds in 30 minutes. 290720 - Paradise lagoon: 85 redshank, 1 dunlin, 1 common sandpiper, 1 greenshank, 1 green sandpiper, 1 common snipe, 87 black headed gulls, 16 common gulls and 2 herring gulls. On the Great Eau outfall: 3 black-tailed godwits, 4 dunlin, 28 redshank, 5 lapwing, 1 greenshank and 2 herons. A good National butterfly survey at Sea View with the following seen: peacock, red admiral, speckled wood, meadow brown, gatekeeper, brimstone, large white, green-veined white, holly blue, small skipper and brown argus. (JR) 300720 - Three marsh harriers and 16 whimbrel on saltmarsh, green woodpecker heard at Sea View and 14 black-tailed godwits flew west over dunes. C3000 gulls mostly black headed and c400 terns mostly sandwich in various size roosting groups. 2 pale phase arctic skuas came in to mob one group for several minutes very close at times. 310720 - 4 kestrels and a single cream-crown marsh harrier feeding over saltmarsh. Green sandpiper flew off a shallow pond near Rimac and a covey of 8 grey partridge flew out of dunes nearby. 010820 - Quail heard near Rimac. Mediterranean gull with black-headed and common gulls at Paradise lagoon, single swift overhead. 3 freshly hatched migrant hawker dragonflies around Churchill Lane area, green woodpecker heard near MoD base and a large flying ant hatch many on track and old gun emplacements. 3 juvenile sparrowhawks recently fledged, 3 small bats flying around for several minutes at dusk. 020820 - Paradise lagoon: 11 dunlin, 3 black-tailed godwits, 13 lapwing, 21 redshank and on the edge of the Great Eau 2 wood sandpipers, 1 greenshank, 4 common sandpipers and 39 redshank. A banded demoiselle damselfly was seen along the edge of the saltmarsh near Sea View. 030820 - Immature green woodpecker feeding amongst short grass near Sea View. 040820 - Mix of 7 common whitethroat, 9 reed bunting and 11 linnet in scrub near Sea View, 3 whimbrel on saltmarsh. Paradise lagoon: 1 teal, 140 redshank, 4 greenshank, 12 dunlin, 2 snipe, 2 black-tailed godwit, 3 green sandpipers, 2 common sandpipers, 1 little ringed plover, 26 lapwing, 1 yellow wagtail, 4 grey heron, 27 little egret, 37 common gull, 29 black-headed gull. Saltfleet Haven: 194 common gull in field near caravan park (1 juvenile), 2nd year Mediterranean gull, 47 sandwich tern, 7 common tern, 1 yellow wagtail and 4 swift (flying south). 6 wall butterflies between Brickyard and Churchill Lane. C4200 gulls roosting mostly black headed, 1 arctic skua mobbing sandwich terns, c120 ringed plover, c400 dunlin, 87 curlew, 1 little ringed plover all at 0540 to 0630 with high rising tide. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Forestry Commission Coronavirus information. The FC says: "Please read our guide to visiting the forest in the summer of 2020." https://www.forestryengland.uk/coronavirus-visitor-information Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch. See: https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html The Hazel Dormouse https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/cy/node/35 Lincolnshire Dormouse Group You can get in touch via 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on the Coronavirus, Covid-19 plus details of any LWT reserves which are now open and the related advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Downloads of LNU books are available on: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ A list of all the articles contained in Transactions (Transactions page) and a list of the Presidents (Officers page) is also available. LNU Bursaries: Why not apply for one? The LNU offers bursaries for natural history courses, or for identification materials (e.g. books or online resources) to help recording in any group of plants, animals or fungi in Lincolnshire. The upper limit is £300. You do not need to be a member of the LNU to apply, but it would help. The LNU would, however, expect you to put your newly facilitated skills into practice and derive some Lincolnshire records. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course, or to buy books to help you, please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk *** Love Lincs Plants - CANCELLATION of events and activities *** 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 Due to Covid-19, all events and activities for Love Lincs Plants remain suspended until further notice. LLP Project Partners and related links: Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Love Lincolnshire Plants: A plant archive for future generations https://lnu.org/lincolnshire-plants-past-and-future/ LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Natural History Museum Twitter feed https://twitter.com/nhm_botany?lang=en Sir Joseph Banks Society https://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/ Lincoln University School of Life Sciences blog https://lifesciences.sites.lincoln.ac.uk/2016/09/30/heritage-lottery-funding-to-safeguard-lincolnshire-plants/ *** Collections Dataset - LNU "historic specimens" *** 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 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 *** 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 *** Webpage says: "Following Government guidance and in the interests of health and safety, this year's field meetings are cancelled up until the end of May with immediate effect and until further notice. For further information please contact your County Recorder(s). " Contact: Sarah Lambert: sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Also see: http://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 *** BSBI Website: *** https://bsbi.org/ For beginners - Simple Guide to the Wildflowers of Britain https://www.countrylife.co.uk/gardens/a-simple-guide-to-the-wildflowers-of-britain-71271 *** Natural History Museum - Botany Collections *** https://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/collections/botany-collections.html *** 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 *** 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/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/ 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. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ *** Botany *** Botanical Group in South Lincs Contact: Sarah Lambert, who writes: sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Also see: http://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 *** 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 - 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) Contact: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com Please have a look at https://www.recordpool.org.uk/index.php for an easy way to record your amphibian and reptile species records. Or you can send any records to Ashley Butterfield (Lincolnshire Amphibian and Reptile Recorder) at LearningOutdoors@btinternet.com Please include Species, Date, Time, Location, numbers as a minimum (Other useful information includes Temperature and Weather conditions.) *** 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 (of which LERC is a part) http://www.glnp.org.uk/ 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/ Woodland Trust's Ancient Trees page https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/ancient-trees/ *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk The Lincolnshire Environmental Awards have now been cancelled for 2020 and will resume in 2021, all being well. *** Field Studies Council *** Bringing Environmental Understanding to All https://www.field-studies-council.org/ Field Studies Council ~ sale still on https://www.field-studies-council.org/product-category/publications/ *** 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/ 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 *** British Geological Survey at Keyworth *** https://www.bgs.ac.uk/ *** Stone Circles - for archaeologists really - check the Lincolnshire list *** http://www.stone-circles.org.uk/index.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 instances may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed please 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 *** RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ BMS Code of Conduct for Responsible Collecting of Fungi 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. 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. Next Meetings: "All LNU meetings are cancelled." We will update you if/as situation changes. Field Meetings: CANCELLED https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/ Whisby Workshops - CANCELLED. https://lnu.org/meetings/workshops/ Whisby Natural History "drop-in" sessions - CANCELLED https://lnu.org/meetings/drop-in-sessions/ Indoor Meetings 2020 https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** Mail fails: None this week. ....and finally... Photographer captures perfect picture of diving kingfisher https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8570433/ Pod of dolphins puts on incredible acrobatic display by leaping out of the sea off the UK coast https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8576621/ The week in wildlife https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2020/jul/31/the-week-in-wildlife-in-pictures Country diary: a prickle of excitement among the purple thistles https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/03/country-diary-a-prickle-of-excitement-among-the-purple-thistles Country diary: chicken of the woods is tasty – and not just to us https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/aug/01/country-diary-chicken-of-the-woods-fungus-durham Country diary: the greenest thing in a green world https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/30/country-diary-the-greenest-thing-in-a-green-world Country diary: observing the painstaking work of a leafcutter bee (fab video, too) https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/28/country-diary-observing-the-painstaking-work-of-a-leafcutter-bee Country diary: an ancient organism rises from the grass https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/27/country-diary-an-ancient-organism-rises-from-the-grass ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/