=========================================== || || 4th August 2021 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || || LNU Website: || http://lnu.org/ || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Information, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights from Rare Bird Alert 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves/Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR - including Chambers Farm Wood 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 - with details of the Whisby Natural History Workshops 12. ...and finally..... don't miss the links... ============================================ 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'm slightly behind with the Bulletin this week, as I made a quick lunchtime visit to Snakeholme Pit to appreciate the darters hawkers and damselflies, and the wildflower area teeming with butterflies and bees. Highlight was a roosting Tawny Owl at 2pm disturbed at the far end of the area - 2pm. Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count this year runs 16th July to the 8th August so it's not too late to contribute. See: https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/ Weather Forecast - Yellow Alert for Thunderstorms on Friday/Saturday. https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings 8 - 17 August "Sunny spells and showers for many areas at the start of this period, with most frequent showers probably in the north and west. By the middle of next week there is an increasing likelihood of thicker cloud bringing rain to northwestern areas, together with stronger winds." https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ Here is this week's selection of links to Lincolnshire and wildlife-related news stories plus reports and articles sent in by Bulletin readers. I hope there's something for you all. Reader contributions make the Bulletin more interesting - please keep them coming! Covid: Lincoln rate highest in England as outbreak linked to club https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-58069324 Rogue terrapin found at Lincolnshire wildlife sanctuary https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-57998051 Derelict lock on Grantham Canal reopens after three-year restoration https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-58073905 Ivan Lintin: 'Fantastic' return to firefighting after bike crash - good news. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-58029223 Isles of Scilly walrus spotted off Republic of Ireland - what a star. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-58065003 Night camera captures first beaver born in Norfolk in 600 years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-58011639 Disease killing 'Europe's oldest' elm tree - what a tree! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-58013952 When ants 'move house' Fascinating. https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist-features/why-do-ants-move-house-2 Life lessons from beekeepers – stop mowing the lawn ... https://theconversation.com/life-lessons-from-beekeepers-stop-mowing-the-lawn-dont-pave-the-driveway-and-get-used-to-bugs-in-your-salad-164591 Why invertebrates should be included in animal welfare protections https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25133452-200-why-invertebrates-should-be-included-in-animal-welfare-protections/ Garden of weeds takes home gold at Royal Horticultural Society show https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/07/25/weed-thriller-garden-weeds-takes-home-gold-royal-horticultural/ Buglife's Facts about Ragwort: did you know...? https://cdn.buglife.org.uk/downloads/Ragwort.pdf FSC Photography Competition – Field Studies Council https://www.field-studies-council.org/2021/07/30/fsc-photography-competition/ Bees in a Pod with Rob Beckett and Zoe Ball - BBC Sounds podcast https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p09q4ps1 More links in "..and finally ..." If/as events gradually resume, please keep referring to the relevant Covid-related websites below to check the latest information from the LNU and other organisations. Please help find more readers by using the "forward to a friend" link at the end of the Bulletin. If possible avoid forwarding your individual Bulletin to others. It's best to use this secure link. You can also direct people to: https://lnu.org/publications/wildnews-bulletin/ Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - this is my best address for emails please. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** August Night Sky Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html NOTE that due to COVID 19 the 2021 edition of Night Scenes will only be available as a pdf or kindle and produced in 2 parts covering 6 months each. http://www.astrospace.co.uk/nightscenes/ns-current.html Meteor Shower Guide 2021 https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/best-meteor-showers-in-2021/ Perseids - Aug. 12 A beginner’s guide to meteor showers https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/a-beginners-guide-to-meteor-showers/ *** Covid-19 Noticeboard *** Stay aware of updated government advice. Adapt your personal precautions accordingly as the understanding and measures "evolve". Advice may change at short notice. See: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus NHS About Coronavirus [COVID-19] https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 LNU 2021 field meetings up to October are now provisionally booked. For details and any necessary subsequent updates or changes please visit: https://lnu.org/meetings/ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus RSPB: map for which reserves and facilities you can access. https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/coronavirus/reserve-reboot/ Forestry England’s coronavirus guidance: https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide Please let us know of any local Covid-related developments readers might need to hear about. Wildlife organisations wishing me to publicise alterations or new guidelines are welcome to get in touch with updates for the Bulletin. Just ask. *** Wood Pigeon v Collared Doves Question *** From Chris Manning The last 3 properties I have lived in have had regular visits from collared doves using the bird feeders etc. My current property has a larger garden and after 2 years diligent feeding, it is now frequented by a typical assembly of garden birds and wood pigeons. Collared doves are a rare visitor, perhaps 2-3 a year, yet plentiful in the vicinity, my neighbour 2 doors away has them in his garden on a daily basis. I have never seen any aggression between the two species, but it appears as if collared doves are deterred by the presence of wood pigeons - has anyone else noticed this? *** Useful Hedgehog Links *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** Bourne Barn Owls online *** The drama continues. Now there are 4 chicks! https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 *** Bat reports - please keep them coming *** Annette Faulkner writes... Reminder: Bat rescue instructions If you find a grounded bat please don’t try and release it. Put it in an escape proof box - remember, a pipistrelle can get out of a hole the size of your thumb nail - wearing gloves or using a cloth to pick it up with, and phone us on 01775 766286. We’ll do the rest. *** STAYING SAFE *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. 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 - worth signing up for this. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails EasyTide http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx Environment Agency Flood Warnings - Lincolnshire https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings?location=lincolnshire Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline - sign up if a high risk area. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ For RBA's excellent articles: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp 27/7 Black-necked Grebe at north end of T-junction pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Pacific Golden Plover ad male south of Sea Wall car park, 5 Spoonbills, Wood Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Osprey on island with dead tree viewed from Visitor Centre, Frampton Marsh Wood Sandpiper on Jackson's Marsh, 14 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point Glossy Ibis on large pool by main path, Alkborough flats 28/7 Black-necked Grebe at north end of T-junction pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Wood Sandpiper, 6 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point Pacific Golden Plover on grassland south of sea bank, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 6 Spoonbills, 2 Short-eared Owls, 8 Spotted Redshanks, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh 2 Quail males singing, Donnington on Bain Spotted Redshank, Killingholme Haven Glossy Ibis from Prospect Hide, Alkborough Flats, 29/7 Black-necked Grebe at north end of T-junction pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Pacific Golden Plover ad male, 4 Wood Sandpipers, 3 Spoonbills, Short-eared Owl over saltmarsh east of sea wall, Frampton Marsh 8 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point 2 Turtle Doves at seeded area, Tallington Lakes - late report 30/7 Bar-tailed Godwit flew through Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Pacific Golden Plover ad male on saltmarsh, Vagrant Emperor dragonfly along sea bank, Frampton Marsh 15 Spoonbills, Red-necked Phalarope flew south, Gibraltar Point Red-necked Phalarope flew south, Huttoft Bank 31/7 Black-necked Grebe at north end of T-junction pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Pacific Golden Plover ad male on saltmarsh, Wood Sandpiper on pools from sea wall, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 8 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh Caspian gull ad, on foreshore towards Cut End, Freiston Shore Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 2 Common Cranes flew SE over Boultham Mere 3 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flats 1/8 Pacific Golden Plover ad male on saltmarsh, Wood Sandpiper, 8 Spoonbills, 2 Short-eared Owls, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Spotted Redshank on Tennyson's Sands, 5 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point Wood Sandpiper, Manby Flashes Wood Sandpiper Paradise Pool south of Saltfleet Haven, Saltfleet Glossy Ibis on flood west of far end of path, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flats 2/8 Black-necked Grebe at north end of T-junction pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Pacific Golden Plover ad male on saltmarsh, Wood sandpiper juv, 3 Little Stints, 2 Short-eared Owls, 13 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh 3 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point 2 Common Cranes circled, then flew north, Branston Fen Wood Sandpiper, Tetney Haven Glossy Ibis, Alkborough Flats 3/8 Black-necked Grebe juv at T-junction pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Pacific Golden Plover ad male on saltmarsh, Temminck's Stint on pool by visitor centre, 2 Common Cranes, Turtle Dove, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, 19 Spoonbills, 2 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh 18 Spoonbills, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Bittern, Boultham Mere 8 Turtle Doves, Eagle Glossy Ibis, Alkborough Flats 4/8 4 Turtle Doves, Tallington Lakes Black-necked Grebe juv at T-junction pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Temminck's Stint on reedbed, Pacific Golden Plover ad male from sea wall, 10 Spotted Redshanks, 7 Spoonbills, 5 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh 2 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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! Four links "not to be missed" Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog: excellent photos and information. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ Lincs Bird Club - latest sightings: https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/sightings/latest-news Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch - latest sightings: https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/lincolnshire-latest-sightings BTO tracked cuckoos: some have crossed the Sahara now. https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/cuckoo-tracking-project ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Hedgehogs? Badgers? Otters? Reports welcome. FOTHERBY A16 BYPASS (JUST NORTH OF NORTH ELKINGTON JUNCTION) Peter Crick 01-08-2021 Large Badger - on centre line of carriageways *** 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/ *** 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 1/8/2021 Good to see our "No Mow May" plot lured in Ringlet and Meadow brown butterflies. Both Large and Small White butterflies in garden plus many Large and Small White butterflies, with occasional Small Tortoiseshells, Holly Blues and Red Admirals seen, A "mint moth" on some garden plants this week too. 2/8/2021 Lime Hawk Moth walking along our "car park" wall under a huge Lime Tree! BOSTON (TF326426) July 2021 Kathleen Pearson I was able to do the BTO Garden BirdWatch on all 31days. Whilst 23 species were counted the individual numbers were quite low with only House Sparrow reaching double figures with 10 counted. Principally this consisted of juveniles being fed by adults. Butterflies were numerous, with 11 species being counted. In the last week, a Muntjac was seen on three days, though probably appearing a lot more frequently. Birds: Carrion Crow 3, Song Thrush 2, Blackbird 5, Dunnock 3, House Sparrow 10, Blue Tit 3, Woodpigeon 4, Stock Dove 2, Goldfinch 4, Starling 5, Collared Dove 2, Great Tit 6, Robin 3, Magpie2, Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3, Herring Gull 3, Chaffinch 1, Wren 1, Black-headed Gull 3, Long-tailed Tit 6, Greenfinch 1, Pied Wagtail 1, Sparrowhawk 1. Butterflies: Gatekeeper, Ringlet, Holly Blue, Meadow Brown, Small White, Red Admiral, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Green-veined White, Large White and Peacock. Hedgehog, Muntjac and a Brown Hawker were also recorded. BOSTON (TF326426) 01-08-2021 Kathleen Pearson A Sparrowhawk killed a juvenile House Sparrow in the garden at lunchtime today and proceeded to eat it on the lawn. BOSTON (TF326426) 03-08-2021 Roy Pearson For the first time since 29-12-1985 a Treecreeper was seen in the garden this morning. With enormous building work on the A16 now separating us from countryside, there has been quite a decline recently on birds. BROUGHTON Broughton Angela Buckle 2nd August. 2021 Narrow leaved pea, Canadian fleabane, Yarrow, Vipers bugloss, Blue fleabane, Mugwort, Great Mullein, Evening primrose, Canadian goldenrod, Carline thistle, Marjoram, Common broomrape, Eye bright, Red bartsia, Goatsbeard, Common centaury, Field bindweed, Common hemp-nettle, Rough chervil, Wild liquorice, Hop trefoil, Black horehound, Hedge mustard, Stagshorn plantain, Haresfoot clover, Field poppy, Himalayan balsam. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 21/7/2021 Holly blue 1 22/7/2021 Robin 1 - different as 'teenage' with changing breast 30/7/2021 Wren 31/7/2021 Painted lady 1 on thistle 2/8/2021 Common darter 1 Southern hawker 1 3/8/2021 Woodmouse 1 THE SHRUBBERIES LWT RESERVE, LONG SUTTON - Brian Hedley TF42472337 25th July 2021 The third LNU field meeting of 2021 was to The Shrubberies LWT reserve in Long Sutton which last had a LNU field meeting there in 1913 apparently so all wildlife records were very welcome. Eight adventurous members attended the meeting led by Charlie Barnes and Brian Hedley on a dry and partly sunny day. The site has been managed by the LWT since 1971 and comprises cattle-grazed parkland with an overgrown pond and areas of rough grassland and broadleaved woodland. A total of about 144 plant species were recorded by Tim Smith, Brian Hedley, Richard O'Conner, Annette Faulkner and Nick Tribe. Highlights included: Grass Vetchling, Creeping Jenny, Stinking Iris plus the ornamental Mock Strawberry was abundant along the route of a dismantled railway on site. Six specimens were collected for the LoveLincsPlants herbarium during the meeting. Twenty-three bird species were heard or seen including Buzzard, Swift, Blackcap and Chiffchaff. Several Common Frogs (juveniles and adults) were noted plus mammals included Common Shrew and signs of Muntjacs. Butterflies were very frequent with 14 species noted including at least six Holly Blues. Others included Small Copper, Comma, Red Admiral, Gatekeeper and a Brimstone pupa on Buckthorn (found by the keen eye of Nick Tribe).  Moths included Dingy Footman, Cinnabar (caterpillars), Silver Y, Small Magpie, Mother of Pearl and the uncommon micromoth Crassa unitella. Several Migrant Hawker dragonflies circled over the rough grassland and were the first sighting of the year for the observers present. Other insects included the distinctive hoverflies Xanthogramma pedissequum, Volucella inanis and V.pelluscens, the large and highly camouflaged leafhopper Ledra aurita, Roesel's Bush-cricket, Short-winged Conehead (frequent) and various bumblebees including Tree, Early, Red-tailed and Gypsy Cuckoo-bee. Awaiting beetle list from Charlie Barnes plus several other species are yet to be confirmed. LOW BARLINGS TF 08621 73749 Low Barlings Su Colman and Mark Townsend 25 July 21 Two comma butterflies MARKET RASEN Market Rasen TF107897 (own garden) Richard Fox 02.08.2021 During 15 minute butterfly count On single flowering plant Comma Gatekeeper Holly Blue Large white 3 Peacock 3 Small Tortoiseshell Small white 5 Red Admiral 3 Buff tailed Bumblebee 7 Honey bee 3 Marmalade Hover fly 7 Wasp 3 NETTLEHAM TF 00742 74079 Danby Hill Nettleham Su Colman and Mark Townsend 29 July 21 20:11 We have been checking the ragwort for cinnabar caterpillars and at last we've seen some. The first was seen at the above grid ref, others were seen as we continued. Mostly singles or twos, but one plant had 12 on! SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 28/07/21 Blackbird x 1 Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 4 Common Buzzard x 1 adult and 2 fledged young Jackdaw x 2 Robin x 1 Swallow x 7 Swift x 9 Tree Sparrow x 4 Wood Pigeon x 4 Yellowhammer x 1 Meadow Brown x 6 Ringlet x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 4 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 21/07/21 Barn Owl x 1 01:00hrs Blackbird x 1 male with grubs in beak feeding 3rd brood Common Pipistrelle x 1 22:20hrs (45hz) Common Lizard x 1 Comma x 2 Gatekeeper x 5 Large White x 1 Meadow Brown x 49 Bee Moth x 1 female Large Tabby x 1 Lesser Yellow Underwing x 1 (Sam Hiner) Silver Y x 1 22/07/21 6-spot Burnet x 1 Common Footman x 1 Ghost Moth x 1 female Satin Wave x 1 Small Magpie x 1 Yellow Shell x 2 Yellow-tail x 1 23/07/21 Blackbird x 6 Common Buzzard x 1 Goldfinch x 6 Greenfinch x 1 Grey Partridge x 2 adults with 14 young Kestrel x 1 Little Owl x 1 Stock Dove x 2 Tree Sparrow x 12 Willow Warbler x 1 very bright, clean coloured fledged young got trapped in our conservatory Wood Pigeon x 4 Yellowhammer x 1 24/07/21 Stoat x 1 25/07/21 6-spot Burnet x 1 Barred Straw x 1 Silver Y x 1 Small Magpie x 1 Yellow Shell x 2 Common Darter x 1 26/07/21 Blackbird x 4 Blue Tit x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Goldfinch x 4 fledged young Grey Partridge x 2 adults, 14 young Stock Dove x 1 in nest box Tree Sparrow x 7 Wood Pigeon x 8 Essex Skipper x 1 Meadow Brown x 4 Peacock x 1 Red Admiral x 3 Ringlet x 4 Small Skipper x 3 Small Tortoiseshell x 3 Small White x 3 27/07/21 Blackbird x 9 Common Buzzard x 1 Goldfinch x 4 Greenfinch x 1 Stock Dove x 1 Swallow x 7 Swift x 4 Wood Pigeon x 9 Yellowhammer x 1 Essex Skipper x 1 Green-veined White x 1 Large White x 1 Meadow Brown x 34 Peacock x 2 Red Admiral x 6 Ringlet x 13 Small Skipper x 4 Small Tortoiseshell x 7 and 30+ caterpillars on nettles Small White x 4 Herald x 1 on broad beans Large Yellow Underwing x 1 Small Magpie x 1 Yellow Shell x 2 29/07/21 Blackbird x 2 Goldfinch x 9 Greenfinch x 1 House Martin x 6 Kestrel x 1 Pied Wagtail x 1 Swallow x 2 Tree Sparrow x 2 Wood Pigeon x 6 Yellow Shell x 1 30/07/21 Tawny Owl x 1 sat on post outside our bedroom window 04:30hrs making Blackbirds very agitated 31/07/21 Sparrowhawk x 1 male 01/08/21 Blackbird x 1 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Goldfinch x 4 Grey Partridge x 2 adults with 11 young (3 less than previous sightings) Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 2 Stock Dove x 1 fully grown young in nest box Tree Sparrow x 1 Whitethroat x 1 Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 Yellowhammer x 1 Meadow Brown x 4 Red Admiral x 4 02/08/21 Common Frog x 1 adult Gatekeeper x 24 Green-veined White x 6 Meadow Brown x 33 Red Admiral x 2 Small Skipper x 3 Small Tortoiseshell x 3 Small White x 6 WILLINGHAM WOODS Willingham woods Angela Buckle 31st July 2021. Heather, Bell heather, Canadian fleabane, Field madder, Upright hedge parsley, Common cudweed, Parsley piert, Willow leaved bridewort, Hard fern, Greater birdsfoot trefoil, Perennial sow thistle, Broad leaved willowherb, Lesser hawkbit, Common lizard. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs and Nature Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19 includes details of which LWT reserves are open and other advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus RSPB Reserves: RSPB Frampton Marsh & Freiston Shore are listed as Open. https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/coronavirus/reserve-reboot/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ LWT Top Reserves: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list RSPB Freiston Shore https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ RSPB Frampton Marsh http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 28th July – 3rd August 2021 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 290721 - Water level falling at Paradise lagoon to expose some nice areas of mud which is attracting a good mix of waders including today 2 black-tailed godwits, 3 avocet, 7 common snipe, 36 dunlin, 42 lapwing and 5 green sandpiper. 310721 - Paradise lagoon 54 dunlin, 3 greenshank, 1 black-tailed godwit, 3 common sandpipers, 27 redshank, 2 little egrets, 1 common snipe, 2 green sandpipers and 21 lapwing. Hunting over the saltmarsh 3 kestrels, 1 marsh harrier and 1 short-eared owl. 010821 - 3 painted ladies near Sea View, single wood sandpiper, 68 lapwing and 56 dunlin of note at Paradise lagoon. 020821 – 1 Wood sandpiper on Paradise lagoon. 2 Snipe on Rimac scrapes. Also at Rimac 1 southern hawker dragonfly along with ruddy and common darters, small copper, common blue, gate keeper, meadow brown, small skipper, painted lady, red admiral, peacock and small white butterflies. 030821 - Gulls, terns and wader numbers are increasing on the foreshore. A count at 0600 hrs over part of outer foreshore included c840 Black headed gull, 78 common gull, 59 greater black-backed gull, 1 lesser black-backed gull, 57 herring gull, 62 sandwich tern, 3 common tern and 5 golden plovers in full breeding plumage on edge of saltmarsh. 1 marsh harrier over Rimac saltmarsh. In Churchill Lane area at least 2 southern hawkers and 1 fresh migrant hawker dragonfly, 3 painted lady, 11 red admiral, 10 peacock and 2 small tortoiseshell. On most evenings 3 small bats hawking around Coastguard cottage over the past week. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. The history of the Lincolnshire Limewoods https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/features/19111877.lincolnshire-limewoods/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Forestry Commission advice: https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide British Native Trees - Woodland Trust https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/ LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch. See: https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Find a Wood https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/find-woods/ 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 Recorders and improve the quality and quantity of reports 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! 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.] Bulletin mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually goes out on Wednesdays/Thursdays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lincsnaturalists/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given on the website. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ Downloads of LNU books are available on: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ 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 *** Events and activities for Love Lincs Plants remain suspended until further notice. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants Love Lincs Plants Twitter feed - active... https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants *** Collections Dataset - LNU "historic specimens" *** All of the LNU 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 - LNU downloadable book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-flora-of-lincolnshire-e-joan-gibbons.pdf *** VC54 North Lincolnshire Plant List - LNU *** 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/ *** 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 nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE: 07768-501895 PAGER: 07654-330877 Related Webpages: Lincolnshire Police Advice on Hare Coursing https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/hare-coursing/ 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. Some identification links: The NHBS Guide to UK Wild Flower Identification https://www.nhbs.com/blog/uk-wild-flower-identification British Native Trees - Woodland Trust https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/ Butterfly guide to part of Europe including Britain - free to download https://assets.vlinderstichting.nl/docs/0b095bc2-0387-4785-9f7e-5f7a987b3468.pdf Fungi Families/Types Identity Parade https://www.first-nature.com/fungi/ British Bugs https://www.britishbugs.org.uk/ LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ 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 welcomed. *** 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. Atlas of the Mammals, Reptiles and Amphibians of Lincolnshire and South Humberside Johnson, M. - Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union. 1982. [Some of these data are historical and should not be taken to indicate their occurrence today! There have been status changes since this analysis, with species being both lost and gained.] https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/atlas-of-the-mammals-reptiles-and-amphibians.pdf For current records please refer to the Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire by C. J. Manning, LNU Mammal Recorder. You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/mammalatlas.pdf For Lincolnshire bat information, see: https://glnp.org.uk/news/bitterns-bats-and-newts-mapped-for-first-time *** 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 Ashley writes: Please have a look at https://www.recordpool.org.uk/index.php for an easy way to record your amphibian and reptile species records. 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 Bat rescue instructions: If you find a grounded bat please don’t try and release it. Put it in an escape proof box - remember, a pipistrelle can get out of a hole the size of your thumb nail - wearing gloves or using a cloth to pick it up with, and phone us on 01775 766286. We’ll do the rest. *** 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 - changing - contact editor. USEFUL WILDLIFE LINKS 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 *** 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/ *** Bird Friendly Coffee Shade-grown from RSPB *** https://birdandwild.co.uk/ For the geologists... Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group *** https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 *** Lincolnshire Geology - The Wolds AONB *** https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/maps/geology *** The Geology of Lincolnshire - downloadable LNU book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-geology-of-lincolnshire-h-h-swinnerton-and-p-e-kent.pdf *** British geology maps - now free to explore on web *** http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ *** UKGE - Geological Supplies *** https://www.ukge.com/ *** British Geological Survey at Keyworth *** https://www.bgs.ac.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. When sending in reports, e.g. unusual plants, it will be good if you can report any sensitive news directly to recorders rather than via the Bulletin please, as we don't want to spoil things with untimely/unwise publicity. Thank you. https://lnu.org/specialists/ 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 *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. BSBI Code of Conduct https://bsbi.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/BSBI-Code-of-Conduct.pdf BMS Code of Conduct for Responsible Collecting of Fungi https://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/mycology/conservation/code-conduct RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ [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/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events - Important update *** "LNU 2021 field meetings - May - October are now provisionally booked." We will confirm plans for resumption of LNU events through the Bulletin, the LNU Twitter feed, LNU Facebook page and LNU meetings webpage. For details and any necessary subsequent updates or changes please visit: LNU Website: https://lnu.org/meetings/ LNU Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lincsnaturalists/ Whisby Natural History Workshops Richard Davidson says : Arranged in partnership by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (Lincoln Area Group) and the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union. At Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln, in the Lafarge Education Building on Saturday afternoons from 13.00 pm until 4.30 pm. Free of charge. Refreshments not included but please feel free to bring your own. Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com. Places are limited. Find out more about the various subjects from our local experts. Yellow Asteraceae Flowers – September 18th – Sarah Lambert Plant Pressing – September 25th – Sue Fysh Sawflies – October 9th – David Sheppard Lichens – October 16th – Mark Seaward Dissecting Owl Pellets – November 20th – Garry Steele ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** Julie Ellison - soft bounce - Host or domain name not found. Advice is: if your Service provider or network can't or won't allow the Bulletin through, use a free email account instead. In the event of a mail failure I will be happy to send you the error report to pass on to your "Help Desk". Just ask. ....and finally... Country diary: on the trail of the monster mollusc https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/31/country-diary-on-the-trail-of-the-monster-mollusc Country diary: a momentary brush with hairstreaks https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/03/country-diary-a-momentary-brush-with-hairstreaks Doggerland: Lost ‘Atlantis’ of the North Sea gives up its ancient secrets https://uk.news.yahoo.com/doggerland-lost-atlantis-north-sea-084502403.html Guided tour through the exhibition 'Doggerland' at the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, Leiden https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3PzgSJT1bU Invasive species have cost UK at least £5bn since 1970s https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/29/invasive-species-have-cost-the-uk-at-least-5bn-since-1970s-study-reveals-aoe Northern pool frog project reversing extinction say experts https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-57991619 Caffeine may help bumblebees pollinate more effectively, study shows | Bees | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/28/caffeine-may-help-bumblebees-pollinate-more-effectively-study-shows The Scottish mice helping to rewild Ealing https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-58002484 Prince Charles watches Sandringham endangered curlew release https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-57986478 Stonehenge tunnel campaigners win court battle https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-58024139 Chester Zoo conservationists to nurture area's countryside https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-57998928 Tidal turbine in Orkney starts generating power https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-57991442 Lyme Regis Mary Anning statue 'on track' for May unveiling https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-57970287 From wild herbs to feral pigs: should Australia manage invasive species by eating them? https://www.theguardian.com/food/2021/aug/01/from-wild-herbs-to-feral-pigs-should-we-manage-invasive-species-by-eating-them UK biodiversity report published by MPs on the Environmental Audit Committee https://houseofcommons.shorthandstories.com/uk-biodiversity-bloom-or-bust/index.html ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/