=========================================== || || 11th 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 was pleased to note 12 colonies of black garden ants ready for a "Flying Ant Day" on Tuesday, 10th August at 17.00 hours. The nests were glistening with a torrent of alates preparing for their nuptial flights. Amazing. Country diary: flying ant day is here, there and everywhere... https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/06/country-diary-flying-ant-day-is-here-there-and-everywhere Hopefully some of you are venturing out a bit more, perhaps getting to the re-started LNU Field Meetings. We've been including reports on these and individual reports from other locations to keep you inspired and informed. In the absence of LNU meetings I have tried to include some extra reading material in the Bulletins for the benefit of those unable to get out and about quite as much as they might like. Reading habits vary of course, but it has been good to see quite a few of the links have attracted some attention, sometimes surprisingly! What would we have done without following the adventures of Wally the Walrus? Aidan Neary - LoveLincsPlants Project Officer - writes: I am in the process in coordinating the project’s Lincspirational Plants light show/ projection events and online art auction in October. I will provide more details in the coming weeks. Keep an eye on our Twitter feed and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust events page https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/events Weather Forecast https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings 15 - 24 August "Moving further into next week and for the rest of the period, high pressure may become more dominant with many areas seeing more settled conditions. However, changeable conditions remain possible across parts of the north and spells of heavy showers or thunderstorms can't be ruled out across parts of the south at times." 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 Work under way on natural flood scheme in Lincolnshire - short clip https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-lincolnshire-58098976 Market Deeping leisure centre earmarked to shut over rain damage https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-58098984 Jonathan Van-Tam urges graduates to 'rebuild' the world https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-58087217 Plastic waste: Study finds crabs confused by chemical additive https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-58160697 RAF Sentry aircraft returns to Waddington after final mission https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-58085388 Cracking up in Lincolnshire - our roads - Geological Society https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/Geoscientist/Archive/March-2014/Cracking-up-in-Lincolnshire Climate change: IPCC report is 'code red for humanity' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-58130705 Wandering walrus climbs into boat in Ireland https://uk.yahoo.com/news/wandering-walrus-climbs-boat-ireland-100253525.html Scotland's beaver population doubles to 1000 in three years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-58158296 Why whales in Alaska have been so happy https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-58032702 Bat killed by cat after record 1,200-mile journey - Nathusius' pipistrelle https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-58128773 Review of Dave Goulson's latest book: Silent Earth https://www.nhbs.com/blog/book-review-silent-earth-by-dave-goulson 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 - site currently down. 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 - no moon, so good "seeing" - cloud permitting. 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 Covid: Lincoln shops to offer tests as infections rise https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-58112875 Covid: Lincolnshire hospital visitor ban to counter infections https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-58160837 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. *** 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. *** Collared Doves *** A reply to Chris Manning's note about Collared Doves. Chris du Feu writes: Yes I have seen interaction. In general, increased numbers of Woodpigeons in my garden correspond to reduced numbers of Collared Doves. Note that this garden is 'over the river' in Nottinghamshire but in a village adjacent to the Trent. In the good Collared Dove years in the late 1990s I caught well over 100 individuals per year. At the same time with, happily, far fewer Woodpigeons than nowadays I caught a maximum of six birds in those years. In the last few years, Collared Dove captures are down to under 10 whereas Woodpigeon captures have increased from their former handful to anything up to 50. This is not evidence that the over-abundant Woodpigeons have outcompeted the Collared Doves but it is consistent with that. What about direct interactions? Yes, some individual Woodpigeons can be very aggressive driving off perceived threats to their living space. It seems to be just some individuals - I have colour ringed several and 'Black over Orange' is the leading offender. Sometimes it is Stock Doves and sometimes Collared Doves which are driven off. However it is not all one sided. In the last three weeks I have seen a fine pair of Collared Doves drive Woodpigeons away from below a tree where they have a nest. They have continued to keep the pigeons at bay and are now on another clutch. I suspect that possession is nine tenths of the law in these cases. If the birds have some long-standing hold over and investment in the area they will be more determined in holding on to it than otherwise. 'Area' in these cases may be small - a radius of a few metres in the case of these two Collared Doves, or larger - most of my back garden in the case of Black over Orange. *** 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 4/8 Osprey flew NW over Grantham Black Tern north of seafront, Skegness Little Stint, 10 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh 2 Little Gulls past Anderby Creek Glossy Ibis, 20 Spoonbills, 7 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flats 5/8 Wood Sandpiper juv in fields south of Baston Fen, later one flew high east over, Cattle Egret on Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Black-necked Grebe juv on T-junction Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs 2 Pacific Golden Plovers, both ads, on saltmarsh from sea wall, Little Stint, Temminck's Stint, 5 Spotted Redshanks, Wood Sandpiper, 4 Short-eared Owls, 8 Spotted Redshanks, 21 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh. 23 Spoonbills, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point 6/8 Wood Sandpiper juv, 2 Common Cranes flew west, Baston Fen 3 Turtle Doves, Tallington Lakes Pacific Golden Plover ad on saltmarsh, Short-eared Owl on saltmarsh, Temminck's Stint on reedbed, c 20 Spoonbills, Spotted Redshank, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints, Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Wood Sandpiper on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 7/8 Black-necked Grebe juv on T-junction Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Wood Sandpiper, Baston Fen 2 Pacific Plovers both ads on saltmarsh, Temminck's Stint, Wood Sandpiper on pool near sea wall, 26 Spoonbills, Pectoral Sandpiper on fields north of sea bank, Spotted Redshanks, 2 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh 18 Spoonbills in Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Wood Sandpiper at Paradise Pool south of Saltfleet Haven, SE of Saltfleet 8/8 Black-necked Grebe juv on T-junction Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs 2 Wood Sandpipers, Baston Fen 2 Pacific Plovers both ads on saltmarsh, Temminck's Stint on Roads Farm grassland by large pool, 2 Little Stints, 22 Spoonbills, Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Wood Sandpipers, 9 Spotted Redshanks on Roads Farm grassland, Frampton Marsh Black Tern, Freiston Shore 27 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 4 Great White Egrets, Middlemarsh Wetlands, west of Skegness Wood Sandpiper at outfall, Tetney Lock Little Stint "recently" [sic] Wood Sandpiper, Donna Nook 2 Turtle Doves, Tallington Lakes - late report 9/8 2 Pacific Sandpipers from sea wall, 4 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Turtle Dove, 19 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh 24 Spoonbills, Short-eared Owl, 3 Black Terns flew south, Gibraltar Point Wood Sandpiper, Paradise Pool, south of Saltfleet Haven, Saltfleet Black Stork juv in flight near Tetney 2 Common Cranes, Branston Fen 10/8 2 Pacific Sandpipers from sea wall, 5 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Wood Sandpipers, 7 Spotted Redshanks, 16 Spoonbills, 5 Short-eared Owls, Cattle Egret, 5 Short-eared Owls, 2 Turtle Doves, Frampton Marsh 34 Spoonbills, Short-eared owl, Gibraltar Point Glossy Ibis, Alkborough Flats 11/8 Cattle Egret, ARC pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs 2 Pacific Sandpipers on saltmarsh from sea wall, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint, Cattle Egret, 14 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh 34 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper and Osprey "recently", Tetney Marshes ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: superb website 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. SCUNTHORPE 871 112 Keith Scarrott 29th July 2021 Young hedgehog roadkill SCUNTHORPE 882 011 Keith Scarrott 29th July 2021 Young hedgehog roadkill SCOTTER 888 011 Keith Scarrott 29th July 2021 Adult hedgehog roadkill *** 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 5/8/2021 3 Hedgehog visits [adults] 00.10hrs, 0202hrs and 04.01hrs. All leaving the garden via the gate to The Green. Assuming they entered from the car park gate. 6/8/2021 Boletus lanatus - aka Xerocomus subtomentosus - "Suede Bolete" - 2nd flush of the year on the lawn a suede-like cracking species. I have photos from previous years. https://species.nbnatlas.org/species/NHMSYS0001476081 Young Fox followed by a curious cat at 21.14 on 7/8/2021 - photo taken. Nightlife in a Bardney garden - camera at gate to our car park - other exits. 22.47 B+W cat leaving 23.14 Fox and cat entering 23.15 B+W cat leaving 23.31 2 cats - one up on "bunker" 23.36 B+W entering 00.18 B+W cat entering 00.38 Black cat leaving 01.56 B+W cat entering 03.54 Fox leaving [We have noted signs of something sleeping in our No-Mow-May patch] The Hedgehogs did not join in the excitement! 8/8/21 Hedgehog leaving garden at 23.02hrs. 10/8 Hedgehog at 01.40 and 04.00hrs. Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown seen patrolling our garden "Meadow". Single Bat hunting over garden from 21.10hrs - echolocating at 55kHz. BARDNEY GARDEN Grid ref TF 117 701 Mary and Phil Porter 2nd August 2021 Late report from last week: Very pleased to get a good sighting of a white admiral butterfly, resting on a yellow anthemis flower. A couple of minutes later, Phil found a willow emerald damselfly, Chalcolestes viridis which we were able to photograph and positively identify. 8th August “Autumn song” of robin has started Caterpillars of large white butterflies well developed on nasturtium, eggs under kale leaves rubbed out CARLTON LE MOORLAND and Carlton le Moorland SK909581 Jeremy Hutchinson On 29 July had though that our Swifts had left for the year, but they reappeared on 4 August when the skies cleared, but were no longer racing around the roof tops, which is normal for a few days before departure. I saw no more of them until 10 August when at about 18.00 a loose group of 40-50 appeared, feeding at about 200ft: I have never seen so many as late as this, but it made my day. Butterfly numbers remain very low, but have picked up slightly over the last couple of days, including a Painted Lady. Otherwise only the occasional Red Admiral, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Comma and Common Blue, and (surprisingly) a Brimstone, other than the ever-present Whites. There had been a flurry of Meadow Browns, but they have now dwindled. I can't recall a year with such low numbers overall. also: Norton Disney SK889585 31/7/2021 Peregrine perched on dead wood in Ash tree (spotted by a friend), as reported on 14/7. Boothby Graffoe SK991593 1/8/2021 Red Kite CLEETHORPES Cleethorpes, Angela Buckle 9th August 2021. Mugwort, Sea lavender, Grass leaved orache, Rayless sea aster, Glasswort, Spear leaved orache, Sea purslane, Greater sea spurrey, Purple toadflax, Sea blight, Strawberry clover, Red bartsia, Haresfoot clover, Yarrow, Melilot, Lesser centaury, Purple loosestrife, Lesser sea spurry, Sea plantain, Sea arrow grass, Sea beet, Evening primrose, Sea rocket, Frosted orache, Sea wormwood, Crow garlic, Field bindweed,, Rest harrow, Canadian fleabane, Lesser meadow rue, Gipsy wort, Goats beard, Hoary mustard, Hedge mustard, prickly lettuce, Rosebay willowherb. ELSHAM Elsham Quarry Angela Buckle 6th August 2021. Wall lettuce, Common knapweed, Lesser burdock, Great willowherb, Red bartsia, Perforate St Johns wort, Broad leaved willow herb, Eye bright, Teasel, Ploughmans spikenard, Rosebay willow herb,Small scabious, White flowered greater knapweed, Wild basil, Blue fleabane, Milkwort, Agrimony, Hedge bindweed, Musk mallow, Wild carrot, Vervain, Water figwort, Comfrey, Common fleabane, Weld, Great mullein, Common centaury. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden, except where otherwise advised) 3/8/2021 Bat sp 2 - 1 or 2 for 2 minutes 9.15pm 45kHz 4/8/2021 Holly blue 2 Southern hawker 3 5/8/2021 Green-veined white 5 Pyrausta moth 1 Didn't open wings and therefore don't know if it was aurata or purpuratlis 7/8/2021 Bat sp 2 21.05pm 45kHz 9/8/2021 Bat sp 2 21.00pm 45kHz 10/08/2021 TF498 760 Coot 2 Muntjac 1 TF511762 Bat sp 2 21.00pm 45kHz Southern hawker 1 hunting over pond KETTLETHORPE Kettlethorpe SK847757 06/08/2021 Alison Brownlow Orange Grisette toadstool LAUGHTERTON Laughterton SK834767 06/08/2021 Alison Brownlow Pine Hawkmoth ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 4th – 10th August 2021 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 040821 - 2 lesser whitethroat, 2 common whitethroat, single chiffchaff and willow warbler near Sea View. Strong mid-day sunshine and temperature reaching 20.5 degrees C brought out a good range of butterflies at Sea View with holly blue, brown argus, 2 small tortoiseshell, 9 peacock, comma, 4 large white, 2 green-veined white, 2 small skipper, 4 hedge brown, 5 meadow brown, wall and red admiral. 060821 - Single green woodpecker at Sea View, 63 swifts in small groups flying south over Rimac. 070821 - Waders moving south over the sea early morning including: 22 black-tailed godwit, 72 sanderling, 115 redshank, 33 dunlin, 179 knot, 18 turnstone, 33 oystercatcher, 29 ringed plover, a whimbrel and a bar-tailed godwit. 2 arctic skua followed sandwich tern along the tide line and c150 common scoter. 080821 - Knot at Paradise lagoon and juvenile cuckoo near Sea View. Late evening at least 120 swift flying south over Rimac. 090821 - Juvenile green woodpecker at Sea View. Butterflies on the wing at Sea View included 2 painted ladies, 15 red admirals, 11 peacocks, 13 large white. Among the usual birds on Paradise Lagoon were a female type Ruff, a wood sandpiper, 5 green sandpiper and 2 common sandpiper. A peregrine flew over. 13 black-tailed godwit and 8 whimbrel flew south. The evening larid roost of c2000 birds included 600 sandwich tern, 40 common tern, 1 arctic tern and a Norwegian ringed adult common gull. 100821 - 105 lapwing Paradise lagoon, single short-eared owl, marsh harrier and possible juvenile hobby over the saltmarsh. Single willow warbler and blackcap at Sea View. C30 swallows feeding over Sea View. A common lizard basking in the sun at Rimac. Red admiral, wall brown, small heath, small skipper, large white butterflies on the wing. Small elephant hawk-moth caterpillars feeding on ladies bedstraw. A male marsh harrier, 4 kestrel, 5 whimbrel and 20 curlew were also over the marsh. A butterfly transect at Rimac included 10 wall brown. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Aidan Neary - LoveLincsPlants Project Officer writes: I am in the process in coordinating the project’s Lincspirational Plants light show/ projection events and online art auction in October. I will provide more details in the coming weeks. Keep an eye on our Twitter feed. *** 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. Deleted. 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... The MONSTER That Devours Russia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5NxuEoXHn8 Cambridge University's King's College meadow harvested with horses - BBC News https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-58057800 Stonehenge tunnel: Highways England says plans are continuing https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-58092117 Floods: Research shows millions more at risk of flooding https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-58087479 Pesticides: interactions between agrochemicals increase their harm to bees https://theconversation.com/pesticides-interactions-between-agrochemicals-increase-their-harm-to-bees-165626 Top tips for tackling plastic pollution -- from marine scientists https://theconversation.com/top-tips-for-tackling-plastic-pollution-from-marine-scientists-164602 Harvestman genome helps explain how arachnids got grasping legs | New Scientist https://www.newscientist.com/article/2285837-harvestman-genome-helps-explain-how-arachnids-got-grasping-legs/ Animal sentience bill is necessary for the UK to be a true world leader in animal welfare https://theconversation.com/animal-sentience-bill-is-necessary-for-the-uk-to-be-a-true-world-leader-in-animal-welfare-165576 How we created fake smells to trick predators and save endangered birds – podcast https://theconversation.com/how-we-created-fake-smells-to-trick-predators-and-save-endangered-birds-podcast-165216 Bottled water is 3,500 times worse for the environment than tap water — at least in Barcelona https://www.zmescience.com/science/bottled-water-is-bad-05082021/ ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/