=========================================== || || 25th 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: LNU Members should by now have had Notice of our AGM, either by letter or by Communiqué email. This will be on Saturday 4th September at 14.00 to 16.33 and from 15.00hrs will include the Presidential Address by Richard Chadd on: "Invasive Non-native Species in Lincolnshire Freshwaters - Impacts and Solutions". Only a limited number of Members will be able to attend in person, with others invited to view the proceedings on Zoom. Zoom joining details are in the Notice letter. If you are an LNU member and would like to receive Communiqué by email, you can request this via info@lnu.org with your details, asking to be added to the mailing list, and we can then send you an invitation to join. If you are not yet an LNU member and would like to become one, the page to visit is: https://lnu.org/join-the-lnu/ The Joseph Banks Centre Museum had its formal opening on Friday 20th August, carried out by the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire in the Joseph Banks Tribute Garden. https://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/sir-joseph-banks-centre-museum/ The Sir Joseph Banks Society is a partner in LoveLincsPlants project, an idea discussed with the SJBA in 2014 when Nick Tribe, Chris Manning and the LNU Exec were searching for an appropriate permanent home for the LNU Herbarium. We were also exploring possiblities for an ongoing botanical legacy for the county. The LNU Herbarium transferred to the Natural History Museum in October 2017. Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is the lead partner in the HLF-funded LoveLincsPlants project. See LoveLincsPlants twitter feed: https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants Richard Davison says there are places on next month's Whisby Natural History Workshops. The first two are botanical and link in nicely with the LLP objectives! Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or email rel.davidson@btinternet.com Yellow Asteraceae/Compositae Flowers - Sarah Lambert – September 18th An introduction to all those yellow Daisy family flowers that a lot of people find confusing. All those Hawkbits and Hawksbeards and Catsears and the like! An initial indoor talk on the subject followed by an outdoor session looking at examples of the plants growing in the nature park. Please wear suitable footwear and clothing for when we go outside. Our expert leading the workshop is Dr Sarah Lambert, the LNU botanical recorder for the southern half of Lincolnshire. See: https://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 Plant Pressing - Sue Fysh - September 25th As the LoveLincsPlants project comes to an end this is a final opportunity for anyone who missed the previous sessions to have a go and learn this new skill. Led by Sue Fysh who has been involved with the project since its beginning. Some flowers to press can be sourced from outside in Whisby Nature Park but please bring flowers from your own garden to press if you wish to. A report of the LNU field meeting 15th August at Kirkstead Old Mill (Nr Woodhall Spa) is posted in section 3. Next Field Meeting: Sudbrooke Scout Campsite - 12th September. See: https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2019-09-08/ 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 that secure link. You can also direct people to: https://lnu.org/publications/wildnews-bulletin/ Weather Forecast https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ 27 August - 5 September "The last week in August and into September is likely to be dominated by high pressure resulting in fine and settled weather across the UK. This will bring variable amounts of cloud, sunny spells, a few light showers and mainly light winds but some fog patches overnight, which clear during early morning. ..." 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. Austin Mitchell: Former Great Grimsby MP dies aged 86 - a local character https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-58257189 Five hurt in high-speed crash at Lincoln car meet - Whisby https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-58297401 All about Five Mile House railway station - Fiskerton https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Mile_House_railway_station Wally the walrus to get his own pontoon - good news! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-58279480 Consultation begins on beaver reintroductions https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-58322561 Reared curlews act like wild counterparts after release in Norfolk https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-58267090 Nature crisis: Talks resume on global plan to protect biodiversity https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-58306288 Biological terms glossary: definitions, with examples - Did you know..? https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/biological-terms-glossary/ Separating fact from fiction: badgers and hedgehog decline - Discover Wildlife https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/mammals/separating-fact-from-fiction-badgers-and-hedgehog-decline/ Little owl guide | BBC Wildlife Magazine - Discover Wildlife https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/birds/facts-about-little-owls/ Events : British Mycological Society https://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/library/events Baby bats babble like humans - do UK Bats to this too? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-58271913 More links to enjoy in "..and finally ..." Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - this is my best address for emails please. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** August Night Sky - soon to change to September 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 2021 https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/best-meteor-showers-in-2021/ A beginner’s guide to meteor showers https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/a-beginners-guide-to-meteor-showers/ *** Covid-19 Noticeboard *** 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. LNU 2021 field meetings up to October are now booked and running. For details and any necessary subsequent updates or changes please visit: https://lnu.org/meetings/ Stay aware of updated government advice. Please 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 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. *** The Wolds Fungi Group - Programme of Forays Autumn 2021 - Paul Nichol *** The aim is to have an enjoyable day out, looking for and learning how to identify the mushrooms & toadstools of Lincolnshire, record them and understand their ecology. Anyone interested in joining the forays should contact Paul via email pnichol20@gmail.com Forays start at 10.00am and last for 2 to 3 hours. Bring along a plastic box (no carrier bags!) A penknife is useful for removing fungi on wood; a culinary fork for prizing specimens out of the litter. A hand lens is always useful, as is a note book. A list of our records for a foray will be provided for those who want them. Saturday Sept. 4th Tattershall Thorpe Carr Wood , Tattershall Thorpe. Meet at Thorpe camp Tattershall Thorpe Grid ref TF216596. If it has been wet this wood can be muddy. Tuesday Sept.14th Walesby Moor, Market Rasen. Meet and park at Grid ref TF114908 which is beyond Walesby Woodland Caravan Park. Carry on past the caravan park for about 200m and car park on left. Tuesday Sept. 28th Chambers Farm Wood, Wragby. Meet and park in the car park at Chambers Farm Grid ref. TF146739 Thursday Oct. 7th Kenwick woods, Louth. The area we will be foraying in is essentially private but members who live on site and are joining the group are happy to host our visit. On entering Kenwick Park proceed to the car park on the right (not to the hotel and golf course) where we will meet before going down into the wood. Tuesday Oct. 19th Ostlers Plantation , Woodhall Spa. Meet and park at the wood Grid ref. TF 216627 Tuesday Oct. 26th Snipe Dales Country Park, Spilsby. Meet in the Country park car park Grid ref. TF330681. Note there is a £1 parking charge Saturday Nov. 6th Visiting churchyards in the Tealby/Binbrook area, to look for waxcap grassland species. Meet at St Mary’s church Walesby Grid ref. TF133922. *** 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 17/8 2 Common Cranes, both ads, in fields south of Baston Fen - then flew NE Osprey over The Ocean, Baston + Langtoft Pits Pacific Plover, Black Stork juv , [several reports] 3 Scaup, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint, Short-eared Owl, Ruddy Shelduck, 19 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Freiston Shore c 20 Spoonbills, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint, 5 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Black Tern, Huttoft Bank offshore 10 Arctic Terns, Long-tailed Skua flew past Brickyard Lane, Saltfleetby 2 Roseate Terns on beach. Chapel Point, then flew north 18/8 Cattle Egret ad, Black-necked Grebe, T-junction Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Black Stork juv. - several reports, Pacific Golden Plover, 2 Spoonbills, Little Stint, 2 Scaup, Turtle Dove, 6 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh 26 Spoonbills, Little Stint, 6 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point 2 Turtle Doves, Tallington Lakes 19/8 Cattle Egret ad, on High Wash with cattle, Baston Fen Pacific Golden Plover ad on saltmarsh Cattle Egret ad, 20 Spoonbills flew east, Scaup, 3 Little Stints, Short-eared Owl on fresh marsh, [sic] Frampton Marsh Cattle Egret ad, Black Stork juv, Freiston Shore 34 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, 5 Spotted Redshanks, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Gibraltar Point Pomarine Skua flew north past Anderby Creek 20/8 3 Ruddy Shelducks at East Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Black-necked Grebe north side of T-junction Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Black Stork juv - several reports, Pacific Golden Plover ad on saltmarsh, 2 Little Stints, 11 Spotted Redshanks, 20 Spoonbills, 2 Short-eared Owls, Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Black Stork landed near North Sea Camp, flew across The Haven, Wood Sandpiper, Freiston Shore Long-tailed Skua offshore, Pied Flycatcher, 17 Spoonbills/Spoonbill flew past visitor centre, Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Gibraltar Point 2 Roseate Terns flew south past, Long-tailed Skua flew past, Pied Flycatcher, Huttoft Bank 2 Wood Sandpipers ad and juv, 4 Ruddy Shelducks, 4 Arctic Terns flew south, East Halton Skitter 21/8 Cattle Egret ad on High Wash with cattle, Baston Fen 3 Ruddy Shelduck at Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Black Stork juv, several reports, Pacific Golden Plover, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Wood Sandpiper, Cattle Egret, 30 Spoonbills, 3 Little Stints, 3 Spotted Redshanks, juv Scaup, 3 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh Wood Sandpiper, Freiston Shore Pied Flycatcher trapped and ringed in West Dunes, 24 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Great White Egret, 7 Arctic Terns flew south, Long-tailed Skua offshore [late report] Gibraltar Point Pied Flycatcher, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe 22/8 Wood Sandpiper juv, ad Cattle Egret on High Wash, Baston Fen 3 Ruddy Shelducks on East Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 2 Black Terns, ad Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Little Stints, 10 Spotted Redshanks, 28 Spoonbills, Dotterel with Golden Plovers, Pacific Golden Plover, Garganey, 7 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh 30 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh., 2 Black Terns, Gibraltar Point 5 Black Terns on beach, then flew north, Purple Sandpiper on beach, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe 2 Wood Sandpipers juvs, juv Caspian Gull, East Halton Skitter Spotted Redshank, Read's Island 2 Wood Sandpipers, Cress Marsh, Stallingborough 8 Spoonbills, 2 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Wood Sandpipers, Alkborough Flats 23/8 2 Turtle Doves, Tallington Lakes 3 Ruddy Shelduck, 1st Lake from entrance, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Black Stork juv, several reports, 2 Cattle Egrets in cattle field, 2 Little Stints, Black-necked Grebe, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Curlew Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Wryneck along alignment bank, 2 Black Terns, Black-necked Grebe juv, Freiston Shore 28 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, 2 Spotted Redshanks on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Long-tailed Skua flew past, Black Tern, Little Gull, Anderby Creek Long-tailed Skua flew North past, 3 juv Black Terns, 2 Little Gulls ad + juv, Mablethorpe, Barred Warbler, midway between Churchill and Rimac in bushes, Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe Glossy Ibis, Little Stint, 9 Spoonbills, 2 Great White Egrets, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flats, 24/8 Sandwich Tern ad at Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Ruddy Shelduck, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Black Stork - several reports, 2 Little Stints, 25 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh Wryneck on realignment bank, Freiston Shore Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, 3 Spoonbills, Pied Flycatcher, Gibraltar Point 2 Long-tailed Skuas flew north past Sutton-on-Sea Barred Warbler in bushes at south end of golf course, Sandilands 2 Curlew Sandpipers on beach, Theddlethorpe ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 - check the latest sightings: https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/lincolnshire-latest-sightings BTO tracked cuckoos: most 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. *** 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 20/8/2021 Bat echolocating @ 55kHz 20.45 - 21.00hrs. Intermittent hunting only. 21/8 Hedgehog visits filmed at 02.02, 02.27 and 03.05hrs. 23/8 Hedgehog visits at 00.34 and 02.04 BOSTON (TF326426) 21/08/2021 Kathleen Pearson I was working on my fuchsias in the front garden when I noticed two small eyes staring at me on the end of a body the length and thickness of a very large middle finger. At first I wondered if it could be a small snake, but Roy discovered it was the caterpillar of an elephant hawk-moth. Whilst I have seen these moths flying around, I had never before encountered a caterpillar. In fact, I had never assumed they could ever be this size. We were able to photograph it before closing the fuchsia over it. I am left wondering if just how much of my plant I can expect to remain. CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK909581 Jeremy Hutchinson 22/8/2021 Several unusual visitors to our garden today: A pair of Goldcrests in the spruce at the front, the first Goldcrests we have seen here for months. A pair of Bullfinches, seldom seen in the garden. A female Blackbird feeding three youngsters, which although now fully grown are very speckled, and must have fledged in recent weeks. I can never recall having seen such young ones as late in the season as this. The mother bird has been seen feeding them with slugs, which she wipes on the grass for a long time (presumably to remove the slime), before breaking them in two. 23/8/2021 A Willow Warbler (I think) feeding in the above-mentioned Spruce. I suspect that there must be aphids or similar on the tree from the amount of attention it is receiving from small birds, especially Blue Tits. Butterfly numbers are still low, but have increased a little since my last report. FAR INGS Far Ings Angela Buckle 22nd August 2021. Rosette gall on willow, Alsike clover, Lucerne, Field pansy, Scull cap, Bulrush, Lesser bulrush, Sea beet, Devilsbit scabious, Carrot. GRIMSBY TA265095 Joyce Attia 25/8/21 I've had so many bees in my garden this year, it's been so good to see them, and lots of little mint moths. The mint is overgrown and untidy. I've cut some back but I don't want to get rid of the moths, though they do go on the oregano flowers. Now I've got wasps, I'm afraid they do have to go. 19/8/21 A walk up to the country park TA 255099 still some wildflowers Bird's foot trefoil, common tansy, teasels, hedge bedstraw, cow vetch, ragwort, wild carrots, vipers bugloss, field scabious, ladies bedstraw, brown knapweed, bristly oxtongue, Timothy, annual yellow sweet clover, mountain ash, red bartsia, but clover, white clover, red clover, hairy vetch, purple loosestrife. Butterflies - small heath, small tortoiseshell, red admiral and there were numerous common blues, so many that as I walked along they were fluttering up in front of me. I had to be careful not to tread on them. Yesterday 24/8/21 there wasn't a single one. Now the black backed gulls across the river on one of the terraced houses. TA266095 The adults are very elegant, if rather loud, but the two juveniles are comical. They are a scruffy grey in colour. They stagger all over the roof and then climb up onto the ridge tiles, run along the top, heads down and necks outstretched until they reach the end tile which they use as a launch pad to flutter down on to the roof below. They can fly but seem to prefer to walk on the roof. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 19/8/2021 Bat sp. 1 Likely Common pip. 8.47pm  20/8/2021 Bat sp. 1 Likely Common pip. 8.37pm Cinnabar caterpillars 2 Southern Hawkers 2 - on the hunt 22/8/2021 Common green shieldbug 1 23/8/2021 Bat sp. 1 Likely Common pip. 8.30pm IMMINGHAM Immingham Angela Buckle 21st August 2021. Common fleabane, Greater celandine, Branched bur weed, Fools parsley, Hedge bindweed, Bulrush, Field bindweed, Stags horn plantain, Prickly lettuce, Woody nightshade, Thyme leaved speedwell, Musk cranesbill, Field madder, Borage, Hedge mustard, Teasel, Yarrow, Water speedwell. KIRKSTEAD OLD MILL (Nr Woodhall Spa) TF188602 Brian Hedley 15th August 2021 The fourth LNU field meeting of 2021 was to the Kirkstead Old Mill area alongside the River Witham near Woodhall Spa, with access kindly permitted by the owner Barbara Hodgkinson. A new meeting location for the LNU. Thirteen LNU stalwarts attended who were led by Brian Hedley on a dry, warm and sunny day and we even had refreshments provided at the end of the meeting including cake! The Old Mill had been used as a Bed & Breakfast until recently and has a large wildlife-friendly garden plus additional areas of grassland and woodland. Permission was also given to look at some adjacent arable land for plants. At least 160 plant species were recorded by Tim Smith, Brian Hedley, Richard O'Conner, Annette Faulkner and Amy Primavera. Highlights included Common Cudweed, Frogbit (scarce in VC54, North Lincolnshire), Greater Duckweed, Marsh Woundwort, Smith's Pepperwort, Common Fiddleneck and Field Madder. What was considered to be the fungus Redlead Roundhead (Leratiomyces ceres) was frequent in one part of the woodland on site. Four plant specimens were collected for the LoveLincsPlants herbarium near the end the meeting. Thirty-six bird species were heard or seen including Little Egret, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kingfisher, Yellow Wagtail, Yellowhammer and Bullfinch. Butterflies were abundant (helped by the profusion of Buddleia around) with 15 species noted including Purple Hairstreak, Painted Lady, Essex Skipper and Brown Argus. Moths included the distinctive micromoth Ochsenheimeria taurella, Dingy Footman, Silver Y, Latticed Heath, Straw Dot and caterpillars of both Cinnabar and Buff-tip. Ten species of odonata were recorded including at least 15 Willow Emerald Damselflies (another new Lincolnshire site for this recent colonist) plus several Brown Hawkers and Ruddy Darters. Other insects included the ichneumonwasp, Hepiopelmus variegatorius (8th record for Lincolnshire) found by John Davison and the parasitic wasp, Gasteruption jaculata, found by John Flynn. A good selection of weevils were noted by Charlie Barnes including Isochnus sequensi which feeds on willow and Nanophyes marmoratus which feeds on purple loosestrife. Phil Porter had a good afternoon catching flies and noted two tiny fragile yellow dolichopodid flies of the genus Xanthochlorus (new for Lincolnshire) which is probably X. galbanus but needs close examination of the genitalia. The possible confusion species is much less likely and would also be new to the county. They are characteristic of shady, sheltered, damp conditions and were noted in the dried-up ponds of the planted woodland plot. Phil also recorded a short-palped cranefly,Pilaria decolor, luckily also a male, which will be the second county record following the first in 1988. The longhorn beetle Strangalia quadrifasciata was also noted plus the tortoise beetle Cassida vibex. At least seven different plant galls were noted by Colin Faulkner including those on Germander Speedwell caused by the gall fly Jaapiella veronicae and a Sweet Bay bush had the characteristic yellowing leaf-folds of the Bay Sucker bug, Trioza alacris. WILLINGHAM WOODS Willingham Woods Angela Buckle 23rd August 2021. Narrow leaved hawkweed, Water pepper, Silver wash fritillary Butterfly. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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   18th – 24th August 2021 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 190821 - Noticeable increase in small tortoiseshells around Sea View. Tawny owl calling at Sea View. 200821 - Paradise lagoon: 4 common snipe, 2 green sandpiper, 9 lapwing, 6 redshank, 2 common sandpiper, 20 black-headed gulls, 42 common gulls, singles of curlew, moorhen, coot and mallard. 1 whimbrel flying over Sea View. 210821 - Of interest from WeBS were: 31 little egrets on Paradise lagoon. In the Saltfleet Haven area: 340 ringed plover, 205 dunlin, 24 sanderling, 57 curlew, 5 whimbrel, 18 knot, 93 oystercatcher, 12 sandwich terns and 2 comic terns. 230821 - Butterflies on the wing around Sea View included small tortoiseshell, peacock, red admiral, small copper and common blue. A single willow emerald damselfly was briefly seen, and photographed, in a garden near Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR. 240821 - 2 whimbrel over Sea View.  Other local reserves: 180821 – Muckton Wood: Raven flew over ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ British Native Trees - Woodland Trust https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/ The Forestry Commission advice: https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide 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 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." 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 - we can expect post-harvest 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 *** Cracking up in Lincolnshire - our roads - Geological Society *** https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/Geoscientist/Archive/March-2014/Cracking-up-in-Lincolnshire *** 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 Code of Conduct for Responsible Collecting of Fungi http://www.davidmoore.org.uk/Assets/fungi4schools/Reprints/Pickers_code.pdf 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 See: https://lnu.org/meetings/workshops/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** None this week. 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: all in a night’s work for the greater horseshoe bats https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/24/country-diary-all-in-a-nights-work-for-the-greater-horseshoe-bats Falcons use 'natural makeup' to improve their hunting success - fascinating https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/natural-make-up-falcons-08062021/ Feisty bees make more potent venom, which makes for better medicine https://www.zmescience.com/science/feisty-bees-more-potent-venom-3573342/ A Wild Year - The Fens - BBC" - July 2020 - in case you missed it. 59 mins. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000kjrl/a-wild-year-series-1-2-the-fens Nature: Rattlesnakes' sound 'trick' fools human ears https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-58270599 Avian red blood cell mitochondria produce more heat in winter than in autumn https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1096/fj.202100107R "UK names first food with protected status in post-Brexit scheme" https://theconversation.com/uk-names-first-food-with-protected-status-in-post-brexit-scheme-heres-how-it-will-promote-sustainable-farming-166114 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/