============================================ || || 7th July 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 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: "The Big Butterfly Count is a UK-wide survey aimed at helping us assess the health of our environment simply by counting the amount and type of butterflies (and some day-flying moths) we see." If you are hoping to help with Butterfly Conservation's the Big Butterfly Count this year - 16th July to the 8th August - then visit: https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/ Lawns have started to show the tell tale signs of "fairy rings" - evidence of the hidden activity of soil fungi that will soon be putting up fruiting bodies. There are huge rings on the village green, which I like to see but many won't! Our regular "cracking Boletus" has put up caps this week - now marked with a stick so I don't mow over them. If you have have forgotten how fairy rings work, the link here explains it: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2019/08/what-is-a-fairy-ring/ Googling for more information you will quickly discover that the world is divided into the golfers and gardeners that want rid of rings and the Fungus Fans who seen them as amazing clues of a hidden world beneath our feet. Some of you may feel both sentiments at the same time! See: Fungi Families/Types Identity Parade https://www.first-nature.com/fungi/ If sending in fungi records please remember to include details of habitat and associated vegetation, trees especially. It often is crucial information. Weather Forecast - 11 - 20 July "We could see a continuation of showers and longer periods of rain going into next week, these potentially heavy and widespread. From mid-next week onwards, it is most likely turning increasingly settled with a good deal of dry weather, variable cloud and spells of sunshine." https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ Here is the week's selection of links from topical local to national and international news stories and wildlife-related articles sent in by fellow-readers. Hopefully there's something for every reader. Your contributions keep the Bulletin interesting so please keep them coming! More links in "...and finally..." RSPB's Emily Williamson: The woman who saved a million birds https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-57651905 Red squirrels and pine martens could lose protection in UK review, say experts https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/02/red-squirrels-and-pine-martens-could-lose-protection-in-uk-review-say-experts Bempton cliffs albatross makes return to Yorkshire coast https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-57683184 Royal Mail delivers letter addressed to 'woman in Cornwall shed' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-57670098 Rare white puffin spotted on Scottish island https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-57678621 Covid common in cats and dogs, study finds https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57666245 Animals That Made Us Smarter - BBC Sounds https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xttw7 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. You may pick up changes you should know about. To help find more readers, please use 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/ Thank you for all the contributions this week. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - this is my best address for emails please. *** Covid-19 Noticeboard *** Please stay aware of updated government advice and 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 Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2021 Lincolnshire Environmental Awards are to be relaunched this year with substantial prizes! Groups that want to enter will have to submit their entries by 31st July 2021. The finals will be a much simpler affair at Whisby Nature Park on the afternoon of Saturday 25th September. For further information see: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lincs-environmental-awards Events/activities for Love Lincs Plants remain suspended until further notice. 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. The City of Lincoln Council intends for the 2021 Christmas Market to go ahead, subject to government restrictions, from 2-5 December. You may like to make a mental note of this decision, whether or not you hope to attend or avoid it. *** Useful Hedgehog Links *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** Bourne Barn Owls online *** "All eyes on the barn owls this week as we expect the first egg to hatch between Wednesday and Saturday.." https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 The two osprey chicks are growing fast at Loch of Lowes. https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ *** National Whale & Dolphin Watch. 2021 *** Dave Miller writes: It is that time of year again – National Whale & Dolphin Watch – a national survey that we have been involved in since 2011. https://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw/ As last year, at the moment we can’t use this as an event but it would be great to get some data from Lincolnshire. I am planning on doing sea watches on 31st July from Chapel Point and 1st August from Anderby Creek. You are more than welcome to join me, as long as there is not too many of us, or carry out your own sea watch. You can spend as long or as little as you can manage, it all helps. Let’s hope for great weather and huge pods of cetaceans! If you are planning your own watch please do fill out the registration form and send to Sea Watch and please copy me in. You can email me for a copy of their form on. dmiller@lincstrust.co.uk *** 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 *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** July 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 Stargazing guide: Britain’s dark sky sites https://www.countryfile.com/how-to/outdoor-skills/stargazing-guide-britains-dark-sky-locations-best-places-to-stargaze-plus-how-to-get-started/ A Big Glowing Cloud of Marsdust https://spaceweather.com/ Meteor Shower Guide 2021 https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/best-meteor-showers-in-2021/ Delta Aquariids - July 29 Perseids - Aug. 12 A beginner’s guide to meteor showers https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/a-beginners-guide-to-meteor-showers/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 articles: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp Note: Baillon's Crake https://www.birdguides.com/articles/species-profiles/focus-on-baillons-crake/ 29/6 Short-eared Owl, 7 Spoonbills, singing Turtle Dove, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 2 Quail males singing late evening, Scopwick 30/6 2 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands. Gibraltar Point 1/7... 2/7 Black Tern, Little Gull, 10 Spoonbills, fem Ruddy Shelduck, 7 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Wood Sandpiper on Middlemarsh Wetlands, west of Skegness - late report Montagu's Harrier briefly, Messingham Sand Quarry Baillon's Crake singing on 7th June - for 3 days but not seen since, Alkborough Flats 3/7 5 Spotted Redshanks, Black Tern, Curlew Sandpiper, Ruddy Shelduck, 10 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl on Tennyson's Sands, Spotted Redshank on Croft Marsh, Gibraltar Point 4/7 Short-eared Owl on Tennyson's Sands, Spotted Redshank on Croft Marsh, Gibraltar Point Wood Sandpiper, on marsh by flood bank, East Halton Skitter Quail male singing of Star Lode Drove, Pinchbeck North Fen 5/7 Ruddy Shelduck, 4+ Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh 12 Spoonbills, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point 13 Spoonbills, 6 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flats 6/7 5 Spoonbills, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 7/7 4 Spoonbills, Spotted Redshank, 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! Mink v Grey Squirrel - Stuart Britton writes: Since Monday Market Rasen Golf Club has been hosting the English Senior Ladies Championship. Because of the format the Course has been much quieter than usual, especially the last two days. This afternoon I was with the Head Greenkeeper when the calls of two Carrion Crows caught our attention. They were flying around a Scots Pine where a Grey Squirrel was being pursued by a black mink. They climbed up and down a couple of times until the mink gave up the pursuit. We saw it disappear into the undergrowth beside the River Rase which runs through the Course. The Greenkeeper told me he had seen a family of mink last week for the first time which does not bode well for the already dwindling Water Vole population and ground nesting birds. I have lived in Market Rasen for almost 40 years and is the first time I have seen mink and I was not aware that they were so adept at climbing. Editor adds: Most of us glimpse mustelids like weasels or stoats crossing the road, or badgers in the garden if we are lucky, but until you get a sighting like this it is hard to appreciate their speed, agility and determination. We had a "garden stoat " one year which taught us quite how quickly and thoroughly these animals patrol and hunt. They inspect every inch of their territory relentlessly, examine every nest box they can find, climbing walls to search roofs and gutters. In spite of this work- load, they also make time for frenetic play - as a house-ferret taught us many years ago and pine martens showed us on a visit to Scotland. Part of staying "hunting fit". Four links "not to be missed" Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog: http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ 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: 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 R & A Parsons 2/7/2021 7 Swifts hunting high over garden. 2 Goldfinches are regular visitors to the bird bath. Small tortoiseshell butterfly flew through. 3/7 Brimstone m visiting Lime trees 13.00hrs and Holly bush in the garden. 22.00hrs - single adult bat spp hunting in garden. 4/7 Tree Bee queen, Bombus hypnorum f, checking an upstairs east-facing window frame at 08.00hrs. BOSTON (TF326426) June 2021 Kathleen Pearson During June I was able to do BTO Garden BirdWatch on all 30 days. As many as 23 species occurred, but the totals for each were quite low with only two species reaching counts of ten or above - Goldfinch 11 and Starling 12. An unusual and sad occurrence was the visit of a juvenile Bullfinch which hadn’t been seen for several years . Unfortunately it moved out of the feeding area and flew fatally into a window. Bird records were:- Starling 12, Blackbird 6, House Sparrow 4, Greenfinch 4, Carrion Crow 4, Wren 1, Woodpigeon 3, Song Thrush 3, Dunnock 3, Goldfinch 11, Collared Dove 2, Robin 2, Chaffinch 2, Blue Tit 7, Great Tit 1, Black-headed Gull 3, Herring Gull 2, Magpie 1, Sparrowhawk 1, Stock Dove 2, Pied Wagtail 2, Lesser Black-backed Gull 2, Bullfinch 2. Butterflies:- Holly Blue, Brimstone, Large White, Orange-tip, Red Admiral, Small Tortoiseshell and Small White. Others: Brown Hawker, Common Blue Damselfly, hedgehog and muntjac. GRIMSTHORPE ESTATE(SK92) Jane Ostler 1/7/21 A trip out on motor scooter to the Chestnut Avenue and beyond to the bridge over the disused railway, covering several miles in order to have time to sketch some of the oldest trees. The notes below are therefore what was seen from the scooter: At the lakeside: Black tailed skimmers Orthritum cancellatum. Dozens, all blue and therefore male perching on the path and moving in ripples ahead of us. Blue-tailed damselfly Ishnura elegans – 10 counted in long grass, same area. Later alongside woodland a single Brown Hawker Aeshna grandis.. On the grass verges and above grass fields: Meadow Browns. They must have been hundreds in total as we saw them throughout our journey. We also saw Small Heath, Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admirals, Whites (a few only) Cinnabar Moth, but no Speckled Wood which we had seen on our previous visit some paired up. Grey lag Geese were in flocks and with young, There were at least 14 Mute Swans but no signets and the Great Crested Grebe, Coot and Mallard were in the distance. One low lying damp, and scrubby area was full of the sound of sedge warblers. We also heard chiff chaff and there were Jays flying from a wooded area. A hare squatted down in a field. We saw it again on our return journey but this time it was zig-zagging on the path ahead of us in typical fashion , seeming reluctant to head back to the field until it reached the wood edge - where a squirrel was climbing a tree. At the railway bridge where we stopped before heading back a lizard sunning on some bare ground until it noticed us and scuttled off under a bush. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 28/6/2021 Barn owl 2 flying through garden at 9.55pm, one immediately after the other 4/7/2021 Barn owl 1 9pm Speckled wood 2 5/7/2021 Meadow brown 1 Red admirals 2 6/7/2021 Southern hawker 1 on nettle NETTLEHAM in house TF 01659 75297 David Smith 01/07/2021 Cockchafer SANDILANDS - Boygrift Bridge Outflow Charles Gladwin 4/7/2021 Harbour Porpoise [infant?] I attach an image of a dead cetacean taken yesterday, Sunday 4 July, on the Lincolnshire coast. The body was perhaps no more than 50cm long with some decomposition (the eye and cheek) and the skin cracked. It was at the high water mark, just before high tide at around 2.30pm, on the beach between Sandilands and Boygrift Bridge outflow, south of Sutton on Sea. There was an onshore breeze, from the east/south east. The sea was relatively calm, with a wave height of 1-2 feet. Photo sent to Seawatch Foundation and determined by Peter Evans SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner Blackbird x 1 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Collared Dove x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Jackdaw x 2 Swallow x 25 Swift x 15 Tree Sparrow x 5 Willow Warbler x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 Yellowhammer x 1 Meadow Brown x 2 Ringlet x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 2 Brown Plume x 52 Chimney Sweeper Moth x 9 06/07/21 Blackbird x 3 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Jackdaw x 4 Kestrel x 1 Robin x 1 Swallow x 15 Willow Warbler x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 Meadow Brown x 9 Ringlet x 15 Small Tortoiseshell x 7 Brown Plume Moth x 27 Lady's Bedstraw in full flower THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 23/06/21 Blackbird x 3 adults and at least 12 fledged young Black-headed Gull x 3 over Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 1 with several fledged young Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 1 Goldfinch x 4 Greenfinch x 1 Magpie x 1 Pied Wagtail x 1 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Swallow x 4 Tree Sparrow x 7 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 adult with several fledged young Yellowhammer x 1 Yellow Wagtail x 2 Common Pipistrelle x 1 21:30hrs (45hz) Large Skipper x 3 Meadow Brown x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 4 Blood-vein x 1 Cinnabar x 1 Common Blue Damselfly x 4 25/06/21 Blackbird x lots of fledged young Blue Tit x 2 adults, 7 fledged young Goldfinch x 4 Greenfinch x 1 Pied Wagtail x 2 adults with 4 fledged young Swallow x 4 Wood Pigeon x 8 Blood-vein x 1 Cinnabar x 1 Yellow Shell x 4 26/06/21 Common Frog x 1 adult 28/06/21 Blackbird x 15+ fledged young Blue Tit x at least 7 fledged young Chaffinch x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Goldfinch x 4 Kestrel x 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull x 3 over Thurnholmes Linnet x 2 Magpie x 2 Oystercatcher x 2 over Thurnholmes Willow Warbler x 1 Wren x several fledglings Yellow Shell x 4 29/06/21 Large Skipper x 4 on large patch of Birds-foot Trefoil Red Admiral x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 7 Brimstone Moth x 1 on security light Yellow Shell x 2 01/07/21 Blue Tit x large family party (7+) Common Buzzard x 1 Greenfinch x at least 4 fledged young Oystercatcher x 1 over Thurnholmes Tawny Owl x 2, possibly 3 fully fledged young, Owston Ferry Warping Drain Buff Ermine x 1 Cinnabar x 1 Riband Wave x 1 Spinach x 1 03/07/21 Large Skipper x 2 Red Admiral x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 6 Yellow Shell x 2 04/07/21 Large Skipper x 3 Meadow Brown x 4 Red Admiral x 1 Ringlet x 2 Small Tortoiseshell x 11 05/07/21 Blackbird x 6 Blue Tit x 6 Carrion Crow x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Goldfinch x 4 Greenfinch x 7 including fledged young Linnet x 2 Magpie x 2 Robin x 9 including several fledged young Stock Dove x 1 fledged young (2nd successful breeding from same nest box this year) Swallow x 6 Swift x 15 Willow Warbler x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 Green-veined White x 1 Large Skipper x 3 Meadow Brown x 4 Ringlet x 8 Small Tortoiseshell x 9 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 30th June – 6th July 2021 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Note: A recent spell of unsettled weather bringing a number of heavy showers has been a boost to the dune vegetation where there is a fine show of the typical species including ladies bedstraw, viper’s bugloss, stonecrop, lesser meadow rue, rest harrow, hop trefoil, cats ear, common centaury, pyramidal orchid, marsh helleborine, musk thistle, marsh thistle, yarrow, agrimony and valerian in the fresh water marsh. On t he saltmarsh sea lavender and sea plantain are coming into flower. 300621 – At Rimac 2 Common lizards seen basking. 010721 - Nine lapwing and 30 redshank on the edge of Paradise lagoon. 020721 - Paradise lagoon 7 lapwing, 11 redshank including one with 2 chicks, 1 black-tailed godwit, 1 common snipe, 3 common sandpiper, 2 green sandpiper, 41 mallard including a female with 8 young juvs, 14 tufted duck, 5 teal, 1 coot, pair of moorhen with 3 juvs, 1 little grebe and a great white egret. On the saltmarsh short-eared owl, marsh harrier,13 curlew and at least 1000 starlings in the area. 030721 - Hobby harassing two common buzzards over the saltmarsh, 10 little egrets on saltmarsh and on Rimac lagoon, on which there is no surface water, 3 young avocets and two adult birds. Spotted flycatcher at Sea View. Returning curlew, 10 sandwich tern and 1 green shank. 040721 - Marsh harrier mobbing two common buzzards over Rimac, 1200 starlings in scrub in the area, great white egret in Sea View washlands, 9 curlew on the saltmarsh. Paradise lagoon 17 black-tailed godwits flew off, south, juvenile avocet, 2 common sandpiper, 9 lapwing, 1 green sandpiper, 15 tufted duck, 7 teal, 49 mallard and 6 swifts over.A Cetti's warbler in song near Churchill Lane car park 050721 - Weasel hunting at Sea View. Paradise lagoon 2 avocets with well grown young, 6 black-tailed godwits, 1 green sandpiper, 1 common snipe, redshanks with 2 chicks. Over saltmarsh marsh harrier and short-eared owl. 1 Panageaus cruxmajor [ground beetle] at Sea View. 1 Common lizard at Rimac. 060721 - 27 swifts south over Sea View. Paradise lagoon 24 lapwing, 1 green sand- piper and 2 common sandpipers of note. Elsewhere 12 Curlew, 4 dunlin, 1 curlew sandpiper, 68 herring gull, 19 black headed gull, 9 greater black back gull and 15 common gull. 1 Marsh harrier hunting along River Eau. 070721 - 132 swifts flew south early morning in cloudy humid weather. Other local reserves 020721 – Tetney Blow Wells – Good numbers of meadow browns among the meadows also ringlet, red admiral, small tortoiseshell, small skipper, small white and the bee mimic Volucella bombylans. Banded demoiselle around the Blow Wells. Singing Cetti’s warbler, chiffchaff, whitethroat and blackcap. Overhead 3 buzzard and 7 swift. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 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 *** British Bats, their Ecology and Conservation - online course *** Training for volunteers & beginners - Bat Conservation Trust https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/training-and-conferences/training-for-volunteers-beginners/british-bats-their-ecology-and-conservation-online-course *** Field Studies Council *** Bringing Environmental Understanding to All https://www.field-studies-council.org/ BioLinks Courses – Field Studies Council https://www.field-studies-council.org/biolinks-courses/ Summer Online Training Programme – Field Studies Council https://www.field-studies-council.org/2021/06/03/summer-online-training-programme/ *** 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 *** British geology maps - now free to explore on web *** http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ *** UKGE - Geological Supplies *** https://www.ukge.com/ *** The Geology of Lincolnshire - downloadable LNU book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-geology-of-lincolnshire-h-h-swinnerton-and-p-e-kent.pdf *** British Geological Survey at Keyworth *** https://www.bgs.ac.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ Richard Davidson says of the Whisby Workshops: "I have five workshops lined up at Whisby Nature Park in the autumn. These are as follows - Yellow Asteraceae Flowers - led by Sarah Lambert on September 18th Plant Pressing - led by Sue Fysh on September 25th Sawflies - led by David Sheppard on October 9th Lichens - led by Mark Seaward on October 16th Dissecting Owl Pellets - led by Garry Steele on November 20th" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: what’s behind this silken grey cloud? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/03/country-diary-whats-behind-this-silken-grey-cloud Country diary: the spiderlings are under wraps https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/07/country-diary-the-spiderlings-are-under-wraps Pembrokeshire: Hundreds of medieval bodies excavated at Whitesands Beach https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-57685284 Climate change: 'Last refuge' for polar bears is vulnerable to warming https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57682081 Climate change: Extremes committee validates Antarctic record heat https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57676695 US-Canada heatwave: Visual guide to the causes https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-57665715 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/