=========================================== || || 14th 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: With the prospect of this summer turning hot and humid we might start to see the annual swarming events of winged male and female ants; "Flying Ant Day" as it is popularly and inaccurately known. Here is the Natural History Museum account. Timing will depend on local conditions, which is why your ant reports across the county will be interesting. Flying ant day: when winged ants take their nuptial flight https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/when-why-winged-ants-swarm-nuptial-flight.html Ant ID on Naturespot: https://www.naturespot.org.uk/ant_ID If you are hoping to help with Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count this year - 16th July to the 8th August - then visit: https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/ Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2021 - don't miss the deadline! Groups that want to enter will have to submit their entries by 31st July 2021. The finals will be a simple affair at Whisby Nature Park on the afternoon of Saturday 25th September. For further information see: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lincs-environmental-awards BBC1 Countryfile 18th July: Flamborough Head - not to be missed! https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000y33p Weather Forecast - 18 - 27 July "It's expected to be widely dry with plenty of sunshine developing on Sunday... Following this, it's likely that we'll see a good deal of dry weather with plenty of sunshine, at least at first..." 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 Bulletin readers. I hope there's something for everyone. Your contributions keep the Bulletin interesting so please keep them coming! More links in "...and finally..." Covid: North East Lincolnshire infection rates 'highest ever' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-57813012 Artist to explore the sanctuary provided by south Lincolnshire nature reserve https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/news/artist-explore-sanctuary-provided-south-lincolnshire-nature-reserve Lamborghini Aventador 'wiped out' by suspected drink-driver https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-57737082 Every Flower Counts - Plantlife - why not do a count? https://www.plantlife.org.uk/everyflowercounts/ Nature: Backyard moth spotting rises during lockdown https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57742701 England's Big Picture: 5 July - 11 July - great! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-57716464 NH Museum to relocate 27 million specimens to new science research facility https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2021/july/relocating-27-million-specimens-to-science-research-facility.html Winchcombe meteorite gets official classification https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57763422 Iceland's spectacular volcano tracked from space - a must watch clip! Wow! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57742138 Woodland Trust pledges to end use of plastic tree guards https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-57746692 Wildlife Trusts habitat projects aim to tackle climate crisis https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-57756586 Call for action over road run-off pollution hitting English rivers https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-57767656 Water pollution causing ‘death by a thousand cuts’ for rivers https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-57804260 In pictures: Plant species identified in lockdown - Scotland https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-57736577 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 your 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 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/ *** Editor's Question for Bat workers *** We have a small bunker in the garden that looks about the size of those old farm milk-churn stands, brick built with a stone top - very solid. A bit damp perhaps. A single small low door suggests it may have been used for coal in former days. My question is - now it has no modern use - could it make a hibernaculum for bats? [First thought is it's a bit low down, so perhaps for Small Tortoiseshells?] *** Bourne Barn Owls online *** Bob writes: The first egg hatched on Thursday 8th July and the second chick was seen on 10th. We had a third owl chick at 3.05pm yesterday, 12th. The fourth is due tomorrow night, 14th, all being well. 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 - will you be helping? *** 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 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's excellent articles: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp 7/7 8 Spoonbills, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 4 Spoonbills, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 8/7 9 Spoonbills, Wood Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Ruddy Shelduck, 2 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh 8 Spoonbills, 7 on Tennyson's Sands, 1 on Jackson's Marsh then flew south - later 23 Spoonbills reporte, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Quail male singing, Marsh Yard, Hutton Marsh - flew over coast road 9/7 9 Spoonbills, Wood Sandpiper, Turtle Dove, Short-eared Owl, Ruddy Shelduck fem, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Whooper Swan, Roseate Tern on brackish lagoon. Freiston Shore 11 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point Spoonbill on Paradise Pool south on Saltfleet Haven, SE of Saltfleet 10/7 13 Spoonbills, Wood Sandpiper, Ruddy Shelduck, Short-eared Owl, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 13 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl, Turtle Dove, Rimac 11/7 13 Spoonbills, 6 Spotted Redshanks, adults, Wood Sandpiper, 2 Short-eared Owls, Ruddy Shelduck fem, Frampton Marsh 8 Spoonbills, 4 on Jackson's Marsh, 4 on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 7 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 12/7 12 Spoonbills, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Ruddy Shelduck, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh 3 Roseate Terns, adults, on brackish lagoon, Freiston Shore 15 Spoonbills, 5 reported on Jackson's Marsh, 5 on Tennyson's Sands. Spotted Redshank on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Black Kite - unconfirmed report, south of Bassingham Turtle Dove male singing at Linwood, Market Rasen [present c 1 week] 13/7 14 Spoonbills, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 17 Spoonbills, 1 on Jackson's Marsh, 16 on Tennyson's Sands, Roseate Tern, Gibraltar Point 1+ Quail male singing west of Scopwick ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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! *** Another Mink Story - this time from Jane Ostler *** Another example of the intelligence of MINK. Over a decade ago I watched from our canal boat as a mink swam past with 4 kits behind her. She turned to get out of the water but was met with the piling edging the canal 18” above the water line. The adult found an overhanging branched of some hawthorn and scrambled on - her weight holding the branch down. The four youngsters then ran over her back and onto dry land. 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: on their way south. 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 10/7/2021 2 Tawny Owls heard calling approx 4am - AP Large White butterfly on lavender - noon. Where are they all? 7 Swifts over 19.35hrs BASSINGHAM Bassingham SK908592 Jeremy Hutchinson 10/7/2021, 18.00 Barn Owl hunting (presumably one of the same pair reported twice before recently) CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK909580 Jeremy Hutchinson 12/7/2021, 10.00 Possible Black Kite circling over village BOSTON 11th July morning Gill Walsh A five mile walk along the small drain through the Rosebery Meadows estate to the North Forty Foot Drain, along the south side and back through Peter Paine playing fields, over the bridge and along North Forty Foot Bank, left onto Great Fen Road, through the little wood at the back of the PRSA and back along Boardsides. Mute swan Greylag goose Canada goose Mallard Buzzard Pheasant Moorhen Coot Oystercatcher 2 Black-headed gull Lesser black-backed gull Herring gull Feral pigeon Woodpigeon Collared dove Skylark Swift Swallow Pied wagtail Robin Blackbird Sedge warbler Reed warbler Magpie Jackdaw Carrion crow Starling House sparrow Chaffinch Greenfinch Goldfinch Linnet Yellowhammer Reed bunting. Ringlet Meadow brown Gatekeeper Speckled wood Comma Red admiral Small tortoiseshell Small white Green-veined white Large skipper Small skipper Essex skipper Silver Y moth Cinnabar moth caterpillars Brown hawker Emperor dragonfly Common darter Black-tailed skimmer Common blue damselfly Blue-tailed damselfly Emerald damselfly FAR INGS Angela Buckle 11th July 2021. Lesser water parsnip, Procumbent pearlwort, Water plantain, Rosebay willowherb, Butterfly bush, Spear thistle, Scarlet pimpernel, Hedge bedstraw, Black horehound, Red bartsia, Blue water speedwell, Pellitory of the wall, Crown vetch. FISKERTON ROAD near Snakeholme Farm, TF118714 R & A Parsons 11/7/2021 Barn owl carrying prey, flying north to south over road *** LNU Field Meeting report *** GRIMSBY CEMETERY (including Gooseman's Field and Drain area to southwest) TA275073 Report by Brian Hedley 27th June 2021 The second LNU field meeting of 2021 was to the Grimsby Cemetery area which is a new site for the LNU. Whilst there, we also visited Gooseman's Field and Gooseman's Drain which are adjacent to the southwest. A total of seven intrepid members attended led by Brian Hedley and Rachel Graham on a dry and partly sunny day. A total of about 175 plant species were recorded by Tim Smith and Brian Hedley with some areas of relatively species-rich grassland noted in small areas of the cemetery and in larger areas of Gooseman's Field. Highlights included a few White Helleborines (just gone over), 10+ Pyramidal Orchid spikes, Stinking Iris, Agrimony, Yellow-rattle, Meadow Vetchling, Lady's Bedstraw, Lesser Stitchwort, Rough Hawkbit and Creeping Jenny. Thirty-two bird species were heard or seen including Buzzard, Mistle Thrush, Lesser Whitethroat, Coal Tit, Bullfinch, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting. Common Frog tadpoles were frequent within a pool area of Gooseman's Drain. Butterflies were restricted to five species including several Small Heaths and a Painted Lady. Moths included Middle-barred Minor, Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet, Vapourer (caterpillar) and Thistle Ermine. A lime tree within the cemetery supported the distinctive galls of the midge Contarinia tiliarum. The weevil Graptus triguttatus (new for North Lincs VC54) was recorded by Charlie Barnes andis associated with Ribwort Plantain. Of the diptera captured in the tall rough grassland, a large, well-marked Phasia obesa was the highlight of those identified so far. This is a southern fly which has been spreading north for some considerable time now. Dolichopus trivialis was by far the most common species, outnumbering all the others put together. Also recorded was Delia platura, possibly the world’s most widespread agricultural pest. GRIMSTHORPE ESTATE SKTFO4/21 Jane Ostler 11/7/21 A ride round the lake on motor scooter. 20C, cumulus cloud. Black-tailed skimmer Dragonflies as seen on 1/7/21, all blue as seen before but this time flying on edge of tall vegetation, rather than perching on path. Later I managed a clear photo of a blue damselfly, so able to identify it as the Common Blue Damselfly. I wondered if my identification of a damselfly on 1/7/21 as Ishnura elegans was mistaken. On one tall clump of creeping thistle there were at least 50 Meadow Brown Butterflies feeding. No other species of butterfly was seen on our ride round lake. On the water at around lla.m. a long flotilla of Greylag Geese, adults and young, crossed the lake to settle on the grassland. 12 Swans seen, all on water. Great Crested Grebes diving. On our way back saw pied wagtails on castle roof and swallows and house martins feeding. A surprise as we left the lake was a bank vole which ran across the path in front of us. It stopped with its back feet still on the path but its face buried in the short grass at the edge. We showed it to some children and their parents, my husband took a photograph and then it scuttled into the vegetation. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 7/7/2021 Large Skipper 1 - on thistle Painted lady 1 - on thistle Red admiral 1 Small tortoiseshell 2 - on thistle 8/7/2021 Buzzards 2 - over field (TF510762) Green-veined white 1 Meadow browns2 Red-tailed bumblebee 1 9/7/2021 Cinnabar moth 1 - Saw the moth around 10am first but it was flying quickly and I had to wait until the afternoon to spot it again. This is my first. Last year, ragwort grew in 3 clumps on the farm lane down to my property and I saw the caterpillars. There hasn't been a crop this year for some reason (usually oil seed rape or cereal) but a few weeks ago the field was sprayed. The drift killed all the ragwort, thistle, nettle and hogweed along the lane, much to my horror. Azure damselfly 1 Comma 1 Ringlet 1 Small tortoiseshell 5 10/7/2021 Barn owl 1 - flew through garden at 9.10pm Ichneumon stramentor 1 - on blade of grass in hedgerow Painted lady 1 Southern hawker 1 - resting on nettle 11/7/2021 Bat sp 1 - Likely common pipistrelle, 45kHz - 9.50pm Southern hawkers 2 - early evening, flying backwards and forwards over garden and I think they were catching insects Volucella pellucens 1 12/7/2021 Badger 1 - 2.50am on neighbour's webcam 13/7/2021 Nursery-web spider Pisaura mirabilis 1 - Guarding spiderlings in 'silk tent' made on nettle on side of lane. Photo available. NORTON DISNEY Norton Disney SK889585 Jeremy Hutchinson 9/7/2021 Peregrine perched on dead wood in Ash tree (spotted by a friend) SNAKEHOLME Pit NR R & A Parsons 11/7/2021 Butterflies: Brimstone, Meadow Browns numerous, Ringlets - several, 1 White spp, 1 Skipper spp., Many Common Blue and Blue-tailed damselflies and distant darter spp. WOOLSTHORPE BY COLSTERWORTH Jane Ostler 1-12July 2021 Garden SK9223247 3/7/21 Volcanoes of sand left between the paving slabs in front garden after flying ants appeared on a thundery afternoon. A dozen swifts flying low in a frenzy of feeding. This was earlier then in previous years (c.f. 23/7/18). Two days later back lawn cut revealing brown patches left by emerging yellow ants in lawn. Grass snakes still appearing occasionally. One well grown in pond but also a large one curled under the seat of the gazebo! This month a neighbour has had grass snakes hatch in her compost heap. On the Protected Roadside Verge (SK 90/24) Pyramidal Orchids seen in a new area (7/21). The first ones were seen two years ago and have come up in the same area again. Marbled Whites appeared on this verge and the neigbouring Nature Trail at the beginning of July two years ago, at the same time last year but have not been seen yet this year. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 7th – 13th July 2021 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 070721 - Great white egret flew over Paradise lagoon into nearby wood, late evening, to roost. Barn owl hunting in area and cuckoo calling. Hobby seen to take, with unbelievable ease and agility, a small bird whilst hunting over saltmarsh. At Rimac: ruddy darter. 080721 - Paradise lagoon: 3 common sandpipers, 2 green sandpipers, 1 greenshank, 60 lapwing, 10 teal, 5 redshank, 3 avocet, 60 lapwing, 20 mallard, 5 tufted duck, 2 moorhen, 10 black-headed gull and a grasshopper warbler calling nearby. At Sea View 12 curlew flying over to feed on nearby fields. 090721 - Spoonbill at Paradise lagoon (per Geoff Williams). Party of 9 long-tailed tits with single chiffchaff, 3 reed buntings and 4 blue tits at Rimac and emperor dragonfly, common darter, black-tailed skimmer and four-spotted chaser. 100721 - Great white egret, 1 black-tailed godwit, 2 greenshank, 1 dunlin, 1 green sandpiper and 3 redshank at Paradise lagoon. Along the Eau nearby: kingfisher, green sandpiper and common sandpiper. 4 little egrets on saltmarsh. 22 dunlin, 8 knot, 13 sandwich terns and increasing numbers of black headed gulls on foreshore as post breeding dispersal begins. 110721 - Skylark carrying food on the dunes near Rimac. Comma on the wing at Sea View. Paradise lagoon, evening: 4 greenshank, 62 lapwing, 9 dunlin, 3 green sandpipers, 2 common sandpipers, and 11 redshank. Short-eared owl hunting over the saltmarsh and the great white egret flew out off the saltmarsh towards Saltfleet and beyond. 120721 - Along evening high tide line at Saltfleet Haven a minimum of 364 curlews. Paradise lagoon, evening: 2 black-tailed godwits, 2 common sandpipers, 3 green sandpipers, single ruff, common snipe and little stint, 49 lapwing, 3 greenshank, 7 redshank and a pair of redshank with 2 chicks. Hobby flew over the area. Short-eared owl hunting over the saltmarsh. 3 little ringed plover on foreshore. 2 small bats flying around Churchill Lane most eveningsat dusk. Odonata now on the wing are ruddy and common darters and emerald green damselflies. Flowers: meadowsweet, sea lavender, marsh helleborine Other local reserves 070721 - Welton-le-Wold: 3 skylark, 2 yellowhammer and 2 lesser whitethroat. Also an abundance of meadow browns, with ringlet, small tortoiseshell, small heath, common blue, 6-spot burnet and silver Y also flying. 080721 - Donna Nook: fine displays of pyramidal orchids and lady’s bedstraw. The saltmarsh turning blue with sea lavender coming into flower. 130721 – Donna Nook: 1 juvenile cuckoo and 1 male cuckoo plus calling corn bunting. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** 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/ 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: there’s plenty of life left in this old oak tree https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/10/country-diary-theres-plenty-of-life-left-in-this-old-oak-tree Country diary: a family of partridges settle in my garden https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jul/12/country-diary-a-family-of-partridges-settle-in-my-garden Horsey seal injured by plastic ring returns to the wild https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-57827770 Redcar buzzard injured in barbed wire released into wild https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-57747949 Hedgehog filmed swimming in garden after Peterborough flooding https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-cambridgeshire-57812061 First baby beaver born on Exmoor in 400 years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-57808517 Mystery North Norfolk treasure 'could be sword-related' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-57681725 How the cauliflower got its mesmerizing fractals https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/how-the-cauliflower-got-its-mesmerizing-fractals/ Cambridge University Botanic Garden marks 175th birthday https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-57614352 Covid origins: Scientists weigh up evidence over virus's origins - worth reading. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57782955 Beetles produce a lubricant that’s more slippery than Teflon https://www.zmescience.com/science/beetles-lubricant-slippery-09072021/ Labourer felled tree containing active goshawk nest https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-57788658 Florida breaks manatee death record in first six months of 2021 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-57802165 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/