=========================================== || || 28th 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: There are some cracking reports from across the county this week, plus some very interesting news stories, a few of which I hope will raise a smile! Thank you for your contributions this week. Makes all the difference. Our identification of Common Cudweed [it isn't common!] has been questioned by Phil Porter, who wondered if it might be Marsh Cudweed, even though the habitat is less than ideal. Either way it is a good plant and any knowledgeable botanists wanting to have a look are most welcome to come and see it. The fact that the garden once belonged to botanist Revd J F Wray 1801-1859 adds an intriguing dimension to the mystery. I wonder if it's in his herbarium collection? https://naturebftb.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/BftB-Cudweeds-crib-17.07.20.pdf Here's the link to the Farne Island puffins that disappeared last week. Trying again: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-57873055 Butterfly Conservation's Big Butterfly Count this year runs 16th July to the 8th August . It's not too late to help. See: https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/ I do enjoy a good thunderstorm and we have had a few this week. I came across the Royal Meteorological Society Lightning page recently, explaining the different types of lightning. Worth a look before your next thunderstorm comes along.. https://www.rmets.org/metmatters/types-lightning This site also has a good page on "Flying Ant Day". https://www.rmets.org/metmatters/flying-ant-day Weather Forecast - 31 July - 9 August "Changeable conditions continuing to dominate for the start of August, with a mixture of sunny and dry periods, showery periods and the chance of longer spells of rain... There remains a chance for any showers or rain to produce thunderstorms." 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..." England's Big Picture: 19 July - 25 July https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-57882611 Theddlethorpe nuclear waste proposal worries villagers https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-57973015 Seal gets into back garden in Lincolnshire - Billinghay! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-57916679 The new surgical tool inspired by a wasp - watch - short clip https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-57889149 The death of lawn mowing -The Spectator - nice piece https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-death-of-lawn-mowing Rare forester moth spotted on Maple Cross land earmarked for warehouses https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-57918277 Monks Wood Wilderness: 60 years ago, scientists let a farm field rewild – here's what happened https://theconversation.com/monks-wood-wilderness-60-years-ago-scientists-let-a-farm-field-rewild-heres-what-happened-163406 WWII bomb on Goole housing development - watch explosion https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-57953506 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. Please help find more readers by using the "forward to a friend" link at the end of the Bulletin. If possible avoid forwarding your individual Bulletin to others. It's best to use this secure link. You can also direct people to: https://lnu.org/publications/wildnews-bulletin/ Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - this is my best address for emails please. *** 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 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/ *** Starting a Wolds Fungi Group - second mention *** Paul Nichol writes Have you an interest in Mushrooms & Toadstools or would you like to begin an interest and learn how to identify those delights that you see springing up on your lawn or when you are out and about? If so, then you might be interested to know about a new group that will start this autumn to provide opportunities to join forays not just to identify fungi but also to contribute to the recording of fungi that occur in the county. You do not need to have any experience or knowledge of fungi, beginners are most welcome. All that is needed is an interest in joining a small group who will organize walks to a variety of habitats during which participants will be introduced to the Fungi Kingdom and helped by experienced members will begin to develop skills in not only identification but also the ecology and conservation of this fascinating group. Forays will take place sometimes midweek sometimes at weekends and be for 2-3 hours probably commencing in early September and be based in the wider Wolds area. Should you be interested then Paul Nichol would be delighted to hear from you and provide further details, email pnichol20@gmail.com *** Bourne Barn Owls online *** Bob writes: Our barn owl family is complete - July 17th 2021 At 7.35am today the fifth egg hatched. There is a mountain of prey beside the female so the chicks won't go hungry. Things will be quiet for a few days, but once the chicks open their eyes they will become more active. They are totally dependent on the hen bird to brood them as they can't regulate their own body heat yet. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 *** Butterflies of Lincolnshire - copies still available *** This work brings together much previously unpublished data and information concerning the changing fortunes of the butterfly species found within this large county. Told through a series of diverse chapters covering the status of 64 species historically known to have occurred here, this is an entertaining and highly personal account of the county's lepidoptera, full of facts, anecdotes, conjecture and just a hint of controversy, including details of illicit releases and the seemingly conflicting ethics of the conservation organisations and certain maverick introductionists. The scope of this work will appeal to both amateurs and experts - it is unlikely that anyone reading this book will not find themselves enlightened, educated, and learning something new about these beautiful winged insects and their history in the second largest county of England. Review and details: https://www.dispar.org/reference.php?id=175 Available direct from the author @ £21.95 + £4.00 p&p. Please contact Pete Smith on ps.petesmith@outlook.com for details of how to order a copy. *** 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 21/7 Pacific Golden Plover as male east end of Marsh Farm grassland with Lapwings, 25 Spoonbills, 2 Wood Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, c 15 Spotted Redshanks, 3 Short-eared Owls, Ruddy Shelduck, Frampton Marsh 17 Spoonbills on Tennyson's sands, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 22/7 White Stork flew low over A17 near Sutton Bridge Black-necked Grebe juv at Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Pacific Golden Plover ad male east end of Marsh Farm grassland, 27 Spoonbills, Ruddy Shelduck fem, Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh 5 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl at Paradise Pool, Saltfleet Haven, SE of Saltfleet Glossy Ibis, 17 Spoonbills, 14 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flats Gull-billed Tern, Cress Marsh, Stallingborough 23/7 Pacific Golden Plover ad male east end of Marsh Farm grassland, 22 Spoonbills, Ruddy Shelduck fem, Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 8 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh Glossy Ibis, 17 Spoonbills, 3 Great White Egrets, Alkborough Flats 24/7 Wood Sandpiper juv on Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Pacific Golden Plover ad male east end of Marsh Farm grassland, 30 Spoonbills, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Little Stint, Ruddy Shelduck, Osprey over, Frampton Marsh Caspian Gull at Cut End on prison fields, then flew to The Wash Garganey, Freiston Shore 8 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point 11+ Spotted Redshanks, 17 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 25/7 Black-necked Grebe at north end of T-junction pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Pacific Golden Plover ad male east end of Marsh Farm grassland, 3 Little Stints, 27 Spoonbills, Spotted Redshank, Short-eared Owl, Garganey on North Scrape, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 5 Wood Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh Caspian Gill as, Freiston Shore 18 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point Little Gull flew past Sutton-on-Sea Glossy Ibis, 7 Spoonbills, Red-rumped Swallow, Alkborough Flats 26/7 3 Turtledoves, Tallington Lakes Black-necked Grebe at north end of T-junction pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Pacific Golden Plover ad male over saltmarsh early, 25 Spoonbills, Little Stint, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh Caspian gull, Freiston Shore 21 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl, Saltfleet Haven 27/7 Black-necked Grebe at north end of T-junction pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Pacific Golden Plover ad male south of Sea Wall car park, 5 Spoonbills, Wood Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Wood sandpiper on Jackson's Marsh, 14 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point Glossy Ibis on large pool by main path, Alkborough flats ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ Lincs Bird Club - latest sightings: https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/sightings/latest-news Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch - latest sightings: https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/lincolnshire-latest-sightings BTO tracked cuckoos: 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. ANCHOLME BANK Ancholme bank, Brigg. 23rd June 2021 Angela Buckle Yellow waterlily, Vipers bugloss, Gipsywort, Hedge bindweed, Horseradish, Black horehound, Arrow head, Flowering rush, Bistort, Meadow sweet, Marsh woundwort, Mugwort, Goats beard, Spearthistle, Great Willowherb, Rough chervil, Meadow rue, Ivy leaved toadflax, Water figwort, Canadian fleabane. BARDNEY - The Green TF120694 R & A Parsons 22/7 4 large hedgehog droppings on lawn. 23/7 Winged black ants seen on nest in garden. Not yet emerging to fly. 24/7 Hedgehog filmed exiting garden gate to car park at 00.12 and 01.24hrs. Must have come on via the gate to The Green. 25/7 Hedgehog using garden gate to The Green, in at 01.15, in at 01.45 and out at 02.43hrs. 26/7 Bat spp hunting in garden 21.30=21.45 - just the one - excolocating at c55kHz 27/7 Big butterfly count only made a Small White 2, a Large White 2 and a Ringlet! BARDNEY GARDEN Phil and Mary Porter TF 117 701 23/24 and 25th July 2021 For the first time in around 4 years, a hedgehog was caught on the webcam, which I had positioned watching over one of the bird baths. It looked quite large and in good condition. It also had recognisable markings on it’s back (I couldn’t tell if it was something sticky or slightly flattened spines) and was able to tell it was the same hedgehog each time. Earliest sighting was 10.50pm, latest 2.20am. 26th July A silver-washed fritillary butterfly fluttered around the garden, landed on a white cosmos flower, then spent a long time on field scabious, long enough to take photos. I thought I’d caught sight of one the previous week, but it had skipped smartly over the hedge before I could confirm it. Butterfly numbers slowly creeping up. Includes x1 small skipper, x1 peacock, x1 small tortoiseshell, meadow browns, ringlets, gatekeepers (1 or 2), large whites mating near vegetable patch... x1green/blue dragonfly, possibly a southern hawker. BLANKNEY Blankney Fen Alan Lazenby July 2021 TF118617 15/07/21 Hobby flying low off the Fen to the higher ground of the Barf 1.15 pm. Its many years since I last saw a Hobby flying in a group of Swifts above Drury Lane Church Walk in Metheringham. TF125627 Breeding birds and young seen in garden — Green Finch (also nested in the Pear tree last year) Robin feeding 2nd brood, Dunnock, Carrion Crow 1 young fell out of nest, Wood pigeon clatters out of nest in fig tree by back door, Kestrel raised I think 2 young in nest box on telephone pole but we were away when the fledged beginning of month, Wren, >4 young, Chaffinch young seen, Swallows nest nesting in next doors barn, Collard Dove feeding young in nest in Rowan tree at front, Gold Finch carrying bunch of fluff to nest build in Apple Tree, Blackbird raised young building on old Blackbird nest built on old Song thrush nest in Pyracantha . Whitethroat are probably nesting somewhere nearby (young were seen in the garden last year) Great Tit used a nest box and raised 3, it has taken 30 years to attract Blue tits and Great tit to the garden which has only now matured to their taste, having said that the Blue tit pair with us all winter disappeared after the poor spring weather and have not returned. The tree sparrow flock with us over 20 years which disappeared last year have not returned. Of note 3 Garden warblers stayed in the Rowan for a few hours. CLEETHORPES TA 300069 26:07:2021 Peter Crick Vapourer Moth caterpillar on small young tree cutting. [Photo taken] Interestingly shed a skin on the 26th and emerged even more impressive. My thanks to Phil Porter for his expertise with the ID FAR INGS Far Ings 25th July 2021 Angela Buckle Lesser water parsnip, Pale persicaria, Greater willowherb, Lesser burdock, Small scabious, Wild carrot, Ploughmans spikenard, Yellowwort, Broad leafed pea, Perennial sowthistle, Prickly lettuce, Spearleaved orache, Sea beet, Lucerne, Mugwort, Water mint, Spiked pea gall, Reed stem gall. Goats rue, road side Barnetby interchange. FISKERTON Fiskerton Fen Nature Reserve TF083718 Phil Porter 24th July The path to the river is very floriferous with wetland and grassland plants in abundance. Various Pondweeds can be seen in the drain and the North Delph including, Broad-leafed and Shining with at least 2 other species which would need close examination to identify accurately. The drain holds Unbranched Bur-reed, with the much larger and commoner Branched Bur-reed established in the Delph. Purple Loosestrife is about to become prominent while an excellent showing of Common Valerian is in the last stage of flowering. Here and there can be found Wild Carrot, Agrimony, Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Marsh Woundwort and an abundance of clover species which is a magnet for bees. Butterflies don’t seem to be very numerous though for some reason. The most interesting insect for me was Willow Emerald Damselfly, the two specimens were the first that I had ever seen. My visit was a brief one to pick litter in the carpark, unfortunately there always is some – many thanks are due to others who I know must do the same from time to time – and the weather was warm and sultry, suppressing bird records in general,- even the Cetti’s Warblers were not calling - but the pair of Swans on the pit have raised 2 cygnets to a size that should ensure that they will eventually disperse successfully. GRASBY Grasby wood. 24th July 2021 Angela Buckle Enchanters nightshade, Common knapweed, Lesser stitchwort, Wood dock, Fumitory, Scarlet pimpernel water figwort, Red bartsia, Common figwort, Water pepper, Betony, Silver wash fritillary Butterfly. GRIMSBY TA265095 Joyce Attia 27/07/21 Time 13/07/21 My son had walked to the local supermarket, he'd been gone about 20 mins, rushed in the house saying there was a bird in distress on the pavement about 50 yards away, it was there when he went out and was still in the same position. I went to look and it looked very much like a juvenile little egret, hunched up against the fence, very heron like. I've never seen one around here. Almost immediately a car drew up, a lady got out and offered to ring Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue. I was very grateful, my thought was the RSPCA and I didn't know whether they could come out for a bird, they are so busy this year. This lady phoned someone, wrapped the bird up in a towel and took it away, she said she was more used to rescuing swans. I wish I'd asked for her phone number, I would like to know what happened. With this hot weather my garden has been absolutely alive with bees, mainly buff tailed bumble bees, and small honey bees, and on 2 occasions we have had bee flies. There are quite a few little mint moths, a lot of small white butterflies and one or two common blues on the birds foot trefoil. Across the river a couple of hundred yards away 2 enormous gulls have been sitting on the roof of some terraced houses, I think they may be black backed gulls, they have black wings, they are very noisy and are making a mess on the roofs. There have been dozens of gulls coming over the town today. Grimsby people say it's a sign of bad weather out at sea. We just have the resident blackbird, who seems to have stopped singing now. We have a pair of collared doves who tend to hang around the garden and make good use of the bird bath, they are such gentle little creatures. All other bird life has gone since I stopped feeding them. Just counted 10 or 12 Swifts overhead, some adults and some smaller ones, there seems to be fewer every year, and this year I've only seen the occasional swallow. LIMBER Limber pond, 23rd July 2021 Angela Buckle Purple loosestrife, Gipsywort, flowering rush, Water mint, Water forgetmenot, Brooklime, Wild celery, Greater birdsfoot trefoil. LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 31/07/2021 Jayne Knight 21/07/2021 Three Buzzard riding the thermals overhead, calling frequently 25/07/2021 Mint Moth on the Oregano flowers Spiders: 3+ specimens of Daddy Long-legs (Pholcus phalangioides) reside in the kitchen. Evicted Amaurobius similis from the kitchen sink one morning, released onto the outside wall and have also removed Clubiona corticalis from the bathroom washbasin to a more suitable habitat, too! 25/07/2021 and 26/07/2021 Pair of Goldcrest foraging in the neighbour's fir tree. Can hear them calling to each other as I type. NETTLEHAM TF005753 Bill Ball 23.7.21 Elasmucha grisea Parent Bug Final instar nymphs Several leaves of a silver birch each had clusters of about 20 underneath, looking like a rash of little round green blobs from a distance. RISBY WARREN John Walker Risby Warren sssi 260721 Rob Scott and I spent 3.5 hours walking across most of the site on a very warm mostly sunny day 26 oc Butterflies seen: dozens of hedge and meadow brown, ringlet, also 12 brown argus, similar number common blue, c 20 small skipper , 3 small copper, 3 small white, 1 large white 4 grayling 1 dark green fritillary, 1 red admiral. common darter , southern and brown hawker dragonflies. Plants included: several swathes of yellow wort and lots of wood sage and plants of acid and calcareous dunes also juv whitethroats and stonechats  WADDINGTON Peter Wilson 17th July 2021 Waddington In my garden, High Street, Waddington. Lesser Stag beetle disturbed under a log whilst mowing lawn. Rare sighting here , but I have seen one once before several years ago Bee Question: Peter Wilson Waddington 28th July 2021 Watching some bees on what I think is jasmine in Waddington House garden. They alighted on the flower and instead of probing inside the flower they went to the tube behind the flower head and seemed to get presumably some nectar from the tube which doesn’t have an opening . Can anyone explain this for me please . Editor replies: These will not be the usual pollinator for this species and are not adapted to the flowers in question - they are "breaking and entering"! See: https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/2018/06/what-is-nectar-robbing-and-why-do-only-some-bumblebees-do-it/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 21st – 27th July 2021 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 210721 - On Paradise lagoon: 3 green sandpiper, 6 common sandpiper, 4 little ringed plover, 8 greenshank, 25 redshank, 40 lapwing and 3 little egret. 38 curlew flew east over the dunes and a yellow wagtail flew north. 220721 - Hobby over Paradise lagoon and surrounding area. 230721 - 3 little ringed plover on the foreshore at Crook Bank. Adult Mediterranean gull roosting on Paradise lagoon. 260721 - Paradise lagoon: 72 redshank, 3 green sandpiper, 4 common sand piper, 13 dunlin, 3 common snipe, 2 little ringed plover, 37 lapwing, 1 little egret, 1 little grebe, 19 common gull, 34 black-headed gull, 4 moorhen, 9 mallard and 5 mute swans flying over. Kingfisher along the Eau. Tawny owl calling at Sea View. Juvenile cuckoo near Sea View, 8 little egret feeding on flooded parts of the saltmarsh at high tide and a yellow wagtail flew north. 270721 - 3 small bats flying around the old buildings at Sea View. Green woodpecker at Rimac. Juvenile cuckoo seen again in flight near Sea View. On Paradise lagoon: 11 common sandpiper, 7 green sandpiper, 24 dunlin, 122 redshank, 4 greenshank, 3 snipe, 18 lapwing and 3 little egret. 280721 - Usual waders remain on Paradise lagoon, slight increase in numbers of dunlin to 63 and snipe to 8. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR These cover a huge area, and records from them and records from volunteer recorders are one of the main inputs to management planning and the protection of rare/scarce and critical species. Reports always welcome. The history of the Lincolnshire Limewoods https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/features/19111877.lincolnshire-limewoods/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Forestry Commission advice: https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide British Native Trees - Woodland Trust https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/ LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch. See: https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html Lincolnshire Dormouse Group You can get in touch via lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood, Little and Great Scrubbs Woods, Minting Wood, Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park, and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow (and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting). College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Rand Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland, which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and non-designated areas. Since managing the SSSI areas carries particular responsibilities to Natural England, records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Find a Wood https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/find-woods/ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on the Coronavirus, Covid-19 plus details of any LWT reserves which are now open and the related advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to Recorders and improve the quality and quantity of reports and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] Bulletin mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually goes out on Wednesdays/Thursdays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** http://lnu.org/ LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? LNU Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lincsnaturalists/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given on the website. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ Downloads of LNU books are available on: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ LNU Bursaries: Why not apply for one? The LNU offers bursaries for natural history courses, or for identification materials (e.g. books or online resources) to help recording in any group of plants, animals or fungi in Lincolnshire. The upper limit is £300. You do not need to be a member of the LNU to apply, but it would help. The LNU would, however, expect you to put your newly facilitated skills into practice and derive some Lincolnshire records. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course, or to buy books to help you, please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk *** Love Lincs Plants *** Events and activities for Love Lincs Plants remain suspended until further notice. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants Love Lincs Plants Twitter feed - active... https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants *** Collections Dataset - LNU "historic specimens" *** All of the LNU specimens that have been processed and digitised to date can now be viewed here: http://data.nhm.ac.uk/dataset/lincs-plants *** The Flora of Lincolnshire by Joan Gibbons - LNU downloadable book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-flora-of-lincolnshire-e-joan-gibbons.pdf *** VC54 North Lincolnshire Plant List - LNU *** Paul Kirby has produced a list which details all the vascular plant and stonewort taxa with records on the MapMate botanical database for VC54, North Lincolnshire, at the end of January 2017. You can download this on: https://lnu.org/specialists/vascular-plants/ *** CONTACTS LIST *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** Lincs Bird Club Website *** http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk LBC County Bird Recorder Phil Hyde - County Recorder, Lincs Bird Club recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Bat Group website *** http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/lincolnshire-chalk-streams *** Lincsbirders *** http://www.lincsbirders.org/ FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE: 07768-501895 PAGER: 07654-330877 Related Webpages: Lincolnshire Police Advice on Hare Coursing https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/hare-coursing/ Rural Crime News https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Some identification links: The NHBS Guide to UK Wild Flower Identification https://www.nhbs.com/blog/uk-wild-flower-identification British Native Trees - Woodland Trust https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/ Butterfly guide to part of Europe including Britain - free to download https://assets.vlinderstichting.nl/docs/0b095bc2-0387-4785-9f7e-5f7a987b3468.pdf Fungi Families/Types Identity Parade https://www.first-nature.com/fungi/ British Bugs https://www.britishbugs.org.uk/ LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ When asking for help: Please give the the very best information you can provide. If you are not sure, ask what is needed from you to confirm identification. Photographs are helpful but not every species can be identified from a photograph. When asked for further details, get back to them promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcomed. *** LNU Sawflies, Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Dr. David Sheppard Willing to examine specimens or check photos (bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** Lincolnshire Mammals *** Chris Manning, Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. Atlas of the Mammals, Reptiles and Amphibians of Lincolnshire and South Humberside Johnson, M. - Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union. 1982. [Some of these data are historical and should not be taken to indicate their occurrence today! There have been status changes since this analysis, with species being both lost and gained.] https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/atlas-of-the-mammals-reptiles-and-amphibians.pdf For current records please refer to the Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire by C. J. Manning, LNU Mammal Recorder. You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/mammalatlas.pdf For Lincolnshire bat information, see: https://glnp.org.uk/news/bitterns-bats-and-newts-mapped-for-first-time *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) Contact: Ashley Butterfield : learningoutdoors@btinternet.com Ashley writes: Please have a look at https://www.recordpool.org.uk/index.php for an easy way to record your amphibian and reptile species records. You can send any records to Ashley Butterfield (Lincolnshire Amphibian and Reptile Recorder) at LearningOutdoors@btinternet.com Please include Species, Date, Time, Location, numbers as a minimum (Other useful information includes Temperature and Weather conditions.) *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com Bat rescue instructions: If you find a grounded bat please don’t try and release it. Put it in an escape proof box - remember, a pipistrelle can get out of a hole the size of your thumb nail - wearing gloves or using a cloth to pick it up with, and phone us on 01775 766286. We’ll do the rest. *** Confidential Bat Records *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Non-Marine Molluscs *** Alex Pickwell is the LNU Recorder for Non-marine Molluscs Email: alex.pickwell@environment-agency.gov.uk - changing - contact editor. USEFUL WILDLIFE LINKS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) http://www.glnp.org.uk/ Contact: charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk *** Field Studies Council *** Bringing Environmental Understanding to All https://www.field-studies-council.org/ *** InsideEcology *** Online Magazine for Ecologists, Conservationists and Wildlife Professionals https://insideecology.com/ *** NHBS *** Should you need natural history equipment or books, a good place to start is: https://www.nhbs.com/ *** Bird Friendly Coffee Shade-grown from RSPB *** https://birdandwild.co.uk/ For the geologists... Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group *** https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 *** Lincolnshire Geology - The Wolds AONB *** https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/maps/geology *** The Geology of Lincolnshire - downloadable LNU book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-geology-of-lincolnshire-h-h-swinnerton-and-p-e-kent.pdf *** British geology maps - now free to explore on web *** http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ *** UKGE - Geological Supplies *** https://www.ukge.com/ *** British Geological Survey at Keyworth *** https://www.bgs.ac.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in a few instances may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed please contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. When sending in reports, e.g. unusual plants, it will be good if you can report any sensitive news directly to recorders rather than via the Bulletin please, as we don't want to spoil things with untimely/unwise publicity. Thank you. https://lnu.org/specialists/ Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. *** Codes of Conduct *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. BSBI Code of Conduct https://bsbi.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/BSBI-Code-of-Conduct.pdf BMS Code of Conduct for Responsible Collecting of Fungi https://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/mycology/conservation/code-conduct RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see https://lnu.org/meetings/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events - Important update *** "LNU 2021 field meetings - May - October are now provisionally booked." We will confirm plans for resumption of LNU events through the Bulletin, the LNU Twitter feed, LNU Facebook page and LNU meetings webpage. For details and any necessary subsequent updates or changes please visit: LNU Website: https://lnu.org/meetings/ LNU Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lincsnaturalists/ 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... Eagle eyes spot kestrel chicks in jet plane exhaust https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-57992207 Trapped squirrel freed from inside Cambridge lamp-post https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-57946712 Wasp nest found in Peterborough toilet cistern https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-57977680 Railway engineers build beaver pass on Highland line https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-57934140 Post-lockdown rise in harassment of dolphins https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-57982738 Meteor wows Norway after blazing through night sky - watch short clip https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57962384 'Jurassic Pompeii' yields thousands of 'squiggly wiggly' fossils https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57853537 If you did not catch this interesting piece - 26 minutes - it is available on i-Player: The Engineers: Clean Energy https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000ychb/the-engineers-clean-energy Thousands of trees to be planted by 2050 in North East Community Forest https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-57906520 Liverpool stripped of Unesco World Heritage status https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-57879475 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/