============================================ || || 16th June 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: Short breaks in the cloud allowed us to watch the partial eclipse around 11.30hrs clearly enough for me to make out sunspot area 2829 with the naked eye! Some images here: In pictures: Solar eclipse as seen from the UK https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-57426005 Weather Warning issued 13 June "Although there remains significant uncertainty in location and timing, areas of thunder- storms are expected to move northeast across parts of England and Wales from late Wednesday through to Friday morning. Whilst not all locations will be affected, some intense thunderstorms may occur during this period with torrential rain, hail, frequent lightning and strong gusty winds possible. Rainfall totals of around 30 mm could fall in an hour, with some locations potentially receiving around 50 mm in 2-3 hours, although these will be fairly isolated." 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 everyone. Your contributions keep the Bulletin interesting so please keep them coming! More links in "...and finally..." "Rosy starlings arrive in the UK" on YouTube - watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAvMxaqPAVI Minke whale: Amateur photographer captures breach off Isle of Man https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-57407908‘ Really, really rare’ seahorse spotted off UK coast https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-57448237 The chick's in the post: Bird builds nest in Highlands mail box https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-57411755 'Iconic' red telephone box in Lincoln on market for £6k https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-57415153 Google buys photographer's shot of seagull eating a chip https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-57442449 Secrets of tiny diving mammals revealed https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57470976 Rare orchids found in City of London bank's rooftop garden https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-57439921 The Street Tree - a project about street trees across the whole UK and in Ireland https://thestreettree.com/2021/03/07/calling-mancunians-glaswegians-dubliners-cardiffians-and-urban-tree-fanciers-everywhere/ More: Natural Histories - listen https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/b05w99gb 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. You may also find different organisations have specific advice to offer. 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. Please keep your reports coming. 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 - May - 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 any alterations or new guidelines are welcome to get in touch with updates for the Bulletin. *** Covid-19: Lincolnshire Show cancelled for second year *** The event was due to take place on June 23 and 24 2021. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-56340942 *** South Lincs RSPB Social Group Cruise programme cancelled for 2021 *** It is hoped that we can restart the cruises in 2022. Full details are always available on our website https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/ *** Useful Hedgehog Links *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** Bourne Barn Owls online *** Bob Sheppard writes: We now have 4 eggs at the Len Pick Trust nest. If there is to be a fifth egg it is due on Wednesday night. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 Bob adds: Alan Ball and I have begun the annual monitoring of our owl boxes and the early signs are for a very good year following the poorest year on record in 2020. We have already found 60 pairs of Little Owls in our boxes so now we move onto the Barn Owls. Lincolnshire is the UK stronghold for both species. The two osprey chicks are growing fast at Loch of Lowes. Earlier this week the male brought in a huge tench! The website allows you to rewind to watch the fish being delivered to the nest for the female to feed the chicks. https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ *** The season of Zoom talks offered by the RSPB Grimsby Local Group continues *** Another illustrated talk which will take place at 7.30pm on Monday 21st June 2021. "Tango Birding in Argentina: Andes to the Atlantic" - A Zoom Talk by James Lowen. Norfolk-based James Lowen is an award-winning author and photographer who specialises in natural history, conservation and travel. He has written 13 books and he regularly contributes to newspapers and magazines. In this talk, James draws on three years of living and birding in Argentina to guide us round the whole of South America's second-biggest country. From the Andes to the Atlantic Ocean, and from the mighty jungle-shrouded waterfalls of Iguazu to the remoteness of Tierra del Fuego, we will travel in search of the mythical hooded grebe, swarms of glittering humming- birds and the gargantuan greater rhea. The talk is open to everybody. You don't need to belong to the RSPB, or have attended Group Meetings. And don't be put off by Zoom. It is easy to use, you don't need any special equipment like a camera or microphone - just an internet connection, and we may be able to offer help if you request it. To find out the arrangements for getting a link to the talk, please email me at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com before 8pm on Thursday 17th June, stating that you saw the information in the LNU Bulletin. Martin Francis Leader - RSPB Grimsby Local Group' *** Burkinshaw's Covert Open Day Wednesday 30th June 2021 *** Humber Nature Partnership is organising an rare open day at Burkinshaw's Covert, a Local Wildlife Site adjacent to Lindsey Oil Refinery at North Killingholme which has recently been bought from Total by Prax. Between 9.30am and 2pm. For details contact Alan Jones: alan.jones@humbernature.co.uk The site is a 38ha private woodland which has been actively managed for wildlife by Humber Conservation Volunteers for over 10 years, including over 5ha of conservation grassland and specially constructed, fish-free ponds maintained for amphibians and freshwater invertebrates. The woodland is gradually being converted from largely poplar and sycamore plantations to mixed broadleaves managed on a Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF Regime). In the last three years the original 18th Century game covert which stands on the ridge and furrow of the remains of the mediaeval ridge field system is being actively managed for the first time since at least the Second World War. It now has an extensive network of woodland rides which make it good for access and for wildlife too. It is almost 6 years since the LNU last visited the site and to visit again please book with Alan Jones at Humber Nature Partnership alan.jones@humbernature.co.uk as the site is secure and like everywhere Covid19 restrictions have to be managed. *** 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 *** June Night Sky Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html "The Summer Solstice occurs on June 21st. Summer officially begins in the Northern Hemisphere whilst Winter begins in the Southern Hemisphere... 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 [Editor adds: I am finding this on-line version very useful.] Meteor Shower Guide 2021 https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/best-meteor-showers-in-2021/ A beginner’s guide to meteor showers https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/a-beginners-guide-to-meteor-showers/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 9/6 8 Spoonbills, 5 flew south, 2 Tennyson's Sands, 1 Jackson's Marsh, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 3 Quails singing, Scopwick Bee-eater flew north over Wolla Bank [heard only] 10/6 Short-eared Owl, Black-necked Grebe, Frampton Marsh 2 Spoonbills, Freiston Shore 6 Spoonbills, 2 on Tennyson's Sands, 4 on Jackson's Marsh Gibraltar Point 11/6 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh 12 Spoonbills on Croft Marsh, [4 Tennyson's Sands, 1 Jackson's Marsh] Turtle Dove, Gibraltar Point 12/6 15 Spoonbills, 4 Tennyson's Sands, 1 Jackson's Marsh, Little Gull, Gibraltar Point 7 Spoonbills, Black-necked Grebe, Short-eared Owl, Turtle Dove, Frampton Marsh Quail at New Cotes in wheat field at Stonebridge Farm, NW of Marshchapel 13/6 7 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh Little Gull, Freiston Shore 5 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point Glossy Ibis, 8 Spoonbills, 3 Great White Egrets, Alkborough Flats 14/6 3 Spoonbills, Black-necked Grebe, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 8 Spoonbills, Short-eared Owl, Garganey drk on north pond, Gibraltar Point Spotted Redshank, 6 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 15/6 Short-eared Owl, 4 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, 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! 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. Chris Manning adds: Otter road kills... It would be helpful if readers would continue to report otter road kills and sightings to help build up relevant data. Carcases may be sent to: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/otter-project [Alas our local EA team no longer support the project by paying for transport.] *** 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/ Chris Manning writes: Please remember to use grid refs, If a recorder doesn't, it not only adds work but must invariably loose accuracy. DON'T FORGET - TIME FLIES! Please include the year in your reports in casethey are copied and thus lose their context. Include the time too if relevant - e.g. for Bat records. *** 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. ANDERBY CREEK AREA TF551761 (central car parking location) 22 May 2021 The first post-lockdown LNU field meeting of 2021 led by Brian Hedley and Helen Gamble with access courtesy of Lincolnshire County Council. Comprised an all-day recording event covering the coastal strip north and south of Anderby Creek. Attended by a total of 11 people during the course of the day with distinctly 'autumnal' weather probably affecting number of attendees and certainly the number of insects 'on the wing'. At least 150 plant species were recorded from the grassland, sand dune and ditch habitats including Hound's-tongue, Small Mouse-ear, Lesser Swine-cress, Lyme Grass, Sea Bindweed, Strawberry Clover, Marsh Cudweed and Lesser Water-parsnip. A restricted selection of bryophytes were recorded by Steven Heathcote including Bryum algovicum, Rhynchostegium megapolitanum and Syntrichia papillosa. A total of 44 bird species were noted including three Cuckoos, Yellow Wagtail, Cetti's Warbler, Little Egret, Marsh Harrier, Lesser Whitethroat and a northward movement of Swifts. Six mammal species were noted (from sight or signs) including Brown Hare, Muntjac and a melanistic Rabbit.  A Common Lizard and two juvenile Common Frogs were also seen. Flying insects were sparse with no butterflies or dragonflies seen. Moths included abundant caterpillars of Brown-tail and occasional caterpillars of Fox Moth and Drinker plus adults of Clouded Border, Timothy Tortrix and Adela reaumurella. Beetles were well recorded by Charlie Barnes and Steve Wain with Demetrias monostigma, Notoxus moncerus and Ptinomorphus imperialis probably the most notable. Other insects included abundant St Mark's Flies Also several Striped Millipedes. BARDNEY - The Green TF120694 R & A Parsons 9/6/2021 Fledging of woodshed robins. Cuckoo heard [AP] Holly Blue. Cinnabar Moth. 10/6 No bats seen or noted on detector. 22.00hrs. 12/6 Hedgehog visits [camera] at 01.04 and 03.33. 13/6 12 swifts over Holly Blue. 14/6 Goldfinch perching on marker cane in garden - a rare sight these days. Wrens in woodshed busy with feeding. Many starling juvs getting to grips with being starlings. A lot of bathing. Side of path before Bardney lock when walking from Bardney 14/6/2021. Soft-brome - Bromus hordeaceus. [AP] CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK909581 Jeremy Hutchinson 13/6/2021, 11.30 Hobby (f) circling, first this year Barn Owl(s) flying over garden mid-evening on several occasions recently (carrying small mammal prey twice) en route to and from hunting grounds (unknown). Also one seen 07.00 12/6/2021 just south of Bassingham heading towards suspected nesting site there. Insects: I have recently seen several Cardinal Beetles on my allotment, plus the only Red and Black Froghopper I have ever seen, much larger than any other species of Froghopper I have seen before. In my home garden on either 12 or 13 June I saw what I at first thought was a Hummingbird Hawk Moth, before realising that it was smaller and had different colouration, including a yellow/gold abdomen. On Monday I saw reference on-line to either a Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk Moth or the Broad-bordered variety, I forget which, I hadn't been aware of either. On looking them up I suspect the one I saw was a Narrow-bordered one. A few Red Admirals and Speckled Woods have appeared recently, but there are very few Holly Blues this year. CHAMBERS WOOD Angela Buckle. 8th June 2021 Chambers wood, Marsh fritillary butterflies. FAR INGS Angela Buckle. 13th June 2021 Hairy-tare, Water forgetmenot, Brookweed, Crosswort, Bladder campion, Wild mignonette, Bee orchids, Fairy flax, Weld, Tufted vetch, Creeping cinquefoil, Sea milkwort, Hedge woundwort, Field rose, Greater spearwort, Vipers bugloss, Common mallow, Dwarf mallow, Green silverlines moth, Cinnabar moth. GOSLINGS CORNER Angela Buckle. 8th June 2021 Water avens, Water figwort, Ragged robin, Yellow pimpernel, Woodruff, Pignut, Hops. GRIMSBY Angela Buckle. 9th June 2021 White helleborine. HUTTOFT TF511762 (my garden) Jane Pennington 5/6/2021 Barn owl 1 Flew through garden 10pm Bat sp. 2 10.15pm likely Common pip. Scarlet pimpernel in flower in uncultivated field next to my garden (since this record, the field has been sprayed and everything is dying). 6/6/2021 Goldfinch 1 Greenfinch 2 7/6/2021 Hogweed in flower (just off my lane) Holly Blue 1 8/6/2021 Bat sp. 2 9.50pm likely Common pip. Cardinal beetle 1 Red admiral 2 10/6/2021 Sparrow hawk 1 Seen landing briefly on 8ft tree stump with prey 11/6/2021 Bat sp. 2 10.10pm likely Common pip Blackbird 1 fledgling Chaffinch 2 m & f Robin 1 fledgling 12/6/2021 Azure damselflies 3 f x 2, m x 1 Barn owl 1 Flew through garden surprisingly early at 8.30pm Bat sp. 3 9.55 - 10.05 pm likely Common pip 14/6/2021 Bat sp. 2 10-10.15pm likely Common pip Hawthorn shieldbug 1 RED HILL Peter White 9/6/2021 2 Red Kites on thermals at 3 o’clock at Red Hill this afternoon. STICKNEY TF 322568 Stickney, Lincolnshire My Garden Gail Cartwright 4 Great Tits successfully fledged this morning at 8.15 from our cctv nest . They had 7 eggs, 1 chick died soon after hatching, 2 disappeared a week or so later but the remaining 4 healthy looking chicks fledged. TETNEY BLOW WELLS Angela Buckle. 9th June 2021 Water violets, Brooklime, Yellow iris, Bugle, Southern marsh orchids, Mares tail. WILLINGHAM WOODS Angela Buckle. 10th June 2021 Willngham woods, Green flowered helleborine, Common spotted orchids, Sanicle, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ Good map Gibraltar Point: https://issuu.com/lincstrust/docs/gib_map?e=9786487%2F37332883 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 9th – 15th June 2021 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 090621 - On Rimac lagoon: 2 little egrets, 6 avocets and a short-eared owl hunting over the saltmarsh. Party of 11 swifts over Sea View. Nine painted ladies near Rimac. 100621 - Paradise lagoon of note: great white egret and 5 redshank. 5 curlew flew east over the dunes at Sea View. Short-eared owl and barn owl on the saltmarsh near Paradise lagoon in the evening. Early evening a large bat catching insects over Rimac, with calling cuckoo and grasshopper warbler. In moth trap at Saltfleetby, 173 macro moths of 25 species caught. The most numerous being small elephant hawkmoth along with 2 marsh moth, now at the end of their flight period. 110621 - Paradise lagoon: 4 teal, 8 mallard, 6 tufted duck, 1 shoveler, 2 lapwing, 2 redshank and 1 little egret. Meadow brown on the wing near Sea View. Hunting over the saltmarsh late evening: 1 hobby, 2 common buzzards and 3 marsh harriers of which one bird was being aggressively mobbed by a pair of oystercatchers. 2 wall brown and a large skipper on the wing around Rimac. 130621 - At paradise lagoon: 1 avocet, 2 shelduck, 34 mallard, 1 shoveler, 1 moorhen, 1 teal, 4 tufted duck, 1 little grebe, 1 coot, 2 little egrets, 2 pied wagtails and 2 grey herons flew over towards the saltmarsh. Great white egret on Sea View washlands, short-eared owl hunting over saltmarsh. Banded demoiselle damselflies on the wing on the edge of the Eau near Sea View. Having not seen an adult stonechat for well over a month, it was a surprise to see 4 newly fledged juveniles in buckthorn. Little ringed plover on the foreshore at Crook Bank where 2 juvenile lapwings were flying around with an adult having bred successfully on local stewardship land. A butterfly transect at Rimac included: 94 small heath, 12 common blue, 10 large skipper and a wall brown. 140621 - Paradise lagoon: of note pair redshank, 2 gadwall and singles of lapwing and little grebe. Flowers include: bee and pyramidal orchids, yellow rattle, marsh thistle, cat’s ear, elder. Butterflies include: large skipper, ringlet newly emerged. Dragonflies: up to 10 hairy with oviposting observed, first emperors and broad bodied seen. Birds: a garden warbler holding territory the first in recent years, 4 male cuckoos on or close to NNR, only 2 grasshopper warblers noted in song. Several species now have young fledglings. Other local reserves 090621 – Tetney Blow Wells: banded demoiselle, blue-tailed damselfly and four spotted chaser, orange tip, peacock, small white, 1 Cetti’s warbler, 2 chiffchaff, 1 buzzard and 4 swift. At Muckton Wood: chiffchaff, great-spotted woodpecker, hare, muntjac, cardinal beetle, hornet, common spotted orchid, bugle and cuckoo flower. Common spotted orchid at Fir Hill Quarry. 130621 – Donna Nook: of note a gathering of starlings with juvenile birds feeding on the saltmarsh, numbers c250. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Forestry Commission advice: https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide The history of the Lincolnshire Limewoods https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/features/19111877.lincolnshire-limewoods/ British Native Trees - Woodland Trust https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/ Find a Wood - Woodland Trust: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/find-woods/ 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 The Hazel Dormouse https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/cy/node/35 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list Find a Wood - Woodland Trust: 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. Love Lincs Plants Twitter feed - active... https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants LLP Project Partners and related links: Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Natural History Museum Twitter feed https://twitter.com/nhm_botany?lang=en Sir Joseph Banks Society https://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/ Lincoln University School of Life Sciences https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/lifesciences/ *** Collections Dataset - LNU "historic specimens" *** All of the 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 Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln 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 BSBI: Plant ID: getting started https://bsbi.org/plant-id-getting-started LWT Life on the Verge Wildflower Guide https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/2018-03/North_Lincs_wildflower_id_guide_nle.pdf 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/ Identifying British bugs - an online identification guide https://www.britishbugs.org.uk/gallery/heteroptera/Pentatomoidea/pentatomoidea.html 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 welcome. *** 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 references 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, on the link below. 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 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 *** 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/ Register for free wildlife guides – Field Studies Council - for people in England aged 16–25 and those working with this age group https://www.field-studies-council.org/register-for-free-wildlife-guides/ *** 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 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 *** None this week. Advice is: if your Service provider or network can't or won't allow the Bulletin through, use a free email account instead. In the event of a mail failure I will be happy to send you the error report to pass on to your "Help Desk". Just ask. ....and finally... Asian hornet: UK beekeepers on lookout for bee-eater https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-52896891 Villagers outraged as 110-year-old church bells silenced after single complaint https://uk.news.yahoo.com/all-saints-church-kenton-bells-silenced-one-complaint-084312636.html 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 Somerset RSPB calls for peat digging ban at Ham Wall https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-57467826 Cicadas: What to know about the 'remarkable' and noisy bugs https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-57335800 'Miraculous' mosquito hack cuts dengue by 77% https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57417219 'Quick fixes' to the climate crisis risk harming nature https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57425311 BBC Springwatch: Chris Packham hails maker of 27,000 swift boxes https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-57444334 Medieval pointy-toed shoes led to Cambridge bunion surge https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-57427365 Sea eagles at Loch Lomond for first time in 100 years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-57428986 Dorset power cable scheme uncovers 6,000 years of history https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-57411051 Country diary: is this the last ring ouzel of southern England? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/07/country-diary-is-this-the-last-ring-ouzel-of-southern-england Country diary: a baby wood pigeon peers out through the roof scaffolding https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/10/country-diary-a-baby-wood-pigeon-peers-out-through-the-roof-scaffolding Country diary: there’s no taming of the pygmy shrew https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/11/country-diary-theres-no-taming-of-the-pygmy-shrew Country diary: the long-eared owl sees a different world to us https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/15/country-diary-the-long-eared-owl-sees-a-different-world-to-us ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/