============================================ || || 23rd 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: Now we are past the Longest Day and moving into high summer it's time to "slop on the sun cream, slap on a hat!" when out and about enjoying the countryside. UV levels are likely to be high. I am impressed by the speed at which readers check their Bulletins. I sent last week's at 3pm on Wednesday. By the Thursday morning 50% of us had already looked at it! Wow! Weather Forecast - 23 June "Unsettled, with rain or showers moving southeast on Friday. Further showers or longer spells of rain on Saturday and Sunday, these heavy and possibly thundery at times. Feeling warmer. " 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..." Grantham Diamond Jubilee Wood 'threatened by new homes plan' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-57566681 Cleethorpes beach: Marsh cleared after 'unexploded bomb' found https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-57502742 Fly-tipping: Boston Borough Council doubles fines to £400 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-57554247 The mystery of an abandoned village in England - Lincolnshire https://www.zmescience.com/science/archaeology/abandoned-village-uk-view-13062021/ Thousandth dormouse brought back to the wild https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57499125 Wally the walrus spotted mounting yachts in Isles of Scilly https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2021-06-18/wally-the-walrus-spotted-mounting-yachts-in-isles-of-scilly-after-no-uk-sightings-since-may Mini-miners in your garden https://www.rsb.org.uk/biologist-opinion/mini-miners-in-your-garden On a wing and a prayer - Holy Trinity, Tattershall https://www.rsb.org.uk/biologist-features/on-a-wing-and-a-prayer Withernsea Lighthouse to host daily pebble photo exhibition https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-57528880 Plantlife: Great British Wildflower Hunt https://www.plantlife.org.uk/wildflowerhunt/ Return to the island where eagles watch you brush your teeth https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-57407880 Knot numbers hit record level at RSPB Snettisham https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-54592215 Coelacanth: 'Living fossil' fish may live for up to a century https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57518593 NHBS: Field guide sale https://www.nhbs.com/summer-sale Antidepressants leaking into waterways could make crayfish bolder https://www.newscientist.com/article/2280849 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 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. *** Useful Hedgehog Links *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** Bourne Barn Owls online *** 5 eggs at the Len Pick Trust nest - laid Wednesday night, as Bob anticipated. "The owls have now settled down on five eggs. It will be quiet in the nest chamber for a few weeks with little to see. Barn owls incubate from the first egg laid so we can expect the first chick sometime around the end of the second week in July if all goes well." https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 The two osprey chicks are growing fast at Loch of Lowes. They look great! https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ *** 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. *** National Whale & Dolphin Watch. 2021 *** Dave Miller writes: It is that time of year again – National Whale & Dolphin Watch – a national survey that we have been involved in since 2011. https://www.seawatchfoundation.org.uk/nwdw/ As last year, at the moment we can’t use this as an event but it would be great to get some data from Lincolnshire. I am planning on doing sea watches on 31st July from Chapel Point and 1st August from Anderby Creek. You are more than welcome to join me, as long as there is not too many of us, or carry out your own sea watch. You can spend as long or as little as you can manage, it all helps. If you are planning your own watch please do fill out the egistration 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 Let’s hope for great weather and huge pods of cetaceans! *** 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 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.] Signs of geological activity found on Venus https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57567577 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 15/6 Short-eared Owl, 4 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Quail male singing, flew over Grantham 16/6 White-tailed Eagle flew NE over, 4 Spotted Redshanks, 7 Spoonbills, Great White Egret, Frampton Marsh 8 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point 17/6 1+ Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl, Paradise Pool, south of Saltfleet Haven Marsh Warbler, 2 Turtle Doves, Short-eared Owl, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes 18/6 Quail, Swanpool 19/6 2 Short-eared Owls over saltmarsh, 8 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 5 Turtle Doves, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe 2 Common Cranes, Glossy Ibis, Bardney Lock Quail male singing in bean field off Tillbridge Lane, Sturton-by-Stow Ruddy Shelduck, Read's Island Caspian Tern, Sailing Pit, Barton-upon-Humber 20/6 2 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 2 Turtle Doves, Blankney Quarry 2 Common Cranes, Glossy Ibis, Bardney Lock, Bardney Quail male singing in barley east of Donnington-on-Bain 21/6 Caspian tern ad at Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs - then flew south 4 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Glossy Ibis, 2 Common Cranes, Bardney Lock, Bardney Quail male singing in field at Haw Hill, Swanpool 1+ Quail male singing SW of Scopwick 22/6 10 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh Glossy Ibis, 2 Common Cranes, Whooper Swan, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Bardney Lock, Bardney 23/6 Short-eared Owl, 4 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Spoonbill flew south, Gibraltar Point Red-footed Falcon male flew in off sea, Huttoft Car Terrace Glossy Ibis, 2 Common Cranes, Bardney Lock, Bardney Quail singing, Swanpool ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 case they 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. BARDNEY - The Green TF120694 R & A Parsons w/o 14/6/2021 Holly bush has many leaf miners this year. Probably Phytomyza ilicis https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=531 Wren brood mortality - at least 3 dead chicks. Probable Robin fledging. BOSTON My garden TF338441 Tracey Lenton 20/06/2021 Several ladybird larvae 7-spot seen on feverfew and runner bean plants. CLEETHORPES TA324075 (approx) 22 June 2021 Jenny Haynes I want for a walk along Cleethorpes beach today and walking through the nature reserve, saw a little egret. COLSTERWORTH SK92/25 Jane Ostler June 14th-21st 2021 Flowering Plants. On one estate, amongst the neatly trimmed verges areas have been deliberately left uncut. The flowering grasses and Ox-eye Daisies overtop mauve Vetches and yellow Trefoils which in their turn partly conceal an abundance of Bee Orchids. Invertebrates. Two native Crayfish found dead where the River Witham flows under a bridge at the end of School Lane. These upper reaches of the river are one of the few areas where the native crayfish is still found. There were no visible signs of pollution. It may have been a comb- ination of high temperatures and low water levels resulting in low oxygen levels which was the cause. More worrying would be if there is evidence that the alien Signal Crayfish has invaded. This not only eats the native crayfish but spreads disease. Birds. By the end of June we are beginning to get an idea of how the migrant birds are faring. After only one report of cuckoo heard in Twyford Wood they have been heard from the High Street and from the Stamford Road in the last two weeks. Fewer swallows returned with no nesting at two previous sites this year. House Martin numbers returning were much as last year. It is upsetting to find householders preventing them nesting at previous sites on the grounds they make a mess. (It is illegal to actually destroy the nests) a neighbour seeing distressed birds at a site put up artificial nests at the same height and facing the same direction. Unfortunately house martins and swallows tend to remain faithful to previous sites. The swifts returned in good numbers and we are waiting to see their offspring join them briefly before they fly off ahead. A pair of ravens seen flying south but this year none reported stopping off in gardens. We have regular fly-overs of herons and little egrets but neither fits the description of a “large, stork-like bird” flying north over village. Mammals In spite of all the development in the village there are still some close encounters A young badger came into a garden. A Muntjak deer grazed a short distance from a working party on the Nature Trail. As last year a Hare strayed onto a back lawn at night whilst occupiers were out (unsuccessfully ) looking out for a bat. Hedgehogs include those being watched on trail cameras. Evidence of Otters along the River. FAR INGS Angela Buckle June 20th 2021 Far Ings. Blue water speedwell, Bog pimpernel, Rough chervil, Wild mignonette, Tyme leaved sandwort, Wild celery, Water figwort, Tuffted vetch, Weld, Greater knapwe GRIMSTHORPE ESTATE Jane Ostler Lakeside TF04/21 and Limestone Grasslands TFo3/21 10/6/21 Plants in Flower Along the side of the Lake Yellow Flag, Lesser Spearwort, Meadow Buttercup and a single Alexanders were creating splashes of yellow amongst the water grasses. Groups of Marsh Thistle just coming into flower and noted that the balls of mistletoe on the Poplar tree near the lake were much increased in size since I had last seen them in October 2019. Birds. Grey Lag Geese in numbers, but no Canada Geese. A pair of Great Crested Grebe, 8 Mute Swans. House Martins flying above a field nearest the castle where they were cutting grass. A Red Kite flew out of a mature oak tree and came down amongst the fresh cuttings. Nearer the lake there were Rooks and Jackdaws seeing what they could find. Plants in Flower in Grassland Areas. Travelling south from the lake a series of meadows became more diverse in their flora. The first was overtopped by the white of Cow Parsley, the second full of Meadow Buttercup but the species rich limestone grassland was signalled by abundant Yellow Rattle. Only a quick look from my motor scooter discovered Hoary Plantain, Ladies and Hedge Bedstraws, Bladder Campion Red and White Clovers, Bird’s Foot Trefoil and the Common Vetch. Hoping next week to go back for a better look. Insects. Fields planted with Flax (Linseed) had Small White Butterflies flying above them and also feeding from arable weeds at their edges, .particularly Red Dead Nettle. .A Red Admiral was feeding on a Hawkweed. There were Small Tortoiseshells , still smart from this years brood and a very; tattered Orange Tip. Where some trees came to the path edge near a ditch a dappled patch of sunlight had attracted about a dozen Common Blue Damselflies and a pair of Speckled Wood Butterflies which were in a giddy dance. There was a Hawker Dragonfly which I got a good look at but was not able to photograph. It had a dark brown abdomen with gold rings. Field guides describes this as distinctive – the Gold Ringed Dragonfly but I have no experience of this species and so am left with a question mark. Short grassland in the Pots and Pans area had what I thought might be flea beetles hopping about in it but finally saw clearly pale coloured grasshoppers. In hundreds, only just hatched. Footnote. On the way back amongst hay cut and ready for turning two skylarks were searching backwards and forwards – hope they hadn’t been nesting there. HORKSTOW SE987179 20 June 2021 I discovered a bumblebee nest when I opened the door to a little used outbuilding. The nest is attached to the inside of the door at ground level and about the size of a coconut. The bees have white rumps and are banded orange, black and orange and are accessing through a tiny gap at the bottom of the wooden door and they appear to have survived my opening it! HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 15/6/2021 Barn owl 1 flew through the garden at 10pm 16/6/2021 Azure damselfly 1 Red admiral 1 Speckled wood 1 Tree bumblebee 1 Woodmouse 1 16/6/2021 Chaffinch fledgling 1 Robin fledglings 2 18/6/2021 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Red admiral 3 (at once) Wren fledglings 3 21/6/2021 Pheasant nest containing 11 eggs discovered when I pulled out some cow parsley so that I could see my flowering honeysuckle. From research, it seems to be late for the hen to be sitting and the nest has probably been abandoned. I'll keep an eye. No pheasants seen or heard in the garden for a while. MESSINGHAM Angela Buckle 15th June 2021 Messingham. Hedge woundwort, Cut leaved cranesbill, Field poppy, Hemlock, Ladies bedstraw, Bugloss, Marsh valerian, Southern marsh orchid, Lesser spearwort, Ragged robin, Creeping cinquefoil, Goats beard, Woody nightshade, Common cats ear Cuckoo calling. SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner & Martin Warne Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 1 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker x 1 Skylark x 2 Common Blue x 2 Green-veined White x 3 Chimney Sweeper x 99 (full sweep of the meadow) Silver-ground Carpet x 3 Yellow Shell x 3 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 10/06/21 Agapeta hamana x 1 Common Swift x 1 Green carpet x 1 Latticed Heath x 1 (new for site) White Ermine x 5 Yellow Shell x 1 13/06/21 Blackbird x 2 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 1 Common Buzzard x 3 'kettling' over Thurnholmes Cuckoo x 1 Goldfinch x 4 Jackdaw x 4 Magpie x 1 Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 1 adult feeding fledged young Orange Tip x 1 male 16/06/21 Common Pipistrelle x 2 21:30hrs (45hz) Moths around security light; Common Swift x 1 Green Carpet x 1 (very faded) Pyrausta spp. Silver-ground Carpet x 4 Small China Mark x 1 Treble Lines x 1 (new for site) White Ermine x 2 Yellow Shell x 1 17/06/21 Blackbird x 1 Cuckoo x 1 Goldfinch x 4 fledged young Great Tit x 2 House Sparrow x 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull x 2 over Thurnholmes Oystercatcher x 2 over Thurnholmes Pied Wagtail x 1 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Stock Dove x 1 Swallow x 4 Swift x 12 Tree Sparrow x 6 Willow Warbler x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 Yellowhammer x 1 Speckled Wood x 1 Azure Damselfly x 1 Blue-tailed Damselfly x 2 Large Red Damselfly x 3 Hawthorn Shieldbug x 1 21/06/21 Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 2 Oystercatcher x 2 over Pied Wagtail x 1 Robin x 1 feeding fledged young Stock Dove x 2 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:30hrs Tree Sparrow x 7 Willow Warbler x 1 feeding fledged young Wood Pigeon x 4 Yellowhammer x 1 Speckled Wood x 1 Silver-ground Carpet x 2 Small Magpie moth x 1 WALESBY WOOD Angela Buckle 19th June 2021 Walesby Wood. Downy rose, Honeysuckle, Heath speedwell, Heath bedstraw, Sheep sorrel, Ladies mantle, Tormentil, Southern marsh orchid, Brooklime, Tyme leaved sandwort, Fairy flax. WILLINGHAM WOODS Stuart Britton 21/6/21 Had a walk in Willingham Woods this morning. On the verge of one of the Forest roads (TF138888) we counted over 350 Common Spotted Orchids which will be at their best in a few days. There were obviously many more but I could not find any sign of the Bee Orchids that were there last 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/ 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 16th – 22nd June 2021 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Note: After eight days of dry, sunny weather when daytime temperatures reached 26.25 degrees C on the 9th, the day of persistent rain on the 18th, when 23.2mm was recorded, freshened up the vegetation. On the dunes dewberry, goat’s-beard, lady’s bedstraw, common ragwort (with cinnabar moth caterpillars), common meadow-rue, viper’s-bugloss, hound’s- tongue, wild onion, pyramidal and bee orchids, cat’s ear, privet, skull cap, quaking grass and elder. On the fore-dune path sea-milkwort and sea arrowgrass are flowering. 160621 - Male great spotted woodpecker with 2 immature birds at Sea View. A singing marsh warbler was found by a local resident in the morning but was not seen or heard throughout the rest of the day. 500+ starling around Sea View. Both Cetti’s warbler still singing with singles at Rimac and the dunes south of Crook Bank. At Rimac in the evening were 20 curlew, a hobby, 2 barn owl, 4 grasshopper warbler and 6 sedge warbler. 170621 - Great white egret, 2 little grebe, 2 lapwing on Paradise lagoon, osprey flew south over Rimac. A small flock of starlings was seen moving through the dunes at Sea View late evening. 190621 – A hobby and 2 grasshopper warbler at Rimac. 11 avocet on Rimac lagoon including two juveniles and at least one bird still sitting. 200621 - Great white egret on Sea View washlands, several fresh red admirals on the wing near Sea View. 220621 – Greet spotted woodpecker and a wood mouse seen at Sea View. A morning sea watch produced: 1 eider north, 35 common scoter north and 18 south, 1 arctic skua north, 27 gannet north and 4 south. 2 small bats flying about Churchill Lane car park over the past week. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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... Mystery Derby car vandals turn out to be territorial crows https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-57495330 Scientists discover new organ in the world’s most studied plant https://www.zmescience.com/science/scientists-discover-new-organ-in-the-worlds-most-studied-plant/ Cambridge Black Death victims buried with compassion, study finds https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-57517627 Country diary: in the fight to survive, red campion is a surprise battleground https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/16/country-diary-in-the-fight-to-survive-red-campion-is-a-surprise-battleground Half the trees in two new English woodlands planted by jays, study finds https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/16/half-the-trees-in-two-new-english-woodlands-planted-by-jays-study-finds Lincolnshire: Country diary: I listen for the rapid snort-wheeze of the hedgehogs https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/18/country-diary-i-listen-for-the-rapid-snort-wheeze-of-the-hedgehogs Country diary: the wildflower meadow is a riot of colour and diversity https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/21/country-diary-the-wildflower-meadow-is-a-riot-of-colour-and-diversity Country diary: a wagtail’s feathers conduct a riverside hunt https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jun/22/country-diary-a-wagtails-feathers-conduct-a-riverside-hunt 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 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/