=========================================== || || 1st September 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 - with details of the Whisby Natural History Workshops 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: We need to think about the future of the LNU Wildnews Bulletin. I enjoy editing it but would be even more happy if a keen member wanted to take it on to improve its usefulness to county recording. If interested you are welcome to email me with any initial questions about what it involves. The LNU AGM will be on Saturday 4th September at 14.00 to 16.33 and from 15.00hrs and will include the Presidential Address by Richard Chadd on: "Invasive Non-native Species in Lincolnshire Freshwaters - Impacts and Solutions". Only a limited number of Members will be able to attend in person, with others invited to view the proceedings on Zoom. Joining details are in the Notice letter. Reminder: If you are an LNU member and would like to receive your Communiqué by email in future you can request this via info@lnu.org with your details, asking to be added to the mailing list, and we can then send you an invitation to join. If you are not yet an LNU member and would like to become one, the page to visit is: https://lnu.org/join-the-lnu/ Next LNU Field Meeting: Sudbrooke Scout Campsite - 12th September. See: https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2019-09-08/ There are places on September's Whisby Natural History Workshops. Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or email rel.davidson@btinternet.com Yellow Asteraceae/Compositae Flowers - Sarah Lambert – September 18th An introduction to all those yellow Daisy family flowers that a lot of people find confusing. All those Hawkbits and Hawksbeards and Catsears and the like! An initial indoor talk on the subject followed by an outdoor session looking at examples of the plants growing in the nature park. Please wear suitable footwear and clothing for when we go outside. Our expert leading the workshop is Dr Sarah Lambert, the LNU botanical recorder for the southern half of Lincolnshire. See: https://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 Plant Pressing - Sue Fysh - September 25th As the LoveLincsPlants project comes to an end this is a final opportunity for anyone who missed the previous sessions to have a go and learn this new skill. Led by Sue Fysh who has been involved with the project since its beginning. Some flowers to press can be sourced from outside in Whisby Nature Park but please bring flowers from your own garden to press if you wish to. Weather Forecast https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ 5 - 14 September "With a region of low pressure residing close to UK at the start of next week, there will most likely be unsettled conditions for many areas, although confidence is low regarding the nature of this regime. Showers or longer spells of rain are likely, but some drier and brighter interludes are still expected." Here is this week's selection of links to Lincolnshire and wildlife-related news stories plus reports and articles sent in by Bulletin readers. I hope there's something for you. Last chance to save on a range of ID guides from NHBS summer Field Guide sale https://www.nhbs.com/promotions Light pollution from street lamps linked to insect loss https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-58333233 Lincolnshire Climate Summit on Wednesday 13th October at the Epic Centre https://whova.com/web/linco_202109/ Flood prevention: Swansea University study reveals role of wetlands https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-58370371 Covid-19: Lifeguards withdrawn at Lincolnshire beaches after positive case https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-58368257 Historic England: Seaside heritage sites given listed status - Skegness Town Hall https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-58307135 Does feeding garden birds do more harm than good? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-58346043 Sniffer dog recruited to track down mink in East Anglia https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-58342375 More links to enjoy in "..and finally ..." 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 that 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. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** September Night Sky! Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html 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/ *** Covid-19 Noticeboard *** 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. LNU 2021 field meetings up to October are now booked and running. For details and any necessary subsequent updates or changes please visit: https://lnu.org/meetings/ Stay aware of updated government advice. Please 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 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/ *** Bourne Barn Owls online *** The drama continues. Now there are 4 chicks! https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 *** Reminder: Bat rescue instructions *** Annette Faulkner writes... 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. *** The Wolds Fungi Group - Programme of Forays Autumn 2021 *** The aim is to have an enjoyable day out, looking for and learning how to identify the mushrooms & toadstools of Lincolnshire, record them and understand their ecology. Anyone interested in joining the forays should contact Paul Nichol via email pnichol20@gmail.com Forays start at 10.00am and last for 2 to 3 hours. Bring along a plastic box (no carrier bags!) A penknife is useful for removing fungi on wood; a culinary fork for prizing specimens out of the litter. A hand lens is always useful, as is a note book. A list of our records for a foray will be provided for those who want them. September meetings: Saturday Sept. 4th Tattershall Thorpe Carr Wood , Tattershall Thorpe. Meet at Thorpe camp Tattershall Thorpe Grid ref TF216596. If it has been wet this wood can be muddy. Tuesday Sept.14th Walesby Moor, Market Rasen. Meet and park at Grid ref TF114908 which is beyond Walesby Woodland Caravan Park. Carry on past the caravan park for about 200m and car park on left. Tuesday Sept. 28th Chambers Farm Wood, Wragby. Meet and park in the car park at Chambers Farm Grid ref. TF146739 *** Scunthorpe and Brigg Local Group of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** From Keith Scarrott The first indoor meeting since early 2020 of the local Scunthorpe and Brigg Group of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust will take place on Thursday, 9th September. The Group's meetings take place in the St Hugh's Church Hall which is next to St Hugh's Church on Ashby Road, opposite the filling station near the crossroads of Ashby Road with West Common Lane. After announcements, there will be an illustrated talk by John Davison, our local Wildlife Recorder and World Traveller on: "MAMMALS OF THE ROOF OF THE WORLD". There is a small car park at the Church Hall and parking on Ashby Road. There is a £2 entry charge which includes coffee or tea and a biscuit at the mid-talk break. Names and contact details of all who attend will be taken for track and trace purposes and all will be encouraged to wear masks and space according to usual advice. We hope to get started enthusiastically and show our interest in all nature which is in crisis worldwide and in desperate need of human consideration and help. *** The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society *** From Keith Scarrott On Monday, 13th September, we hold our first indoor meeting since early 2020. After announcements, there will be a talk by Professor Ian Rotherham of Hallam University, Sheffield, entitled "WILDER ANCHOLME". This will be an illustrated talk to look at the present, past and future of the Ancholme Valley. The Wilder Ancholme Project seeks to work with farmers, landowners and local communities to celebrate its past and be prepared to meet the challenges of climate change. Names and contact details of all who attend will be taken for track and trace purposes and all will be encouraged to wear masks and space according to usual advice. Masks and sanitiser will be provided. A comfort break during the talk will be at the discretion of the speaker but there will not be any refreshments provided. Our Scunthorpe Museum Society meetings take place in the St Bernadette's Church Hall on Ashby Road, which is on the opposite side of Ashby Road to The Priory Hotel and almost directly opposite to the hotel. Postcode is DN16 2RS. There is ample free parking in the Church car park. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided for people to contribute to speakers fees and travel expenses. Doors open at about 7 pm for a 7.15 pm start. We look forward to seeing as many people as possible at this meeting, our first for a very long pause because of the coronavirus pandemic. With care, we can look forward to having our usual year-long program of meetings covering many interesting topics. *** RSPB Grimsby Local Group meetings - from, Martin Francis *** 'Thank you to everybody who has supported our programme of Zoom talks in the first few months of this year. At a recent meeting, the Committee agreed that ‘in-person’ Indoor Meetings will not resume before February because of continuing high Covid-19 infection rates and the associated uncertainties. There is better news though, as monthly talks will continue on Zoom. The programme is:- 20th September -‘Autumn birding on the Isles of Scilly’ Jim Almond 18th October - ‘A Humber Odyssey’ - Pete Short 15th November-‘The Wild Sea is my Home’ - Dr Andre Farrar 20th December -‘The Natural History of Christmas’ - Dr Michael Leach 17th January - ‘The Forest of Dean’ - Nick Martin All talks start at 7.30pm. It is suggested that you put these dates in your diary now. The September Talk will be followed by the AGM’s for the years ending June 2020 and June 2021. The talks are 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. If you have not taken our Zoom talks before and would like to find out the arrangements for getting a link to the talk, please email me at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com as soon as possible, stating that you saw the information in the LNU Bulletin. Martin Francis Leader - RSPB Grimsby Local Group' *** 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 25/8/2021 Spotted Redshank flew south over, Sandwich Tern on east shore of Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Osprey flew south over, 3 Ruddy Shelducks on East Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Pacific Golden Plover juv, Black Stork juv, 4 Little Stints, Spotted Redshank, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Cattle Egret, Short-eared Owl, 20 Spoonbills, Whinchat, 5 Short-eared Owls, 10 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 2 Black Terns, 2 Little Stints, 2 Wood Sandpipers, Curlew Sandpiper, Garganey, Freiston Shore 24 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Pied Flycatcher trapped and ringed in East Dunes, Gibraltar Point Long-tailed Skua juv flew north past, Black Tern, Sutton-on-Sea Pied Flycatcher in dunes, juv Curlew Sandpiper on beach, Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe Wood Sandpiper, Saltfleet Haven 4 Little Stints, 2+ Curlew Sandpipers, 15 Spoonbills, 2 Great White Egrets, Alkborough flats 26/8 3 Ruddy Shelducks on East Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Curlew Sandpiper and 25 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, 2 Spotted Redshanks and 1 Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Pacific Golden Plover juv on saltmarsh, 2 Cattle Egrets, 2 Little Stints, 20 Spoonbills, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Long-tailed Skua on the Wash, Pomarine Skua, Black Tern, Osprey, Frampton Marsh Wryneck, 2 Whinchats, in hawthorn by sea wall, Freiston Shore Probable Greenish Warbler briefly, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Sabine's Gull juv past, 2 Long-tailed Skuas, 6 Little Gulls, 4 Black Terns, 50 Arctic Skuas, Huttoft Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Little Stints. Ruddy Shelduck on river, Alkborough Flats 27/8 2 Little Stints both juvs at Wader Pit briefly, Baston + Langtoft GPs 3 Ruddy Shelduck, East Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Black Stork juv, Holbeach Marsh, flew over River Welland towards Kirton Marsh Black Stork juv flew over Marsh Farm reservoir, 5 Short-eared Owls, Wryneck, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 3 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 20 Spoonbills, Osprey on post at river mouth, 2 Cattle Egrets, Frampton Marsh Wryneck, 2 Short-eared Owls, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Wood Sandpipers, Pied Flycatcher, Long-tailed Skua juv off Cut End, 8 Little Stints, 22 Ospreys, 3 Black Terns, Freiston Shore Short-eared Owl, 27 Spoonbills - 16 Jackson's Marsh, 11 Tennyson's Sands, Spotted Redshank on Tennyson's Sands, Temminck's Stints, 2 Long-tailed Skuas past, Pomarine Skua, 5 Sooty Shearwaters, Gibraltar Point 4 Whinchats in field by dunes, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Pomarine Skua, Huttoft Black Tern, Toft Newton Reservoir 9 Spoonbills, 17 Spotted Redshanks, Great White Egret, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, Ruddy Shelduck with Shelducks on River Trent, 2 Little Stints, 10 Spoonbills, Whinchat, Alkborough Flats 28/8 3 Ruddy Shelducks on East Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 3 Whinchats, Kirton Marsh Black Tern juv over North Scrape, Curlew Sandpiper, 8 Little Stints, 10 Spotted Redshanks, 24 Spoonbills, Black Stork juv, 2 Cattle Egrets, Frampton Marsh Red-necked Phalarope juv flew north past, Wryneck, 7 Little Stints, 2 Whinchats, ad Curlew Sandpiper, juv Little Gull, probable Blue-headed Wagtail at Cut End, 4 juv Black Terns, 2 Long-tailed Skuas offshore, 2 Pomarine Skuas flew north, Freiston Shore Long-tailed Skua offshore, Sandilands Osprey, Donna Nook Glossy Ibis, 9 Little Stints, Curlew Sandpiper, 32 Spoonbills, 19 Spotted Redshanks, Osprey, Alkborough Flats 29/8 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 20 Spotted Redhanks, Osprey at river mouth, 10 Little Stints, Bleck Tern juv, 5 Short-eared Owls, Cattkle Egret, Frampton Marsh Hen Harriers NW of Frampton Marsh off Wyberton roads 2 Long-tailed Skuas off Cut End, then flew north, Black Tern, 7 Little Stints, Freiston Shore Wryneck in scrub east of Mill Hill, Pied Flycatcher trapped and ringed in East Dunes, 19 Spoonbills, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point Wood Sandpiper, East Halton Skitter 12 Little Stints, 7 Curlew Sandpipers, Alkborough Flats 30/8 Cattle Egret ad, Baston + Langtoft Pits 3 Ruddy Shelduck on East Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 21 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Black Tern juv, 3 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Short-eared Owls, Cattle Egret, 20 Spoonbills, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Long-tailed Skua, Osprey, 9 Little Stints, Curlew Sandpiper, Pied Flycatcher, Freiston Shore Sooty Shearwater past, 9+ Spoonbills, 2 Little Stints, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, Gibraltar Point Caspian Gull on boating lake, Skegness Possible Pomarine Skua flew north past, 2 juv Black Terns, Little Gull, Purple sandpiper, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Long-tailed Skua dark morph, on sea, Saltfleet Haven Long-tailed Skua flew past, Velvet Scoter, ad Little Gull, Huttoft Bank Black Tern juv, Whisby Nature Park Glossy Ibis, 19 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 31/8 Cattle Egret on High Wash, Little Stint at Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs 2 Little Stints, 3 Ruddy Shelducks, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Little Stint, Toft Newton reservoir Black Tern juv, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 12 Little Stint, 10 Spotted Redshanks, 20 Spoonbills, Wood Sandpiper, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh Common Rosefinch trapped and ringed, 3 Pied Flycatchers trapped in East Dunes, 1 a re-trap, 3 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, 3 Little Stints, Gibraltar Point Pomarine Skua north past, juv Little Gull, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Glossy Ibis, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 4 Little Stints with Dunlin, Alkborough Flats 1/9 Cattle Egret flew NW, Baston + Langtoft GPs ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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! Links "not to be missed" Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog: excellent photos and information. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ Lincs Bird Club - latest sightings: superb website https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/sightings/latest-news Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch - check the latest sightings: https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/lincolnshire-latest-sightings BTO tracked cuckoos: most have crossed the Sahara now. https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/cuckoo-tracking-project ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Hedgehogs? Badgers? Otters? Reports welcome. *** Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important *** Grab a Grid Reference: https://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Thanks to our regular contributors across the county. Much appreciated. We rely on readers to send in their observations and we welcome records from everyone, experts or beginners. Please keep your reports coming. BARDNEY- The Green R+A Parsons TF120694 25/8 Hedgehog at 01.04-01,08 and 02.46hrs Moth trap out 28/8/2021 Mark Smith identified the following species: 12 different species - 11 moths and a Cinnamon Sedge Fly. Setaceous Hebrew Character Cinnamon Sedge Flounced Rustic Square-Spot Rustic Vines Rustic Agriphila geniculea Mother of Pearl Moth Brimstone Moth Large Yellow Underwing Straw Dot Flame Shoulder Lesser Yellow Underwing 30/8.2021 2 juv Pied Wagtails hunting in garden https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/pied-wagtail/ BOSTON (TF326426) Kathleen Pearson 27/08/2021 A Lesser Whitethroat was seen twice today in the garden. The last occurrence we can find was on 28/05/1989. BOSTON (TF326426) 30/08/2021 Kathleen Pearson Two small bats were flying quite low around the garden tonight. This was the first time we had seen them this year. FAR INGS Angela Buckle Far Ings 30th August. 2021 Red goosefoot, Angelica, Tutsan, Hemp agrimony, Stem gall on creeping thistle. FISKERTON - garden of Carpenters Arms pub R, A and D Parsons 28/8/2021 Bat spp hunting - very actively - at 14.00hrs - over pub garden and surrounding properties HORKSTOW SE 987179 Jenny Haynes 25 August 2021 There was an influx of butterflies in my garden last week, including small tortoiseshell, red admiral, peacock and one painted lady as well as small and large whites. While watching them from a bedroom window, looking down on a large buddleia, we spotted a willow warbler (probably) amongst the branches looking as if it was watching out for insects. We’ve also been watching the squirrels harvesting hazel nuts, sitting up in the branches of the tree peeling off the outer layers before deciding whether to eat or bury! KIRTON MARSH 28/08/2021 Roy and Kathleen Pearson A very productive walk along the sea bank this morning. A cluster of nine Little Egrets was the largest we had seen feeding together. In the same area was a group of young Kestrels near to a breeding box. For the first time ever there was a Green Woodpecker on the ground on the landward side of the sea bank. At this point there were some small copses which may have served as breeding areas. A large number of Swallows were passing through with a strong northerly wind. SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 29/08/21 Blue Tit x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker x 1 Grey Partridge x 2 Jackdaw x 4 Robin x 1 Sparrowhawk x 2 Tree Sparrow x 12 Wood Pigeon x 8 Meadow Brown x 2 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 18/08/21 Grey Partridge x 2 adult, 11 young Little Owl x 1 calling 01:15hrs Red-legged Partridge x 2 adults, 14 young Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:15hrs Pygmy Shrew x 1 Green-veined White x 3 Large White x 3 Meadow Brown 5 Painted Lady x 1 Peacock x 4 Red Admiral x 7 Small Tortoiseshell x 22 Small White x 12 moths around security light; Blood Vein x 1 Common Footman x 1 Dusky Thorn x 1 Mother of Pearl x 2 Orange Swift x 2 23/08/21 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 4 Blue Tit x 4 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 4 including one fledged young  Lesser Black-backed Gull x 2 over Thurnholmes Little Owl x 2 Magpie x 1 Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 1 Swallow x 6 Tawny Owl x 1 Tree Sparrow x 1 Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 26/08/21 Green-veined White x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 2 Small White x 6 Speckled Wood x 2 Setaceous Hebrew Character x 2 27/08/21 Common Pipistrelle x 1 21:15hrs (45hz) Noctule x 1 20:30hrs (25hz) Flame Shoulder x 1 Large Yellow Underwing x 3 29/08/21 Common Crane x 5 flying very high, North over Thurnholmes 30/08/21 Blackbird x 12 Black-headed Gull x 15 over Thurnholmes Carrion Crow x 4 Common Buzzard x 1 Grey Partridge x 2 Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Robin x 2 Stock Dove x 1 on nest Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:15hrs Tree Sparrow x 15 Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 Green-veined White x 4 Small Tortoiseshell x 4 Speckled Wood x 2 Setaceous Hebrew Character x 2 WILLINGHAM WOODS Angela Buckle Willingham woods 28th August 2021. Hemp nettle, Fat hen, Redshank, Common cudweed, Knot grass, Black bindweed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 25th August – 1st September 2021 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 250821 – Weasel hunting at Sea View. On the beach at Churchill Lane were: 298 dunlin, 211 ringed plover, 79 sanderling and 12 knot. In the dunes were a redstart and pied flycatcher. 260821 - Pied flycatcher at Sea View. 270821 - 4 whinchat in field next to Rimac car park. Cetti’s warbler singing at Rimac. 280821 - Paradise lagoon: single curlew sandpiper with 107 redshank, 7 avocet, 1 common snipe, 1 black-tailed godwit, 3 common sandpiper, 4 lapwing, 1 moorhen, 1 coot, 4 mallard, 5 teal, 11 common gull and 82 black-headed gull. 4 small bats around Churchill Lane at dusk. Butterflies in the local area during the sunny afternoon: red admiral, peacock, small tortoiseshell, small and large whites, small copper, holly blue, speckled wood, wall, meadow brown, brimstone, brown argus. 290821 - Paradise lagoon sightings include: 83 lapwing, 1 black-tailed godwit, 1 avocet, 1 green sandpiper, 1 common sandpiper and 9 common snipe. 300821 - Odonata Churchill Lane area: willow emerald, emerald green, ruddy darter, common darter, migrant hawker. 2 brown rats seen on local track post-harvest and 2 in local farmyard. 3 bee and wasp nests dug out by badgers. Fewer warblers in dune scrub now and few hirundae seen. Some mixed species feeding flocks observed with tits, finches and warblers. Going north over the sea were: 26 arctic skua, a pomarine skua, a juvenile little gull, 2 kittiwake, 2 juvenile black tern, 2 red-throated divers, a purple sandpiper amongst other species of wader and wildfowl. 310821 - A pomarine skua and 10 arctic skua north over the sea. 2 whimbrel and 13 curlew flew south. Cetti’s warbler in song at Rimac. 010921- Around 100 swallows feeding over Sea View and low over the saltmarsh amongst the sea aster. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ British Native Trees - Woodland Trust https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/ The Forestry Commission advice: https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide * 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ * South Humber Heritage Trail, Alkborough Flats - LWT leaflet https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/2018-04/south_humber_heritage_trail_alkborough.pdf 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 Aidan Neary - LoveLincsPlants Project Officer writes: "I am in the process in coordinating the project’s Lincspirational Plants light show/ projection events and online art auction in October. I will provide more details in the coming weeks. Keep an eye on our Twitter feed." 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/ *** South Lincolnshire Flora Group *** https://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 *** The Wolds Fungi Group *** Contact Paul Nichol via email pnichol20@gmail.com *** Lincolnshire Dormouse Group *** Contact: lincsdormousegroup@gmail.co 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 - we can expect post-harvest 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 *** Cracking up in Lincolnshire - our roads - Geological Society *** https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/Geoscientist/Archive/March-2014/Cracking-up-in-Lincolnshire *** 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 Code of Conduct for Responsible Collecting of Fungi http://www.davidmoore.org.uk/Assets/fungi4schools/Reprints/Pickers_code.pdf 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/ Whisby Natural History Workshops Richard Davidson says : Arranged in partnership by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (Lincoln Area Group) and the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union. At Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln, in the Lafarge Education Building on Saturday afternoons from 13.00 pm until 4.30 pm. Free of charge. Refreshments not included but please feel free to bring your own. Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com. Places are limited. Find out more about the various subjects from our local experts. Yellow Asteraceae Flowers – September 18th – Sarah Lambert Plant Pressing – September 25th – Sue Fysh Sawflies – October 9th – David Sheppard Lichens – October 16th – Mark Seaward Dissecting Owl Pellets – November 20th – Garry Steele See: https://lnu.org/meetings/workshops/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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... Female hummingbirds avoid harassment https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/female-hummingbirds-avoid-harassment-by-looking-like-males/ Barnacle glue help save lives https://www.zmescience.com/science/barnacle-glue-help-save-25082021/ Scientists use smell of fear to ward off insects pests from crops and gardens https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/scientists-use-smell-of-fear-to-ward-off-insect-pests-from-crops-and-gardens/ 'Incredible' mass gathering of spider crabs in Falmouth https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-58346707 Dolphins 'alert' rescuers to lost swimmer https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-58328587 Birds of prey: Chick and egg thefts fall to boost numbers https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-58327539 Golden eagle numbers surge in southern Scotland https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-58328833 Rare bitterns breed at Sefton nature reserve for first time in 200 years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-58307597 A third of Isle of Man birds under 'grave threat' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-58318062 Humpback whale breaches off Isles of Scilly https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-58394081 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/