=========================================== || || 31st August 2022 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || || LNU Website: http://lnu.org/ || Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? || Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lincsnaturalists/ || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Information, events, news and requests - mostly local. 2. Wildlife Highlights from Rare Bird Alert. 3. Wildlife reports around the county - contributions welcome... 4. NNRs, RSPB and LWT Reserves/Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe. 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR - Chambers Farm Wood . 6. Other Reserve Reports - links and highlights. 7. Sending in Bulletin Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information - recorders and specialists... 9. Notes about these wildlife reports. 10. Bulletin publicity policy. 11. Events Diary - what's on. 12. ...and finally. Mostly national/international wildlife stories. ============================================ Reports here are open. They are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union; the Lincolnshire Bird Club and Lincolnshire Environmental Record Centre [LERC]. Past Bulletins archive [text] from 2009: compare past years... http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or associated organisations. Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. INFORMATION, EVENTS, NEWS AND REQUESTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Editor writes: We say goodbye to August and look forward to the first signs of Autumn. We have two great locations for the next Field Meetings. Details below. If you've not been to one before, come along. You'll be very welcome. This month's LNU Field Meeting will be on 18th September: Old Bolingbroke Castle and Sow Dale LWT Reserve with Luke Hartley. https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2022-09-18-old-bolingbroke-castle-and-sow-dale-lwt-reserve-sunday-18th-september/ The LNU Foray this year, led by Ray Halstead, will be taking place at 9th October: Epworth Turbary LWT Reserve (Annual Fungus Foray) https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2022-10-09-epworth-turbary-lwt-reserve-sunday-9th-october/ Paul Nichol has sent us his proposed Wolds Fungi Group list of forays. Programme below. Anyone thinking of attending any of the forays should contact Paul beforehand so he has some idea of who may be turning up. This week's links to Lincolnshire and wildlife-related news stories. More general links in "..and finally ..." at the end of the Bulletin Climate change: England's gardeners set for peat compost ban https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-62069553 What you can do to fight climate change from your home - RSPB https://community.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/b/climatechange/posts/fight-climate-change-from-your-home Will the UK experience blackouts? Three scenarios for this coming winter https://theconversation.com/will-the-uk-experience-blackouts-three-scenarios-for-this-coming-winter-189280 Be less squeamish about drinking sewage water, says expert https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-62708413 Red Arrows jet's cockpit canopy smashed by bird at Rhyl Airshow https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-62712450 Bird flu confirmed at East Yorkshire commercial poultry farm https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-62713316 Electricity and drought killing white storks https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-62690344 Please stay informed on current Co-19 and 'flu advice, adapting appropriately to future changes at indoor meetings and in the field. If you have any event postponements or changes please let us know. Check the LNU events web page for updates or cancellations: https://lnu.org/meetings/ On the LNU webpage on the Officers and Executive Committee you will see some new names. Several experienced naturalists have agreed to join, for which we are very appreciative. https://lnu.org/about/officers-executive/ Thank you for all the interesting news links, wildlife events information and species reports. Please keep your information coming. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - my best address for emails. *** Weather Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#? 4-13 September "The start of this period is expected to bring areas of thick cloud and heavy or thundery periods of rain or showers to many places. Any periods of rain could be longer spells than recently experienced. Strong winds are also likely in places, perhaps with a risk of gales too. Temperatures are expected to be around average but could be variable, especially under longer spells of rain where it may be cooler, or in any sunshine which will feel warmer. Towards the end of the period, the rainfall is likely to die out, leading to many areas becoming a little drier, although there may still be a chance of showers for many places. Temperatures will probably be around average." *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Artemis: Nasa calls off new Moon rocket launch https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-62715616 Apollo Remastered: One man's mission to show us the Moon https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-62662685 Jodrell Bank Monthly Night Sky Guide http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/astronomy/nightsky/ SkyatNight month-by-month guide to locating the planets throughout 2022 https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/skills/astronomy-guide-viewing-planets-night-sky/ Stellarium. The FREE open source planetarium for your computer. http://stellarium.org/ *** Flying Ant Days - BWARS - reminder - Our Help Needed *** Noted any flying ant events? Professor Elizabeth Liz Duncan says: "The study is current, and we would really appreciate any reports." https://www.bwars.com/content/flying-ant-days-we-need-your-data *** Hedgehog Links *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** Scunthorpe and Brigg Local Group of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** Our first meeting of the new "indoor meetings season" will take place on Thursday, 8th September, when VICKY BUCKBERRY, will be giving an illustrated talk on "FUNGI AND FOLKLORE". Vicky is the Senior Education and Community Officer for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Starting at 7.30 pm, we meet in St Hugh's Church Hall on Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN15 2AG, which is next to the Ashby Road with West Common Lane crossroads. There is a small, free car park at the Church and also parking areas on the adjacent road. There is a £2 entry charge to our meetings which includes light refreshments at the mid-talk break. *** Natural History and Geology Section - Scunthorpe Museum Society *** Keith Scarrott writes: Our first meeting for the new "season of indoor meetings" takes place on Monday, 12th September when Nicholas Watts, owner of the well-known Vine House Farm bird food provider visits us to give his talk on "FARMING AND WILDLIFE". "Nicholas started recording the breeding birds on his farm in 1982. In 1992 he realised there had been a large decline of some species, this worried him so he decided to try and stop this decline and by chance Vine House Bird foods was created. Since 1992 there has been extensive habitat creation at Vine House Farm and Nicholas has won more awards for conservation on his farm than any other farmer in the UK. He has also received the MBE for his work." We meet in St. Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. The meeting will start at 7.15 pm. There is a large, free car park at the Church grounds. There is no charge for entry to our meetings but a donation bowl is provided to help us pay for the speakers' fees and travel expenses. There will be a mid-talk break during which light refreshments are available for a small charge. *** The Wolds Fungi Group - Programme of Forays Autumn 2022 *** Anyone thinking of attending any of the forays should contact Paul Nichol beforehand please, so he has a rough idea of who may be turning up. pnichol20@gmail.com The aim of field meetings is to have an enjoyable day out looking for and learning how to identify mushrooms & toadstools that are to be found in Lincolnshire and to record the fungi and understand their ecology. Our records will be passed onto the County recorder for fungi and further to National databases. Foraging for edible fungi is not an aim of the group. Forays start at 10.00am and last for 2 to 3 hours. Please bring along a plastic box (no carrier bags!) if you wish to collect specimens a penknife is useful for removing fungi on wood and a culinary fork for prizing specimens out of the litter. Some sort of hand lens is always useful as is a note book to record your observations. A list of our records for a foray will be provided for those who want them. Tuesday Sept. 20th Roughton Moor, Woodhall Spa Meet and park on the roadside by the cemetery on Kirkby Lane Grid ref TF208631 Post code LN10 6SA Wednesday Sept. 28th College Wood, Wragby Meet and park at the entrance to the wood on the Kingthorpe Apley Rd at TF119753 Post code LN8 5JG Tuesday Oct. 4th Wickenby Wood, Wickenby. Meet and park on the roadside verge at the entrance to the wood on the Faldingworth to Wickenby Rd at TF082828 Post code LN3 5AN *** Bat reminders from Annette Falkner: *** Bats can't easily survive dehydration. They drink on the wing, so if you have a bird bath do keep it topped up (the birds need it too), and if not a large flat dish, such as a plant pot saucer, placed high up and out of the way of cats, could serve the same purpose. There are a lot of young juveniles around at the moment, just learning the ways of their world, so a water source could be a life saver for them. 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. Wear gloves or use a cloth to pick it up with. Phone us on 01775 766286. Weíll do the rest. Bat reports are always welcome: details and Grid References please. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Area Groups webpage *** Please let me have your "plugs" for coming events. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/area-groups *** RSPB Grimsby Local Group *** The RSPB Grimsby Local Group has a new website https://group.rspb.org.uk/grimsby/ *** Seal and Birdwatching Cruises 2022 - South Lincs RSPB Group *** 14 cruises have been arranged for 2022, at various sailing times, ending on 22nd October. All cruises are aboard 'The Boston Belle', last for 4/5 hours, and start [and return] at Boston's Grand Sluice Lock, sailing up The Haven, into The Wash and also along The Welland. 64 bird species on average have been previously seen per cruise. Full details as regards dates, sailing times, costs, booking arrangements: https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/ STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Lyme Disease reminder https://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/zoonoses-data-sheets/lyme-disease.pdf 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 http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails EasyTide http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx Sewage pollution of beaches SAS link: https://www.sas.org.uk/map/ Environment Agency Flood Warnings - Lincolnshire https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings?location=lincolnshire Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 23/8 Garganey juv on Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs 24 Spoonbills, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill, Freiston shore 6 Spoonbills, Spotted Redshank, Long-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 24/8 25/8 50 Spoonbills, 4 Little Stints, 10 Spotted Redshanks, Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 2 Black Terns offshore, Gibraltar Point Roller juv, Timberland Delph, SW of Woodhall Spa Wood Sandpiper, Garganey, Manby Flashes Long-tailed Duck flew north past, Long-tailed Skua along beach past, Huttoft 5 Garganey all juvs, Teal Lake, Whisby Nature Park 26/8 Garganey juv on Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs 6 Curlew Sandpipers all juvs, Frampton Marsh Wryneck between Freiston Shore and delph car park. 2 Pied Flycatchers at dunes, 5 Spoonbills, 7 Spotted Redshanks - 5 on Mere, 2 flew south, Gibraltar Point Roller juv, Timberland Delph, SW of Woodhall Spa 5 Garganey juvs, Teal Lake, Whisby Nature Park Little Gull juv, Covenham Reservoir Wood Sandpiper opposite Scallow Grove Farm, Messingham Sand Quarry 27/8 Garganey juv on Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs 18 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Roller juv, Timberland Delph, SW of Woodhall Spa 2 Wood Sandpipers both juvs, Halton Marshes: 1 at East Halton Skitter, 1 at end of Marsh Lane at Winter's Pond 7 Spoonbills, Whitton Sands 28/8 Garganey juv on East Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Pectoral Sandpiper reported, 26+ Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh 49 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Honey Buzzard flew south over, Pied Flycatcher, Gibraltar Point Osprey flew over Grimsby Wood Sandpiper on Novartis Ings, Pyewipe Wood Sandpiper opposite Scallow Grove Farm, Messingham Sand Quarry 29/8 Garganey juv on Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs 2 Garganey on East Pit, Deeeping Lakes, Deeping St James 44 Spoonbills, 30 Curlew Sandpipers, 12 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Little Stints, Pectoral Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 11 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Spotted Redshank, Manby Flashes Long-tailed Skua flew north past Huttoft Spotted Crake, Boultham Mere Wood Sandpiper juv on Winter's Pond, Halton Marshes 30/9 Spotted Redshank ad on Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Pectoral Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 14 Spoonbills on Tennyson's sands, 4 Spotted Redshanks on The Mere, Pied Flycatcher trapped and ringed in East Dunes, 2 Sooty Shearwaters flew past offshore, Gibraltar Point Garganey, Manby Flashes 31/8 Osprey juv over, then flew NW, Garganey on Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Long-tailed Skua ad flew past + Pomanine Skua and 2 Sooty Shearwaters, Chapel Point 2 Long-tailed Skuas - 1 ad, 1 juv, flew south past Huttoft Bank Long-tailed Skua flew north past Mablethorpe ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. WILDLIFE NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work and drop-in sessions. Roger died on 6th March 2009 at the age of 61. *** 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/ *** Links "not to be missed" *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Len Pick Trust Barn Owls - box usually empty now... https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog: http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ Lincs Bird Club: https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/sightings/latest-news Butterfly Conservation - Lincolnshire Branch: https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/ Which moth species might be on the wing tonight in your area? https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/whats-flying-tonight ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Hedgehogs? Badgers? Otters? Reports welcome. LINCOLN Sandra Bisset 2 dead badgers I’d like to report two road kills, both of a badger, one large (I assume adult) and one small. I saw them yesterday (24th August) as I travelled in each direction on the Lincoln bypass (A46), one on each side of the carriage way between the Doddington Road roundabout and the side road to Thorpe on the Hill (Moor Lane). *** 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 welcome records from everyone, experts or beginners. Please keep your reports coming. BARDNEY - The Green R & A Parsons TF120694 Nights of 24-25, 25/-26 and 26/27/8/2022 No hedgehogs on camera. Perhaps no need for our water? 27.8 Pied Wagtail juv on lawn 8am. 28/29/8/2022 No hedgehogs on camera. BARDNEY GARDEN Bardney garden TF117700 Phil & Mary Porter 19th August 2022 Dead mole Hedgehog (trail camera) Hummingbird hawkmoth on phlox Robber-fly Machimus atricapillus Green woodpecker flew over calling Common emerald damselflies flew to pond as a mated pair, our first ever Common frog hopped from pond 20th August 2022 Hedgehog (trail camera) Common emerald damselfly 21st August 2022 Garden warbler Badger (trail camera) our first ever 2 buzzards 22nd August 2022 Dead common lizard brought to us by near neighbour for identification, middle third only! Green woodpecker flew over calling 1 bat over street c. 20:00 26th August 2022 Willow Warbler feeding in tamarisk Hawker dragonfly, probably migrant hawker 2 buzzards overhead 27th August 2022 Badger (trail camera) Hummingbird hawkmoth feeding on phlox visiting all of the patches in the garden Striking lack of blackbirds, only 1 seen Loads of blue tits, goldfinches and chaffinches. 28th August 2022 Hummingbird hawkmoth feeding on phlox Willow warbler 29th August 2022 Hummingbird hawkmoth feeding on phlox Hedgehog (trail camera) 30th August 2022 Hummingbird hawkmoth feeding on phlox BOSTON GARDEN (TF326426) 26/08/2022 Kathleen Pearson A first for some considerable time this morning when I spotted a juvenile Green Woodpecker on an exposed branch of the silver birch.  It seemed to spend much of the time re-arranging its plumage, which made me wonder if it was getting ants off the branch to deal with parasites. We are still having bats most nights, usually single sightings with the occasional two occurring. BOSTON Mike Skinner writes: 3 poorly hedgehogs in our garden yesterday 2 babies de- hydrated and under weight taken to hedgehog carer and one adult full of ticks ,very poorly taken to vets, and now awaiting outcome. Grid ref 309439 Also for your interest Emma Hedgehog Hotel at Terrington St Clements phone number 07847 464904 https://emmashedgehoghotel.co.uk/ SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 30/08/22 Blackbird x 1 Blue Tit x 1 Carrion Crow x 6 Chaffinch x 15 Dunnock x 1 Jackdaw x 2 Magpie x 2 Robin x 1 Swallow x 15 Tree Sparrow x 31 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 Small White x 2 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 20/08/22 Stoat x 1 22/08/22 Hummingbird Hawkmoth x 1 Privet Hawkmoth x 1 Setaceous Hebrew Character x 3 24/08/22 Barn Owl x 1 03:15hrs Redshank x 1 over Thurnholmes, calling Migrant Hawker x 2 25/08/22 Moths around security light; August Thorn x 2 Dingy Footman x 1 Large Yellow Underwing x 1 Lesser Yellow Underwing x 1 Seaceous Hebrew Character x 1 Smoky Wainscot x 1 29/08/22 Barn Owl x 1  Blackbird x 3 Blue Tit x 4 Chaffinch x 4 Common Buzzard x 1 Goldfinch x 6 Mallard x 6 over Thurnholmes Robin x 1 Swallow x 25 Tree Sparrow x 2 Wood Pigeon x 4 Noctule Bat x 1 21:15hrs (25hz) Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Small White x 28 Speckled Wood x 6 WILLINGHAM WOODS Angela Buckle 23rd August 2022. Lots of cauliflower fungi in the pine woods. Lots of Gypsywort in flower, and White waterlilies. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs and NATURE RESERVES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19 includes details of LWT reserves and other advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog: http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list 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 Visitor Leaflet - Natural England http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 24th- 30th August 2022 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor, Owen Beaumont, Phil Hyde, Geoff Williams and Chris Atkin Daily news and wildlife sightings: 240822 – 5000 black-headed gull on the beach early morning, with a peregrine and arctic skua keeping them moving. Pied flycatcher and 2 goldcrest at Crook Bank. Another pied flycatcher south of Rimac. 500+ golden plover flew over arable fields near Rimac. 2 whinchat on the saltmarsh edge between Sea View and Paradise Lagoon. 250822 – Juvenile Caspian gull flew along the beach. 170 sandwich tern and 10 common tern on Theddlethorpe beach late afternoon. Common and soprano pipistrelles, noctule and daubentons bats detected between Sea View and Paradise during a bat walk. 260822 - Great Eau outfall common sandpiper and kingfisher, Paradise lagoon greenshank and little grebe plus roost of black-headed and common gulls and lapwing. Common buzzard over Sea View. A mixed flock of passerines in the dunes near Churchill Lane included 10 common whitethroat, 6 lesser whitethroat and 8 chiffchaff. 2 greenshank and a pair of bullfinch at Rimac. Grey partridge and green woodpecker at Sea View. 4 snipe flew north-west. Common and soprano pipistrelles, noctule and daubentons bats detected between Sea View and Paradise during a bat walk. 270822 – Red kite circling over Brickyard Lane. 280822 - Single wheatear along outer dunes off Rimac. 27/280822 – Dragonflies: southern, brown and migrant hawkers, emperor, common and ruddy darters. Butterfly numbers now very reduced species seen: common blue, small white, small copper, red admiral, peacock and speckled wood. 290822 - Single green sandpiper and 39 teal Sea View washland, 2 whimbrel feeding on he saltmarsh and 3 common sandpipers along the Great Eau outfall. 3 hummingbird hawkmoths at Sea View. 2 arctic skua, 70 sanderling, 15 dunlin, 25 ringed plover and a knot on the beach during the morning high tide. 630 sandwich tern and c7000 black-headed gull on Theddlethorpe beach in the evening. 2 wheatear around Churchill Lane. 300822 - Sea View washland: 14 teal, 1 young shelduck and 2 shoveler, Paradise lagoon: 145 redshank, 1 black-tailed godwit, 2 herring gulls, 21 common gulls, 107 black-headed gulls and 3 teal. Great spotted woodpecker near Paradise wood, 900+ black-headed gulls feeding over the saltmarsh and 1 great white egret on Rimac lagoon. An arctic skua flew over the dunes at Churchill Lane where a bullfinch and several chiffchaff were heard. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR These cover a huge area. Records from them 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 - worth a read: https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/features/19111877.lincolnshire-limewoods/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Forestry Commission visitor advice: https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch. https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html Lincolnshire Dormouse Group You can get in touch via lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com *** Lincs Dormouse Group update *** Gemma Watkinson writes: I have set the nest box check dates with Forestry England: Sunday 18th September Saturday 22nd October We meet at 9.30am for the box checks, and anyone interested in joining us on a box check should get in contact via email 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. Many are also designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest. 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 - downloadable https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/2018-04/south_humber_heritage_trail_alkborough.pdf ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. SENDING IN BULLETIN REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We aim to increase the number of people reporting observations to Recorders. The Bulletin is a 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! Please help us to help you. 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. It 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. CONTACTS AND USEFUL WEBSITES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONTACTS LIST Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union *** LNU 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 Downloads of LNU books are available on: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ https://twitter.com/LincsWildlife *** Lincs Bird Club Website *** http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk https://twitter.com/Lincsbirding 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 https://twitter.com/sirjosephbanks *** Lincolnshire Bat Group website *** http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html https://twitter.com/BC_Lincolnshire *** Lincsbirders *** http://www.lincsbirders.org/ https://twitter.com/lincsbirders *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** https://lincolnshirechalkstreams.org/ Events page: https://lincolnshirechalkstreams.org/events/ *** 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.com 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 SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ Downloads of LNU books are available on: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ Recording with "irecord" https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ More and more people are using irecord. It is recommended by the LNU as an appropriate platform for on-line recording. *** VC54 North Lincolnshire Plant List - LNU *** Paul Kirby has produced a list of all the vascular plant & stonewort taxa with records on the MapMate botanical database. This is for VC54, North Lincolnshire, at the end of January 2017. Download this on: https://lnu.org/specialists/vascular-plants/ 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 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 Spiders, Pseudoscorpions, Harvestmen Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Email: Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk Amphibians and Reptiles The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) Contact: Ashley Butterfield : learningoutdoors@btinternet.com Please have a look at https://www.recordpool.org.uk/index.php It's 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 Local Bat Helpline Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 Email: 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. Wear gloves or use 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: 01383 669 124 Email: chris.r.dufeu@gmail.com Non-Marine Molluscs Alex Pickwell is the LNU Recorder for Non-marine Molluscs Email: mrapickwell@gmail.com 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. 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/ https://twitter.com/GLNPnature *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** 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/ NHM Final report on LoveLincsPlants This report along with previous progress reports can be viewed/ downloaded from the LNU website. https://lnu.org/lincolnshire-plants-past-and-future/ 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 - downloadable LNU book https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-flora-of-lincolnshire-e-joan-gibbons.pdf For the Geologists... Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 Geology of the Lincolnshire Wolds https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/special-features/geology The Geology of Lincolnshire - downloadable LNU book https://lnu.org/publications/books/the-geology-of-lincolnshire/ BGS webpage: Earthquakes around the UK last 60 days http://www.earthquakes.bgs.ac.uk/earthquakes/home.html BGS British geology maps - now free to explore on web http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. NOTES ABOUT THESE WILDLIFE REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting. However, records are sent in by a variety of reporters; from complete beginners to professionals. They may vary in reliability and occasionally 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. BULLETIN 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, please report any sensitive news directly to recorders. Not the Bulletin. We don't want to spoil things with untimely or unwise publicity. Thank you. 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 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 of the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU EVENTS DIARY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events - Important updates *** We will post any changes to LNU events through the Bulletin; the LNU Twitter feed; LNU Facebook page and LNU meetings webpage. Please refer to the LNU website for details of any Zoom arrangements for watching online. LNU Meetings 2022: https://lnu.org/meetings Charlie Barnes writes: The changing nature of the Covid situation may mean alterations or cancellations at short notice, so check back regularly and keep an eye on Twitter and Facebook for updates. For more details on the times and locations see the website at: https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/ Field Meetings: 18th September: Old Bolingbroke Castle and Sow Dale LWT Reserve 9th October: Epworth Turbary LWT Reserve (Annual Fungus Foray) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** Roger Favell - soft bounce - Delivery was aborted after 32 minutes Advice is: If your Service provider can't or won't allow the Bulletin through, use a free email account instead. In the event of a mail failure ask me for the error report to pass on to your "Help Desk". I am glad to help. ....and finally... Plymouth's kelp forest to be dedicated to the Queen https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-62725775 Country diary: A desperate feast on a rotting fungus https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/aug/25/country-diary-a-desperate-feast-on-a-rotting-fungus Huge recovery for butterfly once extinct in the UK https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-62674800 Country diary: Who would live in a keyhole like this? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/aug/29/country-diary-who-would-live-in-a-keyhole-like-this Beaver dams in east Devon create area of wetland amid drought https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-62662909 Country diary: It’s a summer of love for the red soldier beetle https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/aug/26/country-diary-its-a-summer-of-love-for-the-red-soldier-beetle Modern pesticides ‘making bees drunk’, scientists warn https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/pesticides-bees-drunk-scientists-study-b2145854.html Underfunded, rusting and fenced off, Britain’s parks are under attack https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/aug/29/underfunded-rusting-fenced-off-britains-parks-public-spaces-government ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/