============================================ || || 25th May 2022 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || || Visit the: || LNU Website: http://lnu.org/ || LNU 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 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]. Refer to and compare text versions of past Bulletins from 2009: 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: Apologies for missing out the Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 11th - 17th May 20. It had hidden itself in my spam folder! You will find it in section 4. Vi Wilkin's Funeral arrangements: Vi's daughter Barbara wrote as follows: I can confirm the date of Mum's funeral as Wed 8th June, at 1.20 at Scunthorpe crematorium. It will probably be a fairly small affair. I wonder if you know how many people from the natural history community might be likely to come? Roger adds: May I suggest that if you hope to attend you let Eddie Gaunt or myself know and we will pass that on. old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Springwatch is back for a brand new series on BBC Two - Monday 30th May. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0017x1g Make plans for the possible Tau Herculid meteor shower, which may put on a strong outburst on the night of May 30-31. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/best-meteor-showers-of-2022/ Alison Brownlow commented on Caterpillar Web Blankets. "The caterpillar web blanket covered hedges, as in the newspaper report highlighted, are not confined to Norfolk but are here in Lincolnshire as well. On the A156 between Torksey and Marton patches of hawthorn hedge are shrouded in caterpillar web looking as if a white blanket has been thrown over them. It is probably the caterpillar of the Small Ermine moth. Joyce Attia writes: Stuart Britton's note about maximum broods of cygnets. I checked up on the internet and opinions seem to vary. The RSPB also say up to 7 eggs are laid, the Swan Sanctuary say 10. Scottish Wildlife Trust say up to 12. We have a brood of 10 and one of 11 this year. We have had broods of 9 in previous years. It must be something in the water Please continue to stay informed on about Co-19 and 'flu, 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/ LWT Covid guidelines: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus This week's links to Lincolnshire and wildlife-related news stories. More general links in "..and finally ..." at the end of the Bulletin. Queen's Platinum Jubilee: Boston fails in bid for city status https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-61522757 A1 Grantham closure postponed https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-61510774 Jonathan Van-Tam misses knighthood ceremony due to Covid https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-61491996 2022 Results - Big Farmland Bird Count https://www.bfbc.org.uk/results/2022-results/ Cleethorpes beach buggies provide seaside access for all https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-humber-61499893 North Kesteven Council: Energy bill soars by over 50% in three years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-61493582 Nine seal pups released after months of rehabilitation https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-61528594 Lockdown sees East Yorkshire deer numbers 'spiral out of hand' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-61499892 'It's a bribe': the coastal areas that could become the UK's nuclear dump https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/may/17/its-a-bribe-the-coastal-areas-that-could-become-the-uks-nuclear-dump What To Do If You Find A Baby Bird - if anyone asks ... https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/injured-and-baby-birds/baby-birds/ Swift, swallow, house martin id https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0p74k6_BWXc&feature=youtu.be https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VxwBABSHtI Please keep your emails coming. Thank you to all who sent in interesting news links, wildlife events info and species reports. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - my best address for emails. *** Weather Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ 29 May - 7 June "...Moderate to fresh northerly winds will make for cool temperatures in the north and east, with elsewhere remaining around average for the time of year. Into the beginning of next week it will likely be mainly fine and dry, but occasional rain and showers for some. Feeling warm in any sun- shine. Towards the bank holiday weekend this pattern is likely to continue, with some dry weather and sunny spells, but also some more unsettled and wet conditions developing for some parts of the UK..." *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Sky & Telescope - This Week's Sky at a Glance https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/sky-at-a-glance/ This Week's Sky - 20-28 May 2022 https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-may-20-28-2/ *** BATS *** Annette Faulkner writes: 'Bats emerge out of hibernation around the middle of March and then dip in and out of semi-hibernation throughout the next few weeks, depending on the weather and food supply, since many insects won't fly in bad weather (entomologists, correct me if I'm wrong!). We always get a few casualties when they first emerge, but then it usually quietens down until we get into June. Last year was dreadful, with late frosts throughout April and then constant rain in May, as readers may recall, and we had casualties throughout April. This year April's weather was much better and we only had four calls across the county for the whole month, which is probably a record. Now we're into May and it's all changed again. To date we've had 13 casualties, but only 2 have been north of South Holland or South Kesteven, with one at Hogsthorpe and one at Winterton, both calls being forwarded to the appropriate carers. All the rest have been in the south of the county, the area we cover (we're in Spalding), and with two exceptions all coming to us. So we have had two bats from Stamford - one with a broken wing which had to be euthanased, the other an underweight brown long-eared, now fed up and returned home. We have had a sick whiskered bat which also had a leg problem, found in a school playground and which has since died, a pipistrelle found in a dog food sack (really!) and so on. All of them have been underweight, and only two found indoors, where they would have been trapped and could have lost weight while there, the others were all found outside. One died from injuries, but the others are being fed up and should be releasable, but why are they underweight? And why nearly all in the south of the county? In what should be a time of plenty what is happening to the insect population? Can the entomologists give us an update on their side of the story?' *** 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. Wear gloves or use a cloth to pick it up with. Phone us on 01775 766286. We’ll 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 *** Herbal Walk in Tattershall - Heritage Lincolnshire *** Join us in a month for our Herbal Walk in Tattershall with Fenland Natural Health with an added bit of history in there too! Saturday 11th June 2022. Details and to book: https://www.heritagelincolnshire.org/shop/buy/herbal-walk-in-tattershall *** Lincolnshire Pubs - a history *** Lincolnshire's coastal pubs celebrated in new exhibition https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-61428612 *** Scunthorpe and Brigg Local LWT Group and Scunthorpe Museum Society *** Combined event for Scunthorpe and Brigg Local LWT Group and Scunthorpe Museum Society: Our two groups join in A Guided Walk Around Messingham Sand Quarry Nature Reserve on Saturday 11th June,starting at 2 pm. All interested are invited to join us which will include expert findings and identifications of all sorts of fauna and flora. There is no charge to join us. We meet in the car park at the end of the track which leads from the gated entry off the B1400 road between Messingham and Kirton-in-Lindsey. You will see the gate near the electricity pylon just opposite some houses. The 6-figure grid reference for the gate is 906 032. The postcode for the nearby houses is DN17 3RD. Please bring binoculars for bird watching and any nature identification books or leaflets are always helpful. The total distance around the reserve is about one mile. We advise suitable footwear for terrain that may be very wet. Heavy rain on the day will cause cancellation of the event. *** Humber Low Carbon Pipeline *** 2021 Humber Conference - Humber low carbon pipelines https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmMdW97DH94 Andrew Hersom writes: They will be asking for comments in May onwards so your readers may be interested to know about it. It's all on the NIP website. https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/yorkshire-and-the-humber/hornsea-project-four-offshore-wind-farm/ *** Ecoacoustics for Monitoring Biodiversity symposium 15-16 June *** Carlos Abrahams writes: We have organised a two-day symposium on ecoacoustic monitoring for biodiversity, taking place June 15-16 in Manchester. It would be great if you could join us for this event (in-person or online), where we will be discussing methods for using acoustic monitoring within sectors such as nature conservation, Biodiversity Net Gain, agri-environment and rewilding. Details and booking (only £20 or less!) are available here: https://acoustics.ac.uk/ukan-monitoring-uk-biodiversity-symposium-15-16th-june/ *** Insect Week 2022 dates announced *** The Royal Entomological Society is pleased to confirm the dates of Insect Week 2022: 20th June to 26th June 2022. We look forward to you taking part. If you are interested in organising an event do contact Fran Sconce at the Society to find out more: fran@royensoc.co.uk *** Records STILL wanted; Queen Bumblebees carrying pollen *** David Sheppard writes: Please send records of all Bumblebee sightings to me, to LERC or to the Wildnews Bulletin and note if there is any pollen in the pollen baskets on the hind legs. d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** Hedgehog Links *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ Your Hedgehog reports, please - with Grid References please! *** Seal and Birdwatching Cruises 2022 - South Lincs RSPB Group *** 14 cruises have been arranged for 2022, at various sailing times, starting on 8th April and 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 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 17/5 Temminck's Stint, 2 Little Stints, Wood Sandpiper, Little Gull, 2 Spoonbills Frampton Marsh Purple Heron in dead tree north of Mill Hill - view from viewpoint, 3 Spoonbills, Ring Ouzel, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Kentish Plover male, Tetney Marshes 18/5 Garganey drk on Wader Pit, Baston +Langtoft GPs Temminck's Stint and Pectoral Sandpiper on grass north of sea bank car park, Frampton Marsh Curlew Sandpiper at Tennyson's Sands, Little Stint, Spotted Redshank, Short-eared Owl, Turtle Dove, 2 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point 2 Spoonbills over, 3 Turtle Doves, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Osprey Fiskerton - then flew off Osprey flew over Ashbyville Lake, Scunthorpe 19/5 Garganey drk on Wader Pit, Baston +Langtoft GPs 2 Temminck's Stints, Little Stint, Little Gull 1s, Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Turtle Dove, 3 Spoonbills, Golden Oriole thru' East Dunes, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 2 Garganey both drks, Anderby Marsh 2 Garganey 1 drk, Huttoft Pit Garganey drk, 2 Glossy Ibises 1 ad, 8 Spoonbills, Purple Heron 1s, Alkborough Flats 20/5 Temminck's Stint on Grazing Marsh, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, 2 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh Bonaparte's Gull flew north over The Wash saltmarsh, 2 Golden Orioles flew south thru' East Dunes, Gibraltar Point Garganey drk at Teal Lake, Whisby Nature Park 3 Glossy Ibises in sheep field, 1 ad, Purple Heron flew to large reedbed by River Trent, Alkborough Flats 21/5 Scaup 1s drk, Baston + Langtoft Pits Temminck's Stint on wet grassland north of sea bank car park, Frampton Marsh 5 Spoonbills, Caspian Gull reported from Harvey's Hide, Gibraltar Point Redwing, Huttoft Bank Nightjar, Saltfleet Haven Garganey drk, Whisby Nature Park Purple Heron 1s on lake near River Humber/River Trent confluence, 9 Spoonbills, Alkborough flats 22/5 2 Temminck's Stints, 1 flew SW, 2 Spoonbills, 1s Little Gull, Frampton Marsh Serin, Golden Oriole flew over East Dunes, Gibraltar Point Wood Sandpiper, Anderby Creek Wood Sandpiper, Manby Flashes Quail male singing, East Halton Marshes Purple Heron 1s, 14 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 23/5 White-fronted Goose, Little Gull, 2+ Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh Little Gull 1s, Freiston Shore Golden Oriole in East Dunes, Turtle Dove flew south, Gibraltar Point 2 Turtle Doves both males singing, Redwing, Rimac Wood Sandpiper, Manby Flashes 2 Garganey both drks, 4 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 24/5 Scaup 1s drk on T-junction Pit, Baston +Langtoft GPs White-fronted Goose with Greylag Geese, near car park, Frampton Marsh Bee Eater flew south over Millennium Ridge, Golden Oriole flew to plantation, Gibraltar Point Wood Sandpiper from hide, Osprey flew NW over Manby Flashes 2 Garganey 1 drk, Osprey thru', Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Golden Oriole ad male singing in willows between Rimac and MOD base 7 Spoonbills, 2 Garganey, both drks, Alkborough Flats ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. WILDLIFE NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work and drop-in sessions. *** 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 - a note from Bob Sheppard The Len Pick Trust barn owls in Bourne hatched their first chick on Monday at 2am. The next one is due on Wednesday. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project St James' Church, Louth - Peregrines - a note from Bob Sheppard. The Louth peregrines have successfully hatched all four eggs, the last chick arriving on the evening of 6th May. There will be so much to see over the next three weeks after which they may wander out of sight of the camera. http://www.louthperegrines.org.uk/latest-news.html Loch of Lowes Osprey Webcam - a note from Bob Sheppard The Loch of Lowes ospreys have hatched all three eggs. There will be plenty of action now with lots of fish brought to the nest. https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ Top tips for bumblebee ID https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/identification-tips/ Pollen Identification Colour Chart http://www.sheffieldbeekeepers.org.uk/tools/pollen-chart/ 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? What's Flying Tonight. https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/whats-flying-tonight BTO tracked cuckoos: latest updates. 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. *** 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 20/5 2 Pied wagtails m + f hunting on lawn - have the eggs hatched? 22/5 Swift activity overhead - up to 6 at a tie counted. 24/5 at 22.00 hrs Bat ecolocating @ 55kHz- Pipistrelle Active Hedgehog on trailcam: 19/5 @ 22.33 and 22.05 20/5 @ 04.16 - entering box 23/5 @ 01.37 and 01.45 - the last with a tabby cat having a look. 25/5 @ 02.09 [in], 002.10, 12.45 and 3.52 [in] BROUGHTON WOODS Angela Buckle, Broughton Woods, 17th May 2022. Herb paris, Twayblade, Yellow pimpernel, Early purple orchids, Changing forget me not, Archangel, Crosswort, Bugle, Black bryony, Greater stitchwort, Ransons, Pignut, Pink flowered bugle, Wood sage, Star of bethlehem, Parsley piert, Common figwort, Orange tip butterfly, Brimstone. CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK909581 Jeremy Hutchinson 21/5/2022 21.00 I was checking some trees planted back in the winter when I saw a Fox running along the headland of a field a few hundred yards to the east of the village. Luckily I had binoculars with me and was watching it at a distance when I noticed another movement about 40 yards behind it, which turned out to be a Fallow Deer, which I have never seen in this area, or indeed outside a deer park. The Fox eventually turned and ran the length of the field away from me. The deer browsed along the headland for while before it walked through the nearby tall hedge and vanished from sight. 22/5/2022 17.30 Cuckoo calling from a tree 150 yards away, first I've heard around here this year. CHAMBERS WOOD Angela Buckle, Chambers Wood, 18th May 2022, Wood avens, tormentil, Water avens, Early purple orchids, Butterfly orchids, Ragged robin, Brimstone butterfly, Dingy skipper, Marsh fritillary. CLEETHORPES Buck Beck outflow Richard Fox 24.05.2022 Common blue 2m Painted lady 3 (2 faded, 1 pristine) GOSLINGS Angela Buckle, Goslings Wood, 18th May 2022, Hairy tare, Hops, Greater stitchwort, Ramsons, Bugle, Yellow pimpernel, Twayblade, Birds nest orchid, Woodruff, Early purple orchid, Meadow buttercup. GRIMSBY TA265095 Joyce Attia 24th May 2022 In the garden, I've got some Sicilian Honey Garlic bell flowers, though I'm sure they weren't called that when I bought them. They are part of the Allium family. They're at least 3 ft tall and the bees love them, lots of different species of bee, they're absolutely humming, some with bulging pollen pouches. Unfortunately they disappear inside the bells and I can't get photos. We've also got quite a lot of common blue butterflies, there is some bird's foot trefoil which I think is attracting them. The little mint moths are back. I've moved the bird feeder out into the garden. It was hanging in the tree, but I found a few pigeon feathers on the ground and wondered if someone had been in an altercation with the cat. There have been a few sparrows, a blue tit, great tit, my regular blackbirds and I've heard gold finches and seen them flying, but haven't seen them in the garden. My regular collared doves come for the birdbath. One waits for me to put fresh water in it then comes for a bath. She won't use stale water. She splashes around in the water, cleaning her feathers, all along her chest and back and under her wings. Then she flies onto the fence, shakes, and preens all her feathers, quite a performance. Then I have to change the water One family of swans have been down this part of the river, still 11 cygnets and growing fast. There are 3 or 4 mallard families with ducklings of varying sizes. GRIMSTHORPE CASTLE GARDENS Jane Ostler 22/5/22 Just a few notes on first visit to Grimsthorpe estate this year. Judas Tree, still in flower but leaves also through. Deodor (Cedar deodora) The tallest of these trees has had more side branches lopped. The tree's nature is to droop and there is probably a safety issue. Seeded strips of grassland alongside paths in an area with other grassland under trees has had Yellow Rattle in the mix and this has done well and was in flower. The other most frequent plant in flower here was Common Vetch. No seed pods yet to see which of the sub species this is (sativa or segetalis) Dozens of Soldier Beetles (Cantharis rustica) flying low above grasses and showing red underparts as they spread their black elytra. Able to examine one crawling which showed the black spot on red thorax and red femora which separates this common species from other soldier beetles. Also dozens of Common Blue Damselflies (Enallagma cyathegerum). Mostly males where able to see the spade like black mark which separates it from Coenagrion spp. The few females were paired up in figure of eights with males, their less vivid , green and black markings confirming this. Holly Blue, Small White, and Orange Tip butterflies and Cinnabar Moths. A SLOW WORM , about 9 inches long was disturbed at the base of a stone wall with large gaps, into which it hastily retreated. HORKSTOW SE9871719 Jenny Haynes 23 May 2022 A white ermine moth was on the wall behind a large flower pot. Appropriately named and rather lovely! MESSINGHAM Angela Buckle, Messingham, 21st May 2022, Rough chervil, Field mouse ear, Thale cress, Sheep sorrel, Common vetch, Field poppy, Wall speedwell, Field pansy, Twayblade, Yellow flag iris, Bogbean, Meadow saxifrage, Tormentil, Common cats ear, Marsh thistle, Spring beauty, Wavy dock, Mistletoe, Birds foot, Petty whin, Changing forget me not, Scarlet pimpernel, White campion,White bryony, Musk thistle. POTTERHANWORTH M. Porter TF045666 Limewoods Watch Group visit to Hanworth Country Park 21.5.22 We had a lovely morning. The weather was quite cool at first but warmed up enough for some insects to start flying around. It was good to see common blue butterflies, especially as their caterpillar food plant, birds-foot trefoil, has been planted in the wildflower mix. We made a "Nature's palette" each as a "natural memory card" of our visit. We only took tiny bits of flowers and leaves. We also did a "Scavenger hunt" looking for various things, including feathers, beautiful things, and scented leaves (that was the hardest, but we did find one - water mint!) Our wildlife sightings: Soldier beetles Ants and their little tunnels Plume moths Various hunting spiders 6 spot burnet moth Latticed heath moths Yellow shell moth Blue damselflies Common blue butterflies 7 spot ladybirds 14 spot ladybird Shield bugs Cuckoo spit (froghopper nymph) Lacehopper bug Mallards, some with ducklings Greylag geese One Oystercatcher Chiffchaff Reed bunting Whitethroats Willow warbler Black-headed gulls Skylark (heard) Goldfinches Pied wagtail Sedge warblers Wren Cranesbill Black medick Sainfoin Ox-eye daisies Coltsfoot Buttercup (creeping and bulbous) Birds-foot trefoil Yellow flag iris White campion Pink campion Burdock We didn't record all the trees and shrubs. One big pine tree was producing clouds of yellow pollen! SCOTTON COMMON Angela Buckle, Scotton common, 21st May 2022. Hard fern, Twayblade, Tormentil, Sheep sorrel, Cross heath heather, Milkwort, Bog myrtle, Heath bedstraw. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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 Visitor Leaflet - Natural England http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 11th - 17th May 2022 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Note: A welcome day of persistent rain on the 11th giving 6.4mm of ppt but amounts of rain were localised with 12.0mm being recorded in the Theddlethorpe area, some 2 miles away. 110522 - On the edge of open water at Rimac freshwater marsh: 6 whimbrel, 2 common sandpipers, 16 mallard on water, barn owl carrying prey item flying towards Sea View. 2 common sandpipers on Eau near Paradise, Cetti's warbler calling nearby. 120522 - 3 small bats flitting around Sea View car park 130522 - 9 whimbrel on the saltmarsh. 160522 - Paradise lagoon: 2 common sandpipers, wood sandpiper and hobby hunting overhead. 170522 - 2 whimbrel on saltmarsh, hobby flying over at Rimac. Dewberry, yellow rattle, sea milkwort, flag iris, birds foot trefoil, southern marsh orchid, lesser hawkweed and hawthorns now in flower. Butterflies: common blue, brown argus and a very good hatch of wall and green hairstreak. Odonata: large hatch of azure blue, a few blue tailed and good numbers of large red damselflies. Female hairy dragonflies are now on the wing with several males, broad- bodied chasers and four-spotted chaser dragonflies are widespread over the dunes. Birds seen over recent days include: hobby, jay, garden warbler, increased numbers of long-tailed tit and Cetti's warbler, but a decrease in dunnock and willow warbler. Waders: common and wood sandpiper, whimbrel and flocks of ringed plover migrating north. Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 18th - 24th May 2022 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Further spells of rain, 16.7mm, since the 18th has been welcome and the vegetation on the dunes is beginning to green up and look fresh. 180522 - Single painted lady with 5 red admirals alongside Paradise wood. 190522 - 7 painted ladies N of Sea View. 2 whimbrel and 24 shelduck on the saltmarsh. 200522 - Lapwing proved breeding with 4 newly hatched chicks on Sea View washlands, 2 whimbrel on the saltmarsh. Lapwings with chicks on 2 adjacent HLS grassland schemes 210522 - Paradise lagoon: 14 mallard, 2 moorhen, 5 shoveler, 3 redshank, 7 avocet, 9 black-headed gulls, 1 coot, 1 little egret, 1 pied wagtail, barn owl hunting in area and Cetti's warbler calling nearby. Painted lady and brown argus on wing at Sea View. 220522 - Turtle dove calling near Rimac, plus Cetti's warbler and cuckoo. Goat's beard and marsh orchids in flower. Male beautiful demoiselle on the wing. 230522 - Female wheatear Sea View washlands, a fine male golden oriole was a special sight and sound (a rare bird on this NNR), tawny owl at Sea View. 240522 - Pair of gadwall on Sea View Washlands, first male emperor dragonfly on the wing. Flowers now include over recent days: southern marsh and early marsh orchids, carpets of birds-foot trefoil, swathes of flag iris on main marsh. Butterflies include: several painted ladies, common blues, small heaths, wall and first large skippers. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Wood road closed for maintenance w/e 15th May 2022 British Native Trees - Woodland Trust https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/ 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: Saturday 18th June Sunday 17th July Saturday 20th August 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 Humberhead Peatlands National Nature Reserve - Natural England http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/30030?category=59026 East Midlands Nature Reserves - Natural England - downloadable http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/file/73041 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** https://lincolnshirechalkstreams.org/ *** Lincsbirders *** http://www.lincsbirders.org/ https://twitter.com/lincsbirders *** 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 Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** 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/ *** 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/ 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. Feedback 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 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 Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group 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: 01427 848400 Email: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk 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/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lincs-environmental-awards/enter *** Field Studies Council *** Bringing Environmental Understanding to All https://www.field-studies-council.org/ https://twitter.com/FieldStudiesC *** 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/ 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/ Love Lincs Plants: Herbarium Hub https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants/herbarium-hub https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants/status/1457735102046384133 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 Building Stones of Greater Lincolnshire https://glnp.org.uk/images/uploads/services/geodiversity-strategy/building-stones-web.pdf 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/ *** 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/ Don't forget, the annual Species Recording Meeting has been re-scheduled for the 18th June! 12th June: Dunston Beck, near Dunston 24th July: Wilsford Parish (part of LWT’s Wild Wilsford Weekend) 14th August: Elsham Chalk Quarry LNR 18th September: Old Bolingbroke Castle and Sow Dale LWT Reserve 9th October: Epworth Turbary LWT Reserve (Annual Fungus Foray) Species Recording Meeting – Now 18th June 2022. Whisby Education Centre, 12 noon Overview and highlights of the past years recording provided by the county recorders. Arrive at 12 noon for a chance to catch up with recorders; it will finish at 4pm. https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/2019-02-09/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** Roger Favell - Soft Bounce - undeliverable 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... Fishers hold River Tees protest over mass crab and lobster deaths https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/may/19/fishers-river-tees-protest-mass-crab-lobster-deaths How dragonflies use ultrafast wing movements to flip over in flight https://www.newscientist.com/article/2319775-how-dragonflies-use-ultrafast-wing-movements-to-flip-over-in-flight/ Tardigrades can hitch-hike on snails to travel longer distances https://www.newscientist.com/article/2316379-tardigrades-can-hitch-hike-on-snails-to-travel-longer-distances/ Dolphins wait in queue for rubbing their skin against corals https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/dolphins-wait-in-queue-for-rubbing-their-skin-against-corals/ Growing plant trade may spread invasive species - but help ecosystems adapt to climate change https://theconversation.com/growing-plant-trade-may-spread-invasive-species-but-help-ecosystems-adapt-to-climate-change-182450 Canaries in the coal mine: why birds can tell us so much about the health of Earth https://theconversation.com/canaries-in-the-coal-mine-why-birds-can-tell-us-so-much-about-the-health-of-earth-183150 Accidental discovery that scallops love 'disco' lights leads to new fishing technique https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/may/18/accidental-discovery-that-scallops-love-disco-lights-leads-to-new-fishing-technique ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/