=========================================== || || 14th September 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: The past week was dominated by the news of the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth and the succession of His Majesty, King Charles III. The Queen’s funeral will be held in Westminster Abbey Monday 19 September. Here is a short clip of her past royal visits to our region: Elizabeth II: The Queen in East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-humber-62849263 King Charles III has been a patron of The Wildlife Trusts since 1977 and a champion of conservation and sustainability in the UK and the wider world. https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/his-majesty-king-charles-iii There's a distinct autumnal feel to the days now, and this is being reflected is what is being seen and reported. Things are on the move! Please keep a note of your observations and send us a report in time permits. 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/ Check the LNU events web page for updates or cancellations: https://lnu.org/meetings/ Paul Nichol's proposed Wolds Fungi Group list of forays is 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. Queen Elizabeth II: Lincoln Cathedral increases number of books of condolence https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-62901270 Queen Elizabeth II: Big screens to show funeral service in Hull and Lincoln https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-62890071 Climate change: Europe's warm summer shatters records https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-62833937 Switching to renewable energy could save trillions - study https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-62892013 Pine marten seen in London for the first time in more than 100 years https://www.newscientist.com/article/2337219-pine-marten-seen-in-london-for-the-first-time-in-more-than-100-years/ Environment Agency told to protect wetlands in landmark court case https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/sep/07/environment-agency-told-to-protect-wetlands-in-landmark-court-case 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. Thank you for all the interesting news links, wildlife events information and useful species reports. Please keep your information coming in. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - my best address for emails. *** Support for Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union *** I expect most Bulletin readers will be supporters of one or more "natural history" charities. Some will be "big names" such as The Wildlife Trusts or RSPB;some international like WWF; or local like the LNU or Lincolnshire Bird Club. Such organisations may experience financial pressures as difficult economic factors come into play this winter. How we do our bit for favourite good causes is a personal matter, but we can be sure our help will be needed. You will find "good causes" listed in every LNU Bulletin in Section 8. Small local wildlife charities do need supporters and welcome new members. If you are not yet an LNU member please would you consider that possibility? https://lnu.org/join-the-lnu/ *** Weather Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#? 19-28 September "Fine and dry for most with sunny spells at the start of this period, though perhaps cloudier in the east and parts of the northwest, where occasional showers and a few spots of rain are possible respectively. Winds generally light but still a little fresher along some eastern coasts. Temperatures rather cool initially but should return closer to average through the week. Mid-week, a band of thicker cloud and light rain may spread across northern and northwestern parts and then possibly edge slowly southeastwards, weakening as it does so. ... Overnight mist and fog patches possible throughout but these should clear quickly." *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** 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. Locate Julpiter. 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/ *** Bat news from Annette Falkner *** On Saturday evening (10/9), after releasing a bat at Ropsley, we came back down Mareham Lane and across the fen from Dowsby to West Pinchbeck. What was remarkable was that up to where the fen road crosses the South Forty Foot Drain – roughly TF120296 -162293 - we were seeing not the usual odd moth, but patchy clusters of 3 or 4 together, and in one memorable spot 7 or 8, something we haven’t seen for years. We also had a muntjac stick its nose out of the verge at TF130293 – and fortunately think better of it. The number of bat calls we are getting are continuing to be quite low, and thank you to all the readers who have responded with their garden sightings. Although only a small sample, it looks to be normal and that, coupled with Saturday’s moths, perhaps gives cause to be hopeful. I’ll do a full analysis when I get all the records in over the winter, and report back then. Remember: 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. *** 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 *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Area Groups webpage *** Please let me have your "plugs" for coming events. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/area-groups *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson Lincoln Area Group Talk September 15th: Ashing Lane Nature Reserve An illustrated talk about Ashing Lane Nature Reserve by Chris Williams and the Nettleham Woodland Trust team. They will tell us all about the impressive work done over the last few years to establish the reserve. Chris is the chairman of Nettleham Woodland Trust. Parts of the site are managed by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. At Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission £2.50. Refreshments are provided. *** RSPB Grimsby Local Group *** The RSPB Grimsby Local Group has a new website https://group.rspb.org.uk/grimsby/ Martin Francis writes: Important change. "The RSPB Grimsby Local Group's meeting scheduled for Monday 19th September has been CANCELLED because it is the same day as the State Funeral. The next Trip is to Gibraltar Point on Sunday 2nd October (This is a change from the previously published date) when it is expected that migrants on their journey South will still be passing through and the numbers of wintering duck will be starting to build up. There is a cafe and toilets at the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre Travel to Gibraltar Point is by 'car share' so if you would like to go, just contact Sally Prescott (sally.prescott142@btinternet.com or 01472  840142) to let her know that you would like a lift, or that you have a spare seat(s), and for more details of the meeting place and time. The next Indoor Meeting is on Monday 17th October at 7.30pm - Matthew Capper, "Florida - the Sunshine State". Details will follow. All the Group's activities are open to everybody - you do not need to belong to the RSPB, or to have attended Group Meetings to take part. We look forward to seeing you on the Trip and/or at the Indoor Meeting Martin Francis Group Leader - RSPB Grimsby Local Group" *** 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 - sign up. 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 - sign up 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 7/9 2 Curlew Sandpipers, juv Wood Sandpiper, Baston +Langtoft GPs 70 Curlew Sandpipers, 1ad, over high tide, Pectoral Sandpiper flushed by Kestrel, 13 Little Stints, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Cattle Egret with cattle south of car park, Frampton Marsh Long-tailed Skua lingering on sea, Sooty Shearwater flew north past, 2 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, 2 Spotted Redshanks on Tennyson's Sands, 2 Pied Flycatchers, Gibraltar Point 2 Curlew Sandpipers, juv Little Stint, Garganey, Manby Flashes 2 Wood Sandpipers, Huttoft Pit Wood Sandpiper east of Scallow Grove Farm, Messing Sand Quarry - late report 8/9 Pectoral Sandpiper juv, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Baston +Langtoft GPs 15 juv Little Stint, 83 Curlew Sandpipers 1 ad, 8 Spotted Redshanks, juv Garganey, 18 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Short-eared Owl, 2 Pied flycatchers, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Little Stint juv, Garganey, Manby Flashes Little Stint, Covenham reservoir 9/9 2 Curlew Sandpipers both juvs, 2 juv Bar-tailed Godwits, Baston +Langtoft GPs 3 Curlew Sandpipers, juv Little Stint, Garganey, Manby Flashes 10/9 2 Curlew Sandpipers both juvs, Spotted Redshank, Baston +Langtoft GPs 32 Curlew Sandpipers, 18 Little Stints, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Black Tern, Garganey, Frampton Marsh 18 Spoonbills flew south past, Curlew Sandpiper, Osprey, Spotted Redshank on the Mere, Gibraltar Point 2 Curlew Sandpipers ad + juv, Garganey, Manby Flashes Pomarine Skua flew north past Huttoft Bank Wood Sandpiper juv at Novartis Ings, Pyewipe 15 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints, Spotted Redshank, Read's Island 11/9 15 Little Stints, 14 Curlew Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh 2 Common Cranes. 4 Pied Flycatchers, Hawfinch, Gibraltar Point Spotted Redshanks, Curlew Sandpiper, Tetney Marshes Pectoral Sandpiper Halton Marshes, then flew towards East Halton Skitter Spoonbill, Alkborough Flats 12/9 122 Curlew Sandpipers at high tide, 40 Little Stints, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Barred Warbler trapped and ringed, Gibraltar Point Osprey, Toft Newton reservoir, then flew west 10.36hrs Osprey flew south over Anderby Creek 9.35hrs, Little Gull flew south past 2 Little Stints on Huttoft Pit 13/9 100 Curlew Sandpipers all juvs at high tide, 32 Little Stints, 8 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Cattle Egrets with cattle on Marsh Farm, 7 Red-breasted Geese [escaped] on South Scrape Cattle Egret flew over saltmarsh to Cut End, Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints, 6 Spotted Redshanks, Wood Sandpiper flew south, Gibraltar Point Spotted Redshank flew over Rimac Wryneck, south side, Covenham reservoir Osprey at Freshney, Grimsby Wood Sandpiper juv, 5 Curlew Sandpipers, at Novartis Ings, Pyewipe 14/92 Spoonbills and Curlew Sandpiper on East Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Probable Citrine Warbler flew from ditch on east side, 2 Cattle Egrets, in cattle field south of road, 7 Red-breasted Geese 2 ringed ads, 5 juvs, [escaped] on reedbed, Frampton Marsh Garganey, 3 Little Stints, Manby Flashes Wryneck by path on north side, Pectoral Sandpiper, Covenham Reservoir 6 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Roadkill Bracebridge Heath Henry Wheatley 7/9/2022 Dead badger on south side A57 Odder ( opposite café ). *** 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 07/09.2022 Xerocomus subtomentosus - the Suede bolete [Boletus lanatus] Several caps in lawn. Still "fruiting" 14/9 though most "gone over". https://www.first-nature.com/fungi/boletus-subtomentosus.php Hedgehog: 14/9: Adult Hedgehog seen at 02.25 and 02.44hrs BST BOSTON TF338441 My garden Tracey Lenton The season is starting to change and new things are happening in the garden while a bit of summer still remains. 03/09/2022 Bees on white bryony, purple toadflax and purple loosestrife which is in full flower around the pond, also loved by hoverflies, Marmalade hoverfly seen feeding. Cranefly spotted in a patch of bindweed Ivy flowers in bud Numerous Spider webs, appearing of late, with large spiders some with caught prey 04/09/2022 Buff Ermine caterpillars - 2 Cream-spot ladybird seen by chance as I was trying to identify a wildflower, also a larva of same on same plant and later in the eveningan unhatched larva. 10/09/2022 Toadflax Brocade caterpillar x 6 on a clump of purple toadflax, happy to see them year on year. Caterpillars in rolled up nettle leaves, creamy-white with black head, x 2, likely moth larvae One of my cats found a mouse, too late to save it 11/09/2022 Ivy flowers starting to open BOSTON TF33844 Tracey Lenton 12/09/2022 13 Magpies gathered on neighbouring roof top 13/09/2022 Monitoring my purple toadflax "nursery" daily for numbers of Toadflax Brocade caterpillars, today there are 3 large and 2 small ones CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK909581 Jeremy Hutchinson 3/9/22 Blue Tits and a pair of Coal Tits feeding (on aphids?) in Spruce growing in front garden; the latter we see only very occasionally here. 4/9/22 Immature Grass Snake (300mm) roadkill. 11/9/22 Report of a Raven harassing a Red Kite over the west side of the village. A Green Woodpecker is still around, heard most days, but seldom seen. A Tawny Owl has been heard calling mid-morning on several occasions. Butterflies now very few, Hummingbird Hawk Moths still seen occasionally, but more sighting this summer than ever before. Hobbies: up to five or so years ago we'd see Hobbies most days in August and up to the end of the third week in September, often several times per day. Since then only the occasional sighting throughout the summer have become the norm. Other than the one I reported mid-June I had seen none until 25th August, another on 3rd September, then 10th September, the latter three all females. I wonder whether the apparent fall in numbers is related to the decline in the number of Hirundines? GRIMSBY TA265095 JOYCE ATTIA 13th September 2022 24th August. 9 juvenile swans bathing under the trees at Fildes Street bridge. The mallards seem to stick together, I saw a group of 12. Three moorhens at separate times. 28th August. Sparrows on bird feeder. Wood pigeon on bird bath. 3rd September. Juvenile swans are breaking up into smaller groups now, threes and fours, looking up hopefully at people passing 4th September. Family of great tits on bird feeder, 2 adults 4 juveniles. Haven't seen pussy cat for a few days. 5th September. Walk along prom at Cleethorpes. 2 little egrets seen on different ponds. 7th September. 4 sparrows on the feeder. Woodpigeon on birdbath. When I changed the water this morning there was a thin film of oil on top of the water, I don't remember seeing that before. Walk along the river. 9 juvenile swans, very grown up now. Flock of at least 20 sparrows feeding on the willow herb seeds. Angle shades moth caterpillar on path. We waited for him to get to the grass on the other side. Lots of beautiful garden spiders, webs all over, especially noticeable when the dew is on them in the morning. KETTLETHORPE Kettlethorpe SK847757 Alison Brownlow 02/09/2022 Grass snake on next door neighbour's path. Toad disturbed from wood pile 09/09/2022 The small amount of rain has brought out some fungi- Field mushrooms (eaten and enjoyed) Grey Russula under oak tree Common Earthball Fairy ring Champignon Pleated Inkcap SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 08/09/22 Blackbird x 3 Blue Tit x 1 Chaffinch x 27 Carrion Crow x 4 Goldfinch x 2 Jackdaw x 2 Magpie x 2 Peregrine Falcon x 1 male over Robin x 1 Swallow x 17 Tree Sparrow x 35 Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 Rabbit x 6 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 31/08/22 Flame Shoulder x 4 Setaceous Hebrew Character x 1 07/09/22 Barn Owl x 1 23:25hrs Blackbird x 4 Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 4 Common Buzzard x 1 Goldfinch x 2 House Martin x 32 following tractor cutting potato tops off in field Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 2 Robin x 1 Swallow x 17 Tree Sparrow x 6 Wood Pigeon x 2 Wren x 1 Green-veined White x 2 Large White x 1 Red Admiral x 1 Small White x 2 Pimple rufipes x 1 female 10/09/22 Common Marbled Carpet x 1 11/09/22 Barn Owl x 1 flew out of hay barn 01:45hrs Blackbird x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Chiffchaff x 1 calling Goldfinch x 6 Kestrel x 1 Little Owl x 1 calling 02:00hrs Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 1 on nest in nest box in chicken run Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:30hrs Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 Small White x 5 Speckled Wood x 2 Common Hawker x 1 WOOLSTHORPE BY COLSTERWORTH SK92/94 Jane Ostler Week Beginning 4/09/22 Flowering Plants In the garden two poisonous members of the Nightshade family have survived the frost. They turn up every few years, especially in a hot year. They are Thorn Apple (Datura stramonium) and Apple of Peru (Nicandra physalis). Soapwort, Evening Primrose and Honeysuckle are in full flower but, as on the Nature Trail the Field Scabious and Knapweeds seeded early along with many garden plants. The ‘lawn’ though is back in flower, with Self Heal, Yarrow, Daisies and Mouse Ear Hawkweeds. In the hedgerows and few precious bits of ‘waste ground’ Thistles and other Composites have to be searched for. What is remarkable though is the amount of fruit left on hedges and trees. Hawthorn, Elder, Rose. In my own garden Rowan, Whitebeam and Guelder which in other years have been stripped bare are full of fruit. Insects Over three years we have grown a Giant Echium plant. It is now towering above five feet and still growing. It started flowering six weeks ago, starting at the bottom where the long racemes still have blue flowers at their tips. At the top the new flowers are coming out. On 10/9/22 It was buzzing with Common Carder Bees. Just two worker Buff tailed Bumble Bees were finding balancing on the slender racemes difficult and what, by its size, was a queen was altogether unsuccessful. A brief visit too by a Tree Bumblebee worker. On a neighbouring House Leek there were Honey Bees and Hoverflies (including the easily recognised Marmalade Fly). A Marigold was full of black flower Beetles and the dreaded lengths of Bindweed I had pulled up was peppered with small shotholes evidence of the plant having some merit for the naturalist, if not the gardener. Amongst photos sent to me from the local area in the last fortnights were several of Elephant Hawk Moth Caterpillars and a Video of a Humming Bird Hawk Moth. I have never known so many records of the latter including in my own garden. Also photos of a Lime Hawk Moth caterpillar, A Vapourer Moth and an Orange Swift Moth. Bat On 10/09/22 great rejoicing as a Bat did figure of eights low over the length of our garden, from the house to the fence at the bottom. We had one last year but have looked for it in vain all this year.SK923247. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Owen Beaumont and the Reserve Team 070922 – 2 tree pipit, redstart and 2 pied flycatcher between Rimac and Sea View. Pied flycatcher, wheatear, swift and a selection of warblers near Crook Bank. 8 Whinchat together at Elm House Farm. 2 female and 1 male marsh harrier over the saltmarsh. Sea View Washland single yellow wagtail, redshank, ruff, 2 common snipe and 3 green sandpipers. Pied flycatcher nearby. 080922 – Clouded yellow butterfly on Elm House Farm grassland briefly. 1 great white egret, 1 kingfisher, 1 redstart and 5 whinchat at Saltfleet Haven. A damp morning with light drizzle and in the Sea View area a good mix of birds all feeding along hedgerows and scrub including pied flycatcher, black cap, common whitethroat, willow warbler, blackbird, song thrush, dunnock, robin, blue tit, great tit and long-tailed tit. Paradise lagoon 17 shoveler, 62 lapwing, single kingfisher and great white egret. Alongside the Great Eau Outfall 108 redshank. 090922 – 4500 black-headed gull, 277 curlew and a peregrine on the foreshore early morning. 37 black-tailed godwit south over Paradise Lagoon where 3 greenshank and a ringed plover were. 2 Cetti’s warbler, 5 wheatear, redstart, 2 stonechat, 4 marsh harrier and 2 green sandpiper around Rimac. 2 pied flycatcher between Churchill Lane and Brickyard Lane. 5 black tern flew south at Saltfleet Haven in the evening. Two whimbrel over saltmarsh, 2 wheatear near Sea View and on Sea View washland 2 green sandpiper, 4 common snipe, 1 shelduck and 16 teal. A flock of 96 lapwing landed at Paradise lagoon. Small bat flying around Sea View. 100922 – tree pipit and garden warbler in the dunes at Crook Bank. A light movement of siskin in the morning. 38 wigeon flew north along the foreshore in the morning and 3 ruff feeding on the saltmarsh at Brickyard Lane before flying inland. On saltmarsh 14 little egrets and at least 800 black-headed gulls feeding after high tide cover. On Rimac lagoon a minimum of 120 teal, 2 pintail flew overhead and 106 curlew on the mudflat off Rimac. Goldcrest and 2 blackcaps at Sea View. 110922 – 1 whinchat and 8 buzzard at Sea View. 2 juvenile Caspian gull, 159 sandwich tern, 2 arctic skua and over 5000 gulls roosted on the foreshore in the evening. 3 small bats seen in the evening at Churchill Lane. Two commas on the wing near Sea View. 120922 – 2 wheatear on the foreshore near MOD and 2 cettis warbler heard at Churchill Lane. 1 curlew sandpiper and 1 little stint on the morning high tide wader flock. Garden warbler at Sea View. Male merlin seen. The NNRs first record of ivy bee between Churchill Lane and Brickyard Lane. Great white egret over Paradise, short-reared owl hunting nearby. Garden warbler and blackcap at Sea View, 32 wigeon flying west over area. 130922 – 2 marsh harrier, 2 short-eared owl, green sandpiper, 2 greenshank, whimbrel, grey wagtail, tree pipit, pied flycatcher, 2 wheatear, 6 blackcap and 2 goldcrest between Rimac and Paradise Lagoon. 69 pink-footed geese flew south; the first over the NNR this autumn. Spotted redshank on the saltmarsh north of Rimac. 4 wall brown seen in the dunes, all freshly emerged proving them to be a third generation. Nearby reserves: Donna Nook: 090922 – peregrine falcon seen. 120922 – stoat seen hunting. Tetney Blow Wells: 100922 – 2 kingfisher, 3 marsh harrier, 2 Cetti's warbler, 1 buzzard, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 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/ *** 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 Ashley Butterfield The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) Email: LearningOutdoors@btinternet.com https://www.recordpool.org.uk/index.php An easy way to record your amphibian and reptile species records. 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: 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 - the Collection https://www.thecollectionmuseum.com/explore/geology 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 *** None 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... Liz Truss cabinet: Key ministers raise climate targets doubts https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-62822941 Pine marten spotted in London for first time in more than a century https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/sep/08/pine-marten-spotted-in-london-for-first-time-in-more-than-a-century Country diary: A holly blue butterfly at the very edges of existence https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/sep/07/country-diary-a-holly-blue-butterfly-at-the-very-edges-of-existence Specieswatch: how whirligig beetles evolved to occupy an environmental niche https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/sep/07/specieswatch-how-whirligig-beetles-evolved-to-occupy-an-environmental-niche ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/