============================================ || || 16th August 2023 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || LNU: http://lnu.org/ || || Please email Editor on: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk || ============================================ 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]. Compare earlier years. Past Bulletins archive [text] 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Roger writes: I contacted 30+ readers last week because Mailchimp suggested they were no longer reading their Bulletins. I asked them if that was correct and discovered it was wrong for 9 of them! They were regular readers. I shall now start removing the 20 who did not respond or unsubscribe. Snail Question from Anne Gayfer - with answer from Alex Pickwell: I had a snail climbing up my window which allowed me to watch it from the bottom. I noticed that its breathing hole was open all the time I was watching it, which was some 20 minutes. During this time I noticed a woodlouse on its back. I wondered whether the woodlouse had laid eggs, possibly in the snail cavity to keep them moist... Alex replied: A very interesting observation, and heart-warming to hear of another snail observer spending some quality time and postulating as to what may be occurring. In answer to the query at hand, woodlice carry their own eggs around on their underside, so it is somewhat unlikely that this specimen of woodlouse had laid eggs in the snail cavity. In terms of the breathing hole (called a pneumostome), this opens and closes in a fairly stable rhythmic pattern, the frequency of which is dependent on the hydration levels of the snail or slug being observed. A fully hydrated snail has a typical open/close cycle of once every two minutes, however recording this can be difficult in moving specimens as the vision of the pneumostome can be obscured by the shell, etc. That being said, seeing the pneumostome remain open for 20 minutes does seem a very long time and may result from a parasite effect. Please let us have your reports and contributions for next week's Bulletin. LNU Meetings. Scroll to full details in section 11 below. Or click: https://lnu.org/meetings/ Next Field Meeting: Saturday 9th September Rimac, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe (all day) collecting https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2023-09-09-wolla-bank-pit-chapel-pit-chapel-six-marshes-lwt-reserves-saturday-9th-september-all-day/ Note that the site has been changed from Wolla Bank/Chapel Pit in order to avoid the digital parking payment system which some members may not be able to use. The link given above will provide the new arrangements despite using the original url. The Rimac car park ( https://w3w.co/named.cats.repaying ) provides free parking and facilities. The start time is as before. Workshops: "Pond Dipping for Adults " with Sam Reast, 25th August. Booking essential. Places are in demand. https://lnu.org/meetings/workshops/ Exhibition at Joseph Banks Centre Horncastle Horse Fair.  Runs 6th July - 15th September. https://horncastlejbc.info/events/ Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service events https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/events/ Len Pick Barn Owl Camera. Roger Parsons writes: Chick affectionate to mother, but throws a tantrum when she arrives without food! I notice it has started leaving the nest box from time to time. It's also flapping a lot. The female had a visit from her unfaithful mate yesterday and the chick left the nest, giving them a bit of privacy! There was a family gathering later in the day. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/ BTO Cuckoo Tracking project - six have now reached the Sahel. https://www.bto.org/cuckoos The end of the road for Jasper 11 Aug 2023 Sadly it appears that we have heard the last from Suffolk Cuckoo Jasper. When we last heard from him he was in the countryside west of Saint-Julien-du-Sault in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté in north- central France. We can't be certain what has happened to him, but our suspicion is that he has perished in that area. We are of course sad that Jasper's journey was a relatively short one but he has added valuable information to our growing knowledge of the pressures faced by our Cuckoos, and importantly, information about where they are dying. Suggestions for reports or research: Making Space for Great Crested Newts: the District Level Licensing Scheme https://www.linkedin.com/events/makingspaceforgreatcrestednewts7095666710900301824/about/ The Bugs Matter 2023 survey season - 1 June - 31 August. https://www.buglife.org.uk/get-involved/surveys/bugs-matter/ The Big Meadow Search (BMS) - June 1st until August 31st. www.bigmeadowsearch.co.uk This week's mostly-local news stories: Pilot whales at Flamborough monitored over stranding fears https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-66473702 Repairs to start on High Toynton tower-collapse church https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-66465130 Theddlethorpe nuclear site: Public to vote by 2027 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-66452181 Talks to restore North East Lincolnshire recycling bin collections https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-66454988 Water bills: Fight for money back over sewage leaks begins https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66443833 Next phase of Grimsby's Riverhead Square transformation begins https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-66452135 New home for Red Arrows jet at Coneygarth services https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-66451226 Bats are avoiding solar farms and scientists aren’t sure why https://theconversation.com/bats-are-avoiding-solar-farms-and-scientists-arent-sure-why-211074 ‘Bats and Artificial Lighting at Night’ https://www.bats.org.uk/news/2023/08/bats-and-artificial-lighting-at-night-ilp-guidance-note-update-released 'Artistic choice' to blame for struggle to hear lines Oppenheimer https://www.msn.com/en-au/entertainment/movies/artistic-choice-to-blame-for-struggle-to-hear-lines-oppenheimer/ar-AA1eSrY8 More links in "...and finally ..." at the end of the Bulletin. Thank you to everyone who sent something in. It really helps. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - my best address for emails. Joining Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union If you are a member, please give the LNU a "plug " to others. https://lnu.org/join-the-lnu/ *** Weather News and Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#? 29 Aug - 12 Sept 2023 "A changeable pattern is likely towards the end of August and into early September. This perhaps with the wettest conditions over the north and northwest. There is a probability for thunderstorms developing within warm interludes, especially in the south, but perhaps spreading across the UK at times, which could lead to large local variations in precipitation totals through the period. This might contribute to an unequal distribution of precipitation across the country. Temperatures are likely to trend down to near or slightly above average, although warm spells remain a possibility. " *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** The Curiosity rover has discovered hexagonal patterns in ancient mud on the Red Planet, which hints at cyclical wet and dry periods and boosts chances Mars once hosted life. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2386760-mars-used-to-have-wet-and-dry-seasons-similar-to-ones-on-earth/ Full Moons 2023 - There are 2 Full moons this August! The next one is: 31 August - Blue Moon - a supermoon. https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/full-moon-calendar August's Night Sky: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/blog/astronomy/night-sky-highlights-august-2023 Space and astronomy highlights in 2023 from The Royal Observatory https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/space-astronomy-highlights-2023 Aurora Watch - when Northern Lights might be seen in the UK: https://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ Stellarium - open source and very useful: https://stellarium.org/ *** Seal and Birdwatching Cruises into The Wash *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB Group programme of : Seal and Birdwatching Cruises into The Wash. For 2023 twelve cruises have been scheduled to take place, aboard The Boston Belle, at various sailing times, ending on 23rd October. All cruises start and end at Boston Marina, last for about five hours, and on average approximately 60 bird species are seen on each trip. Full details at: www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire All cruises are by advance ticket only, which, once again, can be obtained from Blackfriars Arts Centre in Boston [01205-363108}, or online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/blackfriars Ticket prices for RSPB members are £22 (adult) and £10  (child under 16). Non-RSPB members £25 and £11-50. Any queries please contact Blackfriars (as above) or email Jeremy Eyeons: jerry200433@hotmail.com STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Heat-health Alert service https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/heat-health-alert-service Bird flu updates: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-avian-influenza-latest-situation-in-england 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 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 their pager reports. A big thank you from us all. Readers interested in a pager - 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 9/8 2 Curlew Sandpipers, both ads, Frampton Marsh Osprey on gatepost at back of reserve, Willow tree Fen 10/8 3 Black-winger Stilts, 2 Little Stints, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh 10 Spoonbills, Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 10 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 11/8 Osprey flew east over Willow Tree Fen 2 Black-winged Stilts, Black Stork appeared to land near River Welland, Frampton Marsh 3 Wood Sandpipers, Black Stork on Sea Wall towards North Sea Camp, Freiston Shore 12/8 Quail male singing at Star Lode Drove, Spalding Black Stork on saltmarsh then flew north, 5 Black-winged Stilts, 3 ads, 2 young, 18 Spoonbills, 3 Little Stints, 2 Wood Sandpipers, Frampton March Black Tern flew south past, Cattle Egret on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Red-backed Shrike near Roundhouse hide, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Cattle Egret, Anderby Creek Wood Sandpiper, Alkborough Flats 13/8 7 Black-winged Stilts, 4ads + 3 young, 4 Little Stints, 3 juvs, 20 Spoonbills, 9+ Spotted Redshanks, 2 juv Wood Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh Red-backed Shrike from Roundhouse hide, Little Stint on marsh, Anderby Creek 14/8 4 Black-winged Stilts, 2 ads + 2 juvs, on North Scrape, 2 Little Stints, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 27 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point 2 Curlew Sandpipers flew south past, Roseate Tern on beach, then flew south, Mablethorpe Red-backed Shrike in hawthorns near roundhouse, near car park, Anderby Creek Black Tern on beach, Huttoft Bank 15/8 Red-necked Phalarope flew south over mud, RAF Wainfleet Range 3 Curlew Sandpipers, Rimac 16/8 Black Stork on saltmarsh from Sea Bank, 7 Black-winged Stilts, 4ads 3 juvs, 2 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Wood Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh Roseate Tern on foreshore, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. WILDLIFE NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. *** Hedgehog Advice *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** 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, and phone me on 01775 766286. British Bugs (Hemiptera) - online identification https://www.britishbugs.org.uk/index.html Mike's Insect Keys: illustrated identification aids for insects https://sites.google.com/view/mikes-insect-keys/ 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 Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire: https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/mammalatlas.pdf VC54 North Lincolnshire Plant List - LNU Paul Kirby's list of all the vascular plant & stonewort taxa with records on the MapMate botanical database for VC54, North Lincolnshire, at the end of January 2017. Download this on: https://lnu.org/specialists/vascular-plants/ Record Pool - an easy way to record your amphibian and reptile species records. https://www.recordpool.org.uk/index.php 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 TF120694 R & A Parsons 8/8 Flying Ant Day here 9/8/2023 Hedgehog adult eating - caught on trailcam - 22.30hrs 11/8 2+ Hawker dragonflies hunting over garden [Migrant?] 12/8 Hedgehog drinking at 03.55 hrs Bats - 2 or 3 feeding over garden - signals mainly at 45 and 55kHz 13/8 Hedgehog adult at 12.05. 12.22 and 06.19hrs. 13/8-14/8 Hedgehog adult drinking at 10.46, 11.49 and 12.48. BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Phil and Mary Porter 13th August 2 Silver-washed Fritillary 15th August Hummingbird Hawk-moth once again on Phlox. HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Haynes 8 August 2023 I don’t know what a cloud of butterflies is called but rounding some shrubs in my garden I walked through one! It was made up of Peacocks, Commas and Red Admirals. I later counted six Peacocks, three Commas and two Red Admirals on one buddleia. 12 August 2023 Bats flying outside at dusk. They’ve been present for the past few days. Holly blue present in my garden. 16 August 2023 I’ve heard a male tawny owl calling the past few nights. Long tailed tits on the seed feeders for the first time for ages. NETTLEHAM TF004753 (my garden) Bill Ball 11.8.23 Bug Corizus hyoscyami - several on common lavender Mint moth Pyrausta aurata - several on mint SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 09/08/23 Blackbird x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Common Buzzard x 3 Great-spotted Woodpecker x 1 Jackdaw x 2 Little Owl x 1 Magpie x 1 Meadow Pipit x 3 Robin x 1 Swallow x 12 Tree Sparrow x 25 Wood Pigeon x 4 Yellowhammer x 14 Green-veined White x 4 Holly Blue x 1 Meadow Brown x 2 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 03/08/23 Barn Owl x 1 21:30hrs Blackbird x 20+ adults and fledged young all around our paddocks Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 2 Common Buzzard x 2 Goldfinch x 12 Grey Partridge x 2 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 1 Pied Wagtail x 2 adults with 4 fledged young Robin x 15+ adults and fledged young all around paddocks Stock Dove x 2 Swallow x 15 Swift x 25 Tree Sparrow x 4 Wood Pigeon x 6 Yellowhammer x 8+ adults and fledged young Gatekeeper x 1 Green-veined White x 4 Holly Blue x 2 Large White x 3 Meadow Brown x 1 Peacock x 1 Red Admiral x 2 Small White x 1 Yellow-tail Moth x 1 male 06/08/23 Barn Owl x 1 23:15hrs Green-veined White x 6 Holly Blue x 1 Large White x 1 Meadow Brown x 2 Painted Lady x 1 (my 1st this year) Peacock x 2 Red Admiral x 3 Small White x 4 Speckled Wood x 1 Large Yellow Underwing x 6 Ruby Tiger x 1 Silver Y x 1 13/08/23 Barn Owl x 1 01:15hrs Blackbird x 20+ Blue Tit x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Collard Dove x 2 Common Buzzard x 2 flying low and calling over paddocks Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 7 Greenfinch x 1 Grey Partridge x 2 Kestrel x 1 Linnet x 2 Magpie x 1 Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 6 Stock Dove x 1 sat back on nest box in chicken run Swallow x 17 Tree Sparrow x 1 box just fledged and 1 box of young being fed Wood Pigeon x 4 Yellowhammer x 1 Green-veined White x 11 Holly blue x 1 Meadow Brown x 2 Peacock x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Small White x 6 Speckled Wood x 3 Blue-tailed Damselfly x 1 Southern Hawker x 1 WALESBY TF133 924  15th August Carol Massen I had a lovely surprise when I was doing my butterfly count this morning. This hoverfly (photograph supplied) was about one inch long and very obligingly let me take several photos so I could identify it. At first glance I thought it was a hornet, so the name Hornet Hoverfly fits perfectly! WATER RAIL WAY Southrey TF144660 15th August Phil and Mary Porter Standing on the Engine Drain footbridge we noticed about 6 large insects with long back legs and antennae some way off on Broad-leafed Pondweed leaves floating in mid-stream. They were too far away to see clearly even with binoculars. Two of them were sparring continuously, rearing up to grapple and occasionally falling off the leaf onto the surface film. We had no idea what they were; I thought they looked ‘beetle-ish’. Sorting through possibilities later, Mary landed on Water Cricket as a candidate. We will try to find them again with a camera a.s.a.p. We also saw a male and four female Common Blue butterflies on the cycle path near the pumping station. Autumnal Hawkbit and Ragwort were two of the most prominent plants in flower. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs and NATURE RESERVES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's pages [2021] 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Visitor Leaflet - Natural England: http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report  9th August – 15th August 2023 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor, Owen Beaumont, Cliff Morrison and Dean Nicholson. Thank you to all other contributors. Daily News and Wildlife Sightings Correction - Near Sea View Farm on the 7th and 8th two very tatty hairstreak butterflies were seen flying in and around an elm tree. These had been identified as white-letter hairstreaks. On the 9th Dave Wright and Chris Atkin were looking in the same area and had three hairstreaks, one of which was in better condition than those seen on the previous days. This butterfly was photographed by Chris and identity confirmed as purple hairstreak and assuming the other two tatty ones are the same. On the 11th a single purple hairstreak was seen in a nearby oak tree. 100823 - Green woodpecker and juvenile cuckoo around Sea View. 110823 - A roost of 168 sandwich terns and 17 common terns on outer foreshore north of Churchill and a single osprey was seen in the Haven area. During a butterfly transect on the NNR 49 wall browns were recorded. 120823 - On Paradise lagoon minimum of 45 lapwing, 15 redshank, 1 common sandpiper, 1 green sandpiper, 1 avocet, 2 adult shelduck and 15 young, 37 black-headed gulls and 5 common gulls. 130823 - Rimac scrape 3 juv little ringed plovers, 5 dunlin, 2 common sandpipers and a single curlew sandpiper. Five swifts seen in front of approaching rain clouds. 140823 - Single adult roseate tern on beach north of Mablethorpe, 2 summer plumage curlew sandpipers and 50 knot in same area. Two swifts, south, over Sea View. 150823 - On Rimac scrape 3 curlew sandpipers, 3 juv little ringed plovers and 1 common sandpiper. Green woodpecker with juvenile at Sea View. Paradise lagoon single kingfisher, 3 green sandpipers, 1 avocet, 31 redshank, 84 lapwing, 3 little egrets, 22 shelduck and pied wagtails going to roost in reeds. On Eau outfall 6 very young mallard ducklings with adults. Evening gull roost between Churchill and Brickyard included 100 plus sandwich terns, 350 plus common terns, 1 lesser black-backed gull, 20 herring gulls, 3000 plus common gulls,1000 plus black-headed gulls and 6 whimbrel. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: 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 Chambers Farm Wood - Butterfly Garden - gardening dates and times: Next date: September 5th and 19th https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/chambers-farm-wood-butterfly-garden Lincolnshire Dormouse Group You can get in touch via lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com Gemma Watkinson writes: Here are the dates for the summer nest box checks. As always, we meet at 9.30am in the Chambers Farm Woods car park, by the wood centre/volunteer hut. Anyone interested can get in touch at lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com for more information. Next dates: Saturday 19th August Sunday 17th September Saturday 21 October ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Links to "Other Reserves" are welcome. Your suggestions, please. 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 Monks Wood Ashing Lane Nature Reserve https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/monks-wood-ashing-lane-nature-reserve/ Tattershall Carrs https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/tattershall-carrs/ Mareham Pastures Local Nature Reserve https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/mareham-pastures-local-nature-reserve/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 or via i-record. https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ 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 may vary. 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 Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust: https://twitter.com/LincsWildlife Lincs Bird Club: https://twitter.com/Lincsbirding LBC County Bird Recorder:  recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society: https://twitter.com/sirjosephbanks Lincolnshire Bat Group: http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch: https://twitter.com/BC_Lincolnshire Lincsbirders: https://twitter.com/lincsbirders Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project: 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 Wildlife Crime https://www.lincs.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/wc/wildlife-crime/ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ Downloads of LNU books: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ Recording with "iRecord": https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ iRecord is recommended by the LNU as an appropriate platform for on-line recording. 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. Email: d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com Lincolnshire Mammals Chris Manning, Email: Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com 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 Local Bat Helpline Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette Faulkner on 01775 766286 Email: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com 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 and other Freshwater Invertebrates 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: http://www.glnp.org.uk/ Natural England: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ NHBS Natural history equipment or books. https://www.nhbs.com/ NHM Final report on LoveLincsPlants: https://lnu.org/lincolnshire-plants-past-and-future/ Collections Dataset - LNU "historic specimens": http://data.nhm.ac.uk/dataset/lincs-plants The Flora of Lincolnshire by Joan Gibbons: downloadable LNU book For the Geologists... Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Suggestions for Geology news, events or new useful links always welcome. Fossilised reptile poo contains 200-million-year-old parasites https://www.newscientist.com/article/2386267-fossilised-reptile-poo-contains-200-million-year-old-parasites/ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. BULLETIN PUBLICITY POLICY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. [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 *** We will post any changes to LNU events in 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: https://lnu.org/meetings/ Summer programme - Field Meetings Saturday 9th September Rimac/Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe LWT Reserves (all day) (LLP collecting?) Sunday 15th October Langholme Wood and Haxey Turbary LWT Reserves Whisby Natural History Workshops Find out more about the various subjects from our local experts. Places are limited. https://lnu.org/meetings/workshops/ Arranged in partnership by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust (Lincoln Area Group) and the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union. At Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln, in the Lafarge Education Building from 13.00 pm until 4.30 pm. Free of charge. Refreshments included. Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com. Pond Dipping for Adults - Sam Reast 26th of August Harvestmen - Imogen Wilde 7th of October Owl & Other Bird Pellets - Garry Steele 28th of October Bryophytes - Steven Heathcote 4th of November ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ...and finally... Practical 2-day intermediate course on using UK Habitat Classification (UKHab) https://www.field-studies-council.org/courses-and-experiences/static-courses/surveying-habitats-using-ukhab/ Ocean bacteria may be closest relatives of mitochondria in our cells https://www.newscientist.com/article/2386841-ocean-bacteria-may-be-closest-relatives-of-mitochondria-in-our-cells/ Big freeze drove early humans out of Europe https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-66331558 British sign language gets climate change update https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-66464437 River Wye waste to be used in Aston University biochar study https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-66450372 Climate change: Flintshire cement work's carbon capture plan https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-66453932 Water firms covering up scale of sewage spills, say Lib Dems https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-66450392 ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/