============================================ || || 23rd 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: Please send in your reports and contributions for next week's Bulletin. here's something you might like to look our for. Records welcome... Xylocopa violacea: Violet Carpenter Bee David Sheppard writes: This rare vagrant bee has only once before been recorded from Lincolnshire but without a photo to support the record. This year, two records have been received, both from Lincoln and both supported by photos. They have been seen at the Boultham Glebe Allotments on 12th July, possibly again on 16th July (Deborah Otter) and near Hartsholme on 13th July (Patricia Latus). This is a huge bee, about the size of a queen bumblebee, but metallic blue-black with brownish wings which appear to be bright metallic blue in flight. The specimens photographed had some paler hairs on the thorax which suggests that they may have been males. Although it looks like a bumblebee, it is a solitary bee which builds its nest burrow in old wood or hollow stems. Presumably the specimens have emerged from a nest which had been accidentally imported. Has anyone else seen or photographed other specimens? d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com Recorder: https://lnu.org/specialists/ants-bees-and-wasps/ Image: https://bwars.com/content/xylocopa-britain LNU Meetings. Scroll to full details in section 11 below. Or click: https://lnu.org/meetings/ 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. Richard Davidson writes: "I had a flurry of bookings coming in just after they were announced but some more would be good at this stage. The Bird Pellets workshop has is now full but I've still got places on the other three." https://lnu.org/meetings/workshops/ Heritage Open Days 2023 - Heritage Lincolnshire - 8-17th September https://www.heritagelincolnshire.org/heritage-open-days Len Pick Barn Owl Camera. "Our barn owl chick is eight weeks old and has started to look very much like an adult. It still has a bit of juvenile fluff but that will soon disappear. From now on we shall see it only rarely in the nest box as it explores its immediate surroundings." https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/ BTO Cuckoo Tracking project - Trent is moving east - 18 Aug 2023 "Since our last update Trent has been moving steadily east along the border between southern Mauritania and south western Mali. He has so far flown 128 km (80 miles) east from his last location and is now27 km (18 miles) west of the town of Niorro du Sahel in the Kayes region of western Mali." https://www.bto.org/cuckoos This week's mostly-local news stories: India makes history as Chandrayaan-3 lands near Moon's south pole https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-asia-india-66576580 'Priceless' stone cross stolen from Lincolnshire church https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-66574856 Lincolnshire roads need more money for repairs, says council https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-66526288 Lincoln suspected carbon monoxide poisonings at Gridline go-kart track https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-66524699 Fly-tippers dump 15 fridges in Grimsby waterway https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-66522907 Pleasure Island Cleethorpes: Flood setback for £65m ex-theme park plan https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-66541921 RAF Scampton developer criticises government 'non-communication' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-66511873 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. Suggestions for reports or research: 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 Collaboration opportunity: 3D scanning fungi for research Harry Fancy [PlantGang]  writes: I’m Biochemistry graduate from Bristol University now running a project trying to immortalize the world's plant and fungal specimens digitally within immersive scientific 3D models, aiming to bring rare and inspiring moments of biodiversity to people across the globe... I was wondering if any of your members are fungal photographers and data recorders, as if these members might be interested in being a part of this first of its kind research into 3D scanning fungi with associated scientific metadata, their experience with photography should make them great 3D scanners! This is since we’re able to process captured image/video datasets of fungal specimens from your members cameras or smartphones into 3D models using 3D technologies (photogrammetry and NeRFs). Further information about this and the project can be found on our website and guide to getting started with specimen 3D scanning. Please feel free to reach out to me at harry@plantgang.xyz to get involved! Links found here: https://www.plantgang.xyz/ https://www.notion.so/plantgang/Guide-to-capture-for-PlantGang-720f03157ff9493baa671be2d9c9c01c 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#? 28 Aug - 6 Sept 2023 "Monday is likely to bring some rain for southern and eastern areas early on, then turning generally drier with just occasional showers. Rather breezy, with some cloud and rain arriving into the west of the UK later. The remainder of August is likely to be generally unsettled, with showers or longer spells of rain affecting many areas. Potential for windy conditions, most likely in the north. Early September is likely to stay changeable, with a mixture of sunny spells and showers. Western areas have a higher likelihood of more frequent wet conditions, but showers are possible throughout the country. Temperatures are expected to remain close to average throughout the period, although it may feel cool under any prolonged cloud or rain." *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** 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 cruises for 2023 are going well and we have had some bookings from people who have read the Bulletin! So all good! 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 Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society Keith Scarrott writes: Our first meeting for the new "indoor meetings" season takes place on Monday, 11th September. It is also our first open meeting in our new venue at the Old Brumby United Church, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AQ, starting at 7.15pm. CARING FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE AND MITIGATING CLIMATE CHANGE. Four speakers who will tell us about their work on different aspects related to this title. Kayley Rankin, local "Tree and Woodland Creation Officer" for "The Conservation Volunteers", on the TCV values and community involvement and volunteers in local projects and partnership with Humber Forest tree planting initiatives. Hayley Little, the "Humber Forest Project Officer", will coordinate her talk with Kayley's by discussing Community Forestry, funding for land owners within Humber Forest, and how they ensure "Right Tree in the Right Place". Matthew Cow, local "Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust North West Lincolnshire Warden", will look at the habitats and ecosystems of some Nature Reserves, management challenges and species with changing weather patterns. Andy Jayes, "Native Oyster and Sea Grass Restoration Officer for the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust", will be describing methods for planning, engagement, restoration and monitoring during the 5 year Wilder Humber" project. All are welcome at out meetings. There is no entry charge. A donation bowl is provided to help meet our expenses. There will be a mid-talk "comfort break". Light refreshments will be available for a small charge. For further details please contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. 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 16/8 Black Stork on saltmarsh from Sea Bank, 7 Black-winged Stilts, 4 ads 3 juvs, 2 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Wood Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh Roseate Tern on foreshore, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes Red-necked Grebe drifted north on sea, 6 Black Terns flew north, Sutton on Sea 17/8 Black Stork flew over Sea Bank, 7 Black-winged Stilts, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 6 Little Stints, 4 Spotted Redshanks, 27 Spoonbills, Little Gull, Frampton Marsh 25 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Caspian Gull, Long-tailed Skua offshore, Black Tern, possible Sooty Shearwater flew north, Gibraltar Point 18/8 11 Black Terns at Wader Pit, then flew west, Baston + Langtoft GPs Black stork juv, Kentish Plover, 3 Wood Sandpipers, Black Tern, 5 Black-winged Stilts, 4 Little Stints, 3 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 ads + juv, Garganey ecl drk north of Sea Bank on Roads Farm Wet Grassland, 40 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh 11 Black Terns, 5 Little Gulls, Garganey, Freiston Shore Cory's Shearwater flew south past, 9.10am 5 Pied Flycatchers, 2 trapped and ringed, 7 Black Terns flew and a Long-tailed Skua flew south past, Gibraltar Point Chapel Point 8.12am Cory's Shearwater flew north past 7.39am, 5 Long-tailed Skuas flew south past, ad Pomarine Skua flew north, Sutton on Sea Cory's Shearwater flew north past Chapel Point 7.21am Cory's Shearwater flew north past Wolla Bank 7.46am Cory's Shearwater flew north past 7.47am, Long-tailed Skua Anderby Creek 19/8 Wood Sandpiper juv, Baston Fen. Black Tern flew SW over Baston and Langtoft Pits. Black Story on saltmarsh, Moulton Marsh 6 Black-winged Stilts, 3 ads 3 juvs, Black Stork on saltmarsh, 7 Little Stints, 6 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Wood Sandpiper,s Garganey, Frampton Marsh 9 Black Terns, Wood Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Pied Flycatchers, Gibraltar Point 5 Black Terns all ads flew past, Pied flycatcher on beach, Huttoft Car Terrace 20/8 Black Stork juv, 5 Black-winged Stilts, 3ads 2 juvs, 43 Spoonbills, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Osprey flew south, 7 Little Stints, Wood Sandpiper, 7 Curlew Sandpipers all juvs, Frampton Marsh Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Gibraltar Point Garganey, Curlew Sandpiper, Curlew Sandpiper, 4 Wood Sandpipers, Rimac, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes 4 Black Terns past Anderby Creek, Little Stint on Anderby Marsh 23 Spoonbills from Alkborough Maze, Alkborough Flats 21/8 Wood Sandpiper on East Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Black Stork in flight over saltmarsh, Garganey, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, 36 Spoonbills, 5 Spotted Redshanks, 7 Little Stints, 6 Black-winged Stilts, 3 ads 3 juvs, Frampton Marsh Wood Sandpiper, Freiston Shore 22 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands, Black Tern, Little Gull, Gibraltar Point Pied Flycatcher, Moor Farm, Woodhall Spa 2 Wood Sandpipers and a Black Tern off Rimac, Garganey in sea View washlands, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes 22/8 Scaup drk reported at Deeping Lakes, Wood Sandpiper on East Pit, Deeping St James Wood Sandpiper on Middle Scrape, 8 Little Stints, 7 Curlew Sandpipers, 29 Spoonbills, Garganey, 5 Black-winged Stilts, 3 ads,2 juvs, Frampton Marsh Wood Sandpiper, Freiston Shore Bittern on Tennyson's Sands then flew south, Gibraltar Point Wood Sandpiper, Manby Flashes 6 Wood Sandpipers at Paradise Pool, south of Saltfleet Haven 2 Wood Sandpipers on scrape at Rimac, Saltfleetby'Theddlethorpe Black-necked Grebe, Common Scoter, Covenham reservoir 23/8 5 Black-winged Stilts, 3ads + 2juvs, 7 Curlew Sandpipers, 6 juvs, Wood Sandpiper, 31 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh Wood Sandpiper, Freiston Shore Little Stint and Wood Sandpiper on scrape at Rimac, 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. Harvestmen of Britain and Ireland https://harvestmen.fscbiodiversity.uk/ 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. Roadkill EAST BARKWITH Renata Jackson 20 August 2023 Road kill of a fox between Star Garage and going to East Barkwith near Low Farm approx 500 m from Star Garage (on a bend). Animal still present on road. *** 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 The Old Museum, The Green, Bardney TF120694 LN3 5TY 18/8/2023 Harvestman spp. Confirmed Imogen Wilde. Several under dug-up old lavender plants.. Quite active. Tentatively identified as: Odiellus spinosus We tried to identify it with this FSC key: Harvestmen of Britain and Ireland https://harvestmen.fscbiodiversity.uk/ 21/8/2023 Apparent Sparrowhawk kill in garden - domestic dove 22/23/9/2023 Bats detected echolocating at 44, 50 and 44kHz from 22.00hrs on 22/8 to a series of short bursts [contact calls] as 44kHz at 04.00-05.00hrs on 23rd. [Detector on bedroom window sill!] 22/23/8/2023 Hedgehog on trailcam, 10.07hrs on 22nd and 02.12hrs on 23rd. BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Phil & Mary Porter 22nd August A small flock of Goldfinches settled in our ‘meadow’ and started feeding on seeding Knapweed heads, a lovely naturalistic sight. We had been thinking it was time to cut the long vegetation, so we will have to maintain it for a while longer. A Hummingbird Hawk Moth was the latest visitor to the Phlox patch which is rapidly going over now. We have one large Holly tree and a few small bushes. The tree has been colonised by Ivy, which also creeps up the walls of most of the outbuildings and some of the hedges, so it is no surprise that we have a population of Holly Blue butterflies, but they have been particularly common this year, with groups of 6 on occasions. In the village, Mary heard snatches of both Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler song within a minute while walking alongside the churchyard. Unfortunately higher-pitched bird-calls are outside my range of hearing, with or without aids. BENNIWORTH HAVEN Benniworth Haven lake TF 229 825 210 823 John Walker 22 August 2023 Lots of Odonata action on warm sunny late morning Common and ruddy darters, azure blue, red eyed damsels Pair of willow emerald damsels, brown hawker, emperor, broad bodied chaser . BOSTON TF 338 441 My garden Tracey Lenton Swifts: Clear evening skies this week so I was able to check on numbers. Saw a single swift on 15th (using binoculars), 16th and 20th August (visible to naked eye) 21st August 20:15 There were 3 swifts circling together. All my swift observations are looking in the south-south-western sky, sometimes at a distance, sometimes overhead or much closer. 20/08/2023  A hot afternoon - Willow emerald damselfly settled on the conifer hedge to bask Evening - noticed a large toadflax brocade caterpillar and, on closer inspection, 5 tiny ones, on the purple toadflax which is back in flower since the previous decimation! CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK909581 Jeremy Hutchinson 8/8/23 Kestrel roadkill, female and/or juvenile. Not a common sight I'm pleased to say. 9/8/23 Alerted by House Martin alarm calls, I eventually managed to spot a Hobby, high and far away. Before long another appeared not far away: I watched them as they flew slowly into the wind: they appeared to be catching insects. I haven't seen one since. Until recent years we'd see them every day, often several times a day at this time of year. I have to wonder whether the fall in the number of Hirundines has something to so with this? Our Swifts had gone (apart from the occasional lone bird) by 7th August, a little later than usual. My last sighting was 21/8 over the south end of Lincoln. We are having a good year for Dragonflies/Damselflies, both in numbers and variety of species. Recently I have seen on my allotment (which is close to the village pond) a number of Damselflies which I do not recall having seen before. My ID skills are poor, but I think that they are Emerald Damselflies, very beautiful and fairly numerous, which look like small versions of female Banded Demoiselles. I watched one closely which was sitting on a garden cane, close to a Brown(?) Hawker Dragonfly, small compared to most, again a type I'm not sure that I've seen before. NETTLEHAM TF004753 (my garden) Bill Ball 22.8.23 Vapourer moth caterpillar Orgyia antiqua - on rose ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 16th – 22nd 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 160823 - Red-backed shrike near Brickyard, yellow wagtail over and 21 curlew in nearby field. 180823 - 2 lesser black-backed gulls with black headed gulls, 2 green sandpipers, 1 common sandpiper, 5 ringed plover and lapwing on Paradise lagoon. Gull roost on evening high tide between Brickyard and Crook Bank: 2000 plus common gulls, 3000 plus black-headed gulls, 12 great black-backed gulls, 8 herring gulls, 4 lesser black-backed gulls, 390 plus sandwich terns, 160 plus common terns and 16 oystercatchers. 190823 - Single spotted redshank Rimac scrape. 200823 - Sightings from WeBS section Churchill to Saltfleet included 1 osprey, 1 ruff, 11 turnstone, 3 little ringed plover, 210 ringed plover, 1 curlew sandpiper, 5 whimbrel and 260 curlew. Rimac lagoon evening: 4 wood sandpipers, 1 common sandpiper, 5 green sand- pipers, 4 ruff, 2 spotted redshank, 1 curlew sandpiper, 1 yellow wagtail and 1 garganey. In the Sea View area noticeable sightings of a good second brood of holly blue plus 2 brimstone butterflies. 210823 - Garganey with teal on Sea View washlands, single whimbrel on the saltmarsh. Paradise lagoon birds included 7 ruff, a single common snipe and greenshank. 2 pied flycatchers near Churchill and a black tern seen towards the Haven from Rimac. Osprey along the Haven. 3 swifts over SeaView. 9 guillemot and 4 razor bill in an active fishing party c200m offshore at Theddlethorpe with c50 sandwich and common terns, c3500 black head gulls with common gulls sandwich and common terns in a large roost towards Saltfleet Haven outfall beginning to leave. 220823 – 2 garganey still with teal on Sea View washlands. Amongst the waders on Rimac scrape: 3 spotted redshanks and 5 little ringed plovers. On Paradise lagoon up to 13 ruff and 5 dunlin. Pied flycatcher at Rimac. Between Mablethorpe there was a sighting of a minimum of 290 auks, at least 500 common terns, 2 juv yellow-legged gulls and a greater black-backed gull that was hunting amongst the auks, then seen killing and eating a young razorbill. 2 spotted redshank (1 juvenile, 1 adult), 2 wood sandpipers and 2 little ringed plovers. On Rimac scrape: c80 redshank, 5 possibly 6 wood sandpipers, 2 common sandpipers, 5 mallard and 12 teal. Paradise lagoon early morning for both sites. Rimac scrape early this morning: 3 little ringed plovers, 2 wood sandpipers (1 adult, 1 juvenile), spotted redshank, 6 redshank, 5 mallard, 12 teal. Paradise Lagoon: c80 redshank, 14 lapwing, 5 wood sandpipers, 2 common sandpipers, 1 little grebe. This afternoon 4 holly blues along willow and ivy hedgerow north of Brickyard Lane. The 3 small bats continue to be seen flying around Churchill Lane car park area at dusk. Other Local Reserves 200823 – Donna Nook: Osprey eating a fish on the bombing range, 1500 golden plover, curlew numbers building, sandwich and common terns on the tideline. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 dates: 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: 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. Harvestmen - Imogen Wilde 7th of October Owl & Other Bird Pellets - Garry Steele 28th of October - Fully booked! Bryophytes - Steven Heathcote 4th of November ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ...and finally... Conservation: Lifeline for endangered insect feared extinct https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-66531535 Water voles brought back to the Lake District https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-66525526 The RSPB, Peer Review (And Why It Matters) - GWCT https://www.gwct.org.uk/blogs/news/2023/august/peer-review-and-why-it-matters/ Everything we know about the EG.5 covid-19 variant and its symptoms https://www.newscientist.com/article/2387324-everything-we-know-about-the-eg-5-covid-19-variant-and-its-symptoms/ Lytchett Matravers wetland aims to filter sewage from overflow https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-66532757 Air-purifying lampshade reduces indoor pollution via chemical reaction https://www.newscientist.com/article/2387599-air-purifying-lampshade-reduces-indoor-pollution-via-chemical-reaction/ How undercover sting outwitted pangolin traffickers https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-66375281 Burning mangrove trees for a living: 'I'd quit tomorrow if I could' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-66393515 ‘They’re here at our invitation’: how gulls took over the UK’s cities https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/aug/16/theyre-here-at-our-invitation-how-gulls-took-over-the-uks-cities ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/