========================================= || || 14th June 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: Thanks to Phil Porter for preparing this week's Bulletin. Several readers have commented on the low numbers of insects being seen, in the countryside, gardens and on our car windscreens. Is anyone participating in Buglife's "Bugs Matter" survey? A very intriguing survey idea. See: The Bugs Matter 2023 survey season begins on 1 June - 31 August. https://www.buglife.org.uk/get-involved/surveys/bugs-matter/ Annette Faulkner writes: A quick SOS. A reminder to all readers, as we struggle to survive the heat. We’re not the only ones. Please make sure you put out plenty of water for birds, ground-based mammals and flying ones. Bats drink on the wing, so keep bird baths filled up, ponds topped up and so on. Bats certainly can get desperately dehydrated and if too far gone can’t be revived, as their kidneys pack up. Many thanks, LNU Meetings. Scroll to full details in section 11 below. Or click: https://lnu.org/meetings/ Next Field Meeting: Trent Port Wetland - Sunday 25th June (afternoon) https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2023-06-25-trent-port-wetland-sunday-25th-june-afternoon/ Loch of The Lowes Ospreys - 2 chicks doing well... https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ Len Pick Trust Owl-box Camera Bob Sheppard wrote on 1st June: There will now be a quiet month whilst we await the hatching of the chicks in early July. The female will incubate these eggs night and day. The male will be responsible for bringing her food every night. The weather will play a big part in how successful he is. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/ BWARS' Hornet survey - please can you help? ID photos are here: https://www.bwars.com/wasp/vespidae/vespinae/vespa-crabro To submit a record: https://www.bwars.com/content/submit-sighting-vespa-crabro-hornet The Big Meadow Search (BMS) This year’s BMS will run from June 1st until August 31st. The Big Meadow Search (BMS) is a citizen science project which aims to encourage people to record plants in an area of grassland of their own choice. The BMS species tick list is based on the National Plant Monitoring Scheme grassland indicator species, plus additional species of interest from meadows and grasslands - but all plants found should be recorded, whether on the BMS species list or not. Any type of species-rich grassland can be searched. If it’s not public access land, make sure to get permission! Our website has lots more information, and you can enter your findings directly there. www.bigmeadowsearch.co.uk This week's mostly-local news stories: Lightning Maps: https://www.blitzortung.org/en/live_lightning_maps.php?map=12 Oxburgh Hall's Victorian garden adapted for climate change Scroll down for bat story! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-65861768 Warning after giant hole discovered on Mablethorpe beach https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-65878861 Lincoln: Public events for planned city relief road https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-65861113 Thorne and Hatfield Moors peatland mapping to save 'waning reserves' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-65856035 Egdon withdraws North Kelsey oil drilling planning appeal https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-65834079 Heat-health Alert service https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/heat-health-alert-service OMEX Agriculture Ltd to pay £510,190 for wiping out over 135,000 fish https://www.gov.uk/government/news/omex-agriculture-ltd-to-pay-510-190-for-wiping-out-over-135-000-fish 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/ *** Exhibition at Joseph Banks Centre *** George Edward Lodge. Celebrated naturalist, taxidermist and painter. Born in Horncastle 1860. Runs to June 30th. Well worth a visit! https://horncastlejbc.info/events/lodge/ *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** During 2023, the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB celebrates its 50th anniversary. We are running 50 events for 50 years, details on: https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/events/ *** Lincoln Cathedral Peregrines *** https://lincolncathedral.com/peregrines/ "Volunteer opportunities available for people who are passionate about wildlife and conservation. Lincoln RSPB is running a Peregrine Watch at Lincoln Cathedral. All weekends in June and July. Prior experience is not necessary, enthusiasm is more important." For more information contact Gwen M Randall - Volunteer Coordinator: gwen.randell@ntlworld.com Weather Forecast https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#? June 18-29th Predominantly dry and settled conditions hanging on especially in northern and some eastern areas. From Sunday into early next week, there is an increasing risk of more wide- spread rain or showers for a time, which likely turn heavy and thundery at times. Temperatures again warm and feeling humid overnight, and very warm or hot by day in between any showers. Further ahead, a continuing risk of heavy showers and thunderstorms at times in the south and west, whereas further north and east there should be some more reliable drier interludes, then perhaps becoming more generally a little more settled by the end of this period. Warmer than average temperatures overall, with hot days even in wetter areas and continued humidity at night. For Astronomers and Sky-watchers Full Moons 2023 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/full-moon-calendar June's Night Sky: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/blog/astronomy/night-sky-highlights-june-2023 Summer Solstice: Wed, Jun 21, 2023 3:57 PM https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/summer-solstice 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 *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Area Groups webpage *** Please let me have your "plugs" for coming events. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/area-groups *** Grimsby And Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk Carolyn Davis writes: On Saturday 17th June you are invited to join the Grimsby & Cleethorpes Area Group on a Warbler Walk in Cleethorpes Country Park with Graham Hicks where we hope to hear/identify as many as 8 warbler species. Meet Graham at 8 am in the Cleethorpes Country Park car park Grid Ref TA 306066. You are advised to wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event however donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further information contact Graham Hicks mobile 07979089890 or email g.hicks7@ntlworld .com You can also visit the Grimsby & Cleethorpes Area Group LWT website www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk and we are on Facebook. *** South Lincs RSPB Group *** www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire *** RSPB Lincoln Local Group *** https://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/events.htm *** RSPB Grimsby Local Group *** https://group.rspb.org.uk/grimsby/ Martin Francis writes: The RSPB Grimsby Local Group's next Indoor Meeting is on Monday 19th June at 7.30pm - After a brief AGM, Phil Espin, Chairman of the Lincs Bird Club, will give an illustrated talk with the title "Great Bustard and other lost birds of Lincolnshire" The talk takes place at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7LH. A map showing the location of the Hall can be found on our website. Entry for everybody is £4, payable at the door. Light refreshments and a raffle will be available The next 'car share' Trip is on Sunday 25th June to Far Ings and Alkborough Flats- if you would like to go, please contact Sally Prescott at sally.prescott142@btinternet.co 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 at the Indoor Meeting and/or on the Trip Martin Francis Group Leader - RSPB Grimsby Local Group" STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. 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 8/6/2023 Caspian Tern, Baston + Langtoft Pits 6 Black-winged Stilts [male, fem and 4 juvs] on North Scrape, 2 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh Red-backed Shrike in outer dunes NE of Mill Hill, Short-eared Owl, Night Heron flew over, Gibraltar Point Lesser Yellowlegs from hide [LBC keyholders only]. Manby Flashes Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Little Stint, Anderby Marsh 9/6 4 Black-winged Stilts, male, fem and 2 young on North Scrape, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 2 Little Stints, Anderby Marsh, Anderby Creek 2 Quails, both singing males, at Red Hill, Stenigot Little Stint opposite Scallow Grove Farm, Messingham Sand Quarry 10/6 6 Black-winged Stilts [male, fem and 4 young] on North Scrape, Black Tern, Frampton Marsh Montagu's Harrier across south marshes, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Black Tern, Woodhall Spa Airfield Quail male singing, at Red Hill, Stenigot 11/6 6 Black-winged Stilts [male, fem and 4 young] Frampton Marsh Wood Sandpiper, Manby Flashes, Manby Garganey drk, Teal Lake, Whisby Nature Park 5 Quails, all males, singing - 2 at Red Hill, 2 in field approaching Red Hill, 1 beyond Red Hill on footpath 12/6 Night Heron flew to Woodland Waters, appeared to land behind trees, Ancaster 6 Black-winged Stilts [male, fem and 4 young] on Middle Scrape Frampton Marsh Wood Sandpiper, Manby Flashes, Manby Marsh Warbler singing at Anderby Marsh, Anderby Creek 13/6 Night Heron flew to Woodland Waters, appeared to land behind trees at east end, Ancaster ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ *** BTO Cuckoo Tracking project *** https://www.bto.org/cuckoos *** 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/ Learn about the value of re-establishing diverse herb-rich grasslands, their benefits for pollinators, biodiversity and farmers as well as the management of those meadows. Webinar: Herb-rich Grassland https://mailchi.mp/3cc79b2b437d/grassland-webinar? 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 6-7/6/2023 2 Hedgehogs on camera - one clean, one smeary! 6/6 11.52 and 11.54hrs [dirty] 8/6 12.03hrs [dirty] 02/07hrs [clean] 9/6 01.18-01/31hrs, 01.26-31hrs [dirty] 02.14hrs 10/6 Adult badger in garden!!!!! 01.46hrs Hedgehog at; 03.06hrs. 11/06 Hedgehog 12.29 Adult Badger 01.29 - 01.35 Hedgehog 02.11 [dirty] BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 7th June Mary Porter A long-awaited result happened overnight when a Tawny Owl was caught on our trail camera having swooped on a prey item, but unfortunately, we were not able to confirm whether or not it had been successful. 13th June An emergence of blue damselflies from the pond this afternoon. We think they were Azure but in the high temperature they were too lively. Tree bees are nesting in the brickwork above our French window doors but are behaving themselves so far. BRAFFERTON YORKS SE 438701 Wendy Handford (former contributor when living in Caistor.) A very alert female Blackbird visits our garden pond several times a day. She regularly drinks and bathes. However, she started catching and eating our frog tadpoles about six weeks ago, and has now learnt how to grasp and break open water snails on stones, like a thrush. Her latest skill has been to catch newts lurking under the duckweed at the edge of the pond. We saw her fly away with an adult one, 10cms/4ins long. We spoke to a local ornithologist who said he had never heard of them eating water snails or newts before. I have only spoken to one birdwatcher as yet, so I don't know how special her behaviour is. I will report it to the BTO and see what they say..... CLEETHORPES 31st May, 2023. Angela Buckle Sea milkwort, Thrift, Birdsfoot trefoil, Common catsear, Hedge mustard, White campion, Field poppy, Southern marsh orchids, Red clover, Black medick, Common sorrel, Common vetch, Field mouse-ear, Dog rose, Pellitory of the wall, Yellow flag iris, Knotted hedge parsley, Wood avens, Fennel, Doves foot cranesbill, Common storksbill, Yarrow, Stagshorn plantain, Hoary cress. ELSHAM QUARRY 29th May 2023 Angela Buckle Hogweed, Cut leaved cranesbill, Red campion, Ground ivy, Birds foot trefoil, Ox-eye daisy, Cuckoo flower, Beaked Hawksbeard, Comfrey, Wood avens, Cow parsley, Common vetch, Winter cress, Yellow rattle, Crosswort, Black bryony, Pink flowered Ground ivy, Mouse-eared hawkweed, Black medick, Salad burnet, Milkwort, White bryony, Changing forget- me-knot, Thyme leaved speedwell, Common blue butterfly, Small white, Speckled wood. FAR INGS 4th June, 2023 Angela Buckle Viper’s bugloss, Weld, Bee orchid, Black medick, Knapweed , Hairy tare, Yarrow, Woody nightshade, Speckled wood butterfly, Dead mole. FAR INGS 11th June 2023, .  Angela Buckle Yellow gall on Blackthorn, Cuckoo calling, Button weed, Self heal, White bryony, Common cats-ear, Small copper butterfly. FISKERTON FEN TF083718 10th June Phil Porter On a very warm day, bird activity was suppressed, although it was nice to hear a snatch of Garden Warbler song. The drains had numbers of blue damselflies, at least some of which were Azure, and a few Four-spotted Chaser and Red-eyed Damselfly. A good clump of Field Pepperwort had gone to seed and there was more Lesser Water-parsnip than usual below the wooden footbridge. A single Bee Orchid was in flower. FIVE MILE LANE, WASHINGBOROUGH TF055708 8th June 2023 Phil Porter During a walk to the River Witham killing time while my car was being MOT’d, I kept an eye on the roadside verge and drains although they were typically rank and water was not visible for the most part and I didn’t have a notebook and pencil. As a result, I only have the highlights to report; the first was south of the grid reference where there was a small flowering patch of Meadow-rue which seems to be only thinly scattered along water- courses. Where water could be seen there were patches of Watercress. Incongruously one path-junction had Snow-in-summer in bloom. Climbing up through the clumps of False Oat-grass, a species of Fumitory which I must identify on a second visit, was unusually bi-coloured candy-pink and whitish. The second highlight was north of the grid reference in the form of Field Gromwell, the first time I had come across the plant on my own. Finally, I was able to admire Yellow Waterlily on the South Delph before returning to collect my car. The time flew by! GOSLINGS CORNER WOOD 10th June 2023, Angela Buckle Hairy Tare, Dog rose, Hops, Common vetch, Rough chervil, Marsh thistle, Wild garlic, Greater stitchwort, Lesser stitchwort, Ragged robin, Yellow pimpernel, Tormentil, Water Avens, Lords and ladies, Heath speedwell, Dogs mercury, Common spotted orchid, Black medick, Changing forget-me- not, Speckled wood butterfly.    HALE ROAD, BUCKNALL - Woodhall to Bardney Road TF175680 A + R Parsons 12/5/2023 Little owl perched on gate in shade. 11.00hrs. KINGERBY BECK MEADOWS 2nd June 2023. Angela Buckle Cow parsley, Hogweed, Dog rose, Ground ivy, Wood avens, Common speedwell, Creeping buttercup, Common vetch, Meadow buttercup, Common sorrel, Yellow rattle, Greater stitchwort, Red clover, Pignut, Southern marsh orchid, Birdsfoot trefoil, Ox-eye daisy, Adders-tongue fern, Fairy flax, Bugle, Rough chervil, Frog orchids just found 2 the grass was very long. Small copper butterfly, Speckled wood, Common blue. NOCTON WOOD TF084639 A + R Parsons 12/06/2023 Stinkhorn - egg stage Deer barking - probably Roe WILLINGHAM WOODS 7th June 2023. Angela Buckle Sanicle, Hairy tare, Broom, Sheep’s sorrel, Bugle, Common spotted orchid, Black medick, Winter cress, Comfrey, Lesser stitchwort, Green alkanet, Marsh thistle, Foxglove, Field madder, Goats beard, Rough chervil. WOODHALL SPA By car park to Jubilee Hall TF195633 A + R Parsons 12/6/2023 Bee Orchid in grass - east side of car park. WOODSIDE COTTAGE, LOW APLEY. Margaret Hiscox June 9th 2023 Curlew calling, Low Barlings/Short Ferry 18.00. June 10th Ermine Moth Caterpillars in webs on Spindle Trees. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 SSI Report 7th – 13th June 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 Note: The continuing very dry conditions is beginning to have an impact on the dune vegetation where plants are starting to look stressed. No significant rain since 14th May. Water levels have fallen 18cm over past 4 weeks with Rimac lagoon dry and Rimac scrape, Paradise lagoon and Sea View wetlands all losing water. 070623 - First large skipper and meadow brown butterflies of the year seen. Hobby hunting the dunes between Churchill Lane and Brickyard Lane. Female whinchat at Elm House Farm. 080623 - 2 grasshopper warbler and a cuckoo in the Rimac south dunes. Cetti's warbler singing at Brickyard Lane. 100623 - Paradise lagoon: single black-tailed godwit, little egret and shelduck, 2 oystercatchers, 3 teal, 2 tufted duck, two broods of mallard and coot. 110623 - Brimstone, meadow brown and red admiral on the wing near Sea View. Cetti’s warbler singing near Sea View bridge. 120623 - Pair of avocets (including a colour-ringed bird originating from Spain in 2019) with at least 1 chick in the dunes south of Crook Bank. Adult Mediterranean gull and several sandwich tern roosting on the beach at Mablethorpe North End. Grasshopper warbler, emperor, broad-bodied chaser, four-spotted chaser and common darter dragonflies, meadow brown, small skipper butterflies at Churchill Lane. 130623 - A butterfly transect 2300m route from Rimac recorded: 36 small heath, 5 large skipper, 5 common blue, 5 meadow brown, 3 speckled wood, 1 small copper, 1 red admiral. Odonata: four spotted and broad bodied chasers, hairy and emperor dragonflies. Juvenile little ringed plover on Rimac scrape. Hobby perched in the dunes at Rimac early evening before taking flight. The first ruddy darter dragonflies of the year seen at Rimac and MOD pond. Dune vegetation providing a yellow show of common cat’s-ear and a nice contrast of blue from viper’s bugloss. Pyramidal and bee orchids beginning to flower in places. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Forestry Commission visitor advice: https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide The history of the Lincolnshire Limewoods: https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/features/19111877.lincolnshire-limewoods/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch: https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html Chambers Farm Wood - Butterfly Garden - gardening dates and times: Next June date: 20th. 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. Saturday 24 June Sunday 23 July 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. 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 Downloads of LNU books: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust: https://twitter.com/LincsWildlife Lincs Bird Club: 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: 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. 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 Sunday 25th June Trent Port Wetland Saturday 15th July Wilder Doddington (all day) LLP collecting Saturday 12th August Boothby Wildlands (all day) collecting NOTE CHANGE OF DATE FROM 19th Saturday 9th September Wolla Bank Pit, Chapel Pit & Chapel Six Marshes LWT Reserves (all day) (LLP collecting?) Sunday 15th October Langholme Wood and Haxey Turbary LWT Reserves Whisby Natural History 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. Find out more about the various subjects from our local experts. Places are limited. Hoverflies (and other distinctive Diptera) – Phil Porter 1st of July 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... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** None ...and finally... El Niño planet-warming weather phase has begun https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-65839060 Cost of living: How England's 'artisan' markets are surviving the crisis https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-65802275 HotSat-1: Spacecraft to map UK's heat inefficient buildings https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-65775901 Octopuses edit their own genetic code to adapt to colder water https://www.newscientist.com/article/2377527-octopuses-edit-their-own-genetic-code-to-adapt-to-colder-water/ Detection dogs taught newt tricks in bid to improve conservation https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jun/12/detection-dogs-great-crested-newt-bid-speed-up-conservation-process Illegal reintroductions of rare butterflies to UK ‘a risk to other species’ https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jun/12/reintroductions-of-rare-butterflies-to-uk-a-risk-to-other-species ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/