============================================ || || 6th September 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/months. Past Bulletins archive [in 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: Monday morning brought us a Keats-like autumn start to the day, a gentle mist turning to fog as the sun rose. Every single spider web on our old school railings was hung with droplets shining in the morning sunlight. Some were orb webs, others hammock-like platform webs, but all were things of beauty. I estimated an average of perhaps 2 or more webs per gap. 480 gaps works out at over 750 webs. Perhaps as many as a thousand? More? https://britishspiders.org.uk/spider-webs This week's mostly-local news stories: Peregrine Falcon image wins bird photo award https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-66706149 Isaac Newton apple tree saplings auctioned in UK first https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-66710122 Blue supermoon pictured in skies above Yorkshire and Lincolnshire ttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-66670695 UK heatwave: Heat-health alert in place as temperatures to hit 32C https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-66710496 Signs to be repaired on accident bridge in Grimsby https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-66719194 Supermarket and homes plan for Scunthorpe garden centre site https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-66708982 Hurricane Idalia: 12 hours in 80 seconds https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-66665397 RSPB boss apologises after charity calls ministers 'liars' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-66666435 Lincoln bypass planning application expected to be submitted for North Hykeham https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-66696084 Do you know Pressreader https://www.pressreader.com/ You can sign in with your library card to access to a wide range of magazines and newspapers for free More links in "...and finally ..." at the end of the Bulletin. We look forward to your reports and contributions for next week's Bulletin. If you have not yet tried using iReport perhaps you should give it a try? If your enthusiasm is leading you towards getting to know a particular group of species there are lots of publications available on-line or hard copy. It all could be a fascination that lasts a lifetime. iRecord https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ iRecord is recommended by the LNU as an appropriate platform for on-line recording. NHBS for reference books: https://www.nhbs.com/ Clearance sale: https://www.nhbs.com/book-clearance Thanks to all who sent in news, reports and contributions this week. 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/ I received the following information from PTES. Record roadkill sightings this autumn. The annual Mammals on Roads survey underpins wildlife conservation, and can be done on a smartphone. Wildlife charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) is calling for volunteers to record any sightings of roadkill via a free app, in a bid to aid wildlife conservation. From late August onwards you can take part by simply downloading PTES’ free Mammals on Roads app ahead of their journey, and recording any roadkill spotted. No prior experience is needed and anyone can join in. The app has colourful illustrations and audio information about which species you might see, and whether it’s a hedgehog, fox or badger, counting mammal road casualties can tell conservationists about numbers in the wider landscape. To take part, search for Mammals on Roads on the App Store or Google Play. https://ptes.org/ Lincolnshire Badger Group The Lincolnshire Badger Group is a fully affiliated member with The Badger Trust. Please help us by reporting Badger road kills and Setts. Sett location knowledge allows us to keep an eye on them to ensure no human disturbance. We will be also rehabilitating back to their setts, if found injured. Please find link to our Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093647842292 or get in contact via our email lincolnshirebadgergroup@hotmail.com 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. Heritage Open Days 2023 - Heritage Lincolnshire - 8-17th September https://www.heritagelincolnshire.org/heritage-open-days Len Pick Barn Owl Camera. The earlier Owl camera problem was resolved and the chick can sometimes be seen, but only occassionally now. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/ BTO Cuckoo Tracking project - 7 tracked cuckoos south of the Sahara. "Since our last update Trent has flown 162 km (100 miles) east, taking him out of Mali and into Burkina Faso. He is now in western Burkina Faso, approximately 100 km (64 miles) north west of the city of Bobo-Dioulasso. https://www.bto.org/cuckoos 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/ 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 Investigating Seasonality of Otter Breeding in Britain, Using Newspaper Articles, Camera Trap Footage and Photograph Data. Kirsten Oliver writes: I am a postgraduate student at Edinburgh Napier University working with researchers at the university’s Centre for Conservation & Restoration Science and Findlay Ecology Services to investigate breeding seasonality in European otters, Lutra lutra. The aim is to improve our understanding of this vulnerable species and contribute to a evidence-base for survey and conservation efforts. We are trying to obtain information from a wide array of sources across the UK. We would very much appreciate help on this. I am looking for participants to take part in my research and if you agree I would appreciate any photographs or camera trap footage that you may possess which shows a female otter with her cubs from any year. It is important the cubs are with mum so I can estimate the birth date based on their size compared to mum. I only require one photo of the family, not multiple. If you record a family over an extended period, I would appreciate either the earliest images you have, or those that best show the relative size of the young compared to the mother. Alongside the photograph or footage, I need the date (month and year) and location where the family was seen. Grid reference coordinates or “what three words” location will be preferable; however a rough location (town, or postcode) will be sufficient if those are not available. You may withdraw from this research study at any time. If you can help, please respond to my below email address, and title the email “Otter Helper” and I will happily send further instructions on how to submit your picture/footage. All the information you give will be stored safely and secured in a password controlled hard drive account which will be accessible to myself and my Supervisors Dr Patrick White (Edinburgh Napier University, Otter Specialist group member) and Dr Melanie Findlay (Findlay Ecological Services, Otter Specialist group member). The information you give will be entirely anonymous and your information will be kept confidential. There will be no way to identify you in any report of the research findings. If you have any questions about the research, feel free to contact me or my supervisors. Researcher: Kirsten Oliver, 40504684@live.napier.ac.uk *** Weather News and Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#? 9 - 18 Sept 2023 "Initially, the very warm, locally hot, and settled weather is likely to continue for much of the UK, albeit with a risk of some isolated thunderstorms. Occasional rain is possible in the far north or northwest along with some stronger winds, while some low cloud and fog is possible in coastal regions. A breakdown of the very warm spell is then expected to reach the northwest, before edging slowly southeast through this period. Some heavy rain is possible in the north- west, followed by fresher weather with showers. It is likely that any rain will tend to become lighter and more patchy as it moves southeast, although, again, some isolated thunderstorms may develop to the southeast of this in the still very warm air." *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Did you miss the Blue Supermoon? Try this link... Watch: Where had the best view of the blue supermoon? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-66663534 Watch: Where had the best view of the blue supermoon? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-66663534 Full Moons 2023 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/full-moon-calendar September's Night Sky: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/blog/astronomy/night-sky-highlights-september-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 Cox, 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. South Lincs RSPB Local Group Jeremy Eyeons writes: “The Birds In Your Garden" A slideshow/talk by Chris Andrews of The South Lincs RSPB Group and Visitor Experience Manger at RSPB Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore}. 19th October 2023 , 7pm for 7-30pm, till about 9pm. At The Old Kings Head, Kirton PE20 1EG. More details at https://group.rspb.org.uk/southlincolnshire/ Grimsby/Cleethorpes RSPB Brian Patterson writes: Our first talk of the new season is: Monday 18th September at 7.30pm on The Top Hill Low Nature Reserve. The talk will be given by the Tophill Low Assistant Nature Reserve Warden, Amy Watsham. The talk will be held at The Holy Trinity Parish Hall (Corpus Christi), Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7LH The group’s first car share trip of the season is to Gibraltar Point. Details of Meeting Place and Time from Sally Prescott Tel: (01472) 840142 or Email: sally.prescott142@btinternet.com Wednesday 27th September 2023 LWT Gibraltar Point, Guided walk with Warden, 9.30am start Lincoln Local Group Event - RSPB Information from Fione McKenna ​Indoor Evening Public Lecture The Wildlife of Sydney & The Blue Mountains - Australia, presented by Nick Martin Date: Thursday 4th September 2023 Time:7.30 PM Admission price: (We accept card or cash) RSPB National members £4.00 Non-members: £5.00 Accompanied children FREE VENUE Robert Hardy Building Bishop Grottesteste University, Longdales Road Lincoln LN1 3DY (Free parking after 18.00) Notes: The building is modern and disabled friendly. ​Refreshments will NOT be available. STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Heat-health Alert service - YELLOW Heat-Health Alert increased to AMBER 5/9 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 30/8 Pectoral Sandpiper on reedbed lagoon, Black Stork juv, 2 Garganey, 38 Spoonbills, 14 Spotted Redshanks, 131 Yellow Wagtails, 128 Ruff, 12 Curlew Sandpipers, 8 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh 2 Curlew Sandpipers at Manby Flashes Curlew Sandpiper, Gibraltar Point 3 Wood Sandpipers on Rimac scrape, Spotted Redshank, Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe Dunes 31/8 2 Common Cranes, flew north, Wood Sandpiper flew north, Kirton Marsh Black Stork juv over saltmarsh, Short-eared Owl over saltmarsh,, 36 Spoonbills on Reedbed, 17 Curlew Sandpipers all juvs, 4 juv Little Stionts, Wood Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper on Wet Grassland, Frampton Marsh Black redstart, Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 23 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point Wood Sandpiper on Rimac Scrape, Spotted Redshank, 2 Little Stints on foreshore north of Brickyard Lane, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes Spotted Redshank at Novartis Ings, Pyewipe 1/9 Pectoral Sandpiper, south end of car park, Curlew sandpiper, 7 Little Stints, 2 Wood Sandpiper,s , 3 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh Curlew sandpiper north of Sykes Farm on Jackson's Marsh, Pomarine Skua flew south past, Sabine's Gull flew into Wash, Black Redstart, Gibraltar Point 3 Long-tailed Skuas lingering, 2 Black Terns flew north, Little Stint, Anderby Creek Black Tern, Toft Newton reservoir Black-necked Grebe, Cadney reservoir [no general access] 2/9 Turnstone flew over Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft Pits 31 Curlew Sandpipers, Garganey, 7+ Little Stints, Wood Sandpiper, 5 Short-eared Owls from raptor viewpoint, Pectoral Sandpiper on resr briefly then flew towards saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh Pied Flycatcher, Gibraltar Point Black Tern juv, Black-necked Grebe, Spotted Redshank, Toft Newton reservoir Black Tern opposite Scallow Grove Farm, Messingham Sand Quarry 3/9 Garganey, t-junction Pit, Baston + Langtoft Pits 31 Curlew Sandpipers, 7 Little Stints, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 4 Short-eared Owls, 2 Ruddy Shelducks, Frampton Marsh Wood Sandpiper at Rimac Scrape, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes Black-necked Grebe, Toft Newton reservoir Woodchat Shrike in West Dunes, 5 Black Terns flew past, Great Northern Diver flew north, Gibraltar Point Bluethroat on flash near River Trent, Alkborough Flats 4/9 34 Curlew Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh Curlew Sandpiper, Freiston Shore 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Gibraltar Point Rose-coloured Starling, Stonebridge car park, Donna Nook 4/9 Common Rosefinch on Freshwater Marsh, Gibraltar Point 5/9 Wood Sandpiper, 2 Little Stints, Curlew Sandpiper, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. *** 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 Hedgehog adult: 4/9 @ 21.10hrs; 5/9 @ 01.08hrs 5/9 Common Lizard [slightly greenish] on kitchen doorstep 16.00hrs. Photo taken. Hedgehog adult: 5/9 @ 21.21 and 10.02hrs; 6/9 @ 05.07hrs. HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Haynes I was staying with my brother in Suffolk a few weeks ago when, one night, a grasshopper appeared on my bedroom ceiling. After chasing round the room trying to catch it, I went to the back door to put it out but was stopped by a hornet on the other side of the glass trying to get in! I dare not open the door so the cricket had to wait until morning to be released. It’s a wild world down south! SCOTGROVE WOOD R + A Parsons 3/9/2024 At least 3 Roe deer calling. 3pm. Hornet spp. at "tower" and several Commas. Sloe Bug on [Photo taken] on edge of main ride by ditch. On Purple Loosestrife? https://www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/Pentatomidae/dolycoris_baccarum.html THEDDELTHORPE John Walker Bat surveys Theddlethorpe, 05/09/23 2010 to 2035hrs, e f 1 , 17 oc Manor farm TF 472888 , 4 pippestrelle size bats All saints church. TF 464883. 3. Pip size bats ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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  30th August – 5th September 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 300823 – 2 wood sandpiper, spotted redshank, little ringed plover and dunlin on Rimac scrape. Grasshopper warbler in the dunes north of Churchill Lane. 15+ willow warbler and chiffchaff mixed in with tit flock at Rimac. Green woodpecker Rimac south. 2 pairs of willow emerald damselfly on willow branches over Churchill Lane pond. 310823 – Wood sandpiper, spotted redshank, greenshank, little ringed plover and dunlin on Rimac scrape. Common sandpiper, ruff, spotted redshank and greenshank on Paradise Lagoon with redshank and lapwing. A hobby flew south over Paradise Lagoon, much to the disliking of 300+ mixed swallow and house martin. Green woodpecker calling from paradise wood. The first noticeable movement of meadow pipit through the morning, with around 100 flying south in two hours, with 5 yellow wagtail mixed in. 530+ sandwich tern on the foreshore out from Brickyard Lane at high tide in the evening. With 146 ringed plover (including a Norwegian ringed adult) and 94 dunlin were 2 little stint, a ruff, 2 knot and 4 turnstone. 1 4 arctic skua offshore amongst a large feeding frenzy of terns, gulls and gannets. Female wheatear on the outer dunes near Brickyard Lane. 010923 - 210 teal on flooded saltmarsh with the morning high tide. 2 great skua and a black tern north over the sea in the morning. Green sandpiper, spotted redshank, ruff, 2 little ringed plover and a dunlin on Rimac scrape. Tawny owl heard at dusk and barn owl hunting in the Churchill Lane area. 020923 - Very high spring tides flowing in over foreshore at walking speed. 2 common buzzards over Paradise wood, 58 lapwing on Paradise lagoon, green woodpecker at Sea View. 030923 - 6 common buzzards soaring high on the thermals over Sea View. Butterflies on the wing during mid-day in hot sunny weather at Sea View: comma, red admiral, speckled wood, large white, holly blue, small tortoiseshell and brimstone. Some southerly migration throughout the morning, with 110 siskin, 70 meadow pipit, 300 swallow, 200 house martin and a lone swift flying over the dunes. 4 lesser whitethroat, 2 willow warbler and 7 chiffchaff with a mixed tit flock at Rimac. Green woodpeckers at Rimac south and Brickyard Lane. Whimbrel, 2 spotted redshank, wood sandpiper, little ringed plover, 2 dunlin, 2 ruff and 14 little egret on Rimac scrape. 8 buzzard and a marsh harrier drifted south over Mablethorpe North End mid-afternoon. Hobby flew south over MOD and 138 curlew roosting on the foreshore north of MOD, where 2 wheatear were also present. At Churchill Lane a hobby passed over and 2 wheatears on upper foreshore. 040923 - On the Eau near Sea View: 53 mallard and 3 wigeon. Wood sandpiper and little ringed plover remain on Rimac scrape as the water levels drop. At Churchill Lane: 4 little ringed plovers in with c50 ringed plovers on upper foreshore. 050923 - 43 cormorants flew from roost near Paradise wood, 3 whimbrel over saltmarsh. 2 wheatear on the dunes between Rimac and Sea View. Little ringed plover on Rimac scrape. Butterflies seen in recent days in the Churchill lane area: peacock, red admiral, small tortoiseshell, small copper, small and large white, holly and common blues, brown argus, speckled wood, comma. Majority of migrant breeding birds have now left the site  Other local reserves 010923 – Muckton Wood: Jay, great spotted woodpecker, nuthatch, red admiral and large white butterflies, male and female tawny owls. Fir Hill Quarry: Scabious, marjoram, perforate St John’s-wort, common knapweed in flower. Legbourne Wood: Nuthatch, red admiral and speckled wood butterflies. 030923 – Donna Nook (per Mark Brandon): Redstart at Stonebridge car park. 040923 – Donna Nook (per Mark Brandon): Juvenile rose-coloured starling around Stonebridge car park and MOD cabin. Whinchat on fences near to Stonebridge car park. 050923 – Donna Nook (per Mark Brandon): Whinchat still on fence line next to Stonebridge car park. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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/ 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 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... Three sheep rescued from crashed car in North Yorkshire ditch https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-66715285 Water firms illegally spilled sewage on dry days - data suggests https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-66670132 Rishi Sunak to lift onshore wind ban as Tory MPs threaten revolt https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-66715141 UK bees in danger as Asian hornet sightings rise https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-66697968 Here’s how Brighton’s streets look after the Greens banned weed killer https://uk.yahoo.com/style/unsafe-looking-dump-brighton-controversial-135028706.html ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/