============================================ || || Wildnews Bulletin – 21st August 2024 || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || LNU: http://lnu.org/ | ||| Please email Editor on: philporterento@outlook.com || ============================================ 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. 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; Lincolnshire Bird Club and Lincolnshire Environmental Record Centre [LERC]. Compare earlier years/months. Past Bulletins archive [in text format] 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Editor writes: The Mailchimp platform that we use to send out the Bulletin gives us details of the degree to which recipients access the content, and we are pleased to confirm that the data show that it is out-performing the typical posting of its size and type across the land!. A lot of the material doesn’t change, with links to a wide range of subjects. We could possibly remove some of the ones which are hardly ever used, but it would be good to add some new material, so please consider suggesting fresh links that others would enjoy. We can always accommodate some more readers’ observations from gardens or local walks too. Birdwatching lists from inland are usually conspicuously few, with watchers highly concentrated along the coastal sites. (Notwithstanding Steve Hiner’s frequent coverage of Thurnholmes and Sedge Hole Close NR for example, see below). I have always thought that this imbalance, although entirely understandable given the increasing quality of the habitats and birds, undervalues the landlocked sites somewhat, so if you are visiting gravel pits, lakes or reservoirs, please send in a list or description - it doesn’t have to be filled with scarce or rare stuff, there is so much of interest in the common species during the passing of the seasons, and you can weave a story around everyday occurrences. Phil Porter's email is: philporterento@outlook.com Roger Parsons' email is: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk BTO's tracked Cuckoos - 6 already in The Sahel. https://www.bto.org/cuckoos *** This week's mostly-local news stories: *** Dead kingfisher prompts plea to anglers https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz6x15zp43po 'Nightmare river could close my boat business' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2y580gr41o Europe's biggest solar farm 'could desecrate fens https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crmwjkj73lgo 'There will be many footpaths simply lost' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1k3719g0p4o Work to start on storm-damaged riverbank https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0l81n7r73eo Volunteer group warns of worsening litter crisis https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgl2yxe20x7o Fighter jet on display after 'exciting' restoration https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvge47nll1yo Vapes warning after fires in recycling centre https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce810j6rre4o Narrowboat lowered into river for 2025 trips https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crlrkn79pelo Weever fish warning after people stung in resort https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c785wpnnlzpo *** Weather News and Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#? East Midlands weather forecast Thursday 22nd August - Sunday 25th August Headline: A bright start turning increasingly windy and cloudy. Thursday: A very windy start to the day with outbreaks of rain slowly clearing east through the day. Winds gradually easing. Maximum temperature 21 °C. Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Another wet and windy day on Friday. Some brighter spells on Saturday and Sunday with scattered blustery showers, perhaps heavy on Saturday. Temperatures generally rather cool. UK long range weather forecast Sunday 25th August - Tuesday 3rd September Sunday is likely to be settled cross most parts with bright, predominately dry conditions, although there will be a few showers, mainly in the north. Later Sunday into Monday, a band of cloud and rain is expected to move in from the Atlantic, bringing strengthening winds. This expected to bring the heaviest rain across northern and western hills of Scotland and Northern Ireland, then weakening as it moves southeast, further into England and Wales. The rest of the period is signalled to maintain the northwest-southeast split, but with settled weather in the south and east perhaps becoming more extensive across the country later. Temperatures overall will probably be close to average, with a chance of some short-lived very warm conditions in the south and east at times. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Watch: The Northern Lights seen from space https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/crlrx4zk717o Meteor Season: There are several Meteor Showers this month: The Delta Aquariids meteor shower is active from 12 July to 23 August https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/delta-aquariid-meteor-shower-2024-when-where-see-it-uk The Perseid meteor shower is active between 17 July and 24 August https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/perseid-meteor-shower-guide-uk-when-where-to-see-it-uk This Week's Sky at a Glance: https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/sky-at-a-glance/ Night Sky - highlights: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/blogs/astronomy Full Moons: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/full-moon-calendar Meteor shower dates: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/meteor-shower-guide BBC Sky at Night Magazine website: https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news *** EVENTS *** Kirton Marsh NNR. – Saturday 7th September 2024 11.00 for 12.00 start and finish about 16.00. Car parking at Kirton Marsh car park. Habitats: Saltmarsh, neutral grassland Leaders: Luke Hartley 07399 322211 hartley026@gmail.com and Sarah Lambert 07784169260 sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Grid reference: TF 34930 35810 What3Words: astounded.feelers.sleeps Nearest postcode: E20 1NA *** South Lincs RSPB Group *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB Group's details of their 2024 "Seal and Birdwatching" cruises aboard "The Boston Belle". There are twelve cruises organised for 2024, ending on 24th October. Full details on this website, including ticket prices, booking arrangements, sailing times and dates etc. Booking is essential. https://group.rspb.org.uk/southlincolnshire/ STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary.... The Heat-health Alert Service - sign up. https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/heat-health-alert-service Bird flu: Defra advice to the general public is to leave corpses alone and report the findings - but that landowners should dispose of birds themselves. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-latest-situation-avian-influenza-prevention-zone-declared-across-great-britain 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 - look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ For RBA's excellent articles: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp 12/8 Alkborough Flats, 7 Spoonbills, 2 Cattle Egrets. Anderby Creek, 2 Pied Flycatchers, 3 Wood Sandpipers flew south. Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis 1s on East Pit, Deeping Lakes. East Halton, Spotted Redshank. Frampton Marsh, Wood Sandpiper.1+ Curlew Sandpiper, 25 Spoonbills, 1 Spotted Redshank. Freiston Shore, Spotted Redshank. Pied Flycatcher Gibraltar Point, 15 Spoonbills on Tennyson's Sands. Huttoft Bank Pit. Pied Flycatcher. Mablethorpe, Caspian Gull juv, 3 Black terns flew south. 13/8 Frampton Marsh, 23 Spotted Redshanks, 3 Wood Sandpipers, Little Stint. 3 Curlew Sandpipers. Gibraltar Point, 3 Black Terns in Tern Roost at Greenshank Creek, Pied Flycatcher at West Dunes, Little Stint ad on Tennyson's Sands. Saltfleetby, Pied Flycatcher. 14/8 Anderby Creek, Sabine's Gull flew south past, Black Tern flew north. Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Wood Sandpipers at Anderby Marsh. Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis 1s on East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, 2 Wood Sandpipers,4 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints. Freiston Shore, Wood Sandpiper. Gibraltar Point, 2 Little Stints as + juv on Tennyson's Sands. Saltfleetby, Pied Flycatcher at Crook Bank. 15/8 Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis 1s on East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, 2 Little Stints, Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Wood Sandpiper, Gibraltar Point, Redwing ad re-trapped in East Dunes, 3 Little Stints on Tennyson's Sands, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, Wood Sandpiper, Garganey. Messingham,. 2 Wood Sandpipers opposite Scallow Grove Farm. 16/8 Frampton Marsh, Little Stint juv from sea bank, 2 Curlew Sandpipers ad + juv, 2 Wood Sandpipers, possible Pectoral Sandpiper reported. Gibraltar Point, 2 Little Stints on Tennyson's Sands,Short-eared Owl. Saltfleetby, Osprey on post at Saltfleet Haven Mouth, Pied Flycatcher at Crook Bank. South Ferriby, Hen Harrier male flew over the Hope + Anchor pub. 17/8 Alkborough Flats, Garganey. Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis 1s on East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Far Ings,Garganey. Frampton Marsh, 6 Spotted Redshanks, Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, Temminck's Stint, north of sea bank car park, 21 Spoonbills on Reedbed, Curlew Sandpiper. Gibraltar Point, Little Gull, 3 Black Terns offshore. Ingoldmells - west of, and east of Agglesthorpe, White Stork. 18/8 Alkborough Flats, Garganey, 28 Spoonbills, Spotted Redshank. Frampton Marsh, Little Stint, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Wood Sandpiper south of sea bank car park, juv Temminck's Stint on pool from Sea Bank, 7 Spoonbills on Reedbed. Gibraltar Point, 6 Spoonbills at Fenland Lagoon, Black Tern on beach, 2 Caspian Gulls, 2 Spotted Redshanks on Tennyson's Sands, Ingoldmells - west of, and east of Addlesthorpe, White Stork. 19/8 Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis 1s on East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, Temminck's Stint juv, SE of Sea Bank on pool, 27 Spoonbills from Reedbed Hide, Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, 4 Curlew Sandpipers. Gibraltar Point, Pied Flycatcher at East Dunes, Curlew Sandpiper, Caspian Gull in roost. Rimac, Osprey Saltfleetby, 2 Little Gulls both juvs on beach then flew inland, 3 juv Caspian Gulls on beach at Crook Bank, Black-headed Gulls, Sooty Shearwater flew north past. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 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 observations and welcome records from everyone, experts to beginners. Please keep your reports coming. BARDNEY - THE GREEN TF120694 R + A Parsons 15/8/2024 In garden - on bird feeder: 4 juv Starlings, 12 House Sparrows, 7+ Jackdaws. Patrolling Black-headed Gulls over after a summer absence. Pied Wagtail juv? on lawn. AP saw a muntjac deer in the churchyard next door 15/8/2024 approx 8am. On a walk round the nearby allotments on 16th we were pleased to see lots of pied wagtails, a flock of 20+ around the "community orchard" area and the cemetery. BARDNEY GARDEN Phil and Mary Porter TF117700 20th August 2024 In sunshine between showers there were some adult Brassica Bugs on our Nasturtium today, justifying my slightly tentative identification of the early stages last week. The British Bugs web site tells me that there is a red-spotted form which I keep searching for but all of those I have seen have been white-spotted. A few hoverflies included 2x Batman Hoverfly, 4x Syritta pipiens, 3x Sphaerophoria scripta, and 2-3 Drone Flies. The only butterflies were a few Small Whites and 1-2 Gatekeepers. (Augmented later in the day by 1x Red Admiral and 1x Holly Blue). Several Mint Moths on Marjoram. The garden beds, with their ultra-dry, thin soil, are back in their accustomed August state of semi-collapse after the luxurious growth during the rain in the first half of the year. The seeding stems don’t look great, but when the birds start getting hungry, we should be rewarded with some close-up views of tits and finches feeding more-or-less naturally, which we always look forward to. A Tawny Owl has been calling in or near the garden on a couple of nights this week. BUTTERFLY GARDEN  CHAMBERS FARM WOOD  TF 147740 Margaret Westcott  August 2024 August, lazy days, sunny weather, and lush growth following a wet spring. We weed, deadhead, prune the plum tree and repair the gates. Bright yellow now strikes the eye, 8ft helenium, 4ft helianthus and 2ft fleabane, set off with a backdrop of golden rod and purple loosestrife. The blackthorn has been clipped back a little, and already the Brown Hairstreak is laying its miraculous little eggs in the crook of the twigs. Butterflies seen include: Brimstone, Common Blue, Gatekeeper, Green-veined White, Large White, Meadow Brown, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small White, Small Skipper. Other invertebrates include: Migrant Hawker, Common Darter, Hornet, Roesel's Bush- cricket, Ruby-tailed Wasp, Purple Loosestrife Beetle, Lesser Stag Beetle, plus we have two well-used bee hotels. Next sessions are 3rd and 17th September. Newcomers all welcome. FAR INGS  Angela Buckle 18th August. Field bindweed. Straw dot moth. HORNCASTLE River Bain Between TF258700 and TF254693 Phil Porter 18th August An LNU Joint Field Meeting with East Mercia Rivers Trust and Sir Joseph Banks Society. Hoverflies; 3x Syritta pipiens, many Eristalis tenax, 4x E. arbustorum, 2x Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus baltiatus, 1x Xylota segnis and 1x Wasp Hoverfly Volucella inanis; other flies; 1x cranefly Tipula lateralis, 2x house fly Muscina levida, 1x bean-seed fly Delia platura, 1x snail-killing fly Pherbellia sp., 1x Lesser House fly Fannia sp., 1x Common Yellow Dung-fly Scathphaga stercoraria, 1x Calliopum geniculatum and many Common Greenbottle. Other insects; 1x Green Shield-bug, 3x Mint Moth, 1x Banded Demoiselle, 4x Common Darter. Plants I noticed included Water Forget-me-not, Reedmace, Common Reed, Himalayan Balsam, Wayfaring Tree, Guelder Rose, Mountain Ash, Hemp Agrimony and Reed Sweet-grass, and a tall Mint (species unknown) We also saw several broods of Mallards. KILLINGHOLME HAVEN Angela Buckle. 14th August, Hedge bedstraw, Common fleabane, Prickly oxtongue, Wood dock, Sea aster, Common knapweed, Scentless mayweed, Common mallow, Narrow-leaved ragwort, Prickly lettuce, Spear thistle, Teasle, Hedge bindweed, Rosebay willowherb, Great willowherb, Mugwort, Weld, Wild celery, Water figwort, Ladies bedstraw, Mignonette, Common centaury, Woody nightshade, Yellow wort, Wild carrot, Ploughman's spikenard, Vipers bugloss, Spear leaved orache  NETTLETON LODGE GAME FARM Ben Jacob Some observations from Nettleton Lodge Game Farm So firstly, a possible an example of racial prejudice among greylag geese at Nettleton. On Friday afternoon I heard the gaggling of an approaching skein of greylag geese which turned out to be 6, possibly a family party, however there were 5 greylag and one white goose. One of the greylag was aggressively flying at and obviously attacking the white goose and they collided several times, always the same graylag attacking the white goose which was on the defensive. On Saturday afternoon they had obviously sorted out their differences as the same skein flew over again but this time the white gooose had taken up its usual station within the skein and all appeared peaceful. I noticed on many of the oaks Oak Mildew Microsphora alphitoides, also Silk Button Spangle Gall Neuroterus numismalis. SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 14/08/24 Blackbird x 2 Carrion Crow x 3 Chaffinch x 3 Chiffchaff x 1 Common Buzzard x at least 2 young calling Jackdaw x 6 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 2 Robin x 1 Swallow x 4 Tree Sparrow x 4 Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 Meadow Brown x 3 Small White x 1 Speckled Wood x 4 Straw Dot x 1 Common Darter x 2 SOUTHREY WOOD TF131682 Phil and Mary Porter 19th August There was a good selection of plants in the wider rides; Purple Loosestrife, Wild Angelica, Devils-bit Scabious, Fleabane, Meadowsweet and a Hawkweed s pecies. Many Oaks with mildewed leaves. Insects included Wasp Hoverfly Volucella inanis, Pied Hoverfly, Volucella pellucens, very many Drone Fly Eristalis tenax, a few Common Tachina Tachina fera, several Linnaemya picta, 2x Silver-washed Fritillaries, 2x Peacock, 1x Gatekeeper, 1x Speckled Wood, several Common Darters, 1x Hornet, 1x Green Shield-bug. A calling Nuthatch, from memory, may have been the only bird we heard or saw! 2x Muntjac adult and young. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 06/08/24 Hedgehog x 1 youngster Soprano Pipistrelle x 1 (first this year) 22:00 hrs. (55hz) 07/08/24 Barn Owl x 1 02:50hrs Blackbird, lots Black-headed Gull x 39 over Thurnholmes Chaffinch x 6 Common Buzzard x 2 Goldfinch x 6 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 2 Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 2 fledged young Swallow x 7 Tawny Owl x 2 calling from Owston Ferry Warping Drain 02:50hrs Tree Sparrow x 42 Wood Pigeon x 6 Gatekeeper x 2 Green-veined White x 4 Peacock x 2 Speckled Wood x 6 12/08/24 Barn Owl x 1 22:00hrs Blackbird x 23 Blue Tit x 6 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 4 Chiffchaff x 1 Common Buzzard x 3 Goldfinch x 7 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 2 Robin x 2 Stock Dove x 2 Swallow x 7 Tree Sparrow x 48 Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 Yellow Wagtail x 2 Gatekeeper x 8 Green-veined White x 4 Meadow Brown x 4 Peacock x 2 Speckled Wood x 11 Common Footman x 2 Yellow Shell x 1 Black-tailed Skimmer x 1 Southern Hawker x 2 20/08/24 Common Blue butterfly x 1 Green-veined White x 3 Speckled Wood x 50+ all quite small in my orchard ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs and NATURE RESERVES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LWT Top Reserves: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list RSPB Reserves: https://www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report  14th – 20th August 2024 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   140824 – Male marsh harrier flew north over Crook Bank, greenshank and yellow wagtail flew south. 38 ringed plover also flew high south-west inland over Crook Bank. Two additional wasp spiders found in dune grassland at Rimac, representing the second and third reserve records. Wheatear Saltfleet Haven area. Odonata – 10 willow emerald damselflies Sea View. Common lizard at Churchill Lane.   150824 – Pied flycatcher and 20+ chiffchaff in Crook Bank dunes, where 2 raven flew south. Turtle dove purring at Brickyard Lane for the first time in a week. Another turtle dove north of Crook Bank car park. Large mixed tit and warbler flock Crook Bank dunes; 30 long-tailed tit, 10+ blue and great tit, 10+ chiffchaff and 5+ willow warbler. On Paradise Lagoon early afternoon 450+ redshank, 4 greenshank and 75+ lapwing.   160824 – Osprey perched on post at Saltfleet Haven after a number of days without sighting. Common sandpiper Eau outfall. Whinchat on dune frontage south of Rimac. Another whinchat at Elm House Farm, plus 2 snipe, 2 yellow wagtail and 40 pied wagtail. In dune scrub and willow bordering hedges north of Crook Bank were a spotted flycatcher, pied flycatcher, 5 reed warbler, 22 mixed chiffchaff/willow warbler with tit flock. Cattle egret and yellow wagtail flew south over Crook Bank, green sandpiper flew east then possibly the same bird went north, and a cream crowned marsh harrier flew north. Fulmar north over the sea in the evening, juvenile great crested grebe on the sea, 100 sandwich tern and 20 common tern on the beach. Moths – 2 hummingbird hawk-moth Churchill Lane.   170824 – Osprey eating fish at Saltfleet Haven. 2 arctic skua on the foreshore. 160 curlew, 120 redshank, 42 shelduck and 77 cormorant on Rimac foreshore. Single small tortoiseshell on the wing at Sea View, a sighting not seen for a long time.   180824 – Hobby flew over Paradise Lagoon. Osprey again perched at Saltfleet Haven, 2 peregrines nearby, 65 shelduck, 172 redshank and 2 whimbrel over saltmarsh. Arctic skua and manx shearwater flew south over the sea late afternoon. On Paradise Lagoon 16 little egret, 5 snipe, 57 redshank, 1 dunlin, 58 lapwing, 100 black-headed gull and 5 common gull. Nightjar disturbed from scrub in the Saltfleet Haven area. Another wasp spider seen in dune grassland at Rimac; the fourth reserve record.   190824 – Spotted flycatcher and green woodpecker Brickyard Lane. Great spotted woodpecker, willow warbler, chiffchaff, lesser whitethroat and blackcap all near Sea View. 2 juvenile little gull on Crook Bank foreshore then flew inland with black-headed gulls, also 3 juvenile Caspian gull, juvenile yellow-legged gull and 600+ sandwich tern. Adult and juvenile great crested grebe on the sea, 3 red-breasted merganser and 2 arctic skua flew south over the sea, as did a mix of waders throughout the morning, including 20 black-tailed godwit and 7 whimbrel which both later flew back north and landed on the foreshore. Fulmar, 12 black-tailed godwit and a whimbrel flew south over the sea in the evening, and 3 arctic skua, 2 manx and a sooty shearwater flew north. Grey heron flew out to sea and continued until out of sight, and a wheatear was seen flying in-off the sea. Osprey flew low west over Rimac dunes. Paradise Lagoon – 245 redshank, 111 lapwing, 10 snipe and 2 dunlin. Common sandpiper Eau outfall. Butterflies – 6 wall brown Rimac; 2 small tortoiseshell Brickyard Lane dune frontage; 3 small tortoiseshell Churchill Lane. Odonata – Norfolk Hawker Rimac pond platform. Another wasp spider found at Rimac and 5 young common lizard.   200824 – Temminck’s stint on Crook Bank foreshore at high tide with 300 mixed small waders. 22 black-tailed godwit, whimbrel and greenshank flew south, and an adult little gull was with 220+ sandwich and 20 common tern on the foreshore.    Donna Nook: 170824 – Osprey perched on marker post around realignment.   200824 – 13 greenshank Pye’s Hall outflow. Spotted flycatcher in conifers at southern end of NNR. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ These cover a huge area. 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: 3rd and 17th September 2024 https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/chambers-farm-wood-butterfly-garden ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Discover Woodland Trust woods near you- including the best woods for walks, wildlife watching, family fun and heritage. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/#=undefined&view=map Lincolnshire County Council - Local Nature Reserves https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/coast-countryside/nature-reserves Links to "Other Reserves" are welcome. Your suggestions, please. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 iRecord. 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 to the editor as early as possible. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. CONTACTS AND USEFUL WEBSITES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Links "not to be missed" *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. CONTACTS LIST Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union LNU Website: http://lnu.org/ LNU Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist 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/ Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Trust: https://lincolnshirechalkstreamstrust.org.uk/ South Lincolnshire Flora Group: https://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 The Wolds Fungi Group: Contact Paul Nichol via email: nichol20@gmail.com Lincolnshire Dormouse Group: Contact: lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com Wheels For Life https://www.activelincolnshire.com/wheels-for-life-bike-donation-lincolnshire 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 When asking for help: Please give 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 the recorder promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcomed. 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 NHBS - Frequencies of British Bats https://media.nhbs.com/equipment/British%20Bat%20Frequencies.pdf Bat Identification https://www.bats.org.uk/about-bats/what-are-bats/uk-bats/ Dragonfly Identification help https://british-dragonflies.org.uk/odonata/species-and-identification/ Slug ID Help Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01383 669 124 Email: chris.r.dufeu@gmail.com USEFUL WILDLIFE LINKS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. Lincolnshire Badger Group https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093647842292 Email: lincolnshirebadgergroup@hotmail.com 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 https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-flora-of-lincolnshire-e-joan-gibbons.pdf Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire: downloadable LNU book https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/mammalatlas.pdf *** For the Geologists *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Geological Society News: Key moments in the evolution of life on Earth captured in fossils. https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/news Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group: https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 Geology of the Lincolnshire Wolds: https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/special-features/geology The Geology of Lincolnshire: downloadable LNU book https://lnu.org/publications/books/the-geology-of-lincolnshire/ UK Fossils in Lincolnshire https://ukfossils.co.uk/category/lincolnshire/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 the editor: 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 unwise or untimely 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. [Views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU EVENTS DIARY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events *** https://lnu.org/meetings/ https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ Kirton Marsh NNR. – Saturday 7th September Saturday 7th September. 2024 11.00 for 12.00 start and finish about 16.00. Car parking at Kirton Marsh car park. Habitats: Saltmarsh, neutral grassland Leaders: Luke Hartley 07399 322211 hartley026@gmail.com and Sarah Lambert 07784169260 sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Grid reference: TF 34930 35810 What3Words: astounded.feelers.sleeps Nearest postcode: E20 1NA ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** National and international stories *** We pumped extra CO₂ into an oak forest and discovered trees will be ‘woodier’ in future https://theconversation.com/we-pumped-extra-co-into-an-oak-forest-and-discovered-trees-will-be-woodier-in-future-236617 New solar farms can benefit nature – here’s how https://theconversation.com/new-solar-farms-can-benefit-nature-heres-how-235991 The rainbow eucalyptus: the most colorful tree in the world https://www.zmescience.com/other/offbeat-other/rainbow-eucalyptus-most-colorful-tree-redone/ Famous Stonehenge stone came from Scotland not Wales https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c207lqdn755o Scottish isles may solve mystery of 'Snowball Earth https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj9l2mrn43jo Saving elusive Curlew nests and chicks with the help of drones and farmers in Wales https://www.gwct.org.uk/news/news/2024/august/saving-elusive-curlew-nests-and-chicks-with-the-help-of-drones-and-farmers-in-wales/? AI technology keeps 6,000 deer from rail routes https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg5l4jq231o Man stung 160 times after wasps invade his home https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0nwz82x4wo Sir Brian May says badgers not to blame for bovine TB https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly37q7qqyzo Why the skies turned red over the UK this weekend https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crkm2vpy7g6o Drone swarms could stop wildfires, researchers say https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg3e4pw294po *** Mail Fails *** Hazel Allen - Undelivered Mail Returned to Sender ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/