============================================ || || 5th June 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] 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Editor writes: Following on from my attempted heads-up for an entomological podcast last week, Annette Faulkner has put me right. She had enjoyed ‘Mysterious Origins of Insects ’which is on iPlayer; https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001zhxz/mysterious-origins-of-insects and I can thoroughly recommend it. After such a miserable cloudy cold period of weather, it is galling for Lincolnshire to hear the month of May being touted as the warmest ever! Statistics eh? We can only hope that we do get some warmer settled conditions soon (without being roasted alive). Steve Hiner and Paul Snow have produced a great detailed picture of local birds and wildlife from the north-west of the county and the Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe list from Ruth and Co continues to be a mainstay of the bulletin. Our other regulars are maintaining a high quality in put from their localities. But we could do with some new contributors if possible so do consider adding your insights to the roster. *** Bob Sheppard’s news *** The peregrines on St James' Church, Louth were ringed last week. Probably all three were females. They have already started exploring around the walkway. http://www.louthperegrines.org.uk/latest-news.html I must apologise for the poor quality of the Len Pick Trust camera feed. Some days it works, some days it's offline. We shall be ringing the barn owl chicks there soon so more information will be forthcoming when we see what we have. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/ The three osprey chicks at Loch Arkaig continue to thrive. Some days it is blowing a gale up there and is wonderfully calm here, and vice versa! https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/?utm_source=%252ospreycam&utm_medium=furl Roger Parsons adds: BTO's tracked Cuckoos https://www.bto.org/cuckoos Ruth Craig writes… Are you keen to do more to help Lincolnshire’s natural environment? The Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Trust are looking for volunteers to join their Board of Trustees. The LCST aims to advance the education of the public in the recovery, conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment of the chalk streams across Greater Lincolnshire. For more information on the role of a trustee please visit their website: https://lincolnshirechalkstreamstrust.org.uk/news-trustee-vacancies *** This week's mostly-local news stories *** Four peregrine falcon chicks born at Cathedral https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crggzjpxkjpo No D-Day flights for WW2 planes after fatal crash https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv22vjyrj54o Red Arrows pay tribute to Spitfire crash pilot https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqqq60e060eo Mysterious Roman object draws in the crowds https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd1152dzdp4o People urged to have their say on new reservoir https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4nnkl8ml7yo Work under way to double Brigg power station capacity https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-69073859 *** Weather News and Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#? Thursday 6th June Largely dry with sunny spells but the chance of a shower mostly over the Derbyshire hills. Winds strengthening into the afternoon. Maximum temperature 17 C. Outlook for Friday 7th June to Sunday9th June Largely dry with sunny spells but the chance of a shower on most days, particularly in Derbyshire. Some rather cool temperatures, especially by night. Breezy most days. Sunday 9th June - Tuesday 18th June Showers are likely to affect some north and northeastern areas at the start of this period with drier and sunnier conditions elsewhere. A build of pressure will probably bring settled conditions across the country as a whole for a few days after this, with dry conditions prevailing and periods of sunshine. Toward the following weekend, these dry conditions may start to decline with a greater chance that more unsettled weather could develop. Should this happen, the wettest conditions are likely to be in the north and west, with the driest weather in the south and east. There is still a chance that drier conditions could remain in place more widely. Temperatures are likely to be near or slightly below average at first, perhaps slightly above normal later. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Sky & Telescope says: There is no "planet parade" spectacle! "There is no "planet parade" spectacle! Friends and relatives may be asking you about the incredible "Planet Parade" they've heard is happening in the sky. The kernel of truth? This week, the seven planets other than Earth are in a line spanning about 90° along the ecliptic. But most of them are too close to our line of sight to the Sun to be seen at all. Only modest Saturn and Mars are in naked- eye view as dawn begins these mornings." This Week's Sky at a Glance, May 31 – June 9 https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-may-31-june-9/ June Night Sky - highlights: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/blog/astronomy/night-sky-highlights-june-2024 Full Moons 2024 - Strawberry Moon - 24th June. https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/full-moon-calendar Meteor shower dates 2024 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/meteor-shower-guide BBC Sky at Night Magazine website https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news *** EVENTS *** *** Lincolnshire Naturalists Union Field Meeting *** Saxilby Nature Project, Sunday 23rd June 2024 A new site for LNU field meetings Northwest of Saxilby. – Access courtesy of Ross and Eleanor Smith. 10.30 for 11.00 start and finish about 16.00..Car parking nearby off Sykes Lane. Grid reference: SK 87562 76768 What3Words: villas.hack.fixture – nearest postcode: LN1 2NX Habitats: Ponds, scrub and grassland on ex-arable Leaders: Luke Hartley 07399 322211hartley026@gmail.com, B rian Hedley brian_hedley@hotmail.com and Sarah Lambert 07784169260 sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com https://what3words.com/villas.hack.fixture PLEASE NOTE; the nearest postcode was printed incorrectly when this notice appeared last week. It is now corrected above as LN1 2NX *** South Lincs RSPB Group *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB Group has released details of their 2024 "Seal and Birdwatching" cruises aboard "The Boston Belle". There are twelve cruises organised for 2024, starting on 5th April and ending on 24th October. Full details are on our website, including ticket prices, booking arrangements, sailing times and dates etc. Booking is essential. https://group.rspb.org.uk/southlincolnshire/ *** Lincoln RSPB *** Volunteer opportunities available for people who are passionate about wildlife and conservation. Lincoln RSPB is running the Peregrine Watch at Lincoln Cathedral again this year. All weekends in June and July. Prior experience isn’t necessary, enthusiasm is more important. For more information, contact Gwen M. Randall, Volunteer co-ordinator. gwen.randall@ntlworld.com STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. 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 27/5 Cowbit, 4 Sanderlings and Little Stint at north end of Cowbit Wash. Frampton Marsh, 2 Little Gulls in flooded field opposite reservoir. Black- winged Stilt 1s fem, opposite visitor centre, 3 Spoonbills. Gibraltar Point, Icterine Warbler singing at Mill Hill. Hen Harrier. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, Golden Oriole, then flushed. 28/5 Cowbit, Little Stint and Grey Plover at north end of Cowbit Wash. Frampton Marsh, Lesser Yellowlegs 1s on pool by car park, 2 1s Little Gulls. Gibraltar Point, Firecrest in East Dunes. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, Red-footed Falcon in dunes south of Crook Bank car park. 29/5 Anderby Creek, Red-footed Falcon flew south past. Deeping High Bank, 3 Sanderlings at north end of Crowland Wash. Frampton Marsh, 3 Little Gulls, Black Kite reported - flew west over. Gibraltar Point, Firecrest male singing at Mill Hill. Spotted Redshank, Little Gull. 30/5 Alkborough Flats, Glossy Ibis Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis at East Pit, Deeping Lakes Cowbit, 3 Sanderlings and Caspian Gull 1s at north end of Cowbit Wash. Gibraltar Point, Firecrest, Golden Oriole male singing around North Car Park. Red-backed Shrike west of ridge at North Biilding, 31/5 Alkborough Flats, Glossy Ibis, Green-winged Teal drk. Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis 1s at East Pit, Deeping Lakes Frampton Marsh, 7 Little Gulls all 1s at Marsh Farm grassland. Gibraltar Point, Marsh Warbler reported. 1/6 Alkborough Flats, Glossy Ibis Frampton Marsh, 4 Spoonbills, Little Gull. Freiston Shore, Honey Buzzard over. 2/6 Alkborough Flats, Hooded Crow. Frampton Marsh, Lesser Yellowlegs on pool by car park, 7 Little Gulls, 3 Spoonbills Gibraltar Point, 3 Spoonbills flew SE over. Sturton by Stow, Quail male singing. 3/6 Cowbit, Garganey at north end of Cowbit Wash. Frampton Marsh, Little Gull 1s Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, Caspian Gull 1w on beach at Crook Bank, flew north. 4/6 Alkborough Flats. 2 Common Cranes flew over. Frampton Marsh, 3 Little Gulls, 4 Spoonbills, Lesser Yellowlegs on Marsh Marsh Farm grassland, in fen. Gibraltar Point, Little Stint, Greenish Warbler trapped and ringed. 5/6 Anderby Creek, Curlew Sandpiper Frampton Marsh, 3 Spoonbills on reedbad near visitor centre, Lesser Yellowlegs on Marsh Farm grassland, in fen. Gibraltar Point, Little Stint, Serin male flew north over beach.Farm grassland. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 or beginners. Please keep your reports coming. BARDNEY - THE GREEN TF120694 R + A Parsons w/o 2/6/2024 1-2 Bats echolocating at 55kHz between 21.30hrs and 05.00hrs. Up to 8 swifts regularly seen overhead. BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Phil and Mary Porter 30th May 2024 A Song Thrush chimed up after quite a long absence of song and continued through the week. Mary heard the sounds of a party of Long-tailed Tits but the garden has enough cover that they stayed out of sight. A male Great Spotted Woodpecker has become a regular visitor again. 31st May 2024. The Long-tailed Tits revealed themselves as a family party and we enjoyed watching a line of four young along a branch not far from the kitchen window, being fed by their parents, while their siblings bounced around in the apple trees. A pair of Stock Doves managed to commandeer a birdtable for long enough to feed without being bounced by Wood Pigeons. A kestrel kept up recent successful hunting but again we weren’t able to identify the prey. 1st June 2024 A Tree Sparrow was a most welcome visitor to the feeders, but was only passing through. A party of recently-fledged Wrens fed in the flower-beds 2nd June. The sun brought out some insects which had been largely missing; Orange-tips, a Garden Carpet moth, Thick-thighed Beetles and blue damselflies, a few of which emerged from the pond. Young Blue Tits were suddenly everywhere which a pair of Great Tits were still taking food back to a box. 3rd June 2024 We disturbed a 20-plume Moth from the porch. Just outside is a Honeysuckle which might have provided it with its larval meal. Mary heard a Bullfinch in the garden, and a lso a Goldcrest which we think has adopted our tall dense Juniper tree. FAR INGS Angela Buckle 2nd June. Creeping cinquefoil, Bee orchid. NETTLEHAM TF004753 (my garden) Bill Ball 2nd June 2024 Two Rosemary Beetle (Chrysolina americana) on lemon balm Lesser spotted woodpecker hammering nearby SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 17/05/24 Blackbird x 1 Blackcap x 1 Blue Tit x 1 Chaffinch x 2 Chiffchaff x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Jackdaw x 2 Robin x 1 Skylark x 1 Tree Sparrow x 5 Willow Warbler x 1 Wood Pigeon x 2 Yellowhammer x 1 Rabbit around 15 3/4 grown young STICKNEY TF322568 Gail Cartwright 1st June 2024> Bats every night for the last week around midnight 45k, once 15k also really pleased to hear them again, don't know about Medlam Bridge yet as haven't been up there yet but I suspect they will be there Saturday 25th May 2024 1 small dead deer on the main road from Stickney on the side of the road just past the 30 mph camera on carriageway going to Stickford, been there a few days I heard. Sunday 26th May TF322568 My garden 1 Barn Owl with a large black bird following close to its tail flying from my back garden to front, it perched on our fence for a few minutes then flew off. I like to think it was looking at our bird tower, but the Rooks and Jackdaws have got there first sadly, I'd rather have the owls, they're cleaner and quieter. We have seen a Barn Owl around for a few months now, hopefully we will have young soon, it's been a few years since we have seen them. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 15/05/24 Barn Owl x 1 22:00hrs 16/05/24 Blackbird, lots of fledged young all around paddocks Blackcap x 1 Blue Tit , at least 7 fledged young Carrion crow x 1 Cuckoo x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 5 fledged young Great Tit x 1 feeding young in nest Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Stock Dove x 1 on nest in box in chicken run Swallow x 12 including at least 1 on a nest in stables Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:30hrs Tree Sparrow x 7 Willow Warbler x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 Whitethroat x 2 Yellowhammer x 1 Green-veined White x 4 Orange Tip x 3 Speckled Wood x 3 Green Carpet moth x 3 daytime flying along hedgerows around paddocks Poplar Hawkmoth x 1 Security light Small White Wave x 1 security light 20/05/24 Mole x 1 (dead) Moths around security light; Common Carpet x 2 Poplar Hawkmoth x 1 (very tatty) White Ermine x 5 21/05/24 Barn Owl x 1 20:30hrs Blackbird x 2 Blackcap x 1 Blue Tit x 1 feeding young in nest box Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Garden Warbler x 1 Great Tit young ready to fledge from nest box Goldfinch x 6 fledged young Greenfinch x 1 Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 2 Pied Wagtail x 1 with food in bill Robin x 2 + several fledged young in barn Skylark x 1 Stock Dove x 1 on nest Swallow x 7 including 1 on nest Swift x 6 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:30hrs Tree sparrow x 2 on nests in boxes on stables Willow Warbler x 1 Whitethroat x 1 Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 Yellowhammer x 2 Green-veined White x 5 Peacock x 2 Speckled Wood x 5 24/05/24 Grey Partridge x 2 28/05/24 Barn Owl x 1 07:30hrs Blackbird , lots of adults and fledged young all around paddocks Blue Tit feeding young in nest box Carrion crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 6 Grey Partridge x 2 Jackdaw x 2 Magpie x 2 Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 1 fledged young (third this year from nest box in chicken run) Tree Sparrow x 2 Willow Warbler x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 Yellow Wagtail x 2 Green-veined White x 6 Speckled Wood x 6 Green Carpet x 4 Silver Y x 1 31/05/24 Blue Tit young fledged from nest box (at least 7) Setaceous Hebrew Character x 2 White Ermine x 1 03/06/24 Barn Owl x 1 01:10hrs Blackbird x 6 Blackcap x 1 Blue tit x 1 Carrion Crow x 1 feeding 4 fully grown young in nest in Scots Pine tree Chaffinch x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Common Buzzard x 3 circling over Thurnholmes Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Heron x 3 flying NE high over Thurnholmes Jackdaw x 1 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 2 Mallard x 3 over Thurnholmes Robin x 2 Skylark x 2 Stock Dove x 1 Swallow x 5 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:15hrs Tree sparrow at least 7 fledged young around the stable yard from nest boxes Willow Warbler x 1 Woodcock x 1 over Thurnholmes calling, 01:20hrs Wood Pigeon x 6 WATER RAIL WAY, SOUTHREY TF144660 Phil and Mary Porter 4th June The best surprise was finding Spotted Medick, a plant of restricted distribution in the county, in the short vegetation of the former sidings at Southrey Station. L esser Trefoil, Creeping Cinquefoil and Black Medick were just coming into flower. Birds included a single Swallow, a single Willow Warbler, Blackcaps and White- throats in song, and two male Cuckoos pursuing each other along the wires across the River. In the richer verges, Welted Thistle, Goatsbeard, Bird’s-foot Trefoil and Hemlock were also fresh out. The old platform was a mass of Ox-eye. Yellow Waterlily was flowering in the side of the River. The bridge over the Engine Drain provided views of Banded Demoiselle, male and female, 2 Red-eyed Damselflies, a male Blue-tailed Damselfly and a few chasers which didn’t come close enough to identify. WILLINGHAM WOODS Angela Buckle. 29th May.2024. Common cat’s-ear, Wood dock, Common spotted orchid, Ground-elder, Yellow flag iris, Cut-leaved cranesbill, Silverweed, Hedge woundwort, Lesser stitchwort, Gall on speedwell. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 29th May – 4th June 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 Note: Very strong cold northerlies on 31st May with a gust of 49.2mph noted. 290525 - Sea View Washlands: wood sandpiper, 2 avocets, 14 mute swans. 5 mistle thrush chicks at Sea View successfully fledged. Swifts flying over. 300524 - Pyramidal orchids starting to flower at Crook Bank. 010624 - 2 avocets on Paradise lagoon, 5 little egrets flew over. Grasshopper warbler singing on the saltmarsh at Saltfleet Haven. Soprano and common pipistrelle and Daubenton’s bats foraging along the Great Eau between Rimac and Saltfleet Haven. 020624 - Water vole swimming along the Eau near Sea View. 030624 - Moths found at Rimac: treble lines, common swift, marbled minor, white ermine, green carpet, cinnabar, shark, pebble prominent, pale prominent, poplar hawk-moth, small elephant hawk-moth, buff ermine, straw dot, brown rustic, square spot rustic, common wainscot, shoulder striped wainscot, middle-barred minor, common carpet, shears, bordered straw, dog’s tooth, latticed heath, mottled rustic, rosy wave, grass rivulet, purple bar, fox moth, clouded border, shaded pug. 040624 – Marsh bedstraw, southern and early marsh orchids, skullcap in flower. Common frog, common toad and smooth newts seen at Rimac. Other Local Reserves 020624 – Donna Nook: Arctic skua, osprey, lesser whitethroat, avocet. 030624 - Muckton Wood: Common spotted orchid, white clover, honeysuckle, dog rose, greater stitchwort, bugle, marsh thistle, red campion, Herb-Robert, common dock, large white, 2 speckled wood, red admiral and red admiral caterpillars in nettle 'tents', green- veined white butterflies, straw dot moth, spittle bug nymphs, red cardinal beetle, bee’s nest in tree, grey squirrel, variable long-horn beetle, dark bush-cricket, chiffchaff, blackcap, song thrush, buzzard, nuthatch. Fir Hill Quarry: Herb-Robert, red campion, bird’s-foot trefoil, common spotted orchid, red clover, marjoram, yellow rattle, cowslips, germander speedwell, ribwort plantain, hogweed, yellow wort (not yet in flower), knapweed (not yet in flower), forget me not, lady’s bedstraw, dark bush-cricket, scorpion fly, leaf miner on hogweed, mint moth, click beetle, chiffchaff, blackbird. Legbourne Wood: Herb Robert, ribwort plantain, dog rose, red campion, bugle, yellow r attle, greater stitchwort, dog violet, honeysuckle, wood avens, hogweed, common spotted orchid, brown-tailed moth caterpillar, red cardinal beetle, common shrew, grey squirrel, dog vomit slime mould, King Alfred’s cakes, chiffchaff, song thrush, willow warbler, robin, wren, great tit, blackbird, stock dove. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: 18th June, 2nd July, 16th July 2024 https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/chambers-farm-wood-butterfly-garden Lincolnshire Dormouse Group Gemma Watkinson writes This summer, as there are forestry works being undertaken by Forestry England over the summer at Chambers Farm Woods, we will have limited access to the woods this year, and things may need to change at short notice. To manage visitor numbers, we are going to need to limit non-licenced visitors to around 10 people, and will require those who are interested in joining each session to email through to 'sign-up' no later than a week before each session. Please email lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com if you are interested in joining us. The summer dates we so far have approved with FE for nest box checks are: Saturday 15th June Sunday 21st July Saturday 17th August As always for the summer sessions, we will meet at 9.30am, and this will be outside the wood centre in the car park, but this may need to change. Looking forward to another dormouse-filled summer! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: 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. 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 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 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. 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 Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire: *** For the Geologists *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Dinosaur hunter stumbles across million-dollar find https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crggxgl1k0xo Concern for Iceland town following new eruption https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c844em2ey7eo 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 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: 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 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/ *** Lincolnshire Naturalists Union Field Meeting *** Saxilby Nature Project, Sunday 23rd June 2024 A new site for LNU field meetings Northwest of Saxilby. – Access courtesy of Ross and Eleanor Smith. 10.30 for 11.00 start and finish about 16.00..Car parking nearby off Sykes Lane. Grid reference: SK 87562 76768 What3Words: villas.hack.fixture – nearest postcode: LN1 2NX Habitats: Ponds, scrub and grassland on ex-arable Leaders: Luke Hartley 07399 322211hartley026@gmail.com, Brian Hedley brian_hedley@hotmail.com and Sarah Lambert 07784169260 sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com https://what3words.com/villas.hack.fixture PLEASE NOTE; the nearest postcode was printed incorrectly when this notice appeared last week. It is now corrected above as LN1 2NX ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** National or international stories *** World record broken for living thing with most DNA https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cl44g57jv4mo Ealing beavers: Dams, canals - and perhaps babies https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c72231r7pyno Butterflywatch: swallowtail emerges again in Norfolk despite winter floods https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/may/29/butterflywatch-swallowtail-winter-floods-norfolk-broads Country diary: These summer migrants are remarkable – and humbling https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jun/04/country-diary-these-summer-migrants-are-remarkable-and-humbling Asian hornets overwintered in UK for first time, DNA testing shows https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jun/03/asian-hornets-overwintered-uk-first-time-dna-testing Country diary: A maybug wedding on the doorstep https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jun/03/country-diary-a-maybug-wedding-on-the-doorstep https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/jun/03/country-diary-a-maybug-wedding-on-the-doorstep Asian hornets have overwintered in the UK for the first time https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv223y9yee7o *** Mail Fails *** None ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/