Sharks off the Lincolnshire coast
Early in July, two sharks were washed up dead on the Lincolnshire coast at Sandilands.
Twenty-one species of shark occur off the British coast - about half of these are resident all year round, the others are seasonal visitors. Although they inhabit our coastal waters, we generally don't encounter them. Visiting Lincolnshire beaches our only evidence of their existence is if one is washed up dead or from finding mermaid's purses which are the egg cases of dogfish (a species of shark), skates and rays.
Sharks have a bad reputation but most species are completely harmless to humans and many species are becoming increasingly rare.
> Read the report of the Sandilands sharks in the Louth Leader.
July 2008
First large-scale UK marine exclusion zone
After 18 years of campaigning by the local Wildlife Trusts, one of the UK’s finest marine wildlife sites is set to be protected from damaging scallop-dredging. Last month Defra announced the introduction of a 60 square mile exclusion zone in Lyme Bay - the first of its kind on this scale in the UK.
Lyme Bay, off the Devon and Dorest coasts, is home to around 300 recorded species of plants and animals including dense populations of the nationally protected pink seafan and the extremely rare sunset coral. As well as a haven for sponges, starfish and coral, the reefs also support a range of seafood animals, including crab, lobster and scallops.
> Further information about Lyme Bay can be on the Wildlife Trusts website.
> Read about our Marine Campaign and the Seas of Plenty leaflet.
June 2008
Orchids
Highlights of the orchid season on reserves this year include a record count of 10,000 marsh orchids at Whisby Nature Park, greater butterfly orchid at Legbourne Wood and the green winged orchids at Rush Furlong which are spreading from the original nature reserve into the recently added adjacent fields.
But all is not well on all our orchid sites. At Kirkby Moor the marsh orchids are earlier than normal but very small; on the marsh at Messingham Sand Quarry the marsh, common spotted and fragrant orchids are struggling perhaps because the marsh was under water for much of last summer due to the floods.
Remember to take care whilst enjoying the beauty of wild orchids. Don’t pick or trample on the flowers and to stick to footpaths to avoid potentially irreversible damage to the blooms. It is illegal, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, to uproot orchids.
June 2008
Banovallum House BioBlitzed!
Wildlife experts and the public took part in the third annual BioBlitz - a 24 hour wildlife survey - at Banovallum House in Horncastle from 4.00pm on Friday 16 May until 4.00pm on Saturday 17 May 2008.
An amazing 357 species were recorded - more than at the previous BioBlitz events.
> Read the press release to find what was found.
June 2008
Badgers and Bovine TB
The badger is one of Britain's best loved animals and part of our national heritage. However, badgers to carry bovine tuberculosis (bTB) and have been implicated in the spread of the disease to cattle. A large scale cull of badgers in areas where bTB is prevalent has been under discussion for many years. The Trust works closely with many farmers because they play a crucial role in conserving wildlife and managing the countryside. We have a great deal of sympathy for farmers whose stocks are affected by bovine TB. It is a serious problem but a mass eradication of badgers is not the answer.
> Read the Wildlife Trusts' response to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee report on badgers and cattle TB.
February 2008
A brighter future for water voles
A century after the publication of The Wind in the Willows, and six years after a change in the law was first recommended, “Ratty” is finally to receive full protection from the law, under new proposals announced on 26 February by Defra.
It will now be against the law to intentionally kill a water vole or to intentionally, or recklessly, damage or disturb the places they use for shelter or protection, meaning that their future is a safer one.
> Read the press release.
February 2008
Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Avian influenza is a highly infectious disease affecting many species of birds.
The recent spread of avian influenza (bird flu), caused by the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain, across Asia and into continental Europe poses challenges to those concerned with the health of domestic poultry and the conservation of wild birds.
The situation can evolve rapidly and it is now clear that wild birds can spread the disease across international boundaries.
The risk to human health in the UK remains low.
There is no evidence that H5N1 infections in humans have been acquired from wild birds. Human infections have occurred in people who have been closely associated with poultry.
Can I still feed the birds?
At the moment, yes. Make sure you wash your hands afterwards, and before touching your mouth or eyes, or eating food. This is good, common-sense hygiene and you should always do this after coming into contact with any animals, whether wild, farm animals or your pets.
What should I do if I find dead birds?
Birds die all the time, for all sorts of different reasons, and you are likely to come across them from time to time. Do not touch any dead birds - or any other animals - that you find.
If you notice sick or dead birds (wildfowl or gulls), you should inform Defra (ring 08459 335577). They will make an assessment on what further action should be taken.
Wild Bird Surveillance and Birdwatchers
Defra have selected Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve and Far Ings National Nature Reserve as priority areas for avian influenza surveillance. The Trust is calling on birdwatchers to help by reporting any sightings of dead birds of the target species.
> More information about how birdwatchers can help with the surveillance
> Avian Flu Update, 2 February 2007
November 2006
Harlequin discovered at Banovallum House
Since the first sighting of a harlequin ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) in the grounds of the Trust Headquarters, Banovallum House in Horncastle, in July 2007 many more have been seen.
Britain's native ladybird species of ladybird may be under threat from this invasive species. The harlequin ladybird, originally from Asia, eats aphids and may out-compete native ladybirds for food. We don’t yet know what the impact of harlequin ladybirds will be so it is important to record sightings of all ladybird species. If you see a ladybird please send us the record including as much information as possible (location as a grid reference or address, date seen, number seen and your contact details) and a digital photo (no larger than 1MB) for confirmation of species.
The harlequin ladybird is rounder in shape and slightly larger than most British species - measuring between 5-8mm. Colour patterns vary greatly, but most harlequin ladybirds that have been found in Britain are either orange with between 15 and 20 spots, black with 2 orange or red spots, or black with 4 orange or red spots. Just behind its head it has a white plate with a big black "M" shaped marking on it.
For further information about how to recognise the harlequin and to submit your records to the national survey go to: www.harlequin-survey.org
Harlequin ladybirds were confirmed in Lincolnshire in August 2006 including a sighting of one at Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve.
Good hygiene vital for garden birds
The Trust has received reports of birds, particularly greenfinches, dying in gardens. The most likely source of infections is contaminated bird tables, feeders or birdbaths. Birds can transmit infection, for example, by defecating on surfaces where other birds feed.
It is essential that all feeding stations or bathing surfaces are checked and cleaned regularly to remove any build-up of food particles.
> Read the press release
Trees threatened by disease
Horse Chestnut Bleeding Canker
In the summer of 2006, horse chestnut trees were affected by drought, a leaf miner moth and a bark fungus called bleeding canker. The leaf miner moth causes leaves to wither and fall but does not cause the death of the tree. Bleeding canker causes a black gummy substance to ooze from the bark. The tissue beneath is killed and badly-affected trees may not recover. According to estimates, horse chestnut bleeding canker is on the increase and struck around 40,000 horse chestnuts in 2006.
More information: www.forestry.gov.uk/fr/INFD-6KYBGV
Sudden Oak Death
The presence in the UK of sudden oak death, which can destroy trees, was confirmed at the end of 2002. Sudden Oak Death, caused by the fungus Phytophthora ramorum, has struck beech, horse chestnut and holm oak in Cornwall and southern red oak in Sussex. The fungus kills the trees by ringing the bark all the way round and cutting off the trees lifeline. There is no known cure.
Sudden oak death has killed many thousands of trees on the west coast of the USA but at this stage the affect of the disease on UK trees is not known.
Action: There have been outbreaks in plant nurseries mainly on rhododendrons, camellias and viburnum. Check shrubs carefully before buying them and if symptoms develop later contact your garden centre. See link for details of symptoms.
More information: www.defra.gov.uk/planth/pestnote/sudden.htm
Hummingbird Hawkmoths
Hummingbird hawkmoths look like tiny hummingbirds - hovering in front of flowers and feeding on nectar with their long proboscis. Most years, between June and August these moths can be seen in Lincolnshire. They are day flying and often seen in gardens. They dart from one flower to the next and are expert at hovering, beating their wings so rapidly you can hear them hum.
They are resident in the Mediterranean and migrate northwards through Europe in the spring. Hummingbird hawkmoths breed in the UK but unless it's very mild are unlikely to survive our winters.
Roger Goy's UK Wildlife Hotline
This is a service covering the British Isles. Roger Goy operates during the evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays. He is interested in national records and is pleased to receive calls at any time. If you want help or information on wildlife sightings, contact numbers, events, and virtually anything to do with British wildlife, then give Roger a call.
Telephone: 01522-544245
Pager: 020 8345 6789 and ask for messager 839822
Also see Roger's web site: www.wildlifehelpline.org.uk
Seal pups
Storms are a natural cause of mortalities among seal pups. From time to time the Trust receives reports to suggest that pups are being washed ashore as a result of bad weather. Without proper assessment and help, they may die, especially if they are sick or injured. If you find a seal pup, please follow these points:
Do not attempt to catch or handle pups. They bite.
Keep your distance, and keep dogs away.
Contact the experts right away.
Find out some more about our seals.....
Badgers, Otters, Rare Birds
For reasons of security, we avoid posting records of badgers, otters, rare bird nesting sites or other vulnerable wildlife. There are too many "low-life" egg collectors, badger diggers and the like who would take advantage of such information. However we do like to receive such reports to pass on to county recorders, who also treat information with discretion. You may pass this to us knowing we will do our utmost to keep such records secure.
If you suspect someone may be egg stealing or persecuting wildlife, don't tackle them alone ? they are not usually very nice people! Contact your local police wildlife liaison officer or the RSPCA who know the law and will know what to do.
Hare Coursing
The Hunting with Dogs Bill that came into force on 18 February 2005, makes all hare coursing illegal. If you see people pursuing hares with dogs, make a call to your local main police station and obtain an incident number (you will need to be prepared to make a written statement as to what you have witnessed). This will ensure the incident is formally logged on the police computer and will enable easier research of wildlife crime at a later date if it is required. There is no reason to approach individuals hunting with dogs, observation from a distance is the best policy.
