============================================= || || 11th March 2018 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || || LNU Website: || http://lnu.org/ || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Readers' hints, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR 6. Other Reserve Reports and Highlights 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... ============================================ Reports here are open and are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union, the Lincolnshire Bird Club and Lincolnshire Environmental Record Centre [LERC]. Text versions of past Wildnews Bulletins back to Feb 2009: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. The Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Bulletin is being read by over 1000 people and we are keen to encourage even more readers to subscribe. Please use the "forward to a friend" link at the end of every LNU Bulletin and invite new readers to give it a try. We really need your help with this. Please contact the Editor to contribute articles or reports. E-mail: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Readers' hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor writes... *** The LNU Executive Committee decided to postpone and reschedule this year's AGM of Saturday 3rd March. The new date for the AGM will be: 7th April 2018. This will be followed by the Presidential Address by Richard Jefferson on ‘The natural history & ecology of grasses in Lincolnshire’. https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/2018-03-03/ Quite a few readers will recall the winter of 1947 with snowdrifts up to the electricity lines. A friend can remember "Jumping over the wires!" Can you remember the 1933 winter with 48 hours of continuous snow? Or the winter of '52-'53 with the smog that killed a possible 12,000 people? Here is "The history of British winters" - a useful summary for your files? https://www.netweather.tv/weather-forecasts/uk/winter/winter-history Last week's significant snowfall drove hungry fieldfares to visit gardens to beg or steal something to eat. Windfall apples are always a welcome treat. They will defend their feeding territory very aggressively. There were several such records last week, and more are coming in. Lincolnshire Environmental Awards. Are you applying? Deadline for applications: Saturday 31 March 2018 http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/awards As usual I have included a selection of topical links. Most were sent in by readers. Suggestions for interesting links are always welcome. See: Around '10,000' fish have been discovered dead in the River Witham. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-43284342 Storm Emma causes sand drifts along Lincolnshire coast http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-43287865 The bizarre walk of the Western Grebe https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/western-grebe-walk-camera-05032019/?utm Tens of thousands of starfish wash up on British beach http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/starfish-beach-kent-ramsgate-cold-weather-sea-beast-from-east-dead-frozen-a8239156.html Swarm of starlings causes 'roadblock' in Norfolk http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-norfolk-43242706/swarm-of-starlings-causes-roadblock-in-norfolk Tree loss pushing beetles to the brink http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-43262254 Thank you for all your contributions this week - something for everyone. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** LNU Events Diary *** LNU events are listed below in section 11. For LNU meetings, see: https://lnu.org/meetings/ [Note: Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm.] Field Meetings 2018 - details on: https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/ Swinn Wood LWT Reserve – Sunday 29th April 2018 Greetwell Hollow LWT Reserve – Sunday 27th May 2018 Shearman’s Wath / West Ashby Pits – Saturday 23rd June 2018 South Ormsby Estate – Saturday 7th July 2018 Raithby Beck Wood – Saturday 4th August 2018 Sutton Bridge area – Sunday 2nd September 2018 Swinn Wood LWT Reserve – Sunday 14th October 2018 Next meeting: Swinn Wood LWT Reserve – Sunday 29th April 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2018-04-29/ Swinn Wood LWT Reserve, Northwest of Alford Access courtesy of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet and park at wood entrance which is at TF421777. Nearest postcode: LN13 0ED which is east of the wood. NB. Very restricted parking so please car share where possible. Likely need for reverse parking along entrance track (first in, last out policy). Verges near entrance are Roadside Nature Reserves so please no parking on them, especially if arriving earlier than 12.00. Nearest public toilets in Alford town centre. Habitats: Ancient woodland with ponds and ditches. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com *** Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important *** Grab a Grid Reference: http://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ *** Bulletin Bookshelf - free in return for an LNU donation *** I am having a weed of my "library" and for starters offer 2 books that may be of interest to some readers – free if you donate £5+ -ish per book to LNU. Both titles can be “Googled”. [I will be starting with unusual stuff and get on to birds and botany later!] Terrestrial Acari of the British Isles. Volume One. Evans, Sheals and Macfarlane. 1961. Hard cover. Dust jacket. Good condition. Est Value £10-25 Evolution in the Genus Drosophila. Patterson and Stone. 1952. First printing. 1952. Hard cover. Fair condition. Est Value £10-25 Contact Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk [I can bring them along to the LNU AGM if you are interested.] *** Love Lincs Plants - Updates *** Here is the first of hopefully many opportunities for Bulletin Readers to become involved in the Love Lincs Plants project. Aidan Neary - LoveLincsPlants Project Officer writes: Free plant identification and herbarium collection training sessions at Whisby Education Centre led by Fred Rumsey and Kath Costello from the Natural History Museum. There are four spaces left on the Friday 23rd March session at Whisby for 18-35 year olds. The Thursday session is full.. Session 1 (over 35s): Thursday 22nd March 2018. 10am to 4pm – Full Session 2 (18-35 year olds): Friday 23rd March 10am to 4pm. – 4 places left The main focus of the session will be on plant collection, pressing and drying techniques as well plant identification tips. An excellent opportunity to get involved with the creation of our new Lincolnshire herbarium (#LoveLincsPlants). To book on please ask interested trainee to send an email to: Aidan Neary aneary@lincstrust.co.uk Love Lincs Plants Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Sir Joseph Banks Society http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/news-events/lincolnshire-plants-project/ Natural History Museum Twitter feed https://twitter.com/nhm_botany?lang=en Lincoln University School of Life Sciences blog https://lifesciences.blogs.lincoln.ac.uk/2016/09/30/heritage-lottery-funding-to-safeguard-lincolnshire-plants/ *** Whisby Natural History Workshops - diaries out! *** Richard Davidson writes: I've just finished the summer program for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Lincoln Group which includes the workshops at Whisby this summer: At Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln, in the Lafarge Education Building from 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Free of charge. Refreshments included. Places are limited due to the number of microscopes available. I've got two bookings already. Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com Find out more about the various subjects from our local experts. Mining Bees - June 2nd - David Shepherd Hoverflies - July 28th - Phil Porter & David Denman Ground Beetles - August 11th - Alan Lazenby Plant Galls - September 8th - Jan Rousseau Bryophytes - October 6th - Steven Heathcote. Fungi - November 3rd - Ray Halstead *** Bryophyte meeting *** Snipe Dales, Lincolnshire – Saturday 17th March 2018 We will be meeting to record Lincolnshire's bryophytes again, the last time before the main LNU program starts. This month's destination is Snipe Dales, a semi-natural wet valley system. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/snipe-dales Parking and the meeting location is in the reserve car park which is signposted from B1195 Horncastle-Spilsby road (TF330682). Meeting time is 10AM. There is a small charge for the car park apparently. We are interested in rumours of Sphagnum and a 1972 record of Fountain Apple-moss (one of two post-1930 records for this species in Lincolnshire). We plan to stay out most of the day so please bring warm/dry clothes and a packed lunch. Anyone is welcome for part or all of the day. Please let me know if you plan to attend so I can make contact if there are any last-minute changes due to weather (steven.heathcote@gmail.com). Reports from previous meetings can now be found on the following website: https://lincsbryology.wordpress.com/ *** March Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html *** Star Gazing Lincs – Saltfleetby – Saturday 10th March 2018 *** East Lincolnshire Astronomy Club presents Star Gazing Lincs Saturday 10th March 2018 2pm to 10pm at Marshlands Community Hall, Saltfleetby Louth LN11 7SS A free public event to celebrate Astronomy in Lincolnshire with observing, talks and activities for budding star gazers. Discover the night sky whatever the weather in the planetarium with three presentations over the afternoon, 2:15pm, 3:15pm and 4:15pm. Evening session, special guest speaker, Paul Money FRAS. See real rocks from space with meteorite collector Michelle Clark. Kids activities with space enthusiast Cosmic Carol. Safe solar observing in the afternoon and see the wonders of the night sky using club member's telescopes during the evening (weather dependent). Northern Optics trade stand Lincolnshire astronomy societies attending. Pre-book places in the planetarium or lectures at #Stargazinglincs For further information www.lincsastro.org *** Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society. *** Section Secretary needed. With the approaching retirement of the current secretary in October this year, the "section" is looking for a successor. The role would suit a person with good organisational skills to carry out the usual tasks of running a voluntary group. For more information contact Keith Scarrott who can explain what is involved. Tel: 01724 762098 *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ Keith Scarrott writes: The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society. On Monday, 12th March next we have the very welcome return of our well- known local ornithologist Graham Catley to give us an illustrated talk that he has entitled "Fifty Years of Lincolnshire Birding". Graham's lifelong love of birding has taken him far and wide but he has devoted most of his time to studying and photographing the birds in our Lincolnshire county. The high quality of his photography is well-known and has been used in some pres- tigious magazines. Graham is unique to our area and is giving us a unique talk. Don't miss it! Our meetings are held in the St. Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, North Lincs., DN16 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. Our meetings start at 7.15pm and ALL ARE WELCOME. There is no entry charge but adonation bowl is provided. Light refreshments are available at the mid-talk break for a small charge. There is a large free car park at the church. For further details contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** Local RSPB links: *** Grimsby & District RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby Martin Francis writes: The RSPB Grimsby Local Group's next trip is to Old Moor on Sunday 18th March, leaving Millman's Coach depot in Wilton Road, Humberston at 7.30am and returning by about 6.30pm. Booking is essential The Group's next meeting is at 7.30pm on Monday 19th March at Holy Trinity Parish Hall (formerly called Corpus Christi Community Centre), corner of Machray Place, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes DN35 7AE. Graham Catley, (ornithological consultant, photographer and serious local patch birder), will give an illustrated talk about the birds of Vancouver Island and Western British Columbia There will also be refreshments and a raffle. Entry is £4, payable at the door. All are welcome. You don't have to be a member of the RSPB to attend this talk, or to go on the trip. For more information, or to book the trip, please contact Martin Francis (Group Leader) at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com (preferred) or on (01472) 883436" S Lincs RSPB http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire Lincoln RSPB http://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/ *** Alford & Mablethorpe Branch LWT *** https://www.facebook.com/LWT-Alford-Mablethorpe-Area-Group-175413729474673/ *** Barton Area Group LWT *** https://www.facebook.com/LWT.Barton.Group Adrian White writes: Barton Area Group invite you to join in with our March events.  All welcome, Trust membership not necessary. All our events are free although donations are welcomed! Saturday 17th March Tophill Low reserve A full day trip to this East Yorks. reserve to see the wintering wildfowl and raptors. Warm clothing and waterproof footwear essential. Hot drinks available on site but bring your own food. Meet at Ness End Farm car park, Far Ings, for a 9am start. Contact; Adrian White (01724 732152) for details. Wednesday 21st March "Costa Rica and Panama" A talk by local photographer and tour guide Mandy West about her trips  to these two bird-rich countries. Meet at Ness End Farm centre for a 7:30pm start. Contact Adrian White (01724 732159) for details. Refreshments available. Donations welcome. To get to Ness End Farm from Barton-upon-Humber, travel west along Far Ings Road, go past the brown signs for Far Ings visitor centre and past the turning for the hotel. The road narrows and after 300 yards Ness Farm car park is on your right (satnav post code DN18 5RG).  *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk Carolyn Davis writes: On Monday 12th March 2018 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to their next indoor meeting where farmers Neville and Maureen Turner will be speaking about the history and work of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. There will be a Trust goods stall, raffle and tea & coffee available. Admission £3, all are welcome. For further details contact Jennie Redpath - 01472 502858. *** Horncastle & Woodhall Spa area group LWT *** https://www.facebook.com/hwsag/ *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson writes: Lincoln Area Group Talk March 15th: The World of the Red Fox Dr Carl Soulsbury (senior science lecturer for the school of Life Sciences at Lincoln University) looks at the Red Fox in Britain and elsewhere, a subject he has studied for many years.  Talk at Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm.     Admission £2.50 which includes refreshments. *** Louth area group LWT *** http://lwt-lag.org.uk/ *** LWT Area Groups *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/area-groups *** More Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Events *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/whats-on ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Bird Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ I have adapted RBA pager data/information for the Bulletin by eliminating or consolidating repeated messages. Note - I have been leaving out late/historical reports to save going back to re-do entries. From now on I shall squeeze in important reports, marking them with a * to indicate their lateness. 2/3 Black-throated Diver, Red-breasted Merganser, Great White Egret, Deeping High Bank, north of Deeping Lakes Great White Egret by River Till, Sturton by Stow 12 Red-crested Pochards, Langtoft Pits 3/3 White-tailed Eagle on beach near Churchill Lane Saltfleetby, then flew south to Crook Bank beach at Theddlethortpe Slavonian Grebe, pit 25, Barton-upon-Humber pits Little Gull ad, Boultham Mere Mealy Redpoll with Lesser Redpolls and Siskins, in Alders, Gull Pit, Baston and Langtoft pits - view from road Red-necked Grebe, 1w Little Gull, Bagmore - no general access 4/3 Jack Snipe, Manby Flashes 6 Little Gulls offshore, Gibraltar Point Mealy Redpoll, Marston sewage works Long-tailed Duck, just north of A16 south of Spalding Mealy Redpoll 1m, fem on feeder at Park Road, Willingham -by-Stow Goshawk ad fem reported over saltmarsh, Friskney then flew towards Gibraltar Point 4 Great White Egrets between Tattershall and Kirkstead bridges on River Witham 3 Scaup 1 drk, 3 Short-eared Owls, at Cut End at River Witham mouth SE of Boston Slavonian Grebe on [clay] pit 25, Barton upon Humber 5/3 Mealy Redpoll 1m, fem on feeder at Parl Road, Willingham -by-Stow 4 Great White Egrets between Tattershall and Kirkstead bridges on River Witham Slavonian Grebe on [clay] pit 25, Barton upon Humber Red-necked Grebe, drk Common Scoter, Covenham reservoir 6/32 Short-eared Owls, 2 Hen Harriers, 1 male, Frampton Marsh Long-tailed Duck* on River Welland south of Spalding Great White Egret, Deeping High Bank Slavonian Grebe pit 25, Scaup, Barton-upon-Humber GPs [sic] Probable Hawfinch near church, Elsham 7/3 Spotted Redshank, Hen Harrier ad male, Frampton Marsh Great White Egret, 4 Scaup 1 drk, River Witham near Kirkstead Bridge, Woodhall Spa Great White Egret between Alderfen and Roger Torne 2 Smew both redheads, drk Smew, Deeping Lakes Bewick's Swan in field, Huttoft Bank Pit Iceland Gull 2w, Yacht Club Pools, Tetney Marshes Iceland Gull imm north of Saltfleet Haven Rare Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. More comments on Ringers' experiences: BOSTON (South near A16) February 2018 Kathleen Pearson I did the BTO Garden BirdWatch on all 28 days in February and though the garden is in an increasingly urban area with much house building now developing, the number of species was quite high at 25. Nevertheless the number of birds of each species seen together is very small except for 5 key species with a high regular occurrence of high numbers - Blackbird, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Greenfinch and Goldfinch. (I would have to have added Starling in the breeding season, but at present there have been many days when there have been none in the garden and only one day with more than a handful). Of particularly low attendance were Blue and Great Tits (maximum count 3 and 2 present) quite different to January. Paradoxically a high proportion of the Blue and Great Tits seen in the garden through the year are carrying rings, which would appear to be the opposite of the experience excellently reported from the north of the county. I wonder if this could possibly be due to the absence of woodland in our vicinity and the preponderance of suburban gardens with a high degree of bird feeding, together with a number of ringing areas nearby? The female Blackcap has not been seen since January, though the male attends the Mahonia frequently. We managed three gull species this month, whose food tends to bring in Jackdaw and, surprisingly, several Carrion Crows, though the only other member of this family this month was Magpie. House Sparrows have become a species that are not often seen, occurring on only 5 days. The species seen are listed below with the highest number seen together. Blackbird 10, Wren 2, Woodpigeon 8, Collared Dove 10, Goldfinch 16, Chaffinch 1, Greenfinch 9, Robin 1, Starling 9, House Sparrow 2, Dunnock 2, Blue Tit 3, Great Tit 2, Black-headed Gull 5, Long-tailed Tit 4, Jackdaw 1, Song Thrush 1, Carrion Crow 4, Magpie 1, Blackcap 1, Coal Tit 1, Sparrowhawk 1, Herring Gull 2, Common Gull 1, Fieldfare 8. Grey Squirrel 1. ROAD KILLS? Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. Hedgehog numbers 'down by half', warn wildlife groups http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-42959766 Your sightings and roadkill records please. *** 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 we welcome records from everyone, experts or beginners. Please keep your reports coming. DON'T FORGET - TIME FLIES! Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BARDNEY The Green TF119694 R & A Parsons 2/2/2018 2 Fieldfares in garden - usual squabbling/conflict. 3/2/2018 Chaffinch 8f, 8m Goldfinch 4+ Great Tit 2_ Blue Tit 2+ Coal Tit - occasional Robin 1 Blackbird 3 Dunnock 2 House Sparrow 8+ Starling 20+ Black-headed Gull 10+ Jackdaw 2-3 Magpie 2 Woodpigeon 6 Collared Dove 2 COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 February 26 - March 3rd 2018 Jane Ostler During this period of snow and temperatures down to -5 during day, birds have provided the main interest. At many bird tables Fieldfare have been feeding on apples and "seeing off anything smaller than a crow." Also one or two instances of a single Redwing. A Buzzard sitting on a garden hedge was a starling sight and a whole flock of Starlings overwhelmed one small garden. Amongst more regular finches were Brambling, Linnet and Siskin. Someone reported Redpolls. 3 Robins were amongst birds who spent their time in battle. Both the River Witham and a Spring which runs into remain running , even in hard frosts and attract in waders. The Little Egrets and the Great White Egret, together with a Heron and a Kingfisher were constants at the northern end of the Witham. I was not able to identify a small wader from a photograph taken in flight in the snow. At the spring there was a Snipe and a Redshank along with the regular Moorhens. GRANTHAM SK918356 Thurs 1 March 2018 M. Ellis Nuthatch Blue tits Coal tit Blackbirds Wood pigeons HORKSTOW Jenny Haynes 2 March 2018 A Fieldfare appeared in my garden today, competing with the many blackbirds for food under the feeders. Sign of how the bad weather is affecting wildlife, I expect. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762  27/2/2018 Wood mouse 1 1/3/2018 Song thrush 1 Wren 1 4/3/2018 Bluetits 2 Chaffinch 2 Great tits 2 Wren 1 6/3/2018 Whooper swan 1 - flying overhead towards south 7/3/2018 Ladybird 7-spot 1 Rabbit 1 - in field next to my garden - had what looks like myxomatosis KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 03/03/18 Jon Drakes Species recorded whilst carrying out the weekly Garden Bird Watch for the BTO in our back garden were: Blackbird 3 Black-headed Gull 1 Collared Dove 15 Dunnock 4 House Sparrow 10 Robin 1 Starling 5 Woodpigeon 1 KEELBY (Grid reference TA1610) 03/03/18 Jon Drakes A walk around the woodlands and fields to the North of the village with snow on the ground and a cold Easterly wind blowing found he following species recorded: Blackbird - large numbers of birds in hedgerows and around field e dges feeding with Fieldfare. Black-Headed Gull Blue Tit Buzzard 1 Carrion Crow Collared Dove Common Gull Dunnock Fieldfare - large numbers of birds in fields, hedge rows and woodland. Great Tit Greater Spotted Woodpecker – single bird heard and then seen “drumming” on tree in woodland. Grey Heron Herring Gull House Sparrow Jackdaw Jay Kestrel - single bird observed hunting over pasture land. Long-tailed Tit - group of between 15 and 20 birds feeding in woodland. Magpie Mistle Thrush - several birds feeding around woodland edge with large flock of Fieldfare. Nuthatch - at least two birds feeding in woodland. Pheasant Robin Rook Song Thrush - several birds feeding around woodland edge with large flock of Fieldfare. Starling Woodpigeon Wren Roe Deer (Stag) 1 LINCOLN NORTH HYKEHAM LN6 8TA  Grid Ref: SK 94601 67749 Keith & Evelyn Jobling (and neighbours) Wednesday 28th February daily till Sunday 4th March 2018 Throughout the day feeding on Holly and other berries Fieldfare - 2 We also have the following daily residents (numerous) Blackbirds Robin Wren Sparrow [House] NOCTON Jerry Gunner wrioes on 7/3/2018 We have six in the overhead at the moment, lots of calling but no acrobatics. I don’t remember ever seeing so many together at one time. RAITHBY-CUM-MALTBY, rural garden near LOUTH TF309847 unless otherwise stated Silvia Fowler 01.03.2018 Fieldfare flew into window but survived and flew off after a short rest. Never seen one in the garden before, and all berries long gone. 02.03.2018 Buzzard again unusually low over house/fields in the fierce easterly wind 03.03.2018 Small frog (yearling?) dead in snow by roadside (not sure if roadkill or the frost) 04.03.2018 8 Canada Geese foraging on muddy pasture (TF308848/TF309848) 18:10 hrs: Tawny Owls, 1 m and 1 f calling to each other 05.03.2018 Skylark in song (TF301845 approx) 06.03.2018 Song Thrush in song 18:05 hrs: Little Owl calling and another one responding in the distance (90% certain of Little Owl; seen one in the same area in previous years) (TF306947) Also Tawny Owl f (TF307847) 07.03.2018 First Blackbird song this season (TF308848 approx) THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 01/03/2018 Blackbird x 1 Dunnock x 2 Goosander x 4 males, 2 females Owston Ferry Warping Drain Robin x 1 Snipe x 1 landed in thick snow, Owston Ferry Warping Drain 05/03/2018 Barn Owl x 1 SK785999 Blackbird x 6 Blue Tit x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Coot x 4 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Dunnock x 3 Great Tit x 2 Lesser Redpoll x 21 Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 2 Wood Pigeon x 5 Yellowhammer x 1 WADDINGTON 1st March 2018 Waddington SK975 639 Peter Wilson I have a new resident in my garden, a single Fieldfare, which is very nice. The only problem is that it is very aggressive and keeps all the other birds away from the feeders. The blackbirds are quite frightened of him, and I have a lot of them, they are here more or less permanently. WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK 91/24 February 22nd-25th 2018 (Before snow) Jane Ostler FLOWERING PLANTS Flowers out on Gorse, Lesser Celandine, Stinking Hellebore, Spruge Laurel , Whitlow Grass, Hairy Bittercress, Ivy-leaved Speedwell, Snowdrops, Yew, Alder and Hazel. NON-FLOWERING PLANTS The only fungi noted were common brackets - Turkey Tail, Hairy Curtain Crust, Cramp Balls. MAMMALS Hare and Badger seen out at dusk. Evidence of Fox. Only Rabbits seen were two, caught in headlights on Roadside Nature Reserve. First Lambs in fields on 23rd February. Evidence of Deer making their way through field of Elephant Grass. Newly emerged leaves of planted bulbs on Woolsthorpe Line nibbled off, probably by Wood Mice BIRDS On a day of bitterly cold north-eastern winds Siskins, Blackbirds and Chaffinch all feeding at base of hedge. On same day 20 House Sparrows at feeders in sheltered part of garden. Dead Barn Owl on Roadside Nature Reserve. By the next day it appeared to have been taken by a fox. Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Skylark, Blackbird, Great Tit and Robin all heard in full song over this four days. Gardens backing onto Line provide records of birds coming from there to feeders. These included Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Greenfinch, Long-tailed Tits and Redwing. Tawny Owl heard at night. INVERTEBRATES No Bumblebees reported. Whitefly though seem to be thriving on the Sprouting Brocolli. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/collections/thewash_northnorfolk.aspx LWT Reserves: http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ FAR INGS NNR https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-Of-Far-Ings-National-Nature-Reserve/186876774685595 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/donna-nook-nnr http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 28th February – 5th March 2018 Contributors: - Matt Blissett, Cliff Morrison, Peter & Janet Roworth & John Walker General Notes & Weather Observations: February weather notes - From the 1st - 17th a continual wave of fronts from the west gave unsettled, cold and at times raw weather. Frosts were frequent falling to -7.25°C ground (-3.0°C air) on the 6th. Showers almost daily and snow grains on the ground were observed on the 19th. A high pressure system became established over the UK on the 19th giving a brief rest bite with relatively mild temperatures and a maximum temperature of 9.5°C was recorded on the 19th. However by the 22nd the high pressure was gradually drifting eastwards bringing very cold easterly winds from Eastern Europe and Siberia. These winds were strong; continually force 5 and 6 bringing a noticeable wind chill. A gust of 28.3mph was recorded on the 24th. Snow flurries were observed early on the 26th with snow grains settling on the ground. Snow showers continued to the end of the month driven on by bitterly cold easterly winds. A gust of 45.4mph (wind chill -6.2°C) was recorded on the 28th and snow laying to a depth of 4.25cm on concrete, later in the day a gust of 46.3mph was recorded with a wind chill of -8.9°C. The daytime max for the 28th was 0.5°C. This cold spell has affected most of the UK with disruption to travel and villages cut off, many schools closed etc. Total precipitation for the month was 35.70mm (1.41 inches). Daily Notes and Wildlife Sightings: 28th A male kestrel was struggling to keep airborne as it flew along the scrub in search of prey near Sea View in f6+ bitterly cold easterlies. A woodcock was seen to fly over the area later in the day. 1st Bitterly easterlies continued all day. Gust of 53.8mph (-9.3°C chill) am and 60.6mph (-7.9°C chill pm). No snow showers during 24hr period. At Sea View a common snipe was seen to land in the garden. It looked ‘all in’ and took rest but after several minutes began to move and search for food by probing through snow. Seen to take a couple of earthworms after around 5 minutes it took off and flew out of sight. 2nd Cold easterlies continue. Gust of 56.7mph (-8.6°C chill) am and 51.8mph (-5.6°C chill) pm. On saltmarsh 3 common snipe, 50+ redshank and a possible kittiwake (single bird flew south at a distance but very difficult holding binos!), 4 long-tailed tits at the feeding station near Sea View 3rd Lessening of easterly winds with a gust of 25.6mph (-0.9°C chill) am and 21.5mph (-1.2°C). In pasture field near Paradise were 2 lapwing, 4 fieldfare, 2 redwing, 32 starling and 6 tufted duck with shoveler and teal on the lagoon. Near to Sea View a single woodcock (very ginger brown) flew out of the dunes and another seen later in the afternoon, plus of note 6 redwing, 12+ blackbird, 12 chaffinchs, 1 sparrowhawk and 1 kestrel. A white-tailed sea eagle observed briefly on the foreshore & flying south. There were 6 woodcock carcasses, minus any breast meat, between Crook Bank and the lagoon towards Churchill, but this morning, even the wings/sketetons had gone. Woodcock always head back to the coast in periods of frost weather, but given that these carcasses were all on the beach, perhaps they were continental birds fleeing the severe cold there. There were many cuttlefish bones of various sizes, which was more unusual. Cuttlefish have a life span of around 2 years, so they will be from both 2016 and 2017 stock. 4th East-south easterly gust of 17.2mph (2.9°C chill) am. Paradise lagoon 60% ice cover and on open water 91 teal, 4 mallard, 16 shoveler, 1 little grebe, 4 shelduck and a pair of pintail plus 12 redshank on the edge.  Mistle thrush singing in Paradise wood and great spotted woodpecker and male sparrowhawk nearby. A walk from Rimac along the strandline at low tide revealed a diversity of marine life washed in from the stormy seas and easterly winds of the past week. Crabs - many still alive, included edible, velvet swimming, harbour, shore, hermit, masked, spider sp. and squat lobster sp. Starfish – common, common sunstar, brittlestar sp. and bloody henry. Live shellfish – whelks and razor clams. A number of fish were washed up, the most numerous being lesser weaver and flounder others include pogge, long-spined sea scorpion, dragonet and ray sp. possibly cuckoo or thornback. Other marine life included large sea anemone’s ranging in colour from red to green clinging to shell fragments, the unusual sea mouse, a large species of worm and common heart urchin. 5th Winds now from the south-west giving a totally different feel to the day with increase in temperatures and sunshine through breaking cloud. Snow now thawed. Two short- eared owls flew from the dunes near Paradise wood to over the saltmarsh. 14 twite. At the tide edge on the high tide were 1600 knot, 100 dunlin, 10 oystercatcher, 6 ringed plover, 40 great black-backed gull, 50 herring gulls, 200 black-headed gulls and 300 common gulls, so obviously good feeding on the marine wreck mentioned above. Also seen peregrine roosting on shingle ridge, barn owl over freshwater marsh and another over saltmarsh, bullfinch 2 pairs, either side of Churchill Lane in blackthorn stands, twite 9 on outer Rimac saltmarsh. Beached Bird Survey 7.5km of strandline walked and all bird corpses (or parts of) recorded as part of a nationwide survey: pairs of wings only - woodcock 17, dunlin 5, oystercatcher 2, redshank 2, mallard 1, common gull 1, black headed gull 1; also head and neck of pink foot goose and 5 pairs of unidentified small wader wings , and 2 unidentified tails; corpses 1 to 4 days old - guillemot 5 , razorbill 1, cormorant 1 plucked and mostly eaten, possibly by the white tailed eagle on 3rd? Despite winds of 50-60 miles per hour on several days, curlew were flighting out, albeit with difficulty, to roost each evening. Clearly the need to avoid predators exceeded the potential advantages of roosting on inland fields. As soon as the winds ameliorated on the 3rd March, robin, chaffinch, collared dove, great tit and song thrush were all in song. By 5th March, dunnock in the dune bushes and  skylark along the outer dunes were also in song. The value of garden feeding stations: In a Brickyard Lane garden, over 20kg of bird seed was consumed by 20+ blackbird, 5 fieldfare, 3 redwing, a mistlethrush and a song thrush. Finches included over 20 chaffinch, 4 goldfinch, a greenfinch and a brambling. There were 3 snipe, 2 woodcock, 2 lapwing and a curlew also present despite the confined conditions of the garden. A garden feeding station at SeaView attracted good numbers of birds including 8 blackbird, 2 fieldfare, 1 song thrush, 4 robin, 4 dunnock, 4 starling and a single redwing. Unbelievably a common gull landed near the feeding station and pecked at some grain on the ground before flying off Message in a bottle: On 4th March a 500 ml plastic bottle with a letter inside was found on Theddlethorpe strandline. It had been launched on 23rd February 2018 in the Ems estuary near Emden north Germany by a brother and sister – we will reply and interestingly, they requested the bottle be recycled by the finder. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR These cover a huge area, and records from them and records from volunteer recorders are one of the main inputs to management planning and the protection of rare/scarce and critical species. Reports always welcome. http://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/visit/woods-and-nature-reserves/127031.article Also see: Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html LWT Lincolnshire Limewoods http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/living-landscapes/lincolnshire-limewoods ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lincolnshire Dormouse Group The Lincolnshire Dormouse Group meet monthly at Chambers Farm Woods. We always welcome visitors and new members. Dormice are legally protected and sensitive to disturbance; attending the group's meetings provides the opportunity to see dormice legally with licenced surveyors. If you are interested please email lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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, which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and non-designated areas. Since managing the SSSI areas carries particular responsibilities to Natural England, 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 - LNRs, private reserves etc. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to LNU Recorders and improve the quality of reports, as well as the quantity and the geographical coverage. In return for this 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! Mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin goes out on Thursdays or Fridays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk 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.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given here. http://lnu.org/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org A list of all the articles contained in Transactions (Transactions page) and a list of the Presidents (Officers page) is also available on the LNU website. LNU Bursaries: The LNU offers bursaries for natural history courses. The upper limit is £250. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk *** CONTACTS LIST *** Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ Care of Sick or Injured Animals - information on LWT website http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/sick-and-injured-animals InsideEcology: Online Magazine for Ecologists, Conservationists and Wildlife Professionals https://insideecology.com/ British geology maps now free to explore on web http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ *** Bird Club Website *** http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Bat Group website *** http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/lincolnshire-chalk-streams *** Lincsbirders *** http://www.lincsbirders.org/ FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE :07768-501895 PAGER : 07654-330877 Related Webpages: Hare coursing https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/hare-coursing/ Wildlife Crime http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/issues/crime STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** EasyTide *** http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Weather Underground *** https://www.wunderground.com/ *** Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service *** http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. 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 welcome. *** Botany *** Botanical Group in South Lincs Contact: Sarah Lambert, who writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Also see: http://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 *** Identifying Fungi *** App: http://rogersmushroomsapp.com/ BMS Checklist of names: http://www.fieldmycology.net/GBCHKLST/gbchklst.htm BMS Keys for Macrofungi http://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/library/keys/ *** What's That Butterfly? *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/ http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php *** Identifying Dragonflies *** http://www.british-dragonflies.org.uk/content/uk-species *** How to Identify Bees *** http://www.bwars.com/ http://bumblebeeconservation.org/ LNU 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). d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** Lincolnshire Mammals *** Chris Manning, Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. Mammal Atlas You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. http://www.glnp.org.uk/our-publications/biodiversity/projects-and-reports.php *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further information and to submit records contact: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com You can input reptile and amphibian data at: http://www.recordpool.org.uk/ Please remember, common species are just as important as rarer species. *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: 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: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Non-Marine Molluscs *** Alex Pickwell is the LNU Recorder for Non-marine Molluscs Email: alex.pickwell@environment-agency.gov.uk USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership http://www.glnp.org.uk/ (of which LERC is a part) Contact: charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk *** Life on the Verge and Wildflower Meadow Network Project *** http://www.lifeontheverge.org.uk/ *** Good sources of seeds of Bee-friendly Wild Flowers *** Plantlife and Flora locale have defined protocols that can guide the conservation-minded shopper. See: www.floralocale.org/Alphabetical+supplier+listing *** Lincs Bird Club *** LBC County Bird Recorders John Clarkson - Covering the north of the county recorder_north@lincsbirdclub.co.uk Phil Hyde - Covering the south of the county recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk Contact 01507 528223 enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** http://www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk/ *** RSPB local webpages *** https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/find-a-reserve/reserves-a-z/reserves-by-name/t/tetneymarshes/ https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ John Badley, Site Manager for RSPB Lincolnshire Wash reserves e-mail: john.badley@rspb.org.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in a few cases may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. 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. For good advice for ALL nature-watchers see the RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ and BTO's pdf: https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u10/downloads/taking-part/health/bwc.pdf [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see http://lnu.org/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, Moor Lane, Thorpe on the Hill, Lincoln and start at 2pm. Indoor Meetings 2018 Annual General Meeting – 3rd March 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ Field Meetings 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/ Swinn Wood LWT Reserve – Sunday 29th April 2018 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2018-04-29/ Swinn Wood LWT Reserve, Northwest of Alford Access courtesy of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet and park at wood entrance which is at TF421777. Nearest postcode: LN13 0ED which is east of the wood. NB. Very restricted parking so please car share where possible. Likely need for reverse parking along entrance track (first in, last out policy). Verges near entrance are Roadside Nature Reserves so please no parking on them, especially if arriving earlier than 12.00. Nearest public toilets in Alford town centre. Habitats: Ancient woodland with ponds and ditches. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Greetwell Hollow LWT Reserve – Sunday 27th May 2018 Greetwell Hollow LWT Reserve, (partly a geological SSSI) Eastern edge of Lincoln Access courtesy of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. 12.00 for 13.00 start. Meet and park at TF001717 which is roadside parking in far north-eastern corner of Allenby Road Industrial Estate, Lincoln. Nearest postcode: LN3 4PH. There is a short section of path north to the Hollow through rough grassland/scrub via a ‘gate’ in fence and by crossing Greetwell Road. NB. Some steep slopes, marshy areas, a fairly busy road to cross plus high levels of public usage. Nearest ‘public’ toilets in McDonalds just to north in Carlton Shopping Centre car park or Tescos nearby. Habitats: Calcareous grassland, scrub, stream, marsh, wet woodland, pond, rocks. Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com Shearman’s Wath / West Ashby Pits – Saturday 23rd June 2018 Shearman’s Wath next to West Ashby Pits. North of Horncastle A private site with access courtesy of Mike Harrison. Afternoon and evening moth/bat session. 12.00 for 13.00 start and then again from 21.00 for evening session. Meet and park on wide roadside verge at TF252719 (just east of River Bain bridge) which is located on minor road which joins the A158 and A153 north of Horncastle. Nearest postcode: LN9 5PP (which takes you slightly NE of meeting spot). NB. Some steep slopes and deep water areas. No mains available for moth traps. Nearest public toilets are in Horncastle town centre. Habitats: Lakes, ponds, marsh, grassland, scrub Leader: Brian Hedley 07989 665794 brian_hedley@hotmail.com South Ormsby Estate – Saturday 7th July 2018 Raithby Beck Wood – Saturday 4th August 2018 Sutton Bridge area – Sunday 2nd September 2018 Swinn Wood LWT Reserve – Sunday 14th October 2018 Whisby Natural History Workshops In partnership with the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union. At Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln, in the Lafarge Education Building from 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm. Free of charge. Refreshments included. Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com Find out more about the various subjects from our local experts. Places are limited due to the number of microscopes available. Mining Bees - June 2nd - David Shepherd Hoverflies - July 28th - Phil Porter & David Denman Ground Beetles - August 11th - Alan Lazenby Plant Galls - September 8th - Jan Rousseau Bryophytes - October 6th - Steven Heathcote. Fungi - November 3rd - Ray Halstead ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** If you recognise the owner of a 'part-address' below, please let them know that their their Bulletin has 'bounced' this week.] melvyn birkett - hard bounce - address cleaned If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, please let me know. Text copies of current and past Bulletins can be found on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html ....and finally..... DNA sheds light on settlement of Pacific http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-43265137 Penguin super-colony spotted from space http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-43250744 Diabetes is actually five separate diseases http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-43246261 Country diary: the magic of moss https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/mar/01/country-diary-the-magic-of-moss Country diary: flat feet, long in the claw. A warlike creature https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/mar/03/country-diary-flat-feet-long-in-the-claw-a-warlike-creature A fifth of Europe's wood beetles at risk of extinction as ancient trees decline https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/mar/05/a-fifth-of-europes-wood-beetles-at-risk-of-extinction-as-ancient-trees-decline Thousands of starfish have washed up dead after the ‘Beast from the East’ – here’s why https://theconversation.com/thousands-of-starfish-have-washed-up-dead-after-the-beast-from-the-east-heres-why-92891 ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/