============================================= || || 8th April 2020 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || || LNU Website: || http://lnu.org/ || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Information, 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 from Feb 2009 http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or any associated organisations. Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Information, hints, tips and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Editor writes... *** A big thank you to everyone who managed to send something in this week. What a great range of locations and observations - all done "at a distance". You may have noticed most of the Co-19 and HS2 links have been put at the end of this week's Bulletin so you can ignore them should you so choose. Caroline Steel writes: You may know BTO Garden Watch is now free, https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/gbw/join-gbw but you may have missed that BSBI has started a Garden Wildflower Hunt, https://bsbi.org/garden-wildflower-hunt Please Remember: All LNU Meetings until the 8th June have been cancelled. We will monitor the "progress" of CO-19 and update you on further cancellations, and the eventual resumption of meetings at some point, through the LNU Bulletin, LNU Website meetings pages and the LNU Twitter feed. Keep checking these sites for updates. Anything could change as the epidemic evolves. We assume all such activities are OFF until we beat Covid-19. Meantime stay safe and keep your news and reports coming. Reminders: The Lincolnshire Show has been CANCELLED. All events and activities for Love Lincs Plants are CANCELLED until further notice. Forestry Comission says: Stay home, stay safe – please do not come to our forests. Bird Fair 2020 has been cancelled. https://www.birdguides.com/news/birdfair-2020-is-cancelled/ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on the Coronavirus, Covid-19 is here: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus A selection of topical news stories and wildlife articles can be found on the following links. Hopefully you will find them an improvement on The News. An extraordinary cracking story - I won't spoil it for you..... 'Overwhelming': British hiker emerges from wilderness to find New Zealand in grip of Covid-19 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/03/overwhelming-british-hiker-emerges-from-wilderness-to-find-new-zealand-in-grip-of-covid-19 Big Garden Birdwatch results https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/results/ Photo of the Week: 25-31 March 2020 - BirdGuides https://www.birdguides.com/articles/photo-of-the-week/photo-of-the-week-25-31-march-2020/ Sandilands in Lincolnshire; our first coastal land in the Midlands - National Trust https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/Sandilands Lincolnshire - Country diary: old maps reveal folds in time https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/25/country-diary-old-maps-reveal-folds-in-time Self-isolation proves a boon to rainfall project - are you doing it? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-52040825 Seal pup found 15 miles away from North Sea home released [Tattershall!] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-52135652 Coronavirus: RAF Woodhall Spa 'may be virus mortuary' - sobering. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-52120992 Coronavirus: what the lockdown could mean for urban wildlife https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-what-the-lockdown-could-mean-for-urban-wildlife-134918 Coronavirus: Transforming London's ExCeL centre into Nightingale hospital I hoped they had time-lapse-filmed this. They did! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-52112652 Coronavirus: Clear nights skies delight photographers. Cameras and tripods ready? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-52120114 Coronavirus: Lockdown prompts clear fall in UK air pollution - it's an ill wind... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-52113695 Cute and fluffy: meet the bee-flies - Discover Wildlife https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/insects-invertebrates/bee-flies/ Chick hopes raised as 'courting' ospreys return to Fouldshaw Moss https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-52116950 Climate change: Warming clips the nightingale's wings https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-52111309 Oceans can be successfully restored by 2050, say scientists https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-52122447 I hope some of these links lifted the spirits. Stay healthy. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - this is my best address for emails please. *** Flusurvey *** Readers may recall me mentioning Flusurvey a few times in the Bulletin. This is an on- line weekly questionnaire managed and monitored by Public Health England (PHE) designed to monitor trends of infectious diseases in the community. This week's questionnaire says they have had a good response to their recent call and now have over 10,000 registered participants, but more would be welcome. Some of you may have signed up already - so many thanks for doing that. The focus of the ILI survey, "Influenza-like illnesses", has been adapted and now includes COVID-19 symptoms, so participants are playing an active part in that research. Anyone can register and help. It's easy - I've been doing in for some years now - it only takes a few minutes a week and the initial registration is straightforward. If you are not yet contributing I commend it to you as a really handy way of "doing our bit". I would encourage everyone to register and contribute as [unsurprisingly] they need data from healthy as well as infected participants. You don't have to be ill! Roger https://flusurvey.net/ *** LNU Events Diary *** LNU events are also listed below in section 11. "All LNU meetings until the 8th June are cancelled." For LNU meetings and workshops, see: https://lnu.org/meetings/ [Note: Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, and start at 2pm.] Field Meetings 2020: Website says: "All LNU meetings until the 8th June are CANCELLED." We will update you if/as situation changes. *** Whisby Workshops 2020 *** "All LNU meetings until the 8th June are CANCELLED." We will update you if/as situation changes. *** Whisby Natural History "drop-in" sessions - CANCELLED *** "All LNU meetings until the 8th June are cancelled." https://lnu.org/meetings/drop-in-sessions/ *** RSPB Frampton Marsh: Visitor Centre CLOSED! *** Frampton Marsh visitor centre (including the toilets) will be closed until further notice. The hides will also be closed, as will those at our sister reserve of Freiston Shore. *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards POSTPONED to Autumn *** The Lincolnshire Environmental Awards have been postponed to Autumn of 2020. For general information in the Awards see: www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** About Coronavirus [COVID-19] - a good starting point *** https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 *** Check for road works and hold-ups: very useful *** 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 *** http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** EasyTide *** http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx *** Lyme Disease *** https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/ *** April night sky... - still OPEN for business... *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Meteor Shower Guide 2020 https://www.rmg.co.uk/discover/explore/how-to-see-meteor-showers-key-dates Heads up: The Lyrid meteor shower will peak on the night of 21-22 April 2019 My pupils used to tell me the best way to watch for meteors was lying on a trampoline. https://www.rmg.co.uk/discover/explore/lyrid-meteor-shower-when-and-where-see-it-uk *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** Please check the Website for CANCELLATIONS. http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ Keith Scarrott writes: All meetings of the Scunthorpe Museum Society, both indoor and field meetings, have been cancelled until further notice. Hopefully, if the coronavirus pandemic is over by then, our "new 2020/2021 indoor season" of meetings will start on Monday, 10th September, with an update talk on the "Wilder Ancholme Project". Let's hope so, and that we can then look forward to a much happier, safer future. *** Grimsby & District RSPB *** http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby April and May Meetings and Trips of the RSPB Grimsby Local Group have been CANCELLED. *** South Lincs RSPB - please check the website *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: “Birdwatching cruises into the Wash” programme for 2020. Full details of all cruise dates and times, costs, 2019 Sightings and CANCELLATIONS can be found at : https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/news/ Booking is once again via Spalding's South Holland Centre (01775-764777) or online at www.southhollandcentre.co.uk *** LWT Reserves *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves *** LWT Get Involved page - including Area Groups *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved *** Louth LWT *** Ray Woodcock writes - CANCELLATION. We will decide the fate of the 24 April AGM and meeting in due course. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT - CANCELLATIONS *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: Rare Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] Dick Filby writes: Whilst it is not possible to travel for birding at this time, we are adapting the RBA news service to be more relevant to the current situation. We will report on the birds that it may be possible to see from your garden, your window, or as you walk around your neighbourhood. So we are now featuring, and invite, more reports of the ‘commoner’ regular migrants than normal including any notable ‘visible migration’ (vismig) and also ‘nocturnal migration’ (nocmig) records. For example your garden records of species such as Firecrest, Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher are welcome, records of overflying Hobby and inland waders, and interesting incoming records such as Common Scoters and Water Rails. With this level of news you will have a much better idea of what may be possible to see each day at home, on a daily basis as spring progresses, if you are interested. The Bird Observatories and other premium sites around the country, where people are fortunate enough to live next door to great habitat, will continue to give another view of what is being seen and we will report this news to you. RBA note on visiting Middlemarsh Wetlands, Skegness: Access from A52 thru The Pines Caravan Park, TF537628 If visiting Willow Tree Fen see: LWT website for directions and updated information on parking and access. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/willow-tree-fen What is a "ringtail" Hen Harrier? "While males are a pale grey colour, females and immatures are brown with a white rump and a long, barred tail which give them the name 'ringtail'. https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/hen-harrier/ 1/4 Brambling in garden, Holme Lane, Sand Martin over, Bottesford 2 Great White Egrets flew over Bardney Short-eared Owl in field, Spalding Black Redstart fem/1w male, Humberston 2/4 Black Throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute by trees just north of Nun's Corner/A1234 Scartho roundabout 3 Common Scoters flew over Grantham overnight 2+ Common Scoters flew over Fillingham Lake 5+ Common Scoters flew over Normanby "NocMig: Good numbers of wildfowl moving again this evening including several groups of Common Scoter inland." 3/4 2 Common Cranes flew over Quadring, north of Spalding 2+ Common Scoters flew over Legbourne at 10.19pm 6+ Common Scoters flew over Spalding late evening NocMig: reports since dusk of Common Scoters audible from Glamorgan to London + from Somerset to W Yorks. https://nocmig.com/2018/11/12/common-scoter-nocturnal-flight-calls/ https://www.xeno-canto.org/species/Melanitta-nigra 4/4 White-tailed Eagle east of Louth, flew north 2 White-tailed Eagles reported near Grimsby Great White Egret at Trent Port Wetlands w of Marton, then flew along River Trent 3 Yellow Wagtails, Toft Newton Reservoir Water Pipit, Swanpool flashes 2+ Common Scoters flew over Lincoln overnight 2 Common Scoters flew over Deeping St James at 12.10am 5/4 Iceland Gull imm flew south over Grimsby Grey Phalarope [Not Red-necked] on pool, near Saltfleetby Sandwich Tern flew SE over Baston+Langtoft GPs Hen Harrier ,ale, Saltfleet Haver Spoonbill flew west over Far Ings NR, Barton-upon-Humber Firecrest, Anderby Creek 5 Arctic Terns flew east past , 6 Common Scoters flew over overnight, Saltfleetby St Peter 6/4 Black Redstart male, in garden, Laceby Road, Grimsby Ring Ouzel male, Huttoft Bank Firecrest, Grasshopper Warbler, Anderby Creek Glaucous Gull, Pywipe NocMig: reports of common Scoters audible from Cheshire 7/4 Hooded Crow, North Somercotes Ring Ouzel male, Louth 9 Yellow Wagtails, 2+ White Wagtails, Toft Newton reservoir Hen Harrier ringtail, Baston & Langtoft GPs Avocet, 2 White Wagtails, 8 Yellow Wagtails, Deeping High Bank 8/4 Firecrest at Chapel Pit, Chapel Six Marshes ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work and drop-in sessions at the Queen in the West pub! http://www.bbc.co.uk/lincolnshire/content/articles/2005/08/30/nature_sightings_feature.shtml Marion Ellis writes: Kingfisher My day was made on 31 March on my afternoon walk along the River Witham in Grantham. I saw a kingfisher. A flash of brilliant blue flying past. Marion adds: The churchwarden at St. Wulfram's in Grantham tells me they have a webcam, but it's set up inside the now closed church. But there is at least one peregrine falcon picture on the St. Wulframs facebook page. Bob Sheppard has updated the peregrine news. As of 30th March these church sites have peregrines on eggs. Boston Stump. Bottesford St Mary's Louth St James Unfortunately all churches are closed due to the coronavirus so their webcams are not accessible to the public at the present time. Grantham St Wulframs' peregrine egg laid 31st March. WEBCAMS Bob Sheppard has sent the following details of his favourite webcams to occupy the hours most of us will be spending at home in the next few weeks. Put them in your favourites. There are lots of choices out there but these are the best quality. The Ospreys at Loch Arkaig are due back on Friday 3rd April Bob's update on 5th: The Loch Arkaig osprey male arrived at 8am today, some 32 hours later than expected. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam CJ Wildlife have fantastic webcams from Europe including little owl, tawny owl (already hatched), white stork etc. https://www.birdfood.co.uk/webcams There are lots of UK peregrine webcams but Woking is one of the best https://www.wokingperegrines.com In Lincs we have the Len Pick Trust barn owl webcam. Both birds are often in the box but no action yet https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Thanks to our regular contributors across the county. Much appreciated. We rely on readers to send in their observations and we welcome records from everyone, experts or beginners. Please keep your reports coming. *** 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/ Chris Manning writes: Please remember to use grid refs, If a recorder doesn't, it not only adds work but must invariably loose accuracy 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 TF120694 R & A Parsons 2/4/2020 Buff-tailed Bumblebee queen in flight in garden Anthophora plumipes, hairy-footed flower bee - a smaller, dark bee with ginger hairs on hind legs - a female - came into the house - caught and released. 4/4/2020 - another Anthophora plumipes, hairy-footed flower bee - a female - came into the house - caught and released. https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/hairy-footed-flower-bee-anthophora-plumipes/ 4/4/2020 Andrena fulva - several and nest mounds visible in lawn and on village green. 7/4/2020 at 15.15hrs Sparrowhawk over, flying towards Abbey Road. Common Green Shield Bug [AP] 3/4/2020 R & A Parsons TF 121708 King's Hill, Bardney over field towards Bardney http://www.stone-circles.org.uk/stone/kingshill.htm 2 skylarks singing Viking Way between Bardney and Southrey Wood [and Back Lane] A Parsons 2/4/2020 Two skylarks off Viking way between Bardney and Southrey wood. muntjac slots on back lane. Walk past Bardney Abbey site towards Fiskerton Fen R & A Parsons 4/4/2020 Walk 10-100hrs approx - warm day Buzzards 2 Lapwings displaying 3 Skylarks singing 3+ Andrena fulva - many sightings along the route BARDNEY P&M Porter Bardney garden TF 117700 4th April 2020 Smooth Newt in our pond. 5th April Greenfinches singing x 1-2 Fieldfare (7;00 am) x 20+ flew over northwards Blue Tit 3 pairs still active at their nestboxes Mistle Thrush singing from tall sycamore Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell x2, Peacock, Holly Blue and (Small?) White butterflies seen. Plenty of 7-spot Ladybirds 6th April Holly Blue butterfly Lots of Bee-flies Wasp queen 7th April Pied Shieldbug nymph Red-tailed Bumblebee queen Holly Blue, Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell, Outskirts of Bardney TF1171 4th April Long-tailed Tit taking feathers into dense hedgerow 5th April Mute Swan x2 in drain Reed Bunting Chaffinch Skylark x2 7th April Linnet x2 Scotgrove Wood TF129703 Good display of Lesser Celandine, Primrose, Early Dog-violet. Too early for Bluebells. Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer on hedgerows BARDNEY CAUSEWAY TF080682 06/04/20 9am Steve Green 2 Roe Deer (male and female) trotted across the field, over the road 15m in front of the car, and away to the north. No cover nearby, very open country. BOSTON (Garden by A16) March 2020 Kathleen Pearson I was able to do the BTO Garden BirdWatch on all 31 days in March. Numbers were quite down this month with only 22 species recorded and totals of each species present tended to be low. The Male Blackcap was still here, whilst a Chiffchaff arrived on the 21st and was again seen on the 24th. Four butterfly species occurred - Brimstone, Comma, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell. Birds recorded were - Blackbird 3, Greenfinch 5, Collared Dove 3, Goldfinch 8, Wood- pigeon 6, Starling 8, Pheasant 1, Great Tit 3, House Sparrow 5, Blue Tit 2, Robin 3, Carrion Crow 2, Long-tailed Tit 3, Dunnock 2, Wren 2, Chaffinch 3, Herring Gull 2, Black-headed Gull 2, Magpie 1, Sparrowhawk 1, Chiffchaff 1 and Blackcap 1. BOSTON (Garden by A16) 08/04/2020 Roy Pearson A male Blackcap was ringed in the garden this morning which was still carrying a few of the brown juvenile feathers above the beak and almost at the back of the cap. CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK909581 3/4/2020 Jeremy Hutchinson First Blackcap singing Green Woodpecker calling Little Owls appear to be nesting in their usual tree 6/4/2020 First Orange Tip (female) Several Bee Flies in garden First Andrena sp Mining Bees burrowing in garden DUNHOLME Cooperative Wood, Dunholme TF046789 Rod & Ann Newborough 07/04/20 17:00 Swallow feeding over the lake DUNSTON TF064632 4th April 2020 Margaret Sharman Red Kite flying north over Nocton GRIMSBY GRID REF 265095 JOYCE ATTIA 16.00hrs 3rd April 2020 On the river it seems very quiet. The swans have gone away. There is one solitary grey goose. The moorhens have paired up and so have some of the mallards, though there are always more drakes than ducks. On 1st April there was a diver of some sort, but the sun was behind it so I could only see it in silhouette, and then it dived and went round the bend in the river out of sight. In the garden this week I've seen 2 peacock butterflies, a number of big bumble bees, a few 7 spot ladybirds. Birds this week at or near the feeding station include a pair of collared doves, some wood pigeons, a pair of blackbirds, a chaffinch, 6 goldfinches, 2 dunnocks, I heard a wren but didn't see it, a number of feral pigeons, herring gulls on the roof and chimney pots. The garden birds have been busy nesting.. I groomed the dog and put the hair out in a little pot for the birds, it disappears very quickly - best quality German Shepherd undercoat, it's very soft for lining nests. HORKSTOW 1 April 2020 Jenny Haynes New visitors to my garden this week include: moorhen, collared dove, stock dove and coal tit. There has also been sightings of roe deer in the field opposite my house, up to five at any one time. TF511762 (my garden) HUTTOFT Jane Pennington 24/3/2020 Peacock butterfly 1 Rat 1 25/3/2020 Buff-tailed bumble 1 Common carder bee 1 Chaffinch 2 m & f Greenfinch 4 - and daily since Small tortoiseshells 3 Wren 1 26/3/2020 Buzzards 2 overhead at TF520768 28/3/2020 Blue tits 2 in and out of bird box and daily since Ladybirds 7-spots 3 Red-tailed bumble 1 30/3/2020 Collared dove 1 Dark-edged bee fly Bombylius major 1 on blue gentian Wood pigeons 16 2/4/2020 Honesty Lunaria in flower LOUTH C. Brady 1/4/2020 Stewton Lane, Louth Down the Railway Line Walk Blackcaps singing, at least 4 different birds, also saw one sat singing away. 3/4/2020 Stewton Lane Peregrine few over the garden, birds called out and vanished. Not sure if they are nesting on the church in Louth again, but its nice to see them about. No frog spawn in the ponds this year, but still have a pair of frogs clamped together. MIDDLE RASEN Caistor Road (own garden) TF107896 Richard Fox 07.04.2020 Brimstone 2 Holly Blue 2 Peacock Small Tortoiseshell 3 Buff-tailed bumblebee 3 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 18/03/20 Blackbird x 4 Black-headed Gull x 17 Chaffinch x 2 Kestrel x 1 Moorhen x 2 Mute Swan x 2 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Wood Pigeon x 4 Wood Mouse x 2 19/03/20 Blackbird x 2, 1 with nesting materials in bill Chaffinch x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Goldfinch x 1 Great Tit x 1 Pied Wagtail x 2 Skylark x 2 singing high over Thurnholmes 20/03/20 Barn Owl x 1 Little Egret x 1 SK793988 Little Owl x 1 Mallard x 2 over Thurnholmes 21/03/20 Blackbird x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Dunnock x 2 Golden Plover x 130 over Thurnholmes Great Tit x 2 Robin x 1 Starling x 120 in arable field 23/03/20 Peacock x 1 24/03/20 Walk from Epworth to Owston Ferry via public footpath (Newlands Lane - Bagsby Road) Blackbird x 4 Black-headed Gull x 12 Blue Tit x 4 Chaffinch x 4 Chiffchaff x 4 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Common Buzzard x 1 Fieldfare x 7 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 4 Mallard x 4 Moorhen x 2 Mute Swan x 2 Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 1 Rook x 12 fields around Thurnholmes Wood Pigeon x 4 Peacock x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Drain bank on Paddock Lane covered in Primrose SE805032 Drain bank on Blackdykes Road covered in Butterbur 26/03/20 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 1 Black-headed Gull x 17 Chaffinch x 2 Common Buzzard x 2 circling high over Thurnholmes Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Grey Partridge x 2 Robin x 1 Rook x 6 arable fields Skylark x 2 singing high over Thurnholmes Tawny Owl x 2 calling 01:15hrs Peacock x 2 29/03/20 Blackbird x 1 Blue Tit x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Common Buzzard x 2 Kestrel x 1 Mute Swan x 2 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Trail cam from 26/03/20 - 31/03/20 Blackbird 12 captures, Chaffinch x 5, Great Tit x 1, Stock Dove x 1, Wood Pigeon x 9 & Yellowhammer x 3 05/04/20 Blackbird x 2 on nests Black-headed Gull x 2 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 feeding on ground (worms?) in arable field Dunnock x 2 Great Tit x 1 Greylag Goose x 2 over Thurnholmes Grey Partridge x 2 Lapwing x 2 displaying over arable fields Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 2 on nests Tree Sparrow x 7 (3 coming out of nest boxes, used by them for the last 15+ years) Wood Pigeon x 4 on nests in my Hawthorn hedges Yellowhammer x 1 Peacock x 6 Small Tortoiseshell x 2 USSELBY PLANTATION TF107923 Richard Fox 04.04.2020 Bluebell in flower Fieldfare c.50 in the pine trees and flying down to adjacent farmland WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK923247 April 1-7th 2020 Jane Ostler Garden, unless otherwise indicated FLOWERING PLANTS New plants of Herb Robert now in flower. The White Deadnettle continues to be a favourite of the bees, although there are many other flowers to tempt them. The Marsh Marigolds in the pond are smothered in black beetles. In the village hedgerows, Wild Cherry in flower, Hedge Parsley coming out and lots of Forget-me-nots, the last named garden escapes. Lesser Celandines and Sweet Violets are in exceptional numbers this year. Yellow Archangel in flower on Water Lane has variegated leaves so is a garden variety. However the bees don't seem to know the difference. INSECTS On 6th April watched as 5 Common Green Shield Bugs climbed out of the depths of a creeper. One still brown from its winter hibernation colour. On 1st April 2020 an Early Nesting Bee (Bombus pratorum) flew into the conservatory. To this point we have had Bombus terrestris, B. lucorum and B.hypnorum in that order. Last year both the common carder Bee (Bombus pascuorum) and the Red Tailed Bumble Bee (Bombus lapidarius) were about by 1st April. The Garden Bumble Bee is later and I find hard to distinguish. April 6th 2020 was the first day that the large black females of the hairy leggeed flower fly (A.plumipes) was out. On the red flowers of the climbing Japanese Quince (Cydonia) A male soon came to join it. The solitary bee Andrena fulva is out before its favourite food plant, the gooseberry flowers and its parasite the Bee fly awaits the start of it nesting. FROGS Only the jelly of the spawn remains and I anticipate tadpoles feeding on the algae on the margins of the pond. Sadly there are several reports of ponds which this year have not had the expected spawn. In one case it is put down to a grass snake's presence and in another to the fact that the stream through the pond was running in a torrent in March. BIRDS (In Colsterworth) The main news is that swallows returned to their nesting site on 4th April2020. Two weeks earlier than last year. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves - reports always welcome ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/ https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ LWT Reserves: reports always welcome. http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/far-ings https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/gibraltar-point ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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 25th March – 7th April 2020 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Very sharp frost on the 26th with -7.5? on the ground and air -3.0?. Bitterly cold near gale force north-easterlies 27th - 30th with a gust of 55mph near Sea View on the 29th. Some hail in with passing showers on the 30th. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 240320 - Butterflies and bees in the Churchill Lane area: 3 peacock, 2 small tortoiseshell, 6+ buff-tailed bumblebees. 2 chiffchaff heard in song, little owl pair calling in adjacent farmyard/grass field, pair of common buzzard in display over dunes/fields . 250320 - Paradise lagoon: 27 tufted duck, yellowhammer singing nearby in hawthorn bush. Peacock and small tortoiseshell butterflies on the wing. 260320 - Water vole seen on edge of platform pond at Rimac and frogspawn in nearby pools. 270320 - A Mischief of 11 magpies amongst scrub near Sea View. Pair of great-spotted wood- peckers displaying near Sea View and daytime tawny owl calling. 300320 - Paradise lagoon 22 teal, 36 shoveler, 10 tufted duck, 4 mallard, 2 curlew, 8 redshank and 5 coot. 310320 - Paradise lagoon 3 gadwall, 51 teal, 42 shoveler, 7 mallard, 6 tufted duck, 4 coot, 1 moorhen, 10 redshank, 3 common snipe and 2 curlew. Field mouse-ear coming into flower in sheltered areas of the dunes near Sea View. In the Brickyard Lane area over the past few days: 4 chiffchaffs on territory, siskin in small numbers and buff-tailed bumble bees, 4 species of hover bees, peacocks and small tortoiseshell butterflies. 010420 - Pair of common buzzards circling over Sea View 020420 – 4 Fieldfare, 3 siskin, 1 brambling. 31 male shoveler on Paradise lagoon. A male merlin was hunting over the saltmarsh, following the creeks, then it suddenly changed direction in hot pursuit of 3 redshank which had taken off a few seconds earlier. The merlin flew at speed vertically before taking on a downward attack as the redshank flew over towards the grassland of Elm House Farm. The redshank had split from 3 birds and the merlin failed, disappearing out of sight over the grassland. 030420 – 4 pipistrelle bats at dusk in Churchill Lane area, 1 blackcap, 5 chiffchaff in song, 2 little owl calling, 1 barn owl. 2 avocets on Paradise lagoon and later two were seen on Rimac lagoon, maybe the same birds. On the freshwater marsh at Rimac were 3 little grebe, 3 shoveler, 4 teal, 2 coot, 3 mallard and a pair of Canada geese. 040420 – 32 golden plover in breeding plumage on foreshore, 1 peregrine flying over. Butterflies: 5 peacock, 2 small tortoiseshell, 1 brimstone in Churchill Lane area. A fine grey phalarope was feeding in Paradise lagoon on the edge of the phragmites vegetation, and later seen in the middle of the water before feeding along the front edge. At times it was disturbed by a black-headed gull. 2 black-tailed godwits, 5 male and 1 female gadwall, white wagtail, kingfisher along the Eau and 3 common buzzards plus single golden plover overhead. Water vole on edge of Eau. 2 goldcrests at Sea View. Brimstone and peacock butterflies on the wing at Sea View and in the evening a single pipistrelle bat noted flying low over the trees and shrubs. 050420 – 2 avocet, 2 blackcap in song, 4 pipistrelle bats, 1 comma, 2 small tortoiseshell, 1 brimstone, 4 peacock butterflies, several buff tail bumble bees, beeflies and hoverflies in Churchill Lane area. Last sighting of grey phalarope at Paradise lagoon. 060420 – 1 red kite, 3 blackcap in song, 2 willow warbler in song, 8 redwing, 1 brambling. Field mouse-ear and cowslips in flower and lots of blackthorn flower. Brimstone and peacock butterflies at Sea View, ground ivy in flower on the dunes. 070420 – 1 ring ouzel, 4 blackcap, 3 willow warbler, 6 chiffchaff all in song, 1 marsh harrier, 1 common buzzard, 2 little owl calling. Blackcap and common whitethroat in song near Sea View, green woodpecker flying low over the dunes, 2 avocets on Paradise lagoon and 2 whimbrel with 9 curlew on the saltmarsh. Tawny owl daytime calling, chiffchaffs and pair of great spotted woodpeckers at Sea View all week. Sightings in other locations during social distancing: 240320 – Hedgehog in Waltham garden, exactly the same date as first seen in 2019 270320 – Buff-tailed bumblebees and 1 small tortoiseshell. 1 buzzard soaring overhead. M oth trap produced – 5 clouded drab, 2 common quaker, 16 Hebrew character and 1 small quaker in North Cockerington 280320 – Up to 12 goldfinches feeding on sunflower hearts in North Cockerington 290320 – 2 male pheasants in fantastic breeding plumage competing over 3 females in North Cockerington 300320 – Yellowhammer, 3 hares, chiffchaff, mute swan, skylark at Donna Nook 250320-070420 – Daily sightings of blackbirds, dunnock, house sparrows, blue tits, great tits, wood pigeons in Louth 310320 – Tawny owl calling in Louth 060420 – 1 pipistrelle bat in Louth.  Skylarks and chiffchaff in full song at Donna Nook. 070420 – 2 pipistrelle bats and tawny owls calling in Louth ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Forestry Comission Coronavirus information: Help stop the spread of coronavirus. Stay home, stay safe – please do not come to our forests. https://www.forestryengland.uk/coronavirus-visitor-information Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch. See: https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html The Hazel Dormouse https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/cy/node/35 Lincolnshire Dormouse Group You can get in touch via 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. Examples: SNIPE DALES https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/snipe-dales WHISBY https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/whisby WILLOW TREE FEN https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/willow-tree-fen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 usually 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/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** http://lnu.org/ LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given on the website. Downloads of LNU books are available on: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ A list of all the articles contained in Transactions (Transactions page) and a list of the Presidents (Officers page) is also available. LNU Bursaries: The LNU offers bursaries for natural history courses, or for identification materials (e.g. books or online resources) to help recording in any group of plants, animals or fungi in Lincolnshire. The upper limit is £300. You do not need to be a member of the LNU to apply, but it would help. The LNU would, however, expect you to put your newly facilitated skills into practice and derive some Lincolnshire records. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course, or to buy books to help you, please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk *** Love Lincs Plants - CANCELLATION on events and activities *** To view the LWT project page go to: LoveLincsPlants Webpage: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants Love Lincs Plants Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants All events and activities for Love Lincs Plants are cancelled until further notice. This includes all plant collection activities, internal and external to the [Wildlife] Trust, as this is not essential under Government Guidance. All events post the end of May will be reviewed in coming weeks. No staff or volunteers, should be doing any activity under the LLP banner, other than on a computer at home. Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Love Lincolnshire Plants: A plant archive for future generations https://lnu.org/lincolnshire-plants-past-and-future/ LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Natural History Museum Twitter feed https://twitter.com/nhm_botany?lang=en Sir Joseph Banks Society http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/news-events/lincolnshire-plants-project/ Lincoln University School of Life Sciences blog https://lifesciences.sites.lincoln.ac.uk/2016/09/30/heritage-lottery-funding-to-safeguard-lincolnshire-plants/ Also see: *** Collections Dataset - LNU "historic specimens" *** All of of the specimens that have been processed and digitised to date can now be viewed here: http://data.nhm.ac.uk/dataset/lincs-plants *** The Flora of Lincolnshire by Joan Gibbons - downloadable book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-flora-of-lincolnshire-e-joan-gibbons.pdf *** VC54 North Lincolnshire Plant List *** Paul Kirby has produced a list which details all the vascular plant and stonewort taxa with records on the MapMate botanical database for VC54, North Lincolnshire, at the end of January 2017. You can download this on: https://lnu.org/specialists/vascular-plants/ *** Botanical Group in South Lincs *** Contact: Sarah Lambert, who writes: Following Government guidance and in the interests of health and safety, this year's field meetings are cancelled up until the end of May with immediate effect and until further notice. For further information please contact your County Recorder(s). sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Also see: http://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 Botany-type Links for LLP enthusiasts Love Lincolnshire Plants: A plant archive for future generations https://lnu.org/lincolnshire-plants-past-and-future/ Natural History Museum - Botany Collections https://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/collections/botany-collections.html BSBI Website: https://bsbi.org/ Online with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh - PropaGate Learning - online courses in Plant Science, Horticulture, and Botany - free and discounted courses... https://onlinecourses.rbge.ac.uk/index.php *** CONTACTS LIST *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ *** Lincs Bird Club Website *** http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk LBC County Bird Recorder Phil Hyde - County Recorder, Lincs Bird Club recorder_south@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: Rural Crime News https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if/as 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. Reminder: Allan and Annette Binding are taking a break from recording. [Harvestmen, Pseudoscorpions, Spiders and Shield Bugs] Please do not send records in for now. We will let you know when alternative arrangements are in place via the LNU website and the Bulletin. *** 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 *** British Bryological Society *** http://www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk/ *** 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. https://glnp.org.uk/admin/resources/mammalatlas.pdf *** 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 Please have a look at https://www.recordpool.org.uk/index.php for an easy way to record your amphibian and reptile species records. Or you can send any records to Ashley Butterfield (Lincolnshire Amphibian and Reptile Recorder) at LearningOutdoors@btinternet.com Please include Species, Date, Time, Location, numbers as a minimum (Other useful information includes Temperature and Weather conditions.) *** 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 *** Hedgehog Links *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ http://caddingtonhedgehogs.blogspot.com/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Lincolnshire Environmental Awards www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk *** Field Studies Council *** Bringing Environmental Understanding to All https://www.field-studies-council.org/ *** InsideEcology *** Online Magazine for Ecologists, Conservationists and Wildlife Professionals https://insideecology.com/ *** NHBS *** Should you need natural history equipment or books, a good place to start is: https://www.nhbs.com/ For the geologists... Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 *** British geology maps - now free to explore on web *** http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ *** UKGE - Geological Supplies *** https://www.ukge.com/ The Geology of Lincolnshire - downloadable book https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-geology-of-lincolnshire-h-h-swinnerton-and-p-e-kent.pdf ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. *** Codes of Conduct *** RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ BTO's Birdwatchers' Code https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/u10/downloads/taking-part/health/bwc.pdf BMS Code of Conduct for Responsible Collecting of Fungi https://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/mycology/conservation/code-conduct BSBI Code of conduct for picking, collecting, photographing and enjoying wild plants https://bsbi.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/Code-of-Conduct-v5-final.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 https://lnu.org/meetings/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meetings generally start at 12 noon for 1.00pm, but please check the website details for each event. Our indoor meetings are normally held in Lincoln at the Whisby Education Centre at Whisby Nature Park. Indoor meetings start at 2pm, with both members and non- members welcome to attend. Next Meetings: Indoor Meetings 2020 https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ Field Meetings: CANCELLED "All LNU meetings until the 8th June are cancelled." We will update you if/as situation changes. Whisby Workshops - CANCELLED. "All LNU meetings until the 8th June are cancelled." We will update you if/as situation changes. Please contact Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or email rel.davidson@btinternet.com *** Whisby Natural History "drop-in" sessions - CANCELLED *** "All LNU meetings until the 8th June are cancelled." We will update you if/as situation changes. See the LNU website for further details: https://lnu.org/meetings/drop-in-sessions/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** Mail fail: Tania Davey 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 Reminder: Please check and make sure that your account on Mailchimp has your GDPR email consent box ticked and that your name/details are as you want them to be. ....and finally... Peacock spiders show more of their colours - fantastic beasties https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-52075609 Together with porpoise: dolphins team up to end myth of human uniqueness https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/apr/01/together-with-porpoise-dolphins-work-as-team-to-end-myth-of-human-uniqueness Four leading brands are responsible for 500.000 tons of plastic pollution per year https://www.zmescience.com/science/four-leading-brands-are-responsible-for-500-000-tons-of-plastic-pollution-per-year/ Country diary: catch these twinkling stars before their lights go out https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/24/country-diary-catch-twinkling-stars-glow-worm Butterflywatch: fluttering by with just one thing on their minds https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/27/butterflywatch-fluttering-by-with-just-one-thing-on-their-minds Decades neglecting an ancient disease has triggered a health emergency around the world https://theconversation.com/decades-neglecting-an-ancient-disease-has-triggered-a-health-emergency-around-the-world-121282 Contact with backyard nature as therapy during Coronavirus self-isolation https://ianswalkonthewildside.wordpress.com/2020/03/20/rewilding-your-garden-contact-with-backyard-nature-as-therapy-during-corona-virus-self-isolation/ Chris Packham begins legal case to halt HS2 amid coronavirus crisis https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/mar/27/chris-packham-begins-legal-case-to-halt-hs2-amid-coronavirus-crisis 'Betrayal of trust': HS2 criticised over removal of woodland soils - Woodland Trust https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/apr/01/betrayal-of-trust-hs2-criticised-over-removal-woodland-soils HS2 Tries to Get Round the Law to Cut Down Woodland Habitat During Bird's Breeding Season https://bylinetimes.com/2020/03/25/hs2-tries-to-get-round-the-law-to-cut-down-woodland-habitat-during-birds-breeding-season/ HS2 protesters evicted amid coronavirus pandemic - watch https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-52057411/ ITV on HS2 https://www.itv.com/news/topic/hs2/ Wildlife Trusts view on HS2 https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/hs2 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/