============================================ || || 2nd December 2020 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || || LNU Website: || http://lnu.org/ || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Information, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights from Rare Bird Alert 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves/Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR - including Chambers Wood Farm 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..... don't miss the links... ============================================ 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 - new layout 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... *** Lincolnshire is on Tier 3 - Very High Alert - as we come out of lockdown. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/full-list-of-local-restriction-tiers-by-area#tier-3-very-high-alert What Covid tier is your area in and what are the restrictions? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54373904 Donna Nook is closed for the rest of the seal pupping season. Ruth Taylor writes: "We’re keeping the seal viewing area closed for the rest of the season ..." https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook-bookings Some of you took the trouble to give the Bulletin a plug last week and several new readers have already signed up as a result. Well done and thank you! Tip: If possible avoid forwarding on your individual Bulletin to others. Best to use the secure "Forward to a Friend" link at the end of each issue, please. Please keep the contributions coming and send in your reports via the Bulletin or to the appropriate LNU recorder[s]: https://lnu.org/specialists/ [If unsure on this, see section 7. "Sending in Reports - contributors please read!"] Useful techie tip: Please don't "Reply" to your Bulletin. Emails do have a Carbon Footprint and sending an LNU Bulletin to and fro is not what we should be doing! Climate change: Can sending fewer emails really save the planet? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-55002423 To email me please use the recommended address: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Weather forecast: "...By the meteorological calendar, the first day of winter is always 1 December; ending on 28 (or 29 during a Leap Year) February." Forecast 11-25th December: "...the general trend suggests typical early winter weather with periods of persistent rain and showery interludes...any wintry precipitation is likely in colder and more unsettled spells over high ground of the north and northwest." https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ Covid-19-related information: Please stay aware of updated government advice and adapt your personal precautions accordingly as the measures evolve. See: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus "All LNU meetings are cancelled" policy continues. When eventually judged safe to do so, we will announce any resumption of LNU events through the Bulletin, the LNU Twitter feed and LNU meetings webpages. https://lnu.org/meetings/ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus Events/activities for Love Lincs Plants remain suspended until further notice. https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants RSPB: map for which reserves and facilities you can access. https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/coronavirus/reserve-reboot/ Forestry England’s coronavirus guidance: https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide Please let us know of any local Covid-related changes readers might need to hear about. Wildlife organisations wishing me to publicise any alterations or new guidelines are welcome to get in touch with updates for the Bulletin. Here is a selection of informative and hopefully entertaining links to topical local and national news stories and articles sent in by fellow-readers. I hope there is something to interest everyone. More links below in "...and finally..." England's Big Picture: 23 - 29 November - includes Frampton Marsh https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-55035297 Blaze near Lincolnshire village could be seen for up to 30 miles https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/fire-lincolnshire-bardney-boston-louth-4746232 Lincolnshire Police seeks powers to take away hare-coursing dogs https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-55132611 The Ark wildlife sanctuary 'inundated' with exotic pets https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-55116750 Surprise discovery of rare plant at Norfolk 'ghost pond' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-55104153 Invasive quagga mussel found at Rutland Water and River Trent https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-55106382 Nottinghamshire murmurations delight birdwatchers during lockdown - short clip https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-nottinghamshire-55059475 Countryfile's "Lincolnshire Wolds" on i-Player in case you missed it last week. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000prjh/countryfile-lincolnshire-wolds RAF jets scrambled to intercept Russian aircraft over North Sea https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-55120478 Beavers build first Exmoor dam in 400 years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-55125932 Trunk Calls — lesser spotted woodpecker https://www.creaturecandy.co.uk/blog-creature-candy/2020/11/24/trunk-calls Noisy owls, fighting kingfishers, saving the pine hoverfly.... RSPB https://community.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/b/natureshomemagazine/posts/notes-on-nature-tv-noisy-owls-fighting-kingfishers-saving-the-pine-hoverfly-and-your-wildlife-photos Moths draped in stealth acoustic cloak evade bat sonar https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/moths-draped-in-stealth-acoustic-cloak-evade-bat-sonar/4012807.article Secrets of the Christmas Poinsettia factory - to watch https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-hampshire-55056483 Best space toys and gifts for kids, Christmas 2020 - skyatnightmagazine https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/top-astronomy-kit/space-astronomy-themed-gifts-for-kids/ Best wildlife and nature books for children and teenagers - Discover Wildlife https://www.discoverwildlife.com/people/nature-books-for-children/ Rocky the owl back in the wild after Rockefeller Christmas tree rescue in New York https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-55080486 Denmark faces new horror as bodies of culled mink rise from mass graves https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/25/culled-mink-rise-from-the-dead-denmark-coronavirus Turkey cull after bird flu discovered at Northallerton farm https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-55121445 Top 5 Craftiest Animals! | BBC Earth https://youtu.be/Iwdpve6YmgE Pie-eyed and bushy-tailed: Minnesota squirrel gets drunk off fermented pears https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/nov/25/minnesota-squirrel-drunk-after-eating-fermented-pears-video Thank you for your reports, stories, news, links and feedback. Your input makes a massive difference to the variety and value of the content. Can you help us find some more readers, please? Try the "forward to a friend" link at the end of the Bulletin. You can also direct people to: https://lnu.org/publications/wildnews-bulletin/ Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - this is my best address for emails please. *** Second RSPB Zoom Talk *** "Return of the Red Kite" - A Zoom talk by Keith Betton Martin Francis writes: 'Following the success of our first Zoom talk about Minsmere, the RSPB Grimsby Local Group has arranged another talk which will take place at 7.30pm on Monday 14th December. The talk is open to everybody. You don't need to belong to the RSPB, or have attended Group Meetings. And don't be put off by Zoom. It is easy to use, you don't need any special equipment like a camera or microphone - just an internet connection, and we may able to offer help if you request it. To find out the arrangements for getting a link to the talk, please email Martin Francis at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com before 8pm on Friday 11th December Martin Francis Leader - RSPB Grimsby Local Group' STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. NHS About Coronavirus [COVID-19] https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 Road works and hold-ups. https://roadworks.org/ Met Office Severe Warnings https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service 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 - sign up if at risk. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx Lyme Disease https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/ *** December Night Sky *** 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 Head's up for the Geminid meteors: 4-17 December, peak 13-14 December. https://www.rmg.co.uk/discover/explore/geminid-meteor-shower-when-and-where-see-it-uk See the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn, 21 December 2020 - skies permitting. "Historically speaking, this is more than just a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/skills/great-conjunction-jupiter-saturn/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 24/11 Hen Harrier male, Spotted Redshank, Great Northern Diver south past, Gibraltar Point 5 Scaup, Spotted Redshank, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh 25/11 Short-eared Owl over fields south of Baston Fen Hen Harrier ringtail, Frampton Marsh 2 Hen Harriers, Great Northern Diver, Gibraltar Point Rough-legged Buzzard reported over fields between Potterhanworth and Little Gate, 26/11 2 Hen Harriers at Tennyson's Sands, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl over fields south of Baston Fen Bearded Tit at West Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 20 Twite between Churchill Lane and Brickyard Lane, Theddlethorpe Short-eared Owl by Humber Bank, East Halton Skitter 27/11 2 Hen Harriers 1 ad male, Great White Egret, Snow Bunting, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl at Gull Farm, Deeping High Bank, Deeping St Nicholas 6 Long-eared Owls at Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 2 Great White Egrets in drain north of Market Deeping 3 Short-eared Owls over fields, SW of Baston Fen 28/11 Hawfinch in garden, Woodhall Spa Glaucous Gull on roof at St Leonard's Drive, Chapel St Leonards Great White Egret in drain north of A1175, Market Deeping Short-eared Owl at Gull Farm, Deeping High Bank, Deeping St Nicholas 3 Long-eared Owls at Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Great White Egret off Sand Lane at Wroot Acres, Wroot 5 Water Pipits at brackish pools, East Halton Skitter Snow Bunting flew south, East Halton Skitter 29/11 Siberian Chiffchaff, north of River Glen, Baston Fen 30/11 2 Russian White-fronted Geese both ads in field with Greylag Geese south of Baston Fen Possible Black Kite near Rookery Farm, Great Hale SSW of Heckington Smew redhead at reedbed, Scaup, ringtail Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Iceland Gull flew south past, Black Redstart at visitor centre, Snow Bunting, 3 Russian White-fronted Geese flew north, Gibraltar Point Smew redhead on lake at Boultham Park, Lincoln Knot, Toft Newton reservoir 1/12 Possible Black Kite near Rookery Farm, Great Hale SSW of Heckington Hen Harrier male, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 2 Russian White-fronted Geese one ad, in field on T-junction pit, Baston+Langtoft GPs Siberian Chiffchaff, north of River Glen, Baston Fen Iceland Gull, as at river mouth at low tide, Saltfleet 3 Pomarine Skuas flew south past Sutton-on-Sea Tundra Bean Goose, Toft Newton reservoir ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Useful Hedgehog Links https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ http://caddingtonhedgehogs.blogspot.com/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog: http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ Bird Club - latest sightings: https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/sightings/latest-news Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch - latest sightings: https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/lincolnshire-latest-sightings BTO tracked cuckoos: https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/cuckoo-tracking-project ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Hedgehogs? Badgers? Otters? Reports welcome. HAINTON TF17-83- David Sheppard 27 November 2020 Dead badger on north side of A157 It would be helpful if readers would continue to report otter road kills and sightings to help build up relevant data. Chris Manning adds: Carcases may be sent to: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/otter-project Alas our local EA team no longer support the project by paying for transport. Chris Manning sent in the following information: Potential Bovine TB Hotspot Area - Lincolnshire Wolds "If you find a dead badger or wild deer carcase within the PHA, please report this to the Animal and Plant Health Agency [APHA] via the Defra Rural Services Helpline 03000 200301. They will need the following details: 1. The location of the carcase to assess whether it falls within the PHA and in order to find it, if it’s suitable for collection. This could be an OS grid reference, longitude-latitude co-ordinates, the what3words address (tapping on the exact square where the carcase is located), a postcode or enough detail to precisely locate the carcase 2. Whenever possible an assessment of the condition of the carcase because decomposing or extensively damaged carcases are not suitable for post mortem examination." *** 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. Include the time too if relevant - e.g. for Bat records. *** 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. BARDNEY - The Green TF120694 R & A Parsons 26/11/2020 Blackbird m feeding on Holly berries - very jumpy and alert 28/11/2020 Big starling flock visited garden to feed - 40+ 29/11/2020 Breakfast-time raiding partiy of 20+ Black-headed Gulls. 2 Dunnock. 30/11 and 1/12 - Single Carrion Crow visiting garden. BLANKNEY Blankney Fen TF125627 Alan S. Lazenby 20/11/2020 Bewick’s Swans 20 flying low past window SSE mid morning honking 27/11/2020 Bewick’s Swans 2groups of 5 flying low past window SSE at 8.45am 08/11/2020 Stone Chat Male and female on Phragmites all day. Passing through, not seen here before Additional note: 2020 I have noticed that Harlequin Ladybirds Harmonia axyridis were far outnumbered by 7spot ladybirds Coccinella 7 punctata by about 50 to 1 around my garden on Blankney Fen TF125627 and Metheringham at TF06646139. (7spot numerous Harlequin scarce.) The only ladybird of note this year was Scymnus interuptus (Goeze) at Wiggenhall St. Germans near Kings Lynn TF598145 on 13/09/20 it landed on me in the garden of 61 Lynn Rd. BOSTON (Garden by A16) November 2020 Kathleen Pearson I was able to do the BTO Garden BirdWatch on all 30 days in November. It was a poor month with only 18 species recorded (no Greenfinches at all), while on only three days did any species reach double figures, once with Goldfinch at 13 and twice with Starling at counts of 10 and 25. Three single day records of Great Spotted Woodpecker, Coal Tit and Goldcrest, were pleasant. Also absent from the garden on several days were Blackbird (highest count 3) and Dunnock (highest count2). Dunnock 2, Magpie 2, Great Tit 2, Woodpigeon 5, Blue Tit 2, House Sparrow 9. Wren 1, Goldfinch 13, Collared Dove 3 Blackbird 3, Carrion Crow 2, Robin 2, Chaffinch 1, Starling 25, Long-tailed Tit 7, Coal Tit 1, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 and Goldcrest 1. Other species were:- Comma butterfly, frog and squirrel. HORKSTOW 27 November 2020 SE987179 Jenny Haynes I’ve seen a goldcrest in my garden for the first time this winter. Goldfinches are the most numerous bird on my feeders with a few great tits, blue tits and the odd chaffinch, greenfinch, dunnock and robin. I’ve heard, rather than seen, blackbirds. We get a daily visit from a sparrowhawk, male I think, around lunchtime but there’s no evidence that it’s been successful. Several pheasants, both male and female have also taken up residence. Up until the present cold spell, it’s been very quiet. Additional record: a coal tit. It’s just appeared. I also saw a small group of wigeon, male and female, on the Humber at Barton on Humber yesterday. HUTTOFT TF511762 (my garden) Jane Pennington 25/11/2020 Great spotted woodpecker on bird box 26/11/2020 Tawny owl 1 - heard 8pm 27/11/2020 Blackbirds 8 Tawny owl 1 - heard 3am Muntjac 1 29/11/2020 Tawny owl 1 - heard 5.15am 30/11/2020 Pheasant 1 1/12/2020 Muntjac 1 - seen eating windfalls in garden Squirrel 1 - several weeks ago I watched one and sometimes two squirrels burying acorns in front of the french doors. Today one dug one up, seemed to brush off the soil and then ate it. Of course, I know that's the purpose of storing them but I didn't expect to see it being dug up! KINGTHORPE Kingthorpe TF133749 26th November Steve Green Fox wandered across the road 8am. WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH Jane Ostler Nature Trail Western End SK908241 24-30 November 2020 Fungi New brackets are now appearing on wood – the very common Turkey Tail and the less Common Hairy Curtain Crust. Also on dead Wood Candlesnuff with a fresh white covering of spores. Wet fencing posts have a covering of the orange Common Jelly Spot. In grassland the small tan Scurfy Twiglet and the dissolving Pleated Inkcap. The only other gill fungus a single Clouded Agaric. Flowering Plants The last of the Composites still with a few flowers and a single Devil’s Bit Scabious. Patches of both Cut-leaved and Dovesfoot Cranesbills in flower. One of the Gorse bushes near the old entrances to the landfill site is in full flower and visited on warmer days by bumble bees and hover flies. This year has seen an abundance of hips and haws the berries so far little depleted by birds. Plant Galls. Robin’s Pincushion on rose with the underside of leaves with a few Rose Pea Galls on underside of leaves.. On evergreen bramble leaves the white tunnels of the leaf miner moths Stigmella aurella. Insects In a garden which comes down to the Nature Trail a Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly out in brief sunshine. A common Green Lacewing coming to light. This is the only lacewing which overwinters as an adult, darkening as it hibernates. Hawthorn Shield bugs found this week on the Nature Trail also become brown and, like the lacewing reverts to its true colours in Spring. Birds Buzzards regularly circling above the line. Flocks of Redwing and Lapwing. Starlings gathering on adjacent telephone wires in the morning. Crows gather in the day at their new nesting site at Cow Pass Bridge. Mistle Thrush singing high in ash trees on windy days. A Thrushes anvil with the remains of pale lipped banded snails – evidence that a Song Thrush is about. Robin’s plaintive song seems to follow you along the track. Mammals. Muntjac Deer has a regular crossing place. Field voles have been burrowing through piles of cut grass. Still no evidence of fox, though at least one pile of Rabbit droppings. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. COASTAL NNRs and Nature Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ LWT Reserves 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Frampton Marsh & Freiston Shore are listed as Open. https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/coronavirus/reserve-reboot/ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19 includes details of which LWT reserves are open and other advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus 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 November – 1st December 2020 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Note: Rainfall for November 25.7mm (1.01 inches) which was the driest November s ince 2011 when 18.0mm recorded. Sharp frost of -5.25 degrees C (ground) and -1.25 degrees C (air) on the 20th. 251120 - Minimum 600 wigeon in flight over the Eau and pools across the road from Sea View. 261120 – Sea View: 1 merlin, 1 short-eared owl 271120 - On Paradise lagoon: teal, mallard and shoveler loafing and feeding amongst the wet vegetation on the edge of the lagoon, on the open water the long-tailed duck, 2 goldeneye and a pochard. 45 blackbirds and 2 fieldfare flew out of Paradise wood and a woodcock was disturbed out of the dunes. Peacock butterfly on the wing in the dunes near Sea View basking in the afternoon sun. 291120 - Long-tailed duck and 2 goldeneye of note on Paradise lagoon, woodcock flew out of dunes near Sea View. 301120 - Paradise lagoon: 63 mallard, long-tailed duck. A flock of 200+ lapwing flew high from the south East and over towards Elm House Farm. 011220 - Paradise lagoon: 78 teal, long-tailed duck and 2 goldeneye. On the saltmarsh: 23 little egrets. Sea watch from south end – 5 common scoter north, 1 velvet scoter south, 8 red-throated diver south, 1 great northern diver offshore, 1 razorbill north, 1 pomarine skua south, 14 kittiwake north. 3 bullfinch and 1 woodcock in the dunes. A short-eared owl at Sea View. Donna Nook 271120 - Seal count: 1929 pups, 1539 cows, 459 bulls. 281120 - C600 brent geese, 2 merlin, 2 hen harrier, 1 marsh harrier, c800 lapwing, c1000 golden plover, 8 snipe. Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust have taken the decision to keep the seal viewing area at Donna Nook closed for the rest of the seal pupping season due to Lincolnshire being placed into Tier 3 of coronavirus lockdown conditions. To help stop the spread of the virus and to keep our staff, volunteers, the local community and the seals safe, we will be keeping the seal viewing area closed. We would ask everyone to follow the Government guidelines and not to visit Donna Nook: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook-bookings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Forestry Commission advice: https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide 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. LWT Top Reserves: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on the Coronavirus, Covid-19 plus details of any LWT reserves which are now open and the related advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Recorders and improve the quality and quantity of reports 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! When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] Bulletin mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually goes out on Wednesdays/Thursdays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. 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. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ Downloads of LNU books are available on: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ LNU Bursaries: Why not apply for one? 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 *** Events and activities for Love Lincs Plants remain suspended until further notice. Love Lincs Plants Twitter feed - active... https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants LLP Project Partners and related links: Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Natural History Museum Twitter feed https://twitter.com/nhm_botany?lang=en Sir Joseph Banks Society Dr Anke Timmermann FLS discusses Joseph Banks’ florilegium https://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/ Lincoln University School of Life Sciences https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/lifesciences/ *** 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/ *** 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 https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/2018-10/BC%20Policy%20on%20collecting%2C%20breeding%20and%20photography%202018.pdf *** 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: Lincolnshire Police Advice on Hare Coursing https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/hare-coursing/ 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. Useful identification links: Fungi Families/Types Identity Parade https://www.first-nature.com/fungi/ British wasp guide: how to identify common species https://www.countryfile.com/wildlife/insects-invertebrates/british-wasp-guide-how-to-identify-common-species-lifecycle-and-why-wasps-sting-in-autumn/ NatureSpot on Ladybirds https://www.naturespot.org.uk/taxonomy/term/19357 Naturespot on Spiders https://www.naturespot.org.uk/taxonomy/term/19515 Naturespot on Beetles https://www.naturespot.org.uk/beetles Identifying British bugs - an online identification guide https://www.britishbugs.org.uk/gallery/heteroptera/Pentatomoidea/pentatomoidea.html LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ 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. *** 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 - 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) 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 (of which LERC is a part) http://www.glnp.org.uk/ Contact: charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk The Lincolnshire Environmental Awards have now been cancelled for 2020 and will resume in 2021, all being well. *** 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 *** British Geological Survey at Keyworth *** https://www.bgs.ac.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 instances may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed please contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [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 *** BMS Code of Conduct for Responsible Collecting of Fungi https://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/mycology/conservation/code-conduct RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ [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/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events - Important message for LNU members *** Précis of Nick Tribe's announcement on future events - full text in 7th Oct Bulletin. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletin2020oct07.txt As the Covid 19 risk remains high the Executive has taken the decision to cancel the first two meetings and (hopefully) postpone the AGM to July/August/September 2021. i.e. January 16th joint talk with Lincolnshire Bird Club February 27th Recorders’ meeting March 27th AGM The Executive will explore dates in the summer for the AGM. ...If a delayed AGM is not possible, the Executive is happy to remain in post until March 2022. We have considered alternatives such as an online AGM, but none appear to be workable. We hope to publish a summary of the accounts in the Spring 2021 Communiqué and should be able to update members on the delayed AGM at that time. Any queries about the accounts can be sent to Chris Manning. The Executive continues to be active via email and telephone and is monitoring the situation with an eye on the 2021 field meeting programme. As with the AGM, the Union may be able to run some field meetings in 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Richard Chadd or Nick Tribe." LNU Officers & Executive https://lnu.org/about/officers-executive/ Richard Davidson says of the Whisby Workshops: "All are cancelled for this year. I am hoping to run them this time next year if at all possible, but that depends on whether something approaching normal life has returned by then." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** Only one: John Kneale - hard bounce - User unknown ....and finally... Readers have a wide range of interests which I try to reflect in the news and information given in the Bulletin. Please help with suggestions for future links. New variety of apple discovered by Wiltshire runner https://www.theguardian.com/food/2020/nov/28/new-variety-of-apple-discovered-by-wiltshire-runner What has thirty years of conservation done for Scottish corncrakes? https://community.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/b/biodiversity/posts/what-has-thirty-years-of-conservation-done-for-scottish-corncrakes? Honeybees can fly sideways to fit through tight gaps https://www.newscientist.com/article/2260571-bumblebees-can-fly-sideways-to-fit-through-tight-gaps/ Earless moths have acoustic camouflage that protects them from bats https://www.newscientist.com/article/2260621-earless-moths-have-acoustic-camouflage-that-protects-them-from-bats/ New species of glowing mushroom found growing on dead bamboo in India https://www.zmescience.com/science/glowing-mushroom-species-india-24674684/ These intimate portraits of birds will make you want to save them https://www.zmescience.com/science/intimate-portraits-of-rare-and-endangered-birds-0432432/ Landscape of fear: why we need the wolf https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/24/landscape-of-fear-why-we-need-the-wolf-rewilding-scotland Country diary: hard pressed to gather an abundance of apples https://www.theguardian.com/food/2020/nov/23/country-diary-hard-pressed-to-gather-an-abundance-of-apples Lincs: Country diary: there's more to autumn than its glorious sights https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/24/country-diary-theres-more-to-autumn-than-its-glorious-sights Is it a bird? Is it a bee? No, it's a lizard pollinating South Africa's 'hidden flower' https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/25/is-it-a-bird-is-it-a-bee-no-its-a-lizard-pollinating-south-africas-hidden-flower-aoe Country diary: a mast year for the mighty oak https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/nov/26/country-diary-a-mast-year-for-the-mighty-oak Why Mauritius is culling an endangered fruit bat that exists nowhere else https://theconversation.com/why-mauritius-is-culling-an-endangered-fruit-bat-that-exists-nowhere-else-150567 Invasive species: biggest threat may be the most uncertain – disease https://theconversation.com/invasive-species-biggest-threat-may-be-the-most-uncertain-disease-150904 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/