============================================ || || 23rd 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... *** We are past the Winter Solstice. As this is the last Bulletin before Christmas, may I wish you Waes Hael and all the very best for the decimated and subdued celebrations we can expect this year. I hope you keep safe and manage to enjoy the winter wildlife as far as local rules permit. Your ladybirds and spiders in the house will be of interest! There are no hints yet we will see any Christmas snow. NatureSpot on Ladybirds https://www.naturespot.org.uk/taxonomy/term/19357 Naturespot on Spiders https://www.naturespot.org.uk/taxonomy/term/19515 Mutant coronavirus in the United Kingdom sets off alarms but its importance remains unclear - an informative article on current science issues - well worth a read: https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/12/mutant-coronavirus-united-kingdom-sets-alarms-its-importance-remains-unclear Covid: What are the new tiers and lockdown rules in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-52530518 Donna Nook viewing is closed for the rest of the seal pupping season. 18/12/2020 - There are now 1,021 pups, 162 cows and 248 bulls on the beach. See: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/donna-nook-bookings Weather Forecast: 27 Dec - 5th Jan "...staying unsettled through to the end of December with a mixture of sunny spells and showers, but also some longer spells of rain. Temperatures are expected to be below average with snow expected over hills, but this is also likely to fall to lower levels at times, especially but not restricted to the north. It will be often windy too, with a risk of coastal gales. Going into early January there are signs that more settled weather will develop..." https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ Thank you for your reports, stories, news, links and feedback. Your input makes a massive difference to the variety and value of the content. Please send in your reports via the Bulletin or to the appropriate LNU recorder[s] if you prefer: https://lnu.org/specialists/ [If unsure on this, see section 7. "Sending in Reports - contributors please read!"] To email me please use the recommended address: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk I hear that I wasn't clear enough about the following announcement last week. It was aimed at existing LNU Members who want to get Communiqué" by email in the future. Unlike the Bulletin, that publication is only available to LNU members and contains specific LNU information. This is what was said: Reminder to LNU members from Charlie Barnes: LNU Communiqué goes online. If you're a member of the LNU don't forget to sign up to the new online Communiqué to keep up-to-date on news and events. Visit https://groups.io/g/lnu-communique/join If you are content just to receive our FREE Bulletin you are welcome to keep in taking it. All was ask is you support us in some way: reports, news, inviting others to join, etc. If you would like to join the LNU and focus a bit more on identification and recording you will be very welcome. [For many this has provided a lifetime's fascination.] As a member you will then receive the Communiqués and "Transactions" and be able participate more fully in the activities of the LNU if you wish to. To join the LNU visit: https://lnu.org/join-the-lnu/ 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, we will announce any plans for 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 we hope entertaining links from topical local to national and international news stories and articles sent in by fellow- readers. There should be something to interest you. More links in "...and finally..." RSPB 12 birds of Christmas https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/Enjoy-nature-this-Christmas/the-12-birds-of-christmas/ What Was The Best Meal In History? 5 Food Historians Discuss https://www.historyextra.com/period/medieval/what-was-the-best-meal-in-history/ Wildlife photos of 2020 [I refuse to use the A word!] https://www.zmescience.com/science/wildlife-animals-photos-2020/ Covid-19: Makeshift mortuary at Woodhall Spa used for first time https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-55412013 Lincoln Eastern bypass opens after years of planning https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-55376275 Mystery power cuts caused by starling spectacle https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-55334891 'World's ugliest orchid' tops list of new discoveries https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-55339987 Newly discovered orchid species labelled the ugliest in the world | New Scientist https://www.newscientist.com/article/2263273-newly-discovered-orchid-species-labelled-the-ugliest-in-the-world/ What leftovers to feed the birds https://www.birdwatching.co.uk/features/articles/christmas-leftovers-and-feeding-birds/ Photographer snaps furious nuthatch doing impression of Angry Birds https://mol.im/a/9050909 Rent paid in eels! https://www.historyextra.com/period/medieval/eels-medieval-life-eel-rent-economy/ BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today 14/12/20 - includes ash dieback research - listen https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000qblf Lockerbie - the Lincolnshire connection https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/30-years-on-lockerbie-plane-2294938 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/ 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. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - this is my best address for emails please. *** Grimsby and Cleethorpes area group LWT cancellation *** Carolyn Davis writes: Due to the ongoing situation with the COVID-19 pandemic the Grimsby & Cleethorpes Area group LWT have taken the decision to cancel the rest of their indoor and outdoor meetings up to and including April 2021. *** South Lincs RSPB Social Group Cruise programme *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB Group announce that , due to the current pandemic and general uncertainty, they are unable to offer any more information or proposed sailing dates about a 2021 Cruise programme. However the Group can announce that the Boat Owners have decided that the “Boston Belle” will not be available for the foreseeable future for ANY cruises. It will however be replaced by a smaller boat with a smaller capacity [compared to the Boston Belle]. Please keep checking the website where we will publish further information when we have it. https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/ *** Heads Up for Big Garden Birdwatch 2021 Friday 29 and Sunday 31 January *** Your reminder may already be winging its way to you. "You can participate in the Birdwatch anytime between Friday 29 and Sunday 31 January. Simply spend an hour counting the birds in your garden, from your balcony or in your local park. Then tell us what you saw. " https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/ *** Moth Night 2021 Dates for the diary *** Planning ahead: Moth Night 2021 takes place over the three nights of 8th - 10th July. The theme for the 2021 event is Reedbeds & Wetlands. Please let us know if you are planning anything. 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 NOTE that due to COVID 19 the 2021 edition on Night Scenes will only be available as a pdf or kindle and produced in 2 parts covering 6 months each. http://www.astrospace.co.uk/nightscenes/ns-current.html Meteor Shower Guide 2020. https://www.rmg.co.uk/discover/explore/how-to-see-meteor-showers-key-dates ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 16/11 5 Hen Harriers, 2 males, Frampton Marsh 5 Long-eared Owls, Main Lake, from track to hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 17/12 Siberian Chiffchaff between sewage works and railway, between Barnack and Uffington 6 Long-eared Owls, Main Lake, from track to hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 4 Short-eared Owls at Deeping High Bank, NE of Deeping St James 4 Hen Harriers, 2 males, Frampton Marsh Iceland Gull as at river mouth, Saltfleet Hen Harrier male over saltmarsh, Tetney Marshes 3 Bitterns on edge of reedbed, Whisby 5 Snow Buntings on outer beach between Buck Beck and leisure centre, Cleethorpes Scaup fem, on lake, Cleethorpes Country Park 18/12 Long-eared Owl, Main Lake, from track to hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Black-throated Diver flew south past, Great Northern Diver on sea, Gibraltar Point Iceland Gill, Rimac 1+ Snow Buntings on outer beach, Cleethorpes 19/12 1+ Long-eared Owl, Main Lake, from track to hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Green-winged Teal drk, Roads Farm, 2 Hen Harriers, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier male, River Witham mouth, Short-eared Owl, Cut End, 5 mls SE of Boston Water Pipit, Slavonian Grebe male, Hen Harrier, White-fronted Goose, Short-eared Owl, Freiston Shore Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, South Lake, Woodhall Spa airfield 20/11 Siberian Chiffchaff between sewage works and railway, between Barnack and Uffington 4 Long-eared Owls, Main Lake, from track to hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Green-winged Teal, Scaup, Frampton Marsh 2 Black-throated Divers past, Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck, 2 Hen Harriers, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret at South Lake, Woodhall Spa Airfield 2 Bitterns, Fiskerton Fen Great White Egret flew NE over Manor Park, Legbourne 14 Snow Buntings along foreshore, 5 Russian White-fronted Geese Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Short-eared Owl at Bole Ings, SSW of Gainsborough 35+ Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes Scaup 1w drk on Winter's Pond, SSW of East Halton Skitter Snow Bunting male, 4 Scaup offchore, Goxhill Haven Short-eared Owl west of Fillingham Lake just north of Willingham Road 6 Russian White-fronted Geese, Fillingham Lake Spotted Redshank, Read's Island 21/12 Short-eared Owl, Deeping High Bank, SE of Deeping St Nicholas Siberian Chiffchaff between sewage works and railway, between Barnack and Uffington 3 Great Northern Divers offshore, Gibraltar Point 22/12 Hen Harrier male, Thurlby Fen Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier male over saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh 3 Bitterns, Fiskerton Fen Red-necked Grebe, Covenham 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. STICKNEY G. Cartwright November 2020 I remember about a month ago my son saw something running from our garden into the next field, it had greyish legs. A few days later he was walking 1 of our dogs and saw a badger dead on the side of the road. There were no obvious injuries but probably clipped by a car. I am assuming it was the same animal running from our garden. Unfortunately before I could send my husband to roll it onto the grass verge it was squashed so too late to report it so it could be collected. I have lived here for 13 years and we have never seen or heard of badgers around here before. Chris Manning writes: It would be helpful if readers would continue to report otter road kills and sightings to help build up relevant data. 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: 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 No garden report this week, but: 22/12/2020 Light Brown Apple Moth Epiphyas postvittana found on house window by A. Parsons. Photos taken. Phil Porter made the identification and says: "Accidently introduced from Australia see https://ukmoths.org.uk/species/epiphyas-postvittana/ Between Southrey and Bardney Tripe Fungus, Auricularia mesenterica - Witham Bank, Water Rail Way TF122672 approx - see Water Rail Way leaflet Map item 7. Roger & Anne Parsons [Photos taken by A. Parsons sent to Ray Halstead.] 15 and 17th November 2020 Auricularia mesenterica (Dicks.) Pers. - Tripe Fungus [NHM] Description [AP] Jelly-like substance growing along the wood grain. Forms half- round, lobed, upturned structure and forms joined-up linear groups. "Intestine like." Body of "bracket" approx 5mm thick and, where single, 4cm wide, but variable. Pale grey, with white edge when young. Later turns quite dark brown on upper surface and covered with hairs, but maintains white edge. Underside mid grey/ brown and smooth. Soon deliquesces. [RP] Growing on a wooden sculpture and reported as from local dead elm tree. [Dutch Elm Disease] Now located on the Water Rail Way route, the old railway line embankment along the Witham Bank, in a shaded grassy section flanked by mixed native hedgerow trees and shrubs. There's a short piece on the Pig sculpture in this webpage which says: "They are carved from an Elm tree I felled in a nearby churchyard after it had died of Dutch Elm disease." [Nigel Sardeson - sculptor] https://www.visitlincoln.com/media/downloads/Water_Rail_Way_Leaflet_and_Map.pdf The link I gave in last week's Bulletin for Auricularia mesenterica - Tripe Fungus, says: "Auricularia mesenterica is mainly seen in summer and autumn. It occurs most commonly on dead elm trees and on fallen elm trunks and branches, and so was particularly common after Dutch elm disease had ravaged the elms of Britain and Europe during the second half of the 20th century. " https://www.first-nature.com/fungi/auricularia-mesenterica.php Nigel Sardeson says: "The elm tree that the pigs were made from grew in Potterhanworth church yard, it died of Dutch elm disease and I cut it down perhaps 15 years ago. Interestingly it’s twin is still there and perfectly healthy, I think they were both “smooth leaved elm” Ulmus carpinifolia which has a tolerance of the disease." A previous mention of this fungus appeared in the Bulletin of 19 October 2014 where Ray Halstead reported on the LNU Foray at High Wood near North Rauceby. TF0146 12th October 2014. "Other species found that only turn up occasionally were Auricularia mesenterica, the tripe fungus, Mycena pseudocorticola, Mycena rorida, Galerina marginata, the funeral bell and Rutstroemia firma." http://rogerparsons.info/bulletin2014oct19.txt BARDNEY Bardney Garden TF117 701 Mary and Phil Porter 22.12.20 First greenfinch (male) of the winter. Feeding on sunflower hearts. We haven’t seen any since the dreaded disease wiped them out in the summer. The mixed seed and sunflower feeders have been very popular with our colony of house sparrows, which must exceed 40. We’ve never had so many. We used to have tree sparrows. No sign at all this year. X4 + chaffinches X1 male redpoll positively identified, but a large flock of either linnets, goldfinches, redpolls or a combination, in excess of 30 birds, has been around the garden for a couple of weeks. They do a lot of twittering and seem to land just out of sight of the windows in the birch trees. X 8+ goldfinches X2 pied wagtails out on the verge X2 wrens X2 robins singing X4 collared doves X4 wood pigeons X1 great spotted woodpecker, female. Often seen doing a brilliant wryneck impersonation. Shinning up the gleditsia tree trunk to alongside the hanging seed dispenser that has a “saucer/ hopper”. It turns it’s head upside-down to dip in and get the seed out. She often comes down to drink from the bird bath. X5+ blackbirds on cotoneaster and apples Fieldfares heard and a few seen on the apples at the bottom of the garden. X5+ blue tits X4+ great tits. X1 Buzzard heard Both male and female sparrow hawks are frequently in the garden, mostly the female. CARLTON LE MOORLAND Jeremy Hutchinson Carlton le Moorland SK909581 20/12/2020 Female Blackcap in garden. (Although I have read that a few overwinter, I have never seen one at this time of the year before). CLEETHORPES BEACH between Buck Beck and Cleethorpes Leisure Centre. 17/12/2020 Mike Pickwell Snow Buntings 5 FAR INGS Angela Buckle. 20th December 2020 Two Celandines in flower, visitors centre Far Ings today FISKERTON Fiskerton Fen TF 083 718 Mary and Phil Porter 22.12.20 We went to do our regular litter-pick in the hope of also spotting a bittern or two: X3 Bitterns in the reedbeds. Thanks go to very helpful birdwatchers for helping us spot them! X1 Female marsh harrier X8 goosanders X3 great crested grebes Several mallards X1 reed bunting X20+ fieldfares HOLYWELL LAKE WeBS Holywell Lake 14th December 2020 0905 -1140 Ian Misselbrook Little Grebes 31 Cormorants 3 Grey Heron 1 Little Egrets 2 Canada Geese 43 Greylag Geese 15 Gadwall 10 Wigeon 78 Mallard 114 Teal 16 Tufted Duck 25 Coot 1 Moorhen 22 Black-headed Gulls 11 Pheasants 6 Stock Doves 2 Woodpigeons 14 Red Kite 1 Buzzards 2 Kestrel 1 Green Woodpecker 1 Jays 2 Jackdaws Rooks Carrion Crows 6 Coal Tits 3 Blue Tits 12 Great Tits 4 Long-tailed Tits 14 Nuthatches 2 Wrens 6 Dunnocks 7 Pied Wagtails 9 Robin 8 Blackbirds 14 - mostly continental birds with duller bills and plumage Fieldfares 25 Redwings 2 Mistle Thrushes 2 Meadow Pipis 3 Chaffinches 12 Grey Squirrels 2 Muntjac 1 Haconby 16th December 2020 Grey Wagtail 1 ..and between Haconby and Morton © 60 Meadow Pipits feeding in a field of stubble. HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Haynes 21 December 2020 A pair of buzzards, male and female, have taken to perching on a large ash tree across the field from my house. The two of them were there for at least an hour yesterday. Very effective pigeon-scarers! Birds seen in my garden this week: Blue tits Great tits Long-tailed tits Coal tit Goldfinches (still most numerous) Chaffinches Greenfinches Robin Dunnocks Blackbirds Pheasants (many, hiding from the local shoots, I think) We also have a few squirrels which keep my indoor cats entertained! WOOLSTHORPE BY COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 Jane Ostler 16th – 22nd December 2020 Flowering Plants: A local walk on 19th December showed that I was wrong to think the snow would “wipe the slate clean” of small plants in flower because they were buried under the snow for four days. Plenty of Wood Avens, Dandelions and Daisies, White Deadnettle and Herb Robert. The most remarkable were the Groundsels. They had been knocked flat but had straightened their slender stems and were carrying not only flowers but bursts of seedheads. Perhaps they had survived because the ground was not frozen when the snow fell. There is a parable there somewhere. Open ground has in places continuous mats of cress like seedlings, but where they have developed to the true leaf stage, with stems of some sort, their hairs reveal their identity. The sticky ones of Goosegrass are the most obvious but Common Chickweed , the first plant I ever used a key to identify, needs close examination to show the single lines of simple hairs which alternate between nodes. In the garden the earliest ever Winter Aconites (Eranthis hymenalis) in flower on 21st December and Cyclamen cone out under the apple trees. It was 13C. Fungi: On a dykeside growing from the remains of a tree stump the Velvet Shank has been in fruit for a fortnight. Old Fences are splashed with the Common Jelly Spot. On the Nature Trail the remains of the Collared Earth Star show how it has spread eastwards along the track sides. A few Clouded Funnels but the only other gill fungi still about are Scurfy Twiglets, Pleated Inkcaps and small white Mycena spp. In what has been an inexplicably poor year along the Trail. Invertebrates. Wet weather has meant that there are plenty of slugs and worms of all kinds near the surface for the birds. Less than fifteen hours of daylight , rather than lower temp- eratures , triggers some invertebrates to begin the process of diapause (form of hibernation). Adult beetles may burrow into the ground. The hens discovered the fact this week when a piece of ground was dug over in their new pen. On 22nd December a Buff-tailed Bumble Bee out on Winter Honeysuckle. A worker Vespula wasp appeared dead when discovered on a log but the warmth of the room made it uncurl its antennae and begin moving. Amphibians: Clearance of shrubs overgrown on what was once a rockery above a tiny pond, was stopped when it was discovered that a very lively frog was enjoying its protection alongside some dormant newts in the leaf litter. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 follows. See: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/weekly-update ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 "The LLP Team have been working hard since their return from furlough ...and a the haiku competition for 15 and under children has been launched, alongside the Lincspirational Plants Open Call for Artists." Please see details here: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants/haiku-competition https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants/lincspirational-plants 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: Butterfly guide to part of Europe including Britain - free to download https://assets.vlinderstichting.nl/docs/0b095bc2-0387-4785-9f7e-5f7a987b3468.pdf 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. *** 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 *** None this week. ....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. Shell shocked: 'Lobster capital' braces for Brexit https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-55370313 New vision to rewild Nottingham city centre - BirdGuides https://www.birdguides.com/news/new-vision-to-rewild-nottingham-city-centre/ A Photograph With an Eight-Year Exposure Was Taken With a Beer Can https://www.vice.com/en/article/jgqjgy/a-photograph-with-an-eight-year-exposure-was-taken-with-a-beer-can Breathtaking underwater photographs document the hidden lives of humpback whales https://www.zmescience.com/science/underwater-photos-humpback-whales-jem-cresswell-906236/ Wildfire smoke may spread infectious disease https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-55350185 Electricity in the natural world https://www.zmescience.com/science/natural-electricity-feature/ Stick to paths and protect beauty spots https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/dec/17/savour-the-squelch-and-stick-to-paths-to-protect-beauty-spots-walkers-urged ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/