============================================= || || 5th February 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... *** Note Severe Weather Warnings, currently for Saturday and Sunday: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings We hope you will come along to the next Recorders' Meeting next week - 8th February 2020. No formal presentations this year; choose which wildlife families you are most interested in at separate ‘conversation stations’. Professor Mark Seaward has said that he hopes to be there too and is willing to identify lichen specimens. Annette and Colin Faulkner will also be there for bat questions and records. Nearly all recorders are expected to be there. See: https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/2019-02-09/ A selection of topical news stories and wildlife articles can be found on the following links. Most have been suggested by fellow readers. The Wren retains top spot as UK's commonest bird https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/The_Wren_retains_top_spot_as_UKs_commonest_bird.aspx?s_id=135019746 Birders must all have heard of the Black-throated Thrush seen in Grimsby. https://pewit.blogspot.com/2020/01/black-throated-thrush-at-grimsby.html Why so many Australian species are yet to be named https://theconversation.com/why-so-many-australian-species-are-yet-to-be-named-59237 Photo of the Week: 22-28 January - BirdGuides https://www.birdguides.com/articles/photo-of-the-week/photo-of-the-week-22-28-january/ Woodhall Spa mustard gas defendant admits gun charges https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-51374271 Norton Disney animal rendering factory plans rejected again https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-51362384 Genetic scorecard finds under-threat Scots species - very interesting https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-51310714 Habitat loss and light pollution are driving fireflies extinct https://www.zmescience.com/science/habitat-loss-and-light-pollution-are-driving-fireflies-extinct/ Reintroduced eagle settles in Oxfordshire - BirdGuides https://www.birdguides.com/news/reintroduced-eagle-settles-in-oxfordshire/ Beavers released on Exmoor by National Trust to 'reduce flooding' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-51300345 Pollination is now more successful in cities than rural areas https://www.zmescience.com/science/pollination-cities-rural-efficiency-315342/ Wisbech bees killed by 'morons' in hive attack https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-51313829 Seagrass meadows get £2.5m for restoration work https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-51299215 'Bald' hedgehog returns to wild after re-growing spines https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-51309748 National Insect Week 22-28 June 2020 - dates for your diary https://www.nationalinsectweek.co.uk/ More links in "...and finally..." If Recorders have any requests for information on particular species - please let me know. Always glad to help. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** LNU Events Diary *** LNU events are also listed below in section 11. 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.] Next meetings: Indoor Meetings 2020 https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ Recorders’ Meeting – 8th February 2020 Annual General Meeting – 7th March 2020 Followed by the Presidential Address by Chris du Feu Richard Davidson has sent details for this year's Whisby Workshops All from 12.30 until 16.30 pm. Plant Pressing - Sue Fysh - 30th May. Yellow Flowered Asteraceae / Compositae Plants - Sarah Lambert - 1st August. Owl & Other Bird Pellets - Garry Steele - 21st November. A fourth workshop on Lichens led by Mark Seaward is being arranged. Further information will follow. *** Wanted: dead clematis *** Message from Charlie Barnes The minute wood boring weevil Xylocleptes bispinus feeds inside dead clematis (traveller's joy) and is likely to be present wherever this grows, but it has only recently been found in Lincolnshire. I would be very interested in receiving hand- fuls of thin, dead twigs of clematis - especially those with small (1mm) exit holes - along with the date and location of collection, to search for the weevil. Samples of clematis other than our native Clematis vitalba would also be welcome, with a note on the species involved, if this is known. With the lack of vegetation, now is a great time to look for the exit holes. If you'd like to try and find it for yourself, you just need to carefully split open suspect twigs, ideally under a microscope. The tunnels made by the weevils, along with their frass, are normally quite obvious in the otherwise dense pith and the beetles themselves standout, being a rusty red brown. Charlie Barnes - LNU recorder for beetles charlie@cucaera.co.uk *** Heads up for Amphibians *** Ashley Butterfield - LNU Recorder - Reptiles and Amphibians., writes: As we travel steadily into the new year, newts will be returning back to their watery breeding grounds and February is not too early to see these amazing animals. Armed with a good torch, it may be worth shining a light into any natural watersource, just after twilight to see if you can see any of these animals floating and swimming through the water. Any natural water, (even if it is only seasonally wet and dries up through the later summer months,) can still be a viable breeding ground for newts. Ditches running along the side of our playing field will be host to smooth newts this year as every year It is still as exciting to see them by torchlight today as it was when I first discovered them when we first moved here 10 years ago. 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.) " Ashley says he hopes to be at the Recorders' meeting if you have any reports for him or to chat about Lincolnshire Reptiles and Amphibians. *** Bryophytes *** Steven Heathcote writes: I'll be at the recorders' meeting. I'd be happy to check specimens anyone wants to bring along - a few choice plants plucked from a drive/lawn/wall/tree etc.. Best dried in a paper packet (opened envelopes from incoming post work fine - just folded over a few times to stop the specimen escaping and left to air dry or placed on a radiator for an hour) and labelled with grid reference/collector/date. Any and all records appreciated. *** Look Out for Slugs *** Chris Du Feu writes: The lack of cold weather during December and early January will have allowed higher survival than normal for many of our slug species. That makes them even easier to find and record than usual. Some species can be difficult to identify so perhaps the best start is to be with three large species which are commonly found near (or even in) houses. These are Limax maximus (the Leopard Slug) and the two cellar slug species (Limacus flavus and L. maculatus). These are subject of a Royal Horticultural Society project so notes on identification an instruction for submission can be found on the RHS web site https://www.rhs.org.uk/slugssurvey All records submitted will be verified in the iRecord system. Once verified they will be freely available via the NBN Atlas https://nbnatlas.org/ Limax maximus is (or should be) unmistakeable and, being carnivorous with pestilential slugs in its diet, is a gardener’s ally. The two cellar slugs are benign, feeding primarily on algae and lichen leaving characteristic feeding trails on greenhouse glass, drain pipes etc. and avoiding your hostas etc. The green species, L. maculatus, has almost completely replaced the yellow species, L. flavus, over the past 20 years with the yellow species now being very rare indeed. The reason is unknown. All records of either of these species are welcome to help document the rapid distribution changes. Note: Chris will be at the Recorders’ day in February. He will be delighted if attenders bring slugs with them for identification. Ensure you have place name, grid reference and date of collection to ensure we can make good records for this under-recorded group. *** Hedgehog Information Please *** Chris Manning, Mammal Recorder, will welcome reports of hedgehogs. As he will not be able to attend the Recorders meeting you may send these in via the Bulletin or directly to Chris. There is the possibility that this wet, mild winter will bring hungry hedgehogs out of hibernation early. If you rescue one, spot a road kill or a live, happy hedgehog, do send in a record. Chris Manning, Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Useful Hedgehog links: https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ http://caddingtonhedgehogs.blogspot.com/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** Seal Wardens wanted 2020 *** The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust are hoping to expand their current team of volunteer seal wardens for the 2020 season. Volunteers provide valuable face-to-face contact for visitors, answer questions about the seals and other wildlife, patrol the viewing area, enforce the visitor guidelines and help to run the small gift shop. This work is done alongside the Donna Nook Wardens. For more information and/or to apply for a position please follow this link to the Trust’s website: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/vacancies *** February 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 *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ Keith Scarrott writes: The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society Our February meeting is very soon on the Monday, 10th February when our member Paul Hildreth will be giving his talk "Myths, Legends and Folklore in Geology". Paul, who is President of the Yorkshire Geological Society, has focused his talk on Lincolnshire. He has given us several talks on Geology and has a reputation of making them very interesting and enjoyable. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. We meet at 7.15pm at the St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. There is a large, free car park at the Church. For a small charge light refreshments are available at the mid-talk break. For further details please contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** Grimsby & District RSPB *** http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby Martin Francis – Group Leader - writes: RSPB Grimsby Local Group's February Meeting and Trip for inclusion in the LNU Bulletin. The February meeting of the RSPB Grimsby Local Group features the return of Ashley Grove who will give a talk with the title “Shetland to Scilly, Birds of the British Isles”. Ashley, who is officially recommended by the RSPB and the Royal Horticultural Society, lectures widely and leads regular photographic and birding tours to The Gambia, the Shetland Islands, Isles of Scilly, Trinidad & Tobago, the Spanish Pyrenees and elsewhere. In his talk, he will take us on a journey around the British Isles, sharing wonderful images of the birds he has photographed along the way. Starting with Puffins in Shetland and finishing up with the odd rarity found on the Isles of Scilly, we will have clocked up a fair few miles from the comfort of our seat by the end of the night, but will have seen well over 100 species. The talk takes place at 7.30pm on Monday, 17th February 2020 at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, (formerly known as Corpus Christi Community Centre), Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7LH.  There will also be refreshments and a raffle Entry is £4, payable at the door. There are still spaces on our coach trip to Carsington Water in Derbyshire on Sunday 16th February (i.e. the day before the meeting). On previous visits to this reservoir, we have seen over 50 species, including great northern diver. This trip may also appeal to walkers and ramblers who will be most welcome to join us, because there is an excellent walk of about 8 miles round the lake. The coach leaves the Shoppers Car Park in Scartho, (next to Scartho Community Centre) at 7.30am, returning at 6-6.30pm. The cost is £20 per head. Booking is essential. Contact Tony Bryan by email at mariners4top@yahoo.co.uk or by phone at (01472) 873362 Everyone, RSPB members and non-members, is welcome to attend the meeting or join us on the trip. *** South Lincs. RSPB Group and Lincs. Wildlife Trust *** Talk -“On The Marsh” by Simon Wilson. 11th February at 7-30pm Pinchbeck Village Hall PE11 3RB £1-50 - including refreshments Further details at https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/events/ *** South Lincs RSPB *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs. RSPB Group have released details of their hugely popular “Birdwatching cruises into the Wash” programme for 2020. Fourteen cruises are arranged for 2020, at various sailing times and dates, starting 16th April and ending 23rd October. Full details of all cruise dates and times, costs etc., plus 2019 Sightings, 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 *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk Carolyn Davis writes: On Sunday 9th February 2020 members of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them on a morning bird walk with Graham Hicks, starting from Anthony's Bank, Humberston. Meet Graham at 8am in the carparking area Grid Ref. TA331061 nearest postcode DN35 0PW. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event however donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact Graham Hicks - 07979089890. On Monday 10th February 2020 the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invites you to join them at their next indoor meeting where Outer Humber and Coastal Warden Matt Blissett and Assistant Coastal Warden Ruth Taylor will give an illustrated presentation on the Natterjack Toad and talk about other wildlife too. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £3, all are welcome. There will be Trust sales, raffle and tea & coffee available. For further details contact Jennie Redpath - 01472 502858. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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.] 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/ 29/01 Ring-necked Duck fem, Great White Egret, Woodhall Spa airfield Hen Harrier ringtail near Frampton Marsh Great White Egret flew SW over Boultham Mere/Swanpool, Lincoln 2 Tundra Bean Geese in field west of River Steeping with 900 Pink- footed Geese, Water Pipit flew over Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 30/01 Black-throated Thrush male south of Grimsby Institute, then flew SE along Scartho Road Ring-necked Duck fem, Woodhall Spa airfield 10 Snow Buntings, on outer beach, Cleethorpes Hen Harrier ringtail, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Ring-necked Duck fem, Woodhall Spa airfield Red-necked Grebe on sea off Mill Hill, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret on Lagoon, Middlemarsh Wetlands 31/01 Purple Sandpiper, sea wall right of Fuller Street bridge, Cleethorpes Black-throated Thrush male south of Grimsby Institute Great White Egret, ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Water Pipit on Jackson's Marsh, then flew south., Gibraltar Point 2 Hen Harrier ringtails, Baston Fen 1/02 Black-throated Thrush, male still south of Grimsby Institute Tundra Bean Goose, Saltfleetby St Peter 2 Hen Harrier ringtails, Baston Fen 2 Hen Harriers, 1 male, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Black Brant ad with Dark-bellied Brent Geese + probable hybrid Black Brant x Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 18 Snow Buntings, c60 Twite, Donna Nook Ring-necked Duck fem, Woodhall Spa airfield Purple Sandpiper on groynes by North Promenade, Cleethorpes Long-tailed Duck flew past , Balearic Shearwater flew past Noprth Sea Observatory, Chapel Point 2/02 Black-throated Thrush, male still south of Grimsby Institute Great Northern Diver flew south past North Sea Observatory, Chapel Point Long-eared Owl, Deeping Lakes, from hide, Deeping St James Ring-necked Duck fem, Woodhall Spa airfield Bittern from Ness Hide, Far Ings, Barton-upon-Humber Lapland Bunting over East Dunes, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Gibraltar Point 2 Great White Egrets, Frampton Marsh Hooded Crow at Roxby Gullet tip, Scunthorpe 3/02 Black-throated Thrush, male still south of Grimsby Institute Pale-belied Brent Goose on Tennyson's Sands, Water Pipit over Sykes Farm, male Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point 4/02 Black-throated Thrush, male still south of Grimsby Institute Water Pipit, Great Northern Diver on sea off Mill Hill, Gibraltar Point 5 Twite, ringtail Hen H arrier, Frampton Marsh Long-eared Owl, Deeping Lakes, from hide, Deeping St James Snow Bunting, in dunes near Yacht club, Cleethorpes 5/02 Black-throated Thrush, male still south of Grimsby Institute Ring-necked Duck fem, Woodhall Spa airfield 3 Twite, Frampton Marsh Cattle Egret, Short Ferry, Fiskerton 6/02 2 Great White Egrets flew along River Trent, Trent Port Wetlands, WSE of Marton ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work. ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. Road kill Torksey A156 30.01.2020 Alison Brownlow Badger A46 North Hykeham SK 92230 67541 Peter Morrell 30.01.20 Badger roadkill on side of A46 *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Thanks to our regular contributors across the county. Much appreciated. We rely on readers to send in their observations and we welcome records from everyone, experts or beginners. Please keep your reports coming. DON'T FORGET - TIME FLIES! Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BARDNEY - The Green TF120694 R & A Parsons w/o 02/02/2020 Chaffinch m, Wren 2, Blue Tit 6, Treat tit 4, Blackbird 2m 1f, Robin, Jackdaw 6, Starling 16, House Sparrow 16, Dunnock 2, Collared Dove 6, Woodpigeon 3, Magpie 2 Grey squirrel Black-headed gull count, 31/1/2020 - 21 on Church roof. BARDNEY LOCK R & A Parsons 5/2/2020 Little Egret on Old River Witham TF105703 Lapwing flock est >2000 on/over Branston Island TF099710 Herd of estimated 80 Swans Branston Delph opposite 13km post TF066702 BOSTON (Garden near A16) January 2020 Kathleen Pearson I was able to do the BTO Garden BirdWatch on all 31 days in January. In total 25 species occurred, though the only unusual bird seen was a single Mistle Thrush. One of the finest sightings however, was being able to count 30 Goldfinches on the feeding station at one time, far more than is usual. A Sparrowhawk spent several days in the garden at mid-month and a Pheasant has visited us on a number of occasions. Grey Squirrels have now increased to three. Magpie 2, Blackbird 7, Collared Dove 3, Sparrowhawk 1, Robin 1, House sparrow 6, Greenfinch 7, Great Tit 2, Blue Tit 2, Dunnock 2, Carrion Crow 2, Black-headed Gull 4, Chaffinch 2, Woodpigeon 11, Goldfinch 30, Song Thrush 1, Starling 4, Jackdaw 2, Herring Gull 3, Long-tailed Tit 3, BLACKCAP (Male) 1, Pheasant 1, Wren 1, Goldcrest 1, Mistle Thrush 1. CLEETHORPES TA 300069 Peter Crick 31:01:2020 Bumble Bee - Large unidentified seen flying past window Weather, sunny, temp 10C CLEETHORPES - LEISURE CENTRE Peter Crick 04:02:2020 Buff Tailed Bumble Bee, Large, stationary, on pavement. Weather - cloudy, temp. 8C  cool wind. NETTLEHAM Brenda Edlington TF 005756 Big Garden Birdwatch 25/1/2020 Blackbird 4 Blackcap f 1 Blue tit 3 Chaffinch 2 Coal tit 1 Collared dove 3 Crow 5 Dunnock 1 Goldfinch 9 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Great tit 1 Greenfinch 3 Long-tailed tit 2 Magpie 2 Robin 1 Woodpigeon 2 Wren 1 Seen the same day 5 sparrows though none in the hour. Regular male sparrowhawk not seen. 26/1/2020 The day after the count a goldcrest (very occasional visitor) and 13 collared doves GRIMSBY GRID REF 265095 Joyce Attia 1/02/2020 23.00 hrs 26/01/2020 Big Garden Bird Watch - 2 blue tits, 1 collared dove, 1 robin, 1 f blackbird, 1 feral pigeon, 1 dunnock, 1 m blackbird, 2 goldfinches (the first we have had this year). Then the rest of the regulars - 1 woodpigeon, 4 starlings, 1 great tit 30/01/2020 A big bumblebee zoomed across the garden 1 woodpigeon, 1 robin, 1 dunnock, a pair of blackbirds, 3 goldfinches, 2 collared doves, 2 blue tits, a crow on the chimney pot, and I can hear a magpie in the trees over the river. On the river - The little grebe is back, unfortunately there's only the one, hopefully he will find a mate. The mallards and moorhens are carrying on courting displays. The pair of swans are just sedately swimming up and down, with occasional wing beating by the cob. 31/01/2020 A skein of geese - approx. 60 - flying West, too high up to tell what breed. About 30 black headed gulls coming down for food - someone must be feeding the ducks. 1/02/2020 My great grandson cut back the butterfly bush for me and disturbed a number of spiders and a couple of ladybirds. TF511762 (my garden) HUTTOFT Jane Pennington 23/1/2020 Ladybird 7-spot 1 On parsnip pulled from the garden. 25/1/2020 Magpie 1 Wren 1 27/1/2020 Sparrowhawk 1 30/1/2020 Vinca major in flower 31/1/2020 Song thrush 1 Heard singing MARKET RASEN TF107 897 01.02.2020 Richard Fox Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) surveying our garden. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow Trail camera 18/01/20 - 24/01/20 Blackbird x 4 Redwing x 4 Robin x 1 Rabbit x 1 Wood Mouse x 3 24/01/20 Blackbird x 2 Black-headed Gull x 38 in fields around Thurnholmes Chaffinch x 3 Cormorant x 4 over Thurnholmes 26/01/20 Tawny Owl x 1 flew out of stable 01:15hrs Brown Hare x 2 SK793975 27/01/20 Blackbird x 3 Black-headed Gull x 62 Blue Tit x 2 Chaffinch x 12 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 9 Great Tit x 2 Robin x 1 03/02/20 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 3 Black-headed Gull x 7 Blue Tit x 4 Chaffinch x 4 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 15 Great Tit x 2 Little Egret x 1 SK788991 Tawny Owl x 2 calling 02:10hrs WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 Jane Ostler 10 29/l/20 FLOWERING PLANTS Alder and Hazel catkins shedding pollen since 10/1/20 but as yet no female flowers. Newton and Water Lanes have lines of snowdrops along the verges. Planted by residents. Also Post Lane has a section with snowdrops and Winter Aconites out. First Lesser Celandine in flower 17/1/20 same time and place as last year. It flowers on the banks of a spring-fed stream. Rather strangely a single flower of Marsh Marigold (also known as May Blobs) was out in same area. INSECTS A Peacock Butterfly flying in my garden on 10/1/20 SK923250. BIRDS Dead Tawny Owl on Woolsthorpe Road on 12/1/20 since when there has been not "twit" twoos" from the Nature Trail. A Barn Owl regularly seen in the late afternoon in the vicinity of Woolsthorpe Manor. Jackdaws had already started building in a chimney on 20/1/20 when a builder came to put a cap on it. Bare branches have revealed nests, mainly of Corvids and Pigeons. The latter just keep going rearing young irrespective of the season. The best place to see small birds at this time of the year is in hedges to the west of the village - linnets, skylarks and yellow hammers. In gardens everyone is reporting the lack of tits and finches. We have 25 house sparrows as regulars, robins, wrens and blackbirds which come to feed on the apples. A goldcrest spent a morning in the larch tree. A song thrush was singing on 22/1/20 MAMMALS Muntjac are seen regularly, including in the vicinity of houses. A stoat on the Roadside Nature Reserve will be having a hard time of it as there is still no sign of rabbits. The grassland is no longer kept trim by their grazing. A house mouse found a window ledge bird feeder much to its liking but has now had a barrier put in its way. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Reports always welcome. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 29th January – 4th February 2020 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Weather statistics for 2020 so far: Rainfall total for January was 35.8mm (1.41 inches). The average maximum was 9.65? making it a milder than expected month. A NW gust of 34.9mph was recorded near Sea View on 4th February. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Note - one, maybe two short-eared owls seen in the Paradise area around 20th January (per comms Graham Parker). Bird song now increasing with great tit and robin singing strongly and blue tit, dunnock, blackbird and song thrush also occasionally in song. 290120 - Little egrets increasing to 30 birds feeding on the saltmarsh, ring ouzel seen near Sea View mid-day and later in afternoon (Matt Blissett and Peter Roworth). 300120 - Marsh harrier hunting over the saltmarsh. Ring ouzel near Sea View. 310120 - 36 curlew feeding in pasture field near Paradise lagoon. 020220 - Merlin, barn owl and 4 hen harriers over saltmarsh, little owl and tawny owl heard in the Churchill Lane area. 030220 - At least 108 teal on paradise lagoon. Stonechat near Sea View. 040220 - Male hen harrier flying east over Sea View mid-day and later seen hunting over saltmarsh, woodcock flushed from dunes nearby. Seal Wardens needed: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust are hoping to expand their current team of volunteer seal wardens for the 2020 season. Volunteers provide valuable face-to-face contact for visitors, answer questions about the seals and other wildlife, patrol the viewing area, enforce the visitor guidelines and help to run the small gift shop. This work is done alongside the Donna Nook Wardens. For more information and/or to apply for a position please follow this link to the Trust’s website: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/vacancies ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/visit/woods-and-nature-reserves/127031.article https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/limewoods/get-involved/ Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch Southrey Wood work party volunteers needed. See: https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html The Hazel Dormouse https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/cy/node/35 Lincolnshire Dormouse Group Volunteers needed this winter. The group still meets over winter to carry out essential coppice management of the wood and maintenance activities and anyone is welcome to come along and help. Just get in touch via lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com Gemma Watkinson adds Please see below a link to the latest dormouse monitor magazine which includes an article on the Lincolnshire dormouse group. https://ptes.org/get-informed/publications/magazines/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If visiting Willow Tree Fen see LWT website for directions and updated information on parking and seasonal paths - groundwork is in progress. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/willow-tree-fen If your favourite locations are under-reported- why not send in some information? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. The upper limit is £250. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk *** Love Lincs Plants - Updates from the Partnership *** 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 Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union 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: 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 *** 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/ *** 2020 Big Farmland Bird Count *** Friday 7th to Sunday 16th February 2020. 2019 results on the BFBC website: https://www.bfbc.org.uk/ 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/ STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Check for road works and hold-ups: very useful *** https://roadworks.org/ *** EasyTide *** http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Metcheck 6-month Forecast - maybe! *** https://www.metcheck.com/WEATHER/180days.asp? *** Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service *** http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx *** Lyme Disease *** https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/ 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 Deadline for entries: 31 March 2020 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/ Recorders’ Meeting – 8th February 2020 Annual General Meeting – 7th March 2020 Followed by the Presidential Address by Chris du Feu ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails This Week *** Mail fails: 10 Bulletins have bounced today, mainly plus.com, "soft bounces" . Victims have been contacted directly. 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... Coronavirus: China wildlife trade ban 'should be permanent' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-51310786 Climate crisis: how to make space for 2 billion trees on a crowded island like the UK https://theconversation.com/climate-crisis-how-to-make-space-for-2-billion-trees-on-a-crowded-island-like-the-uk-128098 Somalia declares emergency over locust swarms https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-51348517 Country diary: could alder wood wasps be breathing new life into an old friend? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/24/country-diary-could-alder-wood-wasps-be-breathing-new-life-into-an-old-friend Country diary: march of the molluscs https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jan/28/country-diary-march-of-the-molluscs Basking sharks 'hang out' in family groups https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-51362245 How we recruited albatrosses to patrol the high seas for illegal fishers https://theconversation.com/how-we-recruited-albatrosses-to-patrol-the-high-seas-for-illegal-fishers-130621 World First: Genetically Engineered Moth Is Released Into an Open Field https://www.technologynetworks.com/genomics/news/world-first-genetically-engineered-moth-is-released-into-an-open-field-329960 'Anglo-Saxon' skeletons found on Buckingham care home site https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-51299156 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/