============================================= || || 4th March 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... *** We hope you will come along to the AGM of the LNU this Saturday, 7th March. 2pm at Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park. After the business Hon President Chris du Feu will give the address. If you are interested in applying for a Lincolnshire Environmental Award this year, now is the time to take action. The application process is easy. Deadline for entries: 31 March 2020. For more information see: www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk May I draw your attention to the Field Identification Skills Assessment (FISC) from the BSBI, delivered by Natural England Field Unit Staff. Scroll down for more information on this and other coming events like the Bryophyte meeting [for humans!] on Sunday, 8th March. Note the East of England Coleopterists meeting at Whisby on 21st March. You will also be welcome to sign up for the "Whisby Workshops" or to come to one of the Whisby Drop-in sessions. A selection of topical news stories and wildlife articles can be found on the following links. Most have been suggested by fellow readers. In Pictures: Flood-hit areas in the Midlands https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-51657771 Garden Wildlife Jobs for March https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/garden-wildlife-jobs-for-march/ People 'need connection with nature' https://theecologist.org/2020/feb/27/people-need-connection-nature Pollination 101: the basics on what it is and why it matters https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/pollination-101-the-basics-on-what-it-is-and-why-it-matters/ Photo of the Week: 19-25 February - BirdGuides https://www.birdguides.com/articles/photo-of-the-week/photo-of-the-week-19-25-february/ UK raptor persecution on the rise - BirdGuides https://www.birdguides.com/news/uk-raptor-persecution-on-the-rise/ Packham 'outraged' by Cambridge University bird netting https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-51666004 Contemplating the Fens through art https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-51617138 English Heritage urges end to illegal metal detecting at historic sites https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51669348 Help Fight 'Flu - register with Flusurvey https://flusurvey.net/ https://flusurvey.net/en/accounts/register/ More links in "...and finally..." 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/ Annual General Meeting – 7th March 2020 Followed by the Presidential Address by Chris du Feu LNU Honorary President, Chris du Feu, will be speaking speaking about: 'Biological records - Cost and Lost. Thoughts of an amateur limacologist.' (Limacologist = slug expert). Chris' talks are not to be missed! We look forward to seeing you. Starts 2pm. £2 parking. Field Meetings 2020: https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/ Details at the of Bulletin. 11. Events Diary. *** Bryophyte Meeting *** Steven Heathcole writes: Bryophyte meeting - Sunday 8th March - Welton-le-Wold The next bryophyte meeting is a trip to explore the geological SSSI at Welton-le-Wold. The site is unexplored but has plenty of open ground and cliffs so lots of potential! We will meet at 10am. There is a nice car park which is accessed through the gate off the minor road north of Welton le Wold (TF281879). As usual we will stay out until we have had enough or it gets dark so bring lunch and warm clothes. *** East of England Coleopterists meeting *** Charlie Barnes writes: The 2nd East of England Coleopterists meeting is taking place at Whisby Nature Park on the 21st March. The morning will have a range of beetle- related talks at the education centre, including vane trapping and dealing with the minutiae of the Coleoptera. After lunch we'll head outdoors to look for beetles on the reserve. For further information contact Bill Mansfield billmansfield8@hotmail.com or Charlie Barnes charlie@cucaera.co.uk  STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Check for road works and hold-ups: very useful *** https://roadworks.org/ *** Met Office Severe Warnings: current *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings *** Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service *** http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** EasyTide *** http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx *** Lyme Disease *** https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/ *** Botany - 2020 Field Identification Skills Certificate *** From Love Lincs Plants Team For the third year running we are delivering a Field Identification Skills Assessment (FISC) from the BSBI and delivered by Natural England Field Unit Staff. This is a highly regarded botanical TEST which aims to establish your botany identification skill level so that you can progress as a botanist. It is also a great way to meet fellow botanists and great way to see part of the county that you would not otherwise venture to. Date: Saturday 11th July 2020 Time: 10:15am—4:30pm Meeting venue for indoor session:Castle Bytham Village Hall, Pinfold Rd, Grantham, NG33 4RY Fee: £75 TO BOOK: To book your slot please send an email to Andrea.Perkins@naturalengland.org.uk stating 'Field Identification Skills Assessment (FISC) - Castle Bytham, 11th July' Please do not contact the LNU or Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust to book your space. Once confirmed, you will receive more detail event details in June. Find out more about FISCs here: www.bsbi.org/field-skills *** Whisby Workshops *** 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. Lichens workshop - Prof Mark Seaward - Saturday the 17th of October. Owl & Other Bird Pellets - Garry Steele - 21st November. *** Whisby Natural History "drop-in" sessions *** The LNU has organised some drop-in sessions at the Whisby Education Centre to provide an opportunity to chat ‘natural history’ over a cup of coffee. You can turn up when you like; no booking necessary. Different specialists will be present at each and if you want to discuss something in particular let them know so they can come prepared with, for example, specimens or reference material. See the LNU website for further details: https://lnu.org/meetings/drop-in-sessions/ *** Sea Watch Observer Volunteer Training Courses *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and Seawatch Foundation North Sea Observatory - Chapel Point 28th March 2020 - 9am to 5pm. Find out how to identify the different whales, dolphins and porpoises off the Lincolnshire coast and how you can help us to monitor them. Booking essential - contact Dave Miller at dmiller@lincstrust.co.uk or phone 07919 326646 *** March 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/ The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society Our March meeting takes place on Monday, 9th March, and involves an illustrated talk on Raptors by our well-known local photographer Geoff Trinder. Geoff is also well-known in the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and has had his wildlife photographs used widely in both local and national magazines. As usual we meet at 7.15pm in the St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is a large, free car park at the Church. There is no entry charge to our meetings  but a donation bowl is provided. Light refreshments are available at the mid-talk break for a small charge. 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: The speaker at the next meeting of the RSPB Grimsby Local Group is Mandy West who is a freelance nature/wildlife/travel photographer with a passion for birds, wildlife and travel. Mandy has had images published by many organisations including BBC Earth, the RSPB and The Wildlife Trusts. She also organises and leads wildlife photography trips around Asia, Europe, Costa Rica and the UK. Mandy's talk has the title "Birding Murcia, Spain" and it takes place at 7.30pm on Monday, 16th March 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. Our next coach trip is to Clumber Park and the new RSPB Reserve at Sherwood Forest in Nottinghamshire on Sunday 15th March (i.e. the day before the meeting). On previous visits to these woodland areas, we have seen over 50 species, including hawfinch, marsh tit, nuthatch, treecreeper, goldcrest and great spotted woodpecker. This trip may also appeal to walkers and ramblers who will be most welcome to join us, because there are excellent walks at both sites. 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 *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: “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 *** Louth LWT *** Ray Woodcock writes Our Annual General Meeting will be on 24 April when there will be cake! There is a need for at least a couple of you to volunteer to join the committee. The tasks are not onerous, we hold 3 meetings a year to discuss and plan the programme for the following year. The only commitment is to help to run the indoor meetings; most of you attend these so it would only be a matter of arriving before the 7.30 pm start time. In the past people stayed on the committee for a long time; no-one expects you to do a 27 year stint! I set myself 5 years and will be leaving after 6 years. If you are prepared to consider a year to see ’how it goes’, you will be most welcome. Please contact me for any further details on rwwsec3lo@aol.com *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk Carolyn Davis writes: On Monday 9th March the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust invite you to join them at their next indoor meeting where the Trust's Head of Conservation Tammy Smalley will giving a presentation on our "Living Seas." This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30 pm. Admission £3, all are welcome. There will be Trust sales, raffle and tea & coffee available. For further information 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/ 27/2 Black-throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute, Grimsby Snow Bunting, Rimac 4 Spotted Redshank on wet grassland, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 27 Water Pipits roosted, male Hen Harrier over New Saltmarsh, Gibraltar Point 28/2 Black-throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute, Grimsby 29/2 Black-throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute, Grimsby 1/3 Black-throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute, Grimsby 2/3 Black-throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute, Grimsby 2 Waxwings, in garden on Farrow Road, Whaplode Drove Hooded Crow in field west of Anderby Marsh, Anderby Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Short-eared Owl, 15 Water Pipits, Gibraltar Point 3 Hen Harriers, 2 males, Frampton Marsh 3 Long-eared Owls, on island from hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 3/3 Black-throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute, Grimsby 3 Hen Harriers, 2 males, Frampton Marsh 68 Water Pipits in roost, male Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Pint Hen Harrier ringtail, WillowTree Fen 4/3 Black-throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute, Grimsby ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Peregrines Bob Sheppard writes: It's that time of year when our Lincolnshire peregrines will be preparing to breed. They usually lay around the end of March/early April. Bob Sheppard has sent this list of the churches where we can see them. St Wulframs Church, Grantham. St James' Church, Louth St Botolph's Church, Boston. St Mary's Church, Bottesford (just over the border) All these churches have live pictures streamed to a TV screen and most have a cafe serving cake and hot drinks whilst you watch the action (details on their websites) The RSPB organise viewings at Lincoln Cathedral. ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. ROAD KILLS 3/3/20 Jane Ostler A151 Between Birkholme and Twyford Wood 3 Fallow Deer SK970274 SK955237 SK947238 *** 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 01/03/2020 Buff-tailed bumblebee queen at window in sunshine - 16.00hrs BOSTON (Garden by A16) February 2020 Kathleen Pearson In February, I managed to do all 29 days in the BTO Garden BirdWatch. Total of 25 species occurred with the highest number of birds being 13 Woodpigeons and 13 Goldfinches. No other species managed double figures. A male Pheasant has done more damage to flowers than I would have wished. A pleasant interlude was the appearance of a pair of Goldcrests in the silver birch, twice the number of last month. Tits have again been in very small numbers, with only 2 Great and 2 Blue Tits, together with 4 Long-tailed Tits. A Great Spotted Woodpecker came on one occasion. Last month’s Mistle Thrush was replaced by a Song Thrush. Woodpigeon 13, Black-headed Gull 3, Goldfinch 13, Collared Dove 4, Blackbird 6, Chaffinch 2, Sparrowhawk 1, Blue Tit 2, Greenfinch 4, Starling 1, Dunnock 1, Magpie 2, Great Tit 2, House sparrow 5, Robin 2, Carrion Crow 2, Herring Gull 3, Jackdaw 1, Pheasant 1, Wren 2, Long-tailed Tit 4, Blackcap 1, Song Thrush 1, Goldcrest 2 and Great Spotted Woodpecker 1. CLEETHORPES TA300069 Peter Crick 28:02:2020 Bumblebee, large, flying at 16:30 - late afternoon sunshine after very wet day. Temp approx 6C Peter Crick 04:03:2020 Tortoiseshell x 2 on flowering heather, then flying vigorously around before coming together at height. Sunshine - temp approx 12C COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 Jane Ostler 4th March 2020 PHENOLOGY This is the recording annually of activity in certain species. The species are chosen as those whose main influence is climate rather then, say, day length. In this way, from many thousands of records there are indications of the influence of climate change. By collecting records from the same sites locally you can get an idea of what is happening in your own patch. This year and to the above date: PLANTS First flowers: Snowdrop (naturalised Galanthus nivalis only) 1st January Hazel, Lesser Celandine, Coltsfoot (all by 3rd week February), Blackthorn one early flowering bush, not a hybrid. Trees in leaf: Elder. Trees bud burst Hawthorn ( trees and shrubs known to be planted from 'foreign' stock not counted). To look for next in flower: Garlic Mustard, Wood anemone and Bluebell. Also a range of trees coming into leaf. BIRDS Song Thrush, full song (since second week in February.) First nest building Rooks, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit. BUTTERFLIES All butterfly records are important. So far only Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell out briefly from hibernation, including feeding. AMPHIBIANS Newts first seen in a pond 2nd week in February. Pair frogs on way to pond last week in February. First frog spawn at another garden pond, which is always the first, on 28th February. No toads reported at all. HORKSTOW Jenny Haynes 29 February 2020 11.30am Buzzard hovering over grass verge opposite my house. 2 March 2020. Seven-spot ladybird on my window (outside) today, HORSINGTON Moor Lane TF191674 3/3/2020 R.Parsons Barn Owl hunting along Moor Lane at 1330hrs. NETTLEHAM TF 01336 75387 David Smith 01/03/2020  17.30 Barn Owl flew across street then mobbed by two crows NOCTON Jerry Gunner On Sunday March 1, the first day of spring apparently, I took a walk around to see what signs of nesting I could find. Four or five blackbirds, two robin nests confirmed and two others probable. No finch nest sites found, probably too early but who knows these days? We certainly seem to have the world's supply of goldfinches and chaffinches and at least ten greenfinches which, another sign of the times, are perhaps one of the more exciting residents. The pair of buzzards don't seem to be building but given that they've repeatedly tried to construct a nest in a big ball of mistletoe (lost in the first of this winter's storms) perhaps that's not surprising. Our daytime murder of crows cleared off when I walked into their domain so I don't know what they're up to. My personal favourites, the dunnocks, are still doing their 'fluffy' mating displays with more than two birds seeming to take part. Great and blue tits were calling but the longtails seemed to be silent and I didn't see any coal tits although they're always here. I looked for and didn't find the tawny owls that make such a racket in the early hours - I very rarely see them. No winter thrushes although a dozen or so had landed on top of the poplars the day before. Loads of jackdaws and wood pigeons of course and a few collared doves, which live here somewhere I'm sure. I didn't see goldcrests or wrens . Now for the highlight - for me at least. I eventually got down to the bottom of what I, in a not at all pretentious way, the paddock ( a half acre field planted with a few fruit trees and allowed to run wild). Near the muddy, seemingly lifeless pond something caught my eye about 20 metres away. I thought it was a rabbit. It ran from my left to my right, so eastish to westish and came from a thicket of blackthorn in to much more open area. It seemed to be making for the water by which it was standing, and indeed stopped about seven metres away, I turned out to be the tiniest, fluffiest, spottiest, fawniest, baby muntjac in the world. Utterly entrancing. I find the adults, which I know live down the bottom of the paddock there, ugly. I see them quite regularly, about every six months or so, but I've only seen one baby before and that was brown all over so I mistook it for our cocker. A perfect start to spring for me. STICKNEY TF322568 Gail Cartwright Redwings x 3 Nice to see as haven't seen any for years THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 20/02/20 Barn Owl x 1 daytime hunting Blackbird x 2 Black-headed Gull x 21 Chaffinch x 2 Dunnock x 1 Kestrel x 1 Rook x 39 Wood Pigeon x 4 21/02/20 Black-headed Gull x 78 on fields around Thurnholmes Chaffinch x 2 Cormorant x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Fieldfare x 15 Greylag Goose x 10 over Thurnholmes Kestrel x 1 Mallard x 2 Moorhen x 5 Oystercatcher x 2 Robin x 1 29/02/20 Barn Owl x 1 SK803996 02/03/20 Blackbird x 2 Black-headed Gull x 25 Carrion Crow x 3 Chaffinch x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Great Tit x 1 Kestrel x 1 Moorhen x 2 Robin x 1 Rook x 4 Stock Dove x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 Yellowhammer x 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 26th February – 3rd March 2020 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Wet snow falling for 1hour 20min on the morning of the 27th, minor settling on grass but soon thawed. Total precipitation for February 89.9mm (3.54 inches). 260220 - Treecreeper and goldcrest at Sea View and a frog moving along a nearby ditch. 8 coots on the freshwater marsh at Rimac all in territory disputes. Barn owl hunting over the dunes at Sea View. 290220 – Stonechats: 2 at Rimac and 2 near Churchill, single common buzzard (very pale bird) overhead at Sea View. 10 gadwall still on Paradise lagoon and 41 little egrets on the saltmarsh. 010320 - Sheltered against the wind on Paradise lagoon were 63 curlew. 020320 - 2 buff tail bumblebees on wing, c200 pink feet geese leaving Rimac foreshore roost and 62 whooper swans coming into same area to roost at dusk. Paradise lagoon of note 28 shoveler, 7 tufted ducks,1 little grebe and 12 gadwall. At least 44 pink-feet flew NW over Sea View. 2 frogs seen in pond at Sea View. 030320 - 2 stonechats along foredune scrub MoD base to Rimac c 550 pink feet geese in 4 skeins migrating NW over outer beach early morning. 1 buff tail bumblebee and several flies on wing in late morning sunshine. Skein of c90 pink-feet flying NW over Sea View during the morning. Several skeins were flying around the Elm House farm area, landed but spooked by aircraft to be seen later landing; a count gave an estimate of 500 birds. 3 stonechats there along the fence line by the track. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 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 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer Force Dog Training Establishment Lincolnshire Showground. Grange-De-Lings. Lincoln nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE: 07768-501895 PAGER: 07654-330877 Related Webpages: Rural Crime News https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. When asking for help: Please give the the very best information you can provide. If you are not sure, ask what is needed from you to confirm identification. Photographs are helpful but not every species can be identified from a photograph. When asked for further details, get back to them promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcome. Reminder: Allan and Annette Binding are taking a break from recording. [Harvestmen, Pseudoscorpions, Spiders and Shield Bugs] Please do not send records in for now. We will let you know when alternative arrangements are in place via the LNU website and the Bulletin. *** Botany *** Botanical Group in South Lincs Contact: Sarah Lambert, who writes: We'd be happy to welcome new people, experienced or not, particularly if they are located towards the northern part of the vice county! sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Also see: http://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 *** British Bryological Society *** http://www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk/ *** LNU Sawflies, Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder *** Dr. David Sheppard Willing to examine specimens or check photos (bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** Lincolnshire Mammals *** Chris Manning, Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Mink/Otter reports are of interest and can be sent via the Bulletin. Mammal Atlas You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. https://glnp.org.uk/admin/resources/mammalatlas.pdf *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk *** Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group *** The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) For further information and to submit records contact: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com Please have a look at https://www.recordpool.org.uk/index.php for an easy way to record your amphibian and reptile species records. Or you can send any records to Ashley Butterfield (Lincolnshire Amphibian and Reptile Recorder) at LearningOutdoors@btinternet.com Please include Species, Date, Time, Location, numbers as a minimum (Other useful information includes Temperature and Weather conditions.) *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Confidential Bat Records *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Non-Marine Molluscs *** Alex Pickwell is the LNU Recorder for Non-marine Molluscs Email: alex.pickwell@environment-agency.gov.uk USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership http://www.glnp.org.uk/ (of which LERC is a part) Contact: charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk *** Hedgehog Links *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ http://caddingtonhedgehogs.blogspot.com/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 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/ Annual General Meeting – 7th March 2020 Followed by the Presidential Address by Chris du Feu Field Meetings: Doddington Hall Estate – Sunday 26th April 2020 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2019-04-28/ Anderby Creek area – Saturday 30th May 2020. All day event. https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2019-05-12/Pebbles on the beach at the North Sea Observatory – Sunday 31st May. A Lincs. Geological Group event. https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/pebbles-on-the-beach-at-the-north-sea-observatory-sunday-31st-may-a-lincs-geological-society-event/ Nettleton Top – Saturday 13th June 2020. All day event. https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2019-06-22/ Belton Park – Saturday 18th July 2020. All day event. https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2019-07-07/ Kirkstead Old Mill – Sunday 16th August 2020 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2019-07-20/ Cadney and Howsham: In the footsteps of Rev A. Woodruff-Peacock – Date TBC August 2020. All day event. https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2019-08-10/ Sudbrooke Scout Campsite – Sunday 6th September 2020 https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2019-09-08/ Woodhall Spa Airfield LWT Reserve – Sunday 11th October 2020. Fungus Foray. https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2019-10-13/ Whisby Workshops - Lincoln LWT area group and LNU at Whisby Nature Park near Lincoln, in the Lafarge Education Building from 12.30 to 4.30 pm. All from 12.30 until 16.30 pm. Free of charge but booking is essential. Please contact Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or email rel.davidson@btinternet.com Plant Pressing - Sue Fysh - 30th May. Yellow Flowered Asteraceae / Compositae Plants - Sarah Lambert - 1st August. Lichens workshop - Prof Mark Seaward - Saturday the 17th of October. Owl & Other Bird Pellets - Garry Steele - 21st November. *** Whisby Natural History "drop-in" sessions *** The LNU has organised some drop-in sessions at the Whisby Education Centre to provide an opportunity to chat ‘natural history’ over a cup of coffee. 2pm to 4pm. You can turn up when you like; no booking necessary. Different specialists will be present at each and if you want to discuss something in particular let them know so they can come prepared with, for example, specimens or reference material. See the LNU website for further details: https://lnu.org/meetings/drop-in-sessions/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** 1 Mail fail: Allan Binding 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... National Insect Week 22-28 June 2020 - dates for your diary. If any Lincolnshire "insect events" need a plug, please let me know details. https://www.nationalinsectweek.co.uk/ Our spectacular Hebridean marine wildlife https://theecologist.org/2020/feb/27/our-spectacular-hebridean-marine-wildlife Protecting whales from the noise people make in the ocean https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51152791 Onshore wind 'to make comeback in UK' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-51708817 Coronavirus: Nasa images show China pollution clear amid slowdown https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-51691967 How to help red squirrels fight back against invasive greys – with DNA sequencing https://theconversation.com/how-to-help-red-squirrels-fight-back-against-invasive-greys-with-dna-sequencing-132628 Honeybee brains could be a good model to study human brains on https://www.zmescience.com/science/honeybee-brains-alpha-waves/ Landscapes of chemical and biological warfare https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-51615267 Seagulls are more likely to pick up food that humans have handled https://www.newscientist.com/article/2235193-seagulls-are-more-likely-to-pick-up-food-that-humans-have-handled/ ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/