============================================= || || 18th March 2020 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || || LNU Website: || http://lnu.org/ || ============================================ In this issue.....s 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... *** Field Meetings and the Co-19 Pandemic. LNU Field Meetings over at least the next 12 weeks are CANCELLED. We will monitor the impact and risk of CO-19 and update you on further cancellations, and eventual resumption of meetings at some point, through the Bulletin, LNU Website meetings pages: https://lnu.org/meetings/ and the LNU Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Keep checking these sites for updates. Anything could change as the epidemic situation evolves. Meantime stay safe and keep your news and reports coming. The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on the Coronavirus, Covid-19 is here: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus The Lincolnshire Environmental Award have been postponed to Autumn of 2020. For general information in the Awards see: www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk Please see the PM's announcement on social contact and the next phase of the fight against Covid-19 and their guidelines on social contacts and procedures. https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/pm-statement-on-coronavirus-16-march-2020 Meantime, to make the most of a discouraging situation, why not contribute to Flusurvey [also addressing Co-19] or do the FutureLearn course on Conovirus? They run excellent courses AND these are free. https://flusurvey.net/ https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/covid19-novel-coronavirus Quarantine Soirées: The world's best classical music is now available for your self-isolation https://www.zmescience.com/other/art-other/classical-music-free-self-isolation-0652643/ The Len Pick Trust camera is live again. Keep watching! This at least has not been cancelled! https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 RSPB Frampton Marsh: Visitor Centre Closed! Chris Andrews writes: With the current COVID19 situation we have to protect our visitors, volunteers and staff. Therefore the Frampton Marsh visitor centre (including the toilets) will be closed from 18 March until further notice. The hides will also be closed, as will those at our sister reserve of Freiston Shore. We hope you all stay safe in these testing times, and look forward to seeing you all again once this has run its course. A selection of topical news stories and wildlife articles can be found on the following links. Most have been suggested by fellow readers. Hopefully you will find them an entertaining distraction. Soap saves lives: adverts in the Guardian after the Spanish flu outbreak https://www.theguardian.com/world/from-the-archive-blog/gallery/2020/mar/12/soap-saves-lives-adverts-in-the-guardian-after-the-spanish-flu-outbreak Photo of the Week: 4-10 March 2020 - BirdGuides https://www.birdguides.com/articles/photo-of-the-week/photo-of-the-week-4-10-march-2020/ Christmas Island: 'A giant robber crab stole my camera' Watch. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-australia-51867525/ Smallest dinosaur found 'trapped in amber' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-51835946 What if all the wasps disappeared? Watch. https://www.bbc.co.uk/ideas/videos/what-if-all-the-wasps-disappeared/p085ltfr 2020 Mammal Photographer of the Year https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2020/mar/12/2020-mammal-photographer-of-the-year-winners Best British wildlife to spot in March - Discover Wildlife https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/best-british-wildlife-to-spot-in-march/ HS2 using hawks to prevent birds from nesting - BirdGuides https://www.birdguides.com/news/hs2-using-hawks-to-prevent-birds-from-nesting/ More links in "...and finally..." Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk *** LNU Events Diary *** LNU events are also listed below in section 11. "All LNU meetings until the 8th June are cancelled." For LNU meetings and workshops, see: https://lnu.org/meetings/ [Note: Unless otherwise stated, Indoor Meetings are held on Saturdays at the Whisby Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park, and start at 2pm.] Field Meetings 2020: https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/ Website says: "All LNU meetings until the 8th June are cancelled." We will update you if/as situation changes. Next meeting: Doddington Hall Estate – Sunday 26th April 2020 - CANCELLED https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2019-04-28/ *** East of England Coleopterists meeting has been CANCELLED *** Charlie Barnes writes: The 2nd East of England Coleopterists meeting at Whisby Nature Park on the 21st March HAS BEEN CANCELLED. Charlie Barnes charlie@cucaera.co.uk *** CANCELLED: The Lincolnshire Bird Club AGM 24th March 2020 *** We are writing to advise you that the LBC committee have taken the decision to cancel our AGM on 24th March 2020 because of concerns around Coronavirus. We will look to rearrange for September subject to Tim Birkhead’s availability and the developing outlook of the pandemic. The LBC 2018 Report is due back from the printers early next week (week beginning 23rd March) and will be sent out to all members over the following few weeks, If we can provide any further information, please do not hesitate to get in contact. Best regards The Lincolnshire Bird Club Committee STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** About Coronavirus [COVID-19] - a good starting point *** https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 *** Check for road works and hold-ups: very useful *** https://roadworks.org/ *** Met Office Severe Warnings *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings *** Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service *** http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails *** EasyTide *** http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx *** Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline *** http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx *** Lyme Disease *** https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/ *** 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 - "All LNU meetings until the 8th June are CANCELLED." *** We will update you if/as situation changes. 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 - CANCELLED *** The LNU had organised some drop-in sessions at the Whisby Education Centre to provide an opportunity to chat ‘natural history’ over a cup of coffee. Website now says: "All LNU meetings until the 8th June are cancelled." We will update you if/as situation changes. https://lnu.org/meetings/drop-in-sessions/ *** Sea Watch Observer Volunteer Training Courses is CANCELLED *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and Seawatch Foundation North Sea Observatory - Chapel Point 28th March 2020 - 9am to 5pm. Dave Miller writes: I am afraid with the current situation we have had to cancel the sea watching course at the North Sea Observatory on March 28th. Thank you for your interest and we do hope to reschedule another course once the situation changes. I will contact you all once this has happened. Take care of yourselves 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 "The Spring or Vernal Equinox occurs on March 20th at 03:50 GMT. British Summer Time / Daylight Saving Time, begins at 1am on Sunday March 29th when the clocks are put forward one hour." "Venus is well placed to view as the evening ‘star’ and is close to Uranus on the 7th /8th as the latter drops lower into the twilight. Vesta is also viewable as an early evening object in a binocular. "In the morning twilight, Mars catches up and passes Jupiter being in conjunction with it on the 20th then closes in on Saturn being in conjunction with it on the 31st. The moon occults Epsilon Tauri on the 29th in the evening sky." Meteor Shower Guide 2020 https://www.rmg.co.uk/discover/explore/how-to-see-meteor-showers-key-dates The Lyrid meteor shower will peak on the night of 21-22 April 2019 https://www.rmg.co.uk/discover/explore/lyrid-meteor-shower-when-and-where-see-it-uk *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** Please check the Website. http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ *** Grimsby & District RSPB - please check the website *** http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby *** South Lincs RSPB - please check the website *** 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 *** Lincoln LWT Cancellation*** Richard Davidson writes: Lincoln Area Group Talk March 19th - Nature's Calendar has been CANCELLED An update by Judith Garforth on this groundbreaking Citizen Science project, which monitors signs of the changing seasons and the effects of weather and climate on wildlife, in it's twentieth year. At Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission is £2.50 which includes refreshments. *** Louth LWT Cancellation *** Ray Woodcock writes - Cancellation. The COVID-19 Virus is affecting our lives in so many ways and we must take measures to keep it under control. Consequently, the LAG committee members have decided to cancel the 27 March speaker meeting. Please will you inform other members who might attend a LAG meeting of this decision. We will decide the fate of the 24 April AGM and meeting in due course. On a happier note, three hedgehogs were fighting in our garden last evening whilst a Greenfinch sings its one note song from the top of a fir tree most mornings. Ray Woodcock Chairman Louth Area Group, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT - please check the website *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. Wildlife Highlights ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Bird Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce reports. A big thank you from us all. Interested readers should have a look at the RBA website: Rare Bird Alert website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] 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/ 9/3 Black-throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute, Grimsby 2 Waxwings, by car park, Country Park, Cleethorpes Great White Egret on flood near Gainsborough Little Ringed Plover, West Deeping 13 Water Pipits, Male Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier ringtail, Frampton Marsh 10/3 Black-throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute, Grimsby 36 Water Pipits, male Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point 11/3 Black-throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Insti tute, Grimsby 83 Water Pipits roosted at, 2 male Hen Harriers over Old Saltmarsh, 2 Jack Snipe, Gibraltar Point 12/3 Sand Martin at Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Black-throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute, Grimsby Firecrest in gardens, Freiston Shore Short-eared Owl, Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point 13/3 Siberian Chiffchaff, Wolla bank, Anderby Creek Black-throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute, Grimsby 64 Water Pipits at Old Saltmarsh roost, Gibraltar Point Little Stint, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 4 Hen Harriers 1 male, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh 14/3 4 Black-necked Grebes, Toft Newton reservoir Black-throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute, Grimsby Hen Harrier male, Howden's Pullover, Donna Nook Water Pipit, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 15/3 Black-throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute, Grimsby Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point 2 Bitterns at Far Ings, Barton-upon-Humber 57 Water Pipits at Old Saltmarsh roost, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier ringtail, South Fen Road, Bourne 16/3 Black Redstart fem/1w male on sea wall towards Winter's Pond, East Halton Skitter Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Black-throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute, Grimsby 9+ White Wagtails, Anderby Marsh Hooded Crow flew SW over West Dunes, 7 Water Pipits, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 17/3 Great White Egret near Short Ferry, Fiskerton Fen 21 Water Pipits flew to Old Saltmarsh, male Hen Harrier, Woodlark flew south, Gibraltar Point ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Thanks to our regular contributors across the county. Much appreciated. We rely on readers to send in their observations and we welcome records from everyone, experts or beginners. Please keep your reports coming. *** Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important *** Grab a Grid Reference: https://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ Chris Manning writes: Please remember to use grid refs, If a recorder doesn't, it not only adds work but must invariably loose accuracy DON'T FORGET - TIME FLIES! Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. BARDNEY - The Green TF120694 R & A Parsons 11/03/2020 Small insect in the living room identified by Charlie Barnes as a beetle, Anobium punctatum aka Woodworm! Presumable looking for a mate. At first I thought it was a tiny spider dangling. When I tried to capture its thread it flew and landed on the chimney breast - which our spiders do not usually do. 18/3/2019 Dawn Chorus of Blackbirds and Mistle Thrush at 5.30am. Bardney garden 11th-17th 2020 P & M Porter TF 117700 Buff-tailed Bumblebee Violets in purple and white Buzzards 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker Long-tailed tit Female blackbird with nesting material (tufts of dead grass) Pellitory of the wall 7-spot Ladybirds Red Deadnettle Small Tortoiseshell (9th March) Jackdaws 2-3 Primrose Wild wood anemones Sparrowhawk male and female Pheasant, male Bardney village 11th – 17th March 2020 P & M Porter Pellitory of the wall Whitlow-grass CARLTON LE MOORLAND# Carlton le Moorland SK909581 16/03/2020 Jeremy Hutchinson Brimstone: first of the year CHAMBERS FARM WOOD TF158741 R & A Parsons 16/3/2020 Track towards Minting Primroses DUNSTON 18th March 2020 Steve Green 7.50 Male sparrowhawk flew into the garden and perched on the fence. Spent the next 20 minutes looking into and flying round the shrubs, obviously aware of the smaller birds in there, but unable to flush them out. FISKERTON Fiskerton Fen 11th March 2020 TF084719 P & M Porter Mute Swan 6 Reed Bunting Cetti’s warbler Tufted Duck 2 Goosander 7 Goldfinch 1 Muntjac 1 (tracks) HARRINGTON HALL area C. Brady 16/32020 Three Red Kites displaying over the wood near Harrington Hall. First time I have seen then since about October. HORNCASTLE Riverbank near Tesco TF258697 approx R&A Parsons 14/3/2020 Lesser Celandine in flower TF511762 (my garden) HUTTOFT Jane Pennington 7/3/2020 Chaffinch 1 Ladybird 7-spot 1 8/3/2020 Buff-tailed bumblebee 1 on hellebore 9/3/2020 Newt 1 10/3/2020 Sparrowhawk 1 13/3/2020 Dunnock 14/3/2020 Buff-tailed bumblebee 1 Wren 1 SALTFLEET HAVEN/PARADISE TF464935 Richard Fox 16.03.2020 Whilst having lunch in the car park at the end of Saltfleet Haven, had the pleasure of: Carrion Crow 2 Curlew 3 Heron Little Egret - flypast by a flock of 11 Marsh Harrier Redshank 10 Oyster Catcher 2 Shelduck 2 Starling flock of c.100 Teal 5 Roe deer doe feeding on the saltmarsh SOUTHREY Water Rail Way on Witham Bank towards Bardney TF158741approx R&A Parsons 15/3/2020 Flock of 20-30 Fieldfares in shrubs along riverbank Southrey Wood (still very wet) TF 131680 P & M Porter 17th March 2020 Fieldfares Primrose 1 pale pink Wood anemones Dog’s mercury Long-tailed tits Chiffchaff Barren Strawberry Blackthorn blossom starting to go over Hare TATTERSHALL D & C Robinson TF218583 approx 17/3/2020 About two weeks ago we had Bluetits chipping away the entrance to one bird house and saw a Bluetit in another birdhouse but no activity since. For a week or two we have seen Sparrows going in and out of bird houses. We have on old Belfast sink in the garden and late at night we have seen a newt in it. Probably a Palmate newt its about 25-30mm long and only seen by torchlight. A week ago a pair of frogs were spawning in pond but we haven't seen any spawn so far. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 11th – 17th March 2020 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 110320 - On Paradise lagoon 22 tufted duck. 120320 - 4 fieldfares in pasture field near Paradise lagoon. 130320 - Blackcap and chiffchaff at Sea View (per comms Steve Meeke). 140320 - On Paradise lagoon: 28 teal, 2 little grebe, 2 moorhen, 21 shoveler, 9 coot, 4 tufted duck, 9 gadwall, 13 wigeon, 2 mallard, 3 curlew, 3 common snipe, 3 black-tailed godwit, 11 redshank, 6 common gull, 2 black-headed gull and 1 pied wagtail. Blackcap, chiffchaff, treecreeper and 33 jackdaws at Sea View. 8 little egret on the saltmarsh and 14 whoopers swans flew over. 150320 - Male blackcap on peanuts then sunflower seeds at Sea View feeder. Noticeable increase in chaffinches with up to 10 birds in the immediate area and two flocks of 24 and 15 birds nearby. Pair of great spotted woodpeckers near Sea View, drumming heard. 160320 - Ringtail hen harrier over saltmarsh, tree creeper at Sea View, common buzzard over. Chiffchaff at Sea View. 170320 - Male wheatear at Paradise lagoon and 7 whooper swans flying over Sea View towards Rimac lagoon at dusk. Chiffchaff at Sea View. 2 great spotted woodpeckers heard drumming at Sea View. Other reserves: 160320 - 19 whooper swans, peregrine falcon and marsh harrier at Donna Nook. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ Field Meetings: CANCELLED "All LNU meetings until the 8th June are cancelled." We will update you if/as situation changes. Whisby Workshops - CANCELLED. "All LNU meetings until the 8th June are cancelled." We will update you if/as situation changes. 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 *** Whisby Natural History "drop-in" sessions - CANCELLED *** 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. "All LNU meetings until the 8th June are cancelled." We will update you if/as situation changes. See the LNU website for further details: https://lnu.org/meetings/drop-in-sessions/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** Mail fail: 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/ Greenland and Antarctica ice loss accelerating https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-51846468 BBC - Earth - Animals’ extraordinary sleeping strategies http://www.bbc.co.uk/earth/story/20150428-weird-ways-animals-sleep Country diary: jelly ears on rotting wood listen out for rain https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/mar/05/country-diary-jelly-ears-on-rotting-wood-listen-out-for-rain Country diary: the great diving beetle darts up from the darkness https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/09/country-diary-the-great-diving-beetle-darts-up-from-the-darkness Country diary: a singing in the trees https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/10/country-diary-a-singing-in-the-trees Country diary: what's this tiny furry thing racing around in the compost? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/11/country-diary-shrew-tiny-furry-thing-compost-heap Country diary: Merlins are little, but fierce https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/12/country-diary-merlins-are-little-but-fierce Inspired by Nature, National Parks Photography Competition 2020 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2020/mar/13/inspired-by-nature-national-parks-photography-competition-2020 How British wildlife greeted the warmest winter on record https://theconversation.com/how-british-wildlife-greeted-the-warmest-winter-on-record-133589 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/