============================================= || || 25th 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... *** Firstly, I hope you are all keeping safe and staying healthy. I also hope the the details given the the last LNU Bulletin were helpful, if disappointing. Thank you to everyone who helped to provide the information and advice. Please keep me informed of further announcements you would like passed on. We are now restricted in what we can do and have been told to reduce contact and stay at home, going out only if really necessary. See: UK brings in strict curbs on life to fight virus https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52014472 LNU Meetings over at least the next 12 weeks have been cancelled. At the time of writing the Lincolnshire Show has been CANCELLED, as expected, so we can cross that off in our diaries, hoping to pick up the threads next year. https://lincolnshireshow.co.uk/ All events and activities for Love Lincs Plants are CANCELLED until further notice. "This includes all plant collection activities, internal and external to the [Wildlife] Trust, as this is not essential under Government Guidance. All events post the end of May will be reviewed in coming weeks. No staff or volunteers, should be doing any activity under the LLP banner, other than on a computer at home." We will monitor the "progress" of CO-19 and update you on further cancellations, and the 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? Please check these sites for updates. Anything could change as the epidemic 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 It should be perfectly possible to do some natural history whilst in isolation. There are quite a few house invertebrates you could get to know, plus the plants that tuck themselves away in unexpected places in gardens and houses. I have included a selection of informative and hopefully entertaining links for you to click through and you are more than welcome to send in personal accounts of your attempts to keep up your interests, identifying your garden bryophytes, species of bees and wasps, crickets, moths or beetles. If you have a trail camera why not put it out? The silence might bring in something new! The Len Pick Trust camera is active. Keep watching! Two owls in residence. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 A selection of topical news stories and wildlife articles can be found on the following links. Please click round. Most were suggested by fellow readers. Hopefully you will find them an entertaining distraction. Photo of the Week: 11-17 March 2020 - BirdGuides https://www.birdguides.com/articles/photo-of-the-week/photo-of-the-week-11-17-march-2020/ BBC - Earth - Face-to-face with 11 amazing beetles http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20150205-face-to-face-with-a-beetle Upgrade for popular UK nature sanctuary https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-51926160 On the verge: a quiet roadside revolution is boosting wildflowers https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/14/on-the-verge-a-quiet-roadside-revolution-is-boosting-wildflowers-aoe "Penguins openly explore aquarium closed due to co…" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVfTGFBJ8a8&feature=youtu.be 10 Ways to Garden During Self-Isolation - BBC Gardeners' World Magazine https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/10-ways-to-garden-during-self-isolation/ 11 Things Photographers Can Do During The Coronavirus Outbreak https://www.ephotozine.com/article/11-things-photographers-can-do-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak-34588 How to rear froglets - Discover Wildlife https://www.discoverwildlife.com/how-to/watch-wildlife/how-to-rear-froglets/ Grow a Secret Garden for Butterflies https://www.wildaboutgardens.org.uk/ National Museums Liverpool https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/collections More links in "...and finally..." Clocks "spring forward" on 29th March - British Summer Time Starts. 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. *** Whisby Workshops *** "All LNU meetings until the 8th June are CANCELLED." We will update you if/as situation changes. *** Whisby Natural History "drop-in" sessions - CANCELLED *** "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 Course - 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. dmiller@lincstrust.co.uk or phone 07919 326646 *** 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. *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards POSTPONED to Autumn *** The Lincolnshire Environmental Awards have been postponed to Autumn of 2020. The organisers say: “In light of the rapidly changing situation we have decided to postpone the Lincolnshire Environmental Awards. We hope to be able to run the Awards in Autumn 2020. To all who have entered already, your application will be still be considered when they resume” For general information in the Awards see: www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk 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/ *** March night sky... - still OPEN for business... *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html "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 for CANCELLATIONS. http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ *** Grimsby & District RSPB CANCELLATION *** http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby "For obvious reasons, the April and May Meetings and Trips of the RSPB Grimsby Local Group have been CANCELLED. I hope you all stay healthy Kind regards Martin Francis, Leader - RSPB Grimsby Local Group " *** South Lincs RSPB - please check the website for CANCELLATIONS *** 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. Please check website. Full details of all cruise dates and times, costs etc., 2019 Sightings and CANCELLATIONS 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 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. *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT - CANCELLATIONS. *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk Carolyn Davis writes: Unfortunately due to the current COVID-19 situation the following events are cancelled:- Morning Walk around Weelsby Woods, Grimsby with Graham Hicks at 8am on Sunday 5th April 2020 CANCELLED Indoor meeting at Grimsby Town Hall at 7.30pm on Monday 6th April 2020 where we were to welcome Mark Schofield to give a presentation about British Butterflies and Moths CANCELLED. This event was to be preceded by our AGM at 7pm which has been POSTPONED until later in the year when it is safe to hold meetings again. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 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 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Rippingale 18/3 Black Throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute by trees just north of Nun's Corner/A1234 Scartho roundabout Water Pipit, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier male over saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh 19/3 Black Throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute by trees just north of Nun's Corner/A1234 Scartho roundabout Willow Warbler. Barton-upon-Humber pits Rough-legged Buzzard off Deeping High Bank northend of Crowland, flew towards Deeping St Nicholas Hen Harrier Ringtail, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 8 Water Pipits, Short-eared Owl, Great White Egret flew south, Gibraltar Point 2 Common Cranes between Sandtoft and Low Woodhouse from Low Levels Bank Firecrest male singing just north of Anderby by hide 20/3 Rough-legged Buzzard juv in field west of Renew's Drove, Deeping St Nicholas additional by River Welland just north of Four Mile Bar Hen Harrier ringtail, near Winter's Pond, East Halton Skitter Water Pipit, Spotted Redshank. Gibraltar Point 21/3 Black Throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute by trees just north of Nun's Corner/A1234 Scartho roundabout Water Pipit over Tennyson's sands, Gibraltar Point Rough-legged Buzzard juv in field west of Renew's Drove, Deeping St Nicholas Hen Harrier ringtail over reedbed, Alkborough Flats Bar-tailed Godwit on ARC pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs 22/3 Black Throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute by trees just north of Nun's Corner/A1234 Scartho roundabout Glaucous Gull by sewage works, Pyewipe Whinchat reported between New Holland and Goxhill Haven Hen Harrier ringtail, Alkborough Flats Rough-legged Buzzard c2mls NW of Deeping St Nicholas Water Pipit, Wader Pit, Short-eared Owl flew north, Baston + Langtoft GPs Water Pipit, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 23/3 Black Throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute by trees just north of Nun's Corner/A1234 Scartho roundabout Rough-legged Buzzard c2mls from South Drove, NE of Deeping St Nicholas Garganey drk on main scrape, Willow Tree Fen, Spalding 52 Water Pipits roosted on Old Saltmarsh, Gibraltar Point 24/3 Black Throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute by trees just north of Nun's Corner/A1234 Scartho roundabout Black Redstart flew south, Anderby Creek 4 Water Pipits "recently", Alkborough Flats Hen Harrier at Howden's Pullover, Donna Nook 25/3 Black Throated Thrush 1w male still at Grimsby Institute by trees just north of Nun's Corner/A1234 Scartho roundabout ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Reports welcome. ROAD KILLS BASSINGHAM Bassingham SK 908 592 Jeremy Hutchinson 19/03/2020 Badger (roadkill) 18/3/20 Jane Ostler A52 SK970355 North of Ropsley Rise Wood BADGER 18/3/20 Jane Ostler A52 TF039371 Between Dembleby and Newton BADGER 18/3/20 Jane Ostler A52 TF199343 West of Donington roundabout RABBIT 18/3/20 Jane Ostler A52 TF240382 South of Swinstead roundabout BADGER *** 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. Annette Faulkner writes: BATS. Bats are just coming out of hibernation, so do look out for them on any warmer nights, and record. We usually get a ‘blip’ in bat calls from now until about mid April, when less fit animals are found grounded because underweight and too weak to fly. If they’re lucky a person finds them before a cat or other predator does, so please take them in and don’t leave them out in the expectation that they’ll sort themselves out. They won’t, and an injured or weak bat can take 48 hours or more to die. Don’t handle with bare hands. Use a cloth or gloves instead. Bats rarely bite, but one species very occasionally carries a rabies type virus, and you don’t want to put yourself at risk (the nearest record is at Maxey in 2018). Put your bat in a shoe box (check short end for thumb holes and if found tape up), add a milk bottle top of water and call us on 01775 766286. We’ve had one call already, from South Ferriby. *** 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 22/3/2020 04.45 Tawny Owl calling in churchyard. [AP] 05.00 Mistle Thrush calling on Green. w/o 16/3/2020 Birds - usual suspects: Dunnock m & f Robin 2 Blackbird 2m and 2f House sparrow flock 12+ Wren Starling flock 20+ Mistle Thrush heard Black-headed gulls 10+ Jackdaws 6+ Blue tits 2 and Great tits 2 Magpie occasional visitor Walk Bardney to KING HILL http://www.stone-circles.org.uk/stone/kingshill.htm R & A Parsons 19/3/2020 Fossil Gryphaea picked from track. [Devil's Toenail] approx TF119705 BARDNEY P&M Porter Bardney garden TF 117700 20th March 2020 Noisy jackdaws, x50+ in sycamore on lane opposite house 22nd March 2020 Long-tailed Tit, x2 regular birds Small Tortoiseshell, x2 Grey Squirrel, x1 regular despite disincentives Bee-fly, x1 23rd March 2020 Peacock butterfly, x1 Greenfinch, x1 singing Wren, x1 singing Dunnock, x1 singing Robin, x2 singing, at least one other pair Goldfinch, x1 singing Pheasant, x1 Blue Tit, x3prs investigating nest boxes Female blackbird nest building Tawny Owls calling in the evening. 24th March 2020 Brimstone, x1 Comma, x1 A particularly bolshie Collared Dove saw off a Sparrowhawk hunting through the garden, not once but twice. Someone is building a mossy nest high up in the porch, probably a robin. Godwit species heard calling overhead in the dark about 8;00pm. Couldn’t tell which species. sounded like the double note of a dog biting a squeaky toy. BOSTON(Garden by A16) 21/03/2020 Kathleen Pearson First Chiffchaff of the year in the garden today. BOSTON (Garden by A16) 23/03/2020 Kathleen Pearson First Comma of the year sunning itself on the lawn today. Also a few Brimstones about. FISKERTON P&M Porter Fiskerton Fen https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/fiskerton-fen 21st March 2020 TF084719 Cetti's Warbler, x1 singing Mute Swan, x2 on pit Tufted Duck, x12 on pit Goldfinch, x2 Dunnock, x2 singing Bullfinch, x2 Skylark, x2 on adjoining fields Cormorant, x1 flying Great Tit, x1 Greylag Goose, x2 on pit Small Tortoiseshell, x1 Common Field Speedwell, in flower GOSLINGS CORNER WOOD https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/goslings-corner-wood R & A Parsons 23/3/2020 10am. Large and small deer slots seen - probably Roe and Muntjac Badger prints in mud. Brown hare adult. 3 Buzzards calling. Chiffchaffs singing. Notable plants: Dog's Mercury, Sweet Violet, Lesser Celandine. Ramsons not yet in flower. Note - going very wet in places and car park badly rutted. HORKSTOW 21 March 2020 Jenny Haynes There’s been a song thrush singing in my garden all week. The earliest I’ve heard him (presuming it is a ‘he’) is 5.30am and the latest 7.45pm, on both occasions it was almost dark. The weasel was about again this morning. Several seven-spot ladybirds and very large bumblebees have also been present. 3 Brown Hares in field opposite the house. SE985178 Birds seen in my garden this week, include: Chaffinch Dunnock Goldfinch (by far the most numerous) Greenfinch Blue tit Great tit Long tailed tit Robin Wren Pied wagtail (newly arrived) Tree sparrow Blackbird Song thrush Magpie Wood pigeon Pheasant Jackdaws have been around investigating my neighbour’s chimney pots and the rooks are ever-present in nearby trees. Does anyone else like rooks? I find then fascinating. TF511762 (my garden) HUTTOFT Jane Pennington 16/3/2020 Muntjac 1 18/3/2020 Blue tits 2 m & f choosing a nest box Wren 1 with green caterpillar 22/3/2020 Sparrowhawk 1 f. 23/3/2020 Chaffinch 1 KETTLETHORPE Kettlethorpe 847757 Alison Brownlow 16.03.2020 Frog spawn 17.03.2020 Toad spawn. First butterfly seen this year, a male Brimstone Minotaur beetle activity on sandy tracks, holes and mounds. LOUTH TF332884 Peter White 19/3/2020 Fantastic sight of 8 Buzzards and a lot of crying over my house on the Brackenborough Road. NOCTON Jerry Gunner sent me this piece on 23rd March. Because of the horrible virus I contracted at Christmas, I’ve been self-absorbed and the weather has been so unappealing the fact that the snowdrops had been replaced by daffodils caught me by surprise. I’d noticed the early nesters, blackbirds and so on and I’d worked out where the birds were prospecting from nest sites but I was astonished by the change that occurred over such a short time. About a week ago, around March 15, 2020 I saw a small bird in the hedge by the utility room window. I was sure it was a chiffchaff. I hadn’t heard any but that’s what it was. I heard one later in the day when I was putting the bins out. I saw the first brambling of the year on the bird feeder. Ordinarily I would have expected to see them a long time ago along with siskins of which I’ve seen none this year. The bird feeders continue to be a delight with the usual suspects, finches, tits and now jackdaws in abundance. However, the biggest thrill of almost everyday is the sudden appearance and equally sudden disappearance of a sparrowhawk. On Saturday I had my most exciting sighting ever. For the first time in my life I actually witnessed a kill. Before the nearest I’d ever got is catching a sense of something happening and then registering a cascade of small feathers falling from the sky. This time I was looking at the greenfinches on the feeder when, quicker than thought, I was aware of a brown blur. As my feeble brain was beginning to give what it was seeing the name ‘sparrowhawk’ it was already flying away but this time it was carrying something into the trees where it landed. My feeding station had worked in a way the seed sellers don’t advertise. That was the highlight of my birdwatching week. We usually see most of the corvids in the garden except jays which are extremely infrequent visitors. Over the winter months there have been many crows in the garden though they almost never come anywhere near the house. Over the last few weeks I’d noticed fewer of them but then I noticed one or two really close to the house in the hedge around the lawn. They were breaking twigs off trees and flying off, a behaviour our jackdaws have always done before blocking the chimney with their nests. Strangely, there were no jackdaws doing that job, for which I was grateful. I’ve never understood why these intelligent birds don’t just pick a random stick of suitable dimensions off the ground. Anyway once I managed to get outside to look the nest is actually no more than a 20-odd yards from my chair. I’ve noticed they’ve been at it for about a week now and they’re still building at the moment. It’s sort of a lozenge shaped thing, much smaller I’d say than a magpie’s. I’ve also realised now that the crows are driving off all others of their kind, magpies, jackdaws and the like. Presumably they’re not keen on neighbours who might threaten their offspring. The other thrill is the pair of buzzards which are nesting down the driveway and for the first time I think I’ve narrowed down the tree they are living in. One thing I always enjoy is the tawny owls which, which are seemingly omnipresent in the neighbourhood. This spring they seem to have chosen to sit right outside the bedroom window and serenade us from point blank range which frankly I could do without. SINCIL DYKE ( I do not have a grid reference) Sustrans path between the Witham and the Sincil dyke, east of of Lincoln. The area has been recently ‘cleaned’ with a lot of damage to hedges and trees but there is still wildlife there. John Margetts 19 March 2020 Blackbird 2 Blue tit 2 Carrion Crow 1 Cormorant 3 (on the high tension electrical cables) Goosander 2 (1 female, 1 male) Little Egret 1 Magpie 1 Mallard 2 (1 female, 1 male) Robin 1 Teal 5 (2 female, 3 male) Wood pigeon several, probably around 7 or 8 SOUTHREY WOOD https://butterfly-conservation.org/our-work/reserves/southrey-wood-lincolnshire R & A Parsons 22/3/2020 10am. Deer seen - probably Roe [AP] Badger signs including work to Setts. Approx TF135682 Dead badger on road verge on B1190 near turning to Southrey approx TF136684 Green [seen and heard] and Great-spotted Woodpeckers [heard drumming] Chiffchaffs singing Many plants in flower: Dog's Mercury, Wood Anemone, Sweet Violet, Lesser Celandine, Cuckoo Pint in leaf. Note - going very wet in places. R & A Parsons 23/3/2020 2 roe deer heard barking 10.30 and 10.45 approx from TF129684 and TF129684 Coltsfoot in flower TF132683 Southrey Wood P&M Porter TF135676 20th March 2020 Great Spotted Woodpecker, x2 calling Green Woodpecker, x2 yaffling Chiffchaff, x6 singing Roe Deer, x1 Sweet Violet, quite numerous Primrose, fairly common in patches Wood Anemone, in early flowering-period Goldfinch, x1 singing Mallard, x2 on flooded ditch in wood Long-tailed Tit, frequently audible in small groups Southrey Wood TF130681 P&M Porter 23rd March 2020 Bee-fly, x1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, x1 drumming SPALDING On path by river in town TF247221 Annette Faulkner Report 19th March 2020 Dead queen tree bumblebee, Bombus hypnorum. An interesting point about this new arrival is that it’s in none of the standard British texts we have, and marked as a ‘foreigner’ in our edition of Chinery. SPALDING TF2422 Annette Faulkner Report 19th March 2020 A few months ago I suddenly realised what a huge opportunity we were missing by not inviting Lincs Trust members to record their wildlife at Area Group meetings, and have since amassed an interesting collection of records from hedgehogs to rats to grey squirrels. However at the last one, on 10 March, I focused on amphibians, getting records for frogs and toads(1). But what was extraordinary was that out of 4 frog records for Spalding three recorders had had spawn appear at the same date: 1st March, with the fourth still waiting – and all from different parts of the town! THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 04/03/20 Blackbird x 2 Black-headed Gull x 58 in fields around Thurnholmes Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Fieldfare x 6 Goldfinch x 18 Grey Partridge x 2 Kestrel x 1 Moorhen x 2 Mute Swan x 2 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Skylark x 1 singing high over Thurnholmes Yellowhammer x 1 08/03/20 Blackbird x 4 Black-headed Gull x 25 Blue Tit x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 5 Great Tit x 2 Kestrel x 1 Yellowhammer x 1 09/03/20 Oystercatcher x 2 Langholme Lakes Woodcock x 1 Langholme Wood LWT nature reserve Trail camera set up in small copse area in paddock with flood water around base of trees (26/02/20 - 11/03/20); Blackbird 123 captures Chaffinch 4 Goldfinch 1 Redwing 45 Song Thrush 6 Wood Pigeon 10 Wood Mouse 4 All foraging around in leaf litter on the wet ground. 12/03/20 Blackbird x 2 Black-headed Gull x 32 Blue Tit x 2 Chaffinch x 7 Common Buzzard x 1 Greenfinch x 2 Kestrel x 1 Red-legged Partridge x 1 15/03/20 Goosander x 9 males, 2 females, River Trent SK785946 18/03/20 Blackbird x 4 Black-headed Gull x 17 Chaffinch x 2 Kestrel x 1 Moorhen x 2 Mute Swan x 2 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Wood Pigeon x 4 Wood Mouse x 2 WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK923247 Jane Ostler Garden, unless otherwise indicated, 10-21 March 2020 Plants in Flower. The following are all native plants which I have introduced, encouraged, or left (which others regard as weeds). At their best are Primroses, Lesser Celandines and Sweet Violets. Kingcups are out in the pond. White and Red Nettles , just a few but in flower for over a month. Common Chickweed and Common Speedwell. Lots of Daisies in the lawn, some Hairy Bittercress and Ivy leaved Speedwell. Common Chickweed which has escaped the hoe and Groundsel and Shepherd's Purse in the gravel. The first Dandelions in the long grass under the apple tree. The first of the native Bluebells and most prized of all one or two Wood Anemones under the shrubs and Lungwort in a flower bed. Surprised to find bees still searching the Stinking Hellebores, presumably for nectar, since there is little pollen. On the Nature Trail and Protected Roadside Verge additional species are Coltsfoot, Barren Strawberry, Spring Whitlow Grass,Blackthorn and Gorse and Ash is in flower. On the verge edge a white line of Danish Scurvy Grass. Invertebrates. The first Brimstone on 16th March and Small Tortoiseshell has been regular since then. Bumble Bees are still only queens of Bombus terrestris and B. lucorum. Honey bees are less than last year. A favourite food plant is the purple aubretia. On the 13th March heard the loud buzzing of a male hairy footed flower bee (Anthophora plumipes) and subsequently found it feeding on the lungwort which I plant particularly for it. Since then I have only seen the one, and infrequently. From the 16th March there have been black flower beetles numerous on coltsfoot and 7spot abundant, climbing out of favourite hibernating shrubs. No sign of harlequins. On 10th March a centipede was found in the empty bath (upstairs). How it got there is a mystery. I recognised the species Common Chrysops, from studies at college (over 50 yrs ago!)..I looked in likely habitats in the garden e.g. amongst the log pile, but found none. I did however find one from another order of centipedes the Common Lithobius (L.forficaatus) and later in the week when the vegetable garden was forked over a representative of the third order found in Britain, long , thin and cream coloured Geophilus sp. Since this is the only member of the carnivorous centipedes which will also damage roots my husband's rejoicing was less than mine. I have been finding out all kinds of interesting things about this and other species ( including the fact that Geophilus coils its long body round its eggs to protect them. Other notes: First Chiffchaff on Nature Trail. March 16th. First Frog Spawn on pond 13th March. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 18th – 24th March 2020 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Note - from the 19th - 22nd high pressure to East of UK became established bringing a very cold air stream to the coast. A gust of 35.1mph noted on the 21st. Keen ground frost -7.0? plus air frost -1.25? on the 24th, yet the daytime air maximum reached a pleasant 14.5?. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 190320 - Pair of bullfinch near Sea View, plus chiffchaff and pair great spotted woodpecker and some drumming. Clouded Drab, Common Quaker, Hebrew Character, Early Thorn, Powdered Quaker and Red Chestnut caught in moth trap at Sea View. 200320 - Chiffchaff at Paradise Wood and late afternoon at least 1000 starlings, in one flock, gathering around the Sea View - Elm House area. Tawny Owl called during the day. Common toads spawning along with common frog and smooth newts active, 24 spot ladybird all at Sea View. 220320 - 9 siskin, 2 great spotted woodpeckers at Sea View. On Paradise lagoon 20 curlew, 14 redshank, 25 shoveler, 4 gadwall, 6 mallard, 8 tufted duck, 2 moorhen, 6 coot, 1 common snipe, 32 common gulls. 230320 - Paradise lagoon 4 shelduck, 4 gadwall, 5 moorhen, 4 tufted duck, 48 teal, 7 common snipe, 9 curlew, 1 little grebe, 5 coot and 5 redshank. Bumblebees including red-tailed and tree bumblebees in garden near Sea View. Red kite seen flying over Sea View. Between Sea View and Churchill Lane: buff tailed bumblebees active and 1 peacock butterfly. On flowering gorse - gorse shield bug and 7-spot ladybird. A good number of chiffchaff now calling. 240320 - 13 tufted duck on Paradise lagoon amongst the usual wildfowl. Marsh harrier hunting over the saltmarsh disturbing a flock of at least 100 redshank. 2 chiffchaffs in song, 3 buff tail bumblebees and 2 small tortoiseshell butterflies in flight in the Churchill Lane area. At Sea View 1 peacock butterfly, blackcap and chiffchaff calling. Other Reserves Green woodpecker, at least 5 chiffchaff calling, comma butterfly, buzzard at Legbourne Wood. Green woodpecker, barking muntjac, chiffchaff, brimstone butterfly, longtailed tits at Muckton Wood. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 - CANCELLATION on events and activities *** 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 All events and activities for Love Lincs Plants are cancelled until further notice. This includes all plant collection activities, internal and external to the [Wildlife] Trust, as this is not essential under Government Guidance. All events post the end of May will be reviewed in coming weeks. No staff or volunteers, should be doing any activity under the LLP banner, other than on a computer at home. 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: Following Government guidance and in the interests of health and safety, this year's field meetings are cancelled up until the end of May with immediate effect and until further notice. For further information please contact your County Recorder(s). 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. Please contact Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or email rel.davidson@btinternet.com *** Whisby Natural History "drop-in" sessions - CANCELLED *** "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... Humans aren't the only animals that get drunk (or worse): here are a few others https://www.zmescience.com/science/animals-drunk-feature/ "The Coral Reef: 10 Hours of Relaxing Oceanscapes | BBC Earth" - de-stress! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMAzchVWTis&feature=youtu.be We've just discovered two new shark species https://theconversation.com/weve-just-discovered-two-new-shark-species-134067 Birds adapt to climate change by changing their body size, study finds https://www.zmescience.com/science/birds-adapt-to-climate-change-by-changing-their-body-size-study-finds/ Bioplastic Made From Fish Scales Just Won the James Dyson Award https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/bioplastic-made-from-fish-scales-just-won-james-dyson-award-180973550/ Cork: what is the material we stuff our wine bottles with? https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/green-living/cork-what-is-the-material-we-stuff-our-wine-bottles-with/ Country diary: the call of the lapwings orients me in time and place https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/16/country-diary-the-call-of-the-lapwings-orients-me-in-time-and-place 'Tip of the iceberg': is our destruction of nature responsible for Covid-19? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/18/tip-of-the-iceberg-is-our-destruction-of-nature-responsible-for-covid-19-aoe Country diary: the fellowship of frogs https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/17/country-diary-the-fellowship-of-frogs Country diary: this ant-engineered landscape is best seen in closeup https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/18/country-diary-this-ant-engineered-landscape-dog-violets-durham Country diary: yellowhammers woo their mates with a local song https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/mar/20/country-diary-yellowhammers-woo-their-mates-with-a-local-song Country diary: the chiffchaff's cheery seesaw lifts the spirits of a self-isolator https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/21/country-diary-chiffchaffs-cheery-seesaw-lifts-spirits-self-isolator-coronavirus ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/