============================================= || || 6th May 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... *** I hope everything is going well in our required isolation and that the Bulletin provides you with a bit of interest and stimulation. There are some good reports and links this week. Please keep your news and reports coming, if only from your home patch. 2nd May: BBC Local info: Coronavirus deaths: Lincolnshire below national average The rate of coronavirus-related deaths in Lincolnshire is three times lower than the England and Wales average, according to new research. Figures released today show that the county has recorded 11 coronavirus-related deaths per 100,000 people in the population. Nationally, that number stands at 36. It's also been revealed Boston recorded the highest number with 22 deaths per 100,000. But West Lindsey had the lowest at just four. Bob Sheppard writes: The Loch Arkaig ospreys now have a full clutch of three eggs. The first should hatch on 1st June. The male will be busy bringing several big brown trout to the nest every day plus the occasional flounder and small salmon. Please Remember: All LNU Meetings until the 8th June have been cancelled. As said, we will monitor the "progress" of CO-19 and update you on cancellations and the eventual resumption of events at some point, through the LNU Bulletin, LNU Website meetings pages and the LNU Twitter feed. Please keep checking for updates. Anything may change as the situation evolves. Stay safe. See The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on the Coronavirus, Covid-19: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus All events and activities for Love Lincs Plants are cancelled until further notice. Forestry Commission says: Stay home, stay safe – please do not drive to our forests. A selection of useful or entertaining links sent in by readers. Skim or click, please! 10 Photos of VEday Celebrations 8th May 1945 https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/10-photos-of-ve-day-celebrations VE Day Tea (Hull or Grimsby) http://www.imagesoflincolnshire.co.uk/VE_Day_Tea.html What you need to know about VE Day https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/what-you-need-to-know-about-ve-day VE Day - the end of World War Two - Lincolnshire Life https://www.lincolnshirelife.co.uk/posts/view/ve-day-the-end-of-world-war-two Coronavirus: Long Bennington illegal tip shut down in raid https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-52530778 HS2 protesters spending coronavirus lockdown in trees https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-52488267 Coronavirus lockdown affects seismic noise from humans - interesting.... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-52509924 Birds join chorus of approval as wildlife thrives in a quieter world https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/25/birds-join-chorus-of-approval-as-wildlife-thrives-in-a-quieter-world Garden eels 'forgetting about humans' need people to video-chat - unbelievable? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-52500113 Incredible rainbows as the nation clapped for carers https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/features/52503884 Elmo the cat's garden glove collection amuses owner - great stories. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-52485574 Insect close ups: Photographer captures close-ups of wasps, flies and grasshoppers https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8284187/ Photo of the Week: 22-28 April - BirdGuides https://www.birdguides.com/articles/photo-of-the-week/photo-of-the-week-22-28-april/ Cause of Blue Tit deaths identified - BirdGuides https://www.birdguides.com/news/cause-of-blue-tit-deaths-identified/ Want to help rare birds? Dig a pond https://theconversation.com/want-to-help-rare-birds-dig-a-pond-137136 I hope these links inspire, inform and entertain. Remember to include a grid reference in reports. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - this is my best address for emails please. BATS – can readers help? Annette Faulkner writes: Where are all the bats? They were late out of hibernation and tend to dip in and out of semi hibernation during March and April, but we usually get a number of calls during that time of grounded ones, virtually always underweight and in need of feeding up, though unfortunately cats sometimes find them first and they have to go on a one-way trip to the vet. But this year we’ve had hardly any calls at all. Why is this? There are a number of possible reasons, including the lockdown meaning people simply aren’t outside to find them, and there is also misinformation, as I found with one call we did get, that the coronavirus could be caught from bats, which involved some PR explaining that there are over 1,400 species of bats worldwide, and the transmission from bats to humans has been because some species of bats get eaten – something we’re not known for here (quite apart from the legal protection)! And as is becoming increasingly clear the link to Chinese bats is tenuous at best. On Monday night I took my detector along the River Welland, outside our house, and there were certainly common and soprano pipistrelles foraging along the river in apparently normal numbers, but here’s where Bulletin readers can help. I always extract the records many of you send in over the years – and for that, many thanks – and wonder if you can be persuaded to go out in your gardens on Thursday or Friday evening, when we are scheduled to have some warmer evenings, from about 15 minutes after sunset for half an hour or so – and just see what turns up? Sunset is 20.39 on Thursday in Spalding, adding up to 6 mins later in the north. And then please send in your results, making sure you attach a 6 figure grid reference, please, and only recording the number of bats you’ve seen together, to avoid over counting. And let’s see if there are any changes on previous years. *** Flusurvey *** Readers may recall me mentioning Flusurvey a few times in the Bulletin. This is an on- line weekly questionnaire managed and monitored by Public Health England (PHE) and designed to monitor trends of infectious diseases in the community. They need data from healthy as well as infected participants. You don't have to be ill to contribute! Roger https://flusurvey.net/ *** 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: Website says: "All LNU meetings until the 8th June are CANCELLED." We will update you if/as situation changes. https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/ *** Whisby Workshops 2020 *** "All LNU meetings until the 8th June are cancelled." https://lnu.org/meetings/workshops/ *** Whisby Natural History "drop-in" sessions *** "All LNU meetings until the 8th June are cancelled." https://lnu.org/meetings/drop-in-sessions/ *** RSPB Frampton Marsh: Visitor Centre *** Frampton Marsh visitor centre (including the toilets) will be closed 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 *** 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/ Lyme disease lockdown alert as more venture outdoors - symptoms to look for and how to safely remove a tick. Lyme Disease UK says good weather and closure of indoor leisure facilities could put more people at risk of being bitten. Wake Up to Lyme campaign to be launched in May https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/cheltenham-news/lyme-disease-lockdown-alert-more-4074140 *** May 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 The Eta Aquariid meteor shower peaks between midnight and dawn on 5-6 May 2020. https://www.rmg.co.uk/discover/explore/space-stargazing/eta-aquariid-meteor-shower *** Scunthorpe Museum Society Natural History and Geology Section *** All meetings of the Scunthorpe Museum Society, both indoor and field meetings, have been cancelled until further notice. http://scunthorpemuseumsociety.btck.co.uk/ *** Grimsby & District RSPB *** April and May Meetings and Trips of the RSPB Grimsby Local Group have been cancelled. http://www.rspb.org.uk/groups/grimsby *** South Lincs RSPB - please check the website *** “Birdwatching cruises into the Wash” programme for 2020. Cancellations can be found at : https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/news/ *** LWT Reserves *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves "Following the Government’s advice we have taken the decision to cancel events and close our visitor centres, car parks and toilets until further notice. We will continue to monitor the situation so please check our events page for updates." https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/events *** LWT Get Involved page - including Area Groups *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes LWT *** For details of cancellations see: 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: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] Dick Filby writes: "We are now featuring, and invite, more reports of the ‘commoner’ regular migrants than normal including any notable ‘visible migration’ (vismig) and also ‘nocturnal migration’ (nocmig) records. For example your garden records of species such as Firecrest, Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher are welcome, records of overflying Hobby and inland waders, and interesting incoming records such as Common Scoters and Water Rails." 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/ 27/4 Glaucous Gull, Pyewipe, NW of Grimsby Ring Ouzel, Barton-upon-Humber pits Black Redstart 1w at sea on boat 15 miles east of Skegness Wood Sandpiper. Baston + Langtoft pits 28/4 Osprey, Wood Sandpiper in field, Anderby Creek Glaucous Gull, Pyewipe, NW of Grimsby Wood Sandpiper, Wainfleet All Saints Ring Ouzel, Barton-upon-Humber pits 29/4 2 Great White Egrets, Snipe Dales Country Park Little Tern, Arctic Tern, Whimbrel, Toft Newton reservoir 30/4 Ring Ouzel, Alkborough Wood sandpiper high over Baston+Langtoft pits 1/5 Ring-necked Duck drk, Heckington Fen 2/5 Red-breasted Flycatcher reported, Market Rasen Ring Ouzel male, fem Whinchat, Tetney Whooper Swan, Manby Flashes Spoonbill, Rimac 2 Common Cranes flew west over North Hykeham Great White Egret, Donna Nook 3/5 Whinchat male, Baston+Langtoft GPs 2 Spoonbills, both 1s, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Iberian Chiffchaff Low road, North of Croft, Skegness Osprey between Kelby and Greylees, SW of Sleaford Great White Egret flew over beach, Theddlethorpe 4/5 Glaucous Gull, Pyewipe, NW of Grimsby Blue-headed Wagtail, Toft Newton reservoir Grey Plover, Baston + Langtoft pits 2 Wood Sandpipers, Black Tern, Middlemarsh Wetlands, Skegness Cattle Egret, Baston Fen 5/5 Glossy Ibis, 2 Wood Sandpipers, Middlemarsh Wetlands, Skegness ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** Oil Beetles - seen any yet? *** Keep an eye out on road verges and footpaths whilst on your sanctioned daily exercise. Follow the social distancing rules and don't go putting yourself at any risk in infection. *** Louth Badgers *** Grid Ref: TF332884 Peter White writes: Over the last couple of weeks we had some rather large holes appearing under our garden fence, much larger than the ones we had made for the hedge hogs to get through so I have had the night camera out and have a badger coming into the garden every night in the search for food. It seems after investigation it is coming from the main road and down the drive and into the garden. We are in a residential area with no obvious place for a set close by. This is a new one for us and we have lived in the house for 15 years and had the odd Fox but never a badger, with the ground so hard they are having to search far for food. We have at least 2 hedgehogs visiting on a regular basis. We put up a tawny owl box a few years ago and although every year we have had residents we have had limited success with breeding. This year we have had owls in the box since January and the pair are very vocal most nights but having a look into the box with a camera it seems there are no chicks or eggs again. This is the second year we have had residents for a long time but no success with breeding. Is there still time or will it be another barren year? NOCTON Jerry Gunner writes: Sunday May 3, 2020 at around ten o’clock in the morning I was admiring the view towards the Lincolnshire Wolds when I noticed some frenzied activity in a field near my house. There are lots of brown hares there at the moment, five or six together is not at all uncommon. What caught my eye in the first instance was a single very brown hare seemingly running in circles. I then saw the reason. A crow was stooping on her and then flying away a short distance and the hare would follow the bird which would then zoom back to where the hare had been. I guessed what was happening and sure enough, after what seemed forever but probably was only a couple of minutes at most, the crow drew the hare far enough away from where the crow wanted to be and got there just before the hare. The crow landed and took off struggling under its load. I thought that was it for the leveret but unless the crow had grabbed two, it may have had a reprieve. The hare raced after the crow as it strained to gain height (I’m NOT going to say ‘hared after it’) and timed a jump to make contact with the bird which dropped one small mammal in the long grass. The hare continued to chase the crow until both were out of my sight. I have no idea if the leveret survived but I’ve been outside all day and have not seen a repetition of the behaviour. I did see jackdaws mobbing a sparrowhawk but that’s fairly common. Editor adds: A neighbour in Bardney reported this week that a magpie had tried to take a Blackbird fledgeling in his garden. It was dealt with by a "flash mob" of several adult Blackbirds, not just the parents, which together drove off the magpie. The fledgeling survived. WEBCAMS Bob Sheppard has sent the following details of his favourite webcams. The Loch Arkaig ospreys. Bob Sheppard writes on 23rd April: First egg today 6.19am. Amazingly this bird always lays at the predicted time based on when she arrives each year. Future eggs will be laid at approx 70 hour intervals. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam CJ Wildlife have fantastic webcams from Europe https://www.birdfood.co.uk/webcams There are lots of UK peregrine webcams but Woking is one of the best https://www.wokingperegrines.com In Lincs we have the Len Pick Trust barn owl webcam. Both birds are often in the box but no action yet https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 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 2/5/2020 Pied Wagtail on village Green at 10.00hrs 2/5/2020 Cuckoos heard on walk from Station Road to Abbey Road from intersection of The Viking Way with Wood Lane at TF116694 - both calling at about 09.45hrs 1 heard at approx TF112694 1 seen and heard at approx TF108697 2 active bats at 21.15hrs echolocating at 55kHz - adult-sized Pipistrelle or similar. Hedgehog visit at 23/50 hrs. [Trailcam] Trails on dewy grass visible in morning. 3/5/2020 Bat - probably Pipistrelle spp, observed circling garden at 20.45hrs. 5/5//20 3 Swifts overheard approx 10.30hrs. To go with this - a note from John Nickson, who writes: Further to my first Cuckoo: I reported this was on 24th April at Washingborough. TF026709. The next day we heard a cuckoo again, on our exercise bike ride at Burton Waters, by the river north west of Lincoln. SK937729. We wondered if this could be a second bird in the area or the same one having moved up river. This morning 2nd May we were biking along the water rail way from Bardney back to Washingborough. We heard a cuckoo a bit past the lock at TF087711. Again we wondered if it could be the same bird. Further along the river towards Washingborough by chance, we meet our Daughter on the far bank walking from Washingborough towards the pumping station. Almost her first words were “we have just heard the cuckoo” There is no doubt that there must be two birds. With the Washingborough bird being reported twice in the same place do you think we are safe to conclude that there are three cuckoos along the river from Bardney to Saxilby? I am convinced there are three. BARDNEY P&M Porter Bardney garden TF 117700 30th April 2020 Swallow Young Blackbirds x3 making such a noise wandering around on the ground, it’s a wonder how they are surviving. 1st May 2020 Galls of Pear Leaf Midge Eriophyes pyri on Mountain Ash leaves. White Rust, Albugo candida, a fungus-like micro-organism, making patches of chalky deposit on Honesty plants, Red Admiral butterfly x2 2nd April 2020 A few Swallows but no House Martins or Swifts. Long-horn Moths x5 Adela probably reaumurella fluttering round the tip of an apple tree shoot. Red Admiral, Holly Blue, Orange-tip, Small White butterfly x1. A sample of flies taken as follows; Minettia inusta, listed as nationally common, but this only the fourth Lincolnshire record and only the second this century, such is the low volume of fly recording. The others were all commonly recorded species ; Delia platura, the seedcorn maggot or bean seed fly, which has followed human activity to gain worldwide distribution except for Antarctica; Coenosia tigrina and C. testacea, both small muscid predators of smaller insects, and Hilara maura, a Dance-fly, also predatory and the commonest of a large genus . 4th April 2020 Holly Blue & Orange-tip butterflies x c. 4 of each as usual. Red Admiral & Green-veined White x1 14-spot Ladybird Blackcap singing well daily. A near-neighbour spotted a Red Kite over Abbey Road 5th April 2020 Cuckoo Bumble-bee, probably Bombus vestalis x1 Hoverfly Epistrophe eligans x1 Small Tortoiseshell x2, our first for several days. Swallow x3; 2 of them engaged in the most incredibly rapid close-formation twisting flight for several minutes. Impossible not to think that they were flying for the enjoyment of it. Swift x2 100m north of home and back; Large Red Damselfly x1, Yellowhammer x1, Goldfinch x1, Whitethroat x4, St. Marks Flies x50 Bardney Village – Centre TF119694 5th May 2020 Swift x4 BOSTON (South over A16) 30/04/2020 Roy and Kathleen Pearson Three Buzzards were circling high this morning and drifting away towards the docks. Had two before, but never as many as three. BOSTON (Garden by A16) April 2020 Kathleen Pearson During April I was able to do the BTO Garden BirdWatch on all 30 days due to the Lockdown. Whilst the total number of species was very high at 27, with the exception of Goldfinches the highest count of each bird was below ten. The only bird in the garden that was unusual this month was a single Rook on one day. The list was:- Blackbird 5, Wren 2, Greenfinch 8, Goldfinch 11, Collared Dove 2, Jay 1, Starling 2, Woodpigeon 4, Carrion Crow 2, Robin 2, Great Tit 2, Chaffinch 2, Blackcap 1, Magpie 2, House Sparrow 3, Blue Tit 2, Pheasant 1, Song Thrush 2, Dunnock 1, Jackdaw 1, Sparrowhawk 1, Goldcrest 1, Lesser Black-backed Gull 3, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Herring Gull 1, Chiffchaff 1 and Rook1. Butterflies present:- Comma, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell, Brimstone, Orange-tip, Large White and Holly Blue. Others:- Grey squirrels and a single Pipistrelle. GRIMSBY Grid Ref. TA265095 Joyce Attia 1st May 2020 10.30 am My garden. Over the last week before the rain came the bees were very busy especially on the Pulmonaria. There have been a number of little brown stripey ones and a very small black one - it's pollen pouches were so full I dont know how it managed to take off. A couple of large white butterflies. All the new narcissi and tulips that I planted last year have been beautiful. The honesty is still flowering, it lights up a shady spot. Robin comes every day, a pair of blackbirds come regularly, they are fond of apples, yesterday there was a male chaffinch, 3 goldfinches, a pair of dunnocks, a couple of house sparrows, nice to see them as we don't get many, a pair of collared doves, a number of feral pigeons and a grey squirrel. TA269095 There is a swans nest on the river opposite the shopping centre alongside a normally very busy road. They have found a spot under an elder bush beneath a tall derelict wall. The nest is woven with twigs like a basket whereas upstream they are usually made of reeds. Panic set in yesterday when I saw workmen on the top of the wall moving bricks about. After a lot of shouting and waving they realised this nutty woman was trying to attract attention. They didn't realise the nest was there. It's a long story... Meanwhile a little boy and his Dad told me that there is a moorhen's nest with 12 eggs a bit further upstream. There are also some beautiful king cups on the bankside. HORKSTOW SE985178 Jenny Haynes 25 April 2020 ‘My’ bats have appeared at last, flying round the house. Pipistrelles, I think. Several weeks later than last year. I’m relieved because I thought I’d lost them! Three Holly Blue butterflies in my garden. I had an unusual close up of one and was able to see its banded antenna. 26 April 2020 I saw several Speckled Wood butterflies while walking in the field behind my house today. 27 April 2020 I’ve been watching four brown hares on the hill at the back (east) of my house. I think one is a female and the others male, one of which is attempting to keep the other two at bay. This has now been going on for several hours. I’ve not seen hares in this field before and don’t know if they are the same ones seen in the field at the front (west). HUTTOFT TF511762 (my garden) Jane Pennington 27/4/2020 Dragonfly nymph 1 Newt 1 I disturbed these when reaching into the pond to pull out a Giant willowherb that had managed to self seed. 29/4/2020 Goldfinch 2 Red-tailed bumble bee 1 1/5/2020 Songthrush 1 Collecting nesting material 5/5/2020 Holly blue 2 Orange tip 1 m. on honesty Peacock butterfly 1 KETTLETHORPE Kettlethorpe SK 847757 Alison Brownlow 28/04/2020 Pleased to report that the cuckoo is back and calling each day Quince tree in flower Green long horned moth flying over dogwood bush 1st Red Admiral butterfly this year 02/05/2020 Spindle bush in flower Black Solomon's seal sawfly Greater celandine THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 23/04/20 Blackbird x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Goldfinch x 6 Great Tit x 1 Greenfinch x 1 Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 1 Tree Sparrow x 6 Willow Warbler x 2 Wood Pigeon x 3 Wren x 1 24/04/20 Goldfinch x 1 caught on trail cam with nesting material in beak 25/04/20 Blackbird x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 over Thurnholmes Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 4 Greenfinch x 1 Mute Swan x 1 over Thurnholmes Pied Wagtail x 1 Robin x 1 Skylark x 1 Tree Sparrow x 6 Brown Hare x 2 in arable fields around Thurnholmes 14-spot Ladybird x 1 Spiders; Araniella Spp. on Yew Tree Pholcus phalangioides Daddy Long-legs Spider x 2 in house Tetragnatha Spp. on Honesty 01/05/20 Blackbird x 2 Blackcap x 1 Blue Tit x 1 Chaffinch x 2 Cuckoo x 1 my first of year Pied Wagtail x 1 Robin x 1 Skylark x 1 Tree Sparrow x 5 Willow Warbler x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 Yellowhammer x 1 03/05/20 Blackbird x 1 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Common Buzzard x 2 circling high over Thurnholmes Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 1 Greenfinch x 1 Greylag goose x 4 over Thurnholmes Mallard x 3 over Thurnholmes Pied Wagtail x 1, nest around stables Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 over Thurnholmes Stock dove x 1 Tree Sparrow x 4 (at least 2 nest boxes occupied) Willow Warbler x 1 Wood Pigeon x 2 Yellowhammer x 1 Yellow Wagtail x 1, my first of year Green-veined White x 1 Orange Tip x 3 Peacock x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Leopard Slug x 4 found when moving some old plant pots Lots of Garlic Mustard growing along all our hedgerows. WADDINGTON Peter Wilson 29/4/2020 Just seen a pied wagtail on my lawn, though there are plenty of them around Waddington, particularly on the playing field, this is the first time I have seen one in my garden. Also a blackbird with a creamy white head has been visiting. It has been seen in several places in the village . Had one last year about the same time, could it be the same one? Another blackbird very busy nest building in a bush adjacent to my kitchen window. Better ensure the cats don’t get out now. Had a brief sighting of a sparrow hawk (which is a regular visitor) two days ago, it came swooping in and was immediately chased away by another larger raptor which came in so fast I couldn’t identify it. They both disappeared rapidly over the wall and out of site, very intriguing. WOOLSTHORPE-BY-C0LSTERWORTH  SK923247 Jane Ostler 29/4/20 - 5/5/20 Garden ( unless otherwise indicated) FLOWERING PLANTS On 29/4/20 a (necessary) trip by car to neighbouring village for first time since self isolation meant the opportunity to see some trees not within walking distance for me at home. At North Witham the main road was lined by Bird Cherry in flower. In South Witham red flowers on a Hybrid Horse Chestnut were still in bud. A non hybrid Horse Chestnut was in full flower, the white flowers not yet showing the pink blush which indicates they have been pollinated. On a walk round the oldest part of the Woolsthorpe parish the verges have changed in the last week with the first flowers of Bulbous and Creeping Buttercups, and Germander Speedwell. Garden escapes now include Red Valerian and Solomon's Seal in flower. By the stream on Water Lane Wavy Bittercress, Cuckoo Flower, and Ramsons. The sedge Carex pendula has long tassels of flowers. On Old Post Lane there is an area of pea plants with Black Medick, Common Vetch and White Clover. INSECTS The Red Ants (Myrmica ruginoides) have begun their daily excursions to the Crab Apple tree. There are two lines, one ascending and one descending the trunk. They collect only honeydew from the aphids but also help rid the tree of other small insects. We have Yellow Ants (Lasius flavus) in the lawn. The nest mounds which are evidenced in meadows do not develop in the lawn because of constant flattening by the lawnmower. In the front garden the Black Ants (Lasius niger) are about on the path on warmer days. The sandy soil brought up from between the paving slabs is evidence of their nests. Cold wet days have meant the absence of butterflies this week. As the weather improved Orange Tips and a Large White returned on 3/5/20. Bumble Bees only in ones and twos. As many as a dozen female Hairy Footed Flowers Bees but these feed mainly on tubular flowers like the comfrey. This leaves the Andrena spp and the Mason Wasps and the Hoverflies as pollinaters for the fruit trees, the apples of which are full of blossom. I spent some time identifying one hoverfly - Helopilus pendulus, one of four similarly marked species but this one has the hind tibia dark only half way up. Its larvae are said to nest in muddy places including 'farmyard drains'. No muddy places in our garden at present but farmyards nearby. A second species Scaeva pyrastri, I am more familiar with as it has distinctive pale lunules or crescent shapes on its abdomen. There were not enough of them to suggest a migration. BIRDS Swallows are back in lower numbers but no sign of House Martins. Anxiously awaiting the first Swifts which did well last year. Willow Warbler on the Nature Trail. In the garden two young blackbirds still being fed on the ground .  House Sparrows nesting everywhere, in hedges and climbers, under eaves and even in boxes. Dunnock nesting in Clematis montana trained over an arch. Not known where back garden Robin nested, but have seen it feeding a single fledged young. In the front garden nesting in dense jasmine on north-facing wall. Next door Song Thrush nesting in conifer tree. On 5th May a Woodpigeon sitting next to its similar sized young (one of a pigeon pair). It was on the top of a wire netting cage, one line of encampment to keep its kind off the newly growing vegetables. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs and Reserves including RSPB and LWT ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ LWT Reserves http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/wildlife/reserves https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/far-ings https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/gibraltar-point ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on the Coronavirus, Covid-19 is here: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus " Following the Government’s advice we have taken the decision to cancel events and close our visitor centres, car parks and toilets until further notice. We will continue to monitor the situation so please check our events page for updates. " See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 29th April – 5th May 2020 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett and Ruth Taylor. Note: The high pressure systems which gave the prolonged dry weather of 25 days during April, apart from around 15minutes of drizzle on the 6th which barely recorded less than 0.1mm, were replaced by low pressure on the 26th giving showers and 2.1mm recorded. For the remainder of the month the weather was unsettled with showers. Total rainfall for April was 10.7mm (0.42 inches). Daily News and Wildlife Sightings: 290420 - Cuckoo and jay near Sea View. A female peregrine seen with 7 jackdaws in pursuit an 8th was in the peregrine’s claws. 300420 – 3 whimbrel on saltmarsh, 1 greenshank on Paradise lagoon, and 1 speckled wood in flight at Sea View. A hobby flew fast and low over dunes. 010520 - On Paradise lagoon: 2 whimbrel and 1 avocet plus at least 12 house martins and 8 swallows feeding over water. Near Sea View wheatear, willow warbler and 3 common buzzards circling high over dunes, 2 swifts. 020520 - Paradise lagoon: 3 whimbrel, 2 greenshank, 2 shelduck, 1 moorhen, 5 teal, 4 coot, 4 gadwall, 2 shoveler, 2 mallard, 4 tufts duck, 1 little egret and 7 redshank plus 4 house martins, 3 swallows, 5 sand martins feeding over. Near Sea View: wall brown, green hairstreak, red admiral, speckled wood on wing. Single jay over. 2 wheatear on dunes near Sea View. 030520 - Yellow wagtail, kingfisher, common sandpiper and 4 gadwall in the Paradise lagoon - Eau area. 3 whimbrel on the saltmarsh. 3 grasshopper warblers and 7 sedge warblers in song 040520 - Single whimbrel on edge of Paradise lagoon. Male whinchat and wheatear on dunes near Sea View. Butterflies seen: peacock, wall brown, orange tip, green hairstreak, speckled wood, holly blue, green veined white, brimstone, also a cinnabar moth and very active brown tail moth caterpillars. A single Richards pipit flushed whilst walking in dune grassland, a scarce migrant species. 050520 - Single wheatear and 2 whimbrel on saltmarsh and one whimbrel at Paradise lagoon. Along edge of Eau 4 common sandpipers. A single brown argus seen. Sightings in other locations during social distancing: 2904-050520 – Daily sightings of blackbird, house sparrow, blue tit, great tit, wood pigeon and dunnock in Louth. 010520 – 2 wheatear, 1 corn bunting, 2 yellowhammer, 14 linnet, 1 swallow, 1 sedge warbler, 1 grasshopper warbler, 4 whitethroat, 2 lesser whitethroat, 1 buzzard, 12 shelduck, 1 green hairstreak, 1 fox and 2 hares at Donna Nook. 1 chiffchaff, 1 blackcap, 2 whitethroat, cinnabar moth, common carpet and orange-tip at Toby’s Hill. 030520 – On saltmarsh out from Churchill Lane a flock of 32 ringed plover with 30 dunlin in summer plumage. Wall and orange-tip. 2 swift through, 14 curlew over, 2 swallow and single heron on washland at Sea View. 040520 – Hedgehogs, swifts and buzzard seen in Louth. 3 yellow wagtail at North Cockerington. 050520 – Cuckoo, marsh harrier, buzzard, house martin, swallows and swifts in Woodhall Spa. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Forestry Commission Coronavirus information: Help stop the spread of coronavirus. Stay home, stay safe – please do not come to our forests. https://www.forestryengland.uk/coronavirus-visitor-information Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch. See: https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html The Hazel Dormouse https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/cy/node/35 Lincolnshire Dormouse Group You can get in touch via lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood, Little and Great Scrubbs Woods, Minting Wood, Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park, and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow (and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting); College Wood, Cocklode & Great West Woods, Hardy Gang Wood, Newball Wood, Rand Wood, Scotgrove Wood, Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland, which are designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, and non-designated areas. Since managing the SSSI areas carries particular responsibilities to Natural England, records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS. 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on the Coronavirus, Covid-19 is here: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus " Following the Government’s advice we have taken the decision to cancel events and close our visitor centres, car parks and toilets until further notice. We will continue to monitor the situation so please check our events page for updates. " ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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, or for identification materials (e.g. books or online resources) to help recording in any group of plants, animals or fungi in Lincolnshire. The upper limit is £300. You do not need to be a member of the LNU to apply, but it would help. The LNU would, however, expect you to put your newly facilitated skills into practice and derive some Lincolnshire records. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course, or to buy books to help you, please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk *** Love Lincs Plants - CANCELLATION of 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 Love Lincolnshire Plants: A plant archive for future generations https://lnu.org/lincolnshire-plants-past-and-future/ LNU 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 *** BSBI Website: *** https://bsbi.org/ *** Natural History Museum - Botany Collections *** https://www.nhm.ac.uk/our-science/collections/botany-collections.html *** 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. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ *** Botany *** Botanical Group in South Lincs Contact: Sarah Lambert, who writes: sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Also see: http://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 *** 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 - 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) Contact: Ashley Butterfield learningoutdoors@btinternet.com Please have a look at https://www.recordpool.org.uk/index.php for an easy way to record your amphibian and reptile species records. Or you can send any records to Ashley Butterfield (Lincolnshire Amphibian and Reptile Recorder) at LearningOutdoors@btinternet.com Please include Species, Date, Time, Location, numbers as a minimum (Other useful information includes Temperature and Weather conditions.) *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Confidential Bat Records *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Non-Marine Molluscs *** Alex Pickwell is the LNU Recorder for Non-marine Molluscs Email: alex.pickwell@environment-agency.gov.uk USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) http://www.glnp.org.uk/ Contact: charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk *** 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 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 instances may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed please contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. *** Codes of Conduct *** RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ 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. 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: "All LNU meetings until the 8th June are cancelled." We will update you if/as situation changes. Field Meetings: CANCELLED https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/ Whisby Workshops - CANCELLED. https://lnu.org/meetings/workshops/ Whisby Natural History "drop-in" sessions - CANCELLED https://lnu.org/meetings/drop-in-sessions/ Indoor Meetings 2020 https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** Mail fails: 8 plus-com customers "soft bounced". All were sent an email to inform them. If you would like a copy of the report, please let me know. If ever your Bulletin does not arrive, please let me know. ....and finally... Antarctic meteorites yield global bombardment rate https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-52465237 Forests 'can take cover to resist alien invaders' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-52507819 Northamptonshire oak: Highways England unable to save tree https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-52502191 Toilet frog invasion leaves Derbyshire townsfolk scared and baffled https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-news/toilet-frog-invasion-leaves-derbyshire-4096144 Captain Cook 250th Anniversary – The Conversation https://cook250.netlify.app/ The stories of Tupaia and Omai and their vital role as Captain Cook's unsung shipmates https://theconversation.com/the-stories-of-tupaia-and-omai-and-their-vital-role-as-captain-cooks-unsung-shipmates-126674 The world is running out of yeast for literally no good reason https://www.wired.co.uk/article/yeast-coronavirus-supply Scientists uncover how soil closes deadly wounds https://www.zmescience.com/medicine/soil-closes-bleeding-wound-05253/ Seafloor currents sweep microplastics into deep-sea hotspots of ocean life https://theconversation.com/seafloor-currents-sweep-microplastics-into-deep-sea-hotspots-of-ocean-life-137314 Silence is golden for whales as lockdown reduces ocean noise | Environment | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/27/silence-is-golden-for-whales-as-lockdown-reduces-ocean-noise-coronavirus A new ode to Spring, from gambolling lambs to pale wood anemones and the rabbity-nosed velvet of ash buds https://www.countrylife.co.uk/nature/a-new-ode-to-spring-from-gambolling-lambs-to-pale-wood-anemones-and-the-rabbity-nosed-velvet-of-ash-buds-214649 The terrible truth about the cuckoo, and the 'monstrous outrages' it perpetrates on its foster parents and siblings https://www.countrylife.co.uk/nature/the-terrible-truth-about-the-cuckoo-and-the-monstrous-outrages-it-perpetrates-on-its-foster-parents-and-siblings-214452 Country diary: dead trees offer a branch of hope https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/28/country-diary-dead-trees-offer-a-branch-of-hope Country diary: one lone earwig stands her ground in the logpile https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/may/01/country-diary-one-lone-earwig-stands-her-ground-in-the-logpile Country diary: a bugle call sends us rushing to help the goslings https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/may/02/country-diary-a-bugle-call-sends-us-rushing-to-help-the-goslings Country diary: spaced-out cowslips nod their mellow yellow heads https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/may/05/country-diary-spaced-out-cowslips-nod-their-mellow-yellow-heads Country diary: the drystone wall has become a time capsule https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/may/06/country-diary-the-drystone-wall-has-become-a-time-capsule ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/