============================================ || || 14th October 2020 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || || LNU Website: || http://lnu.org/ || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Information, tips and requests 2. Wildlife Highlights from Rare Bird Alert 3. Wildlife reports from around the county 4. NNRs including RSPB and LWT Reserves/Saltfleetby'Theddlethorpe 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR - including Chambers Wood Farm 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..... don't miss the links... ============================================ 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... *** 'You've got to book for Donna Nook.' Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust says: "Due to Government Guidance in relation to Covid-19, we have introduced an online booking system to help us manage visitor numbers. Unfortunately, if you don't book a ticket you will be turned away." To book your ticket see: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook Weather forecast "Most areas of the UK will often be windy, with gales likely, perhaps severe near coasts. The wet and windy pattern is expected to continue through the period with longer periods of rain and showers at times." https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ Don't forget the clocks go back on Sunday 25th October. Richard Davidson says of the Whisby Workshops: "All are cancelled for this year. I am hoping to run them this time next year if at all possible, but that depends on whether something approaching normal life has returned by then." If any readers missed Nick Tribe's report last week on the decision to cancel LNU indoor meetings including the AGM, see section 11 below. Given the absence of Field Meetings we have an incentive to make a greater than usual effort to boost our individual wildlife recording, which you may do via the Bulletin or through the appropriate LNU recorder. There is no reason to stop enjoying wildlife, despite the measures we need to follow to stay safe. You could start with spiders in the house; mosses in the garden; slugs in the flower pots, or... Covid-19-related information: Please stay aware of updated government advice and adapt your personal precautions accordingly as the pandemic changes. See: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus "All LNU meetings are cancelled" policy continues. When eventually judged safe to do so, we will announce any resumption of LNU events through the Bulletin, the LNU Twitter feed and LNU meetings webpages. https://lnu.org/meetings/ Events/activities for Love Lincs Plants remain suspended until further notice. https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus RSPB: map for which reserves and facilities you can now access. https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/coronavirus/reserve-reboot/ Forestry England’s coronavirus guidance: https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide Please let us know of any local Covid-related changes readers might need to hear about. Wildlife organisations wishing me to publicise any alterations or new guidelines are welcome to get in touch with updates for the Bulletin. Here is a selection of links to topical local and national stories and articles sent in by fellow-readers. More links for you "...and finally..."' Bearded vulture: Crowds flock to see rare bird over Lincolnshire fens https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-54465297 Bearded vulture: Mystery of bird's UK appearance solved https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-54525499 Pollutants banned for over 30 years linger in UK rivers – our wildlife is the evidence https://theconversation.com/pollutants-banned-for-over-30-years-linger-in-uk-rivers-our-wildlife-is-the-evidence-145109 Identifying Insects on Ivy Flowers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eylwQnLIvbc&feature=youtu.be Rare' Sir Isaac Newton work found on bookshelf sells for £22k https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-54452971 How have fungi shaped the world? - BBC Science Focus Magazine https://www.sciencefocus.com/nature/merlin-sheldrake-how-have-fungi-shaped-the-world/ New postal stamps to celebrate pollinators - Discover Wildlife https://www.discoverwildlife.com/news/new-postal-stamps-to-celebrate-pollinators/ Close Up Photographer of the Year - in pictures https://www.theguardian.com/culture/gallery/2020/sep/30/close-up-photographer-of-the-year-in-pictures Whale died entangled in rope and plastic on Spurn beach https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-54480197 The beautiful Nature Journal of illustrator Jo Brown https://www.zmescience.com/other/art-other/the-beautiful-nature-journal-of-illustrator-jo-brown/ Why leaves fall down -- and why it happens during Autumn https://www.zmescience.com/other/feature-post/why-leaves-fall-down-and-why-it-happens-during-autumn/ Ants quickly adapt to danger, build sand structures to access food and avoid drowning https://www.zmescience.com/science/ants-quickly-adapt-to-danger-build-sand-structures-to-access-food-and-avoid-drowning/ Thank you to everyone who sent in reports, stories, news and links. These make the Bulletin much more useful and encourages others to "have a go". Your Autumn observations will be welcome. Please keep them coming. Please tell others about the Bulletin or use the useful "forward to a friend" link at the end of every edition. It would be good to expand the network. You can also direct people to: https://lnu.org/publications/wildnews-bulletin/ Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - this is my best address for emails please. STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. NHS About Coronavirus [COVID-19] https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 Check for road works and hold-ups. Lots about. https://roadworks.org/ Met Office Severe Warnings - check https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service - why not sign up? 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 - sign up if at risk. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx Lyme Disease https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/ *** October 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. Next big one: Orionids max 21-22 October . See: https://www.rmg.co.uk/discover/explore/how-to-see-meteor-showers-key-dates Mars opposition 2020: how to observe the Red Planet - skyatnightmagazine https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/skills/how-to-observe-mars/ *** Bryophytes reminder *** Lincolnshire Pages of new BBS website - photos requested! Steven Heathcote writes: The British Bryological Society is updating its website and as Lincolnshire recorder for them I've been tasked with updating the vice-county pages for Lincolnshire. The new website is planned to be very visual, with lots of photos displayed. Whilst I have plenty of photographs of bryophytes in the county, I don't have a good supply of landscape photos. I'm hoping that readers of the Bulletin might be willing to help me by supplying photos that show Lincolnshire in its best light, particularly any good view of nature reserves or nice landscape shots. As well as an introductory image or two, I'll be using images to illustrate an updated Lincolnshire Travelogue originally produced by Frank Lammiman and Christine Rieser https://websites.rbge.org.uk/bbs/Bryodiversity/vc53-54/vc53-54sites.htm. The whole thing is voluntary so I'm afraid there is no financial incentive, but full credit will be given for any photos used, and I'll let you know when the new website is live so you can see your images. Please contact me via email steven.heathcote@gmail.com if you can help! *** Joseph Banks Society - News *** Paul Scott writes: New natural science/history and education centre Many readers may not be aware that the Joseph Banks centre in Horncastle has closed its gift shops and is now converting the whole centre into a natural science/ history and education centre. Read more here: https://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/society-takes-huge-step-forward/ Entomology at the Joseph Banks centre We are indebted to Charlie Barnes (Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union) for donating a large amount of material from the collection of Dennis Hill (deceased) which contains a herbarium collection, and slides from around the world. Charlie has also facilitated the donation of a huge collection of insects from Alan and Annette Binding, (to whom we are very grateful) both of these collections will provide opportunities for students young and old to study entomology, and perhaps to further their careers. Entomologists make great contributions to such diverse fields as agriculture, chemistry, biology, human/animal health, molecular science, criminology, and forensics. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ Would you recognise a Lammergier? Or an Ossifrage? Or perhaps a Bearded Vulture? We have had one of them in the county. https://www.birdguides.com/species-guide/ioc/gypaetus-barbatus [Please mention the Bulletin if you decide to subscribe.] 6/10 Siberian Chiffchaff, Hawfinch flew south over beach, 5 Yellow-browed Warblers, ringtail Hen Harrier, 2 Ring Ouzels, Firecrest, 2 Water Pipits, Jack Snipe, Great White Egret, 6 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier on saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh 3 Yellow-browed Warblers in trees by path to hide, Goshawk juv, Hawfinch in pine, probable Ruddy Shelduck over, Freiston Shore Lapland Bunting flew over, Snow Bunting, Anderby Cheek Ruddy Shelduck, Alkborough Flats 4 Yellow-browed Warblers, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Scaup fem, Spotted Redshank, 2 Short-eared Owls, between East Halton Skitter and Goxhill 7/10 4 Lapland Buntings over, 3 Yellow-browed Warblers, Great White Egret, Osprey, 3 Hawfinches flew south, Ring Ouzel, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 8 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Yellow-browed Warbler, Sea View Farm, Saltfleetby 3 Yellow-browed Warblers along track to hide, Freiston Shore Lammergeier flew over Holbeach St John's Little Bittern ad fem, Huttoft Bank Pit Short-eared Owl Deeping High Bank NE of Deeping St Nicholas, Great White Egret by Deeping St Nicholas turning. 8/10 Lammergeier, Eaugate Road, Moulton West Fen - several reports including SW of Moulton Chapel, and west of Cowbit by Ashtree nursery Yellow-browed Warbler by hide track, Freiston Shore Lapland Bunting, Yellow-browed Warbler, Ring Ouzel, Water Pipit, Great White Egret, Gibraltar Point Little Stint, ringtail Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Great White Egret on scrape, Marston sewage works Lesser Yellowlegs, Alkborough Flats Scaup ad fem, juv Spotted Redshank, Winter's Pond, East Halton Skitter Great White Egret, Boultham Mere Short-eared Owl south of gull Farm, Great White Egret, Deeping High Bank, 9/10 Lammergeier, Footes Drove, off Moulton Chapel Road also Cowbit, later flew south along A16, also seen Hull's Drove, Caulton's farm, Queen's Bank. Osprey flew over East Pit, Deeping Lakes 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Lapland Buntings, Ring Ouzel, Great White Egret, Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point Yellow-browed Warbler by hide track, Freiston Shore Yellow-browed Warbler, Rimac Lesser Yellowlegs, Alkborough Flats Scaup, juv Spotted Redshank, East Halton Skitter 10/10 6 Yellow-browed Warblers, Gibraltar Point 11/10 Short-eared Owl north of Brickyard Lane, Theddlethorpe St Helen Great White Egret flew NW over West Common/Carholme Road Grey Phalarope off Cut End from Boston Belle 2 Pomarine Skuas flew past, Great Northern Diver, Little Gull, Sutton-on-Sea 7 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 along road near Tennyson's Sands, Short-eared Owl, Red-breasted Merganser, Hawfinch near Mill Hill, Ring Ouzel, Great White Egret on beach, Gibraltar Point Little Stint on reedbed, Frampton Marsh Yellow-browed Warbler at Seaview Farm, Saltfleetby Short-eared Owl, 16 Crossbills flew west, Saltfleetby St Peter Yellow-browed Warbler in willows by River Freshney, Grimsby 3 Short-eared Owls south of Gull Farm, Deeping High Bank, Deeping St Nicholas Scaup on Winter's Pond, Short-eared Owl, East Halton Skitter 12/10 Little Stint, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 6 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Yellow-browed Warbler at Seaview Farm, Saltfleetby Scaup juv drk, Denton Reservoir Little Gull, Anderby Creek 13/10 Richard's Pipit between Huttoft Bank and Anderby Creek at Moggs Eye Great White Egret, on River Welland, Deeping High Bank near Deeping St Nicholas turning, north of Crowland. Red-breasted Flycatcher 20 miles east of Skegness on boat, then flew west Lapland Bunting flew east over, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 3 Ring Ouzels, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl south of Gull Farm, male hen Harrier, Deeping High Bank, Deeping St Nicholas 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Richard's Pipit, golf course, Sandilands 14/10 Short-eared Owl in marram grass, south of Chapel Point 2 Yellow-browed Warblers at Seaview Farm, Saltfleetby ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 An unusual out of county report from a regular contributor: KESWICK NY264235 7 October 2020 Jenny Haynes A pet shop in the centre of Keswick has buckets outside with bags of wild bird food. I watched a jackdaw take a monkey nut out of one and fly off. When I looked, a hole had been made in the plastic bag. The bird wasn’t bothered by people walking past. It made me laugh and made my day! Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog: http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ Bird Club - latest sightings: https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/sightings/latest-news Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch. Latest sightings: https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/lincolnshire-latest-sightings BTO tracked cuckoos: https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/cuckoo-tracking-project ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Hedgehogs? Badgers? Reports welcome. ROAD KILLS BAUMBER - BADGER TF222740 What3Words munched.hired.shadowed 12/10/2020 R Parsons Badger, adult, on left [north] side of Bardney Road just before main A158 road junction. HEMINGBY BRIDGE - OTTER Otter roadkill - Michael Harrison writes on 10th October 2020 I am a farmer who manages land adjacent to the R Bain both at Hemingby and West Ashby. I have lived in the area all of my life and am a keen amateur naturalist and the management of the R Bain is something I follow with interest. Last night I was saddened to see an Otter had been hit and killed by a vehicle at Hemingby bridge. [Carcass identified as a non lactating female.] Over the past 10 years I have had 3 sightings of Otter at Hemingby bridge, one crossed the road heading upstream of me and both the other two sightings have been road casualties. This road has seen greatly increased levels of traffic during this period so incidents like this can only become more common. The reason Otters have to leave the channel and cross the road upstream is because of a weir under the bridge, one of many between Goulceby and Horncastle. I can just about remember the R Bain channel before the weirs were built in the 1960s and indeed used to bathe as a child in the millpond at Baumber mill. The weirs I believe were installed as a flood prevention scheme as a result of the serious flooding in Horncastle in 1960. These weirs must be a considerable barrier to all forms of wildlife attempting to move upstream. I would like to suggest they have become redundant as a flood prevention role since the Flood Prevention storage scheme at Hemingby was made operational? [Reproduced with Mike Harrison's permission.] It would be helpful if readers would continue to report otter road kills and sightings to help build up relevant data. Chris Manning adds: Carcases may be sent to: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/otter-project Alas our local EA team no longer support the project by paying for transport. *** 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. Include the time too if relevant - e.g. for Bat records. *** 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. BARDNEY - The Green TF120694 R & A Parsons 7/10/2020 Noted several new hedgehog droppings in the garden - large ones! 8/10 6 Collared Doves on ground near feeder. 9/10 Church Lane: On an afternoon walk round the village saw many honeybees working a Mahonia shrub at TF118693. [WTW: driver.hoped.staked] BOSTON GARDEN (South by A16) September 2020 Kathleen Pearson I have done the BTO Garden BirdWatch on all thirty days in September. Species were very low with only 18 recorded. Only one species had numbers in double figures, but this was an incredible total of 40 Goldfinches which went into a big tree then dropped onto the feeders. Woodpigeon 6, House Sparrow 5, Collared Dove 6, Chaffinch 1, GOLDFINCH 40, Robin 1, Blue Tit 4, Blackbird 5, Greenfinch 1, Great Tit 1, Long-tailed Tit 7, Carrion Crow 4, Magpie 2, Wren 1, Starling 1, Sparrowhawk 1, Lesser Black-backed Gull 1, Dunnock 1. Butterflies: Small Tortoiseshell, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White. Dragonflies: Southern Hawker, Migrant Hawker, Ruddy Darter. grey squirrel. COLSTERWORTH Jane Ostler BUZZARDS In the Colsterworth area it is unusual not to see buzzards every day. They nest here and are seen in the spring circling in pairs. In the summer when there are four or five circling together, climbing the thermals I had though this to be a family party. ANTS Your piece on ants prompted me to put something together on those in my own garden (and in the house). It is nearly 20 years since we were bothered with the alien Pharoah ants. They are so small that they are reputed to have been found under dressings in hospitals. Ours probably arrived via the green house. We replaced paving slabs at the back door two years ago as Black Ants had lifted the slabs and were also regular visitors to the house. There are three groups of ants which continue to provide great interest. Yellow Meadow Ants nest in the lawn. Their hills are flattened by the mowing and trampling. We see little of them except when winged males and females emerge at about the same date every year. They do not swarm in the spectacular manner of the Black ants - which nest under a path and at the base of the stone walls in the front garden . In recent years I have recorded the date and noted temperature and humidity of what seems like a plume of smoke rising for over 10 minutes. The third group of ants are seen in late spring and through the summer in a continuous file up and down the trunk of the crab apple tree. Probably they are milking the aphids for honeydew. I realise I have never looked into their identity. A job for next year. HUTTOFT TF511762 (my garden) Jane Pennington 7/8/2020 Bombus hypnorum 1 - Warming up on fence and then foraging in cerinthe. 8/10/2020 Blackbirds 4 - noted as they've just appeared again after being away for a while Polyporus squamosus, Dryad's Saddle 1 - High in sycamore where limb had been removed. Height about 12ft. Wren 1 LIMEWOODS NNR - see section 5 Limewoods - Glad Wood, College Wood, Thistle Storr Wood TF 122 754 Ian Dunn 11.10.2020 LINCOLN David Smith 07/10/2020 09.30 SK99010 71619 Buzzard hunting over Lincoln Hospital grounds SOUTHREY WOOD Grid ref TF 134675 Mary and Phil Porter 13th October 2020 A lovely autumnal walk, begun with a surprise “fly-past” of: Approx. 12 whooper swans, flying low and “honking” X1+ robin Several blackbirds/thrushes all together moving into the wood from the edge X2 wrens X2+ goldcrests X3 buzzards A party (unseen) of chattering nuthatches X1 muntjac deer Several jays calling Party of long tailed tits, accompanied by other small birds Tawny owl hooting at 10.20am An ABUNDANCE of acorns, extremely noticeable from previous years Sadly, also an abundance of dying ash trees Fruit included bryony (didn’t check to see which sort), guelder rose, hawthorn. Very few fungi spotted WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 Jane Ostler 5/10/2 Newton Way, including oldest stone cottages and walls Flowering Plants. Wild Clematis, the branches spilling out over lane, had new flowers amongst the masses of feathered seedheads and Snowberry flowers were opening between the white berries. Greater Periwinkle already in flower. Knotgrass was growing in muddy cracks alongside newly flowering Shepherd’s Purse, Groundsel and Pineapple Weed. Still plenty of summer leftovers – Purple Toadflax, Red Valerian, Dandelions and Yarrow. The White Deadnettle being visited by a Buff Tailed Bumble Bee, will last throughout the winter. Ivy, overhanging a high stone wall had been cut back earlier in the year, revealing a red stemmed Pellitory of the Wall in flower. It is nitrophilous and calcicolous, often found on town walls. The ivy flowers were covered in Honey Bees, two or three yellow and black Hoverflies and a single Wasp. On the corner of a stone building which comes right up to the wall Yellow Corydalis was in flower. Like the Pellitory of the wall it produces seeds with nodes of sweet substance attractive to ants. They eat these without damaging the seed and so effect pollination. One section of wall is regularly scraped, presumably to get rid of vegetation but a Trailing Bellflower Campanula posharskyana ( a garden escape) had regrown quickly enough to produce flowers. 3/10/20 Fieldfares – first reports of a flock over Stamford Lane. No Redwing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Frampton Marsh & Freiston Shore are listed as Open. https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/coronavirus/reserve-reboot/ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19 includes details of which LWT reserves are open and other advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Donna Nook Weekly Seal "Pupdate": https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/weekly-update IMPORTANT - Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust says "Due to Government Guidance in relation to Covid-19, we have introduced an online booking system to help us manage visitor numbers. Unfortunately, if you don't book a ticket you will be turned away." To book your ticket see: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook Humber Nature Forum talks online includes Matt Blisset speaking on The Grey Seal Colony of Donna Nook. Available here: http://humbernature.co.uk/news/post.php?s=2020-09-30-humber-nature-forum-videos-from-the-september-2020-meeting Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report follows...next week. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Forestry Commission says: "We are open and ready to welcome you" https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide 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 Limewoods - Glad Wood, College Wood, Thistle Storr Wood TF 122 754 Ian Dunn 11.10.2020 Mammals Grey squirrels x 2 Muntjac x 1 Roe x 1 Birds Blue tit x 1 Chaffinch x 4 Jay x 1 Robin x 1 Woodpigeon x 5 Almost sure I saw a female Bullfinch but couldn’t get the last definite look before passing walkers moved her off. Heard plenty of jays and also a buzzard. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. LWT Top Reserves: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on the Coronavirus, Covid-19 plus details of any LWT reserves which are now open and the related advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Recorders and improve the quality and quantity of reports 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! 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.] Bulletin mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually goes out on Wednesdays/Thursdays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ 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: Why not apply for one? 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 *** Events and activities for Love Lincs Plants remain suspended until further notice. 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 - active... https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants LLP Project Partners and related links: Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. 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 Dr Anke Timmermann FLS discusses Joseph Banks’ florilegium https://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/ Lincoln University School of Life Sciences https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/lifesciences/ https://lifesciences.sites.lincoln.ac.uk/2016/09/30/heritage-lottery-funding-to-safeguard-lincolnshire-plants/ *** 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 *** Webpage says: "Following Government guidance and in the interests of health and safety, this year's field meetings are cancelled ... until further notice. For further information please contact your County Recorder(s). " Contact: Sarah Lambert: sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Also see: http://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 *** BSBI Website: *** https://bsbi.org/ 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 *** 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 https://butterfly-conservation.org/sites/default/files/2018-10/BC%20Policy%20on%20collecting%2C%20breeding%20and%20photography%202018.pdf *** 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: Lincolnshire Police Advice on Hare Coursing https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/hare-coursing/ 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/ *** 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 British wasp guide: how to identify common species https://www.countryfile.com/wildlife/insects-invertebrates/british-wasp-guide-how-to-identify-common-species-lifecycle-and-why-wasps-sting-in-autumn/ *** 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 Hedgehog Links https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ http://caddingtonhedgehogs.blogspot.com/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** Spiders *** Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk NatureSpot on Spiders: https://www.naturespot.org.uk/taxonomy/term/19515 *** Identifying British bugs - an online identification guide *** https://www.britishbugs.org.uk/gallery/heteroptera/Pentatomoidea/pentatomoidea.html *** Fungi Families/Types Identity Parade *** https://www.first-nature.com/fungi/ *** 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 *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk The Lincolnshire Environmental Awards have now been cancelled for 2020 and will resume in 2021, all being well. *** 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 *** British Geological Survey at Keyworth *** https://www.bgs.ac.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** BMS Code of Conduct for Responsible Collecting of Fungi https://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/mycology/conservation/code-conduct RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ [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/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events - Important message for LNU members *** LNU Hon General Secretary, Nick Tribe, writes: As the Covid 19 risk remains high the Executive has taken the decision to cancel the first two meetings and (hopefully) postpone the AGM to July/August/September 2021. i.e. January 16th joint talk with Lincolnshire Bird Club February 27th Recorders’ meeting March 27th AGM The Executive appreciates that this is disappointing news but there seems little expectation that larger gatherings will be advisable or allowed early next year. The Executive will explore dates in the summer for the AGM. The AGM is important constitutionally and many look forward to the President’s address. If a delayed AGM is not possible, the Executive is happy to remain in post until March 2022. We have considered alternatives such as an online AGM, but none appear to be workable. We hope to publish a summary of the accounts in the Spring 2021 Communiqué and should be able to update members on the delayed AGM at that time. Any queries about the accounts can be sent to Chris Manning. The Executive continues to be active via email and telephone and is monitoring the situation with an eye on the 2021 field meeting programme. As with the AGM, the Union may be able to run some field meetings in 2021. We hope that this arrangement is acceptable to members. If you have any questions, please contact Richard Chadd or Nick Tribe. LNU Officers & Executive https://lnu.org/about/officers-executive/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** Mail fails: None this week - all plus.com addresses got through. None this week. Plus.com customers received their Bulletins again. ....and finally... Readers have a wide range of interests which I try to reflect in the news and information given in the Bulletin. You can help with suggestions for future links. Try the ethical search engine called Ecosia which is strict about tracking rules and plants a tree every time you click! See: https://info.ecosia.org/what Covid: Why bats are not to blame, say scientists https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54246473 Tesco blackmail plot: Nigel Wright jailed for 14 years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-54512783 Where to see the Northern Lights in the UK https://www.skyscanner.net/news/inspiration/where-to-see-the-northern-lights-in-the-uk 'Real and imminent' extinction risk to whales https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54485407 Europe's largest marine protected area comes into force https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-54478633 Do octopuses ever live together? - Discover Wildlife https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/insects-invertebrates/do-octopuses-ever-live-together/ Vine grows its own greenhouses to help fruit develop in autumn " https://www.newscientist.com/article/2256302-vine-grows-its-own-greenhouses-to-help-fruit-develop-in-autumn/ ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/