============================================ || || 21st 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... *** Thank you to everyone who has 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 very welcome. Don't forget clocks go back this Sunday 25th October. How time flies! I am sorry my efforts to correct last week's text glitch in the Bulletin were not successful. Infuriating! I hope I have now fixed it. Note: Coronavirus: Donna Nook ticketing system to limit visitors to seals 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 Ruth Taylor writes: Booked dates for Donna Nook start this weekend (24th). We have had to add a ‘frequently asked questions’ section to the website to explain our reasoning behind our decisions for how to run this season: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook This takes you to the main page where the bookings and questions can be found by scrolling down. No seals in yet. The first pup wasn’t born until 27th October in 2019. Weather forecast: "Rather unsettled conditions are expected to dominate the period, with outbreaks of rain and blustery showers in many parts of the UK.." https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ 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 I hear birders at Stiffkey in Norfolk had to be warned about following the Covid rules. "Norfolk Police called on birdwatchers visiting the site in the hope of seeing the rare visitor [Rufous Bush Chat] to keep to Covid regulations." https://www.norfolk.police.uk/news/latest-news/police-warning-birdwatchers-adhere-covid-regulations-after-rare-sighting-wells I see from the pager the Eastern Rufous Bush Chat [form familaris syriaca] is still near Stiffkey - but please remember the Police advice to observe Covid rules and think carefully before you decide to try to see it. A picture tells a thousand words: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIvjsGnFl_A "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..." Gardens help towns and cities beat countryside for tree cover - see the map! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science_and_environment Gedney Drove End explosion leaves three hurt, one seriously https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-54586491 RSPB Snettisham hosts record-breaking knot wildlife spectacular https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-54592215 RSPB: Review of our policy on gamebird shooting and associated land management https://vimeo.com/467270070/19d7f8e951 Rare rufous bush chat in UK for first time in 40 years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-54583461 'Jet fighter' godwit breaks world record for non-stop bird flight https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/13/jet-fighter-godwit-breaks-world-record-for-non-stop-bird-flight Sardine Feeding Frenzy: Whale, Shark, Dolphin and Sea Lions - watch https://youtu.be/6zOarcL1BSc Hidden camera's hugging tiger wins wildlife photo award - outstanding! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-54518336 Invasive species: why Britain can't eat its way out of its crayfish problem https://theconversation.com/invasive-species-why-britain-cant-eat-its-way-out-of-its-crayfish-problem-147961 Tardigrades' latest superpower: a fluorescent protective shield - great creatures. https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/oct/14/tardigrades-latest-superpower-a-fluorescent-protective-shield Venus flytrap with no brain or nervous system senses prey with short-memory trick https://www.zmescience.com/science/venus-flytrap-with-no-brain-or-nervous-system-senses-prey-with-short-memory-trick/ May I remind you to 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 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 Road works and hold-ups. 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 - 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/ *** Molluscs *** Chris du Feu has asked me to help to find a home for an collection of mollusc- related material. If you are interested in this group of animals, pleaseg get in touch with him. This could be the start of a lifetime's fascination.... Chris writes: Mollusc journals and guides I have been given a collection of mollusc-related journals and booklets to pass on to a good home. They are all free and will go to the first person who is able to collect them, or arrange collection from Beckingham (near Gainsborough). I am happy for them to go for personal use or to an institution. Journal of Conchology 1970s to present Mollusc World all issues from No. 1 in 2003 Conchologists' Newsletter (precursor of Mollusc World) 1993 - 2002 Various guides, some fairly technical including identification using dissection. Email me if you are interested and I will let you know what is there. Contact me on chris.r.dufeu@gmail.com *** Bryophytes Reminder - please get in touch if you can help *** Steven Heathcote writes: Lincolnshire Pages of new BBS website 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! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ Dusky Warbler https://www.birdguides.com/Species-Guide/ioc/phylloscopus-fuscatus/ Pallas's Warbler https://www.birdguides.com/species-guide/ioc/phylloscopus-proregulus 14/10 2 Short-eared Owl in marram grass, south of Chapel Point 2 Yellow-browed Warblers at Seaview Farm, Saltfleetby Yellow-browed Warbler in sycamore at bottom of South Sea Lane, Humberston Fitties Short-eared Owl, 5 Velvet Scoters past, Freiston Shore 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh Dusky Warbler between Rimac and Churchill car park, on path west side of dunes Barred Warbler trapped and ringed, Yellow-browed Warbler, 2 Firecrests, Black Redstart, Gibraltar Point Yellow-browed Warbler in garden, Baston Slavonian Grebe in east side of Covenham Reservoir 15/10 5 Short-eared Owls, Lapland Bunting, 3 Scaup, 2 Twite, Great Northern Diver, 2 Jack Snipe, Yellow-browed Warbler in east Dunes, Ring Ouzel, 2 Black Redstarts, Gibraltar Point 3 Curlew Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh Great Grey Shrike, Lapland Bunting, Freiston Shore Long-eared Owl, Ingoldmells Dusky Warbler in willow hedge north of Churchill Lane car park, Theddlethorpe, one also reported along Sea Lane, Saltfleetby. Olive-backed Pipit north of Crook Bank car park, Theddlethorpe Spoonbill on realignment, Donna Nook Great White Egret, Riseholme Lake Scaup juv drk, Denton Reservoir Slavonian Grebe, Covenham Reservoir Hen Harrier male over fields west of Binbrook Lane, Ludford 16/10 Dusky Warbler end of West Dunes, Hawfinch, Lapland Bunting, 4 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Ring Ouzels, Siberian Chiffchaff, Redstart, 2 Jack Snipe, 2 Velvet Scoters, Long-tailed Skua, Gibraltar Point Dusky Warbler end of Sea Lane, Short-eared Owl, Spoonbill, Saltfleetby Pallas's Warbler, in gardens, Sea View Farm Slavonian Grebe off jetty, Covenham Reservoir 17/10 Death's Head Hawkmoth on seafront, Chapel St Leonards Curlew Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Dusky Warbler north end of West Dunes in buckthorn, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Firecrest, 6 Water Pipits, Lapland Bunting flew south over, 2 Firecrests, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers,Spotted Redshank, Siberian Chiffchaff, Gibraltar Point Yellow-browed Warbler Skegness seafront Dusky Warbler NNW of Churchill Lane car park, Theddlethorpe Dusky Warbler in willows north of Sea Bank Farm Pallas's Warbler in gardens opposite Sea View Farm Dusky Warbler in reeds by edge of Great Eau north of Sea View bridge Dusky Warbler in MOD hedge, Yellow-browed Warbler at Gun Club, North Cotes Dusky Warbler, Donna Nook Red-breasted Flycatcher, Huttoft Bank Black-necked Grebe on T-junction Pit, Rock Pipit flew over, Baston + Langtoft GPs Mealy Redpoll with Lesser Redpolls, in birch by railway west of University of Lincoln Scaup juv drk Denton Reservoir Slavonian Grebe, Covenham Reservoir Snow Bunting, Alkborough Flats 18/10 Bittern over Grantham - last night Dusky Warbler, in sea buckthorn, north end of West Dunes, 2 Jack Snipe, Gibraltar Point Dusky Warbler, Siberian Chiffchaff, Donna Nook Curlew Sandpiper, Great White Egret, Short-eared Owl, 9 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Great Grey Shrike, Freiston Shore Dusky Warbler, 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, Sea View Farm, Saltfleetby 3 White-fronted Geese flew south over, 5 Pomeranian Skuas, all ads, Anderby Creek Slavonian Grebe, by lifeboat station towards pump, Covenham Reservoir 4 Short-eared Owls, Deeping High Bank, Deeping St Nicholas Tundra Bean Goose on East Pit, then flew south, Deeping Lakes 19/10 Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point Great Grey Shrike on hedge viewed from concrete road, Freiston Shore Rough-legged Buzzard flew north over Saltfleetby NNR Tundra Bean Goose juv in field west of Decoy Road, Deeping Lake Great White Egret, Boultham Mere Black-necked Grebe juv, T-junction Pit, Baston+Langtoft Pits Slavonian Grebe, Covenham reservoir Hen Harrier male, Deeping High Bank, flew over River Welland Great Grey Shrike in triangle field, Freiston Shore 20/10 4 Short-eared Owls at Deeping High Bank, Deeping St Nicholas 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Great White Egret, Frampton Marsh Great Grey Shrike in triangle field, Freiston Shore Dusky Warbler in sea buckthorn, north end of West Dunes, probable Parrot Crossbill flew south over, Black-throated Diver flew north, 2 White-fronted Geese, Gibraltar Point Dusky Warbler, by pit, briefly, Wolla Bank 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, St Mary's churchyard near Bridge, Covenham St Mary Great White Egret, Far Ings Black-necked Grebe juv, T-junction Pit, Baston+Langtoft Pits 21/10 Yellow-browed Warbler in garden, Huttoft ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Hedgehog road deaths in UK 'as high as 335,000' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-54524338 Prickly business: the hedgehog highway that knits a village together https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/17/prickly-business-hedgehog-highway-knits-a-village-together-kirtlington-oxfordshire-aoe Useful Hedgehog Links https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ http://caddingtonhedgehogs.blogspot.com/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ 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? Otters? Reports welcome. 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. ROAD KILLS None reported this week. *** 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 In area: 17/10/2020 Local starling flock of 20-30 on church. 18/10/2020 20+ Black-headed gull flock on church COLLEGE WOOD R & A Parsons Sulphur Tuft Magpie Fungus Birch Bracket Honey Fungus Beefsteak bracket Soap Tricholoma Butter Cap Deceiver GRANTHAM River Witham in town centre Marion Ellis 15.10.20 Kingfisher, perched on branch, always an uplifting sight. HOLYWELL LAKE Holywell Lake 19th October 2020 0840 -0955 Ian Misselbrook Pheasant 1 Canada Geese 6 Mute Swans 2 Wigeon 32 Mallard 89 Tufted Duck 11 Moorhens 18 Little grebes 16 Cormorant 1 Little Egret 1 Kingfisher 1 Black-headed Gulls 122 Grey Wagtail 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Meadow Pipits 2 Stock Doves 2 Woodpigeons 12 Magpie 2 Jackdaw 12 Rooks  © 50 Carrion Crow 6 Coal Tit 4 Great Tit 2 Blue Tit 9 Long-tailed Tit 6 Wren 7 Robin 12 Dunnock 8 Chaffinch 4 Lesser Redpoll 1 Siskin 4 Ian adds: I am using an app on my phone to do the WeBS counts now called Nature Lister. I also use it for recording birds and other wildlife when I go anywhere. You can download species lists for birds, mammals, reptiles, butterflies , moths etc. It is very easy to use even for an IT dinosaur like me! HUTTOFT TF511762 (my garden) 19/10/2020 Coprinopsis atramentaria Common Inkcap - 3 very large groups around dead birch Piptoporus betulinus -Birch Polypore - 2 'very new' specimens part way up dead birch trunk Foreign record: (WINKLEIGH, Devon) SS612077 Jane Pennington 16/10/2020 Gliophorus psittacinus Parrot Waxcap - patch of 6 specimens, at various stages, in pasture NETTLEHAM 14/10/2020 20.30 David Smith TF 01643 75283 Hedgehog - small, in garage SLEAFORD – Our Garden TF069451 Diane Maltby 4 & 5/10/2020 Grey heron perched on neighbour’s roof & flew over our house/garden & greenhouse. 18/10/2020 Pale Tussock Moth Caterpillar – spotted by our cat. The third seen this autumn, I think – fished one out of the pond a few days ago but I think deceased. We do have a golden elm & hazel near the pond. 19/10/2020 Frogs in the pond ‘singing’ – not unusual in autumn, though we never heard them in spring, despite having spawn. A few 7 spot ladybirds visible on vegetation. I’ve observed that we now find many banded snails in the garden. We have lived here for nearly 30 years when it was a new estate. It’s been interesting to see species e stablish but I’ve only noticed this within the last 5 years. Some days now 20+ starlings visiting the bird tables for mealworms! TWYFORD WOOD SK94/23 and SK9522 Jane Ostler 18/10/20 Unable to take children of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trusts’ Watch Group on their annual Fungus Foray to Twyford Wood my husband and I met up with Marianne and Peter Overton and Jean Martin to make a video that they could watch at home. At first we had disappointing findings in the Car Park area and along the verges which were dominated by coprophilous species. There were Rooted Brittlestems (Psathyrella microhiza and Coprinus species- Common and Hare’s Foot Inkcaps (C.atramentarius and C. lagopus), Glistening Inkcaps Coprinus micaceus on wood and Pleated Inkcaps (C.plicatilis) in the grass. Two striking groups of the larger Inkcaps were found near edge of paths, further into wood. Shaggy Inkcap and Magpie in all stages of development and disintegration. Searching within the wood there were three kinds of Bonnets (Mycena). We identified Iodine Bonnet (M.filopes), Mycena alcalina, on conifer stumps and the Lilac Bonnet (Mycena pur) with beech. Sulphur Tuft and Honey Fungus were in tufts on tree stumps. The Deceiver and the Amethyst Deceiver (Laccaria spp.) were also widely distributed , the latter with beech. The only chalk caps found were Purple Brittlegil l(Russula atrapurpurea) and Ochre Brittlegill (R.ochroleuca). In the birch trees there was just one kind of Milk Cap, with very hot tasting Milk - Woolly Milkcap (Lactarius torminosus). We looked usuccessfully amongst birch for Fly Agarics but did find two other untypical Amanitas the Grisette and the Tawny Grisette. There were a number of poisonous species including Brown Roll Rim and Poison Pie. The only Collybia seen was Butternut and the only Tricholoma Grey Knight. Small stalkless fans of the gilled fungus Oysterling (Crepidotus  mollis) were found on twigs. As always Bracket Fungi included Turkey Tail, but also a brightly coloured Tiger Eye (Coltricia perennis). Two kinds of Puffball were the Common (Lycoperdon perlatum) and the misnamed Brown Puffball (Bovista nigrescens). It is white when young and its spores blackish. There was therefore plenty of material to demonstrate the great variety of fungal bodies and to show their habitat within the wood. We talked about how they lived including selecting some of the tales they have to tell. We missed all the children who are so good at finding things and most of all their comments. Children ask the best questions. WOODHALL SPA Airfield Ray Halstead "Not the LNU Foray" 11th October 2020 I wasn’t expecting to find much at all but we amassed 26 species for the day including 6 specimens worthy of note. They were: Tricholoma populinum of which there were many fruitbodies near the entrance under the poplars Tricholoma cingulatum which I’ve only ever found at Whisby before though I guess if I check the records there will be more from other locations. Arrhenia rustica which is an easily overlooked species, I actually went looking for it in the moss at the edge of the runway, and is not often recorded due to it’s diminutive stature. Lichenomphalina velutina which I discovered whilst searching for the above though I cannot confirm this one as I didn’t bring home a sample for some reason and it requires microscopic examination for a lichen growing at the base of it’s stipe. I shall repeat this exercise next year and be more careful to bring home a sample. Hypholoma elongatum, again another diminutive species, easily overlooked and therefore seldom recorded. Entoloma conferendum is a notable grassland species along with waxcaps and earthtongues and we spent a good hour trawling through the grass looking for any of them. The result was one solitary fruitbody but worth the effort. Full list: Tricholoma virgatum Tricholoma populinum Mycena vitilis Inocybe sindonia Tubaria furfuracea Mycena mucor Mycena erubescens Tricholoma cingulatum Clitocybe dealbata Lactarius vellereus Parasola plicatilis Arrhenia rustica Lichenomphalina velutina Galerina hypnorum Galerina laevis Psathyrella conopilus Laccaria laccata Coprinus comatus Phragmidium violaceum Erysiphe knautiae Hypholoma elongatum Hebeloma leucosarx Panaeolina foenisecii Entoloma conferendum ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. COASTAL NNRs and Nature Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 7th – 20th October 2020 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 071020 – 6 whooper swans and 2 swallows flew south over the saltmarsh and merlin, marsh harrier and sparrowhawk were all hunting over the area. 081020 - Blackcap at Sea View, 3 stonechats on the edge of sea buckthorn scrub near Sea View. 091020 - Single turnstone feeding on edge of Great Eau near paradise lagoon, 32 swallows all moving south in ones and twos over Sea View. Green woodpecker at Churchill Lane. 19 swallows feeding over hedges and 1 Lapland bunting on the saltmarsh in the Brickyard Lane area. 101020 - Single blackcap and brambling at Sea View and 7 swallows flying south. Nine barnacle geese with at least 2500 pink-footed geese in the Theddlethorpe area. 11 swallows and 3 house martins over dunes. Yellow-browed warbler in the Brickyard Lane area. 111020 - Kingfisher along the Great Eau near Paradise, 9 wrens in a group along scrub edge near Sea View. C2850 pink foot geese and 9 barnacle geese feeding on stubble near dunes and roosting on foreshore. Yellow-browed warbler in the Brickyard Lane area. 121020 - Over Sea View: 2 swallows, 14 fieldfare and 23 redwing, 1 yellow-browed warbler and blackcap near Sea View and 1 lesser whitethroat Paradise wood. Around Churchill Lane: a scattering of blackbird, redwing and song thrush and 1 ring ouzel, 2 sparrowhawks over, 2 little owls calling in farmyard adjacent to Churchill Lane. 23 reed buntings on foreshore/foredunes also 1 snow bunting, 14 rock pipits. 131020 - Marsh harrier and short-eared owl hunting over saltmarsh, female pintail with 30 mallard on Paradise lagoon and 2 adult, 8 juvenile mute swans flying over. Single fieldfare near Sea View. 29 whooper swans roosting on foreshore, also 3 short eared owl and 1 merlin hunting. 3 swallows feeding over hedges and 1 Lapland bunting on the saltmarsh in the Brickyard Lane area. Woodcock at Brickyard Lane. Late afternoon 26 whooper swans on Rimac lagoon and then flew off with 2 greylags in a SW direction. Snow bunting at Crook Bank and 5 chiffchaffs between Brickyard Lane and Churchill Lane, often singing. Darter dragonflies still present in the dunes but now declining. 141020 – Rimac south end: Pink-footed goose c2800, barnacle goose 20, redwing c120 around, fieldfare c20, green woodpecker 1, great spotted woodpecker 1, blackcap 3, chiffchaff 2, dusky warbler 1 (mobile between hawthorns and willows), goldcrest 24. Birklands Ringing Group reported a waxwing flying south over Crook Bank. On Paradise lagoon: 42 shoveler, 18 redwing and 12 blackbirds over, 3 marsh harriers and 1 short-eared owl on saltmarsh and a single whimbrel flying over. 151020 - Crook Bank: Olive-backed pipit 1 (briefly in hawthorns and undergrowth north of car park), goldcrest 8. Rimac south end: woodcock 1, snipe 1 flew south, great spotted woodpecker 2, redwing c80, song thrush c30, brambling 1, redstart 1, dusky warbler 1 (in willow hedge just north of Churchill lane car park – presumably same bird relocated), goldcrest 22. Churchill Lane: snipe 1 flew west, green woodpecker 1, buzzard 1, redwing c25, brambling 1, goldcrest 8. 70 brent geese in Saltfleet Haven. Butterflies in the Churchill Lane area: comma, wall, small copper, small white. Ruddy and common darters, migrant hawker dragonflies. 161020 - In the Sea View area mid-day at least 50 goldcrests, 2 blackcaps and a single Pallas’s warbler. 171020 - Single Pallas’s warbler at Sea View and more goldcrests passing through in the morning. 2 blackcaps and 20 blackbirds, redwings and a single mistle thrush. A count of 4813 pink-footed geese was made as they were on roost on the beach off Theddlethorpe. Pink footed geese 4200 and barnacle geese 23, 1 long-eared owl and 2 small bats in the Churchill Lane area. 181020 - Single yellow-browed warbler and dusky warbler at Sea View. Churchill Lane: ring ouzel 1, c2000 starlings roost flight over dunes, green woodpecker 1, shelduck 92, little owl 2, short eared owl 2. 191020 - Grey wagtail at Sea View and at least 30 blackbirds in the area plus stonechat during the morning, 23 curlew feeding on pasture field near Paradise lagoon and 18 little egrets on the saltmarsh. 201020 - At Sea View noticeable movement of goldcrests, including a firecrest and redpoll, during the morning, 29 little egrets on saltmarsh. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 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 *** 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/ 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." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. RSPB: Your wildlife photos - October 2020 - watch https://community.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/b/natureshomemagazine/posts/your-wildlife-photos-october-2020 The best nature activities to do in autumn - Discover Wildlife https://www.discoverwildlife.com/how-to/watch-wildlife/the-best-nature-activities-to-do-in-autumn/ The world’s most beautiful but dangerous creatures https://www.sciencefocus.com/nature/pretty-deadly-the-worlds-most-beautiful-but-dangerous-creatures/ Some birds leave no one behind -- they share their food with those less fortunate https://www.zmescience.com/science/azure-magpies-prosocial-behavior-2523523/ Looking under the microscope -- Nikon selects the best photos of the year https://www.zmescience.com/science/looking-under-the-microscope-nikon-selects-the-best-photos-of-the-year/ Ordnance Survey Blog The Slow Ways project continues - Ordnance Survey Blog https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/blog/2020/06/the-slow-ways-project-continues/ Country diary: the kingfisher highway is deserted https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/13/country-diary-the-kingfisher-highway-is-deserted Country diary: the seven-coloured linnets https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/oct/10/country-diary-the-seven-coloured-linnets ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/