============================================ || || 7th April 2021 || || 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 Farm Wood 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... *** Please refer to the relevant Covid-related websites below to check the latest information and pick up on any new advice you should know about. We shall still need to be careful. Weather Forecast: 9 - 11 April "... Colder, but sunnier conditions developing on Friday and Saturday with some wintry showers. Drier on Sunday though probably cloudier. Breezy around coasts. Widespread overnight frosts likely. " https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ When sending in reports, e.g. unusual nesting birds, it will be good if you can report any sensitive news directly to recorders rather than via the Bulletin please, as we don't want to spoil things with untimely/unwise publicity. If in doubt, choose caution. Thank you. https://lnu.org/specialists/ Here is a selection of links from topical local to national and international news stories and articles sent in by fellow-readers. Your contributions keep the Bulletin interesting so please keep them coming! More links in "...and finally..." Road sign blunders see Saxilby and Thorpe on the Hill renamed - priceless... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-56662310 Field Studies Council sale https://www.field-studies-council.org/product-category/publications/ Author Interview with Dave Goulson: Gardening for Bumblebees https://www.nhbs.com/blog/dave-goulson-gardening-for-bumblebees No Mow May - will you be doing it? https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/nomowmay Bird-friendly coffee - ever heard about it? Tried it? https://birdandwild.co.uk/ https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/content/Coffee_for_the_birds_connecting_bird_watchers_with_shade_grown_coffee.aspx Councils filling potholes 'every 19 seconds' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-56590518 Hedgehog hospital launches own 'ambulance' for stricken creatures https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-humber-56608724 Seal Alliance asks walkers to give the animals space as lockdown eases https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56610893 Boston cannabis farm is Lincolnshire's 'largest' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-56593926 Humber Bridge board seeks solution over path closures https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-56651376 Sewage discharged into rivers 400,000 times in 2020 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56590219 Red kite with McDonald's cup sparks litter concerns - Suffolk https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-56648701 Thousands of bluebell bulbs dug up in Norfolk wood - by Lincolnshire thieves https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-56660783 Garden centres 'failing to stop peat sales' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56598452 To help us find some more readers, please try the "forward to a friend" link at the end of the Bulletin. You can also direct people to: https://lnu.org/publications/wildnews-bulletin/ Tip: If possible avoid forwarding on your individual Bulletin to others. Best to use the secure "Forward to a Friend" link at the end of each issue, please. Thank you for all the contributions. Please keep your reports coming. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - this is my best address for emails please. *** Covid-19 Noticeboard *** Please stay aware of updated government advice and adapt your personal precautions accordingly as the understanding and measures "evolve". See: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus Great Yorkshire Show to run for four days in Harrogate - July https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-56595522 *** Covid-19: Lincolnshire Show cancelled for second year *** The event, which attracts 60,000 visitors, was due to take place on June 23 and 24. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-56340942 NHS About Coronavirus [COVID-19] https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 LNU 2021 field meetings - May - October are now provisionally booked For details and any necessary subsequent updates or changes please visit: https://lnu.org/meetings/ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus Events/activities for Love Lincs Plants remain suspended until further notice. "Our events are currently on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, there's still ways you can get involved with the project..." See: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants RSPB: map for which reserves and facilities you can 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 *** Useful Hedgehog Links *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ http://caddingtonhedgehogs.blogspot.com/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** Bourne Barn Owls back online *** Bob Sheppard is hoping for a better year for the barn owls in the Len Pick tower at Bourne. The camera is now live 24/7. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 *** Peregrine Webcams *** Bob Sheppard recommended two Lincolnshire peregrine webcams. They are at St Wulfram's Church, Grantham and St James' Church, Louth. Throughout the breeding season these cameras can be accessed 24/7. There is a picture link to both sites on the LBC home page. https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/ Bob adds: The Louth peregrines laid their fourth egg late on Saturday night. A fifth has been known at this site but four is a healthy clutch. It looks like St Wulfram's, Grantham will disappoint us again. It is nine years since the site fledged a chick. They have been scraping in the tray but not recently. They have an alternative site nearby, believed to be on the arm of a pylon overlooking the A1. The wonderful osprey camera at Loch Arkaig is now live in anticipation of the return of the adults this week. In recent years they have completed their amazing journey between the 4th and 6th April, so not long to wait. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/ *** Wildlife Tower - Nettleham Woodland Trust *** Su Colman writes: Nettleham Woodland Trust is planning to build a Wildlife Tower using crowd- funding and the Barn Owl Trust's plans at Ashing Lane Nature Reserve. See: https://crowdfunder.co.uk/wildlife-tower-alnr *** Where one can find out about "doing the right thing" for a pond? *** A Bulletin reader asked me this question this week in relation to a "communal pond" in what sounds like rather basic management. I cautioned against a "Guerilla Gardening" approach, because of the risk of introducing invasive plants or diseases of amphibians. So, what is the best way to take forward such a project? Does anyone have any useful advice to offer? Recommended links: https://www.froglife.org/ https://www.wwt.org.uk/discover-wetlands/gardening-for-wetlands/a-guide-to-native-pond-plants/ Also see: Natural England's new system for Great Crested Newts called District Licencing https://naturalengland.blog.gov.uk/2019/03/11/protecting-great-crested-newts/ *** One for the herpetologists *** Annette Faulkner asks: At what age do toads reach maturity? I have been digging out an old compost heap at the bottom of our garden, and a few weeks ago found a small toad, which may have been an adult male – I’m not sufficiently au fait with the size differences between male and female to know. But then on Saturday, just as I’d almost finished, I found another, the body of which was about the size of a fifty pence piece, and clearly not an adult. Fortunately neither of them was injured and I was able to release them to a safe place to crawl away. But then this raises another question. This is only the second time I have found toads in our Spalding garden in the nearly fifty years we’ve lived here, and the nearest ponds are about 300 metres away along a disused railway line, a site I know extremely well – and have never ever found toads there, though plenty of frogs. The other alternative is the Welland, across the main road, but they wouldn’t go into flowing water, would they? If anyone can shed light on this puzzle I’d be interested to know the answer. If they’re in our compost heap they must be in other gardens in the area, too. For the record the grid ref is TF245218. *** Your Bat records please *** Annette Faulkner writes with an update: The warm weather last week started to bring bats out of hibernation, and in the week to the 31st we had 7 grounded bat calls, nearly all of which were underweight, of three species, and two of which died, plus several sighting records. Come the weekend and the records and calls stopped… This is perfectly normal (even being underweight, to some extent), and wild bats have now all gone back into torpor (I hope) until it warms up again. (The ones in captivity which have survived are now being fed up to await some warmer nights.) But don’t forget, if you find a grounded bat, or one on an exterior wall, please don’t assume it’ll be OK and it will fly off. It won’t be and it won’t. Please take it in and give us a call on 01775 766286. Reminder: Bat rescue instructions If you find a grounded bat please don’t try and release it. Put it in an escape proof box - remember, a pipistrelle can get out of a hole the size of your thumb nail - wearing gloves or using a cloth to pick it up with, and phone us on 01775 766286. We’ll do the rest. *** Bumblebee sightings, please *** David Sheppard writes: Records of Bumblebees will be very welcome. Whilst it is often not possible to see any colour pattern on the buzzing silhouette, if you can get close enough to make a positive identification that would be great. The earliest Bumblebees are likely to be: Bombus lucorum (yellow & black banded with a white tail) Bombus terrestris (yellow & black banded with a buffish tail) Bombus pratorum (yellow & black banded with an orange tail - and usually conspicuously smaller than the others) Bombus lapidarius (black with a red tail) Bombus hypnorum (brown and black with a white tail) could be about as well. If you do manage to get close enough to see the colour pattern, have a look for any pollen on the back legs. The pollen is likely to be yellow and is easy to spot. If the bee is collecting pollen, she must have established a nest and is gathering pollen to feed her young. Please send your records to David Sheppard at d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** Another RSPB Grimsby Local group talk *** Martin Francis writes: 'The season of Zoom talks offered by the RSPB Grimsby Local Group continues with another illustrated talk which will take place at 7.30pm on Monday 19th April 2021 "An Osprey in a Shopping Bag: the Return of a Raptor" A Zoom Talk by Alasdair McKee Alasdair McKee of the RSPB and Cumbria Wildlife Trust works closely with ospreys in south Cumbria. He will be talking about how this most charismatic bird of prey has returned from extinction in England in the last twenty years. This entertaining illustrated talk will introduce you to these remarkable birds and tell the story of a remarkable conservation comeback in Cumbria and beyond. And explain where the shopping bag comes in! The talk is open to everybody. You don't need to belong to the RSPB, or have attended Group Meetings. And don't be put off by Zoom. It is easy to use, you don't need any special equipment like a camera or microphone - just an internet connection, and we may be able to offer help if you request it. To find out the arrangements for getting a link to the talk, please email me at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com before 8pm on Thursday 15th April, stating that you saw the information in the LNU Bulletin. Martin Francis Leader - RSPB Grimsby Local Group' *** NFBR Conference 2021 *** Charlie Barnes has drawn our attention to this NFBR* conference: [*National Forum for Biological Recording"] "Outside the Honeypot: wildlife recording in the urban world" Originally planned for May 2020, this event has been postponed until May 2021, and will take place online. Aims of Outside the Honeypot: wildlife recording in the urban world: - To understand the wealth of recording and monitoring undertaken in urban area - To discuss how NFBR can better support urban recording - To link biological recorders and citizens in an urban context - To understand research in the urban world - To celebrate our rich natural heritage and show how nature can thrive in an urban context Spaces on this 2-day virtual conference cost £5 per person For more details see http://www.nfbr.org.uk/?q=conference_2021? *** Moth Night 2021 Dates for the diary *** Moth Night 2021 takes place over the three nights of 8th - 10th July. The theme for the 2021 event is Reedbeds & Wetlands. Please let us know if you are planning anything. www.mothnight.info Please let us know of any local Covid-related developments 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. *** Grimsby and Cleethorpes area group LWT cancellation *** Carolyn Davis writes: Due to the ongoing situation with the COVID-19 pandemic the Grimsby & Cleethorpes Area group LWT have taken the decision to cancel the rest of their indoor and outdoor meetings up to and including April 2021. *** South Lincs RSPB Social Group Cruise programme *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB Group announce that , due to the current pandemic and general uncertainty, they are unable to offer any more information or proposed sailing dates about a 2021 Cruise programme. However the Group can announce that the Boat Owners have decided that the “Boston Belle” will not be available for the foreseeable future for ANY cruises. It will however be replaced by a smaller boat with a smaller capacity [compared to the Boston Belle]. Please keep checking the website where we will publish further information when we have it. https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/ *** Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival postponed until 30th April - 5th June 2022 *** Helen Gamble writes: The organisers behind the upcoming Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival have announced that the inaugural event, originally set to take place this May, has now been postponed until 2022. The Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival is set to be the successor to the Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival, however, those behind the event say that, despite the recent announcement on the planned easing of Covid-19 restrictions, it would be difficult to do the Festival justice whilst ensuring safety of all involved. The Organisers will instead use 2021 to run a campaign celebrating the Lincolnshire Wolds as a place to visit, get active, and explore. The Festival will now run from 30th April to 5th June 2022. More information on the Outdoor Festival is available from https://woldsoutdoorfestival.com/ *** STAYING SAFE *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. 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 - worth signing up for this. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails EasyTide http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx Environment Agency Flood Warnings - Lincolnshire https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings?location=lincolnshire Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline - sign up if a high risk area. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/default.aspx *** April Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html NOTE that due to COVID 19 the 2021 edition of Night Scenes will only be available as a pdf or kindle and produced in 2 parts covering 6 months each. http://www.astrospace.co.uk/nightscenes/ns-current.html [Editor adds: I am finding this on-line version very useful.] Lockdown reveals stunning UK dark Skies https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56634629 Meteor Shower Guide 2021 - check info on Lyrid shower in April. Max 22nd. https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/best-meteor-showers-in-2021/ A beginner’s guide to meteor showers https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/a-beginners-guide-to-meteor-showers/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ The site has several interesting articles. See: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp 31/3 2+ Common Scoters flew over Stamford 2 Little Gulls, both ads, Wader Pit, 2 Garganey, Baston + Langtoft GPs. Hen Harrier male, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Firecrest, Gibraltar Point 2 Garganey, 1 drk, Fillingham Lake Black Redstart fem/1w male, Whisby NR Possible Hoopoe, South Commons, Lincoln 1/4 Short-eared Owl, Marston Sewage Works 2 Hen Harriers, both ringtails, 6 Spotted Redshanks, 2Water Pipits, Spoonbill, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier male south of Wash Viewpoint, Gibraltar Point 2/4 Grey Plover East Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Hen Harrier male, Frampton Marsh 2 Common Cranes over Hill Holt Wood, Norton Disney Ring-necked Duck drk, Red-necked Grebe, Barton-upon-Humber GPs 3/4 Kittiwake as on Main Pit, West End GPs, Langtoft Ring-necked Duck 1w fem, West End, Langtoft on small pit viewed from footpath by Greatford Cut Grey Plover East Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 2 Hen Harriers, 1 male, Spotted Redshank, Garganey 1 drk north of sea wall, Frampton Marsh 2 Black Redstarts, Gibraltar Point Glaucous Gull, Pyewipe then flew west, Grimsby 4/4 Ring-necked Duck 1w fem, Kittiwake ad,West End, Langtoft on small pit viewed from footpath by Greatford Cut 2 Cattle Egrets in grassland near car park, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 2 Black Redstarts reported at observatory and visitor centre, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl over coast path, Chapel St Leonards Iceland Gull juv flew north, Huttoft Bank Black Redstart fem/1w male in fields at Havelock Academy, Grimsby Ring-necked Duck on water ski pit, Barton-upon-Humber GPs Garganey drk, Alkborough Flats, late report 5/4 Bar-tailed Godwit on island at T-junction Pit, Baston+Langtoft GPs Ring-necked Duck 1w fem, West End, Langtoft on small pit viewed from footpath by Greatford Cut Scaup 1w drk, East Pit, 2 Cattle Egrets, Grey Plover, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Water Pipit on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Ring-necked Duck on water ski pit, Barton-upon-Humber GPs 6/4 Scaup 1w drk on east Pit, 2 Cattle Egrets, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Water Pipit, Jackson's Marsh, Black Redstart, Gibraltar Point 2 Water Pipits on brackish pools, East Halton Skitter 7/4 Ring-necked Duck 1w fem, West End, Langtoft on small pit viewed from footpath by Greatford Cut 2 Cattle Egrets, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Firecrest by track to hide, Freiston Shore Water Pipit on Jackson's Marsh, Spotted Redshank on freshwater marsh, Gibraltar Point ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work and drop-in sessions at the Queen in the West pub! 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: one battery fails... 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. KINGTHORPE Brenda Edlington 30/3/2021 TF133748 Dead badger on west verge near bridge south of Kingthorpe. Chris Manning writes: Otter road kills... It would be helpful if readers would continue to report otter road kills and sightings to help build up relevant data. 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.] Potential Bovine TB Hotspot Area [PHA] - Lincolnshire Wolds "If you find a dead badger or wild deer carcase within the PHA, please report this to the Animal and Plant Health Agency [APHA] via the Defra Rural Services Helpline 03000 200301. They will need the following details: 1. The location of the carcase to assess whether it falls within the PHA and in order to find it, if it’s suitable for collection. This could be an OS grid reference, longitude-latitude co-ordinates, the what3words address (tapping on the exact square where the carcase is located), a postcode or enough detail to precisely locate the carcase 2. Whenever possible an assessment of the condition of the carcase because decomposing or extensively damaged carcases are not suitable for post mortem examination." *** 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 31/3/2021 13.30hrs. Basking in garden: Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock butterflies. w/o 4/4 Blackbird 5, 2, 3f, Dunnock 2, House Sparrow 9, Magpie 1, Carrion Crow 1, Jackdaw 4, Blue Tit 2, Woodpigeon 5, Collared Dove 3, Black-headed Gull 9, Wren 1, Starling 10+ Brimstone butterfly on Abbey Road 4/4/2021. BOSTON (TF 326426) 02/04/2021 Kathleen Pearson The first new record for the year was a Siskin (Male) in the garden today. BOSTON (TF 326426) March 2021 Kathleen Pearson I was able to do the BTO Garden BirdWatch on all 31 days in March. The total of species was 20, but their numbers were relatively small, with no species occurring in double figures, the most being 8 Goldfinches. Starlings were in very low numbers with no more than 2 in the garden and similarly for Blackbirds and Long-tailed Tits. Owing to some sunny weather, there were four species of butterflies in the garden. Totals were: Blackbird 2, Dunnock 3, House Sparrow 7, Chaffinch 4, Carrion Crow 2, Blue Tit 2, Woodpigeon 5, Lesser Black-backed Gull 3, Collared Dove 3, Robin 2, Goldfinch 8, Great Tit 2, Black-headed Gull 4, Magpie 1, Herring Gull 4, Greenfinch 2, Wren 1, Blackcap (Male) 1, Starling2, Long-tailed Tit 2. Butterflies: Brimstone, Gatekeeper, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell. CROXBY Angela Buckle 3rd April 2021 Toothwort ELSHAM Angela Buckle 31st March 2021, Elsham Quarry, Green Alkanet, Ground ivy, Lords and Ladies, and Stinking Hellebore FAR INGS Angela Buckle 4th April 2021 Dovesfoot cranesbill, Plenty of beeflies on the cherry blossom. GOSLINGS CORNER Brenda Edlington At Goslings Corner this week - w/o 29/3/2021 - we saw two roe deer and a hare on the field adjoining as well as chiffchaffs, jay, blackcap, buzzard, kestrel and sparrowhawk. HUTTOFT TF511762 (my garden) Jane Pennington 30/3/2021 Bat sp. 2 Likely Common pipistrelle 7.47-7.57pm, 45kHz 31/3/2021 Bat sp. 2 7.50-8.007pm, 45kHz Bombus terrestris 1 Goldfinch 1 Small tortoiseshell 3 Woundwort shieldbug 1 1/4/2021 Bats none 2/4/2021 Dark-edged bee-fly 1 3/4/2021 Bombus terrestris 2 Woodpigeons 12 roosting 4/4/2021 Bat sp. none seen but registered on bat recorder at 45kHz (this was a windy evening) Bombus hortorum 1 (David Sheppard confirmed) Bombus hypnorum 1 Bombus pascuorum 1 Bombus terrestris 2 Dark-edged bee-fly 5/4/2021 Bombus pratorum 17.30am on wallflower during snow flurries NETTLEHAM TF009753 Brenda Edlington w/c 29/3/2021 Hedgehogs have visited nightly since the first webcam sighting on 4th March. They feed in a clear plastic box with a hole cut in the side. This didn’t stop a cat squeezing in so a tunnel has been added. The cats won’t go through the narrow tunnel. At least 2 adults, thought to be one male and one female. Blackbird started nest building in ivy 16/3/2021 First chiffchaff heard 26/3/2021 Butterflies Small Tortoiseshell 1st sighting 26/2/2021 Brimstone 1st sighting 17/3/2021 Peacock 1st sighting 21/3/2021 Also first comma and orange tip seen on 29/3/2021 in another garden. WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 Jane Ostler 31st March – 6th April 2021 Plants in Flower. By the l/4/21 the first Hairy Violets were in flower on the Roadside Nature Reserve, the Sweet Violets being out there for about two weeks. On the Nature Trail the first Cowslips were in flower alongside plants grown from wildflower seed mixes and other garden plants which have either been deliberately put in or have come from garden waste thrown in years ago. The Snakeshead Fritillary caused some excitement but although a native plant it is scarce and local to other areas. Introductions are likely either take over from local wild plants or to find difficulties thriving in the wrong conditions. The Nature Trail is otherwise interesting for limestone grassland plants and it is for these it is being managed. In the garden the late frosts are likely to damage the blossom – pear and plum, cherry, apricot and peach are all opening – only the apples are not yet in bud. Norway Maples are in full flower where they have been planted at roadsides. Insects. The first Small White Butterfly was seen in the garden on 29/3/21. And seen again on 31/3/21. Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshells , and Peacock Butterflies were out on sunny days until the first days of April when the temperature dropped dramatically. Some Bees were flying everyday except when the snow was falling on Sunday 4/4/21 and 6/4/21. We have now seen all six of the Commoner Bumble Bees in the garden, watched which are their favourite flowers and in most cases tracked them down to nesting sites. In order of appearance they are:- Bombus hypnorum, B. terrestris, B.lucorum, B.pascuorum, B.lapidarius, and B.pratorum. The last-named is never the earliest as its name suggest and is usually in small numbers only. T he first female solitary bee, Anthromorpha plumipes, was out on 31/3/21 (the first males were seen on 22/3/21. Amongst the many 7-spot ladybirds this week, some of which were paired up, there were a few black forms of the 2-spot ladybird, Adalia bi-punctata.The smaller green lacewing Chrysoperla carea, also seen on 31/3/21 were found floating on the pond the next day (blown by the high winds).The mason bees have not yet emerged from the “bee hotels” but their parasite the Bee Fly is out in numbers. Other notes. A kestrel hovering regularly above the Roadside Nature Reserve is evidence of the voles and mice which are to be found here. A neighbour has been watching hedgehogs on her webcam. Active at night only two have been seen together but there seems to be a third with distinctive markings. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Top Reserves: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 31st March – 6th April 2021 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Note: An unseasonal max daytime temperature of 23.75 degrees C was recorded on the 31st March at Sea View. Bitterly cold north-easterly winds during the first few days of April saw daytime temperatures fall to single figures but a high of 18.5? was recorded on the 5th. In a brisk NE on the 2nd the wind chill was 2.3 degrees C but winds increased to a NNW gust of 30.7mph, wind chill -1.5? on the 5th with snow flurries and on the 6th recorded at Saltfleet Haven Outfall a westerly gusting 36.3mph, wind chill -3.4?. 310321 - Blackcap calling at Sea View, plus chiffchaff and willow warbler, pair of wheatear on edge of saltmarsh, 22 pink-feet flying north over Saltfleet Haven. On Paradise lagoon: 17 tufted duck, 2 shoveler, 8 teal, 3 coot and a moorhen. Small white butterfly at Sea View. 010421 - Paradise lagoon 22 tufted duck, 25 teal, 2 shoveler and 2 mallard. 020421 - Rimac lagoon 29 shoveler, 4 wigeon, 12 teal, 41 redshank, 9 curlew and 6 avocets. Grey partridge flew from dunes between Rimac and Sea View. 040421 – Butterflies in the Churchill Lane area: peacock, small tortoiseshell, small white, comma, also 2 small bats, 4 avocet and 2 singing sedge warblers. 050421 - A 10 minute blizzard of snow followed by several flurries of snow and hail in bitter NNW gale at 0630 to 0700. 060421 – Herald moth and chiffchaff at Sea View, a snipe at Rimac. Common whitlowgrass, ground ivy, sweet violet, field mouse-ear, cowslip, blackthorn, field woodrush flowering in the dunes and common scurvygrass beginning to flower on the 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 advice: https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list 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 Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lincsnaturalists/ 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. 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 LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Natural History Museum Twitter feed https://twitter.com/nhm_botany?lang=en Sir Joseph Banks Society https://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/ Lincoln University School of Life Sciences https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/lifesciences/ *** Collections Dataset - LNU "historic specimens" *** All 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/ *** 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: 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. Useful identification links: British Native Trees - Woodland Trust https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/ Butterfly guide to part of Europe including Britain - free to download https://assets.vlinderstichting.nl/docs/0b095bc2-0387-4785-9f7e-5f7a987b3468.pdf Fungi Families/Types Identity Parade https://www.first-nature.com/fungi/ Naturespot: British bees, wasps and wasp guides https://www.naturespot.org.uk/taxonomy/term/19396 NatureSpot on Ladybirds https://www.naturespot.org.uk/taxonomy/term/19357 Naturespot on Spiders https://www.naturespot.org.uk/taxonomy/term/19515 Naturespot on Beetles https://www.naturespot.org.uk/beetles Identifying British bugs - an online identification guide https://www.britishbugs.org.uk/gallery/heteroptera/Pentatomoidea/pentatomoidea.html Identifying Geese? Good WWT page. https://www.wwt.org.uk/discover-wetlands/wetland-wildlife/uk-geese/ LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ 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 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. *** 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 Ashley writes: Please have a look at https://www.recordpool.org.uk/index.php for an easy way to record your amphibian and reptile species records. 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 Bat rescue instructions: If you find a grounded bat please don’t try and release it. Put it in an escape proof box - remember, a pipistrelle can get out of a hole the size of your thumb nail - wearing gloves or using a cloth to pick it up with, and phone us on 01775 766286. We’ll do the rest. *** 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/ BioLinks Courses – Field Studies Council https://www.field-studies-council.org/biolinks-courses/ *** 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/ BSBI Code of Conduct https://bsbi.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/BSBI-Code-of-Conduct.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/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events - Important update *** "LNU 2021 field meetings - May - October are now provisionally booked" We will confirm plans for resumption of LNU events through the Bulletin, the LNU Twitter feed, LNU Facebook page and LNU meetings webpage. For details and any necessary subsequent updates or changes please visit: LNU Website: https://lnu.org/meetings/ LNU Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lincsnaturalists/ Richard Davidson says of the Whisby Workshops: "Several workshops to be held at Whisby Nature Park are being prepared for the Autumn (September to November). They will be on a variety of subjects. Further details will be announced in due course on the LNU website and on future LNU Emails." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** steve haith bounced last week. Advice is: if your Service provider or network can't or won't allow the Bulletin through, use a free email account instead. In the event of a genuine mail failure I will be happy to send you the error report to pass on to your "Help Desk". Just ask. ....and finally... Britain's electricity system 'greenest ever' over Easter https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56657299 Hemsby residents fear cliff collapse as storms hit coast https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-56653775 Wally the Walrus 'flipped dinghy and tried to board fishing boat' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56582311 Wally the Walrus: Fears for safety as Tenby tourists get 'too close' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56626101 'Plague' of midges invades Cardiff Bay waterfront https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56578578 Giant bluefin tuna return in Wales a 'massive opportunity' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56593198 Newton-le-Willows pollution: Hundreds of fish killed https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-56603435 Then and now: Rising temperatures threaten corals https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56567237 Bronze Age slab found in France is oldest 3D map in Europe https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-56648055 Country diary: the last of the redwings slip away https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/31/country-diary-the-last-of-the-redwings-slip-away Country diary: mining bees are getting down to business https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/03/country-diary-mining-bees-are-getting-down-to-business Country diary: for one week only, the reservoir is an orgy of frogs and toads https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/06/country-diary-for-one-week-only-the-reservoir-is-an-orgy-of-frogs-and-toads ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/