============================================ || || 21st 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. Stay safe: Cuckoos reported this week! We usually expect to hear or see our first cuckoo in the first week or so of May. BTO's tracked cuckoos are on their way to the UK, with PJ expected to be back in Suffolk by their next update. Please let us know if you hear or see any. See: https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/cuckoo-tracking-project Weather Forecast: 25 April - 4 May "...there is the threat of some rain and a few showers in the North and East. ... There are the continued threats of rural frost and patchy fog where winds fall light." 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..." Bees: When the Queen was snapped 'giggling' at Prince Philip https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-56242398 Sir David Attenborough's new doc: 'Humans are intruders' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-56752541 Rural transport: Young people 'written off' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-56773444 Covid: Louth introduces al fresco dining as lockdown eases https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-56717896 Grantham Hospital: Trust failed in its legal duty to consult https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-56777888 New wildlife photography series by Mark Carwardine - BBC Wildlife - Discover Wildlife https://www.discoverwildlife.com/news/photography-masterclass-with-mark-carwardine/ Humanity is making everything saltier around us, and it's hurting the environment https://www.zmescience.com/science/humanity-salt-leaking-environmental-damage-87284623643/ Every Flower Counts | Plantlife https://www.plantlife.org.uk/everyflowercounts/ Shade from solar panels makes for more and more diverse flowers https://www.zmescience.com/science/shade-solar-panel-flower-species-983473456/ Climate change: Future-proofing coffee in a warming world https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56804147 Bird and Wild RSPB Coffee - we're trying their beans! https://birdandwild.co.uk/ 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/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** Bourne Barn Owls back online *** The camera is now live 24/7. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 *** Peregrine Webcams *** Bob Sheppard recommends the Lincolnshire peregrine webcam at St James' Church, Louth. Throughout the breeding season this can be accessed 24/7. There is a picture link on the LBC home page. Bob adds: "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." https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/ The wonderful osprey camera at Loch Arkaig is now live: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/ *** One for the herpetologists *** Annette Faulkner asks: At what age do toads reach maturity? *** Your Bat records please *** Annette Faulkner writes... 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 *** 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: Due to the ongoing pandemic and general uncertainty, the South Lincs. RSPB Group have reluctantly decided not to run any Birdwatching Cruises into The Wash during 2021. It is hoped that we can restart the cruises in 2022. Full details are always available on our website 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.] 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 13/4 Kittiwake as on West Pit, drk Scaup on West Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 5 Short-eared Owls on saltmarsh, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Cattle Egret in drain between Lyndhurst Garden Centre and Ten Acres Burgh-le-Marsh, N of Skegness 14/4 Ring Ouzel male in grass field south of cut grass field west of Tallington Road Osprey, Tallington Lakes - Lovell's [Lake?] Ring Ouzel flew over near Molcey Mill Pit, West Deeping Hen Harrier male, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point White-tailed Eagle flew east over Grimsby Common Tern, Messingham Sand Quarry 15/4 Ring Ouzel male in grass field south of Cut just west of Tallington Road Tallington Cattle Egret , Scaup 1w drk at Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh 2 Short-eared Owls, Gibraltar Point Black Redstart at Seacroft Square, Skegness Ring Ouzel male by River Bain at Dalderby, SSW of Horncastle 16/4 Dark-bellied Brent Goose in field, Culverthorpe Jack Snipe on Plot 1, Marston Sewage Works 2 Cattle Egrets, 1w drk Scaup, at Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Common Crane over Corporation Dock, Grimsby Ring Ouzel male on field north of West Deeping Sluice, Tallington Lakes viewed from pumphouse on north side of Maxey Cut Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 4 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh Garganry drk flew over Bardney 2 Garganey, 1 drk, Covenham reservoir Spoonbill, 2 Spotted Redshank, Alkborough Flats 17/4 Bar-tailed Godwit flew NW over Langtoft Ring-necked Duck 1w fem, West End GPs on SW pit, Langtoft Dark-bellied Brent Goose ad, Culverthorpe Lakes 2 Cattle Egrets, 1w drk Scaup, at Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 2 Short-eared Owls at Deeping High Bank, Deeping St Nicholas Short-eared Owl, Black Redstart, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point Russian White-fronted Goose by pond of Ingoldmells Road, Burgh-le Marsh 18/4 Little Gull 1w at Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs 2 Black-necked Grebes, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 2 Ospreys flew north over Ladybird NR between Whisby and Eagle 2 Garganey, 1 drk, Covenham reservoir 19/4 Arctic Tern at Main Lake, Tallington Lakes 2 Cattle Egrets, at Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Spotted Redshank, 2 Little Gulls, Gibraltar Point 2 Black-necked Grebes, Frampton Marsh Ring Ouzel, Huttoft Bank Pit 2 Garganey, 1 drk, Covenham reservoir 1 Garganey on scrape at dusk, Far Ings 20/4 Ring-necked Duck 1w fem, West End GPs on SW pit, Langtoft viewed from footpath by Greatford Cut Bar-tailed Godwit, T-junction Pit, Baston+Langtoft GPs 3 Common Cranes flew NNE over Spalding 2 Cattle Egrets, at Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Black-necked Grebe, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl, Spotted Redshank, Black Redstart at Visitor Centre, Little Gull on Seacroft Fields, 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... PJ has reached Spain on the way back to the UK. 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. 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 14/4/2021 Bat spp - small - flying past house at 08.35hrs. 16/6/2021 Hedgehog droppings noted on lawn. Time to put out the trailcam again. 19/4/2021 Giant house spider: Eratigena atrica on floor of bedroom 22.00hrs. Photo taken. BARLINGS TF 08854 73544 Barlings Abbey Su Colman & Mark Townsend 18/04/21 19:39 Our first swallow of summer BOSTON (TF326426) 15/04/2021 Kathleen Pearson A female Brambling was seen on the garden feeders today. The only previous occurrence was, I believe, in February 1986. BOSTON A walk along the Black Sluice Trail from Wyberton High Bridge to Hubbert's Bridge and back along the top of the bank. Friday 16th April Gill Walsh 2 roe deer 1 muntjac 6 hares 7 great-crested grebes grey heron mute swan greylag goose gadwall mallard pheasant moorhen coot oystercatcher lapwing black-headed gull lesser black-backed gull feral pidgeon woodpidgeon collared dove kingfisher great spotted woodpecker wren dunnock robin blackbird cetti's warbler sedge warbler blackcap blue tit great tit magpie jackdaw rook carrion crow starling house sparrow chaffinch greenfinch goldfinch linnet reed bunting CARLTON LE MOORLAND SK909581 Jeremy Hutchinson 18/04/2021 First Swallows (3), the latest that I can recall. also Norton Disney SK 87044 59640 20/04/2021 Flock of 40+ Linnets on field of dandelions, a few of which have gone to seed. Surprised to see a flock of this size at this time of the year. COLLEGE WOOD TF122754 R+A Parsons 18/4/2021 Wood Avens in flower - also Wood Anemone, Violet , Lesser Celandine, Primrose. 2 bee fly individuals - 1 small and dark, one larger and "gingery": possible same spp? Several Bombus leucorum queens and one B lapidarius queen Buzzard calling in distance Dead Pygmy Shrew on path near "Woodcraft" site.TF123753 Male Brimstone Peacock butterflies 10+ Small Tortoiseshell 1+ FAR INGS Angela Buckle Flowers: 18th April, Garlic mustard, Corn salad, Shining cranesbill, Doves foot cranesbill. 10 Yellow wagtails, in field opposite, car park. Plenty of Danish scurvy grass on the side of the A180. HOLYWELL LAKE Holywell Lake Ian Misselbrook 16th April 2021 Little Grebes 6 – 3 pairs Grey Heron 1 and possibly 2 in a nest. Mute Swans 2 -a pair Canada Geese 9 Greylag Geese 10 Mallard 25 Gadwall 7 – pair possibly nesting in outlying pond. Teal 2 – a pair Tufted Duck 20 Coot 6 – one pair on nest Moorhen 10 Pheasant 4 Stock Doves 3 Woodpigeons at least 8 Green Woodpecker 1 Jackdaws 6 Rooks c 25 Carrion Crows 2 Raven 1 Blue Tits 2 Great Tits 2 Chiffchaff 1 Blackcaps 2 singing Goldcrests 2 Wrens 4 Dunnocks 4 Blackbirds 2 Song Thrush 2 Mistle Thrush 1 Robins 4 Chaffinch 4 Greenfinch 2 Goldfinch 4 HORKSTOW SE987178 Jenny Haynes 15 April 2021 I saw a bat flying around my garden at about 3pm. Remarkable sight! I’ve also seen one in the evenings of 18 April and 19 April both at about 8.45pm. MANBY Manby Washlands TF180421 John Walker 32 avocets on washland and at nearby Lucy Mae's a Cetti in song also 2 peacock, 2 small tortoiseshell , 1 orange tip , 1 brimstone, 1 small white and 1 speckled wood. NETTLEHAM TF 01192 75302 Mill Hill, Nettleham Su Colman 18/04/21 16:30 Male orange tip butterfly TF 01192 75302 Mill Hill, Nettleham Su Colman 08/04/21 12:38 Andrena fulva - tawny mining bee - there are quite a lot of distinct holes surrounded by 'spoil heaps' in the lawn MESSINGHAM Angela Buckle 17th April 2021 Flowers: Greater stitchwort, Field mouse-ear, Marsh violet. SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 14/04/21 Blackbird x 2 Blackcap x 1 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion crow x 3 Chaffinch x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Jackdaw x 2 Long-tailed Tit x 2 Robin x 1 Skylark x 1 Tree Sparrow x 12 Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 Peacock x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 2 Small White x 1 Bee Fly x 1 7-spot Ladybird x 6 Lesser Celandine and Cowslips out in flower in the meadow. STANTON'S PIT Stantons Pit NR and pool opposite Little Grebes 2 Cormorants 3 Greylag Geese 20 Gadwall 2 Mallard8 Tufted Duck 4 Moorhen 6 Coot 4 Snipe 2 Willow Warblers 3 singing Chiffchaff 1 Blackcap 1 Linnets 8 SOUTHREY Witham Bank - Water Rail Way towards Bardney. 16/4/2021 - 10am Many birds signing including Chiffchaffs, 1 seen and approx 6 heard. Sparrowhawk flew across the river. Badger diggings and "nosings" were to be seen along the side of the tarmac cycle path. This marginally damper zone of soil beside the path must be a very welcome source of earthworms and other invertebrates in this dry spring. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 14/04/21 Blackbird x 4 Chaffinch x 2 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 2 Long-tailed Tit x 2 Magpie x 2 Robin x 2 Skylark x 1 Stock Dove x 1 on nest Tree Sparrow x 12 Wood Pigeon x 4 Red-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lapidarius x 1 queen 15/04/21Blackbird x 5 Blue Tit x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Common Buzzard x 2 Goldfinch x 6 Greenfinch x 1 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Stock Dove x 1 Tree Sparrow x 6 Wood Pigeon x 6 Yellowhammer x 2 Small Tortoiseshell x 4 16/04/21 Common Crane x 5 flew north over Thurnholmes 08:55hrs 18/04/21 Barn Owl x 1 23:50hrs Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 2 Bullfinch x 2 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 4 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 6 Greenfinch x 1 Grey Partridge x 2 Long-tailed Tit x 2 Mallard x 2 over Thurnholmes Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 1 Tree Sparrow x 6 Willow Warbler x 1, my first this year for Thurnholmes Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 Whooper Swan x 14 flew South West over Thurnholmes (may have been 13 + 1 Bewicks Swan as 1 looked smaller and kept on end of 'V', not interchanging with rest) Small Tortoiseshell x 4 20/04/21 Blackbird x 5 Blue it x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 11 Greenfinch x 2 Grey Partridge x 2 Kestrel x 1 Mallard x 1 over Thurnholmes Moorhen x 5 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Mute Swan x 2 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Pied Wagtail x 1 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Tree Sparrow x 7 Willow Warbler x 1 Wood Pigeon x 9 Yellowhammer x 1 Yellow Wagtail x 2 Peacock x 2 Small Tortoiseshell x 4 Speckled Wood x 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 14th – 20th April 2021 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, M att Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Note: So far this month, up to the 20th, 16 frosts have been recorded at Sea View. 140421 - Of note on Paradise lagoon: 2 drake and 3 duck gadwall. On Sea View washlands: 2 little egret, 24 teal, 6 shoveler, 2 shelduck, 2 tufted duck, 2 mute swan, 8 moorhen and 2 redshank. 150421 - Rimac lagoon: 6 avocets, 3 common buzzards flying over the area and 6 whimbrel on the saltmarsh. Single green-veined white at Sea View. 160421 - Cetti’s warbler in scrub near Sea View. Paradise lagoon: 6 teal, 3 gadwall, 1 mallard, 13 shoveler, 8 tufted duck, 6 redshank, 1 coot and 2 grey herons flying over. Cetti’s warbler at Rimac. 75 linnet, 2 siskin, 5 snipe and a sparrowhawk between Sea View and Churchill Lane. 170421 - Paradise lagoon: 18 shoveler amongst the other wildfowl. 2 swallows over Sea View and 3 twittering overhead at Rimac. Yellow wagtail and 2 sand martin south. Cetti’s warbler in song south of Crook Bank, 2 bullfinch, 2 yellowhammer and 4 white- throat. Peregrine flew east over Rimac. 180421 - Single black redstart seen briefly in gorse bush near Sea View before flying off to a hedge on the edge of the field, 2 swallows nearby. A flock of 9 whimbrel on the saltmarsh. Saltfleetby NNR Common Bird Census included: 4 willow warbler, 4 blackcap, 2 whitethroat and 5 chiffchaff all in song, also 1 barn owl, 3 snipe and 2 swallows over. 6 chiffchaff, 2 willow warbler, 4 blackcap, Cetti’s warbler, 3 whitethroat and 3 bullfinch between Mablethorpe North End and Crook Bank. 190421 - Paradise lagoon of note: 5 avocets and a drake pochard, blackcap nearby and 7 whimbrel on the saltmarsh. On overhead wires opposite Elm House Farm were 4 swallows. At Sea View: 2 swallows, single house martin and first 2 cuckoos heard and seen, chiffchaff and blackcap singing. On Sea View washlands – 16 teal, 6 shelduck, 2 mallard, 2 tufted duck, 2 mute swan, 4 moorhen and 3 redshank. First grasshopper warblers of the year with 3 around Rimac plus sedge warbler, Cetti’s warbler, water rail and whitethroat. 200421 - Cuckoo heard and seen near Paradise wood, blackcap and common whitethroat near Sea View. Male ring ouzel in scrub near Sea View, 4 sand martins flying over, male gadwall on freshwater marsh at Rimac, male sparrowhawk and 3 whimbrel feeding in adjacent pasture field with another 3 on the saltmarsh. Orange tip and green hairstreak on the wing at Sea View Butterfly species seen in the Churchill Lane area: peacock, small tortoiseshell, green hairstreak, speckled wood, small white and male orange tip. Common lizard basking in the sun at Rimac. On Paradise Lagoon: 4 gadwall, 10 teal, 16 shoveler, 14 tufted duck, 2 shelduck, 4 mallard, 3 greylag geese, 2 coot, 2 redshank and displaying meadow pipit. Also in the Paradise area: 3 swallow, whitethroat, blackcap and chiffchaff. Flying from Sea View washlands to Sea View saltmarsh: 5 whimbrel. Peacock, small tortoiseshell and small white butterflies showing in warm sunshine. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 again 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... Peak District: Marking 70 years of the UK's first national park https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-56746816 Aftermath of huge rockfall in Dorset filmed by drone - drone footage https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-dorset-56749836 Thatcher in Norfolk village finds 'wasp metropolis' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-56747287 'Unique' Roman building found at Scarborough housing development https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-56745840 Rare bug spotted for first time in more than 30 years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-56814446 Ely Cathedral peregrines on camera for first time https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-56808245 Coastal litter pickers find 101 dog waste bags on walk - Devon https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-56735247 Norfolk's 'unique' purple sea sponge named by schoolgirl https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-56738051 Climate change: 'Not enough resilient woodland' in NI https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-56736591 Wales' woodlands 'facing catastrophe' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56733801 Park plea to visitors to stay away from capercaillie https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-56731675 Gnome shortage: Lockdown and Suez canal blockage blamed https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-56748561 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/