============================================ || || 28th 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... *** I saw my first swallow of 2021 this Monday on wires, Sandy Lane, Woodhall Spa. 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. Things can change. Stay safe: Weather Forecast: 1 - 10 May "The cold and showery pattern of previous days is expected to continue to affect the UK at the start of this period, bringing a mixture of sunshine, showers, and a cold east to north- easterly wind. Showers will be most frequent in the north and east, but could become quite widespread overland during the day. " 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..." Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust warns of fire risk - more wild fires in ..."and finally" https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/news/lincolnshire-wildlife-trust-warns-fire-risk International Dawn Chorus Day - Sunday 2nd of May, 2021 https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/dawn-chorus-day Nature 'more important than ever during lockdown' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56889322 Earth Day: Climate change 'will force wildlife to move or adapt' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-56836697 Wild About Gardens https://www.wildaboutgardens.org.uk/ Lincolnshire Police find £6m cannabis farm in disused Frampton factory https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-56903786 What do wasps do? https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/what-do-wasps-do.html Pub researcher wanted for Lincolnshire council job - anyone? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-56857399 Wild birds' eggs theft: Huddersfield man sentenced - words fail me! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-56860001 5 butterfly eggs to spot and how to see them - Discover Wildlife https://www.discoverwildlife.com/how-to/identify-wildlife/5-butterfly-eggs-to-spot-and-how-to-see-them/ How to identify birds on the move in spring - Discover Wildlife https://www.discoverwildlife.com/how-to/identify-wildlife/how-to-identify-birds-on-the-move-in-spring/ The Revesby Land Agent - George Bell. A good read. [Copy and paste link if necessary.] https://www.robert-bell.org/assets/downloads/The_Revesby_Land_Agent_7.pdf 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! Liking it. 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 *** Bob Sheppard writes: The Len Pick Trust barn owls are getting closer to laying judging by their behaviour. Possibly during the first week of May? 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. https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/ Bob writes: The peregrine eggs at St James' Church, Louth are due to hatch during the week beginning May 3rd. https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/information/lbc-articlebloglist/638-peregrine-project-2 The ospreys at Loch Arkaig are not using the nest yet. The osprey camera at Loch Arkaig is on: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/ It maybe we shall miss out this year so I suggest your readers switch to another excellent Scottish webcam which is particularly watchable on windy days! https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ *** 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 soon to be May 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.] Ingenuity Mars helicopter has now made its third successful flight ... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56882257 Meteor Shower Guide 2021 - check info on Eta Aquariid shower 5th May. 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 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 21/4 2 Bar-tailed Godwits both males, Whimbrel, Baston Fen Ring-necked Duck 1w fem, West End GPs on SW pit, Langtoft viewed from footpath by Greatford Cut Spotted Redshank, Jack Snipe, Blue-headed Wagtail in reservoir field, Frampton Marsh Spotted Redshank, 6 Arctic Terns flew south, Short-eared Owl, 2 Little Gull Seacroft fields, Black Redstart 1w, Gibraltar Point 22/4 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, both males, Baston Fen Red Kite, 2 Black-necked Grebes, 2 Short-eared Owls, Spotted Redshank, Jack Snipe, Frampton Marsh Wryneck by cycle track near North Beach car park, Spoonbill, Short-eared Owl, 2 Little Gulls, 6 Arctic Terns flew north, Gibraltar Point White Stork [ringed] Healing 23/4 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Culverthorpe Lakes 8 Bar-tailed Godwit at Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft pits Scaup 1w drk on main lake, ringtail Hen Harrier over western reedbed, 18+ Little Gulls at main lake, Deeping Lake, Deeping St James 23 Little Gulls at North Scrape, Short-eared Owl, 2 Black-necked Grebes, Water Pipit, Spotted Redshank,, Spoonbill, Frampton Marsh Garganey on Mere, Black Redstart at visitor Centre, Short-eared Owl, Long-eared Owl, 2 Ring Ouzels, Great White Egret on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Bar-tailed Godwit ad male on Woodhall Spa airfield 4 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 24/3 Spotted Redshank flew north, Whimbrel, Baston Fen 9 Bar-tailed Godwits flew thru', Arctic Tern, 2 Little Gulls both ads at Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs 4 Common Cranes circling over Deeping St James 2 Black-necked Grebes, Spotted Redshank, Short-eared Owl, Spoonbill, Little Gull, Jack Snipe flushed, Turtle Dove male singing on post at end of car park, then flew north, Frampton Marsh Black Redstart 1w, 5 Ring Ouzels, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Bar-tailed Godwit ad male, Woodhall Spa airfield Temminck's Stint, Covenham reservoir Osprey flew west over Wroot 25/4 Grey Plover East Pit, drk Scaup still on Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 2 Black-necked Grebes, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 2 Spoonbills, Black Redstart, Little Gull, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, Woodhall Spa Airfield Ring Ouzel male at St Peter's Church, Raithby, SW of Louth Temminck's Stint, west side, Covenham reservoir 2 Ring Ouzels at Sea View Farm, Theddlethorpe 26/4 2 Cattle Egrets, Grey Plover, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Jack Snipe east side of path beyond end of car park, Wood Sandpiper, 2 Black-necked Grebes,Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh Black Redstart 1w male singing, Gibraltar Point 2 Ring Ouzels, 2 Great White Egrets, Sea View Farm, Saltfleetby Spotted Redshank, Anderby Marsh Hawfinch flew SE over River Trent to churchyard, Torksey Osprey flew NE over Far Ings 27/4 Osprey flew north over Crowland Dotterel, Garganey, Dotterel in field behind Marsh Farm, viewed from Crossbank, 2 Black-necked Grebes, Short-eared Owl, Jack Snipe, Frampton Marsh 4 Ring Ouzels, 2 Jack Snipe, Gibraltar Point Ring Ouzel male, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe 2 Ring Ouzels in meadow at Raithby, SW of Louth Savi's Warbler singing, near car park, Alkborough Flats ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: PJ has reached the UK! https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/cuckoo-tracking-project Suffolk cuckoo makes record-breaking annual trip from Africa https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-56888398 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 21/4/2021 Fresh hedgehog droppings in garden. 22/4.2021 Hedgehog adult @ 20.56-20.59hrs on trailcam. 24/4/2021 Hedgehog adult - 2 visits - 00.10 hrs and 01.50hrs - trailcam. 25/4/2021 Hedgehog adult - visits at 02.43hrs and 04.35hrs - trailcam. CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK909581 Jeremy Hutchinson 23/4/2021 First Comma seen plus first male Orange Tips (3) First Holly Blue (male). 24/4/2021 - Five Swallows seen flying about late evening, none since. 25/4/2021 Turtle Dove heard purring for a short time: I have neither seen nor heard one of these doves around here for at least 11 years. 27/4/2021 Fresh Hedgehog droppings in garden; nothing else seen since sighting on 2nd April. Our House Martins have not been seen for nearly a week now. FAR INGS Angela Buckle, 25th April 2021. Hedge mustard, Hoary cress, Field pepperwort, Bulbous buttercup, Cuckoo flower, Ribwort plantain, Orange tip butterfly. FISKERTON TF065716 20/4/21 Bill Ball Otter swimming in Witham GRASBY WOODS Angela Buckle Flowers. 22nd April 2021 Early purple orchids about 24. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 14/4/2021 Bombylius major 1 Eristalis pertinax 10+ Long-tailed tits 2 Wren 1 15/4/2021 Bombylius major 3 Goldfinch 2 Song thrush 1 17/4/2021 Greater spotted woodpecker 1 26/4/2021 Black lace-weaver spider 1 27/4/2021 Anthophora plumipes 1 female Bombus lapidarius 1 Goldfinch MORKERY WOOD SK960185 Eastern Section Jane Ostler The first time I have been able to go to the wood except for the Car Park area last month, since last October. Looking particularly for plants which could be seen from the paths. Too cold and cloudy for insects except for Bombus terrestris. Only birds noted were a pair of Buzzards, Blackbirds and a Wren in undergrowth. Evidence of both Fallow and Muntjac Deer. A dead Badger was on the roadside near the entrance. In the Car Park Area a few flowers of Yellow Star of Bethlehem (latest I have seen them out) and the remains of Toothwort. The Moschatel at its best under the trees here. In different areas of the Wood there were three kinds of Violet – Sweet, Early Dog and Common. Dog’s Mercury with females more in evidence as ovaries, stigmas and styles showing in some colonies. By contrast the Lesser Celandines were bright yellow, even though not wide open in the dull weather. Two plants I do not see except in the local woods were abundant – Water Avens and Wood Anemone. The Bluebells are later just one or two with flowers just opening. The blackthorn fully out and the Norway Maple flowers lime green so that they can be seen at a distance. The Willows also fully out both male and female plants which have survived over all the decades they were cut and sprayed when the wood was run more commercially. The first Bugle and the swathes of Primroses growing together, with Barren Strawberries right near the path edges. Amongst the Dandelions which have succeeded the Coltsfoot in flower were distinct colonies of short stemmed, neat more lemon flowers – but separating out the various kinds of Taraxacum spp. is the work of experts. Together with the plants which can be found in a wide variety of habitats at almost any time of the year I counted  over thirty species in flower SCOTGROVE WOOD [Lincolnshire Limewoods] BARDNEY Grid reference: TF130703 R + A Parsons 24/4/2021 -9-10am 3 Roe deer - adult does. Ground flora in dry parts of the wood very stunted , but in wetter parts plants in flower: Bluebell, Twayblade orchid, Wood Anemone, Violet spp, Lesser Celandine. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 21st – 27th April 2021 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Note: 0.4mm of rainfall recorded at Sea View for the 27th, last rain fell on the 15th with 1.7mm. 210421 - Paradise lagoon: 14 shoveler, 9 mallard, 11 teal, 3 gadwall, 2 tufted duck, single black-tailed godwit with 9 redshank. 7 whimbrel feeding on the saltmarsh. Singles of gannet and common scoter offshore with a few hundred gulls feeding. Greenshank heard over the saltmarsh. 220421 – Sea View Washlands: 4 shelduck, 4 tufted duck, 6 mallard, 16 teal, 2 mute swans, 1 redshank, 1 speckled wood butterfly. Red kite drifting over the saltmarsh and a male tawny owl calling at Sea View. Single lapwing and snipe amongst the vegetation around Paradise lagoon. Sedge warbler calling from phragmites area in pasture near Sea View. 230421 – Sea View: 2 male cuckoos chasing each other, wheatear, 2 orange tip, peacock, large white and speckled wood butterflies. Chiffchaff, blackcap and male tawny owl calling at Sea View. 3 shelduck and a cuckoo at Rimac. Single common sandpiper on edge of Eau near Paradise lagoon, common whitethroat nearby, 3 whimbrel on edge of Rimac lagoon where a great white egret took off and landed in Rimac freshwater marsh. 30 whimbrel on grassland around Rimac car park. Butterflies included: 3 green hairstreak, 13 peacock, 3 small white, 2 orange tip and 1 brimstone. 240421 - 2 grasshopper warblers and 2 cuckoos between Brickyard Lane and Rimac. On edge of Eau near Paradise: 2 common sandpipers, 4 lapwing in aerial display flight over Elm House Farm and in adjacent roadside pasture: 3 curlew, 6 whimbrel, 1 wheatear, 1 redshank and 1 white wagtail. 15 whimbrel in Sea View washlands and late evening 20 birds feeding in pasture near Rimac. Male ring ouzel near Sea View, 16 linnets and 2 common whitethroats nearby. Great white egret and greenshank on Paradise lagoon. 250421 – Sea View Washland: 7 sedge warblers singing and 1 great white egret. Linnets still evident in twos and threes near Sea View but 16 noted in one flock amongst dune grassland. Garden warbler in song at Mablethorpe North End. 2 ring ouzel at Sea View. 3 sedge warbler and 2 grasshopper warbler at Rimac. 260421 - 14 whitethroat, 10 blackcap, 5 willow warbler, 2 grasshopper warbler, 5 chiffchaff, 5 sedge warbler, 1 garden warbler in song between Brickyard Lane and Rimac. On Sea View Washland/Great Eau: 2 sedge warbler, 1 kingfisher, 4 teal, 4 mallard, 2 shelduck, 4 mute swan, 4 moorhens. 2 ring ouzel and 1 cuckoo. 2 male cuckoos chasing each other at Sea View. 4 snipe and great white egret near Rimac, 9 whimbrel on saltmarsh. 2 great white egrets flew north along the river in the morning but both were still around in the evening. 5 wheatear in dunes between Sea View and Rimac. Summer plumaged bar-tailed godwit feeding on grass- land near Rimac with 2 whimbrel. 270421 - 2 fieldfare between Brickyard Lane and Rimac. 4 snipe, 2 swallows, cuckoo, skylarks and curlew at Rimac. C12 whimbrel flying between Sea View saltmarsh and wash- lands. Single greenshank on saltmarsh and 1 on edge of Great Eau near Paradise. Single wheatear on saltmarsh and 21 whimbrel feeding close by. Great white egret at Sea View. Lesser whitethroat and male wheatear at Crook Bank, along with 3 black rabbits. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 SCOTGROVE WOOD [Lincolnshire Limewoods] BARDNEY Grid reference: TF130703 Interesting species list of mammals and birds: https://www.landscapebritain.co.uk/british-woodland-wildlife/lincolnshire/bardney-limewoods-scotgrove-wood/ Wood Anemones in the Bardney Limewoods https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zkJ_3aU7R4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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's address 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... River to reclaim National Trust Cotehele farmland https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-56890036 Fingerprint from 5,000 years ago found in Orkney https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-56858268 Greta Thunberg: Meeting David Attenborough was 'indescribable' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-56802655 "Greta Thunberg: A Year to Change the World" on iPlayer https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p099f58d/greta-thunberg-a-year-to-change-the-world Covid: Scientists find more evidence of human-to-cat transmission https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-56821770 Wildfire danger is forecast to increase significantly in the UK https://www.reading.ac.uk/news-and-events/releases/PR855435.aspx Derbyshire moorland fire: People asked to avoid area https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-52400387 Lake District fire: Helicopter used to fight Whinlatter Forest blaze https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-56871382 Mourne Mountains gorse fire engulfs the slopes of Slieve Donard https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-56871977 Check a sweet chestnut! / RHS research project https://www.rhs.org.uk/science/help-our-research/check-a-sweet-chestnut M&S faces backlash over plan to release 30m honeybees https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/16/marks-spencer-honeybee-project-threat-biodiversity-conservationists-aoe Lincs - Country diary: let’s hear it for the unappreciated earthworm https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/16/country-diary-lets-hear-it-for-the-unappreciated-earthworm Country diary: the ospreys are back – this is the ultimate spring thrill https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/17/country-diary-the-ospreys-are-back-this-is-the-ultimate-spring-thrill Hedgerow highway will keep dormice thriving in the Yorkshire Dales https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/18/hedgerow-highway-will-keep-dormice-thriving-in-the-yorkshire-dales We’re on the hunt for young nature lovers – do you know any? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/23/nature-lovers-guardian-young-country-diary-writers Country diary: across the hillsides of heather, the fallen parachutes of spiders https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/apr/27/country-diary-across-the-hillsides-of-heather-the-fallen-parachutes-of-spiders ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/