=========================================== || || 1st December 2021 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || || LNU Website: || http://lnu.org/ || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Information, events, news 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, events, news and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Editor writes: Than k you to the 300+ readers who opened their Bulletins this week. Welcome to the official Meteorological Winter! I was planning to write: "The weather alert about strong winds proved correct last week, but when will we have snow?" I have had my answer! Walking down our lane on Sunday the evening was Dickensian, sharply cold, snow still lying, ice on the road, breath condensing in impressive clouds. Three planets were visible in the SE sky: Jupiter, Saturn and Venus. I have managed to spot the International Space Station recently - very bright - once seen never forgotten! See Paul Money's December Night Sky link below. http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html The RSB tells me the British Society for Immunology has just launched the UK COVID Vaccine Research Hub. You can find out about the work being done by UK researchers on vaccines for COVID. Nice to get some reliable biological information. Worth a look. https://www.covidvaccineresearch.org/ If you are feeding garden birds keep a look out for signs of Bird Flu - RSPB. https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/disease-and-garden-wildlife/avian-influenza-updates/ A local outbreak of bird flu has been confirmed in East Lindsey. https://lincolnshiretoday.net/mag/second-outbreak-of-bird-flu-in-county-confirmed/ Current and suspected cases of avian influenza (bird flu) in the UK https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu-cases-and-disease-control-zones-in-england Here is this week's selection of links to Lincolnshire and other wildlife-related news stories, mostly local. I hope you find something of interest. Please click. Norwich Cathedral welcomes new falcon after recent loss https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-59428947 Dambuster George 'Johnny' Johnson celebrates 100th birthday https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-59413350 Queen's Platinum Jubilee: Boston to bid for city status https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-59402580 Skegness conservationist receives prestigious wildlife award https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/news/skegness-conservationist-receives-prestigious-wildlife-award Mary Anning: Planning application lodged for Lyme Regis statue https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-59399984 Albert Einstein's hideaway in hut documented in new book - Norfolk https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-59401006 Thousands of new homes approved in areas at most risk of flooding in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2021-11-22/thousands-of-new-homes-approved-in-areas-at-most-risk-of-flooding-in-yorkshire The six types of deer in Britain - Country Life https://www.countrylife.co.uk/nature/the-six-types-of-deer-in-britain-228632 Spend water company profits to stop sewage outflow, says Cromer surfer https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-59433921 National Trust bans trail hunting on its land https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59420935 More general links in "..and finally ..." Without labouring the point, the deal is that you get the Wildnews Bulletin FREE and you do something in return. Many readers do already belong to the LNU; send in information to recorders/national recording schemes or suggest events or news stories of possible interest. However, there will be a few who don't do anything! If this is you, why not put "Help the Bulletin" on your New Year's Resolution list? Please help. Please keep using the "forward to a friend" link at the end of the Bulletin. It's best to avoid forwarding your individual Bulletin to others. Use that secure link or you can simply direct people to this link: https://lnu.org/publications/wildnews-bulletin/ Reminder: If you are not yet an LNU member and would like to become one, you will be very welcome to join and support the effort. The webpage to visit is: https://lnu.org/join-the-lnu/ A big thank you to all the regulars who send in news, events info and species reports. Please keep them coming. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - this is my best address for emails please. *** Weather Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ Sunday 13 - 27 Dec "Overall, through this period it is expected to be unsettled and changeable with milder and wetter than average conditions for most, bringing a risk of stormy conditions. Temperatures on the milder side for much of this period, but some short lived colder spells are possible. " *** Next LNU [Indoor] Meeting *** 'The new Birds of Lincolnshire: trials and tribulations in data recording.' LNU/Lincolnshire Bird Club talk by Phil Espin. 2pm - Saturday January 29th 2022 Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park Free to attend. All welcome. There is a £2 parking charge. More information, including whether an indoor meeting is available on Zoom: https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ Bear in mind Covid guidelines may change. Please continue to stay informed about new information and advice on Co-19 and 'flu. Adapt your precautions accordingly at indoor meetings and in groups on reserves or in the field. See: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus *** Recording with "irecord"*** More and more people are using irecord, which is recommended by the LNU as the most appropriate platform for on-line recording, with the best validation and feedback. Please look at the website and while you are there why not create an account so you are set up and ready to try? https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** December Night Sky! Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Meteor Shower Guide 2021 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/meteor-shower-guide *** LWT Boston Area Group *** Gill Walsh writes: Thursday 9th December 2021 at 7.30pm Talk - Wildlife of The Yorkshire Dales National Park by Geof Lee Centenary Methodist Church, Red Lion Street, Boston, PE21 6NY We are using the large central hall with audience seated around tables to enable social distancing. Refreshments will be served at your table during the interval. Retiring collection, non members welcome. *** Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** Carolyn Davis writes On Monday 13th December the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT hold their next indoor meeting where Roger Wardle will speak on the wildlife and history of St Kilda. This will take place in the Banqueting Room of Grimsby Town Hall and starts at 7.30 pm. Admission £3. We request that attendees wear face masks, use the hand sanitisers provided and maintain s safe social distance. For further information please contact Carolyn Davis 07914924790 *** LWT Scunthorpe and Brigg Local Group *** Please note that owing to unforeseen circumstances, there has been a change to the scheduled meeting. At the next meeting of the Scunthorpe and Brigg local group of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust on Thursday next week, 9th December, Geoff Trinder will be giving his new talk entitled "Out Of The Darkness". Geoff, our well-known local photographer, world traveller and wildlife enthusiast, has given us the intriguing brief that this talk is all about people, landscapes and wildlife. Starting at 7.30 pm we meet as always in the St Hugh's Church Hall on Ashby Road, which is opposite the filling station near the West Common Lane/Ashby Road crossroad traffic lights. There is some free parking in the Church grounds and also on the Ashby Road nearby. There is a £2 entry charge for the meeting which includes some light refreshments. Names and contact details will be taken on entry for possible track and trace Covid-19 purposes and all are asked to keep appropriate spacing and to wear face masks. *** Zoom Talks - RSPB Grimsby Local Group *** Martin Francis writes: The successful season of well-received Zoom talks offered by the RSPB Grimsby Local Group continues on Monday 20th December at 7.30pm “The Natural History of Christmas” Dr Michael Leach Dr Michael Leach is a full-time wildlife author and photographer who has visited the Grimsby Group on at least 7 occasions in the past, and thrilled us every time! This topical and well-timed talk is based on Michael’s latest book where he explores the natural history of the holly and the ivy, the pre-Christian roots of hanging mistletoe and reveals that turkeys never did come from Turkey! This illustrated talk explains why the robin is our favourite Christmas bird and the origin of the Yule log. But, best of all, it reveals the unlikely story of why we thought that reindeer could fly! Once described as ‘a unique wildlife humorist’, Michael is guaranteed to inform, delight, amuse and surprise his audience. This is one talk that you must not miss under any circumstances! 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 Saturday 18th December, stating that you saw the information in the LNU Bulletin. Martin Francis Leader - RSPB Grimsby Local Group" *** Useful Hedgehog Links *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** Reminder: Bat rescue instructions *** Annette Faulkner writes... 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. *** STAYING SAFE *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Please stay aware of updated Covid-19 advice and adapt personal precautions accordingly as understanding and measures "evolve" and perhaps change. See: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ For RBA's excellent articles: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp 24/11 Water Pipit on Low Wash pools, Baston Fen Bewick's Swan at Deeping High Bank roosted on River Welland SW of Gull Farm with 110 Whooper Swans, Deeping St Nicholas Hem Harrier male on saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh Smew redhead on sea with Common Scoters, 5 Long-tailed Ducks, Velvet Scoter, Mablethorpe Water Pipit on Teal Lake, Whisby NP Purple Sandpiper on mud just south of Killingholme Haven Scaup fem on eastern Pit, Tallington Lakes 25/11 Scaup fem on eastern pit, Tallington Lakes Hen Harrier male over saltmarsh, Twite on scrape north of sea bank car park, Black-throated Diver viewed from River Witham mouth, Frampton Marsh 12 Snow Buntings, Pale-bellied Brent Goose flew north, Gibraltar Point Unconfirmed report of Little Bunting, Ring Ouzel, Arctic Tern, Anderby Creek 7 Snow Buntings between Crook Bank and Churchill Lane, 8 Twite, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe 26/11 Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier male, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 27/11 Little Stint, Scaup, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 12 Snow Buntings, Pale-bellied Brent Goose flew north, Gibraltar Point 2 Black-throated Divers, 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Slavonian Grebes, Long-tailed duck, at Cut End, River Witham mouth, SE of Boston; Leach's Petrel flew to Freiston Shore, Little Auk flew past , Glaucous Gull flew north past, Puffin flew south, Chapel Point 5 Pomarine Skuas flew past Sutton-on-Sea 2 Smew. both redheads, briefly, then flew south, North Hykeham pits Scaup fem/juv drk, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Grey Phalarope on south side, Covenham Reservoir Lapland Bunting, 1w Caspian Gull, 5+ Twite, Donna Nook 2 Pomarine Skuas over Humber estuary. Killingholme Marshes Storm Petrel on/over Humber, East Halton Skitter 28/11 Ring-necked Duck 1w drk on T-junction pit, northern corner of North pit, then flew west, Baston + Langtoft GPs Scaup fem on eastern pit, Tallington Lakes 2 Short-eared Owls at Deeping High Bank flew from field opposite Gull Farm, Deeping St Nicholas Little Stint, male Hen Harier, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh 4 Black-throated Divers, 2 Great Northern Divers, River Witham mouth, Hen Harriers, both ringtails, 1 Long-tailed Duck, at Cut End, between car park and hide, SE of Boston Glaucous Gull, Gibraltar Point Little Auk on sea, Great Northern Diver, Chapel Point Little Auk flew past, Great Northern Diver, Sutton-on-Sea 4 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Grey Phalarope, Covenham Reservoir Long-tailed Duck flew past, 4 Pale-bellied Brent Geese flew past, East Halton Skitter 3 Bitterns, Far Ings 29/1 3 Long-tailed Ducks, Velvet Scoter, 12 Snow Buntings in dunes, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Grey Phalarope, SE corner, Covenham Reservoir 30/11 Water Pipit on Low Wash pools, Baston Fen Great Northern Diver, 4 Snow Buntings on beach, Gibraltar Point Purple Sandpiper on beach, Mablethorpe Grey Phalarope, SE corner, Covenham Reservoir ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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! *** Links "not to be missed" *** If you have a local starling roost site now's the time to visit it, but be there by 3.30pm when they usually start arriving. You need a "gate code" for visiting Woodhall Spa Airfield. See the relevant page here: "Know before you go" https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/starling-murmurations Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog: excellent photos and information. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ Lincs Bird Club - latest sightings: superb website https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/sightings/latest-news Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch - check the latest sightings: https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/lincolnshire-latest-sightings BTO tracked cuckoos: latest updates. 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. A46 between WELTON and NETTLEHAM TF002771 David Smith 24/11/2021 09.00 Roadkill adult fox BASTON FEN TF144164 Sunday 28/11/21 Annette and Colin Faulkner Dead hare on road, clearly hit on head by car. Stopped and moved to verge. *** 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/ *** 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 R+A Parsons TF120694 w/o 29/11/2012 Blackbird 1m Collared Dove 6 Jackdaw 10+ House Sparrow 10+ Magpie 2 Wood Pigeon Black-headed Gull occasional raiding party - 15-20 BOSTON (TF326426) November 2021 Kathleen Pearson I was able to do the BTO GARDEN BIRDWATCH on all 30 days in November. The total number of species seen was quite small at 19 and amazingly a Blue Tit was not seen until 10th November and no House Sparrows until the 17th, when this became the highest species of the month with a count of 8 birds. Birds:- Woodpigeon 6, Magpie 2, Goldfinch 6, Herring Gull 1, Jackdaw 1, Robin 2, Collared Dove 3, Carrion Crow 2, Black-headed Gull 5, Wren 1, Blackbird 2, Dunnock 2, Great Tit 2, Greenfinch 1, Chaffinch 2, Long-tailed Tit 5, Blue Tit 2, Sparrowhawk 1, House Sparrow 8. CORBY GLEN Corby Glen SK993253 24/11//21 Jane Ostler Dor Beetle ”Lousy Watchman” Geotrupes stecorariu SK993253 In grass field with sheep dung. This distinctive beetle invariably carries numerous mites on its underside hence the name ‘lousy’. Like other dung beetles seen less often now, probably because of chemicals used on grass and to treat animals. This species described as breeding in cow dung. EAST HALTON SKITTER Nick Moorhouse 26 Nov 15.45 Short eared owl perching on fence post:. Male marsh harrier flew west and low, followed a few minutes later by a female marsh harrier. Plus a question: Re Worlaby Carrs, following the ploughing up of land, have there been no sightings at all of short eared owl in the last few years? HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Haynes 28 November 2021 What a treat a covering of snow has brought to my garden today: a male bullfinch, two starlings, a brambling, a coal tit and a female great spotted woodpecker. The first three of these are rarities and the other two infrequent visitors. There is also a large number of greenfinches, chaffinches and goldfinches, with a few blackbirds, great tits, blue tits, a couple of dunnocks, a wren and a robin. What a difference the weather makes! HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 28/11/2021 Blackbirds 4 Dunnock 1 29/11/2021 Pheasants 2 males Wren 1 30/11/2021 Woodpigeons 4 NETTLEHAM TF009753 Brenda Edlington 30/11/2021 Circular walk from Nettleham – some of the birds seen Field on The Scotches (FP 145) by Nettleham Police Headquarters Buzzard Little egret The Gitty (FP146) linking Deepdale Lane to Hall Lane 2 Jays The Meadows (FP143) linking Cherry Tree Lane to Lincoln Road (A46) 2 Little egrets Buzzard Kingfisher (on the beck) Sparrowhawk For field path numbers see https://nettleham.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/downloads/file/69/leaflet-countryside-walks-in-and-around-nettleham SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 19/11/21 Blackbird x 6 Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 6 Chaffinch x 1 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 12 Goldfinch x 2 Greenfinch x 4 Jackdaw x 2 Redwing x 29 Robin x 1 Tree Sparrow x 4 Wood Pigeon x 8 Wren x 1 30/11/21 Blackbird x 4 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 52 Jay x 1 Magpie x 2 Redwing x 15 Robin x 1 Starlings 20+ Tree Sparrow x 11 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x SPALDING TF245218 Friday 26/11/21 Annette Faulkner Small hedgehog found in garden early afternoon. Seemed to be in reasonable shape. Fed and watered overnight, then taken to animal rescue centre at Deeping St James – where they had eight more. STICKNEY TF322568 Gail Cartwright Quite a few starlings last week on my feeders, even more this week, too many to count. Only seen 1 or 2 since we moved to Stickney 14 years ago. Unfortunately no murmurations but I will try to keep a lookout for them. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 17/11/21 Blackbird x 6 Black-headed Gull x 28 following plough in fields around Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 6 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 6 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 12 Goldfinch x 4 Lesser Redpoll x 8 feeding in Alders Little Owl x 1 calling 01:15hrs Magpie x 1 Mute Swan x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Redwing x 52 Robin x 1 Siskin x 2 feeding in Alders Tawny Owl x 2 calling 00:50hrs Wood Pigeon x 4 22/11/21 Blackbird x 10 Black-headed Gull x 17 over Thurnholmes Carrion Crow x 2 Cormorant x 5 on pylons over Owston Ferry Warping Drain Fieldfare x 35 Goldfinch x 4 Great Tit x 1 rescued from manhole in back garden Heron x 1 over Thurnholmes Kestrel x 1 Lesser Redpoll x 8 Little Owl x 1 calling 01:15hrs Moorhen x 2 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Mute Swan x 1 over Thurnholmes Pied Wagtail x 2 Redwing x 48 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 singing high over Thurnholmes Tawny Owl x 3 calling 02:45hrs Tree Sparrow x 9 Wood Pigeon x 12 24/11/21 Blackbird x 1 Fieldfare x 39 Great-spotted Woodpecker x 1 Little Egret x 1 SK786989 Redwing x 17 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 17:00hrs 28/11/21 Barn Owl x 1 calling 17:30hrs Blackbird x 10 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 56 Kestrel x 1 Lesser Redpoll x 25 Magpie x 2 Peregrine Falcon x 1 male fast over Thurnholmes Redwing x 53 Robin x 2 Tawny Owl x 1 Wood Pigeon x 6 Brown Rat x 1 30/11/21 Blackbird x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Cormorant x 4 on pylons over Owston Ferry Warping Drain Fieldfare x 125 Grey Partridge x 2 Lesser Redpoll x 4 Redwing x 39 Robin x 1 Rook x 4 Starling x 85 Tree Sparrow x 12 Wood Pigeon x 8 WOOLSTHORPE BY COLSTERWORTH Jane Ostler 29/11/21 Fieldfare feeding on apples along Nature Trail (91/24) First ones noted in Colsterworth in bushes with jackdaws 28/11/21 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs and Nature Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 RSPB Reserves: RSPB Frampton Marsh & Freiston Shore are listed as Open. https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/coronavirus/reserve-reboot/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ LWT Top Reserves: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list RSPB Freiston Shore https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ RSPB Frampton Marsh http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Weekly seal update from Donna Nook 26/11/2021 Bulls 520, cows 1,599 and pups 1,589. Ropeneck arrived last Saturday night (20th November). She's been very elusive and spent lots of time in the creeks where she's been difficult to see. She hasn't had her pup yet. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/weekly-update Donna Nook's famous Ropeneck seal returns to reserve to give birth https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-59478179 Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report   24th – 30th November 2021 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Note: Bitterly cold northerly winds on the 27th reaching a gust of 63mph in the morning rising to 73.4mph mid-day. There was a light dusting of snow cover on the morning of the 28th and 29th which had thawed by the afternoon. A sharp ground frost of -5.25 degrees C with an air frost of -1.5 degrees C on the 29th but later in the day temperatures rose dramatically to reach a maximum of 10.5 degrees C and 12.0 degrees C on the 30th. 241121 - Water rail squealing from borrow pits near Sea View. 3 whooper swans south over the saltmarsh and male merlin hunting in the area. 2 mistle thrushes in partial song. 27-281121 – A count of c2200 pink footed geese leaving the NNR foreshore roost 291121 – 2 fieldfares near Sea View, single common buzzard nearby and a skein of 90 pink-feet drifted over to land in the Elm House Farm area. 301121 - Male hen harrier hunting over the saltmarsh. Donna Nook 261121 – Weekly seal count: 520 bulls, 1599 cows, 1589 pups. 281121 – Flocks of snow bunting and twite moving in amongst the seals. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 history of the Lincolnshire Limewoods https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/features/19111877.lincolnshire-limewoods/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ British Native Trees - Woodland Trust https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/ 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 Lincolnshire Dormouse Group You can get in touch via lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com *** Lincs Dormouse Group update *** Gemma Watkinson writes: The winter work party dates for this winter are below. Sunday 21st November Saturday 18th December Sunday 16th January Saturday 19th February Sunday 20th March We meet at 10am at the wood centre car park, and normally stay until around 3pm with a packed lunch break. All tools are provided, but recommend to bring your own work gloves/ gardening gloves if you have them. Please note that Forestry England have still not opened the toilet facilities at Chambers. We have a lot of winter tasks to catch up on including box repairs and replacements, cutting back a few of the pathways that have become overgrown and coppicing work as part of the management of Ivy Wood. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ South Humber Heritage Trail, Alkborough Flats - LWT leaflet https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/2018-04/south_humber_heritage_trail_alkborough.pdf ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ *** Love Lincs Plants *** Events and activities for Love Lincs Plants remain suspended until further notice. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants Love Lincs Plants: Herbarium Hub Aidan Neary writes: we have launched our online herbarium knowledge hub today to help external organisations to develop their own herbarium. Lots of useful information, including instructional videos on plant collection (Jack Perks film) and a Mounting Guide video by NHM’s Kath Castillo as well as links to equipment and materials. See: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants/herbarium-hub https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants/status/1457735102046384133 *** Collections Dataset - LNU "historic specimens" *** All of the LNU 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 - LNU downloadable book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-flora-of-lincolnshire-e-joan-gibbons.pdf *** VC54 North Lincolnshire Plant List - LNU *** 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/ *** South Lincolnshire Flora Group *** https://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 *** The Wolds Fungi Group *** Contact Paul Nichol via email pnichol20@gmail.com *** Lincolnshire Dormouse Group *** Contact: lincsdormousegroup@gmail.co FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE: 07768-501895 PAGER: 07654-330877 Related Webpages: Lincolnshire Police Advice on Hare Coursing - we can expect post-harvest 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. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ LNU Sawflies, Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder Dr. David Sheppard Willing to examine specimens or check photos (bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos). d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com Lincolnshire Mammals Chris Manning, Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com For current records please refer to the Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire by C. J. Manning, LNU Mammal Recorder. You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/mammalatlas.pdf Spiders, Pseudoscorpions, Harvestmen Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Email: Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) Contact: Ashley Butterfield : learningoutdoors@btinternet.com Please have a look at https://www.recordpool.org.uk/index.php for an easy way to record your amphibian and reptile species records. You can send any records to Ashley Butterfield (Lincolnshire Amphibian and Reptile Recorder) at LearningOutdoors@btinternet.com Local Bat Helpline Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 Email: 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 Email: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk Non-Marine Molluscs Alex Pickwell is the LNU Recorder for Non-marine Molluscs Email: mrapickwell@gmail.com 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 welcomed. USEFUL WILDLIFE LINKS 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/ *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk *** Field Studies Council *** Bringing Environmental Understanding to All https://www.field-studies-council.org/ *** InsideEcology *** Online Magazine for Ecologists, Conservationists and Wildlife Professionals https://insideecology.com/ *** NHBS *** Should you need natural history equipment or books, a good place to start is: https://www.nhbs.com/ *** Bird Friendly Coffee Shade-grown from RSPB *** https://birdandwild.co.uk/ For the geologists... Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group *** https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 *** Lincolnshire Geology - The Wolds AONB *** https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/maps/geology *** Cracking up in Lincolnshire - our roads - Geological Society *** https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/Geoscientist/Archive/March-2014/Cracking-up-in-Lincolnshire *** The Geology of Lincolnshire - downloadable LNU book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-geology-of-lincolnshire-h-h-swinnerton-and-p-e-kent.pdf *** British geology maps - now free to explore on web *** http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. https://lnu.org/specialists/ When sending in reports, e.g. unusual plants, 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. Thank you. 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 *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. BSBI Code of Conduct https://bsbi.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/BSBI-Code-of-Conduct.pdf Code of Conduct for Responsible Collecting of Fungi http://www.davidmoore.org.uk/Assets/fungi4schools/Reprints/Pickers_code.pdf RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see https://lnu.org/meetings/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events - Important updates *** We will post any changes to LNU events through the Bulletin, the LNU Twitter feed, LNU Facebook page and LNU meetings webpage. Please refer to the LNU website for details of any Zoom arrangements for watching online. Indoor Meetings 2022 https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ 'The new Birds of Lincolnshire: trials and tribulations in data recording.' LNU/Lincolnshire Bird Club talk by Phil Espin. 2pm - Saturday January 29th 2022 Species Recording Meeting Overview and highlights of the past years recording provided by the county recorders. Arrive at 12 noon for a chance to catch up with recorders; it will finish at 4pm. 12 noon – 19th February 2022 Annual General Meeting – 12th March 2022 2pm – Followed by the Presidential Address by Owen Mountford 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/ Whisby Natural History Workshops See: https://lnu.org/meetings/workshops/ Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com. Places are limited. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** None this 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 mail failure I will be happy to send you the error report to pass on to your "Help Desk". Just ask. ....and finally... Stonehenge builders had a sweet tooth, artefacts suggest https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-59476402 Beavers' boost with support to expand population - Scotland https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-59403784 Country diary: Falling leaves prove how life continues on https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/26/country-diary-falling-leaves-prove-how-life-continues-on Country diary: The unenviable life of the noon fly https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/dec/01/country-diary-the-unenviable-life-of-the-noon-fly Nurdles: the worst toxic waste you’ve probably never heard of https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/29/nurdles-plastic-pellets-environmental-ocean-spills-toxic-waste-not-classified-hazardous Storm Arwen: Hundreds of starfish washed up on beach https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-59463744 Lead ammunition – are we progressing? https://www.gwct.org.uk/blogs/news/2021/november/lead-ammunition-–-are-we-progressing/ Sea lion whiskers can move like human fingertips: here's how we found out https://theconversation.com/sea-lion-whiskers-can-move-like-human-fingertips-heres-how-we-found-out-172471 Roman mosaic and villa complex found in Rutland farmer's field https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-59391650 Climate change causing albatross divorce, says study - Falkland Islands https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-59401921 Nasa Dart asteroid spacecraft: Mission to smash into Dimorphos space rock launches https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-59327293 The world's largest organism is slowly being eaten by deer https://theconversation.com/the-worlds-largest-organism-is-slowly-being-eaten-by-deer-172294 Bee species in Costa Rica has evolved extra tooth for biting FLESH https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-10234247/ ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/