============================================ || || 3rd February 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 - new layout 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... *** This week I shall be sending out a much-simplified Bulletin with fewer hotlinks. This is because of a recurring issue for customers of plus.com email, who from time to time get their Bulletins blocked as possible "spam". I hope you still find it easy to read and find the information you are after. Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. I'm sorting through my "library" with a view to getting rid of a some books - I have a range of scientific stuff. I will put up a list on my website when I have made progress. Nothing there yet! Meanwhile anyone looking for something specific is welcome to email me on old.museum@yahoo.co.uk My plan is to ask for donations in return to be sent to to the LNU, Love Lincs Plants, Sir Joseph Banks Society or Lincolnshire Bird Club; or perhaps to one of the specific interest groups like the Lincolnshire Bat Group or Dormouse Group. Weather Forecast: 16 Feb - 2 Mar "Disruptive wintry hazards continue to be a greater than normal threat during this period, and snowfall is a possibility for all areas, but is most likely over eastern parts of the country " https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ Please send in your wildlife reports via the Bulletin or to the appropriate LNU recorder[s] if you prefer: https://lnu.org/specialists/ [If unsure on this, see section 7. "Sending in Reports - contributors please read!"] To email me please use the recommended address: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk 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..." Police hand out covid fines after officers gatecrash party in Lincolnshire village - Bardney! https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/police-hand-out-covid-fines-4939306 Photo of the Week: 20-26 January 2021 - BirdGuides https://www.birdguides.com/articles/photo-of-the-week-20-26-january-2021 Traffic noise impairs songbirds' abilities https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-55910424 British winter wildlife in pictures - Discover Wildlife / https://www.discoverwildlife.com/photo-galleries/british-winter-wildlife/ Bog beetles finally reveal their remarkable age https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-55827408 Badger cull: New licences 'to be banned after 2022' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-55840829 Bottom trawling ban for key UK fishing sites https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-55894608 Ruddy Shelduck: a request for records - BirdGuides https://www.birdguides.com/news/ruddy-shelduck-a-request-for-records/ Male butterflies mark their mates with a stench to 'turn off' rival suitors https://theconversation.com/male-butterflies-mark-their-mates-with-a-stench-to-turn-off-rival-suitors-153568 Do you drink bottled water? Read this https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jan/28/do-you-drink-bottled-water-read-this Debbie Pain on conserving globally threatened bird species https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000j21k BBC Sounds : The Life Scientific - listen https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/b015sqc7 BBC 2 Winterwatch new series - catch up. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000rh17 BBC's Perfect Planet series - catch up. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08xc2lh 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. 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 Coronavirus: How the UK dealt with its first Covid case - interesting history... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-55622386 Covid: Doctors who treated first patients 'exhausted' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-55827609 NHS About Coronavirus [COVID-19] https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19 "All LNU meetings are cancelled" policy continues. When eventually judged safe, we will announce any plans for resumption of LNU events through the Bulletin, the LNU Twitter feed and LNU meetings webpages. 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. https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants 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 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. *** Bird Flu Watch *** Bird Flu: Anglesey pheasants to be culled after confirmed cases https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-55838006 How to spot avian influenza (bird flu), what to do if you suspect it, and measures to prevent it. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu also - specifically in wild birds: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu#wild-birds-in-england *** RSPB Grimsby Local Group Zoom Talk - "Natural History of Nepal" *** Local Group Leader, Martin Francis, writes: We have organised another Zoom talk. "Natural History of Nepal" - A Zoom talk by Steve Lovell - Monday 15th February 2021 'Following the success of our previous Zoom talks, the RSPB Grimsby Local Group has arranged another illustrated talk which will take place at 7.30pm on Monday 15th February 2021 Well known local speaker, Steve Lovell, will give a talk about Nepal that covers everything from a vast array of birds and some of the world's most threatened large mammals to the plants you know and grow in your garden 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 able to offer help if you request it. To find out the arrangements for getting a link to the talk, please email Martin Francis at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com before 8pm on Friday 12th February, and please state that you have seen the information in the LNU Bulletin *** Humber Nature Forum *** Jackson Sage writes: We have another Humber Nature Forum event coming up on the 25 February, looking at advances in avian tracking technology. I've provided some information below: Humber Nature Forum - Thursday 25 February: 10 am - 12 noon. Join us for a talk on Avian Tracking Technology around the Humber Estuary, with presentations from the Humber Management Scheme and the Hull Ornithology Research Cluster. Please follow the link to register. https://www.humbernature.co.uk/news/post.php?s=2021-01-25-humber-nature-forum-avian-tracking-technology *** Hedgehogs on Roads: The Problems and Solutions (Natural History Live) *** Field Studies Council. Tue 23, March 2021 14:00 - 15:00 " Natural History Live events are free online natural history talks, comprising a 30-40 minute talk from either an FSC member of staff or a guest speaker, followed by a question and answer session. We host them on Zoom and we will send out joining instructions on the day of the event." More information: https://www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/hedgehogs-nhl2020/ *** Lincolnshire Show Dates for the diary - Show returns for 2021 *** "It’s been a difficult year for everyone, but we can’t wait to welcome you back to the Showground on 23 & 24 June... We are now busy planning as there will be a few changes to the usual format to ensure we are fully Covid-19 compliant. More details will be announced soon, so please save the date!" https://lincolnshireshow.co.uk/media/news/2020-12-15/the-lincolnshire-show-returns-for-2021 [Editor adds: Given the ever-changing Covid pandemic - please keep checking the website!] *** Moth Night 2021 Dates for the diary - Planning ahead *** 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 *** Grimsby and Cleethorpes area group LWT cancellation *** Carolyn Davis writes: Due to the ongoing situation with the COVID-19 pandemic the Grimsby & Cleethorpes Area group LWT have taken the decision to cancel the rest of their indoor and outdoor meetings up to and including April 2021. *** South Lincs RSPB Social Group Cruise programme *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB Group announce that , due to the current pandemic and general uncertainty, they are unable to offer any more information or proposed sailing dates about a 2021 Cruise programme. However the Group can announce that the Boat Owners have decided that the “Boston Belle” will not be available for the foreseeable future for ANY cruises. It will however be replaced by a smaller boat with a smaller capacity [compared to the Boston Belle]. Please keep checking the website where we will publish further information when we have it. https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/ *** 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 Lyme Disease - would you spot the symptoms? https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lyme-disease/ *** February 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 - no major showers this month. 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/ 25/1 Siberian Chiffchaff, Marston sewage work Hen Harrier ringtail flew west from Wainfleet Marsh, Wainfleet All Saints Bewick's Swan, Freiston Shore 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Gibraltar Point [late report] Iceland Gull flew west over Saltfleetby St Peter 26/1 Black-throated Diver offshore, Gibraltar Point 27/1 Short-eared owl by Bourne Eau, Bourne South Fen 4 Bewick's Swans with c40 Whooper Swans between North Drove and Tongue End, Deeping Den Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point 28/1 3 Common Cranes, 3 Bewick's Swans, Baston Fen 5 Bewick's Swans with c30 Whooper Swans between North Drove and Tongue End, Deeping Fen 3 Short-eared Owls, 3 Common Cranes, at Deeping High Bank, NE of Deeping St Nicholas Hen Harrier male, Frampton Marsh 3 Hen Harriers, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 29/1 Hen Harrier ringtail, Willow Tree Fen 5 Bewick's Swans, all ads, with c30 Whooper Swans, in field east of Mill Drove, Deeping Fen Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 29 Russian White-fronted Geese on beach, Rimac 6 Lapland Buntings on saltmarsh, Tetney Marshes 30/1 3 Lapland Buntings, Tetney Marshes 9 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes 31/1 Scaup on Main Lake, Tallington Lakes 2 Short-eared Owls, Deeping High Bank, Deeping St Nicholas 3+ ad Bewick's Swans in field east on Mill Drove, Deeping Fen Hen Harrier male, Freiston Shore 1/2 10 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work and drop-in sessions at the Queen in the West pub! http://www.bbc.co.uk/lincolnshire/content/articles/2005/08/30/nature_sightings_feature.shtml Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog: http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ Bird Club - latest sightings: https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/sightings/latest-news Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch - latest sightings: https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/lincolnshire-latest-sightings BTO tracked cuckoos: https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/cuckoo-tracking-project Useful Hedgehog Links https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ http://caddingtonhedgehogs.blogspot.com/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ 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 29/1/2021 at 10.15grs, TF118694 5 Honeybees working Mahonia flowers in garden on Church Lane. 1/2/2021 House Sparrow 20 Starling 12 Black-headed Gulls 12 Jackdaw 9 Collared Dove 2 Wood Pigeon 2 Blue Tit 2 Dunnock 2 Robin 1 Carrion Crow 1 WALK AT BARDNEY Approx. TF139 677 Mary Porter 31st January 2021 A walk from the door over arable footpaths on a sunny day revealed a large flock of far-away lapwings. They were close to the River Witham, so I guess they had just taken off from near flooded fields Branston Island. They were very accommodating as they spread out and moved from left to right so I was able to very accurately count them – until, just at the last moment I had to stop counting as they doubled back on themselves. There were in excess of 300. I had only gone one pace further when I realised I had flushed up a kingfisher from the nearby drain. I was delighted! Not only because I haven’t seen a kingfisher anywhere for at least two years, but I have always hoped I’d see at kingfisher at this particular drain, and that is in 20 years of looking! It flew low, away from me and alighted on the top of a tussock of dead grass. It started to fish and caught something quite quickly. I think I could have watched it for ages, but, unfortunately, a couple with three dogs, one off-lead, were walking along the other side of the bank, coming towards me. It flew off, zig-zagging over the field and did a sharp turn back towards the drain but out of sight. It looked like it suddenly didn’t like the fact it was over an open field at all and keen to get back to some water. There has been a huge increase in walkers in the area since the first lockdown and this walk, in “normal” times I would have seen perhaps one other person. There were 5 different family parties, most with dogs, and some of those off-lead, and some not keeping to the footpaths. No criticism intended, but included here as an observation as I’m sure other “quiet” areas have seen a huge increase in local walkers. BARDNEY GARDEN TF 117 701 Mary and Phil Porter 30th January 2021 First chaffinch of the year singing 31st January 2021 First song thrush of the year singing. Interesting behaviour from a collared dove. A large rat was under the sunflower seed dispenser. Every time a female blackbird came down to peck at the fallen seed on the ground, the rat chased her away. She tried several times and eventually moved further away. A collared dove “plonked” itself down nearby and advanced towards the seed. The rat tried similar tactics on her. She spread her wings out and ran TOWARDS the rat. At a risk of anthropomorphising: “Get off my land”. The rat retreated in a hurry into the shelter of the flower border. A few seconds later, it tentatively crept out towards the seed/collared dove. She flapped at it again and it ran for cover again. Meanwhile, the female blackbird  had hopped back and was allowed to feed by the collared dove, although it did nudge the blackbird away from the “best bits”. As soon as the collared dove flew away, the rat was back, and chased the blackbird off. BOSTON (TF326426) January 2021 Kathleen Pearson I was able to record for the BTO Garden BirdWatch on all 31 days in January. Twenty-three species occurred with a very great increase in most bird numbers later in the month due to the cold weather. The highest count for any species was Goldfinch which returned to the garden after a decline in late November with the highest day seeing 17. Coming after this was Woodpigeon with 14, a count that quite filled the garden. Both Black-headed Gulls and Herring Gulls came into the garden to eat bread. The numbers around were quite high, though only 4 and 5 were counted as landing on the ground at the same time. Sadly only one Greenfinch occurred. (Has anyone noticed a similar decline in Chaffinch numbers?). Two species that were very welcome were singles of Redwing and a female Blackcap, that looked in excellent condition. Totals were:- Woodpigeon 14, Great Tit 3, Blackbird 5, Dunnock 5 (unusually high), Starling 4, Wren 2, Magpie 2, Blue Tit 2, Robin 3 (quite interesting fighting), Collared Dove 2, Chaffinch 2, House Sparrow 8, Jackdaw 3, Carrion Crow 2, Herring Gull 5, Black-headed Gull 4, Goldfinch 17, Long-tailed Tit 6, Redwing 1, Greenfinch 1, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Sparrowhawk 1 and BLACKCAP (female) 1. Our 3 grey squirrels were in residence. HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Haynes 29 January 2021 I saw a brown hare in the field opposite today. There were two robins in the garden, not fighting so probably a mating pair and a male tawny owl has been calling for a few days. These are my results of the RSPB annual bird survey, done on 31 January 2021: Blue tit x 5 Great tit x 5 Coal tit x 1 Long tailed tit x2 Goldcrest x 1 Blackbird x 5 (a couple of which are migrants with dark bills) Robin x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Chaffinch x 5 Dunnock x 2 House Sparrow x 1 (a rarity in my garden) Wren x 1 Wood pigeon x 3 Pheasant x 5 Sparrowhawk x 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker x 1 My local rook population has declined significantly in the past few years. A couple of very old trees that were part of the rookery, have died or dying so they may have relocated but there have been many fewer in the fields. p.s. HORKSTOW Jenny Haynes 1 February 2021 I’ve just seen a flock of about 40 Jackdaws in the field opposite my house. I only usually see two or three at a time. Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) HUTTOFT 26/1/2021 Wren 1 31/1/2021 Blackbirds 5 Chaffinch 2 m&f Dunnocks 2 2/2/2021 Wren 1 NOCTON Jerry Gunner 27/1/2021 I actually saw something unusual this morning, Wednesday January 27, 2021. I was walking back to where I’d parked the car at the bird-watching spot by Bluebell Woods, Nocton when I saw something coming towards me up the path. I couldn’t tell if it was a small hare or a large rat until it got within about 10 metres from me when it became clear it was a small deer. It continued towards me until it was about a metre away when it went into the woods again. I would say it was a new-born muntjac. Very unusual sighting. On more familiar ground for me during the rest of the walk along the Car Dyke towards Wasps Nest I saw two pairs (at least) of stonechats perched on wire fences, two little egrets on one of the enormous puddles and a moorhen and pair of mallard on the dyke itself. Back at the bird-watching place where photographers feed the birds there were the usual suspects of great, blue, coal and marsh tit, nuthatch and sundry blackbirds and chaffinches. A woodpecker was drumming in the woods but not seen and neither was the pair of jays that I saw in the same area the day before. Back in Nocton itself the mallards that nest in Wellhead Lane and thereabouts every year are gathering as usual at this time. I was welcomed home by one of our buzzards in a tree on the driveway. Hopefully they’ll nest again like they did last year. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 27th January – 2nd February 2021 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Note: Rainfall total for January recorded at Sea View 88.3mm (3.48 inches). 270121 - A woodcock was in Paradise woodland and 9 tufted duck flew down the Eau. 290121 - A skein of 29 European whitefronts flew in from a south-easterly direction, over Saltfleet Haven to circle and land on the mudflat where they were content to preen a nd rest. On the adjacent bank of the Haven 97 cormorants of which two birds had a large amount of white on the head, nape and neck. A group of 19 little egrets on the saltmarsh. 4 mistle thrush and a great spotted woodpecker around Sea View. 2 woodcock in the dunes at the south end of the NNR. Approx. 3000 pink-footed geese and 180 brent geese on Elm House Farm fields. 300121 - On Paradise lagoon 8 gadwall, 34 teal, 17 shoveler, 3 tufted duck, 1 coot and 21 redshank.  310121 - On a dry sunny day considerable bird song with the following species noted: starling, chaffinch, robin, great tit, collared dove, song thrush, blackbird and dunnocks displaying. Also heard calling little owl, tawny owl, water rail and a barn owl flying over. At Elm House Farm and nearby Higher Level Stewardship waterlogged pasture c3500 Pink-footed geese feeding and at rest plus minimum counts of 1000 lapwing and 800 golden plover. 8 snow bunting near Crook Bank. Long-tailed duck on the sea and 158 red-throated diver flew north offshore between 08:00-09:00. Encouraged by the light easterly wind, a woodcock flew in-off the sea and landed in the outer dunes. A nice selection of waders and wildfowl on House Field behind Theddlethorpe terminal. In addition to 400 starling were 74 canada goose, 3 greylag goose, 122 teal, 240 wigeon, 8 shoveler, 115 curlew, 67 redshank, 95 lapwing and 3 snipe. 010221 - Song thrush, wren and chaffinch in song in woodland near Paradise. A woodcock, a mistle thrush and a sparrowhawk around Sea View. Whilst listening to a singing starling at the Sea View workshop for a few minutes I noted down eight species that it mimicked, including mallard, grey heron, lapwing and green woodpecker. 020221 - A woodcock flew west over the dunes at Sea View and continued inland over the work base ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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 Dr Anke Timmermann FLS discusses Joseph Banks’ florilegium https://www.joseph-banks.org.uk/ Lincoln University School of Life Sciences https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/lifesciences/ *** Collections Dataset - LNU "historic specimens" *** All of of the specimens that have been processed and digitised to date can now be viewed here: http://data.nhm.ac.uk/dataset/lincs-plants *** The Flora of Lincolnshire by Joan Gibbons - downloadable book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-flora-of-lincolnshire-e-joan-gibbons.pdf *** VC54 North Lincolnshire Plant List *** Paul Kirby has produced a list which details all the vascular plant and stonewort taxa with records on the MapMate botanical database for VC54, North Lincolnshire, at the end of January 2017. You can download this on: https://lnu.org/specialists/vascular-plants/ *** 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: 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/ British wasp guide: how to identify common species https://www.countryfile.com/wildlife/insects-invertebrates/british-wasp-guide-how-to-identify-common-species-lifecycle-and-why-wasps-sting-in-autumn/ 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 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 Please have a look at https://www.recordpool.org.uk/index.php for an easy way to record your amphibian and reptile species records. Or you can send any records to Ashley Butterfield (Lincolnshire Amphibian and Reptile Recorder) at LearningOutdoors@btinternet.com Please include Species, Date, Time, Location, numbers as a minimum (Other useful information includes Temperature and Weather conditions.) *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 or e-mail: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Confidential Bat Records *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com *** Slug ID Help *** Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01427 848400 or e-mail: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Non-Marine Molluscs *** Alex Pickwell is the LNU Recorder for Non-marine Molluscs Email: alex.pickwell@environment-agency.gov.uk USEFUL WILDLIFE CONTACTS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) http://www.glnp.org.uk/ Contact: charlie.barnes@glnp.org.uk or for more general queries: info@glnp.org.uk *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk The Lincolnshire Environmental Awards have now been cancelled for 2020 and will resume in 2021, all being well. *** Field Studies Council *** Bringing Environmental Understanding to All https://www.field-studies-council.org/ *** InsideEcology *** Online Magazine for Ecologists, Conservationists and Wildlife Professionals https://insideecology.com/ *** NHBS *** Save up to 50% on great botany books in our Backlist Bargains sale https://www.nhbs.com/backlist-bargains Should you need natural history equipment or books, a good place to start is: https://www.nhbs.com/ For the geologists... *** Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group *** https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 *** British geology maps - now free to explore on web *** http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ *** UKGE - Geological Supplies *** https://www.ukge.com/ *** The Geology of Lincolnshire - downloadable book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-geology-of-lincolnshire-h-h-swinnerton-and-p-e-kent.pdf *** British Geological Survey at Keyworth *** https://www.bgs.ac.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in a few instances may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed please contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. *** Codes of Conduct *** BMS Code of Conduct for Responsible Collecting of Fungi https://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/mycology/conservation/code-conduct RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see https://lnu.org/meetings/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events - Important message for LNU members *** Précis of Nick Tribe's announcement on future events - full text in 7th Oct Bulletin. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletin2020oct07.txt As the Covid 19 risk remains high the Executive has taken the decision to cancel the first two meetings and (hopefully) postpone the AGM to July/August/September 2021. i.e. January 16th joint talk with Lincolnshire Bird Club February 27th Recorders’ meeting March 27th AGM The Executive will explore dates in the summer for the AGM. ...If a delayed AGM is not possible, the Executive is happy to remain in post until March 2022. We have considered alternatives such as an online AGM, but none appear to be workable. We hope to publish a summary of the accounts in the Spring 2021 Communiqué and should be able to update members on the delayed AGM at that time. Any queries about the accounts can be sent to Chris Manning. The Executive continues to be active via email and telephone and is monitoring the situation with an eye on the 2021 field meeting programme. As with the AGM, the Union may be able to run some field meetings in 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Richard Chadd or Nick Tribe." LNU Officers & Executive https://lnu.org/about/officers-executive/ Richard Davidson says of the Whisby Workshops: "All are cancelled for this year. I am hoping to run them this time next year if at all possible, but that depends on whether something approaching normal life has returned by then." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** 10 customers of plus.com had their Bulletins "bounced" this week as possble "spam". This unfortunate blockage has happened several times before and as an antidote I may have to reduce the number of "hotlinks" included in future Bulletins. It is annoying, but not as annoying as trying to get the company to engage ... Sigh! ....and finally... Readers have a wide range of interests which I try to reflect in the news and information given in the Bulletin. Please help with suggestions for future links. The big fat sourdough study: researchers reveal surprising diversity, tackle baking myths https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/sourdough-study-28012021/ Bird migration guide: which birds migrate, where do they go and why? https://www.countryfile.com/wildlife/birds/where-do-birds-go-in-winter/ HS2 dig finds 16th Century gardens in Warwickshire https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-55840474 HS2: Could the pandemic kill off the rail project? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-55862648 Dinosaur footprint found by girl, four, on Barry beach https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-55863928 Date set for ban on unlicensed mountain hare culls https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-55825620 Crisp-loving Norfolk parrot flies again after diet https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-55823156 Legal threat over bee-harming pesticide use https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-55766035 Extinction: 'Time is running out' to save sharks and rays https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-55830732 Sharks at unprecedented risk of extinction after 71 per cent decline | New Scientist https://www.newscientist.com/article/2265724-sharks-at-unprecedented-risk-of-extinction-after-71-per-cent-decline/ Five unusual technologies for harvesting water in dry areas https://theconversation.com/five-unusual-technologies-for-harvesting-water-in-dry-areas-154031 How a pre-Incan civilisation thrived in the Atacama Desert thanks to seabird poo fertiliser https://theconversation.com/how-a-pre-incan-civilisation-thrived-in-the-atacama-desert-thanks-to-seabird-poo-fertiliser-153759 Excellent 30min Radio 4 programme on statistics (Tim Harford, on BBC Sounds and live 9am Wednesdays) More or Less https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000rln5 Highly informative 30min Radio 4 programme on Covid (Tim Harford, on BBC Sounds and live 11.30am Mondays) How to vaccinate the world https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000rdcd Country diary: all the water’s a stage for this dramatic display of nature https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/01/country-diary-all-the-waters-a-stage-for-this-dramatic-display-of-nature Country diary: a resonant raven kronk is heard through the leafless canopy https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/30/country-diary-a-resonant-raven-kronk-is-heard-through-the-leafless-canopy ‘Reservoirs of life’: hedgerows https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/02/reservoirs-of-life-hedgerows-help-uk-net-zero-2050-aoe ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/