============================================ || || 10th 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 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 would like to ask readers a few questions about the future of the Bulletin, please. I have been editing it for many years now and keep hoping to find an enthusiast who will take it on at some point. It is an enjoyable project for someone with the time and an interest in Lincolnshire's wildlife as it changes from week to week. You get to hear about many interesting things from many kindred spirits, beginners to experts. Most importantly, it encourages beginners to start taking an interest in biological recording and to enjoy reporting their sightings . We know how important and useful such data can be. Questions: If you don't already report the wildlife you see, why don't you? Is there anything more the Bulletin might do to get more readers contributing, directly to LNU recorders or in some other way? What should we be doing about the way we use the Bulletin in the years ahead? Please have a think - there's no rush - but some reader reflections would be helpful. For the history of the Bulletin see: https://lnu.org/publications/wildnews-bulletin/ 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... 'Kitesurfer' dies on Walberswick beach in freezing storm conditions https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-55977815 Why are people counting stars this week? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-55956058 Vaccine History: The Quest To Cure Smallpox, Polio, TB And Rabies - HistoryExtra https://www.historyextra.com/period/20th-century/smallpox-polio-rabies-tuberculosis-vaccine-history-edward-jenner-louis-pasteur-bcg-mean/ How to identify a tree by its bark - Discover Wildlife https://www.discoverwildlife.com/plant-facts/plant-id/how-to-identify-a-tree-from-its-bark/ Why keeping one mature street tree is far better for humans and nature than planting lots of new ones https://theconversation.com/why-keeping-one-mature-street-tree-is-far-better-for-humans-and-nature-than-planting-lots-of-new-ones-154114 Duckweed is the fastest-growing plant in the world. Now we know why https://www.zmescience.com/science/fastest-growing-plant-02022021/ The fungus is 635 million years old and it may have helped save the planet https://www.zmescience.com/science/geology/oldest-fungus-02022021/ Smithsonian Magazine: These Are the Highest Resolution Photos Ever Taken of Snowflakes. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/these-are-highest-resolution-photos-ever-taken-snowflakes-180976710/ Grey squirrels: is birth control the solution to Britain's invasive species problem? https://theconversation.com/grey-squirrels-is-birth-control-the-solution-to-britains-invasive-species-problem-154400 BioLinks Courses – Field Studies Council https://www.field-studies-council.org/biolinks-courses/ A Bulletin reader is currently doing their irecord course: https://www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/discovering-irecord-3/ World's smallest reptile comfortably fits on your fingertip https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/worlds-smallest-reptile/ Why is the ocean blue? https://www.zmescience.com/other/feature-post/why-is-the-ocean-blue/ 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 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 *** 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/ 1/2 10 Snow Buntings, Cleethorpes 3/2 Scaup 1w drk at Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, SE of Deeping St James 9 Short-eared Owls, Deeping High Bank, NE of Deeping St Nicholas 4 Hen Harriers, Wainfleet RAF Roost, Wainfleet St Mary 2 Hen Harriers, Gibraltar Point 4/2 Tundra Bean Goose on Wainfleet Marsh with Pink-footed Geese, 2 Russian White-fronted Geese, Pale-bellied Brent Goose with 537 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Gibraltar Point Snow Bunting, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe 3 Scaup, Goxhill Haven 5/2 Hen Harrier male flew SW over Wainfleet All Saints Short-eared Owl near mere, Gibraltar Point 8+ Bewick's Swans all ads in field with 52+ Whooper Swans at Tongue End NE of Baston 2 Bewick's Swans with Whooper Swans opposite golf course, Short-eared Owl, Sandilands 6+ Russian White-fronted Geese at Sturdy Hill, SE of Manby Hen Harrier ringtail over water treatment works, Pyewipe 2 Bitterns, Far Ings 6/2 18 Bewick's Swans all ads in field at Tongue End NE of Baston Bewick's Swan, Friskney Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 18 Snow Buntings, Mablethorpe 2 Bitterns, Far Ings 7/2 Smew drk, on "The Ocean", Baston + Langtoft GPs Little Gull 1w, Huttoft Marsh 8/2 Scaip 1w drk on Main Lake, Tallington Lakes 13+ Bewick's Swans all ads with 35 Whooper Swans, in field at Tongue End NE of Baston Long-eared Owl in gully at Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Bewick's Swan, Friskney Jack Snipe at New Pits, Far Ings 9/25 Knot at Wader Pit, Baston+Langtoft GPs Russian White-fronted Geese, Huttoft Marsh 2 Little Gulls, both 1w between Wolla Bank and Chapel Observatory ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 6/2/2021 Regular Carrion Crow [Droopy - with the "slipped oar] was observed by AP caching some white-looking food in our lawn. Possibly bread from a nearby garden. We have previously seen it carrying off extra food after feeding. See: https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/bird-and-wildlife-guides/ask-an-expert/previous/crows_bury_food.aspx We also observed it "snow ploughing", in the garden - seemingly for entertinment. Possibly a form of grooming plumage. BARDNEY GARDEN TF 117 701 Mary and Phil Porter 9th February 2021 We just got in from walking the dog around the village on a cold, snowy afternoon, and I saw a buzzard on the top of our cherry tree, just outside the kitchen window. Although it looked huge, I’m unsure if it is male or female. It swooped down onto the vegetable patch, sadly out of sight. It was down for a minute, then flew up onto the arbour and stayed there another couple of minutes, which gave me time to grab my camera. We often have them in the sky above the garden, but this is a first! (Well, as far as we know. The buzzard might know better). BLANKNEY Blankney Fen TF1262 Alan Lazenby January 2021 Following sugar beet harvesting the ploughed fields attracted a few small flocks of about 100 Black headed gulls, 1 juv. Herring Gull, 50 Starlings, 1 Carrion Crow, and 3 Buzzards close together walking about. A group of 4 Roe dear were seen almost every day scavenging on left over sugar beet. This group was joined by 1 other on the 30th but did not stay around. TF125627 garden and close by. Green Finch are the most numerous up to 16, 6 Black Birds, 6 Reed Buntings, 4 Dunnocks, 4 Tree sparrow the first returning at end of month since the mass desertion in Autumn. 3 Stock Doves, 2 Collared Doves, 2 Grey Partridge, 2 Robins, 2 Blue Tits, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Carrion Crow, 1 Wren, 1 Kestrel, 1 Great Tit, 1 Cock Pheasant, 1 Brambling, 1 Stone Chat male on Phragmites, 1 Barn Owl passing by garden, 1 Sparrow Hawk flying high over, 1 Buzzard flying past, 20 Starlings flying over - very rarely do 2 or 3 come onto the bird feeders, 1 Wood Pigeon. Bank Voles regularly seen in hedge bottom near bird feeders. Wood Mice causing damage to insulation under car bonnets >15 caught. TF109626 Metheringham Fen >72 Swans (unidentified) in field. BOTTESFORD The Church of St. Peter ad Vincula, Bottesford SE899070 A.Primavera Plants in flower: lesser celandine, shepherd's purse, snowdrop (flore pleno - double flower) daisy, field speedwell green cellar slug x2 BOSTON Boston By Pass Chris Manning TF259213 Mole Hills CUMBERWORTH INGS Cumberworth Ings Chris Manning TF496727 3 Feb Short Eared Owl & lots of mole hills DEEPINGS Deeping Common Chris Manning TF167128 1x Roe Deer GRANTHAM M. Ellis River Witham between Avenue Road and Wyndham Park 28.01.21 Kingfisher, 1 I stood and watched as it moved from perch to perch on the opposite bank. GRANTHAM M. Ellis River Witham between Avenue Road and Wyndham Park 04.02.21 Observed from the only bench (next to the Woodland Trust noted tree, a London Plane of great age) Moorhen. 1 bathing Mallard, 2 pairs Grey squirrel Collared doves, 2 pursuing amourous activities Snowdrops in bloom Crocus in bloom Robins, 2 together in a shrubbery away from the river's edge HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Haynes 10 February 2021 Four fallow deer and four brown hares seen in the field opposite my house this morning. The snow certainly makes it easier to pick them out, especially the hares. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 3/2/2021 Robins 2 4/2/2021 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 Ladybirds 10-15 7-spots, fell off clematis onto terrace when I was trimming it but I covered them with the trimmings. Wasp 1 5/2/2021 Long-tailed tits 4 Song thrush 1 heard briefly 7/2/2021 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 9/2/2021 Pheasant 1 Wren 1 NETTLEHAM TF009753 Brenda Edlington Sunday, Jan 31st ,was a lovely sunny morning for the Big Garden Birdwatch. The highlight was 2 siskins – the first I’ve seen this winter. I also have noticed a decline in chaffinches (earlier bulletin report) – I often only get one male and one female in the garden. Goldfinches have also been down in numbers this year. 31/1/2021 Big Garden Birdwatch Blackbird 9 Black-headed gulls 6 Blue tit 2 Chaffinch 1 Coal tit 1 Collared dove 3 Crow 1 Dunnock 1 Goldfinch 6 Great tit 2 Greenfinch 2 House sparrow 10 Long-tailed tit 2 Magpie 2 Robin 1 Siskin 2 Woodpigeon 2 NETTLEHAM Nettleham - Mill Hill TF 01165 75290 Su Colman 3 February 2021 Adult Juniper shieldbug found in the kitchen after gardening under a cypress species tree Nettleham - Mill Hill TF 01165 75290 Su Colman 5 February 2021 Goldcrest hunting in a conifer in the garden NETTLEHAM TF009753 w/c 8/2/2021 Brenda Edlington Putting out apples and seed on the lawn in the snow brought in 14 Blackbirds 2 Fieldfares 3 Yellowhammers and a sparrowhawk looking for an easy meal, as well as the usual birds. SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner Blackbird x 9 Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 3 Chaffinch x 4 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 4 Goldfinch x 6 Great Tit x 2 Jackdaw x 3 Robin x 2 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 Fox x 1 Rabbit x 3 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow A female Reed Bunting, rung by Paul Snow on the 12th July 2007 in Owston Ferry (SK8099), was caught in Portugal on the 8th April 2010 (the record has only just come through via BTO). the distance travelled was 1865km. 27/01/21 Barn Owl x 1 01:00hrs Blackbird x 14 Black-headed Gull x 3 over Blue Tit x 4 (including 1 still roosting in last years nest) Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 8 Common Buzzard x 1 Cormorant x 4 on pylons over Owston Ferry Warping Drain Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 35 Great Tit x 2 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 2 Robin x 2 Starling x 52 Tree Sparrow x 15 Wood Pigeon x 2 Wren x 1 Roe Deer x 4 SK795990 7-Spot Ladybird x 1 on Oak sapling 29/01/21 Blackbird x 4 Blue Tit x 2 Chaffinch x 6 Cormorant x 7 on pylons over Owston Ferry Warping Drain Goldfinch x 2 Great tit x 2 Lesser Redpoll x 35 Magpie x 2 Robin x 1 Siskin x 1 Tree Sparrow x 4 Wood Pigeon x 2 30/01/21 Tawny Owl x 1 flew onto nest box roof and looked up into CCTV camera 31/01/21 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 15 Black-headed Gull x 12 Blue Tit x 2 Chaffinch x 15 Dunnock x 2 Goldfinch x 4 Great Tit x 2 Magpie x 2 Robin x 2 Stock Dove x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 01/02/21 Tawny Owl x 2 Agonopterix alstromeriana micro moth x 3 in wood pile 02/02/21 caught on trail cam; Blackbird x 9 Chaffinch x 12 Song Thrush x 1 Wood Pigeon x 3 04/02/21 Blackbird x 19 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 4 Chaffinch x 21 Cormorant x 9 on pylons over Owston Ferry Warping Drain Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 21 Goldfinch x 9 Great Tit x 2 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 singing high over Thurnholmes Tree Sparrow x 18 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 07/02/21 Sparrowhawk x 1 male Owston Ferry Warping Drain 08/02/21 Blackbird x 25 Blue Tit x 3 Chaffinch x 12 Dunnock x 1 Lesser Redpoll x 19 Robin x 2 Siskin x 3 Wood Pigeon x 4 Yellowhammer x 35 WILLINGHAM WOODS (Dog kennel) TF138 879 Richard Fox 05.02.2021 Bullfinch 5 Green woodpecker Linnet c.15 feeding amongst the Birch trees Grey squirrel 7 playing around the tops of the conifers, 4 of which very dark grey/black WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 Garden 5//2/21 A mild day (8C) and when the sun came out a flowering evergreen bush became a focus of interest. A dozen 7-spot ladybirds climbed out from the centre to sun on the leaves. Half a dozen blue bottles were attracted to the scented flowers, their metallic abdomens catching the light and discovering a smaller greenbottle fly amongst them. A shield bug in its winter brown was half concealed in the leaves. Two kinds of hoverflies were also attracted to the flowers – a single specimen of each - one the size of a drone fly but with a chestnut abdomen and a smaller slender one with a yellow and black striped body. Unfortunately I could catch neither not even in a photograph. In the same border all the Crocus thomasinianus flowers were open but no honey bees.  Last year both the first Queen bumble bees and honey bees had appeared by now. Like the flowers of Hazel and of Lesser Celandine many things are a fortnight later. 8/2/21 Snow overnight on 7th and again on 8th so this morning (9/2/21) we appear to be cut off from the outside world with no vehicles going past on the road. E-mails received show neighbours interests are centred on the birds. We saw a song thrush (first heard this week)being chased off the snow-covered apples on the lawn, by a blackbird who in turn was shifted by a wood pigeon. Further up the road a charm of goldfinch and a single goldfinch on the feeders and a brief visit by a party of long- tailed tits. A great Spotted Woodpecker tapping on a tree branch. An injured redwing taken from this same garden to the next village where there is a rehabilitation centre will be released as soon as it has recovered.. Where gardens look out over the fields there are flocks of birds – Rooks with some jackdaws, fieldfares with some redwings, woodpigeons from the north, black-headed gulls and starlings. On the lawn before the snow a pied wagtail was chasing a winter gnat.An extra interest has been in the inquisitive and inventive squirrels trying to share food put out for the birds. WOOLSTHORPE ROADSIDE NATURE RESERVE SK917 243 Jane Ostler 31/1/21 The only plants in flower in this eastern section were snowdrops, daisies and red deadnettle. Fungi. On a decayed and soaking wet piece of board there were numerous Oysterlings (Crepidotus spp.) brown with age. Tubaria furfuracea scattered in the grass but a new species for this site – a Yellow Brain fungus on a tree in the hollow between the verge and the Nature Trail. Lichens Disappointed to find that the abundant covering of lichens on both ash branches and on hawthorn bushes near the road was dominated by just two pollution tolerant species – the Orange Shield Lichen and the grey foliose species with black cilia on its upturned edges, Physcia tenella (Physcias have whiskers!) On a larger branch was Physcia adscendens and three crustose species Lecanora polytropa, with grey green crust and brown fruits, Arthronia radiata with white powdery crust and star shaped black fruits and Amandinea punctata whose round black fruits , unlike Lecanora spp have no hyaline margins. Many years ago an abundance of lichens on trees would have indicated clean air. Now here on a country road they show only that there is nutrient rich dust in the air. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 3rd – 9th February 2021 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Note: Raw ESE wind, gust of 33.4mph recorded on the 2nd. Gale force, bitterly cold, easterlies on the 7th, gust 48.7mph plus squalls of snow grains. Cold snap continues with bitterly cold easterlies, gust 41.9mph recorded and snow depth on concrete 40mm on the 8th. Snow squalls on the 9th, 33.3mph easterly wind recorded, some of the previous day’s snow melted. 030221 - Weasel hunting near Sea View, 19 little egrets on the saltmarsh. 8 snow bunting and a male stonechat in the outer dunes at Crook Bank, where a short-eared owl flew south over the grazing compartments. 3 woodcock in flight over Churchill Lane car park at dusk. Also little owl and barn owl heard calling and 2 foxes chasing each other around the tracks. 040221 - Paradise lagoon included: 7 coot and 7 gadwall with 13 pheasants in adjacent field. On Rimac washland: 38 wigeon, 20 teal, c50 redwing and c50 starling. On Sea View washland: c160 wigeon, 30 teal, 60 redshank, 12 lapwing, 2 curlew, 2 moorhen and 50 starling. 050221 - Minimum of 7 woodcock between Sea View and Paradise woods including 6 in flight with a few dropping down to land. 1 Water rail heard by Saltfleet Common. At Paradise: 10 gadwall, 6 shoveler, 5 coot, 5 teal, 4 mallard, 1 tufted duck and 1 little grebe. c600 lapwing on Elm House Farm fields. 060221 - 17 snow bunting on the beach near the North End car park access and another lone bird in the outer dunes at Crook Bank. 2 woodcock in the outer dunes. 070221 - A group of 27 little egrets on the saltmarsh and 2 woodcock near Sea View. Woodcock and 4 skylark in the dunes around Crook Bank and 7 yellowhammer in the field next to Brickyard Lane car park. 080221 - 3 woodcock near Paradise, on Sea View washland a minimum of 200 redshank with 30 lapwing. Great spotted woodpecker at Sea View and a sparrowhawk working the area. 090221 - In Paradise wood at least 20 blackbirds and 6 redwing. In the Sea View area 6 redwing, 2 fieldfare, 15 blackbirds, 1 song thrush and 2 woodcock, 16 little egret on the saltmarsh. On Sea View washlands: c350 Wigeon, 90 teal, c150 redshank, 41 dunlin, 29 curlew and 15 lapwing. Other Local Reserves: 030221 – Legbourne Wood: 1 raven flew north croaking, 4 bullfinch, 1 jay, 3 great spotted woodpecker, 14 redwing, 2 goldcrest and 1 treecreeper, primrose starting to flower. At Welton-le-Wold Quarry: 1 buzzard, 4 blackbird and 1 song thrush with a colourful array of brown lipped snails surrounding flint anvils. Muckton Wood: 2 Woodcock, 2 bullfinch, 2 redwing and 1 great spotted woodpecker drumming. 040221 - 1 Earthstar fungus found at Toby’s Hill. 050221 – Off Howden’s Pullover: 167 Brents with 171 shelduck and 45 curlew. Donna Nook: 1 woodcock, 50 redwing and 30 curlew with 27 gadwall, 30 teal, 8 mallard, 7 tufted duck, 4 shoveler, 2 little grebe and 2 little egret on borrow pit. 090221 - Toby’s Hill: 12 woodcock, 9 of which were together by a small dune slack. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 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 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 possible "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. ....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 Dig: Pandemic delays Woodbridge Sutton Hoo replica ship build https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-55939515 Why can we see the Moon during the day? - skyatnightmagazine https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/why-can-see-moon-during-day/ Derbyshire Live: Riddle of 'ghost plane' over Derbyshire is solved. https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/local-news/explanation-solves-mystery-ghost-plane-4965287 Tennis-court sized scrap of Bristol to become 'tiny forest' | Trees and forests | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/02/tennis-court-sized-scrap-of-bristol-to-become-tiny-forest Smuggler found with nearly 1,000 cacti and succulents strapped to her body | New Zealand https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/04/new-zealand-smuggler-found-with-nearly-1000-cacti-and-succulents-strapped-to-her-body Country diary: bullfinches offer a shock of colour amid the winter gloom https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/09/country-diary-bullfinches-offer-a-shock-of-colour-amid-the-winter-gloom ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/