Note to plus.com customers: I have just checked Mailchimp and note several of you have not yet changed from your plus-com address as I suggested. If you have not contacted Contactsplus Support instead and obtained their help there is the possibility that you will again fail to receive your Wildnews Bulletin this week. This time round Mailchimp may well delete your Bulletin account - something which happens automatically after a sequence of "bounces". If this happens you may read a text copy of this week's Bulletin on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletin2021feb24.txt After that, please get back to me if you need decide on a Plan B! You will continue to find future test Bulletins on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Roger ============================================ || || 24th 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... *** Most of us have managed to be sanguine about the constraints of lockdown, but it has been tedious and trying at times. With Spring just round the corner I think we will all be ready to get out and about as soon as it is safe to do so. I certainly am! Hopefully you will find our information and links to news stories diverting and useful. I very much appreciate the reports and contributions readers have managed to send to me this month and look forward to an increased flow of news as things start happening. Weather Forecast: 2 - 16 Mar "During the last few days of February and the first week of March, many areas of the UK are likely to see more settled conditions. Dry conditions with clear or sunny periods are likely, especially in the south of the UK. ..fog formation overnight may become more prevalent ." 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..." Cambridge moonflower: Global viewers watch webcam for 'UK's first' bloom https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-56139243 Time lapse: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-cambridgeshire-56145741 BirdGuides Photo of the Year 2020 - BirdGuides https://www.birdguides.com/articles/birdguides-photo-of-the-year-2020/ Just Jane: Lancaster bomber is 'ultimate build' for model plane fans https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-56130157 RAF sonic boom: Ministry of Defence receives TV and window damage claims https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-56125192 Suffolk: Russell the rook moves in with Suffolk family https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-suffolk-56133364 Yorks: Hare coursing: Aerial tactics used to find suspects near Gribthorpe https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-56124818 Fly-tipping: Licensing system failing to stop dumping, Panorama finds https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56128314 Westbury: White swan turned black by 'printer toner' dumped in pond https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-56094630 Extinction: Freshwater fish in 'catastrophic' decline https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56160756 Wretton dog walker's suspicions lead police to hedge mannequin https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-56138896 Loch Leven bird watching site destroyed in 'deliberate' fire https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-56133694 Rickmansworth - Wild swimmer rescues bird from frozen pond https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-56103260 Moustache on Wimpole Estate statue linked to '1st Century trends' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-56116411 How to rebrand a fish so that it sounds tastier https://theconversation.com/how-to-rebrand-a-fish-so-that-it-sounds-tastier-155259 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 Eyam: Covid-19 lockdown: Britain's 'plague village' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-56105573 What would a world be like without vaccines? 6 minutes - excellent https://www.bbc.co.uk/ideas/videos/what-would-a-world-without-vaccines-be-like/p09773sc AI used to 'predict the next coronavirus' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56076716 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 Bird flu: Russia detects first case of H5N8 bird flu in humans https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-56140270 *** Mistle Thrush Question *** Annette Faulkner asks: Where have all the mistle thrushes gone? When I started birding as a teenager in the 60s and learned garden bird song, mistle thrushes – once I’d disentangled their songs from the later blackbirds - were always singing by mid January at the latest. As they have every year since – until 2 or 3 years ago. This year, apart from a possible faint peep on Monday – which could even have been an early blackbird starting to tune up – I have yet to hear one. And it was the same last year. Are they yet another species that has gone on to the red list? I don’t class myself as a birder these days, so can a proper birder explain what’s going on? *** 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 *** Bumblebee sightings, please *** David Sheppard writes: With the increase in temperature, insects will become active and Bumblebees will be some of the most noticeable. Bumblebee queens have been in hibernation since last autumn and will soon be buzzing about seeking nectar to build up their energy reserves, quartering the ground looking for nesting sites and then seeking pollen to feed their first brood. Records of Bumblebees will be very welcome. Whilst it is often not possible to see any colour pattern on the buzzing silhouette, if you can get close enough to make a positive identification that would be great. The earliest Bumblebees are likely to be: Bombus lucorum (yellow & black banded with a white tail) Bombus terrestris (yellow & black banded with a buffish tail) Bombus pratorum (yellow & black banded with an orange tail - and usually conspicuously smaller than the others) Bombus lapidarius (black with a red tail) Bombus hypnorum (brown and black with a white tail) could be about as well. If you do manage to get close enough to see the colour pattern, have a look for any pollen on the back legs. The pollen is likely to be yellow and is easy to spot. If the bee is collecting pollen, she must have established a nest and is gathering pollen to feed her young. Please send your records to David Sheppard at d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** 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 *** 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/ *** 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. *** 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 - soon to become March 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.] WATCH: The journey to the surface of Mars made by the Perseverance rover https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56158928 Astronomers are using tree rings as a historical record of solar activity https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/tree-rings-reconstruct-millennium-solar-activity/ 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/ 17/2 Red-throated Diver ad at Deeping High Bank SW of Crowland Bridge, W of Crowland 4 Russian White-fronted Geese with 32 Pink-footed Geese flew south, Slavonian Grebe offshore, Great Northern Diver flew south, Slavonian Grebe flew south, Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point Scaup, Messingham sand quarry 4 Russian White-fronted Geese flew south over Chapel Pit, Chapel Six Marshes 18/2 6+ Bewick's Swans with 25 Whooper Swans at Tongue End, Baston Red-throated Diver ad at Deeping High Bank SW of Crowland Bridge, W of Crowland 3+ Russian White-fronted Geese on scrapes behind Theddlethorpe terminal Smew ad drk in quarry, from Job's Lane, Whisby 19/2 6+ Bewick's Swans in field at Tongue End, NE of Baston Ring-necked Duck 1w fem on Main Lake by island, Tallington Lakes Scaup 1w drk, Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, SE of Deeping St James Bittern flew over Car Park, New Pit 2, Far Ings Smew ad drk, in quarry from Job's Lane, Whisby 20/2 Scaup 1w drk, Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, SE of Deeping St James Great Northern Diver on sea, Gibraltar Point 2 probable Mealy Redpolls, with Lesser Redpolls, NE of Stubton on minor road, NNW of Marston Spoonbill, Alkborough Flats Bittern, Far Ings 21/2 Iceland Gull ad, 2 Northern Divers, Rimac Red-throated Diver ad at Deeping High Bank SW of Crowland Bridge, W of Crowland 22/2 2 Brent Geese flew west over Crowland Short-eared Owl in ditch at Deeping High Bank, NE of Deeping St Nicholas Shag 1w of River Welland, Deeping High Bank, WSW of Crowland Scaup 1w drk, Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, SE of Deeping St James 8 Scaup, Freiston Shore Smew ad drk, in quarry, from Job's Lane, Whisby Hen Harrier male, Wroot Mealy Redpoll with Lesser Redpolls, Doddington Park 23/2 Red-throated Diver ad at Deeping High Bank SW of Crowland Bridge, W of Crowland Scaup 1w drk, Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, SE of Deeping St James Slavonian Grebe, Chapel St Leonards Hen Harrier flew north over saltmarsh, Wainfleet All Saints ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 PJ has started to move north! "Since our last update PJ has flown a further 890 km (552 Miles) north from his last location in Gabon to his current location in Cameroon. " 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 24/2 2 Magpies in garden COLSTERWORTH SK92/25 Jane Ostler 22/2/21 lst Brimstone Butterfly record, out on allotments along with a Queen Buff-tailed Bumble Bee. Skylark heard singing from neighbouring field where it has nested in past. HORKSTOW SE987179 11 February 2021 Jenny Haynes Mistle Thrush has stripped the berries off a small holly tree in my garden. Song thrush singing in a holly tree outside Horkstow Church. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington 17/2/2021 Chaffinch 1 Dunnocks 2 Ladybirds 7-spot 6 on rosemary sprig 17/2/2021 TF515769  Barn owl 1 7.05am being mobbed by a pigeon. 18/2/2021 Sparrowhawk 1 21/2/2021 Chaffinch 2 m&f Greenfinch 1 Song thrush 1 22/2/2021 Blackbirds 6 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Lacewing 1 Song thrush 1 Starlings 2 Pheasant 1 23/2/2021 Greenfinch 2 Tawny owls 2 calling 4am Wren 1 SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 12/02/21 Blackbird x 4 Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 6 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 12 Goldfinch x 9 Great Tit x 2 Greenfinch x 6 Jackdaw x 2 Magpie x 2 Robin x 2 Wood Pigeon x 4 21/02/21 Roe Deer x 3 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 10/02/21 Blackbird x 9 Blue Tit x 4 Chaffinch x 9 Collared Dove x 1 Cormorant x 2 over Thurnholmes Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 6 Goldfinch x 4 Great Tit x 2 Little Owl x 1 Magpie x 2 Robin x 2 Tree Sparrow x 15 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 7-Spot Ladybird x 3 on Oak saplings 11/02/21 TRAIL CAM; Blackbird x 9 Blue Tit x 4 Dunnock x 2 Redwing x 4 Robin x 4 Wood Pigeon x 1 Wren x 2 Wood Mouse x 1 12/02/21 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 14 Blue Tit x 4 Chaffinch x 4 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Greenfinch x 2 Great Tit x 2 Redwing x 4 Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 1 Tree Sparrow x 6 Wood Pigeon x 2 14/02/21 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 9 Black-headed Gull x 15 over Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 11 Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 46 Goldfinch x 4 Kestrel x 1 Lesser Redpoll x 9 Magpie x 2 Redwing x 4 Robin x 2 Stock Dove x 1 Tawny Owl x 1 SK799975 15/02/21 Peregrine Falcon x 1 female fast over Thurnholmes Skylark x 3 together singing high over Thurnholmes 16/02/21 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 11 Black-headed gull x 35 in fields around Thurnholmes Blue tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 8 Common Buzzard x 1 Cormorant x 2 on pylons over Owston Ferry Warping Drain Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 4 Golden Plover x 120 over Thurnholmes Herring Gull x 1 over Thurnholmes Lesser Redpoll x 5 Mallard x 3 Robin x 2 Skylark x 2 singing high over Thurnholmes Tree Sparrow x 15 Wood Pigeon x 4 Yellowhammer x 2 7-Spot Ladybird x 10+ lots of Hazel flowers 20/02/21 Barn Owl x 1 daytime hunting 11:55hrs Marsh Harrier x 1 female SK733993 21/02/21 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 12 Black-headed gull x 29 over Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 9 Common Buzzard x 1 Cormorant x 6 over Thurnholmes Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 7 Golden Plover x 5 over Thurnholmes Goldfinch x 4 Greylag Goose x 6 over Thurnholmes Grey Partridge x 6 Little Owl x 2 Mallard x 2 over Thurnholmes Redwing x 15 Robin x 2 Skylark x 4 singing high over Thurnholmes Stock Dove 2 Tree Sparrow x 21 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 Yellowhammer x 1 WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK92/25 JANE OSTLER 17-23 February 2021 Trees. Exploring oldest part of hamlet to north of Woolsthorpe Manor where there are still old stone cottages. 70 years ago an apple and a plum tree were planted in each estate house garden. Five apple trees and one plum tree still remain. One plum is alongside an apple tree both dying back. One is in a garden of Bramley House, One has mistletoe on its trunk. One is in a garden where the plum tree was felled two years ago and one is hidden from the road. In amongst these gardens a Prunus cerasifera is late flowering this year. In other years it has been out before the end of January The Butcher’s Broom in a hedge is also later, still in tight bud  Hazel and Alder catkins and female flowers are at their best. Plants in Flower. The lanes in this area are carpeted in snowdrops. Those associated with the Manor also have Winter Aconites and a single Primrose in flower. Lesser Celandines are out on a Bank on Old Post Lane. Dog’s Mercury should indicate the presence in the past of woodland. The plants seen were all male. Populations all clones vegetatively produced from a single parent plant. Insects In the garden drone flies on climbing winter honeysuckle. Queens of both White-tailed and Buff-tailed Bumble Bee. 7 spot ladybirds. Birds. Nesting has started not just of the crow family but, in my garden, of Blue Tits in nest boxes, Blackbird in climbers and a Chaffinch in the Whitebeam tree. A dead Collared Dove squab blown out of its nest, found on the roadside. Amphibians. The first frogs seen swimming amongst vegetation in pond were two large females on 21/2/21 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 17th – 23rd February 2021 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 170221 – 1 little grebe on Paradise lagoon and 2 on nearby Eau, male stonechat near Sea View. On Sea View washlands: 34 redshank, 28 teal, 12 wigeon, 1 oystercatcher and 2 moorhen. 180221 - Frozen ground now thawed and 13 curlew were feeding on pasture next to Paradise lagoon, 23 little egrets on the saltmarsh and merlin in hot pursuit of a pipit nearby. A woodcock flew out of the dunes near Sea View and 160 lapwing flew overhead in a south-easterly direction. Grey and brown hen harrier over the saltmarsh and a barn own hunting along the dune edge nearby. On Sea View washlands: 39 redshank and 40 teal. At Sea View: 1 peregrine, 3 woodcock and 2 snipe. In Sea View pools: 16 smooth newt with displaying males. 15 little egret on Sea View saltmarsh. 3 white-fronted geese with c100 feral geese on scrapes behind Theddlethorpe terminal. 190221 - In pasture field next to Paradise 22 curlew were feeding. On Sea View washlands: 50 teal and 16 wigeon. 1 song thrush singing from Sea View Farm. 2 siskin flew south over the dunes. A velvet scoter was on the sea and another flew north. 200221 - Three house sparrows at Sea View the first seen for many months. 1 dead buff tailed bumblebee found at Churchill Lane, several various fly species seenon a sunny wall. 18 skylark between Mablethorpe North End and Brickyard Lane, 9 snow bunting on the beach and 11 yellowhammer near Brickyard Lane. Female velvet scoter on the sea with 2 common scoter. 210221 - A skein of 229 pink-feet flying SW over Sea View, 220 lapwing flying high over the saltmarsh in a southerly direction. Late afternoon a merlin disturbed on the ground by a male hen harrier continually harassed it for several minutes in the air until the harrier flew out towards the outer dunes and off the saltmarsh. A flock of 37 curlew flew over the dunes to the Haven to roost. Tawny owl calling nearby at Sea View. Migrating skeins of pink foot geese seen in early mornings heading north west with a total of c850 seen before 0800 hrs each day. 42 brent geese on Rimac lagoon and 80 redshank on saltmarsh around the lagoon. The adult Iceland gull was roosting by the river mouth out from Rimac again where 2 great northern diver were on the sea. 3 pintail flew south over the tide line. 220221 - At least 3 song thrushes singing between Sea View and Paradise and a single stonechat in the area. Barn owl hunting, 3 water rail heard, little owl calling strongly from adjacent farmyard, great northern diver seen on sea along with 8 red throated divers in the Churchill Lane area. 230221 - A max daytime temperature of 14.0 degrees in a strong south-westerly breeze gusting to 34.4mph. On Sea View washlands: 54 Wigeon, 36 teal, 5 tufted duck, 4 mallard, 2 curlew and 2 moorhen. 1 stonechat at Sea View. Other local sightings 220221 - 3 skeins of pinkfeet flying NW over North Cockerington at 6.30am. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ Police are escorting suspected hare coursers out of the county, after a rise in incidents. BBC 11th Feb "Over 1,000 reports relating to hare coursing have been made to police in the last three months, compared to 1,048 in the whole of last year's season." https://thelincolnite.co.uk/2021/02/hare-coursers-stay-away-dispersal-order-after-spike-of-1000-incidents-in-3-months/ 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/ 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/ *** InsideEcology *** Online Magazine for Ecologists, Conservationists and Wildlife Professionals https://insideecology.com/ *** NHBS *** Should you need natural history equipment or books, a good place to start is: https://www.nhbs.com/ For the geologists... *** Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group *** https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 *** British geology maps - now free to explore on web *** http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ *** UKGE - Geological Supplies *** https://www.ukge.com/ *** The Geology of Lincolnshire - downloadable book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-geology-of-lincolnshire-h-h-swinnerton-and-p-e-kent.pdf *** British Geological Survey at Keyworth *** https://www.bgs.ac.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in a few instances may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed please contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. *** Codes of Conduct *** BMS Code of Conduct for Responsible Collecting of Fungi https://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/mycology/conservation/code-conduct RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ BSBI Code of Conduct https://bsbi.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/BSBI-Code-of-Conduct.pdf [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see https://lnu.org/meetings/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events - Important 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 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... Countryfile: Plant Britain - documentary ... an ambitious two-year challenge to get us all planting to help combat climate change and at the same time, boost our wellbeing and wildlife. More programs on the site. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000pzlx/countryfile-plant-britain Insect and other Backlist Book Bargains on NHBS https://www.nhbs.com/backlist-bargains Texas weather: Thousands of cold-stunned turtles rescued https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-56110340 Ghostly Arctic Fox and a Snail on a mission win the Travel Photographer of the Year awards https://www.sciencefocus.com/planet-earth/ghostly-arctic-fox-and-a-snail-on-a-mission-win-the-travel-photographer-of-the-year-awards/ Shrimp-like crustacean has some of the fastest snapping claws in nature https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/shrimp-like-crustacean-has-some-of-the-fastest-snapping-claws-in-nature/ Five ways to reduce your household waste – and stop it being shipped to poorer countries https://theconversation.com/five-ways-to-reduce-your-household-waste-and-stop-it-being-shipped-to-poorer-countries-154123 Birds use massive magnetic maps to migrate – and some could cover the whole world https://theconversation.com/birds-use-massive-magnetic-maps-to-migrate-and-some-could-cover-the-whole-world-154992 Ten conservation success stories when species came back from the brink https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg24933223-400-ten-conservation-success-stories-when-species-came-back-from-the-brink/ Dogs prove they are aware of their own bodies when playing fetch https://www.newscientist.com/article/2268500-dogs-prove-they-are-aware-of-their-own-bodies-when-playing-fetch/ Microscopic wasps are being used to get rid of moths in a UK historic mansion https://www.zmescience.com/science/microscopic-wasps-moth-control-mansion-uk-264342/ Meet the Einsteins of the animal world https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000slks Lincs - Country diary: uprooting a tree is the ultimate assault on nature https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/19/country-diary-uprooting-a-tree-is-the-ultimate-assault-on-nature Country diary: winter has been cruel to Orkney's otters https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/20/country-diary-winter-has-been-cruel-to-orkneys-otters ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/