============================================ || || 3rd March 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 was sorry to hear of a email glitch affecting lincstrust staff and we hope this can be resolved somehow. I was unaware of the problem, as no address had been flagged by Mailchimp as bounced/undelivered. I usually get an error report if this happens. In the event of any future failure you can always read a text version on the internet, though I appreciate that is a bit like buying a car without wheels as none of the links will be "live", and easy clicking is rather the point of the Bulletin! Nice to see a selection of insect reports coming in as we enter Meteorological Spring. [1 March; ending on 31 May.] Also rather exciting to have a pager report of a House Martin at Long Sutton on 26th Feb! A hint of things to come, but we are not there yet. Please keep the news coming. Weather Forecast: 6 - 15 Mar "A trend towards more unsettled conditions across the UK is likely from early next week, with spells of rain and showers but also some drier interludes at times. Temperatures trending from rather cold to around average." https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ Please send in your wildlife reports via the Bulletin or to the appropriate LNU recorder[s] if you prefer: " If it's worth seeing it's worth reporting!" 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..." BBC News: In pictures: Finding tranquillity in ancient woodland https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-56087145 COVID-19: Couple and child rescued after camping on cliff edge in coronavirus breach https://uk.yahoo.com/news/covid-19-couple-child-rescued-103700302.html Peak District's last mountain hares 'need legal protection' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-56247222 Seal 'entangled in plastic' rescued on Felixstowe beach https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-56239584 Grantham Thatcher statue: £100k taxpayer fund scrapped https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-56245116 NHBS - Discover bestselling books from our biggest sale of the year https://www.nhbs.com/backlist-bargains Attenborough's Life in Colour - watch again: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000stys 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 *** 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 *** Peregrine Webcams *** Bob Sheppard has recommended a couple of Lincolnshire peregrine webcams. They are at St Wulfram's Church, Grantham and St James' Church, Louth. New cameras at both sites have been installed, thanks to funding from the Lincolnshire Bird Club. Throughout the breeding season these cameras can be accessed 24/7. Hopefully we shall have eggs around the end of this month. Already we have seen encouraging signs the birds are getting ready. There is a picture link to both sites on the LBC home page. https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/ *** Zoom talks offered by the RSPB Grimsby Local Group *** Martin Francis writes: The season continues with another illustrated talk which will take place at 7.30pm on Monday 15th March 2021 "Two Scottish Islands" - A Zoom Talk by Dr Graham Lenton Dr Graham Lenton’s working life has been in ecology and science education. Throughout his career, he has been an avid traveller and wild-life photographer and he has published many articles and photographs on natural history, particularly birds. His photographs have recently been accepted for membership of the Royal Photographic Society and is a registered RSPB speaker. His talk will focus on the birds of Handa Island and the Isle of May, but he will also touch on the geology and history of these intriguing islands. The talk is open to everybody. You don't need to belong to the RSPB, or have attended Group Meetings. And don't be put off by Zoom. It is easy to use, you don't need any special equipment like a camera or microphone - just an internet connection, and we may be able to offer help if you request it. To find out the arrangements for getting a link to the talk, please email me at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com before 8pm on Thursday 11th March, stating that you saw the information in the LNU Bulletin. Martin Francis Leader - RSPB Grimsby Local Group' *** 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/ *** 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.] Bright meteor lights up sky over England - 28/2 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-bristol-56237596 Meteorites may be just north of Cheltenham https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56241511 The Universe’s 7 biggest mysteries (and why they’re unsolved) - BBC Science Focus Magazine https://www.sciencefocus.com/space/the-universes-7-biggest-mysteries-and-why-theyre-unsolved/ 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/ 24/2 Red-throated Diver ad at Deeping High Bank SW of Crowland Bridge, W of Crowland Pale-Bellied Brent Goose, Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 3 Water Pipits, Anderby Marsh Bittern, Grebe Lake, Whisby Nature Park 3 Bitterns, Far Ings 2 Great Northern Divers on sea, Rimac 25/2 Red-throated Diver ad at Deeping High Bank SW of Crowland Bridge, W of Crowland Lapland Bunting flew south over, Red-necked Grebe flew south, Great Northern Diver, Sandwich Tern, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Gibraltar Point Velvet Scoter on sea at Crook Bank, Theddlethorpe Dunes 7 Snow Buntings on beach, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Slavonian Grebe, 4 Russian White-fronted Geese, Huttoft Marsh 2 Water Pipits, Anderby Marsh Hen Harrier male, Wroot 26/2 Hen Harrier, Wainfleet All Saints House Martin over north end of village, Long Sutton Unconfirmed report of 8 Twite at Marston sewage works Red-throated Diver ad at Deeping High Bank SW of Crowland Bridge, W of Crowland 2 Lapland Buntings, Short-eared Owl from Wash Viewpoint, male Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point Mealy Redpoll with 80 lesser Redpolls, Doddington Park White Wagtail. Covenham Reservoir Snow Bunting on outer beach, Cleethorpes 27/2 Red-throated Diver ad at Deeping High Bank SW of Crowland Bridge, W of Crowland Slavonian Grebe in Chapel Drain, Chapel St Leonards 28/2 Red-throated Diver ad at Deeping High Bank SW of Crowland Bridge, W of Crowland Slavonian Grebe in Chapel Drain, Chapel St Leonards Glaucous Gull juv at Cross Marsh, Stallingborough 1/3 Red-throated Diver ad at Deeping High Bank SW of Crowland Bridge, W of Crowland Slavonian Grebe in Chapel Drain, Chapel St Leonards 2/3 Slavonian Grebe in Chapel Drain, Chapel St Leonards 2 Hen Harriers 1male, 2 Short-eared Owls, Gibraltar Point, 29 Russian White-fronted Geese, Croftmarsh Mealy Redpoll with 75 Lesser Redpolls, Doddington Park 3 Snow Bunting on outer beach. Cleethorpes Smew ad drk, from Job's Lane, Whisby ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 26/2/2021 Small Tortoiseshell in next door garden - 11am TF119694 28/2 TF116694: 7-spot ladybirds, perhaps 20, basking on ivy - 14.00hrs approx. B. leucorum queens seen at: 2 queens : TF118694: Station Road garden at 14.00 hrs approx on Mahonia. 2 queens: TF119695: Abbey Road garden 14.30hrs approx - also several dark Andrena spp. on heathers. BOSTON 24/02/2021 Roy Pearson Two Cranes flew south over the South Forty Foot Drain close to the Princess Royal Covid-19 Vaccination Centre. BOSTON GARDEN (TF326426) February 2021 Kathleen Pearson I was able to do the BTO Garden BirdWatch on all 28 days with a total of 21 species recorded. The most numerous species was House Sparrow with a top count of 15 on one day, followed with 12 Woodpigeons and Goldfinches.  Most birds were in small numbers, but it was pleasant to record 3 Greenfinches. The totals were:- Blackbird 3, Woodpigeon 12, Collared Dove 2, Blue Tit 3, House Sparrow 15, Robin 2, Dunnock 2, Goldfinch 12, Long-tailed Tit, 4, Chaffinch 3, Great Tit 2, Starling 2, Wren 1, Sparrowhawk 1, Magpie 1, Carrion Crow 2, Greenfinch 3, Black-headed Gull 4, Redwing 1, Song Thrush 2 and Herring Gull 4. Butterflies seen were Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell. CLEETHORPES Cleethorpes TA 300069 27-02-2021 Peter Crick 2 Tortoiseshell Butterflies dancing together in the midday sun Both Blue and Gt Tits inspecting nest boxes 28-02-2021 Large Buff tail Bumblebee on Heather 02-03-2021 Mistle Thrush feeding on ground. First thrush seen here for many months FAR INGS Angela Buckle 28th February 2021 Dog violets, Spurge laurel, Kingcups, Colstsfoot, Whitlow grass, Hairy bittercress. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 24/2/2021 Hawthorn shieldbug 1 25/2/2021 Bombus terrestris 1 (D. Sheppard confirmed) 26/2/2021 Bombus terrestris 2 (D. Sheppard confirmed) Tawny 1 heard 5am 27/2/2021 Chaffinch 1 Greenfinch 2 Small tortoiseshell 1 resting on snowdrops Wren 1 1/3/2021 Honey bees 10+ on hellebores 2/3/2021 Smooth newt 1 Accidentally lifted from pond when removing some algae. KETTLETHORPE Kettlethorpe SK847757 Alison Brownlow 24/02/2021 2x drone flies on aconites Large bumblebee covered in yellow pollen on winter sweet. She flew away before I could work out her colours 27/02/2021 2x honey bees on crocus Red-tailed bumblebee on crocus Minotaur beetle activity on sandy track Black coloured berries on juniper bush 28/02/2021 A Brimstone and a Small Tortoiseshell butterfly 5 black flies feeding on sap from where a branch had been cut on a Silver Birch trunk LOUTH 25/2/2021 Stewton Lane, Louth C. Brady Chiff Chaff calling down near Stewton Church. Very clear and called a few times. MARKET RASEN (own garden) TF107 897 Richard Fox 26/27/28.02.2021 Small tortoiseshell feeding on Mezerion flowers NETTLEHAM Nettleham - Mill Hill TF 01190 75302 Su Colman 12:45 24 February 2021 Male brimstone butterfly TF 01162 75274 Mill Hill, Nettleham Su Colman 09:00 1 March 2021 Blackbird gathering nesting materials. NOCTON Nocton Wood TF084639 R & A Parsons 27/2/2021 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming in at least 2 locations. 2+ Buzzards calling in general area. Carr Dyke Queen bumblebee working snowdrops near seat at TF074670 Bombus lucorum (yellow & black banded with a white tail) Probably Small Tortoiseshell butterfly in flight south along Carr Dyke. POTTERHANWORTH Jerry Gunner On Friday February 27, 2021 I was very surprised to see two small tortoiseshell butterflies chasing each other along the path that runs along the Car Dyke near Potterhanworth Woods. There were celandines there too as well as unidentified bumble bees. The next day there was a white-tailed bumble bee in the washing basket when I went to collect the washing in. It was lethargic so I popped it on top of a nearby clump of snowdrops. Later that night I noticed a small bat flying over the back garden, the first of the year for me. I have noticed that a pair of crows is using the nest that was built last year in the top of the tree near the house. Hopefully they’ll nest again. Our pair of buzzards is making signs of nesting as are jackdaws which I’ve seen carrying nesting material. On Sunday I saw a young muntjac in the dog violet-carpeted wood adjoining the garden and in the evening I heard my first blackbird singing and there are several territories clearly established. Song thrushes have been singing for a few days. This morning, Tuesday, there were a pair of dunnocks engaged in courtship flights in the back garden. It’s all happening! RIPPINGALE and ... Ian Misselbrook 2021 23rd February 1 Small Tortoiseshell by Car Dyke Farm, Rippingale Fen. 25th February 2 Chiffchaff, one of them singing in the same tree by Car Dyke farm Rippingale fen. 26th February 1 Brimstone Butterfly in our garden in Rippingale. 27th February 2 Brimstones in our garden and a Honey Bee on a Lesser Celandine bloom. Also a Hedgehog early evening. 28th February. 1 Small Tortoiseshell at Kirkby Underwood. SOUTHREY WOOD Grid ref: TF 132 682 Mary & Phil Porter 27th February 2021  A short 20 minute’s morning walk in bright sunshine after a frosty night revealed X1 Chiffchaff calling, very loud and close by (I’ve never heard one in February before) X2 Green woodpeckers “yaffling” X1 Great spotted woodpecker drumming Several robins singing X1 song thrush singing X2 wrens X1 Crow X1 Buzzard Not sure of numbers: Blackbird Dunnocks Long tailed tits Great tits Blue tits Chaffinch Fieldfares X2 hares, so intent on chasing each other, they catapulted out of the undergrowth across our path several times not far from where we were walking. WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 Jane Ostler 24th-28th February,2021 Plants in Flower. Five sunny days with a high of 15C on 26/2/21 meant that the hedgerows and roadsides were at their best with hundreds of snowdrops and the winter aconites and lesser celandines open fully. Hazel and alder shedding pollen on windy days. No Coltsfoot yet but the first Spring Whitlow (Erophila verna) flowers.. Easily overlooked, an annual plant of dry, sandy places, thriving even in cracks in the concrete. Its tiny white flowers are self fertilising so the seeds contain an exact replica of the parent plant. Over a number of generations colonies may develop differences from each other. For example in size of parts, shape of leaves and hairiness. Both its scientific names mean spring flowering and whitlow refers to it being a cure for whitlows, infections of fingers or toes. A hand lens reveals that its hairs are forked and its white petals deeply cleft. Insects. On Friday 26th February sitting in a sunny back garden watching the following on climbing winter honeysuckle – 3 Buff-tailed Bumble Bees, 1 Tree Bumble Bee, three Drone Flies and several Honey Bees all collecting nectar. One of the Buff-tailed Bumble Bees is making its nest in a giant plant pot which an almond tree is growing its roots through.. In another smaller pot ants were spilling out over the rim And then walking in a circle round its edge.. In the borders Queen Bumble Bees are too heavy for the earliest delicate Crocus thomasinianus favoured by the Honey bees. Both species of Bumble Bee were diving head first into the early blue Iris, after nectar from the tightly packed flowers but accidentally collecting pollen from the out turned lips of the flowers. Amphibians A third female seen this week in the smaller weeded up pond, no males and no newts seen yet. Birds. A goldfinch on a feeder in the garden now an unusual sight. Lots of nesting activity from Blue Tits, Dunnock, Blackbirds and House Sparrows. Two Robins together without showing aggression suggests a pair. On village walk Mistle Thrush, Skylark and Song thrush heard singing. We used to get Mistle Thrush regularly in the garden and singing from a tree on windy days. The tree was cut down when the field behind us was turned into a housing estate, with some buildings three storeys high. Fortunately on the Nature Trail to the north of the house it is still heard regularly – but from the line of ash trees. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 24th February – 2nd March 2021 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Note: Total rainfall for February at Sea View was 45.8mm (1.8 inches). The last week of the month showed a wide range of temperatures with the 24th having a high of 18.0 degrees C and ground, air minimum being 9.5 degrees C and 6.5 degrees C. Days later we had frosts, falling to a ground temperature of -4.5 degrees C, air -1.75 degrees C and daytime high of 9.25 degrees C. The strong, warm south-westerly wind on the 24th gave a gust of 43mph near Sea View. The water level in the freshwater marsh at Rimac remains high and has done so for a number of weeks but remains some 12 cm lower than the record peak in March of last year. 240221 - Single peacock on the wing in a sheltered area on the dunes near Sea View. On the edge of Paradise lagoon: 23 curlew, male stonechat nearby and 27 little egrets on the saltmarsh. In the Churchill Lane area: B hortorum and B terrestris were seen 1 of each visiting snowdrop flower neither carried pollen, 7 spot ladybird, 1 each of s mall tortoiseshell and peacock, several flies of several species and 2 small bats flying around. 250221 - Barn owl hunting over dunes near Sea View, woodcock disturbed from scrub nearby. 1 small bat and both species of bumblebee seen but not settled long enough to see pollen at Churchill Lane. On Sea View washland and Great Eau: 80 wigeon, 60 teal, 14 tufted duck, 4 shoveler, 2 moorhen, 1 redshank and 1 buzzard. 260221 - 3 buff-tailed bumblebees and 1 red-tailed bumblebee in flight and on flowering heather near Sea View. At Sea View Farm: 1 small tortoiseshell and 1 mistle thrush. 270221 - Kingfisher along drain near Paradise lagoon. 280221 - Merlin hunting over saltmarsh. 4 B terrestris and 3 B hortorum were seen on goat willow catkins, 2 terrestris and 1 hortorum were carrying pollen, also seen 1 small tortoiseshell and a green woodpecker. 010321 - 4 redwing and a single song thrush in small shelter belt near Paradise wood and another redwing near Sea View. Pair of gadwall on Paradise lagoon. On the saltmarsh: 16 little egrets. On wet pasture at Elm House Farm: 20 shoveler, 55 wigeon, 32 teal and 7 curlew; earlier in the day pink-feet were heard calling over the area. 020321 - Mix of 3 redwing and 4 blackbirds in shelter belts near Sea View, 20 little egrets on the saltmarsh and 2 marsh harriers nearby. Barn owl at Sea View. On Sea View washland and Great Eau: 40 teal, 6 tufted duck, 8 shoveler and 2 mallard. 1 hen harrier in the Churchill Lane area. Other local reserves 260221 – A peregrine mobbed by a kestrel and buff-tailed bumblebee at Donna Nook. 1 buzzard at Toby’s Hill. 270221 – Muckton Wood: 12 woodcock, great spotted woodpecker drumming, nuthatch calling. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lincsnaturalists/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given on the website. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ Downloads of LNU books are available on: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ LNU Bursaries: Why not apply for one? The LNU offers bursaries for natural history courses, or for identification materials (e.g. books or online resources) to help recording in any group of plants, animals or fungi in Lincolnshire. The upper limit is £300. You do not need to be a member of the LNU to apply, but it would help. The LNU would, however, expect you to put your newly facilitated skills into practice and derive some Lincolnshire records. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course, or to buy books to help you, please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk *** Love Lincs Plants *** Events and activities for Love Lincs Plants remain suspended until further notice. Love Lincs Plants Twitter feed - active... https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants LLP Project Partners and related links: Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Natural History Museum Twitter feed https://twitter.com/nhm_botany?lang=en Sir Joseph Banks Society 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/ BioLinks Courses – Field Studies Council https://www.field-studies-council.org/biolinks-courses/ *** InsideEcology *** Online Magazine for Ecologists, Conservationists and Wildlife Professionals https://insideecology.com/ *** NHBS *** Should you need natural history equipment or books, a good place to start is: https://www.nhbs.com/ For the geologists... *** Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group *** https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 *** British geology maps - now free to explore on web *** http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ *** UKGE - Geological Supplies *** https://www.ukge.com/ *** The Geology of Lincolnshire - downloadable book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-geology-of-lincolnshire-h-h-swinnerton-and-p-e-kent.pdf *** British Geological Survey at Keyworth *** https://www.bgs.ac.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. Notes about these wildlife reports ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting but these records are sent in by a variety of reporters, from complete beginners to professionals. They therefore vary in reliability and in a few instances may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed please contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. *** Codes of Conduct *** BMS Code of Conduct for Responsible Collecting of Fungi https://www.britmycolsoc.org.uk/mycology/conservation/code-conduct RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ BSBI Code of Conduct https://bsbi.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/BSBI-Code-of-Conduct.pdf [Remember - views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see https://lnu.org/meetings/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events - Important update *** 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 had 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 Brian Hedley writes on 24th Feb: "It now looks like an April meeting is a non-starter. I've put the 'confirmed' (subject to various caveats) field meetings onto the LNU Facebook page plus I'll try and put them onto the LNU website." https://www.facebook.com/lincsnaturalists/ https://lnu.org/meetings/ 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 *** 6 customers of plus.com had their Bulletins "bounced" this week as possible "spam". The trouble with Artificial Intelligence and algorithms is that they [literally] aren't very sensible. The problem is being pursued by a plus.com customer. This unfortunate blockage has happened before and as an antidote I may now reduce the number of "hotlinks" included in future Bulletins, but they are a rather fundamental part of the Bulletin, appreciated and used by readers. Advice is, if your Service provider or network can't or won't allow the Bulletin through, try a free email account instead. In the event of a genuine mail failure I will be happy to send you the error report to pass on to your "Help Desk". ....and finally... Letter demands action over 'UK nature in freefall' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56212195 London's skylark population 'under threat due to Covid' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-56240230 Most pheasants sold for food 'contain lead shot' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56158777 Country diary: the introspective potter of a badger's night out https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/feb/24/country-diary-the-introspective-potter-of-a-badgers-night-out UK scientists confirm arrival of brown marmorated stink bugs https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/01/uk-scientists-confirm-arrival-of-brown-marmorated-stink-bugs ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/