============================================ || || 10th 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'm pleased to begin by saying that we had no "bounces" from plus.com readers this week. Some had changed their email addresses, others were possibly rescued by a behind-the-scenes effort to complain. I am cautiously optimistic we are OK again. I am hoping to hear that all "lincstrust" Bulletin emails got through to those readers that failed previously. I won't know if they didn't arrive unless someone tells me! If future "blockages" occur and your Bulletin fails to arrive, you can catch up on: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Weather Forecast: 23 Mar - 6 Apr "Into the latter portion of March, the weather across the country will most likely be alternating between more settled spells, especially early on in this period, and wetter, windier periods " 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..." 'Floating ship' photographed off Cornish coast by walker https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-56286719 Somerset starlings stop man's car in 'impressive' display https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-56313026 Hazelnut find sheds light on Threave estate's history https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-56320558 20+ books on marine and coastal wildlife | BBC Wildlife https://www.discoverwildlife.com/people/books-about-marine-coastal-ocean-wildlife/ Rare black fox spotted in west London garden https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-london-56266743 Heckington: Major fire engulfs Roasting Company factory https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-56272064 Louth illegal butchery inquiry after sheep heads found https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-56306622 Covid: Skegness Natureland seal sanctuary faces 'make or break' summer https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-56263623 Sussex: 'Entire pavement stolen' from Storrington village overnight https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-56268078 Neonicotinoids: UK will no longer use bee-harming pesticide https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-55566438 National Trust maps out climate threats to historic places https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56287005 Bovine TB leads to Dyrham Park deer herd being culled https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-56285908 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. Please keep your reports coming. 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 "LNU 2021 field meetings - May - October are now provisionally booked" We will confirm plans for resumption of LNU events through the Bulletin, the LNU Twitter feed and LNU meetings webpages. For details and any necessary subsequent updates or changes please visit: 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 *** Covid-19: Lincolnshire Show cancelled for second year *** "One of the UK's best known agricultural shows has been cancelled due to coronavirus concerns for the second year. Lincolnshire Show organisers said uncertainty over restrictions for large events and the timetable for easing lockdown meant they could not go ahead. The event, which attracts 60,000 visitors, was due to take place on June 23 and 24." https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-56340942 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. *** Love Lincs Plants "Great Lives" Lectures to sign up for... *** Aidan Neary writes: Thanks to Sue Fysh for coordinating a great series of Great Lives talks over the coming months that highlight the importance of plants in our lives. Our first of 2021 will be delivered by Ian Jackson, Senior Lecturer in Phrarmacology & Therapeutics at @UniLincoln, to give an online talk on Herbal Medicine. To sign up: https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants/status/1368958597653291011 *** Your Bat records please *** Annette Faulkner writes: BATS In another week or two bats will start properly emerging from hibernation. The two records we had last week (and thanks to readers for sending them) add to other records we’d had over the previous few days of warmer weather. These included one day-flying bat at Boston, species unknown, a day flying possible noctule at Waltham, from the photo sent, and two grounded bats, one a brown long- eared from Louth that was underweight and is being fed up for release when nights are warmer, and a grounded pipistrelle from Foston that was well underweight, had been found by a cat, had a broken wing as a result, and had to be euthanased. Then the night temperatures plummeted again – and we had no more bat calls, for which I was profoundly thankful. It was simply too early. For the first few weeks after they emerge from hibernation in mid to late March bats dip in and out of torpor, depending on the weather and the food supply. We always get a few calls over March and April of underweight bats that have only just made it through the winter, and if predators haven’t got there first we feed them up, get them going again, wait for a decent night and release them. So do keep your eyes open. If you find a grounded bat please don’t try and release it. Put it in an escape proof box - remember, a pipistrelle can get out of a hole the size of your thumb nail - wearing gloves or using a cloth to pick it up with, and phone us on 01775 766286. We’ll do the rest. *** 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. 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/ *** 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.] Mars: Nasa's Perseverance rover sends stunning images https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-56238018 Winchcombe meteorite is first UK find in 30 years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56326246 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/ The site has some intersting articles. See: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp Forgotten what a Russian White-fronted Goose is like? Good WWT page. https://www.wwt.org.uk/discover-wetlands/wetland-wildlife/uk-geese/ 2/3 Grey Plover flew over Scopwick - late report 3/3 3 Hen Harriers - 2 males, 2 Short-eared Owls, Gibraltar Point Bewick's Swan, Friskney Bittern, 5 Jack Snipe, Far Ings 4/3 Sand Martin, Baston Fen Russian White-fronted Goose ad in field on east side with Greylag Geese, Baston+Langtoft Pits Russian White-fronted Goose at Deeping High Bank, NE of Deeping St Nicholas 25+ Russian White-fronted Geese, Caspian Gill 1w from Mill Hill, Male Snow Bunting, Millenium Ridge, Gibraltar Point Slavonian Grebe in Chapel Drain, Chapel St Leonards 5/3 Russian White-fronted Goose ad in field on east side with Greylag Geese, Baston+Langtoft Pits Russian White-fronted Goose with Greylag Geese, west of Gull Farm at Deeping High Bank, NE of Deeping St Nicholas Wheatear at Wragg Marsh, Moulton Seas End by pumping station, NW of Holbeach, then flew over River Welland 31 Russian White-fronted Geese at Croft Marsh, 5 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, ringtail Hen Harrier, Great Northern Diver flew north, Gibraltar Point c20 Russian White-fronted Geese, Fiskerton Fen 6/3 Russian White-fronted Goose ad in field on east side, Baston+Langtoft Pits Russian White-fronted Goose with Greylag Geese, west of Gull Farm at Deeping High Bank, NE of Deeping St Nicholas 30 Russian White-fronted Geese, Gibraltar Point 30 Russian White-fronted Geese, Fiskerton Fen 7/3 2 Russian White-fronted Geese both ads, on Wader Pit, Basron+Langtoft GPs 31 Russian White-fronted Geese at Croft Marsh, Lapland Bunting flew south over, Jack Snipe at north end, Gibraltar Point Iceland Gull ad on tideline, 4 Snow Buntings, Rimac 3 White Wagtails, Anderby Marsh Cattle Egret at Custom Road/Hards Lane junction, Frognall 8/3 Cattle Egret in field at Stowgate, west of Crowland Cattle Egret at Custom Road/Hards Lane junction, Frognall, flew west Woodlark in dunes, Rimac 9/3 2 Russian White-fronted Geese, both ads, Baston+Langtoft GPs Cattle Egret at Custom Road/Hards Lane junction at industrial estate, Frognall 17 Russian White-fronted Geese, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Russian White-fronted Goose at Croft Marsh, White Wagtail, Water Pipit, Jack Snipe, Firecrest at orchard, Gibraltar Point 2 Water Pipits, Anderby Marsh Willow Warbler, Sturton by Stow 10/3 Cattle Egret at Custom Road/Hards Lane junction at industrial estate, Frognall ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Roger died on the 6th March 2009. He was very supportive of the Bulletin in it's early stages. https://funeral-notices.co.uk/notice/Roger+Goy/1980090 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. BADGER Jane Ostler A52,Grantham (Somerby Hill) SK 943342 24/2/21 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 No report this week. CLEETHORPES. TA3000 Peter Crick 05.03.2021 Tortoiseshell Butterfly - colours well faded and back edge of wings very ragged. Possibly overwintered in nearby outbuildings. Temp 5c Sunny. 07.03.2021 Lone Honey Bee? searching. Quite dark abdomen colouration in so much as lighter rings seemed narrower and not so bright as expected. Any ideas? Temp 6C Sunny. 09.03.2010 Queen wasp investigating various openings and places of interest. Largest one seen here for some time, impressive. Sunny, temp.10c FAR INGS Angela Buckle 7th Marsh 2021 Common speedwell, Flowering currant, Creeping comfrey, White violets, Red deadnettle. HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Haynes 6 March 2021 Seen from my house, a pair of brown hares chasing around the field opposite, stopping periodically, to mate. KIRTON MARSH 07/03/2021 Roy and Kathleen Pearson Over seventy Whooper Swans were on both the salt marsh and feeding inland today. LINCOLN Near Boultham Mere SK956711 Caroline Steel 28/2/2021 Walking alongside Main Drain, which runs alongside Boultham Mere: 3 Buzzards soaring overhead 1 Kingfisher glimpsed 1 Water Vole This was the 1st Water Vole I’ve seen for a very long time. Same place, 5/3/2021 – excellent views of kingfisher, but no water voles seen: someone else watching had seen three WVs a couple of days previously. SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 25.02.21 Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker x 1 Great Tit x 2 Greenfinch x 2 Jackdaw x 2 Robin x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 02.03.21 Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 4 Chaffinch x 2 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Mallard x 3 over Robin x 2 Wood Pigeon x 2 Wren x 1 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 24.02.21 Blackbird x 2 Black-headed Gull x 4 over Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 2 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 3 Great Tit x 2 Little Owl x 2 very vocal 01:15hrs Magpie x 2 Moorhen x 2 Mute Swan x 2 Robin x 1 Teal x 9 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Mute Swan x 2 25.02.21 Blue Tit x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Great Tit x 2 Long-tailed Tit x 2 Robin x 1 Skylark x 4 all high singing over Thurnholmes 27.02.21 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 3 Black-headed Gull x 35 over Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Dunnock x 2 Golden Plover x 48 over, put up off surrounding fields by helicopter Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 2 Grey Partridge x 2 Little Owl x 2 Long-tailed Tit x 2 seen most days, looked to be paired up. Mallard x 3 over Robin x 1 Skylark x 3 Tree Sparrow x 2 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 Yellowhammer x 1 Great Diving Beetle x 1 female 01.03.21 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 8 Black-headed Gull x 29 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 12 Common Buzzard x 2 calling and circling high over Thurnholmes Cormorant x 5 on pylons over Owston Ferry Warping Drain Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 15 Golden Plover x 150+ in fields around Thurnholmes Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Little Egret x 2 SK803996 Long-tailed Tit x 2 Mallard x 5 over Thurnholmes Moorhen x 2 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Mute Swan x 2 over Robin x 1 Skylark x 3 Tree Sparrow x 28 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 03.03.21 Blackbird x 2 Black-headed Gull x 38 Blue Tit x 4 Common Buzzard x 2 Little Owl x 1 Long-tailed Tit x 2 WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 Jane Ostler Plants in Flower After warm sunny days last week, this week has been uniformly grey and cold. The first flowers of Sweet Violet were therefore doubly welcome. The only scented violet, it is often picked out by some white flowers amongst the mauve. Garden varieties of this species are either darker or colours selected from a range of colours and bred by horticulturalists. The wild primrose which is growing at present also in the hedgerow also is known to produce oddities in colour which have been encouraged in gardens. Sweet Violets is the first to flower of four different kinds of Violets found in Woolsthorpe . The Common Dog Violet is found in the widest variety of habitats but is not the most common here. The Hairy Violet thrives on the lime in open situations where its fine hairs reduce evaporation in the dry conditions of the limestone grassland. Early Dog Violet also follows the lime, but in more shaded situations and its delicate, pale flowers have to be sought out. In the garden, everything seems to be on hold , buds on trees unopened and crocuses closed. No daisies even on the lawn but the cold has extended the life of the earliest flowers like the snowdrops. Insects. Surprised to find the Bumble Bees out on most days from 10a.m. to 4p.m. Having started the year it seems they continue with their work nest building. They are known to be able to store heat in their wing muscles once they have warmed up in morning. No honey bees seen. Winter gnats flying in a brief spell of sunshine on 7 March. Birds Noted 19 Rooks nests in an ash tree with a great clamour of rooks all with their clattering version of spring song as noted famously by Gilbert White. The songbirds on the other hand were quietly going about the business of building nests in the gloom. Mammals. A hedgehog found on the Nature Trail seemed in good health and was put down well into the undergrowth away from the increasing numbers of walkers and their dogs. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. COASTAL NNRs and Nature Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ LWT Top Reserves: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Frampton Marsh & Freiston Shore are listed as Open. https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/coronavirus/reserve-reboot/ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19 includes details of which LWT reserves are open and other advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 3rd March – 9th March 2021 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 240221 – A red kite leisurely drifted south over the dunes. 18 little egret and 16 shelduck on the saltmarsh. 250221 - A grey wagtail flew north over Sea View. Between Churchill Lane and Rimac MOD: 28 golden plover, 3 stonechat, 1 white wagtail. 260221 - 3 stonechat at Rimac and 2 at Crook Bank. Barn owl over the saltmarsh out from Rimac. 270221 - Singles of velvet scoter and common scoter on the sea. 18 skylarks in the dunes near Crook Bank, many in full song. A grey wagtail and a sparrowhawk flew over the dunes. 030321 - A group of 10 curlew feeding in pasture field near Paradise lagoon. 2 very vocal water rails in the dune slack running south from Rimac. A Cetti’s warbler was briefly in song in Rimac reedbed and the ‘usual’ 3 stonechat were around the easy access trail. 040321 - On Sea View washlands: 44 wigeon, 30 teal, 4 shoveler, 2 tufted duck, 5 curlew, 1 redshank and 2 moorhen. 22 little egret on Sea View saltmarsh. 050321 - Roughly 1000 starling feeding around Rimac, often in smaller groups but occasionally coming together in trees near the car park. A minimum of 1000 starlings flying around and briefly roosting in sycamores near Sea View. On Sea View washland and Great Eau: 80 wigeon, 40 teal, 2 shoveler, 4 redshank and 1 snipe. 2 bullfinch near Churchill Lane. 060321 – 4 greylag, 14 pink-footed and 3 European white-fronted geese were feeding in a low, wet depression at Elm House Farm. At least 300 wigeon were feeding in an adjacent field. On Paradise lagoon: 2 pairs of gadwall, 12 teal, 2 tufted duck, 3 mallard, 4 coot and 7 curlew in nearby field. Male merlin plucking a prey item on the saltmarsh and 80 pink footed geese flying over. Group of 2 fieldfare, 1 song thrush, 5 blackbirds and 3 redwing all feeding in Sea View field. 070321 - Red kite circling high over Saltfleet Haven, drifting north west. 3 European white- fronts at Elm House Farm seen to take off and fly off towards Saltfleet before veering north west. Tawny owl calling at mid-day, Sea View. 080321 - At Rimac: 4 stonechats and a vocal woodlark was around the easy access trail which then dropped down to feed on the shortest areas of the dune grassland giving good views. 15 redwing with 400 starlings near the car park. A hen harrier was seen flying in the NNR area. 090321 - Near Sea View: 8 fieldfare and 7 redwing. 5 pink-footed geese flew over Rimac and landed on the beach, 3 snow buntings feeding along the tideline, 149 cormorants along Saltfleet Haven and 3 stonechats amongst scrub south of Sea View. Single peacock and small tortoiseshell butterflies and 2 honey bees in the Churchill Lane area. On Sea View washland and Great Eau: 104 wigeon, 17 teal, 2 shelduck, 1 curlew and 13 little egrets. Other local areas and reserves 010321 – 8 water rail and 3 Cetti’s warblers at Tetney Blow Wells 040321 - At Toby’s Hill: Bombus lucorum. 060321 - 1 raven flew over Louth Canal west of Alvingham. 080321 – At Tetney Blow Wells: 2 frogs and 1 woodcock. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Don't miss Mark Spencer on The Life Scientific - "How plants solve crimes." https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000sz1m Those involved in the planning and development of Love Lincs Plants will remember the important help and advice Mark gave in the initial stages of the project. 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: "Several workshops to be held at Whisby Nature Park are being prepared for the Autumn (September to November). They will be on a variety of subjects. Further details will be announced in due course on the LNU website and on future LNU Emails." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** 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... Some sea slugs behead themselves and then regrow their bodies https://www.newscientist.com/article/2270397-some-sea-slugs-behead-themselves-and-then-regrow-their-bodies/ How our abuse of nature makes pandemics like covid-19 more likely https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg24933240-800-how-our-abuse-of-nature-makes-pandemics-like-covid-19-more-likely/ Yorkshire grandmother taught herself to grow 500 trees in secret after grandkids skipped school to attend climate protests https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/people/yorkshire-grandmother-taught-herself-to-grow-500-trees-in-secret-after-grandkids-skipped-school-to-attend-climate-protests-3157312 How to make a bee hotel - Discover Wildlife https://www.discoverwildlife.com/how-to/make-things/how-to-make-a-bee-hotel/ Road Verge Campaign https://plantlife.love-wildflowers.org.uk/roadvergecampaign Food waste: Amount thrown away totals 900 million tonnes https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56271385 Three surprising things you can make with mushrooms - watch https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/stories-56259541 Northern Pacific seastar: The sea intruder causing havoc in Tasmania https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-australia-56276521 Ten bloodcurdling microplastic facts we've recently learned https://www.zmescience.com/other/feature-post/ten-bloodcurdling-microplastic-facts-weve-recently-learned/ Dog bottle feeds abandoned calf at Derbyshire estate | Derbyshire Times https://www.derbyshiretimes.co.uk/news/people/cute-photos-dog-bottle-feeds-abandoned-calf-at-derbyshire-estate-3147971 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/