============================================ || || 24th 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... *** Remember to put your clocks forward on Sunday. British Summer Time starts. With the possibility of a third lockdown, please refer to the relevant websites to confirm information in the Bulletin and pick up on any Covid-related changes. It is good to enjoy the signs of spring. Working on the computer one evening this week I could just hear a blackbird singing. It was such a virtuoso performance I had to stop what I was doing and go outside to listen. We sat in the garden and enjoyed a superb performance. A common garden bird with such a sublime song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPB4u-BfYFA Weather Forecast: 27 March - 3 April "After a brief cold interlude on Friday, temperatures will recover on Saturday with further showers, wintry over high ground during the morning, and strong winds in northwestern areas. Elsewhere across the U.K most areas becoming largely dry but often cloudy. Bands of rain are then likely to continue to move in from the northwest during this period, with the heaviest rain across northern and western parts of the UK." 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..." Park ranger: 'Boxing deer were a sight to behold' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-leicestershire-56417694 Dead humpback whale washed up on Blyth beach https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-56459392 Walrus spotted in Wales, days after one seen off Ireland https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-56470235 Walrus caught on camera on Pembrokeshire coast - watch https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-wales-56476760 More new solar-powered bins coming to Grimsby and Cleethorpes https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/news/grimsby-news/more-new-solar-powered-bins-5194513 British Native Trees - Woodland Trust https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/ Froglife on Frogspawn https://www.froglife.org/tag/frogspawn/ The Life Scientific - all available episodes https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b015sqc7 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. Thank you for all the contributions. 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, LNU Facebook page and LNU meetings webpage. 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 *** "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. *** Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival postponed until 2022 *** Helen Gamble writes: The organisers behind the upcoming Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival have announced that the inaugural event, originally set to take place this May, has now been postponed until 2022. The Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival is set to be the successor to the Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival, however, those behind the event say that, despite the recent announcement on the planned easing of Covid-19 restrictions, it would be difficult to do the Festival justice whilst ensuring safety of all involved. The Organisers will instead use 2021 to run a campaign celebrating the Lincolnshire Wolds as a place to visit, get active, and explore. The Festival will now run from 30th April to 5th June 2022. More information on the Outdoor Festival is available from https://woldsoutdoorfestival.com/ *** Bourne Barn Owls are Back online*** Bob Sheppard is hoping for a better year for the barn owls in the Len Pick tower at Bourne. Last year was the worst ever recorded in Lincolnshire for this species! The combination of flooding, followed by drought, decimated the voles, so most owls failed at the young chick stage. Many adults didn't even attempt to lay at all. Things look much better this year with farmers reporting high vole numbers. This usually results in a good breeding year for owls, kestrels, foxes, badgers, etc. The camera is now live 24/7. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 *** Bat records please *** Annette Faulkner writes: In another week or two bats will start properly emerging from hibernation. 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/ *** 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.] 'Meteorite' discovered in East Yorkshire village https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-humber-56402662 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 several interesting articles. See: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp Identifying Geese? Good WWT page. https://www.wwt.org.uk/discover-wetlands/wetland-wildlife/uk-geese/ 17/3 Cattle Egret in paddock opposite Pearce's Farm, Stowgate, west of Crowland 2 Russian White-fronted Geese in field on north side, Baston+Langtoft GPs Hen Harrier ringtail, Frampton Marsh Long-eared Owl, 24 Russian White-fronted Geese, Gibraltar Point 2 Water Pipits, Rimac 18/3 Cattle Egret in paddock opposite Pearce's Farm, Stowgate, west of Crowland Hen Harrier ringtail flew over Baston+Langtoft GPs Dark-bellied Brent Goose on East Pit, Deeping Lakes, SE of Deeping St James 2+ Common Scoters flew over Grantham Little Ringed Plover, 7 Russian White-fronted Geese, Frampton Marsh Black-necked Grebe, Freiston Shore Firecrest at North Building Ridge, 11 Russian White-fronted Geese on Tennyson's Sands, Hen Harrier male, Gibraltar Point 19/3 Knot, on Wader Pit. Baston+Langtoft GP Dark-bellied Brent Goose on East Pit, Deeping Lakes, SE of Deeping St James 17 Russian White-fronted Geese, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Osprey over Marsh Yard, Anderby Creek Spoonbill flew west over Far Ings Great White Egret at Nebraska Wetlands, Kirton in Lindsey, Scunthorpe 20/3 Knot, on Wader Pit. 53 Whooper Swans flew north, released White-tailed Eagle imm, Baston+Langtoft GPs 17 Russian White-fronted Geese, Short-eared Owl,3+ Frampton Marsh Caspian Gull 2w on beach, 10 Snow Buntings , Gibraltar Point Smew as drk, in quarry from Job's Lane, Whisby 3 Scaup, on north side, Covenham reservoir White Wagtail, Toft Newton Reservoir 21/3 released White-tailed Eagle imm flew east, Cattle Egret, Dark-bellied Brent Goose on river Welland, Deeping Lakes, SE of Deeping St James White-tailed Eagle imm Colsterworth, flew over Woolsthorpe Hen Harrier ringtail, Freiston Shore 2 Short-eared Owls, 14+ Snow Buntings on beach, Firecrest, Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point Mealy Redpoll with 40 Lesser Redpolls, Doddington Park 2 Bitterns. Far Ings 22/3 Water Pipit, in field south of Baston Fen American Wigeon, Frampton Marsh Pale-bellied Brent Goose on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Popint Iceland Gull flew south past Wolla Bank 23/3 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, by River Welland on East Pit, Deeping Lakes, SE of Deeping St James Scaup 1w drk, East Pit, Deeping Lakes, Se of Deeping St James Woodlark, Gibraltar Point Black Redstart, fem./1w male, Theddlethorpe Hen Harrier, Horseshoe Point Hen Harrier, North Cotes Point 24/3 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, by River Welland on East Pit, Deeping Lakes, SE of Deeping St James Cattle Egret at industrial estate at Custom Road/Hards Lane junction, in Garford Machinery compound, 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! Roger died on the 6th March 2009. https://funeral-notices.co.uk/notice/Roger+Goy/1980090 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. SOUTHREY WOOD near Bardney On B1190 by entrance to access road: TF132685 R & A Parsons 21/3/2021ay 10.00hrs Brown Hare - adult in middle of road 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 20/3/2021 2 herons flew over west of Church approx 08.30hrs [AP] 23/3 A pair of Egyptian Geese seen on the top of the tower and the nave roof of St Lawrence Church, Bardney, at 6.45-7am - at which point the chiming of 7am moved them on! https://www.explorechurches.org/church/st-lawrence-bardney BARDNEY Abbey Road G Laking reported Lesser Redpoll in garden 23/3/2021 BARDNEY (Allotments) TF124691 20/03/2021 Steve Green Small White adult butterfly BOSTON TF338441 Tracey Lenton 17/03/2021 Heard a frog croaking around 21:00 and again around midnight as I couldn't sleep and went into the garden, also saw a hedgehog, the first sighting of the year. Forget-me-nots starting to flower. Violets and daisies flowering in lawn. Black-headed gull x 1 on neighbouring TV aerial - a popular perch with the birds We have two resident collared doves which are now gathering nesting material and disappearing into the conifer hedge to build a nest. Masses of 7-spot ladybirds seen on sunny days. FAR INGS Angela Buckle Sunday 21st March 2021 Hawthorn in full leaf, Blackthorn flowering, Bittern booming well. GRIMSBY TA265095 Joyce Attia 18.00 hrs 19th March 2021 I stopped feeding the birds last summer because my neighbours were complaining of rats and I didn't want to encourage vermin. I started putting food out again in late Autumn and it was totally ignored. I got a few for the Big Garden Bird watch, but then we got the really cold spell end of the first week in February and that brought the birds out. They were starving, poor things We had greenfinches, goldfinches, a male and female chaffinch, sparrows, blue tits, great tits, male and female blackbirds, starlings, robin, dunnock, a pair of collared doves, wood pigeons, a few feral pigeons and I spotted a wren foraging in one of last years planters which was sheltered nearer the house. I don't clear them til the weather gets a bit warmer - someone might find a meal. Just across the river from my back gate is a clump of bushes which was absolutely full of small birds. It was a job keeping the bird bath ice free, it froze almost as fast as we cleared it. Now they all seem to have gone away again, just the goldfinches and occasional blue tit. In the garden we have primroses and violets, as well as the daffodils, and everything else is budding. On the warm days we have had bumble bees, large yellow and black striped with buff bottoms and one black and yellow with an orange bottom, same reported to David Sheppard who says they are Bombus Terrestris and Bombus Pratorum (sounds like a Roman) This morning I found something has been digging in the front garden, there is soil scattered about. We don't have any cats round here, so I wondered if it could be a fox. Nothing has been caught on security camera. TA263098 We've been feeding the squirrels on the local park, along with a number of other people. The squirrels are very tame and will take the peanuts from your hand. It's lovely to see the little children feeding them, it's teaching them to appreciate wildlife. This is the area where we saw the bats last year, though we haven't seen any yet. TA248122 We've been walking to various places during this lockdown, one favourite is the Humber Bank wall. Last week we saw various gulls, herring gulls, black headed gulls in their breeding plumage, there was one black backed gull, there was a small group of shelducks, some dunlin, knot, and I think redshanks, some turnstones, a little egret and one solitary curlew. I haven't seen lapwings for some years now...very sad. HORKSTOW SE987179 21 March 2021 Five Dunnocks chasing each other around in my garden, all fluffed up! I also heard what I think was a Robin singing at 11pm. And again at 5am. Four brown hares in the field opposite. Sure sign of spring. NETTLEHAM TF016753 David Smith 21/03/2021 15.00 Bumblebees Bombus lapidarius x1 Bombus lucorum x1 (Shared to recorder - identification confirmed from photographs) NOCTON Jerry Gunner “It’s been a week of firsts here in Nocton, for me anyway. On Sunday March 21st I saw my first brimstone of the year and a few minutes later I saw a raven fly over, cronking away merrily. I had seen one the previous Thursday along the Car Dyke near Wasp’s Nest. Very unusual sightings, I can’t remember the last time I saw one near Nocton. There were a lot of redwings in the trees near the Car Dyke on Monday March 22 but none on the following day. Also in the trees on the Monday were a number of songbirds including mistle thrush and my first chiff-chaff of the season though I didn’t see either. The bank running alongside the ditch alongside the road from Nocton to the bluebell wood is a mass of primroses and today, Tuesday 23rd I noticed lots of anemones. Last week we had our windows cleaned, not suitable for the bulletin you might say but on this occasion the shiny glass prompted some not uncommon but still interesting behaviour from one of the blackbirds in the back garden. It took a serious dislike to its own reflection in the glass in the back door that now looks like it’s been attacked by a maniac with a fork. Droppings and feathers everywhere. Queen bees noted in the garden include white tailed and larger buff-tailed ones. Honey bees are very active. The bats are out over both front and back gardens every night now.” SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 16/03/21 Blackbird x 2 Black-headed Gull x 4 over Blue Tit x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 4 Jackdaw x 2 Robin x 2 Wood Pigeon x 4 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 04/03/21 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 8 Blue Tit x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Great Tit x 1 Long-tailed Tit x 1pr. Marsh Harrier x 1 male over Thurnholmes Robin x 1 Song Thrush x 1 Tawny Owl x 1 07/03/21 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 6 Black-headed Gull x 37 over Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Common Buzzard x 2 calling, soaring high over Thurnholmes Cormorant x 4 on pylons over Owston Ferry Warping Drain Dunnock x 2 Golden Plover x 52 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 2 Greylag Goose x 1 over Grey Partridge x 4 Heron x 1 over Lesser Redpoll x 2 Linnet x 2 Little Owl x 2 Long-tailed Tit x 2 Mallard x 3 over Moorhen x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain  Mute Swan x 1 over Pied Wagtail x 1 Red-legged Partridge x 6 Robin x 2 Tree Sparrow x 15 09/03/21 Barn Owl x 1 Lesser Redpoll x 2 Linnet x 2 Long-tailed Tit x 2 Skylark x 2 15/03/21 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 13 Black-headed Gull x 4 fields around Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 4 Common Buzzard x 1 Cormorant x 2 Dunnock x 2 Goldfinch x 4 Great Tit x 2 Greylag Goose x 2 over Thurnholmes Grey Partridge x 4 Lesser Redpoll x 2 Long-tailed it x 2 Mallard x 3 over Mute Swan x 3 over Thurnholmes Pied Wagtail x 2 Red-legged Partridge x 2 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Stock Dove x 2 Tree Sparrow x 2 Wood Pigeon x 9 Bombus terrestris x 1 17/03/21 Sam Hiner Blackbird x 2 Goldfinch x 4 Robin x 1 Brown Hare x 1 Roe Deer x 1 WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 Jane Ostler 17th March – 23rd March 2021 Flowering plants. A short walk from where I live there is a Jitty which links Newton Lane and Water Lane along which a spring-fed stream, the Rundle, flows. With my walking very restricted I go along its 100metres very; regularly. This week I have realised how diverse the plants are, surviving in a narrow strip of grassland on one side and a strip of soil below the garden fence sides on the other. In flower this week were just a few of each of these:-Perennials Daisy, Red and White Deadnettle, Lesser Celandine, Periwinkle (V.major), Sweet Violets a Garden Spurge, Herb Robert. Annuals Petty Spurge, Whitlow Grass, Ivy-Leaved Speedwell, Groundsel, Common Chickweed, Shepherd’s Purse, Hairy Bittercress. I also noted how many other kinds of plants have their leaves through and thought it would be worth keeping a record over the year which demonstrates the value of pockets of ‘waste’ ground. Elsewhere the blackthorn is finally out and some Hawthorn and Elder is showing Green. Insects. On 21st March we had the sort of day we always look for in the garden – sunshine and warm enough to watch the insects. Two species of Bumble Bee seen for the first time this year – the Carder Bee and the White tailed Bumble Bee. The latter is usually the first to appear , this year it was the Tree Bumble Bee followed by the Buff-tailed Bumble Bee both of which have been about on most days. The Honey Bee was on the apricot blossom its pollen sacs loaded. The first male Hairy-footed flower Bee (Anthophora plumipes) at midday was exploring the Pansies but later in the afternoon there were four on their favourite lungwort flowers. In the late afternoon we were astonished to see a Hummingbird Hawkmoth briefly visit the same pansies. Amphibians. On morning of 18th March five clumps of frog spawn were in the pond in the morning with only four male frogs still in the pond. The population continues to decline. Birds. Regular flocks of starlings crossing above Woolsthorpe Road. On 17th March a chiffchaff heard. A blackcap seen on Nature Trail. Jackdaws nesting in a neighbours owl box. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. COASTAL NNRs and Nature Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Reserves: https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ LWT Top Reserves: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB Frampton Marsh & Freiston Shore are listed as Open. https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/coronavirus/reserve-reboot/ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19 includes details of which LWT reserves are open and other advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 17th – 23rd March 2021 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 170321 - A group of 4 fieldfares in shelterbelt near Sea View and 1 short-eared owl on the dunes. 180321 - 35 curlew flying over Rimac from nearby pasture land to a roost near Saltfleet Haven. On Sea View washlands: 90 wigeon, 17 teal, 6 tufted duck and 2 moorhen. 2 Crucifix beetle Panagaeus cruxmajor found at Sea View. 190321 - 13 curlew feeding in pasture near Paradise lagoon. On Sea View washlands: 64 wigeon, 21 teal, 4 moorhen, 1 curlew and 1 redshank. Flock of c1000 starlings still present feeding around Sea View and surrounding fields. Large numbers of starlings between Saltfleet and Mablethorpe, well in excess of 10,000. Considerable number of frogs and toads spawning at Churchill Lane. 200321 - Single fieldfare near Sea View, pair of shoveler and gadwall plus 11 tufted duck on Paradise lagoon and 120 pink-feet flying North. 3 chiffchaff and a Cetti’s warbler in song at Crook Bank. Around were: 2 peregrine, 128 golden plover, 2 stonechat and 2 goldcrest. c90 pink-footed geese flew north over the sea in two groups. 14 snipe, 25 common buzzard, 2 grey heron and a siskin went south. At least 9-12 water pipit roosting at Rimac. Small tortoiseshell in flight along the edge of the saltmarsh. 210321 - Tatty small tortoiseshell on the wing at Sea View. Cetti’s warbler singing at Rimac. A fortunate common snipe narrowly avoided the grasp of a peregrine in the evening. 10 mute swan and 10 whooper swan roosting on Rimac lagoon at dusk. 220321 - Male hen harrier, marsh harrier and merlin hunting over saltmarsh. Grey partridge flew from dunes near Sea View. Tawny owl calling late afternoon near Sea View. 8 water pipits at Rimac as well as a Cetti’s warbler, 20 snipe and a pair of pintail. 12 redwing in the trees around Sea View. Small bat in flight around Sea View Farm. 94 pink-footed geese flying over Churchill Lane northwards. 3 kingfisher in the Paradise area. 230321 - Kingfisher along the Eau near Sea View washlands. Cetti’s warbler singing in scrub near Rimac. Chiffchaff singing at the southern end of the NNR where 3 siskin flew south. Black redstart in Churchill Lane area as well as green and great spotted woodpeckers heard on several days in past week. First blackthorn in flower and some elder in leaf. Other local areas and reserves: 230321 – Welton-le-Wold: 2 yellowhammers singing and a flock of 23 fieldfares flew over. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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 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 *** 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. March 27th AGM - Cancelled Brian Hedley writes: I've put the 'confirmed' (subject to various caveats) field meetings onto the LNU Facebook ...and 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 *** None notifed last week - but advice is, if your Service provider or network can't or won't allow the Bulletin through, use 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". Just ask. ....and finally... Icelandic volcano erupts near Reykjavik https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-56465393 Nasa Mars rover: The clanking sound of Perseverance's wheels - listen https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56443915 Aberdeen's grey squirrels to be tagged and tracked https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-56428605 North Devon volunteers install nest boxes for kestrels https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-56428392 NHBS Backlist Bargains sale https://www.nhbs.com/ Protect our ocean 'to solve challenges of century https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56430542 Four Lincolnshire locations have links to slave trade, new report finds https://thelincolnite.co.uk/2021/03/four-lincolnshire-locations-have-links-to-slave-trade-new-report-finds/ ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/