============================================ || || 12th May 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please refer to the relevant Covid-related websites below to check the latest information. You will pick up on changes you should know about as guidelines are relaxed and events restart. You may also find different organisations have their own specific advice to offer. Wildlife organisations have tried to keep going in a variety of imaginative ways to provide news and information during lockdown and that has been very much appreciated. If you are quick you can probably sign up today for the RSPB Zoom talk tomorrow. Details below. You need to email Martin Francis at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com before 8pm on Thursday 13th May. There's also a Love Lincs Plants on-line event on Weds 19th May - 7pm. NHM’s Sandra Knapp has kindly agreed to deliver a final talk about the value of herbaria. Weather Forecast: 16 - 25 May "Temperatures still a little below average for most. The north will perhaps see the best of any settled weather, with the south most likely to see any longer spells of more persistent rain. It's likely to be breezy at times, especially around coastal areas in the south and west of the country." https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ Sandmartins - Stuart Britton tells me that the Mid-Lincs Ringing Group, in conjunction with a landowner, built an artificial Sand Martin "Bank" on private land in 2015. There are 36 Nest holes and the same number of Nest chambers. On May 3rd the project manager checked the "Bank" and found that all the holes were occupied and there were 6 newly hatched young and a total of 156 eggs in the chambers. As in previous years he will be completing Nest Records for the BTO and ringing the young. Looks like it could be a bumper year. Heads up for sandmartins. When sending in reports, e.g. unusual nesting birds, it will be good if you can report any sensitive news directly to recorders rather than via the Bulletin please, as we don't want to spoil things with untimely/unwise publicity. If in doubt, choose caution. Thank you. https://lnu.org/specialists/ Here is the week's 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..." Crowland WWII Buffalo LVT: Restoration work begins https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-57059389 Georgian monkey bones found at Nottingham Castle https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-57059361 A glimpse of Charles Darwin's 'paradise' - short clip to watch. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-shropshire-57022907 Sir David Attenborough: Problems that await greater than the epidemic https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/57050259 Edinburgh Botanical gardens free courses https://propagatelearning.rbge.ac.uk/course/index.php Bats don’t have to learn the speed of sound – they’re born knowing it https://www.newscientist.com/article/2276404 Abnormal Plumage Survey - BTO - British Trust for Ornithology https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/gbw/about/background/projects/plumage A furry imposter hovers above the flowers https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/07/a-furry-imposter-hovers-above-the-flowers Country diary: we are down to our last male nightingale https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/may/11/country-diary-we-are-down-to-our-last-male-nightingale 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. 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. Aidan Neary writes: NHM’s Sandra Knapp has kindly agreed to deliver our final talk about the value of herbaria on the 19th May. Details: Weds 19th May – 7pm. Dr Sandra Knapp, President, Linnean Society and botanist at The Natural History Museum, London, will be talking about the importance of both historic and contemporary herbaria and their importance and relevance to the continued research into plants in modern times. Follow Sandra on Twitter: @SandyKnapp For booking and event details go to: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/online-lecture-historic-and-contemporary-herbaria-tickets-149850891049 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 *** "Derbyshire and the Peak District: Birds & Wildlife" *** Zoom Talk by Paul Hobson . The season of Zoom talks offered by the RSPB Grimsby Local Group continues with another illustrated talk which will take place at 7.30pm on Monday 17th May 2021. Martin Francis writes: Paul Hobson is a Sheffield-based nature photographer and author. He has won a number of prestigious international awards, including a category winner in European Wildlife Photographer of the Year. Paul has given talks to the Group in the past and he has recently appeared on Breakfast TV, displaying some of the remarkable photographs he has taken in his own garden during lockdown. This talk is sure to enlighten us about the birds and wildlife of an area that is not too far away, and stun us with outstanding images. 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 13th May, stating that you saw the information in the LNU Bulletin. Martin Francis Leader - RSPB Grimsby Local Group' *** Useful Hedgehog Links *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** Chris du Feu writes: Free to a good home... *** Free to a good home: BTO Bird Study - issues from the 1960s to 1980s - a fairly full set. British Birds - about 100 past issues. First come first served. chris.r.dufeu@gmail.com *** Butterflies of Lincolnshire - brand new book available now *** This work brings together much previously unpublished data and information concerning the changing fortunes of the butterfly species found within this large county. Told through a series of diverse chapters covering the status of 64 species historically known to have occurred here, this is an entertaining and highly personal account of the county's lepidoptera, full of facts, anecdotes, conjecture and just a hint of controversy, including details of illicit releases and the seemingly conflicting ethics of the conservation organisations and certain maverick introductionists. The scope of this work will appeal to both amateurs and experts - it is unlikely that anyone reading this book will not find themselves enlightened, educated, and learning something new about these beautiful winged insects and their history in the second largest county of England. Review: https://www.dispar.org/reference.php?id=175 Available direct from the author @ £21.95 + £4.00 p&p. Please contact Pete Smith on ps.petesmith@outlook.com for details of how to order a copy. *** Bourne Barn Owls online *** Bob Sheppard writes: The barn owls in the Len Pick Trust owl tower are still keeping us waiting for a first egg. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/4593449091 *** Peregrine Webcams *** Bob Sheppard recommends the Lincolnshire peregrine webcam at St James' Church, Louth. Throughout the breeding season this can be accessed 24/7. There is a picture link on the LBC home page. https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/ Bob writes: As of 10.15pm last night (8th May) Louth peregrines now have four chicks. https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/information/lbc-articlebloglist/638-peregrine-project-2 The Loch of Lowes ospreys are due to hatch during the week beginning 17th May. https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ The ospreys at Loch Arkaig are not using the nest yet. The osprey camera at Loch Arkaig is on: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/ *** Urgent Bat SOS *** Annette Faulkner writes... After weeks of frost bats have started flying again, and between Sunday evening and Monday morning early we had three grounded bat calls. All were severely underweight and two of them died within hours. Looking at the stats for 2021 compared with the previous two years, yes, we always get underweight bats at this time of year, but nothing like this year, when many bats for which we so far have weights and measures were not just a little underweight, but so far underweight they were too far gone to be able to bring back. And when we have got them going again and they can be released what are they going to feed on? People put bat boxes up thinking they are helping, but many boxes don’t get used, unlike bird boxes. The difference? People can feed birds and they readily take to boxes on their doorstep. You can’t feed bats in the same way. What you can do is use your garden to increase the insect population. Our bats are starving! This is a plea to all readers who don’t already manage their gardens for wildlife to look at how they can do so. Even a water butt or an old tin bath with water in it will encourage mozzies and midges – all pipistrelle food. Insect populations appear to be in freefall and bats are the canary in the mine. It affects all of us. Reminder: Bat rescue instructions 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. *** Bumblebee sightings *** David Sheppard writes: The piece in the Bulletin did indeed bring in more bumblebee records and from contributors that I had not heard of before. Thank you. *** Moth Night 2021 Dates for the diary *** 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 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. *** South Lincs RSPB Social Group Cruise programme *** Covid-19: Lincolnshire Show cancelled for second year The event was due to take place on June 23 and 24 2021. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-56340942 Jeremy Eyeons writes: Due to the ongoing pandemic and general uncertainty, the South Lincs. RSPB Group have reluctantly decided not to run any Birdwatching Cruises into The Wash during 2021. It is hoped that we can restart the cruises in 2022. Full details are always available on our website https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/ *** Lincolnshire Wolds Outdoor Festival postponed until 30th April - 5th June 2022 *** Helen Gamble writes: The Festival will now run from 30th April to 5th June 2022. More information on the Outdoor Festival is available from https://woldsoutdoorfestival.com/ *** 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 *** May Night Sky *** Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html NOTE that due to COVID 19 the 2021 edition of Night Scenes will only be available as a pdf or kindle and produced in 2 parts covering 6 months each. http://www.astrospace.co.uk/nightscenes/ns-current.html [Editor adds: I am finding this on-line version very useful.] Meteor Shower Guide 2021 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/ Interesting RBA articles. See: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp 4/5 Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 3 Curlew Sandpipers flew north over Anderby Marsh 5/5 Little Stint, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 4 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Black-headed Grebes, 2 Short-eared Owls, Blue-headed Wagtail, Frampton Marsh 3 Garganey [drk on Moat Pond], Little Gull, Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Redshank, Short-eared Owl, Spoonbill, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret at Rimac, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe 1+ Ring Ouzels, in horse paddock off South Sea Lane, Humberston 2 Ring Ouzels in field opposite Tower Hide, Alkborough Flats 6/5 Little Stint, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Jack Snipe from viewing mound, Black-necked Grebe, Spoonbill, Frampton Marsh 2 Short-eared Owls, 3 Ring Ouzels, Wood Sandpiper, Hen Harrier, 4 Spoonbills, Woodlark, Turtle Dove, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl, Saltfleet Haven Common Crane flew over Fillingham Temminck's Stint, Alkborough Flats 7/5 Spoonbill viewable from River Glen bank, Baston Fen - then flew off... Quail singing in fields - audible from River Glen bank, north of Baston Fen Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Little Stint, 3 Spoonbills on wet grassland, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier, Little Gull, Gibraltar Point 2 Arctic Terns at Hubbert's Bridge, west of Boston 8/5 Spoonbill viewable from River Glen bank, Baston Fen 3 Cattle Egrets at Deeping Lakes flew east over River Welland by East Pit, Deeping St James 3 Garganey all drks, 7 Spoonbills, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flats 9/5 Wood Sandpiper, Baston Fen 2 Little Stints, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, Spoonbill, Frampton Marsh Ring Ouzel, 2 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl, Tetney Marshes 2 Wood Sandpipers, Manby Flashes Quail singing in field west of bridge, Bonby Carrs Osprey, 3 Spoonbills flew over, Far Ings 10/5 2 Little Terns at East Pit, then flew high north, 2 Black Terns then flew high north, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 2 Spoonbills near Asgarby NW of Heckington Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh Red-rumped Swallow - then flew off, Woodlark flew south, Little Gull, Gibraltar Point Glossy Ibis at back of 1st Flash, Manby Flashes 11/5 Temminck's Stint at Marsh Farm, 2 Little Stints, Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Jack Snipe, 4 Spoonbills, Short-eared Owl, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Turnstone, Water Pipit, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill, Wood Sandpiper, Freiston Shore Spoonbill, Gibraltar Point Turtle Dove, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Garganey, on south side, Donna Nook 12/5 Turnstone at East Pit, then flew off Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Tenninck's Stint from sea wall, Jack Snipe from last mound before sea wall. Frampton Marsh ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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! 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 ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Hedgehogs? Badgers? Otters? Reports welcome. Chris Manning writes: Otter road kills... It would be helpful if readers would continue to report otter road kills and sightings to help build up relevant data. Carcases may be sent to: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/otter-project [Alas our local EA team no longer support the project by paying for transport.] Potential Bovine TB Hotspot Area [PHA] - Lincolnshire Wolds "If you find a dead badger or wild deer carcase within the PHA, please report this to the Animal and Plant Health Agency [APHA] via the Defra Rural Services Helpline 03000 200301. They will need the following details: 1. The location of the carcase to assess whether it falls within the PHA and in order to find it, if it’s suitable for collection. This could be an OS grid reference, longitude-latitude co-ordinates, the what3words address (tapping on the exact square where the carcase is located), a postcode or enough detail to precisely locate the carcase 2. Whenever possible an assessment of the condition of the carcase because decomposing or extensively damaged carcases are not suitable for post mortem examination." *** Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important *** Grab a Grid Reference: https://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ Chris Manning writes: Please remember to use grid refs, If a recorder doesn't, it not only adds work but must invariably loose accuracy. DON'T FORGET - TIME FLIES! Please include the year in your reports in case they are copied and thus lose their context. Include the time too if relevant - e.g. for Bat records. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Thanks to our regular contributors across the county. Much appreciated. We rely on readers to send in their observations and we welcome records from everyone, experts or beginners. Please keep your reports coming. APLEY TF110744 Su Colman & Mark Townsend 09/05/21 16:25 Hundred's of St Mark's flies in the grass verge and hedge BARDNEY - The Green TF120694 R & A Parsons 5/5/2021 Nesting material noted in "robin box" in woodshed - and later a robin filmed visiting on trailcam. 10/5 Orange Tip butterfly noted in churchyard next door [AP] 2 adult robins seen on wall in garden - one feeding the other. 12/5 Queen wasp - probably V. germanica - evicted from house. BARDNEY TF117699 5/5/2021 Steve Green Angle Shades moth disturbed in greenhouse CLEETHORPES Angela Buckle, 7th May 2021. Flowers. Rue leaved saxifrage, Oxford ragwort, Creeping buttercup, Birdsfoot trefoil, FAR INGS Angela Buckle, 7th May 2021. Gromwell, Mouse eared hawkweed, Creeping buttercup, Wood avens, White bryony, Swifts, and 2 Common terns, Cuckoo calling. GOSLINGS CORNER Location: Goslings Corner Wood LWT reserve Grid Ref: TF142751 Margaret Westcott 27.04.2021 Fomes fomentarius, Hoof Fungus, hanging like bells from a broken tree trunk. In the main wood with the bluebells, wood anemones and ransomes - follow the path and look left through the trees. Confirmed from photo by recorder, Ray Halstead, who adds: Fomes fomentarius Very common on birch in Lincolnshire - hoof fungus, fire fungus. GRIMSBY TA265095 Joyce Attia 09/05/21 16.45 hrs. In the garden: we have our regulars - a pair of beautiful blackbirds, though the female seems to have disappeared over the last couple of weeks. I'm hoping she is nesting somewhere, a pair of dunnocks, goldfinches (4 or 5 come at a time), a couple of green finches, one or two house sparrows, a wren, blue tits, great tits, I have heard chiffchaffs but not seen them, a pair of collared doves, starlings, wood pigeons, a few feral pigeons, one with only one leg, I try to feed him on his own in the evening. Across the river outside our back gate there are a number of bushes which are difficult to prune and there are always lots of small birds singing away there, it's lovely to hear them. I saw my first swallows of the year on 28th April dive bombing over the garden 2nd May, Morning chorus day. Set the alarm for 5 am and left the windows open. Joey, our resident black bird was first up, followed by 2 dunnocks calling to each other, I could hear titty twitters from the tree in the garden, then it was all drowned out by the herring gulls on the chimney pot. 6th May. We walked along the Humber Bank from Barton to Far Ings, lots of bird song along the way, and a highlight was the robin who would take food from your hand. By our river bank we have had one brood of moorhens with 4 chicks, unfortunately they didn't survive, poor little things are so tiny they are easily caught by rats or pike, we have had a brood of 6 mallards which have survived and are about 3 weeks old. The swans are nesting by the main road again. I saw them this morning, Mum sitting on the nest and the cob pulling up reeds for repairs. Last year they nested in the same place and were disturbed so often that they only had one cygnet, they usually have between 6 and 9. Last years cygnet is still on his own. There was a lovely patch of marsh marigolds alongside the river bank and flag irises ready to come into bud. HARDY GANG WOOD TF092748 Su Colman & Mark Townsend 09/05/21 15:30 Water avens coming up, wood anemones fading HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Haynes 9 May 2021 I saw a bat flying outside my house at about 9pm and again on 10 May. Brown hare spotted in the field opposite my house. Coal tit and Great Spotted Woodpecker in my garden. Rooks trying to fly off with bird feeders! Brimstone butterfly in the garden. HUTTOFT TF511762 (my garden) Jane Pennington 6/5/2021 Bat sp. likely Common pipistrelle 2 detected at 45kHz and seen 9.02-9.15pm Bombus lucorum 1 9/5/2021 Anthophora plumipes 1 Bombus lucorum 2 Orange tip 1 m. Shrew 1 dead Sparrowhawk 1 10/5/2021 Bat sp. likely Common pipistrelle 1 seen 9.07-9.10pm (very windy - very quick visit) Song thrush 1 5am KELSTERN TF252903 Tim Mason 2/5/2021 Solitary Red Kite LOUTH Mill lane Derrick Haywood 09/05/2021 Saw first swifts today. 10/05/2021 Saw bat on mill lane (first in 42years) don't know what species. SOUTHREY WOOD near BARDNEY R & A Parsons 11/5/2021 Wet going in places. Parking: TF132685 Bluebells looking great, TF136683. Wood anemones "going over" now. Great-spotted Woodpecker drumming Deer barking TORTOISESHELL WOOD SK963197 Jane Ostler 7/5/21 Due to mobility problems have had to rely on others to help with any recording but good to know that the wood has all the main spring woodland plants if only those noted nearest the entrance. Plants in flower included Goldilocks, Water Avens, Wild Garlic, Garlic Mustard, Bluebell Primrose Birds seen or heard included Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Green Woodpecker, Wren, Tree Creeper, Nuthatch, Red Kite.  WOOLSTHORPE BY COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 Jane Ostler Wild Plants in Flower in own garden: Red Campion, Native Bluebell, Sweet Woodruff, Water Avens, Bugle, Primroses, Cowsliip, Cuckoo Flower, Lady’s Smock,Sweet Violet, Lesser Celandine, Lungwort, Comfrey, White Deadnettle, Wild Garlic, Wild Arum. Generally speaking these have flowered later this year. Orange Tip Butterflies seen in Garden on 9th May 21 after a week of not seeing any in windy, wet and cool weather. No Holly Blues seen yet this year. The first Swifts flying over the garden on 10/5/21 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. 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 LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 5th – 11th May 2021 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 050521 - 8 whimbrel on the saltmarsh. 060521 - Single wheatear on saltmarsh and 16 whimbrel, 7 swifts with mix of hirundines feeding over Paradise lagoon. 2 weasels observed highly active, chasing, rolling, in the mud on the edge of the Great Eau near Paradise. 2 moorhens, 1 on each bank, were very close by and one could assume with the possibility of a nest the weasels were engaged in hunting mode by drawing the birds away from the nest. 070521 - Pair of gadwall, shoveler and shelduck and 2 pairs of tufted duck on Paradise lagoon, single common sandpiper on edge of Great Eau and 12 whimbrel on saltmarsh. Late evening 51 whimbrel on the saltmarsh and 7 pairs of shelduck. 080521 - 2 spoonbills reported (reliable source) on the evening at Paradise lagoon, 20 mute swans there earlier. After c40 mm rain over recent days and a wet day today very few snails seen in comparison to recent years. 83 species recorded on the NNR for Global Birding Day. Wood warbler and tree pipit between Churchill Lane and Brickyard Lane before the rain set in. Fresh arrivals of wheatear included 3 on the foreshore sheltering from the wind and rain behind driftwood. 090521 - On Stubbs pasture near Elm House: 13 whimbrel, 2 oystercatchers and a single lapwing. Single hobby over Sea View. Fresh brown argus, wall brown and large red damselfly in the Churchill Lane area. Lots of dandelions, cowslips, field mouse-ear, cuckoo flower, cranesbill and storksbill. 20 wheatear, 2 whinchat and a yellow wagtail in dunes and fields around Rimac. Great white egret on Rimac freshwater marsh. 100521 - Hobby over saltmarsh, 3 whimbrel and single wheatear nearby. Evening: 10 whimbrel on saltmarsh and 9 wheatear on dunes north of Rimac. Spotted flycatcher at Churchill Lane. 10 wheatear in the dunes between Sea View and Rimac. Grasshopper warbler at Rimac. Cuckoo at Sea View. 110521 - Reed warbler near Great Eau at Paradise and on the lagoon late evening a single spoonbill, 2 shoveler and 20 tufted duck. Great spotted woodpecker in Paradise wood and 1 wheatear on nearby dunes. Small heath, wall brown and painted lady butterflies seen at Rimac. C120 ringed plover out from Churchill Lane. 2 grasshopper warbler, 6 wheatear and a female redstart around Rimac. Cuckoo at Sea View. Other local reserves 110521 – Donna Nook: hobby, common lizard, 9 avocet, c80 ringed plover, c90 dunlin, 6 oystercatchers, 1 whimbrel, 2 curlew, 3 turnstone, cuckoo, marsh harrier. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 British Native Trees - Woodland Trust https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/ 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 Find a Wood - Woodland Trust: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/find-woods/ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on the Coronavirus, Covid-19 plus details of any LWT reserves which are now open and the related advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We hope to increase the number of people reporting observations to Recorders and improve the quality and quantity of reports and the geographical coverage. In return for this FREE service, we ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] Bulletin mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. The Bulletin usually goes out on Wednesdays/Thursdays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** http://lnu.org/ LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? LNU Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lincsnaturalists/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given on the website. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ Downloads of LNU books are available on: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ LNU Bursaries: Why not apply for one? The LNU offers bursaries for natural history courses, or for identification materials (e.g. books or online resources) to help recording in any group of plants, animals or fungi in Lincolnshire. The upper limit is £300. You do not need to be a member of the LNU to apply, but it would help. The LNU would, however, expect you to put your newly facilitated skills into practice and derive some Lincolnshire records. If you would like to apply for a bursary for an FSC [or similar] course, or to buy books to help you, please contact Richard Chadd on: richard.chadd@environment-agency.gov.uk *** Love Lincs Plants *** Events and activities for Love Lincs Plants remain suspended until further notice. Love Lincs Plants Twitter feed - active... https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants LLP Project Partners and related links: Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Natural History Museum Twitter feed https://twitter.com/nhm_botany?lang=en Sir Joseph Banks Society 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. Some identification links: British Native Trees - Woodland Trust https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/ 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/ 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 Ashley writes: Please have a look at https://www.recordpool.org.uk/index.php for an easy way to record your amphibian and reptile species records. 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 Bat rescue instructions: 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. *** 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 LINKS 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 Lincolnshire Environmental Awards are to be relaunched this year with substantial prizes! Groups that want to enter will have to submit their entries by 31st July 2021. The finals will be a much simpler affair at Whisby Nature Park on the afternoon of Saturday 25th September. For further information see: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lincs-environmental-awards *** 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/ *** Bird Friendly Coffee Shade-grown from RSPB *** https://birdandwild.co.uk/ For the geologists... Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** 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 *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. 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 *** "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: LNU Website: https://lnu.org/meetings/ LNU Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lincsnaturalists/ 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 *** Steve Haith - soft bounce - message could not be delivered 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... Watch a flying squirrel take to the air https://www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/video/tv/flying-squirrel Researchers create bizarre floating gadget that could save millions of seabirds https://www.zmescience.com/science/researchers-create-bizarre-floating-gadget-that-could-save-millions-of-seabirds/ Become a citizen-scientist and help Durham University track UK garden songbirds https://community.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/b/biodiversity/posts/become-a-citizen-scientist-and-help-durham-university-track-uk-garden-songbirds Rare fish set for return to River Severn breeding grounds https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57016998 UK's only resident killer whales spotted in Cornwall https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-57011389 Ancient child grave was Africa's earliest funeral https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56986457 Stoke Mandeville: HS2 to move 3,000 bodies from medieval churchyard https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-56981338 Cerne Abbas Giant age revealed by scientists https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-57076224 Golden eagle poisoning probed by police in Aberdeenshire https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-57000780 Rare white-beaked dolphins spotted off Essex coast https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-56993118 Sandleford 'Watership Down' house-building inquiry starts https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-berkshire-56941841 Hertfordshire: Fundraiser launched to buy 'irreplaceable' Astonbury Wood https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-56980389 Silverdale stink: The landfill smell uniting a community in anger https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-stoke-staffordshire-56944997 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/