============================================ || || 19th 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We've had some cracking reports in this week and not just lists of species but some good descriptive observations. All I need to mention are the sharp storms and rainfall we have had, with thunder, lightning and hail on a few occasions. "No Mow May" will soon become "Long Grass May"! Please let us know of you notice this reflected in your local wildlife. We have again noted Common Cud Weed in the garden - in several places on a brick path. https://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/common-cudweed As events gradually resume, please keep referring to the relevant Covid-related websites below to check the latest information from the LNU and other organisations. You may pick up changes you should know about. You may also find different organisations have specific advice to offer. Weather Forecast: 23 May - 1 June "...As next week progresses there is a chance of more settled conditions to gradually become established. Rain and showers are likely to clear away to the east, leaving drier and less windy conditions behind by the end of the week. Temperatures look likely to remain on the cool side, though feeling pleasant in the sunshine. Night temperatures could become chilly, with late season frost in prone spots a possibility... " https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ When sending in reports, e.g. unusual plants, 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 related articles sent in by fellow-readers. Your contributions keep the Bulletin interesting so please keep them coming! More links in "...and finally..." British wildlife in May https://www.discoverwildlife.com/how-to/watch-wildlife/british-wildlife-in-may/ BBC Springwatch: Norfolk to host Chris Packham and Michaela Strachan https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-57146470 Springwatch taster: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000wgrz Green light for 'net zero' equivalent for nature https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57152169 Climate change: Ban all gas boilers from 2025 to reach net-zero https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57149059 Ancaster Valley: Rubbish dumped and trees cut at reserve https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-57135520 More than a billion sparrows in the world, study finds https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57150571 Winchcombe meteorite goes on display in Natural History Museum - watch https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-57104319 To help us find some more readers, please try the "forward to a friend" link at the end of the Bulletin. Tip: If possible avoid forwarding on your individual Bulletin to others. It's best to use the secure link at the end of each issue. You can also direct people to: https://lnu.org/publications/wildnews-bulletin/ 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". Advice may change. 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. 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 *** Useful Hedgehog Links *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** 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 writes: 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/ *** Bat SOS *** Annette Faulkner writes... 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. 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. *** 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 *** South Lincs RSPB Social Group Cruise programme *** 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/ For RBA articles: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp 12/5 Turnstone at East Pit, then flew off Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Temminck's Stint from sea wall, Little Stint, from sea wall, Jack Snipe from last mound before sea wall, 5 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh 2 Spoonbills on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 2 Turtle Doves near Chalk Lane, Burgh le Marsh Spoonbill, then flew north, Great White Egret, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dotterel in field, Tetney Lock 13/5 Turnstone at East Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 2 Temminck's Stints from last mound left of main track to sea wall, 3 Little Stints, Curlew Sandpiper, 8 Spoonbills, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Spotted Redshank, Little Gull, Frampton Marsh Cattle Egret, Little Gull, west side of Tennyson's Sands, 2 Spoonbills, one on Jackson's Marsh, one flew south, Gibraltar Point 2 Turtle Doves between Churchill and Brickyard Lane car parks, Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe Egyptian vulture ad reported flew west over Willingham by Stow Spoonbill, Cress Marsh, Stallingborough 14/5 2 Turtle Doves, 4 Spoonbills, 3 Temminck's Stints from sea wall, 2 Little Stints, Spotted Redshank, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Wood Sandpipers, Water Pipit, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Great White Egret, Donna Nook 15/5 Short-eared Owl, Willow Tree Fen 2 Temminck's Stints from sea wall, 2+ Curlew Sandpiper, 2+ Spoonbills, Little Gull, Turtle Dove, 2 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh Curlew Sandpiper, Freiston Shore Honey Buzzard, 2 Spoonbills, Little Gull, Croft Marsh, Spotted Redshank on Jackson's Marsh, Curlew Sandpiper from Sea Wall car park, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Quail male Yawthorpe, WNW of Hemswell 16/5 Temminck's Stint, 2 Little Stints, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Spoonbills, Little Gull, 2 Short-eared Owl over saltmarsh, 2 Black-necked Grebes, Frampton Marsh Honey Buzzard flew north over East Dunes, Little Gull Croft Marsh, Wood Warbler in West Dunes, Osprey flew west, Gibraltar Point 2 Turtle Doves, Blankney Quarry 17/5 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Little Stints, 5 Spoonbills, 3 Common cranes circled over saltmarsh, Short-eared Owl, 3 Little Gulls all 1s, Frampton Marsh Firecrest, 2 Little Grebes on Croft Marsh, Gibraltar Point Common Scoter flew over Scopwick Spoonbill at Cress Marsh, Stallingborough Spoonbill flew west over Far Ings 18/5 4 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh Honey Buzzard flew NNW over Freiston Shore 2 Little Gulls, Croft Marsh, 2 Garganey, Gibraltar Point ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. BARDNEY - The Green TF120694 R & A Parsons 16/5/2021 Hedgehog droppings - fresh. Butterflies in garden, Small Tortoiseshell, Holly Blue, Orange Tip. Common Cudweed - Filago vulgaris - in brick path - several plants. 19/5 3 Swifts over the garden/village 11.00hrs. Possible Walnut Orb Weaver Spider - Nuctenea umbratica Found am by A. Parsons in garden on potted plant. Hard to spot - flattened and "playing possum". Photos taken - awaiting confirmation from LNU recorder. https://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/walnut-orb-weaver BARDNEY GARDEN Grid ref TF 117 701 Mary and Phil Porter 16th May 2021 Two cuckoos, male and female, over and around garden. There are dunnocks breeding in the garden, so I suspect they will have company. Blackcap singing and seen clearly, seemingly patrolling and singing around the shrubs that form the boundary to his territory. One blue tit box with young being fed. The other boxes (great and blue tits) either failed or never got off the ground. Two wrens about most of the day, singing and bathing. Goldcrests calling from tall conifer at the back of the garden. A pair of song thrushes seen every day. A rare sight in previous years. Still singing loudly. A large crow has been terrorising the “block of flats” tall holly/ivy  combination, which obviously contains several nests, including blackbirds and robins. It seems to arrive at around 5pm most days and I’m always alerted by the starlings’ warning calls (their nests are under the eaves). It looks ENORMOUS compared with the more regular jackdaws. Birdfeeders still alive with a mix of goldfinches, chaffinches, greenfinches, starlings, house sparrows, and collared doves. The blackbirds and starlings have learnt to flap and almost hover to get to the fat slab, which hangs from a wire mesh. Wood pigeons systematically picking off apple blossom. X1 holly blue butterfly X1 comma butterfly X1 brimstone butterfly Several orange tip butterflies. Many looking “frayed” around the wing edges Queen wasps (I assume ordinary, common wasps), getting in the house most days, obviously looking for somewhere to nest. Still plenty of 7 spot ladybirds 22 spot ladybird found on washing! Hobby flying across the road about 100 yards from the house at 8pm Small dark furry orange/red bee going in bamboo cane “bee hotel” fixed to the wall. It then came out and reversed back in, presumably to lay an egg. We watched it coming and going and repeating this several times. Disappointed to find the bamboo stems pulled out the next morning. A collared dove is the chief suspect as it has been pulling hard on dead twigs in shrubs when nest building nearby. Note to self (and other homemade bee hotel enthusiasts: Don’t leave any stems protruding. I thought they were very tightly packed in. Obviously not tight enough! BOURNE WOOD TF 079 203 Tracey Lenton 16/05/2021 Plants in flower: Bugle Yellow archangel Greater stitchwort White deadnettle Bluebells Speedwell, not sure which type Cow parsley Ferns unfurling Saw an orange tip butterfly and disturbed a deer BROUGHTON Broughton woods, 17th May 2021, Angela Buckle, Yellow pimpernel, Herb paris, Ransons, Yellow archangel. CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK909581 Jeremy Hutchinson 7/5/2021: Cuckoo calling to the west of the village, following the same pattern as the previous couple of years or so in being heard for about a week before moving on. I did see it one evening flying over the small allotment site which includes my own. During the last fortnight I have seen a Barn Owl (the first for months), flying in daylight. On 12/5/2021 it was hunting over a a small meadow in the early evening, so I wonder whether it has a brood of youngsters to feed. On 15/5 a friend made a point of watching it, and saw it catch 6 voles during the evening. I have also seen one hunting in daylight at Bassingham during the last week. 12/5/2021: At about 20.15 I was walking to my allotment when I heard a rather horrible sound, not unlike cats fighting, but on getting closer I realised that it was different to cat sounds, similar, but more 'growly'. It was coming form a small watercourse which runs along the lane of which my allotment lies, but outside a bungalow. The watercourse is very overgrown (deliberately left for wildlife cover by the owner), and even though close by I couldn't make out what was making the noise, even though I could hear movements in the vegetation. Eventually the source revealed itself to be two fox cubs tussling over a prey item, which I think was either a small rabbit or a rat. After a lot of squabbling one of them ran into the neighbouring garden and remained in full view for a few seconds before retracing its route. The last I saw was the other one running into the field at the back carrying the item of prey. In the days since then two others have seen a fully grown fox carrying prey (on one occasion a rabbit) through the same field, so presumably there's an earth somewhere nearby. ELSHAM 13th May 2021, Angela Buckle, Lords and ladies, Milkwort, Field madder, Crosswort, Winter cress, Three nerved sandwort, Common vetch, Pink flowered ground ivy. FAR INGS 16th May 2021 Angela Buckle, Yellow flag iris, Meadow cranesbill, Twayblades, FISKERTON Fiskerton Fen viewed from Water Rail Way A Parsons 16/5/2021 am Cuckoo calling Barn Owl hunting GRASBY Grasby woods, 15th May 2021, Angela Buckle, Bugle, Ladies Mantle. LIMEWOODS Great West Wood TF 11177 76415 15/05/21 16:00 Su Colman & Mark Townsend Early purple orchid, about ten plants close to the footpath Bugle in flower College Wood TF 11836 75954 15/05/21 16:20 Su Colman & Mark Townsend Greater stitchwort in flower - and in lots of other places NOCTON Jerry Gunner Spring in Nocton 18/5/2021 Spring has finally arrived in Nocton and the birds are making up for lost time. Blue and great tits are the latest confirmed nesters while the jackdaws that nest in the (thankfully redundant) chimney pots are busy chasing away intruders. On Sunday the 16th of May 2021 alone I saw them chasing a magpie, crows and a buzzard. The latter was the only one where the lone jackdaw made a noise; not its normal raucous caw, caw, but a much more frantic racket comprising a higher pitched more staccato note repeated at a much greater volume than the usual contact call. I presume it is the alarm call but I don’t recall hearing it before. Unfortunately I suspect that the jackdaws’ motive is more to protect the abundant prey species in the garden than just their own chicks which haven’t fledged yet. The garden is bursting with summer migrants. Blackcaps are the most abundant of them I would say but I’ve also seen garden warblers, bullfinches and chiff-chaffs. Again, for the third year on the trot, I’ve not heard a willow warbler in the garden. As of last Saturday three drake mallards were chasing a female mallard around. To me this suggests she hasn’t produced any eggs yet which is ridiculously late. I had noticed that ‘our’ sparrowhawks have been making fewer passes on our bird feeders, and then it dawned on me that it was only the gloriously plumaged male who has been visiting.  Presumably the female is busy incubating eggs. In the greater world our walks along the Car Dyke from Wasps Nest to Potterhanworth Booths have produced enormous numbers of whitethroats, yellow wagtails and yellowhammers. The latter are resplendent in breeding plumage and at long last are singing their summer ‘for a little bit of bread and cheese’ song. Lovely. I’ve seen more red kites in the area than I have for a long time and jays are seen a lot more often than usual. We saw a large female roe deer in the open at lunchtime last Friday the 14th of June. It’s not often I see a lone individual in daylight. Almost the only hares I’ve seen have been in the garden, which is odd, but the grass and crops are very long now making it hard to see them 'in the wild'. STAPLEFORD Jeremy Hutchinson 18/5/2021 Stapleford SK 88664 57328 Willow Warbler (2+) Reed Bunting Mute Swan (3) Moorhen Reed Warbler Swallow Buzzard Kestrel I'm sure that I can't be the only one to be seriously concerned by the unprecedentedly low numbers of House Martins, Swallows and Swifts. Despite a pair of House Martins appearing for a day or two about a month ago (as reported), we have hardly seen them since. For the first time in 44 years there is no nest building activity going on by now: we usually have at least 5 nests. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 04/05/21 Blackbird x 4 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 2 Goldfinch x 6 Great Tit x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Long-tailed Tit x 2 Magpie x 2 Mallard x 4 over Thurnholmes Moorhen x 4 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Mute Swan x 4 Owston Ferry Warping Drain  Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 2 Skylark x 2 Song Thrush x 1 Stock Dove x 1 fledged young Swallow x 2 Swift x 4 Tree sparrow x 4 Willow Warbler x 1 Wood Pigeon x 11 07/05/21 Whitethroat x 1 10/05/21 Blackbird x 4 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 4 Cuckoo x 1 my first this year heard at Thurnholmes Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 2 Magpie x 2 Pied Wagtail x 1 Robin x 1 Skylark x 1 Stock Dove x 4 Swallow x 4 Swift x 2 Tree Sparrow x 12 including several in hole nest boxes Wood Pigeon x 9 Wren x 1 Yellow Wagtail x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Speckled Wood x 1 Herald x 1 14/05/21 Blackbird x 1 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 1 Greylag Goose x 4 over Thurnholmes Grey Partridge x 2 Mallard x 3 over Thurnholmes Moorhen x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Mute Swan x 4 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Swallow x 4 Tree Sparrow x 8 Willow Warbler x 1 Wood Pigeon x 10 Yellow Wagtail x 2 16/05/21 Common Buzzard x 5 'kettling' over Thurnholmes Cuckoo x 1 Brimstone x 1 male 17/05/21 Blackbird x 2 adults, 4 fledged young Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 4 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Kestrel x 1 Long-tailed Tit x 2 Magpie x 2 Pied Wagtail x 1 with food in bill Robin x 1 with food in bill Skylark x 2 Stock Dove x 1 Swallow x 4 Tree Sparrow x 6 Whitethroat x 1 Willow Warbler x 1 Wood Pigeon x 8 Yellow Wagtail x 1 Orange Tip x 1 male Peacock x 4 7-Spot Ladybird x 4 WINTERTON Alice Nunn 12/5/2021 I was pleased to observe that the local pipistrelle bats were on the wing over my Winterton garden last evening (12 May). I checked with my Detector & they were echolocating @ 45. Focus of interest seems to come from a large sycamore in my nextdoor neighbour's garden. At any one time I could see around 4, so I suspect there were a few more. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs and Nature Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ RSPB 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Freiston Shore https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ Frampton Marsh 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 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 12th – 18th May 2021 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Note: From May 1st - 17th rainfall was recorded on 14 days with a current total for the month 60.6mm. 120521 - A mix of sand martins, house martins and swallows of a least 35 birds, all feeding over Paradise lagoon. Green hairstreak and red admiral at Sea View. 130521 - Single short-eared owl flew out of dunes to hunt over saltmarsh, 2 wheatear nearby. Green hairstreak on edge of dune scrub near Paradise wood and holly blue near Sea View. 140521 - Single whimbrel on saltmarsh. Cuckoo at Sea View and Rimac. 150521 - On Paradise lagoon: 11 drake mallard, 5 tufted duck, 3 shoveler and 2 redshank. 160521 - At dusk a common crane flew from grassland adjacent to the A3010 near Saltfleetby and landed in an area on Elm House Farm. Teneral azure blue damselflies now being seen. 170521 - Wheatear on dunes near Rimac and great white egret on freshwater marsh. 180521 – Green hairstreak and cuckoo at Rimac and Sea View. Common lizard basking in the sun at Rimac where blue damselflies are just emerging, several swallows flying around and 2 wheaters seen. First hawthorns coming in to flower. Willow warblers in song on the NNR currently down by 70% on previous years. Butterflies seen over recent days: peacock, red admiral, painted lady, small copper, small heath, green hairstreak, speckled wood, wall, brown argus, holly blue, small and green veined whites, brimstone, orange tip. Other local reserves 170521 – Tetney Blow Wells: 2 Cetti’s warblers in full voice. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Find a Wood - Woodland Trust: https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/find-woods/ 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 - LNU downloadable book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-flora-of-lincolnshire-e-joan-gibbons.pdf *** VC54 North Lincolnshire Plant List - LNU *** 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 *** None this week. 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... There are 50 billion wild birds on Earth – but four species dominate. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2277803-there-are-50-billion-wild-birds-on-earth-but-four-species-dominate/ Hedgehog study to assess danger of robot lawn-mowers - Oh noooo! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-57084490 Tribute to former MWT William Cain CBE, who died last month at the age of 85. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-57076418 Caught by the buzz: Saving bumblebees is 'the best job' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-56992838 Native oysters reintroduced into Firth of Clyde https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-57100258 Wastewater is 'polluting rivers with microplastic' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-57092135 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/