=========================================== || || 10th November 2021 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || || LNU Website: || http://lnu.org/ || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Information, events, news 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, events, news and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Editor writes: I start this Bulletin with sad news of the untimely death of Richard Chadd on the 5th November. Immediate Past President of the LNU, he was a valued friend and respected colleague. Words can only inadequately express how sad a loss this is. There will be much to say later, but I will stop there and leave us time to reflect. Here is this week's selection of links to Lincolnshire and wildlife-related news stories, mostly local. I hope you find something of interest. Wildlife photographer captures amazing shots on lunch break - Sleaford https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-59132484 Boston Barrier floodgate closes for first time https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-59197569 BBC weekly video round-up of some of the stories that might have passed you by: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-59185768 For those with a passion for environmental issues, the RSB has drawn my attention to "Exact editions’ COP26 virtual book showcase - over 150 fully-searchable books on climate change made free to read until November 22nd, with everything from academic textbooks to popular science and children’s stories." https://ocean.exacteditions.com/ 150-year-old note from Charles Darwin inspiring a change in the way forests are planted https://theconversation.com/a-150-year-old-note-from-charles-darwin-is-inspiring-a-change-in-the-way-forests-are-planted-170909 Forgotten discoverer of natural selection honoured by Bill Bailey https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-59179673 Climate change: National Trust joins international call for peat product ban https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59195535 Curious Questions: Where have all the acorns gone? - Country Life https://www.countrylife.co.uk/nature/curious-questions-where-have-all-the-acorns-gone-234604 Defra: Bird flu prevention zone declared across UK to stop spread of disease amongst poultry https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu RSPB on Bird Flu https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/disease-and-garden-wildlife/avian-influenza-updates/ NHS: Bird flu, or avian flu, is an infectious type of influenza that spreads among birds. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bird-flu/ More links in "..and finally ..." Weather Forecast https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ Sunday 14 Nov - 23 Nov "Remaining changeable and autumnal particularly to the north through the start of this period as low-pressure systems dominate, sometimes accompanied by rain and strong winds. ...A rather cold start to the period will likely be followed by a brief recovery in temperatures, before a further likely trend down later on in the month. Later on in the month there will also be an increasing chance of some wintry conditions, mainly over the higher ground in the north, but with a slight risk to lower levels." Please continue to stay informed on any changes in information and advice on Co-19 and 'flu and adapt precautions accordingly at meetings and in groups on reserves or in the field. See: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus Next LNU [Indoor] Meetings: ‘Spring forwards, fall backwards: How our seasons are changing’ A talk by Tim Sparks of the UK Phenology Network. Saturday 20th November 2021. 'The new Birds of Lincolnshire: trials and tribulations in data recording.' LNU/Lincolnshire Bird Club talk by Phil Espin. Saturday January 29th 2022 Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park Free to attend. All welcome. There is a £2 parking charge. More information: https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ As far as I know there is 1 place on the last Whisby Natural History Workshop. https://lnu.org/meetings/workshops/ Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or email rel.davidson@btinternet.com Owl Pellets - Garry Steele - November 20th - will go ahead - 1 place left! Dissecting owl and bird pellets can give a fascinating insight into their prey. Garry Steele who has been studying the subject for many years will lead the workshop which will be entirely indoors. Pellets to dissect will be provided. Lincspirational Plants: Aidan Neary writes: Exhibitions, Light Shows and Auction We have shared a few photos on Twitter so feel free to take a look: https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants. Don't forget, we will still be working on the new Lincolnshire Herbarium for many years to come. If you would like to get involved with plant collection please keep an eye on the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union field meetings page. For more information on volunteering, email: lovelincsplants@gmail.com. To view the herbarium go to the Sir Joseph Banks Society Website. Recording with "irecord" More and more people are using irecord, which is recommended by the LNU as the most appropriate platform for on-line recording, with the best validation and feedback. It's the way we are going for many Taxa. Please look at the website and while you are there why not create an account so you are set up and ready to try? https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ Reminder: If you are not yet an LNU member and would like to become one, you will be very welcome to join. The webpage to visit is: https://lnu.org/join-the-lnu/ Please keep using the "forward to a friend" link at the end of the Bulletin. It's best to avoid forwarding your individual Bulletin to others. Use that secure link or you can simply direct people to this link: https://lnu.org/publications/wildnews-bulletin/ A big thank you to all the regulars who send in news, events info and species reports. Please keep them coming. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - this is my best address for emails please. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** November Night Sky! Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Meteor Shower Guide 2021 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/meteor-shower-guide The Leonid meteor shower will peak on 17–18 November between midnight and dawn. Fast bright meteors with fine trains. Associated with Comet Tempel-Tuttle. *** Useful Hedgehog Links *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ BATS An update from Annette Faulkner. Thanks to last week’s frosts most bats should be in hibernation by now, though if the night time temperatures warm up too much again we may have the odd one out still. But this is not good news even in a normal year, as there will not be nearly enough insects around to make up for the energy expended in flying. Do look out for them around 4-5pm, and let me know if any are seen, and of course follow instructions if grounded or roosting on a wall. Perhaps the most interesting bit of news was on 13th October, when we had a call from an ecologist to say that a bat had been found roosting between the treads of an external metal stairway on one of the two electricity substations attached to the Triton Knoll wind farm way out in the North Sea, where it hadn’t moved for 24 hours, so they were going to bring it ashore to Grimsby for it to be taken in to care. This turned out to be a Nathusius’s pipistrelle, a strongly migratory species which regularly crosses the North Sea and can be found in small numbers along much of the East Coast. At the moment it is in care, where it will be being fed up, but release is complicated and bats that turn up on ships (we had one on a Danish ship that landed at Immingham a few years ago) and elsewhere are classed as ‘illegal landings’ and have to go through quarantine and all sorts before allowed to be released. If I hear any more about it I’ll send an update in due course, but do have a look at the Triton Knoll website – the substations are massive, so an achievement it was found at all! *** Reminder: Bat rescue instructions *** Annette Faulkner writes... 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. *** The Scunthorpe and Brigg Local Group of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. *** Our November meeting is on Thursday, 11th November, when the Humberside Reserves Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Warden, Simon Wellock, will give a talk on "The Humber Reserves". Simon is well known for his extensive work on the LWT Humberside Reserves, especially for the successful repopulation of bitterns at the Far Ings reserve. The meeting will start at 7.30 pm and will take place at the St Hugh's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AG, which is near the junction of Ashby Road with West Common Lane, opposite the filling station. There is a small car park near the Hall and street parking nearby. There is a £2 charge for entry to the meeting which includes a drink and biscuit at the mid-talk break. We are asked to record all attendees' names and contact details for Covid reasons. Also everyone is encouraged to wear facemasks and keep social distancing as appropriate. *** LWT Boston Area Group *** Gill Walsh writes: Thursday 11th November 2021 at 7.30pm Talk - The Return of Common Cranes to Willow Tree Fen by David Cohen Centenary Methodist Church, Red Lion Street, Boston, PE21 6NY We are using the large central hall with audience seated around tables to enable social distancing. Refreshments will be served at your table during the interval. Retiring collection, non members welcome. Please note this is a different talk to the one previously advertised. *** Lincoln Area Group Talk *** Richard Davidson writes: November 18th: The Wildlife of the Norfolk Coast Geof Lee takes us on a wildlife tour along the wonderful north coast of Norfolk. Talk at Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission £2.00. No refreshments provided but please feel free to bring your own. Advice from the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is to wear a mask while attending and we will also need to take contact details for Test and Trace purposes, etc. *** RSPB Grimsby Local Group *** Martin Francis writes: " The successful season of well-received Zoom talks offered by the RSPB Grimsby Local Group continues on Monday 15th November at 7.30pm ‘The Wild Sea is My Home’ - A Zoom talk by Dr André Farrar Dr André Farrar has worked for the RSPB since 1982 when he started as a species protection warden in the Forest of Bowland in Lancashire with a focus on the strong local population of hen harriers. Since then, he has had a variety of roles, finally moving to the Lodge in 2000, where he has led the media team and developed campaigns. In this talk, André will consider the challenges faced by sea birds in the British Isles and in our Overseas Territories. No matter where they are, sea birds need safe nesting areas and an abundant food supply that they can catch without the risk of getting caught themselves. There is also the impact of climate change, planning developments at sea and the increasingly visible tide of plastic waste. Overall, it is clear that the health of our seabirds will be a measure of how we are treating our planet. 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 Saturday 13th November, stating t hat you saw the information in the LNU Bulletin. Martin Francis Leader - RSPB Grimsby Local Group" *** STAYING SAFE *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Please stay aware of updated Covid-19 advice and adapt personal precautions accordingly as understanding and measures "evolve" and perhaps change. See: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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's excellent articles: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp 2/11 Water Pipit flew over River Glen, Baston Fen Hen Harrier male, Rippingale Fen American Wigeon, Pectoral Sandpiper on Marsh Farm Reservoir, Cattle Egret flew over reedbed, 5 Short-eared Owls, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh Ring Ouzel, Spotted Redshank on Tennyson's Sands, 25 Little Gulls, Twite, Great Northern Diver flew south, Lapland Bunting flew south over, Hen Harrier from Wash Viewpoint, Gibraltar Point 5 Twite flew north, Lapland Bunting flew south over beach, Velvet Scoter, Long-tailed Duck on sea at south end, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe 4 Snow Buntings, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Twite, Donna Nook 3/11 American Wigeon, Little Stint, Short-eared Owl, ringtail Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Ring Ouzel in West Dunes, Cattle Egret on Tennyson's Sands, Jack Snipe from Mere hide, Firecrest at north end, Bonaparte's Gull off Mill Hill, Gibraltar Point 4 Water Pipits "recently", Far Ings Red-throated Diver flew over Alkborough Flats 4/11 Scaup 1w fem, Tallington Lakes Lapland Bunting, from Wash Viewpoint, Grey Phalarope flew north past, Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl in off sea, Maplethorpe Little Auk flew past, juv Pomarine Skua, Short-eared Owl, 3 Little Gulls, Chapel Point 16 Snow Buntings flew north up beach at south end, Long-tailed Duck with Common Scoters, Velvet Scoter, Sooty Shearwater flew north, Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe 5/11 Ring-necked Duck as drk on east pit, 1w fem Scaup, Tallington Lakes 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh Lapland Buntings, 1 from Wash Viewpoint and 7 flew north, Siberian Chiffchaff, 3 Velvet Scoters flew past, 2 Snow Buntings flew north, Yellow-browed Warbler, Short-eared Owl in off sea, 2 Twite, 5 White-fronted Geese flew south, Gibraltar Point 2 Short-eared Owls in off sea, Huttoft Bank Black Redstart at North End, Mablethorpe 16 Snow Buntings, 2 Siberian Chiffchaffs, Crook Bank, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe 6/11 Ring Ouzel flew SW over Baston Fen Pacific Golden Plover in field with c2000 Golden Plovers, NE of Deeping St James Little Stint, 2 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh Tundra Bean Goose flew West, 9 Twite, Freiston Shore 3 Water Pipits, Black-throated Diver, Little Gull, 4 Great Northern Divers flew south, Gibraltar Point 4 Snow Buntings on beach, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe 7/11 1w fem Scaup, Tallington Lakes Pacific Golden Plover in field with Golden Plovers, NE of Deeping St James 2 Little Stints, 3 Short-eared Owls, Water Pipit at River Witham mouth, Frampton Marsh 12 Twite, 6 Tundra Bean Geese flew west over Freiston Shore Long-tailed Duck on pools, Humberston Fitties 8/11 Ring-necked Duck ad drk on east pit, Tallington Lakes Pacific Golden Plover in field with c2000 Golden Plovers, NE of Deeping St James 3 Cattle Egrets in sheep field north of reedbed, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Short-eared Owls, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 12 Snow Buntings, 3 Little Gulls flew south , Short-eared Owl, Lapland Bunting at Wash Viewpoint, Ring Ouzel, Twite flew south, Water Pipit on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point 2 Long-tailed Ducks, 6 Snow Buntings on beach, Mablethorpe Dusky Warbler in sea buckthorn south of Brickyard Lane, 8 Snow Buntings on foreshore, 6 Twite flew over, Siberian Chiffchaff south of Crook Bank car park, Saltfleetby 9/11 Scaup fem on eastern pit, Tallington Lakes Pacific Golden Plover in field with c2000 Golden Plovers, NE of Deeping St James flew off with the Golden Plovers - no sign since Lapland Bunting flew south over, 4 Snow Bunting flew south, 11 Snow Bunting at Old Coastguards', Jack Snipe at Mere, 2 Spoonbills flew south, Short-eared Owl at visitor centre, Gibraltar Point 2 Shorelarks flew south over Saltfleet Haven Snow Bunting, Toft Newton Reservoir Richard's Pipit flew over Alkborough Flats Water Pipit, East Halton Skitter ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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! *** Links "not to be missed" *** Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog: excellent photos and information. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ Lincs Bird Club - latest sightings: superb website https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/sightings/latest-news Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch - check the latest sightings: https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/lincolnshire-latest-sightings BTO tracked cuckoos: latest updates. 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. SWATON Annette Faulkner 3/11/21 Dead adult hedgehog in the middle of the B1394 north of Swaton at approx. TF133385. Obviously hit by car. *** 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/ *** 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 R+A Parsons TF120694 4/11/2021 Hedgehog droppings on lawn. 8/11/2021 Green Spider, Nigma walckenaeri back in its web on concave face of garage door handle. Had gone AWOL. Good to have it back. Originally determined by Imogen Wilde from a photo 9/10/2021 This was record submitted via iRecord for practice. I'm starting to get the hang of it. On Church Lane, Bardney 8/11/2021 TF118693 2 Red Admirals feedling on Mahonia flowers FAR INGS Angela Buckle 5th November. Far Ings visitors centre, Gorse in flower. 7th November, Far Ings, Giant puffball, Collared earthstars 10. FRISKNEY Chris Manning 6 November 2021 Friskney TF457551 3x Parakeets flying above me heading east. HOLBEACH MARSH Ian Misslebrook 6th November 2021 WeBS Holbeach Marsh (highlights only) Ian Misslebrook 0740 -1040 Great White Egret 1 Little Egret64 Golden Plover 2300 Whooper Swans 19 Pink-footed Geese 250 Brent Geese 570 Knot 1500 Oystercatchers 30 Rock Pipits 4 HOLYWELL LAKE Ian Misslebrook 7th November 2021 Holywell Lake 0855 – 1010 WeBS and complete list Pheasant 1 Canada Gese 43 Greylag Geese 54 Mallard 59 Gadwall 16 Teal 9 Wigeon 4 Tufted Duck 38 Little Grebe 15 Moorhen 26 Black-headed Gulls 27 Grey Heron 1 Little Egret 1 Kingfisher 1 Grey Wagtail 1 Pied Wagtail 2 Blue Tits 6 Great Tits 3 Long-tailed Tits 8 Wren 1 Dunnocks 2 Blackbirds 3 Fieldfares 3 Redwings 8 Robins 4 Woodpigeon 15 Jackdaws 18 Carrion Crows 6 Chaffinch 4 Grey Squirrels 2 HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 8/11/2021 Common frog 1 Great spotted woodpecker 1 Wren 1 MESSINGHAM Brenda Edlington 26/10/2021 SE 908032 Messingham Sand Quarry Bullfinch Buzzard Egyptian goose 2 Gadwall Goldeneye 5 Great white egret 2 Lapwing Long-tailed tit Pochard Shelduck Shoveler Teal Treecreeper 2 33 species in all Many fungi including fly agaric and puffball also Butterfly highest count at any one time this year 2021 (months in brackets) Numbers were very low until July NETTLEHAM TF009753 Brenda Edlington Brimstone 2 (Aug) Comma 2 (Sept) Common blue 1 (Aug) Gatekeeper 3 (Jul) Green-veined white 2 (Jul) Holly blue 2 (May/Aug) Large white 3 (Sept) Meadow brown 1 (Jul/Aug) Orange tip 2 (Apr) Painted lady 2 (Sept) Peacock 3 (Aug) Red admiral 15 (Sept) Ringlet 2 (Jul) Small copper 1 (Jul) Small skipper 1 (Jul) Small tortoiseshell 22 (Aug/Sept) Small white 5 (Aug) Speckled wood 1 (Apr/Jul) SIBSEY TF343508 David Smith 04/11/2021 17.00 Barn owl SOUTHREY WOOD, BARDENY R+A Parsons 9/11/2021 Tawny owl calling 10.25hrs Fungi: Deceiver, Amethyst Deceiver, Amanita citrina several, Amanita pantherina, Hedgehog fungus several. WILLINGHAM WOODS 8th November Angela Buckle Willingham woods: Stinkhorn, Still plenty of Fly agarics. WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 28/10/21 -4/11/21 A dead RABBIT at side of road alongside the Protected Roadside Verge would once have not caused comment, but for the last three years few have been seen in the parish. Last year on the PRV and on the adjacent Nature Trail , two of our most closely monitored sites, there were no sightings or signs of them. Previously rabbit grazed and closely cropped, areas have become unsuitable for some plants in the more lush growth. The decline of the rabbits is almost certainly due to Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RDH). HARES can also suffer from the disease but in the fields in the same area they seem to have flourished this year. There are few records of STOATS this year and none of them seen moving their family in the PRV area. Until the weather turned cold around 1st November HEDGEHOGS were still out in gardens. We have seen no BATS hunting in our garden this year. I have been sent photographs of MUNTJAC in gardens, which are becoming a problem. Two lots of setts in the Colsterworth area have signs of activity, but BADGERS are sadly noted mainly as road casualties. SQUIRRELS having discovered a hazel tree at the bottom of the garden are still seen early morning and late afternoon burying nuts under the apple trees. A WOOD MOUSE is back on regular feeds to window sill bird feeder – the sparrows pay it little heed. Birds have been returning to the garden this week, though House Sparrow, Dunnocks, Blue Tits and Collared Doves never really left. Garden clearance discovered a pile of cherry stones all neatly holed, probably by the Blue Tits. The female Sparrowhawk is back, reducing the Collared Dove numbers. However no Blackbirds present for them at the moment. A single Siskin was on the bird feeder on 1st November. On the same date Jay exploring the bird table was also a surprise. Outside its woodland habitat and with its bright blue feathers And the wind blowing up a crest it seemed exotic. There are mixed flocks of finches about in the sky above the garden but none seen in the garden although there are plenty of berries and seedheads left for them. Alongside the river 3 Little Egrets are seen regularly to the north but the Grey Heron keeps itself aloof south of the Nature Trail  Reports of a Kingfisher also in this area and a Grey Wagtail feeding in the shallows where there is a riffle. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs and Nature Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ 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 Freiston Shore https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ RSPB Frampton Marsh http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Weekly seal update from Donna Nook 05/11/2021 Bulls 107, cows 167 and pups 54. A few of the pups are on view now but the vegetation hasn't been flattened by the adult seals yet so they can easily disappear amongst the plants. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/weekly-update Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report   3rd – 9th November 2021 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 021121 - Single comma and red admiral on the wing at Sea View. Grey phalarope feeding with sanderling and dunlin at Saltfleet Haven Outfall. Hunting over saltmarsh: marsh harrier, merlin and peregrine falcon. 031121 - A raw day with fresh north-westerlies and rain saw a noticeable increase in blackbirds and redwing around Sea View. 60 blackbirds and 24 redwing were counted in a 30 minute, early afternoon, walk in the area. A short-eared owl flew out the dunes at Crook Bank. 041121 - Charm of 43 goldfinches at Sea View, 31 little egrets feeding on the saltmarsh. 16 snow bunting flew north along the beach at the south end of NNR. 051121 - 3 whooper swans flying north over the saltmarsh, at least 300 wigeon on the nearby washlands. Single red admiral on the wing at Sea View. Evening count of 43 curlew flying into roost on the Haven and 115 lapwing flew in high over the area to land on the mud flat. 16 snow bunting on the foreshore and a marsh harrier flew 'in-off' the sea. 2 stonechat at Rimac, 2 Siberian chiffchaff at Crook Bank where a male hen harrier flew over. A few fieldfare flew high west over the dunes. 16 whooper swans flew in from the north to roost on the NNR. At Churchill Lane: 1 small tortoiseshell over saltmarsh, 6 fieldfare and 2 common darters in a local garden. 061121 - Bullfinch in scrub near Sea View, 30 little egrets on saltmarsh. 4 snow bunting at the south end of NNR and 2 stonechat at Crook Bank. 071121 – At dawn the highest surge tide since 2013 washed well onto foredunes c 40cm above the predicted height. A minimum of 3000 starlings foraging on the saltmarsh. 1 red admiral in flight at Sea View. 081121 - Sharp ground frost -3.5 degrees C. Single bullfinch and 2 fieldfares near Sea View, Merlin and peregrine falcon hunting over the saltmarsh. A typically elusive dusky warbler in scrub near Brickyard Lane. 2 snow bunting, 6 twite, and decent numbers of starlings, finches, buntings and skylark along the foreshore. 2 whooper swan flew south and a woodcock flew 'in-off' the sea. In a local garden at Churchill Lane: 1 peacock butterfly and 1 buff tail bumblebee. C2000 pink foot geese leaving foreshore roost. 091121 - Short-eared owl flew out of dunes at Crook Bank and 2 yellowhammers with 5 reed buntings in scrub nearby. 2 Cetti's warbler, water rail, woodcock and water vole at Rimac. Donna Nook 051121 – Weekly seal count: 54 pups, 167 cows, 107 bulls. Flock of c30 twite moving between the saltmarsh and local fields. Increasing numbers of starlings feeding during the day. Lapwing, shelduck, brent geese, sanderling and redwing seen daily and c13 long-tailed tits moving through the scrub. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 history of the Lincolnshire Limewoods https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/features/19111877.lincolnshire-limewoods/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ British Native Trees - Woodland Trust https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/ 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 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ South Humber Heritage Trail, Alkborough Flats - LWT leaflet https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/2018-04/south_humber_heritage_trail_alkborough.pdf ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ *** Love Lincs Plants *** Events and activities for Love Lincs Plants remain suspended until further notice. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants Aidan Neary - LoveLincsPlants Project Officer writes: Final update link for Love Lincs Plants project events: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants/lincspirational-plants Love Lincs Plants Twitter feed - active... https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants *** Collections Dataset - LNU "historic specimens" *** All of the LNU 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/ *** South Lincolnshire Flora Group *** https://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 *** The Wolds Fungi Group *** Contact Paul Nichol via email pnichol20@gmail.com *** Lincolnshire Dormouse Group *** Contact: lincsdormousegroup@gmail.co FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE: 07768-501895 PAGER: 07654-330877 Related Webpages: Lincolnshire Police Advice on Hare Coursing - we can expect post-harvest 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. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ *** 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 For current records please refer to the Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire by C. J. Manning, LNU Mammal Recorder. You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/mammalatlas.pdf Spiders and... - Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Email: 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. You can send any records to Ashley Butterfield (Lincolnshire Amphibian and Reptile Recorder) at LearningOutdoors@btinternet.com *** Local Bat Helpline *** Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 Email: 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 Email: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk *** Non-Marine Molluscs *** Alex Pickwell is the LNU Recorder for Non-marine Molluscs Email: mrapickwell@gmail.com 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 welcomed. 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/ *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk *** Field Studies Council *** Bringing Environmental Understanding to All https://www.field-studies-council.org/ *** 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 *** Lincolnshire Geology - The Wolds AONB *** https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/maps/geology *** Cracking up in Lincolnshire - our roads - Geological Society *** https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/Geoscientist/Archive/March-2014/Cracking-up-in-Lincolnshire *** The Geology of Lincolnshire - downloadable LNU book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-geology-of-lincolnshire-h-h-swinnerton-and-p-e-kent.pdf *** British geology maps - now free to explore on web *** http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. https://lnu.org/specialists/ 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. Thank you. 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. BSBI Code of Conduct https://bsbi.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/BSBI-Code-of-Conduct.pdf Code of Conduct for Responsible Collecting of Fungi http://www.davidmoore.org.uk/Assets/fungi4schools/Reprints/Pickers_code.pdf RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ [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 *** We will post any changes to 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/ Whisby Natural History Workshops See: https://lnu.org/meetings/workshops/ Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com. Places are limited. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** Paul Hamshaw - soft bounce - over quota so I can't contact him to help - does anyone know him? Also: Barbara Hodgkinson soft bounce - undeliverable - account does not exist. 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 mail failure I will be happy to send you the error report to pass on to your "Help Desk". Just ask. ....and finally... Environment Bill passes following lengthy battle over sewage https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59225648 Slimbridge: WWT marks 75 years of saving species from extinction https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-59219094 Country diary: The call of the wild bird https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/09/country-diary-the-call-of-the-wild-bird BBC Young Reporter: Taking pebbles from the beach 'disrupts nature' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-sussex-59167688 The man who has lived as a hermit for 40 years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-59174870 https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0011hp3 The space telescopes inspired by lobsters https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-59141041 Cambo oil field project 'could jeopardise deep sea life' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-59210899 Largest Anglo-Saxon gold coin hoard found in Norfolk https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-59151380 Hundreds of prehistoric tools found along river https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz88vzkdgyeo Woodland of 13,000 trees to be planted on Exmoor https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-59200480 Zika virus: India's Kanpur city on alert after 89 cases reported https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-59173479 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/