=========================================== || || 17th 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: This week I have included two brief tributes about Richard Chadd's life and work. Annette Faulkner says of Richard Chadd: He was Senior biologist at the Environment Agency’s Spalding office, where he had been for over twenty years. He was active in his local parish church and on the board of various organisations, including Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership. A Bulletin reader added: Richard was not only a very passionate and knowledgeable ecologist within the EA Analysis & Reporting community, but he was a friend, a mentor, and a huge support to many. Richard worked for the EA and its predecessors for over 32 years, and was always a welcoming and friendly presence in the Spalding office. He was well known externally too and took great pride in working closely with many other organisations including the Freshwater Biological Association, The Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership, The Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project, Wildlife Trusts, and numerous Universities, to name a few, not forgetting his significant contribution to the LNU. Information from St Mary & St Nicolas church website: Richard's funeral will be at St Mary & St Nicolas, Spalding on Tuesday, 23rd November at 11am. The service is likely to be well attended so people are asked to wear a face mask. For those unable to attend the service will be livestreamed, via Church website I assume. https://www.facebook.com/stmarystnicolas/photos/pb.267247169954604.-2207520000../4815768925102383/?type=3&theater https://www.stmaryandstnicolas.org.uk/# 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. https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/leonid-meteor-shower-when-and-where-see-it-uk Friday, November 19th, the full Moon will glide through the shadow of Earth, producing an almost-total lunar eclipse. All but a tiny sliver of the full Moon will turn sunset red during the 3 1/2 hour event: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/lunar-eclipse-guide https://spaceweather.com/images2021/11nov21/visibilitymap.jpg Here is this week's selection of links to Lincolnshire and wildlife-related news stories, mostly local. I hope you find something to interest you. Water voles found in Lincolnshire beck - Branston https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-59232456 Lincoln City use fake birds of prey to stop crows damaging pitch https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-59274424 Poppy project helps to bring Lincolnshire village together - Ropsley https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-lincolnshire-59235058 Lincolnshire school bus crashes with 60 pupils on board - North Hykeham https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-59245796 Lincolnshire hospitals near capacity as Covid admissions rise https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-59238465 Swimmers in Cleethorpes want action over sewage in sea and rivers https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-59214289 Walrus spotted on the east coast 'for the first time' https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2021-11-14/walrus-watch-boat-captain-spots-a-walrus-on-the-rocks-at-seahouses Coastal saltmarsh 'engineered' to fight climate change https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-59241053 Bird flu is found at sites in Yorkshire and Lancashire https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-59276779 Norwich Cathedral peregrine falcon dies after colliding with car https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-59269911 More links in "..and finally ..." Weather Forecast https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ Sunday 20 Nov - 29 Nov "A cold and potentially cloudy and drizzly start to this period in the north, with some wintery showers following over high ground. There is likely a trend towards colder conditions later in the period, with a risk of wintry showers, mainly in the north. Otherwise, temperatures are likely to be close to or just below average." 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/ Love Lincs Plants: Herbarium Hub Aidan Neary writes: we have launched our online herbarium knowledge hub today to help external organisations to develop their own herbarium. Lots of useful information, including instructional videos on plant collection (Jack Perks film) and a Mounting Guide video by NHM’s Kath Castillo as well as links to equipment and materials. See: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants/herbarium-hub https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants/status/1457735102046384133 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 *** Lincs Dormouse Group update *** Gemma Watkinson writes: The winter work party dates for this winter are below. Sunday 21st November Saturday 18th December Sunday 16th January Saturday 19th February Sunday 20th March We meet at 10am at the wood centre car park, and normally stay until around 3pm with a packed lunch break. All tools are provided, but recommend to bring your own work gloves/ gardening gloves if you have them. Please note that Forestry England have still not opened the toilet facilities at Chambers. We have a lot of winter tasks to catch up on including box repairs and replacements, cutting back a few of the pathways that have become overgrown and coppicing work as part of the management of Ivy Wood. A summary of the October box check finds given below: Only seven dormice were recorded, 6 in Ivy Wood East and 1 in Minting Triangle. It was a cold weekend and so no surprise that all 4 of the adults were torpid. As usual there were a few other interesting observations during the check: Three pygmy shrews in Ivy East Three brown long-eared bats in Ivy East Nine woodmice (seven in Minting and two in Ivy West A hazel nut opened by a dormouse. During 2021 there were 7 box checks by 15 different people making a total of 51 visits to the woods. A total of 28 dormice were fur clipped and a further 37 were sighted but not identified. In addition there were a number of litters found which were left undisturbed. At least 1 dormouse was found in each of the woods which we survey. *** Useful Hedgehog Links *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** 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. *** 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. *** 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 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 Little Stint, 3 Short-eared Owls, Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Cattle Egrets, Frampton Marsh Lapland Bunting flew south over, 4 Snow Bunting flew south, 25 Snow Buntings, Jack Snipe at Mere, 2 Spoonbills flew south, Short-eared Owl, 2 Velvet Scoters, Twite, Caspian Gull flew south, 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 10/11 Scaup, Tallington Lakes Pacific Golden Plover in field with c2000 Golden Plovers, NE of Deeping St James Dotterel at Rectory Farm in field with 3 Golden Plovers, Deeping St James Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh 18 Snow Buntings, Short-eared Owl, 3 Great Northern Divers flew north, Gibraltar Point Siberian Chiffchaff at Humber Bridge viewing area, Barton-upon-Humber pits 11/11 Scaup fem on eastern pit, Tallington Lakes 2 Bewick's Swans with Whooper Swans in harvested field at Deeping High Bank east of River Welland, Deeping St Nicholas Little Stint, 2 Cattle Egrets, ringtail Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 27 Snow Buntings on Millennium Ridge, Gibraltar Point Long-tailed Duck on sea, 2 Snow Buntings flew south, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Ring Ouzel on west side of dunes, Saltfleet Haven Lapland Bunting, Snow Bunting, 23 Twite, Tetney Marshes 4 Snow Buntings, 3 Twite, Short-eared Owl, Spotted Redshank, Water Pipit on lagoons between Stonebridge car park and Pyes Hall, Donna Nook 12/11 Ruddy Shelduck on island, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier, Water Pipit, 15 Snow Buntings, 130 Little Gulls flew south, 3 Great Northern Divers flew south, Lapland Bunting flew south, Gibraltar Point Little Gull ad, Covenham reservoir roost Water Pipit, Donna Nook 13/11 Cattle Egret, Frampton Marsh 19 Snow Buntings, 41 Little Gulls flew north, Little Auk on sea, Scaup, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier ringtail. 60+ Twite, Donna Nook Bittern at Orchid Glade, Whisby NP 6 Snow Buntings on beach, Cleethorpes Coast 2 Water Pipits, 2 Short-eared Owls, East Halton Skitter 14/11 Ruddy Shelduck, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier male over River Witham, 2 Purple Sandpipers at Tabb's Head, Frampton Marsh Pomarine Skia flew south then north past, 252 Little Gulls north, Mealy Redpoll, Ring Ouzel, Snow Bunting, Gibraltar Point c25 Snow Buntings, Pallas' Warbler north of Churchill Lane car park, 4 Shorelarks at end of saltmarsh off Brickyard Lane, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Cattle Egret with cattle at end of Littleborough Lane, Marton 2 Hawfinches briefly, Normanby, then flew towards Alkborough 2 Water Pipits, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, East Halton Skitter 15/11 Scaup fem, eastern pit, Tallington Lakes Ring-necked Duck on T-junction pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Hen Harrier over saltmarsh, Cattle Egret north of reedbed, Short-eared Owl on fence, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier male, flew north, Friskney Hen Harrier, Lapland Bunting, Snow Bunting, 3 Little Auks flew north, Gibraltar Point 17 Snow Buntings, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe 2 Little Auks flew north past, 4 Long-tailed Ducks, Velvet Scoter, Mablethorpe Hen Harrier male flew west over monastery, Haddington 13+ Snow Buntings on outer beach, Cleethorpes Coast 16/11 Water Pipit flew over Low Wash, Baston Fen 2 Hen Harriers [1 male], Great Northern Diver on sea, Twite flew south over Seacroft, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier male over saltmarsh, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh 3 Long-tailed Ducks off north end, 2 Velvet Scoters, Mablethorpe Little Auk on sea briefly. 2 Velvet Scoters, 28 Snow Buntings, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Scaup 1w fem, Teal Lake, then flew NW, Whisby NP 17/11 Kittiwake 1 flew west over Long Bennington 2 Ruddy Shelducks on inland on 1st pit of Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Hen Harrier male, Gibraltar Point 5 Snow Buntings, Velvet Scoter, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Scaup fem, Bittern, Whisby NP ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. LANGRICK David Smith 11/11/2021 12.00 Dead adult badger at side of road *** 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 15/11/2021 Visiting flocks of 12+ jackdaws, 20+ black-headed gulls, 20+ starlings, 20+ sparrows 17/11/2021 Honeybees working Mahonia on Church Road. BOSTON My garden TF338441 Tracey Lenton 15th November 2021 Hot sunshine brought out insects feeding on ivy flowers, hoverfly Eristalsis pertinax, id by John Flynn from camcorder film A wren hopping around trellis A robin sighted on the neighbour's roof Birds returning to the garden include blackbirds, collared doves and a dunnock CLEETHORPES TA 300069 15:11:2021 Peter Crick Red Admiral seen 11:30hrs. sunshine, temp. 13degrees. White tailed Bumble Bee, approx same time. Smaller dark Bumble Bee on heather (due to distance no definite ID) FREISTON SHORE Tracey Lenton 15/11/2021 afternoon A clear, sunny day; visibility to the sea and Wash coastline, about 3 hours before high tide. The lagoon had a great number of ducks feeding, bathing and preening: wigeon, shoveler and pintail, mute swans juvenile and adult, lapwings, one redshank feeding along water's edge, large group of oystercatchers on an island  On the marsh: Mallards swimming on water in a creek One, we think, little egret in the marsh amongst reeds Geese flying overhead, not sure which type Some thistles in flower on the bank and large broad leaf plantain HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden) 13/11/2021 Blackbirds 4 - they're back and eating hawthorn berries Great spotted woodpecker 1 14/11/2021 Common carder 1 - on wallflower still in bloom SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 08/11/21 Blackbird x 4 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 6 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 6 Goldcrest x 2 Goldfinch x 4 Grey Partridge x 1 Jackdaw x 4 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 2 Robin x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 Grey Squirrel x 1 STICKNEY TF322568 Gail Cartwright I have heard 3 times now in the last week or so Tawny owls calling, the last time was last night 10th November 2021, around midnight more twoos than twits, quite close to the house, so very pleased. I have hopes that they may use the nestbox in our tree at last. They have previously sounded further away. Sep/Oct 2021. I have not heard so many bats this year, possibly I just haven't listened at the right time, I hope so. A few weeks ago my son saw a bat flying just above the water of the Medlam Drain, I think I forgot to report it at the time it would have been about midnight. 6th November 2021. There were a few birds, the usual geese and swans that come every year about this time, on the river bank close to us, I presume they were surveying the field opposite for their usual feast but unfortunately it has not been planted up so they soon flew away. I hope they come back but they will presumably find somewhere else to feast. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 04/11/21 Blackbird x 1 Blue Tit x 2 Goldfinch x 6 Redwing x 15 Wood Pigeon x 2 Common Darter x 1 08/11/21 Blackbird x 6 Black-headed Gull x 15 Blue Tit x 2 Chaffinch x 6 Common Buzzard x 3 circling low over paddocks Dunnock x 3 Fieldfare x 12 Goldcrest x 2 Goldfinch x 6 Kestrel x 1 Redwing x 28 Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 1 Tree Sparrow x 39 Wood Pigeon x 25 Hawthorn Shieldbug x 1 (Sam Hiner) 09/11/21 Blackbird x 10 Black-headed Gull x 4 over Thurnholmes  Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Dunnock x 3 Fieldfare x 3 Goldfinch x 6 Great Tit x 2 Mute Swan x 4 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Redwing x 9 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 singing high over Thurnholmes Tree Sparrow x 21 Wood Pigeon x 7 13/11/21 Barn Owl x 1 SK798994 (Clare Holmes) 14/11/21 Tawny Owl x 3 calling 23:55hrs 16/11/21 Blackbird x 6 Black-headed Gull x 6 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 1 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 7 Golden Plover x 2 over Thurnholmes Goldfinch x 4 Great Tit x 2 Kestrel x 1 Little Egret x 1 SK803997 (Clare Holmes) Magpie x 2 Redwing x 29 Robin x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 TWYFORD WOOD SK94/23 Jane Ostler The fungi in this area of the wood have been recorded for many years helped each year by a group from North Kesteven Watch Group. For the first time this year I was unable to go with them but have received a list from the person who led the group. Having had time to study it and look at previous records has reinforced the impression I have had of changes here. Much of this has been down to large scale felling of conifers and some to the development of species like bramble where the closed canopy has gone. There does also seem to be a long term depletion of groups like the Milk Caps(Lactarius spp.) Chalk Caps (Russula spp.) and Boletes. I have been able on one visit to meet up with some “old friends” including:- Purple Brittlegill With beech but hard to find now. Ochre Brittlegill As above Lilac Bonnet Mycena pura  One of the first species to be found with beech car park area and common Trooping Funnel, also in car park area Plums and Custard Colours as described but now scarce as associated with conifers The Deceiver and Amethyst Deceiver Grey Knight (Tricholoma terreum) One of few listed that takes more trouble to identify, but known from past, in just one area where conifers remain. Wood Blewits, Buttercaps, Sulphur Tuft, (but not the tufted species which are restricted to conifers), Shaggy and Magpie Inkcaps which are late and abundant this year, Oyster Mushroom on the same decaying beech log as last year. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 12/11/2021 Bulls 188, cows 602 and pups 362. Please note: no dogs in the seal viewing area (for the safety of dogs and seals). Read the Visitor Guidelines before visiting Donna Nook, thank you. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 10th – 16th November 2021 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 1011121 - At least 113 Canada geese at Saltfleet Haven before flying west over saltmarsh to the washlands, 93 curlew flying to roost on the Haven. 111121 - Female merlin on saltmarsh, single woodcock flew from outer dunes, 9 rock pipits on edge of saltmarsh near Saltfleet Haven and a group of 8 grey plover nearby. 2 snow bunting south along the beach. Single long-tailed duck with scoters at Mablethorpe North End. Ring ouzel reported near Saltfleet Haven. 121121 - On Paradise lagoon: 152 teal. 141121 - On Paradise lagoon: 13 tufted duck. 4 shore lark on the saltmarsh at Brickyard Lane in the morning but not seen after or on subsequent days. 26 snow bunting out near the tide line. A mobile and elusive Pallas’s warbler found by visiting birders just north of Churchill Lane. 151121 - 4 long-tailed duck, 4 eider and a velvet scoter with common scoters at southern end of NNR. Coal tit and 7 goldcrest with a tit flock in the dunes. 3 woodcock, 3 stonechat, kingfisher, 20 blackbird and 10 redwing at Rimac. 2 whooper swan south. 161121 – 3 long-tailed duck, 2 velvet scoter, 1 eider, 4 wigeon, 2 goldeneye, 2 teal and 700 common scoter on the sea at Mablethorpe North End. Donna Nook 121121 – Weekly seal count: Bulls: 188, Cows: 602, Pups: 362. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 updates *** 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 - does anyone know him? 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... Country diary: A night-time woodland walk, and the silence is broken https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/13/country-diary-a-night-time-woodland-walk-and-the-silence-is-broken Country diary: A wood mouse makes it a day to remember https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/17/country-diary-a-wood-mouse-makes-it-a-day-to-remember Covid denial to climate denial: How conspiracists are shifting focus https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-59255165 Scotland shaken by early-hours earthquake https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-59302716 COP26: Flooding lessons from Hull, a city below sea level https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-59208096 Time-lapse video shows Iceland glacier shrink https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-59241667 Search for lost village Ravenser Odd to aid coastal erosion research https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-59232132 Sour fig plant in Alderney causing 'environmental emergency' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-59276178 Leak of disinfectant into Suffolk brook was 'serious error' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-59305380 Thousands of bees SURVIVED buried under volcanic ash for FIFTY days https://mol.im/a/10192693 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/