============================================ || || 6th April 2022 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || || LNU Website: http://lnu.org/ || LNU Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? || Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lincsnaturalists/ || ============================================ 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, RSPB and LWT Reserves/Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR - Chambers Farm Wood 6. Other Reserve Reports and Highlights 7. Sending in Bulletin 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. They are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union; the Lincolnshire Bird Club and Lincolnshire Environmental Record Centre [LERC]. You can refer to text versions of past Bulletins from Feb 2009 here: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or associated organisations. Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. INFORMATION, EVENTS, NEWS AND REQUESTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Editor writes: Note from LNU Communiqué: The programme of field meetings for 2022 is now available. The changing nature of the Covid situation may mean alterations or cancellations at short notice, so check back regularly and keep an eye on Twitter and Facebook for updates. For more details on the times and locations see the LNU webspage: https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/ Don't forget, the annual Species Recording Meeting has been re-scheduled for the 18th June! Information in section 11. https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/2019-02-09/ Louth Peregrines - a note from Bob Sheppard. The Louth peregrines now have a full clutch of four eggs. The last egg was laid on 2nd April. It is expected the eggs will hatch between 5th and 7th May. http://www.louthperegrines.org.uk/latest-news.html Please continue to stay informed on about Co-19 and 'flu, adapting appropriately to future changes at indoor meetings and in the field. If you have any postponements or changes please let us know. Check the LNU events web page for updates or cancellations: https://lnu.org/meetings/ LWT Covid guidelines: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus This week's links to Lincolnshire and wildlife-related news stories. More general links in "..and finally ..." at the end of the Bulletin. Lincoln bypass plan approved https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-60997522 Lincolnshire hospital visits stopped due to rise in Covid cases https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-60924246 Lincoln hospital: A&E reopens after suspected arson attack https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-60941892 Woodhall Spa: Ex-RAF site could become Lincolnshire tourism focus https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-60917546 Red Arrows pilot shares favourite photos of team's displays https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-60994146 UK farmers call for weedkiller ban over Parkinson’s fears https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60836892 Newark residents surprised by RAF fighter jet noise https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-60925177 Sewage: Urgent plan to stop discharges into rivers and sea https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-60944107 Wild shots: Scottish Nature Photography Awards winners https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-60912679 Please keep your emails coming. Thank you to all who sent in interesting news links, wildlife events info and species reports. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - my best address for emails. *** Weather Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ 10 - 19 April "A generally dry, clear start but becoming cloudier and milder with rain spreading in from the southwest through the first few days of the period. Progression of rain is somewhat uncertain. Strong winds and heavy rain may occur, the latter particularly over hills, with a chance of snow here. Weather warnings possible. From mid-April, more settled conditions are expected with longer spells of dry and fine weather..." *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Sky & Telescope - This Week's Sky at a Glance https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/sky-at-a-glance/ This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 1-9. Venus, Saturn, Mars.... https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-april-1-9-2/ Other useful links: Jodrell Bank Monthly Night Sky Guide http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/astronomy/nightsky/ BBC Eyes to the skies - 2022 https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/feeds/60085546 Royal Observatory highlights for 2022 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/space-astronomy-highlights-2022 *** Records wanted; Queen Bumblebees carrying pollen *** David Sheppard writes: If a queen bumblebee is collecting pollen, that means that she has already built her nest and may be rearing a brood. Please send records of all Bumblebee sightings to me, to LERC or to the Wildnews Bulletin and note if there is any pollen in the pollen baskets on the hind legs. There may be pollen elsewhere of their bodies but it is the compacted loads in the pollen baskets that tell the story. d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/bumblebee-species-guide/ *** 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. Wear gloves or use a cloth to pick it up with. Phone us on 01775 766286. We’ll do the rest. Bat reports are always welcome: details and Grid References please. *** Hedgehog Links - seen any yet? *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ Your Hedgehog reports, please - with Grid References please! *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Area Groups webpage *** Please let me have your "plugs" for coming events. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/area-groups *** Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: Wildlife Gardening & AGM On Monday 11th April you are invited to join our group for our next indoor meeting where we will be holding our AGM followed by an illustrated talk by Mark Schofield on Wildlife Gardening. Please note the meeting will start at the earlier time of 7pm to allow for the AGM. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall DN31 1HX. Admission £3. Tea & coffee will be available. For further details please contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858 On Sunday 24th April 2022 you are invited to join our group on a morning walk with Graham Hicks in Bradley Woods near Grimsby. Grid Ref TA 244058 We'll be looking for birds, bluebells and other woodland flowers. Meet Graham at 8am in the car parking area. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. For further details contact Graham Hicks 07979 089890 *** Scunthorpe and Brigg Local Group - Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** Our last indoor meeting before the spring and summer outdoor events is on Thursday, 14th April next and will include the AGM followed by members' slides when any member may give a talk and/or presentation on a topic of their own choosing. Starting at 7.30 pm the meeting will be held in the St Hugh's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AG, which is opposite the filling station near Brumby crossroads. There is some parking in the Church grounds and on the main road outside. *** Natural History and Geology Section - Scunthorpe Museum Society *** Keith Scarrott writes: Our April meeting, which will be the last one before the spring and summer outings, will be held on Monday, 11th March next when we will be visited by Dr. Mike Oates, who is the meetings secretary for the Geological Association. He will be giving his illustrated talk entitled "250 Million Years of Scunthorpe History". Dr. Oates brings his many years of experience in using field and borehole evidence from around the world to look at the record of rocks beneath the local area. Drilling into the Earth's crust is like travelling in a time machine, from the last ice ages through warm coral seas to hot deserts. Travel back with Mike to times when the area was populated by dinosaurs and giant marine reptiles, when devil's toenails occupied the sea bed and when salt and gypsum deposits were forming in tropical climates. We meet as always in the St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road and starting at 7.15pm. There is a large, free car park in the Church grounds. There is no charge for entry to the meeting but a donation bowl is provided. For a small charge, refreshments will be available during the mid-talk break. *** RSPB Grimsby Local Group *** Martin Francis writes: The RSPB Grimsby Local Group has organised a Trip and an Indoor Meeting in April All the Group's activities are open to everybody. You do not need to belong to the RSPB or to have attended Group Meetings to take part. The Trip is to RSPB Bempton Cliffs on Sunday 24th April, where the colonies of gannets, kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills and a few puffins will be settling down to nest. There will also be a surprising number of farmland birds. Travel to the reserve is by 'car share' so if you would like to go, just contact Tony Bryan (mariners4top@yahoo.co.uk or Tel: 01472 873362) to let him know that you would like a lift, or that you have a spare seat(s), and for more details of the meeting place and time. We are particularly keen to encourage inexperienced birders who might like to take advantage of our 'Buddy Birding' scheme where you will be paired with an experienced birder to help you spot and identify the birds. If you are very inexperienced, you will be absolutely amazed by what you will see! The Indoor Meeting will take place on Monday 25th April 2022 at 7.30pm at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7LH Geoff Trinder will give an illustrated talk on "Sri Lanka" where the birdlife is stunning. Colourful bee-eaters, jungle fowl, pelicans, herons, egrets and various waders are just some that are covered in this talk. But there are more than just birds to enjoy - elephants, wild boar, fruit bats and strange reptiles also feature. Geoff, who is President of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and a member of the Royal Photographic Society, has visited the Group several times before so we know we can expect a really interesting and informative talk, backed up by his excellent photographs Entry for everybody is £4, payable at the door. Light refreshments and a raffle will be available. Obviously, measures will be taken to reduce the risk of spreading the Covid virus, and you should not attend if you are exhibiting symptoms of the virus, or have been in close contact with somebody known to have the virus. We look forward to seeing you on one, or both, Trips and at the Indoor Meeting. Martin Francis Group Leader - RSPB Grimsby Local Group *** Seal and Birdwatching Cruises 2022 - South Lincs RSPB Group *** 14 cruises have been arranged for 2022, at various sailing times, starting on 8th April and ending on 22nd October. All cruises are aboard “The Boston Belle”, last for 4/5 hours, and start [and return] at Boston's Grand Sluice Lock, sailing up The Haven, into The Wash and also along The Welland. 64 bird species on average have been previously seen per cruise. Full details as regards dates, sailing times, costs, booking arrangements: https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/ STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Lyme Disease reminder https://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/zoonoses-data-sheets/lyme-disease.pdf 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 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 https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 29/3 2 Ring-necked Ducks, ad drk on North Pit, 1w drk on Wader Pit, Baston+Langtoft GPs White-tailed Lapwing from East Hide, Little Gull, 2 Garganey, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Yellow Wagtail, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Black Redstart from Harvey's hide, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 4 Velvet Scoters, 1 drk, off car park, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Iceland Gull juv flew past Wolla Bank 4 Spotted Redshanks, 7 Garganey, Spoonbill, Akborough Flats 30/3 2 Ring-necked Ducks ad drk and 1w drk, Baston+Langtoft GPs White-tailed Lapwing from East Hide, Little Gull 1w, 4 Garganey, 2 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh Pale-bellied Brent Goose from Wash viewpoint, Short-eared Owl, probable Hoopoe flew over saltmarsh by cafe, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point Snow Bunting, Waters' Edge Country Park, Barton-upon-Humber 31/3 White-tailed Lapwing on North Scrape, Frampton Marsh Water Pipit, Little Gull, Gibraltar Point 2 Garganey 1 drk, Anderby Marsh 1/4 White-tailed Lapwing on North Scrape, Spotted Crake, Garganey, Water Pipit, Little Gull, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl, Twite, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 2 Short-eared Owls, Saltfleet Caspian Gull near-ad in field between Crook Band car park and seal sanctuary American Wigeon drk at Nebraska Wetlands, Kirton-in-Lindsey Spoonbill, Water Pipit, Alkborough Flats 2/4 2 Ring-necked Ducks ad drk and 1w drk, Baston+Langtoft GPs Smew redhead, Langtoft, from gate on Stowe Road White-tailed Lapwing. Spotted Crake, from bank near sea bank car park, Little Gull, Little Stint, Garganey, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Lapland Bunting flew south over, Garganey, Short-eared Owl, Water Pipit flew over Mill Pond Road, Spotted Redshank on Old Saltmarsh, Spotted Crake heard between Jackson's Marsh and Tennyson's Sands, 2 Short-eared Owls, Gibraltar Point Siberian Chiffchaff in trees along path to terminal, Crook Bank, Saltfleetby NR Iceland Gull on pool from Pyewipe Bewick's Swan, Alkborough Flats 3/4 Little Gull 1w at Marsh Farm reservoir, 5 Garganey 4 [2 drks] on reservoir another along Cross Bank, Spotted Crake near sea bank, 3 Little Stint, singing Sedge Warbler, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Spotted Redshank. Short-eared Owl, Little Gull from mere hide, Snow Bunting flew over beach, Gibraltar Point 4/4 - deletion error 5/4 Ring-necked Duck ad drk and 1w drk, Baston+Langtoft GPs Ring Ouzel male, Spotted Redshank east of sea wall, 4 Garganey, 2 drks on Marsh Farm reservoir, 1w Little Gull, Frampton Marsh Garganey, Sedge Warbler, Gibraltar Point ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. WILDLIFE NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work and drop-in sessions. *** 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/ *** Links "not to be missed" *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. The Len Pick Trust barn owl camera is back up and running. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/45934490 St James' Church, Louth - Peregrins Man on the spot, Geoff Mullett, posts an excellent blog to accompany the screenshots. The camera is live 24/7. www.louthperegrines.org.uk/latest-news.html Loch of Lowes Webcam Both birds have returned and are busy preparing the nest. https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ How to identify spring bees https://www.discoverwildlife.com/how-to/identify-wildlife/how-to-identify-spring-bees/ Pollen Identification Colour Chart http://www.sheffieldbeekeepers.org.uk/tools/pollen-chart/ Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog: http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ Lincs Bird Club: https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/sightings/latest-news Butterfly Conservation - Lincolnshire Branch: https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/ Which moth species might be on the wing tonight in your area? ‘What’s Flying Tonight’. https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/whats-flying-tonight BTO tracked cuckoos: latest updates: On their way - back in May! 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. ROAD KILL 30:03:2022 Peter Crick Both locations between Louth and Grimsby Badger - just north of North Thoresby. East side road verge of A16 Badger - Fotherby By-pass. East side road verge A16 *** 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 welcome records from everyone, experts or beginners. Please keep your reports coming. BARDNEY - The Green R & A Parsons TF120694 3/4/2022 Pied Wagtail m now a regular garden visitor Bardney to Southrey Wood - Viking Way R & A Parsons 3/4/2022 4 Brown hares running and boxing 4 Common Buzzards circling near old sugarbeet factory Reed Bunting male in scrub along ditch Yellowhammer male on tree branch in hedgerow Small Tortoiseshell butterfly BOSTON (TF326426), March 2022 Kathleen Pearson I was able to do the BTO Garden BirdWatch on all 31 days in March. The number of species seen, 24, was an unusually high number. Most were in small collections with only one species reaching double numbers: Starling with 12. Herring Gulls with 6 and Black-headed Gulls with 5 came down together to squabble over food. The Blackcap that was present for several weeks has now left. Three species that are not particularly common in the garden were Chiffchaff, Pied Wagtail and Siskin. Birds seen were :- Blackbird 3, Woodpigeon 7, Starling 12, House Sparrow 5, Blue Tit 3, Collared Dove 2, Goldfinch 8, Dunnock 3, Greenfinch 5, Robin 2, Blackcap 1, Wren 1, Great Tit 2, Carrion Crow 2, Long Tailed Tit 3, Song Thrush 1, Herring Gull 6, Magpie 1, Black Headed Gull 5, Sparrowhawk 1, Chiffchaff 1, Pied Wagtail 1, Chaffinch 2, and Siskin 1. CLEETHORPES TA 300069 02:04:2022 Peter Crick Beefly - first one this year. Hovering by hedgerow alongside Buck Beck stream. Surprised to see it flying in biting cold wind. FAR INGS Angela Buckle Flowers, 3rd April 2022, Far Ings: Cowslips, Marsh marigolds, Common scurvy grass, Common mouse ear, Alexanders. SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 05/04/22 Blackbird x 1 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 1 Greenfinch x 1 Jackdaw x 4 Magpie x 1 Robin x 1 Wood Pigeon x 8 Wren x 1 Rabbit x 3 Lots of Lesser Celandine and Cowslips in flower THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 23.03.22 Blackbird x 4 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 4 Kestrel x 1 Mallard x 1 Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 1 Rook x 21 in fields around Thurnholmes Skylark x 2 singing high over Thurnholmes Starling x 15 Stock Dove x 2 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:15hrs Tufted Duck x 3 over Thurnholmes Wood Pigeon x 7 Wren x 1 Peacock x 1 25.03.22 Blackbird x 4 Blackcap x 1 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 2 Chiffchaff x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 13 Great Tit x 1 Jackdaw x 1 Kestrel x 1 Mallard x 2 over Thurnholmes Mute Swan x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Peregrine Falcon x 1 male over Thurnholmes Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 2 Skylark x 2 Stock Dove x 2 Tree Sparrow x 2 Wood Pigeon x 9 including one 6' up on nest in Honeysuckle Wren x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 2 on Almond Blossom 27.03.22 Little Owl x 2 on barn frame SK789977 Bee Fly Bombylius major 28.03.22 Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 9 Great Tit x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Greylag goose x 2 over Thurnholmes Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Pied Wagtail x 2 Red-legged Partridge x 2 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Song Thrush x 2 Stock Dove x 2 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:15hrs Wood Pigeon x 7 Wren x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 4 Woodlouse Spider (possibly Dysdera crocota, photos submitted) 30.03.22 Chiffchaff x 1 Song Thrush x 2 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:50hrs 31.03.22 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:50hrs 01.04.22 Blackbird x 4 Blue Tit x 1 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 2 Chiffchaff x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 9 Great Tit x 1 Greenfinch x 1 Greylag Goose x 2 over Thurnholmes Jackdaw x 1 Kestrel x 1 Lapwing x 2 over Thurnholmes Linnet x 2 Mallard x 2  Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Stock Dove x 2 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:15hrs Tree Sparrow x 2 Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 Yellowhammer x 2 04.04.22 Barn Owl x 1 01:00hrs Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2  Chaffinch x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Greylag Goose x 3 over Thurnholmes Grey Plover x 1 flew west over Thurnholmes, calling, 07:30hrs Jackdaw x 1 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 1 Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 2 Tree Sparrow x 2 Wood Pigeon x 4 Yellowhammer x 1 Box Bug Gonocerus acuteangulatus x 1 Cowslip, Lesser Celandine, White and Red Dead Nettle in flower ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs and NATURE RESERVES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19 includes details of LWT reserves and other advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 23rd March – 5th April 2022 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Ground ivy, sweet violet, red dead-nettle, field mouse-ear, dandelion and blackthorn in flower. Some hawthorn, blackthorn and elder coming into leaf in sheltered sunny locations. 240322 - Short-eared owl over Rimac. Single barn owl and short-eared owls over saltmarsh. 250322 - 3 brambling at Sea View. Paradise lagoon: 24 shoveler, 8 tufted duck, 19 teal, 4 mallard, 1 shelduck, 3 coot, 8 gadwall, 5 redshank. A flock of 128 sanderling on outer foreshore, 3 Cetti’s warblers and 8 chiffchaffs in song Rimac to Churchill Lane. 260322 - 3 avocets on Paradise lagoon. 270322 – Cetti’s calling in scrub on edge of Paradise wood. 280322 - Green woodpecker at Sea View. Paradise lagoon: 3 avocets, male pochard, 4 shelduck, 26 teal, 5 coot, 4 mallard, 36 shoveler, 4 gadwall, 13 tufted duck, 5 common snipe, 5 redshank and 1 curlew. Short-eared owl over saltmarsh nearby. On Rimac lagoon: 1 great white egret and 20 avocets. 290322 - 2 jays near Paradise wood. Butterflies seen 24-27th: small tortoiseshell, small white, peacock, brimstone, comma. Frogs and toads continue to spawn in small numbers scattered around shallow pond margins Note: Light snow flurries at Sea View during mid-day in the very strong, bitterly cold north-easterly winds. Two nights of sharp frosts with a ground temperature of -5.0 degrees C (air -0.5 degrees C) on the 2nd and a ground temperature of -7.25 degrees C (air -2.25 degrees C) on the 3rd. 300322 - Male brambling at Sea View. 310322 – On Sea View washlands – 20 wigeon, 35 teal, 8 shoveler, 6 shelduck, 6 Canada geese, 5 little egret, 5 curlew, 1 snipe and 1 greater black-backed gull. 030422 - Field woodrush coming into flower on the dunes. 040422 – Cetti’’s warbler and chiffchaff at Churchill Lane 050422 -The water levels on Sea View washlands are now falling and the larger numbers of wildfowl have moved on. Teal remain in small numbers, at least 10 shoveler, 2 tufted duck, 4 gadwall, 8 wigeon, 4 mallard, 4 shelduck and occasional curlew and redshank. Report of an osprey flying north at Saltfleet (comms Andy Hutton). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR These cover a huge area. Records from them 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/ The Forestry Commission visitor 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/ 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 *** Lincs Dormouse Group update *** Gemma Watkinson writes: I have also set the nest box check dates with Forestry England: Saturday 16th April Sunday 22nd May Saturday 18th June Sunday 17th July Saturday 20th August Sunday 18th September Saturday 22nd October We meet at 9.30am for the box checks, and anyone interested in joining us on a box check should get in contact via email 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. Many are also designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest. 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 BULLETIN REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We aim to increase the number of people reporting observations to Recorders. The Bulletin is a 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! Please help us to help you. 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. It 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. CONTACTS AND USEFUL WEBSITES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONTACTS LIST Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** LNU 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 Downloads of LNU books are available on: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ https://twitter.com/LincsWildlife *** Lincs Bird Club Website *** http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk https://twitter.com/Lincsbirding 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 https://twitter.com/sirjosephbanks *** Lincolnshire Bat Group website *** http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html https://twitter.com/BC_Lincolnshire *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** https://lincolnshirechalkstreams.org/ *** Lincsbirders *** http://www.lincsbirders.org/ https://twitter.com/lincsbirders *** 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.com FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** 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 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/ Downloads of LNU books are available on: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ *** VC54 North Lincolnshire Plant List - LNU *** Paul Kirby has produced a list which details all the vascular plant & stonewort taxa with records on the MapMate botanical database. This is for VC54, North Lincolnshire, at the end of January 2017. You can download this on: https://lnu.org/specialists/vascular-plants/ Recording with "irecord" https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ More and more people are using irecord. It is recommended by the LNU as the most appropriate platform for on-line recording. Tried it yet? Feedback 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 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, Pseudoscorpions, Harvestmen 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 It's 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. Wear gloves or use 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/ https://twitter.com/GLNPnature *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lincs-environmental-awards/enter *** Field Studies Council *** Bringing Environmental Understanding to All https://www.field-studies-council.org/ https://twitter.com/FieldStudiesC *** 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/ NHM Final report on LoveLincsPlants goes online This report along with previous progress reports can be viewed/downloaded from the LNU website. https://lnu.org/lincolnshire-plants-past-and-future/ Love Lincs Plants: Herbarium Hub https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants/herbarium-hub https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants/status/1457735102046384133 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 - downloadable LNU book https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-flora-of-lincolnshire-e-joan-gibbons.pdf For the Geologists... Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 The Geology of Lincolnshire - downloadable LNU book https://lnu.org/publications/books/the-geology-of-lincolnshire/ *** 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. However, records are sent in by a variety of reporters; from complete beginners to professionals. They may vary in reliability and occasionally 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. BULLETIN 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. When sending in reports, e.g. unusual plants, please report any sensitive news directly to recorders. Not the Bulletin. We don't want to spoil things with untimely or 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 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** 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. Please refer to the LNU website for details of any Zoom arrangements for watching online. LNU Meetings 2022: https://lnu.org/meetings Charlie Barnes writes: The programme of field meetings for 2022 is now available. The changing nature of the Covid situation may mean alterations or cancellations at short notice, so check back regularly and keep an eye on Twitter and Facebook for updates. For more details on the times and locations see the website at https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/ And don't forget, the annual Species Recording Meeting has been re-scheduled for the 18th June! 24th April: Lincoln’s Witham Wildlife Corridor - South Witham Marsh and Bracebridge Hall Fishponds & Syston Woods 22nd May: Cherry Fields Community Garden, south of Cherry Willingham 12th June: Dunston Beck, near Dunston 24th July: Wilsford Parish (part of LWT’s Wild Wilsford Weekend) 14th August: Elsham Chalk Quarry LNR 18th September: Old Bolingbroke Castle and Sow Dale LWT Reserve 9th October: Epworth Turbary LWT Reserve (Annual Fungus Foray) Species Recording Meeting – Now 18th June 2022. Whisby Education Centre, 12 noon Overview and highlights of the past years recording provided by the county recorders. Arrive at 12 noon for a chance to catch up with recorders; it will finish at 4pm. https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/2019-02-09/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** Roger Favell - undeliverable - SPF Check Failed Advice is: If your Service provider can't or won't allow the Bulletin through, use a free email account instead. In the event of a mail failure ask me for the error report to pass on to your "Help Desk". I am glad to help. ....and finally... Britain’s butterflies bolstered by conservation efforts https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/30/britains-butterflies-conservation-species-2021 Charles Darwin's notebooks anonymously returned to Cambridge University https://www.zmescience.com/science/darwin-notebooks-returned/ 18 amazing images which show off the photography of David Yarrow https://www.countrylife.co.uk/luxury/art-and-antiques/in-focus-the-incredible-photography-of-david-yarrow-240531 Peak District mountain hares: Study claims 3,500 left in England https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-60931126 Bedfordshire A428 dig: Evidence of Roman beer production found https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-60932382 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/