============================================ || || 13th 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: We are looking forward to our first proper LNU Field Meeting on the year. 24th April: Lincoln’s Witham Wildlife Corridor - South Witham Marsh and Bracebridge Hall Fishponds & Syston Woods. Hoping for a good turn out. https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2022-04-24-lincolns-witham-wildlife-corridor-south-witham-marsh-and-bracebridge-hall-fishponds-syston-woods-sunday-24th-april/ Don't forget, the annual Species Recording Meeting has been re-scheduled for the 18th June! An opportunity to meet recorders. More in section 11, or: https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/2019-02-09/ 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. Boy taken to hospital after venomous adder bite at UK beach [The last recorded death from an adder bite in the UK was in 1975.] https://uk.yahoo.com/news/boy-hand-swells-snake-adder-bite-beach-090530592.html North Kelsey oil drilling refused after firm's inaction https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-61079420 Dinosaurs, the Final Day with David Attenborough on BBC One on 15 April at 18:30 BST. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0016djt Tanis: Fossil of dinosaur killed in asteroid strike found, scientists claim https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-61013740 Boyfriend message in a bottle appeal found in Humber Estuary 55 years later https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-61014322 Metaldehyde slug pellets banned in the UK https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/slug-pellet-ban/ The Ocean Walker Academy - had a swim there? https://oceanwalkeracademy.com/ Holy grail of WW2 watches sells for £12,000 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-61077030 The Truffle Hunters - a BBC 4 Documentary. [75 minutes] https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0016489/storyville-the-truffle-hunters 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 "...Into next week remaining similar with plenty of fine, warm weather. Though there is a continued risk of early mist and fog, and some rain at times, most likely across the north and northwest. From around mid- week onwards, turning more unsettled. Outbreaks of rain developing across many areas..." *** 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 8-6. Jupiter, Venus, Mars, Saturn.... **** https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-april-8-16-2/ 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 STILL 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 *** 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: 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 *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson Lincoln Area Group Talk April 21st: 2022 An Introduction to British Wild Flower Families In a follow up to the very successful LoveLincsPlants project Mark Schofield will present an illustrated talk about the various families of wild plants found in Britain and the many flower species in them. Including the Buttercup, Cabbage, Carrot, Daisy, Geranium, Lily, Orchid, Pea, Primrose and Rose families. At Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission £2.50. Refreshments are provided. *** 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. *** 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 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 Black-necked Grebe near Donna Nook 6/4 3 Garganey, 2 drks SW corner by reservoir, 2 Little Stints, Little Gull, Cattle Egret in field by car park, Frampton Marsh Water Pipit, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Black-necked Grebe, [for 2nd day] Covenham Reservoir 7/4 2 Garganey 1drk at Marsh Farm reservoir, 1w Little Gull, Frampton Marsh Black-necked Grebe, Covenham Reservoir 8/4 Ring-necked Duck 1w drk on east side of Wader Pit, Baston+Langtoft GPs Osprey in tree by East Pit, then flew off, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 2 Spotted Redshanks, Little Gull, 2 Garganey 1 drk at Marsh Farm, Little Stint, male Marsh Harrier, Cattle Egret in fields to south, Frampton Marsh Black-necked Grebe, Covenham reservoir Spoonbill, Donna Nook 5 Spoonbills, Spotted Redshank, Alkborough Flats 9/4 Osprey between Little Bytham and Holywell Lake 3 Garganey, 3 Little Stints, Little Gull 1w on Marsh Farm reservoir, Spotted Redshank, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill Black-necked Grebe, near water tower, Covenham reservoir Spoonbill, Donna Nook 10/4 Hoopoe, Deeping St Nicholas Little Gull 1w on Marsh Farm reservoir, Short-eared Owl over saltmarsh, 3 Little Stints south of sea bank car park, 3 Spotted Redshank, Garganey, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Black Redstart by pier, Skegness Black-necked Grebe, Covenham reservoir presumed-escaped ringed Ferruginous duck, Barton-upon-Humber Pits Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 11/4 Osprey flew west over Tallington Lakes Grey Plover, Garganey, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Little Gull, Garganey, Spotted Redshank, Little Stint, 3 Pale-bellied Brent Goose with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Frampton Marsh 4 Ring Ouzels, Hawfinch, Firecrest, Water Pipit, Garganey, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier male flew through Manby Flashes Cattle Egret by landfill site at the of Job's Lane, Thorpe Black-necked Grebe, Covenham reservoir 2 Black-necked Grebes, Toft Newton reservoir Ring Ouzel, Freshney, Grimsby Common Crane from Julian's Bower, Alkborough Flats 12/4 Ring-necked Duck 1w drk at Embryo Angling Pits, Baston+Langtoft GPs Ring Ouzel male in sheep field, Culverthorpe Lake Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint, 2 Garganey 1 drk, Spotted Redshank, Little Gull, Frampton Marsh Spoonbill, Short-eared Owl, Water Pipit at Fenland Lagoon. Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point 13/4 Little Gull 1w on Marsh Farm, Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Frampton Marsh 6 Cattle Egrets in sheep field, Saltfleetby 7 Common Cranes flew east over Whitton Cattle Egret briefly, Alkborough Flats ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 - 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. The camera is live 24/7. http://www.louthperegrines.org.uk/latest-news.html Loch of Lowes Osprey 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. *** 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 10/4/2022 2 Pied Wagtails still regulars Cudweed spp [Marsh?] Tawny Mining Bee - Andrena fulva - burrows on lawn and The Green. Bombus lapidarius, [red-tailed] queen - no pollen. 12/4 Bombus terrestris, [buff-tailed] queen inspecting garage - no pollen! Anthophora plumipes female - Hairy-footed Flower bee. https://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/hairy-footed-flower-bee BOSTON (TF326426) 13/04/2022 Kathleen Pearson Two migrants in the garden today were the second Chiffchaff of the year and the first Female Blackcap replacing the Male that was here for several months. BOSTON TF338441 My town garden Tracey Lenton 07/04/2022 Frog spawn has appeared in my pond and one frog which I first heard croaking on 11th March. The next morning there was another clump, both laid amongst the pond iris. On 11th there were 2 frogs together, no more spawn seen as of 12th Hedgehog visits regularly as shown by droppings on the lawn. The sunny weekend brought out several different insects, noting the plants they were feeding on: 09/04/2022 Bee flies x 2 on forget-me-not Comma on forget-me-not 10/04/2022 Brimstone seen flying around Peacock on dandelion and forget-me-not Small white on grape hyacinth Bumblebees (buff tailed) on grape hyacinth, wasps and hoverflies on forget-me-not BROUGHTON WOODS 08-04-2022 Broughton Woods SE960110 Angela Buckle, Stuart Smith, Neil Barker & Amy Primavera  Plants in flower: Adoxa moschatellina - Moschatel Anemone nemorosa - Wood Anemone Cardamine hirsuta - Hairy Bitter-cress Ficaria verna - Lesser Celandine Glechoma hederacea - Ground-ivy Hyacinthoides non-scripta - Bluebell Mercurialis perennis - Dog's Mercury Oxalis acetosella - Wood-sorrel Potentilla sterilis - Barren Strawberry Primula vulgaris - Primrose Silene dioica - Red Campion Taraxacum agg. - Dandelion Veronica hederifolia - Ivy-leaved Speedwell Viola hirta - Hairy Violet Viola odorata - Sweet Violet Viola reichenbachiana - Early Dog-violet Viola riviniana - Common Dog-violet Scarlet elf cup Chiffchaff CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK909581 Jeremy Hutchinson 11/4/2022 First Swallow 12/4/2022 First House Martin SOUTH FERRIBY/WINTERINGHAM What3Words Shun.cactus.mule which is SE954212 Sluice Road, Low Farm, Winteringham, North Lincolnshire, DN15 9LY 9 April 2022 ?Driving along the A1077 this morning I noticed a dead badger on the left verge and immediately on my right was a bird of prey coming towards it. I’m pretty certain that it was a marsh harrier which swerved to avoid my car. On the way home this evening just north of Bonby (craft.spinning.hidden) a hare ran out in front of me(I missed it). My day for wildlife! MESSINGHAM SAND QUARRY 11-04-2022 Messingham Sand Quarry SE912 033 A.Primavera Plants in flower: Caltha palustris - Marsh-marigold Cardamine flexuosa - Wavy Bitter-cress Hyacinthoides non-scripta - Bluebell Viola palustris - Marsh Violet ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 6th – 12th April 2022 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 060422 - Paradise lagoon: 6 coot, 2 shoveler, 7 redshank, 2 mallard, 8 tufted duck, 2 common gulls and 15 black-headed gulls. 070422 - Very strong south-westerly winds with a gust of 49.4mph recorded near Sea View. Common scurvygrass coming into flower on the saltmarsh. 08042022 – Rimac to Brickyard Lane; 1 willow warbler, 1 wheatear 100422 - Single Cetti’s warbler calling near Paradise lagoon. Butterflies on the wing near Sea View: 3 peacock, 2 green-veined white, 1 small white, 2 commas and 1 small tortoiseshell. Rimac to Brickyard Lane: 2 singing blackcaps, 4 singing Cetti's warblers and 2 singing willow warblers. 110422 - Cowslips coming into flower, lots of blackthorn in flower, 3 blackcaps, 4 Cetti’s warblers, 2 willow warblers in song between Rimac and Brickyard Lane. 120422 – 1 snipe feeding at Paradise lagoon. Single wheatear and blackcap near Paradise, willow warbler and blackcap at Sea View, 5 barnacle geese flying north over area. Spring beauty coming into flower in sheltered areas of the dunes. 1 swallow flew over Sea View heading north. Most frog and toad spawn hatched but far less spawn seen this year from only a few years ago. Many hawthorn, elder, willow, and some blackthorn coming into leaf. Other Local Reserves 080422 – Toby’s Hill: Bee flies on the wing, chiffchaff calling, ground ivy, field mouse ear and white violets in flower. Lots of frog and toad tadpoles. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 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 set the nest box check dates with Forestry England: 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 - S 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... Owl examines camera - watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hK6tdGrast0 Farming labour shortage could mean price rises, MPs warn https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60999236 Royal mail celebrates migratory birds with new stamp collection https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/Royal_mail_celebrates_migratory_birds_with_new_stamp_collection.aspx 'Broken wing' tactic found to be more widespread than thought https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/Broken_wing_tactic_found_to_be_more_widespread_than_thought.aspx NZ professor snorkels over Tonga volcano https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-61071293 DIY waste recycling fees could be scrapped https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61061736 Exeter's Topsham Road to become highway to attract wildlife https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-61082942 Climate change: Uncontrolled tree planting 'could harm landscape' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-61039303 The ten worst human parasites you don't want to meet https://www.zmescience.com/science/biology/small-and-dangerous-10-of-the-most-dangerous-human-parasites-ever-discovered/ ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/