|| || 27th 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: It has been a very busy week for me and the Bulletin is a day later than usual. Look our for Swallows and Cuckoos I've had a note from Bob Sheppard to say: We have the first two barn owl eggs in the Len Pick Trust owl tower. They were laid on Friday and Sunday. The next one should be visible on Wednesday morning. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project p.s. Third barn owl egg was laid at 11.23pm last night. 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. Stunning photograph shows a flower as an insect might see it https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25433820-200-stunning-photograph-shows-a-flower-as-an-insect-might-see-it/ Lincolnshire bird flu outbreak blamed on 'poor virus control' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-61160932 Man and dog rescued from rising tide in Cleethorpes https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-humber-61169462 Seals stoned and chased in spate of attacks over Easter https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-61164181 Climate change and farming driving insect decline https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-61165279 Most protected areas do not benefit wildlife, study says https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-61164969 Sir David Attenborough named Champion of the Earth by UN https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-61167925 Here's why crows and ravens thrive almost anywhere in the world https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/crows-and-ravens-adaptability-21042022/ 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/ 2-11 May "...Throughout the start of May, much of the south is likely to see continuing dry and sunny spells. Parts of the north are more likely to experience cloudier conditions, with spells of mainly light rain or showers at times, occasionally moving further south. Winds are expected to remain light and temperatures stay above average for most, but some chilly nights are still possible with a chance of some late season frost...." *** 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 22-30. Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Saturn. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-april-22-30-2/ Celebrate Spring with the Lyrids https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/celebrate-spring-with-the-lyrids/ 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: 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. d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** 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 *** 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 19/4 Black-necked Grebe from Reedbed Hide, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Spoonbill, 2 Little Stints, Garganey, Little Gull, Frampton Marsh Hawfinch at Sykes Farm, Hen Harrier from Wash Viewpoint, Spotted Redshank Short-eared Owl, Fenland Lagoon, Gibraltar Point Ring Ouzel in field on right before car park, Rimac Common Scoter, Toft Newton Reservoir 4 Spoonbills, 6 Spotted Redshanks, Alkborough Flats 20/4 Spoonbill north of sea bank car park, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Little Gull, Frampton Marsh Spotted Redshank, Great Northern Diver flew north, Hawfinch at Sykes Farm, Gibraltar Point Ring Ouzel, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe 2 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 21/4 2 Garganey, 1 drk, on Marsh Farm reservoir, Little Gull, Little Stint on saltmarsh, Spotted Redshanks from sea bank car park, Frampton Marsh Ring Ouzel, Freiston Shore Red-rumped Swallow flew south over sea into The Wash, Hawfinch, at Sykes Farm, Short-eared Owl, male Hen Harrier, probable Siberian Chiffchaff, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Ring Ouzel north side of East Dunes, Gibraltar Point Arctic Tern flew thru, Covenham reservoir 2 Arctic Terns, Messingham Sand Quarry 22/4 Bar-tailed Godwit on East Pit, then flew NW, 2 Spotted Redshanks on East Pit, Osprey flew east over Deeping Gate, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St Nicholas 2 Garganey 1 drk, Little Stint, 4 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Spoonbill, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Hawfinch at Sykes Farm Ring Ouzel south of car park, Spotted Redshank, Rimac Ring Ouzel flew over Fillingham Lake Little Gull 1w, Covenham reservoir 3 Spoonbills, 2 Spotted Redshansk ads, Alkborough Flats 23/4 3 Grey Plovers on South Pit, Ring-necked Duck ad drk, flew NW with 2 Tufted Ducks, Little Gull 1w and Bar-tailed Godwit on east side of Wader Pit, Baston +Langtoft GPs 3 Little Stints' Spoonbill, Garganey, Little Gull 1w over saltmarsh, 3 Spotted Redshanls, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Frampton Marsh Ring Ouzel, Rimac Little Gull, Covenham reservoir 24/4 5 Little Gulls on Wader Pit then flew east, Turnstone on South Pit, Bar-tailed godwit on South Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Spotted Redshank, Little Stint, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Garganey, Little Gull, Frampton Marsh Hawfinch at Sykes Farm, Gibraltar Point Probable Montagu's Harrier over reedbeds east of car park, then flew north, Chapel Six Marshes 2 Ring Ouzels at caravan park in field, Saltfleet Ring Ouzel male near Burgh on Bain, west of Louth Little Gull, Snow Bunting on south side, Covenham reservoir Wryneck in buckthorn at MOD base, behind red plough, Donna Nook 25/4 Ring-necked Duck ad drk on Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Garganey, Short-eared Owl, Little Gull, Frampton Marsh Common Crane in field west of Hubbert's Bridge, west of Boston 2 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Garganey 1 drk, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 2 Ring Ouzels in field south of car park, Rimac, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Wryneck in buckthorrn at MOD base, behind red plough, Donna Nook 4 Little Gulls, 18 Arctic Terns, Covenham reservoir 26/4 Short-eared Owl flew north over, Bar-tailed Godwit fem on east side of Wader Pit, Baston Fen 2 Bar-tailed godwits both males, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 2 Garganey 1 drk, 3 Little Stints, 3 Spoonbills, Spotted Redshank, Little Gill, Frampton Marsh Ring Ouzel, Hawfinch at Sykes Plantation, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Turtle Dove flew south, Hen Harrier, 2 Short-eared Owls, Spoonbill flew west, Gibraltar Point Wryneck in ploughed field, Donna Nook Arctic Terns, Messingham Sand Quarry 27/4 4 Bar-tailed Godwit on Wader Pit, 12 Arctic Tern, 3 Whimbrel, Ring-necked Duck on South Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Garganey. 3 Little Stints, Spotted Redshank, Little Gull, Frampton Marsh Red-rumped Swallow over Jackson's Marsh, Great Northern Diver offshore, 3 Spoonbills, 2 Spotted Redshanks, ringtail Hen Harriers, Short-eared Owl, Ring Ouzel, Water Pipit, Caspian Gull 1s on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Wryneck at MOD base, Donna Nook 28/4 Little Gull, Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 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 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: they are arriving now! 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. MARKET RASEN A631 Willingham Road TF123 887 Richard Fox 24.04.2022 Roe Buck roadkill Road kill 6th April 2022 Joyce Attia A15 between Barnetby Interchange and the Humber Bridge 2 badgers on Northbound road, 1 badger on Southbound road. 17th April College Road between East Halton and Barrow on Humber 2 badgers 2 pheasants It's absolute carnage, I wish people would drive more carefully especially at night time. *** 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 22/4 Speckled Wood in garden [AP] Alkanet in flower 26/4 Thought to be nesting in or close to garden: Pied Wagtail Dunnock Robin Blackbird House Sparrow Wren Starling Collared Dove Woodpigeon - trying to claim woodshed! No chance! Jackdaw BARDNEY GARDEN Grid ref TF 117 701 Mary and Phil Porter  24th April 2022 Cuckoo calling loudly for about 15 minutes from 5am Butterflies included one or two each of speckled wood, comma and holly blue. Many sorts of bees and other insects active, including common wasps.   26th April 2022 Cuckoo calling loudly again, this time around 9.30am. Willow warbler singing for the first time this year. Chiffchaffs and black cap singing. Still many goldfinches, chaffinches, a pair of greenfinches, house sparrow, feeding on the sunflower seeds and mixed seeds. At least x4 male blackbirds with territories in the garden, They seem to be co-existing with the odd "spat". Another female blackbird has started collecting nesting material from around the pond. Sadly, only one pair of starlings under the eaves this year, the lowest number ever. At least one wren. Many wood pigeons and collared doves. Two squabs present, one of which has been killed by a neighbourhood cat. Both male and female sparrow hawks have been very active. The female caught the great spotted woodpecker and a collared dove in one afternoon. The woodpecker usually "freezes" on the sunflower heart dispenser when the sparrow hawk flies through, but for some reason it took flight along with the others and was far too slow. It tried dodging but to no avail. Two pairs of common newts have been "courting" in the pond, with the males "tail swishing and quivering". We have seen one frog twice, first spotted on 16th April. It has been at least 5 years since we have had frogs in the pond. It has particularly striking white markings under it's face and neck, reminding me of a "Pool frog" but this hasn't been confirmed. No sign of swallows or house martins. CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK909581 Jeremy Hutchinson 20/4/2022 First Comma GRIMSBY TA265095 Joyce Attia 26/4/22 15.00 hrs. 21/4/22 Early morning call, blackbirds, herring gulls. 2 collared doves on the fence and another on bird feeder. 2 wood pigeons on the wall. Dunnock singing in the elder tree. 9pm single bat flitting my garden and next doors garden, sorry I don't know which species. There are lots of gnats about. 23/4/22 Sparrows on bird feeder. Wood pigeon on bird feeder. Lots of small birds twittering in the bushes across the river. Enormous bee in the kitchen, sounds like a jet plane. It was black with long hair and an dark orange bum. No pollen, but very large claws on back legs. I think it might be a Bombus Lapidaries. I sent photo to David Sheppard. Single bat in the garden again this evening. 24/4/22 Much cooler today. Easterly wind. 2 dunnocks on the rockery, after seed dropped by the other birds. Female chaffinch on the bird bath. Black backed gulls and herring gulls crying. Didn't see any bats this evening, maybe too cold. Missed report from last week: GRIMSBY TA265095 Joyce Attia 19th April 2022 21.00 hrs 10th April. Woken up by blackbird followed by herring gulls. Walk Humber Bank past Far Ings. Blackcap, robin, blue tit, song thrush, chiffchaff in bushes. Very large buff tailed bumble bee, couldn't see any pollen. 2 unidentified butterflies on nettles, thought small tortoiseshell but there weren't any blue spots. 11th April my garden Blackbirds early morning. Collared doves on chimney, woodpigeon on birdbath, dunnock singing in bushes, can hear titty twitters too but can't see them. Ginger bees around the honesty and the pulmonaria, and a couple of beeflies on the grape hyacinths. 16th April Walk alongside river to TA255099 country park Plants spotted on the way Marsh marigolds, Herb Robert, lesser pond sedge, Spanish bluebell, cowslip, dandelions, daisies, Scotch broom, cow parsley (when I was a child in Huttoft cow parsley was known as Ebennet, I wonder if it still is?). Then I went through the little plantation where there's bird cherry, wild cherry, gorse, mountain ash, silver birch, hawthorn, broom.  It's going to e beautiful up there when all the blossoms are out. Meanwhile on the river, the moorhens are nesting and clucking loudly, the mallards are pairing up but not seen any ducklings yet, someone told me that the painted teal is still around, the single swan is still here and there is a pair of swans nesting up near the river head, unfortunately they are very visible, not everyone is wildlife friendly. HORKSTOW SE987178 Jenny Haynes 24 April 2022 On clearing weeds from between paving slabs yesterday, I inadvertently uncovered a number of miner bee holes, leaving some very annoyed bees! I then remembered they'd been there last year too. I've also seen a lot of queen wasps this year. I've evicted at least six from my workshop and then found two dead ones there yesterday. HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Haynes 27 April 2022 A song thrush was singing in my garden this morning just after 5am. We usually get one every spring although usually heard not seen. LEGSBY WOOD TF132 873 (nominal) Richard Fox 24.04.2022 Birdseye Speedwell Bluebell Common Forgetmenot Dog Violet Early Purple orchid Greater Stitchwort Ground Ivy Lily of the valley (almost there!) Wild Garlic Wild Strawberry Wood anemone LINCOLN SK972738  W/E 30/04/2022 Jayne Knight 21/04/2022 Two Bee Flies on Alkanet outside the front door. 24/04/2022 Pair (M&F) Holly Blue butterflies on another patch of Alkanet in front garden. Buff Ermine Moth in the evergreen Honeysuckle growing on back fence again. Almost daily deposits of fresh Hedgehog droppings around the back garden. NE wind not helping with insect spotting, hardly any butterflies around and although some hoverfly/bee activity in the Ivy on the fence, all is too high for me to identify so far. LINWOOD WARREN TF129 876 (Pond) Richard Fox 24.04.2022 Common Lizard 2 Great Crested Newt 2m 5f ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 20th - 26th April 2022 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Note: Dry period continued with the moderate to strong NE - E winds. Gust of 36.0mph noted on the 22nd. Last rainfall recorded on the 13th. A colour ringed lapwing orange flag/yellow/black // yellow/orange/metal seen at Sea View washlands on 22nd April 2022 was ringed as a newly hatched chick at the RSPB Berney Marshes on 5th May 2018. 220422 - Dove's-foot cranesbill and common stork's-bill coming into flower in the dunes. 8 whimbrel on the saltmarsh and in a sycamore at Rimac there were 1 redwing, 1 ring ouzel and 8 fieldfare. A male ring ouzel was seen in field south of Rimac car park. Spotted redshank heard but not seen. Evening; 17 whimbrel on saltmarsh, 2 little ringed plovers on Sea View washlands. 230422- Butterflies seen Churchill to Rimac: small and green-veined white, orange tip, speckled wood, wall, peacock, brimstone, small tortoiseshell, red admiral, green hairstreak. 2 small bats around Churchill car park and pond. St Mark's flies and large red damselfly now on the wing. 240422 - 2 house martins over Sea View, 15 whimbrel on saltmarsh. Speckled wood, holly blue, orange tip and green hairstreak on wing at Sea View. 1 cuckoo and 3 swallows around Churchill Lane. A cuckoo was heard at Rimac. 250422 - Single jay flew out of Paradise wood. On nearby lagoon; 10 shoveler, 11 teal, 3 tufted duck, 6 mallard, 3 coot and 1 redshank. 11 whimbrel and 107 wood pigeon on the saltmarsh. Green sandpiper and little ringed plover on Sea View washlands. Green sandpiper, 8 avocet and a pink-footed goose on Sea View Washland. 2 ring ouzel in the field south of Rimac car park along with 14 fieldfare, 1 redwing and 2 mistle thrush. Cuckoo around Sea View. Jack snipe and 4 whimbrel on nearby Elm House Farm. 260422 - 9 whimbrel on the saltmarsh, 2 house martins over Paradise lagoon, greylag with 5 young on Rimac freshwater marsh and single ring ouzel with 12 fieldfare and 1 mistle thrush in nearby pasture at Rimac. 2 swallows flew over twittering. Butterflies on the wing at Sea View: speckled wood, orange tip, green hairstreak and comma. A cuckoo was heard at Churchill Lane. Other local reserves 240422 - Donna Nook: A wryneck was seen 260422 - Tetney Blow Wells: Several black cap, 3 Cetti's warblers, female range tip, small white, green-veined white and speckled wood butterflies. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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 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! 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 - Soft Bounce - undeliverable James Faulconbridge - Soft Bounce - undeliverable 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... Polar bears move into an abandoned weather station in the Arctic, allowing an eerily beautiful photoshoot https://www.zmescience.com/other/pieces/polar-bears-abandoned-photos-20042022/ Why birds migrate vast distances – and how you can help during their breeding season https://theconversation.com/why-birds-migrate-vast-distances-and-how-you-can-help-during-their-breeding-season-180356 How a new GCSE in natural history can help us towards a greener future https://theconversation.com/how-a-new-gcse-in-natural-history-can-help-us-towards-a-greener-future-181738 Scientists listen in to protect elusive dolphins https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-61168165 River Kent: Bacteria 500 times greater downriver of waste water plant https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-61153057 Pearls: what lies behind their beauty? https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/insects-invertebrates/facts-about-pearls/ ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/