============================================ || || 2nd February 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 including RSPB and LWT Reserves/Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR - including Chambers Farm Wood 6. Other Reserve Reports and Highlights 7. Sending in Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... don't miss the links... ============================================ Reports here are open. 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 Wildnews 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: Storm Malik redistributed a lot of old sycamore leaves from somewhere. I can't imagine where, but they arrived in the garden! Snowdrops are up next door in the churchyard. Would you say yours were early this year? Thanks to Phil Espin and Phil Hyde for the very interesting LNU/LBC joint talk on "The Birds of Lincolnshire" on 29th January. I counted 27 on-line attendees! https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/information/birds-of-lincolnshire-publication-date/28-birds-of-lincolnshire/633-birds-of-lincolnshire I seldom have a rant but I must say something about fly tipping in Lincolnshire. Increasingly Lay-bys, farms, Forestry Comission land, and nature reserve car parks all seem to be targets for dumpers, from tacky take-away wrappings to truckloads of rubble and rubbish. 2 links for advice here - more local links in "...and finally ..." Government Website: Report fly-tipping or illegal waste dumping https://www.gov.uk/report-flytipping Fly-tipping and littering - Lincolnshire Police https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/flytipping-and-littering/ Remember that Covid guidelines may change event arrangements at short notice. Continue to stay informed about new advice on Co-19 and 'flu. Please adapt to any changes accordingly at indoor meetings and with groups on reserves/in the field. If you have any event postponements or changes to announce please let me know. LWT guidelines: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus Here is this week's selection of links to Lincolnshire and wildlife-related news stories. I hope you find something to interest and entertain. More general links in "..and finally ..." Hemswell fire: 30,000 hay bales go up in smoke https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-60166535 Scredington cable theft sees villagers cut off from landlines and broadband https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-60214756 Biscathorpe: Egdon Resources to appeal against oil drill plan refusal https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-60146291 Royal souvenirs have 'Platinum Jubbly' misprint - "I don't believe it!" https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60218573 Climate change: UK plants now flowering a month earlier https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60220661 Anglia Ruskin scientist makes 'once-in-a-lifetime' insect find https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-60154018 Secret location of butterfly previously extinct in England revealed https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-60145748 Toxic 'forever chemicals' found in British otters https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60127701 Please keep your emails coming. Again - a big thank you to all contributors who sent in interesting news links, wildlife events info and species reports. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - this is my best address for emails please. *** Weather Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ Sunday 6 - 15 Feb "...an unsettled picture for much of the UK with heavy rain, stronger winds and a risk of wintry precipitation in the north while the south is expected to remain largely dry. It will be milder for many especially in the south of the country while brief colder incursions from the north are possible throughout the period. " *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** BBC Eyes to the skies - 2022 is shaping up to be an excellent year for astronomy https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/feeds/60085546 Royal Observatory higlghts for 2022 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/space-astronomy-highlights-2022 *** 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. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Area Groups webpage *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/area-groups Please let me have your "plugs" for coming events that may interest readers *** Boston Area Group LWT *** Talk - The Wildlife Of Gloucestershire by Gill Walsh Gill will take you on a tour of her favourite reserves in The Cotswolds and The Forest Of Dean showcasing the wonderful array of wildlife to be seen there. Thursday 10th February at 7.30pm Centenary Methodist Church Red Lion Street Boston PE21 6NY *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** A Bird Walk at Humberston Fitties On Sunday 6th February 2021 you are invited to join us on a morning bird walk at Humberston Fitties with Graham Hicks. This will be a circular walk around the beach and the Fitties and down to the Yacht Club. Meet at 8am in the car park on the left of Anthony's Bank Road, Humberston Fitties, just after Thorpe Park mini roundabout.Grid Ref. TA332061 nearest postcode DN36 4EX. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. For further details contact Graham Hicks - 07979 089890 Indoor Meeting - "A Year of Nature 2021" with Mike Pickwell On Monday 14th February 2021 you are invited to join us at our next indoor meeting where our speaker Mike Pickwell will be taking us through a year's journey in nature with his excellent photography. This will take place in the Banqueting Room of Grimsby Town Hall, DN31 1HU and starts at 7.30 pm. Admission £3. Tea and coffee will be available. Covid measures will remain in place in the Town Hall with social distancing, hand sanitising and we would still prefer you to wear a mask when moving around the building and the Banqueting Room. For further details contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858 *** Scunthorpe and Brigg Local Group LWT *** Our first meeting for 2022 is on Thursday, 10th February. Matthew Blissett, LWT Outer Humber Warden for some of our Lincolnshire coastal reserves, will give an illustrated talk on NATTERJACK TOADS AND DUNE PRESERVATION. Matthew has given us some excellent talks in the past, illustrating his work as a reserves warden in Norfolk and, earlier, in our own North Lincolnshire region. We meet in the St Hugh's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AG, which is opposite the service station near the West Common Lane/Ashby Road crossroads in Brumby. The meeting starts at 7.30 pm and there is a £2 entry charge which includes coffee or tea, plus a biscuit, at the mid-talk break. There is a small free car park at the Church and also roadside parking nearby. On this occasion, we are asked to record the names and contact details of all attendees at the meeting. The wearing of facemasks and social distancing as appropriate is voluntary but people are asked to please be considerate of others. *** Natural History & Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society *** Our next meeting on Monday, 14th February. Brian Jubb and John Naylor will give their illustrated talk on "The Marine wildlife photographed on a diving expedition around the Indonesian Island of Sulawesi". Brian and John have given us illustrated talks of their diving expeditions in the past. Their presentations are always full of spectacular images of the amazing wildlife in Earth's seas and oceans. We have much need to appreciate all our marine wildlife when there is so much threat to it from human exploitation and climate change. We meet in St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road where there is a free, large car park. We start at 7.15 pm and there is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided to help us pay our speakers' fees and travel expenses. There will be a comfort break halfway through the talk but at the moment no refreshments are provided. We are asked to keep a record of all attendees at the talk with contact details for the continuing track and trace procedures. *** Boultham Park Wildlife and Conservation Talks *** Boultham Park will be hosting talks by a range of experts throughout January in the Linkage Education Centre. There will be 4 talks, taking place on a Thursday from 6pm. These will covering a range of topics, from managing wetland habitats, to building a thriving community green space. [Information from Richard Davidson] The talks are in the Boultham Park Education Centre off Rookery Lane, Lincoln. More: http://www.boulthampark.co.uk/wildlife-and-conservation-talks/ *** 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 etc can be found at https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire/ *** Useful Hedgehog Links *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** STAYING SAFE *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Road works and hold-ups https://roadworks.org/ Met Office Severe Warnings https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service - worth signing up for this. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails EasyTide http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx Environment Agency Flood Warnings - Lincolnshire https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings?location=lincolnshire Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline - sign up if a high risk area. 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 26/1 Short-eared Owl, at Tongue End NW of Deeping Fen, 2+ Bewick's Swans in fields to south Cattle Egret along counter drain west of car park, Baston Fen Ring-necked Duck ad drk at West End GPs, Langtoft Little Stint, Spotted Redshank, Hen Harrier male on saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh Purple Sandpiper on beach at outfall pipe, Mablethorpe 32 Snow Buntings on outer beach, Cleethorpes 27/1 Long-eared Owl on Main Lake from track to hide, Deeping Lakes. Deeping St James 17 Snow Buntings, Red-breasted Goose on Tennyson's Sands, then flew south with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Gibraltar Point Purple Sandpiper on beach near outflow pipe, Mablethorpe Ring-necked Duck ad drk at West End GPs, Langtoft 28/1 Ring-necked Duck ad drk at South Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Little Stint, Frampton Marsh 14 Snow Buntings. Red-breasted Goose on Tennyson's Sands, with 400 Dark-bellied Brent Geese in field west of Steeping River, Gibraltar Point White-tailed Lapwing at south end of first pool beyond windpump, East Halton Skitter 29/1 Ring-necked Duck ad drk at South Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Long-eared Owl on Main Lake from track to hide, Deeping Lakes. Deeping St James Red-breasted Goose on Tennyson's Sands, with Dark-bellied Brent Geese near main car park, Slavonian Grebe offshore, 20 Snow Buntings at south end in fenced area, Hen Harrier male from Lill's Hut, Gibraltar Point Glossy Ibis flew south over Ness Pit, Far Ings White-tailed Lapwing at south end of first pool beyond windpump, East Halton Skitter 30/1 Ring-necked Duck ad drk at South Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs 3 Long-eared Owls on Main Lake from track to hide, Deeping Lakes. Deeping St James Red-breasted Goose near main car park with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 31 Snow Buntings on beach at north end, Gibraltar Point White-tailed Lapwing at south end of first pool beyond windpump, East Halton Skitter 31/1 Long-eared Owl on Main Lake from track to hide, Deeping Lakes. Deeping St James 3 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh Red-breasted Goose on saltmarsh with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 7 Snow Buntings flew over Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Long-tailed Duck, 4 Velvet Scoters, Mablethorpe White-tailed Lapwing at south end of first pool beyond windpump, East Halton Skitter 1/2/2022 2 Long-eared Owls on Main Lake from track to hide, Deeping Lakes. Deeping St James 2 Lapland Buntings flew south over, 8+ Snow buntings, 2 Velvet Scoters Gibraltar Point Long-tailed Duck, 7 Velvet Scoters, Mablethorpe White-tailed Lapwing at south end of first pool beyond windpump, East Halton Skitter ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. Wildlife news from around the county ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work and drop-in sessions at the Queen in the West pub! *** Links "not to be missed" *** Bourne Barn Owl Webcam: Bob Sheppard says: Camera is now off pending installation of the new one. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project 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? You can find out easily using ‘What’s Flying Tonight’. https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/whats-flying-tonight BTO tracked cuckoos: latest updates: https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/cuckoo-tracking-project *** VC54 North Lincolnshire Plant List - LNU *** Paul Kirby has produced a list which details all the vascular plant and stonewort taxa with records on the MapMate botanical database. This is for VC54, North Lincolnshire, at the end of January 2017. You can download this on: https://lnu.org/specialists/vascular-plants/ ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Hedgehogs? Badgers? Otters? Reports welcome. *** Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important *** Grab a Grid Reference: https://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Thanks to our regular contributors across the county. Much appreciated. We rely on readers to send in their observations and we welcome records from everyone, experts or beginners. Please keep your reports coming. BARDNEY - The Green R+A Parsons TF120694 House Sparrow 12 Dunnock Robin 2 Blackbird 2m, 2f Jackdaw 6-12 Starling 8-12 Wood pigeon 4-6 Collared Dove 2-3 Magpie 1-2 Black-headed Gull - 12+ HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Hayes 31 January 2022 Here’s the list of birds I did for the RSPB Garden Bird survey yesterday. Blue tit 9 Great tit 5 Greenfinch 10 Chaffinch 12 Goldfinch 8 Brambling 1 Robin 2 Tree Sparrow 4 Dunnock 2 Blackbird 3 Wood pigeon 4 Pheasant 2 Wren 1 HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden unless otherwise advised) 18/1/2022 Long-tailed tits 2 19/1/2022 Kestrel 1 over field on my bounday - seen twice this week 21/1/2022 Frog 1 22/1/2022 Greenfinch 2 26/1/2022 Wren 1 28/1/2022 Kestrel 1 - as above 30/1/2022 Robins 2 31/1/2022 TF 544 787 Huttoft Bank beach at low tide. Sanderlings 4 NETTLEHAM TF009753 Brenda Edlington 20/1/2022 Blackcap (female) on feeder – first seen for about 2 years 25/1/2022 First snowdrop in flower 30 /01/2022 First song thrush of the year singing. Garden Bird Count – sunny and calm 30/01/2022 Blackbird 6 Blackcap 1f Black-headed gull 7 Blue tit 2 Chaffinch 4 Collared dove 1 Crow 1 Dunnock 1 Goldfinch 4 Great tit 2 House sparrow 4 Long -tailed tit 3 Magpie 2 Robin 2 Starling 5 Wood pigeon 9 WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK923247 Jane Ostler 31/1/22 Garden Birds – Review As usual taking part in Garden Bird watch, reflected on changes over last decade in the regulars at the feeders and nesters in garden. Wood Pigeons – used never to come into garden now two pairs regularly nest and feed here rearing several pairs squabs annually. Collared Doves – once several pairs including one nesting pair, their numbers are kept down by a visiting female sparrowhawk. Jackdaws are new as regular feeders – probing lawn and trying to balance on feeders, some pecking at windfalls. Several new nests in neighbouring chimneys last year. Starlings - occasional visitors to lawn. Numbers down Blackbirds continue to do well. Several lots of young reared this year Song Thrush: Occasional feeding with a thrushes anvil but one pair nesting in neighbours not always successful. Finches: The most dramatic change. A Chaffinch in garden is unusual. Goldfinches have virtually disappeared. Greenfinch came once in a flock last year to feed on dandelion seedheads on lawn. Bullfinches appear only to worry the fruit blossom. Blue Tits have successful nested and reared young again this year and have found places to overwinter so that they are regulars at the feeders. Great Tits occasional visitors only. Long tailed tits have not been visiting in parties but in ones and twos. Dunnock, Robin, Wren feed and nest as always HOUSE SPARROWS! THE DROP IN NUMBERS THIS WINTER IS CAUSE FOR REAL CONCERN. For years and until start of winter 2019 there were regularly  over 30 in our front garden, squabbling over the feeders and retiring to the hedges, where some had nested earlier to ‘chatter’. In December 2020 the most counted was 25 but in December 2021 it was 8. Successful rearing young depends on insect availability which may be the cause of fewer young seen that year but studies of this most sociable of birds show, not only that it doesn’t disperse, but their need for constant social interaction means they don’t thrive when numbers drop below a critical level. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs and Nature Reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19 includes details of which LWT reserves are open and other advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus RSPB Reserves: RSPB Frampton Marsh & Freiston Shore are listed as Open. https://www.rspb.org.uk/our-work/rspb-news/news/stories/coronavirus/reserve-reboot/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ See: Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog. http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ LWT Top Reserves: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list RSPB Freiston Shore https://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/freistonshore/ RSPB Frampton Marsh http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report  26th January – 1st February 2022 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Note: South-westerly gust of 57.1mph recorded near Rimac on the 29th and a north- westerly gust of 47.1mph was noted near Sea View on the 31st. Several days of frosts but of note the moderate one on the 6th with a ground min of -8.25? and air min of -3.5? Of the 22.2mm of ppt recorded for January 19.8mm fell in the first eight days and the remainder of the month was unusually dry. 260122 - 4 stonechat at Rimac (2 males and 2 females) 270122 - 2 stonechats alongside Marr Dike, near Sea View, male hen harrier flying south over the dunes.` 280122 - Barn owl near Sea View. Cetti's warbler and water rail heard south of Rimac, 4 woodcock at dusk. 290122 - Male marsh harrier hunting over the saltmarsh being buffeted by very strong south-westerly winds and 4 pintail flew over the area. 300122 - 6 stock doves at feeding station, Sea View, peregrine falcon hunting over the dunes nearby. 310122 - A hive of bird activity over the saltmarsh during late afternoon as it became covered in water from a rising tide brought on by a very strong, bitterly cold, north- westerly. As the water rose a minimum of 90 redshank and 48 curlew moved to a less depth of water to feed; small numbers of disturbed pipits and starlings flew over the area in small flocks, a group of 14 mallard and 6 pintail were spooked by a pair of marsh harriers which were quartering the creeks. A single grey hen harrier was fighting the strength of the wind as it hunted, at times landed for a few minutes before taking flight again and in an open area of water 6 shelduck were showing signs of displaying. At least 320 kittiwake recorded flying south in strong winds by Dean Nicholson at the southern end of the NNR. Woodcock over the dunes near dusk and pintail numbers peaked at 9 on the afternoon high tide. 010222 - Barn owl hunting in dunes sheltered from wind. Snowdrops in full flower. 7 velvet scoter, 25 common scoter, long-tailed duck and a shag on the sea at the south end. 3 kittiwake flew south and 1 flew north. 2 barnacle geese with 400 pink-footed geese in arable fields next to Rimac. Male hen harrier flew over Theddlethorpe village towards the dunes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Forestry Commission advice: https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide The history of the Lincolnshire Limewoods https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/features/19111877.lincolnshire-limewoods/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ British Native Trees - Woodland Trust https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/ LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch. See: https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html Lincolnshire Dormouse Group You can get in touch via lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com *** Lincs Dormouse Group update *** Gemma Watkinson writes: The winter work party dates for this winter are below. Saturday 19th February Sunday 20th March We meet at 10am at the wood centre car park, and normally stay until around 3pm with a packed lunch break. All tools are provided, but recommend to bring your own work gloves/ gardening gloves if you have them. Please note that Forestry England have still not opened the toilet facilities at Chambers. We have a lot of winter tasks to catch up on including box repairs and replacements, cutting back a few of the pathways that have become overgrown and coppicing work as part of the management of Ivy Wood. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Nature Reserves - Lincolnshire County Council https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/coast-countryside/nature-reserves Nature reserves in North Lincolnshire https://www.northlincs.gov.uk/planning-and-environment/local-nature-reserves/ South Humber Heritage Trail, Alkborough Flats - LWT leaflet https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/2018-04/south_humber_heritage_trail_alkborough.pdf ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. Sending in reports to Roger Parsons ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We 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. Contact Information & Useful Websites ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 A full list of LNU Country Recorders is given on the website. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ Downloads of LNU books are available on: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ *** CONTACTS LIST *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** 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 *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk/chalk-streams/lincolnshire-chalk-streams *** 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 *** 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/ 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. The FSC are offering a virtual introductory irecord course in February. https://www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/discovering-irecord-2022/ https://twitter.com/FieldStudiesC 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 *** www.lincsenvironmentalawards.org.uk *** Field Studies Council *** Bringing Environmental Understanding to All https://www.field-studies-council.org/ https://twitter.com/FieldStudiesC BioLinks Courses – Field Studies Council https://www.field-studies-council.org/biolinks-courses/ FSC are offering a virtual introductory irecord course in February. https://www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/discovering-irecord-2022/ *** 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/ *** Love Lincs Plants*** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants NHM Final report on LoveLincsPlants goes online Aidan Neary [LoveLincsPlants] writes: "Debra Turner and the team at NHM London have now fully curated the LNU historic herbarium collection and has kindly produced a summary report to document this achievement. It captures the human story behind it’s 180 year development and gives some important historical context to the study of botany in Lincolnshire." 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 - LNU downloadable 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. The Bulletin's publicity policy ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. https://lnu.org/specialists/ When sending in reports, e.g. unusual plants, 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 Code of Conduct for Collecting of Fungi http://www.davidmoore.org.uk/Assets/fungi4schools/Reprints/Pickers_code.pdf RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ [Remember: Views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU Events Diary For LNU meetings also see https://lnu.org/meetings/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events - Important updates *** We will post any changes to LNU events through the Bulletin; the LNU Twitter feed; LNU Facebook page and LNU meetings webpage. Please refer to the LNU website for details of any Zoom arrangements for watching online. Indoor Meetings 2022: https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ Species Recording Meeting - under review 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. 12 noon – 19th February 2022 Annual General Meeting – 12th March 2022 2pm – Followed by the Presidential Address by Owen Mountford For details and any necessary subsequent updates or changes please visit: LNU Website: https://lnu.org/meetings/ LNU Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lincsnaturalists/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** None. 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... Climate change: Key crops face major shifts as world warms https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60141387 Country diary: The frost is so bright I can hardly see the stars https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/21/country-diary-the-frost-is-so-bright-i-can-hardly-see-the-stars Country diary: A gang of linnets, a burst of snipe – these meadows are full of life https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/25/country-diary-a-gang-of-linnets-a-burst-of-snipe-these-meadows-are-full-of-life Country diary: A stonechat watches the kerfuffle in silence https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/26/country-diary-a-stonechat-watches-the-kerfuffle-in-silence Earth has more tree species than we thought https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60198433 Britain's cranes have most successful year since 1600s https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-60222039 Elon Musk SpaceX rocket on collision course with moon - space littering? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60148543 Snowdonia: Concreting path is 'environmental vandalism' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-60175334 Loch of Lowes. Bob writes in a windy week: I can see why the ospreys are in Africa! https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ Telegraph poles: What you need to know by the man who is (quite literally) their number one fan - Country Life https://www.countrylife.co.uk/out-and-about/telegraph-poles-everything-you-need-to-know-by-the-people-who-really-really-love-them-237862 ...more Fly-tipping links.... Report fly-tipping and litter - Lincolnshire County Council https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/recycling-waste/report-fly-tipping-litter Fly tipping or abandoned vehicles - North Lincolnshire Council https://www.northlincs.gov.uk/planning-and-environment/fly-tipping-and-abandoned-vehicles/ Fly Tipping - North-east Lincolnshire https://www.nelincs.gov.uk/keeping-our-area-clean-and-safe/fly-tipping/ ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/