============================================ || || 5th January 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]. Text versions of past Wildnews Bulletins from Feb 2009 http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or associated organisations. Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. Information, events, news and requests ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Editor writes: By the time this Bulletin goes out we may be losing the mild weather. There may be a "real winter" ahead but there's no suggestion of snow here yet! A downturn in temperature might bring us some exciting winter visitors like waxwings. Hope so. https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/visit/where-see-wildlife/where-see-winter-wildlife/where-see-waxwings I note there are flood warnings for the East Coast this week due to high spring tides: Flood warnings for stretches of Norfolk and Essex https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-59873712 See: Environment Agency Flood Warnings - Lincolnshire - for local warnings https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings?location=lincolnshire Suspected hare coursers ordered out of Lincolnshire - informative https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-59820984 Lincolnshire people in the New Year Honours 2022 list https://thelincolnite.co.uk/2021/12/lincolnshire-people-in-the-new-year-honours-2022-list/ If you missed the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures you can still watch them on BBC Player, starting with "The Invisible Enemy". Professor Jonathan Van-Tam and his colleagues give a brilliant and enlightening series of presentations. Fantastic! https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00pmbqq Meanwhile stay aware of current Covid-19 advice. Adapt personal precautions as necessary. Preventative measures can and may well change yet again. Onwards! https://www.gov.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 ..." White-tailed Lapwing ad on Winter's Pond, East Halton Skitter. Lincs Bird Club: https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/sightings/latest-news Nature photographer of the year 2021 – the winners https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2021/dec/29/nature-photographer-year-2021-winners Haxey Hood 2022 cancelled for second year due to Covid https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-59819294 Avian flu confirmed at 10th Lincolnshire site https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-59820200 Bird flu: What threat to humans? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30078328 Bottlenose dolphins spotted off Yorkshire in December https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-59769647 Marine wildlife warning as UK whale sightings rise https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-59839479 Pembrokeshire: Stranded starfish on Welsh beaches https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-59862147 Chunky squirrel gets stuck in garden bird feeder https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-59770360 Squirrel injures 18 people in two days of attacks in Buckley https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-59819349 Natural History Courses – Field Studies Council - includes virtual i-Record course https://www.field-studies-council.org/courses-and-experiences/natural-history-courses/ New Year's Resolutions? 1. Tell others about the Bulletin. Please keep using the "forward to a friend" link at the end of the Bulletin. It's best to avoid forwarding your individual Bulletin to others. Use that secure link or you can simply direct people to this link: https://lnu.org/publications/wildnews-bulletin/ 2. Please support the effort. If you are not yet an LNU member and would like to become one, you will be very welcome to join. The webpage is: https://lnu.org/join-the-lnu/ 3. Please keep your emails coming. A big thank you to all contributors who send in interesting news links, wildlife events info and species reports. Always very welcome. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - this is my best address for emails please. *** Weather Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ Sunday 8 - 17 Jan "Unsettled conditions are expected for the start of this period, with showers, mainly of rain across some eastern areas at first and cloud and rain reaching all areas on Saturday. Winds will be moderate to fresh at first, strengthening later with gales, locally severe around coasts and exposed hills. Feeling mild, however this may be tempered by wind and rain." *** 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. *** Future of LNU Bulletin - a message from the Editor *** I am still hunting for someone interested in taking on the Editorship of the Bulletin. This is not urgent but it is an issue that is not going to go away. For anyone who is OK with a computer and work processing, it is a satisfying task. It's well-suited to someone retired or for other reasons has a bit of free time to offer. Is that you? Please email me on old.museum@yahoo.co.uk if you have any questions. *** Next LNU [Indoor] Meeting *** https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ 'The new Birds of Lincolnshire: trials and tribulations in data recording.' LNU/Lincolnshire Bird Club talk by Phil Espin. 2pm - Saturday January 29th 2022 Education Centre, Whisby Nature Park Free to attend. All welcome. There is a £2 parking charge. More information, including whether an indoor meeting is available on Zoom: *** Tried Recording with "irecord" yet? *** 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. It has the best validation and feedback. Please look at the website. While you are there why not create an account so you are set up and ready to try? Tried it yet? Comments welcome. I see the FSC are offering a virtual introductory course in February. https://www.field-studies-council.org/shop/courses/discovering-irecord-2022/ *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** January Night Sky! Paul Money's 'Monthly Night Sky' webpage will be found on: http://www.astrospace.co.uk/Astrospace/monthly-sky/monthlynightsky.html Meteor Shower Guide 2022 - January Quadrantids! https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/meteor-shower-guide *** 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 *** Grimsby & Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** On Sunday 9th January 2022, you are invited to join the group on a bird walk at Covenham Reservoir near Louth with Graham Hicks. They will be looking for resident and winter visitors. Meet at 8am in the main entrance car park TF 340962. Nearest postcode LN11 0PA. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and bring binoculars if you have them. For further details contact Graham Hicks - 07979 089890 On Monday 10th January 2022 you are invited to join us at our next indoor meeting. Graham Catley will be giving an illustrated talk on the wildlife of Vancouver Island. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall DN31 1HX and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £3, tea and coffee will be available. You are requested to wear a mask, maintain social distance and use the hand sanitisers provided. You will be asked to provide your name and contact details for Track and Trace purposes. For further details contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858 or 07901 946010 Please be aware there could be alterations to these meetings if Covid restrictions change which could affect these meetings. For further information and updates you can visit our website www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk or visit our Facebook page. *** South Holland Area Group LWT *** The next meeting of the Area Group will be held on Tuesday the 11th of January at Pinchbeck Village hall, Knight Street starting at 7.30. Please wear a mask. There will be a charge of £2.50 to cover the cost of hiring the hall. The meeting will feature a talk by Carl Soulsbury entitled "Foxes". Meetings for the rest of the 2021–22 session are as follows: 8th February 2022 “Wild life of the Suffolk Coast” by Jeff Lee. 8th March 2022 “A Lincolnshire Wildlife Diary” by Gill Walsh The 12th of April meeting will be our Annual General Meeting followed by a talk by Nicholas Watts on “Belarus”. These meetings will be held at the Pinchbeck Village Hall starting at 7.30. *** Natural History and Geology Section of Scunthorpe Museum Society *** We begin our 2022 meetings on Monday, 10th January with an illustrated talk by Paul Money entitled "The Vikings at Barsoom Pt 2: The Search for Life". Paul, our local, well-known, Lincolnshire astronomer, always gives a spectacular presentation and in this one, we are reminded of the earlier 1970's Viking missions to Mars. Paul gives the following brief for his talk. "The Viking Missions are always remembered for the search for life and in this talk we look at the two Viking Landers as they surveyed their surroundings and tried to answer the question: Is there life on Mars." Our meetings start at 7.15 pm and take place in St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. There is a free car park in the Church grounds. There is no charge for entry to our meetings but a donation bowl is provided. There will be a comfort break about halfway through the talk but refreshments will not be available. *** Boultham Park Wildlife and Conservation Talks *** Information from Richard Davidson: Boultham Park will be hosting talks by a range of experts in their field throughout December and January in the Linkage Education Centre. There will be 4 talks covering a range of topics, from managing wetland habitats, to building a thriving community green space from scratch, taking place on a Thursday from 6pm. There will be a small fee of £3.00 on the door, and free refreshments for all attendees. To guarantee a seat, please email us at Boultham.Park@lincoln.gov.uk or call 01522 873607, we hope to see you there! The talks are in the Boultham Park Education Centre which is off Rookery Lane, Lincoln. More information: http://www.boulthampark.co.uk/wildlife-and-conservation-talks/ *** Secret Wildlife of the Forest of Dean *** " The successful season of well-received Zoom talks offered by the RSPB Grimsby Local Group continues on Monday 17th January at 7.30pm "Secret Wildlife of the Forest of Dean” Nick Martin Nick Martin is a naturalist on a mission to enthuse as many people as he can about wildlife and the great outdoors. With a lifelong passion for nature, Nick has forged a long career in conservation, working for several wildlife organisations including the RSPB and Wildlife Trusts. In addition, he is a accomplished wildlife photographer and a regular on the speaker circuit. The beautiful Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire harbours a wide range of woodland wildlife including many secretive and surprising animals and birds. In this talk, we’ll look for the elusive goshawk, the shy dipper and the exotic mandarin ducks. We will find out where adders hide, dormice feed and learn about the exciting return of the wild boar to the woodland scene. The talk is open to everybody. You don't need to belong to the RSPB, or have attended Group Meetings. And don't be put off by Zoom. It is easy to use; you don't need any special equipment like a camera or microphone - just an internet connection, and we may be able to offer help if you request it. To find out the arrangements for getting a link to the talk, please email me at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com before 8pm on Saturday 15th January, stating that you saw the information in the LNU Bulletin. Martin Francis Leader - RSPB Grimsby Local Group" *** 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. Bear in mind Covid guidelines may change. Please continue to stay informed about new information and advice on Co-19 and 'flu. Adapt your precautions accordingly at indoor meetings and with groups on reserves/ in the field. See: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus Road works and hold-ups https://roadworks.org/ Met Office Severe Warnings https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service - worth signing up for this. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails EasyTide http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx Environment Agency Flood Warnings - Lincolnshire https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings?location=lincolnshire Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline - sign up if a high risk area. 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 28/12 2 Long-eared Owls at Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 2 Short-eared Owls at Gull Farm, Deeping High Bank, Deeping St Nicholas 2 Great Northern Divers, Shag on jetty, Covenham reservoir 29/12 Ring-necked Duck ad drk, on alder-fringed pool, Tallington Lakes north of Greatford Cut - view only from south bank Scaup fem on eastern pit, Shag on Main Lake, Tallington Lakes Long-eared Owl at Main Lake, Cattle Egret, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Short-eared Owl at Deeping High Bank, Deeping St Nicholas Siberian Chiffchaff, Marston Sewage Farm. Slavonian Grebe at Cut End, River Witham mouth, SE of Boston 14 Russian White-fronted Geese on wet grassland, Freiston Shore Bittern from Ness Lake Hide, Far Ings 30/12 Cattle Egret on West Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 17 Russian White-fronted Geese in field north of Molecey Mill Pit, viewed from path along Greatford Cut, West Deeping Ring-necked Duck on Main Lake, fem Scaup on eastern pit, Tallington Lakes [£3 entry charge] Black-throated Diver flew south past, Long-tailed Duck flew south, Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier ringtail, Wroot 31/12 Cattle Egret on West Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Hen Harrier male, Frampton Marsh 14 Russian White-fronted Geese on wet grassland, Freiston Shore White-tailed Lapwing ad, Cattle Egret, Winter's Pond, East Halton Skitter. 1/1/2022 Ring-necked Duck ad drk, on pool, north of Greatford Cut, Scaup, juv Shag, Tallington Lakes [£3 entry charge] Ring-necked Duck, South Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Cattle Egret from 1st hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Richard's Pipit flew over sea wall and landed at Marsh Farm, 2 Hen Harriers, 1 male, over saltmarsh, Little Stint, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 14 Russian White-fronted Geese, Freiston Shore Hen Harrier male from Wash Viewpoint, Bewick's Swan flew south past Gibraltar Point 5 Long-tailed Ducks on sea off north end, 8 Velvet Scoters, Mablethorpe White-tailed Lapwing ad, Cattle Egret, Winter's Pond, East Halton Skitter. 2/1/2022 Ring-necked Duck ad drk, on pool, north of Greatford Cut, Scaup, juv Shag, Tallington Lakes [£3 entry charge] Ring-necked Duck 1w drk on South Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs 2 Russian White-fronted Geese on East Pit, Cattle Egret, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Snow Bunting, Velvet Scoter flew south, Gibraltar Point Siberian Chiffchaff, Marston Sewage Works 6 Short-eared Owls over fields west of Lincoln Lane, Sturton-by-Stow White-tailed Lapwing ad, Winter's Pond, Water Pipit, Short-eared Owl, East Halton Skitter. 3/1/2022 Ring-necked Duck ad drk, on pool, north of Greatford Cut, Tallington Lakes Ring-necked Duck 1w drk on South Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs 3 Great Northern Divers flew south past Gibraltar Point 5 Long-tailed Ducks on sea off north end, 8 Velvet Scoters, Mablethorpe Siberian Chiffchaff, Marston Sewage Works Water Pipit on saltmarsh south of town, Cleethorpes White-tailed Lapwing ad, at pool NNW of Winter's Pond, Cattle Egret in 2nd field east of bridge by footpath, East Halton Skitter. 4/1 Ring-necked Duck 1w drk, Sputh pit, Baston + Langtoft Fen view from bank by Cross Road layby Long-eared Owl at Main Lake from hide to track, Cattle Egret on West Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Short-eared Owl, Twite, Frampton Marsh 14 Russian White-fronted Geese, 12 Twite, Freiston Shore Lapland Bunting, Snow Bunting, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Male Hen , Harrier Croft Marsh, Dead Black-throated Thrush 1w male at Bailgate, Lincoln Possible Todd's Canada Goose [form interior] flew NW over North Hykeham with c220 Pink-footed Geese 2 Siberian Chiffchaffs at Marston Sewage Works 2 Great Northern Divers, 1 Shag, Covenham reservoir 17 Snow Buntings on beach, Cleethorpes White-tailed Lapwing ad, at pool NNW of Winter's Pond, 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 at the end of January. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project Meantime Bob suggests we entertain ourselves with: SWT's Osprey Webcam: https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ Starling murmurations: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/starling-murmurations 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 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 29/12/2021 15/36hrs - male sparrowhawk made unsuccessful hunting pass through garden and perched briefly on garden wall. 31/12/2021 Honeybees working mahonia in village - colony in our chimney flying. Earthworms noted actively collecting leaves - small heaps building up. BELTON PARK Belton Park SK 94872 38814 2 January 2022 Jeremy Hutchinson An hour's walk resulted in the sighting of 3 Red Kites (simultaneously), a pair of Ravens, a Tawny Owl roosting against the trunk of a Lime, and a Nuthatch (heard but not seen). In the late afternoon there was a congregation of hundreds of Rooks and Jackdaws on trees to the east of the big house. BOSTON (TF326426) December 2021 Kathleen Pearson I was able to count on all 31 days in December for the BTO Garden BirdWatch. The total number of species recorded was 20. There were two particularly interesting items - the visit of a group of 12 Herring Gulls that fought in the middle of the lawn for remnants of pizza and the visit of a Redwing which came down to eat berries which were sadly finished off by large numbers of Woodpigeons. Bird numbers were:- Woodpigeon 16, House Sparrow 12, Blue Tit 2, Magpie 1, Chaffinch 2, Great Tit 2, Blackbird 2, Dunnock 2, Greenfinch 2, Carrion Crow 2, Collared Dove 2, Goldfinch 6, Long-tailed Tit 4, Robin 1, Sparrowhawk 1, Redwing 1, Herring Gull 12, Jackdaw 2, Wren 1 and Black-headed Gull 6. BOSTON (TF326426) 03/01/2022 Kathleen Pearson A male Blackcap was on the bird food outside the kitchen this morning. A first for this winter. HORKSTOW SE987179 29 December 2021 Jenny Haynes Two tree sparrows put in an appearance on Christmas Day. The first seen this winter. We also had a visit from a lone starling, rarely seen here now. It’s interesting how the amount of seed in my bird feeders is affected by the temperature. I usually fill them once a day at the same time and when it is milder, as today, there’s still seed in them, whereas when the temperature drops a few degrees, they are empty. Indicative of how much energy the small birds use in keeping warm. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden unless otherwise advised) 22/12/2021 Great spotted woodpecker 2 - at the same time! 23/12/2021 Dunnock 1 Greenfinch 2 24/12/2021 Chaffinch 1 Greenfinch 4 Pheasant 1 Sparrows 10+ 26/12/2021 Goldfinch 3 - all on teasels Sparrowhawk 1 1/1/2022 at Huttoft Bank Low tide: TF 543 787 Black-headed gulls 4 (in with a small group of Common gulls) Common gulls 15 Gorse in flower at entrance to Huttoft Car Terrace TF 543 787 4/1/2022 Long-tailed tit 1 LINCOLN A46 bypass SK975740 David Smith 30/12/2021 11.00 Roadkill Large adult fox NETTLEHAM TF 01416 75489 13.30 Su Colman and Mark Townsend The field behind our house is sadly slated for development and this last summer it has been fallow (previous year it was oats). There is now many seed bearing plants and we often see flocks of birds, starlings, wood pigeons and smaller birds. Today I got binoculars out and had a closer look and was delighted to see dozens of yellowhammers - a real treat. NETTLEHAM TF 00745 75307 31/12/21 15:00 Su Colman & Mark Townsend Winter aconite (Eranthis hyemalis) in the church yard SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 31/12/21 Blackbird x 4 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 59 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 2 Jay x 6 Jackdaw x 4 Magpie x 4 Redwing x 61 Robin x 2 Starling x 112 Tree Sparrow x 6 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 Grey Squirrel x 1 Rabbit x 2 STAPLEFORD/BECKINGHAM Jeremy Hutchinson 4 January 2022 Stapleford/Beckingham area: while on a walk we noticed a number of Ravens (including a pair) in the area. In an old Oak tree in which the pair was perched is a very large nest...................... On a general note, our front garden boundary is a Pyracantha hedge which we planted over 40 years ago to provide the birds with berries in the autumn and winter. It has produced a heavy crop of berries now for decades, which usually last until about a week before Christmas Day, but have always been eaten by the day itself. Another large Pyracantha on the side of the house also crops well, but the berries often remain untouched until early Spring, for reasons unknown. This year however a large number of berries remained on both even on Christmas Eve, although an unusually large number of Blackbirds (up to 20) were in the garden eating both these and some windfall apples. I have never seen so many Blackbirds in our garden (or anywhere else) at the same time. By Boxing Day morning half of the berries on the front hedge had gone, and by nightfall the hedge had been stripped. The following day the Pyracantha on the side of the house had also been stripped: given the mild weather I can understand why so many berries remained later than usual, but not why they were eaten so late and so quickly. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 21/12/21 Blackbird x 15 Black-headed Gull x 36 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion crow x 2 Chaffinch x 6 Common Buzzard x 1 Cormorant x 13 on pylons over Owston Ferry Warping Drain Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 78 Golden Plover x 125 over Thurnholmes Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 2 Grey Partridge x 4 Kestrel x 1 Lesser Redpoll x 32 feeding in Alders Linnet x 1 Magpie x 2 Mute Swan x 2 Redwing x 110 Red-legged Partridge x 8 Tawny Owl x 2 calling 01:15hrs Tree Sparrow x 12 Wood Pigeon x 6 26/12/21 Tawny Owl x 1 03:00hrs 28/12/21 Blackbird x 16 Black-headed Gull x 7 Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Cormorant x 9 on pylons over Owston Ferry Warping Drain Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 75 Great Tit x 2 Lesser Redpoll x 35 Little Egret x 2 SK788998 Magpie x 2 Mallard x 4 over Thurnholmes Pink-footed Goose x 1250 east over Thurnholmes Redwing x 115 Robin x 2 Sparrowhawk x 1 male SK788988 Tree Sparrow x 7 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 30/12/21 Barn Owl x 1 16:00hrs Blackbird x 15 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Fieldfare x 112 Little Owl x 1 01:15hrs Redwing x 75 Robin x 1 Sparrowhawk x 1 male Tawny Owl x 2 01:15hrs Wood Pigeon x 4 WOOLSTHORPE BY COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 Jane Ostler 22 – 28 December 2022 A week of fog and rain! Fungi: Wood and Field Blewits. The remaining ones which still look O.K. are in fact riddled with fly larvae which eat their way up through the stem. The Cramp Balls on Ash and the Birch Polypore ( Razor’s Strop) are also providing a home for insects. A fine silver birch tree which had its branches galled by witches brooms has now been felled. New growths of the curtain crust, Stereum hirsutum, are shining and colourful in the wet. The Common Jellyspot (Dacrymyces stillatus) has created orange patches on old fencing. Plants: There are always a few oddities flowering at this time of the year. We have never had Kingcups (Caltha palustris) flowering in pond before though. Invertebrates: A queen wasp on the kitchen window ledge must have come out from the logs over Christmas. An unsolved mystery – Having noticed a glistening layer of ?slime on the edge of several geranium leaves amongst potted plants in the porch searched in both the day and the night by torch to find the producer but without success. No additions over the following days either. Birds: Still no finches at the bird feeders but Dunnock, which used to creep around the base with the Wren has now adopted a teapot with bird feed which the other birds are ignoring. The robin is as bold as ever at the windowbox feeder but the fat balls are squabbled over by about a dozen house sparrows. In the fog the two Wood Pigeons have for once abandoned courtship and , having no access to the chicken food with the hens shut in because of bird flu, spend time sitting in top branches of walnut tree. Short walks round the village lanes were brightened up by yellow hammers. It has been a bonus realising I could separate out the calls of the Corvids – starlings, jackdaws, rooks and crows and one day, briefly a raven to the west of Old Post Lane. WOLSTHORPE-BY—COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 Jane Ostler 1-4 January 2022 Garden records indicated SK923247 Following the mildest New Year ever 16C there were early records of wildlife 1/1/22 (G) Winter Aconites and Sweet Violet. Adult male frog hopping in damp vegetation near pond. Mistle Thrush -brief song from top of walnut tree 2/1/22 (G) Buff-tailed Queen Bumble Bee feeding on Winter Honeysuckle (earliest records over last 10 years 2nd or 3rd week January. 3/1/22 8.30a.m. One pair each, gathered in walnut tree 8a.m. Wood Pigeons, Carrion Crows and Jackdaws Lesser Celandines in flower on roadside bank alongside the Rundle ( a constantly running spring fed stream). These are always the first to flower but not before last week in January. A primrose (Primula vulgaris)at side of them in flower is often in flower earlier. 4/1/22 First Snowdrops in flower on lane. These are Galanthis nivalis. Planted species/varieties like the Russian Snowdrop in the churchyard can be in flower in December. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 - follows. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Sunday 16th January Saturday 19th February Sunday 20th March We meet at 10am at the wood centre car park, and normally stay until around 3pm with a packed lunch break. All tools are provided, but recommend to bring your own work gloves/ gardening gloves if you have them. Please note that Forestry England have still not opened the toilet facilities at Chambers. We have a lot of winter tasks to catch up on including box repairs and replacements, cutting back a few of the pathways that have become overgrown and coppicing work as part of the management of Ivy Wood. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ *** Love Lincs Plants *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants Love Lincs Plants: Herbarium Hub Aidan Neary writes: we have launched our online herbarium knowledge hub to help organisations to develop their own herbarium. See: 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 *** 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/ *** 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/ 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. Big Garden Birdwatch 2022 - 28 to 30th January - RSPB https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/ Big Farmland Bird Count 2022 - 4-20 February - Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust https://www.bfbc.org.uk/ *** 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/ BioLinks Courses – Field Studies Council https://www.field-studies-council.org/biolinks-courses/ *** InsideEcology *** Online Magazine for Ecologists, Conservationists and Wildlife Professionals https://insideecology.com/ *** NHBS *** Should you need natural history equipment or books, a good place to start is: https://www.nhbs.com/ *** Bird Friendly Coffee Shade-grown from RSPB *** https://birdandwild.co.uk/ For the Geologists... Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 Lincolnshire Geology https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/special-features/geology The Wolds AONB https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/maps/geology *** Cracking up in Lincolnshire - our roads - Geological Society *** https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/Geoscientist/Archive/March-2014/Cracking-up-in-Lincolnshire *** The Geology of Lincolnshire - downloadable LNU book *** https://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/ 'The new Birds of Lincolnshire: trials and tribulations in data recording.' LNU/Lincolnshire Bird Club talk by Phil Espin. 2pm - Saturday January 29th 2022 Species Recording Meeting 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/ Whisby Natural History Workshops: https://lnu.org/meetings/workshops/ Prior booking essential via Richard Davidson on 01522 525725 or Email rel.davidson@btinternet.com. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ....and finally..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** None this week. 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... Country diary: A feathered missile, a shout in the gloom https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/dec/27/country-diary-a-feathered-missile-a-shout-in-the-gloom Country diary: Winter moths have the best and wildest party of all https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/dec/31/country-diary-winter-moths-have-the-best-and-wildest-party-of-all Country diary: Money spiders, everywhere, more than I have ever seen before https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/04/country-diary-money-spiders-everywhere-more-than-i-have-ever-seen-before Specieswatch: the bluffing peacock butterfly https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/dec/29/specieswatch-the-bluffing-peacock-butterfly Chalk streams: why 'England's rainforests' are so rare and precious https://theconversation.com/chalk-streams-why-englands-rainforests-are-so-rare-and-precious-172827 Garden birds are struggling: four ways to help https://theconversation.com/garden-birds-are-struggling-four-ways-to-help-173025 James Webb Space Telescope: Sun shield is fully deployed https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-59873738 Natural History Museum identifies more than 500 new species in 2021 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/dec/30/natural-history-museum-500-new-species-2021-aoe Dinosaur footprints in Penarth date back 200 million years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-wales-59832069 Dinosaur footprints in Penarth date back 200 million years - watch https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-wales-59832069 Richard Leakey - fossil expert, conservationist and politician https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-59833131 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/