============================================ || || 19th 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: 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 The next LNU [Indoor] Meeting will be on Zoom only! 'The new Birds of Lincolnshire: trials and tribulations in data recording.' LNU/Lincolnshire Bird Club talk by Phil Espin. 2pm - Saturday January 29th 2022 Will be delivered on Zoom - see the LNU website for details. Link here: https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/lnu-lincolnshire-bird-club-joint-talk-by-phil-espin-saturday-january-29th-2022/ Big Garden Birdwatch 2022 - 28 to 30th January - RSPB https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/ Jeremy Eyeons - South Lincs RSPB Group - writes: "We have arranged 14 Seal and Birdwatching Cruises for 2022 Hopefully they will prove just as popular in 2022 as they have done in previous years. But in these uncertain times.... " 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/ Dave Miller - LWT Coast and The Wash Warden - asked if anyone has Coastal Events coming up that could do with a "Plug". He said: "The Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park is planning on providing an events leaflet for 2022. I was wondering if you had any events planned that you would like to include in this leaflet? It is distributed widely along the coast and on websites. I would need any events planned by the end of January/beginning of February so that the leaflet can be finished by March. " Contact Dave on: dmiller@lincstrust.co.uk Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LincsCoastalWarden Twitter https://twitter.com/CoastalRanger The Green Planet continues: "Dive into a world where a single life can last a thousand years, with David Attenborough. See things no eye has ever seen, and discover the dramatic, beautiful plant life of Earth." https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0013cl7 Winterwatch 2022 starts: "Get a privileged view into the secret world of our wildlife." https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0bhbbw6 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 ..." Wolf Moon rises across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpgdj4q6159o Jonathan Van-Tam to leave role as deputy chief medical officer https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-59979504 Grimsby street seal rescued after low-speed pursuit https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-59995829 Broads: More powers proposed to tackle anti-social behaviour https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-60036729 No English river is free from pollution - Parliament report https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-59955624 Untreated sewage regularly dumped illegally in UK rivers https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60040162 'Banned' bee-harming pesticide approved for use, despite expert advice https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-59995387 Plans to protect England's national parks set out https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60003332 Tree-shaped cliff erosion appears on Norfolk coast https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-norfolk-60002319 Five fascinating insights into the inner lives of plants https://theconversation.com/five-fascinating-insights-into-the-inner-lives-of-plants-174752 Berney Arms: The hamlet that has all but disappeared - Norfolk https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-59957102 5 birds to find in January https://www.birdwatching.co.uk/features/five-birds-to-find/5-birds-to-find-in-january-3/ Mapping suitable habitat for dormice in England - PTES https://ptes.org/mapping-suitable-habitat-for-dormice-in-england/ How to make a leaf pile or leafmould - PTES https://ptes.org/my-garden/how-to-make-a-leaf-pile-or-leafmould/ 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 23 Jan - 1 Feb "Through this period, it is likely to be settled, but often cloudy in the south with overnight frost and fog forming under any clear skies and temperatures around or slightly below average. In the north, conditions are expected to be milder and more changeable, with a band of heavier rain in the far northwest later on Sunday and strong winds and gales possible in the far north. " *** 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. *** 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? Feedback welcome. I see 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 *** Deciphering Herbarium Writing *** If you are already helping the LNU record species information you are taking part in a "Citizen Science" project that started in 1893! However, there are other ways of helping with recording and one of them relates to herbarium records. Those who helped with the LoveLincsPlants project will know how important such data can be. A new "Zooniverse" project has been launched for 2022, "Deciphering Herbarium Writing." The Zooniverse Team writes: "As millions of herbarium specimens around the world become digitized, the process of databasing text information about these specimens is still a laborious and slow process. With your help, we aim to speed up this process by using new machine learning technologies! "In this project, you will perform two quick tasks to transcribe and label handwritten text from our most prolific botanists. These newly created datasets will allow Field Museum scientists to train cutting-edge machine learning models designed to recognize the hand- writing of specific individuals. Your help will allow us to access treasure troves of scientific knowledge, enabling vital research on plant biodiversity, climate change, and more!" See: https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/bmcdonald1/humans-and-machines-deciphering-herbarium-handwriting *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Soon to be 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 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/meteor-shower-guide The Best Meteor Showers of 2022 https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/best-meteor-showers-of-2022/ *** 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 *** Lincoln Area Group Talk *** Richard Davison writes: January 20th: Rivers: Source to the Sea Jack Perks is renowned for his photography and appearances on Springwatch, Countryfile and The One Show. He will be giving an illustrated talk about rivers and their wildlife. He'll follow a British river downstream and look at the wildlife in it's different stages including reptiles, insects and fish. Not to be missed. At Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Advice from the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is to wear a mask while attending and we will also need to take contact details for Test and Trace purposes, etc. No refreshments provided but please feel free to bring your own. Admission £2. *** Boultham Park Wildlife and Conservation Talks *** Information from Richard Davidson: 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. The talks are in the Boultham Park Education Centre off Rookery Lane, Lincoln. More: http://www.boulthampark.co.uk/wildlife-and-conservation-talks/ Lizzie Oakley writes: On the 27th January we are hosting a talk titled ‘Wildlife and Habitats of Lincoln and the Surrounding Area’. The talk will be given by Steve Lovell Wildlife Garden Designer and Conservationist, who gives talks and nature talks all across the country. Taking place at the Linkage Education Centre from 6pm, free refreshments will be available, and tickets are £3 on the door, contact us at Boultham.park@lincoln.gov.uk to reserve your spot as spaces are limited. *** 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 11/1 White-fronted Goose with 500 Pink-footed Geese at Lutton Marsh in sugar beet field south of Gedney Drove End Ring-necked Duck ad drk on small alder-fringed pool north on Greatford Cut, Tallington Lakes Little Stint, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Red-breasted Goose in field north of Butterwick Car Park, then flew off with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 11 Russian White-fronted Geese, Black Brant with 500 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Freiston Shore Water Pipit, North Hykeham sewage works White-tailed Eagle in field at Austen Fen, Grainthorpe, flew SE towards North Somercotes Hen Harrier ringtail, near River Waring, SW of Belchford 12/1 Waxwing near Homebase Car Park the flew behind building 4 Long-eared Owls at Main Lake from track to hide, Deeping Lakes, 4 Bewick's Swans on East Pit with 200 Whooper Swans, Deeping St James Short-eared Owl at South Drive, Deeping High Bank, Deeping St Nicholas Siberian Chiffchaff, Marston sewage works Little Stint, Hen Harrier male, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Red-breasted Goose in field north of Butterwick Car Park with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 14 Russian White-fronted Geese, Freiston Shore Hen Harrier male, 9 Snow Buntings, Gibraltar Point 4 Long-tailed Ducks on sea off north end, 4 Velvet Scoters, Purple Sandpiper at outfall pipe, Mablethorpe Released imm White-tailed Eagle, Anderby Creek Lesser Whitethroat [prob eastern form] on escarpment at Auboirn Fen ESE of Aubourn 2 Great Northern Divers, both juvs, Covenham reservoir Bittern, Far Ings 13/1 3 Long-eared Owls at Main Lake from track to hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Red-breasted Goose ad with c800 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, in field north of North Scrape, then on reedbed, then flew to saltmarsh, Hen Harrier male over saltmarsh, 7 Russian White-fronted Geese, 3 Twite, 2 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh Released White-tailed Eagle over Croft Marsh, then flew towards EastDunes, Gibraltar Point Siberian Chiffchaff [ringed], by feeding station by hide, Marston sewage works White-tailed Lapwing NNW of Winter's Pond at pool by road, East Halton Skitter 14/1 Ring-necked Duck on Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Released White-tailed Eagle imm on post by River Welland, Red-breasted Goose on Reedbed, then flushed, Spoonbill flew over sea wall towards The Wash, Tundra Bean Goose flew over Reedbed, Frampton Marsh 2 Little Gulls flew south, Gibraltar Point 4 Long-tailed Ducks on sea off north end, Purple Sandpiper at outflow pipe, Mablethorpe Russian White-fronted Goose in field off Hougham Mill Lane, Marston Siberian Chiffchaff [ringed] by feeding station, Marston sewage works Glossy Ibis, Killingholme Marshes, flew towards East Halton White-tailed Lapwing NNW of Winter's Pond at pool by road, East Halton Skitter 15/1 Scaup fem, eastern pit, Tallington Lakes Ring-necked Duck on Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs 4 Bewick's Swans, 2 ads, at Deeping High Bank, north of B1166, Deeping St Nicholas Long-eared Owl at Main Lake from track to hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Released White-tailed Eagle imm on post from Raptor Viewpoint, 3 Little Stints, Short-eared Owl over saltmarsh, Hen Harrier male flew over River Witham, Pale-bellied Goose with Dark Belier Geeese, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier male from Tabs Head, Cut End, SE of Boston Black-throated Diver, Sutton-on-Sea White-tailed Lapwing at pool west of chimney, south of East Halton Skitter Glossy Ibis, over lagoon at East Halton Skitter 1.23pm and Killingholme Marshes 2pm 16/1 Short-eared Owl at dusk, Baston Fen 2 Bewick's Swans at Deeping High Bank, north of B1166, Short-eared Owl west of Gull Farm, Deeping High Bank, Deeping St Nicholas Long-eared Owl at Main Lake from track to hide, Cattle Egret, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 2 Short-eared Owls over saltmarsh, Hen Harrier, 3 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh Long-tailed Duck offshore, Hen Harrier, Long-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 2 Great Northern Divers both juvs, Covenham reservoir White-tailed Lapwing NNW of Winter's Pond at pool by wind pump, East Halton Skitter 17/1 Long-eared Owl at Main Lake from track to hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Long-tailed Duck on Marsh Farm, 2 Little Stints on Middle Scrape, Hen Harrier male over saltmarsh, Short-eared Owl, Frampton Marsh Red-breasted Goose in field north of Butterwick Car Park with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, viewable from sea wall, Freiston Shore - access from Leverton Purple Sandpiper on beach at outflow pipe, Mablethorpe 6 Long-tailed Ducks off Crook Bank, 8 Velvet Scoter, Saltfleetby Siberian Chiffchaff by feeding station, Marston sewage works Bittern, Whisby Nature Park 18/1 Short-eared Owl at Wragg Marsh, Moulton Marsh 4 Long-eared Owls at Main Lake from track to hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Short-eared Owl west of Gull Farm, Deeping High Bank, 2 Common Cranes, Deeping St Nicholas 2 Little Stints, Hen Harrier, 2 Little Stints on Middle Scrape, Frampton Marsh Red-breasted Goose in field north of Butterwick Car Park with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, viewable from sea wall, Freiston Shore Long-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Siberian Chiffchaff, by feeding station from hide, Marston sewage works White-tailed Lapwing NNW of Winter's Pond at pool by wind pump, East Halton Skitter 19/1 Long-eared Owl in ivy at Main Lake from track to hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** 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 16/01/2022 I have a realistic little faux-leather mouse from Romania, made from fungus felt. [Fomes fomentarius - same as my splendid hat.] We discovered today that a slug from the pot of an indoor plant had discovered it and apparently enjoyed the meal! We will try and spot the slug and ID it! also 2 female Goosanders seen near Bardney Lock. 17/1 11.55hrs Honeybees 10+ working mahonia flowers - also an iridescent blue fly. BARDNEY GARDEN Grid ref TF 117 701 Phil and Mary Porter 16th January 2022 One redwing One bullfinch (male) Mixture of blue tits, great tits, goldfinches, chaffinches, house sparrows, wood pigeons, collared doves and one grey squirrel, around feeders Our first greenfinch (female) in many months Very tame female blackbird who “nags” to be fed. She has been a constant visitor for many months. At least three male blackbirds X4 jackdaws X1 magpie X3 robins singing BARDNEY GARDEN Grid ref TF 117 701 Phil and Mary Porter 18th January 2022 X4 bullfinches (x2 male, x2 female) feeding on “purple cherry” tree buds. Word is getting around! WALK ALONG WATER RAIL WAY BARDNEY Grid ref half a mile either side of TF104 699 Mary and Phil Porter 17th January 2022 A late afternoon walk: X2 great white egrets X3 little egrets X3 grey herons X6 whooper swans X1 mute swan X4 gooseanders (x2 each male and female) X2 kingfishers going into thick shrub/tree to roost by riverbank Approx. 5 cormorants Several moorhens and coots Approx. 10 long-tailed tits Goldcrests heard Approx. x4 mallards X2 kestrels apparently mating X6 teal in flight Approx. 10 wigeon Small flock of starlings going off to roost A few fieldfares in hedgerow SCOTGROVE WOOD Grid ref TF 127 706 Mary and Phil Porter 16th January 2022 Good view of a raven “cronking” overhead. Very little else, apart from small birds in the green lane not all positively identified, but included goldfinches, linnets and at least one yellow-hammer. FAR INGS Angela Buckle 16th January 2022 Flowers: Spurge laurel, Winter heliotrope, Hazel flowers, Snowdrops, Gorse, White creeping comfrey, Cherry blossom, HOLYWELL LAKES TF002180 Jane Ostler Seen from the road bridge 14/1/22 Still freezing fog at 11a.m. and birds, though mainly silent, all actively feeding Flocks of Greylag Geese both on water and feeding on grass. Moorhens a similar pattern. Mallards dabbling and upending. Gadwall following a pair of Mute Swans and picking up what they had disturbed in feeding. The cob had been in busking display earlier, with wings half raised in a territorial display. Tufted Duck diving in deep water. Little Grebe disappearing underwater for longer periods in the shallows. A Grey Wagtail probing its way through stones at the edge of the water. A Grey Heron on the far bank making a successful strike after a patient wait. Two buzzards got up from the road where there was the remains of a Pheasant. A Sparrowhawk flew into a neighbouring farmyard. Red-stemmed Willows formed a backdrop on the far side of the lake. Amongst the parkland trees were two Poplars, each with eight large bunches of Mistletoe. Alders at the bridge showed some signs of shedding pollen but no female flowers. The Cherry Plum,which has been in flower in mid-January in exceptional years was showing no sign of flower buds yet. HUTTOFT Jane Pennington TF511762 (my garden unless otherwise advised) 7/1/2022 Blackbirds 8 Dunnock 1 11/1/2022 Wren 14/1/2022 Honeybees - many on mahonia in full flower 16/1/2021 Long-tailed tits 2 Pheasant 1 17/1/2021 Goldfinch 3 Long-tailed tits 4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 12th – 18th January 2022 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Note: During the week hint of bird song from robin, great tit, blue tit, wren, mistle thrush and drumming from great spotted woodpecker. 120122 – 27 curlew feeding in a field near Paradise lagoon. 140122 - 68 redwing and 2 fieldfare flew out of shelterbelt near Sea View. 406 curlew on outer foreshore pre-sunrise. 150122 - Jack snipe flushed from edge of saltmarsh near to Sea View. 3 water rails heard Rimac to Churchill. 160122 - Male marsh harrier hunting over saltmarsh, 87 Canada geese and 21 curlew in pasture field near Paradise lagoon. Pink feet feeding in two areas on Elm House Farm were spooked by a gas banger and were seen and photographed in the air s ufficient to give a count later on the computer screen of 3227 birds. 170122 - Pair of stonechat at Rimac and 3 more on nearby Elm House Farm, also 41 field fare, c280 lapwing, 4 woodcock and 1 barn owl between Rimac and Churchill Lane. Donna Nook Final pup count of 2134. Large flocks of twite still present feeding on the saltmarsh. Good numbers of lapwing and curlew. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 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 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/ *** 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 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/ *** 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/ '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 *** Steve Hindley - 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... Hibernation: How it works, why animals do it - CountryLife https://www.countrylife.co.uk/nature/hibernation-how-it-works-why-animals-do-it-and-the-creature-that-can-sleep-for-up-to-11-months-237399 Country diary: Fulmars so close, you almost catch their eye https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/05/country-diary-fulmars-so-close-you-almost-catch-their-eye Country diary: The woodlice play dead, but the garden feeding station is thriving https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/07/country-diary-the-woodlice-play-dead-but-the-garden-feeding-station-is-thriving A victory for wildlife at this Welsh coastal lagoon https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/08/a-victory-for-wildlife-at-this-welsh-coastal-lagoon Country diary: Watching a merlin for as long as I can https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/11/country-diary-watching-a-merlin-for-as-long-as-i-can Electrifying image shows starfish spawning https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25333680-100-electrifying-image-shows-starfish-spawning/ Fungi that live on eucalyptus roots can control trees' gene activity https://www.newscientist.com/article/2303696-fungi-that-live-on-eucalyptus-roots-can-control-trees-gene-activity/ Government stands firm against call to ban woodcock shooting - GWCT https://www.gwct.org.uk/blogs/news/2022/january/government-stands-firm-against-call-to-ban-woodcock-shooting/ DIY worm farming hits UK homes https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/09/an-easy-solution-for-our-waste-diy-worm-farming-hits-uk-homes World's smallest snail: Newly discovered land snail could fit inside a grain of sand https://www.newscientist.com/article/2303772-worlds-smallest-land-snail-could-fit-inside-a-grain-of-sand/ Diets: how scientists discovered that one size doesn't fit all https://theconversation.com/diets-how-scientists-discovered-that-one-size-doesnt-fit-all-174542 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/