============================================ || || 26th 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: Are you to ready to watch the LNU talk this Saturday? '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 sign-in details. Link here: https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/lnu-lincolnshire-bird-club-joint-talk-by-phil-espin-saturday-january-29th-2022/ 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 I hope you are aware of imminent Highway Code changes. The underlying principle is due care according to vulnerability and risk. "Which" has a good article about it. "The Department for Transport claims that the changes, which are split into three main rules, ultimately aim to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. The changes are due to come into force on 29 January." https://www.which.co.uk/news/2022/01/new-2022-highway-code-changes-are-you-aware-of-the-new-rules/ Official Highway Code text: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1037306/table-of-change-to-the-highway-code.pdf 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 ..." Green Planet: Cambridge University Botanic Garden to feature on TV show https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-60096202 The Secret Gardener explains why leaving wood in your garden is so important for insects https://butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blog/dig-it-the-secret-gardener-explains-why-leaving-wood-in-your-garden-is-so-important Small gardens as vital as big ones for conserving bees, says study https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/19/small-gardens-vital-as-big-ones-conserving-bees-bristol-university-study Big Garden Birdwatch 2022 - 28 to 30th January - RSPB https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/ Cauliflower harvest: 500,000 surplus after Christmas delay https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-60068047 North Sea: Fishermen lucky to survive after line set off WW2 bomb https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-60071673 Bird flu: domestic chicken keepers could be putting themselves – and others – at risk https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/24/rspb-calls-for-emergency-shooting-ban-during-bird-flu-outbreak 10 types of cloud you'll see in Britain (and what they tell us about the weather) - Country Life https://www.countrylife.co.uk/nature/the-10-types-of-cloud-youll-see-in-britain-and-what-they-tell-us-about-the-weather-216840 The fascinating world of fungi - 5 minutes of fungal delight! With the OU. https://www.bbc.co.uk/ideas/videos/the-fascinating-world-of-fungi/p0bhvrrt Please keep your emails coming. A big thank you to all contributors who send 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 23 Jan - 1 Feb "...the east is likely to be settled and dry. Cloudy and dry weather is then possible to return for most at the end of January, while it is likely to be wet and windy in the north at times ... Moving into February, the largely settled and cloudy weather is likely to remain for most... " *** 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. 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 *** 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 *** 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/ 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. *** 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 19/1 2 Long-eared Owls at Main Lake from track to hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Little Stint, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier male, Gibraltar Point Purple Sandpiper imm, on beach at outflow, 2 Long-tailed Ducks on sea at north end. 5 Velvet Scoters, Mablethorpe Jack Snipe at Crook Bank flew from pool by beach shed, Saltfleetby Bittern, Whisby Nature Park Siberian Chiffchaff by feeding station near track, Marston sewage works Red-breasted Goose north of Butterwick car park with Dark-bellied Brent Geese White-tailed Lapwing ad at south end near windpump. East Halton Skitter 20/1 Ring-necked Duck ad drk, Langtoft GPs - "Park in village and walk along Stowe Road to view pit thru' hedge" 12 Snow Buntings, Great Northern Diver flew north, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Slavonian Grebe on sea at north end, 7 Velvet Scoter, Mablethorpe Siberian Chiffchaff by feeding station near track, Marston sewage works White-tailed Lapwing ad at south end near windpump. East Halton Skitter 21/1 Ring-necked Duck ad drk, Langtoft GPs - "Park in village and walk along Stowe Road to view pit thru' hedge" /Ring-necked Duck 1w drk, Baston + Langtoft GPs 3 Russian White-fronted Geese near visitor centre, Little Stint, ringtail Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl, 12 Snow Buntings, Hen Harrier flew north, Gibraltar Point Glossy Ibis flew over wet grassland towards Frampton Marsh from Freiston Shore 30 Snow Buntings on beach, Cleethorpes White-tailed Lapwing ad at south end near windpump. East Halton Skitter 22/1 Ring-necked Duck ad drk, Langtoft GPs - "Park in village and walk along Stowe Road to view pit thru' hedge" Cattle Egret, South Fen Road by River Glen bridge, WNW of Tongue End on south bank for Bourne Eau Water Pipit along River Glen, Baston Fen Long-eared Owl at Main Lake from track to hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 2+ Little Stints, ringtail Hen Harrier, Red-necked Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, 2 Great Northern Divers, Frampton Marsh Black-throated Grebe at River Witham mouth, Black-necked Grebe, 2 Great Northern Divers,Cut End, SE of Boston 22 Snow Buntings, 2 Hen Harriers, both males, Gibraltar Point 4 Great Northern Divers, 4 Long-tailed Ducks on sea, Purple Sandpiper, Mablethorpe 4 Ruddy Shelducks in fields by Wroot Road, west of Epworth Dunlin, on beach near Target Pit, Chowder Ness White-tailed Lapwing ad at south end near windpump, East Halton Skitter 23/1 Ring-necked Duck ad drk, Langtoft GPs - "Park in village and walk along Stowe Road to view pit thru' hedge" Cattle Egret, South Fen Road by River Glen bridge, WNW of Tongue End ESE of Bourne Long-eared Owl at Main Lake from track to hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 5 Water Pipits, Short-eared Owl over saltmarsh, 2 Ringtail Hen Harriers, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh Black-throated Diver, Gibraltar Point 24/1 Long-eared Owl at Main Lake from track, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Cattle Egret WNW of Tongue end at South Fen by River Glen, ESE of Bourne Cattle Egret on corner pool, Baston Fen Ring-necked Duck ad drk at West End GPs, Langtoft Hen Harrier male over saltmarsh, 3 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier male, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 9 Velvet Scoters on sea off Tide Bell, Saltfleetby Iceland Gull on new pond, RWE Generation UK, Pyewipe White-tailed Lapwing ad at south end near windpump, East Halton Skitter 25/1 Scaup fem on eastern pit, Shag on main lake, Tallington Lakes Long-eared Owl at Main Lake from track, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Cattle Egret along counter drain west of car park, Baston Fen Ring-necked Duck ad drk at West End GPs, Langtoft Long-tailed Duck on Marsh Farm reservoir, Frampton Marsh 3 Long-tailed Ducks at Cut End, River Witham mouth, SE of Boston White-tailed Lapwing ad at south end near windpump, East Halton Skitter 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 32 Snow Buntings on outer beach, Cleethorpes ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Robin song notable at dawn and dusk along Church Lane. 26/1/2022 Sparrowhawk fem flew over Church at 4.30pm. HORKSTOW SE987179 20 January 2022 Snowdrops in flower in Horkstow Churchyard. A bit earlier this year, I think. HOLYWELL LAKE WeBS Holywell Lake 23rd January 2022 11.00 – 12.35 Ian Misselbrook Little Grebes 16 Little Egret 1 Grey Heron 2 Mute Swan 2 Greylag Geese 7 Canada Geese 41 Mallard 116 Gadwall 18 Shoveler 1 Teal 2 Wigeon 82 Mandarin Duck 4 – 2 drakes 2 females Tufted Duck 26 Moorhen 25 Woodcock 1 Black-headed Gulls 10 Kingfisher 1 Grey Wagtail 2 (pair) Jackdaws 14 Carrion Crows 5 Nuthatch 1 Blue Tits 8 Great its 4 Coal Tits 2 Long-tailed Tits 15 Goldcrests 2 Wren 1 Dunnocks 2 Robins 4 Blackbird 6 Stock Dove 3 – all singing Woodpigeons Chaffinch 4 Siskins 16 Muntjac1 MARKET RASEN TF 107897 (own garden) Richard Fox 23.01.2022 Blackbird 5 Blue tit 3 Carrion crow Chaffinch 3 Coal tit 2 Collared dove 2 Dunnock 3 House sparrow 5 Great tit 4 Goldcrest Jackdaw 5 Long tailed tit 5 Robin 3 Rook 2 Song thrush 2 Starling Wood pigeon 7 Grey squirrel 3 (just about resident!) Stock dove 2 SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 12/01/22 Blackbird x 3 Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 11 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 15 Great Tit x 2 Jackdaw x 3 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 2 Mallard x 6 Redwing x 29 Robin x 1 Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 19/01/22 Blackbird x 4 Black-headed Gull x 2 over Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 4 Chaffinch x 4 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Great Tit x 2 Jackdaw x 1 Little Egret x 1 Magpie x 1 Robin x 2 Stock Dove x 2 Tree Sparrow x 15 Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 11/01/22 Blackbird x 6 Black-headed Gull x 4 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 25 Cormorant x 2 over Thurnholmes Fieldfare x 15 Great Tit x 2 Greylag Goose x 7 over Thurnholmes Grey Partridge x 2 Kestrel x 1 Lesser Redpoll x 15 feeding in Alders Mallard x 6 over Thurnholmes Pied Wagtail x 1 Redpoll x 15 Robin x 2 Stock Dove x 2 Tree Sparrow x 25 Wood Pigeon x 5 12/01/22 Tawny Owl x 1 07:15hrs 14/01/22 Blackbird x 8 Black-headed Gull x 15 over Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 17 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 11 Goldfinch x 6 Great Tit x 2 Greylag Goose x 15 over Jackdaw x 3 Lesser Redpoll x 29 Linnet x 4 Mallard x 4 over Redwing x 24 Robin x 1 Siskin x 4 Tree Sparrow x 19 Wood Pigeon x 4 House Mouse x 1 18/01/22 Sparrowhawk x 1 female 20/01/22 Blackbird x 8 Black-headed Gull x 15 in fields around Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 11 Common Buzzard x 1 Goldfinch x 16 Great Tit x 2 Kestrel x 1 Lesser Redpoll x 21 feeding in Alders Robin x 2 Stock Dove x 2 Tawny Owl x 2 calling 01:15hrs Tree Sparrow x 29 Wood Pigeon x 7 23/01/22 Blackbird x 6 Black-headed Gull x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 12 Common Buzzard x 1 Goldfinch x 25 Great Tit x 2 Greylag Goose x 12 over Thurnholmes Grey Partridge x 6 Kestrel x 1 Lesser Redpoll x 17 Little Owl x 1 calling 01:00hrs Robin x 2 Tawny Owl x 3 calling 01:20 Tree Sparrow x 12 Wood Pigeon x 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  19th – 25th January 2022 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Snowdrops in full flower. 190122 - A glossy ibis flew south over Paradise lagoon and in the adjacent pasture field 30 curlew were feeding amongst a 186 Canada geese. 200122 - Drake pochard with 18 tufted ducks on the Eau nr Sea View bridge. 210122 - 3000+ pink feet on grassland at Elm House farm. 220122 - Birdsong heard great tit, chaffinch, skylark, cettis warbler, song thrush, robin, great spotted woodpecker drumming also tawny and barn owl and water rail. Off Rimac outer dune 15 snow buntings, 4 whooper swans Rimac lagoon and 10 common snipe and a jack snipe flushed from the saltmarsh nearby. 230122 - On Paradise lagoon 11 gadwall amongst the usual wildfowl, 50 golden plover over. 240122 – 60 wigeon, 4 curlew and 1 mute swan on Sea View washlands. 1 Grey heron by Sea View Eau bridge. 1 Stonechat at Rimac car park. Donna Nook 230122 – 1 male hen harrier and 30 whooper swan. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. *** 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 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... Trees: 'Our 5,000-year-old yew should be revered - not ignored' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-wales-60084636 Grazing cattle boost capercaillie habitat https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-60084433 Fly-tipping: Government plans to tackle 'new narcotics' of waste crime https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60031410 Tonga volcano: Plume reached half-way to space https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60088413 Brighton bee bricks initiative may do more harm than good, say scientists https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jan/18/brighton-bee-bricks-initiative-may-do-more-harm-than-good-say-scientists False scorpions AIDGAP – Field Studies Council https://www.field-studies-council.org/shop/publications/false-scorpions-aidgap/ New species of soft coral discovered In West Of Scotland Coast https://www.dgwgo.com/dumfries-galloway-news/new-species-of-soft-coral-discovered-in-west-of-scotland-coast/ GWCT Big Farmland Bird Count and make a real difference to the UK’s songbirds https://www.gwct.org.uk/news/news/2022/january/big-farmland-bird-count-2022/ Big Farmland Bird Count 2022 - 4-20 February - Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust https://www.bfbc.org.uk/ ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/