============================================ || || 2nd March 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 Bulletin Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information 9. Notes about these wildlife reports 10. Bulletin publicity policy 11. Events Diary 12. ...and finally..... don't miss the links... ============================================ Reports here are open. They are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union; the Lincolnshire Bird Club and Lincolnshire Environmental Record Centre [LERC]. You can refer to text versions of past Wildnews Bulletins from Feb 2009 here: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or associated organisations. Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. INFORMATION, EVENTS, NEWS AND REQUESTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Editor writes: We are preparing a mailing for the LNU AGM, coming up at Whisby on 12 March 2022. We are stuffing and posting it this week to those who do not take Communiqué by email, who should have it already. It will include a Zoom invitation for members who would prefer to watch the AGM from home. I'm looking forward to Owen Mountford's Presidential address. https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/2019-03-02/ Please remember: any non-member interested in the identification and recording of Lincolnshire species is welcome to join the LNU and support this useful work. https://lnu.org/join-the-lnu/ Please continue to stay informed on advice about Co-19 and 'flu. Adapt to any changes accordingly at indoor meetings and with groups on reserves/in the field. Check the LNU events web page for updates on cancellations if you are not sure. https://lnu.org/meetings/ 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 ..." Murmurations thrill in Nottinghamshire after Storm Franklin passes https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-nottinghamshire-60484709 Cloudy Humberside: Now you see it, now you don't https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-60513751 Former Skegness town hall on the market for £600k https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-60538547 Cleethorpes could become trendy year-round resort, council says https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-60560695 Pleasure Island: New drone pictures show derelict theme park https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-humber-60528091 Walpole Marsh: Plans for solar farm rejected by council https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-60514480 UK allows emergency use of bee-harming neonicotinoid pesticide https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60579670 Magpies: 1, Scientists: 0. Birds help each other to remove tracking devices https://www.zmescience.com/science/magpies-scientists-altruistic-birds-tracking-devices-23022022/ Watch the UK's land surface change over a year https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-60513743 Hull docks: RSPCA officer describes Huntsman spider lunch box rescue https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-60508631 The mystery of Anthrax Island and the seeds of death - Gruinard Island https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-60483849 Manx Wildlife Trust: Interactive map of nature reserves put online https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-60527467 Please keep your emails coming. Thank you to all contributors have who sent in interesting news links, wildlife events info and species reports. Very welcome. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - this is my best address for emails please. *** Weather Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ 6 - 15 March "...Sunday will be a dry day for many areas, though cloudier with patchy rain in the south and west. A few wintry showers are likely in the east. It will be colder for most with brisk winds. For the following week it will likely be initially, largely dry with some wintry showers possible, as we move through the period there will be an increasing likelihood of spells of rain, potentially preceded by snow, arriving from the west ..." *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Sky & Telescope - This Week's Sky https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/sky-at-a-glance/ Other links: Jodrell Bank Monthly Night Sky Guide http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/astronomy/nightsky/ BBC Eyes to the skies - 2022 is shaping up to be an excellent year for astronomy https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/feeds/60085546 Royal Observatory highlights for 2022 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/space-astronomy-highlights-2022 *** Grantham Peregrine-cam *** Live peregrine cameras on St Wulfram's Church, Grantham can be viewed at: https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/sightings/peregrine-project *** Reminder: Bat rescue instructions *** Noble false widow spider captures bat in UK attic https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/01/noble-false-widow-spider-captures-bat-in-uk-attic 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. *** Hedgehog Links *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** 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 *** Morning Bird Walk in Cleethorpes Country Park On Sunday 6th March we invite you to join us on a morning bird walk in Cleethorpes Country Park with Graham Hicks. This will be a gentle figure of eight meander around the park. Meet at 8am in the car park Grid Ref. TA 306066. Nearest postcode DN35 0QZ. It is advisable to wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. For further details contact Graham Hicks - 07979089890. Birds of the World Monday 14th March we hold our our next indoor meeting where our speaker, Geoff Trinder' will give an illustrated presentation "Birds of the World" including Japan, Madagascar and Romania. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall DN31 1HX and starts at 7.30 pm. For further details contact Jennie Redpath - 01472 502858 *** The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum *** The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society. Our March meeting takes place on Monday, 14th March. We start at 7.15pm. It is motivated not just to inform, enlighten and entertain but also to influence behaviour, for it is concerned with climate change. Rebecca Forster, the Sustainability Manager in the Estate Department of Lincoln University, will be visiting to give us an illustrated talk entitled: "CARBON CONSCIOUS: CALCULATING AND BEING AWARE OF YOUR OWN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT". Rebecca has previously held sustainability roles within the Energy and Charity Sectors. This practical talk will enable individuals to consider the impact that their lifestyle has on the environment, including the basics of carbon footprinting. This will be followed by some discussion and tips on how one may be able to reduce carbon emissions individually, to collectively support climate action. Our meetings are open to all who are interested. We hope that this meeting will attract people of all ages to attend and contribute to a memorable and useful evening. We meet as always in the St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. There is ample free parking in the Church grounds. We start at 7.15pm. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided to help us to pay the speaker's expenses. (Rebecca is travelling from Nottingham to speak to us.) There will be a mid-talk comfort break during which people may wish to talk to Rebecca. At the moment we are still taking all names and contact details of all who attend but this may change before the meeting, as also may our recommendation for the wearing of facemasks and keeping appropriate social distancing. For further details please contact Keith Scarrott on 01724 762098. *** 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/ STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Lyme Disease reminder https://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/zoonoses-data-sheets/lyme-disease.pdf Road works and hold-ups https://roadworks.org/ Met Office Severe Warnings https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service - 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 22/2 3 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh Red-necked Grebe flew south past, Puffin, Gibraltar Point Glossy Ibis in horse paddock just north of Chapel Pit, Chapel Six Marshes White-tailed Lapwing beyond windpump at end of Marsh Lane on Winter's Pond, East Halton Skitter 3 Snow Buntings, Mablethorpe 23/2 3 Little Stints, Spotted Redshank north of sea bank, Frampton Marsh Purple Sandpiper 1w on beach at outflow pipe, 3 Snow Buntings on beach, Mablethorpe Glossy Ibis in horse paddock just north of Chapel Pit, Chapel Six Marshes Cattle Egret in Horse Paddock east of Messingham Sand Quarry 24/2 Kittiwake ad briefly at T-junction Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs 2 Little Stints, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, male Hen Harrier, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Snow Bunting flew over beach, Gibraltar Point Cattle Egret, Messingham Sand Quarry White-tailed Lapwing beyond windpump at end of Marsh Lane on Winter's Pond, East Halton Skitter 25/2 Woodlark flew over East Dunes early morning, Gibraltar Point White-tailed Lapwing beyond windpump at end of Marsh Lane on Winter's Pond, East Halton Skitter 26/2 Hen Harrier north of Cowbit flew west American Wigeon on wet grassland from car park, 2 Hen Harriers, Little Stint, Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier, 3 Short-eared Owls over Old Saltmarsh, Gibraltar Point Twite on Saltmarsh, Donna Nook Cattle Egret, Messingham Sand Quarry Spoonbill, Alkborough Flats White-tailed Lapwing beyond windpump at end of Marsh Lane on Winter's Pond, East Halton Skitter 27/2 3 Little Stints, on Middle Scrape, Spotted Redshank, Long-tailed Duck on South Scrape, ad Spoonbill, American Wigeon on wet grassland from car park, Frampton Marsh 2 Woodlarks flew towards North Building Ridge, 3 Short-eared Owls, Gibraltar Point Great Northern Diver offshore, Rimac White-tailed Lapwing on main pool by car park, south of East Halton Skitter 28/2 3 Common Cranes flew SE over Castle Bytham, then flew east American Wigeon drk, from visitor centre, Long-tailed Duck fem flew south over Marsh Farm, 3 Little Stint, Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 10 Water Pipits in roost, Gibraltar Point Rough-legged Buzzard flew over fields north of White house Farm at Fulletby NE of Horncasdtle 3 Water Pipits at River Great Eau flashes, view from river bridge at Seaview end, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe 01/3/2022 Ring-necked Duck ad at West End, 3 Smew, Langtoft GP American Wigeon on flooded field, Long-tailed Duck, 3 Little Stints, Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Great Northern Diver at Cut End, River Witham Mouth, SE of Boston 2 Water Pipits at freshwater marsh, Gibraltar Point Caspian Gull on beach, 4 Snow buntings, 2 Velvet Scoters, Black-throated Diver flew north, Mablethorpe White-tailed Lapwing from first gap along path to sea wall, East Halton Skitter Spoonbill, by main track from car park, end of Prospect Road, Alkborough Flats ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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" *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Bourne Barn Owl Webcam: Bob Sheppard says: Camera is now off pending installation of the new one. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog: http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ Lincs Bird Club: https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/sightings/latest-news Butterfly Conservation - Lincolnshire Branch: https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/ Which moth species might be on the wing tonight in your area? You can find out easily using ‘What’s Flying Tonight’. https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/whats-flying-tonight BTO tracked cuckoos: latest updates: https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/cuckoo-tracking-project ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Hedgehogs? Badgers? Otters? Reports welcome. DEAD BADGER - juvenile Bardney to Baumber Road near Waddingworth TF164703 28/2/2022 R Parsons *** 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 1 March 2022 garden Blue Tit 3 House Sparrow 20+ Dunnock 2 Robin 2 - a lot of song now. Blackbird 3 Starling 20+ Collared Dove 3 Woodpigeon 8 Jackdaw 12 Magpie 1 Black-headed Gull 12? FAR INGS Angela Buckle 23rd February Flowers. Celandines, Coltsfoot, Lungwort, Hairy bittercress, Hawthorn in leaf, Flowering currant almost out. HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Hayes Friday 25 February 2022 Female sparrowhawk was seen sitting on a stile at the end of my garden. We regularly get fly-throughs although I’ve never seen any kills. However, there were some small feathers, possibly blue tit, under a bird feeder today. Three buzzards were seen flying over and I’ve heard one calling on several occasions. I’ve also heard woodpecker drumming in neighbouring fields. HUTTOFT TF511762 (my garden unless otherwise advised) Jane Pennington 19/2/2022 Blackbirds 2 - seem to be the resident pair this year! Pheasant 1 21/2/2022 Woodpigeons 12  roosting 24/1/2022 Sparrowhawk 1 27/2/2022 Greenfinch 2 Pair here daily SIBSEY - Frithville Road TF344508 David Smith 24/02/2022 17.00 Barn Owl Roe deer x3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 9th February – 1st March 2022 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Cliff Morrison, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Note: another week of blustery weather with SW gusts of 40.1mph noted on the 12th and 33.5mph on the 13th. 110222 - 15 lapwing with resting shoveler in Paradise lagoon. Skein of 350 pink-feet flying north over Sea View, late afternoon. 140222 - At dusk 180 pink-feet flying NW over Sea View, 15 little egrets on the saltmarsh and 31 curlew on Paradise lagoon. Tawny owl calling at Sea View. 60222 - Paradise lagoon retaining a good level of water; teal, mallard, shoveler and gadwall remain there feeding on the open water and resting along the edge vegetation. Note: Very strong south-westerly winds continue. A gust of 49.5mph observed near Sea View on the 17th, 79.7mph during late afternoon of the 18th and 58.7mph on the 21st. Brief wet snow shower on the afternoon of the 19th, settling of slush but soon thawed after an hour with more rain. The recent spell of rain during recent days, giving 49.8mm in 10 days, has seen the water level in the Great Eau rise, sufficient to overflow into the adjacent Sea View washlands (Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust). The area of open water has attracted teal, wigeon, shoveler, mallard and as it recedes redshank, lapwing, curlew and little egret have all been present. 170222 - On Paradise lagoon: 84 shoveler, 8 gadwall, 8 mallard, 112 teal and 6 coot. A raven flew over Sea View. 190222 - WeBs count included 4 common snipe, 32 shelduck, 1 goldeneye, 31 curlew, 315 dunlin, 81 sanderling, 218 teal, 64 shoveler, 4 gadwall, 143 wigeon and 14 snow buntings. 210222 - Little egrets: 18 on the saltmarsh and 10 in the field near Paradise lagoon. Note: February 2022 was the second wettest February for twenty-nine years, since NNR records began with 67.9mm (2020 89.9mm). The month will be remembered for the strength of the south-westerly winds from the 12th - 21st, a very brief spell of wet snow fell on the 19th but soon thawed. The average maximum daytime temperature was 11.25 degrees centigrade making it a warmer than expected month. 230222 - A minimum of 150 redshank feeding on the wet grassland of Sea View washlands. 240222 - Redshank number increased to at least 205 birds feeding and 24 lapwing at Sea View washlands plus presence of wigeon, shoveler, teal and mallard. 250222 - Paradise lagoon 48 redshank and 10 coot. Near Sea View 2 mistle thrush, 2 song thrush, 2 redwing and a single fieldfare. At least 64 pied wagtail on Sea View washland in the evening. 2 water pipit roosted at Rimac. 2 Cetti’s warbler and 2 water rail also at Rimac. 260222 - Ringtail hen harrier hunting over saltmarsh, late afternoon. 270222 – 1 buff-tailed bumblebee on the wing at Sea View. Small bat hawking around Churchill Lane car park at dusk. 280222 - On Paradise lagoon: 65 shoveler and 19 gadwall amongst the wildfowl. 32 pink-feet on winter wheat field near Elm House Farm. On Sea View washlands a min of 300 wigeon, 350 teal, pair pintail, 3 tufted duck, 19 curlew, 50 + dunlin and 90+ redshank, 1 common snipe. Single red kite flying N over Sea View. Flock of 10 greenfinch at Sea View. 2 buff tail bumblebees seen at Churchill Lane. 010322 - Amongst the birds on Sea View washlands 4 male and 2 female pintail, 2 black- tailed godwits, 11 lapwing and a red kite over. Grey wagtail and 2 fieldfare over Sea View and 2 buff-tailed bumblebees on the wing. After rain overnight 2 common frogs seen in Churchill Lane area. Out from Brickyard Lane were 19 red-throated divers and 1 black- throated diver. 2 bottle-nosed dolphins reported further south, swimming north. 2 adult male velvet scoters and a shag feeding /swimming together. The more distant common scoter flock has now dwindled to around 200 birds, but 2 long-tailed ducks were with them. The cormorant wintering flock now numbers about 200, with over 100 visible towards Rimac on the sands, a further 40 towards Crook Bank and about 40 fishing on the sea. A north flying flock of 120+ golden plover briefly landed on the Saltmarsh at Brickyard Lane before moving on. Meadow pipits have now also appeared on the Saltmarsh, the first of the spring. Most resident birds now singing strongly and great spotted woodpecker drumming most mornings, barn owl hunting most evenings. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR These cover a huge area. Records from them are one of the main inputs to management planning and the protection of rare/scarce and critical species. Reports always welcome. The history of the Lincolnshire Limewoods https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/features/19111877.lincolnshire-limewoods/ The Forestry Commission visitor advice: https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ British Native Trees - Woodland Trust https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/british-trees/native-trees/ 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: final meeting 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 BULLETIN REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We aim to increase the number of people reporting observations to Recorders. The Bulletin is a FREE service. We ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome - you don't have to stick to lists! Please help us to help you. When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] Bulletin mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. It usually goes out on Wednesdays/Thursdays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. CONTACTS AND USEFUL WEBSITES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONTACTS LIST Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Website *** LNU Website: http://lnu.org/ LNU Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? LNU Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lincsnaturalists/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org Downloads of LNU books are available on: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/ https://twitter.com/LincsWildlife *** Lincs Bird Club Website *** http://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk https://twitter.com/Lincsbirding LBC County Bird Recorder Phil Hyde - County Recorder, Lincs Bird Club recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** http://www.joseph-banks.org.uk https://twitter.com/sirjosephbanks *** Lincolnshire Bat Group website *** http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** http://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html https://twitter.com/BC_Lincolnshire *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** http://www.lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** https://lincolnshirechalkstreams.org/ *** Lincsbirders *** http://www.lincsbirders.org/ https://twitter.com/lincsbirders *** South Lincolnshire Flora Group *** https://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 *** The Wolds Fungi Group *** Contact Paul Nichol via email pnichol20@gmail.com *** Lincolnshire Dormouse Group *** Contact: lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Rural Crime Officer *** Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE: 07768-501895 PAGER: 07654-330877 Related Webpages: Lincolnshire Police Advice on Hare Coursing https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/hare-coursing/ Rural Crime News https://www.lincs.police.uk/reporting-advice/wildlife-and-rural-crime/ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ Downloads of LNU books are available on: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ *** VC54 North Lincolnshire Plant List - LNU *** Paul Kirby has produced a list which details all the vascular plant 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/ Recording with "irecord" https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ More and more people are using irecord. It is recommended by the LNU as the most appropriate platform for on-line recording. Tried it yet? Feedback welcome. LNU Sawflies, Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder Dr. David Sheppard Willing to examine specimens or check photos. Bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos. d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com Lincolnshire Mammals Chris Manning, Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com For current records please refer to the Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire by C. J. Manning, LNU Mammal Recorder. You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/mammalatlas.pdf Spiders, Pseudoscorpions, Harvestmen Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Email: Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk Lincs Amphibian and Reptile Group The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) Contact: Ashley Butterfield : learningoutdoors@btinternet.com Please have a look at https://www.recordpool.org.uk/index.php It's an easy way to record your amphibian and reptile species records. You can send any records to Ashley Butterfield (Lincolnshire Amphibian and Reptile Recorder) at LearningOutdoors@btinternet.com Local Bat Helpline Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 Email: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com Bat rescue instructions: If you find a grounded bat please don’t try and release it. Put it in an escape proof box . Remember, a pipistrelle can get out of a hole the size of your thumb nail. Wear gloves or use a cloth to pick it up with, and phone us on 01775 766286. We’ll do the rest. *** Confidential Bat Records *** You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com Slug ID Help Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01427 848400 Email: chris@chrisdufeu.force9.co.uk Non-Marine Molluscs Alex Pickwell is the LNU Recorder for Non-marine Molluscs Email: mrapickwell@gmail.com When asking for help: Please give the the very best information you can provide. If you are not sure, ask what is needed from you to confirm identification. Photographs are helpful but not every species can be identified from a photograph. When asked for further details, get back to them promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcomed. USEFUL WILDLIFE LINKS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. *** Lincs Environmental Records Centre *** Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) http://www.glnp.org.uk/ https://twitter.com/GLNPnature *** Natural England *** http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ *** Lincolnshire Environmental Awards *** 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/ *** 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/ Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Love Lincs Plants*** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants NHM Final report on LoveLincsPlants goes online This report along with previous progress reports can be viewed/downloaded from the LNU website. https://lnu.org/lincolnshire-plants-past-and-future/ Love Lincs Plants: Herbarium Hub https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/what-we-do/love-lincs-plants/herbarium-hub https://twitter.com/LoveLincsPlants/status/1457735102046384133 Collections Dataset - LNU "historic specimens" All of the LNU specimens that have been processed and digitised to date can now be viewed here: http://data.nhm.ac.uk/dataset/lincs-plants *** The Flora of Lincolnshire by Joan Gibbons - LNU downloadable book *** https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-flora-of-lincolnshire-e-joan-gibbons.pdf For the Geologists... Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 *** The Geology of Lincolnshire - downloadable LNU book *** https://lnu.org/publications/books/the-geology-of-lincolnshire/ *** British geology maps - now free to explore on web *** http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. NOTES ABOUT THESE WILDLIFE REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting. However, records are sent in by a variety of reporters; from complete beginners to professionals. They may vary in reliability and occasionally may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed please contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. [Note: Where plants are reported, this is usually because they have been seen and identified in flower.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. BULLETIN PUBLICITY POLICY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. https://lnu.org/specialists/ When sending in reports, e.g. unusual plants, please report any sensitive news directly to recorders. Not the Bulletin. We don't want to spoil things with untimely or unwise publicity. Thank you. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. *** Codes of Conduct *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. BSBI Code of Conduct https://bsbi.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/BSBI-Code-of-Conduct.pdf Code of Conduct for Collecting of Fungi http://www.davidmoore.org.uk/Assets/fungi4schools/Reprints/Pickers_code.pdf RSPB's birdwatchers' code https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/read-and-learn/watching-birds/code/ [Remember: Views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions on the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU EVENTS DIARY For LNU meetings also see https://lnu.org/meetings/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events - Important updates *** We will post any changes to LNU events through the Bulletin; the LNU Twitter feed; LNU Facebook page and LNU meetings webpage. Please refer to the LNU website for details of any Zoom arrangements for watching online. Indoor Meetings 2022: https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ Species Recording Meeting - under review Overview and highlights of the past years recording provided by the county recorders. Arrive at 12 noon for a chance to catch up with recorders; it will finish at 4pm. 12 noon – 19th February 2022 Annual General Meeting – 12th March 2022 2pm – Followed by the Presidential Address by Owen Mountford Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. For details and any necessary subsequent updates or changes please visit: LNU Website: https://lnu.org/meetings/ LNU Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lincsnaturalists/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** None. Advice is: If your Service provider can't or won't allow the Bulletin through, use a free email account instead. In the event of a mail failure ask me for the error report to pass on to your "Help Desk". I am glad to help. ....and finally... Natural England chair backs ‘biodiversity net gain’ plan to boost wild areas https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/25/natural-england-chair-tony-juniper-backs-biodiversity-net-gain-plan-boost-wild-areas Seabirds can starve when hit by repeated severe storms – but we still don't know why https://theconversation.com/seabirds-can-starve-when-hit-by-repeated-severe-storms-but-we-still-dont-know-why-177569 Country diary: These funky drummers are taking us out of winter https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/26/country-diary-these-funky-drummers-are-taking-us-out-of-winter Scotland's capercaillie could vanish in 30 years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-60522715 Wyre Forest: 'The perfect place to clear your head' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-hereford-worcester-60308796 Country diary: This vegetable garden intruder is easy on the eye, hard on the back https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/16/country-diary-this-vegetable-garden-intruder-is-easy-on-the-eye-hard-on-the-back Country diary: The ravens are in the quarry, nest-building already https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/19/country-diary-the-ravens-are-in-the-quarry-nest-building-already Country diary: The starlings fall silent as they size me up https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/21/country-diary-the-starlings-fall-silent-as-they-size-me-up Country diary: Between the storms I check on the vulnerable old trees https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/25/country-diary-between-the-storms-i-check-on-the-vulnerable-old-trees Country diary: These funky drummers are taking us out of winter https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/26/country-diary-these-funky-drummers-are-taking-us-out-of-winter Country diary: A tranquil scene that masks a dark contest https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/28/country-diary-a-tranquil-scene-that-masks-a-dark-contest ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/