============================================ || || 9th 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: Members should have received a mailing for the LNU AGM, coming up at Whisby on 12 March 2022. It was posted this week to the LNU members who do not take Communiqué by email. It includes a Zoom invitation for LNU members who would prefer to watch from home. Don't miss the Presidential address: Owen Mountford https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/2019-03-02/ 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/ 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/ 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 ..." Platinum Jubilee: Burghley House to be site of new 70-acre woodland https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-60578268 Hull flood defence wall costing £42m officially opened https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-60604650 Baby girl died after husky dog attack at Ostler's Plantation - police https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-60640561 Medieval gold cross found by Norwich detectorist for sale https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-60622316 Ofwat investigates five firms over wastewater treatment concerns https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-60677403 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/ 13 - 22 March "On Sunday a band of rain is likely to erratically move from the southwest towards the northeast. Through the start of the next week a southerly flow will likely result in a period of more unsettled conditions with showers. The most persistent rain is expected across the south initially then across the northwest later. Temperatures are expected to be near average to mild, slightly below average in the east at times..." *** 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 *** 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 *** 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 *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson Lincoln Area Group Talk March 17th: A Lincolnshire Wildlife Diary Gill Walsh will take us on a journey through the seasons, showcasing the many wildlife highlights to be seen on nature reserves around Lincolnshire. At Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission £2.50. Refreshments are provided. 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. *** The Scunthorpe and Brigg LWT Local Group*** Owing to illness Celia Smith is unable to give her talk on "Bee Necessity" at our next meeting on Thursday, 10th March. Instead, JOHN DAVISON will be giving us an illustrated talk entitled "AN INTRODUCTION TO BUTTERFLIES AND MOTHS OF LINCOLNSHIRE". John, who is our local wildlife recorder, including butterflies and moths, has given us several illustrated talks in the past that have enabled us to learn and familiarise ourselves with wildlife, local, national and international, through excellent images and clear naming. This will be a great opportunity to improve our knowledge, under- standing and appreciation of our local butterflies and moths. We meet in the St Hugh's Church Hall on Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, which is opposite the filling station on Ashby Road and next to the Church itself by Brumby crossroads. The postcode is DN16 2AG. There is a small car park in the church grounds and also roadside parking nearby. The meeting will start at 7.30 pm and there is a £2 entry charge which includes a drink plus biscuit at the mid-talk break. *** 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. *** RSPB Grimsby Local Group *** The next meeting of the RSPB Grimsby Local Group will take on Monday 21st March 2022 at 7.30pm at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7LH The Lower Derwent Valley by Craig Ralston The Lower Derwent Valley National Nature Reserve is made up of a series of flood meadows, pastures and woodlands. The reserve supports a rich diversity of plant species and outstanding populations of breeding and wintering birds. It is located close to the City of York and stretches 12miles along the River Derwent and Pocklington Canal. Describing the Lower Derwent Valley as a unique historic landscape, Natural England’s Senior National Nature Reserve Manager, Craig Ralston believes the site to be of international significance. This promises to be a fascinating and informative presentation. Our talks are open to everybody. You do not need to be a member of the RSPB to attend and we look forward to welcoming you. Entry is £4, payable at the door. Light refreshments and a raffle will be available. Obviously, measures will be taken to reduce the risk of spreading the Covid virus, and you should not attend if you are exhibiting symptoms of the virus, or have been in close contact with somebody known to have the virus. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Our next shared Car Trip will be on Sunday 3rd April to RSPB St Aidan's where there is a good chance you will hear skylarks singing and bitterns booming. If you are very lucky you might catch sight of a bittern, but you can expect to see marsh harrier, and possibly the first of this year's summer migrants in addition to a wide range of other birds. If you would like to come with us, please contact Tony Bryan, at mariners4top@yahoo.co.uk, or (01472) 873362. We would particularly like to hear from anybody who wants to improve their birding skills when, under our Birding Buddy Scheme, we would ensure you are accompanied by an experienced birder at the reserve. Martin Francis - Leader, RSPB Grimsby Local Group" *** 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 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 2/3 Ring-necked Duck, West End GPS smallest pit in corner, Baston + Langtoft GPs 3 Smew 1 ad drk, West Ends GPs, Langtoft GPs Long-tailed Duck on South Scrape, American Wigeon in field by main car park, Frampton Marsh 5 Water Pipits flew onto Freshwater Marsh, Gibraltar Point Glossy Ibis, Stickney Purple Sandpiper on beach at outflow, Mablethorpe Snow Bunting Far Ings - late report 2 Common Cranes near Sandtoft flew north over M180 Cattle Egret in sheep field by Llama Land, Barton-upon-Humber White-tailed Lapwing from first gap along path to sea wall, East Halton Skitter 3/3 Ring-necked Duck, on small alder-fringed pool north of Greatford Cut. Tallington Lakes Ring-necked Duck, Baston + Langtoft GPs, flushed and flew north Hen Harrier ringtail flew NW over North Drove, Deeping Fen 3 Smew.1 ad drk, West End GPs, Langtoft GPs 2 Little Stints, Spotted Redshank, American Wigeon in field by main car park, Frampton Marsh Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point Hen Harrier, Friskney Bonxie, Covenham Reservoir 27 Twite. Donna Nook White-tailed Lapwing from first gap along path to sea wall, East Halton Skitter 4/3 Ring-necked Duck, West End GPS smallest pit in corner, Baston + Langtoft GPs American Wigeon in field by main car park, Frampton Marsh Purple Sandpiper 1w on beach at outflow, Mablethorpe 5/3 Smew redhead at West End GPs on Main Lake, Langtoft GPs Long-eared Owl at Main Lake from track to hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James American Wigeon drk on wet grassland by main car park, 3 Little Stints on Middle Scrape, fem Long-tailed Duck, Frampton Marsh Black-throated Diver offshore, 2 Velvet Scoter flew north past beach, Mablethorpe Cattle Egret, Messingham Sand Quarry White-tailed Lapwing from first gap along path to sea wall, East Halton Skitter 6/3 Ring-necked Duck, on small alder-fringed pool north of Greatford Cut, Tallington Lakes American Wigeon drk on wet grassland by main car park, 3 Little Stints on Middle Scrape, Hen Harrier male, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 4 Slavonian Grebes at river mouth, Black-throated Diver, 5 Great Northern Divers, 3 Pale-bellied Brent Geese on wet grassland, Frampton Marsh Black-throated Diver at Cut End, River Witham mouth, 4 Slavonian Grebes, 4 Great Northern Divers, SE of Boston 2 Common Cranes flew over Lincoln Smew ad drk on quarry from Job's Lane, Whisby White-tailed Lapwing from first pool before wind pump, East Halton Skitter 7/3 Smew redhead at West End GPs on Main Lake, Langtoft GPs 4 Common Cranes flew over Morton, north of Bourne Long-eared Owl at Main Lake from track to hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James American Wigeon drk on wet grassland by main car park, Spotted Redshank, Little Stint, Hen Harrier over saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier male over Old Saltmarsh, Gibraltar Point 3 Long-tailed Ducks,2 Slavonian Grebes, Freiston Shore Purple Sandpiper on beach at outflow, Mablethorpe Smew ad drk at Thorpe Landfill, Whisby - view only from site entrance on Job's Lane Little Ringed Plover at Teal Lake, Whisby NR Hen Harrier flew north over saltmarsh, Donna Nook 8/3 3 Little Stints, Short-eared Owl, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh. Hen Harrier ringtail, Rimac Smew ad drk at Thorpe Landfill, Whisby - view only from site entrance on Job's Lane Hen Harrier male flew over realignment, 25 Twite, Donna Nook Hen Harrier flew through, East Halton Skitter 9/3 American Wigeon drk on wet grassland by main car park, Frampton Marsh ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. NORTH WILLINGHAM A631 North Willingham TF1711884 Richard Fox 08.03.2022 Badger (west bound carriageway) roadkill *** 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 3/3 An egret flew over the garden today - bigger than a little egret I'd say, but could not ID for sure. BOSTON TF338441 Tracey Lenton My garden 26-02-2022 Continue to see resident blackbird pair and dunnock pair A starling dared to take bird food, male blackbird saw it off! Wood pigeon On neighbour's TV aerial: Black-headed gull id Phil Hyde, starting to get its summer "black head" plumage The sunshine brought out a few insects: Hoverfly, not sure which type A few 7 spot Ladybirds Small tortoiseshell feeding on white heather, stayed for around 15-20 minutes, around 1pm - first butterfly sighting of the year  01-03-2022 Dunnock pair seen together feeding 02-03-2022 Great tit in blossom tree BOSTON TF338441 Tracey Lenton My garden This week 3rd - 8th March 2022 Birds are regularly seen in pairs: Backbird Collared dove Dunnock Wood pigeon 07/03/2022 Nesting has started: Female blackbird observed collecting dried plant stems and leaves and taking it into the conifer hedge, their usual nesting site Collared dove seen with dried plant stems, also building in the conifer hedge Evening chorus from the blackbird heard - beautiful! BOSTON (TF326426) February 2022 Kathleen Pearson I was able to do a BTO Garden BirdWatch on all 28 days in February. The highest number of a birds on a day was for Goldfinch with a charm of twelve. This was the only species to achieve a double figure count. A total of 20 species was recorded. Birds:- Robin 3, House Sparrow 7, Great Tit 2, Blue Tit 2, Blackbird 3, Woodpigeon 7, Blackcap 1, Chaffinch 2, Long-tailed Tit 4, Goldfinch 12, Dunnock 2, Starling 10, Greenfinch 4, Collared Dove, 2, Black-headed Gull 4, Herring Gull 4, Carrion Crow 1, Jackdaw 2, Song Thrush 1, Wren 1. Buff-tailed Bumblebee occurred on the mahonia. BOSTON (TF326426) 06/03/2022 Roy Pearson We have recently increased the use of solid blocks of suet cake in the garden which appears to have increased the variety (and certainly bird numbers) with up to fifteen species per day. This is particularly so of Starlings which can reach double figures. Today an adult male Sparrowhawk (which has only been seen in the garden twice this year) took a Starling and spent forty-five minutes consuming it on the lawn within ten metres of the window. During this time, most species avoided the garden apart from a Blue Tit, which spent several minutes watching. Very interesting, but I’d rather not witness it eating again. FAR INGS and area Angela Buckle 6th March2022 Danish scurvy grass, in flower, Barnetby interchange, Far Ings, Common dog violets, white violets, Red deadnettle, Common speedwell, Whitlow grass, Shepherds purse, Lesser chickweed. FRITHVILLE TF298489 Margaret Westcott 03.03.2022 Brown Hare 2 Leveret 1 This morning, a very young leveret was disturbed by my husband's car and ran straight into our pond. We fished it out with a net (it was swimming), wrapped it in a towel, and left it in a strong box in the porch. It was released a couple of hours later. We have had hares and leverets in our garden for quite a few years now. This is the first time one has gone for a dip! NETTLEHAM Brenda Edlington TF 005756 1/3/2022 We were watching 2 long-tailed tits flying up from a buddleia to the top part of the glass on the utility window and back again without seeming to collect anything, over 20 times in all, and they returned several times later on. The windows had only just been cleaned on the outside so we weren’t sure what they were looking for unless it was to do with their reflections. Taking a closer look they had spotted a couple of strands of spider silk glistening in the sunshine. Unfortunately for them they were on the inside of the window (to my shame but the utility is something of a dumping place) and we had 2 very frustrated birds. On watching one with some plant stalks/grass in its beak we checked the nearby evergreen ceanothus and there is a half-finished rounded nest in the top. This is very near our back door so although we will try not to disturb them they may decide it’s too busy. One year there was a long-tailed tits’ nest in a spirea but something had pulled it apart and the birds moved on. We will be delighted if they do stay and breed. Nettleham TF 005756. 5/3/2022 One of the long-tailed tits ventured into the utility room - in search of cobwebs? 7/3/2022 Brambling (1) and Female blackcap on feeder. I had seen a fat frog last month in my pond but unfortunately a dead frog was floating in the water last week. Looked OK – no red leg apparent but bloated. Looks like no tadpoles again this year. SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 08/03/22 Blackbird x 1 Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 2 Jackdaw x 4 Jay x 2 Magpie x 5 Redwing x 7 Robin x 2 Rook x 9 Skylark x 1 singing high over Sparrowhawk x 1 male Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 Rabbit x 4 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 25/02/22 Whooper Swan x 55 flying east over Thurnholmes 27/02/22 Blackbird x 4 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 12 Common Buzzard x 2 flying low over paddocks, calling and being mobbed by Carrion Crows. Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 12 Great Tit x 2 Kestrel x 1 Pied Wagtail x 2 Red Kite x 1 swooping low over a small bonfire I had going. Robin x 1 Tree Sparrow x 15 Wood Pigeon x 6 01/03/22 Blackbird x 4 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 8 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 9 Goldfinch x 13 Greylag Goose x 7 over Thurnholmes Grey Partridge x 3 Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Pied Wagtail x 2 Redwing x 7 Robin x 2 Skylark x 2 singing high over Thurnholmes Song Thrush x 1 singing continuous from high tree tops. Stock Dove x 2 Tree Sparrow x 7 Wood Pigeon x 9 Wren x 1 07/03/22 Barn Owl x 1 hunting and calling around paddock, later at 18:30hrs flew out of Scots Pine in chicken run. Blackbird x 2 Black-headed Gull x 12 in fields around Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 2 Bullfinch x 1 male Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 5 Common Buzzard x 2 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 7 Golden Plover x 4 over Thurnholmes Goldfinch x 9 Great Tit x 2 Grey Partridge x 3 Kestrel x 1 Mallard x 1 over Thurnholmes Moorhen x 1 Mute Swan x 3 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Pied Wagtail x 2 Redwing x 11 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Song Thrush x 1 Stock Dove x 2 Tree Sparrow x 5 Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 Yellowhammer x 1 08/03/22 Barn Owl x 1 hunting and calling around paddocks, 02:15hrs Roe Deer x 3 roaming across fields near Thurnholmes, within 30 minutes were totally out of sight. WOOLSTHORPE BY COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 Jane Ostler 1-7th March 2022 At last the regular calendar events of Spring are starting to be recorded. Plants in flower now include Butcher’s Broom, in a relict hedge, Stinking Hellebore on the disused railway line which runs alongside the old quarry, Spring Whitlow Grass in a gravel drive and along the edge of the Roadside Nature Reserve (RNR), Gorse, with a few flowers all through the year but now in full flower on RNR, just one Blackthorn out on Water Lane which also has Sweet Violet and Primroses.. This Lane and Old Post Lane still have Snowdrops out, a few aconites and a rash of Lesser Celandines opens in the sun. Dog’s Mercury in flower marks where there was once an adjacent woodland. A Cherry Plum full of blossom, but no Coltsfoot reported out by the 7 March. In my garden SK923247 The first male Hairy footed Flower Bee was noted first on 4th March by its buzzing as it headed for the tub of Lungwort, planted for it and in flower just in time. Tree and Buff -tipped Bumblebees are now out feeding regularly. We have just had our first visit this year of Honey Bees, feeding on the Crocuses. In previous years there have been hundreds of them out as early as February. The local beekeeper has had to move some hives away from a site near us. The first frog spawn was reported on 4th March – but there has been no sign of frogs either in our garden or near the pond – the first time in 38 years. A wasps nest, discovered on a spring clean of a garage I think by its size and shape was either a Tree or Norwegian Wasp. The loose paper covering suggests the latter. Bird song, courtship and the start of nesting have escalated as the days lengthen. The rookery is within hearing of our house and the occupants are making a great clamour each evening. This rookery became established when the previous one was destroyed as roadworks on the A1 created new bridges and roundabouts. A pair of Jackdaws has taken over a disused dovecote opposite the house where a young one was hand reared and returned to the wild two years ago. It is believed it is one of those occupying the dovecote. In the same area a gap in a stone wall where blue tits have previously reared young is occupied by blue tits again. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 2nd – 8th March 2022 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Note: Common whitlow grass coming into flower on the dunes, gorse and some blackthorn in flower. 030322 - Drake pochard on Paradise lagoon, 2 jack snipe on Rimac freshwater marsh. 91 cormorant and 263 golden plover on foreshore. 040322 - At least 3000 starling gathering pre-roost at Paradise Lagoon and 5 little egret to roost in trees opposite. 050322 - On Sea View washlands a minimum of 140 teal and 200 wigeon plus 90+ redshank, 28 curlew, 15 lapwing, 110+ dunlin, 2 male and 1 female pintail, 5 shoveler and 1 ringed plover. Feeding on the saltmarsh 25 little egrets. 64 snipe, 2 jack snipe, 1 water pipit on the saltmarsh, 8 snow buntings on the old part shingle bank. 060322 - On the Eau near Sea View bridge: 30 tufted duck, 3000 starlings flying over the area and a single fieldfare with 16 redwing in nearby hedgerow. 070322 - Amongst the wildfowl; 186 teal on Sea View washlands with water level gradually receding. On Paradise lagoon: 11 gadwall with fewer shoveler and teal than in recent days, 32 curlew in nearby pasture field. 080322 - 2 rock pipits on new sand dune area near freshwater marsh at Rimac. Red kite south along the dunes at Sea View ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 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 *** Pam Cook - 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... Endurance: Shackleton's lost ship is found in Antarctic https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60662541 Climate change: EU unveils plan to end reliance on Russian gas https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60664799 Amazon rainforest reaching tipping point, researchers say https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60650415 Sydney floods: snap evacuations as Manly dam overflows – in pictures https://www.theguardian.com/weather/gallery/2022/mar/08/sydney-floods-snap-evacuations-dam-in-pictures ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/