============================================ || || 16th 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, RSPB and LWT Reserves/Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR - 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 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: Many thanks to all who attended the LNU AGM, in person or by Zoom. We enjoyed an outstanding Presidential Address on a fascinating subject. I was sorry to hear of the passing of Brian Redman on 21st February. Our paths had crossed in several ways over the years. Brian was enthusiastic, entertaining and had wide natural history knowledge. He will be much missed on the Lincolnshire wildlife scene. https://funeral-notices.co.uk/notice/redman/5019997 David Sheppard's requests records of bumblebees carrying pollen, please. You will also see a Market Rasen bat record in section 3. When sending in your bat records please remember to include a Grid Reference. I am sad to discover the FSC is selling off Orielton Field Centre. £2.6m! We worked for OPRU, the Oil Pollution Research Unit, 50+ years ago! https://search.savills.com/property-detail/gbcfrscrs210069 Please continue to stay informed on about Co-19 and 'flu. Adapt to changes accordingly at indoor meetings and with groups in the field. If you have event postponements or changes please let us know. Covid: Parts of Lincolnshire see Covid infections double in a week https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-60752068 Check the LNU events web page for updates or cancellations: https://lnu.org/meetings/ LWT Covid guidelines: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus This week's links to Lincolnshire and wildlife-related news stories. More general links in "..and finally ..." at the end of the Bulletin. Medieval gold cross found by Norwich detectorist sells for £12K https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-60755570 A Penguin Faces Death by Leopard Seal in Grand Prize Image! https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/leopard-seal-hunting-gentoo-penguin-also-snags-first-place-in-world-nature-photography-awards-180979715/ Bowthorpe Oak: Future of huge 1,000-year-old tree secured https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-60705002 Company 'seizing' Ukraine war to justify Lincolnshire oil plans https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-60696458 Grantham man sentenced for storing asbestos near school https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-60681845 Dead 10ft python found dumped among rubbish bags in Grimsby https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-60677291 Firefighters tackle Bourne scrap metal yard blaze https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-60691880 West Lindsey District Council criticised over recycling 'reminder' tags https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-60662993 Secret shelf in Boston shop light fitting reveals illegal cigarettes https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-lincolnshire-60691845 Second bird flu outbreak in Suffolk in 24 hours https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-60728082 Please keep your emails coming. Thank you to all contributors have who sent in interesting news links, wildlife events info and species reports. Very much appreciated. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - my best address for emails. *** Weather Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ 19 - 28 March "Temperatures expected to be mild to very mild for most, however, there may be the odd chilly spell in some eastern areas. The sunniest weather is expected to be in the south and east, but there is a risk of overnight frost and fog too." *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Sky & Telescope - This Week's Sky https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/sky-at-a-glance/ Did anyone spot the Northern Lights? Astounding photos here: Powerful aurora borealis display above Scotland https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-60736323 Other links: Jodrell Bank Monthly Night Sky Guide http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/astronomy/nightsky/ BBC Eyes to the skies - 2022 https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/feeds/60085546 Royal Observatory highlights for 2022 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/space-astronomy-highlights-2022 *** Records wanted; Queen Bumblebees carrying pollen. *** David Sheppard writes Now that the weather is warming up, there are lots of queen bumblebees on the wing. In fact there have been records of bumblebees in Lincolnshire for every month during the past winter. However the last record of a bumblebee carrying pollen on its hind legs was in December - until today (14th March), that is, when a Bombus terrestris was photographed on comfrey, clearly laden with a heavy pollen load. If a queen bumblebee is collecting pollen, that means that she has already built her nest and may be rearing a brood.. Please send records of all Bumblebee sightings to me, to LERC or to Wildnews Bulletin and note if there is any pollen in the pollen baskets on the hind legs. There may be pollen elsewhere of their bodies but it is the compacted loads in the pollen baskets that tell the story. https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/bumblebee-species-guide/ *** 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. *** 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 Lincolnshire nature reserves. At Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building . Starts 7.30 pm. Admission £2.50. Refreshments 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. *** 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. 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 £4, payable at the door. Light refreshments and a raffle available. 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. 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: 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 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 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 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 White-tailed Lapwing on North Scrape, American Wigeon drk on North Scrape/wet grassland by main car park, Little Stint, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Smew ad drk on west side at Thorpe Landfill, Whisby, view from site entrance 10/3 Short-eared Owl over field by sea wall, Wainfleet White-tailed Lapwing on North Scrape, American Wigeon drk on North Scrape/wet grassland by main car park, 3 Little Stints, Hen Harrier male over saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh, Sand Martin, Far Ings 11/3 Woodlark flew over River Glen at Baston Fen Long-eared Owl at Deeping Lakes at Main Lake from path to hide, Deeping St James White-tailed Lapwing on reedbed, Little Stint, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Woodlark flew over reservoir field, Spoonbill, Frampton Marsh 3 Woodlarks over Gibraltar Point Smew ad drk on west side at Thorpe Landfill, Whisby, view from site entrance Woodlark over Anderby Creek Hen Harrier male, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Spoonbill, Alkborough Flats 12/3 Sand Martin at Penfield NR, Baston + Lengtoft GPs Little Ringed Plover, Baston + Langtoft GPs Short-eared Owl flew ENE over Willow Tree Fen, WSW of Pode Hole, WSW of Spalding White-tailed Lapwing on reedbed, Hen Harrier male, Jack Snipe, Frampton Marsh 2 Snow Buntings on sea wall, Mablethorpe Sandmartin, North Hykeham Iceland Gull, NW of Grimsby Hen Harrier male, East Halton Water Pipit at Halton Marshes, East Halton Skitter Cattle Egret, Messingham Sand Quarry 13/3 Ring-necked Duck ad drk at West Ends GPs, Langworth GP Lapland Bunting reported at Stanton;'s Pit, SW of Bourne White-tailed Lapwing on North Scrape, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh Firecrest in bushes opposite Bean's Hole, Gibraltar Point Probable Siberian Chiffchaff in SE corner of terminal, Mablethorpe Cattle Egret, Messingham Sand Quarry 14/3 2 Smew redhead at West End GPs, Ring-necked Duck ad drk, Langtoft GPs Spoonbill flew west over Star Lode Drove, NNW of Pinckbeck, west of Northgate White-tailed Lapwing on North Scrape, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh Male Hen Harrierr, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Gibraltar Point Purple Sandpiper on beach at outflow pipe, Mablethorpe Swallow on wire, Saltfleetby St Clement Osprey flew north over Far Ings Cattle Egret, Messingham Sand Quarry 15/3 White-tailed Lapwing on North Scrape, 3 Little Stints on Middle Scrape, 2 Spotted Redshanks south of seabank, Brent Goose, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl at West Dunes, Firecrest in East Dunes in buckthorn, Gibraltar Point ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. WILDLIFE NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work and drop-in sessions. *** 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/ *** Links "not to be missed" *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Bob Sheppard says: The peregrine camera at St Wulfram's Church, Grantham is very unreliable. There are no signs of the peregrines on or near the nest tray and it's getting a bit late now. Better news from St James' Church, Louth where the camera has gone live this week. This pair of peregrines is usually very reliable. Readers can access the 24/7 as it is infra red. www.louthperegrines.org.uk/latest-news.html We are still no nearer solving the streaming problems with the Len Pick Trust barn owl camera. 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? ‘What’s Flying Tonight’. https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/whats-flying-tonight BTO tracked cuckoos: latest updates: On their way - back in May! 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. *** 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 welcome records from everyone, experts or beginners. Please keep your reports coming. BARDNEY Ray Halstead writes on 10/3 Two lovely sightings at the Ryvita factory this morning, a single little egret flying due SE in the early morning sunshine and later a peregrine falcon swooping down and flying due south directly over the factory, no doubt the latter will be one of the birds from Lincoln cathedral. BARDNEY - The Green R+A Parsons TF120694 12/3 Badger reported as active again in the churchyard next door. Nosings. 14/3 Sparrowhawk f on garden raid 13.40 hrs. Had a hunt round in the Holly bush. 16/3 Large Queen Wasp in house - not yet IDd. Waiting in pot. CARLTON LE MOORLAND and... Carlton le Moorland SK909581 Jeremy Hutchinson The Ravens I mentioned a couple of months ago haven't been seen since early February, so I'm not sure what that was all about. More recently a few Greenfinches and Chaffinches have appeared in the village, after having been absent during the winter. Specific sightings: 26th February: a male Blackcap appeared in the Spruce in our garden, the first I have seen in winter. A Goldcrest followed soon after, the first for some time despite normally being frequent visitors. 9th March: first bats (not sure of species) seen flying back and forth past the house at dusk. 14th March: First Brimstone butterflies (2) seen. 15th March: Chiffchaff seen (appeared to be feeding) in Spruce in front garden early in morning. Later in morning heard two calling on the outskirts of the village. GS Woodpecker drumming loudly on Ash tree. First Hedgehog dropping of the year in our garden. Barn, Little and Tawny Owls heard today, only Little Owls seen. Cycling to Bassingham this morning I saw a Yellowhammer displaying to a female bird. The male was on the asphalt of the footpath/cycleway, standing very erect with its wings half open and chest puffed out while shuffling or hopping (I forget which) towards me; only when I was closer did I notice a female in the grass verge. The male looked rather comical: I had no idea that they do this. There are several pairs along this stretch of hedgerow, and for years I wondered why they are attracted to it, until I read that they nest low down, so like hedges which are thick just above ground level, which this is. BOSTON (TF326426) 14/03/2022 Roy Pearson First Chiffchaff of the year was feeding in the silver birch today. ELSHAM quarry Angela Buckle 14th March, 2022 Elsham quarry: White violets, Sweet violets, Primroses, Stinking hellebore, Snowdrops, Aconites, Green alkanet, White creeping comfrey, Coltsfoot, Butterflies, Comma, Tortoiseshell. FAR INGS Angela Buckle 13th March, 2022 Far Ings, Blackthorn blossom, Green alkanet. FISKERTON Fiskerton Between TF 05814 71551 and TF 03637 71393 09/03/22 15:30-16:45 Su Colman & Mark Townsend Male goosander diving on the Witham Barn owl close to the Fiskerton footbridge 2 x grey heron Buzzard hunting over the pastures north of North Delph Five roe deer including a buck grazing south of Cherry Willingham 6 mute swans on the river or delph, plus a total of eighteen flying upriver towards Lincoln HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Haynes 13 March 2022 There have been a few unusual sightings this week in my garden: on Thursday a pair of red legged partridges and a rock dove, and today a weasel. We had a good view of the weasel, which ran around close to the house for a quite while. Birds this week include: Goldfinch Chaffinch Greenfinch Tree Sparrow Blue Tit Great Tit Robin Wren Dunnock Blackbird Wood Pigeon Rock Dove Pheasant Magpie Kestrel in the field opposite Rooks and Jackdaws on neighbouring trees and finally, a buzzard flying very low past the house. HUTTOFT TF511762 (my garden unless otherwise advised) Jane Pennington 2/3/2022 Goldfinch 2 3/3/2022 Bombus Terrestris 1 (Recorder advised) Song thrush 1 - unfortunately a fleeting visit Starlings 4 5/3/2022 Pheasants 2 male 6/3/2022 Long tailed tits 4 8/3/2022 Sparrowhawk 11/3/2022 Small tortoiseshell 1 12/3/2022 Eristalis tenax 1 Green shieldbug 1 (winter colours)  n kitchen compost after I pulled some leeks and put what I didn't want in the bin! Then returned to the leek patch. Wren 1 14/3/2022 Bombus terrestris 1 (carrying pollen, recorder advised) Comma butterfly1 Goldfinch 1 Small tortoiseshells 2 KETTLETHORPE Kettlethorpe SK 847757 March 11 2022 Alison Brownlow Red mason bee on Lungwort Garden bumblebee on Crocus Buff tailed bumblebee on Crocus Sweet Violet Celandine Primrose Red Dead nettle Coltsfoot Damson blossom ( I have not seen any honey bees or butterflies here yet this year, nor any frog spawn) MARKET RASEN Stuart Britton 10/3/2022 TF129879 This evening at 1740 there was a bat species (probably pipistrelle) hawking over Market Rasen Golf Club Car Park. There are also good numbers of Siskins (up to 15) on my garden feeders in Market Rasen. This is quite unusual as they don't pass through the area every year. MIDDLE RASEN Middle Rasen Richard Fox TF107897 (own garden) Richard Fox 10.03.2022 Brimstone Comma Small Tortoiseshell NETTLEHAM Brenda Edlington Nettleham TF 005756 12/3/2022 First hedgehog of the year caught on camera early this morning. Stayed for about 20 minutes. None of the three hedgehog homes were used this winter. Also female blackcap on sunflower seed feeder. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs and NATURE RESERVES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19 includes details of LWT reserves and other advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus RSPB Reserves: RSPB Frampton Marsh & Freiston Shore are 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 – 15th March 2022 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 090322 – Chiffchaff calling at Rimac and peacock butterfly at Sea View. 100322 - Daytime temperature reached 16.75 degrees centigrade, several buff-tailed bumblebees and 2 peacock butterflies at Sea View. Chiffchaff singing at Rimac, where 5 rock pipits were on the marsh along with 2 grey heron and 2 Cetti’s warbler. A common lizard seen in the dunes briefly. 110322 - Kingfisher along the Eau near Paradise lagoon, 17 curlew in adjacent field and 5 siskin flew over Sea View. Going south in the morning were 35 siskin, 34 chaffinch, 15 linnet and 11 meadow pipit. 3 pairs of pintail on Sea View washland. Fieldfare with 2 mistle thrush in the dunes. 130322 - First toads seen spawning, 2 small bats flying around Churchill Lane at dusk 140322 - 2 avocets on Rimac lagoon, chiffchaff calling near Rimac, 7 stock doves at Sea View feeding station, 1 small tortoiseshell and 1 peacock on the wing. Tawny owl hooting and calling late evening at Sea View. 4 red kite went south and a raven flew north. Avocet on Rimac Lagoon and 80 snipe flew off the saltmarsh at Rimac. Small tortoiseshell, peacock, comma, buff tail bumblebees, honeybee all seen around Churchill Lane. 2 snow buntings, 98 curlew, 8 ringed plover, c240 dunlin and 71 sanderling on foreshore. 2 chiffchaffs and Cetti's warbler singing near Churchill Lane car park, single peacock and small tortoiseshell same area. 150322 - Paradise lagoon: 23 shoveler, 10 gadwall, 6 coot, 2 tufted duck, 28 teal and 15 curlew. Near Sea View: 3 siskin, 3 chiffchaff and a woodcock flew out of scrub. Tawny owl calling. Single small tortoiseshell and peacock on the wing 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 final winter work party for the year will be on Sunday 20th March. We had to cancel the last session,. It would be great to see lots of friends there, so we can complete as much coppicing as possible, and carry out the remaining box repairs ahead of the nesting season. 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 has 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. I have also set the nest box check dates with Forestry England: Saturday 16th April Sunday 22nd May Saturday 18th June Sunday 17th July Saturday 20th August Sunday 18th September Saturday 22nd October We meet at 9.30am for the box checks, and anyone interested in joining us on a box check should get in contact via email lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 & 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 - 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. LNU Meetings 2022: https://lnu.org/meetings 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... Caterpillar foodplants for garden butterflies - BBC Wildlife https://www.discoverwildlife.com/how-to/wildlife-gardening/caterpillar-foodplants-for-garden-butterflies/ Beautiful images illustrate the dawn of modern botany https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25333770-500-beautiful-images-illustrate-the-dawn-of-modern-botany/ 'Squat lobster' photobombs Shackleton's Endurance ship https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60696085 Waitrose and Aldi to stop selling disposable barbecues https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/09/waitrose-and-aldi-to-stop-selling-disposable-bbqs Bats put stop to Pembrokeshire border post plans https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-60693002 Farming Wales: The farmer making vodka from sheep milk https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-60692167 Beloved trees felled by storms Dudley, Eunice and Franklin https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/09/beloved-trees-felled-storms-eunice-dudley-franklin-aoe Climate change fundamentally affecting European birds https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/10/climate-change-fundamentally-affecting-european-birds-study-shows Legal action over ‘decimation’ of Herefordshire river https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/09/landowner-facing-legal-action-over-decimation-of-herefordshire-river‘ Endangered bat not seen in 40 years found in Rwanda https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/09/bats-endangered-hills-horseshoe-bat-rwanda ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/