============================================ || || 23rd 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: Readers will be sad to learn of the passing of Lincolnshire naturalist, Anne Goodall, who died on 14th March after a short illness. She was a reader of and occasional contributor to the Bulletin. https://deathobits.com/2022/03/17/anne-goodall-death-anne-goodall-ex-lincs-bird-club-chair-has-died/ The Len Pick Trust barn owl camera is back up and running. Bob writes: The male is not ringed so we know he is not last year's breeding adult as the male in 2021 was right leg ringed. The female is ringed on her left leg, as was last year's hen bird. So it is likely she is our regular female. We now have a long wait for the first egg. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/459344909 Please continue to stay informed on about Co-19 and 'flu. Please adapt appropriately to changes at indoor meetings and with groups in the field. Covid-19 in the UK: How many coronavirus cases are there in my area? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51768274 Covid: Spring booster jab launches for over-75s and high risk in England https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-60795121 Covid: Rise in UK infections driven by BA.2 Omicron variant https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-60792087 Eight changes the world needs to make to live with COVID https://theconversation.com/eight-changes-the-world-needs-to-make-to-live-with-covid-177678 If you have any postponements or changes please let us know. 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. In pictures: Clear skies offer great view of Worm Moon https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-60793877 Aerial photos show 100 years of changing landscape https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cv2l5x3n0mxo Jonathan Van-Tam granted freedom of Boston in ceremony https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-60826339 Bardney: Attempted murder arrests after man stabbed https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-60552617 County lines: Police arrest 49 in East Yorkshire operation - Grimsby https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-60796486 Backlist Bargains from NHBS: https://www.nhbs.com/backlist-bargains UK's safe level for tap water too high - scientists https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60761972 Country diary: We are standing on shifting sands https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/18/country-diary-norfolk-coastline-shifting-sands-seals Polecat filmed at Nottingham Trent University campus for first time https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-60762020 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/ 27 March - 5 April "It will be largely dry for most, especially in the south and west, though some showers, possibly wintry, are likely in the north and east. Nights will be chilly with some frost and early rural mist and fog patches will readily clear each morning. Daytime temperatures are likely to be above average at first, when it will feel warm in the prolonged spring sunshine, but will decline slowly through the period... a low chance of significantly colder weather spreading from the north for a time." *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Sky & Telescope - This Week's Sky https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/sky-at-a-glance/ James Webb: 'Fully focused' telescope beats expectations https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60771210 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 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 the 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. *** RSPB Grimsby Local Group *** 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 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 Pinchbeck, west of Northgate White-tailed Lapwing on North Scrape, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh Male Hen Harrier, 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 16/3 Little Stint, White-tailed Lapwing on Middle Scrape, Frampton Marsh Pale-bellied Goose ad, 2 Firecrests, Hen Harrier ringtail, flew thru, Gibraltar Point Purple Sandpiper on beach at outflow pipe, Mablethorpe 3 Garganey [1+ drk] Anderby Marsh Anderby Creek Iceland Gull juv, Pyewipe 17/3 Smew redhead at West End GPs, Langtoft GPs 2 Little Stints,White-tailed Lapwing on Middle Scrape, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier male, Water Pipit, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Woodlark flew north over, 3 Firecrest 2 at East Dunes, Black Redstart fem/1w male at old coastguard Station, Gibraltar Point 3 Garganey, 2 drks -on wet grassland, Anderby Marsh, Anderby Creek 18/3 White-tailed Lapwing on North Scrape, 2 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh 2 Garganey, both drks, from sea bank towards prison, Freiston Shore 2 Firecrests on East Dunes, 1 Firecrest south of Shovelers Pool viewpoint, Little Stint, Water Pipit, Hen Harrier, 3 Firecrests, Short-eared Owl, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Gibraltar Point Purple Sandpiper at outfall, Trusthorpe 19/3 White-tailed Lapwing on North Scrape, Frampton Marsh 19/3 Ring-necked Duck ad drk, Penfield NR, Baston+Langtoft GPs Little Gull 1w and White-tailed Lapwing on North Scrape, 2 Little Stints, Garganey fem, on pools south of visitor centre, Frampton Marsh 2 Garganey, both drks, Freiston Shore 20/3 Ring-necked Duck ad drk, Penfield NR, Baston+Langtoft GPs White-tailed Lapwing from east hide, 2 Little Stints, Spotted Redshank, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese on reedbed with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Frampton Marsh Firecrest at Oatcliffe House, Gainsborough 3 Glossy Ibises flew west over Far Ings 4 Garganey 2 drks, 2 Spoonbills, American Wigeon drk with Wigeon, Alkborough Flats 21/3 Ring-necked Duck ad drk, Penfield NR, Baston+Langtoft GPs White-tailed Lapwing on North Scrape, then flew behind sea bank, 2 Whimbrel in the washes, Spotted Redshank on pools south of sea bank car park, 3 Little Stints on Middle Scrape, 2 Twite, Frampton Marsh 3 Firecrests at Sykes Farm track, East Dunes, Hawfinch heard only, Gibraltar Point 2 Garganey 1 drk, Alkborough Flats 22/3 White-tailed Lapwing, 2 Garganey 1 drk, on North Scrape, 2 Little Stints on South scrape, Frampton Marsh Long-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 2 Garganey, 1 drk at Raithby Lake, Louth Sedge Warbler singing, Far Ings Spoonbill, Alkborough Flats ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: St James' Church, Louth where the camera has gone live. 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 Loch of Lowes Webcam This is a wonderful webcam with the loch in the background. Ospreys have nested here for over fifty years! https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ How to identify spring bees https://www.discoverwildlife.com/how-to/identify-wildlife/how-to-identify-spring-bees/ Pollen Identification Colour Chart http://www.sheffieldbeekeepers.org.uk/tools/pollen-chart/ 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 Listen - BBC Sounds - Inside Science-environment https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/b036f7w2 Natural Histories https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05w99gb ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Hedgehogs? Badgers? Otters? Reports welcome. LINCOLN - A46 bypass David Smith TF 008724 17/03/2022  09.00 Roadkill Adult badger *** 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 - Abbey Road R+A Parsons 18/03/2022 TF117700 3 Buzzards overhead, 3-4 Brimstone males, 2 Pied Wagtails at Cheriton Close, Abbey Road, Bardney BARDNEY - The Green TF120694 16/3 - update Large Queen Wasp in house . Since identified by RP and AP as German Wasp - Vespula germanica 19/2 Pied Wagtail on lawn. FAR INGS, IMMINGHAM, BIGBY Angela Buckle, Far Ings 20th March 2022. Herb robert, Common storksbill, Slender speedwell,. Immingham, 18th March 2022, Ivy leafed speedwell, Bigby Hill, roadside, 14th March 2022. Dogs mercury KETTLETHORPE Kettlethorpe SK 847757 14/03/2022 Alison Brownlow Brimstone butterfly Comma Frog spawn LINWOOD WARREN John Walker A visit on 18.03.22 with Rob Scott Sightings included: Green woodpecker 2, nuthatch 3, tree creeper 1; great spotted woodpecker 2. Common buzzard 2. Comma 2, 7 spot ladybird NETTLEHAM TF 01161 75281 17/03/22 13:00 Su and Geoff Colman An irruption of cedar cup fungus in the front lawn. They are growing where a cupressus was removed last year and there is a cedar tree in the front garden about 10 metres away. SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 22/03/22 Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 1 Carrion Crow x 4 Chaffinch x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 4 Great Tit x 1 Jackdaw x 4 Jay x 2 Magpie x 2 Moorhen x 1 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Sparrowhawk x 1 male Tree Sparrow x 6 Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 Fox x 1 Grey Squirrel x 1 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner and Paul Snow 13/03/22 Barn Owl x 1 seen and heard regularly from 17:30hrs to 02:15hrs Blackbird x 4 Black-headed Gull x 2 over Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 1 Common Buzzard x 3 over Thurnholmes Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 4 Great Tit x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 2 Little Owl x 1 calling 01:30hrs Mallard x 2 Moorhen x 2 Mute Swan x 1 over Thurnholmes Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 2 Skylark x 2 singing high over Thurnholmes Song Thrush x 1 Stock Dove x 2 Tree Sparrow x 4 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 Yellowhammer x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 4 21/03/22 Barn Owl x 1 18:30hrs Blackbird x 4 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 2 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 7 Great Tit x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Jackdaw x 2 Mute Swan x 3 in fields around Thurnholmes Oystercatcher x 2 over Thurnholmes calling 02:00hrs Pied Wagtail x 2 Redwing x 6 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Stock Dove x 2 Tawny Owl x 2 flying low over field, west of Thurnholmes 18:00hrs Tree Sparrow x 3 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 2 Orange Underwing x 1 Bee Fly sp. Owston Ferry School SE807006 (Sam Hiner) WOOLSTHORPE BY COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 Jane Ostler 8 -15th March 2022 First Spring Whitlow Grass out in gravel in garden. First Coltsfoot out edge of Jitty beside playing field. First Elder bushes in bud in hedges. White Sweet Violets out on Post Lane where there is still only one Blackthorn in flower. First Brimstone butterflies out in garden on 10th March and Small Tortoiseshell has been out on most days since. Early Thorn Moth came to light. 7 spot Ladybirds out on bushes on 9th March 2 more ponds in Woolsthorpe reported frog spawn and after seeing a solitary frog in garden found one clump of frog spawn on 13th March. On 9th March a mixed group of chaffinch, greenfinch and goldfinch were in a tall hazel at the bottom of the garden. Sadly this is now an unusual sight. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 15th – 22nd March 2022 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Small tortoiseshell, peacock and comma, seen on several recent sunny afternoons Also several buff tail bumblebees including 1 carrying pollen on 190322. 150322 - A single swallow flew over Churchill lane. Toads began spawning. 160322 - Pair of pochard amongst 32 tufted ducks on Paradise lagoon. 180322 - Paradise lagoon 12 gadwall, 35 shoveler, 28 teal, 15 tufted duck, 3 coot, 2 mallard, 1 little grebe and 4 redshank of which two birds were showing displaying activity. Wigeon numbers in the area falling of which 27 were on the Sea View washlands. The amazing hunting agility of a hen harrier was seen late afternoon as a fine male bird flew low over the saltmarsh following the line of a channel. As it did so, at a height of around 10 metres, it suddenly turned, flipped over and spun around to immediately fall to the ground, seconds later it was seen carrying a prey item, possibly a skylark, held by both feet but tightly tucked underneath its belly. It carried the prey at least 50 metres before dropping to the ground, out of sight behind vegetation to presumably consume the prey item. Single peacock and small tortoiseshell on the wing at Sea View. Frog spawn at Churchill Lane, many toads in amplexus and male smooth newts displaying. 190322 - Rimac lagoon 14 avocet. A female peregrine was feeding on foreshore. 200322 - 14 siskin, south over Sea View. 210322 - Pair of garganey on Paradise lagoon (per Dave Whitworth). 11 siskin over Sea View, single peacock on the wing. 220322 - 4 siskin at Sea View, one peacock in flight. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/lincs-environmental-awards/enter *** Field Studies Council *** Bringing Environmental Understanding to All https://www.field-studies-council.org/ https://twitter.com/FieldStudiesC *** 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/ 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 LNU 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. 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 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** 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 Species Recording Meeting – Now 18th June 2022. Whisby Education Centre, 12 noon 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. https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/2019-02-09/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** Ian Macalpine-Leny - soft bounce - mailbox full Roger Favell - undeliverable - SPF Check Failed 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... Plum job: UK public asked to track fruit trees for climate study https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/19/plum-job-uk-public-track-fruit-trees-climate-study-fruitwatch Wild about High Fliers. Supporting swifts https://www.wildaboutgardens.org.uk/ Rare Greenland shark was 100-year-old juvenile, post-mortem suggests https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-60792882 Shackleton's Endurance: Discovery team honours 'The Boss' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60759462 How Migrating Birds Use Quantum Effects to Navigate https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-migrating-birds-use-quantum-effects-to-navigate/ Country diary: These flowers of public ritual are full of wild beauty https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/17/country-diary-these-flowers-of-public-ritual-are-full-of-wild-beauty Scientists untangle mystery of naked giant chalk sculpture in England with the help of some snails https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/cerne-abbas-giant-dated-04324/ ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/