============================================ || || 30th 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: I am told details of Anne Goodall's funeral on 4th April are available on her Facebook page. For further information please email me. old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Message to the LNU Recorders and Specialists. It is always good to have your suggested "Things to look out for." Over the years we have had successful efforts reporting species like Mistletoe, Butterbur, Oil beetles and Bats. If county experts would like to offer some other suggestions, as David Sheppard has done for Bumblebees with pollen this month, that would be great. A visit to Chambers Farm Woods by the Limewoods Watch Group recorded Common Frogs, spawning Common Toads, Grass Snakes, Brown Hares and several circling Buzzards and singing Chiffchaffs. Watch members also found a good selection of terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates. A perfect Spring day. See full report in section 3. If you were unable to attend the AGM and enjoy Owen Mountfort's Presidential address, or watch it on Zoom, Charlie Barnes has posted it on Youtube. Here is "The Fenland Flora: Survival against the odds" https://youtu.be/wg3fQisf4BU Bob Sheppard writes: It's all go at the Loch of Lowes ospreys. The male arrived on 13th March and the female on 23rd March. They are now busy preparing the nest. There will be lots of courtship and fishy gifts before the first egg is laid. https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ Please continue to stay informed on about Co-19 and 'flu, adapting appropriately to future changes at indoor meetings and in the field. UK Covid infections climb by a million in a week https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-60872687 East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire streets in the first lockdown https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-humber-60850852 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. Lincoln Hospital: Arson arrest after fire closes A&E department https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-60911119 Typhoon jets and RAF troops sent to Black Sea 'in face of Russian aggression' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-60887590 Kyra Leanne King named as Ostler's Plantation fatal dog attack victim https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-60902570 East Yorkshire and North Norfolk to get £36m to tackle coastal erosion https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-60885861 RAF Leeming: Red Arrows set for flypast as squadron disbands https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-60860962 Solar farms: Can expansion overcome Tory MPs' concerns? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-60878403 Orchards vanishing from the landscape, says National Trust https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60834796 1,000-year-old oaks used to create 'super forest' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60617810 RSPB: Bitterns make booming recovery in UK wetlands https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60863563 Please keep your emails coming. Thank you to all who sent in interesting news links, wildlife events info and species reports. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - my best address for emails. *** Weather Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ Yellow Warning: Ice Between 20:00 (UTC+1) on Wed 30 Mar 2022 and 10:00 (UTC+1) on Thu 31 Mar 2022 Snow and hail showers could lead to icy surfaces, with possible travel disruption. 31 March - 5 April "...with the likelihood of it remaining unsettled. Possible frequent wintry showers across the north, particularly northern and eastern coastal areas. ...Conditions improving from the northwest for a time with showers easing here, but then becoming increasingly unsettled once again later in this period. " *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Sky & Telescope - This Week's Sky https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/sky-at-a-glance/ This Week's Sky at a Glance, March 25 – April 2 https://skyandtelescope.org/uncategorized/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-march-25-april-2-2/ Other useful 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. d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com 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. Bat reports are always welcome: details and Grid References please. *** Hedgehog Links *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ Your Hedgehog reports, please - with Grid References please! *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Area Groups webpage *** https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/area-groups Please let me have your "plugs" for coming events. *** Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: Wildlife Gardening & AGM On Monday 11th April you are invited to join our group for our next indoor meeting where we will be holding our AGM followed by an illustrated talk by Mark Schofield on Wildlife Gardening. Please note the meeting will start at the earlier time of 7pm to allow for the AGM. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall DN31 1HX. Admission £3. Tea & coffee will be available. For further details please contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858 *** Scunthorpe and Brigg Local Group - Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. *** Our last indoor meeting before the spring and summer outdoor events is on Thursday, 14th April next and will include the AGM followed by members' slides when any member may give a talk and/or presentation on a topic of their own choosing. Starting at 7.30 pm the meeting will be held in the St Hugh's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AG, which is opposite the filling station near Brumby crossroads. There is some parking in the Church grounds and on the main road outside. *** Natural History and Geology Section - Scunthorpe Museum Society *** Keith Scarrott writes: Our April meeting, which will be the last one before the spring and summer outings, will be held on Monday, 11th March next when we will be visited by Dr. Mike Oates, who is the meetings secretary for the Geological Association. He will be giving his illustrated talk entitled "250 Million Years of Scunthorpe History". Dr. Oates brings his many years of experience in using field and borehole evidence from around the world to look at the record of rocks beneath the local area. Drilling into the Earth's crust is like travelling in a time machine, from the last ice ages through warm coral seas to hot deserts. Travel back with Mike to times when the area was populated by dinosaurs and giant marine reptiles, when devil's toenails occupied the sea bed and when salt and gypsum deposits were forming in tropical climates. 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 and starting at 7.15pm. There is a large, free car park in the Church grounds. There is no charge for entry to the meeting but a donation bowl is provided. For a small charge, refreshments will be available during the mid-talk break. *** RSPB Grimsby Local Group *** Martin Francis writes: The RSPB Grimsby Local Group has organised two Trips and an Indoor Meeting in April All the Group's activities are open to everybody - you do not need to belong to the RSPB, or to have attended Group Meetings to take part. The first Trip is to RSPB St Aidan's, which is near Leeds, on Sunday 3rd April, where the highlights are likely to be booming bitterns and the first returning migrants in addition to a good range of more common birds. The second Trip is to RSPB Bempton Cliffs on Sunday 24th April, where the colonies of gannets, kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills and a few puffins will be settling down to nest. There will also be a surprising number of farmland birds. Travel to both reserves is by 'car share' so if you would like to go, just contact Tony Bryan (mariners4top@yahoo.co.uk or Tel: 01472 873362) to let him know that you would like a lift, or that you have a spare seat(s), and for more details of the meeting place and time. We are particularly keen to encourage inexperienced birders who might like to take advantage of our 'Buddy Birding' scheme where you will be paired with an experienced birder to help you spot and identify the birds. If you are very inexperienced, you will be absolutely amazed by what you will see! The Indoor Meeting will take place on Monday 25th April 2022 at 7.30pm at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7LH Geoff Trinder will give an illustrated talk on "Sri Lanka" where the birdlife is stunning. Colourful bee-eaters, jungle fowl, pelicans, herons, egrets and various waders are just some that are covered in this talk. But there are more than just birds to enjoy - elephants, wild boar, fruit bats and strange reptiles also feature. Geoff, who is President of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and a member of the Royal Photographic Society, has visited the Group several times before so we know we can expect a really interesting and informative talk, backed up by his excellent photographs Entry for everybody 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. We look forward to seeing you on one, or both, Trips and at the Indoor Meeting. Martin Francis Group 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 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, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Long-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 2 Garganey 1 drk, Kirkby-on-Bain GPs 2 Garganey, 1 drk at Raithby Lake, Louth Sedge Warbler singing, Far Ings Spoonbill, 2 Garganey 1 drk, Alkborough Flats 23/3 Ring-necked Duck ad drk, Penfield NR, Baston+Langtoft GPs White-tailed Lapwing, Little Stint, Frampton Marsh Garganey drk, Freiston Shore Black Redstart, Little Gull, 2 Water Pipits, Lapland Bunting, Hawfinch in Plantation, 2 Water Pipits, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Gibraltar Point Snow Bunting, 21 Twite, Donna Nook Cattle Egret east of in horse paddock from footpath off Brigg Road, Messingham Sand Quarry 4 Garganey, 5 Little Gulls, all ads, Alkborough Flats 24/3 Ring-necked Duck ad drk, Penfield NR, Baston+Langtoft GPs 3 Garganey 1 drk, on reservoir, Little Stint, White-tailed Lapwing on wet grassland, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Garganey drk at prison end from sea wall, Freiston Shore Black Redstart fem/1w, Jack Snipe, Ring Ouzel?, Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point Snow Bunting , Donna Nook Black Redstart downstream of Cogglesford Lock, Sleaford 25/3 Ring-necked Duck ad drk, Penfield NR, Baston+Langtoft GPs White-tailed Lapwing on on scrape, then on shore, 2 Little Stints on Middle Scrape, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 3 Garganey 1 drk on bank of reservoir, Frampton Marsh Water Pipit, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, 2 Black Redstarts at visitor centre, Gibraltar Point 2 Garganey 1 drk, Toft Newton Reservoir 26/3 Ring-necked Duck ad drk, Penfield NR, Baston+Langtoft GPs White-tailed Lapwing from East Hide, 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Twite, 8 Garganey, 4 drks, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Frampton Marsh Spotted Redshank, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Snow Bunting, 21 Twite, Donna Nook 27/3 Bar-tailed Godwit in fields then flew NE, Baston Fen 8 Garganey, Little Stint, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh 2 Black Redstarts from visitor centre, Black Redstart male at coastguard station, Long-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Garganey, Far Ings 8 Garganey, Alkborough Flats 28/32 Ring-necked Duck ad drk on North Pit, 1w drk on Wader Pit, Baston+Langtoft GPs White-tailed Lapwing from East Hide, Little Stint on South Scrape, 3 Garganey 1drk, 2 Spotted Redshanks, west of sea wall, Jack Snipe, Frampton Marsh Garganey drk in ditch on wet grassland, Freiston Shore Short-eared Owl, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Water Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Gibraltar Point 2 White Storks flew NW, Skegness 2 Twite, Donna Nook 29/3 2 Ring-necked Duck ad drk on North Pit, 1w drk on Wader Pit, Baston+Langtoft GPs White-tailed Lapwing from East Hide, Little Gull, 2 Garganey, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Yellow Wagtail, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Black Redstart from Harvey's hide, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 4 Velvet Scoters, 1 drk, off car park, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Iceland Gull juv flew past Wolla Bank 4 Spotted Redshanks, 7 Garganey, Spoonbill, Akborough Flats 30/3 White-tailed Lapwing from East Hide, Little Gull 1w, Frampton Marsh Pale-bellied Brent Goose from Wash viewpoint, Short-eared Owl, probable Hoopoe flew over saltmarsh by cafe, 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 Len Pick Trust barn owl camera is back up and running. 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/45934490 St James' Church, Louth - Peregrins The Louth peregrines laid their first egg in the early morning of 26th March. The second egg arrived at 9.15am on 28th March. The clutch should be completed this weekend and then begins a quiet month whilst the falcon incubates, with occasional help from her mate. Our man on the spot, Geoff Mullett, posts an excellent blog to accompany the screenshots. The camera is live 24/7. www.louthperegrines.org.uk/latest-news.html Loch of Lowes Webcam Both birds have returned and are busy preparing the nest. 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 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 - The Green R &A Parsons TF120694 24/3/2022 Pied Wagtail 25/3 2 Pied Wagtails 28/3 2 Ravens over flying east 13.45hrs. AP BOSTON (TF326426) 29/03/22 Kathleen Pearson A female Siskin was in the garden at midday. First for quite some time. FAR INGS and... Angela Buckle Willingham Woods Angela Buckle 2022, 22nd March, Butterbur. Croxby, Angela Buckle, 22nd March 2022, Ground ivy, Toothwort. Far Ings, Angela Buckle, 27th March, 2022, Snakes head fritillary, Red campion, Brimstone butterfly, Bittern booming, Chiffchaff calling. CHAMBERS FARM WOODS Mary Porter for Limewoods Watch Group 26th March 2022 All within half a mile of TF146740 With apologies for non-specific ID in many cases! Brick Pit Pond: Dozens of common toads spawning, and many adults of different sizes around the area, presumably making their way to the pond. Some frogs also heard but not seen. Many horse leeches Haemopis sanguisuga (unconfirmed) coming out of the surrounding mud. Although we weren’t officially pond dipping, a casual scoop or two with bug boxes caught: X1 water scorpion X1 water measurer Several small toads centipedes earthworms shield bug woodlouse x1 common lizard Around the butterfly garden, part of white trail and part of green trail: X3 grass snakes (all quite small) X2 common lizards Small common toads X1 bee fly X1 ground beetle X1 + 7 spot ladybirds Many spiders, mostly the hunting/running sort (sorry, no specific ID!) X1 + Brimstone butterflies X1 + Peacock butterflies X2 common hares X2-3 buzzards Many chiffchaffs Many robins Blackbirds Wild arum in full leaf Wood anemones in flower Lesser celandines in flower Violets in flower (not ID’d between sweet and dog) Pussy willow catkins in full flower Dandelions in flower GRIMSBY TA265095 Joyce Attia 24th March 2022 Time 20.00hrs This beautiful sunshine is bringing out the bees, a few small brown furry ones and one or two black ones, all far too quick to identify or photograph. Most were on the pulmonaria and one tried the trumpets on the narcissi. The ones that I do know are the Bombus Terrestris, they were very active on the crocuses which have now died off.  We have lots of purple violets and primroses, but the bees don't bother with them as they are in the shade. Abba have a song, called simply Bumblebee, it's very sad. I've had a few butterflies, mainly small tortoiseshell and a couple of small whites. I had to stop feeding the birds because the neighbours got rats. I thought I would try again, but now we keep getting cats, so no birds again this year, though I did hear goldfinches in the butterfly bush yesterday and across the river there is a big bush which is full of sparrows and tits. We've had a wren which wintered over somewhere between a thick rose bush and some planters. A pair of collared doves are regular visitors to the bird bath, and a dunnock sings in the elder tree across the alley. There's a blackbird which wakes me up every morning, followed by the black backed gulls which are once again setting up home on the roof of a house across the river Further up the river the swans are nesting, though the cygnet from 2020 is still alone, I hope he finds a mate, he looks so forlorn. The ducks and moorhens have paired up. On the park TA263098 the squirrels look forward to the peanuts, they are so funny. We've had a couple of small tortoiseshell butterflies and some small whites. HOLYWELL LAKE WeBS Holywell Lake 17th March 1340 -1430 Ian Misselbrook Pheasant 3 Canada Geese 16 Greylag Geese 13 Mute Sans 2 – one on nest Shoveler 1 – drake Gadwall 24 Wigeon 14 Mallard 22 Tufted Duck 22 Moorhen 19 Coot 4 Little Grebes 11 Bh Gulls 2 Little Egrets 2 Jackdaws 26 Rooks 46 Carrion Crow 8 Blue Tits 6 Great Tits 4 Long-tailed Tits 4 Goldcrest 1 Blackbird 2 Robin 6 House Sparrow 4 Dunnock 3 Pied Wagtail 2 Chaffinch 6 Grey Squirrel 1 HORKSTOW Jenny Haynes SE987179 23 March 2022 Bats seen flying around my house this evening. First time this year. No real surprise considering the high temperature today. We also saw a brown hare in the field opposite on Sunday. MORKERY WOOD SK955192 Car Park Area Sunny, 16C 27/3/22 Jane Ostler Annual visit to check on Gagea lutea, Yellow Star of Bethlehem A Week later than usual but nevertheless the Yellow Star of Bethlehem not in flower yet. Hope to go again. The Toothwort was by contrast past its best’ but with around ten drying out flower spikes seen. The Moschatel still spreading and in full flower and the Primroses are a fine sight covering large areas in the grassland under the trees near the road. Dog’s Mercury also in large patches, mostly male clones but some female colonies. Early Dog Violet in flower. Some Blackthorn in flower but most still in bud. Leaves on an elder beginning to open Dry weather meant the only fungus seen was Common Inkcap growing from a damp patch between logs. Buff-tailed Bumblebee Queen with pollen sacs full. No less that five Carder Bee Queens all crawling on the grass in the same area but later taking off in different directions. A gruesome sight of a decomposing carcase of a fallow deer , one leg dragged away and eaten. Everywhere there were signs of Badger , in their regular runs, scratchings on trees, hair on wire and numerous neatly dug holes where they had been taking up plant roots. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 - follows.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** 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... Gruinard Island: Fire on island used for Anthrax experiments https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-60892350 Biodiversity: What is it and how are we protecting it? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-60823267 UK's rainfall records rescued by volunteer army https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60860397 Country diary: Clever corvids with cravings for cockles https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/25/country-diary-clever-corvids-with-cravings-for-cockles Many bird species nesting and laying eggs nearly a month early, study says https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/25/birds-nesting-laying-eggs-early-climate-crisis-study Country diary: Healing after the stress of winter storms https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/26/country-diary-healing-after-the-stress-of-winter-storms Rollercoasters v water voles: ‘Disney-on-Thames’ plan could devastate wildlife https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/26/plastic-t-rex-vs-rare-beetles-disney-on-thames-plan-london-devastate-wildlife Toxic waste revealed as eroding coastlines expose old landfills https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/17/toxic-waste-revealed-as-eroding-coastlines-expose-old-landfills Ukraine war: Chernobyl’s vodka producer remains defiant https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60879025 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/