============================================ || || 4th May 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 was pleased to spot my first 2022 Swallow in Bardney on Friday 29th - flying over Silver Street about TF123695. It's Plantlife's "No Mow May"! 2022. Gardeners urged to let lawns go wild to boost nature. Will you be doing it? We are - again. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61264905 I have the impression that insect numbers are down at present. Has anyone the same opinion? Clear windscreens on cars. Only a few St Mark's flies and Mayflies; fewer bees and butterflies than usual. On 30th April I walked to the edge of the village at 4.30am to look for the line up of Saturn, Mars, and the conjunction of Venus and Jupiter. Sadly the main event was hidden in low cloud on the horizon, but it was a wonderful dawn chorus of birds in fine voice. Not a human or vehicle was to be seen. A lot of pointless outside lights were still on, "Burning daylight" as the Lincolnshire expression goes. Please continue to stay informed on about Co-19 and 'flu, adapting appropriately to future changes at indoor meetings and in the field. 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. Suffolk cuckoo PJ extends it record-breaking annual migration https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-61255720 Ancient trees dedicated to Queen for Platinum Jubilee - Woolsthorpe https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61286592 Lincolnshire pothole-ridden 'lunar landscape' junction rebuilt - Haddington https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-61260968 Sutton on Sea: Uneven beach huts labelled an 'eyesore' No, really? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-61261439 Rural areas held back by housing and infrastructure woes, report warns https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-61234843 Falklands War veterans mark 40th anniversary of RAF raid https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-61283828 Woodhall Spa 1940s Festival to go ahead despite Ukraine concerns https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-61257827 Lincoln Hospital fire: Man denies arson attack on A&E department https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-61245437 Man arrested after overnight roof top siege in Grimsby https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-61270819 Pebble of the Day: Poet Dean Wilson posts 1,000th Twitter image https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-61230109 Stonehenge 'built on land inhabited by deer and wild boar' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-61258455 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/ 8-17 May "Dry weather is likely for most throughout much of this period, bringing variable cloud and sunny spells to most areas. Northern regions are more likely to see a scattering of showers at the start, interspersed by bands of more persistent or heavier rain at times." *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Sky & Telescope - This Week's Sky at a Glance https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/sky-at-a-glance/ This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 29 - May 6. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-april-29-may-6/ 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 *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Area Groups webpage *** Please let me have your "plugs" for coming events. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/area-groups *** Grimsby LWT Dawn Chorus Walk *** Carolyn Lovely writes: On Sunday 15th May 2022 you are welcome to join us at a dawn chorus walk in Weelsby Woods, Grimsby with Graham Hicks. Meet at 5am in the car park. Grid ref. TA 282078. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event however donations for the Trust will be welcomed. For further details contact Graham Hicks - 07979089890 *** RSPB Grinsby Local Group - Meeting and Car Trip to Kilnsea *** 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 Indoor Meeting will take place on Monday 16th May 2022 at 7.30pm at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7LH Dave Miller, Coast and The Wash Warden, will give a illustrated talk with 'The Natural History and Management of the Coastal Country Park'. Entry for everybody is £4, payable at the door. Light refreshments and a raffle will be available. Measures will be taken to reduce the risk of spreading the Covid virus, 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. The Trip is to Kilnsea on the Spurn Peninsular on Sunday 22nd May. It is expected that migrants on their journey North will still be passing through., There is a cafe and toilets at the nearby Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre Travel to Kilnsea 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. You may be absolutely amazed by what you will see! Martin Francis Group Leader - RSPB Grimsby Local Group" *** Insect Week 2022 dates announced *** The Royal Entomological Society is pleased to confirm the dates of Insect Week 2022: 20th June to 26th June 2022. We look forward to you taking part. If you are interested in organising an event do contact Fran Sconce at the Society to find out more: fran@royensoc.co.uk *** Records STILL wanted; Queen Bumblebees carrying pollen *** David Sheppard writes: 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. d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com *** 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! *** 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 27/4 4 Bar-tailed Godwit on Wader Pit, 12 Arctic Tern, 3 Whimbrel, Ring-necked Duck on South Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Garganey, 3 Little Stints, Spotted Redshank, Little Gull, Frampton Marsh Red-rumped Swallow over Jackson's Marsh, Great Northern Diver offshore, 3 Spoonbills, 2 Spotted Redshanks, ringtail Hen Harriers, Short-eared Owl, Ring Ouzel, Water Pipit, Caspian Gull 1s on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Wryneck at MOD base, Donna Nook 28/4 Little Gull, Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Little Gull on Wader Pit, male Bar-tailed Godwit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Wood Sandpiper on Marsh Farm reservoir, 2 Garganey 1 drk, Little Gull, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Red-rumped Swallow at Tennyson's Sands, 2 Garganey, Wood Sandpiper, Ring Ouzel in East Dunes, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 1w Caspian Gull, Water Pipit at Croft Marsh, 3 Spoonbills, Short-eared Owl, Black Tern flew north, Blue-headed Wagtail at Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point Wryneck at Donna Nook 3 Common Cranes flew SW down River Trent, 10 Spoonbills 6 ads, Wood Sandpiper on wet grassland, Alkborough Flats 29/4 Little Gull on Wader Pit, male Bar-tailed Godwit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Wood Sandpiper, then flew north, Baston Fen. Wood Sandpiper on East Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 26 Arctic Terns flew high over sea bank car park towards Witham Mouth, Wood Sandpiper on Marsh Farm reservoir, Little Gull, Spotted Redshank from Crossbank, 2 Garganey 1 drk, Frampton Marsh Red-rumped Swallow over Jackson's Marsh, 2 Ring Ouzels in East Dunes, Wood Sandpiper, Wryneck south end of East Dunes, 2 Short-eared Owls, Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point Wryneck between Huttoft Bank and Marsh Yard Ring Ouzel, Saltfleet Haven Ring Ouzel in field south of car park, Rimac, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Wryneck at MOD base, Donna Nook 30/4 Ring-necked Duck ad drk on South Pit, Bar-tailed Godwit on Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Wood Sandpiper on Marsh Farm reservoir, 1w Little Gull, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Frampton Marsh Probable Glaucous Gull north past, Blue-headed Wagtail, Water Pipit on Old Saltmarsh, ringtail Hen Harrier, 3 Spoonbills, 3 Spotted Redshanks, Wryneck in Sea Buckthorn south of visitor centre, Osprey flew south past, 2 Ring Ouzels, 2 Short-eared Owls, Gibraltar Point Black Tern, Whisby Nature Park Wryneck in garden, Somercotes Wryneck at MOD base, Donna Nook Garganey drk, 5 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats 1/4 Ring-necked Duck ad drk on South Pit, Bar-tailed Godwit flew thu' Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft GPs Spotted Redshank south of sea bank car park, probable Firecrest along Crossbank, Wood Sandpiper on Marsh Farm reservoir, Frampton Marsh Bar-tailed Godwit fem, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 2 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Spoonbills, 3 Ring Ouzels, Short-eared Owl, Firecrest and Wryneck in East Dunes, Gibraltar Point 2/4 Wood Sandpiper flew over Low Wash, Baston Fen [heard only] 2 Little Stints, Little Gull 1w on Marsh Farm reservoir, 2 Garganey 1 drk, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Wood Sandpiper on wet grassland between visitor centre car park and Marsh Farm, also Russian White-fronted Goose with Greylag Geese, Frampton Marsh 2 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Spoonbills, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 3/5 Arctic Tern on Wader Pit, Ring-necked Duck flew off, Baston + Langtoft GPs Bar-tailed Godwit in fields south of Baston Fen Turtle Dove, 2 Little Stints south of sea bank car park, Wood Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshanks, Russian White-fronted Goose, Frampton Marsh Nightingale singing and 2 Hawfinches at plantation, Gibraltar Point 3 Arctic Terns, Messingham Sand Quarry ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. The Len Pick Trust barn owl camera - 5 eggs seen. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project St James' Church, Louth - Peregrines - a note from Bob Sheppard. The Louth peregrines now have a full clutch of four eggs. The last egg was laid on 2nd April. It is expected the eggs will hatch between 5th and 7th May. http://www.louthperegrines.org.uk/latest-news.html Loch of Lowes Osprey Webcam 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: they are arriving now! 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 30/4/2022 Muntjac deer seen running up the path behind our house. 11.00hrs Orange Tip butterfly in churchyard next door. 1/5 Hedgehog on trailcam 03.04hrs BST. 2/5 Fresh hedgehog droppings in garden. Buff-tailed Bumblebee queen looking for workable flowers - no pollen on board,. First 2022 Swallow in Bardney seen on Friday, 29th - flying over Silver Street about TF123695. BOSTON GARDEN April 2022 Kathleen Pearson I was able to do BTO Garden BirdWatch on all 30 days in April. Whilst no species ran into double figures, Greenfinch was the highest group of birds with nine. In total 22 species were recorded. Bird species:- Woodpigeon 8, Blackbird 4, House Sparrow 4, Collared Dove 2, Robin 3, Goldfinch 4, Blue Tit 1, Greenfinch 9, Starling 8, Dunnock 3, Great Tit 2, Chaffinch 2, Long-tailed Tit 2, Wren 1. Sparrowhawk 1, Carrion Crow 1, Magpie 1, Herring Gull 4, Black-headed Gull 2, Blackcap 1, Chiffchaff 1 and Song Thrush 1. It was a good month for butterflies with eight recorded:- Orange-tip, Peacock, Brimstone, Holly Blue, Small Tortoiseshell, Large White, Small White and Speckled Wood. SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 20/04/22Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 4 Chaffinch x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 1 Greenfinch x 1 Jackdaw x 2 Little Owl x 2 Magpie x 2 Mallard x 2 over Robin x 1 Stock dove x 2 Willow Warbler x 1 Wood Pigeon x 2 Wren x 1 Green-veined White x 3 Orange Tip x 1 male Peacock x 2 Small Tortoiseshell x 2 Speckled Wood x 1 HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Haynes 27 April 2022 I heard a male and female tawny owl calling tonight. They were so close they must have been in my garden. 29 April 2022 Bats flying around the house tonight. Orange tip butterfly in garden. 1 May 2022 Bats flying around the tonight. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 19/04/22 Common Pipistrelle x 2 25/04/22 Blackbird x 3 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Collared Dove x 2 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Greylag Goose x 2 over Thurnholmes Heron x 1 over Thurnholmes Jackdaw x 1 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 2 Mallard x 3 over Thurnholmes Moorhen x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Mute Swan x 2 feeding in fields around Thurnholmes Pied Wagtail x 1 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Song Thrush x 1 Stock Dove x 2 Tawny Owl x 2 calling 01:15hrs Tree Sparrow x 4 Wood Pigeon x 4 Yellowhammer x 1 Green-veined White x 2 Orange Tip x 2 males, 1 female + at least 3 eggs on Garlic Mustard Peacock x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 3 29/04/22 Blackbird x 2 Blackcap x 1 Black-headed Gull x 2 over Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 1 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Chiffchaff x 2 Cuckoo x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 4 Greylag Goose x 2 over Grey Partridge x 2 Jackdaw x 1 Kestrel x 1 Little Owl x 1 SK789977 Magpie x 2 Mallard x 2 over Pied Wagtail x 1 Robin x 1 Swallow x 2 Tree Sparrow x 4 Whitethroat x 1 Willow Warbler x 2 Wood Pigeon x 2 Orange Tip x 1 male 02/05/22 Barn Owl x 1 01:15hrs Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 1 Carrion Crow x 3 Chaffinch x 2 Cuckoo x 1 Goldfinch x 4 Great Tit x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Greylag Goose x 2 Kestrel x 1 Mallard x 6 over Thurnholmes Mute Swan x 4 Owston Ferry Warping Drain  Pied Wagtail x 1 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Swallow x 4 Tree Sparrow x 4 Wood Pigeon x 4 Green-veined White x 2 Orange Tip x 2 males Peacock x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 4 WOOLSTHORPE BY COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 Jane Ostler 23/4/22 _ 3/5/22 Garden, unless otherwise indicated The pond is rapidly drying out. In flower are Sedge(Carex pendula), Bogbean, Brooklime and Kingcups. Pond Skaters on the surface but no developing tadpoles from the three clumps of frog spawn in March. Unable to visit favourite woods this spring it was good to have some of the ancient woodland indicators in my garden. The Wood Anemone is almost over and already beginning to disappear with its leaves peppered with the holes of beetles. It has spread little since it was put in five years ago. The Sweet Woodruff on the other hand makes a good ground cover with its white flowers surrounding those of Water Avens. The yellow Archangel is the garden variety with variegated leaves. Its close relative the white Deadnettle attracts more Bumble Bees and has been doing since the beginning of the year. Jack-by-the-Hedge is left to flower in the hope that it will attract the Orange Tip Butterflies. Other regulars are the Small White and the Brimstone Butterflies. On 24th April a single Common Blue was first noticed because it was flying low in the vegetation, unlike the Holly Blues dancing above it. No Speckled Woods in the garden but they have been seen on the Nature Trail where the search is now on for Dingy and Grizzled Skippers found in Twyford Wood on 24th April. In garden Humming Bird Hawk Moth was seen in the daytime. Waved Umber and Least Black Arches were amongst those that came to light on the Nature Trail. Mint Moth was on its host plant in the garden, along with numerous flea beetles. After missing them earlier in the year about a dozen female Hairy-footed flower Bees were found amongst the Pulmonaria flowers. We are relying on these, the Mason Bees (Osmia bicornis), Tawny Mining Bees and good populations of Bumble Bees together with Hoverflies to pollinate the fruit trees, since there are still no Honey Bees. The dry weather is affecting nesting birds. A neighbour reported seeing a Crow dipping a piece of bread in the pond before flying off with it. Soaked mealworms put out and protected from larger birds are now regularly taken by Robins, Blue Tits and Great Tits. Two Swallows seen on telephone wires near last years nesting site, next to Nature Trail will have no mud for nests unless something is artificially provided. House Martin sightings are few so far. Grass Snakes have been heading from areas around Nature Trail over to where there are garden ponds. A hare has turned up, as one did last year in gardens on an estate. A stoat on the Proteected Roadside Verge was a welcome sight. They are scarcer since the decline in rabbits. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 27th April - 3rd May 2022 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Note: April proved to be one of the driest on record with 6.9mm (0.27 inches). A period of 17 days from the 14th were dry with no rain recorded. The cold winds from a north-easterly sector from the 19th - 29th finally changed to a westerly on the 30th. The dry spell continued into May with the first three days of no rainfall. 290422 - Two pairs of avocets at Sea View washlands, 12 fieldfare and 1 ring ouzel in pasture field near Rimac and at least 20 hirundines, mainly swallows with a few huge martins flying over the area. Grasshopper warbler at Sea View Male ring ouzel with fieldfare next to Rimac car park, at least 20 whimbrel commuting around Rimac and Sea View and little ringed plover on Sea View Washland. A butterfly survey at Rimac included 3 wall brown, a small copper and 2 green hairstreak. Also 6 large red damselfly. 300422 - 2 yellow wagtails and a common sandpiper at Sea View washlands, 17 whimbrel on the saltmarsh and a single brimstone on the wing at Sea View. A fair hatch of Saint Mark's flies and large red damselflies also first four spotted chaser. A single raven south, 7 house martins north and 2 singing reed warblers. 010522 - 16 whimbrel on Rimac lagoon briefly landed to preen before flying off to join 2 whimbrel and 5 curlew in nearby pasture field. Small copper butterfly at Churchill Lane. 020522 - Male ring ouzel near Sea View, 4 fieldfare, 2 greenshank flew north, 5 common buzzards overhead, 7 whimbrel on the saltmarsh and 1 common sandpiper at Paradise lagoon. Several green hairstreaks spiralling adjacent to hawthorns coming into flower. 2 fieldfare and a cuckoo at Sea View. 030522 - Holly blue at Sea View. Chiff chaff, clackcap, Cetti's warbler and grasshopper warbler singing at Churchill Lane. Brown Argus, several peacock, orange tip, wall and green veined white butterflies on the wing. Great white egret and common sandpiper on Rimac freshwater marsh. Reed warbler singing along the Eau next to Rimac bridge. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 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: I have set the nest box check dates with Forestry England: 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 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 Building Stones of Greater Lincolnshire https://glnp.org.uk/images/uploads/services/geodiversity-strategy/building-stones-web.pdf Geology of the Lincolnshire Wolds https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/special-features/geology 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 Charlie Barnes writes: The changing nature of the Covid situation may mean alterations or cancellations at short notice, so check back regularly and keep an eye on Twitter and Facebook for updates. For more details on the times and locations see the website at https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/ Don't forget, the annual Species Recording Meeting has been re-scheduled for the 18th June! 22nd May: Cherry Fields Community Garden, south of Cherry Willingham 12th June: Dunston Beck, near Dunston 24th July: Wilsford Parish (part of LWT’s Wild Wilsford Weekend) 14th August: Elsham Chalk Quarry LNR 18th September: Old Bolingbroke Castle and Sow Dale LWT Reserve 9th October: Epworth Turbary LWT Reserve (Annual Fungus Foray) 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 - Soft Bounce - 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... Abandoned farmhouse left 'frozen in time' captured in photos by urban explorer https://uk.yahoo.com/news/urban-explorer-captures-photos-abandoned-farmhouse-080321914.html From ancient oaks to walking yews: the story of Britain's great trees, forests and avenues https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/apr/30/from-ancient-oaks-to-walking-yews-the-story-of-britains-great-trees-forests-and-avenues-aoe Rainbow collars with bells save birds and mammals from getting killed by house cats https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/rainbow-collars-with-bells-save-birds-and-mammals-from-getting-killed-by-house-cats/ 8 Great Nature Podcasts - The Good Web Guide https://www.thegoodwebguide.co.uk/lifestyle/whats-on-online/8-great-nature-podcasts/21175 The Amazon's horrific candirú fish that swims up the urethra: fact or fiction? https://www.zmescience.com/science/the-amazons-horrific-candiru-fish-that-swims-up-the-urethra-fact-or-fiction/ Peregrine falcon pair nest in Loughborough bell tower https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-61256428 Dorset butterfly banks created for small blue butterfly https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-61283532 Robins build nest inside Nayland school classroom https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-61277049 Cornish sanctuary releases beaver to conservation project https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-61258787 Opinions divided over reintroduction of lynx to Scotland https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-61242930 Tornado captures tearing through city in Kansas https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-61281895 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/