============================================ || || 11th 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: Readers will be sad to learn of the passing of Vi Wilkin on Monday 9th May aged 92. Eddie Gaunt has kindly provided this note about her life and work. Violet (Vi) Wilkin was involved in securing the current area of Messingham Sand Quarry as a nature reserve for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. She took on the role of Voluntary Reserve Manager for MSQ for the first fifteen years. A very knowledgeable Botanist, she undertook several surveys for the Trust and others. Vi also became a recorder of Land Molluscs (I believe for the LNU). She took on the role of President of the LNU for the 1988 to 1999 period. Vi was one of the contributors to the "New Atlas of the British and Irish Flora" published in 2002 Living at Hibaldstow she loved her garden where she had a number of rarities others would have loved. (inc. Lizard orchids). Heads up for a Total Lunar Eclipse on 16th May 2022! Scroll down for more information on how to see and photograph this. *** LNU at the Lincolnshire Show 2022 - Entomology help needed! *** We like to display live insects in the LWT tent at the Lincolnshire Show. Unfortunately we don't have entomologist helpers available to provide and talk about specimens this year. If you are able to help please get in touch to discuss the possibility. The LNU will pay for your ticket. The dates are: Setting up 21st June. Show dates: 22/23rd June. https://lincolnshireshow.co.uk/ 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 event 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. Flooding: Prototype house design to beat rising water https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-humber-61378661 Skegness taxi fares to rise for second time in a year https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-61385512 Lincolnshire car wash boss given anti-slavery order - Pinchbeck https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-61394153 Dentists: East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire NHS patients face three-year wait https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-61384597 Flying insects splatting on cars have dropped by 60 per cent in UK https://www.newscientist.com/article/2318621-flying-insects-splatting-on-cars-have-dropped-by-60-per-cent-in-uk/ Waxcap Watch - Plantlife https://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/discover-wild-plants-nature/habitats/grassland/waxcaps-fungi/waxcapp-survey New bee bus stops coming soon to a street near you https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/New_bee_bus_stops_coming_soon_to_a_street_near_you.aspx New project gives South Downs curlew a much-needed head start https://www.gwct.org.uk/blogs/news/2022/may/new-project-gives-south-downs-curlew-a-much-needed-head-start/ Climate change: Spring egg-laying shifts by three weeks https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-61314226 Latest rodenticide surveillance finds stubborn barn owl residues https://www.gwct.org.uk/blogs/news/2022/april/latest-rodenticide-surveillance-finds-stubborn-barn-owl-residues/ Harry Potter: Could Dobby's grave be moved from Freshwater West? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-61317891 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/ 11-20 May "Fine dry weather can be expected for most, with an increased chance of more unsettled weather in the west and southwest. Through the first part of this period, the east-west split becomes more apparent. ...Towards the second weekend, ...unsettled weather over the west may spread further eastwards, bringing generally more changeable conditions for most." *** 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 - May 6th-17th https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-may-6-14-2/ Observing the Lunar Eclipse 16th May https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news/total-lunar-eclipse-16-may-2022/ https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/lunar-eclipse-guide 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 *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson Lincoln Area Group Talk May 19th: Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park Update Dave Miller will give an illustrated talk about Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust nature reserves along the Lincolnshire coast within the Coastal Country Park, and also a few others inland. Including the Sea Bank Claypits, Huttoft Marsh, Wolla Bank Pit, Mill Hill Quarry, Swinn Wood and Spendluffe Meadows. At Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission £2.50. Refreshments are provided. *** RSPB Grimsby 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" *** Humber Low Carbon Pipeline *** A reader sent in information about the Humber Low Carbon Pipeline. The following Youtube link introduces the project if you are interested . 2021 Humber Conference - Humber low carbon pipelines https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmMdW97DH94 Andrew Hersom writes: There is a staggering amount of pipework being laid through North Lincs from Drax to Killingholme then under the River Humber to East Yorkshire. I attended a zoom meeting on it and the width of the building site (which will be made good afterwards) will be 100 yards. They will be asking for comments in May onwards so your readers may be interested to know about it. It's all on the NIP website. https://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/yorkshire-and-the-humber/hornsea-project-four-offshore-wind-farm/ *** A World Without Bees - our insects need help! *** You are invited to attend a key Pollinator Awareness Conference this May organised by Rotary Club of Lincoln Colonia. This will highlight the potentially catastrophic decline in the insect population, and call for profound changes at every level: Government policy, agriculture, industry and in our own homes and gardens. Particularly welcome are all who are interested in ideas and best practice on how to take action to reverse the decline, including providing habitat and food sources, such as wildflowers, for the pollinators, e.g. Ecologists, local authorities and parish councils, agriculturalists, horticulturalists, educational establishments and all those with a personal interest in biodiversity. The conference will take place at the Epic Centre, Lincolnshire Showground, LN2 2NA from 9.30 a.m. to 3.00 pm on Friday 20th May 2022 (World Bee Day) and the keynote speaker is Professor Dave Goulson FRSE, Professor of Biology at the University of Sussex. Find out more and register here. https://lincolnshireshowground.co.uk/whats-on/event/pollinator-awareness-conference-20-05-2022 Professor Dave Goulson's book, Silent Earth is now available in paperback https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/144/1443405/silent-earth/9781529114423.html *** Ecoacoustics for Monitoring Biodiversity symposium 15-16 June *** Carlos Abrahams writes: We have organised a two-day symposium on ecoacoustic monitoring for biodiversity, taking place June 15-16 in Manchester. It would be great if you could join us for this event (in-person or online), where we will be discussing methods for using acoustic monitoring within sectors such as nature conservation, Biodiversity Net Gain, agri-environment and rewilding. If you can, it would also be appreciated if you could pass the news on to other people in your network. Details and booking (only £20 or less!) are available here: https://acoustics.ac.uk/ukan-monitoring-uk-biodiversity-symposium-15-16th-june/ LNU members wishing to participate may like to consider making an application for a LNU bursary. *** 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 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 4/5 Arctic Tern at T-junction pit, Baston + Langtoft Pits Bar-tailed Godwit in fields south of Baston Fen Wood Sandpiper on wet grassland south of visitor centre, Spoonbill flew east over saltmarsh, Common Scoter on Marsh Farm reservoir, Turtle Dove, Russian White-fronted Goose on Reedbed, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Spotted Redshank, Freiston Shore Short-eared Owl, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Hen Harrier, Spoonbill, Hawfinch flew into plantation, Gibraltar Point 3 Wood Sandpipers, 1s Little Gull, Anderby Marsh 5/5 Bar-tailed Godwit in fields south of Baston Fen 2 Garganey 1 drk, Willow Tree Fen, WSE of Spalding Arctic Tern at T-junction pit, Baston + Langtoft Pits 3 Wood Sandpipers on wet grassland south of visitor centre, Turtle Dove, Little Stint from bottom car park, 2 Garganey 1 drk, Spotted Redshank, Russian White-fronted Goose, Little Gull, Sasnderling, on South Scrape, Frampton Marsh Pale-bellied Brent Goose with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Freiston Shore Short-eared Owl at saltmarsh, Spoonbill, Wood Sandpiper, Common Crane flew over Plantation, Gibraltar Point 6/5 Sanderling on South Scrape, Frampton Marsh Ring Ouzel in triangle field, Freiston Shore 2 Spotted Redshanks, Short-eared Owl, Firecrest singing in plantation, Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Little Gull, Russian White-fronted Goose, Gibraltar Point 7/5 Stone Curlew flew NE over Market Deeping 3 Wood Sandpipers, Little Gull, Russian White-fronted Goose, Turtle Dove, 3 Garganey, Frampton Marsh Wood Sandpiper, Gibraltar Point 8/5 White Stork circling Crowland Spotted Redshank south of sea bank car park, 4+ Wood Sandpipers on wet grassland south of visitor centre, Little Gull, Little Stint on South Scrape, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, Russian White-fronted Goose, 2 Garganey, Frampton Marsh Hawfinch in Syke's plantation, Spotted Redshank near ringing hut, Gibraltar Point Garganey drk, Halton Marshes, East Halton Skitter released White-tailed Eagle flew west over Grimsby 9/5 Garganey, Wood Sandpiper, Willow Tree Fen, WSW of Spalding Turnstone on Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft Pits 3 Garganey 2 drks, 3 Little Stints, Wood Sandpiper, 2 1s Little Gulls, Russian White-fronted Goose in field north of Reedbed, Spotted Redshank, rampton Marsh Short-eared Owl at Rosper Road Pools, NNE of Immingham 10/5 3 Sanderling, South Pit, Baston + Langtoft Pits 11/5 Turnstone on Wader Pit, Baston + Langtoft Pits 3 Spoonbills, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, 1s Little gull, fem Ring Ouzel in plantation, 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. The Len Pick Trust barn owl camera - Bob Sheppard writes: The Len Pick Trust barn owls have now settled on six eggs. It will be quiet in the nest chamber for the next two weeks with little to see. Barn owls incubate from the first egg laid so we can expect the first chick sometime early in the week beginning 23rd May. Viewers of the webcam may have noticed lots of primary feathers in the nest. These have been moulted by the female. She will grow some replacement feathers whilst she is incubating. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project St James' Church, Louth - Peregrines - a note from Bob Sheppard. The Louth peregrines have successfully hatched all four eggs, the last chick arriving on the evening of 6th May. There will be so much to see over the next three weeks after which they may wander out of sight of the camera. 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/ Top tips for bumblebee ID https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/identification-tips/ 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. R + A Parsons 9/5/2022 Adult Badger roadkill on north Road Verge near Southrey Wood TF142683 Joyce Attia Roadkill 29th April 2022 2 badgers A16 between Waltham and Louth *** 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 9/5/2022 Hedgehog droppings x 4 Wren singing Pied Wagtail 5 Swifts and 3 swallows flew high overhead approx 11am, 10/5/2022 Bardney Church - St Lawrence, Church Lane TF119693 Sunday 8th May 2022 - Lincolnshire Open Churches R. Parsons 12 noon - 2pm. In/over churchyard Sparrowhawk circling Holly blue 3+ Speckled Woods Brimstone m BARDNEY Horncastle Road B1190 TF124689 9th May 2022 R + A Parsons 11.45hrs approx. Red Kite low over road near allotments. CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK909581 Jeremy Hutchinson 7/5/2022 First Swift By 10 May there were a few more, and had begun to scream occasionally. As usual there seem to be more Swifts in Bassingham than here. GRIMSBY TA265095 Joyce Attia 10th May, 2022 30th April. River just outside my back gate  Moorhen with 7 chicks of varying sizes. Mate still continues to build nest. 1st May in garden. Woodpigeon Collared dove making a splash in bird bath. Male chaffinch on feeder. 2 male blackbirds on the fence. Small tortoiseshell butterfly on jasmine. 2nd May Little ginger bee on soil, doesn't seem able to fly, moved her over to flowers. Collared dove on clothes post waiting for me to get out of the way so she can have a bath. Got text that the swans have cygnets..went to see and there are 11. Walk down riverside, only one Moorhen chick left. Pair of swans, still 11 cygnets but pen looks very dishevelled, ruffled feathers and mud on her back. 11 is a large brood and there are so many predators, fox, pike, rat, otter, and human idiots. Marsh marigolds, herb Robert, red valerian, cow parsley (E-bennet), yellow flag iris, buttercups, daisies. Speckled wood butterfly. 8th May. Walk down riverside, still 11 cygnets. 2 families of mallards with 4 ducklings in one and 5 in the other. I'm told that the other pair of swans at the river head have hatched 8 cygnets. A water vole has been seen and a young otter. LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 14/05/2022 Jayne Knight 01/05/2022 First sighting of House Martins thanks to their shouting and escorting a Sparrowhawk out of sight 06/05/2022 and most days since a male Holly Blue on the Ivy in back garden 10/05/2022 Fine example of male Running Crab Spider, Philodromus dispar, on the black feed bin 11/05/2022 Three Swifts overhead TWYFORD WOOD SK94/23 Jane Ostler 8/5/22 Cuckoo heard (Also heard here for the first time on lst May. Jays seen in a number of areas in the wood about 8 altogether. 2 Greater Spotted Woodpeckers seen. Green Woodpecker heard. Both Blue and Great tits feeding in the birches. Kite flying above main runway pursued by a Crow. WOOLSTHORPE BY COLSTERWORTH Jane Ostler 3/5/22 - 10/5/22 Swifts are back, first noted on 8/5/22 On Roadside Nature Reserve SK908241. Additional Butterflies this week Green Hairstreak and Dingy Skipper ( these also found on the Nature Trail.) Stoat seen in the area where in previous years it has been seen moving young from Nature Trail to hedgerow over road. Stoat also seen on Nature Trail, eastern end. 2 Grass snakes crossing from Nature Trail Garden SK 923247 Although our garden has never been more 'wildlife friendly' the poor numbers of insects has never been more noticeable. We still have the same diversity of bees and I think a comparable amount of worker Buff-tailed Bumblebees The Common Carder Bees and the Bombus lapidaries Queens seen earlier have not resulted in workers. The Hairy footed Flower Bees are evident in lots of females on the flowers and the Mason Bee Osmia bicornis has emerged in good numbers from the bee hotels. Other solitary; bees are few as is the Bee Fly which they host. Few hoverflies, shield bugs or small moths. We have been round checking all the places where we have had birds nests last year. In the front garden hedges and in shrubby corners we have robin, hedge sparrow dunnock, wren blackbird much as before but in the back garden not one of the 12 sites/nest boxes is occupied. We have found a dead blue tit nestling . A large Grass Snake was seen today at the edge of the pond. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 4th - 10th May 2022 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor and Owen Beaumont. Daily news and wildlife sightings: Note: Very light drizzle fell mid-morning for a few minutes on the 4th, but later in the afternoon clouds built up to give several spells of brief moderate showers of rainfall, the first since 13th April. Another spell of more persistent rain fell on the 6th giving 4.6mm but even so ground conditions remain very dry. 040522 - 8 whimbrel on the saltmarsh and 2 sand martins with swallows and house martins flying north over Sea View. Jack snipe and 3 common snipe at Paradise Lagoon. 2 common snipe on the Eau outflow. Wheatear, 4 grasshopper warbler and a great white Egret at Rimac. 2 greenshank flew north over the saltmarsh. 050522 - A super display of green hairstreak in the sunny dunes. 060522 - 15 whimbrel on saltmarsh, 2 on Paradise lagoon and 2 on Sea View Washlands. On Paradise lagoon single greenshank with 2 whimbrel and 1 redshank, 2 avocets, 1 oystercatcher, 1 little egret, 1 shoveler, 5 mallard and 2 coot. A hobby flew over Churchill Lane. 080522 - Green hairstreak on the wing near Paradise wood and Sea View. Single siskin at Sea View and hobby flying over. Single common sandpiper on the Eau near Paradise and 16 whimbrel on the saltmarsh. At least 4 cuckoos around Crook Bank (3 males and 1 female). 090522 - Small heath on wing at Rimac, 3 pink-footed geese with greylags nearby, single swift over Sea View. 2 green hairstreak butterflies, a common lizard, cuckoo, grasshopper warbler and Cetti's warbler at Churchill Lane. First swift seen. 100522 - Single whimbrel on the saltmarsh, 2 common sandpipers on the Eau near Paradise and Cetti's warbler calling nearby. 5 swifts flew north over Sea View. 2 wheatear at Rimac. Lapwing at Sea View. Butterflies now on wing: holly blue, common blue, small heath, brimstone, orange tip, small and green veined whites, wall, speckled wood, peacock, brown argus, green hairstreak. Odonata: large red and azure blue damselflies, four spotted chasers and hairy dragonflies. Plants noted in flower hawthorn, sea thrift, sea sandwort, mouse-eared hawkweed, bird's-foot trefoil ground ivy, a few orchids just starting to flower. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: 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 of 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... Eider Island - listen https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001549h Young Darwin Scholarship 2022 https://www.field-studies-council.org/young-darwin-scholarship-applications/ Microplastic particles in city air get caught in spiderwebs https://www.newscientist.com/article/2318109-spiderwebs-catch-microplastic-particles-floating-in-city-air/ Why does water flow from a tree in Montenegro? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-europe-61273431 Harbour seals can learn how to change their voices to seem bigger https://www.newscientist.com/article/2318170-harbour-seals-can-learn-how-to-change-their-voices-to-seem-bigger/ Bats mimic the sound of bees and hornets to scare away predators https://www.newscientist.com/article/2319148-bats-buzz-like-bees-and-hornets-to-scare-off-hungry-owls/ Bolivian river dolphins dangling an anaconda in their mouths have scientists puzzled https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/bolivian-river-dolphins-dangling-an-anaconda-in-their-mouths-have-scientists-puzzled/ ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/