=========================================== || || 9th November 2022 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || || LNU Website: http://lnu.org/ || Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? || Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lincsnaturalists/ || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Information, events, news and requests - mostly local. 2. Wildlife Highlights from Rare Bird Alert. 3. Wildlife reports around the county - contributions welcome... 4. NNRs, RSPB and LWT Reserves/Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe. 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR - Chambers Farm Wood. 6. Other Reserve Reports - links and highlights. 7. Sending in Bulletin Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information - recorders and specialists... 9. Notes about these wildlife reports. 10. Bulletin publicity policy. 11. Events Diary - what's on. 12. ...and finally. Mostly national/international wildlife stories. ============================================ 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]. Past Bulletins archive [text] from 2009: compare past years... 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've just written next year's Coronation Bank Holiday into my diary - Monday 8th May. [Coronation itself is on the 6th.] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63528830 LNU Meetings: updates for Indoor Meetings 2023 now available. https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ Donna Nook: 04/11/22 Donna Nook Seal Count: 47 pups, 124 cows, 53 bulls. First baby seals of the pupping season seen on Lincolnshire coast https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63534717 For correct and up to date information on visiting and for the weekly seal count please check the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust website or the Donna Nook Warden pages on Facebook and Twitter. Weekends can get very busy so we would advise you to visit mid-week. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook This year the Taurid meteor shower will peak between 12-13 November. https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/taurid-meteor-shower-2022-when-where-see-it-uk Winter power cuts: Helpful advice. https://www.northernpowergrid.com/what-to-do-in-a-power-cut This week's links to Lincolnshire and wildlife-related news stories. Tree of the Year: 'Magnificent' Surrey yew wins vote https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-surrey-63510326 RAF Faldingworth: Plan for shelter to be part of heritage trail Sorry about last week's dud link. Here is is again: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63412921 Legbourne Cold War bunker goes under the hammer https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63542943 Lincolnshire: Clay shoot expansion plan criticised by residents https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63560674 Lincolnshire metal detectorist's Iron Age bull rider up for auction https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63544380 Boston: Thousands of cannabis plants found in disused shop https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63495850 Lincolnshire A&E departments 'overwhelmed and overcrowded' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63476447 Kyra King: Parents charged over dog attack baby death - Ostler's https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63513204 Rarely seen Nottingham caves to open to public https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-63486595 RSPB Ouse Fen trails link Cambridgeshire reserve to villages https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-63472927 More links in "..and finally ..." at the end of the Bulletin. Please stay informed on current Co-19 and 'flu advice, adapting appropriately to future changes at indoor meetings and in the field. If you have any event postponements or changes please let us know. Thank you for all the interesting news links, wildlife events information and useful species reports. Please keep your information coming in. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - my best address for emails. *** Please join the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union - click for form *** If you are not yet an LNU member please consider the possibility of joining? If you are a member, please remember to give the LNU a "plug " to others. https://lnu.org/join-the-lnu/ *** Weather Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#? 23 November - 7 December "High pressure looks likely to become established in the vicinity of the UK towards the end of the month, bringing more extended periods of dry and settled weather with lighter winds. The orientation of the high pressure will determine the specific weather patterns, but on the whole a fair amount of dry weather is likely, with occasional frost and overnight fog where skies are clear, and this would be slow to clear if it were to form. Temperatures generally near normal for the season, and perhaps rather cold at times." *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** This year the Taurid meteor shower will peak between 12-13 November. https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/taurid-meteor-shower-2022-when-where-see-it-uk Cosmic Links... http://rogerparsons.info/cosmic.html *** Len Pick Trust Owl-box Camera *** https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project *** Hedgehog Links *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** Bat Advice from Annette Falkner *** Annette 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. *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Area Groups webpage *** Please let me have your "plugs" for coming events. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/area-groups *** Boston Area Group LWT *** Gill Walsh writes: Talk - Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park by Dave Miller Thursday 10th November at 7.30pm Centenary Methodist Church Red Lion Street Boston PE21 6NY Admission is free but there will be a retiring collection. Refreshments will be served in the interval Non members welcome *** Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: Wildlife of Gloucester On Monday 14th November 2022 we invite you to join us at our next indoor meeting when Gillian Walsh will be giving us an illustrated presentation on the wildlife of Gloucestershire. She will be taking us on a tour of nature reserves around the county, to the Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean. She will be showing us a wide variety of wildlife including mammals, birds, butterflies, and wildflowers. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall DN31 1HX and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £3, tea & coffee will be available. We will have LWT Christmas cards and calendars for sale. For further information please contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858 *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson Lincoln Area Group Talk November 17th: Whisby Nature Park Update + AGM Emily Summerlin will update us about Whisby Nature Park including recent management work and the many varied species to be found there. And also about some of the other smaller nature reserves in the Lincoln area including Fiskerton Fen, Boultham Mere and Tunman Wood. Emily is the assistant warden at Whisby Nature Park. Preceded by a short AGM. At Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission £2.50. Refreshments are provided. *** Scunthorpe and Brigg Local Group - LWT *** Keith Scarrott writes: Our November meeting is on Thursday 10th November next, starting at 7.30 pm. Mike Pickwell will visit to give his illustrated talk entitled "Year of Nature 2021" We meet as always in St Hugh's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN15 2AG, which is opposite the Applegreen filling station on Ashby Road near the Ashby Road/ West Common Lane crossroads. ALL ARE INVITED TO OUR MEETINGS. There is a £2.50 charge for entry to the meeting which includes light refreshments at the mid-talk break. There is a small, free car park at the Church and parking spaces nearby on Ashby Road. *** The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society *** Owing to the illness of the speaker our scheduled illustrated talk for the meeting arranged for next Monday, 10th November has changed. So now, after the full Society AGM, there will be a demonstration to compare the absorption of infra-red radiation by air with that of a richer carbon dioxide/air mixture as a preliminary to an illustrated talk on "Carbon Dioxide and Climate Change" by Keith Scarrott. This will be followed by an open discussion on the whole climate change issue. We meet at 7.15 pm as usual in St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is a large, free car park in the Church grounds. There is no charge for entry but a donation bowl is provided. Light refreshments will be available for a small charge during the break after the AGM. *** RSPB Grimsby Local Group *** The RSPB Grimsby website https://group.rspb.org.uk/grimsby/ The RSPB Grimsby Local Group won't be holding an Indoor Meeting in November. Instead, the Group will be hosting a 'Zoom' talk by John Buckingham - 'The Wonders of Bird Migration' on Monday 21st November at 7.30pm. The Zoom link to the talk will be emailed to usual circulation list about a fortnight beforehand. It is then just a question of following the instructions in that email if you want to take part. If you would like to take part but are not on the circulation list, please contact me as soon as possible at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com Do not be put off by Zoom. Our earlier Zoom talks have been very successful, and a number of participants have used Zoom for the first time. The Group's next Trip is to RSPB Frampton Marsh on Sunday 27th November (This is a change from the previously published venue) by which time there will be huge numbers of ducks, geese and waders wintering on the reserve together with a healthy smattering of raptors and other species. There will be plenty to see. It is hoped that the new Visitor Centre will be open by that date, but even it is not, there will be toilet facilities. Travel to Frampton is by 'car share' so if you would like to go, contact Sally Prescott (sally.prescott142@btinternet.com or 01472 840142) to let her 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. Please be sure to let Sally know you are going in case there are last minute changes to the arrangements. 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. We look forward to your participation in the Zoom talk and/or seeing you on the Trip Martin Francis Group Leader - RSPB Grimsby Local Group 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 - sign up. 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 - sign up 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 31/10 2 Short-eared Owls at Deeping High Bank, south bend of Deeping Lakes, Deeping St Nicholas 2 Snow Buntings, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes Hen Harrier ringtail, Rimac Blue-winged Teal juv fem, Winter's Pond at end of Marsh Lane, East Halton Skitter from track to Humber flood bank 1/11 14 Common Cranes, WSW of Pode Hole, at Willow Tree Fen Curlew Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh Blue-winged Teal juv fem, Winter's Pond at end of Marsh Lane, East Halton Skitter from track to Humber flood bank 12 Twite on beach at Crook Bank by Neptune's Hut, 2 Jack Snipe, Swift spp flew north over, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe 2 Swift spp Rimac. 2/11 2 Hen Hariers, 1 male, Frampton Marsh 3 Velvet Scoter, flew south past Huttoft Bank Black-throated Diver, Twite, Yellow Wagtail, Sandilands Promenade Blue-winged Teal juv fem, Winter's Pond at end of Marsh Lane, East Halton Skitter from track to Humber flood bank - later disappeared. 4 Twite flew SE over East Halton Skitter 3/11 Probable Olive-backed Pipit at office, Frampton Marsh Black-throated Diver off[shore], Velvet Scoter, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point 3 Twite on Rimac scrape, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe dunes Waxwing at Sea View Farm, Rimac Snow Bunting, Covenham Resevoir Caspian Gull as at Novartis Ings, Pyewipe 4/11 2 Common Cranes both ads, in field south of Baston Fen 2 Snow Buntings, Pomarine Skua flew south past, Wolla Bank Hen Harrier fem flew over B1206 near junction, Scawby 5/11 Hen Harrier male over saltmarsh by car park, Gibraltar Point 2 Hen Harriers, Rimac Hooded Crow on beach, Snow Bunting, 25 Twite, Donna Nook 2 Hawfinches flew north over Normanby 6/11 Black-throated Diver flew south past, 4 Snow Buntings, Gibraltar Point 2 American Wigeon both drks, main pit, Bardney Pits, from Witham Bank north of pumping station Bittern, Whisby Nature Park 7/11 7 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 4 ads and 3 juvs, Frampton Marsh Black-throated Diver flew south past, Great Northern Diver, Long-tailed Duck, Gibraltar Point 6 Snow Buntings at north end of beach, Mablethorpe 2 Twite, Lapland Bunting at Crook Bank [elusive], Saltfleetby American Wigeon drk, main pit, Bardney Pits, from Witham Bank north of pumping station Snow Bunting, Toft Newton reservoir Sand Martin, Pyewipe 8/11 American Wigeon drk, main pit, Bardney Pits, from Witham Bank north of pumping station [+ drk, probable hybrid American Wigeon and Wigeon] 8 Snow Buntings on beach, Mablethorpe Hen Harrier ringtail, Alkboprough Flats 9/11 American Wigeon drk, main pit, Bardney Pits, from Witham Bank north of pumping station ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. WILDLIFE NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work and drop-in sessions. Roger died on 6th March 2009 at the age of 61. *** 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. Len Pick Trust Barn Owls - pair of owls now in residence. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog: http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ Lincs Bird Club: https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/sightings/latest-news Butterfly Conservation - Lincolnshire Branch: https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/ Which moth species might be on the wing tonight in your area? https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/whats-flying-tonight Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire by C. J. Manning, LNU Mammal Recorder. Download /print off. https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/mammalatlas.pdf VC54 North Lincolnshire Plant List - LNU Paul Kirby has produced a list of all the vascular plant & stonewort taxa with records on the MapMate botanical database for VC54, North Lincolnshire, at the end of January 2017. Download this on: https://lnu.org/specialists/vascular-plants/ Record Pool - recommended by Ashley Butterfield An easy way to record your amphibian and reptile species records. https://www.recordpool.org.uk/index.php 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 TF120694 R & A Parsons 6/11/2022 Wasp spp on outside of west-facing Kitchen window - pm. 8/11/2022 Buff-tailed bumblebee queen and honeybees working a flowering Mahonia bush on Church Lane 11.30am BOSTON GARDEN (TF326426) October 2022 Kathleen Pearson The number of species in the garden in October was only 16. In the main, the number of each species was quite small except for an unusual day when 31 Starlings flew into the garden. Total numbers:- House Sparrow 9, Goldfinch 9, Woodpigeon 9, Blue Tit 1, Robin 1, Blackbird 4, Collared Dove 2, Great Tit 2, Long-tailed Tit 2, Carrion Crow 2, Wren 1, Starlings 31, Dunnock 4, Magpie 2,  Chaffinch 2 and Sparrowhawk 1. Butterflies:- Comma, Large White and Red Admiral. BOSTON TF338441 My garden Tracey Lenton 29/10/2022 The mild weather continues, it's quite balmy today. Birds slowly coming back into the garden. A Blackbird came to eat bird food which I'd put out on the lawn Several magpies seen on the house roof and flying around the neighbouring area... and being vocal! A Robin on the fence. 30/10/2022 02:18 (old time) I'd woken and gone into the garden, it's a mild night and noticed a dark shadow near my feet, it was a hedgehog which scuttled off into some long grass. I put hedgehog biscuits out and he was eating them when I went back out to check half an hour later. CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK909581 08/11/2020 Jeremy Hutchinson 5/11/2022 Raven both seen and heard in vicinity of a field of sheep which are grazing the aftermath of a field of oats: first sightings for some months. 6/11/2022 Coal Tit in Norway Spruce in garden. First seen for some time. Heard a bird singing in the garden which sounded unfamiliar. Eventually dawned on me that the song was Wren-like, but very flat; when I did spot the bird responsible it was indeed a Wren. I presume that its vocal chords must be damaged or infected. FREISTON SHORE Freiston Shore Tracey Lenton 17/10/2022 Late afternoon Saw several Little Egrets on the lagoon GRIMSBY TA265095 Joyce Attia. 8th November 2022 28th October. Along the river the adult swans are back together, the mallards are bowing to each other, both primroses and violets are blooming in the garden. 30th October. The clocks went back an hour last night. Walk along the river, saw moorhens and mallards. It's been a good year for them this year. There were 15 to 20 blackheaded gulls bathing along with one juvenile herring gull. 1st November. Single adult swan on the waste ground outside my back gate. A small flock of house sparrows on my bird feeder. I think it was a dunnock on the ground, it ran for cover so quickly it could have been something else, a mouse? There was a blackbird alarm call, I haven't seen any blackbirds lately, there are a couple of magpies, maybe that's what the panic was about. 5th November. 2 adult swans on river and one juvenile on footpath, I think he's been driven off by parents. About 20 blackheaded gulls bathing. 2 great tits on garden feeder. 7th November . 3 great tits on feeder. 8th November. Weather very mild, my garden is sheltered and it was 20 degrees C this afternoon. The buddleia is still flowering and we had a small tortoiseshell butterfly, 2 five spot ladybirds and some small bees visiting this afternoon . MIDDLE RASEN (Caistor Road) TF107897 own garden Richard Fox 04.11.2022 Buzzard x8 riding thermals overhead Red Admiral NORTH THORESBY TF 316985 06:11:2022 Peter Crick Wasp, very active still, spent a few minutes foraging on my angling bait tray. Temp 10C. Mallard. Pair continually performing courting ritual. Cetti’s Warbler singing sporadically during morning SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 26/10/22 Blackbird x 2 Black-headed Gull x 4 over Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 4 Chaffinch x 1 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 16 Goldfinch x 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker x 1 Jackdaw x 6 Magpie x 1 Pied Wagtail x 1 Redwing x 5 Robin x 1 Starling x 32 Tree Sparrow x 12 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 Rabbit x 2 SOUTHREY-STIXWOLD River Witham Grid reference approx.: TF 14747 65933 Mary and Phil Porter 6th November 2022 Several small flocks of fieldfares, up to around 50 altogether. One larger flock trying to come down on some hawthorn on the opposite side of the river, but took off at each attempt. A large apple tree on our side had a few feeding in it. A small flock of redwings flew over. We could hear some lapwings but couldn’t see where they were. X1 Great white egret fishing (successfully) on the other side of the bank, nearer to Stixwold. X3 gadwall on the river Several mallard, one male was definitely exhibiting courting behaviour. Brief Cetti’s warbler call. Mixed tit flocks, including blue and long tailed tits A good number of wildflowers still out, including common toadflax and yarrow. Very tall burdock plants with seedheads. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 21/10/22 Common Buzzard x 1 Kestrel x 1 Little Owl x 1 calling 01:15hrs Sparrowhawk x 1 female 25/10/22 Blackbird x 4 Carrion Crow x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Chaffinch x 1 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 12 Golden Plover x 112 over Thurnholmes Goldfinch x 4 Greylag Goose x 39 over Thurnholmes Grey Partridge x 6 Kestrel x 1 Mallard x 3 over Thurnholmes Mute Swan x 2 over Thurnholmes Pied Wagtail x 2 Redwing x 1 Robin x 1 Tree sparrow x 15 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 House Mouse x 2 Small White x 1 28/10/22 Blackbird x 4 Black-headed Gull x 3 over Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Cormorant x 3 over Thurnholmes Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 29 Goldfinch x 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker x 1 Great Tit x 1 Greylag Goose x 12 flying low, east over Thurnholmes Little Owl x 1 calling 01:15hrs Magpie x 1 Pied Wagtail x 2 Pink-footed Goose x 200+ North East over Thurnholmes Redwing x 12 Robin x 1 Starling x 15 Stock Dove x 2 Tree Sparrow x 21 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 Peacock x 2 Common Darter x 2 30/10/22 Great Egret x 2 flew South East over Thurnholmes 09:30hrs 04/11/22 Barn Owl x 1 01:30hrs Blackbird x 14 Black-headed Gull x 23 over Thurnholmes Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 4 Common Buzzard x 1 Cormorant x 1 over Thurnholmes Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 39 Golden Plover x 125 in fields around Thurnholmes Goldfinch x 2 Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 2 Pied Wagtail x 2 Pink-footed Goose x 250 East over Thurnholmes Redwing x 42 Robin x 1 Tree Sparrow x 14 Wood Pigeon x 4 08/11/22 Blackbird x 7 Black-headed Gull x 12 over Thurnholmes Carrion Crow x 7 Chaffinch x 4 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 38 Goldfinch x 4 Great Tit x 2 Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 2 Redwing x 18 Red-legged Partridge x 10 Robin x 1 Starling x 18 Wood Pigeon x 4 House Mouse x 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Len Pick Trust Barn Owls https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog: http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list 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 Visitor Leaflet - Natural England http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 2nd – 8th November 2022 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor, Owen Beaumont, Phil Hyde, Geoff Williams and Chris Atkin Daily news and wildlife sightings: 021122 - 21 lapwing flying south-west, high over Sea View, 7 redwing, single marsh harrier and sparrowhawk over saltmarsh. A southerly movement of woodpigeon throughout the morning totalled over 2300 birds. Also going south were 34 whooper swan, 60 meadow pipit, 28 skylark, 9 redpoll, 14 siskin, 230 chaffinch, 30 linnet, 4 twite, 41 goldfinch, 2 reed bunting and 4 swallow. Over the sea were 1500 pink-footed geese, 4 brent geese, 3 shelduck, an eider, a great crested grebe and 220 wigeon. Goosander on the Great Eau and a short-eared owl at Saltfleet Haven. 031122 - In scrub at Rimac at least 43 carrion crows, single swallow flying south, 5 rock pipits on Rimac scrape, a single marsh harrier and ringtail hen harrier. Amongst a small number of redwings and blackbirds in the hawthorn hedge near Sea View was a single waxwing. Great white egret on the Eau. 041122 - On Paradise lagoon: 205 Canada geese and 9 greylag amongst the wildfowl. Short-eared owl and barn owl hunting over the saltmarsh. 2 coal tit at Brickyard Lane along with 15 long-tailed tit and 6 siskin over. Tawny owl at Churchill Lane. 051122 - Pair of stonechats near Paradise wood. 061122 - 2 sparrowhawk, peregrine, 3 bullfinch, 2 Cetti’s warbler, 8 goldcrest and a small arrival of thrushes (fieldfare, redwing, blackbird and song thrush) mid-morning at Brickyard Lane. 12 goosander flew south over the sea. 071122 - Great white egret on Sea View Washlands, 31 little egrets on the saltmarsh and merlin in area and amongst wildfowl on Paradise lagoon 6 tufted ducks. Lapland bunting at Crook Bank and 6 snow bunting reported at Mablethorpe North End on the beach. 081122 - Strong, mild south-westerly winds all day with a gust of 37.8mph observed at Quarry Hill. At least 6 red admirals on the wing near Sea View. In a sunny and sheltered part of Churchill Lane: 2 red admiral, 1 comma, buddleia still in flower nearby. 4 common darter, 1 ruddy darter, 2 species of large bumblebees thought to be Bombus locorum and terrestris. Several flies species not identified. Great white egret on the Eau at Sea View. 8 snow bunting reported on the beach at Mablethorpe North End. Other Local Reserves 021122- Donna Nook: 1 snow bunting flew over. 041122 – Donna Nook Seal Count: 47 pups, 124 cows, 53 bulls. 051122 – Donna Nook: Flock of twite moving around the saltmarsh, whooper swans and pink-footed geese flying over. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch. https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Chambers Farm Wood - Butterfly Garden *** https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/chambers-farm-wood-butterfly-garden Lincolnshire Dormouse Group You can get in touch via lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com Gemma Watkinson writes: Winter coppicing dates 2022-2023 Sunday 20th November Saturday 17th December Sunday 15th January  Saturday 11 February  Sunday 12th March Throughout the winter we meet at 10am at the Wood Centre at Chambers Farm Woods. We carry out coppicing in the woodland and box maintenance and cleaning, and always welcome new volunteers. Tools are provided. If anyone wants to know more, they can get in touch at 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Links to "Other Reserves" are welcome. Coastal Wildlife of North East Lincolnshire https://www.discovernortheastlincolnshire.co.uk/things-to-do/nature-and-wildlife/ South Humber Heritage Trail, Alkborough Flats - LWT leaflet - downloadable https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/2018-04/south_humber_heritage_trail_alkborough.pdf New haven for wildlife on shores of Humber Estuary in North East Lincolnshire https://thelincolnite.co.uk/2022/08/new-haven-for-wildlife-on-shores-of-humber-estuary-in-north-east-lincolnshire/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** 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/ On the LNU webpage on the Officers and Executive Committee you will see some new names. Several experienced naturalists have agreed to join, for which we are very appreciative. https://lnu.org/about/officers-executive/ *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** https://twitter.com/LincsWildlife *** Lincs Bird Club Website *** 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 *** https://twitter.com/sirjosephbanks *** Lincolnshire Bat Group website *** http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** https://twitter.com/BC_Lincolnshire *** Lincsbirders *** https://twitter.com/lincsbirders *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** https://lincolnshirechalkstreams.org/events/ *** 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 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 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/ Recording with "irecord" https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ irecord is recommended by the LNU as an appropriate platform for on-line recording. 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 Spiders, Pseudoscorpions, Harvestmen Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Email: Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk Amphibians and Reptiles Ashley Butterfield The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) Email: 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: 01383 669 124 Email: chris.r.dufeu@gmail.com 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/ Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership newsletter: If you would like to keep up to date with the Partnership, follow the link below to subscribe to our newsletter or connect with us on social media. https://linktr.ee/GLNPnature Contact in case link does not work: Emily Todd: emily.todd@glnp.org.uk Natural England http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ InsideEcology - Online Magazine for Ecologists, Conservationists and Wildlife Professionals https://insideecology.com/ NHBS Should you need natural history equipment or books: https://www.nhbs.com/ 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/ 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 For the Geologists... Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Suggestions for Geology news, events or useful links always welcome. BGS Geology Viewer https://geologyviewer.bgs.ac.uk/ Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 Geology - the Collection https://www.thecollectionmuseum.com/explore/geology Geology of the Lincolnshire Wolds https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/special-features/geology The Geology of Lincolnshire - downloadable LNU book BGS webpage: Earthquakes around the UK last 60 days http://www.earthquakes.bgs.ac.uk/earthquakes/home.html BGS 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: updates for Indoor Meetings 2023. https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** None. ....and finally... Dentures and phones found at water treatment sites https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8vg368dl31o Dog freed from underground pipe after two days - East Yorkshire https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-63476259 Cornwall ferry: Sealife surveys were incredible, charity says https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-63527408 Skomer: Manx shearwaters feed chicks plastic and glitter https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-63519564 Country diary: The changing nature of the estuaries https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/nov/05/country-diary-the-changing-nature-of-the-estuaries A walk on the wild side: explore the Avalon Marshes, Somerset https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/nov/02/a-walk-on-the-wild-side-explore-the-avalon-marshes-somerset Six archaeological discoveries to rival Tutankhamun's tomb https://www.newscientist.com/article/2344998-six-archaeological-discoveries-to-rival-tutankhamuns-tomb/ Bumblebees rolling wooden balls may be first evidence of insect play https://www.newscientist.com/article/2345255-bumblebees-rolling-wooden-balls-may-be-first-evidence-of-insect-play/ Paintballs to be shot at Dutch wolves in bid to make them less tame https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-63499054 Country diary: Another fallen tree, another slow feast for the woodland floor https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/nov/02/country-diary-another-fallen-tree-another-slow-feast-for-the-woodland-floor ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/