=========================================== || || 30th November 2022 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || || LNU Website: http://lnu.org/ || ============================================ 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]. Compare earlier years. Past Bulletins archive [text] from 2009: 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: It's worth keeping up with the bird flu story. Bird Flu: Bird flu: What is it and what's behind the outbreak? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63464065 Defra advice to the general public is to leave corpses alone and report the findings - but that landowners should dispose of birds themselves. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-latest-situation-avian-influenza-prevention-zone-declared-across-great-britain LNU Meetings: updates for Indoor Meetings 2023 https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ 25/11: Donna Nook Seal Count: 1533 pups, 1578 cows, 538 bulls Weekends can get very busy so we would advise you to visit mid-week. 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. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook This week's links to Lincolnshire and wildlife-related news stories. Patagotitan: Colossal dinosaur heading for UK display https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63741208 [If any local group is organising a trip to go and see this I'll be happy to give it a plug in the Bulletin. I might even go on it!] North Lincolnshire: HGVs banned from passing through villages https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-63795343 Lincolnshire Police bid to tackle reprise in hare coursing https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63772573 Hare coursing: Three suspects arrested after crashing car https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63798948 Prof Sir Jonathan Van-Tam opens new medical school https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cge59npkvxgo Lincolnshire: Utility firms fined £500k for highways work delays https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63786479 Legbourne Cold War nuclear bunker sells for £31,000 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63740630 Lincolnshire-baked slice of royal history fails to sell at auction https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63734767 South Kesteven: Street lighting costs predicted to quadruple https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63743267 Lincoln: 5G street hub plan proposed https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63720444 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#? 4 - 13 December "...Into next week, occasional showers will affect the UK, these heaviest and most frequent along eastern coastal areas... Showers may become wintry over higher ground, with a risk of sleet over lower levels at times. A continuation of these conditions is favoured towards the end of the period, with precipitation generally most likely in eastern and southern regions. Temperatures will likely be below average, especially in the south where easterly winds may make it feel even colder at times." *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** How to see the Geminid meteor shower 14-15th December https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/geminid-meteor-shower-uk-dates-how-to-see The path of comet ZTF - https://www.cometwatch.co.uk/bright-comets-of-2022/ https://www.cometwatch.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/comet-c2022-e3-ztf-finder-chart.jpg Cosmic Links... for more http://rogerparsons.info/cosmic.html Stellarium - open source and very useful https://stellarium.org/ *** Len Pick Trust Owl-box Camera *** A pair of owls is in residence. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project *** Hedgehog Advice *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** Bat Advice *** Annette Falkner 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 - Wildlife and History of The Fens by Geof Lee Thursday 8th December 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 Davis writes: Deadly, delightful or a whole load of rot - Fungi that grow on trees. On Monday 12th December 2022 you are invited to join us at our next indoor meeting when Paul Nichol will be giving an illustrated presentation about fungi. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall DN31 1HU and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £3, all are welcome. With it being our December meeting there will be shared festive refreshments for all to enjoy. Tea and coffee will also be available. For further information contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858. *** RSPB Grimsby Local Group *** The RSPB Grimsby website https://group.rspb.org.uk/grimsby/ The RSPB Grimsby Local Group's next Indoor Meeting is on Monday 19th December at 7.30pm Steve Lovell will give an illustrated talk about "The Somerset Levels" Steve is a well-known local nature guide who has given us a number of well- received talks before, so this talk is sure to be interesting, informative and well-presented. The talk takes place at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7LH. A map showing the location of the hall can be found on our website, Home - Grimsby Local Group (rspb.org.uk) Entry for everybody is £4, payable at the door. Light refreshments (with something of a festive flavour!) and a raffle will be available The next 'car share' trip is not until February 2023 - details will be available at a later date 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 seeing you at the Indoor Meeting 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 21/11 Lapland Bunting flew south over, Little Auk flew north, Hawfinch on West Dunes, 2 Hen Harriers 1 male, Gibraltar Point 2 Caspian Gulls on beach, 2w hybrid Glaucous x Herring Gull, 2 Velvet Scoters, 3 Little Auks flew south past Mablethorpe Great Northern Diver juv off sailing club, Snow Bunting on east side, Covenham reservoir Blue-winged Teal juv fem at Winter's Pond at end of Marsh Lane, south of East Halton Skitter - from track to Humber flood bank 22/11 Hen Harrier ringtail, Frampton Marsh Little Auk, Mablethorpe 23/1110 Velvet Scoters on sea, 1 Little Gull flew north, Mablethorpe Short-eared Owl on Sandilands Pit, Sutton on Sea Redstart, Donna Nook 24/11 Great Northern Diver near Deeping High Bank, flew over River Welland, Kittiwake ad reported by River Welland on bank by Four Mile Bridge, later flew south over fields, towards Crowland, Deeping St Nicholas Hen Harrier ringtail, Freiston Shore Water Pipit, Little Gull, 2 Great Northern Divers flew past, Gibraltar Point Velvet Scoter, Slavonian Grebe, Snow Bunting, Covenham reservoir 2 Waxwings at Birchin Way, Grimsby - flew off 25/11 Scaup male on the Haven, Twite, Caspian Gull, Gibraltar Point 2 Hen Harriers [male and ringtail] at RAF range, RAF Wainfleet Velvet Scoter on sea, Mablethorpe Hen Harrier male from Howden's Pullover car park, north of Saltfleet Velvet Scoter juv, Slavonian Grebe, Snow Bunting on east bank, Covenham reservoir 26/11 Slavonian Grebe, Spotted Redshank, Freiston Shore Little Auk flew south past, Lapland Bunting flew south, 10 Little Gulls, 8 Snow Buntings on beach, 3 Hen Harriers, Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point Slavonian Grebe, Velvet Scoter juv, Great Northern Diver near SE corner, Covenham reservoir Spotted Redshank in wet field, East Halton 19 Russian White-fronted Geese flew south over, Spotted Redshank, Goxhill Haven Water Pipit on Goxhill Marsh 19 Russian White-fronted Geese in wheat field, East Halton Hen Harrier male over field near woods north of Wroot Road, Epworth 27/11 Hen Harrier ringtail, south of car park over wet grassland, Frampton Marsh Black-throated Diver flew south past, 2 Little gulls, 4 Snow Buntings on beach, 2 Hen Harriers flew from roost, Gibraltar Point Velvet Scoter juv, Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Diver near SE corner, Knot, Covenham reservoir 19 Russian White-fronted Geese in winter wheat field off Marsh Lane west of Winter's Pond, south of East Halton Skitter Spotted Redshanks, Halton Marshes, East Halton Water Pipit, East Halton Skitter 28/11 4 Common Cranes in field by cover crop at Gull Farm, Deeping High Bank, Deeping St Nicholas Short-eared Owl, RAF Digby Caspian Gull 1w on beach, 7+ Velvet Scoters off Sea View car park, Mablethorpe Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Diver, Velvet Scoter, Covenham reservoir 29/11 2 Snow Buntings flew over Scopwick - from sound recording 3 Little Auks flew past Mablethorpe Little Auk, 3 Snow Buntings, Spotted Redshank, Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Tetney Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Diver, Snow Bunting, Velvet Scoter, Covenham reservoir 3 Bewick's Swans at Alderfen ENE of Wroot. Scaup 1w drk at Waters' Edge Country Park, Barton-upon-Humber 19 Russian White-fronted Geese off Marsh Lane in winter wheat field west of Winter's Pond, East Halton Skitter ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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 w/o 27/11/2022 Birds: Black-headed Gulls - local flock of 24+ House Sparrow - flock of 20+ Jackdaws - 2 regular, local flock of 12+ Starlings - variable - say 20+ Blackbird - 1-2 Woodpigeon - 6+ Collared Dove 4 Domestic pigeon - 2 CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK909581 11/11/2022 Jeremy Hutchinson Osprey seen flying south. Red Kites seen within a few miles around this time. 27/11/22 Raven (The above sightings were not mine, but were reported by reliable sources) Recently a Song Thrush has been singing most mornings; can't recall having heard one at this time of year before. A Mistle Thrush has been visiting our garden recently, which is unusual. FAR INGS Angela Buckle Far Ings, 27th November 20212. Winter Heliotrope in flower, first flower of the new season GRIMSBY GRID REF 265095 Joyce Attia 28th November 2022. Lots of blue tits and great tits keep coming to the bird feeder also occasionally house sparrows. Once or twice there has been a dunnock foraging under feeder. The wood-pigeons are regulars to the birdbath, though seems just to drink, rather than bathing. I've seen a male blackbird, first for a long time. In previous years we've had goldfinches, but not seen any this year. I hope they've not been badly affected by this bird flu. I think I'll get some Niger seed and see if they come back. Usually they have been happy with sunflower hearts. On the river some of the mallards have paired up. The moorhens are also pairing up. The adult swan pair are still together, the juveniles have split up too, probably been chased of by the adult male. There is still the single swan on his own. I found some swan/duck food which doesn't sink. They seem to like that. There have been a mix of seabirds, mostly black-headed gulls with occasionally juvenile herring gulls. A couple of days ago there was a cormorant. They tend to come upriver occasionally. I'm always surprised how low they swim in the water. All of his back was underwater, he just kept raising his wings up and flapping them. I looked it up and found that cormorants bones are more dense than other birds, so I suppose it helps them to dive. They can dive up to 45 meters. But with less waterproofing it must be a precarious life being a cormorant. MEDLAM DRAIN Gail Cartwright TF322568 My son was walking 1 of our dogs the other night in the dark and saw, by the Medlam Drain, what he first thought was a cat but then it turned, went in the water and swam away. He has looked up the description of what he saw and what came up was a mink, do we have mink in this area, does anyone know? I know there are some in England now but don't know if they are in this area. Chris Manning - LNU Mammal recorder adds: We have mink throughout Lincolnshire, they are the main reason for the water vole decline. Via GLNP we have started coordinated control: https://glnp.org.uk/projects/operation-water-vole-american-mink-control-strategy SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 09/11/22 Blackbird x 3 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 6 Chaffinch x 4 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 42 Goldfinch x 6 Great-spotted Woodpecker x 1 Heron x 2 over Jackdaw x 4 Kestrel x 1 Redwing x 9 Robin x 1 Starling x 15 Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 Grey Squirrel x 1 Rabbit x 4 25/11/22 Blackbird x 6 Blue tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 112 Goldfinch x 2 Grey Partridge x 15 Jackdaw x 4 Linnet x 9 Magpie x 2 Redwing x 61 Robin x 1 Wood Pigeon x 2 Wren x 1 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 13/11/22 Barn Owl x 1 seen and heard every morning for 2 weeks from 00:00hrs - 03:00hrs hunting around paddocks 14/11/22 Heron x 1 SE828015 Little Egret x 1 SE814008 20/11/22 Barn Owl x 1 Thurnholmes, x 1 SK788992 24/11/22 Barn Owl x 1 01:15hrs Blackbird x 6 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 4 Cormorant x 4 on pylons over Owston Ferry Warping Drain Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 255 feeding on the glut of berries in our hedgerow Goldfinch x 2 Jackdaw x 4 Kestrel x 2 Magpie x 2 Pink-footed Goose x 1250 East over Thurnholmes Redwing x 130 feeding with Fieldfares Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 2 Tawny Owl x 2 calling 01:20hrs Tree Sparrow x 15 Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 27/11/22 Barn Owl x 1 18:00hrs Blackbird x 12 Blue tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 4 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 300+ Goldfinch x 2 Grey Partridge x 12 Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Little Owl x 1 calling 17:30hrs Redwing x 51 Robin x 1 Starling x 120 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 18:30 Tree Sparrow x 36 Wood Pigeon x 4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 23rd – 29th 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: 231122 - 3 little grebe on Eau outfall. On saltmarsh: 3 marsh harrier, 33 mallard, 17 brent geese, 26 curlew, 13 little egret and near Sea View song thrush and green woodpecker. 2 stonechat remain next to the car park at Rimac. 241122 - Spooked off Rimac lagoon by a very determined sparrowhawk: 130 wigeon, 90 teal, 12 shoveler and 7 pintail, at least 20 skylark and 9 rock pipits on the saltmarsh nearby. On Stubbs’ washland: 231 Canada geese, 5 greylag geese and 21 fieldfare over. A single spotted redshank with 26 redshank on Rimac scrape. 3 bullfinch loosely associating with a mixed tit flock at Sea View. 251122 - Great spotted woodpecker drumming near Saltfleet, red admiral on the wing at Sea View. 2 merlin tussling at Rimac, resulting in one flying off north. 261122 - Paradise lagoon: 15 tufted duck, 6 mallard, 57 shoveler, 138 teal, 1 pintail, 1 coot and 1 little egret. On the saltmarsh: 72 brent geese, 12 curlew, 1 black-tailed godwit and 36 little egrets. Dusky warbler heard late morning at Brickyard Lane, where 2 Cetti’s warbler were singing nearby. On the saltmarsh out from Brickyard Lane were a merlin, sparrowhawk, 35 linnet, 200 starling, 1 rock pipit, 5 meadow pipit, 140 carrion crow. 271122 - Tawny owl calling near Sea View. 12 siskin a regular feature near Brickyard Lane. 1 chiffchaff, 3 bullfinch, 40 blackbird and 30 redwing between Churchill Lane and Brickyard Lane. 281122 - Short-eared owl near Paradise wood, kingfisher along the Eau. First winter Caspian gull on the beach at Mablethorpe north end. 291122 - Pair of stonechat at Rimac. Other local reserves 251122 – Donna Nook Seal Count: 1533 pups, 1578 cows, 538 bulls 291122 – Donna Nook: Increasing numbers of brent geese, lapwing, golden plover and starlings feeding out on the saltmarsh. Skeins of pink-footed geese flying over daily. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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 Wildlife Crime https://www.lincs.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/wc/wildlife-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/ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. [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/ 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... Scottish osprey feared dead resurfaces in Morocco https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-63795390 Gold coin proves 'fake' Roman emperor was real https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63636641 Fewer than 1% of ‘illegal’ tree felling cases in England result in conviction https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/nov/24/fewer-than-1-of-tree-felling-cases-in-england-result-in-convictions UK weather prompts 'second spring' due to mild November weather https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63754070 Devon Wildlife Trust seeks 'wildcat officer' to help reintroduce species in England https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-63766986 Bournemouth clifftop goat herd set to double https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-63740399 Men sentenced for using dogs to hunt wild hares in Angus https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-63745055 Ouse Washes: River bank raised in £40m flood protection work https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-63687754 Wild swimmers are getting sick from sewage, campaigners say https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-63681034 Flooded waste water plant filters wash up on beach https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c90ygngvpyko East Riding of Yorkshire Council launches climate change strategy https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-63731346 Future vegetation to be removed from Hoylake beach https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-63735752 Climate change: Could centuries-old wheat help feed the planet? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63457903 Bats and death metal singers use the same throat structure to growl https://www.newscientist.com/article/2348901-bats-and-death-metal-singers-use-the-same-throat-structure-to-growl/ Critically endangered tiny gecko comes back from the brink https://www.newscientist.com/article/2349047-critically-endangered-tiny-gecko-comes-back-from-the-brink/ ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/