=========================================== || || 5th October 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: For some time I have been hoping someone would express an interest in taking on the editing of the Bulletin. It's a good volunteer job for a person at home with computers & wildlife issues. I've done it for 20+ years. It is time to pass it on to an enthusiast with some new ideas. If we can't find someone willing we shall have to consider what to do: to change it or stop it. I shall be reiterating this point at the next LNU Exec meeting. LNU members interested are welcome to ask about what's involved. I'll be happy to explain. The basic facts: History https://lnu.org/publications/wildnews-bulletin/ Past editions from 2009 http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Mailchimp mailing list: 473 subscribers: 91% open it often; 4% sometimes; 4% rarely. Demographics: "A combination of Male, Female and Another Identity [sic], from 55 and up" Epworth Turbary Foray: The LNU Foray - 9th October: Epworth Turbary LWT Reserve https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2022-10-09-epworth-turbary-lwt-reserve-sunday-9th-october/ The post code given on the Field Meetings website got us to the LWT members' entrance - but we are advised to use an alternative parking arrangement for the LNU meeting. See: "The reserve 'car park' as referred to on the website is not usable or safe for any more than a couple of vehicles, so I had suggested ...that I would make special arrangements for our management access gate to be used for the occasion to accommodate the groups' vehicles safely away from the public highway. (SE75366 04219) This is located at the North-Western corner of the reserve and accessed from the Wroot Road along the Private Road to Sandhill Farm which traces the East and North boundaries of the SSSI." Check the LNU events web page for updates or cancellations: https://lnu.org/meetings/ The Wolds Fungi Group. Details of Forays - Autumn 2022 is given below for October and November. Please let Paul Nichol know if you plan to attend so he knows who to expect. Regarding the Whisby foray on 11th, I've been told parking there is £2-50 so please remember to bring cash. This week's links to Lincolnshire and wildlife-related news stories. More general links in "..and finally ..." at the end of the Bulletin. Drax: UK power station owner cuts down primary forests in Canada https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63089348 Nuclear waste disposal site would create thousands of jobs - report https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63077858 Nuclear fusion plant to be built at West Burton A power station https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-63119465 Cleethorpes: 'State of emergency' urged over sewage https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63089654 Cleethorpes: 'Crash-landed' puffin rescued from building site https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63091142 Louth: Controversial seating removed after vandalism https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63090213 Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue report 60% increase in arson incidents https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63089211 Deepings School head responds to 'wrong socks' uniform criticism https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63120331 George Boole: Statue to Victorian coder unveiled in Lincoln https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63064389 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. *** Support Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union *** You will find "good causes" listed in every LNU Bulletin in Section 8. Local wildlife charities do need supporters and welcome new members. If you are not yet an LNU member please would you consider the possibility of joining? https://lnu.org/join-the-lnu/ *** The Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership newsletter *** The newsletter will give our Partners and Supporters insight into the recent work of the GLNP, including projects and upcoming events, as well as relevant news from the GLNP and our Partner organisations. 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 We look forward to sharing all things GLNP with you! Best wishes, The GLNP team *** Weather Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#? 9-18 October "This period is likely to be characterised by unsettled weather with showers and longer periods of rain expected across most areas at first. The heaviest and most frequent rain is expected in the west and northwest, while southeastern areas are likely to remain drier on average. Changeable conditions are likely to remain later into the period with a split between east and west areas. Rain and showers expected to remain most frequent in the west with drier weather expected to the east. Breezy conditions are expected throughout the period, with a risk of severe gales across exposed areas in the northwest at times. Temperatures will generally be close to normal with some cooler nights, bringing the chance of mist and fog in places." *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Northern Lights captured at Kielder Observatory - watch short clip https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-tyne-63115805 "One of the biggest sunspots in years has just rotated over the sun's northeastern limb. The appearance of the dangerous sunspot could herald two weeks of high solar activity. https://spaceweather.com/ For UK Aurora data see: https://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ Heads up for a partial Solar Eclipse on Tuesday 25th October - 10.00 - 12.00hrs. https://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/online/solar-eclipse-october-2022-uk-live-stream Jodrell Bank Monthly Night Sky Guide http://www.jb.man.ac.uk/astronomy/nightsky/ SkyatNight month-by-month guide to locating the planets throughout 2022 https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/skills/astronomy-guide-viewing-planets-night-sky/ Stellarium. The FREE open source planetarium for your computer. http://stellarium.org/ *** Len Pick Trust Owl-box Camera *** Bob Sheppard writes: On October 1st the Len Pick Trust barn owls returned to the tower to roost. Both adults can now be seen regularly during daylight hours. The stock dove, which was sitting two eggs, has now disappeared https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project *** Chambers Farm Wood - Butterfly Garden *** The volunteers at the Butterfly Garden meet on the first and third Tuesday of the month from February to November. It's a great opportunity to meet other gardeners and wildlife enthusiasts, and to work in a lovely setting. If you are interested in joining us, we would welcome new volunteers. Just pop along for a chat, or contact Margaret Westcott, 01205 750719. We are meeting on Tuesday 4th and 18th October, 9.30 - 3pm. https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/chambers-farm-wood-butterfly-garden *** Hedgehog Links *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/found-a-hedgehog/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** Bat advice from Annette Falkner *** Annette writes: Re the Pearsons’ disappearing bats at Boston in last week’s Bulletin. The loss of the trees could be the likely cause of the loss of their bats, as they would probably have been one of their main food sources, but actually bat activity is slowing down now anyway as insects become harder to find, so they have to work harder for their dinner. They use all sorts of temporary roosts at this time of the year and by now should have put on a lot of extra weight to get them through hibernation during the winter. Gardens are hugely important for bats because each one is different, so have a subtly different range of insects, and the Pearsons may be pleasantly surprised to find their bats back next year after all. Fingers crossed. 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. *** The Wolds Fungi Group - Programme of Forays Autumn 2022 *** Anyone thinking of attending any of the forays should contact Paul Nichol beforehand please, so he has a rough idea of who may be turning up. pnichol20@gmail.com The aim of field meetings is to have an enjoyable day out looking for and learning how to identify mushrooms & toadstools that are to be found in Lincolnshire and to record the fungi and understand their ecology. Our records will be passed onto the County recorder for fungi and further to National databases. Foraging for edible fungi is not an aim of the group. Forays start at 10.00am and last for 2 to 3 hours. Please bring along a plastic box (no carrier bags!) if you wish to collect specimens a penknife is useful for removing fungi on wood and a culinary fork for prizing specimens out of the litter. Some sort of hand lens is always useful as is a note book to record your observations. A list of our records for a foray will be provided for those who want them. Tuesday Oct. 11th Whisby Nature Park, Thorpe on the Hill Lincoln. Meet in the car park at the nature park SK911661 Post code LN6 9BW Note: bring change for car park! Huge Middleton reminds me that the car parking is £2-50. Saturday Oct. 29th Walesby Moor, Market Rasen. Meet and park at Grid ref TF114908 which is beyond Walesby Woodland Caravan Park. Carry on past the caravan park for about 200m and car park on left. Saturday Nov 5th Theddlethorpe dunes, Theddlethorpe St Helen. Meet in the car park at the end of Brickyard Lane TF482891 Post code LN12 1NR *** 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 *** Talk - Every Pixel Tells a Story Part 2 by Neil Smith Thursday 13th October 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 & Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** On Monday 10th October 2022 you are welcome to join us for our indoor meeting where Abby Armitage will be giving us an outline of the Dynamic Dunes Project, sand dune lifecycle and habitats and tell us what the project is doing for Lincolnshire. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall DN31 1HXand starts at 7.30 pm. Admission £3. Tea & coffee will be available. For further details please contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858 *** RSPB Grimsby Local Group *** The RSPB Grimsby Local Group has a new website https://group.rspb.org.uk/grimsby/ Martin Francis writes: The next Indoor Meeting is on Monday 17th October at 7.30pm - Matthew Capper, "The RSPB Grimsby Local Group's next Indoor Meeting is on Monday 17th October at 7.30pm - Matthew Capper will give an illustrated talk about "Florida - the Sunshine State" The talk takes place at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7LH Entry for everybody is £4, payable at the door. Light refreshments and a raffle will be available There will be a Trip to Spurn Point (Kilnsea) on Sunday 23rd October. Travel to Spurn Point is by 'car share' so if you would like to go, just 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. 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 and/or on the Trip Martin Francis Group Leader - RSPB Grimsby Local Group" *** Seal and Birdwatching Cruises 2022 - South Lincs RSPB Group *** 14 cruises have been arranged for 2022, at various sailing times, 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 - sign up. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails EasyTide http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx Sewage pollution of beaches SAS link: https://www.sas.org.uk/map/ 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 27/9 3+ Little Stints, 2+ Curlew Sandpipers, 7 escaped Red-breasted Geese, 2 ads +3 juvs, both ads ringed, Frampton Marsh Pectoral Sandpiper on Shooters Pool, Freiston Shore Pomarine Skua, Spotted Redshank, Tetney Marshes 28/9 Pectoral Sandpiper, Freiston Shore Snow Bunting at South Marsh Road, Gibraltar Point Yellow-browed Warbler, Huttoft Bank Pit Yellow-browed Warbler in bushes south of Pye's Hall, Donna Nook Little Stint juv at Novartis Ings, Pyewipe 29/9 Black Brant, Freiston Shore Osprey juv over Manby Spotted Redshank, Far Ings 30/9 Rock Pipit flew SW over Baston + Langtoft GPs 9 Little Stints, 8 Curlew Sandpipers, 7 escaped Red-breasted Geese, 2 ads +3 juvs, both ads ringed, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Curlew Sandpiper along Humber off Novartis Ings, Pyewipe 1/10 Rock Pipit on East Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Hen Harrier juv, Frampton Marsh 2 Yellow-browed Warbler, Snow Bunting, 2 Lapland Buntings flew towards saltmarsh, Hen Harrier ringtail from Wash viewpoint, Gibraltar Point Jack Snipe near Crook Bank, Theddlethorpe Dines Rough-legged Buzzard flew over field by road north of Meals Farm, Donna Nook Yellow-browed Warbler at pumping station off Kings Road, Cleethorpes Jack Snipe opposite Scallow Grove Farm, left of Duck hide, Messingham Sand Quarry Curlew Sandpiper at Winters Point, end of Marsh Lane, East Halton Skitter, Spotted Redshank at Halton Marshes, 2/10 Cattle Egret on sea bank, 4 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh Snow Bunting along Marsh Road, Spotted Redshank, Gibraltar Point Little Stint, Tetney Marshes Curlew Sandpiper, East Halton Skitter Curlew Sandpiper juv on River Humber, Pyewipe Ruddy Shelduck on pool, Alkborough Flats 3/10 3 Curlew Sandpipers, River Witham mouth, Cut End Jack Snipe, 7 escaped Red-breasted Geese, 2 ads +3 juvs, both ads ringed, Frampton Marsh Hawfinch at Shoveler Pond, Ring Ouzel at West Dunes, Gibraltar Point Curlew Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank at Novartis Ings, Pyewipe 4/10 3 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh Yellow-browed Warbler trapped and ringed, Gibraltar Point 2 Rock Pipits on east side, Toft Newton reservoir ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. You can download and print off a hard copy or view it online. 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. This is 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 as 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. ROAD KILL TETNEY LOCK ROAD TA327019 04:09:2022 Peter Crick Badger on grass verge near oil terminal. (One of the largest specimens I have seen) THORESBY BRIDGE A1031. TF335997 22:09:2022 Peter Crick Badger on grass verge. Small, been dead for a few days HUMBERSTON A1031. Nr. ENTRANCE TO BISHOPTHORPE FARM TA310037 28:09:2022 Peter Crick Badger in middle of road (fresh Kill) Again, a very large specimen indeed. *** 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 No report this week. BARDNEY GARDEN Grid ref TF 117 701 Mary and Phil Porter  2nd October 2022 Hummingbird hawkmoth on pink phlox in late afternoon. We have been here 21 years and that’s only our second October record. BOSTON Maud Foster Drain along Willoughby Road Tracey Lenton 23/09/2022 2 Swan families were on the Maud Foster drain, noticed as driving along Willoughby Road 1 family of 2 adults and 5 young 2nd family of 2 adults and 6 young BOSTON Boston Garden September 2022 Kathleen Pearson The BTO count was far below normal in September, probably for two reasons namely being away on holiday for two weeks and the removal of trees behind the house to facilitate further road building. Only 16 species were counted with only two species - Goldfinch and House Sparrow - exceeding double figures. Blackbird 6, Goldfinch 12, House Sparrow 16, Chaffinch 2, Collared Dove 2, Blue Tit 1, Long-tailed Tit 5, Great Tit 2, Robin 1, Dunnock 1, Greenfinch 1, Song Thrush 1, Woodpigeon 4, Carrion Crow 2, Sparrowhawk 1 and Magpie 1. GIBRALTAR POINT Tracey Lenton 02/10/2022 A walk on the beach in the afternoon: 1 Curlew bathing in a small lagoon 1 juvenile Sanderling, running along the beach, id by Kevin Wilson Lincs Wildlife Trust. KETTLETHORPE 02/10/2022 Kettlethorpe Alison Brownlow 2 Pale Tussock caterpillars SPALDING Annette Faulkner Report of 4th October 2022 Common earwigs Forficula auriculata are turning up quite regularly at the moment. The one I most recently looked at was a male, according to Chinery in Collins Guide. They seem to be particularly interested in sweet corn plants – what would they be after, I wonder? Found in both garden TF245218 and allotment TF228218, if anyone is collecting records. WILLINGHAM WOODS 3rd October 2022 Angela Buckle Willingham woods. Shaggy soldier, Purple flowered yarrow, Vipers bugloss. Fungi. Dozens of Fly agarics, and Cone cap fungi. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 - pair owls seen in box 7.00 hrs on 30/9/2022 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 28th September – 4th October 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: 280922 – 3 adult whooper swans on the beach at Crook Bank in the morning, later relocated on Elm House Farm. 1 snipe, 9 curlew, 50 linnet, 6 reed bunting, 8 meadow pipit, 1 stonechat and 1 brambling on the saltmarsh at Brickyard Lane. 3 stonechat in the dunes at Crook Bank. Great Eau outfall: 80 teal. 290922 - Butterflies seen: red admiral, small heath, wall, small copper, small white, comma, peacock, common blue, meadow brown, speckled wood. 27 ringed plover, 1 dunlin and 2 grey plover on the beach near Brickyard Lane and a spotted redshank heard on the saltmarsh. An increase in thrushes around Sea View first thing, including redwings, song thrushes and blackbirds. 3 redwing, 5 song thrush, 1 brambling and 2 goldcrest between Churchill Lane and Brickyard Lane. Between Rimac and Sea View were a marsh harrier, 2 brambling, 1 siskin, 2 chiffchaff and 4 goldcrest. 3 buzzard. Peregrine over Great Eau outfall. 300922 - 2 short-eared owls hunting over the saltmarsh. Paradise lagoon: 210 teal, 6 shoveler and 3 mallard. On the Great Eau a further 40 teal and kingfisher. Single redwing and 4 swallows over Sea View. Hummingbird hawkmoth on the wing at Sea View. 10 whooper swan south, 1 short eared owl in off the sea, c1240 pink footed geese roosting on foreshore. 011022 - House martin over Sea View, comma near Sea View. House martin over the beach at Crook Bank, possibly the same bird from Sea View. Jack snipe near Crook Bank. A selection of c400 mixed small waders on the foreshore, mostly ringed plover, sanderling and dunlin. Singles of grey wagtail, siskin and merlin flew south. 021022 - Swallow over Rimac, 2 pintail with wigeon on Saltfleet Haven, peregrine, 2 short-eared owls and a sparrowhawk hunting over saltmarsh. Late evening 5 marsh harriers in the area. 2 small bats coastguard cottage. 031022 - 2 ravens over Sea View and then off to the saltmarsh and be harassed by 2 marsh harriers. Paradise lagoon: 183 teal, 2 little grebe, 7 shoveler, 12 wigeon and 6 mallard. jack snipe, common snipe, grey wagtail and Cetti’s warbler at Rimac. Jack snipe, common snipe, grey wagtail and Cetti’s warbler at Rimac. 041022 - 2 greenshank on Paradise lagoon, Great Eau Outfall: single kingfisher and little grebe, Cetti’s calling nearby. Green woodpecker near Sea View. Vipers bugloss in flower at Churchill Lane. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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: last one 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 - downloadable 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 *** 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/ More and more people are using irecord. It 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/ 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 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. Experts warn Lincolnshire town could become new fracking zone https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news/local-news/experts-warn-lincolnshire-town-could-7620424 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 https://lnu.org/publications/books/the-geology-of-lincolnshire/ 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 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/ Field Meetings: 9th October: Epworth Turbary LWT Reserve (Annual Fungus Foray) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** 7 customers of "plus.com"! I emailed them all suggesting they refer to the text edition here. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletin2022sept28.txt I also offered to send them individual Bulletins but only one reader asked for that. 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... Derbyshire crayfish relocated in bid to protect rare species https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-63039584 Ancient footprints reveal 'Irish Sea Serengeti' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63036911 British botanists murdered and thrown to crocodiles in South Africa, court hears https://uk.yahoo.com/news/british-botanists-murdered-thrown-crocodiles-104304330.html 'Superhero' moss can save communities from flooding, say scientists https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/sep/30/superhero-sphagnum-moss-save-communities-flooding Record avian flu outbreak sees 48m birds culled in UK and EU https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63097119 Sleeping in barns - homeless in the countryside https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63061504 Consultation over 3,000-acre East Yorkshire solar farm plan https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-63075165 Revealed: Huge gas flaring emissions never reported https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-62917498 Eurasian Beaver now legally protected in England https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63077068 Derbyshire Wildlife Trust marks first anniversary of beaver return https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-63068188 Government accused of 'attack on nature' by Herefordshire wildlife group https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-63080248 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/