=========================================== || || 19th 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: We caught Covid last week after months of avoiding it. We had been vaccinated and had done our best not to put ourselves at risk. We seem to have got off relatively lightly, thanks no doubt to the vaccine. All it takes is someone next to you to share "that sneeze!" I have wondered about migration of eels for years! Here's the answer. "This is the first time we've been able to track eels to the Sargasso Sea and we are delighted we have the first direct evidence of adult European eels reaching their spawning area," said Ros Wright of the Environment Agency, who led the research. Ancient eel migration mystery unravelled https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63259738 I see there's an eel talk coming up in Scunthorpe: 14th of November. Natural History and Geology Section - Scunthorpe Museum Society See information from Keith Scarrott below. Heads up for BBC Autumnwatch 2022: Tuesday 25th October https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0079t1p With possible winter power cuts being mentioned, you may want to think ahead. This piece by Northern Powergrid is a helpful start. https://www.northernpowergrid.com/what-to-do-in-a-power-cut 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. This week's links to Lincolnshire and wildlife-related news stories. The best microscope images of 2022 - Nikon's Small World awards https://www.zmescience.com/science/nikon-small-world-awards-pictures/ Ancaster: Birds to be culled after avian flu outbreak https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63239767 Humber Bridge: Traffic fears over plan to scrap toll booths https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-63257269 Louth parklets: Controversial seating will not return https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63296815 Dambusters: Rare memorabilia collection sells for £2k at auction https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63243133 Red Arrows: Squadron settle in at RAF Waddington https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-lincolnshire-63261302 Folkingham: Ruined cottage to be auctioned to recover costs https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63245555 Drugs seized and 19 arrested in Lincolnshire county lines crackdown https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63248771 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 Support Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union *** You will find "good causes" listed in every LNU Bulletin in Section 8. Local wildlife charities like the LNU do need supporters and welcome new members. If you are not yet an LNU member please would you consider the possibility of joining? If you are a member, please 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 October - 1 November "To begin the period, Sunday is expected to be unsettled as bands of rain move northeastwards across the country, with locally heavy and thundery showers possible in places, most likely in the southwest. Showers will likely be interspersed with some brighter, dry spells for many. Fairly windy for most, with a risk of gales at times especially in southwestern regions. Into next week, unsettled conditions are expected to dominate with further rainfall for much of the UK, particularly the west. Stronger winds or gales are likely at times, especially in the north and west. Temperatures will most likely be above normal for much of the UK, but a chance of colder spells in the far northeast." *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Royal Observatory, Greenwich , says: In autumn 2022 the clocks will go back on 30 October at 2am. https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/when-do-clocks-go-back The Orionid meteor shower will peak on the night of 21-22 October between midnight and dawn. However, if you're looking you should be able to see the shower for several days either side of this 'maximum' date. https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/orionid-meteor-shower-2022-when-where-see-it-uk 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. We are meeting on Tuesday 18th October, 9.30 - 3pm. We have our last Tuesday of gardening this year on 1st 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. 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: 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. 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 *** Lincoln - LWT *** Richard Davidson writes: Lincoln LWT Area Group Talk October 20th: Woodhall Spa Airfield - The First Five Years An illustrated talk by Kevin James about the first five years of Woodhall Spa Airfield as a nature reserve and the wildlife that is now thriving there. Kevin is the warden for Woodhall Spa Airfield and several other nature reserves in the area. 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. *** Natural History and Geology Section - Scunthorpe Museum Society *** Keith Scarrott writes: We begin with the overall Society AGM at our next meeting on Monday, 14th of November. This will be followed by an illustrated talk on the subject of "Eels" by local fisherman and nature lover from South Ferriby David Mouncey. We meet as always at 7.15 pm in St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. There is no entry charge to our meetings but a donation bowl is provided. There is a large, free car park in the church grounds. There will be a comfort break halfway through the meeting during which light refreshments are provided for a small charge. *** RSPB Grimsby Local Group *** The RSPB Grimsby website https://group.rspb.org.uk/grimsby/ Martin Francis writes: 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 were arranged for 2022, at various sailing times, ending on 22nd October. This could be your last chance this year! 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 11/10 Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Little Stints, Short-eared Owl over saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh Spotted Redshank. Gibraltar Point Curlew Sandpiper, Huttoft Bank Pit Curlew Sandpiper juv, Spotted Redshank, Novartis Ings, Pyewipe 12/10 Spotted Redshank, Arctic Tern, Gibraltar Point Caspian Gull ad on beach, Saltfleetby Jack Snipe, Far Ings 4 Curlew Sandpipers all juvs, 4 Caspian Gulls, Novartis Ings, Pyewipe 13/10 3 Little Stints, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, Frampton Marsh Snow Bunting, Spotted Redshank flew south, Gibraltar Point 3 Bean Goose sp, ad White-fronted Goose, 25.000 Pink-footed Geese, Anderby Creek Lapland Bunting flew SW over North Hykeham Hen Harrier ringtail flew west past Humber Bridge, Far Ings 14/10 2 Cattle Egrets at foot of sea bank by car park, Kirton Marsh 3 Little Stints on pools near sea bank car park, Frampton Marsh Long-eared Owl flew over East Dunes, Gibraltar Point 6 Jack Snipe on foreshore, Rimac Spotted Redshank, Novartis Ings, Pyewipe 15/10 2 Cattle Egrets at foot of sea bank by car park, Kirton Marsh Slavonian Grebe, north side, Covenham reservoir Blue-winged Teal fem/1w.drk at end of Marsh Lane at Winter's Pond, East Halton Skitter Pratincole spp - probably Collared, over cattle field by Humber. Alkborough Flats 16/10 2 Common Cranes, both ads, Baston Fen 2 Black Redstarts briefly, Stanton's Pit, Little Bytham 2 Cattle Egrets at foot of sea bank north of car park, Kirton Marsh 3 Little Stints, Frampton Marsh Lapland Bunting flew south over Gibraltar Point Long-billed Dowitcher, Huttoft Bank Pit 2 Slavonian Grebes near pumping station, Covenham reservoir Blue-winged Teal fem/1w.drk at end of Marsh Lane at Winter's Pond, East Halton Skitter 17/10 Spotted Redshank, 2 Block-throated Divers and Slavonian Grebe on sea, Gibraltar Point Blue-winged Teal fem/1w.drk at end of Marsh Lane at Winter's Pond, East Halton Skitter Cattle Egret with cattle at Cress Marsh, Stallingborough 18/10 2 Cattle Egrets at foot of sea bank north of car park, Kirton Marsh Pratincole, probably Collared, in fields south of sea bank car park, then flew south. 2+ Common Cranes flew north, 2 Little Stints from sea bank, Frampton Marsh Ring Ouzel in East Dunes, 5 Bearded Tits flew south, Gibraltar Point Blue-winged Teal juv at end of Marsh Lane at 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 - 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. *** 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 Bardney Garden Grid ref TF 117 701 Mary and Phil Porter 17th October 2022 12+ red admirals on second flush of buddleia flowers – more red admirals (or any butterfly!) than we have seen for many months. X1 painted lady butterfly sunning itself on bricks. It has been in the garden for at least four consecutive days. Overhead, we have seen or heard skeins of geese going over on most days. Seem to be pink-footed. BARDNEY - The Green TF120694 R & A Parsons 15/10/2022 12.20hrs - Red Admiral sunning itself on garden wall. Again seen in flight on 16/10 /2022 at 12.30hrs. A regular since. Dead adult Long-eared bat brought to us 18/10/2022. ID confirmed by Annette Faulkner Location found: St Lawrence Church, Bardney, TF119693 - found inside the church just behind the door inside the tower. Male? Approx 5g in weight. Annette writes: Pleased you thought to include a ruler! Its forearm is 39mm, normal for adult long-eareds; it appears to be a female and it’s completely emaciated, as you can see from its pinched-in abdomen. If you have scales that will go down to 5g or below you also might like to weigh it. At this time of year it should weigh at least 9g. My guess here would be 6 if you’re lucky, as it died from starvation. She adds: "5g says it all." BOSTON TF338441 My garden Tracey Lenton I have had the pleasure of watching a young Wood Pigeon fledge over the last 2 weeks. 05/10/2022: Fledgling Wood Pigeon seen in the conifer hedge, being fed by parent. 06/10/2022 onwards: It has moved to the garden blossom tree, parent comes to feed it, it hops along the branches and flaps its wings. 08/10/2022: Still being fed by parent in tree 10 and 11/10/2022: Seen still in the blossom tree in the mornings, but not there when I come home from work. 12/10/2022 onwards: No sightings 16/10/2022: Seen in the blossom tree; preening then sat there alone for a few hours, late morning to middle of day. I think he must be fending for himself now. Boston Maud Foster drain at Cowbridge Tracey Lenton 06/10/2022: Saw swans on the drain as driving past. 7 flew up off the water whilst 2 remained. An impressive and beautiful sight to see a number of swans in flight. SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 28/09/22 Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 6 Chaffinch x 4 Dunnock x 2 Goldfinch x 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker x 1 Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Linnet x 6 Magpie x 2 Pink-footed Goose x 1700 east over, early morning Robin x 1 Starling x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 05/10/22 Blackbird x 1 Carrion Crow x 6 Chaffinch x 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker x 1 Greylag Goose x 35 over Jackdaw x 2 Robin x 1 Tree Sparrow x 9 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 12/10/22 Blackbird x 1 Black-headed Gull x 15 over Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 6 Chaffinch x 4 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 4 Great-spotted Woodpecker x 1 Greylag Goose x 25 over Jackdaw x 2 Magpie x 2 Robin x 1 Wood Pigeon x 5 Rabbit x 5 SWIN WOOD TF 421 777 Dave Miller Swinn Wood Tuesday 11th October: 2 Red Kite soaring over the Wood with 5 Buzzard. Hornet nest halfway down main road still has some activity around it. An amazing structure which we have been able to watch grow throughout the summer. Friday 14th October: Large mixed flocks of mainly Goldcrest and Long-tailed Tit feeding in Rigsby and Swinn Wood. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 29/09/22 Blackbird x 2 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 2 Dunnock x 2 Grey Partridge x 16 Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 2 Pink-footed Goose x 2000 east over Thurnholmes early morning Robin x 1 Starling x 38 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:10hrs Tree Sparrow x 15 Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 House Mouse x 2 03/10/22 Barn Owl x 1 02:00hrs Blackbird x 2 Black-headed Gull x 56 in fields around Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 4 Golden Plover x 125 in fields east of Thurnholmes Goldfinch x 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker x 1 Kestrel x 1 Linnet x 32 Pied Wagtail x 2 Pink-footed Goose x 84 NW over Thurnholmes Robin x 1 Sparrowhawk x 1 male Stock Dove x 1 fledged young Tree Sparrow x 29 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 Speckled Wood x 1 04/10/22 Great-spotted Woodpecked x 1 Little Owl x 1 06/10/22 Barn Owl x 2 Blackbird x 6 Carrion Crow x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Greylag Goose x 18 over Grey Partridge x 15 Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Little Owl x 1 calling 01:50hrs Magpie x 1 Pied Wagtail x 2 Pink-footed Goose x 150 east over Thurnholmes Robin x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 House Mouse x 2 Weasel x 1 13/10/22 Barn Owl x 1 calling 01:50hrs Blackbird x 4 Black-headed Gull x 7 over Thurnholmes  Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Greylag Goose x 17 over Thurnholmes Grey Partridge x 4 Heron x 1 over Thurnholmes Kestrel x 1 Little Owl x 1 calling 02:10hrs Magpie x 2 Mallard x 2 Mute swan x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Pied Wagtail x 1 Robin x 1 Tawny Owl x 1 Woodcock x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 Speckled Wood x 1 14/10/22 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 2 Black-headed Gull x 38 over Thurnholmes Cormorant x 5 on pylons over Owston Ferry Warping Drain Dunnock x 1 Golden Plover x 52 over Thurnholmes Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 1 Pied Wagtail x 1 Robin x 1 Skylark x 1 singing high Wood Pigeon x 4 Common Darter x 2 17/10/22 Gold Triangle x 1 photographed on conservatory windowsill (Clare Holme) 18/10/22 Barn Owl x 1 07:30hrs Blackbird x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Cormorant x 8 on pylons over Owston Ferry Warping Drain Common Buzzard x1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Little Owl x 1 calling 02:15hrs Magpie x 2 Pied Wagtail x 1 Rook x 51 in fields around Thurnholmes Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 2 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 02:00hrs Tree Sparrow x 17 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 House Mouse x 4 TWYFORD WOOD SK9423 Jane Ostler 17 October 2022 A foray on a regular route in Twyford Wood on Sunday produced a good list of species, but some notable absences like the Blewits, Boletes, Russulas and Puff Balls. Many Scientific names have changed since I first studied them and my identification skills also need revising but I am working on a list to send to the LNU Recorder. In the meantime here is a list, by common Name of some of the most striking and easily identified : Lion Shield, Lilac Fibrecap, Slippery Jack, False Chantrelle, The Deceiver, Sulphur Tuft, Brown Roll Rim, Turkey Tail, Honey fungus, Birch Polypore, Shaggy Ink cap, Lawyer’s Wig, Birch Bonnet, Clustered Bonnet, Clouded Funnel, Lilac Bonnet. WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 Jane Ostler 11-18 Oct 2022 Garden SK923247 Avian flu locally has meant penning in our hens. However the only birds which previously dare to go into the orchard space where they roamed free, wood pigeons and collared doves are not about. Just a solitary wood pigeon on the lawn a week ago. The front garden feeders, usually a squabble of about 20 house sparrows has a maximum of six visitors. Blackbirds are nowhere to be seen. A hedge sparrow which roosts in the honeysuckle where it nested and a robin singing in the morning is all I saw on the 17th October. No shortage of food , water and cover and the Guelder Rose, Spindle, Rowan and Whitebeam with plenty of fruit. Now that logs are brought in from the garden there is interest in the insects they bring in with them – a wood wasp, a queen common wasp, and a lacewing all finish up on the windows. On sunny days a Red Admiral has plenty of late flowers to feed on. one today on 18th October. There are buff-tailed and red tailed bumble bee queens about. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 12th – 18th 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: 121022 - Single yellow browed warbler with 7 goldcrests in birch at Sea View. Adult Caspian gull on the beach at Crook Bank. Hooded crow x carrion crow hybrid on the beach at Mablethorpe North End. 131022 - Single black cap and goldcrest at Sea View, 250 starlings over saltmarsh. C300 starlings in flight over Churchill Lane. 141022 - Party of 8 long-tailed tits near Sea View, 13 little egrets on the saltmarsh and a family group of 10 mute swans on Paradise lagoon, Cetti’s calling nearby. 1+ twite on the saltmarsh at Brickyard Lane. Seemingly an increase in starling, including a group of 300 over the old MOD base. Great white egret on the saltmarsh pool at Rimac before before flying south. Also on the saltmarsh were 6 jack snipe, 35 common snipe and a rock pipit. Red-breasted merganser in the Haven outfall. 2 stonechat around Rimac car park. 151022- Small bat in flight near Sea View. The first fieldfare and woodcock of the autumn were at Brickyard Lane, where 10 whooper swan flew south. 161022 - In the midday sunshine wall, red admiral and large white on the wing at Sea View. A single hawfinch flew west over the dunes at Brickyard Lane. 3 small bats hawking along treeline Churchill Lane at dusk. Butterflies/dragonflies Churchill lane area: 7 red admiral, 1 comma, 2 wall, 2 speckled wood, 1 small white, 1 small copper. 3 migrant hawker, 22 common darter. 171022 - Several goldcrests and a single blackcap at Sea View, 5 redwing in nearby scrub, 35 teal, 2 redshank and 3 curlew on Sea View washlands, common sandpiper on the Great Eau Outfall plus a minimum of 40 teal. Paradise lagoon: 79 mallard and 7 shoveler. Jack snipe flew west off Rimac saltmarsh and 5 whooper swan flew south. A rough estimate of 4000 pink-footed goose flew into roost on the reserve at dusk. 181022 - Tawny owl calling at Sea View, small bat in flight nearby and short-eared owl hunting over the dunes. C80 whooper swan flew south by 09:30, including one group of 50. Green sandpiper calling along the Great Eau. Raven over Brickyard Lane and 126 corvids on the outer foreshore. A family group of 2 adult and 3 juvenile whooper swan on Paradise Lagoon. Other local reserves 131022- Donna Nook: 22 long tailed tits moving through the sea buckthorn. 171022 – Donna Nook: Redwing 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 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/ Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership newsletter: The newsletter will give our Partners and Supporters insight into recent work of the GLNP, including projects and upcoming events and 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 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 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. 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 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** None. 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... Only 3% of England under nature protection - report https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63301703 Anti-Bird flu measures in place across Great Britain https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63283746 Climate change: Can an enormous seaweed farm help curb it? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63200589 Somerset floodplain plan 'will boost river's biodiversity' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-63253739 Giant graffiti peregrine falcons fly into Derby https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-63232226 Clywedog dam: Drought uncovers flooded family home https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-63242611 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/