=========================================== || || 26th 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: Remember: the clocks go back on 30 October 2022 at 2am. https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/when-do-clocks-go-back Donna Nook seal update: Daily movement of bulls between the sea and the dunes but no cows in yet. First pup born in 2021 was 28th October. For correct and up to date information on visiting and for the weekly seal count please check the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust website: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook or the Donna Nook Warden pages on Facebook and Twitter. Weekends can get very busy so we would advise you to visit mid-week. 'Flu comes early in England, with hospital cases rising https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-63341574 Winter power cuts: This piece by Northern Powergrid is helpful. https://www.northernpowergrid.com/what-to-do-in-a-power-cut We are awaiting LNU events web page 2023 updates. Not there yet. 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. Don't miss watching: Whale's majestic move brings dramatic end to marine rescue off Canada https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-63353569 Lincolnshire reservoir would help fix water crisis, councillors told https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63398610 Bird flu: Woodhall Spa farm reports Lincolnshire's second H5N1 case https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63375200 Humber wetlands bid for World Natural Heritage Site recognition https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3gjz17evzgo RSPB lodges Natural World Heritage site bid for wetlands area https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-63314659 Two Lincoln museums win national tourist visitor awards https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63319114 Grimsby: More than 50 shopping trolleys in River Freshney clean https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-63314669 Boston unveils plans for £22m revamp to boost trade https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-63302060 Cleethorpes: Extra water pumped into drought-hit boating lake https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-63371789 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#? 9 - 23 November "Unsettled conditions are expected to continue at first, with further heavy rain possible. An increasing chance of settled weather from mid-month, bringing a potential for colder, drier weather especially for the north and west. This would likely bring a risk of chilly nights with mist, frost and fog in places, with some snow possible in any showers in northern and western areas, especially over high ground. " *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Yorkshire: Sky-watchers capture partial solar eclipse on camera https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-63387058 James Webb telescope spies 'Pillars of Creation' - astounding https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63319814 Cosmic Links... http://rogerparsons.info/cosmic.html *** Len Pick Trust Owl-box Camera *** https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project *** Hedgehog Links *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.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 *** Boston Area Group LWT *** Gill Walsh writes: Talk - Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park by Dave Miller Thursday 10th November at 7.30pm Centenary Methodist Church Red Lion Street Boston PE21 6NY Admission is free but there will be a retiring collection. Refreshments will be served in the interval Non members welcome *** Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** Carolyn Davis writes Resident & Autumn Migrants Bird Walk On Saturday 29th October 2022 you are invited to join us on a morning Bird walk with Graham Hicks where we will be looking for resident and Autumn migrants along Anthony's Bank, Humberston, Cleethorpes. Meet in Anthony's Bank car park at 8am. Grid Ref. TA 331061 nearest postcode DN36 4EX Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event however donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further details contact walk leader Graham Hicks 07979 089890  *** 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 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/ 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 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 6 Bewick Swans flew over The Wash - late report, 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 19/10 Pomarine Skua flew south past, Ring Ouzel at Plantation, Hawfinch flew over West Dunes, Short-eared Owl in off sea, Curlew Sandpiper, Yellow-browed Warbler, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl flew in off sea, Huttoft Car Terrace, Huttoft Bank 20/10 2+ Rock Pipits at Wader Pit, juv Grey Plover flew through. Baston + Langtoft GPs 6 Ring Ouzels, 3 in East Dunes, 2 in Plantation, Swift sp flew south, Yellow-browed Warbler Aylmer, 2 Jack Snipe, Gibraltar Point Black Redstart male, north end of Marsh Yard car park, Huttoft Bank 2 Ring Ouzels in willow hedge, Hen Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Saltfleetby 8 Ring Ouzels, 3 Short-eared Owls, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe dunes Lapland Bunting, 5 Black Redstarts, 3 Firecrests, Yellow-browed Warbler, Ring Ouzel, Donna Nook Jack Snipe from Ness Hide, Far Ings 21/10 Curlew Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 3 Ring Ouzels, Black Redstart, Gibraltar Point Marbled Duck present for 4 days, Riseholme Lake from Riseholme Lane Yellow-browed Warbler in scrub near old hide on Humber bank, Pyewipe 22/10 3 Bearded Tits 1 male, Rock Pipit flew over Baston+Langtoft GPs Long-eared Owl, Snow Bunting flew over, Hen Harrier ringtail, Mealy Redpoll, 7 Ring Ouzels, Yellow-browed Warbler by road north of Aylmer Avenue, Black Redstart near visitor centre, Gibraltar Point Black Redstart, Theddethorpe GasTerminal 2 Ring Ouzels, 2 ringtail Hen Harriers over saltmarsh, drk Water Pipit, Garganey on Great Eau towards Sea View, Rimac Black Redstart 1w male, Sutton-on-Sea gardens Yellow-browed Warbler, Black Redstart 1+, Firecrest, Donna Nook Marbled Duck, Riseholme Lake from Riseholme Lane Spotted Redshank, Novartis Ings, Pyewipe 23/10 Yellow-browed Warbler, Firecrest, Ring Ouzel, Gibraltar Point Marbled Duck, Riseholme Lake from Riseholme Lane Yellow-browed Warbler in scrub near old hide on Humber bank, Pyewipe 24/10 Hen Harrier ringtail, 2 Short-eared Owls, Deeping High Bank, NE of Deeping St Nicholas 2 Cattle Egrets in cattle field by sea bank north of car park, Kirton Marsh Hen Harrier male flew south over Gibraltar Point Red-rumped Swallow juv, Swift sp flew south, Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe dunes, 2 Twite on beach with Linnets, Saltfleetby, 4 Jack Snipe in wet area near Neptune's Bar, Crook Bank Red-rumped Swallow flew south over Anderby Marsh, Anderby Creek Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Yellow-browed Warbler in bushes, Hooded Crow on beach by Stonebridge car park, Donna Nook Pomarine Skua juv flew east past Humber Bridge, Barton-upon-Humber 25/10 Yellow-browed Warbler, Hawfinch at Sykes Farm, Snow Bunting flew south, 2 Twite flew south, Gibraltar Point Snow Bunting, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe dunes Rough-legged Buzzard on saltmarsh, Donna/Nook/Grainthorpe Marsh Possible Red-rumped Swallow over seal sanctuary, Donna Nook. Yellow-browed Warbler, in scrub near old hide on Humber bank, Pyewipe 8 Twite, Goxhill Haven ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. WILDLIFE NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** The Roger Goy Column *** Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work and drop-in sessions. Roger died on 6th March 2009 at the age of 61. *** Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important *** Grab a Grid Reference: https://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ *** Links "not to be missed" *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Len Pick Trust Barn Owls - pair of owls now in residence. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog: http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ Lincs Bird Club: https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/sightings/latest-news Butterfly Conservation - Lincolnshire Branch: https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/ Which moth species might be on the wing tonight in your area? https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/whats-flying-tonight Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire by C. J. Manning, LNU Mammal Recorder. Download /print off. https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/mammalatlas.pdf VC54 North Lincolnshire Plant List - LNU Paul Kirby has produced a list of all the vascular plant & stonewort taxa with records on the MapMate botanical database for VC54, North Lincolnshire, at the end of January 2017. Download this on: https://lnu.org/specialists/vascular-plants/ Record Pool - recommended by Ashley Butterfield An easy way to record your amphibian and reptile species records. https://www.recordpool.org.uk/index.php ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Hedgehogs? Badgers? Otters? Reports welcome. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Thanks to our regular contributors across the county. Much appreciated. We rely on readers to send in their observations and welcome records from everyone, experts or beginners. Please keep your reports coming. BARDNEY - The Green TF120694 R & A Parsons No report this week, other than to comment on the quantity of tree seeds, wild fruits and berries being produced this year. Would you say that impression is generally true across the county? Is this a Mast Year? https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/blog/2020/10/what-is-a-mast-year/ GRIMSBY TA265095 Joyce Attia 15/10/22 I think my birds are returning to the garden. My grandson trimmed the tops off the buddleia, now it's more like a big bush than a tree and it's been full of house sparrows, great tits and blue tits attracted by the bird feeder. We've had one or two dunnocks on the ground. I haven't seen any blackbirds though. The wood pigeons still come daily to the bird bath, but the little collared doves haven't been for a while. The warm sun over the last week or so has brought out white bottomed bumble bees to the Michaelmas daises and the dahlias. Last week I saw a Ruby Tiger moth caterpillar along the river path. I stayed with him 'til he got to his destination, over the river wall. The path along the river bank is thick with sycamore seeds and beech nuts today, good for the grey squirrels, though I've only seen a couple of juveniles, a lot less than last year. On the river the mallards have got their adult plumage now, I counted 25, only 7 female. It's been a good year for moorhens. I counted 9 on a short walk along the banks. I haven't seen anything of the swans recently. There are lots of feral pigeons which crowd around your feet, and a few woodpigeons which are more wary. There seems to be a lot of crows just lately, 4 or 5 at once. They say a crow in a crowd is a rook, but I think these are just a family unit PINCHBECK Garden TF249255 John Redshaw Various dates Hummingbird Hawk-moth Singles on 26/06/2022 (on Red Valerian); 08/07/2022, 17/07/2022 (on Buddleia) 3 on 10/07/2022 (on pink Phlox), singles on 03/08/2022, 07/08/2022 and 18/08/2022 (on Buddleia) and single on 08/10/2022 (on Viola). WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH Woolsthorpe-by-Colsterworth SK 92/24 Jane Ostler Week ending 25/10/22 The mild weather is resulting in some late records. On 24/10/22 Hummingbird Hawk Moths still in several of the gardens. On 25/10/22 Red admirals and Large Whites.  Speckled Wood on Nature Trail Hawthorn Shield Bug ,Brown Hawker Drag0nfly, Red tailed and Buff-tailed Bumble Bees By contrast the first flocks of Redwing and Fieldfare seen this week ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 19th – 25th 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: 181022 – Approx. 80 whooper swan flew south by mid-morning, including one group of 50. A family group of 2 adult and 3 juvenile whooper swan on Paradise Lagoon. 126 corvids on outer foreshore. A raven flew over Brickyard Lane. At least 1 water pipit on Rimac freshwater marsh. 191022 - Increase in blackbirds around Sea View, a few goldcrests, 5 redwing and 3 blackcaps. A dusky warbler was found by Graham Catley at Rimac mid- afternoon and a Pallas’s warbler was seen briefly near Brickyard Lane. An arrival of redwing around the country, with most seemingly passing over the NNR at height. 3 brambling, 2 woodcock, 12 redwing and 2 fieldfare around Churchill Lane. Female bearded tit on the cross bank at Rimac freshwater marsh in short reed. 2 short-eared owl seen flying in-off from the coast. 201022 - Good numbers of blackbirds in the Sea View area early am, a few gold- crest, 3 redwing, 2 fieldfare and a single redpoll. A big arrival of thrushes, mostly blackbird and redwing, with many grounded by the heavy rain mid-morning to mid-afternoon. Straight after the rain, most thrushes took to the air and went high inland. 8 ring ouzel and 3 short-eared owl logged throughout the day. 211022 - Brown hen harrier over saltmarsh opposite Sea View, 3 short-eared owls and merlin over saltmarsh towards Paradise plus 15 little egrets and a single king- fisher on the Eau. Paradise lagoon 52 teal, 103 mallard, 14 shoveler, 2 wigeon, 2 gadwall, 8 pintail, 2 little grebe, 6 mute swans and a common sandpiper along the Eau. Firecrest with goldcrests at Sea View and late afternoon a flock of 90 fieldfare flew west over Sea View. 2 jack snipe flew off the saltmarsh at Brickyard Lane. Hen harrier flew south over the dunes. 4000 pink-footed geese left roost in the morning. 2 firecrest in the dunes at Brickyard Lane, where a wheatear and black redstart were on the beach edge. 221022 - On Paradise lagoon amongst the wildfowl a single garganey. 2 sparrow- hawks over Sea View. Late evening 24 little egrets on saltmarsh, 2 marsh harriers and a merlin in area and two swallows, south. 2 peregrine over the foreshore, 2 stonechat on outer buckthorn, wheatear at Brickyard Lane. A raven, 10 whooper swan and an Egyptian goose flew south. Black redstart just off the NNR at the old Theddlethorpe gas terminal site. 4 snow bunting, 2 stonechat and 2 jack snipe on the foreshore south of Crook Bank. Ring ouzel and coal tit in the dunes at Brickyard Lane. 2 ring ouzel at Sea View and a garganey on the Great Eau between Sea View and Rimac, having been seen earlier on Paradise Lagoon. 231022 - Little egret numbers building up to 37 on the saltmarsh, 2 peregrines doing aerial combat with a marsh harrier over the area, brown hen harrier quartering the ground in the distance. 3 little grebes on the Eau. Stonechat at Rimac. 241022 - On the banks of the Eau near the outfall 300+ redshank, 6 dunlin and 2 ruff, Cetti’s warbler calling near Sea View. In the evening at Sea View, a red-rumped swallow was hawking over trees at Sea View Farm and an unidentified Swift sp flew south (which may well have been a Pallid swift with many turning up around the country). 3 snow bunting, 2+ twite and 4 jack snipe south of Crook Bank. 2 swallow flew south at Mablethorpe North End. 251022 - Family group, 2 adults 3 young, of whooper swans flew west over dunes near Paradise wood, single stonechat near Sea View. In the warm midday sunshine 3 red admirals on the wing. Late afternoon saw 5 marsh harriers over the saltmarsh, a merlin frantically doing aerial stunts in hot pursuit of a pipit which was equally energetic to finally out- manoeuvre the merlin and live another day, plus a barn owl methodically hunting its way along the scrub edge of the saltmarsh near Sea View. Movement of finches in the morning with groups of chaffinch, brambling, siskin and redpoll flying south. A lesser whitethroat in the dunes near Crook Bank, a snow bunting on the beach and a house martin per Brian Hedley.  Other Local Reserves Donna Nook seal update: Daily movement of bulls between the sea and the dunes but no cows in yet. First pup born in 2021 was 28th October. For correct and up to date information on visiting and for the weekly seal count please check the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust website: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook or the Donna Nook Warden pages on Facebook and Twitter. Weekends can get very busy so we would advise you to visit mid-week. 191022 – Donna Nook: Goldcrests feeding along the full stretch of sea buckthorn from the southern end of the viewing area to Pyes Hall. 221022 – Donna Nook: Brent geese feeding on the saltmarsh, golden plover flying over the dunes, mixed flock of long-tailed tits, blue tits, great tits moving through the sea buckthorn, goldcrests and 5 firecrests seen, black redstart, merlin, curlew, peregrine, marsh harrier. 251022 – Donna Nook: Swallow flew over and rough legged buzzard was seen at Pyes Hall. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** The volunteers at the Butterfly Garden meet on the first and third Tuesday of the month from February to November. 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 Lincolnshire Dormouse Group You can get in touch via lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood; Little and Great Scrubbs Woods; Minting Wood; Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park; and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow (and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting). College Wood; Cocklode & Great West Woods; Hardy Gang Wood; Newball Wood; Rand Wood; Scotgrove Wood; Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland. Many are also designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Links to "Other Reserves" are welcome. Coastal Wildlife of North East Lincolnshire https://www.discovernortheastlincolnshire.co.uk/things-to-do/nature-and-wildlife/ South Humber Heritage Trail, Alkborough Flats - LWT leaflet - downloadable https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/2018-04/south_humber_heritage_trail_alkborough.pdf New haven for wildlife on shores of Humber Estuary in North East Lincolnshire https://thelincolnite.co.uk/2022/08/new-haven-for-wildlife-on-shores-of-humber-estuary-in-north-east-lincolnshire/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. SENDING IN BULLETIN REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We aim to increase the number of people reporting observations to Recorders. The Bulletin is a FREE service. We ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome.You don't have to stick to lists! Please help us to help you. When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] Bulletin mailing times vary, depending on what I am doing. It usually goes out on Wednesdays/Thursdays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. CONTACTS AND USEFUL WEBSITES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONTACTS LIST Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union *** LNU Website: http://lnu.org/ LNU Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist? LNU Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lincsnaturalists/ LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org Downloads of LNU books are available on: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ On the LNU webpage on the Officers and Executive Committee you will see some new names. Several experienced naturalists have agreed to join, for which we are very appreciative. https://lnu.org/about/officers-executive/ *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** https://twitter.com/LincsWildlife *** Lincs Bird Club Website *** https://twitter.com/Lincsbirding LBC County Bird Recorder Phil Hyde - County Recorder, Lincs Bird Club recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk *** The Sir Joseph Banks Society *** https://twitter.com/sirjosephbanks *** Lincolnshire Bat Group website *** http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch *** https://twitter.com/BC_Lincolnshire *** Lincsbirders *** https://twitter.com/lincsbirders *** Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project *** https://lincolnshirechalkstreams.org/events/ *** South Lincolnshire Flora Group *** https://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 *** The Wolds Fungi Group *** Contact Paul Nichol via email pnichol20@gmail.com *** Lincolnshire Dormouse Group *** Contact: lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME Rural Crime Officer Pc 160 Nick Willey Force Wildlife, Rural Crime Officer nicholas.willey@lincs.pnn.police.uk OFFICE: 01522-731897 MOBILE: 07768-501895 PAGER: 07654-330877 SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ Downloads of LNU books are available on: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ Recording with "irecord" https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ irecord is recommended by the LNU as an appropriate platform for on-line recording. LNU Sawflies, Bees, Wasps and Ants Recorder Dr. David Sheppard Willing to examine specimens or check photos. Bear in mind only a relative few of the 300+ species in the county are identifiable using photos. d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com Lincolnshire Mammals Chris Manning, Chris.LincsDeer@gmail.com Spiders, Pseudoscorpions, Harvestmen Imogen Wilde Regional Co-ordinator (RC) and Mentor for Lincolnshire for the British Arachnological Society (BAS). Email: Imogen@imogenwilde.co.uk Amphibians and Reptiles Ashley Butterfield The Lincolnshire ARG (Amphibian & Reptile Group) Email: LearningOutdoors@btinternet.com Local Bat Helpline Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette and Colin Faulkner on 01775 766286 Email: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com Bat rescue instructions: If you find a grounded bat please don't try and release it. Put it in an escape proof box . Remember, a pipistrelle can get out of a hole the size of your thumb nail. Wear gloves or use a cloth to pick it up with, and phone us on 01775 766286. We'll do the rest. Confidential Bat Records You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com Slug ID Help Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01383 669 124 Email: chris.r.dufeu@gmail.com Non-Marine Molluscs Alex Pickwell is the LNU Recorder for Non-marine Molluscs Email: mrapickwell@gmail.com When asking for help: Please give the the very best information you can provide. If you are not sure, ask what is needed from you to confirm identification. Photographs are helpful but not every species can be identified from a photograph. When asked for further details, get back to them promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcomed. USEFUL WILDLIFE LINKS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. Lincs Environmental Records Centre Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) http://www.glnp.org.uk/ Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership newsletter: 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. 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 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: awaiting updates for Indoor Meetings 2022/2023. 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. ....and finally... Public were fine with us polluting rivers in the past, say water companies https://uk.yahoo.com/news/public-were-fine-us-polluting-174844316.html Black Death 700 years ago affects your health now - fascinating https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-63316538 Big Butterfly Count: Some species almost halved in NI https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-63258349 Bird flu: Farmers fear shortage of Christmas turkeys https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-63303722 Numbers of rare waders 'stable' in east Cairngorms https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c80p4pxxz96o Only 3% of England under nature protection - report https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63301703 Can floating turbines harvest the world's wind? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63300959 ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/