========================================= || || 5th April 2023 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || LNU: http://lnu.org/ || || Please email Editor on: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk || ============================================ In this issue..... 1. Information, events, news and requests - mostly local. 2. Wildlife Highlights from Rare Bird Alert. 3. Wildlife reports around the county - contributions welcome... 4. NNRs, RSPB and LWT Reserves/Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe. 5. Bardney Limewoods NNR - Chambers Farm Wood. 6. Other Reserve Reports - links and highlights. 7. Sending in Bulletin Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information - recorders and specialists... 9. Notes about these wildlife reports. 10. Bulletin publicity policy. 11. Events Diary - what's on. 12. ...and finally. Mostly national/international wildlife stories. ============================================ Reports here are open. They are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union; the Lincolnshire Bird Club and Lincolnshire Environmental Record Centre [LERC]. Compare earlier years. Past Bulletins archive [text] from 2009: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or associated organisations. Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. INFORMATION, EVENTS, NEWS AND REQUESTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Editor writes: Bulletin readers include many LNU members, but an encouraging number of other Natural History and Environmental organisations and individuals are represented amongst subscribers. We form an informal network of expertise and interest in Biological Recording, from beginners to specialists: sharing reports, articles, announcements, links etc. Please help us by keeping these coming. LNU Meetings webpages on the website here: https://lnu.org/meetings/ Next Field Meeting: Castle Bytham LWT Reserve – Saturday 29th April (all day) https://lnu.org/meetings/field-meetings/2023-04-29-castle-bytham-lwt-reserve-saturday-29th-april-all-day/ Annette Faulkner writes: Bats are just starting to come out of hibernation and we’ve already had a few calls of grounded ones, including a male pipistrelle I have in care at the moment found in Langtoft church. He was 20% under- weight, but is making good progress and has now found his voice. Monday and Tuesday’s frosts will have sent them back into torpor, but do look out for them on warmer evenings, and please report. As ever, if you find a grounded one please take it in – gloves, not bare hands – put in an escape proof box (a pipistrelle can get out of a hole the size of your thumbnail), add a milk bottle top of water and call me on 01775 766286. I am also interested in any dead ones found – it’s surprising what you can tell from a photograph or two This week's links to Lincolnshire and wildlife-related news stories... It's time to start following the BTO Cuckoo Tracking project. https://www.bto.org/cuckoos Stunning photographs accompany Attenborough's Wild Isles show https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25734320-800-stunning-photographs-accompany-attenboroughs-wild-isles-show/ Campaign to stop people disturbing animals https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-65163937 Rare tick disease found in England https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-65177440 Climate change: England not ready for impact https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-65099546 Men sleeping on Lincoln nightclub roof woken by police drone https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-65160851 Plans unveiled for Sleaford solar farm to power 190,000 homes https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-65143471 RAF Scampton: Council in Home Office legal battle over airfield asylum site https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-65148233 Skegness sees asylum seeker hotel use cut as Scampton plans confirmed https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-65123523 Washdyke solar farm could power 8,700 homes https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-65100738 West Burton A - the past and the future of power? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-64163995 Norfolk. Hemsby erosion: Cliff edge home moved inland https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-65126395 Sewage spills in England totalled 1.75 million hours in 2022 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-65099906 Reminder: On-line Biological Recording events coming up. See: entoLIVE is a webinar series that showcases invertebrate research (covering inverts from terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments). There will be 40 talks this year and they are all free to attend, with a fair few of them about biological recording or citizen science monitoring projects. Full programme of events: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/entolive-webinars-74679 The Why iRecord? Virtual Symposium on the 21st April showcases 5 presentations on how organisations are using iRecord to gather data, including the benefits and challenges of using the online recording platform. There are talks from a local wildlife group, a LERC, a national scheme, a recording project funded by NLHF and an update from iRecord themselves. More info and booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/why-irecord-virtual-symposium-tickets-568719113177 More links in "...and finally ..." at the end of the Bulletin. Thank you for the interesting contributions. Please keep them coming. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - my best address for emails. Joining Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union 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 - 18 April "Possibly some light rain and drizzle across western areas on Sunday, these conditions being most likely in the far northwest. Remaining dry elsewhere, though with a small chance of isolated light showers in the south. Temperatures around average or slightly above, with light winds, but with winds strengthening in the northwest, feeling cooler as a result. Through mid-April, dry, settled conditions are most likely in southern and eastern parts, with winds most likely to be light. However, across northern and western areas, there will likely be more in the way of cloudy conditions, presenting a greater chance of wet and windier weather. During this period, temperatures are most likely to be close to average or slightly above." For Astronomers and Sky-watchers April's Night Sky: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/blog/astronomy/night-sky-highlights-april-2023 Bits of Saturn’s rings are falling onto the planet and heating it up https://www.newscientist.com/article/2367202-bits-of-saturns-rings-are-falling-onto-the-planet-and-heating-it-up/ Space and astronomy highlights in 2023 from The Royal Observatory https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/space-astronomy-highlights-2023 Meteor Showers 2023 Heads up for the Lyrid Meteor Shower 22/23 April 2023 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/meteor-shower-guide Aurora Watch - when Northern Lights might be seen in the UK: https://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ Cosmic Links... for more information... http://rogerparsons.info/cosmic.html Stellarium - open source and very useful https://stellarium.org/ “Seal and Birdwatching Cruises into The Wash” Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB Group have released details of their 2023 programme of “Seal and Birdwatching Cruises into The Wash”. For 2023 twelve cruises are scheduled to take place, aboard “The Boston Belle”, at various sailing times, starting on 13th April and ending on 23rd October. All cruises start and end at Boston Marina and last for about five hours, and on average approximately 60 bird species are seen on each trip. Full details at: www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire All cruises are by advance ticket only, which, once again, can be obtained from Blackfriars Arts Centre in Boston [01205-363108}, or online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/blackfriars Ticket prices for RSPB members are £22 {adult} and £10 (child under 16). Non-RSPB members £25 and £11-50. Any queries please contact Blackfriars (as above) or email Jeremy Eyeons: jerry200433@hotmail.com *** Len Pick Trust Owl-box Camera - accessible 24/7 *** Keep watching. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/ *** Loch of The Lowes Ospreys *** Bob Sheppard writes: The female osprey at Loch of Lowes laid her first egg at half past nine this morning (Tuesday 4th April) More are expected soon. https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ *** Hedgehog Advice *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** South Ormesby Estate. Open weekend 20-21 May. *** Guided walks running throughout the weekend, as well as a range of fantastic stalls, entertainment, food, and games. https://www.southormsbyestate.co.uk/tour/ *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service *** Helen Gamble writes Join us to discover more about the geology, history, wildlife, chalk streams and farming within the Wolds AONB. During 2023, the Lincolnshire Wolds is celebrating its 50th anniversary as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and it’s an ideal opportunity to discover more about this protected, living, working and thriving landscape! We are running 50 events for 50 years, details on: https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/events/ We also have a special edition of Wolds News, if you’d like paper copies contact aonb@lincswolds.org.uk *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Area Groups webpage *** Please let me have your "plugs" for coming events. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/area-groups *** Grimsby And Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk Carolyn Davis writes: On Saturday 29th April 2023 you are invited to join the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group of LWT for a 'Birds and Bluebells Walk' in Bradley and Dixon's Woods near Grimsby with Graham Hicks. Meet Graham at 8am in the car parking area of Bradley Woods. Grid Ref. TA 244058. You are advised to wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear. This is a free event however donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further information contact: Graham Hicks 07979 089890 Details also on our website www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk  We are also on Facebook. *** Gainsborough Area Group LWT *** Dan Bardsley writes: Wednesday 19th April 2023 Illustrated talk 'Next Door Nature' by Suzanne Fysh on her current role in urban conservation with the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, so important to Gainsborough. All indoor meetings are held at St Stephens Methodist Church (postcode DN21 2DP) and begin at 7.30pm. Entrance from Roseway car park. Members and non-members, adults and children equally welcome. Entrance by donation (minimum £2.50 pp). There will be an interval with refreshments. Raffle tickets £1.00 each. Raffle prize donations of are most welcome (Non-alcoholic) Covid-19 Precautions Please do not attend if you are feeling unwell, or have been asked to self-isolate. Use hand sanitiser. More details from Dan Bardsley on 07720569228 or dbardsley999@gmail.com *** South Holland Area Group LWT *** Annette Faulkner writes: South Holland Area Group will have its AGM on Tuesday 11 April, at Pinchbeck Village Hall, Knight Street, Pinchbeck PE11 3RB, followed by a talk by mycologist Paul Nichol, titled: ‘Deadly or Just a Load of Old Rot?’ Start 7.30pm. Admission £2, to include refreshments, and a raffle will be held. All welcome. *** South Lincs RSPB Group *** www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire Jeremy Eyeons writes: Walk Around Boston Cemetery Saturday 22nd April 2023 at 10-30am. The South Lincs RSPB Group in conjunction with “The Friends Of Boston Cemetery Group” have arranged a Spring Walk around Boston Cemetery. Meet and park in the Crematorium car park, no ticket required. “A beautiful space, a tranquil place”. Free Of Charge with any voluntary donations going to the Friends of Boston Cemetery. Editor adds: A very interesting spot with an extensive wild area. *** RSPB Lincoln Local Group *** https://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/events.htm *** RSPB Grimsby Local Group *** https://group.rspb.org.uk/grimsby/ Martin Francis writes: The RSPB Grimsby Local Group's next Indoor Meeting is on Monday 17th April at 7.30pm. Nick Martin will give an illustrated talk with the title "Journeys into Wild Wales" Nick Martin, who is an excellent speaker and photographer, is a naturalist on a mission to enthuse as many people as he can about wildlife and the great outdoors. In this talk, we will join Nick to look for migrant birds of oak woodlands, butterflies of the Great Orme, seabirds of South Stack and so much more from his journeys into wild Wales. From Skomer to Worlds End, we'll meet many of the best species that Wales has to offer. The talk takes place at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7LH. A map showing the location of the Hall can be found on our website above. Entry for everybody is £4, payable at the door. Light refreshments and a raffle will be available The next 'car share' Trip is on Sunday 23rd April to RSPB St Aidan's/ Swillington Ings- if you would like to go, please contact Sally Prescott at sally.prescott142@btinternet.co 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" STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. About Emergency Alerts: On Sunday 23 April 2023, there will be a national test of the UK Emergency Alerts service. https://www.gov.uk/alerts Bird flu: Defra advice to the general public. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-latest-situation-avian-influenza-prevention-zone-declared-across-great-britain Lyme Disease reminder https://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/zoonoses-data-sheets/lyme-disease.pdf Road works and hold-ups https://roadworks.org/ Met Office Severe Warnings https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service - sign up. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails EasyTide http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx Environment Agency Flood Warnings - Lincolnshire https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings?location=lincolnshire Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline - sign up. https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. WILDLIFE HIGHLIGHTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Bird Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce their pager reports. A big thank you from us all. Readers interested in a pager - 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 27/3 3 Spoonbills, 2 Cattle Egrets, Frampton Marsh 2 Water Pipits, Gibraltar Point Firecrest in hedge by road south of car park entrance, Chapel Six Marshes Hen Harrier male, Wolla Bank 28/3 Hen Harrier, Spoonbill, Frampton Marsh Water Pipit on Freshwater Marsh, Gibraltar Point Osprey at fishing ponds between Baumber and Wragby 29/3 Russian White-fronted Goose, 2 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh Great Northern Diver, 4 Black-necked Grebes, Yellow Wagtail, Covenham reservoir 30/3 2 Yellow Wagtails on saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh Alpine Swift over Weelsby Road, Grimsby 2 Swift spp over golf course, Grimsby 31/3 Hen Harrier, 2 Garganey 1 drk ,from car park, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier, 2 Firecrests north of reserve, Gibraltar Point Osprey at Lakeside Fisheries between Baumber and Wragby 1/4 Russian White-fronted Goose at Marsh Farm reservoir, Frampton Marsh Firecrest male in Plantation, Gibraltar Point Firecrest along track in pit, Huttoft Bank Pit Cuckoo reported, Huttoft Bank [very early, but there was a tracked cuckoo recorded in Spain on 29th March.] Firecrest male singing at Wolla Bank Pit, Wolla Bank Firecrest, Chapel Six Marshes Yellow Wagtail, Alkborough Flats 2/4 Gannet ad in garden, Westborough Male Hen Harrier over saltmarsh, Russian White-fronted Goose from cross bank path, Frampton Marsh Firecrest just north of Aylmer Avenue, Gibraltar Point Slavonian Grebe, Great Northern Diver, Covenham reservoir Yellow Wagtail, Marston 55+ Twite, Donna Nook 3/4 Water Pipit, Spotted Redshank, Common Crane flew over, Frampton Marsh Great Northern Diver, Covenham reservoir 4/4 5 Pale-belied Brent Geese, Frampton Marsh 2 Garganey 1 drk, Teal Lake, Whisby 2 Garganey both drks, Boultham Mere 2 Garganey 1 drk, Toft Newton reservoir Great Northern Diver, Covenham reservoir Presumed escape Gyr morph at Anderby Marsh, Anderby Creek Little Gull 1w, New Pits, Far Ings Spoonbill ad at poll near wind pump, Halton Marshes, East Halton skitter 5/4 4 Water Pipits, 8 Yellow Wagtails, Sedge Warbler, past Prospect Hide, before flooded path in field, 3 Spoonbills, Alkborough Flats ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. WILDLIFE NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 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 British Bugs (Hemiptera) - online identification - NEW https://www.britishbugs.org.uk/index.html Mike's Insect Keys: illustrated identification aids for insects - NEW https://sites.google.com/view/mikes-insect-keys/ 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 1/4/2023 Cudweed spp - 7 young plants found so far this spring Local Starling flock now approx 60. Pied wagtail male and female Great Tit BlueTit Robin - 3 4/4 7+ Andrena fulva females exploring/patrolling garden today and numerous elusive impossible-to-identify males https://www.bwars.com/bee/andrenidae/andrena-fulva BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 1st April 2023 Phil and Mary Porter Mary has done all the spotting today; A group of Siskins at the bottom of the garden, not sure how many (?c.6) Then she saw and photographed our female Sparrowhawk resting on our arbour. Finally, while repotting a shrub whose pot had cracked in the frost, she found a male Great Crested Newt sheltering underneath. After a quick photograph, everything was very carefully replaced. We haven’t had one in the garden for at least 10 years. Meanwhile I was clearing litter off the LWT Boothby Graffoe Roadside Nature Reserve B1202 TF009601. I bagged 148 drink cans from 690m (one side only). All the other trash will have to wait for another day. Saw 1 singing Linnet. The hardstanding on the verge has masses of Whitlow-grass in flower. BOSTON GARDEN (TF326426) March 2023 Kathleen Pearson I was able to do a Garden BirdWatch count on all 31 days in March. Numbers were quite small with only 20 species occurring, none of which reached double figures. In fact, only three species exceeded above five. During the month, a male Sparrowhawk was a regular visitor. Two infrequently seen species were Siskin and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Birds:- Long-tailed Tit 3, Carrion Crow 2, Woodpigeon 8, Blackbird 2, Dunnock 2, Chaffinch 2, House Sparrow 6, Blue Tit 2, Great Tit 3, Robin 1, Collared Dove 1, Black- headed Gull 3, Herring Gull 6, Goldfinch 3, Starling 1, Sparrowhawk 1, Wren 1. Lesser Black-backed Gull 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 and Siskin 1. Three butterflies were recorded in the garden:- Brimstone, Small White and Peacock. BOSTON 04/04/2023 Roy and Kathleen Pearson The first Chiffchaff of the year was in the silver birch in the garden this morning. FAR INGS Angela Buckle Far Ings, 2nd April 2023. Scurvy grass, Hedge mustard, Lesser chickweed, Groundsel, Shepherd/s purse, Slender speedwell, Alexanders. FISKERTON FEN David Smith TF083718 31/03/2023 16.30-18.00 Site very muddy! Greylag goose x2 Tufted duck x2 Coot x3 Mute swan x11 (9 in adjacent field) Robin x2 Blue tit x1 Long tailed tit x2 Cormorant x3 Magpie x3 Jackdaw x12+ Woodpigeon x10 Mallard x4 Moorhen x2 Buzzard x1 Goldfinch x5 (feeding on teasel) Reed bunting x2 Grey heron x1 Little grebe x1 NETTLEHAM Brenda Edlington TF 005756 3/3/2023 With a camera on the hedgehog box at the bottom of the garden, between 2 and 3am this morning a hedgehog was recorded 5 times taking leaves into the box. Are new arrivals imminent? Also several visits every night to the feeding station. 1/3/2023 5 yellowhammers on lawn (newly re-seeded!) WILLINGHAM WOODS Angela Buckle. Willingham woods. 27th March 2023. Ground ivy, Opposite-leaved saxifrage, Butterbur, Wood sorrel. Butterflies. comma, brimstone, peacock. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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 29th March – 4th April 2023 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor, Owen Beaumont, Cliff Morrison and Dean Nicholson. Thank you to all other contributors. Daily News and Wildlife Sightings Note: Following on from one of the driest February’s on record March was one of the wettest with rainfall recorded at Sea View on 28 days giving a total of 65.7mm (3.4 inches). 290323 – A red kite flew south over Mablethorpe North End. 2 stonechat, 2 corn bunting, jack snipe and little ringed plover around Crook Bank. Egyptian goose flew north at MOD. 300323 - 5 avocets flying south over Sea View, green woodpecker calling near Paradise wood. 3 sand martin flew north over Sea View. Small movement of chaffinch, siskin and redwing throughout the morning. Cetti’s warblers singing at Churchill Lane and Brickyard Lane. 310323 - 5 lapwing on Sea View washland, possibly two territories. Cetti’s warblers in song near Churchill Lane and Brickyard Lane. 010423 - A flock of 21 redwing feeding on the edge of a pasture field near Sea View. 7 twite on the foreshore near Sear’s track. Blackcap singing between Brickyard Lane and Churchill Lane, where 6 chiffchaff have been singing on territory since mid-March. Yellowhammer singing at the edge of the dunes at Brickyard Lane. 020423 – 2 small tortoiseshell and a red admiral in the dunes near Brickyard Lane. 030423 - 3 siskin at Sea View, field woodrush coming into flower on the dunes. 2 green woodpecker at Sea View. Small emergence of butterflies with the sunshine, with a brimstone and comma at Crook Bank, small tortoiseshell and brimstone at Churchill Lane. Goldcrests at Sea View and Crook Bank, chiffchaff at Churchill Lane. A clear arrival of robins in the area, including 20+ between Sea View and Rimac. 2 peregrine over the saltmarsh. Insects at Churchill Lane: 2 species bumblebee, red tailed bee, honeybee, bee fly and hover fly. 040423 - Male blackcap at Sea View and a peacock butterfly on the wing mid-day. Male blackcap at Brickyard Lane. 3 marsh harrier and 2 buzzard thermalling over Sea View, peregrine over the saltmarsh. Single bramblings calling at Sea View and Crook Bank. 4 little ringed plover on the foreshore at Crook Bank. Light movement of chaffinch, siskin and redwing. 3 peacock butterfly around Sea View and a comma at Crook Bank. Flowers include field mouse ear, red dead nettle, ground ivy, dandelion. Other Local Reserves 310423 – Muckton Wood: Great spotted woodpecker, green woodpecker, jay, chiffchaff, nuthatch, primroses, wood anemones just opening, ground ivy and early purple orchid rosettes. 020423 – Donna Nook: 55 twite flew north over the dunes. 040423 – Donna Nook: 48 twite in field bordering the saltmarsh. Tetney Blow Wells: Cetti’s warblers, snipe, buzzard, chiffchaff, small tortoiseshell and peacock butterflies, bee fly, harvest mouse nest. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 - gardening dates and times: https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/chambers-farm-wood-butterfly-garden Lincolnshire Dormouse Group You can get in touch via lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com Gemma Watkinson writes: Here are the dates for the summer nest box checks. As always, we meet at 9.30am in the Chambers Farm Woods car park, by the wood centre/volunteer hut. Anyone interested can get in touch at lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com for more information. Saturday 22nd April Sunday 21 May Saturday 24 June Sunday 23 July Saturday 19th August Sunday 17th September Saturday 21 October ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. MiddleMarsh Wetlands, Skegness: https://www.birdguides.com/sites/europe/britain-ireland/britain/england/lincolnshire/middlemarsh-farm/ 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 Grainthorpe Haven https://www.birdguides.com/sites/europe/britain-ireland/britain/england/lincolnshire/grainthorpe-haven/ Cress Marsh, Stallingborough https://www.birdguides.com/news/new-wetland-takes-shape-in-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 or via i-record. https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ 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 may vary. 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: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ LNU Officers and Executive Committee: https://lnu.org/about/officers-executive/ Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust: https://twitter.com/LincsWildlife Lincs Bird Club: 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: http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch: https://twitter.com/BC_Lincolnshire Lincsbirders: https://twitter.com/lincsbirders Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project: https://lincolnshirechalkstreams.org/events/ South Lincolnshire Flora Group: https://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 The Wolds Fungi Group: Contact Paul Nichol via email: pnichol20@gmail.com Lincolnshire Dormouse Group: Contact: lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME Wildlife Crime https://www.lincs.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/wc/wildlife-crime/ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ Downloads of LNU books: 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. 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. Email: d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com Lincolnshire Mammals Chris Manning, Email: 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 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 me on 01775 766286. 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: http://www.glnp.org.uk/ Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership newsletter: 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: Natural history equipment or books: https://www.nhbs.com/ NHM: Final report on LoveLincsPlants: https://lnu.org/lincolnshire-plants-past-and-future/ Collections Dataset - LNU "historic specimens": http://data.nhm.ac.uk/dataset/lincs-plants The Flora of Lincolnshire by Joan Gibbons: downloadable LNU book For the Geologists... Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Suggestions for Geology news, events or new useful links always welcome. Marine reptile fossil found by dog 16 years ago goes on show https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-65036119 Fens for the Future: https://www.fensforthefuture.org.uk/ Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group: https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 Geology - the Collection: https://www.thecollectionmuseum.com/explore/geology Geology of the Lincolnshire Wolds: https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/special-features/geology The Geology of Lincolnshire: downloadable LNU book BGS webpage: Earthquakes around the UK last 60 days: http://www.earthquakes.bgs.ac.uk/earthquakes/home.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. NOTES ABOUT THESE WILDLIFE REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting. However, records are sent in by a variety of reporters; from complete beginners to professionals. They may vary in reliability and occasionally may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed please contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. BULLETIN PUBLICITY POLICY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. When sending in reports, e.g. unusual plants, please report any sensitive news directly to recorders. Not the Bulletin. We don't want to spoil things with untimely or unwise publicity. Thank you. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember: Views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU EVENTS DIARY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events *** We will post any changes to LNU events in 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: https://lnu.org/meetings/ The changing nature of the Covid situation may mean alterations or cancellations at short notice, so check back regularly and keep an eye on Twitter and Facebook for updates. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** None ....and finally... Red squirrels: Vaccine call to save animal from killer pox https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-65165959 Squirrels live longer in leafier parts of London, air pollution study shows https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/apr/01/squirrels-live-longer-in-leafier-parts-of-london-air-pollution-study-shows Country diary: This frog chorus is a purr, not a ribbit https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/apr/04/country-diary-this-frog-chorus-is-a-purr-not-a-ribbit ‘Bees are sentient’: inside the stunning brains of nature’s hardest workers https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/apr/02/bees-intelligence-minds-pollination Farne Islands shut to visitors over fears of new avian flu outbreak https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/apr/01/farne-islands-shut-to-visitors-over-fears-of-new-avian-flu-outbreak ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/