========================================= || || 1st February 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: Welcome to February! If skies are clear why not get your binoculars on Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF tonight? https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/comet-c-2022-e3-ztf/ I continue to reflect on a possible future for the LNU Bulletin, and will welcome your thoughts about its continuation. Any views? Don't miss the links at the end in "and finally". LNU Meetings: updates for Indoor Meetings 2023 https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ This week's links to Lincolnshire and wildlife-related news stories. Newly discovered green comet comes close to Earth https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64388483 The Magical World of Moss - BBC Four - Wednesday, 1 February, 2023 https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/proginfo/2023/05/magical-world-of-moss Great North Sea flood of 1953 remembered 70 years on https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64414388 Snowdrop Walks in Lincolnshire https://www.visitlincoln.com/blog/snowdrop-walks-in-lincolnshire Snowdrop festival returns Saturday, February 18 - Edlington https://www.lincolnshireworld.com/news/people/snowdrop-festival-returns-next-month-4000236 Humber dredging 'legal' amid Grimsby shopkeeper criticism https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-64438009 Grantham: Hundreds of cannabis plants found in disused shop https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64440289 Boston: Three arrested after more than 5,000 cannabis plants found in raid https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64475278 Close-up photographs capture feathers' dazzle factor https://www.newscientist.com/article/2356029-close-up-photographs-capture-feathers-dazzle-factor/ Bird charity locked out of Twitter after woodcock tweets https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-64451977 Leaping dolphins spotted off Yorkshire coast near Filey - Yorks https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-64413974 Richmond: Arrest as dead badger found near disturbed sett - Yorks https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-64438401 'The joy of fen skating is a great metaphor for life' - Cambs https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-64399819 Cause of crab deaths off North East coast 'may never be known' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-64417807 Jet Skis: New rules crack down on reckless water scooter use - Wales https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-64428587 Everyone to live 15 minutes from green space or water in England under plans https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64456455 Land use: Government has overpromised says Royal Society https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64455751 More links in "..and finally ..." at the end of the Bulletin. Thank you for the interesting news links. Please keep them coming. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - my best address for emails. Please stay informed on Co-19 and 'flu advice. Adapt appropriately to future advice at indoor meetings and in the field. If you have any event postponements or changes please let us know. 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#? 5 - 14 Feb "Sunday is likely to be a widely fine day, with long sunny spells across all areas, with residual showers in the far north clearing through the morning, and with cloud and light rain in the south also clearing. Cloudier conditions may begin to develop in the far west later. Strong winds in the north at first but easing through the day. Further into the period the conditions are expected to remain settled for many at first, with the most of any wet weather likely in the far northwest. Temperatures most likely around average for most. Later, the most likely scenario is for wetter, windier and milder weather to move in from the west, however there is a small chance of easterly winds developing bringing colder weather and some snow showers." For Astronomers and Sky-watchers Spot Comet C/2022 E3 ZTF https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/advice/comet-c-2022-e3-ztf/ Nasa's Mars rover Perseverance completes rock depot https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64457573 Asteroid 2023 BU: Space rock passes closer than some satellites https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64411469 Tim Peake: My Journey To Space The Engine Shed, University of Lincoln Sunday 19 Mar, 2023 - 19.00 hrs. Details and tickets: https://engineshed.co.uk/events/view/tim-peake-my-journey-to-space/17327 Space and astronomy highlights in 2023 from The Royal Observatory https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/space-astronomy-highlights-2023 Meteor Showers 2023 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/meteor-shower-guide 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 Several days without an owl in residence - then one seen roosting on Monday 23rd Jan at 04.25hrs. I noticed the cleaners have been in - not a pellet to be seen - lovely... https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project Hedgehog Advice https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ 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 - Romania - Transylvania, Danube Delta and Dobrogea by Gill Walsh Thursday 9th February 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: Spring in the Cairngorms On Monday 13th February 2023 you are invited to join the group at our next indoor meeting where the excellent Geoff Lee will give an illustrated talk "Spring in the Cairngorms" and will be talking about the nature reserves along the River Spey. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall DN31 1HU and begins at 7.30pm. Admission £3, all are welcome. Raffle and refreshments available. For further details contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858 Bird Walk at Humberston Fitties On Saturday 25th February 2023 you are invited to join us on a morning bird walk at Humberston Fitties with Graham Hicks. Meet Graham at 8am in the Yacht Club car park Grid Ref. TA 332061. This is a free event however donations will be welcomed for the Trust. You are advised to wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them.  For further information contact  Graham Hicks 07979 089890. There are details of both these events on our website www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk and on our Facebook page. *** Scunthorpe and Brigg Local Group of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** Keith Scarrott writes: Our first meeting for 2023 takes place on Thursday, 9th February, when we have a visit by one of our local photographers, Calvin Taylor Lee who combines his love of wildlife with his passion for photography. Calvin has explored many areas for developing his photographic skills and will be showing us the results of these explorations. This will give us a unique opportunity to appreciate what can be done to reveal the beauty and variety in the natural world that surrounds us and to exercise our skills at identifying the life that fills it. The meeting will take place in St Hugh's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AG, which is opposite the Applegreen filling station on Ashby Road, near Brumby Crossroads. The meeting starts at 7. 30pm and there is a £2.50 entry charge which includes light refreshments at the mid-talk break. There is some parking in the Church grounds and also on the road nearby. A selection of books and free leaflets are available and also a raffle for prizes. *** Natural History and Geology of Scunthorpe Museum Society *** Keith Scarrott writes: Our next meeting is on Monday, 13th February, when Dr. Mike Oates will visit us again to give us his illustrated talk on "The Blow Wells of North Lincolnshire". Blow wells are an extremely rare form of artesian spring habitat found only in North and North East Lincolnshire. Between Louth and Barton-on-Humber, there are around 37, including Tetney Blow Wells, which has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Mike has recently completed a geological survey of these sites and shares his observations. The meeting will start at 7.15 pm and take place in St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. There is a large, free car park on entry into the Church grounds. OUR MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO ALL. There is no charge for entry but a donation bowl is provided. There will be a mid-talk break during which light refreshments are available for a small charge. *** South Lincs RSPB Group *** www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire Jeremy Eyeons writes: Thursday 20th April 2023. 7pm until 9-30pm, with interval raffle and Cafe facilities. “Birds and wildlife of RSPB Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore”. A slideshow of images taken by local RSPB Volunteer and photographer Jeremy Eyeons. At “The Old Kings Head”,28 High Street, Kirton PE20 1EG. Everybody welcome. RSPB members £2 {non-members £3, children free}. *** 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 won't be holding an Indoor Meeting in February. Instead, the Group will be hosting a 'Zoom' talk on Monday 20th February 2023 at 7.30pm. 'Wild Fell' by Lee Schofield Lee is the RSPB's site manager at Haweswater, an idyllic spot that the RSPB maintains in partnership with the landowner - water company, United Utilities. This illustrated talk covers the highs and lows during the transformation of the site into a place for nature, a place for water and a place for people! The Zoom link to the talk will be emailed to usual circulation list about a fortnight beforehand. It is then just a question of following the instructions in that email if you want to take part. If you would like to take part but are not on the circulation list, please contact me [Martin Francis] as soon as possible at martin.francis2@ntlworld.com Do not be put off by Zoom. Our earlier Zoom talks have been very successful, and a number of participants have used Zoom for the first time. The Group's next Trip is on Sunday 26th February 2023 to Rufford Park and Sherwood Forest - more details nearer the 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. Martin Francis Group Leader - RSPB Grimsby Local Group" STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. 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 25/1 Hen Harrier ringtail roosted, Willow Tree Fen Hen Harrier ringtqil, 9 Bewick's Swans, Frampton Marsh Great Northern Diver juv, Covenham reservoir 9 Bewick's Swans west of Westwoodside in field north of B1396 by Sanderson's Bank 26/1 7 Russian White-fronted Geese, Frampton Marsh Falcated Duck drk, with mallard in SE corner, Great Northern Diver, Spotted Redshank, Covenham reservoir Cattle Egret in field at Churchill Lane, Saltfleetby Water Pipit, Great Northern Diver, Wainfleet Range, RAF Wainfleet 27/1 Hen Harrier ringtail in roost, Willow Tree Fen, late report Hen Harrier male, 7 Russian White-fronted Geese, Frampton Marsh 2 Scaup, Freiston Shore 18 Snow Buntings, 3 Water Pipits, Gibraltar Point , late report Great Northern Diver, Covenham reservoir Unconfirmed report of Russian Common Gull, [form heinei], in field WSW of Westwoodside south of former Park Drain Hotel Tundra Bean Goose with Pink-footed Geese, 3 Russian White-fronted Geese, by Sanderson's Bank 28 Russian White-fronted Geese off Marsh Lane near Winter's Pond, south of East Halton Skitter Hen Harrier ringtail, Alkborough Flats 28/1 Hen Harrier ringtail in roost, Willow Tree Fen 2 Long-eared Owls in roost, Mail Lake, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 5 Russian White-fronted Geese at west in of lakes, Langtoft , then 6 reported again south of Greatford Cut Spoonbill, 7 Russian White-fronted Geese, male Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 2 Velvet Scoters on sea off Sea View car park, Mablethorpe Great Northern Diver, Covenham reservoir 10+ Bewick's Swans, in field at Sanderson's Bank north of B1396, west of Westwoodside 3 Water Pipits, Alkborough Flats 29/1 7 Russian White-fronted Geese, West End GPs, Langtoft DPs Hen Harrier ringtail, Willow Tree Fen 7 Russian White-fronted Geese on wet grassland, Frampton Marsh 3 Hen Harriers, 14+ Snow Buntings on beach, Gibraltar Point American Wigeon drk, Fiskerton Fen 30 Twite, 10 Snow Buntings, on beach at Crook Bank, Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe Dunes Great Northern Diver, juv, Covenham reservoir Snow Bunting by sea at Buck Beck, Cleethorpes 20 Russian White-fronted Geese off Marsh Lane near Winter's Pond, Water Pipit along shore of Humber, East Halton Skitter 2 Russian White-fronted Geese on Goxhill Marsh, Goxhill Haven 2+ Bewick's Swans, in field at Sanderson's Bank north of B1396, west of Westwoodside 30/1 7 Russian White-fronted Geese, West End GPs, Langtoft GPs 6 Bewick's Swans at Deeping High Bank, Deeping St Nicholas 6+ Bewick's Swans, in field at Sanderson's Bank north of B1396, west of Westwoodside 31/1 7 Russian White-fronted Geese, West End GPs, Langtoft GPs 7 Russian White-fronted Geese on wet grassland, Frampton Marsh Black-throated Diver offshore, 15 Snow Buntings, 2 Water Pipits, 2 Hen Harriers, Gibraltar Point American Wigeon drk, Fiskerton Fen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 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 29/1/2023 First signs of Snowdrops in the old churchyard. Blue Tit 2 Great Tit 1 Pied Wagtail 1 Blackbird 3 m Robin 1 Starling 12+ Jackdaw 8+ House Sparrow 12+ Carrion Crow 1 Woodpigeon 6+ Collared Dove 2 Blackheaded Gull 30+ 30/1 Dunnock 1 BASSINGHAM Jeremy Hutchinson Bassingham SK 91050 59770 Flight of approx 20+ Whooper Swans heading west, calling like musical geese, glimpsed eventually through a gap in the fog, a magical, almost ghostly , experience. BOSTON Kathleen Pearson Garden (TF326426) January 2023 I was able to do the BTO Garden BirdWatch on all 31 days in January. While 21 species occurred, for most of them their numbers were in small groups with only two species reaching double figures - Starling and Woodpigeon. The Blackcap that was around at the start of the month is no longer here. Birds:- Starling 23, House Sparrow 8, Woodpigeon 13. Blackbird 3, Blue Tit 2, Robin 2, Goldfinch 5, Dunnock 2, Chaffinch 3, Black-headed Gull 8, Carrion Crow 2, Wren 1, Greenfinch 2, Long-tailed Tit 7, Collared Dove 2, Chaffinch 2. Great Tit 2, Jackdaw 2. Herring Gull 4, Sparrowhawk 1 and Blackcap 1. BOSTON Maud Foster Drain Between TF 33229 44430 and TF 33408 43973 Tracey Lenton 29/01/2023 late afternoon In flower: Winter Heliotrope, Petasites pyrenaicus, a stretch between around 6 houses, its scent filling the air. Birdlife: A Water Rail - at the water's edge in the shallows, searching for food in the mud (id from video confirmed by Kevin Wilson) I am not sure how often this bird is seen around here, it's a first for me. I was fortunate that, being winter, there is not much cover from vegetation, also the water was low, making it ideal for feeding in the mud. CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK909581 Jeremy Hutchinson 21/01/2023 Coal Tit on peanut feeder (rare visitor to our garden) 29/1/2023 Raven at dusk, appeared to be landing to roost in large Redwood tree nearby. HEMINGBY Hemingby churchyard. R.Parsons 25/1/2023 Snowdrops Fem adult Sparrowhawk flew into churchyard HOLYWELL LAKES TF002180 Jane Ostler 29/1/23 An hour around midday. Just what could be seen from the road bridge and the landing stage adjacent to the RNR A cold wind blowing from the north and many birds sheltering , those on the grasslands out of sight for the most part. Little Grebe 2 diving just near the bridge, several others could be seen further north. Mallard  lots in fine feather Moorhen 2 on grass , 4 on water Canada Geese 2 flying low north and flock on banks in distance Greylag geese all seen on water – about ten Gadwall Golden Eye  Male displaying Tufted Duck Shoveller Just two Wigeon, the most numerous of the ducks Rooks beginning to nest build A tree Creeper on the veteran ash in the farmyard Two mature ash look in poor health . A barkless and beetle-holed hulk next to them looks a good site for invertebrates. No sign of flowers on the Cherry Plums (Prunus cerasifera). Winter aconites on the Holywell to Careby RNR. NETTLEHAM Brenda Edlington Nettleham TF 005756 Big Garden Birdwatch 27/1/2023 Blackbird  8 Black-headed gull  1 Blue tit 3 Chaffinch 7 Crow 3 Dunnock 2 Goldfinch 9 Great spotted woodpecker 1 (male) Great tit 1 Greenfinch 2 House sparrow 7 Long-tailed tit 2 Magpie 1 Robin 1 Starling 4 Woodpigeon 6 (too many) Goldfinch numbers have been down slightly over the winter but house sparrows are up. Chaffinches peaked at 14 (a new record) but only 2 greenfinches together all winter. Great spotted woodpeckers, both male and female, are daily visitors to the fat and peanut filled log. Other garden sightings 26/1/2023 Robins 3 – two facing up to each other. 9/1/2023 Blackcap male – only sighting this winter. 31/12/2022 Hedgehog (reasonable size) on trail camera between the cold spells. Last one seen before then was 20 November. Approximate rainfall for 2022 - 25 inches. October was the wettest month with about 4 ½ inches and April the driest with about ½ inch. NORTON DISNEY Jeremy Hutchinson 1/2/2023, 08.50 Norton Disney SK 89303 58714 Red Kite SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 11/01/23 Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 4 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 5 Great Tit x 2 Kestrel x 2 Mallard x 6 over Redwing x 12 Robin x 1 Tree Sparrow x 11 Wood Pigeon x 2 23/01/23 Blackbird x 4 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 9 Great Tit x 2 Jackdaw x 4 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 2 Redwing x 4 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 16/01/23 Barn Owl x 1 01:55 hrs 18/01/23 Blackbird x 8 Black-headed Gull x 3 over Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 4 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 12 Goldfinch x 6 Great Tit x 2 Greylag Goose x 15 over Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 2 Mallard x 6 over Mute Swan x 2 over Moorhen x 2 Owston Ferry Warping drain Redwing x 39 Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 2 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 19:30hrs Tree Sparrow x 6 Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 Yellowhammer x 4 19/01/23 Barn Owl x 1 19:30hrs Blackbird x 4 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 4 Fieldfare x 25 Goldfinch x 9 Great Tit x 2 Greylag Goose x 6 over  Kestrel x 1 Pink-footed Goose x 125 flying high, west over Thurnholmes Redwing x 19 Robin x 1 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:30hrs Tree Sparrow x 17 Wood Pigeon x 15 20/01/23 Barn Owl x 1 Thurnholmes 08:00hrs, 1 SK807997 08:10hrs Tawny Owl x 2 calling 01:15hrs 22/01/23 Barn Owl x 1 19:00hrs Blackbird x 6 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 4 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 7 Goldfinch x 6 Greylag Goose x 15 Grey Partridge x 2 Kestrel x 3 all hovering along the lane to Thurnholmes at the same time Redwing x 29 Robin x 1 Tawny Owl x 2 calling 01:25hrs Wood Pigeon x 4 23/01/23 Barn Owl x 1 08:00hrs 26/01/23 Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 6 Common Buzzard x 2 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 7 Goldfinch x 4 Great Tit x 2 Grey Partridge x 6 Heron x 1 over Thurnholmes Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 2 Magpie x 1 Mute Swan x 2 in fields surrounding Thurnholmes Redwing x 4 Robin x1 Siskin x 4 Tawny Owl x 2 calling 00:45hrs Wood Pigeon x 4 30/01/23 Barn Owl x 1 01:15hrs Blackbird x 8 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 4 Common Buzzard x 1 Fieldfare x 17 Goldfinch x 8 Greylag Goose x 12 over Thurnholmes Grey Partridge x 2 Heron x 1 SK789994 Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Long-eared Owl x 1 calling 01:30hrs Mute Swan x 2 feeding in fields around Thurnholmes Redwing x 1 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 singing high over Thurnholmes Wood Pigeon x 4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs and NATURE RESERVES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19 includes details of LWT reserves and other advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus 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 25th – 31st January 2023 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor, Owen Beaumont, Phil Hyde, Geoff Williams and Chris Atkin Daily News and Wildlife Sightings 250123 - Cattle egret in grass field near NNR at Churchill Lane. Good movement of whooper swans from their roost out to areas on the Marshland arable fields. A min of 350 wigeon on Sea View washland, 2 yellowhammers with 3 reed buntings in scrub near Sea View. 260123 – 1 woodcock at Sea View 270123 - Pair great spotted woodpeckers near Sea View. 280123 - Sea View washlands and adjacent Eau: 142 teal, 310 wigeon, 14 shoveler, 35 mallard, 2 moorhen and 2 little grebe. Paradise lagoon: 8 gadwall, 9 mallard, 1 coot, 23 shoveler and 90 teal. Flock of 16 twite near Churchill Lane and 160 whooper swans (26 young) and 49 mute swans on arable land near Theddlethorpe. 300123 - 16 pintail with mallard on the saltmarsh, flock of 15 lapwing flew west, high over Sea View. Bird song and display over the past few days Churchill Lane area: 3 great tits, 2 skylark, 1 song thrush, 1 starling and 1 great spotted woodpecker drumming, 2 water rails screaming, 3 woodcock roding, 173 whooper and 36 mute swans on local field. Other local reserves 270123 - Toby’s Hill: 2 woodcock 290123 - Donna Nook: Of note 2600 oystercatchers and 91 skylark, 1 peregrine, 1 marsh harrier, 1 raven. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR These cover a huge area. Records from them are one of the main inputs to management planning and the protection of rare/scarce and critical species. Reports always welcome. The history of the Lincolnshire Limewoods https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/features/19111877.lincolnshire-limewoods/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Forestry Commission visitor advice: https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch. https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html Chambers Farm Wood - Butterfly Garden https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/chambers-farm-wood-butterfly-garden Lincolnshire Dormouse Group You can get in touch via lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com Gemma Watkinson writes: Winter coppicing dates 2023 Saturday 11 February Sunday 12th March Throughout the winter we meet at 10am at the Wood Centre at Chambers Farm Woods. We carry out coppicing in the woodland and box maintenance and cleaning, and always welcome new volunteers. Tools are provided. If anyone wants to know more, they can get in touch at lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood; Little and Great Scrubbs Woods; Minting Wood; Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park; and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting). College Wood; Cocklode & Great West Woods; Hardy Gang Wood; Newball Wood; Rand Wood; Scotgrove Wood; Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland. Many are also designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Links to "Other Reserves" are welcome. 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/ 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. 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. 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 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: 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 - Should you need 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. BGS Geology Viewer: https://geologyviewer.bgs.ac.uk/ Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 Geology - the Collection https://www.thecollectionmuseum.com/explore/geology Geology of the Lincolnshire Wolds https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/special-features/geology The Geology of Lincolnshire - downloadable LNU book BGS webpage: Earthquakes around the UK last 60 days http://www.earthquakes.bgs.ac.uk/earthquakes/home.html BGS British geology maps - now free to explore on web http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. NOTES ABOUT THESE WILDLIFE REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting. However, records are sent in by a variety of reporters; from complete beginners to professionals. They may vary in reliability and occasionally may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed please contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. BULLETIN PUBLICITY POLICY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. When sending in reports, e.g. unusual plants, please report any sensitive news directly to recorders. Not the Bulletin. We don't want to spoil things with untimely or unwise publicity. Thank you. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember: Views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU EVENTS DIARY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events - Important updates *** We will post any changes to LNU events 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: updates for Indoor Meetings 2023. https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ The changing nature of the Covid situation may mean alterations or cancellations at short notice, so check back regularly and keep an eye on Twitter and Facebook for updates. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** None ....and finally... Woodpeckers and wagtails: how readers enjoyed the big birdwatch https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/31/woodpeckers-sparrows-annual-uk-bird-count-rspb-big-garden-birdwatch Short-finned pilot whale first of kind in British waters https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-64422703 Whale sightings could indicate a population increase, expert says https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-64415299 Country diary: An unlikely haven of hedgehogs and house sparrows https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/31/country-diary-an-unlikely-haven-of-hedgehogs-and-house-sparrows Country diary: There’s a peacock butterfly presenting the news https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/01/country-diary-theres-a-peacock-butterfly-presenting-the-news Country diary: Honeysuckle twines its way towards the light https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/28/country-diary-honeysuckle-twines-its-way-towards-the-light ------ ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/