========================================= || || 8th 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: I continue to reflect on a possible future for the LNU Bulletin and will welcome your thoughts about its continuation. Any views? Would you miss pager reports from Rare Bird Alert, for example? 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. Turkey earthquake: UK firefighters to help with rescue efforts https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-64552350 Margaret Thatcher portrait saved from tip to be auctioned https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64541684 Has the Brexit fishing promise come true? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/64430216 Bird flu outlook is ‘grim’ as new wave of the virus heads for Britain https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/05/bird-flu-outlook-is-grim-as-new-wave-of-the-virus-heads-for-britain Avian flu spills over from birds to mammals in UK https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64474594 UK butterflies vanish from nearly half of the places they once flew – study https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/03/uk-butterflies-vanish-from-nearly-half-of-the-places-they-once-flew-study The Antarctic and Arctic sounds rarely heard before - listen! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64514258 Animals that care for young may have more mutations and evolve faster https://www.newscientist.com/article/2356853-animals-that-care-for-young-may-have-more-mutations-and-evolve-faster/ Neolithic complex dubbed ‘Stonehenge of the North’ opens to UK public https://www.newscientist.com/article/2357882-neolithic-complex-dubbed-stonehenge-of-the-north-opens-to-uk-public/ 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 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#? 12 - 21 Feb "Sunday and Monday will be mostly dry with variable and at times large amounts of cloud, with any fog patches clearing through the morning. Parts of the north and northwest of the UK will remain rather damp at times, with occasional light rain or drizzle. Over the following few days, probably a gradual transition to more generally changeable conditions, meaning a greater chance of some rain at times in the south and east compared to earlier in February. The north and northwest will likely be most unsettled, with often strong winds accompanying periods of rain, which will be heavy at times. Temperatures overall will be relatively mild, with any frost mostly likely across southern areas earlier in the period." For Astronomers and Sky-watchers When do the clocks go forward? In 2023 the clocks go forward on 26 March at 1am in the UK. https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/when-do-clocks-go-forward From Mary Porter: Star Count 2023 is coming! Between 17-24 February 2023, our annual citizen science project returns. Last year, thousands of you took part and counted the stars in your night sky – so save the date and help celebrate our dark skies. https://www.cpre.org.uk/what-we-care-about/nature-and-landscapes/dark-skies/star-count-2023/ 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 since been in - not a pellet to be seen - lovely... An owl was seen snoozing at 22.30 hrs on 6th February and again today at 06.30-07.00, when it flew off. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project Hedgehog Advice https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ Bats Annette Faulkner writes: Bats. As the weather gets milder do look out for them. Those who watched the last Winterwatch will have seen the report of the bat out every night in North Norfolk, even during the cold snap; in the mild spell before that we had several grounded bat calls over about 48 hours. As was commented on in the programme, being out this early is not good for them, as almost certainly not enough to eat. They lose weight, can get too weak to fly and ground, when they can fall prey to predators. And of course, the fact that bats are out in the first place could indicate that they have already lost too much of the weight they put on in the autumn. Normally they start to emerge from hibernation in March, then dip in and out over the next few weeks, depending on the weather, before they really get going. If you find a grounded bat, please take it in (use gloves), put in an escape proof box and phone 01775 766286. 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. *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson writes: Lincoln Area Group Talk February 16th: The Natterjack Toad in Lincolnshire Matthew Blissett and Ruth Taylor will present an illustrated talk about the history of the Natterjack Toad in Lincolnshire, how they compare to populations elsewhere in the country and the work they've been doing which has recently boosted their numbers. Matt and Ruth are Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust staff based at Saltfleetby- Theddlethorpe National Nature Reserve. At Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission is £2.50 which includes refreshments in the interval. *** 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}. 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. Well worth a visit, *** 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 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 1/2 1 Russian White-fronted Goose in field south of Greatford Cut, West Deeping Hen Harrier male, Freiston Shore Hen Harrier male flew south along beach, 17 Snow Buntings, still on beach, Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point 6 Bewick's Swans [3 juvs] NW of Boston at Eastville north of Station Road in field, then flushed by aircraft 2/2 7 Russian White-fronted Geese at West End GPs on east pit - view from footpath along Greatford Cut 7 Russian White-fronted Geese in field south of Greatford Cut, West Deeping 7 Russian White-fronted Geese on wet grassland, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier male in outer dunes, 15 Snow Buntings on beach, Gibraltar Point Caspian Gull 1w at Novartis Ings, Pyewipe 9 Bewick's Swans south of B1396 WSW of Westwoodside 3/2 Smew drk at West End GPs on east pit - view from footpath along Greatford Cut 7 Russian White-fronted Geese in field south of Greatford Cut, West Deeping Hen Harrier ringtail, Willow Tree Fen 7 Russian White-fronted Geese on wet grassland, south of main car park, Frampton Marsh Black-throated Diver flew south past, 10 Little Gulls, 15 Snow Buntings on beach, 2 Water Pipits flew over Sykes Farm., male Hen Harrier over saltmarsh, Gibraltar Point Great Northern Diver juv, Covenham Reservoir 9 Bewick's Swans south of B1396 WSW of Westwoodside 4/2 7 Russian White-fronted Geese in field south of Greatford Cut, West Deeping 7 Russian White-fronted Geese south of main car park on wet grassland, 2 Hen Harriers, 1 male, Frampton Marsh 2 Water Pipits, Gibraltar Point American Wigeon, Woodhall Spa Airfield American Wigeon drk, Fiskerton Fen 4 Russian White-fronted Geese at Winter's Pond off Marsh Lane, 2 Water Pipits on brackish pools, East Halton Skitter Hen Harrier ringtail, Alkborough Flats 5/2 Long-eared Owl at Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 3+ White-fronted Russian Geese on wet grassland south of main car park, Frampton Marsh American Wigeon drk, Woodhall Spa Airfield Great Northern Diver juv, Covenham reservoir 6/2 Mealy Redpoll at Londonthorpe Woods NE of Grantham 2 Hen Harriers, 3 Bewick's Swans NW past, Gibraltar Point American Wigeon drk, Woodhall Spa Airfield Bittern, Far Ings 7/2 Short-eared Owl along River Glen, Tongue end, NE of Baston American Wigeon drk, Woodhall Spa Airfield - from hide 41 Russian White-fronted Geese flew NNW over, 2 at Winter's Pond, East Halton Skitter ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. WILDLIFE NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Roger Goy Column Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work and drop-in sessions. Roger died on 6th March 2009 at the age of 61. Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important Grab a Grid Reference: https://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ *** Links "not to be missed" *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. 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. ROAD KILL A180  EASTBOUND, BETWEEN IMMINGHAM AND HEALING JUCTIONS Peter Crick 07-02-2023 Fox, alongside central reservation COLEBY LOWFIELDS Coleby Lowfields SK 94814 60597 approx Jeremy Hutchinson 30/1/2023 Red Deer roadkill Beckingham Range area (deliberately unspecific) *** 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 4/2/2023 2 Dunnocks CARLTON LE MOORLAND Carlton le Moorland SK909581 Jeremy Hutchinson Regular visits to feeders by Long-tailed Tits, including one occasion when I was only 6 feet away. 4/2/2023, 18.45 Hedgehog foraging in garden, by far the earliest I've seen. 6/2/23, 17.10 Pair of Ravens calling, flying west 7/2/23 A walk revealed what I last year suspected to be a Raven's nest has been refurbished, and as a bonus a Raven was perched in the top of the tree. 20 minutes observation revealed another three of these birds (at least). Also 100 approx Lapwings, Mistle Thrush singing, 3 Hares, 2 Buzzards, a Kestrel, Moorhen, and what appears to a very small rookery consisting of eight nests in a large apple tree plus another half dozen or so in other relatively small trees nearby. GRIMSBY TA265095 Joyce Attia, 7th February 2023 Big Garden Birdwatch last week. I sat for an hour to see 9 sparrows and 1 bluetit, I think it must have been wrong time of day. This week on feeder, robin, bluetits, great tits, lots of house sparrows, starlings, a crow on the fence. I threw some seed for the ground feeders, robin came down from the feeder, 3 woodpigeons, a few feral pigeons, a male blackbird, and my favourites, a pair of collared doves, they are so gentle, bless them. A walk along the river bank on 1st February in a strong Westerly wind saw the pair of swans hunkered down in the reeds along the bank. I thought they were sheltering, but they have been in the same place on a number of occasions. I hope they're not thinking to nest there, it's too open to predators and humans. Some of the ducks and moorhens have paired up. Also lots of black headed gulls, they're always hungry and soon come if anyone brings food. SPALDING Garden TF245218 3/2/23 Annette Faulkner Mine of the micro moth Stigmella aurella in bramble leaf growing through garden hedge. Blackbird singing in January? I was interested to read this record last(?) week. I would have liked to elaborate on my surprise at a very ‘rusty’ blackbird singing from a roof top in Spalding recorded 2 or 3 weeks ago, but didn’t have time. As a teenage birder in the 1950s and early 60s I kept detailed ‘first heard’ bird song records, and regularly recorded blackbirds starting singing in January – or so I thought, until I came across the fact in one of my bird books that said they didn’t start singing till March.. Huh? What I discovered was that my ‘blackbird;’ was in fact a mistle thrush, and the local blackbirds really didn’t start till March. Here in Spalding I haven’t heard a mistle thrush for a very long time, though used to look forward to their January start up. What has happened to them? WOOLSTHORPE BY COLSTERWORTH 92/24 Jane Ostler 25th January – 5th February 2023 Noted whilst checking mature parish TREES Male and female catkins out on Grey Alder, planted on a roadside bank. This species, which tolerates drier conditions, flowers earlier than the native alder (Alnus glutinosa). Hazel catkins out but not all with female flowers. Pussy Willow still at the silvery bud stage. Asked to identify line of trees in garden which have been lopped as have grown very tall. They are Poplars which have dark shiny buds. Previous experience of Balsam Poplars leads me to believe it is one of these. Populus trichocarpa is one of our fastest growing trees. I await bud opening , with its attendant scent for confirmation of species or hybrid. Have been researching history of Bramley apple Tree planted over 90 years ago. Photos show it in the garden before 1932 already taller than the tenant standing beside it. The bowl standing under the tree is what was used for all washing, water collected from a spring fed pond opposite. Though fruit trees may not conform to the usual method of dating it is interesting to find that the girth is now 80 inches.  Mistletoe grafted onto the trunk has thrived for at least 40 years. The lanes around Woolsthorpe are now colourful with aconites and snowdrops. In the garden Hellebores are at their best, but the Stinking Hellebore , which grows wild in places, is still in tight bud. Daisy is flowering on our lawn. Night frosts followed by sunny days has meant Winter Gnats flying above the lawn on 25/1/23 and 28/2/23. First Bumble Bee of the year was Buff-tailed on 2/2/23 followed by the Tree Bumble Bee on 7/3/23. Honey Bees were back in force from 3/2/23 (Local Beekeeper has some hives moved to his garden n First Butterfly in garden a Small Tortoiseshell on 6/2/23. Taking part in the RSPB Garden Birdwatch has made me much more aware of local birds generally.  Pied Wagtail on our lawn and also on the Football field. Jack Snipe still along the River Witham. Greenfinch and Goldcrest in our larch tree but only two Chaffinch regularly in the garden and no Goldfinches here. A resident of a newly built house has sent me a list of birds seen from his garden. His garden backs onto an old field hedge with a meadow beyond and plenty of trees in groups. Most notable, apart from the range of birds seen, were the range and numbers of the tit family coming to his feeders and the groups of farmland birds in the hedge and field . (NB yellowhammers and linnets)   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 1st – 7th February 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 Note: Only 4.6mm of precipitation has been recorded at Sea View since January 14th. A maximum of 14.0 degrees centigrade observed on February 3rd. Keen frosts on the 6th and 7th with ground minimum of -6.75 degrees centigrade and air -3.75 degrees centigrade. 020223 - 13 curlew feeding in pasture field near Paradise lagoon, 2 marsh harriers over the saltmarsh. 750 dunlin at the tide edge out from Churchill Lane and 35 twite mobile on the outer saltmarsh north of Churchill Lane. 14 snow bunting on the beach between Brickyard Lane and Crook Bank. 030223 - At least 10 gadwall on Paradise lagoon. Curlew and snipe at Sea View. 040223 – Female blackcap a regular sighting near Brickyard Lane. 050223 - Pair of stonechat at Rimac, 2 common buzzards overhead. 5 snow bunting on the beach at Sear’s track and 16 seen in field adjacent to Saltfleet Haven. 060223 - Pair of stonechat at Rimac, 2 marsh harriers over saltmarsh, 2 buzzards in area. During late afternoon interesting to see 2 barn owls hunting over the saltmarsh quartering a large area as they flew, low, along the creeks in search of prey. 3 skeins of pink-footed geese, totalling 360 birds, flying north, high over the saltmarsh. Barn owl at Sea View. 14 snow bunting at Sear’s track (beach between Brickyard Lane and Crook Bank). A single raven foraging the grassland at Elm House Farm. 070223 - On Paradise lagoon: 9 gadwall and green woodpecker calling in the area. A redpoll flew south, calling, over Sea View. A pair of raven circled over Elm House Farm before flying east over Sea View and out towards Saltfleet Haven. Snowdrops in flower. Teal and a little egret on the Great Eau at Sea View. Other Local Reserves 060223 – Toby’s Hill: 2 woodcock in the scrub, snowdrops and violets in flower, chaffinch singing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: 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: 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... How beavers are reviving wetlands https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64502365 Greater horseshoe bat: Derelict building restored for rare breeding colony https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-64498904 Scotland's ancient Caledonian pinewoods could vanish - study https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-64452194 Northern Ireland conservation: More than 100 species added to priority list https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-64486661 Doubling trees in European cities could prevent thousands of deaths https://www.newscientist.com/article/2357065-doubling-trees-in-european-cities-could-prevent-thousands-of-deaths/ 15 million people live in possible flood path for melting glaciers https://www.newscientist.com/article/2357961-15-million-people-live-in-possible-flood-path-for-melting-glaciers/ Wildfires burning in Chile are among the deadliest in country's recor https://www.newscientist.com/article/2358418-wildfires-burning-in-chile-are-among-the-deadliest-in-countrys-record/ ------ ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/