========================================= || || 15th 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: LNU AGM Date: 4th March 2023 - 2pm. LNU members will be receiving their AGM papers shortly. I have volunteered to help stuff the mailing. We very much hope members will attend, in person or by Zoom. The Presidential Address will be given by Dr Fred Rumsey of the Natural History Museum. ‘Dead interesting… the role of herbaria in a changing world’ Not to be missed. If you would like to practice using Zoom before the AGM itself I will be glad to host an informal "meeting". Just let me know. Meetings webpage from the LNU website: https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ This week's links to Lincolnshire and wildlife-related news stories.. Spalding: Lincolnshire firefighters rescue horse trapped in water .https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64623250 Edlington: Snowdrop festival returns Saturday, February 18 https://www.lincolnshireworld.com/news/people/snowdrop-festival-returns-next-month-4000236 Thurlby: New pedestrian crossing proposed for A15 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64600157 Lincoln Christmas Market facing axe after 40 years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64587873 Binbrook Lightning jet's future secure after hangar bid success https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64627382 Grimsby community orchard transformation for car park https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-64624891 Skegness: Four arrests linked to 36 caravan burglaries https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64644820 HS2 Ltd miscalculating impact on nature - Wildlife Trusts https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64558664 Turkey earthquakes: Lincolnshire rescue dog injured in recovery work https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64582537 High court challenge to government’s ‘weak’ plan to reduce sewage discharges https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/14/high-court-challenge-government-weak-plan-reduce-sewage-discharges 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#? 19 - 28 Feb "On Sunday, a cloudy start to the day for most with some light rain or drizzle at times, clearing through the day. Brighter from the start further north, with these conditions expected to extend further south throughout the day. For the first half of the period, low pressure will dominate to the north and higher pressure to the south. This is likely to lead to dry conditions in south and eastern areas with some overnight mist and fog. More changeable, unsettled conditions with spells or rain and stronger winds at times are likely in the north. Towards the end of the period, there is a greater of high pressure dominating across the UK. Temperatures overall milder than average, but a continued risk of cold nights in places." For Astronomers and Sky-watchers 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 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 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 Boston Stump peregrine camera - Bob Sheppard: Peregrine enthusiasts across the UK are excitedly anticipating the forthcoming breeding season. Last week, with three of my colleagues, we were able to repair the frayed camera cable at Boston Stump. The camera is now back up and running and the screen can be viewed in the cafe there. We lost the Boston male in 2022, just before the breeding season, so u nfortunately there were no eggs or chicks. He was found dead on the ground near the church having probably collided with something. However, we were excited to see and hear a new male around the nest tray last week, a promising sign of things to come perhaps? There is little sign of peregrines at Grantham so far, but Louth has plenty of action as usual. The camera there will soon be switched on and it is one of the best webcams in the UK. Len Pick Trust Owl-box Camera - accessible 24/7. Bob Sheppard writes: On the last day of January we were fortunate to have a visit from Jason, our camera expert from Dorset. He fitted a booster to the feed cable enabling the live daytime picture to be permanently in colour, a vast improvement on previous years. We still have black and white images at night of course. He also painted the ceiling white to make the box lighter for the camera. We took the opportunity to clean the box and line it with fresh wood chips. This past week we have had several days when both owls were in the box. Viewers can rewind the live feed to see what's been happening. Just tap the icon in the bottom right hand corner to bring up the full screen. At the bottom a red line has appeared. By dragging this line it is possible to view any action from the previous twelve hours. One thing which always surprises me is how often the owls leave the box, at seemingly random times. 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 *** Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** Carolyn Davis writes: Unfortunately, one of our events, the morning bird walk at Humberston Fitties on Saturday 25th February has had to be cancelled. There are details of other events on the group's 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. *** 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. *** 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 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 8/2 Short-eared Owl at Deeping High Bank, Deeping St Nicholas Siberian Chiffchaff NE side of sewage works, Deeping St James Hen Harrier at Willow Tree Fen 9 Snow Buntings, Gibraltar Point American Wigeon drk from hide, Woodhall Spa Airfield Snow Bunting on saltmarsh, Cleethorpes 9/2 Hen Harrier in roost at Willow Tree Fen 2 Water Pipits, Gibraltar Point American Wigeon drk from hide, Woodhall Spa Airfield c25 Twite, Donna Nook 16 Snow Buntings on saltmarsh, Cleethorpes 10/2 Hen Harrier ringtail in roost, Willow Tree Fen 7 Russian White-fronted Geese south on main car park on wet grassland, Frampton Marsh 7 Twite on beach south of Crook Bank, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe dunes American Wigeon drk from hide, Woodhall Spa Airfield Mealy Redpoll with Lesser Redpolls, Doddington Park Lapland Bunting at Buck Beck, Cleethorpes 7 Russian White-fronted Geese flew NNW over, 2 at Winter's Pond, East Halton Skitter 11/2 7 Russian White-fronted Geese south on main car park on wet grassland, Hen Harrier ringtail, 2 Short-eared Owls from raptor viewpoint, Frampton Marsh Black-throated Diver on sea, 12 Snow Buntings on beach, Gibraltar Point American Wigeon drk from hide, Woodhall Spa Airfield 2 Mealy Redpolls with 38 Lesser Redpolls, Doddington Park, Doddington Lapland Bunting, Hen Harrier male, Tetney Marshes 12/2 Grey Phalarope landed on sea, North End, Mablethorpe 13 Snow Buntings, 6 Twite, on beach north of Crook Bank, Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe Dunes American Wigeon drk from hide, North Lake, Woodhall Spa Airfield 2 Bewick's Swans, both ads, in field north of Stain Lane, Cleethorpes Lapland Bunting, Buck Beck, 15+ Snow Buntings on saltmarsh, Cleethorpes 3 Hen Harriers, 1 male, Grainthorpe Haven 34 Russian White-fronted Geese in fields by marsh, Water Pipit, East Halton Skitter 14+ Snow Buntings as Cress Marsh, Stallingborough 13/2 Hen Harrier ringtail, 4 Common Cranes, Willow Tree Fen 4 Common Cranes west of Gull Farm, NE of Deeping High Bank, Deeping St Nicholas 8 Russian White-fronted Geese south on main car park on wet grassland, 2 Short-eared Owls, Frampton Marsh Twite flew over dunes, 16 Snow Buntings on outer beach, Saltfleetby /Theddlethorpe NNR 14/2 Hen Harrier ringtail, Spoonbill, Frampton Marsh 6 Twite, 5 Snow Buntings on outer beach off Brickyard Lane, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR 15/2 4 Long-eared Owls on Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 2 Bewick's Swans, both ads, with 65 Whooper Swans, in field north of Stain Lane, Mablethorpe ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Jeremy Hutchinson writes: Further to my recent report of a dead Red Deer on the Brant Road below Coleby, the identification was queried by Chris Manning. Accordingly I had a proper look at the carcase (I had only seen it in passing previously), taking into account a few tips from Chris. I would therefore like to amend the identification to a male Fallow Deer: I had not known that they lose their spotted coat in winter. *** 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 Possible Vespula rufa (Linnaeus,1758) Location: in house TF120694 The Old Museum The Green Bardney LB3 5TY R + A Parsons 10/02/2023 https://www.bwars.com/wasp/vespidae/vespinae/vespula-rufa BARDNEY - Witham Bank - Water Rail Way Between Bardney and Bardney Lock 5 Little Egret: plus one matching white cat! https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/little-egret/ Goosander: 3 male 2 female https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/goosander/ BARDNEY 9th February 2023 Bardney Garden TF117700 7th February Phil and Mary Porter Highlights today were a pair of Redpolls on sunflower hearts and one Long-tailed Tit on peanuts. Chaffinches (c. 10) and Greenfinches (c. 6) showing brighter colours and both a bit more numerous lately. Goldfinches (c.10) as usual. Grey Squirrels have been largely thwarted by our switching to all-metal feeders. Bardney Manor TF119693 12th February 2023 Phil and Mary Porter Raven calling for c.20 minutes atop the tallest conifer COLSTERWORTH SK92/25 Jane Ostler 13/02/23 During a walk along Stamford Road to check on trees planted some forty years ago by local schoolchildren under the Tree for Life Scheme, I noted, on some of the fallen leaves of Maple,  the red galls of the mite Aceria sp. In an area of scrub there were leaves of a crack willow with the red blister galls of Pontaria proxima and the remains of Robin’s Pincushion (Diplolepis rosae) on the stems of a dog rose. A veteran oak on which I had seen Knopper galls earlier in the year had leaves underneath with the round discs of Neuroterus numenalis. All of this causes me to wonder if there is still a food source in some galls in late winter when all the berries have gone. The first Pussy Willow was opening up and there were buds on the blackthorn. Hazel catkins and female flowers were out and the male flowers of Dog’s Mercury marked the past presence of woodland in a hedge. A tree creeper seen on the old oak tree. FISKERTON Fiskerton Fen TF084719 and River Witham to Pumping Station TF087712 8th February 2023 Phil and Mary Porter 5 Goosander on the reserve 11 Tufted Duck on the reserve 8 Mallard incl. 4 on reserve 3 Gadwall incl. 1 on reserve 1 Grey Heron 1 Great White Egret on the reserve 1 Little Egret 2 Moorhen 2 Greylag Goose 1 Buzzard Sallow with male catkins Gorse in flower LINCOLN Hykeham Road area of Lincoln SK 95483 67323 11/02/23 11.00 Jeremy Hutchinson Pair of Red Kites circling very high before drifting slowly south-west. STAPLEFORD Stapleford SK 87851 57503 12/02/23, 19.45 Jeremy Hutchinson Barn Owl perched on roadside bollard. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 8th-14th 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 08823 - Group of 19 rock pipits feeding amongst low saltmarsh vegetation N of Sea View. 13 snow bunting on the foreshore north of Brickyard Lane, along with 34 bar-tailed godwit, 11 grey plover and 300 dunlin. 09023 - Stonechat on buckthorn bushes on outer dunes off Rimac. At least 22 blackbirds at Sea View feeding station. 13 snow bunting on the beach between Brickyard Lane and Crook Bank. Single brambling near Brickyard Lane, where 25 blackbird and a pair of bullfinch are seen regularly. 100223 - 7 twite in the outer dunes at Crook Bank, 13 snow bunting on the beach out from Sear's Track and 800 mixed small waders along the foreshore. 62 whooper swan roosted at Rimac lagoon in the evening. Porpoise offshore from Rimac. 120223 - Paradise lagoon: 14 shoveler, 10 teal, 6 gadwall, 2 coot, 9 tufted duck and a single shelduck. A skein of pink-footed geese flew west over and a pair of great spotted woodpeckers calling and in aerial pursuit over Sea View. Grey phalarope seen in flight over the sea before landing offshore. 13 snow bunting on the outer foreshore south of Brickyard Lane and 6 twite south of Crook Bank. 5 great crested grebe and 57 red-throated diver on the sea at Mablethorpe North End and at least 2 porpoise seen offshore. Flying north over the sea throughout the morning were 2 red-breasted merganser, a fulmar and a great northern diver flew north over the sea. 2 Bewick's swan with a herd of whooper swan near Mablethorpe, which are likely to be with the group of swans which roost at Rimac each evening. 130223 - Paradise lagoon: 10 gadwall with 8 tufted ducks, 13 curlew feeding in adjacent pasture, green woodpecker overhead and 130 pinkfeet flying north- west. Late evening on Paradise scrape: 17 pintail and 27 shoveler. 60+ whooper swan left roost before sunrise. 300 brent geese on Rimac lagoon, 2 pintail on Rimac scrape, female goosander flew out of a saltmarsh creek, a single twite flew over the saltmarsh and 16 snow bunting on the outer beach out from Rimac. 2 turnstone, 6 great crested grebe and a steady stream of red- throated diver flew north over the sea. 3 redpoll flew south over Brickyard Lane. Barn owl hunting at Sea View. 140223 - On the saltmarsh at Brickyard Lane were 12 skylark, 9 twite, 2 meadow pipit and 2 reed bunting. 5 snow bunting just south of Brickyard Lane.  Bird song heard over recent days: chaffinch, skylark, great tit, dunnock, starling, great spotted woodpecker drumming, green woodpecker yaffling, robin, wood pigeon, sparrowhawk,and common buzzard display. The majority of pink footed geese have departed and skeins of a 150 to 300 noted flying over heading north west. A regular flock of 13 snow buntings on Foreshore. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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 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. 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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... Chesil Beach sees record number of threatened Little Tern chicks https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-64639325 Orca mothers make 'lifelong sacrifice' for sons https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64559047 Great Yarmouth: Huge blast after unplanned WW2 bomb detonation https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-64604115 Have you seen this bug? Scientists call on Britain’s gardeners to track elusive aphid https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/12/track-willow-aphid-gardeners-royal-horticultural-society-scientists Country diary: Two mistle thrushes goad each other, nerves frayed https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/14/country-diary-two-mistle-thrushes-goad-each-other-nerves-frayed Number of turtles stranded on British and Irish coast on the rise https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/13/number-of-turtles-stranded-on-british-and-irish-coast-on-the-rise ------ ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/