========================================= || || 22nd 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: David Sheppard writes on 19th Feb: "I saw my first bumblebee of the year today flying at the top of the track to Rigsby Wood." Any reports? LNU AGM Date: 4th March 2023 - 2pm. 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. Not to be missed. ‘Dead interesting… the role of herbaria in a changing world’ If you would like to practice using Zoom before the AGM itself I will be glad to host an informal "practice 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... Cathedral falcon found dead after 'falling from sky' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czrm0d090w8o Yorkshire and Lincolnshire BBC Weather Watchers capture spectacular sunset https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-64706458 Council acts like Scrooge after axing Christmas market - MP https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64715992 Storm Otto: Travel disruption as high winds batter region https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-64661839 Work to create Lincoln city centre green space to begin https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64697914 Sutton on Sea: Culture hub part of £6m Colonnade revamp https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64664667 Cleethorpes holidaymakers giving up caravans over price rise https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-64662932 Concerns over plans for £75m salmon farm in Cleethorpes https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-64649348 Grantham Active travel scheme on hold until bypass built https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64683245 The types of clouds: everything you need to know https://www.zmescience.com/science/types-of-clouds/ 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. 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#? 26 Feb - 7 Mar "Widely settled with plenty of sunshine, cloudiest in the west but cloud cover gradually increasing through the weekend. Patchy overnight fog in periods of clear skies possible. Some slight showers possible across north and eastern coastal districts. Light and variable winds, stronger across some peripheral areas, especially the south coast. Temperatures by day around average to mild in north, but chillier where clear skies persist overnight. Rather cold in the south, especially in the breeze. Later, most places rather cloudy, but dry. A low pressure will produce an increased risk of showers in the south. The likelihood of wintery showers is very low, but most possible for the far south. Temperatures by day likely to be around average, by night likely a little below overall although frosts limited by cloud." 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 unfortunately 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 *** Boston Area Group LWT *** Gill Walsh writes: AGM and slide show by Gill Walsh and Geof Lee 2022 Wildlife Highlights Thursday 9th March 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 & Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: The Red Fox by Dr Carl Soulsbury On Monday 13th March 2023 the Grimsby & Cleethorpes Area Group will hold their next indoor meeting where Dr Carl Soulsbury will be giving an illustrated presentation "The Red Fox." We will be looking at its life, how it feeds and adapts to our changing world. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall, DN31 1HU and starts at 7.30 pm. Admission £3, all are welcome. There will be a raffle and tea & coffee will be available. For further information you can contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858 or check out our website www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk and we are also on Facebook *** South Holland Area Group LWT *** Gill Walsh writes: Talk - Wildlife of Gloucestershire by Gill Walsh Tuesday 14th March at 7.30pm Pinchbeck Village Hall Knight Street Pinchbeck, Spalding PE11 3XA Admission £2 which includes interval refreshments. Non members welcome. *** 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. *** 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" *** Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society *** Keith Scarrott writes: Our next meeting is on Monday, 13th March when we shall have two speakers who are Professor Libby John and Professor Harriet Gross. They will present their joint, illustrated talk on "How Climate Change Impacts Your Plants and Garden". Professor Libby John is Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Lincoln. Harriet Gross, now retired Professor Emerita of Psychology, University of Lincoln Greater Lincoln Area. Our two Professors will discuss the effects that climate change can have on your own back garden. Starting at 7.15 pm the meeting will take place in St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is no charge for entry but a donation bowl is provided. There is a large, free car park in the Church grounds. There will be a break about halfway through the talk when light refreshments will be available for a small charge. 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 15/2 1+ Hen Harrier, Willow Tree Fen 4 Bewick's Swans on Wader Pit, Baston and Langtoft Pits by Black Drove, Deeping Fen Farms 6 Long-eared Owls on Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Iceland Gull, Middlemarsh Wetlands, Skegness 2 Bewick's Swans, both ads, with 65 Whooper Swans, in field north of Stain Lane, Mablethorpe 41 Russian White-fronted Geese near Winter's Pond, off Marsh Lane, south of East Halton Skitter 16/2 2 Berwick's Swans on Wader Pit, then flew east, Baston Langtoft Pits 4 Bewick's Swans, Hen Harrier ringtail roosted, Willow Tree Fen 17/2 4 Bewick's Swans, then flew SW, Hen Harrier ringtail, Willow Tree Fen 8 Russian White-fronted Geese south of main car park, Frampton Marsh 2 Bewick's Swans, both ads, with Whooper Swans, in field north of Stain Lane, Mablethorpe 12+ Russian White-fronted Geese near Winter's Pond, off Marsh Lane, south of East Halton Skitter Hen Harrier, Alkborough Flats 18/2 4 Bewick's Swans, ringtail Hen Harrier, Willow Tree Fen 7 Russian White-fronted Geese in field south of Greatford Cut, West Deeping 8 Russian White-fronted Geese south of main car park, 4 Bewick's Swans, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 9 Little Gulls flew south past, 2 Hen Harriers, 3 Woodlarks flew south past Mill Hill, Water Pipit, 11 Snow Buntings, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl over sand dunes, Sandilands Black Redstart fem/1w male, RAF Waddington [no general access] 19/2 7 Russian White-fronted Geese in field south of Greatford Cut, West Deeping 7 Russian White-fronted Geese south of main car park, Frampton Marsh Bewick's Swan, Freiston Shore 3 Water Pipits between Tennyson's Sands and Freshwater Marsh, Gibraltar Point 10 Twite, Pye's Hall, in bushes behind interpretation panel, Donna Nook 20/2 3 Hen Harriers, 1 male, at saltmarsh, 4 Twite, Short-eared Owl, Holbeach St Matthew 4 Snow Buntings on beach, Gibraltar Point 3 Spoonbills flew NW over Seal Sanctuary Wildlife Centre, 2 Bewick's Swans, both ads, with Whooper Swans, in field north of Stain Lane, Black-throated Diver on sea off outfall, Mablethorpe 12 Snow Buntings on beach north of Crook Bank, 2 Water Pipits in dune scrub, Rimac, Saltfleetby/Theddlethortpe NNR 3 Common Cranes flew west, 3 Spoonbills, Far Ings 14 Snow Buntings, 3 Spoonbills over, Cress Marsh, Stallingborough 21/2 40 Twite, Holbeach Marsh 7 Russian Whirte-fronted Geese south of main car park, ringtail Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 3 Water Pipits, 2 Spoonbills, Gibraltar Point 2 Bewick's Swans, both ads, with 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. Dead Badger adult near Stixwould 20.2.2023 West side of Woodhall Road - been there over a week TF179652 R + A Parsons 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 19/2 Raven heard - A Parsons Correction to earlier wasp record: Vespula vulgaris (Linnaeus,1758) [NOT V.rufa] https://www.bwars.com/wasp/vespidae/vespinae/vespula-vulgaris Location: in house TF120694 The Old Museum The Green Bardney LB3 5TY R + A Parsons 10/02/2023 David Sheppard writes: Your wasp is a queen Vespula vulgaris. V.rufa is one of a pair of short-face wasps that has black hairs on the first abdominal segment. V.vulgaris and V.germanica have pale hairs on this segment. Fortunately this is clearly visible in one of your images. Another clue is the colour of the ocular sinus (ie the notch in the compound eye) which is mostly black in V.rufa but entirely yellow in V.vulgaris and V.germanica. Other colour pattern differences are the lack (or almost so) of the yellow marks on the hindmost part of the thorax (strongly yellow-marked in V.vulgaris and V.germanica) and a reddish tinge on the first abdominal segment (black and yellow in V,vulgaris and V.germanica). The most reliable means of distinguishing between V.vulgaris and V.germanica is the shape of the third tooth of the mandible. This is straight in V.vulgaris but concave in V.germanica. However, this is not visible in either of your images. The general colour pattern of the clypeus and of the abdomen convinces me that it is V vulgaris. David adds: For all of the differences that I have mentioned, social wasp species are not easy to tell apart and in some cases, especially with workers, specimens are essential to be sure of what it is. Fortunately social wasp colonies are usually large enough to sustain the loss of a few workers without harm - except maybe to the collector. GRIMSBY TA265095 Joyce Attia 20th February 2023 Lots of house sparrows on the feeder this morning, male blackbird and a dunnock picking over the ground underneath. There was a large bumble bee on the crocuses this morning. There's a lot of activity in the bushes across the river, lots of excited twittering..I can make out bluetits, great tits and sparrows. A walk along the river showed mallards have paired up. I think the swans are nesting on the island, one has taken up a position on the island and the other one is guarding it. I don't know what's happened to the single swan from 2020, I haven't seen it for some weeks, though there was a report in the paper of a swan with a broken leg being rescued from the Freshney by Cleethorpes Wildlife group. I wondered at the time if it was our swan. HOLYWELL LAKE WeBS Holywell Lake 19th February 2023 11.00 – 12.15 Ian Misselbrook and Dave Roberts Black-headed Gulls 14 Buzzards 2 Blackbirds 2 Canada Geese 44 Carrion Crows 2 Coal Tit 3 Coot 9 Gadwall 21 Great tit 3 Grey Heron 1 Greylag Geese 25 Jackdaw 8 Little Egret 1 Little Grebe 12 Long-tailed Tts 4 Mallard 27 Mistle Thrush 2 Moorhen 19 Mute Swan 2 Robin 2 Rooks 20+ Stock Dove 1 Teal 6 Tufted Duck 26 Wigeon 10 Lots of bird song – spring like. SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 08/02/23 Blackbird x 2 Black-headed Gull x 6 over Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Cormorant x 1 over Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 11 Great Tit x 2 Jackdaw x 6 Magpie x 3 Robin x 1 Skylark x 1 Wood Pigeon x 6 Yellowhammer x 2 Rabbit x 2 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 31/01/23 Barn Owl x 1 hunting 08:00hrs 04/02/23 Barn Owl x 1 19:00hrs Lesser Redpoll x 21 Little Owl x 1 calling 19:15hrs 06/02/23 Barn Owl x 1 07:45hrs 07/02/23 Blackbird x 5 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion crow x 2 Chaffinch x 4 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 4 Goldfinch x 6 Great Tit x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Grey Partridge x 4 Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Lesser Redpoll x 2 Long-tailed Tit x 2 Magpie x 2 Mute Swan x 4 Owston Ferry Warping Drain  Redwing x 6 Robin x 1 Siskin x 4 Skylark x 2 Stock Dove x 2 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:15hrs Wood Pigeon x 4 first leaves bursting on Hawthorn 10/02/23 Barn Owl x 1 07:45hrs 13/02/23 Barn Owl x 1 08:10hrs Blackbird x 7 Black-headed Gull x 12 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 3 Ghaffinch x 7 Common Buzzard x 2 Cormorant x 4 pylons over Owston Ferry Warping Drain Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 9 Great Tit x 2 Greylag Goose x 15 over Thurnholmes Jackdaw x 4 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 2 Mute Swan x 2 in fields around Thurnholmes Redwing x 4 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Song Thrush x 1 Stock Dove x 2 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:50hrs Tree Sparrow x 15 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 18/02/23 Tawny Owl x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain 18:30hrs 20/02/23 Barn Owl x 1 07:30hrs, x 1 08:00hrs Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 2 Chaffinch x 4 Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 4 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 4 Grey Partridge x 2 Mute Swan x 2 fields around Thurnholmes Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Song Thrush x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 WOOLSTHORPE BY COLSTERWORTH SK92/25 Jane Ostler 13-20 February 2023 The flower buds of both Butcher’s Broom and Blackthorn are now showing in the hedgerows. The Lilac leaf buds are now becoming green. Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly in garden on 13/2/23.Honey bees and the queens of Tree and Buff-tailed Bumblebees in my garden throughout the week. On Sunday 19/2/23, mild and sunny ,ants were running on the wooden edging of the lawn. 7spot Ladybirds crawled out from a dense evergreen bush. Harlequin ladybirds did not appear in our garden last year. The members of the Crow family have commenced nest building. Jackdaws have had to seek out new sites as chimneys have had cowls fitted. The rookery on the Nature Trail, started last year has expanded. There has been more than one report of what is most likely to be a Raven in the area. Pigeons are noted for breeding in almost any month of the year. One pair of Wood Pigeons billing and cooing and bowing on a roof. Another pair watched building an untidy nest precariously high in a tree. Under another tree an egg found broken on the ground. Starlings, after being moved on from one tall laurel hedge have found another. They can be heard at dusk settling down for the night. In our garden a Great Tit heard belling. Rabbits have created a new warren on the edge of the Nature Trail and there is some evidence that they have continued producing young into the winter. Two reports of badgers on the move . A fox’s howling heard on several nights. Squirrels out every day, including in gardens. The first frog back at a pond on 13/2/23 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 15th-21st 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: First rainfall recorded on 15th of 0.4mm since January 27th, a dry spell of 19 days. February continues to be a dry month with only 1.1mm of ppt recorded to the 21st. 160223 – 12 snow bunting on the beach out from Crook Bank. 170223 – 3 woodcock flew out from scrub at Rimac. 100 redshank on Rimac scrape and 2 marsh harrier over the saltmarsh. Just off the NNR, but a long-eared owl seen in scrub at Saltfleet Haven briefly. 280 common gull and 190 curlew on the foreshore between Crook Bank and Churchill Lane. 180223 – 13 snow bunting flew off the old gas terminal site and were seen on the beach out from Sear’s Track shortly after. Woodcock in the dunes south of Crook Bank. 190223 – Barn owl and short-eared owl over the saltmarsh. 2 Cetti’s warblers singing at Rimac. 10 pintail flew onto Rimac lagoon in the evening. 200223 – The first avocet of the year seen, with 2 on Rimac scrape in the morning. 3 spoonbill flew in-off the sea and carried on inland. 12 snow bunting, 4 yellow- hammer, 10 skylark, 1 meadow pipit and 69 linnet at Crook bank. 17 pink-footed goose flew west over Rimac. Masses of bird activity over the flooded evening saltmarsh, with 400 brent goose, 12 pintail, 20 shelduck, 20 shoveler, 80 redshank, barn owl, merlin, sparrowhawk, 5 marsh harrier and 800+ gulls out from Sea View/Rimac. A brown hare seen splashing its way out of the saltmarsh toward the dryness of the dunes. 2 water pipit perched in dune scrub at the southern end of Rimac freshwater marsh and a pair of stonechat near Rimac car park. Barn owl hunting at Sea View. 210223 - 15 little egrets on the saltmarsh, 12 gadwall Paradise lagoon and 15 curlew feeding in adjacent pasture field. On nearby washland: 54 pink-footed geese feeding with a minimum of 200 wigeon. 35 red-throated diver and 3 great crested grebes flew north over the sea in an hour in the morning. 100+ common scoter on the sea out from Crook Bank. 8 snow bunting on the foreshore north of Crook Bank. 260 dunlin, 15 knot and 7 ringed plover on the beach between Brickyard Lane and Crook Bank. 65 linnet and 4 yellowhammer south of Crook Bank. 120+ pink-footed goose flew north in two flocks at 07:30. 2 raven flying over Sea View and great spotted woodpecker drumming near Paradise wood. Recent evenings tawny owl calling, 3 woodcock roading, barn owl hunting at Churchill Lane. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. MiddleMarsh Wetlands, Skegness: https://www.birdguides.com/sites/europe/britain-ireland/britain/england/lincolnshire/middlemarsh-farm/ South Humber Heritage Trail, Alkborough Flats - LWT leaflet - downloadable https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/2018-04/south_humber_heritage_trail_alkborough.pdf Grainthorpe Haven https://www.birdguides.com/sites/europe/britain-ireland/britain/england/lincolnshire/grainthorpe-haven/ Cress Marsh, Stallingborough https://www.birdguides.com/news/new-wetland-takes-shape-in-lincolnshire/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. SENDING IN BULLETIN REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We aim to increase the number of people reporting observations to Recorders. 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... Some of the stunning winners of the Sony World Photography Award https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25734260-200-some-of-the-stunning-winners-of-the-sony-world-photography-awards/ Otter kills young beavers released at Loch Lomond https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-tayside-central-64666850 Plants are spreading up mountains faster than thought in North America https://www.newscientist.com/article/2359595-plants-are-spreading-up-mountains-faster-than-thought-in-north-america/ Save Britain’s Rivers: Why we’re campaigning to rescue UK waterways https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25734263-300-save-britains-rivers-why-were-campaigning-to-rescue-uk-waterways/ How rivers are vital for everything from biodiversity to mental health https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg25734263-800-how-rivers-are-vital-for-everything-from-biodiversity-to-mental-health/ ------ ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/