========================================= || || 4th January 2023 || || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || || LNU Website: http://lnu.org/ || ============================================ 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: Thank you all for your support and the contribution you have made to biological recording in 2022. Please keep it up, directly with recorders, through i-record or via the Bulletin. It's an endeavour where everyone can make a contribution to our understanding of the natural world; be they science professionals or "citizen scientists". LNU Meetings: updates for Indoor Meetings 2023 https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ This week's links to Lincolnshire and wildlife-related news stories. Donna Nook Nature Reserve: Bumper year for seal births https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64074669 Haxey Hood returns after Covid break https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64029280 In pictures: Yorkshire and Lincolnshire 2022 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-64116640 Ancaster: Pothole protest sees roads daubed in graffiti https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64151029 Sleaford: Barn owls and red kite among dead birds of prey dumped https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64145154 Charity aims to get Lincolnshire windmill fully operational once again https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-lincolnshire-64127682 New Year Honours... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-64127676 Red Arrows low-level flight training moves after RAF Scampton closure https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64118149 Scarborough: Rare walrus sighting draws huge crowds to harbour https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-64134860 Happisburgh: The Norfolk village crumbling into the sea https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-63822899 Citizen scientists join fight to clean up rivers https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-63747838 Sharks: Volunteers sought to document animals in Wales' seas https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-64042449 Big Garden Birdwatch. This takes place 27-29 January 2023! https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/ More links in "..and finally ..." at the end of the Bulletin. 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. Thank you for all the interesting news links, wildlife information and useful species reports. Please keep them coming. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - my best address for emails. Please join the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union If you are not yet an LNU member please consider the possibility of joining. Click for the application form. If you are a member, please remember to 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#? 18 Jan - 1 Feb "Mid-January is likely to bring less unsettled conditions, with more prolonged drier interludes for most areas - increasing the incidence of overnight frost and morning fog. Showers and longer spells of rain are possible, however mainly confined to the north and northwest. Towards the end of the period, a return to unsettled conditions is the most likely outcome, with spells of wet and windy weather probable across all areas with brief dry interludes. Temperatures generally around or slightly above average, but with an increased chance of temporary colder conditions at first." For Astronomers and Sky-watchers 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/ Len Pick Trust Owl-box Camera A pair of owls is in residence. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project Hedgehog Advice https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Area Groups webpage Please let me have your "plugs" for coming events. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/area-groups *** Boston Area Group LWT *** Gill Walsh writes: Talk - Gibraltar Point, Birds and Migration by Kevin Wilson Thursday 12th January 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: Deer of Lincolnshire - by Chris Manning On Monday 9th January 2023 you are invited to join the group at our next indoor meeting where Chris Manning will be speaking about the deer of Lincolnshire. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall DN31 1HX and starts at 7.30pm Admission £3, all are welcome. There will be a raffle and refreshments available. For further information please visit our website grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk or contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858 Residents and Winter Visitors Walk at Covenham Reservoir. On Saturday 14th January 2023 you are invited to join us on a residents and winter bird walk at Covenham Reservoir Grid Reference TF 349955 with Graham Hicks. Meet Graham at 8am in the main entrance car park. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event however donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further information contact Graham Hicks 07979 089890 or by email graham.hicks@standguide.co.uk.  *** RSPB Lincoln Local Group *** THE RSPB Lincoln website https://www.lincolnrspb.org.uk/events.htm INDOOR MEETING Thursday 12 January 2023 meeting, Shetland: Britain's Northern Edge by Jack Perks. After spending a month living in Shetland, Jack was able to see and photograph its fantastic wildlife, from puffins, gannets, skuas, divers and orcas. Sponsored by Carol Harvey in memory of her husband Alan Harvey. 7.30 pm in the Robert Hardy Building, Bishop Grosseteste University, Longdales Road, Lincoln LN1 3DY. Admission charge for RSPB members and students £4, for members of the public £5, please pay on the door. Fiona McKenna Committee member RSPB Lincoln Local Group *** RSPB Grimsby Local Group *** https://group.rspb.org.uk/grimsby/ The RSPB Grimsby Local Group won't be holding an Indoor Meeting in January. Instead, the Group will be hosting a 'Zoom' talk on Monday 16th January 2023 at 7.30pm. "Birds and Wildlife of Lundy' by Andrew Cleave Andrew is a frequent lecturer to National Trust and RSPB groups, and has also run courses on dormouse conservation and ecology. He is a committee member of the Lundy Field Society and is presently involved with a survey of the island's flora. Andrew was appointed MBE in 1995 for services to Environmental Education. 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 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 *** Scunthorpe Museum Society *** Keith Scarrott writes: The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society Our first meeting for 2023 will be on Monday, 9th January when we have another visit by Graham Catley to give his illustrated talk on "Rare and Scarce Birds in Britain". Graham has exceptional knowledge of the state of wildlife in our area from his unique engagements to study them. He has given us many informative and interesting talks in the past. Here is another opportunity to find out about some special birds. We meet at 7.15 pm in St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, almost opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is a large, free car park at the Church. There is no charge for entry to our meetings but a donation bowl is provided. Light refreshments are provided at the mid-talk break for a small charge. STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Bird flu: Defra advice to the general public is to leave corpses alone and report the findings - but that landowners should dispose of birds themselves. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-latest-situation-avian-influenza-prevention-zone-declared-across-great-britain Lyme Disease reminder https://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/zoonoses-data-sheets/lyme-disease.pdf Road works and hold-ups https://roadworks.org/ Met Office Severe Warnings https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service - sign up. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails EasyTide http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx Environment Agency Flood Warnings - Lincolnshire https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings?location=lincolnshire Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline - sign up https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. WILDLIFE HIGHLIGHTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Bird Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce their pager reports. A big thank you from us all. Readers interested in a pager - have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ For RBA's excellent articles: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp 27/12 20 Snow Buntings, Scaup at Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Smew ad drk on lake at at Fillingham ENE of Willingham-by-Stow 19 Russian White-fronted Geese [4 ads] off Marsh Lane in field near Winter's Pond, south of East Halton Skitter Iceland Gull juv, 2 1w Caspian Gulls, Novartis Ings, Pyewipe 28/12 7 Common Cranes, Cattle Egret, Hen Harrier ringtail in roost, Willow Tree Fen, WSW of Spalding, WSE on Pode Hole 15 Snow Buntings on beach, Scaup at Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point 7 Bewick's Swans west of Westwoodside in field north of B1396 29/12 2 Hen Harriers both ringtails, Framptom Marsh Hen Harrier, Freiston Shore Black-throated Diver on sea, 25 Snow Buntings on beach. Scaup fem on Tennyson's Sands, male hen Harrier over southern marshes, Gibraltar Point 6 Snow Buntings on saltmarsh, Saltfleetby. Great Northern Diver juv, Covenham reservoir 19 Russian White-fronted Geese [4 ads] off Marsh Lane in field near Winter's Pond, south of East Halton Skitter Iceland Gull juv, flew up Humber, 1w Caspian Gull, Novartis Ings, Pyewipe 7 Bewick's Swans west of Westwoodside in field north of B1396 30/12 Scaup fem at Jackson's Marsh, Great Northern Diver on sea/flew south, Gibraltar Point 12 [5] Bewick's Swans with Whooper Swans west of Westwoodside in field north of B1396 31/12 Hen Harrier ringtail at Willow Tree Fen WSE of Pode Hole, WSS of Spalding Short-eared Owl over saltmarsh, Holbeach Scaup fem at Jackson's Marsh, Great Northern Diver, Short-eared Owl, 26 Snow Buntings on beach, Gibraltar Point 12 Bewick's Swans with Whooper Swans west of Westwoodside in field north of B1396 by Sanderson's Bank, then flushed 1/1/2023 Hen Harrier ringtail at Willow Tree Fen WSE of Pode Hole, WSS of Spalding Russian White-fronted Goose with Pink-footed Geese, 4 male Hen Harriers, Holbeach St Matthew Tundra Bean Goose on Tennyson's Sands, Scaup fem at Jackson's Marsh, 25 Whooper Swans flew south, 2 Short-eared Owls, 19 Snow Buntings, male Hen Harrier, Water Pipit, Gibraltar Point 12 Snow Buntings on beach near Crook Bank, Jack Snipe, Saltfleetby Short-eared Owl, Sandilands Great Northern Diver juv, Covenham reservoir 19 Russian White-fronted Geese [4 ads] off Marsh Lane in field near Winter's Pond, south of East Halton Skitter 21 Russian White-fronted Geese, near Winteringham 4 Bewick's Swans with Whooper Swans west of Westwoodside in field north of B1396 by Sanderson's Bank, then flushed 2/1 Short-eared Owl at Willow Tree Fen at Pinchbeck Slipe along River Glen, WSE of Pode Hole, WSS of Spalding 2+ Bewick's Swans with Whooper Swans, Tongue end NE of Baston Common Cranes east of Burne at Twenty, in field south of A151 Hen Harrier male, Frampton Marsh 2 Tundra Bean Geese with Pink-footed Geese, Scaup fem from North Hide, Gibraltar Point Great Northern Diver juv, 2 Hen Harriers over fields, Covenham reservoir 9 Bewick's Swans with Whooper Swans west of Westwoodside in field north of B1396 by Sanderson's Bank 19 Russian White-fronted Geese [4 ads] off Marsh Lane in field near Winter's Pond, south of East Halton Skitter Short-eared Owl, East Halton Skitter 3/1 Hen Harrier ringtail at Willow Tree Fen, WSE of Pode Hole, WSS of Spalding 2 Bean Geese, probably Tundra Bean Geese, as Marsh Farm, south of visitor centre, Frampton Marsh 10 Snow Buntings. Scaup fem on Tennyson's Sands, Gibraltar Point Great Northern Diver juv, Covenham reservoir 9 Bewick's Swans with Whooper Swans west of Westwoodside in field north of B1396 by Sanderson's Bank ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. WILDLIFE NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Roger Goy Column Remembering Roger Goy's wildlife information work and drop-in sessions. Roger died on 6th March 2009 at the age of 61. Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important Grab a Grid Reference: https://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ *** Links "not to be missed" *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog: http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ Lincs Bird Club: https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/index.php/sightings/latest-news Butterfly Conservation - Lincolnshire Branch: https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/ Which moth species might be on the wing tonight in your area? https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/whats-flying-tonight Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire by C. J. Manning, LNU Mammal Recorder. Download /print off. https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/mammalatlas.pdf VC54 North Lincolnshire Plant List - LNU Paul Kirby has produced a list of all the vascular plant & stonewort taxa with records on the MapMate botanical database for VC54, North Lincolnshire, at the end of January 2017. Download this on: https://lnu.org/specialists/vascular-plants/ Record Pool - recommended by Ashley Butterfield An easy way to record your amphibian and reptile species records. https://www.recordpool.org.uk/index.php ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Hedgehogs? Badgers? Otters? Reports welcome. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Thanks to our regular contributors across the county. Much appreciated. We rely on readers to send in their observations and welcome records from everyone, experts or beginners. Please keep your reports coming. BARDNEY - The Green TF120694 R & A Parsons w/o 1/1/2023 Blue Tit 2+ Great Tit 2 Pied Wagtail Blackbird Robin Starling 20+ Jackdaw 8+ Carrion Crow 1 Woodpigeon 6 Collared Dove 2 Blackheaded Gull 20+ BOSTON TF338441 My garden Tracey Lenton New Year's Day 2023 One male blackbird, who has been visiting the garden since the autumn and is quite territorial, chasing off the doves when they come to feed. I am scattering bird food over a larger area to give other birds a chance. One pair of collared doves, our regulars Seagulls Sparrow at hanging feeder Starlings I happened to see a bee mid morning, flying through the garden, it came and went, unable to identify it. A sunny morning, wet underfoot from the rain in recent days, the wind is cold. 03/01/2023 Afternoon, after the rain Robin, disturbed by the above blackbird. Starlings made a (brief) raid on the bird table; our pair of collared doves, perched on its roof, appeared quite bemused by it all! There must have been 6+ starlings at any one time. I counted 12 starlings on the neighbouring rooftops and possibly up to 20 around this time. FAR INGS Angela Buckle 2nd January 2023 Far Ings. Snowdrops, Creeping comfrey, Caucasian comfrey, Hazel female flowers, Periwinkle, Groundsel, Shepherds purse, Daisy, Bramble, Winter heliotrope. GRIMSBY TA265095 Joyce Attia 2nd January 2023 This last week, in the garden, bluetits, great tits, house sparrows, male and female blackbirds, woodpigeon, dunnock. This morning, a walk along the river, male and female mallards and a couple of moorhens. I fed them all and then on the way back there was the single swan. He came up to the bank but I'd no food left. Then a red admiral fluttered by and settled on the bank. It was sunny but temperature was 5C. HORKSTOW SE987179 2 January 2023 Jenny Haynes From our house we watched a raptor, probably a marsh harrier, feeding on carrion, in a field near the river Ancholme, with a couple of others in attendance. The main one was eating for quite a while during which the others gave up. Another bird, possible a buzzard, arrived later. The reason for not being certain is that they were about half a mile away and we were watching through a spotter scope. HORNCASTLE 53.210557, – 0.117500 North Ings Drain (Near TESCO) Paul Scott 26/12/2022 Kingfisher - 1 SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 29/12/22 Blackbird x 6 Black-headed Gull x 15 over Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 4 Chaffinch x 4 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 21 Goldfinch x 4 Kestrel x 1 Redwing x 7 Robin x 1 Wood Pigeon x 6 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 13/12/22 Blackbird x 15 Black-headed Gull x 50+ following tractor in fields around Thurnholmes Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 180 Goldfinch x 4 Green Woodpecker x 1 Redwing x 150 Robin x 1 Starling x 210 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:00hrs Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 3 14/12/22 Barn Owl x 1 roosting on top of Tree Sparrow nest box 02:00hrs, x 1 08:00hrs (darker than previous, poss female) Common Buzzard x 3 Tawny Owl x 1 01:45hrs 17/12/22 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 15 Black-headed Gull x 5 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 6 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 120 Goldfinch x 15 Green Woodpecker x 1 Grey Partridge x 7 Kestrel x 1 Lesser Redpoll x 35 Marsh Harrier x 1 over Thurnholmes Redwing x 120  Robin x 1 Siskin x 2 Tawny Owl x 1 Wood Pigeon x 6 22/12/22 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 7 Black-heade Gull x 4 over Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 3 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 38 Goldfinch x 8 Great Tit x 1 Grey Partridge x 6 Kestrel x 1 Little Egret x 1 SK788988 Magpie x 2 Mallard x 4 over Thurnholmes Mute Swan x 1 over Thurnholmes Redwing x 15 Tree Sparrow x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 1 25/12/22 Blackbird x 6 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 3 Chaffinch x 6 Common Buzzard x 1 Fieldfare x 32 Goldfinch x 8 Greenfinch x 2 Redwing x 25 Robin x 1 Rook x 35 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:45hrs Wood Pigeon x 6 26/12/22 Long-eared Owl x 1 calling 16:00hrs from hedge row around paddock for 20 minutes plus. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 21st December 2022 – 3rd January 2023 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor, Owen Beaumont, Phil Hyde, Geoff Williams and Chris Atkin Interesting weather facts recorded at Sea View from 2022: Lowest minimum ground temperature was -11.75 degrees centigrade 15th December. Lowest minimum air temperature was -7.25 degrees centigrade on 14th December. This and the low minimum ground temperature were recorded during a particular cold spell in December from 6th - 18th with thirteen continuous days of ground frosts and eleven air frosts. Of note on the 13th the maximum reached only -2.25 degrees centigrade. A late ground frost was recorded on 30th May as -0.5 degrees C. Worth noting 0.75 degrees C recorded on 2nd June. First autumn ground frost of-1.5 degrees C on 27th September. Highest day-time temperature was 35.75 degrees C on 18th July. Most continuous days of recorded rainfall was 15 from 19th October - 2nd November. Most rainfall recorded in a 24 hour period was 50.1mm (1.97 inches) on 16th August. Wettest month was October with 73.1mm (2.88 inches) of recorded rainfall. Total rainfall for 2022 was517.8mm (20.4 inches). From ppt records for Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR (taken at Sea View) for 1993 - 2020 the average annual rainfall is 605.78mm (23.87 inches). Longest period without rainfall was 20 days from14th April - 3rd May but worth noting the following periods of further long spells without rainfall 17th - 29th March, 9th - 16th and 19th - 26th June, 3rd - 21st July and 3rd - 15th August. Driest month was April with 6.9mm (0.27 inches) rainfall. Snowfall was recorded as wet snow on 19th February and snow flurries on 31st March. Fog observed on 15th January, 23rd and 27th March, 9th and 11th September, 6th, 13th, 14th and 28th November, 1st, 10th - 12th (days with raw dense fog) December. Days of strong winds were noted in most months during the year but February was a particularly windy month especially from 12th - 21st with a south-westerly air flow. A gust of 79.7mph was noted on the 18th. Daily news and wildlife sightings: 211222 8 velvet scoter and 1 eider with 150 common scoter at Mablethorpe North End. 12 snow bunting on the beach. One barnacle goose still on Elm House Farm and another flew over Sea View with pink-footed geese. Ringtail hen harrier flew along the foreshore at Brickyard Lane. A decrease in thrushes in the dunes following changes in the weather; only 100 redwing at Brickyard Lane where there were 300+ in previous days. 400+ dunlin on the foreshore near Crook Bank. 11 whooper swan roosted on Rimac lagoon in the evening. 231222 Green woodpecker near Sea View, 3 common snipe flying NE overhead, 8 gadwall on Paradise lagoon and 12 little egrets on the saltmarsh. 5 woodcock and a bullfinch in the dunes at Rimac. 28 common snipe, 1 jack snipe and a stonechat on the freshwater marsh. 2 sparrowhawk, goldcrest and blackcap at Brickyard Lane. 241222 Second winter Mediterranean gull on the beach at Mablethorpe North End, where 8 velvet scoter remain within the scoter raft offshore. 251222 Pair of stonechat on outer dune scrub at Rimac. A minimum of 80 skylark and 12 rock pipits on saltmarsh in that area. 261222 550+ dunlin, 80+ sanderling, 12 ringed plover, 12 grey plover, 4 oystercatcher, 2 bar-tailed godwit and 15 snow bunting on the foreshore at Brickyard Lane during the high tide. Raven flew south over the dunes at Brickyard Lane. 271222 Cetti’s warbler near Churchill Lane. 281222 Water rails calling at Churchill Lane and north of MOD. 2 male stonechat on foreshore scrub between Rimac and MOD. 291222 38 curlew and 2 barnacle geese on Elm House Farm. 311222 On Rimac lagoon: 71 shoveler and a male hen harrier hunting over the saltmarsh. 2000+ lapwing in the local area and c500 brent goose regularly seen over the dunes whilst commuting between the saltmarsh at Saltfleet Haven and fields near Elm House Farm. 010123 A flock of 210 lapwing flew east over Sea View early morning and a further 1500 plus birds were seen flying around an area near Elm House Farm land. Single great spotted and green woodpeckers between Sea View and Paradise wood. 51 shoveler on Paradise lagoon. At least 87 species seen on the NNR throughout the day including 15 snow bunting on the beach (12 at Crook Bank and 3 at Churchill Lane), 3 stonechat in foreshore scrub between Rimac and MOD and a peregrine resting on the outer beach at Rimac. 40 whooper swan and 4500 pink-footed geese left roost at dawn and returned at dusk. 3+ velvet scoter with 400 common scoter at Mablethorpe North End. Waders on the beach included 30 ringed plover, 25 bar-tailed godwit, 200 sanderling, 800 dunlin, 2 knot, 25 grey plover and 70 redshank. 11 pintail on Rimac scrape and 2 Cetti’s warbler singing in the marsh. Jack snipe and 40 yellowhammer at Crook Bank. Chiffchaff calling at Churchill Lane.   020123 2 gannet and a light movement of red-throated diver on the sea off Sea View. Marsh harrier and peregrine over the saltmarsh and 110 shelduck on the foreshore. Other local reserves 231222 – Donna Nook: Seal Count: 258 pups, 26 cows, 59 bulls. 301222- Donna Nook: Seal Count: 104 pups, 6 cows, 6 bulls. Last pup born on 25th December. Total number of pups born this season 2209. 010123 – Donna Nook: Merlin 020123 – Donna Nook: Red kite, raven, merlin, 560 shelduck, 40 golden plover. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 15th January 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 New haven for wildlife on shores of Humber Estuary in North East Lincolnshire https://thelincolnite.co.uk/2022/08/new-haven-for-wildlife-on-shores-of-humber-estuary-in-north-east-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 are available on: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ LNU webpage on the Officers and Executive Committee https://lnu.org/about/officers-executive/ Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust https://twitter.com/LincsWildlife Lincs Bird Club Website 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 website 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 are available on: 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. d.a.sheppard@btinternet.com Lincolnshire Mammals Chris Manning, 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 Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership (of which LERC is a part) http://www.glnp.org.uk/ Greater Lincolnshire Nature Partnership newsletter: If you would like to keep up to date with the Partnership, follow the link below to subscribe to our newsletter or connect with us on social media. 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 This report along with previous progress reports can be viewed/ downloaded from the LNU website. https://lnu.org/lincolnshire-plants-past-and-future/ Collections Dataset - LNU "historic specimens" All of the LNU specimens that have been processed and digitised to date can now be viewed here: http://data.nhm.ac.uk/dataset/lincs-plants The Flora of Lincolnshire by Joan Gibbons - downloadable LNU book For the Geologists... Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Suggestions for Geology news, events or new useful links always welcome. BGS Geology Viewer https://geologyviewer.bgs.ac.uk/ Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 Geology - the Collection https://www.thecollectionmuseum.com/explore/geology Geology of the Lincolnshire Wolds https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/special-features/geology The Geology of Lincolnshire - downloadable LNU book BGS webpage: Earthquakes around the UK last 60 days http://www.earthquakes.bgs.ac.uk/earthquakes/home.html BGS British geology maps - now free to explore on web http://www.bgs.ac.uk/opengeoscience/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. NOTES ABOUT THESE WILDLIFE REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting. However, records are sent in by a variety of reporters; from complete beginners to professionals. They may vary in reliability and occasionally may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed please contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP] , Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. BULLETIN PUBLICITY POLICY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We sometimes withhold details of rare or endangered species. Please point out any sensitive or "tricky" reports of this kind. Sensitive data should go directly to county recorders, please. When sending in reports, e.g. unusual plants, please report any sensitive news directly to recorders. Not the Bulletin. We don't want to spoil things with untimely or unwise publicity. Thank you. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember: Views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU EVENTS DIARY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events - Important updates *** We will post any changes to LNU events in the Bulletin; the LNU Twitter feed; LNU Facebook page and LNU meetings webpage. Please refer to the LNU website for details of any Zoom arrangements for watching online. LNU Meetings: updates for Indoor Meetings 2023. https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ The changing nature of the Covid situation may mean alterations or cancellations at short notice, so check back regularly and keep an eye on Twitter and Facebook for updates. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** MailFails Last Week *** None ....and finally... Natural History Museum names 85 wasps among 351 new species https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2022/dec/30/natural-history-museum-names-85-wasps-among-351-new-species The 'enigmatic' peatbog seeking worldwide recognition https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-63902143 RSPCA: Most 'weird and wonderful' animal rescues of 2022 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-64135301 The Guardian view on the death of the Hardy Tree: a legend uprooted https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/dec/29/the-guardian-view-on-the-death-of-the-hardy-tree-a-legend-uprooted Country diary: These stocky finches serve a life sentence confined to coniferous forests https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/dec/30/country-diary-these-stocky-finches-serve-a-life-sentence-confined-to-coniferous-forests Country diary: The farm rolls on, regardless of day or year https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/dec/31/country-diary-the-farm-rolls-on-regardless-of-day-or-year Nearly 700 frozen bats nursed back to health after surviving chilly weather https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/dec/29/houston-texas-frozen-bats-nursed-health-winter-storm Country diary: An ocean of cloud obscures the valley and villages https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/dec/27/country-diary-an-ocean-of-cloud-obscures-the-valley-and-villages ----------- ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/