========================================= || || 1st March 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: Here we are at the start of Meteorological Spring. By the meteorological calendar, spring will always start on 1March; ending on 31May. I have an out-of-county report of a bumblebee [North Yorks] "Brafferton, York : Regarding the first sighting of a bumblebee, I saw one, a Buff-tailed bumblebee on 17th February. This was a remarkable day for first sightings as I also saw a Brimstone butterfly, frogspawn and a Hedgehog on the trailcam!" Your Lincolnshire bumblebee reports please! NHM Bumblebee site: - ID common species https://www.nhm.ac.uk/take-part/identify-nature/common-uk-bumblebees-id-guide.html 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’ See Meetings webpage from the LNU website: https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ Moth Trap: Someone is offering a moth trap if anyone is interested. Free to a good home! John Richardson, Alford & Mablethorpe LWT, writes: "It is probably about 20 years old but has had very little use so should be in good condition. It is about 18in square. It needs a car battery to power the fluorescent tube." Let me know if you are interested and I'll put you in touch with John or you can email him on: georgierichardson@hotmail.com This week's links to Lincolnshire and wildlife-related news stories... Rewilding seas: Some waters off England to get full protection https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64790153 Haconby - Detectorists Lincolnshire 'good luck' find to be auctioned https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64790907 Keadby - Carbon capture: What is it and how does it fight climate change? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64723497 Lincolnshire: Funding for public electric vehicle charge points announced https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64733226 Boston: Police called to school as pupils ‘riot’ during toilet rule change protest https://uk.yahoo.com/news/police-called-schools-across-country-143121944.html Lincoln men held on suspicion of firearms offences https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64785388 Lincoln: Decision to axe Christmas market to be scrutinised https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4nz0rg0rm0o Thor the walrus spotted in Iceland after leaving UK https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-64765003 Lockdown forced London's peregrine falcons to eat more parakeets https://www.newscientist.com/article/2361108-lockdown-forced-londons-peregrine-falcons-to-eat-more-parakeets/ 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#? 5-14 Mar "On Sunday, a mixture of sunny spells with scattered showers likely in the north and east, turning particularly wintry over northern hills and in the far northeast at times, and perhaps becoming more frequent in the north later. Drier conditions with sunny spells are expected in the rest of the country, with isolated showers possible at times. Light winds are expected for most, but moderate or fresh in the east. For the rest of the period, settled conditions are most likely across the country, with some wintry showers and snow the north and east at times. There is an increasing chance of it turning more un- settled later with spells of rain or snow becoming more likely. Temperatures overall will be below average, but gradually trend up through the period." For Astronomers and Sky-watchers Northern lights: Aurora seen across UK in spectacular display https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64782372 See: https://www.spaceweather.com/ 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 *** Len Pick Trust Owl-box Camera - accessible 24/7 *** Owl seen in the Bourne box at 14.15 GMT on 27/2/2023. Still there at 15.50 GMT and at 17.20 GMT. Are things starting to happen? 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 and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk and on our Facebook page. 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. *** 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/ The RSPB Grimsby Local Group is now resuming in-person Indoor Meetings until June 2023 and probably longer.  There won't be any Zoom Meetings until September 2023 at the earliest. The next Indoor Meeting is on Monday 20th March at 7.30pm - Ian Newton ARPS will give an illustrated talk about "Iceland - a land of fire, ice, waterfalls & midges!" Ian is a retired professional wedding photographer who now has a passion to capture images of Nature and Wildlife, and birds are his particular favourite. This talk includes images of most of the birds for which Iceland is famous but it is the stunning scenery that makes it such a popular destination. The talk takes place at Holy Trinity Parish Hall, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, DN35 7LH. A map showing the location of the Hall can be found on our website, https://group.rspb.org.uk/grimsby/ Entry for everybody is £4, payable at the door. Light refreshments and a raffle will be available The next 'car share' Trip is on Sunday 26th March to Tophill Low - if you would like to go, please contact Sally Prescott at sally.prescott142@btinternet.co 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. We look forward to seeing you at the Indoor Meeting and/or on the Trip Martin Francis Group Leader - RSPB Grimsby Local Group *** The Scunthorpe and Brigg Local Group - Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** Our next meeting will be on Thursday, 9th March when we will be visited by Grahame Hopwood to give an illustrated talk on "Nightingales of Whisby". Grahame is the Warden for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's Whisby Nature Reserve. He contributes updates on the wildlife at Whisby that he sees in his daily work in the Twitter account @WhisbyNatureRes which many wildlife enthusiasts follow. ""The story of this iconic species from humble beginnings, the rise to probably the best place to hear and see Nightingales in Lincolnshire, to the eventual sad loss of Nightingales. But reflection on what the future might hold, as Nightingales may once again return to Whisby." We meet at 7.30 pm in St Hugh's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AG, which is opposite the Applegreen filling station near Brumby crossroads. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is a £2.50 entry charge which includes light refreshments at the mid-talk break. There is a small car park in the Church grounds and also parking on Ashby Road. *** 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 23/2 Snow Bunting, Gibraltar Point Mealy Redpoll with Lesser Redpolls, Doddington Park 19 Russian White-fronted Geese, Alkborough Flats 24/2 2 Tundra Bean Geese on eastern side of Wader Pit, Baston+Langtoft Pits 2 Hen Harriers, male and ringtail, Frampton Marsh Water Pipit at freshwater marsh, 12 Snow Buntings near Greenshank Creek Gibraltar Point Black Redstart in bungalow garden at Birchwood, SW of Lincoln Water Pipit, East Halton Skitter Iceland Gull, Pyewipe 25/2 2 Tundra Bean Geese on eastern side of Wader Pit, Baston+Langtoft Pits 8 Russian White-fronted Geese south of main car park, male Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 2 Bewick's Swans in field north of Stain Lane, Mablethorpe 14 Twite on beach north of Crook Bank, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe NNR Snow Bunting along Sea Wall, Far Ings 45 Russian White-fronted Geese off Marsh Lane near Winter's Pond, south of East Halton Skitter 26/2 2 Tundra Bean Geese on eastern side of Wader Pit, fem/1w male Scaup on Pig Jaw Pit, Baston+Langtoft Pits 7 Russian White-fronted Geese in fields south of Greatford Cut, West Deeping 2 Long-eared Owls by Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Short-eared Owl at Old Saltmarsh, Gibraltar Point 2 Russian White-fronted Geese south of main car park, Frampton Marsh 2 Bitterns at Fiskerton End east of Fiskerton 3 Snow Buntings, 2 Short-eared Owls, Huttoft Car Terrace, Huttoft Bank Red-breasted Merganser, Covenham reservoir Mealy Redpoll with Lesser Redpolls, Doddington Park Water Pipit on Goxhill Marsh, Goxhill Haven 40 Russian White-fronted Geese off Marsh Lane near Winter's Pond, south of East Halton Skitter 27/2 7 Long-eared Owls in gully, Mail Lake, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 1+ Water Pipit, Fenland Lagoon, Gibraltar Point 2 Short-eared Owls over south end of dunes,Sandilands 2 Bewick's Swans both ads, with Whooper Swans in field north of Stain Lane, Mablethorpe Smew ad drk at Job's Lane, Whisby 16 Snow Buntings on beach at Antony's Bank, Cleethorpes Iceland Gull juv and Novartis Ings, Pyewipe 28/2 Long-eared Owl in gully, Mail Lake, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 8 Russian White-fronted Geese on wet grassland south of main car park near Marsh Farm Barn, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier ringtail over saltmarsh, Freiston Shore 7 Snow Buntings on beach, 5 + Water Pipits, Gibraltar Point Bewick's Swan off Stain Lane, Strubby Smew ad drk at Job's Lane [present for 3 days], SWS of Whisby Iceland Gull juv, Caspian Gull 1w, Pyewipe 1/3/2023 Hen Harrier ringtail, Willow Tree Fen Bittern, Fiskerton Fen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. WILDLIFE NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 24/2/2022 Buzzard circling over village centre approx 11am 27/2/2023 Pied Wagtails now 2. BARDNEY VILLAGE Grid reference; TF11934 69748 Mary and Phil Porter 27th/28th February 2023 A walk around a residential area of bungalows revealed a group of rarely recorded inkcap fungi - Coprinopsis romagnesiana, growing up in grass between a mature false acacia tree and a cherry tree. As neither of us had seen an inkcap so early in the year before, it was ID’d for us by Paul Nichol. An interesting find! BOSTON Boston Garden (TF326426) February 2023 Kathleen Pearson I was able to do the BTO Garden BirdWatch on all 28 days. The number of species in the garden this month was 21, however numbers were small with only a single species -Woodpigeon - reaching double figures -10. Birds:- House Sparrow 3, Goldfinch 5, Chaffinch 4, Woodpigeon 10, Blackbird 3, Wren 1, Carrion Crow 2, Herring Gull 5, Black-headed Gull 6, Robin 2, Blue Tit 2, Dunnock 2, Long-tailed Tit 3, Great Tit 2, Sparrowhawk 1, Starling 1, Collared Dove 2, Siskin 2, Greenfinch 2, Common Gull 1, Song Thrush 1. A Red Admiral was in the garden on 19/02/02. BOSTON Maud Foster Drain February report Tracey Lenton TF329457 to TF328464 5th February 2023 A Sunday afternoon stroll along Horncastle Road and back down Willoughby Road. Sunny, cold. Aconites in flower around post box. Drifts of snowdrops down the bank sides A clump of speedwell in flower Black-headed seagulls on the water, they also line up on the telegraph wires, there were 2 with almost complete head colouring already Crows wheeling overhead, max 36 counted on video frame, nests in trees along roadside Mallard inhabit this stretch of the drain as do Moorhen, 3 Moorhens seen on the water then they went up on to the opposite bank. 9th February 2023 Weekday late afternoon, driving along Horncastle Road, noticed a heron returned with camcorder to film. A Grey Heron, juvenile plumage, stalking along the water's edge. A Moorhen feeding in the mud turned and started running, they can run quite fast! 2 Mute Swans in the reed beds Along Windsor Bank at Windsor Crescent TF334437 13th February 2023 Black-headed seagulls 38, of those 2 have almost full head colour, a few where colour is extending, remainder with the black spot A trio of young adult mute swans (quite a bit of brown blotchy colouring) Windsor Bank TF 333440 23rd Feb 2023 Went along to feed the swans (with potato and carrot peelings following research on swan diet) the 3 young swans and 2 adults were there together, previously seen separate to parents.  CLEETHORPES  TA 302069 26:02:2023 Peter Crick Bumble Bee, in flight along hedgerow Also plenty of Hawthorn in bud GRIMSBY TA 237092 21:02:2023 Peter Crick Frogspawn - garden pond Also, Victoria Plum tree in full flower (reported to me by a friend) HATTON Jenny Gough TF1777 -72 23/2/2022 Jackdaws checking out nest they used last year in the outhouse chimney 4 male and 4 female blackbirds feeding on apples we stored from last year Loads of House Sparrows on feeders and guarding their nest boxes. 11 boxes so far 2 Dunnocks feed under the feeders 3 robins Just lately finches are coming to the feeders. 2 pair of Green and 2 pair of Bull finches At least 8 Blue Tits 2 Coal Tits 3 Great Tits 5 Long tailed Tits 2 of the fattest wood pigeons I’ve ever seen. 1 Moor Hen comes up daily from the drainage ditch 1 male Pheasant 3 females 2 Greater Spotted wood peckers A very large raptor often sits in the silver birch, I think it is a Buzzard Pair of Red Kites often fly overhead On the reservoir ( 1777-79)  there are 2 two geese with pink legs 5 Mallards 3 male 2 female 1 Heron Honey bees are busy on warm days on crocus, snowdrops and hellebores bringing yellow and orange pollen. HORKSTOW SE987179 25 February 2023 Jenny Haynes A song thrush was singing in my garden earlier this week. We usually get one this time of the year. A small flock of long tailed tits are visiting as are a coal tit and a great spotted woodpecker. Other birds include greenfinch, goldfinch, chaffinch, great tit, blue tit, blackbird, Robin, wren, wood pigeon and several pheasants although fewer now after I scraped one off the road yesterday! There are also quite a few rooks nearby. 28/2/2023 A Stock Dove has appeared in my garden IMMINGHAM. TA 183147 15:02:2023 Peter Crick Bumble Bee - in flight around shrubbery in Aldi carpark NETTLEHAM Brenda Edlington Nettleham TF 005756 26/2/2023 1st hedgehog of the year, large adult, sighting just after 2am– camera showed -1C 24/2/2023 First newt spotted in the pond. Male and female great spotted woodpeckers visiting fat log daily. Vole often seen. Has a hole clearly visible near the house. WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 Jane Ostler 21/2/23 – 28/2/23 On the waysides the new years growth of (mainly) annuals is in flower – Groundsel, Chickweed, Common Speedwell , Herb Robert, Bitter Cress and Red Deadnettle.  The White Deadnettle has been in flower since January. Greater Periwinkle in flower under a garden hedge is a garden escape. A Woodpigeon is still finding some berries on the Ivy but a Mahonia in our garden which flowered early at the beginning of November has its berries only just begun to thicken up.   On 26/2//23 a Woodcock flew low across the road in front of our car and into a conifer plantation. They are known in two small woods in the area, sometimes heard but rarely seen. Blackcap (female) visited a garden last week . The same garden has, unusually chaffinch as its most numerous visitors. Goldfinch visiting and apparently finding food on our larch tree this week. Rain and a drop; in temperature means that Bumble and Honey bees only seen on one day this week. A stoat seen in early morning in vicinity of rabbit warren. Frogs heard at a pond on 22/2/23 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 22nd – 28th 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 210223 - 4 water pipit perched in dune scrub at Rimac and Cetti's warbler singing. 400 common gull and a lesser black-backed gull on the beach at Mablethorpe North End in the evening. Short-eared owl and grey partridge at Rimac early evening. 230223 - High water level on Paradise lagoon, 22 curlew on edge of wet vegetation. 20 lapwing flying west over saltmarsh. Small bat flying around Sea View Farm early evening. Barn owl over the saltmarsh at Sea View. 60 redshank and 10 pintail on Rimac lagoon. 240223 - Colour ringed lapwing orange flag/white/black // yellow/yellow/BTO at Sea View washlands with 4 other birds. This is the bird which bred last year in the same area. 250223 - 2 stonechat north of MOD and 3 stonechat around Rimac. Going north over the sea were 14 kittiwake, 18 red-throated diver and 1 great crested grebe. Going south were 4 kittiwake, 2 gannet, 1 fulmar and 3 eider. 260223 - 3 pintail at rest with 27 wigeon Haven outfall, 3 stonechats on scrub near Rimac. 3 large bumblebees seen in flight in the shelter of the dunes. Curlew and brown hare feeding at Sea View. 270223 - Single woodcock flying west over saltmarsh towards dunes near Paradise wood. At least 300 wigeon on Sea View washland. 2 large bumblebees seen in flight in the shelter of the dunes. 280223 - 2 tufted duck and 7 gadwall on Paradise lagoon. Common whitlowgrass beginning to flower in sheltered areas of the dunes. 400 wigeon on the Great Eau at Sea View along with 60 teal, 10 tufted duck, 20 gadwall and 4 little grebe. Water levels in ponds and ditches continue to fall as dry weather continues. A surge tide on the evening of 220223 washed in a significant amount of seaweed and debris onto the foredunes and flooded the whole saltmarsh. Bird song now very strong with all resident dune species heard. Other local reserves 260223 – Donna Nook: 1 peregrine, 156 cormorant, 1 raven, 120 golden plover, 59 grey plover, 1500 knot.  280223 – Donna Nook: 1 snipe, 1 barn owl, 1 Cetti’s warbler. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 - 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... Climate change: Carbon-absorbing underwater meadows planted https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-64736863 Badger rescued from concrete ledge on M5 in Somerset https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-64730485 Kielder Forest pine marten numbers rising, study suggests https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-64719109 The value of venom https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist-features/the-value-of-venom Ancient texts shed new light on mysterious whale behaviour that ‘captured imagination’ https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/01/ancient-texts-power-new-light-shed-on-mysterious-whale-behaviour-that-captured-imagination Country diary: Grebes in the harbour, a curlew in the rushes https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/feb/27/country-diary-grebes-in-the-harbour-a-curlew-in-the-rushes The way of the jackal https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist-features/the-way-of-the-jackal Bark beetles use the smell of fungus to pick the best trees to infest https://www.newscientist.com/article/2360221-bark-beetles-use-the-smell-of-fungus-to-pick-the-best-trees-to-infest/ Why are so many whales getting stranded on US beaches? https://www.newscientist.com/article/2360641-why-are-so-many-whales-getting-stranded-on-us-beaches/ While testing Mars rover sensors in the Atacama desert, researchers inadvertently found a variety of unclassifiable microorganisms called “the dark biome” https://www.newscientist.com/article/2360225-mars-rover-sensors-may-not-be-sensitive-enough-to-find-signs-of-life/ ------ ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/