========================================= || || 9th 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [Roger and Phil Porter have edited jointly this week] Editors write We are trying a collaborative approach to the Bulletin with an eye to the future. If you have any comments/suggestions/good ideas, we will be pleased to hear from you. Please keep sending reports, announcements, articles, links etc. It all helps a lot. Meetings webpages from the LNU website: shortly to be updated: a few details yet to be confirmed. This week's links to Lincolnshire and wildlife-related news stories... Holbeach: Two charged under new hare coursing legislation https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64833730 Chambers Farm Woods: Baby badger found frozen by dog walker https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj5yg5g2114o Horncastle: Divisive solar farm plan recommended for approval https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64829464 Doddington Hall. near Lincoln. There is a Spring Bulb Pageant happening now until March 29th. Limited opening times, see link https://www.doddingtonhall.com/event/spring-bulb-pageant/ Attenborough's Wild Isles shows us our own 'spectacular' nature https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64860842 Three must-see moments in new series https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/science-environment-64867517 Former RAF Spilsby WW2 building to become luxury holiday home https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64877506 Community consultation document for solar farm at Roxby www.roxbysolarfarm.co.uk Open weekend 20-21 May South Ormesby Estate - Guided walks running throughout the weekend, as well as a range of fantastic stalls, entertainment, food, and games https://www.southormsbyestate.co.uk/tour/ More links in ".and finally ..." at the end of the Bulletin. Thank you for the interestingcontriobutions. 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#? 13-22 Mar "On Monday, residual rain, sleet and snow is expected to clear for most areas except the far north of Scotland. Widespread heavy rain is expected to move across much of the country from the southwest, with snow possible in high ground areas of Northern Ireland and northern England. Temperatures will be milder in the south, but colder in the north. For the rest of the period, low pressure and unsettled conditions will likely bring wetter conditions for most, particularly in the west. Milder conditions are likely for many, whilst colder conditions are likely in the far north, with further snow and ice at times. Strong winds and coastal gales mainly in western exposures. Temperatures overall will be around average, but a chance of colder conditions in the north at first. " 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 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 *** Residential Volunteer - Far Ings *** Emma Wilmot Senior Education & Community Officer writes; Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust are advertising for a Residential Volunteer at Far Ings NNR. The focus of this opportunity will be Environmental Education, Community and public engagement. This is an exciting opportunity for anyone wanting to begin a career in this competitive field. For more information please visit the online advert https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/volunteering-opportunities/residential-volunteer Closing Date: Monday 20th March 2023 *** Len Pick Trust Owl-box Camera - accessible 24/7 *** Both owls have been visiting the box this week. Keep watching. Since seen by RP on 6th, 7th and 8th March, male [unringed] and female [ringed]. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/ 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 *** Gainsborough Area Group LWT *** Dan Bardsley writes Wednesday 15th February 2023 Illustrated talk ‘The Marsh Harrier' by Graham Catley. Graham is an Ornithological Consultant and Professional Photographer one local favourite haunt is Alkborough Flats. Wednesday 15th March 2023 Illustrated talk 'The Nottinghamshire Dormouse Project' by Lorna Griffiths on the exciting reintroduction of the Dormouse to Nottinghamshire. Lorna is Nottingham City Nature Recovery Officer Wednesday 19th April 2023 Illustrated talk 'Next Door Nature' by Suzanne Fysh on her current role in urban conservation with the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, so important to Gainsborough. More details from Dan Bardsley on 07720569228 or dbardsley999@gmail.com All indoor meetings are held at St Stephens Methodist Church (postcode DN21 2DP) and begin at 7.30pm. Entrance from Roseway car park. Members and non-members, adults and children equally welcome. Entrance by donation (minimum £2.50 pp). There will be an interval with refreshments. Raffle tickets £1.00 each. Raffle prize donations of are most welcome (Non-alcoholic) Covid-19 Precautions Please do not attend if you are feeling unwell, or have been asked to self-isolate. Use hand sanitiser. *** 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. *** Lincoln Area Group Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** Richard Davidson writes Illustrated Talk March 16th: ‘God's Acre’ An illustrated talk about the wildlife in churchyards by Helen Gamble, Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service Project Officer. Churchyards and cemeteries can often provide a variety of habitats. Many older churchyards contain grassland that is the remnant of ancient meadows and which supports species lost or in decline in the surrounding countryside. At Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission is £2.50 which includes refreshments in the interval. *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service*** Helen Gamble writes During 2023, the Lincolnshire Wolds is celebrating its 50th anniversary as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and it’s an ideal opportunity to discover more about this protected, living, working and thriving landscape! We are running 50 events for 50 years, with the events now live https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/events/ We also have a special edition of Wolds News, if you’d like paper copies contact aonb@lincswolds.org.uk It’s going to be a busy 50th Anniversary Year so join us to discover more about the geology, history, wildlife, chalk streams and farming within the Wolds AONB. *** 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/ 1/3/2023 Hen Harrier ringtail, Willow Tree Fen 8 Russian White-fronted Geese on wet grassland south of main car park near Marsh Farm, F2 Hen Harriers, male and ringtail, Short-eared Owl, 2 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh 3 Snow Buntings, 3 Water Pipits on Fenland Lagoon, Hen Harrier in roost, Woodlark flew over east dunes, Gibraltar Point Bittern, Fiskerton Fen Smew ad drk at Thorpe Landfill at quarry on lake odd Job's Lane, Whisby 2/3/2023 2 Tundra Bean Geese, flew into field north of Baston Outgang Road, Baston + Langtoft Pits Long-eared Owl, in gully at Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 8 Russian White-fronted Geese on wet grassland south of main car park near Marsh Farm, 2 Hen Harriers, male and ringtail, Short-eared Owl, 2 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh 5 Water Pipits, Black-throated Diver flew north past, 2 Hen Harriers, Gibraltar Point 15 Snow Buntings near Snack Shack cafe, Mablethorpe 2 Bewick's Swans, Withern Mealy Redpoll reported with Lesser Redpolls, Doddington Park 2 Short-eared Owls, ringtail Hen Harrier flew SE, Donna Nook 7 Snow Buntings on beach, Cleethorpes 2/3 Long-eared Owl, in gully at Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Hen Harrier ringtail, 8 Twite, Spoonbill, 8 Russian White-fronted Geese in field by reservoir with Pink-footed geese, Frampton Marsh 7 Snow Buntings, Gibraltar Point 3/3 3 Long-eared Owl,s in gully at Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St Jame 2 Water Pipits, 2 Short-eared Owl,s Gibraltar Point 4/3 4 Long-eared Owls in gully at Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 5 Water Pipits, 2 Hen Harriers in roost, Short-eared Owl at Old Saltmarsh, 24 Snow Buntings on beach, Gibraltar Point Caspian Gull at Middlemarsh Farm W of Skegness 5/3 Hen Harrier ringtail, in roost, Willow Tree Fen 8 White-fronted Geese, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh 2 Spoonbills, Freiston Shore 2 Snow Buntings, Short-eared Owl, Great Northern Diver flew south, Gibraltar Point Smew ad drk at Thorpe Landfill at quarry on lake odd Job's Lane, Whisby 6/3 2 Tundra Bean Geese in area with no general access, Baston + Langtoft Pits Caspian Gull from Wash Viewpoint, Gibraltar Point 8 Russian White-fronted Geese, 2 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh Caspian Gull at Middlemarsh Farm W of Skegness 7 Snow Buntings on beach, Saltfleetby Black Redstart fem/1w male, RAF Digby 7/3 Mealy Redpoll reported with Lesser Redpolls, Doddington Park Hen Harrier at Halton Marshes, East Halton 8/3 Hen Harrier ringtail, in roost, Willow Tree Fen Caspian Gull at Middlemarsh Farm W of Skegness 9 Snow Buntings on beach outside Butlins, Ingoldmells 7 Snow Buntings Pyewipe, flew towards Grimsby docks For RBA's excellent articles: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Bardney Allotments Approx TF124691 A Parsons: 4 March 2023 Egghead Mottlegill Panaeolus semiovatus, Determined: Paul Nichol - who writes: "...growing on manure which makes it a 'Dung' fungus and looking at its shape and size I should say it is The Egghead Mottlegill Panaeolus semiovatus, strange time of year for it" FISKERTON FEN David Smith TF083718 03/03/2023 17.00-18.00 Tufted duck x8 Mallard x6 Mute swan x5 Shoveler x6 Goosander x6 Little grebe x2 Little egret x1 Barn owl x2 Blackbird f x1 Moorhen x2 Grey heron x1 FISKERTON FEN David Smith TF083718 06/03/2023 17.00 - 18.00 Tufted duck x15 Mallard x8 Goosander x5 Gadwall pair Shoveler pair Greylag geese x7 (flying over) Little grebe x1 Great crested grebe x1 Kestrel x2 Barn owl x1 Little egret x3 Grey heron x2 Fieldfare x8 Pheasant x2 (in adjacent fields) Long tailed tit x2 FISKERTON FEN Phil Porter and Russell Hayes TF083718 7/3/2023 9.15 – 10.15 Bittern, 1 Blackbird, 2 Black-headed Gull, 2 Blue Tit, 2 Canada Goose, 2 Carrion Crow, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Cormorant, 1 Fieldfare, 10 Goldfinch, 2 Goosander, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Kestrel, 1 Little Grebe, 2, Long-tailed Tit, 2 Mallard, 8 Moorhen, 1 Mute Swan, 2 Redwing, 4 Reed Bunting, 1 Robin, 3 Shelduck, 1 Starling, 30 Stock Dove, 2 Tufted Duck, 10 Water Rail, 1 Woodpigeon, 20 Wren, 2 FREISTON SHORE David Smith TF400424 08/03/2023  12.00 Robin x2 Blackbird x3 Mute swan x1 Brent goose x150+ Black headed gull x20 Mallard x12 Gadwall x6 Pintail x6 Teal x5 Tufted duck x2 Oystercatcher x8 Avocet x6 Wigeon x100+ Curlew x3 HORKSTOW Horkstow Jenny Hanes SE98 5 March 2023 We spotted a brown hare running around in the field opposite, then it went to ground and stayed motionless. We then noticed a buzzard in a tree about a hundred metres away, which probably explained its behaviour. The same, or another, brown hare was in the field this morning (7March). A coal tit continues to be present my garden. Dead chaffinch also. SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 22/02/23 Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 6 Chaffinch x 2 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 2 Jackdaw x 2 Robin x 1 Skylark x 1 singing high over Stock Dove x 2 Wood Pigeon x 35 Wren x 1 03/03/23 Blackbird x 3 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 4 Chaffinch x 2 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 9 Goldfinch x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Jackdaw x 4 Robin x 1 Skylark x 1 Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 Yellowhammer x 1 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 23/02/23 Barn Owl x 1 08:50hrs Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 4 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 4 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Grey Partridge x 2 Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 2 Mute Swan x 4 in fields around Thurnholmes Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Song Thrush x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 2 Yellowhammer x 2 27/02/23 Barn Owl x 1 18:00hrs Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 2 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 6 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 2 Moorhen x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Mute Swan x 4 over Thurnholmes Redwing x 2 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Song Thrush x 1 Tawny Owl x 2 calling 01:15hrs Wood Pigeon x 4 Wren x 2 28/02/23 Sparrowhawk x 1 male 07/03/23 Blackbird x 4 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Common Buzzard x 6 soaring low over Thurnholmes, calling Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 6 Great Tit x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Grey Partridge x 2 Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Long-tailed Tit x 2 Mute Swan x 2 in field north of Thurnholmes Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 2 Skylark x 2 Tawny Owl x 2 calling 01:15hrs Tree Sparrow x 4 Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs and NATURE RESERVES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19 includes details of LWT reserves and other advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog:  http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list RSPB Frampton Marsh: http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook Visitor Leaflet - Natural England: http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 1st-7th March 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: February 2023 was the driest, with 5.2mm (0.2 inches) since NNR records available from 1993. 01.03.23 – 200 brent geese at Saltfleet Haven. 02.03.23 - Skein of 30 pink-footed geese calling and flying NW over Sea View. 2 woodcock in the dunes at Brickyard Lane and a pair of red-legged partridge at Sear’s track. 03.03.23 - Pair of lapwing displaying over Sea View washlands. Chiffchaff singing at Brickyard Lane. Good numbers of wildfowl on the Great Eau between Rimac and Sea View, including 28 tufted duck. 04.03.23 - 263 dark-bellied brent geese on Paradise Lagoon. Green woodpecker at Sea View. 05.03.23 – Curlew feeding on fields at Sea View. 06.03.23 - 6 lapwing on Sea View washlands and of note a common buzzard pecking at horse droppings presumably in search of prey items. Male marsh harrier over saltmarsh and peregrine nearby. The first greenshank of the year seen flying over Mablethorpe North End. On the beach at the southern end of the NNR were 60 sanderling, 40 dunlin, 19 bar-tailed godwit, 4 curlew and 2 grey plover. 4 rooks flew north and a water pipit was showing on pools south of Crook Bank. 170 redshank flew over the saltmarsh at Rimac. Barn owl hunting over dunes at Churchill Lane. 07.03.23 – 9 snow bunting on the beach out from Rimac. Barn owl in flight over Rimac dunes mid-afternoon. 2 goldcrest in trees at Sea View. Gorse in flower also some sheltered Blackthorn and some elder breaking into leaf. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 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 - few details yet to be confirmed *** 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/ 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... Spring into action - Tim Sparks https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist-features/spring-into-action Three out of five proposed Highly Protected Marine Areas in English seas to get protection https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/blog/three-out-five-proposed-highly-protected-marine-areas-english-seas-get-protection Tiny insects excrete vast amounts of urine using an anal catapult https://www.newscientist.com/article/2361733-tiny-insects-excrete-vast-amounts-of-urine-using-an-anal-catapult/ Roman shrine discovered near Leicester cathedral graveyard https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-64840494 Climate change: Warming could raise UK flood damage bill by 20% https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64866058 ‘Giant’ rats spark fears of cliff erosion in Tenby https://uk.yahoo.com/news/giant-rats-spark-fears-cliff-215429406.html ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/