========================================= || || 15th 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: There a lot of news and information this week! Thank you for sending reports, articles, announcements, links etc. It all helps a lot. Meetings webpages on the LNU website have now been updated: https://lnu.org/meetings/ Doddington Hall, near Lincoln. There is a Spring Bulb Pageant happening now until March 29th. Limited opening times. https://www.doddingtonhall.com/event/spring-bulb-pageant/ Trent Aegir Predictions 2023 - one coming up on 23rd? Where the best place to watch for it these days? https://crowle.org/?p=5059 https://www.facebook.com/BBCLookNorth/videos/trent-aegir/312209819645158/ 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 There are some interesting on-line Biological Recording events coming up. Charlie Barnes sent in the following: entoLIVE is a webinar series that showcases invertebrate research (covering inverts from terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments). There will be 40 talks this year and they are all free to attend, with a fair few of them about biological recording or citizen science monitoring projects. Full programme of events: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/entolive-webinars-74679 The Biodiversity Net Gain Virtual Symposium 2023 is a 3-hour virtual event on the 29th March with talks from BNG specialists in the private, public and third sectors. More info and booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/biodiversity-net-gain-virtual-symposium-2023-tickets-483694612607 The Why iRecord? Virtual Symposium on the 21st April showcases 5 presentations on how organisations are using iRecord to gather data, including the benefits and challenges of using the online recording platform. There are talks from a local wildlife group, a LERC, a national scheme, a recording project funded by NLHF and an update from iRecord themselves. More info and booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/why-irecord-virtual-symposium-tickets-568719113177 This week's links to Lincolnshire and wildlife-related news stories... Lincolnshire Wolds: Celebrating 50 years of AONB status https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-64952693 North East Lincolnshire bans metal detectors and barbecues https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-64952303 Still time to save Our Wild Isles, say UK conservation charities https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64903069 Sir David Attenborough show looks at puffins' plight https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-64918038 Dog bans for pair charged under hare coursing law https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4n9d1ql41qo UK swan conservation success gives cause for hope https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64944172 Bumblebees learn to solve puzzles by watching peers, study finds https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-64884107 Non-native plants outnumber British flora, major report finds https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64842402 Oceans littered with 171 trillion plastic pieces https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64889284 Campaigners slam government river bathing decision https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64919789 More links in ".and finally ..." at the end of the Bulletin. Thank you for the interesting contriobutions. 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#? 19-28 Mar "Sunday will be a changeable day, mostly likely starting dry and bright for central and southern parts, while in the north cloudy conditions, with rain and showers eventually clearing east with drier conditions at least for a time. More wet and windy weather arrives into the west, becoming widespread into the start of next week. Thereafter, confidence is generally reduced but most likely remaining unsettled, with periods of rain and strong winds expected for many areas at times. There is likely to be a continued risk of snow in northern parts of the country, particularly across higher ground of Scotland, and perhaps some wintry showers for the far north. Temperatures overall will be near average to mild in the south, but near average to cold in the north. " For Astronomers and Sky-watchers Asteroid headed toward Earth may arrive on Valentine's Day 2046 - Nasa https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-64919125 Space and astronomy highlights in 2023 from The Royal Observatory https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/space-astronomy-highlights-2023 Tim Peake: My Journey To Space - The Engine Shed, University of Lincoln Sunday 19 Mar, 2023 - 19.00 hrs. Details and tickets: https://engineshed.co.uk/events/view/tim-peake-my-journey-to-space/17327 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. Closing Date: Monday 20th March 2023 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 *** Len Pick Trust Owl-box Camera - accessible 24/7 *** Both owls seen together 11/3 at 7.15hrs. Keep watching. 4-6 weeks for an egg - Bob says... https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/ *** Heads up for the return of UK Ospreys *** Bob Sheppard writes: Based on last year's arrival times, these are the predicted times for this year. I wonder if our Loch of Lowes male will win again? He has further to go than the Rutland female. http://ukospreys.uk/countdowndt.htm *** Hedgehog Advice *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ South Ormesby Estate. Open weekend 20-21 May. Guided walks running throughout the weekend, as well as a range of fantastic stalls, entertainment, food, and games. https://www.southormsbyestate.co.uk/tour/ *** Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service*** Helen Gamble writes Join us to discover more about the geology, history, wildlife, chalk streams and farming within the Wolds AONB. 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, details on: 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 *** Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Area Groups webpage *** Please let me have your "plugs" for coming events. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/area-groups *** 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. *** Gainsborough Area Group LWT *** Dan Bardsley writes 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. *** 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 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 - note Bardney to Wragby Road B1202 Mar 13-31 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/ 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 9/3 Woodlark flew over East Dunes, 13 Snow Buntings on beach, 3 Water Pipits on Fenland Lagoon, Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point Black Redstart fem/1w male, RAF Digby Short-eared Owl, Far Ings 10/3 3 Water Pipits, Snow Bunting, Short-eared Owl, Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point 11/3 4 Long-eared Owls in gully at Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 8 Russian White-fronted Geese, 3 Hen Harriers 1 male, Short-eared Owl, Spoonbill, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl. Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point 2 Bewick's Swans [both ads] in field south of Stain Lane, Mablethorpe 27 Russian White-fronted Geese near Winter's Pond off Marsh Lane, East Halton Skitter 12/3 Sand Martin at Wragg Marsh, Moulton Seas End, NE of Holbeach Woodlark briefly north of Mill Hill then flew south, Hen Harrier ringtail over saltmarsh, 4 Water Pipits, Gibraltar Point Siberian Chiffchaff on Quebec Road, on bank by blue waterside in vegetation, Mablethorpe 13/3 12 Snow Buntings n beach at Seacroft, Gibraltar Point 14/3 8 Russian White-fronted Geese, 2 Hen Harriers 1 male, 3 Spoonbills on wet grassland south on main car park, Frampton Marsh 12 Snow Buntings on beach at Seacroft, 7 Water Pipits on Freshwater Marsh viewed from Mill Pond Road, Gibraltar Point Black Redstart fem/1w male in former Hanger, in gym, RAF Digby Mealy Redpoll with Lesser Redpolls, Doddington Park 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 10/3/2023 Pied Wagtail m + f Blue Tit 2 House sparrow - 12+ Blackbird - 2m Jackdaw - 12 Collared Dove 1+ Wood Pigeon 6+ Black Headed Gull 12+ Starling - 12+ Domestic pigeon - 3 CLEETHORPES - BUCK BECK AREA.  TA 302069 01:03:2023 Peter Crick Two large Blackthorn full of blossom CLEETHORPES - BUCK BECK TA 302069 04&5:03:2023 Peter Crick Buff Tail Bumble Bee - roaming along hedge bottom  temp. 7C  cold north wind. SOUTHREY - ploughed field near Water Rail Way near Campney Lane TF146664 R & A Parsons 11/3/2023 at 10.00hrs approx. 2 Brown Hares - keeping still, then moved towards Southrey. Disappeared into vegetation. WOOLSTHORPE-BY-COLSTERWORTH Sk92/24 Jane Ostler 1st – 12th March 2023 House Sparrows. Am now having to accept that we have lost the colony of House Sparrows which nested for years in the hedges in the front garden and fed on the feeders in front of the window. Last summer there were fewer, some young from a first brood but no evidence of a second or third brood, which we have had in some years. By November there were only five birds at the feeder. By the end of February only a single bird fed alongside a dunnock and blue tits. Eric Simms told me many years ago of the studies to try to explain the loss of House Sparrows from London Parks. Could something similar have happened? Pollution reduced numbers and lack of insects reduced ability to rear young. Numbers then too low to fulfil the social needs house sparrows are known for (constant interaction of ‘chattering ‘ calls). Cease breeding. Because, unlike blue tits for example, they stick closely to own area so no new colonies move in. Does that mean that we have lost them from a habitat which otherwise suited them? The most common birds in the garden are Blackbirds, which have come every day, except when it was snowing, to feed on the apples from the store which we put out for them. Today, 12/3/23 it is much milder and greenfinch, goldfinch chaffinch in small numbers are back with a single siskin seen in the larch tree. Several Dunnock are nesting as is a Robin. A Mistle Thrush briefly on lawn on 1/3/23. Starlings gathering in our largest tree at dusk have been joined by other groups as they circle in the sky – almost a murmuration before they all disappear to roost. Elsewhere two ravens have been seen and they are known to nest at a local site. On 4th March at 10p.m. the car headlights picked out a hedgehog running along Old Post Lane. A Muntjac seen in gardens. A Tree Bumblebee was out after the snow feeding on Winter Honeysuckle. The Violets have survived under the snow. The Sweet Violet is often the first but is noticed in the grassy verges when it produces clumps of white flowers. The Early dog Violet has to be looked for where it has emerged from woodland into sunny short turf above the limestone. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs and NATURE RESERVES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19 includes details of LWT reserves and other advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog: http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list RSPB Frampton Marsh: http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook Visitor Leaflet - Natural England: http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report  8th-14th 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: Minute snow grains observed on the afternoon of the 9th. Sleet on the 10th. The precipitation recorded for the 10th of 9.7mm was the most recorded during a 24hr period since 13th January (9.8mm). Very mild on the 13th with gale force south-westerlies, gust of 69.8mph recorded near Sea View. 080323 – 12 meadow pipit and 5 pied wagtail on the saltmarsh out from Brickyard Lane and a ‘nordic race’ jackdaw with 21 jackdaws near Brickyard Lane. 100323 - Paradise lagoon: 35 teal, 6 gadwall, 5 tufted duck and 23 curlew. Feeding on the saltmarsh: 80 redshank and 11 little egrets. 2 buff-tailed bumblebees on goat willow flowers near Sea View. Singles of water pipit and rock pipit on Rimac scrape and a barn owl flew through the dunes. 12 meadow pipit remained on the Brickyard Lane saltmarsh along with 8 ringed plover. 41 curlew in field adjacent to the dunes at Brickyard Lane. 110323 - At least 20 rock pipits feeding together amongst short saltmarsh vegetation near the pillbox, 15 snow buntings feeding on tide line off Rimac. On the Eau and washland near Sea View: 270 wigeon, 70 teal, 28 shoveler, 6 mallard, 6 curlew and 10 lapwing which includes the orange flagged bird. Raven seen mobbing a male marsh harrier at Rimac before flying south along the dunes. 270 curlew on the, largely frozen, foreshore early morning. 16 meadow and 2 rock pipit out from Brickyard Lane. 2 corn bunting perched in outer dune scrub at Crook Bank, with one bird singing intermittently. 1 stonechat, 8 yellowhammer, 60 linnet, 12 skylark and 10 reed bunting also in the outer dunes/saltmarsh at Crook Bank. Red kite flew south low over the dunes, initially seen at Churchill Lane. 120323 - Red dead-nettle and lesser celandine coming into flower in sheltered areas. Grey wagtail flew south over Mablethorpe North End. A Siberian chiffchaff was found nearby, which was later heard singing. 2 water pipit on Rimac marsh and a Cetti’s warbler calling. 130323 - 5 common toads in pond Churchill Lane area. Around Crook Bank were 20 twite (including one bird with colour rings thought to be from the Highlands), 2 Scandinavian rock pipit, fieldfare, jack snipe and a hooded crow x carrion crow hybrid. S hort-eared owl flew out of the dunes at Crook Bank and went north. 3 snow bunting on the beach between Brickyard Lane and Crook Bank. ‘Nordic’ jackdaw still at Brickyard Lane. 140323 - Paradise lagoon 10 gadwall. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 - gardening dates and times: 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: Here are the dates for the summer nest box checks. As always, we meet at 9.30am in the Chambers Farm Woods car park, by the wood centre/volunteer hut. Anyone interested can get in touch at lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com for more information. Saturday 22nd April Sunday 21 May Saturday 24 June Sunday 23 July Saturday 19th August Sunday 17th September Saturday 21 October ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 or via i-record. https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ 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 may vary. 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: 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 *** 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... Hemsby: Cliff-top homes evacuated as collapse risk grows https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-64908427 Campaigners slam government river bathing decision https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64919789 Haweswater project where rewilding and farming meet https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/10/haweswater-project-lake-district-rewilding-farming-jobs Do back-to-back disasters show first climate tipping point is upon us? https://www.newscientist.com/article/2363210-do-back-to-back-disasters-show-first-climate-tipping-point-is-upon-us/ Bumblebees can teach each other how to open a puzzle box https://www.newscientist.com/article/2363354-bumblebees-can-teach-each-other-how-to-open-a-puzzle-box/ Country diary: The comical knot achieves perfection in flight https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/07/country-diary-the-comical-knot-achieves-perfection-in-flight The fight to protect Cheshire’s irreplaceable peatland https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/07/the-fight-to-protect-cheshires-irreplaceable-peatland Government accused of failing to tackle invasive rhododendron in England https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/11/government-failing-to-tackle-invasive-rhododendron-in-englands-last-rainforests-aoe Scientists warn of ‘phosphogeddon’ as critical fertiliser shortages loom https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/12/scientists-warn-of-phosphogeddon-fertiliser-shortages-loom ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/