======================================== || || 22nd 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: Thank you for sending reports, articles, announcements, links etc. Much appreciated. Meetings webpages on the LNU website: 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/ 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 Reminder: On-line Biological Recording events coming up. See: 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... Baby badger introduced to orphaned boy badger in Norfolk https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-65027328 Service for Dambusters stained glass window honouring 617 Squadron https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-65041559 Grantham Canal reed clearance project gets £27,000 grant https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-64966225 RAF Scampton: Historians pen letter against WW2 airfield migrant plan https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-65000047 Norfolk deer herd crossing road holds up coastguard patrol https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-norfolk-64939626 Drought risk to England regions after dry February, scientists warn https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64966953 Hemsby: How many other communities are at risk of erosion? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-64944384 Brexit law change could restrict access to UK river pollution data https://www.newscientist.com/article/2364782-brexit-law-change-could-restrict-access-to-uk-river-pollution-data/ More links in ".and finally ..." at the end of the Bulletin. Thank you for the interesting contributions. 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#? 27 Mar - 5 Apr "On Monday, largely dry with sunny spells and light winds after a frosty start. Coastal showers, wintry in places, across the northeast accompanied by stronger winds. Temperatures generally below average, but with lighter winds and sunshine feeling quite pleasant for most. Moving through the period, some spells of rain are likely to push across most areas, with the southeast seeing the driest conditions towards the end of the month. Into early April, likely remaining changeable but perhaps more in the way of drier interludes, especially across the south. Some strong winds are likely, with a low risk of gales, mainly for western areas. Temperatures are generally above average, with colder conditions possible in the north. " For Astronomers and Sky-watchers Vent on Venus is clearest sign yet the planet is volcanically active https://www.newscientist.com/article/2364447-vent-on-venus-is-clearest-sign-yet-the-planet-is-volcanically-active/ Space and astronomy highlights in 2023 from The Royal Observatory https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/space-astronomy-highlights-2023 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 *** Keep watching. 4-6 weeks for an egg - Bob says... https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/ *** UK Ospreys are working on their nest *** 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 *** Grimsby And Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** Carolyn Davis writes On Monday 3rd April 2023 the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT will hold their AGM at 7pm followed by an illustrated talk by Mike Pickwell "A Summer on Mull, Iona and the Trentish Islands" where we will be exploring the wildlife and landscapes with his excellent photography. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall DN31 1HU. Admission £3, all are welcome. There will be a raffle and refreshments available. For further details contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858 or check out our website www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk  *** Gainsborough Area Group LWT *** Dan Bardsley writes 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. *** Natural History And Geology Section Of The Scunthorpe Museum Society *** Our final spring indoor meeting will be on Monday, 3rd April next, a week earlier than our normal second Monday of the month as the 10th is Easter Monday. We have invited Dave Mouncey to give us his illustrated talk about "Eels" at this meeting which will start at our usual time of 7.15 pm. Following the storm surge of a few years ago and the subsequent flooding of South Ferriby, Dave is recovering and collating his collection of slides, many of which were destroyed or damaged. The talk on these often-maligned carnivorous fish will be illustrated by the remaining images in Dave's collection together with, possibly, live eels and equipment used to study them. We meet 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 a large, free car park in the Church grounds. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. Light refreshments are provided for a small charge at the mid-talk break. We have a standby talk in case Dave's talk has to be postponed which is an illustrated talk about "Rocks and Birds of Flamborough Head" by Jo Bird. Jo will give us an illustrated look at the relationship between the nesting sites of seabirds and the geology of England's most northerly chalk cliffs. Could birds have an awareness of the principles of rock structure and stratigraphy? If Dave's talk goes ahead, then Jo's talk will be included in our Autumn/ Winter talks which start on Monday, 11th September. Please note that our summer events are field meetings which, for insurance reasons, are open to Scunthorpe Museum Society members only. *** South Lincs RSPB Group *** www.rspb.org.uk/groups/southlincolnshire Jeremy Eyeons writes: 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 '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. 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/ For RBA's excellent articles: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp 15/3 2 White-fronted Geese at Stanton's Pit, SWS of Bourne Hen Harrier ringtail, 8 Russian White-fronted Geese, 3 Spoonbills, Frampton Marsh 16/3 8 Russian White-fronted Geese, Water Pipit, Frampton Marsh 21 Twite on foreshore at Crook Bank, Water Pipit on Rimac Scrape, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes Glaucous gull juv flew past, juv Iceland Gull, 4 1w Caspian Gulls, Novartis Ings, Pyewipe Great Northern Diver flew south along River Trent at Trent Port 17/3 Hen Harrier ringtail in roost at Willow Tree Fen 2 Tundra Bean Geese at North Pit, Baston + Langtoft Pits probable Siberian Chiffchaff, in ditch by bend in path beyond Prospect Hide, 2 Sand Martins flew past. Alkborough Flats 18/3 1+ Long-eared Owl in gully at Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 8 Russian White-fronted Geese, ringtail Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Water Pipit, Rimac Little Gull offshore, Chowderness 30 Twite at Crook Bank, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes 2 Black-necked Grebes, Covenham reservoir 19/3 Water Pipit, Hen Harrier male over saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh Alpine Swift over marsh from Visitor Centre, then flew north, at 5.08pm, Short-eared Owl, Gibraltar Point Alpine Swift, Seacroft, flew over Drake Road, Skegness 5.35pm. Osprey, flew over Apex Pit. North Hykeham 20 Russian White-fronted Geese near Winters Pond, Marsh Lane, Water Pipit, escaped white morph Gyr, Halton Marshes, East Halton Skitter Alpine Swift over Grainthorpe Haven 19/3 Water Pipit, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes Garganey at Branston Booths, Potterhanworth 2 Mealy Redpolls at Doddington Park 20/3 3 + Twite, Frampton Marsh Long-eared Owl in scrub along North Building Ridge,  2 Water Pipits on Freshwater Marsh, male Hen Harrier in Roost, Gibraltar Point 2 Alpine Swifts, Chapel Six Marshes over pines, 1.55pm 2 Alpine Swifts, Chapel Six Marshes over pines, then flew south c2pm 2 Alpine Swifts, Chapel Six Marshes c2.24pm 2 Alpine Swifts, Chapel Six Marshes c2.49pm 4 Common Cranes flew north over Swanpool 2 Hen Harriers 1 male, Donna Nook 21/3 Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point 2 Alpine Swifts, Chapel Six Marshes 9.22, 10.20 and 10.45am and 1.10pm Short-eared Owl, Anderby Creek 11.22 2 Alpine Swifts north of North Sea Observatory, over road Chapel St Leonards 11.22am 2 Alpine Swifts between Wolla Bank and Anderby Creek 2 ad White-fronted Geese, unconfirmed report of Red-necked Grebe, Stanton's Pit 22/3 2 Alpine Swifts north of North Sea Observatory, over road Chapel St Leonards 8.50am Alpine Swift offshore, Woodlark flew south, Wolla Bank Black-necked Grebe, Toft Newton reservoir ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Robin Chaffinch m Pied Wagtail m + f Blue Tit 2 House sparrow - 12+ Blackbird - 3m Jackdaw - 12+ Collared Dove 2+ Wood Pigeon 6+ Black Headed Gull 12+ Starling - 12+ Domestic pigeon - 3 BARDNEY - The Green TF120694 R & A Parsons 20/3/2023 Pied Wagtails 1m +2f Hedgehog scat seen first time for months. 22/3 Hedgehog caught on trailcam 02.52hrs BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 16th March 2023 Phil and Mary Porter Our first Siskin for ages briefly spotted near one of the feeders. A male Brimstone flew through the garden 19th March 2023 The male Siskin turned up again and we have a pair of Long-tailed Tits which seem to be a pair. 20th March 2023 At least 2 Hedgehogs caught on trail camera last night. Mary saw about 6 siskins today in her Millennium Oak tree where she recently put an extra feeder. We are experimenting with having more feeders with less food in each to avoid build-ups of food fragments underneath. So far, we have avoided diseased chaffinches and greenfinches which have both been well-represented in the garden this winter. 22nd March Mary Porter Male Brimstone, sunbathing Peacock, and Hummingbird Hawk-moth all at once. The Hawk-moth whizzed by as I was try to photograph the Peacock, and I then got some quite nice pictures at it fed at daffodils. COLSTERWORTH SK92/25 Jane Ostler 19/2/23 Bats flying around house at dark 25/2/23 Magpie in garden for first time 12/3/23 Ladybirds out on vegetation 15/3/23 White deer amongst other fallow deer (east of Twyford Wood) 16/2/23 First frog spawn reported in three separate ponds. Song Thrush in full song on TV aerial. First reports of coltsfoot in flower FAR INGS Angela Buckle, 19th March. Early dog violets, White violets, Flowering currant, Cowslips, Green alkanet, Whitlow grass, Celandines, Coltsfoot. Newts in pond. FISKERTON FEN TF084719 Phil & Mary Porter 19/3/2023 Black-headed Gull, 90 resting on pit Mute Swan, 2 Mallard, 9 Canada Goose, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Reed Bunting, 10 in short flights in pairs, up from reed edges Chaffinch, 6 Goldfinch, 3 Dunnock, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Song Thrush, 1 in splendid song Pheasant, 2 Moorhen, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 a pair on the River Witham Skylark, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Great Tit, 1 Goosander, 1 on Witham Kestrel, 1 Wren, 2 Cormorant, 1 Robin, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Stock Dove, 4 Carrion Crow, 2 Woodpigeon, 3 Long-tailed Tit, 2 pair with nest Blackthorn, almost in flower Gorse, fully in flower A sorry lack of small birds. GAINSBOROUGH Ash Grove, Gainsborough, DN21 1ER 14th March 2023 Dan Bardsley 12.00 midday a solitary Humming bird Hawk moth very active around a Daphne bholua in full flower. HOLYWELL LAKE WeBS 21st March 2023 0815 – 10.25 Ian Misselbrook and Dave Roberts Fallow buck with one antler limping badly. Black-headed Gull 10 Blackbird 3 Blue Tit 4 Buzzard 1 Canada Geese 17 Carrion Crow 5 Chiffchaff 2 singing Coot 12 Dunnock 3 Gadwall 9 Goldcrest 2 GS Woodpecker 1 drumming Great Tit 2 Green Woodpecker 1 Grey Heron 1 Grey Wagtails 2 Greylag Geese 3 Jackdaw 4 Little Egret 2 Little Grebes 10 Magpie 2 Mallard 33 Mistle Thrush 1 Moorhen 13 Mute Swans a pair. on nest Pheasant 2 Pied Wagtail 1 Red Kite 1 Red-legged Partridge 2 Robin 4 Rooks 22 Siskins 20 Stock Doves 2 Teal 8 Treecreeper 2 Tufted Duck 17 Woodpigeon 6 Wrens 4 HORKSTOW SE987179 15 March 2023 Jenny Haynes Barn Owl was seen flying along the verge outside my house at about 6am. Uncommon birds A Barn Owl was seen flying along the verge outside my house at about 6am. Uncommon birds seen in my garden include: goldcrest, coal tit and a yellow hammer as well as several long tailed tits which have been around for a while. Generally, the garden is busy with: chaffinch, greenfinch, goldfinch, blue and great tit, blackbird, wren, dunnock, great spotted woodpecker (also heard drumming in the distance) as well as a pair of stock doves, several wood pigeons and pheasants. KETTLETHORPE 18.03.2023 SK8474 Alison Brownlow Toads gathering and croaking in the pond, no spawn yet Buff-tailed bumblebee on Red Dead Nettle Red Mason bee on Lungwort I still haven't seen any butterflies 20.03.2023 Alison Brownlow Toad spawn in pond today Brimstone butterfly at last! MARTON SK8380 Alison Brownlow A metal detectorist found a BTO ring which was from a Black-headed gull which had been rung in the first year of its hatching on 29th July 2006 in Turku, Finland. That is 1607km from its ringing site in a WSW direction. It was not attached to the bird so we sadly do not know when the bird died. SOUTHREY - from east bank of river Witham, ploughed field near Water Rail Way [near Campney Lane] TF146664 R & A Parsons 19/3/2023 at 10.00hrs approx. 2 Brown Hares in crop - keeping still. Another 3 [lively] + 1 further south [lying up] Disappointing numbers of birds. SOUTHERY WOOD TF130680 17th March 2023 Phil & Mary Porter During a short walk we heard in song Goldcrest (at least Mary did, they are beyond my range), 1-2 Green Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, 3 Robin, Dunnock, Some Sallow catkins were full out, Blackthorn buds fat, Dog’s Mercury in bud, Lesser Celandine in flower, rather more Coltsfoot than usual just opening. WILDER DODDINGTON PROJECT SK902703 Phil Porter, Isobel Wright 21st March 2023 2 Red Kites and a Buzzard soaring Green Woodpecker ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs and NATURE RESERVES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19 includes details of LWT reserves and other advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog: http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list RSPB Frampton Marsh: http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook Visitor Leaflet - Natural England: http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 15th-21st March 2023 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor, Owen Beaumont, Cliff Morrison and Dean Nicholson. Thank you to all other contributors. Daily News and Wildlife Sightings 14/03/23 - Green woodpecker at Sea View. 15/03/23 - Avocet at Paradise lagoon. Avocet on the tide line at Mablethorpe North End with gulls. 2 little ringed plover displaying on the foreshore near Crook Bank, where 2 corn bunting, 25 twite and a jack snipe were also. Woodcock in the dunes at Crook Bank. 16/03/23 – 1 water pipit and 5 rock pipit on Rimac scrape mid-afternoon. 27 twite on the foreshore south of Crook Bank, 265 dunlin and 78 golden plover on the foreshore between Churchill Lane and Crook Bank. Chiffchaff singing at Churchill Lane. 17/03/23 - Sea View Washlands: 22 little egrets, 8 curlew, 3 lapwing, 1 common snipe, 200 wigeon, 30 teal, 20 redshank, 2 moorhen. Paradise lagoon: 13 curlew. On the banks of the Eau: 1 avocet and a black-tailed godwit. Tawny owl calling at Sea View. 6 stonechat (1 Rimac, 3 Churchill Lane, 2 Crook Bank) and 8 singing chiffchaff along the length of the NNR. Bullfinch and green woodpecker near Churchill Lane. 30 twite at Crook Bank, where 200 golden plover flew north over the beach and a red kite flew south over the dunes. Green sandpiper flew off a small pool in the dunes at Crook Bank. Woodcock in the dunes between Rimac and Sea View. Kingfisher on the Great Eau at Sea View. 1 water pipit, 1 meadow pipit and 5 rock pipit on Rimac scrape. 18/03/23 - Wheatear reported near Saltfleet Haven. Chiffchaff near Sea View. 3 Cetti’s warbler, 2 chiffchaff, 1 water pipit and 1 water rail from Rimac to MOD. 1 stonechat and 1 yellowhammer at Sea View. 26 twite, 1 corn bunting and 4 yellowhammer at Crook Bank. 4 little ringed plover and 2 avocet on scrapes adjacent to the dunes near Crook Bank. 7 chiffchaff, 1 goldcrest and 2 peacock butterfly in the dunes south of Crook Bank. Brimstone butterfly near Brickyard Lane.   19/03/23 - 2 species of bumblebee and 1 species of wasp seen in flight around willow catkins, a notable influx of chiffchaffs with 8 noted Rimac to Brickyard Lane plus 3 woodcocks. 3 wheatear in the dunes between Sea View and Rimac. 3 woodcock, 2 Cetti’s warbler, stonechat and a water rail at Rimac. 4 chiffchaff and a woodcock between Churchill Lane and Brickyard Lane. 2 avocet on Rimac lagoon. 2 barn owl and 1 short-eared owl over the saltmarsh in the evening. 360+ curlew in fields near Crook Bank. 1100+ starling along the length of the NNR. 2 raven at Elm House Farm. Lots of common toad and smooth newt activity and a stoat spotted at Rimac. 20/03/23 - Paradise lagoon: 35 shovelers and 6 gadwall. Sweet violet in flower in sheltered areas of the dunes near Paradise wood. Scattered common toads in various ponds and spawn noted. A pair of Raven at Rimac before flying south with 1 also seen on Elm House Farm in the afternoon. Water pipit on Rimac scrape. 2 pink-footed geese and 4 brent geese on the tide line out from Rimac. Mediterranean gull, avocet, wheatear and short-eared owl at Saltfleet Haven. Green woodpecker at Paradise Wood. 9 lapwings on Sea View Washlands and curlew ‘bubbling’. Amphibians now very active with frog and common toad spawn present in many ponds. Snipe at Rimac. 21/03/23 – Rimac: single water pipit and buzzard, 4 grey herons near Rimac lagoon. 2 siskin at feeding station, Sea View. Chiffchaff calling at Sea View. Egyptian goose flew south over the dunes at Crook Bank before looping north-west and possibly landing on scrapes adjacent to the dunes. Flying south during 2 hours recording visible migration at Mablethorpe North End: 1050 chaffinch, 36 siskin, 43 goldfinch, 6 linnet, 2 greenfinch, 8 meadow pipit, 2 skylark, 13 ‘alba’ wagtail, 310 starling, 2 sparrowhawk and 2 peregrine. On the saltmarsh at Brickyard Lane: 20 white wagtail, 8 pied wagtail, 30 meadow pipit, 12 linnet and 8 skylark. Great white egret, 2 raven and a snow bunting near Saltfleet Haven in the morning. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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... Nature in danger as mountain forest loss quickens https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64900743 Plymouth trees: Call for independent inquiry into felling https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-64974072 Vote to be held on eradicating all Uist estate's deer https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-64964575 World's first octopus farm proposals alarm scientists https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64814781 How poisonous amphibians evolve bright colours to warn predators off https://www.newscientist.com/article/2364724-how-poisonous-amphibians-evolve-bright-colours-to-warn-predators-off/ Country diary: Purest owl pellet of the highest quality https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/14/country-diary-purest-owl-pellet-of-the-highest-quality Country diary: Saved by a tree I didn’t know I knew https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/15/country-diary-saved-by-a-tree-i-didnt-know-i-knew Air pollution hindering mating of fruit flies by reducing output of male scent https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/14/air-pollution-hindering-mating-of-fruit-flies-by-reducing-output-of-male-scent Plantwatch: rare species flourish in Swanscombe wasteland https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/mar/15/plantwatch-rare-species-swanscombe-wasteland-kent ~ THE END ~ ----------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/