========================================= || || 29th 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. Alpine Swifts have been exciting sightings. See news link below. LNU Meetings webpages on the website here: https://lnu.org/meetings/ This week's links to Lincolnshire and wildlife-related news stories... Avian flu: East Yorkshire seabirds to be monitored after porpoise death https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-65024377 Birdwatchers elated as Alpine swifts flock to Britain and Ireland in rare numbers https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/22/birdwatchers-elated-as-alpine-swifts-flock-to-britain-and-ireland-in-rare-numbers Appeal after Grainsby church treasures stolen https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-65054744 Man found guilty of stealing lead from 15 churches https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-65066739 Listed building bid for Dambusters base amid asylum seeker plan https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-65076071 RAF Scampton asylum centre decision imminent, says MP https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-65098856 UK asylum: Government outlines plan to cut migrant hotel use https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65107827 Historical Grimsby trawler reopens to public after conservation work https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-65088969 Anti-whaling ship to sail from Hull for global mission https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-65069949 Gloucestershire: Daneway Banks' butterflies star in Attenborough series https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-65067528 Cumbria: Pet dogs a threat to nesting birds in South Walney - warning https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-65075350 Exeter Council to cut use of glyphosate as weed killer on roads https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-65075989 Drought threatening British moth species with local extinction https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/22/drought-threatening-british-moth-species-with-local-extinction 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 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 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#? 2 - 11 Apr "The start of this period is most likely to be changeable. Showers or longer spells of rain remain prevalent, with heavy bursts still likely in places on Sunday. Drier and brighter interludes are possible as well, mainly across western regions, however these may be short-lived as further bands of rain are expected to arrive from the west. Eastern coasts may be rather grey and misty at times. The latter part of the period looks likely to become more settled, albeit with some wetter interludes, these most likely in the south and west of the country. Stronger winds at times, but temperatures remaining close to average, feeling pleasant in any sunshine. There is potential for overnight frost where skies are clear in the north and east." For Astronomers and Sky-watchers Northern Lights last week if you missed them... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-65063765 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-65062055 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 Aurora Watch - when Northern Lights might be seen in the UK: https://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ 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. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/ *** Loch of The Lowes Ospreys *** The drama continues. Compulsive viewing... https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ *** 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: 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. 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. More details from Dan Bardsley on 07720569228 or dbardsley999@gmail.com *** Natural History And Geology Section of The Scunthorpe Museum Society *** Keith Scarrott writes: 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, 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. 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 22/3 Short-eared Owl at Willow Tree Fen 2 Spoonbills, Woodlark over, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point Alpine Swift, Chapel Six Marshes 11am, 12.30, 1.17, 1.30 and 2.26pm 2 Alpine Swifts north of North Sea Observatory, over road Chapel St Leonards 8.50am 1+ Alpine Swift, Anderby Creek Alpine Swift offshore, Woodlark flew south, Wolla Bank Black-necked Grebe, Toft Newton reservoir Black-necked Grebe, Barton-upon-Humber 23/3 2 Alpine Swifts over car park, Chapel Six Marshes, 8.32am Woodlark flew south over dunes at north end, Mablethorpe, 7.31am Alpine Swift over pines from beach south of car park, Anderby Creek 7.22am Woodlark flew south over dunes at north end, 6.57am, Mablethorpe Water Pipit, Rimac 2 Alpine Swifts til 6.30am then flew south, Chapel Six Marshes 2 Alpine swifts over town at 10.57am and south of observatory, 12.15pm. Chapel Point Alpine Swift reported over farm between Scotter and Blyton, 9.30am 24/3 Spoonbill, White Stork flew over, Frampton Marsh Water Pipit on Freshwater Marsh, Gibraltar Point 2 Common Cranes flew north over Ingoldmells Road, Burgh-le-Marsh Woodlark flew south over dunes at north end, 6.30am, Mablethorpe 2 Alpine Swifts 2 Alpine Swifts over car park, Chapel Six Marshes 18.06am, 0.24am, 11.43am, 12.07pm and 12.59pm 2 Alpine Swifts south of North Sea Observatory, Chapel Point, 2.14pm 2 Alpine Swifts below the Admiral Benbow bar, over beach, Chapel St Leonards 3.32pm 2 Alpine swifts over Millers Bar, Chapel St Leonards, 4.20pm 25/3 Hen Harrier ringtail at Willow Tree Fen 2 Hen Harrier 1 male, Frampton Marsh Woodlark flew south over Gibraltar Point 2 Alpine Swifts over path south of north Sea Observatory, Chapel Point 8.30, 10.35, 11.45am, 12.24pm 2 Alpine Swifts flew south over Ingoldmells, 9.19am 2 Alpine Swifts between Chapel Point and Ingoldmells 3.37pm Long-tailed Duck, Waters' Edge, behind tile works on fishing pit by Hoe Hill, Barton upon Humber Spoonbill ad at Halton Marshes, White Stork landed in fields south of Winter's Pond, East Halton Skitter 26/3 Hen Harrier ringtail, Willow Tree Fen Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Woodlark flew south over dunes at north end, 9.55am, Woodlark over Long Acre, 9.15am, Mablethorpe 27/3 3 Spoonbills, 2 Cattle Egrets, Frampton Marsh 2 Water Pipits, Gibraltar Point Firecrest in hedge by road south of car park entrance, Chapel Six Marshes Hen Harrier male, Wolla Bank 28/3 Hen Harrier, Spoonbill, Frampton Marsh Water Pipit on Freshwater Marsh, Gibraltar Point Osprey at fishing ponds between Baumber and Wragby ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 28 March 2023 Jenny Haynes Roadkill TA023185 B1206 Badger *** 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 26/3/2023 Local Starling flock now approx 40. Pied wagtail male and female Great Tit BlueTit Robin - 3 CROXTON Croxton. Angela Buckle 25th March 2025,Toothwort, Butterbur, also: Bully Hill Top. Road kill, Badger, Main road FAR INGS Far Ings. Angela Buckle 26th March 2023. Marsh marigolds, Snakeshead fritillary, Common storksbill, Common chickweed, Birds: Chiffchaff, Bittern booming. FISKERTON FEN David Smith TF083718 26/03/2023 17.00 - 18.00 Barn owl x1 Coot x1 Wood pigeon x10 Starling x25+ Cormorant x1 Great crested grebe x2 Carrion crow x3 Mute swan x10 Pheasant x1 Robin x1 Reed bunting (m) x1 Tufted duck x2 Mallard x6 Shoveler x3 (2m 1f) Greylag goose x2 Canada goose x2 GRIMSBY TA265095 Joyce Attia 28th March 2023 I've been a bit concerned about a swan on the island in the river. She's been there about 3 weeks and seems to be trying to build a nest but there isn't much material, it's mainly mud and grass is very sparse. A couple of days ago she was trying to pull twigs off a bush, but it just slipped through her beak and sprang back. She seems to have been alone. There is another swan who comes up to the island and then swims off again. If he is her partner, he's not doing a very good job of it, he's not at all supportive. Maybe they are youngsters. The mallards and moorhens are paired up. Hopefully we will see some ducklings and baby moorhens soon. The black headed gulls are still here and getting their breeding plumage. On a warm day in the garden last week there was a beautiful big buff tailed bumble bee on the muscari and a comma butterfly on one of the planters. The daffodils, violets and primroses are blooming and the bluebells won't be long. Birds on the feeders were a small flock of house sparrows, blue tits and a great tit. On the ground a couple of dunnocks, male and female blackbirds, plenty of woodpigeons. Yesterday I noticed that the nyger seed feeder wasn't as full as before, I kept an eye on it and there was a goldfinch! The first I've seen in the garden for 2 years, and today there were 2? I'm so happy, I did miss them. HEMINGBY - Bain Bridge Mike Harrison 23/3/3023 Sadly I have to report yet another otter victim at the Bain bridge close to Hemingby. This brings a total of 4 casualties at this site within the past 10 years or so and I have witnessed one live crossing. Whilst it proves there is a healthy population in the Bain catchment the loss is preventable. Otters travelling upstream have to cross the road to avoid the weir under the bridge. I have long campaigned that the weirs (15!) on the Bain upstream of Horncastle are redundant since the flood alleviation scheme was commissioned in 2017. I shall contact the EA again to see if at very least some sort of Otter pass could be constructed at this point to prevent these animals having to leave the river to cross the road. MORKERY WOOD SK96/18 24/3/23 Jane Ostler 12C but a strong, cold wind Yellow Star of Bethlehem and Toothwort not yet in flower. Primroses, Early and Common dog Violets. Dog’s Mercury and Lesser Celandine the most frequent plans in flower throughout the woodland. Coltsfoot in bare ground at path sides. Wood Anemone in the less frequently disturbed areas. One Hazel tree noted still shedding pollen. Pussy Willow at its best but no visiting insects seen. Blackthorn mainly in bud but one hedgerow full in flower. One Cherry Plum identified but hybrids of Prunus confusing the picture. The cold wind meant that the only flying insects seen, apart from flies, were Tree Bumble Bee sunning on bank of limestone and soil, Buff- tailed Bumblebee (l), and a Carder Bee, whose ginger-coloured thorax was spotted as it crawled through Dog’s Mercury. Very few birds seen in a silent woodland and only song was from a Robin in a hedgerow and a Great Tit. A party of Long-taiIed Tits in a tree, a Chaffinch in a bush and Blackbirds searching the leaf litter a Buzzard circling overhead and Pheasants in the area of a feeder. Signs of recent Badger activity and tracks of Fallow Deer. Squirrels dreys. https://www.thebythams.org.uk/people-places-history/places/morkery-wood/ NETTLEHAM Brenda Edlington TF 005756 First hedgehog of the year caught on camera on 26 February about 1am. Hedgehogs now very active every night. On the night of 27/28 March 10 visits between 8pm and 5am. Could be 2 or 3, male and female. Great spotted woodpeckers still feeding on fat and peanut logs. No frog spawn in pond. 22/3/2023 First brimstone spotted 27/3/2023 Yellowhammer on the lawn. First sighting since 2021. TATTERSHALL TF214578 16/03/2023 Geoff Annibal Watched a grey heron dealing with an eel by the River Bain today. The heron struck the eel repeatedly with its bill until the eel was no longer moving and then swallowed it whole despite the eel being around 45cm long. I would think this would be quite a meal, even for a large bird like a heron SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 08/03/23 Blackbird x 3 Black-headed Gull x 16 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 8 Chaffinch x 1 Collared Dove x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 4 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 1 Greenfinch x 1 Jackdaw x 2 Magpie x 2 Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 2 Wood Pigeon x 7 17/03/23 Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 8 Chaffinch x 1  Chiffchaff x 1 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 6 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 2 Jackdaw x 4 Pied Wagtail x 2 Red-legged Partridge x 2 Redwing x 4 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Stock Dove x 2 Tree Sparrow x 8 Whooper Swan x 10 flying north over 08:30hrs Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 Yellowhammer x 1 Rabbit x 2 26/03/23 Barn Owl x 1 08:15hrs THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul; Snow 08/03/23 Common Crane x 2 flew north over Thurnholmes calling. 02:15hrs 14/03/23 Barn Owl x 1 08:05hrs Common Buzzard x 1 18/03/23 Barn Owl x 1 08:30hrs Whooper Swan x 14 flew north over Thurnholmes 09:15hrs 19/03/23 Barn Owl x 1 18:00hrs Blackbird x 4 Black-headed Gull x 15 over Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 6 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 1 Mallard x 2 Mute Swan x 2 in fields around Thurnholmes Pied Wagtail x 2 Redwing x 6 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Stock Dove x 1 on nest in open fronted box Tree Sparrow x 7 Wood Pigeon x 9 20/03/23 Barn Owl x 1 18:20hrs 23/03/23 Barn Owl x 1 flew out of my pole mounted nest box, used the last few years by Stock Doves and prior to that Kestrels. 24/03/23 Barn Owl x 1 18:00hrs Blackbird x 6 mostly terratorial males Black-headed Gull x 7 over Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 4 Goldfinch x 6 Greylag Goose x 8 feeding in fields around Thurnholmes Grey Partridge x 2 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 1 Mallard x 2 over Thurnholmes Mute Swan x 4 feeding in fields around Thurnholmes Pied Wagtail x 1 Redwing x 7 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Stock Dove x 1 on nest Tree Sparrow x 7 Wood Pigeon x 6 25/03/23 Barn Owl x 1 16:00hrs, x 1 SE805015 16:20hrs 27/03/23 Barn Owl x 1 flew along hedgerow with vole? prey 07:15hrs Blackbird x 7 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 4 Chiffchaff x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 6 Greenfinch x 1 Greylag Goose x 6 over Thurnholmes Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 3 Mallard x 2 Moorhen x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Mute Swan x 2 in fields around Thurnholmes Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 1 on nest Skylark x 2 Tree Sparrow x 12 Wood Pigeon x 12 28/03/23 Little Owl x 1 SK788989 WILLINGHAM Willingham Woods. Angela Buckle. 25th March 2023. Dogs mercury, Wood anemone, White corydalis. Willingham. 26th March 2023. Danish scurvy grass, road side Barnetby interchange. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs and NATURE RESERVES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's policy on Coronavirus, Covid-19 includes details of LWT reserves and other advice and information: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/coronavirus Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory blog: http://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.co.uk/ LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list RSPB Frampton Marsh: http://www.rspb.org.uk/discoverandenjoynature/seenature/reserves/guide/f/framptonmarsh/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook Visitor Leaflet - Natural England: http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 22nd - 28th 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 220323 - Single woodcock flew from dunes near Paradise wood. A big morning for bird migration over the dunes, with 2090 chaffinch, 42 siskin, 11 linnet, 2 goldfinch, 1 bullfinch, 6 meadow pipit, 1 rock pipit, 5 pied/white wagtail, 1480 starling and 90 fieldfare flying south in 90 minutes. The first sand martin of the year flew north. 850 common gull roosting on the beach between Mablethorpe North End and Brickyard Lane. 4 vocal curlew flew out to sea and 390 curlew on scrapes adjacent to the dunes near Crook Bank. 12 pied wagtail, 6 white wagtail, 25 meadow pipit, 3 rock pipit and 22 linnet on the saltmarsh at Brickyard Lane. 12 bar-tailed godwit, 14 oystercatcher, 58 dunlin, 1 ringed plover on the foreshore at Brickyard Lane during the incoming tide. 23 fieldfare flew south over the dunes and 50 redwing dropped into the dunes at Churchill Lane, quickly pursued by a sparrowhawk. 230323 - Raven near Sea View. An orange wing-flagged marsh harrier seen flying over the saltmarsh was ringed at Cantley, Norfolk on 15th June 2021. Another big passage, with 2 woodlark, 1306 chaffinch, 57 siskin, 43 goldfinch, 1 greenfinch, 2 reed bunting, 6 meadow pipit, 2 pied/white wagtail, 100 starling, 400 woodpigeon, 3 stock dove all flying south in 2 hours at Mablethorpe North End. Woodcock and treecreeper in the dunes at Mablethorpe North End. A woodlark also flew south over Rimac, where 2 raven flew north. Woodcock at Rimac, 3 chiffchaff singing between Sea View and Rimac, a Cetti’s warbler on the Great Eau and 11 little egret in meadows adjacent to the Eau. Lone whooper swan on Rimac lagoon. 7 white wagtail at Brickyard Lane and 400 black-headed gull flew south. 240323 – Egyptian goose flew south over Mablethorpe North End before going back north. In 2.5 hours early morning, a merlin, 2 raven, woodlark, 1326 chaffinch, brambling, 115 siskin, 66 linnet, tree sparrow, 8 meadow pipit, 3 pied/white wagtail and 750 woodpigeon flew south. 250323 - Red kite flew low over the dunes at Brickyard Lane in the strong westerly wind. 260323 – 17 twite on the beach between Brickyard Lane and Crook Bank. 2 vocal woodlark flew south over Mablethorpe North End. Some light movement over the sea with 22 kittiwake, 9 gannet, 4 red-throated diver, an eider, 218 common scoter and a velvet scoter seen. 270323 - Field mouse-ear is beginning to flower on the dunes. 2 corn bunting, little ringed plover, jack snipe, peregrine, rock pipit and 4 meadow pipit in the dunes/foreshore south of Crook Bank. Brambling also around Crook Bank. 7 pied wagtail on the saltmarsh at Brickyard Lane, with most other birds having moved on. 4 avocet on scrapes adjacent to the dunes at the south end, and 2 on Rimac lagoon. 2 raven at Elm House Farm and lapwing displaying around the scrapes. Short-eared owl near Paradise Lagoon and woodcock in the dunes north of Sea View. Common frog and toad spawn throughout the NNR. chiffchaff chasing each other at Sea View. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Marine reptile fossil found by dog 16 years ago goes on show https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-65036119 Fens for the Future: https://www.fensforthefuture.org.uk/ 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... Your garden should be a multilayer food forest, says RHS horticulturist https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/mar/25/garden-multilayer-forest-biodiverse-tom-massey-rhs Seemingly ambitious Defra hedgerow targets actually due to typo https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/24/seemingly-ambitious-defra-hedgerow-targets-actually-due-to-typo 'Exciting' harbour sighting of basking shark in Cornwall https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-65051133 Council slammed for 'outrageous' scheme asking for volunteers to clear city weeds https://uk.news.yahoo.com/council-slammed-outrageous-scheme-asking-163000924.html Council leader quits after ordering midnight felling of 110 trees https://uk.news.yahoo.com/council-leader-quits-110-trees-144956108.html Hertfordshire wood protected: Astonbury gets new owner https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-65038261 Beavers to return to London as part of urban rewilding https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/21/beavers-to-return-to-london-as-part-of-urban-rewilding Country diary: This great white egret lives up to its name https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/20/country-diary-this-great-white-egret-lives-up-to-its-name Badger tunnels halt traffic on Dutch railways https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-65034493 Ending sewage dumping will mean higher water bills - report https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-65028971 UN warns against 'vampiric' global water use https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-65035041 ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/