========================================== || || 1st November 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/months. Past Bulletins archive [in 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Editor writes: Looks like more rough weather is ahead. Be prepared... UK weather: Severe warnings issued ahead of Storm Ciarán https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/features/67274353 This week's mostly-local news stories: Donna Nook reserve welcomes first baby seal of the season https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-67274500 Sir Isaac Newton tree sapling destined for descendant's cider farm https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-67228751 https://isaaccider.com/ George Boole: birthday - 2nd November: https://www.visitlincoln.com/about-lincoln/history-heritage/boole Flood-risk Fiskerton residents face uncertain few weeks https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-67259680 Horncastle residents in uproar after £8m floodgate malfunctioned https://mylocal.co.uk/lincolnshire/feed/126197/horncastle-residents-in-uproar-after-8m-floodgate-malfunctioned Kirton Holme: early morning blaze rips through 9,000 hay bales https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-67254702 Caterpillars struggle to survive climate change, says study https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-67254664 More links in "...and finally ..." at the end of the Bulletin. Thanks to all who sent in news, reports and contributions this week. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk - note - my best address for emails. *** Weather News and Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#? 5-14 Nov 2023 "Unsettled at the start of this period, with showers, outbreaks of rain and generally breezy, although the strongest of the winds associated with this system will likely affect France as opposed to the UK, there does still remain the possibility of disruptive winds accompanying further heavy rain across southern areas. Into next week, it looks to stay predominantly unsettled with areas of low pressure bringing further rain or showers and brisk winds at times. However towards the middle of the month there is the possibility of slightly more settled, drier conditions developing, particularly further to the north. There is also the risk of colder temperatures, particularly overnight, though nothing unusually cold for the time of year is currently signalled." *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** 17-18 November - the peak of the Leonid meteor shower https://www.popastro.com/main_spa1/meteor/leonids/ Full Moons 2023 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/full-moon-calendar November's Night Sky: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/blog/astronomy/night-sky-highlights-november-2023 *** Boston Area Group LWT *** Gill Walsh writes: Note change of speaker. Talk - Wildlife of North Macedonia by Gill Walsh Thursday 9th November at 7.30pm Centenary Methodist Church, Red Lion Street, Boston, PE21 6NY Free admission but there will be a retiring collection. Refreshments will be served in the interval. Non members are welcome. *** Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: Lincolnshire’s Breeding Birds of Prey On Monday 11th November we hold our indoor meeting where Alan Ball will be giving us an illustrated talk on Lincolnshire’s Breeding Birds of Prey. Alan will tell us about installation of nest boxes and monitoring and about Barn Owls being a real success story. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall DN31 1HX and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £4, all are welcome. Raffle and refreshments will be available and Trust Christmas cards will be on sale. Please contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858  for further details. On Saturday 18th November you are invited to join us on a morning bird walk in Cleethorpes with Graham Hicks. Meet Graham at 8.00am in Cleethorpes Leisure Centre Car Park DN35 0BY. We will be walking along Cleethorpes Seafront & Anthony’s Bank. Please wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event however donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further information about the walk, please contact Graham Hicks 07979 089890 Details of both these events are also our website www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk and we are on Facebook *** Scunthorpe and Brigg Local Group - LWT *** Keith Scarrott writes: Our next meeting is on Thursday, 9th November when Matthew Capper will visit to give his illustrated talk "7 Birds of Lincolnshire/Developments at the Trust". Matthew is Head Public Engagement and Communications for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. He is passionate about connecting people with nature, he has led walks, activities, and delivered talks for many different organisations. Having previously served on the board of trustees, Matthew became Head of Public Engagement and Communications for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust in 2019. We meet at 7.30pm in the St Hugh's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AG, which is opposite the Applegreen filling station near to Brumby crossroads. All are welcome to attend our meetings. There is a £2.50 entry charge which also includes light refreshments at the mid-talk break.There is a free car park at the Church with also spaces on the Ashby Road and at the Old Brumby United Church on the opposite side of the road. *** Natural History and Geology Section - Scunthorpe Museum Society *** Keith Scarrott writes: Our next meeting is on Monday, 13th November when we will be visited by Helen Gamble, Project Officer for the Lincolnshire Wolds Countryside Service, to give us her talk on "50 years of the Lincolnshire Wolds AONB". 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the designation of the Lincolnshire Wolds as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. As the Project Officer for the Lincolnshire WoldsCountryside Service, Helen has been proactive in organising 50 events in celebration.Her talk will be an overview of the programme. We meet at 7.15pm in the small hall, Room 1, in the Old Brumby United Church, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AQ, which is immediately next to the Applegreen filling station opposite the St Hugh's Church at Brumby crossroads. There is free car parking at the Church and also opposite in the St Hugh's Church car park. Car parking is also available on the Ashby Road. All are welcome to attend our meetings. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. There will be a mid-talk comfort break when light refreshments will be available for a small charge. RSPB Grimsby Local Group Talk Brian Patterson writes: Monday 20th November 2023 Venue: Holy Trinity Parish Hall, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes. DN35 7LH Time: 7.30 pm This is the 10th time that Michael Leach has given a talk to the group. (very popular) Here is a link to his website and the information on his talk. https://www.michael-leach.co.uk/ The Children’s Eternal Forest. Bosque Eterno de los Ninos is one of the largest wildlife reserves in Central America. This cloud forest is home to howler monkeys, sloths, hummingbirds and species still unknown to science. It was saved by children - from all around the world. They raised funds and contributed pocket money, until they had enough to buy the forest. The children rescued a hugely important habitat and gave it, for ever, to the wildlife it supports. This talk tells the story of the forest and how it was saved by some remarkable children. Visit a Nature Reserve Our next car share planned visit is to The RSPB Old Moor reserve on Sunday 19th Nov. Please contact sally.prescott142@btinternet.com for more details and to book your place. STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. What you need to know about Covid as new variant rises https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-66848549 Bird flu updates: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-avian-influenza-latest-situation-in-england Lyme Disease reminder https://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/zoonoses-data-sheets/lyme-disease.pdf Road works and hold-ups https://roadworks.org/ Met Office Severe Warnings https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service - sign up. http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails EasyTide http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx Environment Agency Flood Warnings - Lincolnshire https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings?location=lincolnshire Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline - sign up. https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. WILDLIFE HIGHLIGHTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Bird Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce their pager reports. A big thank you from us all. Readers interested in a pager - have a look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ For RBA's excellent articles: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp 24/10 Long-tailed Duck, Slavonian Grebe, Lesser Yellowlegs juv near Marsh Farm reservoir, Frampton Marsh Water Pipit, Freiston Shore 25/10 Bittern on edge of reedbed, Glossy Ibis, at East Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James, Short-eared Owl hunting along Deeping High Bank Lesser Yellowlegs juv, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed Duck, Water Pipit, Frampton Marsh Shag flew NE over St Wulfram's Church towards Belton Park, Grantham 15 Russian White-fronted Geese flew in off sea, 2 Ring Ouzels, Hawfinch, Gibraltar Point Short-eared Owl near Neptune's Hut, 25 Twite, Great Northern Diver close inshore off Saltfleet, Pallas' Warbler in dunes south of Sea Lane. Saltfleetby NNN Waxwing, over Quebec Road, Mablethorpw 2 Yellow-browed Warblers, 2 Mealy Redpolls, Donna Nook 2 Shags, both juvs, on Louth canal off Ramsgate Road, Louth Wood Sandpiper, Apex Lakes, North Hykeham 26/10 Lesser Yellowlegs juv, Long-tailed Duck on South Scrape, Frampton Marsh Water Pipit, Freiston Shore Lapland Bunting, Ring Ouzel, Firecrest, Red-necked Grebe flew south past, Velvet Scoter, Gibraltar Point Shag juv on Louth canal off Ramsgate Road, Louth 3 Shags at Apex Lake, North Hykeham Caspian Gull 1w on beach at Marsh Yard, Ring Ouzel, Mealy Redpoll at south end of car park, Huttoft Bank, 3 Bittern, Far Ings Shag juv at Ashley Ville Lake, SE of Scunthorpe 27/10 Glossy Ibis with cattle, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Lesser Yellowlegs juv at Marsh Farm, Long-tailed Duck east end of North Scrape, Firecrest in sycamores by bridge, Frampton Marsh Long-tailed Duck and 2 Velvet Scoter offshore, Grey Phalarope on beach, 3 Ring Ouzels, 4 Black Redstarts at visitor centre, Hawfinch, 2 Common Cranes, Gibraltar Point 2 Snow Buntings, Mealy Redpoll between Rimac + Churchill Lane, in willows along footpath, Saltfleetby NNR Velvet Scoter flew past Huttoft Bank Hen Harrier ringtail, flew south, Short-eared Owl on saltmarsh, Donna Nook Shag at east end of Apex Lake, North Hykeham 28/10 Glossy Ibis on east bank of River Welland, NNW of Crowland Glossy Ibis flew east along River Welland, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Lesser Yellowlegs juv on wet grassland, Long-tailed duck on South Scrape, Slavonian Grebe on Marsh Farm reservoir, Frampton Marsh Mealy Redpoll, Short-eared Owl flew in off sea, Black Redstart, Caspian Gull, Gibraltar Point Great Northern Diver, Toft Newton 3 Waxwings flew north over Wolla Bank 29/10 Glossy Ibis at East Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Long-tailed Duck fem/juv drk, Frampton Marsh Pallid Swift, Waxwing, Rough-legged Buzzard on outer dunes, then flew west, Gibraltar Point Shag flew NE over Carlton Scroop, south of Caythorpe 44+ Short-eared Owls and 2 Hen Harriers, 1 male, at Elm House Farm, Saltfleetby NNR 2 Pallid Swifts. Huttoft Bank Pit 4 Waxwings flew west over sailing pit, Pallid Swift over Pursuit Pit, Far Ings, Barton-upon-Humber Swift spp between Far Ings and Humber Bridge. then lost to view, a later report 2 Pallid Swift flew north over Humber Ruddy Shelduck, 2 Russian White-fronted Geese, Cattle Egret nearby, Shag juv, Alkborough Flats 30/10 Osprey, Baston Fen Glossy Ibis with cattle, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Long-tailed Duck, fem/juv drk, Frampton Marsh 3 Waxwings, Rough-legged Buzzard juv, Woodlark flew south, Caspian Gull, Gibraltar Point Firecrest on gorse by cafe, Osprey flew north over, Huttoft Bank Great Northern Diver on sea drifting north at north end , Cattle Egret flew south, Mablethorpe Hoopoe, Bardney Dairies Great Northern Diver, Toft Newton reservoir 31/10 Long-tailed Duck fem/juv drkm, Frampton Marsh Hoopoe, Bardney Dairies 2 Velvet Scoters, Sutton-on-Sea 1/11 Swift spp flew south past, 8 Waxwings flew south over Anderby Creek Little Auk flew north past Huttoft Car Terrace Hoopoe still in garden, Bardney Dairies ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. *** Hedgehog Advice *** https://hedgehogcare.org.uk/ https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ *** Bat rescue instructions *** Annette Faulkner writes: 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 me on 01775 766286. 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 Record Pool - an easy way to record your amphibian and reptile species records. https://www.recordpool.org.uk/index.php VC54 North Lincolnshire Plant List - LNU Paul Kirby's 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/ ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Hedgehogs? Badgers? Otters? Reports welcome. MANBY Renata Jackson Dead Badger 30/10/2023 Side of road B1200 (Manby Middlegate) just before North Lincs Engineering. Approx What2Words location: ///overtime.cheek.currently. Badger was still present this morning. [31/10/2023] *** 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 22/10/2023 Raven calling from local perch on tree to the south 3pm. 31/10 Regular flock of starlings, 40-50, visiting feeders. Single black-headed gull. Robin, flock of 8-10 house sparrows. BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Phil and Mary Porter Beginning 18th October 2023 A pristine peacock butterfly on perennial wallflowers X2 Red admirals Several common darter dragonflies X12+ honey bees on white Michaelmas daisies X2 unidentified green shield bugs Fieldfares and redwings continue to fly overhead A lovely mixed flock of tits went through the garden on 23rd, including 10+ long-tailed tits. Mostly following tree tops, aiming for the birch trees and also feeding on the feeders. The flock of house sparrows seem more numerous, certainly more tame. Siskins could be heard but not seen. Pied wagtail flying up to the roof. Blackbirds feeding on cotoneaster berries Male sparrow hawk making frequent passes through the bird feeders. Numerous goldfinches (one sadly poorly and later found dead), and a few greenfinches and chaffinches. X1 Great spotted woodpecker and a green woodpecker often heard. The wood pigeons are getting ridiculously tame, there is one in particular that you can walk right up to. DRIVE ALONG WOODHALL SPA TO BARDNEY during flooding Grid ref approx. TF141662 Phil and Mary Porter 20th October 2023 Quite a hair-raising drive at around 10am with floodwater advancing towards us from both sides of the road (which was later flooded). Between Bucknall and Stixwould, there were literally hundreds of starlings on the fields feeding in a very animated manner. Invertebrates must have been rapidly moving to the surface as the soil became waterlogged. BOSTON Boston Garden 24/10/23 Kathleen Pearson Much of the bird interest in our garden has started to disappear with major roadworks immediately adjacent to us which have included the disappearance of a small copse and many of the trees in the old hospital grounds across the new road, but we had a first for the garden today with the appearance on the lawn of a Moorhen. There is no water nearby so can only assume it is the result of the exceptional rain at the weekend and a very wet lawn. BOSTON My garden TF 338 441 Tracey Lenton 21st-31st October 2023 A blackbird (male) comes to feed on cotoneaster berries in addition to bird food put out, Collared doves 3, one Dunnock. An unusual sighting of a Goldfinch one day. For several weeks a Robin comes and sits in the blossom tree most days, calls a lot, I hear him more than see him, maybe likes the cover from ivy which has grown up the tree. Hedgehog still visiting the garden around 10-11pm. The occasional Red Admiral HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Haynes 18 October 2023 I opened the back door tonight to find a toad on the doorstep. When I bent down to look, it tried to come in! I think it may have been trying to get out of the wind which was blowing hard on the back of the house. SANDILANDS Ian Whitaker 23/10/2023 Hummingbird Hawkmoth hovering on Salvia Hotlips in garden SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 12/10/23 Blackbird x 1 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker x 1 Jackdaw x 4 Magpie x 2 Pink-footed Goose x 190 west over Robin x 1 Starling x 15 Wood Pigeon x 4 SOUTHREY WALK ALONG WITHAM RIVERBANKS DURING FLOOD SOUTHREY Grid ref TF141662 Phil and Mary Porter 22nd October 2023 The flooding was extensive with many acres of farmland covered, obliterating footpaths, bridges etc. The river was right up to the water Rail Way footpath in places. The fields north side of the footpath resembles a huge lake and had many gulls on the water, mostly common gulls, and a few black-headed flying around. Approx x5 mute swans. A Cetti’s warbler was calling near the pumping station (which was going full pelt). Skylarks were calling as they flitted by and siskins were amongst the tall hawthorns. Approx x5 long tailed tits. Small flocks of fieldfares overhead. X1 sparrow hawk. X1 red admiral butterfly on one of the remaining buddleia flowers. Several common darter dragonflies. A woolly bear caterpillar hurried across the path into the grass. Probably a ruby tiger moth. Common storksbill flowers were still out, along with autumnal hawkbit, which were attracting a few insects. SOUTHREY towards STISWOULD R + A Parsons 2 Fieldfares checking bankside shrubs. SPALDING Allotment TF228218 23/10/23 A beautiful morning and two peacock butterflies out, one at each end. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 11/10/23 Barn Owl x 1 20:30hrs SK778985 Blackbird x 12 Black-headed Gull x 17 Carrion Crow x 2 Jackdaw x 19 Little Owl x 1 03:00hrs Moorhen x 1 Owston Ferry Warping Drain  Pied Wagtail x 1 Robin x 2 Starling x 29 Skylark x 1 singing high Tree Sparrow x 28 Wood Pigeon x 12 Grey Squirrel x 1 House Mouse x 1 Common Frog x 1 12/10/23 Weasel x 1 14/10/23 Tawny Owl x 2 calling 01:15hrs 15/10/23 Red Admiral x 1 16/10/23 Blackbird x 4 Black-headed Gull x 2 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Pied Wagtail x 1 Pink-footed Goose x 175 east over Thurnholmes Robin x 3 Tawny Owl x 1 07:45 Tree Sparrow x 15 Wood Pigeon x 6 17/10/23 Red-green Carpet moth x 1 22/10/23 Barn Owl x 1 01:15hrs Blackbird x 2 Black-headed Gull x 57 in flooded arable field at side of Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 6 Chaffinch x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Cormorant x 2 over Thurnholmes Dunnock x 1 Greylag Goose x 28 over Thurnholmes Heron x 1 over Thurnholmes Jackdaw x 6 Kestrel x 1 Little Owl x 1 calling 07:45hrs Mallard x 12 over Thurnholmes Magpie x 2 Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 2 Starling x 38 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:50hrs Tree Sparrow x 15 Wood Pigeon x 6 Common Darter x 1 23/10/23 Sparrowhawk x 1 male ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs and NATURE RESERVES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's pages [2021] 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Visitor Leaflet - Natural England: http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 25th – 31st October 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 Note October 2023 will be the wettest since weather records began on the NNR in 1993 with a monthly total of 118.6mm so far recorded at Sea View. Of interest the wettest months since 1993 have been June 141.5mm and July 124.0mm both in 2007 and November 131.8mm in 2019.  Pond levels risen by c40 cm since early September with 217 cm rainfall in the period to end of October. 251023 - Willow warbler with 2 goldcrests in mixed tit flock at Sea View. Small groups of redwing arriving in the morning fog and continuing west. 2 chiffchaff at Brickyard Lane. Jack snipe, stonechat and 6 reed bunting on the saltmarsh out from Brickyard Lane and 50 linnet on the foreshore at Churchill Lane. Great northern diver on the sea out from Saltfleet Haven, where a shag was on the beach and a purple sandpiper flew North. Drake velvet scoter with 410 common scoter at Mablethorpe North End. Around Crook Bank were 30 blackbird, 14 goldcrest, woodcock, brambling and 60 fieldfare in-off the sea. 261023 – A juvenile shag found resting near the car park at Sea View, where a greenshank flew south-west. 2 short-eared owl, marsh harrier, 2 stonechat at Elm House Farm. 4 cattle egret on roadside scrapes near Sea View. 271023 - Hen harrier and short-eared owl hunting over outer dunes on edge of saltmarsh, 49 little egrets nearby, 6 common snipe flew from the saltmarsh and 2 stonechats at Rimac. At least 2000 starlings over the saltmarsh. Purple sandpiper and 2 snow bunting on outer dune shingle out from Rimac. 3 pintail and 2 greenshank flew south-west of Rimac dunes. 2000+ starling on the saltmarsh between Rimac and Sea View. Firecrest in sycamores next to Rimac bridge with 10+ goldcrest. Common redpoll, lesser redpoll, yellowhammer, 50 blackbird, 60 redwing, 10 song thrush, 20 fieldfare, 10 robin and 2 chiffchaff along willows south of Rimac. A short-eared owl flew over the dunes towards the saltmarsh at Sea View. Minimum estimates of 30 blackbird, 80 redwing, 10 song thrush, 40 fieldfare, 10 greenfinch, 30 chaffinch, 15 robin and 20 goldcrest around Sea View. At least 100 each of redwing and blackbird between Brickyard Lane and Churchill Lane and 160 fieldfare flew west in two groups. 2 cattle egret in wet field across the river from Rimac. On the outer dunes/foreshore north of the old tank were 4 stonechat, 6 goldcrest, 70 skylark, 60 linnet and 15 rock pipit, a short-eared owl flew south over the outer beach. Shag on the sea at Haven mouth. A woodcock flew in-off the sea and another flew up from the foreshore edge. 200 thrushes also flew in-off the sea, approximately 160 fieldfare and 40 redwing. 3 cattle egret, 4 short-eared owl, sparrowhawk, marsh harrier and 3 kestrel at Elm House Farm. 281023 - Peregrine over the Haven, single chiffchaff and blackcap with long- tailed tits at Sea View. 3 cattle egret with stock in the field south of Rimac car park. Merlin, 2 hen harrier, 3 marsh harrier and a ring ouzel at Sea View early afternoon. Between MOD and Brickyard Lane: 140 blackbird, 110 redwing, 800 starling, 9 song thrush, 5 fieldfare, 7 siskin, 2 redpoll and 3 stonechat. Redpoll and twite around Rimac. 291023 – Raven, cattle egret, 60 little egret, 750 starling, stonechat, 2 buzzard, 2 merlin, sparrowhawk, 2 hen harrier, 4 marsh harrier at Sea View. Going south-west over Sea View were a house martin, swallow, 43 redwing, 10 blackbird, 55 fieldfare, 12 meadow pipit, 19 chaffinch, 5 brambling, 8 reed bunting and 11 lesser redpoll. 2 swallows flew south at Brickyard Lane. Sunny afternoon 13.5 degrees c at Churchill Lane: peacock and red admiral, bumblebees, various flies and hoverflies, common and ruddy darters. 301023 - About 30 siskin around Sea View. Great northern diver on the sea at Mablethorpe North End and cattle egret flew south over the dunes. Cattle egret on scrapes near Sea View, and 2 flew over towards Sea View Washlands. 3 stonechat, short-eared owl, 3 blackcap, Mediterranean gull, 4 woodcock, 8 yellowhammer and Cetti’s warbler between Crook Bank and Mablethorpe North End. 4 short-eared owl, 2 raven, 5 stonechat at Elm House Farm. 311023 – 3 snow bunting on the foreshore at Brickyard Lane. Single cattle egret with stock south of Rimac car park. A merlin flew south over the dunes at Rimac, where a chiffchaff, 3 Cetti’s warbler and a stonechat were in dune scrub. Another Cetti’s warbler in reeds near Sea View. 120 redwing, 40 blackbird, 10 song thrush and 20 fieldfare Rimac south. 3 bullfinch and 2 chiffchaff at Brickyard Lane, and 32 siskin flew south. Other local reserves 291023 – Donna Nook: Woodcock at Stonebridge car park. Brent geese feeding on the saltmarsh with lapwing and shelduck. Skylarks in song overhead. Several skeins of pink-footed geese over, redwing and fieldfare coming in-off the sea and a small flock of twite moving between the saltmarsh and local fields. Goldcrests moving through the sea buckthorn feeding. The first grey seal pups have been born, the next count will be done Friday 3rd November. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ These cover a huge area. 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: Next date: November 7th https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/chambers-farm-wood-butterfly-garden Lincolnshire Dormouse Group Gemma Watkinson writes: You can get in touch via lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood; Little and Great Scrubbs Woods; Minting Wood; Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park; and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting). College Wood; Cocklode & Great West Woods; Hardy Gang Wood; Newball Wood; Rand Wood; Scotgrove Wood; Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland. Many are also designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Links to "Other Reserves" are welcome. Your suggestions, please. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust: https://twitter.com/LincsWildlife Lincs Bird Club: https://twitter.com/Lincsbirding LBC County Bird Recorder: 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/ Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Trust: https://lincolnshirechalkstreamstrust.org.uk/ 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 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 and other Freshwater Invertebrates Alex Pickwell is the LNU Recorder for Non-marine Molluscs Email: mrapickwell@gmail.com When asking for help: Please give 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. Lincolnshire Badger Group https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093647842292 or get in contact via our email lincolnshirebadgergroup@hotmail.com Lincs Environmental Records Centre: http://www.glnp.org.uk/ Natural England: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ NHBS Natural history equipment or books. https://www.nhbs.com/ The Flora of Lincolnshire by Joan Gibbons: downloadable LNU book Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire: https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/mammalatlas.pdf For the Geologists... Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Independent - Geology: https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/geology 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 unwise or untimely 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 *** https://lnu.org/meetings/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mail Fails: This week: Max Winslow - soft bounce - Recipient Undeliverable ...and finally... Sycamore Gap tree: Two more people arrested in connection with vandalism of iconic Northumberland tree https://uk.yahoo.com/news/sycamore-gap-tree-two-more-060500937.html Norfolk villagers and National Trust at loggerheads over ‘fairy bridge’ that appeared in the night https://uk.yahoo.com/style/norfolk-villagers-national-trust-loggerheads-142525678.html Reintroducing wildlife species 'not a priority' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67230751 Archers Green nature reserve purchased by wildlife trust https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-67238510 The man rescuing Britain's 'magical' glow worms https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67240450 Tracking kit installed on Calf of Man to monitor bird migration https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-isle-of-man-67205729 ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/