============================================ || || 15th 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Roger writes: We have two impressive reports from Sedge Hole Close and Thurnholmes and Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe NNR this week. Many thanks for those. LNU members should have received their mailing of "Transactions" this week. We hope you find it interesting. Thanks to editor Phil Porter and all involved in getting it published and sent out. This week's mostly-local news stories: Bourne suspect tries to avoid arrest by hiding under water https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-lincolnshire-67371114 Bird flu: Outbreak at Donnington commercial poultry side confirmed https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-67373692 Plan for hundreds of new homes in Grantham gets go-ahead https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-67368433 Lincoln exhibition highlights work of renowned city architect https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-67380334 Meet the purse-web spider - Britain's very own tarantula https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/insects-invertebrates/purse-web-spider-britains-tarantula 500yr old flower collection shows impact of climate change https://www.zmescience.com/science/this-naturalist-collected-flowers-500-years-ago-now-researchers-used-the-collection-to-show-impact-of-climate-change/ 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#? Generally breezy. On Wednesday, cloudy with bright periods, a few isolated showers in the north and east, and strong winds across the region on Wednesday, maximum temperature 11o. Dry at first on Thursday, later wet and windy weather moving eastward. Drier, brighter and less windy on Friday. Further wet and windy weather likely to move eastwards Saturday. Becoming milder. On Sunday, a cloudy day with spells of rain for the north and west, which could be locally heavy, accompanied by gusty winds. Elsewhere, some showers are possible, these most frequent in the west, but many areas should see some drier and brighter conditions, especially the south and east. Into the following week, unsettled weather is expected to continue across northern areas, with further spells of rain and strong winds at times. Across the south of the UK, conditions will probably become somewhat drier and more settled, although some spells of rain may still spread across at times. In the settled conditions, risk of frost and fog by night are possible. Widely mild at first but through next week temperatures return closer to normal, perhaps a little below at times. *** 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: Highlights https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/blog/astronomy/night-sky-highlights-november-2023 *** Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** Carolyn Lovely writes: 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 *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson Lincoln Area Group Talk November 16th: The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, a Celebration and Retrospective An evening when we will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Rachel Shaw, its Communication Officer and Lapwings Editor, will present an illustrated talk looking back at the many events and personalities that have shaped it over all those years. At Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission is £2.50 which includes refreshments in the interval. ***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. 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 8/7 Long-tailed Duck on South scrape, Spoonbill, Frampton Marsh Lapland Bunting at New Saltmarsh, Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point 8 Waxwings flew south over, ringtail Hen Harrier, Donna Nook 4 Waxwings flew in off sea, Mablethorpe Waxwing flew south over North Hykeham Slavonian Grebe, Covenham reservoir 2 Waxwings at Cottage Beck Road, Scunthorpe - then flew off Shag at Ashby Ville Lake, Scunthorpe 9/7 Long-tailed Duck on South Scrape, Frampton Marsh American Wigeon, Hen Harrier, Freiston Shore Hen Harrier ringtail over West Dunes, Twite, Gibraltar Point 10 Waxwings flew south over, 2 Hen Harriers, both ringtails, Donna Nook Great Northern Diver, Toft Newton reservoir 5 Waxwings in Tesco car park, then flew west, Barton-upon-Humber 10/11 Short-eared Owl north of River Glen, Baston Fen Long-tailed Duck on South Scrape, Frampton Marsh Water Pipit, Hen Harrier, Freiston Shore 9 Snow Buntings on beach south of Crook Bank car park Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe NNR Shag, Covenham reservoir Short-eared Owl, Trent Port Hen Harrier, Donna Nook Long-tailed Duck on winter's Pond, East Halton Marshes 11/11 Water Pipit, Long-tailed Duck fem, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Scaup, Boultham Mere Slavonian Grebe, Shag on jetty at sailing club, Covenham reservoir 2 Great Northern Divers, Toft Newton Reservoir Osprey, Yaddlethorpe Fishing Ponds, Scunthorpe Long-tailed Duck fem, on Winter's Pond, East Halton Marshes 3 Water Pipits at brackish pools north of haven, East Halton Skitter 12/11 Probable Little Bunting flew over West Dunes, Snow Bunting flew south, Firecrest near Aylmer, Gibraltar Point Slavonian Grebe, Shag at sailing club jetty, Covenham reservoir Osprey, Yaddlethorpe Fishing Ponds, Scunthorpe 13/11 Lesser Yellowlegs juv on Middle Scrape, fem Long-tailed Duck, Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh Firecrest, with tit flock, Freiston Shore Hen Harrier, Gibraltar Point 2 Great Northern Divers, Toft Newton reservoir Slavonian Grebe, juv Shag, Covenham reservoir 14/11 Little Stint, Long-tailed Duck fem and Lesser Yellowlegs juv on South Scrape, Frampton Marsh Black-throated Diver flew south past, 2 Great northern Divers offshore, Gibraltar Point Scaup, Slavonian Grebe, Covenham reservoir 15/11 Lesser Yellowlegs juv, Water Pipit, Frampton Marsh Slavonian Grebe, juv Shag, Covenham 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. *** 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. *** 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 11/11/2023 Wren searching garden - am Pied Wagtail m regular at bird feeder. Black-headed Gulls back on patrol over garden. 12+. Flocks of 30+ starlings still using feeders. Regular 18-10 Jackdaws Raven heard. BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Phil and Mary Porter 8th November 3 Red Admiral and 1 Peacock on Buddleia 14th November 2-3 Red Admiral butterflies are still frequenting the garden but flowers are increasingly hard to find. As usual, our variegated holly trees are virtually unaffected by the Holly Leaf-miner fly larvae, whereas the green leafed bushes and hedges are always heavily affected. Small vocal parties of Pink-footed Geese have been overhead several times during the day with no particular direction of flight. BARDNEY VILLAGE TF123693 Phil and Mary Porter 13th November Leaf-fall has finally started in earnest from the large trees bordering the village playing field. There is a notable Silver Birch with 3 mature trunks in trident form, that has always been affected by witches’ broom growths. Some on the lower branches are beachball-sized and must provide a good hibernating site for invertebrates. The densely-packed miniaturised twigs have small distorted leaves. In a quick count, I estimated 30 or so clumps of these growths over the tree. The witches’ brooms are caused by the fungus Taphrina betulina according to my reference, with the proviso that ‘some witches’ brooms on birches may be caused by a phytoplasma’ i.e. one of a group of specialised bacteria which are spread by insects. HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Haynes 10 November 2023 The field opposite my house was recently harvested of maize and has been colonised by a huge number of pink foot geese who spend low tide on the Humber Bank. I have just watched them take off and it’s like a Mexican wave! Many thousands were milling around in the air until they all headed for the Humber. As good as a murmuration! We’ve also seen a white female pheasant in the field but only once. SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 25/11/23 Blackbird x 4 Black-headed Gull x 1 Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 4 Chaffinch x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldcrest x 3 Great-spotted Woodpecker x 1 Jackdaw x 4 Lesser Redpoll x 52 Robin x 3 Stock Dove x 2 Tree sparrow x 15 Wood Pigeon x 1 Wren x 1 01/11/23 Blackbird x 5 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion crow x 3 Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 12 Golden Plover x 350+ circling high over Goldfinch x 4 Jackdaw x 2 Lesser Redpoll x 39 Pied Wagtail x 1 Redwing x 3 Robin x 1 Wood Pigeon x 3 Rabbit x 2 09/11/23 Blackbird x 1 Black-headed Gull x 3 over Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Fieldfare x 15 Great-spotted Woodpecker x 1 Jackdaw x 6 Redwing x 12 Robin x 2 Stock Dove x 2 Wood Pigeon x 12 Wren x 1 Grey Squirrel x 2 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 24/10/23 Trail Cam; Grey Squirrel x 1 Wood Mouse x 1 30/10/23 Barn Owl x 1 01:15hrs Blackbird x 7 Black-headed Gull x 39 on fields around Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Cormorant x 1 over Thurnholmes Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 15 Goldfinch x 6 Golden Plover x 12 over Thurnholmes Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Lapwing x 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull x 11 in fields around Thurnholmes Lesser Redpoll x 28 Linnet x 6 Little Owl x 1 calling 22:30hrs Magpie x 2 Pied Wagtail x 2 Redwing x 7 Robin x 1 Tawny Owl x 1 22:30hrs Tree Sparrow x 17 Wood Pigeon x 4 Pygmy Shrew x 1 06/11/23 Blackbird x 14 Black-headed Gull x 57 fields around Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Common Gull x 6 over Thurnholmes Dunnock x 1 Fieldfare x 57 Goldcrest x 2 Greylag Goose x 17 over Thurnholmes  Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Lesser Redpoll x 21 Linnet x 8 Long-tailed Tit x 23 Magpie x 2 Pink-footed Goose x 170 flying East, high over Thurnholmes Redwing x 38 Robin x 3 Skylark x 1 flying high, singing Tawny Owl x 2 calling 01:15hrs Tree Sparrow x 23 Wood Pigeon x 28 House Mouse x 3 10/11/23 Blackbird x 9 Black-headed Gull x 29 over Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Common Gull x 3 over Thurnholmes Fieldfare x 41 Golden Plover x 450+ high over Thurnholmes Goldfinch x 6 Grey Partridge x 9 Jackdaw x 4 Lesser Redpoll x 39 Pied Wagtail x 2 Redwing x 19 Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 2 Tree Sparrow x 16 Wood Pigeon x 18 12/11/23 Barn Owl x 1 23:15hrs Tawny Owl x 2 calling, 23:30hrs 14/11/23 Blackbird x 12 Black-headed Gull x 32 over Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Common Gull x 2 over Thurnholmes Cormorant x 1 over Thurnholmes Fieldfare x 61 Golden Plover x 400+ high over Thurnholmes Greylag Goose x 16 over Thurnholmes Jackdaw x 4 Kestrel x 1 Lesser Redpoll x 34 Linnet x 15 Pink-footed Goose x 175 high over Thurnholmes Redwing x 27 Robin x 3 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:30hrs Tree Sparrow x 15 Wood Pigeon x 29 15/11/23 Common Crane x 2 flying low up River Trent at West Stockwith SK786945 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 1st – 14th November 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 011123 - Sea View washlands: 142 Canada geese and 3 greylags. Another good arrival of winter thrushes. Woodcock MOD outer dunes and a cattle egret with cows south of Rimac car park. At dusk, 600+ blackbird flew out of the dunes at Brickyard Lane, gained height and moved off inland. 021123 - Paradise lagoon: 81 teal, 11 shoveler, 4 coot, 2 moorhen and single mallard and wigeon. Cattle egret on Sea View washlands. 031123 - Off plough land next to Elm House Farm: 70 lapwing and 20 curlew plus 16 whooper swans flying over, south. Sea View washlands, evening: 42 whooper swans. 129 whooper swan flew south throughout the day. Peregrine chased a woodcock over the saltmarsh at Sea View. At Sea View: 3 raven flew north. 041123 - Paradise lagoon: 28 shoveler and 3 gadwall amongst teal and mallard. 142 wigeon on Sea View washlands. 051123 - Paradise lagoon: 8 gadwall and at least 170 wigeon on Sea View washlands. Great spotted woodpecker at Sea View. Single red admiral around Sea View. 1 short-eared owl over saltmarsh late afternoon and 22 whoopers swan over, south. 70 whooper swan flew south/south-west. A display of aurora borealis over the reserve in the evening, with some activity visible with the naked eye. 061123 - Drake pintail with wigeon Sea View washlands. At least 2000 pink-footed geese flying south in several skeins during morning. Woodcock disturbed from dunes. 3 marsh harriers and 3 common buzzards over saltmarsh, 4 common snipe off saltmarsh, 3 stone chat and 6 reed buntings in scrub on outer dunes and an immature long-tailed duck with 5 goosander on the Haven, briefly, before flying off. Single red admiral on the wing. 2100 pink-footed geese flew south in the morning and groups continued throughout the day. 2 stonechat Rimac car park. Barn owl and 3 sparrowhawk in the dunes at Rimac, where a blackcap, chiffchaff and 4 goldcrest were with a mixed fit flock. Cattle egret with cows in Rimac dunes. Pipits and finches flying south over the dunes in the morning, including a group of 35 Siskin. 2 swallow flew south over Sea View dunes. Red admiral and peacock butterflies at Brickyard Lane. 071123 - Flooded areas on Sea View Washlands attracting increasing numbers of wigeon and teal with fewer shoveler and mallard plus occasional little egrets and sometimes the long staying cattle egrets from nearby pastures. Red admiral on the wing at Sea View. Fresh flowers of common stork’s-bill, dove’s-foot crane’s-bill and white dead-nettle have also been seen. 3 cattle egret with livestock on Sea View Washlands. 7 whooper swan flew south over Sea View. Red admiral and peacock butterflies, plus common and ruddy darter dragonflies at Churchill Lane.Note: Very strong ESE winds veering to WSW all day where a gust of 47.4mph noted on Quarry Hill in the afternoon.081123 - Short-eared owl hunting alongside hedgerow Sea View washlands. Adult little gull flew south over the sea and 4 waxwing flew in-off the sea and continued west mid-afternoon, along with 239 starling in 2 hours. Sparrowhawk and Merlin at Mablethorpe North End. 091123 - Short-eared owl over dunes N of Sea View, 2 common buzzards overhead. 12 whooper swan flew south over Rimac in the morning. 4 cattle egret with stock on Sea View Washlands. 8 snow bunting on the beach north of Crook Bank. Short-eared owl in the dunes at Rimac late afternoon. 10 waxwing flew south over Elm House Farm. 101123 - 4 cattle egret on Sea View Washlands. Water rail and grey wagtail on the Eau north of Sea View. 2 bullfinch and a brambling at Sea View, where several groups of Siskin flew south. 3 redpoll flew south at Brickyard Lane, where 5 bullfinch, 8 goldcrest, sparrowhawk and 2 great spotted woodpecker were in the dunes. 9 snow bunting on the beach north of Crook Bank. 4 short-eared owl at Elm House Farm. Common and ruddy darter dragonflies in sheltered areas of the dunes, red admiral at Sea View. 111123 - Brambling at Sea View, 2 stonechat and kingfisher near Paradise lagoon and 15 curlew in adjacent pasture. Jack snipe, rock pipit, 20 yellowhammer, 50 skylark, 80 linnet and smaller numbers of meadow pipit and Reed bunting on the outer dunes at Crook Bank. Barnacle goose on scrapes south of Crook Bank. 10 whooper swan flew south over Brickyard Lane early morning. 121123 - At Sea View: 3 song thrushes and a single fieldfare in apple tree, great spotted woodpecker nearby. Paradise lagoon 4 gadwall and 1 little grebe, Sea View washlands 2 cattle egrets, 2 stonechats and at least 120 wigeon. Ringtail hen harrier over saltmarsh. Male crossbill, 2 redpoll, 40 Siskin and a small number of other finches flew south over Brickyard Lane. 2 Cetti's warbler, 4 bullfinch and a woodcock in the dunes at Brickyard Lane. 131123 - 4 tufted duck with shoveler and mallard on Paradise lagoon, 5 marsh harriers over saltmarsh. Birds coming in-off the sea in strong westerly winds, including 37 starling, 18 blackbird, 3 fieldfare, 6 lapwing, peregrine, 4 skylark and a rock pipit in 2 hours. 141123 - 2 yellowhammers with 5 reed buntings near Sea View. 190 dunlin, 12 grey plover and 2 redshank on the foreshore at Sear's track. 1000 pink- footed goose went to roost in the evening. Cattle egret flew north-west over Rimac, where a sparrowhawk, buzzard, 5 snipe and a Cetti's warbler were present. Other Local Reserves 011123 – Donna Nook: 632 blackbird, 232 redwing, 68 fieldfare, woodcock, 2 Merlin, 3 marsh harrier and gannet. 031123 – Donna Nook Seal Count: 31 pups, 112 cows, 46 bulls. 081123 - 8 waxwing flew south. 091123 - 10 waxwing flew south. 2 ringtail hen harrier, 2 marsh harrier, Merlin, 2 peregrine, 2 buzzard, red kite, sparrowhawk, short-eared owl, great white egret, Cetti's warbler, 8 grey plover, 500 golden plover, 160 redshank. 28 common scoter offshore. 101123 - Donna Nook Seal Count: 237 pups, 401 cows, 116 bulls. 3 Merlin, peregrine, 2 sparrowhawk, 3 buzzard, turnstone, 2 sanderling, knot, grey plover, red-throated diver. 111123 - 16 whooper swan and 600 pink-footed goose flew south. 3 marsh harrier, 2 Merlin, sparrowhawk, buzzard, 300 Brent goose, 400 golden plover, fieldfare, 2 Cetti's warbler. You can help the team at Donna Nook by timing your visits for midweek rather than at the weekend. See Visitor guidelines: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/faq Weekly seal update from Donna Nook https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/weekly-update ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: probably February 2024 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 iRecord. 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 https://lnu.org/publications/books/the-geology-of-lincolnshire/ Iceland volcano: Emergency declared over volcano Fagradalsfjall eruption concerns https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-67387827 Japan volcano: Plumes of smoke as new island emerges after eruption https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-asia-67374295 Lightning fires threaten planet-cooling forests https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67360140 Stalacpipe organ https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/culture/art/great-stalacpipe-organ-luray-caverns/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Mail Fails: This week: Max Winslow - soft bounce - Recipient Undeliverable ...and finally... Adela Cragg Freelance PR Consultant writes.. A landmark report published today [10th November 2023] by wildlife charity People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) reveals that Britain’s native hazel dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius) population has declined by a staggering 70% since 2000 and have been lost from 20 English counties since the Victorian times. The State of Britain’s Dormice 2023 report is the most up to date and comprehensive overview of how Britain’s dormice are faring. Habitat loss, degradation and poor management of Britain’s woodlands and hedgerows, compounded by a changing climate, are cited as the main reasons for the decline. It’s thought that native dormouse populations have become locally extinct from 20 English counties since Victorian times; dormice have been lost from Staffordshire, Northumberland and Hertfordshire since the last State of Britain’s Dormice report was published in 2019. ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/