============================================ || || 27th September 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: The BBC posted this informative piece on Covid: Worth reading. What you need to know about Covid as new variant rises https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-66848549 Joseph Banks Centre - Horncastle Horncastle History Society and Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Exhibition: It Happened on a Summer's day 21-Sep-23 - 18-Nov-23 This exhibition features the work of leading botanist Rev Adrian Woodruffe-Peacock, who took a leading role in the foundation of the Lincolnshire Naturalists’ Union in 1893. The exhibition also tells the stories of pioneering amateur naturalists who were founder members of the Union, which celebrates its 130th anniversary this year https://horncastlejbc.info/events/woodruffe-peacock/ Roger adds: An interesting and informative exhibition. I visited on the first day. For years we discussed the future of the herbarium in the LNU Exec, moving it from pillar to post for safety. LNU colleagues put an enormous effort into finding a haven that could conserve and digitise the collection. We developed the idea of expanding the "historic herbarium" into action to promote interest in Lincolnshire's Botany! I remember the exploratory conversations in SJBS garden and later at Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. The Love Lincs Plants project was the eventual outcome. A good story. Some great photographs! The founding members of the LNU certainly knew how to botanise in the smartest of outfits! This week's mostly-local news stories: Stickney fire: A16 closed due to smoke from village blaze https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-66945445 Rare footage captured of dolphin leaping from the water off Lincolnshire coast https://www.lincolnshireworld.com/lifestyle/outdoors/rare-footage-captured-of-dolphin-leaping-from-the-water-off-lincolnshire-coast-4285559 Hull trawlermen memorial ready after 20-year campaign https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-66890429 UK migratory birds 'in freefall' over climate change https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-66858850 Lincoln public inquiry seeks to settle bitter row over footpath https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-66871997 RAF Scampton protester pitches tent outside base https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-66938236 Cannabis farm discovered as crews tackle Boston fire https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-66927701 Skegness: Woman's shock at finding elderly stranger in home https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-66918370 Do you know Pressreader https://www.pressreader.com/ You can sign in with your library card to access to a wide range of magazines and newspapers for free More links in "...and finally ..." at the end of the Bulletin. Hare Coursing is a crime we may notice in Lincolnshire in the Autumn. This is the link for online reporting of any wildlife crime: https://www.lincs.police.uk/ro/report/rwc/wildlife/report-wildlife-crime/ If you have not yet tried using iRecord perhaps you should give it a try? If your enthusiasm is leading you towards getting to know a particular group of species there are lots of publications available on-line or hard copy. It all could be a fascination that lasts a lifetime. iRecord https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ iRecord is recommended by the LNU as an appropriate platform for on-line recording. NHBS for reference books: https://www.nhbs.com/ Thanks to all who sent in news, reports and contributions this week. Your contributions will be most welcome and they can still come via the old museum address. old.museum@yahoo.co/uk And thanks to Phil Porter for this week's editorial work. 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#? 2 - 11 Oct 2023 "Monday will bring patchy rain and a cloudy day to the south, elsewhere generally a day of sunny spells, with a risk of showers and stronger winds in the north. As the period progresses, it is likely to be more unsettled with some rain and stronger winds to the north, although with drier conditions further south. This broadly changeable setup is likely to continue, with possibly some lengthier drier interludes between systems, particularly in the southeast, and close to average temperatures but the potential for some chilly nights. Towards the end of this period there is a possibility of a more widely settled spell developing, at least for a time, with temperatures likely to be above average overall, though still with some cool nights and morning fog patches." *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Osiris-Rex: Nasa confirms return of asteroid Bennu samples https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-66893661 Full Moons 2023 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/full-moon-calendar September's Night Sky: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/blog/astronomy/night-sky-highlights-september-2023 *** Seal and Birdwatching Cruises into The Wash *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: "The cruises for 2023 are going well and we have had some bookings from people who have read the Bulletin! So all good! The South Lincs RSPB Group programme of : Seal and Birdwatching Cruises into The Wash. For 2023 twelve cruises have been scheduled to take place, aboard The Boston Belle, at various sailing times, ending on 23rd October. All cruises start and end at Boston Marina, 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 Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT:- Carolyn Lovely writes: On Monday 9th October 23 at our indoor meeting, we will be welcoming Kevin James who will be talking about Adders. He will be covering the biology, ecology and habitat requirements that Adders need and will be looking at why they may become extinct in the next 10 years. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall DN31 1HU and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £4, all are welcome. Raffle and refreshments available. For further information please contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858 or visit our website www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk. We are also on Facebook. South Lincs RSPB Local Group Jeremy Eyeons writes: “The Birds In Your Garden" A slideshow/talk by Chris Andrews of The South Lincs RSPB Group and Visitor Experience Manger at RSPB Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore. 19th October 2023 , 7pm for 7-30pm, till about 9pm. At The Old Kings Head, Kirton PE20 1EG. More details at https://group.rspb.org.uk/southlincolnshire/ The Scunthorpe and Brigg Local Group of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Keith Scarrott writes Our next meeting takes place on Thursday, 12th October and will consist of an Illustrated Talk entitled "IMAGES OLD AND NEW" to be given by our well-known local photographer and wildlife enthusiast GEOFF TRINDER. Geoff is well-known in the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust having been both Chairman and President over his membership of over 4 decades. He has given us many excellent talks about all kinds of wildlife from his world travels as well as from home grounds, all illustrated by brilliant photography. In this talk he leads us through a selection from all those years. Geoff will be giving his talk in St Hugh's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AG, starting at 7.30pm. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is a free car park at the Church and also roadside parking along Ashy Road. There is a £2.50 entry charge to the meeting which includes tea/coffee and biscuit at the mid-talk interval. The Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society Keith Scarrott writes Following our Section AGM on Monday, 9th October we have an illustrated talk Entitled "Capturing Wildlife" by world travelled photographer Jo Bird. Jo's passion is nature photography. She will share a section of bird and wildlife Photographs taken from the UK and several other countries such as Gambia/Senegal, India, Thailand, Hungary, Greece and the USA (Florida and the Rocky Mountains). Included will be photographs relating to aspects of the cultures of the various countries visited. Our meeting starts at 7.15pm and will be held in the small hall at the Old Brumby United Church, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AQ. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is no entry charge but a donation bowl is provided. There is a free car park at the Church and also road parking along Ashby Road. There will be a mid-talk break during which light refreshments will be available for a small charge. STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Heat-health Alert service https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/heat-health-alert-service 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 20/9 11 Little Stints, 29 Curlew Sandpipers on Reedbed, Lesser Yellowlegs juv on Middle Scrape, Frampton Marsh Little Stint, Gibraltar Point 21/9 10+ Little Stints, 36 Curlew Sandpipers on Reedbed, Blue-winged Teal and Lesser Yellowlegs on Middle Scrape, Frampton Marsh Short-eared Owl on old saltmarsh, Pied Flycatcher, Osprey flew south, Gibraltar Point 2 Caspian Gulls, Lapland Bunting flew over, Anderby Creek 22/9 Short-eared Owl, Kirton Marsh Black Stork juv on saltmarsh, Hen Harrier ringtail, 8 Little Stints, 25+ Curlew Sandpipers, Osprey flew over, Lesser Yellowlegs juv on Middle Scrape, juv Pectoral Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper on Reedbed, Spotted Redshank, Frampton Marsh Cattle Egret north of Sea Lane, Huttoft 23/9 Black Stork juv in field to south, Lesser Yellowlegs juv, 15 Little Stints, 35 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Spotted Redshanks, White-rumped Sandpiper on Reedbed, Yellow-browed warbler in bushes along path north of North Scrape, Frampton Marsh Yellow-browed Warbler at East Dunes, Long-tailed Skua flew past, Black-throated Diver, 4 Spotted Redshanks, Gibraltar Point 24/9 White-rumped Sandpiper ad,on Reedbed, Lesser Yellowlegs juv, on Middle Scrape, Black Stork juv over saltmarsh, 4 Little Stints, 8 Curlew Sandpipers, Pectoral Sandpiper, Frampton Marsh 2 Pomarine Skuas flew past, Little Gull, Gibraltar Point Pectoral Sandpiper, Caspian Gull, Anderby Creek Black Tern juv, Toft Newton reservoir Pomarine Skua imm, Little Stint, 16 Curlew Sandpipers, Cattle Egret Lenzing Pond, Novartis Ings, Pyewipe 25/9 White-rumped Sandpiper on Middle Scrape, Black Stork in flight over saltmarsh, 22 Curlew Sandpipers, 8+ Little Stints, juv Lesser Yellowlegs, on Middle Scrape, Frampton Marsh 5 Cattle Egrets from Jackson's Hide, Gibraltar Point Caspian Gull, Pectoral Sandpiper, Anderby Creek 26/9 Hen Harrier, Black Stork juv on pool by Sea Bank, Black Tern juv, 11 Little Stints, White-rumped Sandpiper, 30 Curlew Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs, Cattle Egret, Frampton Marsh Caspian Gull offshore, Gibraltar Point Osprey at pond in wood by Ingoldmells Road, Burgh-le-Marsh 27/9 Pectoral Sandpiper, Anderby Marsh, Anderby Creek Black Stork juv on saltmarsh, Pectoral Sandpiper at Roads Farm grassland, 30+ Curlew Sandpipers, White-rumped Sandpiper on reedbed, 10 Little Stints, Lesser Yellowlegs, Frampton Marsh Probably Ruddy Shelduck flew south past, Bittern on Mere, Firecrest near north car park, Gibraltar Point Black Tern, Toft Newton reservoir Osprey flew south at Buck Beck, Cleethorpes Spotted Redshank, Novartis Ings, Pyewiope 28/9 Black Stork juv over saltmarsh. landed in creek, Lesser Yellowlegs on Middle Scrape, White-rumped Sandpiper ad, Frampton Marsh Pectoral Sandpiper at Anderby Marsh, Anderby Creek ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Harvestmen of Britain and Ireland https://harvestmen.fscbiodiversity.uk/ British Bugs (Hemiptera) - online identification https://www.britishbugs.org.uk/index.html Mike's Insect Keys: illustrated identification aids for insects https://sites.google.com/view/mikes-insect-keys/ 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: https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/mammalatlas.pdf 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/ Record Pool - 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. NETTLEHAM, Washdyke Lane TF005753 Bill Ball 17.9.23 Hedgehog - large male *** 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 The Old Museum, The Green, Bardney TF120694 20/9 Another flush of Suede Boletes on lawn. 23/9 2 Ravens over, perched on "a regular tree" approx 11.00hrs 3 Long-tailed tits flew across garden - approx 13.00hrs. Red Admirals 5-6 and 2+ Small Tortoiseshells. 24/9 2 Commas BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Phil & Mary Porter 23rd September Hummingbird hawkmoth on evergreen honeysuckle. We’ve had sightings of them from Spring (on daffodils), to Summer (where they favoured pink phlox), and now the honeysuckle. 23rd – 26th September Around 10 red admiral butterflies, along with one small tortoiseshell and one comma, on our “Harrington Pink” Michaelmas daisies. As these are the same numbers that were on the buddleia last week, we wondered if they are the same individuals.. Grasshoppers still numerous, plus a few shieldbugs, 1 22-spot ladybird, plus several 7-spot. 2 male and 2 female tawny owls calling either side of the road by our house while on our evening dog walk. One flew across the road in front of us. They seemed very active and excited. 26th September We have a particularly obvious infestation of Pear Rust fungus Gymnosporangium sabinae in the garden this year. The leaves have bright orange-red blisters on the upper surface and below, a corresponding little cone that looks for all the world like a gall that would be sheltering aphids or mites, but in fact produces fungal spores around this time of year. These blow away and infect susceptible juniper trees via wounds. In the spring these in turn erupt into a gelatinous mass which gives rise to more spores to re-infect the pear leaves. Our juniper tree is too tall to notice this stage. As the potential spread between these alternate hosts is apparently around six kilometres, there seems little point in removing either. The two pears affected are old and weak; a more vigorous younger tree hardly suffers. Some more harmful fungal elements are in the soil; we know we have Honey Fungus from occasional eruptions of the fruiting bodies, but in the last couple of years we have lost a Wych Hazel a Laburnum and a Berberis darwinii outright, all well-established, while a number of rosaceous trees on our boundary, plum, cotoneaster, and amelanchier have been slowly fading away for no obvious reason for a much longer period in most cases. We celebrate biodiversity of all sorts however, and put it down to natural processes. CROWLE MOOR SE750145 (within 500m, along Peatland Way path) Bill Ball 16.9.23 Black Darter and Ruddy Darter Several males of both species, often together and interacting Long-winged conehead (bush cricket) Single female, motionless on grass stalk Also many fine bracket fungi on dead birch trees: Birch polypore and Hoof fungus And a Common lizard HOLYWELL LAKE 25th September 2023 1145 – 1300 Ian Misselbrook and Dave Roberts Birds entered on Birdtrack and BTO WeBS Little Grebe 16 Little Egret 2 Mute Swans 3 Greylag Geese 11 Canada Geese 28 Mallard 32 Teal 2 Tufted Duck 3 Moorhen 19 Coot 3 Buzzard 2 Red Kite 1 Blue Tit 7 Great Tit 1 Chiffchaff 1 Goldcrest 1 Treecreeper 2 Robin 3 Dunnock 1 Mistle Thrush 8 Rooks 26 Carrion Crow 2 Jackdaws c 40 Chaffinch 3 Linnet 2 Meadow Pipit 1 Wren 4 Woodpigeon 6 Grey Squirrel Migrant Hawker 1 Ruddy Darter 4 Common Darter 6 Red Admiral 1 Small White 6 RIPPINGALE – My garden Ian Misselbrook 25th September 2023 – late afternoon C 40 Swallows high over also 2 Buzzards Chiffchaff1 Goldcrest 1 Green Woodpecker 1 Blue Tits 4 Great Tits 4 Coal Tits 2 Woodpigeons 3 Jackdaws 2 Wren 2 Robin 2 Common Darter 2 Red Admiral 1 Small White 2 Grey Squirrels 2 SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 13/09/23 Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 4 Common Buzzard x 1 Jackdaw x 6 Kestrel x 1 Robin x 1 Swallow x 2 Wood Pigeon x 6 25/09/23 Blackbird x 1 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker x 1 Jackdaw x 4 Magpie x 2 Robin x 1 Wood Pigeon x 2 Yellowhammer x 1 Rabbit x 1 Speckled Wood x 1 Common Darter x 2 STICKNEY TF322568 Gail Cartwright 22/09/2023 There is a definite shortage of bats this summer, when I get a signal, it is still 45 down to 15/20 as other years but nothing most days, just now and then, also at Medlam Bridge which has usually been around 20. A few days ago, I got a reading of 15/20 and saw 1 fly over our 6ft wall but nothing at 45, bit worrying, I like the bats, I have had bat boxes for several years but they have never been used, I assume they are all at the bridge 150 yards away. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 14/09/23 Blackbird x 4 Black-headed Gull x 18 over Blue tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 4 Goldfinch x 7 Great-spotted Woodpecker x 1 Jackdaw x 7 Kestrel x 1 Robin x 1 Swallow x 2 SE over Tree Sparrow x 7 Wood Pigeon x 4 16/09/23 Barn Owl x 1 22:10hrs Blackbird x 2 Black-headed Gull x 6 over Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 2 Chiffchaff x 1 Goldfinch x 6 Great-spotted Woodpecker x 1 Kestrel x 1 Little Owl x 1 calling 03:40hrs Magpie x 2 Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 1 on nest in box in chicken run Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:50hrs Tree Sparrow x 16 Wood Pigeon x 4 Common Pipistrelle x 2 22:30hrs (45hz) Noctule x 1 22:00hrs (25hz) 18/09/23 Barn Owl x 1 17:00hrs Blackbird x 4 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Kestrel x 1 Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 1 Wood Pigeon x 2 20/09/23 Common Pipistrelle x 2 20:15hrs (45hz) Noctule x 1 20:35hrs (25hz) 21/09/23 Blackbird x 6 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Chiffchaff x 1 Goldfinch x 4 Jackdaw x 7 Kestrel x 1 Little Owl x 1 Ringed Plover x 3 flew east over Thurnholmes, calling Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 1 fledged young from nest box in chicken run Swallow x 1 south over Thurnholmes Wood Pigeon x 4 Common Pipistrelle x 2 20:30hrs (45hz) Red Admiral x 1 Small White x 4 Speckled Wood x 2 25/09/23 Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 12 over Thurnholmes Great-spotted Woodpecker x 1 Jackdaw x 2 Little Owl x 1 calling 01:15hrs Red-legged Partridge x 6 Swallow x 2 south over Thurnholmes Wood Pigeon x 4 Red Admiral x 5 Small White x 1 Speckled Wood x 2 Common Darter x 8 Migrant Hawker x 1 WOOLSTHORPE BY COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 Jane Ostler September 2023 The seasonal dispersal of birds from the garden seems to be more marked this year. For a time, the only sounds were the contact calls of the Dunnock and the autumn song of a male Robin, already establishing territory for the next season. The chirping of the House sparrows is much missed but a tall hedge further down the Woolsthorpe Road has a new colony. Perhaps they just moved on. From the car a flock of Tree Sparrows on the Stainby Road, reported earlier. Another record was of a Peregrine Falcon seen above a grass field on the eastern edge of Woolsthorpe. With most of the summer migrants on their way to their winter quarters the blackcaps on Nature Trail may be overwintering with us. In the third week in September flies hatching from manure spread in a garden attracted in insect eating small birds. There have been no reports of Spotted Flycatchers, nor of any broods of swallows early attempts at building were abandoned but later some activity when cattle brought into one of the fields attracting insects in with them Swifts and House Martins have been more successful. On September 24th2003 a Humming Bird Hawk Moth was feeding on Soapwort in the garden in cool, cloudy, and very windy weather. There have been sightings of this species in the garden regularly since the August heatwave. The thunderstorms heavy rains and winds meant that following an abundance of Butterflies in the garden there is now only an occasional Cabbage White. Earlier the Red Admiral was not only abundant but concentrated around the fallen plum and a few self-pruned apples. On September 23rd our 3yr old great-grandson found Hawthorn Shield Bugs, Seven Spot Ladybirds, Ichneumons and then best of all Lesser Stag Beetles.  The last named were in a rotting ash branch together with their larvae of various sizes indicating the beetles had been there over several years. We were clearing out a very stagnant pond with what we thought was little life but he was excited to find a baby newt which, after much study he put in the small and more healthy pond. Squirrels are again part of our lives as they collect the hazel nuts from the bottom of the garden and plant them in the lawn where no doubt we shall have a rash of shoots next spring. They have invaded lofts including a neighbours where my son, blocking re-entry before repairing damage done inside, found two baby squirrels, dead for some time. In the first week in September we sat out in the evening watching a single bat sweep in wide semicircles over the lawn, catching moths. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 20th – 26th September 2023 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor, Owen Beaumont, Cliff Morrison and Dean Nicholson. Thank you to all other contributors. More records to follows. Daily News and Wildlife Sightings Note: Always interesting to observe rainfall patterns and how it can vary even a few kilometres apart. The heavy rainfall on the morning of the 26th gave 15mm of ppt from the Churchill gauge yet it was 13.3mm at Sea View. The current totals for September are 85mm and 73.7mm respectively.  After a heavy thunderstorm 26th rainfall now 85mm for this month at Churchill Lane. 220923 – Cetti’s warbler calling along Eau near Sea View and 2 swallows overhead. At Sea View: 11 red admirals,1 comma, 1 hornet plume-horn hoverfly and many other hoverflies on flowering ivy.  230923 - Single stonechat on scrub near Sea View, 4 bar-tailed godwits on the bank of the Eau near Paradise and 12 house martins flying south. Elm House Farm: 19 curlew, 105 lapwing on adjacent plough land and 3 ravens mobbing 2 kestrels high over the area. Over recent sunny days ivy bees active and 10 seen on Churchill Lane car park cluster and 3 on nearby cluster. Butterflies seen in low numbers: red admiral, small tortoiseshell, comma, large and small whites, small copper, speckled wood. Many tens of common and ruddy darter dragonflies. Other local reserves 210923 – Tetney Blow Wells: 2 Cetti’s warblers in song, common and ruddy darters, comma, small tortoiseshell and large white butterflies, swallows and house martins flying over. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: Next date: October 3rd and 17th 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. Next dates: 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. Your suggestions, please. 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 Monks Wood Ashing Lane Nature Reserve https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/monks-wood-ashing-lane-nature-reserve/ Tattershall Carrs https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/tattershall-carrs/ Mareham Pastures Local Nature Reserve https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/mareham-pastures-local-nature-reserve/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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/ 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. People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES). Volunteers can report roadkill sightings using their smartphone via a free Mammals on Roads app. No prior experience needed. Counting mammal road casualties can tell conservationists about numbers in the wider landscape. To take part, search for Mammals on Roads on the App Store or Google Play. https://ptes.org/ Lincolnshire Badger Group The Lincolnshire Badger Group is a fully affiliated member with The Badger Trust. Please help us by reporting Badger road kills and Setts. Sett location knowledge allows us to keep an eye on them to ensure no human disturbance. We will be also rehabilitating back to their setts, if found injured. Please find link to our Facebook 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 Greater Lincolnshire Local Nature Recovery Strategy. Rachel Graham writes Survey Local Nature Recovery Strategy |-Let's Talk Lincolnshire Have your say regarding the future of nature in Lincolnshire by completing the public survey Webpage http://www.glincslnrs.org.uk/ For the Geologists... Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Suggestions for Geology news, events or new useful links always welcome. 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 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 *** https://lnu.org/meetings/ Summer programme - Field Meetings Sunday 15th October Langholme Wood and Haxey Turbary LWT Reserves Harvestmen - Imogen Wilde 7th of October Owl & Other Bird Pellets - Garry Steele 28th of October - Fully booked! Bryophytes - Steven Heathcote 4th of November ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ...and finally... Nature crisis: One in six species at risk of extinction in Great Britain https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-66923930 Scottish seabird numbers decline a 'wake-up call' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-66939022 UK Europe's 'dirty man' after oil field approval, says minister https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-66939315 Government to delay new environmental building rules https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-66927242 Water firms forced to pay back customers for poor performance https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66922070 I am interested to see Netflix are to run a documentary on UFO "sightings" in Pembrokeshire in the 1970s. I heard about this at the time when working for FSC and I will watch it with interest - especially for the scenery. [BTW - this is not far from Dobby's grave in South Pembs!] Alien and UFO 'Bermuda Triangle' explored in new Netflix documentary https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-66888685 ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/