============================================ || || 17th April 2024 || || 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. 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Phil Porter writes; A feature of the last week’s bird migration notes has been the number of locations with ring ousels to be seen. Most of these sites are well-watched by Lincolnshire standards but presumably plenty more must slip by un-noticed elsewhere. RSPB Frampton Marsh has hosted a particularly diverse collection of goodies and I doubt if much gets missed there!! Butterfly records now include a second-string of species, such as orange-tip, holly blue and speckled wood to add to the vanguard that occurs earlier in the spring. Will red admirals be as successful this year as they were in 2023? Bob Sheppard’s news I briefly mentioned the big peregrine fight last week at St Wulfram's Church, Grantham. It lasted for about twenty minutes and involved our resident female and an intruder with a blue colour ring. The bird had come all the way from Taunton! They grappled on the nest tray and both were clearly determined to take possession of the Church roof and walkway territory. Eventually the Taunton bird limped off but not before our regular female had aborted a half formed egg. She has since returned and eaten the shell. What effect all this will have on this year's breeding remains to be seen. The Taunton bird is now in care and having her injuries treated. We still don't have an egg at Grantham and it is now getting a bit late for such an event. However, the female is still visiting the tray so fingers crossed. The peregrines at Louth have had no such dramas and all is well. They should be hatching around the end of the first week of May. http://www.louthperegrines.org.uk/latest-news.html At Boston Stump the falcons have been active. One day last weekend the female was in the nest tray for several hours. This is usually a prelude to egg laying but we have seen nothing yet. The camera is live there and visitors can watch the action on a screen in the cafe. Unfortunately the Len Pick Trust barn owl camera had been offline again. It is back online. We had five eggs when the camera was running and we still have five. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/ The ospreys at Loch of Lowes have faced some rough weather with very strong winds at the nest. But these birds are hardy and nothing seems to faze them. Their first egg is imminent. 17/4/24 First egg laid today at Loch of Lowes! https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ The siskin eruption is now over as the birds have headed off to their breeding grounds. Alan and I ringed 705 during the time they were passing through Bourne Woods. We also caught two siskins with foreign rings on them. We await news of an Italian ringed bird but we have just got the details of the Latvian siskin we caught. It was tagged in August 2022 at Liepaja, a city in Western Latvia on the Baltic. It had travelled 1432 kms to Bourne Woods. Today we began the annual check of the South Lincolnshire Forest Commission tawny owl boxes. The early signs point to a poor year as I only found four occupied nest boxes out of the fifteen in Twyford Wood. There are still another hundred boxes to monitor but I am not expecting many to have owls in them. This is typical of tawny owl breeding behaviour. They are happy not to breed at all in years when prey is scarce. They are long lived birds and they know a good year will be just around the corner. The adult population remains static year on year. A lot of the females I see every year and some are more than ten years old. *** Peoples Trust for Endangered Species *** National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme https://ptes.org/campaigns/hedgehogs/nhmp/ https://ptes.org/event/an-evening-with-hedgehog-street-nhmp-special-tuesday-7th-may-2024/ *** This week's mostly-local news stories: *** Earthworm crowned UK invertebrate of the year by Guardian readers https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/15/earthworm-crowned-uk-invertebrate-of-the-year-by-guardian-readers Mini rope bridges built in Forest of Dean to help dormice https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-68788690 Ancient henge discovered near Crowland Abbey https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-68817120 Food security threatened by extreme flooding, farmers warn https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68792017 £45m investment to improve river water quality https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj7mlj2003zo Man arrested after 400 cannabis plants found in Market Rasen https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-68818455 Skegness Gateway: Residents to help pay for £151m flood plan https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-68819345 Badly flooded Lincolnshire farmer 'not eligible' for government help https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-68777721 Bird mimicking police siren at Bicester station confuses officers https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-oxfordshire-68785461 Birdwatch: the subtle beauty of the male chaffinch https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/10/birdwatch-the-subtle-beauty-of-the-male-chaffinch Phil Porter's email is: philporterento@outlook.com Alex Pickwell is now helping with the Bulletin mailing. There is another side to him! Starting in April, he will be attempting to run three full marathons in six weeks to raise money for a Lincolnshire- based charity. Central German Shepherd Rescue is a charity dedicated to the rescue, fostering and rehoming of German Shepherds in need. It provides care and treatment for unwanted or neglected dogs and educates people about the German Shepherd breed. Central German Shepherd Rescue is entirely supported by donations and run only by volunteer efforts. If interested you can find out more from Alex. Alex Pickwell's email: mrapickwell@gmail.com *** Weather News and Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#? Thursday: A largely dry and bright morning, with light winds. Becoming increasingly cloudy, with strengthening winds and rain arriving from the northwest into the afternoon. Milder than Wednesday. Maximum temperature 13 °C. Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Mostly settled with sunny spells and patchy cloud. Breezy Friday, but winds falling light through the weekend, feeling increasingly fine. Mild by day after chilly starts. UK long range weather forecast Sunday 21 Apr - Tuesday 30 Apr High pressure should ensure a fine and dry day for most of the UK on Sunday, and in any sunshine and light winds it should feel warm. Perhaps cloudier across some northern and eastern areas where the odd spot of rain or shower is possible, although these should be light. Into next week the high is likely to withdraw to the west a little, and this will open the door to cooler and less settled conditions, with some rain or showers mainly affecting the north and east, with the best chance of staying dry across western and southern parts. After a brief warmer interlude on Sunday temperatures are likely to trend back toward or a little below average, *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** April Night Sky - highlights: "Comet 12P/Pons-Brooks will continue to streak through the skies, reaching an almost-naked-eye magnitude. It'll meet Jupiter mid-month, around about the time the Lyrid meteor shower will also be kicking off – our first shower since early January." https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/blog/astronomy/night-sky-highlights-april-2024 Rare lunar event to shed light on Stonehenge’s links to the moon https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/apr/15/once-in-a-generation-lunar-event-to-shed-light-on-stonehenges-links-to-the-moon Full Moons 2024 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/full-moon-calendar Meteor shower dates 2024 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/meteor-shower-guide BBC Sky at Night Magazine website https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news *** EVENTS *** *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson writes Lincoln Area Group Talk 18th April 2024 : The Life and Legacy of Sir Joseph Banks Paul Scott of the Sir Joseph Banks Society will profile this founding father of British botany and natural history. Plus a brief retrospective on the LoveLincsPlants project. The event is at Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission is £2.50 which includes refreshments in the interval. *** The Scunthorpe and Brigg Local Group of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. *** Our last indoor meeting until September is on Thursday, 18th April, when we hold our AGM followed by members' contributions of their photographs and stories that they have found to be enjoyable and interesting. This will be an extra special AGM as Eddie Gaunt who has been our Chairperson for 21 years will be standing down. We will be thanking him and celebrating his service. We will also be thanking and celebrating Mark Sacker who will be taking over as our new Chairperson. Starting at 7.30pm, the meeting will be held as usual in the St. Hugh's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AG, which is opposite the Applegreen filling station near Brumby crossroads. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is a free car park at the Church and also on the nearby road. As this is the AGM there is no entry charge. Refreshments will be available at the break after the AGM. *** Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** On Saturday 20th April you are invited to join the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT on a Wildlife Walk at Freshney Bog, Grimsby with Graham Hicks. Please meet at 8am in St. Michael's Church carpark on Great Coates Road, Grimsby DN34 4ND. We will be looking for wildlife in the area including Water Voles and Kingfishers. This is a free event however donations will be welcomed for the Trust. You are advised to wear suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. For further information please contact Graham Hicks 07979 089890 or check our website www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk or our Facebook page. *** South Lincs RSPB Group *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB Group has released details of their 2024 "Seal and Birdwatching" cruises aboard "The Boston Belle". There are twelve cruises organised for 2024, starting on 5th April and ending on 24th October. Full details are on our website, including ticket prices, booking arrangements, sailing times and dates etc. Booking is essential. https://group.rspb.org.uk/southlincolnshire/ *** The South Lincs RSPB Group *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: South Lincs RSPB group have announced an evening SLIDESHOW/ TALK at The Old Kings Head {Kirton, PE20 1EG}. "Birds and wildlife of the Western Cape Provence of South Africa" by Garry Steele on Thursday 24th October 2024 at 7-30pm Full details at Full details at Home - South Lincolnshire Local Group (rspb.org.uk) *** THE SOUTH LINCS RSPB GROUP *** "Early morning Birdsong" . A FREE WALK. Saturday 11th May at 7-30am Prior booking essential. Full details at Full details at "Early morning birdsong Walk". - South Lincolnshire Local Group (rspb.org.uk) *** Lincoln RSPB *** Richard Davidson writes “Heron-Watch” Volunteer opportunities available for people who are passionate about wildlife and conservation. Lincoln RSPB is running a Heron Watchpoint at Hartsholme Park, Lincoln on two weekends in May 4th, 5th 6th (Bank Holiday Monday), and 11th, 12th. Prior experience is not necessary, enthusiasm is more important. For more information, contact Gwen M. Randall, Volunteer Co-ordinator gwen.randall@ntlworld.com *** Hull City Nature Challenge 2024 *** Lucy Baldwin writes The Hull City Nature Challenge returns in 2024 on the 26th - 29th April! The City Nature Challenge is a global nature-recording bioblitz with over 500 cities across the globe taking part this year. The aim of the event is simple: to record as much wildlife as possible in your participating city over the event weekend! Everyone is welcome to get involved in Hull by making records via the iNaturalist app, for which no prior experience is necessary. Last year Hull reached #7 on the UK leaderboard, with over 4,000 observations made of 839 species – we’d love to beat this in 2024! The Hull City Nature Challenge is organised by NEYEDC (the North and East Yorkshire Ecological Data Centre), with assistance from Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and the University of Hull. For more information, visit the Hull City Nature Challenge website: www.neyedc.org.uk/hull-cnc-2024 and sign up for the 2024 iNaturalist project: City Nature Challenge 2024: Hull iNaturalist United Kingdom. For any queries, please email events@neyedc.co.uk and for records submissions please email info@neyedc.co.uk. STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Bird flu: Defra advice to the general public is to leave corpses alone and report the findings - but that landowners should dispose of birds themselves. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-latest-situation-avian-influenza-prevention-zone-declared-across-great-britain Lyme Disease reminder https://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/zoonoses-data-sheets/lyme-disease.pdf Road works and hold-ups 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 - look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ For RBA's excellent articles: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp 7/4 Cowbit Wash,Turnstone viewed from Cradge Bank. East Halton Marshes, Ring Ouzel on west side. Frampton Marsh, Little Gull 1w, Lesser Yellowlegs 1w by visitor centre car park. Gibraltar Point NNR, Serin, Ring Ouzel at north end, 2 Woodlarks flew over, Firecrest along sleeper track at East Dunes, 2 Whimbrels flew south, ringtail Hen Harrier, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe NNR, Scaup fem on wet grassland south of Crook Bank. Washingborough, Swift over sewage treatment plant 12.30pm. Willow Tree Fen, 2 Hen Harriers in roost. 8/4 Anderby Marsh, 2 Spoonbills both ads, 1 flew south. Cowbit Wash, Garganey fem north end, Turnstone, Grey Plover, viewed from Cradge Bank. Frampton Marsh, 2 Little Stints on reedbed, 2 Little Gull at South Scrape, Garganey drk and Lesser Yellowlegs 1w near car park, Black-winged Stilt on North Scrape. Gibraltar Point NNR, Shorelark south of Seacroft Lagoon, 5 Water Pipits Fenland Lagoon, Twite, Glossy Ibis flew to the Plantation. Swanpool, Ring Ouzel male. Trent Port, Woodlark flew over. 9/4 Covenham Reservoir, Arctic Tern. Frampton Marsh, Black-winged Stilt on North Scrape, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Little Gulls, Lesser Yellowlegs 1w near car park. Gibraltar Point NNR, 2 Hen Harriers, Caspian Gull on beach, Glossy Ibis. Kirkby Moor. Whitethroat male singing. Langtoft Pits, Garden Warbler. North Scarle, Lesser Whitethroat at Lapwing Field, west of Eagle. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe NNR, Swift, 2 Ring Ouzels, both males, flew south over Seaview. 10/4 Deeping St James, Deeping Lakes, Glossy Ibis on West Pit. Donna Nook, Common Crane flew NW over realignment, Swift, Black Brant with Dark-bellied Brent Geese and 2 Pale Bellied-Brent Geese. Far Ings, Slavonian Grebe at Target Lake 2 Garganey on Ness Pit. Frampton Marsh, 2 Swifts, 2 Little Stints, Black Tern, 2 Little Gulls, Lesser Yellowlegs 1w near car park, Black-winged Stilt on Marsh Farm grassland. Gibraltar Point NNR, Spoonbill on pools by Freshwater Marsh, 4 Water Pipits, Glossy Ibis, Pyewipe, Spoonbill at far end of Novatis Ings. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe NNR, Garganey drk south of Crook Bank. 11/4 Anderby Creek, Swift, Water Pipit at Anderby Marsh. Cowbit, Grey Plover, Garganey fem north end of Cowbit Wash from Cradge Bank. Frampton Marsh, Bonaparte's Gull ad, flew north, Black Tern, 4 Little Gulls, Lesser Yellowlegs 1w near visitor centre car park, Black-winged Stilt on South Scrape. Freiston Shore, Swift flew south over, Green-winged Teal drk on wetland, Spotted Redshank. Gibraltar Point NNR, Glossy Ibis, ringtail Hen Harrier, Spoonbill, Ring Ouzel, 2+ Woodlarks, Caspian Gull offshore behind trawler. Huttoft Bank Pit, Swift flew over. Pyewipe, Spoonbill at far end of Novatis Ings. 12/4 Boultham Mere, Kittiwake ad briefly. Cowbit, Garganey fem and Grey Plover, viewed from Cradge Bank. Deeping St James, Russian White-fronted Goose ad on East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, Red-breasted Goose on wet grassland with Dark-bellied Brent Geese from Sea Bank, car park. Bonaparte's Gull ad on Reedbed,1s fem Black-winged Stilt, Lesser Yellowlegs 1w near visitor centre car park, Garganey, Black Tern on Reedbed. Gibraltar Point NNR, Glossy Ibis on Freshwater Marsh then flew north, Hen Harrier, 3 Woodlarks, Water Pipit, Black Tern flew south. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe NNR, Ring Ouzel south of Rimac car park in field, then flew north, male Hen Harrier, Rimac. 13/4 Anderby Creek, Glossy Ibis at Anderby Marsh then flew south. Cowbit, Garganey fem and Grey Plover, viewed from Cradge Bank. Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis on East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, Little Stint on South scrape, 2 Little Gulls, Black-winged Stilt fem on North Scrape, 2 Garganey 1 drk, and Red-breasted Goose on wet grassland, Bonaparte's Gull ad on Reedbed, ad Black Tern, Water Pipit on saltmarsh near Raptor viewpoint. Lesser Yellowlegs 1w near visitor centre car park. Pyewipe, Spoonbill at Novartis Ings. Gibraltar Point NNR, Water Pipit, Woodlark. Pyewipe, Spoonbill at Novartis Ings. Scartho, Ring Ouzel fem near Low Farm. 14/4 Anderby Creek, Ring Ouzel m on scrub by creek, Spoonbill. Baston + Langtoft Pits, 2 Ring Ouzels north on Baston Outgang Road. Deeping St James, Ring Ouzel by footpath under railway, Glossy Ibis on East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, 3 Common Cranes flew north over, Bonaparte's Gull ad on Reedbed, Red-breasted Goose on wet grassland, 2 Garganey 1 drk, Curlew Sandpiper, Pale-bellied Brent Goose with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Black Tern ad at Reedbed, Black-winged Stilt 1s fem, on South Scrape, Little Stint ad, 3 Little Gulls, Spotted Redshank. Frognall, Market Deeping, Ring Ouzel m in paddock. Gibraltar Point NNR, Hen Harrier, 2 Water Pipits on Fenland Lagoon, Ring Ouzel, 1 Woodlark around east side of reserve. Pyewipe, Short-eared Owl, Spoonbill at Novartis Ings. 15/4 Deeping St James, 2 Spoonbills on East Pit, Glossy Ibis on East Pit, Deeping Lakes Frampton Marsh, Black Tern ad, Red-breasted Goose on saltmarsh with Dark-bellied Brent Geese. Pyewipe, Spoonbill at Novartis Ings. 16/4 Deeping St James, 2 Spoonbills on East Pit, Glossy Ibis on East Pit, Deeping Lakes Frampton Marsh, Black Tern ad on Reedbed, Little Gull, Red-breasted Goose on wet grassland and with Dark-bellied Brent Geese. Little Stint on Marsh Farm wet grassland, 2 Garganey 1 drk in Fen area, Black-winged Stilt 1s fem on Fen, Bonaparte's Gull ad flew north towards field being ploughed, Lesser Yellowlegs 1s by visitor centre car park. Freiston Shore, Ring Ouzel on wetland. Gibraltar Point NNR, Serin male flew south over beach. Killingholme Pits, Garganey drk on Humber, on mud by old seaplane jetty. Pyewipe, Spoonbill at Novartis Ings. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 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 observations and welcome records from everyone, experts or beginners. Please keep your reports coming. BARDNEY - THE GREEN TF120694 R + A Parsons We put out a piece of old wool rug for the jackdaws to raid for nesting material - which they have worked at enthusiastically. Then we noticed pied wagtails doing the same. The high point was a confrontation between a wagtail and Jackdaw over a bigger bundle of fluff. The jackdaw won, but the wagtail was up for a fight! 11/4/2024 Butterflies seen in garden this week: Brimstone, Small White, Small Tortoiseshell, Holly Blue [x 2 interacting on 12/4.] Small black bee fly [Bombylius major] patrolling flowerbed on 11/4. Andrena fulva f + m - several. Blue Tit in feeder Great Tit on feeder [unusual here] Wren Robin 2 Dunnock 1+ House Sparrow 6 Blackbird 2m 1f Chaffinch 2 Wagtail m+f Starling 12+ up to 20. Jackdaw 8+ Wood Pigeon 8+ Collared Dove 2 Domestic pigeon 6+ up to 9 Black-headed Gull absent Local Ravens heard. Hedgehogs on trail camera. 12/4 20.31hrs 13/401.57hrs Badger exploring garden - on Camera 14/4 at 23.26hrs. Hedgehogs on trail camera. 15/4 at 20.42-20.55hrs in feeding station. 21.45, 22.35 and 22.42hrs Badger exploring garden Examining feeding station 21.45, 22.38hrs BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Mary and Phil Porter 11/4/24 Fem. Siskin x1 on feeders Brimstone x2 Orange-tip x1 Pied Shield-bug x2 Green Shield-bug x2 Hairy-footed Flower-Bee x1 Bee-fly x3 13/4/24 Speckled Wood Orange-tip Small White x3 Brimstone x3 14/4/24 6+ Goldfinches Frequent Greenfinch calls and song Orange-tip x1 15/4/24 Mary heard some frantic tapping coming from our driveway and spotted a great tit pecking its own reflection in the wing mirror of her car, which is approximately 5 metres from the great tit's nest box. It was extremely animated and using up valuable time and energy on its mission to ward off its competition. Mary covered up both wing mirrors with some old rags and normality was resumed. The great tit is still calling loudly from the cherry tree near its nestbox. We see it going in and out, so we assume all is well. A blue tit is occupying another nest box on the other end of the same wall of the house. 16/4/24 Red Admiral BOSTON TF338441 My garden Tracey Lenton I have had a week's holiday from work and spent more time than usual nature-watching. It was an exciting week with more first of the year butterfly sightings and more ladybirds. Butterflies 11-04-2024 Green-veined White on forget-me-not 12-04-2024 Male Holly Blue feeding on forget-me-not, 2 fluttering together in the air the next day 13-04-2024 Small White feeding on Garlic mustard flowers, a clump which appeared in my front garden last year, now flowering. 14-04-2024 Speckled Wood, on the lawn, disturbed as I walked by. Infrequently seen, so, this was a treat and good to know they are still in the area. Also this week, continued to see Comma, Peacock, Small tortoiseshell. Hedgehog 14-04-2024 04:48 Woke during the night and got up for a cup of tea. Saw a hedgehog eating at the food plate I put out each night. 05:05 Neighbourhood birds started singing, within a couple of minutes, a blackbird in my garden joined in. Ladybirds 7-spot are widespread around the garden but other types seen: 12-04-2024 2-spot ladybird 14-04-2024 counted 8 on elderflower bush in front garden, of which there were 2 pairs mating. Elderflowers budding up, dense patches of blackfly on some stems. 13-04-2024 14-spot ladybird, id from Naturespot website, yellow with black chequerboard patterning, seen on a nettle. 14-04-2024 I do not usually see Harlequins but there were 2 of them (separate) on elderflower (front garden) CLEETHORPES TA 300 069 Peter Crick 10:04:2024 14 Spot Ladybird. (found on living room furniture, carefully removed to garden Loganberry) FRITHVILLE TF298489 Margaret Westcott 13.04.2024 Orange -tip 1(m) Green-veined 4 (2 mating) Vestal Cuckoo Bee 1 14.04.2024 Speckled Wood 5 Also, down the lane, a Painted Lady came along with the breeze. HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Haynes 11 April 2024 Orange tip butterfly seen twice in my garden. Using a birdsong identifying app. I identified a chiffchaff in my garden. In fact, it or they, have been present for years but I always thought the song was of a great tit! Many ladybirds of all number of spots, both inside and outside my house. MESSINGHAM SAND QUARRY SE908032 Brenda Edlington 12/4/2024 Blackcap Black-headed gull Blue tit Buzzard Canada goose Cetti’s warbler Chaffinch Chiffchaff Coot Cormorant Crow Gadwall Goldfinch Great crested grebe Greylag goose Lesser black-backed gull Long-tailed tit Mallard Moorhen Mute swan (inc. one sitting on eggs) Oystercatcher Pochard Reed bunting Robin Shelduck Shoveler Sparrowhawk Treecreeper Tufted duck Willow warbler Wren Wood pigeon Heard Reed or sedge warbler Song thrush Butterflies Brimstone Green-veined white Peacock Speckled wood Flowers Bluebells Bog bean Cowslips Marsh marigolds Nettleham TF 005756 20/3/2024 4 siskins with 2 greenfinches on sunflower hearts Most siskins seen in the garden since 1985 15/4/2024 Adult hedgehog caught on webcam coming out of nest box 9.22pm Young hedgehog regularly seen in and out of log pile NETTLETON LODGE Game Farm Ben Jacob First cuckoo heard this season 13th April. Last year was 26th April No Swallows or house martins as yet THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 28/03/24 Little Egret x 3 Owston Ferry Drain 31/03/24 Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 1 in nest box Carrion Crow x 2 Canada Goose x 2 over Thurnholmes Chaffinch x 3 Chiffchaff x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 1 Greenfinch x 1 Greylag Goose x 5 over Thurnholmes Jackdaw x 2 Little Owl x 1 calling 01:10hrs Magpie x 2 Mallard x 3 over Thurnholmes Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Stock dove x 1 on nest in box Tawny Owl x 2 calling 01:30hrs Tree Sparrow x 1 in nest box Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 Yellowhammer x 1 Brimstone x 1 male 02/04/24 Barn Owl x 1 03/04/24 First Hawthorn blossom at Thurnholmes 06/04/24 Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Chiffchaff x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 4 Great Tit x 1 Greenfinch x 1 Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 4 Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Stock dove x 1 Tree Sparrow x 6 Wood Pigeon x 4 Yellowhammer x 1 Brimstone x 1 male Orange Tip x 3 males Peacock x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Speckled Wood x 1 lots of Cowslips flowering around yard and paddocks, much more than last year 1st Yellow Rattle leaves appearing 07/04/24 1st Willow Warbler singing at Thurnholmes 09/04/24 Tawny Owl x 1 01:15hrs 12/04/24 Blackbird x 1 Blue tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Goldfinch x 15 still flocking Greenfinch x 1 Grey Partridge x 2 Jackdaw x 2 Magpie x 4 Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 2 Sparrowhawk x 1 male SK807995 Skylark x 2 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:50hrs Tree sparrow x 2 Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 Yellowhammer x 1 Grey Squirrel x 1 Wood Mouse x 3 in hole nest box, fixed low (3') on fence post Brimstone x 2 males Orange Tip x 4 males Peacock x 1 Speckled Wood x 2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs and NATURE RESERVES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LWT Top Reserves: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list RSPB Reserves https://www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report 10th – 17th April 2024 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: Very strong W-NW winds all day on the 15th when a gust was recorded of 46.1mph near Sea View, late afternoon. 100424 – Between Brickyard Lane and Crook Bank 7 willow warbler, 4 whitethroat, 8 chiffchaff and 3 blackcap. Tree pipit flew north over Brickyard Lane. Swift reported at Rimac and 2 swallows over Rimac scrape. 3 willow warbler singing between Crook Bank and Mablethorpe North End. 72 sanderling on Brickyard Lane foreshore. Drake garganey, 6 little ringed plover, 4 white wagtail, 2 pink-footed goose, 80 curlew on wet grassland south of Crook Bank. Butterflies – green hairstreak, 2 speckled wood, red admiral, 5 peacock Crook Bank. Single peacock, red admiral and green-veined white at Sea View. Flora - spring beauty, ground Ivy, lords and ladies, cowslips, wild garlic and forget-me-not all in bloom at Seaview. 110424 – 2 grasshopper warbler reeling south of Rimac, and 5 willow warbler, 6+ chiffchaff, 2 blackcap and a whitethroat. Swallow flew south. 2 reed warbler, garden warbler, 5 willow warbler, 4 blackcap, 2 grasshopper warbler, Cetti’s warbler and 3 pairs reed bunting around Brickyard Lane. Pair avocets on Brickyard Lane saltmarsh lagoon. Red kite and Peregrine flew south over Sea View Washlands. Blackcap and Greenfinch at Seaview. Butterflies – green-veined white, 3 speckled wood, 13 peacock, 3 brimstone, 2 small white, 2 green hairstreak, small tortoiseshell, Sea View to Paradise. 120424 – Male ring ouzel in scrub south of Rimac car park then flew north. Garden warbler singing at Brickyard Lane. 7 whooper swan flew north-east over Rimac dunes and landed at Haven outfall. Drake pochard with tufted duck on Paradise lagoon. Green sandpiper and a yellow wagtail also flew north over the dunes. 3 grasshopper warbler, whitethroat, 3 sedge warbler, 5 willow warbler, 13 chiffchaff, 5 blackcap, Cetti’s warbler Rimac to MOD. 3 cattle egret Rimac corner. 2 yellow wagtail Elm House Farm. Butterflies – 8 peacock, 3 speckled wood, 2 green-veined white, orange-tip Churchill Lane to Brickyard Lane. 130424 – The first cuckoo of the year at Brickyard Lane early morning. Great white egret on Sea View washlands. Blackcap and sparrowhawk at Sea View. 140424 – Lesser whitethroat singing at MOD. 2 avocet Brickyard Lane saltmarsh, 3 wheatear on outer dune edge, 26 ringed plover and 37 dunlin on foreshore. Common lizard basking at Churchill Lane. Alan Miles found a fine drake garganey on Sea View washlands. Four avocets also there, one of which had a white colour ring with black digits VAJ which was ringed as a chick in July 2019 Dehesilla, Spain. Great white egret on Rimac scrape, male wheatear in nearby pasture. Holly blue on the wing at Sea View and green-veined white, peacock, comma and orange tip. 150424 – Green sandpiper, whimbrel, grey heron and 3 cattle egret on Sea View Washlands. Nine whimbrel feeding on the saltmarsh N of Sea View. 2 avocet Brickyard Lane saltmarsh and 31 ringed plover on the foreshore. Sedge warbler singing in Brickyard Lane dunes. 4 wheatear, golden plover and 2 yellow wagtail at Elm House Farm. 160424 – 3 lesser whitethroat singing between Brickyard Lane and Sear’s Track. 4 white wagtail and a green sandpiper on flooded field next to Rimac car park, and 1 cattle egret Rimac corner. 2 yellow wagtail and immature male marsh harrier at Elm House Farm. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 dates: 16th April, 7th May, 21st May 2024 https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/chambers-farm-wood-butterfly-garden CHAMBERS FARM BUTTERFLY GARDEN TF147739 Richard has put in 50 new Blackthorn whips, and we are hoping for a bumper year for Brown Hairstreaks. The spring flowers are attracting a variety of insects when the sun manages to shine. Next date for gardening is Tuesday, 7th May. New volunteers always welcome. Lincolnshire Dormouse Group Gemma Watkinson writes "This summer, as there are forestry works being undertaken by Forestry England over the summer at Chambers Farm Woods, we will have limited access to the woods this year, and things may need to change at short notice. To manage visitor numbers, we are going to need to limit non-licenced visitors to around 10 people, and will require those who are interested in joining each session to email through to 'sign-up' no later than a week before each session. Please email lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com if you are interested in joining us. The summer dates we so far have approved with FE for nest box checks are: Saturday 20th April Sunday 19th May Saturday 15th June Sunday 21st July Saturday 17th August As always for the summer sessions, we will meet at 9.30am, and this will be outside the wood centre in the car park, but this may need to change. Looking forward to another dormouse filled summer! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Discover Woodland Trust woods near you - including the best woods for walks, wildlife watching, family fun and heritage. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/#=undefined&view=map Lincolnshire County Council - Local Nature Reserves https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/coast-countryside/nature-reserves 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Links "not to be missed *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. CONTACTS LIST 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. 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 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 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: *** For the Geologists *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group: https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 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. [Views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to 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... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** National or international stories *** Country diary: Goldeneyes glint in the early morning sun https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/11/country-diary-goldeneyes-glint-in-the-early-morning-sun Country diary 1949: the rooks have accepted nationalisation without demur https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/08/country-diary-1949-rooks-accepted-nationalisation-without-demur Nature reserve celebrates five years of rewilding https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c51njkew4x2o The shrill carder: once-common bumblebee heading for extinction https://uk.news.yahoo.com/shrill-carder-once-common-bumblebee-113030167.html Country diary: A covert congregation has gathered in the wood https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/10/country-diary-a-covert-congregation-has-gathered-in-the-wood Air pollution can make insects mate with the wrong species https://www.newscientist.com/article/2426454-air-pollution-can-make-insects-mate-with-the-wrong-species/ *** Mail Fails *** ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/