============================================ || || 24th 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: The last week’s cold airstream has certainly reduced insect observations, and readers observations generally. I mentioned migrant Ring Ouzels last week and they seem to be even more widespread in the this list. Coastal sites are still brimming with interesting birds of all sorts. Whether or not you were aware of Norfolk’s Ted Ellis (see below), I would urge you to check out the web-site that Mary stumbled across yesterday, where you can peruse the wonderful teenage notes and sketches of an exceptional naturalist in the making. Bob Sheppard’s news The peregrines at St James's Church, Louth continue to thrive and they are due to hatch around 7th May. http://www.louthperegrines.org.uk/latest-news.html No news yet of any eggs at St Wulfram's Church, Grantham or Boston Stump. The birds are making occasional appearances but it's getting late for eggs now. Next week really is the last chance saloon for this year. The ospreys at Loch of Lowes have two eggs with a third imminent, if there is to be one. P.S. Third egg at Loch of Lowes Tuesday evening. Clutch complete. https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ There's not a lot of action from the barn owls at the Len Pick Trust tower as the female is sitting very tight. The eggs should begin to hatch during the first week of May and it will get busy then. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/ I mentioned last week that tawny owls appear to be having a disappointing breeding year, based on a poor showing from the pairs in Twyford Wood. The following day we found six breeding pairs in Callans Wood, so maybe it's not such a bad year after all? There were prey items in all the occupied boxes, mainly field mice. Alan and I began our little owl monitoring of the nest boxes yesterday. Some encouraging results but we have lost a few more pairs again this year. This is mirrored across the country and we don't really have an answer as to why. Because they are not a native species they don't attract the same attention from the various birding organisations as our other owls. Personally I love them! *** 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/ *** Ted Ellis’s Journals *** The teen-age journals of Ted Ellis, Norfolk naturalist, have been scanned by the Broads Authority at https://www.flickr.com/photos/200196587@N08/albums/ Ted Ellis was well-known in Norfolk as a writer, broadcaster and naturalist. He was born in Guernsey in 1909, and came to live in Yarmouth as a child in 1920. Ted was not a traditional scholar or scientist. He left school at the age of fifteen, went to work in a factory making false teeth, studied at evening classes and got a temporary job at the Tolhouse Museum in Yarmouth. His journals are packed with studious notes and his own beautiful illustrations. At the age of nineteen he was appointed as a natural history assistant at the Castle Museum, Norwich, where he developed his specialist research into fungi and rusts. Ted stayed until 1956, as Keeper of Natural History at the Castle, writing his daily notes on the countryside for the Eastern Daily Press, and broadcasting. He became great friends with our own Ted Smith. Much of the inspiration for Ted’s writing and broadcasts came from his beloved Wheatfen at Surlingham, which he and his wife Phyllis had purchased. Consisting of 130 acres of marsh carr and woods, Wheatfen is recognised as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. It is one of the last tidal marshes in the Yare Valley and one of the few remaining areas of the once extensive swamp. Since Ted’s death at Surlngham in 1986, Wheatfen has been run as a nature reserve by a Charitable Trust and is a ‘must-see’ location. https://wheatfen.org/ *** This week's mostly-local news stories: *** 24-mile diversion during Lincolnshire roadworks https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-68843297 Gibraltar Point and Humber: World Heritage Status forms submitted https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-68833467 Grimsby East Marsh: Fly-tipping of 'epidemic proportions' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-68825443 Letting grass grow long boosts butterfly numbers, UK study proves https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/19/letting-grass-grow-long-boosts-butterfly-numbers-uk-study-proves 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#? 25th April - 7th May Thursday: Sunny spells, light winds and scattered showers expected Thursday, with showers largely dissipating overnight. Feeling cold with an overnight frost. Maximum temperature 11 °C. Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Starting dry and cloudy, however there is an increasing risk rain will arrive from the south through this period. Rain may be heavy at times, especially on Sunday. Long-range forecast for East Midlands An uncertain start to the period though likely unsettled as a frontal system continues to push north across the UK, coupled with strong winds and possible coastal gales, this likely followed by a showery day with potential thunderstorms on Sunday and again on Monday. Beyond this, low pressure patterns continue to dominate with wet weather perhaps more likely to develop in parts of the south and east, though all parts are may see some rain at times. Winds further into the period mostly light to moderate. Temperatures will likely trend near or slightly above average, though some cooler interludes remain possible. Into early May, something of a north-south split looks possible, with relatively drier conditions further to the north and the greatest chance of rain further to the south. *** 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 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 *** *** Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** Carolyn Davis writes Birds and Bluebells Walk in Bradley and Dixon's Woods All are welcome to join us on Saturday 11th May 2024 2pm on walk in Bradley and Dixon's Woods near Grimsby looking for birds and woodland spring flowers with Graham Hicks. Please meet in the car parking area. Grid Ref TA 244058 Post Code DN37 0AH. 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 please contact Graham Hicks 07979 089890 or Carolyn Davis 07914 924790 or visit our website www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk and details are on our events 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 https://group.rspb.org.uk/southlincolnshire/news-blogs/blog/birds-and-wildlife-of-the-western-cape-provence-of-south-africa-by-garry-steele/ *** 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 https://group.rspb.org.uk/southlincolnshire/news-blogs/blog/early-morning-birdsong-walk/ *** 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 *** Coleopterists Society of Britain and Ireland *** Charlie Barnes writes: In case anyone is interested, I'll be leading two visits to Lincolnshire on behalf of ColSoc - the Coleopterists Society of Britain and Ireland – one to Whisby and another to the coast on the 1st and 2nd June, respectively. You have to be a supporter for insurance purposes but there is currently no fee so you just have to sign up - details below. All abilities/interests welcome! To become a supporter please go to www.colsoc.org/get-involved and sign up. To express an interest in attending a field meeting please send an email to colsocinfo+fieldmeetings@gmail.com. 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 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, 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, Curlew Sandpiper on South Scrape. Freiston Shore, Ring Ouzel on wetland, Wood Sandpiper. Gibraltar Point NNR, Water Pipit on Croftmarsh, Serin male flew south over beach. Killingholme Pits, Garganey drk on Humber, on mud by old seaplane jetty. Pyewipe, Spoonbill at Novartis Ings. 17/4 Cowbit, 2 Garganey, 1 drk at Cowbit wash, 21+ White Wagtails. Deeping St James, 2 Spoonbills 1 on East Pit, 1 on Est Pit, Glossy Ibis on East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, Lesser Yellowlegs 1s by visitor centre car park, Black-winged Stilt 1s fem by visitor centre, 2 Little Gulls at Reedbed 2s + 1s, Little Stint and Red-breasted Goose with Dark-bellied Brent Geese on Marsh Farm wet grasssland. Salfleetby/Theddlethorpe NNR, Garganey on wet grassland south of Crook Bank, Nightingale male singing in scrub east of Crook Bank. Pyewipe, Spoonbill at Novartis Ings. 18/4 Frampton Marsh, Lesser Yellowlegs 1s, Little Stint, Little Gull. Black Tern ad on Reedbed. Curlew Sandpiper, Black-winged Stilt and Red-breasted Goose with Dark-bellied Brent Geese on Marsh Farm Grassland, Freiston Shore, Ring Ouzel male, possible Swift between hide and car park. 19/4 Cowbit, 2 Garganey 1 drk, on southern section of Cowbit Wash. Frampton Marsh, 3 Water Pipits, Black-winged Stilt, Black Tern on Reedbed, Red-breasted Goose with Dark-bellied Brent Geese on Marsh Farm Grassland, Lesser Yellowlegs 1s by visitor centre car park. Freiston Shore, Spotted Redshank. Gibraltar Point NNR, Hawfinch in sycamores near Hump. Halton Marshes, Garganey drk. on River Humber. Salfleetby/Theddlethorpe NNR, Little Gull, Little Stint, Blue-headed Wagtail at Elm House Farm by track on scrape before hide, Spoonbill at Elm House farm, flew north end of Sea View Washlands. Pyewipe, Spoonbill, Novartis Ings. 20/4 Cowbit, Turnstone, 2 Garganey 1 drk, on southern section of Cowbit Wash. Deeping St James, 2 Glossy Ibises reported, Deeping Lakes. East Halton Marshes, 2 Ring Ouzels, 1 male, Garganey at Winter's Pond then flew to Humber near Killingholme Haven. Frampton Marsh, Black term, 2 Little Gulls ad and 1s, Litle Stint and Red-breasted Goose on Marsh Farm Wet Grassland, Lesser Yellowlegs 1s by visitor centre car park. Freiston Shore, Spotted Redshank, Salfleetby/Theddlethorpe NNR, Blue-headed Wagtail at Elm House Farm by track on scrape before hide. Pyewipe, Spoonbill, Novartis Ings. 21/4 Cowbit, 2 Garganey 1 drk on Cowbit Marsh. Spotted Redshank, 2 Grey Plovers.. East Halton Marshes, Ring Ouzel male in scrub, Garganey drk on track leading to bungalow on scrapes. Frampton Marsh, Little Stint, 1s Little Gull, Red-breasted Goose, Spotted Redshank on Marsh Farm Grassland, Black-winged Stilt 1s fem, Black Tern, Lesser Yellowlegs 1s by visitor centre car park. Gibraltar Point, Short-eared Owl, 4 Water Pipits. 22/4 Anderby Creek, Green-winged Teal from viewing screen, Anderby Marsh, Cowbit, Spotted Redshank at north end from Cradge Bank. Grey Plover. ad Little Gull, fem Garganey. Frampton Marsh, 2 Little Gulls ad + 1s, Lesser Yellowlegs 1s by visitor centre car park. Little Stint. Black Tern ad, Black-winged Stilt 1s fem on wet grassland, Red-breasted Goose with Dark-bellied Brent Geese on Marsh Farm Grassland. Freiston Shore, Ring Ouzel male. Gibraltar Point, Caspian Gull on Tennyson's Sands opposite beach car park, Harborough, South Killingholme, Ring Ouzel male. Messingham Sand Quarry, Arctic Tern flew through opposite Scallow Grove Farm. 23/4 Cowbit, Spotted Redshank at north end from Cradge Bank. 4 Little Gulls, 2 Grey Plovers. Deeping St James, Glossy Ibises on East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Baston + Langtoft Pits, 4+ Arctic Terns at Wader Pit. Frampton Marsh, 2 Garganey, Little Gull Black Tern ad., Red-breasted Goose with Dark-bellied Brent Geese on Marsh Farm Grassland, Lesser Yellowlegs 1s by visitor centre car park. Gibraltar Point, Velvet Scoter on sea. Willow Tree Fen, Arctic Tern. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 17/4/2023 Blue Tit 1+ Great Tit !+] 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 Trail Camera videos: Hedgehogs on trail camera. 15/4 at 20.42-20.55hrs in feeding station. Then at: 21.45, 22.35 and 22.42hrs Badger exploring garden Examining feeding station 21.45 and 22.38hrs 17/4 Hedgehog at 10.33hrs 18/4 Hedgehog at 12.45hrs and 01.57hrs. Badger 02.47hrs later Hedgehog x 2 at 10.55 to 11.12hrs and 12.33, 02.07, 03-38-03.36. 03.59 and 04.23hrs. 22/4 Hedgehog at 23.34hrs 23/4 Hedgehog at 01.48 and 03.33hrs. BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Mary and Phil Porter 19/4/24 Wasp chewing fibres on shed door Holly Blue Blotch-winged Hoverfly Leucozona lucorum Small Tortoiseshell Small White Green-veined White Orange-tip Brimstone 22-23/4/24 Mary has been hearing goldcrests song lately. Until a couple of years ago when we had a very tall Leylandii at the bottom of the garden, we used to hear them often, but then the tree blew down by degrees and the birds disappeared. But in the last two months she has heard them from time to time. I can’t hear such thin high-pitched birdsong these days unfortunately. At least one blackcap singing most days. 24/4/24 Green-veined White Throughout such a cold and wet week, on the rare occasions that the sun would burst through, the odd butterfly could be seen. At least one brimstone appeared every now and then. Both male and female sparrowhawks have swept through the garden every day. Various bumblebees active on most days, in spite of the cold, wet weather. DORRINGTON FEN. OS Explore 261. Grid Ref. 126/537 Bob Duerden Saturday 20-04-2024 Grey Partridge - 2 Stock Dove - 3 Yellow Hammer (Male) - 1 Swallow - 1 Pied Wagtail - 1 Red Kite -1 (flying overhead) Common Buzzards -2 (Circling high) Kestrel - 1 SCOTGROVE WOOD TF128702 Mary and Phil Porter 21st April 2024 The cold wind kept the birds very quiet, 2 Blackcaps and a Garden Warbler plus Robin, Song Thrush and Wren. There was Field Forget-me-not on a rubble pile at Scotgrove Farm with Wood Forget-me-not nearby in the wood, accompanied by Bugle, Cuckoo Pint, Wild Angelica, Meadowsweet, Marsh Thistle and Common Figwort in the rides where we disturbed a large muntjac. Further on we saw Common Dog-violet, Greater Stitchwort, Lesser Celandine and Hedge Woundwort. Unfortunately, someone had been having fun on a quadbike through the usually splendid woodland flower display on the western side and, although the Celandine and Bluebells were pretty, the pathside Twayblades had been flattened and we couldn’t find any Barren Strawberry which is usually quite prominent. Primroses are never very numerous but seemed especially sparse. The main concern was that, as we found at Southrey this year, the flowering of the mats of Wood Anemone was massively reduced although the plants looked fine. We disturbed a pair of apparently courting hares which had been lying feet away from the path in this part of the wood. Returning along the green lane, we added Silverweed, Dog’s Mercury, Wild Garlic (just inside the wood), Herb Robert, Ground-ivy, Lesser Burdock and heard Stock Dove. We also admired the occasional Wild Service tree with impressive maple-like leaves at the edge of the wood, as well as some Elm in seed. Finally, behind Scotgrove Farm, there is a curious section in the wood where there has obviously been some alternative land-use; the ground layer is very open and dominated by Climbing Corydalis accompanied by many Foxgloves. There are also a few established but badly damaged Norway Spruce and 1 large tree of (I think) Common Lime. But the biggest puzzle was the grove of 10-meter-high Aspen which were all looked stone dead surrounded by lots of very young saplings. 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 17 – 23rd 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: The weather during the past few days has been influenced by very cold winds from a northern sector. Strength of the winds have been fresh to strong and daytime maximum temperatures below average. Most days there have been short spells of blustery heavy showers. On the 22nd the maximum was 8.5 degrees centigrade. 160424 - 8 whimbrel on saltmarsh 170424 - 2 whimbrel on saltmarsh, male marsh harrier hunting over the area. Nightingale singing in dense scrub east of Crook Bank car park early morning. Also 2 lesser whitethroat, willow warbler and Cetti’s warbler singing in scrub. Short-eared owl in nearby dunes. Cuckoo calling south of Crook Bank. Cattle egret on Rimac corner. Drake garganey, scaup, 2 pink-footed goose, 4 little ringed plover, dunlin, snipe, bar-tailed godwit, 17 curlew and yellow wagtail on wet grassland south of Crook Bank. Green hairstreak butterfly Brickyard Lane. 180424 - A northerly movement of common gull early morning, with 700 over the sea. Nightingale still in song at Crook Bank. 2 sedge warblers, 1 Cetti’s warbler and 4 lesser whitethroat singing south of Crook Bank, a yellow wagtail flew north. Jack snipe flew from dry dunes south of Crook Bank. Short-eared owl Rimac saltmarsh. Cuckoos singing at Rimac and 2 at Crook Bank. Cattle egret still at Rimac. Greenshank, scaup, 6 little ringed plover, bar-tailed godwit, 3 white wagtail and 2 pink-footed goose on wet grassland south of Crook Bank. 3 swallows over Sea View dunes. 190424 - Ringtail hen harrier hunting over saltmarsh. Spoonbill feeding on Sea View washlands. 2 very vocal weasels, chasing each other at Sea View. Spoonbill on Elm House Farm before flying to Sea View washlands. Male blue-headed, yellow, 4 white and 2 pied wagtail, water pipit also at Elm House Farm, along with cuckoo and wheatear. 200424 - Spoonbill appeared at Sea View washlands, stayed for less than a minute and flew off. 2 white wagtails and 7 swallows feeding over the area. Whimbrel in two groups, 5 and 3 feeding on the saltmarsh. Spoonbill reported on Paradise Lagoon early morning. Nightingale still in song in dense scrub at Crook Bank. Blue-headed wagtail still at Elm House Farm. 210424 - Group of 18 whimbrel feeding on saltmarsh near Sea View. Water level now noticeably falling on Sea View washlands and the following observed: 23 teal, 9 shoveler, 5 wigeon, 1 shoveler, 1 male gadwall, 2 oystercatcher, 4 redshank and 4 lapwing. 6 white wagtail, 2 yellow wagtail, 22 shelduck, 4 snipe, 4 avocet and marsh harrier at Elm House Farm. 220424 - 2 yellow wagtails, 2 white wagtails, 2 mistle thrush on Sea View washlands, 12 shelduck feeding on the waterlogged grassland and 3 swallows over the area. Lesser whitethroat near Sea View and at least 130 wood pigeons on the saltmarsh. 7 swallow, 3 house martin and 10 mallard duckling next to Rimac car park. 3 cuckoo at Crook Bank early morning and nightingale still in song. Male wheatear, marsh harrier, 10 swallow, 4 yellow, 3 white and 2 pied wagtail Elm House Farm. Barn owl and tawny owl hunting around Sea View. 230424 - 2 whimbrel on the saltmarsh. Nightingale singing from dense scrub east of Crook Bank car park again. 3 whimbrel and 7 common scoter flew north over the sea. 5 white wagtail, yellow wagtail, 2 pink-footed goose, 2 avocet, 4 swallow and a house martin on wet grassland south of Crook Bank. Male hen harrier flew north along dunes at Mablethorpe North End. Kestrel pair at Sea View, swallows over dunes and Sea View Washland. 2 lapwing, 2 shelduck, 2 avocet, a heron, Canada geese and mallards on the washland. Mistle thrush nesting at Sea View. Other local reserves 210424 – Legbourne Wood: Green-veined white, primrose, bugle, wood anemone, lesser celandine, lords and ladies, variegated lords and ladies, common dog violet, sweet woodruff and yellow rattle coming through, variegated yellow archangel in car park. Bluebells in woods. Buzzards flying over. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: 7th May, 21st May 2024 https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/chambers-farm-wood-butterfly-garden 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 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 https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-flora-of-lincolnshire-e-joan-gibbons.pdf 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. Enormous ancient sea reptile identified from amateur fossil find https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68831349 Fossil of ‘largest snake to have ever existed’ found in western India https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/18/fossils-largest-snake-found-western-india 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 https://lnu.org/publications/books/the-geology-of-lincolnshire/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: Holding our breath as we watch the bearded tits https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/20/country-diary-holding-our-breath-as-we-watch-the-bearded-tits Water extraction and weight of buildings see half of China's cities sink https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68844731 Do whales sneeze? The Conversation’s Curious Kids podcast https://theconversation.com/do-whales-sneeze-the-conversations-curious-kids-podcast-227966 Country diary: Standing in the shadow of a giant https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/24/country-diary-standing-in-the-shadow-of-a-giant Voyager-1 sends readable data again from deep space https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68881369 Plant apocalypse: how new diseases are destroying EU trees and crops https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/apr/24/plant-apocalypse-how-deadly-imported-diseases-are-destroying-eu-trees-and-crops-aoe *** Mail Fails *** ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/