============================================ || || 17th January 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Roger writes: At 17 I had a summer job digging out a Pembrokeshire seaside cafe from an intruding sand dune, shifting it back to the beach with a Landrover. An enjoyable few weeks for a teenager! Spot the related "Sand build-up" story below. Also note the Pothole warning. A neighbour took out 2 left-side wheels on a frozen invisible pothole a couple of winters back. Dropped through the ice and "Bang!" He is a car enthusiast and had replacement wheels in his garage which were brought over and fitted. Few of us would be so well-organised and easily sorted! This week's mostly-local news stories: Sutton-on-Sea sand build-up down to council to clear https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-67971348 Pothole reports hit a five-year high in 2023 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67957584 East Yorkshire: Dramatic footage shows cliff collapsing https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-humber-67947380 Animals die from yew tree poisoning at Grimsby petting farm https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-67950809 Spalding hosts more than 250 cats at international show https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-67968130 Public rights of way blocked in 32,000 places https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67937253 Dunham Bridge partially reopens after flood https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-67947379 Lincoln's 'Wonky House' set for redevelopment after funding secured https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-67948811 Flood defence policy flawed, say MPs https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67998344 More links in "...and finally ..." at the end of the Bulletin. Thanks to all who sent in news, reports and contributions this week. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Note - my best address for emails. Phil's email is:philporterento@outlook.com *** Weather News and Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#? 20-29 January: "Over the weekend, a transition to less cold conditions will occur as Atlantic frontal systems start to arrive from the west, eventually bringing spells of rain and strong winds across all areas. Following this transition, rain is likely to be heavy at times across many western hills. Whilst conditions will turn milder, this transition brings the chance of some transient snow for higher ground in the north of Scotland. Once established by the end of the weekend, milder and wetter than normal conditions seem most likely to persist through to late-January, although the south could have some drier spells of weather at times, especially later in the month, when the chance of overnight frost and fog increases once again." *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Huge ring of galaxies challenges thinking on cosmos https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67950749 Artemis: Nasa delays crewed return to the Moon's surface https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67928687 RMG Meteor shower dates 2024 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/meteor-shower-guide Full Moons 2024 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/full-moon-calendar January's Night Sky: Highlights. https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/blog/astronomy/night-sky-highlights-january-2024 *** Events *** *** Boston Area Group LWT *** Gill Walsh writes… Talk – “Butterflies of Great Britain” by Gill Walsh Thursday 8th February 2024 at 7.30pm Centenary Methodist Church, Red Lion Street, Boston, PE21 6NY Free admission but there will be a retiring collection. Refreshments will be served in the interval. Non-members are welcome. ***Lincoln Area Group LWT*** Richard Davidson writes January 18th : Talk “Next-door Nature” An illustrated talk by Suzanne Fysh about this Lottery funded and UK-wide project, empowering people to take action for nature and bringing communities together to help nature flourish where they live and work. Suzanne is the project officer here in Lincolnshire. 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. *** Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** Bird Walk - Resident & Winter Visitors at Covenham Reservoir On Saturday 20th January 2024 you are invited to join us on a bird walk led by Graham Hicks around Covenham Reservoir. Please meet Graham at 8am in the main entrance carpark. Grid Reference TF34632 96034 Hoping to see Golden Eye, Widgeon, Shoveler, Gadwall and Teal and perhaps Whooper Swan, Smew and Great Northern Diver. This walk will last 1 and a half - 2hrs. 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. Graham can be contacted on 07979 089890 *** Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust *** In the run up to GWCT’s Big Farmland Bird Count 2-18 February 2024 we’ll be running free webinars to help learn the basics about how to identify farmland birds. https://www.gwct.org.uk/eventbooking?eventNodeId=28877 *** 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/ STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Covid advice and Services: https://www.nhs.uk/covid-19-advice-and-services/ 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 For RBA's excellent articles: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp 9/1 3+ Turnstones from Cradge Bank, at Cowbit Wash, Cowbit. 2 Hen Harriers both ringtails, Willow Tree Fen. Glossy Ibis, West Pit, Long-eared Owl in ivy from hide, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James. 4 Waxwings at Primrose Way, Grantham. Lesser Yellowlegs 1w by visitor centre car park, Long-tailed Duck on Marsh Farm reservoir, 2 Scaup 1 drk, Hen Harrier from raptor viewpoint, Frampton Marsh. 4 Shorelarks on beach near Greenshank Creek, Gibraltar Point. Smew ad drk at Thorpe Landfill at quarry off Job's Lane, Whisby. 2 Russian White-fronted Geese, at Winter's Pond, Hen Harrier East Halton Marshes 10/1 Long-eared Owl in ivy at Main Lake - from hide - Deeping Lakes, Glossy Ibis by River Welland bank near Maxey Cut confluence, Deeping St James Lesser Yellowlegs 1w by visitor centre car park, 1w drk Scaup on reedbed, Frampton Marsh Black-throated Diver flew south, Great Northern Diver, 4 Shorelarks on beach north of Greenshank Creek, Sooty Shearwater flew north, Snow Bunting, 2 Long-tailed Ducks on sea, Gibraltar Point 2 Knot on flood, opposite farmhouse from river bank by pumping station, Short Ferry, Fiskerton. Waxwing in elders by car park, Fiskerton Fen Black Brant in fields with Brent Geese at former RAF North Cotes, then flew towards Tetney Lock 11/1 Scaup 1w fem on Main Lake, Tallington Lakes Hen Harrier, Willow Tree Fen Glossy Ibis near Maxy Cut confluence along River Welland Bank, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 2 Bewick's Swans in field by Littleworth Drive, Deeping St Nicholas Lesser Yellowlegs 1w by visitor centre car park, Frampton Marsh Hen Harrier male from The Wash, 3 Long-tailed Ducks on sea from Mill Hill, 4 Shorelarks on beach north of Greenshank Creek, 7 Snow Buntings, Gibraltar Point 12/1 Hen Harrier ringtail on roost. Willow Tree Fen Little Gull ad at Cowbit Wash from Cradge Bank, Cowbit Spotted Redshank on Crowland wash opposite Tooley Farm, north of Crowland Long-eared Owl at Main Lake, in ivy, from hide, Glossy Ibis from screen, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Long-tailed Duck fem at Marsh Farm reservoir, Lesser Yellowlegs 1w in NWE corner of Marsh Farm Grassland, Frampton Marsh Water Pipit, Freiston Shore 4 Shorelarks on beach north of Greenshank Creek, 7 Snow Buntings, Bean Goose flew south over, 2 Snow Buntings near Greenshank Creek, 3 Long-tailed Ducks 2 drks, 3 Water Pipits, Gibraltar Point Black Brant ad with Dark bellied Brent Geese, Donna Nook 13/1 Glossy Ibis and Red-throated Diver near Maxy Cut confluence along River Welland Bank, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 2 Long-eared Owls at Main Lake, in ivy, from hide, Glossy Ibis from screen, Red-throated Diver, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James Turnstone on Crowland wash opposite Tooley Farm, north of Crowland 6 Turnstones from Barrier Bank, at Cowbit Wash, Cowbit Lesser Yellowlegs 1w by visitor centre car park, Water Pipit, Scaup, Hen Harrier over saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh 5 Waxwings along approach road, 18+ Snow Buntings, 4 Shorelarks on beach north of Greenshank Creek, ad Little Gull, 2 Hen Harriers, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, Gibraltar Point 4 Water Pipits in flooded field north of Rimac car park, 34 Snow Buntings, 2 Velvet Scoters 1 drk flew north, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe NNR Great Grey Shrike north of road in small copse NW of Doddington, then flew towards Doddington. 2 Lapland Buntings. c210 Twite. Hen Harrier ringtail, Donna Nook 14/1 2 Hen Harriers both ringtails in roost, 3+ Bewick's Swans, Willow Tree Fen 2 Bewick's Swans ads on Crowland Wash at Deeping High Bank 2 Long-eared Owls in gully at Main Lake Glossy Ibis on West Pit, Red-throated Diver on Main Lake, Deeping St James Lesser Yellowlegs 1w by visitor centre car park, Scaup, Frampton Marsh 3 Long-tailed Ducks on sea, Gibraltar Point 4 Tundra Bean Geese wiht Pink-footed Geese, Woodhall Spa Airfield 8 Snow Buntings on beach east of Crook Bank car park, 4 Water Pipits and 10 Snow Buntings in flooded field north of Rimac, Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe NNR 120+ Twite, Donna Nook 15/1 2 Long-eared Owls in gully at Main Lake, Glossy Ibis on West Pit, Red-throated Diver on Main Lake, Deeping St James Long-tailed Duck fem/1w drk Cowbit Marsh from Cradge Bank, Cowbit Scaup, 2 Garganey reported, Lesser Yellowlegs 1w by visitor centre car park, Frampton Marsh Waxwing, Hen Harrier ringtail, Gibraltar Point Velvet Scoter flew south past Mablethorpe 5 Waxwings at Great Hale, Heckington 3 Tundra Bean Geese, Woodhall Spa Airfield Hen Harrier over fields, Brant Broughton Waxwing, 2 Hen Harriers one a ringtail, 21 Snow Buntings on beach, Gibraltar Point Waxwing in garden, Billinghay 16/1 Long-tailed Duck fem/1w drk Cowbit Marsh from Cradge Bank, Cowbit 2 Hen Harriers Willow Tree Fen Short-eared Owl in field opposite turning for Deeping St Nicholas, Deeping High Bank Red-throated Diver. 4 Long-eared Owls, 3 at Main Lake in gully, 1 in ivy, 2 Bewick's Swans in field near entrance, Glossy Ibis near Maxey Cut/River Welland confluence, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James 9 Turnstones, Long-tailed Duck fem/1w drk Cowbit Marsh from Cradge Bank, Cowbit 1+ Waxwing at Bean's Hole, 9 Water Pipits at freshwater Marsh, Gibraltar Point Bewick's Swan in field by A16, Sibsey 3 Tundra Bean Geese, Woodhall Spa Airfield 10 Waxwings atA16/A137 roundabout, Louth Great Northern Diver, Covenham reservoir 14 Waxwings in hedge Newton Marsh Lane, north of Tetney Lock 100+ Twite, Donna Nook ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Hedgehogs? Badgers? Otters? Reports welcome. *** County Wildlife Reports From Readers *** Thanks to our regular contributors across the county. Much appreciated. We rely on readers to send in their observations and welcome records from everyone, experts or beginners. Please keep your reports coming. BARDNEY - THE GREEN TF120694 R + A Parsons 16/1/2024 Recent hedgehog scat. Regulars: Pied wagtail m+f, Dunnock, Chaffinch f, House Sparrow 10+, Blue Tit 2+, Robin 2, Blackbird 3m+2f, Starling [12+], LBB Gulls [12+], Jackdaw [12], Woodpigeon [4+], Collared Dove [2+], domestic pigeon [6]. 2 Ravens heard regularly from nearby tree. Notes: Pied Wagtail m drank from birdbath and came back later with female in tow. Enthusiastic bathing by blue tits, which are feeding on fat balls and peanuts.. CARLTON LE MOORLAND SK909581 Jeremy Hutchinson GS Woodpecker heard drumming recently both here and in Bassingham. Ravens have been seen/heard most days recently, as was the case at this time last year, most notably on 14th January around noon, when I watched one flying in such a way that I could only conclude that it was a territorial display. The bird in question was flying in a large circle at medium altitude while emitting frequent croaks, but began to stoop (with the occasional roll), while emitting a strange sound between croaks. At first I didn't realise that it was the Raven making this sound; I can only liken it to the first part of a donkey's 'hee-haw', quite unlike any sound I have heard a Raven make. After a few minutes I heard another one call in reply, which shortly appeared with the 'main' bird. Before long another four Ravens flew in from a southerly direction and joined in, after which they flew in a circle several times before flying away to the west. Just after they had flown away, two unidentified birds flew high from the east on a similar bearing: they looked like raptors, one was much smaller than the other and flying at some distance behind the first. At first I thought that they were Sparrowhawks, but their wing shape and movements were different, and the lead bird had an unusually long tail. They were flying much higher than I have ever seen Sparrowhawks previously: I am puzzled as to what they might have been. The highlight of the most interesting week there's been for some time has been the return of Little Owls to one of the two old Ash trees across the field from us, which they have used for nesting over many years. I have mentioned before that they have been missing since the 19th July 2022, when the temperature peaked at 40C. Early last week I thought that I had heard one calling, but due to passing vehicle noise I wasn't sure. By the end of the week there was no doubt, and I have since seen one most days, and on occasion seen two at once, so with luck they will be nesting before long. The Little Owl is one of my favourite birds, so to that that I am overjoyed is no exaggeration, they have been much missed. CHAMBERS FARM WOOD TF146742 Phil and Mary Porter 12th January Raven flew westwards calling. GRIMSBY TA265095 Joyce Attia 16th January 2024 We've had an absolute flurry of finches over the last few days, goldfinches, m and f chaffinches, a greenfinch, blue tits, great tits, robins, blackbirds m and f, dunnock, wood pigeons, collared doves. It's lovely to see them all, but I bet on the Big Garden Birdwatch day there'll only be a couple of feral pigeons left, it happens every year. SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 09/01/24 Blackbird x 3 Blue Tit x 6 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 8 Fieldfare x 12 Jackdaw x 7 Jay x 2 Magpie x 2 Redwing x 12 Robin x 1 Stock Dove x 2 Woodcock x 1 Wood Pigeon x 2 Wren x 1 Rabbit x 2 THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 19/12/23 Blackbird x 3 Chaffinch x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 160 Goldcrest x 1 Goldfinch x 6 Kestrel x 1 Long-tailed Tit x 21 Redwing x 100 Robin x 2 Siskin x 8 Starling x 120 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:20hrs Woodcock x 1 Wood Pigeon x 6 20/12/23 Marsh Harrier x 1 over Thurnholmes 07:50hrs 2024 02/01/24 Barn Owl x 1 01:15hrs Blackbird x 19 Black-headed Gull x 128 over Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 4 Common Buzzard x 1 Cormorant x 1 Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 180 Goldfinch x 6 Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Great tit x 2 Long Tailed Tit x 37 Magpie x 1 Mallard x 1 over Thurnholmes Mute Swan x 2 in fields around Thurnholmes Redwing x 210 Robin x 4 Stock Dove x 2 Tawny Owl x 2 calling 02:10hrs Wood Pigeon x 55 Wren x 1 12/01/24 Barn Owl x 1 01:15hrs Blackbird x 14 Black-headed Gull x 25 over Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 6 Chaffinch x 1 Common Buzzard x 2 Cormorant x 1 over Thurnholmes Dunnock x 2 Fieldfare x 75 Goldfinch x 4 Grey Partridge x 1 Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Lesser Redpoll x 12 Long Tailed Tit x 31 Magpie x 2 Mute Swan x 2  over Thurnholmes Pink-footed Goose x 250 flying high, East , over Thurnholmes Redwing x 23 Robin x 4 Starling x 58 Wood Pigeon x 6 House Mouse x 2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 10th – 16th January 2024 Contributors: - Peter & Janet Roworth, John Walker, Matt Blissett, Ruth Taylor, Owen Beaumont, Cliff Morrison and Dean Nicholson. Thank you to all other contributors. 100124 – 8 waxwing in the dunes at Rimac. 110124 – 250 brent geese, 168 pink-footed goose, 1000+ golden plover, 100 dunlin, 200+ lapwing, 400+ starling, wigeon, redshanks and curlews at Elm House Farm. Paradise lagoon: 51 shoveler, 5 gadwall, 2 shelduck. Male marsh harrier hunting over saltmarsh. 17 tufted ducks on the Eau. Aconites in flower near Sea View and snowdrops in flower near Churchill. 120124 - 6 siskin flew south over Brickyard Lane. 130124 – 4 raven flew north along the dunes at Brickyard Lane. 2 Cetti’s warbler calling in dune scrub at Brickyard Lane. 4 water pipit in flooded field north of Rimac car park. 34 snow bunting on the foreshore. 2 velvet scoter flew north. Buzzard, peregrine, woodcock and 2 stonechat at Rimac, and 2 waxwing reported around Rimac car park. Elm House Farm: 378 lapwing, 97 redshank, 2520 golden plover, 210 wigeon and 44 starlings. 140124 – On the foreshore between Churchill Lane and Brickyard Lane on the ebbing tide 650 dunlin, 28 sanderling, 13 grey plover and 5 snow bunting. 2 water pipit in flooded field north of Rimac car park. 10 snow bunting on Crook Bank foreshore. Paradise lagoon: 16 gadwall and Cetti’s warbler heard nearby in vegetation alongside the Eau. C450 pink footed geese Elm House.   150124 – Velvet scoter flew south over the sea. Barnacle goose, goldeneye and black-tailed godwit on scrapes south of Crook Bank. Great spotted wood- pecker, 3 woodcock, 3 bullfinch and 2 Cetti’s warbler Brickyard Lane dunes. 6 snow bunting on the foreshore north of Crook Bank car park. 49 little egrets all together on the the edge of the saltmarsh, near Paradise. Great spotted wood pecker near Sea View. A wind chill of -2.3 degrees centigrade was observed in the bitterly cold north- westerly wind near Sea View. "Weekly Pupdate" https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook/weekly-update ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ These cover a huge area. Reports always welcome. The history of the Lincolnshire Limewoods: https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/features/19111877.lincolnshire-limewoods/ The Forestry Commission visitor advice: https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch: https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html Chambers Farm Wood - Butterfly Garden - gardening dates and times: Next date: 20th February 2024 https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/chambers-farm-wood-butterfly-garden Lincolnshire Dormouse Group Gemma Watkinson writes: The next winter session will be on Sunday 21st January 2024 In the winter we start at 10am, meeting at the same location, in the wood centre car park at Chambers Farm Wood. Future dates for winter sessions for your diary: Saturday 17th February 2024 Sunday 17th March 2024 You can get in touch via lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood; Little and Great Scrubbs Woods; Minting Wood; Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park; and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting). College Wood; Cocklode & Great West Woods; Hardy Gang Wood; Newball Wood; Rand Wood; Scotgrove Wood; Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland. Many are also designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Local Nature Reserves - Lincolnshire Lincolnshire County Council - 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CONTACTS LIST Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union LNU Website: http://lnu.org/ LNU Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist LNU Facebook page: LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust: https://twitter.com/LincsWildlife Lincs Bird Club: https://twitter.com/Lincsbirding LBC County Bird Recorder: recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society: https://twitter.com/sirjosephbanks Lincolnshire Bat Group: http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch: https://twitter.com/BC_Lincolnshire Lincsbirders: https://twitter.com/lincsbirders Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project: https://lincolnshirechalkstreams.org/events/ Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Trust: https://lincolnshirechalkstreamstrust.org.uk/ South Lincolnshire Flora Group: https://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 The Wolds Fungi Group: Contact Paul Nichol via email: pnichol20@gmail.com Lincolnshire Dormouse Group: Contact: lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME Wildlife Crime https://www.lincs.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/wc/wildlife-crime/ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ Downloads of LNU books: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ Recording with "iRecord": https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ iRecord is recommended by the LNU as an appropriate platform for on-line recording. 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: https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/mammalatlas.pdf For the Geologists... Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Independent - Geology: https://www.independent.co.uk/topic/geology Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group: https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 Geology - the Collection: https://www.thecollectionmuseum.com/explore/geology Geology of the Lincolnshire Wolds: https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/special-features/geology The Geology of Lincolnshire: downloadable LNU book ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. NOTES ABOUT THESE WILDLIFE REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting. However, records are sent in by a variety of reporters; from complete beginners to professionals. They may vary in reliability and occasionally may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed please contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP], Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. BULLETIN PUBLICITY POLICY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When sending in reports, e.g. unusual plants, please report any sensitive news directly to recorders. Not the Bulletin. We don't want to spoil things with unwise or untimely publicity. Thank you. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Remember: Views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to such agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU EVENTS DIARY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events *** https://lnu.org/meetings/ https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ National or international stories... Country diary: A velvety fungus that shows names matter https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jan/16/country-diary-a-velvety-fungus-that-shows-names-matter Man who abseiled down cliff to take peregrine falcon eggs jailed https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-derbyshire-67987416 Country diary: Leeches are sinister, insatiable – and more common than you’d think https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jan/13/country-diary-leeches-are-sinister-insatiable-and-more-common-than-youd-think A23a: Spectacular arches, caves as monster iceberg decays https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67986443 Asian hornets killing off honeybees in Europe, say MEPs https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/jan/15/asian-hornets-killing-off-honey-bees-in-europe-say-meps 2023 confirmed as world's hottest year on record https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67861954 Kew Gardens names mysterious plants and fungi new to science https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67930823 Birdwatchers flock to sightings of waxwings in Corby https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-67944115 Red kites: Watch as red kites swarm garden for leftovers https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-wales-67938901 Why you should care about anchovies having sex https://theconversation.com/why-you-should-care-about-anchovies-having-sex-216410 Mink story last Wednesday 10/1 from Roger Tidy Welsh Mouse caught on tape cleaning man’s shed every night https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/tidy-welsh-mouse-caught-on-tape-cleaning-mans-shed-every-night/ Huge ancient lost city found in the Amazon https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67940671 Huge ring of galaxies challenges thinking on cosmos https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-67950749     How do birds mate? The basics of avian sex https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/natural-sciences/animals/birds/how-birds-mate-avian-sex/ Invasive mink eradicated from parts of England by using scented traps https://www.newscientist.com/article/2412133-invasive-mink-eradicated-from-parts-of-england-by-using-scented-traps/ See these exquisite images of starling murmurations around Europe (partly paywalled) https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg26134730-300-see-these-exquisite-images-of-starling-murmurations-around-europe/ Flies, the maligned pollinators webinar FREE Buglife Webinar by Erica McAlister Thursday 22nd February 19.00-20.00 + Q&A afterwards https://www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/53196 *** Mail Fails *** None this week. ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/