============================================ || || 24th 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: As you will have read, Phil Porter is doing much of the Bulletin editing, with a view to taking over from me when I stop doing it at the next AGM. I have enjoyed the task, but could not have done it without the stalwart support on the regular contributors, who keep us informed of Lincolnshire wildlife news and events. Phil will discover how invaluable this help is, and will be as appreciative as I have been. When sending in contributions it will help the handover if you copy of in both of us for now, as we do find ourselves covering for each other. Remember, the point of the Bulletin is to let you know what is being seen, so you can develop your identification skills and record your sightings. "If a species is worth seeing it is worth recording." You could start with the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch. This week's mostly-local news stories: RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch - 26-28th January 2024 https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/big-garden-birdwatch Consultation on Lincolnshire countryside pylon plan launched https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-68009635 Hull is 'fed up' of filthy bridges, council says https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-68028484 Boston Central Park repairs underway after fairground damage https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-68030530 Volunteers transform Lincolnshire wasteland into nature reserve https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-68018588 National Lottery grant of £222,000 for Gainsborough Old Hall https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-68010369 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 - this is 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#? Wednesday Winds easing following the passage of Storm Jocelyn, although gale-strength gusts likely persisting over the Peak District into the afternoon. Bright or sunny for most, with mild temperatures perhaps tempered by the strong winds early on. Maximum temperature 10 °C. Light winds overnight. Staying dry, with clear spells developing to allow for a chilly night in places. Cloud increasing through the early hours, bringing rain to western parts before dawn. Minimum temperature 3 °C. Thursday Breezy on Thursday with spells of rain and drizzle moving in from the west. Winds increasing through the evening with gales possible over the Derbyshire hills. Mild. Maximum temperature 13 °C. Friday-Sunday Staying breezy through the period. Friday and Saturday should stay mostly dry with bright or sunny spells. Sunday looks likely to see spells of rain at times. Mild. U.K. Outlook 28th January – 6th February Cloud and outbreaks of rain gradually move southwards across the UK during Sunday, lying across central areas before moving back north during Monday. Some heavy rain is possible at times, particularly across hills in the west. Through the remainder of the period, changeable with spells of rain at times, but also some drier, brighter interludes. The heaviest and most frequent rain will tend to be across north-western areas and accompanied by periods of strong winds. Further south and east settled periods are likely to be more prevalent, with the best of any sunshine and drier weather here. Temperatures are expected to be milder than average overall, although this doesn't preclude shorter, colder spells at times, with a risk of overnight frost and fog accompanying more settled conditions. ** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** 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 RMG Meteor shower dates 2024 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/meteor-shower-guide *** 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. *** Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT*** Carolyn Davis writes… On Monday 12th February 24 we will be welcoming Phil Espin who will talk about “The Louth Canal and its Birds” with particular emphasis on the Louth end. All the photos he will be using have been provided by Louth bird photographer John Clarkson who sadly died last year. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall DN31 1HX and starts at 7.30pm.  Admission £4, all are welcome. There will be a sale of donated pre-owned natural history books with proceeds going to the Trust. Raffle and refreshments available. For further information contact Jennie Redpath 01472 502858 or visit our websitewww. grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk We are also on Facebook *** 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. Peakland Environmental Farmers to plant 6km of new hedges this winter for nature and carbon capture GPS-tagging research highlights extreme fox predation facing waders Helicopters and hurdles aside, we make every insect count! – 2023 pollinator surveys https://www.gwct.org.uk/eventbooking?eventNodeId=28877 *** Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society *** Keith Scarrott writes… Our next meeting is on Monday, 12th February, when we have another visit by our local Barton-on-Humber, well-known ornithologist, and photographer, Graham Catley who will be giving his illustrated talk entitled"A Quest for Owls". He will be telling us about this often illusive, but sought-after groups of birds. Graham is a very widely accomplished bird photographer whose pictures have reached the shortlist in several national bird photography competitions. He has also sat on committees of county and national ornithological organisations. We meet as usual in the small hall, Room 1, at the Old Brumby United Church, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AQ, which is immediately next to the Applegreen filling station near to the traffic lights at Brumby crossroads.  ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is free parking at the Church and also on nearby roads. There is a £3 entry charge for non-members. Light refreshments are available at the mid-talk break for a small charge. *** Scunthorpe and Brigg Local Group of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust *** Keith Scarrott writes… Our first meeting for this year is on Thursday 8th February, starting at 7.30pm, when Matt Cox, LWT's Northwest Area Manager, will be giving a roundup of of the area reserves in his illustrated talk entitled  "The Sands and Peats of Northwest Lincolnshire". Matt will look at some of the key habitats, species, and management practices in the reserves while considering some of the ongoing challenges of managing these sites. Caring for our environment and wildlife has become a major concern. We can learn from Matt how the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is doing all it can to address this concern in our local area. We meet as usual in St Hugh's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AG, which is opposite the Applegreen filling station near to the traffic lights at Brumby crossroads. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is a £2.50 entry charge which includes light refreshments at the mid-talk break. There is free parking at the Church and on nearby roads. *** 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/ Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union Transactions Roger Parsons has some "vintage" back copies of Transactions looking for a good home. If anyone is interested please contact him on: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk There are 10 issues (and a couple of indexes); 1905,1933-1941 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 17/1 Long-eared Owl in gully at Main Lake, Red-throated Diver at west end of Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St Nicholas. Hen Harrier ringtail, flew over A17 Sutterton, west of Wigtoft. Great Northern Diver at River Witham mouth, Purple Sandpiper, Lesser Yellowlegs 1w on grassland, 2 Scaup on Reedbed, Frampton Marsh. Glaucous Gull on saltmarsh viewed from hut on sea wall north of centre, 2 Scaup, Freiston Shore. 2 Waxwings and 9 Snow Buntings in East Dunes, 4 Shorelarks on beach north of Greenshank Creek, 8 Water Pipits at Freshwater Marsh, 2 Hen Harriers, Slavonian Grebe, Long-tailed  Duck, Gibraltar Point NNR. Long-tailed Duck on Saltmarsh lagoon at Rimac Saltfleetby/ Theddlethorpe NNR. 3 Tundra Bean Geese, Woodhall Spa Airfield. 120 Twite, Donna Nook. 18/1 Hen Harrier male over saltmarsh, Frampton Marsh. 14 Waxwings, 3 Water Pipits, Short-eared Owl, 3 Long-tailed Ducks on sea, 3 Tundra Bean Geese flew north over Croft Marsh, Gibraltar Point NNR. 2 Waxwings at Amos Way by play area, Sibsey. 19/1 Scaup 1w fem on Main Lake, Tallington Lakes. Glossy Ibis near Maxey Cut/River Welland confluence, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James. 9 Turnstones from Cradge Bank, Grey Plover, Cowbit Wash. 4 Long-eared Owls at Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James. 12 Shorelarks along Sea Bank towards River Witham mouth, Bewick's Swan, male Hen Harrier, Frampton Marsh. Red-necked Grebe flew north past, 8 Waxwings flew south, 8 Snow Buntings, male Hen Harrier, 4 Shorelarks on beach near Greenshank Creek, 3 Long-tailed Ducks offshore, Gibraltar Point NNR. Caspian Gull 1w on pools, Festival Car Park, Skegness. 25 Snow Buntings on beach at Crook Bank, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe NNR. Glossy Ibis, Alkborough Flats. 20/1 3+ Turnstones from Cradge Bank, Grey Plover, Cowbit Wash. 1+ Bewick's Swan Deeping High Bank on Crowland Wash. 2 Hen Harriers both ringtails, Willow Tree Fen. Glossy Ibis near Maxey Cut/River Welland confluence, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James. Hen Harrier male, Marston. Lesser Yellowlegs 1w and Spoonbill at River Haven mouth, 2 Hen Harriers, Frampton Marsh. Velvet Scoter off north end, 10+ Snow Buntings on beach, Gibraltar Point NNR. 28 Snow Buntings on beach at Crook Bank, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe NNR 40+ Waxwings south of roundabout, Caenby Corner. Ring-necked Duck at Bagmore Lake west of Winterton [present several weeks]. 100+ Twite, Donna Nook. 2 Russian White-fronted Geese on Winter's Pond, East Halton Marshes. 21/1 Glossy Ibis near Maxey Cut/River Welland confluence, Long-eared Owls at Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James. 3 Russian White-fronted Geese, Stanton's Pit, WSW of Bourne. 2 Waxwings at Costcutter, Princess Drive, Grantham. 4 Shorelarks on beach near Greenshank Creek, Red-necked Grebe, Velvet Scoter, Gibraltar Point NNR. 19+ Snow Buntings on beach, Crook Bank, Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe NNR. 2 Russian White-fronted Geese at Winter's Pond, East Halton Skitter. 22/1 Lesser Yellowlegs 1w, Hen Harrier from Sea Bank Viewpoint, Frampton Marsh. Water Pipit, 2 Scaup, Freiston Shore. Twite, 8 Snow Buntings, Waxwing, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, Gibraltar Point NNR. 2 Russian White-fronted Geese at Winter's Pond, East Halton Marshes. 22/1 Lesser Yellowlegs 1w, Hen Harrier from Sea Bank Viewpoint, Frampton Marsh. Water Pipit, 2 Scaup, Freiston Shore. Twite, 8 Snow Buntings, Waxwing, 3 Long-tailed Ducks, Gibraltar Point NNR. 2 Russian White-fronted Geese at Winter's Pond, East Halton Marshes. 23/1 Glossy Ibis near Maxey Cut/River Welland, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James. Hen Harrier male, Marston sewage works. 2 Waxwings at Costcutter, Princess Drive, Grantham. Lesser Yellowlegs 1w by visitor centre car park, Frampton Marsh. 2 Scaup, Freiston Shore. Velvet Scoter flew south past, 1+ Snow Bunting, 3 Long-tailed Ducks on sea, Gibraltar Point. Smew ad drk at quarry off Job's Lane, Thorpe Landfill, Whisby. Caspian Gull, Cress Marsh, Stallingborough. 24/1 Lesser Yellowlegs 1w by visitor centre car park, Frampton Marsh. 2 Scaup, Freiston Shore. Smew redhead on Jackson's Marsh, Gibraltar Point. Great Northern Diver, Shag by sailing club, Covenham reservoir. Great Northern Diver flew upriver between Pyewipe and Immingham. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. BOSTON Havenside country park (Riverside walk along the Haven) TF342423 to TF344420 Tracey Lenton 19/01/2024 I had an interesting walk, I must have been mad, it was so cold!, but the sun was shining and good for photos. I saw 9 different bird species, 4 of which are a first for me which was a plus. I love the marshy areas, so it's proving to be a good project. Black-headed gulls, numerous Cormorant 2 Curlew 1 seen on the far bank *Dunlin, several *Grey plover 1 Lapwing 1 *Pipit 1, possibly Rock pipit, seen among the boulders  *Ringed plover 1 Redshank, a few *Identified by Phil Hyde HOLLAND FEN TO TATTERSHALL BRIDGE Geof Lee 20/01/2024 Roe Deer -5 Buzzard - 1 Kestrel - 5 Little Egret - 1 Heron - 1 Redshank - 3 Egyptian Goose - 2 Goosander - 5 Tufted Duck - 4 French Partridge - 2 Wigeons Mallards Coots Moorhens Cormorants Fieldfares Lapwings HORKSTOW SE 987179 Jenny Haynes 18 January 2024 A flock of fieldfare was spotted in the recently ploughed field opposite my house. They suddenly took off, followed by a flock of goldfinch from a nearby tree, followed by a female sparrowhawk! We’ve seen an increase in birds on the garden feeders, including blackbirds, some of which have mastered the art of hovering while reaching out for seed. Other birds include, tree sparrows, which prefer the fat balls, blue and great tits, chaffinch, greenfinch, a robin and the occasional wren and long tailed tit. And, of course, wood pigeons and pheasants. HYKEHAM ROAD, LINCOLN Jeremy Hutchinson I have just read your report of having found a scat recently, which reminded me of a sighting which I forgot to include in my last report. At about 22.00 on 14th January, in the Hykeham Road area of Lincoln, temperature 2 degrees C, we were amazed to see a hedgehog wandering in the highway on Berkeley Avenue, much to our consternation. Before we had decided what to do it had vanished into a nearby garden. Why would it have emerged from hibernation on such a cold day? WATER RAIL WAY Southrey TF140662 Phil and Mary Porter 20th January A nearby pheasant-shoot disturbed a few redshank in the Witham channel, which is hidden from view at that particular spot by the pumping station and their characteristic yodelling came as an unexpected pleasant record. The racket also caused teal and 1 wigeon, also out of sight, to start calling. Whooper swans were conversing way over to the west behind Southrey station and we were eventually able to see them in the fields, certainly in three figures. Then it was off to the village hall for a bacon butty and cup of tea. WOODHALL SPA TRAIL off Sandy Lane TF218648 Phil and Mary Porter 19th January Pleasant enough but not very much to report walking towards Horncastle and back for a mile or so. At one point we were struck by medium sized spruce trees draped with ivy which was trailing straight down for several meters from about a third of the trees’ height. Perhaps it was weakened to the shade of the crowns or maybe it can’t cling to coniferous wood very well. We heard nuthatch calls at one point, and green woodpecker yaffling from sparse grassland with anthills. There were a few redwings, fieldfares and a song thrush feeding in the track margins, but a lack of small birds except for several robins and a small party of blue and great tits near Sandy Lane end which was much the most interesting part. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs and NATURE RESERVES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR Report  17th – 23rd 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.   Daily News and Wildlife Sightings   Note: Spell of very cold weather from 13th - 20th. Several hard frosts recorded falling to a ground minimum of -10.0 degrees centigrade and air minimum -5.75 degrees centigrade on the 18th. The average day time temperature for 15th - 17th was 3.3 degrees centigrade. A few snowflakes fell on the 18th. Spell of very strong winds 21st - 24th. 170124 - A fine adult drake long-tailed duck on a partially frozen Rimac saltmarsh lagoon. Cattle egret with cows in Rimac dunes. 3 stonechat and 600+ pink-footed goose at Elm House Farm. Green woodpecker calling close to Paradise Lagoon, where a male hen harrier flew over. Stonechat Sea View washlands.   180124 - Mixed flock of 10 feeding, 15 blackbirds and 12 chaffinches in the shelterbelt near Sea View. 190124 - 25 snow bunting and 15 yellowhammer on Crook Bank foreshore. 2 cattle egret along the Eau between Sea View and Rimac. Green woodpecker, fieldfare and 15+ redwing Rimac dunes. 12 redwing also at Brickyard Lane, a peregrine hunting in the area. 500+ pink-footed geese feeding on short grass at Elm House Farm. Standing water on the Sea View washlands frozen with all wildfowl on or along the edge of the Eau, shoveler 48, wigeon 300, teal 210, mallard 14, little grebe 1, coot 1, moorhen 2. Saltmarsh well frozen but the creeks remained open with wigeon and teal loafing on the edges. Merlin, ringtail hen harrier, 2 marsh harriers hunting over the saltmarsh. Peregrine hunting over the mudflats near the haven and 7 twite feeding amongst the saltmarsh vegetation. 200124 - 28 snow bunting on Crook Bank foreshore. Female red-breasted merganser flew south over the sea. Waders on the beach between MOD and Mablethorpe North End included: 720 dunlin, 60 sanderling, 7 bar-tailed godwit and 24 grey plover. 500 teal and 400 wigeon in saltmarsh creeks out from Sea View. 2 cattle egret roadside near Rimac. Woodcock flew over Rimac dunes at dusk. 500+ pink-footed geese at Elm House Farm. Peregrine over the saltmarsh. In the Sea View shelterbelt a single fieldfare and 5 redwing with a green woodpecker calling nearby. 210124 - 19 snow bunting at Crook Bank. Just off the reserve, a colour-ringed purple sandpiper at Mablethorpe outfall was ringed in Svalbard 30th August 2021.  Canada geese in the Paradise - Sea View area 270 with 16 grey lags. Wind gust 43.3mph near Sea View.   220124 - Woodcock flew over Mablethorpe North End. 5 cattle egret feeding in field south of Rimac car park. 146 curlew and at least 1500 mixed gulls roosted on the foreshore in the evening. 200 brent geese on Elm House Farm, lapwing and golden plover returned as the ground thawed out.   230124 - 2 bar-tailed godwits Sea View washlands.   Other Local Reserves   170124 – Toby’s Hill: 5 woodcock flew up from the scrub.   180124 – Donna Nook: C120 twite, 2 snow bunting.   190124 – Donna Nook: 1 Lapland bunting, 2 merlin, 1 marsh harrier, 1 male hen harrier. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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... Black hole, neutron star or something new? We discovered an object that defies explanation https://theconversation.com/black-hole-neutron-star-or-something-new-we-discovered-an-object-that-defies-explanation-221190 Why aren’t there giant animals anymore? New study explains evolutionary shrinkage https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/why-arent-there-giant-animals-anymore/ New prehistoric feline species discovered in Madrid https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/new-prehistoric-feline-species-discovered-in-madrid/ Peatlands: New documentary to explore the secret life of bogs https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-68029982 Earth’s earliest creatures dated from Welsh rocks https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-68005838 Bee-harming neonicotinoid pesticide has emergency approval again https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68025634 New coffee genetic map promises better brews https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68062130 Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023: Check out some of the competition's best images https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/67065418 Despite the climate crisis, Scotland is burning as much carbon-rich peatland as it did in the 1980s https://theconversation.com/despite-the-climate-crisis-scotland-is-burning-as-much-carbon-rich-peatland-as-it-did-in-the-1980s-221243 *** Mail Fails *** None this week. ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/