============================================ || || 13th March 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The LNU AGM takes place on 16th March and Members should by now have received the details by email or by post. We are hoping for a good turn out. The Exec Committee will appreciate your support. The meeting will be available via "Zoom". Details in the mailing. Sadly I shall not be attending this year, my last AGM as Trustee, but will follow it on Zoom. Especially the Presidential Address. Bob Sheppard writes:The Len Pick camera is up and running. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/ It is early days yet of course but the birds are around. I am not over confident of a bumper season as I wonder what effect all the rain has had on our vole population. Bob adds: The peregrines on Louth St James' Church have been reliable breeders for many years and we now have extra hi tech cameras thanks to generous funding from the Lincolnshire Bird Club. Our expert on site is Geoff Mullett and he writes a regular blog to keep us updated. http://www.louthperegrines.org.uk/latest-news.html The peregrines on St Wulfram's Church Grantham haven't bred successfully for twelve years but there are encouraging signs this year as three different females have been seen on the walls of the walkways. Fingers crossed but we have had many false dawns in recent years so we are not getting too excited yet! This week's mostly-local news stories: Villagers complain of 'pitter patter of poo' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgevg48w8nro Bodies of sperm whales wash up on beaches https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cxxz08x9n22o Louth: Cycle park plans approved for Lincolnshire Wolds https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-68509606 Captain Cook shells saved from skip go on display https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyxzrww3637o Sails to return to windmill after storm damage https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ced019w13neo High Court action over Lincolnshire Wolds oil drilling dispute https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-68500861 Legal action threat over countryside pylon plan https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cnek29rjvzpo Football net warning after muntjac dies https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0v3wedyxjzo South Kesteven: Call for vehicle ban on lane to stop fly-tipping https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-68488573 Roman relics unearthed during car park construction https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cxezg1jyd4ko Kangaroos invade Australian golf course - Jurassic Park? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvjyG9CJv_Q More links in "...and finally ..." at the end of the Bulletin. Thanks to all who sent in news, reports and contributions. Roger old.museum@yahoo.co.uk 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#? 16-15 March "Into the weekend a broadly unsettled but mild pattern continues. After a relatively bright start cloud and rain likely increasing from the west and southwest on Saturday, with rain spreading to all areas by the late evening, this likely clearing overnight, setting the scene for a more showery day on Sunday, some of these potentially heavy especially in the west. Into the new week temperatures trend down toward just above average for the time of year as the broadly unsettled pattern continues with some brighter breaks interspersed with periods of rain, heaviest in western areas, driest in the south and east, pushing across the country to be followed by occasional showers, with a risk of thunderstorms mainly in the south." *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** 'Larger than Everest' comet could become visible to naked eye this month https://www.theguardian.com/science/2024/mar/11/larger-than-everest-comet-could-become-visible-to-naked-eye-this-month Widespread display of SAR arcs over the Baltics and Russia. https://spaceweather.com/ March Night Sky - highlights: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/blog/astronomy/night-sky-highlights-march-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/Cleethorpes RSPB *** Brian Patterson writes: On Monday 18th March our local Grimsby/Cleethorpes RSPB branch has one of our monthly talks: "My 50 Best Digital Images" by Graham Catley who is an amazing professional photographer. The talk will start at 7.30pm at The Holy Trinity Church Hall on Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes DN35 7LH *** Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** Carolyn Davis writes: "Looking for Signs of Spring Walk in Weelsby Woods" On Saturday 30th March 24 the Grimsby and LWT Cleethorpes Area Group invite you to join them on a walk around Weelsby Woods, Grimsby Looking for signs of springwith Graham Hicks. Meet Graham at 8am in the car parking area Grid Ref. TA28590742 nearest postcode DN33 8PW 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 more information, please contact Graham Hicks 07979 089890 *** Lincoln Area Group - LWT *** Richard Davidson writes: Lincoln Area Group Talk 21st March 2024 "The National Trust and Nature Conservation, in Lincolnshire and beyond" Carl Hawke, Regional Nature Conservation Advisor for the National Trust, will look at their current nature conservation projects in Lincolnshire including Sandilands and Belton House but also by contrast in the Peak District. Carl was formerly the site warden at Gibraltar Point. 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. *** Scunthorpe and Brigg Local Group - LWT *** Keith Scarrott writes: Our next meeting is on Thursday, 14th March, an illustrated talk by our local Chairman, Eddie Gaunt, on "The Natural History of Anglesey". Eddie has visited this island off the North Coast of Wales. It has much to offer for wildlifeenthusiasts. We meet, as always, in the St Hugh's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AG, which is opposite the Applegreen filling station near to Brumby crossroads. All are welcome to our meetings which start at 7.30pm. There is a £2.50 entrance charge which includes tea/coffee and biscuit at the mid-talk break. There is a free car park at the Church and also at the Old Brumby United Church opposite with also roadside parking nearby. *** 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. 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 Note: Last week's Ruddy Duck report, Covenham reservoir, was erroneous. 6/3 Glossy Ibis, West Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James. Sand Martin flew through Willow Tree Fen. Lesser Yellowlegs 1w by visitor centre car park, Green- winged Teal on Marsh Farm grassland, Hen Harrier male over saltmarsh from Sea Bank Viewpoint, Frampton Marsh. Kittiwake ad, Covenham reservoir. 7/3 Glossy Ibis, Long-eared Owl in ivy, West Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James. 3 Turnstones, Short-eared Owl, from Cradge Bank, Cowbit Wash. Lesser Yellowlegs 1w by visitor centre car park, Green- winged Teal on Marsh Farm grassland, drk Scaup, Frampton Marsh. Caspian Gull 1w, Cleethorps Country Park, Cleethorpes. 8/3 3 Sand Martins from Star Lode Drove. Lesser Yellowlegs 1w by visitor centre car park, Green- winged Teal on Marsh Farm grassland, 3 Little Gulls on South Scrape, Frampton Marsh. Hen Harrier over Old Saltmarsh, 2 Long-tailed Ducks offshore, Gibraltar Point. 9/3 Glossy Ibis, West Pit, 2 Long-eared Owls in ivy at Main Lake, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James. 23 Turnstones from Cradge Bank, Dark-bellied Brent Goose, Cowbit Wash. Lesser Yellowlegs 1w by visitor centre car park, Green- winged Teal on Marsh Farm grassland, drk Scaup, 3 Little Gulls, Frampton Marsh. 2 Common Cranes flew NW over Dunston. Hen Harrier ringtail, Little Gull 1w, East Halton Marshes. 10/3 Little Gull as from Cradge Bank, Cowbit Wash. Lesser Yellowlegs 1w by visitor centre car park, Green- winged Teal on Marsh Farm grassland, drk Scaup, Frampton Marsh. Scaup drk, Freiston Shore. 2 Short-eared Owls, Tetney Marshes. 11/3 Bar-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover, Deeping High Bank, Crowland Wash. Short-eared Owl, Deeping High Bank, north of Crowland. 21+ Turnstones from Cradge Bank, Grey Plover, Cowbit Wash. Lesser Yellowlegs 1w by visitor centre car park, Green- winged Teal on Marsh Farm grassland, Frampton Marsh. Long-tailed Duck on sea, Gibraltar Point. 4 Waxwings by A16 junction with Chapside Road, Holton le Clay. Snow Bunting on beach off Sea View Car Park, Mablethorpe. 12/3 Long-eared Owl in ivy, West Pit, Deeping Lakes, Deeping St James. Bar-tailed Godwit, Deeping High Bank, Crowland Wash. View from north of Tooley Lodge. Lesser Yellowlegs 1w by visitor centre car park, Green- winged Teal on pools to right of sea wall, Scaup on Reedbed, Frampton Marsh. 3 Scaup, Freiston Shore. 2 Water Pipits, Gibraltar Point. Firecrest, Anderby Creek 4 Waxwings by A16 at the Jug + Bottle car park, then flew north, Holton le Clay. 13/3 Sandmartin flew south over River Welland, Deeping High Bank NNW of Crowland. Woodlark flew south over Anderby Creek. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. WILDLIFE NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important Grab a Grid Reference: https://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ 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. ALFORD Clare Brady Swayby A16 towards Alford 12/3/24 Dead otter on the side of the road as you come out of Swayby A16 towards Alford on the turning to South Thorsby Warren. Quite large, so guessing a male otter. BARDNEY - THE GREEN TF120694 R + A Parsons blue Tit Dunnock Robin Blackbird 2m 1f Chaffinch Starling 12+ Jackdaw 12+ Wood Pigeon 8+ Collared Dove 2 Donestic pigeon 10 Black-headed Gull 12+ BARDNEY GARDEN Grid ref TF 117 701 Mary and Phil Porter 8th–12th March 2024 A bright interlude on the 8th with warm sunshine for a few hours (with a chilly wind) bought out many 7 spot ladybirds, a few queen bumblebees, and, on 11th March, a brimstone butterfly. A song thrush has been singing from the bottom of the garden every day. At least one goldcrest was singing on several days, but seemed quite mobile, being heard in several places around the garden, as well as a neighbours' Norway spruce a few doors down. At least one female blackbird has started nest-building. A green woodpecker has been “yaffling” out the back on neigh- bouring land (grassy, open areas) most days. At least two siskins have been joining the many chaffinches, goldfinches, and about four greenfinches on the feeders Jackdaws and wood pigeons have been taking advantage of the bird food, and both male and female sparrowhawks make passes through the garden most days. Goldfinches seem to be their speciality at the moment. Two wrens have been very busy picking their way around plant pots and low-growing shrubs. Only one stock dove seems to be about. (There were two). One cock pheasant and one French partridge seen in the garden, both early evening. BOSTON TF338441 Tracey Lenton My garden I had my first sighting of a hedgehog at the weekend, 2nd March 2024. I have been putting hedgehog food out recently which has been eaten during the night, unwitnessed. On this occasion, I heard some rustling in the undergrowth, and, half an hour later at 22:55, he came to feed. I have made a twig cage from ivy and stuffed it with dead grass which I have hung in a bush, I had seen something like this on Gardener's World last year. I hope birds will use it for nesting material. Today, 5th March 2024, I have seen all the usual species of birds which come to my garden: Blackbird m and f Collared dove - 4 Dunnock Robin Wood pigeon Wren KETTLETHORPE Kettlethorpe SK874799 Alison Brownlow 09/03/24 Red Mason bees emerging from my bug hotel at noon while the sun was shining' HORNCASTLE ROAD A158 to WEST ASHBY 11/3/2024 R + A Parsons Dead adult badger on verge. TF255720 Shearman's Wath, Glebe Farm, West Ashby, Thimbleby LINCOLN SK972738 W/E 16/03/2024 Jayne Knight 08/03/2024 Four Siskin on sunflower hearts feeders, 2m 2f, quietly standing their ground amongst the Hell's Angel pack of Goldfinches. 09/03/2024 Peacock butterfly outside the sitting room window in the fternoon sun. 10/03/2024 Heard a fledgling Blackbird food soliciting somewhere in the gardens outside my back door. SNARFORD Roadkill Bill Ball 1st March 2024 A46 TF057826 Adult badger THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 29/02/24 Blackbird x 2 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion crow x 2 Chaffinch x 4 Dunnock 1 Fieldfare x 4 Goldfinch x 25 Great Tit x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Greylag Goose x 3 over Lesser Redpoll x 25 Redwing x 4 Robin x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 Yellowhammer x 1 01/03/24 Little Egret x 3 SE812008 04/03/24 Barn Owl x 1 SK793988 08:30hrs 06/03/24 Barn Owl x 1 08:30hrs Blackbird x 4 Black-headed Gull x 3 over Thurnholmes Blue Tit x 4 Carrion Crow x 4 Chaffinch x 2 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 32 Great Tit x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Greylag Goose x 3 over Thurnholmes Grey Partridge x 2 Jackdaw x 2 Kestrel x 1 Magpie x 3 Mallard x 1 Pied Wagtail x 2 Redwing x 5 Robin x 1 Skylark x 1 singing high over Thurnholmes Stock Dove x 1 on nest in open fronted box in chicken run Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:50hrs Wood Pigeon x 4 Yellowhammer x 1 WOOLSTHORPE BY COLSTERWORTH SK92/24 Jane Ostler 28thFebruary to 5th March 2024For the second year running Marsh Marigolds flowered exceptionally early. The first record from a garden pond was in the second week in February. This is a plant known locally as "May Blobs". On the verges, snowdrops are still in flower, in places alongside daffodils. Mason bees (Osmia) and Honey Bees have appeared in numbers this week joining six species of Bumble Bee all seen in gardens. Frog spawn is now back in many ponds, but not in mine where not a single frog has visited for the first time in over 30 years. I was sent a video from a neighbour's garden of mating frogs in their spring fed pond, surrounded by spawn and croaking in a chorus, their 'cheeks' dilating in time. More garden bird activity this last week with two gardens having groups of siskins visiting - something that the owners had not seen before. A Kingfisher seen on the northern stretch of the River Witham, after it had passed under the Nature Trail and the Grey wagtails seen further south at the riffle near which they have bred in the past. In car headlights on the Melton Road to the west of parish a Fox seen on the verge on several nights and a Roe deer in the same area, its white rump visible A dead Badger outside Twyford Wood on 2nd March whilst we were on our way to Norfolk via Bourne, Spalding and Sutton Bridge. On this Lincolnshire part of the journey 5 more dead badgers were seen and in Norfolk 3 more before Kings Lynn. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 6th – 12th March 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 SightingsNote: A change in wind direction, from cold easterlies to south-west, gave a pleasant maximum of 13.5 degrees centigrade on the 12th. 060324 – 5 jack snipe and 1 common snipe Crook Bank outer dunes. 4 cattle egret, 4 pairs tufted duck and 6 coot Rimac scrape. 12 meadow pipit flew over the dunes at Brickyard Lane. Bullfinch pair visiting feeding station near Brickyard Lane, goldcrest singing from conifers bordering the dunes and green woodpecker calling. Cetti’s warblers singing at Crook Bank, Churchill Lane and 2 at Brickyard Lane. 070324 - 5 waxwings flew south over Sea View. A group of 400 curlew roosting by the tide edge at Crook Bank. 3 great white egret at Elm House Farm before flying west together, 6 dunlin on wet grassland. 080324 - Paradise lagoon: 11 shelduck, 16 gadwall, 41 teal, 6 mallard, 5 tufted duck, 3 coot, 6 shoveler and 42 curlew sheltering amongst edge vegetation against the strong easterly wind. 3 jack snipe, water rail, 2 rock pipit, singing meadow pipit, 20 skylark and 6 reed bunting Crook Bank outer dunes. A single siskin flew north over Crook Bank car park. Chiffchaff singing at Brickyard Lane despite a cold easterly wind.Frog and toad spawn at Churchill Lane. 100324 - 9 lapwing with some in aerial display and calling, 2 oystercatchers and a single curlew at Sea View Washlands with the majority of duck lying low along the river bank amongst vegetation sheltering from the strong easterly wind. 110324 – Snow bunting on the beach at Mablethorpe North End and a noticeable increase in blackbird and chaffinch in this area. 4 cattle egret still at Rimac and 4 redwing flew out of trees next to the car park. 32 curlew on Paradise Lagoon, green woodpecker calling nearby. 3000+ starling, 500 wigeon, 260 golden plover, 120 lapwing, 30 redshank and 2 grey heron at Elm House Farm. Frog and toad spawn at Rimac. 120324 – Sea View Washlands: 77 redshank, 8 curlew, 7 lapwing, 2 oystercatcher, 11 Canada geese, 2 greylag geese, 4 tufted duck, 5 mallard, at least 57 shoveler, 115 wigeon, 270 teal, common buzzard over area. Rimac scrape: 4 cattle egret, 7 coot and 29 shelduck. Rimac lagoon: 17 pintail and 3 avocet. 73 curlew on wet stubble adjacent to Churchill Lane, c300 starlings in local copse of trees, 2 buff tail bumblebees. 5 brent goose flew south over Mablethorpe North End. A grey heron circled high over the foreshore then flew inland. 5 rock and 3 meadow pipit around the corral at Elm House Farm, plus 120 lapwing on wet grassland. Other Local Reserves 110324 – Tetney Blow Wells: 2 Cetti’s warblers singing, buzzard overhead. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: 19th March 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 17th March 2024 In the winter we start at 10am, meeting at the same location, in the wood centre car park at Chambers Farm Wood. 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 Lincolnshire County Council - Local Nature Reserves https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/coast-countryside/nature-reserves Links to "Other Reserves" are welcome. Your suggestions, please. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. SENDING IN BULLETIN REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We aim to increase the number of people reporting observations to Recorders or via iRecord. https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ The Bulletin is a FREE service. We ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome. You don't have to stick to lists! Please help us to help you. When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] Bulletin mailing times may vary. It usually goes out on Wednesdays/ Thursdays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. CONTACTS AND USEFUL WEBSITES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Links "not to be missed *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. CONTACTS LIST Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union LNU Website: http://lnu.org/ LNU Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist LNU Facebook page: LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust: https://twitter.com/LincsWildlife Lincs Bird Club: https://twitter.com/Lincsbirding LBC County Bird Recorder: recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society: https://twitter.com/sirjosephbanks Lincolnshire Bat Group: http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch: https://twitter.com/BC_Lincolnshire Lincsbirders: https://twitter.com/lincsbirders Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project: https://lincolnshirechalkstreams.org/events/ Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Trust: https://lincolnshirechalkstreamstrust.org.uk/ South Lincolnshire Flora Group: https://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 The Wolds Fungi Group: Contact Paul Nichol via email: pnichol20@gmail.com Lincolnshire Dormouse Group: Contact: lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME Wildlife Crime https://www.lincs.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/wc/wildlife-crime/ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ Downloads of LNU books: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ Recording with "iRecord": https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ iRecord is recommended by the LNU as an appropriate platform for on-line recording. Local Bat Helpline Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette Faulkner on 01775 766286 Email: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com Confidential Bat Records You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com Slug ID Help Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01383 669 124 Email: chris.r.dufeu@gmail.com When asking for help: Please give the very best information you can provide. If you are not sure, ask what is needed from you to confirm identification. Photographs are helpful but not every species can be identified from a photograph. When asked for further details, get back to them promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcomed. USEFUL WILDLIFE LINKS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. Lincolnshire Badger Group https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093647842292 email lincolnshirebadgergroup@hotmail.com Lincs Environmental Records Centre: http://www.glnp.org.uk/ Natural England: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ NHBS Natural history equipment or books. https://www.nhbs.com/ The Flora of Lincolnshire by Joan Gibbons: downloadable LNU book Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire: https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/mammalatlas.pdf *** For the Geologists *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Local MP helps BGS launch a 'living laboratory' https://www.bgs.ac.uk/news/local-mp-helps-bgs-launch-a-living-laboratory/ World's earliest fossilised forest discovered in Minehead, Somerset https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68500649 Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group: https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 Geology of the Lincolnshire Wolds: https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/special-features/geology The Geology of Lincolnshire: downloadable LNU book ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. NOTES ABOUT THESE WILDLIFE REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting. However, records are sent in by a variety of reporters; from complete beginners to professionals. They may vary in reliability and occasionally may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed please contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP], Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. BULLETIN PUBLICITY POLICY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When sending in reports, e.g. unusual plants, please report any sensitive news directly to recorders. Not the Bulletin. We don't want to spoil things with unwise or untimely publicity. Thank you. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU EVENTS DIARY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events *** https://lnu.org/meetings/ https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** National or international stories *** South Georgia: Bird flu infects penguins at famous wildlife havenhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68538190 Sycamore Gap: New life springs from rescued tree https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68497720 Starling murmuration filmed by drone in Great Yarmouth https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-norfolk-68526768 All of Norfolk coastline now accessible to walkers https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-68489102 Study finds oil platform removal moved porpoises https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce97j6296p6o Mass die-offs among farmed salmon on the rise around the world https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68502267 Serbia bird deaths: Suspected poisonings threaten much-loved owls https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68479830 Study: To restore grasslands, it's time to get wild https://www.conservation.org/blog/study-to-restore-grasslands-it-s-time-to-get-wild Plants are flowering earlier than ever - here's how they sense the seasons https://theconversation.com/plants-are-flowering-earlier-than-ever-heres-how-they-sense-the-seasons-223930 Country diary: Predator or prey? The electric redshank is both in equal measure https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/mar/05/country-diary-predator-or-prey-the-electric-redshank-is-both-in-equal-measure *** Mail Fails *** Hazel Allen and John Clarke - soft bounces. ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/