============================================ || || Wildnews Bulletin 15th May 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; 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 Parsons [editing this week] writes: I'd like to thank Phil Porter and Alex Pickwell for taking on the editing and emailing of Bulletin so successfully and seemingly painlessly. You will have seen they are doing a superb job. I am still in the background, able to help out if needed. I am rather enjoying being a reader. Phil Porter will be back editing next week. A big thank you goes to the contributors who send in their sightings, stories suggestions and news of events. Your input keeps the Bulletin interesting and really useful. I would have found editing difficult without all your help. There is an LNU meeting at Grimsthorpe this month to which members and readers are most warmly invited. Details here: ***Lincolnshire Naturalists Union Field Meeting *** Grimsthorpe Park, Saturday 25th May 2024. West of Bourne. Access courtesy of Grimsthorpe Estate, 11.00 for 12.00 start and finish about 16.00. Car parking nearby off Scottlethorpe Road. Parking arrangements to be confirmed. Grid reference: TF 04638 20565 What3Words: rebounder.publisher.firmly nearest postcode: PE10 0LW. Habitats: Calcareous grassland, scrub. Leaders: Luke Hartley 07399 322211 hartley026@gmail.com and Sarah Lambert 07784169260 sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com https://what3words.com/rebounder.publisher.firmly Note Charlie Barnes' June field visits of the Coleopterists Society of Britain and Ireland to Whisby and the coast. These sound very interesting days. No fee but you need to sign up! More here: *** Coleopterists Society of Britain and Ireland *** Charlie Barnes writes: In case anyone is interested, I'll be leading two visits to Lincolnshire on behalf of ColSoc - the Coleopterists Society of Britain and Ireland - one at Whisby and another to the coast on the 1st and 2nd June, respectively. You have to be a supporter for insurance purposes but there is currently no fee so you just have to sign up - details below. All abilities/interests welcome! To become a supporter please go to www.colsoc.org/get-involved and sign up. To express an interest in attending a field meeting please send an email to colsocinfo+fieldmeetings@gmail.com. *** Bob Sheppard’s news *** The Louth peregrines have three healthy chicks. The last egg didn't hatch and the male has removed it. The high quality webcam is sponsored by the Lincolnshire Bird Club. http://www.louthperegrines.org.uk/latest-news.html The camera is working again at the Len Pick Trust barn owl nest. It looks like the fifth egg won't hatch now. The four chicks are doing really well and are already growing fast. As usual, at this stage, the female doesn't hunt and so the quality of the male will decide how many chicks survive. He is hunting every day to feed six owls and this gets harder as the chicks grow, especially if we get some rough weather. https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/ We don't know any more about the sad story at Loch of Lowes as the police investigation into the unexplained death of the male osprey is ongoing. Two new males are hanging around the nest and fishing in the loch. There will be no lack of suitors for our female next spring! https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ After showing so much early promise, the peregrine nest trays on Boston Stump and Grantham St Wulframs are empty.The birds have obviously got  breeding sites near both churches, as they often perch there Roger Parsons adds: BTO's tracked Cuckoos are on their way northwards. https://www.bto.org/cuckoos *** Charlotte Parker writes on Coronaviruses in wildlife. *** Charlotte Parker writes on Coronaviruses in wildlife. I am a PhD student at the University of Nottingham, working on a follow-on project from the SARS-CoV-2 in UK wildlife study that was conducted during the pandemic. My project aims to look at detecting other coronaviruses, aside from SARS-CoV-2, in species of UK Mustelids and foxes: Badgers, Pine Marten, American Mink, Otters, Weasels, Polecats (ferrets), Stoats and red foxes. I am looking for samples from these species to screen for coronaviruses, with the aim of detecting and characterising any novel viruses we find. The types of samples we are after range from non-invasive faecal samples, oronasal/rectal swabs, and tissue samples from cadavers. If you can, and are interested in contributing to this study contact: charlotte.parker@nottingham.ac.uk *** This week's mostly-local news stories: *** ‘The issue is when to pull the trigger’: how prepared are we for human bird flu? https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/may/11/bird-flu-human-transmission-prepared-pandemic Cameras at nature reserve to give bird's eye view https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c6py11e58jno People warned against swimming at nature reserve https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckkevendk9go RAF staff take on 300-mile cycle ride to honour Dambusters crew https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-68980692 Owner wants beach ban on dogs lifted https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c98z9x05d83o Motorists warned as deer crashes increasing on Lincolnshire roads https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-68985903 Council's beach safety buggy comes a cropper in Cleethorpes mud https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-68989492 'Significant' number of dead fish in waterway https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c51nwy116neo *** Weather News and Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#? 16-15 May 2024 Changeable with showers developing by day across the UK during the latter part of the week and over the weekend. The heaviest showers and greatest risk of thunderstorms across southern parts. Temperatures generally around or just a little above average, though with winds tending to be light, still feeling warm in sunnier areas. Over the weekend there are signs that showers may start to ease from the north with drier, more settled conditions probably becoming established for a time. Confidence lowers into the following week with signals unclear how prolonged the influence of higher pressure will be. So after a potentially more s ettled spell of weather, unsettled conditions are likely to return during the week with the wettest conditions in the west. Above average temperatures more likely t han below. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Hopefully some readers managed to enjoy the recent display of Auroras. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1ej1kk0d88o May Night Sky - highlights: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/blog/astronomy/night-sky-highlights-may-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 *** *** Lincolnshire Naturalists Union Field Meeting *** Grimsthorpe Park, Saturday 25th May 2024. West of Bourne. Access courtesy of Grimsthorpe Estate 11.00 for 12.00 start and finish about 16.00. Car parking nearby off Scottlethorpe Road. Parking arrangements to be confirmed. Grid reference: TF 04638 20565 What3Words: rebounder.publisher.firmly Nearest postcode: PE10 0LW. Habitats: Calcareous grassland, scrub. Leaders: Luke Hartley 07399 322211 hartley026@gmail.com and Sarah Lambert 07784169260 sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com https://what3words.com/rebounder.publisher.firmly *** Lincoln LWT *** Richard Davidson writes Lincoln Area Group Talk 16th May 2024 : The Butterflies of Great Britain Gill Walsh will give an illustrated talk about the butterflies of Great Britain, including their food plants and the nature reserves where the rarer species can be seen. Preceded by a short AGM. 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. *** Cleethorpes RSPB Group ** Brian Patterson writes: Our local Grimsby/Cleethorpes RSPB group have a talk planned for Monday the 20th of May at 7.30pm at The Holy Trinity Parish Church on Grimsby Rd, Cleethorpes DN35 7LH.The talk will be presented by Mike Pickwell a local wildlife photographer on “An Island Year of the Hebrides and of Menorca”. Entrance costs £5 which includes refreshments. *** South Lincs RSPB Group *** Jeremy Eyeons writes: The South Lincs RSPB Group has released details of their 2024 "Seal and Birdwatching" cruises aboard "The Boston Belle". There are twelve cruises organised for 2024, starting on 5th April and ending on 24th October. Full details are on our website, including ticket prices, booking arrangements, sailing times and dates etc. Booking is essential. https://group.rspb.org.uk/southlincolnshire/ *** The South Lincs RSPB Group *** Jeremy Eyeons writes:Grimsby/Cleethorpes RSPB group have a talk planned for Monday the 20th of May at 7.30pm at The Holy Trinity Parish Church on Grimsby Rd, Cleethorpes DN35 7LH. The talk will be presented by Mike Pickwell, local wildlife photographer on “An Island Year of the Hebrides and of Menorca”. Entrance costs £5 which includes refreshments. *** Lincoln RSPB *** Volunteer opportunities available for people who are passionate about wildlife and conservation. Lincoln RSPB is running the Peregrine Watch at Lincoln Cathedral again this year. All weekends in June and July. Prior experience isn’t necessary, enthusiasm is more important. For more information, contact Gwen M. Randall, Volunteer co-ordinator. gwen.randall@ntlworld.com STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Bird flu: Defra advice to the general public is to leave corpses alone and report the findings - but that landowners should dispose of birds themselves. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-latest-situation-avian-influenza-prevention-zone-declared-across-great-britain Lyme Disease reminder https://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/zoonoses-data-sheets/lyme-disease.pdf Road works and hold-ups https://roadworks.org/ Met Office Severe Warnings https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service - sign up http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails EasyTide http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx Environment Agency Flood Warnings - Lincolnshire https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings?location=lincolnshire Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline - sign up https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. WILDLIFE HIGHLIGHTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Bird Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce their pager reports. A big thank you from us all. Readers interested in a pager - look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ For RBA's excellent articles: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp 7/5 Alkborough Flats, 3 Garganey, all drks. East Halton Marshes, Wood Sandpiper on marsh just north of Winter's Pond. Cowbit, Wood Sandpiper flew over south side of Cowbit Wash. Frampton Marsh, Little Stint, Little Gull, Garganey drk and Black-winged Stilt on Marsh Farm grassland, Red-breasted Goose. Gibraltar Point, Turtle Dove. Rimac, Turtle Dove. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe, 2 Garganey and 2 Wood Sandpipers at Elm House Farm. 8/5 Frampton Marsh, 2 Spoonbills, Lesser Yellowlegs 1s, Red-breasted Goose with Dark-bellied Brent Geese on Marsh Farm grassland, drk Garganey, Thrush Nightingale singing by Cross Bank south of Marsh Farm. Gibraltar Point, Little Stint on Tennyson's Sands, 4 Spoonbills. Rimac, Turtle Dove. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe, Thrush Nightingale in sea buckthorn north on beach access at Churchill Lane. 9/5 Cowbit, Sanderling at north end of Cowbit Wash. Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis on East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, Little Stint, Lesser Yellowlegs 1s, Garganey drk and Black-winged Stilt on Marsh Farm grassland, Red-breasted Goose with Dark-bellied Brent Geese. Gibraltar Point, Golden Oriole male singing in The Plantation, Turtle Dove flew south over West Dunes, Woodlark flew south. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe, Thrush Nightingale in sea buckthorn north of beach access at Churchill Lane. Swanpool, Wood Sandpiper. 10/5 BastonLangtoft Pits, Black Tern at Wader Pit. Cowbit, 2 Garganey 1 drk at Cowbit Wash, Grey Plover 3 Sanderlings, 7 Turnstones. Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis on East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, Spoonbill, Little Stint south of Sea Bank, 2 1s Little Gulls, Curlew Sandpiper on pool from bottom car park. Gibraltar Point, 3 Spoonbills, Black Winged Stilt from Harvey's Hide, Little Gull. 11/4 Alkborough Flats, 7 Spoonbills, 5 before Trent Hide, 2 flew over. Anderby Creek, Curlew Sandpiper at Anderby Marsh. Cowbit, 2 Grey Plovers, 2 Turnstones on Cowbit Wash. 3 Sanderlings at north end. Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis, 6 Black Terns, on East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Far Ings, Black Tern. Frampton Marsh, Spoonbill, Little Stint south of Sea Bank on Roads Farm wet grassland, 2 1s Little Gulls, Curlew Sandpiper on pool from bottom car park, Red-breasted Goose on Marsh Farm grassland with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Black-winged Stilt, Lesser Yellowlegs 1s in fen.. Frognall, Montagu's Harrier male flew NE over Custom Road. Gibraltar Point, Black-winged Stilt, Little Gull from Harvey's Hide. 2 Spoonbills. Little Gull. Turtle Dove. flew south over East Dunes. Holbeach Drove, Quail male singing. Lincoln, Hoopoe in garden. 12/5 Alkborough Flats, 7 Spoonbills, Garganey. Cowbit, 2 Black Terns thru', 3 Sanderlings, 4 Turnstones, 8 Bar-tailed Godwits. 2 Little Terns over north end on Cowbit Wash. Deeping St James, Black Tern and Glossy Ibis on East Pit, Deeping Lakes Donna Nook, Wood Sandpiper. Frampton Marsh, Black-winged Stilt, Spoonbill, 3 Wood Sandpipers, Lesser Yellowlegs on Marsh Farm grassland on fen, and Red-breasted Goose on Marsh Farm grassland with Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Garganey, Temminck's Stint south of Sea Bank car park. Gibraltar Point, Wood Sandpiper on Moat Scrape then flew towardfs Jackson's Marsh. Woodlark flew over East Dunes. Sturton by Stow, Quail male singing. 13/5 Anderby Creek, Spoonbill on Anderby Marsh. East Halton Marshes, Cowbit, 4 Sanderlings at north end of Cowlit Wash. Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis on East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, 2 Wood Sandpipers north of visitor centre car park, Red-breasted Goose and Lesser Yellowlegs on Marsh Farm grassland. 2 Curlew Sandpipers on Marsh Farm grassland south of Sea Bank car park. Gibraltar Point, Spoonbill, Little Gull, 14/5 Cowbit, 3 Black Terns at Cowbit wash from Peak Hill, 5 Knot at north end. Deeping St James, Frampton Marsh, 2 Wood Sandpipers, Spoonbill, Lesser Yellowlegs on ,Marsh Red-breasted Goose on Marsh Farm grassland with Dark-bellied ,Brent Geese, Black-winged Stilt on Reedbed. 2 Curlew Sandpipers. Gibraltar Point, 2 Scaup 1 drk,past, 2 Little Gulls. , , 15/5 Alkborough Flats, East Halton Marshes, Cowbit, Grey Plover at the end of Cowbit Wash . Deeping High Bank. Frampton Marsh, Spoonbill at Reedbed Lagoon, Black-winged Stilt just north of raptor viewpoint. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Muchappreciated. We rely on readers to send in observations andwelcome records from everyone, experts or beginners. Please keep your reports coming. BARDNEY - THE GREEN TF120694 R + A Parsons 9/5/2024 Butterflies: Holly Blue several, Orange Tip several, Hairy-footed Flower Bees several. Bat echolocating at 55kHz [Soprano Pipistrelle?] 1 burst on sound at 22.30hrs. Hedgehog: 8/5 at 12.59hrs., 11/5 at 03.13hrs. BOSTON TF338441 My garden Tracey Lenton 12/05/2024 Swifts have returned, an early sighting for me. I recognised heir call when outside this morning and looked up to see a total of 6 flying around above around the immediate neighbourhood.This evening between 21:15 and 2 2:00 one bat was seen flying around the garden. BROUGHTON WOODS. 10th May.2024 Angela Buckle. Moshatel, Bluebell, Garlic mustard, Ground ivy, Ivy leaved speedwell, Lords and ladies, Red campion, Bugle, Three nerves sandwort, Changing forget me knot, Cowslip, Twayblade, Yellow archangel, Herb Paris Wild strawberry, Black bryony, Greater stitchwort, Wild Garlic, Primrose, Dog Mercury, Spotted Lords and ladies, Speckled wood, Brimstone. FAR INGS 12th May. 2024 Angela Buckle. Meadow cranesbill, Ribwort plantain, Dog rose, Bulbous buttercup, Red clover, Yellow rattle, Oxeye daisy, Beaked hawksbeard, Dames violet, Red valerian, Borage, Common corn salad, First swifts in Immingham, 7th May.  HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Haynes 9 May 2024 All of the following were seen in my garden: Small blue butterfly, probably common blue. 12 May 2024 Two female azure damselflies. 13 May 2024 Two orange tip butterflies seen mating SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 03/05/24 Blackbird x 1 Blackcap x 1 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 3 Chaffinch x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 1 Jackdaw x 2 Mallard x 6 Moorhen x 1 Robinx 1 Stock Dove x 1 Swallow x 3 Tree sparrow x 7 Wood Pigeon x 4 Willow Warbler x 1 Yellowhammer x 1 Rabbit x 2 young ones Orange Tip x 1 male SLEAFORD – our garden TF 069451 Diane Maltby 10/5 First swifts seen flying overhead 13/5 First juvenile starling seen on fence and feeders. dults have been visiting regularly. Fat balls and blocks, sunflower hearts and dried mealworms are usually available. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 01/05/24 Oystercatcher x 1 calling over Thurnholmes 07/05/24 1st Yellow Rattle flowers in paddock 1st Red Campion flowers 12/05/24 Barn Owl x 1 SK806998 Blackbird x 2 Blackcap x 1 Blue Tit x 1 on nest in box Carrion Crow x 1 Cuckoo x 1 Dunnock x 1 on nest with young Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 1 Grey Partridge x 2 Pied Wagtail x 1 Robin x 1 Skylark x 1 Stock Dove x 1 Swallow x 3 including one roosting in stables Swift x 7 Tawny Owl x 1 calling 01:50hrs Tree Sparrow x 2 Willow Warbler x 1 Wood Pigeon x 4 Yellowhammer x 1 Yellow Wagtail x 1 Brimstone x 1 male Green-veined White x 10 Orange Tip x 3 males + 7 eggs on Garlic Mustard Peacock x 1 Small White x 1 Speckled Wood x 4 moths around security light: Angle Shades x 1 White Ermine x 1 WILLINGHAM WOODS. Angela Buckle. 9th May.2024 Parsley piert, Field madder, Doves foot cranesbill, Brookland, Butterflies Small white, Speckled wood, Brimstone, Orange tip, Peacock ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 8th - 14th May 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 - there was a spectacular show of the Aurora borealis over Sea View during the early hours of the 11th. 080524 - Sea View Washlands - the three avocet nests with seven eggs have been predated, oystercatcher still on nest, two broods of lapwings and another on a nest. Also in the area 2 yellow wagtails, 1 greenshank, 11 tufted duck, male gadwall, female wigeon. Between Rimac and MOD 3 cuckoo, female whinchat and a vocal pregrine falcon. Common tern flew south over the sea. 10 whimbrel on Sea View saltmarsh late afternoon. Butterflies - 34 wall Rimac-MOD; 4 speckled wood, 4 green-veined white, 6 orange-tip, 2 peacock, 13 green hairstreak, 2 red admiral, 17 wall Paradise-Sea View. 090524 - Thrush Nightingale singing in dense sea buckthorn north of Churchill Lane beach access. The bird sang well from 0745-1200 and sporadically for the remainder of the day. Hobby and short-eared owl f lew north over Churchill Lane. Garden warbler singing at Brickyard Lane. 1 turnstone, 50 ringed plover, 100 dunlin and 40 sanderling on the foreshore. Common crane flew low north over Elm House Farm. Single swift over Sea View. At Coastguard Cottage gardens 4 holly blue, 1 male brimstone, 1 red admiral, 1 small white, 2 green-veined white, 2 speckled wood, 1 orange tip, 1 peacock and 1 wall brown and 3 small bats out at dusk. 100524 - Seventeen whimbrel on the saltmarsh. Turtle dove, cetti's warbler, grasshopper warbler, garden warbler, great spotted woodpecker and little grebe Rimac south. Grey heron on washland. 110525 - WeBS section Theddlethorpe to Saltfleet included sightings of 4 bar-tailed godwit, 5 turnstone all feeding in a small group on the outer shingle bed, 44 dunlin, 1 golden plover, 1 common sandpiper, 16 whimbrel, 24 tufted duck, 17 shelduck, 22 Canada geese and 21 grey lags. Tawny owl calling during daylight hours near Sea View. 18 turnstone on shingle ride out from Rimac. 2 turtle dove near Brickyard Lane. 120524 - Sea View Washlands - the two broods of lapwing chicks still present plus another nest and oystercatcher sitting, 2 redshank, single of greenshank and common sandpiper, pair gadwall, 10 black-headed gulls and a pair of grey lags with one gosling. Breeding plumage great white egret also on Sea View Washlands before flying north. A short-eared owl flew over the washlands early evening. 2 greenshank north of Rimac car park. 2 grasshopper warbler between Sea View and MOD. Grasshopper warbler Crook Bank south. 2 ruff, 1+ wood sandpiper, 1 dunlin, 2 avocet, 1 yellow wagtail and drake garganey Elm House Farm. 2 yellow wagtail, 2 little ringed plover, ringed plover and 4 lapwing on wet grassland south of Crook Bank. Cuckoos at Crook Bank, Churchill Lane and Rimac. Butterflies - 11 wall Sea View-MOD; 8 wall Crook Bank south; 8 wall Brickyard Lane. 130524 - at least 10 red kite, 3 buzzard, hobby, 2 kestrel and 40 swallow flew south throughout the morning. Cuckoo, willow warbler and garden warbler Crook Bank south. 2 'tundra' ringed plover on wet grassland south of Crook Bank. 2 avocet, drake garganey, 1 wood sandpiper, 1 greenshank, 1 ruff, 7 lapwing chicks, 5 redshank, shoveler, tufted duck, shelduck, 3 little egret, 1 grey heron, 1 marsh harrier Elm House Farm. Butterflies - small heath, 5 wall Churchill Lane; 45 wall, 3 small copper, 6 green hairstreak Rimac south; 36 wall Sea View-Paradise. 2 Marsh harriers and 3 buzzards enjoying thermals above Sea View fields. Cuckoo flying between Rimac and Churchill. 140524 - 11 ringed plover and 4 avocet north of Rimac car park. Wheatear near old tank MOD. Drake garganey, 2 ruff, 1 greenshank, 3 dunlin Elm House Farm. Butterflies - painted lady Brickyard Lane; 2 wall, peacock Rimac. Butterflies - brimstone, large white, small white, green-veined white, orange- tip, small copper, holly blue, red admiral, painted lady, small tortoiseshell, peacock, speckled wood, wall, small heath. Day flying moths - Silver Y, cinnabar, grass rivulet, green carpet and purple bar. Dragon/Damselflies - hairy dragonfly, four-spotted chaser, broad-bodied chaser, large red, azure and blue-tailed damselfly. Plants in flower include marsh orchid, germander speedwell, herb robert, yellow rattle, mouse-eared hawkweed, field mouse-ear, common silver weed, yellow flag .iris, birds foot trefoil, common vetch, moonwort, hawthorn and elderberry. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: 21st May 2024 https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/chambers-farm-wood-butterfly-garden Lincolnshire Dormouse Group Gemma Watkinson writes This summer, as there are forestry works being undertaken by Forestry England over the summer at Chambers Farm Woods, we will have limited access to the woods this year, and things may need to change at short notice. To manage visitor numbers, we are going to need to limit non-licenced visitors to around 10 people, and will require those who are interested in joining each session to email through to 'sign-up' no later than a week before each session. Please email lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com if you are interested in joining us. The summer dates we so far have approved with FE for nest box checks are: Sunday 19th May Saturday 15th June Sunday 21st July Saturday 17th August As always for the summer sessions, we will meet at 9.30am, and this will be outside the wood centre in the car park, but this may need to change. Looking forward to another dormouse filled summer! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood; Little and Great Scrubbs Woods; Minting Wood; Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park; and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting). College Wood; Cocklode & Great West Woods; Hardy Gang Wood; Newball Wood; Rand Wood; Scotgrove Wood; Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland. Many are also designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Discover Woodland Trust woods near you - including the best woods for walks, wildlife watching, family fun and heritage. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/#=undefined&view=map Lincolnshire County Council - Local Nature Reserves https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/coast-countryside/nature-reserves Links to "Other Reserves" are welcome. Your suggestions, please. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. SENDING IN BULLETIN REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We aim to increase the number of people reporting observations to Recorders or via iRecord. https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ The Bulletin is a FREE service. We ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome. You don't have to stick to lists! Please help us to help you. When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] Bulletin mailing times may vary. It usually goes out on Wednesdays/ Thursdays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions as early as possible, to: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. CONTACTS AND USEFUL WEBSITES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Links "not to be missed" *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. CONTACTS LIST Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union LNU Website: http://lnu.org/ LNU Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust: https://twitter.com/LincsWildlife Lincs Bird Club: https://twitter.com/Lincsbirding LBC County Bird Recorder: recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society: https://twitter.com/sirjosephbanks Lincolnshire Bat Group: http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch: https://twitter.com/BC_Lincolnshire Lincsbirders: https://twitter.com/lincsbirders Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project: https://lincolnshirechalkstreams.org/events/ Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Trust: https://lincolnshirechalkstreamstrust.org.uk/ South Lincolnshire Flora Group: https://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 The Wolds Fungi Group: Contact Paul Nichol via email: pnichol20@gmail.com Lincolnshire Dormouse Group: Contact: lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME Wildlife Crime https://www.lincs.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/wc/wildlife-crime/ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ Downloads of LNU books: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ Recording with "iRecord": https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ iRecord is recommended by the LNU as an appropriate platform for on-line recording. Local Bat Helpline Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette Faulkner on 01775 766286 Email: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com Confidential Bat Records You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com Slug ID Help Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01383 669 124 Email: chris.r.dufeu@gmail.com When asking for help: Please give the very best information you can provide. If you are not sure, ask what is needed from you to confirm identification. Photographs are helpful but not every species can be identified from a photograph. When asked for further details, get back to them promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcomed. USEFUL WILDLIFE LINKS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. Lincolnshire Badger Group https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093647842292 Email: lincolnshirebadgergroup@hotmail.com Lincs Environmental Records Centre: http://www.glnp.org.uk/ Natural England: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ NHBS Natural history equipment or books. https://www.nhbs.com/ The Flora of Lincolnshire by Joan Gibbons: downloadable LNU book Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire: *** For the Geologists *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group: https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 Geology of the Lincolnshire Wolds: https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/special-features/geology The Geology of Lincolnshire: downloadable LNU book ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. NOTES ABOUT THESE WILDLIFE REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting. However, records are sent in by a variety of reporters; from complete beginners to professionals. They may vary in reliability and occasionally may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed please contact: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP], Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. BULLETIN PUBLICITY POLICY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When sending in reports, e.g. unusual plants, please report any sensitive news directly to recorders. Not the Bulletin. We don't want to spoil things with unwise or untimely publicity. Thank you. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU EVENTS DIARY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events *** https://lnu.org/meetings/ https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ *** Lincolnshire Naturalists Union Field Meeting *** Grimsthorpe Park, Saturday 25th May 2024. West of Bourne. Access courtesy of Grimsthorpe Estate  11.00 for 12.00 start and finish about 16.00. Car parking nearby off  Scottlethorpe Road. Parking arrangements to be confirmed. Grid reference: TF 04638 20565 What3Words: rebounder.publisher.firmly nearest postcode: PE10 0LW. Habitats: Calcareous grassland, scrub. Leaders: Luke Hartley 07399 322211 hartley026@gmail.com and Sarah Lambert 07784169260 sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com https://what3words.com/rebounder.publisher.firmly ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** National or international stories *** Celebrating No Mow May - Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust https://www.gwct.org.uk/blogs/news/2024/may/celebrating-no-mow-may/ New swimming sites for England but are they clean? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-68989650 Mosquitoes found across Scotland as temperatures rise https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cw0721l9183o The fight to save the African penguinThe fight to save the African penguin https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4n104z0xklo Mass planting of marsh violets key to saving rare UK butterfly, says National Trust https://www.theguardian.com/environment/article/2024/may/10/marsh-violets-key-to-helping-rare-fritillary-butterfly-says-national-trust Island fights back grey squirrel invasion https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cnl4nrl5qlro Tunnel of love? Cautious adders get a helping hand https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cedxqn730gvo *** Mail Fails *** None ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/