============================================ || || Wildnews Bulletin || 16th April 2025 || News of Lincolnshire Wildlife || LNU: http://lnu.org/ || || Please email Editor on: philporterento@outlook.com || ============================================ 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. Gibraltar Point, Coastal Country Park 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. ============================================ If you would like to receive the weekly LNU Bulletin by email, please visit the LNU website https://lnu.org/publications/wildnews-bulletin/ AnchorAnchorAnchor 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 format] 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Editor writes: Our news items this week show evidence of some of the new pressures that we are inflicting on our natural environment. It seems that since 2020 Blackbirds have been seriously impacted in south-east England by Usutu virus, thought to have originated in South Africa, but now established in Europe and spread by mosquitoes. Climate change is thought to be a direct influence on this outbreak which is spreading more widely. Starlings are also in trouble as numbers fall away because of the improvements we make to our buildings making them inaccessible for nesting. Closer to home, adders are now threatened with extinction in Lincolnshire because of the intense pressure from some nature lovers on the remaining fragment of heathland on which they can survive and breed. They are particularly subject to disturbance following their emergence from hibernation. “We always hurt the ones we love” (E.L. James) Phil Porter's email is: philporterento@outlook.com Roger Parsons' email is: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk The Bulletin Portal is available again. Maintenance completed. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Past Bulletins archive [in text format] from 2009. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletin2009mar22.txt Bourne Barn Owl - Len Pick Trust Owl Project This is a static image from the owl tower, which is updated every 10 minutes. Refresh your browser page to see the latest image! https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/ BTO's tracked Cuckoos Latest updates - Cuach Cores, Joe, Hafren, Wilfred and Cleeve. https://www.bto.org/cuckoos Loch of the Lowes SWT Webcam . Both Ospreys seen at nest from 7/4/2025 - keep watching developments https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ Annette Faulkner asks.. Has anyone seen any bats out yet? They start to emerge mid March, but with the cold nights we’ve been having it could be that they haven’t really got going yet – although we have had one report already, but of a bat that appeared to be in trouble. *** Learn a new species and boost Lincolnshire’s natural history record! *** Colin Smith, LNU President writes… A core function of the LNU is to encourage wildlife recording. We would like everyone’s help to fill in the recording gaps for some of the more common Lincolnshire species. Each fortnight we will introduce a species with a link to a current distribution map and details of the species to look out for. Please look out for the species in your area or whenyou are out and about in the County. You can record what you see on iRecord at Home https://irecord.org.uk/ This is the LNU’s chosen digital platform for biological recording. It is free to register with and easy to use, but if you have any difficulty get in touch via the LNU website and we will try to help. There is a comprehensive guide to getting started on the iRecord home page above. Click on Help. After a month, details of the records received and an updated map will be Issued here on your Bulletin. On iRecord, you will have access to millions of wildlife records from across the UK, and will be able to organise your own records within its database. Please do join in and record these species and any others you find. Take the best close-up picture you can. Thanks to those who added records for our previous map filling species. We received 10 records from 3 recorders for the lichen Lecidella elaeochroma Please do join in as all records are valuable and help our understanding of the county's changing natural history. The next species is King Alfred's Cakes - Daldinia concentrica This very common fungus is found on dead ash, this can be on standing dead wood or fallen branches. The fruiting bodies look like black or brown potatoes or as the name suggests burnt cakes these are fastened securely to the host and can be up to 10cm long they persist for over a year and plat host to many invertebrates as they decay. There is a photo and more guidance can be found on the Naturespot Website; https://www.naturespot.org/species/king-alfreds-cakes the current record distribution Map can be seen at https://lnu.org/daldinia-concentrica-king-alfreds-cakes/ AnchorAnchor *** This week's mostly-local news stories: *** Blackbirds in Gardens https://www.bto.org/our-science/projects/blackbirds-gardens? Adders are 'dying of stress' - wildlife expert https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjwv6l781dwo Starlings disappearing from gardens, says RSPB https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1drrlp6dvzo AnchorAnchorAnchor Cargo ship crash captain appears in court https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2lz79q2y1vo University reopens after unauthorised camp moved - Lincoln https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0l06z892p5o Warning over WW2 aircraft wreckage on beach - Cleethorpes https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3v93p10z9zo Police seize motorbike after rider fails to stop - Lincoln https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyq1gndvn7o *** Weather News and Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#? East Midlands weather forecast Thursday 17th April - Sunday 20th April Headline: Early cloud and rain clearing. Becoming drier and brighter. Windy. Thursday: After a chilly start, it will be a mostly fine and dry day, with some decent spells o of sunshine for many. Feeling pleasant in the sunshine, with light winds. Maximum temperature 16 °C. Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Friday and Saturday will be largely fine and dry, with bright or sunny spells and light winds. Perhaps cloudier on Sunday, with some patchy light rain possible. Temperatures near normal. UK long range weather forecast Sunday 20th April - Tuesday 29th April Mainly unsettled conditions are likely across the UK at the start of this period. Showers or longer spells of rain are probable across many regions, these heavy at times with a risk of hail and thunder, perhaps accompanied by strong winds. Some drier and brighter interludes are also likely at times, but probably with large amounts of cloud. Temperatures will generally be near average. Next week, a similar pattern is likely at first, with unsettled conditions at times and a risk of some heavy rain or showers. Later next week and into the following week, settled weather is expected to become more prevalent, with more in the way of dry, sunny weather developing. Temperatures will probably be around or slightly above average. Anchor*** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Night Sky - RMG - highlights - Venus at its brightest on 24th! https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/blog/night-sky-highlights-april-2025 Full Moons: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/full-moon-calendar Meteor shower date - next big one April Lyrids .16-25 April - peak 22nd. https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/meteor-shower-guide BBC Sky at Night Magazine website https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news Anchor*** EVENTS *** *** Lincolnshire Naturalists Union Field Meeting *** Wilder Doddington on Sunday 27th April Doddington, west of Lincoln. 11.00 for 12.00 start and finish about 16.00. Car parking at the Main Car Park, Doddington Hall. Habitat: Woodland Leader: Luke Hartley 07399 322211 hartley026@gmail.com Grid reference: SK 90172 7007 What3Words: fastening.repayment.overjoyed Nearest postcode: LN6 4RT *** LINCOLN LWT *** Richard Davidson writes.. Lincoln Area Group Talk, 17th April : An Introduction to British Orchids An illustrated talk by Geof Lee about the main groups and species of British Orchids, their distribution and where and when to see them. Also Orchid anatomy and reproduction. 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. *** Horncastle and Woodhall Spa LWT Area Group *** We will be hosting a talk on the ‘Birds of Prey in Lincolnshire’ from Alan Ball on Thursday 17th April at 7.30pm. The talk will be at Banovallum House, Manor House Street, Horncastle, LN9 5HF. The event is free and open to everyone. Refreshments will be available. For further information please email Viv Rhodie on vivianrhodie@gmail.com *** Grimsby RSPB group *** Our local Grimsby RSPB group have arranged a talk for Monday the 28th of April at 7.30pm at The Holy Trinty Church Hall, Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes DN35 7LH. The talk will be on ‘Northern Goshawks from Yorkshire to Berlin’ and delivered by Richard Baines, Birding and Wildlife Guide. The group charges £5 per person which includes Refreshments. Further details group.rspb.org.uk/grimsby Facebook RSPB Grimsby Local Group *** THE SCUNTHORPE AND BRIGG LOCAL GROUP OF THE LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST *** The next meeting will be the last before our "outdoor season" of meetings and will include the AGM followed by an illustrated talk by Rolf Williams, a well-known wildlife conservation enthusiast, on "The Nature of Conservation on the North Kent Marshes". Rolf has presented this talk nationally to other wildlife groups with wide acclaim. Now, Rolf is a Lincoln school teacher with a PGCE from Canterbury Christ Church University. He continues to be an avid wildlife explorer and is immersed in Lincolnshire’s RAF legacy. Motivated to inspire others to engage with the world around them, Rolf has melded science, technology, arts, and media. Graduating from Middlesex University in 1990 with a degree in Scientific Illustration, he has applied his skills to diverse design work. Do not miss this exceptionaltalk. PLEASE NOTE THE DATE which is Thursday, 24th April, two weeks later than "normal" for our LWT meetings which are normally arranged for the 2nd Thursday of the month. The AGM is extra special this year as we need to appoint a new Chairperson and also a new secretary. ALL ARE WECOME TO OUR MEETINGS which start at 7.30pm and take place in the small hall of St Hugh's Church, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AG. There is free parking at the Church, also in the Old Brumby United Church opposite, and on the nearby roadside. There is a £2.50 entry charge to the meeting which includes light refreshments at the mid-talk break. Morning Walk around Freshney Bog On Saturday 26th April you are invited to join the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group on a morning walk around Freshney Bog, Grimsby with Graham Hicks. This is a good area to see Water Voles and Kingfishers. Meet Graham at 8am at St Michael's Church, Little Coates on Great Coates Road, Grimsby DN34 4ND Please dress suitably according to the weather, wear stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event,however donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further informationplease contact Graham Hicks 07979 089890 or visit our website www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk We are also on Facebook. *** SOUTH LINCOLNSHIRE RSPB GROUP*** "Waders of The Wash" An illustrated Slideshow Talk by local RSPB Volunteer and photographer Jeremy Eyeons showcasing the wide variety of waders which can be found around the Wash estuary. Wednesday 24th September 2025 at 7-30pm at Boston Tennis Club. Full details at https://group.rspb.org.uk/southlincolnshire/ *** SOUTH LINCS RSPB GROUP *** has announced the dates for their 2025 programme of "Bird and Seal Watching Cruises" aboard The Boston Belle into the Wash estuary. There are 12 cruises scheduled for 2025 starting on Easter Monday and ending in October. Full details including availability, dates, costs, booking etc. are on the website. https://group.rspb.org.uk/southlincolnshire/ AnchorAnchor STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary... Bird flu: updated Defra advice to the general public is to leave corpses alone and report the findings - but 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://www.google.com/search?q=government+flood+warnings+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 9/4/2025 Alkbrough Flats, American Wigeon on flood north of flooded path. Anderby Creek. Garganey drk at Anderby Marsh. Bourne, South Fen, Dark-breasted Barn Owl [form guttata] near Christmas Tree Farm Frampton Marsh, 2 Spotted Redshanks. Gibraltar Point, Black Redstart fem/1w male at entrance by road, Spoonbill. Tetney Marshes, Black Redstart at overflow. 10/4/2025 Alkborough Flats, Pallid Harrier 2s male at south end, then flew to Wolla and roosted in reedbed. Deeping Fen, 27 Common Cranes in field opposite Pepper Hill Farm. Gibraltar Point, Water Pipit. Sutton-on-Sea, Black Redstart in gardens at Breakwater Bungalows/ Trusthorpe Road. 11/4/2025 Alkborough Flats, American Wigeon drk on flood south of flooded road. Ring Ouzel male, from gate on Prospect Lane. 7 Spoonbills on floods by River Humber west of Prospect Lane. Bourne, Black Redstart fem/1w male on roof of boarded up building at South Fen Farm. Frampton Marsh, Spotted Redshank Gibraltar Point, Spoonbill on Tennyson's Sands., Gedney Drove End, possible Lesser Yellowlegs reported on marsh west of River Nene mouth. Wolla Bank, Pallid Harrier 2s male flew from reedbed. 12/4/2025 Alkborough Flats, Garganey. Barton-upon-Humber, 5 Ring Ouzels at Pits. East Halton. Ring Ouzel flew north over. Far Ings, 1 Ring Ouzel in field, 3 Ring Ouzel in south side. Gibraltar Point, Western Subalpine Warbler male in scrub by path near tern hut. Whisby, Smew ad drk at quarry on lake off Job's Lane 13/4/2025 No reports. 14/4/2025 Alkborough Flats, American Wigeon drk on flood south of flooded road. 2 Glossy Ibises briefly. Far Ings, 2 Ring Ouzels on south side. Frampton Marsh, Garganey, Spoonbill. Gibraltar Point, 2 Common Cranes flew over Croftmarsh. Saltfleetby, Ring Ouzel in field at New Inn Caravan Park. Swanpool, Hoopoe in garden at Almond Crescent. 15/4/2025 Alkborough Flats, Scaup drk from Prospect Hide. Baston Langtoft Pits, Spoonbill on east side of Wader Pit. Bourne, South Fen, Dark-breasted Barn Owl [form guttata] near Christmas Tree Farm at South Fen Road. Croft Marsh, 2 Common Cranes in field SW of Cowbank Lane. Covenham Reservoir, 12 Arctic Terns. Frampton Marsh, 6 Arctic Terns. Gibraltar Point, 2 Common Cranes on Croftmarsh, then flew west. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. B1204 between Horkstow and Saxby all Saints What3words: intrigued.conforms.output Jenny Haynes 10th April 2025 Dead badger unmarked. Request from Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue Can You Help Us? We’re mapping wildlife fatality hotspots on roads to help improve safety for both animals and drivers. Over time, this data could support efforts to work with local authorities to make high-risk areas safer. If you come across a deceased animal or are aware of one, please report the location—when it’s safe to do so—by: Dropping a pin on the map provided Sharing a What3Words location Providing the street name While we are unable to collect deceased wildlife, your information could help prevent future incidents. Thank you! Please share to help spread the word. Report deceased wildlife on the link below: https://form.jotform.com/.../report-roadside-deceased... *** County Wildlife Reports from Readers *** We rely on readers to send in observations and welcome records from everyone, experts to beginners. Please keep your reports coming. BARDNEY - THE GREEN TF120694 R + A Parsons w/o 14/4/2025 Blackbird 2m.1f Collared Dove 3 Pied Wagtail m and f Robin 2 Chaffinch Goldfinches - 2+ Starling flock 12+ Wood Pigeon 7 Jackdaw 12+ Domestic Pigeon 8+ House Sparrow 10+ Dunnock Wren Hedgehog 12.57hrs on 14/4/2025 Again on 14/4 at 20.56hrs. Badger activity 14/4/2025 2.22-2.35hrs and 3.06hrs, Hedgehog nest box moved sideways but not opened! Bat activity 55kHz - 21.15hrs on 14/4/2025 16/4/2025 Pleased to see a garden snail going for a walk this afternoon after the rain had stopped. What a relief it must have been for them after such a dry spring. https://www.naturespot.org/species/garden-snail BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Phil and Mary Porter 11th April 2025 Speckled Wood, Holly Blue, Orange-tip, Brimstone Song Thrush present daily but not able to feed well in dry soil 1 Bat 20:30 13th April 2025 Dead Blackbird fledgeling on the verge outside. Song Thrush disappeared? 14th April 2025 Blackcap and Song Thrush singing 15th April 2025 Song Thrush back feeding A pair of Chaffinches persistently tapping on windows Bee-flies now regular in sunny weather BOSTON My garden TF338441 Tracey Lenton Weekend observations 12 and 13/04/2025 There are blackbird chicks in the blossom tree, 1 has ventured out of the nest and sits perched on a twiggy branch, other chick or chicks heard chirping inside the tree. Both parents continue to feed them bringing food in from elsewhere and from the bird food I put out on the lawn. Collared doves, Dunnock, Robin, Sparrow and Wren also visiting the garden. Butterflies (12th only) - several different ones, Brimstone, Holly blue, white ones and others I couldn't identify as they were flying around. Holly blue 13th 13/04/2025 The blackbird chick - fledgling is preening himself and was seen flying between branches on one occasion at 21:45, 2 hedgehogs on the lawn displaying the courtship ritual of one circling the other. CLEETHORPES BUCK BECK (Belvoir Rd) TA 303070. 10:00 - 11:00 13:04:2025 Peter Crick Temp 10C Sunny, Breezy Pheasant 2 Blue Tit 1 Crow 10 > Blackbird 7 > Greenfinch 2 Robin 2 Magpie 10 > Mallard 4 Chiffchaff 2 Curlew 15 Whimbrel 1 Buzzard 1 Linnet 3 Long Tail Tit 1 Greylag 4 over Cabbage White 2 Beefly 2 Peacock 1 FRITHVILLE TF298489 Pete and Margaret Westcott 30.03.2025 Diurnia fagella (M) seen on house wall over several days. We have regular sightings of this micro-moth each spring. Last year, we had the male and flightless female, which stayed for several days. We have plenty of deciduous trees where the larvae feed from within leaf spinnings, and pupate in soil litter. Chironomidae sp - a large non-biting midge. We have had lots on the house wall, rather beautiful with huge feathery antennae. The larvae are aquatic, and include those little red bloodworms. Coreus marginatis - Dock Bug, first one this year. 03.04.2025 Greenfinch (F) on the feeder, rare here now. 06.04.2025 Andrena cineraria - Ashy Mining Bee. For the third year here, at least 30 lekking in their usual spot on the lawn edge. Andrena minutula - Common Mini-miner (I think). A large aggregation of 50+ small burrows in a sandy area of grass. Nomada flavoguttata - Little Nomad Bee (I think), with a bright red abdomen, and a cleptoparasite of the Common Mini-miner. FAR INGS. Angela Buckle 13th April. Garlic mustard, Cow parsley, Mignonette, Wild strawberry. Sand Martins. Hawthorn shieldbug. GOSLINGS CORNER WOOD TF142751 Phil and Mary Porter 14th April 2025 Wild Garlic, Bluebell, Lesser Celandine, Wood Anemone, Common Dog-violet, 1-2 apparent fading Early Dog-violet, Goldilocks, Bugle, Primrose, Barren Strawberry, Lady’s Smock, Greater Stitchwort, Dark-edged Bee-fly, Peacock, Speckled Wood, several ‘whites’. GRASBY WOODS, Angela Buckle 12th April. Celandine, Ground-ivy, Dog-violet, Red Campion, Herb Robert, Early Purple Orchid, Pignut, Bluebell, Stinking Hellebore Butterflies. Brimstone, Small white, Peacock, NETTLETON GRANGE GAME FARM Ben Jacob 8th April 2025 Pine Ladybird Exochomus 4-pustulatus seen on hawthorn hedge 13th April 2025 1st cuckoo heard 6.30pm Previous years 13th April 2024 26th April 2023 NETTLETON Angela Buckle 10th April. Celandine, Cowslip, Coltsfoot, White Dead-nettle, Red Dead-nettle, Common Speedwell, Hairy Bittercress, Ground-ivy, Field Mouse-ear, Spring beauty. SOUTHREY WOOD TF136684 Phil and Mary Porter 11th April 2025 The spectacular flowering of Wood Anemones in the north-east corner, covering acres of mostly Beech plantation, looks as if it may be a thing of the past. 2024 revealed an abrupt decimation of blossom although there was still a reasonable carpet of leaves, but this year even that seems to be fragmenting, and although there still remains a lot of flowering, this is retreating from the centre to the margins of the wood so the spectacle has gone. The wood was very wet this time last year and is now very dry. STICKNEY My garden TF322568 Gail Cartwright 6th Apr 2025 Little Owl perched in one of the Ash Trees waiting for prey, it then flew down but came back quickly so I assume it missed it, perched in same tree a bit more then flew down and didn't come back so assumed it was successful, Also saw it on the 1st April perched in the tree and swooped down, I wasn't sure that it was a Little Owl at first, I've not seen a Little Owl round here in years, I will look out for it in future. I haven't seen a Barn Owl recently either. No bats yet this year. WILLINGHAM WOODS TF1289 Colin Smith 11/4/25 A walk in the woods with lots of Brimstone Butterflies Gonepteryx rhamni along with Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria, Green-veined White Pieris napi and Peacock Inachis io. A single Orange Underwing moth Archiearis parthenias landed on the path just in front of me which was nice to see. As was a Snail beetle Silpha atrata scurrying across the path, unusual to see them out in the day and I wonder if he got caught in a dry hot place and had to move to find somewhere cooler. I also found a small day flying moth Eriocrania unimaculella – these pretty little metallic moths are difficult to identify as adults but the caterpillars feed in blotch mines on birch and are much easier to identify at that stage. There was a Bee Fly Bombylius major nectaring on celandines. WILLINGHAM WOODS. Angela Buckle 8th April. Black medick, Common storksbill, Ground ivy, Butterflies. Brimstone, Peacock, Green veined White, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Anchorhttps://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.com/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Owen Beaumont writes… More spring arrivals throughout the week, and finally a bit of rain today! 090425 – 4 avocet on Rimac car park scrape. Cattle egret on the Great Eau banks between Rimac and Sea View. Cetti’s warbler, 2 willow warbler, 12+ chiffchaff and blackcap Rimac south. 3 swallows flew over Sea View, and late afternoon 8 swallow and 3 house martin gathered on wires by Sea View bridge. 100425 – female stonechat Sear’s Track. Red kite west, yellow wagtail north and 3 swallow south over Elm House Farm wet grassland, and 2 red-legged partridge along the track. 110425 – the first common whitethroat and sedge warbler of the year singing south of Crook Bank. Very few wildfowl remaining on wet grassland south of Crook Bank, but 6 avocet, 3 golden plover, cattle egret, 5 little egret, 2 grey heron on the scrapes, and a green sandpiper flew south through. Sand martin, 4 swallow and a small selection of meadow pipit and finches flew north over Crook Bank dunes. 10 blackcap and 6 chiffchaff singing between Crook Bank and Seal Sanctuary, also bullfinch, redwing and 12 song thrush. 2 willow warbler, whitethroat and numerous blackcap between Brickyard Lane and Crook Bank. Other willow warblers at Rimac and Sea View. 2 whimbrel on saltmarsh out from Sea View car park. Short-eared owl hunting along edge of saltmarsh near Paradise Lagoon. A fox walked into Crook Bank dunes from surrounding farmland carrying a hare. 50+ curlew flew to roost out from Brickyard Lane late afternoon. Great white egret Rimac freshwater marsh and Cetti’s warbler singing. Butterflies – 3 orange-tip, 6 peacock, small tortoiseshell Elm House Farm; 7 peacock, green-veined white Rimac; 2 orange-tip, speckled wood Sea View; 7 peacock, 2 speckled wood, green-veined white, brimstone Churchill Lane to Brickyard Lane; 3 speckled wood, 23 peacock, small tortoiseshell, 2 small white Sea View to Paradise. 120425 – the first cuckoo of the year singing near Churchill Lane. Little ringed plover Brickyard Lane lagoon, whimbrel flew north and jack snipe dropped into buckthorn edge. 6 whimbrel on Sea View saltmarsh late afternoon. Several whitethroat singing around Brickyard Lane early morning. 90 sanderling, 25 dunlin, 13 ringed plover, 9 oystercatcher on Rimac foreshore and male peregrine landed. Snipe drumming over Rimac freshwater marsh and green sandpiper on Sea View Washlands. Male ring ouzel, wheatear and 3 yellow wagtail around Saltfleet Haven area. Butterflies - painted lady, green-veined white, 2 green hairstreak, peacock, speckled wood, orange-tip Churchill Lane; comma Brickyard Lane. 130425 – whitethroat and sedge warbler Rimac. Grasshopper warbler reeling and 2 willow warbler Rimac south. 2 great white egret Rimac freshwater marsh and red kite circling over. Fieldfare Sea View, yellow wagtail and 2 pied wagtail with ponies Sea View farm. Redwing Rimac car park and ring ouzel flew from sycamores towards Rimac horse paddock. 2 pairs little ringed plover and 1 pair ringed plover Brickyard Lane saltmarsh. Cuckoo flew north along dunes towards Sea View and another cuckoo at Brickyard Lane. Cuckoo, ring ouzel and wheatear Saltfleet Haven area. Water vole Rimac. 140425 – 2 ring ouzel flew south over Sea View and continued over Rimac. Tree pipit flew into a hawthorn bordering the dunes near Rimac car park scrape. Egyptian goose with Canada and greylag geese south of Rimac. 2 great white egret Rimac freshwater marsh and white wagtail Rimac car park scrape. 3 whimbrel on Sea View saltmarsh and 2 redwing in nearby pasture. Churchill Lane: marsh harrier and kestrel flying over, chiffchaff and black cap singing in the dunes. 7 swallows flying over Rimac and marsh harrier seen. Willow warbler, blackcap and chiffchaff at Sea View. Wheatear near Elm House Farm bird hide. Ring ouzel and 2 yellow wagtail Saltfleet Haven area. Common water-crowfoot in flower. 150425 – great white egret Rimac freshwater marsh. 2 cattle egret Rimac car park scrape. 3 yellow wagtail on Sea View Washlands edge and 18 swallow feeding over the area. The first common sandpiper of the year flew along the Eau at Sea View and landed on the river edge. Willow warbler singing Rimac and south of Sea View, and sedge warbler singing at Rimac. Chiffchaff, blackcap and willow warbler singing at Sea View, plus great spotted woodpecker. Another willow warbler Crook Bank car park. 3 whimbrel feeding on saltmarsh at Sea View. Cuckoo calling Rimac south. 2 wheatear along Elm House Farm main track. Distinctive water vole ‘plop’ heard in ditch bordering Rimac freshwater marsh. Tadpoles in many waterbodies with displaying smooth newts. Butterflies – orange-tip Sea View. Donna Nook: 120425 – male redstart and wheatear. 4 green hairstreak. 130425 –1 spoonbill, 12 black-tailed godwit, 1 barn owl, 1 marsh harrier, 1 swallow, 1 whitethroat in song, 102 Brent geese, 55 grey plover, 750 dunlin, 2 Cetti’s warbler, 1 male ring ouzel. 150425 – between seal viewing area and Pye’s Hall 2 whimbrel, 3 wheatear, 4 swallow, sedge warbler, 4 whitethroat, 5 willow warbler and 2 chiffchaff. Muckton Wood: 130425 - Chiffchaff, primroses and lesser celandine in flower along the rides. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LINCOLNSHIRE COASTAL COUNTRY PARK Dave Miller Coast and The Wolds (South) Warden Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Sykes Farm Nature Reserve Office Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve Gibraltar Road Skegness PE24 4SU No records this week. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire *** Chambers Farm Wood Butterfly Garden Volunteers Gardening days for 2025. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOUR EDITOR HAS ADVERTISED THESE DATES OUT OF ORDER IN PREVIOUS WEEKS. PLEASE RE-CHECK. APOLOGIES. Phil Porter 6th & 20th; May, 3rd & 17th; June, 1st & 15th; July, 5th & 19th; August, 2nd & 16th; September, 7th & 21st, October, 4th; November margaretwestcott7@hotmail.co.uk https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/chambers-farm-wood-butterfly-garden *** Lincolnshire Dormouse Group *** lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com Gemma Watkinson writes… We do not yet have the permit through from Forestry England for this season's box checks. Our proposed dates are below, but not yet confirmed. Apr Sat 19th May Sun 18th Jun Sat 21st Jul Sun 20th Aug Sat 16th Sep Sun 21st Oct Sat 18th Readers may be interested to learn more about dormouse surveys and techniques used. We mostly use nest boxes at Chambers Farm Woods, and the nest box monitoring areas have been established now for at least 10 years at various sites throughout the woods. It should be noted that a Natural England Survey licence is required to carry out survey for dormice using nest boxes, nest tubes or disturbing wild nests, so anyone interested should get in touch to arrange to join our licenced surveyors, and there is a good chance of seeing a dormouse amongst a range of other interesting wildlife. However, anyone can keep an eye out for dormouse nibbled nuts, and as always, we are interested in any potential dormouse records across the county. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 to the editor as early as possible. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: 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: nichol20@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 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 the recorder promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcomed. Local Bat Helpline Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact the new Lincolnshire Bat Group co-ordinator as above: Email: info@lincsbatgroup.co.uk Or by phone on 01526 344726, who will be able to help you. Confidential Bat Records You may send confidential bat records direct to the above, who will make sure they are securely passed on to the new recorder. Slug ID Help Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01383 669 124 Email: chris.r.dufeu@gmail.com USEFUL WILDLIFE LINKS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. How to identify diving ducks | The Wildlife Trusts https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife/how-identify/how-identify-diving-ducks Dragonfly Identification help https://british-dragonflies.org.uk/odonata/species-and-identification/ Bat Identification https://www.bats.org.uk/about-bats/what-are-bats/uk-bats/ NHBS - Frequencies of British Bats https://media.nhbs.com/equipment/British%20Bat%20Frequencies.pdf 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 AnchorAnchorAnchorAnchorAnchor *** For the Geologists *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. Icelandic town and Blue Lagoon spa evacuated after volcanic eruption https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/01/grindavik-iceland-and-blue-lagoon-thermal-spa-evacuated-after-volcanic-eruption https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2025/apr/01/icelandic-town-blue-lagoon-spa-evacuated-volcanic-eruption-video 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 UK Fossils in Lincolnshire https://ukfossils.co.uk/category/lincolnshire/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. NOTES ABOUT THESE WILDLIFE REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting. However, records are sent in by a variety of reporters; from complete beginners to professionals. They may vary in reliability and occasionally may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed please contact the editor: Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP], Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. BULLETIN PUBLICITY POLICY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When submitting reports, e.g. unusual plants, please send 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 *** *** Lincolnshire Naturalists Union Field Meeting *** Wilder Doddington on Sunday 27th April Doddington, west of Lincoln. 11.00 for 12.00 start and finish about 16.00. Car parking at the Main Car Park, Doddington Hall. Habitat: Woodland Leader: Luke Hartley 07399 322211 hartley026@gmail.com Grid reference: SK 90172 70077 What3Words: fastening.repayment.overjoyed Nearest postcode: LN6 4RT Stenigot Estate - Sunday 18 May, meet from 11am, 12-4pm Grimsthorpe Estate - Saturday 14 June, meet from 11am, 12-4pm Seacroft Dunes, Skegness - Saturday 19 July, meet from 11am, 12-4pm Theddlethorpe-Saltfleetby - Sunday 3 August, meet from 10am, 10:30-TBC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** National and International Stories *** Abandoned lynx, roaming wild boar, ‘beaver bombing’ – has rewilding got out of hand? https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/12/abandoned-lynx-roaming-wild-boar-beaver-bombing-has-rewilding-got-out-of-hand AnchorVets say they are under pressure to bring in more money per pet https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62zzegvk33o AnchorFelling of ancient oak tree probed by police https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cewgypewepno AnchorIraq sandstorm leaves many with breathing problems https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0kxznxyx5do Blue-green algae returns to Lough Neagh https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd7vyw4z02po Amphibious boat brings Bond-style glamour to RSPB in Northumberland https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/15/amphibious-boat-rspb-northumberland-coquet-island *** Mail Fails *** 14 emails failed last week. All were clients of ntlworld. "Host or domain name not found. Name service error for name=ntlworld.com type=A: Host not found." ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/