============================================ || || Wildnews Bulletin 6th August 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. ============================================ To interest new readers please use the "Forward to a Friend" link at the end of every Bulletin, or suggest anyone interested visits the LNU website and signs up that way. https://lnu.org/publications/wildnews-bulletin/ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The editor, Phil Porter, writes… You may read below how pleased Mary and I were to see goldfinches feeding naturally on knapweed in our garden over the last week. We have wondered about the consequences of the way that goldfinches in particular seem to start feeding on sunflower hearts in hoppers and eat and eat and eat! Will they forget about wild food sources? This year, as a dipterist, I find myself hoping that our birds don’t choose the knapweed heads that the females of the nationally notable picture-winged fly Acanthiophilus helianthi were apparently ovipositing in last month! https://irecord.org.uk/my-records#group-43304600-1 There has only been one county record preceding ours, and only about 120 national reports on the National Biodiversity Network database. Butterfly watchers – your identification problems with white butterflies just got bigger! The Southern small white has arrived in Britain at Landguard NR, Felixstowe. See https://www.birdguides.com/articles/invertebrates/focus-on-southern-small-white/ Check out the speed and range of its expansion from its Mediterranean home. Phil Porter's email is: philporterento@outlook.com Roger Parsons' email is: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk An exhibition on Miss E. Joan Gibbons and the Flora of Lincolnshire. Roger writes: We went to see this on Saturday and it is an excellent account of her amazing contribution to Botany. Made me recall the hours we spent moving the LNU Herbarium from pillar to post, eventually finding it a home through "Love Lincs Plants". Worth seeing and strongly recommended. See Paul Scott's piece below. https://www.facebook.com/61575925386264/posts/our-e-joan-gibbons-exhibition-is-now-up-and-running-visit-us-thursday-to-saturda/122131782260864179/ BTO's tracked Cuckoos - Latest updates - south of the Sahel: Wilfrid, Jim, Winston, Norman, Ashok, Sayaan and Cuach Cores. https://www.bto.org/cuckoos Loch of the Lowes SWT Webcam Sadly, the new osprey pair at Loch of the Lowes lost their remaining egg just days before its anticipated hatching date. The empty nest gets an occasional Osprey visitor. The camera is still running, looking across the Loch. https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ *** LEARN A NEW SPECIES & 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 when you are out and about in the County. You can record what you see on: 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. The next species is the Pale Straw Pearl Udea lutealis This is a small white moth that flies freely during the day as well as at night. It is triangular in shape with light brown markings especially near the wing edges. The moth visits flowers and is particularly partial to knapweed, scabious and ragwort. Pictures and further information can be found on the UK Moths website:- https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/udea-lutealis/ the current record distribution Map can be seen at https://lnu.org/udea-lutealis-pale-straw-pearl/ Thanks to those who added records for our previous map filling species. We received 6 records from 4 recorders for the Elm sack gall aphid Tetraneura ulmi. Please do join in as all records are valuable and help our understanding of the county's changing natural history. *** This week's mostly-local news stories: *** Saddle up for horse fair with 800 years of history https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c15lqgpjvvdo 'Pigeons are not vermin, they're very intelligent' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0l6p2yzzj5o Billions needed for coast's failing flood defences https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly720knrvno Plane-spotters question warning signs at RAF base - Coningsby https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgpr7d4gzqo Failed asylum seeker housing plan loses £48m - Scampton https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp8znp8y8v2o Your dog can actually sense how you’re feeling, scientists say https://uk.news.yahoo.com/style/dog-actually-sense-feeling-scientists-094531118.html Oil refinery has ended production, officials say - Immingham https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg50ye7pj6no Row over 'cheeky' county border homes plan - Deepings https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8e1wp64eggo Cordon put in place around 'significant' sinkhole - Gainsborough https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c17nqx4y4y0o *** 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 7th August - Sunday 10th August Headline: Fine with some sunshine. Cloudier later. Thursday: Cloudy with outbreaks of light rain or showers to start. Becoming largely dry and bright later in the day. Breezy. Temperatures around average. Maximum temperature 24 °C. Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Largely dry, with plenty of sunny spells and a little patchy cloud at times. Breezy initially, winds falling light through the weekend. Temperatures rising above average. UK long range weather forecast Sunday 10th August - Tuesday 19th August The start of this period may bring some strong winds and rain to the north of the UK before an Atlantic weather system erratically crosses all parts. Ahead of this, potential for some very warm and humid weather to affect parts of the south and east in particular. Looking towards mid-August, and high pressure is more likely to dominate the weather across the UK. This will bring plenty of a dry weather for the most part, though northern areas may see a rather more changeable theme with occasional rain or showers and breezier conditions at times. Above average temperatures are more likely than not, especially in the south, where it could also be rather humid. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Space and astronomy highlights in 2025 - June to August https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/space-astronomy/space-astronomy-highlights-2025#June AuroraWatch UK https://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ The SpaceWeather website https://spaceweather.com/ Full Moons https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/full-moon-calendar Meteor shower dates - 7 July – 24 August - The Perseid meteor shower https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/meteor-shower-guide BBC Sky at Night Magazine website https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news Current Position of ISS https://www.astroviewer.net/iss/en/ *** EVENTS *** SIR JOSEPH BANKS SOCIETY Past president Paul Scott writes: An exhibition on Miss E. Joan Gibbons and the Flora of Lincolnshire. This exhibition is all about Miss Gibbons, her work, and the publishing of the Flora of Lincolnshire. Learn more about this extraordinary lady and the botanical history of Lincolnshire. The exhibition is open to the public, free of charge, Thursday to Saturday 10:00am to 4:00pm at the Joseph Banks Centre, 11-13 Bridge Street, Horncastle. LN9 5HZ until September 6th. enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk , 01507 700012. On certain Saturdays, please contact us to find out which, the curator of this exhibition, Debbie Lincoln, will be in the Centre to talk you through Miss Gibbons' life and work. *** LINCOLN RSPB PEREGRINE WATCH *** Volunteer opportunities available for people who are passionate about wildlife and conservation. Lincoln RSPB are running the Peregrine Watch at Lincoln Cathedral again this year. All weekends in June, July and August Prior experience isn’t necessary, enthusiasm and reliability is more important. For more information contact: Gwen M Randall, Volunteer Co-ordinator gwen.randall@lincolnrspb.org.uk *** 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. Please note this talk has now been changed to 8th October. Full details at https://group.rspb.org.uk/southlincolnshire/ *** SOUTH LINCS RSPB GROUP *** 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/ STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary... The Heat-Health Alert Service in England runs from 1 June to 30 September each year. You can register for alerts on this link. https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/weather-health-alerts/heat Bird flu: 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://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/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 29/7/2025 Gibraltar Point, 2 Wood Sandpipers. Tree Pipit flew south over west dunes. Turtle Dove around Mill Hill. Pied Flycatcher at East Dunes. 30/7/2025 Alkborough Flats 6 Spotted Redshanks. Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis ad at East Pit, from 1st viewing screen Deeping Lakes. Gibraltar Point, Wood Sandpiper, Tree Pipit flew over Mill Hill. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, Wood Sandpiper on beach briefly. 31/7/2025Freiston Shore, Pectoral Sandpiper on south lagoon from viewing platform. Gibraltar Point, 2 Wood Sandpipers. 1/8/2025 Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis ad at East Pit,from 1st viewing screen Deeping Lakes Freiston Shore, Pectoral Sandpiper on south lagoon from viewing platform, 2 Wood Sandpipers. 2/8/2025 Frampton Marsh, Wood Sandpiper. Freiston Shore, Pectoral Sandpiper on south lagoon from viewing platform Curlew Sandpiper. Gibraltar Point, 2 Roseate Terns at Mill Hill. Huttoft Bank, 2 Black Terns both ads flew north past Huttoft Car Terrace. Mablethorpe, Caspian Gull juv at outfall, then flew out to sea. 3/8/2025 Alkborough Flats, 2 Spotted Redshanks, 1ad, from Prospect Hide. 14 Spoonbills on River Trent/Ouse confluency. Anderby Creek, Wood Sandpiper at Anderby Marsh - walk south thru' dunes. Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis ad. at East Pit, from 1st viewing screen Deeping Lakes Freiston Shore, Pectoral Sandpiper on south lagoon from viewing platform. Gibraltar Point, Tree Pipit flew south over Mill Hill Grainthorpe, 15+ Quail, 1ad+chicks, near Coal Shore Lane. Saltfleet Haven, Spotted Redshank just south of, on Paradise Pool. Whisby Nature Park, 2 Common Scoters drk + fem at Teal Lake. 4/8/2025 Frampton Marsh, Little Stint. Freiston Shore, Pectoral Sandpiper on south lagoon from viewing platform, 2 Curlew Sandpipers. Gibraltar Point, Wood Sandpiper. 5/8/2025 Boultham Mere, 2 Spoonbills ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 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: [Link corrected.] https://www.cleethorpeswildliferescue.co.uk/reporting-deceased-wildlife *** County Wildlife Reports from Readers *** Thank you to all contributors. We rely on readers to send in observations and welcome reports from everyone, experts to beginners. Please keep your reports coming. BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Phil and Mary Porter 4th August 2025 Gatekeepers are the most common butterfly now, but I did see a lone Meadow Brown on the lawn. 5th August 2025 A delightful family group of 4-5 Goldfinches were feeding on the seedheads of Common Knapweed this morning. Their fluttering as they switched from one stem to another, and recovered if a weaker stem arched over with their weight, displayed the yellow wing patch to perfection. We only have one Teasel this year by chance, hadn’t noticed before now. Red Admiral appeared this afternoon. A Pied Hoverfly, Volucella pellucens visited morning and afternoon. CARLTON LE MOORLAND SK909581 03/08/25 Jeremy Hutchinson Our Swifts left about a week ago, as in recent years, which seems at least a week earlier than they used to, despite not arriving any earlier. They appear to have had a successful breeding season. As in 2023 neither myself nor my neighbours have had a House Martin nest between us. Two pairs kept visiting our respective gables, but brought no mud to rebuild. Eventually I provided mud in a large shallow container placed in the open on the neighbours' lawn in accordance with advice found online, but the birds ignored it. Despite a lack of House Martins on this east side of the village, they appear to be nesting successfully on the west side, whatever reason. There are lots of young Swallows on the wing, so it would seem that they are having a good season. There is once again a nest in the local bus stop, a traditional nesting site, but it was not used last year, nor I think several years before that. Our local Little Owls seemed to have vanished in recent months, but I did hear one calling on 28th July at dusk, but couldn't see it. Another bird which I used to see frequently (often several times a day) at this time of year is the Hobby: I haven't seen one since early May. Recently found a dead Hornet Queen on the bedroom carpet, close to the fireplace. 30/7/25 Found a male Lesser Stag Beetle on the road, so removed it with difficulty from the asphalt (it clung on determinedly) and removed it to the safety of the verge, only to find it squashed the next day. It seems to be a good summer for insects generally, Hoverflies particularly. Gatekeepers have been the most numerous butterflies, but although not huge numbers, Meadow Browns, Red Admirals, Peacocks, Holly Blues, odd Common Blues, Commas, Speckled Woods and a Painted Lady (interestingly it's been landing on an area of pea gravel; when its wings are folded, it's virtually invisible) seen in the garden. FAR INGS Angela Buckle 3rd August 2025. Lesser bullrush, Common bistort, Field bindweed, Common toadflax, Sowbread, Spiked pea gall on rose. NETTLETON GRANGE GAME FARM Ben Jacob 30th July 2025 This year seems to have been a bumper year for galls especially on oak trees Some branches on some trees have nearly every acorn site taken over by Knopper Gall Andricus quercuscalicis. There are many artichoke galls Andricus fecundator, some oak apples Biorhiza pallida and marble galls Andricus kollari, an odd Cherry gall Cynips quercusfolii and the underside of nearly every leaf has Silk button spangle gall Neuroterus numismalis. Common toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) both noted in flower Smithfield road, North Kelsey Moor 31st July 2025 Tawny owl heard last night first time this season NORTH HYKEHAM SK94976651 Eleanor and Ross Smith 28 July 2025 Our back garden in North Hykeham This week's surprise: Silver-washed fritillary (male) We were stunned by the size and vivid orange of this wonderful visitor. SLEAFORD TF069458 Jeremy Hutchinson 3/8/25 Red Kite circling over St Denys' Church. Lone Swift, appeared to be heading south at speed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory https://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.com/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 26th July: 4 Harbour Porpoise off Chapel Point during National Whale and Dolphin Watch Weekend. Also out at sea Spoonbill, Fulmar, 2 Arctic Skua flying south and over 400 Kittiwake flying north. Little Stint and Bittern on Anderby Marsh. 31 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Grey Heron, Sparrowhawk, Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Chiffchaff at Huttoft Pit. 27th July: juvenile Marsh Harrier near Anderby Marsh presumable from local pair. Huttoft Pit was showing 35 Black-tailed Godwit and 4 Redshank. were Little Tern moving south and around 500 Kittiwake. 28th July: Cuckoo, Great Crested Grebe, Mediterranean Gull, 4 Ruff, 4 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Green Sandpiper and 3 Snipe on Anderby Marsh. A Turtle Dove was flying north along Wolla Bank. 64 Curlew at Huttoft Marsh. Tufted Duck with 3 duckling at Chapel Pits. 29th July: 2 Spoonbill, 3 Fulmar and a Red Kite flying south. 6 Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper and 4 Sparrowhawk at Huttoft Pit. 2 Little Ringed Plover and a Willow Warbler at Sandilands Golf Course. 30th July: On Anderby Marsh were 6 Ruff, 5 Green Sandpiper, 3 Little Ringed Plover, 6 Avocets, Greenshank, 11 Dunlin and 8 Snipe. At Huttoft Pit were 39 Back-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, 2 Sparrowhawk, Bearded Tit and several Willow Emerald Damselflies. 31st July: 14 Snipe, 7 Ruff and 3 Green Sandpiper on Anderby Marsh. 23 Curlew, 4 Whimbrel, 2 Redshank, 4 Moorhen, Spoonbill and 14 Black-tailed Godwit on Huttoft Pit. Black Tern flying south at Anderby. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Tel: 07900264428 Reserve Manager Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR part of the Lincolnshire Coronation Coast NNR Sea View Road, Saltfleetby St. Clements, LN11 7TR www.gov.uk/natural-england Twitter @NEEastMidlands 300725 – spoonbill flew north past Crook Bank and continued up the reserve. Wood sandpiper on the beach briefly at Crook Bank in the morning. On Rimac freshwater marsh 7 little egret, 4 little ringed plover, whooper swan. 2 kestrel in Rimac dunes. Butterflies – 32 common blue, 26 gatekeeper, 21 meadow brown, red admiral, small tortoiseshell Rimac; clouded yellow Crook Bank outer dunes. 010825 – 8 green sandpiper, 7 little ringed plover, 3 black-tailed godwit, whooper swan Rimac freshwater marsh scrape. 2 little ringed plover feeding on upper foreshore out from Rimac. Arctic tern roosting on the beach with 40 sandwich tern, 200+ common scoter on the sea and arctic skua mobbing gulls and terns. 110 redshank, snipe, 7 dunlin, 6 black-tailed godwit, greenshank, 2 common sandpiper, 7 lapwing, 5 little egret, 77 black-headed gull, 4 common gull and 3 pied wagtail Paradise Lagoon. 3 arctic skua flew north past Mablethorpe North End and 25 common scoter on the sea. Lesser marsh grasshopper at Rimac. 020825 – wasp spider in dune grassland around Rimac easy access trail. Osprey caught a fish and landed on a tall post near the end of Saltfleet Haven. 8 whimbrel on Sea View saltmarsh in the evening. 3 common sandpiper on edges of Eau near Paradise Lagoon. 5 whimbrel on the saltmarsh between Sea View and Rimac. Butterflies – brown argus, 40 common blue, 132 meadow brown, peacock, red admiral, 2 ringlet, 28 small heath, 10 speckled wood, 22 wall Paradise-Rimac. Odonata - migrant hawker Churchill Lane. Weasel by edge of dunes near Churchill Lane. 030825 – another wasp spider found in the dunes at Rimac near quarry hill. 2 curlew sandpiper, 16 dunlin, greenshank, little ringed plover, black-tailed godwit, green sandpiper, 70 redshank, spotted redshank and 2 knot on Paradise Lagoon throughout the afternoon. Ruff, 3 little ringed plover, 2 greenshank and a green sandpiper Rimac freshwater marsh scrape. 15 whimbrel flew inland over Rimac in the evening. 040825 – on Paradise Lagoon 2 common sandpiper, 14 dunlin, 2 knot, little ringed plover, 13 redshank, 32 lapwing, yellow wagtail and kingfisher. Snipe, 2 greenshank, green sandpiper, ruff, 9 little ringed plover and 4 yellow wagtail Rimac freshwater marsh scrape. Green woodpecker calling in the dunes around Rimac easy access trail. 300+ common scoter still offshore from Rimac and a fulmar flew south along the tide edge. 3 adult Mediterranean gull flew inland over Crook Bank dunes with black-headed and common gulls. Greenshank flew off wet grassland south of Crook Bank. Sparrowhawk and 2 common buzzard Crook Bank south dunes. 5 arctic skua and 24 whimbrel flew south over the sea mid-afternoon, and a little tern flew north plus 400+ sandwich tern offshore. Osprey on post out from Sea View in the evening. Butterflies – painted lady, 6 wall Crook Bank; 8 wall Brickyard Lane-Churchill Lane. 050825 – wind gusting to 49.6mph early afternoon as Storm Floris passes through. Little ringed plover, 3 greenshank, 11 redshank, 19 dunlin, 25 lapwing and yellow wagtail on Paradise Lagoon, plus 2 common sandpiper and 26 redshank on Eau outfall adjacent. 5 little ringed plover the only waders on a drying Rimac freshwater marsh scrape. 6 green sandpiper, snipe and 3 grey heron on the Eau between Rimac and Sea View in the morning. 2 turtle dove flew north along the dunes past Saltfleet Haven. Adult roseate tern and 45+ little tern flew north over the sea early evening. Hobby flew over Churchill Lane late evening. Wall and gatekeeper butterflies flying low in the wind at Sea View. Swallows feeding around the trees. Strawberry clover in flower at Sea View. Wasp spider at Rimac and greater water parsnip in flower. Other Reserves 300725 – Donna Nook: Little grebe, redshank, water vole Tetney Blow Wells: Common and soprano pipistrelles, noctule, Daubenton’s bats. Barn and tawny owls heard. 310725 - Toby’s Hill: Wall, red admiral, peacock, meadow brown butterflies. Yellow shell moth. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/chambers-farm-wood-butterfly-garden Chambers Farm Wood Butterfly Garden Volunteers Gardening days for 2025. 19th; August, 2nd & 16th; September, 7th & 21st; October, 4th; November margaretwestcott7@hotmail.co.uk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Lincolnshire Dormouse Group *** lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com Gemma Watkinson writes... The permit has been received and the above dates have been confirmed for the box checks this season. Aug Sat 16th Sep Sun 21st Oct Sat 18th ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Boston Woods Trust https://www.bostonwoods.co.uk/ 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. Tuesday latest. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ladybirds| NatureSpot https://www.naturespot.org/WildlifeGuides/12CommonLadybirds How to identify bumblebees| The Bumblebee Conservation Trust https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/ 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 Email: lincolnshirebadgergroup@hotmail.com https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093647842292 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 Why did Russian mega earthquake not cause more tsunami damage? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0l6pj7kjg7o Russian volcano erupts for first time in more than 500 years https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0r7qlwg4zro 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 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, aking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU EVENTS DIARY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ September and October Field Meetings to be confirmed ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** National and International Stories *** Buglife – Nature-based activities at night – Buglife Safari https://derby.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_2bhhv5cQfEIHV1Y Eight Grass Alternatives For Your Lawn | Coronation Gardens https://mycoronationgarden.org/blog/alice-whitehead/eight-grass-alternatives-your-lawn The life of microplastic: how fragments move through plants, insects, animals – and you - The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/news/ng-interactive/2025/jul/28/the-life-of-microplastic-how-fragments-move-through-plants-insects-animals-and-you Biodiversity Shorts - Live Webinars – Field Studies Council https://www.field-studies-council.org/courses-and-experiences/static-courses/biodiversity-shorts-online-webinars/ Solar farms managed for nature can boost bird numbers and biodiversity https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/news/solar-farms-managed-for-nature-boost-bird-numbers-and-biodiversity Two new reports reveal how the UK’s birds are faring https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/news/two-new-reports-reveal-how-the-uks-birds-are-faring Danish zoo asks for unwanted pets to feed its predators https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0r7z2ynd2lo Mission begins to save snails threatened by own beauty https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyrv8ndzzjo 2,500-year-old Siberian 'ice mummy' had intricate tattoos, imaging reveals https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gzx0zm68vo 'Communities' of strange, extreme life seen for first time in deep ocean https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3wnqe5j99do Seals sing 'otherworldly' songs structured like nursery rhymes https://uk.news.yahoo.com/seals-sing-otherworldly-songs-structured-151758149.html Human drinking culture ‘started with apes’ https://uk.news.yahoo.com/human-drinking-culture-started-apes-173600812.html Unusually high number of jellyfish arrive in UK seas https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/02/unusually-high-number-of-jellyfish-arrive-in-uk-seas *** Mail Fails *** None this week. ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/