============================================ || || Wildnews Bulletin || 27th 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Phil Porter writes During the week I was sorting through my specimen boxes to add records to iRecord when I found a striking fly with a label that was clearly wrong. Having worked it through the key it proved to be Minettia desmometopa, a very handsome small fly of the saprophytic Lauxaniidae family (see https://irecord.org.uk/record-details?occurrence_id=44688355 .It had been caught by Richard Davidson on 6th July 2014 at Anderby Creek and he had passed it on to me to identify and I hadn’t made the best job of it evidently. It is not only the first Lincolnshire record, but there are only about 12 British occurrences, and this is also the first east coast record (see https://species.nbnatlas.org/species/NBNSYS0000041567 ) Very little seems to be known about this rare fly, but it is exclusively coastal. One reference suggests that it might be associated in some way with Sea Buckthorn. A brand new addition to our Lincolnshire fly list is certainly attracted to Sea Buckthorn. Richard has recently discovered the Sea Buckthorn Fruit-fly Rhagioletis batava at many of the best coastal sites along the Lincolnshire dune system and his identification has been confirmed at the highest level. More details to follow…these may be the first documented British records. For an example, see https://irecord.org.uk/record-details?occurrence_id=43878002 Finally, still on the coastal theme, please note that the LNU field meeting arranged for Seacroft Dunes which was cancelled at short notice in July owing to a severe weather forecast, has been rearranged for Saturday September 6th. The full notice can be found below. Phil Porter's email is: philporterento@outlook.com Roger Parsons' email is: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk The Bulletin Portal -past Bulletins archive [in text format] from 2009. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html BTO's tracked Cuckoos - Latest updates - south of the Sahel: Wilfrid, Jim, Winston, Norman, Ashok, Sayaan and Cuach Cores. https://www.bto.org/get-involved/volunteer/projects/cuckoo-tracking Loch of the Lowes SWT Webcam "Our osprey cameras are temporarily unavailable due to a storm which affected Loch of the Lowes on Thursday 14 August. The problem lies with the cameras in the tree itself so unfortunately we will not be able to resolve the issue until the birds leave for the season, as doing so would involve disturbing the nest. We apologise for any inconvenience." 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 Dock Bug Coreus marginatus. This bug has spread rapidly in the last ten years and is now very common. The summer generation is now becoming adults and can be found in almost any situation and they are quite conspicuous when flying due to their orange wings. There are big gaps on the distribution map that need filling in. As you can see from the map despite this being an extemely common species there are very few records please help to fill the gaps. Pictures and further information can be found at the British Bugs website:- https://www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/Coreidae/coreus_marginatus.html  the current record distribution map can be seen at https://lnu.org/coreus-marginatus-dock-bug/    Thanks to those who added records for our previous map filling species.  We received 12 records from 5 recorders for the Pale Straw Pearl Udea lutealis.  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: *** Artefacts from archaeological dig to go on show - Boston https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4ge8q2v9m3o Theatre secures extra £1m for revamp - Spilsby - good news! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gmy8ngp7go Work on rot-ridden windmill nears completion - Waltham. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy98gdw30vjo Pilot crashed after missing runway, report finds - East Kirkby https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyekr2p4dgo Coastal services unite to provide safety presence https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2065x7zv5xo Research to begin into WW2 RAF losses in far east https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn92ey312xno Flood scheme mimics nature to protect city homes - Derringham https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c70xnp8nzejo 'Neglect' arrest as baby found injured in water - Boultham Park https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyvr04l3zjo Investigation into chemical discovery after arrest - Waddingam https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cedvp05wl7qo Fresh cordon put up after chemical discovery - story continues... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn5ep6lx6wlo 'Material' removed from home where chemicals found https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn5ep6lx6wlo Mattress among items found in county litter pick https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1jn27jzxdro Arrest after Roman wall 'significantly damaged' - Lincoln https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gzyym2v64o Winter Bird Survey | BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) https://www.bto.org/get-involved/volunteer/projects/winter-bird-survey BTO Youth | BTO https://www.bto.org/our-work/youth *** 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 28th August - Sunday 31st August Headline: Fine to start with heavy showers likely later. Thursday: Dry to start with some bright spells. Turning unsettled in the afternoon with scattered showers, locally heavy with thunder. Maximum temperature 21 °C. Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Generally unsettled through the period with a mix of sunshine and showers. A band of rain moving through the area on Saturday afternoon, bringing some heavy bursts and strong winds. UK long range weather forecast Sunday 31st August - Tuesday 9th September Changeable and unsettled weather conditions are expected across the UK during this period with low pressure systems tending to dominate the overall pattern. This will mean showers or longer spells of rain will affect the majority of the UK at times. Some heavy rain or showers are expected in places, most often in the west. Thunderstorms and hail are also possible, as are some spells of strong winds if any deep areas of low pressure form in the vicinity of the UK. Some short-lived spells of drier and more settled weather are also possible at times. Temperatures will likely be close to average or slightly below overall, but may rise above at times in any drier, sunnier spells. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** SpaceWeather writes: Helioseimic maps of the sun's farside reveal two sunspot groups lurking just behind the sun's eastern limb. They'll turn to face Earth in a few days, potentially bringing stormy space weather. Both of these active regions have been hurling significant CMEs into space. If their activity continues apace, we'll soon be in the line of fire. https://spaceweather.com/ AuroraWatch UK for geomagnetic data: https://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/  Space and astronomy highlights in 2025 - June to August https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/space-astronomy/space-astronomy-highlights-2025#June The SpaceWeather website https://spaceweather.com/ Full Moons https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/full-moon-calendar Meteor shower dates 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 *** *** LNU Field Meeting - Seacroft Dunes *** on Saturday 6th September Parking on Seacroft Esplanade 11.00 for 12.00 start and finish about 16.00 Habitat: Coastal grasslands and sand dunes Grid reference: TF 56746 61666 What3Words: letter.habit.meal Nearest postcode: PE25 3BE Habitats: Leaders: Luke Hartley 07399 322211 hartley026@gmail.com *** Natural History and Geology Section of the Scunthorpe Museum Society *** Our first "indoor season" season meeting for 2025-2026 takes place on Monday, 8th September. The speaker for this meeting will be Tammy Smalley, Head of Conservation for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, who will be giving her illustrated talk on "Nature's Recovery in Greater Lincolnshire". Tammy is a well-known, enthusiastic speaker for the care and conservation of wildlife who will reveal much to enhance the positive aspects about our Lincolnshire wildlife status. The meeting will be held in the St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, starting at 7.15pm. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is a large, free car park at the Church the entrance being almost opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road. There is a £5 entry charge for non-members of the Scunthorpe Museum Society. There will be a mid-talk break during which light refreshments will be available for a £1 charge. Not to be missed, this will be a memorable meeting back in our St Bernadette's venue. *** Scunthorpe and Brigg Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Local Group *** The first indoor meeting for the 2025-2026 "indoor season" takes place on Thursday, 11th September. At that meeting we are visited again by Rolf Williams who will be giving his illustrated talk entitled "Crossing Boundaries". Those who attended Rolf's last talk in April will remember his enthusiastic, informative delivery about the conservation work in which he was involved when he lived in Kent. This talk comes from his nature explorations in Iraq and covers bird migrations including birds with which we are familiar in UK. Rolf served in the Royal Navy and when the flagship's deck filled with migrating birds he is "ordered" to an Iraqi oil platform to witness this spectacle. The meeting starts at 7.30pm in the St Hugh's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AG, which is opposite the Applegreen filling station near to the Ashby Road/ West Common Lane crossroads. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is a car park at the Church or at the Old Brumby United Church opposite or on the nearby roadside. There is a £2.50 entry charge which includes coffee or tea and biscuits during the mid-talk break. 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://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 Abbreviations Juv = juvenile Ad = adult 1s/w, 2s/w = first/second summer/winter (age or plumage) 17/8/2015 Boultham Mere, 6 Spoonbills 1 juv. Frampton Marsh, Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpiper 1 ad 1 juv, 2 Little Stints. Garganey, Wood Sandpiper. Gibraltar Point, Wood Sandpiper on Tennyson's Sands. 18/8/2025 Alkborough Flats, Pectoral Sandpiper from Prospect Hide. Frampton Marsh, Curlew Sandpiper, from Reedbed Hide. Toft Newton Reservoir, 2 Sanderlings 19/8/2025 Alkborough Flats, Pectoral Sandpiper from Prospect Hide. Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis ad on East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, 2 Curlew Sandpipers, from Reedbed Hide, 2 Little Stints. Leadenham. 3 Caspian Gulls a 2s juv, at landfill. Mablethorpe, 2 Black Terns flew north past Sea View car park. Manby, Pectoral Sandpiper at Manby Flashes. 20/8/2025 Alkborough Flats, Pectoral Sandpiper from Prospect Hide. Frampton Marsh, Wood Sandpiper from Reedbed Hide, 6 Little Stints. Gibraltar Point, 2 Black Terns. Mablethorpe, Pomarine Skua flew north past, 2 Sooty Shearwaters. Manby, Pectoral Sandpiper, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 3 Little Stints at Manby Flashes. 21/8/2025 Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis ad on East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, 7 Little Stints and Wood Sandpiper from Reedbed Hide. Gibraltar Point, 2 Sooty Shearwaters flew past. Manby, Pectoral Sandpiper, 2 Little Stints at Manby Flashes. 22/8/2025 Deeping St James, Garganey. on East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, 4+ Little Stints from Reedbed Hide, Wood Sandpiper. Gibraltar Point, 2 Little Stints, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Caspian Gull, Pied Flycatcher, Pomarine Skua flew past. Leadenham. 8 Caspian Gulls at landfill. Manby, Spotted Redshank, Pectoral Sandpiper, 2 Little Stints at Manby Flashes. 23/8/2025 Deeping St James, Garganey. on East Pit, Deeping Lakes. 2 Wood Sandpipers thru'. Frampton Marsh, 5 Little Stints from Reedbed Hide, male Hen Harrier. Wood Sandpiper. Freiston Shore, 2 Little Stints. Gibraltar Point, Caspian Gull on beach, Pied Flycatcher, Little Stint, Roseate Tern on beach. Huttoft Bank Pit, Temminck's Stint, Little Stint. Kirton in Lindsey, Black-winged Pratincole juv west of Ings Road at Nebraska Wetlands. Leadenham. 5 Caspian Gulls at landfill. Manby, Spotted Redshank, Pectoral Sandpiper, 2 Little Stints at Manby Flashes. 24/8/2025 Boultham Mere. 3 Spoonbills Frampton Marsh, 3+ Little Stints from Reedbed Hide Gibraltar Point, Sabine's Gull flew NE out of The Wash, Pied Flycatcher. Little Stint at The Mere. " Caspian Gulls on beach. Huttoft Bank Pit, Temminck's Stint, Little Stint. Kirton in Lindsey, Black-winged Pratincole juv west of Ings Road at Nebraska Wetlands. Manby, Spotted Redshank, Pectoral Sandpiper, 2 Little Stints at Manby Flashes. 25/8/2025 Frampton Marsh, 5 Little Stints from Reedbed Hide Freiston Shore, Wryneck. Gibraltar Point, 2 Little Stints 1 at The Mere, 1 on the beach, Corncrake in dunes at north end, flew towards Seacroft Golf Course. Huttoft Bank Pit, Temminck's Stint Kirton in Lindsey, Black-winged Pratincole juv west of Ings Road at Nebraska Wetlands. Donna Nook, Red-backed Shrike 1w in hawthorn by Stonebridge car park. 26/8/2025 Deeping St James, Black Tern juv and Little Tern on East Pit, Deeping Lakes Gibraltar Point, Curlew Sandpiper, 1s Caspian Gull. Rimac, 3+ Curlew Sandpipers all juvs at high tide, 2 Little Stints. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: https://form.jotform.com/.../report-roadside-deceased... *** 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 - The Green TF120694 A & R Parsons 21/8/2025 Continuing bat echolocation at 55kHz starting about 21.30hrs and ending with a brief burst between 03.30 or 4.30hrs and as late as 05.30hrs on 26th! Dunnock Robin juv. Pied Wagtail f in garden for an hour of so morning of 17th. Then m & f on 24/8. Sparrow flock of 20 - several juvs. Starling flock of about 20+. Magpies 4, 2 juvs. Egret spp flew over - midday 24/8 BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Phil and Mary Porter 24th August 2025 Sharp-eyed Mary spotted a Hornet patrolling over dense Ivy which often attracts smaller insects. 25th August 2025 Butterflies; Red Admiral, Peacock, Large White, Small White Another dead Common Shrew on the patio this morning. We have had at least 4 cases now over the past month or so. The garden is well-prowled by cats at night so we wondered if they had been predated, or maybe they haven’t been able to find food in the desiccated soil. 26th August 2025 ANOTHER dead shrew! 27th August 2025 Last night one of the cats was caught on the trail camera with a mouse or a very small rat. BARDNEY VILLAGE TF119695 Phil and Mary Porter 24th August 2025 Mary noticed a small butterfly on the green which proved to be a female Brown Argus, solidly dark brown without a trace of blue even on the body, with the orange marginal spots pristine. A little later, in Abbey Road, she discovered a large Privet Hawkmoth caterpillar in an overgrown privet hedge which showed evidence of its last meal. She had been scanning privet hedges for many years since the last one she found, so she was very excited. She also found at least one small grasshopper in the rough verge further down the road. In the afternoon, while walking the dog, I saw a lovely, apparently fresh, Hornet Hoverfly also in Abbey Road. 26th August 2025 Mary spotted at least one hummingbird hawkmoth, flying at speed around gardens between the village end of Abbey Road and Church Lane. It was either the same one, or two different individuals. BOSTON ROAD BRICKPITS N R TF246318 Colin Smith 25/08/2025 Juniper Apple Rust Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae on crab apple leaves, Oak Bush-cricket Meconema thalassinum and large numbers of Pine Ladybird Exochomus quadripustulatus on ivy CHAMBERS FARM WOOD BUTTERFLY GARDEN  Margaret Westcott August update  With such little rain around, the August drought has meant a depleted pond, and even weeds are drying up in the annual beds. However, the perennials are blooming and tall stands of Purple Loosestrife catch the eye. These magnificent blooms prefer damp areas and provide much needed nectar at this time of year. The gardeners deadhead, weed and collect seeds for later sowing. We complete a Big Butterfly Count and record: Brimstone 1, Common Blue 1, Gatekeeper 12, Green-veined White 2, Large White 1, Painted Lady 1, Peacock 1, Red Admiral 8, Small White 3. Moths included Mother of Pearl, Small Phoenix, Hummingbird Hawkmoth.  Other invertebrates recorded were several species of shieldbug, Migrant Hawker, Damsel Bug and Figwort Sawfly. Next gardening sessions are 2nd and 16th September. KILLINGHOLME,  Angela Buckle 21st August.      Hedge bedstraw, Sea aster, Narrow leaved ragwort, Common mallow, Bristly oxtongue, Teasle, Weld, Mugwort, Hogweed, Hedge bindweed, Scentless mayweed, Common fleabane.          MARKET RASEN Stuart Britton 21st August 2025 I have just watched a Hummingbird Hawk Moth feeding on buddleia in our Market Rasen garden (1845-1847) .  I also saw three Spotted Flycatchers at Linwood Warren this morning...! NETTLETON LODGE GAME FARM Ben Jacob 21st August 2025 Holly leaf mines found on 4 leaves on my holly tree. New leaves so 2025 season. 23rd August 2025 Red legged shieldbug (Forest bug) Pentatoma rufipes found on grape vine 26/8/2025 Male Common Darter(Sympetrum striolatum) seen Settled on a log then took to flight circled and back to same vantage point almost as if it was being territorial SURFLEET LOWS NATURE RESERVE TF250286 Colin Smith 25/08/2025 With many places drought ridden this seemed like a good place to go and the whole place still had lush vegetation. The reeds were covered in Red Malachite Beetles Anthocomus rufus. There were planthoppers too numerous to mention and lots of Long Winged Cone-head Bush Crickets Conocephalus discolor. Also Red Goosefoot Chenopodium rubrum which  I have not encountered before.  WATERS EDGE, HUMBER BANK.    Angela Buckle 24th August.      Mugwort, Yarrow, Canadian fleabane, Evening primrose, Sea aster, Field bindweed, Common mallow, Spear leaved orache, Hedge bindweed, Purple  loosestrife, Common fleabane, Teasel, Wild carrot, Red bartsia, Snowberry shrub, Hedge mustard, Vipers bugloss, Ladies bedstraw, Meadow cranesbill, Broad leaved pea, Devils bit scabious, Common toadflax, Henbit dead nettle, Scarlet pimpernel, Rosebay willowherb, Purple toadflax WATER RAIL WAY, SOUTHREY TF144660 Phil and Mary Porter 23rd August 2025 This was a quiet morning for wildlife by the River Witham. There were about 20 Linnets and some unseen Goldfinches flying near the Station, Stock Doves ‘singing’ at the pumping station and a single ‘churring’ Whitethroat along the path, but very little else that we noticed. A single Common Darter was followed by a Migrant Hawker, Blue-tailed Damselfly and Brown Hawker at the Engine Drain footbridge. Parties of House Martins were still circling around the breeding sites at the station. WILLINGHAM WOODS.    Angela Buckle 22nd August.      Heather, Common centaury, Canadian fleabane, Hawkweed, Bridewort, Hairbell, Enchanters nightshade, Water figwort, Dock bug.            WOODHALL SPA AIRFIELD TF211612 Phil and Mary Porter 21st August 2025 We joined the Horncastle Area Group of LWT visit led by Kevin James Mid Lincolnshire Warden. Unfortunately, we had to leave the meeting early but not before we saw several Little Egrets, maybe 100 Cormorants on and around the huge dead tree where they breed, and the drought-resistant Biting Stonecrop plants that continue plump and green despite the ultra-dry conditions in the runway cracks. There were hundreds of spent pupal cases of Burnet Moths attached to stock-fencing and reed stems along the way, just as there had been at Whisby recently so this moth is clearly having a good year. On our way back to the car, there were 2 Cattle Egrets accompanying the Lincoln Red cattle and a lively group of at least 20 Yellow Wagtails feeding on the runway verges. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 20th August: Curlew Sandpiper, 7 Ruff and 2 Sanderling at Huttoft Pit. 2 Arctic Skua hanging around off Huttoft Car Terrace.   21st August: out at sea 6 Manx and 2 Sooty Shearwater moving north, Great Skua, Little Gull and Red-throated Diver flying north too. A Peregrine was flying over Huttoft Car Terrace. 22 Knot at Huttoft Pit. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 200825 – cattle egret, 3 little ringed plover, 18 teal and a shoveler on Sea View Washlands. 2 raven flew south along Sea View dunes and 2 marsh harrier went north over the saltmarsh flushing a whimbrel. A group of 11 whimbrel flew high west over Crook Bank dunes and continued inland. Hobby flew from Rimac dunes towards Elm House Farm. Going north over the sea late afternoon an adult pomarine skua, 5 manx shearwater, 2 sooty shearwater and 5 black-tailed godwit, and south went 6 arctic skua and 150 oystercatcher.   210825 – 2 green sandpiper, ruff, 13 teal and 2 shoveler Sea View Washlands in the morning, and 2 greenshank arrived in the evening. 2 kingfisher flew along the Eau at Sea View bridge and green woodpecker on the edge of the dunes. Butterflies – 2 comma, 2 painted lady, 2 holly blue, 2 small copper, small tortoiseshell Sea View.   220825 – wing tagged male marsh harrier flew over the saltmarsh at Rimac. 51 golden plover on the saltmarsh edge near Saltfleet Haven. Green sandpiper Sea View Washlands and cattle egret perched on hawthorn beside the Eau south of Rimac, later seen on Paradise Lagoon. Pomarine skua flew north over the sea past Mablethorpe North End. A black tern also flew north over the sea with common terns early evening but returned south 10 minutes later. 290+ sandwich tern, 1 common tern, 700 black-headed/common gulls, 15 great black-backed gull, 6 lesser black-backed gull roosting on the beach out from Sear’s Track in the evening. Butterflies – clouded yellow Rimac. Wasp spiders remain visible on webs inside the old corral next to Rimac car park.   230825 – jay flew over Sea View. 2 green sandpiper and cattle egret on Sea View Washlands, and lesser whitethroat in scrub nearby. 2 velvet scoter, a red-throated diver, 9 whimbrel, little tern and 40 sandwich tern flew south over the sea early afternoon. Peregrine around Rimac foreshore.   240825 – 28 little egret on Sea View saltmarsh. Green sandpiper and common sandpiper along Eau from Sea View bridge.   250825 –11 little tern flew south over the sea in a single group, and an arctic skua flew north. Great white egret and 8 little egret on Sea View Washlands. 600 black-headed gulls, 44 curlew and 2 whimbrel Sea View saltmarsh over the morning high tide. 2 kingfisher, green sandpiper, common sandpiper, 42 mallard, 14 teal, 2 moorhen and 2 grey heron on the Eau between Sea View and Rimac. 3 snipe and a green sandpiper on Sea View Washlands. Grey wagtail flew south over Mablethorpe North End early morning. Another grey wagtail and a little ringed plover flew south over Brickyard Lane saltmarsh in the morning. Steady movement of swallows, house martins and sand martins throughout the morning, plus 5 yellow wagtail and a marsh harrier. Cetti’s warbler, 15+ lesser whitethroat, 10+ blackcap, 8+ whitethroat, bullfinch, 4 greenfinch in dune scrub near Brickyard Lane and a female sparrowhawk flew over. Turtle dove at Rimac flew from Quarry Hill towards freshwater marsh. Hummingbird hawk-moth on the edge of the dunes at Churchill Lane. Butterflies – clouded yellow, 2 comma, 2 painted lady, brown argus, 2 small copper, holly blue Sea View; 5 small copper, 12 common blue, comma, 8 speckled wood, wall, 18 meadow brown, 20 small heath Rimac; 2 small copper, 2 brown argus, peacock, 7 green-veined white, 3 speckled wood, 4 small heath Churchill Lane. Odonata – 3 migrant hawker, 1 southern hawker, 4 willow emerald Churchill Lane.   260825 – 2 juvenile little stint, juvenile curlew sandpiper, 230 ringed plover, 80 sanderling, 152 dunlin, 5 turnstone, 16 knot in high tide morning roost at Rimac foreshore, also joined briefly by 10 whimbrel which then flew south. 2 arctic skua flew north over the sea and a little tern flew south. Cattle egret perched on rail fencing around Rimac pond platform early morning.   Donna Nook: 220825 – 2 clouded yellow around Donna Nook realignment.   250825 – red-backed shrike reported in hawthorns next to Stonebridge car park.   260825– 2 juvenile and 1 adult marsh harrier over Donna Nook realignment in the evening, plus a single whinchat and 11 greenshank. 2 pied flycatcher, cuckoo, 5 lesser whitethroat I dune scrub. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html Chambers Farm Wood Butterfly Garden Volunteers Gardening days for 2025. 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.. The permit has been received and the above dates have been confirmed for the box checks this season. 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 Links to "Other Reserves" are welcome. Your suggestions, please. Boston Woods Trust https://www.bostonwoods.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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 Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupts creating lava fountain https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c2072dxz1p7o 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, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU EVENTS DIARY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Field Meeting - Seacroft Dunes on Saturday 6th September Parking on Seacroft Esplanade 11.00 for 12.00 start and finish about 16.00 Habitat: Coastal grasslands and sand dunes Grid reference: TF 56746 61666 What3Words: letter.habit.meal Nearest postcode: PE25 3BE Habitats: Leaders: Luke Hartley 07399 322211 hartley026@gmail.com Fungus Foray - Goslings Corner Wood on Sunday 19th October Parking at Goslings Corner Wood car park 12:00 for 13:00 start and finish about 16:00 Leaders: Ray Halstead & Tim Brunings Habitat: Limewoods Grid reference: TF 14336 74872 What3Words: edge.cheerily.area Nearest postcode: LN8 5QB ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** National and International Stories *** Research: Badger and hedgehog interaction - Hedgehog Street https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/badger-hedgehog-interaction/ Research: Hedgehog crash test dummy - Hedgehog Street https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/hedgehog-crash-test-dummies/ First human case of flesh-eating screwworm parasite confirmed in US https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4geyg55jvyo Powerful typhoon drenches Vietnam's coastal areas after mass evacuations ordered https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c4gqy5zpev5t Watch: Moment massive dust storm surges through Arizona https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c4gzd3nzpzjo Get ready for fracking, Reform UK tells energy firms https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c74172wlezwo Watch: Hot air balloon lands in residential street https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c4gm8jvl2e7o Wasp 'riding a broomstick' wows photography judges (16 remarkable wildlife photographs) https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c70r7plrdndo Birds Are Singing Nearly An Hour Longer Every Day Because Of City Lights https://www.zmescience.com/science/birds-are-singing-nearly-an-hour-longer-every-day-because-of-city-lights/ *** Mail Fails *** None this week ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/