============================================ || || Wildnews Bulletin || 23rd July 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Editor (Phil Porter) writes: From my own experience, I wonder if the long-term rain deficit, despite the recent heavy showers and whatever the rest of the summer may bring, may affect the berry crops that migrant birds depend on in the autumn. On hawthorn, mountain ash and cotoneaster in our garden, the berry crop is there, but very seriously desiccated and dropping early with no flesh around the seed. Most of these have admittedly been planted in the last 25 years and have shallower roots; much older apple trees are loaded with promising fruit after a slow start. Perhaps readers would like to report back in the format of the *** County Wildlife Reports from Readers *** below, and comment on the condition of any berry-bearing trees or bushes they know of that are usually eaten by birds? If you live on moister soil than we do, I imagine that there must be some heavy crops to be found. Do birds discriminate between berry crops with different colours? The range of shades available, horticulturally at least, is very wide from black to white, through reds, oranges,pinks and yellows. How widely to birds discern colour? Opinions and experiences please! 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 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 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 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 next species is the Common red soldier beetle Rhagonycha fulva This is a very distinctive flying beetle that visits many flowers ragwort and hogweed being good ones to examine. It can be seen in almost any open habitat like meadows, green lanes and large gardens. Pictures and further information can be found on the Nature Spot website:- https://www.naturespot.org/species/common-red-soldier-beetle Thanks to those who added records for our previous map filling species. We received 32 records from 15 recorders for the Yellow Shell Moth Camptogramma bilineata. Please do join in as all records are valuable and help our understanding of the county's changing natural history. *** The Peoples Trust for Endangered Species *** Volunteers needed to record sightings of the UK’s biggest land beetle Survey spectacular Stag Beetles this summer https://stagbeetles.ptes.org/ The British public is being asked to keep an eye out for spectacular stag beetles this summer and record any sightings online, as part of a wildlife charity’s national Great Stag Hunt survey. (Editors note. The Great Stag Beetle, which is the main target for this project, does not currently occur in Lincolnshire as far as anybody knows. That is not to say that it never will, and the habitat and survey tips included in the project material are valuable for beetles in general. The related Lesser Stag Beetle is a Lincolnshire resident, and has similar ‘antlers’ which are much smaller than those of the male Great Stag Beetle. These can also be recorded but make sure to use the correct name) https://www.google.com/search?q=lesser+stag+beetle+vs+stag *** This week's mostly-local news stories: *** Free summer activities offered at towns' parks - Grimsby https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg9y7qk8r4o Wasps are back this summer – a lot of them https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz7ld2jgqz2o 'Britain's oldest ever' barn owl found at farm https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4ne7kg387o Work starts on solar panel covered car park - Scunthorpe https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5ypzl1wd31o Don't leave holes in beach, warns coastguard - Mablethorpe https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyxr45v7njo 'Someone said is it the Spanish flag?' - RNLI https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c628dy43jp6o Beach flags and signs https://rnli.org/safety/beach-safety/flags-and-signs Serious water pollution incidents up 60% in England, Environment Agency says https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg5zl75dmm0o Royal swan count sees numbers resurface after dip https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyvjl0jv91ro Campaigners fight poultry farm plans - Toynton St Peter near Spilsby https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwykewwwevro Council hails free bike repairs 'very successful' - Grimsby https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgmwk8vvedvo Flood awareness event to be held in village - Billingborough https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgjg91j3e0eo *** 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 24th July - Sunday 27th July Headline: Variable cloud, isolated showers, some brighter spells Wednesday. Thursday: Showers or longer spells of rain, these possibly heavy at times, will become more widespread through the morning. Drier but largely cloudy conditions follow through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 18 °C. Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Friday and Saturday dry with sunny spells. Sunday there is a chance showers or longer spells of rain, perhaps thundery, although confidence is low. Generally warm or rather warm. UK long range weather forecast Sunday 27th July - Tuesday 5th August A weather regime dominated by westerly winds is likely at first. While showers or longer spells of rain will remain possible for all parts early in the period, the focus of wet weather will likely increasingly be focussed across the west and northwest, especially over hills where rain could be prolonged. The highest chance of drier and sunnier weather is expected to the east of hills, and across south and eastern areas. Later in the period if high pressure builds into the southwest settled weather may develop there too. It will be breezy at times, especially in further north. Temperatures are most likely to be near to average or slightly above average for the time of year. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Moths in Australia can navigate by the stars, using the Milky Way https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09135-3 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 *** LNU / LINCOLNSHIRE FLORA GROUP FIELD MEETING SALTFLEETBY-THEDDLETHORPE NNR. Sunday 3rd August 2025 we will also be joined by a group from the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Timings: 11:00 for 12:00 start and finish about 16:00 Leaders: Luke Hartley & Sarah Lambert Habitat: Fixed dune, scrub and saltmarsh Parking: at Crook Bank car park Grid reference: TF 48860 88260 What3Words: horses.waged.blanking Nearest postcode: LN12 1NP 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 starting on 31st May. 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 8th October 2025 at 7-30pm at Boston Tennis Club. (Previously scheduled for 24th September but recently changed) 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 14/7/2025 Anderby Creek, Curlew Sandpiper still at Anderby Marsh. Deeping St James, Curlew Sandpiper at East Pit on island east of main island, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, Curlew Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, 11 Spotted Redshanks, 2 Continental Black-tailed Godwits. Gibraltar Point, Black Redstart at Visitor Centre. Killingholme Haven Pits, Curlew Sandpiper. Willingham-by-Stow - 2 miles NE, Quail flushed from field just south of Fillingham Lane just east of Turpin Farm. 15/7/2025 Boultham Mere, Spoonbill. 16/7/2025 Frampton Marsh, Wood Sandpiper on Reedbed Lagoon. Leadenham, 3 Caspian Gulls 3s, 2s, 1s, at quarry. Mablethorpe, Black Tern flew north past. 17/7/2025 Anderby Creek, Wood Sandpiper, Anderby Marsh. Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis at East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, Curlew Sandpiper, on North Scrape, 2 Spoonbills, 11 Spotted Redshanks. Gibraltar Point, Curlew Sandpiper flew south over beach. Surfleet Seas End, Quail flushed from field south of Marsh Drove. Whisby Nature Park, 2 Wood Sandpipers at west end of Teal Lake from viewing screen. 18/7/2025 Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis at East Pit, Deeping Lakes. 19/7/2025 Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis at East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, 2 Spotted Redshanks. Saltfleet, Garganey just south of Saltfleet on Paradise Pool From main road take track ESE. 20/7/2025 Boultham Mere, Spoonbill. Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis at East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Mablethorpe. Caspian Gull juv at outfall. 21/7/2025 Anderby Creek. Pectoral Sandpiper at Anderby Marsh. Frampton Marsh, 2 Wood Sandpipers on North Scrape from path to East Hide. Gibraltar Point, Wood Sandpiper at Lagoons. 3 Curlew Sandpipers at Tennyson's Sands from Harvey's Hide. Willingham-by-Stow - 2 miles NE, Quail singing in field south of Fillingham Lane. Rimac, 4 Wood Sandpipers. 21/7/2025 Rimac, 4 Wood Sandpipers. 3 Roseate Terns 2 ads + juv, 2 Curlew Sandpipers. 22/7/2025 Anderby Creek, Pectoral Sandpiper at Anderby Marsh. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** We rely on readers to send in observations and welcome records from everyone, experts to beginners. Please keep your reports coming. ASHING LANE NATURE RESERVE TF 04483 78988 18/07/25 Su Colman 30 red soldier beetles on thistles - near Coop Wood gate. Last Wednesday there were hundreds everywhere on the reserve. BARDNEY - THE GREEN TF120694 R + A Parsons Most nights: lot of bat activity at 55kHz from 22,00hrs to a final burst at 03.30hrs Notable activity night of 21/22 July. BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Phil and Mary Porter 16th July 2025 We got easily our best views of a juvenile Green Woodpecker which saw a feeding opportunity between the bricks of our garden path. All sorts of native and garden plants seed into the bricks and over time force them apart and the cracks are attractive to ants. There might have been other targets, though, as the bird regularly hacked vigorously with its beak. Mary was able to get several photographs. 17th July 2025 The(?) young Green Woodpecker was back in the garden again this afternoon and stuck around even when barked at by our dog who was alarmed by its squeaky calls. 18th July 2025 The Green Woodpecker flew to the pond, tried to land on floating vegetation and had to make an emergency lunge to safety! The large Wasp Plume-horn Hoverfly Volucella inanis appeared on a Buddleia flower. 19th July 2025 Hummingbird Hawk-moth on the Phlox plants. 21st July 2025 Another female Picture-winged Fly/Fruit-fly Acanthiophilus helianthi egg-laying on Knapweed after the first on 9th July. See https://irecord.org.uk/my-records#group-43304600-1 This is quite exciting as it is designated by National Biodiversity Network as ‘Nationally Notable’. The data analysis on iRecord shows that the species is having an exceptional year with just over 20 records across a wide area of UK although very thinly spread, and also that its phenology peaks in early and late July across all of the existing data, presumably on a generational basis. These are the 2nd and 3rd Lincolnshire records. It would be nice to look forward to sustaining a colony, but it seems that this tiny, pallid species is subject to wild fluctuations in numbers from year to year. 22nd July 2025 An evening flight of about 12 House Martins near the house. About 8 Swifts were still zooming round the village. BRAFOFT TF480653 Chris Manning 18/7/2025 Water vole and Pike BRATOFT, BURGH LANE TF491634 Chris Manning 18/7/2025 Hares x 2 Emperor dragonfly NETTLETON LODGE 19th July 2025 Robins pincushion gall Diplolepis rosae noted on wild rose Ben Jacob STICKNEY TF322568 Gail Cartwright, 14th -21st July 2025 12 - 12.30 AM Bats every night except 1 at 45 - 50 KhZ around our yard, high pitch, rolling and slappy sounds 22nd July 2025 23.30 PM Toads migrating across our patio, some got inside the house as the door was open because of the heat, and we had to catch them in a jam jar and put them outside. Toads do this regularly in Stickney but we haven't seen them in years on our property. Not sure what type of toads but only the size of a man’s thumb nail, all gone by morning. WILLINGHAM WOODS. Angela Buckle 16th July. Green flowered helleborine 12, Upright hedge parsley, Great willowherb, Meadow sweet, Water figwort, Hedge bindweed, Goats beard, Melilot, Vipers bugloss, Marjoram, Mugwort, Lesser burdock, Black horehound. WRAGBY Anne Parsons 18th July Red Kite over road ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 160725 – adult little gull and kittiwake on the beach at Mablethorpe North End. Black tern flew north, 2 whimbrel flew south and 5+ little tern offshore. Osprey still on post Rimac foreshore. Turtle dove purring MOD track and grasshopper warbler reeling in saltmarsh edge. Green woodpecker Brickyard Lane. Moths – 2 hummingbird hawk-moth Churchill Lane. 170725 – osprey still on post near Saltfleet Haven mid-afternoon. 4 green sandpiper, common sandpiper, 2 greenshank, redshank, 3 black-tailed godwit, 2 little ringed plover, whooper swan, 18 little egret Rimac freshwater marsh scrape. 4 more little ringed plover on dried saltmarsh lagoon Rimac saltmarsh, and 5 whimbrel feeding with curlew nearby. 400+ common scoter on the sea out from Rimac. Green woodpeckers Churchill Lane, Brickyard Lane and Crook Bank. 180725 –12+ little gulls and 3 juvenile Mediterranean gulls Mablethorpe beach early morning. 5 green sandpiper along the Great Eau. Odonata – banded demoiselle at Sea View. 190725 – garganey with 4 teal on Paradise Lagoon along with 3 greenshank, 3 little ringed plover and common sandpiper. Whooper swan, 11 black-tailed godwit, common snipe, 5 dunlin, 5 little ringed plover and green sandpiper. Kingfisher flying along Great Eau. 200725 – juvenile cuckoo, common snipe, ringed plover, 7 little ringed plover, dunlin, 2 green sandpiper, 2 common sandpiper, 4 teal, whooper swan Rimac freshwater marsh scrape. 2 black-tailed godwit, 3 greenshank, 8 redshank, 30 lapwing, kingfisher Paradise Lagoon. 8 green sandpiper on Sea View Washlands. 2 little gull, juvenile Caspian gull, third-summer yellow-legged gull Mablethorpe beach. Osprey on post Rimac foreshore and immature spoonbill flew south. Juvenile cuckoo and 2 turtle dove Crook Bank dunes, and 30+ linnet around outer dune area. 5 gannet fishing close inshore out from Rimac. 210725 – 2 adult and 1 juvenile roseate tern on Rimac foreshore in the evening and 2 curlew sandpiper feeding on wet mud on Rimac foreshore. 259 curlew and 4 golden plover on mud flat around Saltfleet Haven area in the evening. 4 wood sandpiper, 3 common sandpiper, green sandpiper, 5 black-tailed godwit and 5 little ringed plover Rimac freshwater marsh scrape then flushed by sparrowhawk. Hobby flew over Rimac dunes mid-afternoon. Osprey again perched on post Rimac foreshore. Juvenile Mediterranean gull and 6 common tern Mablethorpe beach. Offshore wader passage of redshank and oystercatcher, plus several knot, curlew, sanderling, ringed plover and a turnstone. Kingfisher at Sea View bridge. Green woodpecker Brickyard Lane. Moths – hummingbird hawk-moth Churchill Lane. 220725 – at least 6 adult little gull around Rimac foreshore plus 100+ sandwich tern and 10+ common tern on the tide edge early morning. 2 adult little gull on Churchill Lane beach. 2 wood sandpiper, 7 green sandpiper, common sandpiper, 3 little ringed plover and whooper swan Rimac freshwater marsh scrape. Another little ringed plover on dry Rimac saltmarsh lagoon and 2 more feeding on Rimac foreshore with 20 ringed plovers. Curlew sandpiper, 72 dunlin, 40 sanderling, 9 black-tailed godwit, 4 whimbrel, 3 turnstone, 58 knot also feeding on Rimac foreshore mudflats. Osprey again perched on post on Rimac foreshore early afternoon but flew south in the evening on the inland side of the dunes. 5+ kestrel around Rimac saltmarsh and outer dune areas. 5+ yellow wagtail flew south over Rimac saltmarsh. Green woodpecker Rimac car park early morning later at Sea View. 3 great white egret and 4 little tern flew south over the sea in the evening and 400+ common scoter on the sea out from Rimac. Several family groups of auks also on the sea, with all close groups being razorbills. Butterflies – 5 wall Churchill Lane; 6 wall Rimac; peacock Sea View. Male red longhorn beetle at Sea View. A number of recent colour ring records from gulls around Mablethorpe North End beach including black-headed gulls from Oslo (Norway), (Spain), Essex, West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, and a yellow-legged gull from Switzerland. Other Reserves 160725 – Welton-le-Wold: Meadow brown, small skipper, six-spot burnet, l arge white, gatekeeper, peacock and red admiral butterflies feeding on common knapweed. Fir Hill Quarry: Marjoram and knapweed in flower. 190725 – Donna Nook: Wood sandpiper. A moth trapping session identified: garden tiger, saltmarsh plume, tree-lichen beauty, crescent, crescent striped, white-line dart, round-winged muslin, white point, rosy rustic, saltern ear, gold spot, least yellow underwing. Common pipistrelles foraging. 210725 – Donna Nook: Swallows and house martins foraging around Porter’s Sluice. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 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… 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 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/ 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 *** For the Geologists *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group: https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 Geology of the Lincolnshire Wolds: https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/special-features/geology The Geology of Lincolnshire: downloadable LNU book 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Lincolnshire Naturalists Union Field Meetings *** LNU/LINCOLNSHIRE FLORA GROUP FIELD MEETING SALTFLEETBY-THEDDLETHORPE NNR. Sunday 3rd August 2025 we will also be joined by a group from the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Timings: 11:00 for 12:00 start and finish about 16:00 Leaders: Luke Hartley & Sarah Lambert Habitat: Fixed dune, scrub and saltmarsh Parking: at Crook Bank car park Grid reference: TF 48860 88260 What3Words: horses.waged.blanking Nearest postcode: LN12 1NP ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** National and International Stories *** How to make a bee watering station for hot weather | Homebuilding https://www.homebuilding.co.uk/advice/how-to-make-a-bee-watering-station Bluetongue outbreak endangers UK livestock – what you need to know about the virus https://theconversation.com/bluetongue-outbreak-endangers-uk-livestock-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-virus-260229 Britain’s ban on lead ammunition could save tens of thousands of birds from poisoning https://theconversation.com/britains-ban-on-lead-ammunition-could-save-tens-of-thousands-of-birds-from-poisoning-260958 7 interesting things about moss | Kew https://share.google/wtWuqiPfLrDXPwrry ‘Go WILD for Hedgehogs’: new campaign urges gardeners to create wild patches for hedgehogs www.hedgehogstreet.org/go-wild-for-hedgehogs Bees are facing a massive survival challenge. Could AI help them? https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/bees-ai-help-survival/ Big butterfly count https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/ Why the UK’s butterflies are booming in 2025 https://theconversation.com/why-the-uks-butterflies-are-booming-in-2025-256039 The world's weirdest lakes – including one that vanishes and one that contains a fluid that's not water. https://www.discoverwildlife.com/environment/weirdest-lakes How to identify common seabirds https://members.rspb.org.uk/how-to-identify-common-seabirds/ *** Mail Fails *** None this week ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/