============================================ || || Wildnews Bulletin || 11th June 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] writes: Important; would correspondents please note that they should direct their emails to both myself and Roger, (it’s not a bad policy in any case) from the 10th July until advised otherwise, as I am taking my laptop in for a data transfer to a new machine on that date, and there is no guarantee how long that might take or (more likely) how quickly I can get my head around the new Windows update! Congratulations are due to my former LWT colleague Graham Hopwood for noting Golden Oriole, Glossy Ibis and Red-necked Phalarope at Whisby in a mere week or so! My current iRecord trawl for diptera records in 2024 for LNU Transactions, show that Whisby is firmly on the map for visiting dipterists of national renown who made some significant discoveries there, including 2 of the splendid large soldierfly Odontomyia ornata, the Ornate Brigadier, which is spreading into Lincolnshire from its southern strongholds with increasing temperatures. There were 4 others reported in 2024 and they should be out now so look it up, in case you come across it yourself! https://www.flickr.com/photos/63075200@N07/8506942615/in/album-72157632909198652 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 have lost their remaining egg, just days before its anticipated hatching date. Full story here. https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/news/new-osprey-pair-at-loch-of-the-lowes-lose-both-eggs/ Empty nest: 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 two species are the Swollen-thighed Beetle Oedemera nobilis and Oedemera lurida. It seemed sensible to do them both together. The first is a striking metallic green species that can be seen feeding on a variety of flowers and I am sure most of you will be familiar with it. The second is less conspicuous and is a dark grey colour and is long and thin and can often be found together with O nobilis also on flowers.   Pictures and further information can be found on the Naturespot website:- https://www.naturespot.org/species/swollen-thighed-beetle  https://www.naturespot.org/species/oedemera-lurida  the current record distribution Map can be seen at https://lnu.org/oedemera-nobilis/  https://lnu.org/oedemera-lurida/   Thanks to those who added records for our previous map filling species. We received 17 records from 13 recorders for the Red-and-black Froghopper Cercopis vulnerata. 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: *** Lincolnshire Show 2025: All you need to know https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clygj70d377o City council plans to postpone recycling scheme - Lincoln https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2e7w2kegzo Air ambulance charity to get second helicopter - Lincoln https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn4qn4vp8e4o Business park to be built at Lincolnshire Lakes - Scunthorpe https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly3x93prj7o Two men issued fines for hare coursing - Crowland https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp854928kepo Cat owner horrified after pet 'shaved in attack' - Gosberton https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4kelny757o Consultation begins into offshore wind farm plans https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ced2j7dw102o *** 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 12th June - Sunday 15th June Headline: Warm and sunny on Wednesday. Thursday: Sunny spells on Thursday morning. Cloud increasing from late morning, with a band of showers moving in from the southwest, heavy and perhaps thundery at times. Very warm, humid overnight. Maximum temperature 27 °C. Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Sunny spells Friday. Heavy thundery showers possible overnight into Saturday, with further showers likely into the afternoon. Scattered showers Sunday, possibly heavy. Hot on Friday, humid overnight. Weekend likely cooler. UK long range weather forecast Sunday 15th June - Tuesday 24th June On Sunday, rain and showers will be slow to clear across the north, especially across Scotland and Northern Ireland. Further south, high pressure to the southwest of the UK will extend northeastwards, bringing settled and fair weather mainly across England and Wales. Cloud and rain may hold on for longer across western Scotland and Northern Ireland, while the weather should turn drier and brighter across eastern Scotland where sheltered by high ground. From mid week, high pressure is signalled to dominate much of the UK, bringing dry and fine weather, and feeling warm in the sunshine with light winds for most. Any early morning mist or fog will be quick to clear, and daytime temperature will likely trend around or above normal for the time of year. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** This Week's Sky at a Glance, June 6 – 15 https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-june-6-15/ Full Strawberry Moon this week will be lowest in UK skies since 2006 Strawberry Moon 2025: When and how to see June's full Strawberry Moon Japanese Resilience Lander Crashes on the Moon https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/japaneses-resilience-lander-crashes-on-the-moon/ AuroraWatch UK https://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ The SpaceWeather website https://spaceweather.com/ Space and astronomy highlights in 2025 - June https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/space-astronomy/space-astronomy-highlights-2025#June Full Moons - next - 11th June - good one expected! 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 *** EVENTS *** *** Lincolnshire Naturalists Union Field Meetings *** Grimsthorpe Estate on Saturday 14 June Parking at the Estate's main visitor car park, off Corby Road (A151) and through the blue gates. 11.00 for 12.00 start and finish about 16.00 Habitat: Parkland Grid reference: TF 0457 2314 What3Words: student.famines.juggled Nearest postcode: PE10 0LY We will condense down into fewer vehicles at 12pm prompt, and make our way to the site. Seacroft Dunes/Marshes on Saturday 19 July 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 *** Grimsby RSPB *** Brian Patterson writes… Our local Grimsby RSPB have arranged a talk for the evening of Monday the 16th of June at 7.30pm at The Holy Trinity Parish Church in Cleethorpes.  There is a £5 per person charge which includes refreshments. The illustrated talk by Darren Johnson will be on “The Humber Estuary from start to finish” *** Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** Morning Bird Walk in Cleethorpes Country Park  On Saturday 21st June the group welcome you to join them on a morning bird walk around Cleethorpes Country Park with Graham Hicks, hoping to see plenty of birds. Can we find 7 warbler species? Meet Graham at 8am in the car park Grid Ref. TA306066 nearest postcode DN35 OUH. Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event however, donations will be welcomed for the Trust.  For further information please contact Graham Hicks 07979 089890  *** 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 24th September 2025 at 7-30pm at Boston Tennis Club. 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... 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 4/6/2025 Anderby Creek, Bee-eater flew south over. Frampton Marsh, 8 Spoonbills on Reedbed Lagoon from visitor centre. Gibraltar Point, 3 Spoonbills at Tennyson's Sands. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe dunes, Bee-eater flew south over. 5/6/2025 Anderby Creek,Quail male singing at seaward side of Anderby Marsh. Garganey at Anderby Marsh. Frampton Marsh, 8 Spoonbills on Reedbed Lagoon from visitor centre. Spalding, Quail male singing south of Pode Hole. Whisby Nature Park, Glossy Ibis at west end of Teal Lake from viewing screen. 6/6/2025 Frampton Marsh, Spotted Redshank, 7 Spoonbills on Reedbed Lagoon. Gibraltar Point, 2 Spoonbills flew north over. Stallingborough, Glossy Ibis at Cress Marsh. Whisby Nature Park, Glossy Ibis at west end of Teal Lake from viewing screen. Red-necked Phalarope at Teal Lake. 7/6/2025 Anderby Creek, 2 Spoonbills at Anderby Marsh. Gibraltar Point, 5 Spoonbills. 4 reported on Tennyson's Sands. Whisby Nature Park, Glossy Ibis at west end of Teal Lake from viewing screen. Woodhall Spa Airfield, White-fronted Goose. 8/6/2025 Frampton Marsh, 7 Spoonbills on Reedbed Lagoon from visitor centre. Gibraltar Point, 2 Spoonbills. Stallingborough, Glossy Ibis at Cress Marsh. 9/6/2025 Deeping St James. Glossy Ibis ad at East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, 6 Spoonbills on Reedbed Lagoon from visitor centre. Gibraltar Point, Great Northern Diver flew north past. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe, Caspian Gull 1s on beach at Crook Bank. Stallingborough, Glossy Ibis at Cress Marsh. Throckenholt, Honey Buzzard flew NE over Scolding Drove, 10/6/2025 Fenton, Red-footed Falson off Pump Lane in field. Gibraltar Point, Great Northern Diver flew north past,  2 Spoonbills at. Tennyson's Sands. Huttoft Bank, 2 Spoonbills. Stallingborough, Glossy Ibis at Cress 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. BARDNEY - THE GREEN TF120694 R + A Parsons w/o 2/6/25 Blackbird 2m.1f and 1 fledgling seen on garden on 31st. Blue Tit - 2 Chaffinch Collared Dove 3 Domestic Pigeon 10+ Dunnock 2 Goldfinch 2 House Sparrow 8+ Jackdaw 12+ - Pied Wagtail m + f Robin Starling flock 12+ with perhaps 8 juveniles Wood Pigeon 6 Wren Fox in garden 3/6 at 11.45hrs - injured back left leg. Hedgehog in garden 4/6 at 01.39hrs. Fox again 8/6 at 6 01.15hrs - no longer limping. Hedgehog in garden 8/6 at 23.52 - 23.56hrs and again at 9/6 at 01.39hrs. BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Phil and Mary Porter 8th June 2025 We were delighted to see a "Mum" Great Spotted Woodpecker feeding a juvenile on our "Squirrel-proof" hanging bird-feeder. We had wondered who was eating so many sunflower hearts. It has been very entertaining, as is usual with the young ones, watching the antics as it tries to master feeding for itself (just vaguely stabbing at anything) and its inability to hold on to the metal stem of the bird feeder (gently sliding down backwards, like a cartoon character). On the 8th, I was a bit worried as I could hear and see the juvenile and it was calling repeatedly and coming back to the feeder on its own, to try unsuccessfully to understand how the hopper worked. I was worried something nasty had happened to the female, as we do have regular sparrow-hawk visits and, also, our neighbour has huge ground to floor windows. Thankfully, she returned in the early evening to save the day, and they were also back together on the 9th. The youngster has been busy learning the art of hunting its own food and has been tapping away at the trunk of our old, dead cherry tree. House sparrows have also fledged, along with a family of blue tits, great tits, and long tailed tits (heard). Bluetits and house sparrows in particular, have been very busy picking greenfly etc off the roses and the apple trees. Goldfinches, chaffinches, and a pair of greenfinches, as well as blackbirds, continue to be regulars on the bird feeder. The small cherries on our tree are attracting the blackbirds and a few jackdaws.  The wood pigeons have reached pest proportions (at least three pairs )and are nipping off honeysuckle buds as well as anything else they fancy, such as lettuces.  A pair of collared doves, and a pair of stock doves are often under the bird feeder.  There is a bumblebee nest in our porch and downstairs room ceiling and they can be heard "whirring" continuously at night. They were doing it in the hot weather of a few weeks ago and I had assumed it was to cool the nest, but it also happens during cold nights, so perhaps "temperature regulation" might be the best term to use. Although they are small, dark bumblebees with a light tail, they have been very difficult to see properly. I assume they are tree bees, but until one of them gives us a good view to see if there is any brown colouring on their thorax, to confirm it.  10th June A small Hedgehog appeared overnight via Trail Camera. It seems to be our first since September. BARDNEY, ABBEY FARM TF118707 Phil and Mary Porter 10th June 2025 On our evening walk, a few young Rabbits were out on the edge of the village and Mary spotted 3-4 Brown Hares at some distance away on the farmland. Hedgerow birds included Yellow Hammer and Reed Bunting but curiously no Whitethroats, especially as the main hedgerow has been allowed to burgeon somewhat recently. A Meadow Pipit performed its high altitude parachuting for us over a young cereal crop. There is a good wildlife strip to the field that it might use but, then again, it is right next to the path! BOSTON Maud Foster Drain along Willoughby Road Tracey Lenton 08/06/2025 1 female Mallard with 6 ducklings 2 Mute Swans with 4 cygnets CROWLE MOORS breeding bird survey Steve Hiner Blackbird x 7 Blackcap x 10 Carrion Crow x 5 Chaffinch x 7 Chiffchaff x 12 Cuckoo x 3 Garden Warbler x 2 Reed Bunting x 3 Robin x 5 Whitethroat x 17 Willow warbler x 23 Wood Pigeon x 17 Wren x 3 Yellowhammer x 3 Small Tortoiseshell x 2 Cinnabar x 1 Yellow-barred Longhorn moth x 20+ 4-spot Chaser x 1 Azure Damselfly x 7 Large Red Damselfly x 4 FAR INGS.  Angela Buckle 8th June.  Wood dock, Ragged Robin, Southern marsh orchid, Selfheal, Lesser stitchwort, Common knapweed, Prickly lettuce, White flowered Creeping thistle, Buttonweed, Hedge bedstraw, Black bryony, Hedge woundwort, Nipplewort, Tufted vetch, Prickly sow-thistle, Cut-leaved cranesbill, Hedge bindweed, Narrow-leaved ragwort, Vipers bugloss.  FISKERTON FEN TF083718 Phil and Mary Porter 5th June 2025 Short visit There were about 10 Tufted Ducks on the pit, where the reedbed is steadily advancing. The marsh area to the east of the pond had singing Reed and Sedge Warbler as usual but numbers were hard to estimate. There may only have been a couple of each. There was one resounding Cetti’s warbler in the scrub at the northern end together with 2 Willow warblers. Yellow Flag was just going over but still obvious and there was an excellent show of Dig Rise varieties. Although Lesser Water Parsnip was still evident from the footbridge over the eastern drain, the flora has been damaged probably by persistent turbid water coming off the fen over long periods and there seems to be a similar problem in the bed of the North Delph where little of the plant diversity of 4-5 years ago now remains. Common Valerian was prominent on the banks. Bristly Ox-tongue, Bird’s-foot Trefoil and especially Meadow Vetchling were all noted alongside the path. FRITHVILLE  TF298488 Pete and Margaret Westcott  Our Garden  May 2025 maximum butterfly counts. Brimstone 2 Green-veined White 2 Large Skipper 2 Large White 4 Orange-tip 4 Painted Lady 1 Peacock 1 Red Admiral 1 Small Tortoiseshell 1 Speckled Wood 3 Numbers are very similar to last year, except for the earlier sighting of the Large Skippers. In our moth trap, on the last night of May, we had approximately 36 moths of 12 identifiable species. A new one for us was the Light Brown Apple Moth, which explained the larval webs in our apple tree. We were pleased to see again the Elephant Hawkmoths, a bonus of letting Willowherb grow on the edges of our small woodland. HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Haynes 4June 2025 There were five brown hares in the field opposite my house. It’s curious because the field, regularly subject to flooding, has had drainage installed and has no vegetation coverage, except a bit of stubble, or anything to eat for the hares at all yet they are frequently there. I recently learned that hares have no protection from shooting at all, even during the breeding season, which I find shocking. We had two great spotted woodpeckers in the garden. One, female, spent a long time on the peanut feeder. We also have quite a few young birds, several of which have been on the ground looking bemused. I almost stepped on a young chaffinch which scuttled away before I did so. A young greenfinch toppled off a wall but managed to fly into bushes. There are also quite a few blackbirds as well. I’m sure my garden has more young birds than previous years, evidenced by the rate at which we are having to refill the feeders. LIMBER POND. Angela Buckle 9th June Yellow iris, Gipsy wort, Creeping cinquefoil, Meadow buttercup, Purple loosestrife, Silver weed, Water mint, White Water lily, Cleavers, Ground ivy, New Zealand pygmy weed, Wood avens, Brooklime, Dove’s foot cranesbill, Tufted vetch, Lots of tadpoles. NETTLETON GAME FARM 9th June Ben Jacob Both Dove’s-foot cranesbill Geranium molle  and common stork’s-bill  Erodium cicutarium flowering profusely, although flowers are similar leaves separate these two species easily ROTHWELL 6/6/25  Ben Jacob Southern Marsh Orchid SCRIVELSBY  TF282664 Colin Smith and Tim Dorrington 05/06/25 We walked a five mile circuit and were saying how there were no toadstools with the dry weather when Tim spotted a Poison pie fungus. it was very eaten and when we turned it over there was a Red Rove Beetle Oxyporus rufus. These species that rely on fungi must be struggling this year. SOUTHREY Water Railway - towards Boston south of Pumping Station. R & A Parsons 7/6/2025 Test run of Merlin Bird App. Kingfisher Wood Pigeon Chaffinch Chiffchaff Blackcap Moorhen Skylark Robin Blackbird Great Tit House Sparrow Cuckoo Goldfinch Wren not so confident/doubtful Common Sandpiper Linnet Yellowhammer Whitethroat Also seen at Pumping Station: Kestrel House Martins Lots of Rabbit scrapes and droppings. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 22/05/25 Blackbird x 6 Blackcap x 1 Chaffinch x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Cuckoo x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Grey Heron x 1 with damaged wing, Owston Ferry Warping Drain Greylag Goose x 4 over Thurnholmes Kestrel x 1 Little Owl x 1 on wires SK788988 Mallard x 3 over Thurnholmes Mute Swan x 2 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Song Thrush x 1 Stock Dove x 1 on nest in box in chicken run Swallow x 4 Swift x 1 Tree sparrow x 6 Willow Warbler x 1 Wood Pigeon x 9 Yellowhammer x 1 Small White x 2 Common Blue Damselfly x 1 25/05/25 Straw Dot moth x 1 27/05/25 Hobby x 1 flying north, fast over Thurnholmes 12:05hrs 29/05/25 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 2 Blackcap x 1 Carrion crow x 1 fledged young Chaffinch x 1 Cuckoo x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 1 Grey Heron x 1  Magpie x 2 Mallard x 6 over Thurnholmes Mute Swan x 6 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Pied Wagtail x 1 Robin x 1 Skylark x 1 Stock Dove x 1 on nest Swallow x 4 Tree Sparrow x 1 Wood Pigeon x 7 including 1 on nest in stables Yellowhammer x 1 Yellow Shell moth x 1 01/06/25 Barn Owl x 1 Blackbird x 2 Blackcap x 1 Blue Tit x 1 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 1 Great Tit x 1 Greenfinch x 1 Grey Heron x 1 over Thurnholmes Greylag Goose x 3 over Thurnholmes Kestrel x 1 Linnet x 2 Magpie x 2 Pied Wagtail x 1 Robin x 1 Skylark x 1 Stock dove x 1 on nest Swallow x 4 Swift x 3 Tree Sparrow x 3 Wood Pigeon x 9 including 1 on nest in stables Yellowhammer x 2 Yellow Wagtail x 1 Green-veined White x 2 Peacock x 2 Red Admiral x 1 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Small White x 1 08/06/25 Barn Owl x 21:00hrs Blackbird x 1 Blackcap x 1 Blue Tit x 7 (family party) Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 2 Dunnock x 2 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 11 (family party) Grey Heron x 1 over Thurnholmes Kestrel x 1 Linnet x 2 Magpie x 2 Mute Swan x 2 + 5 very young cygnets, Owston Ferry Warping Drain Pied Wagtail x 2 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Stock Dove x 1 on nest Tree Sparrow x 6 Wood Pigeon x 10 Yellowhammer x 2 Green-veined White x 2 Peacock x 1 Red Admiral x 2 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Speckled Wood x 2 Buff Ermine x 1 female Cinnabar x 1 Yellow Shell x 2 First flowers on native Honeysuckle 09/06/25 Little Owl x 1 on wires SK788988 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 040625 – a bee-eater flew south over Crook Bank south dune edge. Other birds on the move around Crook Bank throughout the morning included 4 great white egret, 2 barnacle geese and 2 adult Mediterranean gulls. Marsh harrier flew south and a jay flew north over Mablethorpe North End. 54 ringed plover on the beach at Crook Bank. Grasshopper warbler reeling in the corner of Crook Bank south dune enclosure and 2 turtle doves in nearby scrub. Turtle dove north of Brickyard Lane with a flock of 15 collared dove also perched on dune scrub. Butterflies – 2 large skipper Churchill Lane.   060625 – Great white egret on Paradise Lagoon in the evening and a grasshopper warbler reeling from large hawthorn beside Eau outfall. Another great white egret on Rimac freshwater marsh scrape plus 3 grey heron, 2 little egret and a drake shoveler. Barn owl flew north along the dune edge at Rimac at dusk.   080625 – 2 turtle dove flew north over MOD and then settled in Rimac south where they started to purr and display. 115 swift and 10 house martin flew north over Rimac dunes in 90 minutes early morning. Barn owl, hobby, cuckoo pair and reeling grasshopper warbler Rimac south. Another cuckoo Rimac north and great white egret Rimac freshwater marsh scrape. 2 raven flew over Brickyard Lane. 20+ gannet, arctic skua, Manx shearwater and 5 fulmar flew south over the sea from Rimac mid-morning. Marsh helleborine orchids coming into bud around Rimac dune slacks and quaking grass in flower around Churchill Lane.   090625 – flying south in 4 hours from early morning were 17 gannet, 18 sandwich tern, 1 great crested grebe, 4 common scoter, 8 sanderling, 16 oystercatcher, 3 auk sp.; and north went 48 gannet, 142 sandwich tern, 2 little tern, first summer Mediterranean gull, first summer Caspian gull, 3 gadwall, 16 common scoter, 1 cormorant. 250 herring gull on the beach between Mablethorpe North End and Crook Bank, also 23 lesser black-backed gull, 4 great black-backed gull, 4 black-headed gull, 2 sandwich tern and the same first summer Caspian gull seen flying north earlier in the morning.   100625 – migratory group of 19 ringed plover, 2 dunlin and little stint on the beach at Brickyard Lane. Great white egret again on Rimac freshwater marsh scrape, plus 2 hobby and a cuckoo around the area. Grasshopper warbler reeling Rimac south. 20 kittiwake flew south over the sea in the evening and a little tern flew north. Short-eared owl south of Saltfleet Haven in the evening and hobby hawking dragonflies over the dunes. Butterflies – 12 small tortoiseshell Churchill Lane-Brickyard Lane and more around outer dunes; wall, small skipper Rimac. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 4th June: Bee-eater flying south early in the morning. Bittern at Chapel Six Marshes, and 2 Spoonbill on Anderby Marsh. 5th June: drake Garganey, Cuckoo and Green Woodpecker at Chapel Pits, Garganey, 2 Little Gull, Spoonbill, Bittern, Hobby and Peregrine on Anderby Marsh. Turtle Dove in Anderby Creek, Siskin in Huttoft village. Quail calling on the Marsh. 6th June: 2 Sand Martins flying south, Anderby Marsh was showing Black-tailed Godwit, Little Ringed Plover, Hobby, 2 Cuckoo, Spoonbill, 2 Redshank and Yellow Wagtail. 3 Spoonbill at Huttoft Pit.   7th June: out at sea 5 Fulmar, Little Tern, Kittiwake, 3 Razorbill, 55 Sandwich Tern, 61 Gannet and 51 Common Scoter. At Huttoft Pit there were 57 Mallard, 3 Coot, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Teal, Bearded Tit, Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Spoonbill and 2 Cuckoo. On Anderby Marsh, Bittern, 18 Coot, Spoonbill, Buzzard, 6 Ringed Plover, Dunlin, 10 Little Egret, 6 Swift, Yellow Wagtail, Marsh Harrier pair, and Cuckoo.   8th June: at sea 3 Puffin, 11 Manx Shearwater and a Harbour Porpoise. Also 2 Crossbill and a Siskin flying north. An Osprey flew south over Anderby Marsh, where there was also a ringed Spoonbill. Grasshopper Warbler reeling at Wolla Bank Reedbed. 9th June: at sea there were 50+ Sandwich Tern, Arctic Tern, Little Tern, Guillemot, Razorbill, Fulmar and Mediterranean Gull flying north with a Great Crested Grebe heading south. On Anderby Marsh were 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Spoonbill, Hobby, 6 Ringed Plover and 3 Bearded Tit. A Grasshopper was reeling at Wolla Bank Reedbed. Bearded Tit, 2 Oystercatcher, 2 Shelduck and Cetti’s Warbler at Huttoft Pit. Painted Lady at Wolla Bank Pit.   10th June: Red Kite flying over Anderby Marsh which was also showing Mediterranean Gull, 9 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Spoonbill and Sanderling. Four-spotted Chaser at Wolla Bank Pit. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 17th June, 1st & 15th; July, 5th & 19th; August, 2nd & 16th; September, 7th & 21st, October, 4th; November margaretwestcott7@hotmail.co.uk https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/chambers-farm-wood-butterfly-garden *** Lincolnshire Dormouse Group *** lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com Gemma Watkinson writes… The permit has been received and the above dates have been confirmed for the box checks this season. Jun Sat 21st Jul Sun 20th Aug Sat 16th Sep Sun 21st Oct Sat 18th In April, only two dormice were found, both males. A torpid 15.5g male was found but there was no nest in the box. The other dormouse was also a torpid male, in a woven nest (new since boxes were cleaned out over winter) and was quite clearly fur clipped. Our records show that he was clipped in October 2024, and this is the first definite confirmation that fur clipping can remain visible over the winter season. His weight was 20.5g compared to 32g last autumn, so he has lost just over a third of his body weight during hibernation, which is typical according to PTES. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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 BGS - Upgraded web portal improves access to geomagnetism data https://www.bgs.ac.uk/news/upgraded-web-portal-improves-access-to-geomagnetism-data/ What is the impact of drought on temperate soils? https://www.bgs.ac.uk/news/what-is-the-impact-of-drought-on-temperate-soils/ Watch: Moment Chile earthquake rocks live TV show https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cev4lzg7zeko 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 *** Grimsthorpe Estate on Saturday 14 June Parking at the Estate's main visitor car park, off Corby Road (A151) and through the blue gates. 11.00 for 12.00 start and finish about 16.00 Habitat: Parkland Grid reference: TF 0457 2314 What3Words: student.famines.juggled Nearest postcode: PE10 0LY We will condense down into fewer vehicles at 12pm prompt, and make our way to the site. Seacroft Dunes/Marshes on Saturday 19 July 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 Theddlethorpe-Saltfleetby - Sunday 3 August, meet from 10am, 10:30-TBC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** National and International Stories *** Oceans cannot become 'wild west', warns UN chief https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c057qrd9eejo UK proposes wider ban on destructive ocean bottom trawling https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3v507lx0e3o William warns ocean life 'diminishing before our eyes' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3d4387x1d0o Cities around the world are sinking at ‘worrying speed’ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-14d00552-9211-4dab-89d1-60e34e226e43 Britain’s biggest solar farm threatens Domesday villages - Telegraph https://uk.news.yahoo.com/britain-biggest-solar-farm-threatens-140222158.html Hedgehog poo could hold important secrets about local biodiversity https://theconversation.com/hedgehog-poo-could-hold-important-secrets-about-local-biodiversity-256644 *** Mail Fails *** None this week. ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/