============================================ || || Wildnews Bulletin 19th March 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. 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. ============================================ Reports here are open. They are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union; Lincolnshire Bird Club and Lincolnshire Environmental Record Centre [LERC]. Compare earlier years/months. Past Bulletins archive [in text format] from 2009: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or associated organisations. Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. INFORMATION, EVENTS, NEWS AND REQUESTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Editor writes: A dark-breasted Barn Owl near Bourne was the highlight of the week nationally in the gallery of bird photographs at https://www.birdguides.com/gallery/birds/tyto-alba-guttata/1184850/. It is apparently only the 14th example ever to have been seen in Britain. This darker plumage is how continental Barn Owls all appear, so I suppose the question is whether this bird has migrated across the channel (seems unlikely given its slow flight?), or whether the latent genes can very occasionally emerge among our own birds? I am getting to know a newly installed bird song app. No doubt some of you also use one of these. Some comments would be valuable for prospective users. What sort of performance is it reasonable to expect, how easy are they to use in the field and how useful are their ‘bells and whistles’? I am looking forward to your advice to add to the bulletin. Phil Porter's email is: philporterento@outlook.com Roger Parsons' email is: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk BTO's tracked Cuckoos - 1- Wilfred's on his way back! https://www.bto.org/cuckoos Lock of the Lowes SWT Webcam 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-elect 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 iRecord at https://irecord.org.uk/ This is the LNU’s chosen digital platform for biological recording. It is free to register with and easy to use, but if you have any difficulty get in touch via the LNU website and we will try to help. There is a comprehensive guide to getting started on the iRecord home page above. Click on Help. After a month, details of the records received and an updated map will be Issued here on your Bulletin. On iRecord, you will have access to millions of wildlife records from across the UK, and will be able to organise your own records within its database. Please do join in and record these species and any others you find. Take the best close-up picture you can Thanks to those who added records for our previous map filling species. We received 10 records from 3 recorders for the lichen Lecidella elaeochroma Please do join in as all records are valuable and help our understanding of the county's changing natural history. The next species is Springy turf-moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus This is a moss that thrives in short grass especially in shady areas it forms into often large platforms and can force out other mosses and sometimes even the grass. When looking down on it, you see individual circular or star-shaped fronds like bed springs, these are pale green in colour. This is a good excuse to get out in the garden or visit someone else's. There is a photo and more guidance can be found on the British Bryological Society website: https://www.britishbryologicalsociety.org.uk/learning/some-common-bryophytes/common-mosses-in-lawns/ and the current record distribution Map can be seen at https://lnu.org/rhytidiadelphus-squarrosus-springy-turf-moss/ In case you wondered, the genus name Rhytidiadelphus derives from the words Rhytidium and ἀδελφός (adelfós, brother), implying a close relationship to the genus Rhytidium. The specific epithet squarrosus refers to the leaves, which have a right-angled bend which causes the tips to extend away from the stem, while the name "Rhytidium" comes from the Greek word "rhytis," meaning "wrinkle", alluding to the strongly wrinkled leaves characteristic of this moss genus. Please continue to record the previous species; Grey cushioned Grimmia moss, Bramble Leaf Miner moth Jelly-ear fungus, Lichen Lecidella elaeochroma and Holly Leaf Miner fly *** This week's mostly-local news stories: *** Watch moment cargo ship and oil tanker collide in North Sea https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/crlxe8yg33xo How bad could the ship collision be for the environment? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg5dmv4yydpo Plastic 'nurdles' washed up after ship collision https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2349dl3py4o Thousands of high-risk toxic sites unchecked due to lack of cash https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gez4zgk8ko Otter chaos filmed in Shetland family's kitchen! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c93njq5l4x4o WW2 fighters cleared to fly after pilot death https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjevn2lz4q2o Hall to recreate 18th Century pleasure garden - Spalding https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyd4x591l1o Waste offender to pay £280k over undeclared assets - Holbeach https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gpvwq5yd5o *** 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 20th March - Sunday 23rd March Headline: Sunny and dry by day, cold and partly cloudy overnight. Thursday: Another dry, bright and warm day on Thursday, with long sunny spells in the morning. Sunshine perhaps becoming hazy in the afternoon. Cool and cloudy overnight. Maximum temperature 18 °C. Outlook for Friday to Sunday: A foggy start Friday, with sunny spells to follow. Spells of rain and showers over the weekend, these perhaps heavy, but some sunny intervals also possible. Less warm. UK long range weather forecast Sunday Sunday 23rd March - Tuesday 1st April At first, is likely to be more unsettled than it has been of late. Wetter weather will probably continue in many areas, at least for a time, with some heavy rain possible, and this could be accompanied by strong winds at times. Into the following week, unsettled conditions will probably continue to some extent across many parts of the UK, though things could quieten down around midweek, at least temporarily. Temperatures are likely to be widely above average at the start of this period, and it will feel warm in any sunshine, before probably falling back and then fluctuating around average for the remainder rest of the month. The first of April will likely continue in this vein, though it could throw up the odd surprise. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Stranded astronauts heading back to Earth after nine months in space https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c9de6q52g8qt In pictures: Stargazers marvel at 'blood moon' amid lunar eclipse https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr42k4qpr7go Sky At A Glance - highlights - 14-23 March. https://skyandtelescope.org/observing/sky-at-a-glance/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-march-14-23/ Night Sky - RMG - highlights https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/blog/astronomy/night-sky-highlights-march-2025 Full Moons: https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/full-moon-calendar Meteor shower date - next big one April Lyrids. https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/meteor-shower-guide BBC Sky at Night Magazine website https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news *** EVENTS *** *** L.N.U. AGM & Talk *** On Saturday 22nd March 2025 at Whisby Nature Park Education Centre Lincoln SK910662 at 2 pm. Refreshments will be available. Parking £2 The AGM will be followed by a talk by outgoing president, Paul Scott “The Sir Joseph Banks Centre - Past, Present, and Future”. Synopsis - "Many members may be familiar with Sir Joseph Banks, thanks to numerous talks given across the county and beyond over the past 20 years. However, the history of the building and the Joseph Banks Society remains less well-known. This lecture explores the evolution of the building and how the Joseph Banks Society has transformed into a unique natural science centre and museum.” *** Lincoln Area Group LWT *** 20th March : Weeds: The Good, the Bad and the Wonderful Professor Libby John will tell us about the many interesting aspects of weeds, however you define them! With Spring already under way, it's something to consider in relation to our own gardens. The event is at Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission is £2.50 which includes refreshments in the interval. *** GRIMSBY AND CLEETHORPES AREA GROUP LWT *** On Saturday 29th March you are invited to join us for a morning walk in Grimsby Cemetery with Graham Hicks looking for signs of Spring. Meet Graham at 8am in Grimsby Crematorium car park on Weelsby Avenue DN32 0BA. Please dress sensibly according to the weather conditions 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 There are details of these events on our website www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk We are also on Facebook *** Horncastle and Woodhall Spa LWT Area Group *** We will be hosting a talk on the ‘Birds of Prey in Lincolnshire’ from Alan Ball on Thursday 17th April at 7.30pm. The talk will be at Banovallum House, Manor House Street, Horncastle, LN9 5HF. The event is free and open to everyone. Refreshments will be available. For further information please email Viv Rhodie on vivianrhodie@gmail.com *** SOUTH LINCOLNSHIRE RSPB GROUP*** "The Amazing Life of the Swift". An illustrated Slideshow Talk by Alasdair McKee of the RSPB showcasing these amazing birds and what we can do to help them. Wednesday 9th April 2025 at 7-30pm at Boston Tennis Club. Full details at https://group.rspb.org.uk/southlincolnshire/ "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 *** have announced the dates for their 2025 programme of "Bird and Seal Watching Cruises" aboard The Boston Belle into The Wash estuary. There are 12 cruises scheduled for 2025 starting on Easter Monday and ending in October. Full details including availability, dates, costs, booking etc. are on the website. https://group.rspb.org.uk/southlincolnshire/ STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary.... Cold-weather alerts - 1 Nov 2024 - 31st March 2025 https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/weather-health-alerts/cold Bird flu: Defra advice to the general public is to leave corpses alone and report the findings - but that 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://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings?location=lincolnshire Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline - sign up https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. WILDLIFE HIGHLIGHTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Bird Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce their pager reports. A big thank you from us all. Readers interested in a pager - look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ For RBA's excellent articles: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp 10/3/2025 No messages. 11/3/2025 Baston+Langtoft Pits, 2 Russian White-fronted Geese opposite Baston Fen Farm. Frampton Marsh, Spoonbill, 2 Hen Harriers, 1 male. 12/3/2025 Baston+Langtoft Pits, Russian White-fronted Geese in field north of Wader Pit. from Baston Outgang Road - with Graylag Geese. Bourne South fen, Dark-breasted Barn Owl near Christmas Tree Farm. 13/3/2025 East Halton Marshes, Hen Harrier ringtail. Frampton Marsh, Hen Harrier ringtail, Spoonbill. 14/3/2025 Baston+Langtoft Pits, 2 Russian White-fronted Goose in field north of Wader Pit. Bourne South fen, Dark-breasted Barn Owl near Christmas Tree Farm. Frampton Marsh, Hen Harrier ringtail Freiston Shore, 2 Spotted Redshanks. 15/3/2025 Baston+Langtoft Pits, Russian White-fronted Goose in field north of Wader Pit. from Baston Outgang Road with Greylag Geese. Bourne South fen, Dark-breasted Barn Owl near Christmas Tree Farm. Deeping Dt James, 2 Glossy Ibises at west Pit, Deeping Lakes. 16/3/2025 Anderby Creek, Water Pipit. Bourne South Fen, Dark-breasted Barn Owl near Christmas Tree Farm. Deeping St James, 1+ Long-eared Owls at Main Lake from hide. Frampton Marsh, Spoonbill. Langtoft pits, Ring-necked duck 1w drk, Ferruginous Duck drk at West End Pits on Main Lake. Tallington Lakes, Scaup 1w fem on Main Lake. Entrance £5. Willow Tree Fen, Russian White-fronted Goose with Greylag Geese. Hen Harrier male, then flew south. 17/3/2025 Baston+Langtoft Pits, Russian White-fronted Goose in field north of Wader Pit. from Baston Outgang Road with Greylag Geese. Bourne, South Fen, Dark-breasted Barn Owl [form guttata] near Christmas Tree Farm. Deeping St James, Caspian Gull 1w, at East Pit, Deeping Lakes then flew south. Frampton Marsh, Spoonbill. Stallingborough, 6 Ruddy Shelducks at Cross 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. BARDNEY AREA Mary Porter I have spent the last few weeks looking for "Mad March" hares but unfortunately, all I seem to find are dead ones on the road: 4th March 2025 outside Southrey Wood on the B1190 12th March 2025 on the "Bardney Causeway" B 1190 15th March 2025 on Henry Lane, about 2 miles out of Bardney, just before the right-hand corner towards Horncastle, before you get to Waddingworth. 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 16/3/25 Blue Tit Great Tit Blackbird 2m.1f Collared Dove 3 Pied Wagtail m Robin m + f Starling flock 12+ Wood Pigeon 7 Jackdaw 8 Black-headed Gull raiding flock of 12+ Domestic Pigeon 8+ House Sparrow 10+ Dunnock 2 BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Phil and Mary Porter 12th March 2025 A Magpie in the garden today, picking up spilt seed from the feeders to general consternation. Phil Porter 14th March 2025 I installed a well-known bird-song app on my mobile today and used it to help me appreciate which sounds of the garden I have trouble hearing now. Blue Tit calls/song appeared on the screen without my having noticed them, together with those songs that I did hear myself; Blackbird, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Wren, Collared Dove and Wood Pigeon. On the late dog walk just up the road, I heard an Oystercatcher fly over in the dark, and I wished I had brought my phone to see if the app would have noticed the ‘out of context’ species, so I went out again, hoping for a repeat. No luck, but a female Tawny Owl called, probably 150 metres away and it didn’t register on the app. So I am not yet recommending this brand until I better get to know what to expect from it. Phil Porter 15th March 2025 The village Raven visited our end of Bardney today and flew past me on its way back this afternoon, pitching into the top of its favourite tall conifer by the church. Mary Porter 17th March 2025 At the back end of last year, we had to have roofing work done to block off where rats were getting in. It was a great relief to get rid of them but distressing to know we had also shut out our house sparrows and starlings in the process. Our roofing contractors put up a house sparrow "terrace" of three nestboxes on the wall nearby as well as a starling box further along the wall. During the week, I was delighted to hear sparrows calling and, looking up, one was peering into the "end terrace" and finally popped in. It was in there quite a long time, so I think all was deemed satisfactory! BARNETBY INTERCHANGE Angela Buckle 16th March, Danish scurvygrass. BOSTON My garden TF338441 Tracey Lenton 14/03/2025 First hedgehog sighting of the year. As usual, I went to put out the hedgehog food and saw a hedgehog approaching the bowl, although I disturbed him, he came back within 5-10 minutes. This was at 10:45pm and then, about half an hour later, a second sighting. 17/03/2025 11:15pm Another witnessed visit to the feeding bowl. Out of curiosity, I googled hedgehog poo (as there has been quite a lot!) as I wondered if there was any benefit to the garden - not much, but I found this website which has some good, easy to read information about hedgehogs, maybe useful to other readers? https://homeandroost.co.uk/blogs/hedgehogs CROXBY Angela Buckle 15th March. Toothwort. FAR INGS Angela Buckle 16th March. Lungwort, White violets, Creeping comfrey, Blackthorn. FISKERTON TF056720 Mary Porter 17th March Around 40 birds in a rookery on the eastern edge of Fiskerton along Ferry Road, and another ten with nests in Cherry Willingham. HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Haynes 7 March I saw what I think was a buff tailed bumblebee in my garden. 10 March, a couple of brown hares were in the field opposite my house. Also saw a long tailed tit (I’ve not seen more than one at any time so far, which is unusual) and a goldcrest in my garden. Most numerous bird appears to be chaffinch, with a number of goldfinches and a few greenfinches. Quite a few blue and great tits and blackbirds. Tree sparrows are feeding well on the fatballs. Robin, dunnock and wren are also present. Occasional visits from both male and female great spotted woodpecker. A kestrel is often seen patrolling the verges and using a telegraph pole opposite as a lookout. 11 March there was a pigeon in the garden which was very dark blue with iridescent markings around its neck. It also had bright red feet and bore no resemblance to any pigeon I’ve seen before. I thought it might be a racing pigeon but it had no rings on its legs. HOLYWELL LAKE Ian Misselbrook 15th March 2025 Little Grebe 8 Little Egret 1 Mute Swan 2 – pair Greylag Geese 2 Canada Geese 25 Mallard 16 – another low count for this site Gadwall 48 – a very good count for this species Wigeon – 58 Teal 18 Tufted Duck 8 Goosander 3 – the pair noted last month were still there but there was also another drake. An interloper which the paired drake kept chasing off. Exciting stuff! Moorhen 18 Coot 10 Chiffchaff 1 – singing Goldcrests – 2 singing Wren 2 Robin 2 Blue Tits 2 Great Tit 1 Long-tailed Tits 6 Dunnocks 2 Stock Dove 1 – “singing” Woodpigeons Jackdaws 30+ Rooks Carrion Crows Chaffinch 1 HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Haynes 7 March I saw what I think was a buff tailed bumblebee in my garden. 10 March, a couple of brown hares were in the field opposite my house. Also saw a long tailed tit (I’ve not seen more than one at any time so far, which is unusual) and a goldcrest in my garden. Most numerous bird appears to be chaffinch, with a number of goldfinches and a few greenfinches. Quite a few blue and great tits and blackbirds. Tree sparrows are feeding well on the fatballs. Robin, dunnock and wren are also present. Occasional visits from both male and female great spotted woodpecker. A kestrel is often seen patrolling the verges and using a telegraph pole opposite as a lookout. 11 March there was a pigeon in the garden which was very dark blue with iridescent markings around its neck. It also had bright red feet and bore no resemblance to any pigeon I’ve seen before. I thought it might be a racing pigeon but it had no rings on its legs. SOUTHREY WOOD TF133679 Phil and Mary Porter 16th March Highlights were at least 2 Green Woodpeckers nearby, 2 Jays, Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming, Buzzard, at least 2 Coal Tits, 2 Chiffchaffs, Long-tailed Tit calls, plenty of Chaffinches in the more open parts, Robins, Wrens, Blue and Great Tits generally distributed. 4 Muntjacs in an adjoining field, Artichoke Gall Andricus fecundator on an Oak sapling. Primroses fresh out, but the East-west ride towards Birch Wood has become overgrown with rushes and very few remain there. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 writes… 120325 – the first little ringed plovers of 2025 recorded with 2 on wet grassland south of Crook Bank. 110 red-throated diver flew north over the sea in 45 minutes early morning. 3 cattle egret with ponies next to Rimac entrance. Chiffchaff singing at Sea View. 130325 – barnacle goose with neck ring B89 (originally from Scorton, North Yorks) seen again on arable fields south of Rimac feeding with Canada and greylag geese. Grey heron, cattle egret, little egret and great white egret all on Rimac freshwater marsh scrape. 2 cattle egret also with sheep at Rimac entrance and Cetti’s warbler singing in Rimac south dunes. A lone siskin flew south over Rimac dunes. 3 black-tailed godwit on Sea View Washlands. 150325 – 27 whooper swan flew north over Rimac saltmarsh mid-afternoon and 6 roosted on Rimac Lagoon at dusk. 3 cattle egret next to Rimac car park and at east 2 great white egret on Rimac freshwater marsh before flying south at sunset. Water rail calling from Rimac reedbed where a sparrowhawk flew over. Short-eared owl hunting over the saltmarsh near Paradise Lagoon. 2 little ringed plover and 4 snipe around Crook Bank outer dunes marsh areas. 150 dunlin, 45 sanderling, 11 ringed plover and 520 golden plover Churchill Lane foreshore. 3500+ starling feeding on grassland around Sea View washlands and Elm House Farm. 160325 – green woodpecker calling at Sea View. 180325 – chiffchaff singing at Sea View work base. 5000+ starling feeding on grassland around Sea View washlands area. Red kite drifted north over Sea View around midday. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 12th March: Peregrine near Wolla Bank Pit, Water Pipit on Anderby Marsh, 1,300 Starling and a Lapland Bunting flying north. 15th March: at sea there were 150 Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, Gannet and a Fulmar flying north, 5 Avocet now on Anderby Marsh and a pair of Marsh Harrier displaying along Huttoft Bank. 16th March: Anderby Marsh has Water Pipit, 4 Avocet, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 22 Dunlin, Barn Owl, Stonechat, Great White Egret and a Pintail. 1,200 Golden Plover at Marsh Yard. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 April 1st & 15th; May 6th & 20th; June 3rd & 17th; July 1st & 15th; August 5th & 19th; September 2nd & 16th, October 7th & 21st; November 4th. margaretwestcott7@hotmail.co.uk https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/chambers-farm-wood-butterfly-garden ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood; Little and Great Scrubbs Woods; Minting Wood; Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park; and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting). College Wood; Cocklode & Great West Woods; Hardy Gang Wood; Newball Wood; Rand Wood; Scotgrove Wood; Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland. Many are also designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Discover Woodland Trust woods near you- including the best woods for walks, wildlife watching, family fun and heritage. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/#=undefined&view=map Lincolnshire County Council - Local Nature Reserves https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/coast-countryside/nature-reserves Links to "Other Reserves" are welcome. Your suggestions, please. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. SENDING IN BULLETIN REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We aim to increase the number of people reporting observations to Recorders or via iRecord. https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ The Bulletin is a FREE service. We ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome. You don't have to stick to lists! Please help us to help you. When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] Bulletin mailing times may vary. It usually goes out on Wednesdays/ Thursdays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions to the editor as early as possible. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. CONTACTS AND USEFUL WEBSITES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Links "not to be missed" *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. CONTACTS LIST Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union LNU Website: http://lnu.org/ LNU Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust: https://twitter.com/LincsWildlife Lincs Bird Club: https://twitter.com/Lincsbirding LBC County Bird Recorder: recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society: https://twitter.com/sirjosephbanks Lincolnshire Bat Group: http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch: https://twitter.com/BC_Lincolnshire Lincsbirders: https://twitter.com/lincsbirders Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project: https://lincolnshirechalkstreams.org/ 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 Annette Faulkner on 01775 766286 Email: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com Confidential Bat Records You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com 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: downloadable LNU book *** 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 sending in reports, e.g. unusual plants, please report any sensitive news directly to recorders. Not the Bulletin. We don't want to spoil things with unwise or untimely publicity. Thank you. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU EVENTS DIARY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU Events *** https://lnu.org/meetings/ https://lnu.org/meetings/indoor-meetings/ *** L.N.U. AGM & Talk *** On Saturday 22nd March 2025 at Whisby Nature Park Education Centre Lincoln SK910662 at 2 pm. Refreshments will be available. Parking £2 The AGM will be followed by a talk by outgoing president, Paul Scott “The Sir Joseph Banks Centre - Past, Present, and Future”. Synopsis - "Many members may be familiar with Sir Joseph Banks, thanks to numerous talks given across the county and beyond over the past 20 years. However, the history of the building and the Joseph Banks Society remains less well-known. This lecture explores the evolution of the building and how the Joseph Banks Society has transformed into a unique natural science centre and museum.” FIELD MEETINGS 2025 Luke Hartley writes… First few field meetings below. Parking/meeting locations will be confirmed in due course! Doddington Hall - Sunday 27 April, meet from 11am, 12-4pm Stenigot Estate - Sunday 18 May, meet from 11am, 12-4pm Grimsthorpe Estate - Saturday 14 June, meet from 11am, 12-4pm Seacroft Dunes, Skegness - Saturday 19 July, meet from 11am, 12-4pm Theddlethorpe-Saltfleetby - Sunday 3 August, meet from 10am, 10:30-TBC ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ National and international stories How our noisy world is seriously damaging our health https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crmjdm2m4yjo Farmers fear criminal hare coursing gangs 'could kill someone' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy7xg4kkln0o Green scheme closure a 'shattering blow' to farms, says union https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2gp9lyx5xo Plastic pollution leaves seabirds with brain damage similar to Alzheimer’s, study shows https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/mar/12/plastic-pollution-leaves-seabirds-chicks-with-brain-damage-similar-to-alzheimers-study-aoe Octopus? Ice cream? Is there anything gulls don’t eat? – in pictures https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2025/mar/15/is-there-anything-gulls-dont-eat-ice-cream-octopus-in-pictures Curlews need wet heathland for nesting https://www.gwct.org.uk/wildlife/research/birds/waders/curlews-need-wet-heathland-for-nesting *** Mail Fails *** None ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/.