============================================ || || Wildnews Bulletin 7th May 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. ============================================ If you would like to receive the weekly LNU Bulletin by email, visit the LNU website 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 writes: I just want to get an irritation off my chest today, having heard for the thousandth time the familiar platitude on the media “we need to work hard to save the planet”. In my opinion, we don’t need to save the planet, which has, in its past, used the aeons at its disposal to overcome far more toxic conditions that we could possibly impose on it, and will do again in its future. We do need to save ourselves and our current ecosystem. Perhaps the associated messages would then carry more weight!?! We are the vulnerable ones. We should stop externalising the dangers ahead. Phil Porter's email is: philporterento@outlook.com Roger Parsons' email is: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk The Bulletin Portal is available again. Maintenance completed. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Past Bulletins archive [in text format] from 2009. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletin2009mar22.txt *** Lincolnshire Naturalists Union Field Meeting *** Stenigot Estate on Sunday 18th May On Donnington Lane, between Goulceby and Donnington-on-Bain 11.00 for 12.00 start and finish about 16.00. Habitat: Dry woodland, alder carr, ponds and damp grassland Leader: Luke Hartley 07399 322211 hartley026@gmail.com Grid reference: TF 25027 81119 What3Words: frown.outright.prevents Nearest postcode: LN11 9SH Entrance through gate/barrier to Moses Farmyard at What3Words pillow.speaker.unloading DO NOT USE the southern entrance. Bourne Barn Owl - Len Pick Trust Owl Project This is a static image from the owl tower, which is updated every 10 minutes. Refresh your browser page to see the latest image! https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/ BTO's tracked Cuckoos Latest updates https://www.bto.org/cuckoos Lock of the Lowes SWT Webcam BREAKING NEWS - First osprey egg of the season at Loch of the Lowes. https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ PETITION Add hedgehogs to schedule 5 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/709054/ Go to https://www.ukwildlife.com/index.php/wildlife-countryside-act-1981/schedule-5/ to check out the protections of Schedule 5. The number of signatures nationally dictates whether or not Parliament is obliged to consider the issue, so please sign! 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 57 records from 36 recorders for the Dark-edged Beefly Bombylius major Please do join in as all records are valuable and help our understanding of the county's changing natural history. The next species is the Common Green Shieldbug Palomena prasina This shieldbug is often seen sitting on vegetation from the ground up to tree height. They inhabit most areas from gardens, through farmland to woodland. The adults hibernate and will be feeding up now ready to produce the next generation. Pictures and further information can be found on the British Bugs website:- https://www.britishbugs.org.uk/heteroptera/Pentatomidae/palomena_prasina.html the current record distribution Map can be seen at https://lnu.org/palomena-prasina-green-shield-bug/ LNU has been contacted by the Postal Microscopical Society as follows; To whom it may concern I am contacting you about the forthcoming open microscope meeting On Saturday 10th May at Husbands Bosworth, Leicestershire, and hope that you can bring it to the attention of your members. This meeting is run by the Postal Microscopical Society. The venue is the Turville Memorial Hall, Welford Road, Husbands Bosworth, LE17 6JX. The start time is 9.30 am. You can come or go as you feel free, and there is ample parking. Tea and coffee are available all day. There is a Public House opposite the hall, and a shop nearby that does sandwiches, pasties etc. Please feel free to invite anyone you think would benefit from attending. Such meetings only succeed if there are enough participants to make it worthwhile for us all. In the morning there will be displays and sales, and in the afternoon a practical session on mounting pollen. These meetings are an excellent opportunity to pick up used microscopes, often very good models at very keen prices, as well as accessories, books and other items, and often the subject matter strays widely from what we might think of as microscopy. There is a wealth of experience and expertise within the microscope community, so anyone seeking advice may gain from attending. I do hope that you will be able to join us. If you have any questions, then do not hesitate to ask. Kind regards Mike Samworth podophyra@gmail.com Secretary and Circuit Secretary Postal Microscopical Society http:///www.postal-microscopical-society.org.uk *** This week's mostly-local news stories: *** Bat weighing less than a 20p coin nursed back to life https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg2vqxgn67o Port's weird past, from seal riot to ducking stool https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cglxj8kynjeo Romans, Vikings and Victorians meet at festival https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g21kln9y1o Sandeel fishing ban to remain in place https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgrwxxzxkjo *** 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 8th May - Sunday 11th May Headline: Dry with sunny spells today. Feeling cool in the breeze. Thursday: Early low cloud soon lifting and breaking up to give a mostly fine and dry day, with good spells of sunshine. Feeling cool, with a gentle north-easterly wind. Maximum temperature 17 °C. Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Fine and settled weather conditions are expected to continue with variable cloud and bright or sunny spells throughout. Temperatures rising over the weekend, becoming warm. Some chilly nights. UK long range weather forecast Sunday 11th May - Tuesday 20th May Dry across the majority of the UK with clear or sunny spells for many areas as high pressure dominates the weather pattern across the UK. However, at the start of this period, thicker cloud is likely in the far north for a time with some patchy rain and drizzle in north and northwest Scotland. Similarly, over the first few days of this period, cloud will probably thicken in parts the southwest with a few showers in places, with a small chance some of these could be heavy or thundery. Winds will mostly be light with daytime temperatures likely to be slightly above normal for the time of year, although there is a chance of some cold nights. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Night Sky - RMG - highlights - May https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/blog/night-sky-highlights-may-2025 Full Moons - next 12th May 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 *** *** LINCOLN LWT *** Richard Davidson writes… Lincoln Area Group Talk 15th May: “Conservation Grazing Explained” An illustrated talk by Kevin James, warden for Woodhall Spa Airfield, about how and why we use grazing animals on nature reserves to manage their habitats. Also how the various animals involved graze in different ways and about the logistics involved in doing it all. 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. *** 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 *** GRIMSBY AND CLEETHORPES AREA GROUP LWT *** On Saturday 10th May you are invited to join us for a morning walk in Bradley and Dixon Woods with Graham Hicks looking for birds and spring flowers especially Bluebells and Orchids. Meet Graham at 8am in the car park Grid Ref TA 244058. 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 or visit our website www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk We are also on Facebook. *** 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 *** has 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.... 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 1/5/2025 Alkborough flats, Spoonbill behind Trent Hide. Anderby Creek, Garganey drk at north end of Anderby Marsh. Manby Flashes, 6 Wood Sandpipers. Pyewipe, Ruddy Shelduck at Novartis Ings. Rimac, Wood Sandpiper. 2/5/2025 Burgh-le-Marsh, Red-footed Falcon near Firsby, then flew east. Deeping St James, 8 Black Terns at East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, Little Stint on saltmarsh south of Sea Bank Viewpoint. Garganey drk and 2 Wood Sandpipers on North Scrape. Gibraltar Point, Ring Ouzel.at Tennyson's Sands. Manby Flashes, 6 Wood Sandpipers. 3/5/2025 Anderby Creek, Curlew Sandpiper at Anderby Marsh. Baston Fen, Red-footed Falcon by Counter Drain/in willow from entrance gate or river bank. Frampton Marsh, Temminck's Stint at east end of Marsh Farm Grassland, Wood Sandpiper from western edge hedge path Gibraltar Point, Short-toed Lark flew north over freshwater marsh. Grimsby, Wood Warbler singing at Scartho Road Cemetery. 4/5/2025 Baston Fen, Red-footed Falcon by Counter Drain/in willow from entrance gate or river bank. Deeping St James, Black Tern at East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, Temminck's Stint, Little Stint, Wood Sandpiper, 4 Spoonbills. of South Scrape, Spotted Redshank at SE corner of reedbed, on North Scrape Gibraltar Point, Hawfinch in beach car park, flew south over West Dunes. Manby Flashes, 4 Wood Sandpipers. Tetford, NE of, by bridleway, Quail male singing. 5/45/2025 Anderby Creek, Temminck's Stint at Anderby Marsh. Baston Fen, 27 Arctic Terns flew over Wader Pit, Red-footed Falcon from Greatford Cut, 2 Red-footed Falcons, both males, over gravel pits from Langtoft Outgang. Deeping St James, Black Tern at East Pit/Main Lake, Deeping Lake, 18 Arctic Terns. Frampton Marsh, Temminck's Stint, 2 Little Stints, Wood Sandpiper on Wet Grassland.. Gibraltar Point. Turtle Dove near Mill Hill. Pyewipe, Ruddy Shelduck at Novartis Ings/ Rimac, Wood Sandpiper on first pool north of car park. Willow Tree Fen, 2 Arctic Terns flew north through. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. THEDDLETHORPE Grid ref TF 471874 John Walker Very fresh dead badger on roadside west side Theddlethorpe A180 WESTBOUND TA 177136 NR ROXTON BRIDGE 03:05:2025 Peter Crick Deer on hard shoulder, almost certain female Roe 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. AINSLIE PARK, GRIMSBY TA272089 Phil Porter 1st May Blackcap, Whitethroat, Long-tailed Tit, Wren, Chiffchaff, Blackbird, Greenfinch, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Reed Bunting, Lesser Black-backed Gull and Herring Gull all recorded on Merlin app.. Speckled Wood, Green-veined White. Celery-leafed Buttercup prominently flowering. BARDNEY - THE GREEN TF120694 R + A Parsons w/o 5/5/25 Blackbird 2m.1f Chaffinch 2 Collared Dove 3 Domestic Pigeon 8+ Dunnock 2 Goldfinches - 2+ House Sparrow 10+ Jackdaw 12+ - regular group of 5. Pied Wagtail m and f Robin 2 Starling flock 12+ Wood Pigeon 7 Wren Cuckoo flew north over garden - 6am on 3/5/2025. Hedgehog activity Adult hedgehog most nights. On trailcam: 27/4 @ 02.01hrs. 28/4 @ 03.31-03.34hrs. Badger activity Regular Badger on trailcamera - squeeses through gap under garden gates. On trailcam: 27/4 @ 01.08-01.21hrs. 28/4 @ 02.29hrs. 30/4 at 01.11hrs. 3/5 @ 23.36-23.49hrs. Bat activity Bats @ 55kHz detected between 18.30 and 21.00hrs most evenings. And again at 04.30hrs. 30/4 Bat flying over The Green echolocating at 45kHz 03.30-4.00hrs. BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Mary Porter W/b Wednesday 30th April to 7th May 2025 Highlight of the week was definitely the high-pitched sound of fledged song thrushes, first heard on the 4th. It sounded like two of them, both calling from different parts of the garden, from under the cover of shrubs. As they are notoriously vulnerable for the first few days out of the nest, and we have several neighbourhood cats regularly patrolling the garden, it was a tense few days until I spotted one off the ground, perched on our fence post, last night on 6th May. No sightings or sounds since then. Fingers crossed! At least two fledged blackbirds have been out and about, almost fending for themselves, but still nagging the adults for food. It is perhaps worth noting that the weather has been so dry for so long, that we wonder if they would have been so successful without our continuous supply of sunflower hearts - hardly a natural food for young birds, but they have relied upon them none-the-less. Also during the week , we had our first damselfly out of the pond fitting by. It was difficult to tell which species, as it was too new to have much colour and it disappeared into the long grasses of our mini meadow. Quite good numbers of orange tip butterflies, with three males seen at once on 7th May. Throughout the week, the occasional holly blue, speckled wood and one peacock seen. A maximum of two cuckoos have been calling regularly. A green shield bug, possibly Palomena prasina, was sitting on a common stinging nettle leaf in the sunshine on 5th May. One bird box has been taken over by little bumblebees, which are very fast going in and out, but look like Tree bees. Nearby, a climbing rose had a loopy-looking caterpillar munching away at it and was identified for us by Paul Money as Mottled Umber moth , Erannis defoliaria one of the late autumn-early winter flying species with wingless females. . We left it to its munching as we felt the need for biodiversity is much more important than the need for a perfect rose! BOSTON My garden TF338441 Tracey Lenton The Wild Front Garden April 2025: There has been a lot of growth upwards this month with continued flowering of daisies, dandelions and forget-me-nots. Also in flower is common whitlow-grass, groundsel and mouse-eared chickweed. The elderflower bush is developing umbels. I discovered 2 plants which are not native: ivy-leaved speedwell and Potentilla indica. 27/04/2025 The garden is starting to come alive with insects as we enter a warm spell. There were a lot of flies such as aphids and green-bottle, hoverflies – 2 different ones, one Holly blue butterfly. There were a few snails on thistle leaves. Back garden 04/05/2025 3 weeks on and the 2 juvenile blackbirds continue to do well, they are full sized youngsters now and flying beyond my garden. They are never far from each other, coming down to feed and drink, sometimes an adult male, possibly dad, chases them away from him. I think there is another brood in the conifer (leylandii) hedge as I've seen an adult male taking food in. I wonder if it's the same male feeding brood number 2. Robin seen most days, today there were 2 After a spell of doubtful hedgehog activity, there were droppings on the garden path this morning. Holly blue butterflies regularly flying around 30/04/2024 First orange-tip seen. BROUGHTON WOODS. Angela Buckle 29th April. Wild garlic, Blue bells, Garlic mustard, Ivy leaved speedwell, Moschatel, Wild strawberry, Lords and ladies, Ground ivy, Dogs Mercury, Bugle, Common dog violet, Red campion, Spring-beauty, Wavy bittercress, Common chickweed, Cow parsley, Twayblade, Cowslips, Wood anemome, Celandine, Primrose, Herb Paris, Yellow pimpernel, Greater stitchwort, Yellow archangel, Spotted Lords and ladies. Butterflies. Orange tip, Brimstone, Speckled wood, Small white Fungi. King Alfred's cakes, Common morel. CROWLE MOORS Breeding Bird Survey (all records sent to BTO) Steve Hiner 29/04/25 Blackbird x 9 Blackcap x 12 Blue Tit x 3 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 8 Chiffchaff x 13 Cuckoo x 2 Dunnock x 2 Garden Warbler x 3 Great-spotted Woodpecker x 1 Great Tit x 6 Greylag Goose x 2 Reed Bunting x 5 Robin x 9 Skylark x 2 Whitethroat x 10 Willow Warbler x 32 Wood Pigeon x 9 Yellowhammer x 2 FAR INGS. Angela Buckle 4th May. Meadow buttercup, Common mouse-ear, Black medick, Yellow iris, Field horsetail, Dog rose, Hogweed, Ribwort plantain, Gromwell, Cuckoo-flower, Mouse-eared hawkweed, Common corn-salad, Ragged Robin, Fumitory. FRAMPTON MARSH RSPB TF35733903 Brenda Edlington 6/5/2025 Avocet - good numbers Blackbird Black-headed gull Black-tailed godwit Blue tit Brent goose - large flock still present Canada goose Chiffchaff Common sandpiper Common tern Cormorant Crow Egyptian goose Gadwall Goldfinch Great crested grebe Greylag goose Heron House martin Kestrel Lapwing Little egret Little ringed plover Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute swan Oystercatcher Pheasant Pied wagtail Pochard Redshank Ringed plover Ruff - one coming into breeding plumage Sand martin Sedge warbler Shelduck Shoveler Skylark Swift Teal Temminck's stint Tufted duck Wigeon Wren Wood pigeon Heard Cetti's warbler NETTLEHAM TF 005756 Brenda Edlington May 2025 At least 3 male hedgehogs on camera identifiable by the chalky marks on their prickles, or lack of them. One female Green Lane between Deepdale Lane and the beck Blackcap singing much of the day, every day NETTLETON GAME FARM Ben Jacob 5th May Lesser spotted woodpecker feeding in silver birch tree. Observation - spindle tree Euonymus europaeus flowering profusely this year, more than normally observed SEDGE HOLE CLOSE LWT Nature Reserve Steve Hiner 24/05/25 Blackbird x 1 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Chiffchaff x 2 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 4 Greenfinch x 1 Jackdaw x 2 Linnet x 2 Mallard x 2 Robin x 1 Rook x 10+ around Rookery Skylark x 1 Swallow x 6 Willow Warbler x 1 Wood Pigeon x 6 Wren x 1 Rabbit x 2 SOUTHREY STATION, Water Rail Way south to TF144660 Phil and Mary Porter 2nd May 2025 A short morning walk after much-needed overnight rain. The scene seemed appropriately enlivened with bird song noticeably enhanced. Chaffinch, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Skylark and Blackbird being frequently heard. Other songsters; Willow warbler, Robin, Song thrush, Dunnock, Garden Warbler, Goldfinch, Linnet, Wren, Yellowhammer, Greenfinch, Stock Dove. A group of 35 Mute swans were feeding in fields to the west of the River Witham, Long-tailed tits and Blue Tits were calling in the hedgerows. Mary flushes 2 Meadow Pipits from the edge of the Engine Drain, where a few Swallows hawked around the footbridge. Just as we got back to Southrey Station, I glanced at my Merlin app which had been recording for a while and the last two records were Yellow Wagtail and Grasshopper Warbler! I have no doubt that I would not have heard the warbler, and neither did Mary, but I imagine a sound so distinctive would have registered correctly on the app? The area of riverside at the old ferry pontoon has large areas of tall dense nettle and willow scrub so looks very suitable for a tired migrant. The plants were pretty typical of the Water Rail Way footpath; Biting Stonecrop, Hemlock, Germander Speedwell, Meadowsweet and Horse-radish not yet in flower, Soft Brome, Oxeye, Sorrel and Hemlock Water-dropwort all in bud, and Ground-ivy, Common Storksbill, Green Alkanet, Corn-salad, Lady’s Smock, Apple, Field Stitchwort, Hawthorn, Ivy-leafed Toadflax, Greater Periwinkle, Red Campion all in flower. Osier trees were covered in seeding catkins and Broad-leafed Pondweed was flourishing in the Engine Drain. Insects included a few teneral damselflies, a modest emergence of St Mark’s-flies, a male Banded Demoiselle, and Mary glimpsed what ought to have been a Hairy Dragonfly but we are not sure. 3rd May 2025 Additional plants over a slightly wider area; Cow Parsley, Hedgerow Cranesbill, White Dead-nettle, Birds-foot Trefoil, White Campion, White Bryony, Wood Avens, Garlic Mustard, Redleg, Cowslip, Weld and Field Forget-me-not. Additional birds; Pied Wagtail. Additional insects; Batman Hoverfly, Speckled Wood, Orange-tip and Whirligig Beetle sp. THURNHOLMES (within 300m of SK797984 unless stated) Steve Hiner & Paul Snow 21/04/25 Common Pipistrelle x 1 flew into house through open window, caught in moth net and released unstressed and in good condition. 26/04/25 Blackbird x 2 including 1 feeding young in nest in stables Blackcap x 1 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Common Buzzard x 3 soaring high, calling, over Thurnholmes Dunnock x 2 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Jackdaw x 2 Mallard x 3 over Thurnholmes Pied Wagtail x 1 Red-legged Partridge x 1 Robin x 1 Skylark x 1 Swallow x 2 Tree sparrow x 2 in nest boxes Tufted Duck x 1pr. Owston Ferry Warping Drain Willow Warbler x 1 Wood Pigeon x 6 Yellowhammer x 1 Green-veined White x 1 Peacock x 1 Speckled Wood x 4 Bee Fly Bombylius major x 1 01/05/25 Blackbird x 1 feeding young Blackcap x 1 Carrion Crow x 2 Chaffinch x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Common Buzzard x 1 Dunnock x 2 Goldfinch x 2 Great Tit x 1 Greylag Goose x 4 over Thurnholmes Jackdaw x 2 Mallard x 6 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Mute Swan x 2 Owston Ferry Warping Drain Pied Wagtail x 2 Red-legged Partridge x 2 Robin x 1 Skylark x 1 Stock Dove x 2 on nest in stables Swallow x 2 Tree Sparrow x 3 in nest boxes Wood Pigeon x 8 Yellowhammer x 1 Yellow Wagtail x 3 Green-veined White x 2 Orange Tip x 1 female Peacock x 2 Small Tortoiseshell x 1 Hairy dragonfly x 1 Lots of Red Campion in flower under our hedgerows 02/05/25 Oystercatcher x 1 over Thurnholmes, calling 05/05/25 Blackbird x 2 nests with at least 8 fledged young in total Blackcap x 1 Blue Tit x 2 Carrion Crow x 1 Chaffinch x 1 Chiffchaff x 1 Dunnock x 1 Goldfinch x 2 Greenfinch x 1 Grey Heron x 1 over Thurnholmes Jackdaw x 4 Kestrel x 1 Red-legged Partridge x 2 Robin x 1 Skylark x 2 Stock Dove x 2 Swallow x 4 Tree Sparrow x 4 around nest boxes Willow Warbler x 1 Wood Pigeon x 6 Yellowhammer x 1 Yellow Wagtail x 2 WHISBY NATURE PARK SK 911 661 Brenda Edlington 1/5/2025 Blackbird Blackcap Black-headed gull Blue tit Buzzard Canada goose Chaffinch Chiffchaff Coot Cormorant Crow Dunnock Egyptian goose 2 Gadwall Goldeneye Great crested grebe Great tit Greylag goose Heron Jackdaw Lapwing Lesser black-backed gull Little ringed plover Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute swan Pochard Ringed plover Robin Shoveler Snipe Teal Tufted duck Wigeon Willow warbler Wood pigeon Wren Heard Cetti's warbler Butterflies Comma Peacock Speckled wood Cowslips - good show by railway line on Grebe lake WINTERS POND - EAST HALTON TA 155213 03:05:2025 Peter Crick pm visit 9c Cloudy North wind Good numbers of Swallows and House Martins L W Egret 2 Canada Geese 2 Greylag. 9 +12 Goslings Cettis 1 Mute Swan 2 Mallard 5 Pheasant 1 Coot 1 Crow 2 Lapwing 1 Shelduck 3 Barnacle Geese 2 Teal 1 m Cormorant 2 Linnet 2 Cuckoo 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ No records this week; no doubt the coastal wardens are run off their feet at this time of year! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 28th April: 2 Wheatear and two Willow Warbler at Anderby Creek. Arctic Tern, Little Gull, White Wagtail and Swift flying south. 29th April: Anderby Marsh showing Wheatear, 3 Little Ringed Plover, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper, pair of Pochard, 4 Wood Sandpiper, 12 Ruff, Dunlin, 60 Yellow Wagtail and Bar-tailed Godwit. 30th April: 69 Ruff, 6 Avocet, 2 Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Knot 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Whimbrel, Wood Sandpiper, Spoonbill, Black-tailed Godwit and Greenshank on Anderby Marsh. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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: 20th; May, 3rd & 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. May Sun 18th 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ *** Lincolnshire Naturalists Union Field Meeting *** Stenigot Estate on Sunday 18th May On Donnington Lane, between Goulceby and Donnington-on-Bain 11.00 for 12.00 start and finish about 16.00. Habitat: Dry woodland, alder carr, ponds and damp grassland Leader: Luke Hartley 07399 322211 hartley026@gmail.com Grid reference: TF 25027 81119 What3Words: frown.outright.prevents Nearest postcode: LN11 9SH Entrance through gate/barrier to Moses Farmyard at What3Words pillow.speaker.unloading DO NOT USE the southern entrance. 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 Attenborough at 99 delivers 'greatest message he's ever told' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0wjxg0ex1o Men accused of chopping down Sycamore Gap tree kept wedge as a trophy, court hears https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cvg93k0950pt WW2 Spitfire emergency landing after losing power https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn80dkmn3jno VE Day Palace flypast prep 'like herding cats' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c078r0zxl9vo 'Unparalleled' snake antivenom made from man bitten 200 times https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr5d0l7el36o UK must grow more of its own wood to meet climate goals – new research https://theconversation.com/uk-must-grow-more-of-its-own-wood-to-meet-climate-goals-new-research-254353 How dandelions conquered concrete to bring nature back to cities https://theconversation.com/how-dandelions-conquered-concrete-to-bring-nature-back-to-cities-254849 Seasonal spotlight: Hawkmoths – Field Studies Council https://theconversation.com/how-dandelions-conquered-concrete-to-bring-nature-back-to-cities-254849 The world’s largest wildlife crossing is under construction in LA https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/worlds-largest-wildlife-crossing-in-la/ This Rat Found 109 Landmines and Just Broke a World Record https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/this-rat-found-109-landmines-and-just-broke-a-world-record/ Mosquitoes in Scotland as far north as Shetland https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyq59r8x7ro Glitter’s sparkle hides a darker side – it can change the chemistry of our oceans https://theconversation.com/glitters-sparkle-hides-a-darker-side-it-can-change-the-chemistry-of-our-oceans-255155 *** Mail Fails *** None ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/