============================================ || || Wildnews Bulletin 10th September 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 Reports and useful 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. ============================================ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Editor writes… The disruptive effects of climate change ripple out to affect natural rhythms and possibly bird migration is one of the most visible manifestations. Ever more unlikely examples of vagrancy seem to be the order of the day, especially in Britain where both its island status and the number and enthusiasm of observers tuned into the possibilities, combine to bring the results into particularly sharp focus. The weekly Birdguides summary is an entertaining source of rarity information. This week it singles out the enormously unprecedented numbers of Glossy Ibises that arrived in during last week, e.g. a flock of c. 60 in Ireland and 20’s and 30’s in several southern English counties. Of course, this species has already become a feature of bird-life in the county in a small way, especially in the Deepings area, and even attempted to nest at Frampton Marsh in 2014. Successful breeding in Cambridgeshire followed in 2022, but Birdguides is musing on the influx being the spur towards it joining the “Egret clan” as a familiar British bird in the future. Birdguides https://www.birdguides.com/articles/review-of-the-week/?CurrentPage=1 Bird Facts: Glossy Ibis https://www.bto.org/learn/about-birds/birdfacts/glossy-ibis Glossy ibis https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/birds/herons-egrets-spoonbill-and-crane/glossy-ibis Phil Porter's email is: philporterento@outlook.com Roger Parsons' email is: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Sika Deer In Lincolnshire - recent record near Horncastle Other than a pair kept at Normanby Park in the 1970's that proved aggressive to Visitors and were soon removed, Sika are unknown in Lincolnshire. A report from Gibraltar Point in April 1993 was probably a fallow deer as the two species both have spotted coats (some Fallow deer colour types such the melanistic (black) don't have spotted coats) Population of Sika in the UK usually have black velvet, (the coat that covers the growing antlers), the black velvet is associated with the Japanese sub-species that is found living wild in some parks of the UK. This animal had pink velvet typical of the Manchuria and Formosa subspecies. It had probably escaped from a collection and I have contacted the local Wildlife Parks, any information on likely sources would be greatly appreciated, and kept confidential if required. Chris J Manning Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union - Mammal Recorder https://lnu.org/specialists/mammals/ 07752 353303 BTO's tracked Cuckoos - Latest updates - south of the Sahel: Wilfrid, Jim, Winston, Norman, Ashok, Sayaan and Cuach Cores. https://www.bto.org/get-involved/volunteer/projects/cuckoo-tracking Loch of the Lowes SWT Webcam "Our osprey cameras are temporarily unavailable due to a storm which affected Loch of the Lowes on Thursday 14 August. The problem lies with the cameras in the tree itself so unfortunately we will not be able to resolve the issue until the birds leave for the season, as doing so would involve disturbing the nest. We apologise for any inconvenience." https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ LINCOLNSHIRE CORONATION COAST NATIONAL NATURE RESERVE Delphine Suty of Natural England writes… Make a difference – volunteer with us! We are looking for individuals with good botanical skills. Your role will be to assist our team in surveying some of the rare plants on the reserve. Mainly a spring to summer activity, you will assist in the recording of the population, its location and status. The role can be done alone, with friends or other volunteers. We record data through iRecord and share with the Lincolnshire Naturalist Union and the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. We will support your mileage, equipment, and further training as these become available. Please contact us at saltfleetbytheddlethorpennr@naturalengland.org.uk *** LEARN A NEW SPECIES & BOOST LINCOLNSHIRE’S NATURAL HISTORY RECORD! *** Colin Smith, LNU President writes… A core function of the LNU is to encourage wildlife recording. We would like everyone’s help to fill in the recording gaps for some of the more common Lincolnshire species. Each fortnight we will introduce a species with a link to a current distribution map and details of the species to look out for. Please look out for the species in your area or when you are out and about in the County. You can record what you see on: https://irecord.org.uk/ This is the LNU’s chosen digital platform for biological recording. It is free to register with and easy to use, but if you have any difficulty get in touch via the LNU website and we will try to help. There is a comprehensive guide to getting started on the iRecord home page above. Click on Help. After a month, details of the records received and an updated map will be Issued here on your Bulletin. On iRecord, you will have access to millions of wildlife records from across the UK, and will be able to organise your own records within its database. Please do join in and record these species and any others you find. Take the best close-up picture you can. The next species is the Hawthorn Parornix Parornix anglicella This is a very small moth that is difficult to identify as an adult. The caterpillars feed on hawthorn and form a triangular cone at the corner of the leaf to live and feed in. They are quite common and Can be found on most hawthorn hedges especially in sheltered places Pictures and further information can be found at the British Leafminers website:- http://leafmines.co.uk/html/Lepidoptera/P.anglicella.htm Thanks to those who added records for our previous map filling species. We received 2 records from 1 recorder for the Sycamore Aphid Drepanosiphum platanoidis. 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: *** Sale of former Dambusters home paused – Woodhall Spa https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx27nn0zdzxo Drought impact: Damaged roads, disappearing rivers https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c89dw8vqed5o Four men drove hundreds of miles to hunt hares https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c99gvyenkx8o Lancaster bomber sculpture to be unveiled - Norton Disney https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c78n15x2jv4o Dog walkers get more access to beaches https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5ylyqz7d2ko Solar farm given go-ahead after planning appeal https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm28nlqedq6o Work starts on rain gardens to manage flooding https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy9450kg51o RAF Scampton asylum seeker plan could be revisited https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj9znm32j4xo Britain’s butterflies bounce back in annual count – but only to average levels https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/09/britains-butterflies-bounce-back-in-annual-count-but-only-to-average-levels Top 10 most-sighted butterflies in 2025’s Big Butterfly Count – in pictures https://www.theguardian.com/environment/gallery/2025/sep/09/top-10-most-sighted-butterflies-in-2025s-big-butterfly-count-in-pictures Fears for England riverbank habitats amid relaxed post-Brexit rules https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/05/fears-for-england-riverbank-habitats-amid-relaxed-post-brexit-rules *** 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 11th September - Sunday 14th September Headline: Showers turning more frequent and heavier later Wednesday. Thursday: Showers becoming more frequent through the day and turning thundery in places. Sunny intervals in-between but breezy and feeling a little cooler. Maximum temperature 19 °C. Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Often windy with showers, heavy and perhaps thundery at times, and occasionally organising into longer bands of rain. A spell of heavy rain likely Sunday, with a risk of gales. UK long range weather forecast Sunday 14th September - Tuesday 23rd September Generally unsettled with low pressure dominating much of the period. This will mean showers or longer spells of rain will affect most of the UK at times, hail and thunder possible. Potential for a deeper area of low pressure to run close to or into the UK later in the weekend bringing more widespread rain and strong winds or gales. Further rain, showers and strong winds likely into next week. However later in the period, there may be some spells of drier weather that develop, especially towards the south, with more in the way of sunshine. Temperatures will likely be close to average or slightly below overall, but may rise above at times in drier, sunnier spells. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Cloud stopped us seeing the lunar eclipse here - but enjoy these photos In pictures: Blood Moon captivates sky-gazers around the world https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx25nyjl4pdo AuroraWatch UK for geomagnetic data: https://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ Space and astronomy highlights in 2025 21 September – Saturn at its best Saturn reaches opposition on 21 September, meaning it’ll be directly opposite the Sun in the sky and therefore look especially bright to us. As one of the more visible planets to reach opposition, this could be a good opportunity to try to capture some photos of the gas giant. https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/space-astronomy/space-astronomy-highlights-2025#June The SpaceWeather website https://spaceweather.com/ Full Moons https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/full-moon-calendar Meteor shower dates https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/meteor-shower-guide BBC Sky at Night Magazine website https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news Current Position of ISS https://www.astroviewer.net/iss/en/ *** EVENTS *** LNU Fungus Foray - Goslings Corner Wood on Sunday 19 October Parking at Goslings Corner Wood car park 12:00 for 13:00 start and finish about 16:00 Leaders: Ray Halstead & Tim Bruning Habitat: Limewoods Grid reference: TF 14336 74872 What3Words: edge.cheerily.area Nearest postcode: LN8 5QB Please aim to car share to the event where possible, as parking may be quite tight in the event of a large turnout. *** LINCOLN AREA GROUP TALK *** 18th September: “Wildlife of the Canary Islands and Madeira “ An illustrated talk by Gill Walsh on the flora, fauna and geology of the Canary Islands and Madeira, featuring a wide variety of wildlife and stunning scenery. 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 RSPB Group *** On Monday September 15th 2025 our Grimsby RSPG have arranged a talk at Corpus Christi Church Hall on Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes at 7.30pm. ‘State of Nature in the UK’ – Steve Lovell (Nature guide, gardener and designer, lecturer). The UK is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world. How can we stop the decline, what has been done so far and what needs to be done in the future? *** Scunthorpe and Brigg Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Local Group *** The first indoor meeting for the 2025-2026 "indoor season" takes place on Thursday, 11th September. At that meeting we are visited again by Rolf Williams who will be giving his illustrated talk entitled "Crossing Boundaries". Those who attended Rolf's last talk in April will remember his enthusiastic, informative delivery about the conservation work in which he was involved when he lived in Kent. This talk comes from his nature explorations in Iraq and covers bird migrations including birds with which we are familiar in UK. Rolf served in the Royal Navy and when the flagship's deck filled with migrating birds he is "ordered" to an Iraqi oil platform to witness this spectacle. The meeting starts at 7.30pm in the St Hugh's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AG, which is opposite the Applegreen filling station near to the Ashby Road/ West Common Lane crossroads. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is a car park at the Church or at the Old Brumby United Church opposite or on the nearby roadside. There is a £2.50 entry charge which includes coffee or tea and biscuits during the mid-talk break. SIR JOSEPH BANKS SOCIETY Past president Paul Scott writes: An exhibition on Miss E. Joan Gibbons and the Flora of Lincolnshire. This exhibition is all about Miss Gibbons, her work, and the publishing of the Flora of Lincolnshire. Learn more about this extraordinary lady and the botanical history of Lincolnshire. The exhibition is open to the public, free of charge, Thursday to Saturday 10:00am to 4:00pm at the Joseph Banks Centre, 11-13 Bridge Street, Horncastle. LN9 5HZ until September 20th. (Note, 2 week extension) enquiries@joseph-banks.org.uk , 01507 700012. On certain Saturdays, please contact us to find out which, the curator of this exhibition, Debbie Lincoln, will be in the Centre to talk you through Miss Gibbons' life and work. *** SOUTH LINCOLNSHIRE RSPB GROUP*** "Waders of The Wash" An illustrated Slideshow Talk by local RSPB Volunteer and photographer Jeremy Eyeons showcasing the wide variety of waders which can be found around the Wash estuary. Wednesday 24th September 2025 at 7-30pm at Boston Tennis Club. Please note this talk has now been changed to 8th October. Full details at https://group.rspb.org.uk/southlincolnshire/ *** SOUTH LINCS RSPB GROUP *** Dates for their 2025 programme of "Bird and Seal Watching Cruises" aboard The Boston Belle into The Wash estuary. There are 12 cruises scheduled for 2025 starting on Easter Monday and ending in October. Full details including availability, dates, costs, booking etc. are on the website. https://group.rspb.org.uk/southlincolnshire/ STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary... The Heat-Health Alert Service in England runs from 1 June to 30 September each year. You can register for alerts on this link. https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/weather-health-alerts/heat Bird flu: Defra advice to the general public is to leave corpses alone and report the findings - but landowners should dispose of birds themselves. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-latest-situation-avian-influenza-prevention-zone-declared-across-great-britain Lyme Disease reminder https://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/zoonoses-data-sheets/lyme-disease.pdf Road works and hold-ups https://roadworks.org/ Met Office Severe Warnings https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service - sign up http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails EasyTide http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx Environment Agency Flood Warnings - Lincolnshire https://www.google.com/search?q=government+flood+warnings+lincolnshire Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline - sign up https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. WILDLIFE HIGHLIGHTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Bird Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce their pager reports. A big thank you from us all. Readers interested in a pager - look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ For RBA's excellent articles: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp Abbreviations Juv = juvenile Ad = adult 1s/w, 2s/w = first/second summer/winter (age or plumage) 1/9/2025 Boultham Mere, 4 Spoonbills 2/9/2025 Little Carlton, Russian White-fronted Goose ad, then flew east with Greylag Geese. Gibraltar Point, Spotted Redshank, Curlew Sandpiper. Manby, Russian White-fronted Goose ad with Greylag Geese at Manby Flashes.. Pyewipe, Wood Sandpiper. Rimac, Garganey at Sea View Washlands then flew to Great Eau between Sea View and. Rimac. Toft Newton Reservoir, Little Stint. 3/9/2025 Frampton Marsh, Little Stint, 3 Curlew Sandpipers. Grainthorpe, White-tailed Eagle. 4/9/2025 Frampton Marsh, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, Little Stint., 2 Black Terns flew north. Gibraltar Point, 3 Curlew Sandpipers on beach. Wood Sandpiper opposite beach car park on Tennyson's Sands. Grimsby, probably Pallid Swift over Heanage Road. Saltfleet Haven, 5 Curlew Sandpipers. Skegness, 4 Curlew Sandpipers at Middlemarsh Farm Sutton on Sea, 3 Little Stints. 5/9/2025. Leadenham, 11 Caspian Gulls at landfill. Manby, Russian White-fronted Goose with Greylag Geese at Manby Flashes. 6/9/2025 Anderby Creek, Curlew Sandpiper. Grey Phalarope flew south past. Covenham Reservoir, Caspian Gull 1w, Little Stint at south end. Frampton Marsh, 3 Little Stints from Reedbed Hide. Grainthorpe, Dotterel in field with c 850 Golden Plovers. park at Horseshoe Point and walk SE along sea wall c 1ml Wolla Bank, Grey Phalarope flew south past. 7/9/2025 Alkborough Flats, 3 Black Terns, 2 Ruddy Shelducks. Covenham Reservoir, Little Stint midway along west side. Donna Nook, Pied Flycatcher Manby, Russian White-fronted Goose with Greylag Geese at Manby Flashes. Molcey Mill Pit, ENE of West Deeping, Curlew Sandpiper, viewed from Greatford Cut. Pyewipe, Wood Sandpiper at Novartis Ings. 3 Curlew Sandpipers on Humber. Sutton-on Sea, 2 Black Terns, Long-tailed Skua flew past. 8/9/2025 Anderby Creek, 2 Pied Flycatchers. Cleethorpes Coast, Glossy Ibis at north end of saltmarsh. 22 Curlew Sandpipers. 3 Ruddy Shelducks Covenham Reservoir, Little Stint at south end. 27 Glossy Ibises flew over. Frampton Marsh, 2 Little Stints from Reedbed Hide. Freiston Shore , Pied Flycatcher. Gibraltar Point, 2 Glossy Ibises on Tennyson's Sands opposite beach car park, briefly. then flew inland. 2 Curlew Sandpipers. Black Redstart at visitor centre. Marston, c30 Glossy Ibises flew just north of sewage works. Molcey Mill Pit, ENE of West Deeping, Curlew Sandpiper, viewed from Greatford Cut. Wolla Bank, 2 Ring Ouzels, both males. Rimac, Pied Flycatcher. Saltfleetby, Pied Flycatcher in dunes south of church. 9/9/2025 Anderby Creek, Black-throated Diver. Covenham Reservoir, 2 Little Stints. Deeping Lakes, Glossy Ibis at East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Freiston Shore, 4 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Little Stints. Killingholme, 6 Glossy Ibises flew north over Mablethorpe, 3 Caspian Gulls on beach near seal sanctuary. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. WILDLIFE NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important Grab a Grid Reference: https://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Hedgehogs? Badgers? Otters? Reports welcome. Request from Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue Can You Help Us? We’re mapping wildlife fatality hotspots on roads to help improve safety for both animals and drivers. Over time, this data could support efforts to work with local authorities to make high-risk areas safer. If you come across a deceased animal or are aware of one, please report the Location ”when it’s safe to do so” by: Dropping a pin on the map provided Sharing a What3Words location Providing the street name While we are unable to collect deceased wildlife, your information could help prevent future incidents. Thank you! Please share to help spread the word. Report deceased wildlife on the link below: https://form.jotform.com/.../report-roadside-deceased... *** COUNTY WILDLIFE REPORTS FROM READERS *** Thank you to all contributors. We rely on readers to send in observations and welcome reports from everyone, experts to beginners. Please keep your reports coming. BARDNEY - The Green TF120694 A & R Parsons 8/9/2025 Continuing bat echolocation at 55kHz starting about 21.30hrs and ending between 03.30 or 4.30hrs. Dunnock Robin juv. Sparrow flock of 10+ Starling 6-20+. Magpies 4, 2 juvs. Jackdaw - 6-8 9/9/2025 Sparrowhawk female failed in attempt to catch a house sparrow - 5pm. Merlin bird list from Anne Wood pigeon Starling Robin Magpie House Martin Jackdaw House sparrow Redwing [?] Pied flycatcher [?] White wagtail [?] BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Phil and Mary Porter 4th September 2025 6+ Goldfinches on Teasel+ chiffchaff singing and spindle berries out. 5th September 2025 Harvestman Dricranopalpus caudatus found balanced on the washing line while pegging out, identified by its tuning-fork palps. Small Whites x3 and single Speckled Wood and Red Admiral. Buzzard overhead. 6th September 2025 A small group of Goldfinches flew from our feeders to the large sycamore just outside the garden to join others perched there. When they all flew off there were at least 26. A large blue dragonfly around the pond in a stiff breeze unfortunately remained unidentified. 8th September 2025 A Chiffchaff calling and singing in turn as it gleaned mature flower Ivy for the (relatively) numerous nectar-seeking insects there. A Mint Moth was on the eponymous plant and a Green Woodpecker called nearby. Mary spotted a Hornet and the large blue dragonfly was around again very briefly. Weeding the brick path, I disturbed a few small yellow ants from between the bricks. About 6 white butterflies in the garden, a Speckled Wood released from the greenhouse. BARDNEY Allotments and field off Horncastle Road. TF123691 Phil and Mary Porter 5th September On this dog-walk we made a list of plants in flower, mostly around the margins and neither looking round the allotment paths (or the list would have taken a distinctly more exotic appearance), nor with any special effort at completeness; White Campion, Dandelion, Shepherd’s Purse, Hen-bit Dead-nettle, Yarrow, Ragwort, Hedgerow Cranesbill, Black Horehound, Hedge Bedstraw, Autumnal Hawkbit, Smooth Hawksbeard, Cat’s-ear, Field Bindweed, Red, and White Clover, Wild Carrot, Creeping Thistle, Common Field Speedwell, Dove’s-foot Cranesbill, Great and Rosebay Willowherb, Common Mallow, Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Chicory. Most of these are flowering late after having been mowed in early summer. Hazel catkins starting to develop, Dogwood and Wild Privet both with black fruit Butterflies; Small White x6+, Common Blue x2, Peacock x2. Grasshoppers plentiful, 1 male and 1 female blue Damselfly not identified Goldfinches heard but not seen, Swallows x3 overhead. We saw two yellow pupal cases high on Knapweed stems, similar to Burnet Moth versions but obviously ‘live’, plump at both ends and light yellow. The area is open and exposed to most winds with mature trees in the north- westerly aspect only. A lot of small trees have been planted, but the soil is very sandy and dry and many are growing very slowly, rather than thriving. BAUMBER WALLED GARDEN TF208753 Mary Porter 9th September 2025 Hummingbird Hawk-moth. FAR INGS. Angela Buckle 7th September. Dames violet, Water speedwell, Lucerne. HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Haynes 4 September 2025 This morning, before the rain started, we saw half a dozen willow warblers in the large Christmas tree in our garden, along with a chiffchaff. Later, in a break from the rain, I spotted three gold crests in the same tree. For several years I’ve been contemplating taking the tree down or cutting it back, but it continues to reward with wildlife. As my garden slopes upwards, it means that it is on a level with my bedroom window, making it easy for bird spotting. We had 26mm of rain by late afternoon. LINCOLN SK 9733 7285 Caroline Steel & Phil Porter 31.08.2025 Falcaria vulgaris (Longleaf) - introduced umbellifer flowering profusely by allotment fence on Yarborough Crescent SK 9755 7294 Caroline Steel 01.09.2025 and 03.09.2025 Slug climbing tree on Yarborough Crescent. On a wet night, slugs & slug trails are clearly visible on this one Acer tree only. Over recent years numerous individuals have been visible, but this year's drought seems to have reduced the population and I haven't seen more than one at a time. Why only this one tree (there may be more, but I've only checked on my short evening dog walk route) and where do they go when it's not raining? Seek app isn't sure what species - could be Leopard slug? NETTLEHAM Brenda Edlington TF 005756 September 2025 A good number of hedgehogs visiting the garden nightly caught on camera with about 5 or 6 different animals looking at their markings. Large adults, medium hogs but not many smaller hogs seen. NETTLETON GAME FARM Ben Jacob 6th September Peregrine falcon over shooting field being mobbed by carrion crow. 7th September 2 x hornets noted on shooting field. SEACROFT TF568618 Colin Smith 06/08/2025 At the LNU field meeting I spent some time looking for Sea Aster aphids, a really exciting passtime, there was no sign of the common green one but I did find quite a few Bronze sea aster aphids Macrosiphoniella asteris the first record for Lincs. Also recorded Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug Aelia acuminata. Box Bug Gonocerus acuteangulatus, Red-legged Shieldbug Pentatoma rufipes, also Long Winged Cone-head Conocephalus discolor and Short-winged Cone-head Conocephalus dorsalis. WHISBY NATURE PARK SK 911 661 Brenda Edlington 9/9/2025 Fairly quiet day at Whisby; on Teal Lake good numbers of lapwing and a kingfisher sitting on a stick over the water. Blackbird Black-headed gull Blue tit Buzzard Common sandpiper Coot Cormorant Crow Dunnock Great-crested grebe Heron Kingfisher Lapwing Lesser black-backed gull Little grebe Mallard Moorhen Mute swan Peregrine falcon Pochard Robin Teal Tufted duck Wood pigeon Wren Large white, speckled wood, red admiral butterflies and a stoat seen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 4. NNRs and NATURE RESERVES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LWT Top Reserves: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves LWT Reserves List: https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/nature-reserves-list RSPB Reserves: https://www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GIBRALTAR POINT NNR ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Gibraltar Point Bird Observatory https://gibraltarpointbirdobservatory.blogspot.com/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LINCOLNSHIRE COASTAL COUNTRY PARK ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dave Miller Coast and The Wolds (South) Warden Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Sykes Farm Nature Reserve Office Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve Gibraltar Road Skegness PE24 4SU 1st September: Pintail and 6 Wigeon on Chapel Pit. Mediterranean Gull and Swift flying north. 2nd September: Garden Warbler at Anderby Marsh, 450 Golden Plover at Marsh Yard. Red-throated Diver flying south and flock of 13 Greenshank flying north. 3rd September: at Sandilands golf course there were 200 Swallow, 100 House Martin and 3 Swift flying over as well as 3 Green Sandpiper flying south. From Huttoft Car Terrace there were 2 Roseate Tern, Pintail and 28 Bar-tailed Godwit moving south and Manx Shearwater and 4 Arctic Tern moving north. 4th September: Tree Pipit, 2 Hobby and 3 Little Tern flying south. 5th September: Spotted Flycatcher and 2 Wheatear at Anderby Creek. 6th September: a Tree Pipit and 4 Goldcrest at Chapel Six Marshes. Wheatear on Sandilands golf course. Yellow-legged Gull and 2 Arctis Skua on beach. 60 Golden Plover at Huttoft Pit. 7th September: Red-necked Grebe and Grey Phalarope flying south. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 030925 – 20+ swifts flew south past Mablethorpe North End with sporadic movements of swallows and house martins. 3 cattle egrets perched on wooden railings beside the Great Eau between Sea View and Rimac. 040925 – the first 4 pink-footed geese flew south over Rimac at midday. 3 pintail and 12 wigeon flew west over Sea View in the morning. 2 swifts flew south over Churchill Lane. 3 cattle egret with cows at Rimac in the morning, later 2 cattle and 10 little egret on Sea View saltmarsh late afternoon. 4 wheatear Elm House Farm track and 20 yellow wagtails. 5 curlew sandpiper along Saltfleet Haven with dunlin in the evening. 050925 – 60+ meadow pipit and small numbers of mixed hirundines flew south over Brickyard Lane in the morning. Garden warbler, reed warbler, 4+ goldcrest and lots of chiffchaff and blackcap in dune scrub around Brickyard Lane. Cetti’s warblers singing at Brickyard and Churchill Lane. Small groups of ringed plover flying high south-west; a typical autumn movement for birds crossing from east to west coast. Red kite and sparrowhawk drifted south over Churchill Lane dunes, and redstart in hawthorn Churchill Lane south. Butterflies – 41 small copper Paradise- Rimac south; 3 wall Rimac north. 060925 – pied flycatcher in dune scrub at Brickyard Lane. 3 cattle egret again with cows south of Rimac car park. 700+ herring gulls along the tide line in the morning. 10 shoveler, 4 teal and 3 wigeon on Sea View Washlands. Sea holly on dune frontage north of Crook Bank. 070925 – 2 greenshank on Sea View Washlands in the morning, joined by a black-tailed godwit in the evening. 115+ sandwich terns on evening high tide roost at Sear’s Track and a small number of arctic/common terns. 2 whinchat on fence lines near Elm House Farm bird hide. 080925 – pied flycatcher at Sea View. Another pied flycatcher at Churchill Lane along with a blackcap, 3 whitethroat, 4 lesser whitethroat, 4 chiffchaff, 2 goldcrest, 2 Cetti’s, 15 robin and 2 great spotted woodpeckers. Green sandpiper, 2 grey wagtail and hirundines (mostly house martins) flew south over Rimac, and 4 shoveler flew west. 2 swifts, a few waves of sand martins and hobby south over Mablethorpe North End in the morning. Kingfisher along the Eau near Rimac bridge. Ruff, black-tailed godwit, snipe, 11 teal, shoveler Sea View Washlands late afternoon. 4 cattle egret with cows south of Rimac car park. Water rail called from reed clump near Sea View car park. 78 ringed plover and 2 wheatear on the beach during the morning high tide at Brickyard Lane, raising to 90+ ringed plover and 3 wheatear in the evening. 2000+ mixed black-headed and common gulls and 120+ sandwich tern roosting on the foreshore in the evening. 26 sanderling, 1 ruff and 1 wood sandpiper flew south. Coal tit in scrub at Brickyard Lane. Tawny owl and 3 bats at Churchill Lane in the evening. Butterflies – 4 green-veined white, 3 small white, 2 large white, brimstone, 5 red admiral, 2 comma, 2 small copper, 2 peacock, small tortoiseshell, wall Churchill Lane. 090925 – pied flycatcher briefly at Sea View. 3 goldcrest, lesser whitethroat and reed warbler with large tit flock at Crook Bank. 3 grey wagtail, 4 siskin and 100+ meadow pipit flew south in the morning. Hobby perched in ploughed field next to Crook Bank car park. 17 black-tailed godwit flew south over the foreshore in the morning. 50+ ringed plover, 10 dunlin, little stint and 20+ sandwich terns dispersed by the morning high spring tide. 3 Caspian gulls (2 juveniles and 1 adult), yellow-legged gull (1cy), 1500+ herring gulls, 8 great black-backed gulls, 30 lesser black-backed gulls, 100+ black-headed gulls, 300+ common gulls Crook Bank foreshore. Cuckoo, sparrowhawk and buzzard in the dunes near Brickyard Lane. c300 canada geese flew south in small flocks in the morning; a usual daily movement in recent autumns. 11 wigeon flew high west over Rimac. Turtle dove Mablethorpe North End. Butterflies – clouded yellow Crook Bank outer dunes; 2 clouded yellow, 12 small copper, 2 brown argus, 10 common blue, 5 wall, 5 small heath Paradise-Rimac; painted lady Rimac; brimstone, painted lady Churchill Lane. Ivy bees active along dune footpath throughout the day. Donna Nook: 050925 – Isle of Wight released white-tailed eagle perched on MoD target on the foreshore south of MoD station and osprey flew south. 060925 – white-tailed eagle again on MoD target on foreshore, later seen thermalling over Pye’s Hall to great hight and drifted north, seen that afternoon flying north past Spurn Point. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ These cover a huge area. Reports always welcome. The history of the Lincolnshire Limewoods: https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/features/19111877.lincolnshire-limewoods/ The Forestry Commission visitor advice: https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire *** https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html Chambers Farm Wood Butterfly Garden Volunteers Gardening days for 2025. 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. Sun Sep 21st Sat Oct 18th ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood; Little and Great Scrubbs Woods; Minting Wood; Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park; and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting). College Wood; Cocklode & Great West Woods; Hardy Gang Wood; Newball Wood; Rand Wood; Scotgrove Wood; Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland. Many are also designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Discover Woodland Trust woods near you - including the best woods for walks, wildlife watching, family fun and heritage. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/#=undefined&view=map Lincolnshire County Council - Local Nature Reserves https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/coast-countryside/nature-reserves Boston Woods Trust https://www.bostonwoods.co.uk/ 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. Tuesday latest. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. CONTACTS AND USEFUL WEBSITES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 the new Lincolnshire Bat Group co-ordinator as above: Email:info@lincsbatgroup.co.uk Or by phone on 01526 344726, who will be able to help you. Confidential Bat Records You may send confidential bat records direct to the above, who will make sure they are securely passed on to the new recorder. Slug ID Help Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01383 669 124 Email: chris.r.dufeu@gmail.com USEFUL WILDLIFE LINKS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. How to identify ladybirds| NatureSpot https://www.naturespot.org/WildlifeGuides/12CommonLadybirds How to identify bumblebees| The Bumblebee Conservation Trust https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/ Dragonfly Identification help https://british-dragonflies.org.uk/odonata/species-and-identification/ Bat Identification https://www.bats.org.uk/about-bats/what-are-bats/uk-bats/ NHBS - Frequencies of British Bats https://media.nhbs.com/equipment/British%20Bat%20Frequencies.pdf Lincolnshire Badger Group https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093647842292 Email: lincolnshirebadgergroup@hotmail.com Lincs Environmental Records Centre: http://www.glnp.org.uk/ Natural England: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ NHBS - Natural history equipment or books. https://www.nhbs.com/ The Flora of Lincolnshire by Joan Gibbons:downloadable LNU book Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire *** For the Geologists *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary Researchers find rare Jurassic-era fossil in Indian village https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c87enpwzvn3o New Seabed sediment maps reveal what lies beneath the waves https://www.bgs.ac.uk/news/new-seabed-sediment-maps-reveal-what-lies-beneath-the-waves/ Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group: https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 Geology of the Lincolnshire Wolds: https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/special-features/geology The Geology of Lincolnshire: downloadable LNU book ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. NOTES ABOUT THESE WILDLIFE REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting. However, records are sent in by a variety of reporters; from complete beginners to professionals. They may vary in reliability and occasionally may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed please contact the editor: Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP], Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. BULLETIN PUBLICITY POLICY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When submitting reports, e.g. unusual plants, please send any sensitive news directly to recorders. Not the Bulletin. We don't want to spoil things with unwise or untimely publicity. Thank you. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU EVENTS DIARY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LNU Fungus Foray - Goslings Corner Wood on Sunday 19 October Parking at Goslings Corner Wood car park 12:00 for 13:00 start and finish about 16:00 Leaders: Ray Halstead & Tim Brunings Habitat: Limewoods Grid reference: TF 14336 74872 What3Words: edge.cheerily.area Nearest postcode: LN8 5QB Please aim to car share to the event where possible, as parking may be quite tight in the event of a large turnout. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** National and International Stories *** Farmer claims sea eagles snatched his five Shetland pony foals https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c7vlvlvyl5go Water firm's court summons over parasite outbreak - cryptosporidiosis https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8xrewwqvlxo Captain Scott’s famous polar shipwreck as never seen before https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpwyvyqkx9yo Farmers warned after sheep dies of bluetongue https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0vleep48wo Wetter weather 'perfect' for growing Scottish truffles, scientists say https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g0x2x3e00o What I’ve learned from photographing (almost) every British wildflower https://theconversation.com/what-ive-learned-from-photographing-almost-every-british-wildflower-263656 *** Mail Fails *** None this week ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/