============================================ || || Wildnews Bulletin || 24th 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 Reserve Reports - links. 7. Sending in Bulletin Reports - contributors please read! 8. Contact information - recorders and specialists... 9. Notes about these wildlife reports. 10. Bulletin publicity policy. 11. Events Diary - what's on. 12. ...and finally. Mostly national/international wildlife stories. ============================================ To interest new readers please use the "Forward to a Friend" link at the end of every Bulletin, or suggest anyone interested visits the LNU website and signs up that way. https://lnu.org/publications/wildnews-bulletin/ Reports here are open. They are available to county recorders of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union; Lincolnshire Bird Club and Lincolnshire Environmental Record Centre [LERC]. Compare earlier years/months. Past Bulletins archive [in text format] from 2009: http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html Views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union or associated organisations. Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. ============================================ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 1. INFORMATION, EVENTS, NEWS AND REQUESTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Editor [Phil] writes: I was uplifted by reading the National news story at the bottom of the Bulletin, ‘It’s resurrection’: 1,000-year-old seeds could grow ancient plants in England’s ice-age ghost ponds which outlines the restoration of former ponds that have been either filled in to gain extra agricultural land or been so terminally neglected that they have filled themselves in after being overwhelmed by scrub and tree growth (these are also known as ‘zombie ponds’ apparently). The ‘1,000 year-old’ reference refers to particular natural ponds called pingos formed in Norfolk by the slow melting of plugs of ice left buried after the retreat of the last ice age, but most ghost ponds have been filled in very much more recently and the seeds of their flora left buried in suspended animation. Restoration projects in Norfolk (especially), Suffolk, Lancashire and the West Country are documented, but, forgive me if I’m wrong, Lincolnshire is not mentioned (?). Perhaps this will stir up a response. Is there a register of lost Lincolnshire ponds that might be excavated to re-awaken the aquatic plants of 150 years ago before so many species became so depleted? Phil Porter's email is: philporterento@outlook.com Roger Parsons' email is: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Luke Hartley writes re. Records from LNU Field Meetings… Would attendees to send records from LNU field meetings through to me as soon as is reasonable. Any and all records are useful, they don't all have to be long and comprehensive lists! Hopefully timely records would make for a much smoother process of writing up the field meetings, and disseminating records to the landowners who have been welcoming and accommodating to us! Many thanks, Luke. hartley026@gmail.com The Bulletin Portal -past Bulletins archive [in text format] from 2009. http://rogerparsons.info/bulletinportal.html BTO's tracked Cuckoos Latest updates Wilfrid, Jim, Winston, Norman, Ashok, Sayaan and Cuach Cores. https://www.bto.org/cuckoos 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 People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) You might remember earlier in the year, Wildlife charity PTES called for the British public to survey spectacular Stag Beetles this summer. Their project report has just been released. Search First ever national analysis of stag beetles gives crucial insight into species population and distribution in UK for all the background, analysis, resources and downloads. *** LEARN A NEW SPECIES AND BOOST LINCOLNSHIRE’S NATURAL HISTORY RECORD! *** Colin Smith, LNU President writes… A core function of the LNU is to encourage wildlife recording. We would like everyone’s help to fill in the recording gaps for some of the more common Lincolnshire species. Each fortnight we will introduce a species with a link to a current distribution map and details of the species to look out for. Please look out for the species in your area or when you are out and about in the County. You can record what you see on: https://irecord.org.uk/ This is the LNU’s chosen digital platform for biological recording. It is free to register with and easy to use, but if you have any difficulty get in touch via the LNU website and we will try to help. There is a comprehensive guide to getting started on the iRecord home page above. Click on Help. After a month, details of the records received and an updated map will be Issued here on your Bulletin. On iRecord, you will have access to millions of wildlife records from across the UK, and will be able to organise your own records within its database. Please do join in and record these species and any others you find. Take the best close-up picture you can. The next species is the 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: *** Council may have to pay £4.3m to protect bats https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvg98e7me7lo WW2 bomber to miss flying season for maintenance https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c24rv0rv2gro Rejected pothole machine given a second chance - Wragby https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0jq4y2p974o Police join forces to tackle hare coursing https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gjj60ll0vo Stranded dolphin found dead in Humber Estuary - near Goxhill. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0vkryzkepo 'Don't disturb migrating birds', ranger warns https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gj7zzz14go Seal rescue centre calls for ban on ring frisbees https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cp3vd0wvj40o *** 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 25th September - Sunday 28th September Headline: Generally fine and dry. Thursday: Any early mist or fog soon dissipating to leave a dry day with variable cloud and good spells of sunshine. Some blustery winds along the coast developing later on. Maximum temperature 19 °C. Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Staying dry and settled on Friday. A band of rain, low cloud and blustery winds moving in on Saturday and slowly clearing through Sunday. UK long range weather forecast Sunday 28th September - Tuesday 7th October Following a more unsettled weekend with a spell of rain across some areas, a return to drier conditions is likely for many parts by the start of next week. Around the turn of the month, while showers or longer spells of rain are possible for all areas at times, the wettest weather is likely to be focused on the northwest of the country. Any spells of windier weather are more likely in the northwest too. Elsewhere, there is a better chance of more prolonged fine and dry weather along with morning mist and fog patches in places. T emperatures generally around average. Uncertainty then increases during early October but a similar pattern is most likely to persist across the country. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Five celestial events to look out for this autumn https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/articles/c39rvxz4jr1o AuroraWatch UK for geomagnetic data: https://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk/ The SpaceWeather website https://spaceweather.com/ https://spaceweather.com/images2025/14sep25/Lauri-Kangas-IMG_4035-1_1757910956_strip.jpg 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. Remember to send all records to Luke Hartley (hartley026@gmail.com). All records, common or rare, are valuable! *** Boston Area Group Lwt Talk *** 9th October : “Weeds, the good the bad and the wonderful”, an illustrated talk by Libby John. Starts at 7.30pm at Centenary Methodist Church, Red Lion Street, Boston, PE21 6NY. There will be an interval for refreshments. Admission is free but there will be a retiring collection. *** Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** On Monday 13th October the group will be welcoming Gillian Walsh and listening to her illustrated talk "Madeira and the Canary Islands" which will include fauna, flora and geology of these islands. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall DN31 1HU and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £5, all are welcome. Trust sales of Christmas cards and calendars, raffle and refreshments will be available. On Saturday 18th October the group welcomes people to join them on a Fungus Foray in Bradley Woods, Bradley Road, Bradley, Grimsby DN37 0AH with Mick Binnion. Meet in the car parking area for a 11am start. Please wear stout footwear and dress according to the weather. This is a free event however donations will be welcomed for the Trust. For further information on these events contact our secretary David Ball 07711 716063 or email davidballnorthhampton@gmail.com *** 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) 17/9/2025 Covenham Reservoir, 2 Grey Phalaropes at N end, 3 Black Terns both juvs. Manby, Grey-headed Wagtail, Manby Flashes. Temple Bruer, Quail reported by road at Wellingore Heath. 18/9/2025 Anderby Covenham Reservoir Creek, 3 Ruddy Shelducks flew south, 2 Grey Phalaropes in SE corner, Little Stint, 3 Black Terns. Kittiwake on east bank. Gibraltar Point, Black Redstart at visitor centre, 3 Glossy Ibises at Tennyson's Sands. Huttoft Bank, 3 Ruddy Shelducks. Manby, Russian White-fronted Goose ad at Manby Flashes. 19/9/2025 Anderby Creek, 3 Ruddy Shelducks flew south. Covenham Reservoir, 2 Grey Phalaropes, 3 Black Terns. Frampton Marsh, Little Stint from Reedbed Hide. Gibraltar Point, 2 Redwings flew south, Black Tern offshore. 3 Glossy Ibises flew north over. Mablethorpe, 2 Caspian Gulls both 3w on beach by Tide Bell. Manby, Russian White-fronted Goose ad at Manby Flashes. 20/9/2025 Anderby Creek, 3 Ruddy Shelducks flew south. Covenham Reservoir, 1+ Grey Phalarope, 2 juv Black Terns, Kittiwake. Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis along River Welland, Spotted Redshank on East Pit, then flew off, Deeping Lakes. Freiston Shore, 14 Curlew Sandpipers on new South Lagoon. Marston, 6 Glossy Ibises again flew over sewage works. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, at Crook Bank, 2 Caspian Gulls. 21/9/2025 Covenham Reservoir, 4 Black Terns, ad Kittiwake. ad Little Gull. Grey Phalarope along south bank. Cowbit, Purple Heron reported by A16. Crowland, NNW of: Glossy Ibis flew to east side of River Welland north of Tooley Farm. Deeping St James, 3 Black Terns all juvs, on East Pit, Deeping Lakes. 1 Glossy Ibis at River Welland. Frampton Marsh, Pectoral Sandpiper NE of Sea Bank Viewpoint on saltmarsh near sea wall. Glossy Ibis flew over. Freiston Shore,Goxhill Haven, 5 Little Stints., 14 Curlew Sandpipers. Huttoft Car Terrace, Red-necked Grebe. Mablethorpe, Red-necked Grebe flew north past North End. Marston, 5 Glossy Ibises again flew west over sewage works. Saltfleet Haven, 2 Curlew Sandpipers just SE of, Paradise Pool at River Eau outfall. 22/9/2025 Boston, Cut End, Little Stint at River Witham mouth. Deeping St James, Deeping Lakes.2 Glossy Ibis flew to River Welland. Frampton Marsh, Little Stint from Reedbed Hide. Glossy Ibis flew over. Freiston Shore, 4 Little Stints.6 Curlew Sandpipers., Goxhill Haven, 5 Little Stints., 14 Curlew Sandpipers. Huttoft Bank, Red-necked Grebe. Rimac, Common Crane. 23/9/2025 Gibraltar Point, Hawfinch in Plantation early morning. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. WILDLIFE NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important Grab a Grid Reference: https://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Hedgehogs? Badgers? Otters? Reports welcome. Request from Cleethorpes Wildlife Rescue Can You Help Us? We’re mapping wildlife fatality hotspots on roads to help improve safety for both animals and drivers. Over time, this data could support efforts to work with local authorities to make high-risk areas safer. If you come across a deceased animal or are aware of one, please report the location—when it’s safe to do so—by: Dropping a pin on the map provided Sharing a What3Words location Providing the street name While we are unable to collect deceased wildlife, your information could help prevent future incidents. Thank you! Please share to help spread the word. Report deceased wildlife on the link below: https://form.jotform.com/.../report-roadside-deceased... *** County Wildlife Reports from Readers *** We rely on readers to send in observations and welcome records from everyone, experts to beginners. Please keep your reports coming. BARDNEY - The Green TF120694 A & R Parsons 18/9/2025 Second Flush of Suede Bolete on No Mow part of lawn. Xerocomus subtomentosus https://www.first-nature.com/fungi/boletus-subtomentosus.php BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Phil and Mary Porter 17th September 2025 A bouncing flock of about 30 small finches passed the garden and fed in a neighbouring Silver Birch tree, just out of range. Goldfinches were prominent all week. A Chiffchaff gleaned along the hedges. A tiny yellow and black 14-spot ladybird was hiding in a decomposing windfall apple. Up to 3 Red Admirals. Lots of Blue Tits and Great Tits at the feeders throughout the week. 18th September 2025 Siskins, Long-tailed Tits and a Great Spotted Woodpecker heard just beyond garden boundary. We cleared, largely de-silted (stinking) and refilled our garden pool today. 19th September 2025 A pair of Common Darters started egg-laying in the new pond today; this species is often not overly fussy about where it puts its eggs!, 3 Backswimmers have also returned/arrived. 20th September 2025 A Hummingbird Hawk-moth was taking advantage of the dregs of Phlox nectar. 2 Whirligigs, and a Pond Skater in the pond. We haven’t seriously searched for small water creatures yet but a Damselfly larva came to light in one of the temporary water containers holding clumps of water plants waiting to be teased apart and made as Crassula-free as possible. Butterflies comprised 6 Red Admirals on Sedum flowers and windfall apples, and a wandering Speckled Wood. 21st September 2025 There were some repeat occurrences today including the Red Admirals, 2 Whirligigs and the Hawk-moth. A calling Chiffchaff went unseen, c. 50 Pink-footed Geese passed by on course for the Wash and c.12 Long-tailed Tits trawled through the trees. In the pond, 2 Backswimmers were involved in a protracted tussle and a Meadow White-stripe Cranefly Tipula paludosa, and Drone-fly Eristalis tenax were both ovipositing in wet gravel and soil just above water level, The Cranefly exhibited the short-winged condition of the females of this species, which is very useful for identification. In the hedges, more than a few Green Lacewings were sheltering, and a Peacock butterfly put in a brief appearance. 22nd September 2025 A young Fox caught full face by trail camera video in the very early hours this morning around the pond, but unfortunately the lens had misted up, rather spoiling the moment! Extra aquatic species salvaged from the former pond and re-introduced; Water Boatman, Freshwater Shrimp, various beetles, planarian Flatworms, Rat-tailed Maggots (Hoverfly larvae) BARDNEY, NOCTON FEN LANE (Wasps Nest Road) TF109682 Phil and Mary Porter 23rd September 2025 An extremely brief off-the-cuff visit produced a calling Cetti’s Warbler, a glimpse of a Marsh Harrier floating over the Sugar Factory Pits, and two sizeable flocks of Linnets. The drain banks and abandoned agricultural fields there must provide a huge resource for seed-eating birds and their predators. The Pits are unfortunately not visible from here or easily accessed. Longer visits planned… BARDNEY ALLOTMENT Fields TF123692 Phil and Mary Porter 23rd September 2025 A short dog-walk revealed what would have amounted to thousands of Craneflies over the whole area, presumably egg-laying in the short grass of the field. They were Tipula paludosa or T. oleracea. HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Haynes 17 September 2025 Slightly warmer today and I saw I red admiral and speckled wood in my garden this afternoon, along with several small white butterflies. There was an abundance of ladybirds too. 21 September 2025 A red kite flew over my house today. Such a delight as it was quite low down. The first I’ve seen in Lincolnshire. There were also three buzzards around at the same time. We had 30mm rain yesterday. A large number of pink footed geese are using fields adjacent to the river Ancholme and can be heard flying overhead. NETTLE TON GRANGE GAME FARM Ben Jacob 18th September Prolific spangle galls on oaks 23rd September A skein of about 40 Pink-footed Geese over here this morning heading NW. First of the season for me. STICKNEY TF322568 Gail Cartwright 19/09/2025 12 midnight 1 bat seen flying at Medlam Bridge also 2 Tawny Owls calling to each other i n Medlam Bridge area, not seen, just heard. Yellow butterflies flying round my garden this afternoon, not able to count them but 2 or 3 at a guess, not sure of time ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 15th September: Anderby Marsh had 12 Yellow Wagtail and 90 Meadow Pipit. 18 Pink-footed Goose and Redpoll flying south, Arctic Skua, 2 Red-throated Diver, Manx Shearwater and Grey Phalarope flying north. 16th September: 2 Osprey, 2 Manx Shearwater, 4 Grey Wagtail, Redpoll, 34 Siskin, Tree Pipit, Brent Goose, Balearic Shearwater and Ruff flying south. Manx Shearwater flying north. 18 Yellow Wagtail on Anderby Marsh. 2 Green Sandpiper on Huttoft Pit. 17th September: Hobby flying south along beach. Short-eared Owl and 10 Curlew on Sandilands Golf Course. 18th September: an incredible day for migration with 129 Chaffinch, Curlew Sandpiper, 120 Golden Plover, 6 Grey Wagtail, 3,586 House Martin, 70 Linnet, 3,218 Meadow Pipit, 14 Sand Martin, 359 Siskin, 2 Sparrowhawk, 754 Swallow, 4 Swift and Tree Sparrow counted moving south in the morning. 2 Raven flying north over Sandilands Golf Course. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 170925 - spotted flycatcher, blackcap and chiffchaff bordering the dunes at Sea View. Pied flycatcher calling in trees around Sea View f arm. Whimbrel flew off Sea View saltmarsh. 3 black-tailed godwit and greenshank on Paradise Lagoon. Hobby hawking the dunes south of Rimac. c50 pink-footed geese feeding in arable fields south of Rimac and 4 cattle egret with cows by Rimac car park. 3 ruff flew west over Sea View car park with 25 redshank. Swift, grey wagtail and redpoll flew south. Whinchat Saltfleet Haven area and 2 swift flew over. 180925 - over the sea from Mablethorpe North End went 100+ gannet, 3 red-throated diver, arctic skua, 13 bar-tailed godwit and 24 curlews. 16 pink-footed geese Rimac saltmarsh. 190925 - flying south past Mablethorpe North End went 380 pink-footed geese, 3 swift, 316 meadow pipit, 171 chaffinch and 1 arctic skua. Immature Mediterranean gull with black-headed gulls on Paradise Lagoon in the morning. Curlew sandpiper and spotted redshank on Eau outfall mid- afternoon then flew onto Paradise Lagoon. Arctic skua on beach near Tide Bell, also 2 third winter caspian gulls, a first winter yellow-legged gull and a manx shearwater flew south. 40 curlew and 24 bar-tailed godwits on Crook Bank beach. Wheatear Elm House Farm. 200925 - 2 curlew sandpiper, black-tailed godwit, common sandpiper on Eau outfall beside Paradise Lagoon. On Paradise Lagoon were 13 lapwing, 2 greenshank and 6 shoveler. Ringtail hen harrier flew south over the saltmarsh past Sea View. 60+ pink-footed geese on Elm House Farm. 210925 - over the sea in 2 hours in the morning flew a red-necked grebe, 16 arctic skua, 2 great skua, 18 red-throated diver, 8 manx shearwater and 231 gannet. 200+ pink-footed geese flew south throughout the morning. 2 curlew sandpiper, common sandpiper, greenshank, 65 redshank Eau outfall. 220925 - common crane flew south over Rimac saltmarsh mid-morning. A northerly movement of crossbill low over the dunes included groups of 1, 6, 8, 9 and 14. A movement of wildfowl over the sea from early morning included 231 teal, 31 wigeon, 8 shoveler, 4 pintail, 2 eider and 20 red-throated diver. Common whitethroat in scrub at Brickyard Lane. 2 redpoll flew south over Crook Bank. Kingfisher and greenshank Eau outfall. 73 lapwing on Paradise Lagoon and a stonechat nearby. 230925 - first redwing of the autumn at Brickyard Lane in the morning, and 5 more flew west in the afternoon. 2 raven also around Brickyard Lane, and 10+ goldcrest and a treecreeper also present. 2 brambling, 20+ redpoll and c200 pink-footed geese flew south throughout the morning, and a great spotted woodpecker flew high north. Pink-footed geese also feeding on local arable and grassland areas adjacent to the dunes. 3 pale-bellied brent geese flew north along the tide edge past Mablethorpe North End. 2 hummingbird hawk-moths at Brickyard Lane. Butterflies – painted lady, 3 red admiral Elm House Farm. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. 7th & 21st, October, 4th; November Email: 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. Oct Sat 18th ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood; Little and Great Scrubbs Woods; Minting Wood; Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park; and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting). College Wood; Cocklode & Great West Woods; Hardy Gang Wood; Newball Wood; Rand Wood; Scotgrove Wood; Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland. Many are also designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Discover Woodland Trust woods near you- including the best woods for walks, wildlife watching, family fun and heritage. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/#=undefined&view=map Lincolnshire County Council - Local Nature Reserves https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/coast-countryside/nature-reserves Links to "Other Reserves" are welcome. Your suggestions, please. Boston Woods Trust https://www.bostonwoods.co.uk/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. SENDING IN BULLETIN REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We aim to increase the number of people reporting observations to Recorders or via iRecord. https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ The Bulletin is a FREE service. We ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome. You don't have to stick to lists! Please help us to help you. When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] Bulletin mailing times may vary. It usually goes out on Wednesdays/ Thursdays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions to the editor as early as possible. Tuesday latest. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. CONTACTS AND USEFUL WEBSITES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Links "not to be missed" *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. CONTACTS LIST *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union *** LNU Website: http://lnu.org/ LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust: https://twitter.com/LincsWildlife Lincs Bird Club: https://twitter.com/Lincsbirding LBC County Bird Recorder: recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society: https://twitter.com/sirjosephbanks Lincolnshire Bat Group: http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch: https://twitter.com/BC_Lincolnshire Lincsbirders: https://twitter.com/lincsbirders Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project: 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 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 https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-flora-of-lincolnshire-e-joan-gibbons.pdf Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/mammalatlas.pdf *** For the Geologists *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary Life on Mars? 'Leopard-spot' rocks could be biggest clue yet https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd725pj0g9ro 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 https://lnu.org/publications/books/the-geology-of-lincolnshire/ UK Fossils in Lincolnshire https://ukfossils.co.uk/category/lincolnshire/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. NOTES ABOUT THESE WILDLIFE REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting. However, records are sent in by a variety of reporters; from complete beginners to professionals. They may vary in reliability and occasionally may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed please contact the editor: Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP], Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. BULLETIN PUBLICITY POLICY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When submitting reports, e.g. unusual plants, please send any sensitive news directly to recorders. Not the Bulletin. We don't want to spoil things with unwise or untimely publicity. Thank you. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU EVENTS DIARY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Remember to send all records to Luke Hartley (hartley026@gmail.com). All records, common or rare, are valuable! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** National and International Stories *** The Gall of it! - the astonishing world of plant galls | Scottish Wildlife Trust https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/our-events/the-gall-of-it-the-astonishing-world-of-plant-galls/ Scientists claim they’ve made ‘pivotal step’ in bringing back the dodo for first time in 300 years | Science | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/sep/17/dodo-birds-gene-editing-advance Thousands of flies keep landing on North Sea oil rigs then taking off a few hours later – here’s why https://theconversation.com/thousands-of-flies-keep-landing-on-north-sea-oil-rigs-then-taking-off-a-few-hours-later-heres-why-265622 Key oceans treaty crosses threshold to come into force https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq5j87114deo Could Hurricane Gabrielle hit the UK this weekend? https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/articles/cd72r5ynr9jo Super typhoon hits Philippines as thousands evacuate https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cge223y2e9eo Hong Kong braces for travel chaos as super typhoon approaches https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3rvjj7dp7ro Emil the Elk caught after long summer on the loose in Central Europe https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4gvk0y8rgvo Gatwick second runway plan approved by transport secretary https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9v7rz24z23o Nations’ plans to ramp up coal, gas and oil extraction ‘will put climate goals beyond reach’ https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/22/fossil-fuels-coal-gas-oil-extraction-climate-goals-beyond-reach Country diary: An autumn fireball that’s a sanctuary for insects https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/22/country-diary-an-autumn-fireball-thats-a-sanctuary-for-insects It’s resurrection’: 1,000-year-old seeds could grow ancient plants in England’s ice-age ghost ponds https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/sep/20/just-add-water-how-to-bring-back-ancient-plants-in-a-norfolk-ghost-pond How to grow an oak tree in a vase | Discover Wildlife https://www.discoverwildlife.com/news/acorn-vase *** Mail Fails *** None this week. ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/