============================================ || || Wildnews Bulletin || 2nd April 2026 || 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Editor writes…. Sticky Mouse-ear and Green Alkanet were in noticeably fresh condition along some the greener by ways in Bardney on Monday. The mouse-ear with a short but dense covering of pale hairs on the developing flower-head, stems and leaves, and a marvellous silly name which used to delight young children on botanical wanderings during my time at Whisby Nature Park; the alkanet so brilliantly azure-blue in the recently opened flowers, a naturalised member of the forget-me-not family. Phil Porter's email is: philporterento@outlook.com Roger Parsons' email is: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Recommendation from Mary Porter… A Good News story. From LWT Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/LincolnshireWildlifeTrust Now here's a video to make you smile. Huge thank you and well done to our Gibraltar Point volunteers, Rob and Mike, and the team at Skegness Natureland Seal Sanctuary who stepped up to rescue this seal on the reserve yesterday (30th March). Mike kindly shared the dramatic tale (with a very happy ending)!!!! "'You’ve found a what?!' … was my response when Rob (one of our amazing volunteers and now known as Seal Dundee) called. This inquisitive and quite feisty little beaut (the seal, not Rob) had made its way up the river, scrambled across 300 yards of saltmarsh, crossed a road and somehow got into a fenced paddock. After trying to impersonate numerous fish to try to lure him out we called Skegness Natureland and a short while later the amazing Scott and Jack arrived with safety boards and a crate. It took four of us about an hour (along with some colourful language and someone shouting 'you’re gonna need a bigger crate') to finally get him safely contained and released a little further down the river near the estuary mouth, to be reunited with the rest of his colony." LEN PICK TRUST Owls return to our Owl Tower for the 2026 season https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/ BTO's tracked Cuckoos - arrivals expected late April. https://www.bto.org/get-involved/volunteer/projects/cuckoo-tracking Read the latest updates from our Cuckoos on their epic migration https://www.bto.org/get-involved/volunteer/projects/cuckoo-tracking/updates Loch of the Lowes SWT Webcam https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ Long-term resident osprey returns to Loch of the Lowes https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/news/long-term-resident-osprey-returns-to-loch-of-the-lowes/ *** This week's mostly-local news stories: *** How and when to see April's full Pink Moon https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/articles/cgl5r1e66ydo Attempts to rescue oil-covered birds will continue - Cleethorpes Country Park https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn43x220jgqo England sewage spills nearly halved in 2025 due mostly to drier weather https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyjp2d3x12o Villagers vexed by sauvignon blanc fly-tipper https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd6l453nq61o Village at the heart of the race for longitude - Barrow-upon-Humber https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3ex18pxeggo Council's pothole repair bill hits £137k https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62k5px7kepo 'The wind sounded like a train going over my house' – Snitterby Carr https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdrmg6dkpkro *** 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 2 Apr - Sunday 5 Apr Headline: Largely dry with some sunny periods. Chance of showers. Mild. Thursday: After a cool start, it will be a dry day, with variable amounts of cloud and some bright or sunny spells. Feeling cooler compared to previous days. Light winds. Maximum temperature 11 °C. Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Unsettled with an increasing likelihood of wet and windy conditions on Friday and into the weekend. Drier, brighter and windy on Sunday. Feeling cooler. UK long range weather forecast Sunday 5 Apr - Tuesday 14 Apr It is increasingly likely that unsettled conditions will affect the UK over the Easter Holiday weekend, with the potential for strong winds and heavy rain at times. The wettest and windiest weather is more likely towards the west and north of the country. Beyond Easter, a broad northwest-southeast split is most likely, though the extent of high pressure into southern areas is unclear. That said, northern and western parts are more likely to remain rather unsettled overall, with further spells of wind and rain, and areas further southeast should see the best of the drier, clearer interludes. Temperatures probably fairly close to average overall, but occasional warmer spells are possible in the south and east. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** This Week's Sky at a Glance, March 27 to April https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-march-27-april-5/ Night Sky Highlights - April 2026 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/space-astronomy/space-astronomy-highlights-2026#April Lyrid meteor shower -16-25 April https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/space-astronomy/lyrid-meteor-shower-when-where-see-it-uk Partial Solar Eclipse August 12th 2026. https://theskylive.com/solar-eclipse?id=2026-08-12&cc=GB Why 2026 looks bright for Northern Light sightings https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/articles/ce8nz3m3k10o Full Moons - 2026 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/space-astronomy/full-moon-calendar-2026 Spaceweather.com https://spaceweather.com/ Comet Watch https://www.cometwatch.co.uk/ AuroraWatch UK for geomagnetic data: https://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk BBC Sky at Night Magazine website https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news *** For the Geologists *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary Anning 'sick of fossils' letter sells for £15,000 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx26p13rd99o 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/ *** EVENTS *** *** LNU FIELD MEETING *** Saturday 25th April Haugham and Burwell (Harrison) Woods, Louth Joint LNU/LFG. Access courtesy of The Woodland Trust. 11.00 for 12.00 start and finish about 16.00. Car parking at the barn, through the woodland entrance off Muckton Lane, Muckton Bottom at TF 36511 82284, and right at the fork in the track. Grid reference: TF 36182 82102 What3Words: stretcher.panels.compress Nearest postcode: LN11 8NT Habitats: Broadleaved woodland. Leaders: Luke Hartley hartley026@gmail.com and Sarah Lambert sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com *** LINCOLNSHIRE NATURALISTS UNION AGM *** Our AGM will be held on 4th April at 2pm at Whisby Nature Park Education Centre after which there will be a comfort break and light refreshments will be available. At approximately 3pm, Retiring President Colin Smith will give an illustrated talk, ‘A Lifetime of Light Trapping’ tracing his moth trapping and the other night-time fauna that is also revealed. There will be FREE entomological equipment available, which belonged to the late David Sheppard. 100’s of glass specimen tubes 75mm x 25mm many brand new in their plastic bags, dissection kit including fine scissors, forceps, pooters, pins, lined plastic display boxes 120mm x 80mm and many assorted plastic collection pots. Please pass the message around to potentially interested parties if you can. *** GRIMSBY AND CLEETHORPES AREA GROUP LWT *** On Monday 13th April the group will hold their AGM at 7pm followed by the evening talk by Hannah Dale - 'Wild Wrendale' .Hannah will be talking about their farm, rewilding and bringing Beavers back to Lincolnshire. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall DN31 1HU. Admission £5, all are welcome. There will be a raffle and tea and coffee will be available. For further details contact David Ball 07711 716063 or visit our website www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk Also…. On Saturday 25th April there's an invitation to join the group for a guided walk around Far Ings Nature Reserve near Barton with Reserve manager Simon Wellock and Graham Hicks. Meet at the Far Ings Visitor Centre DN18 5RG at 9am. We will be looking for Bearded Tit, Marsh Harrier, Bittern and other wildlife. Please dress suitably for the weather, wear stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event however donations will be welcomed for the Trust. There will be the opportunity to car share for this event. For further information and booking please contact our secretary David Ball 07711 716063 or visit our website www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk *** THE SCUNTHORPE AND BRIGG LOCAL GROUP OF THE LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST *** Our last indoor meeting before the outdoor spring and summer events is on Thursday, 9th April and consists of our AGM followed by members' slides when members give short presentations with wildlife images which they have captured. If you would like to help our local LWT group with their meetings and events Throughout the year then please come along and join us at this AGM. New ideas for speakers and events are always welcomed. Starting at 7.30pm, we meet as always in the Small Hall at the St Hugh's Church, Ashby Road, Scunthope, DN16 2AG, which is opposite the Applegreen filling Station near to the Brumby crossroads. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is a free car park at the Church and also at the Old Brumby United Church opposite as well as on the nearby roadside. There is no entry charge for our AGM meeting. Light refreshments are available about halfway through the meeting. *** The Natural History and Geology Section of the North Lincolnshire Museum Society *** Our last meeting before we start our spring/summer field events will be on Monday, 13th April. We will be visited by Professor Geoffrey Codd, PhD, FRSE, MBE, who is Emeritus Professor of Microbiology at the University of Dundee and Honorary Professor at the University of Stirling, Scotland. Geoffrey is a former pupil of Barton-on-Humber Grammar School and visits us to give his talk entitled "Dinosaur deaths, historical and recent examples of animal and human poisonings and the risk management of toxin-producing cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) in our water sources." During a 40-year university career Professor Codd has investigated the global occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms in waterbodies. His investigations included museum materials to provide a longer insight into the occurrence of the toxins. Professor Codd has been a member of several national and international working parties on cyanotoxins, including the World Health Organisation and UNESCO. This is a unique opportunity for us into the forefront of knowledge and research that helps to keep water supplies safe and enable co-operation around the world on this essential need for life. We meet as usual in the St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is almost opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road, starting at 7.15pm. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is a large, free car park at the Church. There is a £5 entry charge for non-members of the Museum Society. There will be a mid-talk comfort break when light refreshments will be available for a £1 charge. *** SOUTH LINCS RSPB GROUP *** "The Birds of Fiji and New Zealand" Wednesday 22nd April 2026 at 7-30pm at Boston Tennis Club PE21 8EY An illustrated Talk/Slideshow by RSPB South Lincs Chairman Neil Oakman. RSPB members £2 {non-members £3}. *** RSPB SOUTH LINCS. LOCAL GROUP *** "SEAL AND BIRDWATCHING CRUISES INTO THE WASH" The 2026 dates are 11th and 23rd May, 11th and 23rd June, 9th and 25th July, 8th and 22nd August, 19th September, 3rd October. All aboard "The Boston Belle". Full details as regards sailing times, booking {essential} procedure, ticket prices , previous cruise bird sightings etc. at https://group.rspb.org.uk/southlincolnshire/ STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary... The Cold-Health Alert Service in England runs from 1 November to 31 March each year. You can register for alerts on this link. https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/weather-health-alerts/cold 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) 18/3/2026 Branston Island,3 Glossy Ibises from River Witham Cycle Path. Caythorpe, 2 Common Cranes flew NE over. Cleethorpes Coast, Glossy Ibis in heronry behind Thorpe Park. Frampton Marsh, Little Stint Gedney Drove End, Little Stint off Brown's Farm. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike 1w male by bend at Willingham Lane. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, 2 Shorelarks on beach north of Crook Bank car park. Tallington Lakes, Slavonian Grebe on main lake. Entry £5. 25/3/2026 Frampton Marsh, Little Stint, at Reedbed from Visitor Centre. Gibraltar Point, Shorelark on saltings by RAF ridge, 2 Russian White-fronted Geese at Tennyson's Sands. Pyewipe, Scaup fem on lagoon at Novartis Ings. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, 2 Shorelarks on beach near dead seal and Lapland Bunting male along seaward edge of dunes south of Crook Bank car park 26/3/2026 Covenham Reservoir, 2 Common Scoters both drks. Black-necked Grebe in NE corner near valve tower. Deeping St James, 3 Glossy Ibises at East Pit + fem Scaup, Deeping Lakes Goxhill Haven, Caspian Gull 1w. flew west. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike 1w male by bend at Willingham Lane. Pyewipe, Scaup fem on lagoon, Novartis Ings. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, 2 Shorelarks on beach near dead seal and Lapland Bunting male along seaward edge of dunes south of Crook Bank car park 27/3/2026 Cleethorpes, Caspian Gull 1w, Glossy Ibis at Cleethorpes Coast. Covenham Reservoir, Black-necked Grebe in NE corner near valve tower. Frampton Marsh, Scaup fem on reservoir. Gibraltar Point, 3 Russian White-fronted Geese at Tennyson's Sands. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike 1w male by bend at Willingham Lane. Pyewipe, Scaup fem on lagoon, Novartis Ings. 28/3/2026 Branston Island, 3 Glossy Ibises from Witham cycle track, Caspian Gull 1w flew past. Cleethorpes Coast, Glossy Ibis. Covenham Reservoir, Slavonian Grebe. Deeping St James, 2 Glossy Ibises at Deeping Lakes. Scaup at East Pit. Osprey flew over. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike 1w male by bend at Willingham Lane. Manby Flashes, Garganey fru in reeds near old hide. Pyewipe, Scaup fem on lagoon, Novartis Ings. Whisby, Smew ad drk at Thorpe Landfill at quarry on lake off Job's Lane. 29/3/2026 Branston Island,3 Glossy Ibises from Witham cycle track, Covenham Reservoir, Slavonian Grebe. Black-necked Grebe in NE corner. 2 Ruddy Shelduck in SW corner. Deeping St James, Scaup fem at Deeping Lakes commuting between Killingholme Marshes, Little Stint feeding with Dunlin and Redshank Manby Flashes, Garganey drk. 31/3/2026 Anderby Creek, Green-winged Teal drk at north end of Anderby Marsh. Barton-upon-Humber, Scaup fem on Sailing Pit. Branston Island, 2 Continental Black-tailed Godwits [nominate form limosa] 3 Glossy Ibises.from Witham Cycle Track. Caspian Gull 1w Covenham Reservoir, Slavonian Grebe in NE corner near valve tower, Black-throated Diver, 2 Great Northern Divers. Frampton Marsh, Little Stint. 7 Snow Buntings on east side of sea wall east of East Hide. Freiston, Common Scoter fem at Freiston Heath reservoir Goxhill, 15 White-fronted Geese Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike 1w male by bend at Willingham Lane. Sandilands, north of Branchline Walkway, Hooded Crow reported. Whisby Nature Park, Kittiwake ad at Teal Lake briefly, then flew east. 30/12/2025 Bourne. 6 Tundra Bean Geese in field + 14 Russian White-fronted Geese, 4+ Bewick's Swans, between Shillaker's Farm and Counter Drain. Drove. Park at Counter Drain. Deeping St James, 1+ Long-eared Owl at Main Lake from main hide, Frampton Marsh, 7 Snow Buntings on east side of sea wall east of East Hide. Gibraltar Point, Snow Bunting at south end of Millennium Ridge west of East Hide.. North Hykeham, probable Siberian Lesser Whitethroat [form blyth] ingarden at Mulberry Avenue. Spalding, 19 Russian White-fronted Geese WSW at Pode Hole. Flew SW over Willow Tree Fen. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 25 - 29/3/2026 House sparrow 25 Robin 2 Dunnock 1 Chaffinch 1m Goldfinch 1 Blue tit 2 Great Tit 1 Domestic pigeon 6 Black-headed Gull 2 Starling 5 Blackbird 3m, 1f Woodpigeon 6 Collared Dove 2 Jackdaw 8 - 2 still collecting nesting material. BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Phil and Mary Porter 30th March Mary heard a Bullfinch call in the garden but was unable to track it down 31st March Mary saw a Song Thrush in the garden this morning. This is not a winter visitor with us and up until last year we had not seen them at all for a year or three, so this was very welcome and in the afternoon it got round to singing for us. They have an unhappy history here during the breeding season, though, and were completely unsuccessful last year. As if to remind us, a Sparrowhawk whizzed the length of the garden in a flash. A Wren was singing vigorously and very active next to the house, scuttling under raised pots like a vole. I glimpsed a male Orange-tip as it flew by. BOSTON Standish Grove, Heather Bishop More news about the ducks ...drama escalates ... Yesterday (26th) , when we walked down the garden, we were surprised to see one of the ducks back (female) and she was eating the frogspawn/young tadpoles. Today (27th) I was washing up, and looking out the window when I saw a splash. The female was back again. A bit later, a male tried tried to get in the pond, but the female chased him off. I guess she didn't want to share the food! However, Graham noticed that he'd brought another female with him, so maybe the original female got jealous? Watch this space. PS: I've extracted a few tadpoles and put them in our original tiny pond. I need frogs to eat slugs on my veggies! 29th March Bearing in mind our pond is very small, we had a heron wading in it this morning! I shoo'd it off because it might peck a hole in the lining. BOSTON My garden TF338441 Tracey Lenton 31/03/2026 A mild, sunny afternoon in the back garden. Comma 2 Dark-edged bee-fly, first sighting this year, one week earlier than last year. 7-spot ladybirds, one pair mating Garlic mustard starting to flower in the front garden. FISKERTON FEN TF083718 Mary Porter 30th March A brief visit to the bird hide on a sunny day with a cold breeze showed two swans on the water, and then four flying across at the back towards the river. I assume they were all mute swans but I didn't have binoculars with me. There were two great crested grebes on the lake. One seemed to be swimming around more or less in the same small area, but the other made it's way to the edge out of sight. The one swimming kept looking towards where the other one went, so I was left wondering if there is a nest thereabouts. A Cetti's warbler was singing loudly, close by to the hide. A long tailed tit flew over the path near the hide. I was hoping to see if they are nest- building in the nearby gorse bush, like they did last year, but the undergrowth looked more sparse and there was clearly no sign. KETTLETHORPE Alison Brownlow 30/03/2026 A fairy ring of St George’s Mushrooms in Kettlethorpe Churchyard ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 20th March: Spoonbill and 18 Snipe flushed by a Marsh Harrier on Anderby Marsh. Pair of Little Ringed Plover on Sandilands Golf Course. Fieldfare on Huttoft Marsh. Crossbill at Chapel Six Marshes. Great Crested Grebe, 6 Goldcrest and 3 Chiffchaffs at Chapel Pit. 21st March: 2 Red Kite and 7 Buzzard flying south. Little Ringed Plover pair still at Sandilands Golf Course. Green Woodpecker in Huttoft. 260 Golden Plover and Merlin along Jolly Common Lane. 22nd March: Pink-footed Goose, 14 Black-tailed Godwit, 24 Snipe, 8 Dunlin and 6 Avocet at Anderby Marsh. 53 Siskin flying south. 23rd March: 6 Chiffchaff and Great Spotted Woodpecker at Chapel Six Marshes. 64 Snipe and 22 Dunlin flushed by a Marsh Harrier on Anderby Marsh. 35 Common Scoter at sea. Brent Goose on Huttoft Marsh. The Little Ringed Plover pair are displaying at Sandilands Golf Course. Long-tailed Duck flying north. 24th March: Green Woodpecker at Chapel Six Marshes. 17 Black-tailed Godwit on Anderby Marsh. 658 Chaffinch and 168 Siskin south through the morning. 25th March: Green Woodpecker in Huttoft. 26th March: 47 Kittiwake and Peregrine flying south. Black-tailed Godwit at Huttoft Pit. Spoonbill, 23 Curlew, 53 Shoveler, 90 Teal, 11 Black-tailed Godwit, 21 Snipe, 15 Gadwall, 13 Mute Swan and 37 Wigeon on Anderby Marsh. 27th March: Great White Egret flying over. Whooper Swan and Avocet on Anderby Marsh. 29th March: 2 Great White Egret on Anderby Marsh. Little Ringed Plover pair still at Sandilands Golf Course. Red Kite flying south over Huttoft. 31st March: Grey Wagtail flying north. 6 Chiffchaff, 5 Song Thrush and Great Crested Grebe at Chapel Pit. Green-winged Teal, 16 Shelduck and Great White Egret at Anderby Marsh. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 250326 – the first wheatears of the year recorded with one on the dune top between Sea View and Rimac, and another seen coming in-off the sea at Mablethorpe. Male and female stonechat on dune scrub around Rimac dunes. 5 cattle egret along the banks of the Eau at Rimac. 4 avocet Rimac car park scrape beginning to scrape on the island. Grey wagtail along the main drain at Mablethorpe North End. Lapland bunting again around Crook Bank outer dunes and 2 shorelark feeding on the foreshore. 260326 – 2 shorelark on the beach out from Crook Bank. 2 wheatear around the dune top between Sea View and Rimac. Barn owl flew along the dune edge south of Rimac and 4 chiffchaff singing in the dunes to the MOD track. 4 redwing and a song thrush flew south over the dunes early morning. 2 black-tailed godwit and 2 avocet on Rimac car park scrape. 4 cattle egret along the edges of the Eau from Rimac bridge. Water pipit flew off the edge of Rimac car park scrape towards Rimac dunes. 270326 – spoonbill flew into main saltmarsh creek south of Saltfleet Haven early morning, later seen flying north over Sea View mid-afternoon. 4 corn bunting on the south side of Saltfleet Haven and wheatear on adjacent grass field. 9 avocet on Paradise Lagoon. 4 cattle egrets in field across the road from Rimac entrance. Water pipit commuting between Rimac lagoon and Rimac car park scrape in the afternoon. 2 white-fronted geese and a pink-footed goose Elm House Farm grassland. Pintail pair, 8 lapwing, 2 curlew and lingering shovelers, wigeon and teal on Sea View Washlands. Field mouse-ear, ground ivy and field wood-rush showing in the dunes. 290326 – the first blackcap of the year singing near Brickyard Lane in the morning. 300326 – 5 cattle egret in sheep field opposite Rimac entrance mid-afternoon. 3 raven flew south together over Rimac early afternoon and 2 stonechat around the freshwater marsh. 19 avocet on Paradise Lagoon. Lesser black-backed gulls on the move throughout the morning, with 22 in an hour dropping onto wet grassland south of Crook Bank before continuing north, including an adult Baltic-type. 2 shorelark again on the foreshore near Crook Bank. Cowslips emerging within areas of dune grassland. 310326 – 6 avocet on Rimac car park scrape, including colour-ringed bird coded VAJ which has also been seen in the previous 2 springs/summers. Water pipit also on Rimac freshwater marsh scrape and a white wagtail briefly before flying north. An early yellow wagtail flew north over Mablethorpe North End. Red kite drifted high south over Rimac, joined in the air by 4 marsh harriers, before drifting back north. Spoonbill flew in-off the sea and over Saltfleet Haven. 14 avocet and 39 shoveler on Paradise Lagoon late afternoon. Butterflies – 4 peacocks Sea View; peacock, speckled wood, comma Churchill Lane. 2 common lizards seen basking at Rimac. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Email: margaretwestcott7@hotmail.co.uk https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/chambers-farm-wood-butterfly-garden Chambers Farm Wood Butterfly Garden- March 2026 Two March days of unusually sunny weather has brought the garden under control- for a short while at least. We cut back, prune Buddleias, tidy and plant Snowdrops in the green. A little mowing identifies the access paths which we keep short, while leaving the remainder of the grass for the invertebrates. In the pond, we watch at least six Smooth Newts, with some courting going on. A Brimstone nectars on Primroses before departing; a single Peacock dashes through. Buff-tailed Bumblebees search the flowering Heather alongside a Common Carder. Tits flit about the trees and in the distance, a Song thrush gives it all. Butterfly Conservation gardening tips for March recommends leaving our Dandelions to flower as they are a valued source of nectar. We next meet on April 7th. Please pop along to say hello and join us if you can. GARDENING DATES FOR 2026 AT CHAMBERS FARM WOOD BUTTERFLY GARDEN, LN8 5JR Courtesy of Forestry England. Join us in the garden, (What 3 words shrub.prouder.disarmed) , anytime between 9.30am and 3.00pm. Wear appropriate clothing, bring your own tools and lunch All 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month 7th & 21st April 5th & 19th May 2nd & 16th June 7th & 21st July 4th & 18th August 1st & 15th September These dates are provisional – phone Margaret 01205 750719 to confirm before travelling *** Lincolnshire Dormouse Group *** lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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/ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. NOTES ABOUT THESE WILDLIFE REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting. However, records are sent in by a variety of reporters; from complete beginners to professionals. They may vary in reliability and occasionally may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed please contact the editor: Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP], Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. BULLETIN PUBLICITY POLICY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When submitting reports, e.g. unusual plants, please send any sensitive news directly to recorders. Not the Bulletin. We don't want to spoil things with unwise or untimely publicity. Thank you. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU EVENTS DIARY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LINCOLNSHIRE NATURALISTS UNION AGM *** Our AGM will be held on 4th April at 2pm at Whisby Nature Park Education Centre after which there will be a comfort break and light refreshments will be available. At approximately 3pm, Retiring President Colin Smith will give an illustrated talk, ‘A Lifetime of Light Trapping’ tracing his moth trapping and the other night-time fauna that is also revealed. *** There will be FREE entomological equipment available, which belonged to the late David Sheppard. 100’s of glass specimen tubes 75mm x 25mm, dissection kit including fine scissors, forceps, pooters, pins, lined plastic display boxes 120mm x 80mm and many assorted plastic collection pots; *** please pass the message around to potentially interested parties if you can. *** LNU FIELD MEETING *** Saturday 25th April Haugham and Burwell (Harrison) Woods, Louth Joint LNU/LFG. Access courtesy of The Woodland Trust. 11.00 for 12.00 start and finish about 16.00. Car parking at the barn, through the woodland entrance off Muckton Lane, Muckton Bottom at TF 36511 82284, and right at the fork in the track. Grid reference: TF 36182 82102 What3Words: stretcher.panels.compress Nearest postcode: LN11 8NT Habitats: Broadleaved woodland. Leaders: Luke Hartley hartley026@gmail.com and Sarah Lambert sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Saturday 30th May Swinstead Valley SSSI Joint LNU/LFG. Access courtesy of Grimsthorpe Estate. Saturday 20th June Cleethorpes Sand Dunes Joint LNU/LFG. Access courtesy of North East Lincolnshire Council. Saturday 11th July Scrivelsby Park Joint LNU/LFG. Access courtesy of Scrivelsby Estate. Saturday 29th August Hawthorpe Joint LNU/LFG. Access courtesy of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Saturday 19th September Bourne North Fen Joint LNU/LFG. Access courtesy of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Sunday 18th October Newball Wood Annual LNU Fungus Foray. Access courtesy of Forestry England. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** National and International Stories *** Returning ospreys avoid last season's love drama - Dorset https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c78rxldlkzvo Released beavers settle after year of ups and downs - Dorset https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2v6xn35gwo Call out to volunteers to take part in bug survey - Kent https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj37epve5l6o Exclusion zone set up to protect endangered birds - Isle of Man. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwykd8dlv9yo Whale swims for freedom after big German rescue effort on Baltic coast https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9vlmxwk2jmo One ant for $220: The new frontier of wildlife trafficking - Kenya. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg4g44zv37qo Dawn Chorus Bird Quiz | WWF https://www.wwf.org.uk/gowild/games-and-quizzes/games/dawn-chorus-bird-quiz Make a Metre Matter - BBC Gardeners' World Live https://www.bbcgardenersworldlive.com/make-a-metre-matter/ *** Mail Fails *** John Raby- soft bounce. If you experience any such problem in future please let Alex know. mrapickwell@gmail.com ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/