============================================ || || Wildnews Bulletin || 9th 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…. As you will see in the readers contributions below, Mary conducted a tour of our outbuildings and found 2 Small Tortoiseshells and a Peacock butterfly battering at the windows having emerged from their hibernation un-noticed. It would be a conscientious little job to do every day or so if you have a shed or summerhouse where a butterfly may have entered last year prior to hibernation. Phil Porter's email is: philporterento@outlook.com Roger Parsons' email is: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk 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: *** Reserve marks 50 years of protecting rare birds - Gibraltar Point https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cjd8z99zmkno Five of the best things to see along the Viking Way https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c2lw0j4r1ygo Swans 'clean themselves up' after oil spill - Cleethorpes https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c747dw4zymjo Watch out for ground-nesting birds, urges RSPB https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20d10jwvd4o Hunting the hidden stories of Lincoln Cathedral https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c70k1q4742do *** 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 9 Apr - Sunday 12 Apr Headline: Sunny and very warm for some. Sunshine turning hazy later. Thursday: Brighter spells likely through the morning, with the best of any warm sunshine east. Cloud then thickens further by the afternoon, with outbreaks of rain later. Cooler than on Wednesday. Maximum temperature 18 °C. Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Chilly start Friday then sunny intervals. Variable cloud Saturday, perhaps some showers, but also brighter intervals. Sunshine and showers Sunday. Temperatures near normal for April. UK long range weather forecast Sunday 12 Apr - Tuesday 21 Apr It will likely remain rather changeable during the first part of this period with showers or occasional longer spells of rain affecting many areas. Whether this takes the form of successive weather systems pushing in from the Atlantic or a more slowly evolving weather pattern remains rather unclear. There may also be some drier and brighter interludes and when winds are light, it should feel quite warm, despite temperatures most likely being close to normal for most. Later in the month more blocked weather patterns become more likely, with high pressure in the vicinity of the UK. This increases the probability of more settled weather, especially in the north but there may still be periods of rain or showers, especially in the south. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Artemis's stunning Moon pictures - science or holiday photos? Watch. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clye6j0g840o This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 3 – 12 https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-april-3-12/ 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 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 LWT LINCOLN AREA GROUP AGM and Talk. “25 Years of Whisby Wildlife Education” On Thursday 16th April we are joined by staff from the Education Dept. at Whisby NP to tell us about all the wildlife education work they have been doing with young people and their families for the last 25 years. Meet at 7.30 at the Whisby Education Building LN6 9BW (what3words strong.troll.chief ) LWT BEE WEEKEND Join beekeepers Andrew and John over the weekend 11-12 April in the Nature Centre at Gibraltar Point. Take a look at modern and historic hives, see how honeybee colonies live and the equipment used today in bee keeping. Free drop-in event suitable for all ages. 10.30am-3.00pm. Meeting Point – Old Coastguard Station (what3words blame.tributes.trunk) PE24 4SU. *** 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) 1/4/2026 Anderby Creek 2 Garganeys. 1drk at Anderby Marsh. Branston Island, 2 Glossy Ibises from Witham Cycle Track. Covenham Reservoir, Slavonian Grebe in NE corner near valve tower, Black-necked Grebe. Frampton Marsh, Little Stint from 360 hide. Gibraltar Point, Scaup fem at Tennyson's Sands, 2 Caspian Gulls. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike 1w male by bend at Willingham Lane. 2/4/2026 Anderby Creek, Green-winged Teal at Anderby Marshes. Branston Island, Water Pipit, Russian White-fronted Goose 1w, 2 Continental Black-tailed Godwits [nominate form limosa] Covenham Reservoir, Black-necked Grebe and Slavonian Grebe in NE corner near valve tower, Great Northern Diver. Frampton Marsh, Little Stint from Reedbed Hide. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike 1w male by bend at Willingham Lane. Manby Flashes, Garganey drk. 3/4/2026 Branston Island, 3 Glossy Ibises from Witham Cycle Track.. Continental Black-tailed Godwit [nominate form limosa] , Frampton Marsh, Scaup fem on Reedbed Lagoon. Gibraltar Point, 3 Russian White-fronted Geese at Tennyson's Sands Goxhill Haven, 2 Common Cranes flew east past. Garganey fem. 4/4/2026 Branston Island, 3 Glossy Ibises from witham cycle track, 2 Garganey, 1+ Continental Black-tailed Godwits [nominate form limosa] Cleethorpes Coast, Glossy Ibis. 1w Caspian Gull. Covenham Reservoir, Slavonian Grebe in SE corner near valve tower. Black-necked Grebe. Great Northern Diver. Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis at Deeping Lakes. Scaup fem, 2 Garganey 1 drk at East Pit. Frampton Marsh, Little Stint on Middle Scrape. Scaup fem on reservoir. 10 Twite. Gibraltar Point, 3 Russian White-fronted Geese and fem Scaup at Tennyson's Sands. Shorelark on saltings by RAF ridge. 5/4/2026 Cleethorpes Coast, Glossy Ibis on coastal pool. Covenham Reservoir, Slavonian Grebe in NE corner near valve tower, Black-necked Grebe. Deeping St James, 3 Glossy Ibises, fem Scaup, 2 Garganey 1 drk at East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, Little Stint. Osprey flew north over. Gibraltar Point, Scaup fem at Tennyson's sands. Wingland Marsh, 2 Common Cranes flew NW over near Walpole Cross Keys. 6/4/2026 Branston Island, Continental Black-tailed Godwits [nominate form limosa] 3 Glossy Ibises from Witham Cycle track. Covenham Reservoir, Slavonian Grebe in NE corner near valve tower, Black-necked Grebe. Deeping St James, Scaup at East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Yellow Wagtail. Frampton Marsh, Little Stint. Scaup fem on reservoir, Spotted Redshank flew over. Gibraltar Point, Ring Ouzel at East Dunes. 3 Russian White-fronted Geese in field. Scaup fem at Tennyson's Sands. Reed Warbler singing in roadside bushes. 7/4/2026 Deeping St James, 3 Glossy Ibises.2 Garganey 1 drk, Scaup fem at East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Donna Nook, Ring Ouzel male. Frampton Marsh, Scaup fem on Marsh Farm reservoir. Redstart male in bushes by River Witham. Gibraltar Point, Scaup fem,at Tennyson's Sands, Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike 1w male by bend at Willingham Lane. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 4-8/4/2026 Overhead at 10.30hrs on 4th April Buzzard circling fem Sparrowhawk through garden, being mobbed House Sparrow 20 Robin 2 Dunnock 1 Chaffinch 1m Goldfinch 1 Blue tit 2 Great Tit 1 Domestic pigeon 5 Starling 4+ Blackbird 3m, 1f Woodpigeon 6 Collared Dove 2 Jackdaw 8+ BARDNEY A. Parsons adds Merlin records - usual caution on Merin applies:: 6 April 2026 Yellow legged gull Redwing Starling Linnet Jackdaw Wood pigeon Crow Goldfinch Skylark Blackbird Chaffinch Wren Greenfinch White wagtail Rook House sparrow Blue tit Robin Great tit [3 more doubtful spp: Redstart Red throated loon -Red-throated diver Redpoll] BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Phil and Mary Porter 3rd April 2026 Mary spotted two Common Newts again in the pond. Having cleaned it out in the autumn we have been in a constant state of anxiety since their return t his year in case they consider it too much lacking in water weed and depart. We have had a regular problem in the last two years with birds tapping on the house windows or vehicle wing mirrors. It started with Great Tits but earlier this year a chaffinch took over. Today a Long-tailed Tit started tapping with its tiny beak on the lounge window, giving unbelievable views but clearly obsessed with its reflection. 6th April 2026 The wind dropped today and as a result insects started appearing. A Brassica Bug Eurydema oleracea was wandering around on a primrose leaf and a Pied Shieldbug Tritomegas bicolor was on White Dead-nettle. One of the 2 Peacock butterflies was released from the shed, a Brimstone male (or several) was often seen and we saw 2 different unidentified ‘whites’. A very early hoverfly Scaeva pyrastri caught my eye, and there were several Dark-edged Beeflies Bombylius major about. Mary heard Goldcrest calls in a large Sycamore tree opposite the house. I imagine the emerging fresh leaves might becoming attractive to insectivorous small birds. She also heard an unseen Swallow and a Pied Wagtail also flew over. A Song Thrush sang from within the garden for the first time this year. The Robin nest in the jasmine from last week is progressing, but was possibly being disturbed by the window-tapping Long-tailed Tits right next to it. Both tits were attracted to the window for extended periods ignoring efforts from within to deter them. We have suspected for some time that they are nesting somewhere in the garden. A Buzzard was quite low overhead for a while. We noted today that Great Spotted Woodpecker had not been seen since mid-February. 7th April Mary spotted our second Orange-tip of the year and our first definite Holly Blue as well. Unidentified ‘whites’ continued to fly through but none settled. Brimstone sightings were frequent. Mary did a productive tour of the outbuildings and was able to rescue a Peacock and two Small Tortoiseshells which had emerged behind closed doors. Regrettably the Long-tailed Tits have now started to tap at several ground floor windows all round the house and it’s hard to imagine how they will settle down to breeding at the moment 8th April Early on, a Chiffchaff was enjoying a bath near the French windows, and a Starling appeared. The latter has been absent from the garden for a very long time. Holly Blue and Orange-tip on the wing. BARDNEY Phil Porter 8th April An Oystercatcher flew over the recreation area calling. CROXBY Angela Buckle 31st March. Toothwort three flowers. ELSHAM QUARRY. Angela Buckle 2nd April Angela Buckle April. Green alkanet, Forget me knot, Sweet violets, Lords and ladies, White dead nettle, Cowslips, Butterbur, Creeping comfrey, Peacock, and Brimstone Butterflies. FAR INGS, Angela Buckle 6th April. Marsh marigolds, Common scurvy grass, Red dead nettle, Slender speedwell, Adders tongue fern, Smooth sowthistle, Green alkanet, Sticky mouse ear. Common newt. Bittern calling. Butterflies. Small white. Tortoiseshell. Peacock. HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Haynes 4 April 2026 Female great spotted woodpecker on one of the seed feeders for the second day running. 6 April 2026 Orange tip butterfly in my garden today. Several bumblebees also. There were two brown hares in the field opposite. We’ve seen them more often this year than previously. Also, four buzzards were flying in circles a few hundred yards to the north. A pair of blue tits have been industriously working a nest box. They spent at least a day taking out old bedding material (a wren nested there a couple of years ago) and continue to visit although we’ve not seen them taking nest material in. The increase in insects appears to have encouraged the bats to appear this evening! First time I’ve seen them for a few weeks. NETTLEHAM TF 005756 Brenda Edlington 6/4/2026 Holly blue 2- first recorded Green-veined white- first recorded Bluebell- first flower Earlier records 17/3/2026 Siskins 2 m&f on sunflower hearts 18/3/2026 Comma first recorded Small Tortoiseshell - first recorded 19/3/2026 Wood anemone - first flower 20/3/2026 Chiffchaff- first recorded NETTLETON GRANGE GAME FARM Ben Jacob 6th April Hazel catkins showing now Silver Birch Catkins showing well Pussy Willow now showing well 4 Oystercatchers over shooting ground on Sunday 8th. They nest on adjacent fishing lakes Several brimstone butterflies 2 Brown butterflies chasing each other Buds on walnut tree breaking- Bluebells in flower in wood UPTON, COW LANE nr. GAINSBOROUGH SK889873 Phil Porter 7th April Heard Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Only noticed Dandelions and Cowslips in flower. Red Kite rose from roadside further towards Upton village. WHISBY NATURE PARK SK 910 663 Brenda Edlington 31/3/2026 Blackbird Blackcap m&f Black-headed gull Blue tit Canada goose Chaffinch Chiffchaff Coot Cormorant Crow Dunnock Gadwall Goldeneye Great-crested grebe Great tit Greylag goose Jackdaw Lapwing Lesser black-backed gull Long-tailed tit Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute swan Oystercatcher Robin Shoveler Song thrush (several) Teal Tufted duck Wigeon Wood pigeon Wren WILLINGHAM WOODS. Angela Buckle 31st March. Butterflies. One comma, Small white, Peacock, Three brimstones. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 No records this week, the period will be covered next week. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 No records this week, the period will be covered next week. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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 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 *** Expecting charity shops to recycle your unwanted clothes is creating a rubbish pile – here’s how to help to avoid that theconversation.com/expecting-charity-shops-to-recycle-your-unwanted-clothes-is-creating-a-rubbish-pile-heres-how-to-help-to-avoid-that-278739 Home or away? Why planning a sustainable holiday is about more than swapping planes for trains https://theconversation.com/home-or-away-why-planning-a-sustainable-holiday-is-about-more-than-swapping-planes-for-trains-277802 Underwater turbines are gaining government support – our research maps their global potential https://theconversation.com/underwater-turbines-are-gaining-government-support-our-research-maps-their-global-potential-279509 *** 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/