=========================================== || || Wildnews Bulletin || 22nd  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. ============================================ Please interest new readers by using the "Forward to a Friend" link at the end of the Bulletin, or suggest anyone interested visits the LNU website and signs up there. 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…. Note from Roger Parsons: I have the pleasure of editing the Bulletin for Phil this week. I hope you will enjoy it. There are some good reports this week, plus lots of ways to learn about and contribute to the understanding of Lincolnshire's species. Attending LNU field meetings is a great way to start.and there are many such events hosted by other organisations too. See section 11 for meeting dates. With best wishes from Bardney. Roger Phil Porter's email is: philporterento@outlook.com Roger Parsons' email is: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk DON'T MISS... LEN PICK TRUST Barn Owls at the Owl Tower for the 2026 season - an Egg! https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/ BTO's tracked Cuckoos - arrivals - Joe, Arthur, Sayann and Cuach Cores in Ireland! https://www.bto.org/get-involved/volunteer/projects/cuckoo-tracking Loch of the Lowes SWT Webcam - more exciting activity - nest lining! https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ *** This week's mostly-local news stories: *** Butterfly numbers are dropping but here are five species you may see more of https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c75kk7p41npo Bird flu outbreak leads to imposed cull - Gainsborough https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0mjjl14yrzo Church's heating oil stolen for second time https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy81l290353o How to spot the peak of the Lyrid meteor shower -peaks 22nd. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c1eq56q05z1o https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/articles/c1d902y90g5o How to provide bumblebee nest sites - Bumblebee Conservation Trust https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/resources/how-to-provide-bumblebee-nest-sites-2/#msdynmkt_trackingcontext=8d6206d7-9ba0-4e34-8675-6f71b56c0000 *** Weather News and Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#? East Midlands weather forecast Outlook for Thursday to Saturday [BBC] Thursday will be a sunny and dry day, breezy at times especially towards coastal areas. Overnight, patches of low cloud, mist and fog will move in from the east. Friday will see another fine and dry day, with plenty of sunshine once the early mist and fog lifts. Saturday will remain similarly, fine and dry with plenty of sunshine. UK long range weather forecast [Met Office] 26th Apr - 5th May High pressure is likely to be centred close to or over the UK through much of the period. Therefore, many places will be largely dry with some clear or sunny spells, although there may be some overnight mist and fog patches. There could, however, be some outbreaks of rain or showers at times, especially in the west and northwest. Winds will be mostly light, but may be fresher around the coasts at times. Temperatures will generally be near to or a little above normal, but there may be some colder conditions at first in the far northeast. Towards the end of the period there is a chance that conditions turn a little more unsettled. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Night Sky Highlights - April 2026 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/space-astronomy/space-astronomy-highlights-2026#April  This Week's Sky at a Glance, April 17– 26 https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-april-17-26/ 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 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 Tourist finds rare chunk of oldest sea crocodile - Dorset https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czx99z9gvxeo  Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group: Sign up for their newsletter. 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/ *** 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 *** GRIMSBY AND CLEETHORPES AREA GROUP LWT *** 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. P lease 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  On Saturday 9th May you are invited to join the group for an early morning walk looking for birds and listening to their song in beautiful  Weelsby Woods with Graham Hicks. Meet Graham in the carpark at 8am DN32 8PW. Please dress according to the weather, wear stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event however donations for the Trust will be welcomed. For further details please contact our secretary David Ball 07711 716063 or email davidballnorthampton@gmail.com Or contact Graham Hicks 07542 654285  *** RSPB SOUTH LINCS. LOCAL GROUP *** "SEAL AND BIRDWATCHING CRUISES INTO THE WASH" The 2026 dates are 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 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) 14/2026 Deeping St James, 3 Glossy Ibises, 2ads + 1w at river Welland, Scaup fem at Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, Little Stint, Freiston Shore, Green-winged Teal drk in flooded field by reservoir. Manby Flashes, Garganey drk. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, Ring Ouzel in dunes near Churchill Lane. 15/4/2026 Branston Island, Continental Black-tailed Godwits [nominate form limosa] viewed from cycle path on west bank of River Witham. 2 Glossy Ibises. Frampton Marsh, Little Stint. Freiston Shore, Green-winged Teal drk in flooded field by reservoir. Gibraltar Point, Scaup fem at Tennyson's Sands.. Manby Flashes, Garganey drk. 16/4/2026 Branston Island, 3 Glossy Ibises from Witham Cycle Track. Continental Black -tailed Godwits [nominate form limosa] Deeping St James, 3 Glossy Ibises. 2ads +1w, at East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, scaup fem on Mash Farm reservoir Gibraltar Point, .Hawfinch. Woodlark, Firecrest. Scaup fem at Tennyson's Sands. 17/4/2026 Baston Langtoft Pits, possible Arctic Tern in flight over Wader Pit. Branston Island, from Witham Cycle Track. Continental Black-tailed Godwits [nominate form limosa] Chapel Six Marshes, Woodchat Shrike.reported. Donna Nook, 2 Ring Ouzels from coast path. Frampton Marsh, Little Stint. Manby Flashes, Garganey drk. Whisby, Smew ad drk at Thorpe Landfill quarry off Job's Lane on East Lake. 18/4/2026 Branston Island, 3 Glossy Ibises from river Witham Cycle Track, Russian White-fronted Goose. Deeping St James, Scaup fem at East Pit. Frampton Marsh, Little Stint. Scaup fem on Marsh Farm reservoir. Goxhill Haven, Caspian Gull 1w flew west past. New Holland, Ring Ouzel along bank. North Somercoates, Common Crane flew SSW over towards Coningsholme. Rimac, Glossy Ibis flew over and appeared to land at Sea View. Whisby, Smew ad drk at Thorpe Landfill quarry off Job's Lane on east lake. 19/4/2026 Anderby Creek, Pectoral Sandpiper at Anderby Marsh. Baythorpe, fem Ring Ouzel on bank east of Hubbert's Bridge. Deeping St James, Scaup fem at East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, Scaup fem on Marsh Farm reservoir. Manby Flashes, Garganey drk 20/4/2026 Anderby Creek, Pectoral Sandpiper at Anderby Marsh. Frampton Marsh, Black-winged Stilt at Reedbed Lagoon. Gibraltar Point, .Scaup fem at Tennyson's Sands. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, Glossy Ibis on Sea View Washlands. 21/4/2026 Frampton Marsh, Scaup fem on Marsh Farm Reservoir. Black-winged Stilt at Reedbed Lagoon/Marsh Farm Grassland. Little Stint. Pyes Hall, Donna Nook, Ring Ouzel. Black Redstart. Stapleford Quarry west on Norton Disney, 15 Bar-tailed Godwits 22/4/2026 Bourne, at Tongue end, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits along River Glen. Deeping St James, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits flew over East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Pyes Hall, Donna Nook, Black Redstart fem/1wat top of track. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. *** 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 21/4/2026 House Sparrow 12+ Robin 4 Blackbird 3m, 2f Dunnock 2 Chaffinch 1f Goldfinch 1+ Blue Tit 2 Great Tit 1 Domestic pigeon 4 Starlling 4+ Woodpigeon 4 Collared Dove 2 Jackdaw 6+ Carrion Crow 1 Butterflies: Holly Blue, Orange Tip, Small Tortolseshell, White spp. BOSTON My garden TF338441 Tracey Lenton 19/04/2026 I have been waiting for Orange-tip butterflies to arrive ever since the garlic mustard started flowering and today was my first sighting, a male which fed on a dandelion before resting on a garlic mustard flower; with wings closed it was well camouflaged looking like an extension of the plant One Speckled Wood came in the back garden staying to feed (on forget-me-not) and flutter. I saw 5 Holly Blues chasing around each other, they always do well with there being plenty of ivy in the garden. 20/04/2026 Another sunny day and 3 whites seen flying together, one settled, it was a Small white. FAR INGS Angela Buckle 19th April.  2026 - Far ings.    Cuckoo flower,  Garlic  mustard,   Cow parsley,  Red campion,   Ribwort  plantain,   Hoary cress,   Shining cranesbill.   Green alkanet,   Wild strawberry,     Cuckoo calling,   Swallow,  Common  tern GRASBY WOODS Angela Buckle 16th April. 2026  -  Grasby woods.     Bugle, lords and ladies, Ivy leaved speedwell,    Butterflies,   Small white,  Peacock,   Tortoiseshell NETTLETON Nettleton Lodge Game Farm Ben Jacob 2026 First cuckoo of the year heard 20th April Last year was 13th April WILLINGHAM WOODS Angela Buckle  17th April.2-026 -   Willingham  woods..   Greater stitchwort,   Wood  forget me not,  Ground ivy,  Garlic mustard,   Archangel,  Sticky mouse ear,  Winter cress,  Broom.  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 6th April: 2 Mediterranean Gull flying south. 2 Whimbrel on Huttoft Marsh. At Sandilands Golf Course were 6 Avocet, Wheatear, 5 Little Ringed Plover and Common Sandpiper. Bittern booming at Chapel Six Marshes. 2 Spoonbill on Anderby Marsh. 17th April: Bittern booming at Chapel Six Marshes where there were also Willow Warbler and Reed Warbler. Grasshopper Warbler reeling at Wolla Bank Reedbed. 12 Avocets, 5 Little Ringed Plover, 6 Wheatear, 2 Bearded Tit and Common Sandpiper at Sandilands Golf Course. Anderby Marsh was showing Greenshank and Wheatear. Garden Warbler singing in the dunes. 2 Whimbrel at Huttoft Marsh. 18th April: Whimbrel and 2 Wheatear on Huttoft Marsh. Sandilands Golf Course had 6 Avocet, Wheatear and Common Sandpiper. Cuckoo, 2 Avocet, Dunlin, 2 Ruff and Greenshank at Anderby Marsh. Wolla Bank Reedbed had a booming Bittern. Lesser Whitethroat singing in the dunes. 19th April: Fulmar flying south. Pectoral Sandpiper, Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Avocet and Cuckoo at Anderby Marsh. Grey Wagtail and Bullfinch flying south. Brambling in sycamore plot at Anderby Creek. Green Hairstreaks in the dunes near the Horizon Terrace. Little Ringed Plovers seen mating at Sandilands Golf Course. 20th April: Pectoral Sandpiper, Spoonbill, Yellow Wagtail, Greenshank and 2 Lesser Whitethroat at Anderby Marsh. On Sandilands Golf Course were 6 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Mute Swan, 8 Avocet and Greenshank. Bittern flying into Wolla Bank Reedbed. 21st April: 5 Bar-tailed Godwit and Pectoral Sandpiper at Anderby Marsh. Arctic Tern, 2 Eider, 3 Kittiwake and Gannet flying north. At Sandilands Golf Course were 3 Yellow Wagtail, Common Sandpiper, 6 Avocet and 4 Little Ringed Plover. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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   150426 – cuckoo perched on dune scrub at Rimac and stonechat pair in the scrub next to quarry hill. Grasshopper warbler reeling from vegetation along Rimac freshwater marsh bank. Sedge warblers singing from scrub by Rimac saltmarsh platform and behind Rimac reedbed. Great white egret on Rimac freshwater marsh. Common sandpiper, ruff and 8 avocet on Rimac car park scrape, 2 cattle egret with ponies, green woodpecker calling nearby and 2 whimbrel flew over. 12 avocet, 4 black-tailed godwit and 33 shoveler on Paradise Lagoon and a house martin flew over. Green sandpiper Sea View Washlands north end. 5 wheatear along the dune top between Sea View and Rimac and another 2 north of Sea View.   160426 – 2 little ringed plover, ruff and 6 avocet Rimac car park scrape. A red kite flew over and scattered birds briefly, and a sand martin also flew over. Green woodpecker around Sea View and 9 whimbrel on the saltmarsh. 6 wheatear on dune top between Sea View and Rimac. 13 avocet, 21 shoveler and 2 teal on Paradise Lagoon. Butterflies – 2 male orange-tip, 3 green hairstreak Churchill Lane-MOD; painted lady Brickyard Lane.   170426 – 8 wheatear on dune top between Rimac and Sea View. Yellow wagtail feeding next to ponies on Rimac freshwater marsh bank. Ruff and 4 cattle egret around Rimac car park scrape, and a sand martin flew south. 2 wheatear and 3 fieldfare on Elm House Farm and 7 whimbrel flew over. Grasshopper warbler in scrub next to MOD track north of Churchill Lane. Lesser whitethroat in song at Mablethorpe North End.   180426 – 10 black-tailed godwit on Rimac car park scrape in the morning. Glossy ibis landed on Sea View Washlands briefly early afternoon then flushed and landed on Rimac saltmarsh. Cuckoo singing at Sea View and 17 whimbrel feeding on the saltmarsh. Cuckoo also calling around Saltfleet Haven area. 9 wheatear on dunes between Sea View and Rimac, and 4 on Sea View Washlands. 2 little ringed plover and 8 wheatear on Brickyard Lane saltmarsh, and cuckoo singing in the dunes nearby. 2 lesser whitethroat on territory and at least 5 cetti’s warblers singing around the Brickyard Lane area. Short-eared owl hunting over a flooded Rimac saltmarsh during the evening high tide.   190426 – 12 whooper swan flew north past Saltfleet Haven early morning. Purple heron dropped into a ditch at Elm House Farm for 30 minutes mid-morning before flying off. Greenshank and 25 shoveler Paradise Lagoon. 6 whimbrel feeding on Sea View saltmarsh. 2 reed warblers singing near Greyfleet Bank late morning.   200426 – glossy ibis feeding on the edge of the main lagoon at Sea View Washlands. Yellow wagtail flew over Elm House Farm. 2 cattle egret feeding with ponies along Rimac freshwater marsh bank. Grasshopper warbler reeling in scrub along MOD track and likely another heard reeling in the freshwater marsh to the south. Cuckoo heard and seen in dunes north of Churchill Lane. Tadpoles in pools beside Rimac easy access trail.   210426 – glossy ibis again on Sea View Washlands early morning then chased off by a territorial coot. Black redstart sat on gate post near Elm House Farm entrance then flew into garden of residential property and not seen again. Yellow wagtail feeding alongside cattle at Elm House Farm and 16 whimbrel flew over towards Sea View. 2 wheatear on dune near Sea View Farm. Butterflies – 4 holly blue, 2 green hairstreak, 2 speckled wood, 2 peacock, green-veined white, orange-tip, red admiral Churchill Lane.   Donna Nook: 160426 – 3 wheatear along Stonebridge viewing area.   180426 – 2 green hairstreak between Stonebridge and Pye’s Hall in the morning. 10 wheatear on the saltmarsh in groups of 6 and 4.   190426- 12 whooper swan flew north past Pye’s Hall. Lesser whitethroat, 2 wheatear and 2 whimbrel also around Pye’s Hall. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** As always for the summer sessions, we will meet at 9.30am, and this will be outside the wood centre in the car park of Chambers Farm Wood. As with las t year we will be limiting the number of volunteers per session to around 10 visitors Those interested will need to 'sign in' via email beforehand, by emailing Oliver at lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com. Up coming boxcheck dates are Apr, Sat 18th May, Sun 24th Jun, Sat 20th Jul, Sun 19th Aug, Sat 22nd Sep, Sun 20th Oct, Sat 24th If you are interested in joining us, please get in touch with Olly at 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 BEE NEWS Caroline Tero has just taken on the role of County Recorder for bees for Lincolnshire.  Her email is: caroline.tero@ntlworld.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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   *** 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 *** Fears for 1,000 breeding toads after reservoir drained by water company - Wales https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8ejjd86p73o Fire at protected nesting site treated as arson - Kent https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yv362d52po Golden eagles in England? Here’s the ecological case for bringing them back https://theconversation.com/golden-eagles-in-england-heres-the-ecological-case-for-bringing-them-back-281040 Bird flu vaccine trial against potential pandemic strain begins https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy41z0yj8mjo *** Mail Fails *** 13 emails "bounced" last week! "I'm sorry to have to inform you that your message could not be delivered to one or more recipients." 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/