============================================ || || Wildnews Bulletin || 11th February 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- We have a monster 2-week bird list from Saltfleetby this week with lots of fascinating reports including Lapland Bunting and probable Dartford Warbler. In the International News Section at the end of the Bulletin, Our European Robin has found its way to Canada for the very first time causing a birdwatching sensation as many people there will be looking at the universal Christmas icon for the very first time. Needless to say, in the -25 degree frosts there, the bird is staying close to the feeding table it has adopted. The Montreal Canadians are being very complimentary about our familiar Robin. Phil Porter's email is: philporterento@outlook.com Roger Parsons' email is: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk Richard Davidson writes…Molly Burkett obituary -https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/29/molly-burkett-obituary & https://www.lincolnshireworld.com/arts-and-culture/books/lincolnshire-writer-wildlife-pioneer-and-activist-molly-burkett-dies-aged-93-5488313 This lady was on TV when I was a kid and was very involved in wildlife conservation in various ways but I didn't realise she lived in Lincolnshire for many years. She was involved in the campaign to stop dumping of nuclear waste at Fulbeck airfield in the 1980's for example. LEN PICK TRUST Owls return to our Owl Tower for the 2026 season https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/ BTO's tracked Cuckoos - Latest updates - south of the Sahel: 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 - camera working again https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ *** LEARN A NEW SPECIES & BOOST LINCOLNSHIRE’S NATURAL HISTORY RECORD! *** Colin Smith, LNU President writes… A core function of the LNU is to encourage wildlife recording. We would like everyone’s help to fill in the recording gaps for some of the more common Lincolnshire species. Each fortnight we will introduce a species with a link to a current distribution map and details of the species to look out for. Please look out for the species in your area or when you are out and about in the County. You can record what you see on: https://irecord.org.uk/ This is the LNU’s chosen digital platform for biological recording. It is free to register with and easy to use, but if you have any difficulty get in touch via the LNU website and we will try to help. There is a comprehensive guide to getting started on the iRecord home page above. Click on Help. After a month, details of the records received and an updated map will be Issued here on your Bulletin. On iRecord, you will have access to millions of wildlife records from across the UK, and will be able to organise your own records within its database. Please do join in and record these species and any others you find. Take the best close-up picture you can. The next species are the COMMON LINCOLNSHIRE WOODLICE For December and the Christmas holiday season I thought rather than just one species we could try to fill in the gaps for all the common species of Woodlice. This is a good time to get the children involved if you will be seeing any over Christmas. A walk in the woods on Boxing Day and turn over a log or two. There are links to the five common species below and you may need a magnifying glass to examine the head and tail for identification. The pygmy woodlouse is not surprisingly very small so that is the real challenge they are common in leaf litter. I have also included the pill millipede as it can be confused with the woodlouse but easily separated. Lincs for identification are as follows:- Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. https://www.naturespot.org/species/pill-woodlouse https://www.naturespot.org/species/common-shiny-woodlouse https://www.naturespot.org/species/common-striped-woodlouse https://www.naturespot.org/species/common-rough-woodlouse https://www.naturespot.org/species/common-pygmy-woodlouse https://www.naturespot.org/species/pill-millipede Maps for all species as follows, plenty of gaps for these very common species https://lnu.org/armadillidium-vulgare-common-pill-woodlouse/ https://lnu.org/oniscus-asellus-common-shiny-woodlouse/ https://lnu.org/philoscia-muscorum-common-striped-woodlouse/ https://lnu.org/porcellio-scaber-common-rough-woodlouse/ https://lnu.org/trichoniscus-pusillus-common-pygmy-woodlouse/ https://lnu.org/glomeris-marginata-pill-millipede/ Thanks to those who added records for our previous map filling species. We received 16 records from 8 recorders for the Yellow Fieldcap Bolbitius titubans. Please do join in as all records are valuable and help our understanding of the county's changing natural history. *** This week's mostly-local news stories: *** Volunteers prepare for 'toadmageddon' - Belton https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0yl92zvp5o 'I evict newts from a castle for a living' - Tattershall https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8rmnx1v525o Backing for Isle to become biosphere reserve -Axholme https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgqeqy2z1l0o How 'unique' peninsula is being repaired by nature - Spurn. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czjgjdg7r9po Views sought on four options to reshape councils https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0lx3ezde3yo Captain jailed over deadly North Sea tanker crash https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c801zgpm3meo Vision for Dambusters base unveiled ahead of sale https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9qpr2481wxo Public support for Yorkshire Wolds AONB status https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crkrkp0yz2do Nick Dunnett working at Tattershall Castle https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8rmnx1v525o Escaped snake found in compost heap – Donnington https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c204l38jl3ro *** Weather News and Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#? East Midlands weather forecast Wednesday 11 Feb - Sunday 15 Feb Headline: Overcast and wet today, turning colder by the weekend. Tonight: Often cloudy overnight, with some light rain and drizzle possible. Some early clear spells giving way to increasing cloud from the north later. Minimum temperature 4 °C. Thursday: Cloudy on Thursday with showery outbreaks of rain, mostly in the west. Light winds with some brighter spells possible across the south of the region later. Maximum temperature 7 °C. Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Turning much colder but eventually brighter into Friday and Saturday, perhaps with some isolated wintry showers. Widespread overnight frost before temperatures recover Sunday as rain returns from the west. UK long range weather forecast Sunday 15 Feb - Tuesday 24 Feb Showers or longer spells of rain are expected as Atlantic low pressure systems dominate in the vicinity of the UK. Some heavy rain is likely in places, probably focussed on western hills, with some snow at times in the north, mainly on high ground. Strong winds are possible at times, especially around coasts. Temperatures will probably be near normal. Later in the period, there is a chance that drier, more settled conditions may begin to develop. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Night Sky Highlights - February 2026 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/space-astronomy/astronomy/night-sky-highlights-february-2026 Why 2026 looks bright for Northern Light sightings https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/articles/ce8nz3m3k10o Partial Solar Eclipse August 12th 2026. Put in in your new diary! 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 What are critical minerals and why do countries need them https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj6wwx7zxd9o 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 *** *** LINCOLN LWT AREA GROUP TALK *** 19th February 2026: ‘Nature Conservation in the Thames Estuary ‘ An illustrated talk looking back at past work with the RSPB in the Thames Estuary and all the wildlife conservation projects happening in that area. The event is at Whisby Nature Park in the Lafarge Education Building starting at 7.30 pm. Admission is £2.50 which includes refreshments in the interval. *** GRIMSBY RSPB GROUP *** Our local Group have arranged a talk for the evening of the Monday the 16th of February at 7.30pm at The Holy Trinity Parish Church in Cleethorpes. There is a £5 per person charge which includes refreshments. The illustrated talk by Linda Jenkins is on "Wintering Birding in Dumfries and Galloway. *** GRIMSBY AND CLEETHORPES AREA GROUP LWT:-*** Morning Bird Walk at Covenham Reservoir On Saturday 21st February you are invited to join the group for a morning bird walk around Covenham Reservoir with Graham Hicks. This reservoir attracts a wide variety of wintering wildfowl. Meet Graham at 9am in the car park LN11 OPD Grid ref. TF34619601. You are advised to dress according to 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. For further details contact walk leader Graham Hicks 07542 654285 or group secretary David Ball 07712 716063 email davidballnorthampton@gmail.com BOSTON AREA GROUP LWT Thursday 12th February at 7.30pm Talk – “Eastern Seaboard: Wildlife from Maine to Florida” by Alan Knight Venue - Centenary Methodist Church, Red Lion Street, Boston, PE21 6NY Free parking in the car park on the right hand side of the church. Interval refreshments will be served. Non members welcome and entry is free but there will be a retiring collection. ***THE SCUNTHORPE AND BRIGG LOCAL GROUP OF THE LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST *** Our next meeting is on Thursday, 12th February when we will be visited by our local well-known wildlife photographer and President of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Geoff Trinder. Geoff will be giving us his talk "Images Old and New". Geoff has developed digital images of the photography slides he used to use and has added some new ones recently taken. We meet at 7.30pm in the Small Hall at the St Hugh's Church, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AG, which is opposite the Apple Green filling station near Brumby crossroads. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is a small, free car park at the Church, also at the Old Brumby United Church opposite and on the nearby roadside. There is a £2.50 entry charge which includes light refreshments at the mid-talk break. *** LINCOLNSHIRE BIRD CLUB AGM NOTICE 2026 *** The LBC invites you to Whisby Nature Park Education Centre at 2.00pm on Saturday 21 March 2026 for a talk by Professor Tim Birkhead on his new book, The Great Auk followed by the AGM. Download the AGM Notice at https://www.lincsbirdclub.co.uk/site/images/newsletter/AGM_Notice_2026.pdf Professor Birkhead will explore the remarkable rise and tragic extinction of the great auk, a flightless seabird once widespread across the North Atlantic, and the unsettling legacy that followed its disappearance. Drawing on meticulous research and vivid storytelling, the talk offers both a compelling narrative and a powerful conservation message. The talk is free and open to all. It will be followed by the Lincolnshire Bird Club Annual General Meeting (members only). We look forward to meeting as many LBC members at the meeting as possible….. *** SOUTH LINCS RSPB GROUP *** "Bird and Seal Watching Cruises" aboard The Boston Belle into The Wash estuary. Dates for their 2026 programme from Easter 2026 Full details including availability, dates, costs, booking etc. will be on the website. in due course. 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) 4/2/2026 Bardney, 9 Tundra Bean Geese at Branston Island from cycle path. Branston Fen, 2 Glossy Ibises. Covenham Reservoir, Black-throated Diver juv, Great Northern Diver. Shag. 2 Tundra Bean Geese with Greylag Geese. Deeping St James, 3 Glossy Ibises at Maxey Cut/River Welland confluence. Frampton Marsh, 7 Snow Buntings on east side of sea wall, east of East Hide. 17 Russian White-fronted Geese. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike by bend at Willingham Lane. Mablethorpe, Caspian Gull 3w. Messingham Sand Quarry, Ring-necked Duck fem opposite Scallow Grove Farm from Duck Hide. Rimac, west of, 30 Russian White-fronted Geese in cereal field by road. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, 2 Shorelarks at Crook Bank, 29 Snow Buntings, 40 Twite. Willow Tree Fen, SW of Pode Hole, 11 Russian White-fronted Geese. 5/2/2026 Alkborough Flats, 57 Russian White-fronted Geese. Boston, Cut End, 2 Little Gull at River Witham mouth. Branston Island and Branston Fen, 117 Russian White-fronted Geese between. Deeping High Bank, Red-breasted Merganser on River Welland NE of New Road. Deeping Lakes, Red-breasted Merganser fem/juv drk East Pit, Deeping Lakes. East Halton Marshes, 4+ Russian White-fronted Geese with Pink-footed Geese. Freiston, 87 Russian White-fronted Geese. Halton Marshes, Tundra Bean Goose with Pink-footed Geese. Huttoft Bank, 28 Russian White-fronted Geese at Huttoft Marsh. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike by bend at Willingham Lane. Mablethorpe, Caspian Gull 3w. Pyewipe, 61 Russian White-fronted Geese in fields south of Novartis Ings. Rimac, 11 Russian White-fronted Geese in cereal field by A1031. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, Lapland Bunting at Crook Bank east of car park.on saltmarsh. 73 Russian White-fronted Geese at Elm House Farm. Saltfleetby St Clements, 39 Russian White-fronted Geese in cereal field by.B1200. Skegness, Middlemarsh Farm, Caspian Gull 1w. Trent Port, 5 Russian White-fronted Geese 6/2/2026 Baston Langtoft Pits, Great Northern Diver on North Pit. 4 5 ad Russian White-fronted Geese in field viewed from River Glen bank. Boston, Cut End, Black-necked Grebe at River Witham Mouth. Use car park at Cut End and walk east for 1ml. Deeping St James, 17 Russian White-fronted Geese at Deeping Lakes at East Pit. Then flew south. Red-breasted Merganser fem/juv drk at Deeping Lakes on East Pit, the flew east. Huttoft Bank, Tundra Bean Goose at Huttoft Marsh. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike by bend at Willingham Lane. Pyewipe, 61 Russsian White-fronted Geese in field south of Novartis Ings. Saltfleetby St Clements, 86 Russian White-fronted Geese in field opposite Elm house Farm. Skegness, Middlemarsh Farm, Caspian Gull 2w. in field south of. Thurlby Fen, 2 Little Gulls on flood from River Glen bank. Willow Tree Fen, SW of Pode Hole, 14 Russian White-fronted Geese. 7/2/2026 Baston Fen, Bewick's Swan. Snow Goose ad white morph at Bourne South Fen from River Glen bank with Whooper Swans.. Covenham Reservoir, Black-throated Dive juv, 2 Great Northern Divers, Deeping St James, Red-breasted Merganser fem/juv drk at Deeping Lakes on East Pit, then flew east. 9 Russian White-fronted Geese then flew SE. Slavonian Grebe. NOT a Black-necked Grebe. East Halton Skitter, 173 Russian White-fronted Geese, 98 on wet grassland 75 flew SE. Frampton Marsh, 4 Snow Buntings on sea wall by Roads Farm Grassland. Fulstow near Thoresby NW of Covenham Reservoir, Tundra Bean Goose. Huttoft Bank, 150 Tundra Bean Geese. at Huttoft Marsh. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike by bend at Willingham Lane. North Hykeham, probable Siberian Whitethroat for blythi in garden at Mulberry Avenue. Pyewipe, 82 Russian White-fronted Geese, in field south of Novartis Ings. Trent Port, 45 Russian White Fronted Geese in field. 8/2/2026 Baston Fen, Bewick's Swan. Snow Goose ad white morph with Whooper Swans.. Boston, Cut End, 4 Snow Buntings halfway between Cut End Road car park and Cut End bird hide. Branston Fen/Branston Island, on field between, 120 Russian White-fronted Geese. Cleethorpes, Ruddy Shelduck. Covenham Reservoir, 2 Russian White-fronted Geese. Tundra Bean Goose east of reservoir in field. Frampton Marsh, Snow Buntings on sea wall by Roads Farm Grassland. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike by bend at Willingham Lane. Messingham Sand Quarry, Ring-necked Duck fem opposite Scallow Grove Farm from Duck Hide. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe, 4 Shorelarks on saltmarsh east of Crook Bank. 27 Snow Buntings. 130 Russian White-fronted Geese, 3 Twite. Sandtoft - 2 Bewick's Swans Tetney Marshes, Water Pipit. Wolla Bank Pit, 21 Russian White-fronted Geese. 9/2/2026 Baston Langtoft Pits, 7 White-fronted Russian Geese circled over wader pit then flew SW.. Baston Fen, Snow Goose ad white morph with Whooper Swans.. 31 Russian White-fronted Geese in field viewed from River Glen bank. Branston Island, on field between, 35 Russian White-fronted Geese, then flew to Branston Fen. Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis at Maxey Cut/River Welland confluence. 21 Russian White-fronted Geese flew SE over. Gibraltar Point, Scaup fem from middle hide. Huttoft Bank, 80 Russian White-fronted Geese. in field at Huttoft Marsh. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike by bend at Willingham Lane. Messingham Sand Quarry, Ring-necked Duck fem opposite Scallow Grove Farm from Duck Hide. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, Lapland Bunting in dunes, Shorelark. 20 Snow Buntings. Willow Tree Fen, Red breasted Merganser drk. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 7/2/2026 Blackbird m 2+ Robin 1, 2 singing. Wren - investigating log shed. House sparrow flock of 12+ Blue tit x 2 Starling - 2+ at feeder. Domestic pigeon - 4+ Wood Pigeon - 4+ Jackdaw - 8+ Black-headed gull -12+ Cudweed has spread well in garden. BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Phil and Mary Porter 6th February 2026 Song Thrush audible from garden 7th February 2026 Great Spotted Woodpecker on feeders 8th February 2026 Wren foraging in dead herbaceous stems, Blue Tits investigating a nest box, Whirligig Beetle on pond, swarm of Winter Gnats overhead 10th February 2026 A male Chaffinch spent a long time tapping at its reflection in a window and was later singing vigorously just outside. BLANKNEY HALL WOODLAND TF073605 Phil and Mary Porter 8th February 2026 At least 3 Red Kites circled overhead. A male kestrel made a plunge from a branch at the edge of the mature tree belt into the adjoining grass field but returned empty-handed and then insisted on retreating away ahead of us rather than entering the woodland, crossing the large open field or flying over our heads to avoid us. This went on for several minutes. In the woodland of old Sycamore, Beech and Pine, Goldcrests, Nuthatch, Goldfinches and Long-tailed Tits called more or less unseen high in the canopy. Thousands of Snowdrops carpeted the ground in places. There were plenty of signs of Rabbit diggings and an apparent warren at the edge of a young tree plantation. BRANSTON CAUSEWAY 8/2/2026 at 14hrs. R Parsons Distant Flock of probable Whooper Swans midway, in the fields south of causeway - Nocton Fen or thereabouts FAR INGS Angela Buckle, 8th February. Common chickweed, Common speedwell, Common mouse ear, Daisy, Hairy bittercress, Shepherds purse, Gorse, Common whitlow grass, Coltsfoot, Celandine. All in flower. 9th February. Bumblebee in my garden yesterday in Immingham, NETTLETON LODGE GAME FARM Ben Jacob Noted over the weekend 7/8 February# Yellow brain fungus Tremella mesenterica on otherwise healthy oak tree Hairy curtain fungus Stereum hirsutum on dead hawthorn branch Coral spot fungus Nectria cinnabarina on dead laurel branches Small skein of pinkfoot geese very very high (about 15) heading North. First I have seen for a while. WOODHALL SPA TO HORNCASTLE ROAD R & A Parsons 9/2/2026 at 10.30hrs. Red kite over field by Martin Bridge over old railway track. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 5th February: 28 White-fronted Goose and 8 Barnacle Goose on Huttoft Marsh. 6th February: At Sandilands Golf Course were Ringed Plover, 2 Mallard, 2 Pied Wagtail, Song Thrush, 13 Rock Pipit, 2 Stonechat, 2 Goldfinch and a Kestrel. Caspian Gull, 121 White-fronted Goose and 8 Barnacle Goose on Huttoft Marsh. Huttoft Pit had 3 Goosander, 12 Shoveler, 9 Gadwall, 4 Shelduck and a Snipe. 7th February: drake Pintail, 940 Lapwing, 258 Golden Plover, 2 Barnacle Goose, 6 White-fronted Goose, 2 Buzzard, female Marsh Harrier on Anderby Marsh. 186 White-fronted Goose, 2 Tundra Bean Goose and 10 Pink-footed Goose on Huttoft Marsh. 8th February: 1,120 Lapwing and 430 Golden Plover on Anderby Marsh. Little Gull flying south. 10 Pink-footed Goose, 2 Tundra Bean Goose and 185 White-fronted Goose on Huttoft Marsh. 9th February: 1,800 Lapwing, 600 Golden Plover, 40 Dunlin, 5 Redshank, 14 White-fronted Goose, 3 Goosander, 45 Common Gull, 65 Herring Gull and 60 Teal on Anderby Marsh. 162 White-fronted Goose, 2 Bean Goose and 17 Pink-footed Goose on Huttoft Marsh. 2 Red Kite flying south as well as a Little Gull. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 280126 – Lapland bunting dropped into the outer dunes at Crook Bank giving rare views on the ground as it fed on seeds. Probable Dartford warbler seen briefly in scrub around Neptune’s chair, Crook Bank outer dunes, but no further sign. 2 shorelark on the beach out from Crook Bank and 6 snow bunting feeding on the developing saltmarsh. Another 12 snow bunting and 5 skylark feeding on developing saltmarsh out from Sear’s Track, and 2 yellowhammers flew over the dunes. Great spotted woodpecker in dune scrub around Sear’s Track and 5 meadow pipit flew high south. Approximately 100 pink-footed geese flew south over the sea early afternoon with c20 white-fronted geese with them. Hundreds of lapwing flushed off Sea View Washlands by a peregrine which eventually caught one of the birds after a long aerial pursuit. Also 8 black-tailed godwit in flight over Rimac car park scrape. 1500+ pink-footed geese and a lone barnacle goose feeding on Elm House Farm wet grassland late afternoon. 290126 – 2 shorelark, Lapland bunting and 16 snow bunting around Crook Bank outer dunes. -10 white-fronted geese and 15 pink-footed geese around large scrape at Elm House Farm hide. 5 cattle egret in pony paddock by Rimac entrance. 300126 – 10 white-fronted geese feeding on short grassland by Elm House Farm cereal barns, and 13 more white-fronted geese in cereal field to the west. 2 shorelark again on the beach near Crook Bank, and 20 snow bunting and 10 twite reported. 310126 – 2 glossy ibis landed on Elm House Farm briefly then flew south-west. Also on Elm House Farm were 32 white-fronted geese, 70 pink-footed geese, 120 Canada geese, 2 greylags, 800 wigeon, 25 curlew (and another 57 on adjacent cereal fields), 12 redshank and 1400+ lapwing in the area. Lapland bunting, 2 shorelark, 20 snow bunting and 10 yellowhammer around Crook Bank outer dunes. 22 white-fronted geese and 3 pink-footed geese flew south over the sea mid-afternoon. Adult yellow-legged gull roosting with other gulls on the beach out from Churchill Lane. Green sandpiper in the dunes south of Crook Bank and a frog heard croaking. Green woodpecker flew over Sea View. 5 cattle egret along the Great Eau from Rimac bridge. The unfortunate sighting of a dead puffin on the tide line at Mablethorpe North End. Several green sea urchins along the strand line around Crook Bank; a species usually found along rocky coastlines. Stoat seen running along a track at Churchill Lane. 010226 – 35 white-fronted geese with 153 Canada geese in narrow pasture field beside the Eau south of Rimac, later seen on Rimac car park scrape. 8 black-tailed godwit Rimac car park scrape and 100 lapwing flew over. Merlin hunting passerines inland of Rimac. Great white egret Rimac saltmarsh, plus 48 pintail and 71 shelduck on Rimac saltmarsh lagoon late morning. Red kite flew south over the old Theddlethorpe terminal site late morning. 2 Caspian gulls (first-winter and third-winter) on the beach at Mablethorpe North End. 650 common gulls roosting on the beach between Crook Bank and Brickyard Lane late afternoon. 2 shorelark and 18 snow bunting on the beach near Crook Bank. 020226 – 6 cattle egret beside the Eau from Rimac bridge mid-afternoon. At least 4 Caspian gulls on the beach around Mablethorpe North End throughout the morning (same first-winter as previous, and 3 adults). Other gulls around Mablethorpe included 1100 herring, 2 lesser black-backed, 30 great black-backed, 200 common and 90 black-headed. 040226 – 2 shorelark, 20 snow bunting and 40 twite Crook Bank outer dunes throughout the morning, and a short-eared owl flew up from dune vegetation. Lapland bunting reported again mid-afternoon around Crook Bank outer dune area. 66 pintail on Rimac saltmarsh and 5 cattle egret in pony paddock by Rimac entrance. 38 white-fronted geese feeding in cereal field just west of Rimac seen from the road. 2 stonechat Rimac dunes. Caspian gull (third-winter) out from Mablethorpe and 90 wigeon on the sea. 900 jackdaws flew north over Mablethorpe North End in 15 minutes late afternoon towards their roost site. 050226 – easterly wind gusts of over 70mph recorded at Sea View. A large arrival of white-fronted geese locally, with 74 feeding on Elm House Farm roadside grassland, 39 in cereal field opposite Elm House Farm and a further 44 in large cereal field west of Rimac and 9 flew north over Mablethorpe North End. The group on Elm House Farm included a bird with coded a grey neck collar originally ringed in Netherlands in early 2025. Ringtail hen harrier flew over Elm House Farm early afternoon. 060226 – 50 white-fronted geese and 1 pink-footed geese with geylags and Canada geese in cereal field opposite Elm House Farm late morning. A further 33 white-fronted geese flew south-west and looked to land near Theddlethorpe, and 3 flew east over Rimac dunes towards the beach. 6 barnacle geese in large cereal field north of Churchill Lane. 5 cattle egret feeding in pony paddock by Rimac entrance and 6 black-tailed godwit on Rimac car park scrape. 070226 – 2 shorelark, 31 snow bunting and 2 twite with linnet flock around Crook Bank foreshore. 74 white-fronted geese on Elm House Farm grassland late morning. 080226 – 130 white-fronted geese feeding in cereal field near Rimac seen from the A1031. 22 barnacle geese flew south over Rimac saltmarsh. Green woodpecker near Crook Bank and woodcocks around the dunes. Numbers of chaffinches and balckbirds, which had been building up around Brickyard Lane in recent days, have now reduced as birds begin travelling back east to breeding grounds in Scandinavia. 090226 – green woodpecker calling at Sea View. Stonechat pair perched on dune scrub near Rimac dunes main access gate and 4 cattle egret amongst Highland ponies on Sea View Washlands. 22 barnacle geese, 5 white-fronted geese and copulating redshank on wet grassland south of Crook Bank. Marsh harrier flew south over the sea and at least 5 caspian gulls on the beach between Mablethorpe and Crook Bank. The first butterfly of 2026 recorded on the dunes, with a peacock flying past Sea View work base. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 *** Lincolnshire Dormouse Group *** lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com The remaining winter dates are Feb Sat 21st, Mar Sun 22nd We meet in the carpark at Chambers Farm Wood at 10 am. Warm clothes, sturdy footwear and lunch are recommended, hand tools will be provided but feel free to bring your own along with a pair of gardening gloves. In addition to coppicing, there are also lots of other jobs to get involved in, including box maintenance and cleaning, and trimming back pathways to boxes. 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/ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2026 event details to follow.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** National and International Stories *** The lifecycle of a moth | Butterfly Conservation https://butterfly-conservation.org/news-and-blog/the-lifecycle-of-a-moth London Evening Standard: £450m London development thrown into chaos by nesting peregrine falcons https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/ps450m-london-development-thrown-into-chaos-by-nesting-peregrine-falcons-b1270093.html Flood warnings in effect across UK as relentless rain continues https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/articles/cvgdg475d4po Glasgow ash competing to be Europe's Tree of the Year https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cly5y4gd4w0o Aerial footage shows flooded cities as storms hit Spain https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c93wpxy1qk6o Europe feels the impact of weeks of wet weather and freezing cold https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/articles/cwy8450qkwwo Dutch scientists left a hamster wheel outside. Then, all the animals started playing with it https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/wild-mice-hamster-wheel-study-play Businesses face extinction unless they protect nature, major report warns https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cq8g20xgdjwo European Robin recorded for the first time in Canada https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/10/european-robin-canada-birdwatchers-montreal-rare-sighting-bird-aoe *** Mail Fails *** 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/