============================================ || || Wildnews Bulletin || 25th 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- During the week we found 7-spot ladybirds clustered in the cut end of a cane https://irecord.org.uk/record-details?occurrence_id=50353295 and wondered how many where in there, how long they had been there and how long they would stay. There are plenty of them hiding away in vegetation in the garden but this arrangement seems to offer limited cover from rain and cold and no free will for the earliest arrivals as to when activity will start again. 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 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 *** This week's mostly-local news stories: *** Work starts on 'key' bridge for coastal path https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgk2gj0xln0o Deer culling to be made easier to protect trees and crops https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0e5l7ll31yo BBC plans David Attenborough celebration for 100th birthday https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1l7m7j6lzjo Prolific waste dumper to pay £1.2m compensation https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwy8qkl7ypqo UK puffins in peril as winter storms threaten mass seabird 'wreck' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c043edkn942o Mysterious blue glow traced to Flying Banana https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c795e30j2d0o *** 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 25 Feb - Sunday 1 Mar Headline: Partly cloudy with sunny spells, cloudy and rain later. Tonight: Overcast with low cloud and light rain and drizzle at times overnight, hill fog likely over higher ground. Winds gradually increasing by the morning. Minimum temperature 10 °C. Thursday: Cloudy to start, becoming overcast with rain and showers moving in from the west during the afternoon and overnight. Maximum temperature 12 °C. Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Likely wet and windy at first Friday, then cooler with showers. Saturday starts off settled before rain arrives during the evening. Rain eases during Sunday morning, with gusty winds. UK long range weather forecast Sunday 1 Mar - Tuesday 10 Mar Changeable conditions are expected, with Atlantic frontal systems spreading across the UK, interspersed with drier and brighter interludes. Rainfall will typically be heaviest in the northwest, with much less reaching sheltered eastern areas. Some parts of the southeast may be largely fine. Across high ground in the north, some snow is possible at times. Winds will probably be strong at times, with a risk of gales. Temperatures are likely to be near to or slightly above average. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Nasa targets early March to send humans back around the Moon https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c86y1g6wde3o SpaceX rocket fireball linked to plume of polluting lithium https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cpd8z4eqlxno This Week's Sky at a Glance- Sky * Telescope - Feb 20 to March 1. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-february-20-march-1/ Night Sky Highlights - February 2026 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/space-astronomy/astronomy/night-sky-highlights-february-2026 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 Weekly quiz: Why was the mysterious fossil 'smiling' at the beachcomber? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cev7dg291jzo 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 *** *** Grimsby and Cleethorpes Area Group LWT *** On Monday 9th March at our next indoor meeting, we will be welcoming Josh Forrester the Cleethorpes Coastal Ranger who will be giving an illustrated presentation "The Cleethorpes Coastal Nature Reserve” where Josh will talk about his work and the habitats that he covers. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall DN31 1HU and starts at 7.30pm. Admission £5 , all are welcome. There will be a raffle and tea/coffee available. For further information please contact our secretary David Ball - 07711 716063 or davidballnorthampton@gmail.com Or visit our website www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk Also.. Morning walk in Weelsby Woods looking for signs of Spring On Saturday 21st March you are invited to join the group for a morning walk around Weelsby Woods Grimsby, where we will be looking for birds and other signs of Spring in this beautiful wood and parkland guided by Graham Hicks. Meet Graham at 9am in the car parking area of Weelsby Woods DN32 5RG. Grid Ref. GA 282 078. 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. For further information please contact David Ball 07711 716063 or email davidballnorthampton@gmail.com Or Graham Hicks 07542 654285 Or visit our website www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk *** 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. *** THE SCUNTHORPE AND BRIGG LOCAL GROUP OF THE LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST *** Our next meeting is on Thursday, 12th March when we will be visited by the Recorder of Reptiles and Amphibians for the Yorkshire Naturalists Union, Robert Jaques, who will be giving his illustrated presentation entitled "The Reptiles and Amphibians of Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire". Robert will be telling us about the species found in North Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, what makes them so special, and how to tell them apart. This is a unique and rare opportunity to have a talk on these much neglected vertebrates. The meeting starts at 7.30pm in the St Hugh's Church Small Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2AG, which is opposite the Applegreen Filling Station near to the Brumby crossroads traffic lights on Ashby Road. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is a free car park at the Church, also at the Old Brumby United Church opposite, and also on the nearby roadside. There is a £2.50 entry charge which includes light refreshments at the mid-talk break. *** THE NATURAL HISTORY AND GEOLOGY SECTION OF THE SCUNTHORPE MUSEUM SOCIETY *** On Monday, 9th March, we have Hannah Dale visiting to give us her illustrated talk entitled "Bringing Beavers back to Lincolnshire - Wild Wrendale". Hannah will cover the rewilding of a 300-acre former arable farm, the return of beavers, some of the challenges she and her husband Jack faced in the project, and the results that they are already seeing. We meet as usual in the St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS. The entrance to the Church grounds is almost opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road, which is part of the main A159 Gainsborough/Scunthorpe road. The meeting starts at 7.15pm. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is a large, free car park at the Church. There will be a comfort break mid-way through the talk at which light refreshments are served for a £1 charge. There is an entry fee of £5 for non-members of the Society. *** 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….. *** 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) 17/2/2026 Baston Fen, Snow Goose ad white morph in sugar beet field with Whooper Swans in sugar beet field. +12 Russian White-fronted Geese. Branston Island, 3 Glossy Ibises at NW end of flood viewed from cycle path on west bank of River Witham. Covenham Reservoir, Black-throated Diver juv at south end, 2 Great Northern Diver. Slavonian Grebe. Deeping St James, 3 Glossy Ibises at Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, 250+ Russian White-fronted Geese in field by Frampton Roads/ Wyberton Roads the flew north. Gibraltar Point, 34 Russian White-fronted Geese in field. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike by bend at Willingham Lane. 8 Common Cranes flew south. Pyewipe,.4+ Russian White-fronted Geese at Novartis Ings. Rimac, 3 Tundra Bean Geese on wet grassland opposite Nueholme Farm with Pink-footed Geese. 2 Tundra Bean Geese at Elm House Farm wet grassland + 250 Russian White-fronted Geese. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, 2 Shorelarks on tideline. Shepeau Stow, 20+ Bewick's Swans in field north of Cox's Drove. Trent Port, .2 Shorelarks NE of Crook Bank car park. Willow Tree Fen, Red-breasted Merganser drk. 18/2/2026 Baston Langtoft Pits, Snow Goose white morph at Bourne South Fen in sugar beet field with Whooper Swans. Branston Island, 2 Cackling Geese. Caythorpe, Woodlark flew past. Covenham Reservoir, .6 Tundra Bean Geese flew north. Deeping St James, 1+ Long-eared Owl at Deeping Lakes in ivy-covered tree right of hide. Frampton Marsh, 5 Tundra Bean Geese in field south of Frampton Roads/ Wyberton Roads. Huttoft Bank, 2 Tundra Bean Geese. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike by bend at Willingham Lane. Pyewipe, 7 Russian White-fronted Geese at Novatis Ings. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, Caspian Gull 1w at Crook Bank on beach. 19/2/2026 Baston Langtoft Pits, Snow Goose white morph at Bourne Wader Pit with Whooper Swans. 3 Bewick's Swans. Barton-Upon-Humber, Smew, 6 Scaup 4 drks "recently". Frampton Marsh, 3 Tundra Bean Geese. 253 Russian White-fronted Geese in field by Frampton Roads/Wyberton Roads. Freiston Shore, Caspian Gull ad east of reserve in fields. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike by bend at Willingham Lane. North Kllingholme, Little Gull flew SE along Humber. Pyewipe, 7 Russian White-fronted Geese in field behind Novartis Ings. Shepeau Stow, 9 Tundra Bean Geese in fields north of Cox's Drove. 35+ Bewick's Swans. 20/2/2026 Baston Langtoft Pits, 32 Russian White-fronted Geese, Great Northern Diver. Baston Fen, Snow Goose white morph at Bourne Wader Pit with Whooper Swans. 3 Bewick's Swans. 28+ Russian White-fronted Geese at Bourne South Fen in fields south of reserve. Branston Island, Cackling Goose. 3 Glossy Ibises from cycle path. Deeping St James, 1+ Long-eared Owl at Deeping Lakes at Main Lake in ivy- covered tree right of hide. Frampton Marsh, 3 Tundra Bean Geese in field south of Frampton Roads/ Wyberton Roads junction. 250 Russian White-fronted Geese. Gibraltar Point, Russian White-fronted Goose. Huttoft Bank, 4 Tundra Bean Geese. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike by bend at Willingham Lane. North Hykeham, probable Siberian Lesser Whitethroat form blythi in garden at Mulberry Avenue. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, 2 Tundra Bean Geese on wet grassland south of Crook Bank car park. Shepeau Stow, 12 Tundra Bean Geese in fields north of Cox's Drove, 30+ Bewick's Swans. Tallington Lakes, Slavonian Grebe, 2 Scaup. Entry £5. Trent Port, 11 Russian White-fronted Geese in field. Willow Tree Fen, Red-breasted Merganser drk. 21/2/2026 Baston Langtoft Pits, Snow Goose white morph at Bourne South fen in Sugar beet field/Wader Pit with Whooper Swans. Great Northern Diver on North Pit. Baston Fen, Cackling Goose. Boston, Cut End, Slavonian Grebe at River Witham Mouth. Branston Island, 3 Glossy Ibises, Cackling Goose. Cleethorpes Coast, Glossy Ibis in ditch NW of Buck Beck. Covenham Reservoir, Black-throated Diver juv. Deeping St James, Kittiwake at Deeping Lakes at Main Lake in East Pit. Gibraltar Point, 6 Woodlarks 2 on South Saltings, 4 flew over. Huttoft Bank, 2 Tundra Bean Geese. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike by bend at Willingham Lane. Pyewipe, 7 Russian White-fronted Geese in fields behind Novartis Ings. Caspian Gull 1w. at Novartis Ings. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, 2 Shorelarks and 18 Snow Buntings on beach east of Crook Bank car park. Tallington Lakes, 2 Slavonian Grebes. £5 entry. 22/2/2026 Baston Fen, Bewick's Swan in sugar beet field at Bourne South Fen. view from South Fen Road by pig farm. Boultham Mere, 8 Russian White-fronted Geese Branston Island, 3 Glossy Ibises. Cackling Goose. [Barnacle/Canada goose hybrid?] Covenham Reservoir, Black-throated Diver, 36 Russian White-fronted Geese. Deeping St James, 3 Glossy Ibises on East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, Scaup. 3 Tundra Bean Geese between Marsh Farm reservoir and barns. 78 White-fronted Geese. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike by bend at Willingham Lane. Pyewipe,.7 Russian White-fronted Geese, 3 Ruddy Shelducks, at Novartis Ings. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, 2 Shorelarks NE of Crook Bank car park. 18 Snow Buntings. Shepeau Stow, 50+ Bewick's Swans, Tundra Bean Goose in fields north of Cox's Drove. Tallington Lakes, 2 Slavonian Grebes. £5 entry. Willow Tree Fen, Snow Goose white morph at Bourne South fen in sugar beet field/Wader Pit with 700 Whooper Swans. Red-breasted Merganser drk. 37 Common Cranes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. MOOR LANE, WHISBY SK912660 Brenda Edlington 24/2/2026 Dead rabbit A46W BETWEEN DODDINGTON AND WHISBY SK923683 Brenda Edlington 24/2/2026 Dead badger 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 21/2/2026 House sparrow 12+ Robin 2 Dunnock -1 on ground near bins Blue tit 1 Great tit 1 Domestic pigeon 6. Black-headed gull 12+ Starling 6+ Blackbird 2m 1f Woodpigeon - 5+ Jackdaw 12+ Grey Squirrel 21/2/2026 - first seem for months. BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Phil and Mary Porter 22/2/2026 A pair of Greenfiches fed for a while. Small bee species and a queen Buff-tailed Bumble-bee fed on the thin remains of winter-flowering honeysuckle blossom and the yellow flowers of Cornus officinalis Japanese Cornelian Cherry. Mary was scanning the pond when a movement revealed our first Common Newt of the year which was particularly welcome. We cleaned out the pond last autumn as it had become more or less a solid block of vegetation and thick stinking mud so we were grateful that the newts had persisted. Extra scrutiny added Whirligig Beetle, a water beetle sp., Backswimmer and Water Boatman to the list. 24/2/2026. The first Brimstone butterfly appeared and was still around on 25th BARDNEY, ABBEY FARM, towards King’s Hill TF118705 Phil and Mary Porter 20/2/2026 A Brown Hare was briefly taken by surprise in Abbey Road on the way out. Several Skylarks sang over the farmland and a pair of Yellowhammers perched in the hedgerow, while 2 Buzzards circled overhead. There were also some other skittish hedgerow birds which managed not to show themselves to advantage in the breezy and were not identified. CATCHWATER DRAIN - HALE ROAD Bardney to Woodhall Road between Stixwould and Bucknall. TF171677 W3W luckier.beak.cigar R&A Parsons 23/2/2026 at 12 noon. Red Kite IMMINGHAM Angela Buckle 23rd February. Rue leaved saxifrage. FREISTON SHORE TF398423 Tracey Lenton 22/02/2026 Some of the birds seen on the lagoon from the bird hide: Goldeneye Greylag goose Lapwing, a huge number roosting on the islands Mute swan including juveniles Mallard Oystercatcher Pintail Redshank Tufted duck NETTLEHAM TF 005756 Brenda Edlington 22/2/2026 Garden 'firsts' of the year on a warm sunny day Newt in garden pond Brimstone butterfly 7-spot ladybird First hedgehog of the year caught on trail camera at 10.54pm near nest box NETTLETON GRANGE GAME FARM Ben Jacob 21/2 Common Greenshield Lichen Flavoparmelia caperata growing on dead and ancient apparent oak stump Red Kite over shooting ground 24/2 Vociferous Raven over shooting ground twice 7 spot ladybird seeking warmth and shelter under broken clay pigeon Pear tree buds just starting to break open SOUTHREY, WATER RAIL WAY downstream TF147659 Phil and Mary Porter 21/2/2026 There were some middling groups of Fieldfares in jumpy mood around the old station and along the river, and next to the pumping station we were quickly alongside a Cetti’s Warbler, which was rather quietly practicing its phrases for five minutes as we almost inevitably failed to see it. The high water was lapping at the foot of the outer flood banks and a pair of Goosanders swam downstream out of sight. The distinctive narrow, crimped, rather leathery rosettes of Weld https://irecord.org.uk/record-details?occurrence_id=50328917 were numerous on the grassed-over ‘brownfield’ (? ex-railway siding) next to the platforms. Common Field Speedwell was starting to flower. There was even an odd Common Storksbill flower which seemed very early. WHISBY NATURE PARK SK 910 663 Brenda Edlington 24/2/2026 Water levels rather high so fewer ducks than usual Blackbird Black-headed gull Blue tit Canada goose Coot Cormorant Crow Dunnock Gadwall Goldeneye 4m 2f, one male head-throwing display Great crested grebe Great tit Greylag goose Herring gull Jackdaw Lesser black-backed gull Long-tailed tit Magpie Mallard Moorhen Mute swan Oystercatcher 2 Pochard 2 Robin Shoveler Teal Tufted duck Wood pigeon Heard Chaffinch Song thrush singing WILLINGHAM WOODS Angela Buckle 23rd February. Dogs Mercury, Immingham, Rue leaved saxifrage. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 16th February: on Anderby Marsh were 6 Black-tailed Godwit and a Raven. At sea 2 Shag, Barnacle Goose, 4 White-fronted Goose and a Red Kite flying south, Eider and 4 Bean Goose flying north with 16 Red-throated Diver on the sea. A Knot was seen at Sandilands Golf Course. Huttoft Marsh had 483 White-fronted Goose, 13 Bean Goose, 43 Pink-footed Goose, 33 Curlew, 220 Lapwing and 3 Redshank. 18th February: 2 Tundra Bean Goose on Huttoft Marsh. 19th February: Tundra Bean Goose, 7 White-fronted Goose, 3 Dunlin and a Black-tailed Godwit on Huttoft Marsh. 20th February: a Caspian Gull was spotted on Sandilands Golf Course. 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 31 Dunlin and a Sanderling on Anderby Marsh. 2 Harbour Porpoise were spotted at sea. On Huttoft Marsh there were 350 White-fronted Goose, 4 Tundra Bean Goose and 37 Curlew. 21st February: over 150 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver and 2 Redpoll flying north, 4 Red Kite and a Woodlark flying south. On Huttoft Marsh were 180 Wigeon, 31 Curlew, 230 White-fronted Goose and 2 Tundra Bean Goose. Anderby Marsh was showing Barnacle Goose and 1434 Lapwing. A Bullfinch was at Huttoft Pit. 22nd February: a Crane was photographed flying north over Anderby Marsh, which also had a Great Crested Grebe and a Great White Egret. 2 Siskin, 2 Bean Goose and a Grey Wagtail flying south, flying north were Red-breasted Merganser and around 800 Pink-footed Goose. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 More interesting goose sightings plus increased bird song and some amphibian activity with the warmer weather. 180226 – 2 tundra bean geese, 33 white-fronted geese, 20 barnacle geese, 3 greylags still with 190 Canada geese on wet grassland south of Crook Bank, plus 7 Canada x greylag hybrids and 1 presumed barnacle x greylag hybrid. 200226 – a clear out of geese on wet grassland south of Crook Bank with just 16 barnacles and 12 Canada geese seen mid-morning. A raven flew north over Crook Bank car park. 3000+ pink-footed geese dropped onto fields north of Elm House Farm wet grassland. At least 1000 lapwing and 300 golden plover around Elm House Farm. 210226 – 1885 geese flew up from Elm House Farm, with most dropping back in comprised of 48 barnacle geese, 290 white-fronted geese, 2 tundra bean geese and 1545 pink-footed geese. Bean goose and 20+ barnacle geese again on wet grassland south of Crook Bank. 22 snow bunting feeding along the foreshore near Crook Bank. 220226 – 3000+ geese in large cereal field north of Elm House Farm, mostly pink-footed geese but also barnacles and white-fronted geese mixed in. A colour- ringed curlew seen just north of Saltfleet Haven within a roosting group was head-started and released from a pen in Sandringham, Norfolk, in July 2025. Red kite drifted south over Saltfleet Haven. 450+ pink-footed geese flew north in several groups split between the land and sea. 2 great crested grebe flew north over the sea. 105 cormorant roosting on outer foreshore out from MOD late morning. Stonechat pair perched on dune scrub Rimac dunes and 27 pintail on Rimac freshwater marsh scrape. 6 cattle egret in wet pasture field by Rimac car park. Peregrine and 3 marsh harrier in flight over Rimac saltmarsh. Meadow pipit beginning to sing in parachuting display flight. Bird song around Churchill Lane included great tit, robin, greenfinch, wren, song thrush, blackbird, dunnock and chaffinch. 230226 – 35 pintail and 2 whooper swan on Rimac saltmarsh lagoon early morning and jack snipe flew up from nearby saltmarsh. 6 cattle egret in pony paddock by Rimac entrance. 223 cormorants roosting on outer beach mid-morning. Great crested grebe flew north and then south over the sea, and 2 red-throated divers flew north. 500+ pink-footed geese again flew north in several groups over land and sea, one group containing 3 white-fronted geese plus another lone 2 which flew west. Lots of cuttlefish along the strand line, including many at either end of the size scale. 240226 – 19 snow bunting in 2 groups feeding along the outer foreshore south of Crook Bank and 2 shorelark still on the foreshore. 6 barnacle geese and 5 white-fronted geese flew south over the beach, and 2 raven and 2 grey heron flew south along the dunes. Red-legged partridge calling from inland of Crook Bank. Another movement of 500+ pink-footed geese north and north-west over land and sea in several groups as they migrate north from wintering areas in Norfolk. 2 tundra bean geese and 2 white-fronted geese feeding in cereal field south of Crook Bank. 3 red-throated diver and a great crested grebe on the sea, and a red-breasted merganser flew south. Adult Mediterranean gull Mablethorpe beach. 6 cattle egret feeding in pony paddock by Rimac entrance early morning. Amphibian activity noted with the increase in temperature, with 1 common newt, 12 common toads and 2 common frogs around the Churchill Lane area. Also 2 buff-tailed bumblebees. Common whitlow-grass in flower in the dunes near Sea View. Donna Nook: 220226 – spotted redshank on scrape close to car park with 470+ redshank and 54 black-tailed godwits. Male hen harrier flew over the realignment. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Margaret Westcott writes… CHAMBERS FARM WOOD BUTTERFLY GARDEN FEBRUARY 2026 The new season begins with a careful clearing of the old perennial stems, relocating seven-spot ladybirds as we go. I'm expecting it to be a very soggy, cold start, but it's good to feel positive about things yet to come. The winter heather is starting to bloom, and will draw in early queen bumblebees. In the annual beds, young plants of love-in-the-mist, corncockle and pot marigolds will bring an early supply of nectar. Hopefully, the spectacular Angelica archangelica will have set seeds which can be moved on to flower next year as it's biennial. New volunteers are always welcome. We garden the first and third Tuesday of the month, 9.30-3.00pm Happy Gardening! 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 3rd & 17th March 7th & 21st April 5th & 19th May 2nd & 16th June 7th & 21st July 4th & 18th August 1st & 15th September *** Lincolnshire Dormouse Group *** lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com The remaining winter date are 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). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** National and International Stories *** Charity buys £2.2m tract of land for Wales’ biggest rewilding project https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/feb/15/welsh-charity-buys-more-than-405-hectares-for-rewilding As Trump retreats from climate goals, China is becoming a green superpower https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-8d2b6944-4f7a-45b4-96fd-2d92499ff97d Ancient bone may prove legendary war elephant crossing of Alps https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdr2xl1e41eo Mobile home park residents fear radiation from below https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg5gjzd12v0o Hackney resident's fox rescue sparks unusual bond https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy03g7ry66go Warning after toxic plant spotted on island beach https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cyv9mljzze9o Yorkshire's 'mysterious' murmurations caught on camera https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly9d6vrxpwo Birdwatching may reshape the brain and build its buffer against ageing https://archive.is/7Wfok There May Be Up To 26,000 Bee Species and We Might Never Find Them All https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/there-may-be-up-to-26000-bee-species-and-we-might-never-find-them-all/ *** Mail Fails *** Lynn Corrigan - soft bounce Pat Wheat - hard 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/