============================================ || || Wildnews Bulletin || 12th March 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- The ‘trends’ from the ‘Wildlife Reports from Readers’ show some distinct themes this week – not least that there are many more reports! This is great because it provides me with material. People across the county have been welcoming the first butterflies, amphibians and hedgehogs to their gardens. We would like to hear much more along these lines. There were also a couple of mentions for Siskins and in addition to his contribution immediately below, Stuart Britton advised me that they are ’suckers’ for sunflower hearts and are particularly attracted by sitka spruce trees. This is not surprising considering their preferred breeding habitat, but explains why they congregate in such numbers in gardens which contain the trees as well as the feeders. They are ‘in transit’ at the moment, moving northwards, so enjoy them while you can if you get the opportunity. 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 Stuart Britton writes... Periodically we have large numbers of Siskins passing through the Market Rasen area between late January and early April. Since 1984 I have ringed over 1500 at garden feeder sites. I got a call on Wednesday 3rd March to say there were a number in a garden in town beside the River Rase where I have permission to ring. I went the following day and ringed 42 Siskins and had no re-traps. I returned today and caught 40 Siskins and none that were there two days earlier! I will be returning whilst they are still around. *** This week's mostly-local news stories: *** Terrified dogs found abandoned at lighthouse - Sutton Bridge https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgjjqyg5yvo Increased activity part of exercise, RAF says - Coningsby https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy033wl5rj4o Dog walkers urged to protect heathland bird nests - Surrey https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr4554n3l0yo Wildlife trust's centenary 'free weekend in nature' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g22d9n5llo Story of pivotal English battle on show at castle - Lincoln. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clyvv71jm2zo Bridgerton's backdrop 'comes alive' after refurb - Belton House https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3rz3v1ng3lo Mystery over boat found in beach house solved after nine years - Grimsby https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0mgk12kgxdo *** 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: Mostly fine with some brighter or sunny spells. Breezy. Thursday: A cloudy but dry start, but some outbreaks of rain possible by midday. Occasionally heavy and blustery rain then moves southeast late afternoon, likely reaching northern parts before dusk. Windy Maximum temperature 13 °C. Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Cold and breezy Friday with brighter spell and occasional showers, wintry over hills. Less cold Saturday, but still the odd shower likely. Further rain and strong winds spreading east Sunday. UK long range weather forecast Sunday 1 Mar - Tuesday 10 Mar Mostly changeable through this period, with Atlantic frontal systems passing close to or across the UK at times. These will bring spells of rain and showers, most frequent and heavy in the west or northwest, and perhaps accompanied by strong winds. However, there should also be some drier interludes under transient ridges of high pressure, with longer dry periods most likely in the south and east, though even here some wet weather is possible at times. Temperatures will be near average for the period as a whole, but with some shorter-duration colder interludes at times when frost and hill snow will be possible. Later in the period there may be a transition to more blocked or slower evolving weather patterns, though confidence in the detail of this is low. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** In pictures: Saharan dust casts an eerie glow across parts of southern England https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/articles/c20jd86lvevo This Week's Sky at a Glance, March 6 – 15 https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-march-6-15/ Night Sky Highlights - March 2026 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/space-astronomy/astronomy/night-sky-highlights-march-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 Ancient 'Snowball Earth' still had seasons https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/c5ykw4rwqxro 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 *** 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. *** LINCOLN LWT AREA GROUP *** Talk 19th March 2026: ‘Fifty Years of 'The Flora of Lincolnshire’ by Miss E Joan Gibbons’. Debbie Lincoln of the Sir Joseph Banks Society will look back at this ground- breaking book, the first full flora of any county in England to be written by a woman, and celebrate it's authoress Miss E Joan Gibbons. Plus an update on the LoveLincsPlants project. 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. https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/events/2026-03-19-talk-fifty-years-flora-lincolnshire-miss-e-joan-gibbons *** 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) 4/3/2026 Anderby Creek, 2 Russian White-fronted Geese - late report. Branston Island, 13+ Russian White-fronted Geese. Deeping St James, 2 Glossy Ibises at West End of East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, 150 Russian White-fronted Geese. Gibraltar Point, Scaup fem at Tennyson's Sands, 120 Russian White-fronted Geese. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike 1w male by bend at Willingham Lane. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, 2 Shorelarks on beach south of Crook Bank. 2 Lapland Buntings reported. Tallington Lakes, 2 Slavonian Grebes - late report. Entry £5 Trent Port, 5 Russian White-fronted Geese in field. Whisby, Smew ad drk at Thorpe Landfill on lake off Job's Lane on east lake. 5/3/2026 Anderby Creek, Tundra Bean Goose. Frampton Marsh, 50 Russian White-fronted Geese. Gibraltar Point, Scaup fem at Tennyson's Sands. 30 Russian White-fronted Geese in field. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike 1w male by bend at Willingham Lane. Pyewipe, 7+ Russian White-fronted Geese at Novartis Ings Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, 2 Shorelarks on beach south of Crook Bank car park. Lapland Bunting. Tundra Bean Goose at Elm House Farm. Tallington Lakes, 2 Slavonian Grebes at Main Lake. Entry £5 6/3/2026 Frampton Marsh, 30 Russian White fronted Geese - late report. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike 1w male by bend at Willingham Lane. Pyewipe, Swallow at Novartis Ings. 7 Russian White-fronted Geese. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, 2 Shorelarks and Lapland Bunting along seaward edge of dunes between Crook Bank and Tidal Bell. Tallington Lakes, 2 Slavonian Grebes at Main Lake. Entry £5 7/2026 Baston Langtoft Pits, 10 Russian White-fronted Geese. Branston Island, Green-winged Teal viewed from north side near Branston Island Bridge. 3 Glossy Ibises. Water Pipit. Covenham Reservoir, Slavonian Grebe. Deeping St James, 3 Glossy Ibises at West Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, Tundra Bean Goose in fields south of reserve access road. + 200+ Russian White-fronted Geese. Goxhill Haven, Caspian Gull 1w. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike 1w male by bend at Willingham Lane. Pyewipe, 7 Russian White-fronted Geese at Novartis Ings. Rimac, 3 Tundra Bean Geese. Saltfleet, c 100 Russian White-fronted Geese at Elm House Farm viewed from top of dune viewing point. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, 6 Black-throated Divers reported on sea. 2 Shorelarks on beach NE of Crook Bank car park. 2 Snow Buntings. Lapland Bunting along seaward edge of dunes between Crook Bank and Tidal Bell. Stallingborough, Swallow at Cress Marsh. Tallington Lakes, 2 Slavonian Grebes, 2 Scaup. £5 entry. Trent Port, 18 Russian White-fronted Geese in field. Whisby, Smew ad drk at Thorpe Landfill on lake off Job's Lane on east lake. 8/2026 Baston Fen, 31 Russian White-fronted Geese flew over and landed out of view. Branston Island, 3 Glossy Ibises from Witham Cycle Path. Covenham Reservoir, Slavonian Grebe near tower. Mobile. Deeping St James, 3 Glossy Ibises at NW end of East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, 150 Russian White-fronted Geese. Gibraltar Point, Shorelark on saltings by RAF Ridge. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike 1w male by bend at Willingham Lane. Pyewipe, 7 Russian White-fronted Geese at Novartis Ings. Rimac, 3 Tundra Bean Geese. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, Snow Bunting NE of Crook Bank car park. and 2 Shorelarks on beach between Crook Bank and Tidal Bell. Lapland Bunting along seaward edge of dunes. Saltfleet, c 110 Russian White-fronted Geese at Elm House Farm viewed from top of dune viewing point. Trent Port, 22 Russian White-fronted Geese in field. Whisby, Smew ad drk at Thorpe Landfill on lake off Job's Lane on east lake. Woodhall Spa RAF Airfield, 11 Russian White-fronted Geese. 9/2026 Baston Langtoft Pits, 30+ Russian White-fronted Geese on scrapes viewed from River Glen bank. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike 1w male by bend at Willingham Lane. Pyewipe, 7 Russian White-fronted Geese at Novartis Ings. Whisby, Smew ad drk at Thorpe Landfill on lake off Job's Lane on east lake. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 5/3/2026 2 Queen [buff-tailed?] bumblebees flying. One here, one by the churchyard House sparrow 12+ Robin 2 Dunnock -2 on ground near bins Blue tit 2 Great tit 2. Domestic pigeon 6. Black-headed gull 12+ Starling 4+ Blackbird 2m.1f Woodpigeon - 5+ Jackdaw 12+ BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Phil and Mary Porter One or two Siskins were daily visitors to the feeders and displayed aggression out of proportion to their size. Two Long-tailed Tits were side by side on most days as well. 5th March Single Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock were on the wing. A Green Woodpecker was vocal nearby and a Sparrowhawk raided the garden. 6Th March A Coal Tit appeared, the first for a very long time indeed. 7th March A Song Thrush sang nearby in the late afternoon. 9th March Mary heard a Goldcrest call. Chaffinch c10, Siskin 1, Greenfinch 2prs, Goldfinch c12, Blackbird 6+, Wren 1, Robin 2, Dunnock 4. 10th March Two Backswimmers swam in tandem in the pond. Mary heard some fieldfares pass by out of sight during the morning. The trail camera picked up a nocturnal Field Mouse. BARTON ON HUMBER TA024202 Jeremy Hutchinson 21/02/26 Male Peregrine flying west. BOSTON My garden TF338441 Tracey Lenton 04/04/2026 An eventful week of spring firsts! I suspected frog activity at the end of February when I passed by the pond and heard the "plop" of a frog jumping into water. Today, I had my first sighting of frogs, 2 in one pond, 4 in the other, no doubt more to arrive over the coming days. The warm sunny day has brought out dozens of ladybirds (7-spot) amongst the plants. 05/03/2026 Another welcome sight was the first butterfly of the year - a male Brimstone. It appeared to come out of the conifer hedge, possibly fresh out of hibernating. 08/03/2026 Hedgehog dropping found, new overnight, but no sightings as yet. Violets starting to flower BOSTON Standish Grove, PE21 9EA Heather Bishop Last week: 1 female Brimstone butterfly, 1 Red Admiral and 1 Peacock, 7th October: The pond had an orgy of at least 7 frogs, and there is now a vast amount of frog spawn. 9th October: A surprise couple visited us today. A pair of Mallard ducks decided to spend the day in our small pond! They didn't seem scared of me watching. During the day they flew off, but returned later. They flew away again, at teatime, I assume for the night. Will they eat the spawn? CARLTON LE MOORLAND SK909581 Jeremy Hutchinson 5/03/26 Butterflies: 4 Peacocks (simultaneously), 2 Brimstones 1 pair Chaffinches, 1 pair Greenfinches (both unusual these days) Pair of toads in amplexus in village pond 08/03/26 Frog spawn in village pond. The Little Owls I mentioned recently appear to be nesting in the former home tree (Ash) after an absence of 5 years or so. GRANTHAM GARDEN SK930 372 Alan Lean/Gill Porter 6th March Song Thrush in ash tree still very vocal as it has been since mid-January, assuming it’s the same bird. Coal Tit still visiting feeder. 7th March Male Blackcap visiting for a drink, possibly an over-wintering bird but great to see back in any case. That evening we also detected a sound of snoring from under the large outdoor storage box – this was a hedgehog making use of the blown leaf litter underneath which gave it a snug sleeping area. It also emitted a range of other peculiar noises whilst asleep possibly relating to a hedgehog dream! Moth sightings – a wetter night than expected but welcomed three newbies to our moth list started last September: 1 x Common Quaker 1 x Hebrew Character 1 x Clouded Drab 10th March Chiffchaff calling in nearby Queen Elizabeth Park. HORKSTOW SE 987179 4 March 2026 I was just about to pull the curtains when I saw a bat, perhaps two, flying past the window. They continued to go by for several minutes. I think this must be the earliest I have seen them. LANGFORD LOWFIELDS nr Collingham SK821601 Brenda Edlington 6/3/2026 The reserve was badly flooded; only the tops of the backs of the benches in front of the beach hut were visible and access was possible only to the 360° viewing area. There was plenty of activity seen from the footpath to the reserve and over the far side of the lagoons with a telescope. Blackbird Black-headed gull Blue tit Bullfinch Canada geese Chaffinch Chiffchaff Coot Cormorant Crow Dunnock Goldfinch Great crested grebe Greylag geese Jay Little grebe Long-tailed tit Magpie Mallard Mute swan Pheasant Redwing Reed bunting Robin Shoveler Song thrush Teal Tufted duck Wigeon Wood pigeon Heard Cetti's warbler Green woodpecker Wren NAVENBY LOWFIELDS SK937578 Jeremy Hutchinson 17/02/26, 19.00 Barn Owl NORTON DISNEY SK889585 Jeremy Hutchinson 18/02/26 Flock of approx 60 Lapwings 07/03/26 Hare NETTLEHAM TF 005756 Brenda Edlington 1/3/2026 Siskin on sunflower seeds - the first this winter 3/3/2026 3 common newts together in pond 5/3/2026 First peacock butterfly seen (along with brimstone) 4th/ - 8th /3/2026 At least 2 different hedgehogs caught on 2 cameras at night, one large and one medium. Also a large, dead hedgehog found spines down with no flesh in the front garden. WATER RAIL WAY Stixwould Station downstream TF160646 Phil and Mary Porter 10th March Immediately apparent was a loose group of two Grey Herons and two Little Egrets on the far bank or the river. Over our short walk, 4 Mallard, 4 Gadwall and 5 Teal kept us on our toes. There were a few Moorhen calls from among the water-level tangles of willow roots and branches. The verges of the Water Rail Way had many clumps of scrub with white violets. Out in the open, Comfrey was often the most noticeable plant. Here and there, Lesser Celandine was in flower, more obviously on the lane back to Stixwould village. There was some flowering Common Whitlow Grass in broken concrete surfaces past the carpark. The Engine Drain at the foot of the river embankment looked to be in good condition with almost clear water, and abundant masses of Water Starwort and Water Crowfoot (one of the species with no floating leaves) were obviously doing well. Flote-grass was also present. WILLINGHAM WOODS Angela Buckle 5th March All these flowers were in bloom. Red flowered hellebore, Coltsfoot, Opposite leaved golden saxifrage, Celandine. 5th March my garden, Brimstone butterfly and a comma. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 4th March: Anderby Marsh had 5 Avocet and 2 Oystercatcher. A Bearded Tit was calling at Wolla Bank Reedbed which also had a female Marsh Harrier and Snipe. 3 Woodcock, 2 Little Grebe and 3 Tufted Duck at Wolla Bank Pit. 5th March: 4 Avocet, Chiffchaff, 2 female Pintail were on Anderby Marsh. 2 White-fronted Goose on farmland west of Anderby Marsh. A Bean Goose on the sea, 2 Woodlark flying south and a Little Ringed Plover on Sandilands Golf Course. 6th March: Little Ringed Plover still at Sandilands Golf Course. 2 pairs of Little Grebe and a Great Crested Grebe at Chapel Pit. 7th March: 5 Snipe, Barn Owl, Chiffchaff and Woodcock at Huttoft Pit. Goosander flying south. 36 Curlew, 2 Grey Heron, 4 Little Egret, Stonechat, Black-tailed Godwit, drake Pochard, pair of Goosander and 7 Tufted Duck at Anderby Marsh. Little Ringed Plover displaying at Sandilands Golf Course. 8th March: 22 Redwing and a Red Kite flying south. 3 Chiffchaff and 9 Snipe at Huttoft Pit. Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Crested Grebe and Chiffchaff at Chapel Pit. 2 Bearded Tit in Wolla Bank Reedbed. 8 Tufted Duck, 75 Golden Plover, Marsh Harrier, pair of Long-tailed Tit nest-building and singing Little Grebe at Wolla Bank Pit. 2 Avocet, Tundra Bean Goose and 2 Chiffchaff at Anderby Marsh. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SALTFLEETBY THEDDLETHORPE DUNES NNR including DONNA NOOK ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ http://www.lincstrust.org.uk/reserves/saltfleetby-theddlethorpe-dunes https://www.lincstrust.org.uk/get-involved/top-reserves/donna-nook http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/38015?category=59026 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Owen Beaumont Tel: 07900264428 Reserve Manager Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR part of the Lincolnshire Coronation Coast NNR Sea View Road, Saltfleetby St. Clements, LN11 7TR www.gov.uk/natural-england Twitter @NEEastMidlands There will be no report from Owen next week but he will report both weeks’ observations on 18th March ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 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). College Wood; Cocklode & Great West Woods; Hardy Gang Wood; Newball Wood; Rand Wood; Scotgrove Wood; Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland. Many are also designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Discover Woodland Trust woods near you- including the best woods for walks, wildlife watching, family fun and heritage. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/#=undefined&view=map Lincolnshire County Council - Local Nature Reserves https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/coast-countryside/nature-reserves Links to "Other Reserves" are welcome. Your suggestions, please. Boston Woods Trust https://www.bostonwoods.co.uk/ Links to "Other Reserves" are welcome. Your suggestions, please. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. SENDING IN BULLETIN REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We aim to increase the number of people reporting observations to Recorders or via iRecord. https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ The Bulletin is a FREE service. We ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome. You don't have to stick to lists! Please help us to help you. When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] Bulletin mailing times may vary. It usually goes out on Wednesdays/ Thursdays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions to the editor as early as possible. Tuesday latest. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. CONTACTS AND USEFUL WEBSITES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Links "not to be missed" *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. CONTACTS LIST *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union *** LNU Website: http://lnu.org/ LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust: https://twitter.com/LincsWildlife Lincs Bird Club: https://twitter.com/Lincsbirding LBC County Bird Recorder: recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society: https://twitter.com/sirjosephbanks Lincolnshire Bat Group: http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch: https://twitter.com/BC_Lincolnshire Lincsbirders: https://twitter.com/lincsbirders Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project: https://lincolnshirechalkstreams.org/ Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Trust: https://lincolnshirechalkstreamstrust.org.uk/ South Lincolnshire Flora Group: https://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 The Wolds Fungi Group: Contact Paul Nichol via email: nichol20@gmail.com Lincolnshire Dormouse Group: Contact: lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME Wildlife Crime https://www.lincs.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/wc/wildlife-crime/ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ Downloads of LNU books: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ Recording with "iRecord": https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ iRecord is recommended by the LNU as an appropriate platform for on-line recording When asking for help: Please give the very best information you can provide. If you are not sure, ask what is needed from you to confirm identification. Photographs are helpful but not every species can be identified from a photograph. When asked for further details,get back to the recorder promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcomed. Local Bat Helpline Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact the new Lincolnshire Bat Group co-ordinator as above: Email: info@lincsbatgroup.co.uk Or by phone on 01526 344726, who will be able to help you. Confidential Bat Records You may send confidential bat records direct to the above, who will make sure they are securely passed on to the new recorder. Slug ID Help Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01383 669 124 Email: chris.r.dufeu@gmail.com USEFUL WILDLIFE LINKS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. How to identify ladybirds| NatureSpot https://www.naturespot.org/WildlifeGuides/12CommonLadybirds How to identify diving ducks | The Wildlife Trusts https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife/how-identify/how-identify-diving-ducks Dragonfly Identification help https://british-dragonflies.org.uk/odonata/species-and-identification/ Bat Identification https://www.bats.org.uk/about-bats/what-are-bats/uk-bats/ NHBS - Frequencies of British Bats https://media.nhbs.com/equipment/British%20Bat%20Frequencies.pdf Lincolnshire Badger Group https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093647842292 Email: lincolnshirebadgergroup@hotmail.com Lincs Environmental Records Centre: http://www.glnp.org.uk/ Natural England: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ NHBS - Natural history equipment or books.https://www.nhbs.com/ The Flora of Lincolnshire by Joan Gibbons: downloadable LNU book https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-flora-of-lincolnshire-e-joan-gibbons.pdf Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/mammalatlas.pdf ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. NOTES ABOUT THESE WILDLIFE REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting. However, records are sent in by a variety of reporters; from complete beginners to professionals. They may vary in reliability and occasionally may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed please contact the editor: Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP], Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. BULLETIN PUBLICITY POLICY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When submitting reports, e.g. unusual plants, please send any sensitive news directly to recorders. Not the Bulletin. We don't want to spoil things with unwise or untimely publicity. Thank you. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU EVENTS DIARY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LINCOLNSHIRE NATURALISTS UNION AGM *** Our AGM will be held on 4th April at 2pm at Whisby Nature Park Education Centre after which there will be a comfort break and light refreshments will be available. At approximately 3pm, Retiring President Colin Smith will give an illustrated talk, ‘A Lifetime of Light Trapping’ tracing his moth trapping and the other night-time fauna that is also revealed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** National and International Stories *** The Myth That Wind Farms Are a Guillotine for Birds Is Being Debunked by Hard Data https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/technology-articles/sustainability/renewable-energy/birds-and-wind-turbines/ This Rare Japanese Ant Species Is Made Entirely of Queens https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/first-all-queen-ant-species-discovered/ Nest sites await return of history-making ospreys - Dorset https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgvv79g97vo The 'secret' and mysterious world of moss picking https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwygv5730pvo Spectacular images reveal unique sea creatures and corals off Caribbean islands https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgmllk32g72o More whales are stranding. Now more people are needed to help them https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqlg4vl61kro Large tortoiseshell butterfly confirmed no longer extinct in UK https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/mar/09/large-tortoiseshell-butterfly-no-longer-extinct-uk RHS Daffodil Diaries https://www.rhs.org.uk/science/daffodil-diaries?utm_campaign=556914 Secret of hedgehog hearing discovered at far beyond human range https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8d52n0dnzro Wildlife to replace historical characters on banknotes https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4geyyg9en6o *** Mail Fails *** None this week 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/