============================================ || || Wildnews Bulletin || 25th 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Phil Porter's email is: philporterento@outlook.com Roger Parsons' email is: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk In Praise of Moss. I have to say we have mossy lawns or, in some particularly sunless parts, a moss-lawn. The springy surface is pleasant to walk on and interesting to view microscopically. I keep resolving to learn more about the identification process, but sadly haven’t done so far. We have often watched Blackbirds or Robins pulling moss for nesting material. The moss retains moisture in drier periods and stays a bright green except in protracted drought, after which in any case it soon re-absorbs water to return to its previous condition. Craneflies are among the insects that lay their eggs in moss so that the larvae will be able to stay moist without burrowing down away from the food source. The mosses that grow on roofs contain an array of microscopic life including the remarkable Tardigrades or ‘water bears’, famous for surviving complete desiccation, and the vacuum and radiation-bombardment of outer space. We (just about) found some in our roof moss with the use of a powerful microscope, together with nematode worms, mites and rotifers. Fine grasses like well-drained soil and don’t compete with mosses in damp or sunless conditions. No amount of chemical treatment will get rid of moss permanently unless the soil conditions are put right, so it is sad to see certain lawns blotched year after year with brown patches where moss has predominated. Perfect lawns are a time consuming and expensive luxury. *** RIVERCARE LONG BENNINGTON *** A new community group has been set up in Long Bennington to monitor, manage and enhance the 3km stretch of the River Witham that forms the village’s eastern boundary. The group of volunteers from the local community will clear litter, manage riverine vegetation, remove invasive species and monitor water quality. Founder of the group, Vikki Threlfall, explains why the group was needed: “The River Witham is an important part of our natural environment and heritage, but it’s been neglected over recent years and there are issues with obstructions, litter, invasive species, poor water quality and reduced biodiversity. We’ve been really delighted by the interest and support for our new group and already have over 30 volunteers who’ve offered their help.” At the group’s pre-launch recce event, 13 volunteers collected 16 bags of litter in just over an hour, covering around 250m of riverbank. Rubbish collected included a bike wheel, length of piping, barbed wire fencing and a wheelbarrow alongside the usual cans, bottles, plastic bags and food packaging waste. Other rubbish stuck in the riverbank vegetation, which will be retrieved when water levels have subsided, included a boat, a lilo, tyres and building material. Ken Bamford, Lincoln County Councillor for the Hough division welcomed the initiative and said “It’s fantastic to see local people coming together like this to protect and enhance the River Witham and preserve it for future generations. As well as the environmental benefits, groups like this also do wonders for participants’ own wellbeing and community cohesion.” RiverCare Long Bennington is a locally constituted group operating as part of the RiverCare BeachCare programme, run by the charity Keep Britain Tidy and sponsored by Anglian Water. The group joins others in Grantham and Lincoln which are caring for their stretches of the Witham, and the launch coincides with the Great British Spring Clean, the nation’s largest mass-action environmental campaign organised by Keep Britain Tidy. Whilst the RiverCare BeachCare programme provides a starter kit of equipment and insurance, local groups need to fundraise for the remaining kit required. RiverCare Long Bennington would like to thank the following organisations which have supported the group in its pre-launch phase: · South Kesteven District Council awarded a Community Fund grant to cover storage and other essential items including life jackets and throwlines, · Harlaxton Estates sponsored a boat to act as an in-river ‘skip’ to enable rubbish and vegetation to be safely transported to the bank for disposal/composting, · Lyngsoe Systems purchased tools for vegetation management and biosecurity, · Long Bennington Rotary Club donated funds, · Grantham RiverCare donated funds and provided invaluable mentoring, as well as thanking local landowners, the Parish Council, the village hall committee, local angling associations and the Environment Agency for their support. The group can be contacted via social media or email rivercarelongbennington@gmail.com. LEN PICK TRUST Owls return to our Owl Tower for the 2026 season https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/ BTO's tracked Cuckoos - arrivals expected late April. https://www.bto.org/get-involved/volunteer/projects/cuckoo-tracking Read the latest updates from our Cuckoos on their epic migration https://www.bto.org/get-involved/volunteer/projects/cuckoo-tracking/updates Loch of the Lowes SWT Webcam. Osprey arrivals expected last week of March! https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ *** This week's mostly-local news stories: *** Plea after dogs seen disturbing resting seal - E Yorks https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g0nem2n41o Lincoln Cathedral to hold Christmas market - 3 to 5 December https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz0gjjv0rkzo Bypass bat bridge to go ahead, despite criticism https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgleeg8v2jo 'Devastating' dog attack leaves 34 sheep dead Tathwell https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c17vgy2zn8yo Government to decide on large-scale solar farm - Spalding. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y8rxnj2ldo Extension to landfill site operations refused - Roxby https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g8xvnd070o *** 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 18 Mar - Sunday 22 Mar Wednesday 25 Mar - Sunday 29 Mar Headline: Sunny spells and blustery showers. Wintry on hills. Feeling cold. Tonight: Any showers becoming confined to windward coasts overnight. Otherwise, largely dry with prolonged clear spells developing inland and winds gradually easing. A widespread frost and some locally icy patches forming. Minimum temperature -1 °C. Thursday: A chilly start for many, although it will be dry with some good spells of sunshine. Turning increasingly cloudy from the west into the afternoon. Lighter winds. Still feeling cold. Maximum temperature 9 °C. Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Cloud and rain will spread erratically southeast Friday, clearing overnight. Unsettled with sunny spells and scattered showers Saturday. Feeling cold. Largely fine and dry Sunday, before rain arrives later. UK long range weather forecast Sunday 29 Mar - Tuesday 7 Apr A broadly changeable pattern will continue, at least through the first part of this period, as further frontal systems move across parts of the UK, bringing rain and stronger winds at times. Weather fronts are likely to be more active across northern areas, meaning the wettest and windiest conditions are more likely here. As they come south, often running in to a ridge of higher pressure extending from the southwest, fronts will generally weaken and rainfall amounts will be smaller. This area of high pressure is likely to become increasingly dominant through the period, with more settled conditions perhaps becoming more prevalent across the UK. In this setup, temperatures will probably pan out close to average overall, with some overnight frost where skies are clear and winds light. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Artemis II: Nasa targets early April for Moon mission https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4g8qp42rq6o Nasa's Artemis Moon rocket rolls back to pad for possible April launch https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgrw045pg7o This Week's Sky at a Glance, March 20– 29 https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-march-20-29/ 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 Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group: https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 Geology of the Lincolnshire Wolds: https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/special-features/geology The Geology of Lincolnshire: downloadable LNU book https://lnu.org/publications/books/the-geology-of-lincolnshire/ UK Fossils in Lincolnshire https://ukfossils.co.uk/category/lincolnshire/ *** EVENTS *** *** LNU FIELD MEETING *** Saturday 25th April Haugham and Burwell (Harrison) Woods, Louth Joint LNU/LFG. Access courtesy of The Woodland Trust. 11.00 for 12.00 start and finish about 16.00. Car parking at the barn, through the woodland entrance off Muckton Lane, Muckton Bottom at TF 36511 82284, and right at the fork in the track. Grid reference: TF 36182 82102 What3Words: stretcher.panels.compress Nearest postcode: LN11 8NT Habitats: Broadleaved woodland. Leaders: Luke Hartley hartley026@gmail.com and Sarah Lambert sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com *** 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. *** GRIMSBY AND CLEETHORPES AREA GROUP LWT *** On Monday 13th April the group will hold their AGM at 7pm followed by the evening talk by Hannah Dale - 'Wild Wrendale' .Hannah will be talking about their farm, rewilding and bringing Beavers back to Lincolnshire. This will take place in Grimsby Town Hall DN31 1HU. Admission £5, all are welcome. There will be a raffle and tea and coffee will be available. For further details contact David Ball 07711 716063 or visit our website www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk Also…. On Saturday 25th April there's an invitation to join the group for a guided walk around Far Ings Nature Reserve near Barton with Reserve manager Simon Wellock and Graham Hicks. Meet at the Far Ings Visitor Centre DN18 5RG at 9am. We will be looking for Bearded Tit, Marsh Harrier, Bittern and other wildlife. Please dress suitably for the weather, wear stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event however donations will be welcomed for the Trust. There will be the opportunity to car share for this event. For further information and booking please contact our secretary David Ball 07711 716063 or visit our website www.grimsbywildlifetrust.org.uk *** THE SCUNTHORPE AND BRIGG LOCAL GROUP OF THE LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST *** Our last indoor meeting before the outdoor spring and summer events is on Thursday, 9th April and consists of our AGM followed by members' slides when members give short presentations with wildlife images which they have captured. If you would like to help our local LWT group with their meetings and events Throughout the year then please come along and join us at this AGM. New ideas for speakers and events are always welcomed. Starting at 7.30pm, we meet as always in the Small Hall at the St Hugh's Church, Ashby Road, Scunthope, DN16 2AG, which is opposite the Applegreen filling Station near to the Brumby crossroads. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is a free car park at the Church and also at the Old Brumby United Church opposite as well as on the nearby roadside. There is no entry charge for our AGM meeting. Light refreshments are available about halfway through the meeting. *** The Natural History and Geology Section of the North Lincolnshire Museum Society *** Our last meeting before we start our spring/summer field events will be on Monday, 13th April. We will be visited by Professor Geoffrey Codd, PhD, FRSE, MBE, who is Emeritus Professor of Microbiology at the University of Dundee and Honorary Professor at the University of Stirling, Scotland. Geoffrey is a former pupil of Barton-on-Humber Grammar School and visits us to give his talk entitled "Dinosaur deaths, historical and recent examples of animal and human poisonings and the risk management of toxin-producing cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) in our water sources." During a 40-year university career Professor Codd has investigated the global occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms in waterbodies. His investigations included museum materials to provide a longer insight into the occurrence of the toxins. Professor Codd has been a member of several national and international working parties on cyanotoxins, including the World Health Organisation and UNESCO. This is a unique opportunity for us into the forefront of knowledge and research that helps to keep water supplies safe and enable co-operation around the world on this essential need for life. We meet as usual in the St Bernadette's Church Hall, Ashby Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 2RS, which is almost opposite the Priory Hotel on Ashby Road, starting at 7.15pm. ALL ARE WELCOME TO OUR MEETINGS. There is a large, free car park at the Church. There is a £5 entry charge for non-members of the Museum Society. There will be a mid-talk comfort break when light refreshments will be available for a £1 charge. *** SOUTH LINCS RSPB GROUP *** "The Birds of Fiji and New Zealand" Wednesday 22nd April 2026 at 7-30pm at Boston Tennis Club PE21 8EY An illustrated Talk/Slideshow by RSPB South Lincs Chairman Neil Oakman. RSPB members £2 {non-members £3}. *** RSPB SOUTH LINCS. LOCAL GROUP *** "SEAL AND BIRDWATCHING CRUISES INTO THE WASH" The 2026 dates are 11th and 23rd May, 11th and 23rd June, 9th and 25th July, 8th and 22nd August, 19th September, 3rd October. All aboard "The Boston Belle". Full details as regards sailing times, booking {essential} procedure, ticket prices , previous cruise bird sightings etc at https://group.rspb.org.uk/southlincolnshire/ STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary... The Cold-Health Alert Service in England runs from 1 November to 31 March each year. You can register for alerts on this link. https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/weather-health-alerts/cold The Heat-Health Alert Service in England runs from 1 June to 30 September each year. You can register for alerts on this link. https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/weather-health-alerts/heat Bird flu: Defra advice to the general public is to leave corpses alone and report the findings - but landowners should dispose of birds themselves. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bird-flu-latest-situation-avian-influenza-prevention-zone-declared-across-great-britain Lyme Disease reminder https://www.hse.gov.uk/agriculture/zoonoses-data-sheets/lyme-disease.pdf Road works and hold-ups https://roadworks.org/ Met Office Severe Warnings https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings Met Office Severe Weather E-mail Service - sign up http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/guide-to-emails EasyTide http://easytide.ukho.gov.uk/EasyTide/EasyTide/index.aspx Environment Agency Flood Warnings - Lincolnshire https://www.google.com/search?q=government+flood+warnings+lincolnshire Environment Agency Flood Information/Floodline - sign up https://www.gov.uk/sign-up-for-flood-warnings ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 2. WILDLIFE HIGHLIGHTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Bird News from Rare Bird Alert *** Rare Bird Alert has kindly given permission to reproduce their pager reports. A big thank you from us all. Readers interested in a pager - look at the RBA website: http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/ For RBA's excellent articles: https://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/RealData/Articles.asp Abbreviations Juv = juvenile Ad = adult 1s/w, 2s/w = first/second summer/winter (age or plumage) 18/3/2026 Branston Island,3 Glossy Ibises from River Witham Cycle Path. Caythorpe, 2 Common Cranes flew NE over. Cleethorpes Coast, Glossy Ibis in heronry behind Thorpe Park. Frampton Marsh, Little Stint Gedney Drove End, Little Stint off Brown's Farm. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike 1w male by bend at Willingham Lane. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, 2 Shorelarks on beach north of Crook Bank car park. Tallington Lakes, Slavonian Grebe on main lake. Entry £5. 19/3/2026 Baston Fen, Russian White-fronted Goose at Bourne South Fen viewed from River Glen bank. Deeping St James, Glossy Ibis at Deeping Lakes. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike 1w male by bend at Willingham Lane.. Rimac, Water Pipit. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, 2 Russian White-fronted Geese at Elm House Farm. 20/3/2026 Deeping St James, 3 Glossy Ibises at Deeping Lakes at West Pit. Fem Scaup on East Pit. Manby Flashes, 5 Russian White-fronted Geese flew over. Pyewipe, Scaup fem at Novartis Ings. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, 2 Shorelarks on beach north of C rook Bank car park. Tallington Lakes, Slavonian Grebe on main lake. Entry £5. Welland Bank Pits, Glossy Ibis by River Welland. Whisby, Scaup ad drk at Thorpe Landfill at quarry at lake off Job’s Lane on east pit. 21/3/2026 Baston Langtoft Pits, Black-necked Grebe, Branston Island. Branston Island, 3 Glossy Ibises from Witham Cycle Track. Deeping St James, 2 Glossy Ibises at West Pit. Frampton Marsh, .Iceland Gull 2w [also a juv.?] on scrape opposite visitor centre. Gibraltar Point, Shorelark on beach at north end. Hemingby, 3 Tundra Bean Geese at Hemingby Meadow. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike 1w male by bend at Willingham Lane. Molcey Mill Pit, Water Pipit, then flew towards Crown Lagoon. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, 2 Shorelarks on beach north of Crook Bank car park. Tallington Lakes, Scaup 1w f on main lake. Entry £5. 22/3/2026 Branston Island, 3 Glossy Ibises from Witham Cycle Track. Cleethorpes Coast, Glossy Ibis, then flew south. Deeping St James, Scaup fem at East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Far Ings, Common Scoter at Target Lake Frampton Marsh, Little Stint. Scaup. Gibraltar Point, Shorelark on saltings by RAF Ridge. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike 1w male by bend at Willingham Lane. Pyewipe, Scaup fem, Russian White-fronted Goose, at Novartis Ings. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, 2 Shorelarks on beach north of Crook Bank car park. 23/3/2026 Branston Island, Green-winged Teal drk, 2 Common Scoters 1 drk, from River Witham cycle path. Deeping St James, 3 Glossy Ibises at West Pit, Scaup fem at East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Frampton Marsh, 2 Little Stints on Reedbed. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike 1w male by bend at Willingham Lane. Pyewipe, Scaup fem on lagoon at Novartis Ings. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, 2 Shorelarks on beach north of Crook Bank car park. Spalding.1w, Black redstart. Woodhall Spa RAF Airfield, Black Redstart by entrance gates. 24/3/2026 Covenham, Glossy Ibis over. Frampton Marsh, Little Stint. Ingham to Fillingham, Great Grey Shrike 1w male by bend at Willingham Lane. Rimac, Scaup fem on lagoon at Novartis Ings. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, 2 Shorelarks and Lapland Bunting male along seaward edge of dunes south of Crook Bank car park ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 from 23/3/2026 House sparrow 18 Robin 2 Dunnock 1 Chaffinch 1m Goldfinch 2 Blue tit 2 Great Tit 2 Domestic pigeon 6 Black-headed Gull 5 Starling 5 Blackbird 3m Woodpigeon 4 Collared Dove 2 Jackdaw 8 - 2 collecting nesting material. Merlin records:- AP 18.3.26. Garden 9.20am Blackcap Jackdaw Black redstart Starling House sparrow Great tit Wren Dunnock Collared dove Robin Kestrel 10.50 a.m. Robin Goldfinch Oystercatcher Blue tit Buzzard Wood pigeon Greenfinch Great tit Starling Dunnock House sparrow Jackdaw BARDNEY Church Lane Roger Parsons 18/3/2026 I was pleasantly surprised to hear a cuckoo today at 8.25hrs as I walked home from unlocking church. I had my hearing aids in and it was calling quite quietly - in the direction of the cemetery/allotments. I've been listening out for it since but heard nothing further. It's very early, but I don't think it was a cuckoo clock or radio! BARDNEY GARDEN TF117700 Phil and Mary Porter The general run of Goldfinches, Chaffinches, Greenfinches and sparrows remain on the feeders but the Siskins have departed. 7-spot Ladybirds everywhere in numbers. 18th March 2026 Mary heard 2+ Goldcrests singing in the garden. We don’t have any native pine or spruce in the garden but there is a large Juniper, and lots of Holly, Ivy, coniferous hedging and other sundry evergreens for them to hide in. A Small Tortoiseshell that got trapped in the greenhouse was very unfortunately dead the following morning. 19th March 2026 Goldcrests again. Mary saw 3 Newts in the pond. 20th March 2026 Mary put out some dog combings and attracted Dunnock, Robin, House Sparrow and (unsuccessfully) Great Tit which hadn’t got the knack of separating a manageable quantity from the mass and gave up. One Dunnock was particularly persistent and clearly has a nest in the hedging at the bottom of the garden. 21st March 2026 A blue butterfly, most likely Holly Blue, flew through the garden at a distance. 22nd March 2026 A queen wasp was headbutting the French windows. A Pied Wagtail flew over; we only see them rarely from the garden as we don’t have any of the wide open spaces that they like. Thale Cress has joined the species list of small crucifers flowering at the base of walls in the village; Hairy Bittercress, Shepherd’s Purse, Whitlow Grass. 23rd March 2026 A Robin is nest-building within about 4 feet of the house window in a winter jasmine densely clipped on a trellis which seems a rather vulnerable choice to us. Blue Tits are bringing material to a nest bow on the kitchen wall. Common Mouse-ear has appeared in the ‘meadow’ and I see that Oxeye Daisy has also germinated there from fresh seed scattered in the late summer last year. Welcome small pleasures. 25th March 2026 A Sparrowhawk took a female Blackbird a few feet from the French windows where Mary was watching. A female had been gathering sodden nest material from the edge of the pond shortly beforehand. A Sparrowhawk came through again shortly afterwards so we wonder if it has young already, marking the start of the “anxious season”. BOSTON TF329437 Mike Skinner 18th March First hedgehog seen in our garden BOSTON HAVENSIDE TF341425 Tracey Lenton 19/03/2026 afternoon Low tide and lots of exposed mud bank, sunny and very warm, little breeze. I saw 10 different bird species including some Avocets which was a real bonus, I don't know how frequently they are seen here but it was a first for me in this location. Avocet 4 Black-backed gull (Lesser, differentiated from Greater by its yellow legs and size, RSPB and WWT websites) 1 Black-headed gull with their full coloured heads, numerous Black-tailed godwit, several, less today than previous visits so far this year Cormorant 2 Curlew 1 Little egret 1 Mallard 1 possibly a pair (from memory, not recorded on video) Oystercatcher 1 Redshank, several Plants in flower on the riverside bank: Common daisy Dandelion including one with a seed head already Lesser celandine Red dead nettle Shepherd's purse White dead nettle Plants not in flower, there were several I couldn't identify by leaves alone: Clover Cow parsley Dock Ribwort plantain Stinging nettle Yarrow Brimstone butterfly Dark coloured butterflies flying around in twos and once a three 7 spot ladybirds Bees pale bottomed, on dandelion and red dead nettle flowers CAISTOR HIGH STREET ROAD SIDE Angela Buckle 19th March. Butterbur. FAR INGS Angela Buckle 22nd March, Snakes-head fritillary, Blackthorn, Cowslip, Common mouse ear, Common storksbill, Lesser chickweed, Alexanders. All in flower GRANTHAM GARDEN SK930 372 Alan Lean/Gill Porter 21st March Greenfinches still in good numbers with 3 or 4 visiting the feeder each day for the past week. A pair of Starlings gathering nesting material from the garden for the nest they are building under next door’s ridge tiles. The Starling box I put up last year in the ash tree in the Green Lane is so far being ignored – could need to be farther up. Chiffchaff calling in Green Lane. 22nd March Still chilly for our moths but a reasonable spread of Orthosia species to the MV Robinson moth trap: Hebrew Character x 7 Common Quaker x 2 Small Quaker x 4 Blossom Underwing x 1 Plus an Early Grey x 1 HORKSTOW SE987179 Jenny Haynes 23 March 2026 A red kite flew over our house today. A first for here. Unfortunately I didn’t see it! The green (or is it ring necked) parakeet continues to make daily visits. I heard an extraordinary noise in the garden which the Merlin app identified as a great crested grebe which I thought unlikely, given there’s not open water around here. However, when a played a recording of one, the sound was very similar! Birds identified by Merlin from my garden on 19 March 2026 Robin Greenfinch Rook Wood pigeon Jackdaw Blackbird Goldfinch Goldcrest Chaffinch Crow Wren There are also long tailed tits, blue tits, great tits and dunnocks, and the ubiquitous pheasants, none of which were calling when I was recording! NETTLETON GRANGE GAME FARM Ben Jacob 19th March First baby rabbits seen 23rd March Hoof fungus Formes formentarius seen on fallen and dead silver birch 2 x Brimstone butterfly seen on shooting ground 2 muntjac (Buck and doe) walked past along track browsing on hawthorn hedge 4 ravens over shooting ground SOUTHREY Merlin records AP Anne Parsons 2.06 p.m. 22.3.26 Green winged teal Wren Blue tit Crow White wagtail Greenfinch Willow warbler WILLINGHAM WOODS Angela Buckle 19th March. Brimstone butterfly. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 March: Barn Owl along Sea Lane. Little Ringed Plover at Sandilands Golf Course. A Black-throated Diver flying north and a pure white Magpie flying south at Wolla Bank. 17th March: Red Kite flying south over Anderby Marsh. 12 Black-tailed Godwit and a Grey Plover on Anderby Marsh. Migration included 426 Chaffinch, Grey Wagtail, Crossbill and 20 Goldfinch flying south. 2 Harbour Porpoise offshore. 18th March: 2 Crossbill flying north. 1,001 Chaffinch, Corn Bunting and Red Kite flying south. Drake Goosander on Anderby Marsh. 19th March: Pair of Pintail and Great White Egret on Anderby Marsh. Water Pipit and 2 Little Ringed Plover on Sandilands Golf Course. A pair of Stonechat along Wolla Bank. Little Owl, Great Spotted Woodpecker and 3 Yellowhammer along Jolly Common Lane. Grey Wagtail flying north. Harbour Porpoise offshore at Anderby Creek. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 180326 – 2 green woodpeckers Sea View. 3 avocet and 2 oystercatcher Rimac car park scrape. Red kite, buzzard, 1200 woodpigeon, 30 chaffinch, 2 siskin and 10 linnet flew south over Mablethorpe North End in the morning. 2 shorelark still on the beach near Crook Bank. 2 white-fronted geese still at Elm House Farm wet grassland. Butterflies – 17 peacock, small tortoiseshell Sea View-Rimac; small white, brimstone, red admiral Churchill Lane; 2 peacock Mablethorpe North End. 190326 – firecrest in scrub behind the Ferryboat Inn at Mablethorpe North End. 2 rooks flew in-off the sea at Mablethorpe North End. Sparrowhawk displaying over Churchill Lane. Short-eared owl hunting over Rimac saltmarsh late afternoon. 5 cattle egret Rimac freshwater marsh bank ad 17 tufted ducks on the scrape. Water pipit perched near Rimac dipping pond briefly in the morning then flew west. 2 stonechat by Rimac saltmarsh viewing platform with the male in song. 3 avocet, 3 black-tailed godwit, 2 cattle egret and a pink-footed goose Rimac car park scrape. Cetti’s warbler singing along the Eau between Rimac and Sea View. Green woodpecker vocal around Sea View again. 2 white-fronted geese, a pink-footed goose, 350 wigeon and 15 lapwing Elm House Farm, and a red kite drifted south. Corn bunting singing by Saltfleet Haven. 2 great crested grebe, water rail, 2 Cetti’s warbler, 4 chiffchaff and a green woodpecker also in Saltfleet Haven area. Butterflies – 2 peacock, brimstone, small tortoiseshell Churchill Lane. 7-spot ladybirds and various bee species active around Churchill Lane. 200326 – merlin around Rimac outer dunes and goldcrest feeding in outer dune scrub. Second-winter Caspian gull on Rimac foreshore with a small number of herring gulls. 9 avocet Rimac saltmarsh lagoon and 6 on Rimac car park scrape. 5 cattle egret along the Eau from Rimac bridge. 2 shorelark feeding on the foreshore out from Crook Bank. 220326 – corn bunting singing from top of bush on the south side of Saltfleet Haven and a grey wagtail flew north. 2 shorelark on the foreshore near Crook Bank. 230326 – 2 shorelark Crook Bank foreshore. 29 barnacle geese, 470 wigeon, 130 teal, 45 shoveler, 2 gadwall, 3 tufted duck, 12 mallard, 2 shelduck, 2 lapwing, 2 oystercatcher, 15 curlew and 5 redshank on wet grassland south of Crook Bank. Cetti’s warbler and 4 chiffchaff at Mablethorpe North End. Also water vole seen in main drain around Mablethorpe North End. 240326 – male Lapland bunting again around Crook Bank outer dunes and 2 shorelark feeding on the foreshore. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 Chambers Farm Wood Butterfly Garden- March 2026 Two March days of unusually sunny weather has brought the garden under control- for a short while at least. We cut back, prune Buddleias, tidy and plant Snowdrops in the green. A little mowing identifies the access paths which we keep short, while leaving the remainder of the grass for the invertebrates. In the pond, we watch at least six Smooth Newts, with some courting going on. A Brimstone nectars on Primroses before departing; a single Peacock dashes through. Buff-tailed Bumblebees search the flowering Heather alongside a Common Carder. Tits flit about the trees and in the distance, a Song thrush gives it all. Butterfly Conservation gardening tips for March recommends leaving our Dandelions to flower as they are a valued source of nectar. We next meet on April 7th. Please pop along to say hello and join us if you can. 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 7th & 21st April 5th & 19th May 2nd & 16th June 7th & 21st July 4th & 18th August 1st & 15th September These dates are provisional – phone Margaret 01205 750719 to confirm before travelling *** Lincolnshire Dormouse Group *** lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood; Little and Great Scrubbs Woods; Minting Wood; Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park; and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting). College Wood; Cocklode & Great West Woods; Hardy Gang Wood; Newball Wood; Rand Wood; Scotgrove Wood; Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland. Many are also designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Discover Woodland Trust woods near you- including the best woods for walks, wildlife watching, family fun and heritage. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/#=undefined&view=map Lincolnshire County Council - Local Nature Reserves https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/coast-countryside/nature-reserves Links to "Other Reserves" are welcome. Your suggestions, please. Boston Woods Trust https://www.bostonwoods.co.uk/ Links to "Other Reserves" are welcome. Your suggestions, please. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 7. SENDING IN BULLETIN REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The purpose of the Bulletin is to encourage biological recording in Lincolnshire. We aim to increase the number of people reporting observations to Recorders or via iRecord. https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ The Bulletin is a FREE service. We ask you to provide reports, questions, news or relevant articles from time to time. Descriptive pieces are welcome. You don't have to stick to lists! Please help us to help you. When sending in reports please follow this layout to save re-editing: Place Name: IN CAPITALS with Grid Reference if you have it. Your Name: Real names please, not aliases. Put it in each time, for each location Date: Species list [Alphabetical?] & numbers [and observations?] e.g. Blackbird - 24 [And please, no home-grown abbreviations. Species Names in full.] Bulletin mailing times may vary. It usually goes out on Wednesdays/ Thursdays in time for the weekend. Please e-mail in contributions to the editor as early as possible. Tuesday latest. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8. CONTACTS AND USEFUL WEBSITES ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** Links "not to be missed" *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. CONTACTS LIST *** Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union *** LNU Website: http://lnu.org/ LNU Twitter feed https://twitter.com/LincsNaturalist LNU e-mail: info@lnu.org Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust: https://twitter.com/LincsWildlife Lincs Bird Club: https://twitter.com/Lincsbirding LBC County Bird Recorder: recorder_south@lincsbirdclub.co.uk The Sir Joseph Banks Society: https://twitter.com/sirjosephbanks Lincolnshire Bat Group: http://www.lincsbatgroup.co.uk/ Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch: https://twitter.com/BC_Lincolnshire Lincsbirders: https://twitter.com/lincsbirders Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project: https://lincolnshirechalkstreams.org/ Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Trust: https://lincolnshirechalkstreamstrust.org.uk/ South Lincolnshire Flora Group: https://bsbi.org/south-lincolnshire-v-c-53 The Wolds Fungi Group: Contact Paul Nichol via email: nichol20@gmail.com Lincolnshire Dormouse Group: Contact: lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com FIGHTING WILDLIFE CRIME Wildlife Crime https://www.lincs.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/wc/wildlife-crime/ SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND RECORDING Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary. LNU Recorders and Specialists: https://lnu.org/specialists/ Downloads of LNU books: https://lnu.org/publications/books/ Recording with "iRecord": https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ iRecord is recommended by the LNU as an appropriate platform for on-line recording When asking for help: Please give the very best information you can provide. If you are not sure, ask what is needed from you to confirm identification. Photographs are helpful but not every species can be identified from a photograph. When asked for further details,get back to the recorder promptly. Don't forget a thank you for the help. That is always welcomed. Local Bat Helpline Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact the new Lincolnshire Bat Group co-ordinator as above: Email: info@lincsbatgroup.co.uk Or by phone on 01526 344726, who will be able to help you. Confidential Bat Records You may send confidential bat records direct to the above, who will make sure they are securely passed on to the new recorder. Slug ID Help Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01383 669 124 Email: chris.r.dufeu@gmail.com USEFUL WILDLIFE LINKS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. How to identify ladybirds| NatureSpot https://www.naturespot.org/WildlifeGuides/12CommonLadybirds How to identify diving ducks | The Wildlife Trusts https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife/how-identify/how-identify-diving-ducks Dragonfly Identification help https://british-dragonflies.org.uk/odonata/species-and-identification/ Bat Identification https://www.bats.org.uk/about-bats/what-are-bats/uk-bats/ NHBS - Frequencies of British Bats https://media.nhbs.com/equipment/British%20Bat%20Frequencies.pdf Lincolnshire Badger Group https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093647842292 Email: lincolnshirebadgergroup@hotmail.com Lincs Environmental Records Centre: http://www.glnp.org.uk/ Natural England: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ NHBS - Natural history equipment or books.https://www.nhbs.com/ The Flora of Lincolnshire by Joan Gibbons: downloadable LNU book https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2017/06/the-flora-of-lincolnshire-e-joan-gibbons.pdf Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire https://lincsnaturalist.files.wordpress.com/2021/06/mammalatlas.pdf ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 9. NOTES ABOUT THESE WILDLIFE REPORTS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ We do our best to ensure accuracy in our reporting. However, records are sent in by a variety of reporters; from complete beginners to professionals. They may vary in reliability and occasionally may be difficult or impossible to verify. If further information is needed please contact the editor: Bulletins are sent to Recorders at Lincolnshire Environmental Records Centre [GNLP], Lincolnshire Naturalists' Union and Lincolnshire Bird Club. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 10. BULLETIN PUBLICITY POLICY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When submitting reports, e.g. unusual plants, please send any sensitive news directly to recorders. Not the Bulletin. We don't want to spoil things with unwise or untimely publicity. Thank you. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU EVENTS DIARY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LINCOLNSHIRE NATURALISTS UNION AGM *** Our AGM will be held on 4th April at 2pm at Whisby Nature Park Education Centre after which there will be a comfort break and light refreshments will be available. At approximately 3pm, Retiring President Colin Smith will give an illustrated talk, ‘A Lifetime of Light Trapping’ tracing his moth trapping and the other night-time fauna that is also revealed. *** LNU FIELD MEETING *** Saturday 25th April Haugham and Burwell (Harrison) Woods, Louth Joint LNU/LFG. Access courtesy of The Woodland Trust. 11.00 for 12.00 start and finish about 16.00. Car parking at the barn, through the woodland entrance off Muckton Lane, Muckton Bottom at TF 36511 82284, and right at the fork in the track. Grid reference: TF 36182 82102 What3Words: stretcher.panels.compress Nearest postcode: LN11 8NT Habitats: Broadleaved woodland. Leaders: Luke Hartley hartley026@gmail.com and Sarah Lambert sarah.lambert7@ntlworld.com Saturday 30th May Swinstead Valley SSSI Joint LNU/LFG. Access courtesy of Grimsthorpe Estate. Saturday 20th June Cleethorpes Sand Dunes Joint LNU/LFG. Access courtesy of North East Lincolnshire Council. Saturday 11th July Scrivelsby Park Joint LNU/LFG. Access courtesy of Scrivelsby Estate. Saturday 29th August Hawthorpe Joint LNU/LFG. Access courtesy of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Saturday 19th September Bourne North Fen Joint LNU/LFG. Access courtesy of Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Sunday 18th October Newball Wood Annual LNU Fungus Foray. Access courtesy of Forestry England. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 12 ...AND FINALLY... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** National and International Stories *** Cigarette Butts Don’t Biodegrade. They Turn Into Microplastics That Linger for Years https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/cigarette-butts-decompose-into-microplastics/ How birds are spreading plastic pollution https://theconversation.com/how-birds-are-spreading-plastic-pollution-276988 How to stop seagulls stealing your chips https://theconversation.com/why-drawing-eyes-on-food-packaging-could-stop-seagulls-stealing-your-chips-278269 Greedy beaver caught twice in monitoring trap - Northumberland. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgvj84ggv7o Dog finds Canadian message in a bottle on Aberdeenshire beach https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckg1g4ek3y0o The villagers planting thousands of trees to try to save their homes from flooding - Wales https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cqxdxg7j3qgo How an island became ferret free - thanks, in part, to Woody the wonderdog - Rathlin Island https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cre1jly1ny2o Porridge recalled months after mouse contamination https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn4v2gve0ywo Ditch-plunging cars raise concerns near wildlife reserve - Wales https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj3750yder8o Decline in migratory fish populations prompts fight for protection https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cr4105d93d3o *** Mail Fails *** John Raby- soft bounce. If you experience any such problem in future please let Alex know. mrapickwell@gmail.com ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/