============================================ || || Wildnews Bulletin 6th May 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. 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. ============================================ 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: There has been a marvellously diverse range of wildlife presenting itself along the coast recently. Check out the Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe report from Owen Beaumont. Many thanks to Owen and the staff and volunteers covering this fine reserve area. The Rare Bird Alert summary makes it clear that a considerable passage of north- bound Wood Sandpipers have passed through the county. This elegant long- legged wader is on its way to subarctic wetlands and only a small proportion migrate through the fresh-water wetlands of the western seaboard of Europe, so its appearance is always of particular interest to British birders. Phil Porter's email is: philporterento@outlook.com Roger Parsons' email is: old.museum@yahoo.co.uk LEN PICK TRUST Barn Owls at the Owl Tower for the 2026 season - 4 eggs! https://www.lenpicktrust.org.uk/owl-project/ BTO's tracked Cuckoos. https://www.bto.org/get-involved/volunteer/projects/cuckoo-tracking Loch of the Lowes SWT Webcam - more exciting activity - 3 eggs... I noticed she was eating a fish on Tuesday at about 10am. Gone by 2.30m! https://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/watch-wildlife-online/loch-of-the-lowes-webcam/ *** This week's mostly-local news stories: *** Whale jawbones from 1892 find new home in garden https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3w26dwznww Lincoln Imp gets club shirt to celebrate promotion https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8r8xv88ezno Nature haven 'trashed' after four-year wait for protection decision - Ayrshire https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgzl329lqlo The Mayflower Pilgrims and their escape from the Humber https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c202ppk315vo Pilgrimage to celebrate saint of Spurn Point - St Wilgils https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj9pnndjx97o *** Weather News and Forecast *** https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/ https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#? Wednesday 6 May - Sunday 10 May Headline: Cool, cloudy day with coastal showers. Tonight: Sunny spells persist through the evening. Temperatures fall quickly overnight, with a rural frost likely in the east, before cloud thickens from the west later helping temperatures to recover here. Minimum temperature 2 °C. Thursday: Variable cloud and patchy rain for much of the day, with occasional bright or sunny intervals and temperatures higher than Wednesday. Breezy conditions for coastal areas. Maximum temperature 15 °C. Outlook for Friday to Sunday: Friday brings sunny spells and scattered showers. Confidence lowers into the weekend, though rain or showers are likely on Saturday at some point. Sunday appears drier, with occasional sunny spells. UK long range weather forecast Sunday 10 May - Tuesday 19 May Initially, slowly-evolving weather patterns are expected in the vicinity of the UK, with low pressure over north western Europe and high pressure building to the north of the UK. Whilst largely settled conditions are possible towards the north, there are likely to be some rain or showers across portions of England and Wales, which could be heavy and locally thundery. However, there is a slight chance these wetter conditions could remain over the nearby Continent. Deeper into next week and beyond, there may be a tendency for more widely unsettled conditions across the UK, with some rain or showers at times. Whilst some occasional warm days are possible, temperatures overall are likely to be near or below average, especially in the north, with an ongoing risk of overnight rural frost. *** For Astronomers and Sky-watchers *** Night Sky Highlights - May 2026 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/space-astronomy/space-astronomy-highlights-2026#May This Week's Sky at a Glance, May 1 - 9. https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/observing-news/this-weeks-sky-at-a-glance-may-1-9-3/ Partial Solar Eclipse August 12th 2026. https://theskylive.com/solar-eclipse?id=2026-08-12&cc=GB Full Moons - 2026 https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/space-astronomy/full-moon-calendar-2026 Spaceweather.com https://spaceweather.com/ Comet Watch https://www.cometwatch.co.uk/ AuroraWatch UK for geomagnetic data: https://aurorawatch.lancs.ac.uk BBC Sky at Night Magazine website https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news ** For the Geologists *** Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary Nice clip for GCSE Geology. The geology of the Jurassic Coast https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/class-clips-video/articles/zrvkgwx#zspsmbk Lincolnshire Geodiversity Group: Sign up for their newsletter. https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/discovering/geology-1 Geology of the Lincolnshire Wolds: https://www.lincswolds.org.uk/special-features/geology The Geology of Lincolnshire: downloadable LNU book https://lnu.org/publications/books/the-geology-of-lincolnshire/ *** EVENTS *** *** LNU FIELD MEETING *** Saturday 30th May Swinstead Valley SSSI Joint LNU/LFG. Access courtesy of Grimsthorpe Estate. Car parking on the street in Swinstead village. We will assemble from 11:00am at the start of the public footpath Grid reference: TF 01526 22571 What3Words: ///hurt.beakers.limped. The walk to Swinstead Valley SSSI is just under a kilometre and takes about 20 minutes. The event leaders will depart the assembly point no later than 11:40am and walk to arrive at the entrance to the SSSI, Grid reference: TF 00759 22431 What3Words: ///broached.baker.boosted for a midday start. *** GRIMSBY AND CLEETHORPES AREA GROUP LWT *** On Saturday 9th May you are invited to join the group for an early morning walk looking for birds and listening to their song in beautiful Weelsby Woods with Graham Hicks. Meet Graham in the carpark at 8am DN32 8PW. Please dress according to the weather, wear stout footwear and bring binoculars if you have them. This is a free event however donations for the Trust will be welcomed. For further details please contact our secretary David Ball 07711 716063 or email davidballnorthampton@gmail.com Or contact Graham Hicks 07542 654285 *** RSPB SOUTH LINCS. LOCAL GROUP *** "SEAL AND BIRDWATCHING CRUISES INTO THE WASH" The 2026 dates are 23rd May, 11th and 23rd June, 9th and 25th July, 8th and 22nd August, 19th September, 3rd October. All aboard "The Boston Belle". Full details as regards sailing times, booking {essential} procedure, ticket prices , previous cruise bird sightings etc. at https://group.rspb.org.uk/southlincolnshire/ STAYING SAFE Please copy and paste URLs if/as necessary.... The Heat-Health Alert Service in England runs from 1 June to 30 September each year. You can register for alerts on this link. https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/heat-health-alert-service Bird flu: Defra advice to the general public is to leave corpses alone and report the findings - but that 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://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings?location=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) 29/4/2026 Colsterworth, 2 Common Cranes flew north past. Deeping St James, Arctic Tern at East Pit, Deeping Lakes, then flew north. Frampton Marsh, American Golden Plover on wet grassland east of visitor centre near metal water tanks.. Freiston Shore, Little Stint. Rimac, Purple Heron in reedbed, then flew NNW. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, Theddlethorpe St Helen, Pied Flycatcher male by coast path north of seal sanctuary. 30/4/2026 Baston Langtoft Pits, 2 Wood Sandpipers at East Pit. Branston Island, 7 Wood Sandpipers. Russian White-fronted Goose. 3 Glossy Ibises from River Witham cycle path. Covenham Reservoir, Bar-tailed Godwit at East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Great Northern Diver. Deeping St James, 3 Wood Sandpipers at East Pit, Little Gull 1s. Frampton Marsh, Alpine Swift. American Golden Plover on Marsh Farm grassland, Spotted Redshank. 9 Wood Sandpipers flew SW over East Hide. Freiston Shore, Wood Sandpiper on North Lagoon. Little Stint of South Lagoon. Gibraltar Point, Spoonbill at Tennyson's Sands. 2 Garganey on Fenland Lagoon. Rimac, 4 Wood Sandpipers on car park scrape. Stallingborough, Cress Marsh, 11 Wood Sandpipers on Lagoon. (permit only) 31/4/2026 Anderby Creek, Wood Sandpiper at Anderby Marsh. Baston Langtoft Pits, 2 Wood Sandpipers at East Pit. Frampton Marsh, 2 Little Stints on wet grassland north of sea Bank. Gibraltar Point, Wood Sandpiper flew north.. 1/5/2026 Anderby Creek, 12 Wood Sandpipers reported at Anderby Marsh. Branston Island, 3 Glossy Ibises from cycle path on west bank of River Witham. Wood Sandpiper. Deeping St James, Wood Sandpiper at East Pit, Deeping Lakes. Donnington on Bain, Ring Ouzel. East Halton Marshes, 5 Wood Sandpipers on saltmarsh pool, then flew off. Frampton Marsh, American Golden Plover on wet grassland east of visitor centre. Little Stint on wet grassland north of Sea Bank. Freiston Shore, 2 Little Stints reported. Manby Flashes, Wood Sandpiper. Rimac, Wood Sandpiper at Sea View Washlands. Whisby, Smew ad drk on lake at quarry off Job's Lane ,on east lake. Wolla Bank Pit, 12 + Wood Sandpipers. 2/5/2026 Alkborough Flats, 2 Garganey, drk + fem. Russian White-fronted Goose. Branston Island, Garganey drk from cycle Path on west bank of the River Witham. 3 Glossy Ibises from cycle path on West bank of river Witham. Wood Sandpiper. Deeping St James, Little Tern on island at East Pit. Frampton Marsh, Temminck's Stint behind visitor centre, Flew towards sea wall, on pool, 3 Little Stints. American Golden Plover on Marsh Farm grassland. Gibraltar Point, 2 Garganey 1 drk at Fenland Lagoon. Manby Flashes, Wood Sandpiper. Rimac, Woodlark north of Sea View car park in dunes. 3/5/2026 Anderby Creek, Wood Sandpiper ar Anderby Marsh. Alkborough Flats, Garganey drk on pool by River Trent. Spotted Redshank. Branston Island, 3 Glossy Ibises from River Witham cycle path. Drk Garganey + Wood Sandpiper. Deeping St James, Little Tern on island at East Pit. Frampton Marsh, American Golden Plover ad on Marsh farm grassland. Little Stint at Reedbed. Gibraltar Point, Hooded Crow at Golf Course, 2 Garganey on Fenland Lagoon. Manby Flashes, 3 Temminck's Stints. 2 Wood Sandpipers. Skellingthorpe, Pied Flycatcher new memorial at St Lawrence's Church. Stallingborough, Cress Marsh, Wood Sandpiper. [Permit only.] 4/5/2026 Branston Island, 3 Glossy Ibises from cycle path on west bank of River Witham. Drk Garganey and Wood Sandpiper. Cleethorpes, Glossy Ibis at Cleethorpes Country Park north of Rosemary Way on flash.. Frampton Marsh, Black-winged Stilt at Middle Scrape. 2 Wood Sandpipers, 2 Little Stints. Temminck's Stint on wet grassland. American Golden Plover ad. from 360 hide/on Marsh Farm grassland. Manby Flashes, 3 Temminck's Stints, 4 Wood Sandpipers. Rimac, Hoopoe between Rimac and Sea View. Saltfleetby/Theddlethorpe Dunes, Hoopoe from viewing mound north of pond. Stallingborough, Cress Marsh, 3 Wood Sandpipers on lagoon. [Permit only.] 5/5/2026 Branston Island, 3 Glossy Ibises from cycle path on west bank of River Witham. Spotted Redshank and 8 Wood Sandpipers. Frampton Marsh, Black-winged Stilt. Gibraltar Point, .2 Garganey 1 drk at Fenland Lagoon. Rimac, Hoopoe between Rimac and Sea View, in dunes. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3. WILDLIFE NEWS FROM AROUND THE COUNTY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Find the Grid Reference - don't forget - it's important Grab a Grid Reference: https://www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm UK Grid Reference Finder: http://www.gridreferencefinder.com/ ROAD KILLS? PLEASE LET US KNOW. Every drive is a transect! Hedgehogs? Badgers? Otters? Reports welcome. *** County Wildlife Reports from Readers *** Thanks to our regular contributors across the county. Much appreciated. 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 25/4/2026 House Sparrow 12+ Robin 2 Blackbird 3m, 2f Dunnock 2 Chaffinch 1f Goldfinch 2+ Blue Tit 2 Great Tit 1 Domestic pigeon 4 Starling 4+ Woodpigeon 4 Collared Dove 2 Jackdaw 6+ Butterflies: Holly Blue BARDNEY GARDEN SK117700 Phil and Mary Porter Cuckoo heard most days, from around half a mile away. 1-2 Bats seen most days 29th April 2026 Our first Hummingbird Hawk Moth of the year appeared briefly. This is one of the earliest I have ever seen. A Speckled Wood butterfly was also a short-stay visitor. The singing Whitethroat has remained from last week, and 1-2 Bee-flies have re-appeared. 30th April 2026 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Blackcap and Whitethroat all heard. 2 Long-tailed Tits seen. If these are the same ones that tapped at their reflections in our windows recently, they have kept a low profile since then. A Collared Dove periodically does fairly well at feeding on a squirrel proof (some chance!) feeder, and a Red Admiral appeared. 1st May 2026 Things are getting very dry now, and the Whitethroat came to our frying pan bird bath for a wash. Also an immaculate adult male Pird Wagtail fed in the pebbly shallows of the pond. 2nd May 2026 Red admiral was still around, sun-bathing on the wall at 8.50. A different Pied Wagtail was at the pool, and Chiffchaff and Goldcrest heard. 3rd May 2026 A Wood Pigeon was starting to attack the first seedheads of the perennial forget-me-not Brunnera, repeating last year’s behaviour. 5th May 2026 There were several Nomad Bees, very difficult to identify specifically, and single Helophilus hoverfly and Hairy (Sloe) Shieldbug. We have only had the occasional single adult starling visiting the garden so far this year. The Cuckoo sounded much closer today. BROUGHTON WOODS. Angela Buckle 29th April. Garlic mustard, Bluebells, Ground ivy, Moschatel, Red campion, Bugle, Three-nerved sandwort, Spring beauty, Hairy bittercress, Violet, Wild garlic, Lords and ladies, Spotted lords and ladies, Dogs Mercury, Cowslip, Twayblade, Wood anemone, Archangel, Primroses, Herb Paris, Wild strawberry, Yellow pimpernel, Greater stitchwort, Early purple orchid, Orange tip butterfly, Speckled wood, Brimstone, Small white. ELSHAM QUARRY Angela Buckle 2nd May Solomons seal, Garlic mustard, Lords and ladies, Ground ivy pink flowered, Bulbous buttercup Common vetch Milkwort, Red campion, Cow parsley, Cuckoo flower, Creeping buttercup, Birds foot trefoil, Crosswort, Winter cress, Small white butterfly, Speckled wood, Bee-fly. FAR INGS Angela Buckle 3rd May Bulbous buttercup, Sea milkwort. Birds. Swifts, Swallows, Sand martins, Water rail, Bittern, Marsh harrier. Common terns NETTLETON LODGE GAME FARM Ben Jacob 2nd May One large Eyed Ladybird Anatis ocellata seen on the shooting ground ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 No records this week ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 WildNews below. Plenty of life in the dunes in the recent warm days, and a few nice species too. 290426 – purple heron flew out of dune slack marsh south of Rimac and later flew out of Rimac reedbed then flew north roughly following the Great Eau past Sea View. 2 hobby feeding over Rimac freshwater marsh early evening. Cuckoo calling along willow boundary south of Rimac late morning and 2 flew south early evening. 2 little ringed plover Rimac car park scrape. 6 wheatear on dune top between Sea View and Rimac. 5 grasshopper warbler reeling between Rimac and MOD, and another 2 between MOD and Churchill Lane. Wigeon pair dropped onto Rimac freshwater marsh scrape. Male pied flycatcher in trees at Mablethorpe North End and willow warbler singing. Avocet and yellow wagtail on wet grassland south of Crook Bank. Wheatear and whimbrel on saltmarsh at Brickyard Lane, and a redpoll and siskin flew over. 5 willow warbler singing in dune scrub near Brickyard Lane. Merlin on saltmarsh near old tank at MOD, and a small southerly movement of swallows over the beach edge. Large numbers of St. Marks flies across the dunes around scrub. Butterflies – holly blue Churchill Lane; brimstone Brickyard Lane. 300526 – just 3.7mm of rainfall recorded in all of April; the driest since 2007. Bittern called briefly from Rimac reedbed at midday, and later became more active being seen to fly from Rimac freshwater marsh to the corner of the reedbed. 4 wood sandpiper, 2 little ringed plover, common sandpiper, 2 ruff, oystercatcher pair, whimbrel, 2 yellow wagtail on Rimac car park scrape throughout the day, and 2 cattle egret with ponies nearby. Female wheatear on dunes near Rimac entrance gate. Reed warblers singing from Rimac bridge and in Rimac reedbed. 2 hobby hunting along Rimac dunes early evening. 6 grasshopper warblers reeling between Rimac and south of MOD in the morning. Cuckoo, barn owl, sparrowhawk and 3 cetti’s warbler Rimac south. 2 swift flew south over Rimac car park and male stonechat singing from top of scrub. 10 avocet on Paradise Lagoon. Butterflies – wall Rimac; 4 wall Brickyard Lane. Odonata – hairy dragonfly Rimac by quarry hill. 010526 – common sandpiper, 2 pairs lapwing, reed warbler, and greylag pair with 8 gosling from Sea View bridge. Woodlark feeding in the dunes north of Rimac late afternoon. Common sandpiper, greenshank, 2 ruff, 2 little ringed plover, avocet, whimbrel, yellow wagtail around Rimac car park scrape, and sparrowhawk flew over. 2 great white egret around Rimac early morning and 5 grasshopper warbler reeling throughout the day. 8 house martin collecting mud with swallows and 2 sand martin. Reed warbler singing in buckthorn on Brickyard Lane saltmarsh, yellow wagtail and little ringed plover feeding, sparrowhawk and wood sandpiper flew over, and 4 pairs skylark and a pair of meadow pipit established. One rising skylark chased by merlin but managed to escape. Sparrowhawk pair over Churchill Lane and a hobby flew north-west early afternoon, and another hobby over Mablethorpe North End. Butterflies – 2 red admiral, panted lady, comma Brickyard Lane. Odonata – four-spotted chaser MOD pond. St. Marks flies beginning to drop in numbers, but green longhorn moths increasing. 020526 – spoonbill and 6 avocet on Paradise Lagoon in the morning. 2 little ringed plover Rimac car park scrape and merlin perched in dead elder. Stonechat pair next to Rimac gate. Cuckoo flew along the edge of Rimac saltmarsh. Red kite flew west over Brickyard Lane mid-morning, and a female marsh harrier flew high south. Butterflies – clear migration of painted lady throughout the day; between Rimac and MOD 3 brimstone, brown argus, common blue, 19 green hairstreak, holly blue, 3 large white, 7 small white, 4 orange-tip, 16 painted lady, 12 peacock, 14 small copper (including aberration intermedia), 5 small heath, small tortoiseshell, speckled wood, 31 wall. Moths – burnet companion, mother Shipton, silver-y, white ermine. 030526 – common sandpiper, little ringed plover, 20 tufted ducks Rimac car park scrape. 2 cattle egret with ponies Sea View Washlands in nice summer plumage. Stonechat pair by quarry hill viewpoint again and cuckoo singing in the dunes nearby. Pair goldeneye on pools at New Inn field, Saltfleet Haven. Water vole in pools beside Rimac easy access trail. 040526 – hoopoe in the dunes between Rimac and Sea View, mobile for most of the day ranging south of Rimac to Sea View Farm but settling in the afternoon and feeding in dune hollows. 4 fieldfare in pasture near Sea View farm in the morning and a male wheatear on dune plateau. Goldeneye pair at Rimac and 2 spoonbill flew south early morning. Little ringed plover flew off Rimac car park scrape. Common sandpiper Eau outfall. Buzzard flew over Sea View saltmarsh, flushing 12 whimbrel up. Hobby hunting over Rimac freshwater marsh in the evening, merlin perched on saltmarsh and cuckoo flew north towards Sea View. At least 1, probably 2, quail flew up from vegetation around Brickyard Lane saltmarsh late afternoon. 2 porpoises feeding close in at Mablethorpe North End. 050526 – hoopoe again feeding in dune hollows between Sea View and Rimac, although elusive for periods of the day. Cuckoo, sparrowhawk, grasshopper warbler, 2 willow warbler Rimac south. Siskin and a small movement of hirundines north over Rimac. Most grasshopper warblers gone quiet or moved on, but one also still lingering at Brickyard Lane. Sedge warbler and willow warbler numbers dropped in dune scrub as birds continue migrating. 14 whimbrel and 2 lesser whitethroat Sea View. Cuckoo flew north over Sea View in song, and another singing north of Elm House Farm. Butterflies – 5 wall Sea View-Rimac; 2 painted lady Crook Bank. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 5. BARDNEY LIMEWOODS NNR ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ These cover a huge area. Reports always welcome. The history of the Lincolnshire Limewoods: https://www.forestryjournal.co.uk/features/19111877.lincolnshire-limewoods/ The Forestry Commission visitor advice: https://www.forestryengland.uk/article/coronavirus-visitor-guide ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire Branch: https://butterfly-conservation.org/300/lincolnshire-branch.html *** Butterfly Conservation Lincolnshire *** Chambers Farm Wood Butterfly Garden Volunteers Email: margaretwestcott7@hotmail.co.uk https://butterfly-conservation.org/in-your-area/lincolnshire-branch/chambers-farm-wood-butterfly-garden GARDENING DATES FOR 2026 AT CHAMBERS FARM WOOD BUTTERFLY GARDEN, LN8 5JR Courtesy of Forestry England. Join us in the garden, (What 3 words shrub.prouder.disarmed) , anytime between 9.30am and 3.00pm. Wear appropriate clothing, bring your own tools and lunch All 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month 19th May 2nd & 16th June 7th & 21st July 4th & 18th August 1st & 15th September These dates are provisional – phone Margaret 01205 750719 to confirm before travelling *** Lincolnshire Dormouse Group *** As always for the summer sessions, we will meet at 9.30am, and this will be outside the wood centre in the car park of Chambers Farm Wood. As with last year we will be limiting the number of volunteers per session to around 10 visitors Those interested will need to 'sign in' via email beforehand, by emailing Oliver at lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com. Up coming boxcheck dates are May, Sun 24th Jun, Sat 20th Jul, Sun 19th Aug, Sat 22nd Sep, Sun 20th Oct, Sat 24th If you are interested in joining us, please get in touch with Olly at lincsdormousegroup@gmail.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The NNR includes the following sites: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chambers Farm Woods (comprises Ivy Wood; Little and Great Scrubbs Woods; Minting Wood; Hatton Wood, Hatton Plantation and Minting Park; and also three areas of grassland: Little Scrubbs Meadow and extension), Small Meadow and Big Meadow. Since all have their own management plans, please give the actual location when reporting). College Wood; Cocklode & Great West Woods; Hardy Gang Wood; Newball Wood; Rand Wood; Scotgrove Wood; Southrey Wood and Wickenby Wood. Many of these include both areas of ancient woodland or important grassland. Many are also designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Records which provide a six-figure grid reference are of particular value to the Forestry Commission. Other woods included in the NNR but without public access: Stainfield Wood; Stainton & Fulnetby Woods (access by public bridle way only). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 6. OTHER RESERVE REPORTS AND HIGHLIGHTS. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Discover Woodland Trust woods near you- including the best woods for walks, wildlife watching, family fun and heritage. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/visiting-woods/woods/#=undefined&view=map Lincolnshire County Council - Local Nature Reserves https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/coast-countryside/nature-reserves Links to "Other Reserves" are welcome. Your suggestions, please. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. Dragonfly Identification help https://british-dragonflies.org.uk/odonata/species-and-identification/ Local Bat Helpline Grounded bats, bat problems, advice and information. Contact Annette Faulkner on 01775 766286 Email: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com Confidential Bat Records You may send confidential bat records direct to Annette Faulkner on: annettefaulkner@btinternet.com 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 Slug ID Help Chris du Feu will help with slug identification. Tel: 01383 669 124 Email: chris.r.dufeu@gmail.com BEE NEWS Caroline Tero has just taken on the role of County Recorder for bees for Lincolnshire. Her email is: caroline.tero@ntlworld.com USEFUL WILDLIFE LINKS Please copy and paste URLs if necessary. 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 Atlas of the terrestrial and semi-aquatic Mammals of Lincolnshire: downloadable LNU book ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 sending in reports, e.g. unusual plants, please report any sensitive news directly to recorders. Not the Bulletin. We don't want to spoil things with unwise or untimely publicity. Thank you. Please respect the interests of wildlife and site owners if you report on national networks. Interest in wildlife is not a licence to act irresponsibly or thoughtlessly to landowners, who may well be partners in important conservation work. [Views expressed in the Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the LNU or associated organisations. In particular this applies to agencies, especially charities, taking a political stance.] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 11. LNU EVENTS DIARY ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *** LNU FIELD MEETINGS 2026*** *** LNU FIELD MEETING *** Saturday 30th May Swinstead Valley SSSI Joint LNU/LFG. Access courtesy of Grimsthorpe Estate. Car parking on the street in Swinstead village. We will assemble from 11:00am at the start of the public footpath Grid reference: TF 01526 22571 What3Words: ///hurt.beakers.limped. The walk to Swinstead Valley SSSI is just under a kilometre and takes about 20 minutes. The event leaders will depart the assembly point no later than 11:40am and walk to arrive at the entrance to the SSSI, Grid reference: TF 00759 22431 What3Words: ///broached.baker.boosted for a midday start. 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 Oil Beetle Hunt https://www.buglife.org.uk/get-involved/surveys/oil-beetle-hunt/ Which bird has the best song? These experts think they know https://theconversation.com/which-bird-has-the-best-song-these-experts-think-they-know-281259 These Bees Change Color With the Weather and Scientists Finally Know Why https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/these-bees-change-color-with-the-weather-and-scientists-finally-know-why/ Feeding garden birds | BTO (Seasonal update) https://www.bto.org/learn/helping-birds/feeding The Book of Birds - A Field Guide to Wonder and Loss (A recommendation by Julia Smith) https://www.sevenfables.co.uk/post/the-book-of-birds-a-field-guide-to-wonder-and-loss Sewage and agricultural pollution having 'alarming' impact on UK's underwater forests https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0pl9j88gno 'Mournes could take centuries to recover from wildfires' https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cevpy8r2e22o Dragonflies in distress: Scientists sound alarm in India's ecological hotspot https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2107kzyreo Nature haven 'trashed' after four-year wait for protection decision https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgzl329lqlo *** Mail Fails *** 13 emails "bounced" last week! "I'm sorry to have to inform you that your message could not be delivered to one or more recipients." If you experience any such problem in future please let Alex know. mrapickwell@gmail.com ----------------- ~ THE END ~ ----------------- (..until next week!) Roger Parsons old.museum@yahoo.co.uk http://rogerparsons.info/