Searching shores in 2012
Early in the New Year we will be starting our new Shoresearch programme.
This is beachcombing with a purpose: a way of surveying the beach and recording what's found. Throughout the year we will be running a monthly Shoresearch at various locations on the Lincolnshire coast.
Through these surveys we hope to build a better picture of what lives where - and we need your help. The surveys are very straightforward, previous knowledge of marine wildlife isn't necessary as there will be experts on hand to help with identification.
All you need to do is book so we know you're coming and then turn up on the day!
- Saturday 7 January , 10am-12pm – Gibraltar Point
- Saturday 11 February, 1pm-3pm – Anderby Creek
- Saturday 10 March, 1pm-3pm – Seacroft
- Saturday 14 April, 10am-12pm – Chapel Point
- Saturday 12 May, 2pm-4pm – Gibraltar Point
- Saturday 9 June, 2pm-4pm – Wolla Bank
- Saturday 14 July, 10am-12pm – Anderby Creek
- Saturday 11 August, 9am-11am – Gibraltar Point
- Saturday 8 September, 3pm-5pm – Seacroft
- Saturday 13 October, 11am-1pm – Chapel Point
- Saturday 10 November, 10am-12pm – Wolla Bank
- Saturday 8 December, 10am-12pm – Seacroft
For more information and to book your place please call 01754 898057 or email The Wash Study Centre at Gibraltar Point.
December 2011
Coastal Grazing Marshes project is launched
Thanks to a £857,399 Landscape Partnerships Grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, a three-year partnership-led project to regenerate the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes is now underway. The project will focus on three target areas in East Lindsey around Burgh-le-Marsh, Saltfleetby and Huttoft.
The project will support local farmers and landowners to conserve the remaining traditional grazing marsh by providing access to grants, advice and training. Local communities will also be supported through a programme of cultural, educational and access projects. These will enable local people to discover, explore and celebrate the special quality of their own local areas and boost the local economy.
Emma Sayer, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund, East Midlands said "the grazing marshes are an internationally important habitat, loved by the local community but often remaining unrecognised further afield. With HLF support, the partners can look to enhance the biodiversity of the area, tell its rich history and encourage people to enjoy this beautiful wide open landscape."
A new project team are now in post, hosted by East Lindsey District Council. The Partnership also includes English Heritage, Environment Agency, Heritage Trust Lincolnshire, Lindsey Marsh Drainage Board, Lincolnshire County Council, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Natural England and the National Farmers Union.
To find out more about the project, visit the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes website
December 2011
Saving Water
Water is one of our precious resources particularly during the drought-like conditions that we have been experiencing. Two new projects on nature reserves, funded through the Water Frameworks Directive, will help manage water. Reserves can act like sponges, holding rainwater and gradually releasing it into drains and rivers, reducing the likelihood of flooding. Great for us and great for wildlife that benefits from damper, wetter ground.
** At Saltfleetby and Theddlethorpe Dunes, the canalised River Eau will be softened with the removal of a river bank. The banks squeeze the river into a narrow channel, with the bank removed, when necessary the river will flood the adjacent meadows.
** At Moor Farm and Kirkby Moor, open ditches will be dammed and water directed onto the nature reserves. Helping to keep the reserves wet for species such as bog myrtle, bog pimpernel and sphagnum mosses, and slowing down the movement of water into the drains and rivers.
Water management at Whisby Nature Park has also been improved with the installation of a brand new tilting weir on Thorpe Lake thanks to North Kesteven Council. The 'tilting weir' design allows adjustments to be more precise and easy to achieve.
December 2011
Recycling for wildlife
People in North Lincolnshire have helped raise £3,000 for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust through their commitment to recycling. For every tonne of glass, paper, textiles and cans recycled by the residents of North Lincolnshire, Palm Recycling Ltd, the company that collects the blue and green kerbside boxes and textile bags, pledges £1 to charity.
Cllr Nigel Sherwood, cabinet member for Highways and Neighbourhoods, North Lincolnshire Council, has thanked the people of North Lincolnshire for their dedicated contribution to the kerbside collection scheme and said: "The money wouldn’t have been raised if it wasn’t for their recycling efforts. We have chosen to donate £3,000 to the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust to help them improve their facilities and build a new path that is more accessible for people that are less able."
The donation was presented in November to Lionel Grooby, North Lincolnshire Regional Warden by The Mayor of North Lincolnshire, Cllr Keith Vickers and Ben Saunders, UK Operations Manager at Palm Recycling Ltd. It will be used to build a new footpath linking the Ness End Farm car park to the ramp at the bottom of the double decker Ness Pit Bird Hide. The new path will have a level, dry surface that will be suitable for all visitors and improve access, enabling people of all abilities to enjoy the wildlife spectacle of Ness Lake at Far Ings National Nature Reserve.
November 2011
Highs and Lows
High and low tides can provide spectacular sights.
Very low tides reveal the petrified forests at Huttoft. As the tide retreats tree stumps of an ancient forest can be seen in the sands, proving sea levels have changed in the past.
High tides flood the mudflat feeding grounds of waders, causing vast flocks of birds to take flight. It is a breathtaking sight as tens of thousands of knot, dunlin and oystercatcher appear to move as one entity like shoaling fish.
On the highest of tides, the waves sweep far inland forming the tidal wave of the Trent Aegir that can be seen in Gainsborough.
Photos, left to right: petrified forest (Les Binns), waders at Gibraltar Point (Robin Cosgrove) and the Trent Aegir (Paul Learoyd)
October 2011
Teacher Twilight Training Sessions
Based at Far Ings National Nature Reserve, we will be providing a series of five early evening sessions that are designed to enable teaching staff to get the best learning opportunities from nature based visits outside the classroom environment. Certificates of attendance will be presented at each session for Continuing Professional Development purposes.
- Is it worth the risk? - 13 October 2011
Identifying and managing risks associated with countryside sites.
- The bigger picture - 10 November 2011
Making your visit extend and enrich curriculum based learning plans.
- Friend or Foe? - 8 December 2011
Classification and taxonomy for the wary.
- Really Good Resources - 9 February 2012
Developing and designing resources to use for nature based learning.
- Whatever next? - 8 March 2012
Classroom-based follow up ideas and developing your school grounds.
Funded places are available on a first come first served basis.
Normal cost: £15 per session
Booking is essential please call 01652 637055.
Organised in conjunction with Opal and funded by the Big Lottery Fund.
September 2011
Transforming Willow Tree Fen
At Willow Tree Fen nature reserve in South Holland the transformation of 114 hectares of farmland to a typical fenland landscape of reedbeds, shallow meres, seasonally flooded pastures and hay meadows is picking up pace. From 1 May, with the Higher Level Stewardship agreement from Natural England in place, some of the major work on the land can begin.
Fencing will be put in place, a new ditch dug and water control structures installed: ready to be re-wetted in the late summer/autumn. Over the summer, the site will be kept dry so the inevitable weeds can be kept under control and for re-seeding with 7 different grass species suitable for wet fenland conditions.
Developing the habitats at Willow Tree Fen will triple the area of wild fenland in the county and it is linked by waterways to other existing nature reserves. It's been made possible with financial support from Natural England, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership, Environment Agency and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust's members.
> Willow Tree Fen nature reserve
May 2010
Lincolnshire coastal landscape to benefit
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded an earmarked first-round pass to the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes as part of its Landscape Partnership (LP) programme. The grant of £904,500, including £47,100 development funding, will form part of a £1.7million project to help safeguard the unique natural and historic heritage of the coastal plain.
The Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes Project has been developed by a partnership which brings together interested parties from local authorities and agriculture, environment, conservation and heritage sector bodies. Practical and financial support will be available for local farmers in the conservation and management of grassland and livestock through a capital grant scheme and training programme; there will be opportunities, through a programme of activities, for local people and visitors to learn about the history, traditions and wildlife of this forgotten part of Lincolnshire; people will be encouraged to interpret the local landscape and celebrate local legends, customs and myths through art, creative writing and performance; and a series of nature and heritage trails, themed cycle routes and new horse-riding trails will allow people to explore the area and appreciate its unique charm and beauty.
Lincolnshire County Council will be the lead partner in the next stage; to develop these themes further and produce detailed proposals and project plans. Involvement of local communities will be essential in this process to make sure that the project incorporates people’s ideas about what is special and distinctive about the local landscape and its history.
> Visit the Coastal Grazing Marshes website (opens in new browser window)
April 2009
Car Parking Season Tickets
A combined car parking season ticket for Gibraltar Point and Snipe Dales is available for £7.50 for 12 months.
The season ticket is available at the Snipe Dales Office, Gibraltar Point Visitor Centre or by post from:
Banovallum House, Manor House Street, Horncastle LN9 5HF
Please make cheques payable to "Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust".
Mark your envelope CPST and enclose a stamped addressed envelope.
February 2007
