Wildlife Trust Annual Review 2013 -2014

Nature Conservation from the Humber to the Wash Protecting Wildlife for the Future Our vision: Lincolnshire and the neighbouring sea and estuaries to be rich in wildlife for the benefit of everyone Sheri Lake

From the Chairman My first full year as Chairman has been, as our president There are other positive things to celebrate, little terns said, ‘A baptism of fire’. The tidal surge, which is covered at Gibraltar Point have had their best breeding success for else where, was the start of things. The death of Sir John over a decade. The tidal surge has resulted in larger areas Mason, after a long and courageous fight against cancer of suitable habitat being created which has helped in this was a sad loss and he will be missed by all who knew him. recovery, every cloud has a silver lining! Elsewhere in this Mine and the Trust’s sympathy are extended to his wife review there are reports of species doing well, marbled and family. white butterflies at Red Hill being a good example. It is all too easy to dwell on the negative things but The Trust are lucky in having a dedicated and hard we should resist this as there has also been much to working staff who make all these positive moves forward celebrate as the vision of creating Living Landscapes possible. Their hard work, with the support they receive is beginning to be achieved with the purchase of the from you the members, other landowners, businesses, remaining section of the Woodhall Spa Airfield and councils and other environmental groups, will ensure that the transfer back to the Trust of Birds Wood and the wildlife in Lincolnshire from the Humber to the Wash, surrounding quarry workings complete with additional will flourish for us and future generations to enjoy. It just land and a bungalow. This will be enhance by further remains for me to thank all our many supporters for their sand extraction to the north of the site, creating a link to efforts in helping the Trust achieve its aims in creating an the Trust’s Haxey Turbary Reserve. Due to further sand environment rich in wildlife for the benefit of all. extraction it will be some years before the site can be open for visitors but an enlarged wetland is an exciting Geoff Trinder prospect. These are just two examples of additional Chairman land acquisitions.

There’s increasing evidence that connecting with nature and spending time outdoors is better for our health and our children’s health. Throughout the year, thousands of children have visited Trust nature reserves with their schools, taken part in regular activities with their local Wildlife Watch group or in events organised by the Trust’s Education Officers. Tom Goodger, Sheri Lake, Mary Porter, Adrian Royston Sheri Lake, Mary Porter, Goodger, Tom

Cover image: short-eared owl Geoff Trinder

25,208 members ● 98 nature reserves ● 9 Living Landscape schemes Over 10,000 people

Les Binns took part in almost 300 events over the year including this pond dipping as part of an open day organised by the Bourne Area Group. Dave Vandome

On one weekend in

July, 890 species of Les Binns plants and animals were identified at Pasque flowers at Ancaster were Whisby Nature Park bigger and more numerous than including 35 new seen before with up to 30 plants. species for the site.

The year of the storm surge

The year ultimately became dominated by the damage Major works were undertaken at Gibraltar Point caused by the tidal flooding in December 2013. On National Nature Reserve to deal with the immediate the evening of 5 December 2013 a tidal surge in the aftermath of the flooding. Efforts to drain saline water North Sea resulted in the highest tides ever recorded in from the freshwater marsh and reduce the chances of an Britain, exceeding those 60 years earlier in the winter of immediate re-occurrence were carried out. Long lengths 1953, estimated 2 metres higher than would be usually of fencing were replaced to enable conservation grazing expected. and paths rebuilt. The reserve was quickly re-opened, The surge of water caused overtopping of the Humber however the visitor centre and study centre buildings will Bank and extensive flooding along the North Sea coast have to be demolished leaving just the old coastguard including Lincolnshire causing considerable damage house built in 1859. The vision is to restore the old including to Trust nature reserves, buildings, paths, fences coastguard house and build a new visitor centre that can and other infrastructure. The sites most affected were Far withstand flooding. Ings, Donna Nook and Gibraltar Point, many smaller sites At Far Ings National Nature Reserve natural flows of on the Humber and Wash also suffered damage. freshwater into the lakes saw rapid reduction in salinity It is difficult to understand the full scale of the impact of the freshwater pits. Long lengths of fencing were on nature reserves and associated visitor facilities though replaced to enable conservation grazing and paths rebuilt. it is estimated that the Trust’s insured losses could be in The reserve was partially re-opened, major repairs to the the region of £1million, this is equivalent to half our total Humber Bank by the Environment Agency and to the annual operating budget. The response to the event will visitor centre limited access. have implications on the Trust’s operations for many years In late November, Donna Nook Seal Colony was to come. recognised by Humber Industry and Nature Conservation Association (INCA) was for its contribution to the Humber environment; a successful breeding season sees it as the largest English breeding colony with an estimated 6,000 animals. During and immediately after the tidal surge, seal safety was a key priority and a higher number of rescues than normal were undertaken. Quick action on the night along with relatively gentle conditions and timing of the event (late in the season) saw mortality levels remain very low. The seal viewing area remained officially closed through to the end of the season for visitor safety. Long lengths of fencing were replaced to enable conservation grazing and paths rebuilt. With the visitor centre and café closed, refreshments were provided from a from a catering van in the car park. Lilianna Witkowska-Wawer With the breaching of Bulldog Bank at Gibraltar Point water flooded onto The Mere and Freshwater Marsh to a depth of at least two metres. Thought to be extinct in the county Up to a dozen snipe were by the 1980s, on a single day in seen at Snipe Dales over the

2013, 300 individual marbled white Peter Roworth autumn and winter. butterflies were counted at Red Hill nature reserve.

3,500 marsh helleborine were counted at Saltfleetby. Don Davis Les Binns

Inspiring people Securing more land for wildlife

The closure of the visitor and education centres at Far With funding from WREN, a legacy donation from Robert Ings and Gibraltar Point has greatly reduced capacity for Thomas Pearson and generous donations from the public, delivering education. At Far Ings, the old visitor centre the former RAF Woodhall Spa Airfield has been secured was adapted to accommodate the Trust shop and a busy by the Trust. These funds will complete the purchase of programme of school visits. At Gibraltar Point, temporary the remaining area of previously quarried land at the old facilities for day visit school groups are provided within the airfield. Plans to restore to a nature reserve while retaining Plantation where two Tipis provide an outdoor classroom. some of the military heritage are underway. An extensive However, over 60 schools were visited for outreach consultation has been carried out in the community and work, engaging with a further 8,000 pupils. This is a interested parties. significant increase from the 5,500 in 2013 and was very Restoration of the 120 hectares of the airfield already positively received. owned by the Trust is already underway to transform The recently established Wildlife Watch group in the habitats for the benefit of wildlife. Cessation of the Grimsby, an urban group, is going from strength to adjacent gravel extraction and processing operations has strength. With 11 Watch groups in the county there are seen a dramatic change in water levels with a positive rise opportunities for families to discover wildlife together. resulting in attractive wet flushes. The Trust’s website was re-launched in March using Work on restoration of the Trust’s new Huttoft Marsh a more modern platform developed by The Wildlife nature reserve was been delayed due to technical Trusts nationally. difficulties but is now proceeding to establish coastal grazing marsh and dune habitat which will significantly extend the area of the Lincolnshire Coastal Country Park Woodhall Spa Airfield was featured on BBC TV’s Countryfile, managed for wildlife. The area is being considered as one BBC Radio 4 Open Country and BBC Look North of the countyís first local designated Nature Improvement Areas. A small but valuable extension to Rush Furlong Nature Reserve (three selions in old measurements – appropriate given the name of the reserve) was complemented by an impressive display of green winged orchids. The purchase was made possible by a generous gift from Stanley Johnson a long standing member of the Isle of Axholme Area Group. The Trust remains activity involved in forward planning to try to ensure appropriate policies are included in local and national plans and strategies to protect nature conservation sites from inappropriate development and other activity and achieve more resilience to climate change and other pressures. Robert Enderby Don Davis

Barrie Wilkinson dragonflies, oneof15 Black darter birds includingalmost1,000wigeon. far. Thehighwaterlevelsattractedwetland reached apeakof1.36metres, thehighestby Water levelsonWillowTree Fennature reserve the reserve. eggs inthepoolson were seenlayingtheir at EpworthTurbary, species ofdragonfly Coronation MeadowRedHillforuseon project sites. will becollected from Trust nature reserves includingour and trainingdays.Localwildflower seedandgreen hay demonstration sites,community projects, holdingevents meadow creation andmanagementbyestablishing to inspire, involveandtrainvolunteersinwildflower Wildflower MeadowsNetwork project. Theproject aims the HeritageLotteryFundfor thenewLincolnshire’s of theLifeonVerge project. Local WildlifeSites.Work hasnowfocussedonthelegacy interest havebeendiscovered andbeendesignatedas many road verges thathavemaintainedtheirbotanical at least3,000hoursoftheirtime.Through thesesurveys to survey2,741kmofroad (5,482kmofverge) andgiven Wolds (from 2011)more than250volunteershavehelped south-west Lincolnshire (from 2008)andtheLincolnshire Over thefiveyearsofLifeon Verge projects in Creating aLivingLandscape waterside vegetationtoflourish. sheltered backwatersthatwillencourage wildlifeand created anewvariedlandscape ofpools,channelsand had developedadensecoverofbirch and willow has Cargill. Levellingaseriesofgravelridgesinthelakewhich Lake atWhisbyNature Parkfunded byBiffaward and early results bothaesthetically and scientifically. flowers atSnipeDalesisalsodeliveringsomepromising releasing youngeelsinto the RiverLymn. Lincolnshire RiversTrust andtheSustainableEelGroup river flowandforfishtomigrate.The Trustjoinedthe a bridge,damsandculvertstoallowformore natural were inevidence.Therestoration workincludedwidening Good numbersofbrown trout, lamprey andbullhead from afishsurveycarried outbytheEnvironment Agency. work completedonlyayearagowithimpressive results clear evidenceoftheimportanceriverrestoration Snipe DalesNature Reserveand CountryParkshowed Managing nature reserves The Trust hasreceived agrantof£76,300from A majorwetlandproject hasbeen completedinTeal The woodlandfloraproject toincrease thediversityof

Dean Eades

change andother pressures. other activityandachievemore resilience toclimate conservation sitesfrom inappropriate developmentand local andnationalplansstrategies toprotect nature to tryensure appropriate policiesare includedin changes in2012. of anewapproach toplanningaftertheTrust’s policy reduction onprevious yearsresulting from theadoption to safeguard thesitethrough increased controls. contributed to the decision by Lincolnshire County Council the Drift’petitionachieved1,200responses andnodoubt Site ofSpecialScientificInterest (SSSI).Theonline‘Save from off-road vehicles andbikesdespitedesignationasa in south-westLincolnshire wassuffering severe damage The Driftisaprecious stretch ofwildflower-rich green lane Campaigning forwildlife The Trust remains activityinvolvedinforward planning The Trust responded to129planningapplications,a Meadows tomarkthe60thanniversaryofQueenElizabethII’s coronation. Themeadow will provide source seedforfurther extensions onthesiteandnewmeadowsacross thecounty. Red Hillwasselectedasoneofthecountry’s Coronation

Sheri Lake using thecentre duringtheyear. busiest yeareverwith10,507people Whisby EducationCentre hadits

Kevin James At Gibraltar Point, amongst the impressive annual gathering of up to 70,000 Robin Cosgrove knot in late summer, there was a remarkable build-up of 12,000 dunlin, 5,700 sanderling and 1,000 ringed plover.

Until the beginning of May 2013, when a male Harry Hogg

Matthew Blissett and†female were spotted together at Scotton A pod of five bottlenose dolphins Common, the minotaur were seen breaching out of the beetle hadn’t been seen in water offshore from Gibraltar Point Lincolnshire since 2008. in late August.

Working together

The Trust works with a large number of organisations in pursuing its aims. Partnerships with local authorities, statutory agencies and other voluntary bodies are a hallmark of our way of working. Several of the Trust’s nature reserves are operated in conjunction with local authorities, notably: Gibraltar Point (Lincolnshire County Council and District Council); Whisby Nature Park (Lincolnshire County Council and District Council); Snipe Dales near Horncastle (Lincolnshire County Council). The Trust works closely with Natural England in the management of the Saltfleetby- Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR and with the Ministry of Defence in the management of the Donna Nook NNR and Wainfleet Range. The Trust played a key role in the establishment of the

Humber Nature Partnership spanning the estuary And Joe Blissett is continuing to support the Greater Lincolnshire Nature Through the Lincolnshire Coastal Marshes Project a series of Partnership lesson planners, resource materials and activity sheets have The Trust hosts the South Lincolnshire Fenlands been produced for primary schools to learn about the area’s Project Officer on behalf of the partnership. Along with natural and historic significance. the Regional Fens Project Officer good progress is being made to improve the area for wildlife in this intensively farmed area. The Nature Improvement Area partnership project, Restoring Living Seas working across part of the Humberhead Levels, is underway. The Trust through its Marine Planning Officer, a unique The delivery phase of the Heritage Lottery Fund role in the NGO sector, has actively engaged in major Landscape Partnership Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing developments and plans in the North Sea and around the Marshes scheme is well underway, hosted by East UK most notably windfarms. Lindsey District Council. The Trust sits on the Project Despite considerable efforts to promote sites of Executive Board and ‘Discover, Explore, Celebrate’ Group the Lincolnshire coast no Marine Conservation Zones and chairs the ‘Protect and Sustain’ Group. (MCZ) previously recommended to government have been included in the first two tranches to be considered for designation. There was minor success with the introduction of Byelaws and associated Regulatory Notices relating to European Marine Sites. The first four Regulatory Notices introduced under the Byelaw were to protect Sabellaria spinulosa (Ross worm) reef and Boulder and Cobble Communities in The Wash and Zostera species (eelgrass) beds on the Lincolnshire coast on Haile Sand between Northcoates Point and Donna Nook. Robin Cosgrove Financial overview2013-2014 1373 Disposal oftheleasewasfinalizedduringcurrent difficult decisiontoclosetheLincolnShopafter35years. well-known ‘HighStreet’ retailers, theTrust tookthe able tocompleteduringtheyear. its objectivesbyincreasing thenumberofprojects itis valuable source ofincomeandallowtheTrust toachieve in thecurrent year. At£436k,theserepresent avery at thestartofyear. year-end theTrust had25,530members,upfrom 25,010 expended toincrease membershipnumbersandatthe income inthefuture. Additionalresources havebeen This produced anadditional£4kandwillgeneratefurther benefitting from aìgiftaidîcampaigninthelastquarter. and legacieshasheldupwellwithmembershipincome Landscape area. to ourlandholdingsintheKirkbyMoorLiving completed. Theacquisitionwilladdsignificantscale and willbespentoncethelegalformalitieshavebeen funds. Thissumisincludedinouryear-end cashbalances other individualswhosupportedtheTrust’s appealfor during thecurrent financialyear, alongsideanumberof WREN, whoprovided averygenerous grantof£450k at acostof£620k.TheTrust isextremely gratefulto final phaseoftheoldCEMEXworksat Woodhall Airfield During thefinancialyear Trust agreed toacquire the After aperiodofdifficulttrading,shared by other The Trust isparticularlygratefulforthelegaciesreceived Unrestricted incomefrom membership,investments 289 Copies ofthefullannualreport andfinancial statementsmaybeobtainedfrom the Trust’s Headquarters. Merchandising and consultancy income and consultancy Merchandising Legacies donations Subscriptions, aid and gift Other income Inspiring people conservation Wider countryside income Nature reserve Investment income Thank you toeveryonewho hassupportedus thisyear. 153 Total £3,240K Income 39 588 195

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436 Honorary Treasurer David Cohen that mayoccur. weather anyfurtherstorms–financialorclimate-related – a committedteamofstaff, theTrust iswellplacedto support ofmembersandvolunteersworkingalongside having astrong BalanceSheet.Withtheongoing events of5thDecemberhighlighttheimportance this yearísaccounts. as thesehaveyettobeagreed, theycannotbeincludedin Further sumsare expectedfrom theinsuranceclaim,but figures quotedbelow, becauseoftheirexceptionalnature. within themainsetofaccountsbutare notincludedinthe accrual ofinsurancemoniesagreed todateare included tidal surge havebeenwrittenoff. Theseentriesandthe have beenlostordamagedbeyondeconomicuseinthe pending itsre-establishment innewpremises. performance ofthebusinessisbeingcarefully monitored in thisReview. However, insuranceisinplaceandthe followingthetidalsurge,turnover mentionedelsewhere been impactedbythedeclineinretail andcatering budget” performance.Unfortunately, thatpromise has subsidiary companywasoncoursetodeliveran“above year atminimalcostandtheendofNovember In summary, thishasbeenachallengingyearandthe Following advicefrom ourauditors,alltheassetsthat 614 91 509 Merchandising and consultancy costs and consultancy Merchandising Governance costs income voluntary generating of Costs Inspiring people conservation Wider countryside management Nature reserve 18 Expenditure Total £2,616K 160

1224 Future Plans Acknowledgements The Trust is a voluntary, charitable organisation whose work is dependent on the goodwill, financial l Deliver plans for post flood support and voluntary input of individuals, businesses, local authorities and voluntary bodies. We recovery particularly focused acknowledge with thanks the help of all our supporters. We are grateful to the following for substantial at Far Ings, Donna Nook financial support in 2013/2014 through donations, grants and the sponsorship of projects: and Gibraltar Point National Anglian Water Forestry Commission RSPB Nature Reserves. Anglia Regional Co-op Heritage Lottery Fund RSWT Biffaward Lincolnshire County Council South Holland District Council l Continue delivery of Living Cargill PLC Ministry of Defence Vine House Farm Landscape projects on Centrica Natural England Wash Fens Rural Development which we lead or are a Defra North East Lindsey Programme partner: particularly the East Lindsey District Council Drainage Board Waste Recycling Environmental transition phase for Life Environment Agency North Kesteven District Council (WREN) on the Verge, Lincolnshire Esmé Fairbairn Foundation Council Wolds AONB Coastal Grazing Marshes The European Union Paw Print Charitable Trust and Coastal Country Park, and Humberhead Levels NIA, and complete Kirkby Moor Legacies extension (airfield acquisition Receipts from legacies form a substantial part of our unrestricted income, allowing us to find match phase 2). funding for a variety of projects and to maintain our Conservation and Development Funds. During 2013/14 the Trust has been notified of bequests from the Wills of the following: l Advocate the establishment Mary Holt Victor Holt Charles Ian Lee of the first Marine Iris Mary Bauckham Neil Anthony Taylor Mavis Dorothy Adams Conservation Zone off the Marguerite Parker John Monks Herbert James Sharman Lincolnshire coast and Alexander George Parker Robert Thomas Pearson Elinor Woodward influence other Marine Winifrid Margery Fox Peter Grant Protected Areas, marine plans and developments for benefit of wildlife. Corporate Members Corporate Membership of the Trust is designed to provide an effective means for companies to demonstrate care for the local environment. The following were Corporate Members during the l Achieve a nature reporting period: conservation success through both the Greater A R H Tucker & Sons Cupit Print Omex Agriculture Ltd Lincolnshire Nature Aggregate Industries Fenland Laundries Limited Page Paper Limited Partnership and the Humber Alfred Enderby Ltd Growing Wild Ltd Red Dog Film Nature Partnership. Andrew & Co Hornsby Travel Services Ltd Riva Construction Anglian Water Services Humber Bridge Board Rowhire Ltd l Achieve growth in Associated British Ports J E Piccaver & Co S Betteridge Paving Contractor membership numbers and B A Bush & Son Ltd J W Ruddock & Sons Ltd SCS Technology Solutions Ltd income. Badley Ashton & Associates Ltd John E Haith Ltd Sibelco UK Cargill PLC Jolly Common Caravan Park Singleton Birch Ltd l Implement changes to Chapel Garden Centre Kes Building Maintenance Tata Steel UK Ltd pensions (auto enrolment) Cleethorpes Builders Merchants Lafarge Aggregates Ltd TCS UK Spraying and VAT arrangements. Clugston Group Ltd Lincoln Cooperative Ltd The John Kinch Group ConocoPhilips (UK) Ltd Lowfields Leisure Ltd TOTAL UK LIMITED - Lindsey l Agree the Strategic Plan Cray Valley Ltd Mortons of Horncastle Ltd Oil Refinery for next five year period Creative Nature N E Lindsey Drainage Board Truelove Property & (2015-2020). Crowder & Sons Ltd Natureland Seal Sanctuary Construction Exeter St Veterinary Centre Novartis Grimsby YARA (UK) Ltd

Headquarters/Registered Office Snipe Dales Nature Reserve Presidents: Banovallum House and Country Park Dr A E Smith CBE MA President and Trustee Manor House Street Lusby, PE23 4JB Mr D N Robinson OBE MSc Vice President and Trustee Horncastle Tel: 01507 588401 Mr D F Wright MSc MSB Vice President Lincolnshire LN9 5HF Mr B Tear BSc Vice President Tel: 01507 526667 Whisby Nature Park Fax: 01507 525732 Tel: 01522 500676 Trustees/Directors: Email: [email protected] Education Centre Mr G L Trinder ARPS Chairman Website: www.lincstrust.org.uk Tel: 01522 696926 Mrs J Mellor MSc Deputy Chairman Thorpe-on-the-Hill, Lincoln Mr T S Sands Deputy Chairman Far Ings National Nature Reserve LN6 9BW Dr D A Sheppard BSc PhD Deputy Chairman and Visitor Centre Mr D A Cohen Honorary Treasurer Barton-on-Humber DN18 5RG Senior Staff Mrs M A S Bates BSc Tel: 01652 637055 Chief Executive: P Learoyd Mrs C E Harrison BSc Head of Reserves: D Bromwich Mr C Morrison CSci appointed 01.05.13 Gibraltar Point National Head of Conservation: C Steel Mr J Purvis BSc FCA appointed 01.05.13 Nature Reserve Head of Finance: S J Smith Skegness PE24 4SU Mrs A Quigley BA Tel: 01754 898057 Patrons Ms T Smalley MSc appointed 01.05.13 The Earl of Yarborough Mr P Stapleton appointed 01.11.13 Baroness Willoughby de Eresby Mr E J Redshaw

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust is a company limited by guarantee (No. 461863) and is a registered charity (No. 218895)