Annual Review 2015 - 2016

Nature Conservation from the Humber to Protecting Wildlife for the Future TOM MARSHALL

From the Chairman

Ted Smith, President of Wildlife Trust profound impact that Ted had on the first 100 years of died in September 2015. In the 1940s Ted Smith nature conservation: recognised the urgent need to save Lincolnshire’s most “This countryside of Britain may not be as rich as special places for nature. In 1948 he was the founding Ted knew it as a child in the 1920s and 30s but it is Honorary Secretary of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust immeasurably better than it would otherwise have been and went on to be Chairman and then President. He without him and The Wildlife Trusts. Generations to fought to save our unspoiled coast, ancient meadows come are going to benefit more than they will know.” and heaths and to halt the destruction of native In 2010, Gibraltar Point was dedicated to Ted in woodland. Ted campaigned on almost every front celebration of his lifetime commitment to the reserve. from saving roadside flowers from being sprayed with Established in 1949, Gibraltar Point was the first chemicals to pressing for legislation to protect otters. Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve. It was a His influence extended far beyond Lincolnshire. He new kind of nature reserve that promoted nature travelled the length and breadth of Britain, lecturing conservation, survey and research, as well as public on his vision for nature and for local Wildlife Trusts to enjoyment and access. Sadly Ted did not get to see the champion it. Most importantly, he saw the need for recovery of the nature reserve after the 2013 floods and local nature organisations which could own land and the completion of the new visitor centre which replaced for them to derive support from a wide section of the the one damaged during that event which opened in community. In 2012 he was presented with The Wildlife May 2016. Trusts’ Centenary Award by Sir David Attenborough. Talking about Ted Smith’s dedication and presenting Geoff Trinder, Chairman the award, Sir David Attenborough commented on the

Our vision: Lincolnshire and the neighbouring sea and estuaries to be rich in wildlife for the benefit ofeveryone

Cover image: sanderling (Mandy West) Airfield ENDERBY ROBERT

Creating a Living Landscape

Major works were completed to create the nature enhance for wildlife. Otter have also been recorded at reserve at the former Woodhall Spa Airfield including Willow Tree Fen nature reserve for the first time and large scale spoil movement, wetland creation and new introduction of greater water parsnip to the site has access. Development of a full restoration plan for the been highly successful. site and adjacent nature reserves (Moor Farm, Kirkby Large scale woodland management was undertaken Moor and Kirkby Low Wood) were developed with a at Tunman Wood nature reserve and Bloxholm Wood view to possible external funders. nature reserve with woodland plans prepared for a Whisby Nature Park’s 25th anniversary was number of other sites. The woodland flora project capped with the opening of the new rail crossing at at Snipe Dales is delivering results for people and the centre of the nature reserve. This was the result of wildlife with royal fern now being introduced after partnership work with Network Rail and Lincolnshire careful propagation. County Council and provides excellent access for The Trust continues to support the MoD at the visitors and the potential in time for good nightingale former Wainfleet Range and Natural England at habitat. -Theddlethorpe Dunes National Nature On Trust nature reserves otter have been regularly Reserve through direct management of the sites. The recorded at Deeping Lakes nature reserve following longer term arrangements for the sites remain under the installation of holts in previous years; works discussion. Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes NNR were undertaken to landscape a series of islands to is included amongst a small number of other NNRs across England to consider approaches to partnership working. On site there has been considerable frustration with anti-social behaviour and, while not unique to the site, its proximity to holiday resorts and numerous access points make this a particularly difficult site to manage. Regular sightings reports to the Lincolnshire Naturalists Union have helped demonstrate the site’s wildlife interest to a wider audience.

Otters have been seen on a number of Trust wetland nature reserves including, for the first time, at Willow Tree Fen in south

DEAN EADES Lincolnshire Yellow wagtail amongst grazing cattle MANDY WEST

area. A South Lincolnshire Fenlands Farmers’ bid to the Facilitation Fund (agri-environment fund for groups of landowners) was successful. Three farmers entered Mid-Tier agreements with potentially some Higher-Tier applications. Greatest benefit to date is in developing relationships with farmers.

Restoring Living Seas

SUSIE CROWE Lincolnshire’s marine life was brought to international attention with the stranding of four sperm whales Youngsters from the Alford Wildlife Watch on the county’s beaches with over thirty stranded group planted 1,000 marram grass plugs at along the coastline of the southern North Sea. While Sandilands to help create new sand dunes. the Trust was not directly involved, one animal was Alford Wildlife Watch Club were awarded closely monitored on the former Wainfleet Range and second place in the Watch Group of the some media work carried out. The Year competition and particularly Trust sites featured on BBC Radio 4’s Open Country programme in December 2015. Plans to take forward ‘Wild Coast and Marshes Two iconic species on the Lincolnshire coast, Living Landscape Area’ from the Lincolnshire Coastal grey seal and little tern, experienced good breeding Grazing Marshes and Coastal Country Park projects seasons at Donna Nook and Gibraltar Point as potential Nature Improvement Areas made limited respectively through good site management. progress. Lincolnshire County Council, on behalf of Government proposals for a Greater Wash the Trust and other partners, commissioned work to Special Protection Area (SPA) and a Special Area of consider options. Early discussions were undertaken Conservation in the North Sea for harbour porpoise are to consider possible routes for the Coastal Access welcomed. This complements the existing network of Path, this work is led by Natural England. Marine Protected Areas. The Trust continues to lobby The Meadows Project (successor to the Life on the for improved protection for wildlife in these areas. Verge Projects) hosted the national Caring for God’s Volunteers were rallied for beach cleans at Gibraltar Acre conference in the county, working closely with a Point, Creek and Crook Bank (Saltfleetby- number of community groups to establish new areas Theddlethorpe Dunes). of flower rich grassland including the University of Lincoln’s Joseph Banks Laboratory grounds. The Trust hosts the South Lincolnshire Fenlands Partnership Project Officer. Along with the Regional Fens Project Officer good progress is being made to improve the area for wildlife in this intensively farmed Early marsh orchid at Saltfleetby- Theddlethorpe Dunes MARK JOHNSON

Inspiring people

April 2015 saw the demolition of the damaged visitor The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust website continued centre and education buildings at Gibraltar Point to be a very important resource and was visited by commence. By the end of the period the new elevated 230,670 people, who viewed a total of 885,160 pages. visitor centre, as well as the refurbishment of the 19th This represents a 13% growth in website usage over century coastguard house (to be used for events and the last two years. Website content was refreshed meetings), was well underway, ultimately opening in with news, events and general updates, whilst mini- May 2016. This offers an exciting new beginning for the websites that sit within the main Trust website were visitor facilities at the site. Funding was secured for its developed for the Meadow Network Project and the construction from the Coastal Community Fund and Lincolnshire Environmental Awards. The website and European Regional Development Fund by Lincolnshire social media were also used to raise funds through County Council along with a contribution from the Trust. a Seal Appeal for Donna Nook and a Nationwide Delivery of education and events at Gibraltar Point Building Society donation after a public vote. NNR remained affected by the flood damage in Social media continued to be a huge growth area December 2013. Alternative arrangements were made for Trust communications with a consistent increase including tipis at Gibraltar Point, reminiscent of the in followers, which was further enhanced with new earliest education visits to the nature reserve in the Facebook pages launched for Gibraltar Point, Far Ings 1950s and 60s along with increased use of Snipe and Whisby Nature Park. All Trust Facebook pages Dales and Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe. Over 4,000 students from over 220 schools, colleges and universities participated in formal education visits at those sites and Whisby Nature Park, Far Ings and Donna Nook. A similar number were visited in school. Throughout the year staff, volunteers, Watch Groups and Area Groups organised over 300 events with over 10,000 participants. The wide ranging events included guided walks, reserve open days and children’s activities. The Trust attended over 30 external events including the Lincolnshire Show (with an award winning stand) and the Birdfair.

The new visitor centre at Gibraltar Point has been designed to provide views across the nature reserve and is raised on stilts to

protect it from future flooding BARRIE WILKINSON SHERI LAKE development documents. planning authoritiesandcontributedtoanumberof the Trust workedcloselywithallthecounty’s local Countryside Stewardship scheme.Duringthe year Policy, particularlyinfluencingtargeting ofthenew interpretation ofthenewCommonAgriculture resilience toclimatechangeandotherpressures. development andotheractivity, andachievemore protect nature conservationsitesfrom inappropriate included inlocalandnationalplansstrategiesto planning totryensure appropriate policiesare The Trust remains activelyinvolvedinforward A voice for wildlife identifiable asofficialLincolnshire Wildlife Trust pages. and apage-specificcolourtoensure thattheyare managed bystaffwere brandedwiththe Trust logo This yearasignificantfocushasbeenonlocal pups being born. Volunteer seal wardens amassed animpressive 2,096 Another record breaking year at DonnaNook with1,895 grey seal hours helping visitors andensuringthesafety oftheseals water how theflora changes moving away from Whisby Nature Park. They collected data on from thewaters edge to thewoodland at Comprehensive School surveying theland A Level Biology Students from WilliamFarr increased to27,014,upfrom 26,128in2015. total numberofsubscribingmembersat1April2016 2015-16. and achievementsare availableinitsAnnual Review across arangeofthemes,more detailsoftheactivity £50million. ThePartnershiphasmadegoodprogress tourism totheGreater Lincolnshire economyisover publication ofareport. Thefinancialvalueofnature very successfulconference inNovember2015 andthe on thevalueofnature tourism;thiswaspresented ata work. ThePartnershipfocussedoncollectingevidence The PartnershipcomplimentstheTrust’s advocacy Lincolnshire Nature Partnership(GLNP),whichithosts. enhance biodiversity. importance and/oroffered significantopportunitiesto could adverselyimpactonsitesofnature conservation responded to166whichinvolveddevelopmentsthat Membership oftheTrust isopentoall,andthe The Trust playsanactiverole intheGreater The Trust reviewed 9,899planningapplicationsand

DES WILLIAMS DES WILLIAMS Financial overview 2015 -2016 to amore satisfyingwayofworkinginthefuture. Early perspective, sostaffcanlookforward with confidence a financialperspectiveanddifficult fromastaffing a mobilecateringvehiclehasbeenexpensivefrom in thenearfuture. OperatingoutofaPortacabinand enable theTrust torecapitalise itssubsidiarycompany centre atGibraltarPointjustaftertheyear-end will at afigure of£149kandtheopeningnewvisitor to thelateJohnAllenforalegacyinexcessof£300k. Trust. Inthecurrent year, theTrust isparticularlygrateful up financial reserves tosupport theongoingworkof them betterandimprove visitor facilities,whilstbuilding has enabledtheTrust toacquire newreserves, manage the Trust’s work.Overtheyears,thissource ofincome appreciated theimportance ofthisincomestream to of legaciesandisindebtedtoeveryonewhohas involved ininappropriate contact withitsmembers. legislation andisalwaysmindfulofthereputational risk that theTrust meetsitsobligationsundertherelevant membership recruitment and retention andensures in membership.TheBoard takesakeeninterest in sector, itispleasingtoreport suchasignificantincrease Parliament onthefundraisingactivitiesofcharitable much commentduringtheyearinpress andin risen to27,014attheyearend.Whilstthere hasbeen It ispleasingtoreport that membershipnumbershave The settlement of the outstanding insurance claim The settlementoftheoutstandinginsuranceclaim The Trust hasagainbenefittedfrom ahealthynumber Copies of thefullannual report and financialstatements maybe obtained from the Trust’s Headquarters ordownloaded from thewebsite 253 73 773 Thank you to everyone who has supported us thisyear. 12 Total £2,467K Other Subscriptions, donations&giftaid Legacies Merchandising income Investment income Nature reserve income Wider countrysideconservation Inspiring people Income 666 192 66 432 David Cohen,HonoraryTreasurer strength toresolve them. years, theTrust iswellcapitalisedandhasthefinancial whilst there are issuestoaddress overthenextfew achieved duringthecourseofcurrent yearand for lifeunderthenewarrangements. brief” ondevelopmentsandtheBoard isstartingtoplan The Trustees havebeenkeepingaclose“watching of uncertaintywhileBrexit negotiationsare underway. over thenextfouryears.There isnowagreater degree until 2017,thereafter income ispredicted tofallaway Stewardship andHigherLevel Stewardship schemes certainty incontractedpaymentsundertheEntryLevel the newsystemunfolds.Whilstthere isadegree of is likelytodeclineintheshortandmediumtermas Department, andtheTrust’s incomefrom thissource significant additionalworkfortheNature Reserves to promote goodenvironmental practicehavecaused visitor centre, oncethelease iscompleted. agreed tocontribute£200k towards thecostofnew County Councilare progressing wellandtheTrust has Negotiations forarenewed leasewithLincolnshire with visitorsandisgeneratingahealthylevelofinterest. indications are thatthenew visitorcentre ispopular On balance,theTrust canbeproud ofwhathasbeen Changes totheCommonAgriculturalPolicyschemes 545 151 63 3 Expenditure Total £2,533K Other Costs ofgeneratingsubscriptions&donations Merchandising costs Nature reserve management Wider countrysideconservation Inspiring people 532 Subscriptions, donations&giftaid Legacies Merchandising income Investment income Nature reserve income Wider countrysideconservation Inspiring people Other 1239 Other Costs ofgeneratingsubscriptions &donations Merchandising costs Nature reserve management Wider countrysideconservation Inspiring people Future Plans Acknowledgements The Trust is a voluntary, charitable organisation whose work is dependent on the goodwill, financial During the year ahead effort support and voluntary input of individuals, businesses, local authorities and voluntary bodies. We acknowledge with thanks the help of all our supporters. We are grateful to the following for substantial will focus on delivery of the financial support in 2015/16 through donations, grants and the sponsorship of projects: new five year Strategic Plan which commenced April 2015. Anglian Water Services Heritage Lottery Fund District Council Particular activities in the year Cargill PLC Lincolnshire County Council RSPB and indicative measures of Centrica Countryside RSWT success are: Defra Service Vine House Farm District Council Ministry of Defence Waste Recycling Environmental • Gibraltar Point Visitor Centre Environment Agency Nationwide Building Society (WREN) – opened and inspiring people Esmée Fairburn Foundation Natural England on a sustainable operational The European Union North East Lindsey Drainage footing. Forestry Commission Board • ‘Wild Coast’ – take forward the coastal strategy. Legacies Receipts from legacies form a substantial part of our unrestricted income, allowing us to find match • Saltfleetby-Theddlethorpe funding for a variety of projects and to maintain our Conservation and Development Funds. During NNR – have agreed 2015/16 the Trust has been notified of bequests from the Wills of the following: medium term operational arrangements. Patricia Diana Collins Patricia Elizabeth Wells Josephine Edith Sharpe Peter Jansen Birkett Florence Vera King Stephen Perkins • Fens – maintain South Elsie May Tippler John Allen Andrew Sang Lincolnshire Fen as a key Joseph Roe Sheila Diana Jackson Hannam Denis Peter Cawdron element of a regional strategy. Anthea Dee Fay Gibson Barbara Mary Odling • Humber – working with key partners on critical strategies Corporate Members and their implementation. Corporate Membership of the Trust is designed to provide an effective means for companies to • Woodhall Spa Airfield Nature demonstrate care for the local environment. The following were Corporate Members during the reporting period: Reserve – open to the public. • Health and Wellbeing – Aggregate Industries Crowder & Sons Ltd Natureland Seal Sanctuary through Greater Lincolnshire Alfred Enderby Limited F W Cupit (Printers) Limited North East Lindsey Drainage Andrew & Co LLP Fenland Laundries Limited Board Nature Partnership identify Anglian Water Services Growing Wild Limited Novartis opportunities around this ARH Tucker & Sons Hornsby Travel Services Limited Page Paper Limited agenda. Associated British Ports Humber Bridge Board Riva Construction • Communications and B A Bush & Son Limited J E Piccaver & Co Rowhire Limited marketing focussed on legacy Badley Ashton & Associates J W Ruddock & Sons Limited SCS Technology Solutions promotion – increased gifts Limited John E Haith Limited Limited in wills. Cargill PLC John Kinch Group Sibelco UK Chapel Garden Centre Jolly Common Caravan Park Singleton Birch Limited Builders Merchants Lafarge Aggregates Ltd TCS UK Spraying Clugston Group Limited Lincolnshire Co-operative The Jungle Zoo ConocoPhillips (UK) Limited Society Limited Truelove Property & Cray Valley Products Limited Lindsey Oil Refinery Limited Construction Creative Nature Mortons of Limited Yara (UK) Limited

Headquarters/Registered Office Snipe Dales Nature Reserve Presidents: Banovallum House and Country Park Dr A E Smith CBE MA President and Trustee (Deceased 13.09.15) 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 (Deceased 05.05.16) 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, Mr T S Sands Deputy Chairman Far Ings National Nature Lincoln LN6 9BW Dr D A Sheppard BSc PhD Deputy Chairman Reserve and Visitor Centre Mr D A Cohen Honorary Treasurer Barton-on-Humber DN18 5RG Senior Staff Mrs C E Harrison BSc Tel: 01652 637055 Chief Executive: P Learoyd Mr C Morrison CSci Head of Reserves: D Bromwich Mr J Purvis BSc FCA Gibraltar Point National Nature Head of Conservation: C Steel Mrs A Quigley BA Reserve Head of Finance: S J Smith Ms T Smalley MSc PE24 4SU Mr P Stapleton FCA Tel: 01754 898057 Patrons Mr E J Redshaw The Earl of Yarborough Mrs B Tyrrel Appointed 05.11.15 Baroness Willoughby de Eresby

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