IN RECENT YEARS, it has become popular to talk about nature conservation as if it were a bolt-on addition to the countryside. Of course nature is, and always has been, an integral part of the countryside. However, the intensification of farming practice does put many wildlife species under threat. In Lincolnshire, over 60 plant species have become extinct in the last 50 years. Many species of plants and animals are now only found in the county on nature reserves.

The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust was formed in 1948. Since then it has gradually been acquiring nature reserves throughout the county. The trust currently has around 100, of which 11 are within ten miles of Bourne. They represent the wildlife habitats found in South Lincolnshire and include woodlands, grasslands and wetlands. All of the reserves in our local area are open to the public, but we expect visitors to respect the countryside, and to keep to any paths. Dogs, generally, are not allowed on trust reserves.

All trust reserves need managing in order to maintain, and hopefully improve their value to wildlife. We often use traditional management methods, for instance Dole Wood near Thurlby has been managed as a coppiced woodland since at least the time of the Domesday Book of 1086 and we are still managing parts of it by coppicing. The cycle of coppicing creates the right conditions for the many woodland plants that thrive in the wood, including the bluebells, wood anemones and the greater stichwort that blanket the woodland in spring.

Almost all of the work carried out on the reserves is done by volunteers and the trust could not function without them. In the Bourne area, a small team of enthusiasts are usually working on one of the local reserves most Sundays. The work is not all hard graft. Children as young as ten often help out and some of us are not as young as we used to be. In fact, the work can be as heavy or as light as the volunteers wish. No specialist knowledge is needed. We are all still learning about the wildlife and its management anyway. Volunteers need not be members of the trust, although we always welcome new members, and volunteering can be a great way of getting some exercise, a spot of fresh air, and gain the satisfaction of doing a practical, worthwhile task. Here is a flavour of some of our local nature reserves:

Dole Wood
Thurlby (OS 130 GR: TF 091161)
A tiny fragment (6.6 acres) of the once vast forests that covered most of lowland England. A stunning sight in springtime with carpets of woodland flowers. The wood is also home for many bird species, with nuthatch, tree creeper and woodpeckers often seen or heard. The reserve is managed by keeping the brambles under control and by coppicing some of the trees.

Robert's Field
near Holywell (OS 130 GR: TF 001150)
A small meadow (10 acres) rich with plants typically found growing in limestone grassland. This was one of the best places in the county for butterflies in the 1950's, but was largely destroyed when it was planted up with conifers. Since 1994, the site has been restored to grassland and is now once again covered in wildflowers, including knapweeds, rock rose, harebell and pyramidal orchids. The reserve is seen at its best in June and July. It is managed as a hay meadow, and is grazed by sheep. There is also a small area of woodland, which is being managed by coppicing.

 

Stanton's Pit

Stanton's Pit
near Witham-on-the-Hill (OS 130 GR: TF 032174)
This reserve (19.8 acres) was originally a sand extraction pit and is a gift from the former owner, Mr Robert Stanton, in 1996, for use as a nature reserve. The primary interest in its present form is ornithological. Recent records show that over 50 species of birds have visited the site, of which 19 have bred. There is some evidence to suggest that the reserve lies on a migratory route from the Wash inland towards Rutland Water. Among breeding birds are little grebe, little ringed plover, sand martin, turtle dove and lesser whitethroat. In autumn migrant waders include the little stint, ruff, spotted redshank, greenshank, common curlew, green and wood sandpipers. In addition to open water there are extensive areas of grassland, including some of the original field. There are wet and poorly drained areas in the eastern section. For those visitors wishing to follow the track around to the plateau, extensive views from the top of the large mound can be had. There are plans for major tree and shrub planting schemes to add habitat diversity and to provide cover to the hides. In time, marginal vegetation will develop around the lake and there may be scope for islands, tern rafts and shallow scrapes, although with two land drains entering the lake, water-level management may prove difficult. 
 

Thurlby Fen with owl nesting boxes along the edge

 

Thurlby Fen
east of Thurlby (OS 130 GR: TF 119 164)
A reserve covering some 19 acres along the bank of the River Glen. Here we have a mixture of habitats including ponds and reed beds, grasslands and woodland. The ponds are rich in aquatic invertebrates including many species of dragonfly and damselflies. One of the most attractive features is the 'mini meadow' which is full of wildflowers in June and July. The management of such a varied site is also complex. The ponds and reed beds need clearing out periodically, the grassland is managed as a hay meadow, and some of the woodland areas are coppiced from time to time.

 See also Country Diary for September

Horbling Line
Stow Lane, Horbling (OS 130 GR: TF 115 350)
A tiny fragment (3 acres) of the former Bourne to Sleaford railway, consisting of shallow cuttings and an embankment. When the railway was active it was largely a grassland habitat. After the line through Horbling closed in 1956 most of the grassland was gradually replaced by scrub woodland. Since both are valuable habitats, recent management has been aimed at restoring areas of grassland and coppicing areas of scrub. In the spring thousands of violets can be seen in the reserve, but generally the grassland areas can best be described as "species poor", largely due to the years of neglect. It is hoped that appropriate management will gradually improve the diversity. Over 15 species of butterfly are regularly seen during the summer months. The grassland areas are managed by mimicking a hay cut, the wooded areas are gradually being coppiced.

Summary
Not all of the local reserves have been mentioned. Each one of them deserves far more than the brief descriptions above. Words cannot accurately describe any of our local wildlife sites. It is better by far to visit them and to see, hear and smell them for yourselves, and don't just visit them once. As the seasons change, so do the sights, sounds and smells. Nature reserves are for wildlife but they are also places where we can watch and enjoy them at leisure.

See also Baston Fen nature reserve

NOTE: Dave Vandome is the former volunteer reserve manager of Dole Wood, Toft Tunnel, 
Robert's Field and Horbling Line nature reserves.

 

REVISED SEPTEMBER 2004