Lincoln Conservation Group:
Task Programme  

Something completely different for us – making and putting up dormouse nesting boxes. This is part of a wider project started in 2002 to introduce dormice to the Limewoods, within Natural England’s ‘Species Recovery Programme’.

We return to this reserve to continue the restoration of the lovely dry stone wall which protects the reserve’s road boundary and provides a habitat for lizards and other wildlife. Try this rural craft, supervised by an expert.

Some summer construction work for us – building steps in the Swanholme nature reserve area. The steps we built several years ago are showing signs of wear and tear and need to be replaced. When birds are nesting we can’t do any woodland work so can undertake construction tasks like this one.

A relatively new community woodland. We will be weeding around the trees planted over the last two winters to remove thistles, ragwort and other weeds that compete with the young trees. We helped to plant some of these trees last winter.

Scrub clearance on the south side of the common, joining in with a public event organised by the Residents’ Association. We may also help with hay cutting, a traditional activity which helps to promote grassland diversity.

It’s the haymaking time of year. We will be scattering green hay to spread wild flower seeds, eg, knapweed, meadow buttercup, red clover and ox eye daisy, to improve the grassland. A good time to see the sea lavender on the saltmarsh and a day out on the coast – perfect.

A return to this reserve, to rake up cut grass and reeds along the path to the river. Limiting their growth improves conditions for wild flowers such as knapweed, birds foot trefoil and red clover.  We will also do some maintenance on the hedge we helped to plant in the winter.

We will be green hay scattering on roadside verges in the Ancaster area, to disperse wild flower seeds and so increase the number and range of flowers for the benefit of wildlife.