It’s been a busy month at Whisby, with tasks varying from repairing broken trip rails and steps and clearing paths after the recent storms, to surveying flora and fauna and supporting the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust stand at the annual Lincolnshire Show! You may have also seen us out on the tractor mowing the grass trails around West Lake and Thorpe Lake public footpaths, to help keep them accessible. 

The wildflower meadows are moving into glorious summer bloom, with oxeye daisies, lady’s bedstraw, tufted vetch and knapweed just some of the species now coming into flower. If you look closely at the ragwort plants in the meadow at the entrance to the main car park you might see the yellow and black striped cinnabar moth caterpillars. Did you know over 170 insect species use ragwort for food, and over 30 invertebrate species rely on it entirely for survival?

As you’re probably aware this May and June the UK has already experienced two heatwave weeks, and the weather forecasters are predicting similar patterns through the rest of the summer season. If you’re planning a walk on the nature reserve we recommend bringing plenty of water (in a refillable bottle of course!), and please remember that, tempting though are lakes may look, swimming is not permitted anywhere on the reserve. This also applies to dogs - as well as harming the fragile underwater habitat and wildlife, they are at serious risk from toxic algae. Please do spread the word to anyone who has been told Whisby is a great place to bring your dog to cool down in the lakes.