Wilder Lincolnshire Podcast

In this episode we hear from the families who joined us on our guided hedgehog walk around Snipe Dales where we walked 3km - the same distance a hedgehog can cover in a night - all whilst fundraising for wildlife. We also chat to the Public Engagement and Communications team who talk on the importance of getting people out and about in nature to learn and develop that passion for it.

In this episode, we went to the University of Lincoln to speak to Chair of the Trust Prof. Libby John and a selection of students who are aspiring for a career in conservation. We also speak with Ed Kirby, a new Conservation Officer for the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust who found his role after completing a 6 month marine internship post university.

Woodhall Spa Airfield is a nature reserve where wildlife and wartime history quietly exist together. The site was formerly the home of four brave RAF squadrons in the second world war, including 617 ‘The Dambusters’ Squadron, but more recently was used as a sand and gravel quarry.

As a nature reserve it is a haven for wildlife as well as a place where visitors can share in the unique and peaceful atmosphere of this former airfield.

Find out all about the reserve in this latest episode of the 'Wilder Lincolnshire' podcast.

For our first Wilder Lincolnshire podcast episode of 2025, Melvyn visits the incredibly popular Donna Nook National Nature Reserve to learn about the grey seal colony that comes to the Donna Nook coastline to give birth to their pups each year. This wildlife spectacle attracts visitors from all across the UK and reserve warden for the site, Matt Blissett, discusses managing such a big operation and all you need to know about grey seals!

In our latest Wilder Lincolnshire podcast episode, Melvyn and Matthew look back at the work of the Trust over the past year and discuss their highlights from the previous episodes of the podcast.

We are incredibly grateful for everyone who has listened to our podcast this past year, and we promise there are plenty more topics to cover in 2025.

In this episode, we focus on our Goslings Corner Wood nature reserve, part of Lincolnshire's ancient limewood woodlands. Our reserve warden for the site, Sophie, discusses general woodland management and how the work changes heading into winter. We also discover how the Trust came to own the reserve and how crucial living legacies are for nature.

The latest podcast episode is brought to you straight from the Lincolnshire Environmental Awards 2024 where we speak to the three finalists about their community project. We also headed along to the winner's project to take a closer look.

The bird observatory at Gibraltar Point was opened all the way back in 1949 and is one of 21 observatories in the whole of the UK. In our latest episode, Melvyn set off to Gibraltar Point to catch up with Coastal Officer Kev Wilson to learn about migration, the importance of bird ringing and the value of keeping these records.

National Marine Week runs from 27th July to the 11th August this year, and to celebrate it, we are taking a closer look at our wonderful coastline. Melvyn heads to Anderby Creek to chat with Coastal Warden Dave Miller and Education and Community Officer Vicki Bush on beach cleans, sea dipping events and what it's like to work on the Lincolnshire coast.

This month, Melvyn headed out to the coast at Saltfleetby - Theddlethorpe Dunes National Nature Reserve to see what work our wardens get up to whilst the rest of us are tucked up in bed.

From bat surveys and moth trapping to the chorus of natterjack toads across the reserve, plenty of work is still going on once the sun sets and wardens Matt and Ruth help shed some light on the work they get up to once it gets dark.

This episode sees us head out to one of Lincolnshire's superb 'roadside nature reserves' to meet up with two of our wayside wardens. These roadside reserves provide a vital haven for rare flowers and help connect nature across the county. They are looked after by an amazing team of volunteers who take care of their patch of roadside on our behalf. We also catch up with trustee Professor Libby John to discuss cycling, plants and nature's recovery.

This month, Matthew and Melvyn set their alarm clocks early and headed to one of our most popular nature reserves, Whisby Nature Park, just on the outskirts of Lincoln. As a keen birder, Matthew guided Melvyn around the reserve listening out and looking for the wealth of birds found at Whisby. But what did they find?

This month, we visit the Trust’s cluster of nature reserves around Woodhall Spa - Lincolnshire’s answer to the New Forest and a place with a fascinating wartime history. We hear from Mid-Lincs Warden, Kevin James, on managing the reserves and also from Livestock Assistant, Cicely Brayshaw, on the importance of cattle on our nature reserves.

In the latest episode of our 'Wilder Lincolnshire' podcast, Melvyn and Matthew head to one of our most popular nature reserves, Far Ings, to take a closer look with a 'behind the scenes' tour, learning about a range of things that take place on the reserve, from practical management of reed beds and meadows to school visits and the day to day running of the Visitor Centre.

In our second ever episode of our new monthly 'Wilder Lincolnshire' podcast we discuss the reintroduction of beavers to our county for the first time in 400 years and what the Trust is doing themselves to 'slow the flow' of water in our rivers. This month, Melvyn has been out and about speaking with Hannah Dale from Wild Wrendale and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Warden, James Forrester.

It is a new year, and with it we have launched a brand new monthly podcast where we will discuss all things wildlife around Lincolnshire and take a deeper look into the workings of the Trust where nature is concerned. This month we are joined by former Reserves Manager, Barrie Wilkinson, who has over 70 years experience of being involved with the Trust.

Wilder Humber is a five-year programme to restore marine habitats and species throughout the Humber estuary delivered through a pioneering conservation partnership between Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, and international green energy leader Ørsted. Learn more about the project live from the Sea View seagrass nursery launch as Melvyn speaks to Samir Whitaker from Ørsted, Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England, and representatives from both Lincolnshire and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

The weather didn't dampen spirits at our special high tide event at Gibraltar Point! On Saturday morning, visitors enjoyed views of the water and wader flocks from the top deck of the Visitor Centre and recovered from the early start with a full English breakfast in the cafe. Have a listen to our podcast recorded live at the event as Melvyn and Matthew spoke to Shorebird Warden Sam Goddard and attendees who were enjoying the event.

Down in the south of the county, Bourne North Fen is an exciting new project that is getting underway, which will restore Lincolnshire’s lost peat-fenland, becoming a home for a wide variety of wildlife; linking up important nature reserves, creating a multi-purpose wetland which will store water for agriculture and improve water quality for consumers. Melvyn was at Thetford Farm Estate for the launch of this project where he caught up with Head of Conservation for Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust Tammy Smalley, Project Manager Mark Tarttelin and television presenter and author Julia Bradbury.

A live podcast recording from the Lincolnshire Show 2024, having a closer look at the different stalls and activities we had inside our marquee.