North East Lincolnshire Council ecologists and members of the Lincolnshire Naturalists’ Union are teaming up for the second time to host a Species Recording Day at Ainslie Park in Grimsby on June 21 2025.
The primary aim of the event is to record the number and species of developing wildlife that have sprung up in this urban park. It will also offer the opportunity for visitors to see the site and chat with local environmentalists about the importance of its development.
The site, formerly a cemetery, has partially flooded giving rise to permanent and temporary standing water fed by a blow-well, with marginal reedmace, reeds and rough grassland. There is standing dead timber and newly-arrived willow scrub, all of which is contributing to this wetland habitat evolving naturally.
Last year NELC and the LNU teamed up for the first time for a species recording event in the park, which is valuable to the Council’s Ecology Team for management and future designation of the site.
The LNU is the only amateur Natural History Society covering the whole of Lincolnshire. Founded in 1893, the Lincolnshire Naturalists’ Union has over one hundred years of experience and information on Lincolnshire’s wildlife and geology. In that time, members have seen the county change almost beyond recognition and have a wealth of observations on just how those changes have affected the wildlife.
Rachel Graham, NELC’s Ecology Manager, said: “For the most part we like to leave our wildlife environments as undisturbed as possible to allow them to thrive naturally.
“As custodians of the wildlife and flora and fauna in our parks however, it is vital that we carry out species recording on a regular basis, which also helps us to identify any areas that may need management.
“We are very happy to be teaming up again with the Lincolnshire Naturalists’ Union for this event, who will be available to offer their views on how important sites like this are to the natural environment of the Borough.”
The Species Recording Day will take place at Ainslie Park from 10am-4pm, and LNU members will be on site with specialist knowledge to assist in species identification and to explain the prevalent local species from finds on the day. Members of the Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project will also be there with a tray of aquatic invertebrates and a supply of bug pots!
If you are interested in joining the Lincolnshire Naturalists’ Union there will also be information available on the day.
The Lincolnshire Naturalists’ Union – The Natural History Society for Lincolnshire
blow wells – Lincolnshire Chalk Streams Project
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