Please note there may be some changes to future dates due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
Local award winning photographer Des Lloyd delighted those who went to the Gainsborough Area Group of the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust’s recent meeting. He showed a selection of his prints, which are of the highest quality. He began with a fascinating sequence demonstrating how a Four Spot Darter nymph transforms over several hours into an adult dragonfly.
Butterflies, hares, deer, and of course birds featured, as well as badgers, bank voles, seal pups, stoats and red squirrels. Des reminded members that red squirrels were found in Laughton Forest until relatively recently. He further commented on other local habitat changes and their often negative impact on species once found commonly in the local area. Owlet Plantation, Blyton for example no longer appears to host breeding pairs of Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, Wood Warbler, Willow Tit, Woodcock, and probably Spotted Flycatchers too. These declines mirror the national situation sadly.
Indeed many of the photos were taken locally — Bittern at Far Ings, Seals at Donna Nook, Reed Warblers from Messingham Sand Quarry. Brown bears, however, were from a carefully managed National Park Reserve in Slovakia, a trip Des had won in a national photographic competition.
More locally still, the group saw Yellow Wagtails in Walkerith, Chiffchaff from Owlet Plantation, Blyton, and a Tawny Owl from East Stockwith. Towards the end of the talk, Des shared more of his fieldcraft, based on enormous patience, watching and waiting, in a beautiful series of fledging kingfishers.
Meetings are held in Morton Village Hall (DN21 3AL). Members and non-members are equally welcome. There will be a raffle and good company. More details are available from Dan Bardsley on 07720 569228 or gainsboroughlwt@gmail.com or dbardsley999@gmail.com.