The Whisby Nature Park is located 5 miles from the City of Lincoln at Thorpe on the Hill just off the A46. The nature park consists of 150 hectares of Natural habitat and is adjacent to the Millennium Project which comprises the Natural World Visitor Centre operated for North Kesteven District Council by Lincs Inspire and an Education Centre operated by Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. The Natural World Centre attracts over 200,000 visitors a year with over 100,000 visitors using the Nature Park.
The Whisby Project is a partnership between North Kesteven District Council, Lincolnshire County Council and the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust.
The Nature Park comprises a complex of small, medium and large flooded gravel pits which have been reclaimed by 40 years of natural colonisation. It has a wide range of bird life which can be viewed from a number of strategically located hides. There are six waymarked trails to choose from at Whisby Nature Park ranging from 1.2 to 3 miles. Paths are level and in many places have a hard surface of compacted limestone. When visiting, please keep to the paths as some areas are potentially dangerous, particularly the deep water and disused washing channels.
The lakes at Whisby Nature Park are surrounded by grassland, marsh, scrub and willow carr. Elements of the original quarry landscape remain, with fragments of heathland, old hedgerows and a small oak woodland.
In spring and summer, flocks of tits and finches are joined by warblers. The lakes attract feeding sand martins and swallows, and terns nest on the islands. Chiffchaffs along with reed and sedge warblers can be heard. Whisby Nature Park has also become synonymous with nightingales.
Autumn brings the first sight of winter birds such as goldcrests, redpolls and grey wagtails. In winter, the water levels are at their highest and wildfowl are numerous. The cold weather also brings with it huge murmurations of starlings in their thousands, swarming and twisting across the misty lakes.
Adjacent to the Natural World Centre there is an Education Centre which is operated by the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. The education centre works with schools, colleges and universities in providing a range of wildlife courses and events that meet the requirements of the National Curriculum.
To find out more about Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and how you can support them visit their website.
