Maintain good liaisons with Seacroft Golf Club management committee and greenkeeping team. Advise on management issues in conjunction with EN where SSSI affected.

Discuss potential for studying development of NNR and Golf course under the different management regimes imposed, with possible future potential for demonstration purposes.

Explore possibility for joint nature conservation initiatives eg natterjack toad project, water table control, rabbit control, marsh moth monitoring and joint funding ventures to cover same.

Maintain contact with Lincshore project manager, liase with contractors to arrange survey periods outside shorebird nesting season. Detailed study of beach nourishment now overseen by Halcrow. Receive annual Lincshore reports.

Determine positive/negative effects of beach nourishment on mudflats, embryo dunes, shingle ridges and internationally important sp which depend on them.

Liaise with EA concerning pollution incidents.

Assist with consultation process for shoreline management plans and explore potential for coastal habitat restoration on NW corner of the Wash.

Project brief includes liaison with EA contractors; Halcrow, SGS et al.

Routine liaison is achieved with English Nature via the NNR team and the JAC. Outside of these committees/teams, management advice and approval is sought from the Conservation Officer at Grantham.

Annual grazing agreement. One per acre, July-Sept on Freshwater Marsh.

Mere Four Acres holding/run-off grazing if necessary. Access to Mere prevented by instating temp electric fence.

Light summer/autumn grazing required in Shovelers enclosure in at least alternate years.

Grazing enclosure in Measures' central slack presently in temp electric fencing (two strand) during June. The completion of perimeter stockfencing, by 2002, will permit a wider cattle-grazing regime to be practiced in Measures.

Toward the end of this plan period, it is anticipated that the demand for cattle grazing will significantly increase with the requirements for grassland management on Croftmarsh. Advice will be sought from the Trusts grassland management and agriculture teams.

Project brief includes any temp electric fence works required, all husbandry issues, including daily checks.

Two resident flock of Hebrideans are deployed to the following grazing plots during the year. However, an annual grazing programme needs to be set up to take account of additional grassland plots on Stewardship land.  See SF File 2110 Hebredean sheep.

Outer dunes. Hebridean sheep grazing may be required to tackle scrub regrowth and rosebay in spring, following winter clearance. Temp electric fencing.

Mere Meadow. Aftermath grazing in three-strand electric enclosure. Aug/Sept.

Mere Four Acres is botanically poor, is used as holding area/run-off grazing as required.

East Dunes. Present rabbit grazing negates sheep-grazing over much of Compt 25. Where sward becomes rank through decreased rabbit grazing or where rosebay control requires, sheep grazing will be practiced in designated short-turf zones Compts 24 and 26. Long-term consideration should be given to stockfencing large units of mixed scrub/grassland, particularly if rabbit population shows decline.

Army Swathe. Primarily for scrub and rosebay control, August.

Meads Outpost. Winter months.

West Dunes. Present rabbit grazing pressure negates annual sheep grazing requirement on South and North Plot. Grazing to be carried out on biennial regime in temp electric fencing (summer/autumn) where sward becomes rank due to decreased rabbit population.

Jackson's Marsh, Tennyson's Sands. Winter/spring regime.

Measures'/Shoveler's enclosures. Density and timing to be determined.

Daily checks are carried out by staff/key volunteer to assess health and count.  Health problems reported to L D Grooby/K Gray. Hoof maintenance should be carried out at least three times a year. Mineral block available routinely. Supplementary feeding during hard weather includes hay, a high-energy block and sheep nuts.

Project brief includes all checks/maintenance and associated temporary  fencing.

Maintenance of wet conditions of benefit to dune slack and inundation communities. Measurements taken from Mere depth gauge. Avoid flooding of Mill Pond Road, by running off surplus water above 3.15m OD.

Drain off through Bulldog Bank pipe. NB Check tides. Valve should not be left open over 6.0 m tide. Spring draw-down through Bulldog Bank valve.

Seasonal level maxima

Nov-March 3.15m

April 3.11m

Seek up to date information on water level requirements for key communities eg SD17.

Willey's slack - September mowing using BCS, rake off cuttings and heap in scrub. Biennial cut alternating east/west sides.

Measures'/Shoveler's - annual ride mowing includes slack rides. Cuttings raked off and heaped in adjacent scrub for grass snakes etc. Future grazing will maintain slack/grey dune here.

Mere Meadow cut for hay with BCS early Aug. Mini bales produced and sold to Animal Kingdom or 'traded' with Natureland in exchange for sea-water for marine tanks.

'Buckthorn' ride centres cut June. Ride edges and glades cut with brushcutter Aug/Sept. Cut material raked off and stacked.

Army Swathe north glade cut and raked Aug/Sept.

Mill Pond Road edges cut and raked.

Most mowing operations are for nature conservation enhancement and therefore cuttings are removed. Cuttings are generally heaped in adjacent scrub blocks, where already nutrient enriched. Avoid leaving cuttings piles on grassland where composting/enrichment will cause problem flush of ruderal sp.

Rotational slubbing on seven year rotation. See management file 1820. Any bank work should aim at diversifying profiles of margins to include shallow gradients for plants and invertebrates and steep banks for water voles. Areas of existing water vole activity will be avoided.

Contractor MF Coupland. Sept/Oct. Tie in with other pond and dyke management.

Manual clearance of named ponds of blanketweed/algae during summer months.

Rotational slubbing of Mere dyke four year rotation. Slubbing determined by visual assessment in Sept/Oct no more than 50% per pond; Mill pond road dyke, minimum 3 year cutting rotation. NB water voles as in MH64/01.

Cut 'rail ride' Aug/Sept and remove cut vegetation.

Periodic slubbing of marginal veg when less than 60% open water.

Reprofile main island.

Reinstate islands to increase water edge habitat/nesting sites for water birds.

NB sensitive management required where adjacent to water vole banks.

A programme of scrub control in open dune grassland and slack - involving removal of re-colonising scrub in Measures' slacks and on the Freshwater Marsh and clearance of maturing buckthorn to restore dune slack and slack/dune transition in Measures. Maturing hawthorns will be removed/coppiced on the Freshwater Marsh.

Eradicate by chemical - Reglone if aquatic form, glyphosate if terrestrial, or manually by digging out carefully, bagging and removal off site/burning. Keep chemical records.

Exclude livestock from ponds/ditches where Crassula found to prevent further spreading.

Annual cut for north edge if water table permits. Remove cut material.

Initiate rotational cutting regime for East Bank.

Low-cutting of juncus where dominating slack/inundation habitats on Freshwater Marsh. Using BCS or bush- hog. Cuttings removed (mini-baler can be used to cope with large quantities and facilitates easy movement of material for composting). Spring cut, prior to cattle grazing. Autumn cut.

Investigate chemical control measures - EN to advise.

Freshwater marsh

* Control creeping thistle by summer topping with tractor-mounted bush-hog.

* Control hogweed on Freshwater Marsh and Mere banks by manual cutting - May/June.

* Dock and hogweed control on Mere Meadow June/July by manual cutting/pulling.

Mere Four Acres

* Control nettle/ragwort in Mere Four Acres. Tractor-mounted bush- hog may be used to top problematic species following grazing or weedwipe thistle/nettle patches following spring grazing.

Fenland Lagoon

* Control creeping thistle on lagoon banks.

East Dunes

* Control thistle etc in scrub clearance areas.

Shoveler's Enclosure

* Control of weed sp following scrub clearance.

West Dunes

* Control creeping thistle/hogweed etc on Barrie's Plot - manual

Jackson's Marsh

* Creeping thistle and ragwort hand-pulled, spudded/'lazy dog' root remover, basal rosettes sprayed with Barrier H on meadow; 'Dunes' weedwiped by contractor.

Saltings Ridges

* Control of weed sp following scrub clearance.

Undertaken by authorised permit holder. Shooting at night with 12- bore or .22 rifle. Close communication with site manager required. LWT permits and conditions in file 2080.

Rabbit exclosure - temporary in army swathe 30x20 m exclosure May-July.

Rabbit exclosure - permanent for conservation on East Plot (compt 1/25/C).

Rabbit exclosure - East Dunes Central (compt 1/25) Managed by autumn cutting - cuttings removed.

Rabbit exclosures - educational. Mill Pond Meadow (compt 1/23/A).

Aim to eradicate rabbits from Freshwater Marsh, Jackson's Marsh and Plantation. Reduce population where visual assessment deems over-extensive uniformity in sward on grey dune/dune slack or where extent of bare ground exceeds attribute limit.

Rabbit fencing maintained on Freshwater Marsh, Jackson's Marsh, Plantation and Golf Course boundary.

Stockfencing to be instated along the East bank and Aylmer section of Measures by Willie Baumber. Gated access to be provided into Mere Four Acres and Shoveler’s enclosure.

Annual checks and maintenance of all boundary fences prior to stock grazing. Clear over-hanging scrub

Ongoing rabbit fence checks at Measures, Freshwater Marsh and the Plantation.

Carry out checks and maintenance on sluice systems:

* Fenland Lagoon.

* Bulldog Bank sluice x 2.

* Jackson's Marsh/Tennyson's Sands and Croftmarsh sluice and pipe checks and maintenance.

Replace earth plugs with duckboard water control system on Freshwater Marsh dykes.

Routine liaison is achieved with English Nature via the NNR team and the JAC. Outside of these committees/teams, management advice and approval is sought from the Conservation Officer at Grantham.

Two resident flock of Hebrideans are deployed to the following grazing plots during the year. However, an annual grazing programme needs to be set up to take account of additional grassland plots on Stewardship land.  See SF File 2110 Hebredean sheep.

Outer dunes. Hebridean sheep grazing may be required to tackle scrub regrowth and rosebay in spring, following winter clearance. Temp electric fencing.

Mere Meadow. Aftermath grazing in three-strand electric enclosure. Aug/Sept.

Mere Four Acres is botanically poor, is used as holding area/run-off grazing as required.

East Dunes. Present rabbit grazing negates sheep-grazing over much of Compt 25. Where sward becomes rank through decreased rabbit grazing or where rosebay control requires, sheep grazing will be practiced in designated short-turf zones Compts 24 and 26. Long-term consideration should be given to stockfencing large units of mixed scrub/grassland, particularly if rabbit population shows decline.

Army Swathe. Primarily for scrub and rosebay control, August.

Meads Outpost. Winter months.

West Dunes. Present rabbit grazing pressure negates annual sheep grazing requirement on South and North Plot. Grazing to be carried out on biennial regime in temp electric fencing (summer/autumn) where sward becomes rank due to decreased rabbit population.

Jackson's Marsh, Tennyson's Sands. Winter/spring regime.

Measures'/Shoveler's enclosures. Density and timing to be determined.

Daily checks are carried out by staff/key volunteer to assess health and count.  Health problems reported to L D Grooby/K Gray. Hoof maintenance should be carried out at least three times a year. Mineral block available routinely. Supplementary feeding during hard weather includes hay, a high-energy block and sheep nuts.

Project brief includes all checks/maintenance and associated temporary  fencing.

Willey's slack - September mowing using BCS, rake off cuttings and heap in scrub. Biennial cut alternating east/west sides.

Measures'/Shoveler's - annual ride mowing includes slack rides. Cuttings raked off and heaped in adjacent scrub for grass snakes etc. Future grazing will maintain slack/grey dune here.

Mere Meadow cut for hay with BCS early Aug. Mini bales produced and sold to Animal Kingdom or 'traded' with Natureland in exchange for sea-water for marine tanks.

'Buckthorn' ride centres cut June. Ride edges and glades cut with brushcutter Aug/Sept. Cut material raked off and stacked.

Army Swathe north glade cut and raked Aug/Sept.

Mill Pond Road edges cut and raked.

Most mowing operations are for nature conservation enhancement and therefore cuttings are removed. Cuttings are generally heaped in adjacent scrub blocks, where already nutrient enriched. Avoid leaving cuttings piles on grassland where composting/enrichment will cause problem flush of ruderal sp.

Scrub colonisation suppressed in all slacks by manual means, with sheep grazing in Army Swathe.

Scrub clearance in 'buckthorn' involves reduction of sallow and sea buckthorn canopy. Sallow thinned and pollarded.

Willow pollard at Shoveler's pool on 5 year rotation. Brash used for hide screens.

Control initiated following visual assessment. Hand-pulling in target areas carried out by probation team/school groups etc.

Strimming/brushcutting necessary where growth is dense.  Cut vegetation removed from site.Follow-up weedwiping will be used in second phase of clearance.Garlon is applied selectively via a hand- held applicator ('T' tube), May - Aug.

Pending stock availability, East dune rosebay control plots can be tackled with Hebridean sheep in temp electric fence June/July.

Priority sites for control on grey dune:

West Dunes:

* Weather enc plot.

East Dunes:

* Ringing Hollow (compt 24).

* East Dunes frontage (compt 24).

* Sleeper Track plot (compt 25).

* Privet plot (compt 25).

* East Plot (compt 25).

* Mill Hill Firebreak north (compt 26).

* Mill Hill - North Building (compt 26).

Priority sites for control on yellow dune:

Outer Ridge dunes (compartments 12, 13 & 14).

Summer cut northern half with BCS and rake off. (August)

Rotational reed cutting 30-50% Periodic slubbing.

Freshwater marsh

* Control creeping thistle by summer topping with tractor-mounted bush-hog.

* Control hogweed on Freshwater Marsh and Mere banks by manual cutting - May/June.

* Dock and hogweed control on Mere Meadow June/July by manual cutting/pulling.

Mere Four Acres

* Control nettle/ragwort in Mere Four Acres. Tractor-mounted bush- hog may be used to top problematic species following grazing or weedwipe thistle/nettle patches following spring grazing.

Fenland Lagoon

* Control creeping thistle on lagoon banks.

East Dunes

* Control thistle etc in scrub clearance areas.

Shoveler's Enclosure

* Control of weed sp following scrub clearance.

West Dunes

* Control creeping thistle/hogweed etc on Barrie's Plot - manual

Jackson's Marsh

* Creeping thistle and ragwort hand-pulled, spudded/'lazy dog' root remover, basal rosettes sprayed with Barrier H on meadow; 'Dunes' weedwiped by contractor.

Saltings Ridges

* Control of weed sp following scrub clearance.

Undertaken by authorised permit holder. Shooting at night with 12- bore or .22 rifle. Close communication with site manager required. LWT permits and conditions in file 2080.

Rabbit exclosure - temporary in army swathe 30x20 m exclosure May-July.

Rabbit exclosure - permanent for conservation on East Plot (compt 1/25/C).

Rabbit exclosure - East Dunes Central (compt 1/25) Managed by autumn cutting - cuttings removed.

Rabbit exclosures - educational. Mill Pond Meadow (compt 1/23/A).

Aim to eradicate rabbits from Freshwater Marsh, Jackson's Marsh and Plantation. Reduce population where visual assessment deems over-extensive uniformity in sward on grey dune/dune slack or where extent of bare ground exceeds attribute limit.

Rabbit fencing maintained on Freshwater Marsh, Jackson's Marsh, Plantation and Golf Course boundary.

Manage dune pools for natterjacks by removal of competitive amphibians March/April (common toads translocated to Plantation Pond outside SSSI).

Control of aquatic and marginal vegetation by manual removal to restore open sandy margins.

Nursery pools set up at Army Swathe and Aylmer. Rearing trays used in situ at breeding pools. Range of spawn reared to ensure survival of good genetic cross section of population.

Consult with HCT for advice on within site translocations to broaden population base. Eg Stewardship land.

Reprofile scirpus and celery pool (compt 1/25) and manage vegetation for optimum natterjack use. Resulting spoil to be graded into rank area where scrub recently cleared.

Consult with EN/HCT/Seacroft Golf Club regarding possible re- establishment of natterjacks on golf course.

Work carried out under EN licence, annual report produced for licence return.

Annual checks and maintenance of all boundary fences prior to stock grazing. Clear over-hanging scrub

Ongoing rabbit fence checks at Measures, Freshwater Marsh and the Plantation.

Photographs have been obtained in 2000 from Environment Agency with particular regard to the beach nourishment project. Seek update at least once during plan period to allow changing geomorphological patterns to be followed and establish position on net accretion or erosion of coastal habitats.

Aerial photographs are necessary to allow changes to physical extent of features such as dune grassland/scrub community to be assessed. Accurate measurements for intertidal flats will pend the timing of the survey in relation to the time and state of tide.

Survey change in patterns of saltmarsh pan and creek development.

Update NVC survey. 5-10 yr period. Monitor change in extent of key vegetation communities.

Weekly depth-gauge readings of Jackson's Marsh, Tennyson's Sands, Freshwater Mere, Mill Pond, Fenland Lagoon and Borrow Pits. Data stored on SF computer. C/Hydro/water tables.

The mere depth gauge is important for the LACs for the Freshwater Marsh water table attribute.

Depth gauges levelled in to 3m OD.

Bi-monthly salinity readings taken with conductivity meter. See SF file 1400. Data stored on Excel at SF on Gib1 computer.

Salinity transect survey carried out by Notts University for baseline. Seek to up date in future.

Follow EN guidelines for community/feature assessment as defined in favourable condition tables for respective feature.

Counts carried out monthly through a set transect. Route runs along new saltmarsh/storm ridge, east dunes, ringing hollow, meads outpost, mill pond meadow and west dunes. Counts include numbers of young rabbits and those showing signs of myxomatosis.  See file 1351.

Visual assessment needs to be carried out on East dune slack, Freshwater Marsh and outer dunes in addition to the transect.

Assessment for grazing:

Sward assessment to establish annual grazing regime on Freshwater Marsh, dune slack and grey dune.

Assess appropriate grazing regimes for scrub/grassland in Measures' and Shoveler's enclosures.

Visual assessment of rabbit-grazing impact to be carried out (summer) annually to initiate rabbit control.

Project brief includes sward surveys during grazing to check on attribute targets.

Weekly depth-gauge readings of Jackson's Marsh, Tennyson's Sands, Freshwater Mere, Mill Pond, Fenland Lagoon and Borrow Pits. Data stored on SF computer. C/Hydro/water tables.

The mere depth gauge is important for the LACs for the Freshwater Marsh water table attribute.

Depth gauges levelled in to 3m OD.

Bi-monthly salinity readings taken with conductivity meter. See SF file 1400. Data stored on Excel at SF on Gib1 computer.

Salinity transect survey carried out by Notts University for baseline. Seek to up date in future.

Assess requirements for removal of algae/blanketweed in pools during summer months.

Assess requirements for vegetation cutting in dykes and ditches.

Assess requirements for slubbing ponds/dykes and borrow pits.

Assess requirements for slubbing marginal vegetation on Mere.

Assess requirements for management of vegetation in dune slacks for natterjack toads.

Regular surveys carried out to identify presence of Crassula in pools and ditches on Freshwater Marsh. Details of location and extent recorded in file 1030.

Assess management requirements for the following:

* Creeping thistle on Freshwater Marsh.

* Creeping thistle on Fenland Lagoon banks

* Dock on Mere Meadow.

* Nettle/ragwort on Mere Four Acres.

* Ragwort on grey dune.

* Rosebay on grey dunes/outer dunes/dune slack.

Visual assessment by experienced observer will initiate specific control measures.

Winter ragwort assessment is required, prior to control of basal rosettes with Barrier H.

Carry out common bird census on the following plots. Instructions and maps in files 1501-1502. Compile end of season report.

* West Dunes.

* East Dunes.

* Freshwater Marsh.

* Old Saltmarsh.

* New Saltmarsh.

* Plantation/Sykes Farm.

Piles of cut vegetation left at the following sites during Aug following mowing operations, to attract marsh moth larvae. Piles surveyed in late Aug/Sept and numbers of larvae recorded. Advice from Gerry Haggett or Paul Waring.

* Barrie's Plot.

* Field Station lawn.

* Ringing Hollow.

* Mere Meadow.

Encourage wider surveying into Measures', upto and including Seacroft Golf course.

See SF file 1370

Specific surveys carried out for all species listed in Sykes file 1380, with written details on status changes, habitat requirement, specific management etc. Annual submission of report to LWT BAP Team.

Count singing males in spring, peak adult population, spawn strings, emerging toadlets.

Casual nocturnal survey for natterjack across grey dune and saltmarsh to establish optimum foraging sites.

Assess sward condition for natterjacks.

Survey water vole population in pools and dykes of Freshwater Marsh and waterbodies of Stewardship land. Map important areas to influence future sensitive management accordingly.  File 1360.

Continuation of E Blood survey. Additional records made of emergence dates, numbers etc. SF file 1110

Daily meteorological recording from weather station at 0830. The following readings are taken. Max/min temp, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, humidity, cloud cover, precipitation. Update Excel spreadsheet records at NR office.

Monthly rainfall records submitted to EA.

Voluntary wildfowling ban imposed after XX days below freezing.

Investigate purchase of computerised/automatic weather station.

Liaise with Environment Agency over local abstraction licence details and  likely effects on dune/Freshwater Marsh water table.

Night torch surveys carried out during March/April in pools and dykes of Freshwater Marsh and Shoveler's pool. Records maintained in file 1430.

Spring peak population counts at square and hidden ponds to give annually comparable index. Records maintained in file 1470.

Records maintained of numbers of common amphibians translocated from natterjack pools.

Record all byelaw infringements in unsavoury events log at Sykes Farm.

* Intertidal mud and sand flats: Bait-digging, angling and horse riders, dogs on beach during April-Sept. Any disturbance incidents to feeding waders and wildfowl.

* Unvegetated shingle ridges: Trials bikes, ATVs and 4-wheel drive vehicles. Beach ferry activity. Egg collectors and unauthorised entry into shorebird sanctuary. Any disturbance incidents to wader roosts. Marine traffic eg speedboats and jet-skis may also cause considerable disturbance to roosting waders.

* Shifting dunes with Ammophila: naturist activity, fires etc.

* Atlantic salt-meadows: Samphire-gathering, trials bikes, mountain bikes, ATV's and 4-wheel drive vehicles. Any disturbance to feeding or roosting waders/wildfowl. Monitor yacht club activities/impact along saltmarsh and river bank and extent of erosion on New Saltmarsh track.

* Grey dunes and scrub: flower picking, fires etc.

Particular note should also be kept pertaining to unplanned events.

Follow EN guidelines for community/feature assessment as defined in favourable condition tables for respective feature.

Assess management requirements pre and post cattle-grazing on Freshwater Marsh.

Carry out common bird census on the following plots. Instructions and maps in files 1501-1502. Compile end of season report.

* West Dunes.

* East Dunes.

* Freshwater Marsh.

* Old Saltmarsh.

* New Saltmarsh.

* Plantation/Sykes Farm.