Dismay as social media site Twitter reveals use of plant-killing poison on precious wildlife site in Lincolnshire

 

One of the pictured posted on Twitter

AN investigation has begun into how glyphosate plant-killer came to be sprayed on a Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The use of poison came to light this week when photographs taken at Deeping Lakes, near Deeping St James,  in the south of the county, were posted on Twitter by Alison Fure of Kingston-upon-Thames in South-west London.

"Not a great way to manage a protected area nor a good message to give visitors to take home," she tweeted.

The episode has embarrassed the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust, but, to its credit, it has issued a swift response and what amounts to an apology.

The trust posted this reply: "Thank you for bringing this to our attention. 

"You are absolutely right, this is not acceptable. It is not our usual practice, we've looked into it and it won't be happening again."

The reserve consists of some 160 acres and is noted for its waterbirds

No details have yet emerged on how the glyphosate came to be used, nor the trust's policy on using poison.

                                                                 

Deeping Lakes - top habitat for wetland birds