County wildlife trust thought to be one of the parties keen to buy wader-rich wetland site in Lincolnshire

                                                       

The view birds have of Manby Flashes as they come into land

THE deadline has passed for offers on a Lincolnshire wetland which accommodates an unofficial bird reserve.

Interested parties had until noon today to submit offers for the 11.38-hectare Manby Flashes near Louth.

Throughout the year, the site attracts migrating waders and wildfowl which can often be viewed from a four-person hide maintained by  Lincolnshire Bird Club.

It is understood that one potential buyer is the Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust which is ready to dip into its reserves of £20.9-million to make the purchase.

If successful, the Flashes would supplements its network of reserves which includes Gibraltar Point bird observatory, near Skegness further south on the county coast, Far Ings, near Barton-on Humber, and Whisby nature park near Lincoln,

                                                    

Migrating Greenshank (above) and Green Sandpiper are among wading birds regularly seen on the wetland