MICKLEOVER MEADOWS MANAGEMENT PLAN November 2009

Transcription

1 MICKLEOVER MEADOWS MANAGEMENT PLAN November 2009 JAMES FRITH MIEEM Ecological Consultancy 1 R a v e n s n e s t C o t t a g e s A s h o v e r C h e s t e r f i e l d D e r b y s h i r e S J P ravensnest@talktalk.net Tel: (01246)

2 CONTENTS 1. Description of the Site 1.1 Location 1.2 Land tenure 1.3 Designations 1.4 Past land use 1.5 Public access and community use 1.6 Compartments and habitats Evaluation of the Features 5 3. Description of Optimal State for the Site 5 4. Outline Management Objectives 6 5. Management Prescriptions 5.1 Habitat Management Hay meadow grassland. Compartments Ai, B, Di & Ei Tall grassland. Compartments C, F & G Short amenity grassland. Compartment Aii, Dii & Eii Hedges Woodland. Compartment H Pond P1 School Pond Pond P2 Bridge Pond Pond P3 New Pond. 5.2 Educational and Community Use Schools Use Community use Access provisions Further Survey and Monitoring Plan A Compartments and Habitats Plan B Optimal State and Management 5-Year Work Programme Estimatiion of Management Costs Annex 1 Vegetation Survey

3 1 Description of the site 1.1 Location & boundaries The site lies to the west of Derby on the northern fringe of Mickleover, adjacent to Murray Park School. The school grounds form the eastern boundary of the site, with housing to the south and open farmland to the north and west. 1.2 Land tenure The entire 9.6 hectare site is owned by Derby City Council. 1.3 Designations The site forms part of a designated Local Wildlife Site. The full site DE076 Mickleover School Meadow (20.35 ha) includes additional fields to the west and is designated for unimproved neutral grassland and reptile/amphibian assemblages. 1.4 Past land use The pattern of enclosed fields and hedges that forms the majority of the site originated from farmland that was gradually developed to the south as the village of Mickleover expanded. The agricultural legacy is evident in the ridge and furrow formations present in a number of the fields. The small area of scrub in the north has derived from land that was infilled when the railway line was reclaimed in the 1960s. Active farming ceased in the late 1908s when the land was taken over by the City Council. Since this time it has been managed as an area of public open space, this principally involving regular mowing of the grassland. Conservation management has included sowing wildflower seed, plug planting of wildflowers and tree and shrub planting as well as maintenance of the ponds. Recently a new pond has been created in one of the western fields to supplement the two existing ones that lie along the central ditch crossing the site. 1.5 Public access and community use All of the site is open to access by the general public, although historically the pattern of use has not extended to the small triangular field in the north-west. To encourage public use a system of surfaced paths has been installed from the two main access points from Onslow Road in the west and Earlswood Drive in the south. These link across farmland to the north of the site to Mackworth College. In part of the northern field a BMX track has been maintained as an additional attraction to the younger element. The site currently receives a good level of informal use from family groups, cyclists and regular dog walkers. There are a number of established desire lines that cross some of the fields in addition to the formal paths. The site is supported by a community group, the Friends of Mickleover Meadows, who organise events, management activities and carry out wildlife recording at the site. James Frith MIEEM Ecological Consultant 1

4 1.6 Compartments and Habitats Although relatively small in area Mickleover Meadows hold a wide range of closely inter-related habitats. There are large areas of open grassland ranging in character form short mown turf to tall grassy meadows. Large hedges divide the site and there also areas of woodland on the margins. There are several ponds linked by open ditches of varying size. For the purposes of the plan the site has been divided into compartments based on the existing habitats, as shown in Plan A. These are described in briefly below. A full vegetation description is included in Annex 1. Compartment A. The southern half of this area (Ai) is managed as a hay meadow, the grass allowed to grow tall through the summer months. The sward has a mixture of fine grasses including sweet vernal-grass, crested dog s-tail, red fescue and common bent. Damper areas have taller meadow grasses such as meadow foxtail and tufted hair-grass. There is a good range of wildflowers, some originating as plug planting, including common bird s-foot-trefoil, meadow vetchling, common knapweed, yellow-rattle, clovers and vetches. Some wetter patches have frequent soft rush, hairy sedge, silverweed and creeping buttercup. The northern half of the area (Aii) is mown regularly through the summer, the grass never more than 10 cm high. This area has a similar range of grasses but generally a more modest component of wildflowers, although clovers, daisy and buttercups can be frequent. Compartment B. This area is also managed as a meadow, the grass not being cut until late in the summer when it is tall. Again fine grasses are frequent with common bent, sweet vernal-grass, red fescue and Yorkshire-fog making up the bulk of the sward. Frequent wildflowers occur, again with some originating from plug planting. Cowslips are frequent and later in the year common knapweed, common bird s-foot-trefoil, great burnet and meadow crane s-bill supplement more common species such as clovers, buttercups and common sorrel. Along the margin of the path is a band of coarser tall herb and grass with locally abundant false oat-grass, cock s-foot, tufted hair-grass, great willowherb and occasional hogweed and silverweed. Compartment C. The strip of land between the path and the hedge was cultivated and planted with a wildflower seed mixture in Establishment has been good in the northern half where there is a tall sward containing frequent wildflowers including common knapweed, lady s bedstraw, common bird s-foot-trefoil, yarrow, tufted vetch, ribwort plantain and ribbed melilot. The southern end has become dominated by tall grasses, thistles and nettles and there is now some bramble and occasional tree saplings developing. On the western side of the path is a similar area of tall grass and bramble bounded by a strip of tree/shrub planting separating it from the BMX track. James Frith MIEEM Ecological Consultant 2

5 Compartment D. A large field showing evidence of ridge and furrow in the western half (Di), the eastern half (Dii) having been partly developed as the BMX track. The grassland is all mown short through the summer but the vegetation shows its origins as a wildflower meadow with locally frequent common knapweed, common bird s-foottrefoil, selfheal, common mouse-ear, ribwort plantain, red clover and meadow buttercup. The grasses are a nice mix of fine-leaved species typical of old permanent grassland including sweet vernal-grass, common bent, crested dog s-tail and red fescue. Compartment E. This large field is very similar to compartment Di, with ridge and furrow throughout and a vegetation obviously derived from former wildflower meadow. The species composition is very similar to compartment D, with the most diverse sward found in the northern part of the field. Compartment F. This field has been unmanaged since the time the site was taken over by the City Council. It has developed into tall, tussocky grassland with locally abundant common couch, false oat-grass, cock sfoot and Yorkshire-fog with only a minor component of finer grasses. Wildflowers are fairly limited, mainly taller species such as creeping thistle, meadow buttercup, common knapweed and hogweed. It makes a rich habitat for grassland invertebrates especially butterflies. Compartment G. A narrow strip of land between the disused railway line and the school grounds, with a surfaced path along it. The path margins are mown but along the northern side are brambles extend from the hedge into a stand of tall herbs and grasses including false oat-grass, cock s-foot, common nettle, creeping thistle, cow parsley and upright hedge-parsley. At the western end some planted common bird s-foot-trefoil, red clover and ribbed melilot make a colourful show. Compartment H. This is a small stand of woodland that originated from trees planted along the old ditch and hedge line that forms the southern boundary of the site. The trees are now almost mature and form a dense plantation. They are a mixture of broadleaves including oak, field maple, birch, whitebeam and lime plus a few Scot s pine. There are also a range of shrubs including dogwood, guelder rose and elder. The trees produce a dense shade that limits the flora beneath and there are areas of bare ground. However, a number of woodland plants occur including ivy, red campion, wood avens and cow parsley. Towards the eastern end the trees are more sparsely planted and consist of hybrid poplar over a field layer of tall grasses. Pond P1, School Pond. The largest of the established ponds (roughly 10 x 15 m), fed from the ditch that crosses the site. It is fairly shaded by the surrounding tall ash and willow trees and hawthorn scrub, which James Frith MIEEM Ecological Consultant 3

6 is partly limiting the development of aquatic flora. The pond itself dries out by the end of the summer but supports common duckweed and common water-starwort. The margins have patches of fool s watercress, brooklime, floating sweet-grass and some gipsywort, soft rush and bittersweet. The banks have a shaded woodland flora with hedge woundwort, herb-robert, ivy, wood avens and red campion as well as paths of trampled bare earth. It is a breeding site for common frog and smooth newt. Pond P2, Bridge Pond. Much of this pond is now colonised by dense common reed but there is a small area of open water (roughly 6 x 1 m). There is some submerged common water-starwort and around the margins brooklime, floating sweet-grass, creeping bent and taller great willowherb. The banks are open and grassy with some soft rush, silverweed, rough meadow-grass, perennial rye-grass, creeping thistle and tufted vetch. Pond 3, New Pond. Excavated during summer 2009 this pond is still in the establishment stage with little vegetation present. Hedge H1. A tall unmanaged hedge 5m tall and 4-6 m wide. Dominated by blackthorn with occasional hawthorn and small ash trees up to 10 m tall. Mostly shaded bare ground beneath but with some dense patches of ivy and occasional wood avens, cleavers and lordsand-ladies. Hedge H2. This wide hedge follows the course of the ditch/stream. It is an unmanaged stand of tall shrubs and trees up to 20 m tall. The hedge is up to 12 m wide in places. Blackthorn dominates the shrub layer with occasional hazel, elder, hawthorn and wild rose. The trees are a mix of ash, crack willow and oak. The dense shading limits ground flora to occasional ivy, cow parsley, cleavers and nettle. Hedge H3. The hedges all round compartment D are similar in character. They are tall and unmanaged, roughly 6 m tall and 6 to 8 m thick with frequent trees up to 10 m tall. Hawthorn dominates mostly but there are some dense patches of blackthorn and occasional holly and elder. Most of the trees are ash but there are also a few oak. Beneath the shrubs there are very few plants but the margins with the grassland have stands of bramble and tall herbs and grasses including cock s-foot, false oat-grass, common bent, common nettle, cow parsley, creeping thistle and cleavers. Hedge H4. Unmanaged tall hedge up to 4 m tall and 3-4 m thick, with some bramble extending further into the field. Dominated by hawthorn with occasional blackthorn, elder, wild rose and some young ash. Beneath the shrubs there are very few plants but the margins with the grassland have tall herbs and grasses including cock s-foot, false James Frith MIEEM Ecological Consultant 4

7 oat-grass, common bent, common nettle, great willowherb and cleavers. Hedge H5. Tall, unmanaged hedge up to 8m tall and 3 4 m thick. Dominated by large old hawthorn but with occasional elder and some bramble extending along the margins. Margins have tall herbs and grasses scuh as nettle, cleavers, hairy willowherb, cow parsley, false oat-grass, cock s-foot and common bent. Hedge H6. Tall, unmanaged hedge up to 6 m tall and 6 8 m thick with a dry ditch within it. There are occasional small ash trees up to 10m tall. Margins have red campion, cow prsley, false oat-grass, and upright hedge-parsley. Hedge H7. Tall, unmanaged hedge up to 6 m tall and 6 8 m thick. Mainly composed of hawthorn but with blackthorn, elder, bramble and wild rose. At the southern end it breaks up and is partly formed by larger trees that line the back of the adjacent gardens. Hedge H8. Tall, unmanaged hedge up to 6 m tall and 8 10 m wide, with blackthorn extending from it into the adjacent grassland over the southern end in particular. Dominated by blackthorn but with occasional hawthorn elder, bramble and wild rose. Margins have tall grasses and herbs including false oat-grass, cock s-foot, cow parsley and nettle. 2 Evaluation of the features Mickleover Meadows support a variety of habitats, including different types of grassland, hedgerows and areas of woodland and ponds and ditches. The habitats on site fall into three BAP habitats identified in the Lowland Derbyshire Biodiversity Action Plan. These include: Semi-natural grassland Standing open water Lowland broadleaved mixed woodland In terms of fauna the records of breeding common newt and frogs are significant, especially as there are known breeding sites for great crested newts in field ponds to the west of the site. 3 Description of Optimal State for the site The long-term optimal state for Mickleover Meadows is the enhancement and maintenance of the existing habitats to create the best conditions for wildlife. This would be achieved by a subtle change in the balance of habitats on the site as shown in Plan B. James Frith MIEEM Ecological Consultant 5

8 The grassland areas would be managed to provide a range of structures to suit different interests. The extent of wildflower-rich tall grassland would be increased by extending the area managed as traditional hay meadow to include compartments Di and E as well as Ai and B; compartments C, F and G would have tall tussocky grassland rich in wildflowers and with patchy scrub, providing an ideal habitat for grassland invertebrates and some ground nesting birds; margins of tall, infrequently-mown grassland around the edges of Aii and Dii would provide shelter for a range of wildlife groups including invertebrates, amphibians, small mammals and birds. Remaining grassland areas would be managed as currently to provide short amenity grassland for public use. Desire lines through the tall hay meadow grassland would be mown on a regular basis to allow access. The hedges are a particular feature of the site and will be maintained untrimmed as tall mature structures with occasional trees. However, in order to improve their structure for nesting birds and to prolong their life sections will be cut and laid in the traditional manner on a long rotation The woodland area in the south would be extended by some planting of trees and shrubs on the margins but otherwise left to mature naturally. All dead wood would be retained both on the ground and in the canopy wherever feasible. A nest box scheme would be introduced involving local schools. The ponds would be maintained largely as they are now, as seasonal water bodies providing ideal breeding sites for amphibian populations. They would be kept free from rubbish on a regular basis. Bankside trees would be coppiced to allow plenty of light into School Pond. Some open water would be maintained in Bridge Pond by occasional removal of invading reed and other tall vegetation. 4 Outline Management objectives Manage the grassland to provide the maximum range of structures and plant diversity and allow a return to wildflower-rich swards. Manage hedgerows to maintain their long-term structure and improve their value as bird nesting habitat. Improve the woodland structure by enhancing the shrub layer and extending the area by planting around suitable margins. Manage the ponds and their banks to maintain ideal conditions for breeding amphibians. Maintain a nest box scheme involving local schools. Erect bat boxes in suitable woodland areas. Record the wildlife present on a regular basis. Encourage the involvement of the local community, especially schools, in the management of the site. James Frith MIEEM Ecological Consultant 6

9 5 Management Prescriptions 5.1 Habitat management Hay meadow grassland. Compartments Ai, B, Di & Ei: Mowing. These areas of grassland should be managed along the lines of a traditional hay meadow to allow flowers and insects to develop in the tall grass through the summer months before it is cut. They should be mown once a year, not before the end of August. The cuttings should be removed so that the grass underneath is not smothered and to prevent soil enrichment. Ideally they should be allowed to dry for a few days before being baled and removed, to allow wildflower seeds to be shed and fall back onto the ground. This operation is best done by an agricultural contractor or local farmer. A 3-6 metre strip should be left uncut along the hedge margins and allowed to develop into tall tussocky grassland as a winter refuge for grassland invertebrates and small mammals. This should be mown in autumn on a 3-year rotation to prevent it being colonised by scrub (i.e. by mowing a third of the margins each year). The arisings can be left in situ to rot down. The margins of the surfaced paths and any established informal paths through these compartments should be mown regularly through the summer to a width of 3 metres, keeping it as short grassland. Grazing. Depending on the season there will be a degree of grass growth following mowing. This needs to be kept reasonably short over winter so that the grass doesn t smother the wildflower component. Ideally the site would be grazed by sheep, cattle or horses for a period up to late autumn. This would involve the provision of a suitable infrastructure including fencing, gates and stiles and an adequate water supply. The most suitable grazing animals would be a small, traditional breed of cattle, such as Belted Galloway or Red Poll. They are generally quiet and docile, ignore dogs and people walking and are easy to handle. Just a few young cattle would be needed, probably 4 or 5 for a month or two from hay cut, and possibly for 2 to 3 weeks in spring (monitoring and seasonal conditions will inform the exact grazing requirements). As current users of the site are not familiar with grazing animals there would need to be some pre-publicity before livestock are first introduced. Livestock would need to be carefully monitored during the first grazing season to ensure there are no problems with, for example, dog worrying and to maintain good animal welfare standards. It may also be best to restrict animals to the less well-used parts of the site during the first grazing season. Depending on the success of the initial grazing the area over which the animals graze and the length of time they are on site may be extended, possibly to include summer grazing of some areas. Planting wildflowers. The variety of wildflowers could be increased to make the grassland more attractive to the eye and more valuable to James Frith MIEEM Ecological Consultant 7

10 insect life such as butterflies and bees. The types chosen should be British native species that are typical of lowland hay meadows and provide abundant flowers as a pollen and nectar source for invertebrates. They are best planted as young plant plugs, put in during the autumn immediately after the grass cut. Suitable species include: ox-eye daisy, common knapweed, yarrow, field scabious, greater burnet, selfheal, meadow vetchling, lady s bedstraw, red clover and rough hawkbit Tall grassland. Compartments C, F & G. These compartments should be maintained as tall tussocky swards with a good component of wildflowers and occasional shrubs and patches of bramble. This will provide good habitat for grassland invertebrates, small mammals, amphibians and some ground nesting birds. Scrub control. The cover of scrub over these areas should be kept below 10% to ensure that it does not take over the area. This will involve clearing a few bushes each year, ideally treating the stumps with herbicide (Timbrell, Garlon or Roundup) to stop them from growing back. Some scrub should be retained for its value for invertebrates, the most useful in this respect being hawthorn, wild rose, alder and willow. No further management is required in these compartments apart from mowing a 2 metre margin along the footpaths in C & G Short amenity grassland. Compartment Aii, Dii & Eii. Grassland margins. The main extent of these compartments will be mown regularly during the summer to maintain them as short amenity grassland. However, it would be of great benefit to wildlife to leave wherever possible a 3-6 metre margin around the edges of the fields to develop as unmown tall grassland. This would complement the adjacent woodland and hedgerow habitats by providing a refuge for grassland invertebrates and small mammals and as a foraging habitat for amphibians and birds. To avoid the grassland developing into scrub it could be mown in the autumn on a 3-year rotation as with compartments Ai, B, Di & Ei, with the arisings left in situ Hedges. The hedges require little regular management as they are best kept as tall bushy hedgerows with margins of tall grass and occasional bramble. Over the long term some of them should be restructured by traditional cutting and laying. This would fill in any gaps that have developed and create a dense structure more suitable as a nesting site for hedgerow birds. One stretch of hedge could be treated in this way every 3 or 4 years and then allowed to regrow, without any trimming, to develop back into a tall hedge. James Frith MIEEM Ecological Consultant 8

11 The hedge with the poorest structure, that would benefit most immediately from cutting and laying is hedge H5. At present there are many gaps in the shrub cover. These gaps should be planted with suitable native shrub species to reinforce the hedge. Species chosen should be site native and include: Field maple Hawthorn Hazel Guelder rose Holly Elder All existing bramble should be retained Woodland. Compartment H. Care of existing woodland. The established area of woodland needs little special management, being best left to develop naturally. All dead wood should be retained, especially any standing dead wood, as this is relatively scarce at present. Rubbish should be removed on a regular basis. There is some room at the eastern end of compartment H for additional shrub planting under the poplars. Suitable species would include hazel, willow and alder. Additional woodland planting. The area of woodland could be extended by planting blocks of trees and shrubs along the margins of existing stands. There is a suitable area on the edge of grassland area Di, adjacent to the block of woodland that bounds the site to the north. Species chosen should be site native and include: Field maple Hawthorn Hazel Guelder rose Oak Ash Planting should take place in the late autumn or winter months. The ideal size to plant would be bare-rooted whips ( cm) at 2.5 x 2.5m spacing. To aid establishment the plants will require weeding for the first three summers to remove competing grasses. Bird and bat boxes. Opportunities for hole nesting birds are generally limited throughout the woodland and the bird population will definitely benefit from provision of nest boxes, possibly with the addition of bat boxes. The latter should be placed in small groups high up on the branches of the larger trees. This is a project that could usefully involve local school children. All bird boxes should be inspected annually at the end of the summer to be cleaned out and repaired as necessary. Maintenance of the bat boxes will need to be carried out by a suitably licensed bat worker. James Frith MIEEM Ecological Consultant 9

12 5.1.6 Pond P1 School Pond. Bankside coppicing. This pond suffers from shading by the surrounding trees and would benefit from some clearance to let more light in. Trees and shrubs on the southern bank should be coppiced (cut to ground level and allowed to regrow) on a short rotation to keep them below 3 metres tall. Rubbish removal. Substantial amounts of rubbish have already been cleared from the pond but it is a continual issue. Regular rubbish removal will be needed to keep the pond open. This is best done at the end of the summer when water levels are low and most amphibians and aquatic invertebrates have completed their breeding cycle. The amphibian breeding season (April to June) should be avoided as newts in particular tend to use items of rubbish as egglaying substrate Pond P2 Bridge Pond. Vegetation control. This is a relatively small pond and is vulnerable to vegetation encroachment taking over the open water. Reeds spreading from the back of the pond should be removed by pulling at the end of the summer. They should be left on the pond bank for a few hours for invertebrates to escape before being removed. This operation will probably be needed about every third year, but will be informed by monitoring. The southern and western banks should be kept free from any developing shrubs or tree saplings. These should be cleared at the same time that the reed is removed Pond P3 New Pond. This will require very little management during the course of the plan and should be left to develop and colonise naturally. The development of the vegetation should be monitored regularly any non-native species that appear should be removed immediately. 5.2 Educational and Community Use Schools use Every opportunity should be taken to encourage use of Mickleover Meadows for organised activities by local school children. There are opportunities for teaching exercises as well as practical tasks such as shrub planting and putting up nest boxes. Such involvement should be used as a way to foster respect and interest in the site Community use The site should be made available to a wide range of external groups for organised activities. This should be facilitated through a forum for involving local groups in all aspects of the site, including site management through practical conservation tasks and site monitoring and recording (see section 5.3 below). The existing Friends of James Frith MIEEM Ecological Consultant 10

13 Mickleover Meadows Group should continue to be principal group coordinating management and events on the site Access provisions All paths and access features should be maintained to allow proper access by walkers and cyclists. This should include maintaining the more well-used desire lines across the grassland as well as the surfaced paths. Opportunities for a range of disabled users should be identified and appropriate enhancements made. Information on the site should be provided in the form of interpretation boards at the two main access points and leaflets distributed at public events. Organising and advertising a programme of public events should encourage involvement of a wider range of visitors. Seating facilities should be provided at suitable locations across the site. Erect a few benches across the site in suitable areas where there is good visibility for safety and to avoid vandalism. These are probably best erected singly rather than in pairs to discourage grouping of vandals. Erect some seats which are suitable for disabled and carers. Dog fouling and litter should be controlled by the provision of suitable bins, that are regularly emptied. 5.3 Further survey and monitoring Survey information on key groups, especially invertebrates, birds and small mammals appears to be limited and it is important to ensure more information is collected to allow optimal management of the site. Surveys of the above groups should be organised within the first year and at regular intervals throughout the next 5 years. Local Naturalists groups could be approached to provide specialist expertise for recording some wildlife groups Populations of key species, especially amphibians, should be monitored on a regular basis Records should be kept of birds using the nest boxes and of any use of the bat boxes. A suitably qualified bat worker should be asked to make bat records Some aspects of the site require regular monitoring in order to plan future management work. These include: Establishment success of wildflower plugs in the hay meadow grassland. Establishment success of the planted shrubs on the woodland margins. James Frith MIEEM Ecological Consultant 11

14 Establishment success of the new pond and presence of invasive non-native plants. Encroachment of vegetation into Bridge Pond Fixed site photography is a useful tool for recording changes in habitat character. It could be used on this site to monitor the development of the grassland/woodland margins that are unmown and the management of scrub cover on the Bank (Compartment B). James Frith MIEEM Ecological Consultant 12

15 Plan A Mickleover Meadows Compartments and Habitats. H4 H4 F H3 Di H3 G H5 Dii H3 H3 P3 H6 P2 H2 C P1 Ei H8 Aii B H7 H1 Eii Ai H H KEY Short amenity grassland Tall tussocky grassland Hay meadow grassland Woodland Ponds Surfaced paths James Frith MIEEM Ecological Consultant 13

16 Plan B. Mickleover Meadows Optimal State and Management H4 H4 F H3 Di H3 G H5 Dii H3 H3 P3 H6 P2 H2 C P1 Ei H8 Aii B H7 H1 Eii Ai KEY H H Tall tussocky grassland Hay meadow grassland Short amenity grassland Woodland Ponds Surfaced paths Paths mow n in summer Hedge to be cut and laid James Frith MIEEM Ecological Consultant 14

17 WORK PROGRAMME Compartment Grassland compartments Ai, B, D & E Grassland compartments C, F & G Grassland compartments Aii & Dii Management Prescription Season Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Labour Capital Hay making Late summer Contractor or farmer None Grazing Autumn Farmer High (initial) Mow tall grass margins Autumn Parks/contractor None Planting wildflowers Spring Community Moderate group/schools Scrub control Winter Community group None Mow footpath margins Summer Parks/contractor None Mowing grassland Summer Parks/contractor None Mow tall grass margins Autumn Parks/contractor None Hedge H5 Cut & lay and plant up gaps Winter Parks/Contractor Low Woodland Retain dead wood; remove Winter Community group None compartment H rubbish Plant shrubs Autumn/winter Community Low group/schools Extend woodland by Autumn/winter Community High planting trees and shrubs group/schools adjacent Bird and bat box scheme Winter/summer Community Low group/schools Pond P1 Coppice bankside trees Winter Parks initially then None School Pond Community group Remove rubbish Community None group/schools Pond P2 Remove invading reeds Autumn Community None Bridge Pond group/schools Pond P3 Monitor colonisation and All Community None New Pond remove non-native plants group/schools

18 Compartment Management Prescription Season Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Labour Capital All Record wildlife All Community None group/schools All Access provisions All Parks/community group Moderate All Interpretation and events All Parks/community group Moderate

19 Estimation of Management Costs Grassland Management Hay making Labour: This operation is best costed on the basis of using contracted-in labour. Capital set-up costs of providing suitable machinery would be prohibitive and there are plenty of suitable contractors available in the local area. Due to potential dog fouling and litter contamination it has to be assumed that the product (i.e. hay) has no commercial value and has to be disposed of. Therefore the contractor would be expected to mow, turn, bale and then remove the dried hay, to be disposed of off-site. Estimated costs for this operation in the 2009 season are around 250 per hectare 1. With a total area of 1.5 ha (Ai, B, D & E) to be cut in this way the estimated annual cost would be Capital: None all machinery to be provided by contractor. Amenity grassland mowing Labour: The regular summer mowing of the short grassland areas has been undertaken by DCC Parks Department. It is assumed that this arrangement will continue, to include mowing the footpath margins and the informal paths through the hay meadows. There will therefore be no additional costs arising from the Management Plan, in fact there should be some net reduction in operating cost as the total area to be managed in this way will be reduced. Capital: No additional investment required machinery supplied as before by DCC Parks Department. Mowing tall grass margins Labour: This operation is best undertaken as part of the programme for amenity grassland mowing (above) carried out by DCC Parks Department. It could be combined with the last cut of the season, although different machinery would be needed to tackle the tall, coarse nature of the grassland. The total length of margin is approximately 1300 metres, but as it is to be cut on a 3-year rotation this means that only 325 metres need be cut each year. This represents roughly half a day s work for a tractor and flail to do the cutting. The arisings are left where they fall. Capital: No additional investment required machinery supplied as before by DCC Parks Department. 1 Jeff Turner, Agricultural Contractor, Okeover, Derbys. Mob:

20 Scrub removal from tall grassland Labour: The proposed work to remove scrub from the areas of tall, tussocky grassland is a suitable task for volunteer groups. The total area to be treated in this way is less than half a hectare, but not all will need treating each year. A group of 5 or 6 volunteers should be able to complete the work in a morning. Capital: The work will require the use of small hand tools. Current prices 2 for some appropriate items are as follows: 21 bowsaw - 14:30 (inc VAT) Replacement 21 bowsaw blade - 5:95 (inc VAT) 18 loppers (inc VAT) Heavy duty rigger gloves - 1:52 (inc VAT) Plant plugs Labour: This is a perfect task for a wide range of community and volunteer groups including children from local schools. The total area proposed for planting is roughly 1.5 ha (Ai, B, D & E), but far smaller areas can be treated at any one time. Capital: Plant plugs are available from a number of commercial suppliers. Cost varies depending on the size of the plugs. BTCV 3 supply plants in 37 ml plugs at between 65p and 85p each. Landlife 4 supply larger plants in 7 cm pots at 1:50 each. Recommended planting densities are between 5 10 plants per square metre. If the total area suggested was planted this would require over 75,000 plants which represents a huge cost, even if spread over a number of years. A better approach would be to plant up smaller plots scattered across the relevant compartments, which will act as a source of seed to colonise the remainder of the compartment. Using this approach a budget of say 1000 would supply enough plugs to plant up a dozen plots each of 10 square metres. This is probably enough to cover any one of the compartments. Grazing Labour: It is unlikely that either DCC or FoMM would purchase their own livestock for the site. Grazing is most likely to be accomplished therefore by letting the grassland out to a local farmer to put his own livestock on. In this case all ongoing labour commitments, to look after the stock would be provided by the grazier. Capital: Initial capital expenditure would be required to install the necessary site infrastructure (fencing, gates, water) before the site could be grazed. This work would best be done by an agricultural contractor. Some current costs for the relevant work are as follows: Stock netting fence - 4:50 per metre 2 BTCV online catalogue: 3 BTCV online catalogue: 4 Landlife online catalogue:

21 3-strand barbed wire fence - 2:20 per metre 12 foot wooden field gate - 275:00 each wooden kissing gate - 325:00 each cattle water trough - 180:00 each water supply (20 mm mole-ploughed) - 3:20 per metre The exact lengths of fencing and number of gates will depend on negotiations with any potential grazier, but costs are likely to run into the low thousands of pounds. This could be offset by entering the land into an agri-environment scheme such as Environmental Stewardship, possibly together with other Council-owned sites in the city. This would pay a contribution toward capital costs to re-introduce grazing to the site. Hedge Management Hedge laying Labour: Professional labour will be needed for the hedge laying. Labour costs vary with the condition of the hedge, which determines how long the work will take. The hedges at Mickleover Meadows are all large and have not been managed for a long time, so the work will take longer than average. Current rates for an agricultural contractor 5 are likely to be in the region per metre. Hedge H5 is approximately 80 metres giving an overall cost of roughly Capital: The only additional costs will be for replacement plants. Bare-rooted cm whips of native shrubs are likely to be in the range of 60p 95p per plant. Holly have to be pot grown and are more expensive at around 2:00 per plant. A new hedge requires 6 plants to the metre but gapping up existing hedges will need on average 2 or 3 plants per metre. This gives an outlay of around 175. Woodland Management Tree and Shrub planting Labour: This is a perfect task for a wide range of community and volunteer groups including children from local schools. The total area proposed for planting is roughly 700 square metres but this can be divided into smaller sections for planting to suit the capabilities of a particular group. Capital: Several nurseries supply native provenance trees and shrubs. Examples of current prices 6 for cm bare-rooted whips are as follows: Field maple - 1:08 (inc VAT) Hawthorn - 1:06 (inc VAT) Hazel - 1:29 (inc VAT) Guelder rose - 1:06 (60 90 cm) (inc VAT) Pedunculate Oak - 1:48 (inc VAT) Ash 89p (inc VAT) 5 J & JW Stafford, Hulland Ward, Ashbourne, Derbys. Tel: BTCV online catalogue:

22 Planting at 2.5 metre centres will require roughly 110 plants at an average price of 1:15, giving a total cost of 126:50. Providing each tree with a spiral rabbit guard supported by a cane will add around another 50p per plant 7. Bird/bat boxes These can be bought commercially, but equally could be made by community or volunteer groups including local school children. Plans are available online 8 9. Untreated, sawn timber sufficient for one box will cost under 2:00. Pond Management Bankside coppicing and vegetation control Labour: Initial bankside coppicing of the larger tree stems should be carried out by professionals and may be done by the DCC Parks Department. All subsequent work on the ponds is suitable for community and volunteer groups, as happens currently. Capital: Follow-up bankside coppicing requires the same small hand tools as scrub clearance in the tall grassland (see above). Vegetation removal from within the pond is best done by hand. 7 Acorn Planting Products online shop: 8 RSPB website: 9 Derbyshire Bat Conservation Group:

23 ANNEX 1 MICKLEOVER MEADOWS VEGETATION SURVEY 2009 The following tables list the plant species found during the vegetation survey undertaken through spring and summer of Relative abundance is given using the DAFOR system as follows: D - dominant A - abundant F - frequent O - occasional R - rare L - locally Compartment numbers in the tables refer to those shown in Plan A of the Management Plan, which also maps the vegetation communities. Descriptions of the vegetation in each compartment can be found in Section 1.6 of the Management Plan.

24 Plant species Compartment English name Scientific name Ai Aii B C D E F G H P1 P2 P3 H1 H2 H3 H4 H5 H6 H7 H8 GRASSES, SEDGES AND RUSHES: Common bent Agrostis capillaris A A A O A A O O A F O LF O O O O Creeping bent Agrostis stolonifera LO LA Meadow foxtail Alopecurus pratensis A R O R O O Sweet vernal-grass Anthoxanthum odoratum R A O O False oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius R R O F A F A LF F A A A A Hairy-brome Bromus ramosus O Glaucous sedge Carex flacca R Hairy sedge Carex hirta LO Crested dog s-tail Cynosurus cristatus A A A O O Cock s-foot Dactylis glomerata O O O F O LF F O O O F F F O O O F Tufted hair-grass Deschampsia cespitosa R R O Common couch Elytrigia repens LO Red fescue Festuca rubra A A F LF A A O O Floating sweet-grass Glyceria fluitans LA LA Yorkshire-fog Holcus lanatus LF F A F F F F A F F O F F O O O Soft rush Juncus effusus R R O Perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne R O R O LF Timothy Phleum pratense O R Common reed Phragmites australis D Rough meadow-grass Poa trivialis O LO O R O O O O O O O O F Branched bur-reed Sparganium erectum R

25 Plant species Compartment English name Scientific name Ai Aii B C D E F G H P1 P2 P3 H1 H2 H3 H4 H5 H6 H7 H8 FORBS: Yarrow Achillea millefolium R R R Lady s-mantle Alchemilla sp. R Cow parsley Anthriscus sylvestris O O LF LF O O R R F Fool s water-cress Apium nodiflorum O Lords-and-ladies Arum maculatum R Daisy Bellis perennis LF O O Common water-starwort Callitriche stagnalis LA Marsh-marigold Caltha palustris R Cuckooflower Cardamine pratensis R Common knapweed Centaurea nigra agg. LO LF LF LA LF R Common mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum O R O O Creeping thistle Cirsium arvense LF LA O O O O O Spear thistle Cirsium vulgare Field bindweed Convolvulus arvensis R R Great willowherb Epilobium hirsutum LR O O O A Cleavers Galium aparine O LF LF O O O LF LF LF LA Lady s bedstraw Galium verum LF Meadow crane s-bill Geranium pratense R* Herb-Robert Geranium robertianum R Wood avens Geum urbanum O R O Ivy Hedera helix LA LF LD LA LD LA LA Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium O O O O Cat s-ear Hypochoeris radicata R Meadow vetchling Lathyrus pratensis LF Common duckweed Lemna minor O Common bird s-foot- Lotus corniculatus LF F* R* LF R* trefoil Ribbed melilot Melilotus officinalis O* F*

26 Plant species Compartment English name Scientific name Ai Aii B C D E F G H P1 P2 P3 H1 H2 H3 H4 H5 H6 H7 H8 Ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata O LO R O Greater plantain Plantago major R R O Silverweed Potentilla anserina LO R LF R O O R Creeping cinquefoil Potentilla reptans LO R O Cowslip Primula veris R* Selfheal Prunella vulgaris R O Meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris R O O O O O R Creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens LO LA O LF LF LF Yellow-rattle Rhinanthus minor LO Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. LA O O O A LA LA LA LA Common sorrel Rumex acetosa O O O LF R Curled dock Rumex crispus R Broad-leaved dock Rumex obtusifolius O Great burnet Sanguisorba officinalis R* Common ragwort Senecio jacobaea R R R Red campion Silene dioica O O O O Hedge woundwort Stachys sylvatica R O R Bog stitchwort Stellaria alsine R R Common dandelion Taraxacum officinale agg. O R O O R Upright hedge-parsley Torilis japonica R R O O Red clover Trifolium pratense R O LO R O R R White clover Trifolium repens R LA LF LF R Common nettle Urtica dioica LD LF LA LF LF LF LA LF LF LF LF Brooklime Veronica beccabunga LA LF Tufted vetch Vicia cracca R O O O Hairy tare Vicia hirsuta LO Bush vetch Vicia sepium R R

27 Plant species Compartment English name Scientific name Ai Aii B C D E F G H P1 P2 P3 H1 H2 H3 H4 H5 H6 H7 H8 TREES AND SHRUBS: Field maple Acer campestre O* R LR Grey alder Alnus incarna O* Silver birch Betula pendula O* Dogwood Cornus sanguinea R R Hazel Corylus avellana O Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna R O O D LD D LD LD O Ash Fraxinus excelsior O R O O F F R O O Holly Ilex aquifolium R R Scot s pine Pinus sylvestris O* White poplar Populus alba O Hybrid poplar Populus nigra var. canadensis O* Blackthorn Prunus spinosa LF D A LD LD R LD LD D Pedunculate oak Quercus robur O* R R Wild rose Rosa sp. R R LF O O Grey willow Salix cinerea R Crack willow Salix fragilis R O Elder Sambucus nigra R O R R O O O Whitebeam Sorbus sp. O* Lime Tilia sp. O* Wych elm Ulmus glabra R Guelder-rose Viburnum opulus R*