AN ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF SELECTED SITES AT HAZELBURY BRYAN

Transcription

1 AN ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF SELECTED SITES AT AZELBURY BRYAN Bryan Edwards, Dorset Environmental Records Centre 18 th January 2018 BACKGROUND An ecological survey was undertaken of eight areas that have been put forward for development within the azelbury Bryan Parish Plan. The sites were visited on 18 th January In addition a search was made for Protected Species and Biodiversity Priority (BAP) Species from the DERC database. The following conclusions relate specifically to the brief supplied at the time of writing, if the proposals should change a re-appraisal or appraisal amendment may be required. Map 1. Location of sites surveyed Site 12 Site 11 Site 7 Site 2 Site 13 Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Dorset County Council, LA

2 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS Ecologically the hedgerows are by far the most important habitats present, particularly in Sites 7 and 13. These have a varied range of woody species with 6-7 species and a ground flora which includes plants such as art s-tongue Fern, Soft Shield-fern, Dog s Mercury and Primrose suggesting they are quite old. They may well qualify as Important edgerows under the edgerow Regulations Act (1997) and need to be assessed as such. The hedges at Sites 2, 11 and 12 are less diverse but nevertheless important landscape features and if they are to be affected by the proposed developments will need to be assessed under the edgerow Regulations Act (1997). Sites 7 and 11 are mainly built up with various buildings and hard standing. Any vegetation is ruderal in composition and supports species characteristic of enriched soils. Sites 2 and 12 are improved fields dominated by agricultural grasses with very few herbs Site 13 is part a small field which has been improved in the past and is quite species-poor. One very small area retains some interest with frequent Corky-fruited Water-dropwort a Dorset Notable species found in neutral grassland No protected species were found during the survey, although the time year was not ideal for many species. The DERC database does not have any records of Protected Species directly within any the five sites, but a number of species are recorded close or adjacent to the sites. 2

3 SITE DESCRIPTIONS Site 11: Back Lane, ST ha Currently a commercial site with approximately 75% of the site buildings, concrete and hard-standing. The remaining areas comprise ruderal and tall-ruderal vegetation with coarse grassland and stands of weeds such as nettle. There is a defunct hedgerow with a shallow ditch along the western boundary. The grassland in the south-west of the site supports False Oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius, Cock s-foot Dactylis glomerata, Creeping Bent Agrostis stolonifera and Perennial Rye-grass Lolium perenne. erbs include frequent Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica plus Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens, Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris, Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata, Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius and White Dead-nettle Lamium album. In at the southern end and the south-east there are stands of tall ruderal species with Stinging Nettle dominating plus locally frequent Teasel Dipsacus fullonum, Great Willowherb Epilobium hirsutum and edge Bindweed Calystegia sepium, plus Bristly Oxtongue Picris echioides and Common Comfrey Symphytum officinale. Along most of the eastern boundary is a defunct hedgerow with a shallow ditch. Elm Ulmus sp. dominates with smaller quantities of Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus, awthorn Crataegus monogyna and Elder Sambucus nigra. The ground layer reflects shady nutrient enriched ground with abundant Ivy edera helix and Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica, plus Cleavers Galium aparine and Cuckoo Pint Arum maculatum. The presence of art s-tongue Fern Asplenium scolopendrium, Soft Shield-fern Polystichum setiferum and Dog s Mercury Mercurialis perennis suggests this may be an old hedgerow. The edgerow Regulations (1997) may not apply to this hedge as it lies now within the village setting, but nevertheless it is the most important ecological feature of the site. 3

4 Site 7: Stockfield Drove, ST ha A former commercial site of which just over half comprises two buildings currently used for storing farm machinery and areas of concrete and hard-standing. The remaining area is largely ruderal vegetation of coarse grassland with scattered scrub. There are hedges along western and southern boundaries. The shorter vegetation comprises grasses including abundant Creeping Bent Agrostis stolonifera and Perennial Rye-grass Lolium perenne, plus Cock s-foot Dactylis glomerata, Rough Meadow-grass Poa trivialis and Yorkshire Fog olcus lanatus. Several clumps of ard rush Juncus inflexus were noted in one damp area. erbs are few with White Clover Trifolium repens, Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens, Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata and Dandelion Taraxacum officinale agg., plus tall perennials such as Teasel Dipsacus fullonum and Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris. A stand of Common Fleabane Pulicaria dysenterica was noted in a damper area. In the south and south-west of the site there are stands of Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. scrub with several small Grey Willows Salix cinerea and Elder Sambucus nigra bushes. The southern hedgerow has abundant Elm Ulmus sp., with awthorn Crataegus monogyna, azel Corylus avellana, Blackthorn Prunus spinosa, Field Maple Acer campestre, Ash Fraxinus excelsior and Dog Rose Rosa canina. The understorey supports species characteristic of enriched soils with Cleavers Galium aparine, Ivy edera helix, Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg., Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica, Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris and Cuckoo Pint Arum maculatum. Red Campion Silene dioica and Dog s Mercury Mercurialis perennis were noted in one area. The western hedgerow has a similar range of woody species and on the hedge bank art s-tongue Asplenium scolopendrium and Soft Shield-fern Polystichum setiferum are both frequent, with dog s Mercury Mercurialis perennis, Cuckoo Pint Arum maculatum, Ivy edera helix, Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica and Cleavers Galium aparine. The hedges appear to be quite old and may qualify as Important edgerows under the edgerow Regulations Act (1997), and need to be assessed as such if they are to be affected by the proposed development. 4

5 Site 13: Coney Lane, ST ha Part of a small field on the corner of Pidney ill and Coney Lane. The majority of the field is grassland with several small old buildings along the northern boundary. The field is best described as semi-improved and species-poor neutral grassland. The sward comprises Yorkshire Fog olcus lanatus, Common Bent Agrostis capillaris and Cock s-foot Dactylis glomerata, with Red Fescue Festuca rubra in one area. Other species include Tall Fescue Festuca arundinacea, Perennial Rye-grass Lolium perenne, Timothy Phleum pratense. The herb component is poor with frequent Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus acris, Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens and Creeping Thistle Cirsium arvense. Other species are very scattered and include Common Sorrel Rumex acetosa, Broadleaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius, Curled Dock Rumex crispus, Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata and Yarrow Achillea millefolium. In one area the Dorset Notable Corky-fruited Water-dropwort Oenanthe pimpinelloides is frequent. Along the road boundary and Coney Lane boundary are lengths of hedges which from their composition and inclusion of the 2 nd Edition Ordnance Survey map are probably quite old and may qualify as Important edgerows under the edgerow Regulations Act (1997). Both lengths of hedgerow support 6 woody shrubs with Blackthorn Prunus spinosa, awthorn Crataegus monogyna, azel Corylus avellana, Dogwood Cornus sanguinea, Ash Fraxinus excelsior, Field Maple Acer campestre and Wild Privet Ligustrum vulgare. The understorey include frequent Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg., Ivy edera helix and Cleavers Galium aparine, plus art s-tongue Fern Asplenium scolopendrium, Soft Shield-fern Polystichum setiferum, Dog s Mercury Mercurialis perennis, Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris, Primrose Primula vulgaris, Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica, Cuckoo Pint Arum maculatum and False Brome Brachypodium sylvaticum. There is one mature Ash tree in the road hedge. 5

6 Site 12: field adjacent to King s Stag Mill, ST ha An improved agricultural field adjacent to the former Mill site at King s Stag. The northern and eastern boundaries are recent fences, with flailed hedges along the western and southern sides. The improved grassland sward is dominated by Perennial Rye-grass Lolium perenne and Creeping Bent Agrostis stolonifera, with scattered Cock s-foot Dactylis glomerata, Yorkshire Fog olcus lanatus and Tall Fescue Festuca arundinacea. erbs are few apart from occasional to locally frequent Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens and Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus acris, plus scattered Curled Dock Rumex crispus, Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius and Cut-leaved Crane s-bill Geranium dissectum. The two lengths of hedge are dominated by awthorn Crataegus monogyna and Blackthorn Prunus spinosa, with very few other woody species present apart from widely scattered Ash Fraxinus excelsior, Wild Privet Ligustrum vulgare, Elm Ulmus sp., Dog Rose Rosa canina and Elder Sambucus nigra. These hedges are probably more recent than those at sites 7 and 13, but would still require a survey under the edgerow Regulations Act (1997) if they were to be removed or affected by the proposed development. Site 2: behind Village all, ST ha A large improved agricultural field on a north northeast facing sloping behind the village hall. The grassland is a typical short-term agricultural ley dominated by Perennial Rye-grass Lolium perenne with few other species present. The north-east hedge is mainly awthorn Crataegus monogyna with small amounts of Blackthorn Prunus spinosa, Grey Willow Salix cinerea, Elm Ulmus sp. and Field Maple Acer campestre. The understorey reflects the agricultural setting with abundant Cleavers Galium aparine and Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica, plus Ivy edera helix, Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg., The south-western hedgerow is different with Ash Fraxinus excelsior including several very old layered stools. Other woody species include awthorn Crataegus monogyna, azel Corylus avellana, Field Maple Acer campestre and Elder Sambucus nigra. The ground layer has abundant Cleavers Galium aparine and Stinging Nettle Urtica dioica, plus Ivy edera helix, Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg., The hedgerows are probably old and marked on the 2 nd Edition Ordnance Survey map. They are not as diverse as those at Sites 7 and 13 but they the edgerow Regulations (1997) would still apply. 6

7 MAP 2. Sites 7 & 11 Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Dorset County Council, LA

8 MAP 3. Site 13 Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Dorset County Council, LA

9 MAP 4. Site 2 Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Dorset County Council, LA

10 MAP 5. Site 12 Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Dorset County Council, LA

11 PROTECTED SPECIES No signs of protected species were seen during the survey, however this does mean that they are not present as the time of the survey in mid winter was not ideal for nesting birds, reptiles etc. A search for protected species was made on the Dorset Important Species layer on the Dorset Environmental Records Centre (DERC) GIS system. A summary of the suitability of the sites for protected species is given below. Bats: There are number of bat records, including roosts from sites around the village, but directly on the five sites looked at. Some of the older hedgerows may act as flight routes for Bats. Birds: The survey was too late in the season for nesting birds. Suitable habitat does exist in some of the older hedgerows in site 7 and 13. Badger: There are a number of badger records from the village, especially near to Site 2, but most are of dead animals on the road. No signs of any setts on any of the sites. There are records of individuals seen dead on the road south of the village. edgehog: There are several records of edgehogs from the village, mostly of dead individuals on the roads. Dormouse: No records on the DERC Important Species layer within the immediate vicinity the nearest being 3.20 km to the west at Pulham. Suitable habitat is present close to the village in the mature azeldominated hedgerows and the lack of records is most likely due to the absence of surveys around the village. Otter: The nearest Otter record is on the River Lyddon at King s Stag, 600 metres northwest of site 12. Water Voles; The nearest Water Vole record is from the River Lyddon near Lyddon ouse, 250 south of site 12. Reptiles: No records in DERC but suitable habitat for Common Lizard and Slow Worn is present sites 7, 11 and

12 APPENDIX I: Plant species recorded 18 th January 2018 Species Acer campestre Field Maple 1 Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore Achillea millefolium Yarrow Agrostis capillaris Common Bent Agrostis stolonifera Creeping Bent Anthriscus sylvestris Cow Parsley Arrhenatherum elatius False Oat-grass Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort Arum maculatum Cuckoo Pint Asplenium scolopendrium art s-tongue Fern Bellis perennis Daisy Brachypodium sylvaticum False-brome Calystegia sepium edge Bindweed Carex pendula Pendulous Sedge Cornus sanguineus Dogwood Corylus avellana azel Crataegus monogyna awthorn Dactylis glomerata Cock s-foot Dipsacus fullonum Teasel Epilobium hirsutum Great Willowherb Festuca arundinacea Tall Fescue Festuca rubra Red Fescue Fraxinus excelsior Ash Galium aparine Cleavers Geranium dissectum Cut-leaved Crane s-bill Geranium robertianum erb Robert Glechoma hedaracea Ground Ivy edera helix Ivy eracleum sphondylium ogweed olcus lanatus Yorkshire Fog Ilex aquifolium olly Juncus inflexus ard Rush Lamium album White Dead-nettle Ligustrum vulgare Wild Privet Lolium perenne Perennial Rye-grass Lonicera periclymenum oneysuckle Mercurialis perennis Dog s Mercury Oenanthe pimpinelloides Corky-fruited Water-dropwort Phleum pratense Timothy Picris echioides Bristly Ox-tongue Plantago lanceolata Ribwort Plantain Poa trivialis Rough Meadow-grass Polypodium interjectum Western Polypody Polystichum setiferum Soft Shield-fern Primula vulgaris Primrose Site 12

13 Site Species Prunus spinosa Blackthorn Pulicaria dysenterica Common Fleabane Ranunculus acris Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus repens Creeping Buttercup Rosa canina Dog Rose Rubus fruticosus agg. Bramble Rumex acetosa Common Sorrel Rumex crispus Curled Dock Rumex obtusifolius Broad-leaved Dock Salix cinerea Grey Willow Sambucus nigra Elder Silene dioica Red Campion Stellaria holostea Symphytujm officinale Common Comfrey Taraxacum officinale agg. Dandelion Trifolium repens White Clover Ulmus sp. Elm species Urtica dioica Stinging Nettle 1 = associated with hedges and hedgebanks 13

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