WALTON ROAD QUARRY, HARTLEBURY, WORCESTERSHIRE

Transcription

1 WALTON ROAD QUARRY, HARTLEBURY, WORCESTERSHIRE Biodiversity Enhancement Report to Wienerberger Ltd Project Ref: 2017/130 v1 Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy Lower Smite Farm Smite Hill Hindlip Worcester WR3 8SZ Tel: September 2017

2 QUALITY ASSURANCE Title: Biodiversity Enhancement Walton Road Quarry, Hartlebury, Worcestershire Submitted to: Wienerberger Ltd Report number: 2017/130 v1 Date: September 2017 Author: Alan Shepherd MCIEEM Senior Ecologist Internal reviewer: Edward Leszczynski BSc (Hons) MSc MCIEEM Consultancy Manager Authorised by: Edward Leszczynski BSc (Hons) MSc MCIEEM Consultancy Manager Disclaimer: Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy is a wholly owned subsidiary of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust. However, the views expressed in this report are those of the Consultancy alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Worcestershire Wildlife Trust nor does the report infer any form of consultation with either Worcestershire Wildlife Trust or any other Wildlife Trust. Document Control: The report shall not be reproduced, except in full, without the written approval of Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy. 2

3 Table of Contents Page number SUMMARY INTRODUCTION Commissioning Brief SITE DESCRIPTION Existing Habitat Existing Fauna BIODIVERSITY ENHANCEMENTS Rationale Habitat Management/Creation Woodland Management Hedgerow ting Additional Recommendations PRESCRIPTION AND PROJECT REGISTER WORK PROGRAMME BIBLIOGRAPHY... 9 Appendix 1: Site Appendix 2: Site Photographs Appendix 3: ting List Appendix 4 Examples of bird and bat boxes Appendix 5: Ecological experience

4 SUMMARY In September 2017 Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy was commissioned by Wienerberger Ltd to produce a biodiversity enhancement plan for land adjacent to Walton Road Quarry, Hartlebury, Worcestershire as part of a plan to extend the quarry. Recommendations include enhancing, maintaining and managing the existing woodland, planting new hedges, managing existing hedges and the erection of bird and bat boxes. 4

5 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Commissioning Brief In September 2017 Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy was commissioned by Wienerberger Ltd to produce a biodiversity enhancement plan for land adjacent to Walton Road Quarry, Hartlebury, Worcestershire as part of a plan to extend the quarry. 2 SITE DESCRIPTION The site is located to the west of the village of Hartlebury, Worcestershire at NGR SO It is approximately 1.4ha in total and consists of secondary woodland between the road and the existing quarry edge. It is crossed by a public footpath. 2.1 Existing Habitat The site consists of secondary woodland although there appears to have been some planting. Trees include several large pedunculate oak (Quercus robur), horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), large leaved lime (Tilia platyphyllos) with smaller ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), occasional common hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and hornbeam (Carpinus betula). The understorey is sparse and consists mainly of self set saplings of sycamore, ash and horse chestnut with occasional hazel (Corylus avellana) and elder (Sambucus nigra) among a ground flora of common nettle (Urtica dioica), bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.), occasional rose (Rosa sp.) and occasional lords and ladies (Arum maculatum). 2.2 Existing Fauna There is evidence of rabbits (Oryctalagus cuniculus) and fox (Vulpes vulpes). Grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is likely to occur as are other rodents such as mice and voles. Birds will inevitably be present in the woodland and are most likely to be widespread species such as blackbird (Turdus merula), robin (Erithacus rubecula) and wren (Troglodytes troglodytes). These are opportunist nesters and will make use of trees, bushes, bramble patches and hedgerows. The lack of holes in trees means that other widespread species such as blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), great tit (Parus major) and nuthatch (Sitta europea) are unable to nest. 5

6 3 BIODIVERSITY ENHANCEMENTS 3.1 Rationale The woodland is currently of limited ecological interest and would benefit from biodiversity enhancement as it does not appear to have been managed historically as woodland. Therefore the intention is to enhance the existing habitat in order to increase the conservation interest. To summarise the proposals are for woodland management, including the creation of open glades, planting an understorey, hedgerow planting and the erection of bird, bat and insect boxes. 3.2 Habitat Management/Creation Woodland Management The aim should be to reduce excessive shade while at the same time maintaining canopy cover. Moderate light levels should be maintained to provide favourable conditions for woodland plants. This will require the removal of smaller trees and saplings in order to create glades. There are several places where thin patches already exist and these should be chosen for clear felling. The cleared areas should also be continued to include the area between the quarry edge and the public footpath. The glades will provide habitat for invertebrates, particularly butterflies but also spiders and beetles. The existing large trees should be retained. Removal of the smaller trees around them will create a halo effect and allow them to grow larger. Some show signs of decay and it may be necessary to assess them individually in case they are becoming moribund. It is however important to retain some dead wood, preferably standing, in order to provide habitat for saproxylic invertebrates and fungi. Unless it becomes a safety issue standing dead wood should remain in place as it provides excellent habitat for invertebrates and fungi as well as hole nesting birds and roosting bats, which currently does not exist. Other dead wood should preferably be left where it falls or if not stacked in piles where there is available space. Bat boxes and bird boxes could be erected within the woodland and it would be particularly valuable to install a tawny owl box. Further information is contained within Section Diversity within the understorey could be increased by planting additional native shrubs such as hazel, holly (Ilex aquifolium) and honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) after the removal of overshading trees Hedgerow ting A new hedgerow should be planted along the boundary of the quarry and the public footpath. Native species including common hawthorn, midland hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata), field maple (Acer campestre) and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) should be 6

7 used with occasional larger trees to be allowed to grow into standards. Suitable species include wych elm (Ulmus glabra), pedunculate oak, crab apple (Malus sylvestris) and damson (Prunus domestica ssp insititia). Some trailing/climbing species, such as wild rose (Rosa sp.) and honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum), should be incorporated to provide nectar sources for invertebrates. The existing roadside hedge is sparse and should be gap planted, again using native species. It would be preferable if the species composition reflected the newly planted hedge. The traditional management of native hedges by laying is most effective for their long term sustainability and also ensures that suitable habitat for birds and other wildlife is maintained. Laying should take place approximately every years and in between the hedges should be trimmed appropriately. Gap planting should be undertaken as and when necessary Additional Recommendations Other measures that could be implemented include the creation of log piles in order to provide habitat for invertebrates, small mammals and fungi. Materials will be provided by the clear felling work. The piles should be located away from the public footpath in order to avoid the theft for firewood and to ensure that no members of the public can climb on them or pull them over. Bird boxes can be installed on larger trees within the woodland. A selection of openfronted and hole fronted boxes will enable a wider variety of small passerine species to find suitable niches. Two tawny owl boxes should be installed on suitable trees in order to provide both a choice of nest site and daytime roosting site. A little owl box could also be erected on the edge of the woodland facing the quarry. Bird boxes should be erected at least 3m above the ground and ideally face north, north east, east and/or south east. Bat boxes could also be erected in similar places, although bats may benefit if their boxes are located a little further into the wood. It is possible to create a bat box from a section of hollow branch or alternatively use a commercially available box made from woodcrete. Bat boxes should ideally be attached on the south, east or west facing aspects of the trees at least 3m high Examples of bird and bat boxes are shown in Appendix 4. 7

8 4 PRESCRIPTION AND PROJECT REGISTER Operational objective 1 Manage woodland Priority: High Outline prescription 1. Selectively thin smaller trees within woodland to create glades in order to encourage ground flora diversity and understorey growth. Halo around large trees. Remove or chip small brash. All work should be carried out in autumn to late winter to avoid disturbance of nesting birds. Year: 1 Season: Autumn/Winter 2. Maintain and enhance understorey by planting and coppicing. Year: 1 and/or 2 Season: Autumn/Winter 3. Retain some felled timber as log piles to provide habitat for invertebrates, fungi and small mammals. Year: 1 and/or 2 Season: Autumn/Winter Operational objective 2 t and maintain hedgerows Priority: High Outline prescription 1. t new hedgerow and gap plant/enhance existing hedgerow. Stake and protect from rabbits. Year: 1 and/or 2 Season: Autumn/Winter 2. Maintain hedges by trimming/siding up. Year: 4 or 5 as appropriate Season: Winter General prescriptions 1. Erect bird and bat boxes on suitable trees within the woodland. Priority: Medium Year: 1 or 2 Season: Any but preferably winter 2. Clear public footpath where necessary. Priority: Medium Year: Any as necessary Season: As necessary 8

9 5 WORK PROGRAMME Project Year Season Priority Manage woodland by selective 1 Autumn/Winter High thinning or coppicing Maintain understorey and enhance 1 or 2 Autumn/winter High if necessary Create log piles 1 Autumn/winter t new hedgerow and gap plant existing hedgerow Maintain hedge by trimming/siding up 1 and/or 2 Autumn/winter High 4 or 5 Autumn/winter Medium General 1 Erect bird and bat boxes 1 or 2 Winter Medium 2 Keep public footpath clear Any as necessary Autumn or as necessary Medium 6 BIBLIOGRAPHY Worcestershire Biodiversity Action : sity_action_plan 9

10 Appendix 1: Site t up roadside hedgerow and maintain as necessary Enhance understorey by planting Create glades in woodland t hedgerow along public footpath Indicative outline of proposals (not to scale) 10

11 Appendix 2: Site Photographs 1 Eastern end of public footpath 2 Large oak 11

12 3 Self set trees between quarry and footpath suitable for removal to create glade 4 Young trees between footpath and road suitable for removal to create glade 12

13 5 Area of thin woodland between footpath and new quarry boundary (indicated by post 6 Large gap in roadside hedge 13

14 Appendix 3: ting List Trees and shrubs Common name Scientific name Use Blackthorn Prunus spinosa Hedgerow Common hawthorn Crataegus monogyna Hedgerow Crab apple Malus sylvestris Hedgerow Damson Prunus domestica ssp Hedgerow insititia Field maple Acer campestre Hedgerow, woodland Hazel Corylus avellana Hedgerow, woodland Holly Ilex aquifolium Hedgerow Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum Hedgerow, woodland Midland hawthorn Crataegus laevigata Hedgerow Oak Quercus robur Hedgerow Rose Rosa sp. Hedgerow, woodland Rowan Sorbus aucuparia Hedgerow Wych elm Ulmus glabra Hedgerow Note: This list is merely indicative and a selection of species should be chosen 14

15 Appendix 4 Examples of bird and bat boxes Hollow branch bat box Schwegler 1FF bat box 15

16 Tawny owl box Little owl box Open fronted nest box Schwegler hole nesting box 16

17 Appendix 5: Ecological experience Alan Shepherd MCIEEM Senior Ecologist Alan has worked for Worcestershire Wildlife Consultancy since 1995 and prior to this worked in the conservation sector since the 1970s. He has an extensive knowledge of a wide variety of protected species, with a focus on birds, reptiles and amphibians. Alan regularly undertakes bat, bird, amphibian and reptile surveys and advises on mitigation. Alan also has an extensive botanical knowledge and regularly undertakes extended Phase 1 surveys and prepares ecological management plans. Alan s main area of expertise is with amphibians and reptiles and he is considered to be a national expert on the slow worm. He has been the National Herpetofauna Coordinator for The Wildlife Trusts, a member of the advisory panel for ARG UK and spent over 10 years as a member of the national steering committee for the Great Crested Newt Species Recovery. Alan holds Natural England and Natural Resources Wales licences for great crested newts and is a Registered Consultant for the Natural England great crested newt Low Impact Class Licence. 17

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