Vincent & Gorbing
ECOLOGICAL SURVEY OF LAND OFF
CLOTHALL ROAD AND LAND SOUTH OF
CLOTHALL COMMON, BALDOCK,
HERTFORDSHIRE
FINAL
JULY 2008
Vincent & Gorbing
DOCUMENT CONTROL
TITLE: Ecological Survey of land off Clothall Road and land South of Clothall Common, Baldock, Hertfordshire
VERSION: Final DATE: July 2008 ISSUED BY: Brian Hedley AUTHOR: Claire Long/Graeme Clayton CHECKED BY: Vanessa Tindale APPROVED BY: Dave Hughes
ISSUED TO: Ruth Gray Vincent & Gorbing Sterling Court Norton Road Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 2JY
This report has been prepared by ESL with all reasonable skill, care and diligence, within the terms of the contract with the Client. The report is confidential to the Client. ESL accepts no responsibility of whatever nature to third parties to whom this report may be made known. No part of this document may be reproduced without the prior written approval of ESL.
ESL (Ecological Services) Ltd, 1 Otago House, Allenby Business Village, Crofton Road, Lincoln, LN3 4NL Ecological Survey of land off Clothall Road and land South of Clothall Common, Baldock, Hertfordshire Vincent & Gorbing
CONTENTS
Page
1 INTRODUCTION 1 2 SURVEY METHODS 1 2.1 Data Search 1 2.2 Field Survey 2 3 RESULTS 3 3.1 Data Search 3 3.2 Habitats and Plant Communities 4 3.3 Amphibians and Reptiles 8 3.4 Mammals 8 3.5 Birds 9 4 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 9 5 REFERENCES 10 TABLE 1 Trees with potential to support roosting bats 8 APPENDIX 1 Species List 2 Relevant Statutory Protection FIGURES 1a Habitat Map for Site 1a 1b Habitat Map for Site 1b 1c Habitat Map for Site 1c 2a Potential Ecological Constraints Map for Site 1a 2b Potential Ecological Constraints Map for Site 1b 2c Potential Ecological Constraints Map for Site 1c
ESL (Ecological Services) Ltd, 1 Otago House, Allenby Business Village, Crofton Road, Lincoln, LN3 4NL Ecological Survey of land off Clothall Road and land South of Clothall Common, Baldock, Hertfordshire Vincent & Gorbing
ECOLOGICAL SURVEY OF LAND OFF CLOTHALL ROAD AND LAND SOUTH OF CLOTHALL COMMON, BALDOCK, HERTFORDS HIRE
1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 ESL (Ecological Services) Ltd has been commissioned by Vincent and Gorbing on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council to carry out an ecological survey of land off Clothall Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire. The site is one of a number in the Baldock area owned by the County Council and will be promoted for residential development as part of the emerging Local Development Framework. Reports on the surveys of three other sites in the vicinity are given in ESL 2008a c. 1.2 This report describes the methods used and provides the findings of the survey together with recommendations for further work where appropriate. English names of higher plants are used throughout the text with a full species list including scientific names according to Stace (1997) given in Appendix 1. Habitat maps are given as Figures 1a, 1b and 1c with potential ecological constraints shown as Figures 2a, 2b and 2c. Photographs are included where appropriate in the text. 1.3 Prior to the site visit a risk assessment was undertaken by the Project Manager using all available information on the site, indicating working methods believed to be necessary for site safety. This risk assessment was updated by the fieldworkers on arrival at the site and before commencing the survey. 2 SURVEY METHODS 2.1 DATA SEARCH
2.1.1 The Natural England website was consulted for the locations of internationally protected sites within 5km of the site and for locations of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), National Nature Reserves (NNRs) and Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) within a 2km radius of the site. The site was accessed on 30 April 2008. 2.1.2 The Hertfordshire Biological Records Centre (HBRC) was asked to provide records of protected, Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) and other important species for Hertfordshire within a 2km radius of central grid reference TL 251 338, which is approximately the centre of the sites surveyed. They were also asked to provide information on non statutory sites within the same area. The NBN gateway was consulted for any additional records of protected species within the area of search. This web site was accessed on 30 April 2008. 1 ESL (Ecological Services) Ltd, 1 Otago House, Allenby Business Village, Crofton Road, Lincoln, LN3 4NL Ecological Survey of land off Clothall Road and land South of Clothall Common, Baldock, Hertfordshire Vincent & Gorbing
2.1.3 The UK and Hertfordshire BAP websites were consulted to identify the species and habitats included in these plans. These sites were accessed on 30 April 2008.
2.2 FIELD SURVEY
2.2.1 A walkover of the site was carried out on 28 April 2008 by two experienced ecologists and the following surveys were completed. Habitats, Plant Communities and Plant Species
2.2.2 All habitats and plant communities on the site were mapped and characterised. All hedgerows were assessed against the criteria for importance set out in the Hedgerow Regulations (1997). Notes were also made on land adjacent to the site. Amphibians and Reptiles
2.2.3 During the walkover a search was made for any waterbodies on the site and adjacent land. All habitats were assessed for their potential for use by reptiles, looking particularly for more open vegetation that would provide suitable areas for basking, close to areas of more dense vegetation which would provide protection from predators. Direct observation was carried out in these areas; this involves walking slowly and quietly through such habitats watching and listening for animals (HGBI, 1998). 2.2.4 All bricks, large stones, wooden boards and other suitable refuges were lifted where possible to check for the presence of amphibians or reptiles sheltering underneath. Each refuge was carefully replaced after inspection using the original footprint. Mammals
2.2.5 An assessment was made of trees on and adjacent to the site for their potential to support roosting bats. Suitable features include disused woodpecker holes, rot holes, cracks and splits in trunks and limbs, delaminating bark and ivy cladding. Buildings on the site were also assessed for their suitability. 2.2.6 All ditches adjacent to the site were assessed for their suitability for water voles. Ideal waterbodies for this species have permanent still or very slow flowing water with steep, densely vegetated banks suitable for burrowing. Heavily shaded waterways or those with sparse vegetation are less favoured (Strachan and Moorhouse, 2006).
2 ESL (Ecological Services) Ltd, 1 Otago House, Allenby Business Village, Crofton Road, Lincoln, LN3 4NL Ecological Survey of land off Clothall Road and land South of Clothall Common, Baldock, Hertfordshire Vincent & Gorbing
2.2.7 A search was made for signs of use by badgers. Such signs include setts, latrines and dung pits, pathways, foot prints, hairs and feeding signs such as snuffle holes and scratched trees. 2.2.8 Sightings and signs of other mammal species were also recorded. Birds
2.2.9 All birds seen and heard on and immediately adjacent to the site were recorded. An assessment was made of the habitats on site for their potential to support breeding birds listed on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981 and as amended).
3 RESULTS 3.1 DATA SEARCH
3.1.1 No Internationally protected sites were identified within 5km of the site boundary and no nationally protected sites were identified within 2km of the site boundary. 3.1.2 The HBRC provided details of one Local Nature Reserve, Ivel Springs, which is located approximately 1.5km north west of the site. This site is also a County Wildlife Site with relic patches of watercress beds, reed marsh and damp woodland. A variety of important plants, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals including water vole are known to be present. 3.1.3 A further 11 County Wildlife Sites have been identified within 2km of the site, the closest being Weston Hills and Wallington Road Verge by Clothall Common. Weston Hills abuts the site to the south west and is ancient chalk downland. A typical chalk flora is present with hawthorn scrub, a disused chalk pit and mature beech plantation. Orchids have been recorded and the site is also important for both invertebrates and vertebrates. Wallington Road Verge has a diverse chalk and arable weed flora, including tall broomrape, cowslip and poppy species. 3.1.4 Protected species records provided by HBRC include grass snake, common lizard, slow worm, bats, water voles, badgers and a dormouse record. Two records of common lizard along the Wallington Road Verge are the closest to this site. A number of records have also been provided for bats and badgers, located mainly to the south west of the site, but the exact locations are not known due to the sensitivity of the information. The only record for a Hertfordshire BAP species is for cornflower recorded at the Baldock Allotments in 1998. 3.1.5 Details of all sites and records described above, and the NBN gateway records, are given in ESL 2008d.
3 ESL (Ecological Services) Ltd, 1 Otago House, Allenby Business Village, Crofton Road, Lincoln, LN3 4NL Ecological Survey of land off Clothall Road and land South of Clothall Common, Baldock, Hertfordshire Vincent & Gorbing
3.2 HABITATS AND PLANT COMMUNITIES
3.2.1 The site is divided into three sections and each of these is described separately below. Site 1A
3.2.2 This site is located south west of Clothall Road and has horse and cattle grazed pasture with arable set aside/ley grassland and a number of buildings. The north eastern boundary of the site is marked by various buildings and a grown out hawthorn dominated hedge. Other species present include blackthorn, elder and dog rose with ground flora comprising ivy, garlic mustard, common nettle and bramble. Beyond the hedge is the old Clothall Road. 3.2.3 The north western boundary is marked by a mixture of brick walls and fences bordering the adjacent houses and gardens. Barbed wire fencing is present in some areas with a narrow strip of ruderal vegetation, including common nettle, along the boundary line. The fencing continues along the irregular south western boundary, beyond which is a caravan park. There is a patch of scrub along the boundary as it turns abruptly north east, containing elder, cherry laurel, hawthorn and ornamental species, with ivy, common nettle, cleavers and garlic mustard. The boundary eventually becomes a grown out hedge with mature trees, including sycamore, and following two further bends the hedge, consisting of elder, ash, dog rose, hawthorn, elm, blackthorn and sycamore continues to the south eastern corner of the site, beyond which is a footpath and arable land. A fence forms the south eastern boundary, at the top of the A505 embankment. Beyond the fence the embankment slopes down to the road.
Photograph 1 View south over cattle grazed fields in north west of site 1A 3.2.4 Most of the grazed grassland lies in the north west of the site and comprises perennial rye grass, dandelion, broad leaved dock, cock’s foot, creeping thistle and creeping buttercup with occasional tussocks of common nettle and common ragwort (Photograph 1). Other species 4 ESL (Ecological Services) Ltd, 1 Otago House, Allenby Business Village, Crofton Road, Lincoln, LN3 4NL Ecological Survey of land off Clothall Road and land South of Clothall Common, Baldock, Hertfordshire Vincent & Gorbing
present include daisy, creeping bent, common mouse ear, Yorkshire fog and bulbous buttercup. Horse grazed pasture is present immediately south of Cambrai Farm and the sward here is particularly short. A 2m wide strip of rough grassland dividing the horse and cattle grazed fields comprises common nettle, false oat grass, cock’s foot, creeping bent, cow parsley and common ragwort with dog rose also present. 3.2.5 Arable set aside is located in the central and south eastern sections of the site. The central section is dominated by common couch and false oat grass with barren brome, Yorkshire fog, perennial rye grass, spear thistle, dandelion, common nettle, common ragwort, red fescue, hogweed, ivy, red dead nettle and common mouse ear. The sward is fairly uniform but with a grazed strip along the boundary with the grazed areas. Some areas have a finer sward with more abundant red fescue. Towards the north eastern boundary of this area there is a fenced paddock of rough grassland with creeping buttercup, white dead nettle, cow parsley, broad leaved dock, dandelion, red fescue, cock’s foot, and patches of common nettle and creeping thistle. A small cattle grazed area is also present here with a very short sward of perennial rye grass, cow parsley, cock’s foot and creeping thistle.
Photograph 2 View south over set aside in south eastern part of site 1A 3.2.6 The set aside in the south eastern part of the site is very similar to the central area but with more ruderal species including common nettle, cow parsley and cleavers (Photograph 2) in parts. Active anthills are also present. An area of newly planted trees in the south eastern corner of the site includes holly, beech, hazel and hawthorn over a very sparse ground flora of hogweed and moss. The ground slopes up towards the south eastern boundary and the sward appears to be finer with more red fescue, great lettuce, creeping thistle, cock’s foot, dandelion, white clover, white dead nettle, common mouse ear and common nettle.
5 ESL (Ecological Services) Ltd, 1 Otago House, Allenby Business Village, Crofton Road, Lincoln, LN3 4NL Ecological Survey of land off Clothall Road and land South of Clothall Common, Baldock, Hertfordshire Vincent & Gorbing
3.2.7 A number of buildings are present along the north eastern boundary. Cambrai Farm comprises the farm house with a number of other buildings including open barns used for storage, a stable block and pig sty. The stable is of wooden construction with timber walls and a slate tiled roof. The pigsty is constructed of wooden sheets and concrete blocks with a single pitched roof. A mound near the pig sty is vegetated with species including common nettle, cow parsley, cleavers, common mallow, broad leaved dock and ivy leaved speedwell. The other buildings are located towards the eastern corner of the site and again comprise houses with associated barn and stable areas, similar in type to those at Cambrai Farm. Site 1B
3.2.8 This site is part of an extensive arable field to the south of Clothall Common. It is roughly triangular, with the northern boundary formed by Wallington Road and a short section of post and rail fence in the extreme north east. Beyond the road are houses and gardens and the rough grassland of Clothall Common. A dry ditch extends north along the western edge of the common. The south eastern boundary is marked by the carriageway of the A505. The boundary in the south west between this site and Site 1C is unmarked.
Photograph 3 View south west along south eastern boundary of Site 1B 3.2.9 Alongside Wallington Road in the south west is a narrow piece of closely mown amenity grassland with species including perennial rye grass, daisy, annual meadow grass, ribwort plantain and dandelion. Between this and the arable field is a narrow strip of rough grassland extending the full length of the northern boundary with species including perennial rye grass, cock’s foot, common nettle, white dead nettle and cow parsley. 3.2.10 The embankment sloping up from the A505 has been seeded with a diverse wildflower mix. Species include kidney vetch, salad burnet, oxeye daisy, common bird’s foot trefoil, lady’s
6 ESL (Ecological Services) Ltd, 1 Otago House, Allenby Business Village, Crofton Road, Lincoln, LN3 4NL Ecological Survey of land off Clothall Road and land South of Clothall Common, Baldock, Hertfordshire Vincent & Gorbing
bedstraw, greater knapweed and common fumitory with grasses including sweet vernal grass, annual meadow grass, red fescue, cock’s foot and creeping bent (Photograph 3). Site 1C
3.2.11 This site lies immediately south west of Site 1B and most of it is part of the same arable field, which is divided north south by a public foot path (Photograph 4). In the north western part of the site are allotments, beyond which is Wallington Road. The roadside verge of amenity grassland is still present here, with a small area of planted silver birch trees in the extreme western corner of the site. The south eastern boundary is formed by the A505 as with Site 1B and the roadside embankment has the same vegetation. The south western boundary is formed by the new Clothall Road, beyond which is Site 1A. Crash barriers are present along much of the length of this boundary. Recently planted shrubs along the field side of this boundary comprise hawthorn, hazel, dog rose, blackthorn and guelder rose. The ground flora includes cock’s foot, creeping bent, creeping and spear thistles, curled dock, common nettle, common ragwort, groundsel, bristly oxtongue, Canadian fleabane, Yorkshire fog and daisy. A post and rail fence is present further north west, with a barn in an area of hard standing. Beyond this is further mown verge and recently seeded grassland along the verge adjacent to the allotments.
Photograph 4 View south along footpath dividing Site 1C 3.2.12 The barn is of cement fibre construction with Norway maple, bramble and butterfly bush scrub on its western side. A soil bank with wasteland type vegetation of cleavers, dandelion, common mallow, black horehound and greater burdock is present in the south east and a muck hill and storage area are present to the north east.
7 ESL (Ecological Services) Ltd, 1 Otago House, Allenby Business Village, Crofton Road, Lincoln, LN3 4NL Ecological Survey of land off Clothall Road and land South of Clothall Common, Baldock, Hertfordshire Vincent & Gorbing
3.3 AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES
3.3.1 No ponds or wet ditches are present on the site and none were found on adjacent land so there is no potential for amphibians to breed on the site. 3.3.2 No reptiles were seen during the survey. However, suitable habitat is present on the site for these species. The embankment along the A505 provides suitable habitat for reptiles and records of common lizards are known from the eastern corner of Site 1B. Site 1B is also very close to Clothall Common which itself provides suitable habitat for these species. The set aside grassland on Site 1A is currently also suitable for reptiles but since this is likely to be a relatively recent occurrence it is considered less likely that reptiles will have colonised this area. There are however records of slow worm and common lizard south west of the site. 3.4 MAMMALS
3.4.1 Four trees were identified as having potential to support roosting bats. The locations of these are shown on Figure 2a and further details are given in Table 1 below. TABLE 1 TREES WITH POTENTIAL TO SUPPORT ROOSTING BATS Tree Number Grid Reference Comments T1 TL 25120 33325 Mature walnut, off site in adjacent garden. Rot hole present with possible staining. T2 TL 25379 33132 Mature sycamore with dense ivy cover, limited bat potential. T3 TL 25379 33132 Mature sycamore with dense ivy cover, limited bat potential. T4 TL 25388 33046 Mature ash with dense ivy cover and some dead branches. 3.4.2 In addition, some of the buildings at Cambrai Farm and at the other houses along the old Clothall Road on Site 1A, are considered to have potential for roosting bats. The householder at Cambrai Farm reported bats to be in the roof of the house and to have seen them flying around the garden. The barn on the opposite side of Clothall Road on Site 1C is not considered suitable for roosting bats. 3.4.3 The only ditch present is the dry ditch adjacent to Clothall Common near Site 1B but this was dry at the time of survey and there was no indication that it ever regularly holds water. There is therefore no suitable habitat for water voles. 3.4.4 No signs of badgers were recorded on the sites. Other mammal species recorded were rabbit and brown hare, both on Site 1A. Brown hare is a UK BAP species and is also mentioned in the farmland habitat action plan of the Hertfordshire BAP.
8 ESL (Ecological Services) Ltd, 1 Otago House, Allenby Business Village, Crofton Road, Lincoln, LN3 4NL Ecological Survey of land off Clothall Road and land South of Clothall Common, Baldock, Hertfordshire Vincent & Gorbing
3.5 BIRDS
3.5.1 In total, 18 bird species were recorded on or immediately adjacent to the three sections of the sites. All of these are common and widespread locally and nationally. The UK BAP species skylark and common starling, both of which have suffered a rapid and severe (>50%) decline in breeding numbers over the last 25 years, were recorded in all three sections of the site. 3.5.2 All of the habitats on site have the potential to support nesting birds, including BAP species. Some of the buildings on Site 1A also have potential for use by barn owls, a specially protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (and as amended).
4 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 4.1 All habitats and plant communities recorded on and adjacent to the site are common and widespread in a local and national context. None of the hedges surveyed meet the criteria for importance set out in the Hedgerow Regulations (1997). All plant species recorded are similarly common and widespread. 4.2 From the results of the desk study and field survey, the presence of suitable habitat for reptiles and of trees and buildings with potential to support roosting bats and breeding birds will all need to be considered in any application to develop these sites. A summary of the statutory protection for these species is given in Appendix 2. 4.3 Bats are highly mobile creatures and can occupy a number of different roost sites and the smallest of niches that are not always possible to survey accurately. Should any works be proposed to the trees or buildings identified as having some potential for use by bats, it is recommended that a more detailed inspection be carried out by a licensed bat ecologist. If this identifies signs of use, it may be necessary to carry out an emergence watch on the trees (English Nature, 2004). This should be carried out during the summer months for a period of up to 2 hours after sunset. Bat feeding transects using electronic detectors should also be carried out on these visits. 4.4 It is recommended that the road embankment along the south eastern boundaries of Sites 1 B and C be surveyed for the presence of reptiles as per HGBI Guidelines 1998. This would require a combination of direct observation techniques and the placing and inspection of artificial cover objects or tins. A minimum of seven survey visits are required to determine presence/absence, but a further 13 visits may be required to determine likely population estimates. The optimal survey period is between mid March and early October, ideally during May to June, or September when the air temperature is low but there is sufficient sunlight.
9 ESL (Ecological Services) Ltd, 1 Otago House, Allenby Business Village, Crofton Road, Lincoln, LN3 4NL Ecological Survey of land off Clothall Road and land South of Clothall Common, Baldock, Hertfordshire Vincent & Gorbing
4.5 In order to avoid damaging or destroying bird nests, site clearance should be undertaken outside the breeding season, which typically runs from the beginning of March to the end of August. If this is not possible then a check must be made for nests by a suitably experienced individual prior to any clearance works. Any nests thought to be active should be identified and protected until the eggs have hatched and young have fledged. Active nests can be present outside this time and any found at any stage should be protected in the same way. 5 REFERENCES English Nature. 2004. The Bat Mitigation Guidelines. English Nature, Peterborough. ESL. 2008a. Ecological Survey of Land North and South of Bygrave Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire. Unpublished report to Vincent and Gorbing. ESL. 2008b. Ecological Survey of Land off North Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire. Unpublished report to Vincent and Gorbing. ESL. 2008c. Ecological Survey of Reserve School Site, Baldock, Hertfordshire. Unpublished report to Vincent and Gorbing. ESL. 2008d Results of Data Search for Baldock Sites, Hertfordshire. Unpublished Report to Vincent and Gorbing. Herpetofauna Groups of Britain & Ireland (HGBI). 1998. Evaluating local mitigation/translocation programmes: maintaining best practice and lawful standards. Advisory notes for Amphibian and Reptile Groups. Froglife. Halesworth. Suffolk
Stace C. 1997. New Flora of the British Isles. 2nd Edition, CUP, Cambridge. Strachan R and Moorhouse T. 2006. Water Vole Conservation Handbook. Second Edition. Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Oxford. www.hef.org.uk/nature/biodiversity_vision/ accessed 30 April 2008 www.natureonthemap.org.uk/ accessed 30 April 2008 www.searchnbn.net/ accessed 30 April 2008 www.ukbap.org.uk/ accessed 30 April 2008 10 ESL (Ecological Services) Ltd, 1 Otago House, Allenby Business Village, Crofton Road, Lincoln, LN3 4NL Ecological Survey of land off Clothall Road and land South of Clothall Common, Baldock, Hertfordshire Vincent & Gorbing
APPENDIX 1
Species List
ESL (Ecological Services) Ltd, 1 Otago House, Allenby Business Village, Crofton Road, Lincoln, LN3 4NL Ecological Survey of land off Clothall Road and land South of Clothall Common, Baldock, Hertfordshire Vincent & Gorbing
SPECIES RECORDED AT LAND OFF CLOTHALL ROAD, BALDOCK ON 28 & 29 APRIL 2008
PLANTS ENGLISH NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME DAFOR SITE 1A SITE 1B SITE 1C annual meadow grass Poa annua O F ash Fraxinus excelsior O beech Fagus sylvatica O black horehound Ballota nigra O O black medick Medicago lupulina O O black grass Alopecurus myosuroides F blackthorn Prunus spinosa O O bramble Rubus fruticosus O bristly oxtongue Picris echioides O O broad leaved dock Rumex obtusifolius F O O bugloss Anchusa arvensis R bulbous buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus O butterfly bush Buddleja davidii R Canadian fleabane Conyza canadensis O cat's ear Hypochaeris radicata O charlock Sinapis arvensis O cherry laurel Prunus laurocerasus O cleavers Galium aparine F O O cock's foot Dactylis glomerata F F F common bird's foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus O common couch Elytrigia repens F common field speedwell Veronica persica O F common fumitory Fumaria officinalis O common knapweed Centaurea nigra O O common mallow Malva sylvestris O O O common mouse ear Cerastium fontanum O common nettle Urtica dioica F O common poppy Papaver rhoeas O O common ragwort Senecio jacobaea F O O cow parsley Anthriscus sylvestris F O cowslip Primula veris O creeping bent Agrostis stolonifera F F F creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens F R O creeping thistle Cirsium arvense F F F curled dock Rumex crispus O O O daisy Bellis perennis O F O dandelion Taraxacum sp F F F dog rose Rosa canina O O dove's foot crane's bill Geranium molle O O elder Sambucus nigra F O elm Ulmus sp O false oat grass Arrhenatherum elatius F field penny cress Thlaspi arvense R garden privet Ligustrum ovalifolium O garlic mustard Alliaria petiolata O great lettuce Lactuca virosa O greater burdock Arctium lappa R greater knapweed Centaurea scabiosa R greater plantain Plantago major O
ESL (Ecological Services) Ltd, 1 Otago House, Allenby Business Village, Crofton Road, Lincoln, LN3 4NL Ecological Survey of land off Clothall Road and land South of Clothall Common, Baldock, Hertfordshire Vincent & Gorbing
PLANTS cont… ENGLISH NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME DAFOR SITE 1A SITE 1B SITE 1C ground ivy Glechoma hederacea O groundsel Senecio vulgaris O O guelder rose Viburnum opulus O hawthorn Crataegus monogyna F O hazel Corylus avellana O O hemlock Conium maculatum O O hoary plantain Plantago media O O hogweed Heracleum sphondylium O holly Ilex aquifolium O hop trefoil Trifolium campestre O O ivy Hedera helix F O ivy leaved speedwell Veronica hederifolia O O lady's bedstraw Galium verum O mugwort Artemisia vulgaris O Norway maple Acer platanoides R oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare O pedunculate oak Quercus robur O perennial rye grass Lolium perenne A F F perennial sow thistle Sonchus arvensis O R rape Brassica napus O red campion Silene dioica O red clover Trifolium pratense O O red dead nettle Lamium purpureum O O red fescue Festuca rubra F F ribwort plantain Plantago lanceolata O F O rocket Sisymbrium sp R rough clover Trifolium scabrum F salad burnet Sanguisorba minor ssp minor O scentless mayweed Tripleurospermum inodorum O O shepherd's purse Capsella bursa-pastoris O O silver birch Betula pendula O silverweed Potentilla anserina R spear thistle Cirsium vulgare O O O sweet vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum O sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus O O wall speedwell Veronica arvensis F walnut Juglans regia O weld Reseda luteola R white campion Silene latifolia R white clover Trifolium repens F white dead nettle Lamium album O O O yarrow Achillea millefolium O O Yorkshire fog Holcus lanatus F O
MOSSES
Brachythecium rutabulum O
ESL (Ecological Services) Ltd, 1 Otago House, Allenby Business Village, Crofton Road, Lincoln, LN3 4NL Ecological Survey of land off Clothall Road and land South of Clothall Common, Baldock, Hertfordshire Vincent & Gorbing
KEY TO DAFOR (An estimate of relative abundance at a site) D Dominant A Abundant F Frequent O Occasional R Rare
BIRDS ENGLISH NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SITE 1A SITE 1B SITE 1C red legged partridge Alectoris rufa √ kestrel Falco tinnunculus √ woodpigeon Columba palumbus √ √ √ collared dove Streptopelia decaocto √ √ skylark Alauda arvensis √ √ √ swallow Hirundo rustica √ √ √ white / pied wagtail Motacilla alba √ wren Troglodytes troglodytes √ robin Erithacus rubecula √ blackbird Turdus merula √ √ chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita √ blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus √ √ great tit Parus major √ jackdaw Corvus monedula √ carrion crow Corvus corone √ √ starling Sturnus vulgaris √ √ √ chaffinch Fringilla coelebs √ √ √ greenfinch Carduelis chloris √ √ MAMMALS rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus √ brown hare Lepus europaeus √ BUTTERFLIES small tortoiseshell Aglais urticae √
ESL (Ecological Services) Ltd, 1 Otago House, Allenby Business Village, Crofton Road, Lincoln, LN3 4NL Ecological Survey of land off Clothall Road and land South of Clothall Common, Baldock, Hertfordshire Vincent & Gorbing
APPENDIX 2
Relevant Statutory Protection
ESL (Ecological Services) Ltd, 1 Otago House, Allenby Business Village, Crofton Road, Lincoln, LN3 4NL Ecological Survey of land off Clothall Road and land South of Clothall Common, Baldock, Hertfordshire Vincent & Gorbing
RELEVANT LEGISLATION STATEMENTS 1 Reptiles
1.1 All four of the more widespread species of native reptiles, that is common lizard Lacerta vivipara , grass snake Natrix natrix, slow worm Anguis fragilis and adder Vipera berus , are given partial protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981 and as amended) which prohibits the intentional killing, injuring or taking of any of these species. There is no provision in the Act for licensing works which could give rise to an offence, but it does provide a defence where the otherwise unlawful act can be shown to be the incidental result of a lawful operation and could not reasonably have been avoided. Permitted development or a development which has received planning permission is clearly a lawful activity but the law thus requires that a reasonable effort be made to avoid killing or injuring protected animals in the course of implementing this permission.
1.2 The habitats of rare reptile species are also protected under this Act, but those of the common species listed above are not, and these animals are also not protected from disturbance whilst occupying their habitat.
2 Bats 2.1 In England, Scotland and Wales, all species of bats are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and as amended, including by the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000. They are also protected by European legislation, being included on Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994. Taken together, this legislation makes it illegal, inter alia to: • intentionally or recklessly kill, injure or capture a bat • deliberately disturb a bat when it is occupying a roost • damage, destroy or obstruct access to a bat roost 2.2 A bat roost is defined as being any structure or place that is used for shelter or protection, and since it may be in use only occasionally or at specific times of year, a roost retains such designation whether the bats are present or not. 3 Birds 3.1 The Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981 and as amended) protects all wild birds and their nests and eggs. Under this Act it is an offence to:
ESL (Ecological Services) Ltd, 1 Otago House, Allenby Business Village, Crofton Road, Lincoln, LN3 4NL Ecological Survey of land off Clothall Road and land South of Clothall Common, Baldock, Hertfordshire Vincent & Gorbing
• kill, injure or take any wild bird • take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built • take or destroy the egg of any wild bird. 3.2 Bird nesting sites are not themselves protected when not in use and the common species are not protected from disturbance whilst occupying their nest sites. However, certain rare breeding birds, listed on Schedule 1 of the Act (e.g. barn owls), are also protected against disturbance whilst building a nest or on or near a nest containing eggs or young.
ESL (Ecological Services) Ltd, 1 Otago House, Allenby Business Village, Crofton Road, Lincoln, LN3 4NL Ecological Survey of land off Clothall Road and land South of Clothall Common, Baldock, Hertfordshire