SPECIES ACTION PLANS
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1. Otter Species Action Plan Regional status
Historically otters were found throughout Yorkshire but by the 1980s were lost from most of the county. Increases in evidence of otter activity have been recorded by the Yorkshire Wildlife trust (YWT) on the lowland stretches of the Rivers Wharfe, Swale, Nidd and Ouse in North Yorkshire, and more recently on the Don, Aire and Calder. A small breeding population exists on the River Ure as well as the River Hull in East Yorkshire. The Introduction Rivers Derwent and Esk were the subject of a successful otter release As a top predator, the otter is programme by the Vincent Wildlife recognised as a flagship species that Trust and English Nature in the early reflects the health of our rivers and 1990s. It is hoped that these breeding wetlands. populations will provide a source of otters for neighbouring catchments. The otter is a key target species in the UK BAP with the Environment Local status Agency (EA) and The Wildlife Trusts (WTs) as joint lead partners. it is currently not known if the otter breeds in the District. The majority of National status recorded otter activity is on the lower Derwent and the Wharfe. There is Formerly widespread throughout the some evidence of activity on the Aire UK, the otter underwent a rapid and Went, with otters possibly resident decline from the 1950s to 1970s, in the Lower Aire. The Ouse and the leaving fragmented populations and Selby canal act as the main corridors absence from much of England. Otters linking the other river systems. are now returning to many areas through natural re-colonisation, with the expansion of populations from Scotland, Wales, north and west England. This has been assisted in some parts by re-introductions, however these are now not thought to be appropriate in the light of national survey results indicating natural expansion. The fourth national survey took place between 2002 to 2004 and 34% of sites surveyed were positive for otter, an increase from the previous survey.
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Otter (Lutra lutra) Baseline Threats distribution map, 2003. Pollution, impacting both directly on individual otters and indirectly on food supply. Lack of prey, which may be affected by reduced water quality, poor in-channel and bank habitat management and flow regimes affected by land drainage. Degraded bankside habitat. Accidental death, particularly on roads, and in traps. Development affecting rivers and bankside habitat. Access and recreational disturbance, particularly an issue for breeding sites but also affects watercourses where bankside Legal status habitat is poor and human activity high. The otter is listed under two schedules Otter predation at fish farms. of the Wildlife & Countryside Act There may be a conflict of interests 1981. Schedule 5, makes it an offence where fish-farm management fails to intentionally or recklessly kill, to take recommended injure, take or sell the animal or parts precautionary measures. of it, or to damage, destroy or obstruct Persecution. access to its resting places. Schedule 6 restricts certain methods of killing Requirements taking or injuring. The European sub- species is listed as globally threatened The linear nature of the majority of on the Red Data List (Joint Nature the habitats used by otters and the Conservancy Committee, 1996). limiting factor of food availability within that habitat means that otters The otter is listed on Appendix I of the can have very large home ranges. Convention on International Trade in A male otter may use up to 40km Endangered Species, Annex II of the of watercourse, including main Bern Convention and Annexes II and rivers, becks, ditches, ponds, lakes, IV of the EC Habitats Directive riverside woodland and wetlands. (EC/92/43). It is classified by the This use of a wide geographical International Union for the area and habitat type range means Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as that a catchment-wide approach is ‘vulnerable’ due to the declining or essential to otter conservation. The endangered status of many of its needs of otters should be taken into populations. account when planning developments and recreational facilities. Safeguard existing otter populations in Selby District, and allow consolidation and expansion
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through natural colonisation (NOT Research into road mortality, through introductions). funded by EA nationally with WWP as official first contact. Main requirements are: Collation of records by WWP and Plentiful food supply, the regional data centre, NEYEDC. predominantly fish (often minor species such as bullheads), but Opportunities amphibians and crustaceans may be seasonally important, as well as Project delivery through the Water the occasional small mammal or for Wildlife Project (WWP), bird. formerly the Yorkshire Otters And Secure undisturbed breeding sites, Rivers Project, (YOARP), with associated food resource, are delivered by the Yorkshire Wildlife essential if otters are to establish Trust (YWT), if funding can be and maintain sustainable secured. populations. Specific habitat work for otters has Secure undisturbed lying- been undertaken on agreement land up/resting sites. One site is needed under current CSS schemes and approximately every kilometre of will be available under the watercourse. proposed Environmental Clean water. Water quality Stewardship schemes due to start in sufficient to support food supply 2005, if the otter is named as a and without pollutants which may target species in the Defra targeting accumulate in otter tissues and statement.. impact on breeding and/or life expectancy. What you can do to help:
Current local action Report otter sightings or dead otters as promptly as possible to YWT or the YWT plays the major part in EA. delivering the UK BAP on regional and local levels. YWT advise on Keep to marked footpaths along rivers and carry out habitat enhancement; and keep dogs on leads near water. advise and comment on wider otter, river and wetland related Use water wisely and use 'green' issues; carry out and co-ordinate cleaning products. otter and habitat surveys; is a point of contact for otter records, otter UK BAP targets. issues and co-ordinates information. Maintain and expand existing National surveys undertaken every populations. By 2010 restore breeding seven years, the last one carried out otters to all catchments and coastal by WTs. areas where they have been recorded since 1960. Conservation management led by WWP and including involvement Objective by Yorkshire Water, EA, FWAG, Regional Development Agency, A stable, resident, breeding otter landowners and farmers. populations to be present at carrying
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capacity throughout all rivers and tributaries in Selby District by 2014.
Ten year targets
No. Biodiversity targets 1 Increase distribution of both breeding and non-breeding otters.
ACTIONS
Action No. Possible co- Meets ordinators target No.
Policy and legislation
In reviewing Environmental Stewardship scheme 1 RDS 1 targets, ensure they identify key habitats for otters (Defra), and include incentives for wetland habitat RDA, enhancement. FWAG, YWT Ensure that otter requirements are incorporated into 2 SDC, EA, 1 Deposit Draft Selby District Local Plan (1997), as YWT amended by modifications and that they are taken into account when considering all planning applications, which may affect otters. Ensure that otter requirements are incorporated into 3 EA, YW, 1 the policies and plans of organisations (other than the YWT, BW, District Council), operating within Selby District. IDBs, Highways Agency, YWT
Protection and management
Identify potential sites for habitat enhancement. 4 YWT, EA 1 Undertake habitat enhancement works on sites 5 YWT, EA 1 throughout Selby District. Identify potential or actual breeding sites and secure 6 YWT, EN, 1 agreement for protection.
Research and monitoring
Determine baseline information on otter activity and 7 YWT 1 habitat suitable for breeding where this does not already exist in the Selby District. Identify actual and potential black spots for road and 8 YWT, 1 rail deaths and introduce mitigation where Highways appropriate. Agency,
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NYCC Continue to send otter casualties to University 9 YWT, EA, 1 College Wales in Cardiff for post mortem and Police, analysis. RSPCA
Advisory
Provide information on otter requirements to key 10 YWT, EA 1 groups, especially farmers, riparian owners and managers, anglers and developers as appropriate. Promote the use of carefully sited cage (live) traps for 11 YWT, 1 mink to the Gamekeepers Association, Country Landowners Association and landowners, to minimise the risk of otters being caught and killed or injured in traps. Provide advice Local Planning Authorities to ensure 12 YWT, 1 otter mitigation is included in all relevant developments, especially new and re-developed road schemes, following Highways Agency guidelines. Communications and publicity
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2. Water Vole Species Action Regional status Plan The water vole population in Yorkshire has crashed by 97% from previously occupied sites between 1990 and 1998.
Local status
Some records exist for the District, especially on the Derwent and Ouse sub-catchments. However, there have not been any systematic surveys so the current status is unclear. Reports from
Selby Dam in 2003 need verification. Introduction
The water vole was formerly common Water Vole (Arvicola terrestris) along the banks of rivers, streams, Baseline Distribution map, 2003. canals, ditches, dykes, lakes and ponds throughout mainland Britain.
The water vole is a priority species in the UK BAP with the Environment Agency (EA) identified as the lead partner.
During the 20th century the water vole has declined significantly in numbers and distribution, leaving populations scarce and fragmented in the north and west and strongest and most widespread in southern and eastern Britain.
The establishment of the American mink is a major factor in the decline. Legal status Due to the similarity in size water voles cannot escape predation by Since 1998 the water vole has received sheltering in their burrows. limited legal protection under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act National status 1981 (as amended) in respect of Section 9(4) only. This makes it an Two national surveys carried out by offence to intentionally or recklessly: the Vincent Wildlife Trust in 1989- damage, destroy or obstruct access to 1990 and 1996-1998 have shown that any structure or place which water this decline has now developed into a voles use for shelter of protection; serious population ‘crash’ with a Disturb water voles while they are further loss of 60% of the occupied using such a place. A recent review has sites between 1990 and 1998. recommended giving full protection to the animal itself.
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commenting on water vole and wetland related issues; carrying out Threats surveys; point of contact for issues affecting water voles. Loss and fragmentation of habitats. Some conservation management Predation by the American mink. undertaken by organisations Disturbance and destruction of including YWT, EA, Yorkshire riparian habitats by development, Water, FWAG, IDBs and unsympathetic water course landowners. management and recreational activities. Opportunities Poisoning with rodenticides, due to confusion with brown rat. There are a large number of ditches in the District, which provide Requirements potential for expansion. If water vole is selected as a target Conditions preferred include slow species for the Environmental flowing watercourses, less than stewardship Scheme, conservation three metres wide, around one options will be available. metre in depth and without extreme fluctuations in water level. Canals What you can do to help: are also favoured. Permanent water is essential during Report water vole sightings to the low flow periods in summer. North and East Yorkshire Ecological Shore type required for burrowing Data Centre (NEYEDC). is predominantly earth or clay with a stepped or steep bank (usually Avoid pouring toxic chemicals down vegetated rather than bare). the drain. Dense stands of herbaceous vegetation provide cover. Sites excessively shaded by shrubs or UK BAP targets. trees are less suitable. Water meadows and expanses of Maintain the current distribution and wetland with tussocks of grass, abundance. sedge, rush or common reed can Restore water voles to their former provide a more secure habitat than widespread distribution, using the linear features in terms of refuge Vincent Wildlife Trust survey of from predators. 1989/90 as a baseline, by the year Protection of wetland habitat 2010. through the planning system. Objective Current local action To identify remaining water vole National surveys every seven years populations in Selby District and to undertaken by Vincent Wildlife increase the number of water voles Trust. through habitat expansion, creation Collation of records by YWT and and management, to the 1997 level. regional data centre, NEYEDC. YWT give advice on habitat enhancement; advising and
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Five year targets
No. Biodiversity targets 1 Increase the distribution of water vole as recorded on the baseline map.
ACTIONS
Action No. Possible co- Meets ordinators target No.
Policy and legislation
Ensure that water vole requirements are 1 SDC 1 incorporated into the Deposit Draft Selby District Local Plan (1997), as amended by modifications and that they are taken into account when considering all planning applications affecting rivers and wetlands. In developing Environmental Stewardship Scheme 2 RDS Defra, 1 targets, ensure conservation options for water vole.
Protection and management
Secure, with landowners, the protection of key 3 YWT 1 water vole sites. Undertake habitat enhancement to allow population 4 YWT, EA 1 expansion. Promote best practice in riparian management. 5 EA, YWT, 1 IDB. Ensure water voles are not destroyed or disturbed 6 YWT 1 as part of pest control programmes. Control mink where water vole populations are 7 Landowners 1 threatened.
Research and monitoring
Verify status of water vole at Selby Dam 8 YWT, 1 NEYEDC Carry out survey work to determine water vole 9 YWT 1 population status and subsequently monitor colonies. Carry out survey work on main watercourses. 10 EA 1 Record mink presence whilst surveying for water 11 EA, YWT 1 voles. Identify areas where mink are present. 12 YWT 1 Seek advice on effective mink culling, including 13 NYCC 1 timing and extent.
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Advisory
Provide information on water vole requirements to 14 EA, YWT 1 key groups, especially farmers, riparian owners and managers, and developers as appropriate. Provide advice to ensure water voles are given 15 YWT, 1 consideration in all relevant developments. Developers.
Communications and publicity
Use water vole as a flagship species for promotion 16 EA 1 of good riverside and wetland management. Sharing of water vole and mink data. 17 NEYEDC, 1 YWT
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3. Great Crested Newt Species confirmed. In Lowland England and Action Plan Wales the species may be locally numerous, but it is absent from Devon and Cornwall and from Northern Ireland. It is local in Scotland, with an estimated population of 1,000 individuals. The species is declining and the annual loss of colonies has been put at 0.4 to 2%. Assuming 18,000 populations, then between 72 and 360 are being lost each year.
Regional Status Introduction
Great crested newts have a widespread The great crested newt is Britain’s distribution within the region with largest newt growing up to 16 cm long. some areas supporting significant It has a dark upper body often speckled populations. with tiny white spots. The underside is orange or yellow with black blotches, Local Status to warn predators that it is toxic. The skin has a warty appearance given the Some records exist for the District, animal its alternative name, the warty however, there have not been any newt. The male develops a prominent systematic surveys so the current status crest when breeding. Although is unclear. Possibly widespread in the dependant on ponds for breeding, adult District. newts may spend much of the year on land and will spend the winter Great Crested Newt (Triturus hibernating in a sheltered, frost-free cristatus) Baseline distribution map, nook, often underground. They will 2003. however remain within 500m of their breeding site.
Although the species has experienced a decline in recent years, Britain still supports one of the largest populations in Europe, where it is threatened in several countries. In suitable conditions, populations can increase quickly.
It is a UK BAP priority species.
National Status
The great crested newt is widespread in Britain. It has been estimated that there are around 18,000 ponds in
Britain supporting populations of the animal, but only 3,000 sites have been
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Legal Status established ponds in a farmed landscape. Great crested newts receive protection Breeding ponds include disused under national and international brick pits and other aggregate sites, legislation. In the UK they are small reservoirs, canals, ditches, protected by the Wildlife and water supply tanks and larger Countryside Act 1981, as amended by garden ponds. the Countryside and Rights of Way Small seasonal ponds prevent Act 2000 and the Conservation predatory fish populations (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations becoming established. 1994. It is an offence (with certain Clear water of high quality in exceptions) to: breeding pond. Variety of aquatic vegetation. deliberately capture or kill great Good quality terrestrial habitats crested newts. close to breeding pond. Great deliberately disturb great crested crested newts require large areas newts. for foraging. A hectare of land deliberately take or destroy eggs of supports up to 250 adult great crested newts. individuals. damage or destroy a breeding site Good quality habitat comprises or resting place of a great crested gardens, tussocky pastures, open newt. woodlands and derelict industrial sites. A license is required from Defra, for proposals likely to impact on great Current local action crested newts or their habitat. Local planning authority considers Threats presence of newts when determining planning applications The loss of breeding ponds and and developers are advised to adjacent terrestrial habitat by undertake great crested newt development; sometimes surveys when changing land use. inadvertently due to their presence being unknown. Opportunities Sites are threatened by water-borne pollution from industry and run off Creation of new ponds close to from roads. known breeding sites, in order to A decline in the value of breeding expand the population. ponds through neglect, insensitive management and natural What you can do to help: succession. Fish stocking whether licensed or Create a fish free, wildlife pond. illegal, threatens the viability of populations. UK BAP targets. Requirements. 100 re-colonisations to offset Relatively large breeding ponds losses, including new ponds to (50 – 750 sq m) - typically well offset losses due to neglect.
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