DRAFT St Clair’s Meadow Habitat Management Plan 2018 to 2023

Sarah Jackson February 2018

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St Clair’s Meadow: Management Plan 2018 to 2023

Publication Details

This document should be cited as: Jackson, S. (2018) St Clair’s Meadow: Habitat Management Plan 2018 to 2023. & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. Curdridge.

Maps reproduced by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (Ordnance Survey licence no. 100015632) with the permission of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Crown Copyright 2018. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings.

Front Cover: Looking south along the river by Lianne de Mello

Published by: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust Beechcroft House Vicarage Lane Curdridge Hampshire SO32 2DP

A company Ltd by guarantee and registered in No. 10033962.

All assessments and recommendations provided are based on the information available to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust (HIWWT), and HIWWT endeavours to ensure all advice is accurate and appropriate at the time of publication. However, it is the sole responsibility of the recipient to ensure that any actions they take are both legally and contractually compliant, and HIWWT does not accept responsibility or liability for any losses incurred or arising from the advice we provide.

No part of this document may be reproduced without permission. Information contained in this report is intended for HIWWT. Records of protected and notable species may be forwarded to relevant recording organisations with site names removed. All other information in this report should not be passed on to any third party without the express permission of HIWWT. For information on how to obtain further copies of this document and accompanying data please contact HIWWT: [email protected].

Document Control

Version Author name Date Signed off by Date

Draft Sarah Jackson 29.01.2018 Final Sarah Jackson 22.02.2018 Jamie Marsh 22.02.2018

St Clair’s Meadow: Management Plan 2018 to 2023

Executive Summary and Visions

Site Name: St Clair’s Meadow Location: SU 60641 15713 District:

Description

St Clair’s Meadow is an approximately 15.8 hectare reserve in the Meon Valley comprising floodplain grazing marsh and the River Meon chalk stream. It sits across the parishes of and . The wider landscape comprises woodland, farmland, small settlements and the disused line, which also forms part of the eastern boundary to the site. The nearest villages are Soberton, approximately 600 metres to the north east, and Soberton Heath, approximately 700 metres to the south east.

Vision

The vision for St Clair’s Meadow is to be a species rich haven for wildlife as part of the wider Meon Valley and to be an exemplar of floodplain and chalk river management.

Conservation Designations

Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) - part

Management Objectives

• Manage the river and associated habitats and species to a high standard; • Restore species rich floodplain meadows; • Restore stretches of degraded river bank; • Restore sympathetic grazing for the benefit of wildlife, particularly target breeding and over- wintering bird species; • Manage access to the site for the benefit of people and wildlife; • Comply with the legal, contractual and administrative obligations.

Tenure, Rights and Agreements

St Clair’s Meadow was purchased by the Trust in October 2017 from the Clarendon Estate, with a countryside stewardship agreement in place. Historically the site has been grazed by cattle and sheep, including both the fields and river margins.

There are fishing rights for both banks of the river.

An 11kv overhead electricity line crosses the reserve, and a 300mm Water pipe (not suitable for connection) is laid through the reserve.

Resilience

The rural and quiet location of the reserve make it vulnerable to fly tipping and security issues, particularly in relation to grazing animals with the potential for disturbance, injury or rustling to occur.

Access

There is one public right of way and one permissive path on the reserve.

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St Clair’s Meadow: Management Plan 2018 to 2023

Table of Contents

1. SITE DESCRIPTION ...... 3 1.1. General Information ...... 3 1.1.1. Location ...... 3 1.1.2. Land Tenure and brief History...... 3 1.1.3. Compartments ...... 3 1.2. Environmental Information ...... 4 1.2.1. Physical ...... 4 1.2.2. Biological ...... 4 1.2.3. Cultural ...... 6 2. IMPORTANT FEATURES AND NON-NATURAL ATTRIBUTES ...... 8 2.1. Summary of Important Features and Non-natural Attributes...... 8 2.2. Summary of Site Condition ...... 8 3. OBJECTIVES...... 10 3.1. Vision for the Site ...... 10 3.2. Site-wide High Level Objectives ...... 10 3.3. Operational Objectives ...... 10 3.4. Factors Influencing the Achievement of Long-term Management Objectives ...... 10 3.5. Prescriptions ...... 11 4. RESOURCES...... 13 5. REFERENCES ...... 14

MAPS

Map 1: Location Map Map 2: Designated Sites Map 3: Management Compartments Map 4: Access Map 5: Infrastructure

APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Annual Work Plan Appendix 2: Long-term Work Plan Appendix 3: Protected and Notable Species Background Data Search

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1. SITE DESCRIPTION

1.1. General Information Size: 39.11 acres, 15.83 hectares Grid Ref: SU 60641 15713 Parishes: Soberton (east of river) and Droxford (west of river) Local Planning Authority: Winchester Designations: Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) – part

St Clair’s Meadow is a 15.8 hectare reserve in the Meon Valley (Map 1). The site contains floodplain grazing marsh priority habitat and the River Meon chalk stream. A 1.42 hectare area through the centre of the reserve is designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation as part of the River Meon (Winchester) SINC, and the entire site lies within the National Park (Map 2).

1.1.1. Location The reserve is located between the villages of Soberton to the north east and Soberton Heath to the south east, and is 9km north east of the town of . The River Meon forms the parish boundary, resulting in the eastern meadows being within Soberton parish and the western meadows in Droxford parish. The reserve is bounded to the east and west by farmland interspersed with small villages and areas of woodland. The disused Meon Valley railway, which is now a walking and cycling trail, forms part of the eastern boundary to the reserve. The floodplain grazing marsh continues to the north and south of the reserve.

1.1.2. Land Tenure and brief History St Clair’s meadow is owned and managed by Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. The land was purchased by the Trust in October 2017.

Previously the site was owned by the Clarendon Estate.

There are fishing rights associated with the site for both banks of the river.

There is a single right of way along the northern boundary of the reserve, in addition there is a permissive path through the north east meadow from the railway underpass in the south east corner to the right of way. The paths are popular with local residents.

1.1.3. Compartments The compartments are listed and described in Table 1 below, and boundaries are shown in Map 3.

Table 1. Compartment descriptions Comp CS Field Number Size Location and brief description id. (ha) 1 6344 South east meadow – floodplain grazing / lowland pasture 6.44 2 7202 North east meadow – floodplain grazing / lowland pasture 5.42 3 7202 North west meadow – floodplain grazing 0.88 4 6344 South west meadow – floodplain grazing 1.64 5 6344 / 7202 / 6877 River – River Meon chalk stream 0.95 6 6877 Fenced off section of river at centre of site 0.71

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1.2. Environmental Information

1.2.1. Physical St Clair’s Meadow lies within an ecologically and historically important part of Hampshire, known as the Meon Valley, and also within the boundary of South Downs National Park. The reserve lies within the South Downs landscape character area which comprises shallow lime-rich soils with underlying chalk geology. The bedrock geology comprises Newhaven chalk formation for the majority of the reserve, changing to New Pit chalk formation at the southern end, with superficial deposits of alluvium, comprising clay, silt, sand and gravel.

The site falls within the River Meon catchment, with the River Meon running north to south through the site. Overall the reserve is flat and low-lying, with a very gentle slope north to south, and lies approximately 50m above sea level.

The meadows are surrounded by rural settlements and mixed land use of predominantly farmland, water meadows and woodlands.

1.2.2. Biological There are two key habitats on the reserve, the River Meon chalk stream which is bounded by floodplain grazing marsh. There are scattered trees, mainly found on the banks of the river, and small scrub patches.

Priority Habitats

Floodplain Grazing Marsh

St Clair’s Meadow are traditional water meadows, providing lowland pasture for summer grazing. It is dominated by grasses interspersed with herbs, scattered scrub and occasional trees including willow Salix sp., pedunculate oak Quercus robur and alder Alnus glutinosa.

There are drainage furrows across the site. The site does regularly flood on an annual basis.

Chalk Stream

The River Meon is approximately 37km long, rising from a chalk aquifer near before entering the sea at . An approximately 1.2km stretch of the river runs through St Clair’s meadow. The river is designed as a SINC.

There is a channelised section of river to the north of the reserve, however the remaining river appears to be a more naturalised. The river has a range of microhabitats, including deeper pools, riffles and vegetated banks, and contains in-channel vegetation, namely water crowfoot (Ranunculus sp.).

The Meon Valley Partnership (www.meonvalleypartnership.org.uk) is made up of volunteers, professionals and local people with an interest in a healthy river. The mission of the partnership is to provide a co-ordinated strategic approach to conserving and enhancing the Meon Valley from source to sea.

Priority Species

Full details of the background data search conducted using Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre’s GIS layer of protected and notable species are provided in Appendix 2.

Plants

Fifteen records for six protected and/or notable species of higher plant have been submitted to Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre for within or overlapping the site boundary, as detailed in Table 2.

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Table 2. Higher (flowering) plants on or near St Clair’s meadow Last No. of Common Name Scientific Name Status Recorded Records • IUCN England 2014: near threatened Crosswort Cruciata laevipes 2011 4 • IUCN GB 2001: near threatened • IUCN England 2014: near threatened Field scabious Knautia arvensis 2011 1 • IUCN GB 2001: near threatened Glyceria fluitans x • County scarce Hybrid sweet-grass notata = G. x 2013 1 South Hampshire rare pedicellata • • IUCN England 2014: near threatened Marsh ragwort Senecio aquaticus 2013 4 • IUCN GB 2001: near threatened • Hampshire BAP Stream water- Ranunculus • County scarce 2013 2 crowfoot penicillatus • South Hampshire rare • IUCN England 2014: vulnerable Whorl-grass Catabrosa aquatica 2013 3 • IUCN GB 2001: vulnerable • County scarce

Birds

Twenty one protected and notable bird species have been recorded on or near to the site in the last 22 years.

The meadows have the potential to support a number of seed, insect and small bird/mammal eating species such as barn owl Tyto alba, hobby Falco subbuteo, linnet Linaria cannabina and redwing Turdus iliacus which have all been previously recorded in the vicinity of the reserve.

The river provides excellent foraging habitat for grey wagtail Motacilla cinerea, kingfisher Alcedo atthis and little egret Egretta garzetta.

Fish

The river is provides excellent feeding and spawning opportunities for a number of fish species. Brown trout Salmo trutta are known to spawn on a section to the north of the reserve (The Wild Trout Trust 2012). Eel Anguilla Anguilla, bullhead Cottus gobio, minnow Phoxinus phoxinus and brook lamprey Lampetra planeri are also known to utilise other areas of the river, so are also likely to be present in the section running through the reserve.

Invertebrates

Five invertebrate species have been recorded in the vicinity, but not on the reserve, comprising three coleoptera (beetles) black-headed cardinal beetle Pyrochroa coccinea, Gymnetron villosulum and Liparus coronatus, and two lepidoptera (butterflies and moths) cinnabar Tyria jacobaeae and small heath Coenonympha pamphilus.

The black-headed cardinal beetle is one of the solider beetles. It has a bright red body and black head. Adults are typically found on flowers heads, such as umbellifers, in farmland, grassland, parks, gardens and woodland, whilst the larvae live under dry bark feeding on other insects. It has previously been recorded at Holywell Estate.

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Gymnetron villosulum is a small weevil, the larvae of which feed within galls on the seed capsules of speedwell species, particularly the water speedwells. It is typically found in wet habitats, where its host species grows. It has previously been recorded on the Holywell Estate.

Liparus coronatus is a species of weevil that has previously been recorded in the Soberton area.

The habitat requirements and close proximity of these species to the reserve, suggest there is potential for all these beetle species to be found at St Clair’s Meadow.

Cinnabar moths are often seen flying during the day. The caterpillars feed primarily on common ragwort Senecio jacobaea, but also other ragwort and groundsel species. They are typically found in open grassy habitats. The cinnabar has previously been recorded at Holywell Estate.

Small heath is relatively widespread but many colonies have disappeared in recent decades. The caterpillars feed on fine grasses, particularly fescues, meadow grasses and bents. The species is typically found on grassland with fine grasses that are typically dry and well-drained with a short and sparse sward. The small heath butterfly has previously been recorded in .

The habitat at St Clair’s Meadow does not fit the typical requirements of the notable lepidoptera species located near the reserve. However the habitats are likely to support many other butterfly and moth species.

Information is unavailable for other invertebrate groups but it is likely that the meadows are providing habitat and structural diversity for spider, bumblebee and grasshopper species, whilst the river will support dragonflies, damselflies and many aquatic invertebrate species.

Reptiles and Amphibians

There are no amphibian and reptile records on or near the reserve, however it is likely that they are present on the site. The habitats present are likely to support grass snake Natrix natrix, further survey would be needed to establish presence and to estimate population levels. There are no suitable aquatic features present for amphibians on site; however the meadow and edge habitats near the disused railway line are likely to support frogs, toads and newts in their terrestrial phases.

Mammals

Bat species, including common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus, soprano pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus and Daubenton’s bat Myotis daubentonii have been recorded on the reserve. The meadows offer excellent foraging opportunities for bats, and in addition the river and disused railway line provide excellent commuting routes, connecting the site to the wider landscape. There are a number of older trees on site, which may also provide roosting opportunities.

Mink rafts in the river at St Clair’s Meadow have recorded evidence of otter Lutra lutra and water vole Arvicola amphibius. The river and bankside vegetation offer excellent feeding, sheltering and commuting opportunities for both these species. The site has been included in the Water Vole Reintroduction programme led by South Downs National Park.

No other mammal species records exist for the site however it is considered likely that the meadow would provide suitable foraging and commuting habitat for a number of small mammal species, including harvest mouse.

1.2.3. Cultural Landscape

The site forms part of the South Downs Natural Character Area, comprising a spine of chalk from the Hampshire Downs to the west to the cliffs of Beachy Head in East Sussex to the east. It is a very diverse and complex landscape resulting from physical, historical and economic influences. It is characterised by the east-west chalk ridge with areas of north-facing scarp slope and a gentle southerly dip slope terminating in cliffs to the east and hills to the west, interspersed with woodlands, rivers and chalk streams creating valleys and floodplains (Natural England, 2013).

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Archaeology

There are no known Scheduled Ancient Monuments on site.

Land Use and Current Management

The site was bought by the Trust in October 2017 from the Clarendon Estate. The reserve is in countryside stewardship. There are fishing rights for both banks of the river.

Historically the site has been managed through grazing by cattle and sheep. However this has not been for conservation, resulting in quite intensive grazing of both the fields and river margins.

There is a public right of way along the northern boundary of the site which is regularly used by walkers and dog walkers, and a permissive path across the north east meadow between the railway underpass in the south east corner to a stile at the top of the meadow. There is no public access or right of way existing on the remainder of the site (Map 4).

An 11kv overhead electricity line crosses the reserve, and a 300mm Portsmouth Water pipe (not suitable for connection) is laid through the reserve.

Issues

The rural and quiet location of the estate also makes it vulnerable to fly tipping, anti-social behaviour and security issues, particularly in relation to grazing animals with the potential for disturbance, injury or rustling to occur.

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2. IMPORTANT FEATURES AND NON-NATURAL ATTRIBUTES

2.1. Summary of Important Features and Non-natural Attributes A summary of important features is described in Table 3 and non-natural attributes are described in Table 4.

Table 3. Important features. Compartment Feature Description Present The floodplain grazing marsh requires management to restore it to a species rich and structurally diverse habitat, and Floodplain grazing marsh 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 sensitive management for target species of breeding bird and overwintering waders and wildfowl. Sensitive management of the chalk stream and restoration of stretches of degraded Chalk stream 5, 6 bank are required to maintain this high quality and specialist habitat. Veteran trees 2

Table 4. Non-natural attributes. Compartment Feature Description Present A perimeter fence bounds the entire site, along with a fence between compartments 1 and 2, and areas of internal fencing around Boundary fences/features 1 - 5 sections of river. The perimeter fence is to be replaced and the internal fencing to be removed. A public right of way runs along the northern boundary of the site, and a permissive path across the north east meadow between the Rights of way and permissive railway underpass in the south east corner 2, 3 paths to a stile at the top of the meadow. Both are regularly used by walkers and dog walkers. An 11kv overhead electricity line crosses the reserve, and a 300mm Portsmouth Wayleaves 1 Water pipe (not suitable for connection) is laid through the reserve.

2.2. Summary of Site Condition A formal survey of the whole site has not yet been undertaken.

Surveys of the river have been undertaken previously by Nigel Holmes and The Wild Trout Trust. An assessment by Nigel Holmes in 2008 described this section of river as of exceptional conservation status (Holmes 2008) and the report in 2012 by The Wild Trout Trust highlighted that the main river channel supports some high quality habitats for all life stages of trout (The Wild Trout Trust 2012).

2.3. Site in a wider perspective and the implications for management St Clair’s Meadow provides a haven and passage for wildlife as part of the wider Meon Valley.

The Meon Valley has been identified by the Local Nature Partnership (LNP) as one of 41 Biodiversity Opportunity Areas (BOA) in the county (HBIC, 2009). This is a landscape scale project, which seeks to ensure the conservation of existing wildlife sites, the expansion of these sites and the creation of

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new wildlife sites to create bigger, better and more places for wildlife in line with the recommendations of Natural England and Defra within ‘Securing biodiversity, A new framework for delivering priority habitats and species in England’ (Defra, 2011). The targets and opportunities for the Meon Valley are focussed on the following habitat types, purple moor grass and rush pastures, wet woodland, lowland meadow, reedbed and lowland fen.

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3. OBJECTIVES

3.1. Vision for the Site The vision for St Clair’s Meadow is to be a species rich haven for wildlife as part of the wider Meon Valley and to be an exemplar of floodplain and chalk river management.

3.2. Site-wide High Level Objectives The high level objectives for St Clair’s Meadow are summarised in Table 5. They are not shown in priority order and none are mutually exclusive. Each high level objective is supported by a number of operational objectives identified in Section 3.3.

Table 5. High level objectives. High level objective Notes Restore and enhance the site for the 1 Site entered into Countryside Stewardship. benefit of wildlife. Manage access to the site for the benefit Controlled access to ensure public and anti-social 2 of people and wildlife behaviour to not impact biodiversity The management of the site must comply with the Comply with the legal, contractual and Town and Country Planning, Forestry and Wildlife 3 administrative obligations. and Countryside Acts, along with any countryside stewardship options.

3.3. Operational Objectives The operational objectives in Table 6 identify the key elements involved in delivering the high level objectives. The prescriptions in Section 3.5 outline how each operational objective will be delivered.

Table 6. Operational objectives. High Level Operational Objective Objective Manage river and associated habitats and species to a high standard; coppice alder but maintain areas of shading to control water temperature. Maintain 1 bankside vegetation as cover and food e.g. water voles. Monitor to invasive non- native species. Manage grassland between river and arable fields to act as a buffer Restore species rich floodplain meadows; introduce conservation grazing to restore floristic and structural diversity. Suitable grazing regime (May to October) to 1 & 2 benefit wintering waders and wildfowl, and target breeding bird species . Restore areas of degraded river bank; control grazing and public access along river bank through permanent and electric fencing. Appraise options for future 1 & 2 large-scale river restoration. Comply with health and safety requirements; Ensure regular dangerous tree 2 & 3 surveys are carried out. Comply with all other statutes; Maintain clarity on how the management of the site must comply with a series of legal and administrative requirements. These range from any agri-environment schemes covering the site, associated 3 requirements of Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition, and the Town and Country Planning, Forestry and Wildlife, and Countryside Acts.

3.4. Factors Influencing the Achievement of Long-term Management Objectives A summary of factors influencing the achievement of long-term management objectives is described in Table 7.

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Table 7. Factors influencing the achievement of long-term management objectives. Factor Notes Natural succession is the process by which open bare ground develops into grassland and eventually woodland. All open habitats in the UK are prevented from becoming woodland by external factors Natural succession such as grazing pressure, mechanical cutting or fire. At St Clair’s Meadow a combination of mechanical cutting/grazing and clearance will be required to maintain the open habitats. Local community Engagement with neighbours to value the site and stop/report anti- engagement social behaviour to help protect the reserve.

3.5. Prescriptions The site has just entered into countryside stewardship. Table 8 sets out the more detailed operational objectives and prescriptions for the site. Ideally targets and/or limits of acceptable change should be identified for each operational objective. Where this is not possible because additional work is required to inform the setting of targets, an action is identified in the work programme set out in Appendix 1.

Table 8. Operational objectives and prescriptions Operational Objective Notes and Prescription Monitoring Chalk rivers are a rare and unique habitat, which are able to support a number of specialist species.

Prescription – Coppice alder, only removing when diseased, to maintain areas of shading to manage water Targeted temperature. species surveys – Retain trout breeding area in optimal condition water vole, Manage river and associated otter, riverfly, habitats and species to a Maintain bankside vegetation as cover, shelter and fish (trout) high standard food for a range of species including water voles. NVC survey at Monitor for invasive non-native species. 10 year intervals Maintain longer sward that is occasionally mown in compartments 3 and 4 to provide buffer between river and adjacent arable fields.

Target – Species interest maintained or enhanced. Restoration of the floodplain meadows following Annual rapid intensive grazing will provide important habitat for a condition range of species and assemblages. assessment

Prescription – Bird surveys Restore grassland through cutting and grazing regime: cut and collect in first year, followed by NVC survey at grazing from May to October in subsequent years 10 year Restore species rich (compartments 1 and 2) after new fencing / intervals floodplain meadows infrastructure installed for cattle handling (Map 5)

Manage site for benefit of target species through CS options (GS10 and GS13): do not graze between 1 November and 28 February; no more than 5% scrub present; stands of dense rush no more than 30% of parcel area; do not work on ditches/surface water features between 1 April and 31 August; maintain

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Operational Objective Notes and Prescription Monitoring an average sward height of 5 to 15cm in November.

Target – Botanical interest enhanced. Suitable habitat for breeding birds, and overwintering waders and wildfowl Degradation of the banks will lead to reduced NVC survey at habitat for the species it supports, and lead to 10 year widening of the river and creation of pools and intervals eddies

Prescription – Remove internal fencing around river

Control access to the bank through installation of Restore areas of degraded electric fencing with semi-permanent posts in river bank compartment 1 allowing banks to be grazed but not poached. Permanent fencing in compartment 2 stopping access by cattle to banks

Consider dog access points into river to stop widespread degradation

Target – Banks restored extending area of suitable habitat for species such as water vole A number of local residents regularly walk through Dangerous the site tree report

Prescription – Ensure regular dangerous tree Incident log surveys are undertaken

Comply with health and Ensure gates and fences are maintained (Map 5) safety requirements

Any incidents of anti-social behaviour reported and reviewed

Target – Up to date reports/logs available on request A wide range of statutory obligations need to be Copies of considered when managing land. It is essential consents and when managing a site that the land managers permissions operate to best practice and comply with these and held on project other statues during their operations. files. Comply with all other statutes Prescription – Ensure that all works on site have permissions/consents in place prior to work commencing.

Target – Consents available for inspection prior to work commencing.

Rapid Condition Assessment (RCA) is a quick habitat assessment tool that can be carried out to obtain a baseline from which to monitor progress towards management objectives, which should see an improvement in habitat condition. RCA monitors features of the habitat such as vegetation structure, growth and diversity as well as flagging up negative indicators such as non-native species presence.

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4. RESOURCES

4.1. Income Compartment ID / Resources Income source Narrative CS Field Number available Countryside GS10 – Management of wet grassland £157/hectare 1 & 4 / 6344 Stewardship for wintering waders and wildfowl £1282.69 Countryside GS13 – Management of grassland for 2 & 3 / 7202 £90/hectare Stewardship target features 6 / 6877 £624.43 Countryside 1 & 4 / 6344 £45/hectare SP6 – Cattle grazing supplement Stewardship 2 & 3 / 7202 £567.90 Countryside 1 / 6344 £4.90/metre FG2 – sheep netting Stewardship 2 / 7202 £6521.90 Countryside £390/unit FG12 – Wooden field gate 2 / 7202 Stewardship £390 1 & 4 / 6344 Grazier Income from grazing £1200/year 2 & 3 / 7202

4.2. Expenditure There is a cost associated with all the management operations for St Clair’s Meadow. The list below outlines likely expenditure areas:

Expenditure Narrative Amount Mowing £750 Cut and collect £2000 Cattle handling facility Installation and maintenance of £1000 cattle handling facility Grazing Installation of troughs etc. £2000 Permanent fencing Installation and maintenance £13500 Electric fencing Installation and maintenance £1500 Gates Installation £1500

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5. REFERENCES

• BGS (2017). British Geographical Soceity. Geology of Britain Viewer. http://www.bgs.ac.uk/discoveringGeology/geologyOfBritain/viewer.html Accessed: 12/12/2017 • Defra (2011). Biodiversity 2020: A strategy for England’s wildlife and ecosystem services. Defra. London.

• Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre (2017). Protected and Notable Species Records GIS layer. Accessed: 07/12/2017 • Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre (2009). Hampshire Biodiversity Opportunity Areas. Hampshire Biodiversity Partnership. http://documents.hants.gov.uk/biodiversity/BOAStatements.pdf [Accessed: 09/01/2018]

• Holmes, N. (2008). Meon Walkover: Sub-reach 3.5 upstream St Clair’s Farm, Soberton • Meon Valley Partnership (2017). http://www.meonvalleypartnership.org.uk/ Accessed: 12/12/2017 • National Insect Week (2017). http://www.nationalinsectweek.co.uk/black-headed-cardinal- beetle Accessed: 12/12/2017 • Natural England (2013). http://publications.naturalengland.org.uk/publication/7433354 Accessed: 12/12/2017 • Nature Spot (2017). http://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/gymnetron-villosulum Accessed: 12/12/2017 • The Wild Trout Trust (2012). River Meon – Soberton Meadows. An advisory visit carried out by the Wild Trout Trust – March 2012 • UK Butterflies (2017). Cinnabar https://butterfly-conservation.org/11908-1319/cinnabar.html; Small Heath https://butterfly-conservation.org/679-777/small-heath.html Accessed: 12/12/2017

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MAPS

APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Annual Work Plan

Appendix 1: Annual Work Plan

Month

Operational Activity Compartment

Objective

Jul

Oct

Jan Apr

Feb Mar Jun

Sep Dec

Nov

May Aug

Coppicing bankside trees 5 X X X X X X

Mow grassland 3, 4 & 6 X X Manage river and associated Riverfly Monitoring 5 X X X X X X X X X X X X habitats and species to a Water vole survey 5 X X X X X X X high standard Otter survey 5 X X X X X X X

NVC survey 5 X

Cut and collect 1 & 2 X

Grazing 1 & 2 X X X X X X

Rapid condition assessment 1 & 2 X Restore species rich NVC survey 1 & 2 X floodplain meadows Breeding bird survey 1 & 2 X X X

Wintering wader and wildfowl survey 1 & 2 X X X X X

Small mammal trapping survey 1 & 2 X

Restore areas Installation and maintenance of electric fencing 1 X X X X X X X X of degraded river bank NVC survey 5 X

Month

Operational Activity Compartment

Objective

Jul

Oct

Jan Apr

Feb Mar Jun

Sep Dec

Nov

May Aug

Comply with Check and maintain boundary All X X X X X X X X X X X X health and safety Dangerous tree survey All X requirements Scrub management to maintain boundary All X X X X X

Appendix 2: Long Term Work Programme

Appendix 2. Long Term Work Programme

Year Operational Activity Compartment Objective 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Coppicing bankside trees 5 X X X X X X X X X X

Mow grassland 3, 4 & 6 X X X X X X X X X X Manage river and associated Riverfly Monitoring 5 X X X X X X X X X X habitats and species to a Water vole survey 5 X X X X X X X X X X high standard Otter survey 5 X X X X X X X X X X

NVC survey 5 X

Cut and collect 1 & 2 X

Grazing 1 & 2 X X X X X X X X X

Rapid condition assessment 1 & 2 X X X X X X X X X X

Restore species NVC survey 1 & 2 X rich floodplain meadows Breeding bird survey 1 & 2 X X X X X

Wintering wader and wildfowl survey 1 & 2 X X X X X

Small mammal trapping survey 1 & 2 X X

Restore areas of Installation and maintenance of electric fencing 1 X X X X X X X X X X degraded river bank NVC survey 5 X

Year Operational Activity Compartment Objective 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Comply with Check and maintain boundary All X X X X X X X X X X health and safety Scrub management to maintain boundary All X X X X X X X X X X requirements Dangerous tree survey All X X X X X X X X X X

New and replacement gates installed 1 & 2 X

New permanent fencing installed 2, 3 & 4 X

New cattle handling facilities installed 1 & 2 X

Check and maintain cattle handling facilities 1 & 2 X X X X X X X X X

Site infrastructure check All X X X X X X X X X X

Appendix 3: Protected and Notable Species Background Data Search

Appendix 3. Protected and notable species background data search results

Search Area: Within 1km square reserve is located Date: 07/12/2017

Grid Taxon Name Common Name Status Location

Reference

No.of

Records

LastYear

First Year First Max Count Max

Birds • Annex 1 of the Birds Directive Recurvirostra • Schedule 1 Part 1 of the Wildlife and Avocet SU6016 Mv Soberton 2007 2007 1 1 avosetta Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) • County rare • Schedule 1 Part 1 of the Wildlife and Tyto alba Barn Owl SU6015 Mv Soberton 2013 2013 1 1 Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) Pyrrhula pyrrhula Bullfinch • Hampshire BAP SU6016 Mv Soberton 2014 2014 1 2 • Birds of Conservation Concern Red list • Priority Species listed under Section 41 of Cuculus canorus Cuckoo SU6016 Mv Soberton 2009 2009 1 1 the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 • Birds of Conservation Concern Red list Turdus pilaris Fieldfare • Schedule 1 Part 1 of the Wildlife and SU6016 Mv Soberton 2004 2004 1 215 Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) • Annex 1 of the Birds Directive Pluvialis apricaria Golden Plover SU6016 Mv Soberton 2004 2004 1 2 • Hampshire BAP • Schedule 1 Part 1 of the Wildlife and SU6015 Mv Soberton 2001 2005 4 1 Tringa ochropus Green Sandpiper Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) SU6016 Mv Soberton 2004 2007 3 1 SU6015 Mv Soberton 2003 2003 1 2 Motacilla cinerea Grey Wagtail • Birds of Conservation Concern Red list SU6016 Mv Soberton 2004 2011 3 2 • Schedule 1 Part 1 of the Wildlife and SU6016 Mv Soberton 2005 2005 1 1 Falco subbuteo Hobby Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) SU605157 Mv Soberton 2015 2015 1 1 • Hampshire BAP SU60606155 Mv Soberton 2015 2015 1 1

• County Interest 93 • Annex 1 of the Birds Directive Alcedo atthis Kingfisher • Schedule 1 Part 1 of the Wildlife and SU6016 Mv Soberton 2004 2004 1 1 Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) • Birds of Conservation Concern Red list Linaria cannabina Linnet SU6016 Mv Soberton 2011 2011 1 0 • Hampshire BAP SU6015 Mv Soberton 1996 2006 31 10 • Annex 1 of the Birds Directive SU6016 Mv Soberton 1995 2012 59 22 Egretta garzetta Little Egret • HBAP Mv St Claire's SU605154 2007 2007 1 3 • Country rare Farm Pond SU606154 Mv Soberton 2003 2003 1 1 Turdus viscivorus Mistle Thrush • Birds of Conservation Concern Red list SU6016 Mv Soberton 2011 2011 1 0 • Birds of Conservation Concern Red list SU6016 Mv Soberton 2005 2005 1 200 Turdus iliacus Redwing • Schedule 1 Part 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) SU6016 MV Soberton 2016 2016 1 40 • Birds of Conservation Concern Red list Turdus philomelos Song Thrush SU6016 Mv Soberton 2011 2011 1 0 • Hampshire BAP • Birds of Conservation Concern Red list • Priority Species listed under Section 41 of Spotted Muscicapa striata the Natural Environment and Rural SU6016 Mv Soberton 2011 2011 1 0 Flycatcher Communities Act 2006 • Hampshire BAP Sturnus vulgaris Starling • Birds of Conservation Concern Red list SU6016 Mv Soberton 2011 2011 1 0 Oenanthe Wheatear • County scarce SU6016 Mv Soberton 2001 2006 3 11 oenanthe • Birds of Conservation Concern Red list Saxicola rubetra Whinchat • Hampshire BAP SU6016 Mv Soberton 2000 2006 2 2 • County rare • Annex 1 of the Birds Directive • Priority Species listed under Section 41 of the Natural Environment and Rural Lullula arborea Woodlark Communities Act 2006 SU6016 Mv Soberton 2004 2004 3 3 • Schedule 1 Part 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) • Hampshire BAP

• County Interest

• Birds of Conservation Concern Red list Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail Hampshire BAP SU6016 Mv Soberton 2000 2004 2 2 • County rare Higher Plants - Flowering Plants Meon Valley Disued SU6015 2011 2011 1 0 Railway Line, Soberton • IUCN England 2014: near threatened Meon Valley, Cruciata laevipes Crosswort SU6015 2011 2011 2 0 • IUCN Great Britain 2001: near threatened Swanmore Meon Valley, SU6016 Swanmore 2011 2011 1 0 And Droxford SU6016 Soberton 2011 2011 1 0 Meon Valley • IUCN England 2014: near threatened Disued Knautia arvensis Field Scabious SU6015 2011 2011 1 0 • IUCN Great Britain 2001: near threatened Railway Line, Soberton Glyceria fluitans x River Meon Hybrid Sweet- • County scarce notata = G. x SU6016 And North 2013 2013 1 0 grass • South Hampshire rare pedicellata Soberton Meon Valley, SU6015 2011 2011 1 0 Swanmore Cut Bridge, SU6016 Immediately 2013 2013 1 0 South Of 170 • IUCN England 2014: near threatened Senecio aquaticus Marsh Ragwort Meon Valley, • IUCN Great Britain 2001: near threatened SU6016 Swanmore 2011 2011 1 0 And Droxford River Meon SU6016 And North 2013 2013 1 0 Soberton Meon Valley, Ranunculus • Hampshire BAP SU6015 2011 2011 1 0 Stream Water- Swanmore penicillatus subsp. • County Scarce Crowfoot pseudofluitans • South Hampshire rare SU6015 River Meon 2013 2013 1 0

Near South Soberton River Meon SU6015 Near South 2013 2013 1 0 Soberton • IUCN England 2014: vulnerable Cut Bridge, Catabrosa aquatica Whorl-grass • IUCN Great Britain 2001: vulnerable SU6016 Immediately 2013 2013 1 0 • County scarce South Of 170 River Meon SU6016 And North 2013 2013 1 0 Soberton Invertebrates - Coleoptera Holywell Pyrochroa Black-headed • Nationally scarce SU6015 Estate - Far 2011 2011 1 1 coccinea Cardinal Beetle Ne Corner Holywell Gymnetron Gymnetron • Nationally scarce SU6015 Estate, Meon 2011 2011 1 0 villosulum villosulum Valley - South Soberton Area Liparus coronatus Liparus coronatus • Nationally scarce SU6016 2004 2004 1 1 6016 Invertebrates - Lepidoptera • Priority Species listed under Section 41 of Holywell Tyria jacobaeae Cinnabar the Natural Environment and Rural SU6016 Estate, Meon 2011 2011 1 0 Communities Act 2006 Valley - North • IUCN Great Britain 2001: near threatened Coenonympha • Priority Species listed under Section 41 of Small Heath SU6015 Swanmore 2011 2011 1 1 pamphilus the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 Mammals - Terrestrial (bats)

• Annex II of the Habitats Directive (non- priority species) • Annex IV Habitats Directive • Schedule 2 of Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 • Priority Species listed under Section 41 of St Clair's Chiroptera Bats the Natural Environment and Rural SU605152 Meadow / 2015 2015 1 1 Communities Act 2006 River Meon • Schedule 5 Section 9 (4b); Schedule 5 Section 9 (4c) of Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 • Hampshire BAP • County Interest • Annex IV Habitats Directive • Schedule 2 of Conservation of Habitats and Soberton, Species Regulations 2017 Railway Bridge Pipistrellus Common • Schedule 5 Section 9 (4b); Schedule 5 SU607162 And River 2015 2015 1 1 pipistrellus pipistrelle Section 9 (4c) of Wildlife & Countryside Act Meon At End 1981 Of West Street • Hampshire BAP • Annex IV Habitats Directive • Schedule 2 of Conservation of Habitats and St Clair's Species Regulations 2017 Myotis daubentonii Daubenton's Bat SU605152 Meadow / 2015 2015 2 14 • Schedule 5 Section 9 (4b); Schedule 5 River Meon Section 9 (4c) of Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 • Annex IV Habitats Directive • Schedule 2 of Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 Soberton, • Priority Species listed under Section 41 of Railway Bridge Pipistrellus Soprano the Natural Environment and Rural SU607162 And River 2015 2015 1 1 pygmaeus Pipistrelle Communities Act 2006 Meon At End • Schedule 5 Section 9 (4b); Schedule 5 Of West Street Section 9 (4c) of Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 • Hampshire BAP Mammals - Terrestrial (non-bats)

• Annex II of the Habitats Directive (non- River Meon, priority species) SU604152 Soberton 2011 2011 1 1 • Annex IV Habitats Directive Heath • Schedule 2 of Conservation of Habitats and Soberton Species Regulations 2017 SU60561543 2015 2015 2 1 • Priority Species listed under Section 41 of Heath Lutra lutra European Otter the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 • Schedule 5 Section 9 (4b); Schedule 5 St Clairs Mink SU60571543 2015 2015 9 1 Section 9 (4c) of Wildlife & Countryside Act Raft 1981 • Hampshire BAP • Priority Species listed under Section 41 of St Clairs Mink the Natural Environment and Rural SU60571543 2015 2015 5 1 Communities Act 2006 Raft European Water • Schedule 5 Section 9 (4b); Schedule 5 Arvicola amphibius Vole Section 9 (4b); Schedule 5 Section 9 (4c) of Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 SU607162 River Meon 2006 2006 1 0 • Hampshire BAP • County Interest