Great Crested Newt Survey Report Backbridge Farm Persimmon July 2017
23 Short Lane Long Ashton Bristol BS41 9EH www.iesconsult.co.uk
0117 9113834 07977 437567 [email protected]
Integrated Ecological Solutions Ltd is a Registered Company in England and Wales No. 06941706
IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
Quality Assurance
Job Number: IES/2016/044 Project Name: Backbridge Farm GCN Report Revision Description Originator Checked Authorised Date Number 001 Draft for TT TT June 2016 Comment
002 Final – TT TT July 2017 updated with new layout
- 2 -
IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4
1 INTRODUCTION 5
2 METHODOLOGY 6
3 RESULTS 8
4 EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 13
5 CONCLUSIONS 16
6 REFERENCES 17
FIGURE 1: SITE LOCATION 18
FIGURE 2: SURVEY AREA 20
FIGURE 3: PONDS WHERE PRESENCE/ABSENCE SURVEYS WERE CARRIED OUT 22
FIGURE 4: EDNA SURVEY LOCATIONS 24
FIGURE 5: SURVEY RESULTS 26
FIGURE 6: POPULATION SIZE CLASSES 28
APPENDIX A: NOTES AND LIMITATIONS 30
APPENDIX B: ADAS EDNA METHODOLOGY 31
- 3 - IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
Executive Summary
IES Consulting were instructed by Persimmon Homes to undertake a great crested newt survey at land adjacent to Backbridge Farm, Malmesbury, Wiltshire.
The aim of this study was to determine the use of the site, and ponds within 5oom of the site, by great crested newts. The site is heavily grazed grassland and no ponds are present within the site boundary, however it provides terrestrial habitat for great crested newts.
It is proposed to build 227 residential dwellings on the site.
In 2013, Thompson Ecology carried out a great crested newt survey on land within 500m of the proposed Dyson Headquarters Expansion to the north of the Backbridge Farm site. The Dyson development is immediately adjacent to the Backbridge Farm proposed development site, and the habitat present is contiguous with the habitat on the Backbridge Farm site.
This survey identified 14 ponds with the potential to support great crested newts, nine of which were subsequently shown to support great crested newts. Figure 2 shows the ponds previously surveyed and the 500m buffer zone from the Backbridge Farm site.
Great crested newts (Triturus cristatus) are protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and are listed under Schedule 2 of the Habitats Regulations 2010.
Great crested newts breed in ponds and associated wetlands features and hibernate in surrounding suitable terrestrial habitat such as hedgerows, rubble piles, log piles and wooded areas. Breeding ponds, routes to and from hibernating areas, terrestrial foraging areas and the hibernating areas are protected (as places of shelter) and must be identified through survey work.
In order to undertake work which will affect habitats known to support great crested newts, a derogation licence must be obtained from Natural England. This allows otherwise unlawful work to proceed legally.
There are ten waterbodies within 500m of the site boundary which support great crested newts, with a further waterbody (SW12) just outside the 500m buffer zone.
Pond SW10 was dry throughout the survey period, and whilst this remains true can be discounted from any future survey effort. Ponds SW1, SW9, SW13, SW14, N1 and N3 do not support great crested newts. The remaining ponds have all been shown to support small or medium populations of great crested newts, and the ponds within a 500m survey area of the site as a whole support a medium population of great crested newts.
Recommendations have been made for site enhancement in order to maintain and increase the population on the site. Overall it is felt that the current level of survey effort has identified the location of great crested newts on the site, and sufficient information on presence/absence and population size has been provided. Principles for gaining a European Protected Species Licence have been provided.
- 4 - IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
1.1.1 IES Consulting were instructed by Persimmon Homes to undertake a great crested newt survey at land adjacent to Backbridge Farm, Malmesbury, Wiltshire, and centered on Grid Reference ST923883. A site location plan can be seen in Figure 1.
1.1.2 The aim of this study was to determine the use of the site, and ponds within 5oom of the site, by great crested newts. The site is heavily grazed grassland and no ponds are present within the site boundary, however it provides terrestrial habitat for great crested newts.
1.2 Development Proposals
1.2.1 It is proposed to build 227 residential dwellings on the site.
1.3 Previous Survey Work
1.3.1 In 2013, Thompson Ecology carried out a great crested newt survey on land within 500m of the proposed Dyson Headquarters Expansion to the north of the Backbridge Farm site. The Dyson development is immediately adjacent to the Backbridge Farm proposed development site, and the habitat present is contiguous with the habitat on the Backbridge Farm site.
1.3.2 This survey identified 14 ponds with the potential to support great crested newts, nine of which were subsequently shown to support great crested newts. Figure 2 shows the ponds previously surveyed and the 500m buffer zone from the Backbridge Farm site.
1.4 Legislative Background
1.4.1 Great crested newts (Triturus cristatus) are protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and are listed under Schedule 2 of the Habitats Regulations 2010.
1.4.2 Great crested newts breed in ponds and associated wetlands features and hibernate in surrounding suitable terrestrial habitat such as hedgerows, rubble piles, log piles and wooded areas. Breeding ponds, routes to and from hibernating areas, terrestrial foraging areas and the hibernating areas are protected (as places of shelter) and must be identified through survey work.
1.4.3 In order to undertake work which will affect habitats known to support great crested newts, a derogation licence must be obtained from Natural England. This allows otherwise unlawful work to proceed legally.
- 5 - IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
2 METHODOLOGY
2.1.1 Notes and limitations are provided in Table 13 and Appendix A.
2.2 eDNA Testing of Ponds
2.2.1 The previous survey work demonstrated that 4 ponds had no evidence of use by great crested newts (SW1, SW9, SW10 – which was dry on all previous survey visits, and SW13). SW12 was shown to support a population of great crested newts but was outwith the 500m survey area from the edge of the development site. SW14 was also shown previously not to support great crested newts, but was not a candidate for eDNA testing due to water levels and suspended sediment.
2.2.2 It was therefore agreed with Jon Taylor (Wiltshire County Council Ecologist) that eDNA testing should be used on these ponds (with the exception of SW14) to verify that their status had not changed with respect to supporting great crested newts.
2.2.3 Water samples were collected from these ponds on 16th May 2016 according to the methodology prescribed by ADAS (Appendix B). These were then couriered to the ADAS laboratory on 18th May. SW10 was again dry at the time of survey.
2.3 Presence/Absence Surveys
2.3.1 Four presence/absence surveys were done on the remaining ponds with the exception of SW14 which did not contain great crested newts in any of the previous surveys, and had too little water and was too turbid with suspended sediment to allow successful eDNA testing. In addition, three new ponds had been completed on the land to the north at the time of the surveys, and these were included in the survey effort. Figures 3 and 4 show the location of each pond and the survey type carried out.
2.3.2 The surveys were carried out in accordance with the Great Crested Newt Conservation Handbook (Froglife 2001) and the Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines (English Nature 2001), which are the current best practice guidance. Surveys were carried out by Tilly Tilbrook MCIEEM (Class Licence # 2016-19371-CLS-CLS) assisted by Vilas Anthwal, Luke Metcalf and Eleanor Hewins, all of whom are experienced ecological surveyors.
2.3.3 A combination of bottle-trapping, torching and netting was used at each pond, and four visits were undertaken at each pond. It was not considered that six visits were required because this was an update of the work undertaken in 2013, and great crested newts were known to still be present in the area following a translocation exercise on the land to the north.
Bottle Trapping
2.3.4 Traps were set containing an air bubble and were not left for longer than 17 hours overnight. All were checked and removed before 11am the following day. This complies with the Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines welfare considerations (page 57). A density of approximately one trap per two meters of shoreline was used, however in places accessibility issues meant a reduced trapping effort had to be undertaken. It is not considered that this affected the results since it is known to be very difficult to accurately
- 6 - IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
assess population size for this species, and because the results were to verify the work undertaken in 2013.
Torching
2.3.5 The entire margin of each pond was walked slowly, and a 1 million candlepower equivalent torch used to shine into the water. Any great crested newts seen were counted and recorded.
Netting
2.3.6 A long-handled dip net was used to sample the area around the pond edge, with 15 minutes of netting undertaken per 50m of shoreline. Whilst it is recommended that this is done at night when the newts are more likely to be in open water, the low water levels meant it was undertaken in the mornings when the traps were collected in so as not to stir up sediment and make torch surveys impossible.
- 7 - IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
3 RESULTS
3.1 eDNA Results Table 1: eDNA Results Pond eDNA Water Turbidity Vegetation Description Number Result Temperature Cover (%) (˚C) SW1 Negative 22 High 25 Vegetation primarily sweet grass. Maximum depth approx. 45cm SW9 Negative 17.4 Moderate 85 Surface covered with algae. Little other vegetative growth. Maximum depth approx. 30cm SW10 N/A N/A N/A N/A Dry SW12 Positive 16 Low 85 Iris, glyceria and emergent flora make up the majority of vegetation. Maximum depth approx. 2.5m SW13 Negative 14.6 Low 90 Almost dry but fed from ditch. Choked with glyceria. Four m² of open water. Shaded by willow and alder
3.2 Presence/Absence Survey Results Table 2: SW2 Water Body Number: SW2
Survey Date Air Temp Water Temp # Bottle Bottle Trap Torch Smooth (˚C) (˚C) Traps Newts Present (P) / Absent M F J M F J (A) 05/04/2016 15 12.9 6 9 5 Nil 9 1 Nil P
18/04/2016 13.5 13.0 6 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil P
04/05/2016 15.2 19.6 6 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil P
10/05/2016 15.8 19.6 6 Nil 1 Nil Nil Nil Nil P
Table 3: SW3 Water Body Number: SW3
Survey Air Temp (˚C) Water Temp # Bottle Bottle Trap Torch Smooth Date (˚C) Traps Newts Present (P) / Absent M F J M F J (A) 05/04/2016 15 13.2 4 5 7 Nil Nil Nil Nil P
18/04/2016 13.5 12.2 4 Nil Nil Nil Nil 1 Nil A
04/05/2016 15.2 13.6 4 4 4 Nil Nil 1 Nil P
10/05/2016 15.8 19.6 4 8 5 Nil 3 Nil Nil P
- 8 - IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
Table 4:SW4 Water Body Number: SW4
Survey Date Air Temp Water Temp # Bottle Bottle Trap Torch Smooth (˚C) (˚C) Traps Newts Present (P) / Absent M F J M F J (A) 05/04/2016 15 12.5 5 2 7 Nil 1 Nil Nil P
18/04/2016 13.5 12.9 6 Nil 2 1 5 1 1 P
04/05/2016 ------
10/05/2016 ------
Note: Pond had too little water and too much vegetation to allow trapping, torching or netting to continue after the second survey. Table 5: SW5 Water Body Number: SW5
Survey Air Temp (˚C) Water Temp # Bottle Bottle Trap Torch Smooth Date (˚C) Traps Newts Present (P) / Absent M F J M F J (A) 05/04/2016 15 13 5 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil A
18/04/2016 13.5 12.8 6 4 2 1 Nil Nil Nil P
04/05/2016 15.0 13.1 6 3 1 Nil 2 Nil Nil P
10/05/2016 15.8 18.2 6 5 2 Nil Nil Nil Nil P
Table 6: SW6 Water Body Number: SW6
Survey Air Temp (˚C) Water Temp # Bottle Bottle Trap Torch Smooth Date (˚C) Traps Newts Present (P) / Absent M F J M F J (A) 05/04/2016 15 13.2 7 2 10 Nil 8 6 Nil P
18/04/2016 13.5 12.4 7 1 Nil Nil 1 1 Nil P
04/05/2016 15.8 13.1 7 2 Nil Nil 8 3 Nil P
10/05/2016 15.8 18.4 7 12 13 Nil 1 2 Nil P
- 9 - IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
Table 7: SW7 Water Body Number: SW7
Survey Air Temp (˚C) Water Temp # Bottle Bottle Trap Torch Smooth Date (˚C) Traps Newts Present M F J M F J (P) / Absent (A)
05/04/2016 15 14.6 9 1 Nil Nil 2 Nil Nil P
18/04/2016 13.5 14.4 9 Nil Nil Nil 1 Nil Nil P
04/05/2016 15.8 14.2 9 5 4 Nil Nil Nil Nil P
10/05/2016 15.8 21 9 13 7 1 Nil 1 Nil P
Table 8: SW8 Water Body Number: SW8
Survey Air Temp (˚C) Water Temp # Bottle Bottle Trap Torch Smooth Date (˚C) Traps Newts Present (P) / Absent M F J M F J (A) 05/04/2016 15 13.7 7 Nil Nil Nil 2 3 Nil P
18/04/2016 13.5 12.5 7 Nil Nil Nil 6 3 Nil P
04/05/2016 15.8 13.0 7 Nil Nil Nil 2 3 Nil P
10/05/2016 15.8 18.8 7 4 Nil Nil 3 1 Nil P
Table 9: N1 Water Body Number: N1
Survey Air Temp (˚C) Water Temp # Bottle Bottle Trap Torch Smooth Date (˚C) Traps Newts Present (P) / Absent M F J M F J (A) 05/04/2016 15 15.8 6 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil A
18/04/2016 13.5 15.1 6 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil A
04/05/2016 15.8 15.1 6 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil A
10/05/2016 15.8 20.9 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil A
- 10 - IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
Table 10: N2 Water Body Number: N2
Survey Air Temp (˚C) Water Temp # Bottle Bottle Trap Torch Smooth Date (˚C) Traps Newts Present (P) or Absent M F J M F J (A)
05/04/2016 15 16 6 Nil 1 Nil Nil Nil Nil A
18/04/2016 13.5 12.4 6 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil A
04/05/2016 15.8 13.3 6 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil A
10/05/2016 15.8 19.6 6 1 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil A
Table 11: N3 Water Body Number: N3
Survey Air Temp (˚C) Water Temp # Bottle Bottle Trap Torch Smooth Date (˚C) Traps Newts Present (P) or Absent M F J M F J (A) 05/04/2016 15 16 6 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil A
18/04/2016 13.5 12.4 6 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil A
04/05/2016 15.8 13.0 6 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil A
10/05/2016 15.8 18.4 6 Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil A
Table 12: Summary of peak counts and population size class estimates Water GCN Counts Peak Adult Population Size Population Size Body Visit 1 Visit 2 Visit 3 Visit 4 Count 2016 Class 2013 Class 2016 SW2 24 19 0 1 24 Small Medium SW3 12 1 8 3 12 Small Medium SW4 4 9 0 0 9 Small Small SW5 0 6 6 0 6 Small Small SW6 26 3 13 28 28 Medium Medium SW7 3 1 9 21 21 Small Medium SW8 5 9 5 12 12 Small Medium SW11 2 4 1 - 4 Small Small N1 0 0 0 0 0 N/A None N2 1 0 0 1 1 N/A Small N3 0 0 0 0 0 N/A None Total 77 52 42 66 77 Medium Medium Site Count
Table 13: Notes and limitations Comments, including other amphibian species recorded and survey constraints. - Denotes that the pond had dried up. Ponds N1, N2 and N3 were highly turbid on all surveys. SW11 was surveyed on different dates to all other ponds. The water level had dropped significantly in SW2 by survey three (04/05/2016). Other amphibian species recorded included smooth newt and common frog.
- 11 - IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
3.3 Summary
3.3.1 Pond SW10 was dry throughout the survey period, and whilst this remains true can be discounted from any future survey effort.
3.3.2 Ponds SW1, SW9, SW13, SW14, N1 and N3 do not support great crested newts and are not considered further in this report. (Tables 1, 9 and 11).
3.3.3 The remaining ponds (Tables 2-8, 10) have all been shown to support small or medium populations of great crested newts, and the ponds within a 500m survey area of the site as a whole support a medium population of great crested newts (Table 12). Figure 6 shows the population size class of each pond.
3.3.4 It should be noted that six visits are usually used to make population size class assessments. However, because this was an update of the 2013 survey, and because the peak counts gave similar size class results to the 2013 survey, it was felt that 4 surveys adequately described the status of the ponds in 2016.
- 12 - IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
4 EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
4.1 Evaluation
4.1.1 There are ten waterbodies within 500m of the site boundary which support great crested newts, with a further waterbody (SW12) just outside the 500m buffer zone.
4.1.2 The layout of the access road may lead to the loss of SW1, however it should be noted that this pond has never supported any great crested newts, and this was confirmed by eDNA testing in 2016. Therefore its loss will not have any impact on habitat for great crested newts, and will not require a licence.
4.1.3 The terrestrial habitat on site is limited in its value for great crested newts because of the management regime. Heavy grazing has led to a short sward developing in the majority of the grassland areas which will be affected by the development. Additionally, where the hedgerows are gappy (see IES 2016 Phase 1 Report), the constant movement of cattle in these areas has led to the ground becoming very compacted and less suitable for newts to use as hibernacula.
4.1.4 The translocation of terrestrial habitat on the Dyson site to the north of the development site demonstrated that the majority of the great crested newts are found close to the ponds. No great crested newts were captured along the southern edge of the fencing, which was located approximately 20m from the north of the Backbridge Farm site.
4.1.5 Where great crested newts were captured further from the ponds, this was always in association with hedgerows.
4.1.6 With this in mind, the recommendations have been made to reflect what is already known about the behavior of the great crested newt populations in the area.
4.2 Recommendations
4.2.1 A licence will be required from Natural England to allow the development to go ahead. This cannot be applied for until full planning permission has been granted, and a work schedule is required. This section sets out the principles of the licence application.
Trap and Translocate
4.2.2 A full trap and translocate effort across the whole site is not considered necessary. Instead, trapping will be concentrated in those areas considered most likely to contain great crested newts. Trapping will take place in the following areas:
❖ 5m out from any hedgerows to be removed;
❖ The working footprint of the balancing pond; and
❖ The working footprint of the northern end of the access road from the current tarmac area to 5m south of ponds SW2, 3 and 4.
4.2.3 Trapping will involve fencing the area with amphibian fencing, and placing pitfall traps at the recommended density (80 traps/ha) within the trapping area. Where the fencing
- 13 - IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
fronts onto the Backbridge Farm development site, or is wholly within it, traps will be also be placed on the outside of the fencing, and if any great crested newts are trapped outside the fencing but within the development site, a discussion will be had with Natural England about whether or not the trap and translocate exercise should be extended.
4.2.4 A minimum of 60 trapping nights will be undertaken, and each area will only be considered to be clear if five consecutive trapping nights with no captures are completed. If 60 trapping nights do not provide five clear nights with no captures, the trapping will be continued until the area can be deemed to be clear.
4.2.5 Trapping will only be undertaken if the night time air temperature is above 5C, and that there has been recent enough rain that the ground is damp. Trapping will not extend beyond the end of October.
Habitat Manipulation
4.2.6 Habitat manipulation will be used to ensure newts are not harmed in other areas of the site. The vegetation will be removed to ground level during the day when newts are not active, and the working footprint area will not be allowed to develop a long sward of grass. Prior to works starting each day, a designated Biodiversity Champion will walk the working footprint area to check for newts.
4.2.7 In addition, the hedgerows to be removed will be cut to just above ground level (following all breeding bird requirements – see IES 2016 Phase 1 Report) prior to the trap and translocate effort being undertaken.
Destructive Search
4.2.8 In the areas which have been trapped, and in any other areas where the ecologist deems it necessary, a destructive search will be undertaken once it is considered that the trapping effort has been sufficient (see 4.2.4). This will involve the top layer of soil being removed using a toothed digger bucket under the supervision of a suitably experienced ecologist. Any newts found will be removed to a place of safety.
Receptor Site
4.2.9 Any newts captured at any point during the works will be moved to one of the waterbodies known to support great crested newts. It is considered highly probable that the great crested newts in each of the waterbodies and using all the terrestrial habitat form one population which moves between ponds.
4.3 Mitigation and Enhancement
4.3.1 Four new ponds are planned on the site – three balancing ponds to the south of the proposed development, and one along the western boundary of the site. Each of these ponds will have a hibernacula associated with it, built according to the specification in the Great Crested Newt Conservation Handbook (page 31).
4.3.2 There will be a 10m wide buffer strip along the northern boundary, which will be managed for great crested newts and which will be planted as a woodland belt in accordance with the comments from Jon Taylor in September 2016. The western boundary
- 14 - IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
hedgerow will be retained and enhanced with new planting as illustrated on the landscape masterplan.
4.3.3 There will be a buffer strip along the eastern boundary, which where possible will be managed for great crested newts (this area is also an easement for services).
4.3.4 No pot drains will be used within 10m of any pond to ensure newts can still move freely between all the waterbodies and are not in danger of death from falling into the sewer system. As tilted kerbs cannot be used (Comments received from WCC Highways department), amphibian tunnels will be used in conjunction with permanent newt fencing to connect ponds SW2, 3 and 4 with the habitat to the north east. Likewise, at the entrance to the housing development, amphibian tunnels and permanent fencing will be used to connect the habitat along the hedge line in a north south direction if this cannot be kept at grade with no raised kerbs.
4.3.5 The area to the south of the site, where the balancing ponds are located, will be managed for wildlife including great crested newts, water vole and otter. The needs of these species can be met through one management programme.
- 15 - IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
5 CONCLUSIONS
5.1.1 Backbridge Farm supports a population of great crested newts in waterbodies within 500m of the development site. The site is considered to be of high value for this species, and care will need to be taken when designing the development to ensure it does not adversely affect great crested newts.
5.1.2 Recommendations have been made for site enhancement in order to maintain and increase the population on the site. Overall it is felt that the current level of survey effort has identified the location of great crested newts on the site, and sufficient information on presence/absence and population size has been provided. Principles for gaining a European Protected Species Licence have been provided.
5.1.3 Additionally, the enhancement recommendations provide for biodiversity gain on the site as required under the National Planning Policy Framework. Therefore it is felt that there is no ecological barrier to granting planning permission for this development.
IES Consulting Ltd
- 16 - IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
6 REFERENCES
Great Crested Newt Conservation Handbook. Froglife. 2001.
Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines. English Nature. 2001.
HMSO The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010.
HMSO Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Integrated Ecological Solutions. Phase 1 report. 2016.
Thomson Ecology. Great Crested Newt Survey Report. 2013.
- 17 - IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
FIGURE 1: SITE LOCATION
- 18 -
IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
FIGURE 2: SURVEY AREA
- 20 - Figure 2: 500m Survey Area
Key
Site Boundary 500m Buffer from site boundary Ponds New Ponds Previously Surveyed Ponds
N
Integrated Ecological Solutions23 Short Lane, Long Ashton, Bristol, BS41 9EH www.iesconsult.co.uk 0117 9113834 [email protected]
Project Backbridge Farm
Client Persimmon
Date May 2016 Scale See bar
Drawn TT Job # IES/2016/044 IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
FIGURE 3: PONDS WHERE PRESENCE/ABSENCE SURVEYS WERE CARRIED OUT
- 22 - Figure 3: Ponds Where Presence/Absence Surveys Were Carried Out
Key
Site Boundary 500m buffer from site boundary Ponds No presence/absence survey Presence/absence survey
N
Integrated Ecological Solutions23 Short Lane, Long Ashton, Bristol, BS41 9EH www.iesconsult.co.uk 0117 9113834 [email protected]
Project Backbridge Farm
Client Persimmon
Date May 2016 Scale See bar
Drawn TT Job # IES/2016/044 IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
FIGURE 4: EDNA SURVEY LOCATIONS
- 24 - Figure 4: eDNA Survey Locations
Key
Site Boundary 500m Buffer from site boundary Ponds eDNA not carried out eDNA carried out
N
Integrated Ecological Solutions23 Short Lane, Long Ashton, Bristol, BS41 9EH www.iesconsult.co.uk 0117 9113834 [email protected]
Project Backbridge Farm
Client Persimmon
Date May 2016 Scale See bar
Drawn TT Job # IES/2016/044 IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
FIGURE 5: SURVEY RESULTS
- 26 - Figure 5: Survey Results
Key
Site Boundary 500m Buffer of survey area Ponds GCN absent GCN present
N
Integrated Ecological Solutions23 Short Lane, Long Ashton, Bristol, BS41 9EH www.iesconsult.co.uk 0117 9113834 [email protected]
Project Backbridge Farm
Client Persimmon
Date May 2016 Scale See bar
Drawn TT Job # IES/2016/044 IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
FIGURE 6: POPULATION SIZE CLASSES
- 28 - Figure 6: Population Size Classes
Key
Site Boundary 500m Buffer of survey area Ponds: Population Size Class None Small Medium
N
Integrated Ecological Solutions23 Short Lane, Long Ashton, Bristol, BS41 9EH www.iesconsult.co.uk 0117 9113834 [email protected]
Project Backbridge Farm
Client Persimmon
Date June 2016 Scale See bar
Drawn TT Job # IES/2016/044 IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
APPENDIX A: NOTES AND LIMITATIONS IES Consulting staff and their sub-consultants have endeavoured to identify the presence of protected species wherever possible on site, where this falls within the agreed scope of works.
Up to date standard methodologies have been used, which are accepted by Natural England (previously English Nature) and other statutory conservation bodies. No responsibility will be accepted where these methodologies fail to identify all species on site. IES cannot take responsibility where Government, national bodies or industry subsequently modify standards.
The results of the survey and assessment work undertaken by IES Consulting were representative at the time of surveying.
IES Consulting have advised on the optimum survey season for a particular habitat/species prior to undertaking the survey work. However, IES Consulting cannot accept responsibility for the accuracy of surveys undertaken outside this period.
IES Consulting cannot accept responsibility for data collected from third parties.
- 30 - IES/2016/044 Backbridge Farm GCN Report
APPENDIX B: ADAS EDNA METHODOLOGY
- 31 -
Client: Tilly Tilbrook, ADAS Wolverhampton HQ 23 Short Lane, Pendeford House Long Ashton, Pendeford Business Park Bristol, Wobaston Road BS41 9EH Wolverhampton WV9 5AP
Tel: 01159 516747 Fax: 01159 516415 Email: [email protected]
www.adas.co.uk Sample/Report ID: 2016-601 Condition on Receipt: Low Sediment Visual Inspection of Volume: Passed Client Identifier: SW12 Description: 6x50mL - pond water samples in preservatives Date of Receipt: 19/05/16 Material Tested: DNA extracted from pond water samples
Determinant Result Method Date of Analysis Great Crested Newt Positive Real time PCR 25/05/16
Report Prepared by: Dr Helen Rees Report Issued by: Dr Ben Maddison
Signed: Signed: Position: Senior Research Scientist Position: Team Leader: Biotechnology Date of preparation: 25/05/16 Date of issue: 25/05/16
Notes: eDNA analysis was carried out in accordance with the stipulated methodology found in the Technical Advice Note (WC1067 Appendix 5 Technical Advice Note) published by DEFRA and adopted by Natural England.
ADAS is a trading name of ADAS UK Limited. Registered in England No. 3296903. Registered Office: ADAS Wolverhampton HQ, Pendeford House, Pendeford Business Park, Wobaston Road, Wolverhampton, WV9 5AP. ADAS UK Limited is a member of the ADAS group of companies
Client: Tilly Tilbrook, ADAS Wolverhampton HQ 23 Short Lane, Pendeford House Long Ashton, Pendeford Business Park Bristol, Wobaston Road BS41 9EH Wolverhampton WV9 5AP
Tel: 01159 516747 Fax: 01159 516415 Email: [email protected]
www.adas.co.uk Sample/Report ID: 2016-602 Condition on Receipt: Good Visual Inspection of Volume: Passed Client Identifier: SW13 Description: 6x50mL - pond water samples in preservatives Date of Receipt: 19/05/16 Material Tested: DNA extracted from pond water samples
Determinant Result Method Date of Analysis Great Crested Newt Negative Real time PCR 25/05/16
Report Prepared by: Dr Helen Rees Report Issued by: Dr Ben Maddison
Signed: Signed: Position: Senior Research Scientist Position: Team Leader: Biotechnology Date of preparation: 25/05/16 Date of issue: 25/05/16
Notes: eDNA analysis was carried out in accordance with the stipulated methodology found in the Technical Advice Note (WC1067 Appendix 5 Technical Advice Note) published by DEFRA and adopted by Natural England.
ADAS is a trading name of ADAS UK Limited. Registered in England No. 3296903. Registered Office: ADAS Wolverhampton HQ, Pendeford House, Pendeford Business Park, Wobaston Road, Wolverhampton, WV9 5AP. ADAS UK Limited is a member of the ADAS group of companies
Client: Tilly Tilbrook, ADAS Wolverhampton HQ 23 Short Lane, Pendeford House Long Ashton, Pendeford Business Park Bristol, Wobaston Road BS41 9EH Wolverhampton WV9 5AP
Tel: 01159 516747 Fax: 01159 516415 Email: [email protected]
www.adas.co.uk Sample/Report ID: 2016-603 Condition on Receipt: Good Visual Inspection of Volume: Passed Client Identifier: SW1 Description: 6x50mL - pond water samples in preservatives Date of Receipt: 19/05/16 Material Tested: DNA extracted from pond water samples
Determinant Result Method Date of Analysis Great Crested Newt Negative Real time PCR 25/05/16
Report Prepared by: Dr Helen Rees Report Issued by: Dr Ben Maddison
Signed: Signed: Position: Senior Research Scientist Position: Team Leader: Biotechnology Date of preparation: 25/05/16 Date of issue: 25/05/16
Notes: eDNA analysis was carried out in accordance with the stipulated methodology found in the Technical Advice Note (WC1067 Appendix 5 Technical Advice Note) published by DEFRA and adopted by Natural England.
ADAS is a trading name of ADAS UK Limited. Registered in England No. 3296903. Registered Office: ADAS Wolverhampton HQ, Pendeford House, Pendeford Business Park, Wobaston Road, Wolverhampton, WV9 5AP. ADAS UK Limited is a member of the ADAS group of companies
Client: Tilly Tilbrook, ADAS Wolverhampton HQ 23 Short Lane, Pendeford House Long Ashton, Pendeford Business Park Bristol, Wobaston Road BS41 9EH Wolverhampton WV9 5AP
Tel: 01159 516747 Fax: 01159 516415 Email: [email protected]
www.adas.co.uk Sample/Report ID: 2016-604 Condition on Receipt: Low Sediment Visual Inspection of Volume: Passed Client Identifier: SW9 Description: 6x50mL - pond water samples in preservatives Date of Receipt: 19/05/16 Material Tested: DNA extracted from pond water samples
Determinant Result Method Date of Analysis Great Crested Newt Negative Real time PCR 25/05/16
Report Prepared by: Dr Helen Rees Report Issued by: Dr Ben Maddison
Signed: Signed: Position: Senior Research Scientist Position: Team Leader: Biotechnology Date of preparation: 25/05/16 Date of issue: 25/05/16
Notes: eDNA analysis was carried out in accordance with the stipulated methodology found in the Technical Advice Note (WC1067 Appendix 5 Technical Advice Note) published by DEFRA and adopted by Natural England.
ADAS is a trading name of ADAS UK Limited. Registered in England No. 3296903. Registered Office: ADAS Wolverhampton HQ, Pendeford House, Pendeford Business Park, Wobaston Road, Wolverhampton, WV9 5AP. ADAS UK Limited is a member of the ADAS group of companies Appendix 1: qPCR GCN eDNA analysis results breakdown q-PCR GCN eDNA analysis Results
Experimental Samples Number of Positive Replicate Reactions*
Extraction Blank 0 of 12 SW12 3 of 12 SW13 0 of 12 SW1 0 of 12 SW9 0 of 12
Controls Number of Positive Replicate Reactions*
Negative PCR Control (Nuclease Free Water) 0 of 4 Positive Control GCN DNA 10-1 ng/µL 4 of 4 Positive Control GCN DNA 10-2 ng/uL 4 of 4 Positive Control GCN DNA 10-3 ng/µL 4 of 4 Positive Control GCN DNA 10-4 ng/µL 4 of 4
Inhibition Control Number of Positive Replicate Reactions † at Expected Ct value
SW12 0 of 2 SW13 0 of 2 SW1 0 of 2 SW9 0 of 2
Degradation Control
Expected rate of decay None expected within time frame SW12 Within Limits SW13 Within Limits SW1 Within Limits SW9 Within Limits
* A sample is considered as positive for great crested newt if any of the replicates are positive. † If the expected Ct value is not achieved, the sample is considered inhibited and is diluted as per the technical advice note prior to amplification with great crested newt primer and probes.
ADAS is a trading name of ADAS UK Limited. Registered in England No. 3296903. Registered Office: ADAS Wolverhampton HQ, Pendeford House, Pendeford Business Park, Wobaston Road, Wolverhampton, WV9 5AP. ADAS UK Limited is a member of the ADAS group of companies
Analytical and methodological development for improved surveillance of the Great Crested Newt
WC1067
Appendix 5. Technical advice note for field and laboratory sampling of great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) environmental DNA This report should be cited as: Biggs J, Ewald N, Valentini A, Gaboriaud C, Griffiths RA, Foster J, Wilkinson J, Arnett A, Williams P and Dunn F 2014. Analytical and methodological development for improved surveillance of the Great Crested Newt. Appendix 5. Technical advice note for field and laboratory sampling of great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) environmental DNA. Freshwater Habitats Trust, Oxford.
Version Control
Document date: 30 September 2014 Version Number: 1.1
2 Document date: 30 September 2014 Version Number: 1.1 Contents
1. Scope of document ...... 4 2. Quality assurance and quality control ...... 4 2.1 Laboratory standard ...... 4 2.2 Sample acceptance ...... 5 2.3 Stability of field sampling kits ...... 5 2.4 Outcome required ...... 5 2.5 Identification of risks of false positives and false negatives ...... 5 2.6 Laboratory specifications ...... 7 3. Field protocol ...... 10 3.1 Sampling equipment ...... 10 3.2 Field water sample collection protocol ...... 11 4. Laboratory protocol ...... 12 4.1 Introduction ...... 12 4.2 Analytical methods ...... 12 5. Data recording and reporting ...... 14 5.1 Sampling information ...... 14 5.2 Laboratory data ...... 14 6. References ...... 15 Appendix 1. Frequently asked questions about eDNA sampling from volunteer and non-specialist surveyors ...... 16 Appendix 2 Details of primers and probes ...... 17
3 Document date: 30 September 2014 Version Number: 1.1 1. Scope of document
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is nuclear or mitochondrial DNA that is released from an organism into the environment. Sources of eDNA include secreted faeces, mucous, and gametes; shed skin and hair; and carcasses. In aquatic environments, eDNA is diluted and distributed in the water where it persists for 7–21 days, according to the detection limits of qPCR approaches and associated fragment sizes, and depending on environmental conditions (Biggs et al. 2014). Recent research has shown that the DNA from a range of aquatic organisms can be detected in water samples at very low concentrations using qPCR (quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction) methods.
This document provides technical advice for laboratories and field staff collecting and analysing samples for qPCR analysis of great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) environmental DNA. The document: