Slate Meadow, Wooburn Green, Buckinghamshire

** Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey

July 2013 Slate Meadow July 2013

Contents

1.0 INTRODUCTION ...... 4 BACKGROUND ...... 4 SITE CONTEXT AND STATUS ...... 4 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT ...... 5 PLANNING POLICIES ...... 5 2.0 METHODOLOGY ...... 8 DESKTOP STUDY ...... 8 SITE INSPECTION ...... 8 BADGER SURVEY ...... 9 TREE ASSESSMENT FOR BATS ...... 10 HABITAT SUITABILITY FOR REPTILES ...... 11 LIMITATIONS ...... 11 3.0 RESULTS ...... 12 DESKTOP STUDY ...... 12 UK and Buckinghamshire BAP Priority and Broad Habitats ...... 12 UK and Buckinghamshire BAP Priority Species ...... 13 Designated sites ...... 14 Protected and Notable Species ...... 14 Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) ...... 17 SITE VISIT ...... 18 BADGER SURVEY ...... 21 TREE ASSESSMENT FOR BATS ...... 21 HABITAT SUITABILITY FOR REPTILES ...... 21 OTHER SPECIES ...... 22 4.0 DISCUSSION ...... 23 Ecological Value, Recommendations for Mitigation and Species-Specific Enhancements ...... 23 BADGERS ...... 25 BATS ...... 25 REPTILES ...... 27 OTHER SPECIES ...... 28 GENERAL SITE ENHANCEMENTS ...... 31 5.0 CONCLUSIONS ...... 32 6.0 REFERENCES ...... 37 APPENDIX 1: DESK STUDY DATA ...... 38 APPENDIX 2: SITE PHOTOGRAPHS ...... 39 APPENDIX 2: HABITAT MAP ...... 40

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LIABILITIES: Whilst every effort has been made to guarantee the accuracy of this report, it should be noted that living creatures are capable of migration and whilst protected species may not have been located during the survey duration, their presence may be found on a site at a later date.

The views and opinions contained within this document are based on a reasonable timeframe between the completion of the survey and the commencement of any works. If there is any delay between the commencement of works that may conflict with timeframes laid out within this document, or have the potential to allow the ingress of protected species, a suitably qualified ecologist should be consulted.

It is the duty of care of the landowner/developer to act responsibly and comply with current environmental legislation if protected species are suspected or found prior to or during works.

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1.0 Introduction

Background

1.1 PJC Consultancy Ltd (PJC) was commissioned by Gladedale Estates Ltd to undertake an ecological appraisal of land at Slate Meadow, Wooburn Green in Buckinghamshire. The assessment included an extended Phase 1 habitat survey.

1.2 This report presents the findings of the ecological surveys in an around the site, which aims specifically to assess the sites potential to support protected species and habitats. Potential mitigation measures and recommendations for the site will be included within this report.

1.3 Section 2 of this report sets out the methodology of PJC’s survey. In Section 3 the results of the desk and field survey are presented. The discussion and implications for development are found in Section 4. Finally, conclusions are provided in Section 5.

Site Context and Status

1.4 The site is situated to the west of Wooburn Green in Buckinghamshire, immediately to the north of the River Wye and is set within a semi-rural landscape. Residential properties and gardens are located to the south, east and west the site with a tree and shrub lined footpath and pasture fields to the north of the site. The OS grid reference for the site is SU 903 875. The aerial photograph below shows the approximate red line boundary (and survey area) for the site.

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Description of the Proposed Development

1.5 It is understood that the proposals for the site are to comprise a residential development; however, the exact proposals for the site are presently unknown. Any proposed master plan for the site will be informed by a number of surveys of which ecology is one.

Planning Policies

1.6 National and local planning policies may have an affect on the proposed development. The following paragraphs identify relevant planning policies and discuss these in the context of the site.

1.7 The United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP), published in 1994, is the national response of the Convention on Biological Diversity signed in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The key objective of the UK BAP is avoidance of harm to ‘Species of Conservation Concern’.

1.8 Under the CROW Act (2000) it is now the duty of every Government department in carrying out its functions “to have regard, so far as it is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions, to the purpose of conserving biological diversity in accordance with the Convention”.

1.9 National policy guidance is provided by National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which sets out the Government's planning policies for England and how they should be applied. Whilst there is no clear definition for sustainable development, the NPPF does now include the UK Sustainable Development Strategy's five guiding principles of sustainable development (Box pg2), namely:

• Living within the planet's environmental limits; • Ensuring a strong, healthy and just society; • Achieving a sustainable economy; • Promoting good governance; and • Using sound science responsibly.

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1.10 Section 11 of the document is entitled ‘Conserving and Enhancing the Natural Environment’. This section highlights the following:

‘The planning system should contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by:

• Protecting and enhancing valued landscapes, geological conservation interests and soils; • Recognising the wider benefits of ecosystem services; • Minimising impacts on biodiversity and providing net gains in biodiversity where possible, contributing to the Government’s commitment to halt the overall decline in biodiversity, including by establishing coherent ecological networks that are more resilient to current and future pressures; • Preventing both new and existing development from contributing to or being put at unacceptable risk from, or being adversely affected by unacceptable levels of soil, air, water or noise pollution or land instability; and • Remediating and mitigating despoiled, degraded, derelict, contaminated and unstable land, where appropriate’

1.11 In addition to this the following paragraphs are also considered to be relevant:

‘In preparing plans to meet development needs, the aim should be to minimise pollution and other adverse effects on the local and natural environment. Plans should allocate land with the least environmental or amenity value, where consistent with other policies in this Framework.’

1.12 With regard to ancient woodland and veteran trees, the NPPF states that:

’Planning permission should be refused for development resulting in the loss or deterioration of irreplaceable habitats, including ancient woodland and the loss of aged or veteran trees found outside ancient woodland, unless the need for, and benefits of, the development in that location clearly outweigh the loss’.

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1.13 The development site comes under the jurisdiction of Wycombe District Council. The Wycombe District Council Adopted Core Strategy (July 2008), presently forms the main basis for the consideration of planning applications and the following policy in terms of the proposed development and conservation of protected habitats and species:

1.14 Policy CS17

‘The Council will conserve and improve the environmental assets of the District by requiring:

….The implementation of the objectives of national and local biodiversity action plans through measures including conserving and enhancing biodiversity in terms of species and habitat, protecting international, national and locally designated sites of importance for biodiversity, and creating opportunities to link wildlife habitats.

The protection of open spaces and action to address deficiency in open space.

The identification, retention and enhancement of green infrastructure assets, including the development of green corridors and networks as envisaged in the South East Plan and other relevant strategies including the forthcoming Bucks County Council Green Infrastructure Strategy.

….The conservation and enhancement of watercourses, water bodies and their settings for their landscape character, biodiversity and recreational value- especially the River Thames and its valley corridor and the District’s chalk streams.’

1.15 This report aims to address the requirements as set out in the above policy. The ecology surveys undertaken by PJC have been undertaken to ensure that the nature conservation value of the site has been characterised and local and national planning policies are addressed.

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2.0 Methodology

Desktop Study

2.1 Desktop data regarding statutory and non-statutory designated sites and protected and notable species records for the site and a 2km buffer was sought from the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Environmental Records Centre (BMERC). See the desk study section and Appendix 1 of this report. In addition to this, two internet-based aerial mapping services (www.multimap.com and maps.google.co.uk) were used to understand the habitats present in and around the survey area and habitat linkages and features (such as ponds, woodlands etc) within the wider landscape.

Site Inspection

2.2 PJC ecologist Vicky Hale BSc (Hons) CEnv MCIEEM, undertook an extended Phase 1 habitat survey, which included assessing the site for the potential for protected species on 11th July 2013. The surveyor identified the habitats present, following the standard ‘Phase 1 habitat survey’ auditing method developed by the Nature Conservancy Council (NCC). The site was surveyed on foot and the existing habitats and land uses were recorded on a map. In addition, the dominant plant species in each habitat were recorded, as was any evidence of protected species and the habitat suitability for reptiles. The potential for the site to support protected species was also assessed.

2.3 The likelihood of occurrence of a particular species is ranked as follows and relies on the current survey:

• Unlikely – while presence cannot be absolutely discounted, the site includes very limited or poor quality habitat for a particular species or species group. The site may also be outside or peripheral to known national range for a species; • Low – on-site habitat of poor to moderate quality for a given species/species group. Presence cannot be discounted on the basis of national distribution, nature of surrounding habitats, habitat fragmentation, recent on-site disturbance etc; • Medium – on-site habitat of moderate quality, providing all of the known key- requirements of given species/species group. Factors limiting the likelihood of

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occurrence may include small habitat area, habitat severance and fragmentation, disturbance; • High – on site habitat of high quality for a given species/species group. Good quality surrounding habitat and good connectivity; • Present – presence confirmed from the current survey or by recent, confirmed records.

Badger Survey

2.4 A badger survey was conducted to assess the level of badger activity on site and locate any badger setts both within the site boundary and if possible within a 30m radius of the site.

2.5 The evaluation of badger activity was based on methodology developed for the National Survey of Badgers (Creswell et al., 1990) and includes searching for badger field signs such as setts, badger pathways, tracks (paw prints), dung piles with latrines, badger hairs and feeding signs such as snuffle holes.

2.6 During the survey, all habitats potentially suitable for badgers were systematically examined for evidence of badger activity including:

• Setts: several sett types may be present within a social group territory, ranging from a single hole to numerous interconnecting tunnels. Setts can be categorised into main, annexe, subsidiary and outlier (Wilson et al., 1997). • Latrine sites: badgers characteristically deposit dung in pits, which may be located along the boundaries and within the social group territory. These sites serve as means of inter- and intra-group communication. • Paths and runs: well used routes between setts and/or foraging areas. Often used by generations of badgers. • Snuffle holes: areas of disturbed vegetation often formed by badgers foraging for ground dwelling invertebrates such as earthworms and larvae and the underground storage organs of plants. • Hair: often found among spoil and bedding outside entrances to setts or snagged on fences (such as barbwire) along well-used runs. • Footprints: easily distinguishable from other large mammal species. Often found along paths and runs or in spoil outside sett entrances.

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2.7 Particular attention was paid to areas where the vegetation and/or the topography offered suitable sett sites such as embankments and wooded areas.

Tree Assessment for Bats

2.8 As well as roosting in buildings, bats can use trees to rest, give birth, raise young and/or hibernate. Roosts may be found in the following features:

• Woodpecker holes, natural cracks and rot holes in trunks and branches • Frost cracks. • Trunk and branch splits. • Hollow sections of trunk and branches. • Loose bark. • Cavities beneath old root buttresses and coppice stools. • Dense epicormic growth. • Dense ivy cover.

2.9 Veteran trees typically exhibit many of these features and should usually be regarded as sites with clear potential, but any tree possessing one or more such feature, may host bats. Any tree species can be suitable but oak and beech often seems to be the preferred option. However, bats rarely restrict themselves to one tree. They change their roost sites frequently, sometimes every two to three days, looking for small differences in temperature and humidity.

2.10 Roosts of bats in trees may be identified from the following field signs:

• Black stains beneath cracks, splits and other features where bat dropping have fallen; • Dark marks at entrance points where bats have rubbed against the wood and left natural body oils; • Feeding remains beneath roosts, such as insect wings; • Chattering of bats; • Bat droppings under access points; • Scratch marks around a feature (cavity or split) caused by bat claws; • Urine stains below the entrance or end of split;

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• Large roosts or regularly used sites may produce an odour; • Flies around the entrance, attracted by the smell of guano.

2.11 Trees were recorded as having high, medium or low potential following standard practise where: • High potential = upward developing holes, splits and crack and woodpecker holes. Old trees with complex growth forms are of particular interest. • Medium potential = downward developing holes, splits and cracks, features which could support several bats or a group of bats. • Low potential = ivy covering only, few or no holes, splits or crevices. • Confirmed roosts = evidence of use by bats (bats chattering, seen flying in and out of roost, presence of droppings etc).

Habitat Suitability for Reptiles

2.12 Habitat surveys were carried out to assess the potential of the site to hold populations of reptile species. This involved looking for the presence of factors that would increase the suitability of the site for reptiles such as: • Scrub and grassland (long sward) mosaic across the site; • Features that can be potential hibernation sites for common reptiles such as log piles; • Grass tussocks within the grassland that can act as shelter and burrowing sites; • Water bodies or damp places on site (grass snakes); • Compost heaps or decaying vegetation (slow worms); • Features that can act as refugia on the ground such as disused roofing felt.

Limitations

2.13 It should be noted that whilst every effort has been made to provide a comprehensive description of the site, no single investigation could ensure the complete characterisation and prediction of the natural environment.

2.14 The protected species assessment provides a preliminary view of the likelihood of protected species occurring on site, based on the suitability of the habitat and any direct evidence on site. It should not be taken as providing a full and definitive survey of any

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protected species group. The assessment is only valid for the time when the survey was carried out. Additional surveys may be recommended if, on the basis of this assessment it is considered reasonably likely that protected species may be present.

3.0 Results

Desktop Study

UK and Buckinghamshire BAP Priority and Broad Habitats

3.1 Table 1 below shows UK and Buckinghamshire BAP priority and broad habitats identified within the site.

Table 1: UK and Buckinghamshire BAP Priority and Broad Habitats identified within the Site Bucks Bucks UK BAP UK BAP BAP BAP Habitat Priority Broad Priority Broad Habitat Habitat Habitat Habitat Hedgerows Boundary and linear features

Broadleaved, mixed and yew woodland Lowland mixed deciduous woodland Rivers and streams Woodland Rivers Chalk rivers Neutral grassland

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UK and Buckinghamshire BAP Priority Species

3.2 Table 2 below shows UK and Buckinghamshire BAP Priority species either present or potentially present on the site.

Table 2: UK and Buckinghamshire BAP species either present or potentially present within the Site Bucks Bucks UK BAP UK BAP BAP BAP Species Common Name Scientific Name Species Species Species Potentially Present Present Potentially Present present House sparrow Passer domesticus Starling Sturnus vulgaris Song thrush Turdus philomelos

Tree sparrow Passer montanus Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula Dunnock Prunella modularis Skylark Alauda arvensis Barn owl Tyto alba Red kite Milvus milvus Common linnet Carduelis cannabina Soprano Pipistrellus pipistrelle pygmaeus Stag beetle Lucanus cervus Slow worm Anguis fragilis Common lizard Zootoca vivipara Grass snake Natrix natrix Brown trout Salmo truta European eel Anguilla anguilla

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Designated sites

3.3 The site does not fall within any statutory designated sites. However, several designated sites are located within 2km of the site. These are presented in Table 3 below.

Table 3: Designated Sites within 2km of the Site Site Name Designation Approximate Distance and Direction Warren Nature Reserve LNR 0.9km North-East Cock Marsh SSSI 1.7km South-West Fern House Gravel Pit SSSI 1.9km North-West North of Spade Oak Meadows LWS 1.6km West Cliveden Estate LWS 1.6km South

SAC: Special Area of Conservation; SSSI: Site of Special Scientific Interest; LNR: Local Nature Reserve; LWS: Local Wildlife Site

3.4 Approximately seven units of ancient semi-natural and / or ancient re-planted woodland are present within 2km of the site. The closest of which (an unnamed area of ancient semi-natural woodland) is located approximately 0.5km to the south-east of the site.

3.5 In addition to the designated sites detailed above, two internationally designated sites are located within 10km of the site. Burnham Beeches Special Area of Conservation (SAC), which is located approximately 3.6km to the south-east of the site is designated primarily for its Atlantic acidophilous beech forests with Ilex and sometimes also Taxus in the shrublayer. Chilterns Beechwoods SAC is located approximately 4.2km to the south-west of the site and is designated for its Asperulo-Fagetum beech forests. A qualifying feature of this site is the presence of semi-natural dry grasslands and scrubland facies: on calcareous substrates and also the presence of stag beetles (Lucanus cervus) on the site.

Protected and notable species

3.6 Records of protected and notable species were sought from BMERC, which included records for the 2km search area. It should be noted that records in excess of 10 years old have been discounted and therefore only records from 2003 onwards have been included within this report. All data supplied by BMERC can be found in Appendix 1 of this report. Table 4 below shows records of protected species recorded within the search area.

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Table 4: Protected Species Recorded within 2km of the Site within the last 10 years

Common Scientific Level of Approximate Latest Source Name Name Protection Distance and Record Direction from Site

Slow worm Anguis W&CA, 1981 150m West 2009 BMERC fragilis Sch 5

250m West 2009

1.6km North 2008

1.7km North-East 2011

Kingfisher Alauda atthis W&CA, 1981 0.5km East 2011 BMERC Sch 1 Pt 1 0.7km South-West 2011

Greylag Anser anser W&CA, 1981 0.5km North-East 2011 BMERC Goose Sch 1 Pt 2 2011 0.7km South-West

Merlin Falco W&CA, 1981 1.7km North 2009 BMERC columbarius Sch 1 Pt 1

Crossbill Loxia W&CA, 1981 1km East 2007 BMERC curvirostra Sch 1 Pt 1 1.4km South-East 2011

1.4km South-West

1.7km North 2009

Peregrine Falco W&CA, 1981 0.6km East 2006 BMERC Falcon peregrinus Sch 1 Pt 1

Hobby Falco W&CA, 1981 0.6km East 2011 BMERC subbuteo Sch 1 Pt 1 1.2km East 2007

1.7km North 2009

Brambling Fringilla W&CA, 1981 1.1km East 2011 BMERC montifringilla Sch 1 Pt 1 1.7km North 2009

1.9km North-West 2011

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Red Kite Milvus W&CA, 1981 0.6km East 2010 BMERC milvus Sch 1 Pt 1 0.7km South-West 2004

1.1km East 2010

1.2km North-West 2007

1.5km South 2009

1.6km North-West 2011

1.7km North 2010

1.8km North 2011

2km North-East

2km North-West

Firecrest Regulus W&CA, 1981 0.7km South-West 2005 BMERC ignicapilla Sch 1 Pt 1 1.4km South-East 2011

Redwing Turdus W&CA, 1981 0.6km East 2007 BMERC iliacus Sch 1 Pt 1 0.7km South-West 2011

1.4km South-East

2010

1.7km North

1.9km North-West 2011

Fieldfare Turdus W&CA, 1981 0.5km East 2010 BMERC pilaris Sch 1 Pt 1

1.7km North

1.9km North-West 2011

Barn Owl Tyto alba W&CA, 1981 1.9km North-West 2011 BMERC Sch 1 Pt 1

Stag beetle Lucanus W&CA, 1981 0.5km West 2009 BMERC cervus Sch 5 S.9(5) Sale Only

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CRoW Act, Common Pipistrellus 0.6km South-West 2009 BMERC 2000; NERC Pipistrelle pipistrellus Act, 2006; Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations, 2010 W&CA,1981 Sch 5

W&CA, 1981: Wildlife and Countryside Act; CRoW Act, 2000: Countryside and Rights of Way Act; NERC Act, 2006: Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act

3.7 In addition to the protected species records above, the citation for Cliveden Estate LNR (located approximately 1.6km to the south of the site) included records of dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) recorded in 2008, as well as records for badger (Meles meles), grass snake, slow worm and stag beetle on the estate. Furthermore, 10 species of bat were recorded on the estate in 2008 and 2009, with species including common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pygmaeus), noctule (Nyctalus noctula), natterer’s bat (Myotis nattereri), daubenton’s bat (Myotis daubentoii), brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus), bechstein’s bat (Myotis bechsteinii), barbastelle bat (Barbastella barbastellus), serotine (Eptesicus serotinus), and nathusius’ pipistrelle (Pipistrellus nathusii).

3.8 Although recorded in excess of 10 years ago, it is considered of note that badgers were recorded 1.3km to the south-east of the site in 2002. In addition to this, water vole (Arvicola terrestris) were recorded 1km to the south-west (River Thames, Bourne End) and 1.6km to the west of the site (River Thames, Abbotsbrook) in 1999 and 2000, respectively and white-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes) were recorded approximately 0.5km to the south-west of the site (Bourne End) in 1992.

Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs)

3.9 Several trees (T1-T9) within a triangular area of broadleaved woodland in the north-west corner of the site were noted to be covered under a TPO (Reference number 27/1989). Further information can be found using the online planning application mapping service on the Wycombe District Council website (www.wycomble.gov.uk).

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Site Visit

3.10 The site predominantly comprises horse grazed and rough good and poor semi-improved grassland; short mown improved grassland; broadleaved woodland; species-poor hedgerows; deciduous standard trees; scattered and dense scrub and areas of tall ruderal vegetation. In addition to this, the River Wye extends along the site’s south-east boundary. Further information regarding habitat types present within the site is detailed below.

Good and poor semi-improved and improved grassland

3.11 A large proportion of the site comprises short horse grazed and rough good and poor semi-improved grassland. Areas of poor semi-improved grassland are largely confined to the large horse grazed field to the south of the site and an area of rough grassland to the north-west of the site. Species present within the horse grazed part of the site include; perennial rye-grass (Lolium perenne), Yorkshire-fog (Holcus lanatus), meadow-grass (Poa sp), cocks-foot (Dactylis glomerata), yarrow (Achillea millefolium), ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata), common ragwort (Senecio jacobaea), white clover (Trifolium repens), meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris), common mouse-ear (Cerastium holosteoides), broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius), cleavers (Galium aparine), selfheal (Prunella vulgaris), green alkanet (Pentaglottis sempervirens), scarlet pimpernel (Anagallis arvensis), hop trefoil (Trifolium campestre) and white campion (Silene alba). The area of rough poor semi-improved grassland to the north-west of the site is dominated by false oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius) with common couch (Elymus repens), cleavers and tall ruderals including common nettle (Urtica dioica), umbellifers and thistles (Cirsium sp).

3.12 A large area of rough good semi-improved grassland with areas of scattered hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and wild privet (Ligustrum vulgare) scrub and apple (Malus sp) trees is present to the north of the site. The sward in this part of the site is dominated by false oat-grass with cocks-foot, timothy (Phleum pratense), red fescue (Festuca rubra), meadow-grass, creeping bent (Agrostis stolonifera), perennial rye-grass, wall barley (Hordeum murinum), Yorkshire-fog, field scabius (Knautia arvensis), lady’s bedstraw (Galium verum), agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria), pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis

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pyramidalis), black knapweed (Centaurea nigra), chicory (Cichorium intybus), perforate St John’s-wort (Hypericum perforatum), broad-leaved willowherb (Epilobium montanum), creeping buttercup (Ranunculus acris), creeping cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), common ragwort, red clover (Trifolium pratense), white clover, common nettle, ribwort plantain, selfheal, thistles, umbellifers and horsetail (Equisetum sp).

3.13 A narrow strip of short mown improved grassland is present between the River Wye and the main A4094 (Brookbank), where species included cocks-foot, daisy (Bellis perennis), dandelion (Tarraxacum officinale agg), ribwort plantain, white clover and yarrow.

Broadleaved woodland and standard trees

3.14 A small triangular area of broadleaved woodland is present in the north-west corner of the site, which is separated from a larger area of off-site broadleaved woodland by a wide public footpath. The woodland present within the site comprises mature, semi-mature and young trees, including poplar (Populus sp), ash (Fraxinus excelsior), yew (Taxus bacata) and hornbeam (Carpinus betulus) with a relatively sparse understorey of hawthorn, holly (Ilex aquifolium), hazel (Corylus avellana) and elder (Sambucus nigra). Several trees were noted to have a covering of ivy (Hedera helix) on their stems and brash piles were also noted. Ground flora within the woodland is dominated by ivy with common nettle, cleavers, dock (Rumex sp), hedge woundwort (Stachys sylvatica), garlic mustard (Allaria petiolata), umbellifers and lord’s and ladies (Arum maculatum).

3.15 A mature tree line; which forms an extension of the triangular area of broadleaved woodland in the north-west corner of the site is present along the boundary between the area of horse grazed poor semi-improved grassland and rough poor semi-improved grassland on the western boundary of the site. Species along this tree-line include willow (Salix sp), ash, hawthorn and elder.

3.16 In addition to the broadleaved woodland and tree lines within the site, scattered mature, semi-mature and young trees are present on either side of the River Wye on the south- eastern boundary of the site. Species present include; weeping willow (Salix x

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chrysocoma), ash, poplar, elder, yew and hawthorn. Several of the trees present along the river were also noted to have a dense covering of ivy on their stems.

Species-poor hedgerows

3.17 A mature species-poor hedgerow comprising hawthorn, dogwood (Cornus sanguinea), elder, bramble (Rubus fruiticosus agg) and apple trees extends along the site’s northern boundary (between the site and the public footpath outside of the northern boundary of the site). A further species-poor hawthorn hedgerow extends between the site and residential properties on the western site boundary.

Tall ruderal vegetation and scrub

3.18 Areas of tall ruderal vegetation comprising predominantly common nettle, thistles, willowherb (Epilobium sp) and umbellifers are scattered throughout the site, but are primarily concentrated on the site boundaries. In addition to this, a large area of dense tall ruderals, dominated by common nettle and elder scrub is present on the western site boundary, between residential properties and the horse grazed poor semi-improved field.

3.19 Areas of scattered and dense scrub are present throughout the site; though, predominantly concentrated on the site and field boundaries. Where present, typical scrub species include bramble, hawthorn and elder.

Watercourses

3.20 The River Wye extends along the site’s south-east boundary, between the horse grazed poor semi-improved grassland field and the short mown improved grassland, adjacent to the main road A4094 (Brookbank). The River Wye channel is approximately 4m wide and fast flowing with a stone and gravel base. The southern bankside was noted to be reinforced partway along the section closest to the site, whereas the northern bankside was observed to comprise a more naturalised earth embankment. Emergent aquatic vegetation including water-crowfoot (Ranunculus sp) was present within the channel, along with emergent water-cress (Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum), water figwort (Scrophularia aquatica) and common reed (Phragmites australis). Bankside vegetation

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predominantly comprised tall ruderal vegetation with scattered areas of scrub and scattered mature, semi-mature and young trees (see above). Tall ruderal species present on the banksides included common nettle, thistles, rosebay willowherb (Chamaenerion angustifolium), hedge bindweed (Convolvulus sepium), bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara), burdock (Arctium sp), dock and umbellifers. Moorhen and swans with cygnets were observed on the river on the day of survey.

Badger Survey

3.21 No conclusive evidence of badgers, such as setts, latrines, or footprints was identified within the site on the day of survey. Notwithstanding this, numerous mammal paths were noted through vegetation across the site.

Tree Assessment for Bats

3.22 None of the trees present within the site were considered to have significant levels of roosting bat potential; however, several trees within the site, particularly along the River Wye and within woodland to the north-west of the site were observed to have a dense coving of ivy, which in itself was considered to offer low potential for roosting bats and also obscures from view any possible cavities or defects, which bats may be able to exploit.

3.23 Bats are likely to use the woodland, tree lines and hedgerows along the field boundaries in the local area for foraging and commuting. Bats are known to use linear features such as hedgerows and tree lines for commuting between roosting sites and foraging habitats.

Habitat Suitability for Reptiles

3.24 Areas of rough semi-improved grassland, tall ruderal vegetation and scattered scrub to the north and north-west of the site were considered to provide good habitat for reptiles. Although poor semi-improved grassland to the south of the site was observed to be intensively horse grazed, tall ruderal vegetation, particularly on the banks of the River Wye was considered to provide some additional suitable reptile habitat.

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Other Species

3.25 All mature trees, hedgerows and areas of dense scrub have potential to support nesting birds. A red kite was observed flying over the site and skylark were heard singing adjacent to the site during the survey. A male pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) was also observed within rough grassland to the north-west of the site. Areas of rough grassland were considered to provide suitable habitat for ground nesting birds, such as skylark.

3.26 Areas of woodland within the site were considered to have limited potential to support dormice (Muscardinus avellanarius) due to the nature and extent of the woodland and lack of connectivity between woodland on site and suitable areas of offsite habitat.

3.27 Muntjac deer (Muntiacus reevesi) droppings were noted in discrete piles within tall ruderal vegetation and scrub to the west of the site (between residential properties and the horse grazed field). Areas of standing and fallen deadwood and brash piles within woodland to the north-west of the site were considered to provide suitable habitat for stag beetles (Lucanus cervus).

3.28 Areas of rough semi-improved grassland, tall ruderal vegetation and scrub, particularly on the northern boundary of the site were considered to provide good terrestrial invertebrate habitat.

3.29 The River Wye and associated fringe habitat to the south-east of the site was considered to provide suitable habitat for a number of species, including white clawed crayfish, which tends to occupy mineral-rich waters on calcareous and rapidly weathering rocks. Brown trout are found within fast flowing stony and gravelly watercourses, required for egg laying, which the River Wye provides. The potential presence of brown trout and other fish within the river, along with the suitability of bankside habitats, such as the presence of overhanging bankside trees and vegetation are considered to provide suitable habitat features for otters.

3.30 The river was considered to provide more limited habitat suitability for water vole, owing to the presence of a reinforced embankment partway along the river’s southern side and lack of extensive areas of emergent vegetation, such as reeds and sedges for food and

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cover. In addition to this, the river was considered to have negligible potential for great crested newts owing to the fast flowing nature of the river channel.

3.31 Scattered areas of common ragwort were noted throughout the site. As this species may be harmful to horses and other livestock, it is listed as an injurious weed under the Ragwort Control Act, 2003 (which amends the Weeds Act, 1959), which confers obligations on landowners to control the plant and reduce the risk of spread onto neighbouring land.

3.32 Due to the nature of the site and a lack of suitable habitat, no potential for any other protected species was identified within the site.

4.0 Discussion

Ecological Value, Recommendations for Mitigation and Species-Specific Enhancements

4.1 No designated sites were identified within the boundary of the site; however, several nationally and locally designated sites were identified within 2km of the site and two internationally designated sites (SACs) were identified within 10km of the site. In addition to this, seven units of ancient semi-natural and ancient re-planted woodland were identified within 2km of the site. The closest of which; an unnamed area of ancient semi- natural woodland is located approximately 0.5km to the south-east of the site. Notwithstanding this, owing to the nature, extent and proximity of the site, it is considered that the proposals are not likely to have a significant effect on any of the designated sites or areas of ancient woodland identified within this report. Furthermore, potential indirect effects, such as increased social pressure on the identified SACs are also not considered likely, as the local and wider landscape is largely rural with numerous opportunities for walking and outdoor pursuits away from the identified sites.

4.2 As part of the desk study for the site, records of protected and notable species for a 2km buffer area were sought from BMERC. Although none of the species records were for the site itself, several protected and notable species were recorded within 2km of the site. It should be noted that the absence of records for this site does not necessarily indicate total

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absence of the species. Species data obtained from BMERC can be found in Appendix 1 of this report.

4.3 Several trees (T1-T9) within the triangular area of broadleaved woodland in the north- west corner of the site were noted to be covered under a TPO (Reference number 27/1989); it is therefore recommended that these trees be retained.

4.4 The extended Phase 1 survey identified a mosaic of different habitats present within the site including; good and poor semi-improved grassland; broadleaved woodland; species- poor hedgerows; scattered standard trees; tall ruderal vegetation and scrub. The River Wye also extends along the south-east boundary of the site. Although the majority of these habitat types, such as improved and poor semi-improved grassland and scrub in themselves are common and widespread throughout the UK and are considered to be of value at site level only, areas of good semi-improved grassland and habitats associated with the River Wye are considered to be of greater value.

4.5 It is therefore recommended that these habitats, in particular areas of good semi- improved grassland are retained and enhanced, where possible to maintain habitat connectivity across the site and retain areas of suitable habitat for a range of protected and notable species, such as reptiles, breeding and ground nesting birds and invertebrates. The River Wye Advice Note - Advice to developers and landowners whose land adjoins the River Wye and its tributaries, the Hughenden Stream and Wycombe Marsh Brook (December 2010) produced by High Wycombe District Council in association with the Environment Agency recognises the intrinsic value of river corridor habitats and intended the guidance to further develop the aims and objectives of local planning policies to protect and enhance river environments. Furthermore, the Environment Agency recommend that for ecological and conservation purposes, an undisturbed buffer area (measured from the top of the river bank to the development) should be imposed for all new development. It is therefore recommended that this requirement is acknowledged and an appropriate buffer be maintained throughout development of the site.

4.6 Further to the habitats present within the site, the potential presence of several protected species associated with these habitats, requires an appropriate mitigation strategy. These are discussed individually below.

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Badgers

4.7 The desk study did not identify any records of badgers on the site; however, badgers were recorded approximately 1.3km to the south-east of the site in 2002 and were noted within the citation for the Cliveden Estate LNR, located approximately 1.6km to the south of the site. Although no conclusive evidence of badgers, such as setts, latrines or footprints was identified within the site on the day of survey, numerous mammal paths were noted through vegetation across the site. Vegetation on the western boundary of the site was also observed to be extremely dense, making access to all areas of the site difficult and therefore it is possible that some evidence of badgers may have been missed.

4.8 As badgers are nomadic by nature and fresh digging and evidence of badgers may appear within a short period of time, it is recommended that once the proposed development plans have been finalised, an update badger survey is undertaken to check for any additional evidence. As badgers are likely to be using the wider site as foraging grounds, it is further recommended that during the construction phase, all deep excavations and trenches are covered at night to prevent foraging badgers from accidentally falling into areas of digging. Disturbances, such as loud noises, vibrations and flood lighting in association with night working should be avoided or limited to areas well away from the sett.

4.9 It is recommended that trees, which bear fruit are incorporated into the final scheme, in order to provide foraging opportunities for badgers. Tree species may include; apples (Malus domestica), pear (Pyrus pyraster), wild cherry (Prunus avium), bird cherry (Prunus padus), plums (Prunus domestica ssp domestica). Any grassland areas which are part of the scheme could be enhanced with a wildflower mix.

Bats

4.10 The desk study identified a single record of a common pipistrelle bat (2009), located approximately 0.6km to the south-west of the site. In addition to this, the citation for the Cliveden Estate LNR notes the presence of ten species of bat, which were recorded during 2008 and 2009 on the estate.

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4.11 Notwithstanding this, none of the trees present within the site were considered to have significant levels of roosting bat potential; however, several trees within the site, particularly along the River Wye and within woodland to the north-west of the site were observed to have a dense coving of ivy, which in itself was considered to offer low potential for roosting bats and also obscures from view any possible cavities or defects, which bats may be able to exploit.

4.12 Areas of broadleaved woodland and all of the mature trees on site, including the trees growing along hedgerows and the River Wye provide good opportunities for foraging bats. These habitats are also connected to the wider landscape ensuring that bats can move with ease across this area using the tree lines for shelter and protection and opportunistic foraging. Woodland, tree lines and hedgerows should therefore be maintained or enhanced where possible.

4.13 As several of the trees within the site were identified as having potential to support roosting bats and several trees within the triangular area of broadleaved woodland in the north-west corner of the site were also noted to be covered under a TPO, it is therefore recommended from both a legal and ecological standpoint, that these trees be retained. If the trees which have been identified as showing potential to support bats need to be removed, it is recommended that surveys are undertaken prior to their removal. These should be surveyed either by endoscopic survey or dusk emergence / dawn return to roost surveys. This will show whether bats are using these trees and whether a licence for felling would be required by Natural England.

4.14 Any trees that are removed should be replaced elsewhere on the site or with native species such as: oak (Quercus sp), ash, hazel, beech (Fagus sylvatica) and cherry (Prunus sp), this will mitigate against the loss of habitat that could be considered important under planning local policies.

4.15 Installation of bat boxes will also enhance the number of roosting opportunities for bats in the local area. Boxes should be hung on retained mature trees and have clear flight paths. Recommended boxes include:

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• Schwegler 2F – This box simulates crevices inside to allow suitable habitats for crevice-dwellers • Schwegler 1FD – This box is a larger version of the 2F • Schwegler 1FW – This box is suitable for maternity or hibernation roosts.

Reptiles

4.16 Areas of rough semi-improved grassland, tall ruderal vegetation and scattered scrub to the north and north-west of the site were considered to provide good habitat for reptiles. Although poor semi-improved grassland to the south of the site was observed to be intensively horse grazed, tall ruderal vegetation and scrub, particularly on the banks of the River Wye was considered to provide some additional suitable reptile habitat. In addition to this, BMERC provided records of slow worms within 2km of the site, the closest of which was recorded approximately 150m to the west of the site.

4.17 As it is likely that vegetation suitable for reptiles will be lost through development of the site, it is recommended that a reptile presence / likely absence survey is undertaken within all areas suitable for reptiles. This survey involves placement of artificial refugia within vegetated areas deemed most suitable for reptiles. Artificial refugia consist of roofing felt tiles, which are laid flat on the ground and allowed to ‘bed in’ for a period of at least one week prior to the start of the survey.

4.18 The survey involves seven survey visits at the appropriate time of year (April – September) and during suitable weather conditions (dry, little or no wind with intermittent or hazy sunshine and at temperatures between 10 0C and 19 0C). During the survey, the tiles will be lifted and checked for reptiles. The number of reptiles under each tile will be recorded, along with the species, age and sex.

4.19 It is recommended that, where possible, grassland, tall ruderal vegetation and patches of scrub around the perimeter of the site, at the base of retained hedgerows and along the River Wye is left unmanaged to support terrestrial invertebrates and reptiles. Creation of log piles and brash piles within suitable areas of vegetation may be created for use by common reptile species as refugia. Log piles should be located in a variety of locations, such as damp places, with some situated in more sunny locations. These should be

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stacked, and perhaps some amounts of leaf litter added. Planting around log piles with such species as honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) or clematis can also add value.

Other Species

4.20 Areas of broadleaved woodland, mature trees, shrubs, species-poor hedgerows and areas of dense scrub within the site have potential to support breeding birds and areas of rough grassland, tall ruderal vegetation and scrub were considered to provide suitable habitat for ground nesting birds, such as skylark and suitable foraging habitat for barn owls. The UK breeding season for most bird species takes place between March and September. It is recommended that any works affecting these habitats be carried out outside of this period. Should this not be possible, it is further recommended that all vegetation suitable for breeding and ground nesting birds be checked for active nests no more than 48 hours prior to vegetation clearance. If active nests are identified, clearance works in the vicinity of the nest must cease until the birds have fledged the nest.

4.21 Potential enhancement measures for breeding birds includes the placement of bird boxes on suitable mature trees; Bird boxes may be hung on retained mature trees to increase the number of breeding opportunities throughout the site. Recommended boxes include:

• Schwegler 1N Deep Nest Box – give added nest protection from predators • Schwegler 1B Bird Box – general purpose bird box, suitable for many species

4.22 In addition to this, retention and enhancement of suitable habitat and cover vegetation for ground nesting birds, such as rough grassland, tall ruderal vegetation and scrub, particularly to the north of the site is recommended.

4.23 The desk study identified the presence of dormice on the Cliveden Estate LNR (located approximately 1.6km to the south of the site) in 2008; however, woodland within the site was in itself considered to have limited potential for dormice, owing to the nature and extent of the woodland, along with likely significant disturbance in the form of dog walkers and access by adjacent residential properties to contribute to existing compost heaps and brash piles. Furthermore, the lack of connectivity and isolation from any extensive areas of off site woodland make the presence of dormice on the site less likely.

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It is therefore not considered necessary to undertake further presence/likely absence surveys for this species; however, as a precaution, it is recommended that any clearance of significant areas of woodland or adjoining mature hedgerows and areas of dense scrub be undertaken under ecological watching brief.

4.24 Creation and enhancement of hedgerows within the site will provide continuity of habitat for dormice and other species, such as bats and provide corridors across the wider landscape. Planting within hedgerows should include native fruit bearing species, such as dogwood, blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and elder, along with materials suitable for nest building, such as honeysuckle. Additionally, hedgerows should not be intensively managed, but be cut infrequently every three or four years on rotation.

4.25 Stag beetles were previously recorded in 2009, approximately 0.5km to the west of the site, as well as on the Cliveden Estate, located approximately 1.6km to the south of the site. Areas of standing and fallen deadwood and brash piles within areas of woodland on site were considered to provide suitable habitats for stag beetles. As adult stag beetles lay their eggs within deadwood and the surrounding soil, it is recommended that areas of existing deadwood and the surrounding soil is left undisturbed, where possible. Furthermore, existing deadwood may be supplemented with log piles or loggeries that are allowed to rot naturally providing additional habitat suitable for egg laying and / or artificial breeding boxes (See Figure 1 below).

Figure 1: Loggeries and Artificial Breeding Boxes

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4.26 Should it be necessary to remove any areas of existing deadwood or log piles, it is recommended that these be carefully removed by hand and replaced within areas of retained woodland within the site. It is further recommended that ground works in the vicinity of the deadwood and log piles be undertaken under ecological watching brief with any identified stag beetle larvae relocated within areas of retained woodland within the site. In addition to this, the practice of stump grinding should be avoided, where possible.

4.27 Areas of rough semi-improved grassland, tall ruderal vegetation and scrub were considered to provide suitable habitat for terrestrial invertebrates. In order to maintain habitat connectivity and ensure the future use of the site by these species, it is recommended that these habitats, particularly to the north of the site and on the site boundaries be retained and enhanced, where possible.

4.28 Due to the fast flowing nature of the current, the River Wye was considered to have negligible potential for great crested newts. Notwithstanding this, the channel itself and associated fringe habitats in the form of emergent and marginal bankside vegetation were considered to provide suitable habitat for a number of protected species, including white- clawed crayfish and, to a lesser extent, water vole and otter. Nevertheless, if the 10m buffer is enforced along the section of river within and immediately adjacent to the site, further species-specific surveys for these species are not considered necessary at this time. It should be noted; however, that should this situation change and potential impacts are identified, further surveys may be required.

4.29 Scattered areas of common ragwort were noted throughout the site. As this species may be harmful to horses and other livestock, it is listed as an injurious weed under the Ragwort Control Act, 2003 (which amends the Weeds Act, 1959), which confers obligations on landowners to control the plant and reduce the risk of spread onto neighbouring land. In order to prevent the spread of this species across the site and onto adjacent land, it is recommended that a treatment strategy be implemented by a specialist contractor. This strategy should also be implemented on any areas of habitat proposed to be retained as part of the development scheme.

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General Site Enhancements

4.30 The use of wildflower mixes to increase the biodiversity of existing improved and poor semi-improved grassland, along with any proposed lawns or areas of public open space will enhance the ecological value of the site for a range of important invertebrates. This will provide suitable habitats for terrestrial invertebrates and in turn would be a benefit to birds that forage on seeds and invertebrates. Piles of logs and rubble may be placed in suitable areas on site to provide hibernacula for species such as common amphibian and reptile species, as well as refugia for small mammals and invertebrates.

4.31 Planting of species-rich hedgerows within the site and creating and enhancing hedgerow edges would provide a layering of different habitats that can be utilised by different species. Species that may be planted include blackthorn, hawthorn, hazel, holly, elder, alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus), guelder rose (Viburnum opulus), dog rose (Rosa canina) and dogwood. Planting the base and edges of the hedgerow with herbaceous plants and bulbs attract bees, butterflies and other insects as well as providing ground cover for smaller animals. Seeds that are tolerant of semi-shade and are suitable for sowing beneath newly planted or established hedges should be used. As a guide, the following species can included in the mix; however, appropriate seed mixes may be purchased from native species stockists:

• Yarrow - (Achillea millefolium) • Agrimony – (Agrimonia eupatoria) • Garlic mustard – (Alliaria petiolata) • Common knapweed – (Centurea nigra) • Wild Basil – (Clinopodium vulgare) • Hedge bedstraw – (Galium album) • Wood avens – (Gerum urbanum) • Oxeye daisy – (Leucanthemum vulgare) • Ribwort plantain – (Plantago lanceolata) • Cowslip – (Primula veris) • Selfheal – (Prunella vulgaris) • Red campion – (Silene dioica)

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• Hedge woundwort – (Stachvs sylyatica) • Upright hedge parsley – (Torilis japonica) • Tufted vetch – (Vicia cracca)

4.32 Should the proposals allow, it may be possible to incorporate a green or brown roof onto the proposed new buildings. These can be specifically designed for wildlife; however, they can also have benefits relating to aspects such as air quality, thermal performance and sound insulation. Green and brown roofs may be seeded with a wildflower seed mix or plug planted with sedums. Placement of log / rubble piles and insect boxes on the green / brown roof can also increase the potential for such roofs to act as a resource for local wildlife.

4.33 Additional habitat may be provided for species including birds and insects in the form of green walls. Green walls can be created by planting climbing plants in the ground and training these either directly onto the external walls of the buildings or onto trellis. Alternatively, it is possible to create an instant green wall using established climbing plants rooted in containers and grown onto frames.

4.34 Native climbing plants used to created green walls may include: ivy, Traveller’s Joy (Clematis vitalba), honeysuckle and wild rose (Rosa sp).

5.0 Conclusions

5.1 No designated sites were identified within the boundary of the site; however, several nationally and locally designated sites were identified within 2km of the site and two internationally designated sites (SACs) were identified within 10km of the site. In addition to this, seven units of ancient semi-natural and ancient re-planted woodland were identified within 2km of the site. The closest of which; an unnamed area of ancient semi- natural woodland is located approximately 0.5km to the south-east of the site. Notwithstanding this, owing to the nature, extent and proximity of the site, it is considered that the proposals are not likely to have a significant effect on any of the designated sites or areas of ancient woodland identified within this report. Furthermore, potential indirect effects, such as increased social pressure on the identified SACs are

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also not considered likely, as the local and wider landscape is largely rural with numerous opportunities for walking and outdoor pursuits away from the identified sites.

5.2 As part of the desk study for the site, records of protected and notable species for a 2km buffer area were sought from BMERC. Although none of the species records were for the site itself, several protected and notable species were recorded within 2km of the site. It should be noted that the absence of records for this site does not necessarily indicate total absence of the species. Species data obtained from BMERC can be found in Appendix 1 of this report.

5.3 Several trees (T1-T9) within the triangular area of broadleaved woodland in the north- west corner of the site were noted to be covered under a TPO (Reference number 27/1989); it is therefore recommended that these trees be retained.

5.4 The extended Phase 1 survey identified a mosaic of different habitats present within the site including; good and poor semi-improved grassland; broadleaved woodland; species- poor hedgerows; scattered standard trees; tall ruderal vegetation and scrub. In addition to this, the River Wye extends along the south-east boundary of the site. Although the majority of these habitat types, such as improved and poor semi-improved grassland and scrub in themselves are common and widespread throughout the UK and are considered to be of value at site level only, habitats associated with the River Wye and areas of good semi-improved grassland are considered to be of greater value.

5.5 It is therefore recommended that these habitats, in particular areas of good semi- improved grassland be retained and enhanced, where possible to maintain habitat connectivity across the site and retain areas of suitable habitat for a range of protected and notable species, such as reptiles, breeding and ground nesting birds and invertebrates. With regard to the River Wye corridor, the Environment Agency recommend that for ecological and conservation purposes, an undisturbed buffer area (measured from the top of the river bank to the development) should be imposed for all new development. It is therefore recommended that this requirement is acknowledged and an appropriate buffer be maintained throughout development of the site.

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5.6 Areas of rough semi-improved grassland, tall ruderal vegetation and scrub are considered to provide suitable habitat for reptiles, particularly slow worm. These habitat areas, combined with fringe habitats associated with the River Wye and the boundaries of the site provide connectivity, which would allow amphibians, reptiles and small mammals to move across the landscape and provide good opportunities for foraging. It is therefore recommended that existing habitats, such as grassland, tall ruderal vegetation and scrub be considered in any development scheme. Surveying for reptiles within suitable vegetation within fields, particularly to the north and north-west of the site is recommended, as these areas are likely to be lost through development.

5.7 Although no conclusive evidence of badgers, such as latrines or setts were identified within the site on the day of survey, several mammal paths were identified within the site. It is therefore considered that an update badger survey be undertaken to assess badger use on site, once the scheme has been finalised and prior to any works on site.

5.8 Although none of the trees present within the site were considered to have significant levels of roosting bat potential, several trees within the site, particularly along the River Wye and within woodland to the north-west of the site were observed to have a dense coving of ivy, which in itself was considered to offer low potential for roosting bats and also obscures from view any possible cavities or defects, which bats may be able to exploit. It is therefore recommended that trees within the site, particularly those with potential for protected species, such as bats and those protected by TPOs be retained, where possible. If the trees which have been identified as showing potential to support bats need to be removed, it is recommended that surveys are undertaken prior to their removal.

5.9 Areas of broadleaved woodland, mature trees, shrubs, species-poor hedgerows and areas of dense scrub within the site have potential to support breeding birds and areas of rough grassland, tall ruderal vegetation and scrub were considered to provide suitable habitat for ground nesting birds, such as skylark and suitable foraging habitat for barn owls. As such, it is recommended that any works affecting these habitats be carried out outside of the bird breeding season. Should this not be possible, it is further recommended clearance of all suitable vegetation be undertaken under ecological watching brief, as detailed within this report.

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5.10 Woodland within the site was in itself considered to have limited potential for dormice, owing to the nature and extent of the woodland, along with likely significant disturbance in the form of dog walkers and access by adjacent residential properties to contribute to existing compost heaps and brash piles. Furthermore, the lack of connectivity and isolation from any extensive areas of off site woodland make the presence of dormice on the site less likely. It is therefore not considered necessary to undertake further presence/likely absence surveys for this species; however, as a precaution it is further recommended that any clearance of significant areas of woodland or adjoining mature hedgerows and areas of dense scrub be undertaken under ecological watching brief.

5.11 Areas of standing and fallen deadwood within areas of woodland on site were considered to provide suitable habitats for stag beetles. It is recommended that areas of deadwood and the surrounding soil are left undisturbed. Furthermore, existing deadwood may be supplemented with log piles or loggeries that are allowed to rot naturally providing additional habitat suitable for egg laying and / or artificial breeding boxes. Should it be necessary to remove any fallen deadwood or brash piles, it is recommended that this be undertaken in accordance within the recommendations of this report.

5.12 Areas of rough semi-improved grassland, tall ruderal vegetation and scrub were considered to provide suitable habitats for terrestrial invertebrates. In order to maintain habitat connectivity and ensure the future use of the site by these species, it is recommended that these habitats, particularly to the north of the site and on the site boundaries be retained and enhanced, where possible.

5.13 Due to the fast flowing nature of the current, the River Wye was considered to have negligible potential for great crested newts. Notwithstanding this, the channel itself and associated fringe habitats in the form of emergent and marginal bankside vegetation were considered to provide suitable habitat for a number of protected species, including white- clawed crayfish and, to a lesser extent, water vole and otter. Nevertheless, if the 10m buffer is enforced along the section of river within and immediately adjacent to the site, further species-specific surveys for these species are not considered necessary at this time. It should be noted; however, that should this situation change and potential impacts are identified, further surveys may be required.

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5.14 Scattered areas of common ragwort were noted throughout the site. In order to prevent the spread of this species across the site and onto adjacent land, it is recommended that a treatment strategy be implemented by a specialist contractor. This strategy should also be implemented on any areas of habitat proposed to be retained as part of the development scheme.

5.15 Potential ecological enhancements that can be implemented into development plans have been recommended within the report. Recommendations include use of native species within any proposed landscaping schemes, creation of species-rich hedgerows and seeding existing improved and poor semi-improved grassland, along with any proposed lawns or amenity areas with a wildflower seed mix in order to increase the biodiversity value of the site.

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6.0 References

Bat Conservation Trust (2012). Bat Surveys – Good Practice Guidelines (2nd Edition). Bat Conservation Trust, London.

Francis Rose (1991) The Wild Flower Key – British Isles – N.W Europe. Penguin Books, London.

Froglife (1999) Advice Sheet 10 - Reptile Survey: An introduction to planning, conducting and interpreting surveys for snake and lizard conservation. Froglife, Peterborough.

High Wycombe District Council (December 2010) The River Wye Advice Note - Advice to developers and landowners whose land adjoins the River Wye and its tributaries, the Hughenden Stream and Wycombe Marsh Brook, High Wycombe District Council, High Wycombe.

London Wildlife Trust (2000). Stag Beetle – An Advice Note for its Conservation in London. London Wildlife Trust, London

Internet resources:

Google Maps: www.maps.google.co.uk Magic Interactive Map: www.magic.gov.uk High Wycombe District Council – www.wycombe.gov.uk

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Appendix 1: Desk Study Data

PJC Consultancy 38 Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Environmental Records Centre County Hall  Walton Street  Aylesbury  HP20 1UY Tel 01296 382431 Fax 01296 387156 www.bucksmkerc.org.uk

Vicky Hale, Your ref BUCK 2079 PJC Ecology Ltd My ref 13-81 Chapter House, Priesthawes Farm Date 11 July 2013 Hailsham Road, Contact Fabrizia Ratto Polegate, East Sussex Tel 01296 382431 BN26 6QU Email [email protected]

Dear Vicky Hale,

Re: Slate Meadow, Bourne End, Buckinghamshire

Thank you for your letter of 5th July 2013 requesting information on sites and species within 2km of the site above. The information we have is summarised below. A map is provided below showing the locations of designated sites within the search area, and the relevant species records are detailed below. Please see the ‘Definitions’ section below for an explanation of the terms used to describe sites and species in this report.

STATUTORY SITES

The search area includes parts of the following Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI): -Cock Marsh SSSI -Fern House gravel Pit SSSI

Further details and citations for these sites can be found at: http://www.english-nature.org.uk/Special/sssi/search.cfm

The search area includes parts of the following Local Nature Reserves (LNR): -Warren Nature Reserve LNR. Summary details are provided in the table below.

LNR Type: Urban Fringe County: Buckinghamshire Natural England Local Team: Thames & Chilterns Team Year of Declaration: Unknown Declaring Authority: Unknown Area (Ha): 2.3 Grid Reference: SU 913 880

NON-STATUTORY SITES

The search area includes the following Local Wildlife Sites (LWS):

Site Code Site name 88Y03 North of Spade Oak Meadows 98C01 Cliveden Estate

A citation or survey report for these LWS is given below.

The Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Environmental Records Centre is a service provided by Buckinghamshire County Council and Milton Keynes Council The search area includes the following Biological Notification Sites (BNS):

Site Code Site Broad habitat Description 88Y01 Abbots Neutral Dry flat field with wet area along stream. Wet strip not especially Brook Field Grassland. rich but does contain species uncommon in Bucks, such as nodding bur-marigold, unbranched bur-reed and crosswort. 88Y02 Moorholm Marshy Wet grassland and copse. Eight-foot wide stream. meadows Grassland. and copse 88Z02 Little Neutral Cemetery. Meadow Grassland. Cemetery 98D03 St. Paul's Neutral Churchyard with short turf. Tombstones present. Site bounded by Churchyard, Grassland. walls and hedges. The wall of the church itself formerly supported Wooburn Gymnocarpium robertianum. 98D07 Woolman's Coniferous Mostly conifer plantation with abundant bluebells near rides. Wood Woodland Glade in centre of wood supports wild daffodils.

98J01 Mill Wood Broad-Leave Mixed deciduous woodland with mixed shrub layer and ground Woodland flora mosaic. Area of wet ground covered with Opposite-leaved Golden-saxifrage. Strip across northern end cleared for erection of telegraph poles.

PROTECTED AND NOTABLE SPECIES

Records of protected and/or notable species within the search area are shown in the table below.

The Buckinghamshire Badger Group (www.bucks-badgers.org.uk) also has records for this area, for further information contact Bob Simpson, the Buckinghamshire Badger Group Recorder, at 27 Waine Close, Buckingham, MK18 1FF.

As agreed, I will forward an invoice for £92.50 + VAT for the time taken to extract this information and put together the report.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions arising from this report.

Yours sincerely,

Fabrizia Ratto Environmental Records Officer

The Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Environmental Records Centre is a service provided by Buckinghamshire County Council and Milton Keynes Council Terms and conditions

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LOCAL WILDLIFE SITE

NAME: NORTH OF SPADE OAK MEADOWS

REF NUMBER: 88Y03 GRID REF:SU886877

DISTRICT: WDC PARISH: Little Marlow GEOLOGY: Chalk / clay EXISTING PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY: No AREA: 0.4ha

DESCRIPTION

This area in Bourne End is a superb mix of grassland, fen, pools, stream and spring, supporting a great variety of wildlife including kingfisher.

There are several plants here that are considered very unusual in the county: tussock sedge (Carex paniculata), greater dodder (Cuscuta europaea) and fen bedstraw (Galium uliginosum). In the past, meadow rue (Thalictrum flavum) and trailing St John's-wort (Hypericum humifusum) were found here and, although neither was found during the recent visit, they may still be present.

Along the edge of the site runs a stream fed by several springs, one of which is particularly strong. There is also a number of pools, most of which are at least partly shaded by trees and scrub including crack willow, hazel and purple osier.

The far end has a tall reed bed (Phragmites australis) which leads into an interesting rough, damp area, supporting a dood diversity of damp-loving plants as well as a varied fauna. Both purple and yellow loosestrife grow in this area (Lythrum sulicaria and Lysimmachia vulgaris).

MANAGEMENT

Much of this area is part of a private garden, yet it is carefully maintained with the wildlife interests of the site taken into account. The far end of the garden is allowed to grow tall, with reeds occasionally cut. A rotational patch of reed cut around this area is certainly to be encouraged as it would give the more delicate, low growing flora a chance to establish. Buckinghamshire LOCAL WILDLIFE SITE

& Milton Keynes

Wildlife Sites Project Cliveden Estate

Site Name File Code Grid Ref. Date Surveyed Area (ha) Cliveden Estate 98C01 SU910844 29/07/2010 c. 140

District Parish Recorder(s) South Bucks Taplow Phil Irving

Soils Superficial Deposits Bedrock 581c Sonning 2 Plateau and river terrace Upper Chalk drift

JCA (Joint Character Area) Thames Valley 115

1. Location, Topography, Boundaries and Surrounding Land Use

1.1 Cliveden lies on the Chilterns dip slope where the River Thames has cut through and created a well defined scarp edge through the Cretaceous Upper Chalk.

1.2 The chalk is overlain by glacial sands and gravels of the Lambeth group on the plateau. Sections of vertical cliff face are found along the steep scarp edge with cave features that are possibly man made. In addition to the caves the cliff top edge contains good examples of solution pipes with a mix of flint, sandstones and quartzites typical of Winter Hill Gravel.

The Rushy Valley is probably the result of peri-glacial erosion, creating a dry chalk valley, the base of which is overlain with deposits from the plateau, resulting in local water logging with springs evident along the slopes. River alluvium is present along the narrow strip of Thames floodplain at the bottom of the scarp slope including islands.

The plateau area supports soils of the 581c Sonning 2 Association which are mostly well drained, flinty, coarse-loamy and sandy soils, becoming seasonally waterlogged locally. Bare chalk and shallow, immature rendzina soils are present on the west facing scarp slopes. The plateau area below the house and parterre is comprised of unknown made up ground.

1.3 The large towns of Maidenhead and Slough lie to the southwest and southeast of the site respectively. Extensive mixed woodland to the east of the site links it with the heathland and woodland of Littleworth Common and Burnham Beeches 2-3 km away. In the Thames Valley to the west and northwest of the site are various wetland and floodplain grassland habitats including Cock Marsh and Widbrook Common.

2. Detailed Description Flora

2.1 Cliveden Estate includes a large tract of hanging broadleaved, mixed and yew woodland particularly associated with the steep Thames-side valley slopes with

98C01 – Cliveden Estate 1 areas of W12 Fagus-Mercurialis, W13 Taxus and W8 Fraxinus-Acer-Mercurialis woodland dominated by beech (Fagus sylvatica), yew (Taxus baccata) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior). Other species present include sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus), horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), field maple (Acer campestre), holly (Ilex aquifolium) and wych elm (Ulmus glabra) with hazel (Corylus avellana), elder (Sambucus nigra), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), buckthorn (Rhamnus catharticus) and clematis (Clematis vitalba). Elder is locally frequent in areas of open storm damaged woodland where buddleia (Buddleia sp.) can also be frequent. Box (Buxus sempervirens) is present but would appear to be of planted origin. Of note is a general abundance of older yew trees that may be up to 300 years in age, together with two notable sycamores.

W10 Quercus-Pteridium-Rubus woodland dominated by pedunculate oak (Quercus robur) is present on the upper break of the slope with laurel (Prunus Laurocerasus and P. lusitanica) and rhododendron (Rhododendron ponticum) in the understorey.

The Thames margin is mostly lined with alder (Alnus glutinosa) with occasional lime (Tilia sp.) and sycamore.

Overall the ground flora is generally poor and uncharacteristic of ancient semi- natural woodland. Ancient woodland indicator plants are however present including wood melick (Melica uniflora), sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum), sanicle (Sanicula europaea), nettled-leaved bellflower (Campanula trachelium), wood sedge (Carex sylvatica), spurge laurel (Daphne laureola) and green hellebore (Helleborus viridis). Other species present include bramble (Rubus fruticosus), nettle (Urtica dioica), dark mullein (Verbascum nigrum) and common valerian (Valeriana officinalis) which are present in open areas created by storm damage. Of local interest is the presence of small teasel, considered scarce in the country together with historic records for pale St. John’s wort (IUCN Near threatened).

The ground flora areas of damper closed canopy mixed woodland at the south end of the property are occasionally dominated by harts tongue fern (Phyllitis scolopendrium) with male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas), broad buckler fern (Dryopteris dilatata) and hemp agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum).

2.2 W10 oak woodland with holly (Ilex aquifolium) understorey dominates the plateau woodlands on the northern edge of Cliveden village, while plantation beech is found in the area around the Pheasantry. The remains of Gage’s Coppice appears to be an area of older veteran oak and beech standards. The ground flora is generally poor although bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scriptus) is locally dominant.

2.3 The Green Drive is composed of a mixture of oak and beech under-planted with rhododendron and laurel. A number of larger sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) trees are present behind the drive on its eastern boundary. The presence of dead wood habitat is abundant together with numerous holes and tree cavities that are likely to provide suitable habitat for invertebrates and bats. As with much of the plateau woodlands invasive species including rhododendron, laurel and small balsam are abundant.

2.4 The Fruit Garden (previously known as Strawberry Garden) at the southern end of the lower paddock was probably established prior to 1870 in an area known as 98C01 – Cliveden Estate 2 Gage’s Coppice. It originally contained some 354 Victorian and Edwardian varieties of fruit trees together with internal planting of fruit trees and top fruits. The orchard is now derelict and much of the structure has now been lost. The current vegetation is comprised of old fruit trees (tagged to allow for identification) with regenerating ash woodland (ring barked). The ground flora is poor and dominated by nettle with bramble and dog’s mercury. Occasional evidence of red currant (Ribes rubrum), black currants (R. Nigrum) and gooseberry (R. uva-crispa) is present indicating the historical planting of soft fruits. Mistletoe (Viscum album) is present on apple (Malus domestica) trees. A single specimen of pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis) was noted in 2008 in an otherwise overgrown and species poor woody ground flora. A survey of the orchard trees was carried out by Mr Osborn of the Chiltern Society in 1976 and found 27 varieties of apple and 32 varieties of pear (Pyrus communis).

2.5 The relatively small area of wet white willow (Salix alba) woodland along the Thames, at the southern end of the property adds to the overall diversity of habitats and is notable for a number of characteristic “Thames” species including summer snow flake (Leucojum aestivum).

2.6 The existing LWS of Maypole Hill consists of an area of approximately 1.7ha of unimproved species rich calcareous grassland most typical of a CG2 Festuca- Avenula community. Species present include red fescue (Festuca rubra), sheep’s fescue (F. ovina), yellow oat-grass (Trisetum flavescens), false oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius), Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus) and cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata) with lady’s bedstraw (Galium verum), marjoram (Origanum vulgare), rockrose (Helianthemum nummularium), yellow-wort (Blackstonia perfoliata), clustered bellflower (Campanula glomerata), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), grass vetchling (Lathyrus nissolia), dark mullein, meadow vetchling (L. pratensis), common restharrow (Ononis repens), salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor), wild basil (Clinopodium vulgare), wild thyme (Thymus drucei), large thyme (T. pulegioides), common milkwort (Polygala vulgaris), ploughman’s spikenard (Inula conyza), agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria), perforate St. Johns wort (Hypericum perforatum), small scabious (Scabiosa columbaria), ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), pyramidal orchid and vervain (Verbena officinalis). Crosswort (Cruciata laevipes) is locally abundant on the lower slopes. Scrub species are present including dogwood (Cornus sanguinea), hazel, hawthorn, wild privet (Ligustrum vulgare) and dog rose (Rosa canina).

2.7 The parterre retains a degree of semi natural grassland, however the greatest diversity is found on the steeper banks and cuttings, particularly at the toe where chalk grassland flowers such as rock rose, wild thyme, dark mullein and birdsfoot trefoil still persist despite more recent improvements. The grassland on Blenheim Pavilion Lawn consists of a small area of grassland supporting birds foot trefoil, common century (Centaurium erythraea), self heal (Prunella vulgaris), perforate St John’s wort, salad burnet, common catsear (Hypochaeris radicata), yarrow (Achillea millefolium), common mouse ear (Cerastium fontanum) and black medick (Medicago Lupulina).

2.8 The open glades of Ilex Grove are more acidic in character, more typical of a U1Festuca-Agrostis-Rumex community, and dominated by red fescue with abundant moss cover. Floristic diversity is limited but includes heath bedstraw (Galium saxatile), sheep’s sorrel (Rumex acetosella) and tormentil (Potentilla

98C01 – Cliveden Estate 3 erecta). Localised areas of acid grassland are also present at Feathers Lodge though most of it is species poor.

2.9 The Rushy Valley contains areas of grassland intermediate between an MG10- Holcus-Juncus and an M23-Juncus-Galium rush pasture, and dominated by lesser pond sedge (Carex acutiformis), soft rush (Juncus effusus), great willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum) and meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), with marsh bedstraw (Galium palustre) and greater birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus pedunculatus), marsh thistle (Cirsium palustre), marsh-marigold (Caltha palustris) and ragged robin (Lychnis flos-cuculi). Areas of drier ground are more typically dominated by an MG6-Lolium- Cynosurus community of Yorkshire fog, meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis), timothy (Phleum pratense), cocksfoot, false oat-grass, sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum), hairy sedge (Carex hirta), field wood rush (Luzula campestris) and tufted hair grass (Deschampsia cespitosa). Floristic diversity is characteristic of the varied conditions of the valley, grading from wet seepage areas through to drier valley sides and includes selfheal, lesser stitchwort (Stellaria graminea), sheep’s sorrel, birdsfoot trefoil, meadow vetchling, with frequent creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense) and broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius). Bluebell, foxglove (Digitalis purpurea), cowslip (Primula veris) and daffodil (Narcissus sp.) are present in open grassland and wet seepage areas exhibiting a distribution that probably reflects 19th century planting.

2.10 The head of the Rushy Valley contains a pond that supports broadleaved pondweed (Potamogeton natans) in open water with reedmace (Typha latifolia), branched bur-reed (Sparganium erectum), reed sweet grass (Glyceria maxima), , lesser pond sedge, water mint (Mentha aquatica), marsh thistle, meadowsweet, gipsywort (Lycopus europaeus), greater bird’s-foot trefoil, marsh bedstraw and soft rush at the margins.

The ponds in the Water Gardens are of concrete construction and stocked with carp with only spiked water milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) recorded from them. The pond near the Fruit Garden Orchard is dominated by duckweed sp. (Lemna sp.) with dead trees standing in the centre of it.

2.11 The islands of the River Thames are generally species poor and dominated by hawthorn, willow, alder and ash, but are noted for the presence of the local summer snowflake, a species characteristic of winter flooded rivers and the River Thames area. Two large oaks are present on the middle island.

2.12 Fungi interest includes 165 fungi records gathered by the Buckinghamshire Fungus Group including the first county record for yellow field cap (Bolbitius lacteus), together with number of notable records for Hygrocybe species including those associated with waxcap grasslands and a new county record for blueleg brownie (Psilcoybe cyanescens) (a species of wood mulch piles and locally distributed in the south east with a concentration of records on the outer London area). Of particular interest is the waxcap grassland fungi of which some 33 species have been recorded including Bolbitus vitellinus, Calocybe carnea, meadow coral (Clavulinopsis corniculata), yellow club, apricot club (C. luteoalba), (Entoloma infula), butter waxcap, golden waxcap, spangle waxcap (H. insipid), persistent waxcap (H. persistens var. persistens), parrot waxcap and snowy waxcap, (Panaeolus rickenii). The Feathers Lodge Grassland has the greatest diversity of waxcap species found at Cliveden and when combined with the overall number of 98C01 – Cliveden Estate 4 species found at Cliveden indicates a site of regional importance based on Hygrocybe species.

3. Fauna

Mammal records include badger and hedgehog, and signs of dormouse presence were detected in areas of elder and hazel scrub during 2008.

The site is of significant interest for bats with a total of 10 species being recorded between 2008 and 2009 consisting of common and soprano pipistrelle, noctule, natterer’s, daubenton’s, brown long-eared, bechstein’s, barbastelle, serotine and nathusius’s pipistrelle. Four species are included in the UK BAP as Species of Principle Importance for Biodiversity. Barbastelle and bechstein’s bats are of particular conservation concern as both are IUCN red listed Vulnerable. A daubenton’s tree roost has been identified and it is highly likely that there are many more tree roosts present on the property. Kennel Cottage has been identified as a probable soprano pipistrelle bat roost based on visual evidence from droppings. Bats have been reported as present within the main house and estate office buildings and it is likely that bats are present within other buildings on the property. Of national significance is the presence of two bat swarming sites in the ferneries and water tanks at the east and west ends of the terrace. These also show high probability of being used as bat roosting and hibernation sites.

Recent bird breeding records for the site include the UK BAP blackbird, willow tit, and reed warbler, as well as Red list song thrush, spotted flycatcher and marsh tit, Amber list mistle thrush, firecrest, bullfinch, dunnock, green woodpecker and kestrel, and Schedule 1 red kite and hobby.

Reptile and amphibian records include common toad, grass snake and slow-worm, all of which are UK BAP species.

The woodlands are notable for a good invertebrate fauna which includes a wide range of saproxylic (deadwood) species of beetles:

Plenidum gressnevi Nationally scarce Scydmoraphes helvolus Nationally scarce Microscydmus nanus Nationally scarce Bibloporus minutus (grove beetle) Nationally scarce (Nb) Lucanus cervus (stag beetle) Nationally scarce (Nb) Aulonothroscus brevicollis RDB3 Grade 1 IEC Platycis minutu Nationally scarce (Nb) Leptophloens clematidis RDB1 in clematis stems Teredus cylindricus RDB1 Grade 1 IEC (Canning Oak) Orchesia micans Nationally scarce (Nb) Vanonus brevicornis RDB2 Platyrhinus resinosus Nationally scarce (Nb) Pediopsis tiliae Nationally scarce (Nb) Ischnoglossa prolixa First record for Buckinghamshire Ctesias serra Nationally scarce (Nb) Andobium inexspectatum Nationally scarce (Nb) Orthoperus nigrescens Nationally scarce (Nb) Enicmus rugosus Nationally scarce Phloiotrya vaudoueri Nationally scarce (Nb) 98C01 – Cliveden Estate 5 Mordellistena neuwaldeggiana RDBK (insufficiently known) Scaphidema metallicum Nationally scarce (Nb) Eledona agricola Nationally scarce (Nb) Pyrochroa coccinea Nationally scarce (Nb) Polydrusus formosus Nationally scarce (Na) Acalles ptinoides Nationally scarce (Nb)

The saproxylic ant species brown ant Lasius brunneus (Nationally Scarce Na) and the local jet ant Lasius fuilginosus (status not known) are also recorded on the site. An ant Leptothorax nylanderia (Nationally Scarce Nb) was recorded in 2003. Previous surveys have reported the flies Systenus pallipes (Nationally Scarce) from sap runs, Chymomyza fuscimuna, Lonchaea contigua and L. fugax.

Other invertebrate records include the nationally scarce calcareous grassland leaf beetle Cryptocephalus aureolus, and the local belladonna flea beetle Epitrix atropae (Nationally Scarce Nb), together with 6 Nationally scarce saproxylic (decaying wood reliant) flies and the Red Data Book fly Eustalmyia hilaris. Stag beetle Lucanus cervus are known to be present in the local area. The Red Data Book (Vulnerable) mayfly Ephemera lineate (2002) has been recorded on the property.

Dragonfly records include club-tailed dragon fly (Red DataBook Near threatened) 2008), a local species along the River Thames associated with woodland; and downy emerald.

Moth species recorded between 2000 and 2003 include the nationally rare campanula pug (Eupithecia denotata) and nationally scarce moths (Psoricoptera gibbosella) and waved black (Parascotia fuliginaria). UK BAP and Nationally Rare striped Lychnis (Shargacucullia lychnitis), a species characteristic of rough grassland, roadside and wastes in the Chilterns, is also present.

The cave spider Meta menardi has been recorded from the water tanks of Cliveden Terrace.

The snail fauna includes abundant Pomatias elegans particularly in open storm damaged areas together with lapidary snail (Helicigona lapicida), Ena obscura, Cochlodina laminate and Clausilia bidentata together with a record for Columella edentula. The introduced snail Papillifera bidens is found in crevices on the travertine marble and mortar of the brick tiling of the Borghese Balustrade near the house.

4. Past / current management regime

Areas of storm damage have been cleared and replanted, although with species not wholly appropriate for the site (i.e. sweet chestnut, rowan, holly) and these trees are generally failing on the upper slopes.

Woodland management operations are contained within the Woodland Plan of Operations (2006-2011) which sets the objectives of management and management of individual compartments by prescriptions. The overall objectives include sustainability, landscape setting public access and safety, prioritised to the 98C01 – Cliveden Estate 6 primary landscape setting of the mansion, amenity woodlands (plateau) and hanging woodlands.

Natural erosion has led to the closure of woodland paths across the slopes of the hanging woodland resulting in restricted access to the original circulation through the landscape.

5. Ideal management regime

The 2009 Biodiversity Conservation Plan for Cliveden includes the following management recommendations:

o The current use of the paddocks at Feathers Lodge as an overflow car park and for events would appear to be only having a limited effect on the existing ecological value of these areas at present, however increased visitor numbers will likely result in increased compaction of the soils and eutrophication that will not only have a detrimental impact on the grassland flora but equally result in significant impacts to the fungal (waxcap) grassland species.

o The tenanted paddocks of the estate are currently managed for horses and are of generally low biological diversity, however they retain the potential to provide additional alternative habitats on the site. They may also provide less ecologically sensitive areas for alternative uses that will not detrimentally impact on biodiversity.

o The buildings across the site are varied in age, design, structure and use. The vast majority have the potential to support ecological interest, most notably bats. Any proposals for repair, alteration, restoration or reuse have the potential for direct or indirect impacts on bats and their presence should be considered at an early stage. The proposals for the restoration of the south terrace and ferneries and their subsequent after use present one of the more complex issues that will need to be addressed. The terrace structure is currently a significant bat roost and autumn swarming site which will potentially restrict options for reuse.

o The current management of Maypole Hill and Russian Valley is by sheep grazing in compartmentalised fields that break up the intended open character of the parkland landscape. The opportunity to remove internal fencing and extend the grazed area to include adjoining areas of woodland will allow for a degree of screening the necessary fencing and restore the open character of the landscape. It would also allow areas of woodland to be managed as wood pasture parkland. Consideration should be given to extending grazing management to other areas including the Feathers Lodge grassland. Additional livestock including hardy breeds of cattle should also be considered.

o The restoration of Captains Field pond including management of fish ponds has the potential to increase the quality of aquatic habitat at Cliveden.

5.1 Major ground disturbance should be avoided where there are important communities of woodland plants and extensive ground disturbance will also encourage more rank species, such as docks, thistles and nettles. Further survey 98C01 – Cliveden Estate 7 and monitoring of the woodland for wildlife is encouraged, especially for bats, fungi and invertebrates.

5.2 Any older trees within the site are of particular importance for invertebrates and bats and they should be maintained for their biodiversity interest. Any necessary tree works that are carried out should be done so sensitively, aiming to retain the maximum amount of standing wood and keeping all deadwood on site. The presence of bats needs to be investigated before any works are undertaken, in line with species protection guidance under the 2010 Species and Habitats Regulations.

5.3 Cliveden contains a broad diversity of habitat types including 7 UK BAP priority habitats, of which only the calcareous grassland at Maypole Hill has been formerly designated as a Local wildlife Site. The chalk cliffs are proposed as a Regionally Important Geological Site equivalent to a Local Wildlife Site. It is probable that, based on the results of recent and previous surveys, the whole site under the broad habitat description of Wood Pasture and Parkland is of at least regional importance based on overall diversity and size, together with the relative abundance of rare and protected species, most notably saproxylic invertebrates and mammals (including dormouse and bats) but also including waxcap fungi and aquatic invertebrates. It is recommended that the whole of the existing BNS is identified as an LWS with the exception of the car parks and other formal areas and the hotel building (see plan), though the terraces should be included as they contain the important bat roosts. It is also recommended that the remainder of the Green drive is included for its mature trees, and the islands in the River Thames for their wet woodland and summer snowflake (even though most of them are in Berkshire). The southern paddocks should be left out as they are of limited biodiversity interest, but it is recommended that the most southerly paddock near the woodland car park is included as the National Trust are undertaking management to enhance it.

Help and advice Help is available from a number of sources to implement these recommendations:

Bucks & MK Environmental Records Centre (Wildlife records) 01296 696012 Bucks Invertebrate Group (Insect surveys) c/o 01296 696012 Environmental Stewardship (local Natural England office) 01189 581222 RSPB (Farmland bird advice) 01295 253330 Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG – advice on farmland 01993 886565 wildlife management and Environmental Stewardship) Forestry Commission (Woodland Grants) 01296 696543 North Bucks Bat Group (Bat surveys & advice) 01296 427972 Chilterns Conservation Board (Wildlife-friendly farming & land use 01844 355000 advice in the Chilterns) Chiltern Woodlands Project (Woodland management advice in Chilterns) 01844 355503

Number of Vascular Plant Species Recorded 29/07/2010 At least 125 plant species (including 7 AWI and 13 CG indicators) P. Irving

Ancient Woodland Indicator Species 7

County Scarce Plants (BSBI Rare Plants List) 3

98C01 – Cliveden Estate 8 County Rare Plants (BSBI Rare Plants List) 2

Nationally Scarce Species 11

Red Data Book Species 12

UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Species 19

Birds of Conservation Concern (RSPB) 11

Habitats & Species of Principal Importance – Section 41 List from NERC Act (2006) Lowland Wood Pasture and Parkland, Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland, Lowland Beech and Yew Woodland, Wet Woodland, Lowland Calcareous Grassland, Lowland Dry Acid Grassland and Ponds

LOCAL WILDLIFE SITE REPORT PRODUCED BY: Philip Irving On behalf of Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Wildlife Sites Project c/o Stockgrove Country Park, Brickhill Road, Heath and Reach, Leighton Buzzard, Beds LU7 0BA

Tel. 01525 237760 Email: [email protected]

98C01 – Cliveden Estate 9 LWS: 88U03± SB03

Protected Sites within 2km to Slate Meadow,Bourne End SSSI: Fern House Gravel Pit BNS: 88Z02 BNS: 98J01 (SU903875)

BNS: 98D03 LWS: 88Y03 BNS: 88Y01BNS: 88Y02 SU88 SU98

Legend Search Area Sites of Special Scientific Interest

SSSI: Cock Marsh Local Nature Reserves Local Wildlife Sites Biological Notification Sites County Boundaries BNS: 98D07 1:22,618

0 0.25 Km

This map is reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the controller of Her Majesty's Stationary Office© Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. LWS: 98C01 © Copyright Buckinghamshire County Council Licence No. 100021529 2010

Please note that the layers held by the Environmental Records Centre are compiled from data that has been received from a variety of sources, including volunteers and professionals. Date created 11/07/2013 Protected and notable species records

Taxon column: * = species recorded as not native (e.g. introduced plants or escaped birds) # (against badger Meles meles) = record of sett Table sorted by group and taxon Only includes records since 1980; contact BMERC if you need records from before this Some records may have further details (e.g. information on quantity, sex and stage), contact BMERC if you need this additional detail Data supplied by BMERC may include data from the following organisations: Botanical Society of the British Isles; Bucks Amphibian and Reptile Group; Bucks Bird Club; National Recording Schemes for spiders, caddisflies, anthomyiid flies, ground beetles; plus many individual recorders

European Nationally rare latest group species English name legislation W+C Act UK BAP national status plants: local status site grid ref precision record Amphibians and Anguis fragilis Slow-worm Sch 5 Sec 9.1 (k/i), BAP + Principal Importance Disused railway, Bourne End SU898874 100 2009 reptiles 9.5a+b Amphibians and Anguis fragilis Slow-worm Sch 5 Sec 9.1 (k/i), BAP + Principal Importance Disused Railway, Bourne End SU899875 100 2009 reptiles 9.5a+b Amphibians and Anguis fragilis Slow-worm Sch 5 Sec 9.1 (k/i), BAP + Principal Importance Wycombe Lane, Wooburn Green SU912891 100 2011 reptiles 9.5a+b Birds Accipiter gentilis Goshawk Sch 1 Pt 1 Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2008

Birds Accipiter gentilis Goshawk Sch 1 Pt 1 Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2007

Birds Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper Amber List Spade Oak SU882873 100 2002

Birds Alauda arvensis Sky Lark BAP + Principal Importance Red List Flackwell Heath SU895894 100 2011

Birds Alauda arvensis Sky Lark BAP + Principal Importance Red List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2010

Birds Alcedo atthis Kingfisher Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Bourne End SU895870 100 2011

Birds Alcedo atthis Kingfisher Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Alcedo atthis Kingfisher Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List River Wye, Wooburn Green Recreation SU914348941 1 2005 Ground 9 Birds Alcedo atthis Kingfisher Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Wooburn Green SU910877 100 2011

Birds Anas acuta Pintail Sch 1 Pt 2 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Anas clypeata Shoveler Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Anas crecca Teal Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Anas penelope Wigeon Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Anas platyrhynchos Mallard Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Data provided by BMERC (01296 696012) on: Thursday 11 July 2013 species table: page 1 of 16 European Nationally rare latest group species English name legislation W+C Act UK BAP national status plants: local status site grid ref precision record Birds Anas platyrhynchos Mallard Amber List River Thames - SU88X SU898856 100 1985

Birds Anas platyrhynchos Mallard Amber List River Thames - SU88Y SU8887 1000 1999

Birds Anas platyrhynchos Mallard Amber List Wooburn Green SU910877 100 2011

Birds Anas querquedula Garganey Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Anas strepera Gadwall Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Anser anser Greylag Goose Sch 1 Pt 2 Amber List Bourne End SU895870 100 2011

Birds Anser anser Greylag Goose Sch 1 Pt 2 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Anser anser Greylag Goose Sch 1 Pt 2 Amber List Marlow Gravel pits (Spade Oak Farm) SU880875 100 1999

Birds Anser anser Greylag Goose Sch 1 Pt 2 Amber List Wooburn Green SU910877 100 2011

Birds Anser brachyrhynchus Pink-footed Goose Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2004

Birds Anthus pratensis Meadow Pipit Amber List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2010

Birds Anthus pratensis Meadow Pipit Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Anthus spinoletta Water Pipit Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Anthus trivialis Tree Pipit BAP + Principal Importance Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2002

Birds Apus apus Swift Amber List Bourne End SU895870 100 2011

Birds Apus apus Swift Amber List Flackwell Heath SU895894 100 2011

Birds Apus apus Swift Amber List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2010

Birds Apus apus Swift Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Apus apus Swift Amber List Wooburn Green SU910877 100 2011

Birds Arenaria interpres Ruddy Turnstone Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2008

Birds Aythya ferina Pochard Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Aythya ferina Pochard Amber List Marlow Gravel pits (Spade Oak Farm) SU880875 100 1999

Birds Aythya fuligula Tufted Duck Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Aythya fuligula Tufted Duck Amber List Wooburn Green SU910877 100 2011

Birds Aythya marila Greater Scaup Sch 1 Pt 1 BAP + Principal Importance Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Data provided by BMERC (01296 696012) on: Thursday 11 July 2013 species table: page 2 of 16 European Nationally rare latest group species English name legislation W+C Act UK BAP national status plants: local status site grid ref precision record Birds Botaurus stellaris Bittern Sch 1 Pt 1 BAP + Principal Importance Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Branta bernicla Brent Goose Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Branta leucopsis Barnacle Goose Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Bucephala clangula Common Goldeneye Sch 1 Pt 2 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Calidris alpina Dunlin Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Calidris temminckii Temminck's Stint Sch 1 Pt 1 Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2008

Birds Carduelis cabaret Lesser Redpoll BAP + Principal Importance Red List Bergers Hill SU916875 100 2011

Birds Carduelis cabaret Lesser Redpoll BAP + Principal Importance Red List Flackwell Heath SU895894 100 2011

Birds Carduelis cabaret Lesser Redpoll BAP + Principal Importance Red List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2010

Birds Carduelis cabaret Lesser Redpoll BAP + Principal Importance Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Carduelis cabaret Lesser Redpoll BAP + Principal Importance Red List Well End SU890883 100 2010

Birds Carduelis cabaret Lesser Redpoll BAP + Principal Importance Red List Wooburn Green SU910877 100 2010

Birds Carduelis cabaret Lesser Redpoll BAP + Principal Importance Red List Woolmans Wood SU915865 100 2011

Birds Carduelis cannabina Linnet BAP + Principal Importance Red List Bourne End SU895870 100 2011

Birds Carduelis cannabina Linnet BAP + Principal Importance Red List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2010

Birds Carduelis cannabina Linnet BAP + Principal Importance Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Carduelis cannabina Linnet BAP + Principal Importance Red List River Thames - SU88Y SU8887 1000 1999

Birds Cettia cetti Cetti's Warbler Sch 1 Pt 1 Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Charadrius dubius Little Ringed Plover Sch 1 Pt 1 Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Charadrius hiaticula Ringed Plover Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2008

Birds Chlidonias niger Black Tern Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Circus aeruginosus Marsh Harrier Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2006

Birds Coccothraustes Hawfinch BAP + Principal Importance Red List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2006 coccothraustes Birds Columba oenas Stock Dove Amber List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2010

Birds Columba oenas Stock Dove Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Data provided by BMERC (01296 696012) on: Thursday 11 July 2013 species table: page 3 of 16 European Nationally rare latest group species English name legislation W+C Act UK BAP national status plants: local status site grid ref precision record Birds Columba oenas Stock Dove Amber List Wooburn Green SU910877 100 2008

Birds Cuculus canorus Cuckoo BAP + Principal Importance Red List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2010

Birds Cuculus canorus Cuckoo BAP + Principal Importance Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Cygnus columbianus Bewick's Swan Sch 1 Pt 1 BAP + Principal Importance Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Delichon urbicum House Martin Amber List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2009

Birds Delichon urbicum House Martin Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Delichon urbicum House Martin Amber List River Thames - SU88X SU895858 100 1985

Birds Delichon urbicum House Martin Amber List Wooburn Green SU910877 100 2011

Birds Dendrocopos minor Lesser Spotted BAP + Principal Importance Red List Bourne End SU895870 100 2004 Woodpecker Birds Dendrocopos minor Lesser Spotted BAP + Principal Importance Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2006 Woodpecker Birds Dendrocopos minor Lesser Spotted BAP + Principal Importance Red List Woolmans Wood SU915865 100 2011 Woodpecker Birds Egretta garzetta Little Egret Amber List Bourne End SU895870 100 2011

Birds Egretta garzetta Little Egret Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Egretta garzetta Little Egret Amber List Wooburn Green SU910877 100 2011

Birds Emberiza calandra Corn Bunting BAP + Principal Importance Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2004

Birds Emberiza citrinella Yellowhammer BAP + Principal Importance Red List Blind Lane, Flackwell Heath SU900889 100 2002

Birds Emberiza citrinella Yellowhammer BAP + Principal Importance Red List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2004

Birds Emberiza citrinella Yellowhammer BAP + Principal Importance Red List Wooburn SU908876 100 2002

Birds Emberiza schoeniclus Reed Bunting BAP + Principal Importance Amber List Bourne End SU895870 100 2011

Birds Emberiza schoeniclus Reed Bunting BAP + Principal Importance Amber List Flackwell Heath SU895894 100 2011

Birds Emberiza schoeniclus Reed Bunting BAP + Principal Importance Amber List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2006

Birds Emberiza schoeniclus Reed Bunting BAP + Principal Importance Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Falco columbarius Merlin Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2009

Birds Falco columbarius Merlin Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2007

Birds Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon Sch 1 Pt 1 Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Data provided by BMERC (01296 696012) on: Thursday 11 July 2013 species table: page 4 of 16 European Nationally rare latest group species English name legislation W+C Act UK BAP national status plants: local status site grid ref precision record Birds Falco peregrinus Peregrine Falcon Sch 1 Pt 1 Wooburn Green SU910877 100 2006

Birds Falco subbuteo Hobby Sch 1 Pt 1 Bergers Hill SU916875 100 2007

Birds Falco subbuteo Hobby Sch 1 Pt 1 Bourne End SU895870 100 2010

Birds Falco subbuteo Hobby Sch 1 Pt 1 Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2009

Birds Falco subbuteo Hobby Sch 1 Pt 1 Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Falco subbuteo Hobby Sch 1 Pt 1 Wooburn Green SU910877 100 2011

Birds Falco tinnunculus Kestrel Amber List Bourne End SU895870 100 2011

Birds Falco tinnunculus Kestrel Amber List Flackwell Heath SU895894 100 2011

Birds Falco tinnunculus Kestrel Amber List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2010

Birds Falco tinnunculus Kestrel Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Falco tinnunculus Kestrel Amber List Pigeon House Farm, Sheepridge Lane SU886888 100 2011

Birds Ficedula hypoleuca Pied Flycatcher Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2004

Birds Fringilla montifringilla Brambling Sch 1 Pt 1 198 Blind Lane; F Heath SU900889 100 2002

Birds Fringilla montifringilla Brambling Sch 1 Pt 1 Bergers Hill SU916875 100 2011

Birds Fringilla montifringilla Brambling Sch 1 Pt 1 Flackwell Heath SU895894 100 2011

Birds Fringilla montifringilla Brambling Sch 1 Pt 1 Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2009

Birds Fringilla montifringilla Brambling Sch 1 Pt 1 Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2008

Birds Gallinago gallinago Snipe Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Gallinago gallinago Snipe Amber List Spade Oak SU882873 100 2002

Birds Gavia immer Great Northern Diver Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2008

Birds Gavia stellata Red-throated Diver Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2005

Birds Haematopus Oystercatcher Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010 ostralegus Birds Hirundo rustica Swallow Amber List Bourne End SU895870 100 2003

Birds Hirundo rustica Swallow Amber List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2009

Birds Hirundo rustica Swallow Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Data provided by BMERC (01296 696012) on: Thursday 11 July 2013 species table: page 5 of 16 European Nationally rare latest group species English name legislation W+C Act UK BAP national status plants: local status site grid ref precision record Birds Hirundo rustica Swallow Amber List River Thames - SU88X SU895858 100 1985

Birds Hirundo rustica Swallow Amber List River Thames - SU88Y SU8887 1000 1999

Birds Hirundo rustica Swallow Amber List Spade Oak SU882873 100 2002

Birds Hirundo rustica Swallow Amber List Wooburn Green SU910877 100 2011

Birds Larus argentatus Herring Gull Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Larus argentatus Yellow-legged Gull Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010 michahellis Birds Larus canus Mew Gull Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Larus canus Mew Gull Amber List Spade Oak SU882873 100 2002

Birds Larus fuscus Lesser Black-backed Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010 Gull Birds Larus glaucoides Iceland Gull Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2007

Birds Larus hyperboreus Glaucous Gull Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2008

Birds Larus marinus Great Black-backed Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010 Gull Birds Larus melanocephalus Mediterranean Gull Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Larus melanocephalus Mediterranean Gull Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Spade Oak SU882873 100 2002

Birds Larus minutus Little Gull Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Larus ridibundus Black-headed Gull Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Larus ridibundus Black-headed Gull Amber List Marlow Gravel pits (Spade Oak Farm) SU880875 100 1999

Birds Limosa lapponica Bar-tailed Godwit Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2007

Birds Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit Sch 1 Pt 1 BAP + Principal Importance Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Loxia curvirostra Crossbill Sch 1 Pt 1 Bergers Hill SU916875 100 2007

Birds Loxia curvirostra Crossbill Sch 1 Pt 1 Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2009

Birds Loxia curvirostra Crossbill Sch 1 Pt 1 Hedsor SU908860 100 2011

Birds Loxia curvirostra Crossbill Sch 1 Pt 1 Woolmans Wood SU915865 100 2011

Birds Lymnocryptes Jack Snipe Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010 minimus Birds Melanitta nigra Black Scoter Sch 1 Pt 1 BAP + Principal Importance Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2007

Data provided by BMERC (01296 696012) on: Thursday 11 July 2013 species table: page 6 of 16 European Nationally rare latest group species English name legislation W+C Act UK BAP national status plants: local status site grid ref precision record Birds Mergellus albellus Smew Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2003

Birds Milvus milvus Red Kite Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List 198 Blind Lane; F Heath SU900889 100 2002

Birds Milvus milvus Red Kite Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Abbey Road, Bourne End SU890881 100 2007

Birds Milvus milvus Red Kite Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Bergers Hill SU916875 100 2010

Birds Milvus milvus Red Kite Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Bourne End SU895870 100 2004

Birds Milvus milvus Red Kite Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Chapman Lane, Flackwell Heath SU893890 100 2011

Birds Milvus milvus Red Kite Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Flackwell Heath SU895894 100 2011

Birds Milvus milvus Red Kite Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2010

Birds Milvus milvus Red Kite Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Hedsor SU908860 100 2009

Birds Milvus milvus Red Kite Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Milvus milvus Red Kite Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Mill Wood, Wooburn SU921886 100 2011

Birds Milvus milvus Red Kite Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Pigeon House Farm, Sheepridge Lane SU886888 100 2011

Birds Milvus milvus Red Kite Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List School, Flackwell Heath SU900894 100 2011

Birds Milvus milvus Red Kite Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Wooburn Green SU910877 100 2010

Birds Motacilla cinerea Grey Wagtail Amber List Bourne End SU895870 100 2010

Birds Motacilla cinerea Grey Wagtail Amber List Flackwell Heath SU895894 100 2011

Birds Motacilla cinerea Grey Wagtail Amber List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2010

Birds Motacilla cinerea Grey Wagtail Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Motacilla cinerea Grey Wagtail Amber List Wooburn Green SU910877 100 2008

Birds Motacilla flava Yellow Wagtail BAP + Principal Importance Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010 flavissima Birds Muscicapa striata Spotted Flycatcher BAP + Principal Importance Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2008

Birds Numenius arquata Curlew BAP + Principal Importance Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2007

Birds Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel Sch 1 Pt 1 Red List Bourne End SU895870 100 2002

Birds Numenius phaeopus Whimbrel Sch 1 Pt 1 Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Oceanodroma Leach's Storm-petrel Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2006 leucorhoa

Data provided by BMERC (01296 696012) on: Thursday 11 July 2013 species table: page 7 of 16 European Nationally rare latest group species English name legislation W+C Act UK BAP national status plants: local status site grid ref precision record Birds Oenanthe oenanthe Wheatear Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Pandion haliaetus Osprey Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2008

Birds Parus montanus Willow Tit BAP + Principal Importance Red List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2005

Birds Parus palustris Marsh Tit BAP + Principal Importance Red List 198 Blind Lane; F Heath SU900889 100 2002

Birds Parus palustris Marsh Tit BAP + Principal Importance Red List Bergers Hill SU916875 100 2010

Birds Parus palustris Marsh Tit BAP + Principal Importance Red List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2010

Birds Parus palustris Marsh Tit BAP + Principal Importance Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2006

Birds Parus palustris Marsh Tit BAP + Principal Importance Red List Ronald Wood SU900880 100 2010

Birds Parus palustris Marsh Tit BAP + Principal Importance Red List Wooburn Green SU910877 100 2008

Birds Passer domesticus House Sparrow BAP + Principal Importance Red List Disused railway, Nature Reserve, SU900876 100 1999 Wooburn Birds Passer domesticus House Sparrow BAP + Principal Importance Red List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2008

Birds Passer domesticus House Sparrow BAP + Principal Importance Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2004

Birds Passer domesticus House Sparrow BAP + Principal Importance Red List Wooburn Green SU910877 100 2010

Birds Pernis apivorus Honey Buzzard Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2005

Birds Philomachus pugnax Ruff Sch 1 Pt 1 Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2005

Birds Phoenicurus Redstart Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2008 phoenicurus Birds Phoenicurus Redstart Amber List Well End SU890883 100 2010 phoenicurus Birds Phylloscopus sibilatrix Wood Warbler BAP + Principal Importance Red List Flackwell Heath SU895894 100 2011

Birds Phylloscopus trochilus Willow Warbler Amber List Bourne End SU883875 100 2008

Birds Phylloscopus trochilus Willow Warbler Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Phylloscopus trochilus Willow Warbler Amber List Wooburn Green SU910877 100 2011

Birds Picus viridis Green Woodpecker Amber List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2009

Birds Picus viridis Green Woodpecker Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Picus viridis Green Woodpecker Amber List Marlow Gravel pits (Spade Oak Farm) SU880875 100 1999

Birds Plectrophenax nivalis Snow Bunting Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2005

Data provided by BMERC (01296 696012) on: Thursday 11 July 2013 species table: page 8 of 16 European Nationally rare latest group species English name legislation W+C Act UK BAP national status plants: local status site grid ref precision record Birds Pluvialis apricaria European Golden Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010 Plover Birds Podiceps nigricollis Black-necked Grebe Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2003

Birds Porzana porzana Spotted Crake Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2003

Birds Prunella modularis Dunnock BAP + Principal Importance Amber List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2010

Birds Prunella modularis Dunnock BAP + Principal Importance Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2004

Birds Pyrrhula pyrrhula Bullfinch BAP + Principal Importance Amber List Bourne End SU895870 100 2010

Birds Pyrrhula pyrrhula Bullfinch BAP + Principal Importance Amber List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2010

Birds Pyrrhula pyrrhula Bullfinch BAP + Principal Importance Amber List Hedsor SU908860 100 2008

Birds Pyrrhula pyrrhula Bullfinch BAP + Principal Importance Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Pyrrhula pyrrhula Bullfinch BAP + Principal Importance Amber List Woolmans Wood SU915865 100 2011

Birds Recurvirostra avosetta Avocet Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2002

Birds Regulus ignicapilla Firecrest Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Bourne End SU895870 100 2005

Birds Regulus ignicapilla Firecrest Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Regulus ignicapilla Firecrest Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Woolmans Wood SU915865 100 2011

Birds Riparia riparia Sand Martin Amber List Bourne End SU895870 100 2010

Birds Riparia riparia Sand Martin Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Riparia riparia Sand Martin Amber List River Thames - SU88Y SU8887 1000 1999

Birds Rissa tridactyla Black-legged Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2006 Kittiwake Birds Saxicola rubetra Whinchat Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2006

Birds Scolopax rusticola Woodcock Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2004

Birds Sterna hirundo Common Tern Amber List Bourne End SU895870 100 2010

Birds Sterna hirundo Common Tern Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Sterna paradisaea Arctic Tern Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Sterna sandvicensis Sandwich Tern Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2006

Birds Sternula albifrons Little Tern Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2005

Data provided by BMERC (01296 696012) on: Thursday 11 July 2013 species table: page 9 of 16 European Nationally rare latest group species English name legislation W+C Act UK BAP national status plants: local status site grid ref precision record Birds Streptopelia turtur Turtle Dove BAP + Principal Importance Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2007

Birds Sturnus vulgaris Starling BAP + Principal Importance Red List Bourne End SU895870 100 2010

Birds Sturnus vulgaris Starling BAP + Principal Importance Red List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2010

Birds Sturnus vulgaris Starling BAP + Principal Importance Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Sturnus vulgaris Starling BAP + Principal Importance Red List Pigeon House Farm, Sheepridge Lane SU886888 100 2011

Birds Sturnus vulgaris Starling BAP + Principal Importance Red List Wooburn Green SU910877 100 2011

Birds Sylvia communis Whitethroat Amber List Disused railway, Nature Reserve, SU900876 100 1999 Wooburn Birds Sylvia communis Whitethroat Amber List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2010

Birds Sylvia communis Whitethroat Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Tachybaptus ruficollis Little Grebe Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Tadorna tadorna Shelduck Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Tringa erythropus Spotted Redshank Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2006

Birds Tringa glareola Wood Sandpiper Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Tringa nebularia Common Greenshank Sch 1 Pt 1 Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Tringa ochropus Green Sandpiper Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Tringa ochropus Green Sandpiper Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Spade Oak SU882873 100 2002

Birds Tringa totanus Redshank Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Turdus iliacus Redwing Sch 1 Pt 1 Red List 198 Blind Lane; F Heath SU900889 100 2002

Birds Turdus iliacus Redwing Sch 1 Pt 1 Red List Bourne End SU895870 100 2011

Birds Turdus iliacus Redwing Sch 1 Pt 1 Red List Flackwell Heath SU895894 100 2011

Birds Turdus iliacus Redwing Sch 1 Pt 1 Red List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2010

Birds Turdus iliacus Redwing Sch 1 Pt 1 Red List Hedsor SU908860 100 2010

Birds Turdus iliacus Redwing Sch 1 Pt 1 Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Turdus iliacus Redwing Sch 1 Pt 1 Red List Wooburn Green SU910877 100 2007

Birds Turdus iliacus Redwing Sch 1 Pt 1 Red List Woolmans Wood SU915865 100 2011

Data provided by BMERC (01296 696012) on: Thursday 11 July 2013 species table: page 10 of 16 European Nationally rare latest group species English name legislation W+C Act UK BAP national status plants: local status site grid ref precision record Birds Turdus philomelos Song Thrush BAP + Principal Importance Red List Abbey Road, Bourne End SU890881 100 2007

Birds Turdus philomelos Song Thrush BAP + Principal Importance Red List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2010

Birds Turdus philomelos Song Thrush BAP + Principal Importance Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Turdus philomelos Song Thrush BAP + Principal Importance Red List Pigeon House Farm, Sheepridge Lane SU886888 100 2011

Birds Turdus philomelos Song Thrush BAP + Principal Importance Red List Wooburn Green SU910877 100 2011

Birds Turdus pilaris Fieldfare Sch 1 Pt 1 Red List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2010

Birds Turdus pilaris Fieldfare Sch 1 Pt 1 Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Turdus pilaris Fieldfare Sch 1 Pt 1 Red List Pigeon House Farm, Sheepridge Lane SU886888 100 2011

Birds Turdus pilaris Fieldfare Sch 1 Pt 1 Red List Wooburn Green SU910877 100 2010

Birds Turdus viscivorus Mistle Thrush Amber List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2010

Birds Turdus viscivorus Mistle Thrush Amber List Hedsor SU908860 100 2010

Birds Turdus viscivorus Mistle Thrush Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Birds Tyto alba Barn Owl Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Flackwell Heath SU895894 100 2011

Birds Tyto alba Barn Owl Sch 1 Pt 1 Amber List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2006

Birds Vanellus vanellus Lapwing BAP + Principal Importance Red List Flackwell Heath SU900893 100 2010

Birds Vanellus vanellus Lapwing BAP + Principal Importance Red List Little Marlow GP SU880875 100 2010

Fish Anguilla anguilla Eel BAP + Principal Importance River Thames - SU88X SU895858 100 1985

Fish Salmo trutta Brown Trout BAP + Principal Importance River Wye, Wooburn Green Recreation SU914348941 1 2004 Ground 9 Fish Salmo trutta Brown Trout BAP + Principal Importance River Wye, Furlong Recreation Ground SU897558701 1 2004 8 Fish Salmo trutta Brown Trout BAP + Principal Importance Wooburn Green SU914348941 1 2004 9 Insects: ants, bees, Auplopus carbonarius a spider-hunter wasp Nationally Scarce/Nb Cliveden Estate NT: Long Garden SU909856 100 2008 wasps Insects: ants, bees, Dolichovespula a social wasp Red Data Book K: Cliveden Estate NT SU907856 100 2008 wasps saxonica insufficiently known Insects: ants, bees, Lasioglossum a mining bee Nationally Scarce/Nb Cliveden Estate NT SU907856 100 2008 wasps malachurum Insects: ants, bees, Lasioglossum a mining bee Nationally Scarce/Na Cliveden Estate NT: Long Garden SU909856 100 2008 wasps pauxillum Insects: ants, bees, Lasius brunneus an ant Nationally Scarce/Na Cliveden Estate NT SU907856 100 2008 wasps

Data provided by BMERC (01296 696012) on: Thursday 11 July 2013 species table: page 11 of 16 European Nationally rare latest group species English name legislation W+C Act UK BAP national status plants: local status site grid ref precision record Insects: beetles Aderus brevicornis Red Data Book 2: Cliveden NT, trap F, beech near SU907856 100 2008 Vulnerable amphitheatre Insects: beetles Atomaria strandi Nationally Scarce Cliveden NT, trap F, beech near SU907856 100 2008 amphitheatre Insects: beetles Aulonothroscus Red Data Book 3: Rare Cliveden NT, trap F, beech near SU907856 100 2008 brevicollis amphitheatre Insects: beetles Cryptophagus Red Data Book K: Cliveden NT, trap F, beech near SU907856 100 2009 micaceus insufficiently known amphitheatre Insects: beetles Diaperis boleti Red Data Book 2: Cliveden (NT): secret garden / Canning SU909854 100 2008 Vulnerable oak area Insects: beetles Lucanus cervus Stag Beetle BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Nb Bourne End Station, 50 yards north of SU894873 100 1998

Insects: beetles Lucanus cervus Stag Beetle BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Nb Bourne End, 5 Claytons Meadow SU895869 100 1998

Insects: beetles Lucanus cervus Stag Beetle BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Nb Bourne End, 7 Furlong road SU895871 100 2002

Insects: beetles Lucanus cervus Stag Beetle BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Nb Bourne End, Abbotsbrook SU891873 100 1998

Insects: beetles Lucanus cervus Stag Beetle BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Nb Bourne End, Casita, Wharf Lane SU89108730 10 1998

Insects: beetles Lucanus cervus Stag Beetle BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Nb Bourne End, Casita, Wharf Lane SU891873 100 2002

Insects: beetles Lucanus cervus Stag Beetle BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Nb Bourne End, Garibaldi pub, Hedsor SU905860 100 1998

Insects: beetles Lucanus cervus Stag Beetle BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Nb Bourne End, Hedsor Priory SU90808609 10 1998

Insects: beetles Lucanus cervus Stag Beetle BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Nb Bourne End, Hollands, Hedsor Road SU897865 100 1998

Insects: beetles Lucanus cervus Stag Beetle BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Nb Bourne End, Railway St SU892870 100 1998

Insects: beetles Lucanus cervus Stag Beetle BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Nb Bourne End, The Mause, Princes End, SU92008719 10 1998 Princes Rd Insects: beetles Lucanus cervus Stag Beetle BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Nb Bourne End, Walden Close SU89208729 10 1998

Insects: beetles Lucanus cervus Stag Beetle BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Nb Bourne End, Wendover Rd SU89108809 10 1998

Insects: beetles Lucanus cervus Stag Beetle BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Nb Bourne End, Wye Valley School SU89708769 10 1998

Insects: beetles Lucanus cervus Stag Beetle BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Nb Bourne End: 1km square SU8987 1000 2009

Insects: beetles Lucanus cervus Stag Beetle BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Nb Bourne End: Station Road Open Space SU894873 100 1995

Insects: beetles Lucanus cervus Stag Beetle BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Nb Cookham Sailing Club SU895857 100 1994

Insects: beetles Microscydmus nanus Nationally Scarce Cliveden NT, trap F, beech near SU907856 100 2008 amphitheatre Insects: beetles Orchesia micans Nationally Scarce/Nb Cliveden NT, trap F, beech near SU907856 100 2008 amphitheatre Insects: beetles Ptenidium gressneri Nationally Scarce Cliveden NT, trap F, beech near SU907856 100 2008 amphitheatre

Data provided by BMERC (01296 696012) on: Thursday 11 July 2013 species table: page 12 of 16 European Nationally rare latest group species English name legislation W+C Act UK BAP national status plants: local status site grid ref precision record Insects: beetles Teredus cylindricus Red Data Book 1: Cliveden NT SU9085 1000 2009 Endangered Insects: beetles Teredus cylindricus Red Data Book 1: Cliveden NT, trap F, beech near SU907856 100 2008 Endangered amphitheatre Insects: flies Volucella inanis Nationally Scarce Cliveden Estate NT SU907856 100 2008

Insects: Coenonympha Small Heath BAP + Principal Importance Near Threatened Disused railway Line, Wooburn SU911884 100 1991 Lepidoptera: pamphilus Insects: Coenonympha Small Heath BAP + Principal Importance Near Threatened Wooburn Green SU9088 1000 1990 Lepidoptera: pamphilus Insects: Coenonympha Small Heath BAP + Principal Importance Near Threatened Wooburn Green SU9188 1000 1991 Lepidoptera: pamphilus Insects: Lasiommata megera Wall BAP + Principal Importance Near Threatened Medium Priority Wooburn Green SU913882 100 1988 Lepidoptera: butterflies Insects: Lysandra coridon Chalkhill Blue Near Threatened Low Priority butterflies Wooburn Green SU913882 100 1988 Lepidoptera: Insects: Thymelicus lineola Essex Skipper Low Priority butterflies Disused railway, Wooburn SU904877 100 1998 Lepidoptera: Insects: Thymelicus lineola Essex Skipper Low Priority butterflies Hedsor SU9086 1000 2000 Lepidoptera: Insects: Thymelicus lineola Essex Skipper Low Priority butterflies Little Marlow Cemetery SU883885 100 1999 Lepidoptera: Insects: Thymelicus lineola Essex Skipper Low Priority butterflies Well End SU8888 1000 2000 Lepidoptera: Insects: Cosmopterix Nationally Scarce/Na Bourne End: Ferry Lane SU897861 100 2004 Lepidoptera: moths zieglerella Insects: Hypena rostralis Buttoned Snout Nationally Scarce/Nb High Priority moths Bourne End: Ferry Lane SU897861 100 2005 Lepidoptera: moths Insects: Hypena rostralis Buttoned Snout Nationally Scarce/Nb High Priority moths Harvest Hill SU907869 100 2005 Lepidoptera: moths Insects: Scotopteryx Shaded Broad-bar Principal Importance Wooburn Green SU910882 100 2009 Lepidoptera: moths chenopodiata Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths A4155 verge Marlow Bottom - Well SU8888 1000 2000 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis End Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Ferry Lane SU896862 100 2000 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Ferry Lane, Hedsor SU896862 100 2000 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Flackwell Heath: Pigeon House Farm SU887889 100 2009 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Harvest Hill SU907869 100 2005 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Harvest Hill, Hedsor SU907869 100 2000 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Hedsor SU902861 100 2010 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Hedsor SU904861 100 2005 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Hedsor SU904862 100 1991 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis

Data provided by BMERC (01296 696012) on: Thursday 11 July 2013 species table: page 13 of 16 European Nationally rare latest group species English name legislation W+C Act UK BAP national status plants: local status site grid ref precision record Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Hedsor: Hedsor Wharf SU904860 100 2010 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Holtspur: Broad Lane SU920877 100 2000 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Little Marlow Cemetary SU883885 100 2005 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Little Marlow Cemetery, Fern SU883885 100 2000 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Little Marlow: Cemetary SU883885 100 2010 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Sheepridge Lane SU883865 100 1996 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Sheepridge Lane SU884882 100 2010 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Sheepridge Lane, Well End SU884882 100 1999 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Sheepridge Lane, Well End SU884883 100 1996 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Sheepridge Lane: NR SU884885 100 2000 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Sheepridge Lane: Scout hut area SU883883 100 2010 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Sheepridge Nr SU884885 100 2005 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Sheepridge Reserve SU884885 100 2000 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Spade Oak SU882873 100 1998 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths TETRAD SU88Y - Vague Site SU882873 100 1998 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths TETRAD SU98D - Vague Site SU904861 100 2000 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths TETRAD SU98E - Vague Site SU911885 100 2000 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths TETRAD SU98I - Vague Site SU920877 100 2000 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths The bottom of Hedsor Hill, near Bourne SU904862 100 1991 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis End Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Well End: A4155 SU883881 100 2010 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Well End: Coldmoorholme Lane SU884880 100 2010 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Whitepit Hill SU911885 100 2000 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Wooburn: Town Lane SU910881 100 2010 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Shargacucullia Striped Lychnis BAP + Principal Importance Nationally Scarce/Na High Priority moths Wooburn: Whitepit Lane, Old Railway SU909889 100 2010 Lepidoptera: moths lychnitis Insects: Tyria jacobaeae Cinnabar Principal Importance Harvest Hill SU907869 100 2000 Lepidoptera: moths

Data provided by BMERC (01296 696012) on: Thursday 11 July 2013 species table: page 14 of 16 European Nationally rare latest group species English name legislation W+C Act UK BAP national status plants: local status site grid ref precision record Insects: Tyria jacobaeae Cinnabar Principal Importance Hedsor SU904861 100 2000 Lepidoptera: moths Insects: Tyria jacobaeae Cinnabar Principal Importance Little Marlow Cemetary SU883885 100 2005 Lepidoptera: moths Insects: Tyria jacobaeae Cinnabar Principal Importance Little Marlow Cemetery, Fern SU883885 100 1999 Lepidoptera: moths Insects: Tyria jacobaeae Cinnabar Principal Importance Sheepridge Lane SU884882 100 1998 Lepidoptera: moths Invertebrates: Austropotamobius Freshwater White- BAP + Principal Importance Endangered Bourne End SU900870 100 1992 crustaceans pallipes clawed Crayfish Mammals # Meles meles Badger Badgers Act TETRAD SU98D - Vague Site SU916867 100 1992

Mammals Arvicola terrestris Water Vole Sch 5 (full) BAP + Principal Importance River Thames, Abbotsbrook SU884877 100 2000

Mammals Arvicola terrestris Water Vole Sch 5 (full) BAP + Principal Importance River Thames, Bourne End SU891872 100 1999

Mammals Pipistrellus pipistrellus Common Pipistrelle Habitats Directive Sch 5 (full) Bourne End, 29-39 Furlong Road SU896871 100 2009

Plants Aira caryophyllea Silver Hair-grass County Scarce Flackwell Heath (SU88Z) SU88Z 2000 1997

Plants Aphanes australis Slender Parsley-piert County Scarce Flackwell Heath (SU88Z) SU88Z 2000 1997

Plants Buxus sempervirens Box Rare Wooburn Churchyard (St Paul) SU909878 100 1983

Plants Cardamine bulbifera Coralroot Scarce Woolman's Wood, Hedsor SU912865 100 1990

Plants Cardamine bulbifera Coralroot Scarce Woolman's Wood, Hedsor SU98D 2000 1992

Plants Clinopodium Lesser Calamint Vulnerable Scarce County Scarce Flackwell Heath (SU88Z) SU88Z 2000 2007 calamintha Plants Colchicum autumnale Meadow Saffron Near Threatened Flackwell Heath (SU88Z) SU88Z 2000 2005

Plants Cuscuta europaea Greater Dodder Scarce Bourne End: Abbotsbrook SU888875 100 1997

Plants Cuscuta europaea Greater Dodder Scarce North of Spade Oak Meadows SU886877 100 1997

Plants Fumaria muralis Common Ramping- County Scarce Bourne End (SU88Y) SU88Y 2000 1997 subsp. boraei fumitory Plants Fumaria vaillantii Few-flowered Vulnerable Scarce County Scarce Flackwell Heath (SU88Z) SU88Z 2000 1997 Fumitory Plants Gymnocarpium Limestone Fern Scarce Extinct Wooburn Churchyard (St Paul) SU909878 100 1983 robertianum Plants Helleborus foetidus Stinking Hellebore Scarce Flackwell Heath (SU88Z) SU88Z 2000 2005

Plants Scandix pecten- Shepherd's-needle BAP + Principal Importance Critically Endangered County Scarce Flackwell Heath (SU88Z) SU88Z 2000 2005 veneris Plants Scleranthus annuus Annual Knawel BAP + Principal Importance Endangered County Scarce Bourne End (SU88Y) SU88Y 2000 1994

Plants Spergularia rubra Sand Spurrey County Scarce Flackwell Heath (SU88Z) SU88Z 2000 1997

Data provided by BMERC (01296 696012) on: Thursday 11 July 2013 species table: page 15 of 16 European Nationally rare latest group species English name legislation W+C Act UK BAP national status plants: local status site grid ref precision record Plants Viola tricolor Wild Pansy Near Threatened Flackwell Heath (SU88Z) SU88Z 2000 2005

Plants Viola tricolor Wild Pansy Near Threatened Little Marlow Cemetery, Fern SU883885 100 1985

Plants Viola tricolor Wild Pansy Near Threatened Wooburn Green (SU98E) SU98E 2000 1998

Data provided by BMERC (01296 696012) on: Thursday 11 July 2013 species table: page 16 of 16 Definitions

Sites of importance for wildlife and geology in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes

The following statutory designations are used in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes:  Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) Special Areas of Conservation are sites of international nature conservation importance and are designated under the EC Directive on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Flora and Fauna (the Habitats Directive).  National Nature Reserves (NNR) National Nature Reserves are sites of national importance and are declared under section 19 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949 or section 35 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.  Local Nature Reserves (LNR) Local Nature Reserves are sites of local importance and are declared under section 21 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949.  Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) Sites of Special Scientific Interest are sites of national nature conservation or geological importance and are declared under section 28 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The following non-statutory sites have been identified in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes:  Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) Local Wildlife Sites are local non-statutory nature conservation sites, formerly called County Wildlife Site and equivalent to Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation. The aim of the selection process is to identify sites that support the most important habitats and species in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. A selection panel, in consultation with local authorities, designates the sites. Summary citations or survey reports are available for most, but not all, Local Wildlife Sites.  Milton Keynes Wildlife Sites (MKWS) Sites identified as Local Wildlife Sites are referred to as Milton Keynes Wildlife Sites when they fall within the administrative area of Milton Keynes Council.  Milton Keynes Wildlife Corridors These have been identified along the major road, rail and waterway corridors running through the Milton Keynes area. They are treated as being equivalent to Milton Keynes Wildlife Sites.  Biological Notification Sites (BNS) Biological Notification Sites preceded Local Wildlife Sites as a local non-statutory designation. They were first designated in the late 1980s and have since been revised. There are no formal citations and for some sites we have no survey data. All Biological Notification Sites are in the process of being re-surveyed and assessed by Local Wildlife Site criteria; until this process is complete the two designations will continue to be in use. (Unfortunately, BNS within the administrative area of Milton Keynes Council have sometimes been called Local Wildlife Sites, this terminology will be phased out as soon as possible.)  Local Geological Sites (LGS) Local Geological Sites are local non-statutory sites that recognise important earth science and landscape features. The Buckinghamshire Earth Heritage Group, in consultation with local authorities, designates the sites. They were previously known as Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphological Sites (RIGS).  Key Areas for Water Vole Following surveys in 1997/8, the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust have labelled some waterways as Key Areas for Water Vole. The boundaries of Key Areas are taken to be 10m from the bank-top each side of a watercourse and the buffer area is taken to be 500m from each side of the watercourse. For further information contact the Wildlife Trust on 01865 775476.

Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Notable Species List

Records held come from myriad sources including professional consultants’ surveys, volunteer recorders and recording groups, national recording schemes and members of the public. In particular, we hold records from Bucks recorders for Plants, Moths and Mammals and from BucksARG and Bucks Bird Club. We also receive records from North Bucks Bat Group although they may hold more up-to-date records for an area.

The Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Notable Species List has been compiled in response to data requests from ecological consultants and developers. Although records of protected species are most commonly requested, national and local BAP species records and records of other notable species are often required.

As part of our standard data search we now include records of species defined by the following legislation and criteria.

1. European legislation This column in our reports includes species listed in Regulations 39 (European protected animal species) and 42 (European protected plant species) of The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994. These provide protection for key species and habitat types and enacts the EU Habitats Directive into UK Law. The Habitats Directive requires the formation of a network of protected areas and the direct protection of specific species. It is an offence to deliberately capture, kill or disturb a wild animal of a European protected species or to deliberately take or destroy the eggs or destroy a breeding site or resting place of such an animal. It is also an offence to deliberately pick, collect, cut, uproot or destroy a wild plant of a European protected species.

The Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Environmental Records Centre is a service provided by Buckinghamshire County Council and Milton Keynes Council

On 21 August 2007 an amendment to the Habitats Directive came into force. The Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 have a variety of consequences for the protection of European Protected Species, including the removal of many defences that were previously allowed. This includes the commonly relied upon 'incidental result defence', which previously covered acts that were the incidental result of an otherwise lawful activity and which could not reasonably have been avoided. For more details see: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/conservation/wildlife-management-licensing/habsregs.htm#houseguidance

2. W+C Act This column includes species listed in The Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (and later amendments), plus Badger (see below). The Wildlife and Countryside Act consolidates and amends existing national legislation to implement the Bern Convention and the EU Birds Directive in Great Britain. Various amendments have been made to the Act, e.g. in the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000.  Schedule 1 (protected birds) – It an offence (with exception to certain species) to intentionally kill, injure, or take any wild bird or the eggs or nests of species listed in Part 1. Part 2 lists birds protected during the closed season.  Schedule 5 (protected animals, other than birds) – The intentional or reckless killing, injuring, taking, possessing, disturbing or selling, of animals listed in Schedule 5 is prohibited, along with the damaging or disturbing of the places used for their shelter or protection. Protection of some species is limited to certain sections: o Section 9(1) – Limited to intentional killing, injury or taking. o Section 9(2) – Limited to processing and controlling. o Section 9(4a) – Limited to damaging, destroying or obstructing access to any structure or place used by the animal for shelter or protection. o Section 9(4b) – Limited to disturbing an animal whilst it is occupying any structure or place used for shelter or protection. o Section 9(5) – Limited to selling, offering for sale, possessing or transporting for sale or advertising for sale of any live or dead animal, part of or derived from. (Not included in list)  Schedule 8 (protected plants and fungi) – The intentional picking, uprooting, trade in, or possessing of any wild plant listed in Schedule 8 is prohibited. Also, all wild plants are protected from intentional uprooting by an unauthorised person. This column also shows records for badgers, which are protected under The Protection of Badgers Act 1992. This makes it an offence to wilfully kill, injure or take, or attempt to kill, injure or take, a badger and to interfere with a badger sett either by intent or by negligence. A licence, issued by English Nature, is required for works within 30 metres of a badger sett.

3. UK BAP This column shows species listed as UK Biodiversity Action Plan Priority species, and as Species of Principal Importance. The UK Biodiversity Action Plan lists Priority species for conservation in the UK. The species list was reviewed and extended in 2007. The list of Species of Principal Importance was originally published under Section 74 of the Countryside and Rights Way Act 2000, and carried forward into the NERC Act 2006. It is referred to in PPS9 and other guidance. The list of Species of Principal Importance is very similar to the list of Priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (there are some species that are BAP Priority but not Species of Principal Importance, and there is one species – Hen Harrier – that is a Species of Principal Importance but not a BAP Priority).

4. National status This column shows all species that have been listed in Red Data Books, or in reviews of Nationally Scarce species, or are red- or amber-listed birds. A number of criteria have been devised for assessing the conservation status of species. In the UK, official lists of Red Data Book species are published by the government’s Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC). NB that the Red Data Books use different criteria for different groups, e.g. for plants the criteria give priority to declining and threatened species, whereas those for invertebrates are based more on rarity in terms of distribution. The more recent Red Data Book lists use international criteria developed by the World Conservation Union (IUCN), and include these categories:  Extinct (EX)  Extinct in the wild (EW)  Critically endangered (CR)  Endangered (EN)  Vulnerable (VU)  Near threatened (NT)  Data deficient (DD) The CR, EN and VU categories are considered to be threatened categories. Near threatened species are close to qualifying for one of these categories. Data deficient is not a threatened category, but indicates a need for more information in order to determine the appropriate category.

In addition to IUCN criteria, there are older Red Data Book and Nationally Scarce criteria used to define nationally rare and nationally scarce species:  Red Data Book (= Nationally Rare): Occurring in 15 or fewer 10km-squares in Great Britain  Nationally Scarce: Occurring in 16–100 10km-squares in Great Britain. For some groups this is further subdivided: o Nationally Scarce/Na: Occurring in 16–30 10km-squares o Nationally Scarce/Nb: Occurring in 31–100 10km-squares

For birds, the following categories apply, taken from Birds of Conservation Concern 2002–2007 (RSPB):  Red List – Species that are globally threatened according to IUCN criteria; those whose population or range has declined rapidly in recent years; and those that have declined historically and not shown a substantial recent recovery.  Amber List – Species with an unfavourable conservation status in Europe; those whose population or range has declined moderately in recent years; those whose population has declined historically but made a substantial recovery; rare breeders; and those with internationally important or localised populations.

The Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Environmental Records Centre is a service provided by Buckinghamshire County Council and Milton Keynes Council

Nationally rare plants This column uses distribution data from the Botanical Society of the British Isles to show those plants that have restricted national distributions, i.e. equivalent to the old Red Data Book categories.

5. Local status This column shows the local statuses that have been applied to plants, butterflies and moths. For the plants the source is the BSBI County Rare Plant List for Bucks, compiled by Roy Maycock in 2007 (NB this is a substantial change from the previous county rare/scarce plant list of the 1980s). The categories are:  County Rare: generally confined to three or fewer tetrads (2km × 2km squares) in the county  County Scarce: generally confined to between four and ten tetrads in the county For butterflies and moths the source is Butterfly Conservation’s Regional Action Plan for the Thames Region (Clarke and Bourn 2000). Species are given a High, Medium or Low priority based on rarity, decline and threat (NB that the “Low Priority” category does include species of conservation importance, but simply those which are considered a lower priority than the others).

 Bird records Under the EC Birds Directive and the Wildlife and Countryside Act it an offence to intentionally kill, injure, or take any wild bird or their eggs or nests (with the exception of certain species). Records of wild birds in general are not included in BMERC reports unless they are of species falling into one of the other categories listed here.

A full Notable Species list is available on request.

International and European Obligations

In the UK, species receiving protection under international legislation and agreements are protected through the Wildlife and Countryside Act, so are not shown separately in the BMERC notable species lists. For reference, the relevant categories are shown below.

 Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats The Bern Convention aims to ensure the conservation of wild flora and fauna species and their habitats.  Appendix 1 (strictly protected flora) – Plants for which contracting parties will prohibit deliberate picking, collecting, cutting or uprooting.  Appendix 2 (strictly protected fauna) – Animals for which contracting parties will prohibit deliberate capture, possession, killing, damage to or destruction of breeding or resting sites, disturbance or destruction or taking of eggs.  Appendix 3 (protected fauna) – Animals for which contracting parties will include closed seasons and regulate their sale, keeping for sale, transport for sale or offering for sale of live and dead wild animals. (Not included in Notable Species List)

 Bonn Convention on Migratory Species The Bonn Convention aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species throughout their range.  Appendix 1 (migratory species threatened with extinction) – Species for which contracting parties will strictly protect and endeavour to conserve or restore the places where they live, mitigating obstacles to migration and controlling other factors that might endanger them.  Appendix 2 (migratory species that need or would benefit from international co-operation) – Species for which contracting parties will be encouraged to conclude global or regional agreements for the conservation and management of individual species or, more often, of a group of species. (Not included in Notable Species List)

 The EC Council Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds The Birds Directive provides a framework for the conservation and management of all wild birds in Europe. As well as designating important sites for birds as Special Protection Areas, birds are generally protected from deliberate killing or capture and destruction of or damage to their nests or eggs, and deliberate disturbance. Allowances are made for game birds.

The Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Environmental Records Centre is a service provided by Buckinghamshire County Council and Milton Keynes Council

Slate Meadow July 2013

Appendix 2: Site Photographs

PJC Consultancy 39 Slate Meadow July 2013

Photograph 1: The River Wye and associated fringe habitats on south-east boundary of site

Photograph 2: Tall ruderal vegetation and scrub in south-east corner of site

Photograph 3: Horse grazed poor semi- improved grassland field to the south of the site

PJC Consultancy Ltd

Slate Meadow July 2013

Photograph 4: Dense tall ruderal vegetation with scrub and scattered trees to the west of the site (between residential properties and the horse grazed field)

Photograph 5: Triangular area of broadleaved woodland in the north-west corner of the site

Photograph 6: Brash piles within woodland to the north-west of the site

PJC Consultancy Ltd

Slate Meadow July 2013

Photograph 7: Rough poor semi-improved grassland and tall ruderal vegetation in north-west of the site

Photograph 8: Rough good semi-improved grassland adjacent to northern boundary of site

Photograph 9: Scattered hawthorn scrub within good semi-improved grassland field to the north of the site

PJC Consultancy Ltd

Slate Meadow July 2013

Photograph 10: Line of hawthorn scrub between the horse grazed field to the south and good semi-improved grassland field to the north

Photograph 11: Tall ruderal vegetation along eastern boundary of horse grazed field

Photograph 12: Short mown improved grassland to immediately to the south of the River Wye

PJC Consultancy Ltd

Slate Meadow July 2013

Appendix 3: Habitat Map

PJC Consultancy 40

Slate Meadow July 2013

PJC Consultancy Ltd Chapter House Priesthawes Farm Hailsham Road Polegate, East Sussex Tel. 01323 768 155 Fax. 01323 768 244 www.pjcconsultancy.com

Written by: Vicky Hale BSc (Hons) CEnv MCIEEM Approved for PJC by: Alexia Tamblyn MA (Oxon) MSc CEnv MCIEEM FRGS, Managing Director

Date: 14/08/2013

PJC Consultancy 41