SUMMARY REPORT
Of
WOODLARK Lullula arborea SURVEYS
On
LAND AT BILSTHORPE BUSINESS PARK & CUTT’S WOOD
BILSTHORPE, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
March – May 2014
Waxwings Ornithology Sunnybank Cottage Ruston Parva Driffield East Yorkshire YO25 4DG
Report Prepared by; Completed;
David M. Pearce (Consultant Ornithologist) 19th May 2014 Waxwings Ornithology Sunnybank Cottage Ruston Parva Driffield East Yorkshire YO25 4DG
Telephone (01377) 254775 Mobile 07867 642501 Email [email protected]
On behalf of;
Argus Ecology Unit 14 The Greenhouse Greencroft Industrial Park Annfield Plain County Durham DH9 7XN
Survey Address;
Bilsthorpe Business Park
Bilsthorpe
Nottinghamshire
1. INTRODUCTION
Waxwings Ornithology was commissioned by Argus Ecology in February 2014 to undertake surveys to determine the presence or absence of breeding Woodlark Lullula arborea at two adjacent sites in Nottinghamshire in spring 2014. This summary report presents results of Woodlark surveys undertaken at Bilsthorpe Business Park, a restored colliery site, and an area of old clear-fell on the western side of Cutt’s Wood, c.1km north-west of the Business Park in March, April and May 2014.
The survey was commissioned with regard to the proposed Bilsthorpe Energy Centre (BEC) development being promoted by Peel Environmental Management UK Limited and Bilsthorpe Waste Limited at Bilsthorpe Business Park and potential impact upon the local population of Woodlark in the Sherwood Forest area; Woodlark were reported to have bred successfully within two kilometres of both sites in 2010 (SLR 2013). In addition, a full list of bird species recorded at both sites on each survey visit is contained in a separate spreadsheet.
1.1 Status of Woodlark in Britain
The current breeding distribution of Woodlark in Britain includes strongholds in Devon, the New Forest, the Thames Basin and East Anglia with populations also now present in the West Midlands, northern England and South Wales (Balmer et al 2013). Woodlarks breed in a variety of habitats usually on acidic, sandy soils, providing a mosaic of short vegetation and bare ground where birds forage, longer vegetation where birds nest and isolated or scattered trees from which birds sing. Traditional habitats include lowland heathland, downland, rough pasture and woodland clearings, but in recent decades, clear-felled and re-planted conifer plantations have become second in importance only to heathlands. Breeding territories are comparatively large, often exceeding three hectares (Brown & Grice 2005) and birds can be present on breeding territories by mid-February, remaining until late July.
In Britain the Woodlark is currently an amber listed species of conservation concern, listed on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and also a United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan species. The 1997 national Woodlark survey (Wotton & Gillings 2000) revealed an increase in the number of occupied territories in Nottinghamshire from one to 30 since 1986, with success partly attributed to increases in breeding success but also range expansion due to felling and re-planting of forestry plantations, providing the open ground with scattered bushes that the species favours (Parkin & Knox 2010).
The most recent population estimate of 3064 territories in Britain was derived from the 2006 national Woodlark survey and included the largest regional increase in range at the 10 kilometre square level in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire (Conway et al 2009). Furthermore, the breeding distribution
in Britain has expanded by 107% in range up to 2008 – 2011 including consolidation in the Thames Basin and East Anglia and further expansion into central and northern England (Balmer et al 2013).
1.2 Summary of Relevant Legislation with Regard to Birds
The primary legislation affecting wild birds in England and Wales is the Wildlife & Countryside Act (1981) as amended. The basic principle of this act is that all wild birds, their nests, and eggs are protected by law and some rare species are afforded additional protection from disturbance during the breeding season. The Wildlife & Countryside Act (1981) states that ‘it is an offence, with certain exceptions, to:
1. intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird, 2. intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built, 3. intentionally take or destroy the egg of any wild bird, 4. intentionally or recklessly disturb any wild bird listed on Schedule 1 while it is nest building or is in, on or near a nest with eggs or young; or disturb the dependant young of such a bird.’
1.3 United Kingdom Conservation Status of Birds
The fourth major review of the status of birds occurring in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man – Birds of Conservation Concern 3 (Eaton et al 2009) presents lists of conservation concern based on assessments using objective listing criteria and most recent data. The listing criteria assess global conservation status, historical population decline, recent population decline (numbers and geographical range), European conservation status, rarity, localised distribution, and international importance of populations. Lists are denoted Red, Amber and Green in a simple ‘traffic light’ system to provide a single, easily understood measure for each species to convey concern and hence to help set priorities for conservation action. Species are assigned to each list depending upon the scale of population decline and concern which includes breeding and non-breeding populations.
Red list criteria – Severe population decline over 25 years/longer term.
Amber list criteria – Moderate population decline over 25 years/longer term.
Green list criteria – Species not currently considered of conservation concern
United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Plan Bird Species are those identified as being the most threatened and requiring conservation action under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP) and included on a list of priority bird species, initially created between 1995 and 1999, and subsequently updated in response to the Species and Habitats Review Report published in 2007. The UK BAP has recently (July 2012)
been succeeded by the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework which is focused at a country-level rather than at a UK-level with the list of priority bird species remaining an important reference source for bird conservation.
2. METHODOLOGY
Three visits were made to each site from early March to early May 2014. Survey visits were undertaken by David M. Pearce, an experienced field ornithologist, with extensive experience of recording Woodlark in Britain including migrant and breeding birds in various habitats in Norfolk, Hampshire and Yorkshire over the past thirty five years and also extensive survey experience for this species at sites within the Norfolk core breeding area in the Breckland region between March 2010 and June 2011.
Equipment used - binoculars (10 x 42 magnification) and shoulder pod mounted telescope (22 x 60 magnification). Each site was covered comprehensively on each survey visit, covering all habitats and areas within the site boundary and survey routes were reversed on each subsequent visit to alleviate recording bias. No survey constraints were identified.
Survey visits followed standard methodology which recommends three visits between mid-February and the end of May, visits falling within the following time periods: visit 1 from 15th February to 21st March, visit 2 from 22nd March to 25th April and visit 3 from 26th April to 1st June. Visits to be made before midday on clear, dry days with little wind. Areas should be covered to within 100m of every point within the survey boundary, recording the position of all singing males (birds which sing are assumed to be males), flying birds, feeding pairs (any pairs observed assumed to be one male and one female), possible nests and adults feeding chicks (Gilbert, Gibbons & Evans 1998).
Table 1. Survey Visit Schedule Bilsthorpe Business Park Visit Date Time Weather Conditions 1 05/03/2014 0655 – 1015 F2 SW wind, 7/8 cloud, vis.>3km, cold, occasional bright intervals, no rain 2 08/04/2014 0625 – 0945 F2 SW wind, 4/8 cloud, vis.>3km, cool, sunny intervals, no rain 3 08/05/2014 0620 – 0940 F2 SW wind, 8/8 cloud, vis.>3km, cool, occasional bright intervals, no rain Cutt’s Wood 1 05/03/2014 1015 – 1145 F2 SW wind, 7/8 cloud, vis.>3km, cold, occasional bright intervals, no rain 2 08/04/2014 0945 – 1115 F2 SW wind, 4/8 cloud, vis.>3km, cool, sunny intervals, no rain 3 08/05/2014 0940 – 1110 F2 SW wind, 8/8 cloud, vis.>3km, cool, occasional bright intervals, no rain
3. RESULTS
Results of the Woodlark survey visits to Bilsthorpe Business Park and Cutts Wood revealed no Woodlarks present at either site on any of the survey visits.
All bird species were recorded for each site during the survey visits and these results are presented in a separate spreadsheet to show the numbers recorded and categories of conservation concern for each species. Totals of 53 bird species were recorded at the Bilsthorpe Business Park site and 32 at the Cutts Wood site over three visits to each site location.
4. DISCUSSION
Although the restored colliery site at Bilsthorpe Business Park includes several habitat types including short vegetation and bare ground, longer vegetation and scattered trees which Woodlark require for breeding and foraging the overall habitat quality for breeding Woodlark is considered to be very low. One of the main reasons for this largely relates to soil type within the site boundary which as a restored former colliery site does not consist of light, dry, sandy soils preferred by this species. The national Woodlark survey in 2006 identified a fairly consistent association for Woodlark breeding territories and soil type, with between 70% and 100% of territories associated with sandy soils within the Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire areas (Conway et al 2009). In addition, areas of grassland across much of the site are largely improved and intensively managed, further reducing potential breeding and foraging opportunities for Woodlark. Furthermore, much of the farmland surrounding the site is subject to intensive cropping, therefore severely limiting potential for Woodlarks to breed out-with the site boundary and utilise the site area for foraging; indeed, Cramp (1988) refers to the species avoidance of intensive agriculture. The areas of semi-improved grassland with scattered scrub in the central section of the site, although of very low potential for breeding and foraging by Woodlarks, are too small in extent of area to support breeding territories and are also subject to disturbance from walkers and persons using the adjacent large pond for fishing. The areas of bare ground in the centre of the site around the old, existing brick pit-head building are also of very low foraging potential for Woodlark and also appear to be disturbed. Areas of scrub and planted woodland across the site, unless managed, will be subject to succession and become unsuitable for Woodlark in a relatively short period of time.
Moreover, it could be expected that if the habitat was suitable, three intensive survey visits in the core breeding season period would have located Woodlark. Therefore it can be assumed that the Bilsthorpe Business Park site is of very low potential for breeding Woodlark. However, passage and wintering birds may possibly occur as very infrequent and scarce transient visitors; this given regular, extensive coverage of the site.
The area of old clear-fell along the western side of Cutt’s Wood, around one kilometre north-west of the Bilsthorpe Business Park site also surveyed for presence of Woodlark in spring 2014 is also considered to be of very low potential for breeding and foraging Woodlark. This is based on three factors; the current age of the clear-fell area which appears to have been felled several years ago and is now subject to succession and becoming relatively over-grown in parts, this precluding access for nest sites as the vegetation becomes too tall over the clear-fell area during the spring; the size by area of the clear fell which, concomitant with the lack of open, bare ground due to excess vegetation growth in spring is considered too small to support a Woodlark territory and also that there are no areas of short grassland or bare ground suitable for foraging by this species, either on site or in the surrounding area. Furthermore, it appears that the area of clear-fell is subject to disturbance by motorbikes given the well- worn tracks present across the eastern section of the area which also continue into the woodland. In addition, much of the adjacent and surrounding farmland is intensively farmed and as previously mentioned, a habitat avoided by Woodlarks.
5. REFERENCES
Balmer, D.E., Gillings, S., Caffrey, B.J., Swann, R.L., Downie, I.S. & Fuller, R.J. 2013. Bird Atlas 2007- 11: the breeding and wintering birds of Britain and Ireland. BTO Books, Thetford.
Brown, A. & Grice, P. 2005. Birds in England. T & A.D. Poyser, London.
Conway, G., Wotton, S., Henderson, I., Eaton, M., Drewitt, A. & Spencer, J. 2009. The status of breeding Woodlarks Lullula arborea in Britain in 2006. Bird Study 56: 310-325.
Cramp, S. (ed.) 1988. The Birds of the Western Palearctic, Volume 5. Oxford University Press, Oxford. Eaton M.A., Brown A.F., Noble D.G., Musgrove A.J., Hearn R.D., Aebischer N.J., Gibbons D.W., Evans A. & Gregory R.D. (2009). Birds of Conservation Concern 3. The population status of birds in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and isle of Man. British Birds 102:296 – 341.
Gilbert, G., Gibbons, D.W. & Evans, J. 1998. Bird Monitoring Methods: A Manual of Techniques for Key U.K. Species. RSPB, Sandy.
Parkin, D.T. & Knox, A.G. 2010. The Status of Birds in Britain & Ireland. Christopher Helm, London.
SLR 2013. Former Bilsthorpe Colliery Site, Nottinghamshire. Report to LPA June 2013 for Proposed Solar Park. SLR Consulting Limited.
Wotton, S.R. & Gillings, S. 2000. The status of breeding Woodlarks Lullula arborea in Britain in 1997. Bird Study47: 212-224.
Birds of Conservation Concern Schedule 1, U.K. BAP & SPEC Species
(list follows B.O.U. 18th January 2014)
05/03/2014 08/04/2014 08/05/2014 Mute Swan Cygnus olor 1m Greylag Goose Anser anser 2 SW Canada Goose (not assessed) Branta canadensis 2 SE 2 Shelduck Tadorna tadorna 1m Wigeon Anas penelope 22 Gadwall SPEC Anas strepera 11(6m) Mallard Anas platyrhynchos 46 38 16 + 11 juvs Tufted Duck SPEC Aythya fuligula 7 6 3 Goosander Mergus merganser 1 m Grey Partridge UK SPEC Perdix perdix 2 3 5 Pheasant (not assessed) 1 4 1 Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 1 Buzzard Buteo buteo 1 6 1 Moorhen Gallinula chloropus 8 4 4 Coot Fulica atra 6 10 8 + 1 juv Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 2 2 Lapwing UK SPEC Vanellus vanellus 4 10 7 + 1 juv Little Ringed Plover 1 Charadrius dubius 1 2 Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 1 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 9 south Common Gull SPEC Larus canus 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 1 north Stock Dove Columba oenas 3 16 6 Woodpigeon Columba palumbus 28 36 24 Green Woodpecker SPEC Picus viridis 1 Magpie Pica pica 2 1 1 Jackdaw Corvus monedula 1 5 Rook Corvus frugilegus 140* 140* 300+ (inc juvs) Carrion Crow Corvus corone 13 19 7 Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus 8 6 4 Great Tit Parus major 3 2 5 Skylark UK SPEC Alauda arvensis 18 19 16 Swallow SPEC Hirundo rustica 2 Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus 2 Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 4 1 Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus 4 17 Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 1 8 Whitethroat Sylvia communis 4 Wren Troglodytes troglodytes 3 2 Starling UK SPEC Sturnus vulgaris 1 west Blackbird Turdus merula 5 5 6 Song Thrush UK Turdus philomelos 2 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus 1 1 Robin Erithacus rubecula 7 6 11 Dunnock UK Prunella modularis 7 2 Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba 3 2 3 Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis 1 2 Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs 6 6 2 Bullfinch UK Pyrrhula pyrrhula 2 2 Linnet UK SPEC Carduelis cannabina 49 10 3 Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis 1 1 Yellowhammer UK Emberiza citrinella 3 1 Reed Bunting UK Emberiza schoeniclus 4 2 Eaton M.A., Brown A.F.,Noble D.G.,Musgrove A.J.,Hearn R.D.,Aebischer N.J.,Gibbons D.W.,Evans A. & Gregory R.D. (2009), Birds of Conservation Concern 3, The population status of birds in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. British Birds 102:296-341. Key - Red Listed, Amber Listed, Green Listed, Schedule 1, UK BAP. * = apparently occupied nests SPEC = Red-Listed Species of European Concern (Additional Amber-list Criteria under which species qualifies) SPEC = Amber listed Species of European Concern