New Forest National Park 2015 Milford-on-Sea Biodiversity Action Plan Written by the Milford Conservation Volunteers in partnership with the Community Wildlife Plans Project and Milford-on-Sea Parish Council www.newforestnpa.gov.uk 1 Chapter 1 1. Woodland flora 2. Orange Tip Preparation and Production Butterfly of this Document This document has been produced by Acknowledgements the Milford Conservation Volunteers Jenny Spenser has chaired the ‘Milford Biodiversity with support from the Community Action Plan’ steering group meetings since 2012 Wildlife Plans Project, New Forest Land with steering group members being local wildlife Advice Service and New Forest National enthusiasts Tony Locke, Hugh Corry, Keith Metcalf, Park Authority. Anne Jenks, Janet Miles and Peter Hutchings. The Its production has taken two years from the point group has been driving forward work on this Morgan) and Georgianna Barnard (now with the of the idea being discussed, agreed and supported document over the last two years along with running Forestry Commission) have also contributed to by Milford-on-Sea Parish Council in 2012 to getting community wildlife surveys and practical wildlife the conservation advice in Milford-on-Sea. Several the first draft version available for consultation. The conservation events within the Parish. members of staff at the New Forest National Park process has been lengthy for several reasons. There The Milford Conservation Volunteers group has had Authority including Zoe Caals, Andy Bell, Jo Holmes, has been an important journey of determining what many active ‘wildlife champions’ * for over twenty Tracy Weeks and Lucy Page have assisted in the should be included in a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) years carrying out numerous practical conservation production of the maps and graphics. Photographs and what the community’s own Milford-on-Sea BAP tasks and wildlife surveys and many continue with used in the document have been supplied by the should look like, followed by much essential research following people: Keith Metcalf, Anne Jenks, Angela these tasks. Support from Angela Peters from the into, and the bringing together of, the wealth of Peters, Alan Sutton, Lucy Page. Community Wildlife Plans Project (within the New wildlife information available for Milford-on-Sea. Forest Land Advice Service) has helped provide All residents were invited and many attended, the There has been consultation with as many residents technical expertise towards the production of this various events, some made specific points on the of Milford-on-Sea as possible to bring all this together document and practical help in involving the local Action Plans. into a readable, attractive and useful document that community. will help inform planning decisions and strategies for *A ‘wildlife champion’ is defined as a person who is the future benefit of the wildlife and the part they Members of staff from the New Forest Land furthering the cause of wildlife and leading a team to play in amenity value we all enjoy. Advice Service (Julie Melin-Stubbs and Rhys achieve the objective. 2 Chapter 1 Foreword The community of Milford-on- Milford-on-Sea is a wonderful Milford-on-Sea has a wealth of Sea should be commended place. As a naturalist it excites land suitable for our wonderful for the impressive way they me to share in the exceptional mix of wildlife. However, with have brought together this quality of the wildlife that such declines now being Biodiversity Action Plan with the thrives where the Forest experienced both locally and support and guidance from the meets the coast. By creating a nationally, it is brilliant to see New Forest Land Advice Service community wildlife Biodiversity that there are volunteer champions prepared to put and the New Forest National Park Authority. The Plan Action Plan, the people of Milford are showing their time and effort into preparing this Action Plan in order makes an important contribution to our ‘Growing the passion and commitment to ensure that this wildlife to allow us to play our small part in trying to protect Forest’ initiative, a local response to the government’s will flourish for generations to come. Pressures on and enhance our Milford-on-Sea habitats and species. priority to create bigger, better and more joined up fragile habitats have never been greater, yet the We congratulate the MCV Steering Group in taking areas for wildlife to make them more resilient for the dedication of local people to their local area has never up the wildlife challenge and preparing this document. future. This Plan will hopefully inspire new ‘wildlife been stronger. I heartily commend and support the Julian Davis champions’ to take up the baton of protecting efforts of the community of Milford-on-Sea in caring Chairman of Milford-on-Sea Parish Counci Milford-on-Sea’s special wildlife; enabling up-and- for this remarkable place. coming generations to continue to work to improve Clive Chatters habitats both within and beyond the National Park Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust boundary. Alison Barnes 2 Chief Executive of the New Forest National Park Authority Chapter 1 Contents 2 Preparation & Production of this Document Chapter 6 28 Opportunities for Improving Habitat Quality & and Acknowledgements Connectivity 3 Foreword Chapter 7 29 Wildlife Gardening 4 Contents Chapter 8 33 Important Priority Species Found in Milford-on-Sea 6 Acronyms used in this Action Plan 34 United Kingdom (UK-BAP) & Hampshire (H-BAP) – Biodiversity Action Plans 7 Introduction 36 10-Year Population Trends of Hampshire’s Chapter 1 8 What is a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP)? 50 Notable Species Chapter 2 10 Landscape Evolution 38 New Forest – Biodiversity Action Plan (NF-BAP) Chapter 3 13 Habitats 39 Milford-on-Sea – Biodiversity Action Plan (MoS-BAP) 18 Map (1) Habitats 40 Survey Summary Rankings of Favourite Species 19 Woodland Compartment Inventory (May 2014) Groups, Habitats, Reserves and Local Species Chapter 4 20 Conservation Designations 42 Important Priority Species for Milford-on-Sea 22 Map (2) Conservation Designations Chapter 9 43 Non-Native Invasive Species Chapter 5 23 Land Ownership and Management 44 Table (1) Non-Native Invasive Schedule 12 Species known to be present 24 Map (3) Land Management 45 Table (2) Non-Native Invasive Species 25 Table (1) Parish Council-owned Sites - Known to be problematic 26 Table (2) New Forest District Council (NFDC) 46 Table (3) non-Native Invasive Species – owned Sites – Not yet recorded & know to be nearby 27 Table (3) Privately-owned Sites 4 Chapter 10 48 Tree Diseases Appendices 1 75 Useful Wildlife Websites & Recording Organisations Chapter 11 50 Sharing Wildlife Expertise in the Community & Getting Involved 2 77 Living Record – How to get started Chapter 12 51 Surveying, Recording & Monitoring Wildlife 3 78 Living Record – Wildlife Recording Form 53 Examples of Living Record – Species Records 4 79 Wildlife and The Law Chapter 13 56 Milford-on-Sea’s Biodiversity Action Plan 5 80 Permissions for Wildlife Surveying on Milford-on-Sea and the Future Parish Council-owned land Chapter 14 57 Public Consultation 2012 – 2014 and Summary 6 81 Wildlife Gardening Initiative – Gardening for Bumblebees Chapter 15 62 Action Plans (2015 – 2020) 7 83 Recommended Wildlife Field Guides 64 15A Survey & Monitor Wildlife and Reference Books 67 15B Conserve & Enhance Habitats 8 86 Biodiversity Action Plan 70 15C Conserve & Enhance Species – Steering Group Contact Details (2012 – 2014) 72 15D Support & Enhance Wildlife Gardening 73 15E Enhance Access to Wildlife Sites for Community Enjoyment & Wildlife Benefits Chapter 1 1. Interpretation Board at Gate 12 entrance to Acronyms used in this Studland Meadow & Common Action Plan 2. Oystercatchers flying over Sturt Pond BAP Biodiversity Action Plan MoS PC Milford-on-Sea Parish Council BWARS Bees, Wasps and Ants Recording Society NF-BAP New Forest – Biodiversity Action Plan CWP Community Wildlife Plan NFDC New Forest District Council H-BAP Hampshire – Biodiversity Action Plan NF LAS New Forest Land Advice Service HBIC Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre NF NPA New Forest National Park Authority HIWWT Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust RVEI Road Verges of Ecological Importance HLS Higher Level Stewardship SINC Site of Importance for Nature Conservation HOS Hampshire Ornithological Society SSSI Site of Special Scientific Interest MCV Milford Conservation Volunteers SMP Shoreline Management Plans MHW Mean High Water UK-BAP United Kingdom - Biodiversity Action Plan MLW Mean Low Water 6 Chapter 1 2 Introduction Under Section 40 of the October In implementing its duty, a public authority In August 2011, Milford-on-Sea Parish Council 2006 Natural Environment & Rural is likely to be able to show that it has; invited Milford Conservation Volunteers (MCV) to produce a Draft Biodiversity Action Plan for the parish. Communities Act (NERC); ‘Every ■ Identified and taken opportunities to integrate In June 2014 the Draft was completed and the public public authority must, in exercising biodiversity considerations into all relevant service were consulted via two public awareness events held its functions, have regard, so far as areas and functions, and ensure that biodiversity in the community centre and a full public consultation is consistent with the proper exercise is protected and enhanced in line with current undertaken with the community. The views of all of those functions, to the purpose of statutory obligations residents who participated have been taken into conserving