¢ Benson Parish Neighbourhood Plan ¢ 2018-2033

Appendix K – Green Infrastructure & Biodiversity Audit

Version 1 Appendix K Green Infrastructure & Biodiversity Audit October 2017

Benson Local Green Space Assessment against NPPF criteria NPPF Criterion Reasonably close proximity Demonstrably special to a local Where the green area Community Survey to the community community and holds a particular local concerned is local in reaction on usage % significance, for example because of its character and is not an using (number saying beauty, historic significance, recreational extensive tract of land. yes)) value (including as a playing field), 551 respondents Site tranquillity or richness of its wildlife Sunnyside This multi-functional amenity Recreational value - currently the only Limited defined 70% (359) grassed area lies within the playing/sports field in Benson and the boundary constrained by built area of Benson village venue for many outdoor community existing housing. Size = close to the current northern activities. The site is also the location for 2.2 ha perimeter. It was created in the Parish Hall, the main indoor 1946. community venue in the village.

Aldridge Triangle Roadside triangle of Designated as a Diamond Jubilee Limited boundary - meadow, opposite Sunnyside Meadow under a Deed of Dedication by bound on all 3 sides by (see above) and within built Fields in Trust. Managed for nature roads. Size = 0.19 ha area. conservation interest as a meadow by Benson Nature Group. Green Close play This children’s play area lies Recreational value for children living on Small area with limited 26% (109) area within the built area of eastern edge of settlement. Investment defined boundary. Size = Benson village, close to the underway in update of equipment by 0.17 ha eastern perimeter. Parish Council.

Bertie West’s Field Land-locked green space Covenanted in a will in 1980 to be held in Locally important, 18% (71) within the built area of trust for the benefit of the children of the defined boundary. Size = Benson village (in the village. Recreational value, with 0.17 ha Littleworth Road particularly strong usage by the Benson conservation area). Scouts, whose hut is adjacent, for Pedestrian access only. outdoor activities. Some scope for enhancement as a natural play area. St Helen’s Avenue This children’s play area lies Recreational value. Some scope for limited defined 42% (186) Play area within the built area of enhancement of equipment to increase boundary, Size = 0.57 Benson on the western edge variety of play opportunities. ha and adjacent to an allotment area. Allotments - Mill Two areas on either side of Allotments of value for food production, Bounded by either built 26% (105) Lane and St St Helen’s Avenue, one recreation and creating pockets of space development or the Helens within the built area of and tranquility within the village. Parish A4074. Mill Lane Ave/Cuckoo Pen. Benson, and the second Council allotment usage data indicates Allotments Size = 0.57 close by, adjacent to road high level of uptake. ha; St Helen’s and Benson Brook Ave/Cuckoo Pen Allotments Size = 1.86 ha. Total is 2.43 ha. Land surrounding Benson Brook forms the Chalk stream of high nature conservation Approx 150m section 77% (381) - (applies to Benson Brook spine of the village, with value (a globally scarce habitat type) and (Total length is 2.4 whole brook, which flows adjacent to development historically of significant cultural value and aesthetic miles) of the Brook through the village) Cuckoo Pen spread along the length of appeal. The permissive path (Parish flowing through one of Nursery including the watercourse. The Council controlled) adjacent provides safe the village’s main path under A4074 proposed section for pedestrian access beneath the busy A open/green space designation lies on the road to Millbrook Mead, the village’s assets. western fringe of the village nature reserve and the Thames Path in one of the main areas of National Trail. open green space. Millbrook Mead Lies between the built areas Meadow managed by Benson Nature Local in character, and 60% (272) (the marsh and of Benson village and the Group, providing significant local nature limited defined boundary meadow by A4074) settlement of Preston conservation interest and a community Size = 0.36 ha Crowmarsh environmental education asset. Natural beauty. Rivermead Adjacent to River Thames Small area of river-side amenity Limited defined 76% (374) and A4074 road on edge of grassland of recreational value. This boundary. Size = 0.25 Benson village. provides parish council-owned river ha frontage for the village’s use and contains bench seating and a paddling pool for children. Benson’s Green Infrastructure Assets

1.What Benson has: Summary of assets 1.1. This summary notes key nature conservation assets in Benson parish, reflecting the hierarchy and requirements described in para 113 to 118 of the NPPF, from the highest levels of legally protected habitats and landscapes through to unprotected but nonetheless valuable habitat. Data from the Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre is attached to this Appendix. This appendix also provides brief notes capturing ideas for some site-specific enhancements. We are clear that there are gaps in our knowledge, and we aim to address these over time as we build actions plans on the back of this Benson’s Strategy for People & Nature (Appendix L of Benson Neighbourhood Plan). 1.2.Protected Sites There are no sites with statutory wildlife protection (SSSI/Natura 2000) in Benson Parish. There are however, a number of important Conservation Target Areas (as defined by Oxfordshire County Council in collaboration with statutory agencies and local conservation partners) close by. These biodiversity hotspots include a string of sites along the Chilterns Scarp including chalk downland SSSIs (e.g. Swyncombe Downs) to the east, and a number of areas adjacent to the River Thames north of Benson, notably the ‘River of Life’ wetland restoration project in Shillingford. These provide context for our longer term biodiversity aims as we consider how Benson’s green spaces can act as stepping stones/connections between high quality nature conservation target areas. 1.3.Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: The south-east of Benson Parish lies within the Chiltern Hills AONB, and the parish borders the eastern edge of the North Wessex Downs AONB. Whilst Benson village itself is not within the statutory designated landscape, the AONB management plans indicate that neighbouring settlements are important in terms of the setting and views into and out of the protected landscapes, so they provide context for our actions. 1.4.National Trails: The Thames Path, an access route of national importance, borders the western edge of the parish for a short distance. Zooming out from the parish, there are a number of other nationally and regionally important walking routes/trails in the area, including the Ridgeway and Chiltern Way. The Thames Path National Trail team (Steve Tabbitt, National Trails Office, OCC; pers comm) supports promotion of a connection between the Thames Path and the Chiltern Way through the village, along Benson Brook and up through Ewelme. 1.5.Local Nature Reserves & County Wildlife Sites: There are none in Benson, but the Watercress Beds at Ewelme is located in the adjacent parish, upstream of the village along Benson/Ewelme Brook. This is an asset that provides access and engagement opportunities for the community within easy cycling and walking distance of Benson. 1.6.Other designations: The Aldridge Triangle is a small (0.16 ha) meadow, protected as a Jubilee Meadow through Fields in Trust. It is located in the built settlement of Benson opposite Sunnyside, the main open green space providing amenity grassland for the community and other parish facilities. The meadow contains grasses and a number of mature trees. http://www.fieldsintrust.org/Aldridge-Triangle 1.7.Other valuable wildlife habitat: These include the wildlife corridors and stepping stones that wildlife now relies on as the wider countryside has become less favourable in meeting its needs. A number of places stand out: i. Benson Brook (also known as Ewelme Stream), a chalk stream forming the spine of the village and a globally important habitat - this is a key biodiversity asset, with both aesthetic appeal and cultural value; ii. Millbrook Mead, a nature reserve adjacent to the village comprising a wildflower meadow and remnant area of fen habitat; iii. Flood meadows listed as West Benson Riverside and running north towards Shillingford. A report commissioned from Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre indicate that this area may constitute potential ‘priority habitat’, which, if confirmed, places specific obligations on statutory decisions makers to have regard to their value. iv. The grasslands at RAF Benson, an operational battlefield helicopter airfield, lying immediately south-east of Benson village and dominating the centre of the parish. Much of this was fenced off from the public in 1937, with an expansion incorporated in the 50s to accommodate a runway extension. Initial surveys suggest this area is of significant local nature conservation interest, partly because of the scarce species found there but also because of its scale (c175 ha) in an area dominated by intensive agriculture. The ecological role of the site is not yet fully understood, but it may prove an important connection between the Conservation Target Areas to the north and south-east of the parish. v. The south eastern part of the parish, which runs up onto the Chilterns scarp, has some areas of woodland and areas of wildflower meadow including a number of former landfill sites (in Oxfordshire County Council ownership) that have been restored as chalk grassland, a habitat type identified by government as a priority for conservation action.

2.Site-specific Descriptions 2.1.Benson Brook (or Ewelme Stream) 2.1.1.The brook is a chalk stream, a globally endangered Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) habitat. It is a ‘green infrastructure’ asset for multiple reasons: for its biodiversity value; for the connection it provides between the River Thames and surrounding countryside; and as a feature of cultural significance, bringing a spine of natural beauty right into the village. Locally, it also provides informal recreation for children. 2.1.2.Although the channel and surroundings in the village have been modified over the years by development, the area between St Helen’s Ave and Preston Crowmarsh Lane/ the Thames provides an area of semi-natural vegetation, which is of local nature conservation value (see Millbrook Mead entry below), and access infrastructure, offering a safe (permissive) pedestrian route under the A4074, connecting the village and the Thames National Trail. The area is under Parish Council control. 2.1.3.Herons and Kingfishers are seen along the brook, including within the built settlement of Benson, and bats are very likely to forage along it (this is an aspect that requires survey). Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust recognises Benson Brook as a key area for Water Voles with the species generally recorded at the Ewelme Watercress beds, and a single record (from 2008) within the village. The 2015 and 2016 surveys however have proved negative for the species. The reason is unknown, although BBOWT speculate that it may be because of mink presence on the watercourse. The Environment Agency has recorded signal crayfish, an invasive non-native species, presence in the Brook. 2.1.4.An EA Fisheries survey completed in 2015 at Brook Street found good numbers of brown trout (over 70) and a few bullhead in a 100m stretch. A fisheries classification for this waterbody is expected in due course. Some of the features built into the watercourse may represent barriers to fish movement. Monthly invertebrate surveys are conducted by Benson Nature Group (with results submitted to the Environment Agency) - these suggest sustained good levels of key invertebrate species. 2.1.5.The Environment Agency identifies the Brook (and the River Thames within the catchment) to have a current ecological status of ‘Moderate Potential’. Levels of phosphate in the watercourse are the reason for failure to achieve ‘good’ status. For the period 2017-2021, the Brook has been designated a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone on the basis of a sample taken in Benson; EA attributes the issue to agricultural practices in the catchment, and the designation puts in place requirements on landowners to adapt their farming practices to address the pollution. 2.1.6.Hydraulic modelling for the area is under consideration by the Environment Agency, with a view to considering whether a flood risk management scheme for the brook’s catchment is required and/or feasible. This analysis will include consideration of a range of options which include natural flood management solutions and watercourse enhancements. Opportunities for Enhancement 2.1.7.Environment Agency representatives have indicated verbally that channel modifications above and through Benson village may have resulted in impoverished ecology. It would be supportive of enhancements, especially if consideration is being given to changes anyway as part of a flood risk management strategy for the catchment. Such a strategy is under consideration by EA, including looking at upstream flood storage measures. Opportunities for enhancements could include providing a more natural channel where appropriate and agreed, removing impediments to fish movements. Dealing with under-capacity culverts could also help to address flood risk in the village. There may be scope to create additional structural diversity (small riffles and pools) in the watercourse to improve opportunities for fish spawning. 2.1.8.Some riparian owners consulted informally (during Neighbourhood Plan development) indicated that they would be sympathetic to proposals to adapt the bank-side vegetation to improve the suitability for wildlife particularly for water voles. The stretch between Preston Crowmarsh Lane and St Helen’s Avenue with its semi-natural vegetation and access infrastructure may be a priority for investment in habitat management and enhancement. (See entry below for Millbrook Mead) 2.1.9.A River Corridor Survey is needed to provide a comprehensive assessment of the opportunities.

2.2.Millbrook Mead Nature Reserve and adjacent fen habitat 2.2.1.This Parish Council-owned area of land comprises a wildflower meadow and fen habitat bordering Benson Brook. This area is publicised as a nature conservation site and used for community engagement activities such as the annual moth count, and visits by Benson guides and scouts for nature activities. 2.2.2.Records of the species present in the meadow indicate it is of conservation value. One hundred and thirty (130) species of wild flower have been recorded including two species of orchid and, with only limited recording effort, close to 200 species of moth. Consideration is being given to exploring whether the complex of habitats at this site should be formally designated by the local authority as a Local Wildlife Site. 2.2.3.An area of Pendulous Sedge fen/wet woodland between Benson Brook and the Cuckoo Pen nursery may be a focus for management and enhancement. Fen habitats are generally scarce in the landscape (typically having been improved or drained), although there are other Thames-side wet meadows with high sedge cover locally (e.g. between Benson and Shillingford). 2.2.4.Recent spot checks by volunteers from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology identified the presence of Striped Lychnis, a nationally scarce species of moth, for which there are very few other records in Oxfordshire. Caterpillars were identified on Dark Mullein plants on the edge of allotments adjacent to Benson Brook just north of the Millbrook Mead complex beside the A4074. This species has very specific habitat requirements for its larval stages, and there is scope to frame some of the village’s biodiversity enhancement planning around providing opportunities for this species.

2.3.The Saltstore aka Benson Materials Store 2.3.1.This is an OCC-owned brownfield site bounded by the A4074, Benson Brook and St Helen’s Avenue. 2.3.2.This gravel area surrounded by scrub habitat provides a good scrub mosaic1 with a range of successional stages, including bare areas and gravel patches that provide basking opportunities for insects and potentially reptiles. Off-season surveys indicate that the area is species-rich at a level that would be expected for an area like this, providing a good range of nectar sources for insects/pollinators. 2.3.3.Discussions are underway about a long-term Parish Council lease of the area for management as a nature conservation asset and potentially in due course may provide some additional village car parking. Scrub management to maintain a structurally diverse mosaic of habitats, and the creation of resting/nesting habitat for reptiles and insects could increase its biodiversity value.

1 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/natural-environment#brownfield-land-soils-and-agricultural-land 2.4.Berrick Stream and Ladybrook (Elm Brook) 2.4.1.This watercourse forms the north-western boundary of the parish. It will border the western edge of the nature area proposed as part of the Littleworth Road development which has been the subject of an application for planning permission (currently subject to discussions of a S106 agreement). 2.4.2.It joins the River Thames adjacent to the last remaining patches of wet meadow in the parish, just north of Benson marina - see entry below for West Benson Riverside. This reach of the brook is very overgrown. 2.4.3.The Environment Agency classifies this watercourse (which bounds the parish to the north) as having a Water Framework Directive status of ‘Moderate’, meaning that the water quality does not fully meet regulatory standards. EA verbal advice is that the watercourse could benefit from ensuring there is a balance of light and shade, and putting in place measures that ensure agricultural nutrients are kept low.

2.5.West Benson Riverside 2.5.1.This is a pair of fields to the north of the riverside lodges at Benson Marina. These are the last remaining wet meadows in Benson so may be of nature conservation value especially when considered as part of the expanse of flood meadows north towards Shillingford. They have been identified in the Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre report as possible priority grassland habitat, and so warrant consideration of their value. 2.5.2.In private ownership, the area is crossed by a public footpath, and Elm Brook (see above) flows between the two fields to join the Thames.

2.6. Warwick Spinney 2.6.1.This site lies immediately outside the parish boundary, but is included in this list because it is a Benson community-owned asset bought to mark the Millennium and is managed for its wildlife interest. It represents a key connection/stepping stone between the remaining riverside meadows and proposed new green space associated with development. 2.6.2.The site is within walking distance of the village but pedestrian access is hazardous, involving crossing a road at a dangerous corner that has limited visibility. Through the Neighbourhood Plan, we will take forward a plan to improve access by the community in collaboration with a local landowner and a developer, creating a connection for wildlife and pedestrians between the site and the proposed nature area on the Littleworth Road development site (subject to planning permission being granted). 2.6.3.The site is under-managed, and there is scope to address this as part of work under Benson’s People & Nature Strategy (see Appendix L of Benson Neighbourhood Plan).

2.7. Other Public Green Spaces 2.7.1. Benson has a number of public open green spaces generally comprising amenity grassland (Sunnyside, Rivermead) and/or play areas (both formal (Sunnyside, St Helen’s Ave and Green Close) and natural (Bertie West’s Field)). 2.7.2.The village has 2.43 ha of allotments, with most located in two distinct areas on either side of St Helen’s Avenue. A number of allotment holders are already providing nectar bars on their plots of the benefit of populations of pollinating insects. 2.7.3.There is scope to consider biodiversity enhancements on all of these areas, in a way that is compatible with both their primary use and our priority theme, Action for Butterflies and Bees. 2.7.4.The churchyard/graveyard surrounding St Helen’s Church is almost certainly of nature conservation value, with very old yews and relatively undisturbed green space. It is notable also for the tranquility it offers for those seeking space for quiet reflection.

2.8. Road Verges, Footpaths and Bridleways 2.8.1.The road verges along the A4074 are substantial in width and are a local hotspot for butterflies. There are other road verges in the parish with similar characteristics that provide habitat for wildlife. 2.8.2.The role of road verges as a nature conservation asset holding a high diversity of plant species is recognised by Highways England nationally. Oxfordshire County Council has identified a series of Road Verge Nature Reserves across the county, one of which is located in Dorchester, a short distance north of Benson parish. 2.8.3.There may be scope for targeted management to build on the existing value of these areas, particularly where they are substantial in size. 2.8.4.The OCC Rights of Way Improvement Plan recognises the scope for footpaths etc to act as corridors for wildlife. Our Neighbourhood Plan policies require footpaths to be designed so that they perform as corridors for wildlife as well as people.

2.9. Hedges and Trees 2.9.1.Our existing hedges, trees and scrub margins currently provide good habitat for wildlife. The Oxfordshire Wildlife and Landscape Study and South Oxfordshire Landscape Assessment both note the scope for improvements in the hedge structure in the landscape. Our Neighbourhood Plan sets policies such that hedges and trees are maintained along with suitable margins adjacent to ensure their wildlife interest is sustained. We have included locally relevant planting guidelines in our Neighbourhood Plan Design Statement, which should be followed by developers planting new or replacement hedges.

2.10. On proposed development sites 2.10.1. Part of the site known as Ben 7 (north of the public footpath crossing the field and the area adjacent to the A4074) is of particular value for countryside species of butterflies. Any proposals brought forward for development in this area must be accompanied by adequate high quality habitat creation as compensation for any losses. (Advice provided by Butterfly Conservation – see document included in this Appendix.)

2.11. Wider Parish Assets and Beyond 2.11.1. Woodland and Chalk Grassland - The south eastern part of the parish, which runs up onto the Chilterns scarp, has some areas of woodland and a number of former landfill sites (in Oxfordshire County Council ownership) that have been restored as chalk grassland, a habitat type identified by government as a priority for conservation action. We aim to build a better understanding of enhancement opportunities in the wider parish. The woods are likely to be important for bats given the connection with larger expanses of woodland beyond the parish.

2.11.2.Agricultural land - Agricultural land in the area is put to a range of uses, with cereal growing dominating; a number of landowners have land under agri-environment scheme agreements through which hedgerows and wildflower margins have been created, benefitting pollinators and other farm wildlife.

Biodiversity Report

Site: Benson Parish boundary

TVERC Ref: 16.290

Prepared for: Benson Parish Council

Date: 23rd August 2016

By Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre

This report should not to be passed on to third parties without prior permission of TVERC. Please be aware that printing maps from this report requires an appropriate OS licence

TVERC is hosted by Oxfordshire County Council TABLE OF CONTENTS

The following are included in this report:

GENERAL INFORMATION:

 Terms & Conditions  Species data statements

PROTECTED & NOTABLE SPECIES INFORMATION (WITHIN PARISH BOUNDARY SEARCH AREA):

 Table of legally protected and notable species records  Table of invasive species records  Species status key  Data origin key

DESIGNATED WILDLIFE SITE INFORMATION:

 There are no Statutory or Non-statutory Designated Sites within the parish boundary

HABITAT INFORMATION (WITHIN PARISH BOUNDARY SEARCH AREA):

 A map of Section 41 Habitats of Principal Importance  Habitat metadata

Produced by TVERC 06/09/2012 TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The copyright for this document and the information provided is retained by Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre. The copyright for some of the species data will be held by a recording group or individual recorder. Where this is the case, and the group or individual providing the data in known, the data origin will be given in the species table.

TVERC must be acknowledged if any part of this report or data derived from it is used in a report. The whole document may be used as an appendix within your report.

The data in this report can only be used for the project for which it was requested. It cannot be passed on to third parties without permission of TVERC (this excludes reports presented to clients and Local Authorities).

The data should be considered valid for a maximum 12 months from the date on the cover of this report. If the data is to be used after that time an update should be requested. The data must not be added to any permanent database system.

The absence of any species or habitat data for any site, area or location does not mean that any species or habitat is not present.

MAPS

To reproduce the Ordnance Survey mapping you must hold a relevant licence for the use of Ordnance Survey mapping or it can be copied at a printers or copyshop that holds a licence to carry out search work (see the Ordnance Survey website).

Produced by TVERC September 2012 DATA STATEMENTS

STATEMENT ON BIRD RECORDS IN OXFORDSHIRE (DATA MARKED AS “OOS” IN THE DATA ORIGIN COLUMN)

The majority of bird records in Oxfordshire, except those in the north of the county, have been provided by the Oxford Ornithological Society. Such records have a value of OOS in the data origin column . Please note that: a. Not all species are subject to the same degree of recording; the absence of records of a species in a given geographical area does not necessarily indicate absence of that species. b. Not all parts of the county are subject to the same degree of recording; the absence of records for a given area does not necessarily indicate the absence of bird species. c. Records of species regarded as sensitive have been provided with reduced information about location. Any requests for more precise information about the location of such “confidential” sites should be addressed directly to OOS (www.oos.org.uk) You can use the following email contacts [email protected] (the chairman) and [email protected] (the county bird recorder).

STATEMENT ON WILDLIFE TRUST WATER VOLE DATA

Since 2008 data has been collected as positive or negative sections of watercourses. Positive sections crossing into search areas are included within the data. These are shown with the central grid reference for the stretch of watercourse. This may fall outside the search area but the stretch will be at least partly within the search area. The location information shows the beginning and end points of the stretch of watercourse.

USE OF NBN GATEWAY DATA

Commercial organisations and members of the public may refer to the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Gateway for wildlife records and habitat and designated site information for their own private use.

The NBN Gateway’s Terms and Conditions state "You may not republish wholesale the material, data and/or information made available to you, or exploit it for commercial or academic research purposes without first obtaining written permission from the relevant data provider". This means that environmental consultants cannot use NBN data in ecology reports for planning applications unless they have obtained written permission from all the data providers. If NBN Gateway data are also provided for this project please make sure that the NBN Gateway’s terms and conditions are followed precisely.

The National Planning Policy Framework states that “planning policies and decisions should be based on up-to date information about the natural environment and other characteristics of

Produced by TVERC September 2012 the area”. The NBN Gateway does not hold the most up-to-date, comprehensive or highest resolution information on protected and notable species, local sites or habitats in Berkshire and Oxfordshire.

TVERC have advised planning authorities in Berkshire and Oxfordshire that ecology reports using only NBN data should not usually be validated and the NBN has requested that suspected breaches of NBN terms and conditions are reported to the NBN Data Access Officer, who will take appropriate action. Further detail is available on our website: http://www.tverc.org/cms/content/ecological-survey-reports-planning-applications.

STATEMENT ON GRID REFERENCES

The following types of grid references are provided:

 Six figure grid references. Many of these will be an assigned relatively central grid reference for a site though with small sites the assigned grid reference for a site could be close to the edge. The record may have come from anywhere within the site. Where additional location information is provided the reference may be more accurate or central to a subsite within the larger site. Where the location is not site based, the grid reference should be within 100 metres of the location.

 Four figure grid references. Generally these are 1km square records often with some location information to give an idea of which part of the 1km square the record was found. Sometime this information can be quite accurate. Where a large site is referred to the location should be in that part of the 1km square that is within the site. In some case these may be tetrad records with grid reference referring to a 2km x 2km square. This includes some confidential records from Oxford Ornithological Society. Other tetrad data is rarely included.

 Eight and ten figure grid references: These are generally accurately worked out to the location where the species was found. However for small and narrow sites eight figure grid references may be used as a central grid reference for a site.

 TVERC intends to start tagging data to qualify these grid references but at present only a limited amount of qualification is provided. 1km square records are tagged as 1km record and 2km square records are tagged as 2km record.

Produced by TVERC September 2012 Legally Protected & Notable Species Records Benson Parish within Parish Boundary Search Area

Priority Abundance Grid Ref. Data European NERC Common Name Scientific name and/or Sex/Stage Date Year Grid Ref Qualifier Location Type of Record Origin Directives UK Legislation S.41 Other Designations Rounded Pygmy-moss Acaulon muticum 15/04/2003 2003 SU649889 Mays Farm Ewelme field record LN Status-NR Leucojum aestivum 31/03/2012- Summer Snowflake subsp. aestivum 01/04/2012 2012 SU614912 Preston Crowmarsh field record LN Status-NS Hyacinthoides non- Bluebell scripta 30/06/1990 1990 SU615916 Benson Churchyard field record LN WACA-Sch8 Hyacinthoides non- Bluebell scripta 1977 - 1986 1986 SU640888 Oakley Wood Gravel Pit field record BBOWT WACA-Sch8 Hyacinthoides non- 07/06/2006- Bluebell scripta 10/07/2007 2007 SU641891 field record EC WACA-Sch8 Hyacinthoides non- Bluebell scripta 1977 - 1986 1986 SU645888 Oakley Wood field record BBOWT WACA-Sch8 Prickly Poppy Papaver argemone 2 Individuals 04/06/1999 1999 SU647887 Mays Farm, Nuffield; Field field record ET RL-GB-post2001-VU Dwarf Spurge Euphorbia exigua <5 Individuals 04/06/1999 1999 SU647887 Mays Farm, Nuffield; Field field record ET RL-GB-post2001-NT Dwarf Spurge Euphorbia exigua 10 to 20 Individuals 04/06/1999 1999 SU653892 Mays Farm, Nuffield; Field field record ET RL-GB-post2001-NT Marsh Sow-thistle Sonchus palustris 1977 - 1985 1985 SU614912 Benson Mill field record BBOWT Status-NS Common Cudweed Filago vulgaris 11/09/1987 1987 SU640888 Oakley Wood Gravel Pit field record OBRC RL-GB-post2001-NT Stag Beetle Lucanus cervus 1 Female 28/06/2006 2006 SU618907 Oxfordshire field record PTES HabDir-A2np WACA-Sch5-s9.5a/s9.5b NERC-S41 Notable-B

Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus 1 Adult 1997 1997 SU620915 Benson field record BC NERC-S41 RL-GB-post2001-NT

Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus 1 Adult 08/08/1998 1998 SU620916 St Helems Cres; Benson field record BC NERC-S41 RL-GB-post2001-NT

Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus 2 to 9 31/05/1998 1998 SU6292 1 km record Roke (Public Footpath) field record BC NERC-S41 RL-GB-post2001-NT

Small Heath Coenonympha pamphilus 1 Adult 1990 1990 SU6490 1 km record field record BC NERC-S41 RL-GB-post2001-NT Grey Partridge Perdix perdix 2 13/05/2003 2003 SU637897 Ewelme: Clacks Farm field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Bird-Amber, RL-Global- Red Kite Milvus milvus 1 10/06/2004 2004 SU619919 Benson LN BirdsDir-A1 WACA-Sch1-p1 post2001-NT Bird-Amber, RL-Global- Red Kite Milvus milvus 1 01/07/1998 1998 SU643886 Benson: Oakley Wood field record OOS BirdsDir-A1 WACA-Sch1-p1 post2001-NT Montagu's Harrier Circus pygargus 1 Male 01/07/1998 1998 SU69F 1 km record Confidential, refer to OOS for further details field record OOS BirdsDir-A1 WACA-Sch1-p1 Bird-Amber Hobby Falco subbuteo 1 27/09/1998 1998 SU69A Confidential, refer to OOS for further details field record OOS WACA-Sch1-p1 Hobby Falco subbuteo 1 26/09/1999 1999 SU69B Confidential, refer to OOS for further details field record OOS WACA-Sch1-p1 Hobby Falco subbuteo 1 27/07/2001 2001 SU69G Confidential, refer to OOS for further details field record OOS WACA-Sch1-p1 Little Ringed Plover Charadrius dubius 1977 - 1986 1986 SU640888 Oakley Wood Gravel Pit field record BBOWT WACA-Sch1-p1 Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 57 Individuals 26/12/2006 2006 SU615926 Benson: Hale Farm field record OOS BirdsDir-A1 Bird-Amber Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria 263 Individuals 23/11/2006 2006 SU615926 Benson: Hale Farm field record OOS BirdsDir-A1 Bird-Amber Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria c.200 03/02/1998 1998 SU619926 Rokemarsh field record OOS BirdsDir-A1 Bird-Amber Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 26 16/07/2001 2001 SU621925 Benson field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 110 23/02/2003 2003 SU622904 Preston Crowmarsh: Sewage Farm field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red

Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 2 Adults; 4 Juveniles 09/06/2001 2001 SU622906 Preston Crowmarsh: Sewage Farm field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Lapwing Vanellus vanellus 1977 - 1986 1986 SU640888 Oakley Wood Gravel Pit field record BBOWT NERC-S41 Bird-Red Bird-Amber, RL-Global- Curlew Numenius arquata 2 09/03/1999 1999 SU616907 Preston Crowmarsh field record OOS NERC-S41 post2001-NT Bird-Amber, RL-Global- Curlew Numenius arquata 11/09/1985 1985 SU625915 Benson Airfield field record BBOWT NERC-S41 post2001-NT Bird-Amber, RL-Global- Curlew Numenius arquata 1 08/03/1998 1998 SU6291 1 km record RAF Benson field record OOS NERC-S41 post2001-NT Bird-Amber, RL-Global- Curlew Numenius arquata 1 03/07/1998 1998 SU6291 1 km record RAF Benson field record OOS NERC-S41 post2001-NT Bird-Amber, RL-Global- Curlew Numenius arquata 1 23/03/1998 1998 SU6490 1 km record Ewelme: Grundons field record OOS NERC-S41 post2001-NT Common Tern Sterna hirundo 1 Adult 07/08/2011 2011 SU61359122 Weir at Benson Lock field record MOP BirdsDir-A1 Bird-Amber Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur 1977 - 1986 1986 SU640888 Oakley Wood Gravel Pit field record BBOWT NERC-S41 Bird-Red Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur 1 Individual 27/05/2006 2006 SU6490 1 km record Ewelme: Grundons field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Cuckoo Cuculus canorus 1977 - 1986 1986 SU640888 Oakley Wood Gravel Pit field record BBOWT NERC-S41 Bird-Red Barn Owl Tyto alba Pair + 3 c 27/06/2005 2005 SU639889 Oaklands Barn, Nuffield Lane, Benson nest SODC WACA-Sch1-p1 Bird-Amber 01/01/2010- Swift Apus apus 1 Nest 31/12/2010 2010 SU61799170 High Street, Benson field record RSPB Bird-Amber 01/01/2010- Swift Apus apus 3 Adults 31/12/2010 2010 SU61799170 High Street, Benson Flying RSPB Bird-Amber 01/01/2010- Swift Apus apus Nests 31/12/2010 2010 SU62019207 Westfield Road, Benson field record RSPB Bird-Amber 01/01/2010- Swift Apus apus 20 Adults 31/12/2010 2010 SU62019207 Westfield Road, Benson Flying RSPB Bird-Amber

Prepared by TVERC 23/08/2016 Page 1 Legally Protected & Notable Species Records Benson Parish within Parish Boundary Search Area

Priority Abundance Grid Ref. Data European NERC Common Name Scientific name and/or Sex/Stage Date Year Grid Ref Qualifier Location Type of Record Origin Directives UK Legislation S.41 Other Designations 01/01/2010- Swift Apus apus 7 Adults 31/12/2010 2010 SU62219174 OX10 6NU (Observatory Close, Benson) Flying RSPB Bird-Amber Swift Apus apus 1977 - 1986 1986 SU640888 Oakley Wood Gravel Pit field record BBOWT Bird-Amber Kingfisher Alcedo atthis 2 Individuals 21/11/2006 2006 SU69A 1 km record Confidential, refer to OOS for further details field record OOS BirdsDir-A1 WACA-Sch1-p1 Bird-Amber Green Woodpecker Picus viridis 5 01/07/1998 1998 SU644892 Benson: Oakley Wood field record OOS Bird-Amber Skylark Alauda arvensis 1977 - 1986 1986 SU640888 Oakley Wood Gravel Pit field record BBOWT NERC-S41 Bird-Red 07/06/2006- Skylark Alauda arvensis Breeding 10/07/2007 2007 SU641891 field record EC NERC-S41 Bird-Red Swallow Hirundo rustica 1977 - 1986 1986 SU640888 Oakley Wood Gravel Pit field record BBOWT Bird-Amber House Martin Delichon urbicum 1977 - 1986 1986 SU640888 Oakley Wood Gravel Pit field record BBOWT Bird-Amber Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis 20 26/02/1999 1999 SU6488 1 km record Benson: Oakley Wood field record OOS Bird-Amber Motacilla flava subsp. Yellow Wagtail flavissima 1 Juvenile 12/06/2003 2003 SU628926 Benson field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 1 07/02/2003 2003 SU623919 Benson field record OOS Bird-Amber Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 1 06/11/1998 1998 SU623920 Benson field record OOS Bird-Amber Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea 1 22/11/2002 2002 SU623920 Benson field record OOS Bird-Amber Dunnock Prunella modularis 1977 - 1986 1986 SU640888 Oakley Wood Gravel Pit field record BBOWT NERC-S41 Bird-Amber Whinchat Saxicola rubetra 1 06/05/2000 2000 SU621925 Benson field record OOS Bird-Amber Whinchat Saxicola rubetra 2 Individuals 26/09/2006 2006 SU622904 Preston Crowmarsh: Sewage Farm field record OOS Bird-Amber Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 1 Male 17/04/1998 1998 SU621925 Benson field record OOS Bird-Amber Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe 1 17/04/2000 2000 SU621925 Benson field record OOS Bird-Amber Fieldfare Turdus pilaris 200 25/12/1999 1999 SU621925 Benson field record OOS WACA-Sch1-p1 Bird-Red Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 1977 - 1986 1986 SU640888 Oakley Wood Gravel Pit field record BBOWT NERC-S41 Bird-Red Redwing Turdus iliacus 100 25/12/1999 1999 SU621925 Benson field record OOS WACA-Sch1-p1 Bird-Red Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 1 17/05/1999 1999 SU615910 Preston Crowmarsh field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 1 22/05/2000 2000 SU616907 Preston Crowmarsh field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata 1 Individual 27/05/2006 2006 SU6490 1 km record Ewelme: Grundons field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Whitethroat Sylvia communis 1 Pair 03/07/1998 1998 SU6389 1 km record Ewelme: Clacks Farm field record OOS Bird-Amber Whitethroat Sylvia communis 1977 - 1986 1986 SU640888 Oakley Wood Gravel Pit field record BBOWT Bird-Amber Whitethroat Sylvia communis 1 Pair 03/07/1998 1998 SU642901 Ewelme: Beggarsbush Hill field record OOS Bird-Amber Whitethroat Sylvia communis 1 26/06/1998 1998 SU647891 Benson: Mogpits Wood field record OOS Bird-Amber Starling Sturnus vulgaris 1977 - 1986 1986 SU640888 Oakley Wood Gravel Pit field record BBOWT NERC-S41 Bird-Red House Sparrow Passer domesticus 1977 - 1986 1986 SU640888 Oakley Wood Gravel Pit field record BBOWT NERC-S41 Bird-Red Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 2 15/03/1998 1998 SU6490 1 km record Ewelme: Grundons field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Tree Sparrow Passer montanus 6+ 09/02/1998 1998 SU649904 Ewelme field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Linnet Linaria cannabina 120 Individuals 26/09/2006 2006 SU622904 Preston Crowmarsh: Sewage Farm field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Linnet Linaria cannabina 2 26/04/2001 2001 SU628921 Benson field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Linnet Linaria cannabina 1977 - 1986 1986 SU640888 Oakley Wood Gravel Pit field record BBOWT NERC-S41 Bird-Red Linnet Linaria cannabina 40 09/02/1998 1998 SU649904 Ewelme field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Brambling Fringilla montifringilla 1 24/11/1998 1998 SU618915 Benson field record OOS WACA-Sch1-p1 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella 1 Male 15/05/1999 1999 SU612922 Benson field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella 1 Male 15/05/1999 1999 SU616928 Benson field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella 1 Male 14/05/1999 1999 SU617905 Preston Crowmarsh field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella 1 Male 01/05/1999 1999 SU617906 Preston Crowmarsh field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella 2 26/02/1999 1999 SU618906 Preston Crowmarsh field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella 1 Male 01/05/1999 1999 SU619906 Preston Crowmarsh field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella 1977 - 1986 1986 SU640888 Oakley Wood Gravel Pit field record BBOWT NERC-S41 Bird-Red Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra 25 29/02/2000 2000 SU620927 Rokemarsh field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra 1 12/06/2003 2003 SU624926 Benson field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra 1 02/06/2003 2003 SU625925 Benson field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra 1 12/06/2003 2003 SU628926 Benson field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra 52 13/12/1998 1998 SU6292 1 km record Rokemarsh field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra 1 20/07/2003 2003 SU630925 Benson field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra 1 10/06/2003 2003 SU630927 Benson field record OOS NERC-S41 Bird-Red Eurasian Badger Meles meles 27/04/2006 2006 SU613923 Benson SODC Badgers-1992 Eurasian Badger Meles meles 17/04/2015 2015 SU614903 Near Crowmarsh Gifford Sett LN Badgers-1992 Eurasian Badger Meles meles 1 23/03/2005 2005 SU620904 A4074, Nr. Benson airfield LN Badgers-1992 Eurasian Badger Meles meles 01/07/2003 2003 SU63799028 Benson Badger Sett SODC Badgers-1992 07/06/2006- Eurasian Badger Meles meles 10/07/2007 2007 SU641891 field record EC Badgers-1992 Polecat Mustela putorius 1 Dead 03/02/2004 2004 SU617912 Near Benson dead on road MOP HabDir-A5 HabReg-Sch4 NERC-S41 Polecat Mustela putorius 11/02/1997 1997 SU620903 Crowmarsh Gifford dead on road OBRC HabDir-A5 HabReg-Sch4 NERC-S41 West European Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus 1 Dead 2014 2014 SU615916 Confidential hibernating PTES NERC-S41

Prepared by TVERC 23/08/2016 Page 2 Legally Protected & Notable Species Records Benson Parish within Parish Boundary Search Area

Priority Abundance Grid Ref. Data European NERC Common Name Scientific name and/or Sex/Stage Date Year Grid Ref Qualifier Location Type of Record Origin Directives UK Legislation S.41 Other Designations West European Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus 1 alive 2012 2012 SU616917 Confidential hibernating PTES NERC-S41 West European Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus 1 Dead 2014 2014 SU618920 Confidential hibernating PTES NERC-S41 West European Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus 1 Dead 2014 2014 SU618921 Confidential hibernating PTES NERC-S41 West European Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus 2 18/08/2006 2006 SU618923 Benson field record PTES NERC-S41 West European Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus 1 alive 2012 2012 SU619918 Confidential hibernating PTES NERC-S41 West European Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus 1 Dead 21/08/2005 2005 SU619922 Benson, B4009, 50m NE of Hale Road turn dead on road LN NERC-S41 West European Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus 1 Dead 2014 2014 SU620922 Confidential hibernating PTES NERC-S41 West European Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus 1 alive 2014 2014 SU6292 1 km record Confidential hibernating PTES NERC-S41 West European Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus 2 23/05/2007 2007 SU630906 Geoffrey Tuttle Drive, Benson field record PTES NERC-S41 West European 09/06/2003- Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus 2 15/06/2003 2003 SU637913 Site name unavailable field record PTES NERC-S41 West European 05/05/2003- Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus 1 11/05/2003 2003 SU637913 Site name unavailable field record PTES NERC-S41 West European 16/06/2003- Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus 2 22/06/2003 2003 SU637913 Site name unavailable field record PTES NERC-S41 West European 31/03/2003- Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus 1 06/04/2003 2003 SU637913 Site name unavailable field record PTES NERC-S41 West European 21/04/2003- Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus 1 27/04/2003 2003 SU637913 Site name unavailable field record PTES NERC-S41 West European 14/04/2003- Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus 1 20/04/2003 2003 SU637913 Site name unavailable field record PTES NERC-S41 West European 28/04/2003- Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus 1 04/05/2003 2003 SU637913 Site name unavailable field record PTES NERC-S41 West European 19/04/2004- Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus 1 25/04/2004 2004 SU637913 Site name unavailable field record PTES NERC-S41 West European 17/05/2004- Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus 3 23/05/2004 2004 SU637913 Site name unavailable field record PTES NERC-S41 West European 29/03/2004- Hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus 3 04/04/2004 2004 SU637913 Site name unavailable field record PTES NERC-S41 HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Bats Chiroptera 4 Individuals 04/08/2005 2005 SU630920 Fifield Barn, Benson, South Oxfordshire Entering Roost EC s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b 24/05/2004- HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Bats Chiroptera 2 30/05/2004 2004 SU636904 Site name unavailable field record PTES s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b 14/06/2004- HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Bats Chiroptera 1 20/06/2004 2004 SU636904 Site name unavailable field record PTES s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b 21/06/2004- HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Bats Chiroptera 1 27/06/2004 2004 SU636904 Site name unavailable field record PTES s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b 07/06/2004- HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Bats Chiroptera 3 13/06/2004 2004 SU636904 Site name unavailable field record PTES s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b 26/04/2004- HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Bats Chiroptera 1 02/05/2004 2004 SU636904 Site name unavailable field record PTES s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b 19/04/2004- HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Bats Chiroptera 3 25/04/2004 2004 SU636904 Site name unavailable field record PTES s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b 31/03/2003- HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Bats Chiroptera 1 06/04/2003 2003 SU637913 Site name unavailable field record PTES s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b 28/04/2003- HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Bats Chiroptera 1 04/05/2003 2003 SU637913 Site name unavailable field record PTES s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b 05/05/2003- HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Bats Chiroptera 1 11/05/2003 2003 SU637913 Site name unavailable field record PTES s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b 07/04/2003- HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Bats Chiroptera 1 13/04/2003 2003 SU637913 Site name unavailable field record PTES s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b 21/04/2003- HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Bats Chiroptera 1 27/04/2003 2003 SU637913 Site name unavailable field record PTES s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b 07/06/2004- HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Bats Chiroptera 1 13/06/2004 2004 SU637913 Site name unavailable field record PTES s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b 19/04/2004- HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Bats Chiroptera 1 25/04/2004 2004 SU637913 Site name unavailable field record PTES s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b

Prepared by TVERC 23/08/2016 Page 3 Legally Protected & Notable Species Records Benson Parish within Parish Boundary Search Area

Priority Abundance Grid Ref. Data European NERC Common Name Scientific name and/or Sex/Stage Date Year Grid Ref Qualifier Location Type of Record Origin Directives UK Legislation S.41 Other Designations 26/04/2004- HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Bats Chiroptera 1 02/05/2004 2004 SU637913 Site name unavailable field record PTES s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b 12/04/2004- HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Bats Chiroptera 1 18/04/2004 2004 SU637913 Site name unavailable field record PTES s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b 29/03/2004- HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Bats Chiroptera 1 04/04/2004 2004 SU637913 Site name unavailable field record PTES s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b 17/05/2004- HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Bats Chiroptera 1 23/05/2004 2004 SU637913 Site name unavailable field record PTES s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Unidentified Bat Myotis 1 Individual 23/06/2015 2015 SU630920 Fifield Barn, Benson, South Oxfordshire Emerging from roost EC s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Unidentified Bat Myotis 1 Individual 26/05/2015 2015 SU630920 Fifield Barn, Benson, South Oxfordshire Emerging from roost EC s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Daubenton's Bat Myotis daubentonii 2 01/09/2007 2007 SU614910 River Thames, Preston Crowmarsh field record MOP HabDir-A4 s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Natterer's Bat Myotis nattereri 18 Individuals 30/08/2005 2005 SU630920 Fifield Barn, Benson, South Oxfordshire Emerging from roost EC HabDir-A4 s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Natterer's Bat Myotis nattereri 14 Individuals 04/08/2005 2005 SU630920 Fifield Barn, Benson, South Oxfordshire Entering Roost EC HabDir-A4 s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Natterer's Bat Myotis nattereri 6 Flying 30/08/2005 2005 SU630920 Fifield Barn, Benson, South Oxfordshire aural bat detector EC HabDir-A4 s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Natterer's Bat Myotis nattereri Droppings 10/03/2015 2015 SU630920 Fifield Barn, Benson, South Oxfordshire field record EC HabDir-A4 s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Noctule Bat Nyctalus noctula 1 01/09/2007 2007 SU614910 River Thames, Preston Crowmarsh field record MOP HabDir-A4 s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b NERC-S41 HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Noctule Bat Nyctalus noctula 1 Adult Female 01/09/2005 2005 SU6391 Confidential, refer to OBG for further details Injured Bat Record OBG HabDir-A4 s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b NERC-S41 HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Pipistrelle Bat species Pipistrellus 1 Immature Female 01/08/1991 1991 SU6291 Confidential, refer to OBG for further details Injured Bat Record OBG s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Pipistrelle Bat species Pipistrellus 1 Adult Male 24/05/2008 2008 SU6292 Confidential, refer to OBG for further details Injured Bat Record OBG s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Pipistrelle Bat species Pipistrellus 1 Adult Male 13/12/2003 2003 SU6390 Confidential, refer to OBG for further details Injured Bat Record OBG s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Pipistrelle Bat species Pipistrellus 1 Adult Male 21/05/2007 2007 SU6391 Confidential, refer to OBG for further details Injured Bat Record OBG s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Pipistrelle Bat species Pipistrellus 1 Juvenile Female 15/08/2007 2007 SU6391 Confidential, refer to OBG for further details Injured Bat Record OBG s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Pipistrelle Bat species Pipistrellus 1 Juvenile Female 29/07/2007 2007 SU6392 Confidential, refer to OBG for further details Injured Bat Record OBG s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Common Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus 3 01/09/2007 2007 SU614910 River Thames, Preston Crowmarsh field record MOP HabDir-A4 s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Common Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus 3 Individuals 26/05/2015 2015 SU630920 Fifield Barn, Benson, South Oxfordshire Emerging from roost EC HabDir-A4 s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Common Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus Droppings 10/03/2015 2015 SU630920 Fifield Barn, Benson, South Oxfordshire field record EC HabDir-A4 s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Common Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus 1 Individual 23/06/2015 2015 SU630920 Fifield Barn, Benson, South Oxfordshire Emerging from roost EC HabDir-A4 s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Soprano Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus 1 01/09/2007 2007 SU614910 River Thames, Preston Crowmarsh field record MOP HabDir-A4 s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b NERC-S41 HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Soprano Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus 1 Individual 30/08/2005 2005 SU630920 Fifield Barn, Benson, South Oxfordshire Emerging from roost EC HabDir-A4 s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b NERC-S41 HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Soprano Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus Droppings 10/03/2015 2015 SU630920 Fifield Barn, Benson, South Oxfordshire field record EC HabDir-A4 s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b NERC-S41 HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Brown Long-eared Bat Plecotus auritus 1 Adult Female 19/08/2015 2015 SU6190 Confidential, refer to OBG for further details Injured Bat Record OBG HabDir-A4 s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b NERC-S41 HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Brown Long-eared Bat Plecotus auritus 1 Adult Male 17/08/1991 1991 SU6191 Confidential, refer to OBG for further details Injured Bat Record OBG HabDir-A4 s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b NERC-S41 HabReg-Sch2, WACA-Sch5- Brown Long-eared Bat Plecotus auritus Droppings 10/03/2015 2015 SU630920 Fifield Barn, Benson, South Oxfordshire field record EC HabDir-A4 s9.4b/s9.4c/s9.5a/s9.5b NERC-S41 WACA-Sch5- Stretch TES 002 from SU6215291822 to s9.1k/s9.1t/s9.2/s9.4a/s9.4b/s9.4c European Water Vole Arvicola amphibius Signs 2008 2008 SU6203891700 SU6187991634 field record BBOWT /s9.5a/s9.5b NERC-S41 WACA-Sch5- s9.1k/s9.1t/s9.2/s9.4a/s9.4b/s9.4c European Water Vole Arvicola amphibius August 1980 1980 SU625920 Thames Catchment BBOWT /s9.5a/s9.5b NERC-S41 Crowmarsh Gifford, Oakley wood (former landfill Brown Hare Lepus europaeus 1 30/11/2010 2010 SU643890 site) field record OCC NERC-S41

Prepared by TVERC 23/08/2016 Page 4 Invasive Non-Native Species Records Benson Parish within Parish boundary Search Area

Abundance and/or Grid Ref. Data Common Name Scientific name Sex/Stage Date Year Grid Ref Qualifier Location Type of Record Origin Invasive Designation Rhododendron Rhododendron ponticum 1977 - 1986 1986 SU645888 Oakley Wood field record BBOWT INNS-Other-2015 Butterfly-bush Buddleja davidii 07/06/2006- 10/07/20072007 SU641891 field record EC INNS-Other-2015 Signal Crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus 1 27/09/2004 2004 SU63119218 Fyfield Manor, Ewelme (Ewelme Stream) EA INNS-Priority-2015

Prepared by TVERC 23/08/2016 Page 1 Status Key. Produced January 2016 by Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre

EUROPEAN DIRECTIVES

 BirdsDir-A1 - Species listed on Annex 1 of EC Directive 79/409/EEC on the Conservation of Wild Birds. This covers birds which are the subject of special conservation measures concerning their habitat in order to ensure their survival and reproduction in their area of distribution.  HabDir-A2, HabDir-A2np, HabDir-A4 & HabDir-A5 - Annex 2 and Annexes 4/5 respectively of the EC Habitats Directive. This is the Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. The abbreviations have the following meanings:

HabDir-A2 Species which are endangered, the conservation of which the Community has a particular responsibility in view of the proportion of their natural range which falls within the territory of the Community. They require the designation of special areas of conservation. HabDir-A2np Animal and plant species of Community interest (i.e. endangered, vulnerable, rare or endemic in the European Community) whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation. Note that the contents of this annex have been updated in April 2003 following the Treaty of Accession. HabDir-A4 Animal and plant species of Community interest (i.e. endangered, vulnerable, rare or endemic in the European Community) in need of strict protection. They are protected from killing, disturbance or the destruction of them or their habitat. Note that the contents of this annex have been updated in April 2003 following the Treaty of Accession. HabDir-A5 Animal and plant species of Community interest whose taking in the wild and exploitation may be subject to management measures.

UK LEGISLATION: CONSERVATION OF HABITATS AND SPECIES REGULATIONS 2010

 HabReg-Sch2, HabReg-Sch4 and HabReg-Sch5. This legislation translates the European Habitats Directive (see above) into UK law where species are listed in Schedule 2 (priority & non- priority), Schedule 4 and Schedule 5.

UK LEGISLATION: WILDLIFE AND COUNTRYSIDE ACT 1981

Schedule 1 Wild Birds This prohibits the intentional killing, injuring or taking of any wild bird and the taking, damaging or destroying of the nest (whilst being built or in use) or eggs. It prohibits possession of wild birds (dead or alive) or their eggs. In addition:

 WACA-Sch1-p1 – There are additional penalties for offences relating to birds on this schedule and it is also an offence to disturb such birds at the nest or with dependent young.  WACA-Sch1-p2 – Covers the protection of birds which may be killed during the open season.

(Please note that some schedule 1 bird records will refer to species that do not breed in the county, e.g. over-wintering birds such as Redwing or Fieldfare. Although we include them in the annotated records, only they and their nests, eggs and dependent young enjoy extra protection under the W&C 1981 act. If you are in any doubt about the breeding status of a bird please contact us at TVERC) Produced by TVERC January 2016

Schedule 5 Wild Animals

WACA-Sch5-s9.1 Covers intentionally killing, injuring or taking any wild animal included in Schedule 5 WACA-Sch5-s9.1k Covers animals which are protected from intentional killing or injuring. WACA-Sch5-s9.1t Covers animals which are protected from taking. WACA-Sch5-s9.2 Covers animals which are protected from being possessed or controlled (live or dead). WACA-Sch5-s9.4a Covers intentionally or recklessly disturbing of any wild animal included in Schedule 5. Also includes animals which are protected from intentional damage or destruction to any structure or place used for shelter or protection. WACA-Sch5-s9.4b Covers animals which are protected from intentional disturbance while occupying a structure or place used for shelter or protection. WACA-Sch5-s9.4c Covers animals which are protected from their access to any structure or place which they use for shelter or protection being obstructed. WACA-Sch5-s9.5a Covers animals which are protected from being sold, offered for sale or being held or transported for sale either live or dead, whole or part. WACA-Sch5-s9.5b Covers animals which are protected from being published or advertised as being for sale.

Schedule 8 Wild Plants

 WACA-Sch8 – Covers plants which are protected from intentional picking, uprooting or destruction (Section 13 1a); selling, offering for sale, possessing or transporting for the purpose of sale (live or dead, part or derivative) (Section 13 2a); advertising (any of these) for buying or selling (Section 13 2b).

PRIORITY NERC S.41 2006

 NERC-S41 Species “of principal importance for the purpose of conserving biodiversity” covered under section 41 (England) of the NERC Act (2006) and therefore need to be taken into consideration by a public body when performing any of its functions with a view to conserving biodiversity.

OTHER DESIGNATIONS: RED LISTS

Global Red List Species (tagged RL-Global) - Species listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Species included are from pre and post 1994 and post 2001 lists.

GB Red List Species (tagged RL-GB) - Species included in national red lists. Species included are from pre and post 1994 and post 2001 lists. Please note not all taxon groups are currently covered, for example fungi.

With both GB and Global lists, the date of the list used does not indicate when the species was designated, but which set of rules for designation were used. Due to the time required to produce a new red list for a species group, the rules used will often be much older than the date of the list.

Produced by TVERC January 2016 Abbreviations:

EX – Extinct A taxon is Extinct when there is no reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. EW – Extinct in the Wild. Species known to survive only in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalised population(s) well outside the past range. CR – Critically Endangered (CR) Species facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future. EN – Endangered: Species that are not Critically Endangered but is facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. VU – Vulnerable: A species is Vulnerable when it is not Critically Endangered or Endangered but is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild in the medium-term future NT – Near Threatened – A taxon considered likely to become endangered in the near future. NR - Taxa with small populations that are not at present Endangered or Vulnerable, but are at risk LR(cd) – Lower risk (conservation dependent) DD – Data deficient – A taxon with insufficient data to make an assessment of its risk of extinction. RE – Regionally Extinct – Taxa that are considered extinct within the region but populations exist elsewhere in the world. R - Taxa with small populations that are not at present Endangered or Vulnerable, but are at risk. Inde – indeterminate – based on a pre 1994 category: Taxa which are known to be Endangered, Vulnerable or Rare but with insufficient data to place them in one of the categories. Insu – Insufficiently known - based on a pre 1994 category which equates to data deficient. Thre - Taxa which are not known to occur naturally outside Britain. Taxa within this category may also be in any of the other RDB categories or not threatened at all.

Species included here are from information compiled by JNCC (The Joint Nature Conservation Committee).

OTHER DESIGNATIONS: NATIONALLY NOTABLE SPECIES

This covers invertebrate species not falling within IUCN categories but never the less uncommon in Britain.

Nationally Notable A (Tagged Notable-A): Taxa which occur in <30 10 km (hectad) squares or for less well recorded groups within <7 vice counties.

Nationally Notable B (Tagged Notable-B): Taxa which don't fall within IUCN categories but are uncommon in Britain and occur in 31-100 10 km sq/ or for less or for less well recorded groups between 8 and 20 vice counties

Notable (Tagged Notable): Taxa known to be scarce (occurring in between 16 and 100 10km squares) but for which there is insufficient information to assign them to the above categories.

This designation comes from the National Biodiversity Network (NBN) species dictionary but is supported by JNCC.

OTHER DESIGNATIONS: NATIONALLY RARE OR SCARCE SPECIES

This designation covers species that are recognised to occur in only a few locations in Britain. Note species reported in this section may also appear on red lists.

Rare (tagged as Status-NR) = occurring in 15 or fewer hectads (10 km squares) in the UK

Produced by TVERC January 2016 Scarce (tagged as Status-NS) = occurring in 16 – 100 hectads in the UK.

OTHER DESIGNATIONS: BIRDS OF CONSERVATION CONCERN LISTS & RED LIST FUNGI

These lists were drawn up by leading governmental and non-governmental conservation organizations including the RSPB and British Trust for Ornithology. The most recent version was published in May 2009. Red List (tagged Bird-Red) - species are those that are globally threatened, whose population or range has declined rapidly in recent years (i.e. by more than 50% in 25 years), or which have declined historically and not recovered.

Amber List (tagged Bird-Amber) - Amber list species are those whose population or range has declined moderately in recent years (by more than 25% but less than 50% in 25 years), those whose population has declined historically but recovered recently, rare breeders (fewer than 300 pairs), those with internationally important populations in the UK, those with localised populations, and those with an unfavourable conservation status in Europe.

Red List Fungi – This designation uses the Red Data List of Threatened British Fungi (preliminary assessment) by Shelley Evans (BMS Conservation Officer). Species are designated as:

Fungi Red-CR – Critically Endangered Fungi Red-EN – Endangered Fungi Red-NT – Near Threatened Fungi Red-VU – Vulnerable

These follow current IUCN guidelines (2001) as closely as possible but with adaptations to take into account the fungal lifestyle and associated practicalities of fungal recording.

OTHER DESIGNATIONS: LOCAL BAP SPECIES

For any Local Authority that has drawn up a list of BAP species. Designations will only apply to species recorded from the Local Authority area.

Currently, only Bracknell Forest Council have such a BAP list and relevant records are tagged BF-LBAP.

Produced by TVERC January 2016 INVASIVE NON-NATIVE SPECIES

Species appearing on the Environment Agency list of non-native invasive species 2014. Species may have the following designations:

Priority Species: Species affecting EA interests the most Rapid Response Species: Very invasive species that are not yet established

Produced by TVERC January 2016

BERKSHIRE AND OXFORDSHIRE HABITAT AND LAND USE DATA GUIDANCE.

DATA OVERVIEW The habitat data provided is extracted from the latest GIS layers of habitats produced by Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre. These datasets are named: Berkshire Habitat and Land Use, Oxfordshire Habitat and Land Use.

DATASET DESCRIPTION The data maps NERC Act Section 41 habitats of principal importance (previously UKBAP priority habitats) and Phase 1 habitat classification habitats. Data provided will map either just habitats of principal importance or both depending on the request.

DATA ORIGIN Data has been mapped using a combination of survey data, when available, and aerial photograph interpretation.

DATA COVERAGE • Berkshire: nearly the whole County has been mapped besides a few gaps. Traditional orchards have not been completely mapped at present. • Oxfordshire: the initial mapping involved mapping habitats of principal importance in designated sites. This was followed by habitat mapping in Conservation Target Areas. Elsewhere woodland has been mapped in Cherwell District and the Wychwood Project area and traditional orchards have been mapped throughout Oxfordshire. Coastal and floodplain grazing marsh has been mapped throughout the County. In 2014 the remainder of Cherwell District was mapped. Therefore there remain significant gaps in the County although habitats of principal importance habitats are mainly well covered.

Some recent survey data may not have been incorporated.

DATA ACCURACY Habitat mapping started by using Ordnance Survey landline digital data to map boundaries along with aerial photographs. Since 2006 data is mapped to Ordnance Survey Mastermap polygon boundaries where applicable. This data will be more accurate although may not absolutely precisely reflect the latest version of Mastermap as it is not possible to remap all data to that version.

Depending on the data available and its age habitat polygons are mapped with the following interpretation quality:

• Definitely is this habitat • Habitat is in polygon, but not accurately mappable • Habitat probably in polygon, but not accurately mappable • Not present but close to definition (this is rarely used) • Probably is, but some uncertainty

While it is not possible to distinguish these on the maps, if further clarification of any particular polygon is required please contact TVERC. Produced by TVERC September 2012

Benson Butterfly Survey carried out by Richard Soulsby, 14 and 31 July 2016.

Site BEN1: Notes  Surveyed for butterflies by Richard Soulsby on 31/7/16;  Weather: 20degC, 10% sun, wind F1 NW.  Section D: Along footpath on west side of Elm Brook, from entrance on Oxford Road to opposite Hale Farm. 13:30 - 13:45. Clumps of flowering Fleabane on Sec D - good nectar source for butterflies.  Site BEN1 is full of thistles in seed and ragwort in flower, some views through but not sufficient to see butterflies.  Section E: Along NE side of Oxford Road from Elm Brook entrance to junction with Littleworth Rd. Hedgerow and road verge. 13:55 - 14:00.  Section F: Along N side of Littleworth Road. Hedgerow and road verge. 14:00 - 14:10.

Section Species no. seen Garden (G) or Countryside (X) species1 D Holly Blue 1 G Small White 3 G Green-veined White 1 G Large White 2 G Essex Skipper 3 X Gatekeeper 2 X E None seen F Gatekeeper 3 X Small White 1 G Cinnabar moth 7 larvae on ragwort

Site BEN2. Notes:  Surveyed for butterflies by Richard Soulsby on 31/7/16;  Weather: 21degC, 20% sun, wind F1 NW.  Section G: Along Hale Farm Lane, with BEN2 field on left. Hedgerow & road verge. 14:15 - 14:20.  Also applies to western side of BEN3.

Section Species no. seen Garden (G) or Countryside (X) species G Gatekeeper 2 X Meadow Brown 1 X

Site BEN3. Notes:  Surveyed for butterflies by Richard Soulsby on 31/7/16;  Weather: 21degC, 20% sun, wind F1 NW.  Section G: Along Hale Farm Lane, with BEN3 field on right. Hedgerow & road verge. 14:15 - 14:20.

1 'Garden' butterflies are: Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral, Comma, Painted Lady; Large, Small & Green-veined White; Holly Blue (Thomas, 2007). 'Countryside' butterflies need natural vegetation (e.g. unimproved coarse grasses left uncut) to breed, and might visit nearby gardens.

 Section H: along footpath from The Mere to the former Horse & Harrow. Some rough waste ground on right, BEN3 on left is (improved?) pasture. 14:30 - 14:45.

Section Species no. seen Garden (G) or Countryside (X) species G Gatekeeper 2 X Meadow Brown 1 X H Small White 4 G Essex Skipper 3 X Meadow Brown 33 X Gatekeeper 2 X Large White 1 G Green-veined White 1 G

Site BEN4. Notes:  Surveyed for butterflies by Richard Soulsby on 31/7/16;  Weather: 21degC, 20% sun, wind F1 NW.  Section H: along footpath from The Mere to the former Horse & Harrow. Some rough wasteland on right, then BEN4 on right is cultivated crops. 14:30 - 14:45.

Section Species no. seen Garden (G) or Countryside (X) species H Small White 4 G Essex Skipper 3 X Meadow Brown 33 X Gatekeeper 2 X Large White 1 G Green-veined White 1 G

Site BEN5. Notes:  Surveyed for butterflies by Richard Soulsby on 31/7/16;  Weather: 22degC, 20% sun, wind F1 NW.  Section K: along footpath from Brook St to Watlington Road, on W side of BEN5. 15:15 - 15:30.  Footpath very overgrown in places. Hedgerows with gardens on left. BEN5 is grazed (improved?) pasture.

Section Species no. seen Garden (G) or Countryside (X) species K Small White 1 G Small Tortoiseshell ~20 larvae G Gatekeeper 1 X Large White 1 G

Site BEN6. Notes:  Surveyed for butterflies by Richard Soulsby on 31/7/16;  Weather: 22degC, 20% sun, wind F1 NW.

 Section I: along southern verge of Watlington Road, from Braze Lane crossroads to end of BEN6 field. 14:55 - 15:05  Verge had been recently cut short.  Section J: along Braze Lane on E side of BEN5. Hedgerow and road verge.

Section Species no. seen Garden (G) or Countryside (X) species I Meadow Brown 3 X Small White 1 G J Meadow Brown 5 X Gatekeeper 1 X Large White 3 G Essex Skipper 1 X

Site BEN7. Notes:  Surveyed for butterflies by Richard Soulsby.  Section A: footpath through middle of BEN7 from St Helen's Avenue diagonally to wooden footbridge. Surveyed on 14/7/16, weather: 18degC, 100% sun. 12:55 - 13:05.  Section C: footpath to NW of BEN7 from St Helen's Avenue to A4074, with hedgerow on right. Surveyed on 31/7/16, weather: 20degC, 50% sun, wind F1 NW. 13:00 - 13:15.  BEN7 is rough long grassland (unimproved?) with wild flowers (scabious, knapweed, ragwort, brambles) - good habitat for 'Countryside' butterflies.

Section Species no. seen Garden (G) or Countryside (X) species A Gatekeeper 11 X Marbled White 8 X Meadow Brown 1 X Ringlet 10 X Small Tortoiseshell 1 G Small Skipper 1 X C Gatekeeper 20 X Essex Skipper 2 X Comma 1 G Marbled White 2 X Small White 2 G Small Skipper 2 X Meadow Brown 2 X

Site BEN8. Notes:  Surveyed for butterflies by Richard Soulsby on 14/7/16;  Weather: 18degC, 100% sun. 13:05 - 13:15.  Section B: footpath through E end of BEN8 from wooden footbridge to entrance from A4074.  BEN8 is grazed pasture to east of footpath, and west of footpath is rough waste ground with many wild flowers (including Fleabane, Cranesbill spp., brambles) - very good habitat for 'Countryside' butterflies.

Section Species no. seen Garden (G) or Countryside (X) species B Ringlet 4 X Small Skipper 1 X Meadow Brown 5 X Small Tortoiseshell 6 G Marbled White 7 X Small White 3 G Gatekeeper 1 X Scarlet Tiger moth 1 Brown Hawker dragonfly 1