Local Wildlife Sites Newsletter 2017

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t F

o P I O

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Please keep an eye out for extraordinarily to help build resilience into our vulnerable D

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n LOCAL WIL DLIFE SITES

K E H

O k O N low river levels! Winter aquifer recharge rivers is to build in habitat features, to create P

L I

R T o

l E R i

rates were particularly poor leading into and enhance shelter and refuge c A

R e O L F , P

O UT 2017, and we are on watch for fish in distress for fish as well as invertebrates . A C S

O Mink l e A E T r L I r and dry reaches for the year ahead. t e W S t H I a L D L I F E w If you observe fish in distress, disconnected o ow u L s

Climate change has always been a real reaches of river or have habitat enhance ment e

s A newsle tter el concern for the future of our rivers, ideas please call the Environment Agency on p lev Trapping S NEWS FROM YOUR HERTFORDSHIRE LO CAL WI LDLIFE SITES PARTNERSHIP &$%' particularly in how they cope. One way 03708 506 506. and Mink Welcome... Police Unit to the 2017 Local Wildlife Sites newsletter. In this issue we are looking at rivers including the management of these habitats, The Lee Valley is a stronghold for As technology advances there are a The partnership the threats on our waterways water voles Arvicola amphibious but couple of pieces of equipment that aid and how we can ensure local unfortunately, as in other parts of the us in our efforts to monitor and trap This newsletter has been produced by county, they are still susceptible to mink. Firstly, a trail camera on site Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust on behalf wildlife thrives. of the Local Wildlife Sites Partnership, predation and possible extinction from monitors mammals, in particular otters. supported by funding from the Environment the area by American mink Neovision Footage from the camera has identified Agency and Herts County Council . What are Wildlife Sites? vision . the presence of mink and shown how Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) are

they use the site resulting in more l sites of substantive nature l i H Lee Valley Regional Park Authority effective trapping.

conservation value and although m i T

(LVRPA) part-funds the Hertfordshire : l l i o

they do not have any statutory t H o Water Vole Conservation & Non-Native We have also recently acquired a ‘Mink h m p i status, many are equal in quality T

: Invasive Species Officer post, with Police’ unit; a waterproof, battery o River Mimram SSSI Project t The Wildlife Sites Partnership in Hertford shire to statutory Sites of Special o

h the Environment Agency. This post has operated unit that sends out a message p includes Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, Scientific Interest (SSSIs). enabled coordinated mink monitor ing via text or email to alert you when Hertfordshire Environmental Records Centre, What’s special about There are 15 main rivers in Hertford - of 7.3 ha and consists of a series of LWS compartment maps to confirm and trapping across Hertford shire, the trap is tripped. The box works by Hertfordshire Ecology, Natural England, There are more than 40,000 shire, many of which are rare chalk alluvial meadows and marshes border - that a complex habitat mosaic of alder which has afforded our water vole a magnet attached to the door of the the Countryside Management Service, Local Wildlife Sites in England wetland Local Wildlife Sites? Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, Chilterns overseen by 65 Local Sites rivers, though currently none of these ing the River Mimram, alder woodland, woodland, marsh grassland, swamp colonies a degree of protection. The trap being pulled off as the door AONB, the Forestry Commission and the receive any protection through legal as well as swamp and tall fen in the and fen, open water, neutral grassland Lee Valley is inter sected with numerous closes, the system will then notify you Environment Agency, and is coordinated systems, covering contrasting The term ‘wetland’ covers a diverse The majority of our wetlands are designation. The River Mimram is one wet areas near the lagoon. Despite and acid grassland is present. We were watercourses and lakes which present immediately. The unit sends out regular by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust. landscapes in coastal, rural and range of habitats. Within Hertfordshire associated with the catchments of the of the finest examples of a chalk river in bordering the River Mimram the river also able to draw information from the challenges in terms of coverage of our update messages to show it is still urban situations. Hertfordshire alone this includes rivers, streams, River Lea and River Colne. The Lea the county, once known as the ‘Jewel is not included in the SSSI designation. LWS reports on the presence of mink control programme. active and operating correctly, and so currently has 1,575 habitat LWS. springs, watercress beds, ponds, lakes, Catchment has recently been of Hertfordshire ’, and for a number important species such as the locally requires a mobile sim card. It should, Registered address: Together with SSSIs, LWS reservoirs, sewage works, marshes, designated as a ‘Nature Improvement of years there have been calls from Walking the banks of the Mimram scarce Opposite-leaved Golden Currently LVRPA has 21 operational however, be remembered that when - Herts and Middlesex support locally and nationally fens, swamps, wet grassland and carr Area’ where a partnership of organis - Wildlife Trust, stakeholders to designate it as a Site from Tewinbury to Hertford it is clear Saxifrage. By combining this mink rafts. The rafts are monitored ever traps are active there should be threatened species and habitats. woodland. These wetlands are hugely atio ns, landowners and individuals Grebe House, are working together to increase of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). that areas of habitat found within the information with species data that regularly by both the ranger team and procedures in place for a swift dispatch St Michael’s Street, They play a critical role in important for both wildlife and people. volunteers and, when any presence St Albans, AL3 4SN biodiversity. The Lower Lea Valley is Despite this, the river remains Tewinbury SSSI are repeated in pockets is held by the Herts Environmental of any mink caught. The unit costs forming the building blocks of Many of the wetlands in Hertfordshire, of international importance to wildlife undesign ated due to Natural England’s along the river bank as far as the Record Centre, as well as their is noted, trapping commences. Over around £200 and we pay a small especially open water, have been 01727 858901 ecological networks and Living and has been designated as a ‘Special strict criteria that a river must meet eastern extent of Panshanger Park. Herts Ecological Network Mapping the past six years 92 mink have been monthly cost for the SIM card. inf [email protected] created by human activity, and all have Landscapes. Protection Area and Ramsar Site’. In before it’s even considered for design - With this in mind HMWT produced a information and additional data that caught and dispatched in Lee Valley Although our use of the unit has been www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk been influenced by human activity to addition, many wetlands in Hertford - ation. This includes a require ment for report on the potential to expand the was provided by the Environment Park. The area around Fishers Green delayed, we anticipate that using this Registered in England: 816710 some degree. In many cases this is shire are of national importance and Tewinbury SSSI to include the areas and Hall Marsh Scrape is proving to Registered Charity: 239863 due to the range of benefits they have natural flow conditions – something Agency and HMWT’s Water Vole system will enable us to trap more have been designated as Sites of of Archers Green, Poplars Green and be a hotspot with 81 of the 92 mink provided – food, drinking water, power, which most of Hertfordshire’s chalk Project, we have been able to consistently in areas which have Special Scientific Interest. Many rivers fail to achieve due to the impact Panshanger Park where a mosaic of produce a robust report which argues caught in traps here. With such proven more difficult to check on a e transport and leisure opportunities – The Hertfordshire Local Wildlife Sites Partnership W Comments or wetlands of county importance are of ground water abstraction. similar habitats are linked together by the case for the designation of not excellent mink control in Hertfordshire daily basis, which can only have a as well as their natural purifying and does not necessarily identify with or hold t to suggestions for classified as Local Wildlife Sites and the River Mimram wildlife corridor. the question has to be asked – where themselves responsible for the views expressed wan flow regulating functions. just the River Mimram but also the positive impact on the water vole future articles their interest, conservation and In an attempt to protect at least some surround ing habitats as a SSSI. This are these mink coming from? LVRPA population of the Lee Valley. by contributors, correspondents or advertisers. from hear are welcome. All types of wetland habitats – still or management are the focus of this of the River Mimram, HMWT has As all sites included in the report report has since been submitted to has discussed this with the Essex u! If you would moving – support a myriad of species newsletter. looked to its own Tewinbury nature are Local Wildlife Sites (LWS), we the Environment Agency and Natural Water for Wildlife Project Officer and Cath Patrick yo Printed by N2 Visual Communications on Xerox Colour prefer to receive including specialist plants, rare and reserve. Tewinbury borders the River were able to draw a wealth of England for consideration. is hoping to work with the project to Senior Conservation Officer, Impressions Silk, an FSC certified stock made from As an owner or manager of a Local Mimram and was itself designated a information from the LWS reports in increase the mink control programme Lee Valley Regional Park Authority a minimum of 50% recycled fibre, at a mill that has been your newsletter via protected mammals, such as water Wildlife Site, you are contributing to awarded the ISO140001 certificate for environmental email please contact Carol Lodge: SSSI in 1984. The site covers an area order to confirm initial assumptions. David Johnson, in west Essex alongside the continued management. voles and otters, as well as many birds conserving the biodiversity of Additionally we were able to use the Living Rivers Officer, HMWT effort in Hertfordshire. [email protected] and invertebrates. Hertfordshire and the UK. Designed by Wildcat Design ([email protected])

The Hertfordshire Local Wildlife Sites Partnership The Hertfordshire Local Wildlife Sites Partnership

H H

h T

o R

t F

o P I O

: H R

M S

Please keep an eye out for extraordinarily to help build resilience into our vulnerable D

R i S

n LOCAL WIL DLIFE SITES

K E H

O k O N low river levels! Winter aquifer recharge rivers is to build in habitat features, to create P

L I

R T o

l E R i

rates were particularly poor leading into and enhance shelter and refuge c A

R e O L F , P

O UT 2017, and we are on watch for fish in distress for fish as well as invertebrates . A C S

O Mink l e A E T r L I r and dry reaches for the year ahead. t e W S t H I a L D L I F E w If you observe fish in distress, disconnected o ow u L s

Climate change has always been a real reaches of river or have habitat enhance ment e

they use the site resulting in more l sites of substantive nature l i H Lee Valley Regional Park Authority effective trapping.

conservation value and although m i T

(LVRPA) part-funds the Hertfordshire : l l i o

they do not have any statutory t H o Water Vole Conservation & Non-Native We have also recently acquired a ‘Mink h m p i status, many are equal in quality T

: Invasive Species Officer post, with Police’ unit; a waterproof, battery o River Mimram SSSI Project t The Wildlife Sites Partnership in Hertford shire to statutory Sites of Special o

The Hertfordshire Local Wildlife Sites Partnership The Hertfordshire Local Wildlife Sites Partnership River Lea Catchment Partnership FRAPs and working with the EA Useful websites Water voles on Local Wildlife Sites GOV.UK – search for Flood I recently heard some good news from a is much sparser, fragmented and Risk Activity Permits, disturbed because of cattle grazing and A piece about the new pe Riverside ownership: rights team of my trained volunteer water vole rmitting process for works around main rivers surveyors after they were allocated a the area’s popularity with dog walkers. and responsibilities. stretch of the River Gade that separates The site was surveyed again in May t Agency can support you. a Wildlife Site from a Site of Special and how the Environmen Magic map – designated 2015 and more latrines were found. Scientific Interest (SSSI). There had sites for conservation and Latrines are the most important pieces been no records of water voles on the more: magic.defra.gov.uk of evidence to establish the presence Any planned work that approaches we also offer a free site The staff from the Gade in the 21 st century, but the habitat U U of water voles. The river level dropped DID YO occurs within eight visit. We prefer to engage in person, DID YO Partners hip and Strategic What’s In Your Backyard – looked promising and it is important W? W? during the summer and the cattle were KNO meters of a main river, and directly assess a situation so we KNO to monitor a geographical spread of Overview team are the for main river info and able to wade across and graze and including temporary understand the natural processes at sites to maintain a true picture of the point of contact when in Flood zones: trample the north bank of the river works, will require a permit from play. Our advice will always focus on presence and absence of water voles consultation for standard and apps.environment-agency. exactly where the water voles had been the EA. Works within the flood - balancing objectives with environ - within Hertfordshire and Middlesex. bespoke permit applications. gov.uk/wiyby found. You can imagine the impact that plain may also require a permit. mentally sensitive and sustainable an animal weighing in excess of half a approaches – i.e. achieving what you Bespoke permits may be required for RRC – Manual of River The Local Wildlife Site (89/002/02) is a ton has when it tramples on the burrow What used to be referred to as Flood want, without having adverse effects a number of reasons, including Restoration Techniques long area of scrub almost 1km x 0.5km, systems of the water vole and then Defence Consents, have been elsewhere in the river system. proximity to designated sites for (see projects by technique) between the Grand Union Canal and the superseded with Flood Risk Activity conservation and protected habitats – therrc.co.uk river on the southern edge of Croxley proceeds to eat the vegetation that Bringing together groups in the Lee Valley Permits (FRAPs), since April 2016. Not all bank protection e.g. SSSI, Nature Reserves or ancient Green. Local Nature Reserve ‘Croxley provides cover for water voles. For queries relating to other The new permits are in place due to D YOU options need to be hard woodland and chalk rivers, respectively, Common Moor’ is on the south side of DI ? Water voles are tenacious creatures, but which have a stake in the local rivers. an amend ment to regulation and KNO W engineered. or even proximity to manmade river or waste concerns the river (also a SSSI for its botanical unfortunately surveys in the spring of adoption into the Environmental structures e.g. bridges and dwellings. please contact: interest). photo: Charlotte Hussey It is worth considering the 2016 failed to find any further water vole Permitting Regulations. If you feel your works might tick this enquiries@environment- benefit of natural materials and simple In August 2014 the volunteer team evidence. It is impossible to say if the box – please engage with us early on agency.gov.uk. The Trust has hosted the River Lea and a range expansion as far as management changes, e.g. hazel reported that they had found water cattle were the cause of the water vole The new process for permission is to ensure a smoother application Catchment Partnership since 2014. Sawbridgeworth Marsh; and bundles, willow spilling and ceasing of vole latrines (places where water voles loss. Water voles have a meta-population much the same as before, and could process. The partnership brings together stake- there is a fantastic level of be seen as an improvement with a mowing to bank top. place droppings to mark their territory) structure in which satellite populations We work regularly and holder groups in the Lee Valley that shared knowledge across the streamlined approach. The timeframe for on the north bank of the river in the will come and go. Nevertheless, there have an interest in the River Lea and whole partnership. Utilising natural materials can be successfully with HMWT Wildlife Site. This is the only example in have been discussions with Three OU permits to be duly made U There are four categories of permit: cheaper and highly stable in the long DID Y DID YO on river and wetland its tributaries. The partnership has W? to determination can W? recent years where a water vole survey Rivers District Council about possible The partnership provides KNO KNO matters for the numerous identified objectives for each river and Exclusion, Exemption, Standard Rules term, not to mention also providing take up to two months, has discovered water voles on a site strategies to prevent cattle access to training to local communities sites they manage, thanks developed catchment management and Bespoke. quality habitat and shelter for wildlife and can be made valid for that has previously been negative! the Wildlife Site but there is no simple plans in order to deliver these. to enable them to take action more than artificial means ever could. to a continuing partnership. solution. We can hope that they might The best place to start FRA Permit up to three years. There are extensive areas of sedge and to protect and enhance their It also does not represent a permanent return to the site in future! enquiries is GOV.uk or through reed fringing the river with plenty of In October 2016 the first River Lea local rivers. In 2016/17 six river loss of natural bank. So it’s always a good idea to begin cover extending back into the Wildlife Catch ment Conference was held at habitat restoration workshops National Customer Contact Centre – your pre-app discussions early! You Samantha Ho Martin Ketcher In this way, a site visit is vital for Site – ideal water vole habitat. Similar Water Vole Conservation & Non-Native Bayfordbury to review the successes of were run on the River Stort, giving [email protected]. don’t even need full detailed designs Biodiversity Officer, EA informing discussions around the habitat on the south, but the SSSI bank Invasive Species Officer, HMWT the catchment partnership so far. Over 50 individuals the skills to develop All applicants get free ready, but an early chat on principle 50 people attended with talks on Slimy and deliver small scale river enhance - appropriateness of artificial vs greener D YOU objectives and concerns is often DI ? pre-app advice. options at your site. Wrigglers, the local riverfly monitoring ment projects. The local riverfly hub KNO W enough to save you time later on. hub, the River Beane invasive non-native has now recruited over 100 volunteers For complex situations or plant control project, Affinity Water’s river who actively monitor rivers every month Catchment Conference schemes with multiple restoration scheme, as well as updates for signs of pollution in over 60 locations. from the Environment Agency and Lee Valley Nature Improvement Area. On the River Beane, the River Beane Looking forward, the Nature Improve-

Restoration Association (RBRA) has ment Area (NIA) are now developing y

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habitats to the critically endangered River Physical Survey (MoRPh), deliver on projects planned for the s

European eel; water voles were developed by Queen Mary University rivers Mimram and Ash. &

reintroduced to the River Stort at London and the Environment Agency, t o s h V

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Thorley Wash in 2015, with consistent expected to be rolled out nationally in David Johnson Environ i

ment A ge b ncy c two years b V ross- s along bank after sectio Growth of root wad e signs of breeding success ever since the near future. Living Rivers Officer, HMWT plementation n of woodsp t ear after im illing S ell-vegetated bank one y A w n o m i S

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The Hertfordshire Local Wildlife Sites Partnership River Lea Catchment Partnership FRAPs and working with the EA Useful websites Water voles on Local Wildlife Sites GOV.UK – search for Flood is much sparser, fragmented and Risk Activity Permits, I recently heard some good news from a A piece about the new permitting process for works around main rivers team of my trained volunteer water vole disturbed because of cattle grazing and Riverside ownership: rights the area’s popularity with dog walkers. and responsibilities. surveyors after they were allocated a stretch of the River Gade that separates The site was surveyed again in May a Wildlife Site from a Site of Special and how the Environment Agency can support you. Magic map – designated 2015 and more latrines were found. Scientific Interest (SSSI). There had sites for conservation and Latrines are the most important pieces been no records of water voles on the more: magic.defra.gov.uk of evidence to establish the presence Any planned work that approaches we also offer a free site Gade in the 21st century, but the habitat The staff from the of water voles. The river level dropped occurs within eight visit. We prefer to engage in person, looked promising and it is important DID YOU? DID YOU? Partners hip and Strategic What’s In Your Backyard – during the summer and the cattle were KNOW meters of a main river, and directly assess a situation so we KNOW to monitor a geographical spread of Overview team are the for main river info and able to wade across and graze and including temporary understand the natural processes at sites to maintain a true picture of the point of contact when in Flood zones: trample the north bank of the river works, will require a permit from play. Our advice will always focus on presence and absence of water voles consultation for standard and apps.environment-agency. exactly where the water voles had been the EA. Works within the flood - balancing objectives with environ - within Hertfordshire and Middlesex. bespoke permit applications. gov.uk/wiyby found. You can imagine the impact that plain may also require a permit. mentally sensitive and sustainable an animal weighing in excess of half a approaches – i.e. achieving what you Bespoke permits may be required for RRC – Manual of River The Local Wildlife Site (89/002/02) is a ton has when it tramples on the burrow What used to be referred to as Flood want, without having adverse effects a number of reasons, including Restoration Techniques long area of scrub almost 1km x 0.5km, systems of the water vole and then Defence Consents, have been elsewhere in the river system. proximity to designated sites for (see projects by technique) between the Grand Union Canal and the superseded with Flood Risk Activity conservation and protected habitats – therrc.co.uk river on the southern edge of Croxley proceeds to eat the vegetation that Bringing together groups in the Lee Valley Permits (FRAPs), since April 2016. Not all bank protection e.g. SSSI, Nature Reserves or ancient Green. Local Nature Reserve ‘Croxley provides cover for water voles. The new permits are in place due to options need to be hard woodland and chalk rivers, respectively, For queries relating to other Common Moor’ is on the south side of DID YOU? Water voles are tenacious creatures, but which have a stake in the local rivers. an amend ment to regulation and KNOW engineered. or even proximity to manmade river or waste concerns the river (also a SSSI for its botanical unfortunately surveys in the spring of adoption into the Environmental structures e.g. bridges and dwellings. please contact: interest). photo: Charlotte Hussey It is worth considering the 2016 failed to find any further water vole Permitting Regulations. If you feel your works might tick this enquiries@environment- benefit of natural materials and simple In August 2014 the volunteer team evidence. It is impossible to say if the box – please engage with us early on agency.gov.uk. The Trust has hosted the River Lea and a range expansion as far as management changes, e.g. hazel reported that they had found water cattle were the cause of the water vole The new process for permission is to ensure a smoother application Catchment Partnership since 2014. Sawbridgeworth Marsh; and bundles, willow spilling and ceasing of vole latrines (places where water voles loss. Water voles have a meta-population much the same as before, and could process. The partnership brings together stake- there is a fantastic level of be seen as an improvement with a mowing to bank top. place droppings to mark their territory) structure in which satellite populations We work regularly and holder groups in the Lee Valley that shared knowledge across the streamlined approach. on the north bank of the river in the will come and go. Nevertheless, there The timeframe for successfully with HMWT have an interest in the River Lea and whole partnership. Utilising natural materials can be permits to be duly made Wildlife Site. This is the only example in have been discussions with Three cheaper and highly stable in the long on river and wetland its tributaries. The partnership has There are four categories of permit: DID YOU? to determination can DID YOU? recent years where a water vole survey Rivers District Council about possible The partnership provides KNOW KNOW matters for the numerous identified objectives for each river and Exclusion, Exemption, Standard Rules term, not to mention also providing take up to two months, has discovered water voles on a site strategies to prevent cattle access to training to local communities sites they manage, thanks developed catchment management and Bespoke. quality habitat and shelter for wildlife and can be made valid for that has previously been negative! the Wildlife Site but there is no simple plans in order to deliver these. to enable them to take action more than artificial means ever could. to a continuing partnership. solution. We can hope that they might The best place to start FRA Permit up to three years. There are extensive areas of sedge and to protect and enhance their It also does not represent a permanent return to the site in future! enquiries is GOV.uk or through reed fringing the river with plenty of In October 2016 the first River Lea local rivers. In 2016/17 six river loss of natural bank. So it’s always a good idea to begin cover extending back into the Wildlife Catch ment Conference was held at habitat restoration workshops National Customer Contact Centre – your pre-app discussions early! You Samantha Ho Martin Ketcher In this way, a site visit is vital for Site – ideal water vole habitat. Similar Water Vole Conservation & Non-Native Bayfordbury to review the successes of were run on the River Stort, giving [email protected]. don’t even need full detailed designs Biodiversity Officer, EA informing discussions around the habitat on the south, but the SSSI bank Invasive Species Officer, HMWT the catchment partnership so far. Over 50 individuals the skills to develop ready, but an early chat on principle All applicants get free appropriateness of artificial vs greener 50 people attended with talks on Slimy and deliver small scale river enhance - objectives and concerns is often DID YOU? pre-app advice. options at your site. Wrigglers, the local riverfly monitoring ment projects. The local riverfly hub KNOW enough to save you time later on. hub, the River Beane invasive non-native has now recruited over 100 volunteers For complex situations or plant control project, Affinity Water’s river who actively monitor rivers every month Catchment Conference schemes with multiple restoration scheme, as well as updates for signs of pollution in over 60 locations. from the Environment Agency and Lee Valley Nature Improvement Area. On the River Beane, the River Beane Looking forward, the Nature Improve - Restoration Association (RBRA) has ment Area (NIA) are now developing Over the past three years the been trained in River Corridor Survey a funding bid led by HMWT that will partner ship has achieved significant methods, allow ing them to embark on deliver a landscape scale project for

accomplish ments; the Slimy Wrigglers an exciting project to investigate the the Stort Valley. Work is also underway Agency ent project has seen eel passes installed in potential to reintroduce water voles to within the catchment partnership to the Lower Lea, opening up three km of the river. In addition HMWT are now develop an action plan for barbel in the river and 55 ha of good quality still water training providers for the new Modular Lower Lea whilst HMWT continues to habitats to the critically endangered River Physical Survey (MoRPh), deliver on projects planned for the European eel; water voles were developed by Queen Mary University rivers Mimram and Ash.

reintroduced to the River Stort at London and the Environment Agency,

Thorley Wash in 2015, with consistent expected to be rolled out nationally in David Johnson Environm illustration: & photos Environment AgencyV cross-section of woodspilling V Growth of root wads along bank after two years signs of breeding success ever since the near future. Living Rivers Officer, HMWT A well-vegetated bank one year after implementation photo:Stebbings Simon

The Hertfordshire Local Wildlife Sites Partnership River Lea Catchment Partnership FRAPs and working with the EA Useful websites Water voles on Local Wildlife Sites GOV.UK – search for Flood I recently heard some good news from a is much sparser, fragmented and Risk Activity Permits, disturbed because of cattle grazing and A piece about the new pe Riverside ownership: rights team of my trained volunteer water vole rmitting process for works around main rivers surveyors after they were allocated a the area’s popularity with dog walkers. and responsibilities. stretch of the River Gade that separates The site was surveyed again in May t Agency can support you. a Wildlife Site from a Site of Special and how the Environmen Magic map – designated 2015 and more latrines were found. Scientific Interest (SSSI). There had sites for conservation and Latrines are the most important pieces been no records of water voles on the more: magic.defra.gov.uk of evidence to establish the presence Any planned work that approaches we also offer a free site The staff from the Gade in the 21 st century, but the habitat U U of water voles. The river level dropped DID YO occurs within eight visit. We prefer to engage in person, DID YO Partners hip and Strategic What’s In Your Backyard – looked promising and it is important W? W? during the summer and the cattle were KNO meters of a main river, and directly assess a situation so we KNO to monitor a geographical spread of Overview team are the for main river info and able to wade across and graze and including temporary understand the natural processes at sites to maintain a true picture of the point of contact when in Flood zones: trample the north bank of the river works, will require a permit from play. Our advice will always focus on presence and absence of water voles consultation for standard and apps.environment-agency. exactly where the water voles had been the EA. Works within the flood - balancing objectives with environ - within Hertfordshire and Middlesex. bespoke permit applications. gov.uk/wiyby found. You can imagine the impact that plain may also require a permit. mentally sensitive and sustainable an animal weighing in excess of half a approaches – i.e. achieving what you Bespoke permits may be required for RRC – Manual of River The Local Wildlife Site (89/002/02) is a ton has when it tramples on the burrow What used to be referred to as Flood want, without having adverse effects a number of reasons, including Restoration Techniques long area of scrub almost 1km x 0.5km, systems of the water vole and then Defence Consents, have been elsewhere in the river system. proximity to designated sites for (see projects by technique) between the Grand Union Canal and the superseded with Flood Risk Activity conservation and protected habitats – therrc.co.uk river on the southern edge of Croxley proceeds to eat the vegetation that Bringing together groups in the Lee Valley Permits (FRAPs), since April 2016. Not all bank protection e.g. SSSI, Nature Reserves or ancient Green. Local Nature Reserve ‘Croxley provides cover for water voles. For queries relating to other The new permits are in place due to D YOU options need to be hard woodland and chalk rivers, respectively, Common Moor’ is on the south side of DI ? Water voles are tenacious creatures, but which have a stake in the local rivers. an amend ment to regulation and KNO W engineered. or even proximity to manmade river or waste concerns the river (also a SSSI for its botanical unfortunately surveys in the spring of adoption into the Environmental structures e.g. bridges and dwellings. please contact: interest). photo: Charlotte Hussey It is worth considering the 2016 failed to find any further water vole Permitting Regulations. If you feel your works might tick this enquiries@environment- benefit of natural materials and simple In August 2014 the volunteer team evidence. It is impossible to say if the box – please engage with us early on agency.gov.uk. The Trust has hosted the River Lea and a range expansion as far as management changes, e.g. hazel reported that they had found water cattle were the cause of the water vole The new process for permission is to ensure a smoother application Catchment Partnership since 2014. Sawbridgeworth Marsh; and bundles, willow spilling and ceasing of vole latrines (places where water voles loss. Water voles have a meta-population much the same as before, and could process. The partnership brings together stake- there is a fantastic level of be seen as an improvement with a mowing to bank top. place droppings to mark their territory) structure in which satellite populations We work regularly and holder groups in the Lee Valley that shared knowledge across the streamlined approach. The timeframe for on the north bank of the river in the will come and go. Nevertheless, there have an interest in the River Lea and whole partnership. Utilising natural materials can be successfully with HMWT Wildlife Site. This is the only example in have been discussions with Three OU permits to be duly made U There are four categories of permit: cheaper and highly stable in the long DID Y DID YO on river and wetland its tributaries. The partnership has W? to determination can W? recent years where a water vole survey Rivers District Council about possible The partnership provides KNO KNO matters for the numerous identified objectives for each river and Exclusion, Exemption, Standard Rules term, not to mention also providing take up to two months, has discovered water voles on a site strategies to prevent cattle access to training to local communities sites they manage, thanks developed catchment management and Bespoke. quality habitat and shelter for wildlife and can be made valid for that has previously been negative! the Wildlife Site but there is no simple plans in order to deliver these. to enable them to take action more than artificial means ever could. to a continuing partnership. solution. We can hope that they might The best place to start FRA Permit up to three years. There are extensive areas of sedge and to protect and enhance their It also does not represent a permanent return to the site in future! enquiries is GOV.uk or through reed fringing the river with plenty of In October 2016 the first River Lea local rivers. In 2016/17 six river loss of natural bank. So it’s always a good idea to begin cover extending back into the Wildlife Catch ment Conference was held at habitat restoration workshops National Customer Contact Centre – your pre-app discussions early! You Samantha Ho Martin Ketcher In this way, a site visit is vital for Site – ideal water vole habitat. Similar Water Vole Conservation & Non-Native Bayfordbury to review the successes of were run on the River Stort, giving [email protected]. don’t even need full detailed designs Biodiversity Officer, EA informing discussions around the habitat on the south, but the SSSI bank Invasive Species Officer, HMWT the catchment partnership so far. Over 50 individuals the skills to develop All applicants get free ready, but an early chat on principle 50 people attended with talks on Slimy and deliver small scale river enhance - appropriateness of artificial vs greener D YOU objectives and concerns is often DI ? pre-app advice. options at your site. Wrigglers, the local riverfly monitoring ment projects. The local riverfly hub KNO W enough to save you time later on. hub, the River Beane invasive non-native has now recruited over 100 volunteers For complex situations or plant control project, Affinity Water’s river who actively monitor rivers every month Catchment Conference schemes with multiple restoration scheme, as well as updates for signs of pollution in over 60 locations. from the Environment Agency and Lee Valley Nature Improvement Area. On the River Beane, the River Beane Looking forward, the Nature Improve-

Restoration Association (RBRA) has ment Area (NIA) are now developing y

Over the past three years the been trained in River Corridor Survey a funding bid led by HMWT that will c

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partner ship has achieved significant methods, allow ing them to embark on deliver a landscape scale project for A

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accomplish ments; the Slimy Wrigglers an exciting project to investigate the the Stort Valley. Work is also underway e

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project has seen eel passes installed in potential to reintroduce water voles to within the catchment partnership to r

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the Lower Lea, opening up three km of the river. In addition HMWT are now develop an action plan for barbel in the E

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river and 55 ha of good quality still water training providers for the new Modular Lower Lea whilst HMWT continues to i t

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habitats to the critically endangered River Physical Survey (MoRPh), deliver on projects planned for the s

European eel; water voles were developed by Queen Mary University rivers Mimram and Ash. &

reintroduced to the River Stort at London and the Environment Agency, t o s h V

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Thorley Wash in 2015, with consistent expected to be rolled out nationally in David Johnson Environ i

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The Hertfordshire Local Wildlife Sites Partnership

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Please keep an eye out for extraordinarily to help build resilience into our vulnerable D

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n LOCAL WIL DLIFE SITES

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O k O N low river levels! Winter aquifer recharge rivers is to build in habitat features, to create P

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rates were particularly poor leading into and enhance shelter and refuge c A

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O UT 2017, and we are on watch for fish in distress for fish as well as invertebrates . A C S

O Mink l e A E T r L I r and dry reaches for the year ahead. t e W S t H I a L D L I F E w If you observe fish in distress, disconnected o ow u L s

Climate change has always been a real reaches of river or have habitat enhance ment e

they use the site resulting in more l sites of substantive nature l i H Lee Valley Regional Park Authority effective trapping.

conservation value and although m i T

(LVRPA) part-funds the Hertfordshire : l l i o

they do not have any statutory t H o Water Vole Conservation & Non-Native We have also recently acquired a ‘Mink h m p i status, many are equal in quality T

: Invasive Species Officer post, with Police’ unit; a waterproof, battery o River Mimram SSSI Project t The Wildlife Sites Partnership in Hertford shire to statutory Sites of Special o

The Hertfordshire Local Wildlife Sites Partnership The Hertfordshire Local Wildlife Sites Partnership