Lichfield Wildlife Group
Lichfield Cathedral Close Wildlife Project Report and Management Plan
This management plan is part of the Awards for All funded project ‘Conserving the Natural Heritage of Lichfield Cathedral and Lichfield Cathedral School’
Lichfield Wildlife Group is a local group of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust March 2009 Report (revised May 2010) CONTENTS Page Preface 2 Reflections on theological aspects of the project 2 Dedication 2 1. Background 3 1.1 Project Aims and Objectives 3
2. Site Description 4
2.1 Site Map 4 2.2 Historical Context 5 2.3 Compartment descriptions 6 2.3.1 The Cathedral Buildings and publicly accessible areas around the Cathedral 6 2.3.2 Predominantly residential properties to the south-west of Cathedral Close including yards and gardens and the Erasmus Darwin Museum Garden 6 2.3.3 The grounds of Lichfield Cathedral School including school playing fields 6 2.3.4 The remaining private land within the Lichfield Cathedral estate including properties with large private gardens 7 2.3.5 Excluded areas and surrounding open spaces 7
3. Survey Methodology 8
4. Survey Results 10 4.1 Notes on the wildlife survey (questionnaire) for Cathedral Close 10 4.1.1 The Wildlife Garden Survey 10 4.1.2 The Bird Survey 12 4.1.3 The Mammal Survey 13 4.2 Notes on the findings of the local specialist surveyors 14 4.2.1 General 14 4.2.2 The Cathedral Buildings and publicly accessible areas around the Cathedral 15 4.2.3 Predominantly residential properties to the south-west of Cathedral Close including yards and gardens and the Erasmus Darwin Museum Garden 15 4.2.4 The grounds of Lichfield Cathedral School including school playing fields 15 4.2.5 The remaining private land within the Lichfield Cathedral estate including properties with large private gardens 16
5. Management recommendations 17 5.1 The Cathedral Buildings and publicly accessible areas around the Cathedral 17 5.2 Predominantly residential properties to the south-west of Cathedral Close including yards and gardens and the Erasmus Darwin Museum Garden 18 5.3 The grounds of Lichfield Cathedral School including school playing fields 18 5.4 The remaining private land within the Lichfield Cathedral estate including properties 19 with large private gardens 5.5 Trees 19 5.6 Lichens 20 5.7 Fungi 20 5.8 Moths 21 5.9 Wildlife Friendly Gardening 21
6. Management Summary 24
7. References, recommended reading and useful contacts 26 7.1 Useful contacts 26 7.2 Recommended reading and useful websites 27 7.3 Wildlife Gardening suppliers 27
8. Acknowledgements 28
9. Appendices A Summary of Lichfield Wildlife Group’s Awards for All funded project 29 B The ‘Who’s Who’ behind the Research 33 C Trees and shrubs native to Staffordshire 36 D Ornamental shrubs of benefit to wildlife 37 E Cultivation of Mistletoe 38 F Top 10 Wildlife Gardening Tips 39 1 Preface The origin of the Lichfield Cathedral Nature Conservation project was twofold. The Cathedral Chapter had approached the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust for assistance with aspects of its Natural heritage at about the same time as the Keele University Ecological lecturer, Peter Thomas, who has tutored Keele continuing education classes on botanical and ecological subjects in the Cathedral Studies Centre or in College Hall in The Close for many years, and David Wall, a member of the Lichfield local group of the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, approached the then Cathedral Chancellor, Canon Tony Barnard, to see whether it would be possible to survey the flora and fauna of the Cathedral Close. The Wildlife Trust had asked Philip Knight, the Chairman of the Trust's Education Committee and one of its Trustees, to liaise with the Cathedral to see what the Trust might do to assist. Philip and David joined forces and met with David Wallington, the Cathedral Administrator to plan a programme of action. During the early planning stages, the Lichfield local group decided to recommend that a bid be put together for an 'Awards for All' grant from the lottery in order to bring more resources into the project and hence achieve a better outcome. This was agreed and a bid put together by the local group Secretary, David Jones, its Treasurer, Ray Allen, and David Wall with the assistance of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Officers Keith Tomkins, Graham Peake, and Craig Slawson. The bid was successful, and the actions that resulted from it are described in an appendix to this report (see Appendix A).
Reflections on theological aspects of the project The Cathedral Close Nature Conservation project did not attempt to bring any theological expertise to bear on the issues being studied. One of the local wildlife group's co-ordinators has an interest in such matters but would not in any way regard himself as a 'theologian'. He obtained an MA in Environmental Management for which his MA dissertation was 'The Church and the Environment'. As part of his research for the dissertation, he interviewed Canon Tony Barnard, then the Chancellor of the Cathedral with responsibilities for theological education. In the dissertation, its author comments that since Canon Barnard suggests that much work needs to be done to develop an adequate theological response to the environment by the whole Church, perhaps the Churches need to pay more attention to this. The environment covers more issues than nature conservation, but it includes nature conservation.
In a recent book review in the Church Times (1st August, 2008) of 'The Open Secret: A new vision for natural theology by Alister McGrath', John Saxbee, the Bishop of Lincoln, who is the reviewer, gives his support to Alister McGrath's contention that it is a matter of urgency for theists in general, and Christians in particular, to re-engage with nature from a theological point of view. Perhaps this needs to be brought down-to-earth and focussed on real, practical situations, such as nature conservation for Lichfield Cathedral Close, as well as engaging with a much wider agenda.
The Cathedral Chapter should consider how it might bring a theological perspective to the development of nature conservation in the Close and its associated lands and man-made structures.
David Wall Vice Chair of the Lichfield Wildlife Group Trustee of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Ray Allen Treasurer of the Lichfield Wildlife Group
Dedication This Report is dedicated to the memory of Ray Jennett (1st March 1941 - 11th November 2008) Sadly, Ray died unexpectedly just before the Reports of the Cathedral Nature Conservation project could be completed and published. Ray was a dedicated birdwatcher and provided survey information on the birdlife of the Close for this Report, as well as taking part in other associated events. He had a lifelong commitment to nature conservation, and longstanding links with the Lichfield Wildlife Group. We will miss his generosity of spirit and depth of knowledge.
2 1. Project Background The Cathedral Close Wildlife Project was co-ordinated by the Lichfield Wildlife Group, a group with an interest in the natural environment and wildlife of Lichfield District, and one of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s local groups. The group has a long history of involvement in nature conservation projects locally. Most recently the group delivered a project focussing on gathering information about dragonfly populations in Lichfield District.
The project, of which this management plan is a part, focuses on conserving the natural heritage of Lichfield Cathedral Close including Lichfield Cathedral School. The project is supported by funding from the National Lottery’s Awards for All Fund.
In addition to the preparation of this report and the collection of information supporting it (see below), the project encompassed an interpretative/educational element.
A series of workshops were undertaken with a class of Year 4 pupils from the Cathedral School. The children collected information for, and helped to design a leaflet aimed at young people visiting the Cathedral. The sessions with the school were supported by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Community and Education team. The completed leaflet, with lots of different wildlife-focussed children’s activities, is available from visitor outlets around the Cathedral site.
The project also produced a leaflet for adult visitors to the Cathedral, which gives an insight into the ecological interest of the Cathedral and its surrounds.
1.1 Project Aims and Objectives The project is centred on Lichfield Cathedral, which is visited by thousands of people each year, mainly to admire the building and its architecture and/or for religious reasons. There are many parts of the buildings and grounds that are not normally visited by the general public. These areas are important historically and are relatively undisturbed. This makes them potentially ideal habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna. At the same time, the Cathedral is about to start on a major development/restoration project, which is only the latest in a series of changes implemented in the area in recent years. Indeed, since the survey work was undertaken for this project there have been new developments and changes to the management of parts of the site. These developments will have an impact on wildlife and so the project should assist the Dean and Chapter, and others involved in the Close, by providing them with information about what there is now so as to enable them to avoid damage to the biodiversity of the area.
The project has involved experts in various fields who have undertaken surveys of the area looking at groups such as plants, lichens, mammals, birds and invertebrates. In addition, historical data has been obtained from some current and former residents, and the Staffordshire Environmental Records service based at the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust offices. Several questionnaires were sent out to residents and others based in the Close and the information gained from these made use of. The information gathered from this has been used to inform this management plan and will provide the baseline data to determine the best mechanisms for enhancing the wildlife value of the area. The experts were asked to comment on how the biodiversity for their areas of expertise might be enhanced.
The management plan will focus on providing advice and guidance to those involved in looking after sites within the project area. This includes:
- The Cathedral building and surrounding, publicly accessible open areas - Predominantly residential properties on the south-west side of the Cathedral Close including yards and gardens and the Erasmus Darwin Museum Garden - The grounds of Lichfield Cathedral School including the school playing fields - The remaining private land within the Lichfield Cathedral estate including properties with large private gardens
A prominent feature linking various elements of the project area is the former moat of the Cathedral.
The project has also included a series of meetings and events designed to increase the levels of awareness amongst local people with regard to ‘wildlife on their doorstep’. 3
In addition to the management plan and survey report the project also resulted in the production of two leaflets; the first designed for adults visiting the Cathedral, giving them a glimpse of the natural backdrop to the architectural and ecclesiastical attraction of the cathedral building itself; the second leaflet was for children, providing them with activities aimed at encouraging them to ‘look out’ for wildlife as part of their visit to the Cathedral.
2. Site Description The project area includes the Cathedral itself and the buildings and open spaces in the area historically associated with the Cathedral. The Cathedral School’s playing fields to the north-east of the Cathedral are also included in the project area. It is worthwhile providing an overview of the Cathedral and its history to provide some context to the plan itself.
2.1 Site Map
Lichfield Cathedral Close Wildlife Project Site map showing boundaries.
4 2.2 Historical Context The Cathedral is built on an ancient site dating back well over 1,000 years. The history of the site is of relevance to the natural history of the locality, particularly where places have remained relatively undisturbed over a period of time because of the nature of the land use. This may be the case for consecrated ground around the Cathedral or where land management has been less intensive and conducive to the survival of species and habitat.
When Chad was made Bishop of Mercia in 669 he moved the focus of his diocese from Repton to Lichfield. When Chad died in 672, pilgrims began to come to his shrine and, eventually, a new church was built to house his bones.
Starting in 1085 and continuing through the twelfth century this church was replaced by a Norman Cathedral, and this in turn by a Gothic Cathedral that was begun in 1195.
The Cathedral was expanded by the addition of a Lady Chapel, and there were perhaps as many as twenty altars around the Cathedral by 1500.
All this changed at the reformation, and the Cathedral was severely damaged during the Civil War being under siege three times. The roof was holed and the central spire destroyed by cannon fire. Parliamentary forces also defaced and destroyed many of the original features of the Cathedral.
In 1660 the restoration of Charles II to the throne brought about conditions favourable to the restoration of the Cathedral. Bishop Hacket was charged with the responsibility for the restoration of the Cathedral. James Wyatt continued the restoration work in the eighteenth century and made substantial changes to the structure to prevent collapse.
However, it was Sir George Gilbert Scott, Cathedral Architect from 1855-1878, who was most responsible for its successful restoration to its Medieval origins.
Today, Lichfield Cathedral still stands at the heart of the Diocese and is a focus for regular worship.
The site associated with the Cathedral can be broadly divided into four distinct areas. i) The Cathedral building and surrounding publicly accessible open areas . These areas are formally managed and feature a number of large trees including an avenue of common lime (Tillia x europaea) trees to the north- western and north-eastern sides of the Cathedral. ii) Residential properties including yards and gardens in The Close, also including the Erasmus Darwin Museum. These encompass outdoor spaces (often small gardens and courtyards) associated with residential properties on Vicar’s Close and the other residential ‘closes’, mostly to the south-west of the Cathedral itself. iii) The grounds of Lichfield Cathedral School including school playing fields to the north-east. iv) Larger properties within the Lichfield Cathedral estate, including houses with large private gardens. Not all of these buildings come under the Dean and Chapter. Selwyn House (formerly student accommodation for the former Lichfield Theological College), the Bishop of Lichfield’s House, and St. John’s in The Close are amongst the larger properties in the Close. These houses are characterised by larger gardens with a mix of lawns and surrounding borders stocked with a variety of ornamental plants, together with some ‘wilder’ areas.
5 2.3 Compartment Descriptions
2.3.1 The Cathedral building and surrounding publicly accessible open areas This compartment includes the area immediately adjacent to the Cathedral on all four sides approached along access roads from the south-west and the south-east (gated). The area also encompasses both closed and open burial grounds near to the east end of the Cathedral.
The compartment is characterised by formally managed open spaces with predominantly close mown amenity grassland. There is a series of ornamental shrubberies, some of which are linked to the frontages of administrative and residential buildings surrounding the Cathedral. The shrubberies contain a variety of exotic (non-indigenous) shrubs.
The compartment supports a number of large trees including an avenue of common lime (Tillia x europaea) trees on the north-western side of the Cathedral.
Less intensively managed areas, ‘where nature has crept in,’ are difficult to find in this compartment. Where wilder areas are to be found it is usually in nooks and crannies which have escaped more intensive management.
2.3.2 Predominantly residential properties to the south-west of Cathedral Close including yards and gardens and the Erasmus Darwin Museum Garden This compartment includes outdoor space associated with residential properties on Vicar’s Close and the other residential ‘closes’ and courtyards.
In addition, this compartment includes the series of courtyard gardens associated with the Erasmus Darwin House Museum which are accessible to the public.
Within this compartment there is little of the relatively large areas of open space found in other compartments. Many of the surrounds to building have hard surfaced yards and residents choose to grow plants in containers.
The most varied ornamental planting is to be found in the grounds of the Erasmus Darwin House Museum. Here there is a range of specimen trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants including a well stocked herb garden. Where green space occurs it is fragmented into smaller units by walls and fences.
The area also includes a section of the historic moat to the south-west of the Cathedral.
2.3.3 The grounds of Lichfield Cathedral School including extensive school playing fields The grounds of Cathedral School are extensive, but fragmented. However, the compartment does include the largest areas of unbroken open space in the survey area. The playing fields, although for the most part low diversity amenity grassland, do support some interesting features from a wildlife point of view. The hedgerows and remnant hedgerows in particular are an interesting feature.
The main school building (formerly the Bishop’s Palace) is surrounded by lawns and shrubberies. There are numerous trees, from managed smaller recently planted specimens through to mature trees. To the north-east of the Bishop’s Palace the compartment becomes more wooded and merges into the ‘moat woodland’ mentioned in 2.3.4.
6 2.3.4 The remaining private land within the Lichfield Cathedral estate including properties with large private gardens The compartment takes in the frontages and rear gardens of all the buildings to the south-east and north- east of the Cathedral. This includes the Bishop’s House, St. Mary’s House and Selwyn House. The Deanery and the Chancellor’s House are included in this compartment.
The gardens and grounds vary enormously in character with some areas receiving little obvious management, whilst there are also regularly maintained formal gardens in this compartment. The gardens to the rear of buildings adjacent to the Cathedral are extensive and, to the south-east, border on to the adjacent Minster Pool.
Many of the largest trees are to be found in this compartment. To the north-east of the Cathedral in the historic moat, the collection of trees might best be described as a woodland. A mixture of planted and naturally regenerated trees have created an area that is distinct as a woodland habitat (see also Cathedral School). The line of the moat can be seen starting again behind the Dean Savage Library.
Elsewhere there are areas of dense shrubbery and naturalistic assemblages of plants. Often native flora grows alongside exotic plants and garden varieties.
2.3.5 Excluded areas and the surrounding open spaces Some areas were taken out of the project area at an early stage. These included two more recently built semi-detached houses in the moat to north-west of the Cathedral and another property with a large garden in an adjacent location.
The project area is bordered by surrounding open spaces that undoubtedly will influence the natural history of the area. These include Stowe Pool and Minster Pool. Both of these water bodies look fairly typical of those found in municipal parks and gardens, with a limited amount of ‘natural’ features. However, Stowe Pool has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on grounds of the population of native crayfish that live there, and it also has a Red Data Book species of stonewort living on the pool bed. One of the streams coming into Stowe Pool flows through Minster Pool from nearby Beacon Park and there are crayfish along the course of this brook.
Also within the immediate vicinity of the project area are significant amounts of amenity grassland and many properties with larger gardens.
7 3. Survey Methodology The majority of the survey work was undertaken between 2006-2007, with a small amount of data collected early in 2008. The surveys were co-ordinated by the Lichfield Wildlife Group, but were undertaken by local specialists brought in to focus on particular groups (for further information on ‘the who’s who’ behind the research; see Appendix B).
Bats South-East Staffordshire Bat Group
Birds The majority of the survey work was undertaken by Ray Jennett between April and June 2007. Surveys were undertaken during daylight, usually between 10:00am and 12:30pm. The survey covered the Close together with school grounds and gardens to the north and south where access was permitted. Other records were recorded from habitat either side of the path to the west of Stowe Field running toward Reeve Lane.
All sighting, sounds and behaviour of individual species were marked on a map of the area using species code set by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO).
Additional records were provided by a resident of St. John’s in the Close, and also by John Potts.
Butterflies and Moths Simon Phipps with assistance from the records of David Hall.
Fungi Neville Walters
Galls (mainly flies, wasps and mites) Peter Shirley
Invertebrates Richard Tribbeck
Lichens Ivan Pedley
Mammals Largely anecdotal from questionnaires and word of mouth from residents, with assistance from Derek Crawley of Staffordshire Mammal Group.
Centipedes and Millipedes Craig Slawson
Molluscs Roy Gillibrand
Mosses and Liverworts Martin Godfrey
Spiders and Harvestmen Craig Slawson
Tree survey The tree survey was undertaken by Dr Peter Thomas of Keele University in October of 2007 and updates a previous survey undertaken by Land Use Consultants in 1989. The present survey mapped out and recorded all tree specimens within the survey area and also recorded where trees have been lost (or added) since the previous survey.
8 Vascular Plants Mainly by John Hawksford with input from Dr Peter Thomas and his 2006/2007 Keele University continuing education class, David Wall, Peter Shirley, and Mike Smith.
Woodlice Craig Slawson
Additional historical records were obtained from the Staffordshire Ecological Records Centre.
In total more than 700 records were collected for flora and fauna from this relatively small site. This is a good number for most sites, but is all the more impressive given the urban nature of the areas surveyed.
In comparison with a similar project which aims to put forward management recommendations for a wildlife site, the surveys undertaken here were extensive. They covered many different groups of plants and animals and employed the skills of a number of field naturalists to bring together the final species list. In making management recommendations for the site we have taken into account the full set of survey data, but have also tried to put forward management proposals in keeping with the unique nature of the site.
9 4. Survey Results There is a separate scientific report, ‘The Wildlife of the Cathedral Close, Lichfield’, which includes the full species list together with associated notes. The survey’s findings provide the baseline information from which management proposals are derived. The survey results, except where otherwise stated, are for the whole survey area. Although in some cases the specialist may have noted the locations of specific species, we are not able to attribute all records to the specific compartments identified in the previous section.
In this section we have included summary notes drawn from the wildlife surveys undertaken by the specialists. Also included is a summary of the findings from a more general survey of wildlife in and around the Cathedral Close taken from returns to a series of questionnaires sent out in the summer of 2007.
4.1 Notes on the wildlife survey (questionnaires) for Cathedral Close In July and August 2007, the residents, employers and employees of Lichfield Cathedral Close were asked to complete a series of 3 questionnaires. These were as follows: 1. A Garden Wildlife Survey 2. A Birds Survey 3. A Mammals Survey A total of 80 questionnaires were distributed and the results were analysed by Ray Allen of the Lichfield Wildlife Group. Here are the results and information gained from the surveys.
4.1.1 The Garden Wildlife Survey 16 replies were received. This represents 20% of the survey forms given out. The resulting information is now set out in the 7 categories listed in the survey form. 1a) The size of the gardens surveyed Large gardens: 8 ( 50%) Small gardens: 6 ( 38%) Yard: 5 ( 32% ) Allotment: 1 ( 6% ) No garden: 1 ( 6% ) Note: these figures add up to more than 100% because some respondents have, for example, more than 1 kind of garden. Also, some of the gardens are communal.
1b) The contents of the gardens Compost heaps: 4 ( 25% ) Fruit trees: 4 ( 25% ) Hedge and /or dense shrubs: 10 ( 62% ) Bird boxes: 8 ( 50% ) Bird Table: 4 ( 25% ) Pond: 2 ( 13% ) None of these: 1 ( 6 % ) Note: again, the figures do not add up to 100% because most respondents have more than one of these items in their garden. Also, one respondent has a bird bath and another respondent has said that Minster Pool is part of their garden.
1c) Specific species seen in the gardens. i) Birds : Robin: 15 ( 94% ) Magpie: 13 ( 81% ) House Sparrow: 9 ( 56% ) ii) Insects : Peacock Butterfly: 6 ( 38% ) Dragonfly: 4 ( 25% ) iii) Mammals : Badger 0 ( 0% ) Hedgehog: 10 ( 62% ) Fox: 5 ( 31% ) Bat: 6 ( 38% ) Frogs: 4 (25%) Toads: 2 (13%) iv) Plants Berry-bearing shrubs: 10 (62%)
10 Note: As part of the mammals survey a respondent has reported seeing a badger so there is a little inconsistency here.
1d) Substances regularly used in the garden The most commonly used substances are: i) Bought compost: 9 (56%) ii) Fertilisers: 5 (38%) iii) Weed killer: 5 (38%) iv) Peat-Free Compost: 5 (38%) v) Pesticides: 4 (25%) vi) Home-made Compost: 3 (19%) Once again, the percentages do not add up to 100% because some respondents use more than one substance. Notes • Two people are not sure which substances are used. • The husband of the warden of St John’s in the Close looks after this communal garden. • One person stated that weed killer was only used on the drive. • People do not seem happy to use pesticides. 1 person rarely uses them: another person only uses them occasionally; and 1 person has only used pesticides for slugs and vine weevils.
1e) Features surrounding the gardens The most common features surrounding the gardens are: i) Buildings: 10 (62%) ii) Gardens: 9 (56%) iii) A Park: 2 (13%) Notes • Some respondents have buildings and gardens surrounding their gardens. • None of the residents who responded had allotments or waste ground surrounding their gardens. • 2 of the respondents said they had Minster Pool surrounding their garden. • 1 respondent said there was a wall surrounding the garden.
1f) Cats in the garden i) Cats in the garden: 5 (33%) ii) Cats occasionally visiting the garden: 5 (33%) iii) Cats never coming to the garden: 2 (14%) iv) Has own cat: 2 (14%) Notes One respondent said the cats were a nuisance, one person said they were not encouraged and another person said there were less birds because of the cats.
1g) Other species of interest in the garden Birds Two respondents reported seeing 2 swifts and a wood pigeon in their gardens. The following birds had been seen by one respondent: Jackdaw, Mallard, Swallow, Tits, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Linnet, Greenfinch. Mammals Three respondents reported seeing grey squirrels in their garden. Foxes, mice and rabbits have been seen by two people. A vole and a rat have each been seen by one person. Insects Bees and butterflies have been seen by 2 people Earwigs, flies, lily beetles, vine weevils, beetles and moths have each been seen by 1 person. Other creatures 1 person reported seeing large snails in the garden.
11 Conclusions drawn from the Garden Wildlife Survey Questionnaires returned. • There were varied sizes of garden in the survey returns. • There were wildlife-friendly features in all the gardens, especially to attract birds. • The gardens are attracting a good number of birds, butterflies and mammals. It is good to see that dragonflies, hedgehogs, foxes and bats are coming to the gardens. The large amount of berry- bearing shrubs is no doubt attracting large numbers of birds. • It is encouraging to see that peat-free compost is being used quite widely, and home made compost is being used by some residents. Residents seem apologetic about their use of pesticides and weed killers. • Most gardens have buildings surrounding them and this seems to have an effect on the variety of wildlife attracted to them. The fact that a number of gardens are also close to Minster Pool is clearly an influence on the amount of wild birds that appear in Cathedral Close. • It is difficult to conclude that the presence of cats has meant less birds. More monitoring over a longer period would need to be done before any firm conclusion could be reached. • The number of other species of birds, mammals, and insects in the garden is encouraging and residents should perhaps be shown how to maintain or even increase those numbers in future years. • A former Chancellor reported that after a period of allowing the grass to grow in his garden, numerous wildflowers returned to the lawn.
4.1.2 The Bird Survey 15 replies were received. Here is a list of the most common species seen by residents compiled from the information given in the survey:
Rank Name of Bird Number of replies Percentage of replies 1 Robin 15 100% 1 Blackbird 15 100% 3 Blue tit 13 87% 4 Wren 12 80% 5 House Sparrow 11 73% 6 Chaffinch 9 60% 7 Song Thrush 8 53% 7 Great Tit 8 53% 7 Pigeon 8 53% 10 Dunnock 7 47% 10 Coal Tit 7 47% 10 Pied Wagtail 7 47% 13 Greenfinch 6 40% 14 Sparrowhawk 5 33% 14 Magpie 5 33% 16 Moorhen 4 27% 17 Mistle Thrush 3 20% 17 Crow 3 20% 17 Long-Tailed Tit 3 20% 20 Swift 2 13% 20 Coot 2 13% 20 Woodpecker 2 13% 20 Jackdaw 2 13% 20 Nuthatch 2 13% 20 Collared Dove 2 13% 20 Merlin 2 13% 20 Heron 2 13% 20 Ducks 2 13%
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Birds with a single sighting
Treecreeper Goldfinch Swallow Rook Jay Yellow Wagtail Blackcap Goldcrest Grey Wagtail Stock Dove Willow Warbler Pheasant Garden Warbler Kestrel
Other water birds seen
Canada goose, Other Geese, Swans, Gulls
Notes • Finches and coal tits are much less frequent visitors since the loss of a large, mature yew tree about 18 months ago. • Many of the water birds come up residents’ gardens from Minster Pool. • A resident from Newton College reports that very few house sparrows have been seen. • A resident reported that a Jay and a wood pigeon were seen in a tree and a young wood pigeon was seen in a nest in early July 2007. • A resident reported that there are 2 successful mallard hatchings annually and the parents are either stupid or cunning. They do not notice the ultimate obstacles and ignore the peril of the cat. The resident is from Selwyn House, some way from Minster Pool. • A resident submitted a list of 34 wild birds seen by him. He lives in St. John’s in The Close. • The staff of St. Mary’s House reported that mallards nested in the grounds of the house.
Conclusions drawn from the Bird Survey Questionnaires returned • It appears from the information received there is a healthy bird population in Cathedral Close both in terms of numbers of birds and variety of species. • There appear to be at least 2 very enthusiastic bird watchers in The Close. It may be good to involve them in any future work once the project is over. • There may be sufficient interest in regular bird walks with the possibility of an annual dawn chorus walk. This possibility is certainly worth exploring. • Because of the close proximity of Cathedral Close to Minster Pool it may be worthwhile trying to set up a system of monitoring the birds who visit Minster Pool each year.
4.1.3 The Mammal Survey 12 replies were received. The most commonly seen mammals were: Rank Mammal Number of Replies Percentage of Replies 1 Grey Squirrel 11 92% 2 Hedgehog 9 75% 3 Fox 8 66% 4 Bat 7 58% 5 Wood Mouse 4 33% 6 Rat 3 25% 6 Rabbit 3 25% 8 House Mouse 2 17% 9 Badger 1 8% 9 Shrew 1 8% 9 Vole 1 8%
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The mammals that were most liked were: Rank Mammal Number of Replies Percentage of Replies 1 Hedgehog 9 75% 2 Bat 8 66% 3 Wood Mouse 7 58% 4 Badger 6 50% 5 Grey Squirrel 5 42% 5 Fox 5 42% 5 Shrew 5 42% 5 Vole 5 42% 9 Mole 3 25% 10 House Mouse 2 17% 10 Rabbit 2 17%
Notes • Nobody who returned the survey forms had seen a mole. • Bats have been seen at night by a number of people. They fly into the Vicar’s Close at about 9.30 pm. • One resident leaves food out for foxes. Foxes have been heard playing at the West Front of the Cathedral at night. A fox frequently walks into Vicar’s Close at 5.30 am. • One respondent reported seeing a badger walking near the wood in the Cathedral School grounds. • A hedgehog has been seen outside one of the cottages in Vicar’s Close at dusk. • Grey squirrels are frequent visitors to Vicar’s Close. • Shrews are occasionally found alive in the Vicar’s Close area. • Rats have been in the vicinity of Minster Pool and one resident hopes the rats are under control. • One respondent reports evidence of house mice.
4.2 Notes on the findings of local specialist surveyors (see Chapter 3)
4.2.1 General Around 700 species of plant and animal recorded as part of the survey might be seen as a high number for an area with the characteristics of Cathedral Close site, which is predominantly a built environment with a high proportion of open space managed formally.
The land surrounding the project area is important in as much as it provides the main corridors for wildlife to move in and out of the area – this includes the area of open space around Stowe Pool and the pool itself which is a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest).
Eight species of fern were recorded in the project area including common polypody, maidenhair spleenwort and hart’s-tongue fern, which are considered uncommon in the Lichfield area.
Whilst the Cathedral and Cathedral Close is not exceptional for lichens, there are some interesting finds. The memorial stones laid down as ledgers to the north-east of the Cathedral support a number of lichens that are either not found elsewhere (in Staffordshire) or are scarce . Lecanora Campestris , forming pale rosettes with brown fruits that have the appearance, when viewed through a hand lens, of tiny ‘jam tarts’, grows on a sandstone ledger on this north-east lawn. Verrucaria muralis is only found on oolitic limestone kerbstones in the same area.
A single wooden picnic table in a garden had a very good lichen flora, including a very rare species for Staffordshire (only the third record), but unfortunately this picnic table was disposed of by the owner because of its poor condition.
14 Deadly nightshade (an uncommon plant generally in Staffordshire) has been recorded previously in the Close. The plant was seen during the most recent survey in a number of locations.
A white form of Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum) was recorded at various places as part of the survey of flora in the area.
Pellitory–of-the-wall is uncommon in Staffordshire, but was found growing on walls in various places around the Close.
Spotted Flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) has been recorded nesting in ivy growing up one of the walls in the Close. Ivy clad walls may be very important for birds and other species in the project area.
4.2.2 The Cathedral building and surrounding publicly accessible open areas Bristly millipede (Polyxenus lagurus ) was recorded on the buttresses of the Cathedral itself, thought to be feeding on mosses and lichens growing there. This millipede is only a few millimetres in length and although possibly under-recorded it is thought to be an uncommon species in Staffordshire.
In September of 2008 the Lichfield Mercury reported that a survey had shown that there was a significant population of masonry bees (Osmia sp ) on the southern side of the Cathedral. It was reported Bristly Millipede that the bees had exploited the softer areas of sandstone to create nesting burrows and that the presence of the burrows may be contributing to the general deterioration of the stonework. Some parts of the cathedral building are being renovated at present with plans to undertake more work in the future. Surveys undertaken as part of the Lichfield Cathedral Wildlife Project failed to identify the presence of masonry bees as the survey team were unable to access these parts of the building.
The compartment supports a number of large trees including an avenue of common lime ( Tillia x europaea ) trees on the north-western side of the Cathedral. The 'Dean's Walk', as it is called, dates back to 1703 and is pre-dated only by the lime avenue in Windsor St. Paul’s.
Field mouse-ear, a plant considered very rare in Staffordshire, grows in two of the lawns surrounding the cathedral. It has shown signs of spreading over the years. In Staffordshire, the plant has been decreasing in recent years and the Cathedral is thought to be its best site in Staffordshire.
Minster Pool, to the south of the Cathedral, was itself not included in the survey work, but represents a valuable additional habitat, particularly where it backs onto the gardens of the large houses in the Close. Stowe Pool is also in the locality and adds to the diversity and quality of wildlife habitat in the area.
Pochard (Aythya farina) and Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula) were both recorded on Minster Pool together with more typical species of parkland pools, mallard, moorhen, coots, Canada goose and mute swan.
4.2.3 Predominantly residential properties to the south-west of Cathedral Close including yards and gardens and the Erasmus Darwin Museum Garden The gardens of the Erasmus Darwin Museum provide an excellent example of ornamental gardens containing many plants attractive to wildlife. The herb gardens in particular provide a good source of nectar for bees, butterflies and other insects. There are also seed/fruit bearing plants in the garden providing food for other species.
A ‘container’ in the garden of the Vicar’s Hall was found to contain Least Duckweed (Lemna minuta), an unusual and precarious location for any plant, but particularly an aquatic species.
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4.2.4 The grounds of Lichfield Cathedral School including extensive school playing fields Black Mulberry was recorded at several locations around the survey area.. There was a particularly impressive specimen recorded at the rear of the school.
Meadow saxifrage, ramsons and wood anenome were amongst the species discovered on a grassy bank just east of the main school building. This bank also supports wild daffodils (although it is thought these were introduced from outside Staffordshire). These wild specimens are hybridising with garden varieties.
Two clumps of mistletoe were found growing on Lime and Hawthorn. A previously recorded third clump (recorded on Rowan) was not seen during this survey. Mistletoe is very rare in Staffordshire, and its best location in the County, although not in great quantity, is Lichfield, so the plants in the School grounds are of significance as part of this. (Before the completion of this report aboricultural work led to the unfortunate removal of at least part of the hawthorn and its mistletoe leaving only the lime specimen supporting a single bunch of mistletoe).
Japanese knotweed, a very invasive species, is found in great quantities, especially in the moat.
A record of Giant Bellflower (Campanula latifolia) on the slope down to the moat could be a garden escape rather than a naturally occurring population.
4.2.5 The remaining private land within the Lichfield Cathedral estate including properties with large private gardens In general, the large gardens of the Bishop’s House and others provide a good habitat for wildlife. Many of the records for birds, for example, are not location specific, but the large gardens are likely to support reasonable numbers of breeding garden birds.
Many species of trees and shrub were recorded, both those native to the British Isles and ornamental species. In the Archdeacon’s garden and the garden of No. 23, there are fruit trees, and it is reported that the pear trees in the Chancellor’s garden may be unusual varieties, which, in addition to being an interesting feature in their own right, will be attractive to wildlife in the area.
Fine specimen trees were noted including a copper beech in the Archdeacon’s Garden and a walnut tree in one of the other large gardens.
Although (discounting Minster Pool) there is very little open water in the Project area, Common Duckweed (Lemna minor) was recorded in this compartment in an ornamental pond in the Deanery.
There were other interesting records from these large gardens. One specimen of Common Polypody (Polypodium vulgare) was found growing in an unusual location in the Deanery. It is thought that the older walls in the Close may at times have supported more in the way of flora (other ferns such as Wall- rue and Maidenhair Spleenwort for example), but these are periodically cleared from walls.
16 5. Management recommendations Management recommendations have been drawn from the work of some of those who surveyed the area for its flora and fauna and more generic observations about how specific sites might be improved to enhance wildlife value. It should be recognised that an area like this does not stand still. Indeed significant changes have been made to buildings and gardens since the survey was completed, and these changes must be taken into account when drawing up management recommendations.
In addition to recommendations based on the compartments identified in previous sections there are also recommendations, where appropriate, covering specific groups of flora and fauna.
Because a great deal of the site might be described as ‘garden’ of one type or another, a specific section on gardening for wildlife has been included here. It is hoped that this information can be disseminated separately in some form to those residents of the Close who wish to take up some of its proposals. In some cases comments on the conservation management of specific species will be dealt with in communication outside this report.
This report and the surveys upon which its recommendations are based provided baseline data on the natural history of Lichfield Cathedral and the surrounding area. It is recommend that survey work is used in order to monitor biodiversity in the future and to assess the likely impact of future development/change on the locality’s flora and fauna.
Conservation Statements In order to increase the likelihood that the wildlife value of the area will be maintained and enhanced in the future, it may be worth considering developing a ‘conservation statement’ for the Cathedral and Close. The statements might outline the vision of a community ‘rich in wildlife interest’, and present some general guidance on how this might be maintained and enhanced by those residing (or working) in the community. Such a statement could be specifically tailored to individual properties and presented to those moving into the Cathedral Close area.
5.1 The Cathedral building and surrounding publicly accessible open areas. The area includes the lawned areas immediately around the Cathedral. It is in some of these lawns that Field Mouse-ear (Cerastium arvense) occurs. The lawns are cut regularly, although this type of management appears to have no detrimental effect on the populations of mouse-ear, it is recommended that the abundance of this locally uncommon species is monitored. Applications of herbicides including moss killers should be avoided on lawns which support the mouse-ear. Indeed wherever possible the use of pesticides and herbicides should be avoided across the site as it is likely to have a detrimental effect on wildlife.
The Cathedral building supports populations of lichens and mosses, together with invertebrates, including the Bristly Millipede (Polyxenus lagurus ). In order to protect these species and their habitat it is recommended that the stonework of the Cathedral should be cleaned sensitively, taking into account the wildlife value of the built environment in places. When replacing mortar as part of restoration work consideration should also be given to undertaking work in sections and the use of traditional materials.
The assemblages of lichens to be found on memorial stones set in the lawns will also only be maintained where the stonework remains uncleaned.
Conservation management for lichens is covered in more detail later on in this section on management recommendations.
In maintaining walls and other brickwork around the Cathedral the presence of unique communities of plants and animals – ferns, mosses and a diversity of invertebrate species should be recognised. Maintenance should allow, where possible, populations of the species to be protected. Only undertaking maintenance work (pointing up, restoration) on short sections of brickwork at a time will ensure that species continue to thrive 17 The number and diversity of trees and shrubs in this area should be maintained. Where opportunities arise new trees should be planted. It is recommended that native trees are planted if possible, a list of trees native to Staffordshire can be found in the appendices to this report (Appendix C).
A more detailed set of recommendations for trees is included in Section 5.5.
The shrubberies to be found around the periphery of the grassed areas surrounding the Cathedral are likely to be of value to birds and invertebrates in particular. These areas could usefully be extended to provide more cover for birds and a food source for various species. A list of ornamental shrubs attractive to wildlife is included in the appendices (Appendix D).
5.2 Predominantly residential properties to the south-west of Cathedral Close including yards and gardens and the Erasmus Darwin Museum Garden The wildlife interest in this area is focussed around the gardens and courtyards. There is little in the way of ‘wilder’ more naturalistic habitats to be found in this compartment. However, there is much that can be done to make this part of the Close a more wildlife friendly area. Much of the advice offered in section 5.9 would be appropriate to the garden and courtyards. Residents and those involved in management of green spaces such as the gardens of the Erasmus Darwin Museum could all take small, but effective steps to encourage wildlife. The planting of beneficial plants in borders and containers for example, or the siting of birdfeeders and bird boxes in appropriate places would help to bring more wildlife to this part of the site.
5.3 The grounds of Lichfield Cathedral School including extensive school playing fields The school grounds are already relatively rich in flora and fauna for this type of site. The large number of trees and shrubberies are of particular value. It is recommended that this be added to where possible – the lists included in the appendices to the report should be of guidance in this respect.
Particular attention should be paid to the tree supporting mistletoe, a Lime. (Unfortunately, before the completion of this report aboricultural work led to the removal of at least part of a second tree, a hawthorn, and the mistletoe it supported). Mistletoe is very rare in Staffordshire, and its best site in the County, not in great quantity, is Lichfield. The spread of mistletoe can be encouraged artificially (see Appendix E), however the priority should be to maintain the existing trees. From this the population may spread naturally.
The ‘wildflower meadow’ on the bank to the north-east of the main school building has a good diversity of wildflowers and appears to be benefiting from sympathetic management – a less intensive grass cutting regime. It is recommended that this management continues. In order to maintain the healthy population of wild daffodils it may be appropriate to remove some of the obviously hybridised garden varieties.
The bank running down towards the moat has some areas of dense vegetation providing cover for small mammals and nesting sites for birds. Brambles are valuable to wildlife, attracting insects including butterflies and other wildlife. The Giant Bellflower occurs on the bank. It is a woodland flower and so maintaining the woodland character of this area will help it to survive.
The playing fields are ‘over mown’. In some areas around the periphery of the football/rugby pitches less regular mowing would benefit wildlife.
There are hedgerows and trees that provide a good habitat for wildlife. As mentioned above, strips of less regularly cut grass bordering hedges would greatly increase their wildlife value.
Japanese Knotweed is present on the edge of the playing field in amongst the existing hedgerow. Also in the moat. It is recommended that steps are taken to eradicate this species as it is highly invasive and can colonise large areas to the detriment of other plant species.
18 Within the grounds of the School consideration might be given to a feeding station for birds. This could perhaps be managed with the support of the School’s pupils.
5.4 The remaining private land within the Lichfield Cathedral estate including properties with large private gardens The gardens of the Bishop’s House, St. Mary’s House, St. John’s Hospital, the Deanery and others already support some valuable features for wildlife. These include: • Shrubberies and trees (including fruit trees), often around the edge of the garden • Flower borders supporting a variety of plants • Slightly wilder, more ‘natural’ spaces where wildlife can thrive
These garden features help to create what is considered, the ‘classic structure’ of a typical garden which mimics a woodland glade and is attractive to a whole range of wildlife.
Section 5.9 details the different types of features that might be incorporated into a wildlife friendly garden and also explains how some of these features should be managed.
The gardens in this compartment are relatively large and as such have plenty of space to encourage wildlife. Anecdotal evidence suggests that many of the lawns contain a reasonable diversity of wildflowers. If these lawns are cut less frequently in some areas, the resultant growth may well contain a variety of wildflowers. This could, in addition, be supplemented by planting additional wildflowers or sowing seed (see Section 5.9 and further information on where to source plants and seed in Chapter 7). In order to maintain the diversity of plants in lawns it is recommended that they should not be treated with fertilizer or herbicides.
If the seeding or planting of an area is being considered it is worth making sure that the location doesn’t support an existing flora or fauna that is of greater value than the seed/plants to be introduced.
Probably the most valuable places to reduce the regularity of grass cutting to encourage wildlife are at the margins of shrubberies, borders or water features. The cover given by taller grass provides shelter and a food source, which is more easily accessible when adjacent to an existing habitat.
Where gardens abut on to the Minster Pool, wild areas would create a great transitional habitat for many species including amphibians, small mammals and invertebrates.
The gardens support a variety of trees, both in terms of species diversity and size. Where possible the number of trees should be added to. The planting of native species would be particularly helpful in encouraging wildlife and maintaining the number of mature trees in and around Cathedral Close for the future.
5.5 Trees 1) Large trees are a dominant part of The Cathedral Close landscape and opportunities should be taken to plant replacements for the largest trees as soon as practicable to ensure continuity.
2) The lime avenue is obviously a major feature of the Close and this should continue to be protected and ultimately replaced by the same species. It is beyond the scope of this survey to recommend a method of replacement but it should be borne in mind that the Common Lime (Tilia x europaea ) is not very shade tolerant and it may be necessary to fell every other tree and establish replacements before felling and replacing the remaining trees.
3) The species diversity of trees and shrubs in The Close is high and opportunities should be taken to maintain this diversity. This will be of benefit for wildlife by providing a wide variety of food and shelter and will also maintain the aesthetic style of The Close. From both these perspectives it would be useful to maintain and enhance the variety of woody plants in terms of flowering time, flower type and fruit type. While it is arguably better to plant native species, the maintenance of variety and aesthetic appeal is a prime consideration and many introduced trees and shrubs have much to offer.
19 4) An unusual aspect of The Close is that of all the dominant trees widespread in the UK, the oak, whilst present, is relatively uncommon in the locality. While this is not a problem, if the opportunity arises it would be interesting from a wildlife point of view and for a continuity of history (given the integral role that oak has played in buildings such as the Cathedral) to plant one or more specimens.
5) It is recommended that wherever possible dead wood is kept commensurate, obviously, with safety and the visual landscape. This should be as wood in standing trees (which may be most achievable in trees within dense plantings) and as wood on the ground. The conservation benefits of dead wood are now widely recognised.
6) The survey did not extend to looking at the varieties of pears, apples and other fruit trees within the Close. However, it was noted that there appear to be some very unusual varieties and it is recommended that a detailed survey of these is made and steps are taken to preserve and propagate what are likely to be nationally endangered plants.
5.6 Lichens Management of the Cathedral for lichens: ••• The stonework of the Cathedral should not be cleaned. In time, carbon deposits will wash from the surface and improve the chances of lichen colonisation and this will further preserve and encourage those species that are already present. • The use of herbicides should be avoided. This includes not only application to the base of the walls but also to the surface water drains and the south boundary revetment. • Any repairs to the fabric of the building should use similar stone as that originally used in its construction and also lime mortar of a similar mix to the original. • Any such repairs should be done in sections to allow colonisation of the new stone and mortar from the lichens growing on the older adjacent stone.
Management of the Cathedral grounds for lichens: • The ledger memorial stones are being covered by turf encroaching from the edge of the stone. This turf should be cleared back and maintained as a distinct edge. • After mowing, if the grass cuttings are not automatically collected by the machine and removed from the site, the surface of the ledgers should be swept clean. This will prevent a “thatch” of rotting grass building up and not only obliterating the inscriptions but also shading out the lichens. ••• The use of herbicides to control the grass round the memorials should be avoided.
Management in the Cathedral Close for lichens: ••• Minimise the use of herbicides and fungicides within all the gardens. • As apple trees become moribund replace them with similar trees. If possible, when the old trees are felled stack the logs in an out of the way part of the garden that experiences good sunlight. This will not only encourage invertebrates and hence birds but also act as a source from which lichens can spread out onto newly planted fruit trees. • Rockeries should be maintained so that the hard landscaping (supporting walls, stones, etc), is exposed and not overwhelmed by vegetation.
5.7 Fungi It appears, from the variety and number of species on the many lawns, that herbicides or fertilisers have probably not been used. If this practice continues, the fungal diversity should increase, in time. The creation of compost heaps and small piles of tree branches and logs, will all add to the diversity of fungi, and the many invertebrates that feed on them.
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5.8 Moths Management recommendations for the 400 or so species of moth likely to be present on this site cannot be precise. The following broad recommendations are put forward.
• Both the structural diversity and the species diversity of the vegetation are likely to be important for moths in the Cathedral Close. Therefore change through management should be small scale and incremental rather than extensive changes being made over a short period. This applies to the trees and shrubs and herbaceous flora as well as the lower plants such as mosses and liverworts.
• Care should be taken to perpetuate the tree cover in the Cathedral Close in the longer term.
• Consideration should also be given to the microclimates on the site. It was noticeable that the low lying position of the Cathedral Close in the bottom of a shallow valley was cooler in the early morning than higher ground. The counteracting effect of warm south facing gardens protected by high walls may also be important. Further work would be required to identify key areas.
• To encourage moth diversity, new planting should be valuable as food plants for larvae or nectar plants for adults.
• Many moths are as colourful and attractive as any butterfly and there are so many more species to see. They are a vital part of the foodchain and food for many of our garden birds. Moths love Tobacco plants and night-scented flowers like Evening Primrose, Night-Scented Stock, Jasmine and Honeysuckle. Most moth caterpillars feed on wild flowers, trees and shrubs, so growing native plants will attract moths to your garden.
• Further moth trapping would lead to more detailed information on the moth fauna and more refined management recommendations could be formulated in response to the needs of individual species.
5.9 Wildlife Friendly Gardening Gardens have an enormous potential to provide a ‘home’ for wildlife. This section brings together some of the advice that is widely available in publications and in the information provided on the subject by a variety of organisations including the Wildlife Trusts and the RHS (see Appendix F).
Attracting wildlife to the garden can be enjoyable and rewarding. Many of the suggestions outlined below are relatively easy to implement and won’t cost a great deal. Although the gardens around Cathedral Close vary a great deal, there are likely to be appropriate ideas here for all sizes and types of garden from courtyards through to sizeable plots with plenty of space.
The more variety there is within the structure and design of your garden, the greater the number of options for visiting and resident wildlife. Think about having a range of different heights in the garden, both with physical structures (pergolas, sheds etc) and planting. Shape borders to increase the number of aspects to the sun.
A gently curved edge provides more facets than a straight edge. Try to include contours in the garden, take advantage of an existing slope or make a bank from the spoil removed when creating a pond. Rather than having a series of isolated features in the garden, try to link them to create safe corridors along which wildlife can move.
There are many garden features that will enhance the opportunities for wildlife, and many of these are listed below.
Consider each feature below and include as many as you can . 21
Trees If your garden is large enough, try to include at least one tree, as some birds like to sing from a high 'song-post'. Native trees will support a huge number of insects that, in turn, will provide food for larger animals and birds (see Appendix C).
Walls and fences You can effectively increase the size of your garden by using these vertical surfaces. Attach a trellis or other support to them, and grow a variety of climbing plants up them. They add interest to the garden, and provide valuable homes for wildlife. If there is no open soil by your fence or wall, then you can successfully grow climbing plants there in containers.
Hedges Consider replacing an old fence with a hedge. One that contains a variety of species is best for wildlife and ideally one with a large number of native species. If you prefer a single species hedge, consider plants that have added wildlife interest such as berry-producing shrubs (see Appendices C and D).
Lawns An area of regularly cut lawn creates a good feeding ground for birds. However, if you have an area of lawn that is difficult to cut, leave it to grow throughout the summer and cut it at the end of the season. This will provide an excellent habitat for many insects, particularly moths, grasshoppers and beetles, and newly-emerged frogs.
Flower-rich meadows If you are leaving an area of grass uncut, consider including some wildflowers to add interest and more wildlife value. Scattering wildflower seeds onto grass is rarely successful, it is better to plant wildflower 'plug plants' into the turf. Clear an area of grass around planting to give them a chance to get established.
Flower borders Our choice of plants in the garden can have a significant impact on the wildlife we attract into the garden and the greater variety of plants we grow, the more possibilities we offer wildlife.
For best effect, nectar-rich borders for bees and butterflies should be situated in a sunny, sheltered position. It may be necessary to plant a wind-break or shelter belt in exposed gardens. Ideally, plant groups of individual flowers, rather than single specimens, to ensure that visiting insects find them easily.
Plants should be chosen that flower at different times throughout the year to ensure a continuous supply of nectar throughout the season.
Include some cottage garden plants or old varieties as, unlike some highly cultivated varieties, these generally have flowers with simple structures and their pollen and nectar is more readily available to foraging insects.
Patios and paved areas Cracks and gaps between paving slabs create another valuable habitat for wildlife and there are many low-growing plants that will happily live in the gaps. Not only do they add interest to a flat area of the garden, they also provide shelter and food for wildlife. Many of the same plants will also thrive in rockeries and can be planted in stone. Patio / paving plants Bellflower (Campanula carpatica) Common fumitory (Fumaria officinalis) Common pink (Dianthus plumarius) Cranesbill (Geranium cinereum) Gypsophila (Gypsophila repens) Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum) Purple saxifrage (Saxifraga oppositifolia) Rock rose (Helianthemum mummularium) Thrift (Armeria juniperifolia)
22 Ponds and water features One of the best ways of encouraging wildlife into a garden is to build a pond. This can be anything from an old sink to a specially created wildlife pond. If a pond is not practical, then a simple bubble fountain will provide water for animals to drink and bathe.
Marsh/boggy area If one area of your garden is boggy, take advantage of it by planting moisture-loving plants and create another habitat. A marshy area can also be incorporated into a plan for a pond, and is a good way of using up spare pieces of pond liner trimmed from the pond edges
Nesting birds and bird boxes There are numerous opportunities to erect bird boxes around The Close, in gardens, in publicly accessible areas around the Cathedral and in the school grounds. A range of different boxes could be put up to attract a greater diversity of species
Naturally occurring nest sites such as ivy on walls and trees should be left undisturbed during the nesting season. Consideration should be given to leaving cover for nesting birds where possible.
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6. Management Summary A series of tables summarising the main points of the management plan in Chapter 5. These recommendations should be read in conjunction with more detailed advice in Chapter 5 of this report and in the associated scientific report, The Wildlife of Cathedral Close, Lichfield.
Area Recommendation Benefit When General Regular monitoring and survey work Provides information on future Recommendations undertaken in the future biodiversity of area and assesses Ongoing the impact of any future development/ management It is recommended that a detailed survey of fruit trees is undertaken and steps taken to preserve and propagate uncommon varieties. Conservation It may be worth considering developing a Increase ‘buy in’ to enhancing Statements ‘conservation statement’ for the Cathedral and biodiversity in the future Ongoing Close. The statements would outline the vision of a community ‘rich in wildlife interest’, and present some general guidance on how this might be achieved by those residing (or working) in the community. Such a statement could be specifically tailored to individual properties and presented to those moving into the Cathedral Close area. Cathedral building and Monitor population of Field Mouse-ear. Maintains the presence of Field Monitor surrounding areas Continue grass cutting as at present. Avoid use Mouse-ear and may also lead to during of herbicides more wildflowers establishing summer themselves in the lawns Cathedral buildings Clean area of stone and brickwork sensitively, Lichens and mosses continue to During and other stonework taking into account populations of lichens, add character to the Cathedral restoration mosses and associated fauna. without causing damage to and cleaning structures operations When replacing mortar and stonework use traditional and appropriate materials
It is suggested that short sections are restored/cleaned at any one time so that populations aren’t completely eradicated by larger scale operation Open spaces Maintain and where appropriate increase tree ‘Greening-up’ the Cathedral area Ongoing surrounding the cover around the Cathedral. and attracting more wildlife Cathedral Where opportunities for new planting arise consider planting native species Aim to increase the area of shrubbery where possible Private land including Adopt wildlife friendly gardening principles as Will provide habitat for birds, Ongoing large private gardens described in chapter 5.9 of the report. In mammals and invertebrates. particular consider: Increase the availability of nest - Establishing ‘wilder’ areas where the grass is sites for birds in the area allowed to grow longer and shrubs provide dense cover. - Putting up nest boxes in the garden - Consider introducing native trees, shrubs and wildflowers – use species of local provenance where possible Residential properties Adopt wildlife friendly gardening principles as Will provide habitat for birds, Ongoing including the yards described in chapter 5.9 of the report. In mammals and invertebrates. and gardens in the particular consider: Increase the availability of nest Close - Establishing ‘wilder’ areas where the grass is sites for birds in the area allowed to grow longer and shrubs provide dense cover. - Putting up nest boxes, bird feeders in the garden. - Consider introducing native trees, shrubs and wildflowers – use species of local provenance where possible
The Grounds of Maintain and where appropriate increase tree and Will provide habitat for birds, Lichfield Cathedral shrub cover around the school grounds. Consider mammals and invertebrates. School planting native species. Increase the availability of nest sites for birds in the area
Monitor and aim to enhance populations of Contribute to the conservation of Mistletoe (See Appendix E). an uncommon plant in the area.
Maintain areas of meadow grassland, where grass Provide attractive habitat for a is cut less regularly and where wildflowers thrive. variety of wildlife and an excellent field studies area for Manage the bank fringing the moat to keep its pupils at the school woodland character. Aim to keep at least some of the denser undergrowth. Provide additional habitat for wildlife In some areas it is evident that the playing fields are over cut. Grassed banks have been ‘scalped’ by cutting machinery. If the level of grass cutting can be reduced and height of cut raised we should Allowing more wildflowers to see plants such as Pignut thrive in these locations grow
Seek to establish less intensively managed strips of grass directly alongside hedges on the playing fields.
Maintain and where possible increase length of hedgerow around the playing fields. Add to the wildlife value of the hedges by providing ‘corridors’ of Eradicate population of invasive Japanese grassland cover for wildlife Knotweed at the edge of the playing field and in the moat.
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7. Further information and useful contacts
7.1 Useful Contacts
Lichfield Cathedral 19A The Close Lichfield Staffordshire WS13 7LD 01543 306100 www.lichfield-cathedral.org.uk
Lichfield District Council – Biodiversity Team District Council House Frog Lane Lichfield Staffs WS13 6YY Telephone: 01543 308000 www.lichfielddc.gov.uk
Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) 80 Vincent Square London SW1P 2PE Telephone 0845 260 5000 [email protected] www.rhs.org.uk
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) The Lodge Potton Road Sandy Bedfordshire SG19 2DL Telephone: 01767 680551 Wildlife enquiries: 01767 693690 www.rspb.org.uk
Staffordshire Wildlife Trust Wolseley Centre Wolseley Bridge Stafford, ST17 0WT Telephone. 01889 880100 www.staffs-wildlife.org.uk
7.2 Recommended Reading and Useful Websites Books Greenoak, Francesca, Wildlife in the Churchyard, the Plants and Animals of God's Acre. Little Brown Books,1993 Cooper, Nigel, Wildlife in Church & Churchyard. Church House Publishing, 1995 Palmer, Martin and Palmer, Nigel, Sacred Britain. Piatkus, 1997
Websites Caring for God’s Acre is a small independent charity promoting the conservation of churchyards , cemeteries and burial grounds www.caringforgodsacre.co.uk The Churches and Conservation - Christian Ecology Link - for UK Christians concerned about Care of the Environment and conservation . www.christian-ecology.org.uk
7.3 Wildlife Gardening Suppliers Sources of wildflower seed for a meadow: John Chambers Wildflower Seeds 15 Westleigh Road, Barton Seagrave Kettering Northamptonshire, NN15 5AJ
Emorsgate Seeds Limes Farm, Tilney All Saints King's Lynn, Norfolk PE34 4RT Tel: (01553) 829028 www.wildseed.co.uk
Sources of wildflower plants and seed Landlife Wildflowers National Wildflower Centre Court Hey Park Liverpool, L16 3NA Tel 0151 737 1820
Wildflowers, trees etc Naturescape, Maple Farm, Coach Gap Lane, Langar, Notts, NG13 9HP. Tel. 01949 860592. www.naturescape.co.uk
Wildflowers, trees and tools BTCV Enterprises Ltd (including children’s tools) Tel. 01302 572200 www.btcv.org (supply trees, shrubs and tools, including childrens tools)
Pond nets, tray and other GB Nets Field studies equipment Tel. 01208 77400 www.gbnets.info (sampling equipment including nets and trays)
General Wiggly wigglers www.wigglywigglers.co.uk (very good for a range of things including insect homes and wildflowers)
Wildlife World www.wildlifeworld.co.uk Manor Farm Barn, Chavenage, Glos, GL8 8XW. Tel 01666 505333
27 8. Acknowledgements
We would like to thank the various experts who assisted with the gathering of information in their specialist fields, and who are referred to in Chapter 3. Without their freely-given expertise, the survey would not have been possible. We would also like to thank a number of people whose help was of great assistance to the outcome of the project. We cannot list everyone who helped in numerous different ways, but it seemed appropriate to acknowledge a number of people and groups.
Thanks are due to the Dean and Chapter; to all the residents of The Close who co-operated with the project and allowed strangers to have access to their gardens and other private spaces; to the people who work in the Close who assisted us with our project, including the reception staff at St. Mary's House, the warden of St. John's in the Close, and those associated with Darwin House which houses the Erasmus Darwin Museum; to David Wallington, the Cathedral Administrator, and to his successor, Tim Paine, and Anne Lakin their Secretary; to Sue Brown and others in the Cathedral Studies Centre, and to staff in the Cathedral shop; to the vergers who accompanied a few of us up onto the roof of the Cathedral to search out lichens, bryophytes, invertebrates and vascular plants; to the headmaster and staff at the Cathedral School who made us welcome, and to the pupils and teachers who took part in the project; to Mark Jervis, the Janitor in the Close, who took an interest in the project and who supplied us with useful information; to Dr Peter Thomas and his Keele Class of 2006 meeting in College Hall, who started the recording of wildlife information for the project; to the other members of the Lichfield local group committee who gave their time and support; and to Philip Knight and Guy Corbett-Marshall whose initial positive response on behalf of the Wildlife Trust to the Cathedral's request for assistance helped the project off to a good start.
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9. Appendices
Appendix A Summary of Awards for All Project: Surveying The Flora and Fauna of Lichfield Cathedral Close and the grounds of Lichfield Cathedral School.
The Bid was compiled by: Dave Jones, Dave Wall and Ray Allen on behalf of the committee of Lichfield Wildlife Group.
Date of Submission of the Bid to Awards For All: February, 2007.
Date of receiving of Grant from Awards For All: May 31 st, 2007.
Note: The Grant had to be spent by May 31 st , 2008, and a report outlining a summary of spending and benefits of the Grant was submitted to Awards for All.
Project Events and Activities.
1. Flora and Fauna Surveys.
2. Project Launch Evening, including a talk on Wildlife Gardening.
3. Wildlife Gardening, Birds and Mammals Questionnaires completed by the residents of Lichfield Cathedral Close.
4. Moth Trapping Events in Erasmus Darwin Garden and in the garden of Dr. A Cook, Lichfield Cathedral Close.
5. Mammals of Lichfield Cathedral Close: an illustrated talk given by Mr. Derek Crawley.
6. The Trees of Lichfield Cathedral Close: an illustrated talk given by Dr. Peter Thomas, Keele University.
7. Dawn Chorus Walk in and around Lichfield Cathedral Close, led by Ray Jennett, RSPB.
8. Tree Walk in and around Lichfield Cathedral Close, led by Gareth Hare, Lichfield District Council.
9. Bat Walk in and around Lichfield Cathedral Close, led by Julia Summerton and other members of South East Staffs Bat Group.
10. Project Report Evening, led by Dave Jones, Dave Wall, Peter Norbury and Ray Allen from Lichfield Wildlife Group; and including an illustrated lichen talk by Ivan Pedley and an illustrated bird talk by Ray Jennett.
29 PROJECT EQUIPMENT. These items were obtained for Lichfield Wildlife Group:
1. Digital Camera. 2. Wildlife Books. 3. Voice Recorder.
4. Computer Equipment including Laptop and projector.
5. Lenses and magnifiers. 6. Safety Clothing.
7. Moth Traps. 8. G.P.S. 9. Display Boards.
AWARDS FOR ALL PROJECT - FINANCE.
Amount Spent: £10,000.00
Amount Spent In Awards For All Project Categories.
1. Camera, computer, accessories. £3,473.36
2. Moth Trap and Equipment. £876.24
3. Specialist Moth Books. £140.00
4. Other books, dishes, magnifiers. £507.52
5. G.P.S. £131.93
6. Voice Recorder. £48.89
7. Health & Safety Signage & Clothing. £66.99
8. Display Boards. £294.35
9. Survey Report/Management Plan. £1,320.00
10. Leaflet design, production, and printing. £2,990.00
11. Miscellaneous Costs. £150.72
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12. TOTAL.
£10,000.00
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30 The Benefits Arising from the Project assisted by the Awards for All Grant to Lichfield Wildlife Group.
1.Surveying the flora and fauna.
• We have successfully surveyed the flora and fauna of the Project area and produced records.
• We have been able to provide information to preserve the biodiversity of the area.
• Our detailed survey has enabled a Management Plan to be produced and this should enhance the wildlife in the area.
• The increased resources that have been obtained will enable the work to continue for many years to come.
2. The Community.
• We have been able to demonstrate to the Cathedral Community the importance of wildlife and biodiversity.
• We have encouraged the wider Community to conserve wildlife.
• We have educated the wider community through our contribution to the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust website.
• Our wildlife events have been open to the whole Community.
• We have shown the Community the way in which a healthy lifestyle can be achieved through participation in wildlife work.
3. Skills and Creativity.
• We have increased our skills of recording, identification, presentation, organisation, coordination, publicity, report writing and using wildlife equipment.
• We have involved children in the Project through their work in helping to produce the children’s leaflet. We have built on their wildlife knowledge and introduced them to the work of the Wildlife Trust through the Project.
• The Committee’s knowledge and understanding of wildlife has increased.
4. Improving the Quality of Life.
• We have increased the membership of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.
• We have increased the involvement of people in the work of Lichfield Wildlife Group and its committee.
• The Committee has enabled many more people to appreciate the wildlife of the Cathedral Area.
31 5. Working with others.
• We have raised the profile of our Group in the area.
• We have benefited from working with Lichfield District Council and Lichfield City Council and this should enable us to gain future help and support from them.
• We have benefited from working with other local groups, for example the RSPB, the Local Group of The National Trust, Lichfield Walk and Talk, The South East Staffs Bat Group, and Staffordshire Ecological Records Department
• We have had the opportunity to work with wildlife experts.
• We have had the opportunity to work with Staffordshire Wildlife Trust staff.
LICHFIELD WILDLIFE GROUP COMMITTEE
32 Appendix B The ‘Who’s Who’ behind the Research
The content of this Report has been compiled from the wealth of information provided by a number of individuals who are experts in their field, and who gave so generously of their time and knowledge to gain the data, and to interpret this in the form of mini-reports for each area of study.
Derek Crawley Area of study: Mammals Derek has always had a passion for wildlife and teaching others to enjoy the natural world. His work with mammals started with otters but this expanded to become more general, following his instrumental work in founding the Mammal Group in Staffordshire which focuses on getting people to discover their local mammals. Currently, Derek holds two ‘hobby’ positions, as Chair of the Staffordshire Mammal Group and County Mammal Recorder.
Roy Gillibrand Area of study: Slugs and Snails For the past 10 years Roy has been updating the Land and Freshwater Mollusca Distribution Atlas of Staffordshire.
Roy is a member of the British Conchological Society and, currently, he is County Recorder for Mollusca for Staffordshire.
Martin Godfrey Area of study: Mosses and Liverworts (Bryophytes) Martin Godfrey has degrees in Biology and Mathematics, and an MSc (Birmingham) with a dissertation on the classification and ecology of the Scurvy Grasses ( Cochlearia) . After service in the RAF, which took him from arctic Norway to the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, Martin became an Independent Ecological Consultant and an Associate Tutor for the Field Studies Council. His current interests still include the ecology and classification of the genus Cochlearia and also the ecology of Mosses and Liverworts.
John Hawksford Area of study: Wild Flowers John is the Botanical Society's Recorder for Staffordshire, and led the ‘Staffordshire Flora Project’, a ten year study of the area which produced a list of ferns and flowering plants which will be published by the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.'
Ray Jennett Area of study: Birds (See Dedication at the front of this Report.) Ray was RSPB Lichfield Group leader from 1980 until his death in 2008. He was actively involved in ornithological projects for RSPB, BTO, and the West Midland Bird Club, including the BTO Breeding Birds survey, the Wetland Birds survey, and West Midland Bird Club surveys. On retirement, Ray did ornithological survey work, including for the Staffordshire Wildlife group. Ray had an exceptionally fine ear for birdsong which was extremely useful for leading walks to hear the dawn chorus.
Ivan Pedley Area of study: Lichens Ivan is highly respected for his wealth of knowledge and experience in his field, but still views himself as an amateur naturalist and lichenologist.
Simon Phipps Area of study: Moths Simon Phipps has been involved in the ecology of the West Midlands since returning from university in the early 1980s. Most of his working life has been spent at Walsall Council where he has worked as a landscape architect, team leader and ecologist for almost 25 years. Outside of work, Simon has ever broadening ecological interests which include the study of: moths, bats, flowering plants, invertebrates, bryophytes and birds. However, frustratingly, he has found that his interests are too wide for one person’s lifetime! Simon has trapped moths in many parts of the UK, but Lichfield Cathedral Close is one of the most memorable.
Peter Shirley Area of study: Plant Galls Peter advises on environmental and nature conservation issues. He has been involved with the Wildlife Trusts for nearly thirty years; is currently a Trustee of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust and Vice-President of the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country; and with the Urban Wildlife Network since its inception. The main focus of his work is nature conservation in urban areas and the issues, constraints and opportunities related to this. He has worked on public policy, community action, planning and legislation, the biodiversity action planning 33 process, environmental education and management. This has involved him in project and programme development, funding, working with government departments and local authorities, and speaking, writing and broadcasting on nature conservation and sustainable development. His particular natural history interest is Plant Galls, and he is a co-author of the Field Studies Council’s AIDGAP identification guide ‘British Plant Galls’. In 1995 he was awarded an MBE for services to nature conservation.
Craig Slawson Area of study: Invertebrates Craig qualified as a zoologist at Manchester University in 1980. He initially started work as a volunteer at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery for a year before joining the Stoke-on-Trent Environmental Survey on which he was the research biologist for 3 years until 1985. After 3 years selling cameras at Jessops, Craig joined Staffordshire Wildlife Trust as their Data Entry Officer to start the computerisation of all the survey work from the Phase 1 survey of the county. This was funded by British Coal for 3 years until 1989. When this finished, he spent a few months surveying the north of the county as part of the first County Re-survey. In 1991 Craig became manager of the newly formed Black Country and Birmingham Records Centre (EcoRecord) which he ran for over 9 years. Following this, in 2001, he became Biological Records Officer for SWT, and ran the newly formed Staffordshire Ecological Record .... and he’s still there! He continues to be influential in a number of areas. In terms of memberships, Craig has been a member of the British Arachnological Society since 1989 and has been on their council for much of this and runs their website. He has been a member of the National Federation for Biological Recording since 1991 and, again, is on their council and ran their website until recently. Other memberships include the Vintage Wooden Boat Association since 2005 – Craig is on their council as Archivist and runs their website; he has been a member of UKRIGS since 2001, is on their council, runs their website and has developed their standard recording database. Currently, Craig runs his own web-hosting business and his own website of 'Boats of the Norfolk Broads'.
Dr Peter Thomas Area of study: Trees & Vascular Plants (Wild Flowers) Peter is a Senior Lecturer in Plant Ecology at Keele University, where he has worked for 24 years. His main interest is the biology and ecology of Trees, including their identification. He has written three books related to Tree and Woodland Ecology, and numerous articles. Peter has been Vice-chairman of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust.
Richard Tribbeck Area of study: Invertebrates A Graduate in Zoology (University of Southampton), Richard carried out 3 years research into the systematics and distribution of non-biting midges (chironomidae). He has been Lecturer in Biological Sciences at North Staffordshire Technology College (now Staffordshire University), and Secretary of North Staffordshire Field Club. Richard is a Founder Member of Staffordshire Wildlife Trust. He served for 10 years as Chairman of the Scientific Committee, then as Vice-chairman of SWT. He continues to research into the Diptera of Staffordshire.
Neville Walters Area of study: Fungi Neville began making a few occasional notes on fungi during the 1970's, but began to take a greater interest in 1989, when he purchased his first Guide to Mushrooms. Having struggled alone with his identifications for a few years, in 1994 Neville was a Founder Member of the Staffordshire Fungus Group. He has honed his identification skills over the years, attending most of the Annual Forays since 1994, as well as many workshops with expert mycologists. He remains an enthusiastic student, advocating that identification is a continuing process, as there is so much more to learn and species yet to be discovered. Neville has been Secretary of the Staffordshire Fungus Group since its inception in 1994, and regularly leads numerous Fungus Forays. Currently, Neville is also a Volunteer with the Natural History sector of The Potteries Museum, and has particular responsibility for remounting herbarium specimens.
The main team of experts were assisted in their surveys by extra information being supplied by other naturalists local to the area. Among these David Hall , a former Science teacher at Lichfield Cathedral School (1973 to 2005) who submitted data on Moths and Butterflies; and David Wall. Having gained an MA in Environmental Management, with a particular focus on ‘The Church and the Environment’, David has for 5 years been one of the recorders for the recently completed ‘Staffordshire Flora Project’, and currently is Chair of the Lichfield Wildlife Group, and a member of the SWT Trust Council.
34 In addition, John Potts provided additional data on Birds. John, although an amateur, is a very experienced local naturalist. Born and bred in the village of Hammerwich, and educated at the Lichfield Friary School and King Edwards Grammar School, he qualified at Birmingham University Medical School training in Microbiology and Haematology. He has been interested in natural history from an early age, obtaining his first bird book at the age of 11. John spent much of his early years in the Close at Lichfield Cathedral where his mother was in service to the Bishop of Stafford, but it was not until his late twenties that he made more serious studies of wild life. Subsequently John has visited 65 countries, and recorded 4,555 species of birds, with highlights including periods of study in South America, Siberia and Tibet. John is a member of The World Working Group on Birds of Prey and Owls. As a keen falconer being specially interested in all birds of prey and owls, and using his significant medical background, he has progressed to looking after injured birds. Having joined the DEFRA programme for breeding and releasing barn owls under licence in the Woodhouses area, John now spends most of his time in the British Isles checking out the hotspots, and locally assisting in a more detailed study in the Parish of Hammerwich recording birds, butterflies, moths and mammals. He is a founder member of the Hammerwich Environment Group.
Our sincere gratitude goes to each of the above.
35
Appendix C Trees and shrubs native to Staffordshire
Most of these species are widely distributed and relatively common and will suit planting schemes on the soil types indicated. Species marked ‘*’ are less common and should only be used sparingly, if at all. All trees will coppice (re-grow) if cut near the ground and can therefore be kept small for use as shrubs or in hedges.
Clay or Limestone Soils (clay occurs in pockets throughout the County, limestone is mainly in the northwest)
Trees Ash Fraxinus excelsior *Cherry, wild Prunus avium Elm, English Ulmus procera NB - this will survive as a shrub but is subject to attack from Dutch Elm Disease which causes it to die back at intervals. Maple, field Acer campestre Oak, pedunculate Quercus robur
Shrubs Apple, crab Malus sylvestris sylvestris Blackthorn Prunus spinosa *Dogwood Cornus sanguinea Elder Sambucus nigra Elm, wych Ulmus glabra Hazel Corylus avellana Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna *Privet, wild Ligustrum vulgare
Acidic Soils (usually sandy in Staffordshire)
Trees Birch, silver Betula pendula Birch, downy Betula pubescens Oak, sessile Quercus petraea Rowan Sorbus aucuparia
Shrubs Apple, crab Malus sylvestris sylvestris Broom Cytisus scoparius Elder Sambucus nigra Gorse Ulex europaeus Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna Holly Ilex aquifolium
Wet soils
Trees Alder Alnus glutinosa *Alder buckthorn Frangula alnus *Aspen Populus tremula Birch, downy Betula pubescens *Cherry, bird Prunus padus Willow, crack Salix fragilis Willow, goat Salix caprea Willow, osier Salix viminalis
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Appendix D Shrubs of benefit to wildlife Berberis Buddleia Coreopsis Cotoneaster Crataegus monogyna Hawthorn Cytisus praecox Broom Cornus sp Dogwood Dyers Broom Eleaganus pungens Sambucus nigra Elderberry Hebe pinguifolia and similar sp. Hypericum Ilex aquifolium Holly Lonicera (evergreen species) Lavendula Lavender Mahonia Malus (why not try some local traditional varieties) Cultivated apple Malus sylvestris ‘John Dowie’ or other small varieties Crab apple Potentilla Prunus Plum and damson Prunus spinosa Blackthorn Prunus padus Bird cherry Pyracantha Firethorn Pyrus var (both wild and cultivated) Pear Rosemary Rosa sp. Dog rose and other wild roses (single flowered Varieties) Salix sp (small species/varieties) Willows Sorbus aucuparia Rowan Sorbus aria var. Whitebeams Ulex europaeus Gorse Viburnum bodnatense, tinus or with limited space smaller species/varieties Viburnum opulus Guelder rose
37 Appendix E Cultivating Mistletoe (from www.mistletoe.co.uk )
First thing to do is to secure a berry source. Mistletoe cut at Christmas is not ideal, but berries can be kept fresh by detaching them and leaving them in a shed until mid-February. Far better to harvest your berries fresh in February – if you have a local source try netting them at Christmas to ensure some are left. In late winter and early spring you can buy berries online at www.tenbury-mistletoe.co.uk and at www.mistle.co.uk.
Then choose your host, bearing in mind V.album ’s preferences – apple first, then poplars, limes, false acacia, hawthorn etc. Most shrubs of the Rosaceae are suitable.
In February, if the berries have been stored, rehydrate them for a few hours in a little water. Whether fresh or stored, the seed needs to be squeezed out of the berry, along with a quantity of the sticky viscin.
Try to plant as many as possible, at least 20 berries at once, as most will die or be eaten. And since V.album is diocieous you’ll need at least two plants for future berries. Many gardening texts advocate making a slit in the bark but we advocate “nature’s way”, emulating the Mistle Thrush and Blackcap by simply smearing berries onto the intact branch.
• Don’t grow mistletoe on your prize fruit tree - as it will affect tree growth and fruit yield • This guidance is only intended for growing Viscum album in Europe • Don't try growing foreign species - non-native introductions can become naturalised and a naturalised plant parasite could cause problems.
Germination Germination of Mistletoe seeds has a mythology of its own and patent methods abound in old gardening literature. One of the earliest accounts is in John Morton's Natural History of Northamptonshire (1712) where he describes successful planting on Black Poplar in March.
Germination can be divided into non-parasitic and parasitic phases. In the first the seed extends a green hypocotyl which bends towards the host surface. Once this is contacted it flattens to a sucker-shaped holdfast adhering to the host surface.
Once the holdfast is established the parasitic phase begins as the seedling begins to penetrate the host tissue stimulating the growth of a connecting organ or haustorium.
The haustorium grows with the host, often causing strange twistings and swellings in the branch.
38
Appendix F Top Ten Tips for Wildlife as featured in the joint RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) and Wildlife Trusts website, www.wildaboutgardens.org
1. Grow a mixture of native and non-native plants to provide nectar and pollen for bees and other insects. Choose plants that flower at different times of year to ensure that pollen and nectar are available over a long period. Select trees and shrubs with berries for birds and other animals.
2. Create a water feature in your garden. A pond, ideally without fish, will enable amphibians and dragonflies to breed. If a pond is not practical, a simple bird bath or pebble fountain will provide a place for animals to drink.
3. Delay cutting back perennials until the spring. The seed heads that remain provide valuable food for birds and other animals through the winter, while the stems and foliage provide valuable shelter for hibernating insects.
4. Recycle your organic kitchen and garden waste to create compost for the garden. The compost heap will not only provide you with an excellent soil conditioner but will also be home to invertebrates and other animals, and is a rich feeding ground for birds and beetles.
5. Create additional habitats for wildlife by growing climbing plants against bare walls and fences. These provide valuable cover and food for birds, insects and mammals, as well as adding extra interest to the garden.
6. Dead wood is a valuable habitat, supporting a wide range of invertebrates. Dead wood can be used to create a simple wood pile or interesting sculptural feature.
7. Help wildlife by providing additional features such as bird and bat boxes, solitary bee nests and bird feeders. Birds can be provided with food, either bought seed or food scraps, throughout the year.
8. Consider leaving part of your lawn uncut. Long grass is an excellent habitat for grasshoppers, beetles and young amphibians, and provides roosts for insects such as damselflies. Grasses are also important food sources for the caterpillars of some butterflies.
9. Where possible, use mulches to control weeds, select disease resistant varieties of plants and use cultural or biological control methods to combat pests. Encourage a natural balance to develop by having as wide a range of plants and animals as possible.
10. Think carefully about the origin of anything you buy for your garden. Ensure that plants come from cultivated stock and that the use of any material, such as potting compost, does not put a habitat under threat, whether in the UK or abroad.
39