Merrions Wood Local Nature Reserve Management Plan, 2018-2023

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Merrions Wood Local Nature Reserve Management Plan, 2018-2023 Merrions Wood Local Nature Reserve Management Plan, 2018-2023 Merrions Wood Local Nature Reserve Management Plan, 2018-2023 Contents Contact Details ................................................................................................................................................. 4 Vision Statement .............................................................................................................................................. 5 Policy Statements ............................................................................................................................................. 6 Green Flag Award............................................................................................................................................. 8 1. Description ........................................................................................................................................... 111 1.1 General Information .................................................................................................................... 111 1.2 Summary Description .................................................................................................................. 111 1.3 Environmental Information ........................................................................................................ 144 1.3.1 Physical Features ..................................................................................................................... 144 1.3.2 Biological Features ............................................................................................................... 155 1.3.2.1 Communities and Flora ....................................................................................................... 155 1.3.3.2 Fauna ..................................................................................................................................... 177 1.3.4 Cultural Features .................................................................................................................. 199 2 Evaluation ......................................................................................................................................... 211 2.1 Conservation Status of Merrions Wood ..................................................................................... 211 2.1.1 Historic Status ...................................................................................................................... 211 2.1.2 Conservation Status ............................................................................................................... 21 2.2 Evaluation of Features ................................................................................................................... 21 2.2.1 Criteria for Evaluation ........................................................................................................... 21 2.2.2 Specified limits ....................................................................................................................... 21 2.3 Factors Influencing Site Management .......................................................................................... 24 2.3.1 Natural Trends ....................................................................................................................... 24 2.3.2 Man-induced Trends .............................................................................................................. 24 Merrions Wood Local Nature Reserve Management Plan, 2018 1 2.3.3 External Factors ..................................................................................................................... 25 2.3.4 Legal Constraints and Obligations ........................................................................................ 25 2.3.5 Management Constraints ...................................................................................................... 25 2.3.6 Physical Constraints............................................................................................................... 25 2.3.7 Environmental Sustainability ............................................................................................... 26 2.3.8 Impact Assessment ................................................................................................................ 26 3. Management Objectives ........................................................................................................................ 27 4. Prescription ............................................................................................................................................ 28 4.1 Project Register .............................................................................................................................. 28 4.2 Work Programme .......................................................................................................................... 38 Merrions Wood Local Nature Reserve Management Plan, 2018 2 Plates Plate 1. Merrions Wood Green Flag Award 2013/14 8 Plate 2. Merrions Wood – woodland and carriageway 16 Figures Figure 1. Merrions Wood Location 12 Figure 2. Merrions Wood Features and Habitats 13 Tables Table 1. Local Sites Criteria Evaluation Form for Merrions Wood SINC 22 Table 2. Summary Descriptions of Designated Nature Conservation Sites within 2km of 23 Merrions Wood (Walsall Borough only) Appendices Appendix 1. Botanical species list 43 Appendix 2. Fungi (general) species list 46 Appendix 3. Ascomycetes fungi (specialist survey) species list 47 Appendix 4. Invertebrates species list 51 Appendix 5. Birds Breeding and Seen in Tetrad SP09M – Birmingham and Black Country 54 Breeding Bird Survey (1988-2004) Appendix 6. Birds Breeding and Seen in Tetrads SP09H, I or N with suitable habitat found 54 at Merrions Wood – Birmingham and Black Country Breeding Bird Survey (1988-2004) Appendix 7. Examples of Merrions Wood tree inspection reports 2014 55 Appendix 8. Health and safety, site Risk Assessment 56 Merrions Wood Local Nature Reserve Management Plan, 2018 3 Contact Details For further information regarding Merrions Wood Local Nature Reserve and this management plan, please contact: Rachel Fryer Senior Countryside Officer Telephone 01922 654220 E-mail [email protected] Walsall Countryside Services Environmental Depot 200 Pelsall Road Brownhills West Midlands WS8 7EN Websites www.walsall.gov.uk/countryside Facebook www.facebook.com/merrionswood Twitter @WMBCgreenspaces Merrions Wood Local Nature Reserve Management Plan, 2018 4 Vision Statement Conserve and Enhance Biodiversity The habitats and wildlife of Merrions Wood Local nature Reserve are what make it special; using environmentally sound techniques, its biodiversity will be conserved and enhanced. Welcome Visitors Merrions Wood is important for people. We will provide good and safe access for all members of the community. Forge Partnerships Management activities will be undertaken in liaison with the Trust, the Friends of Merrions Wood and other partners and initiatives to maximise the benefits that the reserve brings to the community and wider area. Volunteers will be able to become involved with all aspects of the reserve. Conserve the Historical Landscape The historical assets of Merrions Wood are of a high local importance, and these will be recognised, protected during site works and celebrated. Spread the Word Awareness and understanding of all the valuable aspects of Merrions Wood will be promoted by the friends group and using the Walsall Council Green Spaces social media. Merrions Wood Local Nature Reserve Management Plan, 2018 5 Policy Statements Walsall Green Space Strategy 2012-2107 – The Green Space Strategy is under review for update in 2018. The strategy sets out a plan for the future management, maintenance and development of all green space across the Borough. The vision for green space in Walsall is: “We want Walsall’s green spaces to be public assets that everyone has pride in and that help secure the sustainable future of the borough for the benefit of the health and wellbeing of the whole community”. Merrions Wood ranked as the highest scoring Natural and Semi-natural Green Space, the primary purpose of which is wildlife conservation, biodiversity and environmental education and awareness. This typology accounts for 45% of all green space by area, but only a quarter of the total number of sites. Merrions Wood is also a strategic green space; typically these are high quality and high value spaces, offering a range of facilities or experiences or may include way- marked routes and are the most significant in the wider area. Urban Forestry Strategy (2014-2014) – produced in response to the Government’s recommendation that Local Authorities produce tree strategies taking and to further its own commitment to "Protect and Enhance the Tree Stock of Walsall Council”. Walsall Council Open Water Safety Policy (2017) – a policy developed to guide appropriate management of areas of open water, for which the council is responsible for. Black Country Core Strategy (2011) – a development plan document covering Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton that includes a spatial objective to deliver a high quality environment by 2026. The protection and improvement of the Black Country’s biodiversity and geodiversity will improve the attractiveness of the area for people to live, work, study and visit while at the same time improving the physical and natural sustainability of the
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