Whitcher Wildlife Ltd. Wildlife Consultants. LLANGEFNI TO GAERWEN. PHASE I HABITAT AND PROTECTED FAUNA SURVEY. Ref No:- 110136. th Date:- 4 March 2011. _____________________________________________________________________ Cliff Edge, Cliff Road, Darfield, Barnsley, S73 9HR. Tel. 01226 753271. Fax. 01226 270993. [email protected] www.whitcher-wildlife.co.uk Company No. 4401613. TABLE OF CONTENTS. __________________________________________________ Page Number 1. INTRODUCTION. 3. 2. SURVEY METHODOLOGY. 4. 3. SURVEY RESULTS. 5. 4. EVALUATION OF FINDINGS. 19. 5. RECOMMENDATIONS. 21. Appendix I. WATER VOLE INFORMATION. 24. Appendix II. OTTER INFORMATION. 26. Appendix III. BAT INFORMATION. 28. Appendix IV. NESTING BIRD INFORMATION. 29. Appendix V. CRAYFISH INFORMATION. 30. Appendix VI. INVASIVE SPECIES INFORMATION. 32. Appendix VII. REPTILES - GRASS SNAKE AND ADDER INFORMATION. 34. Appendix VIII. REPTILES - LIZARD INFORMATION. 35. Appendix IX. MALLTRAETH MARSH SITE OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST MAP. 37. Appendix X. GCN POND MAPS. 38. Appendix XI. PHASE I SURVEY ANNOTATED MAPS OF THE SURVEY AREA. 42. Appendix XII. TARGET NOTES. 43. 2 1. INTRODUCTION. 1.1. Network Rail Ltd are currently clearing vegetation from sleeper end to sleeper end along of the single disused railway line that runs between Gaerwen Junction and Llangefni Station and is 4m 43ch in length. The railway line is being cleared with the intention to carry out further investigation works to assess the feasibility of re- opening the currently disused railway line. 1.2. Whitcher Wildlife Ltd has been commissioned to carry supervise the vegetation clearance works and to carry out a Phase I Habitat and Protected Fauna Survey of the site to establish whether there are any issues that may affect the proposed works. 1.3. The site survey was carried out between the 27th January and 25th February 2011 and this report outlines the findings of that survey and makes appropriate recommendations. 1.4. Appendices I to VIII of this report provide additional information on specific species and are designed to assist the reader to understand the contents of this report. ******************** 3 2. SURVEY METHODOLOGY. 2.1. Prior to visiting the site the survey area was cross referenced to maps and aerial photographs to give a general idea of the habitats within the area and to identify potential access and walking routes. 2.2. The survey area was walked where access was agreed and public rights of way were used where no access was agreed. All habitats within the survey area, and where possible the surrounding area were documented and the dominant species within that habitat listed in line with the JNCC Handbook for Phase 1 Habitat surveys. 2.3. The survey area was thoroughly searched for evidence of badger (Meles meles) activity by looking for the following signs:- * Badger setts. * Badger latrines or dung pits. * Badger snuffle holes and evidence of foraging. * Badger paths. * Badger prints in areas of soft mud. * Badger hairs caught on fencing. 2.4. All watercourses within the survey area where possible were thoroughly searched for evidence of water vole (Arvicola terrestris) activity by looking for the following signs:- * Water vole burrows. * Water vole faeces and latrines. * Water vole feeding stations. * Water vole runs. * Water vole prints in areas of soft mud. * Water vole lawns. * Predator field signs. 2.5. All watercourses within the survey area where possible were thoroughly searched for evidence of otter (lutra lutra) activity by looking for the following signs:- * Otter prints in soft mud. * Otter spraints. * Otter Holts. 4 2.6. All mature trees and derelict buildings were assessed/checked for potential bat roosting sites by looking for the following signs:- * Holes, cracks or crevices. * Bat Droppings. 2.7. The land adjacent to the survey area was assessed for bat roosting and foraging potential including connective routes and flight lines. 2.8. The area within 500m of the survey site was cross referenced to maps to highlight all ponds close to the site. Where possible the ponds were accessed using agreed access or public rights of way to assess the potential for great crested newts (Triturus cristatus) to be present. 2.9. All watercourses and waterbodies within the survey area were assessed for the potential for water voles, otters and crayfish. 2.10. The survey area was thoroughly searched for the presence of reptiles or suitable reptile habitats. ******************** 5 3. SURVEY RESULTS. 3.1. Data Search Results. 3.1.1. The NBN Gateway website was consulted for records of protected species within or near the survey area. The table below shows a summary of the results found. Species: Location: Common Frog Records within 100m of Gaerwen Junction and within 10km of the remaining length of the survey area. Common Toad Records within 100m of Gaerwen Junction and within 1km of the line near Gaerwen. Great Crested Newt Records within 2km north of Gaerwen Junction and within 10km of the remaining length of the survey area. Smooth Newt Records within 100m of Gaerwen Junction and in Gaerwen. Common Pipistrelle Records within 10km of the survey area. Brown Long Eared Bat Records at Llangefni and within 1km of where the B4419 crosses over the railway near Gaerwen. Daubenton Bat Records within 1km of the line south of Llangefni. Badger, Water Vole, Myotis bat, Noctule bat Records within 10km of the survey area. and Whiskered bat. Otter There are a number of records of otter within 10km of the site. None are close to the survey area. 3.1.2. Malltraeth Marsh Site of Special Scientific Interest is located approximately 500m west of where the railway passes through Pentre Berw. This is designated due to its biological interest. It is important for its breeding bird community and lowland damp grassland and the botanical interest of its ditches and watercourses. Appendix IX of this report contains a map showing the limits of the SSSI. 6 3.2. The Surveyed Area. The aerial photograph below shows the extent of the survey route between Gaerwen Junction and Llangefni Station. Llangefni Station. Gaerwen Junction. The route is mostly across rural habitats surrounded by grazing land, although there are varying habitats through the route. 3.3. Phase 1 Habitat Survey Results. 3.3.1. Appendix XI of this report contain an annotated maps of the site marked up with varying habitats that are cross referenced to target notes in Appendix XII of this report. The habitats on and adjacent to the site are:- • Dense Scrub • Scattered Scrub • Scattered trees • Semi Natural Broad Leaved Woodland • Scattered Bracken • Rock Cutting • Standing Water • Flowing Water • Buildings 7 • Improved Grassland • Marshy Grassland • Amenity Grassland • Bare Ground • Fence • Hedgerow 3.3.2. Dense Scrub. Dense Scrub is the dominant habitat throughout the survey area, primarily within the boundary fence and was also growing along the four foot. Species included in this habitat are dense bramble (Rubus fruticosus), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), gorse (Ulex sp.), goat willow (Salix caprea), ash saplings (Fraxinus excelsior), blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), common reed (Phragmites australis) and some fern species. 8 3.3.3. Scattered scrub. Scattered scrub is abundant throughout the survey area where the dense scrub thins out. Species are similar to those listed in the dense scrub category and include bramble (Rubus fruticosus), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), gorse (Ulex sp.), goat willow (Salix caprea), ash saplings (Fraxinus excelsior) and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa). 3.3.4. Scattered Trees. 9 Scattered trees are abundant throughout the survey area and are mainly growing along the cutting sides or embankments of the railway line. The dominant species are ash (Fraxinus excelsior), silver birch (Betula pendula) and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). 3.3.5. Semi Natural Broad Leaved Woodland. There are two areas of semi natural broad leaved woodland throughout the survey area. These areas are high railway embankments that have become wooded with dominantly ash (Fraxinus excelsior) trees, with some hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and with bramble (Rubus fruticosus) also growing in this habitat. 10 3.3.6. Scattered bracken. There are two small areas of this habitat within the survey area. There is one where the bracken is growing between the rocks of a rock cutting and the area is generally very wet. The second is in an area of scattered scrub. 3.3.7. Rock Cutting. There is a small length of rock cutting located within the survey area. This has a line of trees growing along the top and some scattered scrub and bracken growing from between the rocks. 11 3.3.8. Standing Water. 3.3.8.1. The areas of standing water identified include some large drains that are positioned parallel to the line within the boundary fence. There is a network of drains in the surrounding area as this is generally a very wet area. The banks of the drains are heavily vegetated with common reed (Phragmites australis). 3.3.8.2. There is also standing water in the form of ponds within the surrounding area. 12 3.3.9. Flowing Water. There are a small number of watercourses that flow under the railway. These vary in size and nature 3.3.10. Buildings. There are numerous buildings located within close proximity to the survey area. These comprise private housing and factory units and vary in nature. There are no buildings within the railway boundary. 13 3.3.11. Improved grassland. Improved grassland is the dominant habitat in the surrounding area to the railway line. This is land that has been heavily grazed by sheep. 3.3.12. Marshy Grassland. There is a large area of marshy grassland immediately adjacent to the railway corridor, outside the boundary fence on both sides of the line to the north of where the line crosses under the A55. This is dominated by sedges, with wet areas and common 14 reed (Phragmites australis) growing along the banks of the network of drains across this area.