Indian Peafowl Survey Report For: Finningley Parish Council Site Finningley Village, Doncaster, South Yorkshire Report Date: September 2019 Report PEA.11.7.2019 Reference: Surveying Ecologist: Natasha Estrada, BSc (Hons), MRes, MCIEEM Peafowl Survey Report September 2019 Finningley Village Finningley Doncaster South Yorkshire Client: Finningley Parish Council Site Name: Finningley Village Grid Reference: SK 67187 99200 Report: Peafowl Survey Report Date of survey: August/September 2019 Surveyed by: Natasha Estrada, BSc (Hons), MRes, MCIEEM Issue: Revision: Stage: Date: Prepared by: Approved by: Jane Gruber, Natasha Estrada Draft for 15 September 1 - Estrada Ecology MCIEEM, Estrada review 2019 Ltd Ecology Ltd Jane Gruber, Natasha Estrada 16 September 2 n/a FINAL Estrada Ecology MCIEEM, Estrada 2019 Ltd Ecology Ltd Page 2 of 26 Peafowl Survey Report September 2019 Finningley Village Finningley Doncaster South Yorkshire This report has been prepared for exclusive use of the client, Finningley Parish Council. No part of this report may be reproduced or relied upon without written agreement from Estrada Ecology Ltd. The contents of this report have been produced with due consideration of current best practice guidance, and in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management’s (CIEEM) Code of Professional Conduct. Data within this report is valid for a maximum of eighteen months from the date of the survey. After this period an updated site visit will be required to determine a new ecological baseline. Acknowledgments and thanks are given to the residents of Finningley for providing information and access to their gardens to aid the survey. Summary The survey site, comprising the residential areas of Finningley, Doncaster is dominated by buildings used as domestic dwellings and their gardens for personal enjoyment. Other buildings within the village house local businesses and community facilities. There are also areas of amenity grassland, a village pond, open spaces and public footpaths. Findings A total of twenty- two Indian peafowl were recorded throughout the survey period comprising eight adult males, seven adult females and seven juveniles. The population is deemed to be viable (successfully breeding) based on the evidence of peahens with young. Three roost sites were recorded during the survey, two within private land and a further roost located within a mature tree on the village green. Options for management of the Indian peafowl population in Finningley village are included herein. Page 3 of 26 Peafowl Survey Report September 2019 Finningley Village Finningley Doncaster South Yorkshire Contents: 1 Introduction and Background to the Site 2 Indian Peafowl Ecology 3 Socio Dynamics 4 Legislation 5 Survey Methodology 6 Ecological Constraints 7 Survey Results 8 Interpretation and Evaluation 9 Conclusions References Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of this report and its contents in view of potential ecological constraints to development or the likely presence or absence of species it must only be viewed as a snap-shot in time and, therefore, not be viewed as definitive. Due to external factors, such as seasonality, weather etc. having the potential to affect survey results no liability can be assumed for omissions or changes that may or may not occur after the date this report was produced. Page 4 of 26 Peafowl Survey Report September 2019 Finningley Village Finningley Doncaster South Yorkshire 1 Introduction and Background to the Site 1.1 Estrada Ecology Ltd was commissioned to conduct a survey of the resident feral population of Indian peafowl (Parvo cristatus) within the village of Finningley, Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The survey was commissioned at the request of the Parish Council in response to an increasing number of complaints from residents of the village. 1.2 The village of Finningley is located approximately 9.8km south east of Doncaster town centre in South Yorkshire. Land use within the village is predominantly residential with approximately 800 residential dwellings. Other buildings within the curtilage of the village include local businesses and community facilities. 1.3 Outside the village boundary, land use is predominantly agricultural with occasional equestrian facilities. 1.4 Doncaster Sheffield Airport (Robin Hood) is located adjacent to Finningley lying outside the western elevation. Figure 1: The survey area Magic Map Page 5 of 26 Peafowl Survey Report September 2019 Finningley Village Finningley Doncaster South Yorkshire 1.5 Report objectives • Present the findings of the ecological survey; • Collate and present responses to the desktop survey published by Finningley Parish Council in the August Parish Council Newsletter; • Ascertain, where possible, the current peafowl population level; • Assess the distribution of the peafowl and nest sites if found; • Provide options to attain and manage a sustainable population for Finningley village, considering the size and character of the village. 1.6 Location of the site 1.6.1 The central OS grid reference for the village is SK 67187 99200. 1.7 Site description 1.7.1 The survey site, Finningley village, is approximately 66 hectares in size. 1.7.2 Public open spaces are dominated by amenity grassland with some scattered trees. Public footpaths are lined with areas of scrub and scattered mature and semi- mature deciduous trees. 1.7.3 At the heart of the village there is the village green, an area that consists of a pond with a resident waterfowl population surround by Mature willows (Salix babylonica) and a field layer of amenity grassland. 1.7.4 At the intersection of The Green with the A614 Doncaster Road, there is a small grassed area with a group of semi-mature and mature deciduous trees. 1.7.5 On the north western elevation of the village are playing fields consisting of short sward amenity grassland surrounded by mature and semi-mature trees and scrub. 1.7.6 The village contains a mosaic of properties with a mix of older properties located along Wroot Road and Doncaster Road which contain mature gardens, many of which contain mature trees and shrubs. The southern, south western and north eastern elevations of the village contain newer properties whose gardens appear to be not as established. Page 6 of 26 Peafowl Survey Report September 2019 Finningley Village Finningley Doncaster South Yorkshire Figure 2: Aerial image of Finningley Village 1.7.7 Boundaries on the perimeter of the village are created predominantly by road networks, some of which could create a hindrance to dispersal of the peafowl population, although they can be crossed. On the western boundary is the fencing to the airport and to the north is a railway line. 2 Indian Peafowl Ecology 2.1 Native to the Indian subcontinent the Indian peafowl (formerly common peafowl) are a member of the pheasant family. The term peacock refers to the male of the species with the females being peahens. 2.2 Peafowl within their natural range inhabit woodlands and forests. However, as a species they are highly adaptable to other environs and are often located near water. 2.3 They are omnivorous and will eat a variety of seeds, grains, berries and some smaller fruits. They also predate insects, slugs, snails, small reptiles, amphibians and small mammals such as mice, shrews and baby rats. Page 7 of 26 Peafowl Survey Report September 2019 Finningley Village Finningley Doncaster South Yorkshire 2.4 Although they are ground nesting birds, they roost at height as an anti- predation strategy, often being found in tall trees and on the roofs of buildings. 2.5 Whilst the species is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent feral populations can be found all over the world. Within the UK the most notable and studied population of Indian peafowl is located within Oxfordshire (Rands 1984). Other notable UK populations are present in Wrexham in North Wales, Southport and Stockport in Lancashire and Ushaw Moor, County Durham. 2.6 Peafowl have been resident within the UK for centuries with some studies suggesting they were introduced by the Romans, whilst others suggest they were introduced in the times of Alexander the Great. 2.7 Current feral populations within the UK are deemed to be a likely result of deliberate release and accidental escapes. 3 Socio dynamics 3.1 The male peafowl form leks, small territorial areas dominated by a single male. During the mating season which in the UK is generally (April to September with the peak period being April to July) the males, gather in groups and compete for females in a process called lekking. They will parade around with their tail plumage aloft to see which male has the best display and so win the mating rights over the available females. 3.2 Females, the peahen and her peachicks are a much duller brown colour, a form of camouflage as they will make ground nests and raise their young as they cannot roost high up. This still leaves them vulnerable to natural predators, in the UK this includes foxes, domestic dogs and aerial attacks from large raptors. 3.3 Post mating, the females leave the lekking sites and nest in tall grasses and shrubs laying five to seven eggs. The eggs are incubated for around 28 days. Peafowl generally lay one clutch of eggs per season, however where a brood fails or in optimum weather conditions a second clutch can be laid. Page 8 of 26 Peafowl Survey Report September 2019 Finningley Village Finningley Doncaster South Yorkshire 3.4 The peahen will normally care for her chicks for between seven and ten weeks beyond which the fledglings then fend for themselves. 3.5 Peafowl in the wild have been known to live for in excess of 30 years whilst the mean age of captive birds is 15 years. 4 Legislation 4.1 General information 4.1.1 Peafowl, being non-native to the UK, are not protected by any UK wildlife protection legislation and are not classed as a wild bird within the UK.