BIODIVERSITY SURVEY July 2010 fpcr fpcrJ:\4300\4363\BIODIVERSBirmingham CityITY UniverSURVEYsity DOC.cdr Biodiversity Survey 1 C O N T E N T S 1 I N T R O D U C T I O N 5 M O O R L A N E S P O R T S C E N T R E 8 S U M M A R Y & C ON C L U S I O N Background Context Summary Assessment Objectives Desk Study Baseline - Habitats Conclusion The Campuses - Species Site Survey Baseline - Habitats - Species 2 M E T H O D O L O G Y Analysis - UK and Local BAP Habitats - UK and Local BAP Species The Site - Biodiversity Enhancement Recommendations Planning Context 3 C I T Y N O R T H C A M P U S 6 B O U R N V I L L E C A M P U S Desk Study Baseline - Habitats Desk Study Baseline - Habitats - Species - Species Site Survey Baseline - Habitats Site Survey Baseline - Habitats - Species - Species Analysis - UK and Local BAP Habitats Analysis - UK and Local BAP Habitats - UK and Local BAP Species - UK and Local BAP Species - Biodiversity Enhancement Recommendations - Biodiversity Enhancement Recommendations 4 C I T Y S O U T H C A M P U S 7 S C H O O L O F J E W E L L E R Y Desk Study Baseline - Habitats - Species Desk Study Baseline - Habitats Site Survey Baseline - Habitats - Species - Species Site Survey Baseline - Habitats Analysis - UK and Local BAP Habitats - Species - UK and Local BAP Species - Biodiversity Enhancement Recommendations Analysis - UK and Local BAP Habitats - UK and Local BAP Species - Biodiversity Enhancement Recommendations Birmingham City University Biodiversity Survey 2 I N T R O D U C T I O N B A C K G R O U N D C O N T E X T T H E C A M P U S E S ( N O T T O S C A L E ) Birmingham City University has a duty under the Natural England and Rural Comminutes Act to conserve and promote biodiversity within property which it owns and manages. The University is implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS) under the EcoCampus Scheme, with a view to taking a holistic M O O R L A N E S P O R T S C E N T R E approach to improving its overall environmental performance. As part of the EMS, the University has stated an objective to: C I T Y N O R T H C A M P U S “conserve and promote biodiversity across our campuses”. A S S E S S M E N T O B J E C T I V E S S C H O O L O F J E W E L L E R Y In order to work towards the objective stated within the EMS, FPCR Environment and Design LTD were commissioned to undertake a survey of the habitats and species on five properties owned and managed by Birmingham City University and to compile an appraisal of Local and UK C I T Y S O U T H C A M P U S Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Habitats and Species present within and local to each property. This document also sets out recommendations on how to conserve and protect existing areas of nature conservation value including UK and Local BAP habitats and species, and ways in which additional habitats and species of value to nature conservation can be created and encouraged to enhance UK and Local BAP targets. B O U R N V I L L E C A M P U S Birmingham City University Biodiversity Survey 3 M E T H O D O L O G Y D E S K S T U D Y S I T E S U R V E Y : H A B I T A T S The Birmingham Biological and Geological Records Centre; Ecorecord and The sites were surveyed on the 7th and 8th June 2010 using standard the Birmingham bat group; Brumbats were consulted regarding any Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey methodology, as recommended by Natural relevant ecological information within the local area of the site. England, to identify specific habitats and features of ecological interest. The Natural England mapping website www.magic.gov.uk was also Habitats were marked on a base plan and where appropriate, target notes searched for information regarding the location of statutory nature were made. An inspection of the sites for the presence of any invasive weeds conservation sites. present was also carried out. Features such as trees were considered with regard to their ecological value and potential to provide suitable habitats for protected species. S I T E S U R V E Y : S P E C I E S During the surveys, observations, identification and signs of any species protected under Part 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and the Conservation (Natural Habitats & c.) Regulations 1994 (as amended) were noted. Any sightings, evidence of, or suitable habitats for other protected fauna, in particular UK or local Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) were recorded during site visits. Birmingham City University Biodiversity Survey 4 C I T Y N O R T H C A M P U S : D E S K S T U D Y D E S I G N A T E D S I TE S & P R O T E C T E D S P E C I E S R E C O R D S H A B I T A T S The River Tame SLINC flows past the site, a short distance to the west, though the the A453 forms a Tame Valley Canal SLINC physical habitat barrier between the two. The River, the Tame Valley Canal SLINC and the Canal with grassland and broadleaved woodland. Bird Wolverhampton - Gravelly Hill Railway form viable wildlife corridors through an otherwise urban records include turtle dove, environment. Perry Hall Playing Fields SLINC house sparrow and starling. Non designated sites including Perry Park, Perry Hall Playing Fields and Witton sports ground immediately to the east of the site boundary set the site within a relatively low density urban Land at Kynoch environment with more naturalised habitats than expected for an inner city location. Works SLINC Neutral grassland with scrub. Bird species recorded here include house martin, starling and kestrel. S P E C I E S A number of bird records within the area were provided through consultation with the ecological database for Birmingham and the Black Country (EcoRecord). This indicated a number of notable species in the vicinity of the site including following species which are either UK or Local BAP species: - black redstart River Tame SLINC - starling Watercourse with common - house sparrow toad and water vole records - dunnock - turtle dove - kestrel Smooth newt, common frog (local BAP species) and hedgehog(UK BAP) are recorded to the north west of the site. Common pipistrelle and Noctule bats are recorded locally though only one roost location was identified through consultation. Hedgehog Badger Black redstart Watervole Common Pipistrelle Kestrel Common frog Smooth newt Common toad Birmingham City University Biodiversity Survey 5 C I T Y N O R T H C A M P U S : S I T E S U R V E Y H A B I T A T S IMPR OVED GRASSLAND, HEDGES & ORNAMENTAL PLANTING The faculty buildings were in the west of the site together with associated car parking, seating areas, Areas of improved grassland were recorded in seating areas and walkways and roads with landscaped ornamental planting, hedgerows, trees and woodland. Two associated with walkways and ornamental planting. A large area of accommodation complexes also occurred within the site boundary, separated by a new sports facility. improved grassland was recorded in the north of the site utilised as a recreational facility associated with the sports centre. This grassland BUILDINGS comprised low diversity, managed sward of common grassland The faculty buildings were in the western part of the site and were multi storey species. Well maintained, dense hedgerows mainly comprising brick built structures, largely with flat roofs. In general they were of mixed beech subdivided car parking areas. Ornamental planting was construction with large sections of steel framed, glass frontages (right). The generally recorded at the peripheries of seating areas and walkways accommodation blocks were modern, three to four storey, brick buildings set comprising of non native species. about courtyards (below, middle). The sports hall was a new building which was being completed at the time of survey. Again this was a modern design, brick built TREES AND WOODLAND structure with steel and wooden board sections (below, right). Semi-mature trees were recorded throughout the site, including the following species: small leaved lime, London plane, Norway maple, Scots pine, wild cherry, rowan, silver birch and common alder. A narrow band of woodland habitat was also recorded between the main car park and the eastern edge of the faculty buildings (Kenrick and Galton Buildings). This habitat differed from clusters of trees in that a typical woodland shrub and ground flora structure was present. No veteran or near veteran trees were recorded. A series of three gate houses (above left) stood on Wellhead Lane, at the perimeter of a derelict area of ephemeral vegetation. The gate houses were disused rendered brick structures built in 1915, which are locally listed.