The impact of sand extraction at Formby Point ... - Sefton Council

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This study suggests that biodiversity within the sand-extracted areas could be improved
by implementing existing Management Plan prescriptions, such as scrub-control and
encouraging or introducing grazing animals, including larger types. Areas of relatively
level topography would benefit from a degree of reprofiling to mimic a more natural dune
landscape of ridges and slacks. This would, in particular, encourage many specialised
duneland species (including several in the NMBAP) which depend on younger and more
mobile dune habitats. Even small scrapes within the study area are shown to have a
surprisingly rich assortment of notable plant species, provided that the water-table is
breached. Natterjacks require shallow water-bodies in areas of suitably open terrestrial
habitat. Deeper ponds are important for dragonflies and stoneworts but may encourage
Common Toads which competitively exclude the rarer Natterjacks. Before such works
are carried out, the areas should be surveyed for their biological interest, especially the
presence of BAP species.
6.2. Lifeboat Road
6.2.1. Smaller-scale
• Cut back regenerating scrub in the eastern part of the quarry to the edge of the
older woodland.
• Create larger glades in the woodland, based on the old dune-slack at SD 2777
0665 and the northern newt-scrape.
• Control regenerating Alder and Grey Willow in the western arm of Wicks Lake.
• Fill in the southern newt-scrape to eliminate New Zealand Pigmy-weed.
• Investigate feasibility of controlling New Zealand Pigmy-weed at Wicks Lake.
6.2.2. Larger-scale
• Examine feasibility of creating more Natterjack breeding habitat in the vicinity of
scrapes 6, 7 and 8 by enhancing the landscape. For example, scrape 8 could be
extended to the east to join up with a nearby basin site. Spoil should be used to
create east-west ridges which are then planted up with Marram.
6.3. Ravenmeols