creating environmental improvements through biodiversity

extended to work more with quarry operators, including a promotional event in late 2005 – early 2006.
It was suggested that radio tracking of GHBs be carried out specifically around quarries to get up to date
information on foraging and roosting sites, and an event for bat and dormice fieldworkers was to be arranged
in spring 2006.
Dissemination:
The project consisted largely of disseminating information on the target species, good habitat management
practices and available grant schemes.
It disseminated results of a previous local study on habitat use by GHBs.
There was press coverage of project community events, but not of the report’s release.
The report was distributed to funders: MIRO/MIST, Somerset County Council SALSF (also connected
with Quarry Producers Forum), Mendip District Council, English Nature, Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Bat and
Mammal Groups, Mendip AONB Team and possibly BNES Council.
DEVELOPING POLICY AND BEST PRACTICE IN RELATION TO
RESTORATION FOLLOWING MINERALS EXTRACTION – RESOLVING
CONFLICTS WITH AVIATION (MIRO, ODPM, DCLG - CSL, RSPB)
Literature Review Richard Walls (Central Science Laboratory)
March 2004
Sustainable Aggregates Creating Environmental Improvements through Biodiversity
Project Type: Literature review
Site: Various case studies
Project Aim:
To identify types of minerals restorations leading to the presence of hazardous bird species
To help identify suitable restoration strategies for sites close to airports for both biodiversity conservation
and flight safety
To develop policy and best practice in relation to the restoration of sites following minerals extraction and
resolve possible conflicts with aviation during the ‘safeguarding process’
Main Methods:
Review of published information and ‘grey’ literature on minerals extraction restorations and wildlife, using
Biosis Previews 2003, Web of Science, Google and the Dialog host, and by contacting county council planning
offices
Evaluation of current state of knowledge
GIS analysis of wetland characteristics, bird populations and bird movement data (bird movements detected
by radar in the Cotswold Water Complex)
Output:
Points out that there is currently no comprehensive / standardised monitoring of mineral site restorations
across the UK – information currently held at county council level and by interested conservation bodies and
individual minerals operators
Points out that scientific literature contains papers on waterfowl populations and wetland habitat use but few
specifically for minerals sites
Points out that county council records alone hold a highly variable amount of relevant information in many
forms (paper and electronic)
Points to best practice guides produced by the RSPB, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) and Game
Conservancy Council (GCC)
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