Biodiversity Action Plan for the National Cycle Network ... - Sustrans

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10. Species Action Plans 10.1 Birds 10.1.1 Description Birds are one of the most common wildlife species that people have regular contact with. Many of the once familiar British birds are now in serious decline. 10.1.2 Optimum survey time The birds themselves can be surveyed for at any time. However, the most important time of the year to carry out a thorough bird survey would be during the nesting season which begins in early March and continues through to late August. As it is the nests that are protected, it is essential to identify any possible nesting sites, as this may affect the timing of works along routes. 10.1.3 Current status Many of Britain’s bird species are in decline, including ‘common’ species such as the house sparrow and starling, which are both now UK BAP priority species. 10.1.4 Status in relation to Sustrans Birds can be encountered along the entire length of Sustrans routes. Species found will be dependent on the adjacent habitat and the time of year. 10.1.5 Legislation All British birds, their nests and eggs (with certain exceptions) are protected under Section 1 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 as amended. This makes it an offence to: Intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird. Intentionally damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while that nest is in use or being built. Intentionally take or destroy the egg of any wild bird. Possess or control any live or dead wild bird or any part of, or anything derived from a wild bird, or an egg or any part of the same. Offences against Schedule 1 species carry special penalties if convicted. Schedule 1 is, however, divided into two parts – birds included within part I are specially protected at all times; and those species listed in part II are protected by the same penalties but only within the closed season (1 February – 31 August). 10.1.6 Current factors affecting this species Loss of nesting habitat A reduction in available food sources Persecution 10.1.7 Actions Breeding bird surveys to be carried out before the building of a new path. Where possible, the use of sympathetic hedgerow management (e.g. hedge laying, coppicing, gapping up, replanting and less trimming) will be employed and promoted. Sustrans’ Biodiversity Action Plan for the National Cycle Network (December 2007) 24
Where planting is required in hedges, native seed and berry bearing species will be used to benefit the local bird population. Where appropriate, information on the local bird life will be included in any interpretation. 10.2 Bats Chiroptera 10.2.1 Description There are sixteen species of bat recorded as breeding in the UK. They utilise a wide variety of structures, both natural and man-made for roosting, including trees, buildings and bridges. All need warm breeding sites in the summer and cool, undisturbed hibernation sites in the winter. 10.2.2 Optimum survey time Although bats can be surveyed for throughout the year, the optimum time is from April through to early October as this is when they are most active. It is important to remember that bats hibernate throughout the winter and they should not be disturbed when in their hibernation roosts as this may cause them to use up valuable energy reserves. See the table below for more information on when and where different bat species may be encountered throughout the year. 10.2.3 Current status Their current status and known distribution is summarised in the table below. Species Greater horseshoe Rhinolophus ferrumequinum Lesser horseshoe Rhinolophus hipposideros Whiskered Myotis mystacinus Brandt’s Myotis brandtii Natterer’s Myotis nattereri Bechstein Myotis bechsteinii Daubenton Myotis daubentonii Serotine Eptesicus serotinus Noctule Nyctalus noctula Summer roosts Old, undisturbed buildings Old, undisturbed buildings Trees and older buildings Trees and older buildings Trees and older buildings Hibernation roosts Caves, mines, cellars Caves, mines and cellars Caves, tunnels and mines Caves, tunnels and mines Caves, mines and cellars Feeding habitat Distribution Status Pasture and seminatural woodland Deciduous woodland Parkland, woodland and gardens Parkland, woodland and gardens Tree canopies Trees Trees Closed canopy woodland Bridges Older buildings Buildings and trees Caves, mines and ice houses Buildings Trees Over water Pasture, parkland and along woodland edges Parkland, pasture, woodland and water South west England and west Wales South west England and Wales England, Wales and South Scotland North and west England Throughout Britain South and west England and Wales Throughout England Central, south and south east England England, Wales and southern Scotland Endangered Endangered Local Local Fairly common Very rare Fairly common Locally abundant Uncommon Sustrans’ Biodiversity Action Plan for the National Cycle Network (December 2007) 25
Page 1 and 2: Biodiversity Action Plan for the Na
Page 3 and 4: CONTENTS Executive Summary 6 1. Int
Page 5 and 6: 12. Mitigation and enhancement meas
Page 7 and 8: 1. Introduction to biodiversity in
Page 9 and 10: Project National Cycle Network Safe
Page 11 and 12: 2.3.5 Map of National Cycle Network
Page 13 and 14: On-going key action plan items and
Page 15 and 16: Association, the British Horse Soci
Page 17 and 18: 7. Links with Local Biodiversity Ac
Page 19 and 20: 9. Habitat Action Plans 9.1 Hedgero
Page 21 and 22: grasses such as tor grass Brachypod
Page 23: Contribute to the implementation of
Page 27 and 28: 10.3 Badger Meles meles 10.3.1 Desc
Page 29 and 30: 10.4.2 Optimum survey time The opti
Page 31 and 32: 10.6 Great crested newt Triturus cr
Page 33 and 34: Loss of food plants for certain spe
Page 35 and 36: 12. Mitigation and enhancement meas
Page 37 and 38: 12.6.2 Some bat species rely exclus
Page 39 and 40: 13.3 Japanese knotweed Fallopia jap
Page 41 and 42: seed. Young plants are easy to pull
Page 43 and 44: 14. Education and understanding 14.
Page 45 and 46: 16. Glossary HAP Habitat Action Pla
Page 47 and 48: Cumbria LA7 7NH Tel: 01539 567953 w
Page 49 and 50: Ways for Wildlife Wildlife, cycle p
Page 51 and 52: © David Hall © Toby Smedley Visit
Page 53: Appendix 2 - Phase 1 and 2 habitat

Biodiversity Action Plan for the National Cycle Network ... - Sustrans

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