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

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Leisler’s Nyctalus leisleri Common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus Soprano pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus Nathusius pipistrelle Pipistrellus nathusii Barbastelle Barbastella barbastellus Brown longeared Plecotus auritus Grey long-eared Plecotus austriacus Trees Trees Open habitat, over water or pasture New buildings New buildings Buildings or trees Buildings or trees Woodland, grassland and over water Habitats over water South and east England, rare in Wales Throughout Britain Throughout Britain Unknown Unknown Unknown Throughout Britain Trees Trees Hedgerows and woodland Houses, churches and barns Old buildings and barns Caves and mines Caves and mines Woodland Grassland and woodland edges England and Wales Throughout Britain Southern England Rare, but widespread Common Common Becoming more common Rare Common Very rare 10.2.4 Status in relation to Sustrans Bats could be encountered feeding, roosting and commuting along the entire length of the Sustrans Network. It is likely that the Sustrans Network provides important commuting routes for bats. Many bat species roost in bridges, tunnels and other similar structures. It is therefore important that the appropriate survey work be carried out before work occurs on such structures. 10.2.5 Legislation In England, Scotland and Wales, all bat species are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended, and the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994. All bat species are listed on Appendix III of the Bonn Convention and all except the common and soprano pipistrelles are included on Appendix II of the Bern Convention. 10.2.6 Current factors affecting the species Loss of suitable breeding and hibernation sites. Loss of feeding habitats. Reduction in prey availability due to unsympathetic farming practices. Increase in predation by cats. 10.2.7 Actions Carry out surveys along proposed new routes prior to development, with particular emphasis on structures which may be used for roosting e.g. bridges and tunnels. Use bat boxes along routes where applicable. Participate in the National Monitoring Schemes (BCT). Further research into the importance of feeding under bridges along the Network. Research into the use of the Network as commuting corridors for bats. Research the use of bridges, tunnels and other structures along the Network by roosting bats. Information about bats to be included in interpretation where appropriate. Sustrans’ Biodiversity Action Plan for the National Cycle Network (December 2007) 26
10.3 Badger Meles meles 10.3.1 Description The badger is probably Britain’s most well known mammal, with its distinctive black and white face markings making it impossible to confuse. Badgers are nocturnal and therefore rarely seen during the day. When inactive, badgers usually lie-up in a system of underground tunnels and chambers known as a sett. They live in social groups and each generally produces just one litter of two or three cubs in February. Although rarely seen, badgers leave a wide variety of field signs including the sett, which is recognised by having entrances approximately 300mm wide and 200mm high, often with piles of soil outside them, ‘snuffle holes’ (holes dug by badgers when searching for invertebrates), ‘dung pits’ (small pits in which they deposit their faeces) and day nests (nests of bedding material made by badgers for sleeping above ground). 10.3.2 Optimum survey time Badgers can be surveyed for throughout the year, with the optimum time being February/March when they are very territorially active and before the vegetation regrows, which can make surveying difficult. 10.3.3 Current status The badger has a widespread distribution throughout the UK. Although badger populations are considered to be stable, various pressures have led to reductions in local populations, and in some cases extinction from areas. Badgers are not a UK BAP priority species. 10.3.4 Status in relation to Sustrans Badgers may be encountered throughout the Sustrans Network. They particularly like disused railway lines because these provide opportunities for badgers to dig setts in dry, well-drained conditions. 10.3.5 Legislation Badgers and their setts are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as amended and the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 against damage or destruction of a sett or disturbance, death or injury to the badgers. The act defines a sett as “any structure or place which displays signs indicating current use by a badger”. This includes setts which appear unused at the time of the survey. Penalties for disturbance include fines of up to £5,000 plus up to six months in prison. Disturbance has been taken to include any digging activity or scrub clearance within 10 metres, any work, especially digging, within 20 metres using a wheeled machine up to the size of a JCB and any work within 30 metres by tracked vehicles or very heavy machinery. Licences to allow for the disturbance of badgers, and even the destruction of their setts in certain circumstances, in relation to development are issued by the Government’s statutory nature conservation agency (Natural England, Countryside Council for Wales, Environment and Heritage Service Northern Ireland and Scottish Sustrans’ Biodiversity Action Plan for the National Cycle Network (December 2007) 27
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 and 24: Contribute to the implementation of
Page 25: Where planting is required in hedge
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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