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

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National Heritage). The applicant must be in possession of a certificate for full planning permission before a licence application will be considered. Licences to prevent serious damage to property and for the felling of trees are issued by Natural England, the Welsh Assembly Government, Environment and Heritage Service Northern Ireland and the Scottish Government respectively. Both types of licence are only available between 1 July and 30 November. After that date, the so-called closed season begins, when badgers are breeding, and no disturbance is allowed except in genuine emergencies such as badgers digging under roads or railways. It is understood that this restriction may be relaxed in some cases where a sett is seasonal and badgers can be shown to be absent at the time of the development. 10.3.6 Current factors affecting the species Loss of habitat due to development Persecution Habitat fragmentation Unsympathetic land management 10.3.7 Actions Badger surveys will be undertaken along all new routes. These will extend 30m beyond the proposed route as no disturbance can take place within 30m of a sett entrance without the appropriate licenses. Wherever possible, existing populations along routes will be monitored. Information about badgers to be included in interpretation where appropriate. 10.4 Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius 10.4.1 Description The dormouse has gingery fur and is the only small mammal with a furry tail. It is a strictly nocturnal animal, usually found in deciduous woodland and overgrown hedgerows but also in scrub, especially bramble. It has a varied diet, feeding on nuts, fruits, pollen, flowers and insects. Due to its secretive nature, sightings are very rare and the most common sign that dormice are present is by finding the opened remains of hazelnuts which the dormouse gnaws in a characteristic way. This survey method only works where hazel is present and other techniques, such as nest tubes, should be used in areas where dormice are known to be present but there are no records on the land in question. Disused railway lines are especially important for dormice, and they turn up on almost every former line in Devon for instance. During the winter they hibernate generally between November and May. A smooth circular cut with tiny radiating teeth marks is the sign of the Dormouse Sustrans’ Biodiversity Action Plan for the National Cycle Network (December 2007) 28
10.4.2 Optimum survey time The optimum survey time coincides with the appearance of hazel nuts during September and October. Early September is best, before the leaves fall from the trees making searching more difficult. Tube surveys are carried out in the summer generally between May and September. 10.4.3 Current status The dormouse is a UK BAP priority species. It does not occur in Scotland or Northern Ireland. In Wales there are an increasing number of known populations and in England it has become extinct in up to 7 counties (comprising half its former range) in the past 100 years. It is absent from the north, except for small populations in Cumbria and Northumberland, and although dormice are still widespread in southern counties (Cornwall to Kent), they are patchily distributed. Population densities everywhere are less than 10 adults per hectare, even in good habitats. 10.4.4 Status in relation to Sustrans The dormouse has limited distribution in relation to the Sustrans Network, but is most likely to be encountered where routes are adjacent to hedgerows and woodland. They also make good use of disused railway lines where these have become overgrown. 10.4.5 Legislation The dormouse is classified as ‘vulnerable, locally endangered’ (The Red Data book for British Mammals) because of habitat loss. Consequently it is fully protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as amended, which makes it an offence to disturb, injure or kill a dormouse or obstruct or destroy any shelter or place used by it for shelter and protection. The dormouse is also a European protected species and is included in Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, & c.) Regulations 1994 and protected under Regulation 39. This implements EC Directive 92/43/EEC in the UK. It is listed in Appendix 3 of the Bonn Convention and Annex IVa of the EC Habitats Directive. Furthermore it is a priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). No licence is required under this legislation in order to carry out minor habitat management, but one is needed if dormouse habitat is destroyed for the purposes of development. 10.4.6 Current factors affecting this species Changes in woodland management practice, notably cessation of hazel coppicing and stock incursions into woodland. Fragmentation of woodland and hedgerows, leaving isolated, non-viable populations. (Short distances, possibly as little as 100m, form absolute barriers to dispersal, unless arboreal routes are available). 10.4.7 Actions Dormouse surveys will be carried out along new routes in areas deemed suitable. Any populations found along routes will be monitored and any habitat improvements felt beneficial will be carried out. Sympathetic management of hedgerows and wherever possible arboreal connectivity will be maintained along disused railway lines. New planting should comprise fruit and berry bearing species listed in the Dormouse Conservation Handbook. Sustrans’ Biodiversity Action Plan for the National Cycle Network (December 2007) 29
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 and 26: Where planting is required in hedge
Page 27: 10.3 Badger Meles meles 10.3.1 Desc
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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