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

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12.3.3 Bat boxes should be sited with the front facing south east to south west, as this allows the box to be warmed during the day. Often three bat boxes are placed on a single tree, each facing a different aspect as this gives the bats a choice of roosting sites, each with different environmental conditions. Specially designed bat boxes that attach to the underside of bridges can also be purchased. These can be fixed to the bridge masonry and, like bat bricks, mimic natural holes and cracks. 12.3.4 It should also be remembered that bird and bat boxes should be checked periodically, both to monitor use and for cleaning (removal of old nest material etc). 12.3.5 In the case of bats, if any signs of bats (droppings) or actual bats are found in a box during a check, that box is then considered a roost and future checks can only be carried out by a licensed bat worker. 12.4 Log and vegetation piles 12.4.1 These can benefit a variety of species including reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and small mammals. They may be particularly effective in areas where there are small breaks in the habitat. For example, where the route goes under or even over a bridge, log and vegetation piles could be used to link up habitats. Piles of cut vegetation can also be left to rot, as these provide food, shelter and nesting sites for reptiles. These piles can be added to each year. It is also beneficial to place a criss-cross pattern of branches on the ground first and then add the cuttings, as this increases ventilation and makes access easier. All such heaps are best placed in sunny positions, close to cover such as hedgerows, scrub and long grass. 12.5 Lighting 12.5.1 Lighting can impact on a number of night time species by affecting flight lines and feeding patterns. Where lighting is necessary, low pressure sodium lights (typical yellow lamps seen along the roadside) are recommended. These should be hooded and point downwards as this will at least minimise the disturbance that the lighting has on wildlife. 12.5.2 Special consideration should be given to lighting placed near bridges, which may contain bat roosts. Under the WCA (1981) as amended by the CROW Act (2000), it is illegal to deliberately or recklessly kill, injure, capture or disturb bats, obstruct access to bat roosts or damage or destroy them. Therefore lighting that is placed too close to a roost and causes a disturbance to the bats, or causes them to desert the roost, may constitute an offence. 12.6 Tree maintenance 12.6.1 Nesting birds may be affected by tree maintenance so this work should only take place outside the bird nesting season (March to early August). If work is required during this time, trees and scrub should be checked for any nests before work commences. If a nest is found then work cannot start in that area until the eggs have hatched and chicks fledged. Sustrans’ Biodiversity Action Plan for the National Cycle Network (December 2007) 36
12.6.2 Some bat species rely exclusively on trees for roost sites while others use them for parts of the year. Often bats in trees leave little or no evidence of their occupation. Where possible, trees should be inspected from the ground to assess their potential for roosting bats. This involves looking for lightning strikes, lifting bark, ivy, holes, cavities and splits together with dark staining caused by faeces, urine or oil from fur rubbing or scratch marks below access points which might be used by bats. Droppings can also be found below roosting sites. If a tree does contain a bat roost, a licence will be required before it can be felled and appropriate mitigation will have to be put in place to replace the roost site that is lost. 12.7 Path surfaces 12.7.1 Sealed tarmac surfaces are Sustrans’ preferred option for traffic free paths. Although tarmac can tend to look stark following initial laying, it soon begins to blend in with the surrounding area and acquires a patina the colour of the local soil. Vegetation also quickly begins to grow over the edges. The surface is far better for cycling and also for wheelchairs and buggies. A sealed surface lasts much longer than a rolled stone path, however well laid, especially under trees. Consequently it requires less maintenance which in turn causes less disturbance to the surrounding habitats. A stone path may need to be repaired every 5 years or so, which increases the chance of disturbance to the surrounding habitat in the process and leading to significant ‘stone miles’ as new material has to be brought in. From current experience, a tarmac surface will last in excess of 20 years compared to rolled stone path, which may need replacing after 2 years in urban areas. 12.8 Stone walls 12.7.2 Dry stone walls can support large amounts of wildlife both on their surfaces (e.g. lichens) and within them (e.g. reptiles). They are often dominant field boundaries in areas where the soil is thin and the climate too harsh for hedgerows. They provide the same function as a hedgerow. It is important that where these walls are found adjacent to paths, they are maintained, and in some cases enhanced, for wildlife. Sustrans’ Biodiversity Action Plan for the National Cycle Network (December 2007) 37
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 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: 12. Mitigation and enhancement meas
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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