Environmental Statement volume 4 - Chiltern Evergreen3

ERM Habitat Suitability Survey Results 2009ReferenceDescriptionHSI1 Damp depression in area of dense scrub. No standing water present but limited0.356 Large lake f stocked lwith l large dfish and cormorant d recorded. d Situated h lin a residential0.32area with gardens backing onto the lake. Boats are used on the lake.7 Semi-permanent pond of moderate to good water quality, approximately 20m x 20m0.55in size with relatively steep bank gradient. There were no inflows or outflowsevident. Pond vegetation was aquatic with grass at the margins. Surroundingwoodland was willow sp. and improved grasslands.9a Dense reedbed stands approximately 30x15 m, water level consistently low in most0.67parts, moderate water quality and minimal marginal or aquatic vegetation. Alderand willow spp scrub surrounds the margins.9b As above.0.6715 Temporary waterbody beneath viaduct. Dense stands of common reed dominate0.47with little marginal or aquatic vegetation. Dense hawthorn and bramble scrub occradjacent to the waterbody.17 Ephemeral ditch adjacent to rail track with slow flow and good range of marginal0.5218a Large d ornamental garden pond l 40x60m, not fish stocked with moderately sloping0.95banks. Well established marginal, aquatic and emergent vetegation includingcommon reed, iris, water mint and lillies. Water was of good quality and numerousbreeding birds were active at the time of the survey. A large number of terrestrialand aquatic invertebrates were also recorded.18b Small, shallow garden pond 3x3m, clay base with good marginal and aquatic0.68vegetation including common rush and reed spp.18c Clay based field pond established approximately 5 years ago. Marginal and aquatic0.59vegetation still establishing.20 Permanent farm garden pond with steep banks of poor to moderate water quality,0.57slightly eutrophic, with numerous ducks and geese, approximately 10m x 20m in size.Clay based pond with surrounding agricultural fields and a hedgerow which is part21 Small ditch d stream with moderate flow and broadleaved trees lining the banks. Little0.46aquatic or marginal vegetation at the point where it opens into a field depression.This part was dry at time of the survey.27 Man-made pond approximately 30x20m with tree scrub surrounding the margins set0.72in agricultural landscape adjacent to the M40 motorway.29 Dense reedbed 70x20 m with scattered willow and hawthorn scrub in an agricultural0.75setting with woodland extending to the south. Pond appeared to be emphemeral andwas dry at the northern end.31 Ephemeral ditch adjacent to rail trach heavily shaded with hawthorn and willow0.45scrub. Marginal vegetation was limited and a slow flow was recorded in places.33 Permanent wet ditch with good aquatic and emergent vegetation. Heavily shaded in0.58part with steeply sloping banks.34 Semi-permanent pond of poor water quality, eutrophic, approximately 11m x 10m in0.52size. Scarse pond vegetation with grassy banks. Surrounding habitat is used for cattleon improved grassland.35 Permanent pond of poor water quality connected by a slow, inflow stream,0.65approximately 13m x 20m in size. No pond vegetation visible. Marginal vegetation isgrassy with surrounding habitat of improved grassland and hedgerows. Pond fencedoff from cattle grazing activities.37 Large reservoir with grassy banks and no aquatic or emergent vegetation. Fish0.38stocked and presence of wildfowl.38 Large manmade pond/reservoir with grassy banks and steeply sloped to water. Fish0.38stocked.39 Ornamental pond 30x15m good water quality with moderate sloping banks. Good0.83aquatic and marginal vegetation, tree shaded on one side.43 Large pond with reedbed stands at the margins in an urban setting, backing onto a0.62residential area. Suspected fish present. Dense willow scrub in places along thebanks which are moderately to steeply sloped.44 Permanent pond of good water quality, mesotrophic, approximately 5m x 10m in0.35size. Pond vegetation includes willow trees, weeds, grasses. Abundant evidence oflarge ornamental fish including carp. Surrounding habitat is poor consisting ofplanted trees and improved grasses in an urban park setting with domestic pets45apr ntSemi-permanent pond of moderate water quality, mesotrophic, approximately 5m x0.568m in size. Vegetation consists of grasses, pondweed and rushes with overhangingtrees including willow sp. Surrounding vegetation is of good quality, consisting ofsemi-improved grasslands and unmanaged hedgerows. Current railway track is100m due north surrounded by mature trees and hedges.45b Semi-permanent pond of moderate water quality, mesotrophic, approximately 5m x0.6510m in size. Pond vegetation is predominantly grasses and hardrush while thesurrounding habitat consists of semi-improved grassland to the east and unmangedhedgerow immediately west.45c Ephemeral field depression with some reed sp present but completely dry at the time0.48of the surveys.