natura 2000 standard data form - Suffolk Coastal District Council

Page 5 of 15
Condition of SSSI units
lowland Highland cattle. The fen communities were in favourable
condition passing all the attributes set under the common
standards that were measured but the number/frequency
of positive indicators was borderline.
Adam Burrows 53 1009426 24.44 25 Aug 2009 Favourable This unit constitutes species poor wet grassland with
ditches. There are some relatively species rich areas of
grassland to the western end of the unit Sward composition
and level of scrub pass the target required. No Indicators
of waterlogging were recorded . Bare ground and litter
cover pass the criteria set. No loss of ditch system
Neutral
grassland -
lowland
Suffolk Suffolk
Coastal
East Of
England
The site passes on all criteria apart from % successional
vegetation which does not fit the % target criteria.
However, the majority of ditches were in mid succession,
with some early and late succession. This is acceptable as
there is a positive active management plan in place to
ensure full expression of submerged, floating and
emergent elements of ditch vegetation (about 10% of
ditches cleared every 2 years). The number of species was
good with the target (Annexe 2 CSM guidance) being
adequately met and water depth, clarity and channel form
were also within the target. There was some algae cover
reported but this was within acceptable levels and indicates
transition between fresh and brackish
Adam Burrows 54 1009531 111.94 17 Aug 2009 Unfavourable
recovering
Neutral
grassland -
lowland
Suffolk Suffolk
Coastal
East Of
England
Acid grassland in mosaic with bracken, mature silver birch
and scrub. Willow and rush also present in wetter hollows.
Grassland is mainly livestock grazed and shows signs of
undergrazing in places. Areas of tightly rabbit-grazed grass
show signs of harebells, centaury and bird's-foot trefoil.
Unit is being managed by Suffolk Wildlife Trust using
bracken control and sheep grazing in order to maintain the
habitat mosaic.
Adam Burrows 55 1009457 4.40 17 Aug 2009 Unfavourable
recovering
Dwarf shrub
heath -
lowland
Suffolk Suffolk
Coastal
East Of
England
Adam Burrows 57 1009509 8.88 05 Nov 2010 Favourable Would be desirable to increase structural diversity to
maintain and enhance breeding bird interest. Possible deer
browsing effects on understorey regeneration subject of
RSPB research over coming 12 months
Broadleaved,
mixed and
yew
woodland -
lowland
Suffolk Suffolk
Coastal
East Of
England
Adam Burrows 58 1026982 7.06 29 Sep 2010 Favourable Breeding birds hitting tardets as are Ramsar invertebrates
as demonstrated by regular moth trapping. Reed extent
maintained and structural diversity within acceptable limits
maintained by low intensity pony grazing, dyke profiles 1in
5 some evidence of need for reinvigoration of dyke
succession over the next epoch but currently at the upper
level of acceptable diversity. Unit supporting nesting by
bittern and marsh harrier
Fen, marsh
and swamp -
lowland
Suffolk Suffolk
Coastal
East Of
England
Adam Burrows 59 1026983 9.55 29 Sep 2010 Favourable Breeding birds hitting tardets as are Ramsar invertebrates
as demonstrated by regular moth trapping. Reed extent
maintained and structural diversity within acceptable limits
maintained by low intensity pony grazing, dyke profiles 1in
5 some evidence of need for reinvigoration of dyke
succession over the next epoch but currently at the upper
level of acceptable diversity. Unit supporting nesting by
Fen, marsh
and swamp -
lowland
Suffolk Suffolk
Coastal
East Of
England
12/05/2011
http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/sssi/reportAction.cfm?report=sdrt13&category=S&reference=1000721