Appendix H

PROPOSED HABITAT ENHANCEMENTS

Reminder of the impact the project seeks to achieve: “A more resilient Fenland landscape by enhancing biodiversity connectivity across its largely arable landscape whilst connecting local people with their green space assets”

How this will be achieved: Creation and enhancement of a series of ‘stepping stones’ in the landscape using the principles and techniques set out below (see also Appendix B (Maps), Appendix F (Target Species) and Appendix I (Project Portfolio) for further details).

1. Installation of two-stage channels (as part of project ‘Wildlife-Friendly Land & Water’)Stepped drain improvements (also known as ‘berms’, ‘stepped drains’ or ‘two-staged channels’). Images © Cliff Carson, MLC. Below left is a newly formed berm; and below right is a berm becoming vegetated.

Below is an example of finished berm as created in Middle Level Commissioners area. A good shelf of sedges protects a March Third DDC drain margin and also provides good wildlife habitat.

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2. Pool creation at ditch junctions or mid-drain (as part of project ‘Wildlife-Friendly Land & Water’)Below: Example of small pond with shallow margins, as created in Middle Level Commissioners area.

Below: Example of ditch Corner shallow water habitat creation. Images © Cliff Carson, MLC.

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3. Small-scale reedbed creation (as part of project ‘Wildlife-Friendly Land & Water) – one planned will also double-up with artificial cliff created from spoil, to suit sand martins and kingfishersExample of small reedbed creation. ©George Dann, King’s Lynn IDB. Images © Cliff Carson, MLC.

4. Reintroduction of priority aquatic plant species – e.g. Water Violet and Greater Water Parsnip (as part of project ‘Wildlife-Friendly Land & Water’)

Water Violet, RSPB Ouse Fen, Over 2010

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5. Bespoke seed mixes in arable land along ditches, to benefit vulnerable arable farmland bird species, especially Turtle doves (as part of project ‘Wildlife-Friendly Land & Water’)

Left: Pollen and nectar mixes along field edges provide food for pollinating insects as well as insect food for chick rearing birds such as skylark, corn bunting and yellowhammer. Right: Turtle Dove bespoke seed mix. Images © RSPB

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6. Pond enhancement in community green spaces, and in arable landscape (as part of projects ‘Wildlife-Friendly Land & Water’ and ‘Community Green Spaces’)

Image © RSPB

7. White clover and creeping cinquefoil plug plants to provide nectar and pollen for pollinators in grass areas (multiple places, to include on the Environment Agency-managed banks along the Old West River, around the edge of sports fields, on village greens and school grounds, and in margins along arable fields, on solar farms and farm reservoir banks) (as part of projects ‘Wildlife-Friendly Land & Water’ and ‘Community Green Spaces’)

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8. Community Green Spaces – Flowerbeds (as part of project ‘Community Green Spaces’):

For the Community Green Spaces, we will focus on autumn to spring flowering plants and have a permanent sign next to the bed explaining the need for food in winter. These are all perennial so would need minimal maintenance. Suitable for schools – children could go and see what plants were flowering, what insects were on them etc. through the winter/spring term:

Plant Flowering monthsWinter aconite Jan – FebHelleborus x hybridus Jan – AprilPulmonaria – Lungwort Mar - MayMahonia possibly Apollo or Buckland Nov - MarWillow Salix sp S.apoda, S.boydii, S.hastata, S.lanata April - MayWinter honeysuckle Lonicera purpus. Winter Beauty Jan - MarViburnum, V.tinas, V.laurustrinus Oct - MarSweet Box Sarcococcus confusa Jan - FebWinter flowering crocus Jan - MayPrimrose Mar - MaySnowdrops Jan - Feb

9. A diverse range of bespoke habitat interventions on community green spaces, in close co-operation with Parish Councils, green space management committees and all conservation specialists involved (as part of project ‘Community Green Spaces’)

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