Site UB4 B Land south of Barugh Green Road 1

Summary Sheet Date 01/05/13 Grid Reference SE 315 073 Site Area 51.6 ha Surveyor Oliver Pescott, Wildscapes 1 ASSESSMENT Biodiversity interest (record presence by a cross as appropriate) Habitat Present Notes & photo refs Woodland X Along stream

UB4B.5 Scrub Scattered trees Species poor or defunct hedgerows

X

Species rich hedgerows

Amenity or improved grassland

X Improved UB4B.1, UB4B.2

Semi-improved grassland

X UB4B.4

Unimproved grassland

Marshy grassland

Tall ruderals Dwarf shrub heath

Lichen/bryophyte heath

Reedbed Swamp Standing water (ponds)

X

Flowing watercourses

X

Arable / cultivated farmland

X UB4B.3

Other: Bare ground

Influences on external features On watercourse Yes. The stream that runs through this site continues

onwards to other areas. On wildlife corridor No Would lead to habitat isolation No Proximity/linkage to SSSI / LNR None Other

Site Name Land south of Barugh Green Road

Site Ref Number UB4 B

Species Present(seen)

Quality of habitat Low Mod High

Plants X Invertebrates X Amphibians X Reptiles X Birds X X Mammals X X Fish X Other

Site UB4 B Land south of Barugh Green Road 2

2 RECOMMENDATION Mitigation measures / design considerations Score a) Development of the site would have minimal detrimental local ecological impact.

b) Development of the site would result in some adverse local ecological impact but there is scope for mitigation.

The habitats present on site range in ecological value from negligible to high.

Of high value are the areas of woodland and unimproved grassland lying within its south-eastern corner. These areas cannot be developed without causing significant detrimental impacts to the Borough’s biodiversity and should be retained intact and managed in line with good conservation practise should the remainder of the site be developed.

However, sensitive development of the northern, central and south-western sections of the site (arable land and improved grassland) could be carried out without damaging the site’s ecological value. Intact hedgerows on the site’s periphery should also be retained, wherever possible.

3

c) Development of the site would result in detrimental ecological impacts.

3 PHOTOGRAPHIC DETAILS Photograph locations are recorded on the site map. Photo Ref Caption UB4B.1 View over improved grassland.

UB4B.2 View over improved grassland

UB4B.3 View over arable land.

UB4B.4 View semi- improved grassland.

UB4B.5 View through streamside wood.

4 FURTHER INFORMATION Brief Site Description This site is largely composed of arable fields and improved agricultural grasslands. Many of the land parcels are divided by hedges, most of which are intact and well-grown, although these are of low-diversity, and almost entirely composed of Hawthorn

The south western corner of the site contains a neutral unimproved grassland adjoining a wood that are both assessed to be of high conservation value. The grassland is on a bank sloping into the wood that has presumably limited its agricultural usage and allowed it to retain most of its floristic interest.

The value of this area of the site is further increased by the woodland stream opening out into a small pond in the middle of the wood.

Site UB4 B Land south of Barugh Green Road 3

Additional comments / information Skylark (Alauda arvensis) in song-flight were observed above the arable part of this site.

The woodland adjoining the unimproved grassland is not listed as ancient, but it was once part of a much larger woodland, dating back to at latest the first half of the 19th century, that was destroyed by open-cast mining), and seems very likely to be ancient, especially given its location in a small ravine.

With reference to the data search, no significant issues for protected or priority species have arisen for this site. Figure 1 shows the Phase 1 Habitat map for the site. Figure 2 shows the areas with significant ecological value.

Gawber Area

Sub-site UB4B

Site Area: 51.6 ha

OS Grid Ref: SE 315 073

Date Surveyed: 01/05/13

Surveyor: Oliver Pescott

Site Description

This site is mainly composed of arable fields and improved agricultural grasslands. Many of the land parcels are divided by hedges, most of which are intact and well-grown, although these are of low-diversity, and almost entirely composed of Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna). Furthermore, these hedges did not have a ground flora of any conservation interest, being mainly composed of tall ruderal vegetation typical of nutrient-enriched sites, for example, Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica), Broad-leaved Dock (Rumex obtusifolius) and Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris).

The south eastern corner of the site contains a neutral unimproved grassland adjoining a wood that are both assessed to be of high conservation value. The grassland is on a bank sloping into the wood that has presumably limited its agricultural usage and allowed it to retain most of its floristic interest. Forbs such as Black Knapweed (Centaurea nigra), Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Common Sorrel (Rumex acetosa), Field Horsetail (Equisetum arvense), Creeping Cinquefoil (Potentilla reptans), Field Woodrush (Luzula campestris), Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Germander Speedwell (Veronica chamaedrys), Lesser Hop Trefoil (Trifolium dubium), Wood Avens (Geum urbanum), Perforate St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) and Cowslip (Primula veris) are all spread throughout the site; fine-leaved grasses such as Crested Dog’s-tail (Cynosurus cristatus), Common Bent (Agrostis capillaris) and Perennial Rye-grass (Lolium perenne) were also present. A good stand of Common Dog Violet (Viola riviniana) was found under a Hawthorn at the edge of the field.

The woodland adjoining the unimproved grassland is not listed as ancient, but it was once part of a much larger woodland, dating back to at least the first half of the 19th century, that was destroyed by open-cast mining and seems very likely to be ancient, especially given its location in a small ravine. The canopy was a mix of Alder (Alnus glutinosa), Sessile Oak (Quercus petraea), Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) and Silver Birch (Betula pendula), with Wild Cherry (Prunus avium) being a rare component. The shrub layer contained frequent Hawthorn, Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa), Hazel (Corylus avellana) and Rosa species (Rosa spp.) The ground layer contained several species typical of ancient woodland, including Lesser Celandine (Ranunculus ficaria), Ramsons (Allium ursinum), Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), Dog’s Mercury (Mercurialis perennis) and Wood Anemone (Anemone nemorosa). A stream runs through the wood, and at the southern end of this Male Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas), Broad Buckler Fern (Dryopteris dilatata) and a possible, immature specimen of the hybrid between Narrow Buckler Fern (Dryopteris carthusiana) and Broad Buckler Fern (Dryopteris cf. ×deweri), was also observed.

The value of this area of the site is further increased by the woodland stream opening out into a small pond in the middle of the wood. This was fringed by Alder and Willow species (Salix spp.), with Greater Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum), Soft Rush (Juncus effusus), Brooklime (Veronica becca-bunga), Reedmace (Typha latifolia) and a single tussock of Remote Sedge (Carex remota) all increasing the diversity of the site.

Skylark (Alauda arvensis) in song-flight were observed above the arable part of this site.

Site UB4 B Land south of Barugh Green Road 4

Habitat Target Notes – shown in Figure 3

TN1 A stand of Japanese knotweed (Fallopia japonica).

TN2 Poor semi-improved horse grazed grassland.

TN3 Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) scrub in a poor semi-improved pasture, grading into the unimproved neutral grassland described above.

TN4 Cattle-grazed unimproved neutral grassland on sloping ground.

TN5 Broad-leaved wood and stream in a steep sided gulley.

TN6 A pond fed by a stream in a woodland clearing.

TN7 A small wood with a nutrient-enriched ground flora.

Photo UB4B.1 View over improved grassland.

Site UB4 B Land south of Barugh Green Road 5

Photo UB4B.2 View over improved grassland.

Photo UB4B.3 View over arable land.

Site UB4 B Land south of Barugh Green Road 6

Photo UB4B.4 View semi- improved grassland.

Photo UB4B.5 View through streamside wood.

Site UB4 B Land south of Barugh Green Road 7

Species List for UB4B

DAFOR Scale D=dominant, A=abundant, F=frequent, O=occasional, R=rare, L=locally

Poor Semi-Improved horse paddock surrounds

Trees and Shrubs Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus O Silver Birch Betula pendula O Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna O Laurel Laurus nobilis O Rowan Sorbus aucuparia A Herbs

Japanese Knotweed Fallopia japonica R Hedges

Trees and Shrubs Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna A Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. O Herbs Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris F Greater Burdock Arctium lappa O

Creeping Thistle Circium arvense O Spear Thistle Cirsium vulgare R

Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium O Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata O Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus acris R Curled Dock Rumex crispus O

Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius F

Common Ragwort Senecio jacobaea R Dandelion Taraxacum agg. F

Poor Semi-Improved Grassland(TN3)

Trees and Shrubs Rose Rosa sp. O Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. O Snowberry Symphoricarpos albus LF Herbs Wavy Bittercress Cardamine flexuosa R Teasel Dipsacus fullonum R Greater Plantain Plantago major F Lesser Celandine Ranunculus ficaria R Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius F Common Nettle Urtica dioica F

Grasses, sedges and rushes Perennial Rye-grass Lolium perenne A

Site UB4 B Land south of Barugh Green Road 8

Unimproved grassland

Trees and Shrubs Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus R Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna R Rose Rosa sp. R Herbs

Yarrow Achillea millefolium F

Daisy Bellis perennis R

Wavy Bittercress Cardamine flexuosa R Common Knapweed Centaurea nigra F

Common Mouse-ear Cerastium fontanum R

Creeping Thistle Circium arvense O Spear Thistle Cirsium vulgare R

Wood Avens Geum urbanum R

Perforate St John's-wort Hypericum perforatum O

Nipplewort Lapsana communis R

Meadow Vetchling Lathyrus pratensis O

Oxeye Daisy Leucanthemum vulgare R Ribwort Plantain Plantago lanceolata F Greater Plantain Plantago major LF Creeping Cinquefoil Potentilla reptans O Cowslip Primula veris O Selfheal Prunella vulgaris F Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus acris F Lesser Celandine Ranunculus ficaria F Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens F Common Sorrel Rumex acetosa F

Common Ragwort Senecio jacobaea O Dandelion Taraxacum agg. F Lesser Hop Trefoil Trifolium dubium R Red Clover Trifolium pratense F White Clover Trifolium repens F Germander Speedwell Veronica chamaedrys R Common Vetch Vicia sativa R Bush Vetch Vicia sepium O Grasses, sedges and rushes Common Bent Agrostis capillaris F Meadow Foxtail Alopecurus pratensis O False Oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius LF Crested Dog's-tail Cynosaurus cristatus F Cock's-foot Dactylis glomerata A Yorkshire Fog Holcus lanatus A Soft Rush Juncus effusus R Perennial Rye-grass Lolium perenne A Field Wood-rush Luzula campestris R

Horsetails

Field Horsetail Equisetum arvense O

Site UB4 B Land south of Barugh Green Road 9

Mosses Rough-stalked Feather Moss Brachythecium rutabulum A

Woodland

Trees and Shrubs Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus LF Alder Alnus glutinosa A Silver Birch Betula pendula O Hazel Corylus avellana F Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna F Ash Fraxinus excelsior O Holly Ilex aquifolium R Wild Cherry Prunus avium R Blackthorn Prunus spinosa O Sessile Oak Quercus petraea F Rose Rosa sp. F Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. F Herbs

Garlic Mustard Alliaria petiolata O

Ramsons Allium ursinum F

Wood Anemone Anemone nemorosa R Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris F

Cleavers Galium aparine O

Wood Avens Geum urbanum F

Hogweed Heracleum sphondylium O

Bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta O

Dog's Mercury Mercurialis perennis R Lesser Celandine Ranunculus ficaria LA

Wood Dock Rumex sanguineus O Grasses, sedges and rushes False Oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius O Smooth Meadow-grass Poa pratensis O Ferns Broad Buckler Fern Dryopteris dilatata R possible Hybrid Buckler Fern Dryopteris cf. ×deweri R Male Fern Dryopteris filix-mas R

Site UB4 B Land south of Barugh Green Road 10

Woodland pond

Trees and Shrubs Alder Alnus glutinosa A Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. F Willow Salix sp. F Herbs

Great Willowherb Epilobium hirsutum F Creeping Buttercup Ranunculus repens F

Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius F Common Nettle Urtica dioica F Brooklime Veronica beccabunga R Grasses, sedges and rushes cf. Remote Sedge Carex cf. remota R Cock's-foot Dactylis glomerata A Soft Rush Juncus effusus O Bulrush Typha latifolia O

Small woodland (TN7)

Trees and Shrubs Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus A Ivy Hedera helix LA Sessile Oak Quercus petraea O Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. A Herbs Cow Parsley Anthriscus sylvestris A

Wood Avens Geum urbanum F

Honesty Lunaria annua R

Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius A Dandelion Taraxacum agg. O Common Nettle Urtica dioica A Grasses, sedges and rushes False Oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius A

Site UB4 B Land south of Barugh Green Road 11

Site UB4 B Land south of Barugh Green Road 12

Site UB4 B Land south of Barugh Green Road 13

Site UB4 B Land south of Barugh Green Road 14

Data Search – Local Records Centre Notable species recorded within 1km of the site in the last 10 years (2003 – 2013) A search for badger records has been carried out separately.

Group  Scientific Name  Common Name  Year  Location amphibian  Bufo bufo  Common Toad  2007  Barrow Colliery Barnsley amphibian  Rana temporaria  Common Frog  2012  'BARNSLEY MBC' bird  Alauda arvensis  Skylark  2004  Short Wood fields bird  Alauda arvensis  Skylark  2005  Barrow Colliery Barnsley bird  Alauda arvensis  Sky Lark  2007  Wilthorpe Marsh bird  Alcedo atthis  Kingfisher  2012  'BARNSLEY MBC' bird  Anas strepera  Gadwall  2008  Wilthorpe Marsh bird  Charadrius dubius  Little Ringed Plover  2007  Wilthorpe Marsh bird  Charadrius dubius  Little Ringed Plover  2008  Wilthorpe Marsh bird  Falco peregrinus  Peregrine  2011  Higham bird  Falco tinnunculus  Common Kestrel  2009  'BARNSLEY MBC' bird  Fringilla montifringilla  Brambling  2009  'BARNSLEY MBC' bird  Fringilla montifringilla  Brambling  2010  Higham bird  Fringilla montifringilla  Brambling  2010  'BARNSLEY MBC' bird  Fringilla montifringilla  Brambling  2011  Higham bird  Gallinago gallinago  Snipe  2007  Wilthorpe Marsh bird  Gallinago gallinago  Snipe  2008  Wilthorpe Marsh bird  Pandion haliaetus  Osprey  2011  Higham bird  Perdix perdix  Grey Partridge  2003  River Dove Valley Worsbrough (Worsbrough CP) bird  Perdix perdix  Grey Partridge  2005  Barrow Colliery Barnsley bird  Pernis apivorus  Honey Buzzard  2010  Higham bird  Phalacrocorax carbo  Cormorant  2007  Wilthorpe Marsh bird  Rallus aquaticus  Water Rail  2007  Wilthorpe Marsh bird  Rallus aquaticus  Water Rail  2009  Wilthorpe Marsh bird  Tringa glareola  Wood Sandpiper  2008  Wilthorpe Marsh bird  Tringa ochropus  Green Sandpiper  2007  Wilthorpe Marsh bird  Tringa ochropus  Green Sandpiper  2008  Wilthorpe Marsh bird  Tringa totanus  Common Redshank  2007  Wilthorpe Marsh 

Site UB4 B Land south of Barugh Green Road 15

bird  Tringa totanus  Redshank  2008  Wilthorpe Marsh bird  Turdus iliacus  Redwing  2003  River Dove Valley Worsbrough (Worsbrough CP) bird  Turdus iliacus  Redwing  2009  Redbrook Pastures LWS bird  Turdus iliacus  Redwing  2010  Higham bird  Turdus iliacus  Redwing  2011  Barnsley suburbs outside SE 3406 bird  Turdus iliacus  Redwing  2011  'BARNSLEY MBC' bird  Turdus pilaris  Fieldfare  2003  River Dove Valley Worsbrough (Worsbrough CP) bird  Turdus pilaris  Fieldfare  2009  Redbrook Pastures LWS bird  Turdus pilaris  Fieldfare  2010  'BARNSLEY MBC' bird  Turdus pilaris  Fieldfare  2011  Higham bird  Tyto alba  Barn Owl  2010  'BARNSLEY MBC' bird  Vanellus vanellus  Northern Lapwing  2007  Wilthorpe Marsh bird  Vanellus vanellus  Lapwing  2008  Wilthorpe Marsh bird  Vanellus vanellus  Lapwing  2009  'BARNSLEY MBC' bony fish (Actinopterygii)  Cottus gobio  Bullhead  2011  Silkstone Beck insect ‐ butterfly  Satyrium w‐album  White Letter Hairstreak  2008  Higham insect ‐ butterfly  Satyrium w‐album  White Letter Hairstreak  2009  Hugset Wood LWS insect ‐ butterfly  Satyrium w‐album  White Letter Hairstreak  2011  Hugset Wood LWS terrestrial mammal  Chiroptera  Bats  2004  Barugh Green terrestrial mammal  Erinaceus europaeus  Hedgehog  2007  Higham terrestrial mammal  Nyctalus leisleri  Leisler's Bat  2003   terrestrial mammal  Nyctalus leisleri  Leisler's Bat  2005   terrestrial mammal  Pipistrellus pipistrellus  Pipistrelle  2007  Higham