outline of all ecological survey work under taken at st
TRANSCRIPT
Outline of all Ecological survey work under taken at St
Marys Site, Bangor
Undertaken by Alison Johnston Ecology
2014
Outline Ecological Information, St. Marys Site, Bangor
A L Johnston, Ecological Consultant 2
1. Introduction
1.1 This report aims to pull together all the ecological data from previous surveys
under taken at the St Marys Site, Bangor
.
1.2 Bat surveys were undertaken on the site in 2010, 2012 and 2013. Further
ecological survey work was also carried out in 2013, which comprised of the
following elements, Phase 1, NVC if required, Reptiles, Badgers and Breeding
Birds.
1.3 Reptiles - There are two different levels of legal protection for reptiles in the
UK. The adder, common lizard, grass snake and slow worm are protected from
killing and injuring under Schedule 5 (Section 9) and of the Wildlife and
Countryside Act 19812 (as amended). The sand lizard and smooth snake and
their respective habitats are fully protected under Schedule 5 (Section 9) of the
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and under Conservation of
Habitats & Species Regulations 20103. It is illegal to kill, injure, capture,
handle or disturb them, and the places they use for breeding, resting, shelter
and protection are protected from being damaged or destroyed. It is also illegal
to obstruct these animals from using such areas.
1.4 Badgers and their setts are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act
1992, which makes it illegal to kill, injure or take badgers or to interfere with a
badger sett. The term ‘badger sett’ is normally understood to mean the system
of tunnels and chambers, in which badgers live, and their entrances and
immediate surrounds. The 1992 Act specifically defines a sett as “any
structure or place which displays signs indicating current use by a badger”.
Interference with a sett includes blocking tunnels or damaging the sett in any
way. Please note the consequential amendments to the above legislation as a
result of the Hunting Act 2004.
1.5 All wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as
amended), making it illegal to:
Kill, injure or take any wild bird (unless under licence)
Take, damage or destroy a bird’s nest whilst it is in use or being built
Disturb any wild bird listed on Schedule 1 of the Act while it is nest
building or at a nest containing eggs or young, or disturb young of such
a bird.
1.6 All bat species are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as
amended by the CRoW Act 2000 and Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.)
Regulations 1994 which states that it is illegal for anyone without a licence to
intentionally or recklessly kill, injure, capture or handle a bat of any species in
Britain; to disturb a bat when roosting; or to damage, destroy or obstruct
access to any place that bats use for shelter, whether bats are present or not.
Outline Ecological Information, St. Marys Site, Bangor
A L Johnston, Ecological Consultant 3
2. Methods
2.1 Phase 1
A walk over survey of the site was undertaken between May and July 2013. A
quick site survey was undertaken while onsite for other visits.
2.2 National Vegetation Classification (NVC)
No NVC survey was undertaken as no habitats that warranted further survey
were identified.
2.3 Reptiles
Surveys were undertaken in March and June, but due to the poor weather in
2013 the surveys were continued into September. A total of sixty three
artificial refuges where placed on the site in potential reptile hotspots in March
2013. These were left onsite until the end of the survey period in October. In
addition on each site visit direct observation surveys techniques were used on
each site visit. Any additional natural refuges present onsite were checked
along with the artificial refuges on each visit.
Surveys were only undertaken on days when the weather conditions were
suitable, for example that the air temperature was between 9 and 18°C and
with no wind or rain.
2.4 Badgers
A walk over badger survey was undertaken at the same time as the Phase 1
survey, any other visits to the site also included a search for evidence of
badgers.
2.5 Nesting birds
Breeding bird surveys were carried out using methods as described in Gilbert
et. al. 1998 (Bird Monitoring Methods, RSPB). The surveys were carried out
in early morning and good weather. The grounds were walked in a set route,
whereby all of the habitats on site were surveyed.
2.6 Bats
Building surveys
All buildings on site have been surveys externally for evidence of use by bats
and for potential for use. In addition internal surveys have also been carried
out of the following buildings: Main block, Barlows House, Barlows Block,
Wing & Dining Hall, Wardens House, Block A, Block B, Block E and Block
H.
Outline Ecological Information, St. Marys Site, Bangor
A L Johnston, Ecological Consultant 4
Dusk emergence surveys
Dusk emergence surveys were carried out on various buildings in 2010, 2012
and 2014. The methodology for the emergence surveys is as follows:
approximately half an hour before dusk the buildings were watched for bats or
birds entering or exiting the building. Bat detectors were used to survey for
emerging bats, which can convert the ultrasonic sounds emitted by bats into
sounds audible to the human ear. These sounds can also be used as an aid to
the identification of the different bat species. For this survey AnaBat and
Batbox Duet bat detectors were used and any bats heard were recorded for
analysis.
A transect survey was also under taken on 14th May 2013. Three experienced
bat surveyor’s walked a set route, two within the St Marys site boundary and
one along the golf course/woodland edge. The transect survey was started
approximately half an hour before sunset. The routes for each surveyor
covered all habitat types in that area. Listening stations stops were chosen on
each transect and the surveyor stopped at the station for 3 minutes before
walking at a steady pace to the next station.
Route 1
Covered the area surrounding the nursery buildings, open grassland and
surrounding trees.
Route 2
Covered the rear of the site, including the quarry and surrounding trees.
Route 3
Covered the boundary line between the site and the golf course.
3. Results
3.1 Phase 1 - 2013
The site comprises of a mixture of amenity grassland, unimproved neutral
grass land, semi natural broad-leaved woodland, buildings and
cultivated/disturbed short perennial land. Please see the attached COFNOD
report for additional details at this time.
3.2 Reptiles - 2013
No reptiles or amphibians have been found during the observation surveys
while onsite.
Artificial refuge checks – 26th June 2013
Start time 9:00
Start temp 12.4°c
Wind 0
Cloud cover 100%
Outline Ecological Information, St. Marys Site, Bangor
A L Johnston, Ecological Consultant 5
Finish time 10:30
Finish temp 13.8°c
Results No reptiles found
Artificial refuge checks – 4th July 2013
Start time 12:30
Wind 3
Cloud cover 80% hazy
Finish time 13:30
Finish temp 16°c
Results No reptiles found
Artificial refuge checks – 23rd July 2013
Start time 12:35
Start temp 19.4°c
Wind 2
Cloud cover 100% hazy
Finish time 13:45
Finish temp 19°c
Results No reptiles found
Artificial refuge checks – 16th September 2013
Start time 12:50
Start temp 13.3°c
Wind 4
Cloud cover 80%
Finish time 13:45
Finish temp 12.7°c
Results 1 adult male slow worm in east corner of quarry
Artificial refuge checks – 23rd September 2013
Start time 12:22
Start temp 18.2°c
Wind 1
Cloud cover 90%
Finish time 13:40
Finish temp 19.2°c
Results No reptiles found
3.3 Badgers - 2013
No sightings of badgers or evidence of use by badgers was found on any of the
site visits. In addition there have been no records of badgers using the
adjacent golf course.
Outline Ecological Information, St. Marys Site, Bangor
A L Johnston, Ecological Consultant 6
3.4 Nesting birds - 2013
A phase 1 survey has been carried out to describe the habitats onsite. The
majority of the area consists of mixed broadleaved woodland, scrub and an
area of amenity grassland. Tree species predominantly are sycamore and ash
with blackthorn and hawthorn scrub.
Table 1 Survey times and weather conditions
Date Time %
Cloud
Temperature
(°C)
Wind Weather
30/05/2013 06:45 to
08:30
100 13 0 Dry
26/06/2013 06:30 to
08:00
100 12 0 Dry/drizzle
Table 2 Bird species recorded on each survey (*=breeding on site)
Species seen in May Species seen in June
Blue Tit *
Chaffinch *
Dunnock *
Chiffchaff *
Blackbird *
Wren *
Song thrush *
Bullfinch
Blackcap *
Goldfinch
Great Tit *
Robin *
Jackdaw
Herring gull (on buildings)
Magpie (on buildings)
Wren *
Whitethroat (golf course)
Great Tit *
Woodpigeon
Blackbird *
Blue Tit *
Goldfinch
Chiffchaff *
Blackcap *
Chaffinch *
Jay
Herring gull (buildings)
3.5 Bats
Figure 1 shows the results of the bat surveys in 2010.
Outline Ecological Information, St. Marys Site, Bangor
A L Johnston, Ecological Consultant 7
Figure 1. Site plan of St Marys Site showing results of day time survey – not to
scale
2012 Activity Surveys
The following species of bats were recorded on the site feeding and
commuting: Soprano pipistrelle, Common Pipistrelle, Brown long eared,
Lesser horseshoe, Noctule and Myotis species. In addition soprano pipistrelle,
common pipistrelle, brown long eared and Myotis species of bats observed
exiting various buildings on the site.
2013 Activity Surveys
The following species of bats were recorded on the site during surveys during
2013: Common pipistrelle, Soprano pipistrelle, Myotis species and Brown
long eared bats.
Old bat droppings
and moth wings
Old bat droppings
in roof void
Fresh bat
dropping in cellar
One old lesser
horseshoe dropping
in middle section of
roof void
Approximately 20 bat
droppings on carpet
Fresh lesser
horseshoe bat
droppings
3 droppings
on stairs
Occasional dropping
on stairs and top
corridor
3 old
droppings
on main
stairs
One fresh lesser
horseshoe dropping
in kitchen
Fresh and old bat
droppings and moth
wings on first floor
Outline Ecological Information, St. Marys Site, Bangor
A L Johnston, Ecological Consultant 8
There was less activity on site during this year than on previous surveys.
4. Conclusions
4.1 Phase 1
No significant habitats were identified during the survey as the development
site will stay within the footprint of the current development.
There are a number of mature and semi mature trees on the site, these should
be retained. It is recommended that protective fencing be erected around the
trees, as a guide the fencing should be placed no closer than the outermost
limit of branch spread or a distance equal to half of the tree height, whichever
is greater. Signs should be erected stating that the fenced area is protected and
that there is no access for site vehicles or staff. Great care should be taken
when moving heavy plat around the site so that the branches of the trees are
not damaged. If any work is required to any of the trees on site, it is advised
to have a bat survey undertaken prior to works. In addition to the trees on the
edge of the site there a number of individual trees which should be retained.
The woodland to the far west of the site is predominantly oak, hazel and
sycamore with an understory which includes bluebells. Although this is not a
protected site, it should be fenced off during construction works to prevent any
accidental damage or storage of materials in this area. This fencing will also
protect the area of dense gorse, bramble and bracken scrub to the west which
has the potential to contain protected species.
4.2 Reptiles
After completing the reptile surveys onsite, only one male slow worm was
found.
Using the table in the ‘Key Reptile Site Register’ the population of reptiles at
the site is defined as a low population.
There are records provided from the COFNOD search that show that in 2013
slow worms were recorded 410m from the site and in 1973 213m from the
site.
Because of the low population levels on the site and the fact that the
construction work of the new bat roost in the quarry area, where the slow
worm was recorded will be undertaken within the next month it is
recommended that the quarry area and access route is searched by hand by a
qualified ecologist. Once they are happy no reptiles are in the area, the
vegetation should be cut short and kept short to make the habitat unsuitable for
reptiles during the construction phase. As the new roost is to be built of an
area of hard standing the construction should have a limited impact on reptiles
and once completed the area will remain available for use by reptiles. During
the construction phase regular checks of the construction site should be made
Outline Ecological Information, St. Marys Site, Bangor
A L Johnston, Ecological Consultant 9
by an ecologist in mild weather to ensure that no building material left onsite
are used as refuges.
To improve the site for reptiles, it is recommended that a number of south-
facing banks are created for basking, along with rock and log piles for shelter
and a mosaic of scrub and grassland habitats throughout the site.
4.3 Badgers
No evidence of badgers using the site to date.
The southern and western edges of the St Marys site, contains large areas of
gorse, bramble and bracken scrub which has the potential to hide badger setts.
Although no evidence of use by badgers was found during the surveys, this
may change at any time.
Any trenches or holes onsite must be covered over night or have a plank of
wood in them to act as a ladder to allow any mammal that falls in to escape.
4.4 Nesting birds
Relatively few bird species were recorded on the surveys and most are
common species. Of key interest is the bullfinch as this is noted in the Red
data list for Wales. Other species are generally common although song thrush,
blackcap, whitethroat and chiffchaff are of more interest. No specialist
woodland species (such as woodpeckers or pied flycatchers or wood warblers
were seen).
Any scrub/vegetation clearance and demolition of building should be
undertaken outside of the bird breeding season or first be surveyed by an
experience ecologist, to prevent disturbance to nesting birds.
Mitigation for the loss of roosting, nesting and feeding locations will include
the following: provision of nesting boxes both on trees and on and built into
the new buildings on the site as well as ledges, access slots underneath eves
etc. The boxes should be the ‘Schwegler’ boxes which need little
maintenance. They should be provided for an assortment of species and
include some that are built into the walls of the new buildings. Along with
additional planting of trees and shrubs on the site to provide new nesting and
feeding habitats.
4.5 Bats
Bats have been identified as using the main block, Barlows house, wing and
dining hall and A block in previous surveys on the site. In addition bats have
been identified using all areas of the site to commute and feed.
Any and all bats roost and potential bat roosts will have to be replaced within
the development. A new roost building is to be constructed to replace the loss
of roosts in the caretaker’s house, Barlows block, wing & dining hall, H block
Outline Ecological Information, St. Marys Site, Bangor
A L Johnston, Ecological Consultant 10
and A block. The area around this new roost should be fenced off to prevent
disturbance and possible vandalism. In addition provisions will be made in
any new construction on site and ‘Schweglar’ bat boxes will be installed on
some trees and buildings. If any roof voids are to be loos tint he Main block
additional mitigation will be required as there is evidence of bats using every
roof spce.
External lighting must be kept to a minimum around those areas where
provision is made for bats to roost.
Alison Johnston
Ecological Consultant
13th Janurary 2014
CCW Licence No. 35113:OTH:CSAB:2011
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