Stratford Park Biodiversity Newsletter

April 2014

Pentaglottis sempervirens

Stratford Park April 2014

Hi All,

Spring is here! Everything is coming into life, bursting into bud and flowering everywhere.

Never before was a spring so eagerly anticipated following so much rain and wind. The park

enters a colourful stage of its annual metamorphosis during April, and this month also marks the

resumption of Lepidoptera recording. The park’s moth trap will be operating on mild nights

during the spring, summer and autumn, and this year’s recording will be augmented through our

moth events held with the Museum in the Park. The last few seasons have not been productive

for moth recording due to the extremes of weather we have experienced but with a hot summer

forecast (again), 2014 will hopefully be a good season for butterflies and moths.

The first Chiffchaffs were heard in the woodland on March 14th, rather earlier than previous

years but as I write this at the end of March, there is no sign of our Little owls and I admit to

having my doubts about their survival and return following the loss of the walnut tree in

February. Despite this, there is so much more to see and discover in the park this month and a

morning walk through the woodland and Arboretum will yield many species of birds. With the

spring flower beds well established now, April is one of the most beautiful months to visit. On

the ground, a continuing cycle of grass cutting, weeding and planting will see us all very busy

over the coming months as we gear up for Britain in Bloom. Enjoy the park this month.

Mike

News from the Supervisor’s Trap

Reintroducing the Pearl-bordered fritillary to Stratford Park

In Britain, the Pearl-bordered fritillary is one of our most rapidly declining species with a 50% decline

estimate for the last 25 years in both abundance and range. It is one of the earliest fritillaries to emerge

and can be found as early as April in suitable habitats. Current factors affecting its decline are changes in

woodland management, changes in bracken management and more importantly with Stratford Park –

fragmentation of existing habitat. In writing this article and knowing the circulation of this newsletter

reaches several butterfly enthusiasts associated with the park, it will come as a surprise to learn now,

that a small, stable colony of Pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies once existed in Stratford Park but has

remained undisclosed until the present time. This colony had a tenuous hold in the area of woodland

that we are currently managing and existed there until 1983.

In Gloucestershire the species has all but disappeared from its previous strongholds. Within a radius of 5

miles of Stratford Park, the species was recorded in small numbers at Standish wood (1976 -1980), Hawk

wood (1978), Randwick wood (1975 -1982) and Edge Common (1976-77) (MM records), as well as a few

protected sites known to members of Butterfly Conservation and The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

During the 1960s the area of woodland in Stratford Park opposite Salmon Springs was planted with

beech trees. Other trees existing there at that time were all at an intermediate growth stage with the

exception of more established conifers. A rich and diverse under-storey and ground flora existed,

balanced by adequate light levels. It was only during the 1970s that I first found the butterfly here and

recall clearly the adult butterflies taking nectar from Bugle Ajuga reptans and Lesser celandine

Ranunculus ficar in the woodland and along the outer fringe. At this time, the species although not

common was frequent at the aforementioned sites. The larval food plant is Dog violet Viola riviniana,

which grows sparsely throughout the park. The Stratford Park site was not monitored much during the

1980s, but several visits there during early May 1983 produced 12 butterflies. By this time the beech

had advanced considerably and secondary scrub was encroaching throughout and around the

woodland. Much of the existing flora was being choked by Ramsons (wild garlic) Allium ursinum. Only

small pockets of bugle remained. Subsequent visits during 1984-5 produced no butterflies. The species

has not been seen at the site since. In later years it appeared obvious that the species had disappeared

due to a change in habitat with no woodland management evident. The Pearl-bordered fritillary is now

very rare in this part of Gloucestershire.

It was only looking back retrospectively whilst carrying out the recent woodland management at this site

that I considered the past status of this butterfly here, and of a possible reintroduction in the future.

Having now completed a third year of restoration and management at the Salmon Springs area of

woodland, by 2015 / 16 the site will be suitable for reintroducing the Pearl-bordered fritillary. This could

be achieved through the releasing of sustainably captive bred stock in the adult or caterpillar stage, and

at a time when sufficient ground flora is re-established. A program of planting is scheduled this summer

and primrose Primula vulgaris is being planted throughout the woodland this June. The Pearl-bordered

fritillary is currently listed on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and is a UKBAP Priority

Species so any reintroduction would have to be from European stock as with recent introductions of the

large blue Maculinea arion. A feasibility study would need to be considered and perhaps consultations

with the Gloucestershire branch of Butterfly Conservation. This would be a project that would not only

restore this beautiful butterfly to the park but could engage the community and others associated with

the park and its biodiversity. To see the Pearl-bordered fritillary flying again in Stratford Park woodland

would be a crowning achievement to present efforts in the development of the woodland, and with

sympathetic management by Landscape Group staff already in place for at least the next 5 years, any

reintroduction would receive the support that the species would require during the first few years of

colonisation.

ACTION PLAN (PEARL-BORDERED FRITILLARY)

Achieve favourable management and habitat for the Pearl-bordered fritillary

Carry out a reintroduction into the former site if the initial habitat assessment is positive

Undertake a monitoring programme

Continue future management regime in this section of woodland

Pearl-bordered fritillary Pearl-bordered fritillary caterpillar

Tawny Owl (A second successful year)

I am very pleased to report that Tawny owls are once again breeding in Stratford Park woodland. SDC’s

arboricultural contractors Eco-Arborists have been working through the park to carry out tree works

from a recent survey and also to deal with the damage caused in February’s storms. During their

operations they had to carry out some light trimming to the sycamore tree which supports our owl box.

In late March Ian Howell (tree contractor) was starting up his chainsaw whilst suspended in the tree

when an adult Tawny owl took flight from the box. Ian inspected the box further and discovered an egg,

probably the first of a new clutch, and recent prey, notably a mouse or vole. This is fantastic news and

indicates that Tawny owls are now re-established in the woodland as breeding birds for the first time in

many decades. We have now completed phase 3 of the management to this part of the woodland and

will continue to monitor the owls here throughout the summer.

Possible collaboration with College to restore wetland habitats

In Stratford Park

Readers of this newsletter will recall reading last July of a proposal by Steve Roberts (Stroud Nature), to

initiate a collaborative project under the title ‘Water in the Park’ to restore, renovate and enhance

wetland habitats in Stratford Park and Stroud College grounds. The plan identified key areas including

the lake, the Stroud Festival of Nature pond, the old woodland pond (which we are currently restoring)

and the Stroud College pond. This potential project would involve not only The Landscape Group but

organisations such as Stroud Valleys Project, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Museum in the Park, Stroud

College, Stroud District Council, local schools and other wetland specialists and consultants. Since then

the proposal has lost some momentum partly due to other commitments by those associated with the

project. However, the first steps have been made with our present work to restore the old woodland

pond, and now, a recent link with Stroud College could see another step forward in the restoration of

these wetland areas.

During March, Steve Hearn (Stroud College) contacted me to discuss further, the possibility of restoring

the Stroud College pond and of involving college students. Following this communication I visited the

college to do an initial site assessment and to note the surrounding flora. Having previously visited the

pond some years back during the winter, I was unable at that time to make a list of the flora, but my

recent visit revealed a very rich perimeter of flowers and plants supporting a varied invertebrate fauna.

Having said this, the pond itself is completely choked with Bulrush Typhae latifolia, as shown in the

photo below. There is an inlet and outlet providing a flow of water and the pond has a butyl liner.

From a reclamation point of view, the pond holds little aquatic vegetation for relocating to either of the

park’s ponds, but the bulrush would be perfect for re-establishing at the far end of the lake where over

time, and with some protection, a natural wildfowl nesting area could be established. The college pond

has great potential, but would need the removal of the bulrush before any further work can be done.

I was impressed with the variety of surrounding flora which includes different plantains, scabious and

willowherb. Many species of hoverflies were noted and frog spawn was in evidence.

The restoration of the college pond needs to be linked to the enhancement of the park’s lake and ponds

through a planned strategy and management action plan. An initial meeting of those who will be

potentially involved would be a good first step to discuss the bones of the project and how it is moved

forward. The Stratford Park Lake is in desperate need of some restoration for biodiversity and the

college pond could be the catalyst to start this. Perhaps one day, the park’s lake will look like the one

below at Frampton-on-Severn which I recently photographed. This pond has the perfect balance of

wildlife, flora and waterfowl.

Stroud College pond (overgrown and neglected) A rich carpet of flora is present around the pond

An example of a perfectly balanced wildlife pond (Frampton-on-Severn) showing a rich aquatic vegetation and established marginal plants.

The large clutch of 9 Swans eggs indicates a very healthy ecosystem with a plentiful food supply for waterfowl and no environmental

pollution.

3rd Phase of Woodland Management Work Completed

The Landscape Group staff has completed the third phase of woodland management work in the far

beech wood. Following a period of fine dry weather, all targets for this stage have been achieved

including the restoration of the old pond and thinning of the beech trees. Finally, the restoration and

improvements to the woodland paths has been completed, and what a transformation! We have had a

very positive response from the public and dog walkers, who have in previous years avoided this route

through the woodland due to the sloping and boggy aspect of the central path. This part of the work has

been a labour of love for the park staff who have all worked hard to get this job completed. Complete

tree trunks were used to provide a stable edge for the path, and these were hauled through the

woodland with our tractor. Tonnes of recycled wood chippings from the felled trees and fallen timber

were used to create a safe and accessible route for the public. Ongoing work throughout the rest of the

year in between core work will include planting marginal plants around the pond and planting native

flowers to the newly cleared areas. We have now enhanced a previously neglected part of the Stratford

Park woodland which will have ongoing benefits for both wildlife and the public. I would like to thank all

the park staff for their brilliant efforts here.

Paul Woodward gets stuck in! Mike McCrea introduces frogspawn to the restored pond

The photo (below left) shows the completed path through the beech woodland. Thinning of the trees

has created an ambient area to walk. In the future the path will extend around the pond to provide

access from all sides.

Bird Walk Stratford Park Sunday April 13th

A well attended group gathered outside the museum on a gloriously sunny morning for our first bird

walk of the season. On this occasion we were joined by Steve Roberts (Stroud Nature), who was a

welcome addition to the walk. Many of the group had arrived armed with binoculars and field guides,

and these were quickly dispatched when something of interest was seen. After Ann’s introductions and

safety instructions we were soon heading up to the main field, stopping en route to look at a Chaffinch’s

nest which was well concealed in a conifer branch by the staff room. As everyone was looking at the

fallen walnut tree on the field, the conversation quickly turned to the little owls and their absence this

year. Since the February storms, the owls have not been seen which is a great shame as it has taken

several years to get them re-established in the park. Next stop was the wildflower bank where many

scarlet tiger caterpillars were feeding. The group continued on to the woodland area that we have

recently been improving, and here, I was able to discuss the management program in place and show

them the woodland work that The Landscape Group has been doing. Everyone was very complimentary

about what we have done, and praised SDC’s commitment to the project. Whilst in the woodland I was

able to point out the Tawny owl box which is currently occupied by a nesting pair.

We descended through the woodland to the stream where lots of birds were evident. Further along by

the model railway bridge, the group assembled once again in a sunny spot to watch many butterflies

including Orange tip, Holly blue, speckled wood and Brimstone. Here, we saw a pair of Blackcaps and

Long-tailed tits. Many species of hoverflies were in this area including the bumble bee mimic Bombylius

major. Many of the bird boxes were showing activity with birds flying to and fro. We then proceeded

around the lake passing the swan’s nest and to the new interpretation board where everyone

assembled again for a discussion about the lake and possible future restoration work. The glorious

weather capped off a very enjoyable bird walk with an enthusiastic group, and it was an extra bonus to

have Steve with us today.

Some bird’s nests from the Park during April

Below are some photos of a few of the bird’s nests that we have found in the park this month. There are

many more, but these are often difficult to photograph due to their location. Finding a Song thrush nest

is always rewarding, especially as the eggs are absolutely beautiful, but the one shown below is even

more unique in the fact that a Long-tailed tit has also built its nest within a few inches of the thrush. This

is very unusual. The Robin’s nest was located next to the Museum and the Blackbird’s by the outdoor

pool. We love the Mallard, which has built her nest up in one of the willow trees by the lake. She

seemed oblivious of my intrusion to take a photo.

SONG THRUSH CHAFFINCH

BLACKBIRD WREN

SONG THRUSH WITH LONG-TAILED TIT (ABOVE) ROBIN WITH CHICKS

MALLARD IN TREE

Wildlife to see now in Stratford Park

BIRDS: April is one of the best months to see birds in the park as most are nesting and feeding young.

Birds will be more evident in the mornings. In the woodland – Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Nuthatch,

Treecreeper, Stock dove, Jackdaw, Green woodpecker, Great-spotted woodpecker, Sparrowhawk,

Common buzzard, Goldcrest, Tawny owl and Wren. Around the Arboretum – Mistle thrush (nesting),

Song thrush, Blackbird, Greenfinch, Bullfinch (occasional), Wood pigeon, Dunnock, Robin (lots nesting),

Greenfinch Carrion crow. On the lake – Grey wagtail, Kingfisher, Mallard, Moorhen, Coot and Mute

Swan (sitting on 7 eggs).

BUTTERFLIES: Orange tip (model railway area), Speckled wood (woodland), Green-veined white

(woodland), Small tortoiseshell (wildflower bank and stream), Brimstone, Holly blue (woodland and

arboretum), Peacock (wildflower bank).

EVENTS

Stroud Gardening Club Trinity Rooms Stroud 21st May. A talk and presentation Biodiversity in Stratford

Park by Mike McCrea: 7.30pm

CONTACT

Mike McCrea Tel 07833091294 E Mail mmccrea@thelandscapegroup.co.uk mike@media-maker.com

USEFUL LINKS

www.museuminthepark.org.uk www.thelandscapegroup.co.uk www.stroudnature.co.uk

www.stroudinbloom.co.uk www.theaes.org www.bto.org www.ianpetersphotographer.co.uk

Photos from the recent bird walk (left photo – Ann Taylor) Right photo (Mike McCrea)