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Wildlife and Conservation N

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Issue 3

Slow-worm and Common Lizard reintroduction

Higher Level Stewardship on the Writtle College Estate

Environmental Stewardship is a new agri-environment scheme that aims to provide

widespread environmental benefits throughout the countryside. Higher Level

Stewardship is part of this scheme and is used to deliver significant conservation

benefits in high priority situations and areas. Writtle College has elected to enter

Higher Level Stewardship in order to ensure the greater environmental benefits this

offers can be delivered on the College Estate. The scheme will be up and running

within the next few months and the work planned will demonstrate sustainable

countryside management in action on the College Estate.

In July 2005 Writtle College estate was

identified as a recipient site for the

translocation of a sub-population of Slow-

worm Anguis fragilis and Common Lizard or Lacerta vivipara as part of a mitigation exercise undertaken by Ecological Planning

and Research and with Essex Amphibian and

Reptile Group (EARP) .

A long term study is now underway to

determine the effectiveness of a

translocation programme as a technique for

securing the survival and conservation of a

population of slow worm.

A total of 297 Viviparious Lizard

and 192 Slow-worm were removed

from a brown field site in

Purfleet Essex, in September

2005 and released at 3 locations

around the Writtle college

campus.

For further information about specific courses we offer in wildlife, conservation environment and Outdoor Recreation please contact: Simon Irvin ���� 01245 424200 or email simon.irvin@writtle.ac.uk

BSc (Hons) Conservation and Environment BSc (Hons) Countryside and Wildlife Management BSc (Hons) Rural Resource Management BA (Hons) Outdoor Recreation with Conservation FdSc Conservation and Environment

FdA Outdoor Recreation with Conservation

Orchid Survey

2006

161 Bee Orchids

1 Pyramidal

Orchid

2006 Amphibian Survey

An annual amphibian survey took place on 28.03/06.

this extensive survey conducted by conservation

students and staff recorded:

Common Toad – 1,184 individuals

Common Frog – 28 individuals

Smooth Newt – 3 individuals

Clumps of Frog Spawn - 161

Once again this annual survey confirmed strong

amphibian populations on the college estate and

importantly recognised Writtle College Estate as the

2nd largest Recorded Breeding site for the Common

Toad in Essex

Higher Level Stewardship on the Writtle College Estate (contd)

This work will involve habitat creation and restoration for target species,

including Corn Bunting, Turtle Dove and Water Vole. In addition we will be

planting pollen and nectar mixes for insects and protecting water courses from

pollution. We will also be conducting work to reinstate hedgerow boundaries and

conserve our archaeological heritage.

Climbing Wall a Big Success

A new indoor climbing wall which was built specifically to support

outdoor recreation based courses has been a big hit, not just with

students but with a range of groups who now come to the college to

enjoy the sport of climbing. As well as the college Mountaineering Club

Chelmsford climbing club are now regular users.

Study Tours add to the learning experience

Once again the annual week long study tour to The

Lake District National Park proved a success for

first year students studying conservation and

outdoor recreation based courses. Activities

included woodland ecology, species management,

flora and fauna investigations and

recreation/visitor management.