Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus Survey Report for land off Church Street, Church Gresley, Swadlincote, Derbyshire

Transcription

1 Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus Survey Report for land off Church Street, Church Gresley, Swadlincote, Derbyshire Cotswold Wildlife Surveys 17 th & 30 th May and 9 th & 12 th June 2012

2 CONTENTS Page No. SUMMARY INTRODUCTION METHODOLOGY RESULTS Location Site Description Great Crested Newt survey results CONCLUSIONSANDRECOMMENDATIONS REFERENCES APPENDICES Appendix 1: Location plan Appendix 2: Survey results Appendix 3: Great Crested Newt Habitat Suitability Index scores Lagoon Ditch Cotswold Wildlife Surveys page 2

3 SUMMARY On land off Church Street in Church Gresley near Swadlincote in south Derbyshire, planning permission is being sought for a residential development. In early April 2012, Cotswold Wildlife Surveys was instructed to carry out an Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey of the site. This was undertaken to determine the presence of any important habitats or species which might be impacted on by the proposed development. Ecological data received from Derbyshire Biological Records Centre revealed a record of a Great Crested Newt Triturus cristatus from 1985, this in the watercourse (ditch) that cuts across the middle of the site. Furthermore, during the Phase 1 survey on the 10 th April 2012, it was noted that there was a surface water attenuation lagoon lying adjacent to the land, and this was highlighted as having potential for Great Crested Newts. The Great Crested Newt Habitat Suitability Index score for the lagoon was 0.73, giving it an above average suitability for the species, with good predicted presence. The ditch had a score of 0.48, which equates to poor suitability for the species with a poor predicted presence. Given the previous record, and the above average suitability of the lagoon, it was decided to carry out a full Great Crested Newt survey. On the evenings of 17 th and 30 th May and 9 th and 12 th June 2012, visits were made to the lagoon and ditch to carry out bottle trapping and torchlight searches. In the lagoon modest numbers (10s) of male and female Smooth Newts Lissotriton vulgaris were trapped and released, whilst good numbers of Common Toad Bufo bufo and Common Frog Rana temporaria were observed breeding. In the ditch no newts were caught or observed, but small numbers of Common Frog were present. At the time of the surveys, the lagoon and ditch were not used by Great Crested Newts, and given that the previous record was 27 years old, it is assumed that the species is no longer present. As such no further surveys or mitigation measures are required. Cotswold Wildlife Surveys page 3

4 1. INTRODUCTION In late April 2012, following an Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey, Cotswold Wildlife Surveys was instructed by St Modwen, to undertake a Great Crested Newt Survey of a ditch and surface water attenuation lagoon on and near land off Church Street in Church Gresley near Swadlincote in south Derbyshire. On 17 th and 30 th May and 9 th and 12 th June 2012, visits were made to the site to carry out the surveys. The results of the surveys are contained in this report. Great Crested Newts are protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act (1981) as amended, and Schedule 2 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations As a result of their rarity across Europe, they are also protected under Annexes IIa and IVa of the Habitats and Species Directive, and under the Berne Convention (the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats). The above legislation can be summarised thus (Langton et al, 2001): Intentionally or deliberately capture or kill, or intentionally injure Great Crested Newts; Deliberately disturb Great Crested Newts or intentionally or recklessly disturb them in a place used for shelter or protection; Damage or destroy a breeding or resting place; Intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to a place used for shelter or protection; Possess a Great Crested Newt, or any part of it, unless acquired lawfully; Sell, barter, exchange or offer for sale Great Crested Newts or parts of them. Cotswold Wildlife Surveys page 4

5 2. METHODOLOGY A survey for Great Crested Newts may be indicated when background information on distribution suggests that they may be present. More detailed indicators are: Any historical records of Great Crested Newts on site or in the general area; A pond on or near the site (within around 500 m), even if it holds water only seasonally; Sites with refuges (such as piles of logs or rubble), grassland, scrub, woodland or hedgerows within 500 m of a pond. There are several field survey methods which can be employed depending on the time of year: Bottle or funnel trapping adults ideally February to May, with June and July sub-optimal, and August to September for detection of larvae (i.e. young); Egg search April to June ideally, with March and July sub-optimal; Torch survey March to May for adults, with February and June to July suboptimal, and August to September for larvae; Netting March to May for adults, with February and June to July suboptimal, and August to September for larvae; Pitfall trapping March to May and September for adults, with February, June to August and October sub-optimal; Refuge search April to September ideally, with March and October suboptimal. The latter two methods involve terrestrial habitats, the others aquatic habitats, for which a minimum of 4 visits per year are recommended, with at least 2 visits between mid-april and mid-may to record peak numbers (English Nature, 2001). On the 17 th and 30 th May and 9 th and 12 th June 2012, 35 bottle traps were set out around the lagoon, whilst 8 bottle traps were set in the ditch. A torchlight search was also undertaken across both water bodies on all four surveys. These activities were carried out by Matt Liston (Natural England Great Crested Newt Licence No ) The bottle-traps (converted 2 litre soft drink bottles) were placed, as far as possible and practical, at two metre intervals around the margins of the ponds to be surveyed. Each bottle was attached to a cane and held at an angle such that it retained an air pocket in the inverted bottom. Traps were placed after 16:00 hrs each afternoon and collected before 10:00 hrs the following day. Amphibians were handled only with wet hands. They were identified, counted, sexed and returned to the point of capture without undue delay. The torchlight surveys used a 1,000,000 candle power Clulite CB2 torch and were carried out after dark. Egg searches were made during the morning visits when checking the bottle traps. Cotswold Wildlife Surveys page 5

6 Population Size Class Method An assessment of population size and class was carried out following the standard guidance described in the Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines (English Nature, 2001). The method stipulates that the maximum adult count per pond per night gained through torch survey or bottle-trapping can be used and expressed as peak counts per pond. This figure enables the populations to be classified as: small for maximum counts up to 10; medium for maximum counts between 11 and 100; large for maximum counts over 100. Habitat Suitability Index An evaluation system devised by Oldham et al (2000) can produce a figure that indicates the suitability of a pond for Great Crested Newts. The index is based on an analysis of ten factors that affect Great Crested Newts. A figure of 0 indicates unsuitable habitat and 1 represents optimal habitat. The results of the survey are detailed in Section 3. * Cotswold Wildlife Surveys page 6

7 3. RESULTS 3.1 Location The land is situated in south Derbyshire approximately 1.0 kilometre southwest of Swadlincote, and lying just south of Church Street in the centre of Church Gresley. The lagoon is located at Ordnance Survey Grid Reference SK , whilst the ditch lies at Ordnance Survey Grid Reference SK (Appendix 1). 3.2 Site Description Lagoon The surface water attenuation lagoon was a uniform rectangular shape and measured approximately 40 m by 10 m with a maximum water depth of 0.6 m (Figs. 1 and 2). It was undergoing natural succession, and was completely swamped with dense stands Bulrush (Reedmace) Typha latifolia and occasional clumps of Soft Rush Juncus effusus. Figs. 1 & 2 Lagoon choked by vegetation The lagoon lay next to Church Gresley Wood walking route and was bordered by sections of semi-mature plantation woodland to the north and south (Figs. 3 and 4), whilst a housing estate lay in close proximity to the north. Figs. 3 & 4 Lagoon bordered by young plantation woodland Cotswold Wildlife Surveys page 7

8 Ditch The drainage ditch ran southwest to northeast through the centre of the site, in between two improved grass fields. It measured approximately 80.0 m long by 1.0 m wide, with a maximum depth of 0.35 m (Figs. 5 and 6). Figs. 5 & 6 Shallow ditch The ditch was lined by a well-established Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna hedge that divided the two fields (Figs. 7 and 8). As such the ditch was heavily shaded and aquatic vegetation was scarce. This was limited to just the occasional stand of Yellow Flag Iris Iris pseudacorus and Soft Rush. Figs. 7 & 8 Ditch lined by a dense Hawthorn hedge 3.2 Great Crested Newt survey results The Habitat Suitability Index scores for the lagoon and ditch were calculated thus: Pond number HSI Score Class Lagoon 0.73 Good Ditch 0.48 Poor Cotswold Wildlife Surveys page 8

9 Presence/Absence During the four visits no Great Crested Newts were caught, although modest numbers (10s) of male and female Smooth Newts were found in the lagoon. In addition, small numbers of Smooth Newts were observed during the torchlight searches in the lagoon, but none in the ditch. No eggs for any newt species were found during the surveys. A small number of Common Toads and Common Frogs were observed in the lagoon, whilst a small number of Common Frogs were observed in the ditch. For full survey results see Appendix 2. Population Estimate Great Crested Newt none. Smooth Newt medium in the lagoon. Cotswold Wildlife Surveys page 9

10 4. CONCLUSIONSANDRECOMMENDATIONS On land off Church Street in Church Gresley, there was a ditch running across the centre of the site and surface water attenuation lagoon adjacent to the eastern boundary. In 1985 a Great Crested Newt had been recorded in the ditch, whilst the lagoon, which was more recently constructed, also appeared suitable for the species. Indeed, the Great Crested Newt Habitat Suitability Index score was 0.73 for the lagoon, which equates to good suitability for the species, with an above average predicted presence. The ditch scored less and was classed as poor with poor predicted presence. Although the proposed development will not have a direct impact on the lagoon, and the land in between the ditch and lagoon consisted of improved grassland which was of poor quality as a terrestrial habitat for Great Crested Newts, it was decided to carry out a full survey for Great Crested Newts within the period recommended by Natural England. No Great Crested Newts were recorded in either of the water bodies, although a medium sized population of Smooth Newts was found in the lagoon, along with good numbers of Common Toads and Common Frogs. Small numbers of the latter were also discovered in the ditch. At the time of the surveys, the lagoon and ditch were not used by Great Crested Newts, and given that the previous record was 27 years old, it is assumed that the species is no longer present. In the absence of Great Crested Newts no mitigation measures will be required, and the proposed development can proceed without recourse to licensing if planning approval is granted. Since the risk of committing an offence is minimal, to reduce that risk further, the following careful working practices should be adhered to: Restrict work to the daylight hours when newts and other amphibians are least active in the terrestrial environment; Any trenches excavated should be covered at the end of the working day to avoid newts, frogs and toads falling into the trench. If this is not possible escape routes should be provided. These can be in the form of branches or boards placed on the bottom of the trench, with their upper ends above ground level and touching the sides, or sloping ends left in trenches. Cotswold Wildlife Surveys page 10

11 5. REFERENCES English Nature, Great Crested Newt mitigation guidelines. English Nature, Peterborough. Fitter R. & Fitter A., Grasses, Sedges, Rushes & Ferns of Britain and Northern Europe. Collins, London. Gent, T. & Gibson, S., Herpetofauna Worker s Manual. Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough. JNCC, Handbook for Phase 1 habitat survey a technique for environmental audit (revised reprint). Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough. Oldham R.S.et al., Evaluating the suitability of habitat for the Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus). Herpetological Journal 10 (4), Stoke, W. J., British Wild Animals. Frederick Warne & Co. Ltd., London. APPENDICES Appendix 1: Location plan Appendix 2: Survey results Appendix 3: Great Crested Newt Habitat Suitability Index scores Cotswold Wildlife Surveys page 11

12 Appendix 1: Location plan Ditch Lagoon Cotswold Wildlife Surveys page 12

13 Appendix 2: Survey results Lagoon Method: Torch Bottle-trap Net Egg search Larvae No. of survey visits to this pond: Torch power: 1,000,000 GCN = Great Crested Newt GCN = Great Crested Newt larvae found? (any method) 4 SN = Smooth Newt SN = Smooth Newt Sex/life stage: Male Female Imm. Male Female Imm. Male Female Imm. eggs found? (1) Date: Air temp Veg cover Traps Used 5SN 3SN 17th/18 th May 15C 90% 35 Adult totals: 2SN 3SN N/A 13SN N/A N/A N/A 0 N/A (2) Date: Air temp Veg cover Traps Used 2SN 5SN 30 th /31 th May 19 o C 90% 35 Adult totals: 6SN 2SN N/A 15SN N/A N/A N/A 0 N/A (3) Date: Air temp Veg cover Traps Used 3SN 3SN 9 th /10 th June 16 o C 95% 35 Adult totals: 1SN 3SN N/A 10SN N/A N/A N/A 0 N/A (4) Date: Air temp Veg cover Traps Used 1SN 2SN 12 th /13 th June 16 o C 95% 35 Adult totals: 4SN 4SN N/A 11 SN N/A N/A N/A 0 N/A Peak adult count for this pond in any one visit (by torch, trap or net): 15SN Comments and constraints: The water lagoon shrunk in hot weather for the surveys on 9 th and 12 th June Numbers of Common Toad and Common Frog were observed breeding in the lagoon during the surveys. Cotswold Wildlife Surveys page 13

14 DITCH Method: Torch Bottle-trap Net Egg search Larvae No. of survey visits to this pond: Torch power: 1,000,000 GCN = Great Crested Newt GCN = Great Crested Newt larvae found? (any method) (1) Date: Air temp Veg cover Traps Used 4 SN = Smooth Newt SN = Smooth Newt Sex/life stage: Male Female Imm. Male Female Imm. Male Female Imm. eggs found? 17th/18 th May 15C 5% 8 Adult totals: 0 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A (2) Date: Air temp Veg cover Traps Used 30 th /31 th May 19 o C 5% 8 Adult totals: 0 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A (3) Date: Air temp Veg cover Traps Used 9 th /10 th June 16 o C 5% 8 Adult totals: 0 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A (4) Date: Air temp Veg cover Traps Used 12 th /13 th June 16 o C 5% 8 Adult totals: 0 0 N/A 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Peak adult count for this pond in any one visit (by torch, trap or net): 0 Comments and constraints: The ditch shrunk during a period of hot weather and was much reduced in length during the surveys on the 9 th and 12 th June. A number of Common Frogs were observed in the ditch during the surveys. Cotswold Wildlife Surveys page 14

15 Appendix 3: Great Crested Newt Habitat Suitability Index scores Lagoon The HSI for the lagoon was calculated thus: Suitability Indices Value Criteria Indices Score SI 1 Location Optimal Location within GCN range 1 SI 2 Pond area 400m 2 Pond surface area 0.8 SI 3 Pond drying Never Never dries 0.9 SI 4 Water quality Moderate Moderate invertebrate diversity 0.67 SI 5 Shade 0% Estimate of percentage perimeter shaded SI 6 Fowl Absent No evidence of water fowl 1 SI 7 Fish Absent No evidence of fish 1 SI 8 No. of ponds 1 Number of ponds within 1km (excluding pond surveyed) SI 9 Terrestrial habitat Good Quality of terrestrial habitat 1 SI 10 Macrophytes 10% Estimate of percentage of pond surface covered HSI = (SI 1 x SI 2 x SI 3 x SI 4 x SI 5 x SI 6 x SI 7 x SI 8 x SI 9 x SI 10 ) 1/ HSI score 0.73 The suitability of the lagoon for Great Crested Newts was considered thus: HSI Lagoon suitability <0.5 Poor Below average Average Good >0.8 Excellent This equates to an above average predicted presence of Great Crested Newts in the lagoon. Cotswold Wildlife Surveys page 15

16 Ditch The HSI for the ditch was calculated thus: Suitability Indices Value Criteria Indices Score SI 1 Location Optimal Location within GCN range 1 SI 2 Pond area 80m 2 Pond surface area 0.08 SI 3 Pond drying Rarely Dries no more than two years in ten or only in drought 0.9 SI 4 Water quality Poor Low invertebrate diversity 0.33 SI 5 Shade 100% Estimate of percentage perimeter shaded 0.2 SI 6 Fowl Absent No evidence of water fowl 1 SI 7 Fish Absent No evidence of fish 1 SI 8 No. of Ponds 1 Number of ponds within 1km (excluding pond surveyed) 0.38 SI 9 Terrestrial habitat Good Quality of terrestrial habitat 1 SI 10 Macrophytes 10% Estimate of percentage of pond surface covered 0.4 HSI score 0.48 HSI = (SI 1 x SI 2 x SI 3 x SI 4 x SI 5 x SI 6 x SI 7 x SI 8 x SI 9 x SI 10 ) 1/10 The suitability of the ditch for Great Crested Newts was considered thus: HSI Ditch suitability <0.5 Poor Below average Average Good >0.8 Excellent This equates to a poor predicted presence of Great Crested Newts in the ditch. Cotswold Wildlife Surveys page 16

17 Cotswold Wildlife Surveys Limited Company Reg. No (England & Wales) Andy Warren BSc (Hons), MA (LM), Tech Cert (Arbor A), MIEEM, TechArborA Withy Way, Charingworth, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire, GL55 6NU Tel: / Land off Church Street, Church Gresley- Great Crested Newt Survey Report To: St Modwen Report Number: 979-CWS-02 Version: 01 Date: 3 rd December 2012 Cotswold Wildlife Surveys page 17