Whittlesey & Drysides IDB Biodiversity Action Plan Report Drainage Ditch Action Plan

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1 Whittlesey & Drysides IDB Biodiversity Plan Report 04-5 Drainage Ditch Plan Manage ditches for biodiversity as well as for drainage Identify ditches of conservation interest and manage appropriately Support the in working with landowners to benefit wildlife in the district..... Establish and maintain a management plan for routine IDB operations incorporating key biodiversity features Look for opportunities to provide natural erosion protection such as marginal plant ledges when re-profiling ditches Provide natural erosion protection as in. if opportunities available Ensure appropriate management of ditches for priority species Refer private landowners to the for advice on creating field margin buffer zones and wildlifefriendly ditch management, Plantlife, Wildlife, Natural England, Wildlife, FWAG 05 Plan finalised and followed each year If re-profiling is carried out, opportunities identified Length of ditch with ledge / natural vegetation revetment Specified in management plan Number of contacts received and passed to A map-based plan is in the process of establishment. No appropriate sites for this method were identified during the period. See above. Priority ditches are identified as Ditches of Biodiversity Interest and County Wildlife Sites on the Board BAP map. No formal contacts received.

2 4 5 Control invasive species Plant black poplars to increase existing population Report any sightings of non-native invasive species immediately to the and control as appropriate (see Appendix F for species list) Identify suitable sites and plant at least 4 young black poplars, Agency, Plantlife, Wildlife 05 Reports to Number of trees planted No invasive species seen or reported Six black poplar cuttings were supplied to Chris Tingy for planting at a new pit at Ramsey Mereside. Offers of further planting sites in the District welcomed. Reedbed Plan Identify, assess and map any areas of reedbed over 0.5ha in size. Pass details of any known areas to MLC Wildlife, Natural England, Agency 0 Review of reedbed areas carried out No areas of reedbed over 0.5ha identified. Support appropriate reedbed creation. Manage the District adopted drains, where possible, to assist private landowners who wish to create areas of reedbed on their own land Wildlife, Agency requests received landowners assisted No approaches received. Take conservation value of reedbed into account when planning and carrying out ditch and river maintenance. Where reeds are present, commence mowing or cleansing work outside the bird breeding season (7 th April 5 th July). Where reeds are growing in water be aware of the potential for late-nesting reed warblers being present until late August and avoid mowing in that location., Wildlife, RSPB Reeds not cut during bird nesting season Reeds were not cut during bird nesting season.

3 Open Water Plan Promote the creation of ponds, lakes and reservoirs in appropriate areas Look for opportunities to create open water habitat when managing ditches.... Consider pond creation as mitigation when a ditch has to be filled in or culverted Support creation of flood storage areas and reservoirs Assist private landowners with advice, information or contacts as necessary Create a pool at an appropriate ditch junction when reprofiling (see the Drainage Channel Biodiversity Manual, technique CL)) Local authorities, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation, Wildlife Agency, Natural England, Wildlife, RSPB Amphibian & Reptile Conservation, Wildlife 00 mitigation opportunities (b) Number of ponds created Number of projects involved with information requests (b) Number responded to One pool successfully created (a) No ditch infilling on Board drains occurred. (b) No pond creation opportunities in mitigation available. No application for flood storage areas or reservoirs received. (a) No formal information requests received, (b) No responses required. No opportunities of this type were identified during the period. Water Vole Plan Manage ditches according to the law and to best practice for water vole. Assume water voles are present when carrying out works (discuss special circumstances with the ) and follow the ADA water vole mitigation guide Measures incorporated in management plans Water vole friendly ditch maintenance practices were adhered to.

4 4 Enhance drainage ditch habitat to benefit water vole Monitor water vole populations Control mink as necessary Publicise good practice for rat control near drainage ditches Look for opportunities to add a marginal shelf when reprofiling banks Consider using coir roll to stabilise banks and provide marginal vegetation Set up a survey programme to monitor water vole populations Provide data on water vole to the relevant Biological Records Centres Carry out mink control as part of the Middle Level programme and report all sightings to the, Wildlife, Wildlife, CPBRC, NBIS 00 Good practice publicised (a) Opportunities identified (b) Measures taken (a) Sites considered (b) Measures taken Surveys carried out Data sent via annually trapping days mink caught Good practice for rat control near drainage ditches was publicised via the s newsletter issue 5. (a) No opportunities identified (b) No measures taken. No appropriate sites for this measure identified. Informal surveys are carried out by the. Records passed to Records Centre. Mink trapping volunteers welcomed within the District. Traps, training, support available from. Otter Plan Improve otter habitat. Identify and maintain existing key bushes and trees near watercourses likely to be important for otters 0 and ongoing Sites identified and listed in management plans Any key bushes and trees will be identified as the management plan is developed. 4

5 Monitor otter populations Reduce otter deaths related to eel and crayfish trapping and road traffic.. Ensure any dead otters are reported to the and transferred to the Agency for post mortem Report incidents of suspected illegal netting, trapping or fishing to the Agency Fisheries s and the MLC Agency Agency, Angling Clubs & syndicates Otters reported to, if found Incidents reported, if discovered Two dead otters were found dead on the margins of the District. One was found drowned in an illegal eel net on the Old River Nene between Wells Bridge and Mereside Pumping Station on 09/08/4. One was found as a road casualty near Goosetree corner on 08/0/4. Both were sent for post mortem. Otter signs are still regularly recorded at bridges throughout the district. A total of five otters were found drowned in illegal nets throughout the Middle Level during the period. Members are requested to be watchful for suspicious activity and report it to the on immediately. Bats Plan Improve habitat for bats... Put up at least 6 bat boxes (5 at Whittlesey, at Drysides). Pollard suitable trees to provide bat roosts Identify potential sites for a bat hibernaculum, e.g. in disused buildings or tunnels Bat Conservation, Bat Conservation 05 As opportunities arise Number of bat boxes sited Number of trees pollarded (a) Potential sites looked for (b) Site created Total bat boxes sited 6, target achieved. Any suitable trees will be identified in the Management Plan. Site identified for bat bricks in old culvert at Wype Doles PS. Bricks will be installed shortly. 5

6 Collect information on bat populations. Monitor bat boxes. Pass bat box information to CPBRC and NBIS Bat Conservation, CPBRC, NBIS 05 onwards 05 onwards boxes monitored boxes used by bats Data via annually (a) 6. (b) possible Drysides PS box had one bat dropping present. Wype Doles PS, Lord s Farm PS, Underwoods PS, Ramsey Mereside PS and Beggars Bridge PS boxes had no signs of occupation. Annual, when data available. Kingfisher Plan Improve the quality of kingfisher habitat.. Provide at least 6 potential nest holes in sheet pilings (5 Whittlesey, Drysides) Leave kingfisher fishing perches where possible (e.g. occasional branch) Number of nest sites provided Number of perch sites left Total sites now 6, target achieved. Underwoods PS, Beggar s Bridge PS, Lord s Farm PS, Tebbit s Bridge PS, and Drysides PS. Kingfishers were found to be nesting in the holes at Lords Farm PS and Tebbit s Bridge PS in May 05, just a year after they were drilled. Many natural perches are available throughout the District. Collect records of kingfisher breeding between March and July. Note sightings of potential breeding kingfisher and pass information to CPBRC and NBIS via the, CPBRC, NBIS Data sent via annually No specific natural breeding sites identified but kingfishers regularly active on drains and rivers around the district. 6

7 Barn Owl Plan Improve the quality of barn owl habitat.. Put up at least 6 barn owl nest boxes (5 Whittlesey, Drysides). Pollard suitable trees to provide natural nest sites Wildlife Conservation Partnership 05 Number of nest boxes provided Number of trees pollarded Six boxes previously installed. Any suitable trees will be identified. Collect records of barn owl presence.. Monitor nest boxes for use. Have occupied boxes checked for success by licensed barn owl ringers. Pass barn owl box information to CPBRC and NBIS Wildlife Conservation Partnership, Wildlife Conservation Partnership, CPBRC, NBIS nest boxes checked nest boxes used Data sent via annually (a) Six (b) 05 is proving to be a late nesting season for barn owls with many pairs without eggs in late May & early June. Wype Doles PS used by stock doves in 04 & 05. Drysides PS not used in 04. Signs of barn owl use on 0/06/5 but no eggs. Lords Farm PS occupied by stock doves June 04. Signs of barn owl use on 0/06/5 but no eggs. Beggar s Bridge PS, not used 04. Signs of jackdaw nest building on 0/06/5 but no eggs. Conquest Lode PS signs of barn owl use, no eggs on 0/06/5. Old Plantation Farm PS, stock doves present, no eggs on 0/06/4. Annual, when boxes are occupied by barn owls. 7

8 Procedural Plan Provide training on IDB BAP and conservation management of drainage channels for all relevant staff by 0 Take biodiversity into account when planning and undertaking capital works... Establish programme of -day courses for IDB staff and members Establish suitable training for contractors staff Consult with the and choose the best possible mitigation solutions for biodiversity, e.g. fishfriendly pumps, Wildlife, Natural England, other specialists, Contractors 0 0 courses held Board members / staff attending courses Contractors attended training course capital schemes undertaken schemes commented on (a) 5 events held during the period - an evening and morning training course on Water Vole and Otter Field Sign Identification on 0 th & nd March 04 and on 8 th & th and 5 th & 8 th April 05, a course on Identifying Non-native Invasive Water Plants on 6/09/4 and the annual IDB BAP Meeting on 0//4. (b). Russell Wright attended the IDB BAP meeting. All Board members are very welcome to attend the next BAP meeting which will be held at the Oliver Cromwell Hotel on Wednesday nd December 05. One contractor (Aquatic Control) attended the Invasive Plants ID course and one contractor (Fen Ditching) attended the Water Vole & Otter Field Signs course (a) No capital schemes affection biodiversity undertaken by the Board during the period. (b) No schemes commented on. Cliff Carson 0/06/5 Tel Mobile

9 Kingfishers have started nesting in the hole drilled for them in sheet piles at Tebbit s Bridge Pumping Station in 04. A pair are also nesting in the hole drilled at Lords Farm PS. If they successfully raise young at the locations they are likely to continue to use them in future years. The kingfisher holes previously drilled at Underwoods PS (above) and Wype Doles PS were deepened with a soil auger to about three feet. Kingfishers will excavate a tunnel themselves up to four feet long when soil conditions are good but need help when there is clay behind the sheet piles to contend with. Like several pumping stations with former pump basins such as Tebbit s Bridge and Lords Farm, the area behind the old weed screens offer nest sites for pied wagtails and wrens. A female otter drowned in an illegal eel net without an otter guard fitted on the Old River Nene near Wells Bridge. The post mortem revealed it was a lactating female so her dependant young are likely to have perished as well. Please report suspicious activity immediately. 9 A mink scat at Drysides PS indicates they are active in the area. Mink traps are available for loan to landowners or managers able to carry out control.