Tarnava Mare 2013 Biodiversity Survey Summary Report

Transcription

1 Tarnava Mare 2013 Biodiversity Survey Summary Report Report editor: Dr Bruce Carlisle Geography & Environment, Northumbria University Data contributors: Jim Jones - Surrey Wildlife Trust, Paul Leafe, Nicole Renn, Nathan Wilkie. Other help: Carys Edwards - Operation Wallacea, Rory McCann, Kim Wallis, Cristi Malos Babes- Bolyai University, Dragos, Marcela, Sylvia and Tudor, all the staff at Fundatia ADEPT, all the sixth form students and teachers.

2 Contents 1.0 Introduction Methods Farmer interviews Land cover and grassland plants Grassland butterflies Birds Small mammals Herpetofauna Vital Statistics Crit Farming Grassland Plant indicators number of individuals per hectare: Butterfly species number of individuals per hectare: Vertebrates Reptile and amphibian species per hour in transect and wetland search Small mammals per trap day Bird species per point count Opportunistic observations and signs (mammals, herps and birds) Wolf and bear attacks on sheep in previous year: Mesendorf Farming Grassland Plant indicators number of individuals per hectare: Butterfly species number of individuals per hectare: Vertebrates Reptile and amphibian species per hour in transect and wetland search Small mammals per trap day Bird species per point count Opportunistic observations and signs (mammals, herps and birds) Wolf and bear attacks on sheep in previous year: Viscri Farming Grassland Plant indicators number of individuals per hectare: Page 1

3 6.2.2 Butterfly species number of individuals per hectare: Vertebrates Reptile and amphibian species per hour in transect and wetland search Small mammals per trap day Bird species per point count Opportunistic observations and signs (mammals, herps and birds) Wolf and bear attacks on sheep in previous year: Malancrav Farming Grassland Plant indicators number of individuals per hectare: Butterfly species number of individuals per hectare: Vertebrates Reptile and amphibian species per hour in transect and wetland search Small mammals per trap day Bird species per point count Opportunistic observations and signs (mammals, herps and birds) Wolf and bear attacks on sheep in previous year: Nou Sasesc Farming Grassland Plant indicators number of individuals per hectare: Butterfly species number of individuals per hectare: Vertebrates Reptile and amphibian sp per hour in transect and wetland search Small mammals per trap day Bird species per point count Opportunistic observations and signs (mammals, herps and birds) Wolf and bear attacks on sheep in previous year: Richis Farming Grassland Plant indicators number of individuals per hectare: Butterfly species number of individuals per hectare: Vertebrates Reptile and amphibian sp per hour in transect and wetland search Page 2

4 9.3.2 Small mammals per trap day Bird sp per point count Opportunistic observations and signs (mammals, herps and birds) Wolf and bear attacks on sheep in previous year: Page 3

5 1.0 Introduction This report summarises the data gathered by Operation Wallacea s Transylvania project during the summer of The project involves an annual survey in the Tarnava Mare Natura 2000 site to assess the effectiveness of maintaining the traditional farming practices in protecting this outstanding landscape and its species. The Operation Wallacea surveys provide annual data on a series of biodiversity and farming criteria. These data can then be used by Fundatia ADEPT, a Romania-based NGO, to help guide their farming and conservation initiatives. The report gives a snapshot of the 2013 situation in terms of agriculture and biodiversity. The data can be used as a base line for comparing the equivalent data from future years, to reveal how the biodiversity of Tarnava Mare is changing, for example in response to changing agricultural practices. Section 2 Methods outlines the fieldwork methods used. Section 3 Vital Statistics presents a few key indicator figures, to give a very brief overview of the data and to compare the surveyed villages. Sections 4 to 9 give a more detailed summary of the data on a village by village basis. 2.0 Methods Fieldwork was undertaken over a 6 week period from 26 June to 6 August 2013, in six villages within the Tarnava Mare Natura 2000 site. A total of 30 days fieldwork were undertaken, but the effort varied amongst villages as 3 villages were visited twice. Table 2.1 lists the villages and the respective dates. Three further villages were visited from 7 to 21 August by a small group with just two staff and therefore only very partial surveys were completed. These three additional villages are not included in this report. Table 2.1. Survey schedule. Village Dates Days of fieldwork Crit 27/6 to 30/6 4 Mesendorf 2/7 to 4/7 3 Viscri 6/7 to 8/7 3 Malancraf 11/7 to 14/7 4 Nou Sasesc 16/7 to 18/7 3 Richis 20/7 to 22/7 3 Crit 25/7 to 28/7 4 Viscri 30/7 to 1/8 3 Mesendorf 3/8 to 5/8 3 There were five main survey teams covering farmer interviews, grassland plants and land cover mapping, grassland butterflies, birds, small mammals. The birds and small mammal teams also undertook herpetofauna surveys, and noted any signs of larger mammals. Observation and camera trapping of large mammals was also undertaken, but not in a systematic or repeatable way (no data Page 4

6 presented here). Bat surveys were also trialled at 3 villages to produce a species list (not presented here). Much of the survey work was carried out along the transects which were 3 linear routes per village. Each route was approximately 6km in length and was selected with the aim of traversing land covers and land uses that were representative of the village s surroundings. The routes were constrained by accessibility. The central transect ran along the valley floor, upstream and downstream of the village. This transect ran through the village, usually alongside a road, near to the stream, and through more intensely farmed land. West and east transects each took a roughly semi-circular route from the valley floor up the valley sides, usually into less intensely farmed land, meadow grassland, pasture and woodland. 2.1 Farmer interviews In farmer interviews a fixed set of questions were asked covering topics such as farm characteristics (size, age etc), crops grown, livestock, hay cutting dates and so on. The number of farmers interviewed varied amongst the villages, depending on the presence and effectiveness of a local person to make contacts, the willingness of farmers to participate, and how busy the farmers were. There was no strategy to selecting farmers the participants were whoever was willing and available to be interviewed. Overall, the number of interviews was low with between 4 and 11 interviews per village. With such small sample sizes, the farm statistics derived from the interviews must be used with caution. 2.2 Land cover and grassland plants This team worked on the east and west transects. The transects were walked, making notes on the changing land cover types and marking the transition points with GPS, using a fixed set of land cover types. Aerial photographs were also consulted and annotated to help determine the extent of each land cover. The GPS points were later loaded into a GIS (Geographic Information System), displayed over a high resolution satellite image, and used as a template for digitising polygons depicting the land cover either side of the transect. The method has produced a narrow strip of mapped land cover for each village. This strip is not necessarily representative of the abundance of land cover types across a village s entire area. Further work can seek to use image processing techniques to extend the land cover map across the village area. The land cover walk also allowed selection of plots for grassland plant and butterfly surveys. Grassland was partitioned into high, medium and low nature value (HNV, MNV, LNV) categories based on indicators such as the presence of farm weed species, evidence of current use, shrub encroachment. On each transect a minimum of six plot locations were identified with the target of 2 HNV, 2 MNV and 2 LNV plots. This was not always achieved due to the prevalence or absence of grassland categories. Each grassland plant plot was 50m by 5m. The surveyors walked the length of the plot counting the number of individuals of 30 species defined as indicators of HNV dry grassland in Fundatia ADEPT s guide Indicator Plants of the High Nature Value Dry Grasslands of Transylvania (Akeroyd and Badarau, 2012). Betony was also counted as, although it is an indicator for damp grasslands, it was seen to be relatively abundant and widespread on the surveyed grasslands. As the fieldwork season progressed, the species in flower changed. Surveying a plot on a different date would be likely to have given different results. This will be of particular relevance when Page 5

7 comparing data from different years to assess change. Also, as the season progressed, the number of mown fields increased and the number of fields available for survey, with standing wild flowers, decreased. This could have affected the representativeness of a village s plant surveys, and could also affect comparisons between villages. 2.3 Grassland butterflies The grassland plant plots were also used for the butterfly surveys, although they were extended to 50m by 10m. All butterflies seen in a 5 minute walk along the length of the plot were counted. Discriminating between the hard-to-distinguish blues was attempted, but may not be consistently reliable and so amalgamating all the blue species is desirable in analysis. The butterfly counts mostly took place between 10am and 4pm, to avoid the coolest parts of the day. Butterfly counts did not take place if it was raining. However, there still remained wide variation in the abundance of butterflies due to weather conditions and time of day. To reduce the impact of these conditions on the data, it was decided to repeat surveys as often as possible in the few days available. This resulted in 19 plots surveyed once, 40 plots surveyed twice, 31 plots surveyed 4 times, and 2 plots surveyed four times. It is planned that in future years repeat surveys will be planned from the outset. 2.4 Birds Standing point counts were undertaken at 500m intervals along each of the three transects for each village, giving 13 point counts per transect. Each point count lasted 10 minutes and all individuals seen or heard were counted. The surveys either began soon after dawn, or after a dawn mist netting session. Hence the surveys were usually completed well before midday. As the morning progressed, there was a very noticeable decrease in the amount of bird song and activity. So, points further along a transect tended to have fewer birds. In future years it is probably worth surveying each transect twice once in each direction. The time of year and amount of mown grass will also affect the numbers and species of birds being recorded. In the afternoons and evenings opportunistic call backs and mist netting were undertaken. 2.5 Small mammals Folding Sherman traps were set each evening and checked the following morning. Due to a very low capture rate in the first couple of weeks (either due to low abundance or methodological limitations e.g. small number of trap nights at each village), targeted sampling in the vicinity of the transects has been employed rather than surveying entire transects. The traps were positioned in locations which were expected to be good for small mammals. The number of traps decreased during the fieldwork season due to theft and animal (dog?) attacks. So, out-of-the-way, inconspicuous sites were chosen. The experience gained in 2013, along with the transect land cover maps, will allow a more strategic sample design in future. 2.6 Herpetofauna There was a low abundance of reptiles and amphibians along much of the transects. Other teams noted any locations on the east and west transects where herps were sighted. A more thorough search of the central transect (usually adjacent to a stream) was undertaken on at least one afternoon/evening in each village. Page 6

8 Percentage of surveyed transect area 3.0 Vital Statistics The vital statistics reported here must be interpreted with caution. Various factors, including small sample sizes, weather, hay cutting, lack of local knowledge and experience, will affect the quality and representativeness of the data. Refer to the methods section for further information about potential limitations of the data. Figure 3.1 shows that there are differences between the villages in terms of the land cover types found along the transects. Note that the transects are not necessarily representative of the land cover of a village s entire surroundings. 100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% Cultivation Scrub Other grassland Pasture Meadow Woodland 0% Cr (160.8) Me (312.1) Vi (343.8) Ma (93.3) NS (115.8) Village (area surveyed - ha) Ri (118.6) Figure 3.1. Land cover survey results. Figure 3.2 summarises data from farmer interviews. Note that, due to the low number of interviews carried out, this data is based on a very small sample size and may not be truly representative of each village. The graphs indicate that Mesendorf has much larger farms and more cows than other villages, and Crit has many more sheep than other villages. Page 7

9 Figure 3.2. Farm survey results: land use (left), livestock (right) Figure 3.3 indicates that Crit and Mesendorf tend to have a low diversity of indicator plants, while Richis has consistently higher diversity. Viscri, Malancrav and Nou Sasesc have wide variation in diversity levels with some very low diversity plots and some very high diversity ones. Figure 3.3. Grassland indicator plant diversity data. In each boxplot: the horizontal line represents the median value; the height of the box represents the inter-quartile range (IQR); the length of the whiskers represents whichever is shorter of the maximum/minimum value or 1.5 times the IQR; circles represent outliers (data points beyond the whisker range). Page 8

10 In Figure 3.4, Crit is revealed to have wide variation in butterfly diversity, while Mesendorf and Viscri tend to consistently have low butterfly diversity. Malancrav, Richis and Nou Sasesc consistently have medium to high butterfly diversity. Note that time of year and weather will have impacts on the butterfly data. There was cool, wet weather during the first week at Crit, then by the time of the second visit to Crit, Mesendorf and Viscri hay cutting was well under way. Figure 3.4. Butterfly diversity data. In each boxplot: the horizontal line represents the median value; the height of the box represents the inter-quartile range (IQR); the length of the whiskers represents whichever is shorter of the maximum/minimum value or 1.5 times the IQR; circles represent outliers (data points beyond the whisker range). Figure 3.5 reveals that Crit had the lowest reptile abundance, Mesendorf had the lowest small mammal abundance, and Malancrav had the lowest shrike abundance. Nou Sasesc had high abundance of all three animal groups. Figure 3.5. Reptile and amphibian abundance (left); Small mammal abundance (centre); Red-backed shrike abundance (right). Page 9

11 4.0 Crit Crit Transect Land cover map Land cover type Area (ha) % of mapped area 1.1 Woodland: beech dominated % 1.2 Woodland: oak dominated 1.3 Woodland: hornbeam dominated 1.4 Woodland: mixed broadleaf % 1.5 Woodland: riparian % 1.6 Conifer 1.7 Wood pasture 2.1 Scrub: dense % 2.2 Scrub: open % 3.1 Hay meadow: managed % 3.2 Grassland: degraded hay meadow. M or HNV % 3.3 Grassland: pasture - low intensity. M or HNV % Page 10

12 3.4 Grassland: pasture - high intensity grazing. LNV % 3.5 Grassland: recently mowed LNV % 3.6 Grassland: unknown current management. LNV or MNV 3.7 Grassland: Orchard and pasture/hay. LNV, MNV or HNV 4.1 Cultivation % 5.1 Buildings and roads 6.1 Wetland and water bodies TOTAL MAPPED AREA Farming Number of farm interviews: 11 Farm size: Mean area: ha Minimum area: 0.40 ha Maximum area: ha Arable cultivation: Mean area: ha Minimum area: 0 ha Maximum area: 65 ha Main crops: maize, lucern, wheat, triticalie, potatoes Hay: Mean area: ha Minimum area: 0 ha Maximum area: 115 ha Mean date of cut: 27/06/2013 Earliest date of cut: 01/06/2013 Latest date of cut: 20/07/2013 Silage: Mean area: 4.55 ha Minimum area: 0 ha Maximum area: 30 ha Mean date of cut: 04/08/2013 Earliest date of cut: 10/07/2013 Latest date of cut: 30/08/2013 Livestock: Mean Min Max Number of milk cattle Number of beef cattle Number of ewes in pendulation Number of lambs in pendulation Number of goats Number of pigs Number of horses and donkeys Page 11

13 4.2 Grassland 18 sites: 4 HNV, 6 MNV, 8 LNV Plant surveys: 30/06/2013 and 26-27/07/2013 Butterfly surveys: 29/06/2013 and 26-28/07/2013, average of 2.1 surveys per site Plant indicators number of individuals per hectare: HNV MNV LNV Large Speedwell Veronica austriaca Sainfoin Onobrychis viciifolia Charterhouse Pink Dianthus carthusianorum Squinancywort Asperula cynanchica Mountain Clover Trifolium montanum Lady's Bedstraw Galium verum Crown Vetch Coronilla verum Yellow Scabious Scabiosa ochroleuca Dorycnium Dorycnium pentaphyllum Sword-leaved Fleabane Inula ensifolia Betony Stachys officinalis HNV: High Nature Value grassland, MNV: Medium Nature Value grassland, LNV: Low Nature Value grassland Butterfly species number of individuals per hectare: HNV MNV LNV Marbled white Melanariga galathea Meadow brown Maniola jurtina Silver washed fritillary Argynnis paphia High brown fritillary Argynnis adipe Knapweed fritillary Melitaea phoebe Lesser marbled fritillary Brenthis ino Violet fritillary Boloria dia Pearl bordered fritillary Clossiana euphrosyne Spotted fritillary Melitaea didyma Heath fritillary Mellicta athalia Marsh fritillary Eurodryas aurinia Little fritillary Melitaea asteria Small skipper Pyrgus sylvestris Large skipper Ochlodes venatu Dingy skipper Erynnis tages Silver spotted skipper Hesperia comma Safflower skipper Pyrgus carthami Chequered skipper Carterocephalus palaemon Small white Artogeia rapae Large white Pieris brassicae Fenton's wood white Leptidea mersei Bath white Pontia daplidice Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus Dryad Hipparchia dryas Clouded yellow Colias crocea Page 12

14 Danube clouded yellow Colias myrmidone Pale clouded yellow Colias hyale Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus Meleager's blue Meleageria daphnis Silver Studded Blue Plebejus argus Baton blue Pseudophilotes baton Reverdin blue Lycaeides argyrognomon Idas blue Lycaeides idas Holly blue Celastrina argiolus Common blue Polyomattus icarus Large blue Maculinea arion Green underside blue Glaucopsyche alexis Scarce copper Heodes virgaureae Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas Purple Shot Copper Lycaena alciphron Swallowtail Papilio machaon Scarce swallowtail Iphiclides podalirius Painted lady Synthia carduii Peacock Inachis io Red admiral Vaness ataanta Common Glider Neptis sappho Hummingbird hawkmoth Macroglossum stellatarum HNV: High Nature Value grassland, MNV: Medium Nature Value grassland, LNV: Low Nature Value grassland Page 13

15 4.3 Vertebrates Reptile and amphibian species per hour in transect and wetland search Total Transect Time: 38h 27m Species Total abundance Abundance per hour Sand lizard Lacerta agilis Meadow lizard Lacerta praticola Eastern green lizard Lacerta viridis Common lizard Lacerta vivipara Unknown brown lizard Lacerta sp Viviparous Lizard Zootoca vivipara Unknown lizard Slow worm Anguis fragilis Common frog Rana temporaria Marsh frog Pelophylax ridibundus Pool frog Pelophylax lessonae Yellow bellied toad Bombina variegata Small mammals per trap day Total trap days: 226 Species Total captures Captures per trap day Common Vole Microtus arvalis Field Vole Microtus agrestis Striped Field Mouse Apodemus agrarius Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus Yellow-necked Mouse Apodemus flavicollis Bird species per point count 59 point counts, 64 species, 1109 individuals Common name Scientific name Count Count per point Bee-eater Merops apiaster Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros Blackbird Turdus merula Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Coal Tit Periparus ater Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Common Buzzard Buteo buteo Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis Corn Bunting Emberiza calandra Corncrake Crex crex Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Feral Pigeon Columba livia (domest.) Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major Great Tit Parus major Page 14

16 Green Woodpecker Picus viridis Greenfinch Chloris chloris Grey-headed Woodpecker Picus canus Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes Hobby Falco subbuteo Hooded Crow Corvus cornix Hoopoe Upupa epops House Martin Delichon urbica House Sparrow Passer domesticus Jay Garrulus glandarius Large bird of prey! Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor Linnet Carduelis cannabina Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Magpie Pica pica Marsh Tit Poecile palustris Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus medius Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus Nuthatch Sitta europaea Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Quail Coturnix coturnix Raven Corvus corax Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio Robin Erithacus rubecula Skylark Alauda arvensis Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Starling Sturnus vulgaris Stock Dove Columba oenas Stonechat Saxocola torquatus Swallow Hirundo rustica Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur Whinchat Saxicola rubetra White Stork Ciconia ciconia White Wagtail Motacilla alba Wood Pigeon Columba palumbas Woodlark Lullula arborea Woodpecker sp. Picidae Wryneck Jynx torquilla Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Page 15

17 4.3.4 Opportunistic observations and signs (mammals, herps and birds) Species Observation (obs) or Count type of sign Badger Meles meles field signs-sett 1 Bank Vole Myodes glareolus obs 1 Brown Bear Ursus arctos field sign-digging 1 Brown Bear Ursus arctos field sign-scat 2 Brown Hare Lepus europaeus obs 3 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo obs 6 Deer sp obs 1 Eastern Green Lizard Lacerta viridis obs 1 Red Fox Vulpes vulpes field sign-scat 3 Red Fox Vulpes vulpes field sign-digging 1 Red Fox Vulpes vulpes obs - digging small mammal holes 1 Green Woodpecker Picus viridis obs 3 Nuthatch Sitta europaea heard 1 Nuthatch Sitta europaea obs 1 Pine Marten Martes martes field signs-scat 1 Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus bat detector 2 Polecat Mustela putorius field sign-scat 1 Red Deer Cervus elaphus field sign-tracks 2 Red Deer Cervus elaphus obs 1 Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus obs 2 Vole Microtus sp. obs 1 Stonechat Saxicola rubicola obs 4 Stork Ciconia ciconia obs 3 Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio obs 10 Whinchat Saxicola rubetra obs 4 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella obs Wolf and bear attacks on sheep in previous year: 6 Page 16

18 5.0 Mesendorf Mesendorf Transect Land cover map Land cover type Area (ha) % of mapped area 1.1 Woodland: beech dominated 1.2 Woodland: oak dominated 1.3 Woodland: hornbeam dominated 1.4 Woodland: mixed broadleaf % 1.5 Woodland: riparian % 1.6 Conifer 1.7 Wood pasture 2.1 Scrub: dense % 2.2 Scrub: open % 3.1 Hay meadow: managed 3.2 Grassland: degraded hay meadow. M or HNV % 3.3 Grassland: pasture - low intensity. M or HNV % 3.4 Grassland: pasture - high intensity grazing. LNV % 3.5 Grassland: recently mowed LNV % Page 17

19 3.6 Grassland: unknown current management. LNV or MNV % 3.7 Grassland: Orchard and pasture/hay. LNV, MNV or HNV % 4.1 Cultivation % 5.1 Buildings and roads 6.1 Wetland and water bodies % TOTAL MAPPED AREA Farming Number of farm interviews: 6 Farm size: Mean area: ha Minimum area: 0.03 ha Maximum area: ha Arable cultivation: Mean area: ha Minimum area: 0 ha Maximum area: 300 ha Main crops: lucern, grass, maize, triticalie Hay: Mean area: 47.5 ha Minimum area: 0 ha Maximum area: 200 ha Mean date of cut: 01/07/2013 Earliest date of cut: 30/06/2013 Latest date of cut: 01/07/2013 Silage: Mean area: ha Minimum area: 0 ha Maximum area: 100 ha Mean date of cut: 31/08/2013 Earliest date of cut: 31/08/2013 Latest date of cut: 31/08/2013 Livestock: Mean Min Max Number of milk cattle Number of beef cattle Number of ewes in pendulation Number of lambs in pendulation Number of goats Number of pigs Number of horses and donkeys Page 18

20 5.2 Grassland 15 sites: 4 HNV, 5 MNV, 6 LNV Plant surveys: 03-04/07/2013 and 03-04/08/2013 Butterfly surveys: 02-04/07/2013 and 03-05/08/2013, average of 2.7 surveys per site Plant indicators number of individuals per hectare: HNV MNV LNV Large Speedwell Veronica austriaca Siberian Bellflower Campanula sibirica Sainfoin Onobrychis viciifolia Charterhouse Pink Dianthus carthusianorum Squinancywort Asperula cynanchica Mountain Clover Trifolium montanum Lady's Bedstraw Galium verum Crown Vetch Coronilla verum Yellow Scabious Scabiosa ochroleuca Dorycnium Dorycnium pentaphyllum Wild Thyme Thymus glabrescens Betony Stachys officinalis HNV: High Nature Value grassland, MNV: Medium Nature Value grassland, LNV: Low Nature Value grassland Butterfly species number of individuals per hectare: HNV MNV LNV Marbled white Melanariga galathea Meadow brown Maniola jurtina Silver washed fritillary Argynnis paphia High brown fritillary Argynnis adipe Knapweed fritillary Melitaea phoebe Lesser marbled fritillary Brenthis ino Violet fritillary Boloria dia Pearl bordered fritillary Clossiana euphrosyne Spotted fritillary Melitaea didyma Heath fritillary Mellicta athalia Marsh fritillary Eurodryas aurinia Little fritillary Melitaea asteria Small skipper Pyrgus sylvestris Large skipper Ochlodes venatu Dingy skipper Erynnis tages Silver spotted skipper Hesperia comma Safflower skipper Pyrgus carthami Chequered skipper Carterocephalus palaemon Small white Artogeia rapae Large white Pieris brassicae Fenton's wood white Leptidea mersei Bath white Pontia daplidice Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus Dryad Hipparchia dryas Page 19

21 Clouded yellow Colias crocea Danube clouded yellow Colias myrmidone Pale clouded yellow Colias hyale Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus Meleager's blue Meleageria daphnis Silver Studded Blue Plebejus argus Baton blue Pseudophilotes baton Reverdin blue Lycaeides argyrognomon Idas blue Lycaeides idas Holly blue Celastrina argiolus Common blue Polyomattus icarus Large blue Maculinea arion Green underside blue Glaucopsyche alexis Scarce copper Heodes virgaureae Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas Purple Shot Copper Lycaena alciphron Swallowtail Papilio machaon Scarce swallowtail Iphiclides podalirius Painted lady Synthia carduii Peacock Inachis io Red admiral Vaness ataanta Common Glider Neptis sappho Hummingbird hawkmoth Macroglossum stellatarum HNV: High Nature Value grassland, MNV: Medium Nature Value grassland, LNV: Low Nature Value grassland Page 20

22 5.3 Vertebrates Reptile and amphibian species per hour in transect and wetland search Total Transect Time: 21h 48m Species Total abundance Abundance per hour Agile Frog Rana dalmatina Common Frog Rana temporaria Common Lizard Lacerta vivipara Eastern Green Lizard Lacerta viridis Lizard sp. Lacerta sp Meadow Lizard Lacerta praticola Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis Unidentified Brown Lizard Lacerta sp Yellow-bellied Toad Bombina variegata Small mammals per trap day Total trap days: 120 Species Total captures Captures per trap day Bank Vole Myodes glareolus Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus Yellow-necked Mouse Apodemus flavicollis Bird species per point count 68 point counts, 71 species, 1252 individuals Common name Scientific name Count Count per point Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Bee-eater Merops apiaster Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros Black Stork Ciconia nigra Blackbird Turdus merula Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Coal tit Periparus ater Collared Flycatcher Ficedula albicollis Common Buzzard Buteo buteo Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis Corn bunting Emberiza calandra Corncrake Crex crex Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Feral Pigeon Columba livia (domest.) Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Great Tit Parus major Green woodpecker Picus viridis Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes Hobby Falco subbuteo Page 21

23 Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus Hooded Crow Corvus cornix Hoopoe Upupa epops House Martin Delichon urbica House Sparrow Passer domesticus Jay Garrulus glandarius Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor Lesser whitethroat Sylvia curruca Linnet Carduelis cannabina Magpie Pica pica Marsh Tit Poecile palustris Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus medius Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus Nuthatch Sitta europaea Olivacious Warbler Iduna pallida Quail Coturnix coturnix Raven Corvus corax Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio Robin Erithacus rubecula Skylark Alauda arvensis Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Sparrow sp. Passer sp Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata Starling Sturnus vulgaris Stock Dove Columba oenas Stonechat Saxocola torquatus Swallow Hirundo rustica Thrush Nightingale Luscinia luscinia Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Treecreeper Certhia familiaris Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur Whinchat Saxicola rubetra White Stork Ciconia ciconia White Wagtail Motacilla alba Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus Wood Pigeon Columba palumbas Wood warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix Woodlark Lullula arborea Woodpecker sp. Picidae Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Wryneck Jynx torquilla Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Page 22

24 5.3.4 Opportunistic observations and signs (mammals, herps and birds) Species Observation (obs) or Count type of sign Badger Meles meles field sign-dung pit 1 Badger Meles meles field sign-latrine 1 Badger Meles meles field sign-sett 2 Badger Meles meles field sign-sett 1 Badger Meles meles field sign-tracks 1 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros obs 1 Brown Bear Ursus arctos field sign-digging 4 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo obs 1 Corncrake Crex crex obs 1 Falcon sp. Falco sp. obs 1 Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus obs 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major heard 1 Green Woodpecker Picus viridis heard 2 Green Woodpecker Picus viridis obs 1 Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina obs 2 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor heard 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor obs 2 Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus medius obs 2 Pipistrelle Pipistrellus sp. obs 1 Polecat Mustela putorius field sign-scat 2 Quail Coturnix coturnix obs 1 Red Deer Cervus elaphus field sign- tracks 2 Red Squirrel Sciurus vulgaris obs 3 Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio obs 15 Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus field sign-track 2 Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus field sign-tracks 1 Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus obs 3 Skylark Alauda arvensis obs 1 Slow Worm Anguis fragilis obs-remains (f) 1 Stork Ciconia ciconia obs 1 Wild Boar Sus scrofa field sign-digging 1 Wild Boar Sus scrofa obs 1 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella obs Wolf and bear attacks on sheep in previous year: 13 Page 23

25 6.0 Viscri Viscri Transect Land cover map Land cover type Area (ha) % of mapped area 1.1 Woodland: beech dominated 1.2 Woodland: oak dominated 1.3 Woodland: hornbeam dominated 1.4 Woodland: mixed broadleaf 1.5 Woodland: riparian Conifer 1.7 Wood pasture Scrub: dense Scrub: open Hay meadow: managed 3.2 Grassland: degraded hay meadow. M or HNV 3.3 Grassland: pasture - low intensity. M or HNV Grassland: pasture - high intensity grazing. LNV Grassland: recently mowed LNV Grassland: unknown current management. LNV or MNV Grassland: Orchard and pasture/hay. LNV, MNV or HNV 4.1 Cultivation Buildings and roads 6.1 Wetland and water bodies TOTAL MAPPED AREA Page 24

26 6.1 Farming Number of farm interviews: 6 Farm size: Mean area: 8.51 ha Minimum area: 0.40 ha Maximum area: ha Arable cultivation: Mean area: 1.75 ha Minimum area: 0 ha Maximum area: 3.5 ha Main crops: lucern, maize, wheat, potatoes Hay: Mean area: 8.4 ha Minimum area: 2.5 ha Maximum area: 25 ha Mean date of cut: 08/07/2013 Earliest date of cut: 01/07/2013 Latest date of cut: 30/07/2013 Silage: Mean area: 0.42 ha Minimum area: 0 ha Maximum area: 2.5 ha Mean date of cut: 31/08/2013 Earliest date of cut: 31/08/2013 Latest date of cut: 31/08/2013 Livestock: Mean Min Max Number of milk cattle Number of beef cattle Number of ewes in pendulation Number of lambs in pendulation Number of goats Number of pigs Number of horses and donkeys Page 25

27 6.2 Grassland 13 sites: 0 HNV, 3 MNV, 10 LNV Plant surveys: 06-08/07/2013 and 30/07/2013 Butterfly surveys: 06-08/07/2013 and 30/07 01/08/2013, average of 2.5 surveys per site Plant indicators number of individuals per hectare: HNV MNV LNV Large Speedwell Veronica austriaca Siberian Bellflower Campanula sibirica Sainfoin Onobrychis viciifolia Squinancywort Asperula cynanchica Lady's Bedstraw Galium verum Crown Vetch Coronilla verum Yellow Scabious Scabiosa ochroleuca Dorycnium Dorycnium pentaphyllum Betony Stachys officinalis HNV: High Nature Value grassland, MNV: Medium Nature Value grassland, LNV: Low Nature Value grassland Butterfly species number of individuals per hectare: HNV MNV LNV Marbled white Melanariga galathea Meadow brown Maniola jurtina Silver washed fritillary Argynnis paphia High brown fritillary Argynnis adipe Knapweed fritillary Melitaea phoebe Lesser marbled fritillary Brenthis ino Violet fritillary Boloria dia Pearl bordered fritillary Clossiana euphrosyne Spotted fritillary Melitaea didyma Heath fritillary Mellicta athalia Marsh fritillary Eurodryas aurinia Little fritillary Melitaea asteria Small skipper Pyrgus sylvestris Large skipper Ochlodes venatu Dingy skipper Erynnis tages Silver spotted skipper Hesperia comma Safflower skipper Pyrgus carthami Chequered skipper Carterocephalus palaemon Small white Artogeia rapae Large white Pieris brassicae Fenton's wood white Leptidea mersei Bath white Pontia daplidice Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus Dryad Hipparchia dryas Clouded yellow Colias crocea Danube clouded yellow Colias myrmidone Pale clouded yellow Colias hyale Page 26

28 Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus Meleager's blue Meleageria daphnis Silver Studded Blue Plebejus argus Baton blue Pseudophilotes baton Reverdin blue Lycaeides argyrognomon Idas blue Lycaeides idas Holly blue Celastrina argiolus Common blue Polyomattus icarus Large blue Maculinea arion Green underside blue Glaucopsyche alexis Scarce copper Heodes virgaureae Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas Purple Shot Copper Lycaena alciphron Swallowtail Papilio machaon Scarce swallowtail Iphiclides podalirius Painted lady Synthia carduii Peacock Inachis io Red admiral Vaness ataanta Common Glider Neptis sappho Hummingbird hawkmoth Macroglossum stellatarum HNV: High Nature Value grassland, MNV: Medium Nature Value grassland, LNV: Low Nature Value grassland Page 27

29 6.3 Vertebrates Reptile and amphibian species per hour in transect and wetland search Total Transect Time: 22h 34m Species Total abundance Abundance per hour Agile Frog Rana dalmatina Common Frog Rana temporaria Eastern Green Lizard Lacerta viridis Lizard sp. Lacerta sp Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis Viviparous Lizard Zootoca vivipara Yellow-bellied Toad Bombina variegata Small mammals per trap day Total trap days: 116 Species Total captures Captures per trap day Striped Field Mouse Apodemus agrarius Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus Yellow-necked Mouse Apodemus flavicollis Bird species per point count 68 point counts, 59 species, 3776 individuals Common name Scientific name Count Count per point Bee-eater Merops apiaster Blackbird Turdus merula Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto Common Buzzard Buteo buteo Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis Cuckoo Cuculus canorus Eagle sp Feral Pigeon Columba livia (domest.) Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major Great Tit Parus major Green Woodpecker Picus viridis Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes Hobby Falco subbuteo Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus Hooded Crow Corvus cornix Hoopoe Upupa epops House Martin Delichon urbica Page 28

30 House sparrow Passer domesticus Jackdaw Corvus monedula Jay Garrulus glandarius Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor Linnet Carduelis cannabina Little Owl Athene noctua Magpie Pica pica Marsh Tit Poecile palustris Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus medius Nuthatch Sitta europaea Olivacious Warbler Iduna pallida Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Quail Coturnix coturnix Raven Corvus corax Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio Robin Erithacus rubecula Rook Corvus frugilegus Skylark Alauda arvensis Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Starling Sturnus vulgaris Stock Dove Columba oenas Stonechat Saxocola torquatus Swallow Hirundo rustica Swift Apus apus Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur White Stork Ciconia ciconia White Wagtail Motacilla alba Wood Pigeon Columba palumbas Woodlark Lullula arborea Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Page 29

31 6.3.4 Opportunistic observations and signs (mammals, herps and birds) Species Observation (obs) or Count type of sign Agile Frog Rana dalmatina obs 4 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros obs 1 Brown Hare Lepus europaeus field sign-scat 1 Brown Hare Lepus europaeus obs 3 Brown Rat Rattus norvegicus field sign-burrow 1 Brown Rat Rattus norvegicus field sign-scat 1 Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita heard 1 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo obs 5 Common Frog Rana temporaria obs 1 Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis heard 1 Eastern Green Lizard Lacerta viridis obs 1 European Mole Talpa europaea field sign-digging 3 Fox Vulpes vulpes field sign-scat 2 Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus heard 2 Hoopoe Upupa epops obs 1 Lesser Spotted Eagle Aquila pomarina obs 3 Lizard sp. Lacerta sp. obs 3 Magpie Pica pica obs 5 Pine Marten Martes martes field sign-scat 1 Polecat Mustela putorius field signs- scat 1 Polecat Mustela putorius obs 1 Red Deer Cervus elaphus field signs-droppings 1 Red Deer Cervus elaphus obs 2 Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio obs 1 Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis obs 15 Skylark Alauda arvensis heard 2 Slow Worm Anguis fragilis obs 1 Song Thrush Turdus philomelos heard 1 Stonechat Saxicola rubicola heard 2 Stonechat Saxicola rubicola obs 1 Viviparous Lizard Zootoca vivipara obs 1 Wolf Canis lupus field sign-track(?) 1 Yellow-bellied Toad Bombina variegata obs 30 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella heard 5 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella obs Wolf and bear attacks on sheep in previous year: 0 Page 30

32 7.0 Malancrav Malancrav Transect Land cover map Land cover type Area (ha) % of mapped area 1.1 Woodland: beech dominated Woodland: oak dominated Woodland: hornbeam dominated 1.4 Woodland: mixed broadleaf Woodland: riparian Conifer 1.7 Wood pasture 2.1 Scrub: dense Scrub: open Hay meadow: managed Grassland: degraded hay meadow. M or HNV Grassland: pasture - low intensity. M or HNV Grassland: pasture - high intensity grazing. LNV Grassland: recently mowed LNV Grassland: unknown current management. LNV or MNV Page 31

33 3.7 Grassland: Orchard and pasture/hay. LNV, MNV or HNV Cultivation Buildings and roads 6.1 Wetland and water bodies TOTAL MAPPED AREA Farming Number of farm interviews: 9 Farm size: Mean area: ha Minimum area: 3.00 ha Maximum area: ha Arable cultivation: Mean area: 7.72 ha Minimum area: 1.50 ha Maximum area: 25 ha Main crops: maize, Lucerne, wheat Hay: Mean area: 6.50 ha Minimum area: 1.50 ha Maximum area: ha Mean date of cut: 02/07/2013 Earliest date of cut: 01/07/2013 Latest date of cut: 10/07/2013 Silage: Mean area: 0.56 ha Minimum area: 0.00 ha Maximum area: 5.00 ha Mean date of cut: 31/08/2013 Earliest date of cut: 31/08/2013 Latest date of cut: 31/08/2013 Livestock: Mean Min Max Number of milk cattle Number of beef cattle Number of ewes in pendulation Number of lambs in pendulation Number of goats Number of pigs Number of horses and donkeys Page 32

34 7.2 Grassland 12 sites: 3 HNV, 5 MNV, 4 LNV Plant surveys: 13-14/07/2013 Butterfly surveys: 12-14/07/2013, average of 1.6 surveys per site Plant indicators number of individuals per hectare: HNV MNV LNV Jurinea Jurinea mollis Greater Milkwort Polygala major Yellow Flax Linum flavum Sainfoin Onobrychis viciifolia Charterhouse Pink Dianthus carthusianorum Squinancywort Asperula cynanchica Mountain Clover Trifolium montanum Lady's Bedstraw Galium verum Crown Vetch Coronilla verum Yellow Scabious Scabiosa ochroleuca Dorycnium Dorycnium pentaphyllum Wild Thyme Thymus glabrescens Deptford Pink Dianthus armeria Betony Stachys officinalis HNV: High Nature Value grassland, MNV: Medium Nature Value grassland, LNV: Low Nature Value grassland Butterfly species number of individuals per hectare: HNV MNV LNV Marbled white Melanariga galathea Meadow brown Maniola jurtina Silver washed fritillary Argynnis paphia High brown fritillary Argynnis adipe Knapweed fritillary Melitaea phoebe Lesser marbled fritillary Brenthis ino Violet fritillary Boloria dia Pearl bordered fritillary Clossiana euphrosyne Spotted fritillary Melitaea didyma Heath fritillary Mellicta athalia Marsh fritillary Eurodryas aurinia Little fritillary Melitaea asteria Small skipper Pyrgus sylvestris Large skipper Ochlodes venatu Dingy skipper Erynnis tages Silver spotted skipper Hesperia comma Safflower skipper Pyrgus carthami Chequered skipper Carterocephalus palaemon Small white Artogeia rapae Large white Pieris brassicae Fenton's wood white Leptidea mersei Bath white Pontia daplidice Page 33

35 Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus Dryad Hipparchia dryas Clouded yellow Colias crocea Danube clouded yellow Colias myrmidone Pale clouded yellow Colias hyale Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus Meleager's blue Meleageria daphnis Silver Studded Blue Plebejus argus Baton blue Pseudophilotes baton Reverdin blue Lycaeides argyrognomon Idas blue Lycaeides idas Holly blue Celastrina argiolus Common blue Polyomattus icarus Large blue Maculinea arion Green underside blue Glaucopsyche alexis Scarce copper Heodes virgaureae Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas Purple Shot Copper Lycaena alciphron Swallowtail Papilio machaon Scarce swallowtail Iphiclides podalirius Painted lady Synthia carduii Peacock Inachis io Red admiral Vaness ataanta Common Glider Neptis sappho Hummingbird hawkmoth Macroglossum stellatarum HNV: High Nature Value grassland, MNV: Medium Nature Value grassland, LNV: Low Nature Value grassland Page 34

36 7.3 Vertebrates Reptile and amphibian species per hour in transect and wetland search Total Transect Time: 28h 49m Species Total abundance Abundance per hour Common Frog Rana temporaria Eastern Green Lizard Lacerta viridis Lizard sp. Lacerta sp Marsh Frog Pelophylax ridibundus Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis Viviparous Lizard Zootoca vivipara Yellow-bellied Toad Bombina variegata Small mammals per trap day Total trap days: 60 Species Total captures Captures per trap day Lesser White-toothed Shrew Crocidura suaveolens Striped Field Mouse Apodemus agrarius Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus Yellow-necked Mouse Apodemus flavicollis Bird species per point count 41 point counts, 49 species, 1006 individuals Common name Scientific name Count Count per point Bee-eater Merops apiaster Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros Blackbird Turdus merula Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Coal Tit Periparus ater Common Buzzard Buteo buteo Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis Feral Pigeon Columba livia (domest.) Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Great Tit Parus major Green Woodpecker Picus viridis Greenfinch Chloris chloris Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes Hobby Falco subbuteo Honey Buzzard Pernis apivorus House Martin Delichon urbica House Sparrow Passer domesticus Jay Garrulus glandarius Lark sp (blank) Page 35

37 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Magpie Pica pica Marsh tit Poecile palustris Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus medius Nuthatch Sitta europaea Raven Corvus corax Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio Robin Erithacus rubecula Scops Owl Otus scops Serin Serinus serinus Skylark Alauda arvensis Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Starling Sturnus vulgaris Stock Dove Columba oenas Stonechat Saxocola torquatus Swallow Hirundo rustica Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Whinchat Saxicola rubetra White Wagtail Motacilla alba Wood Pigeon Columba palumbas Woodlark Lullula arborea Wryneck Jynx torquilla Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Page 36

38 7.3.4 Opportunistic observations and signs (mammals, herps and birds) Species Observation (obs) or Count type of sign Bee-eater Merops apiaster heard 1 Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros obs 1 Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla obs 3 Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus obs 1 Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita heard 1 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo heard 1 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo obs 9 Common Frog Rana temporaria obs 1 Eastern Green Lizard Lacerta viridis obs 6 Fox Vulpes vulpes field signs- scat 1 Green Woodpecker Picus viridis heard 3 Green Woodpecker Picus viridis obs 2 Hobby Falco subbuteo obs 1 Jay Garrulus glandarius heard 1 Jay Garrulus glandarius obs 5 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor heard 1 Lizard sp. Lacerta sp. obs 7 Marsh Frog Pelophylax ridibundus obs 1 Pine Marten Martes martes obs 1 Red Deer Cervus elaphus field sign-scat 1 Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio obs 1 Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus obs 1 Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis obs 17 Stonechat Saxicola rubicola obs 2 Viviparous Lizard Zootoca vivipara obs 2 Whinchat Saxicola rubetra obs 1 Yellow-bellied Toad Bombina variegata obs 37 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella obs Wolf and bear attacks on sheep in previous year: 9 Page 37

39 8.0 Nou Sasesc Nou Sasesc Transect Land cover map Land cover type Area (ha) % of mapped area 1.1 Woodland: beech dominated Woodland: oak dominated 1.3 Woodland: hornbeam dominated 1.4 Woodland: mixed broadleaf Woodland: riparian 1.6 Conifer 1.7 Wood pasture 2.1 Scrub: dense Scrub: open Hay meadow: managed Grassland: degraded hay meadow. M or HNV Grassland: pasture - low intensity. M or HNV 3.4 Grassland: pasture - high intensity grazing. LNV Grassland: recently mowed LNV Grassland: unknown current management. LNV or MNV Grassland: Orchard and pasture/hay. LNV, MNV or HNV Cultivation Buildings and roads 6.1 Wetland and water bodies TOTAL MAPPED AREA Page 38

40 8.1 Farming Number of farm interviews: 4 Farm size: Mean area: ha Minimum area: 0.50 ha Maximum area: ha Arable cultivation: Mean area: 3.00 ha Minimum area: 0.00 ha Maximum area: 6.00 ha Main crops: maize, barley Hay: Mean area: 4.88 ha Minimum area: 0.00 ha Maximum area: ha Mean date of cut: 01/07/2013 Earliest date of cut: 01/07/2013 Latest date of cut: 01/07/2013 Silage: Mean area: 0.88 ha Minimum area: 0 ha Maximum area: 3.50 ha Mean date of cut: 01/10/2013 Earliest date of cut: 01/10/2013 Latest date of cut: 01/10/2013 Livestock: Mean Min Max Number of milk cattle Number of beef cattle Number of ewes in pendulation Number of lambs in pendulation Number of goats Number of pigs Number of horses and donkeys Page 39

41 8.2 Grassland 12 sites: 2 HNV, 3 MNV, 7 LNV Plant surveys: 16-17/07/2013 Butterfly surveys: 16-18/07/2013, average of 1.8 surveys per site Plant indicators number of individuals per hectare: HNV MNV LNV Jurinea Jurinea mollis Greater Milkwort Polygala major Siberian Bellflower Campanula sibirica Sainfoin Onobrychis viciifolia Charterhouse Pink Dianthus carthusianorum Squinancywort Asperula cynanchica Mountain Clover Trifolium montanum Lady's Bedstraw Galium verum Crown Vetch Coronilla verum Yellow Scabious Scabiosa ochroleuca Wall Germander Teucrium chamaedrys Greater Self-heal Prunella grandiflora Dorycnium Dorycnium pentaphyllum Wild Thyme Thymus glabrescens Deptford Pink Dianthus armeria Betony Stachys officinalis HNV: High Nature Value grassland, MNV: Medium Nature Value grassland, LNV: Low Nature Value grassland Butterfly species number of individuals per hectare: HNV MNV LNV Marbled white Melanariga galathea Meadow brown Maniola jurtina Silver washed fritillary Argynnis paphia High brown fritillary Argynnis adipe Knapweed fritillary Melitaea phoebe Lesser marbled fritillary Brenthis ino Violet fritillary Boloria dia Pearl bordered fritillary Clossiana euphrosyne Spotted fritillary Melitaea didyma Heath fritillary Mellicta athalia Marsh fritillary Eurodryas aurinia Little fritillary Melitaea asteria Small skipper Pyrgus sylvestris Large skipper Ochlodes venatu Dingy skipper Erynnis tages Silver spotted skipper Hesperia comma Safflower skipper Pyrgus carthami Chequered skipper Carterocephalus palaemon Small white Artogeia rapae Large white Pieris brassicae Page 40

42 Fenton's wood white Leptidea mersei Bath white Pontia daplidice Small heath Coenonympha pamphilus Dryad Hipparchia dryas Clouded yellow Colias crocea Danube clouded yellow Colias myrmidone Pale clouded yellow Colias hyale Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus Meleager's blue Meleageria daphnis Silver Studded Blue Plebejus argus Baton blue Pseudophilotes baton Reverdin blue Lycaeides argyrognomon Idas blue Lycaeides idas Holly blue Celastrina argiolus Common blue Polyomattus icarus Large blue Maculinea arion Green underside blue Glaucopsyche alexis Scarce copper Heodes virgaureae Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas Purple Shot Copper Lycaena alciphron Swallowtail Papilio machaon Scarce swallowtail Iphiclides podalirius Painted lady Synthia carduii Peacock Inachis io Red admiral Vaness ataanta Common Glider Neptis sappho Hummingbird hawkmoth Macroglossum stellatarum HNV: High Nature Value grassland, MNV: Medium Nature Value grassland, LNV: Low Nature Value grassland Page 41

43 8.3 Vertebrates Reptile and amphibian sp per hour in transect and wetland search Total Transect Time: 17h 16m Species Total abundance Abundance per hour Balkan Wall Lizard Podarcis tauricus Eastern Green Lizard Lacerta viridis Lizard sp. Lacerta sp Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis Slow Worm Anguis fragilis Smooth Snake Coronella austriaca Viviparous Lizard Zootoca vivipara Yellow-Bellied Toad Bombina variegata Small mammals per trap day Total trap days: 60 Species Total captures Captures per trap day Field Vole Microtus agrestis Striped Field Mouse Apodemus agrarius Wood Mouse Apodemus sylvaticus Yellow-necked Mouse Apodemus flavicollis Bird species per point count 32 point counts, 49 species, 681 individuals Common name Scientific name Count Count per point Bee-eater Merops apiaster Blackbird Turdus merula Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita Coal Tit Periparus ater Common Buzzard Buteo buteo Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis Feral Pigeon Columba livia (domest.) Golden Oriole Oriolus oriolus Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Goshawk Accipiter gentilis Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major Great Tit Parus major Green Woodpecker Picus viridis Greenfinch Chloris chloris Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes Hobby Falco subbuteo House Martin Delichon urbica House Sparrow Passer domesticus Jay Garrulus glandarius Lesser Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos minor Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca Page 42

44 Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Magpie Pica pica Marsh Tit Poecile palustris Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopus medius Nuthatch Sitta europaea Pheasant Phasianus colchicus Raven Corvus corax Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio Robin Erithacus rubecula Skylark Alauda arvensis Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata Stock Dove Columba oenas Stonechat Saxocola torquatus Swallow Hirundo rustica Swift Apus apus Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Whinchat Saxicola rubetra White Wagtail Motacilla alba Wood Pigeon Columba palumbas Woodlark Lullula arborea Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella Page 43

45 8.3.4 Opportunistic observations and signs (mammals, herps and birds) Species Observation (obs) or Count type of sign Badger Meles meles field signs-digging 1 Common Buzzard Buteo buteo obs 3 Corncrake Crex crex obs 1 Fox Vulpes vulpes field signs 1 Fox Vulpes vulpes field sign-scat 2 Goshawk Accipiter gentilis obs 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major obs 1 Green Woodpecker Picus viridis heard 2 Green Woodpecker Picus viridis obs 5 Hobby Falco subbuteo obs 1 Marsh Warbler Acrocephalus palustris obs 1 Nuthatch Sitta europaea heard 2 Nuthatch Sitta europaea obs 1 Pine Marten Martes martes field sign-scat 1 Polecat Mustela putorius field sign-den 1 Polecat Mustela putorius field sign-scat 1 Polecat Mustela putorius field signs-scat 1 Raven Corvus corax obs 1 Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio obs 3 Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus field sign-tracks 1 Roe Deer Capreolus capreolus obs 1 Stonechat Saxicola rubicola heard 1 Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella obs Wolf and bear attacks on sheep in previous year: 0 Page 44

46 9.0 Richis Richis Transect Land cover map Land cover type Area (ha) % of mapped area 1.1 Woodland: beech dominated % 1.2 Woodland: oak dominated 1.3 Woodland: hornbeam dominated 1.4 Woodland: mixed broadleaf % 1.5 Woodland: riparian % 1.6 Conifer 1.7 Wood pasture 2.1 Scrub: dense % 2.2 Scrub: open % 3.1 Hay meadow: managed % 3.2 Grassland: degraded hay meadow. M or HNV % 3.3 Grassland: pasture - low intensity. M or HNV % 3.4 Grassland: pasture - high intensity grazing. LNV % 3.5 Grassland: recently mowed LNV % Page 45