UKBAP BiodiversityNews-44

Biodiversity News
News - Features - UK BAP Updates - Local & Regional - Events

biodiversitynews@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Issue 44 www.ukbap.org.uk
Winter Edition
Orchard in Winter. Photo: Helen Stace
Editorial
Welcome to Issue 44 of Biodiversity News and my second as editor.

Im a lot happier with the way this one has turned out and I hope you all enjoy reading it. Remember if you have any com-
ments, suggestions or queries then feel free to e-mail me at the address below. Minor changes to this issue include moving
UK BAP updates section to the back, a refined format for displaying images and a refined contents structure.

This time around we have got a variety of news stories including an article on the court decision on west Thurrock
Marshes, details of a project to define and map open mosaic habitats on previously developed land and an award for An-
trim borough council for their innovative biodiversity project.

In our features we have some interesting submissions including a piece on the fruit Tortrix moth and the benefits of quar-
ries to biodiversity. Project is very much the word for our Local & Regional section, as we have a host full of updates and
information and groups working across the United Kingdom, including the Angus Barn Owl project and the Wetlands for
water voles and people project.

The publications section has been cut from this issue as I havent received any details of publications, but as per usual we
have a UKBAP update from Ant Maddock and a small selection of upcoming events.

Many thanks to the authors for their contributions to this issue. If anyone is interested in having an article published in
Biodiversity News, please contact me on biodiversitynews@defra.gsi.gov.uk

In this issue...
News

Britain's got (natural) Talent! 3
Court Approves Destruction of Marshes 4
Alarm bells for bluebells update 4
Definition and mapping of open mosaic habitats on
previously developed land
5
Climate Change Adaption Principles 5
Award for Six Mile Water Guardians 6

Features
Fruit Tree Tortrix Moth - Pest of Apple Orchards? 7
Quarries: Who needs them? 8
Bringing Reedbeds to Life 9
Derwent Reservoir - Not Just for Water! 10
Saving our magnificent Meadows 11
Views from a veteran tree 12

2
Local & Regional
Double Whammy for Angus Barn Owl Project! 13
Wetlands for Water Voles and People Project 14
Seals at Teesmouth 15
Little Ouse Headwaters Project 16
A Biodiversity Action Plan for Bristol 18
Colwall Orchard Group 19

UK BAP Updates 20

Events
21

Please note that the views expressed
in Biodiversity News are the views of
the contributors and do not neces-
sarily reflect the views of the UK
Biodiversity Partnership or the or-
ganisations they represent.
Regards,

Timo King
UK Biodiversity Policy Unit, Defra, Zone 1/07, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN
biodiversitynews@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Contents - News - Features - UK BAP Updates - Local & Regional - Publications - Events
Winter

News
3 Contents - News - Features - UK BAP Updates - Local & Regional - Publications - Events

Britains got (natural) talent!

A scheme to create a new generation of expert naturalists with the specialist knowledge and skills needed to underpin conser-
vation work has just produced its first batch of graduates.

Run by BTCV, Natural Talent is a full time apprenticeship for people who want to specialise in a particular aspect of ecology or
habitat management.

It is open to anyone who lives in the UK, though they must be prepared to work in Scotland or Northern Ireland. The appren-
ticeship comes with a 12,568 salary, as well as budgets for training, equipment and travel. And its not just for high profile
species and special places. The schemes apprentices are specialising in less glamorous areas such as mycology and lychenol-
ogy, where the 5th Report of the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology found that the UK is currently
running out of expertise.

Praising the Natural Talent scheme, Dr David Long, Head of Cryptogamic Botany and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh said:

Natural Talent is a very welcome and important scheme with far-reaching implications for study and conservation of Scot-
lands and Northern Irelands rich habitats and biodiversity. Courses in natural sciences in universities and colleges sadly
nowadays rarely include training in practical ecology or taxonomic expertise in critical groups of organisms such as insects and
cryptogamic plants such as fungi, lichens, mosses and liverworts. This is producing a worrying skills shortage in these disci-
plines and a dearth of experts who can go in the field and make conservation assessments, advise landowners, support conser-
vation agencies, make expert surveys, undertake taxonomic research and so on.

Through their studies, each of the Natural Talent apprentices helps add to our knowledge and understanding of their particular
subject by sharing knowledge and expertise. As an example, Fungi apprentice Neville Kilkenny recently discovered a species of
puff ball never previously recorded in the UK Mycenastrum corium, False Earthstar.

Natural Talent is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and run by BTCV in Scotland and Northern Ireland, in partnership with a
range of NGOs and statutory bodies. During their time on the scheme, each apprentice undertakes two or three training/work
experience placements with bodies such as the RGBE, RSPB, FWAG, SNH, SAC, SWT and SEPA. The placements are flexible and
are decided by the mentor and the apprentice as their skills and interests develop in the first 6 months of the apprenticeship.

Specialist areas chosen include bryophytes, grassland conservation management, lichens, freshwater conservation manage-
ment, coleoptera, invasive species, hymenoptera (bees, wasps, ants and sawflies), mycology, hoverflies and farmland conser-
vation.

All of the current graduates have used their experiences to find jobs in their chosen or related fields or as a stepping stone to
further study in their particular specialism.

Dr Long comments: The existing experts are getting older and need replacements now, ready to
take over. The timing and scope of Natural Talent is absolutely perfect for addressing these is-
sues. The scheme will benefit those young naturalists for whom their hobby can now become
their profession. It will benefit conservation in many ways. It will also benefit organisations such
as the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh by training new experts who can make a real contribution
to taxonomic knowledge of critical groups in the future, and in turn we will look to them to train
the next again generation of specialists.

Further information plus examples of current Natural Talent apprentices in action, including pho-
tos and videos, can be found at http://www2.btcv.org.uk/display/naturaltalent

Contact: John Mc Farlane
j.mcfarlane@btcv.org.uk
01786 479697

.

Winter

Natural Talent apprentice Cathy Fiedler surveying for Colletes floralis,
Photo: John Mcfarlane

News
Court approves destruction of marshes and its protected wildlife
The three-year battle to save West Thurrock Marshes from destruction suffered a massive set-back last week, when the
Court of Appeal judged that the decision to build on the site was lawful.
Wildlife charity Buglife took Thurrock Development Corporation to Court on the grounds that it had failed to protect the
Marshes rated as one of the three most important sites for endangered wildlife in the country with 17 protected spe-
cies. The proposed warehouses and car parks will destroy up to 70% of the flower-rich habitat, home to many of these
species including the Brown-banded carder bee. The case is the first legal test of recent biodiversity protection laws.
In their summing up the three judges agreed that, despite the Biodiversity Duty on Public Bodies making biodiversity the
main consideration for the planning decision, the Development Corporation had failed to follow national biodiversity and
planning policy. However, the judges concluded that the Corporation was entitled to rely on a letter from Natural Eng-
land in which the Government conservation body withdrew their objection and mentioned that the development offered
the possibility of a long term nature conservation gain for the area.
This is a disappointing decision which reveals the inadequacy of our current wildlife protection. What right do we have
to ask other countries to protect their rainforests or coral reefs while we continue to destroy the most valuable habitats
of our own endangered species? says Matt Shardlow, Buglife Director. The Government must act now to strengthen its
biodiversity legislation and halt the worsening loss of wildlife.
The decision is also a setback for a flagship Government initiative which recently identified Thurrock Marshes as one of
22 new green parks for the UKs first eco-region. The Thames Gateway Parklands scheme is the brainchild of Sir Terry
Farrell, one of the worlds foremost architects.
The Court of Appeal decision means that the charity Buglife now faces legal costs of 30,000.

Alarm Bells for Bluebells Update

The UK is home to about half the worlds population of the Bluebell, with Scotland being its
most northerly habitat. Over recent years however, the British Bluebell (Hyacinthoides non-
scripta), sometimes known as the Wild Hyacinth in Scotland, has declined in abundance and is
now classed as an endangered species. The two main causes of this decline are the loss of suit-
able woodland habitat and hybridisation with the non-native Spanish Bluebell.
In order to rectify the situation , the Central Scotland Forest Trust conceived and implemented
the Alarm Bells for Bluebells Campaign to raise awareness of the plight of the British Bluebell
and to encourage more people to plant and look after the native variety rather than the Spanish
Bluebell.
It ran throughout 2008, with a range of activities taking place from Spring and Autumn bulb
planting events to leaflet drops, a photograph competition and bulb give-aways at major and
local community events. In addition, there was a high-profile marketing campaign, including the
campaigns launch at the Falkirk Wheel which was attended by partners, conservation bodies
and MSPs and appeared in the national and local press, and on radio stations and the BBC.
Since the launch in April 2008, over 30,000 information leaflets have been distributed around
Central Scotland, and the Trust organised 19 community and school planting events across the
Central Scotland Forest area, with several others conducted by partners outwith the Forest (e.g.
BTCV, Scottish Wildlife Trust and Forth Environment Link). By mid-November, at the end of the
autumn planting events, a total of 48,500 native Bluebell bulbs had been planted in Central Scotland! We have had stands at BIG in
Falkirk, the Royal Highland Show, the Kirkintilloch Canal Festival and in-store environmental days at IKEA to raise awareness of the
campaign and give away bulbs. The campaign has also featured in local and national press, including the Scotsman, Real Radio and the
BBC website.
Finally, during April and May 2009, volunteers have agreed to re-visit the areas planted in 2008 to monitor the success of their efforts.
Winter

Native British Bluebell. Photo: Emilie
Wadsworth

News
Definition and mapping of open mosaic habitats on previously developed land

Open Mosaic Habitats on Previously Developed Land (Brownfield sites) has been included in the new list of UKBAP Priority Habitats and
species.
Open Mosaic Habitats on Previously Developed Land represents a diverse range of sites, largely because of the range of previous land
uses associated with the sites, which include colliery mining, industry and housing. This habitat is concentrated in, but not confined
to, urban and former industrial landscapes and it is at substantial risk of destruction and serious degradation.
These habitats are at risk from a number of factors, including urban development, landfill, unsuitable reclamation, eutrophication,
lack of appropriate management and succession. There is a therefore a requirement to identify and map potential sites and to inform
survey, assessment, evaluation and mapping of the Priority Habitat type, allowing the compilation of a national inventory and future
monitoring.
ADAS Ltd has been appointed to deliver the first phase of this work, which will conclude in summer 2009. The current description of
the habitat will be enhanced and supported by habitat descriptors and a list of species of conservation importance which are associ-
ated with this habitat type, accompanied by metadata to explain why each species is listed and its significance to the Priority Habitat.
Key organisations will shortly be contacted and invited to assist with this process. Once this work is complete a mapping approach to
determine the extent and distribution of land in the UK that falls within the definition will be developed.
As well as dealing with the detailed ecological aspects of the priority habitat definition, guidance such as an identification key will be
developed and tested to allow Open Mosaic Habitat to be distinguished from other habitat types and enabling the ecological signifi-
cance of sites to be assessed.
Key stakeholders who can influence the protection and management of the OMH Priority Habitat will be made aware of
the importance of the habitat and requirements for its mapping, protection and appropriate management.
For further information on this project, please contact Alison Riding (Alison.Riding@adas.co.uk) or Phil Lewis
(Phil.Lewis@defra.gsi.gov.uk).

Climate Change Adaptation Principles

The Climate Change Adaptation Workstream of the England Biodiversity Strategy has produced a useful set of principles to guide adap-
tation to climate change
The new report is written by the Woodland Trust, AEA, Defra, Natural England and the RSPB, and published by Defra. It is aimed right
across all the sectors identified in the England Biodiversity Strategy: agriculture; water and wetlands; woodland and forestry; towns,
cities and development; coasts and seas. As the principles are widely applicable to all people responsible for planning and delivering
climate change adaptation actions, it is hoped that they will be employed by people more generally.
The report identifies five main principles that are fundamental to conserving biodiversity in a time of rapid change:
Take practical action now
Maintain and increase ecological resilience
Accommodate change
Integrate action across all sectors
Develop knowledge and plan strategically

Actions beneath each of these headlines are developed in the report. They build on the guidance for conservation practitioners pub-
lished by Defra in 2007 on behalf of the UK Biodiversity Partnership. Many elements of these principles are neither new nor specific to
climate change adaptation; they underpin existing policy and practice in nature conservation. But climate change creates a new im-
perative to understand and work with the dynamics of natural systems. The complex interactions between people and their natural
environment must be managed to maintain the services and benefits that society derives from biodiversity and ecosystems. These will
become increasingly important, yet threatened, as climate change impacts on UK biodiversity continue to grow.
The new adaptation principles are available online at: www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/biodiversity/biostrat/index.htm
Winter

News
Awards scoop in Ireland for Six Mile Water Guardians

An innovative biodiversity project, initiated by Antrim Borough Council in
Northern Ireland, has scooped two prestigious awards.
The Six Mile Water Guardian project aims to conserve for future generations
the corridor of the Six Mile Water River, which feeds Lough Neagh; the largest
fresh water lake in the British Isles. The project won Biodiversity Project of
the Year at the annual Sustainable Ireland Energy, Environment and Waste
Management Awards and the first-ever Biodiversity Award at the 2008 Super-
valu Best Kept Awards organised by the Northern Ireland Amenity Council.
In a strategic approach to addressing biodiversity issues in the Borough of An-
trim, rivers and streams were identified as being important local habitats.
It became evident that local people wanted to actively help maintain and en-
hance their local river habitat. As a result of this interest in the biodiversity,
water quality and recreation value of their local river, the Six Mile Water
Guardians project was launched in October 2007.
The Guardians project has got local people involved and interested in their natural environment and in the wildlife that shares the Six
Mile Water River corridor. It also gives people of all ages the opportunity to be physically active.
Antrim Borough Council recognised the important role the local site played for wildlife and people and has been delighted with the
results of the project which includes:
Six Mile Water Guardians training programme
Six Mile Water Wildlife Recording Card
A Conservation Management Plan
Annual Bat Waterway Survey
Annual Waterway Breeding Bird Survey

At the last count, around 40 volunteers were registered as Guardians. They have
assisted in the development of a conservation management plan that considers
recreational use that does not compromise the local biodiversity interest and
that biodiversity is conserved and where possible enhanced.
For example, the Guardians built bird and bat boxes for the Mill Race Trail on
the Six Mile Water last February. These boxes have been erected around the
site, creating new homes for these species. An annual bat survey will monitor
Daubentons bat, also known as the water bat.
The invasive species on the Mill Race Trail site are also being mapped, moni-
tored and controlled. The most significant species are Japanese knotweed and
Giant Hogweed. Some of these species have the ability to dramatically decrease
the biodiversity interest, whilst others pose a Health and Safety risk.
The project impressed the judging panels for both awards because it is the re-
sult of interest from local people who wanted to actively help maintain and en-
hance their river habitat, and has given people of all ages an opportunity to be
physically active by providing a regular programme of events, surveys and out-
door activities.

For further information on the project, which was supported by BBC Breathing Places through the Big Lottery Fund, please contact
Ruth Wilson, Biodiversity Officer, Antrim Borough Council Tel: 028 9446 3113 ext 1371 email:ruth.wilson@antrim.gov.uk
Winter

Mayor of Antrim, Cllr Oran Keenan proudly shows the
award to Six Mile Water Guardian Kristy Robinson.
Photo: Elaine Upton

The Six Mile Water Guardians in action with new bird and
bat boxes they have made. Photo: Ruth Wilson

Features
Fruit tree tortrix moth - a pest of Bramley apple orchards?

Apple is host to an extensive fauna of tortricid moths. At least 25 species have been recorded as
pests of apple in UK orchards. However, most of them have been considered to be of minor im-
portance and out of this array of species only three are deemed to be significant pests by grow-
ers. These are; (1) the codling moth (Cydia pomonella); (2) the summer fruit tortrix moth
(Adoxophyes orana); (3) the fruit tree tortrix moth (Archips podana) (Figure 1). It is the latter
species that occurs significantly in the Bramleys Seedling apple orchards of Northern Ireland.
The moths hibernate as young larvae in cocoons fixed to twigs or buds. These emerge in
spring over a fairly long period from late March to early May when leaf buds are at the green
cluster or flower buds at the pink bud stage. Pupation occurs in late May to early June inside
leaves that have been spun together by the larvae. The adult moths appear mid-June and are
found up until mid-August. The greatest numbers appear in late June or July, dependent on
weather.
Eggs are laid in several batches of 50-100 eggs on the upper surface of leaves during June and July. The egg mass is covered
with a wax-like secretion that so closely matches the green colour of the leaf that detection is difficult. Hatching occurs within 17-23
days. Larvae disperse after hatching and, whilst young, each one lives in a silken web placed beside the midrib on the underside of a
leaf. The new generation larvae may cause further damage to the apple fruit before they hibernate. Larvae taken into apple stores can
even continue to feed on the fruit. Some of the larvae of the new generation hibernate after moulting once or twice; others develop
to maturity and give rise to a second generation of moths in September and early October.
Numbers of A. podana within Ulster apple orchards have been found to regularly exceed the recommended ADAS action
threshold of 30 moths per pheromone-baited trap per week. However, despite greatly exceeding the threshold few of the apples are
considered as unmarketable; although some may be downgraded, overall the damage is negligible. With populations occurring well
above the spray threshold, damage would be expected. Reasons for this are unclear but it may be due to a feeding preference by the
larvae: the Bramley fruit may be too acidic for larvae to feed upon. Also, the predatory mite Anystis baccarum (Linnaeus) (Figure 2),
the most commonly occurring beneficial invertebrate species in Ulster apple orchards (Cuthbertson and Murchie, Biodiversity News,
30: 29) has been recorded within New Zealand apple orchards as being an important predator of tortricid moth larvae. It will therefore
presumably also feed upon A. podana and C. pomonella larvae within UK orchards.
The current ADAS action thresholds for A. podana, and indeed for other inver-
tebrate pest species, has not been specifically designed for the Bramleys Seedling culti-
var but for dessert apple orchards in southern England (Cuthbertson and Murchie, Biodi-
versity News, 32: 19). Capture of moths by the pheromone traps also does not prove
that the moths are resident in the orchard, nor that their larvae use apple as a host.
Pheromone-trap catches only indicate relative activity for the particular species cap-
tured. Therefore, considerable judgement by the individual grower, weighing up the
potential of moth larvae damage with the economics of chemical control, needs to be
applied before deciding to apply insecticides to control A. podana within their orchards.
For further information concerning invertebrate biodiversity within apple orchards contact: Dr Andrew G. S. Cuthbertson, Central
Science Laboratory, York YO41 1LZ (e-mail: a.cuthbertson@csl.gov.uk) or Dr Archie K. Murchie, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute,
Belfast BT9 5PX (e-mail: archie.murchie@afbini.gov.uk).
Winter
Figure 1: The fruit tree tor-
trix moth, Archips podana
Figure 2: The beneficial mite, Anystis
baccarum.

Features
Quarries: Who Needs Them?

We all do. Quarries provide the essential materials used to
build our schools, hospitals, houses and roads and other vital
infrastructure. But wildlife needs quarries too. Quarries play a
key role in promoting biodiversity, whether during their active
life, or after restoration.
The Quarry Products Association (QPA), whose member compa-
nies account for 90% of UK aggregate production, takes an ac-
tive role in biodiversity promotion.
Biodiversity has always been a key focus of QPAs Restoration
Award scheme, now in its 39
th
year. However, biodiversity will
be given even greater precedence in the judging for 2009. Com-
panies entering this year will have to live up to, or exceed, the
outstanding achievements of previous winners, who have im-
proved habitats for sand martins, barn owls, otters, dragonflies
and have successfully re-introduced rare plant species such as
orchids.
In 2008, QPA launched its own Biodiversity Action Plan which
formally sets out its commitment to biodiversity promotion and recognises the huge national asset it has at its disposal.
The land owned by QPA members exceeds 300sq km - the area of a national park such as the Norfolk Broads - and contains
at least two national nature reserves, 22 local nature reserves, 15 field study and education centres and 13 nature trails.
An estimated 700 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) have their origins in quarrying.
QPA members are also part of the Nature After Minerals (NAM) project, run in conjunction with the RSPB and Natural Eng-
land. This project sees site restoration being used to meet key national and local biodiversity objectives.
Members of QPA Northern Ireland are involved in the Our Nature with Aggregates strategy to conserve and enhance biodi-
versity and geodiversity on site. Meanwhile, at European level, members are supporting the Countdown 2010 scheme.
Recent initiatives run by member companies to promote biodiversity include the efforts of Acheson and Glover in County
Tyrone, Ireland, to re-introduce the endangered White-clawed Crayfish into the local area.
Acheson and Glover created a breeding habitat for crayfish in one of its working sandpits, which were then re-introduced
to the Ballinderry River and Lough Neagh Wetlands. The project was run with Ballinderry River Enhancement Association
(BREA) and won a top honour in the annual Sustainable Ireland Energy, Environmental & Waste Management Awards.
Another success for biodiversity was in Edzell, Scotland, at Aggregate Industries sand and gravel quarry. The most north-
ern pair of breeding Little Ringed Plovers was spotted here. These birds often choose to nest in quarries and there are
only around 1,000 pairs of them left throughout the UK, mostly confined to England and Wales.
Isnt it time that the significant contribution the quarrying industry makes to achieving the UKs biodiversity goals is prop-
erly and more widely recognised?

Hilary Arrowsmith
Winter

Dragonfly - Hanson Aggregates' Otley Quarry, winner of the Cooper-
Heyman Cup at the QPA Restoration Awards 08. Courtesy of QPA.

Features
Reedbed the Marmite of the conservation world?

Everyone has an opinion! To some it smells horrible, its dark and depressing, devoid of life
or interest (admittedly a strong reaction to a spreadable yeast extract, but still). To oth-
ers, marm.., I mean reedbeds, are vibrant, wonderful places, alive with bugs and beasts,
the very essence of a wild place.
Bringing reedbeds to life is a new initiative, aiming to take a more rounded view of reedbed wetlands, trying to discover
more about what makes them tick for the diverse range of flora and fauna that live there. What makes for fishy heaven or
froggy hell? What makes beetles beam or caterpillars cry? And, of course, what makes bitterns boom?
Over the next 2 years, bringing reedbeds to life will be conducting wildlife sur-
veys & research, across a core set of reedbed wetlands to answer these ques-
tions and more. We will attempt to relate what we find, to the management and
habitat functions of each site, so that we can better understand how to repli-
cate the heaven and avoid the hell for our reedbed wildlife - every crawling,
slithering, hopping and flying bit of it!
Alongside this, we will be travelling the country, sharing best practice with our
partners and coming up with new ideas on the best ways to manage reedbeds.
We will be providing practical tips, carrying out habitat audits, or just providing
another point of view.
There will be opportunities to attend training courses and conferences, informal
workshops and machinery demos. You may want to receive new practical man-
agement guidance and reports, based upon our findings, or provide a case study
to share with others facing similar issues.
We hope there will be an opportunity for all those interested in reedbed conser-
vation to get involved, strengthening partnerships, and working together to en-
sure that reedbeds remain vibrant, wonderful places, alive with bugs and beasts,
the very essence of a wild place. (and not a bit like marmite!)
We are delighted that Natural England are supporting bringing reedbeds to life
via the Countdown 2010 Biodiversity Action Fund.

For further information or to get involved, please contact; Nick Droy, Wetlands Advisor, RSPB. (nick.droy@rspb.org.uk)
Winter

Photo: RSPB

Features
Derwent Reservoir not just for water!

An important series of flower-rich grasslands have recently been recog-
nised at Northumbrian Water Ltds Derwent Reservoir site. The col-
lection of unimproved pastures have received little or no artificial
chemical fertiliser inputs within living memory and still support a
wealth of colourful wild flowers and grasses. Old meadow plants like
great burnet, betony and devilsbit scabious can be found with a variety
of wild grasses such as quaking grass, downy oat grass, heath grass
and meadow fescue. Adderstongue fern, a curious little low-growing
plant of ancient grasslands has been found in no less than 11 different
fields around the reservoir perimeter. Several of these fields are of
the rigg and furrow type a feature left over from a medieval form of
strip cultivation.

It is thought that more
than 97% of old herb-rich
grasslands have been lost since 1945. Many of these would have been
ploughed up and re-seeded with rye grass a highly palatable fast grow-
ing species which thrives on high levels of nitrogen in the soil. Nutrient
enrichment like this also encourages the spread of noxious weeds such as
stinging nettles, docks and thistles and therefore requires even more
chemical herbicides to control them. Excessive overgrazing and urban
development have also taken their toll on old pastures. In contrast,
many smaller grasslands are no longer managed by grazing and have
scrubbed over, thus shading out the smaller growing plants.

At Derwent Reservoir, Northumbrian Water Ltd and Durham Wildlife Trust
are working in partnership to manage the grasslands in a traditional
way without the use of chemical fertilisers or herbicides. Several of the
best grasslands have now been fenced and are being appropriately
grazed by traditional breeds such as highland cattle and Exmoor ponies.
These hardy breeds will graze less palatable vegetation like rushes and
some of the courser grasses which grow in more waterlogged soils.
They will also prevent the spread of scrub and help control invasive
bracken. Andy Mclay of Durham Wildlife Trust says this is a really im-
portant collection of unimproved pastures that are being sympatheti-
cally managed for future generations to enjoy.

Regards,

Stuart Pudney
Winter

Derwent reservoir. Photo: Stuart Pudney
Highland Cattle. Photo: Stuart Pudney

Exmoor ponies. Photo: Stuart Pudney

Features
Saving Our Magnificent Meadows:
The Saving our Magnificent Meadows project aims to
increase funding and resources for species-rich grasslands
across the UK. It is an initiative of the Lowland Grass-
land HAP Group, steered by all the statutory agencies,
Plantlife International, the Grassland Trust, GAP and
PONT. Since its start in April 2008, much information has
been gathered on grassland projects, and on issues im-
pacting on grassland conservation.

Donna Radley, the Projects Grassland Programme Manager, would like to thank all those who have contacted
her about projects in their area. Details of over 140 other projects across the country have shown that there
is a lot of grassland conservation work going on, or being planned. Main activities include surveys to find out
where the good grasslands are, and if they are in good health. Some projects offer advice to land managers
about how to best look after these rare and declining meadows, and in some cases practical help, such as
flying flocks. Other projects are about habitat creation using seed, plant plugs and green hay. Yet more pro-
jects include branding and marketing produce derived from species rich grasslands, and thereby encourage
their continued management. Many also encourage people to learn more about our magnificent meadows!

To tease out the issues that face the management
and expansion of these important habitats, work-
shops and meetings with groups, partnerships and
individuals in all parts of the country have been
held. As a result, we now know that of the 150
separate issues raised, the most widespread issue
across the UK is the lack of graziers and appropriate
grazing animals located near to sites and available
at the right time. Other key issues include difficul-
ties of making hay in poor summers, lack of up-to-
date data, and difficulties of carrying out grazing in
urban areas and on scattered fragments across the
countryside. One of the key issues is increasing peo-
ples understanding of how important these flowery
grasslands are, and how they should be best man-
aged to maintain or indeed improve their wildlife
interest.

The next steps in the project involve preparing a case for increased future funding for these species-rich habi-
tats, and for sharing good ideas and knowledge.

If you wish to discuss this project with Donna, or send her any ideas or information, please email:
donna.radley@plantlife.org.uk or telephone 01722 342730.
Winter

Photo: Plantlife International

Grassland Workshop in Northern Ireland

Features
Views from a Veteran Tree

Ive spent the last thirteen years working as a forager,
collecting wild vegetables from the forest and down
on the beach. Severn years ago I trained as a tree sur-
geon and Ive recently become the Tree Warden for
the Cleddau Estuary, a beautiful stretch of water in
the heart of the Pembrokeshire National Park.
Through these activities I have been given a very
privileged insight into the natural world.
Unsurprisingly, I have developed a passion for ancient
trees. But what exactly is a veteran tree? The term is
used for trees that are of interest biologically, cultur-
ally or aesthetically because of their age, size or con-
dition. Although size isnt everything, as a rule of
thumb an oak tree with a diameter of more than two
metres is likely to be truly ancient. Many lichens are
adapted to the sort of niches only veteran trees can
provide, such as rain-free crevices and hard, old, bark
-free wood. So one definition of a veteran tree is any
tree that harbours lichen growth in its nooks and crevices.
As a tree surgeon and climber Ive had the privilege of scaling to the top of various beautiful trees. The breath-taking view
from the uppermost branches is worth the exertion of the climb up the trunk and through the canopy. Standing within this
structure, sometimes hundreds of years old, is an incredible feeling. The scale is quite daunting.
Sadly, were often the first and last to enjoy this experience before the surgeons work begins and this venerable plant is
slowly dismantled. Most trees felled are not that old, but some are! Normally, if a tree has survived more than 100-150
years it is likely that its in a position where its threatening nobody and can be left to live in peace. The only work re-
quired on a tree like this would be the removing of deadwood, dismantling split branches, or removing limbs overhanging a
building.
Eventually all trees lives will come to an end, but sometimes we can help delay the inevitable. As trees get old, decay can
build up to such an extent that some of these great structures need supporting. A tree surgeon can either remove an un-
balanced limb or brace it using equipment specifically designed to accommodate the trees growth and movement
throughout the seasons.
Generally, though, trees are quite capable of looking after themselves, sometimes surviving in the most precarious of
situations. There are some amazing examples along the Cleddau estuary, where massive trees cling to its high banks as the
river and tides slowly erode the waters edge.
With this changing environment their footing often comes into question. If trees are in reach of a property or a highway or
by-way, then they are a potential hazard; if their existence is questioned, then with little consultation they can be con-
demned. In a world where health and safety is put ahead of everything else, old trees are frequently felled despite their
true value. With lifespans of hundreds, if not thousands of years, how can it be that most of these magnificent living struc-
tures have no protection? Only the lucky few are protected by a TPO (Tree Preservation Order,) or grow in a conservation
area.
We need to be more proactive in identifying and preserving our old trees. It can take hundreds of years to replace them,
so its our responsibility to ensure that they are all protected. Its still not too late to make a change, but we must act
now and help ensure that our grandchildren have their own veteran trees and woodlands to look after. We can all help
with this inspired project. If you know of a tree that you think should be included, simply visit www.ancient-tree-
hunt.org.uk or phone 08452 935 581.
By Yun Hider
Winter

Photo: Yun Hider.

Local & Regional
Double Whammy for Angus Barn Owl Project!

This year has seen the first Barn Owl chicks hatched in nest boxes provided through Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group
(FWAG) projects in Angus. Started over 5 years ago through the Tayside Biodiversity Partnership (TBP) it is one of the origi-
nal boxes which has seen the first chick ringed.
Carol Littlewood, Farm Conservation Adviser for Angus FWAG said This is great
news after all the work we have been doing with farmers to help Barn Owls. Most
distribution maps show Barn Owls stopping at the Tay, but information gathered
through the TBP has shown a different picture. This could be due to milder win-
ters as Barn Owls suffer badly in snow cover, but they will have benefited from
agri-environment schemes creating habitat. This has seen hedges planted, grass
margins sown and buffer strips established along watercourses, all fantastic habi-
tat for voles so good for Barn Owls.
Almost 100 Barn Owl nest boxes are now up around Angus, firstly funded by Scot-
tish Natural Heritage and more recently the Cairngorms National Park Authority,
Biodiversity Action Grant Scheme and Angus Council. Some landowners have
made and erected boxes themselves.
At least 5 boxes are used as winter roost sites. Carol explained A pair of Barn
Owls uses a number of sites during the year. They come together at the nest in
February and stay until the eggs hatch, the male roosting nearby. The female
moves out when the chicks are a few weeks old, all Mums know what its like to
be constantly pestered by the kids! The pair stay nearby to feed the chicks, re-
turning to their winter roosts when the chicks have fledged and are looking for
new sites themselves. A Barn Owl using a box, even as a roost, is secure and shel-
tered so more likely to survive the winter in good condition and breed the follow-
ing year.
Two very different boxes in very different locations have seen successful breeding pairs this year. In lowland Angus a sim-
ple plywood indoor box made by a volunteer proved successful, whilst in upland Angus a commercially made outdoor box
produced a brood.
Carol continued The first chick ringed by Ben Herschell, a Tay Ringing Group licensed Barn
Owl Ringer, was 3 weeks old when a contractor reported it had fallen out of the box. We
had suspicions this box was used last year as three birds had been seen around the farm in
late summer, but when checked there was no evidence of chicks. This pair may nest early
which would explain this. Luckily the contractor knew he had found a protected species, so
I was contacted and Ben ringed the chick before putting it back in the box. A month later
the fledged chick was using the box as a safe roost. There may have been more chicks ini-
tially, but such an early brood makes hunting for voles difficult and older chicks will eat
smaller siblings in order to survive.
The second brood was reported by a local gamekeeper who knew owls were using a box in a
shed. The chicks were too small to ring, so Ben returned a few weeks later. Checking the
outside box first, he found, to his surprise, a family of Kestrels. Investigation of the box in
the shed discovered 3 of the original Barn Owl chicks alive and well.
Hopefully these youngsters will survive and take up residence in one of the other boxes.

Winter

Single barn owl chick almost fully fledged.
Photo: C. Littlewood
1st Angus Box Chick. Photo: C.
Littlewood

Local & Regional
Wetlands for Water Voles and People Project

Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trusts water vole conservation work was given a wel-
come boost last year with the start of a three year Heritage Lottery-funded Wetlands
for Water Voles and People Project. The Heritage Lottery Fund awarded HMWT
399,000 in order to complete the project which is also supported by the Environ-
ment Agency, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and British Waterways and works
closely with the Herts Biological Records Centre.
Hertfordshires water voles have been subjected to the same threats that the species
has faced elsewhere across the UK and without the efforts of the Wildlife Trust and
its partners, would have faced extinction in the county. In particular, we have seen
many areas of good habitat cleared of water voles because of heavy and relentless
predation by American mink. However, the tide is now turning and water vole num-
bers are increasing in Hertfordshire.
HMWTs Wetlands for Water Voles and People Project aims to build on past water
vole conservation work in the county, including surveying and monitoring, mink con-
trol and advising land managers on habitat management. With the support of a Pro-
ject Manager, Wetland Awareness Officer and a Seasonal Surveyor we are able to ex-
tend mink control schemes, carry out a more structured and comprehensive survey
and monitoring programme and improve habitat and access to five wetland havens
across Hertfordshire. We are also increasing the participation of local people and
community groups in the wetland and water vole conservation projects.
In March 2008, habitat and access works were completed at Silvermeade wetland ha-
ven, a site within the Lee Valley Regional Park. This site is a stronghold for water
voles in the Lee Valley with easy access from the tow path running along the Lee
navigation. We increased the quality and extent of habitat available to water voles
by creating a number of ponds, restoring in-filled ditches and pollarding willows along
shaded ditch banks. To encourage people to learn a bit more about wetlands and to
create more opportunities for people to see water voles, we installed interpretation
panels and a leaning-rail along an area of ditch where water voles are sometimes
seen. Weve also held several events to draw people into the five sites to show them
more about water voles and wetlands and trained volunteers to carry out water vole
surveys. Weve also worked with land managers, including local authorities, to dem-
onstrate good habitat management. Further habitat and access works and more
events and activities are planned over the next two years on the other wetland ha-
vens and across the county.
Alison Hauser, Wetlands Awareness Officer said this grant is a great opportunity to
extend our work for water voles throughout Hertfordshire. We are delighted with how
the project has gone this year, with many people taking part in survey training days
and events throughout the county. We hope to expand on this over the next two years, helping to restore the charismatic
water vole to watercourses throughout Hertfordshire.

Contact:
Ali Hauser
Wetlands Awareness OfficerAlison.hauser@hmwt.org
www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/herts

Winter

Water Vole event at Silvermeade Wet-
land Haven. Photo: Clare Gray

Photo: Clare Gray

Local & Regional
Seals at Teesmouth

The Tees Seals Research Programme has been managed by the Industry Nature Conservation Association (INCA) on Tees-
side in North East England since 1989. The focus of this long-term project is to observe the status of the seal colony at
Seal Sands, a 294 hectare tidal expanse of mud and sandflat situated in the River Tees estuary. The seal colony serves as
an indicator of the health of the aquatic environment of the Tees.

Seals have probably lived around the mouth of the River Tees for many
hundreds of years but had declined rapidly by the mid 1800s as a result
of habitat loss and pollution. By the 1930s they had totally disappeared
from the estuary. Improvements in environmental quality gradually led
to the re-appearance of seals in the estuary and by the mid 1980s
there was again a resident population of seals. Teesmouth is the only
known estuary in Europe where seals have re-colonised as a direct re-
sult of environmental improvements and it is good to be able to say
that the colony is once again breeding successfully.

The species present are the Harbour or Common Seal (Phoca vi-
tulina) and the Grey Seal (Halichoerus grypus). Both species are im-
portant but the Harbour Seal is the main focus of interest. It is the
only species to breed at Teesmouth, the area being unsuitable as
breeding habitat for the Grey Seal. The Grey Seal uses nursery areas on rocky foreshores above the high water mark
because their pups, in contrast to those of the Harbour Seal, cannot swim at birth. The two species of seal generally,
although not exclusively, haul-out in separate groups on Seal Sands, around the low tide period when the sandbanks are
exposed.
Seal monitoring takes place at Seal Sands between early June and September which includes the two week period from
late June when the Harbour Seals give birth and the period in August when maximum numbers are observed as they
gather for their annual moult. Seal milk is particularly rich so by mid August the pups are weaned and become independ-
ent of their mother.

In terms of the Harbour Seal pup births, it is encouraging to report that 2008 saw the birth of 12 pups, all of which sur-
vived to weaning. This surpassed the previous record of 8 pups, which was achieved in 2006 and 2007. The maximum
and mean Harbour Seal count data suggests a current Harbour Seal population at Seal Sands of around 60 to 70 individu-
als. Assuming this to be reasonably accurate the colony is now producing pups close to the normal rate of 20-25% of the
population.

Although the birth rate of Harbour Seals has increased, it appears that there has been a 10% decline in the overall size of
the resident Harbour Seal population in 2008. It is not yet known whether this is an actual decrease or if the periods of
wet, cool and windy weather during the monitoring season have affected the number of seals hauling out at low tide.
Seals haul-out mainly to thermoregulate and are known to avoid hauling out in such weather conditions. The Harbour
Seal has declined nationally by 40% over the last 5 years (Pers. Comm., 2008) and, although only 2% of the UK national
total, the Teesmouth population is nevertheless important.

In terms of the picture for Grey Seals, there has been a smaller (5%) decline in numbers observed during 2008 but haul-
out behaviour is also likely to have been affected by poor summer weather. The Grey Seal population is around 20 to 30
individuals. Unlike the Harbour Seal the national picture for Grey Seal is more positive with seal numbers increasing.
Since this species does not have a breeding population at Teesmouth its numbers are likely to be more variable, being
Winter

Harbour Seal at Teesmouth. Photo: John Bridges

Local & Regional
affected by migration.
All things considered this year has been a reasonable year for the seals, which continue to thrive amidst the industrial
landscape of Teesside.

Reference
Pers.Comm.,(2008), Personal Conversation with Callan Duck of the Sea Mammal Research Unit at the University of
St.Andrews.

Robert Woods
Ecologist

Little Ouse Headwaters Project providing access to nature and protection for bio-
diversity

The Little Ouse Headwaters Project (LOHP) is a community-led initiative on the Suffolk/Norfolk borders which, over the
past 6 years, has shown that it really is possible to combine effective wildlife conservation with public enjoyment and
care of the natural environment. This fenland valley forms the historic boundary between Norfolk and Suffolk and is a
site of geological interest, containing the headwaters of the east-flowing River Waveney, and the west-flowing Little
Ouse.
Long ago, this shallow river corridor once held the largest valley fenland area in
England, uniting the great wildernesses of the dry Breckland in the west and the
wet Broadland in the east. Over many generations, human activity shaped a
unique landscape, cutting peat for fuel, sedge for thatching, litter for animal
bedding and by grazing stock and shooting. The result was a mosaic of reed and
sedge beds, fringed by alder and sallow woodland with dry pastures higher on
the valley sides. Pollarded oak trees provided a renewable source of timber.
Sadly, much of the fenland has been lost due to canalisation of the river from
the early 18
th
Century onwards, artesian abstraction and conversion to agricul-
tural land, particularly after the Second World War. As traditional management
practices were replaced and the water table dropped, the area dried out and
water quality was reduced. Today, despite these losses, the valley still has a
characteristic fenland landscape containing sites designated for their national
and international importance for wildlife, including two SSSIs and a Special Area
of Conservation (SAC). The adjacent Redgrave and Lopham Fen is a National
Nature Reserve, an internationally important RAMSAR wetland site and is home
to the Fen raft spider Dolomedes plantarius, one of Europe's largest, most beau-
tiful but least common species of spider.
The valley supports a large number of priority BAP species, and those of Princi-
pal Importance included in the review of 2007/08, including otters, water voles,
brown hares, at least 5 species of bat, great crested newts, slow worms, grass snakes and adders. Reed buntings, sky-
larks, spotted flycatchers, yellow hammers, marsh tits, linnets, bullfinches, cuckoos and lapwing, amongst other birds,
all breed in the valley. The invertebrate populations are less well known, but intensive surveys are underway at present
and expected to reveal exciting results. Habitats in the river valley include woodlands and heathlands as well as typical
wetland habitats such as fen, reedbeds, rivers and ponds.
LOHP has been enterprising in applying for funding and has benefited from a number of grants. These include the EU-
Winter

Volunteers digging a new turf pond on
Blo'Norton Fen. Photo: Helen Smith
Local & Regional
funded (North Sea Interreg III B) Transnational Ecological Network (TEN 3)
Project. Thus, their partners include organisations in the Netherlands and
Germany, as well as those closer to home, such as South Norfolk District
Council, Forest Enterprise, RSPB, BTO, FWAG, Norfolk and Suffolk County
Councils, Norfolk and Suffolk Wildlife Trusts, Plantlife and the Environ-
ment Agency. The LOHP has also raised funds from the Heritage Lottery
Fund, DEFRA (Countryside Stewardship), Biffaward, the Shell Better Brit-
ain Community Fund and the East Anglian Daily Times Wild Flower Award
scheme, as well as from many private charitable trusts, including the
Tubney Trust.
This project is particularly important in view of potential changes in our
climate. Natural England, in their report Planning for Biodiversity as Cli-
mate Changes (BRANCH 2007) stated that networks of high quality well-
connected habitats will help wildlife to be more resilient to climate
change by allowing them suitable habitat in which to disperse. LOHPs
aim to re-create and maintain a continuous corridor of wildlife habitat
along the headwaters of the Little Ouse precisely fits this requirement. It is clear that residents of the Parishes of
Redgrave, South Lopham, Blo'Norton, Hinderclay and Thelnetham, together with partner organisations, are making a
practical and tangible contribution to wildlife conservation.
At the same time, they are improving the recreational, amenity and educational value of the valley for their community.
Landscape quality will be improved and the valley will provide an essen-
tial safeguard against flooding. Walkers, cyclists and horse riders are en-
couraged to use the "Quiet Lanes" with the aim of increasing the area's
potential for low-impact tourism. This in turn will benefit the local econ-
omy because visitors will seek local accommodation and their presence
will increase trade at local shops, pubs and historic buildings.
In November 2008, the LOHP area was one of 15 threatened wetlands
across the UK to be awarded a share in a 2 million Natural England ini-
tiative to revive the UKs wetlands. They will use the funds for habitat
restoration over 3 years, transforming abandoned farmland into a haven
for wildlife by linking historic fragments of fen at Thelnetham Fen and
Blo Norton Fen. The money will not only help wildlife, but also help hu-
man communities by ensuring the continuity of ecosystem services, such
as water storage, flood prevention and clean water supplies.
LOHP is an effective and practical project, tackling the issues of conserv-
ing threatened (and commonplace) species and habitats and preserving
vital ecosystem services. In addition, the area contains important ar-
chaeological remains going back more than 6,000 years, and includes evi-
dence of sea level and climate change which may hold lessons for the
future. This project is a shining example of community-led biodiversity
work and a model that we hope other communities across the UK may
follow.
To find out more visit the Little Ouse Headwater Project website
http://www.lohp.org.uk/home.htm

For further information about Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership, please
contact Gen Broad Direct line 01473 264308, Mobile 07894885337, email:
gen.broad@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk

Winter

Guided walks introduce local people to the project's
sites and new paths. The bridge was funded by the
TEN project . Photo: Helen Smith

Parker's Piece in Thelnetham where a range of fen
habitats is being restored . Photo: Helen Smith

Restored meadow and fen at Blo'Norton Lows. Photo:
Helen Smith

Local & Regional
Winter
A Biodiversity Action Plan for Bristol

The Bristol Biodiversity Action plan was launched in November, and sets out am
ambitious blueprint for the sustainable future of Bristols wildlife and wild spaces.
The launch of the plan coincides with Bristol being named as Britains most sus-
tainable city by Forum for the Future.
Wild City
Bristol is one of the greenest cities in the country and supports a huge wealth of
wildlife. Bristol has everything from the spectacular Avon Gorge, with its unique
array of rare wildflowers, through to the Severn Estuary with its internationally
important numbers of wintering wildfowl.
The city also contains a fantastic array of natural green spaces, with woodlands,
ponds, and meadows providing important habitats for wildlife. Added to that
wildlife corridors formed by the river and railway network; the rich array of wild-
life found in our gardens and allotments and its possible to see why Bristol is so
special. In fact the city has everything from, peregrine falcons, skylarks and
hedgehogs to badgers, otters and water voles.
Value to people
Bristols wildlife also helps bring the experience of the natural world to many
people. Such contact with nature can be inspiring and is known to promote good
health and wellbeing, as well as a welcome contrast to the hustle and bustle of
city life. All in all biodiversity helps makes Bristol a more enjoyable and inter-
esting place to live.
The Biodiversity Action Plan
The Biodiversity Action Plan sets out detailed measures to help both priority spe-
cies such as the otter, water vole, house sparrow and hedgehog and habitats such
as wildflower meadows, woodland and reed beds.
Proposals include making sure existing habitats are properly looked after and
new habitats are created. They also include monitoring vulnerable species and
working to help them to thrive in future.
The plan also sets out a range of exciting and innovative measures that include
wildlife audits for school grounds, the promotion of green roofs, greening of busi-
nesses and wildlife friendly management of allotments.

Helen Hall, Nature Conservation Officer at Bristol City Council explains Bristol
has an amazing natural environment. The Bristol Biodiversity Action Plan sets
out a framework for how we will work together to care for our precious wildlife
habitats and the species that live there. We hope this will benefit both people
and wildlife, and contribute to Bristols growing reputation as a leading green
city
Working in partnership
The BAP has been produced by the Bristol Biodiversity Partnership, a consortium
of local conservation groups and organisations, co-ordinated by Bristol City Coun-
cil. To download a copy of the BAP visit the city councils web site on
www.bristol.gov.uk

The launch of the BAP (photographer BCC). Officers
and councillors from BCC, partner organisations and
broadcaster Phillippa Forrester who helped launch the
document

Bristol Onion (taken by Phil Jeary)
The BAP encourages the creation of new habitats
including reedbeds like these (photographer BCC)

Local & Regional
Winter
Colwall Orchard Group

Colwall, nestled amid the wooded ridges, copses and fields west
of the Malvern Hills in Herefordshire, has a smattering of or-
chards - remnants of a once extensive orchard estate. Many were
planted to supply a local fruit packing, canning and processing
factory, and after its closure, are falling into disrepair, with trees
collapsing and being cleared or left to rot. We set up Colwall
Orchard project to assess the wildlife value of these orchards and
to persuade both owners and villagers that their orchards should
have a fruitful future.
Initially we focused on finding and assessing the condition of the
orchards alongside the Peoples Trust for Endangered Species
noble chafer beetle survey. We found 32 traditional orchards,
and further sites are still emerging. It was a very wet winter,
and the tree hollows were full of water, so we only confirmed
noble chafer at two sites, but many others look promising.
This year we expanded the project to include further surveys,
training, management advice, practical management and public
events. We commissioned management plans for 12 orchards, kitted ourselves up with some top quality tools and trained
our volunteers to go out into the orchards to put the plans into action. Our winter training programme includes sustain-
able management of mistletoe, restoration pruning of mature and over mature trees, orchard management for wildlife,
tree planting, and formative pruning of young trees.
We are promoting the value of orchards locally through public events. Our first,
relatively low key event was a fungus foray in September. We stepped up a gear
for Colwall Apple Day at a local school, which drew in 350 children, parents and
villagers. We invited folk to bring apples, which we juiced with hand crushers and
apple presses. The children threw themselves into the crushing and pressing, and
we made about 200 litres of delicious juice.
The mistletoe training generated lots of nicely berried mistletoe, so we decided
to try marketing this via a Mistletoe fair at Caves Folly, an organic nursery in
Colwall. People turned out in force to support our cause and we raised 400 in
all. As Christmas approached, Wassailing was suggested and we took a snap deci-
sion to Wassail on 17th January. This was an amazing success; 100 people turned
up, despite a 2 hours storm front sweeping across the village at the time, and we
had a fantastic evening.
Over the course of the year we have accrued a band of 46 willing volunteers, with
a range of skills and interests. We have offered training, done orchard manage-
ment and run a series of increasingly popular public events. We will be going on
to do more events, including an art project with the local school. We hope that
this is raising awareness of the village orchards, their value for wildlife, history
and tradition, and the importance of sustainable orchard produce.
Special thanks go to the orchard owners, to the volunteers - who have clocked up
at least 700 hours so far this year and to the people of Colwall for their support. Thanks also to our sponsors - Colwall
Greener (our village sustainability group) and Colwall Parish Council and to the Malvern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural
Beauty, who fund the project from their Sustainable Development Fund, financed by Natural England.

Helen Stace, Founder, Colwall Orchard Group

Cherry Orchard and Perry Pear at Broadwood.

Children juicing apples at Colwall Apple
Day

UK BAP Updates
The UK BAP: latest action - Ant Maddock JNCC
Happy New Year, I hope you all a reasonable, albeit cold, break! Since the last issue of Biodiversity News the 2008 UK BAP Reporting
Round has been completed, a workshop looking at the research and one-off survey signposting actions was held, and Standing Committee
has met. We are also preparing for a BRIG meeting in February 2009 in which the work plan for 2009 will be discussed. And, the countries
continue working with partners and making progress with planning and implementing conservation action.

The 2008 Reporting Round
The fourth Reporting Round is now complete having formally ended on 30 November 2008. As with previous years some reports took a bit
longer to get through to the 2008 Reporting team but as of mid J anuary 2009, more than 80% of the HAPs signed off their reports, 91% of
the SAPs signed off but only 68% of the LBAPs signed off their reports (fully 31% did not even start reporting).
The trend data from the 2008 Reporting Round will be prepared and analysed for the UK Indicators (http://www.jncc.gov.uk/page-1824) that
will be sent as part of the UK submission to the CBD. The UKs progress towards the 2010 targets will be based on these indicators of
which the UK BAP species and habitat trends represent two of the 18 UK indicators.
Once the indicator data have been sent off to Defra, analysis of all the information received during the 2008 Reporting Round and writing of
the final report will begin. In previous years, this report has been published at the UK BAP Partnership conference but given that the confer-
ence is likely to be held in the early autumn, the report will be ready for publication before then.

UK BAP Species and Habitat Review
As you are now aware, implementing the conservation actions for the new UK list is largely devolved to the countries which work with the
NGOs and other voluntary sectors to take on the essential tasks of delivery. However, there are a number of tasks that need to be con-
ducted at a UK level and this includes completing the last steps of the Species and Habitat Review and moving fully into implementing con-
servation action. Accordingly a major task for BRIG is to provide a means to gather advice on species habitat needs and make these avail-
able via a searchable web-based forum.
Also, now that the 2008 Reporting Round is over, BRIG will start working on how to report on progress in the future. This work will include,
but likely will not be exclusive to, the new species and habitats and will link to international developments on the post 2010 targets.
At last the definitions of the priority habitats and the information supporting the selection of the priority species has been published on the
UK BAP website (see the links on the UK BAP home page http://www.ukbap.org.uk/). Please cite the definitions paper as UK Biodiversity
Action Plan; Priority Habitat Descriptions 2008. BRIG (ed. Ant Maddock).

Research and one-off survey workshop
In December 2008 a workshop was convened by the contractors Peak Ecology Limited to identify, from the signposting work, those re-
search and one-off survey actions that are ready to go forward immediately. The final report is due in mid J anuary 2009 and an assessment
of how to take the results of this report forward will be presented at the BRIG meeting on 4 February 2009.
Biodiversity Action Plan

Events
Welsh wild plants for landscape and biodiversity
Wednesday 25th February 2009
Llandrindod Wells, Powys

A seminar for land management professionals involved in planning, managing, restoring and designing green spaces for bio-
diversity, landscape and enjoyment. To be opened by Iolo Williams, BBC Wales TV Presenter and Patron of the Flora locale
Wild Meadows of Wales Initiative
Conference fee: 45 per person
(35 for Not For Profit groups)

For booking form and details see www.wildmeadows.org.uk,
email: info@floralocale.org or call 01672 515723.

Free Public Lecture Series, Spring 2009
WATER! From Source to the Sea
Freshwater habitat issues in the UK
Birkbeck, University of London
in conjunction with the Ecology and Conservation Studies Society
Water is the basis of all life, yet now its quality for all habitats is compromised by human activities. As a result, cli-
mate change threatens increased quality and supply problems, and more flooding, with profound impacts on wildlife
and people. This series examines water ecosystems and habitats from London to the national level, their degrada-
tion, restoration and management, the challenge of new legislation to deal with new problems, and perhaps some
positive solutions.
Join the debate. All welcome. Booking essential.
The lectures will be held in Birkbeck, University of London, WC1
E-mail: environmentevents@FLL.bbk.ac.uk for booking and venue details, (telephone 020 7679 1069)
All lectures are from 6.30pm to 8.30 pm on Fridays during February and March. Doors open at 6.00pm

Please send in any dates of courses, meetings, conferences, events for young people or any other dates of relevance
that could be included in our diary.
Winter

Events
International Year of Natural Fibres 2009

The official Launch of the International Year of Natural Fibres 2009, as designated by the United Nations Food and Agricul-
ture Organisation (FAO), took place in Rome on Thursday 22 January 2009, 10.00am (UK time). The event has been web-
cast and is available to watch at www.fao.org/webcast.

A new website dedicated to the International Year of Natural Fibres, which will list all of the events planned for the year,
and serve as a focus for the natural fibres community, has been launched at http://www.naturalfibres2009.org/

The largest UK event to celebrate the year is being organised in London on 14-15 December, entitled Natural Fibres 09.
Organised by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining this International conference will celebrate and highlight the
increasing use of natural fibres, to raise awareness of their diverse properties, and stimulate an increased demand. It will
offer an opportunity for natural fibre industries to come together to foster international partnership and increased under-
standing of the role that natural materials can play in ensuring a sustainable future.
The conference will focus predominantly on the industrial applications of natural fibres, and include presentations in the
broad themed areas of fibre extraction fibre processing industrial applications (e.g. automotive, construction, lei-
sure, healthcare, etc.) bioenergy and the biomass industry biocomposites geotextiles biomimetic materi-
als animal fibres marine fibres natural fibres for the developing world. Papers are being sought in all areas of Natural
Fibres, including those listed above, and should be submitted to Dawn Bonfield (dawn.bonfield@iom3.org) by 31
st
March
2009.

For further details about the event, please see the website http://www.iom3.org/events/waste or contact
dawn.bonfield@iom3.org

Please send in any dates of courses, meetings, conferences, events for young people or any other dates of relevance
that could be included in our diary.
Winter

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