THE NOT JUST NEWTS PROJECT 2007-2010
A SPECIES CHALLENGE FUND PROJECT
NEWWildlife were lucky enough in 2007 to receive Species Challenge Funding from CCW to enable us to progress exciting projects on our nature reserves to benefit a number of declining and threatened species. So, as we near the end of the first year, here is a round up of what we’re been up to!
OBJECTIVES
The project this year has made a substantial contribution to furthering the objectives below.
Objectives
The NOT JUST NEWTS project has allowed NEWW to diversify the species which benefit from our management, and improve the wider biodiversity value of a number of its sites across North East Wales. It has also helped to widen our knowledge of species distribution on existing sites, as well as providing opportunities to engage members of the public in biodiversity issues, through events, training, and volunteer activities.
- Water Vole: this project aimed to further our knowledge of presence and numbers of water vole on three sites, improve local habitat conditions to benefit the species, and identify need for targeted mink control. This has been achieved, with SCF money funding NEWW’s participation in wider projects on the Abergele marshes and contributing to that area’s possible identification as a Key Area for the species. Although surveys and observations at Brookhill have failed to provide concrete evidence of the species’ presence, one potential sighting was recorded and further vigilance is needed. A site leaflet was produced for the Belgrano Nature Reserve and a community event held, allowing the requirements of the site and species to be explained to residents on the neighbouring estate. It is hoped a regular monitoring regime will be put in place next year
- Otter: this project aimed to substantially improve the habitat for otters on a new reserve, encouraging them to extend their breeding range, and hoped to raise local awareness of the site’s purpose and biodiversity. This has been achieved through the erection of a new otter holt at Pen Y Maes, Trefnant, a volunteer activity that attracted young volunteers from the local estate to appreciate their local wildlife. It was also an excellent partnership project made possible by the expert assistance of the Three Rivers Project, who monitor the otters on the Nant Padrig and further afield. Survey activity at Belgrano has also generated another record of otter using the ditch to the rear of the NEWW reserve. A Mammal Training Day, led by the EA’s Rob Strachan, trained new volunteers in both the ecology and the art of field sign survey for riparian mammals, as well as informing them about the requirements and survey techniques for bats. A second sites leaflet has already been designed highlighting the special qualities of various NEWW sites, and the printing costs will be claimed next year.
- Great Crested Newt: this project’s objective is to demonstrate that actions to benefit other species can be harmonised with those to improve great crested newt habitat. The reedbed currently under construction at Brookhill Nature Reserve is likely to provide good cover and forage habitat for the thriving newt population as well as benefiting other species, and the reduction in grazing on the meadow areas of Maes Y Grug and Glascoed should allow a longer sward and greater species diversity to develop, as well as in the long term providing visual interest that may attract visitors to enjoy and appreciate these Great Crested Newt reserves. Of course, with spring being the best planting season, and heavy frosts still being felt in February, these works are still ongoing but should be complete by the end of the financial year 2007-08.
- Reed Bunting, Linnet and Bullfinch: the project aimed to improve habitat for these birds on 3 sites, providing oases of food sources and potential nest sites amidst a developed and intensively farmed landscape. In addition, its objective is to heighten public awareness of the species and provide opportunities to see the bird in the wild. The two meadow creations and the creation of a small reedbed at Brookhill will contribute to this. Materials have been placed in the bird hides at Brookhill and Glascoed helping visitors to identify and understand the needs of birds and these target species in particular.
- Bats: the project aimed to increase our knowledge of species distribution, provide additional roost sites and encourage the public to overcome their misconceptions and fears of the species by involving themselves hands-on with the work through community events. To this end, two bat box building events were held, in which a large number of visitors participated, and the bat boxes made have been erected at sites in Flintshire. One of these events, held at Woodfest Wales, was particularly well attended and a number of volunteers took bat boxes home to put up in their gardens. The bat boxes have been put up on reserves at Hafod and at Broadoak Wood, Connah’s Quay, involving a local school group. A bat walk was held at Rhydymwyn Nature Reserve, however, it has proved difficult to attract volunteers to undertake dusk detector transects on other sites. This is a target for next year.
- Volunteers: the project set out to provide excellent opportunities for volunteers from all walks of life to gain skills in countryside management and to raise awareness of the target species and their needs. It aimed to engage local people in biodiversity action on their doorstep, often in areas where unhelpful behaviour has been a conservation issue. Although the numbers of volunteers engaged have been low – c. 50 active participants – several have gained quality career-enhancing experience and gone on to work in the countryside sector. Public engagement has been much wider, through leaflets, events, and publicity materials we estimate to have reached 500 members of the public. Issues such as flytipping at Belgrano seem markedly to have reduced since the publicity drive, and the event raised awareness of our role on the site, even where certain aspects may be controversial.
- The project also sought to ensure that priority species are included in the relevant site management plans so their needs are acknowledged in the long term: an important objective of the national BAPs. Belgrano now has a management plan in place, and a local volunteer has expressed an interest in producing further plans to enhance her work experience. We hope to progress this outcome next year.
In year two, we need a lot more help! We are recruiting people to undertake otter, water vole and bat surveys, and to send in casual records of any of the species mentioned when out and about on NEWW reserves! No specialist expertise is required, so please get in touch with the Reserves Management Team on 01352 752238.
