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COUNTDOWN
2002 - Cheshire region Biodiversity Programme
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Action plan
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Contact
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Progress
to date
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TERRESTRIAL HABITATS |
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Lowland heathland (including lowland dry acid grassland and bracken) |
Andrew Brockbank (National Trust). |
Heathland inventory completed last year. Detailed survey of plants on Caldy Hill also complete. Caldy Hill entered Stewardship in 2000. Renewal of Stewardship scheme for Thurstaston Common LNR submitted (NT jointly with WBC) with considerably increased scope. Renewal of Stewardship scheme for Heswall Dales LNR submitted last year (WBC). Full programme of work ongoing on NT and WBC land maintaining and restoring heath. NT have completed a basic re-survey of their heathland property which now provides a baseline for future management in GIS. |
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Boundary features (including ancient and or species-rich hedgerows) |
Colin Wells (RSPB) |
Wirral plan completed |
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Hilary Ash (WW) |
Wirral plan completed |
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C.Smyth (WBC Rangers) |
Wirral plan completed |
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C.Smyth (WBC Rangers) |
Wirral plan completed |
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Wet woodland and fens |
Included in above. |
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Lowland rivers (including riverine reedbeds) |
Countdown
Reedbeds BAP |
Action group: Dibbinsdale Working Group, a partnership including private land owners, established on the Dibbin catchment working on a variety of issues including reedbed management. (Contacts: Paul Corner, Riva 2005; Vicky Hose, Wirral Ranger Service; Sheila Ross, Liverpool University Environmental Research). Topographic survey carried out of Babb's reedbed in lower part of Brotherton Park with a view to restoration. Vegetation survey of this reedbed in progress due to be completed September 2001. Management plan for Dibbinsdale LNR completed and due for approval (includes reedbeds both in WBC and private ownership). Peter Miller (WBC Ranger) has been constructing wetland swales to intercept suspended sediments in run off from roads. |
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COASTAL/MARINE HABITATS |
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Maritime cliff and slope |
Vacant |
Wirral plan being written. WMBC owns and manages maritime cliff and slope habitat on Hilbre and at Thurstaston. |
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Adam King (WBC Rangers). |
Wirral plan completed.Wallasey dunes went into Stewardship agreement in 2000. Extensive dune repair work (marram planting/thatching), scrub removal footpath surfacing to reduce erosion. (WBC)Draft management plan for Red Rocks in consultation. New money available from WBC for recreation management/erosion control in West Kirby dunes - replacing defunct boardwalk - £3000 this year (more over next 2 years) |
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Colin Wells(RSPB) |
Wirral plan written. WBC Rangers run an extensive interpretation programme in partnership with other organisations, promoting the positive value of the saltmarsh habitat including slide talks and discovery sessions for schools, information boards and public walks. High-tide bird watches across the marshes of the Dee and Mersey are staffed by volunteers and professionals from a variety of conservation organisations. |
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Andrew Goodwin (EA) |
Wirral plan written. WBC Rangers run free public walks onto the saltmarsh and mudflats in the Dee with an emphasis on conservation and biodiversity issues. Guided walks to Hilbre Island also include information about the value of mud habitats. Slide talks and discovery sessions for schools run by the Rangers from education centres around the coast include information about the value of mud habitats for conservation. |
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Modiolus modiolus |
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Deferred |
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Sabellaria spinulosa |
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Deferred |
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Mud habitats in deep water |
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Deferred |
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Saline lagoons |
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EN investigating |
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Adam King (WBC Rangers) |
Wirral plan being written |
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Coastal reedbeds |
Jacki Hulse CWT |
Draft management plan for Red Rocks in consultation. |
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SPECIES |
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Natterjack toad |
Christine Smyth (WBC Rangers) |
Reintroduction programme into 6th year. Natterjacks breeding at West Kirby. £2000 in grant money from EN to extend breeding pools in 2000. WBC Rangers carried out habitat work (mechanical removal of vegetation and re-profiling of breeding pools) in 2001, and continue monitoring programme. Rangers ran 'natterjack watch' event during the time when males were calling, and gave an illustrated talk in West Kirby Concourse. Programme of interpretation to general public and school groups continues. Wirral Wildlife have written a leaflet about Red Rocks nature reserve this year which includes information about the natterjacks. |
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Julian Whitehurst, Cheshire Wildlife Trust group set up. |
Wirral plan completed |
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Sand lizard |
Vacant |
Survey work at West Kirby and other (inland) Wirral sites this year to establish whether there is a remnant population. (HCT) Long-term possibility of reintroduction, though habitat fragmentation would have to be addressed. |
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Allis shad |
A.Goodwin (EA) |
Under investigation by A.Goodwin |
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Twaite shad |
A.Goodwin (EA) |
Under investigation by A.Goodwin |
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Other reptiles/amphibs/fish |
A.Goodwin (EA) |
Under investigation by A.Goodwin |
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Alice Kimpton (EN Ainsdale National Nature Reserve) |
Wirral 1st draft plan being written. Programme of population monitoring established at Leasowe dunes. Research underway including field trials, to investigate habitat requirements (Wirral MBC Rangers and volunteers). |
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Ian Wallace (Liverpool Museum) |
Wirral plan written. Regular monitoring of population (Liverpool Museum). Ad hoc research into habitat requirements. Piece of research conducted in 2000 by WBC Rangers/local students.Wirral plan completed |
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Dingy skipper |
Diane Bennett (WBC Rangers) |
Habitat management (scrub clearance) this year on Wirral Way to assist expansion of population. (WBC Rangers and Butterfly Conservation) |
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Silver studded blue |
Included in heathland plan. |
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C.Clee (Liverpool Museum) |
Wirral plan completed |
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C.Clee (Liverpool Museum) |
Wirral plan completed |
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C.Clee (Liverpool Museum) |
Wirral plan completed |
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Di Bennett (WBC Rangers) |
Wirral plan completed |
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Paul Corner (Riva 2005 Co-ordinator) |
Some survey work by Riva 2005 and students in 2001. Awaiting details.Survey by students organised by WBC Rangers of N.Wirral in 2000. Wirral plan completed |
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Fiona Angwin, (M/side and W/Lancs Bat Group) |
Wirral 1st draft plan written. Public involvement (events) on WBC sites led by Wirral Ranger Service. |
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Grey seal |
Christine Smyth (WBC Rangers) |
Monitoring of population by WBC Rangers and Hilbre Bird Observatory. |
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Reporting of sightings/strandings by WBC Rangers |
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Reporting of sightings/strandings by WBC Rangers |
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Fungi |
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Some survey work on WBC sites this year by NW Fungi group. |
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Algae, Lichens |
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Ongoing discussion |
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Malcolm Ingham (WBC Wildlife Officer) |
Wirral and Ellesmere Port Barn Owl Group. Very active group of 40 volunteers, including BTO ringers and 4 EN licensed workers supported and guided by WBC Wildlife Officer. Work includes monitoring nest sites and roost sites; following up reported sightings; ringing and monitoring chicks; educating and advising farmers and industrial land owners about the owl's habitat requirements. 11 breeding pairs now known on Wirral (last survey 12 years ago showed only one confirmed nesting pair). The group has erected 20 boxes since forming in January 2000. |
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Sea birds |
Colin Wells (RSPB), |
WBC supports the work of the Dee Estuary Voluntary Wardens, whose primary function is to protect high tide bird roosts at West Kirby from conflict with recreation users. The roosts, together with feeding areas off Wirral's coastline support internationally important populations of wintering shore-birds. (See also habitat sections on saltmarsh and mudflats). |
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Birds (other) |
Colin Wells (RSPB), |
Some prioritisation work done. Surveys/monitoring ongoing. Awaiting details. CAWOS have purchased recorder 2000 and are acting as pilot organisation for recording trials. |
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H.Ash |
Plan completed August 2001. |
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D.Cavanagh(WBC Rangers), B.Greenwood (WW) |
Plan completed August 2001. |
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Dune fescue |
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To be included in sand dune habitat plan. |
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Other plants |
Hilary Ash (WW) |
Ongoing discussion |
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Mackay's horsetail |
Len Johnson, |
Propagation and replanting carried out to establish a new colony within Red Rocks SSSI |
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Bluebell |
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To be included in woodland plan. |
Abbreviations:
RSPB Royal Society for Protection of Birds
WBC Wirral Borough Council
EN English Nature
EA Environment Agency
HCT Herpetological Conservation Trust
CAWOS Cheshire and Wirral Ornithological Society
WW Wirral Wildlife