WIRRAL
BIODIVERSITY
ACTION PLAN
ACTION PLAN
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WIRRAL
BIODIVERSITY
ACTION PLAN |
| Current Status | Current Factors causing loss or decline | Current Action | Key habitats | Objectives and Targets |
| Proposed Actions | Resources | Links to other Action Plans | Contact Points | References |
1.1 National
1.1.1 The brown hare remains widespread in Great Britain, but has declined in abundance since the 1960s. The current estimate of the pre-breeding population is 800,000-1,250,000. It is estimated that numbers declined by 80% during the 20th century with much of this decline occurring since the 1960s. The 1991-2 National Hare Survey concluded that this decline is significantly more pronounced in western, pastoral regions than in eastern arable monocultures.
1.1.2 The Brown Hare is a UK BAP Priority Species on account of its historic decline.
1.2 Local
1.2.1. There is currently no population estimate for Wirral. However Brown Hares are commonly found on farmland in mid Wirral with high concentrations of population around Landican cemetery. Other areas of Brown Hare sightings are from West Wirral on the farmland around the Dungeon through to the golf course at Caldy, then Frankby, Greasby and on into Hoylake. On the south east side of Wirral from Landican hares can be found in the farmland at Barnston, Storeton and continuing south through to Willaston and beyond. Information for Wirral came from an appeal for sightings in 1995 in local newspapers. The following list are the resulting positive sightings; Clatterbridge, Thornton Hough, Willaston, Barnston, Two Mills, Gayton, Barnston, Thurstaston, West Kirby, Meols and Landican.
1.2.2. The current status for the Brown Hare population in Wirral is unknown at present. However figures for Wirral farmland have been incorporated into the Brown Hare survey for the whole of Cheshire. It is not possible to break this data down specifically for Wirral at present
1.3 Legal
The Brown Hare is afforded limited legal protection under the Ground Game Act (1880) and the Hares Protection Act (1911) and may not be offered for sale between 1 March and 31 July. This is to discourage shooting during the main breeding season.
Hunting of hares with dogs is currently under review by the government with possible changes in legislation resulting.
2. CURRENT
FACTORS CAUSING LOSS OR DECLINE
2.1 National
2.1.1 Changes in the agricultural landscape, particularly in eastern arable regions. Intensive farming resulting in decreased crop diversity between fields and loss of conservation headlands, woodlands and hedgerows has reduced the habitat richness essential for high hare densities. Crop diversity is important to provide year round food sources. Large cereal monocultures can lead to food shortages as the crops mature and become unpalatable. Woodlands and hedgerows are important as diurnal lying up sites for hares (particularly leverets), providing protection from predators.
2.1.2 Changes in planting and cropping regimes. The shift from winter to spring sown cereals reduced the availability of stubble fields as a source of winter food. Additionally, the shift from hay to silage cutting and the use of faster silage cutters at higher frequencies throughout the year has increased direct hare mortalities, particularly in western pastoral regions. Hares are particularly vulnerable because they choose areas without livestock as lying up sites, and these are the areas most likely to be cut for silage.
2.1.3 Intensive livestock farming/increase in stocking densities in pastoral areas.
2.1.4 Culling by landowners/farmers on arable land either to reduce crop damage or to deter poaching.
2.2 Local
2.2.1 All of the above factors for the national decline can be considered as contributing factors to populations of Brown Hares in Wirral.
Isolation and fragmentation of populations due to increased urbanisation. There is a danger that populations may be completely cut off as the spread of housing increases out into green belt land.
2.2.2. The M53 motorway may isolate populations from the east to the west side of Wirral.2.2.3. The level of shooting either as pest control or by organised game shoots in Wirral is currently unknown.
2.2.4 Poaching levels in Wirral is unknown.
2.2.5 Road casualties, particularly on the M53 and at known hotspots for hares such as the road between Arrowe Park and Landican cemetery.
2.2.6 Localised fox predation on leverets.
2.2.7 Potential misuse of herbicides and fungicides. However, research is needed to determine the extent of this problem.
3.1 The second national Brown Hare survey was conducted in 1998-99. Wirral was included as part of the Cheshire survey. Analysis of this data will provide relevant information in the future.
3.2 Liverpool Museum runs a logging system for recording sightings in Merseyside.
5.1 Establish the current distribution for Wirral once the data analysis has been carried out on the results from the Cheshire survey.
5.2 Expand and maintain the existing population by 2010.
5.3 Prevent further habitat fragmentation.
6.1 Site safeguard
6.1.1 Map important areas for Brown Hares by 2005. (Action: Wildlife Trusts?) (Priority: High)
6.1.2 Prevent further fragmentation of populations by opposing loss of land serving as corridors linking farmland. Maintain existing Green Belt boundaries. (Action: LAs) (Priority:High)
6.1.3 Consider designation of important areas as non-statutory Wildlife Sites (SBI's). (Action: LAs) (Priority: Medium)
6.2 Policy
6.2.1 Seek to influence targeting of countryside stewardship grants in order to increase amount and distribution of set-aside. (Action: DEFRA)
6.3 Land Management
6.3.1 Promote uptake of appropriate agri-environment schemes. (Action DEFRA; FWAG) (Priority: High)
6.3.2 Avoid cutting of non-agricultural grasslands where hares are present during breeding season. (Action: LAs) (Priority: Medium)
6.3.3 Promote correct usage of herbicides and fungicides. (Action: DEFRA) (Priority: Low)
6.3.4 Promote planting of small woodlands copses on agricultural land in important areas for brown hares. (Action: Woodland Trust? LA)
6.4 Species protection and management
6.4.1 Liaise with police wildlife officers to combat the problem of poaching. (Action: landowners; Merseyside Police, Wirral Wildlife Officer -LA) (Priority: Medium)
6.5 Advice
6.5.1 Distribute national advisory literature to landowners and managers. (Action: North-West Mammal Group) (Priority: Medium)
6.5.2 Ensure that gamekeepers, landowners and managers are aware of the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme based at the Central Science Laboratories and report hare deaths thought to be connected to chemical spraying. (Action: ADAS Wirral Wildlife Officer - LA) (Priority: Medium)
6.6 Future research and monitoring
6.6.1 Conduct local surveys on farmland using accepted methodology by 2004. Monitor any change since the 1998-99 national survey. (Action: NW Mammal Group;Wildlife Trusts.). (Priority: High)
6.6.2 Collate bag return data (if any on Wirral.) (Action: GCT) (Priority: High)
6.6.3 Establish database as part of Local Records Centre (Action: rECOrd?) (Priority: Low)
6.6.4 Encourage research into hare ecology, particularly regarding effects of different agricultural practice, herbicides and pesticides and fox predation. (Action: universities) (Priority: Low)
6.7 Communications and publicity
6.7.1 Encourage submissions of records. (Action: NW Mammal Group) (Priority: Medium)
6.7.2 Use Brown Hare as a 'flagship' species to highlight the impact on biodiversity of modern agricultural practices and the loss of mixed farms. (Action: RSPB) (Priority: Medium)
7.1 National
Not known.
7.2 Local
Not calculated.
8. LINKS TO
OTHER ACTION PLANS
UK BAP Brown Hare SAP
North Merseyside BAP Skylark SAP, Grey Partridge SAP.
Wirral BAP Field boundaries.
8.1 Conflicts
None identified.
Dianne Bennett, Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council. Telephone: 0151 678 5488.
North West Mammal Group at Liverpool Museum (NMGM)
Rick Rogers - Cheshire region Brown Hare BAP action group.