WIRRAL
BIODIVERSITY
ACTION PLAN
ACTION PLAN
|
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 water vole is found throughout mainland Britain but is mainly confined to lowland areas close to water. Water voles were formerly common and widespread but since 1900 the species has suffered a long-term decline in numbers and a contraction in its distribution. National surveys carried out during 1989-90 and 1996-98 revealed a loss of 89% of sites previously occupied in 1939.
1.1.2 In the seven-year period between the two national surveys of 1989-90 and 1996-98, the British population is estimated to have declined by 88% from over 7,000,000 to under 900,000 individuals.
1.2 Local
1.2.1 The national survey of 1996-98 revealed a loss of 96% of occupied sites in the north-west since the previous national survey in 1989-90.
1.2.2 The national survey of 1989-90 revealed the presence of water vole populations in three 10km squares on Wirral.
1.2.3 No detailed systematic survey for water voles has been carried out on Wirral. Therefore information on water vole status and distribution is currently very limited.
1.3 Legal
1.3.1 The water vole receives limited legal protection through its inclusion on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) Section 9 (4). Legislation protects the water voles places of shelter and protection but does not protect the voles themselves. Legal protection makes it an offence to intentionally:
2. CURRENT
FACTORS CAUSING LOSS OR DECLINE
2.1 National
2.1.1 Loss, degradation and fragmentation of suitable habitat.
2.2.2 Predation by American mink (Mustela vision).
2.2.3 Poisoning by rodenticides.
2.1.4 Fluctuations in water levels.
2.2 Local
2.2.1 Loss, degradation and fragmentation of suitable habitat as a result of inappropriate vegetation management, insensitive river engineering and bank protection and maintenance works.
2.2.2 Predation by American mink may be a problem in some areas of Wirral.
2.2.3 Poisoning of water voles by rodenticides may be a problem in urban/urban fringe areas.
2.2.4 Fluctuations in water levels, particularly periods of flooding.
3.1 National
3.1.1 The first national survey for water voles was carried out in 1989-90 and repeated in 1996-98.
3.1.2 The water vole is one of twelve Priority Species of British terrestrial mammals identified in the UK Biodiversity Steering Group Report (1996) as needing conservation action.
3.1.3 Establishment of the UK Water Vole Steering Group and the production of the UK Water Vole Species Action Plan (1997).
3.1.4 Publication of the 'Water Vole Conservation Handbook' (1998) and 'The mink and the water vole: analyses for conservation' (1999) by the Oxford University Wildlife and Conservation Research Unit.
3.1.5 Publication of water vole planning guidance notes for planners and developers by English Nature (1999).
3.1.6 Ongoing research into the ecology and conservation requirements of water voles by the Environment Agency and the Oxford University Wildlife and Conservation Research Unit.
3.2 Local
3.2.1 The Metropolitan Borough of Wirral is covered in both the Cheshire and Merseyside local species action plans for the water vole.
3.2.2 Water voles are identified for action in issue three of the Lower Mersey Local Environment Agency Plan.
3.2.3 Action to improve, promote and protect the watercourses of the Wirral peninsula is currently ongoing through the local River Valley Initiative, RiVa 2005.
3.2.4 Dibbinsdale Local Nature Reserve is currently being surveyed (May/June 2001) to monitor a water vole population identified during the 1989-90 national survey.
Key habitats include rivers, streams, brooks, canals, ditchers, lakes and ponds.
5.1 Local
5.1 To determine and maintain the current status and distribution of water voles in Wirral.
5.2 To increase the status and distribution of water voles in Wirral.
6.1 Site safeguard
6.1.1 Consider designating sites where good populations of water voles are present as non-statutory Wildlife Sites. (WMBC).
6.1.2 Ensure that the conservation requirements of water voles are integral to the management of those SBIs and SSSIs where water voles are known to be present e.g. Dibbinsdale LNR and Dungeon Pond SBI. (Site managers).
6.1.3 Avoid the use of rodenticides at sites where water voles are known to be present. (Land owners, managers).
6.1.4 Ensure that the conservation requirements of water voles and the presence of important water vole sites are identified in future Lower Mersey LEAPs and in the Environment Agencies annual river maintenance schedule. (EA).
6.2 Policy
6.2.1 Seek to include the conservation requirements of water voles and the appropriate management/enhancement /creation of suitable habitat in Countryside Stewardship applications on Wirral. (DEFRA).
6.2.2 Seek to ensure that all relevant local authority plans and nature conservation strategies include policies for the protection water voles and wetland habitats. (WMBC).
6.2.3 Ensure existing legislation is fully implemented. (All).
6.3 Land Management
6.3 None suggested.
6.4 Species protection and management
6.4.1 Determine the current status and distribution of mink in Wirral and consider appropriate control measures. (Riva 2005).
6.5 Advice
6.5.1 National literature - distribute. (Wildlife Trusts).
6.5.2 Publicise local contact for advice. (All).
6.5.3 Ensure landowners, managers are aware of presence of water voles/conservation requirements/legal protection. (All).
6.6 Future research and monitoring
6.6.1 Carry out a systematic survey of Wirral. (Riva 2005 by 2005)
6.6.2 Identify key sites and monitor. (Riva 2005 by 2005).
6.6.3 Establish a readily available database and ensure information is passed on to the relevant national recording scheme. (Riva 2005).
6.7 Communications and publicity
6.7.1 Raise awareness of plight and needs of water voles. (All).
6.7.2 Encourage involvement - training/surveying. (All).
7.1 National
Unknown.
7.2 Local
Not calculated.
8. LINKS TO
OTHER ACTION PLANS
Wirral BAP Reedbeds (not yet written), Coastal Floodplain and Grazing Marsh.
8.1 Conflicts
None identified.
Paul Corner, Riva 2005. Telephone: 0151 343 9869.
