Assessing ecological effects Kevin Honour MSc MCIEEM Director, - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Highthorn Workshop 4 Lynemouth, 3 June 2015

Assessing ecological effects

Kevin Honour MSc MCIEEM Director, Argus Ecology Ltd.

Assessing ecological effects

Gather data about the site and its surroundings

• Collate existing data (ERIC, WeBS, Bat Group, Bird Atlas data)
• Consult with Natural England, County Council, Wildlife Trust etc.
• Carry out a programme of ecological surveys
• Adjust survey programme in response to results and feedback

Assess the effects of the surface mine

• Identify importance of wildlife within and around the mine
• Take account of other environmental studies (noise, hydrology etc.)

Incorporate the needs of wildlife into site operations and restoration

• Managing land for wildlife during coaling
• Building in net gains for wildlife with restoration

Surveys carried out

Habitat, tree and hedgerow surveys Protected species surveys

(otter, great crested newt, red squirrel and badger)

Bird surveys

• Winter bird surveys – farmland and coast, vantage point surveys
• Breeding bird surveys

Protected species surveys

Otter surveys of streams Looking for signs of squirrel and badger activity Camera trap surveys Bat surveys – transects, emergence surveys of buildings, automated monitoring using recording equipment

Winter bird surveys

• Farmland Bird Survey (including dune grassland and Chibburn area – over 300km

walked over 9 winter months October 2012 – December 2014)

• Geese and swan surveys – watching movements from vantage points 1 hour

before to 1 hour after sunrise and sunset

• Coastal bird surveys – ca. 4.5km section of Druridge Bay
• Drive around surveys – trying to find geese in wider area

(south to Woodhorn / Linton, north to Country Park / Maidens Hall)

• Over 5000 records generated from surveys, over 150 species recorded in total

• “Bird surveys should be undertaken in a

variety of different weather conditions”

Natural England advice:

Summer bird surveys

Breeding bird surveys

• Standard 3-visit survey starting at /

shortly after dawn, in April, May and June 2014

• Area of survey extended to south in

2015

• Some observations in post-breeding

/ autumn migration periods

• Other specialist surveys for

protected bird species

• Surface mine avoids statutory and

locally designated sites

• Site generally open – few hedgerows,
• ne plantation and one pond
• Otter, great crested newt, red squirrel

and badger in wider survey area, not dependent on site

• Bat activity including Nathusius’

pipistrelle

• Brown hare throughout survey area

Key results

Habitats & hedgerows

Nathusius’ pipistrelle

Internationally important numbers in 2012-13 (5000+) Lower numbers in subsequent winters (<4000) Significant changes in cropping and levels of deliberate disturbance / shooting between years

Bird survey results

Pink-footed geese

Very strong negative correlation between numbers of dogs and sanderling (r =0.902, n =6, p = <0.02)

Coastal survey results

Breeding bird survey results

2014 results:

• 651 at least ‘possible’ breeding

territories from whole survey area

• Estimated 85 chaffinch, 73

skylark and 38 tree sparrow pairs

• Skylark (26), lapwing,

yellowhammer (both 6), reed bunting and yellow wagtail (both 3) key breeding species of site

Mitigation and enhancement

Key actions:

• Site ‘Biodiversity Action Plan’ targeted at key species within site – brown

hare, farmland birds such as skylark and yellowhammer

• Off-site measures to maintain pink-footed goose population in wider area
• Measures to minimise noise, avoid effects on water quality and reduce light

spillage will help avoid impacts on surrounding habitats

• Positive enhancement built into restoration