4.1.9 Monitoring of the wildlife reserve (general)

Carry out regular inspections of the reserve area to maintain to a satisfactory standard.

Permanent

Sp, S, A

Ongoing (not winter)

4.1.10 Management of pond areas

Check habitat conditions for great crested newts, maintain lek areas and areas of open water.

Monitor and manage the pond ecosystem (flora, water quality, growth of vegetation, etc) and adjust as necessary using appropriate methods (supplemental planting, grazing snails, barley straw, etc.).

Implement cyclical management to check the progress of hydroseral succession as may be required and maintain suitable conditions for notable species (removal of excess vegetation, silt, etc.).

Control scrub encroachment at pond margins by cutting back excessive vegetation.

If fish are introduced, remove from pond areas.

Permanent

Permanent

Permanent

Permanent

Permanent

Sp, S, A

Sp, S, A

Sp, S, A

W

W

Winter - no GCN present.

-

-

Ongoing, may have to do some more clearance, on rotation, during the winter months. Work to the older ponds may have to involve hand-pulling of vegetation.

No fish present

4.1.11 Management of terrestrial reserve habitats

Manage shrubs and trees within the protected areas in a manner sympathetic to notable species, maintaining opportunities for nesting birds.

Cut grassland habitats to a height of 10-15 cm.   Retain some tall stems on periphery of reserve area.  Retain some dead standing woody material and above-ground biomass for the benefit of saproxylic arthropods, small mammals, etc.  Gather cut grass to prevent choking, forb suppression and nutrient enrichment.  Remove or cut back invasive scrub as required to maintain approximate ratio of 70% tussocky grassland : 30% scrub.

Inspect hibernacula to ensure that access is unimpeded, repairs are undertaken and other problems are investigated and remedied as required.

Permanent

Permanent

Permanent

W

Sp, A

Sp, S, A

Ongoing, some of the trees and shrubs that are growing at the margins of the stream will be cut back this winter. They are beginning to provide too much shade, as well as causing water extraction problems on the already low water levels. This work is to be carried out before the spring nesting season begins. Clearance work carried out this winter has also been necessary to prevent the reserve becoming overgrown by over-vigorous plants such as bramble.

Grass cutting regime implemented and ongoing (not winter).

-

-

4.1.12 Management of re-aligned brook and backwaters

Manage aquatic, emergent and marginal vegetation, prevent encroachment and remove excessive choking vegetation.  Manage backwaters to provide suitable foraging conditions for water voles and snipe.  Maintain a contiguous vegetated margin 3-5m wide either side of the stream and maintain as water vole habitat.

Check for tipping of refuse and debris and remove as required.

Permanent

Permanent

W  or as required

Any

Ongoing, please see notes above regarding management work on the stream this winter.

Ongoing. Debris has been and continues to be an issue in the stream but will be removed before the season is over.

4.1.13  Great crested newt population monitoring

Check for any establishment and colonisation of the new ponds and abundance level of great crested newt populations.

Ongoing

Sp, S

-

4.1.14  Water vole population  monitoring

Check water vole abundance and distribution.

Ongoing

S

-

4.1.16  Bat boxes

Manage, repair and inspect as required.

Permanent

Any

All in order. The boxes will be checked for signs of bats later in season.

4.1.18  Record Keeping, reviews and reporting

Prepare written summary reports and make notes available on web site.  Keep records at the offices of Betts Estates.

Every five years, carry out review and implement appropriate actions or modifications that are in the interest of the MPB objectives or sound ecological stewardship.

Permanent

Every 5 years

Sp, S, A, W

W

Ongoing

Next due end 2013

4.1.19 Other grassland

Mow the amenity grass “square”; trim border shrubs as required.

Manage “meadow” area at north of site.

(Further area at northern tip of site may have to be secured and managed if advised by Agents.)

Permanent

Permanent

Sp, S, A

Sp, S, A

-

-