UKBAP BiodiversityNews-41

The Newsletter for Biodiversity
Action Partners
www.ukbap.org.uk

Biodiversity News
Issue 41 January 2008
2
News updates
Wormwood Scrubs Reveals Rarest Bird
Rare Plant Makes Comeback Thanks to Mud, Glorious Mud
Lending a Hand to Wildlife New Helpline Service
Biodiversity Training Programme
Brian Blessed Presents Marshalls Plc with Biodiversity Bench-
mark Award
Making Game the Name in Wildlife Conservation
Otter Project Triumphs at UK Environment Awards
3
3
4
4
5
6

7
8
News publications
New Strategic Statement form the UK Biodiversity Partnership
New Report Identifies That Gamekeepers Help Wild Birds to
Thrive
The State of UK Birds 2006
Are You Making Contracts Work for Wildlife
Conserving Biodiversity in a Changing Climate
9
9
10

11
11
12
Features
Apple Rust Mitea Beneficial Pest?
Biodiversitys the Business!
Tough Questions, Rough Answers on Climate Change
Important New Method Developed to Monitor Common
Butterflies
Kent Downs Land Managers Pack
The Glaslyn Osprey Project
Results of Greenspace Scotland Survey
13
13
14
15
16

17
19
20
Local and Regional
Monitoring Nesting Habitats for Corn Buntings in North and
East Scotland
Bed and Breakfast Could Save the Hampshire Tree Sparrow
Manchesters Rarest Bird Benefits from Brown Roof
Seasonal Changes at Denmark Farm
Choughs Return to Breed on Rathlin Island
Greening Up Lambeth
Lamesley Reedbed Tops the 100 Bird Mark
22
22

23
24
25
25
26
27
Plan Updates
Caravanners Back Biodiversity
Funding Boost for Middle Level Commissioners Otter
Recovery Project
Partridge Conference Inspires Action to Halt Decline
28
28
29

30
Group Updates
The UK Biodiversity Partnership Conference 2007
Action planning process following the publication of new UK
list of priority species and habitats
31
31
32
Diary 2008 34

Inside this issue:
Dear Reader,
Happy New Year and welcome to Issue 41: the first
Biodiversity News of 2008.
This issue is packed full of information, updates and
success stories surrounding biodiversity.
In News Updates, theres a report of a rare sighting
of a Richards Pipit at the Wormwood Scrubs Local
Nature Reserve (page 3), the launch of a free wild-
life helpline for people in Wales (page 4) and Brian
Blesseds presentation of the Biodiversity Bench-
mark to Marshalls plc (page 6).
News Publications includes details of the new stra-
tegic statement from the UK Biodiversity Partner-
ship (page 9), and the relevance of Making Con-
tracts Work for Wildlife from CABE Space (page 11).
There is an interesting article on the apple rust
mites role in integrated pest management (page
13), a new method of monitoring common butter-
flies (page 16) and details of a Land Managers' Pack
for the Kent Downs (page 17) in Features. Addition-
ally, details of green roof and brown roof projects
(pages 24 and 26), along with good news for the
Chough in Northern Island (page 25), are included in
Local and Regional.
Plan Updates includes details of the Caravan Clubs
new Corporate Biodiversity Action Plan (page 28)
and a funding boost for the Middle Level Commis-
sioners Otter Recovery Project (page 29), Group Up-
dates recounts Octobers UK Biodiversity Partner-
ship Conference (page 31) and finally the Diary sec-
tion (page 34) contains details of some informative,
relevant seminars and dates.
Many thanks to the authors for their contributions
to this issue. If anyone is interested in having an ar-
ticle published in Biodiversity News, please contact
me on biodiversitynews@defra.gsi.gov.uk; I will be
posting updated article guidelines on the website
shortly.
Regards,
Tom O'Hanlon

UK Biodiversity Policy Unit
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Zone 1/07
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol BS1 6EB
biodiversitynews@defra.gsi.gov.uk
Once again we wish to thank Natural England & BTCV
for the contribution of the line drawings in this issue.
Note: The Views expressed in Biodiversity News are the views of individual contributors and are not
necessarily the views of the UKBG or the organisations involved.
3 Biodiversity News January 2008
Wormwood Scrubs Reveals Rarest Bird
Local birding expert David Lindo
uncovered a rare sight at Worm-
wood Scrubs Local Nature Reserve
on Sunday 30th September when
he spotted a Richards Pipit
(Anthus richardi) skulking in the grassland. Not only
is this the first report of this species in Britain this
autumn; it is also the closest to central London ever
recorded.
David Lindo has expert knowledge of Wormwood
Scrubs Local Nature Reserve, having been birding
there for fourteen years. Also known as The Urban
Birder, he is a familiar face in urban birding having
starred on the BBCs Springwatch, regularly pre-
sented on BBC Ones The ONE Show and on BBC Radio
London and written for RSPB and Birdwatching maga-
zines.
David found Wormwood Scrubs rarest bird in the
grassland near Braybrook Street. A denizen of the
grasslands of central Asia, this large relative of the
more familiar Meadow Pipit is a rare autumn visitor
to Britain and Ireland. There are normally only
twenty records a year, usually from Cornwall and is-
lands off the coast of Scotland. In the last 100 years,
only twenty Richards Pipits have been recorded in
London.
The Scrubs also revealed its first ever Mass Twitch
that day with some of Londons top birders descend-
ing to catch a glimpse. One East London birder com-
mented, I have always wondered how the Scrubs
can get so many different species coming here. But,
looking around I can see why.
Groundwork West Londons Nature Conservation Offi-
cer, Paul Clay has spent the last year carrying out
conservation work at the Scrubs. Thanks to funding
from the Heritage Lottery Fund and Hammersmith
& Fulham Council, Paul works with hundreds of lo-
cals on all kinds of creative, fun and educational
projects. Paul said, This is a fantastic start to year
two of my project. When something like this hap-
pens, it just shows how important and rewarding
the conservation of Londons green spaces is. David
has been a real asset to our project, giving talks
and bird walks which inspire locals to be involved
in nature conservation. Sighting this bird is a real
inspiration!
Richard Bashford of the RSPB commented: Wow!
Well done you sir...an excellent find anywhere but
more so on the local patch.
The Urban Birder said: Wormwood Scrubs over the
years has attained the reputation of being an inner
city goldmine for birds amongst ornithologists
across the country. We often have more warblers
and other migrants in our small park than in the
whole of north Norfolk.
For more information, please contact Jane Priest
at Groundwork West London on 020 8743 3040, or
e-mail janep@gwk-wl.org.uk
Contents
David Lindo Kim Dixon
New management techniques
undertaken by staff from the
Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT)
are helping a rare herba-
ceous plant to return to a
wildlife reserve in Fife. Water levels on Cullaloe
Wildlife Reserve, near Aberdour in Fife, have been
temporarily lowered to create the right conditions to
help mudwort (Limosella aquatica) return to the site
in greater numbers.
Cullaloe is designated as a Site of Special Scientific
Interest (SSSI) for its rare plants, including mudwort
which grows in a very few places in Fife. Over the
last two weeks, water levels have been lowered by
opening the reservoirs sluice exposing large areas of
mud replicating conditions found when the site was a
functioning reservoir and when mudwort thrived.
Alistair Whyte, SWTs Reserve Manager for the area
said: This is a great example of how a simple man-
agement technique can benefit a number of species.
Over the next few years the Scottish Wildlife Trust
hopes that mudwort will become commonplace on
the reserve and the species on the site will also be-
come more diverse as a result of this work.
If this effort is successful, SWT hopes to mimic the
rising and falling water levels regularly so this rare
plant can flourish. Other wildlife also benefits from
the lower loch levels. The exposed mud attracts
waders such as curlew, lapwing and redshank, and
the number of ducks using the loch has already in-
creased significantly. Recent sightings have in-
cluded large numbers of teal, wigeon and mallard.
There is also a large number of other wildfowl us-
ing the loch, such as coot and moorhen. The water
level will be allowed to rise again to its former
level over the coming months.
Visitors are welcome to visit Cullaloe Wildlife Re-
serve, which is one of the most accessible SWT re-
serves in Fife, with an all-abilities trail to the view-
ing platform over the loch.
For further information, please contact:
Clara Govier, Communications Manager, SWT
Tel: 0131 312 4747 or email: cgovier@swt.org.uk
Many people take it that wildlife is for the experts
and there is nothing they can do to help. This is far
from the truth, as Malcolm Magee of the Denmark
Farm Conservation Centre, near Lampeter, ex-
plains. We have had many wide-ranging requests
for advice from all parts of the community on how
to help wildlife. Farms, smallholdings, gardens,
school grounds and church yards have all featured,
Lending a Hand to Wildlife New Helpline Service
Contents
Mudwort Scottish Wildlife Trust
Rare plant Makes a Comeback Thanks to Mud,
Glorious Mud
Maximising the benefits for
biodiversity of land manage-
ment or advising others is
both challenging and reward-
ing. It requires skill and
knowledge of both the wildlife
needs as well as the site-specific circumstances you
are working with. The RSPBs 2008 training pro-
gramme has been specially designed to help those
tasked with creating and/or managing bio-diverse
habitats or advising others, to keep up to date with
the latest research and management practices to
benefit wildlife. Each course offers the opportu-
nity to get out on site and discuss the successes
and pitfalls of habitat management, equipping you
with the knowledge needed to inform your own land
management decisions. Courses cover farmland,
woodland, heathland, wetland and amenity habitats
and are led by our specialist advisors. To receive a
copy of the full 2008 programme or more details on
specific courses, contact conservation-
advice@rspb.org.uk.
as well as animals such as badgers, birds and bats.
All these ad hoc contacts indicated the demand for a
more organised service. We are pleased to an-
nounce that, with funding from the Countryside
Council for Wales, we now have a helpline for any-
one in Wales who wants to help wildlife on their
land, in their garden or community area, or has a
question or concern about wildlife in their locality.
It is essentially a free telephone/email helpline on
01570 493358 or info@shared-earth-trust.org.uk
backed by the Denmark Farm ecological advisors.
We undertake to reply to enquiries within 7 days and
if we cannot help the enquirer directly, we try to
find other organisations, resources and services that
can. For those who can travel to Denmark Farm, we
also offer a free consultation session by appoint-
ment.
Frequently, enquiries are very simple and just need
quick, practical tips rather than in-depth advice.
There is always a way to help wildlife, however
small this may appear at first sight. Sometimes, its
a case of stopping someone from doing something
that would damage valuable existing habitat if they
went ahead, for example, digging out species-rich
damp pasture to site a deep, square-sided pond
miles from any other freshwater habitat. Also, it can
often be a case of doing less rather than more. Cut-
ting a smaller area of grass (and leaving the rest to
flower) or creating habitat piles rather than bonfires
are good examples that cost nothing. Identifying the
ecological gaps at a site also means that we can
recommend the most fruitful avenues for more tar-
geted intervention, such as providing a bird or bat
box or helping to create wildlife corridors, which
help even the smallest creatures to move around an
area. For example, slow-moving animals that move
between different habitats during the year often
need the cover and microclimate conditions of
hedgerows - warmth, shade, humidity and wind shel-
ter. Toads use such corridors between breeding
ponds and the dry ground where they hibernate.
If people help create these little wildlife 'stepping
stones' and links they add up to a much greater col-
lective boost to the biodiversity in any area large
or small, urban or rural - as well as bringing more
joy into peoples everyday lives. We usually find
that once people get hands on with wildlife, they
get really enthusiastic. Then, some clear, practical
ongoing advice is all thats needed to match the en-
thusiasm and we hope our helpline will soon become
a hotline!
Contents
Biodiversity Training Programme
around its old pump lagoon with man-made island
retreat, spread in excess of 200 tonnes of soil for
new planting, placed reeds to form new wetland ar-
eas, sited a total of 150 new trees and sown areas
with grass and wild flower seed. It is now also ac-
tively managing its hedgerows and remaining habi-
tats to encourage new flora, fauna & wild-
life. This action has already been very suc-
cessful and has led to new breeding pairs of
birds visiting the site to accompany the
yearly return of a flock of Sand Martins who
make home around the lagoon area. Recent surveys
on the site have recorded more than 70 species of
bird and over 20 different species of butterfly.
Ian Manley, Health & Safety Coordinator, Marshalls
Maltby Works, who has been pivotal in managing the
Biodiversity Action Plan said:
We are delighted to have achieved accreditation to
The Wildlife Trusts Biodiversity Benchmark. Whilst
it has been hard work we feel it has been well
worth the effort and have been pleasantly surprised
Actor and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust President, Brian
Blessed presented leading landscaping manufactur-
ing company, Marshalls plc with The Wildlife Trusts
Biodiversity Benchmark award for the sustained work
carried out at its quarrying and manufacturing facil-
ity in Maltby, South Yorkshire. The award was pre-
sented at the Yorkshire Wildlife annual Gala
Dinner in November. Marshalls Maltby site
is the first manufacturing operation to gain
the rigorously audited accreditation.
Brian Blessed, President of the Yorkshire
Wildlife Trust, said:
This is a fantastic achievement; I only hope other
companies use Marshalls as an example to follow in
improving their local wildlife for the future. We all
need heroes like these.
Amy Underwood, Biodiversity Benchmark Manager,
The Wildlife Trusts, said:
Marshalls worked incredibly hard to achieve the
Biodiversity Benchmark a commitment that should
be applauded. I hope that the site in Maltby is the
first of many manufacturing sites to take the chal-
lenge of seeking Biodiversity Benchmark.
To achieve the Biodiversity Benchmark, Marshalls
Maltby works produced an exacting Biodiversity Ac-
tion Plan to ensure proper site management, allow-
ing wildlife value to be improved for the long term.
A keen interest in the project has been demon-
strated from site staff and has grown to involve the
local community, arranging site visits for schools and
developing partnerships with Doncaster MBC, Roth-
erham Chamber of Trade and Doncaster Biodiversity
Action Partnership.
Since starting its Biodiversity Action Plan, Marshalls
Maltby works has created a new conservation area
Contents
Brian Blessed Presents Marshalls Plc with
Biodiversity Benchmark Award
Brian Blessed with a Great Crested Newt Yorkshire
Wildlife Trust
than 2,500 peo-
ple, we discov-
ered how people
view and use the
countryside. We
were greatly re-
assured by the
huge number of people that feel an affinity for the
countryside irrespective of where they live."
Throughout the re-branding process, the Trust was
acutely aware that it needed to maintain the sup-
port of its loyal members and staff. Teresa contin-
ued, "Game remains central to our core beliefs as
does the recognition that game management plays a
vital part in the wider conservation of the country-
side."
Mark Hudson, Chairman of the Game & Wildlife Con-
servation Trust was equally pleased with the name-
change and said, "For some years there has been an
active debate about whether our name reflects the
breadth of work we do, which extends beyond game
With the increasing pressures being placed on our
wildlife and the countryside, conservation has be-
come the new watch-word. With this in mind, The
Game Conservancy Trust, one of the most respected
research charities in this country, has changed its
name to reflect the relevance of its work on broader
conservation issues.
From the 1st October, The Game Conservancy Trust
became the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust. To
accompany the name-change the Trust also un-
veiled a new logo (see right) which still incorporates
the iconic grey partridge, but is fresh and modern
and skilfully depicts this much loved farmland bird.
Commenting on the new name, Teresa Dent, the
Trust's chief executive, said, "We are all really de-
lighted with the new name and logo, and I believe
that these subtle changes more accurately reflect
what we do. It has been a fascinating process, par-
ticularly because we carried out an extensive mar-
ket research study prior to initiating any major
changes. Through the study, which involved more
Contents
by the amount of flora, fauna & wildlife already
within our site boundary. Receiving our certificate
from Brian Blessed was the icing on the cake!
The team at Maltby has given 100% to achieve this
accreditation. Our staff have given up weekends to
help clear the lagoon of debris, create the island,
plant the reeds and help in conducting surveys. We
would also like to thank all the people outside of
Marshalls who have helped us to achieve the award,
especially Keith Rich & Louise Hill.
It was a day of double celebration for Marshalls who
earlier in the day received a Gold Award at the 2007
Green Apple Environment Awards ceremony held at
the Houses of Parliament in recognition of environ-
mental best practice carried out at the Maltby site
and integration of biodiversity into their environ-
mental management system.
More information on the Biodiversity Benchmark,
including the Requirements and how to apply, can
be found on www.biodiversitybenchmark.org
Making Game the Name in Wildlife Conservation
The lagoon in September 2006
The new logo
Contents
An environmental project around the River Lea has
won the Natural Environment category at the Bif-
faward Awards 2007 - a prestigious national awards
ceremony held at Manchesters Victoria Baths.
The Lea Rivers Trust competed with three other fi-
nalists to become the winner of the Natural Environ-
ment category, winning a prize of a further 2,000
towards its work together with an exclusively de-
signed trophy.
The Lea Rivers Trusts successful application to Bif-
faward for 42,773 enabled work to increase the
awareness and understanding of otters, and the
ecology of the River Lea as a whole. Local people
have implemented a range of essential habitat im-
provements that provide otters with accessible feed-
ing sites, essential refuge areas and safe access
routes through the valley. Otters have recently
been reported at Wapping Beach at the mouth of
the Lea.
On hearing the news, Mark Gallant from The Lea Riv-
Otter Project Triumphs at UK Environment Awards
ers Trust said: I am truly sur-
prised and delighted that our
project was chosen by the Bif-
faward judges and Id like to thank all out volunteers
and Biffaward who have made this project possible.
But the real winners are the otters and everyone
who enjoys nature we now have otters back in the
Thames for the first time in a hundred years. The
surprise winnings will be a great help towards fur-
ther habitat improvements and the creation of more
otter holts and refuges along the Lower Lea corri-
dor.
Biffaward, which is managed by the Royal Society of
Wildlife Trusts, distributes landfill tax funding to en-
vironmental and community projects across the UK.
Since 1997, hundreds of communities and wildlife
habitats have been awarded nearly 85 million in to-
tal. Its annual awards ceremony recognises the
achievements of the diverse projects which have
used their funding to make a real difference.
Peter Jones OBE, Director of External Affairs, Biffa
Waste Services, was Guest of Honour at the cere-
mony. He said: The Biffaward Awards is an oppor-
tunity to applaud those who have had the determi-
nation and commitment to make a real difference to
their local communities and environments and I con-
gratulate everyone involved in this project.
2007 is the tenth anniversary of Biffaward and during
this time a tremendous amount has been achieved
by more than a thousand funded projects; winners
species into many aspects of wildlife, and country-
side management, including research into farmland
ecology, conservation of farmland birds, entomology
and wildlife-friendly farming. The new name and
logo should help us to communicate this message
more effectively and I believe that this better re-
flects the work we have done over the past 75 years
and will continue to do so in the future. Also, link-
ing game and wildlife together puts game into the
right context and emphasises our view that game
conservation is an integral part of nature conserva-
tion."
For further information please contact:
Morag Walker 01425 652381
Wildstock
Contents
9
like The Lea Rivers Trust are excellent examples of
just what can be achieved by drive and tenacity
and funding which makes a project possible.
Biffaward supports a huge range of projects the
length and breadth of the UK and we gain a great
deal of satisfaction from providing funding which
can help to improve peoples lives and environments
in so many different ways. In 2008 the total amount
awarded by Biffaward will reach 100 million and I
know that this years winners will provide inspiration
for even more groups to benefit from this funding in
the future.
RSPBs Fairburn Ings Nature Reserve, near Castle-
ford, was highly commended at the Awards following
a successful application to Biffaward for 38,514
which enabled the dilapidated and unwelcoming Lin
Dyke Hide to be demolished, making way for a larger
and more user-friendly replacement constructed
from an old shipping container. A new pathway to
the hide was also laid, and interpretation panels in-
stalled.
For further information, contact Biffawards PR
Team on 01636 670083 or e-mail media@rswt.org.
New Strategic Statement from the UK Biodiversity
Partnership
Conserving Biodiversity - the UK ap-
proach, a new strategic statement
prepared by the UK Biodiversity
Standing Committee, was launched
at Octobers UK Biodiversity Part-
nership Conference.
This document, published by Defra on behalf of the
UK Biodiversity Partnership, is intended to show the
vision and approach to conserving biodiversity within
the UKs devolved framework, and is useful for any-
one with a policy interest in the conservation of bio-
diversity.
Since the publication of the UKs then national
Biodiversity Action Plan in 1994, which was the first
in the world, there have been many new drivers for
action identified that were not included in the origi-
nal plan, and devolution from 1998 onwards has led
to the development of strategies at country level.
Biodiversity is not constrained by political bounda-
ries; what is done in one country can affect biodiver-
sity in another. It is more important than ever that
we work together in overcoming challenges and
reaching goals, through a partnership approach in-
volving business, academic, statutory and voluntary
sectors at both the UK and national level.
The strategy has been signed by ministers from all
four countries and is a demonstration that the part-
nership is committed to meeting the challenges and
goals set out in the
framework.
Copies of the docu-
ment are available
from Defra publica-
tions (PB code 12772)
or on the Defra web-
s i t e : h t t p : / /
www.defra.gov.uk/
wildlife-countryside/
biodiversity/
The shooting season is
underway but the role of
gamekeepers in conserv-
ing many non-gamebirds
is not widely understood.
Many songbirds and other bird species have dramati-
cally declined in recent decades but a new report
shows that where land is managed by gamekeepers
many species thrive.
The report 'Singing fields' compiled by Dr Stephen
Tapper, director of policy and public affairs with the
Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (formerly The
Game Conservancy Trust), highlights the contribution
that gamekeepers have made in protecting many of
our most threatened birds from starvation and attack
from generalist predators such as foxes, magpies and
crows.
'Singing fields' draws on recent research by the
Trust's own wildlife biologists as well as other experts
and assesses the evidence that shows the species that
do and do not benefit from game management activi-
ties, such as predator control, habitat creation and
feeding techniques.
Dr Tapper explains, "Gamekeepers manage large parts
of the countryside for pheasants, partridges and
grouse and in so doing, create conditions that benefit
other birds too. Game management delivers a very
considerable net conservation gain and without this
conservation work, carried out by the 3,000 game-
keepers working in our countryside, the prospects for
many declining wild bird populations would be much
worse."
A 10-year study on the Trust's Allerton Farm project
at Loddington provides compelling evidence to sup-
port this view and shows how farmland birds benefit
from game management. Over the study period habi-
tat improvement and predator control boosted the
number of wren (from 47 to 141 pairs), dunnock
(46 to 144 pairs), blackbird (66 to 143 pairs) and
song thrush (14 to 56 pairs). The most noticeable
beneficiaries of this regime were the resident
seed-eating finches who took advantage of the
pheasant feeders and set-aside cover crops. Inter-
estingly, many of these species declined after
predator control was stopped in 2002.
In the uplands, gamekeepers burn heather and con-
trol crows, foxes and stoats which provide ideal
nesting areas for waders. Lapwings are at least
twice as common on grouse moors. On the North
Pennine moors there are at least 700 pairs of
golden plover and 3,900 pairs of curlew. Raptors
like merlin also thrive and occur at much higher
densities on grouse moors than on other moors.
Dr Tapper concludes, "Gamekeepers make an often
New Report Identifies that Gamekeepers Help Wild
Birds to Thrive
Contents
The State of UK Birds 2006
The state of the UK's birds
2006 was released in August.
This is the eighth in a series of
annual reports containing re-
sults from annual, periodic
and one-off surveys and stud-
ies from as recently as 2006. It draws on many
sources of information to give an up-to-date over-
view of the health of bird populations in the UK and
its Overseas Territories. The report is produced by a
partnership of three NGOs the Royal Society for the
Contents
Protection of Birds (RSPB), the British Trust for Orni-
thology (BTO) and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
(WWT) and the UK Governments four statutory na-
ture conservation agencies the Countryside Council
for Wales (CCW), Environment & Heritage Service
(Northern Ireland) (EHS), Natural England (NE) and
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH). It is available for
download as a PDF from the RSPB's website at this
link;
http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/science/sotukb/2
006/Index.asp
Are You Making Contracts Work for Wildlife?
Recent reports by the
Wildlife Trusts have
revealed some of the
unexpected impacts of
the flooding last sum-
mer. Floods do not
only threaten the wildlife trying to survive at the
time the young bats whose mothers are unable to
lactate due to lack of food, for example, or the wa-
ter voles which drowned. They also inflict long term
damage on habitats. Some riverbanks are still unfit
to be re-colonised, and the surge tide that hit Dingle
Marshes in Suffolk in November has reduced the
chance of bitterns nesting there this year.
We have been warned that up to 37 per cent of all
species worldwide could be lost through climate
change by the middle of the century. 2050 might
feel a long way off, but sea level rises and more fre-
quent storms look set to continue, and biodiversity
needs support now in order to adapt to new climatic
conditions.
Climate change affects urban areas as much as ru-
ral, of course. The Environment Agency noted that
two thirds of the flooding of some 55,000 homes and
Unseasonal primrose flowering in November DFox
unappreciated contribution to the richness of bird
life in the countryside. Intensive farming and for-
estry means that wild birds often struggle to find
shelter and food in modern crops. Conservation is
not just about creating nature reserves. It must also
be about economic land use and how this can be
made to support increased biodiversity. Game man-
agement for pheasants, partridges and grouse is a
good example of this as it supports a variety of
other species as well."
For further information please contact:
Morag Walker 01425 652381

Contents
businesses this summer was caused when drains,
culverts, sewers and ditches became overwhelmed.
The Department for Transport is also concerned that
climate change will affect landscaping and biodiver-
sity in the transport network. The Highways Agency
owns a considerable soft estate and the concern is
for changes in types of plants that will thrive, as
well as soil erosion. The growing season is also
changing, with adverse effects on breeding cycles.
New pests and species are appearing, in competition
to native species.
CABE has spent some time looking at the best ways
to encourage biodiversity in the urban environment.
The first lesson weve drawn was that biodiversity
can and should be encouraged everywhere possi-
ble. This challenges the misconception that nature
or wildlife landscapes must be untidy, or even look
abandoned. In fact encouraging biodiversity is just
as relevant in a formal public garden as it is in a
large area of ancient woodland on the edge of a
city, and neglecting it there is missing an opportu-
nity.
The second lesson weve drawn is that activity to
encourage biodiversity needs to be embedded in
contracts and management plans. What often hap-
pens instead is that one or two keen members of
staff develop relevant knowledge and skills because
of their personal enthusiasm for the subject and
when they leave, all that experience leaves with
them.
Biodiversity in urban public space is moving up the
agenda, with all public authorities now having a
duty to consider biodiversity in their work. The re-
cord 554 Green Flag Awards in local areas are hugely
encouraging, and there are tools to help. In our
guidance, Making contracts work for wildlife, on
www.cabe.org.uk we updated the principles of ur-
ban biodiversity and made them relevant to todays
urban green space managers. Case studies illustrate
the value of taking a holistic approach. The guid-
ance provides desirable outcomes that can be cross-
referenced to local biodiversity action plans, and
which can be written into specifications for either
in-house or external teams.
Colleges including Myerscough College, Askham
Bryan, Hadlow College and Otley College have incor-
porated it into teaching: elements such as the build-
ing blocks of biodiversity fit neatly into more practi-
cal level FE schemes, whilst the overarching princi-
ples are suited to HE programmes. Pershore College
is using the guide within its National Diploma
courses and using the case studies and concepts
within degree modules. CABE Space has also pre-
sented the guidance to students at Birkbeck College
and Kews School of Horticulture - where students
were quick to propose how they would encourage
biodiversity on left over green desert patches.
Now CABE is developing new guidance on ways to
place urban public space at the heart of climate ac-
tion. Coping with extreme weather conditions will
require flexibility in the choice of species in plant-
ing schemes, and a more naturalistic approach.
Many species need to be more actively provided
with safe routes for movement. All in all, 2008 feels
a good time for biodiversity to break free of the tra-
ditional confines of the nature garden.
For further information, please contact:
Brian Quinn, Senior Programme Officer
bquinn@cabe.org.uk.

Extreme weather: torrential rain in August Stephen McLaren
Apple Rust Mite a Beneficial Pest?
The apple rust mite, Aculus schlechtendali (Figure 1) has a
worldwide distribution. It was first recorded in Britain back in
1928 on both wild crab apple and cultivated apple. Since then,
the mite has become more widespread and numerous in com-
mercial orchards.
Adult rust mites are up to 0.18 mm long. Their body is orange/
brown, darkening with age. Over-wintering in groups occurs un-
der loose bark or bud scales, with the mites emerging to invade
the opening fruit buds to feed in early spring. They also feed on
the leaf and flowers of the plant. Eggs are deposited on the
green tissue of both fruit and vegetative buds, and a generation of males and protogynes appears in May.
Mites can also be found on the sepals at petal fall, but they do not feed on developing fruitlets, unlike the
pear mite, Epitrimerus piri. Breeding of the mites continues throughout the spring and summer, forming
several overlapping generations of primary forms. New deutogynes appear in increasing numbers from late
June or early July onwards. The population growth is rapid; egg to adult can occur in 1-2 weeks with warm
summer temperatures. Mite numbers then begin to decline as the new deutogynes enter hibernation during
autumn time and breeding ceases.
Mites occur on the underside of the leaves and their feeding produces a patchy felt-like malformation on
leaf surface and yellowing of hairs. The upper surface of foliage appears speckled, dull and faded. Heavily
infested leaves appear silvery before turning brown and shrivel up.
Apple rust mite although a pest is an important part of integrated pest management (IPM) programmes in
the U.S.A. This species is available as food within orchard ecosystems for many predatory mites such as Phy-
toseius macropilis, Amblyseius finlandicus and Typhlodromus rhenanus earlier than other pest species such
as the fruit tree red spider mite, Panonychus ulmi, which does not begin hatching until early May. Later in
the year, predatory species, which have reduced P. ulmi populations to low levels maintain themselves on
apple rust mite. Therefore, if apple rust mite is allowed to re-
main in orchards to provide food for predators that then also feed
on P. ulmi, it is important to know the population levels that can
be tolerated without damage to the tree. In Northern Irish apple
orchards up to 160 per eight leaf sample have been recorded by
the current authors with no visible damage to foliage. However,
population development of these mites can be very rapid, and so
even on trees of low nutrient status, and in the presence of pre-
dacious mites, they are capable of attaining levels that can cause
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Figure 1. Apple rust mite (Aculus schlechtendali) on
underside of leaf Dr Andrew Cuthbertson
Figure 2. The predatory mite, Anystis baccarum.
Dr Andrew Cuthbertson
Businesses and wildlife in the Teifi valley are set to gain from a new
pilot scheme run by the Shared Earth Trust, based near Lampeter.
With the help of funding from the Countryside Council for Wales,
the Trust will help businesses large and small to introduce simple, low cost measures to encourage wildlife
at their work premises. The service includes an advisory visit and the chance to receive a wealth of ongoing
advice, all for a small subscription fee. There will also be help in referring businesses to other environ-
mental schemes. and assistance.
Malcolm Magee, Trust Co-ordinator, explains:
West Wales is renowned for its natural assets, attracting thou-
sands of visitors every year. There's a growing awareness these
days that stunning landscapes and wildlife play a major role in
boosting West Wales's image as an 'environmentally friendly'
place to live and visit.
By participating in agri-environment schemes, the farming com-
Biodiversitys the Business!
Contents
damage. This means that selective sprays may sometimes be necessary to reduce apple rust mite popula-
tions in an IPM programme.
The presence of alternative prey species in an orchard does not necessarily reduce a predators effective-
ness against the main pest species. Anystis baccarum (Figure 2), the most commonly occurring predatory
species in Northern Irish apple orchards (Cuthbertson, A.G.S., Biodiversity News, 30: 29; Cuthbertson &
Murchie, Biodiversity News, 34: 16), is known to be a predator of various invertebrate species and, when
juvenile or during times of low alternative prey numbers, will feed on apple rust mite. The potential of A.
baccarum to control pest species such as apple rust mite in UK apple orchards may be underestimated. Until
recently Northern Irelands apple growers were unaware that this mite occurred in their orchards. Within
the UK, and indeed the world, most research on biocontrol within the apple sector has concentrated on Ty-
phlodromus pyri as the major predator of apple pests and its potential within IPM programmes. Typhlodro-
mous pyri does occur in Northern Irish orchards, but in smaller numbers compared to English orchards. With
A. baccarum commonly occurring in apple orchards, this mite needs to be considered in any potential IPM
programme being developed within the orchards (Cuthbertson & Murchie, Biodiversity News, 39: 22-23).
Anystis baccarum has shown much potential in aiding the control of economically important pests. This gen-
eralist predator may well survive by feeding upon apple rust mite when other prey items are scarce. There-
fore, the presence of apple rust mite within the apple orchards, though classed as an economic pest
(Cuthbertson & Murchie, Biodiversity News, 32: 19), may well have a more important role in sustaining the
populations of predatory species, and in particular A. baccarum.
For further information concerning invertebrate biodiversity within apple orchards contact: Dr Andrew G.
S. Cuthbertson, Central Science Laboratory, York YO41 1LZ (e-mail: a.cuthbertson@csl.gov.uk) or Dr Archie
K. Murchie, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Belfast BT9 5PX (e-mail: archie.murchie@afbini.gov.uk).
Ryton Gardens / Angela Polkey
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munity helps to support this image, along with other Assembly-led and voluntary sector initiatives. How-
ever, the Countryside Council for Wales and ourselves thought that the local business community could also
play a part - and gain by improving their own marketing profile to customers. It would also add to a busi-
nesss green credentials, a factor which is increasingly coming into play for many businesses when they
are tendering for contracts or approaching new clients. Businesses involved in tourism would be obvious
candidates but any company or sole trader that feels that their brand could be enhanced by being more
wildlife friendly stands to benefit.
Many large corporations spend millions on promoting themselves as environmentally aware, sustainable and
forward thinking. We see no reason why our local businesses cannot do the same - but without breaking the
bank! It's just a case of providing enthusiastic and experienced advice and helping to identify some simple,
very affordable, wildlife-friendly options. We all know that a little will go a very long way in West Wales!
Contact the Shared Earth Trust for more information on 01570 493358 or info@shared-earth-trust.org.uk .
Tough Questions, Rough Answers for Adaptation to
Climate Change
Adaptation is something of a Cinderella in the climate change world. The urgent need
for global mitigation has attracted massive attention yet it is not the whole answer.
Wildlife is already responding to climate change and we know that further change can-
not be avoided. How should nature conservation respond?
The new report Climate Change, Wildlife and Adaptation: 20 Tough Questions, 20
Rough Answers outlines the RSPBs thoughts on how nature conservation needs to adapt to meet the im-
pacts of climate change.
Weve chosen this format because we dont have all the answers. We face many uncertainties in the fu-
ture, yet we know that we must act, and now, so it is important to start building a framework for action.
This framework will be stronger with the views, and experience and support of others, to help build the
best adaptation strategy possible for the UK, to secure a future for biodiversity, and the services it pro-
vides.
The context for adaptation is set by the current scale of climate change, which is greater than anything
seen for 100,000s of years, and the speed of its development at an order of magnitude faster than historical
rates of change. Our first response to this must be to strengthen and secure wildlife populations today:
without these, we have no seed corn for the future. The 20 questions consider a range of challenging issues,
with conclusions that may surprise. We outline why we believe a focus on species conservation is perhaps
more important than ever, the importance of protected areas, and how species movements and re-
distribution may be assisted in the wider countryside. We look at the legal underpinning of conservation and
note the urgent need for marine legislation to match the protection afforded to terrestrial biodiversity. We
consider whether some species really are beyond help, the validity of species targets, and the role of nature
conservation techniques such as re-wilding and translocation. And, on broader issues, the delivery of eco-
logical services, the meshing of conservation with adaptation in other sectors, and how we might address
Important New Method Developed to Monitor
Common Butterflies
Over the last three years, Butterfly Conservation, CEH and the BTO have been developing a new method to
more effectively monitor the changing abundance of common butterfly species across the general country-
side. This work forms part of the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS) and aims to complement UKBMS
transect monitoring, which successfully monitors the abundance of butterflies on semi-natural sites.
Strong emphasis has been placed on designing a scheme that is both scientifically sound (by objectively
sampling of the countryside through random sampling) and efficient (a scheme with fewer visits to account
for the fact that butterflies are now uncommon across much of the general countryside).
The methodology developed is based on the highly successful BTO Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), with some
practical adaptations for butterflies. In the proposed method, butterflies are counted over a minimum of
two summer visits along two 1-km survey lines located in randomly selected 1-km squares. In this reduced
effort approach a doubling of the number of sites can achieve the same power to detect trends as conven-
tional 26-week transects.
Following a successful season of field-testing by BC volunteer recorders in 2006, testing was extended to
include both BC and BTO BBS recorders in 2007. Over 300 squares were surveyed across the UK in 2007 with
volunteer participation doubling expectations and both butterfly and bird recorders equally enthusiastic
about the fieldwork. Despite the bad weather, 43 butterfly spe-
cies were seen, including most wider countryside species, plus
four migrants and 14 habitat specialists. On average nearly 100
butterflies and ten species were seen per square based on two
summer visits.
Importantly, the results show that virtually all the target wider
countryside species are likely to be detected in more than 3% of
survey squares. From the pilot results we predict that over 1000
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the major issue of uncertainty.
And of course there are clear calls to action. We need strong leadership from Government, for adaptation
as well as for mitigation. This must start today, building resilient populations of wildlife in healthy habitats,
with a massively increased area of land managed for environmental benefits. Investment in the future needs
to include proper sustainability safeguards, mapping and protections of areas likely to be of future biodiver-
sity importance, and a programme of action to improve landscape permeability underpinned by an en-
hanced commitment to agri-environment spending.
Climate 20 Tough Questions, 20 Rough Answers is available on the RSPBs website at http://
www.rspb.org.uk/Images/climatechange20questions_tcm9-170121.pdf. We are also welcoming feedback
and development of our ideas: please e-mail your thoughts to climateadaptation@rspb.org.uk, or adap-
tscotland@rspb.org.uk
Speckled Wood Jim Asher
The Kent Downs cover nearly a quarter of Kent, stretching from the White
Cliffs of Dover up to the Surrey and London Borders. It is a diverse and vi-
brant landscape with its dramatic chalk cliffs, secluded dry valleys, an-
cient woodlands, traditional orchards and locally distinct villages. With
such a variety of landscapes comes a variety of habitats, each supporting
its own typical and important wildlife. The Kent Downs is designated an
Area of Outstanding Natural beauty (AONB) in recognition of its national landscape value. For landowners in
the Kent Downs AONB (and beyond), whether they own a garden, a small piece of land or even a farm, then
this pack will help them understand the conservation value of that land as well as providing practical guid-
ance for its management and enhancement. It has been created in an easy to use, on-line format, where
information specific to the character area in which the landowner lives can be accessed and downloaded for
free. Habitat management topics covered extend from woodland management, and include hedges, ponds,
grasslands and orchards. Information provided is suitable both for the lay person, but also the more experi-
enced land manager. Guidance extends to which species of plant and animal may do well in each character
area. To this end there are contacts for organisations that can help with more specialist advice.
The pack has been specifically put together with the 13 Landscape Character Areas (LCAs) of the Kent
Downs AONB in mind, but could easily be used more widely, as much of the advice is sufficiently generic to
Kent Downs Land Managers Pack
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volunteers would take part if the scheme were to be launched in the near future. In a 1000+ square
scheme, 3% is equivalent to 30 occupied squares, which is a sufficient sample size for each species to en-
able calculation of unbiased national abundance indices and to monitor trends over time.
Thus, it seems highly likely that the scheme as proposed would be able to report effectively on the status of
butterflies across the whole of the UKs landscape, giving the first truly nationally representative population
trends for widespread butterflies like the Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) and Speckled Wood (Pararge
aegeria). As butterflies are considered by the UK Government as good
indicators of the broad state of wildlife and the countryside the data
will be of additional value in assessing how insects in general are faring
across the countryside.
Further research and development is needed in 2008 and a scheme roll
out (subject to funding) is currently proposed for 2009. We would like
to thank the consortium of government agencies led by Defra, for fund-
ing the work.
For more information see
www.ukbms.org/
Katie Cruickshanks and volunteers testing
the method Charles Sanderson
be valuable in other areas. Each LCA has its own identity, and the pack focuses on typical landscape fea-
tures and those of flora and fauna which contribute to local distinctiveness. In this way, the pack can in-
form, advise and educate, to help land managers choose the most appropriate, representative and, hope-
fully, successful management end points for their own particular parcel of land.
How to use the pack
The Kent Downs is divided into 13 Landscape Character Areas based on their local distinctiveness, for exam-
ple the Mid Kent Downs is characterised by orchards, hop gardens and parkland. Guidance sheets to each
area can be downloaded by clicking on the map or on the contents page headings.
Guidance is available for the following categories: ponds; rivers and riverside land; woodlands; hedgerows;
chalk grasslands; meadow grasslands; orchards; marshes; and heathlands.
Each guidance sheet is concise, yet contains a multitude of useful information ranging from practical man-
agement tips, plant and animal species characteristic of the area, through to local and national organisa-
tions from where the reader can gain more advice. A sample page below shows the type and range of infor-
mation which is available.
Of course, no one guide can be totally comprehensive, or exhaustive in its coverage. However, by adopting
a Landscape Character Area based approach, this Land Managers Pack does provide valuable pointers to
concerned land-owners that help them target what is both typical of their area, and which habitats and spe-
cies will thrive. Armed with these insights they can then make better educated decisions at maintaining
their small part of the world in a sensitive, healthy and ecologically friendly way. The site is expected to go
live early in 2008 and, once completed, will be accessible via the link below:
http://www.kentdowns.org.uk/landmanagerspack.html
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Ospreys have never been reported as a breeding species in Wales until this century
when in 2004 a pair nested in mid Wales near Newtown. Unfortunately, this pair did
not return the following year despite fledging one chick. Coincidentally however, an
osprey pair also colonised and bred in the Glaslyn valley for the first time in 2004 and
this pair has been coming back to the same nest site ever since. The Glaslyn valley is
rich in both animal and plant wildlife and is an ideal locale for ospreys, lying as it
does in the heart of Snowdonia, full of rivers and lakes to the north and east, and just two or three miles
from the mullet rich Cardigan Bay to the west.
Ospreys have had a tumultuous time of it in Scotland, their former (and now current again) British
stronghold. From being driven to extinction as a UK breeding species in 1916, a pair recolonised near Loch
Garten in Speyside in the mid 1950s and this nest has probably become one of the most visited, and is cer-
tainly the most famous, nest in the world to date.
Scotland recently passed the 200 breeding osprey
pairs figure for the first time in probably many cen-
turies, with the original nest at Loch Garten still
going strong.
The Glaslyn Osprey Project has just closed its
doors after the fourth successive season having wel-
comed 186,000 visitors in that time. As well as show-
ing tourists and local people the birds, the project
also has a strong team of protection staff and volun-
teers who guard and keep watch over the nest, particularly for the six-week incubation period. This is the
only osprey pair that nest in Wales and this fact alone makes the whole situation rather precarious the
Loch Garten nest fell victim to many an egg collector in the early days.
Despite four of the ten Glaslyn chicks that have hatched to date dying in the first four years, the other
six successfully fledged. This bodes well for osprey colonisation in Wales of course. The amount of philo-
patry (the tendency of offspring to chose a nesting site close to their ancestral site when they themselves
are ready to breed) in ospreys is very high this is one of the main reasons why the geographical population
expansion in Scotland has been relatively slow. At least three other ospreys were reported as being resident
in the north Wales area in the 2007, one residing just a few miles from the Glaslyn pair was this bird an
offspring from 2005? Who knows, despite all six fledged chicks being ringed, nobody has managed to get
close enough yet to see these rings.
One can only hope now, as the Welsh ospreys enjoy their winter break in West Africa, that more return
each year. How nice it would be one day to walk through a valley in Wales as a magnificent red kite returns
to its nest with its prey and at the same time an osprey flies past in the opposite direction, talons filled
with fish. Were working on it..!
More information on the Glaslyn Osprey Project can be found on the RSPBs website: www.rspb.org.uk
The Glaslyn Osprey Project
The 2007 chicks that are now hopefully in West
Africa Emyr Evans
Our parks and greenspaces are getting better but we're still failing to meet the needs of nearly half of the
people in Scotland's towns and cities.
A report published in October revealed that nearly half of Scots think their local greenspace is unsafe to ex-
ercise in and an unsafe place for their children to play, and nearly half don't think that their local green-
space is an attractive place to be.
The report was based on a survey of more than 1000 people, commissioned by greenspace scotland to
measure changes in the public's use of and expectations and attitudes to greenspace over recent years.
In 2004 greenspace scotland conducted a similar piece of research - providing the first data on how Scot-
land's urban population uses its parks and greenspace and a measure of attitudes towards the availability
and quality of greenspace in their communities.
The new 2007 report shows that while more of us are spending more time in greenspaces and many of us
think the quality is improving, there is still a dramatic difference between people's expectations of what
their local greenspace should be and the reality. We are still failing to meet the needs of people living in
our towns and cities, particularly in our most deprived communities where expectations are higher and lev-
els of satisfaction are significantly lower.
Physical inactivity is recognised as the single biggest risk factor for people in Scotland. We are sitting on an
obesity time bomb. Many of us are using our greenspaces to exercise or walk our dogs but the report reveals
that while 91% of people think that greenspaces should be safe places for physical activity, only 56% agree
this is true of their local greenspace.
The health and wellbeing of our children is also at risk: 89% of people agree that greenspaces should be
good places for children to play but only 55% agree this is true of their local greenspace.
The report was produced by Progressive Partnership of Edinburgh for greenspace scotland. The data was
gathered using the Scottish Opinion omnibus survey. 1017 people living in towns or cities were interviewed.
Key findings:
greenspaces are getting better - only 33% [compared with 40% in 2004] think the quality of their green-
space has deteriorated in the last 5 years
we're using greenspace more - 58% of us [compared with 49% in 2004] use our greenspaces at least once
a week and over three-quarters of us visit our local greenspaces at least once or twice a month. The num-
ber never using greenspace has dropped from 13% in 2004 to 8%
91% of people agree that greenspaces should be safe places for physical activity but only 56% agree this
is true of their local greenspace [up from 80% and 46%] in 2004
89% of people agree that greenspaces should be good places for children to play but only 55% agree this
is true of their local greenspace [up from 81% and 47% in 2004]
Results of greenspace scotland Survey
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however there is an increase in children playing in their local greenspace - with 26% of us who use
greenspace regularly taking our children there to play [up from 19% in 2004]
85% of people think good quality greenspace makes an area a great place to live but only 48% said their
local greenspace makes their area a great place to live
81% of people agree that greenspaces should provide opportunities to see nature but only 47% agree this
is true of their local greenspace [up from 63% and 40% in 2004]
The 15% most deprived sample* shows the same pattern as in 2004 - higher expectations of greenspaces
than amongst the overall sample but less satisfaction with their local greenspaces. Overall, 26% of those liv-
ing in deprived communities say that their local greenspace does not meet their needs.
Greenspaces are free to use. Deprived communities often lack private gardens for relaxation, exercise and
for children to play. They also often lack other leisure opportunities, therefore their local greenspace may
offer the only opportunity for exercise but it will not be used if it is perceived as run down or dangerous.
* derived from Scottish Government classification of SIPs based on postcode data
Julie Procter, Chief Officer of greenspace scotland said:
Comparing figures from 2004 with today, people seem to be using greenspace more frequently and their
expectations of what greenspace should offer are higher - a sign that people do recognise that fresh air and
exercise are crucial to our health and wellbeing. There is certainly a greater belief that greenspaces can
help deliver these benefits and a desire to see the quality of spaces improved.
"Overall the research confirms that greenspaces are clearly seen as vital components of urban communities,
providing local people with space where they can exercise, play and relax. The majority of people use their
greenspaces regularly and value their contribution to the quality of their lives.
"It's very good news for people's expectations of greenspaces as places to see nature; there's been a huge
increase compared with 2004, perhaps attributable to the huge amount of good work undertaken by Scottish
Natural Heritage and the hugely popular BBC Breathing Places campaign with the Springwatch and Au-
tumnwatch programmes. There is a strong desire to connect with nature on our doorstep but still less than
half the people surveyed viewed their local greenspace as a good place to see wildlife.
"All in all, there is still so much to achieve. Despite the encouraging signs of improvement, we're still failing
too many communities. For everyone involved in delivering a healthier, safer and greener Scotland, the
challenge is to turn the knowledge that greenspace is good into a reality for everyone living and working in
our towns and cities. In many places there is still a piecemeal approach to the provision and maintenance of
greenspace and not enough strategic and coordinated action. greenspace scotland will continue to work to
inspire, challenge and support organisations to work together with communities to ensure that people have
easy access to greenspaces that meet their needs."
For media enquiries: Chris Lord 01786 465934 christopher.lord@greenspacescotland.org.uk
greenspace scotland - transforming urban spaces into people places
During summer 2007, 26 farms in Aberdeenshire, In-
verness-shire, Fife and Angus were monitored as part
of a Corn Bunting intervention project, Farmland Bird
Lifeline (FBL). The RSPB led project has been running
since 2002 and is supported by Scottish Natural Heri-
tage with additional funding through the Biodiversity
Action Grant Scheme - supported by the Scottish Ex-
ecutive. The project has provided habitats for Corn
Buntings (Miliaria calandra) on 37 farms during the
past six years and has been closely monitored
throughout. Some of these farms have since gone into
agri-environment schemes and continue to manage
important habitats for seed eating passerines.
In 2004-5, as part of a research project we studied
180 Corn Bunting nest locations on 13 farms in Aber-
deenshire to determine which crop types were used.
We found that up to a third of first nesting attempts
were in grass silage. Most nests were destroyed when
the grass was mown for the first silage cut. Trials of a
late-cut grass prescription began in 2005 as part of
FBL. This involves paying farmers to delay cutting un-
til 1
st
August or during a period in late July when Corn
Buntings have finished nesting. Between 2005 and
2007, 17 fields on 14 farms have been managed in this
way. Of the 42 Corn Bunting nests located within
these fields, 18 fledged. All of these nests would have
probably failed had these fields been managed con-
ventionally for silage.
2007 was a poor year for productivity and bad
weather may have caused failure of up to 70% of
nests in the treatment fields. Trials will continue in
2008, with the aim of fine-tuning an agri-
environment prescription that will allow most Corn
Bunting nests to fledge, and, given appropriate
compensation, that is acceptable to farmers.
We are now in a position to design farm environ-
ments to maximise the chances of Corn Buntings
producing enough young and surviving through the
winter, at a local scale. These methods need to be
tested and refined to improve our knowledge and
feed into the development of schemes such as Ru-
ral Development Contracts. A number of options
targeting Corn Buntings will be available to farmers
as part of a Corn Bunting package in Rural Devel-
opment Contracts, which is due to open in January
2008. This package will include prescriptions such
as un-harvested crops, late cut grass, biodiversity
cropping, grass margins and conservation head-
lands.

For more information, contact:
hywel.maggs@rspb.org.uk
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Monitoring nesting habitats for Corn Buntings in
North and East Scotland.
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Hamps hi r e bi r d-
watchers are being
urged to report any
sightings of tree spar-
rows (Passer monta-
nus) by the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust
(formerly The Game Conservancy Trust) and the
Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) in an ef-
fort to discover whether the birds have become ex-
tinct in the county.
Tree sparrows have suffered a massive national 94%
decline between the 1970s and 1990s and are now
patchily distributed, although some counties have
seen a slight increase in their local tree sparrow
population. Peter Thompson, Farmland Biodiversity
Advisor with the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust
said, "In the adjacent county of Wiltshire, for exam-
ple, recovery projects have helped create a number
of tree sparrow 'hotspots' after a few small flocks
were discovered feeding on crops planted for pheas-
ant shooting. It is really gratifying that once appro-
priate management was put in place the birds
spread back into areas they had previously inhab-
ited."
According to Peter, targeted management really can
improve the prospects for tree sparrows. He ex-
plains, "Encouragingly, we know exactly what to do
to bring this species back - put up nesting boxes for
them so that they can breed, and plant specific food
crops near the nesting site which then provide lots
of insects for the young to feed on in summer and
creates a seed source during the leaner months of
winter. However, before we start this process in
Hampshire we first need to know if any tree spar-
rows still exist in the county, so that we can encour-
age them to extend their range."
Bed & Breakfast Could Save the Hampshire
Tree Sparrow
Tree sparrows are smaller than their close cousins
the house sparrow, and have some key differences,
which makes them easy to identify. The male tree
sparrow has a reddish brown chocolate coloured cap
to its head, whereas the male house sparrow has a
grey cap. In addition, the male tree sparrow has a
pure white side to its head with a big black cheek
patch, while the male house sparrows have dusky
grey sides to their heads with no cheek patch.
To restore the Hampshire tree sparrow, the Trust
and FWAG are keen to hear about sightings from
people either taking a walk in the countryside or
perhaps when the birds visit garden bird tables. Pe-
ter says, "It would be really exciting to help this
once common bird re-establish itself again in Hamp-
shire, we just need to know if there are any surviv-
ing populations living in the county so that we then
focus our efforts on creating perfect conditions for
them to thrive.
Any potential sightings of tree sparrows in Hamp-
shire can be reported to either Peter Thompson, at
the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust - pthomp-
son@gct.org.uk or telephone: 07710344340 or Deb-
bie Miller at FWAG - Debbie.miller@fwag.org.uk or
telephone 07713333179.

Tree Sparrow Marcus and Zoe Ward
Contents
24 Biodiversity News
A roof in Manchester covered with crushed rubble
may sound an unlikely setting for a good meal but
for the Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros) it
spells fine dining. Its at Unicorn Grocery in Chorl-
ton, where volunteers from conservation charity
BTCV have helped to create Manchesters first
brown roof, including a small wetland area the
first of its kind in the UK. The work was funded by
a 24,685 SITA Trust grant and is part of a larger
project Make Room for Black Redstarts organised
by Graham Jones of the Greater Manchester Biodi-
versity Project.
The Black Redstart, an attractive Robin-sized mem-
ber of the turdidae family, takes its name from the
males grey-black plumage and red tail. With less
than 100 pairs breeding in Britain, it is on the am-
ber list of Birds of Conservation Concern, being
rarer than the Golden Eagle or Osprey. Currently,
London and Birmingham have the largest popula-
tions, but at least one pair lives in Manchester. It
is unusual amongst small ground feeding birds in
breeding almost exclusively in urban areas, prefer-
ring shrub-free stony ground and complicated
structures mimicking the cliffs and gorges of its
natural habitat.
Within Greater Manchester, the Black Redstart is
considered threatened with decline due to the
large-scale redevelopment of city centre sites. Old
buildings are the favourite nest sites of this bird
and brownfield areas a favoured feeding site. With
the major regeneration work that is currently hap-
pening in the city many such sites are being lost.
By creating brown roofs on existing roof space ar-
eas, and by working closely with developers on in-
corporating them into new developments, lost
brownfield habitat can be recreated. A further two
brown roofs are planned for Manchester in 2007
and it is hoped that more will be created over the
coming years. This will create a stepping stone ef-
fect of suitable habitats that will allow the Black
Redstart population to expand, flourish and remain
an icon of Manchester for many years to come.
Katie Lowry of BTCV says: It is great involving lo-
cal volunteers on this very worthwhile project and
working with an organisation in the heart of the
community like Unicorn Grocery that understands
how local business can help wildlife.
Set up 10 years ago, Unicorn Grocery is a worker-
owned co-operative retailer based in Chorley which
focuses on organic, Fairtrade and local produce.
Kellie Bubble of Unicorn Grocery says: "It's been a
few years since we started looking into a brown
roof as an insulation solution, and for a while it
didn't seem financially viable. Collaboration has
made it possible, and even more beneficial than
we'd envisaged. It really is a fantastic project and
we're very proud to be involved with it.
For more information please contact: Katie Lowry,
BTCV Project Officer - 0161 608 0498
k.lowrie@btcv.org.uk
Manchesters Rarest Bird Benefits from Brown Roof
Up on the roof - BTCV volunteers create an ideal foraging ground
for the Black Redstart above Unicorn Grocery, Chorlton
Karen Wright Photography
The first season of Natural Links,
a new environmentally themed
programme, run by The Shared
Earth Trust at Denmark Farm, has been a huge suc-
cess. Designed specifically for community groups,
Natural Links offers seasonal activities and crafts
which help people to engage with nature and care
for wildlife.
Natural links, which began in August 2007, is a 3 year
Big Lottery Fund funded programme. As the first
seasonal programme comes to a close, groups taking
part all agree that it has been a worthwhile and thor-
oughly enjoyable experience.
Activities have included willow weaving, lantern
making, land art and animal sculptures. In addition
to these practical activities all participants are en-
couraged to explore the rich environment of Den-
mark Farm and to consider what they can do to im-
prove their own environment. The groups which took
part are Hafal Llandovery, Mind Aberystwyth, Car-
marthen based Awaydays, Llandysul Family Centre,
Carmarthenshire County Council Learning Disability
Services and British Red Cross Ceredigion Young Car-
ers.
Neville Weekes from Hafal Llandovery says I feel as
if Ive come alive againeverythings getting better.
I love being around people and in nature and my in-
volvement with Natural Links
has been a very rewarding ex-
perience.
The next Natural Links programme will run from
mid November 2007 to mid February 2008 and will
focus on woodland management and green wood-
work. Participating groups commit visit three times
during this period, with a final get together for a
celebration at the end of the season. Plans for fu-
ture programmes are now being put in place and
will include a gardening project, roundhouse con-
struction and many more activities.
Any groups interested in getting involved with
Natural Links can register their interest or get
more information from: info@shared-earth-
trust.org.uk / 01570 493358
Contents
Seasonal Changes at Denmark Farm
Angie Polkey (Shared Earth Trust) leading a nature
walk with members of Hafal Llandovery.
Choughs Return to Breed on Rathlin Island
The chough, Northern Irelands
rarest breeding bird and longest
standing BAP species, bred this
summer on Rathlin Island produc-
ing three healthy fledglings. This
was the first successful nesting attempt in the coun-
try for three years and on Rathlin for 18 years. A
member of the crow family, the chough
(Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax) is a glossy black bird
with a curved red beak and red legs. Named for its
call, the choughs buoyant, acrobatic flight marks it
out on its cliff-top home.
In the 1960s, there were 22 breeding pairs of
chough in Northern Ireland, 12 of which were on
Rathlin Island, once a stronghold for the species. By
the late 90s, numbers had fallen to just one breed-
Contents
Lambeth may be thought of as a typical inner Lon-
don borough with plenty of houses and estate blocks
but not enough local green space. However, as from
December people living in the Fenwick Estate in
Clapham will be benefiting from a new biodiverse
roof that will create a green oasis for residents. The
roof is designed to be attractive to birds and other
forms of wildlife, whilst also providing residents with
protection from the weather and helping reduce en-
ergy bills. It is the first biodiverse roof in the bor-
ough and is one of the few such designs in London.
Local residents have welcomed the councils plans
for more greenery and wildlife on their estate.
Ron Laidley, Chair of the Fenwick estate Tenants
and Resident Association, says: "I am proud that we
are the first estate in the borough to have this kind
of roof. I look forward to seeing the kind of wildlife
that it attracts."
It is a little known fact that Lambeth has an incredi-
bly rich variety of wild plants and animals, and the
habitats they need, and the borough is already home
to green roofs on the Ethelred estate in Kennington,
and the Mursell estate in Stockwell. However, as
with anywhere else in the capital, Lambeths wild-
life needs constant attention to prevent losses due
to neglect, inappropriate development, pollution or
other forms of disturbance. The council has a Biodi-
versity Action Plan to promote and protect the natu-
ral environment. It works alongside developers,
businesses, residents and other groups not only to
protect the boroughs existing wildlife, but also to
ing. The Environment & Heritage Service (EHS) and
the RSPB carried out research to find out which
farms, and fields, the chough were using. Then in an
effort to hold on to this remaining pair, the Depart-
ment of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD)
introduced a chough option for farmers along this
stretch of coast within the Environmentally Sensitive
Areas (ESA) Scheme. This chough option offers pay-
ments in return for farming in a way that benefits
the chough. Chough feed mostly on soil insects or in
cattle dung, supplementing their diet with spilt
grain from stubble fields in winter. The chough op-
tion encourages mixed farming, creating a range of
habitats from sheep-grazed cliff slopes to seed-rich
stubbles.
There is a real partnership approach to bringing
back the chough, with farmers along the coast, in-
cluding the National Trust, farming under DARDs
chough option and the RSPB monitoring progress.
The RSPB have also employed a Chough Project Offi-
cer to examine the history of the birds ecology in
Northern Ireland to determine how best to ensure its
long-term survival. Much work remains to be done,
but with this level of partnership from stakeholders,
the future of Northern Irelands choughs seems a
little brighter.
For more information contact:
giles.knight@rspb.org.uk
Chough Mike Lane (rspb-images.com)
Greening Up Lambeth
Contents
create new opportuni-
ties and widen peoples
experience of nature.
Green or living roofs of-
fer an effective and ex-
citing means of promot-
ing nature in Lambeth
as they create new wild-
life habitat, adding to
whats already there,
and provide wild plants
and animals with a refuge well away from distur-
bance.
Councillor John Kazantzis, cabinet member for hous-
ing at Lambeth Council, says; Green roofs are a
great way to promote biodiversity in the built envi-
ronment. Well be encouraging their creation and
maintenance on both public and private buildings,
and for developers and managers to be innovative in
their design, location and use.
The biodiverse roof on Cottage Grove is being sown
with a range of native wild plants that are found
right across London, but whose distribution and
abundance is under threat from loss of existing habi-
tat or competition from more invasive species. This
new roof will significantly boost the biodiversity of
Lambeth as well as providing a new home for impor-
tant plant species.
The mix of wild plants both those originally sown
and those that will gradually colonise the roof - are
attractive to many different wild animals, not just
beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, but also
birds like sparrows, blackbirds and finches. One bird
that should find the new roof very attractive is the
black redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros), a red-tailed
bird closely related to our more common robin. The
black redstart is one of Britains rarest birds, it is
closely associated with wasteland and industrial
sites in London because these sites provide it with a
wide range of small insects attracted to the differ-
ent wild plants found there. By creating a roof
based on crushed rubble and brick, this will favour
the wild plants and insects that the black redstart
wants, and who knows in time Cottage Grove and
Clapham might be providing a home for this splen-
did little bird!
For more information on the Lambeth Biodiversity
Action Plan, please go to: http://
www.lambeth.gov.uk/Services/Environment/
ParksGreenSpaces/WildlifeBiodiversity.htm
The newly seeded roof on
Cottage Grove
A mature bio-roof, as the Lambeth roof is expected to
appear, when mature and in flower
A relatively new reedbeed in Birtley, Gateshead
which co-treats final effluent from the adjacent
wastewater treatment works and minewater, before
discharge to the River Team, has now topped 100
recorded bird species! The site developed in part-
nership between Northumbrian Water and the Coal
Authority comprises of nine separate cells making up
5.6Ha of predominantly phragmites australis reed-
bed. Wildlife features were incorporated into the
design stage including open water, native marginal
plants and islands for nesting waterfowl. Interpre-
tation boards were also placed along a footpath
which divides the site with excellent views of the
reedbeds.
Thirteen BAP species have been recorded to date
by the Northumbria Bird Ringing Group including;
grey partridge, barn owl, reed bunting, yellow
Lamesley Reedbed Tops the 100 Bird Mark!
28 Biodiversity News
wagtail, merlin, skylark and song thrush. For the last
two years it has also provided a valuable roosting site
for 5000+ swallows, over 500 swift and 400 starlings!
The total number of species now stands at 107 (up to
end September 07) which is not bad for a site that is
less than 5 years old and on what was previously in-
tensive arable land. We're now hoping for a bittern
record so watch this space!
For more information contact Stuart Pudney:
stuart.pudney@nwl.co.uk

Contents
That caravanning is a popular UK pastime is an undis-
puted and well known fact. What is perhaps less well
known is the fact that Europes premier caravanning
organisation, The Caravan Club, has around one mil-
lion members, and runs some 200 caravan sites
across the UK, with an additional 2,500 Certificated
Locations. As a result, The Caravan Club is uniquely
placed to deliver the messages of the UK Biodiversity
Action Plan to a very wide, and potentially un-
reached audience, and to drive forward ecological
improvement across a wide network of sites and
land.
The Club chose its centenary celebrations in 2007 as
the impetus to commit itself to the development of a
corporate Biodiversity Action Plan, the first organisa-
tion of its kind to do so. It contracted Environmental
Consultancy JUST ECOLOGY to draw up a plan which
would set defined objectives and actions for the con-
servation of biodiversity across the organisation, and
to recommend the management needed to achieve
measurable targets.
The initial tranche of twenty individual BAPs has now
been prepared, encompassing eight habitats and
twelve species. Each BAP contains the information
required to begin the Biodiversity Action Planning
process, but will be revised as part of an ongoing
programme at the Club. Following on from this,
Caravanners Back Biodiversity
Lamesley Reedbed from the air
Mullein moth (Cucullia verbasci) caterpillar feeding on water
figwort in drainage ditch, at Moreton-in-Marsh Caravan Club
Site, Gloucestershire. Vilas Anthwal

Contents
Trevor Watson, Director General of The Caravan
Club said: This is a wonderful opportunity for The
Caravan Club to demonstrate its commitment to en-
vironmental stewardship and to lead the way in pro-
tecting and enhancing the threatened wildlife of
the UK. It represents an exciting new phase in the
development of the Club, and its an initiative that
we know is supported by our members who share a
love of the countryside and its natural history.

For more information please contact:

Dr Philip Corney:
philip.corney@justecology.co.uk;
Tel: 01454 269650

Fiona Bewers:
fiona.bewers@caravanclub.co.uk;
Tel: 01342 336664
one of the key recommendations of the Main BAP
Report is that The Caravan Club appoint an internal
BAP officer, to co-ordinate the Biodiversity Action
Planning process and to lead on BAP implementa-
tion, with support from the Caravan Club Sites
Team, Site Wardens, Head Office staff, and most
importantly, from the Club members themselves.
The BAP was accepted by the Caravan Club Execu-
tive Committee in autumn 2007 and has recently
been incorporated into the UK BAP scheme, via the
Biodiversity Action Reporting System (BARS). As
with all BARS registered BAPs, this will allow the
Caravan Club BAP to contribute to the national BAP
programme of monitoring and recording, which is
such a valuable aspect of the BAP process.
Funding Boost for Middle Level Commissioners
Otter Recovery Project
Fenland rivers but numbers crashed nationally
mainly due to chemical pollution. While they are
returning to other parts of the country, a Cam-
bridgeshire Otter Survey completed in February
2007 showed that they are still largely absent from
the middle of the Fens. The provision of breeding
and resting habitat throughout the Middle Level sys-
tem via this project aims to allow the natural ex-
pansion of otters to continue.
The Middle Level Commissioners, (MLC), have re-
ceived a 52,000 funding boost from SITA Trust for
a project that aims to get otters back to the water-
ways of the Fens as a regular breeding species. SITA
Trust provides funding through the Landfill Commu-
nities Fund. Funding is available for community and
environmental groups to carry out a range of im-
provement projects.
The funding allocated to MLC for this three year
project will enable the construction of a network of
33 breeding and resting holts, (underground dens),
and the creation of 15 small pockets of otter-
friendly habitat alongside the 120 miles of Middle
Level waterways.
Before the 1950s, otters occurred regularly on
A trial holt in the process of construction in the side of a Middle
Level channel Cliff Carson
Contents
Other elements of the project involve assisting the
Environment Agency in combating the use of illegal
nets and traps that can drown otters and also work-
ing with bridge owners to improve access for otters
by providing ledges where necessary.
Additional support and funding for the project has
been offered by Natural England, The Environment
Agency and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Biodiversity Partnership bringing the total project
funds up to 61,000. Surveys of otter signs will be
required to monitor changes to their distribution
throughout the project and volunteers from wildlife
groups including The Wildlife Trust, March Wildlife
Group and the Cambridgeshire Mammal Group will
be assisting with the surveys.
Cliff Carson, Environmental Officer at the Middle
Level Commissioners who will be managing the pro-
ject said This is a brilliant boost for an important
Biodiversity Action Plan species. With their experi-
ence of working on and managing the Fenland wa-
terways, the Middle Level Commissioners workforce
is well placed to carry out this work. Although otters
are nocturnal, when they return to breed on local
rivers and drains the chances of a lucky person
catching a glimpse of this exciting animal are in-
creased.
Iain Smith, Clerk and Chief Executive, Middle Level
Commissioners said Public bodies are required to
have regard to conserving biodiversity but the grant-
ing of these funds will allow MLC to do much more
than that for a well-liked species that we are in a
good position to help. This is an exciting and impor-
tant project, one of the largest of its kind to be un-
dertaken by a Drainage Authority in the UK.
For more information please contact Cliff Carson on
01354 602902
An inspiring confer-
ence organised by the
Game & Wildlife Con-
s er v a t i o n Tr us t
(formerly The Game
Conservancy Trust), which attracted nearly 300
delegates from across the country, showed how the
dramatic decline of grey partridges, once one of
Britain's most common birds, can be halted
Partridges have suffered an 86% decline in the last
30 years because of habitat loss, a reduction in in-
sect food and an increase in the number of general-
ist predators such as foxes, crows and stoats.
However, delegates to the conference heard that
the bird has made the most astonishing comeback
on the Trust's Grey Partridge Recovery Project on
farmland at Royston, where their numbers have
soared from 20 pairs to 184 pairs in just four years.
Dr Nick Sotherton, director of research with the
Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust said, "Delegates
to the conference have seen the art of the possible.
Over the past 30 years the Trust has carried out the
science to show why partridges are disappearing,
and has come up with solutions to reverse this de-
cline. We have also shown that these techniques
work on our partridge recovery project site at Roys-
ton. It is now over to all UK landowners, farmers
and gamekeepers to apply these recommendations
on their own land. It is not difficult, and with a
united effort we can easily double the partridge
population in the UK over the next few years and
thus save this iconic species on the brink."
At the conference, Dr Stephen Tapper, the Trust's
director of policy and public affairs, explained the
Partridge Conference Inspires Action to Halt Decline
population.
"What is required is profitable agriculture to fund
real conservation. If arable farming is about to pro-
duce a period of increased profit and a higher status
within both the public and political arena then farm-
ers and landowners are beholden to behave respon-
sibly and to communicate their message better than
ever before. The Trust had an important role to play
in this task and we are pleased to support, not just
the grey partridge recovery programme but, all as-
pects of their work."
For more information on grey partridge recovery,
please contact Neville Kingdon on 01425 651066 or
visit the Trust's website: www.gct.org.uk
history of partridge decline and said, "The key mes-
sage is that everyone with an interest in partridges
needs to get involved. We have set up grey par-
tridge groups across the country, and people can
join a local group. We also need people out there
counting partridges, so contact us to join our count
scheme and finally, come to us for advice on man-
aging your land for partridges. Applying just a few
measures can make a huge difference."
In 1995, the grey partridge faced extinction in
much of Britain and so the Government gave the
species priority under the UK's Biodiversity Action
Plan (BAP) process, appointing the Game & Wildlife
Conservation Trust as lead partner to ensure suc-
cess. The aim of the plan is to bring the population
above 90,000 pairs by 2010 and to increase its cur-
rent range by 5%.
To ensure the success of the grey partridge recov-
ery process, the Trust, as a leading research char-
ity, is dependent on the financial support provided
by a number of important business partners, such
as Bidwells, who were the principal sponsor of the
recent conference, as well as Kings and Oval Insur-
ance.
Ian Monks, Chairman Land & Business with Bidwells,
said, "This conference is a clear endorsement of the
great work undertaken by the Trust. Conservation
does not happen by accident and detailed research
is essential if we are to increase the wild gamebird
The Game & Wildlife Trust's grey partridge conference - Back
from the brink - attracted nearly 300 delegates and was heralded
as a major success by those attending. Pictured from left - Ian
Lindsay, Dr Steve Tapper, Ian Monks (Bidwells), Professor Jon
Hutton (guest speaker), Mark Hudson (Trust Chairman), Teresa
Dent (Trust Chief Executive), Peter Thompson and Dr Nick
Sotherton.
Contents
The UK Biodiversity Partnership Conference 2007
2007s UK Biodiversity Partnership Conference was
held in Aviemore, Scotland on 9-11 October. Held
annually since 2003, these conferences are hosted
by each of the devolved administrations on a rota-
tional basis with the aim of bringing together the
biodiversity community to build the partnership by
celebrating achievements, informing delegates of
developments within the partnership and stimulat-
Breakout sessions run by UK biodiversity partner
representatives, ensured lively debate on a range
of topics and key points from these discussions
were captured and will be placed on the UKBAP
website in due course.
UK BAP website:
www.ukbap.org.uk
Contents
The UK Biodiversity Partnership
Standing Committee (UKSC) is
charged with guiding and supporting
the UK Biodiversity Partnership in
implementing the UK Biodiversity
Action Plan, aiding information exchange between
Country Biodiversity Groups and overseeing the sys-
tems facilitating support for and reporting on a
common set of UK Habitat and Species Action
Plans.
At the committees November meeting, an eight-
step action planning process following the publica-
tion of the new UK list of priority species and habi-
tats (Biodiversity News, 39: 12) was proposed,
which would help embed the ecosystem approach
and meet the challenge of a new, and longer, pri-
ority list.
A summary of the eight-step process is outlined be-
low.
Step 1: Brigading Habitats into Groups
It was agreed that priority habitats would be bri-
gaded into groupings, with each country choosing
its own set of groupings. Habitat Umbrella or
Ecosystem Groups would be formed at country
level to set objectives/targets for their priority
habitats and to report at country level. The Groups
would be responsible for meeting the relevant
needs of all species (both plants and animals)
within their priority habitats. The groups, or their
representatives, would meet at UK level to aggre-
gate country reports into UK reports and to share
knowledge. Since the meeting, each of the four
countries has devised provisional habitat groupings
ing interest in a particular area. Plenary sessions,
workshops, field trips and an exchange fair ensure
a varied programme with plenty of opportunities
for networking. Approximately 120 participants at-
tended the 2007 conference.
With the theme of this years conference being en-
vironmental volunteering, the organisers managed
to secure some high level speakers for the plenary
sessions which included Tom Flood (Chief Exec,
BTCV) and Sophie Duncan (Project Exec, BBC
Breathing Places) on volunteering, as well as up-
dates on climate change guidance, the priority
habitats & species list and the new UK Strategy re-
spectively.
In addition to the traditional point and look field
trips of previous conferences, there were options
involving active volunteering sessions to remove
beech and non-native conifers, create a pond and
pond restoration and monitoring.
UK Conference delegates enjoying the highlands
whilst making a difference Brigid Primrose
Action planning process following the publication of
new UK list of priority species and habitats
Contents
at country level and these show considerable con-
sistency.
Step 2: Species requiring specific management
Some priority species would require specific man-
agement action, which the UK Biodiversity Report-
ing and Information Group (BRIG) would confirm,
following the signposting exercise (a process in-
tended to identify the conservation needs of prior-
ity species).
Step 3: Role of Lead Partners in identifying and
reporting on priority species requiring manage-
ment beyond Habitat Action Plans
The Committee agreed that no one party should set
targets, that relevant delivery bodies need to sign
up to set targets, and that lead delivery bodies may
find it helpful to identify a lead partner to aid
this process. It was recommended each country ap-
point a lead delivery body (e.g. Natural England in
England) responsible for priority species conserva-
tion in their country, including prioritising action
and identifying a lead partner to assist with work-
ing up targets and planning for delivery. Where
species occurred in more than one country, lead
delivery bodies would identify if they wanted a
joint lead partner, and if so who it should be.
These bodies would then develop targets and plans
together.
Step 4: Wider Actions
Cross-cutting issues affecting the success of lots of
groups would be dealt with by Country Biodiversity
Groups rather than country agencies, as these in-
volve a wider range of players. Actions would cover
habitats as well as species.
Step 5: Transitional arrangements
It was agreed for the old list of priority habitats
and species, along with the existing species Lead
Partners and habitat arrangements, to be main-
tained while the arrangements and preparations for
the new approach were finalised. This would also
enable reporting on the old list, planned for com-
pletion in 2008.
Step 6: Success criteria
Success criteria are the measures by which a spe-
cies or habitat is identified as being suitably recov-
ered to enable its removal from the UK list of Prior-
ity Habitats and Species. If a species has an indi-
vidual action plan, achievement of the specified
targets would be the criterion for success. For spe-
cies without specific plans, the default success cri-
teria would be recovering to the extent that, were
it to be considered for the UK BAP list in its current
state, the species would not be considered a prior-
ity.
It was agreed that BRIG should establish and man-
age a system for establishing success criteria for
the individual habitats and species, with expert
groups providing the essential information.
Step 7: Surveillance and monitoring
The surveillance framework was nearly complete;
BRIG would come back to Standing Committee for
sign off in April 2008.
Step 8: Research
It was agreed that the UK Biodiversity Research Ad-
visory Group (BRAG) would deal with cross-cutting
research needs, rather that individual research
needs for habitat and species action plans. BRIG
would prepare a short note on what a general
framework for research to underpin the conserva-
tion of priority habitats and species would look
like.
The minutes of UKSC meetings ate available on the
UK BAP website:

http://www.ukbap.org.uk/BAPGroupPage.aspx?
id=5
Free Public Lecture Series Global Impacts of Climate Change: - the human dimension
Birkbeck, University of London, and the Ecology and Conservation Studies Society, will present another free
public lecture series next spring on Global Impacts of Climate Change: - the human dimension. This series
will be held on six Friday evenings between 8 February to 14 March inclusive, in Birkbeck, London WC1
There is no escaping climate change, although the impact will vary greatly around the globe. This series
will examine some of the extreme problems caused world wide by global warming. After a scene setting in-
troduction of human interactions on the biosphere, lectures will review permafrost melt and decay of peat
bogs; coral reef breakdown with coastal effects; polar ice melt; drought and starvation; and the role of aid
to relieve these national disasters. The series will be concluded by Professor Sir Ghillean Prance, who will
discuss how tropical forest ecology is affected by climate change. Local human populations will be pro-
foundly affected in many ways, which could lead to migrations of ecological refugees.
Full details will be on the Societys website in early 2008 at: http://www.bbk.ac.uk/ce/environment/
[follow the link to the Society]

A Butterfly Conservation Conference
Brownfields for Butterflies and Business
Tuesday 5th February, NFU Mutual Buildings, Stratford-on Avon
Brownfield wildlife can co-exist with industry and regeneration this conference shows how with examples
from some of the UKs biggest managers, developers and users of brownfield land.
To book a place or for more information please contact info@butterfly-conservation.org
Tel: 01929 400209 or visit the Brownfield Conference link at www.butterfly-conservation.org

A CMS Conference
Coastal Futures 2008 - Review and Future Trends
22
nd
24
th
January 2008 - SOAS, London
January 22
nd
Climate change Mitigation - The role of the Coastal and Marine Sectors
January 23
rd
The Policy context The Marine Bill - European Marine Strategy - EU Maritime Policy - Ma-
rine Spatial Planning -Coastal issues Coastal Access Napoli Recreational boating - ICZM Benefits of
Partnership - Coastal Flood Risk and SMP - Climate Change Mitigation Severn Barrage - Marine Science
Contents
Sea Mount & management
January 24
th
Seabed Mapping - Archaeology - Port Aggregate Developments -Water Framework Directive
- Marine Protected Areas & Fisheries - Discards
Fisheries Policy - Market forces - Changing ecosystems
Conference fee: 160 excluding VAT: concessionary rates and press passes available
For details contact: Bob Earll, CMS, Candle Cottage, Kempley, Glos. GL18 2BU
Phone / Fax 01531 890415; bob.earll@coastms.co.uk
or www.coastms.co.uk conference programme

Ecobuild
26th to 28th February, Earls Court London
Europes biggest sustainable construction event: With over 500 exhibitors, major new attractions and the
most extensive green building information programme anywhere outside the US, Ecobuild is the biggest
event dedicated to sustainable design and construction in Europe.
Register now at the link below for your free invitation to the exhibition:
http://www.innovationsforthebuiltenvironment.co.uk/page.cfm/NewSection=Yes/GoSection=0
For more information, visit the link below:
http://www.innovationsforthebuiltenvironment.co.uk/page.cfm/link=4
Please send in any dates of courses, meetings, conferences, events for young people
or any other dates of relevance that could be included in our Diary.
Contents
Dates for your Diary
26th 27th January Big Garden Birdwatch 2008
21st January 01 February Big Schools Birdwatch

02 February World Wetlands Day
Remember to submit your results!

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UKBAP BiodiversityNews-41

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