Great Crested Newt Survey

Transcription

1 Wind Farm, Northamptonshire A Report on behalf of Wind Prospect Developments Ltd May 2013

2 CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Methodology 2.1 Field Survey 3.0 Results 3.1 Field Survey 4.0 Conclusions and Recommendations REFERENCES FIGURES Figure 1 Survey Locations APPENDICES Appendix 1 Results of

3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Knight Ecology Ltd undertook amphibian surveys, with particular emphasis on Great Crested Newts Triturus cristatus of ponds and ditches within farmland adjacent to the motorway, near Roade, Northamptonshire, in order to satisfy Condition 17 of the Planning Permission(Application Number: S/2011/1421/MAF). Following consultation with Ross Holdgate of Natural England on 04 March 2013, it was concluded that a presence / absence survey of the ponds previously assessed was the most appropriate method to discharge this condition of the planning permission. The surveys were undertaken by Dr John Knight, a Natural England Licensed Great Crested Newt surveyor from 16 April 2013 to 18 May Whilst a low population of Smooth Newt Lissotriton vulgaris and Palmate Newt Lissotriton helveticus was recorded during the 2013 surveys, Great Crested Newts were not noted within any of the ponds or ditches surveyed. No evidence of breeding by newts was recorded. It is considered that the survey effort and subsequent results satisfy Condition 17 of the Planning Permission requesting preconstruction checks for Great Crested Newts. No specific mitigation relating to amphibians is recommend other than a tool box talk to site workers as set out in the Great Crested Newt Pre-Construction Survey Specification Report (March 2013). It is considered that pond enhancement measures set out in Section 4.6 of the Ecological Enhancement Plan (May 2013) will increase the carrying capacity of a number of ponds to support breeding newts and other amphibian species.

4 1.0 Introduction The purpose of this Report is to satisfy Condition 17 of the Planning Permission (Application Number: S/2011/1421/MAF). Condition 17 states: Prior to the commencement of development a specification for preconstruction checking surveys for great crested newts, badgers and breeding birds shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The survey results and a programme of any mitigation required as a consequence shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority prior to any works associated with the construction of the development taking place. The programme of mitigation work shall be implemented as approved. Reason: To protect habitats and/or species of importance to nature conservation from significant harm in accordance with the Government's aim to achieve sustainable development as set out in the NPPF. Following consultation with Ross Holdgate of Natural England on 04 March 2013, it was concluded that a presence / absence survey of the ponds previously assessed was the most appropriate method to discharge this condition of the planning permission. Whilst it was considered extremely unlikely that Great Crested Newts would be recorded, the survey data compiled from the updated surveys would provide accurate data to allow appropriate management plans to be drawn up to provide net enhancement for newts and other amphibian species. A Great Crested Newt Pre-Construction Survey Specification Report was produced by Knight Ecology Ltd (March 2013) setting out the background to the site, as well as enhancement measures and details on a tool box talk which will be given to site operatives informing them of actions to take in the unlikely event of recording amphibians on site. Results of previous surveys are set out in the March 2013 Report. To summarise, no Great Crested Newts were recorded during presence / absence surveys in 2010 and A low population of Smooth Newt and Palmate Newt was recorded in three and two (respectively) of the ponds surveyed with a good population of breeding Common Toad Bufo bufo in another pond. No other evidence of breeding was recorded and each of these ponds was over 250m from proposed works. Each of the nine turbines will be within arable fields which is considered sub-optimal terrestrial habitat for newt species

5 Great Crested Newt is a UK BAP Priority species, and an action plan for Palmate Newt has been prepared as part of the Northamptonshire BAP. Great Crested Newts and their resting places are protected under Section 9 / Schedule 5 of the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act (as amended), and via Regulation 39 / Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats &c) Regulations 1994 (as amended). Good assemblages of other common amphibian species e.g. Common Frog Rana temporaria and Smooth Newt can also merit special conservation effort. The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 CRoW Act makes further amendments to the species protection measures covered in the Wildlife and Countryside Act. Taken together it is illegal to: Intentionally or deliberately capture or kill, or intentionally injure Great Crested Newts; Deliberately disturb Great Crested Newts or intentionally or recklessly disturb them in a place used for shelter or protection; Damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place (Note: this action does not have to be deemed deliberate); Intentionally, deliberately or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to a place used for shelter or protection. It is therefore illegal for any person to deliberately kill, injure, capture or recklessly disturb Great Crested Newts, or to obstruct their access to areas where they live and breed. This includes both breeding ponds and surrounding suitable terrestrial habitat. Newts spend most of their life-cycle in terrestrial habitat; these areas are also protected against damage and destruction. Dependent upon the scale of impact, works that are deemed to affect Great Crested Newts require a licence from Natural England. Such licences are only issued where a number of conditions have been set (usually relating to detailed mitigation measures). Palmate Newt is a priority species under the Local BAP and is partially protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 relating to their sale and trade (as amended by the CRoW Act 2000). Whilst it is widely distributed in the UK it is rare in East Midlands, with only seven records in Northamptonshire since 2002 (Northamptonshire Biodiversity Partnership 2008).

6 2.0 Methodology 2.1 Presence / Absence Survey In accordance with current guidelines (English Nature 2001), between 16 April 2013 and 18 May 2013, three field survey methods were applied to each of the seven ponds previously surveyed, these being bottle trapping, egg search, and torch survey. In the absence of features considered suitable for egg searching, this method was replaced with netting (see Tables in Appendix 1). Given that 2012 was the wettest year on record, and heavy snow cover on site during March 2013, other ponds and ditches that were previously considered sub-optimal for survey (i.e. they did no hold sufficient water at the time of the original survey) were assessed when on site to survey the other seven ponds, and these additional areas were surveyed where conditions were considered suitable. All surveys were undertaken by Dr John Knight, a Natural England licensed Great Crested Newt surveyor. In accordance with current guidelines four visits to each of the ponds in suitable weather conditions was undertaken as part of the presence / absence survey, with at least two of the visits being undertaken between mid-april and mid-may The surveys involved setting the traps at dusk (depending upon water depth), netting and torching when it is dark, and then collecting the traps in the morning. Egg searches either preceded the setting of the traps or their collection.

7 3.0 Results 3.1 Field Survey Surveys were undertaken during the optimal survey time for assessing Great Crested Newt activity between 16 April 2013 to 18 May 2013, with three of the four surveys undertaken between mid-april and mid-may. Four evening and morning visits took place at the ponds. As Great Crested Newts were not recorded during any of the four surveys, an additional two evening and morning visits in order to provide a population size class assessment was not required. All site visits were undertaken in suitable weather conditions (when night time air temperature was greater than 5ºC, no/little wind, and no rain). In accordance with current guidelines (English Nature 2001) three survey methods were applied to each pond. In the case of Pond 1 (see Figure 1) survey effort was however restricted to torching and netting due to the absence of a suitable depth of water for bottle trapping and lack of features suitable for surveying for evidence of egg-laying. Egg searching alone was restricted to Pond 9 and Ditch 11 which didn t hold suitable areas of standing water, and torching alone was undertaken of Ditch 10 which had no emergent vegetation and too shallow a water level for trapping or netting. Whilst no Great Crested Newts were recorded within any of the ponds surveyed, the surveys did record a low population of Smooth Newts, Palmate Newt and Common Toad. No evidence of breeding was recorded in any of the ponds surveyed. A description of each of the ponds and ditches surveyed together with associated photographs and results of the surveys are included below with detailed Tables of results in Appendix 1 (see Figure 1 for locations).

8 Pond 1 Situated to the east of Wootton Road, the pond measured approximately 25m x 15m with blanket weed algae towards the edges. Pipes issued into the pond with one appearing to lead from a nearby generator/pump with an adjacent large buried tank. The water quality was considered to be extremely poor. No amphibians were recorded during previous survey of the pond in 2011, and none were recorded during survey in 2013 (see Appendix 1). The suitability of the pond to support newts was considered to be near negligible. Photo 1: Pond 1

9 Pond 2 The pond measured approximately 12m x 10m at the time of survey. The pond appeared silt lined (potentially stone below) and a number of pipes issued into the pond from a potential covered storage tank to the east. The water was clear and to a maximum depth of c.1m. A small amount of emergent and marginal vegetation was present including Floating Sweetgrass, Watercress and submerged Broad-leaved Dock leaves at the edge. Previous survey in 2011 recorded Common Toad within the pond and this species was again recorded in 2013 (see Appendix 1). No newts were recorded in the pond and its suitability to support newts was considered to be low moderate. Photo 2: Pond 2

10 Pond 3 The heavily shaded pond measured approximately 20m x 10m with sections of blanket weed algae covering over half of the surface area. The pond appeared silt lined with a shallow profile to a depth of c.70cm in the centre. No aquatic, emergent or marginal vegetation was present and alternative egg laying material was restricted to dead leaves. Previous survey in 2011 recorded Smooth Newts within the pond. Survey in 2013 recorded the same species but in reduced numbers. Though newts were recorded within the pond, its overall suitability to support newts was considered reduced due to heavy shading and lack of emergent vegetation. Photo 3: Pond 3

11 Pond 4 The pond measured approximately 30m x 10m with turbid water. The pond was silt lined with possible stone below on its south side with a deep silt layer and a maximum depth of c.80cm. No aquatic, emergent or marginal vegetation was present and no alternative egg laying material was recorded. The edge of the pond had been heavily poached by cattle. No amphibians were recorded during previous survey of the pond in 2011, and none were recorded during survey in 2013 (see Appendix 1). The suitability of the pond to support newts was considered to be low. Photo 4: Pond 4

12 Pond 5 At the time of the Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey in May 2009, the pond was a dry depression in the ground with no vegetation suggestive of occasional waterlogged conditions. At the time of the Badger survey on 05 April 2011, the pond held water measuring approximately 4 x 2.5m with a maximum depth of less than 5cm. When the amphibian surveys commenced on 04 May 2011, it was noted that the pond was dry, and remained so throughout the survey period. At the time of the amphibian surveys in 2013, the pond had a surface area approximately 4m x 2.5m with a maximum depth of c.15cm with a very small amount of Floating Sweet-grass. No amphibians were recorded during previous survey of the pond in 2011, and none were recorded during survey in 2013 (see Appendix 1). The suitability of the pond to support newts was considered to be negligible - low. Photo 5: Pond 5

13 Pond 6 The pond measured approximately 8m x 6m with a maximum depth of c.30cm. No aquatic, emergent or marginal vegetation was present and alternative egg laying material was restricted to dead leaves at the base of the pond. The pond was heavily shaded by surrounding vegetation. Previous survey in 2010 recorded up to two Smooth Newts and one Palmate Newt within the pond. Survey in 2013 recorded a maximum of one Smooth Newt and no Palmate Newts. Though newts were recorded within the pond, its overall suitability to support newts was considered reduced due to heavy shading and lack of emergent vegetation. Photo 6: Pond 6

14 Pond 7 Immediately adjacent to Pond 6, during the amphibian survey in 2010, Pond 7 measured approximately 10m x 8m briefly leading into a ditch before extending out into a larger area of approximately 10m x 8m, with a maximum depth of approximately 0.6m. During the surveys in 2013 the pond held more water, with a maximum depth of c.0.7m though had no increase in the area of emergent vegetation, this being restricted to a small area of Floating Sweet-grass. Previous survey in 2010 recorded up to four Smooth Newts and one Palmate Newt within the pond. Survey in 2013 recorded a maximum of two Smooth Newts and one Palmate Newt, and also Common Toad. Though newts were recorded within the pond, its overall suitability to support newts was considered reduced due to heavy shading and general lack of emergent vegetation. Photo 7: Pond 7

15 Pond 8 Situated within an arable field with no direct connectivity to hedgerows bordering the field, during previous site assessments in 2010 and 2011 this pond was dry. The pond was dug out approximately five years previously. At the time of the surveys in 2013, the pond measured approximately 15m x 15m with no open areas of water and a maximum depth of c.0.25m, and was dominated by Floating Sweet-grass with occasional Hard Rush and Brooklime. The Brooklime was completely submerged at the time of the survey suggesting that the water levels within the pond were significantly higher than on average. No evidence of amphibians was recorded during the surveys of the pond. Photo 8: Pond 8

16 Pond 9 Situated within an arable field with no direct connectivity to hedgerows bordering the field, during previous site assessment in 2010 this pond was dry. Survey in 2013 noted that the pond was damp and did not hold open areas of water. The damp section of the pond measured approximately 8m x 4m and supported Floating Sweet-grass, Rosebay Willowherb, and Watercress, with occasional Hard Rush and Pendulous Sedge, and was fringed by Bramble, Common Nettle and occasional Hawthorn. Though considered sub-optimal to support amphibians an egg search was carried out with no evidence recorded. Photo 9: Pond 9

17 Ditch 10 During the Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey on site in 2009, a ditch towards the southern end of the site had a short length of standing water 30cm wide and less than 5cm deep with no emergent vegetation. At the time of the amphibian survey in 2013, the northern section of the ditch was heavily shaded and covered by a hedge and had water at a depth of c.5cm and was approximately 50cm wide with water flowing slowly south. Further south the ditch was present on the east side of the hedge and had been recently cleared out. The flow at this point was faster and had a depth of less than 5cm and width of up to approximately 30cm. No emergent vegetation was recorded in either section. Though considered suboptimal to support amphibians the ditch was surveyed via torch in 2013, with no evidence of amphibians being recorded. Photo 10: Ditch 10

18 Ditch 11 During the Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey on site in 2009, a ditch towards the southern end of the site had no standing water though species indicative of damp conditions such as Watercress, Soft-rush and Brooklime were present. At the time of the amphibian survey in 2013, the ditch was damp with some standing water sections, with a depth of 2-4cm and other species indicative of damp conditions such as Watermint. Though considered suboptimal to support amphibians an egg search was carried out of the ditch in 2013 with no evidence recorded. Photo 11: Ditch 11 (Ditch 10 is in background of the photo).

19 4.0 Conclusions and Recommendations Whilst survey of the ponds and ditches did not record Great Crested Newts, a low population of Smooth Newt and Palmate Newt was noted. It is considered that the survey effort and subsequent results satisfy the section of Condition 17 of the Planning Permission requesting preconstruction checks for Great Crested Newts. Each of the ponds that supported newts was over 250m from proposed works. No specific mitigation relating to amphibians is recommend other than a tool box talk to site workers as set out in the Great Crested Newt Pre-Construction Survey Specification Report (March 2013). It was considered that the suitability of a number of the surveyed ponds to support newts and other amphibian species was sub-optimal. It is considered that pond enhancement measures set out in Section 4.6 of the Ecological Enhancement Plan (May 2013) will increase the carrying capacity of a number of ponds to support breeding newts and other amphibian species.

20 REFERENCES English Nature. August 2001: Great crested newt mitigation guidelines. English Nature.

21 LEGEND Proposed turbine location Planning application boundary Access track Temporary construction compound Switchgear house Switchgear house boundary Permanent anemometer mast 1-9 Pond Surveyed Ditch Surveyed Reproduced from Ordnance Survey digital map data Crown copyright All rights reserved. Licence number Wind Farm GCN Report 2013 WPDL DOCUMENT REFERENCE THIRD PARTY DOCUMENT REFERENCE 757_00964_v2 N/A LAST REVISION DATE DOCUMENT STATUS SITE DESIGN VERSION 17/06/2013 Turbine Layout R FINAL SCALE 1: 10 A3 (10cm = 1km) Figure 1

22 Appendix 1 Results of Pond 1 Date Overnight Air Temp. (max/ min) Rain during torching or egg search? Bottle trapping results Torch survey results Netting results Visit Visit Visit Visit /9 o C No n/a /6 o C No n/a /9 o C No n/a /8 o C No n/a 0 0 Pond 2 Date Overnight Air Temp. (max/ min) Rain during torching or egg search? Bottle trapping results Torch survey results Egg Search results Visit 1 14/9 o C No Visit /6 o C No 0 2 Female Common Toads 0 Visit Visit /9 o C No /8 o C No 0 1 Male Common Toad 0

23 Pond 3 Date Overnight Air Temp. (max/ min) Rain during torching or egg search? Bottle trapping results Torch survey results Netting results Visit Visit Visit Visit /9 o C No /6 o C No /9 o C No 1 Female Smooth Newt 2 Male Smooth Newt 0 13/8 o C No 0 1 Male Smooth Newt 0 Pond 4 Date Overnight Air Temp. (max/ min) Rain during torching or egg search? Bottle trapping results Torch survey results Netting results Visit Visit Visit Visit /9 o C No 0 0 (though was turbid on each occasion) 0 10/6 o C No /9 o C No /8 o C No 0 0 0

24 Pond 5 Date Overnight Air Temp. (max/ min) Rain during torching or egg search? Bottle trapping results Torch survey results Egg Search results Visit 1 14/9 o C No 0 (Shallow on each occasion, could only support a few traps) Visit /6 o C No Visit Visit /9 o C No /8 o C No Pond 6 Date Overnight Air Temp. (max/ min) Rain during torching or egg search? Bottle trapping results Torch survey results Netting results Visit Visit Visit Visit /9 o C No /6 o C No /9 o C No 0 1 Male Smooth Newt 0 13/8 o C No 0 0 0

25 Pond 7 Date Overnight Air Temp. (max/ min) Rain during torching or egg search? Bottle trapping results Torch survey results Egg Search results Visit 1 14/9 o C No 0 1 Female Common Toad Visit /6 o C No 0 2 Male Toads 0 Visit Visit /9 o C No 2 Female Smooth Newts 1 Male Palmate Newt 1 Male Smooth Newt (netted for identification) 13/8 o C No 1 Female Smooth Newt 1 Female Smooth Newt (netted for identification) 0 0 Pond 8 Date Overnight Air Temp. (max/ min) Rain during torching or egg search? Bottle trapping results Egg Search results Netting results Visit Visit Visit Visit /9 o C No /6 o C No /9 o C No /8 o C No 0 0 0

26 Pond 9 Date Overnight Air Temp. (max/ min) Rain during torching or egg search? Egg Search results Visit Visit Visit Visit /9 o C No 0 10/6 o C No 0 12/9 o C No 0 13/8 o C No 0 Ditch 10 Date Overnight Air Temp. (max/ min) Rain during torching or egg search? Torch survey results Visit Visit Visit Visit /9 o C No 0 10/6 o C No 0 12/9 o C No 0 13/8 o C No 0

27 Ditch 11 Date Overnight Air Temp. (max/ min) Rain during torching or egg search? Egg Search results Visit Visit Visit Visit /9 o C No 0 10/6 o C No 0 12/9 o C No 0 13/8 o C No 0