Tees Valley Biodiversity Partnership

Survey work contributing to the ‘Hedgerows’ HAP continued in 2010 through a Defra-funded hedgerow survey in Hartlepool, carried out by The Wildflower Ark. A grant of £4,900 was awarded to the Ark in April last year allowing the field survey to be carried out over the summer and autumn.
The aim of the Hartlepool Hedgerow Survey was to establish the extent, character, condition and management requirements of hedgerows in the borough of Hartlepool by carrying out a random survey of hedgerows following the method given in Defra’s Hedgerow Survey Handbook. Using this standardised method allows the data to be collated nationally as well as locally, thus contributing to both the local and national HAPs. In addition to collecting information on extent and character, the survey method also allows the condition of hedgerows to be assessed. This will allow future hedgerow management to be targeted appropriately in order to increase the number of hedgerows in the borough that are in favourable condition for biodiversity.

The Wildflower Ark were assisted in the hedgerow survey by 23 volunteers who were trained in the survey method and contributed over 30 days of field work. In total, 183 hedges were surveyed, equating to 41.53km. The character of the hedgerows was similar across the borough. Almost all of them (86%) were shrubby hedgerows consisting predominantly of Hawthorn (present in 97% of the hedgerows) with additional species such as Dog Rose (47%), Bramble (41%), Elder (40%), Blackthorn (28%), Ash (21%) and Sycamore (13%). In total there were 76 isolated hedgerow trees, predominantly Ash (43) or Sycamore (21). Over half of the hedgerows were mixed (i.e. not dominated by one species) and over a quarter of the hedgerows (27%) were also species-rich, meaning they contained four or more native woody species in the 30m section that was surveyed.

Of the 183 hedgerows surveyed, only 5% were found to be in favourable condition. Favourable condition is assessed on six different attributes: hedgerow dimensions, percentage of gaps along the hedgerow length, basal canopy height, width of undisturbed ground at the base of the hedgerow, herbaceous vegetation cover at the base of the hedgerow, and presence of introduced species. Each attribute has an acceptable threshold and a hedgerow must be within this threshold for all six attributes in order to be classified as in favourable condition. Of the 95% of hedgerows that were not in favourable condition, the majority of them failed on the basal canopy height, meaning the gap between the ground and the bottom of the hedgerow canopy was too great.

The survey data has been collated onto both Defra’s online database and a GIS database and will be distributed to local statutory and non-statutory conservation bodies, the regional record centre, and Defra. A full report of the survey will be available to download in February on this website as well as at www.wildflowerark.org.uk

During the winter of 2009/2010 the Tees Valley Biodiversity Partnership coordinated the planting of seven new hedgerows in the Tees Valley with funding from the Tree Council’s “Real Hedges Fund” and support from local authorities, local industry and volunteers from local community groups. In total 3,288 m of hedge were planted and 163 hedgerow trees on a range of urban, industrial and rural locations that ranged that included a steel works, a cemetery, allotments, a brownfield nature reserve, rural farmland, a National Nature Reserve and an urban green space.

For one of the projects Hartlepool Borough Council experimented with the use of a wed suppressant fabric. Deborah Jefferson of the HBC Countryside Team reports on the results;

We planted an 800m stretch of mixed hedgerow along the boundary of Seaton Common was planted in the winter of 2010.  As part of the planting scheme it was decided to use a weed suppressant fabric and a thick layer of mulch to curb weed growth and reduce competition with the surrounding vegetation as the planted area is very exposed and normal shrub growth in the area is stunted.  It was also thought that the extra initial effort would reduce future maintenance of the hedge.
The entire hedgerow was planted and approximately half of it had the fabric and mulch added before mulch supplies dried up in the spring of 2010.  When supplies were replenished in October and the mulching resumed a significant difference in the growth rates between the two sections was observed, with growth in the mulched section exceeding that in the un-mulched area by approximately 30-40cm.  There was little weed re-growth and a low percentage of losses with only 2% noted in the mulched section.
Although the benefits are considerable there are also a number of drawbacks associated with the project, primarily based around costs.  The Terram fabric was reasonably priced at £430 as seconds were purchased to save money and it has proved more than adequate.  The mulch was provided free of charge by HBC Grounds Maintenance team which was fortunate as 35 tonnes were used due to the unevenness of the terrain.  Unfortunately for anyone who doesn’t have this option a 30 tonne load will set you back £800 from Kielder Forest Products.  The additional work is very labour intensive and subsequently the biggest cost is in Staff and Volunteer time.  An additional 15 Task days were required to trench and secure the fabric and manually apply the mulch which equates to 85 volunteer days and 20 staff days.  If an arbitrary figure of £50 is applied per person per day the cost is in excess of £5,000 and takes the grand total of the additional work to almost £6,500. 

In cash terms the project has only cost us £430 and we are more than happy with the results.  We now have 400m of well established hedgerow and a further 400m which will hopefully catch up to its neighbour during the next few years.  In the longer term we will save money on gapping up and maintenance and if resources allow we would recommend this option to anyone planting in hostile environments.

A free guide to experiencing wildlife in North Tees is published this week by the Tees Valley Biodiversity Partnership.   “North Tees Naturally” is a 36 page colour booklet that covers places to experience wildlife in the Tees Valley, north of the Tees.   The guide was funded by Tees Valley Wildlife Trust, the RSPB and Northumbrian Water Limited. It is packed with ideas of activities and wildlife to see a through the seasons. It brings together, for the first time, information on  what wildlife you can see on nature reserves and countryside sites with practical information on facilities, opening times and  detailed information detailing how to get their by bike and bus.
The free guide is available from local tourist information centres and libraries across the Tees Valley and from the Saltholme Wildlife Discovery Centre.
Download a copy here 

North Tees Naturally part1

North Tees Naturally part2

 Join The Big Sea Survey

The north-east region offers a rich array of landscape features which support a wealth of both marine and terrestrial biodiversity. The space and the breathtaking landscape beauty that we have in this region make our little corner of England particularly special. But we can take it all so for granted when it is right on our doorstep.

One of the jewels in our north-east crown is the stunning coastline that holds its splendour year round. Clinging to these rocky reefs, snuggled into crevices and cracks, is the most incredible range of life that wriggles, and squirms and squishes. Obscure blobs of coloured life that we may overlook, have fascinating life cycles and bizarre sex lives. While holidays abroad bring us effortlessly close with flashy fish replete with a rainbow of colour, our own coastal treasures yield up their secrets a little more hesitantly. But they are all the more valued for doing so. Sometimes it requires a little patience and a little prodding. It may involve braving our shores with an accompanying bracing wind that threatens to strip the skin from your cheeks. But what revelations and what rewards for your efforts!!
What’s it all about?
This coast, and the life that it supports, belongs to all of us. It is a fragile, and immeasurably beautiful habitat, which we need to learn more about if we are to protect it and plan for the changing environmental future ahead. The Big Sea Survey needs your help to produce an extensive baseline of the species living in our region. Spend some time getting to know the creatures that we otherwise ignore and trip (literally), over and find yourself quickly addicted. Discovering you know the name of one species of seaweed over another, getting a handle on how massively varied feeding behaviours and life cycles are of even the most homely snails, and it opens up a whole world that leaves you wanting to know more.

How do you find out more?
Well you could join the Big Sea Survey. Staff at Newcastle University’s Dove Marine Laboratory are facilitating anyone who wants to learn more about the animals and seaweeds along our coasts. And it’s free of charge! Joining the project means you will receive training in how to identify different species, and the know-how and field equipment to survey and record where and how much of is found along our shores. The project runs for three years and over that time you can get out and about collecting information and building up your own knowledge. Joining will not disrupt your lifestyle, as you can commit as much or as little time as you feel able to. The data that you collect will feed into datasets held by the University, by ERIC (the North East Environmental Records Information Centre), and also into national databases available for use by a wide range of coastal managers and professionals who need to understand more about life on our coasts.

We already have an enthusiastic band of Coastal Assistants, all trained up and recording away. Why not join them and contribute to helping conserve something that makes our little corner of England so special?
To find more, contact  Haether Sugden at  bigseasurvey@ncl.ac.uk, or ring 0191 222 3059  or write to: Big Sea Survey, Dove Marine Laboratory, School of Marine Science and Technology, Newcastle University, Cullercoats, Tyne and Wear, NE30 4PZ.

Flyer Big Sea

The 2010 Annual Gathering of the Tees Valley Biodiversity Partnership was held on the 30 September 2010 at the Teesmouth Field Centre.   The event proved to be an uplifting and thought provoking day of presentations and discussions on biodiversity in the Tees Valley.

Here are links to the presentations
Collaborating to deliver biodiversity in the new policy landscape 
Richard Hall, Natural England PowerPoint Richard Hall 

Adapting to climate change in the Tees Valley
Leanne Wilson, Tees Valley Unlimited PowerPoint Leanne Wilson

An introduction to Darlington’s natural environment  
Phil Roxby, Darlington Council  ( sorry this is too large to upload)

Keeping the Green in Green Infrastructure
David Walton, Groundwork North East PowerPoint David Walton

Little Terns- a conservation dilemma
Geoff Barber, INCA PowerPoint Geoff Barber
 
Heritage Orchards of the Tees Valley – a hidden habitat
Helen Herring, Wildflower Ark PowerPoint Helen Herring  

The Cleveland Bird Atlas and wildlife conservation
Vic Fairbrother, Teesmouth Bird Club PowerPoint Vic Fairbrother text

 Bowesfield- a Tees Valley wetland creation project  PowerPoint Jeremy Garside
Jeremy Garside, Tees Valley Wildlife Trust
 
How the Heritage lottery can help you deliver for biodiversity and people
Ellie Moir, Heritage Lottery Fund PowerPoint Ellie Moir

The Saltholme story…. a year on?
Toby Collett, RSPB Toby Collett
 
Introducing the Tees Rivers Trust
Ben Lamb,  Tees Rivers Trust PowerPoint Ben Lamb 
 
 A window into the life of our Tees Valley mammals
Kenny Crooks, Tees Valley Wildlife Trust. Visit http://www.urbanwildplaces.co.uk/ for film fotage.

In response to the Defra consultation on the government draft circular “Biodiversity and Geological Conservation – “Statutory obligations and their impact within the planning system”, the Tees Valley Biodiversity Partnership made a detailed response which can be downloaded Consultation on draft PPS TVBP response May 2010  

The consultation date has now passed but here is a link to the relevant Defra pages

Find out more about the Environment Agency’s Regional Habitat Creation Programme (RHCP) with this Information Note for Awareness RaisingRHCP_Awareness Summary_DRAFT_RM_May 10

 Orchards are a national biodiversity priority habitat so its great news that the Heritage Lottery Fund are supporting a new project ‘Traditional Orchards in the Lower Tees Valley’ through a grant of £41,000 to the Wildflower Ark at Nature’s World. The project will research orchards and fruit growing in the Lower Tees Valley, locate remaining orchards and remnant fruit trees and identify, where possible, the old varieties of fruit. A series of workshops on fruit tree pruning and management, fruit harvesting, storage and uses will be held in the orchards at Nature’s World. This will increase the skills within the local community and aid the restoration and management of local orchards.

Traditional orchards are a priority habitat in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. They are a semi-natural habitat providing food and shelter for a wide diversity of wildlife – lichens and mosses;  bees, beetles, moths and other invertebrates; birds and  mammals. As with so much of our wildlife habitat, traditional orchards are under threat across the whole of the uk and Natural England are promoting their wildlife benefits and conservation.
Traditional orchards were plentiful locally in the 19th century. Villages such as Egglescliffe, Norton, Newton Aycliffe, Thornaby were surrounded by fields of fruit trees.  Orchards were also present as part of the fruit and vegetable gardens of local halls, country houses and farms. Most of these have been lost now, though some of them,  not until  recently. Some smaller farm orchards are thought to remain.
If you  know of any old fruit trees or orchards, have information on the history of local orchards or are interested in any aspect of the project please contact Helen Herring at the Wildflower Ark, Nature’s World, Ladgate Lane, Acklam, TS5 7YN; tel: 01642 576611, email wildflowerark@hotmail.com.

 The Tees Valley Biodiversity Partnership are undertaking a survey of ancient woodlands across the in the Tees Valley. The initiative will investigate the extent, nature and condition of the ancient woodland resource. The survey, which starts in April,  is funded by the Forestry Commission, Natural England and the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust.

The stimulus for the project came from the newly produced Tees Valley broadleaved woodland habitat action plan. The plan, prepared by the TVBP under the lead of Rachel Sparks of the Forestry Commission, sets out targets and action to restore and create woodlands.  However knowledge on the ecological condition of woodlands is sketchy. The information gained by the surveys will be invaluable in directing practical conservation improvements.

 As well as providing advice and guidance to owners and managers It will provide  better understanding of the characteristics, condition, management and ownership of the resource that will be used to stimulate sustainable management and provide information to the Forestry Commission, Natural England and other partners to enable the co-ordinated targeting of grants and other measures to the Ancient Woodlands in the Tees Valley that are assessed to be in unfavourable condition and identified as high priorities for support.
Objectives of the project are;

1. To survey the extent, nature and condition of the ancient woodland resource in the Tees Valley.

2. To provide a better understanding of the characteristics, condition, management and ownership of the resource that will be used to stimulate sustainable management and enable the development of meaningful woodland targets.

3.  To provide information to the Forestry Commission, Natural England and other partners to enable the co-ordinated targeting of grants and other measures to the Ancient Woodlands in the Tees Valley that are assessed to be in unfavourable condition and identified as high priorities for support.

4. To provide advice and guidance to owners and managers to support biodiversity targets.

5. To enable landowners to access funds to manage woodlands through EWGS by the provision of condition assessment information.

6. To provide the information to enable the Tees Valley Biodiversity Partnership to apply for funding for the restoration of key woodlands through landfill tax funding.

7. To contribute to actions and reporting on the favourable management of Local sites (National Indicator 197).

For  more information email Sue Antrobus, Tees Valley Biodiversity Coordinator.

The Tees Valley Wildlife Trust is celebrating the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity by hosting a wildlife gardening event on Sunday 25th April at the Margrove Park Heritage Centre between 10 am and 4pm.

This free drop in informal event will provide an opportunity to find out how to improve your garden or allotment for wildlife The day his packed with demonstrations and hands on activities for all the family and include
Grow your own veg and herb demos
Pond advice surgery
Make willow supports
Planting a nectar garden for bees and butterflies
Hedgerow jam making and tasting
Information on feeding garden birds from the RSPB
Face painting and activities for children

Download an events flyer here

To find out more about the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity  visit

www.biodiversityislife.net