Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership Partners’ News July 2010
In this issue: Partners News Save a place for Suffolk’s swifts Campaign for the farmed environment Experimental ride management by the Forestry Commission Free GIS viewers and tools Rare seabirds protected by co-operative working Environment Agency volunteers available Volunteer request from the Greenprint Forum Blooming lovely From the Suffolk Argus 2009 butterfly report Good news for the Chilton meadow butterflies Community environmental action in Suffolk Coastal district Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership News Information and news What’s on SBP information
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PARTNERS NEWS Save a place for Suffolk’s swifts Steve Piotrowski, Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Suffolk Ornithological Group
Hopefully, the shrill screams from squadrons of swifts fearlessly flying at incredible speeds over our rooftops will not become a sound of the past! The ‘natural’ nesting sites for swifts are coastal cliffs and mountains, but in the gentle county of Suffolk these habitats are rare. A few nest in holes in trees and red crag cliffs, but the majority have, since Roman times, successfully improvised with nest sites in stone and Photo: Andrew Easton brick buildings, nesting in eaves and gables, holes in walls and under the irregular Suffolk pantiles. Unfortunately, since the introduction of new building regulations, buildings have had to be constructed and renovated in such a way that the entrances to
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these nestsites have been sealed, and consequently the swift population has crashed – according to the British Trust for Ornithology by 53% in southern England over the past 12 years. The national swift population has declined by 40% since the 1990s, with just 36,000 pairs remaining. It is predicted that town and city skylines will no longer echo to the sound of swifts in the next two or three decades, so action needs to be taken now. Swifts are summer migrants to Britain, arriving in Suffolk at the beginning of May and leaving again by early August. Every year, they make their extraordinary 20,000-km migration to and from southern Africa, remaining airborne throughout the whole journey. In fact, swifts only touch a solid surface when they are nesting, as they sleep, feed and even mate on the wing (the only bird to do this). Once the young swifts Photo: Andrew Easton leave the nest, they will remain in the air for up to four years, some remaining in southern Africa, some making their intercontinental journey each autumn and spring, before eventually returning to their nesting site to breed as a mature bird. If access to these nest sites is no longer there, then the swifts will not be able to breed. Swifts are extremely loyal to both their mate and their nesting site, and if they lose either, they may choose not to breed at all. Our churches are some of the oldest buildings in Suffolk, but even here measures have been taken to exclude animals from the belfry and other internal parts of the buildings. Louvers have been netted on the inside to prevent the entry of feral pigeons, jackdaws and other unwanted visitors. However, it is possible to create a home for nesting swifts and at the same time restrict access to other less-welcome guests. SWT, in conjunction with other local conservation groups, plan to work with Swift Conservation to fix “swift blocks” behind the louvers in church towers, but first we need to identify which of our churches still host swifts, so for the past two nesting seasons have been monitoring churchyards through the SWT Churchyard Project We are also hoping that “swift blocks” will be installed when old buildings are renovated and on new builds as well as encouraging house owners to install their own blocks to see if they can entice the birds back. It is not at all easy and sometimes audio equipment is needed to play the screams to further encourage the birds. Of course, such audio Photo: Andrew Easton equipment is set through a time clock, so church services are not disrupted.
Campaign for the Farmed Environment Peter Holborn, Suffolk County Council
In order to retain and exceed the environmental benefits that used to be provided by set aside, all the leading farming organisations are now working together to encourage farmers and land managers to voluntarily adopt important land management practices that will benefit the environment.
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The Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE) is about ensuring the environmental benefits of set-aside land are retained, and encouraging farmers to do that, by undertaking a manageable amount of environmental measures on their farm. CFE's main themes are resource protection, farmland birds and farm wildlife. All farmers, land managers and advisers have a part to play in ensuring the Campaign for the Farmed Environment is a success. CFE was successfully launched in Suffolk at Thornham Park on 25th March with around 100 farmers attending to learn and exchange practical ideas on how to easily adopt voluntary environmental measures on their land. Since then, the Suffolk local partnership has organised a series of workshops for farmers including sessions at Hitcham and one for County Farm tenants at Sproughton. In Suffolk CFE is being driven forward by a partnership between the National Farmers Union, Country Landowners Association, the Farming and Wildife Advisory Group and RSPB. The campaign is being supported by Creating the Greenest County (CtCG), and this includes financial help for events, officer time and the production of tree saplings tags for farmers. Support to the CFE campaign is representative of the great value that CtGC and all the partners put on the improvement of the natural and historic environment in Suffolk. In Suffolk we aim to get at least 70% of farmers into Natural England’s Entry Level Stewardship Scheme (ELS) and make sure that all farmers deliver at least one voluntary environmental measure, such as uncropped land, outside any ELS agreements. Visit Campaign for Farmed Environment website >
Experimental ride management by the Forestry Commission Neal Armour-Chelu, Forestry Commission
The Breckland Forest Site of Special Scientific Interest covering Thetford Forest is designated for bird, plant, invertebrate and geological interests. The ride system through the forest provides essential habitat for 5 plants listed under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 and 16 nationally rare or nationally scarce Red Data Book plants. The rides also support an exceptionally rich invertebrate fauna including nationally scarce species across most taxonomic groups. The ride system throughout Thetford Forest is extensive, covering about 465ha. Forest ride management is carried out for various reasons: access, fire security, mammal control, maintaining open space and biodiversity. Biodiversity management on conservation rides is mainly aimed at perennial plant communities.
“Anecdotal evidence suggests that current ride management practice is not always enhancing or maintaining conservation interest.”
The work currently involves periodic swiping to maintain open habitat conditions by physically controlling woody invasive species and periodic forage harvesting removes the above ground biomass which helps to prevent the build up of ‘thatch’ and nutrients. A limited amount of disc harrowing takes place in Santon Downham for arable weeds and Tower Mustard (a Biodiversity Action Plan species), and also in Kings Forest for invertebrate species. Anecdotal evidence suggests that current ride management practice is not always enhancing or maintaining this conservation interest in situ. There is therefore a pressing need to refine conservation management at key sites and restore or extend the
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conservation interest of rides through the forest. Ride management is in need of review, which should be formulated on a sound evidence base and where possible be a sustainable part of overall forest management. Experimental trials The Forestry Commission decided to trial different treatments that mimic historical forms of intermittent disturbance, such as plough cleaning, and also to facilitate nutrient depletion. Each treatment has been replicated on acidic and calcareous soils in each of the Croxton/Roudham, Lynford/Mundford, High Lodge/Elveden and Kings Forest blocks within Thetford Forest. Each treatment is 150m long and 3m wide on the north side of selected rides taking into account aspect, adjacent crop age and ride width. The types of treatments and the number of replicates used are shown in Fig. 1. Fig 1 Treatment types and number of replicates in each forest block. Proposed treatment Number of replicates Turf Strip 15 Plough (agricultural) 16 Plough (forestry) 17 Forage Harvest 10 Disc Harrow 14 Swiping 10 Control (no intervention) 10
The initial treatments were started in February 2009 and the swiping and foraging treatments were repeated in February 2010. Some of the treatments were part funded by Butterfly Conservation through a SITA Trust grant for conservation of the Grey Carpet Moth in Breckland. If treatments can sustain their conservation interest over several years there may be a cost saving through less frequent intervention.
A turf stripped treatment plot at King’s Forest, Feb 2009 Photo: Forestry Commission
Monitoring A number of partners are involved in monitoring the treatments for a range of conservation interests across various taxa (Fig. 2). This is a relatively long-term project with the monitoring taking place over the next 3 years. Fig. 2 Partners involved in monitoring various taxa Taxa Monitoring Plants Plantlife & University of East Anglia (UEA) Lepidoptera Butterfly Conservation Arachnidia UEA PhD student Hymenoptera Specialist contractor Formicidae Norfolk County recorder Treatment Costings FC
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Some exciting results‌ It is too early to draw any conclusions from the 2009 monitoring. However, the invertebrate pit fall trapping during 2009 has yielded an insight into the ant species and their distribution in Thetford Forest and provided some exciting results. The ants have been studied by Doreen Wells, the Norfolk county recorder. Sixteen species have been identified, including Myrmica schencki (Notable B) whose distribution is confined to Breckland in the East of England. We also made the first ever record in the East of England of Myrmica karavajevi (RDB 3), a social parasite. A survey carried out by Geoff Nobes in August 2009 revealed the presence of 114 species of Hymenoptera using the plots. These included 11 Red Data Book and 16 notable species. An amazing 1,423 specimens were identified by Geoff! The Hymenoptera survey is continuing through the spring and summers of 2010 and 2011.
UEA PhD student Scott Pedley preparing pitfall traps in a forestry plough treatment plot in King’s Forest, March 2009 Photo: Forestry Commission
The Forestry Commission would like to thank everybody who has contributed to this trial, particularly Sharon Hearle at Butterfly Conservation, Tim Pankhurst at Plantlife, Dr Paul Dolman and Scott Pedley at UEA , Doreen Wells and Geoff Nobes.
Free GIS viewers and tools Ben Heather, Biological records officer, Suffolk Biological Record Centre
Geographic Information Systems or GIS are computer programs that allow detailed mapping and spatial analysis of geo-referenced data. The capabilities of the market leading GIS programs are not quite endless but not far off, giving the trained user a suite of tools and a platform to query and analyse data to inform conservation decisions. However, as many of you are probably aware, GIS systems have two main drawbacks concerned with their price and having the necessary knowledge to get the most out of them. GIS will always require relevant knowledge but the drawback of price can be curbed to a certain extent by the wave of free GIS viewers that are available as downloads on the web. These systems may not provide for the advanced user but they do offer the casual user the ability to carry out simple mapping operations and, more importantly, view files that have been created in other GIS programs. The first program that can be used as a GIS viewer is the already widely used and available Google Earth. Google Earth is built around and originally developed as a platform to view aerial photography, but anyone who regularly uses the program will know that it has far surpassed this. Within Google Earth, users are able to plot their own points of interest as well as load points, polygons and overlays from other users on the web. In a similar way, most GIS programs can now export to raster (a flat geo-referenced image e.g. a 1;10,000 map of Suffolk) or vector (a collection of geo-referenced points and or polygons and or lines that carry data) formats that Google Earth can read. The process
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in this instance is simple and data associated with mapped objects can be retained although a little patience is needed to alter the display of mapped objects to your preference. Nonetheless, this can be very useful to display mapping layers against the range of aerial photography available within Google Earth. The second program worth thinking about is Map Maker Gratis available from www.mapmaker.com, which is the free first half of Map Maker. I have had limited use of this particular program but have heard positive feedback on its use as a GIS viewer. Unlike Google Earth, this program is essentially a basic GIS program with the full version boasting some of the functionally associated with market leading GIS. Map Maker Gratis allows use of simple tools and processes to create, edit and view mapping layers and also works with most raster files. However, as with Google Earth, conversion between file types is needed and, even though Map Maker allows the importing of both SHP and MIF. (common outputs from MapInfo and ESRI (Arc) programs), the process can be confusing for the beginner. TatukGIS Viewer is another program I have discovered recently among the many other free geographic programs (including an irrelevant but rather intriguing graphical program that simulates various volcanic eruption types on a website dedicated to earth science and GIS software). It is another free GIS viewer that is a slimmed down version of a full GIS package. In this case, the functional difference between the free and the full version is greater but, as a viewer, the program is very intuitive and is compatible with the most popular mapping formats. It also accepts pre-registered raster images in formats such as ECW. ( http://www.tatukgis.com/Home.aspx ) In conclusion, there are several options for the casual GIS user looking to view mapping files, some available programs go further than others but each allows the user a decent amount of freedom to work with maps and they are worth checking out.
Rare seabirds protected by co-operative working RSPB in partnership with Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, National Trust and Natural England Â
Almost 100 pairs of a rare seabird, the little tern, nesting on a Suffolk beach face a brighter future thanks to a partnership of conservation organisations. The little terns, which are nesting on the shingle ridge at Kessingland, are among the rarest seabirds in the UK. Their eggs and chicks are superbly camouflaged on the shingle beach, making it very difficult for people walking on the beach to spot the nests. Once alerted about the nesting birds, wardens from nearby RSPB Minsmere nature reserve erected a string fence around most of the colony to reduce the risk of visitors accidentally disturbing these vulnerable birds. They subsequently extended this and erected a temporary electric fence, offering the birds further protection from dogs and foxes. RSPB Minsmere warden, Robin Harvey, said, “There are very few colonies of these tiny seabirds nesting in the UK, so we are keen to help them nest more securely. Watching the birds coming and going from their fishing grounds offshore is a superb spectacle. By erecting the fence, visitors will be able to watch from a safe distance, leaving the birds to hopefully rear plenty of chicks.�
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With only 2000 pairs of little terns nesting in the UK, the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Partnership, together with the RSPB, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Natural England and the National Trust, have funded a little tern protection team, allowing conservationists to respond quickly when little terns settle to nest. Chairman of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB Partnership, Councillor David Wood, commented, “As these birds favour shingle beaches, many colonies fail due to accidental disturbance from visitors who are understandably keen to share these special places. Sadly, the large colony in Great Yarmouth has moved this year, and several colonies in Suffolk have failed in recent years, so we’re pleased to be able to help the Kessingland birds, and encourage visitors to admire these stunning birds from a safe distance.”
Environment Agency volunteers available! Emma Smith, Environment Agency
Each year, Environment Agency employees are given the opportunity to organise a day of volunteering to help community/environmental projects. Our team are investigating projects we can get involved in and donate ourselves for a day! We don't mind what we do (litter picking, building, painting, tree planting etc). If your community or organisation could do with some practical help, please contact Emma in Asset Systems Management, Inland Team email: emma.smith05@environmentagency.gov.uk tel: 08708 506 506
Volunteer request from the Greenprint Forum Debbie Wargate, Suffolk Coastal District Council
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There is nothing like the buzz of activity to improve the environment, the economy, and the lives of the people who live here to inspire others to do the same. This is where The Greenprint Forum comes in. It presents an opportunity for local councilors’, organisations, community groups and individuals from the district to come together to inspire, inform, challenge and help each other do just that and to feed into the Local Strategic Partnership and Council policy and action development. We are looking for new members with ideas and time in the district to come along to be inspired, to inspire others and to help out on the following Greenprint days: Bawdsey Beachwatch: 19 September 2010 10:00am -12:00 Beachwatch 2009 was the biggest yet, with 4,655 volunteers removing and recording 342,151 items of litter from 185km of the UK coastline and estuary foreshores. The Greenprint Forum and friends tackled the Quay finding some unusual items (an abandoned tent and accumulated rubbish) as well as the plastic caps and ropes that can be so devastating to wildlife. We were rewarded with a lovely cup of tea at the BoatHouse Café for our efforts. This year we are looking to increase our coverage and additional volunteers would be much appreciated.
The 5 Fs - Food, Fuel, Footprints, Flora and Fauna Monday 25 October 2010 Council Chamber, Melton Hill, Woodbridge IP12 1AU. With calls in the January forum to reassess the key issues facing the district particularly around energy and food security, biodiversity and the economy and calls for the latest developments on carbon footprinting this session will provide the chance to explore some of the key issues, current solutions, gaps and who in this ‘Big Society’ is best placed to deliver them. Contact Debbie on 01394 444747 or by email Deborah.wargate@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk to book your place
Blooming lovely Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Stour Valley Project
Project staff and volunteers have been undertaking vegetation surveys at sites along the valley during the spring and early summer. An astonishing number of southern marsh orchids were recorded at Long Melford, estimated at around 1,000 plants. At Clare, around 400 early marsh orchids were recorded. The high numbers are a testament to the volunteers who have helped with the active management of these and other important sites over a number of years including several ‘cut and rake’, scrub control and water management tasks to encourage wildflowers and grasses in these important areas. The Project’s volunteer team, the Stour Valley Volunteers installed its 13th otter holt (home/resting up area) alongside the River Stour to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the designation of the Dedham Vale as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. A number of sightings of otters have been reported by local people via the Project’s website. The Project and its volunteers continue to install and monitor barn owl boxes in the Project area. Early indications are good with brood sizes bigger and chicks being fatter indicating better food sources than 2009. Project staff have also assisted at a Farm Walk in East Bergholt focusing on the Higher Level Stewardship. For more information about the Project, please see www.dedhamvalestourvalley.org Contact 01473 264263
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Stour Valley volunteers building an otter holt at Wissington Photo: Stour Valley and Dedham Vale AONB Project
From the Suffolk Argus 2009 Butterfly Report Rob Parker
Monitoring the BAP species There are now 5 Suffolk BAP Priority species and 2 in a new category of “for study only”. These are the Wall and the Small Heath, for both of which the larval host plant is grass. Silver studded blue The annual count missed the peak at several of the major sites, but numbers were generally close to 2006 levels. A professional ecological survey was conducted by Neil Ravenscroft, and provided useful data for conservation at our most threatened sites. The translocated colony at Blaxhall Common survived another season, and up to 21 butterflies were recorded on the transect, flying over a 5-week period. Dingy Skipper For the fourth year in succession, this species was not found at RAF Barnham, and the colony has probably been lost. Again, there wee no sightings from the small isolated site at Center Parcs, and this too may have been lost. In the King’s Forest, the habitat is in transition, with decent numbers breeding only at the archery site, so the overall picture is gloomy. White-letter hairstreak This species was hard to find in 2009, partly because of July’s wet weather. In the period 2005 to date, it has been found in almost 8% of the county 1088 tetrads, but it was seen in only 2.5% of the tetrads surveyed in 2009. White admiral The species continues to do well in Suffolk woodlands. This year, it was noted in 26 tetrads (4%) compared with 13 (1%) in the whole of the 1983-85 survey. The situation here is more favourable than in the UK as a whole.
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Grayling The species is in general decline across Suffolk, but enjoyed a good season at several coastal sites, particularly in North Warren. Its present distribution is restricted to welldrained sandy soils of low fertility, where sparse grassland is found, mainly in the Brecks and the Sandlings. Wall – monitoring only category The species is in decline in the UK and in Suffolk. Lost from inland locations, its distribution is now restricted to well-drained sandy soils of low fertility, particularly down the east coast, with a lesser stronghold in the NW corner of the county. In 2009, it was found in 5.6% of the surveyed tetrads, against 12% over the past 5 years. Small heath – monitoring only category The species is in a less critical situation than the Wall, but is closing ground on farmland amongst fertilized grass. It has been recorded from 234 tetrads in the past 5 years (24% of 944 recorded tetrads), but numerical counts are falling at the few transect sites which still support it. Visit Butterfly Conservation Suffolk branch >
Good news for the Chilton Meadow butterflies Mark Tavernor, Babergh District Council
In the early 1990s Chilton Meadow was a piece of 'lost' land within an industrial estate in Sudbury with various levels. Very deep piped main storm drains were then put across this land. There were a few struggling ornamental trees some 10 years old and one very overgrown, declining hedge. Following the disruption of the placement of the storm drains in the 1990s, the area was graded to even flowing slopes and seeded with a grass wild flower mix and maintained with low maintenance specification cutting regimes. This was followed in the mid to late 1990s by the planting of some areas of mixed native woodland which now has occasional maintenance (coppicing). At the same time the overgrown hedge had some major works to rejuvenate it Sudbury in Bloom members, Jo Seymour and George Millins became involved in the meadow for its conservation value around 2005. Jo Seymour arranged to undertake some more site specific maintenance which involved no regular grass cutting but a part-cut every year or so. The outcome for butterflies in the area has been very positive. George Millins described his visited to the meadow on 29th July: During a quick visit today, after pruning back branches that were shading the three Alder Buckthorn planted about 18 months ago, I carried out a brief survey of the meadow. I was delighted to record a male Common Blue butterfly, followed by two, possibly three females. Gatekeeper butterflies were present in good numbers and a few meadow browns and small whites. The large patches of knapweed were attracting these species for nectaring and an absolute cloud of the day flying moth, Silver Y. A number of Burnett moths were also recorded. Male common blue
The birds-foot trefoil has increased since Jo and I first looked at the meadow. As the major food plant for the Common Blue, this is the main attraction for the species,
Photo: Charles Cuthbert
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which oviposits on the upper surface of the leaves. If the meadow remains un-mown, the eggs and subsequently the caterpillars will have a good survival rate and the population should increase next year. The rabbits are doing a pretty good job on the management at the moment, but I did find it necessary to scythe down part of the main nettle patch to provide fresh growth which is preferred for egg laying by the peacock, small tortoiseshell, comma and red admiral. Jo Seymour is the Horticultural Officer for Babergh District Council, George Millins is a resident from the Sudbury area with a practical interest and involvement in a variety of conservation matters.
Community Environmental Action in the Suffolk Coastal District Dan Wheals, Community Environmental Action Advisor
A partnership between Suffolk Coastal District Council and Groundwork East of England has created a new part time Community Environmental Action Fund and Community Environmental Action Advisor post. The post is also funded by the Suffolk Coastal Local Strategic Partnership, Suffolk Coasts and Heaths AONB, Suffolk Climate Change Partnership and the Environment Agency, Dan Wheals started mid July 2010 in the Community Environmental Action Advisor post to assist members of the Local Strategic partnership and Suffolk Coastal communities as they seek to reduce their environmental footprint, prepare for changes to the environment and make their communities more resilient. Dan is looking to help nine communities come together to work on issues that are important to them and which will make them more sustainable for the future. Communities who sign up can apply for up to ÂŁ1,000 on projects to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, improve preparedness for extreme weather and flooding and to improve the resilience of their communities. Bulk buying solar heating or insulation, resilience training around community food growing or buying or planting, encouraging sustainable transport and setting up transition initiatives are just a few examples of what communities could do. It could also include initiatives such as planting orchards which help supply food, and also benefit the wildlife around us. Dan will also be organising some community training events. Tell him what training your community needs from Transition Training to Permaculture, Facilitating Meetings to Practical How To sessions e.g. installing solid wall insulation, fixing your bike or cycling safely on busy roads. Please email dan.wheals@groundwork.org.uk or call 07872 400196.
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Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership News Heathland habitat working group meeting The Heathland group met at the Natural England offices in Bury St. Edmunds on 20th July. The aim was to use the members’ local knowledge to verify heathland sites across Suffolk, using large scale maps drawn up by Ben Heather of Suffolk Biological Records Centre (SBRC). The result has been extremely valuable both to the heathland group members and to SBRC.
Sue Hooton (SCC), Bev Nichols (NE), John Baker (Amphibian and Reptile Group UK), Neal Armour-Chelu (FC), and Mel Kemp (RSPB) verifying Suffolk’s heathlands. Photo Ben Heather
Finances
SBP is very grateful to the Environment Agency who have contributed £1,500 to the core costs of the Partnership and to Essex & Suffolk Water who contributed £2,000 to the Project Fund. Thank you both for helping to ensure the continuity and effectiveness of Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership.
Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership presentations
Gen Broad, the Biodiversity Officer, gave well-received presentations about the Partnership’s work to Suffolk Coastal’s Greenprint Forum and at Suffolk Acre’s workshop ‘Into the future with your parish plan’. If your community, parish or organisation would like to know more about SBP and how to help further with conservation of biodiversity in Suffolk, please contact Gen on 01473 264308 or email: gen.broad@suffolk.gov.uk
INFORMATION and NEWS Defra: Natural environment: an invitation to shape the nature of England “Our natural environment underpins our economic prosperity, our health and our wellbeing. As a result, protecting the environment and enhancing biodiversity is one of Defra’s top 3 priorities, as outlined in the Department’s Structural Reform Plan.
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A key commitment under this priority is the publication of a White Paper on the natural environment by spring 2011. We want all interested parties to have a say in shaping the development of the White Paper. Defra’s Structural Reform Plan lays down three departmental priorities: • to support and develop British farming and encourage sustainable food production; • help to enhance the environment and biodiversity to improve quality of life; and • support a strong and sustainable green economy, resilient to climate change Tell Defra your views by visiting our online survey and answering four short questions: 1. Which parts of the natural environment matter most to you? 2. How do you feel you benefit from the natural environment? 3. How do you think we could improve the natural environment? 4. What would encourage you to get involved in protecting the natural environment? The deadline for responses is 30 October 2010.” Visit the Defra website>
Marine climate change impacts annual report card 2010-2011 “The United Kingdom Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership (MCCIP) brings together scientists, government, its agencies and NGOs to provide co-ordinated advice on climate change impacts around our coast and in our seas. The primary aim of the MCCIP is to provide a coordinating framework within the UK for the transfer of high-quality marine climate change impacts evidence and advice to policy advisors and decisionmakers. In particular, the Partnership will act as the primary focus for the supply of evidence and advice Underwater at Levington Marina to partners to enable them to individually and Photo Gen Broad collectively plan for the challenges and opportunities presented by the impacts of climate change in the marine environment. Partners include Natural England, the Environment Agency, CEFAS, RSPB, WWF, the Met Office, UK Climate Impacts Programme and British Energy. The 2010-2011 MCCIP Annual Report Card provides the very latest updates on how climate change is affecting our seas. Almost 100 scientists from 40 leading UK science organisations contributed to this report card, making it our most comprehensive to date. New topics on air-sea carbon exchanges, deep sea habitats, waterbirds and human health are introduced, along with a UK regional seas impact map. This report card also takes a first look at how the UKCP09 climate projections might aid our understanding of future marine climate change impacts.” Here are some of the new findings: •
Temperatures are generally increasing, but inter-annual variability is high; 2008 UK coastal sea surface temperatures were lower than the 2003-2007 mean.
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Some fish distributions have moved northwards over the past 30 years by distances ranging from around 50 to 400km, with coldwater species such as monkfish and snake blenny moving the furthest.
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Climate change has contributed to a decrease by approximately 9% in the total number of seabirds breeding in the UK between 2000 and 2008. Breeding success has also declined over the same period.
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Increasing sea temperatures may have the potential to increase the geographic range of some harmful algal bloom species associated with Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) events.
Climate of marine environment Headline messages are provided under various categories including: Air and sea temperature, Storms and waves, Sea level, Ocean acidification, Salinity and Coastal erosion and described as ‘What is already happening’ and ‘What could happen’; the example for sea level is shown below: What is already happening
What could happen
High confidence
Medium confidence
• Global sea level has risen at a mean rate of 1.8 mm per year since 1955. From 1992 onwards a higher mean rate of 3 mm per year has been observed.
• Projections of changes in the UK suggest a rise of between 12 and 76 cm by 2095, compared to a 1980-1999 baseline. This approximately equates to rates of between 1.2 and 7.6 mm per year respectively.
• Sea level rise measured over the UK is consistent with the observed global mean
• Considering projected land movements, a greater rise in southern regions of the UK is likely relative to the north.
Climate change impacts on marine ecosystems “As the marine ecosystem is highly interconnected through predator-prey relations, the direct impacts of ocean climate change have ‘knock-on’ effects up the food-chain. For example, recent warmer conditions and associated changes in plankton abundance and geographical distribution have led to reduced availability of pretty fish for some seabirds, which has been strongly linked to recent poor breeding success and reduced survival rates”. Headline messages are provided under various categories including: Plankton, Fish, Seabirds, Marine mammals, and Coastal habitats and described as ‘What is already happening’ and ‘What could happen’; the example for Coastal habitats is shown below: What is already happening
What could happen
High confidence
Medium confidence
• Coastal habitats are being affected by changes to the amount of sediment being supplied and removed as a result of natural processes and human intervention.
• Continued sea-level rise, and other climate changed related factors are expected to have an impact on the extent, distribution and quality of various coastal habitats.
• Past human intervention and modification of coastal habitats means they have a reduced capacity to adapt naturally to climate change impacts.
Further information is provided on climate change impacts on the seas in terms of, for example, Coastal flooding, Nutrient enrichment, Harmful algal blooms and Fisheries.
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The regional snapshot of marine climate change impacts for Suffolk (Region 2 Southern North Sea) is: • 21-68 cm sea level rise projected in London between 1990 and 2095 under a medium greenhouse gas emission scenario. • Built structures will be impacted by projected changes in winter, significant wave height more so than in most other regions. To find out more, visit the Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership website >
Ipswich Urban Biodiversity Photographic Competition 2010 Ipswich is blessed with fine parks and open spaces. They are wonderful places for people to visit and enjoy and they are also vital places for wildlife that visit or reside within them. Ipswich Borough Council’s Parks & Open Spaces department is responsible for conserving and managing these areas, and do so wherever possible to benefit British native species of flora and fauna. This year the Wildlife & Education Rangers would like you to wield your cameras and capture the weird, wild and the wonderful that you can find in any green space in Ipswich. 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity and this competition is part of what IBC are doing to support the initiative and help promote and protect Biodiversity. First prize will be an exclusive Foliopic Plus membership, a professional quality website for photographers and artists – worth £119 and provided by the competition sponsors, ephotozine.com There will also be prizes for the winners in an adult category and one for those 16 or under – free membership to ephotozine.com “Become an e2 member today to gain access to exciting new features, such as larger photo uploads (including 2000 pixel panoramics), email alert manager, a superb showcase, the superb versions gallery, visual picture critiques, personal mini calendar and bookmarks, your very own user awards and much more”. The theme is "Urban Biodiversity". This is open to individual interpretation and we encourage you to be imaginative. However, entries must have the natural world at their heart and must feature wildlife (which includes animals and plants). No pictures of domestic animals (e.g. pets and livestock) or cultivated plants either please. Entrants can submit up to four photos as mounted prints, in colour or black and white. Competition closes at midnight on 31st August 2010 For more details and full competition rules please visit www.ipswich.gov.uk or telephone 01473 433993
www.ephotozine.com ePHOTOzine is the UK’s leading online photography magazine featuring free access to over 600 techniques and guides. We also have a huge and friendly community with an interactive gallery of over 1 million photos, a lively forum, daily news updates, equipment reviews, monthly prize competitions and much more.
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Norfolk Biodiversity Information Service (NBIS) Summer 2010 newsletter available
The NBIS Summer 2010 newsletter is now available to download from http://www.nbis.org.uk/. Main feature: NBIS launches new recording facility. A new on-line recording facility launched this summer by NBIS will encourage more public participation in recording across Norfolk
Launch of the Big Lottery Fund's Community Wildlife Programme The Big Lottery Fund has teamed up with the BBC to launch the Community Wildlife Programme, which brings communities together to improve or protect the natural environment by raising awareness of threatened wildlife or places. The programme celebrates 2010, the International Year of Biodiversity, by allowing local groups and communities to get more involved with, enhance and protect their local wildlife. Not-for-profit organisations, social enterprises, local councils and schools or health bodies may apply for support. Grants of between £300 and £10,000 are being provided for one-year projects that: • Improve rural or urban environments for people to enjoy, for example by: o protecting wildlife habitats; o creating a nature trail, woodland walk or wildlife garden; or o improving community spaces such as rivers, ponds, woodlands. o •
Projects that get people more active and healthier, for example by: o exploring parks, rivers and the countryside to look for rare or endangered species; o encouraging people to take up gardening or to go on nature walks; or o providing opportunities for children to learn about nature through play. The programme has two remaining deadlines for receipt of applications: 22 September 2010 and 24 November 2010 Big Lottery Fund’s Community Wildlife Programme website >
Biodiversity News summer edition available Articles include: The great British elm experiment, Triangular club rush on the Tamar estuary, HLF funding of £17 million for 10 Landscape Partnership projects, the NBN – sharing information about wildlife, Hampshire Wildlife Trust parish wildlife map toolkit, Shrill carder bee, Sheffield’s white clawed crayfish, Fisher’s estuarine moth in Essex, Norfolk turns the tide on alien invasion, and UK BAP update. Download Biodiversity News > (PDF 6.79 MB)
News from ‘Biodiversity is Life’, the website for the International Year of Biodiversity Current news items include: Sustainable solutions called for - the first Global Business for Biodiversity Symposium 13 July; Big Society for Biodiversity – the call from Caroline Spelman for views to help shape the government’s policy on the environment, Cherishing our churchyards by David Shreeve, Environmental Advisor, Archbishop’s Council, The Church of England and Known previously only by obscure scientific names, it is hoped the sea piglet, skeetle and scabious cuckoo bee will now be more memorable, and perhaps more cared about, due to their new, evocative names. www.biodiversityislife.net >
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Snippets from “The Coalition - Our Programme for Government” http://programmeforgovernment.hmg.gov.uk/environment-food-and-rural-affairs/index.html Biodiversity related Items from the Environment, food and rural affairs webpage: •
We will introduce measures to protect wildlife and promote green spaces and wildlife corridors in order to halt the loss of habitats and restore biodiversity.
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We will launch a national tree planting campaign.
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We will take forward the Marine and Coastal Access Act and ensure that its conservation measures are implemented effectively.
And from the Communities and Local Government page: • We will maintain the Green Belt, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and other environmental protections, and create a new designation – similar to SSSIs – to protect green areas of particular importance to local communities
Breakthrough in International Year of Biodiversity as Governments Give Green Light to New 'Gold Standard' Science Policy Body 15 June 2010 Governments gave the go-ahead for an Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). This would be similar to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The green light was given by delegates from nearly 90 countries. Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and UN Environment Programme said “IPBES represents a major breakthrough in terms of organizing a global response to the loss of living organisms and forests, freshwaters, coral reefs and other ecosystems that generate multi-trillion dollar services that underpin all life – including economic life – on Earth”. Read more on the AlterNet website > or at www.ipbes.net
Defra review of NERC Duty The review by Entec of the impact of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 has been published. The survey information was collected using an on-line questionnaire. The main findings were that many public authorities have undertaken a wide range of work relating to the conservation of biodiversity. Much has been done in response to the duty, although the survey and interview findings suggest that work has often been done independently of the duty, or that the public authority was unclear about the extent to which it was a result of the duty. This is because the duty is just one of many drivers that influence public authorities’ biodiversity action. However, there is considerable variation in awareness of the duty. Just over half of all local authorities and around a quarter of all public bodies reported experiencing barriers to the implementation of the duty, the most common of which was a lack of money and resources. Some public bodies reported that it would be useful to have guidance targeted at their particular type of public body. Recommendations • Encourage all local authorities and public bodies to: ¾ have a corporate biodiversity strategy;
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have a ‘Biodiversity Champion’ amongst their senior managers, who has responsibility for implementation of the duty; have access to ecological advice; produce management plans incorporating a biodiversity element for all their land and buildings; have access to up to date biodiversity information for their land/buildings.
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Encourage all local authorities to: ¾ appoint a council member as a member-level ‘Biodiversity Champion’; ¾ be an active member of their local biodiversity partnership; ¾ maximise the extent of eligible council-owned land in higher level tiers of agrienvironment schemes; ¾ employ sufficient suitably qualified ecologists to meet their responsibilities under the duty - county councils and unitary authorities should provide a biodiversity service to district/borough/community councils within their administrative area, which do not have in-house ecologists; ¾ have access to up to date biodiversity information for their administrative area. Read the full report on Defra’s Science and Research Projects site >
Closure of Defra websites From Departmental Internet, Environment Food and Rural Affairs Written answers and statements, 21 June 2010 •
Richard Benyon (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Natural Environment and Fisheries), Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Newbury, Conservative): “Defra, including our non departmental public bodies and agencies, currently manages 82 websites. As part of the Transformational Government Website Rationalisation process, we anticipate that around 57 of these will close by April 2011.”
Nature on the Map, MAGIC and the UK BAP websites are amongst those to close. It is not clear if these will be replaced by ‘super websites’. Read the full text on They Work for You.com >
Pond Conservation – results of the 2009 Big Pond Dip The Big Pond Dip is helping to reveal more about Britain’s 2-3 million garden ponds. In its first year the project has provided valuable new information about the wildlife of garden ponds. Complementing more detailed garden pond research being undertaken by Pond Conservation, the Big Pond Dip is helping people to make better wildlife ponds in the their gardens – and contributing to the protection of Britain’s threatened freshwater wildlife. The Big Pond Dip is running again in 2010 – and Pond Conservation is especially interested to hear from people who did the survey in 2009. http://www.pondconservation.org.uk/bigponddip/bigponddip2010
Biodiversity and climate change – a summary of impacts in the UK (JNCC) This booklet covers impacts in the marine, terrestrial and freshwater environments. It brings together information from published sources to give an overview of the evidence of climate change impacts on the natural environment of the UK. To download the booklet, visit the JNCC website >
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New report sets out the business case for biodiversity and ecosystem services 13 July 2010 The TEEB for Business Report is published by the Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) project. TEEB is a global study focusing on ‘the global economic benefit of biological diversity, the costs of the loss of biodiversity and the failure to take protective measures versus the costs of effective conservation’. TEEB makes the case for integrating the economics of biodiversity and ecosystem services in decision-making. Read more on the AlterNet website > or the TEEB website.
International Press Centre for Biodiversity Research The website is an initiative of ALTER-Net and provides an additional biodiversity news service.
Earth Heritage Suffolk published June 2010 Action for Suffolk’s Geodiversity – a Handbook GeoSuffolk has published an attractive and informative handbook about Suffolk’s geology. In Part 1 15 geosites tell the story of our county’s geology and geomorphology including Nacton Cliff, Westleton Heath Pit, Holywells Park and Otley Gull. Part 2 describes how our geodiversity is protected and Part 3 shows that much is being done to make the make the fascinating story of Suffolk’s earth heritage available to everyone. Contact: Bob and Caroline Markham email: caroline.markham1@btinternet.com To view the Newsletter visit: www.geosuffolk.co.uk
Biodiversity in the East of England To find out what’s going on in our region, check the websites for the county Biodiversity Partnerships forum: Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Luton, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
WHAT’S ON 7 August Butterfly Conservation Dunwich Forest – Butterflies and bugs 10.30 am start Contact: Nigel Cuming tel: 01206 330019 For further information visit Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation website > 10 August Suffolk Orchard Survey training event for volunteers Thornham Magna, near Eye 10.00 am start Site visits to Thornham walled garden and Thornham Hall nuttery (planted pre 1870). Limited space, please contact Paul Read to book readhf@aol.com, tel: 07860585422 14 August Butterfly Conservation Lodge Farm, Westhorpe, Stowmarket An invitation from the Barker family to survey the butterflies of their farm, which has been awarded the FWAG Silver Lapwing conservation award. Contact: Peter Maddison Tel: 01473 736607 For further information visit Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation website >
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19 August Enjoying summer flowers - SWT Redgrave and Lopham Fen, near Bressingham IP22 2HX 1.30pm-4pm Contact Stella Taylor £10 (£8) Booking essential please call 01473 890089 or book online with SWT > 21 August Suffolk Orchard Survey training event for volunteers Framsden
10.00 am start Site visit to Framsden Hall orchard, once extensive, now parkland with large pear trees and cobnuts. Limited space, please contact Paul Read to book readhf@aol.com, tel: 07860585422 21 August Butterfly Conservation Newdelight Walks’, near Westleton (am), Westleton Common (pm) Summer butterflies and general interest Contact: Alan Johnson Tel: 01473 715701 For further information visit Suffolk Branch of Butterfly Conservation website > 15-17 September The Biggest Threat to Biodiversity in the 21st Century: The End of Tradition? Aspects of Commons and Cultural Severance in the Landscape Sheffield Hallam University This event will look at the threats to biodiversity from cultural change and the abandonment of traditional management. Conference topics include • Conservation at the crossroads • The impacts of changes from subsistence, often rural, communities and landscapes to technology driven agri-industry and urbanisation, and the consequences for local people. • Commons in the urban landscape and community involvement. • The historical and current uses and management of traditional ‘commons’. • The ‘common’ uses of landscapes and environmental resources now and historically, from medieval coppice woods to deer parks, from alpine pastures to grazing meadows, from coastal flats to peat bogs and fens. • The debates around perceived ‘re-wilding’ of natural areas or ‘abandonment’ and ‘dereliction’ of cultural landscapes. • The decline of biodiversity and ecology.
This will be a landmark discussion and debate with key organisations such as Natural England, the Woodland Trust, The Wildlife Trusts, the RSPB, BANC and OPAL. Further information: http://www.ukeconet.co.uk/index.php/events/50-conferences/100tradition-conf 18 September Introduction to terrestrial invertebrates - SWT Foxburrow Farm, Melton, near Woodbridge IP12 1NA 2pm-5pm For beginners/less experienced. Contact: Adrian Parr £10 (£8) Booking essential please call 01473 890089 or book online with SWT > 19 September Autumn birds – SWT Lackford Lakes, near Bury St Edmunds IP28 6HX 10.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. For beginners/less experienced. Contact: Paul Holness £20 (£17) Booking essential please call 01473 890089 or book online with SWT >
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19 September Fungus foray 2.00 p.m. Alton Water Meet at Lemons Hill Bridge Car park TM137377 Suffolk Fungus Group foray programme > 25 September Fungus foray 2:00 pm Marlesford (including sandy stilt puff ball site on A12) Meet at Marlesford church TM323583 Suffolk Fungus Group foray programme > 30 September Course: Deer Management - Risks and Liabilities The Village Hall, Great Barton, Suffolk, IP31 2NR 12.30 registration, 1.00 p.m. start. Cost: £35.50 per person Delivered by John Thornley OBE and Charlie Parkes OBE, Co-Authors of the book – Deer Law & Liabilities Deer management in modern times with increased public access is a practice that calls for comprehensive and strict guidance if individuals and corporate bodies are to safeguard public safety and avoid potentially expensive litigation or criminal prosecution. The course aims to provide an awareness of the risks involved and examine the means through which they can be minimised. The course is certificated and candidates will be provided with a computer disc containing relevant information including a draft risk assessment. Signed copies of the Authors book will also be available at a discount. To book a place contact: David Hooton, The Deer Initiative, PO Box 465, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP28 6XD. Email: eastern@thedeerinitiative.co.uk Various wildlife events - Suffolk Wildlife Trust , National Trust , RSPB, Butterfly Conservation Suffolk Branch, Suffolk Moth Group, Suffolk Fungus Group, Suffolk Ornithologists Group, Suffolk Naturalists Society ************
SBP INFORMATION If you would like to share information on how your organisation is benefiting biodiversity in Suffolk, please send your article to Gen Broad, Suffolk Biodiversity Officer (tel: 01473 264308, Mobile: 0789 4885337, email:gen.broad@suffolk.gov.uk) Deadline for September 2010 newsletter: Friday October 1. SBP is a partnership comprised of conservation organisations, statutory bodies, local authorities, businesses and not-for-profit organisations working together throughout the county of Suffolk to protect biodiversity. The UK’s Biodiversity Action Plan is delivered at a local level by members of the Partnership – for further information visit www.suffolk.gov.uk/Environment/Biodiversity/SuffolkBiodiversityPartnership.htm . Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership comprises: Babergh District Council, Center Parcs–Elveden, Environment Agency, Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, Essex & Suffolk Water, Forestry Commission, Forest Heath District Council, Ipswich Borough Council, Mid Suffolk District Council, National Trust, Natural England, RSPB, St. Edmundsbury Borough Council, Suffolk Biological Records Centre, Suffolk Naturalist’s Society, Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Suffolk Coastal District Council, Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Naturalists Society, Waveney District Council.
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