The Suffolk Wildlife Trust designed a management
plan for us to work by, which we have tried to follow as near
as we can...
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Acton Disused Allotments have recently been taken on by a small
group within the parish to develop as a local nature reserve to
be used by the community. As the site had not been part of a management
regime for some years, Suffolk Wildlife Trust was asked by this
group to make an assessment of the site’s wildlife value
and to make recommendations for its future management. Suffolk
Wildlife Trust aims to advise on ways to manage the area in order
to maintain and enhance its wildlife value, whilst providing a
quiet place for people in the community to use and enjoy wildlife.
2.0 OBJECTIVES
The objectives of these management recommendations are to advise
on ways to manage the area to retain and enhance the semi-natural
habitat on the site (for the benefit of wildlife), whilst taking
account of the need of the local community for access to wildlife
within an open space.
3.0 SITE DESCRIPTION
Acton Disused Allotments are situated on Barrow Hill, north-east
of the village centre, in a semi-urban environment (form part
of the parish allotments). The site is hedged or bounded by scrub
of native species on all sides, with the exception of a small
gap in the hedge on the southern boundary opposite the entrance.
The site is separated from the adjacent active allotments on
the western boundary by a dense scrub thicket. Arable land lies
between the site and the village centre to the south, with residential
housing to the west and opposite the northern boundary.
The site has not been used as allotments or any other purpose
for a number of years, which has resulted in it becoming overgrown.
However, with appropriate management the site has potential as
both a green space for the local community to enjoy and a valuable
refuge for a range of birds, reptiles, invertebrates and small
mammals. Some restoration has already been undertaken by local
residents - to cut back areas of encroaching scrub and mow a circular
pathway around the site. The site interior now consists of rough
grassland containing a number of scrub thickets and tree saplings.
4.0 EVALUATION
Acton Disused Allotments provide a valuable refuge for a range
of plants and animals, in an otherwise largely intensively farmed
and semi-urban area. The principal habitats on the site are hedgerows,
trees, grassland and scrub (Figure 1). Species that were present
at the time of surveying were noted (Appendix I)
4.1 Hedgerows and Trees
The northern, southern and western boundaries are of native,
well established hedgerows dominated by blackthorn, field maple
and hawthorn. A number of mature trees feature in the boundaries.
The larger trees provide a valuable habitat for both birds (for
roosting, nesting, cover and food) and small mammals. The conifers
near the entrance to the site also provide good roosting sites
and winter shelter for birds and their cones are good food source
for seed eating species.
As an evergreen species, ivy is particularly valuable in winter.
Some of the ivy has reached the arborescent flowering stage. Ivy
flowers are an important nectar source for birds and insects both
early and late in the season when other nectar sources are scarce.
Ivy berries are a valuable winter food supply to birds such as
the blackbird and winter visitors such as the fieldfare and redwing.
The southern hedgerow acts as a buffer against spray drift from
the arable land beyond, although there are some gaps at the western
end near the entrance.
4.2 Scrub
The dense cover provided by areas of scrub on the site, particularly
the blackthorn and bramble thickets, are of great value for a
wide diversity of birds, small mammals and invertebrates. The
scrub structure is potentially a good habitat for nightingales,
although none have been reported at the site.
Nettles growing under the trees and scrub are the food plant
of several common butterflies, including peacock, comma, red admiral
and small tortoiseshell.
4.3 Grassland
The rough grassland had been cut during the initial restoration
work and at the time of surveying in August 2003 was of varying
heights and containing many tussocks.
Grassland such as this is valuable for invertebrates. The longer
areas also provide refuge for small mammals and reptiles.
The grassland is floristically limited at present, but Area A
(Figure 1) has potential to increase in wild flower diversity.
4.4 Other Features
Ant hills are a valuable habitat and add structural diversity
to the grassland.
Log/habitat piles (formed from grass and scrub removed from the
site) provide a refuge and feeding site for invertebrates, small
mammals and reptiles.
4.5 Access
The site is currently accessed via a gate in the north west corner,
which is locked to the public. A second access point can be found
in the north east corner of the site, but this is as present obscured
by a scrub thicket and not used.
A circular pathway has been mown for users of the site to follow.
Back
5.0 MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Hedgerows and Trees
The trees in the hedgerow and at the western end of the site
do not require any management at present. However, coppicing the
five hazel trees on the southern boundary near the entrance may
be considered to encourage longevity and healthy growth (Appendix
II). If coppicing is undertaken, consideration should be given
to their susceptibility to deer damage.
The naturally regenerated saplings of hawthorn, blackthorn and
standard roses (garden species remaining from the site’s
previous use) in the grassland area require little management
as they are still fairly young. However it is recommended that
autumn and winter leaf fall is raked up to prevent nutrients entering
the grassland system. The trees should also be trimmed to keep
their crown relatively small to prevent heavy shading that could
have an adverse affect upon the grassland.
Some mature or neglected hedgerows can become overgrown causing
gaps to appear. Regular monitoring of the hedgerows will ensure
that overgrown hedges are avoided and restored where necessary.
Some ‘gapping up’ is required in the hedge along
the southern boundary. Hedge planting is best carried out in the
autumn and should make use of native species, with the composition
mimicking that of existing hedgerows in the area (Appendix 2 -
Hedge Planting). When buying hedging plants it is important to
obtain British native grown stock from as local a source as possible
to maintain local provenance and the native gene pool. A list
of suppliers may be found in Appendix II.
Any necessary trimming of hedgerows should be carried out in
the winter to minimise disturbance to wildlife. January/February
are generally ideal as birds will usually have eaten any berries
by this time. Hedge work should always avoid the bird nesting
season, March – July (Appendix II)
Trimmings from the hedgerows can either be removed off site,
or used as an element of habitat piles (Appendix III). Large prunings
and logs can be used to establish log piles, although the number
of log piles should be limited as these may cause a fire risk.
5.2 Scrub
The nettles in Area B (Figure 1) should be reduced. To curb their
growth, nettles can be either cut and raked 3 or 4 times during
the growing season or hand pulled. This will slowly reduce the
fertility of the area and the ground will become suitable for
recolonisation by other species. A small amount of nettles in
this area may be left, as they are an important food plant for
the caterpillars of some common butterflies such red admiral and
comma.
Sufficient large scale cutting back and clearance of scrub has
already been carried out as part of the initial restoration of
the site. The wildlife value of the scrub thickets along the north
and south boundaries may be improved further by creating a more
scalloped shape against the grassland. This provides a more diverse
structure and increased number of habitat niches for a greater
variety of wildlife.
Some small-scale coppicing may be necessary in some areas where
the scrub, particularly the blackthorn, has become leggy.
The bramble/hawthorn/blackthorn thickets along the boundaries
and in the centre of the site should be cut back regularly to
prevent re-encroachment onto the grassland. The scrub and scrub-grassland
interface add habitat diversity to the site and it would therefore
be beneficial to maintain the tall fringe of vegetation between
the mown grass and the scrub thickets. This could be achieved
by cutting back the advancing front of the scrub in a two year
rotation – i.e. half the tall vegetation and advancing scrub
are cut back by 1-2m each winter and half is left to over-winter.
Work on the scrub should only be carried out in the winter months
(ideally Jan/Feb) to minimise disturbance to wildlife. Work should
never be carried out during bird nesting season (Mar-July).
The pathway should be regularly checked to ensure that it is
clear of bramble stems growing from the adjacent thickets. Checks
should occur more frequently during the growing season.
The material generated by the cutting back can either be removed
off site added to habitat piles. On this particular site, the
former may be preferable, as large amounts of brash can be difficult
to pile up.
5.3 Grassland
It is recommended that whilst the path should be kept mown short,
the other grassland areas should vary in length to provide a greater
variety of habitat for a wider range of species.
Cutting is an effective method of managing grassland as the timing,
area and height of the cut can be easily adapted to suit the needs
of the site. At the time of surveying, the grassland (Area C,
Figure 1) was floristically limited. However, a small number of
wild flower species were found in Area A, suggesting that this
area may become more suitable for wild flowers with appropriate
management. It is suggested that the grass within the circular
path should be cut in July and again at the end of September/beginning
of October for the first year to see which species appear. This
regime can then be adapted the following year if necessary, on
which Suffolk Wildlife Trust would be happy to give further advice
on this issue.
A strip of 1-2 m of uncut grass should be left along the base
of scrub margins of the common to act as a wildlife refuge. This
will need to be cut in rotation to prevent it becoming too rank.
It is suggested that a one is two year rotation (e.g. one half
each year) is adopted to fit in with the scrub management proposals.
Cuttings will need to be raked up.
Retaining some areas of long, uncut grass provides seed heads
for birds, a habitat for invertebrates and a valuable refuge for
small mammals and reptiles. If possible, keep one area of grass
uncut on a three or four year rotation to prevent the development
of the area into scrub.
It is important that clippings are removed from the grassland
after cutting to prevent the nutrients leaching back into the
soil. The management of grassland obviously generates a lot of
clippings. These clippings should either be removed from the site,
or they can be used to create a habitat pile or compost heap.
Such heaps provide an excellent habitat for invertebrates and
may also be used by other creatures such as slow-worms, grass
snakes and hibernating hedgehogs. The rotting grass provides warm,
moist conditions – ideal for the incubation of grass snake
eggs. Choice of location for such heaps needs some care as the
heaps can be visually intrusive and can leach nutrients into the
nearby soil. They should therefore be situated away from any areas
in which wildflowers are encouraged. Back
5.4 Other Features
Avoid disturbing the anthills wherever possible as they provide
valuable structural diversity. When grass cutting, try to mow
around the anthills.
Maintain a small number of habitat/log piles as refugia and hibernacula
for the reptiles known to be on site (grass snake, common lizard,
slow-worm) and as habitat for invertebrates and small mammals.
The number of habitat/log piles should be limited to reduce the
fire risk, as this is a particularly hot and dry site in the summer.
Consider moving the existing corrugated tin refugia for reptiles
to less conspicuous areas to minimise their disturbance by users
of the site.
No fires should be lit on site.
Erect bird and bat nestboxes around the site (Appendix II).
5.6 Community Use and Involvement
ACCESS
To encourage the site to be used by all members of the community,
it is strongly recommended that the site remains open to all at
all times and that the gate should remain unlocked or be removed
completely. Most grants on offer for community projects will require
public access to the area for which funding is given. It is also
recommended that dogs be allowed on the site, as they should not
have a detrimental affect on the wildlife. However, a polite notice
stating that dogs under control are welcome and asking owners
to clear up after their dog may be appropriate. A dog bin could
be provided by Babergh District Council.
Development of the pathway between the entrance and the point
at which the path splits could be considered, using logs or large
bark chips, as this is shaded by trees and likely to become very
muddy and difficult to use in the winter months.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
When surveyed, the site was not considered to present any particular
risks to those using the site as a nature reserve, although ongoing
maintenance (as described in section 5) is necessary to prevent
potential hazards such as bramble stems across the pathway.
It is very important that anyone carrying out work on the site,
for example during work parties, is adequately insured for the
task and aware of the health and safety requirements relating
to that task. Many parish council insurance policies cover volunteers,
but always check the details of the policy with the insurer before
you start. Affiliation to the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers
would also be very useful as they provide advice, support and
information on issues such as health and safety, organising work
parties etc. They also run a special insurance policy for affiliated
voluntary groups. For further details contact the BTCV national
office on 01302 572244.
A risk assessment should be carried out each time any work is
carried out, and for any activity that includes the public (eg
guided walk). These are intended to help you consider safety in
your planning and ensure that everyone is working to the same
guidelines. A number of Suffolk Wildlife Trust Codes of Practice
are included in Appendix IV as a reference. Guidance on completing
risk assessments and blank forms are also included in Appendix
IV. Please contact Suffolk Wildlife Trust if you need further
guidance or have any queries.Back
DATA COLLECTION
Although a reptile survey and an initial bird survey have already
been carried out, further surveys on the site (eg butterflies,
invertebrates, birds) would help to provide valuable information
to feed into Suffolk Wildlife Trust and county records, as well
as for the community. The local community could be involved with
these surveys, helping to reinforce interest and commitment from
parishioners.
INTERPRETATION FOR VISITORS AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
An important part of managing a community site for wildlife is
to keep parishioners and visitors informed. Information on site,
explaining how and why the area is to be managed and the wildlife
and wild flowers people can expect to see is very helpful. This
may be in the form of a professionally produced sign (Suffolk
Wildlife Trust can provide names of companies that produce these)
and/or a self-guided trail.
Community involvement on the site, (either by helping with maintenance
or simply by using and enjoying the site) is key in creating and
maintaining interest and support. Interpretation projects, for
example, are an excellent opportunity to involve local schools
or other community groups and help inspire them to take an interest.
FUNDING
A number of grants are available to help fund community projects
such as this. An application for Action Disused Allotments could
include capital expenses such as information boards, hedgerow
plants, tools, bench and materials to create a pathway. Suffolk
Wildlife Trust would be happy to offer further advice on which
grant may be most appropriate or with completing an application.
If further information is required relating to this report please
do not hesitate to contact:
Evans, C (2003) Management Recommendations for All Saints Common,
All Saints South Elmham. Suffolk Wildlife Trust
Rose, F (1981) The Wildflower Key. Warne.
Stone, S (2001) Management Recommendations for Suffolk Constabulary
Headquarters, Martlesham Heath. Suffolk Wildlife Trust
Stone, S (1999) Sproughton Churchyard Management Plan. Suffolk
Wildlife Trust
RSPB (1997) Birds In Our Countryside. RSPB
Global warming............
Europe -- Butterfly ranges shift northward.
22 of 35 butterfly species studied have shifted their ranges northwards
by 22 to 150 miles (35-241 km), consistent with a 1.4?F (0.78?C)
warming over the past century.
