Environmental Forum – Wednesday 15 July2009

Biodiversity Projects Officer’s Report

Hertfordshire Environmental Forum (HEF) Biodiversity Partnership Group (BPG)

  • Within the UK and Local Biodiversity Action Plan wetlands are identified as a priority habitat. The Action Plan for wetlands includes a major project to audit their distribution, area and composition within the county.
  • Funding has been received from Natural England and the Environment Agency (lead partners on the Wetland Habitat Action Plan) to undertake an audit of all wet woodland in Hertfordshire, including their distribution, area and composition.
  • This work has been carried out on behalf of the Herts Biological Records Centre.
  • Over 200 sites were surveyed. Information from the Herts Biological Records Centre and the Environment Agency was also utilised.
  • The report states that the UK total wet woodland area is thought to be between 50,000 and 70,000 hectares and that much of that within Hertfordshire is scattered in small fragments – in fact, small size characterises these woodlands.
  • Most of the wet woodlands in the county are fen or swamp alder located mainly along river valleys.
  • In general, the report states that Hertfordshire’s wet woodlands are poor in structure and species composition. However, it goes on to state that there are some old osier beds at The Withey Beds and some good stands of alder and willow besides the Aquadrome in Rickmansworth.
  • A wetland mammal survey has been completed from Rickmansworth to the Thames and a final report will be produced soon.
  • Groundwork Herts currently have a number of projects running:
  • Green Skills – two six-week landscape regeneration projects working with 17 – 23 year olds have been completed and a further project is underway.
  • Green Team – working with five young people, over three years, on a variety of environmental schemes is continuing.
  • Grow Global – funded for three years and involved establishing growing areas in primary schools in Potters Bar and Hatfield.
  • Mind, Body and Soil – projects to work with residents in their gardens in a sheltered scheme in Potters Bar.
  • The general Biodiversity Action Plan leaflet has now been produced and printed and the biodiversity newsletter has been sent out to relevant people/bodies.
  • As part of the national reporting round on Biodiversity Action Reporting System (BARS) data on the status of the Herts BAP habitats and species, including the information relating to the delivery of the Woodland Action Plan, has been entered onto the BARS database.
  • The East of England Biodiversity Delivery Plan has had the priorities set for the actions upon which the East of England Biodiversity Forum was leading.
  • The plan can be viewed at:

The South East Biodiversity Strategy

  • February saw the launch of the South East Biodiversity Strategy which aims to provide a framework that guides and supports all those who can impact biodiversity in the region.
  • One aspect of the Strategy has been the production of a Regional Biodiversity Opportunity map that identifies the priority areas for restoration and creation of habitat in the South east of England.
  • To look at the Biodiversity Opportunity Areas identified, go to the web-site for the South East Biodiversity Strategy:

Water Voles

  • Last year (2008) a new water vole colony was discovered on the River Misbourne.
  • Investigative work is underway to assess the possibility of connecting this colony to a local SSSI.
  • During the research further water vole evidence was found (latrine downstream of survey area and an additional colony).
  • Mink traps were to be set up over winter (although no signs of mink were observed).
  • Water Vole surveys are also underway in the following areas:
  • River Colne: Uxbridge Industrial Estate to Little Britain Lake.
  • River Chess: Chesham to Chorleywood.

Developing the Wildlife Sites Initiative to respond to the DEFRA Guidance on NI197

  • Of the 198 National Performance Indicators, NI197 (National Indicator 197: Improved Local Biodiversity) is the one which relates to biodiversity.
  • NI197 is assessed through the percentage of Wildlife Sites which are under ‘positive conservation management’.
  • A baseline report for 2008/09 showed that 19.72% of Wildlife Sites in the County are known to be in positive conservation management.
  • As leaders of the Wildlife Sites Partnership, the data for NI197 is being collected for the county by the Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.
  • There are currently just under 2000 Wildlife Sites in Hertfordshire covering 17,215 hectares.
  • One current objective is to pilot a project with a local authority to survey a sample of Wildlife Sites during the summer.

Quality of Life Report

  • Work is now complete on the production of the 2008 Quality of Life Report.
  • The wildlife and habitats chapter of the report provides an update on the habitat and species action plans.
  • A few updates included:
  • Grey Herons (wetland indicator): Nationally increased by 12%. Declined in the Eastern Region by 24%. 71 nests recorded in Hertfordshire, down from 113 in 2004.
  • Skylark (farmland indicator): Declined by 29% in the Eastern Region but increased by 14% in the county.
  • House Sparrow (urban environment indicator): Regionally declined by 33% but rose by 16% in Hertfordshire.
  • Hares: 2004 was a good year but, generally, hares have shown a steady decline.
  • Butterflies: Mild winter meant very early appearance, in fact the earliest ever recorded. However a wet summer saw most species decline. Long term trend analysis over 18 years indicates butterfly numbers were the lowest ever recorded in Hertfordshire, declining at twice the national rate.
  • The report is available to view at:

Rickmansworth Festival

 The Rickmansworth Festival took place on Saturday 16 May and Sunday 17 May.

 The event had its most successful Saturday, despite the slow start due to the grey clouds.

 One of the top attractions this year was the wonderful array of canal boats which came from across the country – a unique spectacle moored along the towpath up to four deep.

 Entertainment was on offer throughout the weekend with live music being performed on three stages. The music ranged from jazz and blues to pop, rock and folk.

 Other attractions included the Environmental Marquee, the Metropolitan Line Heritage train which ran from Harrow, Rickmansworth and Amersham and the Vintage Bus Service which brought visitors from Rickmansworth Station down to Batchworth Lock. Dunkirk little ship Quisisana, which took evacuees from Dunkirk was on also on display as was a medieval living history exhibition, an animal farm and Sovereign the Shire horse from the Chiltern Open Air Museum.

Local Nature Reserves (LNRs)

  • Various projects have taken place at the LNRs:
  • Works at the Aquadrome are now complete. The new toilets were opened in March and the café has been up and running since April. The enhanced car park is complete and over 700m of footpaths have been upgraded so that they are accessible to all.
  • It is hoped that we will be able to enhance the ‘over flow’ car park at the Aquadrome by installing gasscrete.
  • The car park at Oxhey Woods Local Nature Reserve has been improved and now enables improved access to the woods.
  • General Electric carried out a corporate volunteer day at Croxley Common Moor in early June. Twelve volunteers spent the day pulling ragwort.
  • The annual Children’s Nature Week took place during the February half term. Activities ranged from a fun day at the Batchworth Lock Centre to the reptile roadshow and include bird box building at The Withey Beds Local Nature Reserve on Friday 20 February.
  • A programme of children’s activities, including bat box building, wildflower forays, orienteering and making insect houses will take place at the LNRs over summer, as usual.
  • Volunteer Days: The Friends of Croxley Common Moor meet on the second Sunday of each month. The group will be starting their winter programme of scrub removal in September.
  • Regular volunteer days are held in Oxhey Woods by Watford Rural Conservation Volunteers as well as the Countryside Management Services (CMS).

\\trdclgfs01\group share\committee & dmu\env forum\ef 2009\2009 07 15 agenda finals\09 07 15 ef i - (06) biodiversity projects.doc