Wessex Ecological Consultancy
28 Egerton Road
Bishopston
Bristol
BS7 8HL
ITCHINGTON COMMON
MANAGEMENT PLAN
2013
For
TYTHERINGTON COUNTRYSIDE GROUP
CONTENTS
1INTRODUCTIONpage 2
2DESCRIPTIONpages 2-5
2.1 Site Informationpage 2
2.2 Accesspage 2
2.3 Physicalpage 2
2.4 Tenurepage 3
2.5 Map Coveragepage 3
2.6 Photographic Coveragepage 3
2.7 Hydrologypage 3
2.8 Biological Informationpages 3-5
2.9 Cultural Informationpage 5
2.10 Conservation Managementpage 5
3EVALUATIONpages 6-8
3.1 Grasslandspage 6
3.2 Woodlandspages 6-7
3.3 Scrubpage 7
3.4 Hedgerowspages 7-8
3.5 Amenitypage 8
3.6 Wider Contextpage 8
3.7 Summary of Important Featurespage 8
4MANAGEMENTpages 9-14
4.1 Trendspages 9-10
4.2 Constraintspage 10
4.3 Aims and Objectivespage 10
4.4 Rationalepage 11
4.5 Management Prescriptionspages 12-13
4.6 Five Year Work Plannerpage 14
SPECIES LISTSpages 15-22
MAPSpages 23-24
ITCHINGTON COMMON
MANAGEMENT PLAN
2013
1INTRODUCTION
This document is a five-year management plan, written in 2013 in order to update previous five-year management plans produced in 1994,1998 and 2007. The site is relatively small, but it includes several Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) priority habitats: a stream; both calcareous and neutral species-rich grassland; species-rich scrub; and woodland. There are significant populations of several locally uncommon plant species.
2DESCRIPTION
2.1Site Information
Parish: Tytherington
Local Planning Authority: South Gloucestershire Council
Grid Reference: ST 651 874
Area: 1.8 hectares
2.2Access
There is open access for pedestrians across the whole site and there are several informal footpaths. Two public footpaths cross the site. One, running east-westis accessed from Shellard’s Lane, crosses an agricultural field and enters the site at its south-eastern corner, via a stile. It crosses the stream on a footbridge and runs up the steep slope of the valley and then leaves the site onto the track leading to the house on the common’s southern edge. The other runs north-south along the top of the valley. Both are unsurfaced.
Access for vehicles, horses, bikes and motorbikes is not allowed and no signs of trespass were seen.
Vehicular access to the common for management purposes is via the track that leaves Itchington Road just to the north of the motorway bridge and runs along the southern edge of the site. This access is by permission of the farmer and is for management purposes only.
2.3 Physical
The underlying rock is Carboniferous Limestone of two types: Clifton Down Limestone underlies most of the site with Lower Cromhall Limestone at its northern end. The common sits on a ridge of limestone running roughly south-west to north-east, from Hallen to Wickwar. The upper part of the common is at approximately 95 metres above sea level and the lowest, in the valley of Owlsnest Brook, at approximately 75 metres. Much of the upper area was formed of soil tipped here during the construction of the M5 motorway.
2.4Tenure
Tytherington Parish Council has responsibility for the common, but have failed to establish ownership.It is registered as common land under the Commons Registration Act 1965. Hill Farm has rights to graze ten cattle and / or sheep and Meadow View, Earthcott has rights to graze six store cattle or twenty sheep.
2.5Map Coverage
The site is shown on the Ordnance Survey 1997 Explorer Series (1:25,000), sheet 167, Thornbury, Dursley and Yate.
2.6Photographic Coverage
Aerial photographs of the site are kept at South Gloucestershire Council.
2.7Hydrology
The site drains into the stream that runs through the western part of the site, which drains south-eastwards and eventually joins the Ladden Brook.
2.8Biological Information
2.8.1Introduction
The main habitats on the site consist of areas of calcareous grassland, neutral grassland, woodlandand scrub. Species lists, including scientific names of plant species mentioned below, are included as appendices. The 2013 survey was carried out late in the year and was therefore updated in May 2014 to allow comparison with the 2007 resutls.
2.8.2Vegetation
Calcareous Grassland
The largest area of calcareous grassland is present in the hollow in the northern part of the site, marked as CGa on the attached map. This area appears to have been quarried in the past. The dominant grass species vary: false oat-grass is frequent in the lower lying areas between the ridges and upright brome on the sides and tops of the ridges; red fescue shares dominance with both species. Other grass species include quaking grass, crested hair-grass, downy oat-grass and meadow oat-grass. Herbs are locally abundant, especially on the sides of the ridges. Frequent species include lady’s bedstraw, black knapweed, salad burnet, cowslipand small scabious. Where the soil is thinner, particularly around rock outcrops, the grassland has frequent sheep’s fescue with herb species including thyme, mouse-ear hawkweed, rockrose, purging flax, common storksbilland parsley piert. Common calamint is present on the fringes of the area and is particularly frequent along the northern edge of the common.
A smaller area was described as CGbin the 2007 report. Due to changes in site management this is no longer readily distinguishable from CGa and the species lists for the two areas have been combined in this report.
The area described as CGc is at the top of the footpath into the site from the south-west. This is dominated by false oat-grass, with patches of red fescue and scattered upright brome. There are some substantial patches of black knapweed, greater knapweed, creeping restharrow, lady’s bedstraw and bird’s-foot trefoil. Common calamint and common gromwell are present on the scrubby edges of the area.
Neutral Grassland
The main area of neutral grassland, marked NG on the attached map, has developed on soil tipped on the site during the construction of the M5. The most frequent grass species here is false-oat grass, but it not dominant and cocksfoot, common bent, Yorkshire fog, red fescue, sweet vernal grass, meadow fescueand crested dogstail are also present in good quantity. Herb species present include bird’s-foot trefoil, common sorrel, black knapweedand meadow vetchling. On the edges of the tipped area there are patches of tall herb vegetation, dominated by thistles and docks.
There are smaller patches of neutral grassland along the top of the valley. These are dominated by false oat-grass with Yorkshire fog, crested dogstail, red fescue, cocksfoot, yellow oat-grass and meadow barley. Herbs species include black knapweedand ox-eye daisy.
Woodland
Woodland is present largely on valley side on the western bank of Owlsnest Brook, with smaller areas present on the eastern bank where it grades into scrub. The canopy is dominated by rather dense semi-mature and immature trees, the most common of which is ash. Other species include wych elm, pedunculate oak, field maple and european larch. The understorey is rather sparse but there are several old hazel coppice stools, and tangles of old man’s-beard. The ground flora is generally dominated by ivy with patches of dog’s mercury. It becomes more diverse close to the stream, where there are large quantities of thin-spiked wood sedge and other species including giant fescue, primrose, yellow archangel, common dog violet and broad buckler fern.
Scrub
There is a large area of scrub on the eastern side of the valley. This scrub is diverse, with species including hazel, wild privet, plum, dogwood andbuckthorn. There are dense patches of bramble on the edge of the scrub. The northern part of the scrub is dense, but the southern area has been opened up and now has several grassy clearings. The ground flora in the northern area is dominated by ivy, with other species including bugle, wood speedwell and sweet violet. Grass species are more frequent in the southern area, where common calamint is locally frequent and other herb species include greater mullein and welted thistle.
Hedgerows
The hedgerow on the northern edge of the site is tall with dense patches of bramble and other species including dogwood, spindle, field maple and hazel. Common calamint is frequent along this hedge.
The hedge on the eastern edge of the site is trimmed low. It is dominated by hawthorn with some dog rose, elder and old man’s beard, with small ash and holly trees.
2.8.4Fauna
Invertebrates recorded in the grassland areas in 2007 include marbled white, brown argus and common blue butterflies; six-spot burnet and shaded broad-bar moths; and field grasshopper.Few of these species were recorded in 2013 or 2014but this is probably due to different timing of surveys and there is no reason to believe that they are not still present. On the other hand, some additional species such as small yellow underwing moth were recorded in 2014.
There are signs of badger activity in the woodland and an active sett on the south-eastern edge of the site. Roe deer, rabbits and grey squirrels are alsopresent on the site. Further survey would doubtless reveal further species: in particular the site appears suitable for several species of bat.
The scrub and woodland support large populations of birds. Species recorded in both 2007 and 2013 include chiffchaff, blackcap, bullfinch song thrush and stock dove. A family party of spotted flycatchers was seen during the 2013 visit.
There are no records of reptiles from the site, but the habitat is suitable for species such as common lizard.
2.9Cultural Information
There is little information on the history of the site. A large stone by the footbridge over the stream might be an old boundary marker, or part of an old bridge. The upper part of the site was quarried for lead and silver in the late nineteenth century by the Almondsbury Lead Mining Company. Most traces of this quarry were obliterated when spoil from motorway construction was tipped here, but evidence remains in the hollow at area CGa.
2.10Conservation Management
The site is managed by South Gloucestershire Council and the Tytherington Countryside Group, as well as by graziers with common rights. Management carried out since the 2007 management plan was produced includes: access improvements, including replacement of the bridge in the south-western corner of the site; mowing of the neutral grassland; and scrub management, which has re-connected two areas of calcareous grassland at CGa and CGb.
The common was grazed by cattle in the past, but sheep are now the only grazing animal used on the common. The intensity of grazing now is significantly higher than in 2007.
3EVALUATION
3.1Grasslands
The common supports both calcareous and neutral unimproved grassland. Both habitat types have suffered extensive losses, largely as a result of agricultural intensification, and both are Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) priority habitats. Of particular importance are the populations of plants that are intolerant of agricultural intensification, especially the use of fertilisers, and the invertebrates that they support. These plants can be used as indicators of the richness of unimproved grassland,
The calcareous grassland supports a wide range of indicator species and many of these are present in large quantity. They include lady’s bedstraw, common rockrose, small scabious, purging flax, salad burnet, stemless thistle, thyme and quaking grass. Ten of the indicator species now have a very restricted distribution in the former County of Avon and are therefore defined in The Flora of the Bristol Region as Avon Notable Species. These are: crested hair-grass, downy oat-grass, meadow oat-grass, common storksbill, common calamint, common gromwell, yellow-wort, carline thistle, common milkwort and rue-leaved saxifrage.A further Avon Notable, fiddle dock, is present in the same area but is more often associated with disturbed habitats. The presence of common calamint is of particular note, since it is thought to be a declining species nationally. All of the areas of calcareous grassland have features that suggest that they are likely to be of significant value for invertebrates. These include the mixture of sparse and tall grassland, presence of patches of bare soil and proximity of scrub. The largest area, at CGa, is also very sheltered and the remnants of quarrying provide a variety of micro-climates. An insect survey has not been carried out, but the presence of species characteristic of unimproved grassland, such as marbled white and brown argus butterflies and six-spot burnet and small yellow underwing moths, are a further indication that these grasslands are likely to be of value for invertebrates.
The calcareous grasslands are of nature conservation value in a South Gloucestershire context.
The neutral grassland is less diverse. The largest area has developed on tipped soil and the mixture of species present suggests that it was treated with fertiliser, either before or after it was deposited here. However, one indicator species of unimproved grassland, bird’s-foot trefoil, is frequent and other species, such as meadow vetchling and black knapweed, are also present. The other areas are very small, but they support a greater diversity of indicator species, including ox-eye daisy and field scabious. The sward in the main area is rather uniform and this limits its potential value for invertebrates, although some grassland insects were recorded here. The other areas have a more varied structure but are very small.
The neutral grasslands are of nature conservation value in a local context.
3.2Woodlands
The most valuable woodlands in nature conservation terms are generally ancient. Their age can be assessed from documentary evidence, the presence of species of plant restricted to long-established woodlands, known as ancient woodland indicators, and structural evidence.Some ancient woodland indicators,including bluebell, yellow archangel and thin-spiked wood sedge, are present and although survey earlier in the year might reveal further species, the diversity of ancient woodland indicators appears to be low. The structure of the wood, with even-aged young trees, an absence of wood banks or ancient coppice stools suggests that the woodland is not ancient. However, it is likely that the part of the woodland closest to the stream is of considerable age, if not actually ancient, but that other areas are of more recent origin. Thin-spiked wood sedge, which is abundant close to the stream, is an Avon Notable Species (as defined in the Flora of the Bristol Region).
The potential of the woodland for fungi, birds and invertebrates is limited by its small size and lack of structural diversity, but some dead wood is present and this may be of some value for fungi and invertebrates. Birds recorded in 2013 include a family party (two adults and three juvenile) of spotted flycatcher. This species is now red listed of being of high conservation concern and in 2012 was proved breeding at only two sites in the former County of Avon. If spotted flycatcher bred here (alternatively they may have moved as a party from another site) this is highly significant. The range of habitats, from tall woodland with a stream through scrub to species-rich grassland, would appear ideal for the species. Stock dove, which was recorded here in both 2007 and 2013, is also of conservation concern, although it remains more widespread than spotted flycatcher.
The woodland is of value in a local context.
3.3Scrub
The scrub on the site is very diverse in woody species and this indicates that it is likely to be of value for invertebrates. It also includes areas of dense cover, which are likely to be of value for breeding birds. The ground flora includes some woodland plants, such as sweet violet. Common gromwell, which is an Avon Notable Species, is associated with the edge of scrub patches and common calamint has appeared since the scrub was opened up.
The breeding bird population of the site includes three species of high conservation concern due to recent population: bullfinch, dunnock and song thrush.
The main area of scrub is of nature conservation value in a local context.
3.4Hedgerows
The hedgerows in the northern part of the site are tall and wide and provide valuable habitat for birds, small mammals and invertebrates. They provide corridors by which wildlife can disperse from the woodland. The hedge on the eastern boundary of the site is lower, but it is dominated by native species and includes standard trees.
The hedges are of nature conservation value in a local context.
3.5Amenity
The site provides an opportunity for enjoyment of a variety of wildlife habitats and varied species, many of which are highly attractive. It is accessible via public footpaths, although it is not signposted from any roadway, or at the entrances to the site. The footpaths do not appear at present to be well used. The proximity to the motorway detracts from the rural ambience of the site, but areas such as the valley bottom and the hollow of the old quarry at CGa provide a feeling of enclosure and a very natural experience.
The site is of amenity value in a local context.