appendix 8.d water vole and otter survey report/media/pdfs/generation/wind/onshore/k...water vole...

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Appendix 8.D Water Vole and Otter Survey Report

Kelmarsh Windfarm, Northamptonshire Water Vole and Otter Survey Report

June 2009

Final

ISSUING OFFICE:

Arden House Deepdale Business Park

Ashford Road Bakewell

Derbyshire DE45 1GT

TEL: 01629 815544

FAX: 01629 815577

Members: Andrew Baker BSc MIEEM Peter Shepherd BSc PhD MIEEM James Gillespie BSc PGDip MIEEM Steve Betts BSc MSc MIEEM

Web: www.bsg-ecology.com Email: [email protected] Offices in: Bakewell, Oxford, Berwick-upon-Tweed & Monmouth

Registered in: Cardiff No. OC328772 Registered address: Arden House Deepdale Business Park Ashford Road Bakewell Derbyshire DE45 1GT

Client E.ON Renewables Ltd

Job Name Kelmarsh Windfarm, Northamptonshire

Report title Water Vole and Otter Survey Report

File reference

3173.03_003_wvrep_lrj_eon.doc

Signed Name Position Date

Originated Liz Rose-Jeffreys Ecologist 10/06/09

Reviewed Kate Vincent Senior Ecologist 10/06/09

E.ON Renewables Ltd Kelmarsh Windfarm, Northamptonshire

3173.03_003_wvrep_lrj_eon.doc i

Report Contents

1 Introduction .......................................................................................1

1.1 Site Description................................................................................................ 1

1.2 Proposed Works ............................................................................................... 1

1.3 Aims of Study ................................................................................................... 1

2 Methodology......................................................................................1

2.1 Desk Study ....................................................................................................... 1

2.2 Field Survey...................................................................................................... 1

3 Results...............................................................................................2

3.1 Desk Study ....................................................................................................... 2

3.2 Field Survey...................................................................................................... 2

3.2.1 Other Species .................................................................................................3

4 Assessment ........................................................................................3

4.1 Constraints on Study Information .................................................................... 3

4.2 Potential Impacts ............................................................................................. 3

4.2.1 Water Voles ....................................................................................................3 4.2.2 Otters .............................................................................................................3 4.2.3 Other Species ................................................................................................ 4

5 Recommendations ..............................................................................4

5.1.1 Water Vole and Otter..................................................................................... 4 5.1.2 Brown hare .................................................................................................... 4

6 Figure 1: Protected Species Plan...........................................................5


3173.03_003_wvrep_lrj_eon.doc i


3173.03_003_wvrep_lrj_eon.doc Page 1

1 Introduction

1.1 Site Description

The site is a working farm, located to the west of Kelmarsh village in Northamptonshire, centred at OS grid

reference SP 719 786. The A14 road is situated adjacent to the northern study site boundary.

The site consists of a series of arable fields, with hedgerows and occasional wet ditches forming the field

boundaries. A stream with broadleaved woodland banks dissects the site. Tallyho Covert, an area of semi-

natural broadleaved woodland, is present within the site. The adjacent land is composed of further arable

fields and improved pasture.

1.2 Proposed Works

E.ON Renewables Ltd proposes to develop a windfarm of up to seven turbines. The proposed turbine

locations are situated towards the eastern end of the site (E.ON plan reference: 23125-E023a stanm).

1.3 Aims of Study

Baker Shepherd Gillespie was originally commissioned in September 2007 by E.ON Renewables Ltd to

undertake an Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey of the site and to identify habitats or species, in order to

provide a preliminary ecological assessment of the proposed development. In addition the report was to

identify requirements for further survey, and propose mitigation to avoid and reduce ecological impacts

(ecology report reference 3173_003_rep_lrj_eon).

An initial survey for water vole Arvicola terrestris and otter Lutra lutra activity was carried out during the

Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey of the site. It was not possible to search all wet ditches within the site for

evidence of water voles and otters, due to the dense vegetation present adjacent to the ditches. The

report highlighted the need for further water vole and otter survey, in order to determine the current use

of the site by both species, and the likely impact the proposed works would have on these species. Baker

Shepherd Gillespie was subsequently commissioned to undertake this further survey work. The water vole

and otter survey methods, results and an impact assessment are detailed in this report.

2 Methodology

2.1 Desk Study

A desktop study was carried out as part of the original survey work to determine the presence of any

historical protected species records or designated statutory or non-statutory sites of nature conservation

value (such as Sites of Special Scientific Interest or Local Wildlife Sites) within a 5km radius of the study

site.

Northamptonshire Biodiversity Records Centre was contacted to supply this information.

2.2 Field Survey

Senior Ecologist Susan White AIEEM undertook the water vole and otter survey on 3rd April 2008 between

0900 and 1200 hours. The banks of the River Ise, the stream and the wet ditches were examined for signs

of water voles and otters. This included searching the banks for evidence of droppings, latrines, feeding

stations, burrows, footprints, spraints, holts, feeding remains and runways through bankside vegetation.

Searches were also undertaken for any habitat features likely to either support or discourage water voles

and otters from using the site such as the structure and composition of vegetation and the substrate of the

banks. The survey was carried out along the banks and within the watercourse channels.



In addition, incidental sightings of any additional protected species were noted and are included within

this report.

3 Results

3.1 Desk Study

Northamptonshire Biodiversity Records Centre provided the following water vole and brown hare Lepus

europaeus records within 5km of the site (refer to Tables 1 – 2). Further details of all data trawl records are

set out in the Extended Phase 1 Habitat Survey Report (BSG report reference: 3173.03_003_p1rep_lrj_eon).

Table 1: Water Vole records

Date of record Location OS grid reference Distance from study site

1985 River Ise SP 70 81 Within 3.0km to the north

Table 2: Brown Hare records

Date of record Location OS grid reference Distance from study site

1996 – SP 7 7 Unknown




1999 – SP 755 794 3.4km to the east

1999 – SP 766 815 3.8km to the northeast

3.2 Field Survey

During the initial survey, no evidence of water vole or otter was located along any of the ditches or their

banks, however a detailed survey of these species was not undertaken.

There are a number of wet ditches/small streams located within the site, and the River Ise flows

northwards out of the site. These were examined for evidence of water vole and otter during the further

survey in April 2008, and are described below in terms of their ability to support these species. For

locations, refer to Figure 1.

River Ise

This watercourse is varying in width, up to a maximum of two metres wide, with a clay substrate. The

majority of this section is heavily shaded by a species-poor hedgerow on the northeast bank, and is

generally more open on the southwest bankside, with the bank itself generally composed of exposed clay.

No signs of water vole or otter were located at any point of the River Ise during the survey.

Stream 1

This stream is varying in width, on average approximately one metre wide, with fast-flowing water in

places. The substrate is generally composed of gravel and clay, and there are occasional pools present up

to 75cm deep. The banks are steep with an incline of approximately 60°, and with little vegetation present.

The stream receives little shading at the southwestern section, and is heavily shaded by semi-mature

broadleaved woodland towards the east. The eastern section is subject to scouring on the banks. No signs

of water vole or otter were located at any point of Stream 1 during the survey.

Stream 2

This stream is approximately 1.5 metres wide, with steep unvegetated banks at an incline of approximately

75 - 80°. The banks are subject to scouring, and are partially collapsed in places. Broadleaved woodland, to

approximately 5 metres tall, is present on the southern bank. No signs of water vole or otter were located

at any point of Stream 2 during the survey.



In addition to the three watercourses described above, there are a number of wet ditches associated with

hedgerows within the site. These were dry at the time of the initial Extended Phase 1 Habitat survey

(September 2007). The ditches are considered sub-optimal habitat for water vole and otter, due to the

shallow depth of water (on average less than 15cm deep), with banks unsuitable for burrowing and holt

sites, and an absence of suitable foraging vegetation.

In summary, no signs of water vole or otter were located during the survey within any of the watercourses

within the site. In addition, the majority of the watercourses are considered to provide sub-optimal habitat

for these species, due to the shallow water, wooded banks, and banks that are either subject to scour or

composed of clay, which are considered sub-optimal for burrowing, with negligible opportunity for holt

sites.

3.2.1 Other Species

A number of brown hares were seen within the site during the further ecological survey work, in particular

adjacent to the field boundaries. It is likely that hares are using the site for grazing, and it is possible that

the site supports breeding hares and leverets.

4 Assessment

4.1 Constraints on Study Information

No constraints were identified during the badger and water vole surveys.

Many species, including some which are protected by law, are highly mobile and may colonise a site at any

time. Natural environments may change and the survey results reported here will therefore become less

reliable as time progresses.

4.2 Potential Impacts

4.2.1 Water Voles

Water voles are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended by the CROW Act

2000). This makes it an offence to kill, injure or take any water vole, damage, destroy or obstruct access to

any place of shelter or protection that the animals are using, or disturb voles while they are using such a

place.

In addition, water vole is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan species and is also listed as a Species of Principal

Importance under the provisions of the NERC Act 2006. PPS9 gives guidance on the treatment of Species

of Principal Importance and states that local authorities should ensure that they are protected from the

adverse effects of development, where appropriate, by using planning conditions or obligations.

There is one record of water vole located within 5km of the site. No signs of water vole activity (such as

water vole burrows, latrines or feeding remains) were recorded at any point within the site during either

the initial survey, or the further detailed water vole survey. The watercourses within the site are considered

to provide sub-optimal habitat to support water voles, and it is therefore considered highly unlikely that

the proposed works will have an adverse impact on this species.

4.2.2 Otters

Otters and their habitats are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended by the

CRoW Act 2000), and by the Habitats Regulations 1994 (as amended 2009). In summary, these make it an

offence to damage, destroy or obstruct any place used by otters for breeding and shelter, disturb an otter,

or kill, injure or take any otter.



In addition, otter is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan species and is listed as a Species of Principal Importance

under the provisions of the NERC Act 2006. PPS9 gives guidance on the treatment of Species of Principal

Importance and states that local authorities should ensure that they are protected from the adverse

effects of development, where appropriate, by using planning conditions or obligations.

The data trawl did not provide any records for otter within 5km of the site. In addition, no signs of otter

activity (such as spraints, feeding remains, holts or resting places) were recorded at any point within the

site during the survey. The watercourses within the site are considered to provide sub-optimal habitat to

support otters, and it is therefore considered highly unlikely that the proposed works will have an adverse

impact on this species.

4.2.3 Other Species

Hare is a UK Biodiversity Action Plan species and is also listed as a Species of Principal Importance under

the provisions of the NERC Act 2006. PPS9 gives guidance on the treatment of Species of Principal

Importance and states that local authorities should ensure that they are protected from the adverse

effects of development, where appropriate, by using planning conditions or obligations.

There are six records of brown hare within 5km of the site, and hares were recorded within the site during

the field survey. Due to the presence of brown hare within the site, it is considered that, depending on the

extent of the working areas, there is the potential to harm individual hares and fragment the habitat that

this population of hares uses for foraging and shelter.

5 Recommendations

5.1.1 Water Vole and Otter

No further survey is considered necessary in relation to water voles and otters.

5.1.2 Brown hare

The exact proposed positioning of the access routes and associated site infrastructure should be identified

to inform the level of mitigation required in relation to hare.



6 Figure 1: Protected Species Plan

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