Download Reptile Survey - Planning Public Access

NORTH WARWICKSHIRE
BOROUGH COUNCIL
RECEIVED
24/10/2016
PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
DIVISION
Reptile Survey, Spon lane, Grendon
Reptile Survey
Spon Lane, Grendon
Surveyor: Dr. Stefan Bodnar BSc (Hons) PhD MCIEEM
Document Prepared May 2016
Architects:
Tim Bailey
Report Author
Dr. Stefan Bodnar (MCIEEM)
35 Post Office Road
Baddesley Ensor
Warwickshire
CV9 2DD
Tel: 07429 209549
Email: [email protected]
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PAP/2016/0605
May 2016
Reptile Survey, Spon lane, Grendon
May 2016
Contents
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Site Location
1.3 Reason for survey
1.4 Planning officer comments
1.5 Reptile Ecology
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2.0 Methodology
2.1 Personnel
2.2 Artificial Refuge Survey
2.3 Direct Observation Survey
3.0 Results
3.1 Survey Results
4.0 Conclusion
5.0 Recommendations
6.0 References
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Appendices
1. Location of refugia
2. Photographs
1.0. Introduction
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Reptile Survey, Spon lane, Grendon
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At the request of Daniel Swift, Dr. Stefan Bodnar was commissioned to undertake a survey for
reptiles within a site for planned housing development at Spon Lane, Grendon, Warwickshire.
.
The brief of the survey was as follows;
 To identify all suitable habitats within the proposed site and assess their suitability and
potential to support reptiles.
 To determine the presence of any reptile species by undertaking a ‘Direct Observation’ survey
specifically covering favourable habitats, potential refugia (already existing) and basking points
within the survey site and evidence such as skin sloughs .
 To determine the presence of reptile species by undertaking an ‘Artificial Refuge’ survey,
refuges to be placed within reptile ‘hot spots’ within the survey site.
 To make recommendations for the development work to take place including any mitigation/
compensation required.
(In addition, a terrestrial search for amphibians was undertaken specifically covering potential
refugia within the survey site.)
1.1. Background
Reptiles and the Law
All of our native reptiles are protected by law. The two rare species – sand lizard and smooth
snake – have greatest protection.
The adder (Vipera berus), common lizard (Zootoca vivipara), grass snake (Natrix natrix) and slow worm
(Anguis fragilis) are protected under the Bern Convention (Appendix 3), Natural Environment and
Rural Communities Act (NERC) S.41 (2006) and Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act
1981 (as amended) which make it illegal to:
•
Intentionally kill or injure these species.
•
Sell, barter, exchange or transport or offer for sale or advertise for sale these species either live or dead,
whole or part.
The sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis) and smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) are fully protected under
Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) as amended, Bern Convention (Appendix 2),
Habitats Directive (Annex 4) (Updated 2003), Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act
(NERC) S.41 (2006) and Schedule 2 of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010
making them European Protected Species which make it illegal to:
•
Intentionally capture, kill or injure these species.
•
Deliberately or recklessly disturb these species in a place used for shelter or protection.
•
Intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to a place used for shelter or protection.
•
Damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place.
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Reptile Survey, Spon lane, Grendon
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Deliberately destruct or take eggs from the wild, even if empty.
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Sell, barter, exchange or transport or offer for sale or advertise for sale these species either live or dead,
whole or part.
•
Possess, or any part of these species, unless acquired lawfully.
In addition to specific legal protection, the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) highlights a number
of priority species as priorities for conservation action. Within the UK BAP all UK native reptiles
were placed on the priority species list after a review in 2007. On a local level, grass snake (Natrix
natrix) is the only reptile to be listed as a priority species on the Staffordshire BAP.
As this survey will also note any amphibians found, it is also worth noting that a number of UK
amphibians are also afforded varying levels of protection in the UK. The species with the greatest
level of protection are the natterjack toad (Epidalea calamita) and great crested newt (Triturus cristatus).
These are protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) as amended, Bern
Convention (Appendix 2), Habitats Directive (Annex 2 & 4) (Updated 2003), Natural Environment
and Rural Communities Act (NERC) S.42 (2006) and Schedule 2 of the Conservation of Habitats
and Species Regulations 2010 making them European Protected Species.
1.2. Site Location
Spon Lane, Grendon. The search are is shown below:
:
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1.3. Background and reasoning for survey
A reptile evaluation was request6ed by the Local Planning Authority to provide supplementary
information in support of the Planning Application.
Although a stripping of the site in accordance with an agreed precautionary manner secured by a
planning condition would addresses the obligation to avoid the killing or injury of reptiles as
required by the Wildlife and Countryside Act., it does not discharge the obligation to protect and
promote the recovery of “priority species” as listed in section 41 of the NERC Act 2006, and a full
survey for reptiles would be the means to determine if this is required.
The following is an excerpt from the NERC document listing slow worm, referred to previously:
Anguis fragilis
Ensure conservation status is monitored and
information sent to appropriate landowners
and decision makers.
Medium
Survey or monitoring
Anguis fragilis
Ensure habitat creation and management that High
provides suitable habitat features within a
highly connected landscape.
Habitat management Wider action to create new habitat / networks
Anguis fragilis
Ensure better outcomes from land use
regulation, critically (i) site safeguard and (ii)
enhancing and creating connectivity.
Policy or legislation
Medium
Planning policies & control
1.5 Reptile Ecology (A Summary)
(Taken from English Nature, Reptiles: Guidelines for developers)
Six species of reptile - three snakes and three lizards - are native to Britain. Four are widespread and
found throughout England, while the sand lizard and smooth snake have a much more restricted
distribution. Distribution maps for reptiles in the UK are given below.
Adder distribution
Common lizard distribution
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Grass snake distribution
Reptile Survey, Spon lane, Grendon
Sand lizard distribution
May 2016
Slow worm distribution
Smooth snake distribution
Over the last 50 years, many areas that used to be home to reptiles have been lost to development,
agriculture and forestry. Changes in land use, intensified management, persecution, collection, fires,
fragmentation of habitats and increased public pressure have also reduced reptile populations.
National and European legislation means that reptiles and (in some cases) their habitats are now
protected by law in England. While some important reptile sites are legally protected, for instance as
Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), the majority of reptile populations exist outside of
protected sites. As a result, reptiles remain threatened in many areas. Development is a significant
cause of habitat loss and fragmentation. Developers, landscape architects, planning authorities,
ecological consultants and conservation bodies all have important roles to play in conserving these
animals.
England’s Snakes and Lizards
Common (or Viviparous) lizard (Lacerta vivipara).
Found throughout England in a range of different habitats, including grasslands, woodland edges,
brownfield sites, heaths and dunes. This species is often seen on linear features, such as hedgerow
bases, stone walls and railway embankments. They can be up to 14 cm in length (including the tail),
generally brown in colour, with spotted and striped back patterns.
Sand lizard (Lacerta agilis).
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Reptile Survey, Spon lane, Grendon
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One of the two rare species of reptile, found on heathland and dunes in southern England (majority
of populations in Dorset, with small numbers elsewhere) and on the Sefton Coast in Merseyside. It
is larger and more robust than the common lizard, growing to 20 cm in length. Males have green
flanks and a patterned back; females are grey/brown with distinctive dots along the back and sides.
This species is the only English lizard that lays eggs.
Slow-worm (Anguis fragilis).
Often mistaken for a snake, it is, in fact, a legless species of lizard. Typically reaches 35 cm. Males
are usually uniform grey-brown; females are brown with dark sides and a black line along the back.
Found throughout England on a wide variety of habitats; it is the most frequent reptile in urban
areas.
Grass snake (Natrix natrix).
Found throughout England, and the most frequently seen species of snake in urban areas. Often
found close to ponds, lakes and rivers. Usually 70 cm - 100 cm in length when mature, this is the
largest species of snake in Britain. They are olive green, brown or grey body, with black bars down
the sides. Usually has a yellow or white 'collar' behind the head. The only British snake that lays eggs.
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Reptile Survey, Spon lane, Grendon
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Adder (Vipera berus).
Typical adult length around 55 cm. Males are usually grey and females reddish brown; both sexes
have a distinctive dark zig-zag pattern on the back. Adders are found on heaths, moors, meadows,
woodland glades and urban fringe sites. Although adders are found in most counties and are
abundant in some areas, they are scarce over much of their range. This is the only venomous species
of snake in Britain.
Smooth snake (Coronella austriaca).
Our rarest reptile and the one with the most restricted distribution. Found only on the heathlands of
southern England, from Surrey to Dorset. Generally up to 55 cm in length, usually grey to greybrown, with a dark top to the head and a row of dark dots, blotches or bars along the back.
Introduced (non-native) species
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Reptile Survey, Spon lane, Grendon
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Reptiles sometimes escape from, or are deliberately released from, public or private collections. They
may survive in the wild, sometimes forming small colonies. Examples include the red-eared terrapin
Trachemys scripta elegans.
Reptile biology
English reptiles share a number of common features. They cannot generate their own body heat and
need to raise their body temperatures using external heat sources, especially by basking in the sun.
This greatly influences their behaviour. Most reptiles hibernate between October and March, when
weather conditions are unsuitable for activity. Even during April to September their behaviour is
affected by the weather. Typically they are active in warm weather, but avoid prolonged exposure to
the sun on very hot days. Reptiles normally take refuge and are inactive during the night.
Snakes may occupy fairly large ranges, sometimes covering several kilometres during the course of a
year. In other circumstances, however, movements are much more limited. Often they move from
drier habitats to wetter parts for the summer months. They usually return to the same hibernation
areas each winter. Adders and smooth snakes eat mostly reptiles and small mammals, while grass
snakes prey largely on amphibians.
Lizards have smaller ranges than snakes, frequently staying close to small landscape features such as
embankments. Common lizards and sand lizards spend much time basking, while slow-worms are
often hidden in vegetation, under refuges or underground. All three lizards eat invertebrates such as
insects, spiders and woodlice, but slow-worms tend to eat more soft-bodied species, such as slugs.
Reptiles are found in a wide variety of countryside habitats, such as heaths, moors, rough grassland
and woodland edges. They are also found in artificial habitats such as golf courses, brownfield sites,
allotments, gardens, road embankments and railway lines; some species are more adaptable than
others in this respect. Reptiles require a varied habitat structure that provides shelter, a range of
shady and sunny spots, food, and frost-free areas to spend the winter. Reptiles prefer areas with a
well-drained geology, so sandy and chalky soils are favoured. Grass snakes lay their eggs in places
like compost heaps, manure heaps or piles of cut vegetation where they are incubated by the warmth
of decomposing organic matter. Sand lizards lay eggs in open sand patches warmed by the sun.
The reptile year (note: this is a generalised illustration – there are variations between species
and according to local conditions.)
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2.0. Methodology
The survey consisted of three elements
 To determine the presence of any reptile species by undertaking a ‘Direct Observation’
survey, specifically covering favourable habitats, potential refugia (already existing) and
basking points within the survey site and evidence such as skin sloughs.
 To determine the presence of reptile species by undertaking an ‘Artificial Refuge’ survey,
refuges to be placed within reptile ‘hot spots’ within the survey site.
 To determine the presence of any amphibians within the terrestrial habitats of the proposed
development site by conducting a manual search of refugia and all other suitable features.
2.1. Personnel
The survey was conducted by Dr. Stefan Bodnar, a full time member of the Chartered Institute of
Ecology and Environmental Management, an experienced ecologist with over 29 years experience of
reptile surveys., assisted by Louise Sutherland MSc. MIALE, who has extensive reptile experience,
particularly working on conservation research with adders Viperus berus.
2.2 Artificial Refuges Survey
A total of 50 (mixture of 50 x 50cm and 50 x 100, 100 x 100 cm) artificial refugia were prepared to
attract reptiles when placed on site. These consisted of heavy duty roofing felt sheets, material which
possess properties of absorbing heat readily and heating up more rapidly than the surrounding
ground or vegetation, creating an ideal habitat for basking or sheltering reptiles. Stones or twigs
were places under the roofing felt sheets twigs to create space for sheltering reptiles. The tiles were
also positioned on short vegetation (rather than bare ground) – this helps to trap humidity, creates a
temperature gradient and gives the reptiles a more diverse hiding place.
The artificial refugia were placed in areas considered to represent the optimal reptile habitat on each
particular site. The density of refugia in suitable habitats that were sampled was in accordance with
froglife guidelines (Froglife 1999).
The sites were visited on 7 occasions within April and May with refugia examined for reptiles
basking on the surface and sheltering below. Weather conditions were recorded in detail on all visits
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and survey was not undertaken in temperatures below 10 C or above 20 C. Refugia were set on
20th March 2015 to allow time to settle and bed in.
The location of artificial refugia is described in appendix 1. see also Images, Appendix 2.
2.3 Direct Observation Survey
In addition to close examination of artificial refugia, transects were walked through appropriate
habitats paying close attention to features that could act as basking or refuge areas, such as rock
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Reptile Survey, Spon lane, Grendon
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piles, log piles, flat stones, sheets of bark, concrete structures, tires and corrugated metal. During the
surveys the ground, other natural features and existing artificial refugia were observed from several
metres distance to avoid disturbing and ‘flushing’ basking reptiles. Subsequently these were then
checked manually for reptiles that may be taking refuge beneath.
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3.0. Results
3.1. Survey Results
The surveys were conducted by Dr. Stefan Bodnar. The combined results for the artificial refuge survey
and direct observation survey (which also involved a manual search of existing potential refugia and
other suitable features) to determine the presence of any reptiles or amphibians can be found below. See
Photographs Appendix 2.
1st April 2016
Start Time: 9:55am
Finish Time: 11:00am
Temperature: 11°C
Weather conditions: Slight breeze, clear with patches of cloud remaining constant throughout the
survey, no precipitation.
No amphibians or reptiles.
7th April 2016
Start Time: 8:55am
Finish Time: 10:10am
Temperature: 11°C
Weather conditions: Slight breeze, clear with patches of cloud remaining constant throughout the
survey, no precipitation
11th April 2016
Start Time: 9:26am
Finish Time: 10:51am
Temperature: 12°C
Weather conditions: Warm, dry, sunny
No amphibians or reptiles.
19th April 2016
Start Time: 9:30am
Finish Time: 10:47am
Temperature: 11°C
Weather conditions: Light wind, overcast with some sunny spells throughout the survey, shower
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Reptile Survey, Spon lane, Grendon
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No reptiles or amphibians
22nd April 2016
Start Time: 9:57am
Finish Time: 11:08am
Temperature: 10°C
Weather conditions: Slight breeze, overcast with some sunny spells throughout the survey, no
precipitation
No reptiles. 5 short tailed vole Microtus agrestis nests beneath refugia. 1 Smooth newt beneath
refugia
29th April 2016
Start Time: 6:20am
Finish Time: 8:00am
Temperature: 10°C
Weather conditions: Slight breeze, overcast but cleared towards the end of the survey, slight
precipitation, rained in night.
No amphibians or reptiles. 5 short tailed vole Microtus agrestis nests beneath refugia.
1st May 2015
Start Time: 8:20am
Finish Time: 9:00am
Temperature: 11°C
Weather conditions: Slight breeze, overcast but cleared towards the end of the survey, slight
precipitation, rained in night.
No reptiles. 5 short tailed vole Microtus agrestis nests beneath refugia.
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Reptile Survey, Spon lane, Grendon
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4.0. Discussion and Conclusions
Reptiles
The site contains relatively poor habitats and few features (basking points and refugia) suitable for
reptiles and there are records at some distance of common lizard (Zootoca vivipara) and slow worm,
Anguis fragilis. However, during this survey no reptiles were recorded. Therefore, we can assume that
it is likely that reptiles are absent from this site or are at a very low population density. a single
common newt Lissotriton vulgaris, was recorded from beneath a refugia.
Amphibians
There were no great crested newts (Triturus cristatus) recorded on site during the survey, having
undertaken a terrestrial search of all the potential refugia. No other amphibia were recorded during
the survey, using this technique, other than the single common newt Lissotriton vulgaris,.
The lack of reptiles and amphibians is likely to be a result of the site's small size and isolation within
highly managed agricultural and residential landscapes.
5.0. Recommendations
Although no reptiles or great crested newts were discovered during the survey, there is still a very
small possibility that these species may be present on site in very small numbers or could move into
the habitats within the site at some point in the future. Therefore, there will be a need for
appropriate safeguards to be employed during the development works. The main ones are
summarised below:
Site cautions in respect of Reptiles and Great crested newts
Note 1: If any reptile species are discovered at any time during processes involved with the proposed
works all work should cease immediately and the advice of a licensed ecologist sought.
Note 2: If great crested newts are discovered at any time during processes involved with the
proposed work all work should cease immediately and the advice of a licensed ecologist sought.
Note 3: All site staff involved with the site works are to be made aware of the potential for
encountering reptiles and great crested newts through a tool kit talk and the appropriate measures to
be taken if any reptiles or great crested newts are encountered.
6.0. References
Beebee T and Griffiths R (2000). Amphibians and Reptiles. Harper Collins Publishers.
Froglife (1999). Reptile Survey: an introduction to planning, conducting and interpreting surveys for
snake and lizard conservation. Froglife Advice Sheet 10. Froglife, Halesworth
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Reptile Survey, Spon lane, Grendon
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English Nature (2004). Reptiles: Guidelines for Developers. English Nature ,Peterborough.
Natural England, Nature on the Map:
http://www.natureonthemap.naturalengland.org.uk/news.html
DEFRA, Multi-Agency Geographic Information for the Countryside: http://magic.defra.gov.uk/
National Biodiversity Network: http://www.nbn.org.uk/
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Appendix 1: Location of artificial refugia
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Appendix 2: Site photographs
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