Capita Blackburn Business Centre, CastleWay House, 17 Preston New Road, Blackburn BB2 1AU
Tel 01254 273000 Fax 01254 273559 www.capitasymonds.co.uk
Capita Symonds Ltd
www.capitasymonds.co.uk
Derwent Forest Barn Owl and Breeding Bird Report
August 2009
Quality Management
Job No CS/030885-07 Doc No. Final
Project Derwent Forest Ecology
Location Broughton Moor, Cumbria
Document
Ref Bird Survey Report
File reference
Date August 2009
Prepared by Des Callaghan (Principal
Ecologist Ecostudy) Signature (for file)
Checked by Tabatha Boniface Signature (for file)
Authorised
by Lee Conroy Signature (for file)
Contents
Page i
Contents
1. Summary 1
2. Introduction 3 2.1 Background 3 2.2 Relevant Legislation & Policy 3 2.3 Personnel and Quality assurance 4
3. Methods 5 3.1 Desk based study Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.2 Field Survey 5
4. Site Description 6
5. Results 7 5.1 Desk based study Error! Bookmark not defined. 5.2 Field surveys 7
6. Recommendations 9 6.1 Recommendation 1 – Protection of nesting birds 9 6.2 Recommendation 2 – Protection of nesting Barn Owls 9
7. References 10
Appendix A Barn Owl Survey Results 1
Appendix B Breeding Bird Survey Results 1
Appendix C Photographs 3
Appendix D Location of Transects 5
Appendix E Locations of confirmed barn owl nests 6
1 Summary
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Derwent Forest Barn Owl and Breeding Bird Report
August 2009
Page 1
1. Summary
Capita Symonds Ecologists, Blackburn were commissioned in April 2009 by Allerdale
Borough Council and Cumbria County Council to undertake barn owl and breeding bird
surveys at the Derwent Forest site near Cockermouth. The surveys were required to
ascertain the presence of barn owls and species of breeding birds and recommend
appropriate measures to avoid negative impacts on barn owls and breeding bird populations
in relation to the scheduled for asbestos remediation works.
All wild birds, their nests and eggs are protected under The Wildlife and Countryside Act
1981 (as amended), which amongst other things makes it an offence to:
• Intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird;
• Intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird whilst it is in use or
being built;
• Intentionally take or destroy the egg of any wild bird; and
• Intentionally or recklessly disturb any wild bird listed on Schedule 1 (e.g. Barn Owl)
while it is nest building, or at a nest containing eggs or young, or disturb the
dependent young of such a bird.
Survey for barn owls and breeding birds were undertaken on 10-12th June and 16-18th June
2009.
Evidence of Barn Owl presence was found in a large number of buildings although in most
there was no signs of recent use. It appears that at least some birds use many different
buildings as occasional roosts over the course of an annual cycle.
A total of five active nests were found (Buildings C33, C91, Mag 22, Mag 56 and Mag 93),
plus three further buildings could not be checked adequately and hence there is a risk that
active nests were present but not detected (Buildings C4, C57 and Mag 08).
This represents a high density of nest sites (1.25 breeding pairs/km2), which is probably due
mainly to the high frequency of suitable nest locations within the site (in the disused
buildings) coupled with a large area of good quality grassland feeding habitat nearby. The
lack of disturbance within the site may also be of benefit.
Results of the breeding bird survey are included in Appendix B. In total, 53 species were
observed, of which 40 were either confirmed or likely breeders on-site. All of the species
encountered are either common or frequent within the UK and each is expected to occur
within the local region. Nine of the species are included in the latest national Red List for
birds, including grey partridge, herring gull, lapwing, lesser redpoll, linnet, skylark, song
thrush, starling and yellowhammer. The only specially protected species recorded was Barn
Owl, while the commonest species seen/heard were meadow pipit, chiffchaff, chaffinch,
carrion crow, great tit, wren, yellowhammer and linnet.
1 Summary
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August 2009
Page 2
Site clearance and preparation works affecting areas that may be used by nesting birds (e.g.
buildings, scrub and rough grassland), should be undertaken outside the main bird breeding
season (March – September).
If this is not reasonably possible, a survey should be undertaken by a suitably experienced
ecologist to assess the locations of any active bird’s nests prior to works commencing. If
active nests are found, work exclusion zones should be established and maintained with
guidance from the ecologist until nesting activity has finished. Note that individuals of some
species may nest outside the main breeding season, such as Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon,
Feral Pigeon and Barn Owl. If breeding birds are found or suspected during works, all activity
within the area should be stopped and guidance should be sought from a suitably
experienced ecologist.
Noting that barn owls can have active nests at any time of year, where works may affect
buildings (or their immediate surroundings) which are used by nesting barn owls (Buildings
C33, C91, Mag 22, Mag 56 and Mag 93) or buildings where the absence of nesting barn
owls could not be confirmed (Buildings C4, C57 and Mag 08), surveys should be undertaken
by a licensed barn owl surveyor prior to works commencing to avoid disturbance to nesting
barn owls.
Based upon the results of those surveys and the timing and nature of the proposed works,
advice from the surveyor should be followed with regard to compliance with the law and best
practice. This may include measures such as the establishment of a work exclusion zone
around buildings until breeding activity has finished, retention of access holes into buildings1
or the provision of alternative nest sites (e.g. Barn Owl boxes) when buildings require
removal.
2 Introduction
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2. Introduction 2.1 BACKGROUND
Capita Symonds Ecologists, Blackburn were commissioned in April 2009 by Allerdale
Borough Council and Cumbria County Council to undertake barn owl and breeding bird
surveys at the Derwent Forest site near Cockermouth. The surveys were required to
ascertain the presence of barn owls and their nests and any breeding birds that could be
impacted up on through the scheduled asbestos remediation works.
2.2 RELEVANT LEGISLATION & POLICY1
2.2.1 LEGISLATION
The European Community Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the Conservation of Wild Birds
(commonly known as the ‘Birds Directive’) provides a framework for the conservation and
management of wild birds in member states. Species listed in Annex 1 of the Birds Directive
are subject to special conservation measures through the designation of Special Protection
Areas (SPA) to safeguard important sites and habitats within their area of distribution.
The Birds Directive is transposed into English law by the Wildlife & Countryside Act (WCA)
1981, as amended by the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000 and the Natural
Environment and Rural Communities (NERC) Act 2006.
All wild birds, their nests and eggs are protected under The Wildlife and Countryside Act
1981 (as amended), which amongst other things makes it an offence to:
• Intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird;
• Intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird whilst it is in use or
being built;
• Intentionally take or destroy the egg of any wild bird; and
• Intentionally or recklessly disturb any wild bird listed on Schedule 1 (e.g. Barn Owl)
while it is nest building, or at a nest containing eggs or young, or disturb the
dependent young of such a bird.
In addition, Section 40 of the NERC Act 2006 places a duty on public authorities to have due
regard for biodiversity and nature conservation during the course of their operations.
2.2.2 POLICY
Planning Policy Statement 9 (PPS9) and its accompanying document ODPM 06/2005 sets
out government policy on biodiversity and nature conservation and places a duty on planners
to consider impacts on legally protected species as a material consideration in determining
planning applications. PPS9 also promotes sustainable development by ensuring that
developments take account of the role and value of biodiversity and that it is conserved and
enhanced within the development.
1 Please note that this legal information is a summary and intended for general guidance only. The original legal documents
should be consulted for definitive information. Web addresses providing access to the full text of these documents are given
in the References & Bibliography section.
2 Introduction
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Page 4
• The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) (Anon, 1995), as amended, written to
fulfil the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992, to which the UK is a signatory,
has produced a national priority species list (including 59 species of bird) with all
species included having Species Action Plans. Regional and local BAPs have also
been written and adopted to develop plans for species of nature conservation
importance at regional and local levels.
2.3 PERSONNEL AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
All ecologists employed by Capita Symonds are members of, or are under application for,
membership of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) and follow
the Institute’s code of professional conduct when undertaking ecological work.
Surveys have been undertaken based on the Common Bird Census methodology (Gilbert et
al., 1998).
All survey work and reporting has been undertaken by specialist sub-contractor Dr Des
Callaghan MIEEM, Principal Ecologist of Ecostudy. He has been a professional ecologist for
18 years. He holds a survey license for Barn Owls and has significant experience with
surveying birds. Des is a Full Member of the Institute of Ecology and Environmental
Management (IEEM) and operates within their Code of Professional Conduct.
3 Methods
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3. Methods 3.1 FIELD SURVEY
3.1.1 BARN OWL
All buildings with roofs (n=281) within the site were searched for signs of Barn Owl presence
during daytime on 10-12th June and 16-18th June 2009. Signs that were searched/listened
for included feathers, droppings, pellets, nesting debris and the hissing-calls of birds at
nests. Searching was aided by a high-powered spot-lamp.
3.1.2 BREEDING BIRDS
While undertaking the Barn Owl survey, walked transects (total length = 23.8 km; Figure 1)
between buildings were surveyed for breeding birds. This involved identifying and counting
the number of birds seen/heard along transect routes and noting any evidence of breeding.
The aim was to gain a basic understanding of the species present within the site and their
relative abundance, rather than undertake a detailed breeding bird survey. At the end of the
survey, the breeding status of each species within the site was estimated as follows:
• Confirmed breeding – good evidence of breeding activity observed (e.g. territory
defence, juvenile birds and food-carrying).
• Likely breeding – good evidence of breeding activity not observed, but >50%
probability of breeding on-site based on habitat suitability and species abundance.
• Possible breeding – good evidence of breeding activity not observed, and <50%
probability of breeding on-site based on habitat suitability and species abundance.
• Non-breeding – evidence of breeding activity not observed and very unlikely to be
breeding on-site based on habitat suitability.
4 Site Description
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4. Site Description
The Derwent Forest site was formerly a Royal Navy Armaments Depot (RNAD), a Ministry of
Defence (MOD) site known as Broughton Moor. The site covers approximately 425 hectares
and is located north west of Cockermouth in Cumbria. There are approximately 283
buildings across the site that was decommissioned approximately 25 years ago. In the
intervening years a range of habitats have gown up and the buildings that cover the site
have been left open to grazing cattle that were on site until June 2009. Trespassers have
also regularly accessed the site and used the buildings or vandalised them to some extent.
Habitats on site comprise unimproved neutral and calcareous grassland, semi-improved
grassland, a significant area of coniferous plantation woodland in the centre of the site
named Ribton Wood and broadleaved plantation woodland that extends into the site as gills
on the west of the site known as Holdens Gill and Bottoms Wood. Streams run through
these gills off the site. In the centre of the site is a large colliery spoil heap dating from the
time when Buckhill Colliery operated coal mining at the site. Several ponds can be found
across the site some of which are man-made ponds and reservoirs.
5 Results
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5. Results 5.1 FIELD SURVEYS
5.1.1 BARN OWL
The full results of the buildings inspection for Barn Owls are presented in Appendix A and a
summary is provided in Table 1. Figure 2 shows the location of confirmed active nests.
Evidence of Barn Owl presence was found in a large number of buildings (n=150; 53%),
though in most there was no signs of recent use (e.g. fresh pellets were found in only eleven
buildings). It appears that at least some birds use many different buildings as occasional
roosts over the course of an annual cycle. A total of five active nests were found (Buildings
C33, C91, Mag 22, Mag 56 and Mag 93; Figure 2; Photographs 1 to 3), plus three further
buildings could not be checked adequately and hence there is a risk that active nests were
present but not detected (Buildings C4, C57 and Mag 08). This represents a high density of
nest sites (1.25 breeding pairs/km2), which is probably due mainly to the high frequency of
suitable nest locations within the site (in the disused buildings) coupled with a large area of
good quality grassland feeding habitat nearby. The lack of disturbance within the site may
also be of benefit.
5.1.2 BREEDING BIRDS
Results of the breeding bird survey are included in Appendix B and a summary is provided in
Table 2. In addition to the species listed in Appendix B, incidental records collected during
other field surveys on-site found Grey Wagtail, Oystercatcher, Red-legged Partridge and
Grey Partridge. The latter two were confirmed as breeding and Grey Wagtail is possibly
breeding. Oystercatcher was a fly-over observation and the species was not breeding on-
site. In total, 53 species were observed, of which 40 were either confirmed or likely breeders
on-site. All of the species encountered are either common or frequent within the UK and
each is expected to occur within the local region. Nine of the species are included in the
latest national Red List for birds (Eaton et al. 2009), including Grey Partridge, Herring Gull,
Lapwing, Lesser Redpoll, Linnet, Skylark, Song Thrush, Starling and Yellowhammer. The
only specially protected species recorded was Barn Owl, while the commonest species
seen/heard were Meadow Pipit, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Wren,
Yellowhammer and Linnet.
6 Recommendations
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6. Recommendations 6.1 RECOMMENDATION 1 – PROTECTION OF NESTING BIRDS
Rationale – to protect nesting birds in accordance with the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981
(as amended).
Site clearance and preparation works affecting areas that may be used by nesting birds (e.g.
buildings, scrub and rough grassland), should be undertaken outside the main bird breeding
season (March – September). When this is not reasonably possible, a survey should be
undertaken by a suitably experienced ecologist to assess the locations of any active bird’s
nests prior to works commencing. If active nests are found, work exclusion zones should be
established and maintained with guidance from the ecologist until nesting activity has
finished. Note that individuals of some species may nest outside the main breeding season,
such as Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Feral Pigeon and Barn Owl. If breeding birds are found
or suspected during works, all activity within the area should be stopped and guidance
should be sought from a suitably experienced ecologist.
6.2 RECOMMENDATION 2 – PROTECTION OF NESTING BARN OWLS
Rationale – to protect nesting Barn Owls in accordance with the Wildlife & Countryside Act
1981 (as amended).
Noting that Barn Owls can have active nests at any time of year, where works may affect
buildings (or their immediate surroundings) which are used by nesting Barn Owls (Buildings
C33, C91, Mag 22, Mag 56 and Mag 93) or buildings where the absence of nesting Barn
Owls could not be confirmed (Buildings C4, C57 and Mag 08), surveys should be undertaken
by a licensed Barn Owl surveyor prior to works commencing. Based upon the results of
those surveys and the timing and nature of the proposed works, advice from the surveyor
should be followed with regard to compliance with the law and best practice. This may
include measures such as the establishment of a work exclusion zone around buildings until
breeding activity has finished, retention of access holes into buildings1 or the provision of
alternative nest sites (e.g. Barn Owl boxes) when buildings require removal.
7 References
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7. References
Anon (1995) The UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Joint Nature Conservation Committee,
Peterborough.
Eaton M.A., Brown A.F., Noble D.G., Musgrove A.J., Hearn R.D., Aebischer N.J., Gibbons
D.W., Evans A. & Gregory R.D. 2009. Birds of Conservation Concern 3: the population
status of birds in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands and Isle of Man. British Birds 102:
296-341.
www.bou.org.uk (Accessed 02/07/2009)
www.bto.org (Accessed 02/07/2009)
www.naturalengland.org.uk (Accessed 02/07/2009)
www.nbn.org.uk (Accessed 02/07/2009)
www.ukbap.org.uk (Accessed 02/07/2009)
Web addresses for access to full UK legislation and policy text:
Birds Directive:
eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/consleg/1979/L/01979L0409-20070101-en
Conservation (Natural Habitats &c.) Regulations 1994:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1994/uksi_19942716_en_1
Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981:
www.opsi.gov.uk/RevisedStatutes/Acts/ukpga/1981/cukpga_19810069_en_1
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000:
www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/20000037.htm
Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2006/ukpga_20060016_en_1
Planning Policy Statement 9:
www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/147408
Appendix A Barn Owl Survey Results
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Appendix A Barn Owl Survey Results
Appendix A Barn Owl Survey Results
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Appendix A Barn Owl Survey Results
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Appendix A Barn Owl Survey Results
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Appendix A Barn Owl Survey Results
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Appendix A Barn Owl Survey Results
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Appendix B Breeding Bird Survey Results
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Appendix B Breeding Bird Survey Results
Appendix B Breeding Bird Survey Results
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Appendix C Photographs
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Appendix C Photographs
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Appendix D Location of Transects
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Appendix D Location of Transects