Biodiversity News

Harbour porpoise
(Photo credit: G Cresswell)

Help Record Dolphins, Whales and Porpoises off the Norfolk Coast!

We often associate dolphins, whales and porpoises with exotic locations, but many species can be seen right here along the Norfolk coast. To help improve our understanding of the distribution of these species, the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership has teamed up with a number of other organisations to develop an identification leaflet and recording card. If you are lucky enough to see a dolphin, whale or porpoise along the coast, please help us to conserve these special creatures by completing and posting a survey card.

If you would like to download a copy of the identification leaflet and recording card, please click here. Copies of the leaflet can also be obtained free-of-charge from the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership.
 

British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) joins the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership.

In February 2008, the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership was delighted to welcome the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) as its 19th member. Established in 1933, BTO is an independent, scientific research trust, investigating the populations, movements and ecology of wild birds in the British Isles. BTO's speciality is the design and implementation of volunteer wild bird surveys. To learn more about the BTO and ways of becoming involved in its survey work, please click here.
 

(Photo credit: Andrew Collins)

Help record the ways in which climate change is affecting Norfolk's wildlife.

Norfolk Wildlife Trust is asking people to "Make a Date with Wildlife" and to help record the ways in which climate change is affecting wildlife in the county. To take part in this simple survey, all you have to do is record the earliest dates that you see certain wildlife events happening in Norfolk. There are five 'Indications of Spring' in total to record, but you can do as many or as few as you like - every single record counts! Keep your eyes peeled for such things as the first clump of frog spawn, the first swallow, the first orange tip butterfly, the first open hawthorn flower and the first fully opened oak leaf. The survey runs from February to the end of May and results will be passed on to the Woodland Trust, Norfolk Biological Records Centre and the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society. To download a copy of the survey card, please click here. For more information and details, please visit the Norfolk Wildlife Trust website.
 

Mistletoe
(Photo credit: Mike Dawson)

Take part in the Norfolk mistletoe survey!

Can you spot mistletoe growing in your area? With funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the European Social Fund, the Norfolk Wildlife Trust is running a survey to map mistletoe within the county of Norfolk. The grubbing up of traditional apple and pear orchards has destroyed one of the most important habitats for this plant. Changing climate may also be affecting its distribution in Norfolk. Winter is the best time to spot this distinctive evergreen growing in clumps amongst the branches of trees. You can download a survey card by clicking here or alternatively, you can complete an online survey card at Norfolk Wildlife Trust.

WARNING - Crayfish Plague on the River Waveney

There has been an outbreak of crayfish plague on the River Waveney. This disease is a great threat to our rare native crayfish if it gets into other river systems. The co-operation of all river users is sought to help prevent the spread of crayfish plague to other river systems and lakes.

Plague spores can be carried in water or on damp equipment. If you are planning to use your canoe or other equipment in a river system other than the Waveney within the next six weeks, please follow these procedures:

• Clean off all mud and vegetation and empty out any standing water

Then either

• Allow equipment to dry thoroughly including all nooks and crannies. This includes sponges etc used for washing

Or

• Apply or immerse in disinfectant. The best ones to use are iodophores (sold as udder wash) or Virkon S, available through agricultural suppliers. If these are not available, bleach or anti-fungicidal products can be used.

Click here to see the full press release from the Environment Agency and to read more detailed guidelines on disinfection.

More information can also be obtained by ringing the Environment Agency on 08708 506506.

Norfolk Biodiversity Forum Explores the Linkages between Health and Nature

Contact with nature can lead to significant mental and physical health benefits, and could help the NHS make large savings when treating depression, stress-related diseases and obesity. This is the message that participants at the Norfolk Biodiversity Forum on 11 October 2007 heard from a range of speakers, including Prof Jules Pretty OBE, the Head of the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Essex.

A growing body of empirical evidence is now available, documenting the health and other benefits that can result from exposure to nature through 'green exercise', such as walks in the out-of-doors. Research by the University of Essex, for example, has shown that green exercise can lower stress levels, boost self-esteem, lower blood pressure and help to tackle obesity. Green exercise can also help people to develop new skills and form social connections.

To explore the linkages between health and nature in greater depth, the Norfolk Biodiversity Forum brought together nearly 100 of the county's conservationists and public health experts. In addition to Prof Jules Pretty, other speakers at the Forum included: Marya Parker, who talked about the BTCV's Green Gym Project; Ian Plowman, who spoke about the Naturally Active Network; and Carrie Kerry, who gave a presentation about the Central Norfolk Health Walks Project.

For more information about the research and projects discussed at the Norfolk Biodiversity Forum, please visit the following links:

http://www.essex.ac.uk/bs/staff/pretty/green_ex.shtm
http://www.heron.nhs.uk/organisationdetails.asp?id=22113&search_id=292902&search_type=b
http://www.naturallyactive.org/
http://www.norwichfringeproject.co.uk/healthwalks.html

For more general information about the contributions that nature can make to physical and mental well-being, please see the following:

http://www.mind.org.uk/mindweek
http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/policy/health/index.asp

Annual Update for 2006/07 now available

The Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership's Annual Update for 2006/07 has now been published. It provides a summary of the Partnership's achievements over the last year, as well as information on:

• The latest developments with the ecological network mapping project
• The work of the eight Topic Groups
• Priorities for 2007-08

To find out more about the Partnership's latest activities, please download the Annual Update by clicking here.

The cliff comber beetle
(Nebria livida)
Photo credit: Andrew Whitehouse

Searching for invertebrates
at Overstrand
Photo credit: Scott Perkin

Rare invertebrates found on Norfolk's coastal cliffs

Recent surveys of the soft cliffs along the coast of Norfolk have recorded hundreds of invertebrate species, including the spectacular cliff comber beetle (Nebria livida), a nocturnal predator only found in the UK on a handful of sites, and the rare burrowing rove beetle (Bledius filipes), which is found only in Norfolk.

In 2006, the conservation charity Buglife organised an invertebrate survey of Norfolk's soft cliffs, with funding support from the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership, the Environment Agency and the Courtyard Farm Trust. The survey results confirm the biodiversity importance of these special areas and highlight the need for sensitive management approaches.

Although they have often gone unrecognised, coastal soft cliffs are among the most wildlife-rich habitats in the UK.

On 19 July 2007, Buglife and the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership held a workshop in Southrepps, North Norfolk, to discuss the ecology of soft cliffs and to explore ways of protecting and enhancing their wildlife value. The meeting discussed the findings of the recent surveys in Norfolk, and also saw the regional launch of the new Buglife report, Managing Coastal Soft Cliffs for Invertebrates. The meeting concluded with a visit to the soft cliffs at Overstrand and a search for invertebrates along the coast.

For more information about Buglife and the management of soft cliffs, please visit the Buglife website at: www.buglife.org.uk.
To download a copy of the Norfolk invertebrate survey report, please click here.

Steve Cook receiving his Community Biodiversity Award from the Lord Mayor

(Photo credit: Keith Whitmore)

Norfolk's community conservation projects receive awards

Four local conservation projects received awards at the Springwatch Festival on 16 June 2007 for their outstanding contributions to wildlife in the county and their engagement with local communities.

The "Community Biodiversity Awards" are presented each year by the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership to the best community wildlife projects in the county. They recognise the efforts of local people in achieving improvements for the wildlife of Norfolk and reward excellence in this area.
 

• South Norfolk Council Countryside Team and Volunteers won the Site Award for working in partnership to create a valuable new wetland area at Frenze Beck.
• Sutton First School received the Education Award for creating an outstanding wildlife garden within the school grounds.
• Compo won the Group Award for its innovative and successful community recycling and composting scheme.
• Steve Cook, who has been running Norwich Environmental Weekenders for over 13 years, received the Individual Award.

Paul Holley, Chair of the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership's Communities and Nature Topic Group, said: "The Community Biodiversity Awards offer a great opportunity to showcase the work being done by volunteers to care for Norfolk's natural heritage. This year, we have had more nominations than ever, and picking winners from such a range of excellent projects proved very difficult, although any organisations or individuals who did not receive an award this year will be eligible to enter next year's competition. I hope that the Community Biodiversity Awards help prove that local groups and individuals really can make a difference, and will encourage even more people to become involved in caring for their wildlife and natural environment."

Four Honourable Mentions were also awarded, to the following:

• Ian and Rosemary McIntosh, in recognition of the improvements that have been made to Sandwade Mere County Wildlife Site (Site Category).
• Old Buckenham Primary School, for the development of its wildlife area and pond (Education Category).
• The River Glaven Conservation Group, in recognition of its activities to conserve and restore wildlife habitats along the river corridor (Local Group Category).
• Dick Hamond, for his valuable contributions to the advancement of our understanding of the marine fauna of the north Norfolk coast (Individual Category).

For more information about the award winners and their projects, please click here.

New list of UK BAP species and habitats released

The much-anticipated report of the Species and Habitats Review can now be downloaded from the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) website. The review represents the results of over three years of work and the input of over 500 experts from across the UK.

The aim of the Species and Habitat Review was to ensure that the UK Biodiversity Action Plan remains focussed on the correct priorities for action. The original list of UK BAP species and habitats was developed over ten years ago and was in need of updating in order to take account of new information, evolving priorities and emerging drivers such as devolution. The new list of priority species and habitats resulting from the review will now be put to Ministers for formal adoption.

Amongst other measures, the report recommends:

• The addition of eight new terrestrial habitats, including traditional orchards, open mosaic habitats on previously developed land, rivers (incorporating the existing chalk rivers habitat), ponds, and oligotrophic and dystrophic lakes;
• The addition of eight new marine habitats, including intertidal boulder communities and estuarine rocky habitats;
• The addition of 695 new species, including 32 birds (amongst them - the house sparrow, common starling and lesser-spotted woodpecker), 230 lower plants and fungi, 235 invertebrates and 137 vascular plants. The report has also recommended the removal of 123 species from the previous list, bringing the total number of UK BAP priority species to 1,149.

The report has important implications for the work and strategic direction of the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership, and will be discussed in detail at future meetings of the BAP Steering Group.

BBC Breathing Places Campaign launched to aid wildlife in Norwich

With the strapline of "Do One Thing", BBC Breathing Places aims to breathe new life into urban wildlife in cities across the UK. Tim Bishop, Head of Local and Regional Programmes in the East, said:

"We are asking everyone who comes to the Springwatch Festival to " Do One Thing " for wildlife in Norwich. It could be something as simple as putting up a nest box in their back garden or as ambitious as helping to create a wildlife garden on a local housing estate or in hospital grounds. The more people who take simple actions for wildlife in Norwich the bigger difference we can make together."

"By working with Norwich City Council, and local wildlife and conservation groups like Natural England, the Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV), we hope that BBC Breathing Places will inspire thousands of people to take simple actions to help to help transform the city for wildlife and turn Norwich into a Breathing Place."

Norwich City Council and local wildlife organisations - in partnership with BBC Breathing Places - have set targets for their year of wild action. Ideas are eclectic: from a wildlife roundabout, butterfly gardens and pond dipping; to a green safari, orchard planting and a new bog garden. Each initiative is specific to the individual city taking part and designed to inspire local residents to join BBC Breathing Places.

Aside from launching the new initiative, Norwich's Springwatch Festival will also offer the perfect family day out. From close up encounters with wildlife, to trying a range of activities, joining a Springwatch Garden Party, or learning how to become a Springwatch Tracker, there is something for everyone! Under five's will be able to get active and take part in Springwatch Spotter activities. In addition, the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership will be holding a short ceremony at the bandstand at 11:30am, at which the four winners of the 2006 Community Biodiversity Awards will be announced.

The BBC Breathing Places cities are: Derry - Londonderry - Swansea - Glasgow - Hull - Birmingham - Newham (for London) - Southampton - Manchester - Norwich - Peterborough - Derby - Newcastle - Gateshead - Brighton - Bristol - Plymouth.

For information about the Norwich Event, call Emma Bacon on 01603 212381.

For more information about BBC Breathing Places, and details of the attractions that will feature at all fifteen Springwatch Festivals across the UK, email: nina.bell@bbc.co.uk or call 0117 9746640.

Defra publishes biodiversity guidance for public authorities

On 22 May 2007, Defra released its much-anticipated guidance on the implementation of the new biodiversity duty contained in the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (2006). The duty states that: "Every public authority must, in exercising its functions, have regard, so far as is consistent with the proper exercise of those functions, to the purpose of conserving biodiversity." Over 900 public authorities are affected by the new duty, including: district councils; county councils; fire, police and health bodies; museums; and transport authorities.

Two sets of guidance are available:
1) specific guidance aimed at addressing the requirements of local authorities; and
2) more general guidance aimed at all public authorities. Both sets of guidance contain a wealth of case studies and practical suggestions, and can be downloaded from the Defra website at: www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/biodiversity/

Biodiversity Partnership Gains Two New Members

The Biodiversity Partnership recently welcomed two new members to its Steering Group: the Water Management Alliance (formerly the King's Lynn Consortium of Internal Drainage Boards) and the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society.

Both organisations add significant new strengths to the Partnership. The Water Management Alliance is the largest organisation of its kind in the UK and a governing authority for flood protection throughout the county. The Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society was founded in 1869 and is the county's oldest natural history organisation; it is actively involved in research, biological recording and education.

More information about both organisations can be found on their respective websites, www.klcidb.co.uk and www.nnns.org.uk. The total membership of the Steering Group now stands at 18 organisations, representing a very wide array of interests and biodiversity expertise.

Members of the
Norfolk Heaths Forum
at Brandon Park

Photo credit - Scott Perkin
 

Heaths Forum Visits the Brecks

What is the role of rabbits in maintaining the biodiversity of the Brecks? Is nitrogen deposition leading to a shift in vegetation composition? Should heathland managers aim to reduce nutrients by turf stripping?

These were just a few of the issues considered by over 35 "heathland practitioners" from Norfolk and Suffolk, who gathered in the Brecks on 25 April 2007 under the umbrella of the Biodiversity Partnership's Heaths Forum.

Building Biodiversity and Open Space into Local Development Frameworks

How can biodiversity and open space be effectively incorporated into the new Local Development Frameworks (LDFs) that are currently being prepared by local authorities?

This was the central question addressed by a successful, one-day workshop organised by the Norfolk and Suffolk Biodiversity Partnerships on 4 September 2006. The workshop was held at the offices of the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) in Thetford and attracted almost 50 participants, including planners and ecologists from nearly every local authority in Norfolk and Suffolk. Specialist presentations were made by Mike Oxford from the Association of Local Government Ecologists (ALGE) and Andrew McNab, a director of Scott Wilson Ltd and a representative of CABE Space. To view the presentations made by these two speakers, please click on the links below.

PowerPoint Presentations
(1) Mike Oxford
(2) Mike Oxford
Andrew McNab

A fen in Aslacton Parish
Photo Credit: Steve Henson,
Norfolk Wildlife Trust

In Search of Norfolk's Fens

Norfolk is considered to have the best representation of fen types in England. However, fen vegetation has declined significantly in the last 100 years, and continues to do so, mainly as a result of neglect, desiccation (caused by drainage and abstraction), cultivation, and enrichment (often from polluted water run-off).

To help address some of these concerns, the Fens Assessment Project was set up in January 2005, with funding from the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership, Breckland District Council and the Environment Agency.

• Create, for the first time, a map showing the distribution of non-SSSI fen sites outside the Broads area;
• Assess the management and condition of individual sites, as a means of identifying those most urgently in need of conservation action.

As a first step, a comprehensive list of sites was compiled, using the County Wildlife Site database, aerial photographs and soil maps. These were then mapped, and a detailed database consisting of 25 information fields created. In total, the project identified and mapped 678 sites outside the Broads.

In addition to this mapping work, the condition and management status of approximately 200 sites were assessed in the field. Walk-over surveys at these sites revealed that almost two-thirds are currently either in decline or in unfavourable condition, with the fen vegetation destroyed in about 3% of cases.

Approximately 160 sites have now been identified as high priorities for future conservation work, of which 20 have been particularly earmarked for action. The next phase of the project will seek to work with land owners at these sites, in order to introduce the management changes necessary to improve site condition.

Please click here to download a copy of the project's summary report.

For more information, please contact:

Andrina Walmsley
Norfolk Wildlife Trust
Email: andrinaw@norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk
 

Ecological networks benefit both people and wildlife

Draft final report of ecological network project now available

The report identifies core biodiversity areas in Norfolk as well as strategic opportunities for habitat enhancement and creation. It includes a set of maps for priority BAP habitats, as well as practical recommendations for establishing an ecological network for the county. To see the full report, please click here.

(Photo Credit: Helen Ward)

Norfolk's wildlife champions receive awards

Four Norfolk conservation projects have received Community Biodiversity Awards from the Biodiversity Partnership, for their outstanding contributions to wildlife in the county and their engagement with local communities:

• The Hawk and Owl Trust wins the Site Award for restoring a neglected wetland at Sculthorpe Moor into a wildlife haven and creating a community nature reserve.
• Costessey High School wins the Education Award for creating a wildlife garden which not only benefits biodiversity but also serves as a valuable educational resource.
• The Friends of Fiddlewood wins the Group Award. This group of local residents has greatly enhanced a formerly neglected urban woodland on the Fiddlewood estate in Norwich.
• Alwyn Jackson wins the Individual Award. Alwyn is a local volunteer who for many years has worked to conserve and improve the habitat and wildlife of Sparham Pools and a number of other sites.

Matthew Davies, Co-Chair of the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership's Communities and Nature Topic Group, said: "All of these projects have made exceptional contributions, not only to wildlife but also to the local communities in their areas. I am delighted that they are receiving the recognition they deserve."

The awards were presented by Dr Gerry Barnes (Chair of the Biodiversity Partnership) and BBC Radio Norfolk's Gary Standley, at a short ceremony held at Norwich City Hall on 6 July 2006.

Sand martin holes
at Grimston Warren pit

Digging the Benefits

Not normally natural bedfellows, the aggregates and environmental professions came together on 21 June 2006 at a successful conference jointly hosted by Norfolk County Council and the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership. The meeting - entitled Not Just Newts! - looked at the positive contributions the minerals industry can make to wildlife conservation and enhancement in the county.

For a summary of the conference presentations, please click here.

(click on image
to download document)

Annual Update, 2005-2006

The Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership has continued to be very active over the last year. To find out more about the Partnership's latest projects and achievements, please download the Annual Update for 2005-2006 by clicking on the link to the left. The update includes:

• A summary of recent biodiversity policy developments at the national level
• An overview of the Partnership's work on wood-pasture and traditional orchards
• News from the eight Topic Groups
• Priorities for 2006-2007

and much more...

(click on image
to download document)

(Please note that it will take up to
6 minutes to download
on an average computer)

New Publication on Ecological Networks

At the beginning of 2005, the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership launched a new initiative aimed at supporting the creation of an ecological network for the county. As a first step, the Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the Biodiversity Partnership have now released a summary document entitled, Making Space for Wildlife and People: Creating an Ecological Network for Norfolk. The publication has been prepared in order to provide a concise overview of the rationale for ecological networks and should be of interest to all those involved in land-use planning, including local authorities, forward planners, development control officers, Local Development Framework officers and agri-environment advisors.

Amongst other topics, the document provides a summary of:

•  the problems of habitat fragmentation and the need for a landscape scale approach;
• the different components that comprise an ecological network;
• the many conservation and socio-economic benefits associated with ecological networks; and
• potential delivery mechanisms.

The publication also provides a helpful list of additional references and websites.

(click on image
to download document)

Annual Update, 2004-2005

A tremendous amount has been achieved over the last year by the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership. To find out more about the Partnership's latest activities, please download the Annual Update by clicking on the link to the left. The update includes information on:

• Heathlands and nightjars
• The work of the eight Topic Groups
• Priorities for 2005-06

and much more...

Topic Group

Presenter

Focus of the Presentation

Heathland Group

Helen Dixon

(English Nature)

The challenges and prospects for healthland re-creation in Norfolk, and the need for specialists.

Coastal Group

Peter Lambley

(English Nature)

Local Nature Reserve designation, and the use of the coast as an educational resource.

Woodland Group

Gerry Barnes

(Norfolk County Council)

Ways of funding woodland work, and of expanding the area under woodland.

Wetlands Group

Reg Land

(Norfolk Wildlife Trust)

Progress towards the achievement of the various species and habitat targets.

Large Areas for Wildlife Group

Reg Land

(Norfolk Wildlife Trust)

The development of large areas for wildlife.

Farmland Group

Paul Wilkinson

(Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership)

Biodiversity best practice guidance for farmers.

Communities and Nature Group

Karina Dingerkus

(Norwich City Council)

Encouraging public action for biodiversity

Water Bodies Group

Rob Dryden

 (Environment Agency)

Filling the remaining data gaps.

(click on image
to download document)

Biodiversity Partnership Update

The members of the Partnership have been very busy. Download the update to catch up on the latest areas of work, and plans for the future... The update includes information on:

• traditional orchards 
• the new national biodiversity reporting system 
• the work of the Topic Groups
  and much more...!