Sherwood Forest Natural Area Profile

Sherwood Natural Area Profile

Summary Sherwood is a unique area for wildlife in the East Midlands, with an intimate mix of heathlands, unimproved grasslands, ancient oak woods and riverside wetlands supporting a rich and significant diversity of wildlife. The veteran trees are of particular note for supporting internationally important populations of invertebrates.

The Natural Area concept allows us to take significant steps forward in conservation terms, and offers a genuine opportunity to address the conservation of the wider countryside. This document sets out a long term vision for the area to conserve the wildlife not just for s but for generations to come.

Andrew Windrum Natural Areas Project Officer East Midlands Team July 1997

Foreword One of the key components of English Nature’s Strategy for the 1990s has been the Natural Areas approach. We examined the local distinctiveness of each part of England, to identify their characteristic wildlife and natural features, and used this to define a comprehensive series of Natural Areas. Their boundaries are based on the distribution of wildlife and natural features, and on the land use pattern and human history of each area, and thus offer a more effective framework for the planning and achievement of nature conservation objectives than do administrative boundaries. They are not designations.

Wildlife is not restricted to designated and protected sites such as nature reserves or SSSIs; it occurs throughout the countryside, coast and built up areas of England. No part of the country is without some wildlife interest. The Natural Areas approach gives us a way of determining priorities for nature conservation areas with ecological and landscape integrity, and to set objectives which reflect these priorities. Together, all Natural Areas provide a powerful vision for nature conservation right across England.

The achievement of the objectives described for each Natural Area will be a key part of or new strategy Beyond 2000. The objectives will guide our work over the coming years, and we hope Natural Areas will allow us to help others in achieving what is best for nature conservation locally.

This Natural Area profile is one of a series of 120, one for each Natural Area. In it we describe the wildlife and natural features of the area, and what makes it special and distinctive. Each Natural Area profile is different, since it describes and reflects the local distinctiveness of the area, and therefore includes nature conservation objectives which are particular to that area. The profiles have been written after a wide range of local consultations, both on the boundaries of the Natural Areas themselves and on these profiles.

We hope you will find this document useful, and look forward to working with you to maintain and enhance the wildlife and natural features of England.

Dr Derek Langslow Chief Executive

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Contents Foreword 1.

Summary ........................................................................................................................6

2.

Introduction..................................................................................................................10 2.1 The Natural Area concept................................................................................10 2.2 The Natural Area profile ..................................................................................10 2.3 Sherwood Natural Area....................................................................................11 2.4 Context: Natural Areas and the UK Biodiversity Action Plan ........................13

3.

Nature conservation features........................................................................................15 3.1 Physical features ..............................................................................................15 3.2 Lowland heath..................................................................................................17 3.3 Woodlands .......................................................................................................19 3.4 Freshwater........................................................................................................22 3.5 Farmland ..........................................................................................................24

4.

Summary ......................................................................................................................28 4.1 Evaluation of nature conservation features......................................................28 4.2 Wildlife species................................................................................................29

5.

The future.....................................................................................................................32 5.1 Objectives for nature conservation ..................................................................32

6.

Conclusion ...................................................................................................................36

Appendix 1 - Glossary of terms ...............................................................................................37 Appendix 2 - Organisations and individuals consulted over the profile..................................39 Appendix 3 - Bibliography ......................................................................................................40 Appendix 4 - Rare plants in Sherwood Natural Area ..............................................................42 Appendix 5 - Core Profiles and research reports.....................................................................43

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Map 1. Natural Areas of England

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Map 2. Sherwood Natural Area

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Summary

What are Natural Areas?

The whole of England has been divided up into Natural Areas. Their borders do not follow existing administrative boundaries, but are defined by their wildlife, natural features, land use and human history. In many cases they also share similar landscapes. Natural Areas provide the framework for much of English Nature's work and form the context of national and local Biodiversity Action Plan targets.

Purpose of this document

Our long term goal is to maintain, enhance and restore the natural wildlife and geological exposures of each Natural Area. This document provides clear objectives to this end.

The purpose of the document is to be visionary and unconstrained by current restrictions. This profile briefly describes and evaluates the wildlife and geological features of Sherwood Natural Area. It summarises the issues which affect the nature conservation resource and concludes with the long-term visionary objectives through which the nature conservation interest could be maintained and enriched.

Sherwood

Land use in the Natural Area is dominated by agriculture and conifer plantations. Despite this, there are a number of important habitats remaining. These include heathlands, ancient broadleaved woodlands, wet woodlands, wood pasture, streams and rivers. The habitats support a vast range of characteristic and rare species such as the internationally important diversity of deadwood invertebrates supported by the veteran oak trees.

Nature conservation features

Physical features The principal geology is acidic sandstone resulting in light, very dry, nutrient poor soil. A good exposure of the Sandstone can be seen at Castle Rock in the city. Water permeates quickly through to a deep extensive aquifer that provides Nottingham with an important source of water.

Water quality is an important issue and most of the catchment over the aquifer has been designated a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone.

Lowland heath Extensive heathland was once a characteristic feature of Sherwood. It is now fragmented and only 250ha remain, largely found in the parklands of the Dukeries.

Characteristic heathland comprises of a mosaic of heathers and acid grassland and is floristically distinct from the heathlands in Hampshire and Dorset. Locally rare shrubs include petty whin, dwarf gorse and bilberry. Nationally rare birds include nightjar and woodlark. The rich and important invertebrate community includes the green tiger beetle.

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Woodland Woodland cover is high in this Natural Area although only a small proportion is ancient or semi-natural, the rest comprises of conifer plantations. Long established woodland is limited to a few fragments, dominated by oak and birch. Wet woodlands, characterised by alder and willow, line several streams. Internationally important wood pastures, containing veteran stag-headed oaks, are found in the parklands of the Dukeries. They support a massive array of deadwood invertebrates and birds.

Important species also include bats such as noctule and Natterer's.

Freshwater Due to the naturally porous quality of the sandstone, wetlands are scarce. However, a few rivers flow across the Natural Area's incised valleys and there are several ornamental lakes left from the days of the landscaped Dukery Estates. Some of these contain features such as reed beds and marsh, provide important habitats for wildlife particularly breeding and wintering wildfowl. Nationally important species include the short-leaved water-starwort.

Farmland Farming is the principal land use of the Natural Area.

Important habitats on farms include 'unimproved' grasslands, hedges, streams and woodland copses. Birds such as lapwing, skylark, corn bunting, linnet and barn owl, and mammals such as the brown hare were once common sights on farms, but have declined in significant numbers because of modern farming methods. However, a realistic potential exists to improve current farming practice for the benefit of wildlife.

Nature conservation objectives for Sherwood Natural Area The purpose of the following objectives are to be visionary, and unconstrained by current restrictions.

Objective:

To maintain the extent and quality of the characteristic semi-natural habitats in the Natural Area, particularly the lowland heath, woodland and freshwater habitats.

Lowland heath • Secure the protection and appropriate management of all remaining heathland through suitable mechanisms such as the implementation of the Nottinghamshire Heathland Strategy. • Seek to control invasion of bracken and birch on important sites. • Encourage further management of ephemeral and permanent heathland in Forest Enterprise's commercial holdings in the area.

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•

Increase public participation in heathland to foster local appreciation and understanding.

Woodland • Protect and manage existing ancient and semi-natural woodlands, particularly wood pasture/parklands, wet woodlands and alder wood.

• Reintroduce appropriate management in suitable sites to increase the diversity of habitats and species within the woodlands, particularly to benefit important deadwood invertebrates.

• Seek the restoration of wood pasture from conifer plantations, particularly where veteran trees remain.

• Monitor the deadwood resource and foster the next generation of veteran trees.

Freshwater • Secure an appropriate water supply (in terms of quality, quantity and seasonality) to all significant wetland sites.

• Secure management to control vegetation succession and maintain interest at such sites, through appropriate schemes.

• Improve water quality and manage the water resource along rivers and streams where appropriate.

• Encourage appropriate habitat creation adjacent to rivers, streams and lakes.

• Promote greater diversity of natural river channel features.

Objective:

• • •

To increase the semi-natural and characteristic habitats in Sherwood Natural Area particularly lowland heath, woodland, freshwater and farmland habitats.

Identify, prioritise and implement a programme to recreate habitats which have declined or been lost and manage them sustainably. Priority habitats include lowland heath, woodland and freshwater.

Improve connectivity between species rich habitats by increasing the number of linear habitats such as hedge, ditch and stream habitats.

Work closely with mineral extraction companies and other developers at all stages of planning, development and restoration to ensure maximum benefit for wildlife.

Farmland • Protect the current extent of permanent grassland and field boundaries.

• Restore semi-natural grassland to optimal condition for wildlife.

• Increase area of wet grassland.

• Encourage mixed farming to meet conservation needs.

• Improve management of hedges for wildlife.

• Improve management of set-aside for wildlife.

• Encourage grass strips along hedges in arable fields, incorporate this with set-aside.

• Reform National and European agricultural policy to meet conservation needs.

• Encourage use of environmental land management schemes to restore, safeguard and recreate wildlife habitats within farmland in the Natural Area.

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Objective:

To survey and monitor habitats and species effectively.

A nature conservation audit of Sherwood's wildlife resource is important to allow us to assess what we have and what possibilities there maybe for enhancement.

• • • • • •

Survey and monitor sites of conservation interest that have been under-recorded, particularly wood pasture and standing water.

Monitor extent and quality of all semi-natural habitats.

Monitor and analyse water quality.

Encourage monitoring to ensure up to date information across Sherwood Natural Area as a whole.

Identify species groups that need further information and undertake the necessary steps to acquire the information necessary for their conservation.

Identify and monitor indicator species to ensure that management is effective and to provide early warning of a decline in nature conservation interest.

Objective: • • • • •

To maintain and enhance important species and populations that are characteristic of the Natural Area.

Manage semi-natural habitats to maintain populations of key species, particularly those internationally, nationally and locally important populations.

Assess the current distribution of key species and the status of their respective habitats.

Monitor key species to ensure their populations are not decreasing.

Maintain and enhance populations of these species at all current locations.

Investigate species extinctions, the feasibility of their re-introduction and where appropriate implement.

Objective:

To increase awareness of, and encourage appropriate use of the nature conservation resource to ensure that the countryside can be enjoyed by all, including future generations without damaging the Sherwood Natural Area.

It is important for the public to understand why Sherwood is so important. With such understanding, a desire to conserve and enhance will follow.

• • • • • • • •

Encourage an integrated approach to informal recreation at sites with high usage, to ensure that important sites retain favourable conservation status.

Promote links between nature conservation and cultural heritage to promote a local 'sense of place'.

Influence Local Authorities to designate and publicise more Local Nature Reserves.

Provide specialist advice on land management sympathetic to nature conservation.

Publicise the decline of habitats of Sherwood Natural Area and positive action to safeguard and restore habitats.

Promote the Natural Area in local schools as part of the National Curriculum.

Promote an understanding of the importance of sustainability and the interdependence of all living things.

Ensure that the UK Biodiversity Plan is implemented at a local level effectively.

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Objective: •

To ensure that the nationally important geological features of the Natural Area are maintained for future research and enjoyment.

•

Management to ensure nationally and regionally important exposures are not covered by scrub or are damaged by over use.

Greater use of the features as an educational tool and providing more information so that the public understand their importance.

Address potential conflict between mineral extraction industry, landfill and geological conservation.

Manage disused quarries in such a way that habitats are created for rare and typical plants and animals whilst maintaining the geological features.

Create opportunities for new geological features to be created and interpreted.

2.

Introduction

2.1

The Natural Area concept

• • •

The whole of England has been divided up into Natural Areas. Their borders do not follow existing administrative boundaries, but are defined by their wildlife, natural features, land use and human history. In many cases they also share similar landscapes. The development of the Natural Area concept is a key part of English Nature's drive to conserve nature in England. The concept allows for an integrated approach to nature conservation. It takes into account both local and national priorities for nature conservation, providing a framework for the production of Local Biodiversity Action Plans (see Page 7.).

Traditionally nature conservation in England has concentrated on a network of protected sites such as Nature Reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest. This system safeguards examples of some of our best natural features, habitats and species but does not provide a mechanism to secure sustainable use and management of the countryside at large.

Natural Areas provide a framework which enables people to address nature conservation in 120 ecologically coherent divisions of England (see Map 1. on Page 4.). The Natural Areas are identified by their unique combination of physical attributes, habitats and wildlife. They are based on areas with a distinct cultural, land use history and nature conservation interest, it is therefore hoped that they will encourage wide participation and reflect local distinctiveness. Not all Natural Areas have a sharply defined border, as features that define a Natural Area may graduate from one area to another. This transitional border may be 1 km or up to several kilometres wide.

Through Natural Areas we expect not only to set the context for special sites such as nature reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest, but, just as importantly, to promote effective action for nature conservation throughout the countryside.

2.2

The Natural Area profile

The profile is written for everyone with an interest in nature conservation in and around the Natural Area. It is hoped that it pulls conservation bodies/organisations with an interest in the countryside and local people closer together, and assists towards the achievement of shared objectives that address the top priorities for conservation in the Natural Area.

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This profile briefly describes and evaluates the wildlife and geological features of Sherwood Natural Area, encompassing local, national and international perspectives on nature conservation. It introduces the main issues which affect the Area and then identifies a series of long-term visionary objectives through which the nature conservation interest could be maintained and enriched.

This profile will be used as a reference document for action plans, strategic plans, Local Plans, Environment Agency Plans (LEAPs) etc. The profile will also form the framework for local Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPs). These are being developed to support an international agreement signed by the Prime Minister at Rio in 1992. The objectives in the Natural Area profile will feed through into Local Biodiversity Action Plans. (Further details on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan are on Page 7.).

2.3

Sherwood Natural Area

Sherwood Natural Area lies on a band of Sandstone stretching from Stapleford and the City of Nottingham northwards to the fringes of Mansfield and, further north, Worksop (see Map 2.). To the west lies the Magnesian Limestone Natural Area, north is the Humberhead Levels and to the east and south the Trent Valley and Rises. The Natural Area includes extensive parklands and ornamental lakes known as the Dukeries. Sherwood Natural Area has a rich and colourful cultural history that includes the Royal Forest, the great legendary hero Robin Hood and the renowned explorer and poet Lord Byron, who lived at Newstead Abbey.

The current overall character of the area is one of gently rolling hills with large fields bordered by neatly trimmed hawthorn hedges. Pig farming, potato cropping and conifer plantations are amongst the primary land uses of the area. Important wildlife habitats include oak and birch woodland, and heathland. This area encompasses the remnant heartlands of Sherwood, historically managed as heath and wood pasture. Many areas are intensively farmed but a strong heathland feel still pervades with bracken, gorse and broom present in roadside hedges and verges, clearings and forestry rides. The ancient woodlands often retain old earthworks. Narrow river valleys cut through the area, introducing scattered areas of fringing woodland of alder, willow and ash.

Historical influences The present landscape of Sherwood has been shaped by a long history of human settlement.

However, three changes in the last 250 years have had a particular influence. The aristocratic estates of the 18th century left a legacy of ornamental estates and preserved many wood pastures that so characterise the Natural Area. Agricultural reform, through the Enclosures Act in the early 19th century, established the extensive field system seen today. Finally and more recently, considerable coal mining in the area has left several distinctive spoil heaps in the area.

Prior to the arrival of humans, the Natural Area would have been covered in "mixed birch and oak with a greater variety of species in the river valleys and on the less arid soils of its margins". (Nottinghamshire Landscape Guidelines, 1997). There is some evidence of prehistoric settlement with the occasional finding of a stone tool, but very little of Neolithic and Bronze Age settlement. It appears that there was no significant human activity until the arrival of the Romans.

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Aerial surveys of the Natural Area reveal the extent to which the Romans changed the landscape. Extensive field boundaries, trackways and settlements can all be seen and it is clear that by the end of the Roman period woodland in the area had been substantially cleared.

For the next few hundred years, from the 5th to early 10th century, there was a general population decline and changes in social organisation and economy. People dispersed, probably to the more fertile soils in the Trent Valley and, as a consequence, woodland regenerated and heathland with gorse, ferns and acid grassland established. Subsequent grazing on the heathlands prevented the natural succession to woodland.

Doomsday records in 1086 provide a clear picture of the area, describing the region as sparsely settled, low in agriculture and much of the woodland being wood pasture, meaning that pigs and sheep grazed the woodland floor. The Norman Kings, partial to hunting deer and other game, brought the woodlands under Forest Law and began the process of establishing the Royal Forest that ensured its protection for centuries. The woodland was managed for timber and game and the heathland or 'waste' was used for grazing stock.

Henry III's reign during the 13th century saw many parts of the Royal Forest brought under Monastic control and around eight monasteries were built, whilst still maintaining the woodland for hunting. Increased demand for wood saw a process of piecemeal enclosure and illegal encroachment that gradually eroded large areas of woodland.

By the 16th century most of the surviving estates were in the hands of a few aristocratic landowners. The following 200 years saw the establishment of the 'Dukeries', great country houses, ornamental lakes such as Clumber, Welbeck and Thoresby, and large parklands for hunting, so called because five Dukes were the principal landowners of the area. Large scale plantation schemes were also undertaken both as ornamentation for their estates and as a way of making profit. Birklands was one of the last to be owned by the Crown as it was a good source of wood, particularly oak for the navy, until the end of the 18th century.

A significant change to the landscape came with the Enclosure Acts between 1760 and 1830.

The Enclosure Acts were the government's reaction to increasing food shortages across the country. Any land that could support crops was cleared, the land rigidly partitioned and boundaries marked with either stone walls or hedges. Many of the hawthorn hedges seen today date from the Enclosure Acts. A few estates managed to escape these reforms and can be enjoyed by us today, such as Clumber Park and Sherwood Country Park, the latter of which receives as many as one million visitors a year.

Food shortages during and after the Second World War, and the production of cheap fertilizers and herbicides led to intensive farming practices. Large areas of grassland were ploughed up for arable and heavily fertilized and irrigated resulting in dramatic improvements in agricultural productivity and change in landscape often linked to a change in wildlife interest. Shortage of water available for irrigation has resulted in plans to construct winter storage reservoirs.

Shortage of timber in Britain after the First World War stimulated extensive planting on marginal land such as on the sandy soils of the Natural Area, today, large conifer plantations managed by the Forestry Commission form a characteristic landscape feature and one of the most profitable areas of plantation forestry in England.

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Both coal mining and sand and gravel extraction from the Sherwood Sandstone have had a considerable impact upon the economy and environment of the region. Modern coal mining activity began around 1850 and soon both Mansfield and Worksop developed as commercial centres. "Such has been the extent and scale of mining and its associated development that much of the region has become synonymous with the coal industry". (Nottinghamshire Landscape Guidelines, 1997). Sandstone extraction is considerable and recent outputs average 1 million tonnes per annum. There are currently six active and four dormant quarries. Spoil heaps from coal mining and deep voids from open cast mining are often unsuitable for infilling or restoration for agriculture, but they do provide good opportunities to re-create heathlands and also for recreational activities.

Today the remnants of Sherwood are an important tourist attraction, and is becoming increasingly popular. It is estimated that more than one million people a year visit Clumber Park and Sherwood Forest Country Park. Near Rufford is Center Parcs, an extensive holiday and leisure complex. It has many attractions including a large lake and has the capacity for 3,500 visitors. With visitor pressure already high and likely to increase in the future, the sustainable management of this important wildlife resource will become a very important issue to address.

The Nottinghamshire Countryside Appraisal In 1990 the Nottingham County Council decided to carry out a detailed landscape appraisal of Nottinghamshire to provide a detailed information base and a strategic overview of the County's rural environment, around which environmental planning, landscape management and other decisions can be made. Some of this information has fed into the production of this Natural Area profile.

The Sherwood Forest Trust In recognition of the important wildlife habitats held within Sherwood, the Sherwood Forest Trust was set up as a vehicle to deliver many habitat recreation objectives and comprises a consortium of both statutory and non-statutory organisations. Their mission statement is: "For the benefit of the public, the Sherwood Forest Trust will work alone and with others, via persuasion, education, co-operation and practical action, to secure the re-creation of the traditional landscapes and habitats of Sherwood Forest". Targets include the recreation of 250 hectares of woodland and heathland by 2003.

2.4

Context: Natural Areas and the UK Biodiversity Action Plan

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan is a document that identifies our most threatened and declining species and habitats, and sets out costed action plans to improve their status within a set time. The UK Biodiversity Action Plan has the full commitment and backing of the Government.

In June 1992 the Prime Minister and over 150 other Heads of State signed the Convention on Biological Diversity at Rio de Janeiro. They did so to express a shared belief that action must be taken to halt the worldwide loss of animal and plant species and genetic resources. At the same time they agreed to draw up national plans and programmes and to share resources to help implement them. In Britain this resulted in the first UK Biodiversity Action Plan published in 1994 (Box 1.).

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Box 1: Goals, principles and objectives of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan •

Overall goal To conserve and enhance the biodiversity (the variety of life) within the UK and to contribute to the conservation of global biodiversity.

•

Underlying principles 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

•

Where biological resources are used such as wood, such use must be sustainable.

Wise use must be ensured for non-renewable resources such as coal.

The conservation of biodiversity is the responsibility of the government, the community and most importantly, we as individuals.

Government programmes, policy and action must consider the conservation of biodiversity.

Conservation practice and policy must be based upon a sound scientific understanding.

Objectives for conserving biodiversity 1. (a) (b) (c)

To conserve and enhance: The populations and natural ranges of all native species and the quality and range of wildlife habitats.

Internationally important and threatened species and wildlife habitats.

Species and habitats characteristic of local areas.

2.

To increase public awareness of and involvement in, conserving biodiversity.

The Plan commits the Government to the objectives of the Convention. Its production required a wide ranging and vigorous contribution from people and organisations who care about our natural environment. "The Government can take a lead and establish a framework but whether, in the end, we and our children enjoy a country which is richer or poorer in species and habitats depends on all of us" (Department of the Environment, 1994).

English Nature, as the Government's statutory advisors on nature conservation in England, has a key role to play in initiating action. The development of the Natural Areas concept is an important part of that role (Box 2.).

Box 2: The Natural Areas concept •

Natural Areas are tracts of countryside which are readily recognised by their characteristic land forms, wildlife and land use.

•

The whole of England has been divided into Natural Areas.

•

Objectives for nature conservation will be drawn up for each Natural Area.

•

Natural Areas provide a framework for identifying the priorities for action for nature

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conservation and producing Biodiversity Action Plans. •

The achievement of objectives will depend upon the support and co-operation of many organisations and individuals including local communities.

•

Natural Areas are not designations and they are not confined by traditional County and District administrative boundaries.

There has been a massive reduction in the extent and quality of habitats in the countryside outside protected wildlife sites since the second World War. Populations of animals and plant species have declined with the loss of their habitats. The Natural Area concept is a broad view of the nature conservation needs of ecologically distinct areas. From it will flow objectives which, if undertaken, will maintain and restore the range of habitats and species which characterise the area.

The UK Biodiversity Action Plan envisages the production of 'Local Biodiversity Action Plans'. These will be the means whereby the national strategy is translated into action at the local level. They will include targets which will contribute locally to the attainment of national targets for habitats and species. They will also include targets which reflect the values of local people and which are based on the range of local conditions.

The Natural Area profiles will form a basis for the production of Local Biodiversity Action Plans. The profiles are intended to be visionary in their objectives, without timescales, and unconstrained by considerations of what can be achieved under present circumstances. By contrast, the Local Biodiversity Action Plans will contain more precise targets for habitats and species which can be realistically achieved within defined timescales. They will be produced and owned by a broad partnership of organisations with an interest in the countryside. Through this approach it is hoped that the efforts and resources of all organisations can be mobilised and coordinated. This would achieve results which would not be possible for a nature conservation body like English Nature working alone.

3.

Nature conservation features

3.1

Physical features Summary The principle geology is acidic sandstone resulting in light, very dry, nutrient poor soil.

A good exposure of the Sandstone can be seen at Castle Rock in the city. Water permeates quickly through to a deep extensive aquifer that provides Nottingham with an important source of water. Water quality is an important issue and most of the catchment over the aquifer has been designated a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone.

Sherwood Natural Area lies on a broad band of acidic sandstone that stretches south from Worksop to Nottingham, and lies between a Limestone bed to the west and mudstones of the Trent Valley to the east. Very good exposures of this sandstone can be seen terminating at the majestic Castle Rock in Nottingham, and cuttings at the Queens Medical Centre and along the railway track at Colwick east of the City. The southern edge of the Sandstone terminates at Castle Rock, and continues westwards forming a prominent ridge at Wollaton

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Park and Bramcote Hill, stopping abruptly at Stapleford Hill overlooking the Coal Measures of the Erewash Valley.

Over 240 million years ago Sherwood was part of an extensive delta with many rivers depositing vast quantities of sand and pebbles. Today the result of these deposits is the Sandstone, a light, free draining, nutrient poor pebble soil. In the lower parts of the dry valleys are well-drained coarse loamy soils.

Below the Sandstone is a coal field that has been extensively mined. The resulting spoil heaps are characteristic sights in the Natural Area. There is a lot of potential to restore these spoil heaps for nature conservation, particularly oak-birch woodland and for the re-creation of heathland and habitats. Many have already been reclaimed back to amenity land.

The Sandstone is highly porous and rests on a bed of impervious Marlstone. Water quickly permeates through to the Marl and forms an extensive aquifer which has, since the mid-19th century, provided a major source of good quality drinking water for Nottingham. Overabstraction mainly by water companies and industry, and exacerbated by climate conditions, such as drought, has led to a serious drop in water levels and a decline in water quality.

Farmers abstract comparatively less water although irrigation comes at a time of year when rivers tend to be at their lowest.

The soils derived from the Sandstone are largely acidic and nutrient poor, providing good conditions for the oak-birch woodland and heathland that once characterised the area. These soils lack podzol forming conditions that help soils retain water and so are free draining, allowing the aquifer to maintain high water levels.

Until recently the nutrient poor soils particularly where they were susceptible to windblow discouraged extensive farming in the area, but modern farming methods such as the use of lime, artificial fertilizers and irrigation have increased soil productivity. However extensive use of nitrate rich fertilizers is threatening the water quality of the aquifer by increasing the nitrate levels. There is considerable concern over this as the future implications of high nitrate levels on health or biodiversity are unclear. In response to this most of the Sherwood Sandstone has been designated a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone within which farmers will be required to adopt a number of practices to reduce nitrate leaching from their land. Four Nitrate Sensitive Areas have also been designated within the zone where farmers are encouraged to adopt more demanding changes and reduce the risk of nitrate pollution such as reversion from arable production.

The Natural Area is crossed by a number of river valleys that over many thousands of years have created the characteristic gentle undulating hills seen today. The rivers Maun and Meden rise in the hills west of Mansfield, flow eastwards towards the Trent and are of particular value in terms of habitats, diversity and landscape value.

The Natural Area has quite a stable and mild climate. Situated between the Pennines to the west and wide tracts of lowland to the east, Sherwood is protected from the most extremes of weather although frosts can occur in any month of the year. Annual rainfall is low, in fact it has the same rainfall as Jerusalem, and heavy snowfalls are rare. Drought conditions are common giving rise to fire risk in the area especially during the spring. The prevailing wind direction is south-westerly and the mean annual wind speed is less than 10 miles an hour; the average annual mean temperature being 9.4째C. In common with other areas in the UK, a NA 32 Sherwood

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number of devastating gales have occurred in the past that have damaged some of the stagheaded oaks.

The geographic location of Sherwood enables the Natural Area to support a diverse number of species, many at the northern or southern limits of their range, so providing a unique assemblage in Britain.

Main issues - Physical features • • •

3.2

Excessive water abstraction from aquifer. (-) Nitrate contamination of aquifer. (-) Conservation in active and disused quarries. (+)

Lowland heath

Summary Extensive heathland was one a characteristic feature of Sherwood. It is now fragmented and only 250ha remain, largely found in the parklands of the Dukeries. Characteristic heathland comprises of heathers and acid grassland and is floristically distinct from the heathlands in Hampshire and Dorset. Locally rare shrubs include petty whin, dwarf gorse and bilberry. Nationally rare birds include nightjar and woodlark. The rich and important invertebrate community includes the green tiger beetle.

Lowland heathland has become a nationally and internationally rare and threatened habitat.

Changes in agriculture have seen large areas of heathland in Britain converted to grassland and arable land. Nationally only 1/6th of the lowland heath that was present in 1800 remains.

Despite this, the UK is recognised for being internationally important for lowland heath, having about 20% of the world's total.

The heathlands of Sherwood are significant in a much wider context. The heathland communities are distinct from the floristically richer heaths in southern England, for example in Dorset and Surrey, as a result of a different climate and history of management. These heathlands are therefore important in demonstrating variations in this scarce habitat type, as well as supporting a very specialised wildlife interest.

Heathland is scattered throughout the Natural Area and is a fraction of its former size. It is estimated that almost 90% of Sherwood heath has been lost since 1922, and today only 250ha remain including only 40ha of true heath. Concentrations of heathland can be found around Rainworth, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Clipstone, Budby and Clumber Park, in an area largely covered by the former Royal Hunting Forest of Sherwood now known as the Dukeries.

Smaller fragments occur further south, at Ravenshead and Bulwell.

True heathland is usually considered to have at least 25% heather coverage, although the term 'heath' is also applied to areas of less than 25% coverage, with patches of acid grassland, scrub, birch woodland and bracken. It is this latter definition that best describes the heathland that is found in Sherwood Natural Area.

Characteristic plant species of dry heathland in Sherwood include common heather, a local variant of heather known as hoary ling and bell heather. Interspersed between the heathers NA 32 Sherwood

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are patches of acid grassland dominated by bracken, wavy hair grass, mat grass, heath rush and sheeps fescue. Mixed in with the grasses are a number of acid-loving shrubs such as petty-whin and dwarf gorse, both of which are rare in the East Midlands, other gorses include the western and common species. The locally rare bilberry is also found in scrub woodland associated with the heathland. One clubmoss, the stag's horn clubmoss, and a number of lichens can also be found including species of red and grey Cladonia. Many areas of heathland are covered in bracken as it is no longer trampled by livestock or harvested for uses such as animal bedding or fuel. A dense cover of bracken suppresses the growth of other heathland species, and so reduction and control of bracken in favour of heathland habitat is essential.

Areas of wet heath can also be found, but they are very rare and support cross-leaved heather, purple moor grass and cotton grass, the latter of which is found in boggy pools. Rushes are also common including bulbous and soft rush.

Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus On a summer's evening on a heathland, the rise and fall of the nightjar's churring song was once a common and evocative sound. Sadly numbers of this bird have crashed by as much as half within the last 25 years as many heathlands were lost. However the management of conifer plantations have had the greatest positive impact on the birds with areas of plantation felled within 5 years holding high densities of nightjar. Today around 4% of the national population of nightjar can be found in Sherwood.

Nationally rare birds such as nightjar and woodlark breed on the heaths and the great grey shrike can occasionally be seen wintering. The woodlark is of considerable importance as this bird has returned to the Natural Area after 30 years absence. Numbers of woodlark have dropped nationally by 50% over the last 25 years and is now largely confined to five core areas in England. More widespread but declining species include the whinchat, grey partridge, tree pipit and hobby. The heathlands are also the stronghold in the area for common lizard and the adder. The adder was thought to have become extinct in Nottinghamshire but has recently been re-discovered. Heathlands are particularly important for many insects and spiders. A striking example is the green tiger beetle. These green, longlegged, fast running beetles are often found sunning themselves on patches of bare ground on heathlands. Like solitary wasps and bees they also need bare ground to dig holes to breed.

Nationally important moths found on the heathlands include the Portland and the small chocolate-tip.

Sherwood Natural Area has seen a dramatic decline in heathlands, some 90% has been lost since 1922 through commercial forestry, agriculture and the expansion of industry. In 1919, the Forestry Commission was established charged with reducing Britain's dependence upon importing wood from abroad. Many plantations were established on land that was considered to be of poor agricultural quality and this included many heathlands. Agricultural intensification through the use of artificial fertilisers and irrigation has also enabled farming on heathlands.

Today the majority of true heathlands receive some degree of protection either as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), as Nature Reserves managed by the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust (eg. Rainworth Heath SSSI) or as Local Nature Reserves such as Sherwood NA 32 Sherwood

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Heath. Regular management is carried out to maintain the integrity of the heathland by ensuring that scrub doesn't establish. There is also great potential to restore and recreate areas of heathland within the Natural Area, particularly on spoil heaps from former coal mining and on areas converted to conifer plantation earlier this century as these sites are low in nutrients and the plantation sites will still hold a heathland seedbank.

In recognition of the serious decline of heathland in the Natural Area a Heathland Forum in Nottinghamshire was established to devise and implement an integrated Heathland Strategy.

This included the production of a register of all heathland sites, policies for their protection and a plan to re-create areas of heath. The Forum is a partnership between local authorities, voluntary conservation organisations such as the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, English Nature, Sherwood Forest Trust, Ministry of Defence, Forestry Commission, private sector and landowners.

There is no doubt that heathlands support an important assemblage of wildlife. Their scarcity both nationally and internationally make this habitat of particular importance to preserve and increase in the future.

Main issues - Lowland heath • • • • • • • • • •

3.3

Appropriate management of coniferous forestry can provide good opportunities for heathland re-creation and habitat for heathland fauna. (+) Birch and bracken invasion. (-) Habitat fragmented and isolated. (-) Fires pose a serious threat to the heathlands. (-) Potential loss of rabbit grazing due to haemorrhagic disease. (-) Lack of grazing stock. (-) Potential for habitat re-creation on spoil heaps and open cast mines. (+) Inappropriate water management has led to a reduction in wet heath. (-) Heathland sites in the urban fringe suffer from vandalism. (-) Proposed new road schemes will lead to loss of habitat. (-)

Woodlands

Woodland in Sherwood Natural Area is extensive and supports an impressive array of wildlife. Some of the woodlands are of national importance for their wildlife but also for their cultural association as the Royal Forest and with the legendary hero Robin Hood. Both Clumber Park and Sherwood Forest Country Park have extensive woodlands and are visited by up to one million people a year.

Summary Woodland cover is high in this Natural Area although only a small proportion is ancient or semi-natural, the rest comprises of conifer plantations. Long established woodland is limited to a few fragments, dominated by oak and birch. Wet woodlands, characterised by alder and willow, line several streams. Internationally important wood pasture containing veteran stag-headed oaks, are found in the parklands of the Dukeries. They support a massive array of deadwood invertebrates and birds. Important species also include bats such as noctule and Natterer’s.

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Woodland cover in the Sherwood Natural Area is very high, covering approximately 22% of its area, however the majority comprises conifer plantations. In fact 80% of coniferous woodland in Nottinghamshire can be found in this Natural Area. The rest of the woodland types range from ancient pasture woodlands, broadleaved plantations and wet woodlands.

When humans first started to settle in the area, Sherwood would have been entirely covered in oak-birch woodland with species rich areas in the river valleys. Significant clearing occurred during the Roman period although the soil soon became unproductive and the area was abandoned. Many woodlands soon regenerated and established itself anew. Because the soils were very unsuitable for cultivation, many woodlands have managed to survive through the centuries. In recent centuries these woodlands have been greatly modified through extensive clear felling, and both amenity and commercial planting that have significantly altered the natural structure.

Ancient pasture woodlands Of considerable conservation interest, and arguably Sherwood's most important feature, are the ancient semi-natural broadleaved woodlands that have been around since at least 1600, and support a great diversity of wildlife. Areas of long established woodland are limited to a few fragments and are now confined to the central core of the Natural Area north-east of Mansfield. The only surviving area of ancient woodland which was once part of the Royal Forest of Sherwood is Birklands and Bilhaugh part of which incorporates Sherwood Forest Country Park. Interestingly Birklands is an old norse word meaning 'birch land'. Oak and birch are the principal species interspersed with beech, sycamore and conifers all of which have been planted. Ancient stag-headed oaks, remnants of old woodpasture described below, are a particular feature of interest within these woodlands and also occur in smaller fragments at Haywood Oaks, Clumber Park and Newstead Abbey. Tormentil, sheep's sorrel, heather, wavy hair-grass and bracken characterise the largely species poor ground flora.

Since the Norman period a Crown estate was established and included a considerable area of hunting park with extensive woodlands. For centuries these woodlands were grazed by sheep, pigs and deer, with the oldest trees retained and allowed to over-mature. This type of woodland is known as woodpasture. The Crown estate was split up into estate parklands between eight Dukes during the 18th century, and became known as the Dukeries. Today the best surviving estates are Welbeck and Clumber Park. Buckgates, Birklands and Bilhaugh are areas within the Thoresby estate that contain good examples of woodpasture.

Woodpasture on these estates have some of the oldest trees in the country, known as veteran trees, and in some cases they are many hundred years old and despite looking dead, most of the trees are still healthy. The Major Oak found in Birklands for example is thought to be 400-500 years old. In 1844 Queen Victoria described the trees at Birklands as 'large and venerable'. They are of international importance, found in few places in Europe in such comparable age or quality. The trees, particularly the stag-headed veteran oaks are capable of supporting a myriad of wildlife, from birds such as the wood warbler, redstart, nuthatch and green woodpecker, to a vast array of insects and extremely specialised lichens, mosses and fungi. Their ability to support such a good range of species is made possible by its selection of micro-habitats such as rot-holes, bark fissures, branch stumps and fallen deadwood.

Visitors to the parklands often note the exceptionally high numbers of jays.

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Birklands and Bilhaugh This site is a remnant of the historic Sherwood Forest and contains the best remaining examples of oak-birch woodland in Nottinghamshire, together with acid grassland and heath. Within these woods are a large number of old trees which support an exceptional diversity of deadwood invertebrates. For this reason, this site is considered to be one of the four most important sites in the United Kingdom and is being recommended as a possible Special Area of Conservation under the European Habitats Directive.

The invertebrate fauna is of exceptional significance and includes outstanding populations of beetles and spiders. Many species depend on the dead or decaying timber associated with veteran trees. Numerous rare and locally important moths have been recorded including the scarce silver lines, scorched carpet and broad bordered bee hawk moth. Sherwood is a national stronghold for the angle-striped sallow moth. A nationally rare pseudoscorpion is present, usually occurring under bark and in dry sapwood of dead, decaying or over mature trees. One of Britain's largest spiders (Meta bourneti) can also be found lurking amongst the stag-headed oaks.

Both noctule and Natterer's bats can be seen in the woodlands hunting for insects. Large populations of bats are in the parklands because very little of the area has been farmed or sprayed, so supporting a high number of insects on which the bats feed. The noctule bat is commonly associated with woodland pasture/parkland and often roosts in cavities provided by old trees. The Dukeries with both woodland and water habitats, such as Rufford Country Park are particularly important for these specially protected animals. Sadly both noctule and Natterer's bats are endangered and are declining in numbers.

Both red and fallow deer are common to the Natural Area, occasionally seen through the ferns in an oak woodland. They are historically connected with the Crown Estate where they were regularly hunted. The populations of red deer of Sherwood are historically and genetically important as they are a local strain of deer. The white fallow deer of Welbeck were probably introduced by the Romans or Normans. A rarer sight still are roe deer, numbers in the Natural Area have always been low, probably as they were never popular on Royal Forests because they distracted the dogs during a hunt. Recently, numbers of roe deer appear to be increasing. There have also been recent sightings of the non-native muntjac deer suggesting that they are increasing their range into Sherwood.

Even within Nottingham City can be found a good example of a historic deer park. Wollaton Hall is one of the City's largest and most popular parks and of considerable wildlife interest, including nationally important species of beetle, ant, spider, moth and dragonfly. Five nationally notable beetles alone were found in the lime trees in a very brief survey. A tame herd of red and fallow deer can be seen grazing and over 250 species of large moths and butterflies have been recorded including the lime hawk moth, the nationally rare pine hawk moth and the holly blue butterfly.

Wet woodlands Wet woodlands are characteristic features along many of the rivers and streams that cross the Natural Area, and the lake margins. They create a stable environment in terms of light, shelter and temperature along the river corridor thereby providing habitats for a range of plants and animals. The wet woodlands are dominated by species of alder and willow, NA 32 Sherwood

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interspersed with a number of small ash holts. They are also important for invertebrates, birds and unusual sedges and ferns. Alder woodlands are also a priority habitat in European legislation for nature conservation.

Conifer plantations Over 50% of the woodlands in Sherwood are coniferous, dominated by corsican and scots pine, the largest of which is Clipstone Forest to the east of Mansfield. Conifer plantations generally support a less diverse wildlife although an exceptional diversity of birds of prey are characteristic of some plantations. Attempts have been made in the past to improve the edges of the plantations by establishing broadleaved woodlands and rides. A good example of this can be seen at Clipstone Forest where management aims to enhance heathland habitats and encourage specialist birds such as nightjar and woodlark. The Forestry Commission are increasingly improving the management of their woodlands that will significantly enhance the wildlife. Substantial numbers of veteran trees occur in these conifer woods and are gradually being released which will extend the continuity of wood pasture from the present one. Until the early 1970s the red squirrel was known to be inhabiting these plantations, the closest it can now be found is Cannock Forest in Staffordshire. Competition from the introduced north American grey squirrel is thought to have had a major impact on the red squirrel and now sadly it has disappeared from the Natural Area.

The old Sherwood oaks and heathlands are visited by hundreds of thousands of people a year and many conflicts of interest arise between visitor pressure and nature conservation. Dead wood is a good wildlife habitat but is also a potential hazard adjacent to a footpath where a branch may fall upon a passerby. Clearly there is a need to balance many of these requirements with the need to maintain the unique and nationally important wildlife.

Achieving this is a high priority for the Natural Area.

Main issues - Woodlands • •

• • •

Woodland resource is fragmented in Natural Area. (-) Woodland recreation could extend and strengthen existing woodland and link or provide 'stepping stones' to isolated woods. (+) Woodlands provide an excellent and valued recreational resource, however excessive pressure may have a detrimental impact upon wildlife. (+,-) Conflict between public safety and management of old trees. (-) Methods of restocking to consider natural regeneration and/or planting that uses local varieties of trees. (+) Good potential to enhance the wildlife value of conifer plantations. (+) Ensuring continuity of veteran trees for specialised fauna. (+) Planting and recreational opportunities under Greenwood Community Forest. (+)

3.4

Freshwater

• • •

Summary Due to the naturally porous quality of the sandstone, wetlands are scarce. However, a few rivers flow across the Natural Area’s incised valleys and there are several ornamental lakes left from the days of the landscaped Dukery Estates. Some of these contain features such as reed beds and marsh, provide important habitats for wildlife particularly breeding and wintering wildfowl. Nationally important species include the short-leaved waterstarwort.

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The main freshwater features of Sherwood Natural Area are the rivers, streams and ornamental lakes associated with the parklands. Associated with these features are many important habitats for wildlife.

The main rivers in the Natural Area are the Maun, Meden, Rainworth Water, Poulter, Ryton, parts of the Idle and Leen. All run along narrow river corridors mainly rising in the western hills of the area. "Permanent grasslands, flood meadows, fringing alder and willow, broadleaved woodlands and localised marshy vegetation are the most distinctive features of these landscapes". (Nottinghamshire Landscape Guidelines - Sherwood Region, 1997).

Habitats along the rivers include wet woodlands, reed beds, marshland, aquatic and marginal vegetation, fringing trees and shrubs, meanders, islands. shoals and shallows.

Records indicate that there were once large areas of water meadows along these river corridors that were traditionally used for early summer grazing and haymaking. This management combined with the alluvial soil, deposited by the river from a source further upstream, would have ensured a high diversity of wildlife. Sadly many of these grasslands have disappeared and in places, arable cultivation has encroached right up to the rivers themselves. Old water meadows can be seen on the rivers Meden and Maun, these were flooded from high level dykes to promote lush grasses for grazing.

Rivers and their associated habitats have in the past supported a wide range of species although a decline in water quality has significantly reduced this. An increasingly uncommon species occurring in the headwaters of the River Leen is the brook lamprey.

Another important and rare species found in these rivers is the brown trout. The nationally important white-clawed crayfish can be found in the River Leen and its tributaries. However, it only occurs where the waters are influenced by the calcareous Magnesian Limestone rock, and so this species is not characteristic of the acidic waters from the Sherwood Sandstone.

Historically some land along the rivers has been prone to severe flooding or mining subsidence, and consequently a number of flood alleviation schemes have been undertaken to prevent such incidents. This has involved straightening channels to carry water away more quickly and leads to the loss of wildlife habitats. New techniques now being adopted by the Environment Agency should ensure no further loss of habitats or species as a result of such schemes and many enhancement projects are planned to restore habitats where these have previously been lost.

Short-leaved water-starwort Callitriche truncata This aquatic plant grows totally submerged in shallow lowland waters, extending down to a depth of 1.5m. Ideal conditions are clear, still or very slowly flowing water.

Clumber Park is notable for colonies of this nationally scarce plant whose stronghold is in the Midlands.

Several of the rivers have been modified to form ornamental lakes, such as those at Thoresby, Welbeck and Clumber estates. The edges of the lakes are on the whole steep banked and provide little in the way of good fringing habitats. However, some areas, most notably at Thoresby Lake, have excellent fringes with marshland and reed beds. Species include sweet flag, common reed, reed-mace and reed canary grass. Other plants of interest are gypsywort, skullcap and the nationally scarce short-leaved water starwort. The very distinctive greater NA 32 Sherwood

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tussock sedge can be found along the fringes of such lakes, particularly at Newstead Abbey and Rainworth Lakes.

The lakes provide important sanctuaries for both breeding and winter duck populations such as teal, pochard, gadwall, shoveler, goosander and ruddy duck. Ospreys are occasional visitors to the lakes in the spring on their way up to Scotland for the summer. Woodland adjacent to Welbeck Lake supports one of the largest heronry in Nottinghamshire.

Water quality is an important issue for freshwater habitats. Operating mines pump mine water into the rivers thereby maintaining good water levels and diluting any pollutants such as sewage effluent. However, the water can be high in chlorides and other pollutants and therefore may have a detrimental impact. For example 80% of the water supply to the River Meden comes from water pumped from an operating mine and from waste water treatment.

This has resulted in high levels of Chloride that can seriously affect the biodiversity. Sewage effluent from Worksop and Mansfield entering the small rivers in the Natural Area is also a concern. Abstraction from the rivers for domestic, industrial and to a much smaller extent, agricultural purposes, combined with climatic influences such as drought, further compound the problem by lowering the flows, so increasing the concentration of any pollutant.

The careful management of water levels and the re-introduction of bends in rivers and streams can have significant improvement to both the aquatic and streamside wildlife. Many streams have been straightened to improve drainage, which has the effect of reducing backwater habitat. Backwater habitat is slow moving water that is important for fish, birds, mammals, invertebrates as well as plants. During periods of flooding or pollution incidents, these backwaters can act as refuge areas for many of these species. Backwaters also increase a water course's flood capacity, reducing and/or delaying any flood effects downstream.

Main issues - Freshwater habitats •

• • • •

Poor water quality through agricultural run-off, mining pollution, sewage and industrial effluent. (-) Engineering of rivers to prevent flooding reduces diversity of wildlife. (-) Appropriate habitat creation (eg backwaters) along river courses, streams and ditches can significantly improve habitats for wildlife. (+) Lack of submerged vegetation. (-) Management required to maintain wetland habitats. (+) Excessive water abstraction. (-) Loss of river flow. (-)

3.5

Farmland

• •

Parts of Sherwood have been farmed for thousands of years and is the principal land use in the Natural Area. The nutrient poor sandy soil discouraged all but the most keen farmers from ploughing and the land use was principally pasture and woodland. Traditionally all farms had a number of habitats that were good for wildlife such as permanent and 'unimproved' grasslands, linear features such as hedges and streams, ponds, woodland copses and even farm buildings. However, dramatic changes in farming practice this century have altered the farmed landscape often with a significant loss of semi-natural habitat. If Natural Areas are to address conservation of the countryside at large, then farmed landscapes must be NA 32 Sherwood

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included. This section will highlight a few of the important wildlife habitats and species found on farms and discuss some of the issues.

Farming in Sherwood is principally for high value roots crops (including potatoes, sugar beet and carrots) and occasionally cereals. Owing to the nutrient poor sandy soil the land is intensively limed and around 50% is irrigated. Due to its sandy nature, the soil is prone to drought, wind erosion and water erosion on the hillier parts. The advantage of the Nottinghamshire sand for root crops is that given adequate water, nutrients and pesticides they are extremely flexible for crop production as harvesting is possible at almost any time of the year and the loss through disease is kept to a minimum.

Livestock operations are also found within most of the parishes of the region and there has, in certain areas been a strong tradition of intensive pig and poultry farming. Recent years have seen a general reduction in intensive pig farming and dairy herds, although free-range pig farming has become more apparent.

Birds are commonly associated with farms, their colourful plumage as seen on the yellowhammer and their enthusiastic birdsong such as the skylark makes them both conspicuous and very popular. Other birds include quail, corn bunting, grey partridge, lapwing, linnet and barn owl, and most have developed ways of taking advantage of a traditionally farmed landscape. For example the barn owl will fly over areas of rough grassland hunting small mammals such as voles. Populations of many of these birds have crashed by more than half in the last 50 years such as the skylark whose numbers have dropped nationally by 58% in the last 20-30 years.

The brown hare was once a common sight in the open landscapes of Sherwood, but has undergone a slow decline both locally and nationally this century. Conversion of grassland to arable, the loss of habitat diversity and changes in cropping regimes are all factors that are thought to have had a detrimental impact. However there are signs that nationally numbers may now have stabilised, although the status of the hare in the Natural Area is unknown.

Traditionally invertebrates could be found in abundance in crops. Over a thousand different insect species would spend part of their life cycle in cereal fields 350 species were even nonspecialist aphid predators such as ladybirds and hoverflies. This high diversity of invertebrates can only be found in crops not sprayed with pesticides and sadly as pesticides are regularly being used, large number of insects are being wiped out. This has repercussions for wildlife which depend on insects for food supply. For example sawflies are a favourite food for grey partridge and the subsequent loss of these insects through pesticides is generally considered to be the main cause for the partridge's rapid decline. Nationally the bird has declined by 82% in the last 20-30 years.

Weeds such as vervain, bugloss, henbit and sun spurge are very specialised plants, intimately linked to farming. Weed killers and improved farming methods have done such an efficient job that arable weeds are perhaps one of the most threatened groups of plants. The electric blue trumpet flowers of cornflower were once a common sight on farms but are now increasingly rare. Although weeds are considered a nuisance by farmers they are nevertheless part of our historical flora and should be conserved or they will simply be lost.

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If the species described above are to be maintained, then consideration needs to be given to whole farm practices so that a more sustainable agriculture can support them. The following section describes a few key habitats often associated with farmland.

Hedges Hedges are probably one of the most significant wildlife habitats in areas where there is intensive agricultural activity, providing a refuge for both grassland and woodland species.

Hedges are a key habitat for many bird species, including many of the common declining birds such as the linnet, reed bunting, grey partridge, turtle dove and tree sparrow. They are also important for bats and insects, particularly butterflies. Hawthorn is a common constituent of hedges and can support up to 100 species of moth. In Sherwood the hedgerows and roadside verges can be heathy and contain gorse, broom, bracken and large oaks.

Ponds Ponds are another important wildlife habitat found on farms. They are excellent for frogs and newts, and often hold thriving dragonfly populations in addition to other aquatic invertebrates. Some ponds support populations of the nationally important great crested newt. Ponds are often visited by mallard, teal and wigeon, although wildfowl rarely breed successfully because there is insufficient food for the growing duckling broods.

Grasslands Grasslands are very important in supporting wildlife, particularly permanent 'unimproved' grassland. Roadside verges also provide good refuges for grassland species. Nationally scarce plants recorded in the acid grasslands include soft-leaved sedge, maiden pink and smooth cat's ear. It is the furthest north that the soft leaved sedge has been recorded in the UK. Some of the shallow river valleys contain small areas of wet grassland, although many have disappeared because of drainage. For further information please refer to the earlier section on grasslands.

Farm buildings The value of farm buildings to wildlife is often forgotten and a careful look however could reveal some interesting finds such as bats, barn owls and swallows. Older buildings may have mosses growing where roof eaves drips, peacock and tortoiseshell butterflies hibernate in dark lofts and house martins build their curious mud nests under the eaves. Modern farm buildings are not so good for wildlife as they are often made of materials which do not support plant life and may be designed to prevent access by birds. However, modifications can be made to provide nesting sites for birds such as owls.

Conservation issues on farmland

This century, farming has undergone a transformation. The use of fertilizers, pesticides, continuous cropping, field expansion, reduced field rotations, mechanisation, agricultural policy and subsidies have increased the efficiency and productivity of a farm, but are also widely accepted to have had a largely detrimental impact upon wildlife.

Despite this, there are a number of changes that can integrate wildlife within modern farming practice, many of which do not impose unacceptable costs or restrict farming production.

One such practice is to establish a strip of un-cropped land along the side of a hedge or stream known as a conservation headland. This provides a nesting area for game birds, habitats for many insects, and also helps pest and weed control.

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Simple but effective management can greatly improve hedges for wildlife, such as only trimming every other year during the winter so as not to disturb birds during the nesting season (April-July) and also allowing berries to develop during the autumn as an important food source for birds.

As discussed in the section on physical features, most of the Natural Area has been designated a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) by the Environment Agency in recognition of the potential problem of nitrate leaching to the aquifer from surface application of fertilisers.

Within the NVZ are three Nitrate Sensitive Areas where farmers are encouraged through financial incentives to reduce manure and fertiliser applications.

Great potential exists to improve wildlife on farms and the promotion of wildlife friendly methods are supported by a number of initiatives and schemes such as the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and Farm Woodland Premium Scheme operated by MAFF, encouraging farmers to undertake many of the practices described above. Already there are signs that these schemes are making an improvement to the countryside. This is a small but significant step towards encouraging the return of our once common farmland species.

Main issues - Farmland • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Loss and neglect of hedges. (-) Loss of dairy herds has led to a loss of grassland. (-) Lack of grazing stock to manage existing sites and to allow more grassland habitats.

(-) Farm woodland has increased by 200% between 1975 and 1994. (+,-) Positive uptake of agro-environment schemes such as the Countryside Stewardship Scheme and Farm Woodland Premium Scheme. (+) Local involvement and support for Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group. (+) Loss of over-wintering stubble fields. (-) Reduction in mixed farming. (-) Change in cropping practice. (-) Opportunities to support ground nesting birds such as skylark, lapwing and grey partridge. (+) Nitrate contamination of aquifer from fertilizers. (-) Associated problems when farms are on urban fringes. (-) Neglect due to ownership becoming detached from the farming unit. (-) Irrigation is essential to the economic viability of growing root crops. (-)

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4.

Summary

4.1

Evaluation of nature conservation features

Table 1. Summary and evaluation of the nature conservation features covered in the previous chapters.

International importance

National importance

Geological features 9 Sherwood Sandstone Group Sherwood Sandstone aquifer Characteristic semi-natural habitats of Natural Area Lowland Heath 9 Dry heath Wet heath 9 Acid grassland Woodlands Lowland oak-birch woods Wet woodland 9 Pasture woodland Freshwater Rivers and streams 9 Lakes Farmland Hedges Grassland Copses

Local importance

9

9 9 9 9

9 9 9

National significance ratings (see below for categories)

The combined geological resource is of 'some' significance The combined lowland heath natural resource is of 'notable' significance The combined woodland natural resource is of 'notable' significance The combined freshwater natural resource is of 'notable' significance No assessment has been made

National significance ratings categories 1. 'Outstanding, (the highest), 2. 'considerable', 3. 'notable' and 4. 'some'.

The significant ratings are consistent with the respective Research Report and Core Profile produced by English Nature for each broad habitat type. Each report provides specific criteria for each category.

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4.2

Wildlife species

This section highlights some of the priority species of the Natural Area. As Natural Areas may have several hundred notable species, it is not possible to list them all. A scoping exercise was carried out to identify priority species that are thought to have particular importance to, or that are characteristic of, the Natural Area. These are listed in Table 2.

It was necessary to define criteria with which to select priority species to give some consistency between NA's. Priority species need to fulfill at least one of the following categories: • • • •

a species of national or international significance ie. listed in Red Data Books, Scheduled under the Wildlife & Countryside Act or Habitats and Wildlife Directive. a species confined to a particular NA, at least in a regional/local context. a species which is an indicator of a high quality habitat and/or 'good' management. a species of high or potentially high intrinsic appeal.

A more detailed list of species can be found in the Core Profiles and associated files at English Nature's Local Office.

Lowland heath

Higher plants cross-leaved heather hoary ling hare's tail cotton sedge petty whin dwarf gorse bilberry stag's horn clubmoss Bryophytes Cladonia spp Invertebrates green tiger beetle small chocolate-tip moth Portland moth glow worm

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Characteristic species

Species

Local importance

Habitat

National importance

International importance

Table 2. Priority species that are thought to have particular importance to, or that are characteristic of, the Natural Area.

9 9

9 9 9 9 9

9 9 9 9 9 9

Woodland

Freshwater

Reptiles common lizard adder slow worm Higher plants veteran pedunculate oak sessile oak birch Invertebrates beetles (Coleoptera) spp spiders (Arachnida) spp pseudoscorpion scarce silver lines moth scorched carpet moth broad bordered bee hawk moth angle-striped sallow moth white-letter hairstreak Birds redstart jay nuthatch green woodpecker hobby long-eared owl buzzard Mammals red deer Natterer's bat noctule bat Higher plants alder crack willow short-leaved water starwort lesser skullcap Birds teal pochard (breeding) shoveler goosander mallard coot heron (breeding)

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Characteristic species

Local importance

Species

National importance

International importance

Habitat

9 9 9 9

9 9 9

9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

9 9 9

9 9 9 9 9 9 9

Farmland

Fish brown trout brook lamprey Mammals water vole water shrew Higher plants vervain cornflower bugloss henbit Mammals brown hare Birds yellowhammer quail corn bunting skylark grey partridge linnet turtle dove tree sparrow cuckoo Reptiles common lizard

Characteristic species

Local importance

Species

National importance

International importance

Habitat

9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9

9 9 9 9

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5.

The future

Despite the pressures on Sherwood, this Natural Area has retained key elements which give it its essential character. Many of the wildlife features are already protected, but all of these sites exist as isolated fragments. The following objectives will allow us to maintain and enhance our wildlife features, not only in protected sites, but within the wider countryside. The Natural Area will be a place where present and future generations can live, work, visit, study and enjoy greater harmony with the natural world. The nature conservation objectives below provide a way of helping to achieve this vision and to retain the special sense of place of Sherwood Natural Area. They can only be achieved by partnerships between landowners, industry, other organisations and the local community. These objectives combine to provide an unconstrained vision for the Natural Area. The Local Biodiversity Action Plans will contain more precise targets for habitats and species which can be realistically achieved within defined timescales.

5.1

Objectives for nature conservation

Objective:

To maintain the extent and quality of the characteristic semi-natural habitats in the Natural Area, particularly the lowland heath, woodland and freshwater habitats.

Semi natural habitats are essential for the survival of many native animals and plants in the region. But these habitats have become both isolated and fragmented due to land use changes, and so are more vulnerable to outside pressures, a particular problem is the ribbon development around Worksop and Mansfield which is fragmenting habitats. If a species is lost at a site other populations may not be near enough to recolonise, for example some species of butterfly can only travel up to 300m to establish a new colony. Lack of suitable sites within this range will confine the species to the area. If the site is lost, so is the butterfly.

Semi natural habitats are a product of man's influence, and management is required to maintain most of these habitats. For example without grazing many grasslands would revert to scrub. Small fragmented sites can be difficult to manage and many sites are losing species due to neglect. Existing sites are important as a source of dispersal for species, acting as a pool. It is therefore vital that these sites are managed appropriately.

Key components Lowland heath • Secure the protection and appropriate management of all remaining heathland through suitable mechanisms such as the implementation of the Nottinghamshire Heathland Strategy.

• Seek to control invasion of bracken and birch on important sites.

• Encourage further management of ephemeral and permanent heathland in Forest Enterprise's commercial holdings in the area.

• Increase public participation in heathland to foster local appreciation and understanding.

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Woodland • Protect and manage existing ancient and semi-natural woodlands, particularly wood pasture/parklands, wet woodlands and alder wood.

• Reintroduce appropriate management in suitable sites to increase the diversity of habitats and species within the woodlands, particularly to benefit important deadwood invertebrates.

• Seek the restoration of wood pasture from conifer plantations, particularly where veteran trees remain.

• Monitor the deadwood resource and foster the next generation of veteran trees.

Freshwater • Secure an appropriate water supply (in terms of quality, quantity and seasonality) to all significant wetland sites.

• Secure management to control vegetation succession and maintain interest at such sites, through appropriate schemes.

• Improve water quality and manage the water resource along rivers and streams where appropriate.

• Encourage appropriate habitat creation adjacent to rivers, streams and lakes.

• Promote greater diversity of natural river channel features.

Objective:

To increase the semi-natural and characteristic habitats in Sherwood Natural Area particularly lowland heath, woodland, freshwater and farmland habitats.

It is important that existing fragmented habitats are increased in size and linked together.

This allows movement of species between sites, reduces the risk of a catastrophe such as a fire destroying the whole habitat and allows species such as birds of prey with large ranges to thrive. For this to happen the whole countryside needs to support a wide range of wildlife.

Once common species are declining such as the grey partridge and the skylark. Old habitats could be re-created, or areas could be managed in a way more conducive to wildlife.

Key components • • •

Identify, prioritise and implement a programme to recreate habitats which have declined or been lost and manage them sustainably. Priority habitats include lowland heath, woodland and freshwater.

Improve connectivity between species rich habitats by increasing the number of linear habitats such as hedge, ditch and stream habitats.

Work closely with mineral extraction companies and other developers at all stages of planning, development and restoration to ensure maximum benefit for wildlife.

Farmland • Protect the current extent of permanent grassland and field boundaries.

• Restore semi-natural grassland to optimal condition for wildlife.

• Increase area of wet grassland.

• Encourage mixed farming to meet conservation needs.

• Improve management of hedges for wildlife.

• Improve management of set-aside for wildlife.

• Encourage grass strips along hedges in arable fields, incorporate this with set-aside.

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• •

Reform National and European agricultural policy to meet conservation needs.

Encourage use of environmental land management schemes to restore, safeguard and recreate wildlife habitats within farmland in the Natural Area.

Objective:

To survey and monitor species and habitats effectively.

A clear understanding of natural processes is necessary to maintaining and enhancing the environment and fully understanding the consequences of our actions. There are certain groups of key species, particularly of insects, which we still know very little about. Their population size and habits are still understudied and a better understanding is required so we can learn whether their populations are declining and how they influence, and are influenced, by the plants and animals around them.

A coordinated nature conservation audit of the wildlife resource of the Natural Area is required to allow us to assess what we have and what possibilities there maybe for enhancement. Monitoring indicator species in a habitat is also important. Their numbers reflect the 'health' of the habitat and indicate the success or otherwise of any management carried out. Mechanisms such as the breeding bird surveys and monitoring programme could provide important long-term information.

Key components • • • • • •

Survey and monitor sites of conservation interest that have been under-recorded, particularly wood pasture and standing water.

Monitor extent and quality of all semi-natural habitats.

Monitor and analyse water quality.

Encourage monitoring to ensure up to date information across Sherwood Natural Area as a whole.

Identify species groups that need further information and undertake the necessary steps to acquire the information necessary for their conservation.

Identify and monitor indicator species to ensure that management is effective and to provide early warning of a decline in nature conservation interest.

Objective:

To maintain and enhance important species and populations that are characteristic of the Natural Area.

There are many species in the Natural Area which are declining or are of regional, national or international importance, for example species identified in the National and Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Plans, the latter of which is under preparation. It is important that action is taken now to improve numbers of these key species. This will partly be achieved by habitat protection and recreation. Appropriate management will be needed to create the ideal conditions for these species, such as nightjar, pochard, natterer's bat and short-leaved waterstarwort.

Key components •

Manage semi-natural habitats to maintain populations of key species particularly those internationally, nationally and locally important populations.

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• • • •

Assess the current distribution of key species and the status of their respective habitats.

Monitor key species to ensure their populations are not decreasing.

Maintain and enhance populations of these species at all current locations.

Investigate species extinctions, the feasibility of their re-introduction and where appropriate implement.

Objective:

To increase awareness of, and encourage appropriate use of the nature conservation resource to ensure that the countryside can be enjoyed by all, including future generations, without damaging the Sherwood Natural Area.

Commercial activities such as agriculture, mining and quarrying can have a significant impact upon the natural resource of Sherwood. A nature conservation strategy must address these impacts and where possible prevent or mitigate, to ensure that future generations can also enjoy the beauty and wildlife of the area.

It is important for the public to understand why Sherwood Natural Area is so important.

With such understanding, a desire to conserve and enhance will follow.

Sympathetic recreation requires an increase in public awareness of the importance of Sherwood Natural Area habitats, in a regional and national context.

Key components • • • • • • • •

Encourage an integrated approach to informal recreation at sites with high usage, to ensure that important sites retain favourable conservation status.

Promote links between nature conservation and cultural heritage to promote a local 'sense of place'.

Influence Local Authorities to designate and publicise more Local Nature Reserves.

Provide specialist advice on land management sympathetic to nature conservation.

Publicise the decline of habitats of Sherwood Natural Area and positive action to safeguard and restore habitats.

Promote the Natural Area in local schools as part of the National Curriculum.

Promote an understanding of the importance of sustainability and the interdependence of all living things.

Ensure that the UK Biodiversity Plan is implemented at a local level effectively.

Objective:

To ensure that the nationally important geological features of the Natural Area are maintained for future research and enjoyment.

The geology of Sherwood Natural Area is of some importance and the exposures provide us with good examples that could provide a good educational resource.

Key components •

Management to ensure nationally and regionally important exposures are not covered by scrub or are damaged by over use.

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•

•

Greater use of the features as an educational tool and providing more information so that the public understand their importance.

Address potential conflict between mineral extraction industry, landfill and geological conservation.

Manage disused quarries in such a way that habitats are created for rare and typical plants and animals whilst maintaining the geological features.

Create opportunities for new geological features to be created and interpreted.

6.

Conclusion

• •

There can be no doubt of the important contribution Sherwood Natural Area makes towards the wealth of nature in Britain. Equally there can be no doubt that without positive action, wildlife will be lost forever.

This document serves to identify a series of long-term objectives by which our natural heritage can be protected, not just for us, but for future generations. Significant progress in realising these objectives for Sherwood Natural Area can only be made if individuals and organisations work together to protect and enhance the Natural Area.

The future of Sherwood Natural Area is at a cross-roads. We must consider the different land uses in the Natural Area and promote their integration in a sustainable way that supports local communities and interested bodies. This will ensure that the special character of Sherwood Natural Area is conserved for the future.

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Appendix 1 - Glossary of terms Biodiversity:

The variety of lifeforms we see around us. It encompasses the whole range of plant and animal life: mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects and other invertebrates, plants, fungi and microorganisms.

Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS):

The Countryside Stewardship Scheme is operated by the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food to enhance and recreate valued English landscapes and wildlife habitats. The scheme offers incentive payments to landowners for long term sensitive management.

EC Birds Directive:

Birds of international importance are listed in this European Community Directive.

EC Habitats and Species Directive:

Habitats and species of international importance are listed in this European Community Directive.

Local Nature Reserve (LNR):

The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act (1949), enables Local authorities to acquire, declare and manage nature reserves for the purpose of 'preserving flora, fauna, or geological or physiographical features of special interest in the area'.

National Nature Reserve (NNR):

The National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act (1949), empowers English Nature to designate an area of land that is considered to be of national significance for the conservation of wildlife or its physical features.

There are now more than 250 National Nature Reserves throughout Britain.

Nationally rare:

A species which has been recorded in 15 or less 10km squares of the national Ordnance Survey grid.

Nationally scarce:

A species which has been recorded in 16-100 10km squares of the national Ordnance Survey grid.

Red Data Book (RDB):

Red Data Books provide national and occasionally county overviews on the status of species that are considered to be under threat.

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For example the Mammal Red Data book will list all species that are known to be Endangered, Vulnerable or Rare in the country or county.

Semi-natural vegetation:

Vegetation whilst having been modified by humans is still of significant nature conservation interest because it is composed of native species and is similar in structure to natural types. For example coppice woodlands.

Special Areas of Conservation (SAC):

SACs comprise a network of protected wildlife sites under Natura 2000 that are considered to be of European importance to enable the sustainable survival of rare habitats and species. An SAC is designated under the European Habitats Directive.

Special Protection Area (SPA):

SPAs comprise a network of protected wildlife sites under Natura 2000 that are considered to be of European importance to enable the sustainable survival of rare and migratory bird species. An SPA is designated under the European Wild Birds Directive.

Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI):

A SSSI is a legal designation under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) applied to land of special nature conservation or geological interest by English Nature, the statutory body for nature conservation in England. SSSI's are identified

by English Nature according to scientific criteria. The best examples of habitats, flora and fauna, geological features and landforms are protected by a SSSI designation.

Woodland Grant Scheme (WGS):

Grants are available under the WGS to woodland owners aimed at increasing the environmental value both of broadleaved and conifer woodlands, as well as normal maintenance operations. The grant is operated by the Forestry Commission.

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Appendix 2 - Organisations and individuals consulted over the profile ADAS - Cambridgeshire - Mr John Richardson ADAS - Wolverhampton - Dr. Ian P Jones BSBI Recorder - Nottinghamshire - Mr David Wood Council for the Protection of Rural England - Mrs C Collins Countryside Commission - Mr Ian Baker, Ms E. Newton Country Landowners' Association - Mr Peter Geldart East Midlands Environmental Consultants - Dr. Peter Shepherd Environment Agency - Mrs Valerie Holt, Ms Alison Fisher Farming and Rural Conservation Agency FWAG Officer - Nottinghamshire - Mr Simon Gaddes Forestry Authority - Mr Austin Brady Forest Enterprise - Mr Paul Barwick, Mr John Tewson Greenwood Community Forest - Mr Peter Downing Norman Lewis - Local ecologist Local Planning Authorities: (Chief Planning Officers) Ashfield District Council Bassetlaw District Council Borough of Gedling Broxtowe Borough Council Mansfield District Council Newark & Sherwood District Council Nottingham City Council Nottinghamshire County Council MAFF - Stewardship Officer - Mr Dave Woods MAFF - Mr Paul Arnold Ministry of Defence - Mr Andy Brown, John Wallace National Farmers' Union - Mr Paul Tame National Trust - Mr David Bullock, Mr David Wilson Nottingham Natural History Museum - Mr Graham Walley, Mrs Sheila Wright Nottinghamshire County Council - Mrs Alison Frazer Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust - Mr Richard Brown Royal Society for the Protection of Birds - Mr Tim De Winton Severn Trent Water Ltd - Mr Colin Green, Mrs Jan Philips Welbeck Estates - Mr Robin Brown

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Appendix 3 - Bibliography ANDREWS, J., & REBANE, M. 1994. Farming & Wildlife : A practical management handbook. RSPB. ARNOLD, H.R. 1995. Atlas of amphibians and reptiles in Britain. Joint Nature Conservation Committee and ITE. BRATTON, J.H., ed. 1991. British Red Data Book 3 : invertebrates. JNCC. BROWN, A., & GRICE, P. 1996. JNCC list of birds of conservation importance. JNCC. CAMPBELL, L.H., & COOKE, A.S. 1997. The indirect effects of pesticides on birds.

JNCC. DOBBS, A., ed. 1975. The Birds of Nottinghamshire. David & Charles Publishers.

DURDIN, C. 1996. Red list birds dependent on farmland - distribution and density by countryside character areas. RSPB, East Anglia Region.

ENGLISH NATURE & COUNTRYSIDE COMMISSION. The Character of England: landscape, wildlife and natural features.

ENVIRONMENT AGENCY. 1996. Environment Agency Midlands Region Biodiversity Strategy.

GARDINER, A.J. 1996. Freshwater wetlands in England : A Natural Areas Approach.

English Nature Research Reports, No. 204.

GRICE, P.V., and others. 1994. Birds in England: A Natural Areas Approach.

Peterborough: English Nature.

HAMMOND, C. O. 1983. The Dragonflies of Great Britain and Ireland. Harley Books.

HARRIS, S., and others. 1995. A Review of British Mammals. Peterborough: Joint Nature Conservation Committee.

HEATH, J., & EMMET, A.M., eds. The Moths and Butterflies of Great Britain and Ireland.

Colchester: Harley Books.

HILL, P.A., & TWIST, T. 1996. Butterflies and Dragonflies. A Site Guide. Arlequin Press.

JEFFERSON, R.G. 1996. Lowland Grassland in Natural Areas: National assessment of significance. Peterborough: English Nature.

KING, A., and others. 1996. Earth Heritage Conservation in England: A Natural Areas Perspective. Peterborough: English Nature.

MABEY, R. 1996. Flora Britannica. Sinclair Stevenson Publishers.

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MAITLAND, P. S., & CAMPBELL, R.N. 1992. Freshwater fishes. Harper Collins.

MERRITT, R. 1994. The Dragonflies of Great Britain and Ireland. Harley Books.

MICHAEL, N. 1996. Lowland heathland in England : A Natural Areas Approach. English Nature Research Reports, No. 170.

MITCHELL-JONES, A. J., & GENT, A. H. 1997. Priority Natural Areas of mammals, reptiles and amphibians (BAP short-list species). Peterborough: English Nature.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL. 1997. Nottinghamshire Landscape Guidelines. Notts Co Co. NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL. 1990. Why Nottinghamshire’s Sherwood Forest should become the new National Forest. Notts Co Co. NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL. 1970. Trent Valley Study, Nottinghamshire.

Notts Co Co. NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL. 1992. Sherwood Forest Country Park Management Plan. Notts Co Co. PERRING, F.H., & WALTERS, S.M., ed. 1962. Atlas of the British Flora. Botanical Society of the British Isles.

PERRING, F.H., & FARRELL, L. (Compilers). 1983. British Red Data Book 1 : vascular plants. RSNC. PHILLIPS, R. 1977. Wild flowers of Britain. Pan Books.

REID, C. M., KIRBY, K. J., & COOKE, R.J. 1996. A Preliminary Assessment of Woodland Conservation in England by Natural Areas. Peterborough: English Nature.

SHIRT, D. B., ed. 1987. British Red Data Book 2 : insects. NCC. STACE, C. 1991. New Flora of the British Isles. Cambridgeshire University Press.

STEWARD, A., and others. (Compiler and editors). 1994. Scarce plants in Britain. Joint Nature Conservancy Committee.

THE UK STEERING GROUP. 1995. Biodiversity : The UK Steering Group Report Vols 1 and 2. HMSO. WARD, D., and others. 1994. The new rivers and wildlife handbook. RSPB. WINGFIELD GIBBONS, D., and others. 1993. The New Atlas of Breeding Birds in Britain and Ireland 1988-1993. BTO, Scottish Ornithologists’ Club and Irish Wildbird Conservancy.

WRIGHT, S. 1995. The conservation status of Lepidoptera in Nottinghamshire.

Nottingham Natural History Museum.

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Appendix 4 - Rare plants in Sherwood Natural Area The following list of scarce or rare vascular plants and bryophyte species have been identified

by English Nature as being present within the Natural Area.

Nationally rare plants Festuca longifolia

blue fescue

Nationally scarce plants Apera interrupta Apera spica-venti Callitriche truncata Carex montana Dianthus deltoides Hordelymus europaeus Hypochaeris glabra Lythrum portula Myriophyllum verticillatum Nymphoides peltata

dense silky bent loose silky bent short-leaved water-starwort soft-leaved sedge maiden pink wood barley smooth cat's ear water milfoil whorled water-milfoil fringed water lily

Nationally scarce mosses Anthoceros agrestis Riccia subbifurca Schistostega pennata Trichostomopsis umbrosa

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Appendix 5 - Core Profiles and research reports The following Core Profiles and reports have been produced by English Nature to guide the Natural Area process. They provide a summary of essential information on the geological and nature conservation resource of each Natural Area. The species lists are by no means comprehensive and will be revised as information is received. There are various categories in the Core Profiles which are defined below. The reports cover the geological, heathland, lowland grassland, wetland and ornithological interest. Reports are available for woodlands, vertebrates, vascular plants, bryophytes, invertebrates and farmland. Earlier research reports were based on Natural Area boundaries that have since changed and may show some inaccuracies.

Significance •

A species is significant if: it is rare, scarce, scheduled or listed in the BAP or the EC Habitats and Species Directive.

•

A species group is significant if : an assemblage of species is an important factor in the value of a feature. An example would be ground nesting birds (stone curlew, nightjar) in arable fields in Breckland.

•

A habitat is significant either if : it is listed in the BAP or Habitats and Species Directives, or it is an essential part of the Key Nature Conservation Feature identified in the Core Profiles.

Characteristic species •

Whether a species is characteristic of a feature can only be a subjective judgement by relevant Conservation Officers. We are looking for typical, distinctive and integral species.

Extinct / declining species •

A useful rule of thumb for the declining species category is any species that might be considered for a species recovery / re-introduction programme (in an ideal world).

Examples might include water vole and skylark.

Separating common from declining species •

'Declining' does not necessarily mean rare and can include common species which will become rare or scarce if their rate of decline continues.

Rare species •

Rare species, even when increasing in numbers, should be listed as 'significant'.

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Species that utilise a mix of habitats •

These should be listed under the appropriate category under each Key Nature Conservation Feature in which they occur.

Repetition of species •

If a species is both characteristic and significant or significant and declining (or even characteristic and declining) it should be listed in all categories, ie a species can be listed more than once in any feature (eg round-headed rampion in the South Downs is both characteristic and nationally scarce and will be listed as both Characteristic and Significant).

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Name of Natural Area: Counties in Natural Area: LPAs in Natural Area:

Local Team: Contact Officer: Size of Natural Area: Description:

Major Land Uses:

Key Nature Conservation Features:

Sherwood Nottinghamshire Bassetlaw Newark and Sherwood Mansfield Ashfield Broxtowe Nottingham Gedling East Midlands Steve Clifton The Sherwood Forest Natural Area covers an area of some 500 km2 on the Triassic Sandstone plateau of western Nottinghamshire. The area is characterised by arable agriculture (especially root crops), coal mining activity and its aftermath, and extensive commercial forestry, but is best known for its association with Robin Hood and the Royal Forest. Its most important nature conservation features also derive from that history. The remaining areas of ancient oak-birch woodland within the Royal Forest support internationally important communities of deadwood invertebrates along with valuable lichen, fungal and bird populations. Associated with the woodland there survive tracts and fragments of heather heathland which form an important component of the Forest. Much of the area is still occupied by the large ducal estates (‘the Dukeries’) which arose as the Royal Forest was dissolved and whose ‘designer landscapes’ include important parkland, lake and woodland habitats.

Forestry Urban Arable Minerals Ancient semi-natural woodland and wood pasture Parkland Dry heath/acidic grassland mosaic Wet dwarf shrub heath Open water Caves Sherwood Sandstone Group

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Name of Natural Area: Key Nature Conservation Feature Feature classification Size of Feature Significance

Significant Habitats

Significant Species Group

Significant Species

Sherwood Ancient semi-natural woodland and wood pasture A111

Woodland: broadleaved, semi-natural

National (woodland) Local (wetland) National (invertebrates) Local (birds) W5 W6 W10 W16

Saproxylic invertebrates Saproxylic coleoptera Saproxylic arachnida Saproxylic diptera Fungi Lichens Lepthyphantes midas Tuberta macrophthalma Meta bourneti Araneus marmoreus Araniella cucurbitina Dendrochernes cymeus Ampedus pomona Ampedus pomorum Hylecoetus dermestoides Plegaderus dissectus Pterostichus oblongopunctatus Triplax russica Saperda scalaris Abdera quadrisciata Enicmus rugosus Prionycus melanarius Pyropterus nigroruber Xyleborus dispar Odontosia carmelita Geometra papilionaria Apeira syringaria Habrosyne pyritoides

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Alnus glutinosa-Carex paniculata woodland Alnus glutinosa-Urtica dioica woodland Quercus robur-Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus woodland Quercus spp.-Betula spp.-Deschampsia flexuosa woodland

spider spider spider spider spider false scorpion click beetle click beetle beetle beetle beetle beetle beetle beetle beetle beetle beetle beetle scarce prominent moth large emerald moth lilac beauty moth buff arches moth

Characteristic Species

Rheumaptera hastata hastata

argent and sable moth

Regulus ignicapillus Nyctalus noctula

firecrest noctule bat

Quercus robur Quercus petraea Betula pendula Betula pubescens Calluna vulgaris Ilex aquifolium Castanea sativa Hyacinthoides nonscripta Genista tinctoria Sorbus aucuparia Hedera helix Teucrium scorodonia Viola riviniana Blechnum spicant Salix fragilis Salix caprea Dryopteris carthusiana Alnus glutinosa Galium palustre Lonicera periclymenum Lecanora coninoides Lecidea ganulosa Lecidea uliginosa Lecidea scalaris Cladonia coniocraea Cladonia chlorophaea Cladonia macilenta Cladonia floerkeana Cladonia digitata Cladonia squamosa Cladonia furcata Parmelia physodes Parmelia saxatilis Parmeliopsis ambigua Lepraria incama

pedunculate oak sessile oak silver birch downy birch heather holly sweet chestnut bluebells

Fomes fomentarius Grifolia sulphurea

hoof fungus bracket fungi

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dyers greenweed rowan ivy wood sage common dog-violet hard fern crack willow goat willow narrow buckler-fern alder common marsh-bedstraw honeysuckle lichen lichen lichen lichen lichen lichen lichen lichen lichen lichen lichen lichen lichen lichen lichen

Extinct/declining species

Fistulina hepatica Piptoporus betulinus Polyporus brumalis Laetiporus sulphureus

beefsteak fungi fungi fiuW fungi

Phalera bucephala Hepialus fusconebulosa Enargia paleacea Boarmia roboraria Apatura iris DryTnonia dodonaea Dichonia aprilina Hemaris fucifomus Ligdia adustata Querlusia quercus

buff tip moth map-winged swift moth angle striped sallow moth great oak beauty moth purple emperor butterfly marbled brown moth merveille du jour moth broad-bordered bee hawk-moth scorched carpet moth purple hairstreak butterfly

Phoenicunu phoenicurus Coccothraustes coccothraustes Asio otus

redstart hawfinch

Phylloscopus sibilatrix

wood warbler

Dendrocopus minor

lesser spotted woodpecker

Accipiter gentilis

goshawk

Luscinia megarhynchos Strymonidia w-album

nightingale white letter hairstreak butterfly

Designations

SSSI SAC

Issues

Fragmentation Built development Conversion to arable Woodland management for deadwood invertebrates High public use Interpretation Deconiferisation Coniferisation Deep mining subsidence Water quality Water quantity

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long-eared owl

Non-intervention management (alderwoods) New planting Mine waste water pollution Recreation

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Name of Natural Area: Key Nature Conservation Feature: Feature classification Size of Feature Significance Significant Habitats

Sherwood Parkland A31 National (birds) U2 U4 W10

Parkland/scattered trees: broad-leaved

Deschampsia flexuosa grassland Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile grassland Quercus robur-Pteridium aquilinum-Rubus fruticosus woodland

Significant Species Groups

Saproxylic invertebrates Saproxylic coleoptera Saproxylic arachnida Saproxylic diptera Lichens

Significant Species

Tyro alba Pemisapivorus Myotis nattereri Ernoporus caucasicus

barn owl honey buzzard natterer's bat beetle

Characteristic Species

Quercus robur Quercus petraea

pedunculate oak sessile oak

Phoenicurus phoenicurus Picus viridis Buteo buteo Falco subbuteo Bena prasinana Synanthedon culicifornus Synanthedon myopaeformis Ennomos quercinaria

redstart

Extinct/declining species

Tyto alba

green woodpecker buzzard hobby scarce silver-lines moth large red-belted clearwing moth red-belted clearwing moth august thorn moth

barn owl

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Designations

SSSI SAC

Issues

Management grazing Countryside Stewardship Scheme Public safety Tidiness Recreation

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Name of Natural Areas: Key Nature Conservation Feature: Feature classification Size of Feature Significance

Significant Habitats

Sherwood Dry heath/acidic grassland mosaic DS Heathland: dry heath/acid grassland mosaic 250 ha National (including wet heath & acid grassland) National (birds) U1 Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillafs-Rumex acetosella grassland U2 Deschampsia flexuosa grassland U4 Festuca ovina-Agrostis capillaris-Galium saxatile grassland U5 Nardus stricta-Galium saxatile grassland Hl Calluna vulgaris-Festuca ovina heath H9 Calluna vulgaris-Deschampsia flexuosa heath

Significant Species Groups

Lepidoptera Coleoptera Arachnida Lichens

Significant Species

Dianthus deltoides Perconia strigillaria Agrotis vestigialis Ochropleura praecox

maiden pink grass wave moth archer's dart moth portland moth

Xysticus erraticus Xysticus cristatus Tibellus oblongus Zora silvestris

spider spider spider spider

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Characteristic Species

Namada lathbriana Notaris bimaculatus Atheta indubia Atheta orbata Atheta ischnolera Atheta repanda Atheta setigera Ischnoglossa prolixa

hymenoptera coleoptera coleoptera coleoptera coleoptera coleoptera coleoptera coleoptera

Caprimulgus europaeus Lullula arborea

nightjar woodlark

Ulex gallii Calluna vulgaris - Notts variant Ulex minor Genista anglica Erodium cicutarium Hypericum humifusum Ornithopus perpusillus Sagina procumbens Eriophila vema Cerastium semidecandrum Hypochaeris glabra Viola hirta Campanula rotundifolia Erica cinerea Pteridium aquilinum Cytisus scoparius

western gorse hoary ling dwarf gorse petty whin common stork's-bill Trailing St-John's-wort bird's foot procumbent pearlwort common whitlowgrass little mouse-ear smooth cat's-ear hairy violet harebell bell-heather bracken broom

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Extinct/declining species

Ulex europaeus Aira caryophyllea Aira praecox Arenaria serpyllifolia

gorse silver hair-grass early hair-grass thyme-leaved sandwort

Lycopodium clavatum Funaria hygrometrica Cladonia baccillaris Cladonia cervicomis Cladonia coniocraea Cladonia glauca Cladoma portentosa Cladonia chlorophaea Cladonia macilenta Leinadapula ericetonum Icmadophila ericitonun

stag's horn clubmoss moss lichen lichen lichen lichen lichen lichen lichen lichen lichen

Diacrisia sannio

clouded buff moth

Cicindela campestris Lampyris noctiluca Lacerta vivipera Hygrocybe mineata

green tiger beetle glow-worm common lizard fungi

Anthus trivialis

tree pipit

Perdix perdix Vanellus vanellus Saxicolarubetra

grey partridge lapwing whinchat

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Saxicola torquata viperus berus Designations

stonechat adder

SSSI LNR Lack of grazing stock Supportive local authorities Voluntary initiatives eg. Nottinghamshire Heathland Forum Management Agreements Forest Enterprise - management of heathland Fragmentation Built development Habitat re-creation Arable reversion Public action Arable reversion to heathland Lack of management Restoration of industrial sites Heathland strategy

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Name of Natural Area: Key Nature Conservation Feature: Feature classification Size of Feature Significance

Significant Habitats Significant Species Groups

Sherwood Wet dwarf shrub heath D2 0.1 ha

Heathland: wet dwarf shrub heath

National (including dry heath) Local (wetland) National (birds)

M16

Erica tetralix-Sphagnum compactum wet heath

Eriophorun vaginatum Erica tetralix Eriophorum angustifolium Juncus bulbosus Molinia caerulea Carex rostrata Juncus effuses Juncus squarrosus Hydrocotyle vulgaris Eleocharis palustris Epilobium palustre Juncus conglomerates Polygonum amphibium Sphagnum cuspidatum Kalmia polifolia Dryopteris cristata

hares-tail cottongrass cross-leaved heather common cottongrass bulbous rush purple moor grass bottle sedge soft-rush heath rush marsh pennywort common spike-rush marsh willowherb compact rush amphibious bistort

Significant Species

Characteristic Species

Extinct/declining species

crested buckler-fem

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Drosera rotundifolia Vaccinium oxycoccus Empetrum nigrum Thelypteris palustris Eleocharis multicaulis Ranunculus flammula Designations

SSSI

Issues

Water quality Water quantity Lack of resource Invasive alien species Management

round-leaved sundew cranberry crawberry marsh fem, many-stalked spike-rush lesser spearwort

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Name of Natural Area: Key Nature Conservation Feature: Feature classification Size of Feature Significance

Sherwood Open water G11

Significant Habitats

S3 S4 S6 S12 S14

Significant Species Groups

Wintering wildfowl Breeding wildfowl Passage waders

Significant Species

Callitriche truncate Aplocnemis nigricomis Bibloponu bicolor Saderda scalaris Anas crecca Anas strepera Anas clypeata Tringa nebularia Cygnus columbianus

short-leaved water-startwort beetle beetle beetle teal gadwall shoveler greenshank bewick swan

Characteristic Species

Carex rostrata

bottle sedge

Open water: standing, eutrophic

Local (wetland) National (birds) Carex paniculata swamp Phragmites australis swamp and reedbeds Carex riparia swamp Typha latifolia swamp Sparganium erectum swamp

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Potamogeton natans Lysimachia vulgaris iris pseudacorus Cardamine amam Schoenoplectus tabemaemontani Philudoria potatoria Ardea cinerea Alcedo atthis

broad-leaved pondweed yellow loosestrife yellow iris large bitter-cress grey club-rush drinker moth heron kingfisher

Extinct/declining species

Gallinago gallinago Aythya ferina

snipe pochard

Designations

SSSI

Issues

Water quality Mine waste water pollution Water control Groundwater abstraction Surface water extraction Succession Pest control

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Name of Natural Area: Key Nature Conservation Feature: Feature classification Size of Feature Significance Significant Habitats Significant Species Groups Significant Species Characteristic Species Extinct/declining species Designations Issues

Sherwood Caves GCR2

Caves and Karst sites

Local (earth science) GCR2A

Caves

None Interpretation RIGS Caving

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Name of Natural Area: Key Nature Conservation Feature: Feature classification Size of Feature Significance Significant Habitats Significant Species Groups Significant Species Characteristic Species Extinct/declining species Designations Issues

Sherwood Sherwood Sandstone Group GCR11

Permo – Triassic stratigraphy sites

Local (earth science) GCR11B

Permian – Triassic

SSSI/GCR Landfill Quarrying Interpretation RIGS Education Site assessment Industrial history Conservation exposures in working quarries

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Research reports

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Natural Area:

Sherwood Forest

Geological Significance: Some (provisional) General geological character: The Sherwood Forest Natural Area is characterised by the low N-S escarpment of the Triassic Sherwood Sandstone Group (bounded to the west by the Permian Magnesian Limestone escarpment and to the east by the Triassic Mercia Mudstone Group). Underlying much of the Natural Area is the concealed Upper Carboniferous East Pennine Coalfield. Pleistocene deposits include clays, sands and gravels capping hills and filling valleys.

The Sherwood Sandstone Group is fluvial in origin, deposited by rivers that flowed northwards across the area.

Uplift and erosion have removed Jurassic, Cretaceous and Tertiary sediments. During Pleistocene times the area was covered by at least one glaciation (pre-Devensian, earlier than 100,000 years BP) which left behind glacial clays, sands and gravels and outwash plains. Subsequently, the area has undergone general denudation and down cutting of rivers such as the Trent. The concealed East Pennines Coalfield has in the past been economically important, associated exploration and mining providing much of our current geological knowledge of the area. Carboniferous strata have also yielded oil (eg. Bothamsall Oilfield). The Sherwood Sandstone forms an important aquifer supplying cities such as Nottingham.

Key geological features:

• •

Sherwood Sandstone Group; palaeoenvironments Economic resource; East Pennine Coalfield and Sherwood Sandstone aquifer Number of GCR sites: Permian – Triassic: 2 Geological/geomorphological SSSI coverage: There are two (P)SSSIs in the Natural Area containing two GCR SILs representing one GCR network. Both the sites are key locations for understanding the detailed sedimentology and palaeoenvironments of the Sherwood Sandstone Group (Nottingham Castle Formation).

Scrooby Top Quarry (active) has faces cut parallel to palaeocurrent directions and Styrrup Quarry (disused) has complimentary sections transverse to palaeocurrent direction.

Key geological management issues:

• • •

Conservation in active and disused quarries Assessment of the geological resource (eg RIGS) Promotion of the educational and scientific value of geological resource Key geological objectives: 1.

Maintenance and enhance ment of the geological resource through a) enhancement of existing exposures and agreed conservation sections in active and disused quarries, b) development of local conservation strategies that include ecology, c) assessment of educational/research value of new sites (eg quarries and cuttings, temporary or permanent, potential RIGS).

2.

Promotion of geological resource through a) assessment and promotion of site educational value, b) on-site interpretation (eg sign boarding, trail guides, leaflets), c) promotion of the link between geology and local habitats, scenery and the industrial development of the Natural Area (eg concealed East Pennines Coalfield, Sherwood Sandstone aquifer).

Useful guides/references: EDWARDS, W.N. 1967. Geology of the Country around Ollerton. Memoir of the Geological Survey of Great Britain.

SMITH, E.G., RHYS, G.H., & GOOSTENS, R.F. 1973. Geology of the country around East Retford. Memoir of the Geological Survey of Great Britain.

Earth science (P)SSSIs in the Natural Area:

• •

Scrooby Top Quarry Styrrup Quarry

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Natural Area: Sherwood Forest Description:

Lowland Heathland Significance: Notable

This Natural Area contains limited areas of lowland heathland but these are important in a national context.

Key Lowland Heathland Types: NVC H9 Calluna vulgaris – Deschampsia flexuosa heath NVC M16 Erica tetralix – Sphagnum compactum wet heath Key Issues:

•

Lack of heathland management Key Objectives 1.

Reintroduce traditional heathland management.

2.

Restore areas of conifer plantations and secondary woodland to lowland heathland.

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Natural Area: Sherwood Forest Description:

Lowland Grassland Significance: Some

The area situated in western Nottinghamshire is underlain by Triassic Bunter sandstone which gives rise to free-draining acidic soils.

The area is rolling in nature and lies at an average altitude of 125m. It is largely intensively farmed although substantial tracts of broad-leaved woodland and wood pasture still occur.

Acid grassland occurs in association with the remaining fragments of lowland dwarf-shrub heath.

Key Grassland Types: 1.

Acid grassland (U1, U2, U4)

Nationally Rare & Scarce Grassland Plant Species: Carex montana, Dianthus deltoides, Hypochaeris glabra Key sites: Associated interests: 1.

Acid grassland forms a mosaic with heathland (H9) 2.

Breeding birds associated with heath/acid grassland 3.

Invertebrates associated with heath/acid grassland Key Issues:

• • •

Lack of grazing/undergrazing Pressure for urban development Opportunities for grassland creation on farmland Key Objectives:

• • • •

Maintain the current extent of semi-natural grassland in favourable conservation status Restore semi-natural grassland in sub-optimal condition to optimal condition Seek opportunities to expand the grassland resource Seek to ensure strong policies for grassland conservation appear in structure/development plans

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Natural Area: Sherwood Forest Description:

Wetland Significance: Medium

The Sherwood Forest Natural Area covers the Triassic sandstone plateau of western Nottinghamshire.

The area is characterised by arable agriculture, coal mining and commercial forestry. There are some important lakes associated with the parkland of the large estates in the area.

Wetland SSSI coverage: SSSIs containing wetland habitats SSSIs dominated by a wetland habitat SSSI wetland dominants SSSI nutrient status

7/11 (63.6%) 4 (36.4%) open water – natural (3), swamp (1) 4 mesotrophic, 4 eutrophic

Key wetland types:

wet woodland (W5, W6); wet heath (M16); swamp (S3, S4, S6, S12, S14)

Length of rivers:

209 km

Key wetland sites:

-

Nationally rare and scarce wetland plant species: Associated interests: Key issues:

1)

Callitriche truncata

S

breeding and wintering wildfowl of open water habitats.

water, quality, water quantity, mining pollution, abstraction, succession

Wetland SSSI issues: Pollution 5(71%) water levels 2(29%) Recreation 6(86%) Key objectives: 1) Maintain and enhance the current extent, diversity and condition of the wetland habitats through appropriate monitoring and subsequent management.

2) Meet all the requirements of international treaties relating to wetland conservation, namely the Ramsar convention, Birds Directive and Habitats and Species Directive.

3) Restore and enhance the hydrology, water quality and management of wetland sites that are currently in sub-optimum condition.

4) Seek opportunities for habitat creation of wetland habitats.

5) Maintain and enhance important populations of wetland plants and animals and carry out appropriate monitoring to determine their status.

6) Liaise with the Environment Agency and other government bodies over policy issues and planning.

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Natural Area: Sherwood Forest Ornithological Significance: Notable General ornithological character: A natural area of some ornithological interest which is centred on the large remaining blocks of semi-natural woodland. Areas of ancient woodland and wood pasture support typical species, including redstart and hawfinch. Where woodland has been cleared, open heathland has often developed supporting breeding nightjar and, in smaller numbers, woodlark (and formerly stonechat). Open water within parks holds limited numbers of breeding and wintering wildfowl, and often has fringing aquatic vegetation which is rare elsewhere within the natural area.

Internationally important species English Nature priority List 1 List 2

Other notable species

‘Core Area’ species Extinct/very rare breeding species Key bird habitats Species specific action Additional monitoring required Key issues:

gadwall grey partridge nightjar lapwing woodlark Breeding hobby, kingfisher, lesser spotted woodpecker, redstart, whinchat, hawfinch, (long-eared owl, tree pipit, wood warbler) Pochard, goshawk, honey buzzard, buzzard, barn owl, stonechat, nightingale Semi-natural woods, conifer plantations, lowland heath, lakes Species protection measures for rare breeders

•

Loss of ancient woodland/wood pasture to development. Conversion to plantations.

•

Loss and lack of management of heathland.

•

Opportunities for habitat re-creation on farmland.

Key objectives: 1.

Maintain present area of ancient woodland and wood-pasture. Enhance breeding bird populations with the appropriate management (eg coppicing, ride management, maintain old/dead wood etc).

2.

Maintain and, where possible, increase area of lowland heath. Expand or link existing fragments if possible.

3.

Maximise benefits to birds of new and existing conifer plantations.

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