Monitoring of Nature Improvement Area Meadows Butterfly transect surveys 2016/17 Introduction In June 2016 butterfly transects were set up at four sites which include meadows created through the Birmingham and Black Country Nature Improvement Area (NIA). These were Londonderry Playing Fields, Sedgley Beacon, Castle Vale Meadows and Ley Hill Park. An additional transect was set up at Moseley Bog & Joy’s Wood LNR in 2017. The aim of the surveys is to collect baseline data to monitor the impact of meadow creation on butterfly populations and to assist with the design of future meadow creation projects.
Method The surveys were carried out based on the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme guidelines. A transect was set up at each site and divided into sections to represent variations in habitat type and management. Length of transects was dependent on the size of the individual meadows. Surveys were carried out between 10:45-15:45pm and in weather conditions that were suitable for butterfly recording (13-17oC with at least 60% sunshine). Transects were walked at a steady pace and the number of individuals of all butterfly species seen in each section was recorded.
Londonderry Playing Fields The meadow at Londonderry Playing Fields was created in 2014 through treating the established amenity grassland with glyphosate and strewing with green hay from Illey Pastures (Dudley). Additional seed was also subsequently sown. The meadow is situated in a recreational park dominated by amenity grassland and adjacent to residential gardens. The meadow consists of a variety of species including Ragwort Senecio vulgaris and Oxeye Daisy Leaucantheum vulgare, which are abundant, and grasses including Common bent Agrostis capillaris, Sweet-vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum and Red fescue Festuca rubra. The transect is divided into seven sections with sections two-three bordering residential gardens and five-six bordering playing fields (Figure 1).
Figure 1 Londonderry Playing Field transect route.
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Ley Hill Park The meadow at Ley Hill Park was created in 2013 through treating the established amenity grassland with glyphosate and strewing with green hay from Illey Pastures. Additional seed was also subsequently sown. The meadow is situated on a southfacing slope surrounded by mature hedgerows, and is divided into four sections by mown pathways. The meadow consists 90% of grass species including Cock’s foot Dactylis glomerata, Red fescue F. rubra and Common bent A. capillaris, and 10% herbs including Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus acris, Common Knapweed Centaurea nigra and Common Sorrel Rumex acetosa. The transect is divided into six sections which follows the mown pathways and borders the mature hedgerow (Figure 2).
Figure 2 Ley Hill Park transect route
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Castle Vale Meadows Castle Vale Meadows were created in 2013 and is separated into two compartments: Castle Vale Meadows East (also known as Spitfire Meadows East) which was strewn with hay from Eades Meadow (Worcestershire), and Castle Vale Meadows West (also known as Spitfire Meadows West) which was strewn with hay from Draycote Meadow (Warwickshire). Castle Vale Meadows East is comprised of 50% grasses including D.glomerata, A. capillaris, F. rubra and 50% herbs including Smooth hawksbeard Crepis capillaris , Birds-foot trefoil Lotus corniculatus, R.acris and Ragwort Senecio jacobaea which is very abundant. Castle Vale Meadows West is composed of 60% grasses including Crested-dogs tail Cynosurus cristatus, F. rubra and Perennial rye-grass Lolium perenne and 40% herbs including C.nigra and R.acris. Species abundant in each compartment include Yorkshire-fog Holocus lanatus, Sweet Vernal Grass Anthoxanthum odoratum, Red Fescue Festuca rubra and Smooth Meadow-grass Poa pretensis s.l., with Cock’s-foot Dactylis glomerata and False Oat-grass Arrhenatherum elatius locally abundant. Both meadows contain several locally Very Rare, Rare and Uncommon species including Green-winged Orchid Anacamptis morio, Rough Hawk’s-beard Crepis biennis, Tormentil Potentilla erecta, Cowslip Primula veris, Quaking-grass Briza media, Fairy Flax Linum catharticum, Ragged Robin Silene flos-cuculi and Yellow-rattle Rhinanthus minor agg. Other frequent species include Ox-eye Daisy Leucanthemum vulgare, Common Knapweed Centauria nigra, Common Bird's Foot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus, Ribwort Plantain Plantago lancelota, Meadow Buttercup Ranunculus acris and Red Clover Trifolium pratense. ‘Undesirable’ species including Nettle Urtica dioica, Broad-leaved Dock Rumex obtusifolius and Common Ragwort Senecio jacobaea are locally frequent. The transect is divided into seven sections including woodland edge and scrub habitat, sections four-five transverse the meadow and section seven borders a fenced paddock with has recently been established (Figure 3).
Figure 3 Castle Vale meadow transect route.
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Sedgley Beacon The meadow at Sedgley Beacon was created in 2014 on the top of a covered reservoir. The existing grassland sward was cut and removed and strewn with green hay from Eades Meadow. The area did not receive glyphosate treatment. The grassland is comprised of species including Leucanthemum vulgare, Yellow-rattle Rhinanthus minor, Senecio jacobaea, L. corniculatus and C. cristatus. The transect is divided into six sections which in addition to the 0.75ha created meadow (section two) incorporates a range of habitat types on the site including a disused quarry with calcareous grassland (section four), a remnant hedgerow and neutral grassland (section one), and amenity grassland (section six).
Figure 4 Sedgley Beacon transect route.
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Moseley Bog & Joy’s Wood A butterfly transect was set up in 2017 at Moseley Bog & Joy’s Wood - a nature reserve managed by the Wildlife Trust for Birmingham and the Black Country. The surveys were carried out to monitor the presence of butterfly populations at the reserve which could be used to determine the influence of management practices on the biodiversity of the reserve. The transect is separated into six sections which encompass various habitats in the reserve which include meadows, plantation, semi-natural and wet woodland. Meadow creation was carried out on areas of grassland in the Joy’s Wood section of the reserve in 2013, no treatment of the areas was carried out prior to being strewn with green hay sourced from Eades Meadow. Joy’s Wood meadows received further enhancement in 2016 including spring-tine harrowing followed by additional hay strewing with green hay sourced from Illey Pastures as part of a Coronation Meadows Project. Penbsy Close meadow was created in 2014 with the use of green hay sourced from Eades Meadow following cut and collect and glyphosate treatment.
Figure 5 Moseley Bog & Joy’s Wood transect route
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Results 2016 Londonderry Playing Fields 4.5
Total abundance of individual species
4 3.5 Total Abundance
3 2.5
Small / Essex skipper
2
Large white Comma
1.5
Gatekeeper
1
Ringlet
0.5 0 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Transect Section Number
Figure 6 Shows the abundance of each species recorded in the transect sections at Londonderry Playing Field in July 2016 (22/07/2016). Average temperature was 23oC, survey carried out between 14:25-14:45pm.
2.5
Total abundance of individual species
Total Abundance
2
1.5
Small white Large white
1
Small Tortiseshell Meadow Brown
0.5 0 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Transect Section Number
Figure 7 Shows the abundance of each species recorded in the transect sections at Londonderry Playing Fields in August 2016 (12/08/2016). Average temperature 19oC, slightly windy, survey carried out between 13:20-13:40pm.
6
Ley Hill Park 4.5
Total abundance of individual species
4
Total Abundance
3.5 3
Small / Essex Skipper
2.5
Green - veined white Speckled Wood
2
Marbled white
1.5
Gatekeeper
1
Meadow brown
0.5
Ringlet
0 1
2
3
4
5
6
Transect Section Number
Figure 8 Shows the abundance of each species recorded in the transect sections at Ley Hill Park in July 2016 (22/07/2016). Average temperature 24oC, survey carried out between 12:14-13:00pm.
2.5
Total abundance of individual species
Total Abundance
2 1.5 Small white
1
Small copper Meadow brown
0.5 0 1
2
3
4
5
6
Transect Section Number
Figure 9 Shows the abundance of each species recorded in the transect sections at Ley Hill Park in August 2016 (12/08/2016). Average temperature 19oC, survey carried out between 11:55-12:15pm.
7
Castle Vale Meadows 12
Total abundance of individual species
10 Total Abundance
8 Small / Essex Skipper
6
Small white Common blue
4
Gate keeper Meadow brown
2 0 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Transect Section Number
Figure 10 Shows abundance of each species recorded in the transect sections at Castle Vale Meadows in August (08/08/2016). Average temperature 20oC, survey carried out between 12:45-13:30pm.
9
Total abundance of individual species
8
Total Abundance
7 6 Large white
5
Small white
4
Common blue
3
Gatekeeper
2
Meadow brown
1 0 1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Transect Section Number
Figure 11 Shows the abundance of each species recorded in the transect sections at Castle Vale Meadows in August (17/08/2016). Average temperature 26oC, survey carried out between 14:00-14:50pm.
8
Sedgley Beacon 14
Total abundance of individual species
12 Total Abundance
10 Large Skipper
8
Small tortoisehell
6
Marbled white
4
Meadow brown Ringlet
2 0 1
2
3
4
5
6
Transect Section Number
Figure 12 Shows the abundance of each species recorded in the transect sections at Sedgley Beacon in July (04/07/2016). Average temperature 14oC, survey carried out between 11:00-12:00pm.
9
Total abundance of individual species
Total Abundance
8 7
Small / Essex Skipper
6
Large skipper Large white
5
Small white
4
Small tortoiseshell
3
Marbled white
2
Meadow brown
1
Ringlet
0
Silver Y moth
1
2
3
4
5
6
Transect Section Number
Figure 13 Shows the abundance of each species recorded in the transect sections at Sedgley Beacon in July (22/07/2016). Average temperature 24oC, survey carried out between 15:50-16:38pm.
9
2.5
Total abundance of individual species
Total Abundance
2 1.5
Small white Common blue
1
Speckled wood Gatekeeper
0.5
Meadow brown
0 1
2
3
4
5
6
Transect Section Number
Figure 14 Shows the abundance of each species recorded in the transect sections at Sedgley Beacon in August (12/08/2016). Average temperature 19oC windy, survey carried out between 14:35pm-15:30pm.
Results 2017 Londonderry Playing Field
Total Abundance
3
Total abundance of individual species
2
Small white Green-veined white Orange tip Holly blue
1
Small tortoiseshell Speckled wood 0 1
2
3
4
5
6
Transect Section Number
Figure 15 Shows the abundance of each species recorded in the transect sections at Londonderry Playing Fields in May (22/05/2017). Average temperature 18oC, survey was carried out between 14:40pm-15:05pm.
10
Ley Hill Park 2
Total Abundance
Total abundance of individual species
1
Orange tip Small copper
0 1
2
3
4
5
6
Transect Section Number
Figure 16 Shows the abundance of each species recorded in the transect section at Ley Hill Park in May (22/05/2017). Average temperature 18 oC, survey was carried out between 13:30pm - 14:05pm.
Castle Vale Meadows
Total Abundance
3
Total abundance of individual species
2
Small white Green-veined white Orange tip Holly blue
1
Small tortoiseshell Speckled wood 0 1
2
3
4
5
6
Transect Section Number
Figure 17 Shows the abundance of each species recorded in the transect section at Castle Vale Meadows in May (10/5/2017). Average temperature 14 oC, survey was carried out between 13:15pm-13:50pm.
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Moseley Bog & Joy’s Wood Total abundance of individual species recorded in Pensby Close Meadow
25%
25% Large skipper Large white Holly blue Red Admiral Speckled wood 10%
Meadow brown Ringlet
25%
5% 5% 5%
Figure 18 Shows the abundance of each species recorded in Pensby Close Meadow at Moseley Bog & Joy’s Wood (20/06/2017). Average temperature 25 oC, survey was carried out between 14:15pm -14:45pm. 16
Total abundance of individual species
14 Small/ Essex Skipper
Total abundance
12
Small Skipper Large white
10
Small white Green-veined white
8
Small copper 6
Red admiral Comma
4
Gatekeeper Meadow brown
2
Ringlet 0 1
2
3
4
5
6
Transect Section Number
Figure 19 Shows the abundance of each species recorded in the transect section at Moseley Bog & Joy's Wood (12/07/2017). Average temperature 21 oC, survey was carried out between 13:33pm- 15:32pm.
12
20
Total abundance of Individual species
Small / Essex Skipper
18
Large white
16
Small white
Total Abundance
14 Green-veined white 12
Small copper
10
Common blue
8
Red admiral
6
Comma
4
Speckled wood
2
Gatekeeper
0
Meadow brown 1
2
3
4
5
6
Transect Section Number
Ringlet
Figure 20 Shows the abundance of each species recorded in the transect section at Moseley Bog & Joy's Wood (18/07/2017). Average temperature 24 oC, survey was carried out between 13:33pm- 15:32pm.
Conclusion In 2016 the surveys were carried out in July and August, therefore butterflies that emerge earlier in the year including Orangetip Anthocharis cardamines and Green-hair streak Callophrys rubi were not able to be surveyed. The weather conditions on the 12/08/2016 were slightly windy which could have influenced the abundance and diversity of butterfly species recorded on that day. Across the four sites, fourteen species of butterfly were recorded during 2016 survey season.
Londonderry Playing Field Overall 7 species were recorded at Londonderry Playing Fields including Small / Essex skipper, Large white Pieris brassicae, Comma Polygonia c-album, Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus, Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus, Small white Pieris rapae, Small tortoiseshell Aglais urticae and Meadow brown Maniola jurtina. This meadow was the only site where Comma Polygonia calbum was recorded, which may be due to the close proximity of the meadow to domestic gardens. Although the presence of Common Nettle Urtica dioica within the meadow would indicate that there is some level of soil enrichment - which is a negative indicator in terms of the future development of the meadow sward - the presence of this species is beneficial for both Small Tortoiseshell and Comma as their larvae are reliant upon U. dioica as a food resource.
Ley Hill Park Despite the south-facing aspect of the meadow at Ley Hill Park the surveys carried out at the site yielded a lower abundance of butterfly species records than was expected. However, during the 2016 surveys Ley Hill park was the only site with a record of Small Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), the presence of the larval food plant Common Sorrel might suggest that the meadow would be suitable to support Small Copper butterflies. There was also a single record of Marbled White (Melanargia galathea) at the site, although further surveys would be required in subsequent years to determine whether there is a stable colony developing at the park or whether it was an incidental one-off record.
Castle Vale Meadows Meadow Brown M. jurtina was the most recorded species with an overall total of seventy six individuals being recorded in the two surveys carried out in August 2016. The high recording rate of Meadow Brown was to be expected as the surveys were carried out in July which coincided with the peak flight period of the Meadow Brown butterfly. Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) and Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) were also recorded in high abundance which increased during the course of August in 2016, for example, 3 Common Blue were recorded during the survey on the 08/08/16 with numbers increasing to 12 individuals being recorded on 17/08/16. Likewise 5 individual Gatekeeper were recorded on 08/08/2016 increasing to 10 individuals on
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17/08/16, which is consistent with the average peak in numbers of Gatekeeper at the beginning of August. In 2017 a survey was carried out in May which enabled species which emerge earlier in the season to be surveyed including Orange-tip Anthocharis cardamines whereby 1 individual was recorded. Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus and Speckled Wood Parage aegeria were also recorded during the survey - the presence of hedgerows and woodland edge surrounding the meadow at Castle Vale provide suitable habitat for both of these species.
Figure 21 Meadow brown (left) and Common Blue (right) both recorded at Castle Vale Meadows in 2016 (Photographs courtesy of Natalie Norton)
Figure 22 Incidental record of Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) during a site visit to Castle Vale Meadows in 2017 (Photograph courtesy of Natalie Norton)
Sedgley Beacon Ten species of butterfly were recorded during the surveys at Sedgley Beacon in 2016 including Large Skipper Ochlodes Sylvanus, Small Tortoiseshell A. urticae, Marbled White Melanargia galathea, Meadow Brown Maniola jurtina, Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus, Small Skipper Thymelicus sylvestris, Large White Pieris brassicae, Speckled Wood Pararge aegeria, Common Blue and Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus. Species utilising the created meadow (section 2) included Meadow Brown whereby 12 individuals were recorded at the beginning of July, as well as 9 individual Ringlet. A lower diversity of butterfly species were recorded in transect sections which included highly managed amenity grassland. For example, Large Skipper, Marbled White, Meadow Brown and Ringlet were recorded in section one of the transect which consists of an area of rough grassland and remnant hedgerow, compared to section six which borders amenity grassland and largely Bramble Rubus fruticosus agg. scrub where only Ringlet was recorded in the survey at the beginning of July (see figure eleven). The area of calcareous grassland in the disused quarry (section four) provides ideal habitat for Marbled White butterflies, with seven individuals being recorded in section four, whilst three individuals were recorded in the NIA-created meadow (section two), in addition to Meadow Brown and Ringlet during the surveys in July (shown in figure eleven and twelve). The presence of Marbled White utilising the NIAcreated meadow might indicate that the colony of Marbled White at Sedgley Beacon are no longer restricted to the quarry area and are able to expand across the site due to there being more forb-rich grassland for foraging.
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Figure 23 Female Common Blue at Sedgley Beacon (photograph courtesy of Natalie Norton)
Figure 24 Gatekeeper in rough grassland at Sedgley Beacon (Photograph courtesy of Natalie Norton)
Figure 25 Large Skipper in rough grassland at Sedgley Beacon (Photograph courtesy of Natalie Norton)
Figure 26 Marbled White basking in the NIA-created meadow at Sedgley Beacon (Photograph courtesy of Natalie Norton)
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Moseley Bog & Joy’s Wood Thirteen butterfly species were recorded at Moseley Bog & Joy’s Wood during the 2017 survey season, including Holly Blue Celastrina argiolus, Red Admiral Vanessa atalanta, Small Copper Lycaena phlaeas, Gatekeeper Pyronia tithonus and Comma Polygonia c-album.
Figure 27 Small Copper recorded at Moseley Bog & Joy's Wood (Photograph courtesy of Natalie Norton)
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Monitoring of Nature Improvement Area Meadows National Vegetation Classification (NVC) surveys 2016 Introduction A total of 78 hectares of grassland has been created or enhanced since the beginning of the Birmingham and Black Country Nature Improvement Area (NIA) in 2012. In 2016 National Vegetation Classification (NVC) surveys were undertaken to assess the establishment of four of the created meadows. The sites were Londonderry Playing Fields, Ley Hill Park, Castle Vale Meadows and Sedgley Beacon. The meadows were created using green-hay sourced from one of three donor meadows: Eades Meadow in Worcestershire, Draycote Meadow in Warwickshire and Illey Patures in the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley. The table below is an extract from the NIA hay strewing register which includes the treatment method implemented prior to hay strewing, the donor site from which the green hay was sourced and the addition of supplementary seed mixes following hay strewing. Donor site
Receiver site
Eades Meadow
Castle Vale Meadow s East Joy’s Wood (Moseley Bog) Sedgley Beacon Reservoir
Draycote Meadow
Illey Pastures
Pensby close (Moseley Bog) Castle Vale Meadow s West Ley Hill Park Londond erry Playing Fields Joy's Wood (Moseley Bog)
Treatment
Date of strewing
Area M2
No. of* bales
Addition of Rhinanthus minor
Addition of annual mix
Cut & collect, glyphosate
10.07.13
16,000
15
-
-
Addition of Leucanthemum vulgare -
None
10.07.13
1,000
1
Yes
-
-
Unmanaged neutral grassland
Cut & collect, limited harrowing
24.07.14
6,500
6
Yes
-
Yes
Unmanaged neutral grassland
Cut & collect, glyphosate
24.07.14
2,000
2
Yes
-
Yes
Unmanaged F. rubradominated neutral grassland Amenity grassland Amenity grassland
Cut & collect, glyphosate
31.07.13
16,000
10
-
-
-
Glyphosate
24.07.13
8,000
6
-
Yes
-
Glyphosate
06.08.14
2,800
2.0
Yes
Yes
Yes
Cut and collect, spring-tine harrowing
28.07.16
6,500
6.0
Yes
-
-
Pretreatment habitat Unmanaged F. rubradominated neutral grassland Species-poor meadow
Species-poor meadow
* large round ‘big’ bales.
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Figure 1 Collecting green hay from Eades Meadow (Photograph courtesy of Simon Atkinson)
Figure 2 Illey Pastures is a donor site used to source green hay for meadow creation (Photograph courtesy of Natalie Norton)
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Method The surveys at Castle Vale Meadows were carried out on 04/08/2016, Londonderry Playing Fields and Ley Hill Park were surveyed on 29/07/2016 by Professor Ian Trueman and Natalie Norton. Sedgley Beacon was surveyed in 2015 by Dr Lynn Bensenyei. During the surveys at Londonderry Playing Fields, Ley Hill Park and Castle Vale Meadows a list of the species present at the site was recorded, and each species was assigned a DAFOR category based on relative abundance in the sward. The DAFOR scale used was as follows; DAFOR Scale Dominant – the most abundant species in the vegetation Abundant – present in large numbers but not in large abundance as the dominant species Frequent – present in small numbers in most parts of the site Occasional – present in small numbers in several parts of the site Rare – present in small numbers in one or a small number of parts in the site Five quadrats (2metres X 2 metres) were chosen at random at each site and percentage cover / abundance of each species present within the quadrat was determined and recorded using the Domin scale; 1 = < 4% cover (1 or 2 plants) 2= <4% cover (several plants, not in all parts) 3= <4% cover (many plants throughout) 4= 4 – 10% cover 5= 11-25% cover 6=26-33% cover 7= 34-50% cover 8=51-75% cover 9=70-90% cover 10=91-100%
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Results Londonderry Playing Fields
Figure 3 Londonderry Playing Fields meadow following the addition of Leucanthemum vulgare (photograph by Simon Atkinson)
Figure 4 Londonderry Playing Fields meadow following the addition of annual seed mix (Photograph courtesy of Simon Atkinson)
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Londonderry Playing Field Species list (29/07/16)
Common name Common Bent
Scientific name Agrostis capillaris
DAFOR Abundant
Sweet Vernal grass
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Frequent
False Oat grass
Arrhenatherum elatius
Occasional
Common Knapweed
Centaurea nigra
Frequent
Spear Thistle
Cirsium vulgare
Frequent
Crested Dogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s-tail
Cynosurus cristatus
Occasional
Cockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Foot
Dactylis glomerata
Occasional / Locally frequent
Common Couch
Elytrigia repens
Rare
American Willowherb
Epilobium ciliatum
Rare
Hairy Willow herb
Epilobium hirsutum
Rare
Red Fescue
Festuca rubra
Frequent
Yorkshire Fog
Holcus lanatus
Abundant/ dominant
Creeping Soft grass
Holcus mollis
Occasional
Cats-ear
Hypochaeris radicata
Occasional/ Rare
Ox-eye Daisy
Leucanthemum vulgare
Abundant
Perennial Ryegrass
Lolium perenne
Occasional / Locally frequent
Timothy-grass
Phleum pratense
Rare
Ribwort Plantain
Plantago lanceolata
Occasional
Meadow Buttercup
Ranunculus acris
Occasional
Creeping Buttercup
Ranunculus repens
Occasional
Yellow Rattle
Rhinanthus minor
Occasional / Locally Frequent
Bramble
Rubus fruticosus
Locally Abundant
Broad-Leaved dock
Rumex obtusifolius
Frequent / abundant
Marsh Ragwort
Senecio aquaticus
Occasional
Ragwort
Senecio jacobaea
Abundant
Lesser Stitchwort
Stellaria graminea
Occasional
Red Clover
Trifolium pratense
Rare
Common Nettle
Urtica dioica
Locally Abundant
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Species
Percentage frequency Illey Pastures 2012
Agrostis capillaris
Londonderry Playing Fields 2016 100
Anthoxanthum odoratum
80
100
Carex panicea
100 100
Plantago lanceolata
100
100
Rhinanthus minor
40
100
Festuca rubra
80
97
Holcus lanatus
100
97
Ranunculus acris
40
97
Cynosurus cristatus
60
92
Prunella vulgaris
92
Trifolium pratense
81
Lotus corniculatus
78
Lathyrus pratensis
67
Potentillla erecta
67
Cerastium fontanum
40
Juncus acutiflorus
64 58
Pulicaria dysenterica
58
Taraxacum
20
53
Ranunculus repens
40
50
Rumex acetosa
20
50
Juncus effusus
47
Hypochaeris radicata
20
39
Ranunculus flammula
36
Agrostis canina
31
Dactylorhiza fuchsii
31
Phleum pratense
31
Cirsium palustre
25
Juncus inflexus
19
Leontodon autumnalis
19
Luzula campestris
19
Carex flacca
14
Centaurea nigra
100
14
Ranunculus bulbosus
14
Trifolium repens
14
Cardamine pratensis
11
Carex ovalis
11
Galium palustre
8
Lolium perenne
8
Fraxinus excelsior (seedling)
6
Quercus seedling
6
Achillea millefolium
3
Dactylis glomerata
60
3
Equisteum arvense
3
Genista tinctoria
3
Leucanthemum vulgare
60
3
Senecio jacobaea
20
3
Stellaria graminea
3
22
Succisa pratensis
3
Galium aparine
20
Poa trivialis
20
Rumex obtusifolius
20
Trifolium pratense
20
Bryophytes
80
Water/bare ground
14
Londonderry playing fields 2016 NVC: MG6b 58.69 NVC: MG6 55.73 NVC: MG6a 53.48 NVC: MG9 53.33 NVC: MG5a 52.83 NVC: MG5 51.45 NVC: MG1e 51.38 NVC: MG3a 50.65 NVC: MG9b 50.43 NVC: MG7E 50.35
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Ley Hill Park
Figure 5 Ley Hill Park meadow (Photograph courtesy of Simon Atkinson)
Ley Hill Park Species list (29/07/2016) Common name Yarrow
Scientific name Achillea millefolium
Common Bent
Agrostis capillaris
Dominant
Sweet Vernal grass
Anthoxanthum odoratum Anthoxanthum odoratum Centaurea cyanus Centaurea nigra
Frequent
Sweet Vernal grass Cornflower Common Knapweed
DAFOR Rare
Occasional Rare Occasional
Mouse-ear chickweed Corn Marigold Creeping Thistle Marsh Thistle Spear Thistle Crested Dogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tail
Cerastium fontanum
Rare
Chrysanthemum segetum Cirsium arvense Cirsium palustre Cirsium vulgare Cynosurus cristatus
Rare Rare Rare Rare Occasional
Cockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Foot
Dactylis glomerata
Short-Fruited willow herb
Epilobium obscurum
24
Frequent Rare
Red Fescue Yorkshire Fog Cats-ear Timothy-grass
Festuca rubra Holcus lanatus Hypochaeris radicata Phleum pratense
Ribwort Plantain
Plantago lanceolata
Frequent
Self-Heal Meadow Buttercup Creeping Buttercup
Prunella vulgaris Ranunculus acris Ranunculus repens
Rare Frequent Occasional
Yellow Rattle
Rhinanthus minor
Common Sorrel Ragwort
Rumex acetosa Senecio jacobaea
Frequent / Locally abundant Frequent Occasional
Lesser Stitchwort Red Clover White Clover Germander Speedwell
Stellaria graminea Trifolium pratense Trifolium repens Veronica chamaedrys
Rare Occasional Rare Rare
Species
Abundant Abundant / Dominant Frequent Rare
Percentage Frequency Ley Hill Park 2016
Illey 2012
Arrhenatherum elatius
1.66666667
Agrostis capillaris
8.33333333
100
Anthoxanthum odoratum
8.33333333
100
Carex panicea
100
Plantago lanceolata
6.66666667
100
Rhinanthus minor
5
100
Festuca rubra agg.
6.66666667
97
Holcus lanatus
8.33333333
97
Ranunculus acris
8.33333333
97
Cynosurus cristatus
3.33333333
92
Prunella vulgaris
92
Trifolium pratense
1.66666667
81
Lotus corniculatus
78
Lathyrus pratensis
67
Potentillla erecta
67
Cerastium fontanum
64
Juncus acutiflorus
58
Pulicaria dysenterica
58
Taraxacum agg.
6.66666667
53
Ranunculus repens
3.33333333
50
Rumex acetosa
8.33333333
50
Juncus effusus
47
Hypochaeris radicata
3.33333333
Ranunculus flammula
39 36
25
Agrostis canina
31
Dactylorhiza fuchsii
31
Phleum pratense sens.lat.
31
Cirsium palustre
25
Juncus inflexus
19
Leontodon autumnalis
1.66666667
Luzula campestris
19 19
Carex flacca
14
Centaurea nigra
3.33333333
Ranunculus bulbosus
14 14
Trifolium repens
5
14
Water/bare ground
14
Cardamine pratensis
11
Carex ovalis
11
Galium palustre
8
Lolium perenne
8
Fraxinus excelsior (s)
6
Quercus seedling
5
6
Achillea millefolium
1.66666667
3
Crucifer
3
Dactylis glomerata
3
Equisteum arvense
3
Genista tinctoria
3
Leucanthemum vulgare
3
Senecio jacobaea
1.66666667
3
Stellaria graminea
6.66666667
3
Succisa pratensis
3
Alopecurus pratensis
1.66666667
Bryophytes
1.66666667
Ley Hill Park 2016 NVC: MG6b 62.08 NVC: MG3 55.47 NVC: MC9e 54.26 NVC: MG6 53.82 NVC: MG3a 53.41 NVC: MG6a 53.22 NVC: MG5a 50.62 NVC: MG5c 49.78 NVC: MG5 49.29 NVC: U4b 49.10
26
0
Castle Vale
Figure 6 Cowslips and Green-winged orchid in flower at Castle Vale Meadows in 2017 (Photograph courtesy of Simon Atkinson)
Castle Vale Meadows East (Eades) Species List (04/08/16) Common name
Scientific name
DAFOR
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Frequent
Common Bent
Agrostis capillaris
Creeping Bent
Agrostis stolonifera
Sweet Vernal grass
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Locally Abundant / Occasional Locally Abundant / Frequent Abundant
False Oat grass
Arrhenatherum elatius
Frequent
Quaking grass
Briza media
Rare/ Frequent
-
Bromus spp
Frequent / Abundant
Common Knapweed Mouse-ear chickweed Rosebay Willowherb Creeping Thistle
Centaurea nigra
Occasional
Cerastium fontanum
Frequent
Chamerion angustifolium
Rare
Cirsium arvense
Occasional
Spear Thistle
Cirsium vulgare
Occasional
Rough Hawksbeard
Crepis biennis
Abundant
Smooth Hawksbeard
Crepis capillaris
Frequent
27
Crested Dog’s- tail
Cynosurus cristatus
Occasional
Cock’s foot
Dactylis glomerata
Frequent /Occasional
Red Fescue
Festuca rubra
Occasional / Frequent
Downy Oat grass
Helictotrichon pubescens
Frequent
Common Hogweed
Heracleum sphondylium
Occasional / Frequent
Yorkshire Fog
Holcus lanatus
Dominant / Abundant
Autumn Hawkbit
Leontodon autumnalis
Occasional
Ox-eye Daisy
Leucanthemum vulgare
Occasional
Birds Foot Trefoil
Lotus corniculatus
Occasional
Timothy grass
Phleum pratense
Occasional
Ribwort Plantain
Plantago lanceolata
Abundant
Rough Meadow grass Pedunculate Oak
Poa trivialis
Frequent
Quercus robur
Rare
Meadow Buttercup Dyer’s Weld
Ranunculus acris
Frequent
Reseda luteola
Rare
Yellow Rattle
Rhinanthus minor
Frequent / Abundant
Curly Dock
Rumex crispus
Occasional
Great Burnet
Sanquisorba officinalis
Rare
Ragwort
Senecio jacobaea
Frequent / Abundant
Red Campion
Silene dioica
Rare
Lesser Trefoil
Trifolium dubium
Frequent
Red Clover
Trifolium pratense
Abundant
Common Nettle
Urtica dioica
Rare
Hairy Tare
Vicia hirsuta
Frequent
28
Species
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Percentage frequency Castle Vale Meadow EastEades (Eades) 2016 Meadow 2013 100 100
Lotus corniculatus Plantago lanceolata Agrostis capillaris
40
100
100
100
80
96
Prunella vulgaris
94
Holcus lanatus Briza media
100
92
60
90
Centaurea nigra
90
Carex flacca
88
Leontodon hispidus
80
88
Rhinanthus minor
80
88
Trifolium pratense
60
88
Galium verum
86
Leucanthemum vulgare
40
86
Primula veris
60
86
Taraxacum sp
80
86
Cynosurus cristatus
40
84
Festuca rubra
60
84
Crepis biennis
100
80
Heracleum sphondylium
40
72
Helictotrichon pubescens
80
66
Arrhenatherum elatius
64
Hypochaeris radicata
62
Trisetum flavescens
20
Festuca pratensis
58 52
Tragopogon pratensis
20
Medicago lupis
48 44
Ranunculus acris
60
38
Betonica officianalis
36
Filipendula ulmaria
34
Vicia cracca
32
Leontodon autumnalis
24
Anacamptis morio
24
Lolium perenne
20
Allium vinealis
18
Ranunculus bulbosus
18
Rumex acetosa
18
Trifolium repens
60
18
Linum catharticum
16
Luzula campestris
16
Ajuga reptans
14
Cerastium fontanum
100
14
Lathyrus pratensis
14
Leontodon saxatile
14
Conopodium majus
12
Silaum silaus
10
29
Succisa pratensis
10
Bromus sp
100
Ophrys apifera
6 6
Phleum pratense
20
Ophioglossum vulgare
6 4
Achillea millefolium
60
2
Alopecurus pratensis
2
Bellis perennis
2
Crataegeus monogyna
2
Equiseteum arvense
2
Galium palustre
2
Hordeum secalinum
2
Listera ovata
2
Plantago media
2
Poa trivialis
20
Potentilla reptans
2 2
Agrostis stolonifera
60
Bryophytes
100
Cirsium vulgare
20
Crepis capillaris
60
Cursa arvense
40
Dactylis glomerata
60
Dactylorhiza fuchsii Geranium molle
20
Rumex obtusifolius
20
Senecio jacobaea
100
Trifolium dubium
40
Vicia hirsuta
40
Vicia segetalis
20
Castle Vale Eades 2016 NVC: MG5b 57.29 NVC: MG5 57.14 NVC: MG5a 57.07 NVC: MG6b 54.17 NVC: MG3 51.94 NVC: MG6 51.25 NVC: MG5c 51.10 NVC: MG6a 50.76 NVC: MG3b 49.96 NVC: MG3a 48.28
30
Castle Vale Meadows West (Draycote) Species List (04/08/16) Common name
Scientific name
DAFOR
Common Bent
Agrostis capillaris
Abundant
Creeping Bent
Agrostis stolonifera
Abundant
Sweet Vernal grass
Anthoxanthum odoratum
Abundant
False Oat-grass
Arrhenatherum elatius
Rare
Quaking grass
Briza media
Frequent
Common Knapweed
Centaurea nigra
Abundant/Frequent
Creeping Thistle
Cirsium arvense
Occasional
Red Fescue
Festuca rubra
Abundant
Cut-leaved Craneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s-bill
Geranium dissectum
Rare
Yorkshire Fog
Holcus lanatus
Abundant
Rough Hawkbit
Leontodon hispidus
Occasional
Bramble
Rubus fruticosus
Rare
Common Sorrel
Rumex acetosa
Rare
Curly Dock
Rumex crispus
Occasional
Ragwort
Senecio jacobaea
Frequent
Common Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale
Occasional
Lesser Trefoil
Trifolium dubium
Occasional
Red Clover
Trifolium pratense
Abundant
Common Nettle
Urtica dioica
Rare
31
Species
Percentage frequency Castle Vale Draycote 2016
Draycote 2013
Rhinanthus minor
60
100.00
Plantago lanceolata
100
98.11
Anthoxanthum odoratum
100
94.34
Leontodon hispidus
20
92.45
Trifolium pratense
80
92.45
Agrostis capillaris
100
83.02
Holcus lanatus
100
83.02
Festuca rubra
100
81.13
Lotus corniculatus
100
64.15
Rumex acetosa
64.15
Luzula campestris
62.26
Linum catharticum
60.38
Centaurea nigra
80
56.60
Heracleum sphondylium
20
52.83
Primula veris
52.83
Carex flacca
50.94
Dactylorhiza fuchsii
47.17
Trifolium repens
20
47.17
Briza media
80
45.28
Taraxacum sp
20
43.40
Cynosurus cristatus
100
41.51
Ranunculus acris
100
41.51
Cerastium fontanum
60
37.74
Hypochaeris radicata
37.74
Alopecurus pratensis
35.85
Prunella vulgaris
20
35.85
Ranunculus bulbosus
35.85
Galium verum
30.19
Festuca pratensis
28.30
Arrhenatherum elatius
18.87
Anacamptis morio
16.98
Fraxinus excelsior seedling
15.09
Helictrichcon pubescens
15.09
Trifolium dubium
40
15.09
Dactylis glomerata
13.21
Bellis perennis
9.43
Leucanthemum vulgare
9.43
Tragopogon pratensis
9.43
Equiseteum arvense
7.55
Lathyrus pratensis
7.55
Carex caryophyllea
5.66
Listera ovata
5.66
32
Poa trivialis
100
5.66
Potentilla erecta
5.66
Silaum silaus
5.66
Lolium perenne
3.77
Ophioglossum vulgare
3.77
Cirsium arvense
20
1.89
Crataegeus monogyna
1.89
Phleum pratense
1.89
Plantago media
1.89
Triseteum flavescens
1.89
Agrostis stolonifera
60
Bromus sp
20
Crepis capillaris
20
Rumex crispus
20
Senecio jacobaea
20
Vicia hirsuta
60
Vicia segetalis
20
Castle Vale Draycote 2016 NVC: MG5a 61.43 NVC: MG5 60.66 NVC: MG5b 59.17 NVC: MG6b 58.79 NVC: MG5c 56.51 NVC: MG6 54.45 NVC: MG3 53.43 NVC: MG8 53.25 NVC: MG6a 53.02 NVC: MG4 51.26
Draycote 2013 (2 fields) NVC: MG5 71.37 NVC: MG5b 69.91 NVC: MG5a 69.55 NVC: MG5c 66.20 NVC: MG3 63.88 NVC: MG3b 62.24 NVC: MG4 58.57 NVC: MG3a 57.72 NVC: MG6b 56.00 NVC: MG1e 53.51
33
Sedgley Beacon (reservoir meadow)
Figure 7 Sedgley Beacon reservoir meadow 2017 (Photograph courtesy of Simon Atkinson)
Figure 8 Sedgley Beacon reservoir meadow photographed on 25/05/2017 (Photograph courtesy of Natalie Norton)
34
Figure 9 Green-winged orchid at Sedgley Beacon reservoir meadow 2017 (Photograph courtesy of Simon Atkinson)
Figure 10 Cowslip at Sedgley Beacon reservoir meadow 2017 (Photograph courtesy of Natalie Norton)
Figure 11 Field Scabious in disused limestone quarry at Sedgley Beacon (Photograph courtesy of Natalie Norton)
35
Percentage frequency Sedgley Eades Beacon 2013 2015 100
Species
Anthoxanthum odoratum Lotus corniculatus
100
Plantago lanceolata
100
100
Agrostis capillaris
100
96
Prunella vulgaris
94
Holcus lanatus
88
92
Briza media
90
Centaurea nigra
90
Carex flacca
88
Leontodon hispidus
88
Rhinanthus minor
88
Trifolium pratense
88
Galium verum
86
Leucanthemum vulgare
6
Primula veris
86 86
Taraxacum
29
86
Cynosurus cristatus
76
84
Festuca rubra
76
84
Crepis biennis
80
Heracleum sphondylium
72
Helitrichon pubescens
66
Arrhenatherum elatius
64
Hypochaeris radicata
62
Trisetum flavescens
65
Festuca pratensis
58 52
Tragopogon pratensis
12
Dactylorhiza fuchsii
48 46
Dactylis glomerata
76
44
Medicago lupis
44
Ranunculus acris
38
Betonica officianalis
36
Filipendula ulmaria
34
Vicia cracca
32
Leontodon autumnale
24
Anacamptis morio
24
Lolium perenne
100
Allium vinealis
20 18
Ranunculus bulbosus
12
Rumex acetosa
18 18
Trifolium repens
82
18
Linum catharticum
16
Luzula campestris
16
Ajuga reptans
14
36
Cerastium fontanum
14
Lathyrus pratensis
14
Leontodon saxatile
14
Conopodium majus
12
Silaum siliaus
10
Succisa pratensis
10
Bromus hordeaceus
18
Ophrys apifera
6 6
Phleum pratense
12
6
Ophioglossum vulgare
4
Achillea millefolium
2
Alopecurus pratensis
18
2
Bellis perennis
2
Crateagus monogyna
2
Equiseteum arvense
2
Galium palustre
2
Hordeum secalinum
2
Listera ovata
2
Plantago media
2
Poa trivialis
2
Potentilla reptans
2
Crepis capillaris
6
Elymus repens
6
Geranium dissectum
6
Holcus mollis
12
Poa pratensis
12
Senecio squalidus
35
Vicia sativa
47
Sedgely Beacon 2015
Eades 2013
NVC: MG6c 64.37
VC: MG5b 65.41
NVC: MG6 58.96 NVC: MG6b 56.58
NVC: MG5a 64.20
NVC: MG7E 55.28
NVC: MG5c 61.03
NVC: MG6a 55.25
NVC: MG4 55.02
NVC: MG7 52.98
NVC: MG1e 53.49
NVC: MG7B 49.82
NVC: MG3b 52.73
NVC: MG7D 49.47
NVC: CG2c 51.87
NVC: OV23a 48.95
NVC: MG3 50.94
NVC: OV23 48.50
NVC: CG6a 49.21
37
Conclusion Using DAFOR scale analysis enabled a list of flora species at the site to be established, however, it does not necessarily provide a conclusive and accurate list on the presence or abundance of a particular species as the process is subjective based on the recorders. In addition, the months that the surveys were carried out could have excluded earlier and later emerging plants, for example, the presence of Bulbous Buttercup Ranunculus bulbosus was not able to be determined in the surveys carried out on this occasion.
Londonderry Playing Fields The presence of some undesirable species indicate a lack of appropriate management including the dominant grass species Cock’s Foot Dactylis glomerata (60 % frequency) and Yorkshire Fog Holcus lanatus (80% frequency). Although there are desirable species with a high percentage cover including Sweet-Vernal grass Anthoxanthum odoratum (80% frequency), Crested-Dog’s tail Cynosurus cristatus (60 % frequency) and Common Knapweed Centaurea nigra (100% frequency), the latter having a higher percentage cover than the source meadow - lley Pastures -, in addition to Ox-eye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare which could be due to additional L. vulgare seed following hay strewing. Although the meadow at Londonderry Playing Fields hasn’t received an annual cut and collect since the creation of the meadow in 2014 - which is potentially limiting the establishment of desirable species - the meadow is situated in a park which is dominated by amenity grassland, therefore the presence of herbaceous plant species in the meadow such as C. nigra and Trifolium pratense will provide a valuable nectar and pollen source for pollinators as well as D. glomerata providing suitable vegetation for egg-laying for a variety of butterfly species including Ringlet Aphantopus hyperantus.
Ley Hill Park The source meadow (Illey Pastures) is species-rich but establishment of species in the receiver meadows since 2012 has apparently been slower than those which were strewn with hay from Eades Meadow (S. Atkinson ,pers. comm). The two colourful early flowering species established at the Eades-strewn meadows are absent (Anacamptis morio) or only found at very low abundance (Primula veris) at Illey Pastures, which has been significant in the perception of ‘success’. Illey-strewn meadows have, however, in 2017 been shown to be diversifying, with importantly – not least from an aesthetic perspective - small populations of Common Spotted-orchid Dactylorhiza fuchsia becoming established (for example Victoria Common, Northfield). Further and longer-term monitoring will therefore be necessary to provide a better understanding of the success of the methods used, of the suitability of the different donor meadows, and of the NIA-created meadows as floristically diverse and stable habitats.
Castle Vale Meadows The largest and most obviously ‘successful’ NIA-created meadow which has received much media coverage and been used as a demonstrator site for workshops and training sessions. The site has recently been designated as a Site of Local Importance for Nature Conservation (SLINC) as a result of this success. The two meadows differ greatly in sward composition which is presumably a result of differences in the donor sites, as soil analysis, aspect, hydrology and shade conditions suggest the two receiver sites are comparable. The 50m ‘control’ strip that divides the two areas remains dominated by the original vegetation (Red Fescue Festuca rubra-dominated with very few forbs) but has been colonised - apparently from both created meadows - by Primula veris and Rhinanthus minor agg. Rough Hawksbeard Crepis biennis (a species only found in Birmingham and the Black Country at meadows created through the strewing of green hay from Eades Meadow) has also colonised the control area. Early established abundant forbs (2015) Leucantheum vulgare and Ragged-robin Silene flos-cuculi have apparently diminished in subsequent years, the latter presumably in response to the dry and free-draining conditions of the receiver site.
Sedgley Beacon Sedgley Beacon reservoir meadow has become increasingly floristically diverse since its creation in 2014 - there being very little floristic interest prior to strewing. Following the creation of the meadow an annual cut and collect has been undertaken, with the additional sown Rhinanthus minor agg. apparently aiding establishment of other forbs through the suppression of dominant
38
grasses - thereby positively influencing the composition of the sward. The presence of Anacamptis morio in 2017 is promising and surveys of other meadows that were created through the strewing of green-hay from Eades Meadow using non-glyphosate treatment methods - such as Joysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Wood meadow at Moseley Bog (created in 2013) which has an increasing population of Dactylorhiza fuchsia - suggest that Dactylorhiza fuchsia and other species present in the source meadow may be recorded at Sedgley Beacon in the future.
39