Wildlife Heritage Site Survey

[jennyb]

We have received a letter from the Environmental Records Centre asking if they can carry out a Wildlife Heritage Site survey of part of our garden.

Whilst I am very pleased about this, I do have some reservations. I know quite a few of you are involved in environmental work so thought you may be able to answer some of my questions.

Can anyone tell me what they will be looking for ("ecological survey" covers a huge range of topics), how they will do it and how long it is likely to take?

Although I would appreciate their professional advice about managing the garden for wildlife, I am concerned about any criticism we may receive about anything we may or may not have already done to the garden.

Should we be concerned about who else would be able to get their hands on this data?

Any other pros or cons?

Thanks,

Jenny

[Wild-Woman]

I think if I was you Jenny, I'd like to have more information about the purpose of their survey and to talk to them about the points you've raised with us.
I would be curious to find out if there is perhaps something bordering your land that has lead them to wanting to do a survey.
Talk to them about it. I'm sure their intentions are favourable to you, but there's nothing like a face to face discussion about your concerns.

Perhaps Gill will be able to fill you in on what it would involve-if she doesn't mind that is.

Jules

[richardkm]

Take a bit of care Jenny, remember what happened to the Kennet and Avon canal. The canal restoration people brought it back to life, then the wildlife people moved in - having never lifted a finger to help - and imposed limitations on the use of the canal by boats. Daft or what!!!

[eeyore]

maybe the "wildlife people" by which i assume you mean EN (now Natural england) or the wildlife trust felt that the canal would have been better left unrestored - there are many "derelict" canals that are havens for wildlife (vis cromford canal in derbyshire for instance) where restoration and boat use would be an unmitigated disaster

In jennys case i think you have little to worry about , the ERC has very little power to do anything and is probably just interested in surveying the species found in the area - if they did fond a rare or protected species you would have to take this into account during your gardening opperations , but i am sure that as a responsible wildlife gardener you would want to take account of rare species in any case.

like julie said if you have concerns arrange a face to face with the ERC staff before giving your okay

[jennyb]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

I think if I was you Jenny, I'd like to have more information about the purpose of their survey and to talk to them about the points you've raised with us.
I would be curious to find out if there is perhaps something bordering your land that has lead them to wanting to do a survey.
Talk to them about it. I'm sure their intentions are favourable to you, but there's nothing like a face to face discussion about your concerns.

Perhaps Gill will be able to fill you in on what it would involve-if she doesn't mind that is.

Jules

They are "undertaking surveys of Wildlife Heritage Sites in Berkshire". They have sent a map which "shows areas that have previously been identified as having some wildlife interest". Some of the area marked on the map is part of our garden.

Does Gill do that kind of thing? I should perhaps contact her.

Yes, I agree I should also call them to discuss.

Thanks,

Jenny

[jennyb]

Originally Posted by eeyore

In jennys case i think you have little to worry about , the ERC has very little power to do anything and is probably just interested in surveying the species found in the area - if they did fond a rare or protected species you would have to take this into account during your gardening opperations , but i am sure that as a responsible wildlife gardener you would want to take account of rare species in any case.

Yes, I would definitely want to take care of rare species, but for example, would not want protection orders put on any of our trees, which makes it very difficult to even trim them, etc.

Jenny

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by jennyb

They are "undertaking surveys of Wildlife Heritage Sites in Berkshire". They have sent a map which "shows areas that have previously been identified as having some wildlife interest". Some of the area marked on the map is part of our garden.

Does Gill do that kind of thing? I should perhaps contact her.

Yes, I agree I should also call them to discuss.

Thanks,

Jenny

that sounds pretty harmless to me - they are basically trying to assess what wildlife there is in the county - by wildlife heritage sites they are meaning any area previously reported to have rich or rare biodiversity , and from what i have seen on here your garden certainly qualifies

gill is a ecological consultant rather than a records office recorder but yes talking to her about this would be a good idea if you are still worried.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by jennyb

Yes, I would definitely want to take care of rare species, but for example, would not want protection orders put on any of our trees, which makes it very difficult to even trim them, etc.

Jenny

TPOs would be put on by the local councils tree officer , and are generally only issued for good reason - they are designed to stop people from damaging valuable trees through ill considered pruning/felling opperations , but you can agree a management regime with the tree officer which will be permitted unde the TPO

Tree officers generally work completely independently of the ERC , and in fact if a tree officer / countryside officer they wanted to apply a TPO you would have very little chance of stopping them.

In my experience ERC staff are more interested in rare insects , amphibians , birds, mammals , and flowering plants.