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Annual biodiversity focus 2008/09
As part of our commitment to conserve and enhance biodiversity, each year we choose a particular aspect of biodiversity to focus on. This is rotated yearly between a species, a habitat and work with our partner organisations. Following on from woodlands in 2006/07 and ‘shared learning’ with our partner organisations in 2007/08, our new focus for 2008/09 is on birds.Birds
We have an amazing variety of birdlife on our sites and regularly survey our sites to keep track of the latest interest. The year of 2008 sees the return of the BTO - British Energy Business Bird Challenge which takes place every two years and both Essex & Suffolk Water and Northumbrian Water are taking part (see below for further details).Our ongoing commitment to surveying and monitoring of birds is shown in our sponsorship of the red kite by Northumbrian Water and cormorant by Essex and Suffolk Water for the 2007-2011 BTO bird atlas.
Throughout 2008 we will be taking part in various activities to help improve the bird life on our landholdings and raising staff awareness by organising internal competitions and events. Some of the activities planned include a wader watch, dawn chorus walks, RSPB Feed the Birds Day and national nest box week.
Our involvement as a partner in the reintroduction of red kites and recovery of black grouse are just a few examples of how we are helping to improve the conservation status of birds and both Northumbrian Water and Essex & Suffolk Water will continue looking for opportunities to enhance our sites.
Finally, don’t forget, there is bird life in one form or another on all of our sites, and we have bird hides to visit at Hanningfield Reservoir, Abberton Reservoir and the Trinity Broads.
BTO – British Energy Business Bird Challenge 2008
This challenge recognises the sensitive management of industrial landholdings across the country, which is reflected in the variety and remarkable number of bird species using these sites.
Every two years the BTO tries to find:
• Sites with the most innovative and effective conservation initiatives.
• Sites which attract the greatest diversity of bird species.
• Sites where there is the most community involvement.
2006 Challenge
In the last challenge, Northumbrian Water created shallow feeding areas for waders, beaches for Little Ringed Plovers and installed an Osprey platform at Scaling Dam.
The Major Wetland Conservation prize went to Abberton Reservoir, Essex & Suffolk Water (Northumbrian Water Ltd), for their targeted work to develop the site for Nightingales and to provide opportunities for terns to nest and for ducks to graze. Abberton Reservoir also came a close 2nd in the number of different species visiting the site.
2008 Challenge
From the Essex & Suffolk region 5 sites will be entered into the 2008 challenge, these are:
• The Trinity Broads
• Lound Lakes
• Abberton Reservoir
• Hanningfield Reservoir
• Langham Water Treatment Works
From the Northumbrian region 2 sites will be entered into the 2008 challenge, these are:
• Birtley Sewage Treatment Works
• Scaling Dam Reservoir
The challenge is well under way and 256 species have been recorded so far, including nine species of birds not seen during previous challenges. Two of these species have been spotted on our sites, an Iberian Chiffchaff at Hanningfield Reservoir and a Black Stork at Scaling Dam Reservoir. Hanningfield Reservoir can also add sightings of Great White Egrets to their species list and Birtley Sewage Treatment Works can add a Golden Oriole and Common Crossbill to their list.
We are always looking at ways to enhance our sites for wildlife and birds and at Birtley Sewage Treatment Works 400 shrubs have been added to the existing woodland to provide an additional food source for passerines using the site. A field that was originally going to be seeded to create a meadow has been left in a rough uncultivated state to provide a breeding habitat for Little Ringed Plover, Lapwing and Oystercatcher. The reed beds on site at Birtley have also been colonised by Reed Warblers for the first time.
Due to the success of a tern raft at Abberton Reservoir a decision was made to install a second raft to take the overspill. This has also proved a success with the fledging of several Common Tern chicks.
At Lound Water Treatment Works and Lound Lakes Reserve numerous initiatives have taken place to improve the site for birds. A new orchard and wildlife garden have been created, hedge laying has taken place to create denser hedgerows to hopefully improve nesting opportunities and a large pond has been created which has already been used by Grey Wagtails and Chaffinch. Additional owl boxes have also been installed.
With one quarter to go, the Business Bird Challenge all-time year list record by one species has been beaten. The new record stands at 273 with the Caspian Tern taking the Challenge to the target figure whilst Baird’s Sandpiper took it over the total. Added to the Challenge list this quarter were a Melodious Warbler and a Sooty Shearwater. There are still three species yet to be seen which are Little Auk, Shorelark and Waxwing.
Hanningfield Reservoir continues to record sightings of Great White Egrets whilst a Montagu Harrier has been seen at Scaling Dam Reservoir.
Although many migrant birds cannot be counted towards the Challenge totals, a highlight of the migration this year was a two-barred Crossbill which was recorded at Abberton Reservoir. Abberton also saw Honey Buzzards as did Hanningfield Reservoir, the Trinity Broads and Scaling Dam Reservoir. Amongst the more common migrant waders Wood Sandpiper were seen at Abberton Reservoir and Hanningfield Reservoir whilst Pectoral Sandpiper were seen at Scaling Dam.
Officially the best birding year in the Challenge’s history, the final quarter is eagerly awaited.
Branch Out
There is compelling evidence that due to human activities the climate is changing, these changes are likely to be particularly evident in the East of England where issues such as coastal squeeze and low levels of rainfall make it especially vulnerable.
The Branch Out initiative involves working in partnership to reconnect habitats for the benefit of people and wildlife. It will encompass a number of projects with the aim of helping the region build resilience and adapt to the changing climate whilst bringing benefits to water, wildlife and communities.
Trinity Broads
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| Trinity Broads newsletter 2009 |  |