Natural England
Activities
Work has continued on Brown Syke South and Hawthornthwaite during the 2017-8 winter season - blocking rills and gullies, reprofiling hags, revegetating bare peat. Film of work produced. Work funded by National Landscape, Grosvenor estate, EA & Defra.
Additional re-profiling and re-wetting followed by reseeding on area already fenced out on Hawthornthwaite, Abbeystead.
Advice has been given to potential applicants, NE colleagues and agreement holders on the suitability of sites for meadow restoration, the methods of restoration in practice and the ways of demonstrating success. Numbers are not precise as advice ranges from phone calls through to repeat farm visits, but is in the region of 4-8/yr.
CS targetting was completed during 2014-5, using nation-wide data sets rather than local ones. The National Landscape unit input to the consultation and discussions and offered use of local datasets, but only national sets were used. The mid-tier developed differently, and it was in the Facilitation Funded catchment groups which in the end were most locally focussed. The National Landscape is a partner in the Loud catchment group (see 1.2E).
The National Landscape contains xxxx SSSIs cover ing a total of xxxxxha. Of this, as of [date]NE have calculated for us that ????% are in favourable condition; ????% are in unfavourable recovering condition; ????% are in unfavourable no change condition and ????% are in unfavourable declining condition.
Unfavourable no change - New Ings Meadow, Bolton by Bowland (low frequency of indicator species and high grass:herb ratio)
Unfavourable declining - units 5, 6, 15, 50 of Bowland Fells (low numbers of breeding black backed gulls)
Unfavourable declining - Clear Beck Meadow, Wray (low frequnecy of indicator species, increase in grass:herb ratio, hymalayan balsam infestation, increase in rush cover)
Peatland restoration work on the Bowland Fell SSSI units (those which are unfavourable recovering) is ongoing as budgets allow. In the autumn of 2015, EA budget was identified and allocated to Brown Syke, Abbeystead. By the end of March 2016, the works to reseed the already re-profiled bare peat and hags will have been completed. Tender specs produced by National Landscape staff, project managed by LCC staff, reporting to EA by National Landscape staff.
Worked jointly with the Friends group to carry out a habitat management task on Worsaw Hill SSSI near Downham. This involved pulling out hawthorn saplings to prevent their spread on this species-rich grassland.
In July 2015, through the Hay Time project and an HLS agreement amendment, green hay from Bell Sykes SSSI was transferred and spread onto new Ings Meadow, in order to: restore cover of yellow rattle, red clover, eye bright and hawkbits; reduce grass:herb ratio; increase number of indicator species; inoculate with seed of other meadow species.
This work is intended to improve the condition of the habitat. The site will be revisited from 2016 to see at what point there is a change in the condition assessment.
NE provided the Biodiveristy working group with the results of a wet flush survey of sites in Lancashire from 2014, this included some sites in the National Landscape. A list of additional sites was produced, and Eric Greenwood began surveying this list in the summer of 2015. Further sites visits are planned for 2016, and we need to pull together a list of the sites still to be visited.
During the autumn of 2014, a task & finish group of the Biodiversity Working Gruop met to discuss and agree the priority list in terms of habitats within the National Landscape in need of survey. The list decided on in Jan 2015 was as follows: 1) woodlands 2) wet flushes 3) species rich pastures.
During the summer of 2014 & 2015, large amounts of Himalayan Balsam were pulled from the hedges and edges of Clear Beck Meadow. It was reported that less was in evidence in 2015 than in 2014, but the location of the site next to a water course mewans that this needs to be an ongoing management action. The work was undertaken by National Landscape, LCC & NE staff together with members of Friends of Bowland.
An assessment is needed as to the next steps of restoration - soil compaction has been identified as a problem.
The N4N project aimed to help create a living network of nectar hubs for bees and other pollinating invertebrates across the National Landscape by creating small patches of species rich grassland and corn field annual patches, mainly on non-farmed land such as in school grounds, businesses and community spaces.
The project created 25 nectar patches, 7 mini-meadows and worked at a field scale to restore 35 ha of meadows as well. The project worked with 10 community groups, 6 private landowners, 10 businesses and 5 schools. We organised 12 public events, attracting 170 people.
The Bowland Hay Time project has restored 35 ha of meadows during 2014 & 2015. This has been possible through partnership working with the N4N project, LEF, the Coronation Meadows project, NE and YDMT. We used green hay and brush harvested seed, as well as plug planting on several sites.
In 2016 we restored 20 ha with a further 11ha in 2017, all using green hay, brush harvested and vacuumed seed. Sites included SSSIs (New Ings and Tarnbrook) in need of seed addition.
In 2018 a further 3 meadows of feild scale restoration were completed through Bowland Haytime
Working group re-established in April 2014.
Will meet approx twice per year and direct biodiversity delivery through the development of annual delivery plans, made up from work across the delivery group.
An assessment of the peatland restoration work still to be completed within the National Landscape area was undertaken as the Priority peat 2013 project, which was produced as a report in April 2014. The matrix approach allows priorities for action to be determined based on a large number of datasets and consultation with key partners. It has since been used to prioritise sites to be put into EU LIFE+ bids (2014 & 2015) and to direct EA funds to 'shovel ready' projects (eg work on Brown Syke, Abbeystead).
40 ha of bare and hagged peat fenced off and re-profiled using HLS. Half of the bare peat treated with heather brash and geo-jute put in place, limed and seeded.
Separate Festival Bowland events brochure produced for 2014.
Festival Bowland programme for 2015 included as part of Discover Bowland guide.
2016 programme currently under development and will be included as part of discovery guide again.
A survey of the BHS (and other) meadows and pastures was begun in 2012 and continued in 2013. There are some sites still to complete, as this survey prioritised meadows over pastures and did not look at wet grasslands. Need an assessment of which sites are still to be surveyed.
Actions
| Action | Targets and Timescales | Partners | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1A | Ensure all local planning authorities and other interested organisations have access to National Landscape Landscape Character Assessment GIS data layers and understand how these can be used as a planning tool |
All LPAs supplied with GIS data layers. 2014 Hold at least 1 meeting per year with LPA or other partner to raise awareness of National Landscape LCA and its uses. Annually |
View | |
| 1.1E | Develop and disseminate advice note with design guidance for fencing in sensitive open landscapes (e.g. moorland, open river floodplains) |
Advice note developed 2014 |
View |
| Action | Targets and Timescales | Partners | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2C | Contribute to research on the value of 'ecosystem services' provided by the natural environment of the National Landscape and communicate findings to a wide audience |
Research opportunities with Natural England identified 2014 Research commenced 2015 |
View | |
| 1.2E | Play an active role in the government's 'Catchment-based Approach' (CaBA) to river management and restoration for the Lune, Ribble and Wyre |
Meet with EA catchment management staff and Rivers Trusts for Lune and Wyre re:CaBA 2014 Attend at least 2 Ribble Life stakeholder exchange meetings per year Annually Investigate opportunities for catchment-based management options and agreements for the New Environmental Land Management Scheme (NELMS). 2014 |
View |
| Action | Targets and Timescales | Partners | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.3A | Ensure National Landscape's SSSIs are in favourable or recovering condition and take appropriate action to bring those SSSIs that are currently in recovering condition into favourable condition |
Ensure 100% of the National Landscape's SSSIs are in favourable or recovering condition 2019 Ensure at least 50% of SSSIs are in favourable condition 2019 |
View | |
| 1.3D | Restore and re-wet areas of blanket bog habitat as identified in the National Landscape Peatland Restoration Plan |
Restoration and re-wetting of 35hectares of blanket bog habitat (subject to funding availability) 2019 |
View | |
| 1.3E | Play an active role in local and regional peatland initiatives (e.g. Lancashire and Pennine Peat Partnerships) to seek additional funding to deliver National Landscape Peatland Restoration Plan |
Lancashire Upland Peat Partnership restoration plan (incl. National Landscape data) complete 2014 National Landscape projects included in Pennine Peat Partnership bid for EU LIFE+ funding 2014 |
View | |
| 1.3G | Support the creation of new native woodland in appropriate sites and the expansion of existing woodlands to reduce habitat fragmentation |
Utilise woodland opportunities mapping to guide future woodland creation and expansion 2016 onwards |
View |
| Action | Targets and Timescales | Partners | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4C | Continue to support research and monitoring and encourage implementation of habitat projects for characteristic bird species such as hen harrier, merlin, peregrine, ring ouzel, lapwing, snipe, redshank and curlew; including support for relevant species recovery plans |
Identify and agree appropriate habitat intervention opportunities for at least 2 species 2016 |
View | |
| 1.4D | Support local actions to provide suitable conditions to re-establish hen harrier as a breeding species in the National Landscape, in line with the government's emerging national species recovery plan |
Develop local actions to support the re-establishment of breeding hen harrier in the National Landscape 2014-15 Active participation in the new 'Northern England Protected Landscapes Hen Harrier Group' Annually |
View |
| Action | Targets and Timescales | Partners | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6A | Work closely with statutory agencies to identify designated heritage assets 'at risk' and develop management plans to facilitate the removal of assets from English Heritage's 'Heritage at Risk Register' |
Hold meeting with English Heritage to discuss establishment of 'Heritage at Risk Register' for National Landscape 2014 Complete first designated heritage asset management plan 2016 |
View | |
| 1.6B | Develop bid to Heritage Lottery Fund 'Landscape Partnership Scheme' for a landscape restoration programme for Pendle Hill area |
Complete Stage 1 Bid planning 2015 Submit Stage 1 bid 2015 If successful: 2016 Commence development phase 2017 Submit Stage 2 bid 2017-18 Commence LPS delivery |
View |
| Action | Targets and Timescales | Partners | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1A | Provide appropriate support and guidance on landscape, biodiversity and access for farmers and land managers who deliver agri-environment scheme agreements |
Advice provided for at least 6 agri-environment scheme agreements per year Annually |
View | |
| 2.1B | Continue to support the development of the 'Bowland Land Managers Forum' to represent the land management sector locally, regionally and nationally (e.g. influencing the development and implementation of local rural development programmes in Lancashire and North Yorkshire) |
Hold 4 meetings per year (min.) Annually Forum members nominated for proposed RDPE/LEADER Local Action Group(s) covering the National Landscape 2015 |
View | |
| 2.1E | Carry out monitoring and recording of environmental benefits achieved through agri-environment schemes to inform other farmers and non farmers on the benefits from upland hill farming |
Develop monitoring programme in liaison with Bowland Land Managers Forum 2015 Establish baseline conditions 2017 & 2019 Biennial survey work carried out |
View | |
| 2.1F | Work with Natural England and Defra to develop landscape-specific management options and agreements for the new Environmental Land Management Scheme (NELMS) |
Commence discussions amongst key partners 2014 If appropriate, proposal developed for Bowland landscape-specific management options and agreements under NELMS. 2014-2015 |
View | |
| 2.1I | Broker discussions with Natural England on future direction of moorland management in Bowland, particularly in relation to grazing and burning/cutting regimes and bracken control |
Hold National Landscape 'Upland Management ' seminar 2015 |
View | |
| 2.1J | Support Lancashire Fire Operations Group (FOG) to encourage good practice in upland heather burning by providing training opportunities for land managers in the National Landscape |
Lancashire FOG contributes to National Landscape 'Upland Management ' seminar 2015 |
View |
| Action | Targets and Timescales | Partners | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3A | Raise the profile of services and support offered by the National Landscape Partnership amongst community groups, parish councils and local businesses |
Develop and deliver a series of 'Know your National Landscape' events for community groups, parish councils and businesses By 2017 |
View |
| Action | Targets and Timescales | Partners | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2B | Support the management of, and access to 'Access Land' in the National Landscape |
Establish 'Access Land' as a standing item for Bowland Land Managers Forum Annually Annual report to Local Access Forums on 'Access Land' issues Annually |
View |
| Action | Targets and Timescales | Partners | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3C | Work with partners to ensure they use Biodiversity Action Reporting System 2 (BARS2) to report back to Natural England and Defra on BD2020 delivery within the National Landscape |
Provide reporting to BARS2 at least twice per year Annually |
View | |
| 4.3D | Work with partners to ensure they use UKGAP monitoring to report back on delivery of geodiversity actions within the National Landscape |
Provide reporting to UKGAP annually Annually |
View |