poppit path ecological report final · february 2018 3 1. introduction grwp llwybr poppit path...

Report prepared by Dr Emma Wootton on behalf Grwp Llwybr Poppit Path Group

Site survey: 14th January 2018

Report prepared: February 2018

Final Version: June 2018

PRELIMINARY ECOLOGICAL APPRAISAL

Multi-use public path between St Dogmaels and Poppit Sands, Pembrokeshire

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

GrwpLlwybrPoppitPathGroup(PPG)isacommunitygroupisseekingpermissiontocreateamulti-usepath(approximately2kminlengthand3mwide)betweenStDogmaelsandPoppitSands,Pembrokeshire.Thecurrentpath,whichisasectionofthePembrokeshireCoastPath,isanarrow(singlelane)highwaywithmotorisedtraffic.Itisnotpedestrianised,andthereforehashealthandsafetyimplicationsforbothusersofthehighwayandofthePembrokeshireCoastPath.

APreliminaryEcologicalAppraisal(PEA)wasundertakenonthepotentialroutesofthenewmulti-purposepublicpath.Theappraisal/surveyassessedthelikelyecologicalimpactsofconstructionandsubsequentpresenceofthepath.Resultsshowedthatifthepathfollowstheproposedroute,thentheecologicalimpacttolocalhabitatsandspecieswouldbelow,andfavourableconservationstatuswouldnotbedetrimentallyaffected.

Insummary:

• Thepathrouteisnotwithinadesignatedsiteofnatureconservation-e.g.SpecialAreaofConservation,SiteofSpecialScientificInterest,SpecialProtectionAreaandLocalNatureReserves.

• ThedesktopstudyrevealedthatthemajorityofrecordedPriorityspeciesareassociatedwiththeRiverTeifi.

• Thepathroutedoesnotencounteranyhighly-sensitiveecologicalhabitats.• TherewasnoevidenceofPrioritySpeciesduringthewalkoversurvey.• ThepotentialimpactofthepathroutetoPrioritySpeciesislimitedtobats,nestingbirds

andreptiles.• ThepotentialimpactonPriorityspeciesislowandcanbeeasilycompensatedand

mitigated.• Thewalkoversurveydidnotdiscoveranyinvasivenon-nativespeciesalongtheproposed

pathroute.• Nositesofarchaeologicalimportancewillbeimpactedasaresultofthepath.

Inconclusion,iftherecommendationsstatedinthisreportareadheredto,itwillhelpensurethattheproposedpath,bothduringandpost-,constructionwillnotdetrimentallyimpactlocalhabitatsandspecies.

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1. INTRODUCTION GrwpLlwybrPoppitPathGroup(PPG)isacommunitygroupestablishedin2016toachievethefollowingkeyobjective:

• ToprovideorenhanceaccesstothecoastandcountrysidewithintheSt.DogmaelsandPoppitareaforallpeoplewithoutdiscrimination,withtheobjectofimprovingtheconditionsoflifeforlocalpeopleandvisitorsalike,andtoimprovetheenvironmentandpeople’sunderstandingoftheenvironment.

Atpresent,PPGisseekingpermissiontocreateamulti-usepublicpath(approximately2kminlengthand3mwide)betweenStDogmaelsandPoppitSands,Pembrokeshire.Thecurrentpath,whichisasectionofthePembrokeshireCoastPath,isactuallyanarrow(singlelane)highwaywithmotorisedtraffic.Itisnotpedestrianisedandisthereforenotsuitableforwheelchairsandpush-chairs/buggies.ThishashealthandsafetyimplicationsforbothusersofthehighwayandofthePembrokeshireCoastPath.Italsoresultsinlocalusers,whowishtovisitnearbyPoppitSands,havingtoeitherdrivetheshortdistanceorfacetherisksofusingtheexistingroad,whichbecomesverybusyandcongestedduringsummermonths.

CommunityconsultationhasbeencarriedoutbyPPGsince2015,andithasconfirmedahigh-levelofsupportfortheproposedpath.Increasedbeachaccessandhumansafetyhavebeenidentifiedaskeyissues.AfeasibilitystudyhasthereforebeencommissionedbyPPGtoinvestigatethepotentialdevelopmentofamulti-usepublicpathbetweenStDogmaelsandPoppitSands.ApathofthistypewouldcontributetoallsevenWell-BeingGoalsundertheWell-BeingofFutureGenerations(Wales)Act2015.

APreliminaryEcologicalAppraisaloftheproposedmulti-usepathrouteisacomponentoftheoverallfeasibilitystudy.

2. AIMS & OBJECTIVES APreliminaryEcologicalAppraisal(PEA)wasundertakenontheproposedrouteofthemulti-purposepath.Theappraisal/surveyassessedthelikelyecologicalimpactsofconstructionandsubsequentpresenceofthepath.Withintheappraisal,anevaluationwasmadeoftheecologicalfeaturespresent,aswellasscopingforprotectedandpriorityspecies/habitats,identificationofpotentialconstraintstotheproposedpathandrecommendationsforcompensationandmitigation.

TheresultsofthisPEAwillhelptoinformtheoverallfeasibilityoftheproposedpath,andalsosupportfurtherecologicalsiteassessments(iftheproposalweretoprogresstotheplanning/developmentstagebystatutoryauthorities).TheinformationobtainedfromthePEAmayalsocontributetotheprocessofselectingpreferredecologicaloptionsandintheoverallstrategicenvironmentalassessmentofthedevelopmentplanfortheproposedmulti-usepath.

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Bothadesk-topstudyandawalkoversurveywereconductedaspartofthePEA;andhabitats,faunaandflora(ofconservationimportance)weremappedanddiscussedincontextofthepotentialecologicalimpactoftheproposedmulti-usepath.

3. SITE DESCRIPTION Theproposedrouteforthemulti-purposepath(Fig.1)followsthesinglelanehighway(B4546)northwardsfromtheoutskirtsofSt.DogmaelstothepubliccarparkatPoppitSands.ThesectionoftheroutesurveyedinthisreportwasthefromtheproposedstartpointatthecurrentboatstorageareaontheoutskirtstoofStDogmaels,northwardsuptothesharprighthandturn(oftheB4546)totheWebleyHotel(Fig.1).Theproposedpath(approx.3mwide)istofollowtheroad,buttobeslightlyoffsetintotheadjacenthabitat.Thiswillsegregateusersonfoot,horseand/orpedalbikefrommotorisedvehicles,andthussignificantlyimprovesafetyofallthoseconcerned.Theproposedroutebeginsontheestuary-sideoftheroad(Easternside)andthencrossesovertothelandwardside(Westernside)atthepointwherethetrackfromYsgbor-WenintersectstheB4546(Fig.1).TheproposedroutethencontinuestorunadjacenttotheB4546.

Theproposedroutethenfollowsandexistingbridlewaypastthefarm,ManianFawrandontoanexistingfootpaththroughCardiganBayHolidayParkandontoanewlysurfacedpaththroughanareaownedbyPembrokeshireCoastNationalPark.Theproposedrouteisprovidedinmoredetailintheaccompanyingfeasibilitystudytothisdocument.

4. METHODOLOGY

DESK-TOP STUDY

Adesktopstudywasundertakeninordertoobtainanyrelevantecologicalrecordsthatmaybepresentwithina1kmradiusofthesurveysite.Ofparticularrelevancewerethoseofprotected/priorityspecies,andsiteswithnatureconservationdesignations.TheprimarysourceofinformationwasWestWalesBiodiversityInformationCentre.Thehalfwaypointoftheproposedpathroutewasusedatthereferencepointforthe1kmdatasearchradius.

TheMulti-AgencyGeographicInformationfortheCountryside(MAGIC)websitewasalsoconsultedtoconfirmanydesignatedsites(bothstatutoryandnon-statutory)within1kmofthesurveysite.DesignatedsitesincludeLocalNatureReserves(LNRs),RamsarSites,SpecialAreasofConservation(SACs),SpecialProtectionAreas(SPAs)andSitesofSpecialScientificInterest(SSSIs).

Toidentifyanyarchaeologicalfeaturesthatmaybeimpactedbytheproposedwork,asearchforsuchfeatureswascarriedoutontheCADWwebsite(WelshGovernmentshistoricenvironmentservice-http://cadw.gov.wales/),theHistoricWaleswebsite(amapenabledportalforhistoricenvironmentinformationinWales-http://historicwales.gov.uk/)andtheCofleinwebsite(onlinecatalogueofarchaeology,buildings,industrialandmaritimeheritageinWales-http://coflein.gov.uk/).

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SITE APPRAISAL - WALKOVER SURVEY

• Habitat:

Anecologicalappraisalofhabitatswascarriedoutatthesiteon14thJanuary2018byDrEmmaWootton.Itconstitutedafullwalkoversurveyoftheproposedpathroute,basedonguidelinesandmethodologiesofPhase1habitatsurveytechniques(JointNatureConservationCommittee,2010).ThewalkoversurveybeganatStDogmaelsandprogressednorthwardstowardsPoppitsands.(Fig.1).Inbrief,thesurveyidentifiedbaselineecologicalconditions,aswellasanyprotectedornotablehabitats.Allhabitatswithintheproposeddevelopmentsitewereclassifiedandmappedasaccuratelyaspossible,usingtargetnotestoidentifyfeaturesofparticularecologicalinterest.Inthecontextofthisreport,protectedornotablehabitatswereconsideredtobethoseofasustainablesizeandwhichmetanyofthefollowingcriteria:

· Habitatswhichhaveahighintrinsicecologicalvalue,i.e.theysupportadiverserangeofplantand/orfaunalspecies

· Matureorsemi-naturalhabitats· UKBiodiversityActionPlanpriorityhabitats· LocalBiodiversityActionPlanhabitatsconsideredhavingasignificantextentand/orecologicalinterest.

· PotentiallyInvasiveNon-NativeSpecies(INNS).

• Protected(‘Priority’)Species:

Thesitewasalsoassessedonitspotentialtosupportanyprotectedorpriorityfaunalspecies.Thesurveyinvolvedsearchingforfieldsignsandevidenceforthepresenceofparticularspecies,andalsodocumenting/mappinganyhabitatwiththepotentialtosupportsuchspecies.Thesearchareaincludeda15mradiuseachsideoftheproposedpathroute.Inthecontextofthisreport,protectedornotablespecieswereconsideredtobethosethatmetanyofthefollowingcriteria:

· SpeciesprotectedbyBritishorinternationallaw· UKBAPpriorityspeciesorlocalBAPspecies· Nationallyrareorscarcespecies · SpeciesofConservationConcern(e.g.JNCCRedList,RSPB/BTORedorAmberlists).

Speciesofparticularinterestincludedbadgers,bats,reptiles,amphibians,dormice,ottersandnestingbirds.Forthepurposeofthisreport,suchspecieswillbereferredtoas‘PrioritySpecies’.

5. SURVEY LIMITATIONS TheconditionsreportedandassessedinthisPEArepresentthoseidentifiedatthetimeofthewalkoversurveyonthe14thJanuary2018.Althoughareasonableassessmentofthehabitatscanbemadeduringasinglewalkoversurvey,seasonalvariationsarenotobserved.Speciesobservationswerebasedonthecurrentsitevisit.ThesurveywasconductedduringJanuary,whichisinthesub-optimalseasonforundertakingPEAs;hencemanyplantspeciesencounteredwerenotinflower/leaf

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andthusconstrainedidentification.However,habitattypescouldstillbecomprehensivelyclassified,andthereforethislimitationwasnotconsideredlikelytoaltertheconclusionsandrecommendationsmadewithinthisreport.Duringthewalkover,thepotentialforprotectedspeciescouldalsobeaccuratelyassessed.Allareasofthesitewereaccessibleonthedayofthesurvey.

Thedeskstudyusedavailablerecordsandhistoricaldatafromthelocalarea.However,thedatadoesnotalwaysprovideareliableindicationofspeciespresent,sincerecordsdependentirelyonsurveyeffort,whichishighlyvariable.Thedataareusefulasageneralguidetosupplementthesitevisitandwalkoversurvey,butabsenceofrecordsdoesnotreflectabsenceofspecies.

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6. RESULTS

DESKTOP STUDY

• Designatedsites

Theproposedpathrouteisnotwithinastatutorydesignatedsiteofnatureconservation;howeveritiswithin1kmofthelowerreachesoftheRiverTeifi.TheRiverTeifiisadesignatedSAC(SpecialAreaofConservation)andSSSI(SiteofSpecialScientificInterest).PleaserefertoFigure2fortheboundariesofthesedesignatedsitesinrelationtotheproposedpathroute.

Therearenonon-statutorydesignationswithinthe1kmradiusoftheproposedpath;however,undertheWaterFrameworkDirectivethereissaltmarshhabitatinclosevicinity(i.e.thelowerreachesoftheRiverTeifiwhichareadjacenttotheproposedpathroute)whichhasbeenclassifiedashighsensitivity.

• Species.

Thedatasearchesrevealedawidevarietyofspeciesrecordsforthe1kmradiussearcharea.ThefullspecieslistispresentedinTable1.ThespeciesinboldareclassifiedasPrioritySpecies.i.e.specieswithEuropeanand/orUKlegalprotection;NERCAct(2006)speciesandUKBAPpriorityspecies.

Birdsconstituteahighproportionoftherecords,followedbybutterflies&moths,andthenplants.

Forthepurposeofthisstudy,theresultsofthedesktopstudywillfocusonthePrioritySpecies(i.e.specieswithEuropeanand/orUKlegalprotection).

The locations of priority species (Target notes; TN 1-12) within the 1 km radius search area areillustratedinFigure3,andtheassociatedTN’sofpriorityspecieslistsarepresentedinTable2.Themajority of recorded priority species are birds; however there are records of protected butterflies,moths, bats and otters. The birds, butterflies andmoths are species associated with the estuarineenvironmentofthelowerreachesoftheRiverTeifi;includingareasofmudflats,sand/shinglebeds,saltmarshandreedbeds.Therehavebeen2recordsofottersonPoppitDunes(TN1,Table2&Fig.3),andallthebatrecordsareassociatedwiththebuildingsatManianFawronthesouth-westernboundaryofthe1kmsearchradius(TN5,Table2&Fig.3).

TheonlyEuropeanProtectedSpecies(EPS)recordedinthesearchareawereottersandbats(severaldifferentspecies;Table2).Bothottersandbatspeciesrequirederogationlicencesifworksaregoingtoimpactthemand/ortheirhabitat.

TherewerenorecordsofINNSwithinthesearcharea.

• Archaeologicalfeatures&historicmonuments

Noarchaeologicalfeaturesorhistoricmonumentsareencounteredalongtheproposedpathroute;thereforethepathwillnotinflictanydetrimentalarchaeologicalimpactonitssurroundings.Thegeographically-closestfeaturesofhistoricvaluetotheproposedpathare:

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• St.DogmaelsBattery-DyfedArchaeologicalTrust(militarystructure)• Glanteify-Countryhousegarden(tenniscourtandterrace)• Plasbach-DyfedarchaeologicalTrust(findspot)• ManianFawrCastle

PleaserefertoFigure4.Noneofthesefeaturesareatriskasaresultofthepath’sconstruction.Table3listsallarchaeologicalfeatureswithin1kmradiusofthesurveysite.

SITE APPRAISAL – WALKOVER SURVEY

• Habitats

Theproposedrouteencounters,andimpactsupon,avarietyofhabitats.Thehabitatsareverydistinctandhavethereforebeenseparatedintosingleentities,hence‘Areas’,inordertoaidclassification,descriptionanddiscussionoffindings.Thedesignatedhabitat‘Areas’areillustratedinFigure5.Thereare6such‘Areas’encompassing:

1. Wasteland&hardstanding2. Scrubland&bracken3. Scrubland&trees4. Woodland5. Pasture6. Hedgerows

Eachareawillbedescribedandclassifiedindividually.Whereappropriate,habitatsareclassifiedaccordingtoPhase1habitatdefinitions(PH1:XX).Theareasarelistedinorderoftheirpresencealongtheroute(fromstarttofinish).

1. Wasteland&hardstanding(Area1).

Thisareaiscurrentlyusedforboat(andcaravan)storage.Itencompassesscrubhabitat(PH1:J2)dominatedby(1-2mhigh)ofgorse(Ulexeuropaeus)andbramble(Rubusfruticosus).Smallstandsofwillow(Salixspp.),dogwood(Cornussp.)andBuddlejadavidiiarealsopresent.Thereareareasofhardstanding(concreteandrubble)whichhavebeenneglected,andthereforehavebeencolonisedbyruderalspecies,includingperennialherbs(e.g.Plantagospp.,Ranunculusspp.,Potentillaspp.,Dipsacussp;PH1:J1.3).Theareaisenclosedbyawoodenfencealongtheroadsideandbyalineofyoungbroad-leavednativetrees(approx20mhigh)alongtheestuaryside.Thereisalsoa1-2mwidegrassvergerunningalongthefencelinebythesideoftheroad.Thisvergeisneutralgrasslandwhichismownregularly.

PleaserefertoFigure6forphotographs.

2. Scrublandandbracken(Area2)

ThisareaisscrublandofcontinuitywiththeArea1habitat(PH1:J2).Stands(1-2mhigh)ofgorse(Ulexeuropaeus),bramble(Rubusfruticosus)andwillow(Salixspp.)arestillpresent(PH1:J2).

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However,thereisnohardstanding,andinstead,swathesofbracken(Pteridiumaquilinum)(PH1:C1)andsemi-improvedneutralgrassland(PH1:B2)becomeadominantfeature.Ruderalherbspeciesarealsopresent–includingnettle(Urticadioica),redcampion(Silenedioica),Buttercup(Ranunculusspp.),HerbRobert(Geraniumrobertianum)andWillowherb(Epilobiumsp.).AswithArea1,thisareaisalsolinedbyawoodenfenceandalineofbroad-leavednativetrees.Abandonedkayaksandboattrailerswereovergrownwithvegetationandapileofagedwoodenfencepostswasalsoobserved.Amowngrassverge(1-2mwide)runsalongtheedgeoftheroad.


3. Scrubland&trees(Area3)

Area3consistsofmaturebroad-leavedtreesliningtheroadside,whichgentlyslopesdownwards(awayfromtheroad)intoyoungsemi-naturalwoodland(PH1:A1)andscrub(PH1:J2).Thematuretreesliningtheroadare20-30mtall,andarepredominantlySycamore(Acerpseudoplatanus)andElm(Ulmusspp.).Theyoungsemi-naturalwoodland(adjacenttothelineofmaturetrees)hasacanopyofaheight10-20m;thetreesaretypicallymulti-trunkedandelongated.SpeciesincludeWillow(Salixsp.),Ash(Fraxinusexcelsior),Sycamore(Acerpseudoplatanus)andHazel(Corylusavellana).Theunderstoreycomprisesoftypicalscrublandspecies,includingbramble(Rubusfruticosus),bracken(Pteridiumaquilinum),nettles(Urticadioica)andyoungelder(Sambucusnigra).Ivy(Hederaspp.)isdominantbothinthescrublandandonthetrees.Inthemoredenselyplanted(andshaded)areas,fernsbecomeacommongroundcoverspecies.Thereisnoobviousgrassvergealongtheroadside;however,thereisawell-wornpath(createdbypedestrians)runningnexttothematuretrees.Inordertoaccommodatea3m-widemultipurposepathrunningadjacenttotheroad,severalmaturebroad-leavedtrees(upto7trees,withtrunks>50cmindiameter)wouldhavetobefelled(Fig.8).


4. Woodland(Area4)

Area4issemi-naturalwoodland(PH1:A1).Itiscomposedofbroad-leavedspeciesincluding,Sycamore(Acerpseudoplatanus),Ash(Fraxinusexcelsior),Hazel(Corylusavellana)andOak(Quercusrobur).Thecanopyis20-30mhigh,andmanyofthetreeshavebeencoppiced,andarethereforemulti-stemmed.Thefirstsectionofthewoodlandisdenselyplanted,andassuch,theunderstoreyandgroundcoverisdominatedbyferns,Sphagnummossandivy(Hederaspp.).Thesecondsectionofwoodlandislessdenselyplantedandassuchthegroundcoverisdominatedbyivy(Hederaspp.),withstandsoflowgrowingbramble(Rubusfruticosus)andbracken(Pteridiumaquilinum).PerennialherbssuchasHerbRobert(Geraniumrobertianum)arealsoacomponentspecies.

Thewoodlandisraisedabovetheleveloftheroadby2-3m;thereforeasteepbankedgesthesideoftheroad.Asmalldrainageditchisalsopresentalongsomesections.

Inorderforthepathtorunthroughthewoodland,treesmustbefelled.Themajorityofthesetreesarecoppiced,multi-stemmedindividuals;howeverseveralmaturetrees(oftrunks>25cmindiameter)mayalsohavetoberemoved(approx.10trees).


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5. Pasture(Area5)

Area5isclassifiedasimprovedgrassland(PH1:B4).Itiscurrentlyusedasgrazingpasture.Thehabitatislush,low-growinganddominatedbygrasses-particularlyCrestedDog’sTail(Cynosuruscristatus)andPerennialryegrass(Loliumperenne).Overallspeciesdiversityislow;however,thereisscatteredDock(Rumexspp.),daisy(Bellisperennis),nettle(Urticadioica),buttercup(Ranunculusspp.)andthistles(Cirsiumspp.).Thesespeciesindicatelocalenrichmentofsoil(viagrazinganimals).

Theproposedpathwouldrunalongtheinsideedgeofthegrazingpasture(field)adjacenttothehedgerow.

Atthenorthernendofthepasturethereisapermanentstructure(aconcretebase)containingaveryoldabandonedpieceofagriculturalmachinery.Itiscurrentlyovergrownwithbramble.(Fig.11).Thisstructuremayhavetoberemovedaspartofthepath’sconstruction.


6. Hedgerow(Area6)

Amaturenativehedgerowformstheboundarybetweenthegrazingpasture(Area5)andtheroad(B4546).ThehedgerowalsorunsadjacenttotheB4546.Thehedgerowsitsatopasteepgrassbank,asthegrazingpastureisraisedabovetheleveloftheroad.Thehedgerowcanbeclassifiedasaspecies-richhedge(PH1:J2.4),andisintactalongtheentiretyofthegrazingpasture.Thehedgerowisapprox1mdeepand1-2mhigh.Itiscomposedofavarietyofnativespecies;dominantspeciesincludehawthorn(Crataegusmonogyna),bramble(Rubusfruticosus),elder(Sambucusnigra),honeysuckle(Lonicerapericylmenum),ivy(Hederaspp.),hazel(Corylusavellana),Dogrose(Rosacanina)andblackthorn(Prunusspinosa).

Thefirst50mofhedgerowisseparatedfromtheroadbya5mwideraisedbank.Thetopofthebank(5mwide)isscrubland(PH1:J2),dominatedbybramble(Rubusfruticosus)andbracken(Pteridiumaquilinum).Itisinterspersedwithruderalspeciessuchasperennialherbs,nettle(Urticadioica)andgrasses.Thebankalsocontainsseveraltreesapproximately15-20minheight.ThemajorityofthetreesareSycamore(Acerpseudoplatanus).TwoofthesetreeswouldneedtobefellediftheproposedpathwastorunalongthetopofthisbankpriortoenteringArea5(pasture).Thissectionofhedgerowissignificantlyhigherinheightduetothematurityoftheshrubsandtrees.

Itisproposedthatthehedgerowwillnotberemovedaspartofthepath’sconstruction–insteaditwillformtheboundarybetweentheproposedpathandtheroad(B4546).


7. Woodland,WetlandandBracken(Area7)

OntheupperpartofthissectionfromtheHolidayParktoManianFawr,darkshadedhabitatwasdominant,withsomeanimalrunsfound,butnotutilisedwithvegetationcoverpresent.TheonlytreesofnotewereAsh,SycamoreandHawthorn.Thewholehabitatwasdominatedbybracken.Onthelowerpartofthissection,ofnotewasasmallsectionofherringbonedrystonewallleadingtoatraditionaldrywallwithinthebrackenscrub.

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Thelowerareaoftheproposedpathhasanexistingpathinplacethatrequiresimprovement.Theareacanbeidentifiedatfigure14.ThisareawassurveyedinJanuary2018withanadditionalwalkoversurveyinJune2018.TheareaadjacenttoPoppitSandsCarParkdisplayedgeneralscrubandmeadowspecies.GrasspathsweresubjecttostrimmingintheJunesurvey,butfurtherpathdevelopmentanddisturbancewillrequireareptilesurveyduetobeingclassicreptilebaskinghabitat.

Therewasnothingofconcernduringthesurveyoftheremainderofthearea.TherewasevidenceofdiggingatonetreealongthepathbetweenPoppitSandsCarParkandtheHolidayParkthatwasbelievedtobeadog,withnoevidenceofscatorothermatter.

• Protectedspecies.

Thewalkoversurveydidnotdetectevidenceofanyprotected(orpriority)faunalspecies.However,severalofthehabitatsencounteredalongtheproposedpathroutedohavethepotentialtosupportsuchspecies.Table4belowsummarisesthepotentialofeachhabitat.Thehabitatsaredesignatedasthe‘Areas’describedabove(Areas1-7)andasillustratedinFigure5.DetailsonthepotentialofeachAreatosupportsuchspeciesaredetailedbelowTable4.

Table4.Summaryofthepotentialforeachhabitat(Area)tosupportprotectedandpriorityspecies.

Area

Potentialforprotected/priorityspecies

Bats Badgers Reptiles Dormouse Amphibians Otters Nestingbirds

1

û û ü û û û û2

û ü ü û û û û3

ü ü û û û û ü4

ü ü û û/ü û û ü5

û û û û û û û6

û û ü û/ü û û ü7

ü û ü û/ü ü û ü

(Potentialhabitat,ü;notpotentialhabitat,û)

1. Wasteland&hardstanding(Area1)

Area1ispotentialreptilehabitat.Itcontainsscrubland,wastegroundandhardstanding,allofwhicharegoodreptilehabitat.Theareaiscomposedofmosaicofdifferenthabitatsandflora,withplentiful

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interfacesandboundaries.Itistheseinterfaceswhichreptilesprefer.Therefore,therearenumerousopportunitiesforreptilebaskingandrefugia.Itisalsoanopenandsunnylocation.

2. Scrublandandbracken(Area2)

ForthesamereasonsasstatedinArea1,Area2ispotentialreptilehabitat.Theinterfacebetweenbrackenandgrassland(asobservedinthisarea)maybeconsideredtobeofhighreptilepotential,andapileofwoodenfencepostsmayactasrefugiaaswellashibernacula.Althoughnosignsofbadgerswereobservedinthisarea,thehabitatswithintheareamaybeconsideredofsecondaryforagingquality;thereforethearearepresentsbadgerpotential(albeitlow,duetoitonlybeingofsecondaryquality).

3. Scrubland&trees(Area3)

Thisareacontainsadiversityofhabitats,includingmaturetrees,youngwoodlandandscrubland,andassuchitispotentiallysuitablehabitatfornestingbirds,bats(inthematuretreesliningtheroad)andbadgers(bothforagingandresidencypotential).

4. Woodland(Area4)

Thisareaofwoodlandhasthepotentialtosupportbats,badgersandnestingbirds.However,themajorityofthiswoodlandareaisnotconsideredsuitablefordormice,duetoitbeingtoodampandshady,withnocontinuousscrublayer.Thedominanceoftallspindlytrees(duetohightreedensity)andlackofsuitablefoodsourcesalsopreventthisareafrombeingconsideredidealdormousehabitat.However,thenorthernendofthiswoodlandislessdense,andhencemoreopen,andconsistsofcoppicedtrees,includinghazel.Itisalsoconnectedtoanativehedgerow.Itthereforemeetssomeofthedormousehabitatcriteria.

Oneanimaltrackwasobservedrunningthroughthewoodland,perpendiculartotheroad.Thetrackwasobservedexitingthewoodlandontotheroad.However,thesizeandshapeofthetrackstronglysuggeststhatitwasnotcreatedbybadgers(Fig.10).

5. Pasture(Area5)

Thisintensivelygrazedareaofpasture(withlowspeciesdiversity)doesnotrepresentpotentialhabitatforanyofthespecieslistedinTable1.

6. Hedgerow(Area6)

Thisnativehedgerowispotentialhabitatforreptilesandnestingbirds.Thehedgerowisonaraisedbank,anditistheinterfacebetweenthebankandhedgerowwhichrepresentssuitablereptilehabitat.Furthermore,duetoitbeinganativehedgerow,withhighspeciesdiversity,italsomeetssomeofthedormousehabitatcriteria.However,thehedgerowissparseinsomesections,andissubjecttohigh

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disturbanceduetoitbeingadjacenttoabusyroad.Thismaythereforereduceitspotentialtosupportthedormouse.

Twoanimaltrackswereobservedexitingthehedgerowontotheroad.Thetrackswereonlyvisiblefromtheroad(notfromthepasture).Thesizeandshapeofthetrackssuggeststhattheywerenotcreatedbybadgers(Fig.13).

Note:therewasnoevidenceofinvasivenon-nativespecies(INNS)inanyoftheAreassurveyed.

7. Woodland,WetlandandBracken(Area7)

Asstatedintheprevioussectionrelatingtohabitat,noteshouldbemadeoftherequirementforadditionalsurveyrelatingtoreptilesandotherspeciesthathavebeennotedintable4.

Thepresenceofanexistingpathalongalmosttheentireroutewithpotentiallyremedialworkstodevelopfurtherintothewiderprojectwillresultinlessdisturbanceasopposedtootherareasoftheproposedroute.

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7. POTENTIAL IMPACT OF PROPOSED PATH Theproposedpathistobeapproximately3mwideinorderforittoserveitsmulti-userpurpose.Itsimpactonthesurroundinghabitatduringconstructionmaybeuptoanadditional3meachsideofthepath.Therefore,thetotalimpactzoneforpathconstructionmaybeupto9mindiameter.However,ifthepathfollowstheproposedroute,thentheecologicalimpacttolocalhabitatsandspecieswouldbelow,andthefavourableconservationstatusofsurroundinghabitatswouldnotbedetrimentallyaffected.Thereasonsforthisareasfollows:

• Thepathrouteisnotwithinadesignatedsiteofnatureconservation-e.g.SAC,SSSI,SPA,LNR.• ThepathroutewillnotimpactontheadjacentRiverTeifi,whichisadesignatedSACandSSI.• The1kmradiusdesktopstudyrevealedthatthemajorityofrecordedPrioritySpecies(i.e.

birds,butterfliesandmoths)areassociatedwiththeestuarineenvironmentoftheRiverTeifi.• Thepathroutedoesnotencounteranyhighly-sensitiveecologicalhabitats.• TherewasnoevidenceofPrioritySpeciesduringthewalkoversurvey.• ThepotentialimpactofthepathroutetoPrioritySpeciesislimitedtobats,nestingbirdsand

reptiles.• Thepotentialimpactonbats,nestingbirdsandreptilesislowandcanbeeasilycompensated

andmitigatedfor,iftherecommendationsofthisreport(andsubsequentsurveys)areadheredto.

• ThewalkoversurveydidnotdiscoveranyINNSalongtheproposedpathroute.• Nositesofarchaeologicalimportancewillbeimpactedasaresultofthepath.

8. RECOMMENDATIONS – MITIGATION, COMPENSATION & FURTHER SURVEYS.

Thefollowingrecommendationswillhelpensurethattheproposedpath,bothduringandpost-,constructionwillnotdetrimentallyimpactthefavourableconservationstatusoflocalspeciesorhabitats.Bats:Severalmaturetreesmayhavetobefelledalongtheproposedpathroute,inparticularinAreas3&4;thereforebatsurveysofsuchtreeswillberequiredinordertoascertaintheirbatroostpotential.Ifbats(andortheirroosts)arediscovered,thenderogations(EuropeanProtectedSpecieslicences)willberequiredinorderforthetreestobelegally-felled.Thebatsurveysmustbecarriedoutbylicencedbatecologists.Nestingbirds:Severalofthehabitatsencounteredbytheproposedpathroutesupportsuitablehabitatfornestingbirds(inparticularAreas3,4&6),thereforeworks(e.g.vegetationclearance)carriedoutonthesehabitatsduringthenestingseason(March–August)shouldbegivencarefulconsideration.Detrimentalaffectstonestingbirdscanbemitigatedforbyallowingnoworkstobecarriedouttosuitablenestinghabitats(e.g.trees,maturescrubandhedgerows)withinthenestingseason.Ifthisisnotfeasible,thenanestingbirdcheckshouldbeundertaken(bysuitablyqualifiedpersonnel)onthehabitattobeimpacted,immediatelypriortoanyworkcommencing.

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Reptiles:Areas1,2and6possesshabitatssuitableforsupportingreptiles;therefore,areptilesurvey(carriedoutbyasuitablyqualifiedecologist)isrecommendedinordertofullyascertainwhetherreptilesinhabitthesite;andifso,identifywhichspeciesarepresent,andproviderecommendationsonhowbesttominimisetheimpactofthepath’sconstructiononsuchspecies.Simplereptileexclusionmethodsarelikelytobeeffective.

OtherSpecies:Althoughsomeofthehabitats(‘Areas’)alongtheproposedpathroutehavethepotentialtosupportbadgers,thelackofanyphysicalevidence(suchassetts,latrinesandsnuffleholes)ofthisspeciesduringthewalkoversurveystronglysuggeststhatbadgersarenotpresent,andthereforefurthersurveysarenotrecommended.However,personnelshouldremaindiligent,andreportanysignsofbadgeractivity.Similarly,thepotentialfordormicetoinhabitthehabitatsaffectedbythepathareverylow,thereforefurthersurveysforthisspeciesarenotcurrentlyrecommended.

Hedgerows: Itisrecommendedthatallhedgerowsareretained,andenhancedwherepossible,aswildlifecorridors.

Ditches:DitchesshouldbeprotectedfromrunoffandpollutioninaccordancewiththePollutionPreventionGuidelines.

Vegetation:Removalofvegetationshouldbeaslimitedasfeasiblypossible,andbeundertakenwithcare.Mitigationandcompensationmaybeviaappropriatere-plantingofvegetationpost–constructionofthepath.Thevegetationshouldincorporatenativeshrubandtreespecies,andbesuitableforthelocalenvironment.

Note:Ifanyprotectedspecies,orevidenceofprotectedspecies,isdiscoveredatanytimeduringsiteclearanceorpathconstruction,thenworkmusttemporarilyceaseandasuitablyqualifiedecologistbecontactedforadvice.

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9. REFERENCES

Bright,P;Morris,PandMitchell-Jones,T(2006).TheDormouseHandbook.2nded.EnglishNature,Peterborough.

CharteredInstituteofEcologyandEnvironmentalManagement(CIEEM)(2012)GuidelinesforPreliminaryEcologicalAppraisal.CIEEMwebsite(https://www.cieem.net/technical-guidance-series-tgs-)

Collins,J.(ed.)(2016)BatSurveysforProfessionalEcologists:GoodPracticeGuidelines,thirdedition.TheBatConservationTrust,London.

Edgar,P.,Foster,J.andBaker,J.(2010).ReptileHabitatManagementHandbook.AmphibianandReptileConservation,Bournemouth.

Gent,A.H.&Gibson,S.D.(Eds.)(2003).HerpetofaunaWorkers’Manual.JointNatureConservationCommittee.Peterborough

Harris,S.,Cresswell,P.andJefferies,D.(1989).SurveyingBadgers.TheMammalSociety,OccasionalPublicationNo.9.PublishedbytheMammalSociety.

JointNatureConservationCommittee(JNCC)(2010)HandbookforPhase1habitatsurvey-atechniqueforenvironmentalaudit,ISBN0861396368

MAGIC:DesignatedareadatadownloadedfromURLhttp://www.magic.gov.uk.html(DateAccessed13thMarch2017)

Mitchell-Jones,A.andMcLeish,A.(ed.).(2004)BatWorkers'Manual.3rded.JNCC

Price,DandBersweden,L.(2013).Wintertrees:aphotographicguidetocommontreesandshrubs.FSCPublications,Telford.

Reynolds,P.andHarris,M.(2005).InvernessBadgerSurvey2003.ScottishNaturalHeritage.CommissionedReportNo.096(ROAMENo.F02LE01).

Rose,F(2006).TheWildFlowerKey.PenguinGroup,London.

Street,D;Hart-Davies,Cetal(2009)CollinsWildflowerGuide.2nded.WilliamCollins,London.

WelshAssemblyGovernment(2009)TechnicalAdviceNote(TAN)5-NatureConservationandPlanning

10. SURVEYORS BIOGRAPHY DrEmmaWoottonholdsaBSc(Hons),MSc(distinction)andPhDinBiologicalSciences.SheworkedasaResearchfellowatSwanseaUniversityfor15yearspriortobecomingaself-employedconsultantbiologistinMay2013.DrWoottonisalsoakeenwildlifeecologistandhasbeeninvolvedwithnumerousecologicalprojectsovertheyears–bothprofessionallyandleisurely.ShehasakeeninterestinBritishfloraandisalsolicencedbatecologist.DrWoottonhasattendedseveraltrainingcoursesincluding‘Reptileand

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amphibianecologyandsurveyskills’trainingcoursesrunbyAmphibianandReptileConservation(ARC)andWildlifeTrustofSouthandWestWales;and‘Phase1HabitatSurveys’deliveredbytheFieldStudiesCouncil.

11. LEGAL DISCLAIMER ThisdocumenthasbeenpreparedbyDrEmmaWoottonforGrwpLlwybrPoppitPathGroup(PPG),solelyasaPreliminaryEcologicalAppraisal.DrEmmaWoottonacceptsnoresponsibilityorliabilityforanyusethatismadeofthisdocumentotherthanbytheclient(statedabove)forthepurposesforwhichitwascommissioned.

Reasonablecareandskillwasexercisedduringthewholeprocess.

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12. ADDENDICES

• TABLES Table1.SpeciesrecordsfromLocalRecordsCentrebiodiversitydatasearch.Basedon1kmradiussearcharea.PrioritySpeciesarelistedinbold.

SpeciesGroup ScientificName CommonName EarliestYear

LatestYear

TotalRecords

Bees,Wasps,AntsandSawflies

Bombus(Bombus)terrestris

Buff-TailedBumblebee 2015 2015 1

Birds Acanthiscabaret LesserRedpoll 2008 2008 1Accipiternisus Sparrowhawk 2007 2015 19Acrocephalusschoenobaenus

SedgeWarbler 1988 2015 8

Acrocephalusscirpaceus ReedWarbler 1988 1988 1Actitishypoleucos CommonSandpiper 2003 2015 242Aegithaloscaudatus Long-tailedTit 2008 2015 21Alaudaarvensis Skylark 1988 2015 10Alcatorda Razorbill 2009 2009 1Alcedoatthis Kingfisher 2002 2015 66Anasacuta Pintail 1997 2010 31Anasclypeata Shoveler 1999 2010 22Anascrecca Teal 2003 2015 318Anaspenelope Wigeon 2002 2015 382Anasplatyrhynchos Mallard 2003 2015 331Anasstrepera Gadwall 1995 2010 14Anseralbifrons White-frontedGoose 2005 2005 1Anseranser GreylagGoose 1998 2015 14Anserbrachyrhynchus Pink-footedGoose 1999 1999 6Anthuspetrosus RockPipit 2008 2015 44Anthuspratensis MeadowPipit 1988 2015 14Anthusspinoletta WaterPipit 2007 2007 3Apusapus Swift 1988 2015 12Ardeacinerea GreyHeron 2002 2015 188Arenariainterpres Turnstone 2002 2010 98Athenenoctua LittleOwl 1988 1988 1Aythyaferina Pochard 1995 2009 18Aythyafuligula TuftedDuck 2000 2010 13Aythyamarila Scaup 1997 1997 5Botaurusstellaris Bittern 2010 2010 5Brantabernicla BrentGoose 2002 2009 29Brantaleucopsis BarnacleGoose 2007 2015 57Bucephalaclangula Goldeneye 2003 2010 81Burhinusoedicnemus Stone-curlew 1997 1997 1Buteobuteo Buzzard 2008 2015 47Calcariuslapponicus LaplandBunting 2010 2010 1Calidrisalba Sanderling 2003 2015 167

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Calidrisalpina Dunlin 2003 2015 524Calidriscanutus Knot 2003 2015 94Calidrisferruginea CurlewSandpiper 2002 2010 34Calidrisminuta LittleStint 1998 2010 27Calidrispugnax Ruff 1998 2010 17Cardueliscarduelis Goldfinch 2008 2015 39Certhiafamiliaris Treecreeper 2007 2011 7Cettiacetti Cetti'sWarbler 2008 2010 7Charadriusalexandrinus

KentishPlover 2007 2007 5

Birds Charadriusdubius LittleRingedPlover 2000 2008 2Charadriushiaticula RingedPlover 2003 2015 403Chlorischloris Greenfinch 2008 2011 16Chroicocephalusridibundus

Black-headedGull 2000 2015 152

Columbaoenas StockDove 2010 2015 2Corvuscorax Raven 2008 2015 22Cuculuscanorus Cuckoo 1988 1999 3Cyanistescaeruleus BlueTit 2010 2015 59Cygnuscolumbianus Bewick'sSwan 1998 1998 1Cygnuscolumbianussubsp.bewickii

Bewick'sSwan 1989 1989 1

Cygnuscygnus WhooperSwan 2003 2008 4Cygnusolor MuteSwan 2003 2015 347Delichonurbicum HouseMartin 1988 2015 26Dendrocoposmajor GreatSpotted

Woodpecker1988 2015 8

Egrettagarzetta LittleEgret 2002 2015 281Emberizacitrinella Yellowhammer 1988 2003 4Emberizaschoeniclus ReedBunting 2003 2015 3Falcocolumbarius Merlin 1997 2008 3Falcoperegrinus Peregrine 2008 2008 2Falcotinnunculus Kestrel 1988 2008 8Fulicaatra Coot 1996 2010 35Fulmarusglacialis Fulmar 1988 1988 1Gallinagogallinago Snipe 2008 2015 106Gaviaarctica Black-throatedDiver 1995 1995 1Gaviaimmer GreatNorthernDiver 2003 2003 4Gaviastellata Red-throatedDiver 2001 2001 2Haematopusostralegus Oystercatcher 1996 2015 448Hirundorustica Swallow 1995 2015 31Hydrocoloeusminutus LittleGull 2003 2003 1Larusargentatus HerringGull 2001 2015 133Laruscanus CommonGull 2000 2015 38Larusfuscus LesserBlack-backed

Gull2000 2015 81

Larusglaucoides IcelandGull 2000 2012 22Larushyperboreus GlaucousGull 2002 2012 5Larusmarinus GreatBlack-backedGull 2002 2015 91Larusmelanocephalus MediterraneanGull 1999 2010 63

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Limosalapponica Bar-tailedGodwit 2003 2015 215Limosalimosa Black-tailedGodwit 2002 2015 59Linariacannabina Linnet 2008 2015 21Linariaflavirostris Twite 2008 2008 1Locustellanaevia GrasshopperWarbler 2010 2010 4Lymnocryptesminimus JackSnipe 1985 1985 1Melanittanigra CommonScoter 1996 2010 3Mergusmerganser Goosander 1997 2015 17Mergusserrator Red-breasted

Merganser2003 2010 167

Milvusmilvus RedKite 1996 2015 9Morusbassanus Gannet 2007 2015 4

Birds Motacillaalba PiedWagtail 1999 2015 35Motacillaalbasubsp.alba WhiteWagtail 2008 2010 2Motacillaalbasubsp.yarrellii

PiedWagtail 1988 2015 13

Motacillacinerea GreyWagtail 2008 2015 18Motacillaflava YellowWagtail 2007 2007 1Muscicapastriata SpottedFlycatcher 1988 2008 3Numeniusarquata Curlew 2003 2015 486Numeniusphaeopus Whimbrel 2001 2015 152Oenantheoenanthe Wheatear 1988 2015 20Pandionhaliaetus Osprey 2000 2008 4Parusmajor GreatTit 2008 2015 37Passerdomesticus HouseSparrow 2010 2015 48Periparusater CoalTit 2008 2015 8Phalacrocoraxaristotelis Shag 2003 2015 68Phalacrocoraxcarbo Cormorant 2003 2015 278Phoenicurusochruros BlackRedstart 2008 2008 2Phylloscopuscollybita Chiffchaff 2003 2015 30Phylloscopustrochilus WillowWarbler 2007 2011 14Platalealeucorodia Spoonbill 2000 2008 22Pluvialisapricaria GoldenPlover 2003 2015 16Pluvialissquatarola GreyPlover 2002 2008 54Podicepsauritus SlavonianGrebe 1994 2003 3Podicepscristatus GreatCrestedGrebe 2003 2010 55Poecilepalustris MarshTit 1988 2007 3Porzanaporzana SpottedCrake 2009 2009 1Prunellamodularis Dunnock 2008 2015 45Puffinuspuffinus ManxShearwater 2007 2007 2Pyrrhocoraxpyrrhocorax

Chough 2009 2015 5

Pyrrhulapyrrhula Bullfinch 2007 2015 18Rallusaquaticus WaterRail 2008 2010 96Regulusignicapilla Firecrest 2007 2007 1Regulusregulus Goldcrest 2008 2015 17Ripariariparia SandMartin 2008 2008 4Rissatridactyla Kittiwake 2007 2007 1Saxicolarubetra Whinchat 1988 1988 1

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Saxicolarubicola Stonechat 2003 2008 7Scolopaxrusticola Woodcock 2010 2010 2Sittaeuropaea Nuthatch 2007 2015 4Spinusspinus Siskin 2007 2011 4Sternahirundo CommonTern 1999 2015 6Sternaparadisaea ArcticTern 2007 2010 8Sternasandvicensis SandwichTern 2002 2010 64Sternulaalbifrons LittleTern 2002 2002 1Strixaluco TawnyOwl 2003 2011 12Sturnusvulgaris Starling 2008 2015 32Sylviaatricapilla Blackcap 1996 2015 17Sylviaborin GardenWarbler 1988 2008 9Sylviacommunis Whitethroat 1999 2015 18

Birds Sylviacurruca LesserWhitethroat 2010 2015 12Tachybaptusruficollis LittleGrebe 2003 2015 194Tadornatadorna Shelduck 2003 2015 348Tringaerythropus SpottedRedshank 2008 2008 2Tringaglareola WoodSandpiper 2001 2001 1Tringanebularia Greenshank 2003 2015 66Tringaochropus GreenSandpiper 2001 2004 10Tringatotanus Redshank 2003 2015 419Turdusiliacus Redwing 2000 2015 14Turdusmerula Blackbird 2007 2015 61Turdusphilomelos SongThrush 2007 2012 29Turduspilaris Fieldfare 2007 2010 9Turdusviscivorus MistleThrush 2008 2011 14Uriaaalge Guillemot 2007 2009 3Vanellusvanellus Lapwing 2003 2015 145

ButterfliesandMoths

Abrostolatripartita Spectacle 1961 1961 1

Acasisviretata Yellow-barredBrindle 2008 2008 1Agrotistruxsubsp.lunigera

CrescentDart 2008 2008 2

Apamearemissa DuskyBrocade 1971 1971 1Arctiacaja GardenTiger 1971 2008 3Argynnisaglaja DarkGreenFritillary 1987 1987 1Callimorphadominula ScarletTiger 1977 1977 2Caradrinamorpheus MottledRustic 1961 1961 1Celastrinaargiolus HollyBlue 1999 1999 1Ceramicapisi BroomMoth 1961 1961 1Chesiaslegatella Streak 1986 1986 1Chiasmiaclathrata LatticedHeath 1961 1961 1Cleorodeslichenaria BrusselsLace 2008 2008 1Coenonymphapamphilus

SmallHeath 1982 1982 1

Deilepteniaribeata SatinBeauty 1961 1961 1Diarsiarubi SmallSquare-spot 1971 1971 1Ecliptoperasilaceata SmallPhoenix 2008 2008 2Epirrhoegaliata GaliumCarpet 1971 1971 2

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Euphyiabiangulata CloakedCarpet 2008 2008 1Euphyiaunangulata Sharp-angledCarpet 2008 2008 1Euxoanigricans GardenDart 1971 1971 1Euxoatritici White-lineDart 1971 1971 2Hadenaconfusa MarbledCoronet 1961 1961 1Hepialushumuli GhostMoth 1971 1971 2Idaeafuscovenosa DwarfCreamWave 1971 1971 2Idaeasubsericeata SatinWave 1971 1971 1Lasiommatamegera Wall 2015 2015 4Litoligialiterosa RosyMinor 1961 1961 1Macariawauaria V-Moth 1962 1962 1Malacosomaneustria Lackey 2008 2008 3Panemeriatenebrata SmallYellow

Underwing1971 1971 1

Polygoniac-album Comma 1999 1999 1Polyommatusicarus CommonBlue 1991 2007 4

ButterfliesandMoths

Scotopteryxchenopodiata

ShadedBroad-bar 1971 1971 2

Timandracomae Blood-Vein 1971 1971 1Triphosadubitata Tissue 1971 1971 1Tyriajacobaeae Cinnabar 1961 2007 2Xanthorhoeferrugata Dark-barredTwin-

spotCarpet2015 2015 1

Mammals Lutralutra Otter 2010 2010 2Melesmeles Badger 1995 1995 1Mustelanivalis Weasel 1912 1912 1Myotisdaubentonii Daubenton'sBat 2015 2015 1Myotismystacinus WhiskeredBat 2015 2015 1Myotisnattereri Natterer'sBat 2015 2015 1Pipistrelluspipistrellus CommonPipistrelle 2015 2015 1Pipistrelluspygmaeus SopranoPipistrelle 2015 2015 1Rhinolophusferrumequinum

GreaterHorseshoeBat

2011 2011 1

OtherInvertebrates

Aepusmarinus 1989 1989 3

Agonum(Agonum)nigrum

1989 1989 1

Calopteryxvirgo BeautifulDemoiselle 1982 1982 1Carpelimushalophilus 1989 1989 2Cassidanobilis 1990 1991 2Ceutorhynchushirtulus 1991 1991 1Chrysolinabrunsvicensis 1996 1996 1Chrysolinasanguinolenta ToadflaxLeafBeetle 1996 1996 1Cyanapion(Bothryorrhynchapion)gyllenhalii

1991 1991 2

Cyphapulicaria 1989 1989 1Diglottamersa 1989 1989 2Geomyzabreviseta 1996 1996 2Geomyzamajuscula 1996 1996 2Glocianuspunctiger 1991 1991 1

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Leiostyla(Leiostyla)anglica

EnglishChrysalisSnail 1986 1986 1

Leptophyespunctatissima SpeckledBush-cricket 1991 1991 2Mecinuscirculatus 1991 1991 2Oxycerapygmaea PygmySoldier 1987 1996 3Pyrrhosomanymphula LargeRedDamselfly 1982 1982 1Sirocalodesmixtus 1990 1991 2Sirocalodesquercicola 1991 1991 1Tetrixsubulata SlenderGround-hopper 1996 1996 1Trixoscelismarginella 1996 1996 2

Plants Anchusaarvensis Bugloss 1978 2008 2Bryumargenteum Silver-moss 2007 2008 3Bryumgemmiferum Small-budBryum 1973 1973 1Calystegiasoldanella SeaBindweed 2000 2000 1Carexriparia GreaterPond-sedge 1997 1998 2Catapodiumrigidum Fern-grass 1978 1978 1Cerastiumdiffusum SeaMouse-ear 1978 1978 1Clinopodiumvulgare WildBasil 1994 1994 1

Plants Crataeguslaevigata MidlandHawthorn 1996 1996 1Erophilaglabrescens GlabrousWhitlowgrass 1999 1999 1Euonymuseuropaeus Spindle 1985 1985 1Euphorbiaparalias SeaSpurge 1996 1996 1Eurhynchiumpraelongum CommonFeather-moss 2007 2008 5Eurhynchiumpumilum DwarfFeather-moss 2007 2007 2Filagominima SmallCudweed 1999 1999 1Glauxmaritima Sea-milkwort 2013 2013 1Hookerialucens ShiningHookeria 2007 2008 3Juncusgerardii SaltmarshRush 1983 1983 2Juncusmaritimus SeaRush 1983 1983 1Lejeunealamacerina WesternPouncewort 2008 2008 1Leymusarenarius Lyme-grass 2000 2000 1Lithospermumofficinale CommonGromwell 1996 1996 1Ononisrepens CommonRestharrow 1991 1991 1Orthotrichumpulchellum ElegantBristle-moss 2007 2007 2Parapholisstrigosa Hard-grass 1975 2008 2Ranunculusparviflorus Small-flowered

Buttercup1996 1996 1

Saginaapetalasubsp.apetala

AnnualPearlwort 1978 1978 1

Salicorniadolichostachya Long-spikedGlasswort 1976 2008 2Salicorniafragilis YellowGlasswort 1976 2008 3Salicorniapusilla One-flowered

Glasswort1976 1976 1

Thamnobryumalopecurum

Fox-tailFeather-moss 2007 2007 2

Trifoliumarvense Hare's-footClover 2008 2008 1Tripleurospermummaritimumagg.

ScentlessMayweedagg. 1991 1991 1

Violacanina HeathDog-violet 1995 1995 1Weissiacontroversavar.controversa

2008 2008 1

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Zygodonconoideus LesserYoke-moss 2008 2008 1

Table2.ListofPrioritySpecies.Targetnotesdenotespecies’locations(pleaserefertoFig.3).SpeciesinboldareEU-protectedspecies(requiringderogationlicences).

TargetNote PrioritySpecies

1 Dark-barredTwin-spotCarpetmoth,Chough,Housesparrow,Cinnabarmoth,RingedPlover,Badger,LesserRedpoll,Curlew,SmallHeathbutterfly,Merlin,Black-headedGull,HerringGull,Wallbutterfly,Otter

2 Kingfisher3 SpottedFlycatcher,Firecrest,Yellowwagtail,Skylark,Chough,ReedBunting,Pintail,

MottledRusticmoth,GardenTigermoth,DuskyBrocademoth,LatticedHeathmoth,SmallSquareSpotmoth,GardenDartmoth,Broommoth,RosyMinormoth,Cinnabarmoth,BloodVeinmoth,Osprey,Little-RingedPlover,Kingfisher,Ruff,KentishPlover,RingedPlover,Black-HeadedGull,GaliumCarpetmoth,WhiteLineDartmoth,Kestrel,Ghostmoth,HerringGull,MediterraneanGull,Bar-tailedGodwit,Black-tailedGodwit,Linnet,RedKite,Curlew,Whimbrel,HouseSparrow,Spoonbill,GoldenPlover,Dunnock,Bullfinch,ShadedBroad-barmoth,Starling,Greenshank,Redwing,SongThrush,Fieldfare,Lapwing

4 Streakmoth5 Natterer’sbat,Daubenton’sbat,Whiskeredbat,Commonpipistrellebat,Soprano

pipistrellebat6 GardenTigermoth,SmallPhoenixmoth,Lackeymoth7 GardenTigermoth8 Spoonbill,Curlew,Whimbrel,Greenshank,Bar-tailedGodwit,Linnet9 SpottedCrake,SlovenianGrebe,GreatNorthernDiver,White-frontedGoose,Berwick’s

Swan,CommonScoter,Pintail,Kingfisher,Scaup,Bittern,GoldenEye,Ruff,HerringGull,MediterraneanGull,Black-headedGull,Bar-tailedGodwit,Black-tailedGodwit,Curlew,Whimbrel,Greenshank,GoldenPlover,GrrensandpiperLapwing

10 Goldenplover,SongThrush,Dunnock,Kingfisher,Black-headedGull,HerringGull,Curlew,starling,Lapwing

11 Bar-tailedGodwit,Spoonbill12 MediterraneanGull,Ruff

Table3.ResultsfromArchaeologicaldatasearch(1kmradius)

Dataset Name Classification DatasetUID

LocalAuthority

Community

DyfedArchaeologicalTrust

WelsleyArms Unknown,Cropmark Dat31961 Ceredigion Cardigan


Plas-Bach FieldBoundary Dat31962 Ceredigion Cardigan


StDogmael'sBattery

Battery Dat31963 Ceredigion Cardigan


StDogmael'sBattery

MilitaryStructure Dat31964 Ceredigion Cardigan


WelsleyHotel Quay Dat31982 Ceredigion Cardigan


PlasbachForeshore

Findspot Dat39183 Pembrokeshire Cardigan

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Coflein Glanteify,Garden,Cardigan

CountryHouseGarden

265036 Ceredigion Cardigan

Coflein Quarry,300MSouthOfManianFields

Quarry 414811 Ceredigion Cardigan

Coflein Anchorage,PwllCastell,StDogmaels

Anchorage 525503 Pembrokeshire StDogmaels

Coflein LandingPlace,StDogmaels

LandingPoint 525504 Ceredigion Cardigan

Coflein PwllgamReach(WebleyArms)

Anchorage 525506 Pembrokeshire Cardigan

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• FIGURES

Figure1.Proposedrouteofmulti-purposepath(red).ThewalkoversurveybeganatStDogmaels(Start)andwentnorthwardstowardPoppitSands(Finish).

Figure2.Statutorydesignatedsitesofnatureconservation.BlueshadedareadenotestheboundaryoftheRiverTeifiSSSIandSAC.Purplecircledenotes1kmsearchradius.Proposedpathrouteishighlightedingreenatcentreofcircle.

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Figure3.LocationsofPrioritySpecies.(Targetnotes1-12,Table2).Purplecircledenotes1kmsearchradius.Proposedpathrouteishighlightedingreenatcentreofcircle.

Figure4.Locationsofarchaeologicalfeatures.1=St.DogmaelsBattery-DyfedArchaeologicalTrust(militarystructures);2=Glanteify-Countryhousegarden(tenniscourtandterrace);3-Plasbach-DyfedarchaeologicalTrust(findspots).Proposedpathrouteishighlightedinred.

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Figure5above.MapshowingdesignatedAreas1-6alongproposedpathroute.TheseAreasareusedtodividetheproposedpathrouteintodiscerniblehabitattypes.Figure6below–Area7

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Figure6.Area1-Wastelandandhardstanding.

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Figure7.Area2-Scrublandandbracken.

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Figure8.Greenstarsrepresentlocationsofmaturetrees(>30cmtrunkdiameter)inArea2whichmayhavetobefelledduetopathconstruction.

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Figure9.Area3–Scrublandandtrees.

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Figure10.Area4–Woodland.

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Figure10cont’d.Area4–Woodlandandanimaltrack.

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Figure11.YellowcirclerepresentslocationofpieceofagriculturalmachineryinArea5whichmayhavetoberemovedduetopathconstruction.

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Figure12.Area5-Pasture.Showingpieceofagriculturalmachineryovergrownwithbramble.

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Figure13.Area6–Hedgerowandanimaltracks.

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Figure13cont’d.Area6–Hedgerowandanimaltracks.

Figure14–Area7

• RELEVANT LEGISLATION

Species Relevantlegislation LevelofprotectionBadgers • ProtectionofBadgersAct1992

• WildMammals(Protection)Act1996• Schedule6oftheWildlife&CountrysideAct(WACA)1981

Offencetowilfully:• Kill,injureortake,orattempttokillabadger.

• Cruellyill-treatabadger.• Damageabadgersettoranypartofit.• Destroyabadgersett.• Obstructaccessto,oranyentranceof,abadgersett.

• Disturbabadgerwhilstitisoccupyingabadgersett.

• Sellorofferforsalealivebadger.• Possessorcontrolalivebadger.• Markabadgerorattachanyring,tag,orothermarkingdevicetoabadger.

• Possessadeadbadgerorderivative

Bats • Schedule5&6ofWACA(1981)-asamendedbytheCountrysideandRightsofWay(CRoW)Act2000

• ConservationofHabitatsandSpeciesRegulations2010

• WildMammals(Protection)Act1996• EnvironmentalDamage(Prevention&Remediation)Regulations2009

• AppendixIIIoftheBernConvention• AppendixIIoftheBonnConvention• Natural Environment and RuralCommunitiesAct2006.

• TheEnvironment(Wales)Act2016

• EuropeanProtectedSpecies(fullyprotected).

Offencetointentionallyorrecklessly:• Damageordestroyabatbreedingsiteorrestingplace.

• Deliberatelycapture,kill,injureordisturbabat.

• Sell, or attempt to sell, any part of thespecies,aliveordead.

• Transportforthepurposesofsellinganyliveordeadanimals(orpartoftheanimal).

Birds • Schedule1ofWACA1981(asamendedby

CRoWAct2000)Offenceto:• Kill,injureortakeanywildbird.• Take,damageordestroythenestofanywildbirdwhilethatnestisinuseorbeingbuilt.

• Takeordestroyaneggofanywildbird.Certainspecies:Furtheroffenceto:• Disturbanysuchbirdwhenitisbuildingitsnestorwhileitisinornearanestcontainingdependantyoung.

• Disturbthedependantyoungofanysuchbird.

GreatCrestedNewts(GCN)

• Schedule5ofWACA1981(asamendedbyCRoWAct2000)

• ConservationofHabitatsandSpeciesRegulations2010

• EuropeanProtectedspecies(fullyprotected).

Offencetointentionallyorrecklessly:• DamageordestroyaGCNbreedingsiteorrestingplace.

• Deliberatelycapture,kill,injureordisturbaGCN.


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Otters • Schedule5ofWACA1981(asamendedby

theCRoWAct2000)• ConservationofHabitatsandSpeciesRegulations2010

• Natural Environment and RuralCommunitiesAct2006.

• Annex II Habitats Directive (protectionthroughSpecialAreasofConservation)

• UK Biodiversity Action Plan - PrioritySpecies&SpeciesofPrincipalImportanceinWales

• EuropeanProtectedSpecies(fullyprotected)

Offencetointentionallyorrecklessly:• Damageordestroyanotterbreedingsiteorrestingplace.

• Deliberatelycapture,kill,injureordisturbanotter.



Reptiles • Schedule5oftheWACA1981(as

amendedbyCRoWAct2000)• ConservationofHabitatsandSpeciesRegulations2010(sandlizard&smoothsnake)

• AppendixIIIoftheBernConvention• UKBiodiversityActionPlan-PrioritySpecies&SpeciesofPrincipalImportanceforConservation

• Offencetointentionallykillorinjureareptile.


• Transportforthepurposesofsellinganylive or dead animals (or part of theanimal).

• EuropeanProtectedSpecies(fullyprotected)-sandlizard&smoothsnake.

Offencetointentionallyorrecklessly:• Damageordestroythebreedingsiteorrestingplaceofthesespecies.

• Deliberatelycapture,kill,injureordisturbthesespecies.

WaterVoles

• HabitatprotectedbytheWildlifeandCountrysideAct(1981)asamended1998.

• WildMammals(Protection)Act1996

Offencetointentionallyorrecklessly:• Damage,destroyorobstructaccesstoanyplaceorstructurewhichwatervolesuseforshelterorprotection.

• Disturbwatervoleswhilsttheyareusingsuchaplace.

poppit path ecological report final · february 2018 3 1. introduction grwp llwybr poppit path...

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