RAUK - Archived Forum - Posts by SLLyne:

Afternoon everyone.  My topic involves asking advice on potentially suitable receptor sites where I can translocate 3 separate slow worm populations to.  These populations are currently located in sites to be developed in and around bristol and chippenham.  I know that one of the populations is an 'exceptional' population and the others are likely to be medium to high.  The likelihood is that I will need to commence translocation in spring /autumn 2006, which obviously doesn't leave long to establish any habitat enhancements.  If anyone can help with suggestions for receptor sites, please let me know.  Many thanks indeed.  Sarah.

Thanks for your reply.  Unfortunately, retaining the populations in-situ is not possible. 

Yes, the potential receptor sites will be surveyed prior to translocation and I am aware of my requirement to match like with like in terms of habitat quality and area. 

What I need help with is actually locating sites, preferably nature reserves or habitat enhancement projects, new roads for example with embankments known not yet to support reptiles.  As is always the case, lack of time available is a key factor.  Any suggestions would be gratefully received.

So, would it be acceptable to disperse the slow worms over a number of different sites, if the sites are small for example?

Yes, we will be monitoring the translocated populations in each case.  This has already been costed to the client.

Yes, we will be collating as much info about individual reptiles caught as possible.

Thanks again.

I have a site, which is to be developed and survey has revealed that it contains slow worms.  The site is around 5ha (including large areas of dense scrub and open grassland) and the largest number of adult slow worms I found in one visit (which was a day of heavy showers and warm sunshine) was 42.  I also found large, mature males and plenty of juveniles.

The site is going to be turned into a sterile car park (great!) and so the only option is to perform a translocation.  I have a potential receptor site, which is former grazed farmland, within the same county, which is currently managed to optimise the population of small mammals for resident barn owls.  The 4 fields are managed so that the 20m wide margins are left as rough grassland (cut once every 3-4 years) and the centres are cut at a length of no less than 15cm, every 2 years during august.  The fields are bordered by mature, dense hedgerows, some with wet or dry ditches.  The fields also contain ponds and ditches, the margins of which are left as rough grassland and ruderal (we also have a good population of GCNs).  The fields have good connectivity with existing slow worm populations to the east and suitable habitats to the south and west.  The fields are designated as SNCI and managed sympathetically, as described.

In total, I have measured the rough margins to be of 4ha.  The 4 fields are of 12 ha in total, including the centres.

My idea (subject to survey to determine whether there is an existing population of reptiles) is to translocate the slow worm population from the development site to the margins of the 4 fields (SNCI).

My question is as follows:

With appropriate habitat enhancements such as providing basking and hibernation opportunities in the form of rubble/gravel/stone bunds and underground chambers and tunnels, would this be sufficient?  The underlaying soil is clay, which is a problem, slow worms being burrwing creatures.  Would the provision of several underground hibernacula be sufficient to counteract?

I look forward to your replies and advice

SL

The sites are near bristol.  Yes, I am aware that it is an exceptional population.  The site backs onto a narrow railway line and associated grassland and scattered scrub habitats, but access to this area is very difficult and dangerous.  The development site is also connected to an SNCI which I know harbours slow worms and grass snakes.  Population status unknown.  The car park will be a sea of concrete..no oportunities for planting unfortunately.

Whenever I visit the proposed receptor site, there are always lots of small slugs, grasshoppers, spiders and other inverts.

I am in the process of convincing the client that a monitoring scheme is essential...

Well, this is a grey area, but because the works do not involve actual development of the site (although yes they are development driven, but this is not the same as developing the site) and taking into account the works would actually benefit newts themselves during their terrestrial phase and works can be timed to coincide with their breeding phase (possibly), then in my opinoin, it would be a waste of time and money in applying for a defra licence.  The works do not involve developing the site and they will benefit the newts.

As regards the GCN site, we created all the ponds (5 of them) and rhynes and translocated GCNs there many years ago.  All water bodies have been monitored since and monitoring is ongoing.  The GCN population is doing very well. 

Yes, of course I will contact the local wildlife trust and EN.  A site which holds some sort of designation and will not be developed in the future seems sensible to me...we can keep a close eye on the reptiles and carry out monitoring without any quibbles...

I am aware that juvenile and some non-breeding GCNs remain on land for some years before returning to their breeding ponds.

Adjacent farmland may be developed in the future...

We contacted EN about a similar situation with a site known to support GCN and habitat creation/restoration.  We were told that because the works were not actual development, a defra licence would not be required.  We did obtain an EN licence though, even though we were told by EN that technically we did not require one...We will of course need to contact EN to get their opinion on this particular case.

I thought that you dont need to prove intentional disturbance, that reckless disturbance results in contravening the law..

Thanks for all your comments.

Indeed!  EN have responded many a time in these sort of situations that it is up to the consultant to determine and decide whether the works warrant the requirement for a defra/EN licence!

About 3km.