Simon Hales images

Hello

Simon is a keen local naturalist who seems to have the knack of putting himself in prime position for taking excellent images of local wildlife.  Please enjoy the results!

Regards

Neil M

Whinchat
Harrington Airfield

Hornet nest - now much more
advanced Pitsford Res!

Cetti's Warbler
Stanwick GP

Red-legged Partridge

South Northants Barn Owls

Hello

Chris Payne has been assisting Paddy Jackson to check Barn Owl nest sites near to Greens Norton recently and as elsewhere the local birds seem to be doing well and producing batches of healthy youngsters. The attached images are courtesy of Chris..

Regards

Neil M

Typical Autumn Birds

Another beautiful Autumn day which led to me being out and about rather than doing the housework !!!!
Although shrouded in fog I decided to visit Harrington Airfield and initially could only hear the Linnets, Goldfinches etc but as the fog lifted to reveal sunshine and blue skies the birds also revealed themselves.  A Redstart [? same long staying bird] was again in bushes around the shooting wall, along with a few Blackcaps and Whitethroat.  There were 2 Wheatears and 2 Whinchat and a Turtle Dove around the bunkers.
A Tree Pipit, Siskin and 2 Grey Wagtails flew over calling whilst I was busy picking blackberries for tea !
I wandered  around the southern end of Blueberry Farm area this afternoon and there were 6 Whinchat and a Redstart in the usual field/hedge.   The Whinchat were playing hide and seek as on several "scans" of the field I couldn't see anything and then they popped up on the weeds.
Plenty of raptors including a female Peregrine, Hobby, Marsh Harrier [cream crown] and Red Kites.
A Tree Pipit flew over calling as did 2 Ravens.
Just a lovely day to be out and about.


Regards Eleanor

Fineshade Wood - renewed application

Hello again

Things have been moving quite fast in the last couple of weeks so there's a lot to report... and I'm afraid we need to ask for your help again.

First the good news... the Glamping Pod application at Top Lodge. The East Northants Council Planning Officer has recommended that councillors REFUSE this application. She completed a very thorough review that included references to all the points made by the many objectors. The main reasons for the recommendation were:

failure to consider detrimental impacts on wildlife and biodiversity, 

adverse affect on residential amenity,

failure to demonstrate proposal would not have detrimental impact on highway safety,

failure to demonstrate that the access track to the junction with A43 could accommodate the proposed development.

Councillors can accept or reject this recommendation and their decision will be made at the meeting of the Development Strategy Committeenext Wednesday, 24th at 7pm in the council chamber in Thrapston. A couple of us will have the opportunity of addressing the committee and others will be there to support. Do come along if you can - the public gallery holds 50 people.

Less good news about Forest Holidays proposal for 70 cabins in Fineshade Wood itself.

Last week FH withdrew their previous application, but relief was short lived when it became clear that they were going to simply re-submit it with a slight change. They have to provide what is termed a "Mitigation and Enhancement Area" to compensate for the habitat that will be lost by their development. It was pointed out to them (by the Woodland Trust) that the small area they originally proposed was in fact designated as Ancient Woodland, so they decided to nominate a different area of just 6.6 hectares where they will carry out coppicing work. 

This change required them to start a completely new application process. They have resubmitted almost all their previous documents - the area they wish to develop and their access route remains unchanged. The only changes we can find to their plans are detailed below. Unfortunately all the 200 or so objections to the previous planning application will not be considered by the council unless they are resubmitted.  So please resubmit your objection now - probably the only thing you need to change is the planning application number. It is now 14/01704/FUL. The closing date for objections is 8th October.

Yes, this is a nuisance! One wonders whether it is a ploy to reduce the number of objections? We are determined to do all we can to ensure that there are even more objections this time around - so please can you help by enlisting others to send an objection too? Do forward this email to whoever may be prepared to help. This is probably very important indeed.

Thank you once again 

Barrie and Tricia Galpin

On behalf of a group of Fineshade residents

Please also sign and share the petition "Forest Privatisation by the back door" .

https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/forest-privatisation-by-the-back-door

15 Top Lodge, Fineshade, Corby. NN17 3BB

fineshade.wood@zen.co.uk

01780-444351

07717-446417

1)  How to object

The new reference number for the application is 14/01704/FUL and it can be found online at 

http://pawebsrv.east-northamptonshire.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=NBMT4XGO0A000

Objections can be made online, or simply emailed to planning@east-northamptonshire.gov.uk. 

Or by letter to Planning comments, East Northamptonshire Council, Cedar Drive, Thrapston NN14 4LZ. 

All comments must include your name and address and the reference 14/01704/FUL. The consultation period ends on 8th October.

We suggest you also put very clearly at the top: Objection

2)  What's new this time?

a) The new total application area is now  46.2 ha = 114 acres.

b)  Forest Holidays Surveyors have now found evidence of the presence of Dormice in Fineshade Wood (European-level protected species).  However, they have not carried out a proper survey to find out exactly where they are. One potential area is acknowledged to be where the new access road will be cut through the wood from the carpark. Another is where the large maintenance building will be.

c)  Forest Holidays have suggested that Duddington Lane can be used in the event of an emergency  - if it can be used for emergency vehicles it offers an alternative to the proposed main access route which is overused. 

d) 6.6 hectares of already regenerating broadleaved woodland has been set aside for Mitigation and Enhancement.  This is far too small to compensate for what will be lost since it will be impossible to provide the rich mix of habitats of a suitable size.

Wednesday's Bits and Bob's

Harrington was fairly quiet this morning with a notable lack of warblers.  There was a Redstart in the bushes by the shooting wall, 2 Wheatears around the first bunker and a covey of 7 Grey Partridge flushed. It has been a few weeks since I saw any Grey Partridge.  Jays, Blackbirds and Mistle Thrushes were very vocal and have increased in numbers over the last week.  The large mixed flock of Linnet and Goldfinch remain but were very mobile and plenty of Red Kites showing well.
On my two visits to the southern end of the Blueberry area there was a Redstart, 2 Whinchat and a Stonechat in their regular field.
A female Peregrine flew over low looking rather tatty and gave an odd profile due to her very full crop........wonder what she had just eaten ?.   Again plenty of Red Kite showing well and also 2 Ravens playing around.
A quick look at the spit of mud at the mouth of the Grange Bay Pitsford produced 2 Ruff, Snipe, Little Egret, Grey Wagtail and a Pintail with a Hobby busy hawking the insects.
This spit is well worth checking out regularly as it seems to offer the best looking area for attracting waders, but it does tend to suffer from disturbance from fishermen, sail craft and general walkers.


Regards  Eleanor

Status Quo

A rather clearer morning this morning, although with a distinctly autumnal feel to it. A trip to the reserve end of Pitsford Res produced a variation on the birds present for the last few days.
At least two Ruff were still present although mobile around the causeway/feed station areas. A further two birds were also around the Moulton Grange Bay area.
The Great White Egret was initially spotted perched in a tree at the back of the Walgrave Bay. By the time I had got to the New James Fisher hide it had relocated to the bund, where it was happily and effectively fishing for fry in the shallows.
Eleven Red-crested Pochard were also in the Scaldwell Bay, every visit the number of birds present seems to change.
At least 4 Little Egrets were seen in various locations around the reserve.
A brief foray into the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton produced probably two Redstarts in the hedge around the southern most field. One was seen and heard and a probable second bird heard. A single Whinchat was perched up on the vegetation further into the field.

       Regards,

                    Neil H.

Redstarts Remain !

This morning I had to resort to plan B due to the thick fog, which was a run along the Brampton Valley Way. There were plenty of Blackbirds in the bushes and they seem to be increasing in number. A single Brambling, Siskin and Grey Wagtail were the only birds of note.
I visited Blueberry Farm area a couple of times today and there were at least 2+ Whinchat, a Stonechat and a male Redstart in the area, although all could be elusive at times. Usually they would appear on a weed stem, bramble or hedgerow, their presence detected by a sudden movement or a flash of red or white rump areas. Jays were very vocal and obvious today as they foraged the oak trees and hedgerows. 
Sunshine and breeze provided ideal conditions for the raptors to enjoy including Hobby, Red Kites and Common Buzzard.  The recently harvested fields appear to be a magnet for the Red Kites and I came across 4 perched in the same tree.
This evening I visited Harrington Airfield which apart from a stunning sunset was quiet. A Redstart in the bushes at the first bunker being the only bird of note.


Regards  Eleanor

Chat field in the evening

Hello

An early evening perusal over the southern-most field of the Blueberry Farm complex successfully located the Stonechat and at least six Whinchats. The female Peregrine was perched up in a nearby tree...

Regards

Neil M

Pitsford WeBs Count

Hello

A WeBs count was completed at Pitsford Reservoir today, some of the count being conducted in very dull and sometimes wet conditions. Good numbers of birds were present despite some quite considerable disturbance which kept the birds active and the counters on their toes!

Highlights included a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper between the dam and Moulton Grange Bay, a Dunlin, 5 Ruff, a Redshank, a Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Snipe, the Great White Egret, 6 Little Egrets, the two Ruddy Shelduck (mobile), the Bar-headed Goose, several Hobbys including two perched juveniles in the Holcot Bay, 13 Red-crested Pochard (Scaldwell Bay), 2 Pintail, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Kingfisher, Yellow and Grey Wagtails and a Willow Tit. Two Cormorant nests still hold late-hatched juveniles and there are comparatively very young broods of Great Crested Grebes on-site, both species enjoying a excellent breeding season.

This morning there were four Whinchats and a Redstart in vegetation at the most southern field of the Blueberry Farm complex.

Regards

Neil M

Ruff
Pitsford Res

Distant Curlew Sandpiper
Pitsford Res

Chat field

Hello

An afternoon foray in to the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton provided views of three Whinchats and a Stonechat in the most southern field of the Blueberry Farm complex plus two Redstarts in 'shrike hedge' which borders the same field.

Regards

Neil M

Stonechat
Blueberry Farm, Maidwell

Pitsford am

Hello

Some birding at Pitsford Res by myself and Neil H this morning yielded a few birds of interest. The dam area attracted two Ruff, a Common Sandpiper, a Green Sandpiper, a Garganey, a Pintail, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Raven, a Kingfisher and a Grey Wagtail.

Birds north of the causeway included the Great White Egret still, in the Scaldwell Bay between the Bird Club and the New James Fisher Hides. Two Little Egrets and another adult Yellow-legged Gull were in the same area and a probable Redstart was heard calling in a field hedge to the west of the Ringing Hut.

Regards

Neil M

Pitsford Ringing

Hello

An industrious period of bird ringing at Pitsford Reservoir based in the Scaldwell Bay today provided an opportunity of processing about 114 birds of 23 species which included both migrant and more traditional resident birds. Bigger birds included Mallard, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Jay and Woodpigeon. More typical birds included three new Great Spotted Woodpeckers, three new Goldcrests, twenty Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, twelve Blackcaps, four Meadow Pipits, three Treecreepers and a Willow Tit.

Birds seen on the reserve included the Great White Egret, the two Ruddy Shelduck, a Ruff, two Green Sandpipers, a Hobby and a Grey Wagtail.

A visit to Harrington Airfield this morning proved very quiet and no birds of note were located.

More extensive wanderings today in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton and including the Blueberry Farm complex provided views of a female Merlin, the adult female Peregrine and at least one Hobby as well as more common raptors.

Regards

Neil M

Pitsford update

Hello

Much of this morning was spent decommissioning and dismantling the gull-watching hide at Pitsford Reservoir, a sad day indeed! A few birds noted in the vicinity of the dam there included an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Ruff, a Little Egret and a Grey Wagtail.

Early afternoon was spent on the reserve section of the reservoir. The Great White Egret was in the Walgrave Bay at 2pm but was subsequently fishing in the Scaldwell Bay in front of the Willow Hide. The two Ruddy Shelduck were again on the bund in front of the New James Fisher Hide and other birds included another adult Yellow-legged Gull and a Hobby.

Regards

Neil M

The Hornet nest continues to grow...!

Distant image of Great White
Egret and supporting cast in
front of Willow Hide

More Redstarts !!

The mist was hanging over the valley below Hanging Houghton this morning as I set off for a supposedly "quick "circuit around Blueberry Farm area. Three hours and three tired dogs later I returned home !!! 

Some of the hedgerows were literally alive with birds which meant that I couldn't draw myself away and simply scanned the birds as they moved about.  Over the years I have been birding at Blueberry it has become apparent that some hedgerows are more favoured by the birds and thus more productive for attracting Redstarts etc. This morning was no exception and I notched up 4 Redstarts, 5+ Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, with numerous Whitethroats, Willow Warbler, and Blackcaps. There appeared to be quite a heavy passage of Meadow Pipits over the weedy fields and there were at least 8 Whinchat scattered over these fields.

Raptors included a female Peregrine, Hobby and the rather stunning "white" Common Buzzard. Two Ravens and 2 Grey Wagtails flew overhead. 

After a rather late breakfast I headed for Harrington Airfield and just walked out on the "rough" strip of land with one of the dogs as I was en-route to the vet with her. Initially it seemed quiet but then the large flock of Linnet and Goldfinch appeared and the air was filled with their chattering. Here too large numbers of Meadow Pipit were flying over and also Skylarks were evident. There were 2 Wheatears, a Whinchat and a Redstart around the first bunker and when I returned to my car there were 2 Whinchat by the compound.

This afternoon on a brief visit to Pitsford I saw the Great White Egret and 7 Red-crested Pochard in the Scaldwell Bay.

This evening I went back to some of the productive hedgerows at Blueberry Farm but they were eerily quiet.

Regards Eleanor

Fine weather birding

Hello

All plans to complete a variety of chores and little jobs soon evaporated as today's fine weather forced us out in to the field!

Our first venue was Harrington Airfield which hosted large numbers of common birds such as Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Linnet, Goldfinch, Meadow Pipit and Skylark but we failed to find anything scarce or unusual. Plenty of Merlin fodder on the top fields though, and now that the adult male appears to have departed it is surely only a matter of days before the next nomadic individual finds this wealth of food.

A Hobby showed again and two Ravens remained mobile in the area. Reasonable numbers of five species of common warblers were concentrated in the willows and Elderberry bushes.

After breakfast a visit to Hollowell Res was called for. The water level here continues to plummet but unfortunately it doesn't seem to be attracting many new birds.  Nevertheless we notched up the two Barnacle Geese, three drake Pintail, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, another Hobby and a Stonechat. Distant waders shimmered in the heat haze but defied definitive identification!

Next then to Ravensthorpe Res and a quick scan from the causeway yielded a Garganey, a Little Egret, a Kingfisher, a Grey Wagtail and a Ruff.

A drive over to Daventry Country Park was justified as Gary Pullan had kindly located a Red-necked Grebe earlier in the day. The bird was loafing off the dam when we arrived and unfortunately the light and distance was not kind to us. A smart bird though and I couldn't help wondering whether this is the same bird that has appeared at a couple of sites in the county this year and neighbouring counties too. A Common Sandpiper was also noted.

A mid-afternoon walk around Borough Hill Country Park provided a decent selection of birds in hazy and warm sunshine, the best being four Redstarts, seven Spotted Flycatchers, plenty of common warblers, four Ravens and a Hobby.

An evening foray in to the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Res provided views of a Great White Egret (first located by David Arden) fishing in the lagoon in front of the James Fisher Hide, two Little Egrets, an adult Yellow-legged Gull, a Kingfisher, a Hobby and seven Red-crested Pochard.

Regards

Neil M

Barnacle Geese
Hollowell Res

Small Tortoiseshell
Hollowell Res.

Red-necked Grebe
Daventry CP

Redstart
Borough Hill CP

Raven
Borough Hill CP

Great White Egret
Pitsford Res

Fineshade Wood update

Hello again

We learned today that Forest Holidays have withdrawn their application to develop 70 cabins at Fineshade Wood! Great news!  

However, less good news ---- they are saying that they will be presenting a revised application soon. Whether this will actually happen remains to be seen. But we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who submitted an objection (there have been 183 public comments) - the level of support and encouragement has been quite amazing and very humbling and we are most grateful. Do come and enjoy a walk around the woodland as soon as you can - it seemed to have a particularly special glow in the early autumn sunshine today. 

You may be interested to know that this week we put in a request to Natural England to designate part of the wood as a Site of Special Scientific Interest on the strength, largely, of all the ecological records that FH's surveyors turned up (there's a nice irony in that!). SSSI status will give the wood a higher level of protection than it's present non-statutory status as a Local Wildlife Site.

Also please do consider signing and sharing widely the petition at http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/forest-privatisation-by-the-back-door.  

This addresses the wider issue of the Public Forest Estate being leased out for 125 years for private gain.

Finally, a determination date for the Glamping site application at Top Lodge has been set for 24th September. 

Thanks once again for all your support - we'll be in touch again when there is more news

Barrie Galpin

Images from Harrington Airfield

Hello

Simon Hales has kindly forwarded some recent images from Harrington Airfield...

Muntjac Deer

Male Yellowhammer

Juvenile Goldfinch

All courtesy of Simon Hales.

A quiet day

It has been a beautiful autumn day which started with the mist shrouding the fields along the Brampton Valley Way and ended with a stunning red sunset at Blueberry Farm.

Plenty of insects about including a few Clouded Yellow Butterflies and the hedgerows are laden with blackberries, sloe, hip, hawthorn and elderberry.  But birds have been few and far between today.
I decided to go for a run along the Brampton Valley Way with two "hounds" for company. The bushes/hedges held good numbers of Blackbirds, Song Thrushes and Blackcap and at least 3 Grey Wagtail and a single Siskin flew over.

It was early afternoon before I managed to visit Harrington Airfield and the bushes appeared quiet. The large flock of Linnet and Goldfinch remain as do the numerous Red Kites and Common Buzzard attracted to the recently harvested fields.

This evening at Blueberry there were at least 8 Whinchat, the female Peregrine, Hobby and Barn Owl.

Other birds of note during the day -  7 Red-crested Pochard in the Scaldwell Bay at Pitsford Reservoir, 2 Ravens in the fields behind our house and a Green Sandpiper flying over the house calling well at 22.10hrs heading south west.

Regards  Eleanor

Ditchford WeBs

Hello

Three Ravens were in the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton first thing this morning. Then it was off to Ditchford GP to complete a rather rapid WeBs count.  Birds of note were few and far between but included the family party of Egyptian Geese again west of Ditchford Lane (pair with eight goslings). Kingfisher numbered at least seven birds and there were five calling Cetti's Warblers, three Little Egrets, a Snipe and a Water Rail.

This evening there were six Whinchats at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell and five Golden Plovers flew over.

Regards

Neil M

Nene Valley Nature Improvement Area

Hello

A message from Jeff Ollerton...

How do YOU value the Nene Valley?

Following on from my recent post about how contrasting ways in which to value nature, today sees the launch of a new interactive web site that is asking people which areas of the Nene Valley they value, and why.  There is also a photography competition with a chance to win pairs of binoculars.  The website link is:

www.nenevalleynia.org

Here’s the text from the joint University of Northampton/Wildlife Trust press release:

The Nene Valley Nature Improvement Area (NIA) project has launched a new interactive website, which aims to encourage people to share their views on the local natural environment.

Covering over 41,000 hectares across Northamptonshire, Huntingdon and Peterborough­, the Nene Valley Nature Improvement Area features a variety of natural habitats, including wildflower meadows, wetlands, marshes, woodlands and wet grasslands. With fishing lakes, bird watching opportunities and children’s adventure playgrounds, the NIA is an attractive area for animals – such as otters, kingfishers and grass snakes – to call home.

Researchers from the University of Northampton have joined forces with conservation organisations and the national Sciencewise initiative to launch the new NIA website, which features a wealth of information, a virtual tour and a discussion forum.

The website provides an opportunity for local people to share their thoughts on the Nene Valley, and an online mapping survey has been developed to identify areas of the valley that are particularly valued and why these areas are important to visitors.  This will provide University researchers with valuable data that can be used to inform future plans for the valley.

A photo competition has also been launched to find some of the best images of the Nene Valley and to encourage people to explore the area over the summer.  Judges are looking for images of wildlife, landscapes, people, heritage, water, and the built environment taken in the Nene Valley.  There are separate categories for children so everyone can enter. Images should be submitted through the NIA website, and the winners will be selected through an online vote. The most popular photos will be displayed in the Autumn as part of the Nene Valley Festival, and the photographers of the top two images will each win a pair of Opticron binoculars. The competition closes for entries and voting at 5pm on 30 September.

Project co-ordinator Heather Ball from the Northamptonshire Wildlife Trust commented: “The new website is a great way to have your say about what goes on in the Nene Valley and share some fabulous images.”

University of Northampton researcher Dr Jim Rouquette added: “We need to gather information on the local places that people particularly value and the benefits that people gain from visiting.  By better understanding what is important to different people, we can start to target conservation efforts and ensure that local knowledge and values are incorporated into decision-making.”

​If you would like to contribute to this important project or take part in the photo competition please go to: www.nenevalleynia.org

Images of Skokholm

Hello

Chris Payne is just back from the island of Skokholm off the Pembrokeshire coast. Migration is well underway there too albeit that many of the Manx Shearwater chicks are only just fledging and many of the Storm Petrel chicks have a couple of weeks to go yet. Autumn is the time when many Grey Seals produce their off-spring and a small population exists on the island...

For more details please check the Skokholm Blog:-

http://www.skokholm.blogspot.com/

Regards

Neil M

All images courtesy of Chris Payne

Sunny Sunday

Hello

After a heavy period of ringing at a variety of sites in the county during the last nine days, today was a day of consolidation and I left it to others to take advantage of the very good ringing weather. Chris Payne carried on down in the south of the county and successfully captured 51 birds in his garden which were mostly made up of birds not caught before. Not surprisingly most of the birds were birds hatched this year, the most prevalent species being Greenfinch, Goldfinch and House Sparrow.

Many of the local Swallows have already departed, and for some reason many pairs have only produced a single brood this year. This is despite seemingly excellent conditions with a warm and moist summer producing plenty of insects. Established pairs often produce two broods of young and in the most southern range of the species they can produce three broods.

Visible migration over Hanging Houghton this morning included a steady trickle of Meadow Pipits and Yellow Wagtails and a single Grey Wagtail. Chiffchaffs seemed to be calling from every hedgerow today and there were still plenty of Blackcaps about. At least one Raven remained at Hanging Houghton.

Two Redstarts and a Spotted Flycatcher were at Harrington Airfield late morning. Two visits to the Blueberry Farm complex at Maidwell provided views of a female Peregrine, two Hobby, five Ravens, a Redstart, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Tree Pipit and four Whinchats.

Finally, birds visible from the vicinity of the dam at Pitsford Reservoir this evening included six Yellow-legged Gulls, a first winter Mediterranean Gull, a Bar-headed Goose, three Common Sandpipers and a Grey Wagtail.

Regards

Neil M

Fineshade Wood update...

Hello again

New documents and comments from Forest Holidays(FH) were lodged on the ENC website on 18th August. If you had already sent an objection you will (probably) have had a letter from East Northants Council listing the new documents and pointing out that NEW objections are welcome. There's loads of new stuff to read and we really hope you may feel able to make further objections to their responses.

Below are some suggestions for possible areas that you may feel able to comment on before 17th September. Please don't try to tackle them all. Best to choose just one (or two?) points... something that you feel you can express strongly in your own words. If everyone says the same thing these objections will be ignored.

Yes, it's very complicated!.... but well worth the effort, so please do something if you can.

Best wishes 

Barrie Galpin

On behalf of a group of Fineshade Residents  Email: fineshade.wood@zen.co.uk

1)  How to object

The reference number for the application is 14/00195/FUL and it can be found online at 

http://pawebsrv.east-northamptonshire.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=externalDocuments&keyVal=N7F2W2GO03N00

Objections can be made online, or simply emailed to planning@east-northamptonshire.gov.uk. 

Or by letter to Planning comments, East Northamptonshire Council, Cedar Drive, Thrapston NN14 4LZ. 

All comments must include your name and address and the reference 14/01156/FUL. The consultation period ends on 17th September.

We suggest you also put at the top: Objection relating to documents published 18th August

1)  Comments/objections on Road Access

New stuff is mainly contained in the document called Forest Holidays response to Transport Assessment review and objections 18.8.14

This documents is headed: Response to Transport Assessment review and objections 

Key objection: Timing of survey

Our previous objections highlighted that they had surveyed the road before Easter and not during the holiday period. This response seems ludicrous: 

"By their nature traffic flows are variable on an hourly, daily, weekly and seasonal basis. The traffic surveys were commissioned at a time of very good weather in Spring and evidence of the sunshine hours for March was included in the Transport Assessment. The traffic survey on the Fineshade access road was completed over a period of 2 weeks to learn about flows.

Traffic flows may be higher in the summer months but this means that the impact of the known traffic generation to the cabins will make up a lower proportion of the overall flows and therefore have a lesser impact."

Key objection: Sunday traffic

Page 3 lists revised estimates for weekend traffic movements (again based on survey data from early March, before the main holiday period started and the caravan site was fully open) However, figures are produced only for Saturday, while the applicant's own survey, conducted in March, shows that Sunday traffic was much heavier. (see Appendix E of their original document)

Key objection: Construction vehicles

The document provides some new details of the type of construction vehicles, but crucially only in relation to “the construction of the cabins”. These vehicles will include low loaders, long wheelbase 7.5 tonne tracks, occasional articulated trucks, bulk delivery on 10 ton trucks and transit vans. What this list does not include is the type and number of vehicles needed for the construction of the additional 2 miles of vehicle tracks, parking and passing places. How many lorry-loads of roadstone is this?

Key objection: Cyclists and caravans

The document, which purports to deal with our objections, makes no reference to use of the lane and A43 junction by cyclists or to the special problems faced and caused by caravans. There is no reference to our concerns about winter conditions.

Key objection: No offer of funds

The documents states that FH will not be providing funds to improve the A43 junction, even with skid resistant patches since "such improvements are not justified".

Key objection: Recent traffic problems

Some of us experienced the total gridlock caused by FC mismanagement of a nationally publicised Gruffalo event on 5th August.  We can certainly mention this in comments about current over-use of the road. (We have some photos if you want to use them) The FH covering letter concludes that at the A43 junction  "the risk of a queue remains very small and the junction will continue to operate safely" .  If you have recently experienced a queue at that junction or have recent evidence of it not operating safely please include this information  

2) Some new wildlife surveys

Details are contained in the document called Final Ecological Report 18.8.14

Key objection: Surveys not complete or inadequate

It appears that even this "Final" report is still incomplete. Second sentence of Executive Summary: “Some of these surveys are still to be completed”

Bats

Survey has now been carried out by means of walking around the edge of the site (so-called transects) and just 4 remote bat detectors in the interior.

"The assemblage of bats recorded indicates that Fineshade Forest is likely to be of at least local value for roosting and foraging bats, and the presence of Myotis species and barbastelle bats suggests that the Forest may be of county value for bats."

Dormice 

Not surveyed for spurious reasons 

Birds 

No specific bird surveys have been carried out - which, in itself, is an appalling omission. But FH surveyors have incidentally recorded Nightjars in both April and June. This constitutes sufficient evidence to claim Probable Breeding and would make the wood of at least county if not regional importance. There is also confirmation of breeding Woodcock, Tree Pipits, Grasshopper Warblers and recent records of Turtle Dove and Willow Tit. 9 Red list species and 9 Amber list species. Avoidance measures are proposed (no vegetation clearance will take place in the nesting bird season etc) 30 bird boxes to be erected

Badgers

No specific survey - they think all active setts are to the west of the site. Foraging paths present on the site.

Reptiles and Amphibians

All four species of reptile found throughout the site. Further surveys of ponds for amphibians confirm presence of Great Crested Newts and the locally uncommon, Palmate Newt. Measures to "displace" reptiles are proposed (reducing height of tall vegetation etc)

Flora

A second survey was undertaken on 20th July 2014 to identify certain species that would be evident at this time due to their flowering period, such as species of sedge. This survey brings the total of  Axiophytes (worthy plants in need of protection)  to 50  and 

 Ancient Woodland Indicators to 21.

Invertebrates

No invertebrate surveys were considered necessary despite strong objections from Butterfly Conservation etc.. Glow-worms recorded in many location

Area of access road

Surveys here confined only to a walkover survey on a single day. This was "limited to the route of the road i.e not the full area within the red line boundary"

Key objection: Refer to (and perhaps quote) expert objections

A strong objection has been published from RSPB joining those from the Wildlife Trust and many other conservation groups and individual experts. These can be found on the ENC website under External Documents  and then Application - Consultation or Request

3) Mitigation and Enhancement Area

The amended planning application includes "an area of woodland measuring approx 3.7 Ha to the south west of the the application site for the purposes of a Mitigation and Enhancement Area and "inclusion of forest rides within the red line area to provide a link between the development Site Area and the mitigation and Enhancement Area".

Key objection: Failure to provide environmental enhancement.

Ecological mitigation in the broadest sense involves: Avoidance (e.g. avoid area or particular times of year), Mitigation (reduce adverse impacts. Eg tunnels under roads), Compensation (offset damage that’s unavoidable by creating new habitat)

Ecological enhancement involves improving the ecological condition of the development site (or an alternative site) after the development is complete. Ecological enhancement measures must, therefore, be over and above any avoidance, mitigation and compensation measures required to neutralise the impacts of the development on wildlife.

(More detail in a useful Natural England Document on their website)

The new documents fail to show that Fineshade Wood will be a better place for wildlife after the development

Key objection: The new area is too small and, since restoration is already under way, it cannot count as compensation.

Where is it?   Approximately 1 km SW of the site of the nearest cabin! It is the first cleared bit of wood on the left as one walks south from Top Lodge along the bridleway towards KIngs Cliffe. It was cleared of conifer in 2010 and is regenerating nicely. FH claim that ""in the absence of development it is likely this area would be allowed to regenerate to broadleaved woodland."  This seems to denigrate aims and successes of the Forestry Commissions own "Ancient Woodland Project" - of which this area is a part.

FH are trying to claim that this small area which is already being restored by the FC can in some ways compensate for the very large undisturbed areas where they plan to create 2 miles of new roads and accommodation for 350 people.

Why are they doing it?

The newly published "Habitat Management Plan", section A6 gives details of what management is proposed here and why. The section starts 

The development will affect areas of open grassland with scattered trees, an uncommon habitat within the wood. The areas retained around the lodges will be subject to increased disturbance, therefore reducing their potential for some of the bird species which have been recorded, including nightjar, grasshopper warbler and tree pipit. Compensatory measures require that suitable habitat is created and maintained in perpetuity outside the boundary of the development.

The areas of "open grassland with scattered trees" which are referred to here comprise a total of 15.5 Ha, according to the FH "Woodland Management Plan" 

Key objection: How will reptiles and other wildlife get to the new area?

FH covering letter refers to forest rides and there are red lines drawn showing these linking the new area and the development area (see thick red lines drawn on site plan 47A). The only detail about this is on page 10 of the Habitat Management Plan which refers vaguely to maintenance of ride margins. Once again existing FC plans, drawn up before the FH application, show that these rides are to be opened up, so this cannot be counted as part of the enhancement and mitigation package.

Can anyone produce a cartoon showing an adder looking at a signpost that says"mitigation area this way"?  !