Foreword - Securing Devon’s Natural Environment...2 Foreword As the Chair of Natural Devon, the Devon Local Nature Partnership, I am delighted to introduce this comprehensive review

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Foreword As the Chair of Natural Devon, the Devon Local Nature Partnership, I am delighted to introduce this comprehensive review of Devon’s wonderful wildlife and habitats. It has been drawn up with the help of many individuals and organisations and represents a huge body of knowledge about our county. We are very grateful to those who have so generously shared their expertise. The report is full of fascinating detail. It tells a story of flourishing wildlife and magnificent efforts to bring it back from the brink. There are great successes here but also some less good news. Above all, there is a clear message that we still need to look after and value Devon’s wildlife if we are not to lose all or part of our ‘natural capital’. With our partners, Natural Devon will use the evidence presented here to identify the priorities and actions which are needed to re-build Devon’s biodiversity. We will produce a yearly update and a full report in 5 years’ time, and we anticipate that we will be able to report on the successful outcomes of the huge amount of work currently underway to restore habits and species – it can be done if we work together. Do please enjoy reading the State of Devon’s Nature Report and get in touch if you have any comments or additional information at [email protected]

Suzanne Goodfellow, Chair, Natural Devon March 2014

mailto:[email protected]

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Contents

Headlines 1. Introduction 2. Designated sites 2.1 Sites of Special Scientific Interest 2.2 County Wildlife Sites

3 Habitats 3.1 Woodland

Overview of priority habitats Broadleaved, mixed and yew woodland Issues Successes

3.2 Coast and marine Overview of priority habitats Maritime cliff and slope Coastal sand dunes and vegetated shingle Sabellaria alveolata (honeycomb worm) reefs Saltmarsh, mudflats and seagrass beds Sub tidal habitats Issues Successes

3.3 Rivers and Standing Open Water Overview of priority habitats Rivers Standing open water Issues Successes

3.4 Wetlands

Overview of priority habitats Fen, marsh and swamp Bogs Issues Successes

3.5 Grassland and heathland

Overview of priority habitats Lowland meadows Lowland calcareous grassland

Coastal and floodplain grazing marsh Lowland heathland Upland heathland Issues Successes

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3.6 Other farmland habitats

4. Species 4.1 Mammals

Key species in Devon (1998 BAP) Dormouse Otter Water vole Brown hare Greater horseshoe bat

4.2 Birds Key species in Devon (1998 BAP)

Barn owl Cirl bunting Nightjar

Breeding curlew Upland birds Seabirds Woodland birds

4.3 Reptiles and amphibians Key species in Devon (1998 BAP) Great crested newt Sand lizard Other species

4.4 Fish Key species in Devon (1998 BAP) Atlantic salmon

4.5 Invertebrates Key species in Devon (1998 BAP)

Pink sea fan Freshwater pearl mussel White clawed crayfish Southern damselfly Marsh fritillary Pearl bordered fritillary Other species

4.6 Plants and fungi Key species in Devon (1998 BAP) Golden hair lichen

Whitebeams Other species

5. Acronyms 6. References and links 7. Acknowledgements Appendix 1 - Summary framework for nature conservation in England Appendix 2 – Devon habitats of European importance Appendix 3 – BAP Priority Habitat Inventories Appendix 4 – Methodology for the Devon species status assessment

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HEADLINES

Devon is hugely important for wildlife Devon supports a wide range of species and habitats of international importance. Many of our blanket bogs, heaths, old sessile oak woodlands, culm grasslands, sea cliffs, dunes, estuaries, reefs and sea caves are protected under European legislation. A number of globally threatened species, such as the European eel, freshwater pearl mussel and pink sea fan, are found in Devon. Species such as the Lundy cabbage flea beetle and horrid ground weaver spider are not found anywhere else in the world. Our healthy otter population is recognised to be of international importance.

Devon is important for many of England’s ‘natural treasures’ including Atlantic ferns, mosses and lichens (associated with old sessile oak woodlands), breeding sea birds, veteran trees and wintering and passage waterbirds. We are a stronghold for rare species such as the greater horseshoe bat and dormouse.

This amazing natural environment underpins life in Devon. We need nature. It provides us with products such as fuel, water, timber and fuel; with vital services such as pollination, flood control, water purification and climate regulation, and with great recreational opportunities that make us happier and healthier.

How are our habitats and species faring? The habitat losses of the 20

th century have already been well documented elsewhere (see the 1998 Devon

Biodiversity Action Plan). Major habitat loss through development, forestry and agricultural improvement have, to some extent, been controlled through legislation and policy. However the majority of our habitats are now small and fragmented and their value is threatened due to a range of issues including invasive species, disease, lack of appropriate management, pollution, climate change, changes to funding sources such as agri-environment grants, and continued fragmentation due to development pressure.

Designated sites (see Section 2) In Devon the Government target to bring 95% of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) into favourable or unfavourable recovering condition was met in 2011. In 2012 36% SSSIs were in favourable condition, 61% in unfavourable recovering condition and 3% in unfavourable condition.

487 of Devon’s 2090 County Wildlife Sites (CWS) have been monitored since 2009. 34% were classified as green (ok), 51% as amber (ok but could do better) and 15% as red (in need of urgent attention).

Habitats (see Section 3) The table below summarises the state of habitats using information from SSSI and CWS monitoring. We currently have more information for SSSIs than CWS and, as resources are focused on SSSIs, the actual state of habitats is likely to be worse than this summary shows.

Green Amber Red Unknown

Mudflats, seagrass beds

Upland fen, marsh and swamp

Broadleaved, mixed and yew woodland

Maritime cliff and slope

Upland bog

Rivers

Standing Open Water

Coastal and flood plain grazing marsh

Lowland calcareous grassland

Upland and lowland heathland

Hedges

Coastal sand dunes and vegetated shingle

Lowland fen, marsh and swamp

Lowland bog

Lowland meadows

Sabellaria reefs

Sub tidal rock

Sub tidal sediments

Arable field margins

Green = over 75% of habitats within SSSI and CWS monitored are favourable and less than 5% are unfavourable Red = More than 5% of habitats within SSSI and / or CWS monitored are unfavourable Amber = other habitats

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Species (see Section 4) The table below shows the status of UK priority species for which Devon wide action plans were produced in 1998.

Green Amber Red Unknown

Otter Dormouse Nightjar

Greater horseshoe bat Barn Owl Cirl bunting Great crested newt Atlantic salmon Southern damselfly Pink sea fan Golden hair lichen

Water vole Curlew (breeding) Marsh fritillary Pearl bordered fritillary White clawed crayfish Fresh water pearl mussel

Brown hare

Green = favourable Amber = unfavourable inadequate Red = unfavourable bad Bold = on the IUCN list of globally threatened species

Seven UK priority species have become extinct in England since the Devon BAP was produced in 1998. Two of these were found in Devon, the orange upperwing moth and Irish ladies tresses plant. A ciliate straplichen (Heterdermia leucomelos) has also become extinct in this time. Species in danger of extinction include: water vole, breeding curlew, white clawed crayfish, fresh water pearl mussel, ring ouzel, high brown fritillary, field gentian, water germander, triangular club rush, narrow headed ant and a nomad bee (Nomada sexfasciata). Species showing large declines since 1998 include: lapwing, kittwake, willow warbler, wood warbler and sunset cup coral.

General overview

Woodland Woodlands have been given amber status. They remain broadly static in size but face challenges. Invasive

species (especially rhododendron and cherry laurel),lack of management and large deer and grey squirrel populations threaten to undermine the health of native woods. Diseases such as ash die back are an increasing threat.

A number of Devon’s woodland bird species such as willow warbler have declined dramatically over the past 30 years. However Devon’s woods and hedges remain a stronghold for dormice. Dartmoor’s ancient woodland pastures support the most important populations of blue ground beetle in the UK.

The increasing interest in woodfuel offers new opportunities for sustainable management of woods.

Marine and coastal Sea cliffs and sand dunes are threatened by scrub encroachment due to lack of appropriate grazing and

invasive species. Coastal squeeze (loss of intertidal habitats through sea level rise) threatens sand dunes and saltmarsh. However scrub clearance on Torbay’s limestone grasslands has led to a spectacular increase in species such as white rock rose.

Soft cliffs in South Devon feature some of the country’s most important sites for solitary bees, including supporting the only remaining population of a nomad beetle. Wildlflower rich cliff top grasslands in South Devon support some of the only UK populations of the short necked and Mediterranean oil beetles.

We generally have poor knowledge of sub tidal marine habitats and species. Known issues include, bottom trawling and scallop dredging which can damage marine ecosystems, overfishing, pollution and climate change. The Balearic shearwater which feeds in Devon waters is globally threatened.

Pink sea fan (a coral) is also globally threatened but now protected from commercial fishing activities around Lundy and in Lyme Bay. Manx shearwaters are successfully breeding again on Lundy and their numbers have increased tenfold (300 to over 3000 pairs) since the eradication of rats in 2004.

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Rivers 32% of our rivers are in good condition. Improvements are being made but many of those failing to meet

these standards are still affected by pollution, barriers to fish movement and poor aquatic habitat.

The freshwater pearl mussel and white clawed crayfish (both globally threatened species) are in danger of extinction on Devon’s rivers; pearl mussels due to poor water quality and crayfish due to disease from introduced signal crayfish.

Water voles became extinct in Devon in the early 2000s due to predation from mink and loss of suitable habitat. Re-introductions have taken place in Devon but their future here remains uncertain due to the continued presence of mink. However, control over pesticides and improved habitat has led to an increase in otters on all Devon’s rivers and Devon now has an internationally important otter population.

Catchment partnerships and projects are being set up across Devon to help us meet Water Framework Directive targets for our rivers.

Upland wetlands and heathlands Grazing levels and burning regimes are on the whole currently being well managed by farmers supported

by agri-environment grants . However large areas are still species poor, and will take a long time to recover. Projects such as Mires on the Moors and Two Moors Threatened Butterfly Project are helping to restore upland habitats and species such as the dunlin and marsh fritillary.

The moors of Dartmoor and Exmoor support nationally important numbers of bird species, including the only breeding dunlin and the largest numbers of breeding snipe in southern England. Some species such as grasshopper warbler, stonechat and nightjar are faring well. However ring ouzel lapwing and red grouse are now extinct on Exmoor and there are only 5 – 8 pairs of breeding curlew left in Devon.

The populations of rare species found largely (or only) on Dartmoor such as southern damselfly, blue ground beetle, narrow bordered bee hawk moth and bog hoverfly (Eristalis cryptarum) are thought to be stable. Dartmoor supports the only remaining populations of Eristalis cryptarum in the UK.

Lowland wetlands, grasslands and heathlands Scrub encroachment, due to lack of grazing, is a big problem for species associated with our lowland

grasslands and heathlands. However where habitats are managed these declines can be halted. The marsh fritillary butterfly is still rare in Devon but habitat management through projects such as Working Wetlands and Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area is helping to secure its future. Both the silver studded blue butterfly and southern damselfly are declining nationally but have shown a small increase in numbers on the East Devon heathlands where management is being undertaken.

Other farmland Devon’s 53,000 kms of hedges remains the longest and most intact network in Britain and is of huge

wildlife value. However a survey of 10 parishes found only 38% to be in favourable condition for wildlife. Issues include loss of hedgerow trees, lack of rejuvenation through management such as coppicing or laying, erosion of banks and intensive management of hedge margins.

The recovery of Devon’s cirl bunting and barn owl populations is a great example of Devon farmers and wildlife organisations working together for nature. In 1989 there were 118 cirl bunting territories. By 2009 there were 862. Whilst the population of Devon’s barn owls increased by 37% between 1993 and 2003 their future remains uncertain due to issues such as anticoagulant rodenticides, roads and potential changes to agri-environment schemes.

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1. INTRODUCTION

Context In 1992, at the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, the UK Government signed up to the Convention on Biological Diversity. This led to a global target to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010 and the development of a UK biodiversity programme, with a plethora of Biodiversity Action Plans aimed at conserving a UK list of priority species and habitats. An overview of the framework for nature conservation in England can be found in Appendix 1. The Devon Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) was published in 19981. This identified key habitats and species which were the priority for conservation action across the country. Action plans were produced for habitats and species requiring a county wide approach to their conservation. An enormous amount of work has been undertaken across Devon in order to protect and enhance our key habitats and species as well to meet national targets for SSSIs and CWS, and to meet Water Framework Directive targets.

This seems like a good time to take stock. Recent national publications include the UK State of Nature report2, the Natural Environment White Paper3 and a new England Biodiversity Strategy4. The Devon Biodiversity Partnership has evolved into Devon and Plymouth Local Nature Partnerships5, with a greater focus on the economic and social value of our natural environment. It is now fifteen years since the Devon BAP was published. The report This State of Nature report provides an overview of the current condition of Devon’s habitats and species (including Torbay and Plymouth). It includes:

Section 2 – an overview of the condition of designated wildlife sites (SSSIs and CWS)

Section 3 – information on habitats listed in the 1998 Devon BAP. This includes a brief description, known area, known condition and headline issues and successes.

Section 4 – information on species identified in the 1998 Devon BAP. This includes a list of key species, a status assessment of species for which an action plan was produced, headline information on other species where this was readily available.

It does not include:

Trends in the area of habitats (although any known changes since 1998 are included). The huge habitat losses during the 20th century are already well documented and not discussed further here. However a huge amount of work is underway to restore and re-create habitats and this information needs to be captured in future updates.

Geological issues. Further work needs to be done to provide an overview of the state of Devon’s geological sites.

Recommendations. This report is an evidence base only. This State of Nature report will help the new Local Nature Partnerships identify priorities and actions required to rebuild Devon’s biodiversity. Information has been pulled together from a wide range of sources including statutory bodies, NGOs, Local Authorities and the County Wildlife Site Monitoring Programme. The majority of the information on species would not exist without the commitment and hard work of voluntary recording groups and dedicated natural historians, please see Section 7. A short update to this report will be produced each year, and a full update every five years. If you have comments / additional information please email [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]

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2. DESIGNATED SITES

This section provides an overview of the condition of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) and County Wildlife Sites (CWS).

2.1 SITES OF SPECIAL SCIENTIFIC INTEREST

SSSIs are designated by Natural England (NE) in order to protect a representative sample of the range of habitats and geological features found across England. In 2012 there were 212 SSSIs in Devon, covering 48,500 hectares. The international importance of Devon’s habitats is shown through the number of sites given protection under European legislation. Devon has 19 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), covering ~ 114,000 hectares and 3 Special Protection Areas (SPAs), covering ~ 5,420 hectares. A list of Devon’s SACs and SPAs, and a brief summary of why they were designated, is given in Appendix 2.

In 2002 a Public Service Agreement (PSA) target was set by government to bring 95% of the SSSI area into favourable or unfavourable recovering condition by December 2010. The condition of SSSIs is assessed by NE using Common Standards Monitoring1. This assesses site condition using the criteria set out below. Common Standards Criteria for SSSIs

Favourable condition means that the SSSI land is being adequately conserved and is meeting its 'conservation objectives'. However, there is scope for the enhancement of these sites.

Unfavourable recovering condition is often known simply as 'recovering'. SSSI units are not yet fully conserved but all the necessary management measures are in place. Provided that the recovery work is sustained, the SSSI will reach favourable condition in time.

Unfavourable no change condition means the special interest of the SSSI unit is not being conserved and will not reach favourable condition unless there are changes to the site management or external pressures.

Unfavourable declining condition means that the special interest of the SSSI unit is not being conserved and will not reach favourable condition unless there are changes to site management or external pressures. The site condition is becoming progressively worse.

Destroyed means that lasting damage has occurred to all the special conservation.

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Monitoring results for Devon (source: NE website2) March 2010 – 92.47% in favourable or recovering condition March 2011 – 97.22% in favourable or recovering condition (target of 95% achieved)

October 2012

% Area

meeting

PSA target

% Area

favourable

% Area

unfavourable

recovering

% Area

unfavourable no

change

% Area

unfavourable

declining

% Area

destroyed /

part destroyed

97.25% 36.44% 60.81% 1.44% 1.31% 0.01%

The SSSI target (to bring 95% of SSSIs into favourable or unfavourable recovering condition) has been met. However only 36% of Devon’s SSSIs are in favourable condition and significant effort needs to be made to meet the new Biodiversity 2020 goal which aims to bring 50% of the total area of SSSIs into ‘favourable condition’ by 2020.

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2.2 COUNTY WILDLIFE SITES

CWS represent some of the best wildlife habitats in Devon and often hold equivalent value to SSSIs. The majority are UK priority habitats (see Section 3). CWS better reflect the state of Devon’s countryside than SSSIs which receive statutory protection and are a priority for funding. In 2012 there were 2,114 CWS in Devon extending to nearly 30,000 hectares1. In 2007 Defra introduced a target to increase the number of County Wildlife Sites in ‘positive management’ each year2. Devon Biodiversity Records Centre (DBRC) is funded to run the Devon CWS Monitoring and Advisory programme3. DBRC collates information on CWS in two ways: 1. A desk based exercise to identify CWS within Environmental Stewardship or the England

Woodland Grant Scheme. These sites are classed as being in ‘positive management’. 2. CWS monitoring visits (approximately 100 different sites a year). CWS condition is assessed as

Green, Amber or Red – see table below.

Definition

Green Site is in favourable condition and positive management.

Amber Site is not in optimum management or condition but classed as in positive management.

Red Not in positive management or condition. Site requires urgent attention

2012/13 results for all CWS (desk and site visit information)

73% of Devon’s 2114 CWS were in positive management (this assumes that all sites in Environmental Stewardship or EWGS are in positive management).

4% of CWS were not in positive management.

23% of CWS – condition unknown

Results from CWS site visits (487 sites)

Site monitoring visits carried out since 2009 found that 85% of the 487 sites visited were in positive management, although the majority of these were classed as amber rather than green. CWS are largely composed of UK priority habitats (see Section 3). The Biodiversity 2020 goal for England is for 90% of priority habitats to be in favourable or recovering condition by 2020. As different sites are assessed each year we do not currently have any trend data for CWS in Devon.

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3. HABITATS

There are 65 UK priority habitats which are grouped into 37 broad habitat types1. Priority habitats identified in the 1998 Devon BAP as ‘key’ to Devon are the focus of this section. Habitats have been divided into six groups: (1) woodland, (2) coast and marine, (3) rivers and standing water, (4) wetlands, (5) grassland and heathland and (6) other farmland habitats. Each section below includes the following information on habitats:

(a) A brief description.

(b) The known area of each habitat and any known change in extent since 1998. Information on area was provided by DBRC. Appendix 3 gives more information on priority habitat inventories for Devon.

(c) Known condition.

Information on the condition of habitats within SSSIs was taken from NE’s website in October 2012. Note that NE largely uses broad habitat types, rather than priority habitats, when monitoring SSSIs. Importantly some SSSIs may not have been visited for a number of years and the information taken from NE’s website may therefore not be up to date.

Information on the condition of habitats within CWS was provided by DBRC in July 2012. Condition pie charts have only been produced when 10 or more sites have been monitored.

(d) Headline issues

(e) Headline successes

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3.1 WOODLAND

Broad habitat types in Devon UK BAP priority habitats identified as key habitats in Devon (Devon BAP, 1998)


Upland oakwood

Upland mixed ashwoods

Lowland mixed deciduous woodland

Wet woodland

Wood pasture and parkland

Traditional orchards


Upland oakwoods of Dartmoor and Exmoor are internationally important. They are characterised by sessile oak and birch, with varying amounts of holly, rowan and hazel in the understorey. Upland oakwoods are particularly important for ferns, mosses, liverworts and lichens. They also support a distinctive breeding bird assemblage, which includes redstarts, wood warblers and pied flycatchers. Upland mixed ashwoods occur on base-rich soils and are predominantly found in the north and west. Ash is usually dominant although locally oak, birch, elm, small-leaved lime and hazel may be the most abundant species. Mixed ashwoods are amongst the richest habitats for wildlife in the uplands supporting rare flowers, a rich invertebrate fauna and being notable for bright displays of bluebell and primrose.

Lowland mixed deciduous woodlands are found on the full range of soil conditions and include most semi-natural woodlands across the Devon lowlands. Many are Ancient Semi-Natural Woodlands and have historically been managed by coppicing. There is great variety in the species composition of the canopy layer and the ground flora.

Wet Woodlands exist on wet or waterlogged soils in isolated patches generally in river valleys and on ground surrounding bogs or mires. Although a scarce habitat on a national scale, the moist climate and heavy soils of Devon make wet woodland a characteristic feature of the landscape especially of mid and north-west Devon and the Blackdown Hills. Wood pasture and parkland is the product of historic grazing systems which have created a structure of large trees (often pollards) at various densities in a matrix of grassland and, or heathland. These sites are often of national historic, cultural and landscape importance. This habitat is particularly noted for its important fungi, lichens, and invertebrate communities associated with veteran and ancient trees. Traditional orchards consist of standard fruit and nut trees, which occur, in low densities in permanent grassland with low intensity management. The mosaic of habitats found (fruit trees, scrub, hedgerows, grassland, fallen dead wood, ponds etc) supports a wealth of wildlife. A feature of the biodiversity of traditional orchards is the great variety of fruit cultivars.

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Area mapped Upland oak wood 3,173 ha Upland mixed ashwood 291 ha Lowland mixed deciduous woodland 12,886 ha Wet woodland 2,878 ha Wood pasture and parkland 4,062 ha Traditional orchards 1,240 ha Total 24,530 ha Data limitations: DBRC data is likely to be a significant underestimate of the total area largely because only sites which have been surveyed are included on DBRC’s database. Note that many are mosaic sites (including grassland, heathland etc) making it hard to extrapolate accurate figures. Latest Forestry Commission data from the National Forest Inventory (2011)

1 gives a total of 77,641 ha of

woodland in Devon, of which 44,760 ha is broadleaved and a further 1,648 ha is mixed, predominantly broadleaved woodland. There were an additional 5,228 ha of young trees (unspecified type) and 442 ha of ground prepared for planting.

Change in extent of woodland since 1998: An assessment, by DBRC, of 400 random points from aerial photographs (1998 and 2006) showed no statistically significant decrease in the area of upland oak woodland or lowland mixed deciduous woodland.

Condition of habitat in SSSIs 29 SSSIs contain lowland broadleaved, mixed and yew woodland (1,288 hectares). 96% of habitat is in favourable or unfavourable recovering condition. The main reason given for sites being unfavourable is rhododendron invasion.

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25 SSSIs contain upland broadleaved, mixed and yew woodland (2,584 hectares). 98% of habitat is in favourable or unfavourable recovering condition. SSSIs with woodland assessed as unfavourable no change or declining, are Exmoor Coastal Heaths, West Exmoor Coast and Woods and Watersmeet. Reasons given are lack of regeneration, too much shade due to excessive beech, sycamore and rhododendron growth. However a large amount of work has recently been undertaken to clear rhododendron in Exmoor woodlands – see Successes below.

Condition of habitat in CWS 958 CWS in Devon contain broadleaved, mixed and yew woodland. 197 sites have been monitored since 2009 and 34% was assessed as Green. Issues include inappropriate grazing by livestock, dominance of invasive species and heavy shading from species such as holly.

Upland Oakwood 84 sites. Of the 9 sites monitored, 4 are Green and 5 Amber Upland Mixed Ashwood 24 sites. None of these sites have been monitored.

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Lowland Mixed Deciduous Woodland 740 sites. Of 179 sites monitored 72 were Green, 100 Amber and 7 Red. Wet Woodland 215 sites. Of 101 sites monitored, 37 were Green, 62 Amber and 2 Red.

Wood Pasture and Parkland 28 sites. One site has been monitored and was Green. Orchards 11 sites. Three sites have been monitored and all were Amber. Results of the Traditional Orchard project in England (NE, 2011)2 found that 18% of traditional orchards in Devon are in excellent condition, 36% in good condition and 46% in poor condition.

Issues

Invasives. The main reason given for SSSI and CWS being in unfavourable condition is the excessive growth of non-native species (especially rhododendron and cherry laurel).

Disease. There are numerous pathogens affecting woody tree species, and the number and severity

of these appears to be increasing. For example, Ash dieback is caused by a fungus called Chalara fraxinea. The disease causes leaf loss and crown dieback and usually leads to the death of the tree, although infection in older trees may not be so damaging. First confirmed in the UK in February 2012 in East Anglia, it has since been found in a few young plantings of ash and more recently in an older planted site in mid Devon, suggesting it has been established in the county for some years.

Phytophthora ramorum, or Ramorum disease of Larch, is a fungus –like pathogen causing extensive damage and mortality to trees and other plants. In 2009 it was identified on Japanese larch trees in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall and has since led to the felling of over 2000 ha of Japanese larch, both in plantations and in mixed woodland in England (largely in the SW). As at the end of 2012, 18.4 % of Devon’s larch (733.4 ha) had been infected.

Deer and grey squirrels. Deer populations3 are continuing to increase in range and number. Excessive browsing disrupts the normal dynamics of the woodland ecosystem and reduces regeneration and the woodland understorey. The non-native grey squirrel causes significant economic damage to young plantations by bark stripping at canopy closure stage across most of Devon. Large numbers are often associated with pheasant rearing as squirrels will raid the feeders Lack of management leading to increased shade and structural simplification.

Intensive adjacent land management leading to the impoverishment of woodland flora and the drying out of woodlands.

Ongoing fragmentation of woodland, combined with a slow down in the rate of new woodland creation, renders habitats and species more vulnerable to climate change effects.

Plantations on Ancient Woodland Sites (PAWS) represent ~ 1% of Devon’s land area. These sites are in urgent need of sensitive restoration to broadleaved woodland as the remnant ancient woodland features are unlikely to survive further conifer crop rotations. Funding. Uncertainty over future of EWGS support for woodland management

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Successes

The English Woodland Grant Scheme4 (EWGS) administered by the Forestry Commission provides grant support for landowners wanting to create new woodland and carry out sustainable woodland management. In 2012 there were 6,382 EWGS schemes in Devon. A huge amount of work has recently been undertaken to clear rhododendron from Exmoor woodlands, especially within the National Trust’s coastal woodlands. £1 million of FC grants has recently been spent clearing rhododendron from Exmoor woodlands. 350 hectares have been cleared, representing ~ 75% of Exmoor’s priority woodlands affected by this invasive species.

Ancient Woodland Projects on Dartmoor5 and Exmoor have worked with land owners to restore, enhance and link Ancient Woodlands. Working our Woodlands6 (2009 – 2011) provided help to bring small and neglected woodlands in the Blackdown Hills AONB back into management. Work is being taken forward by the Blackdown and East Devon Woodland Association.

The Devon Ward Forester Project7 aims to bring small woodland owners together to improve the management and productivity of small woodlands. The Devon Ancient Tree Forum8 has now been formally established and is promoting management of veteran trees. A Devon Parkland Inventory was produced in 2007.

Improvements in the condition of woodland SSSIs – the Forestry Commission has been working closely with Natural England to target management in woodland SSSIs and help achieve the SSSI target.

The Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area9 has ambitious targets to improve and create woodlands.

South West Woodland Wildlife Initiative – RSPB, NE, FC and others are developing a ‘toolkit’ to help woodland managers improve their woodlands for wildlife.

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3.2 COAST AND MARINE

Broad habitat types in Devon

UK BAP priority habitats identified as key habitats in Devon (Devon BAP, 1998)

Supralittoral rock Maritime cliff and slope

Supralittoral sediment Coastal sand dunes Coastal vegetated shingle

Littoral rock Sabellaria alveolata (Honeycomb worm) reefs

Littoral sediment Coastal saltmarsh

Intertidal mudflats

Seagrass beds

Submerged and partially submerged sea caves

Sublittoral rock Sabellaria spinulosa (Honeycomb worm) reefs

Estuarine rocky habitats

Sublittoral sediment Sub tidal sands and gravels

Supralittoral habitats (above spring high tide) Maritime cliff and slopes (supralittoral rock) support valuable coastal grasslands, heath and scrub, wetland and woodland. Exposure to gale-force winds and salt spray, steep slopes with thin soils, frequent erosion and landslides all contribute to a unique range of wildlife including lichens, insects, plants and seabirds breeding on inaccessible ledges. Coastal sand dunes and coastal vegetated shingle (supralittoral sediment) are created through natural coastal sediment systems. Examples include the sand dunes of Braunton Burrows, the spit of Dawlish Warren and the shingle bar fronting Slapton Ley. These habitats are dominated by colonising plants able to thrive in extreme conditions of water stress, typical absence of soil and potential exposure to salt spray. Littoral habitats (intertidal) Sabellaria alveolata reefs are formed by the honeycomb worm Sabellaria alveolata, a polychaete, which constructs tubes with sandy sediments in tightly, packed masses with a distinctive honeycomb-like appearance. Over time seaweeds and species such as barnacles and mussels colonise the reefs. In Britain they are only found in areas with strong to moderate wave action such as the south and west. Coastal saltmarsh comprises the upper vegetated portion of intertidal mudflats lying between mean high water neap tides and mean high water spring tides. Vegetation consists of salt tolerant species adapted to regular immersion. They are important feeding and breeding sites for waders and wildfowl. Intertidal mudflats are created by the deposition of silts and clays in estuaries and other sheltered areas. They are highly productive habitats and provide feeding and resting areas for internationally important populations of migrant and wintering waterfowl. Seagrass (Zostera) beds develop in intertidal and shallow subtidal areas on sands and muds. Three species of Zostera occur in the UK (dwarf eel grass, narrow-leaved eel grass and eel grass). eelgrass is an important source of food for wildfowl and provides nursery areas for fish. Sublittoral habitats (permanently covered by seawater) Marine habitats off Devon support some of the richest marine communities in the country, including pink sea fan, five species of cup corals, native oysters and various anemones. Important areas include Lundy, Lyme Bay, Torbay, Bigbury Bay, Berry Head and Tamar/Plymouth Sound. The submerged and partially submerged sea caves within Torbay and the surrounding coastline are of international importance supporting a range of corals, sponges and burrowing anemones.

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Maritime cliff and slope (supralittoral rock)

Area mapped 5,568 hectares

Condition of habitat in SSSIs 14 SSSIs contain supralittoral rock (1,975 hectares). 97% of this habitat is in favourable or unfavourable recovering condition. The SSSIs with habitat assessed as unfavourable declining or no change are Prawle Point and Start Point, Sidmouth to Beer Coast, Wembury Point and Marsland to Clovelly Coast. The main problem at each site is scrub encroachment due to lack of appropriate grazing. Sites assessed as recovering are, in the main, being supported through Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreements. Note that the condition report for one site assessed as ‘recovering’ states that it is ‘unlikely to revert to species rich calcareous communities as management stands.’ This highlights that ‘unfavourable recovering’ is still ‘unfavourable’.

Condition of habitat in CWS 14 CWS contain maritime cliff and slope. Four sites have been monitored since 2009 and all were Amber.

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Coastal sand dunes and coastal vegetated shingle

(supralittoral sediment) Area mapped 20 hectares of coastal vegetated shingle and 1,043 hectares of sand dunes.

Condition of habitat in SSSIs Five SSSIs (1,486 hectares) contain supralittoral sediment (note that this figure may include habitat mapped below mean high water). 75% of this habitat is in favourable or unfavourable recovering condition. However only 3% is in favourable condition (Saunton to Baggy Point). The main issues at Braunton Burrows, Dawlish Warren, Northam Burrows and Slapton Ley are scrub encroachment and coastal defence structures reducing the capacity for natural coastal processes to take place.

Condition of habitat in CWS Three CWS contain coastal sand dunes. One was assessed as Green and the other two Amber. One CWS contains coastal vegetated shingle and this was classed as Amber.

Sabellaria alveolata reefs (littoral rock)

Area mapped

Some mapping on the south and north coasts has been carried out. No figure available.

Condition of habitat in SSSIs The only SSSIs designated for littoral rock are Salcombe to Kingsbridge Estuary and Saltern Cove. Both are assessed as favourable.

Condition of habitat in CWS Four CWS have been designated for Sabellaria alveoloata reefs. These have not been monitored1.

1 Devon Wildlife Trust has carried out a pilot study into the monitoring of Sabellaria alveolata reefs based on methodology

developed by Countryside Council for Wales. The final report makes recommendations for how this should be adapted and rolled out to provide a monitoring programme for Devon.

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Saltmarsh, mudflats, seagrass beds (littoral sediment)

Area mapped 359 ha Saltmarsh, 3,442 ha Mudflats and 185 ha Seagrass (note that the area of Seagrass in North Devon is not known) Data Limitations: Please note that the total area of littoral sediment mapped is less than the area within SSSI as the area of SSSI has not yet been mapped by DBRC.

Condition of habitat in SSSIs There are 16 SSSIs (5,234 hectares) containing littoral sediment. 99% of this habitat is in favourable or unfavourable recovering condition. The only SSSI with habitat assessed as ‘unfavourable no change’ is the Taw-Torridge Estuary due to over-grazing of saltmarsh and adjacent roads preventing transition to a fixed dune grassland.

Condition of habitat in CWS 27 CWS contain saltmarsh and eight have been monitored. Two sites were Green, five Amber and one Red (due to repairs to a culvert which had led to a reduction in the maritime influence on the site). 16 CWS contain mudflats and two have been monitored. One site was classified as Green and the other site was Amber. There are no CWS that contain seagrass beds.

Sublittoral habitats (below mean low water)

SSSIs: SSSIs do not extend below mean low water.

CWS: There are no sublittoral CWS.

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Marine designations: In 2010, two new candidate Special Area of Conservations (cSAC) were designated for their reef habitats and sea caves, Lyme Bay and Torbay cSAC and Start Point to Plymouth Sound and Eddystone cSAC. Lundy is also designated as SAC for its reef habitats. Lundy became the first Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) in January 2010. In November 2013 27 new MCZs were designated nationally, including the Tamar Estuary and Torbay MCZs in Devon. Wembury and North Devon (Combe Martin to Croyde) are Voluntary Marine Conservation Areas (VMCA). Wembury VMCA is managed by Devon Wildlife Trust.

Issues

Lack of appropriate grazing leads to scrub and bracken encroachment of coastal grasslands and heathlands.

Coastal squeeze. As sea levels rise, and cliffs erode, habitats in front of fixed coastal defences and coastal developments are squeezed as they are unable to migrate landwards.

Poor knowledge of the status and distribution of marine habitats and species and lack of co-ordination of available data hampers conservation of the marine environment. This is especially problematic given that evidence is currently required in order for marine management measures to be introduced.

Offshore developments, with a current focus on renewable energy projects, increase risks of habitat damage and species disturbance. However, with climate change, and the related ecological impacts from ocean acidification, a balance needs to be found between local impacts on habitats and species and the wider benefits of reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Damaging fishing activities. Activities such as bottom trawling and scallop dredging damage marine ecosystems. Overfishing depletes fish stocks and has wider ecological impacts. Reducing the environmental impacts of fishing is important for the future of the industry as well as wider marine wildlife interests.

Pollution. Incidents in 2012 and 2013 have caused thousands of seabirds (largely guillemots, but also razorbills, puffins, gannets and cormorants) to be washed up on Devon’s south coast. The cause of these deaths has been confirmed as polyisobutene which is likely to have been washed from ship’s tanks at sea. A range of NGOs are working with government agencies to find out more about the source of these chemicals to ensure these incidents do not occur again.

Climate change is affecting the timing of plankton breeding, leading to effects up the marine food chain.

Designation and management of Marine Conservation Zones1. A two and half year public consultation process recommended the establishment of 127 MCZs across England. In 2013 27 were designated in the first tranche.

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Successes

Lyme Bay designated area. In 2008 Defra introduced a Statutory Order closing a 60nm2 area to scallop dredging and bottom trawling. In 2010 the area was included within the wider Lyme Bay and Torbay cSAC. Monitoring carried out by the University of Plymouth suggests that seabed wildlife is recovering.

The 2006 Torbay Seagrass Project undertook survey work and put conservation measures in place. The project is used as a case study for areas outside the South West.

Higher Level Stewardship funding has been used to re-introduce coastal grazing schemes to areas such as Wembury Point, Bolt Head and Gammon Head.

The EA’s South West Habitat Creation Project is assessing the management of coastal defences in relation to sea level rise and, where appropriate, creating habitat e.g. intertidal habitat has been restored at South Efford Marsh, Aveton Gifford.

Coastal and Estuary Partnerships2 have been set up for a number of Devon’s estuaries in order to co-ordinate management and support sustainable development. Examples of work include the Exe Estuary Management Partnership’s work on bird disturbance and the Torbay Coastal Zone Management Plan.

Devon Maritime Forum3 aims to provide a strategic overview of issues and bring diverse organisations together in order to motivate and co-ordinate action towards common goals.

Shoreline Management Plans4 (SMPs) include an assessment of the risks associated with coastal processes and how to reduce these risks to people and the environment. Plans which cover Devon’s coast are Durlston Head to Rame Head (South Devon and Dorset) and Hartland Point to Anchor Head (North Devon and Somerset).

The Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009) enables Ministers to designate and protect Marine Conservation Zones (MCZs). The aim is for these sites to sit alongside European marine sites (SACs and SPAs), SSSIs and Ramsar sites to form an ecologically coherent network of Marine Protected Areas. In 2011 the Finding Sanctuary Project5 submitted a list of recommended MCZs in the South West. The Tamar Estuary and Torbay MCZs were designated in the first tranche of MCZs by government in November 20131.

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) was created by the Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009). MMOs will work with stakeholders to develop spatial plans for marine areas in order to promote ’sustainable development of our seas’. In 2013 work begins on the South Inshore and Offshore Marine Plan Areas. The inshore area runs from Folkestone to the River Dart.

Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCA) were established as a result of the Act, replacing Sea Fisheries Committees. Increased responsibilities and powers for introducing measures for nature conservation make them a crucial part of management of the inshore (0-6 nautical miles) marine environment. Defra has introduced a new policy on the management of fishing activities within European Marine Sites. A national group has established priorities for assessing impacts of fishing activities on protected features. All high priority interactions between gear and habitat must be excluded by the end of 2013.

A number of national, regional and local sustainable fishing projects have been established including Seafish’s Responsible Fishing Scheme, the Blue Marine Foundation’s work in Lyme Bay and the Pisces scheme.

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3.3 RIVERS AND STANDING OPEN WATER

Broad habitat types in Devon UK BAP priority habitats identified as key habitats in Devon (Devon BAP, 1998)

Rivers and streams Rivers

Standing Open Water and Canals Ponds

Rivers and streams.

Rivers and streams. Devon’s 3,500km of rivers range from fast flowing upland watercourses to slow flowing meandering lowland rivers. Dartmoor provides the source of the Teign, Dart, Avon, Erme, Yealm, Plym, Tavy, Tamar, Okement and Taw. The Exe, Barle and Lyn have their source on Exmoor and the Torridge on the Culm of Hartland. The East Devon rivers of the Axe, Sid and Otter are very different in nature to other Devon rivers rising along the spring lines of the Blackdown Hills. The Axe supports some of the most important higher plant communities of any of Devon’s rivers. Devon’s rivers, floodplains and wooded banks are important for key species such as otter, bats, Atlantic salmon, brown trout, dipper, white-clawed crayfish, freshwater pearl mussel, lichens, mosses and ferns, as well as rare invertebrates. Standing open water comprises semi-natural systems such as lakes and pools, as well as man-made waters including reservoirs, canals, ponds and gravel pits. Standing open water habitats occur across the county. Slapton Ley (ley is a local term for lake) is the largest freshwater natural lake in the South West. South West Water (SWW) manages 11 lakes in Devon. Ponds are found throughout Devon but particular concentrations of man-made ponds occur due to clay workings in the Bovey Basin and Lee Moor areas. Devon’s canals include Mary Tavy (part of Tavistock Canal), the Grand Western Canal, Exeter Ship Canal, Stover Canal and Bude Canal.

Rivers

Length: 3,500kms

Condition of habitat in SSSIs The River Axe is the only river designated as a SSSI in Devon. It has been assessed as ‘unfavourable declining’ for the following reasons:

invasive species (Himalayan balsam);

a heavily grazed riparian zone;

modifications to the channel due to man-made structures; and

bullhead failing the population age structure target. A SSSI River Restoration Plan has commenced that will seek to address these issues. Two other SSSIs have units designated for rivers and streams. Hunshaw Wood Streams SSSI is favourable whilst part of Halsdon SSSI is unfavourable due to frequent Himalayan balsam.

Condition of habitat in CWS

No Devon rivers have been designated as CWS or monitored by DBRC. However, all rivers in the county will normally be recognised as being of comparable value to CWS.

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Environment Agency monitoring The Environment Agency in the South West aims to bring 43% of the 1,100 waterbodies into ‘good’ ecological status under the Water Framework Directive (WFD) by 2015.

Classification of the 373 river water bodies in Devon (Source: EA)

1% = bad

9.3% = poor

57.4% = moderate

32.3% = good The main reasons for less than good status include: impacted fish and diatom communities, physical modification, high levels of copper, zinc and phosphate and low pH.

Standing open water

Area mapped: DBRC has no information on the overall extent of standing open water habitats.

Condition of habitats in SSSIs There are three SSSIs designated for standing open water (Stover Park, Slapton Ley and Lydford Railway Ponds). 98% of this habitat is in unfavourable recovering condition. Stover Park SSSI is assessed to be as ‘unfavourable no change’ due to siltation issues. Slapton Ley is assessed to be ‘unfavourable recovering’ due to a Diffuse Water Pollution Plan having been put in place by the EA and NE. Lydford Railways Ponds requires habitat enhancement operations for the dragonfly populations.

Condition of habitat in CWS There are no CWSs designated for standing freshwater although many CWS have freshwater components.

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Issues

Non Native Invasive Species. Himalayan balsam is common on Devon rivers and forms monocultures which exclude other native plants. Signal crayfish will become an increasing problem in Devon’s rivers and still waters as the populations expand both geographically and in density. There are no known control methods that do not damage the ecosystem, so at present the species is monitored where possible, but no action is taken to control or manage populations.

Pollution. Two of the three standing open water SSSIs are in ‘unfavourable’ condition due to water pollution and siltation issues.

Principle issues which prevent Devon’s rivers from being classed, under the Water Framework Directive, as being in overall ‘good’ status include:

o point and diffuse pollution (leading to increased nutrients and sedimentation) o physical barriers to fish movement o effects of physical modifications o low flows due to abstraction o poor fish habitat

Due to government tariffs, there are a growing number of applications for small-scale hydropower schemes on Devon rivers. The magnitude of the associated ecological impacts is still unclear but there are concerns in relation to obstructions to fish passage, alterations to river morphology and subsequent impacts on natural features.

Successes

Diffuse pollution from agriculture is being tackled through the Catchment Sensitive Farming1

programme which was set up by NE and EA in 2006. Advice and assistance with grant applications is available in four priority catchments (Axe and Otter, South Devon, Exe and Tamar-Tavy) and via the Taw, Torridge and North Devon Streams Partnership.

In 2012 funding was received for River Improvement Projects from Defra’s Catchment Restoration Fund2 for work on the Dart, Teign, Taw and Avon. The fund supports work which will restore natural features, reduce the impact of man-made structures and reduce the impact of diffuse pollution.

Upstream Thinking3 is a South West Water initiative which aims to improve water quality and quantity at source through changes to land management. In Devon the project supports the Dartmoor and Exmoor Mires Project, Working Wetlands, Otter Valley and Westcountry Rivers Trust work in the Tamar and Roadford Lake.

The Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area (NIA) is one of twelve national landscape scale management pilots launched in 2012. The partnership is led by Devon Wildlife Trust and aims to improve water quality and habitats in the Torridge catchment ecosystem.

Himalayan balsam is being tackled through various projects such as the River Tamar Invasives Project and work on the Rivers Otter and Axe.

The South West River Basin Management Plan4 (EA, 2009). WFD requires River Basin Management Plans to be drawn up with the aim of achieving Good Ecological Status. The West Country Rivers Trust is producing an Integrated Catchment Management Tool for the Tamar. This is one of 25 Defra funded projects, which are piloting different techniques to meet WFD targets.

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3.4 WETLANDS

Broad habitat type UK BAP priority habitats identified as key habitats in Devon (Devon BAP, 1998)

Fen, marsh and swamp Lowland fen

Purple moor grass and rush pasture

Reedbeds

Upland flushes, fens and swamps

Bogs Blanket bog

Fen, marsh and swamp are habitats characterised by vegetation occurring on permanently, seasonally or periodically waterlogged peat, peaty soils, or mineral soils. Fens are generally peatlands (partially decayed vegetation), which occur where a lack of oxygen in waterlogged soils, slow the decomposition of vegetation. Marsh refers to rush pasture communities on mineral soils and shallow peats. Swamps are characterised by tall emergent vegetation. Lowland fens receive water and nutrients from the soil, rock and groundwater, as well as from rainfall. Topogenous fens occur where water movement is vertical (basin fens, floodplain fens and open water transition fens). These are generally peat forming. Soligenous fens occur where horizontal water movement is also important (valley mires, springs, rills and flushes). Purple Moor-Grass and Rush Pasture is wet grassland dominated by a combination of purple moor grass or a number of rushes usually soft rush and sharp-flowered rush. In Devon and Cornwall these wet grasslands typically occur on the Culm measures geology (giving rise to the name Culm grasslands) as well as valley mires on Dartmoor and spring lines on the Blackdown Hills. In Devon the term ‘Rhôs’ pasture is used to refer to a mosaic of habitats which include purple moor-grass and rush pasture, wet heath, mire and scrub, all found on poorly drained acid soils. Reedbeds are dominated by stands of the common reed Phragmites australis with a water table at or above ground level for most of the year. They are especially important for birds, and invertebrates. Due to the topography of Devon there are few large freshwater reed beds, however Slapton Ley and South Milton Ley are both over 10 ha in size. Phragmites can tolerate brackish water and reedbeds are therefore also found at the upper edges of estuaries, such as the Exe and Teign. Upland flushes, fens and swamps include all fen, marsh and swamp habitats in upland areas (above the limit of agricultural enclosures). Dartmoor’s upland valley mires (soligenous fens) support a rich flora as well as providing nesting habitat for waders such as curlew, snipe and lapwing. Bogs support peat which is greater than 0.5m deep and which is fed by rainfall rather than ground water. The two major bog types are lowland raised bog and blanket bog but only blanket bog occurs in Devon. Unmodified bogs can be identified by the presence of cotton grass, bog-mosses (sphagnum species) and cross-leaved heath. Blanket bog occurs where high rainfall allows peat to develop over large expanses of ground. There are about 120 square kilometres of blanket bog on Dartmoor which forms on the highest land where the rainfall exceeds 2000 mm a year. Part of Exmoor’s blanket bog is located in Devon. This internationally important habitat supports plants such as cotton-grass, sedges, bog asphodel, sundews and sphagnum as well as small populations of breeding birds such as dunlin, common snipe and red grouse.

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Fen, marsh and swamp

Area mapped Lowland fen - no figure available

Purple Moor Grass and Rush Pasture - 4,312 ha (difficult to give a precise figure as part of a mosaic) Reedbed - 781 ha Upland flushes, fens and swamps - No data

Change in extent of purple moor-grass and rush pasture since 1998 An assessment by DBRC of 400 random points from aerial photographs (1998 and 2006) showed:

A 3.5% overall decrease

A 2% decrease in habitat found in County Wildlife Sites

No change in habitat found in Sites of Special Scientific Interest The decrease is largely due to abandonment of marginal land and inappropriate management.

Condition of habitat in SSSIs

13 SSSIs (148 hectares) contain lowland fen, marsh and swamp. 87% of this habitat is in favourable or unfavourable recovering condition. Three SSSIs have habitat assessed as unfavourable declining or no change (Wolborough Fen, Otter Estuary and South Milton Ley SSSI). The main reason for unfavourable status is too much scrub / lack of grazing. Many sites assessed as recovering are supported by Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) agreements. Data limitations: Note that NE classes purple moor grass and rush pasture as acid grassland rather than as fen, marsh and swamp. Some sites may have been classified as lowland bog rather than fen (e.g Blackdown and Sampford Commons is fen meadow but is classed as lowland bog). The pie chart below does not therefore include all habitats classed nationally as fen, marsh and swamp.

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Only two SSSIs (138 hectares) contain upland fen, marsh and swamp (Blackslade Mire and East Dartmoor). All habitats are in favourable or unfavourable recovering condition.

Condition of habitat in CWS 74 CWS contain lowland fen. 44 of these sites have been monitored and only 6% assessed as Green. Issues identified include agricultural improvement, development, over-grazing, under-grazing and scrubbing up.

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629 CWS contain Purple Moor-Grass and Rush Pasture. 255 sites have been monitored and 27% assessed as Green. Issues include under-grazing (leading to scrub encroachment), agricultural improvement, tree planting and bracken encroachment.

24 CWS contain reedbed and three have been monitored. Two sites were classed as Amber, and the other Red.

There are no CWSs designated for upland flushes, fens and swamps.

Bogs

Area mapped 10,075 ha of blanket bog Data limitations: This area is lower than the area given for upland bog SSSI. This may be due to more accurate mapping undertaken by DBRC.


Five SSSIs (92.5 hectares) contain lowland bog. 79% of habitat is in favourable or unfavourable recovering condition. 21% of this habitat (part of Southleigh and Gotleigh Moors SSSI) is unfavourable declining due to excessive scrub cover.

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Five SSSIs (11,606 hectares) contain upland bog (North Dartmoor, South Dartmoor, Tor Royal Bog, Exmoor Coastal Heaths, North Exmoor). 100% is in favourable or unfavourable recovering condition. Key management issues are securing appropriate grazing and burning regimes. Stocking levels are being managed through ESA / HLS. The Forest Fire Project on Dartmoor has been effective in dealing with wild fires and uncontrolled burning. However, condition assessments state that large areas are still species poor and dominated by purple moor-grass and, even under suitable management, will take a long time to recover.

CWS: There are no CWSs designated as bog.

Issues

Grazing (under grazing or over grazing) is one of the key management issues for wetland sites. It is not currently economically viable to maintain farming systems in marginal land in the uplands without agri-environment support. This is due to a range of factors such as the single payment scheme, cost of rearing stock and the static sale price. The number of farmers with livestock on the moors is declining and there is little capacity for investment in the necessary farm infrastructure to support sustainable farming systems.

Reduced hydrological integrity due largely to historical drainage and also erosion of gullies on degraded peatland due to peat cutting / burning and also public / military access.

Designations. Only a very small proportion of the area (~1200 hectares) of Rhôs pasture on Dartmoor National Park is designated as SSSI despite meeting the selection criteria. Without SSSI designation it is often harder to obtain funding via agri-environment schemes.

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Successes

Uplands

Stocking levels have been reduced on the uplands and feeding and outwintering of stock

has largely stopped. This is partly due to ESA / HLS payments as well as factors such as BSE, foot and mouth and changes to Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments. Burning has largely been brought under control on Dartmoor through the Emergency Fire Plan and Forest Fire Project.

The Dartmoor Vision Group is an alliance of hill farmers and agencies. In 2003 ecologists, archaeologists and farmers developed a ‘vision map’ for Dartmoor in order to provide farmers with a clear statement of what they wanted the moorland to look like in 2030. The Dartmoor Hill Farm Project was set up by DNPA in 2003 to help ensure a viable future for Dartmoor farmers.

The Two Moors Butterfly Project has been running since 2005 and aims to increase the populations of marsh fritillary, high brown fritillary and heath fritillary. The project encourages Dartmoor and Exmoor farmers to enter into agri-environment schemes to improve the wildlife value of Rhôs pasture (see Section 4.5).

Mires on the Moors1 was set up in 2010 in order to restore blanket bog communities on Dartmoor and Exmoor. The project is supported by South West Water. Benefits include habitat enhancement, improved water quality and carbon storage (through protection of peat). Water resource management enhancements (slowing the rate of run off) are also being investigated.

Lowlands DWT’s Working Wetlands project2 has been running since 2008 in the Culm area of Devon.

Its main aim is to help farmers to manage and restore Culm grasslands, and associated habitats, in order to enhance the wildlife and water storage value of Culm wetlands.[28]

The Taw River Improvement Project is working in targeted areas in the Taw catchment to secure WFD targets – this includes sensitive management of wet semi-natural grasslands

The Northern Devon Nature Improvement Area commenced in 2012. It aims to restore ecosystem resilience across the Torridge catchment.

Beef and Butterflies in the Blackdown Hills AONB helped farmers manage semi-natural grasslands (mires, wet meadows, hay meadows and heathland) for wildlife and profit. The Project ended in 2013.

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3.5 GRASSLAND and HEATHLAND


Neutral grassland Lowland meadows

Calcareous grassland Lowland calcareous grassland

Improved grassland Coastal and floodplain grazing marsh

Dwarf shrub heath Lowland heathland

Upland heathland

Acid grassland -

Lowland meadows are found principally on neutral, often well-drained soils. They are the product of traditional farming practices (grazing or cutting for hay) with little or no input of artificial fertilisers or herbicides. In Devon, they largely remain on isolated or inaccessible parcels of land, often on steep slopes, particularly in the Blackdown Hills, part of South Devon, Dartmoor fringes and in the Culm. They are of particular importance for species such as barn owl, cirl bunting, greater horseshoe bat, shrill carder bee and green-winged orchid. Lowland calacareous grasslands develop on shallow lime-rich soils generally overlying limestone rocks, including chalk. They are often grazed by sheep, cattle or sometimes horses and a few may be cut for hay. Torbay’s limestone outcrops support extensive areas of calcareous grassland (including Berry Head, Wall’s Hill, Hopes Nose and Sharkham Point), which are of sigificant importance supporting 35 nationally threatened, rare and scarce plants. Calcareous grasslands are also found on the chalk hills of East Devon (Sidmouth to Beer Coast and Axmouth to Lyme Regis undercliffs) and Plymouth’s limestone outcrops. Coastal and floodplain grazing marsh is defined as periodically inundated pasture or meadow with ditches (which maintain the water levels) containing standing brackish or fresh water. The ditches are especially rich in plants and invertebrates. In Devon grazing marsh is found on rivers such as the Axe, Otter, Clyst, Exe, Creedy and Taw. The largest areas are associated with estuaries where frequent flooding with freshwater in winter and spring creates ideal feeding conditions for a range of over wintering birds. Key areas are Braunton Marsh, Exminster Marshes and Axmouth Marsh. Lowland heathland is found below 300m and is dominated by dwarf shrubs such as heathers and gorse intermixed with acid grassland, scrub and scattered trees. The main areas in Devon are East Devon Pebblebeds, Haldon ridge, Bovey Basin, Blackdown Hills, Dartmoor fringes, the Culm and Exmoor. Devon’s heathland is valuable for species such as Dartford warbler, nightjar, silver-studded blue and southern damselfly, and is one of the most important habitats for invertebrates in Devon. Upland heathland is found above enclosed agricultural land and is dominated by dwarf shrubs, particularly heather and western gorse. It can be distinguished from blanket bog (which can also support dwarf shrubs) by occurring on mineral soils and thin peats (<0.5m). Although the upland heathland of Exmoor and Dartmoor forms only a small part of the total UK resource (aprox. 1%) it is important as the only sizeable area in southern Britain which allows transitions between upland and coastal heath. This characteristic is rarely seen elsewhere.

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Lowland meadows / neutral grassland

Area mapped 5,116 ha Data limitations: neutral grassland is generally found as part of a mosaic of habitats and so it is difficult to give a precise figure.


There are 19 SSSIs (658 hectares) with neutral grassland. 99% of habitat is assessed to be favourable or unfavourable recovering whilst only 1% (Park Farm Meadows SSSI) unfavourable no change, due to lack of appropriate grazing.

Condition of habitat in CWS 513 CWS contain lowland meadow (many of these are mosaic sites). 106 have been monitored and 30% assessed as Green. Issues include under grazing, scrubbing up, agricultural improvement, bracken encroachment and development.

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Area mapped 775 ha Data limitations: This habitat is generally part of a mosaic of habitats and so it is difficult to give a precise figure.

Condition of habitat in SSSIs Four SSSIs (32 hectares) contain calcareous grassland (Bulmoor Pastures and Coppice and Spring Head, Axmouth in East Devon and Daddyhole and Hope’s Nose to Wall’s Hill in Torbay). 100% is in favourable or unfavourable recovering condition, although 55% is unfavourable recovering.

Note: Calcareous grassland on the East Devon coast (Sidmouth to Beer Coast and Axmouth to Lyme Regis Undercliffs SSSIs) and at Berry Head to Sharpham Point SSSI (Torbay) has been classed as suppralittoral rock. All sites are assessed as favourable or unfavourable recovering condition.

Condition of habitat in CWS 55 CWS contain lowland calcareous grassland. 15 have been monitored and 34% assessed as Green. Two sites were assessed as Red due to under grazing / scrubbing up.

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Lowland acid grassland (note that this is not identified as a key habitat in the Devon BAP but has been included due to its national significance)

Area mapped 793 ha

Condition of habitat in SSSIs 24 SSSI (957 hectares) contain lowland acid grassland. 92% of habitat is favourable or unfavourable recovering. 8% (72 hectares) is unfavourable declining (Common Moor, East Putford; Gilmoor & Moorlands, and a compartment Hare’s Down, Knowstone & Rackenford Moors). Issues include lack of management through grazing / scrub control.

Data limitations: Many SSSIs classed as acid grassland could be classed as fen, marsh and swamp. Sites such as Kingford Fen, Mambury & Stowford Moors, Hollow Moor & Odham Moor and Gilmoor and Moorlands

are found on the Culm Measures and are mosaics of rush pasture, fen meadow and mire.

Condition of habitat in CWS 113 CWS contain lowland dry acid grassland. 23 sites have been monitored and 22% was assessed as Green. Issues included under-grazing and scrubbing up.

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Upland acid grassland (note that this is not identified as a key habitat in the Devon BAP)

Area mapped There is no Devon BAP inventory for upland acid grassland.

Condition of habitat in SSSIs 5 SSSI (1,967 hectares) contain upland acid grassland. The majority (1,858 hectares) is within North Dartmoor SSSI. 100% of habitat is favourable or unfavourable recovering.

Condition of habitat in CWS There are no CWS designated for upland acid grassland.

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Coastal and floodplain grazing marsh

Area mapped 6,537 ha


No SSSIs have been classed as coastal and floodplain grazing marsh by NE. SSSIs with this habitat include Braunton Swanpool and Greenaways (largely favourable) and Freshmarsh SSSI (favourable condition).

Condition of habitat in CWS

37 CWS contain coastal and floodplain grazing marsh. Seven sites have been monitored. One site was classified as Green, whilst the other six were Amber.

Lowland heathland Area mapped 3,989 ha

Condition of habitat in SSSIs 10 SSSI (1,903 hectares) contain lowland heathland. This is 48% of the area mapped by DBRC. 95% of habitat is favourable or unfavourable recovering. 5% (87 hectares) is unfavourable no change (Little Haldon Heaths) or declining (part of East Devon Pebblebeds and Maiden Down). Issues include encroachment by scrub (birch, pine, gorse) and bracken as well as lack of specific growth stages of heather. Management issues relate to grazing (largely under grazing), cutting and burning.

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Condition of habitat in CWS 118 CWS containing lowland heath. 51 have been monitored and 33% were classed as Green. Issues include under grazing, scrubbing up, bracken encroachment and agricultural improvement.

Upland heathland

Area mapped 5,456 ha

Condition of habitat in SSSIs 16 SSSIs (15,408 hectares) contain upland heathland and these are largely found on Dartmoor and Exmoor. 97% is favourable or unfavourable recovering. However, the majority (79%, 12,245 hectares) is classed as unfavourable recovering. 418 hectares (3%), located predominantly in East and North Dartmoor are classed as unfavourable, no change or declining. Habitat is largely unfavourable due to lack of dwarf shrub regeneration and high levels of purple moor-grass cover due to historical high levels of grazing, especially during the winter. Inappropriate burning practices have also been cited. NE condition assessment of East Dartmoor states that no real recovery was apparent following the ESA scheme but that a reduction in grazing levels has been supported through entry into HLS. Heather beetle damage and illegal fires also remain current issues.

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Condition of habitat in CWS There are only 4 CWS containing upland heath. Two have been monitored since 2009. One site was classified as Green, and the other Amber due to scrub encroachment and loss of heathland species. Data limitations: Upland BAP habitats are significantly under-represented by CWS designation. This has been due to lack of resource allocated for survey, coupled with a perceived low level of threat.

Issues

Grazing (at the appropriate level with appropriate stock) is the main management issue for grassland and heathland sites.

Illegal / inappropriate burning is also an issue for heathlands.

Damage from the Heather beetle, a native and widespread species across Britain’s uplands. This is a contributing factor in driving the change from heather to grass dominated moorland.

Successes

In 2008 Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust commenced a three year Loving our

Limestone Project1 to restore and enhance Torbay’s limestone grasslands through clearance of scrub and non native species.

In 2005 Clinton Devon Estates set up the Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust to aid management of the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths in liaison with the RSPB, DWT and other key stakeholders.

Over the last ten years the FC has been restoring heathland on Haldon through the Haldon Heathland grazing project2.

HLS agreements have helped to bring sites back into favourable management.

Other successes are listed in Section 3.4 on Wetlands.

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3.6 OTHER FARMLAND HABITATS


Arable and horticulture Arable field margins

Boundary and linear features Hedgerows

Arable field margins are herbaceous strips around arable fields, which are managed for wildlife. Cultivated low input margins provide habitat for rare annual arable plants and South Devon is nationally important for rare arable plants such as lesser snapdragon, cornflower and field woundwort. Other margins may be sown with cereals or small seeded broad leaved plants to provide over winter seed for birds; sown with wild flowers or legumes to provide pollen and nectar for invertebrates; or managed as permanent grassland.

Hedgerows are defined as any boundary line of trees or shrubs over 20m long and less than 5m wide, where any gaps between the trees or shrub species are less that 20m wide. All hedgerows consisting predominantly (i.e. 80% or more cover) of at least one woody UK native species are covered by this priority habitat. The characteristic ‘Devon hedge’ consists of an earth bank faced with stone or turf, with shrubs on the top. Devon’s hedge network is estimated to be 53,000kms long and is of national and international importance. The network is the most intact and the longest in Great Britain, and unequalled across Europe, with the possible exception of parts of the Republic of Ireland. Devon’s hedges and associated habitats form a continuous wildlife habitat across the county, which is of huge value to wildlife, supporting priority species such as bastard balm, cirl bunting, hazel dormouse, horseshoe bats and brown hairstreak.

Hedgerows

Area It is estimated that the majority of Devon’s 53,000 kms of hedges can be classed as priority habitat. 53,000 kms of hedge has been calculated to equate to around 10,000 hectares of woodland edge habitat.

Condition There is little information on the condition of Devon’s hedges. However, between 2007 and 2009 Devon FWAG and Exmoor National Park carried out random sample surveys of 10 parishes in Devon, collecting information on 1,308 hedges1. Only 38% of hedges were found to be in favourable condition for wildlife, most failing because the shrub layer was either too short or excessively gappy at the base. 71% of banks were in good condition.

Issues

Shrub and tree management. Traditionally Devon’s hedges were rejuventated through

laying or coppicing. Currently most hedges are either cut short every year or are neglected altogether, reducing their wildlife value and leading to eventual loss of the hedge. It is estimated that in Devon only 1% of hedges are rejuvenated each year, far less than the 2.5% thought necessary to sustain our hedges.

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Hedgerow trees are gradually being lost, a situation which will be exacerbated by ash die back (ash makes up ~ 16% of Devon’s hedgerow shrubs). Dutch elm??

Bank management. Banks are subject to erosion and damage and require maintenance to retain hedges in favourable condition. Prolonged periods of wet weather, likely to become more frequent with climate change, can lead to slumping, while large farm and other vehicles are causing increasing damage to lane-side banks.

Margins. Intensive cutting and grazing regimes have led to the loss of flower-rich and tussocky margins, important for wildlife.

Reduced funding within agri-environment schemes. Since peak expenditure in 2004 funding available for hedge laying and coppicing through agri-environment schemes has fallen by 90% (Natural England data). Although uptake of hedge options within Entry Level Stewardship has been high, these largely promote changes in hedge cutting practices, rather than rejuvenation through laying or coppicing.

Successes

Agri-environment schemes have helped to fund the rejuvenation of Devon’s hedges over the last two decades. Many grubbed-out or badly eroded banked hedges have been reinstated through these schemes. Entry Level Stewardship has also been successful in encouraging farmers not to cut their hedges every year.

Devon Hedge Group. Due to celebrate its 20th year in 2014, this group has been successful in promoting the huge value of Devon’s hedges.

Skills. A number of organisations, in particular the Blackdown Hills Hedge Association and Devon Rural Skills Trust, have increased the number of skilled hedge managers in the county.

Wood fuel. Recent research has confirmed that Devon hedges can be managed sustainably to produce a firewood crop in a practical and highly cost-effective manner. This offers a way to increase the number of hedges that are managed sustainably, while producing green energy.

Green Veins and Lanes project (2010-2012). This successful multi-partner Devon Hedge Group project helped raise awareness and understanding of Devon’s hedges.

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4. SPECIES

There are currently 1,150 UK priority species1 which have been identified as a priority for conservation action. In 1998 the Devon BAP identified 272 species as ‘key’ to Devon2. 118 of these are on the current UK priority species list. Each section below includes the following information for mammals, birds, reptiles & amphibians, fish, invertebrates, and plants & fungi:

(a) A list of the key species identified in the 1998 Devon BAP

(b) A status assessment of the species which had a Species Action Plan in the 1998 Devon BAP (see Appendix 4).

(c) Headline information on other priority species (and a few non priority species) where this was readily available.

Note that the lists of key species for Devon will be updated in 2014 to take account of the 2007 changes to the UK priority species list. This will be done through discussion with relevant experts.

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4.1 MAMMALS

Key species identified for conservation in Devon (Devon BAP, 1998) Dormouse, greater horseshoe bat, lesser horseshoe bat, barbastelle bat, Bechstein’s bat natterer’s bat, brown hare, otter, water vole, harbour porpoise, bottle-nosed dolphin, common dolphin, long-finned pilot whale, grey seal, red deer*. Bold = current UK priority species * - selected as characteristic of Devon or of popular appeal

Devon Species Action Plans were produced for the following species:

Dormouse

Data Moderate but increasing. Over 40 sites are being monitored as part of the National Dormouse Monitoring Programme run by PTES. Many have only recently been established but they will allow us to detect trends in the future.

Context Over the last 100 years dormice have become extinct in seven counties in the northern part of their range and populations have declined elsewhere, particularly in the north. This is believed to be due to changes in woodland management (cessation of coppicing) and loss and fragmentation of woodland, probably exacerbated by a decline in the number and quality of hedgerows. There is evidence that weather has significant impacts on dormouse population dynamics with the UK’s Atlantic climate being less favourable than the continental climate. However, the impact of climate change cannot yet be assessed. Dormice are widespread in suitable habitat south of the Thames, where they are present in the majority of 10km squares.

Range Favourable. Dormice have been recorded from the majority 10km squares across Devon. Squares / part squares with no records occur south of Lynton, between Ilfracombe and Bideford, the South Hams coast and SW Dartmoor. The NBN records show that they are scattered throughout the county with concentrations around the edge of Dartmoor and in East Devon. This pattern is very likely to be due to under-recording in most areas.

Population Unknown.

Habitat Favourable – but with scope for improvement. It is widely believed that dormice require continuous, less intensively cut hedges and deciduous woodland; especially coppice woodland with areas of secondary growth and a vigorous shrub layer with a variety of species to provide food through the active season (Bright, Morris & Mitchell-Jones, 2006). However in recent years dormice populations have been shown to live in a much wider range of habitats and conditions including habitats which are no species rich or structurally diverse. However management of woodland to increase structural complexity and species diversity would benefit dormice, as would management of hedges on a longer rotation and to maintaining a greater cross sectional area. Habitat connectivity is important and roadside trees and shrubs, along with hedges, must be maintained.

Future prospects

Favourable / unknown? Provided there are no significant detrimental changes in the management of woods and hedges or changes in climate. Improved management of hedges and road side wooded habitats would be beneficial (see above). Dormice are undoubtedly affected by climate but possible impacts of climate change are unknown. Development continue to fragment habitat and increase disturbance. The impacts on dormice populations are not known.

Overall Devon status

Favourable??

UK status (JNCC, 2008)

Bad and deteriorating

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Otter

Data Good. Provided by DBRC’s Operation Otter Project and the fifth National Otter survey (2009-2010), run by the Environment Agency (EA, 2010)

1

Context Otters came close to extinction in England in the 1950s, the main reason being the use of agricultural pesticides. The population has slowly recovered since stricter control of these pesticides. Devon is recognised as having an internationally important otter population that has recovered naturally from wild otters surviving the decades of decline.

Range / Population

Favourable. Survey data shows that good populations of otters are found on all river catchments in Devon. Likely that all Devon’s rivers are at or near carrying capacity for otters, other than in East Devon where the population continues to increase (otters present at about 70% of sites during the last survey).

Habitat Favourable.

Future prospects

Favourable.


Favourable


Favourable

Water vole

Data Good.

Context The national water vole population declined sharply in the second half of the twentieth century due largely to loss and fragmentation of habitat leading to isolation of populations which are then vulnerable to extinction, especially through predation by the introduced American mink. Water voles were once widespread across Devon with recorded populations on the Exe, Tavy, Dart and Grand Western Canal. The Victoria County History of Devon (1906) stated that they were ‘common everywhere’ and pre and post WW2 generations report having seen water voles as common animals in rivers and other watercourses. This changed rapidly once mink had established themselves on many rivers in the 1960s. Other than occasional records up until 2002, they were largely extinct by the second National Water Vole survey (1996-1998).

Range / population

Unfavourable bad. The River Axe Water Vole Recovery Project was set up in June 2006 and this was followed by the Devon Water Vole Recovery Project which ran from 2008 – 2011. The aims were to, ‘encourage natural re-colonisation of water voles from existing populations in Dorset and Somerset and to undertake a comprehensive mink control programme on the Axe, Otter, Lim and Sid as part of a ‘cordon sanitaire’ across the head of the South West peninsula. Reintroductions were carried out in 2009 and 2010 on the Axe, Coly tributaries and the Tale. The Tale Valley Trust had previously reintroduced water voles on the Tale in 2004 and 2006. In late 2012 there were water vole populations on the Tale and lower Axe.

Habitat Unfavourable inadequate. Water voles thrive where there is a continuity of un-shaded and un-grazed bankside with tall emergent marginal plants, good aquatic vegetation and occasional ‘step banks’ that allow tunnelling and give protection from predators and flooding. Much habitat is ‘improving’ due to riverside fencing undertaken through Catchment Sensitive Farming projects and the Devon Water Vole Recovery project. However, mink control needs to be ongoing in order for water vole populations to recover.

Future prospects

Unfavourable bad. The future of the reintroduced populations and their expansion by natural re-colonisation is dependent on continued control of mink. This is currently coordinated by East Devon District Council and Tale Valley Trust. A strategic approach to habitat improvement is required to provide the ‘stepping stones’ for wider colonisation of new sub-catchments.


Unfavourable bad

UK status (BARS, 2008)

Fluctuating, probably increasing

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Brown hare

Data Poor. No survey carried out in Devon.

Context Concerns in the 1960s and 70s about the status of the population and impact of agricultural intensification and a decline in mixed cropping. Brown hares are now more common in the east of England where farming is predominantly arable.

Range / Population

Unknown

Habitat Favourable? Prefer a mix of arable, grassland and woodland and can also be found commonly on extensive tracts of semi natural grassland e.g. The Culm.

Future prospects

Unknown


Unknown


Increasing

Greater horseshoe bat

Data Moderate. Data on national trends is collated by the Bat Conservation Trust through colony counts and hibernation surveys (both carried out since 1997). This monitoring includes 11 summer roosts and 33 hibernation sites in Devon with varying numbers of bats present. Further statistical analysis would be needed to assess the potential for producing statistically robust trends for this species in Devon. Additional data coming into the monitoring programme would improve our assessments of populations both at the national and local level. NE also undertake condition assessments of SSSIs designated for greater horseshoe bat.

Context In the UK greater horseshoe bats are confined to South West England and South Wales. Devon represents an international stronghold. Nationally the population of greater horseshoe bat is thought to have declined by 99% during the 20

th century. The national colony counts

show a significant upward trend but this result should be treated with caution. The national hibernation counts show a stable trend but this is based on a small sample size. The Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project ran from 1998 – 2003 and worked with land managers to improve habitat.

Range Favourable? Maternity and hibernation roosts occur in East Devon, South Devon and North Devon. Known roosts in these areas have been continually used since monitoring began and the range of greater horseshoe bats across the county appears therefore to be at least stable.

Population Unfavourable inadequate - improving? Monitoring of maternity roosts indicates a population increase in these roosts of 58% between 1995 and 2004 and of 17% between 2005 and 2010, with 75% of this increase occurring in roosts managed by the Vincent Wildlife Trust. We do not know however if this is a reliable measure of wider population increase.

Habitat Unknown. Greater horseshoe bats require a mix of permanent, grazed grassland and woodland linked by woodland edge / or hedges to suitable roosts. Whilst these habitats are widespread in Devon no assessment has been made as to their quality and spatial distribution in relation to known (or potential) roosts.

Future prospects

Favourable?

Key roosts are protected via SSSI and/or SAC designation. There is however considerable development pressure around a number of key roosts.

In 2010 NE produced planning guidance for the South Devon SAC (designated in part for greater horseshoe bat) which aims to protect key foraging areas and flight lines from development.

NE has produced internal guidance to facilitate the prioritisation of HLS targeting of key greater horseshoe bat habitat.

Since 2009 East Devon AONB has been running a greater horseshoe project around Beer Caves SAC. Radio tracking and public awareness campaigns have been carried out to find new roosts and improve knowledge of how bats use the landscape.

A Devon wide project for greater horseshoe conservation is currently being developed by a number of organisations led by East Devon AONB and Devon Wildlife Trust.


Unfavourable Inadequate but improving?


Unfavourable Inadequate but improving

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4.2 BIRDS

Key species identified for conservation in Devon (Devon BAP, 1998)

Woodland - willow tit

Coast and marine - puffin, guillemot, peregrine, black throated diver (winter), red-throated diver (winter),

great northern diver (winter), slavonian grebe (winter), gannet, razorbill, dark bellied brent goose, wigeon, avocet, little egret, grey plover, lapwing, redshank, curlew, black-tailed godwit, oystercatcher, snipe, shoveler, sanderling, turnstone

Rivers and Standing open water, reedbeds - bittern, cetti’s warbler, reed warbler, sedge warbler, reed bunting, dipper

Wetlands - curlew, snipe, dunlin, golden plover, lapwing

Grassland and heathland – golden plover, nightjar, Dartford warbler, red grouse, hen harrier (wintering),

whinchat, wheatear, skylark, ring ouzel, merlin, stonechat*

Hedges / farmland - cirl bunting, linnet, song thrush, reed bunting, barn owl, skylark, grey partridge,

woodlark, bullfinch, buzzard* Bold = current UK priority species. Green, amber, red = increasing level of conservation concern (BoCC, 2009) * - selected as characteristic of Devon or of popular appeal

There are now a number of amber and red listed species missing from this list. These include belearic shearwater and aquatic warbler (both on the IUCN global red list), redstart, pied flycatcher, spotted flycatcher, wood warbler, manx shearwater, kittiwake, and herring gull. The above list will be updated in liaison with the RSPB.

Devon Species Action Plans were produced for the following species:

Barn Owl

Data Good. Devon Barn Owl Survey Report, 20032 (Barn Owl Trust and Devon Birdwatching and

Preservation Society). 2013 survey report due in 2014.

Context Like many farmland birds, the barn owl underwent a major decline during the 20th century

primarily due to agricultural intensification.

Range Favourable (stable since 1998). The 2003 survey showed that barn owls remain widely distributed other than in the upland areas of Devon. Barn owl are also scarce in some lowland areas, particularly between Dartmoor and the Tamar, Teignbridge, much of East Devon, and along the major road networks due to road mortality.

Population Favourable (increased since 1993). The 2003 Devon survey estimated the population to be at between 350 and 470 pairs, a 37% increase since the 1993 survey.

Habitat Unfavourable inadequate (see future prospects) Barn owl require rough, tussocky grassland with a litter layer and high density of field voles for foraging and suitable roosting and nesting sites. Barn owl habitat has increased slightly in Devon due to agri-environment support and the work of NGOs such as the Barn Owl Trust, DWT and FWAG.

Future prospects

Unfavourable inadequate. Although barn owl populations have almost certainly increased, their numbers are significantly less than historical levels as most farmland still lacks areas of prey-rich habitat. Many of the benefits from the conservation measures implemented (such as advice on habitat and rodenticide use) may be short-lived. Factors such as agricultural policy, support for agri-environment schemes, support for the Barn Owl Trust (and other conservation organisations), transport/road policy, and Local Authority planning policies will strongly influence the barn owl population in the future. The latest (2010) Predatory Bird Monitoring Scheme results show that 91% of Barn Owls contain anticoagulant rodenticides, the effects of which are unknown. Currently ~ 30% of all fledged young are killed on trunk roads. [

60]


Unfavourable inadequate

UK status (BoCC, 2008)

Amber

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Cirl bunting

Data Good. RSPB survey. Context The British cirl bunting population is principally found in south Devon, (although there are

sporadic records from Rame and the Lizard in Cornwall, a small population in East Devon and an increasing population in south Cornwall due to a re-introduction programme). The cirl bunting has been the focus of considerable conservation efforts. The RSPB cirl bunting project

3 has been working with farmers for the last 24 years. The project provides advice and

encourages farmers to establish and manage suitable habitat for cirls and other wildlife, largely through agri-environment schemes.

Range Unfavourable inadequate but improving. Despite the increasing population the range of cirl buntings has, due to their sedentary nature, undergone only a limited expansion and the species therefore remains vulnerable. Releases in Cornwall only finished in 2011 and it won’t be until 2015 that we will know whether there is a geographically separate, self-sustaining population. It is hoped that the recently colonised East Devon population will continue to expand.

Population Unfavourable inadequate but improving. In 1989, when the project started, the population was 118 territories. By 2009, the last national survey, the population has increased to 862 territories. The highest concentrations are found around the Kingsbridge, Dart and Teign Estuaries. There have been localised declines in population e.g. between the Yealm and Avon. The population north of the river Teign is particularly fragmented and threatened by built development. The reliance on agri-environment schemes means that any changes in funding can have a large impact.

Habitat Unfavourable inadequate. Weedy winter stubbles/spring cereals, low intensity grasslands and appropriately managed hedges have increased through the RSPB, and others, encouraging farmers into agri-environment schemes. Cirl bunting conservation is likely to be dependent on targeted agri-environment support rather than sustainable market driven farming practices and the future of agri-environment is uncertain.

Future prospects

Unfavourable inadequate. The cirl bunting project has been one of the great conservation success stories in recent years and the project will continue. It is likely that some historic cirl bunting areas around coastal settlements will be developed but there is potential to compensate for these losses through the creation of strategically placed reserves. However changes in agricultural policy, support for agri-environment schemes, and support for wildlife projects will have an impact on the population. This will require more creative ways of using limited resources.



UK status Increasing (BARS, 2008) Red (BoCC, 2009)

Nightjar

Data Good. Last full survey carried out in 2005, many sites monitored annually

Context An uncommon and local summer visitor and passage migrant in Devon.

Range / population

Favourable. Devon’s breeding population is concentrated on Dartmoor, Haldon and East Devon Commons and is believed to have increased since 1992. In 1992, 230 ‘churring’ males were recorded at 41 sites. In 2004

4 364 ‘churring’ males were recorded from 123 sites,

an apparent increase of 58% (note a possible slight increase in survey effort in 2004). Since this survey regular annual monitoring of a sample of breeding sites indicates a stable population.

Habitat Favourable. The main reason for the increase has been due to the clear felling of mature conifer plantations on Dartmoor resulting in bare ground which, provides suitable nesting habitats for nightjar provided that Forest Design Plans meet their needs.

Future prospects

Favourable The Forestry Commission’s long term felling plans may provide future nesting sites, especially on Dartmoor and Greater Haldon (again provided that Forest Design Plans meet their needs). The ongoing management of lowland heathland sites also sustains a more localised population, especially on Dartmoor and Greater Haldon.


Favourable

UK status

Increasing (BARS, 2008) Red (BoCC, 2009)

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Breeding curlew

Data Good. Upland surveys on Dartmoor (Wader Project) + annual monitoring of known breeding sites by Devon Bird Watching and Preservation Society volunteers.

Context Devon’s curlew population dropped from over 200 pairs in the 1980s to around 30 in the mid 1990s due to loss and fragmentation of habitat.

Range Unfavourable bad.

Population Unfavourable bad. The breeding population is now thought to be fewer than 5 – 8 pairs.

Habitat Unfavourable bad Undergrazing has affected past breeding sites on central Dartmoor and is still an issue. Currently, with populations at such a low level, predation of eggs and chicks is having a serious impact, with only four young curlews known to have successfully fledged in the last nine years. Disturbance at breeding sites is also an issue.

Future prospects

Unfavourable bad. The ‘Operation Wader’ initiative on Dartmoor was set up in 2004 and is working to improve habitat and reduce predator impacts. Predator control is very difficult on commons but some targeted crow control has been implemented resulting in annual hatching of eggs. Loss of chicks to predation is now identified as the main problem to fledging success. Further intervention to improve fledging success is ongoing on known breeding sites on Dartmoor. Annual monitoring is ongoing.


Unfavourable bad

UK status (BoCC, 2009)

Amber

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Other species

Upland birds.

The moors of Dartmoor and Exmoor are important strongholds for many bird species and hold nationally important numbers of meadow pipit, whinchat, stonechat, wheatear, Dartford warbler, nightjar and possibly cuckoo and grasshopper warbler. Dartmoor holds all of Southern England’s breeding red grouse, dunlin and ring ouzel as well as the largest breeding concentration of snipe left in Southern England and significant numbers of skylark. Red-backed shrike are also now found breeding on Dartmoor. Exmoor represents the only regular breeding site for merlin in South West England. Appropriate grazing regimes are essential in order to provide and maintain the range of habitats needed to support diverse moorland bird communities. Some breeding species such as Dartford warbler and stonechat are showing signs of ‘moving up the hill’ in line with predictions about climate change. At the same time, birds of higher altitudes such as ring ouzel are declining. We can increasingly expect to see climate change impacts affecting the bird populations of our uplands but by providing the best possible habitat conditions we can minimise such impacts.

Dartmoor. Results are based on moorland surveys carried out in 1979 & 2006-8 (other than nightjar

surveys4). Arrows below indicate population trend since 1979.

↑ - whinchat, nightjar, grey wagtail, redstart, stonechat, grasshopper warbler, Dartford warbler (although last

two cold winters knocked numbers), reed bunting.

↔ - dunlin, red grouse, skylark, snipe (one of the largest breeding populations in southern England), cuckoo.

↓ - meadow pipit (1992 –2006), wheatear, ring ouzel, golden plover (no records from breeding areas since

2008), lapwing, curlew.

Exmoor. Results based on moorland surveys carried out in 1992/3 & 2008 (other than nightjar4 and Dartford

warbler5) and include areas within both Devon and Somerset. Arrows indicate general population trend

between these surveys.

↑ - stonechat, linnet, grey wagtail, nightjar, grasshopper warbler, Dartford warbler, lesser redpoll, reed

bunting.

↔ - cuckoo, snipe, whitethroat, yellowhammer.

↓ - red grouse (extinct), lapwing (extinct), ring ouzel (extinct), skylark, tree pipit, meadow pipit, whinchat,

merlin, curlew, redstart, wheatear.

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Seabirds

Seabirds breed along much of Devon’s coastline, with two sites standing out as being of particular significance.

Lundy. Of the 26 seabird species that nest regularly in Britain and Ireland a total of 10 breed regularly on

Lundy. Manx shearwater, guillemots and razorbills occur in numbers of regional significance. Seabird numbers on Lundy are known to have fallen significantly since 1939 with much of the decline taking place in the 1940s. Predation by rats was one of the main reasons for decline in burrow nesting birds such as Manx shearwater and puffin. The Lundy Seabird Recovery Project (a partnership between English Nature, RSPB, National Trust and Landmark Trust) was established to increase the numbers and breeding success of birds and in the winter of 2003/2004 achieved the eradication of rats from the island. Various seabird surveys have been undertaken since 1939, including a census in 2000 (Seabird 2000) and subsequent censuses in 2004 and 2008. The next census will be undertaken in 2013. One of the key issues is now the identification and appropriate protection of key foraging areas. The designation of MCZs will be of great benefit to the seabird population, see coast and marine section. (Brown et al, 2011)

6

Current trend (in the context of largely dramatic declines during the 20

th century and numbers

remaining low)

↑ Manx shearwater. In 2004 fledglings were recorded for the first time in 40 years following the

eradication of rats. The 2008 survey found an increase in breeding numbers of 250% since 2001.

Razorbills. Numbers continued to fall to a low in 1986 but have since begun to steadily increase. This may be due to rat eradication and improved food availability.

Guillemots. Population appears to have stabilized since the 1970, with an increase between 2004 and 2008.

Puffin. The decline mirrors similar losses elsewhere in the south of its range (declined from 3,500 pairs in 1939 to single figures in 2004. Since the eradication of rats there has been a slight recovery in numbers.

↓ Kittiwake. A continual dramatic decline since 1939, which is thought to be due to, reduced prey

availability.

Berry Head. Supports the most important mainland breeding colony of guillemots in south west

England, with around 900 birds occupying the cliffs each year. There are concerns about disturbance at this colony which is protected by a local bylaw called a ‘Area of Special Protection’ (ASP). The Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust and RSPB are developing a monitoring project to better understand the issues, review the management of the ASP and as necessary, strengthen the level of protection for the guillemots.

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Woodland birds

Devon is an important stronghold for many priority woodland bird species, in particular the upland oak woodland assemblage of redstart, pied flycatcher and wood warbler. The county also supports potentially important populations of willow tits and lesser spotted woodpeckers, both of which have experienced serious declines nationally in recent decades. The national Repeat Woodland Bird Survey compared numbers from the mid 1980s to 2003/4

7. Trends are

available at the local level for Devon and Somerset combined. Results show:

↑ Spotted flycatchers - a 400% increase (this species is declining nationally)

↓ Willow warbler – a 68% decrease

Wood warbler – a 63% decrease (the decline of both warblers is in line with national trends).

In response to declines in many woodland birds and other woodland taxa such as bats and butterflies, a partnership of organisations, the South West Woodland Wildlife Initiative, has begun discussions over potential recovery actions including targeted species management advice for woodland owners. The Initiative includes RSPB, NE, FC, BCT, BC, Plantlife, Woodland Trust and Protected Landscapes.

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4.3 REPTILES and AMPHIBIANS Key species identified for conservation in Devon (Devon BAP, 1998) Sand lizard, great crested newt Bold = current UK priority species

Other UK priority species which occur in Devon (but not listed as ‘key’ in 1998) are: adder, grass snake, smooth snake, slow worm, common lizard, common toad and leatherback turtle.

There are no relevant Species Action Plans in the Devon BAP.

Great Crested Newt

Data Poor. Data obtained from surveys carried out for planning applications (but only when sent to DBRC) as well as survey and awareness raising undertaken by Devon Reptile and Amphibian Group across Devon in 2011 in order to find new records.[

25]

Context Great crested newts are on the edge of their UK range in Devon and a significant proportion of the county’s geology (acid granite) provides unsuitable habitat. There is no evidence that they have ever been widespread in Devon.

Range Favourable? Great crested newts are not widespread in Devon and are known to occur in the Bovey Basin, Torbay and East Devon areas. New records obtained from the 2011 project were largely in these areas, indicating that their range is stable. As stated above there is no evidence that they have ever been more widespread in Devon. However new populations are still being found and they are likely to be more widespread than current records show.

Population Unknown. The 2011 survey was largely focused on finding new sites. There is therefore little information on the overall population.

Habitat Unknown. Prefers shallow edged ponds for breeding, with abundant vegetation and no fish, connected to terrestrial habitat (rough grassland, woodland, scrub) for foraging, shelter and hibernation. Loss and degradation of ponds is an issue.

Future prospects

Unfavourable inadequate. Great crested newts are protected from development through European legislation (Devon guidance was produced in 2012). However, continuing threats include loss of, or deterioration of, ponds (e.g. pollution, siltation, shading), loss of adjacent terrestrial habitat or links to this habitat, and populations becoming (or remaining) isolated. As they are likely to be more widespread than current records show there is a risk of undetected populations being destroyed or harmed through development and other activities.


Unfavourable inadequate.


Unfavourable inadequate.

Sand lizard

Data Good. The Dawlish population is being monitored.

Context Nationally the population has declined dramatically since the 1950s and it became extinct in Devon.

Range / population

Unfavourable inadequate Over the last ten years the sand lizard has been introduced to two sand dune systems in Devon and although the populations are thought to be doing well they are not large enough to ensure long term viability of the species in Devon.

Habitat Unfavourable inadequate. This species occurs in lowland heathland and sand dune habitats.

Future prospects

Unfavourable bad. The long term persistence of this species is highly dependent on further introductions




Unfavourable inadequate but improving.

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Other priority species: The smooth snake is a lowland heath specialist and became extinct in Devon in the 1950s due to the loss and degradation of heathland sites. After 20 years of work to restore heathlands in East Devon as part of the National Heathland Restoration Programme, a reintroduction programme for the smooth snake was initiated on an RSPB reserve using snakes from Dorset. It is too early to know the success of this project. Adder, grass snake, slow worm, common lizard and common toad are all widespread in Devon and the Devon Reptile and Amphibian Group advises that they appear to be doing well due to the wide variety of habitats present across the county. Adder and common toad are thought to be declining at a national level but there is currently no evidence of this in Devon. Grass snakes are widely recorded in Plymouth and Exeter and may be becoming more reliant on garden ponds due to the loss of ponds from the wider countryside.

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4.4 FISH

Key species identified for conservation in Devon (Devon BAP, 1998) Atlantic salmon, brown trout, Allis shad, Twaite shad, sea lamprey, sea bass, common goby, red band fish, Stephen’s goby, giant goby, basking shark Bold = current UK priority species

A Devon Species Action Plan has been produced for Atlantic salmon:

Atlantic salmon

Data Moderate. Annual reports on the state of salmon stocks in England and Wales have been published for the past fifteen years by CEFAS and the EA, as required by ICES and NASCO (CEFAS / EA, 2012). These reports include information on the stock conservation limits for principal salmon rivers. Conservation Limits indicate the minimum spawning stock levels below which stocks should not be allowed to fall. Data is secured through catch information and traps / counters where these are present. The only river in Devon with a fish counter is the Tamar. The ‘management objective’ for salmon stocks is that they should meet or exceed their Conservation Limit in at least four years out of five. Assessment is based on the probability of the river meeting the management objective. Not at risk > 95% Probably not at risk 50 – 95% Probably at risk 5 – 50% At risk < 5%

Context The Atlantic salmon is a key indictor species, being dependent on very high water quality. There are thirteen salmon rivers in Devon (a significant proportion of the salmon rivers in southern England), the Exe, Teign, Dart, Avon, Erme, Plym, Tavy, Tamar, Torridge, Taw, Lyn and Axe and Yealm. The headwaters of the Teign, Dart, Erme, Yealm, Tavy and Taw are all within Dartmoor SAC with salmon being a ‘qualifying species’. The population underwent a substantial decline from around the 1960s. The River Axe was once a ‘classic’ salmon river, but declines in the 1970s reduced the population to virtual extinction. Annual stocking, installation of fish passes and improvements to water quality since 1990 led to a small but sustained recovery. Another example of long-term decline of stocks has been seen on the River Torridge as a result of water quality problems.

Range / population

Unfavourable inadequate. 2011 assessment of the Conservation Limits of Devon’s salmon rivers (CEFAS/EA, 2012): ‘At risk’: Axe, Erme, Yealm, Plym and Torridge ‘Probably at risk’: Avon, Tamar, Dart, Tavy ‘Probably not at risk’: Teign, Taw, Lyn ‘Not at risk’: Exe

Habitat Unfavourable inadequate. Salmon require clean well-oxygenated river gravels for spawning, coarse boulder / cobble / pebble substrates for fry and parr (juvenile fish), cover (e.g. from woody debris, overhanging vegetation and aquatic macrophytes), an abundant supply of insect prey and unimpeded access between spawning beds and the sea. Issues identified by the EA (2012)

1 include water quality (siltation from soil erosion, pesticides

from sheep dip and water abstraction / flow modification) and channel morphology (including barriers to fish migration).

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Future prospects

Unfavourable inadequate - improving 2016 predicted assessment of the Conservation Limits of Devon’s salmon rivers (CEFAS/EA, 2012): ‘At risk’: none ‘Probably at risk’: Avon, Tamar, Axe, Erme, Yealm, Plym Torridge ‘Probably not at risk’: Teign, Taw, Lyn, Dart, Tavy ‘Not at risk’: Exe In 2008, the EA published a new sea trout and salmon fisheries strategy

2 with a goal of “more

sea trout and more salmon in more rivers bringing more benefit” and an emphasis on improving the environment (EA, 2008). The European Water Framework Directive and the programme of measures under the River Basin Management Plans are integral to delivering this strategy. The EA has identified and prioritised factors affecting individual river stocks in Sea Trout and Salmon Catchment Summaries. Priority is given to improving water bodies which are not achieving ‘Good Ecological Status’ and/or fisheries that are below Conservation Limits. The EA is giving a greater focus on partnership, reflecting the growth of other bodies such as the Westcountry Rivers Trust and Devon Wildlife Trust who are able to deliver using wider sources of funding.





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4.5 INVERTEBRATES

Key species identified for conservation in Devon (Devon BAP, 1998)

Woodland – Carabus intricatus (blue ground beetle), heath fritillary, pearl bordered fritillary, orange

upperwing (moth), stag beetle, Formica rufa (wood-ant), wood cricket, Velleius dilatatus (rove beetle), Neoascia oblique (hoverfly), Limnophilia abdominalis (cranefly), Anatella lenis (fungus gnat), Chalandea pinguis (centipede), Anthogona britannica (millipede)

Coast (including sea cliff) and marine - Sandbowl snail, Lasioglossum angusticeps (bee), Lundy cabbage flea beetle, sunset cup coral, Eunicalla verrucosa (pink sea fan), Amphianthus dohrnii (sea anemone) Thyme lacebug, Cathormiocerus attaphhillus (weevil), Dionaea aurifrons (parasitic fly), great green bushcricket, Andrena hattorfiana (mining bee), Nomada guttulata (cuckoo bee), N. sexfasciata (cuckoo bee), Lasioglossum laticeps (mining bee), Adicellis filicornis (caddis fly), Ernodes urticularis (caddis fly), Calliepis nocturna (spider), Cardiphorus erichsoni (click beetle), Morris’s wainscot (moth), scarce black-neck (moth), Leptoiulus belgicus (millipede), Ophelia bicornis (polychaete wor Gammarus chevreuxi (crustacean), Laomedia angulate (hydroid), Anthopleara baltii (sea anemone), red sea finger (sponge), Molgula oculata (sea squirt), Scarlet and gold star coral, Devonshire cup coral, , Ross coral, Haplangia dortrix (coral), Carophylla inornate (cup coral), edible sea urchin, Episinus maculipes (spider), Aglaophenia kirchenpaueri (hydroid) Okenia elegans (mollusc), Tritonia nilsodneri (bean slug), Ocinebrina aciculate (sea snail), Cataphellia brodicii (sea anemone), Isozoanthus sulcatus (sea anemone), Pycnoclavella aurilucens (sea squirt), Axinella damicornis (sponge) Thymosia guernia (sponge) Suberites massa, Sabellaria alveolate (polychaete), Sabellaria spinulosa (polychaete), Hartluabella gelatinosa (hydroid), Stelliger bellulus (sea slug)

Rivers / Standing open water – Hydrochus nitidicollis (water beetle), white-clawed crayfish, freshwater pearl mussel fairy shrimp, Lymnaea glabra (snail), Pseudamnicola confusa (snail), scarce blue-tailed damselfly, small red damselfly, medicinal leech.

Inland rock exposures / caves / mines – Trigoniophthalmus alternatus (bristletail), Niphargus glennei

(shrimp)

Heathland / grassland - southern damselfly, Formica exsecta (narrow headed ant), silver-studded blue, high-brown fritillary, heath fritillary, hornet robberfly, large blue butterfly, Pelecocera tricincta (hoverfly), hairy dragonfly, ruddy darter

Wetland – Marsh fritillary, Eristalis cryptarum (bog hoverfly), narrow-bordered bee hawk-moth, small pearl-bordered fritillary, southern damselfly, marbled white, keeled skimmer, double-line moth, Syndyas nigripes (dance fly), Tipula marginata (cranefly)

Farmland / Hedges – Small eggar (moth), brown hairstreak

Bold font = UK Priority BAP

56 UK priority invertebrates (excluding butterflies and moths) occur in Devon and only 14 are listed above. Species missing include all the priority bumblebees, oil beetles, flies, spiders (only two spiders listed out of a county list of approximately 400 species) and moths (no micro moths are currently listed and many macro moths are missing from the list). The above list will therefore be updated in liaison with organisations such as BugLife, Butterfly Conservation and the Devon Moth Group.

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Devon Species Action Plans have been produced for the following species:

Pink sea fan Data Poor

Context Pink sea fans are very slow growing corals which are widely distributed in the south west of Britain. They are attached to the seabed and provide an important habitat for the nationally rare sea fan anemone and the sole habitat for the sea fan slug.

Range / population

Unfavourable inadequate. In Devon, the pink sea fan is found in far higher concentrations on the south coast where estimates suggest that there are several million at present. Population trends are not known. However, it can be assumed that numbers and distribution have been negatively affected by destructive fishing practices (e.g. dredging and bottom trawling), sediment smothering, recreational activity and climate change.

Habitat See above.

Future prospects

Unfavourable inadequate but improving. Protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Protected from commercial fishing activities via the Lundy Marine Conservation Zones, the Lyme Bay designated area. The proposed new network of Marine Protected Areas and improved management of fishing activities in European Marine Sites should further reduce direct impacts. Future prospects rely on effective implementation of proposed conservation measures.




Stable

Freshwater pearl mussel

Data Poor

Context This species has been exploited for its pearls since Roman times, and is now a rare globally threatened species that has been lost from all but seven rivers in England. In Devon it was historically found in the Tamar, Exe, Dart, Teign, Taw and Torridge. Devon has the only remaining populations in southern England.

Range Unfavourable bad. Small populations are now only found in the Taw and Torridge.

Population Unfavourable bad. The results of a 2002 survey of the Torridge suggested a maximum 1,800 individuals along a 20 km stretch of the Torridge. A 1999 survey found only 49 mussels in the River Taw and a tributary. No mussels were present in dense beds as would be expected in a healthy population and all remaining mussels are at least 50 years old. Extinction is likely within 10-20 years in the absence of successful reproduction and recruitment of young mussels.

Habitat Unfavourable bad but improving. The freshwater pearl mussel is a bivalve living in fast flowing and nutrient poor rivers. The decline in population is largely due to fine silts clogging the river bed, high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous and potential decline in fish which act as larval hosts.

Future prospects

Unfavourable bad but improving. A national breeding and research programme is underway with a long term aim to re-stock rivers. Habitat management on tributaries of these rivers is underway. Translocation of mussels to suitable habitat within the catchments is being considered.


Unfavourable bad


Unfavourable bad and deteriorating

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White clawed crayfish

Data Good.

Context Although still widely distributed throughout England and Wales, the white clawed crayfish is in serious decline due to competition from introduced American signal crayfish and the crayfish plague they carry. In Devon, the species was historically found in the rivers Exe, Culm, Clyst, Creedy, Creedy Yeo and Otter.

Range / population

Unfavourable bad. Currently present in the Creedy Yeo and Creedy system (below the Yeo confluence) and the Culm. Although Devon is currently free of crayfish plague these two remaining populations are declining and likely to become extinct as signal crayfish are spreading through their river reaches, killing/out-competing them as they go.

Habitat Unfavourable bad. See above. River habitat is suitable but presence of signal crayfish makes this irrelevant to native crayfish survival.

Future prospects

Unfavourable bad. The Environment Agency is working with Buglife and Devon Wildlife Trust to translocate native crayfish, under licence, from rivers to suitable water bodies in order to prevent their extinction in the county. There is currently no solution to controlling signal crayfish. Please refer to: http://www.buglife.org.uk/conservation/currentprojects/Species+Action/UK+Crayfish+Website


Unfavourable bad


Unfavourable bad and deteriorating

Southern damselfly

Data Very good. Transects counts of adults from all sites and larval assessments at Dartmoor sites annually.

Context Southern damselflies are restricted in range to the south of England and coastal Wales. They are recognised internationally as in danger of extinction. Up to 25% of the global population is thought to occur in the UK. Since 1950 the range of the southern damselfly has reduced by 16% in the UK. The Devon population also declined until the 1990s and was lost from two known sites (Hense Moor in 1965 and Venn Ottery Common in 1990, the latter is currently subject to a re-establishment project).

Range / population

Unfavouable inadequate. Currently occur on Dartmoor and the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths. Four populations on Dartmoor have been discovered since 1996. Two of these are managed and have stable populations, one of the remaining sites has a relatively large and stable, but unmanaged, population and the nearby fourth site is managed but has a very small population. There are two managed populations on the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths and a third site is the subject of a so far successful re-establishment programme. Five of the seven Devon populations are being managed and numbers suggest a stable or increasing populations of this species relative to early 1990 levels, except for one East Devon site and part of one Dartmoor site where undergrazing is a recent problem.

Habitat Unfavourable inadequate. Breed in slow-moving streams and boggy runnels. Part of one Dartmoor site and one East Devon site have degraded as a result of reduced grazing pressure in recent years.

Future prospects

Favourable. Climate change may improve this species’ status, providing the flows in its favoured streams and land management inputs are maintained.





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Marsh fritillary

Data Good.

Context Devon is a stronghold for this species and in 1998 supported 20% of known UK colonies.

Range / population

Unfavourable bad but improving. Occurs on the Rhôs pastures of the Culm measures and Dartmoor, and the spring line mires of the Blackdown Hills. A 2005 survey revealed a 35% decline since 1999/2000. Population now thought to be stable.

Habitat Unfavourable bad but improving. Occurs in a range of habitats, especially wet grasslands, where devil’s-bit scabious is found (its larval food plant). Management issues include grazing levels, burning and cutting.

Future prospects

Unfavourable inadequate. Due to recent conservation efforts to manage habitat (Working Wetlands and the Two Moors Threatened Butterfly Project) the population is currently thought to be relatively stable. However, as for many other species, factors such as agricultural policy,

support for agri-environment schemes and support for wildlife projects will influence the population in the future.


Unfavourable bad


Unfavourable bad

Pearl bordered fritillary

Data Moderate?

Context Devon is a stronghold for the pearl bordered fritillary.

Range / population

Unfavourable bad. A 2004 survey showing a 30% decline since 1997/8. There are now only ~ 50 sites in the county. The 2011 survey showed an increase in the Devon population, possibly due to the cold winter followed by a warm spring.

Habitat Unfavourable bad. Found where violets occur in well drained grasslands with scattered scrub and bracken or wood clearings. Lack of coppicing in woodland sites and traditional grazing on bracken slopes, are likely to have led to a loss of violets. Milder and wetter winters experienced until recently may have caused bracken slopes to become grassier with more bramble, bluebells and foxgloves. Milder winters also mean that parasites are likely to survive in greater numbers.

Future prospects

Unfavourable bad.


Unfavourable bad


Unfavourable bad

Other species: Other butterflies and moths (bold = current UK priority species). Large blue. There have been no sightings at the Hembury re-introduction site over the last four years and it is thought to be extinct in Devon. High brown fritillary. This species continues to decline in Devon and is one of Britain’s most rapidly declining butterflies. There are now only 15 colonies in three core areas, The Heddon Valley (Exmoor) and the Dart and Walkham Valleys (Dartmoor). All outlying colonies have been confirmed as extinct. Reasons for the decline are likely to be as for pearl bordered fritillary. Heath fritillary. Heath fritillary was re-introduced to a Butterfly Conservation reserve at Lydford in 1994 and the population was recorded at its highest level in 2010. Both high brown and heath fritillaries are the focus of the Two Moors Butterfly Project (along with marsh fritillary).

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The status of other butterflies is considered to be stable in Devon. Devon is a national stronghold for the brown hairstreak and numbers are relatively stable. The silver-studded blue is nationally declining but has shown a slight increase in numbers on the East Devon Pebblebed Heath where management for this species is undertaken by Clinton Devon Estates and the RSPB. The small pearl-bordered fritillary is declining nationally but remains widespread in Devon where suitable habitat occurs. Omissions from the 1998 BAP list now include grizzled skipper and white admiral (both of which are declining in Devon) and wood white (a rare species found on the East Devon coast and a few inland locations). The narrow-bordered bee hawk moth is known on various sites, especially on Dartmoor and is often associated with marsh fritillary butterflies as they share the same food plant (devil’s bit scabious). The Dartmoor population is through to be stable.

Morris’s wainscot is internationally rare. In Britain it is only known to exist on a short stretch of the West Dorset coast and just into Devon at Culverhole and Axmouth. The scarce black-neck only occurs on the coast in North Devon and adjacent coast in Somerset and Cornwall. The larvae were considered to depend on Vicia sylvatica but at Hartland Point occur more commonly on Vicia cracca. Devon is a stronghold for the double line which is fairly widespread and, in places, abundant in the county. Small eggar appears to be scarce in Devon but may be under recorded. It has suffered from flailing of blackthorn hedges, where the larvae feed. The Devon list of macro moths will be updated to include UK priority species (such as goat moth, dingy mocha, false mocha and chalk carpet) as well as species for which Devon has a particular responsibility (such as triangle, ground lackey, Devon carpet, dotted carpet, Devonshire wainscot and Bloxworth snout – to name just a few). The Devon list of key species will also be updated to include micro moths. Devon supports nationally rare micro moths, including Ectoedemia heckfordi (discovered by Bob Heckford in the Dart Valley in 2004 and, so far, not known to occur anywhere else in the world), Infurcitinea albicomella (not known to occur anywhere else in Britain), Ischnoscia borreonella (known at only 3 coastal limestone sites in Britain) and Celypha rurestrana (found in Ilfracombe in 1985 and not found anywhere else in Britain since).

Other dragonflies and damselflies (underlined = key to Devon in 1998)

Scarce chaser and hairy dragonfly have both increased in range recently, possibly due to climate change, Downy emerald has small but apparently stable populations at a few sites in the Bovey Basin and on the East Devon Pebblebed Heaths. The status of ruddy darter remains precarious, but probably stable, in the county. The red-eyed damselfly has been lost from a few sites during the past 20 years and, although a few sites have been discovered, the poor colonising ability of this species suggests an overall decline. There is no evidence of any clear population trends for small red, scarce blue-tailed and white-legged damselflies.

Beetles (bold = current UK priority species) Devon is a national stronghold for the blue ground beetle (Carabus intricatus) with most of the UK population occurring on the southern edge of Dartmoor. The Dartmoor population is thought to be stable.

The Lundy cabbage flea beetle is a global endemic, found only on Lundy.

The list of beetles will be updated. However note that Devon supports the only UK population of the Mediterranean oil beetle and is one of only two known locations of the short necked oil beetle (Meloe brevicollis) thought to be extinct in Britain until it was rediscovered on the south Devon coast in 2006.

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Bees, ants and wasps (bold = current UK priority species)

Devon supports the only remaining English population of the narrow headed ant (Formica exsecta). The only remaining UK population of the cuckoo bee (Nomada sexfasciata) occurs along a short stretch of the South Devon coast with the Prawle Point to Start Point SSSI.. The long horned bee (Eucera longicornis) is the the host of N sexfasciata and the population at Prawle is thought to be significant nationally (this species was not listed in the 1998 BAP). The soft cliffs of this SSSI are recognised as being one of the most important sites for solitary bees and wasps in the UK.

The bee Lasioglossum angusticeps is found in the Sidmouth area and distribution seems relatively unchanged since 1998. However the tormentil mining bee (Andrena tarsata) (not listed in the 1998 BAP) used to be all over South Devon heaths and moors but there are no known recent records.

True flies (bold = current UK priority species)

Bog hoverfly (Eristalis cryptarum). Thought to now be extinct in Cornwall and Somerset. The only UK population is now found on Dartmoor and is believed to be stable.

Hornet robberfly (Asilus crabroniformis) One of our largest and most spectacular flies found in Wales and southern England and associated with dung.

Spiders (bold = current UK priority species)

Only two spiders Calliepis nocturnum and Episinus maculipes were listed in the 1998 BAP, neither of which are UK priority species. There are currently 400 species of spider on the county list, 11 of which are on the UK priority list. The Devon list will be updated but of interest is the horrid ground-weaver spider (Nothphantes horridus) which has only ever been found at two old quarries in Plymouth, but hasn’t been seen since 1995. Buglife has set up a project to search for this small money spider which is.one of the rarest invertebrates in the UK and may be one of the rarest spiders in the world.

Snails (bold = current UK priority species)

Amber sandbowl snail (Catinella arenaria) lives in wet hollows in sand dunes in two sites in the UK, including Braunton Burrows.

Corals and sea anemones (bold = current UK priority species) Sunset cup coral (Leptopsammia microcardia). British populations occur on rocky shores in the south west. Populations are declining. Numbers of sunset cup corals on Lundy island fell by almost a quarter in one recent four year period. They no longer occur at all near Ilfracombe in north Devon. Sea fan anemone (Amphianthus dohrnii). In Britain most frequently recorded off Plymouth’s coast.

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4.6 PLANTS and FUNGI

Key species identified for conservation in Devon (Devon BAP, 1998) Woodland - yellow bird’s-nest, Graphina pauciloculata (lichen), Schismatomma graphidoides (lichen), rare and threatened whitebeams, golden-hair lichen, orange fruited elm lichen, spring snowflake, small-leaved lime, purple gromwell, greater butterfly orchid, lungwort lichens, Poria guaranitica (lichen), filmy ferns, hay-scented buckler fern, flax-leaved St John’s-wort, Irish spurge, wild daffodils. Coast and marine – early gentian, chamomile, water germander, round-headed club rush, sea stock, golden-hair lichen, Lundy cabbage, triangular clubrush, Peacock’s tail (alga), shore dock, petalwort (liverwort), sand crocus, sharp rush, Ramalina siliquosa (lichen), Roccella fuciformis (lichen), Heterodermia leucomelos (Ciliate straplichen), Bartula cordata (Cordate Beard Moss), lanceolate spleenwort, maidenhair fern, small rest-harrow, purple gromwell, sea lavender, Nottingham catchfly, small hare’s-ear, goldilocks aster, balm-leaved figwort, tree mallow, dwarf spike-rush, parsley water-dropwort, corky-fruited water-dropwort, frogbit, marsh arrowgrass, thrift, Pterosiphonia pennata (alga), Asperococcus compressus (alga), Bornetia secundiflora (alga), Gelidium sesquipidale (alga), Gigartina pistillata (alga), Gracilaria bursapastoris (red alga), Gymnogongrus devoniensis (red alga), Laminaria ochroleuca (brown alga), eel grasses (Zostera spp.) Rivers / standing open water – strapwort, multi-fruited river moss, large Atlantic pocket moss, spring quillwort, lungwort lichens, filmy fern, Cornish moneywort Inland rock exposures – Tortula solmsii (moss), filmy ferns, forked spleenwort, flax-leaved St John’s wort Grassland / heathland – heath lobelia, vigur’s eyebright, early gentian, field eryngo, Deptford pink, chamomile, stag’s horn clubmoss, greater butterfly orchid, white rock rose, honewort, small hare’s ear, small rest-harrow, goldilocks aster, autumn squill, little-robin Wetland – marsh clubmoss, Irish lady’s tresses Sphagnum imbricatum (bog moss), cranberry, bog orchid, wavy St John’s wort, meadow thistle Hedges / farmland - bastard balm, Plymouth pear, field eryngo, pennyroyal, broad-fruited cornsalad, balm-leaved figwort Species listed due to being characteristic of Devon or of popular appeal – heather, great sundew, oblong-leaved sundew, many-leaved pocket-moss, slender bird’s foot trefoil, hairy bird’s-foot trefoil, green-winged orchid, Royal fern, early meadow-grass, primrose, Western gorse Bold = UK Priority BAP This list will be revised in liaison with organisations such as Plantlife, BSBI and the British Lichen Society.

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Devon Species Action Plans have been produced for the following species:

The golden hair lichen

Data Good

Context The golden hair lichen (Teloschistes flavicans) is one of the most pollution-sensitive of all the lichens. It has undergone a substantial contraction in its national range over the last century (thought to be due to air pollution) and is now only found in the South West and Wales.

Range / population

Unfavourable inadequate? In 1998 there were four core sites in Devon (Lundy, Stokenham, Prawle Point and Start Point) as well as ten other sites. NE monitor the population at Stokenham SSSI (designated for its lichen interest) every five years. Monitoring in 2012 showed that the lichen is still found at Stokenham but not within the SSSI . The species is declining in East Devon and now thought to be extinct on Dartmoor, but remains stable elsewhere.

Habitat Favourable? Inland golden hair lichen grows only on trees, favouring ash and sycamore, but on the coast, where it can be locally abundant, is also to be found on rocks and on the ground, but always in airy, well-lit situations. The species appears to have poor powers of colonisation, even apparently suitable trees adjacent to healthy populations may remain un-colonised, and this may be an important factor explaining the rarity of this lichen, combined with the possible effects of air pollution

Future prospects

Unfavourable inadequate? The Golden hair lichen is within Natural England’s Species Recovery Programme and between 1997 and 2002 transplanting was carried out at five sites in Devon and Dorset. The results were moderately successful, with 6 out of more than 36 transplants showing new growth in 2002. Many trees supporting the lichen are protected though Tree Preservation Orders. However at many of the core sites the species is only present on a single tree or rock and is therefore vulnerable to threats such as felling and ivy growth.


Unfavourable inadequate?

UK status

Declining

Other lichens listed in 1998 (bold = current UK priority species) Graphina pauciloculata – stable. Lungwort lichens are very sensitive to pollution and all are declining (in Devon or nationally – or both? Ramalina siliquosa is common in Devon and should not be listed as a key species in 1998. Heterodermia leucomelos (Ciliate straplichen) – extinct in Devon There are currently 24 lichens from the UK priority list in Devon, including Usnea florida which has declined dramatically in the last 20 years.

Rare whitebeams

Devon is one of the richest counties in Britain for whitebeam and supports eight species of ‘apomictic’ whitebeam (set viable seed without fertilisation). Devon supports eight such species, all but one of which of which are endemic to Britain and Ireland; the Devon whitebeam S. devoniensis, S. subcuneata, S. anglica, S. vexans, S. porrigentiformis, the rock whitebeam S. rupicola and two un-named species known as “Taxon D” and East Lyn Valley form. Sorbus subcuneata is on the IUCN list of globally vulnerable species. The majority of these apomictic whitebeams occupy particular habitats, mainly on thin soils over base rich rocks, and some are restricted to one or two sites. However the Devon whitebeam is found across the county, predominantly in hedgerows. Populations of most species appear to be currently stable although some sites are threatened by scrub encroachment. Scrub clearance has taken place at sites on the Torbay coast and at Stoneycombe Quarry near Kingskerswell. Future work includes genetic studies of the relationships between species, surveys to determine population sizes where unknown (led by BSBI) and field trials to determine best management practices.

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Vascular plants (bold = current UK priority species) Edging towards extinction Irish Ladies’ tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana). Since it disappeared from its last site on wet heath near Tavistock it is now considered extinct in Devon and England. Reasons are poorly understood. Dwarf Spike-rush (Eleocharis parvula) Just one small patch on the River Avon remains. Shading by trees, deposition of ‘liquid’ muds, erosion by mooring boats, lack of grazing of brackish riverside marsh, and, possibly sea level rise, are all issues. Field Gentian (Gentianella campestris). Late flowering and poorly recorded, Field Gentian was last seen on Roborough Down. A short annual with short-lived seeds it requires specific continual short and open grassland conditions. Perhaps as few as six populations now exist in southern England (not on the 1998 list) Water Germander (Teucrium scordium) Found at Braunton and Northam Burrows. Possible only two other sites in the UK. The population at Braunton has undergone a massive decline over the past decade or so, and the plant has not been seen at Northam Burrows for a couple of years (from a high of nearly 10,000 ‘plants’ in 2000). Lowered water tables, lack of bare ground and excessive rabbit grazing have all been implicated in the decline, but it is hoped that practical work by the Christie Estate, Torridge District Council, Natural England and Plantlife at both sites may reverse the decline, at least locally, in 2014. Triangular Club-rush (Schoenoplectus triqueter). Became extinct as a British plant when populations along the banks of the tidal Tamar were lost to reed cover and erosion. Plants have been planted out in two sites on the riverbank and small populations have been re-established Plymouth pear. The only known wild population is found at Plymbridge Lane and Estover Road SSSI which in 2008 was assessed by NE as unfavourable declining due to shading from trees likely to be adversely affecting growth and ability to sucker (the only means of reproduction in this species) Very rare Forked Spleenwort (Asplenium septentrionale). A single plant survives on a prominent Dartmoor rock outcrop (down from two plants a few years ago). The plant is healthy, produces copious spores, but nevertheless is probably Devon’s rarest plant. Rare but stable Bastard balm. A BSBI survey of bastard balm in 2010 found that it generally seems to be doing well. A few sites have been lost but new ones have been found. Flax leaved St John’s wort (Hypericum linariifolium) The majority of the British population is found on Dartmoor. DNPA and DWT are carrying out monitoring and habitat management at various sites and the population is thought to be stable. Also known as toadflax-leaved St John’s wort.

Vigur’s eyebright (Euphrasia vigursii). Endemic to Devon and Cornwall and found at only a few sites on the

western fringes of Dartmoor. The largest population is found at Lydford High Down. Monitoring and management at all sites is being carried out. The population is thought to be relatively stable but with a long term decline. Rare but increasing White Rockrose (Helianthemum apenninum). One of the classic rarities of the Torbay limestones (and otherwise only known from limestone exposures at the seaward end of the Mendips), the species is still abundant in a number of sites, notably Berry Head. Practical work by the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust and Plantlife at some of its northern Torbay sites (notably Daddyhole Plain and Rock End Walk), removing both scrub and leaf litter, has resulted in spectacular increases in populations locally, from buried dormant seed.

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Greater Butterfly Orchid (Platanthera chlorantha). This orchid continues to flourish in some of the hay meadows in the heart of Dartmoor, but one of the most significant Devon (and national) populations is to be found on a road junction of the A38, where over 1000 flowering plants grow alongside seven other orchid species. Road verge management by the Highways Agency and Enterprise Mouchel have seen the orchid expand its range along the main carriageway of the trunk road Round-headed Club-rush (Scirpoides holoschoenus). With the exception of the just a single plant in Somerset, Braunton Burrows is the only place in Britain where this club-rush grows as a confirmed native. The Devon population numbers many thousands of plants. Creation of scrapes within the Burrows dunes slacks has resulted in the natural expansion of this rarity in a number of localities. Further work in 2014 should allow the further expansion of the species Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria). Devon is the national stronghold of this species in Britain, with the country’s largest population residing on road verges around Buckfastleigh and Ashburton. Populations on the outskirts of Buckfastleigh are being monitored by the Dartmoor National Park Authority (on numbers thousands of plants), whilst two populations on the A38 are managed by Enterprise Mouchel on behalf of the Highways Agency, and whilst numbers fluctuate annually, favourable management is allowing this species to slowly expand its range. Strapwort (Corrigiola litoralis) Volunteer management work on the margins of Slapton Ley – the sole remaining UK site – has resulted in an increase in population size here.

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5 ACRONYMS AONB Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty BAP Biodiversity Action Plan BARS Biodiversity Action Reporting System BSBI Botanical Society of the British Isles BTO British Trust for Ornithology CAP Common Agricultural Policy Cefas Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science CWS County Wildlife Site CGS County Geological Site DBRC Devon Biodiversity Records Centre Defra Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs DNPA Dartmoor National Park Authority DWT Devon Wildlife Trust EA Environment Agency ELS Entry Level Stewardship (Environmental Stewardship agri-environment scheme)

ESA Environmentally Sensitive Areas Scheme (all agreements end in 2014)

EWGS England Woodland Grant Scheme FC Forestry Commission FWAG Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (now FWAG SouthWest)

HLS Higher Level Stewardship (Environmental Stewardship agri-environment scheme) ICES International Council for the Exploration of the Seas IFCA Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities JNCC Joint Nature Conservation Committee MCZ Marine Conservation Zone MMO Marine Management Organisation NASCO North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation NBN National Biodiversity Network NE Natural England NGO Non Governmental Body NIA Nature Improvement Area PTES People’s Trust for Endangered Species RIGS Regionally Important Geodiversity Sites SAC Special Area of Conservation SPA Special Protection Area WFD Water Framework Directive

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6 References

1. Introduction 1: Devon BAP Partnership. 1998. The Nature of Devon. http://www.devon.gov.uk//devon_biodiversity_action_plan.htm 2: State of Nature. UK. 2013 http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/science/stateofnature/index.aspx 3: Defra (2011) The Natural Choice: securing the value of nature. http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/whitepaper/ 4: Defra (2011) Biodiversity 2020: A Strategy for England’s Wildlife and Ecosystem Services. http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/2011/08/19/pb13583-biodiversity-strategy-2020/

5: Devon Local Nature Partnership - http://www.naturaldevon.org.uk/

2. Designated sites 2.1 Sites of Special Scientific Interest 1: JNCC. SSSI Common Standards Monitoring - http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-2217. 2: Natural England. SSSI condition data - http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/sssi/report.cfm?category=C,CF

2.2 County Wildlife Sites 1: CWS selection criteria - http://www.dbrc.org.uk/county-wildlife-site-project-photos/ 2: Defra. Local Sites target. http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/biodiversity/uk/ 3: CWS monitoring in Devon - http://www.dbrc.org.uk/biodiversity-monitoring-framework

3 Habitats 1: JNCC. UK habitat classification - http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-5706

3.1 Woodland 1: Forestry Commission, National Forest Inventory (2011) 2: Natural England. Traditional Orchard project in England (2011) - http://nepubprod.appspot.com/publication/47015?category=10006 3: The Deer Initiative - http://www.thedeerinitiative.co.uk/di_in_england/south_west_england.php 4: Forestry Commission. The English Woodland Grant Scheme - http://www.forestry.gov.uk/ewgs 5: Dartmoor National Park. Restoring Ancient Woodlands Project - http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/lookingafter/laf-naturalenv/laf-treeswoodlands/laf-restoringancientwoodlands.

http://www.devon.gov.uk/devon_biodiversity_action_plan.htm

http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/science/stateofnature/index.aspx

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/whitepaper/

http://www.defra.gov.uk/publications/2011/08/19/pb13583-biodiversity-strategy-2020/

http://www.naturaldevon.org.uk/

http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-2217

http://www.sssi.naturalengland.org.uk/Special/sssi/report.cfm?category=C,CF

http://www.dbrc.org.uk/county-wildlife-site-project-photos/

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/natural/biodiversity/uk/

http://www.dbrc.org.uk/biodiversity-monitoring-framework


http://nepubprod.appspot.com/publication/47015?category=10006

http://www.thedeerinitiative.co.uk/di_in_england/south_west_england.php

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/ewgs

http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/lookingafter/laf-naturalenv/laf-treeswoodlands/laf-restoringancientwoodlands

http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/lookingafter/laf-naturalenv/laf-treeswoodlands/laf-restoringancientwoodlands

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6: Silvanus Trust. Working our Woodlands - http://www.silvanustrust.org.uk/index.php?page=working-our-woodlands 7: Devon Ward Forester Project - http:www.wardforester.co.uk/?page_id=4 8: Devon Ancient Tree Forum - http://frontpage.woodland-trust.org.uk/ancient-tree-forum/atfaboutus/devon.htm 9: Devon Wildlife Trust. Northern Devon NIA - http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/northern-devon-nature-improvement-area/ 3.2 Coast and marine

1: Natural England. Designation of Marine Conservation Zones - http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/marine/mpa/mcz/default.aspx. 2: Estuary Partnerships http://www.devonmaritimeforum.org.uk/index.php/Partnerships-Projects/estuary-a-coastal-partnerships.html 3: Devon Maritime Forum - http://www.devonmaritimeforum.org.uk/ 4: Environment Agency. Shoreline management plans - http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/planning/105014.aspx 5: Finding Sanctuary. Information on recommended MCZs in Devon - http://www.finding-sanctuary.org/page/home.html) + Finding Sanctuary (2011) Final Recommendations. http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120502152638/http:/www.finding-sanctuary.org/

3.3 Rivers and Standing Open Water 1: Natural England. Catchment sensitive farming http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/farming/csf/default.aspx

2: Environment Agency. Catchment Restoration Fund - http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/planning/136182.aspx + Catchment Restoration Fund River Improvement Projects - http://www.wrt.org.uk/projects/crf.html

3: Upstream Thinking - http://www.upstreamthinking.org/

4: Environment Agency. The South West River Basin Management Plan (SWRBMP) - http://www.environmentagency.gov.uk/research/planning/125027.aspx.

3.4 Wetlands 1: Mires on the Moors - http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/lookingafter/laf-naturalenv/dartmoormiresproject and http://www.exmoormires.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=8699

2: Devon Wildlife Trust. Working Wetlands - http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/working-wetlands/

http://www.silvanustrust.org.uk/index.php?page=working-our-woodlands

http://wardforester.co.uk/?page_id=4

http://frontpage.woodland-trust.org.uk/ancient-tree-forum/atfaboutus/devon.htm

http://frontpage.woodland-trust.org.uk/ancient-tree-forum/atfaboutus/devon.htm

http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/northern-devon-nature-improvement-area/

http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/northern-devon-nature-improvement-area/

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/marine/mpa/mcz/default.aspx

http://www.devonmaritimeforum.org.uk/index.php/Partnerships-Projects/estuary-a-coastal-partnerships.html

http://www.devonmaritimeforum.org.uk/index.php/Partnerships-Projects/estuary-a-coastal-partnerships.html

http://www.devonmaritimeforum.org.uk/

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/planning/105014.aspx


http://www.finding-sanctuary.org/page/home.html

http://www.finding-sanctuary.org/page/home.html

http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120502152638/http:/www.finding-sanctuary.org/

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/farming/csf/default.aspx



http://www.wrt.org.uk/projects/crf.html

http://www.upstreamthinking.org/


http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/lookingafter/laf-naturalenv/dartmoormiresproject

http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/lookingafter/laf-naturalenv/dartmoormiresproject

http://www.exmoormires.org.uk/index.cfm?articleid=8699

http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/working-wetlands/

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3.5 Grassland and heathland 1: Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust. Loving our limestone - See http://www.countryside-trust.org.uk/mainsub.cfm?id=11&parid=40 2: Forestry Commission. Haldon Heathland grazing project. http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-6T7BVY 3.6 Other farmland habitats 1: Devon Hedgerow Survey 2007-2009, FWAG 2010.

4. Species 1: JNCC. Information on UK BAP priority species - http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-5717. 2: Devon BAP Partnership. 1998. The Nature of Devon. http://www.devon.gov.uk//devon_biodiversity_action_plan.htm

4.1 Mammals

1: Environment Agency. 2010. The Fifth National Otter survey. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Leisure/otter_survey_oct10_full_report%281%29.pdf

4.2 Birds 1: British Trust for Ornithology. 2009. Birds of Conservation Concern 3 http://www.bto.org/science/monitoring/psob 2: The Barn Owl Trust. 2003. Devon Barn Owl Survey Report. www.barnowltrust.org.uk/content_images/pdf/Devon_Barn_Owl_Survey_2003.pdf 3: RSPB. Cirl Bunting Project - http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/projects/details/222509-the-cirl-bunting-project 4: Conway, G. et. al. (2007). Status and distribution of European Nightjars Caprimulgus europaeus in the UK in 2004. Bird Study 54, 98-111 5: Wotton, S. et al. (2009) The status of the Dartford Warbler in the UK in 2006. British Birds 6: Brown et al (2008) Seabirds on Lundy: their current status, recent history and prospects for the restoration of a once important bird area. British Birds. http://www.lundymcz.org.uk/docs/Public/Research/2011%20Seabirds%20On%20Lundy.pdf 7: Amar, A., Hewson, C.M., Thewlis, R.M., Smith, K.W., Fuller, R.J., Lindsell, J.A., Conway, G., Butler, S. & MacDonald, M. 2006. What’s happening to our woodland birds? Long-term changes in the populations of woodland birds. RSPB Research Report no. 19 and BTO Research Report no. 169

7: Hewson, C.M. Amar, A., Lindsell, J.A., Thewlis, R.M., Butler, S., Smith, K. & Fuller, R.J. 2007. Recent changes in bird populations in British broadleaved woodlands. Ibis 149 (s2): 14-28. )

http://www.countryside-trust.org.uk/mainsub.cfm?id=11&parid=40

http://www.countryside-trust.org.uk/mainsub.cfm?id=11&parid=40

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/INFD-6T7BVY


http://www.devon.gov.uk/devon_biodiversity_action_plan.htm

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Leisure/otter_survey_oct10_full_report%281%29.pdf

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Leisure/otter_survey_oct10_full_report%281%29.pdf

http://www.bto.org/science/monitoring/psob

http://www.barnowltrust.org.uk/content_images/pdf/Devon_Barn_Owl_Survey_2003.pdf

http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/projects/details/222509-the-cirl-bunting-project

http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/projects/details/222509-the-cirl-bunting-project

http://www.lundymcz.org.uk/docs/Public/Research/2011%20Seabirds%20On%20Lundy.pdf

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4.4 Fish 1: Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Environment Agency. 2012. Annual Assessment of Salmon Stocks in Fisheries in England and Wales 2011 http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Research/Annual_Assessment_of_EW_salmon_stocks_2011.pdf

2: Environment Agency. 2008. Better Sea Trout and Salmon Fisheries – Our Strategy for 2008-2021

Appendix 4 1: JNCC. 2008. Species Conservation Status Assessment. http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-4060.

2: United Kingdom Biodiversity Action Reporting System - http://ukbars.defra.gov.uk/archive

3: British Trust for Ornithology. 2009. Birds of Conservation Concern 3 http://www.bto.org/science/monitoring/psob

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Research/Annual_Assessment_of_EW_salmon_stocks_2011.pdf

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/static/documents/Research/Annual_Assessment_of_EW_salmon_stocks_2011.pdf


http://www.bto.org/science/monitoring/psob

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7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This document was pulled together and edited by Sarah Jennings (Devon County Council) with encouragement and help from Peter Burgess (Devon Wildlife Trust). Many thanks to the many individuals (listed below) who have contributed information and expertise to this report.

Help with compiling information / editing – Craig Dixon, Basil Greenwood, Peter Burgess and Matthew Lundquist

CWS and other contributions / comments - Ellie Knott, Hannah Gibbons and Ian Egerton at DBRC

Help with editing species lists – Lesley Kerry

Habitats / general – Janet Lister (National Trust), Deborah Elton (Forestry Commission), Justin Milward (Woodland Trust), Andy Guy and Naomi Brookes (Natural England), Helen Booker (RSPB), Norman Baldock (DNPA), Kevin Ryelands (RSPB), Jon Avons, (DCC), Harry Barton (DWT), Suzanne Goodfellow (LNP, Chair)

Hedges – Rob Wolton and other Devon Hedge Group members Dormouse - Paul Chanin and Stephen Carroll (Devon Mammals Group) Otter – Paul Chanin and Mary Rose Lane (EA) Water vole – Mervyn Newman (Devon Water Vole Recovery Project), Mary Rose Lane (EA) Barn owl – David Ramsden (Barn Owl Trust) Cirl bunting – Cath Jeffs (RSPB) Nightjar – Jon Avon (Devon Birdwatching and Preservation Society)

Helen Booker (RSPB) Curlew – Jon Avon (Devon Birdwatching and Preservation Society)

Helen Booker (RSPB) Norman Baldock (DNPA)

Upland birds – Helen Booker and Norman Baldock Seabirds – Helen Booker and Alex Scholefield (Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust) Woodland birds – Helen Booker Great Crested Newts – Nicky Green (Devon Reptile and Amphibian Group) Atlantic salmon – Kelvin Broad (EA) Invertebrates – Andrew Whtehouse (Buglife), Martin Luff, Stephen Carroll (Devon hymenoptera recorder) Freshwater pearl mussel – Richard Knott and Mary Rose Lane (EA) White clawed crayfish – as above

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Dragonflies and Damselflies – Dave Smallshire and Lesley Kerry (British Dragonfly Society – Devon Group) Butterflies – Barry Henwood, John Randall, Roger Bristow, and Jean Turner (Butterfly Conservation) Moths – Barry Henwood (macro-moths), Bob Heckford (micro-moths) – (Devon Moth Group) Spiders – Matt Prince and Dr Peter Harvey (Spider recording scheme) Devon Whitebeams - Tracey Hamston (Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust) Lichens – Barbara Benfield, British Lichen Society Plants - Andy Byfleid (Plantlife), Roger Smith and Jeremy Ison (BSBI) and Norman Baldock (DNPA)

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Appendix 1 A summary framework for nature conservation in England

1992 The Convention on Biological Diversity was adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. This was

the first global treaty to provide a legal framework for biodiversity conservation. 1994 The UK ratified the Rio Convention and launched the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP). This

identified broad activities for conservation work until 2014 as well as lists of priority species and habitats.

1998 The Nature of Devon – A Biodiversity Action Plan was published. This identified 29 key wildlife

habitats and 251 key species as a priority for conservation action. Action plans were produced for the 17 habitats and 20 species identified as requiring a county wide approach to their conservation. Wildlife with a localised distribution was addressed at the local scale e.g. the conservation of blanket bog through Dartmoor BAP and the conservation of small blue through the Torbay BAP.

2000 The European Water Framework Directive came into force. The Environment Agency in the South

West aims to bring 43% of the 1,100 waterbodies into ‘good’ ecological status by 2015. 2002 Parties to the Rio Convention agreed to achieve a significant reduction in the rate of biodiversity loss by

2010. This became known as the 2010 Biodiversity Target. Working with the Grain of Nature, a Biodiversity Strategy for England was published and set out how

England would achieve the 2010 Biodiversity Target. A target was set to bring 95% of the SSSI area into favourable or unfavourable recovering condition by December 2010.

2007 A new national indicator was established for Local Authorities to bring Local Sites into positive

management. In Devon the target set was to increase the number of Local Sites in ‘positive management’ by 3% each year.

2009 The Marine and Coastal Access Act (2009) came into force which enables the designation of Marine

Conservation Zones (MCZs). Devon’s Biodiversity Action Plan was updated to include Geodiversity.

2010 At a global meeting held in Nagoya, Japan it was acknowledged that the 2010 target had not been met.

New targets (the Nagoya Protocol) were set for 2020. The UN declared 2011 to 2020 a Decade on Biodiversity.

2011 A Natural Environment White Paper was published by Defra for the first time in over twenty years (The

Natural Choice: securing the value of nature). The 2002 Biodiversity Strategy was replaced by Biodiversity 2020: a Strategy for England’s Wildlife and Ecosystem Services with new targets for England’s biodiversity.

2012 Natural Devon, the Devon Local Nature Partnership, was established in December 2012.

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Appendix 2 Devon habitats of European importance (protected

under European legislation

Site name / NGR

Site Area (ha)

Site significance

Beer Quarry and Caves SAC SY215892

31.1 Important hibernation site for greater horseshoe, lesser horseshoe and bechstein bats.

Blackstone Point SAC SX535462

7.38 Largest known extant population of shore dock in Devon, and one of the largest concentrations of this species on rocky sea-cliffs in south-west England.

Braunton Burrows SAC SS451348

1346.64 One of the largest dune sites in the UK and is of particular importance because it is virtually intact and still active. A large population (around 3000 thalli) of petalwort is recorded from Braunton Burrows, one of two sites selected for this species in south-west England.

Culm Grasslands SAC SS843214

768.69 Purple moor grass meadows and Northern Atlantic wet heaths. Contain the largest cluster of sites for marsh fritillary in the south-west peninsula. It is judged to be the most important location for the species in its major south-west stronghold.

Dartmoor SAC SX590864

23,165.77 Northern Atlantic wet heath, dry heath, blanket bog (the southernmost blanket bog in Europe) and old sessile oak woods with rich bryophyte and lichen assemblages. Supports southern damselfly, Atlantic salmon and otter.

Dawlish Warren SAC SX984792

58.84 Dunes support a large population of petalwort.

East Devon Pebblebed Heaths SAC SY040868

1119.94 The largest block of lowland heathland in Devon. Designated for wet heath, dry heath and southern damselfly.

Exmoor and Quantock Oakwoods SAC SS894440

1895.17 Old sessile oak woods and alluvial forests. Also designated for barbastelle and bechstein bats and otter.

Exmoor Heaths SAC SS864419

10705.87

Wet heath, dry heath, vegetated sea cliffs, blanket bog, alkaline fen and old sessile oak woods.

Lundy SAC SS136465

3064.53 Reefs, sandbanks, submerges or partially submerged sea caves. Also designated for grey seal.

Lyme Bay and Torbay candidate Marine SAC SY31583

31248 Reefs and submerged or partially submerged sea caves

Plymouth Sound and Estuaries SAC SX472506

6402.03 Sandbanks, estuaries, large shallow inlets and bays, reefs, Atlantic salt meadows, mudflats and sandflats. Designated for shore dock (one of the chief rocky-shore strongholds for shore dock on the UK mainland) and allis shad.

Prawle Point to Plymouth Sound candidate SAC lat 50.211 deg; N long 4.009 deg; W

31525 Reef habitats.

River Axe SAC SY267961

25.78 Water courses of plain to montane levels. Sea lamprey, brook lamprey and bullhead.

Sidmouth to West Bay SAC SY326912

897.3 Example of a highly unstable vegetated soft cliff coastline subject to mudslides and landslips.

South Dartmoor Woods SAC SX710701

2157.15 This complex is the most southerly of old sessile oak woods, with regionally important assemblages of lower plants and dry Lobarion communities that are unique in Western Europe.

South Devon Shore Dock SAC

341.01 Vegetated sea cliffs. An important rocky-shore site for shore dock which lies at the eastern limit of its current UK range

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Site name / NGR

Site Area (ha)

Site significance

SX787362

South Hams SAC SX942565

129.53 Dry heaths, extensive limestone grasslands, vegetated sea cliffs, caves. Holds the largest population of greater horseshoe bat in the UK

Tintagel-Marsland-Clovelly SAC SS225234

2429.84 This site represents an extensive length of largely hard coastal cliff + old sessile oak woods.

Special Protection Areas

Site name & designation Site Area (ha) Features of ecological significance

East Devon Heaths SPA SY040866

1119.94 European nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus (2.4% of GB breeding population, count as at 1992) Dartford warbler Sylvia undata (8% of the GB breeding

population, count as at 1994)

Exe Estuary SPA (also a RAMSAR site) SX981840

2345.71 Slavonian grebe, Podiceps auritus (5% of the GB population, 5 year peak mean 1984/85-1988/9) Avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta (28.3% of the GB population, 5 year peak mean 1991/92-1995/96)

Dark bellied brent goose Dunlin Calidris alpina alpine (1.1% of the population in Great Britain, 5 year peak mean 1991/92-1995/96) Oystercatcher, Haematopus ostralegus (1.2% of the population in Great Britain, 5 year peak mean 1991/92-1995/96) Black tailed godwit, Limosa limosa islandica (7.2% of the population in Great Britain, 5 year peak mean 1991/92-1995/96) Grey plover, Pluvialis squatarola (1.1% of the population in Great

Britain, 5 year peak mean 1991/92-1995/96).

Tamar Estuaries Complex SPA SX441621

1955 Over winter the area regularly supports: Avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta 15.8% of the GB breeding population 5 year peak mean 1991/92-1995/96 On passage the area regularly supports: Little egret - Egretta garzetta (Sub-Saharan Africa - breeding) at least 9.3% of the GB population Count, as at 1995

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Appendix 3 BAP Priority Habitat Inventories

The following habitat inventories were created by DBRC in 2001-2003, as part of the National Biodiversity Network South West Pilot. The habitats were mapped using County Wildlife Site survey data and aerial photographs available at the time. Some of the inventories have been updated since they were created, but they may not include information from the most recent County Wildlife Site surveys. This means that the information in the inventories is incomplete, and the absence of information for a particular area does not mean that there are no BAP Priority Habitats present.

Blanket bog

Coastal salt marsh

Coastal vegetated shingle


Lowland dry acid grassland

Lowland heathland

Lowland meadow

Lowland mixed deciduous woodland

Mudflats

Purple moor grass

Sabellaria

Upland heathland

Upland mixed ashwood

Upland oak wood

Wet woodland

The following inventories were downloaded from the Natural England website. DBRC is not responsible for the accuracy of these habitat inventories:

Coastal and floodplain grazing marsh

Coastal sand dunes

Fens

Lowland beech & yew woodland

Maritime cliff and slope

Reedbeds

Undetermined woodland

The following inventories were created by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species. DBRC is not responsible for the accuracy of these habitat inventories:

Traditional orchards

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Appendix 4 Methodology for the Devon species status assessment

A Devon species status assessment was carried out based on a simplified version of the method used by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) for reporting to Europe on species listed in Annexes of the European Habitats Directive (JNCC, 2008). See table below. The assessment for each species is based on available data combined with the expert judgement of those contributing to this report. The national assessment for each species is also given. National assessments are taken from the 2008 JNCC assessment1, the 2008 UK BAP reporting round2 and Birds of Conservation Concern 3, 20093. Devon species assessment (as per JNCC, 20081). Favourable Unfavourable

inadequate Unfavourable bad

Categories of ‘but improving’ or ‘and deteriorating’ can be added to Unfavourable-Inadequate and Unfavourable-Bad.

Range Stable or increasing (since 1998), and range sufficiently large to allow long term survival of the species.*

Any other combination Large decline since 1998

Population Stable or increasing and population large enough to ensure the long term viability of the species in Devon.*

Any other combination Large decline 1998

Habitat Area and quality of habitat suitable to support a favourable (long term viable) population of the species.*

Any other combination Area and / or quality of habitat is clearly not sufficiently large to ensure the long term survival of the species

Future Prospects

Main pressures and threats to the species not significant; species will remain viable on the long-term.*

Any other combination Severe influence of pressures and threats to the species; very bad prospects for its future, long-term viability at risk.

Overall conservation status

Habitat or species can be expected to prosper without any change to existing management or policies.

Habitat or species require a change in management or policy but the danger of extinction is not so high.

Habitat or species is in serious danger of becoming extinct (at least locally).

One unfavourable bad assessment = overall status is unfavourable bad. One unfavourable-Inadequate assessment combined with all favourable conclusions = unfavourable-Inadequate. An overall conclusion of Favourable is only reached where all parameters are Favourable or three parameters are Favourable, and one is Unknown. In cases where there are two or more Unknown conclusions combined with other Favourable conclusions, the overall conclusion will be Unknown.

* based on the expert judgement of those contributing to this report.

Data is assessed as - ‘Good’, based on extensive surveys, ‘Moderate’, based on partial data with some extrapolation, or

‘Poor’, based on very incomplete data or on expert judgement.

Documents

Foreword - Securing Devon’s Natural Environment...2 Foreword As the Chair of Natural Devon, the Devon Local Nature Partnership, I am delighted to introduce this comprehensive review