Page 9 - Conservation Impact Report 2016
P. 9

Conservation Impact                                                                         Nightjar

■■ 90% of BBOWT’s of heathlands support adder
    (Vipera berus) populations. On one site, adders
    have been radio tracked to assess their response
    to habitat management and conditions. The
    evidence showed that males travel further than
    females (6.7m and 4.7mper day respectively); males
    travelling further to find mates. Movement was
    also significantly restricted by wide open, short
    grassy areas which provide little protection from
    predation.

■■ In 2010 silver-studded blue (Plebejus argus)
    colonised heathland adjacent to an existing
    population. Heather cutting to provide the
    required pioneer heather has helped the species
    to spread across the site. The population is also
    increasing in abundance. Following colonisation
    the previous year the maximum individual day
    count was four in 2011; in 2015 this had increased
    to 14.

■■ 50% heathlands support nightjars (Caprimulgus
    europaeus). In 2015 18 pairs were recorded.
    Populations at three sites are stable, one is
    declining and the final site is increasing (see figure
    3). The increase is partly due to site wardening and
    improved habitat management.

            Figure 3. Trend in number of churring Nightjar at one heathland nature reserve

18 Extent & Distribution of UK Lowland Heathland Habitats, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-5941, (accessed 12 August
2016)
19 N.C. Symes J. and Day, A Practical Guide to the Restoration and Management of Lowland Heathland, 2003,The RSPB
20 D.B. Hayhow et al., State of Nature 2016, The State of Nature Partnership, 2016

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