Page 9 - Conservation Impact Report 2016

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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