20March 2008 ……………….. For Immediate Release

WILDLIFE SUCCESSES FOR WARWICKSHIRE

Warwickshire, Coventry & Solihull’s Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) has just produced the first report of its conservation effort since the plan was completed in July 2006. It was launched on March 11 2008 at Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve.

A major success has been the Parish Biodiversity Action Plan (PBAP), a booklet of ideas to help people start wildlife projects on their doorstep.  Distributed to all parish clerks, Women’s Institutes and libraries a year ago, it is now being used as a guide to conservation in many of our local communities. Copies may be downloaded from the website: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/biodiversity or purchased from Ruth Moffatt , LBAP Co-ordinator, on 01926 412197 or email: ruthmoffatt@warwickshire.gov.uk

Barn owls are doing well, already exceeding our target for restoring the breeding population to 60 pairs by 2010. In good years for small mammals such as field voles, the bird is very productive, with nest box schemes helping their recovery.  Another success has been the formation of the South Warwickshire Orchard Group to restore local fruit orchards and create and sustain interest in their products. 

On the down side, we are concerned at the continuing decline in species and habitat loss in the region, with wildflower meadows are at an all-time low.  Water voles could be extinct in a few years owing to the predations of mink and loss of habitat while the adder may already be extinct.

Ruth Moffatt , Coordinator of the LBAP, said: “It is great that we’ve had positive successes like the Parish BAP, the new Orchard Group and barn owls coming back, but seriously worrying that wildflower meadows continue to decline and the water vole is in such a critical condition.  Anyone who sees water voles should contact Louise Sutherland, the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust’s Wetland Officer, on 02476 308995 ”.

In our Focus 2008 programme, we will be concentrating our efforts on four habitats that are ‘behind schedule’ in our targets for them – Disused Industrial & Railway Land, Roadside Verges, Meadows and Ponds, Lakes & Reservoirs.  We will also be identifying opportunities to enhance the biodiversity of three habitats of particular public interest – Parks  & Public Open Space, Churchyards & Cemeteries and Gardens.  Projects that protect the animals associated with all these habitats, such as the hedgehog, common toad, bumblebees and bats, will be part of the programme.

ENDS

Press contact, photographs and further details from Ruth Moffatt on 01926 412197 or ruthmoffatt@warwickshire.gov.uk

  Last updated 20 March, 2008