This update is provided by Brompton by Sawdon Parish Council to outline measures which have been agreed (or undertaken) to ensure we continue to protect our resident water vole community.
- Repairs and maintenance are taking place over the autumn / winter period to minimise disturbance to wildlife. The PC has been able to access specialist advice from Jon Trail who has worked for Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Natural England and is an established expert in protecting water voles and managing their habitat. He is approving all interventions during this period to ensure habitats are managed appropriately.
- Ecologically sensitive repairs to the stream banks are being undertaken to further enhance biodiversity. Using logs planted with indigenous marginal plants (Lythrum salicaria, Iris pseudacorus, Phalaris arundinacea, Junccus effuses and Carex acutiformis) the aim is to encourage small mammals, including water voles, to colonise the area. A low post and rail fence will be erected to protect this habitat (and investment) whilst still providing entry and exit points for horses. Work will commence in early 2021. Horse riders are respectfully requested to keep off the bank areas at this time and not enter the water until new and suitable access is provided soon.
- Finally, as the period covered by the Wold Ecology Report expired at the end of September (recommendations were made in 2015 covering a 5-year period) the PC have agreed that a new ecological survey will be commissioned to ensure we continue to base management of our wild spaces on best practice advice from appropriately qualified ecologists.
We have seen an increase in visitors to the village during lockdown. Protecting green spaces, both for people and for wildlife, has arguably never been more important. Anyone wishing to help with our conservation efforts would be very welcome tp join our Butts Working Group when they re-start (hopefully in the Spring).
December 2020.
