OVERVIEW:
The ecologists at Wildwood applied their experience and knowledge of dormouse ecology to support works that were required to remove dangerous trees affected by ash dieback adjacent to a 1km stretch of Crick Road. The trees were assessed by arborists as a health and safety risk to road users, endangering people.
CHALLENGE:
Over the winter of 2021/2022 branches from the trees alongside the road had broken and frequently fallen into Crick Road. This posed a serious health and safety risk for the road users.
The trees that needed to be removed were within habitat that was suitable for dormouse. There were also nearby dormouse records and good connectivity to offsite optimal dormouse habitat. Nineteen dormouse records were returned from the desk study data search, one of which was within very close proximity of the works (approximately 50m). There were also three Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) sites within 10km that were designated for dormouse. These include Blackcliff – Wyndcliff, Coombe Valley Woods, and Penhow Woodlands.
We needed to help the client to identify a strategy to avoid harming wildlife and triggering legislation, and also ensure that the road would be safe for people to use.
APPROACH:
Due to the works being urgent because of health and safety reasons, it was not pragmatic to undertake full dormouse surveys, so their presence was assumed. This was informed by nearby records and suitable habitat for dormouse onsite identified by a dormouse licensed ecologist during a preliminary walkover survey. Therefore, a dormouse licence was applied for with this information, and granted by Natural Resources Wales.
As part of the method statement for the licence, ecologists carried out Ecological Clerk of Works (ECoW) duties (ECoW) to ensure compliance with the licence and ensure that wildlife was not harmed as a result of the works. Before the commencement of works, an ecologist carried out a toolbox talk to the contractors to highlight the ecological constraints, how to avoid them, and the methods of working as specified in the dormouse licence.
Due to the critical time period that the works could be carried out within (as specified within the dormouse licence work schedule), and health and safety issues involved, working closely with the council and communicating issues/concerns at the earliest opportunity was important to ensure the project ran smoothly and as efficiently as possible.
ECoW duties consisted of carrying out fingertip searches of the vegetation prior to work, using endoscopes to check tree cavities/holes, and checking for nesting birds. No dormouse or dormouse nests were found during ecological supervision. The works were carried out during the bird nesting season and an active nest was identified by one of the ecologists. A buffer was installed around the nest and no works were allowed to resume in the buffer until the chicks had fledged and the nest was confirmed by the ecologist to be inactive.
Fifty dormouse boxes were installed by the council in retained onsite vegetation and new habitat was created. Where trees were cleared, new planting in these areas included hazel, honeysuckle, blackthorn, bramble, hawthorn, and dog rose. This new planting will create a more diverse understorey and an increase in food source for dormouse. Groups of oak trees were planted along both the eastern and western side of Crick Road to allow the canopy cover over the road to return in the future. A hedge was planted to the south-east which will help to connect the understorey/woodland on the east of the site to established hedgerows further east of the site along agricultural fields. The habitat and dormouse boxes will be monitored by licensed ecologists as part of the NRW licence.
OUTCOME:
The diseased/dangerous trees were successfully removed, all whilst ensuring no wildlife was harmed and legislation was adhered to. New habitat was created to increase foraging and shelter opportunities for dormouse, and the installed dormouse boxes will provide additional shelter for nest-building.
Maddie Anderson, Assistant Ecologist
