The Whinnies LNR Management Plan

Site Description:

The Whinnies is an 8Ha site dominated by some of the regions best species rich calcareous meadows for both quality and quantity in the Tees valley, along with a series of amphibian ponds, scrub, woodland and pioneer plant communities on pre existing spoil heaps, a remnant of an old iron works. A linear site of approximately 1.7Km in length, the site lies alongside a late 1990’s housing development and the original Darlington to Stockton railway line (which in parts is still active) to its south and the A67 to the northern boundary.

The site comprises two distinct and separate area of particular interest.

Primary Features:

-1. Species Rich Grassland.

-2. Scrub.

-3. Main Pond

-4. Wildlife ponds

-5. Woodland

-6. Rough Grassland

-7. Marshy Grassland

-8. Access features.

-9. Visitors.

Long Term Vision:

To establish the Whinnies as an important wildlife green space, well maintained, rich in biodiversity, and an educationally rich environment to explore.

Future Projects:

- Tees Valley Wildlife Trust Wild project, help to create a friends group for the area and deliver a series of events.

Management Objectives:

  1. Increase the size and range of the Great Crested Newt population.

-Provide a mosaic of Great Crested Newt habitats of at least 80% of the LNR area, including grassland, scrub and small ponds (see objectives 2, 4 & 5….and Appendix 2).

-To retain long rough grass for hibernation and foraging for Great Crested Newts, approx. 55% of grassland area.

-Monitor GCN population once every 2 years within small ponds, to establish management success (licensed GCN required).

-Ensure all practical management and maintenance tasks are carried out with consideration for GCN’s as a European protected species. (Specialist ecological advice may be necessary).

  1. Manage the Small Wildlife Ponds for improved biodiversity and specifically for GCN breeding suitability.

-Monitor ponds in order that they dry out approx. 1 in 3 years to ensure no fish populations establish (includes Sticklebacks).

-Vegetation removal of invasive species (mainly Typha) to ensure that a minimum of 25% open water is present within each pond.

-Introduce desirable native plant species, such as Water-forget-me-not, to pond margins.

  1. Ensure the 2 Large fishing ponds maintain a healthy fish population with an active number of fishing club members. (Trust?)

-To monitor and maintain healthy fish populations (E.A. assistance)

-To monitor water level within seasonal fluctuation limits (minimum of touching peg).

-Ensure Phragmites (common reed) population is maintained between peg areas.

-Remove pond vegetation from open water, maximum 25% vegetation present

  1. Maintain a mosaic of species rich grassland habitats.

-To create & manage a minimum of 10% grassland area as biodiverse species rich meadow.

  1. Manage mixed areas of Scrub and Trees for GCN hibernation and breeding birds.

-Ensure new trees are free from dominant grasses and replaced if lost.

-To retain scrub/tree cover for breeding birds, e.g. Whitethroat Warbler. Approx 35% of site area.

  1. Access Features.

-Provide disabled access through appropriate gates, footpaths and fishing pegs.

-Maintain viable short recreational grass areas (includes access features), approx 5% of total grassland area.

-Maintain gates and barriers to provide safe access and where possible exclude motor vehicles.

-Maintain access features (footpaths and pegs) to fishing ponds from car parking area.

-Maintain short grass within 1metre of footpath edges.

  1. Visitors & Community

-Ensure signage for the site is clean and visible.

-Establish a fishing club to co-ordinate and support a well-used facility.

-Run an environmental events programme on the site

-Receive and supervise educational study groups and on the site

-Attend steering group meetings.

-Establish countryside ranger site presence.

-Work towards achieving projects, identified with Friends groups.

Management Operations:

Work Description

/ Compartment (see
Appendix 1) / Quantity / Timing /

Responsibility

/ Delivered By
1. Conifer Woodland (North- Zones A,B,C)
Zonal map reference guide / 1 A-C / 3 / N/A / E.O. / E.O.
Rotational felling regime / 1 A-C / 3 / October-March / DBC / Arbo Team (chainsaw licence required)
Glades, rides and seeding (see Fig. 4 & 6)
Re-planting mixed native deciduous trees. / 1 / 1 / October-March / Friends / Friends/Ranger
Deadwood risk assessed and retained onsite / 1 / 1 / October- March / E.O. / DBC
Survey fungi / 1 / 1 / September-October / Friends/DBC / Local wildlife group
Bird box installation / 1 / 1 / September- January / Friends / Friends
2. Deciduous Woodland (South)
Selective felling of unhealthy individuals or if overpopulated / 2 / 1 / October- March / E.O. / Arbo Team- Chainsaw
Friends- Non-Chainsaw
Carry out native bulb planting events to establish ground flora / 2 / 1 / September- March / Friends / Friends
Deadwood risk assessed and retained onsite / 2 / 1 / October- March / E.O. / DBC
Survey fungi / 2 / 1 / September-October / Friends/DBC / Local wildlife group
Bird box installation / 2 / 1 / September- January / Friends / Friends
3. Mixed Conifer/Deciduous Woodland (West)
Selective felling of unhealthy individuals or if overpopulated / 3 / 1 / October- March / E.O. / Arbo Team- Chainsaw
Friends- Non-Chainsaw
New planting of fruiting trees / 3 / 1 / October - March / Friends / Friends/Ranger
4. Wildflower-rich woodland glades.
Identify existing and potential new glade sites and ensure width is viable / 1, 2 & 3 / 5 presently / May / E.O. / E.O.
Plant woodland edge plants / 1, 2 & 3 / 5 / May or September / E.O. / Friends / Friends/Ranger
Remove saplings / 1, 2 & 3 / 5 / Annually / Friends / Friends/Ranger
Install seating / 1, 2 & 3 / 5 / As needed / Friends / Friends/Ranger
5. Rough Grassland
Remove new scrub and tree growth / 5 / 1 / September- February / Friends / Friends/Ranger
6. Wildflower Woodland Rides (associated with access no.7)
Ensure ride width is viable / 7 / N/A / May / E.O. / E.O.
Plant woodland edge plants / 1, 2 & 3 / 5 / May or September / E.O. / Friends / Friends/Ranger
7. Access features
Remove new growth areas (not in breeding bird season) / 7 / N/A / September-February / DBC / Ranger/ Friends
Spraying, weeding and edging, within 1m of footpath / 7 / N/A / April-September / Ranger / Ranger/ Friends with training

8. Visitors & Community

Events programme annually

/ Ongoing / Friends / Friends
Timetable, seek funding and co-ordinate projects, from Friends groups. / Quarterly.
Short, medium and long term projects. / Friends / Friends
Co-ordinate volunteers to help with the maintenance programme / Carry out regular practical days / Ranger / Ranger
Run training programme for volunteers / Ongoing / Ranger/Friends / Ranger/Friends
Receive school groups for educational visits / Ongoing / Ranger / Ranger/Friends
Carry out site checks (Footpaths, dipping platforms, litter & entrances, etc) / Weekly / Ranger / Ranger
Conduct litterpicks & rubbish removal / 2 x per year or as required / Ranger / Friends