6. ACTION FOR OXNEY FARM & MEADOWS Skylark
ii) iii)
Maintain the use of the land as it is at present, under the control of the Army Training Estates. (LCG-MOD*) Raise awareness of the importance of the area for natural history with the local residents and councillors by guided walks and talks (HCC, EHDC, LCG-MOD, HWT, WPS, ECG **)
Outcome A sustainable habitat suitable for both wildlife and informal recreation. Threat 4
Disturbance
i) Development in the area to the south will increase the pressure on this area for recreational use causing increased disturbance. This can be detrimental to the spider population. ii) The dumping of garden refuse, especially by those houses backing onto the Oxney Farm area, will increase the possibility of alien plants being introduced. These species are often aggressive in their growth and can change the composition and character of the habitats. iii) The domestic cat can also impact adversely on adjacent habitats, because of the threat they pose to feeding birds, ground nesting birds such as the skylark, and fledglings. Objective Eliminate or minimise these threats Action i) Encourage a walkable route using the paths already present around the area to minimise off track disturbance. (LCG-MOD, ECG **) ii) At the planning stage ask for a deterrent such as a boundary wall to be placed around any new estate, so that garden rubbish is not easily dumped in the area. (WBOEG, WTC, EHDC **) iii) Place a covenant on households to control their cats by putting a bell on a cat’s collar or keeping them in first thing in the morning can help to reduce this threat. (WBOEG, Developers of the estate **) Outcome A suitable and sustainable habitat is maintained
6
Coral Necklace
41 42