The Trust has carried out many
scientific surveys and research projects some of which are summarised below.
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Arable wildflower conservation study
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The Trust conducted a study
into the establishment of new arable plant sites and the enhancement of
existing sites. It was found that species-rich conservation margins
were more easily established on sites with an existing, limited arable
flora and without pernicious grass weeds. For a full description of the
study’s methodology and conclusions please see our
Practical arable
wildflower conservation paper.
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For a number of years the
Trust, in association with Butterfly Conservation, walked a butterfly
transect on the south-west slopes of Bredon Hill to monitor butterfly
populations. The results of these surveys have been entered into the
Trust’s extensive natural history database.Back
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Brimstone
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In 2000, with backing from
English Nature and The Environmental Agency, KCT began a ten-year project to
monitor the effects of changes in farmland management on wildlife
populations.
The project is located on the
Kemerton Estate and uses an experimental methodology to assess the value of
farmland schemes such as ‘Set-aside’ and ‘Countryside Stewardship’ for
wildlife. This methodology is based on the principle that a few ‘indicators’ may
be representative of diversity in the wider ecosystem. These are then
monitored on a regular basis. The fauna ‘indicators’ are relatively quick
and easy to monitor, and field workers do not require specialist scientific
skills. The indicators are:
Brambling, Finches and
Yellowhammer Feeding
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The methodology has been
designed to suit resources which are limited, but which will be
available throughout the life of the project. In simple terms, birds
are surveyed over the Kemerton Estate; butterflies and bumblebees are
counted along selected, representative transects; and water quality is
checked in a selected range of sites. In order to check the efficacy of
this experimental, simplified scheme, more detailed monitoring will be
necessary.
This project runs alongside
other surveys carried out by the Trust, including the monitoring of BAP
breeding birds, and the counting of wintering birds. Site-based botanical surveys are also undertaken, usually every five
years.
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Whitethroat nests in
hedges and bushes
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This study aimed to monitor the
populations of various farmland bird species which have declined nationally
since the 1950s. It took place between 1998 and 2002 on farmland managed by
the Trust. A strict methodology was employed to obtain an annual ‘snapshot’
population assessment of four species: skylark, yellowhammer, linnet and
whitethroat. During the period farmland in the study was entered into the
Countryside Stewardship Scheme, and changes were made to the management of
field margins and hedgerows. The populations of all four bird species
showed increases over the period, while the national populations, as
measured by the BTO, continued to decline. For a full description of the
methodology and results please see the study extract on our
Farmland bird study
page.
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Glow worms
belong to the family of beetles called Lampyridae which also includes Fire-flies
(which do not occur Britain). They get their English name from their
extraordinary ability to emit light and from the shape of the female insect,
which has a worm-like appearance.
A
small-scale survey of parts of Bredon Hill was carried out in 2006. A more
detailed study was undertaken in 2007, the results and methodology of which may
be seen
here
In 2008
local volunteers carried out a wider survey of Glow-worms on Bredon Hill.
The report on the project may be viewed
here
Note
that the map referred to in the 2008 survey can be viewed
here
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The Trust has carried out a full
survey of hedgerows bordering farmland that it manages. A simple
methodology was created, and observers recorded information under three
broad headings:
- species composition
- size and shape
- hedge management & adjoining habitat
For a full description of methodology and
results please see our
hedgerow survey page. |
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The Trust funded P & J Whitehead to carry
out a 5 year survey of invertebrates in the parishes of Kemerton and
Bredon between 1991 and 1996. This ambitious undertaking produced
exceptional results and gave rise to a number of scientific papers,
including several published in the
Journal of
the Royal Agricultural Society of England. Whitehead’s research led
to Bredon Hill being recognised as the third most important site in
the UK for dead-wood beetles and other invertebrates. Much of the
study area was subsequently designated as a Special Area of
Conservation (SAC) – the highest level of protection under European
legislation, reserved for those habitats and species considered to be
most in need of conservation.
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This series of trials aimed to
investigate the value of using imported leaf litter as a means of enriching
the biodiversity of young woodland plantations, which lack in the ground
flora, fungi and soil microbes usually associated with old and established
woodland. In these trials quantities of leaf litter were introduced
from nearby ancient woodland to various target sites. A more detailed
account of the trials' results and methodology can be seen
here.
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The
bare ground at the newly-landscaped Kemerton Lake Nature Reserve was quickly
colonised by mining bees. To date a number of species (some of local
importance) have been identified, together with associated parasites and
Klepto-parasites. The Trust is looking at how best to conserve and maintain
what would otherwise be a transient habitat To read a more detailed paper
describing this work please see our
mining bee colony page.
Ground Ivy, seen by many as a 'weed'
provides an important
source of food for bees and other insects
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The Trust maintains around
100 artificial nest boxes, which attract small, hole-nesting birds such
as tits. Damage to the boxes and predation of their nests by great
spotted woodpeckers is fairly common, but in two areas the problem
became so acute that 100% of boxes were being damaged.
The usual deterrent – fixing
metal plates to vulnerable parts of the box – is time-consuming and costly.
As an alternative, Trust staff have experimented with fitting small mirrors
underneath entrance holes. Twelve trial boxes were located in the problem
areas. After 18 months only four boxes had been damaged, two of which were
only damaged on sides which were not protected with mirrors. At least eight
of the boxes were occupied by nesting tits during the trial period. For a
more detailed account of the methodology and results please see our
Nest box trials page.
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Trapping, radio-tagging and tracking of polecats has
been conducted as part of the studies by the
Vincent Wildlife Trust into this species' habitat preferences and
behaviour.
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During July and August 2004
Li-Lian Butcher, from Southampton University, carried out a Small Mammal
Survey for the Trust, funded by the Aggregates Levy sustainability Fund.
The survey’s findings can be viewed
here. Please note that
this report is in Adobe Reader (pdf) format and requires this software
to be installed on your PC to view it.
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This small, practical trial sought
to demonstrate a simple way of supplementing or substituting winter feed for
farmland birds by broadcasting seed into stubble or the remains of a crop. A
more detailed description of the trial’s methodology and results can be seen
here.
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The wildflower nursery project has
conducted trials into growing rare and scarce arable wild
flowers. Seed collected from wild, local sources is propagated
in the Trust’s garden plots and greenhouse. The plants are
grown to maturity, allowed to set seed, and harvested. The
second generation seeds are planted out in appropriate
controlled sites. Trust staff have produced a paper on this
work, and can offer advice on the harvest and propagation of
many wild flower species.
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KCT Greenhouse |
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Li-Lian Butcher from
Southampton University carried out work-based learning activities with
the Trust during July and August 2004. She spent a total of four weeks
working on Trust sites, supervised by Conservation Advisor John Clarke.
Her activities included practical conservation work, surveying species,
monitoring sites, inputting biological records data, and visiting
associated organizations such as Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.
A copy of Li-Lian Butcher’s report
can be viewed here.
Please note that this is in Adobe Reader (pdf) format and requires this software
to be installed on your PC before you can view it.
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This Page Revised:
January 16, 2009.
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