Page 65 - Ickford NP Consultation Report

ICKFORD NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN CONSULTATION REPORT : VISION FOR ICKFORD 65

Bat sightings by 64% respondents.

A total of 15 different mammals have been reported. Conclusions to be drawn:

• The relatively healthy Hedgehog population is pleasing. To maintain this we
need to ensure that green areas and hedgerows are maintained and preserved.
Hedgehogs and other small mammals need connectivity as they require the
ability to hunt for food and to breed. It is well known that several mammal
species are highly dependent on the maintenance of connectivity pathways
to enable them to range. Therefore we must guard these areas and new
building developments must demonstrate their commitment to enhancing
connectivity, hedgerows, green spaces and tree planting.

• Nationally, species such as Hedgehogs, Hares and Bats are listed as endangered
and, whilst the reporting of these in our Village is encouraging, ongoing
monitoring of the health of our mammal population is essential. We should
therefore commit to running further surveys every three years.

Reptiles and Amphibians
Again, the Village habitat is conducive to Amphibians with widespread reporting
of Frogs and Toads. Encouraging was the existence of Grass Snakes (43%). Slow
Worms were also sighted.
The Great Crested Newt is also known to exist in the Village.

Butterflies and Insects

Across the locality, 36 different Butterflies have been reported by both survey
respondents and by the Bucks, Berks & Oxon Butterfly study. Whilst annual distribution
of Butterflies varies from year to year, this breadth of species is good news.
It has been difficult to obtain specific data on our Moth distribution and further
study is required. However, 80% of respondents reported seeing Moths. Other
common insects were widely reported.

The Honey Bee (100%),
Bumble Bee (79%)

and, notably, 36% reported seeing Stag Beetles.

Two types of Dragonfly were spotted with
Common Dragonfly (71%).

The extent of insect variety and distribution is a key factor in measuring a
healthy Biodiversity status in an area. Birds, some Mammals and Insects are
highly dependent on extensive insect populations. This requires an extensive range
of habitats - wet areas, grasslands, hedgerows and trees. Without these features,
our overall species diversity would decline. Therefore every part of our Village
maintenance, development and further enhancement must give this priority.

VISION FOR ICKFORD – NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT PLAN
www.visionforickford.co.uk