Breeding Wader and Wildfowl Survey at the – Andrew Chick Lake District Ecology

Idle Washlands incorporating SSSI Units 1, 2, 3 & 4

was commissioned by Janice Bradle (Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, NWT) to undertake a breeding bird survey of Idle Washlands Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Nottinghamshire. The survey is required in connection with a future assessment of the Site Management Plan.

The survey area is known locally as the River Idle Washlands and incorporated four Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) units. For the purpose of the 2022 survey the area was subdivided into four areas (A, B, C & D), within each area were separate SSSI Units (see table 1 for specific details). The areas and the incorporated SSSI units are shown in Figure 1 and 2 (with SSSI units marked with green lines), and the survey area used in 2022 shown in Figure 2 (marked with red lines), with the site names used and referred to throughout the rest of the report.

The survey sites consists of washland grassland, along the River Idle floodplain, with a combination of mixed sward grazed and un-grazed grassland which are associated with a number of flashes (of varying sizes), areas of flooded workings, internal drainage channels, sections of mature hedgerows, and scattered semi-mature and mature trees across the site. The sites are under different ownership, with varying levels of access and different grazing and management levels. SSSI Unit 1 (National Grid Reference (NGR) SK 662 936) is located in Area A and is associated with the western edge of Bawtry. It consists of grassland on either side of the river, comprising a large flash (locally known as Newington Flash) and at the eastern extent is Hagg Lane (a small NWT managed wetland area). SSSI Unit 2 (NGR SK 685 937) is located in the southeast corner of Area B. This area is locally known as Slaynes Lane and consists of former gravel workings to both the north and south of Slaynes Lane, with Misson West Nature Reserve (the SSSI unit) at the southeast tip. SSSI Unit 3 (NGR SK 706 945) is located at the southern tip of Area C and is locally known as Misson East, which consists of a narrow grassland compartment, and SSSI Unit 4 (NGR SK 720 963), is known as Idle Stop with the whole area designated as an SSSI. Newington Flash, Haggs Lane and Slaynes Lane are frequently visited by local birdwatchers, the other sites are less ‘watched’.

The survey was based on the territory mapping technique, similar to that used in the British Trust for Ornithology’s (BTO) Common Bird Census (CBC) (Marchant 1983; Bibby et al, 1992). The focus of the survey was wildfowl and wader species, but all other ‘interesting’ species were recorded. For common species (e.g. woodpigeon, carrion crow, robin etc.) their presence was noted, but no meaningful count was undertaken.

The surveys were all conducted between half an hour after dawn and noon. During this time, all accessible areas within the survey area were walked over by the surveyor. During each walkover, the location of target species (including both those seen and those heard) were recorded on a map using standard BTO symbols. Additional information was recorded about bird activity, such as singing or calling, using standard map symbols (Marchant, 1983).

Weather conditions during each survey, including the amount of rain, wind speed and temperature, were recorded. Additionally, notes about water and grazing levels were recorded.

Following the final visit, the records of birds made on each visit were:

All species recorded (including common species), collated in summary tables for each section (presented in Appendix 1).
A table of the target species (mostly wildfowl and waders) produced for each area, with peak count and highest BTO breeding status given.
All maps were digitised to show the location of target species for each site visit.
The breeding bird assemblage index values was calculated (using the revised July 2020 threshold) for each area.

All survey work was undertaken by Andrew Chick and Owen Beaumont, both experienced ornithologists, with many years survey experience. To assess the breeding bird assemblage of the washlands the breeding bird index score for lowland damp grassland was used (NCC 1989). The original surveys used the following index for Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) selection and the threshold score is 16.

A total of 72 species were encountered within the Area A survey area during the three visits. In addition to the observations made during the survey visits, the data displayed includes sightings taken from the ‘NottsBirders’ website, although the only sub-unit with sightings on the website came from Hagg Lane. A total of 104 species were encountered within the Area B survey area throughout the months of April, May and June. The species list is compiled using the observations made during the three visits and also using data from the ‘NottsBirders’ website. A total of 53 species were encountered within the Area C survey area during the three visits. A total of 54 species were encountered within the Area D survey area during the three visits.

Area A Western Section

With the exception of a small fenced-off pool, the site is dry, with short, grazed grassland. The whole site had potential to support numerous species, but numbers recorded were always low. Of note was a Whimbrel recorded in May, which roosted on Newington Flash that evening. During the May survey approximately 35 cows were grazing the northern (viaduct) fields. Numerous mammal species were recorded during the survey, with rabbit, hare, muntjac and roe deer all noted, and badger signs found throughout the whole site.

Area A Western Section (Viaduct)	April		May		June
	Peak Count	Breeding Code	Peak Count	Breeding Code	Peak Count	Breeding Code
Greylag Goose			3
Mute Swan	2	P	1	H	2	P
Shelduck			2	P
Mallard	11	P	15	H	1	H
Gadwall			2	F
Shoveler	2	F
Tufted Duck	2	P
Grey Heron					1	F
Little Egret			1
Cormorant			3	F	1	F
Buzzard					1	F
Coot	1	H	1	H
Lapwing	1	F			1	H
Whimbrel			1	M
Black-headed Gull			P	F
Kestrel					1
Sedge Warbler	2	S	4	S	3	S
Reed Warbler					1	S
Grey Wagtail	2	H

Table 6. Wildfowl and Wader (and selected other species) breeding summary for Area 1 Western Section (Viaduct).

Area A Western Section (East)

The area was added to the survey area after verbal reports from the landowner of nesting Lapwing. The area supported c. six breeding pairs of Lapwing, which successfully fledged at least six young (min). No habitat management was noted and by the end of the survey the site was overgrown.

Area A Western Section (East)	April		May		June
	Peak Count	Breeding Code	Peak Count	Breeding Code	Peak Count	Breeding Code
Greylag Goose					3	F
Mallard	13	P	10		5	P
Gadwall	8	P	8	P	2	P
Shoveler	8	P	6		4	P
Tufted Duck					2	F
Cormorant	1	F			3	F
Buzzard	1	F
Moorhen	2
Coot	3
Oystercatcher	1
Lapwing	17	FLx3 and ONx5	9	FLx6 (1,2,2,1)
Common Sandpiper			1	F
Common Tern					1	F
Black-headed Gull			P	F	P	F
Lesser Black-backed Gull					2	F
Barn Owl					1
Long-eared Owl					1
Sedge Warbler			4	S	2	S
Reed Bunting					1	H

Table 7. Wildfowl and Wader (and other notable species) breeding summary for Area 1 Western Section (East).

Area A Central Section (Newington Flash)

The open water of Newington Flash supports good numbers of both wildfowl and waders. Mallard and Gadwall were common on all surveys, with smaller numbers of Shoveler, Tufted Duck and Shelduck recorded. Breeding Lapwing were confirmed on site, and probable breeding of Avocet, with up to 13 birds recorded. Grassland on the northern shore was grazed by cattle (c.16 during May). Shoreline vegetation during the final survey probably reduced the detection of all birds.

Area A Newington Rd	April		May		June
	Peak Count	Breeding Code	Peak Count	Breeding Code	Peak Count	Breeding Code
Canada Goose			3	H
Greylag Goose	3		8	H	3	F
Mute Swan	2				13
Shelduck	1		2		9	P
Mallard	33	P	52	P	72	FLx9 (8,1)
Gadwall	4	P	13	P	19	P
Shoveler	1		4		4	P
Teal	23	P
Tufted Duck					1	P
Little Egret			2
Cormorant	1				3
Sparrowhawk	1
Moorhen			2	H	3	p
Coot	44	ON	37	P	19	P
Avocet	10	H	4	H	13	H
Little Ringed Plover			1	H
Ringed Plover			2	M
Lapwing	9	H	10	FL4 (2,2)	5	FLx2
Redshank	1		2
Black-tailed Godwit			1	M
Whimbrel			1	M
Common Tern			2
Black-headed Gull	8		7		8
Lesser Black-backed Gull					1

Table 8. Wildfowl and Wader breeding summary for Area A Central Section (Newington Flash).

Area A – Hagg Lane

During the initial visits in April, the whole of the site held water with high numbers of wildfowl present (including c.96 Gadwall, 19 Mallard, 10 Teal and 7 Shoveler) with at least three Coots occupying nests. Additionally, good numbers of Lapwing, Redshank and two Little Ringed Plovers were recorded. However, by the May visit the site was drying quickly, and wildfowl numbers had dropped considerably; the Coot nests had been lost/predated, and very few birds remained, with the exception of a female Mallard with 5 ducklings.

By the June survey the site was being grazed by 11 ponies, and the site was dry with the exception of a very small pool which supported four Lapwings. Past reports suggest that in late summer Haggs Lane supports a growing number of Little Egrets, but due to the dry weather the number of birds recorded in 2022 was considerably lower than in past years.

In total, 39 species were recorded, with the wildfowl and waders shown in the table below.

Area A Haggs Lane	April		May		June
	Peak Count	Breeding Code	Peak Count	Breeding Code	Peak Count	Breeding Code
Mute Swan	1	H
Shelduck	5	H
Mallard	19	FL	6	FLx5	4	P
Gadwall	96	P	2	P
Shoveler	7	P	5
(Garganey)	1	H
Teal	10	P
Grey Partridge					2	P
Grey Heron			1
Cormorant	1	F
Moorhen	1		2		1
Coot	11	ONx3	3
Little Ringed Plover	2	H	1	H	1
Lapwing	21	H	3	S	4	H
(Grey Plover)	1	M
Common Sandpiper			1	M
Redshank	4	H	2	H
(Black-tailed Godwit)	2	M
Black-headed Gull	4		19		5

Table 9. Wildfowl and Wader breeding summary for Haggs Lane.

Area A Assessment

The assessment was made for each section with the overall total of 72 species recorded. Scores with an asterisk (*) are probable breeding only but WERE USED in the threshold calculation. Scores within brackets ( ) are possible/non-breeding and were NOT included in the threshold calculation.

Species		Idle River Washland Area A
Species		Western Section (Viaduct)	Western Section (East)	Newington Flash	Hagg Lane	Overall
Mute Swan	3	3		3		3
Common Shelduck	3	(3)		(3)
Gadwall	3	3	3	3	3	3
Eurasian Teal	3			(3)
Pintail	5
Garganey	4.5				(4.5)
Shoveler	3			3*	3*	3
Pochard	4
Grey Heron	3	(3)	(3)
Little Egret	3	(3)
Cattle Egret	5.5
Marsh Harrier	4
Corncrake	3
Lapwing	2	2	2	2		2
Ruff	5
Common Snipe	2			(2)
Black-tailed Godwit	5			(5)
Eurasian Curlew	2
Common Redshank	2			(2)	(2)
Cuckoo	2.5
Grasshopper Warbler	2
Sedge Warbler	1	1	1			1
Yellow Wagtail	1				1	1
Reed Bunting	1	1	1			1
Total		10	7	11	9	14

Table 10. Breeding bird assemblages for Area A.

SSSI Unit 1 Assessment.

The majority of the site is incorporated within the SSSI Unit 1 and the overall score of 14 is considered to represent an accurate assessment of the breeding bird index for the SSSI Unit 1.

Area B

Area B was surveyed as four sections. The Western and Eastern sections form one extensive area with open water, small islands and grassland areas. Slaynes Lane North is separated by a track, and consists of former sand quarry works. Misson West NR (SSSI Unit 2) is located directly south of the Eastern section.

Area B – Slaynes Lane (West)

Large numbers of wildfowl were recorded on site, with confirmed breeding Mallard and Shoveler, with probable breeding Gadwall and Teal. The main feature of the section was the number of breeding Avocet, with at least c.16 pairs recorded and a minimum of 15 birds fledged.

Area B West	April		May		June
	Peak Count	Breeding Code	Peak Count	Breeding Code	Peak Count	Breeding Code
Canada Goose	2	P			4	H
Greylag Goose	4	H	12	H	5	H
Egyptian Goose					2
Mute Swan	1	H	3	H
Shelduck	8	P			4	P
Mallard	59	P	39	P	70	FLx3
Gadwall	45	P	38	P	37	P
Pintail	2
Shoveler	70	P	8		36	FLx13(4,4,5)
Teal	5	P
Tufted Duck					4	P
Great Crested Grebe	1	H
Buzzard	1
Moorhen	3		3		2
Coot	41	ON	32	ONx4	94
Oystercatcher	2	H	1		1	F
Avocet	27	ONx5	33	ONx16?	16	FLx15
Little Ringed Plover					2	H
Ringed Plover					17	M
Sanderling					1	M
Lapwing	5	H	16	FL1, ONx1	38	H
Dunlin			1	M	1	M
Redshank			3		8
Common Tern			1	F
Black-headed Gull	54	H	4	H	46	H
Lesser Black-backed Gull	2	H			18
Cuckoo			1	S (locally)
Kestrel					1
Sedge Warbler	2	S	5	S	3	S
Cetti’s Warbler	1	S	1	S	1	S
Yellow Wagtail					1	F
Reed Bunting	2	S	1	S	2	S

Table 11. Wildfowl and Wader (and other notable species) breeding summary for Area B Western Section

Area B – Slaynes Lane (East)

Area B East	April		May		June
	Peak Count	Breeding Code	Peak Count	Breeding Code	Peak Count	Breeding Code
Canada Goose	4		2		16
Greylag Goose			8		28
Egyptian Goose	6	FL			1
Mute Swan			13	H	12	H
Shelduck	4	P			2
Mallard	19	P	50	P	53	P
Gadwall	12	P	14	P	22	P
Shoveler	5	P	2	P	2
Wigeon	3	M	3	M	1	M
Teal	52				1
Garganey					2	H
Tufted Duck	26	P	11	P	10	P
Great Crested Grebe	5	H	4	H
Cormorant	14		13		25
Moorhen					1	H
Coot	15	H	22	ONx4	33	H
Oystercatcher	1	H	1	H	1	H
Avocet					1	H
Little Ringed Plover	1	H			1	H
Lapwing	6	H	5	ONx1	5	AG
Dunlin	13	M
Redshank	5	H
Common Tern			2
Black-headed Gull	15	H	4	H	9	H
Lesser Black-backed Gull	3	P			2
Sedge Warbler	1	S	3	S
Reed Warbler			1	S
Reed Bunting	1	S	1	S

Table 12. Wildfowl and Wader (and other notable species) breeding summary for Area B Eastern Section

Area B – Slaynes Lane (North)

The area supported a black-headed gull colony with probable breeding Mediterranean gull. Additionally, c.8 pairs of common tern were recorded and c.5 sitting avocets were noted on the islands. This site had the deepest water in the immediate area which led to a good variety of species typically found on such ex-gravel pits.

Area B North	April		May		June
	Peak Count	Breeding Code	Peak Count	Breeding Code	Peak Count	Breeding Code
Canada Goose	2	H	2	H
Greylag Goose	7	H	15	H	63	H
Egyptian Goose			2	H
Mute Swan	3	ON	4	H
Shelduck			2	P
Mallard	19	P	9	H	24	H
Gadwall	12	P	11	P	33	P
Pochard			1		14
Tufted Duck	19	P	17	P	22	P
Little Grebe					1	H
Great Crested Grebe	2	H	1	H	1	H
Moorhen	2	H	3	H	1	H
Coot	29	H	49	H	111	ONx4
Oystercatcher	2	ON	2	ON
Avocet	2	H			8	ONx5
Lapwing	3	H	6	H	1	H
Black-headed Gull	96	H	98	Onx?	c90	FLx1(+), Onx?
Mediterranean gull	2	H	2	ON?
Lesser Black-backed Gull	4	P			1
Common Tern					14	ONx8
Arctic Tern	3	M
Sedge Warbler	1	S	2	S	1	S
Reed Bunting	2	S	2	S	1	S

Table 13. Wildfowl and Wader (and other notable species) breeding summary for Area B, Northern Section.

Area B – Misson West NR

This shallow freshwater scrape had exposed mud around the edges throughout all months. Such areas have proven value to a range of bird species, including several species of migrant wader. With a lack of public access to the site, birds were able to feed largely uninterrupted, and often good numbers of birds could be found within this section, even though it is small compared with the wetland as a whole. Lots of vegetative cover around the scrape made it difficult to survey entirely, and it made proving breeding of species difficult, although some interesting species were noted during the surveys which had the potential to breed on the site.

Area B MWNR	April		May		June
	Peak Count	Breeding Code	Peak Count	Breeding Code	Peak Count	Breeding Code
Canada Goose	2	P
Greylag Goose	1	H
Mute Swan					2	P
Shelduck			7	P	4	P
Mallard	3	P	12		4
Gadwall			12	P	14	P
Shoveler			1	P
Teal	38	P
Garganey					1	H
Great Crested Grebe					1
Coot	5	H	14	H	4	H
Oystercatcher
Avocet	10	H	2	H
Little Ringed Plover	1	H
Lapwing	26	H	33	H
Ruff	3	M
Redshank	3	H	3	H
Greenshank	1	M
Black-tailed Godwit	3	M
Bar-tailed Godwit	1	M
Common Tern			2
Black-headed Gull	33		14		2
Kestrel	1	F
Reed Bunting			1	S

Table 14. Wildfowl and Wader (and other notable species) breeding summary for Area B Misson West NR.

Area B Assessment

The assessment was made for each section, with the overall total of 104 species recorded. Scores with an asterisk (*) are probable breeding only but WERE USED in the threshold calculation. Scores within brackets ( ) are possible/non-breeding and were NOT included in the threshold calculation.

Species		Idle River Washland Area B
Species		Slaynes Lane West	Slaynes Lane East	Slaynes Lane North	MWNR	Overall
Mute Swan	3	3	3	3		3
Common Shelduck	3	3	3	3	3	3
Gadwall	3	3	3	3	3	3
Eurasian Teal	3	(3)	(3)
Pintail	5	(5)
Garganey	4.5		(4.5)
Shoveler	3	3	3			3
Pochard	4
Grey Heron	3
Little Egret	3
Cattle Egret	5.5
Marsh Harrier	4
Corncrake	3
Lapwing	2	2	2	2	2	2
Ruff	5
Common Snipe	2
Black-tailed Godwit	5
Eurasian Curlew	2
Common Redshank	2	(2)	(2)	(2)	(2)
Cuckoo	2.5	2.5*				2.5
Grasshopper Warbler	2
Sedge Warbler	1	1		1		1
Yellow Wagtail	1	1				1
Reed Bunting	1	1		1	1	1
Total		18.5	14	13	9	18.5

Table 15. SSSI Breeding bird assemblages for Area B.

SSSI Unit 2 Assessment.

Mission West NR is the only section of Area B that is designated as an SSSI (Unit 2) and the overall score of 18.5 represents an over estimation of the breeding bird index for the Unit. As a standalone assessment, the score of 9 is representative for SSSI unit 2.

Area C – Misson East

Area C was surveyed as a single area and the digitalised survey maps are included in Appendix 2. The area is dominated by a large area of grassland, with a small area of water associated with the southern site boundary. During the May survey, a very high density of grazing cattle were present. During the June survey a significant area had been cut for hay. The site supports breeding cuckoo (with pairs in May and June, and singing Cetti’s Warblers, again during May and June). The site is relatively undisturbed and clearly favoured for grazing by Mute Swan, with 99 recorded on site during the May survey (presumably non-breeding birds from nearby Slaynes Lane)?

Photograph 15: Representative image showing high grazing pressures recorded in May 2022 within Area C.

Area C	April		May		June
	Peak Count	Breeding Code	Peak Count	Breeding Code	Peak Count	Breeding Code
Canada Goose			3
Greylag Goose	3	P	2	P	5	F
Mute Swan	49	ON	98		29
Mallard	12	P	9	P	11	FLx3
Grey Partridge			4	P
Grey Heron	1		1
Cormorant			2		4	F
Buzzard			1	F	2	F
Moorhen			2	H	1	H
Coot	7	ON	2	H	2	ON
Lapwing	2	H	1	AG	1	F
Black-headed Gull	P	F	P	F	13
Turtle Dove			2	S
Cuckoo			2	S	2	P
Kestrel			1	F	2	F
Skylark	2	S	2	S	6	FF
Sedge Warbler	1	S	5	S	4	S
Reed Warbler			1	S	2	S
Cetti’s Warbler			1	S	1	S
Yellowhammer					1	H
Reed Bunting			P	S	P	S

Table 16. Wildfowl and Wader (and selective other species) breeding summary for Area C.

Area D – Idel Stop

Area D was surveyed as a single area and the digitalised survey maps are included in Appendix 2. The area is dominated by grassland, with limited water. During the May survey Snipe was noted, as well as singing Cetti’s Warbler. During the survey there was no grazing. During the May and June survey singing Turtle Dove and Cuckoo were recorded. Agitated behaviour by Redshank during the June survey suggests probable breeding by this species on site.

Area D	April		May		June
	Peak Count	Breeding Code	Peak Count	Breeding Co2de	Peak Count	Breeding Code
Greylag Goose	2		2
Mute Swan	1		2	F
Shelduck	8	P
Mallard	18	P	8	P	30	FLx1
Gadwall	5	P	4	P
Shoveler	3		1	F
Teal	50	P
Grey Heron	1		1
Cormorant					1	F
Buzzard			1		2
Moorhen	1	H
Coot	16	H
Lapwing	4	T	6	AG	4	AG/AL
Dunlin	1	P
Redshank	1	M			1	AG/AL
Ruff	6
Snipe	3	H	1	H
Black-headed Gull	29		P	F	P	F
Lesser Black-backed Gull	2	P
Turtle Dove			2	S	3	S
Cuckoo			2	S	1	S
Long-eared Owl			1	Roosting
Sedge Warbler			6	S	2	S
Cetti’s Warbler	1	S
Yellow Wagtail			2		5	FF
Reed Bunting	2	H	2	S	2	S

Table 17. Wildfowl and Wader (and selected other species) breeding summary for Area D.

Area C and D Assessment

The assessment was made for areas C and D with the overall total of 53 and 54 recorded respectively. Scores with an asterisk (*) are probable breeding only but WERE USED in the threshold calculation. Scores within brackets ( ) are possible/non-breeding and were NOT included in the threshold calculation.

Species		Idle River Washland Area C and D
Species		Area C	Area D	Overall
Mute Swan	3	3		3
Common Shelduck	3		(3)
Gadwall	3		3	3
Eurasian Teal	3		3	3
Pintail	5
Garganey	4.5
Shoveler	3		3	3
Pochard	4
Grey Heron	3
Little Egret	3
Cattle Egret	5.5
Marsh Harrier	4
Corncrake	3
Lapwing	2	2		2
Ruff	5
Common Snipe	2		(2)
Black-tailed Godwit	5
Eurasian Curlew	2
Common Redshank	2		2*	2
Cuckoo	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5
Grasshopper Warbler	2
Sedge Warbler	1	1	1	1
Yellow Wagtail	1		1	1
Reed Bunting	1	1	1	1
Total		9.5	16.5	21.5

Table 18. SSSI Breeding bird assemblages for Area C and D.

SSSI Unit 3 and 4 Assessment.

The SSSI Unit 3 at Mission East represents only a very small part of the surveyed area and the overall score of 9.5 will represent an over estimation of the breeding bird index for the unit. However, the whole of the Idel Stop area is designated as an SSSI (Unit 4) and the overall score of 16.5 represents an accurate estimation of the breeding bird index for SSSI Unit 4.