Biodiversity Action Plans
Biodiversity Action Plans
ScottishPower's generating stations are working to protect and encourage the special animals and plants that exist on their land.
Many of Energy Wholesale's sites are important for their wildlife habitats - from the reedbeds at Damhead Creek, to the ancient forests at the Lanark Hydros and the wetlands that attract waterfowl at our ash settling lagoons.
Each site has published a Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) that presents a list of ecological enhancement objectives and lays out a timescale for their implementation. These seek to entrench existing good practice and lay out the sites' ambitions to enhance habitats further for the benefit of wildlife and plants.
In 2005/06, our most modern stations, Shoreham and Damhead Creek, were the latest generating sites to launch their Biodiversity Action Plans, bringing the total number of sites with published plans to nine.
Our other stations continued to implement innovative Biodiversity Action Plan measures during the year, often working with local experts, to improve biodiversity, as follows:
- Damhead Creek: The Kent gas station manages 80 acres of wetlands, reedbeds, grasslands, native woodland, saltmarsh and scrub as mitigation land to promote biodiversity. The work has encouraged important populations of Water Voles and Great Crested Newts while breeding and migrating wading birds and waterfowl benefit from the creation of wader scrapes and wet grassland. Meanwhile, a nestbox scheme for Barn Owls and other bird species has been ongoing since 2002 in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Partnership. Since then Barn Owls using the nestbox have raised a total of 14 young. Two pairs successfully fledged four chicks in 2005.
- Shoreham: Staff at the East Sussex gas station launched its Biodiversity Action Plan with a workshop to raise awareness of the threatened vegetated shingle plants that have colonised the station's grounds.
Shoreham's Biodiversity Action Plan makes provision for continuing vegetation surveys and the active removal of plant species not on the Biodiversity Action Plan list to ensure the rare wildflowers continue to thrive. Meanwhile, a Peregrine nestbox has been fixed on the station's 106 metre chimney in collaboration with Sussex Ornithological Society. A pair of falcons nested for the first time in 2002 and have since raised nine young - including two in summer 2005. - Rye House: A 48 metre squared pond, excavated by staff as part of the station's Biodiversity Action Plan in autumn 2005, is gradually maturing into a little wildlife haven. An early success was the sighting of a rare crustacean - the Fairy Shrimp, which is listed as a Species of Conservation Concern in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
Henry Scrivens, who manages the Herts station's Biodiversity Action Plan, reported: "This was an unusual record and we hope it is a sign that there is a population of these creatures on the site."
Other wildlife, including Common Frogs and aquatic insects, have colonised the pond and it is hoped that as its margins become more heavily vegetated, the water body will be used by Great Crested Newts, which already occur elsewhere at the Rye House site. Meanwhile five bat boxes have been erected to benefit species like the Common Pipistrelle, while grasslands on site are being managed to encourage wildflowers. The station is also a Gold Member of the Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust.
"Energy Wholesale sites are important for their wildlife habitats..."
- Longannet: A key Biodiversity Action Plan project that continued in 2005/06 was landscaping work to create islands in ash settling lagoon No.5 at Valleyfield to encourage breeding water birds such as waders, ducks and terns.
Environment Coordinator Moira Campbell said: "The shingle islands provide a nesting and roosting habitat for waders such as Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher, and we hope it will attract Common Terns to breed." Meanwhile a pump was hired, in summer 2005, at a cost of £3,000 to protect a colony of 370 pairs of Sand Martins that had set up home in an ash embankment at Longannet lagoons from flooding. Research at Valleyfield by Countryside Ranger Stephanie Little, who is jointly sponsored by ScottishPower, continues to shed light on local insect populations - so far 199 types of moths, 13 butterfly species, 24 types of spider and harvestmen and 33 species of hoverflies have been recorded at Torry Bay Local Nature Reserve, some of which are of national importance. Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Stonechat and Waxwings were new bird species recorded at the reserve while two new breeding species were recorded - Grasshopper Warbler and Reed Warbler. - Cockenzie: Plans are being progressed in consultation with the local community for a five acre woodland near the East Lothian station's coal stock. The proposal follows a community effort in 2005 that saw more than 100 local people, many from youth organisations and schools turn out to plant trees and shrubs along a 150 metre section of the station's boundary wall. The native plants of 14 species - including Hawthorn, Rowan, Silver Birch, Hazel, Broom, Gorse and Holly - is providing useful habitat for wildlife while improving the station's appearance. It is hoped that further tree planting involving the community will take place in autumn 2006. Meanwhile, a Peregrine nestbox has been erected high on the station superstructure in the hope that a resident pair of falcons will breed at the site. Barn Owls nested at the station's coal plant in 2005 while Cockenzie's ash settling lagoons at Musselburgh continue to attract a wide variety of birdlife. Countryside Ranger Nick Aitken, who is jointly sponsored by ScottishPower, reported that a range of species of birds were recorded in 2005 - including a Barred Warbler, which was a first for the site.
- Hydros Schemes: A joint Biodiversity Action Plan has been devised for Galloway Hydros and the Lanark Hydros. The BAP also looks at habitat improvement, such as the creation of small ponds at Glenlee, selective coppicing of woodland at Stonebyres and grassland management throughout the schemes.
- Galloway Hydros: A key feature of the Galloway Biodiversity Action Plan is safeguarding and improving movements of migratory fish, such as Sea Trout and Atlantic Salmon, through the Galloway scheme. This is being achieved by improving the existing network of fish ladders, passes and chambers, while the Hydros has financed, through the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme, the creation of an Atlantic Salmon hatchery by the shores of Loch Ken. It is hoped the hatchery will help restock the Kirkcudbrightshire-Dee with hundreds of thousands of salmon fry each year. ScottishPower is a founder member of the Dee-Ken Catchment Management Plan (CMP) that aims to promote the sustainability of the region's water resource. In 2006, work began at Galloway to control the spread of Japanese Knotweed - a highly invasive bamboo-like plant that has spread aggressively throughout the UK. Knotweed is prevalent around the entrance to Tongland Power Station and at several other sites within the scheme, leading to concern it could damage station or dam structures. A programme of controlling the weed with herbicides has been devised in consultation with the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA). Meanwhile, Galloway Hydros has donated £250 to assist research by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) into the declining population of Willow Tits in the Ken-Dee Valley. The donation will be used to provide nestboxes for the species - which is red listed in the conservation report 'The State of the UK's Birds 2004'. Hydros staff also have a long running arrangement with the RSPB to control water levels at Loch Ken, whenever possible operationally, to help the success of breeding wading birds and wildfowl.
- Lanark Hydros: ScottishPower sponsors a seasonal "Power Ranger" to work with the Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) at its Falls of Clyde reserve, part of the Lanark World Heritage Site. The Power Ranger helps to ensure the safety of visitors to the reserve and supports wildlife monitoring. The partners have also cooperated to erect more than 120 nestboxes at the Lanark Hydros for small birds, owls, Kestrels and bats. In addition, Peregrines nest on ScottishPower land at the reserve and, in summer 2005, 8,200 people visited a Scottish Wildlife Trust viewpoint to watch the resident pair of falcons successfully rear a brood of young. Meanwhile, plans are being formed to manage appropriate habitat for the small population of Red Squirrels that are found at the Falls of Clyde. Other highlights during 2005 included first reserve records of the Common Darter dragonfly and the Large Emerald moth.
- Cruachan: The Argyll pumped storage station is located in a special area for wildlife, with Golden Eagles over Ben Cruachan, Pearl-bordered Fritilliary butterflies in wooded glades and Osprey fishing in Loch Awe. Cruachan's Biodiversity Action Plan has a strong focus on ensuring the station's operations do not adversely affect local habitats and species, as well as improving conditions for wildlife.
The station is adjacent to an area of ancient Caledonian Oak forest that has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Seedlings of Oak and other tree species are being allowed to colonise an area of ground near the station offices has been set aside as a wild garden. Under the Biodiversity Action Plan, the young Oaks will eventually be transplanted to create an area of woodland between the buttresses of Cruachan Dam. Further planting of Silver Birch, Alder and Rowan will extend the area of woodland below the dam head. Staff are removing Rhododendron Ponticum - an invasive non native species - to prevent its spread into the Site of Special Scientific Interest while the station grounds are being replanted with native fruit trees, berry-bearing bushes and Buddleia which is attractive to butterflies.
Information boards have been erected at the grounds of Cruachan Visitor Centre giving details about mammal and bird viewing opportunities. The centre also has a range of environment themed displays, including information on butterflies and ladybirds, while a programme of wildbird feeding is enjoyed by both staff and visitors. In 2005/06, two new species were added to the station list - Brook Lamprey and Magpie. The lamprey is an ancient fish like species that dates back to before dinosaurs walked the earth. A protected species under the European Commission Habitats Directive, it was spotted at Cruachan Dam, one of its most northern sites in Europe. - Hatfield Moor: The Yorkshire gas storage facility works in harmony with the environment in an area that has been recognised at international level for its importance to wildlife. The Thorne and Hatfield Moors, the largest remaining lowland bog in England, were designated in 2000 as a Special Protection Area (SPA) under the European Birds Directive. The areas of moorland host the highest number of breeding birds in the north of England, including the endangered Nightjar breeding at one of its northernmost outposts in Europe.
A three year ornithological study has concluded the operation of the gas storage facility has no adverse impact on bird life or on the adjacent Special Protection Area. Hatfield Moor makes an annual contribution to English Nature towards habitat improvement work and supports financially the Thorne and Hatfield Moors Conservation Forum's scientific research on the moorland and heath.
Survey work was carried out in 2005/06 to determine the wildlife species and habitats found within the site and how they can be developed to promote biodiversity. Several projects are studied with a view to implementation, including provision of grassland; enhancing scrub; recreating sandy heathland; and protecting aquatic habitats. - Knapton: Knapton (sold by ScottishPower in July 2006) has been working with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and North Yorkshire County Council to develop a Biodiversity Action Plan that will be implemented with help from site contractors Viking.
A key action is a comprehensive biodiversity survey to identify the plants and animals on site, including an amphibian review to assess the presence of frogs, toads or newts in an area of wet woodland. Other steps due to be implemented in the wet woodland area include preventing Sycamores from regenerating to ensure they do not dominate over native species identified, including Oak and Hazel, while deadwood is to be left to improve the habitat for invertebrates and amphibians. Most of the land is used for operations but an area of plantation screening could be developed to enhance biodiversity, with seeding to develop ground flora and nesting boxes for birds. The station has a strip of neutral grassland, along its access road, that is unusual not only in the Vale of Pickering but throughout the UK. There is an area of wildflower meadow on site and it is proposed that cutting be restricted to twice a year and that some areas are left uncut to improve habitat for overwintering invertebrates. Hedges onsite will be allowed to bush out to provide protection for small birds, while berry rich trees and bushes will be planted to provide food for wildlife.
Other measures to be taken include investigating the possibility of providing habitat for Water Voles and allowing some weeds to grow, providing extra food for birds and enabling the station to reduce its use of pesticides.
