Woodland

WOODLAND: A HABITAT ACTION PLAN FOR SURREY

June 2001

1. INTRODUCTION

At the 1992 Rio Earth Summit the UK Government was one of over 150 countries which signed up to the Convention on Biological Diversity. In response a series of National Habitat and Species Action Plans have been prepared as part of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Subsequently the Surrey Biodiversity Partnership was formed to oversee the development of a county-specific Biodiversity Action Plan.

The Surrey Woodland Habitat Action Plan has been developed as a component of the Surrey Biodiversity Action Plan, and is part of a suite of Habitat and Species Action Plans specific to Surrey. It is important to appreciate that habitats do not exist in isolation and grade into one another, often the boundaries can prove indistinct. With regard to woodland in Surrey it may be appropriate to refer to associated plans for farmland, lowland heathland, urban, wetland and wood-pasture and parkland habitats.

2. HABITAT DEFINITION

Woodland is a broad term used to describe a wide range of wooded habitats across Britain. The English Nature Phase 1 Habitat Survey Handbook defines woodland as vegetation dominated by trees more than 5m high when mature, forming a distinct, though sometimes open canopy. Because scrub can be viewed as an early successional stage of woodland, it is to some extent considered in this plan.

Woodland and scrub communities found in Surrey are detailed in appendix 1. In addition it is possible to define woodland by categories based upon age of the site, its broad composition, management type and geographical distinctiveness. These can be found in appendix 2.

WOODLANDS AND STRUCTURAL DIVERSITY A wood that contains vegetation of different heights and ages, and has gaps in the canopy that allows sunlight to reach the ground supports a much greater range of plants and animals than an even-aged tree structure without gaps in the canopy. Sunny, sheltered rides, glades and clearings are very valuable, especially if managed rotationally to provide vegetation in all stages of growth from bare ground through a flower-rich herb layer to scrub and young trees. Often dead wood both standing and fallen, is removed as it is considered untidy, and its value for wildlife is not appreciated. Up to a third of woodland insects, including a number of rare species are dependent on dead wood. It is used by more than 200 species of fly and some 760 species of beetle. Dead wood also provides valuable nesting sites for birds, with one third of all woodland birds nesting in holes or cavities in dead trees. A woodland edge that has vegetation of varied heights with sheltered, sunny bays is also a valuable habitat; such edges are increasingly rare. Features such as ponds within woods also increase the number of species present.

In the distant past, open spaces within woodland were created by tree fall, as a result of disease, decay, storms, fire and the activities of animals such as beavers Castor fiber. Grazing and browsing by deer and wild cattle (aurochs) delayed colonisation by trees and shrubs and kept the gaps open. When man began to use wood and timber and to manage woodland, more open conditions were created. The coppice-with-standards regime created ideal conditions for many species for centuries, and continuity of management ensured that the species-richness of woodlands was maintained. The widespread cessation of management during the 20th century has led to the decline and loss of a number of species that require the diverse structure and gappy or open conditions of actively managed coppice woodlands.

SPECIES OF NOTE IN SURREY Surrey woodlands provide important habitats for a number of priority UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) species. The species listed below are a short selection of these and other species of note which are rare or unique to Surrey or which have a large impact on the habitat.

• Plants

The woods of the north downs contain many important species including juniper Juniperus communis which is restricted to a few locations and is a UK priority species. The downland woods are also national strongholds of box Buxus sempervirens and the plant green hounds tongue Cynoglossum germanicum. The latter benefited from the storms of 1987, which opened up the woodland canopy. The recent rediscovery of the rare lichen Fellhanera bouteillei in the woods of Box Hill may be an indication that improving air quality is benifiting lichens in general.

Other species of note include starved wood sedge Carex depauperata which is found in only one location in the south of the county and herb-paris Paris quadrifolia and Solomon’s-seal Polygonatum multiflorum.

• Invertebrates

As woods have become shadier butterflies have declined. The rare pearl–bordered fritillary Boloria euphrosyne and small pearl-bordered fritillary Boloria selene are now confined to a single woodland block in the County. The same woodland area supports the only population of wood white Leptidea sinapis remaining in south-east England. Surrey woodland is also a national stronghold for two declining species, the purple emperor Apatura iris and brown hairstreak Thecla betulae.

The brown moth, drab looper Minoa murinata, is dependent upon wood spurge and is a species on the national priority list.

The southerly distributed stag beetle Lucanus cervus has undergone a national decline in recent years, although healthy numbers are believed to be present in Surrey.

• Mammals

The once common hazel dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius, is patchily distributed throughout Surrey and has declined greatly due to the cessation of traditional hazel coppice practice and loss of ancient semi-natural woodland. Climate change may also exert a detrimental impact upon existing dormouse populations.

Surrey has 14 of the 16 species of bat recorded in Britain and the majority of these use woodland for foraging and/or roosting. The Bechstein’s bat Myotis bechsteinii is only recorded in a few locations in Surrey and favours woodland with a dense, well-developed understory and a source of water within 500m of the roost. The pipstrelle bat Pipistrellus pipistrellus is more widely distributed and prefers woodland edge or managed coppice. Both these key species require old trees for roosting.

• Birds

The spotted flycatcher (Muscicapa striata) is an insectivorous summer migrant which breeds in open wooded habitats throughout the UK. Preferred habitats are mature broadleaved woodland, hedgerows with mature trees, parkland and large gardens. Common Bird Census data show a 62% decline of spotted flycatchers in woodland between 1968 and 1991.

Coppiced woodland and regenerating scrub thickets provide a characteristic habitat for species such as the nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos, numbers of which have declined in recent years.

The redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus and hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes are also species of note in Surrey.

Improvement in the population levels of all these species might together indicate improving structural diversity of woodland at a regional scale rather than at the scale of an individual site.

• Species of concern

Some species have a negative impact on biodiversity. They are generally species, which are capable of spreading into habitats rapidly and go on to exclude or repress the native and often rare species found there. Many of these species are introductions from outside the UK but some are either native or long established introductions. These latter groups through either reduction in predation by other animals or man or due to climate change are now exerting negative influences on biodiversity.

Rhododendron Rhododendron ponticum is a highly invasive shrub on acid soils. The dense shade it casts can suppress or wipe out native flora and inhibit natural regeneration. sycamore Acer psuedoplatanus, sweet chestnut Castanea sativa and Turkey oak Quercus cerris are invasive trees that may be benefiting from climate change. Turkey oak is also a host tree for knopper gall which prevents the formation of viable acorns in native oaks.

Large herbivores such as roe deer Capreolus capreolus and rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus are common throughout Surrey. Their populations have reached levels in many locations that they threaten the regenerative capacity of woodlands.

The introduced grey squirrel Sciurus carolinensis is also common and can strip the bark of young beech trees retarding the development of native beech woods.

3. CURRENT STATUS AND DISTRIBUTION

In terms of percentage land cover, Surrey is the most wooded county in England with 22% or 36816 ha of the land under woodland cover (excluding woodlands under 2 ha). Table 1: Woodland in the UK (Forest Research 1998)

	UK	England	South East	Surrey
Total Woodland Cover %	11.8	8.7	14.6	22.0

Surrey`s woodland cover has been increasing mainly due to scrub development on heathland and downland associated with the decline in grazing. The decline of woodland management is illustrated by the replacement of managed coppice with high forest. Unmanaged coppice will gradually resemble high forest as neglect continues. Figure 1: The change in Surrey’s woodlands over time (Forest Research 1998)

Table 2: Woodland in Surrey by structure or management. (Forest Research 1998)

Type Area (ha) Proportion of woodland (%) Broadleaf high forest 20711 56 Mixed high forest 8131 22 Conifer high forest 4944 13 Open space (rides and glades) 1551 4 Coppice woodland 991 3 Recently felled or windblown 489 2

Figure 2: Species composition in Surrey woodlands (Forest Research 1998)

In terms of biodiversity however, ancient semi-natural woodland comprises the most important woodland type in Surrey. The Inventory of Ancient Woodland (provisional) for Surrey illustrates a loss of 12% cover between 1930-1997 with an additional 25% of this resource being planted with species, which are not locally native. Today Surrey sustains 9695 ha of ancient woodland, 6957 ha being semi-natural and a further 2738 ha replanted. It must be noted that the ancient woodland inventory only includes sites over 2ha in size. There are many small copses and shaws of equivalent antiquity and value which therefore go unrecorded.

Table 3: Summary of Ancient woodland in Surrey (after Isaac & Reid, EN, 1997) No of sites Area (ha) % of county land area Ancient woodland c 1930 906 10999 6.5 Ancient woodland 1997 Total 869  9695 5.8 Semi-natural 812 6957 4.1 Replanted 223 2738 1.6 Cleared 318 1304 0.8  The total number of ancient woodland sites does not equal the sum of the semi-natural and replanted sites because some sites contain elements of both.

Woodland cover is by no means evenly spaced across the county, with a mere 1% cover in the northern Borough of Spelthorne contrasting with 38.5% cover for the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The Surrey Hills comprise the most wooded AONB in the country, the woodland being an integral component of the landscape character.

WOODLAND BY NATURAL AREA OCCURRING IN SURREY Natural Areas, defined by English Nature, are sub-divisions of England, each with a characteristic association of wildlife and natural features. They provide a way of interpreting the ecological variations of the country in terms of natural features, illustrating the distinctions between one area and another. Each Natural Area has a unique identity resulting from the interaction of landforms, geology, land use, wildlife and human impact.

Woodland layout in Surrey is strongly driven by underlying geology, and so Natural Areas in Surrey each exhibit a characteristic range of woodland types.

The Low Weald It is one of the most wooded parts of the county and indeed the country, containing a high proportion of ancient semi-natural woodland. The survival of such extensive tree cover owes much to the underlying heavy clay soils unsuited to cultivation. Much of the woodland consists of former coppice with standards, reflecting its past use for charcoal production for the local iron smelting foundries. The woods are notable for spring carpets of bluebells and ramsons. Staffhurst Wood near Oxted or Chiddingfold Forest are good examples of these woods. National Vegetation Classification (NVC) category ‘W8’ or ‘W10’ (see appendix 2).

The High Weald The High Weald appears never to have been fully cleared for farmland. It has a heavily wooded character with small irregular fields, hedges and shaws among the woodland. Only a small area of the county around Dormansland falls within the High Weald. Gill woodlands are particularly important for the ferns, mosses and liverworts they support.

Wealden Greensand The geology and soils in this Natural Area provide an acid free draining soil. The overall character is one of a patchwork of farmland and woodland linked by hedgerows. In eastern Surrey the commons are more wooded with heath surviving as small areas within open oak and birch or scots pine woodland. Distinctive woodland features within this area are the wooded commons or ‘charts’ of east Surrey, the wet woods on Gault clay fed by chalk springs. NVC type W16

North Downs The chalky soils support calcareous woodland plant species, not least a variety of calcareous orchids. Ash, beech and field maple are the most common species but yew and box are particularly characteristic on the scarp slopes. Dormice are locally common. There are large areas of ancient woodland but a significant proportion of the resource is secondary in origin and here the objective is often for re-creation of chalk grassland. The woodlands at Norbury Park Nr Leatherhead contain a good range of North Downs woodland. NVC types W12, W13,W14.

London Basin Much of this area comprises the heaths where secondary pine/birch woods changing to oak/sweet chestnut woods have expanded onto valuable open habitats to the detriment of biodiversity. Wisley and Ockham commons are a good example of this. The London Basin also includes an area of clay running in a band above the North Downs where ancient woods such as Great Bookham Common are more frequent and oak or ash dominates depending on the soil conditions. The large extent of urban and suburban habitat in the London Basin also provides a high number of different sites for secondary woodland to develop often with high nature conservation value.

LOCALLY AND REGIONALLY DISTINCTIVE WOODLAND North Downs yew and box woods The dry, shallow, chalk soils on steep slopes between Leatherhead and Dorking contain yew woodland and box scrub. These habitats are of international importance and Surrey’s only woodland candidate Special Area of Conservation (SAC). There are few other plants capable of surviving the dense shade cast by the yew Taxus baccata, but ash Fraxinus excelsior and whitebeam Sorbus aria species may be mixed in. Such woodlands are rare in the UK and are restricted to only a small number of areas in England and Wales. In the same area, natural box scrub Buxus sempervirens occurs, making it one of the most important sites in the UK.

Wealden gill woodland A special feature of the Weald region of Sussex, south Kent and the south-east corner of Surrey. Gills are deeply cut ravines, usually with a stream in the base, which historically eroded the ravine. They have their own associated group of plant species more typical of woodlands found to the west of the British Isles, and the moss, liverwort and lichen communities in particular are likely to be of international importance. A Surrey example is Glovers Wood, part of which is a Woodland Trust reserve.

Shaws Shaws or narrow belts of woodland are particularly characteristic in Surrey’s landscape occurring as extensions to woodlands and as field boundaries providing important wildlife corridors.

4. FACTORS AFFECTING THE HABITAT

General factors affecting mixed, broadleaved woodlands in Surrey  Neglect: cessation of management.  Habitat destruction and fragmentation by conversion to other land uses.  Inappropriate or insensitive management.  Over-grazing by deer and rabbits.  Lack of markets resulting in financial constraints.  Lack of interest, expertise and incentives resulting in much woodland being unmanaged, or managed unsympathetically.  Introduction and/or colonisation by invasive plant species such as rhododendron, sycamore, turkey oak and cherry laurel.  Introduction and/or insufficient management of potentially damaging animals such as deer, rabbit, grey squirrels and wild boar.  Loss of genetic integrity through replanting with stock of non-local provenance;  Climate change (see below)  Air pollution, which may influence bryophyte and lichen communities.  Fly tipping. . Additional factors particularly affecting wet woodland • Cessation of management in formerly coppiced sites may encourage succession to drier woodland types; • Lowering of water-tables through drainage or water abstraction, resulting in change to drier woodland types; • Flood prevention measures, river control and canalisation disrupting the natural hydrological processes within sites. • Poor water quality due to, too much plant nutrient, industrial effluents or rubbish dumping. • Diseases such as Phytophthora root disease of alder;

Additional factors particularly affecting lowland beech and yew woodland • Squirrel damage caused by bark stripping of trees between 10 and 40 years old which can result in tree death, disruption of normal age structure and shifts in species composition.

Additional factors particularly affecting gill woodland • Land use and woodland management changes leading to a change in the all-important microclimate of gill woodlands

THE IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE UPON SURREY’S WOODLANDS AND FORESTRY: A recent in-depth report into the potential impacts of climate change in South East England, “Rising to the challenge”, suggested a number of impacts upon the region`s woodland and related forestry sector:

“Surrey is the most heavily wooded county in England but this could change as familiar trees, such as the shallow-rooted beech will suffer under the drier summer conditions. This may make them more susceptible to insect pests, disease and windthrow in the more stormy conditions. The South East’s ancient semi-natural woodlands will also suffer from drought, particularly on the chalk downs, and the milder winters will favour alien broad-leaved species like the sweet chestnut and coniferous species, such as Corsican and Scots pine.” (W.S. Atkins, 1999).

Predicted climate change is likely to result in range changes of some species associated with woodland. However, habitat fragmentation caused by urban expansion, roads, railways and agricultural land use makes migration difficult or impossible, especially for less mobile species. This will result in local extinctions of those, such as the dormouse, that are unable or unwilling to cross unsuitable or inhospitable habitats. The increasingly unpredictable nature of our climate will also adversely affect species that are unable to cope with extreme events such as severe drought and freak storms. A need exists for monitoring systems that will alert us to declines occurring as a result of climate change.

The arrival of alien species in Britain, particularly invertebrates, remains a continual danger to native trees. Climate change is likely to enhance this threat by encouraging pest species to proliferate under more favourable climatic conditions. The most recent of these threats, considered by the Forestry Commission to be serious, is the Asian Longhorn Beetle Anoplophora glabripennis, capable of destroying both urban and woodland forest trees.

5. IMPORTANCE TO PEOPLE AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

Woodlands are dynamic habitats, which are continually changing, and being modified by human’s activity. The evidence of these activities still exists to this day from wood banks and lime kilns to oak pollards and overgrown laid trees. The first people to modify woodland habitats were the Mesolithic hunter-gatherers who created open glades through the use of fire, promoting conditions for game species such as red deer and wild boar. The introduction of agriculture during the Neolithic period between five and six thousand years ago introduced domestic livestock and the impact of continued grazing led to the creation of open downland and heath that had previously existed as isolated pockets within the woodland matrix. During the later Roman occupation, the woodland in the Weald acted as a timber supply for the requirements of the growing town of London, which in part explains why there is so much ancient semi-natural woodland remaining in Surrey.

Through the medieval period, woodland continued to be a significant economic commodity, managed predominantly as coppice with standards and wood pasture, a good example being found at Newton Wood and the adjacent Ashtead Common. These managed areas were used to provide materials for the production of hurdles, timber, baskets and tools for the local community and in the case of wood pasture, grazing. Later they also provided fuel for the glass and iron industries. The requirements for fuel lessened with the increasing use of coal from the 17th century. This brought about changes to Surrey’s woodland, which provided new products such as pit props and barrel hoops, pottery crates, clogs and toys. The heavy loss of life in World War 1 contributed to the decline in traditional woodland management through the loss of labour, skills and knowledge. The need for self-sufficiency in the wake of the conflict led to the loss of many ancient semi-natural woods, which were replanted with non-native softwood timber crops.

The last 100 years have witnessed a decline in the economic value of managed woodland, leading to neglect, scrub invasion and successional change to high forest. This has been accompanied by fragmentation into smaller compartments by urbanisation, road building and agricultural intensification. However, there is now a growing demand from local people to use remaining woodland for recreation. Tree felling is unpopular with many people and woodland management, no longer understood by many members of the public, is often opposed. There is therefore an urgent need for education and increased communication between local communities and woodland managers.

6. BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY AND PRIVATE SECTOR

Woodland in Surrey contributes a variety of important benefits to the community. The abundance of woodland in the landscape is important in defining the county’s character and helps to make Surrey an attractive place in which to live and work. Woodland management and its continuity has not only sustained biodiversity over many centuries, but has provided an important source of income for local people. Many woods were and still are primarily managed for game and sporting activities such as pheasant shooting.

Woodlands provide a renewable resource, and the use of wood instead of fossil fuels can help to reduce the impact of climate change, because trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Woods also absorb rainfall and slow its transfer into the waterways, reducing the impact of flooding and stabilising soil. Wet woodland improves both quality and quantity of water in the riverine environment, stabilising the floodplain and absorbing pollutants from contaminated land.

Surrey’s woodland provides an important resource for informal recreation and exercise for large numbers of people. In such a heavily populated county access to woodland is of particular value. The presence of woodland can have real benefits for human health and helps to combat stress related illness.

Woodlands are probably the most visible single constituent of Surrey’s landscape. The landscape which forms the “context” surrounding all Surrey’s human activity. Surrey’s countryside is a prime factor in decisions by companies and individuals to locate in Surrey, but receives far less attention and investment than any other facet of built or social infrastructure.

7. POTENTIAL

A prime objective of the Surrey Woodland Habitat Action Plan is to ensure that existing woodland is appropriately managed to the benefit of biodiversity, with the focus on maintaining structural diversity within woodland blocks. This can be brought about by carrying out active management and through the reinstatement of management practices that can be made more viable through better markets for woodland produce and the use of financial incentives.

The creation of new physical features in recent woodland such as rides, glades and woodland ponds all contribute to providing a range of wildlife habitats. This helps to maintain a range of woodland successional stages and hence sustain a wide variety of species. In ancient semi-natural woodlands however, such features should only be managed if they previously existed so as to avoid further fragmentation of these woods.

There is great potential to extend active management to restore Surrey’s woodland and ensure that commercial operations incorporate biodiversity conservation as an integral component within management objectives. The converse is also the case; the sale of woodland produce from biodiversity management should be encouraged. Through a co-ordinated marketing initiative it may be possible to enhance and sustain the return to traditional management with the aid of grant incentives.

The substantial proportion of ancient woodlands that have undergone conversion through the planting of coniferous trees should be targeted as a priority for action with the removal of non-native trees and invasive plant species to recreate semi-natural conditions. The commercial forestry sector (both private and publicly owned) has made important achievements in enhancing biodiversity and much potential exists to extend management techniques beneficial to woodland biodiversity without compromising commercial returns.

Conservation objectives in many other counties may include an increase in woodland cover. In Surrey, however, some removal of secondary woodland may be necessary to enable scarce habitats such as lowland heath and chalk grassland to be restored. These habitats have deteriorated and even been lost through successional changes following the cessation of grazing, which allowed the development of scrub and secondary woodland. The removal of some recent secondary woodland within wetland complexes will also be necessary to maintain a range of successional stages. Woodland should not be viewed in isolation from the other habitats with which it is associated.

8. CURRENT ACTION - NATIONAL AND LOCAL POLICY

National guidance Government policy is set out in; • Sustainable Forestry : The UK programme (1994) • The UK Biodiversity Action plan (1994) • The UK Forestry Standard (1998) (see below) • The England Forestry Strategy (1999)

All the existing woodland Habitat Action Plans (and the lowland mixed woodland plan when it is written) stress the need to protect the existing ancient semi-natural resource.

One of the Government Indicators in the Quality of Life Counts is “Area of ancient semi-natural woodland in GB” to meet the objective of ‘protecting and expanding ancient and semi-natural woodland’.

England Forestry Strategy Launched in 1999 and entitled “A New Focus for England’s Woodlands”, this Government strategy reiterates the government’s commitment to a multi-dimensional approach to the management of trees and woodlands. Actions outlined under the section “Forestry for the Environment and Conservation” include: • Protecting existing woodlands • Promoting the environmental benefits of trees and woodlands • Using the Biodiversity Action Plan to guide Nature Conservation • Protecting cultural heritage

The UK Woodland Assurance Scheme (UKWAS) A standard agreed by the UK forestry community, facilitated by the Forestry Commission and confirmed by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), an international organisation established to certify the sustainable origin of timber.

Local Policy and Guidance The Planning Policy Guidance Note no. 9: ‘Nature Conservation’ sets out Government policy on different aspects of planning. Local authorities are obliged to take it into account in preparing their development plans. In response local and strategic authorities in Surrey have introduced policies in their Local and Structure Plans that afford a degree of protection to ancient woodland.

As a result of the amendment to Circular 9/95 in March 1999, Local Authorities are obliged to consult the Forestry Commission as a ‘non-statutory consultee’ over any plans within 500m of ancient semi-natural woodland or ancient replanted woodland recorded on English Nature’s Provisional Inventory of Ancient Woodland. This has resulted in an increased attention to ancient woodland policy and greater use of associated terminology.

‘The Future of Surrey’s Landscape and Woodlands- Part 3 Woodland Strategy’: provides supplementary planning guidance and informs the work of the Surrey Woodland Working Group. This group comprises stakeholders in the woodland sector including government, NGOs and representatives of woodland owners as well as those who make their living in the woodland environment.

The Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Strategy identifies three main areas where support with regards to woodlands;  Targeting advice to small woodland owners  Developing and supporting markets for low to medium grade timber and the promotion of locally produced woodland products  Raising awareness with the public of the need to fell trees in order to sustain and improve landscape quality.

Site protection A number of mechanisms exist to ensure the protection and conservation of woodlands and trees. The primary legislation is the Forestry Act (1967) which is administered by the Forestry Commission. Most felling requires a licence from the Forestry Commission. All applications for felling licences are assessed against the requirements of the UK Forestry Standard (1998) which takes into account biodiversity considerations. Tree Preservation Orders (TPOs) and Conservation Areas, designated by Local Authorities, prevent unnecessary damage to or felling of trees.

In addition some sites have protective designations. Some of the most important woodlands in Surrey are notified as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by English Nature. These sites are protected by specific legislation. Some sites are in the process of being notified by English Nature as internationally important Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). The beech/oak woods on the acid soils of Windsor Forest & Great Park and the yew/box woods of the Mole Gap to Reigate Escarpment comprise the only candidate SAC woodlands in Surrey. The Mole Gap woods contain more than 40% of England’s natural box scrub.

Other designations are identified in the Surrey Structure Plan and Local Authority Plans and highlight the importance of these areas within the planning process. They include Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (the Surrey Hills and High Weald AONBs), Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) and Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCIs).

There are also many important woodland sites without any form of designation, which have the potential for enhancement under appropriate management. A co-ordinated approach is required to conserve these habitats by reversing the trend of habitat degradation and preventing continued fragmentation.

Protective ownership Woodland ownership in Surrey follows a diverse pattern with a large number of sites being privately owned. However, a substantial proportion of the woodland resource in Surrey is owned and managed for amenity and nature conservation objectives by a mixture of statutory bodies and conservation organisations. These include the National Trust, Surrey Wildlife Trust, The Woodland Trust, Forestry Commission, Environment Agency, MOD Estates, Surrey County Council and Local Authorities. A number of private estates derive income from managing woodland on a commercial basis and carry out operations to benefit biodiversity.

Advisory Woodland management advice is available locally through the Forestry Commission, Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, countryside management projects, some local authorities and private woodland consultants. The experience of woodland managers is also developed and promoted through organisations such as the Small Woods Association, Royal Forestry Society, Institute of Chartered Foresters and Association of Professional Foresters.

Public awareness Current information about Surrey’s woodlands is delivered in a number of ways; • Interpretation boards and site leaflets • Educational programs such as at Nower Wood and Sayers Croft Field Centre. • Guided woodland walks and talks. • Radio interviews, newspaper articles and websites. • Demonstration woodlands e.g. Fishpond Copse, Cranleigh • Events such as the Weald Wood Fair, • Surrey Woodland News and the ‘Woodlots’ magazine

Research and Monitoring Research and monitoring is an important part in establishing current trends of fauna and flora to assess the effectiveness of current woodland management in terms of its conservation value. However, overall, systems for gathering, co-ordinating, holding and disseminating information on sites, species and management practices need to be created and improved upon.

The Surrey Biological Records Centre is the repository of biological information within the county and provides the linkage with a network of county recorders. This information provides baseline data to underpin Biodiversity Action Planning at the county level.

FUNDING FOR WOODLAND MANAGEMENT Woodland was historically managed for economic reasons. The decline of traditional markets is the major factor for the decline in woodland management. Also reduced is the potential economic return from these woodlands, as the quality of the timber resource declines. However, it is important to remember that poor quality timber such as standing deadwood can provide a good wildlife resource.

A wide range of grants and management schemes are available.

Forestry Commission grants The Woodland Grant Scheme (WGS) provides the main source of grant aid for woodland management. The Forestry Commission administers this scheme to encourage management and planting of woodland for a range of benefits including timber, landscape, conservation and recreation by contributing to the cost of the operations.

Woodland owners can put their woods into a Woodland Grant Scheme plan of operations, which usually runs for five years. Included in this plan of operations will be all of the felling licences and grants needed for the agreed management actions. The main grants available are for planting trees and improving woods for recreation, biodiversity and timber production.

English Nature grants English Nature has a number of funding mechanisms to promote appropriate management within both SSSIs and the wider countryside. These include a new Biodiversity Grants Scheme, which aims to assist groups in implementing actions that will meet the targets of the published Biodiversity Action Plans for habitats and species.

Additional sources of funding The Heritage Lottery Fund and landfill tax can be used to fund environmental improvement for the public benefit. Corporate sponsorship can provide an important contribution to delivering conservation management objectives.

Woodland production as a source of funding Although there is little short-term prospect for a return to a large-scale output of woodland products, there is considerable potential for the development of small to medium-sized enterprises to exploit the woodland resource. This is an issue not confined to Surrey but occurring in surrounding counties as well.

9. OBJECTIVES AND TARGETS

The preceding sections have led to the development of a series of objectives for Surrey’s woodland. The following objectives and targets are underpinned by a series of actions.

Objective 1: Prevent loss of woodland of conservation importance

Target 1: Through encouraging site protection, appropriate management and by rigorous involvement in the planning process, ensure no further loss of ancient woodland in Surrey.

Objective 2: Maintain and enhance ancient woodland

Target 2.1: Initiate measures intended to achieve appropriate conditions within ancient semi-natural woodland. Target 2.2: Restore ancient replanted woods to semi-natural conditions.

Objective 3: Maximise biodiversity in all woods

Target 3.1: Promote habitat and structural diversity within woodlands (by encouraging management practices such as ride management, coppicing, thinning, selective felling and restocking) Target 3.2: Ensure that appropriate practices are in place in Surrey’s woodlands. Target 3.3: Promote a co-ordinated removal of non-native invasive plant species throughout Surrey’s woodland.

Objective 4: Link management with markets

Target 4.1: Actively support marketing initiatives such as local branding, which contribute to the sustainability of Surrey’s woodland. Target 4.2: Promote the wider environmental benefits of purchasing locally grown timber and wood.

Objective 5: Monitoring and publicity

Target 5.1: Ensure effective communication between the Surrey Biological Records Centre and all other partners to ensure effective use of woodland biodiversity information. Target 5.2: Encourage and establish monitoring to measure the long-term effects of structural change, storm damage, alternatives to coppice management and climate change upon Surrey’s woodlands. Target 5.3 Promote greater understanding of the need for conservation management in Surrey’s woodlands.

Objective 6: Expand and link woods

Target 6.1: Seek opportunities to extend or link ancient woodland with new native woodland, whilst safeguarding existing habitats of conservation importance. Target 6.2: Encourage natural colonisation when extending ancient semi-natural woodland. Where planting is deemed appropriate,. encourage the use of locally native seed.

Objective 7: Manage potentially damaging animals

Target 7.1: Establish a co-ordinated approach to deer management throughout the county Target 7.2: Provide access to appropriate advice concerning the management of other potentially damaging wildlife.

10. PROPOSED ACTION Each of the following actions underpins objectives and targets outlined in section 13. The interwoven nature of many of the problems faced by the woodland habitat means that solutions will, by necessity, also be interlinked. The actions detailed below will therefore often contribute to the achievement of more than one objective but have been assigned to the one with which they are most closely associated.

Objective 1: Prevent loss of woodland of conservation importance Action Potential deliverers Complete by Lead Partners

1. Review statutory status of ancient woodland, extending SSSI coverage where appropriate EN, SWT FC, SCC, LAs Landowners 2010

2. Continue with the identification and review of ancient woodland Sites of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCIs) LAs, SCC, SNCLG, SWT EN, FC, Landowners Ongoing 3. Ensure that presumption against development on ancient woodland sites is incorporated in the Structure and Local Plans. SCC, LAs EN, SWT, WT Ongoing

Objective 2: Maintain and enhance ancient woodland Action Potential deliverers Complete by Lead Partners

1. Ensure that all ancient woodland sites owned, or managed, by public bodies and nature conservation organisations have management plans incorporating conservation interests. EN, FE, LAs, NT, SCC, SWT, WT FC 2010

2. Ensure that all ancient woodland SSSIs have site management statements produced for them. EN Landowners, FC 2005 3. Bring into favourable condition 95% of all SSSIs including those wholly or partly designated for their woodland interest. EN Landowners, FC 2010 4. Remove non-locally native tree species, including conifers, from at least 10% of ancient replanted woodland sites to restore them to a semi-natural condition. FC, FE CLA, EN, LAs, SWA, SCC, TGA, WT, Landowners Start 50% of sites by 2010. 5. Develop a co-ordinated strategy for the management and control of invasive plant species in ancient semi-natural woodland EN, FC, LAs, SCC, SWT CLA, CMPs, FWAG, SWA, NT, TGA, WT 2010

Objective 3: Maximise biodiversity in all woods Action Potential deliverers Complete by Lead Partners

1. Encourage the adoption of management plans for owners of semi-natural woodland, incorporating surveys, recommendations and monitoring EN, FC, FWAG, LAs, SWT CLA, MAFF, NFU, SCC, landowners, SWA Ongoing

2. Initiate a feasibility study into a county-wide woodland advisory network. If appropriate, set up. FC, SCC FWAG, SWT, LAs, SWA, TGA, CMPs 2004 3. Devise a strategy for distribution of existing advisory material (booklets, field demonstrations etc.) to woodland managers and, if appropriate, produce material to fill any significant gaps identified FC, SCC, EN, BTCV, CLA, CoAg, FWAG, LAs, NFU, WT, TGA, SWA, SWT, MAFF 2005 4. Develop at least one publically accessible, multi-purpose woodland to provide a demonstration site where examples of sustainable management can be promoted LAs, SCC, FC, SWT BC, CLA, EN, FWAG, GCT, SWA, NT, TGA, WT 2005

Objective 4: Link management with markets Action Potential deliverers Complete by Lead Partners

1. Promote the sustainable management of all woodlands by developing links with modern markets, especially low grade material for use as fuel CoAg, FC, LAs, SCC BTCV, CLA, CMPs, FWAG, SWA, NT, SWT, WT, FE Ongoing,

2. Establish a list of local products, producers and outlets and promote to the wider public. CoAg., LAs, SCC BTCV, FWAG, SWA, NT, TGA, WT, SWT, CLA 2005

Objective 5: Monitoring and publicity Action Potential deliverers Complete by Lead Partners

1. Continue to update the Ancient Woodland Inventory for Surrey. EN, FC, SWT Landowners, SCC, WT, LAs Ongoing

2. Utilising a combination of existing surveys and new work, identify and map the extent of individual priority woodland habitats in Surrey. EN, FC, SWT, SCC Landowners, LAs, WT 2005 3. Promote the ecological value of woodland and management via promotional literature, local events and media outlets EN, FC, SCC, SWT BC, BTCV, CLA, CMPs, CoAg, FWAG, NFU, NT, Landowners, LAs, WT Ongoing

Objective 6: Expand and link woods Action Potential deliverers Complete by Lead Partners

1. Develop a project to explore the connectivity of Surrey’s woodland, identifying opportunities to reduce woodland fragmentation through natural regeneration and/or appropriate planting. EN, FC, LAs, SCC, SWT, WT CoAg, FWAG, CLA, CMPs, SWA, NT, Landowners, MAFF 2010

2. Ensure that new woodland establishment avoids habitats of non-woodland conservation importance. EN, FC, LAs, SWT BC, BTCV, CLA, FWAG, CMPs, CoAg, NT, WT, Landowners, LAs, MAFF, SWA, SCC Ongoing 3. Identify appropriate sites for wet woodland restoration schemes SWT, EN, FC SCC, CLA, FWAG, CMPs, WT 2005

Objective 7: Manage potentially damaging animals Action Potential deliverers Complete by Lead Partners

1. Provide advice on the management of deer, rabbits and grey squirrels to reduce the damage to woodlands. DI, FC, SCC, GCT CLA, EN, SWT, FE, LAs, FWAG, SWA, TGA, Landowners, Ongoing

2. Develop at least one new Deer Management Group. DI, FC, SCC, NT CLA, EN, GCT, SWT, FE, LAs, FWAG, SWA, Landowners, TGA 2003

KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS BC Butterfly Conservation BTCV British Trust for Conservation Volunteers CLA Country Land & Business Association CMPs Countryside Management Projects CoAg. Countryside Agency DI Deer Initiative EN English Nature FC Forestry Commission FE Forest Enterprise FWAG Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group GCT Game Conservancy Trust Landowners As implied LAs Local Authorities (Boroughs & Districts) MAFF Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food NFU National Farmers Union NT National Trust SBP Surrey Biodiversity Partnership SNCLG Surrey Nature Conservation Liaison Group SCC Surrey County Council SWA Small Woods Association SWT Surrey Wildlife Trust TGA Timber Growers Association WT Woodland Trust

1. 1. MONITORING AND REVIEW

Monitoring the Plan’s success will involve the review of progress made towards individual targets in their given timeframe. Members of the Habitat Working Group will be responsible for identifying opportunities to deliver national Biodiversity objectives throughout Surrey’s woodland and updating the plan and resolving any deficiencies. All developments with the Woodland Habitat Action Plan will be reported via Surrey Biodiversity News, the Newsletter of the Surrey Biodiversity Partnership. A review of ongoing progress will be made at biannual meetings of the Surrey Woodland Habitat Working Group with presentations made to meetings of the Woodland Forum.

12. REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

 Beswick, P. & Rotherham, I.D. 1994. Ancient woodlands: their archaeology and ecology, a coincidence of interest. Proceedings of the national woodlands conference held in Sheffield, England 25-26 April 1992.  Buckley, G.P.1998. Locating new lowland woods. English Nature Research Report No. 283, ISBN 0967-876X  Cooke, R.J., Kirby, K.J. & Reid, C.M. 1996. A preliminary assessment of woodland conservation in England by Natural Areas. English Nature Research Report No. 186, ISSN 0967-876X  Department of the Environment. 1994. Planning Policy Guidance Note 9, Nature Conservation. HMSO. London.  Drewett, J. 1987. The Nature of Surrey: the wildlife and ecology of the county and London south of the Thames. Barracuda Books Ltd, Buckingham. ISBN 0 86023 247 6  Drucker G R F, Whitbred A and Barton J (1998) Surrey Inventory of Ancient Woodland. Nature Conservancy Council  English Nature. 1998. Natural areas: nature conservation in context. English Nature, Peterborough. ISBN 1 85716 418 0  English Nature. 2000. Dormouse Conservation & Management in the Weald. Adrian Bury Associates.  English Nature. 1999. Help notes for Planning Consultations on ancient woodland. English Nature, Peterborough. ISBN 1 85716 464 4  Fuller, R.J. & Warren, M.S. 1993. Coppiced woodlands: their management for wildlife. JNCC, Peterborough. ISBN 1 873701 32 2  Forestry Commission. 1998. The UK Forestry Standard: the Government’s approach to sustainable forestry. Forestry Commission, Edinburgh.  Forestry Commission. 1998. England Forestry Strategy: A New Focus for England’s Woodlands: Strategic Priorities and Programmes. Forestry Commission, Cambridge.  Forest Research. 1998. National Inventory of woodland and trees.  Forestry Trust for Conservation and Education. 1998. Exploring Woodlands in the South East. Reading. ISBN 0-9521001-9-3  Fuller, R.J. & Warren, M.S. 1995. Management for Biodiversity in British Woodlands- Striking a Balance. In British Wildlife, October 1995.  Hossell, J.E., Briggs, B. & Hepburn, I.R. 2000. Climate Change and UK Nature Conservation: A review of the impact on UK species and habitat conservation policy. UK Climate Impacts Programme. ISBN 1 899263 09 8  Howkins, C. 1999. Trees and People in Surrey and Beyond. Chris Howkins, Addlestone. ISBN 1901087109  Kirby, K. 1995. English Nature Science No. 10: Rebuilding the English Countryside: habitat fragmentation and wildlife corridors as issues in practical conservation. English Nature, Peterborough. ISBN 1 85716 194 7  Kirby, K. & Mitchell-Jones, T. 1997. Deer management and woodland conservation in England. English Nature, Peterborough. ISBN 1 85716 257 9  Kirby, K. & Reid, C. 1997. Preliminary nature conservation objectives for Natural Areas: Woodland and Forestry. English Nature Research Report No. 239, ISSN 0967876X  Kirby, K.J. & Whitbread, A.M. 1992. UK Nature Conservation No. 4: Summary of National Vegetation Classification woodland descriptions. JNCC, Peterborough. ISBN 1 873701 04 7  MAFF. January 2000. Countryside Matters. PB3667  Mammal Society 1997. Look what the cat brought in.  Mayle, B.A. 1990. Research Information Note 165: Habitat Management for Woodland Bats. Forestry Commission Research Division, Wrecclesham. ISSN 0267 2375  Ozanne, Dr Claire M.P. June 1996. Managing Woodlands for Invertebrates. In Forestry & British Timber.  Patmore, J.M. & Rose, F. 1997. Weald Gill Woodlands. English Nature, Sussex and Surrey Team, Lewes.  Patmore, JM & Wheeler BR. 2000, Conserving dormice Muscardinus avellanarius populations in the Weald. English Nature, Report 362.  Rackham, O. 1996. Trees and Woodlands in the British Landscape: The complete history of Britain’s trees, woods and hedgerows. Paperback. Butler & Tanner Ltd. ISBN 1 85799 4558  Redfern, D et al. June 1999. Information Note: Forest Condition 1998. Forestry Commission.  Reid, C.M. 1997. Guidelines for identifying ancient woodland. English Nature booklet (8pp) English Nature, Peterborough.  Simonson, W. & Thomas, R. 1999. Biodiversity: making the links, English Nature, Biodiversity Series, Peterborough  Surrey Hills Joint Advisory Committee. November 1999. Consultation Document on a Management Strategy for the Surrey Hills. Surrey Hills AONB Office, Dorking.  UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans Volume II- terrestrial and freshwater habitats, English Nature, 1998 ISBN 1 85716 422 9  Warren, M.S. & Fuller, R.J. 1993. Woodland rides and glades: their management for wildlife. JNCC, Peterborough. ISBN 1 873701 33 0  Wicks, D. & Cloughley, P., 1998. The Biodiversity of South East England: an audit and assessment, The Wildlife Trusts of South East England & RSPB South East and Central Regions. ISBN 1 874599 02 5  W.S. Atkins. 1999. Rising to the Challenge. Impacts of Climate Change in the South East in the 21st Century. Summary Report. Epsom. November 1999

13. Appendices Appendix 1 WOODLAND AND SCRUB NATIONAL VEGETATION COMMUNITIES (NVC) OCCURRING IN SURREY NVC Type Community Woodland type W1 Salix cinerea – Galium palustre Wet woodland usually on mineral soils W2 Salix cinerea – Betula pubescens – Phragmites australis Wet woodland on peaty soils W4 Betula pubescens – Molinia caerulea Wet woodland of moderately acidic soils W5 Alnus glutinosa – Carex paniculata A woodland of wet to waterlogged organic soils W6 Alnus glutinosa – Urtica dioica Wet woodland on nutrient rich soils W7 Alnus glutinosa – Fraxinus excelsior – Lysmachia nemorum A woodland of wet, moderately base-rich mineral soils W8 Fraxinus excelsior – Acer campestre – Mercurialis perennis Mixed woodland usually on base rich soils W9 Fraxinus excelsior – Sorbus aucuparia – Mercurialis perennis Upland mixed woodland on base rich soils W10 Quercus robur – Pteridium aquilinum – Rubus fruticosus Mixed woodland on neutral soils W11 Quercus petraea – Betula pubescens – Oxalis acetosella Upland mixed woodland on neutral soils W12 Fagus sylvatica – Mercurialis perennis Beech woodland on calcareous soils W13 Taxus baccata Yew woodland on calcareous soils W14 Fagus sylvatica – Rubus fruticosus Beech woodland on neutral soils W15 Fagus sylvatica – Deschampsia flexuosa Beech woodland on acidic soils W16 Quercus – Betula – Deschampsia flexuosa Mixed woodland on acidic soils W21 Crataegus monogyna – Hedera helix Scrub on neutral to base rich soils W22 Prunus spinosa – Rubus fruticosus Scrub on soils of moderate base-status W23 Ulex europeaus – Rubus fruticosus Scrub of marginal land W24 Rubus fruticosus – Holcus lanatus Scrub typical of neglected and abandoned ground W25 Pteridium aquilinum – Rubus fruticosus Scrub of deeper, free draining, neutral to moderately acid fairly fertile soils

Appendix 2 DEFINITIONS OF WOODLAND TYPES

WOODLAND BY AGE Ancient woodland An ancient woodland is one which has existed since at least 1600AD, and possibly much longer. Prior to this date, planting of woodland was very uncommon which suggests that if a wood was present in 1600 it is likely to have been there for some time previously. This continuity of woodland cover has provided a refuge for a great variety of plants and animals over the centuries, whilst there have been many changes in the surrounding landscapes. Consequently, ancient woods are often very rich in wildlife. Ancient semi-natural woodland retains a native tree and shrub cover that has not been re-planted with non-native species. Ancient replanted woodland exists where the original tree cover has been felled and replaced by planting, often with conifers, and usually during the 20th century. Recent woodland Woodland that was planted or colonised after AD 1600 is termed ‘recent’ or secondary. Scrub Scrub forms the early stages of natural regeneration. Scrub is an important habitat in its own right but can threaten other important habitats, particularly lowland heathland and chalk grassland in Surrey.

WOODLAND BY TREE TYPE Broad-leaved woodland Woodland comprising of predominantly broadleaved, deciduous trees. Mixed woodland Woodland composed of a mixture of broad-leaved and coniferous trees. Coniferous woodland Woodland, with the exception of yew woodland, consisting primarily of coniferous plantation.

WOODLAND BY MANAGEMENT TYPE Coppice woodland Woodlands managed by cutting trees and shrubs to ground level and allowing re-growth from the stumps. This produces long, straight poles. Coppice-with-standards forms the most common type in which a number of trees are retained through a number of coppice cycles until reaching felling age. Traditional coppice management produces a regular supply of wood and in turn provides the conditions for a rich mosaic of wildlife habitats. High forest Woodland where most of the canopy is composed of single-stemmed trees, often managed (e.g. by regular thinning or clear-felling) to produce timber trees.

Plantation woodland Planted woodland often managed with a view to producing a timber crop. Non or minimum intervention Non-intervention management takes place in woodland which is not actively managed but where natural processes are left to run their course.

However, due to problems of non-native species invasion and deer browsing damage that often occur in Surrey, the more appropriate term is minimum intervention management. This occurs in woodland where no management takes place, except possibly for the removal of non-native species (e.g. sycamore and rhododendron), public safety works and herbivore management.

It is important to note that in a county like Surrey, management has enhanced the biodiversity value of most woods. The fact that a large proportion of the woods are currently neglected, combined with the influence of factors like air pollution, deer browsing and invasive exotic species means that minimum intervention is not a management system that should be encouraged on a large scale in the county.

Appendix 3 KEY BIODIVERSITY SPECIES ASSOCIATED WITH WOODLAND IN SURREY

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME TAXA PRESENCE IN SURREY UK PRIORITY BAP LIST FUNGI Royal bolete Boletus regius fungi Very rare Yes Oak polypore Buglossoporus pulvinus fungi Possibly extinct Yes A hedgehog fungus Hericium erinaceum fungi Very rare Yes Threatened ‘tooth’ Stipitate hydroid spp A fungal group All of group very rare Yes PLANTS Veilwort Pallavicinia lyellii liverwort Very rare Yes A lichen Fellhanera bouteillei lichen County rarity No A moss Seligera paucifolia moss Last seen 1980 No Spreading-leaved beardless-moss Weissia squaurosa moss Last seen 1968 Yes Box Buxus sempervirens vascular plant Very localised No Starved wood sedge Carex depauperata vascular plant Recorded at one site No Green hounds tongue Cynoglossum germanicum vascular plant County rarity No Herb Paris Paris quadrifolia vascular plant County rarity No Common solomon’s-seal Polygonatum multiflorum vascular plant County rarity No Wild service tree Sorbus torminalis vascular plant Scarce No Marsh fern Thelypteris palustris vascular plant County rarity No Mistletoe Viscum album vascular plant County rarity No

INVERTEBRATES Ash-black slug Limax cinereoniger mollusc No A shining guest ant Formicoxenus nitidulus ant Recorded at one site in 1998 Yes Southern wood ant Formica rufa ant Common Yes A weevil Procas granulicollis weevil Yes A click beetle Ampedus rufipennis beetle Rare No A leaf rolling weevil Byctiscus populi beetle Yes A leaf beetle Cryptocephalus sexpunctatus beetle Yes A bark beetle Ernoporus tiliae beetle Yes A chafer Gnorimus nobilis beetle Yes Stag beetle Lucanus cervus beetle widespread Yes Saproxylic beetles See wood pasture and parkland HAP Yes A cranefly Lipsothrix nervosa cranefly Yes A hoverfly Eumerus ornatus hoverfly Scarce No A hoverfly Pocota personata hoverfly Not recorded since 1951 No Purple emperor Apatura iris butterfly Restricted and uncommon No Silver-washed fritillary Argynnis paphia butterfly Restricted but fairly common No Pearl-bordered fritillary Boloria euphrosyne butterfly Very local and scarce Yes Small pearl-bordered fritillary Boloria selene butterfly Very local, possibly extinct No Wood white Leptidea sinapis butterfly Very local and uncommon No Brown hairstreak Thecla betulae butterfly Local and uncommon No Festoon Apoda limacodes moth Very local and scarce No Light orange underwing Archiearis notha moth Known only at two sites in Surrey No Mocha Cyclophora annulata moth Very local and uncommon No Cloaked carpet Euphyia biangulata moth Very local and uncommon No Waved carpet Hydrelia sylvata moth Local and uncommon Yes Orange upperwing Jodia croceago moth Very local and rare, possibly extinct Yes Water carpet Lampropteryx suffumata moth Restricted and uncommon No Beautiful carpet Mesoleuca albicillata moth Local and generally scarce No Clay fan-foot Paracolax tristalis=derivalis moth Very local and rare Yes Common fan-foot Pechipogo strigilata moth Very local and rare. Recorded at 2 sites (re-discovered 1996) Yes Pauper pug Eupithecia egenaria moth One site only in Surrey No Drab looper Minoa murinata moth One site only in Surrey Yes Broad-boardered bee hawk Hemaris fuciformis moth A few sites in Surrey, possibly increasing No Orange footman Eilema sorocula moth A few sites in Surrey, possibly increasing No Small black arches Meganola strigula moth Only one recent record from Surrey No White-spotted pinion Cosmia diffinis moth Not recorded since 1979. Probably extinct Yes

Star-wort Cucullia asteris moth Possible temporary resident in south west of Surrey No Argent & sable Rheumaptera hastata moth Very local and scarce Yes White-line snout Schrankia taenialis moth Very local and rare. Recorded at two sites Yes Pale eggar Trichiura crataegi moth Restricted and generally scarce No Square-spotted clay Xestia rhomboidea moth Very local and scarce Yes

MAMMALS Yellow-necked mouse Apodemus flavicollis mammal Present, but status unknown No Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius mammal Fragmented populations, South of the North Downs only. Yes Barbastelle bat Barbastella barbastellus mammal Forages from West Sussex Yes Bechstein’s bat Myotis bechsteinii mammal Rare No Serotine Eptesicus serotinus mammal Scarce and declining No Brandt’s bat Myotis brandtii mammal Rare No Whiskered bat Myotis mystacinus mammal Frequent No Natterer’s bat Myotis nattereri mammal Frequent No Leisler’s bat Nyctalus leisleri mammal Rare No Noctule Nyctalus noctula mammal Frequent and declining No Pipistrelle bat Pipistrellus pipistrellus mammal Widespread and common Yes

BIRDS Nightjar Caprimulgus europaeus bird Locally common summer visitor Yes Hawfinch Coccothraustes coccothraustes bird Scarce resident No Nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos bird Mod. common summer visitor No Spotted flycatcher Muscicapa striata bird Mod. common summer visitor & passage migrant Yes Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula bird Com. and wide-spread resident Yes Turtle dove Streptopelia turtur bird Mod. common summer visitor & passage migrant Yes Song thrush Turdus philomelos bird Numerous resident Yes Goshawk Accipiter gentilis bird Scarce No Buzzard Buteo buteo bird No Wood warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix bird Locally common No Firecrest Regulus ignicapilus bird Scarce No Crossbill Loxia curvirostra bird Scarce No Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus bird Locally common No

Appendix 4 WOODLAND HABITAT ACTION PLAN WORKING GROUP MEMBERS

Action Plan Lead: Steve Livsey-Bennett Surrey Wildlife Trust

Habitat Plan Working Group: Ian Baldwin Diane Stamp Waverley Borough Council

Jill Barton Surrey Wildlife Trust

Nigel Blandford Surrey County Council

Patrick Stevens Forestry Commission

Chris Hart National Trust

Gail Jeffcoate Butterfly Conservation

Patrick McKernan English Nature

John Milne Woodland Owner

Richard Perrins Guildford Borough Council

Jonathan Rau Gordon Pfetscher Woodland Trust

Further Information: Surrey Wildlife Trust School Lane Pirbright Surrey GU24 OJN 01483 488055 www.surreycc.gov.uk/woodlands