The Forum/HLS – All The News in Full

Firstly, thank you to Peter Bowden and Claire Mucklow for representing NE and The RSPB and providing residents of Lamorna with presentations about their combined work together on HLS. Secondly, thank you to Wo for chairing the meeting and keeping everything moving forward in a controlled manner at all times. And finally, to everyone who came, for finding the time, getting involved, conducting themselves in a sensible and polite manner throughout and making this by far the most highly attended meeting to date.

Prior to the Forum Meeting discussing the implementation of HLS in Lamorna, both NE and RSPB were cordially invited to come along and walk along the permissive pathway from the top of Well Lane to Carn Barges and experience for themselves the considerable changes that have occurred. Both declined due to lack of time and expressed the necessity to prepare presentations for the meeting instead.

The walk went ahead anyway and was videoed by Wo with the help and expertise of Bri. If you have yet to experience the changes, please do take a look at the few photos kindly supplied by local resident Jan, of the area prior to HLS, and then view the video to see it in its current condition. Compare and contrast.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1cNJbc91Tg

Here’s a link to The Map as mentioned in the video.

[Show as slideshow]

The Meeting (minutes taken by Kate Gibson)

Two individual presentations were made by NE and The RSPB, prior to the Q&A’s. One was a general overview of HLS,  the second, supplied more information about The Chough. Copiesof each were requested and we await their submission from the respective parties. Once received, we will of course post them for all to view. In the meanwhile, here’s a brief outline of the core content of each.

The Cornish Chough -- The RSPB, Claire Mucklow

Facts and figures. In 2001 Choughs returned to Cornwall. Prior to that, they last bred successfully in the county in 1947. This species was officially listed as extinct in Cornwall and England  from 1973 (though there were a handful of records during this time and two birds stayed at Rame Head for a few months in the 1980s).  Because of their natural return and potential for range recovery,  the Chough became a “conservation priority” for The RSPB in England.  They are also a conservation priority in other UK countries.  These priority species are analysed in specific ways using ‘status and threats’.

Status and Threats -- The Chough has a population of 350 recorded pairs  in the UK (500 pairs inc Isle of Man). One of the major reasons for their decline has been attributed to loss of habitat. Cornwall and the SW, has been specifically elected as a chosen location for promoting this bird, due to its proximity with France/South Wales. Brittany is home to a population of around 50 pairs and ideally placed for migration pathways into the UK and South Wales.

The Chough’s key needs are:

Suitable nesting areas, which are in abundance in Cornwall (sea caves and cliffs/old mine workings).

Chough diet.  Foods to remain similar both in the summer and winter months. Their diet is centralised on invertebrates and their larvae, found predominantly in semi natural grasslands/heathland , although they will feed in some improved pastures . Animal dung is important as it is a key source of invertebrates, especially for young Choughs. This feeding is further supplemented with grains from cereal stubble fields. This is the core reason behind the promotion of changing scrub to grazing cliff slopes, in order to provide an adequate mosaic of habitat for food sources.  Good habitat, close to nests sites is imperative.  Choughs are more mobile in winter.

8% of the Cornish coast is grazed but not adequately. Grazing is also attributed as important to other plants and animals being deemed at risk and requiring management/assistance, similar to The Chough. However, now conservation management, in general, tends to lean towards grazing as the preferred route, as this form of land use, generally supports 95.5% of these plant/invertebrate and bird species. Grazing, when undertaken correctly should maintain diversity, whilst keeping structure, whereas mechanical clearing or burning may not truly address either aspect long term.

Persecution -- Due to low numbers, you naturally experience a higher level of risk to any endangered species. Examples of this in relation to The Chough include, egg stealing and unknowing disturbance during the breeding season from walkers and dogs. The RSPB tries to limit damage by overseeing nest sites with teams of volunteer members.

In 2010, 6 breeding pairs in Cornwall.  56 young successfully fledged from Cornish Chough nests.

NE -- Peter Bowden and Vaughan Robbins - A General Overview of their schemes + more specifics with reference to HLS in Lamorna

First, a brief history of NE and their working relations with other key organisations within Cornwall.

For the past 10 years, NE have worked alongside The RSPB, who act as the primary provider of  information about The Chough.

The National Trust, primary land owners of The Lizard Peninsula where major works are currently in operation.

NE, themselves, are the body heading delivery of funding.

Agri Environmental Schemes first came into existence in 1985.  Initially, ESA (Environmentally Sensitive Schemes) where the preferred route, followed by Countrywide Schemes, both of which are closed now. In 2005 Environmental Stewardship replaced both.

Over 65% of all agricultural land in the UK is currently at Entry Level of Environmental Stewardship, 10% at HLS. The reason for the significant variation between the two figures is due to suitability of the land. HLS requirements are much more targeted and specific and involve much more extensive training and research for inclusion. Once recognised as fulfilling the criteria, a landowner will then be engaged in a 10 year contract with NE -- and will receive financial  support including fencing, gates, labour and maintenance costs.

Currently there are approximately 600 Agri environmental Schemes in operation in Cornwall and The Isles of Scilly.

Each HLS Scheme is unique and sculpted to fit its surrounding landscape.

Finally and separate from the above,  Peter form NE stated that, not only will the permissive pathway remain in place throughout the project, but also an additional 3-4 pathways will be introduced within the area included in the scheme, along with an open area for general public use.

Questions (surmised)

Changes to the route of the path, gate and fencing.

• The residents requested the following: To make the route passable to both visitors and villagers of all ages and in so doing lessen damage to the tourist industry, which is a primary source of income to multiple residents in Lamorna.
• It was verbally agreed that the pathway would remain passable at all times and this issue would be addressed immediately.
• That the pathway be re-routed in part and the kissing gates repositioned, to avoid the area at its lowest point and where the stream emerges.
• In regards to alteration of the route itself and the kissing gates, this was left to be reviewed depending on the assessment and results of handling the first issue of pass-ability (see question 1). It was suggested by NE that the problem of excess water at the point where the stream emerges, be dealt with by the installation of piping and a drainage system.
• That a post and rail fence replace the existing post and wire fence, as this would make the pathway not only more admissible to older and younger walkers but also improve safety and visual interpretation.
• As above (see question 2)
• Some residents expressed their considerations of a change to the permissive pathway into a public right of way.
• In this instance, NE stated that they would remain neutral.

Further Works

• Will further cut backs occur? If so will they include the present scrub, made up of Gorse, Blackthorn and Elder, and also the trees currently in place, Apple, Ash, Sycamore and Hawthorn?
• Yes, there will be further cut backs towards the lighthouse and then on an annual basis as part of a maintenance scheme. The specifics of what would be included in that remain unanswered.
• If the clearance continues, will it be undertaken using mechanical means or simply by a grazing process over time?
• Ideally by natural grazing but where necessary by mechanical means or burning as a last resort.

Livestock

• Will the choice of livestock change from the current dairy cow to a native breed? If so, when?
• Yes, the farmer is awaiting delivery of appropriate stock
• Will there be supplementary feeding of the livestock as already present?
• Unsure. Currently this is in play, but long term it is anticipated that this will be replaced with grazing only.
• Will the cleared area eventually be seeded with commercial grass varieties and therefore produce a monoculture?
• The RSPB and NE are keen to encourage the growth of a variety of grasses, for diversity. This is beneficial to The Chough and other species.
• Dung, the primary food source for the Chough, is compromised when produced by dairy cows. This is the current state of affairs and occurs due to the medication of the grazers. How will and when will this be addressed?
• Agreed and awaiting a change of livestock from commercial dairy to rare breed cattle.
• Dogs. A number of residents regularly walking this pathway, own dogs and have deep concerns of the potential dangers of walking close to cattle.
• NE advised all dogs be kept on leads when close to any cattle , as outlined by The Countrywide Code. They also stated that, they would communicate directly with the farmer to assess if the cattle could have restricted access to exclude the pathway. However, should this be non-achievable and prove to be a long term issue, they would consider either a change from just rare breed cattle to either a mixture of cattle and ponies, or just ponies.

The Chough and Other Species

• Will lost existing species return? For example the Whitethroat -- it no longer has nesting ground?
• Yes, The RSPB were confident of that. They stated they would be overseeing this with a team of volunteers provided by them.
• Other Endangered Species -- Residents expressed their concerns about the loss of other endangered species in preference to The Chough
• The RSPB stated that, due to The Chough’s current limited locations, they took preference, but having a diversity of habitats was more beneficial than detrimental as it caters for a whole range of species, not just Choughs . They were however, confident of the return of other endangered species, such as the adder, but they could not provide any harden data or independent surveys to verify this.
• The Chough, the key reason for the scheme’s existence. This species can fly and forage up to 3k from its nesting site (birds of The Western Palearctic). Current numbers are low but there are countless other available sites locally, so why the need to clear further areas at the detriment of other species?
• The Chough has evolved into a maritime bird. Why, quite simply because it now inhabits the maritime fringe. During the breeding season, ideal feeding habitats are within 200metres of the nest site. This is important for breeding success and productivity. So,  logically restoration of areas of cliff and slopes, in known range of birds, are the ideal locations for year round feeding .

Reports and Information Requests

• The requesting of Biodiversity reports before and after implementation of HLS schemes in other comparable coastal heathland areas.
• Remained unavailable
• Independent scientific data to verify that HLS does in fact improve the habitat of The Chough and therefore increase their numbers significantly.
• As above
• The requesting of an Archaeological Survey, which is a mandatory pre-cursor to any clearing work being undertaken.
• To be supplied by Anne Reynolds.

To surmise -- The meeting went well. The main points of contention were dealt with effectively and in general, to the satisfaction of the residents of Lamorna.  However, this project needs to be monitored by the village at all stages to ensure the follow through as agreed at the meeting. On site supervision by HLS is low, and due to further government cut backs, will be reduced still further. If we wish to see this project managed to our benefit, we must be involved and participate throughout. Our active presence prior to the meeting, our sourcing of knowledge, has been key to placing us in our current position of negotiation. This must be continued with equal momentum.

All further Q&A’s, monitoring details and any further queries will be referred to NE’s supervisor of this project, Vaughan Robbins.

Finally, it was made public knowledge that similar HLS Projects are currently under assessment in the adjacent areas of Boskenna and St Loy.