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Appendices to 2013 Report of Long Term Survey of breeding birds

Here are the Appendices to the 2013 Report of a Long term survey of birds breeding on Magog Down. For the main report itself, click here.

Appendix 1. Number of breeding birds recorded at each location

Appendix 2. Bird Feeding Project at Magog Down 2013

Appendix 3. Some thoughts on the welfare of birds on Magog Down

Now that the second year of the bird survey is over, it is an opportune time to make suggestions for encouraging birds on the Downs.

The prime areas are:
1.Western boundary hedge from Vestey Wood to the electricity pylon (whitethroats, yellowhammers)
2. Boundary hedges of Feoffees field (whitethroats and probably yellowhammers)
3. Clunch pits (tits, goldcrests, blackcaps and several others)
4. Car Park and Picnic area. (largest range of species including willow warblers)
5. North Down (skylarks)
These areas need particular attention to ensure management maintains or enhances their importance.

1 and 2 above. The whitethroats nest in the long herbage bordering the hedge and benefit from the long grass and brambles along the fence line. The hedge provides shelter, insects, singing sites and a launching platform for song flight.
   Yellowhammers nest in the hedge and sing from high points of the hedge. Small trees to provide singing perches would enhance these hedges

The hedge border needs be left uncut and as wide as is practical.  Only half the length of hedges should be trimmed in anyone year.

3. above.  The ivy on a number of the trees has already been cut but it would be very advantageous to leave us much ivy as possible, because it is one of the main reasons for the pits attracting so many birds. Ivy provides pollen and nectar for many insects, berries for birds to eat late into winter, shelter during winter and nest sites during the breeding season.  Ivy in the crown of trees needs to be removed to reduce the risk of wind blow but lower down in the canopy the benefits to wildlife are very substantial.
   It is noticeable, although not conclusive, that after freeing some of the trees of ivy, fewer birds have been recorded this year than in the 2012 survey.

4. above.  This area continues to attract the largest variety of birds, probably due to the wide variation in habitats and availability of seeds and insects. Rather than tight strimming of both the tops and the sides of  the banks between the car parks, it would be advantageous to leave the sides longer. This would ensure visibility between the car parks at the same time as encouraging more insect life on the sides. (Query – influence of bank strimming on flora).

General Points
Hedges; these are important habitats for a wide range of birds, small mammals and insects and provide wildlife corridors allowing species to spread. The ideal hedge for wildlife is thick and broad in the bottom and 2-3m high with occasional taller ‘singing posts’.  Tall herbage at the base of a hedge is an integral part of the habitat. Where feasible the full length of a hedge should not all be cut the same year so that there is always some mature habitat available. Late winter, when most of the berries have been eaten, is the best time for cutting.
   When hedges become overgrown, the base becomes open and the wildlife value declines. Laying and coppicing are the two options for renewal; laying produces a new hedge more quickly that coppicing and so is always the preferred option for conservation. The laying should be done in annual stages to avoid removing all the habitat in year one.

Woods
Young woods lack nesting holes so providing nesting boxes, which are squirrel and woodpecker proof, is likely to increase the tit population provided food is not the major limiting factor.  The herbage and scrub at the margin of woods is a good habitat for wildlife and a likely nesting site for some bird species provided it is wide enough. However invasive shrubs such as blackthorn need controlling. Glades within the woods, if large enough provide, valuable habitat for wildlife.
   Mature woods are a valuable habitat for birds and insects; a habitat which is greatly enhanced by ivy. In addition to giving cover in severe weather, ivy on trees provides nesting sites and the berries are a good source of food during winter. Ivy flowers are an important source of nectar for several insects.

Bryan Davies and Sue Bradley, October 2013