| Background and site description |
|
Cement works where Blue Circle quarries clay and chalk seams. Sand is present as inter-burden between the two layers, over 90 per cent of which is removed as waste.
|
|
| Initiative |
|
Exposed sand breaks have been colonised by nesting sand martin since the early 1980s. To avoid disturbing the birds, the removal of the sand by contractors is programmed to avoid the nesting period: work is held off from the first signs of nesting until after the young have fledged. The sand banks are left in situ for the nesting period.
|
|
| Costs |
|
No costs identified, other than organising work schedules around the birds.
|
|
| Benefits |
|
"Peace of mind!"
|
|
| Contribution to biodiversity |
|
- Sand martin is a Long List UK BAP species.
- The site demonstrates how biodiversity objectives can be met in the course of normal operations and without large additional costs.
- The site also developed an area of lagoons, and works with local conservationists from the Gipping Valley Project who carry out monthly bird counts and monitor the sand martin population; in 1996, the sand martin nested in a non-active face for the first time.
|
|
| Contact |
|
Environment Agency
Juliia Stansfield
Suffolk BAP Regional Representative
Environment Agency
Cobham Road
Ipswich
Suffolk IP3 9JD |
|
Suffolk County Council
Elaine Austin / Sue Hooton
Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership
Secretariat
Suffolk County Council
Environment & Transport
Countryside Section
Endeavour House
8 Russell Street
Ipswich
Suffolk IP1 2BX
|
julia.stansfield@environment-agency.gov.uk
|
elaine.austin@et.suffolkcc.gov.uk |
| 01473 706057 |
01473 264783 |
|
