Overview
BSG Ecology have provided ecological support to the extension of the Rising Sun Country Park in North Tyneside since 2015. This initially involved working with Northumberland Estates to secure a 35 hectare extension to the park as an ecological mitigation site for the nearby Scaffold Hill housing development. Subsequently we have provided tailored management advice and ecological monitoring of newly-created woodland, grassland, ponds and other wetland habitats to ensure they have established successfully.
Challenge
One of the main aims of the park extension was to create new, attractive and ecologically valuable habitats that would complement and enhance those within the existing park. Provision of opportunities for great crested newt via both pond creation and the creation of terrestrial habitats was a priority. These biodiversity enhancements had to be carefully designed as there was a requirement to avoid encouraging flocking bird species that could present a bird strike risk to the nearby Newcastle International Airport.
Planning conditions associated with the residential development and extension to the country park required the completion of a Bird Management Plan (BMP) and a five-year ecological monitoring strategy. The strategy was to focus on demonstrating the ecological value of the habitats with the extension area.
Solution
The landscaping plan for the site included the retention and enhancement of existing habitats and the creation of new habitats including semi-improved grassland, scrub, woodland and ponds. The latter have been designed so that they vary in size and the extent of water they hold over the year, and complement retained ponds within the Country Park boundary. All new ponds have been designed to feature dense aquatic marginal vegetation to discourage large flocks of waterfowl from using the Site.
Terrestrial and ornithological monitoring surveys were undertaken between 2019 and 2024, to assess how well the newly created habitats had established and to monitor the breeding bird population for large flocks of birds that could present a hazard to air traffic as required in the Bird Management Plan.
Outcome
Monitoring has demonstrated that newly-created grassland, hedgerow and woodland habitats are meeting habitat management plan targets. Objectives have now been adjusted so that management now aims to prioritise diversifying habitat structure. The newly-created ponds and surrounding terrestrial habitat now provide ‘excellent’ quality resource for great crested newt, while bird monitoring has not identified any issues with flocking birds. Long term management initiatives are in place that will allow habitats within the extension area to continue to develop and increase in terms of biodiversity value