coleshill sewage treatment works– amphibian report · destruction plant and grit plan at...

Coleshill Sewage Treatment

Works– Amphibian Report

Prepared for:

Severn Trent Water

Prepared by:

GL

June 2017

Revision Description Author Quality Check Independent

Review

Rev 1.0 Final GL Lead

Ecologist

JL Environmental

Manager

AH PTL

Sign-off Sheet

[Enter MWH Legal Text]

Prepared by

(signature)

Gareth Lavery

Reviewed by

(signature)

Janet Langsford

Approved by

(signature)

Adrian Higgins

Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................1.1

1.0 INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................................1.1

2.0 SURVEY METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................2.1

2.1.1 Survey Area .................................................................................................. 2.1

2.1.2 Pond Assessments ........................................................................................ 2.1

2.1.3 eDNA Survey ................................................................................................ 2.1

2.1.4 Full Amphibian Survey ................................................................................. 2.2

3.0 SURVEY RESULTS ..........................................................................................................3.1

4.0 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...................................................................4.1

4.1.1 Great Crested Newts .................................................................................. 4.1

4.1.2 Other amphibians........................................................................................ 4.1

5.0 REFERENCES .................................................................................................................5.1

LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX A RELEVANT LEGISLATION AND STATUS ....................................................... A.1

APPENDIX B MAP OF PONDS SURVEYED WITHIN 500M OF THE AREA OF WORKS ...... B.1

APPENDIX C ADAS RSK EDNA RESULTS .......................................................................... C.1

APPENDIX D RESULTS FROM PRESENCE/ABSENCE SURVEYS ......................................... D.5

introduction

Executive Summary

MWH Stantec was commissioned by Severn Trent Water in March 2017 to undertake a series of

amphibian surveys at Coleshill Sewage Treatment Works (STW)(hereafter referred to as the Site).

The purpose of this was to identify any potential constraints to the proposed works relating to the

presence of great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) within the Site boundary.

It is understood that the Site is to be developed into a Sludge De-watering Facility and the

relocation of a Sludge Destruction Plant and Grit Plan to accommodate the proposed route for

High Speed 2 (HS2) at Coleshill STW.

The Site currently consists of tall ruderal habitat, semi-improved neutral grassland dense and

scattered scrub, swamp, standing water and ephemeral vegetation. The proposed works are

taking place within the Coleshill Sludge Lagoon Local Wildlife Site (LWS), Coleshill Sewage Works

LWS is located approximately 0.2km to the west with the River Tame Potential Local Wildlife Site

(pLWS) located immediately adjacent to the Site to the south.

Great crested newts and their terrestrial habitats are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside

Act 1981 (as amended) and are classified as European Protected Species (EPS) under the

Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 (as amended). This makes it an offence

to kill, injure or disturb great crested newts and to destroy any place used for rest or shelter by a

newt.

The common species of amphibian, namely common frog (Rana temporaria), common toad

(Bufo bufo), smooth newt (Lissotriton vulgaris) and palmate newt (Lissotriton helveticus) are given

some legal protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), in respect of

Section 9 (5) which prohibits sale, transportation or advertising for sale.

Three water bodies were identified within 500m of the proposed works, of these Ponds 2 and 3

were shown to support small populations of smooth newt.

introduction

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Project Background

In March 2017 MWH Stantec were commissioned by Severn Trent Water to undertake a survey

for great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) at the site of a proposed Sludge De-watering and

Destruction Plant and Grit Plan at Coleshill Sewage Treatment Works, Warwickshire.

Great crested newts are a European protected species and they are capable of being material

considerations in the planning process. A summary of the legislation protecting great crested

newts is included within Appendix A. This section also provides some brief information on the

ecology of great crested newts.

Site Description

Three water-bodies were identified within 500m of the proposed works.

Pond 1

Located approximately 40m to the west of the area of the works. The rectangular water-body is

approximately 30m wide and 40m long. Very little vegetation was present within the water-body

with the exception of a small area of reed mace (Typha angustifolia) in the northwestern corner.

The pond is lined with concrete with a steep sides covered in tall ruderal vegetation including

common nettle (Urtica dioica) and hemlock (Conium maculatum) together with stands of

bramble (Rubus fruticosus).. It is understood that this is a sludge storage area with any deposits of

rain water drained on a regular basis.

introduction

Plate 1. Pond 1 with steep sides colonized by tall ruderal species and little aquatic or marginal

vegetation

Pond 2

Located approximately 120m to the southwest of the area of works colonised by dense stands of

reed mace together with smaller areas of reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea), water mint

(Mentha aquatic) and soft rush (Juncus effusus). There is only a small area of open water

located towards the centre of the pond.

Plate 2. Pond 2 located approximately 120m to the southwest of the proposed works.

introduction

Pond 3

Located approximately 400m to the southwest of the works, this relatively large water-body

covers an area of approximately 0.9 ha. The water-body supported small numbers of water fowl

including mallard, lapwing, coot and moorhen. Water crowfoot (Ranunculus aquatilis) and

water mint are present within the pond with large areas of soft rush fringing the pond. The water

levels within the pond are quite shallow.

Plate 3. Pond 3 located approximately 400m to the southwest of the area of works.

Survey Methodology

2.0 SURVEY METHODOLOGY

2.1.1 Survey Area

The ponds assessed/surveyed are shown on Figure 1 within Appendix B.

2.1.2 Pond Assessments

Three ponds were identified within 500m of the area of works. These were assessed for their

potential to support breeding amphibians, in particular great crested newt, using a Habitat

Suitability Index (HSI) assessment (Oldham et al, 2000).

2.1.2.1 Habitat Suitability Index

The ponds were assessed using the HSI. The HSI is a numerical score where 0 indicates unsuitable

habitats and 1 indicates optimal habitats. The HSI for great crested newt incorporates 10

suitability indices, all of which are factors thought to affect the species.

The following equation is used:

HSI= (SI1*SI2*SI3*SI4*SI5*SI6*SI7*SI8*SI9*SI10)1/10

Table 1: Categorisation of HSI Scores

HSI Pond Suitability

<0.5 Poor

0.5 – 0.59 Below average

0.6 – 0.69 Average

0.7 – 0.79 Good

>0.8 Excellent

2.1.3 eDNA Survey

2.1.3.1 Methodology

Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling gives a great crested newt presence/absence result from

a water sample which is collected following a specific protocol. Natural England (NE) has

Survey Methodology

approved this method for the determination of great crested newt presence or absence. Pond

samples can be taken during the newt breeding season from the 15th April until the 30th of June.

A total of 20 water samples were taken from each water-body at regular intervals using the

sterile sample kit provided by RSK ADAS. The samples for each water-body were subsequently

mixed with 15ml dispensed into six separate sample tubes. This resulted in a total of six samples

per water-body. The sample kits were stored in a refrigerator overnight and sent back to the

laboratory by courier the following day.

If eDNA of great crested newts is found within the water-bodies, full great crested newt surveys

would be required of all water-bodies within the vicinity of the survey area in order to assess the

size of the population within the area and therefore to mitigate suitably. This would have to be

conducted during Spring 2017.

2.1.4 Full Amphibian Survey

2.1.4.1 Methodology

The standard methodology for great crested newt surveys comprises torch surveying, netting,

bottle trapping and egg searching (Gent and Gibson, 1998; English Nature, 2001). To determine

an absence of great crested newts, four survey visits using these methods are required during

suitable weather conditions between mid-March and mid-June.

To establish a population estimate, the standard methodology states that an additional two

survey visits are required, with at least three of the total six visits during mid- April to mid-May if

great crested newts are found to be present (English Nature, 2001).

2.1.4.2 Survey Details and Conditions

All three ponds were surveyed for the presence of great newts by MWH Stantec on the following

dates:

Table 2. Survey dates and weather conditions

Date Survey Conditions

Visit 1 10th/9th April 2017 7ᵒC during survey, weather

clear and dry

Visit 2 27th/28th April 2017 6ᵒC during survey, weather

partial cloud but generally

clear

Visit 3 11th/12th May 2017 12ᵒC during survey weather

Survey Methodology

Date Survey Conditions

clear, dry and warm

Visit 4 18th/19th May 2017 9ᵒC during survey weather

clear and dry with only partial

cloud cover

Visit 5 21st/22nd May 2017 9ᵒC during survey weather

clear and dry

Visit 6 30th/31st May 2017 12ᵒC light rain during torchlight

survey

Torch surveying was undertaken during suitable weather conditions (i.e. above 5ᵒC) between

dusk and 12.00am.

2.1.4.3 Survey limitations

The steep sides of Pond 1made bottle trapping impossible, this technique was replaced by

netting, torching and egg searches only at this pond.

Survey results

3.0 SURVEY RESULTS

3.1.1.1 Pond assessments

Ponds 1, 2 and 3 were all considered suitable for great crested newts (See Table 1 below for full

results of the HSI). All of the ponds were of a sufficient size and in a suitable location for great

crested newts. It is understood that Pond 1 is drained down annually while it is unlikely that Ponds

2 and 3 would dry out on a regular basis.

The water quality of the ponds varied from poor (Pond 1) to moderate (Ponds 2 and 3).

Pond 1 was completely unshaded. Pond 2 and Pond 3 had very limited shade provided by

young willow and overhanging mature trees.

Water-fowl were present or considered likely to use each of the ponds. Water-fowl droppings

and footprints were present around the shoreline of Pond 3 but not in large numbers.

The terrestrial habitat surrounding each of the ponds was considered good i.e. habitat that

offers good opportunities for foraging and shelter e.g. rough grassland, scrub or woodland)

completely surrounds the pond.

Macrophyte cover varied between the ponds, with one pond being almost completely covered

by plants (e.g. Pond 3) and one pond being devoid of aquatic vegetation (e.g. Pond 1)

Table 3. Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) details and score

Pond 1 Pond 2 Pond 3

Results Scores Results Scores Results Scores

SI1 Location A 1.00 A 1.00 A 1.00

SI2 Pond area 1738m² 0.8 4045m² 0.6 6853m² 0.5

SI3 Pond drying Sometimes 0.50 Sometimes 0.50 Sometimes 0.50

SI4 Water quality Poor 0.33 Moderate 0.67 Moderate 0.67

SI5 Shoreline

shade

0% 1.00 1% 1.00 0% 1.00

SI6 Fowl Minor 0..67 Absent 1.00 Minor 0.67

Survey results

Pond 1 Pond 2 Pond 3

Results Scores Results Scores Results Scores

SI7 Fish Absent 1.00 Absent 1.00 Absent 1.00

SI8 Pond count 3 0.6 3 0.6 3 0.6

SI9 Terrestrial

habitat

Good 1.00 Good 1.00 Good 1.00

SI10 Macrophytes 2% 0.3 70% 0.9 90% 0.9

HSI 0.66 0.80 0.75

Pond

suitability

Average Excellent Good

3.1.1.2 eDNA Results for the three ponds.

Table 4 below summarises the results from the eDNA sampling for each of the three ponds. A

copy of the full ADAS RSK eDNA report can be found in Appendix C.

Table 4. eDNA Results for the Three Ponds

Pond No. Sample Ref. HSI Score GCN Detection

1 2017-393 Average Absent

2 2017-395 Excellent Present

3 2017-394 Good Indeterminate

3.1.1.3 Amphibian Survey

No great crested newts were recorded from each pond during the six survey visits. The results for

each site visit are detailed in Appendix D. A summary of the results are provided in Table 5

below.

Survey results

Table 5. Amphibian Results (Peak Counts) for each pond during each survey visit

Visit 1 Visit 2 Visit 3 Visit 4 Visit 5 Visit 6

GCN SN GCN SN GCN SN GCN SN GCN SN GCN SN

Pond 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Pond 2 0 5 0 3 0 2 0 1 0 2 0 1

Pond 3 0 5 0 4 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1

Key: GCN = great crested newt SN = smooth newt

Other amphibians recorded included smooth newt larvae and eggs from ponds 2 and 3 and

frog tadpoles from Pond 3.

Discussion and recommendations

4.0 DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1.1 Great Crested Newts

Although a positive result was obtained from the samples collected at Pond 2

presence/absence surveys conducted at all three ponds returned no results for adult great

crested newt. Additionally no great crested newt eggs or larvae were recorded during all six

visits from any of the three ponds. Adult smooth newt together with the larvae and eggs of

smooth newt were recorded during all six survey visits at Ponds 2 and Pond 3. It is therefore

concluded that the positive result from Pond 2 was a “false positive” result i.e. great crested

newt not recently present but may have been present a long time ago. It is possible for DNA to

persist within the sediment of Pond 2 for longer than it would if it was floating in the water which

can lead to a “false positive” result. Other factors that can cause false positives include cross

contamination, inflows bringing eDNA from sites with newts into ponds or aquatic animals (e.g.

water fowl) transferring newt DNA between sites in faeces or water trapped in fur or feather

(Biggs et al, 2014).

As great crested newts are not present on site or within any water-bodies within 500m of the

works area no potential impact on this species from the proposed development is anticipated.

As a result no further survey effort or mitigation for great crested newts is required for the

proposed development.

Pond 1 was surveyed using a combination of torching, netting and egg searching with no

evidence of great crested newt at any life stage recorded. Additionally no evidence of smooth

newt were recorded from this water body. The eDNA sample returned a negative result for great

crested newt at Pond 1.

Pond 2 was surveyed using a combination of torching, bottle trapping and egg searching with

no evidence of great crested newt observed at any life stage. However small numbers of adult

smooth newt were recorded together with the larvae and eggs of this species. It is concluded

that the eDNA sample from Pond 2 returned a false positive for great crested newt.

Pond 3 was surveyed using a combination of torching, bottle trapping and egg searching with

no evidence of great crested newt at any life stage detected. Again small numbers of adult

smooth newt were recorded together with smooth newt larvae and eggs. The eDNA sample

returned a negative result for great crested newt at Pond 3.

4.1.2 Other amphibians

Adult smooth newt together with their eggs and larvae were recorded from Pond 2 and Pond 3

with Pond 3 also supporting common frog tadpoles. These species are given some legal

Discussion and recommendations

protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) in respect of Section 9 (5)

which prohibits the sale, transportation or advertising for sale of these species.

If any common amphibians are found during the proposed works, they should be removed

carefully by hand to areas away from the works. No further surveys are considered necessary.

References

5.0 REFERENCES

Biggs J, Ewald N, Valentini A, Gaboriaud C, Griffiths RA, Foster J, Wilkinson J, Arnett A, Williams P

and Dunn F 2014. Analytical and methodological development for improved surveillance of the

great crested newt. Appendix 5. Technical advice note for field and laboratory sampling of

great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) environmental DNA. Freshwater Habitats Trust, Oxford.

English Nature (2001). Great Crested Newt Mitigation Guidelines.

Gent T, Gibson S. (2003). Herpetofauna Workers' Manual. JNCC, Peterborough.

Odham R.S., Keeble J., Swan M.J.S. and Jeffcot, M. (2000). Evaluating the Suitability of Habitat for

the Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus). Herpetological Journal Vol. 10, pp 143-155.

APPENDICES

Relevant legislation and status

Appendix A RELEVANT LEGISLATION AND STATUS

As great crested newts are listed on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981), they

receive protection under Section 9 of this Act. The Act has been amended several times, most

recently by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 which added ‘or recklessly’ to Section

9(4)(a) and (b). Thus it is an offence to:

• Intentionally kill, injure or take a great crested newt;

• Possess or control any live or dead specimen or anything derived from a great crested

newt;

• Intentionally or recklessly damage, destroy or obstruct access to any structure or palce

used for shelter or protection by a great crested newt;

• Intentionally or recklessly disturb a great crested newt while it is occupying a structure

which it uses for that purpose; and

• Transport for sale or exchange, or offer for sale or exchange a live or dead great crested

newt or any part of a great crested newt.

The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 make it an offence to:

• Deliberately capture or kill a great crested newt;

• Deliberately disturb a great crested newt;

• Deliberately take or destroy the eggs of a great crested newt;

• Damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of a great crested newt; and

• Keep, transport, sell or exchange or offer for sale any great crested newts or anything

derived from this species.

The great crested newt is listed as a priority species under Section 41 of the 2006 Natural

Environment and Rural Communities Act (NERC s41).

Smooth or common newts, palmate newts, common toad and common frog are listed under

Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981). However, only part of Section 9(5) applies

to these species. As such it is an offence to transport for sale or exchange, or offer for sale or

exchange a live or dead individual or any part of an individual of these species.

map of ponds surveyed within 500m of the area of works

Appendix B MAP OF PONDS SURVEYED WITHIN 500M OF THE

AREA OF WORKS

map of ponds surveyed within 500m of the area of works

ADAS RSK eDNA Results

Appendix C ADAS RSK EDNA RESULTS

ADAS RSK eDNA Results

Results from Presence/Absence Surveys

Appendix D RESULTS FROM PRESENCE/ABSENCE SURVEYS

Site Name Coleshill Pond 1 Date 10/04/17 Temp 7QC

Methods

Torching Bottle Trapping Netting Egg search Larvae

Great

crested

newt

0 - 0 0 -

Smooth

newt

0 - 0 0 -

Palmate

newt

0 - 0 0 -

Frog 0 0

Toad 0 0

Other information (e.g. weather, number of traps used, turbidity)

Turbidity 5, banks to steep to bottle trap. Weather – clear and dry.


Methods


Great

crested

newt

0 - 0 0 -

Smooth

newt

0 - 0 0 -

Palmate

newt

0 - 0 0 -

Frog 0 0

Toad 0 0


Turbidity 5, banks to steep to bottle trap. Weather – clear and dry.


Site

Name

Coleshill Pond 1 Date 11/05/17 Temp 12QC

Methods

Torching Bottle

Trapping

Netting Egg search Larvae

Great

crested

newt

0 - 0 0 -

Smooth

newt

0 - 0 0 -

Palmate

newt

0 - 0 0 -

Frog 0 0

Toad 0 0


Turbidity 5, banks to steep to bottle trap. Weather – clear, dry and warm


Methods


Great

crested

newt

0 - 0 0 -

Smooth

newt

0 - 0 0 -

Palmate

newt

0 - 0 0 -

Frog 0 0

Toad 0 0


Turbidity 5, banks to steep to bottle trap. Weather – clear, dry and warm



Methods


Great

crested

newt

0 - 0 0 -

Smooth

newt

0 - 0 0 -

Palmate

newt

0 - 0 0 -

Frog 0 0

Toad 0 0


Turbidity 5, banks to steep to bottle trap. Weather – clear and dry


Methods


Great

crested

newt

0 - 0 0 -

Smooth

newt

0 - 0 0 -

Palmate

newt

0 - 0 0 -

Frog 0 0

Toad 0 0


Turbidity 5, banks to steep to bottle trap. Weather – light rain



Methods


Great

crested

newt

0 0 - 0 -

Smooth

newt

3 female

2 male

1 male

1 female

- � -

Palmate

newt

0 0 - 0 -

Frog 0 0

Toad 0 0


35 traps used. Turbidy 2. Pond fringed with dense stands of reed mace, open section to centre of pond. To south the

pond is shallow. Water levels appeared to be quite high.


Methods


Great

crested

newt

0 0 - 0 -

Smooth

newt

1 female

2 male

1 male

1 female

- 0 -

Palmate

newt

0 0 - 0 -

Frog 0 0

Toad 0 0


35 traps used. Turbidy 2.



Methods


Great

crested

newt

0 0 - 0 -

Smooth

newt

2 female

1 female - 0 -

Palmate

newt

0 0 - 0 -

Frog 0 0

Toad 0 0


20 traps used. Turbidy 2. Water levels dropping, only central area that is clear of typha suitable for trapping


Methods


Great

crested

newt

0 0 - 0 -

Smooth

newt

1 female

1 female - 0 1

Palmate

newt

0 0 - 0 -

Frog 0 0

Toad 0 0


20 traps used. Turbidy 2. Water levels slightly risen



Methods


Great

crested

newt

0 0 - 0 -

Smooth

newt

2 female

1 male - 0 2

Palmate

newt

0 0 - 0 -

Frog 0 0

Toad 0 0


20 traps used. Turbidy 2. Water levels slightly dropped


Methods


Great

crested

newt

0 0 - 0 -

Smooth

newt

1 female

1 male - 0 0

Palmate

newt

0 0 - 0 -

Frog 0 0

Toad 0 0


20 traps used. Turbidy 1. Water levels slightly dropped



Methods


Great

crested

newt

0 0 0 0 -

Smooth

newt

5 female 1 male

3 female

0 � -

Palmate

newt

0 0 0 0 -

Frog 0 10’s

Toad 0 0


60 traps used. Turbidy 2. Pond fringed with dense stands of lesser pond sedge to south. Water levels appeared to be

quite high. Eggs found on water mint.


Methods


Great

crested

newt

0 0 0 0 -

Smooth

newt

1 female 2 male

2 female

0 0 -

Palmate

newt

0 0 0 0 -

Frog 0 10’s

Toad 0 0


40 traps used. Turbidy 2. Water levels dropped significantly.



Methods


Great

crested

newt

0 0 0 0 -

Smooth

newt

1 female 0 0 0 -

Palmate

newt

0 0 0 0 -

Frog 0 0

Toad 0 0


10 traps used. Turbidy 2. Water levels dropped significantly, leaving only a small ditch suitable for trapping, remainder

of water-body torched and netted although dense stands of water crowfoot making torching difficult


Methods


Great

crested

newt

0 0 0 0 -

Smooth

newt

1 female 0 0 0 -

Palmate

newt

0 0 0 0 -

Frog 0 0

Toad 0 0


10 traps used. Turbidy 2. Water levels rose slightly due to heavy rain, although still to shallow to bottle trap, leaving only

a small ditch suitable for trapping, remainder of water-body torched although dense stands of water crowfoot making

torching difficult



Methods


Great

crested

newt

0 0 0 0 -

Smooth

newt

1 male 0 0 0 2

Palmate

newt

0 0 0 0 -

Frog 0 10’s

Toad 0 0


10 traps used. Turbidy 2. Water levels still to shallow to bottle trap, leaving only a small ditch suitable for trapping,

remainder of water-body torched although dense stands of water crowfoot making torching difficult


Methods


Great

crested

newt

0 0 0 0 -

Smooth

newt

1 female 0 0 0 3

Palmate

newt

0 0 0 0 -

Frog 0 10’s

Toad 0 0


10 traps used. Turbidy 3. Water levels rose slightly due to heavy rain, although still to shallow to bottle trap, leaving only

a small ditch suitable for trapping, remainder of water-body torched although dense stands of water crowfoot making

torching difficult

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