Oxfordshire LNRS - Garden Action Map PROTOTYPE

Provide new nesting spaces that are suitable for Common Swifts and House Martins and do not disturb, remove nests, or try to limit these birds from nesting.

Common swift numbers are estimated to have declined by 60 per cent between 1995 – 2020. Similarly the House Martin is present throughout the county but numbers notably declined by 37 per cent between 1995-2020.

Each year, these birds migrate from Africa to the UK for summer to breed and Oxfordshire is a particular national stronghold for these birds with projects that you can get involved across the county (e.g. Oxford, Cherwell, and Harwell).

Both species offer real opportunities for people to support and enjoy nature on (or above) their doorsteps. They nest in and around houses, buildings, and structures but many nest sites have been lost to building renovations.

Buildings act as a habitat for a variety of species but the nest sites of Swifts and House Martins are often lost during the renovation or redevelopment of existing buildings and other structures like bridges.

The loss of these nesting sites has contributed to a decline in the populations of both species but these birds are expected to be able to recover significant numbers if additional nesting spaces are provided (boxes, swift bricks, spaces in buildings and structures), and if existing nesting sites are retained for these birds.

Existing nest sites for building-dependent species such as swifts and house martins (endangered red-listed species) should be protected as far as possible. These species are known to return annually to their traditional nest sites and mitigation should be provided if these nest sites cannot be protected.

New development and extensions provide an opportunity to includes measures such as swift bricks. Swift bricks are a universal nest brick that can support a variety of small bird species (like house sparrows and starlings) and should be installed in new developments including extensions, in accordance with best-practice guidance such as BS 42021, NHBC NF89

Biodiversity in new housing developments: creating wildlife- friendly communities, or CIEEM which require at least one swift brick per home on average for each development. Artificial nest cups for house martins may be proposed instead of swift bricks where recommended (e.g. by an ecologist).

In addition to nesting spaces, they require good foraging habitats, particularly along rivers, to capture insects. Habitat improvement is being addressed in the LNRS through actions

recommended on the LNRS Statement of Biodiversity Priorities.

Provide nesting holes and/or boxes for Tawny Owls.

Tawny owls and other owl species have experienced declines across England and whilst they require habitat improvements. Whilst they would benefit from general habitat improvements, especially to woodlands, it is also believed that their range and numbers could be significantly supported by offering more, suitable nesting boxes/holes.

Tawny owls can live for over 20 years and often return to their territories and nest holes/boxes throughout their life. This could be in areas where these owls are present or could be present including; woodlands, large urban parks, and suburban or rural gardens (see further information here).

Learn how to build or position boxes for Tawny owls (here)

In addition to nest boxes, these species are expected to benefit from the wider creation of a more connected set of habitats, especially woodlands, and have been noted to avoid major roads. This means that the creation of new infrastructure could further fragment Tawny Owl habitats and should be carefully considered within decision making.

The creation or provision of green bridges could be an opportunity to better connect habitats across major infrastructure

(new or existing) which may benefit this species (and others).

Retain, manage, plant, and connect up Blackthorn hedgerows, trees, and scrub for Black and Brown Hairstreak butterflies

Retain existing thickets of blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) and mature blackthorn within hedgerows. Plant new thickets and hedgerows containing blackthorn, especially where they connect to existing blackthorn hedgerows or stands of blackthorn trees or scrub.

Carry out management and coppicing routines for these blackthorn hedgerows, trees, and scrub areas in a manner that suits the Black Hairstreak and Brown Hairstreak.

Encourage blackthorn in and around woodlands where suitable, create wide rides, glades, and scrub edges in and around those woodlands.

In the UK, most black hairstreak butterflies are only found in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire making them a priority species for Oxfordshire to support.

The brown hairstreak is also present in Oxfordshire with a strong population in Otmoor that is spreading into Oxford city. The main threat to the success of these species is the damage, poor management, or removal of mature blackthorn habitats.

These rare butterflies would benefit from long-term habitat restoration and creation to maintain and create sheltered (but unshaded) stands of blackthorn which are allowed to spread and grow to about 5 metres in height. These butterflies don’t typically spread far from the blackthorn so the creation of connected blackthorn stands/hedges/trees is key to expanding their populations.

Before winter hedge-cutting or coppicing, try to check blackthorn for eggs. These eggs are particularly vulnerable to hedge-trimming since they are laid on the youngest tips of blackthorn growth.

Consider the importance of Ash trees and retain these trees as long as possible and safe to do so, particularly around known Brown Hairstreak locations. Male and female butterflies congregate on these tall ash trees to mate before then laying their eggs on blackthorn (read more here).

Design, create, and enhance wildlife corridors to support bats (in both urban and rural areas).

Minimise loss or damage to existing bat corridors, and enhance existing wildlife corridors and features that support bats. These species are known to be negatively impacted by lighting. Read more about the impacts of lighting and what you can do to help bats here. Care should be taken to minimise or shield lights to benefit bats (and other species) in rural and urban areas.

Where possible, create new corridors, habitats, and features in suitable locations that better support bats to forage, commute, or roost. New corridors could aim to connect to existing hedgerows, woodlands, lines of trees, trees in gardens and greenspaces. New corridors can act as stepping stones to help mobile species move through urban and rural areas

Survey areas for bats in urban and rural areas to identify bat corridors. Bats use corridors through the natural environment to move (commute), feed (forage), and get to their roosts.

Often, bats use tree-lined corridors, hedgerows, woodland, and trees in gardens and greenspaces to move through both rural and urban

areas. Ponds, rivers, and watercourses also help to attract insects that bats feed on and can be a key part of the foraging corridors.

Get in touch with Bat Conservation to get help with bat-friendly gardens, monitoring bats, and more. For local advice, information, and support, get in touch with Oxfordshire Bat Group.

When designing changes to the environment to create or enhance urban areas and buildings – see this detailed guide, by Bat

Conservation to create an urban environment that can support bats and biodiversity.

Manage gardens, parks, urban environments, and new developments for hedgehogs.

In gardens, parks, urban greenspaces, and new developments, reduce or stop the use of slug pellets and pesticides, create 13cm x 13cm holes through fences and walls to create ‘hedgehog highways’ to help hedgehogs move through gardens and greenspaces to forage and mate. Create or install ‘hedgehog houses’ that provide

undisturbed, safe space for them.

Sweep fallen leaves into permanent, undisturbed leaf stores where hedgehogs can take shelter, and manage grass in gardens and parks to create a mosaic of long grass, short turf, open soil, and tussocks where they may search for food like beetles, caterpillars and earthworms.

Hedgehog numbers have declined greatly. They used to be a common sight in both rural and urban areas. Wider actions to support hedgehogs can be read about here which would also support a range of other species.

In addition to the more urban actions above, the rural hedgehog populations are expected to benefit from broader, general habitat improvements including the creation and good management of hedges, scrub, woodlands, deadwood, and grasslands as well as increasing nature friendly farming practices.