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Brown Hairstreak in Worcestershire - Bulletin 26

April 2006

Dear Brownhairstreakers,

After all the good news of recent months, it is very disappointing to have to report another instance of what, in our view, constitutes inappropriate management of a length of hedgerow under Countryside Stewardship (see photos below).

As many people have observed, the hedgerow in question at Stock Green has been cut to the ground and in places grubbed out completely. In response to complaints from local residents, West Midlands Butterfly Conservation contacted the Rural Development Service of DEFRA who administer stewardship schemes asking them to investigate. As well as the issue of compliance with the stewardship agreement, there was also concern that the work contravened the Hedgerow Regulations 1997 which requires planning consent for hedgerow removal. Their response so far indicates that DEFRA do not believe that the work carried out contravenes the stewardship agreement or planning law. The explanation offered is that the work carried out which is described as "hedge coppicing and pollarding" was to provide access to the adjacent pond and ditch to enable pond and ditch restoration to take place. DEFRA accepts that in an "ideal world" ditching would be done in stages but, in this instance, because of the relatively dry season and the cost of machinery hire and labour they were happy to see the work completed in one go. They believe that the hedgerow will regenerate quickly and envisage the remainder of the hedge being layed over the next few years. Blackthorn whips are to be used to gap up, which is some consolation, although in our view does not compensate for the wholesale removal of a stretch of hedgerow in this manner.

We all appreciate the work that DEFRA has done locally to promote better hedgerow management and in past Bulletins have applauded this, together with the very worthwhile contribution stewardship is making to improving the conservation prospects for the Brown Hairstreak. We also recognise that sometimes pragmatic judgements need to be made but, in this instance, we do not believe that the work carried out is in line with the principles behind stewardship and certainly not in the best interests of wildlife conservation. We accept that the hedge in question required management but surely the whole point of stewardship is to see work carried out sensitively and in stages rather than all at once. In short, to get closer to the "ideal" than would be the case on farms outside of stewardship. In this instance, it is hard to see what difference stewardship has made to the way work has been carried out. Taxpayers money is being used to fund stewardship agreements and as such we have a right to expect that this will be well spent and in line with what was originally agreed. We do not believe that this happened in this case and we have asked DEFRA to reconsider its response.

The late Spring has meant that the egg search season extended right through to the end of March and our final tally of 1km squares in which we have recorded Brown Hairstreaks now rests at 111 squares. The additional squares since the last Bulletin being SO 9356 and 9257. For an up to date distribution map go to www.westmidlandsbutterflyconservation.org or see the next issue of the Worcestershire Biological Record Centre newsletter which is due out this month and contains an article on the Brown Hairstreak in Worcestershire. Apologies for getting the price wrong in the last Bulletin - the subscription is £10 per year and cheques made out to WBRC should be sent c/o Lower Smite Farm, Smite Hill, Hindlip, Worcester WR3 8SZ.

Hope to see many of our local Champions at the Grafton Wood open day this Sunday, 23rd April from 11 am onwards. We shall be having a stall in the Three Parishes Village Hall at Grafton Flyford to promote the Hedgerows for Hairstreaks project so do drop in to say hello. There will be opportunities on the day to take part in guided walks in the wood and there is a special quiz for children plus delicious homemade refreshments so do try to come along.

Mike Williams,
Brown Hairstreak Species Champion