Encourage Wildlife in Your Local Area
The information on this web page has been adapted from a factsheet kindly provided by Durham Wildlife Trust.
Why Wildlife Matters
As a community group you are well placed to protect and encourage wildlife in your local area. There may be an area of land in the grounds of your local community centre, library or school which you could adopt as a group, and make some improvements which will make it more wildlife friendly (a typical example might be a small patch of mown grass, perhaps owned by a parish or district council).
The past few decades have seen dramatic losses in wildlife habitats such as ponds, woodlands and meadows. By recreating some or all of these habitats (even on a small area of land) you will be playing an important role in the protection of our local wildlife.
The information in this factsheet should give you some ideas on how to start encouraging wildlife in your area. Nearly all of the advice applies equally as well to individual gardens as it does to community wildlife areas....
Wildlife Habitats
Useful Addresses
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the variety of life and it concerns the whole range of living things, from trees, to birds, butterflies and mosses, as well as the wide range of habitats that animals and plants depend upon. It is not just about the rare and threatened, it embraces all life.
Protecting the variety of life around us is becoming increasingly important, not just for the intrinsic worth of the plants and animals themselves, but for man's own needs. Even small actions, like cutting down a tree or neglecting a pond can slowly erode your local wildlife - your local biodiversity. We can all make help to maintain biodiversity, in our own garden and in our local community, everyone of us has a part to play and everyone of us can take Action for Wildlife.
'Action for Wildlife - the Durham Biodiversity Plan' is the region's local Biodiversity Action Plan. This is the document which details what needs to be done for our priority species and key habitats, if they are to persist into the next millennium for the benefit of everyone.
Some bullet points from the Local Authority Document which may or may not be useful/applicable.
Crematoria and Cemeteries
- Develop wildlife areas within the grounds as 'contemplative zones' for visitors.
- Explore the opportunity to plant 'commemorative' native trees and shrubs in gardens of remembrance etc.
- Develop areas of churchyards for nature and wildlife as part of the 'Living Churchyards' scheme.
- Explore the feasibility of woodland burial schemes.
Landscaping/Forestry Schemes
- Use locally sourced hay crops, from herb-rich locations to act as seed sources for new wild flower areas.
- Where ever possible, use plant based oils for chain saws minimising the use of fossil fuels.
- Use locally native species of shrubs, trees and plants in all planting schedules, unless specific biodiversity needs dictate otherwise.
- The restoration and landscaping of currently active quarries, or old quarries with little wildlife value, should be done in a manner which enhances the biodiversity of the site.
Parks & Gardens (Horticulture)
- Sign up to the peat charter and use peat alternatives.
- Reduction of maintenance.
- Move towards more extensive management systems on land managed by the local authority.
- Explore opportunities for using more native species in formal horticulture- attempt to use locally native shrubs and trees in all schemes away from formal flower Beds and plantings (preferably of local provenance).
- Use habitat piles (e.g. small, discrete piles of logs or the prunings from woody plants) and similar features in appropriate locations, to encourage fungi and invertebrates.
- Use low maintenance perennial shrubs in beds (minimising watering and expensive establishment and replacement costs - this also minimises peat consumption in growing bedding plants).
- Wherever possible, use only biodegradable systemic herbicides; ideally, applied by spot treatment methods.
- Use linear features and corridors to connect areas of semi-natural vegetation to minimise fragmentation of habitats e.g. plant hedgerows and unmown strips of grass.
- Interpretation; inform people how horticulture can improve biodiversity and what is being done for biodiversity locally by amending horticultural procedures.
- Set up composting schemes, using locally collected biodegradable materials, and manage this to produce an effective by-product which can be used in horticultural work, thereby reducing costs.
- Facilitate community composting schemes.
- Use local provenance wildflower mixes as low maintenance alternatives, on low profile areas, and manage these under a once a year cut/hay crop regime (cuttings being used for composting).
- In all formal parks, develop a biodiversity area. In this area management would be less formal and wildlife would be encouraged by the use of native species and appropriate procedures.
- Develop features such as showpiece wild butterfly and bee gardens in formal parks and other appropriate facilities e.g. horticultural nurseries.
Protected Species in Durham
Protected species found in Durham include those listed on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). This includes: all bat species, red squirrel, otter, pine marten, hazel dormouse, water vole, slow-worm (killing, injuring, sale only), grass snake (killing, injuring, sale only), viviparous lizard (killing, injuring, sale only) great crested newt and white-clawed crayfish (take or sell). In addition it is an offence to intentionally injure or kill the whorl snail and adder.
All birds, their eggs and nests are protected, with Schedule 1 species receiving additional protection from deliberate disturbance during the breeding season. Birds listed on Schedule 1 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act (1981), which might be encountered in the region include: black-necked grebe, garganey, corncrake, spotted crake, quail, goshawk, harriers (all species), merlin, hobby, peregrine, little ringed plover, black-tailed godwit, ruff, roseate tern, little tern, barn owl, kingfisher, fieldfare, firecrest, crossbill (all species), as well as other rare species which may occur on an intermittent basis.
The Badger is specifically protected under its own act of Parliament.
For further details see 'Species Protected by Law - guidance for Local Planning Authorities', produced by Durham County Council (1997).
Useful Plant Species and Habitat Specifications
Native plants suitable for the creation of grasslands, wetlands and woodlands (trees and shrubs only) in north east England.- The reference source throughout is 'The Flora and Vegetation of County Durham' by G.G. Graham, 1988.
- Species are listed on ecological grounds only, regardless of other considerations such as availability and vigour.
- To maximise nature conservation value and to avoid damage to existing habitats all seed must be of wild British (preferably local) provenance.
The list contains the majoity of common grassland wildflowers and grasses that are native to Co. Durham, with the exception of noxious weeds such as certain Dock and Thistle species, Ragwort (Senecio jacobea) and Couch Grass (Elymus repens) which are ubiquitous or undesirable, as well as species such as Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), Annual Meadow-grass (Poa annua), Soft Brome (Bromus hordeaceous) and False Oat-grass (Arrhenatherum elatius); and those pertaining to some specialised habitats, such as magnesian limestone grassland:
A = more commonly occuring in acid (calcifugous) grasslands.
C = more commonly occuring in calcareous (calcicolous) grasslands.
Wildflowers
| Flower Name | Common Name | Category |
| Achillea millefolium | Yarrow |  |
| Anthyllis vulneraria | Kidney Vetch | C |
| Bellis perennis | Daisy | |
| Campanula rotundifolia | Harebell | |
| Centaurea nigra | Knapweed | |
| Centaurium erythraea | Centaury | |
| Cerastium fontanum | Common Mouse-ear | |
| Conopodium majus | Pignut | |
| Euphrasia officinalis | Eyebright | |
| Galium saxatile | Heath Bedstraw | A |
| Galium verum | Ladies Bedstraw | C |
| Geranium molle | Dove's-foot Cranesbill | |
| Hypericum perforatum | Perforate St John's Wort | |
| Hypochoeris radicata | Cat's-ear | |
| Knautia arvensis | Field Scabious | |
| Lathyrus montanus | Bitter Vetch | |
| Lathyrus pratensis | Meadow Vetchling | |
| Leontodon autumnalis | Autumn Hawkbit | |
| Leontodon hispidus | Rough Hawkbit | C |
| Leucanthemum vulgare | Ox-eye Daisy | |
| Lotus corniculatus | Bird's-foot Trefoil | |
| Medicago lupulina | Black Medick | |
| Odontites verna | Red Bartsia | |
| Pilosella officinarum | Mouse-ear Hawkweed | |
| Plantago lanceolata | Ribwort Plantain | |
| Potentilla erecta | Tormentil | A |
| Primula veris | Cowslip | |
| Prunella vulgaris | Self Heal | |
| Ranunculus acris | Meadow Buttercup | |
| Ranunculus bulbosus | Bulbous Buttercup | C |
| Rhinanthus minor | Yellow Rattle | |
| Rumex acetosa | Sorrel | |
| Rumex acetosella | Sheep's Sorrel | A |
| Stachys officinalis | Betony | |
| Stellaria graminea | Lesser Stitchwort | |
| Tragopogon pratensis | Goat's-beard | |
| Trifolium campestre | Hop Trefoil | |
| Trifolium dubium | Lesser Trefoil | |
| Trifolium medium | Zig-zag Clover | |
| Trifolium pratense | Red Clover | |
| Trifolium repens | White Clover | |
| Veronica chamaedrys | Germander Speedwell | A |
| Veronica officinalis | Heath Speedwell | |
| Veronica serpyllifolia | Thyme-leaved Speedwell | |
| Vicia cracca | Tufted Vetch | |
| Vicia sepium | Bush Vetch | |
Grasses
| Flower Name | Common Name | Category |
| Agrostis capillaris | Common Bent | |
| Agrostis vinealis | Brown Bent | A |
| Aira praecox | Early Hair-grass | A |
| Alopecurus pratensis | Meadow Foxtail | |
| Anthoxanthum odoratum | Sweet Vernal-grass | |
| Cynosurus cristatus | Crested Dog's-tail | |
| Dactylis glomerata | Cock's-foot | |
| Festuca ovina | Sheeps Fescue | |
| Festuca rubra | Red Fescue | |
| Holcus lanatus | Yorkshire Fog | |
| Lolium perenne | Perennial Ryegrass | |
| Phleum pratense | Timothy | |
| Poa pratensis |   | |
| Trisetum flavescens | Yellow Oat-grass | |
Useful species of annuals for 'first season colour' include field poppy, corncockle, corn marigold and corn flower. Specialist mixes of flowers and grasses, for particular soil types, might be formulated in consultation with local experts and Planning Authorities, as appropriate.
Native Wildflowers, Grasses and Bur-reeds Suitable for the Creation of Species-rich Wet Grasslands / Pond Margins
The list contains most common species that are native to this habitat in Co. Durham except:those listed above, under grasslands; Creeping Buttercup (Ranunculus repens) and Great Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum) which are, in effect, ubiquitous; Floating Sweet-grass (Glyceria fluitans), Common Reed (Phragmites australis) and Great Reedmace (Typha latifolia), which are potentially invasive/dominant.Wildflowers
| Flower Name | Common Name |
| Achillea ptarmica | Sneezewort |
| Ajuga reptans | Bugle |
| Angelica sylvestris | Wild Angelica |
| Caltha palustris | Marsh Marigold |
| Cardamine pratensis | Cuckoo Flower |
| Cirsium palustre | Marsh Thistle |
| Crepis paludosa | Marsh Hawk's -beard |
| Epilobium palustre | Marsh Willowherb |
| Eupatorium cannabinum | Hemp-agrimony |
| Filaginella uliginosa | Marsh Cudweed |
| Filipendula ulmaria | Meadowsweet |
| Galium palustre | Marsh Bedstraw |
| Geum rivale | Water Avens |
| Hypericum tetrapterum | Square-stalked St John's Wort |
| Iris pseudacorus | Yellow Flag |
| Myosotis laxa | Tufted Forget-me-not |
| Myosotis scorpioides | Water Forget-me-not |
| Lotus uliginosus | Greater Bird's-foot Trefoil |
| Lychnis flos-cuculi | Ragged Robin |
| Mentha aquatica | Water Mint |
| Nasturtium officinale | Water Cress |
| Ranunculus flammula | Lesser Spearwort |
| Ranunculus sceleratus | Celery-leaved Buttercup |
| Sanguisorba officinalis | Great Burnet |
| Scrophularia nodosa | Figwort |
| Senecio aquaticus | Marsh Ragwort |
| Stachys palustre | Marsh Woundwort |
| Stellaria uliginosa | Bog Stitchwort |
| Succisa pratensis | Devil's-bit Scabious |
| Triglochin palustris | Marsh Arrowgrass |
| Valeriana officinalis | Valerian |
| Veronica beccabunga | Brooklime |
Grasses
| Flower Name | Common Name |
| Alopecurus geniculatus | Marsh Foxtail |
| Agrostis stolonifera | Creeping Bent |
| Deschampsia cespitosa | Tufted Hair-grass |
| Phalaris arundinacea | Reed Canary-grass |
| Poa trivialis | Rough-stalked Meadow Grass |
Bur-reeds
| Flower Name | Common Name |
| Sparganium erectum | Branched bur reed |
Native Trees and Shrubs
The list contains all trees and shrubs considered native to the region. However please note that: Scot's Pine (Pinus sylvestris), though native in historical times, is now an introduced species; Field Maple (Acer campestre) may be a rare native, but is considered, primarily, a more southern species; the native Oaks (Quercus) found in the region very often hybrid intermediates between Q. petraea and Q. robur, with a tendency towards the petraea ; Purple Willow (Salix purpurea) is native, but only in riverside communities; White Willow (Salix alba) is 'introduced, doubtfully native'; Aspen (Populus tremula) is 'native in rocky river gorges'.Trees
| Flower Name | Common Name |
| Alnus glutinosa | Alder (useful for damp locations) |
| Populus tremula | Aspen (should not be planted in the vicinity of building foundations or drains) |
| Betula pendula | Silver Birch |
| Betula pubescens | Downy Birch (useful for damp locations and upland areas) |
| Fraxinus excelsior | Ash |
| Ilex aquifolium | Holly |
| Prunus avium | Wild Cherry |
| Quercus petraea | Sessile Oak (especially in upland areas) |
| Quercus robur | Pedunculate Oak |
| Salix fragilis | Crack Willow |
| Sorbus aucuparia | Rowan |
| Taxus baccata | Yew |
| Ulmus glabra | Wych Elm |
Shrubs
| Corylus avellana | Hazel |
| Crataegus monogyna | Hawthorn |
| Cytisus scoparius | Broom |
| Hedera helix | Ivy |
| Ligustrum vulgare | Wild Privet |
| Lonicera periclymenum | Honeysuckle |
| Malus sylvestris | Crab Apple |
| Prunus padus | Bird Cherry |
| Prunus spinosa | Blackthorn |
| Rosa canina | Dog Rose |
| Salix caprea | Goat Willow |
| Salix cinerea | Grey Willow |
| Sambucus nigra | Elder |
| Ulex europaeus | Gorse |
| Viburnum opulus | Guelder Rose |
Hedgerow Planting
Suggested species for any hedgerow planting (whips to be planted at 20-25cm staggered centres), with proportion of species mix:| Flower Name | Common Name |
| Crataegus monogyna | Hawthorn (60%) |
| Corylus avellana | Hazel (2%) |
| Fraxinus excelsior | Ash (2%) |
| Prunus padus | Bird Cherry (2%) |
| Prunus spinosa | Blackthorn (12%) |
| Quercus petraea | Oak (2%) |
| Rosa canina | Dog Rose (10%) |
| Sambucus nigra | Elder (5%) |
| Salix caprea | Sallow (2%) |
| Sorbus aucuparia | Rowan (2%) |
| Viburnum opulus | Guelder Rose (1%) |
