Welcome To Wirral

1. Current Status

1.1 National

A disjunct distribution, coastal dunes and dry heathland in SE. England and Merseyside, S. Lancashire, with a few records from Dorset, S. Lincolnshire and Talacre N.Wales.

1.2 Local

Relict sand dunes within the North Wirral Coastal Park behind the Gun Site car park Wallasey.

1.3 Legal

Apart from the general provisions of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Podalonia affinis is not specially protected by European or British legislation.

2. Current Factors Causing Loss or Decline

2.1 National

2.1.1 Habitat loss to coastal development.

2.1.2 Habitat loss to coarse vegetation, scrub/ woodland.

2.1.3 Degredation and loss of habitat due to public pressure, although this species probably tolerates moderate disturbance to its habitat.

2.1.4 Dune stablisation schemes.

2.2 Local

As above.

3. Current Action

3.1 National

CCW/BHP monitoring Talacre, Flintshire.

 3.2 Local

None

4. Key Habitats

Coastal sand dune and dry heathlands.

5. Objectives and Targets

5.1 Maintain current colonies.

5.2 Provide additional habitat for nest sites.

6. Proposed Actions

6.1 Site safeguard

6.1.1 Ensure that the species is included in site management documents for all relevant SSSIs (Action: EN, WMBC) (Priority: Medium)

6.1.2 Colonies should be included within existing SSSI or the site should be designated as SSSI.

6.2 Policy

6.2.1 Ensure Podalonia affinis requirements are taken into account in all plans and strategies affecting the North Wirral Coast. (Action DEFRA, WMBC and EA), (Priority: Medium).

6.3 Land Management

6.3.1 Maintain good expanses of bare or sparsely vegetated, sandy areas, and the factors responsible for promoting these conditions. (Action: WMBC, landowners, EN) (Priority: Medium)

6.3.2 Maintain open sward and control scrub. (Action: WMBC, landowners and EN) (Priority: Medium)

6.4 Species protection and management

6.4.1 None proposed

6.5 Advice

6.5.1 Ensure that relevant landowners and managers of sites with Podalonia affinis are aware of the species needs, the importance of the species and that advice on its management is available. (Action: WMBC, NMGM) (Priority: Medium)

6.6 Future research and monitoring

6.6.1 Implement regular monitoring of the species. (Action: WMBC, NMGM and landowners) (Priority: High)

6.6.2 Forward information gathered during monitoring to appropriate local and national data holders. (Action: WMBC, NMGM and landowners) (Priority: High)

6.7 Communications and publicity

6.7.1 Produce and distribute a simple leaflet identifying conservation needs and aims for sand dune invertebrate species including Podalonia affinis. (Action: WMBC, NMGM) (Priority: Low)

7. Resources

7.1 National

Not calculated.

7.2 Local

Not calculated.

8. Links To Other Action Plans

Wirral BAP Sand Hill Rustic, Mining Bee and Belted beauty, Coastal Sand Dunes.

8.1 Conflicts

None identified

9. Contact Points

NMGM - Carl Clee.
Telephone: (0151) 478 4283.

Wirral Ranger Service.
Telephone: (0151) 678 5488.

10. References