ITEM 2
 
LYMINGTON COASTAL ADVISORY PANEL
LYMINGTON COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
 
1ST OCTOBER, 1991
 
ANNUAL SITE REPORT 1991
 
REPORT OF THE COUNTY COUNTRYSIDE & COMMUNITY OFFICER
 
 
1.   STAFFING
 
     Mr Eddie Wiseman continued as Naturalist Ranger with Mr J
     Maskrey (Assistant Manager West) also based on site but with
     responsibilities elsewhere. For a second year running the
     Hampshire Wildlife Trust employed Mr Adrian Clarke as Seasonal
     Tern Warden during the summer months. Mr Clarke has now been
     employed by the County as seasonal Naturalist Ranger to assist
     Eddie Wiseman over the coming winter. In addition to this the
     site has benefited from the work of Mark Langford (Trainee
     Ranger and long term volunteer), and Jo Knox and Jane Kirby who
     also worked in a voluntary capacity.
 
2.   HABITAT MANAGEMENT
 
2.1  GRAZING
 
     The two previous dry summers and the effects of the previous
     winters floods resulted in less grass than usual. For this and
     other reasons it was decided not to graze Oxey and Salterns
     Marshes this year. Pennington and Normandy Marshes were grazed
     as usual, grazing at Keyhaven starting at a later date than
     previous years. As with previous years all our grazers are
     active New Forest Commoners.
 
2.2  MOWING
 
     It is planned to mow rush in a number of locations later in the
     Autumn.
 
2.3  SCRUB MANAGEMENT
 
     Scrub has been cut on Normandy and Keyhaven Marshes with the
     assistance of the New Forest Conservation Volunteers. Much work
     has gone into removing gorse killed by flooding by salt water
     last winter.
 
2.4  WATER MANAGEMENT
 
     Lagoonal water levels have been maintained to ensure protection
     of the habitat. Towards the end of the summer the water level
     was dropped on the borrow pit lagoon on Normandy Marsh to
     provide a feeding habitat for birds.
 
 
2.5  HEDGE AND FENCE MANAGEMENT
 
     Routine maintenance of fences and hedges has been carried out
     where required with electric fencing being used to manipulate
     grazing on Keyhaven Marsh.
 
3.   BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL SURVEYS
 
3.1  ORNITHOLOGICAL SURVEYS
 
     Breeding birds, wintering birds, passage migrants and vagrants
     have been systematically recorded over the last twelve months
     thus contributing to over twenty years of records for the site.
     A number of techniques have been used including:
 
     a) Common Bird Census - This method was used at Normandy Farm
     and at the Salterns, in the spring and summer, as a means of
     assessing the number of territories of breeding birds in these
     areas.
     b) Breeding Census - During the spring and summer the site was
     surveyed to provide an estimate of the number of breeding birds
     and others on the salt marshes and on Hurst Spit, the latter
     involving a modified form of the Common Bird Census.
     c) Estuary Counts - Regular winter month counts of wintering
     waders and wildfowl were undertaken from the site to assess the
     importance of this section of the Solent coast to these birds.
     d) Wildfowl Counts - Counts of ducks and geese were carried out
     to monitor the number of birds wintering on the site.
     Additionally the breeding success (estimated through the
     percentage of young in flocks) and feeding patterns of Brent
     Geese were monitored.
 
3.2  INVERTEBRATE SURVEY
     a) Occasional survey of terrestrial invertebrates including
     butterflies and other insects.
     b) Regular operation of moth traps at Salterns and on other
     sites to sample macro lepidoptera.
     c) Monitoring of lagoonal invertebrates to assess condition of
     new lagoons on Normandy Marsh.
 
3.3  SALINITY LEVELS
 
     These were recorded in ditches and lagoons.
 
4.   VISITOR SERVICES AND MANAGEMENT
 
4.1  INFORMAL RECREATION
 
     The Ranger and other staff regularly provide advice for visitors
     using the site and also informally monitor site usage.
 
4.2  INTERPRETATION
 
     A programme of guided walks has been in operation throughout the
     last twelve months.
 
 
4.3  EDUCATION
 
     A Number of schools visited the site as did two groups from
     Southampton University Adult Education.
 
4.4  SPECIES PROTECTION
 
     This remains an important aspect of the Site Rangers work.
     During the summer the Ranger worked with the Trust's Seasonal
     Warden keeping watch for egg collectors on County and Trust
     managed land.
 
 
5.   PENNINGTON SEA WALL PHASES I & II
 
5.1  Recolonisation of the landward banks along the
     Normandy Marsh section is encouraging with the vegetation
     establishing itself well. There is however considerable erosion
     along either side of the sea wall footpath. On the outer banks,
     vegetation is slowly re-establishing itself.
 
5.2. The islands on the Normandy lagoon have been very
     successful with some unexpected successes in their first year
     for several species of breeding birds.
 
5.3. There is no official news from the National Rivers
     Authority on the commencement for Phase II of the sea wall.
     However, it is believed that the Ministry of Agriculture and
     Fisheries and Food and will issue a licence under section 16/3
     of the Wildlife & Countryside Act for a modified scheme that
     will result in the sea wall being built outwards along a 1.4km
     length to avoid sensitive lagoons/soak ditches on Oxey Marsh,
     thus ensuring the protection of the Shrimps and Anemones.
 
6.   VISITORS SURVEYS
 
6.1. Two visitor surveys were carried out this year in the
     coastal area. One by MORI as part of the cost/benefit analysis
     for Hurst Spit, the second by Miller Associate's on behalf of
     Hampshire County Council. A presentation of the findings of the
     County Councils survey will be given by Dr Lynne Miller at the
     meeting of the Lymington Coastal Advisory Panel on the 1st
     October 1991.
 
7.   HURST SPIT
 
7.1  Hydraulic Research of Walingford have been conducting a
     physical modelling test of Hurst Spit on behalf of New Forest
     District Council and the Hampshire County Council. A report on
     this work should be ready early next year. From the results of
     this work it is hoped that a solution to the erosion of the
     Hurst Spit will be found.
 
7.2. As a result of survey work carried out earlier in the
     year, it may be necessary to carry out further maintenance works
     this winter to prevent breaching. This will be considered by the
 
     County Council's Land-Sub Committee at their next meeting
     following its approval by the Coastal Conservation Panel on the
     19th September 1991.
 
     RECOMMENDATION
 
     That the report be noted.
 
 
4fR30991

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