Ecology Update 2020 Pinewood Studios Group - Prepared by LUC Greg Nightingale 10 March 2021

Pinewood Studios Group

Ecology Update 2020

Prepared by LUC
Greg Nightingale
10 March 2021

Surveys undertaken 2020

• Habitats: Updated surveys of newly created and enhanced habitats
• Ecological features: Surveys of newly installed features (e.g. reptile hibernacula)
• Amphibians: Habitat suitability Index assessment
• Badger: walk-over survey and sett survey
• Bat activity surveys: Static monitoring
• Bat Boxes: Inspections of the bat boxes
• Breeding bird surveys: Surveys of key habitats
• Reptiles: A full Population Size Class Assessment
• Ad hoc observations

LUC | 10/03/2021                                                                 Pinewood CLG – March 2021

Results - Habitats

The completed Phase 1 and Phase 2 and proposed Phase 3 landscape works, comprise:
• New species rich meadows
• Enhanced existing meadows
• New native woodlands
• New native hedgerows
• New native scrub planting
• New species rich green roofs
• New scattered trees
• Approximate total is 31,900 trees/shrubs
• 1 reptile underpass, 25 invertebrate features, 16 hibernacula’s, 5 bird & 16 bat boxes.

LUC | 10/03/2021                                                                  Pinewood CLG – March 2021

Results - Habitats

Woodland, Scrub and Hedgerow planting: 1/3 of the north-western boundaries of the site
have struggled to establish due to the dry weather. A plan has put together to remediate.
Grassland creation: Establishing well, with some more recently created areas still
developing through natural succession from ephemeral / short perennial vegetation into
grassland. Grassland habitats around the northern and southern ponds displayed a higher
plant species diversity with a range of wildflower species.
Aquatic features: The northern pond was continuing to establish well and had good water
levels. The pond margins had limited marginal vegetation and the water itself had very
limited submerged and floating vegetation. During the monitoring surveys, dragonflies,
common toads, and smooth newts, were recorded close to the northern pond margins.
The southern pond was also establishing well. The surrounding grassland was relatively
species-rich and provided good sheltering and foraging resources for wildlife. The margins of
the southern pond had become heavily dominated by common reed.

LUC | 10/03/2021                                                                  Pinewood CLG – March 2021

Results - Species

Amphibians: common toad and juvenile smooth newts recorded close to the northern pond
(indicating smooth newt breeding activity). Habitat Suitability Index of two ponds assessed as
being ‘above average’ and ‘good’, which is a great result for newly created ponds.
Badger: The main sett present within the Site is still active and badger activity was observed
across the southern and eastern fields. A new outlier badger sett has been
established/discovered within The Clump.
Bat Activity: Confirmed the following species on site: common pipistrelle, soprano
pipistrelle, Nathusius’ pipistrelle, brown long-eared bat, noctule, Leisler’s bat and myotis
species.
Brown long-eared roost: Not surveyed but site remains unchanged.
Bat boxes: Checked and to be re-installed where required.
Reptiles: Slow worm, common lizard and grass snake populations are present within the
Site.

LUC | 10/03/2021                                                                     Pinewood CLG – March 2021

LUC | 10/03/2021   Pinewood CLG – March 2021

LUC | 10/03/2021   Pinewood CLG – March 2021

LUC | 10/03/2021   Pinewood CLG – March 2021

Results - Birds

Breeding within the Site: blackbird, magpie, woodpigeon, goldfinch, carrion crow, skylark,
blackcap, chaffinch, pied wagtail, stock dove, dunnock, nuthatch, robin, moorhen, mallard,
kestrel, song thrush, great tit, blue tit, wren, and linnet.
A pair of kestrels were regularly perched on western buildings and were observed
interacting and hunting on the western green roofs.
A flock of linnet were recorded feeding on thistle and teasel on the western bund along the
western edge of Phase 2.
Pairs of song thrush, dunnock and stock dove were recorded holding territory at the
northern end of the linear woodland / shrub strip which dissects Phase 2.
Ground based survey of breeding skylark was completed as part of the breeding bird survey.
In summary, a total of three skylark pairs were recorded holding territory, including on two
of the green roofs and on the planted bund along the western edge of Phase 2.

LUC | 10/03/2021                                                                 Pinewood CLG – March 2021

Results - Species

Ad hoc observations:
• Roe deer (bucks and does) were recorded in numerous locations,
• Muntjac was also recorded along the central hedgerow within phase 1.
• Rabbits, were also present in numerous areas, particularly in the north of the site along
  Seven Hills Road.
• Small mammals and amphibians were frequently recorded under refugia mats during the
  reptile surveys, including: field vole, common shrew, smooth newt, and common toad.

LUC | 10/03/2021                                                                  Pinewood CLG – March 2021

Adapted Management Recommendations

The survey results have led to proposed management actions within the Site to ensure
Pinewood Studio Groups commitments are being met, for example:

• Reduce the extent of common reed within the margins of the southern pond.
• Adaption of the grassland management to ensure that a diverse mix of native grasses and
  wildflowers is established and maintained.
• Replanting of any failed tree and shrub specimens.

LUC | 10/03/2021                                                               Pinewood CLG – March 2021