Ask Gill the Ecologist
Thanks for all you questions to Gill the Ecologist! We've posted the best questions and answers below. Pauline Bell of Crook, County Durham was our competition winner. Congratulations to Pauline who won a digital camera!
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Hi I'm Gill Thompson, the Ecologist at Northumberland National Park. The National Park is home to a fantastic variety of wildlife, but have you ever wondered about how we help conserve endangered species and protect important habitats? Perhaps you've a specific question such as how global warming might affect the wildlife in the National Park?
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Questions and Answers
Hi Gill
How many species of bat are there in the National Park?
From Lisa Kennedy
Gill says:
There are 8 species of bat found in the National Park; Common Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle, Brown Long-Eared, Daubenton's, Whiskered, Brandt's, Noctule and Natterer's.
The Pipistrelles are the most common and the ones that you are most likely to see in and around houses. They can only be easily separated using a bat detector to analyse the frequency of their echo location.
In addition a Nathusius' Pipistrelle may have been recorded. In Northumberland outside the National Park a Leisler's bat was recorded, but neither of these are likely to occur regularly.
This compares with 17 species in the UK as a whole. The Bat Conservation Trust has a good website covering all things batty, why not have a look to learn some more.
Gill
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Hi Gill,
Could you tell me if you think the progression of the grey squirrel into Northumberland is inevitable and how long it will be before the red squirrel has disappeared from the park?
From Simon Rees
Gill Says:
Grey squirrels are already in Northumberland and do seem to be spreading northwards. In your question you ask whether this is inevitable and I think yes they will continue to spread through the county. Incidentally there are also grey squirrels in Scotland and some come south and east over the border too. As you probably know there is link between the arrival of grey squirrels and the disappearance of red squirrels in an area. This is because grey squirrels can live in higher numbers than reds in native broad leaved woodlands where there are large seeded trees such as oak and hazel. Greys use up the resources forcing the reds out. In addition, grey squirrels can carry a virus called parapox which they do not seem to suffer from, but which can be fatal to reds. When grey squirrels arrive in an area they can pass on this virus on to the reds.
However, all these things considered we are hoping that the red squirrel will never disappear from the National Park as there is some conservation work underway to prevent it. Contrary to popular belief, reds do not prefer conifer woodlands to broad leaved woodlands, it is just that they can live in higher numbers than greys in conifer woodlands. Therefore it is likely that the non-native conifer forests will provide the best areas to protect red squirrels. Red squirrel reserve areas are being established where within and around grey squirrels are controlled, for example Kielder and Kidland Forests. Large seeded broad leaved trees will not be planted in and around these reserves to give the reds a better chance of survival. Since grey squirrels have spread, any control of greys will be concentrated around the reserves to make the best use of time and resources.
Gill
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Dear Gill,
I would really love to see an otter so can you tell me where I would have the best chance to watch one and what the best time of day would be?
From David Gerard
Gill Says:
A good question and not one that is easily answered! Otters are quite secretive creatures and are mostly nocturnal so seeing them is often rather difficult. Probably the best time of year is in the summer when the days are longer and the otters have young so there is a greater need to be active in the daytime or earlier before dusk. At anytime of the year dawn and dusk are the best times to try.
All the river catchments in the National Park have otters on them and signs are easy to see if you look in the right places. Their droppings or 'spraint' containing fish bones, scales, amphibian bones and in some places crayfish remains, can be found on rocks at the edges of rivers and burns and particularly around bridge abutments or where a tributary joins the main burn. They are remarkably pleasant smelling (for an animal's excretion!) a little like a cross between fish paste and jasmine tea! Footprints can also be seen in some places – look out for a 5-toed print with webbing.
These signs indicate where an otter has been and if you find a lot they are probably there quite often, however otters on river catchments can have large ranges so it is never certain where they may be. For that reason I can't really point to a place in the National Park where you will definitely see them although the River Breamish around Ingram is a good place for signs. Outside the National Park, otters have been seen fairly regularly at Big Waters Nature Reserve, a site owned by the Northumberland Wildlife Trust 1 km west of Seaton Burn north of Newcastle. They have also been spotted by anglers fairly regularly at Tyne Green in Hexham. The key is waiting silently in one place and even if you don't see an otter you may see all kinds of other interesting riverine wildlife.
Good Luck!
Gill
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Hi Gill,
With the Kyoto protocol in the news so much nowadays and global warming such a hot topic, could you tell me what the projected impact on Northumbrian wildlife might be, and also what measures we can take to reduce the local damage and facilitate the longeivity of local species?
From Gary Middleton
Gill says:
This is a massive question and one I can only scratch the surface of here. Firstly we are still unsure about exactly what effect a global rise in temperature might have on Britain and therefore Northumberland. There is some indication that it might induce a reduction to the flow of the Gulf stream which might actually make Britain cooler, but if we assume that there will be a rise in temperature the habitats most likely to be affected would be montane habitats and the arctic alpine flora they support. In Northumberland this includes the area on the summit of Cheviot. If it gets warmer, some of the species that are found only here in Northumberland would probably die out.
Bogs are important habitats which may also be affected if the climate gets warmer and possibly drier as cool, wet conditions are needed for peat to form. Bogs store a lot of carbon in the peat so protecting these habitats is important if climate change is not to be accelerated.
We may get species moving up from the south as the temperature increases. There is evidence that Comma and Speckled Wood butterflies are moving north. There is also some data that indicates warmer autumns are keeping animals active that might usually go into torpor or hibernation, for example, bats and bumblebees may be keeping active when there is not enough food available and then they are not able to survive the winter as their energy stores have been depleted.
The best way to help animals overcome the effects of climate change is to ensure that their habitats are in good condition and that there are links between habitats so it is easier for animals to move around. Habitat restoration such as tree planting to join up woodland fragments and ditch blocking on bogs to prevent water loss will all help.
In general people can help by taking part in surveys such as the BBC's Spring and Autumn watch and Woodland Trust phenology recording. The more information gathered nationally the better the data set and a clearer picture of what is happening. In addition make gardens wildlife friendly as they can be important stepping stones in the landscape - don't tidy too much, feed birds in the winter, think about invertebrates too - plant bumblebee friendly flowers and native plants that support native insect species. Since peat habitats are so important in storing carbon, gardeners should avoid using peat based composts; there are lots of alternatives around these days so everyone can do their bit.
Gill
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Dear Gill,
I'm currently studying geography at Newcastle University. One topic I'm researching at the moment is the possible environmental impacts of a Wind Farm located in the National Park. I am having to describe a possible Environmental Impact Assessment for such a development. I was wondering if you had any specific knowledge of ecological issues that could be impacted. Any other information would be greatly appreciated and help my research.
From Rhoda Hincks
Hi Gill,
I was wondering if you could tell me what impact 200 wind turbines would have on the wildlife in Northumberland National Park?
From Kim Penfold
Gill says:
Wind farms are becoming a big issue in this part of the world at the moment both in and outside the National Park and we comment on both. For sites outside the National Park we are interested in the landscape impact i.e. can it be seen from inside the National Park and if so, does it have a large detrimental effect on the view and tranquillity of the National Park. In most cases the developers produce maps showing how many turbines can be seen from various places taking into account the distance and the topography of the surrounding land. These are usually produced as coloured bands on the map. The other issues that would have to be considered for a site outside the National Park from our point of view would be mobile species such as birds and bats, especially migrating birds. Many birds winter in the National Park or pass through on migration so if the wind farm was located close to known flight lines any potential adverse effects would have to be investigated. Also birds move from the coast to breed in the uplands in spring, these routes would also have to be investigated.
If a site was proposed inside the National Park we would be interested in the very site that it was proposed on as well as the issues above. The actual habitat that it is built on would have to be assessed for ecological importance. By their nature wind farms have to be built on exposed sites; these are often moorlands which could have intrinsic value, for example they could be blanket bog or heather moorland, both of which are UK BAP (Biodiversity Action Plan) priority habitats and many are designated SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) or SAC (Special Area of Conservation).
There may be other important habitats such as wet flushes or species rich grassland or possibly upland wading birds using the site for breeding e.g. curlew, golden plover. The possibility of bird strike and disturbance would have to be fully investigated. Bats are also species that may be affected by wind farms. If turbines are located near known roosts or swarming areas or in flight lines they may affect bats. Since most of the sites for large wind farms are exposed sites this may not be too much of a problem and the location of smaller farms or individual turbines may be more relevant. However we don't know that much about the use of moorlands by bats so it is rather difficult.
In general it is probably unlikely that any large wind farms will be proposed inside the National Park but several have been proposed around the edges close to the Park so for the National Park Authority the first mentioned points about landscape and tranquillity and the effect on migrating species will be the biggest issues. However wherever a wind farm is proposed the effects on the site mentioned above would have to be scoped and investigated.
There are a number of small wind turbines in the National Park that serve to power individual properties and businesses and these seem to be very successful and are much more environmentally friendly than the traditional diesel generators for properties off mains power. When in combination with solar panels or photo-voltaic cells and storage batteries it can be an excellent reliable source of power. Personally I think wind power is a good idea, but finding locations for turbines will always be a difficult job and we should continue to investigate other methods as well.
In general it is probably unlikely that any large wind farms will be proposed inside the National Park and in line with a policy in the Local Plan, the National Park Authority will not permit proposals for the development of large scale renewable energy schemes within the National Park unless there is an overriding national need and no other alternative location outside the National Park.
Click here to find out more about the Natural Environment in Northumberland National Park, the habitats and the species that live here.
Hope this is useful,
Gill
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Hi Gill
What is particularly unique about the National Park's haymeadows?
From Donna Hopkins
Gill says:
The remaining species rich hay meadows in the National Park are examples of upland hay meadows, a rare habitat both in a UK and in a European context. They contain a mix of species that is found only in the uplands in Northumberland, Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire. Similar but slightly different meadows occur further south e.g. in the Peak District. Flowers that occur regularly in the meadows include Wood Cranesbill, Alchemillas (Lady's mantles), Eyebrights, Yellow Rattle, Pignut, Plantain and grasses such as Sweet Vernal Grass, Yellow Oat Grass and Crested Dogs Tail. Other plants such as Northern Marsh orchid, greater burnet, ox-eye daisy and melancholy thistle occur in some. There are 5 SSSI (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) designated as hay meadows and 4 of those are also designated as SAC (Special Area of Conservation) and therefore noted as important under the European Habitats Regulations. In addition there are probably around 25 other reasonably species rich meadows in the National Park.
Hay meadows, although they contain native plant species, are a created habitat which has developed from the practice of cutting for hay. Historically 'shutting up' the field and preventing grazing for a period allows plants to grow, flower and set seed and then the process of cutting and drying allows the seed to drop to grow again the next year. This was of course to provide winter fodder for stock, but as farming practices changed and numbers of stock increased more fodder was needed and many farms switched to producing silage. This differs from hay production in that the crop is fertilized with nitrogen based inorganic fertilizer which boosts the grass growth and enables the field to be cut earlier (and some times 2 or 3 cuts). The cut grass is then collected straight away and wrapped in plastic, pickling the grass. These practices mean that many flowers are out-competed by grasses and those that can compete often don't get a chance to set seed. This has led to a decline in flower rich meadows, which has an impact on invertebrates and the rest of the food chain.
The National Park Authority has recognised the fact that meadows are an important habitat and have written a habitat action plan. We have also started a project called 'Seeding Change' which has employed a project officer to co-ordinate collection of seed from good meadows to transfer to others and also to involve local people in surveying, collecting seed and growing wild flowers in their area.
Click here to find out more about the hay meadow habitat
Gill
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Hello Gill
When should we expect to see Adders sunning themselves on the paths?
From Pauline Bell
Gill says:
It is hard to be specific about this one, as because they are exothermic (they gain heat from their surroundings), the behaviour of Adders, especially early in the season, is very weather dependant. They hibernate from around OctoberNovember through the winter and will venture out from their hibernating places in early spring when the weather starts to warm up. I have certainly seen them in March but it will depend on frost and a number of sunny days. Males are usually seen first basking on a rock or areas of bare ground that heat up easily. This is the reason they are often seen on footpaths as the stoney or sandy surface dries out and heats up more quickly than the surrounding vegetation.
The sexes can be distinguished from one another by the background colour behind their black zigzags. Males are lighter in colour looking silvery or yellowy white and females usually browner although some tend towards yellow too. Young adders look more like females but should be distinguished by size. Adults can reach 50-60 cms in length.
Adders can often be seen year after year in the same place so if we have a spell of warm weather get out and have a look.
On the Adders Then and Now website, you will find the following page has information about adders and links to a national survey if you are interested.
