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Patchway Town Council's Local Nature Action Plan
Local Nature Action Plan: Welcome
Patchway Town Council in partnership with South Gloucestershire Council has recognised the importance of taking steps to address the ecological crisis our world is facing.
A Local Nature Action Plan has been drawn up in order for us to take the necessary steps to stop the decline of biodiversity.
Given how much land and property the TC owns or manages we have determined that the first 5 years will concentrate on this land/property only. During this 5 year time period we will investigate what can be done on SGC and other third party land, plan for what we would like to do and start the negotiations but practical works will not be planned for until the next 5 year phase.
It should be noted that to increase bird and mammal numbers we not only need to provide them with homes but we must ensure suitable food supplies. Projects involving increasing insect numbers through reducing pesticides, providing nectar rich food sources and reducing light pollution should run alongside other key projects like installing nests.
The programme is a guide and it is not necessary to stick to it rigidly.
Availability of volunteers and project team members will change over time. If projects need to be extended into other years, this is not a failure, it is adaptation to acknowledge resource availability.
In some years there may be a glut of availability and resources so projects can be bought forward or speeded up.
You can see the Local Nature Action plan below:
Local Nature Action Plan: Text
Local Nature Action Plan: Image
Hedgehog Recovery Programme
Local Nature Action Plan: Image
Hedgehog Highways
Hedgehogs can travel around 1 mile per night and enclosed gardens can often hinder their journey.
Installing a 'Hedgehog Highway' can make this much easier for them. Hedges along garden boundaries are ideal for hedgehogs and other wildlife, however, if this is not possible, you can install a 'Hedgehog Highway'.
These can either be a hole in the bottom of fencing or walls and only need to be around 13x13 cm and can be highlighted by a sign to ensure others know the purpose and do not accidentally block it.
These can be purchased at https://shop.ptes.org/
or https://shop.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/ amongst other retailers.
Hedgehog Map
Visit https://bighedgehogmap.org/ to see how many hedgehogs have been sighted in our area.
Want to get involved?
Visit https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/ for more information.
Patchway Town Council is supporting the ‘South Gloucestershire Hedgehog Heroes’ programme helping to bring Hedgehogs back from the brink of extinction here in South Gloucestershire. The programme is part of National Hedgehog Day on 2 February 2023, and the project will be pushed during National Hedgehog Week 1-7 May 2023.
The project aims to create 3000 hedgehog holes through walls and fences and set up 100 garden hubs.
More information, tips and ideas can be found at https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/leaflets/Hedgehog-Street-top-tips.pdf
Local Nature Action Plan: Text
Local Nature Action Plan: Image
Nesting Birds
Local Nature Action Plan: Image
Residents may be looking to start gardening now that warmer weather is on the way. In doing so, you can ensure that your garden is ready for the various birds that may visit.
Nesting birds in the UK include:
Robins
Blackbirds
Thrushes
Finches
Woodpigeons
Swifts
Dunnocks
To help assist these birds, nestboxes may be used. For more information on this, please visit https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/nestboxes/nestboxes-for-small-birds/
Information on how to make and place a nestbox, including a downloadable plan, can be found at: https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/advice/how-you-can-help-birds/nestboxes/nestboxes-for-small-birds/making-and-placing-a-bird-box/
At the end of April and beginning of May, Swifts will be returning to the UK and will be looking to nest and lay eggs. Swifts have been declining and are currently on Red UK Conservation Status. Information on where there are existing nests can be found at https://www.swiftmapper.org.uk/ and can give a better idea of where nests are needed.
Patchway Town Council would like to hear from residents that have birds nesting at their homes in order to build a better picture of what species are in the area and those that may need more help.
Cutting shrubs and hedges can be left until Autumn if possible in order for a variety of species to nest.
Local Nature Action Plan: Text
Bee Hotels
Local Nature Action Plan: Image
Patchway Town Council are pleased to announce that we will be installing 10 'Bee Hotels' throughout Patchway in May. The locations of these hotels will be at The Tumps and the rear of the BMX Track. One will also be put into the new nature area in Scott Park. There will also be some at Pretoria Road Allotments.
These hotels are designed to attract bees, butterflies, ladybirds and a host of other insects. The hotels provide useful insects with a special habitat for them to create themselves. We hope that our residents will keep their eyes out for any nature that they see and enjoy seeing the wide variety of species that Patchway has to offer.
Local Nature Action Plan: Text
Squirrel Feeder
Local Nature Action Plan: Image
Patchway Town Council have seen an influx of squirrels in and around the Scott Park area, especially in the copse at the bottom of the park as well as the new nature area. To encourage the squirrels we will be installing two high-level feeding platforms in Scott Park for the squirrels. We hope that residents get to see these quirky characters in and around the park very soon.
Local Nature Action Plan: Text
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