A draft Biodiversity Action Plan has been drawn up for the city of Hull as a successor to NaturePlan, the Nature Conservation Strategy drawn up in 1995. The Hull Valley Wildlife Group is one of the Partner Organisations involved in drawing up the Plan, and two members of the Committee, Geoff Dobbs and Roy Lyon, have attended a number of meetings over the last 18 months.

The Government has asked every council to work with others to see how they can contribute, at a local level, to the national UK Biodiversity Action Plan. This was drawn up in 1994 in response to the Rio Earth Summit of 1992. Biodiversity is also one of the key strands identified in the Kingston upon Hull Local Agenda 21 Strategy, as part of a world-wide programme to stimulate sustainable development. Wildlife is an important part of our environment, even in largely built-up areas like Hull. We have been involved in identifying the most important habitats in Hull, and the indicator species that can be used to check the overall health of wildlife in the city. The Plan sets targets for these, but also requires local people and voluntary organisations such as ourselves to help implement and monitor it.

One of the roles of the Hull Valley Wildlife Group members would be to assist in monitoring of the indicator species mentioned in the plan, particularly the birds selected. We may also be able to assist with nest-box schemes. The selection of indicator species was influenced by their declining national status and the possibility of being able to assist with nest-box schemes. e.g. Spotted Flycatcher and Tree Sparrow. The Song Thrush is more widespread in the city, but would benefit from more sensitive pest control in gardens. The House Martin could also benefit from nest-box schemes, and greater tolerance of its nesting habits. Mute Swans were selected as more showy indicators of water quality in the parks and drains in the city.

Habitat Action Plans have been drawn up for Estuarine and Fresh Water Habitats, Gardens and Allotments, Grassland, Industrial Land, Parks, Golf Courses and Cemeteries, the Built Environment and Trees Scrub and Hedgerows.

Species Action Plans have been drawn up for Bee Orchid, Brimstone Butterfly, Common Blue Butterfly, Common Lizard, Common Toad, Cowslip (Primula veris), Dragonflies, Elm Trees, Great Crested Newt, Harvest Mouse, Hedgehog, House Martin, Lichens, Linnet, Mute Swan, Pipistrelle bats, Reed Bunting, Saltmarsh snails, Skylark, Song Thrush, Spotted Flycatcher, Tree Sparrow, Wall Ferns, Water Vole and Yellow-wort (Blackstoria perfoliata).

Nest-box schemes have already been started for one of the small remaining colony of Tree Sparrows, and Geoff has arranged some Spotted Flycatcher boxes to be built by pupils at his school.

A copy of the Draft Scheme will be placed in the Members' Hut at Tophill Low. Any members who live in Hull who are interested in taking part in surveying the indicator bird species should get in touch with Roy or Geoff.

Geoff Dobbs  February 2002