Priority Habitats Survey – Northumberland

Client – National Trust

Key Services – Habitat Assessment

Duration – August 2018

Project Overview – Phase 1 Habitat Survey of the Hadrian’s Wall Estate, Northumberland

Ecological Input – Haycock and Jay Associates were delighted to be commissioned by the National Trust to survey and assess habitats in a 383ha area of the Hadrian’s Wall Estate, Northumberland. For this we were tasked with conducting a Phase 1 Habitat Survey and assessing the condition of Priority Habitats.

The site at Hadrian’s Wall contains a diverse mosaic of grassland, heath, mire and flush habitats, including the unique species assemblage of the Whin grassland endemic to the Whin Sill geological formation; and impressive species-rich mires which lie north and south of the infamous Sycamore Gap.

All Phase 1 and Priority Habitats were mapped, with the latter subject to the standard assessment using methodologies from Natural England’s ‘Farm Environment Plan Manual’ and Joint Nature Conservation Committee’s ‘Common Standards Monitoring Guidance’.

Outcomes – Using the findings of these surveys, we identified opportunities for managing Priority Habitats in a way which optimises their condition. The result of this survey was an up-to-date assessment of the landscape, and recommendations for Priority Habitat conservation and enhancement. This enables the National Trust to make well-informed decisions regarding management of this important landscape and its biodiversity.