Study of our Woolley and Strafford mine water treatment
schemes recorded 31 different species of birds.
The survey, carried out in collaboration with the University of
Hull and run by final-year geography student Rosie Jaques, showed
our two sites support a total of 31 different bird species.
Our Woolley and Strafford mine water treatment
schemes, in Barnsley, were chosen due to their diverse
landscapes, which include reed beds that act like large filters
in the final stage of our treatment process to remove iron from
mine water before it is discharged into rivers.
Some of the species we found have populations that are declining
or have been found in fewer areas nationally over recent years
and appear on the red and amber lists of Birds of Conservation
Concern.
The birds use all the different habitats that are present, such
as the lagoons, and while it is smaller, the Strafford site has a
significantly higher bird density.
This could be due to having more habitats in a smaller space,
which are not only better-connected, but also form a mosaic
rather than discrete blocks.
Rosie recorded 4 red-listed species of birds, including grey
wagtails, linnets, house sparrows and yellow hammers.
In addition, there were 8 amber-listed species, including black
headed gulls, house martins, kestrels, kingfishers, mallards,
reed buntings, swifts and willow warblers.
Abby Moorhouse, Senior Geochemist with the Coal Authority, said:
It is so gratifying to see that our reed beds, which do an
excellent job removing iron from mine waters, provide further
benefits for the environment by creating habitats for other
wildlife.
We value the work carried out by the university, which has
increased our understanding of the biodiversity at our sites.
This will enable us to identify various actions to aid the
management of specific habitats and help improve our sites for
the benefit of all, while ensuring these systems continue to
fulfil their key function to treat mine waters.
While the survey sheds light on how our sites are currently used
by wildlife, it also serves as a road map for the future.
The results suggest that having a greater variety of habitats
within a site such as open water, marginal plants and reed beds,
will encourage a greater diversity of observed species.
Dr Will Mayes, Reader in Environmental Science at the University
of Hull, said:
We’ve known about the water quality benefits of the Coal
Authority treatment systems for a number of years now, and it’s
revealing to see the additional benefits these systems can
provide to wildlife.
Rosie did a great job undertaking the surveys, and it’s very
rewarding to see the work of our students feeding into
real-world efforts for biodiversity improvements.
Richard Carline, the Coal Authority’s Ecological and
Environmental Manager, said:
We are working on a review of our sites to see how we can
manage them differently to encourage biodiversity. This will be
measured using the Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs’ new biodiversity metric.
Both the study and our biodiversity improvement work contribute
towards our duty as a public body to support thriving
ecosystems whilst minimising habitat disruption. This will
enable us to make a positive contribution to national
strategies to secure and enhance the UK’s biodiversity.
