Abstract from BTO Research Report No 259:

Holloway, S.J. & Clark, N.A. (2006)

Lancaster Bypass Winter 2000/2001
ISBN: 1-904870-37-6

Executive summary

1. This study, commissioned by Lancashire County Council, updates baseline data previously gathered during Winter 1993/94 on the wintering avifauna along the corridor of the proposed Lancaster Western Bypass, and assesses the likely significance of the road upon it.

2. Outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease in parts of north-west England resulted in the cancellation of March fieldwork, following appropriate consultation with Lancaster County Council. We have carried out a thorough examination of the data and do not anticipate that the overall accuracy of the results have been compromised as a consequence of the cancellation.

3. The study areas were the intertidal habitat, saltmarsh and river at the proposed Salt Ayre crossing point, damp fields adjacent to the Lune and the hinterland fields along the proposed route corridor. These areas were monitored between December 2000 and March 2001.

4. The intertidal counts confirmed that relatively small numbers of waterfowl and waders present in the vicinity of the proposed Salt Ayre crossing point on the River Lune compared to the numbers known to use the estuary as a whole. The saltmarsh adjacent to Aldcliffe Marsh was important for feeding and roosting Mute Swans, with up to 60 individuals counted, representing a large proportion of the Lancaster and District population.

5. The terrestrial survey found no important areas for wintering wildfowl. The most important areas for waders were the damp fields and saltmarshes adjacent to the estuary, particularly around Conder Green, which held large numbers of Lapwing and, occasionally, Redshank. The pastures and hedgerows adjacent to the Lancaster Canal were used by small numbers of winter thrushes.

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