Magherafelt Farmland Biodiversity Profile

In the following account of this LCA it should be noted that for consistency, the biodiversity section follows the standard order for all LCAs even though some of the communities discussed later may have more importance for biodiversity than those discussed earlier

Key Characteristics

• dominated by agricultural land, principally of improved pastures
• agricultural land is open, with a sparse hedgerow network
• woodland is scarce, largely confined to incised streams on the western border and to the Spring Hill estate
• large farmsteads have stands of trees

Woodlands

Woodland is scarce in the LCA, and is largely confined to ribbons along incised streams in the west and to the Spring Hill estate. The latter is largely of plantation origin and contains some old sessile oaks in the parkland and along the drive, but a more semi-natural area occurs in the NW of the estate. This area of woodland is dominated by oak, ash, and hazel. It has a relatively rich ground flora and invertebrate fauna, with two uncommon species of snail present - dusky snail and English chrysalis snail. Associated with the dead wood in this area are two beetle species that appear to be scarce in Ireland, a two-spot pleasing fungus beetle (Dacne bipustulata) and the predatory rove beetle. The estate is managed by the National Trust with attention being paid to preserving old oaks, retaining dead timber, replanting with native tree species, and possibly opening out the densest canopies to encourage ground flora and insects.

Grassland and Arable

Grassland occupies over 80% of the LCA: the vast majority of this is improved pastures. Improved pastures are of sown species (rye grass and clover mixtures), and herbicides, slurry and inorganic fertilizers are used commonly. Arable accounts for about 11% (although this figure includes bare soil fields which could be for resown pasture). Arable fields are treated with herbicides and pesticides. Plant, insect and animal life therefore tends to be reduced in both the improved pastures and the arable fields. Hedgerows are not common everywhere in the LCA, but do provide important habitats. Despite the relative intensity of farming, farmland in the LCA does contain a number of Northern Ireland Priority Species, including linnet, reed bunting, tree sparrow and yellowhammer.

There are some examples of semi-natural grassland in the LCA, but each is small. At Spring Hill there is an area of slightly calcareous grassland. It has two noteworthy species, adders tongue and common bistort; both species are local and are indicative of rich, slightly calcareous grassland. A second small area of grassland in the estate is of value due to the large population of the common spotted orchid. Damp grasslands around Carraloa, Barnetts crossroads and to the SW of Magherafelt are important sites for breeding waders such as lapwing and snipe.

Key Issues

General actions for UK and NI Priority Habitats and Priority Species are detailed in the Habitat Action Plans and Species Action Plans.

WOODLANDS

Issue: woodland cover is scarce and of variable biodiversity value, although this LCA contains a semi-natural woodland of interest on the National Trust managed Spring Hill estate

Actions:

• encourage/continue to enhance the biodiversity value of semi-natural woodlands by discouraging felling; by preventing loss; by retention of fallen and veteran trees (particularly for bryophytes, ferns, fungi and fauna)
• encourage/continue the control of grazing to foster herb layer and regeneration and if necessary, encourage replanting of canopy species
• further study of the history and ecology of the Spring Hill estate as a key to future management e.g. rare invertebrate fauna
• encourage planting of broadleaved woodlands through appropriate grant schemes rather than the conifer plantations and shelterbelts that are of poor biodiversity and landscape value; ensure that hazel scrub is not cleared

GRASSLAND AND ARABLE

Issue: poor biodiversity of improved and semi-natural pastures, however a number of NI Priority Species are present, including linnet, reed bunting, tree sparrow and yellowhammer

Actions:

• maintain and improve field boundaries, especially hedgerows where they occur through adoption of correct cutting cycles; hedge laying and replanting where necessary; leave saplings uncut to develop into hedgerow trees; avoidance of spraying with fertilisers, slurry, herbicides; provision of wildlife strips and conservation headlands around fields; and limitation of field amalgamation
• encourage (through participation in Environmental Schemes adoption/continuance of less intensive management of pastures to allow reversion to/continuance of more species-rich grassland and protect unsown areas of grassland including dry, calcareous grassland
• maintain and enhance damp grassland, which is important for breeding waders by where, possible, restricting field or arterial drainage
• leave stubble over winter, rather than autumn ploughing to increase food resources for farmland birds; spring-sown cereals are beneficial to farmland birds

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