Wildlife

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Ponds can be exceptional wildlife habitats, providing a link between the terrestrial and aquatic habitats. They act as refugia for wildlife and support a vast array of species, including amphibians and reptiles, aquatic invertebrates including dragon and damselflies, water scorpions and stick insects, diving beetles and moths, as well as aquatic plants, mammals and birds.

The proposed pond complex at Clymping Mill will create new wildlife habitats, which will act as stepping stones and help link corridors of habitat within the agricultural surroundings. The ponds will give species the ability to colonise new areas, and make them more resilient to threats including climate change.

They will help protect, enhance and increase in size and number the best water habitats in safeguard and improve the wildlife populations of the parish and district.

The following are just a small selection of the many rare and ecologically important species that will potentially benefit from the creation of the pond complex at Clymping Mill.

Amphibians

Four species of amphibian have been recorded within the 1 km search radius, these include the nationally designated Smooth and Palmate Newts Lissotriton helveticus and L. vulgaris, and the Common Frog Rana temporaria and the internationally designated Great Crested Newt Triturus crisatus.

Mammals

Otters – Otters became extinct in Sussex in the late 1960s as a result of deteriorating habitat due to industrial and agricultural pollution, along with hunting and habitat degradation. Recent improvements to watercourses and a reduction in their persecution, has led to the slow recovery of the UK’s otter population. Over the last 20 years otter activity has been found in most of the Sussex river catchments, including the River Arun within a few kilometres of the Site. As such there is the potential for otters in the vicinity of the Site.

Water Vole – The European Water Vole Arvicola amphibius is a UK BAP Priority Species and a priority species for Sussex. Water voles have been recorded within the 1 km search radius. A total of 7 records exist all for the year 2014. Water voles are of conservation concern as have declined as a result of habitat loss, pollution and predation by the non-native Mink. Water vole require large amounts of vegetation for both habitat and for food. The planting of emergent native reeds and sedges would be recommended to encourage this species. Plants to consider would include plants with erect stems and leaves which emerge above the water’s surface.

Invertebrates

Invertebrates thrive in ponds and in turn they provide food for amphibians, birds and mammals. Many rare invertebrates are associated with ponds or are intrinsically linked to them. The species discussed below are all UK BAP priority species which are known to occur in Sussex. Many have been recorded within the 1 km radius of the Site.

The Marsh Mallow Moth Hydraecia osseola is restricted to a few scattered coastal localities in Kent and Sussex. This moth requires freshwater habitats to thrive including marshes, fens, river banks and ditches where its food plant the Marsh Mallow Althaea officinalis grows.

The diminutive Little Whirlpool’s Ramshorn Snail Anisus (Disculifer)
vorticulus is less than 5 mm in diameter and is known to occur within just
17 ditches at the RSPB’s Pulborough Brooks Nature Reserve and just two
other places in the UK. The Arun Valley in West Sussex in which Clymping
Mill lies, is one of the last few strongholds for the rare snail.
By providing fish free, unpolluted, chalky waters, marshland and native
oxygenating plants and by working with Jane Sears of the RSPB, it is likely
that suitable habitat could be created and an introduction of this rare
native invertebrate occur.

Dragonflies

The Scarce Chaser Libellula fulva is a lowland dragonfly which inhabits slow flowing, meandering rivers, gravel pits and ponds. Sites where they occur have good water quality which supports submerged and floating aquatic plants as well as prolific stands of emergent vegetation. Adults also require some shrubs and trees to shelter. This species is scarce in the UK and restricted to 6 main localities, one of which is in Sussex.

The Red-veined Darter Sympetrum fonscolombii is a scarce dragonfly which has been recorded within the search radius. They breed in large shallow water bodies with plenty of aquatic vegetation and are considered to be a likely inhabitant of the Clymping Mill ponds. The adults fly from May to October and the juveniles remain submerged for 3 years before emerging to breed.

Bats

In accordance with the Bat Conservation Trust guidelines, the overall potential for the site to support bats is rated as ‘high’ and several species were identified including Common Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Soprano Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus, Nathusius Pipistrelle Pipistrellus nathusii, Serotine Eptesicus serotinus and Brown Long-eared Bats Plecotus auritus.

Care and consideration will be taken during works to ensure that no bat roosts are disturbed and bat boxes will be installed to encourage bat population.