Discussion
So, we have now received the map showing the wildlife potential of the various parts of Kingsmead and it has been a bit of a shock. We anticipated that the Kings Mead would have the highest wildlife designation and that Cromwell Road allotments would at least feature as a wildlife habitat but No! We can't produce the map due to copyright but there are several designations: Green - protected* because they are habitats for endangered species Purple - not protected yet but have a high chance of becoming a 'Green' Orange then yellow then cream - no habitats and suitable for development with decreasing wildlife interest as you lose colour vibrancy So, key surprises: The Kings Mead North of the railway line is designated purple with a couple of very small Green areas The part of Hartham Common in Kingsmead (NW of the lock keepers cottage) is mainly yellow with a small patch of purple The Pines is purple Cromwell Road is orange Why are these surprises? Because several of the KNP know that there are slowworms/greater crested newts or other protected wildlife living in these areas. The Herts and Middsx Wildlife Trust collate the information that informs the designations. So, we are asking everyone; if you know/see protected wildlife within Kingsmead please register it onto Irecord as below. Ideally with a photo (and a better one than mine). https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/ Principal, non plant species to look out for are bats, slowworms, grass snakes, greater crested newts or otters plus a depressingly long list of birds, bees, insects. moths and other wildlife all detailed in the listing at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_species_and_habitats_of_principal_importance_in_England So, if you're out for your daily constitutional and spot some interesting wildlife please make sure you log it on the Irecord site. Photo is a slow worm enjoying a Tamworth Rd garden * Protected under Section 41 of the NERC Act
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