The draft plan of Greater Manchester's Local Nature Recovery Strategy has been released for public consultation GM LNRS Draft Plan

Over the past year, GMBRG has worked closely with GMCA, Greater Manchester Ecology Unit and Natural England to identify species priorities and actions to reverse the decline in species abundance and distribution of Greater Manchester's birds. See pages 68 - 74 of the draft plan. Much of the LNRS focus is on protecting and improving habitats on existing core local nature sites, which include European and nationally designated sites (SAC's, SPA's and SSSI's), Local Nature Reserves (LNR's) and Sites of Biological Importance (SBI's). In addition Nature Recovery Opportunity Areas have been identified where habitat creation and restoration will increase the area of land available for wildlife. Stepping stones and wildlife corridors will link the core sites with the opportunity areas.

Local species and species groups, particularly at risk, that need targeted action beyond habitat restoration and creation are detailed on pages 68 - 74. These are
Black-necked Grebe
Willow Tit
Urban birds - Swift, House Martin and Black Redstart. Thanks to Bolton and Bury Swifts Group for their input on the first two species.
Farmland birds - Tree Sparrow, Corn Bunting, Linnet, Yellow Wagtail and Yellowhammer have been identified as the priorities, however, the actions outlined in the plan will benefit all farmland bird species.
Grassland ground-nesting birds - primarily breeding waders, Curlew, Lapwing, Golden Plover, Dunlin and Snipe but Skylark and Twite are also included in this assemblage. Guided by a national process set out by Natural England, a regional long list was identified of over 62 threatened bird species that should benefit from the Local Nature Recovery Strategy. This list does not appear in the draft plan appendices but will be included when the final document is published.

Greater Manchester's Nature Network: Where is best for nature? (pg 40). The plan states "To drive nature recovery, we need to set out the best places to act for nature. A key purpose of this LNRS is to identify locations, to create or improve habitats, where it is most likely to provide the greatest benefit for nature, communities and the wider environment." The records submitted by GM's bird recorders over the past ten years were of vital importance in informing the work to identify species priorities and actions. They will continue to be of great value during the lifetime of the GM LNRS which initially covers the period 2025 - 2035.

The draft plan is open for comment until 31st January 2025. Please make your views known via
GM LNRS Public Consultation

-- Edited by Steve Atkins on Tuesday 19th of November 2024 08:28:57 PM



-- Edited by Steve Atkins on Tuesday 19th of November 2024 08:33:46 PM