Fantastic Species and Where to Hear Them

The Kingfisher Trail provides a critically important wildlife corridor through a heavily urban area and links the upland habitats of the West Pennine Moors Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) to Manchester City Centre.  In addition to the SSSI the Trail hosts 13 Sites of Biological Importance and 4 Local Nature Reserves and thereby provides some of the most deprived urban communities in England with a doorstep opportunity to connect, engage with and immerse themselves in nature.

The Trail is strategically located within Greater Manchester’s Nature Recovery Network but like many wildlife sites and corridors, the quality and quantity of species data available to us is limited and in many areas, very poor. This lack of data is a major risk to the urgent need to recover nature along this critical wildlife corridor – both from a perspective of guiding and targeting conservation efforts as well as being able to secure investment to resource works.

Over many years, the principle approach to address the lack of species records has been naturalist led surveys but these continue to be significantly restricted by resources and a declining number of trained naturalists. In recent years citizen science approaches have helped to address this problem though not for bat or small mammal species records.  Utilising new tech based methods alongside citizen science and naturalist surveys to reverse the major absence of species data is needed and this project will be the first to test acoustic recorders on key wildlife sites in Greater Manchester.    

The project will work with key partners to develop a new strategy and action plan for nature recovery within Bolton and Greater Manchester, guided by the new species data of target species.  Alongside species survey work we will build upon existing volunteer and community led practical action to improve sites for nature to inspire, support and mobilise more members of the local community to take action for nature at home and in their local wildlife sites on the Kingfisher Trail.

Our project will cost approximately £200k to support a project officer, three part time trainees and pay for equipment (specialised acoustic recorders) for three years to deliver the following outcomes:  

• An up-to-date, extensive species list for bats and small mammals using the Kingfisher Trail; 

• Species-specific surveys, data capture or habitat improvements at 20 schools, churches and other community spaces nearby or adjacent to the Kingfisher Trail; 

• Data analysed and shared with key partners to develop a 10-year plan for nature recovery along the Kingfisher Trail and surrounding areas; 

• Restoration works such as Invasive None Native Species (INNS) management, wildflower planting and woodland improvements across 50Ha of woodland, grassland and wetland as guided by new species data in order to improve quality of habitats for target species; 

• 150 volunteers from local communities engaged in practical conservation management activities as a way to improve habitats for target species, but also improve mental and physical wellbeing, connection to nature and provide new skills to individuals; 

• 30 volunteers engaged and upskilled in additional species-specific surveys such as mammal spore prints and bat transects; 

• 100 individuals engaged through exciting, specialised covid-safe bat or small mammal workshops and guided walks; 

• 10,000 new species records for the Kingfisher Trail through an increase in citizen science activity species records and utilisation of new technologies.  

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