Rodborough Common Surveys Published

Throughout the spring and summer eagle-eyed visitors to Rodborough Common may have noticed the staff and volunteers from Stroud Valleys Project carrying out surveys of birdlife and botanicals on behalf of the Stroud District Council run Rodborough Common Conservation Programme (RCCP).

With the help of our brilliant volunteers, we repeated a survey carried out in 2017 of the grasses and wildflowers on two of the narrower paths, added some of the widening and merging paths to the survey and walked weekly transects to see if we could identify the ground nesting territories of skylarks.  Additionally, we completed a fixed-point photography survey that can be used to provide a visual indication of footpath widening and general condition.

We also had the help of some local citizen scientists who helped us to identify other areas on the common favoured by the skylarks, by recording sightings using a smartphone app.  Citizen science not only allows organisations like ours to collect lots of great data but is a chance for members of the general public to get involved in conservation projects and surveying without the need for specialist training.

This work was carried out to help us to understand the current condition of the common and the differences in biodiversity between areas of heavy footfall and those that are less frequently used.  Skylarks are currently classified as ‘red’ on the British Birds of Conservation Concern list, meaning that they are showing an alarming decline in range, population and breeding success, and so we were also keen to understand where the skylarks preferred to nest so that we could identify ways to help this iconic bird species to flourish on the common. 

An extensive report has been prepared that details the results of these surveys, alongside some recommendations that could help ensure that the commons is protected for us and for future generations.  You can read the report in full here.

In summary the surveys showed that:

•       The widening of footpaths, as identified in the 2017 drone survey, has continued, potentially exacerbated by social distancing, and increased visitor numbers.

•       The narrower footpaths that were surveyed have seen an overall increase in the amount of bare ground compared to grass cover and a decrease in overall biodiversity since they were surveyed in 2017.

•       Widening and merging footpaths have a significant impact on overall vegetation height, the amount of biodiversity and the amount of bare ground compared to grass cover.

•       Skylarks like to nest on the plateau of the common, which is also where most people like to walk.  With increasing numbers of visitors, both human and canine, there is an increasing risk of a negative impact on ground nesting bird breeding success

It wasn’t all bad news, however.  Whilst surveying we were really pleased to chat with many commons visitors who were happy to share their love for this beautiful place, and keen to hear about our work and what they might be able to do to help the commons thrive. 

Rodborough Common has many designations, not least of which is that it is a European Special Area for Conservation, recognising its exceptional importance in respect of rare, endangered or vulnerable natural habitats and species.  Rodborough has this designation as it is a rare surviving example of Cotswold unimproved limestone grassland, which has seen a 95% decline since the 1930s.

Stroud Valleys Project CEO Clare Mahdiyone says ‘Given Rodborough Common’s special conservation status, and its importance as a much-loved local place where we can all get outside into nature, it is vital that we do all we can to help its many different and increasingly rare species survive and thrive into the future’.

To this end, our report also includes recommendations for actions that would help to protect the common and its non-human inhabitants, by allowing areas of the common to rest and recover and by helping visitors to understand what part they can play in caring for this unique habitat. These recommendations will be reviewed and considered by the RCCP and other commons stakeholders and users in due course.

We would like to thank all our volunteers and citizen scientists for their help in producing this report – we couldn’t have done it without your dedication and hard work.

Photo Credits: Deb Roberts

1 October 2021