Sand martin success for Tarmac

Company leading the way on biodiversity and conservation efforts in the Cotswold Water Park

TARMAC have been praised by the Cotswold Water Park Trust for leading the way on conservation at the 40 square mile Cotswold Water Park wetland. The company has been working with the Trust since 2003, developing a Site Biodiversity Action Plan for Eysey Manor Quarry, near Swindon, Wiltshire, in the heart of the Cotswold Water Park.

Central to this is a programme that ensures sand martins and little ringed plovers are able to thrive alongside quarry operations, but Tarmac are also providing the perfect conditions to attract and retain other species, including water vole, otters and tree sparrows.

Gareth Harris, biodiversity manager at the Cotswold Water Park Trust and local co-ordinator of the Cotswold Water Park BAP and Eysey Manor Quarry site BAP, says liaison with Tarmac staff has fuelled interest in nature conservation efforts at the quarry.

‘We have demonstrated that with thought and planning, quarry operations can be balanced with nesting birds by encouraging the birds to nest away from operational areas,’ he said. ‘In some cases this has fed into the restoration works by giving a practical understanding of what habitat features are required by species targeted in the restoration plan.’

Improving habitats away from operational areas across the Cotswold Water Park has seen 1,000 pairs of sand martins and 30 pairs of little ringed plovers nest successfully each year. Last year alone saw more than 250 pairs of sand martins moving in to nest at the specially-created colony at Eysey Manor Quarry and many of them had second broods.

Michael Charlton, restoration manager with Tarmac, described Eysey Manor as an excellent example of the benefits of the company working closely with local conservation groups and volunteers.

‘The Cotswold Water Park Trust has given invaluable expert advice, while the involvement of local volunteers helps promote the conservation work we are doing in the communities within which we operate,’ he said.