For plants and animals that cannot easily move about, this process of habitat loss and fragmentation is a real barrier to their survival.  they become restricted to isolated and shrinking island habitats, unable to colonise areas elsewhere and establish new populations.

To help prevent the decline of many of our rare and favorite species such as birds, bats, badger, otter, water vole, red squirrel and great crested newt legal protection has been afforded to them through the following acts: Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), Countryside and Right's of Way Act 2000, Protection of Badgers Act 1992, Deer Act 1991 and the European Union's 'Habitat Directive (see www.defra.gov.uk for further information on these regulations).

Despite these regulations Sunderland has already seen the decline of many species such as barn owl, bats and water vole and is no longer home to the beloved red squirrel.

In an effort to help prevent the loss and halt the decline of protected species the Countryside Team, in partnership with other organisations, local action groups and members of the public are recording the location of protected species, managing sites in appropriate ways and raising awareness of these and other species.

If you would like further information or would like to report a sighting of a protected species please contact the Countryside Team or English Nature.

Outline below are some of the species found within the Sunderland area, describing the type of habitat that each requires as well as the threats posed.

Badger (Meles meles) Instantly recognisable with its black and white striped head and bulky grey body, the badger is part of the Mustelidae group of mammals.

Although classed as a carnivore badgers are in fact omnivores, eating nuts, berries cereals, insects, beetles and small mammals as well as its staple diet of earthworms. Badgers live in family or social groups in underground tunnel systems called setts.  Woodlands with well-drained soil, surrounded by pasture, are the favoured habitat. The main threats to badgers include the destruction of its habitat and road kill, which is the main cause of badger deaths each year. The badger is protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the Badgers Act 1992.  Badgers and their setts are protected and it is illegal to damage, destroy or obstruct access to any part of a sett.  A licence must be sought from English Nature prior to any disturbance or works. Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus) The great crested news is the largest of the three newt species native to the UK.  Although dependent on ponds and water bodies for breeding, the surrounding land is of equal importance as most of its life is spent on land. The decline in numbers of the great crested newt has been caused by changes in agricultural practice as well as neglect through the loss of ponds, the decline in quality of many ponds and the surrounding land.  Pollution, including run off and the stock of ponds with fish has also had an impact on population numbers. Great Crested Newts are protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) and the European Union's 'Habitats Directive'.  It is illegal to kill, injure, capture or possess these newts or to damage their habitats or carry out any trade in the species.  A licence must sought from English Nature prior to any disturbance or works. Birds Great Britain is home to a wide range of birds as well as being important for migrating species.  Within the Sunderland area birds can be found in a range of different habitat's, from farmland and woodland to river and coastal settings. Nationally many of our common birds have suffered a decline in numbers, principally through the loss of habitat as a result of changing agricultural practices and urban development work.  Locally, through the Durham Biodiversity Action Plan, a number of species are targeted for specific  protection including the barn owl, skylark, song thrush and lapwing. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended) offers legal protection to wild birds in England, Wales and Scotland.  This includes the bird, their nests and eggs. The definition of a wild bird is a bird of any kind which is resident in or a visitor to Great Britain in a wild state (game birds are not included in this; they are covered by the Game Acts).

Bats

Bats are flying mammals and are active at dusk and sometimes just before dawn.  They forage for flying insects and may travel up to 20km from their 'home' site, know as a roost.

They are found in a range of habitats, which provide their basic necessities of food and a roosting site.  These may include woodlands, wetlands, parks and gardens, caves and mines and built structures such as churches.

Currently there are 16 species of bat breeding in Britain, with other species occurring as vagrants.  All of these species have shown a dramatic decline in numbers over the last fifty years.  The common pipistrelle declined by 70% between 1978 and 1993 (National Bat Colony Survey) and this picture seems to be mirrored throughout the bat population with 2 species now on the endangered list.

The main reasons for the decline in numbers is the loss of habitat, intensification of agriculture, development, building renovation and persecution. It is worth remembering that bats do not cause any damage to property and problems of noise and smell from roosts are very uncommon.

All bats and their roost sites are fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (amended).  The pipistrell bat is our most widespread and common bar, as well as the smallest, with a body length of just 34-45mm Water Vole (Arvicola Terrestris) The Water Vole is Britain's largest vole although it is often confused with the brown rat, as they are about the same size.  Water voles are recognisable by their darker brown fur, a rounder shape and short tail and less obvious ears. The Brown Rat has grey  fur, pointed nose, longer ears and a longer, hairless tail.  The Water Vole has silky mid brown fur, a blunt nose, small ears and a shorter tail. They do not venture far from water, making use of river, stream and pond banks to create their burrows.  In addition they feed on waterside vegetation including sedges, reeds and rushes which also provide them with good cover when feeding.   Water Voles are at risk from a number of factors, including the loss and fragmentation of their bankside habitat, pollution of water and disturbance through development and drainage.  Predation by mink has also reduced numbers, particularly in rural areas.