Habitat loss

Terrestrial Loss at Minster Marshes:

Extent: 11.5 hectares (115,000 m²), comprising:

Converter station: 9 hectares (90,000 m²).

Temporary haul roads: 1.5–2 hectares (15,000–20,000 m²).

Permanent access road: 0.25–0.5 hectares (2,500–5,000 m²).

Proposed converter sited in-between River Stour and Minster Stream within 20 Meters of East Kent’s only inland Site of Special Scientific Interest on arable farmland with embedded wetland features; ditches, reedbeds, hedgerows, river habitats. Temporary development including a bridge will be running over an improved wetland habitat.

Key Species Impacted: Golden plover (winter flocks of 100+), lapwing (50–100), water vole, European eel, marsh harrier, and beaver populations suffer direct habitat loss or disruption.

Mitigation has not yet been adequately proposed to cover immense loss to the area.

Red-Listed Birds (Kent Ornithological Society [KOS] 2023-24 unless noted):

• Golden Plover (Pluvialis apricaria): Winter flocks 100+ (KOS 2023-24).

• Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus): Regular sightings (KOS 2024).

• Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus): Winter flocks 50–100+ (KOS 2023-24).

• Snipe (Gallinago gallinago): Common in wet fields (KOS 2023-24).

• Skylark (Alauda arvensis): Abundant, spring breeding (KOS 2024).

• Linnet (Linaria cannabina): Small winter flocks (KOS 2024).

• Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus): Breeding in reeds (KOS 2023).

• Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos): Breeding in SSSI (KOS 2024, KWT).

• Corn Bunting (Emberiza calandra): Occasional sightings (KOS 2023).

• Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella): Breeding in scrub (KOS 2024).

• Grey Partridge (Perdix perdix): Rare, grassy patches (KOS 2023).

• Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur): Summer visitor in scrub (KOS 2023-24).

• Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus): Spring breeder in reedbeds (KOS 2024).

• Grasshopper Warbler (Locustella naevia): Rare summer breeder (KOS 2023-24).

• Spotted Redshank (Tringa erythropus): Winter migrant, wet pools (KOS 2023).

• Black Stork (Ciconia nigra): Rare visitor (KOS historical).

• Bewick’s Swan (Cygnus columbianus bewickii): Winter rare visitor (KOS 2023-24).

• Woodlark (Lullula arborea): Occasional, marsh edges (KOS 2024).

• Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio): Rare passage in scrub (KOS historical).

• Hen Harrier (Circus cyaneus): Winter roosts (KOS 2023-24).

• Curlew (Numenius arquata): Winter feeder, wet fields (KOS 2023-24).

• Redwing (Turdus iliacus): Winter flocks in fields (KOS 2023-24).

• Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris): Winter flocks in marshes (KOS 2023-24).

• Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra): Rare summer breeder in scrub (KOS 2024).

Rare Mammals:

• Beaver (Castor fiber): Confirmed locally (KWT 2023). (Enviorment Agency 2024)

• Water Vole (Arvicola amphibius): In ditches (KWT 2023).

• Harvest Mouse (Micromys minutus): In reeds (KMG 2023).

• Otter (Lutra lutra): Along Stour (KWT 2023).

• Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus): Open marsh (KMG 2023).

• Hazel Dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius): Unconfirmed, scrub (KMG Kent records).

Other Key Species:

• Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea): Breeding colony (KWT 2023).

• Great Crested Newt (Triturus cristatus): Ditches and ponds (KRAG 2023).

• Grass Snake (Natrix helvetica): Common in wetlands (KRAG 2023).

• Adder (Vipera berus): Rare, marsh edges (KRAG 2023).

• Common Toad (Bufo bufo): In ponds (KRAG 2023).

• Marsh Fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia): Grasslands (BC 2023).

• Shrill Carder Bee (Bombus sylvarum): Flower-rich edges (BCT 2023).

• Marsh Mallow (Althaea officinalis): Wetland plant (KFG 2023).

• Fen Orchid (Liparis loeselii): Rare, possible (KFG 2023, Stodmarsh).

• European Eel (Anguilla anguilla): In ditches, (EA 2023).

• Spined Loach (Cobitis taenia): Stour ditches (EA 2023).

Further records can be found here in the wildlife section

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