Natural England

The first Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) to be notified by Natural England has been announced today (Tuesday 10 June).

Ely Pits and Meadows SSSI in Cambridgeshire is notified¹ for bitterns, a nationally rare bird listed as a priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. The designation of this site will now be considered by the Natural England Board² although the site receives full protection as an SSSI from today.

The site is home to at least 13 different species of breeding bird typical of lowland open waters and their margins, including bittern, marsh harrier, kingfisher and bearded tit. It is also regularly used by nationally important numbers of bittern in winter.

Fossil reptiles have also been found in geological deposits known as the ‘Kimmeridge Clay’ which have yielded a number of exciting finds, including turtles, crocodiles, plesiosaurs - aquatic reptiles with long necks, small heads and large paddles - dolphin-like ichthyosaurs and sauropod dinosaurs.

Natural England’s Chief Executive, Dr Helen Phillips, said: “The survival of some of England’s most precious wildlife is dependent on specially protected areas. New sites of this kind are vital for the future success of certain species – the dinosaurs didn’t survive but we must do everything we can to give our wildlife a chance.”

Ely Pits and Meadows SSSI is nationally important for bitterns in both the breeding and wintering seasons. Many of the other important sites for bitterns are on the low-lying coasts of East Anglia where they are threatened by rising sea levels. Ely Pits and Meadows SSSI is therefore of particular and increasing importance as an established inland site, offering England’s bitterns some resilience to the predicted effects of climate change.

Natural England’s East of England Director, Shaun Thomas, said: “The notification of Ely Pits and Meadows SSSI will go a long way to ensuring that the nationally important wildlife and geology of the area will be fully recognised and taken into account in the future management and uses of the site.

“In particular, Natural England recognises the important roles of the owners and managers of the land and will work with them and other public bodies to develop means to secure the sustainable management of the specialist interest of the area.”

Background information on England’s SSSIs:

• SSSIs cover 1 million hectares of land in England and support an enormous range of habitats and species, many of which are endangered and listed under the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).
• England’s best sites for wildlife are improving at a record-breaking rate under Natural England’s conservation management.
• At the end of March, 82.7% of land designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in England were judged to be in a ‘favourable or recovering condition’ – good news for endangered species such as the Lady Slipper Orchid, the Greater Horseshoe Bat and the High Brown Fritillery butterfly.
• Natural England is responsible for the protection and management of these special designated areas. The Government's Public Service Agreement target is for 95% of SSSI land to be in 'favourable' or 'recovering' condition by 2010.
• The best SSSIs open to the public can be found on Spotlight National Nature Reserves - click here for further information
• There are only seven other SSSIs in England designated for breeding bitterns and this is the first such site in Cambridgeshire.

Notes to editors:

1. Ely Pits and Meadows SSSI in Cambridgeshire is notified for a SSSI under section 28C of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as inserted by Schedule 9 to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. The site is an enlargement of an existing SSSI (Roswell Pits SSSI). The site was previously notified for its geological features but has now been extended to include bitterns. It has extended by 79.25 hectares.
2. Post notification, a four month consultation period will follow with owners, occupiers and other interested parties. If there are any objections to the notification, Natural England will seek to resolve these as far as possible. Any unresolved objections will be considered by the Board of Natural England who will confirm or reject the designation of the SSSI. This must take place within nine months of the date of notification (10 June 2008).
3. Owners and occupiers must give Natural England notice before carrying out, causing or permitting to be carried out any operations likely to damage the special wildlife and geology. Other public bodies must consult Natural England before carrying out or authorising any works that may damage the SSSI. It is an offence for any person to intentionally or recklessly destroy or damage the special features of the SSSI or to disturb any of the fauna. The designation of the SSSI ensures that the special wildlife and geology of Ely Pits and Meadows will be properly recognised and taken into account in the management and use of the site.
4. For more information please contact the Natural England press office on 0845 603 9953, press@naturalengland.org.uk, out of hours 07970 098005. For further information about Natural England please visit: www.naturalengland.org.uk
5. Regional media contacts: contact Linzee Kottman 01223 533421/07824475359 or Heather McMorland 01733 455080/07919 228388
6. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.