The Wards is an urban wetland situated in Elgin. Recognised as being of considerable value for biodiversity, the Wards has a range of habitats and a number of UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species have been recorded at the site. The site consists of a basin of marshy grassland surrounded by neutral grassland with patches of planted broadleaved trees and scrub. An area of the site (~5ha) is identified as having development potential in the Moray Local Plan (see Map 1) and the site is therefore considered to be fragile. This Action Plan sets out proposals to conserve and enhance the remaining area of the site (over 11 ha) as an urban wetland, managing this area as a wildlife site for nature conservation and environmental education. Bounded by residential and commercial sites this wetland has an urban setting and therefore offers great potential for environmental education and community involvement in management.

This action plan has been accepted by the Moray Council and has been used in preparation of the development brief for the Wards. The area covered by this plan (~ 11 ha) has been designated as a non-statutory wildlife site and a detailed management plan for the site, which incorporates the targets outlined in this action plan, has been drawn up. The management plan is currently being jointly implemented by the Moray Council, Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT), Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and local community groups.

The Wards is situated in Elgin south of the rail track which separates Elgin from New Elgin, east of Bilbohall farm (O.S. Grid Reference NJ212619). The site extends to 16 hectares and is owned and managed by the Moray Council. The presence of a network of drains and derelict fence lines suggest that the site was managed for livestock grazing in the past. The northern end of the site is accessible along a rough track which enters the site at the north eastern corner close to the railway crossing. There are several wide ditches and boggy footpaths running across the site.

The site is relatively flat and consists of a basin of marshy grassland surrounded by neutral grassland with patches of planted broadleaved trees and some natural regeneration. A site survey was carried out by the Scottish Wildlife Trust in 1997. Moray Field Club has also carried out a survey. The habitats found within the site are as follows: -

Unimproved neutral grassland (4.43 ha) extends around the perimeter of the site. The grassland is dominated by species such as cocksfoot, false oat grass and cow parsley. The vegetation is long, rank and ungrazed. The grassland is drier in the northern extent but the hydrology varies over the whole site and the grassland becomes wetter around the ditches and towards the marshy grasslands.

There is an extensive area (6ha) of marshy grassland dominated by tall, rank soft rush (Juncus effusus). Where the rushes become less dominant northern marsh orchid is locally frequent. Another 2.68ha of the marsh is dominated by water horsetail with marsh willowherb but without tall, rank soft rush. Throughout the marsh the substrate is wet with the water table above the surface in places. Several drainage ditches cross the site from north to south. The deepest ditches are up to 1.5 metres broad and 1.5 metres deep. The ditches are all heavily vegetated with species such as water horsetail and sharp-flowered rush.

There are several patches of broadleaved trees and scrub on the site. A variety of species have been planted, including introduced species such as apple. Some of the willow on the site has probably naturally regenerated.

A range of species has been observed on the site. Status of these species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and their occurrence on the site is noted below (P=Priority Species, C=Species of Conservation Concern, L=Local Priority Species).

Brown hare (P) is occasionally seen on the site and roe deer (P) are also present. The site appears to provide suitable habitat for water vole but no evidence of this species has been found.

Species	Status on Site
Buzzard (C)	Occasionally forage
Jack snipe (C)	One recorded in Nov 99
Snipe (C)	Numerous in winter (27 in Nov 99). May also breed
Song thrush (P)
Grasshopper warbler (C)	Recording on at least one occasion
Sedge warbler (C)
Whitethroat (C)
Willow warbler (C)
Blue tit (C)
Goldfinch (C)
Reed bunting (P)	Probably breeds

Other species found at the Wards include mallard, wren, carrion crow and chaffinch. Pheasant and wood pigeon also breed on the site. This urban site is recognised as being of particular importance for migratory and over-wintering birds.

Common frog (C) and common toad (C) are both found on the site.

Common blue damselfly, small red damselfly, red-tailed bumblebee and orange-tip butterfly are found at the site. Many other groups of insects and other invertebrates are known to occur on the site but have not been surveyed.

The SWT survey of the site (Holland 1997) included a comprehensive list of vascular plants found during the survey. Probably the most notable species found is northern marsh orchid.

The Wards is identified in the Moray Local Plan 2000 as having potential for leisure related development on the limited parts of the site suitable for building, in association with environmental improvements for the whole site. The Local Plan states that a contribution towards the provision of outdoor football pitches and towards the introduction of a footpath network into the wetland areas of the site will be required as part of the overall site development. Housing may also be developed on part of the site, provided a contribution is made towards the primary objective of securing leisure and amenity use of the total field. The built up area of the site relating to a housing or leisure use should not exceed 15% of the total area (i.e. 2.4 hectares). The nature conservation value of this land is recognised by Scottish Natural Heritage and should be considered as a significant issue in landscape and building design proposals. Any building should be limited and sensitively designed to accord with the nature of the surrounding area. The developer shall be required to undertake a comprehensive flood risk assessment of the site under the terms of Local Plan policy L/ENV23.

2. Development Brief

The Council intends to prepare a Development Brief for the site, which will set out the Council’s aspirations for the site in terms of infrastructure, built design, landscaping, nature conservation and access.

3. Fly-tipping/ Litter

There is evidence of fly-tipping and a significant amount of litter around the boundaries of the site, common with such an urban setting.

4. Management

The site is not currently managed for nature conservation. A number of trees have been planted which still have bark protectors fitted and would benefit from improved management. Trees which have been planted in the wetland areas and may result in drying of the wetland, or which are invasive non-native species should be removed.

• The Council’s Environmental Charter - The Charter identifies a series of principles which the Council have signed up to, including to conserve and enhance the wildlife and natural environment in Moray.
• LA21 Process - The Council are committed to the principle of sustainable development, raising awareness and pursuing a balanced approach to social equity.
• SWT survey and management plan - SWT undertook a survey of the site in 1997 and prepared a draft management plan for the site in September 1999. The management plan sets out a range of measures to conserve and enhance the nature conservation value of the site.

Implementing the actions set out in this Action Plan will: -

• Work towards securing an area of a rare and threatened urban habitat.
• Maintain the range of natural and semi-natural habitats within the site to ensure its value to wildlife.
• Protect and enhance the biodiversity of the site.
• Assist with the preparation of a development brief for the site by setting out proposals for the conservation and enhancement of the Wards and the preferred areas, in nature conservation terms, for development.
• Improve access to and understanding of the site.
• Provide an important educational resource for environmental education. A number of local schools could make use of the site. There is potential to provide suitable educational material and interpretation for use on the site.
• Involve the community in a local nature conservation site and provide opportunities for informal enjoyment of local nature.

This Plan meets the UK Biodiversity Target to maintain the existing diversity and extent of wildlife in all urban areas, expanding the range and distribution of rare and common species and enabling this resource to be utilised as an educational tool.

Principal Objective: To secure the site for conservation and environmental education and ensure that it is managed to maintain and enhance the range of habitats and species present.

Target: No loss in area of semi-natural habitat and associated species at the Wards. Site secured as a wildlife site and under positive management by 2005.

Objective 1: - To maintain and enhance the wildlife interest of the habitats within the Wards.

• Identify an area of site as a non statutory wildlife site (see Map 1)
• Incorporate LBAP objectives into Development Brief for the site
• Maintain the current area of marshy grassland
• Maintain the water table at the surface throughout the marsh. This will require investigation of the hydrology of the site and possibly installation of sluices at the downstream end of drainage ditches. Hydrological investigation and management will be particularly important if part of the site is developed.
• Maintain and enhance flora and fauna of the marsh. To include cutting and removal of rushes in late summer around the northern marsh orchid colony and creation of small ponds for amphibians and invertebrates.
• Improve the management of trees and scrub. To include planting of further native tree and shrub species in grassland areas where they will not affect the hydrology of the marsh. Existing trees should be inspected and maintained where necessary. Any trees which are likely to cause drying of the marsh or which are of invasive non-native species should be removed.

Time: 2001-2002

Objective 2: To encourage access to the site for informal recreation while attempting to minimise the impact on wildlife.

Provide a path around the site on neutral grassland with boardwalks where conditions require. Access provided should not damage any features of natural heritage interest.

Time: 2001-2002

Objective 3: To encourage the use of the area for environmental education.

• Provide Education Packs for local schools
• Provide an interpretation leaflet
• Provide interpretation boards
• Provide a series of pond dipping platforms

Time: 2002-2003

Objective 4: Encourage community involvement in the nature conservation and management of the site.

• Involve community in developing interpretation boards/ leaflet
• Involve community in tidying up the site
• Involve community in the design of the proposed footpath
• Involve community in monitoring species

Time: 2001-2002

Objective 5: Data collation to facilitate site monitoring and interpretation

• Monitor hydrology, flora and fauna
• Survey insects
• Survey winter birds
• Baseline surveys of breeding amphibians and invertebrates
• Encourage community involvement in recording wildlife seen on the site.
• Ensure all data collected for this plan is held at the North East Scotland Biological Records Centre.
• Monitor the delivery of the action plan reporting on targets achieved annually.

Time: 2001-2002 and ongoing.

A detailed management plan to meet the above objectives has been prepared for this site. The management plan is currently being jointly implemented by the Moray Council, SWT, SNH and local community groups.

For further information on the Wards Area Action Plan contact Gary Templeton at the Moray Council, Tel: 01343 563470 email: templeg@edp.moray.gov.uk