A417 Missing Link News

April and May 2023

The month of April has been very busy with all systems go on the early-works. Ensuring the works can take place, the ecologists are busy on site completing their checks and final surveys.

Prior to the soil stripping for the archaeology works, skylark checks were completed to ensure there were no nests within the works area. Kite hawks have also been set up in the area to discourage skylarks from using the field to nest, these kites mimic the flight behaviour of larger birds of prey.

Now we are in nesting bird season it isn’t just skylarks to be aware of, most birds will be nesting, whether it’s on the ground, in trees or even in machinery. Birds will nest in the UK until early-September.

The reptile fencing is now almost complete and combined with the recent warm weather, this means the reptile translocations can begin.

Reptiles, such as adders, slow worms, common lizards, and grass snakes will be moved into our receptor sites.

As part of the reptile translocations, a small number of adders will be tagged before they are released. Radio-tags are attached to the adders with glue, and these will stay on the adders until they shed their skin later on in the year. This will provide some very interesting and much needed data to see how far the individuals travel in their new locations.

What’s coming up?

As we move through May and the weather starts to get warmer, many species will be even more active on site, and we must be even more vigilant when working to ensure none are impacted by the works.

Badger cubs will be old enough to emerge out of their setts above ground. Roman snails will be active and begin mating and great crested newts will have almost completed their mass migrations to their breeding ponds. Bats will also emerge to feed regularly during the night, with the best times to see them at dusk and dawn.

If you would like further information about the scheme, you can visit our website or contact us using one of the following methods

• By email: a417missinglink@highwaysengland.co.uk

• By phone: 0300 123 5000

• Website: nationalhighways.co.uk/a417-missing-link

• Twitter: @HighwaysSWEST

Facebook: Facebook@highwaysSWEST