Mere Management Update

STATEMENT REGARDING NAFFERTON MERE MANAGEMENT

Nafferton Mere is a wildlife pond , intended to support biodiversity and provide habitat for a variety of species with minimal intervention.
In order to ensure we manage these aims effectively , and to provide ongoing guidance to councillors , the PC commissioned a professional management report on Enhancing the Ecology of the Mere in Aug 2024.
The report was prepared by Wold Ecology , who were recommended to the Parish Council by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.
There were a number of findings which we are following up , but the report stated that the biggest single issue for lack of biodiversity was the high number of ducks on the pond and that it was important we control duck numbers by stopping feeding them and dissuading others from feeding them.
Wold Ecology recommended that we put up signs and interpretation boards detailing the ambitions for the mere and the issues that large , concentrated numbers of ducks cause to the mere.
It was a decision that was not taken lightly, but given the clear directives from the report, the PC voted to follow the professionals advice, and ‘Please Do Not Feed The Wildlife’ signs will be put up around the Mere.
There are ways to ensure compliance but these legal routes are time consuming and costly to the parish , so we would be extremely grateful if the public can support us in this decision , which will ultimately ensure that the Mere can thrive , and can support a number of different species of amphibians , invertebrates, plants, birds and small mammals.
It is the Parish Councils intention to work with professional external Ecological Management companies on an ongoing basis to guide the parish on Mere management to ensure we are making the best decisions possible to maximise the ecological benefits for the future.

The full Ecology report is available on the Parish Council website. We welcome comments or questions , but please direct these to the Clerk on clerk@naffertonpc.org.uk or at the monthly Parish Council meeting.