Translocation of Colony of Cave Spiders
The development at Papworth Everard in Cambridgeshire turned out to be a project with a difference – 750 rare cave spiders already in residence (Meta Borneti).
The proposed development of 48 dwellings housed a colony of these rare spiders in an old air-raid shelter. Whilst they are not legally protected they are listed as a Notable B species under the Countryside and Wildlife Act which means they are Nationally Scarce and have been identified in between 31 and 100 10km OS Grids. With the cooperation of South Cambridgeshire District Council, David Wilson Homes’ consultant ecologists FPCR rehoused the colony into a newly constructed ‘air-raid shelter’ in Papworth Wood SSSI and into the cellar of the disused church of St Denis at East Hatley.
The new habitats had to be particularly damp and dark in order for the spiders to thrive. The new shelter effectively replicated the original conditions by purposefully leaving holes for air, water and invertebrates to enter the chamber.
Not an easy task to undertake, the spiders had to be captured individually by hand and transported in separate containers as they can eat each other when stressed. The two new colonies will be monitored on a regular basis over the next five years and latest reports show that both new colonies are thriving.
The rehousing was particularly welcomed by various wildlife groups in the area and received considerable media attention through press and TV. Our David Wilson Homes South Midlands division efforts were recognised by the Council and were the winner of its Natural Heritage Award for Sustainability through Biodiversity and Landscape Conservation.