Inventories and monitoring of the animal life living in the ENS was first collected on the most ‘accessible’ groups (Birds, Amphibians) and now covers a wider range of species, including groups that are more difficult to identify, such as insects. This approach, which incorporates all the different animal groups, allows a more detailed picture of the ecological treasures to be found in the ENS and the ecological needs of the different species. Conservation priorities can therefore be set based on the interest in terms of heritage value, as well as the specific nature of sites.
The studies carried out confirm the representative distribution of fauna within the ENS at the scale of the Département and Région.
More than 169,000 pieces of data related to animal-life compiled between 2000 and 2010 representing:
5 of the 6 species of Dragonfly of the regional section of the national Odonata plan can be found in the ENS, 2 of which are listed in the Habitats-Fauna-Flora Directive and are protected nation-wide: The Southern Damselfly (Coenagrion mercuriale), present at the Baie de Canche Reserve and the Dunes de Saint-Frieux or the Orange-Spotted Emerald (Oxygastra curtisii), only sighted once at the Bois Louis et d'Epenin.
Among the 9 species of Crickets and Grasshoppers threatened on a national scale and present in the Pas-de-Calais, 6 have been sighted in the ENS, including the European Mole Cricket (Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa) and the Large Marsh Grasshopper (Stethophyma grossum).
The ENS are home to 6 species of Reptile found in the Pas-de-Calais, with 2 species represented on more than 20 sites: the Viviparous Lizard (Zootoca vivipara) and the Slow-Worm (Anguis fragilis)
État des connaissances de la biodiversité des ENS du Pas-de-Calais, chapitre IV, bilan du patrimoine naturel des Espaces Naturels Sensibles. (Only available in French)
|Groups||Main Conservation issues identified||Most important Sites (English/French)|
|Butterflies||Conservation issues regarding coastal dune areas, salt grasslands, for certain species, such as the Glanville Fritillary (Melitea cinxia), the Grayling (Hipparchia semele); Conservation issues regarding calcicolous grasses for certain rare species like the Siver Studded Blue Butterfly (Plebejus argus), the Adonis Blue (Polyommatus bellargus); Conservation issues regarding the slag heaps for certain species: the Small Blue(Cupido minimus) for instance.||All the coastal sites and particularly the Canche Bay National Nature Reserve (RNN Baie de Canche) and the Grey nose point (Cap Gris-nez), burnt grasslands at White Nose Point (Blanc-Nez) and Mounts Pelé and Hulin (Mont Pelé & Mont Hulin), all the sites within the mining basins.|
|Dragonflies||Conservation issues regarding the Audomarois marshlands for threatened species, like the Norfolk Hawker (Aeshna isosceles); Dune sites for threatened species, like the Southern Damselfly (Coenagrion Mercuriale); regarding Sites where quality running water is needed to maintain populations of the Golden-Ringed Dragonfly (Cordulegaster boltonii) and the Beautiful Demoiselle (Calopteryx virgo).||Audomarois marsh (Marais Audomarois), Romelaëre National Nature Reserve (RNN Romelaëre) and Canche Bay National Nature Reserve (RNN Baie de Canche). Saint-Frieux Mount (Mont Saint-Frieux), Slack Dunes (Dunes de Slack).|
|Crickets and Grasshoppers||Conservation issues regarding heathland habitats for the Bog Bush Cricket (Metrioptera brachyptera), an exceptional species in the region. Concern towards dune environments for 2 exceptional species: Brown Spotted Grass Cricket (Platycleis tessellata), and the European mole cricket (Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa).||All of the dune sites and mining sites (including the slag heap of Pinchonvalles (Terril de Pinchonvalles), slag heap of Estevelles (Terril d'Estevelles), Wood of Hautois-9/9 bis (Bois des hautois-9/9 bis) and Epinoy Wood (Bois d'Epinoy), Landes Plateau Regional Nature Reserve (RNR Plateau des Landes) Dunes of Mont Saint-Frieux (Dunes de Mont Saint-Frieux), Dunes of Berck (Dunes de Berck), and Old Forge Quarry (Fond de la Forge).|
|Conservation issues also regarding littoral environments for species dependent on costal habitats, like the Mottled Grasshopper (Myrmeleotettix maculatus); Conservation issues regarding open environments for the Lesser Mottled Grasshopper (Stenobothrus stigmaticus), a species threatened with extinction at a national scale; Conservation Issues regarding slag heaps for certain rare species, like the Stripe-Winged Grasshopper (Stenobothrus lineatus).|
|Fish||Conservation issues regarding certain wetlands for the preservation of little known species like the European Brook lamprey (Lampetra planeri), the Spined Loach (Cobitis taenia) and Rhodeus amarus (Rhodeus amarus); Conservation issues regarding certain sites containing streams and backwaters needed for the reproduction of whitewater fish, like the Common Trout (Salmo trutta), or the European Eel (Anguilla anguilla).||Audomarois marsh (Marais Audomarois), Romelaëre National Nature Reserve (RNN Romelaëre), the Aa Valley (Vallée de l'Aa), Louis and Epenin woods (Bois de Louis et d'Epenin).|
|Amphibians||Major concerns regarding sites supporting wetland habitats without fish fauna: ponds, dune slacks, marshes and any wetland areas favouring the reproduction of Amphibians; important conservation Issue regarding the mining bassin for maintaining Natterjack Toad populations (Bufo calamita), the Common Midwife Toad (Alytes obstetricans) or the Common Parsley Frog (Pelodytes punctatus) within areas surrounding towns.||Val du Flot Park (Val du Flot), Slack Dunes (Dunes de Slack), Baie de Canche National Nature Reserve (RNN Baie de Canche), Saint-Frieux Mount (Dunes de Mont Saint-Frieux).|
|Reptiles||Major concerns for the common European Adder (Vipera berus), a rare and localised species, and mining sites for the Common Wall lizard (Podarcis muralis), a relatively rare species.||Guémy Chapel (Chapelle of Guémy) (notably for the Common European adder, Vipera berus) and all the mining sites|
|Nesting Birds||All habitats are important but the nesting Birds have a strong preference for coastal areas: for example the Birds nesting on cliffs, the Black-Legged Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), the Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) and the Pelerin Falcon (Falco peregrinus).||Baie de Canche National Nature Reserve (RNN Baie de Canche), Saint Frieux Mount Dunes (Dunes de Mont Saint-Frieux), Ecault Dunes (Dunes d'Ecault), The Foraine Water Complex (Foraine d’Authie), Platier d' Oye National Nature Reserve (RNN Platier d'Oye), Audomarois Marsh (Marais Audomarois), Romelaëre National Nature Reserve (RNN Romelaëre), Guînes Marsh (Marais de Guînes), Wissant Bay (Baie de Wissant), Cape White Nose (Cap Blanc-nez), Crèche Point (Pointe de la Crèche), Cape Alprech (Cap d' Alprech), Old Forge Quarry (Fond de la forge).|
|Migrating Birds||Conservation issues regarding important water-bodies, marshlands and littoral sites, used as places of refuge during the hunting season and during cold spells (by, for example, the Aquatic Warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola).||All suitable ENS, mainly, Foraine Water Complex (Foraine d’Authie), Platier d' Oye National Nature Reserve (RNN Platier d’Oye), Audomarois Marsh (Marois d'Audomarois) (including the Romelaëre National Nature Reserve), Canche Bay National Nature Reserve (RNN Baie de Canche), Wissant Bay (Baie de Wissant) and Guînes Marsh (Marois de Guînes), Pinchonvalles slag heap (Terril de Pinchonvilles).|
|Mammals||General concerns with the largest and most diversified of the still inter-connected habitats. Importance of peri-urbain or isolated areas used for refuge by common mammal fauna. Conservation issues regarding strands used as resting areas for marine mammals (for example the Harbour Seal, Phoca vitulina).||Dune habitats, Audomarois Marsh (Marais d'Audomarois), Baie de Canche National Nature Reserve (RNN Baie de Canche), Platier d' Oye National Nature Reserve (RNN Platier d'Oye).|
|Bats||Conservation issues regarding wintering grounds (Brown Long-Eared bat (Plecotus auritus), the Greater Horseshoe bat, (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum).||Mont Saint-Frieux Dunes (Dunes de Mont Saint-Frieux), Baie de Canche National Nature Reserve (RNN Baie de Canche), Old Forge Quarry (Fond de la Forge).|