Old Ironstone Works, Mells

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 51.2385, -2.3754

Also within

Somerset County

Condition (Natural England)

Unfavourable No Change (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
ST738488 Unfavourable No Change 0.27 2010-12-02

Description

Area, 0.25 ha. 0.62 ac. Description The remaining building and associated flues and tunnels provide important roost sites for the rare greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and, to a lesser extent, the lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros. The roof void of the old works building is used as a summer breeding roost by large numbers of greater horseshoe bats and a smaller number of lesser horseshoe bats. The old flues and tunnels in the cliffs adjacent to the building are used by both species mainly for hibernation, although bats, particularly lesser horseshoes, can be found there throughout the year.

Species mentioned

English name
search for this in other sites
Latin name
search with Google
IUCN / Red List Type Family
greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum LC bat vespertillonidae
lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros LC bat vespertillonidae