Old Bow and Old Ham Mines

Also within

Gloucestershire County

Condition (Natural England)

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: Rock Outcrop · Geological Period: Carboniferous · Rock Type: Carboniferous Limestone, Dolomite, Ironstone, Limestone

Description

Description The Forest of Dean and the Wye Valley form one of the main British strongholds for the lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros and greater horseshoe bat R.ferrumequinum. Both of these species are rare and threatened due to the continuing loss of breeding and hibernation roosts and vital feeding areas and are protected under Schedule 5of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. European legislation also makes provision for the protection of these species and their habitats through the Bern Convention and EC Habitats Directive. In the Forest of Dean a ring of iron ore bearing Carboniferous Limestone forms the focus of a series of ancient and more recent mines which provide hibernation sites for many species of bat. This site is composed of an extensive area of underground mine working on the western edge of the Forest of Dean near the village of Clearwell. The site includes parts of four mine systems Clearwell, Old Bow, Lambsquay and Old Ham some of which are interconnected. Entrance to the systems is via the grilled shafts at the outcrop edge. The combined length of tunnels and workings is estimated at more than 30 kilometres. The site supports a nationally important hibernation roost for lesser horseshoe bats and a small number of greater horseshoe bats. It is a very important known hibernation site within Gloucestershire and the surrounding counties, regularly holding more than 300 lesser horseshoe bats. The site lies between eight and fourteen kilometres from the lesser horseshoe breeding roosts at Sylvan House Barn SSSI, Caerwood and Ashberry Goose House SSSI and Blaisdon Hall SSSI. Horseshoe bats use the caverns and tunnels in the winter, spring and autumn periodically moving between the various parts of the mine system to find ideal conditions in terms of temperature and humidity. The vast size and depth of the systems provide the wide range of underground microclimates required by the bats. The main entrances to the mine systems are surrounded by trees which act as wind breaks arid also help maintain a stable ventilation regime underground. Woodland cover above and adjacent to the mines provides vital feeding habitats for the bats and are important in ensuring a readily available food source of insects. This feature is particularly important in spring when the bats need to build fat reserves quickly to ensure a successful breeding season. Part of the system at Clearwell Caves is in regular use both commercially and for recreation. Public access to show caves with stalactites and crystal formations of calcite, dolomite and haematite occurs throughout the year and small quantities of iron ore, rock samples and natural pigments such as ochre are still mined by the mineral gale owner. Other species which use the hibernacula include Daubenton’s bat Myotis daubentonii, Brandt’s bat M. brandtii, Natterer’s bat M. nattereri, whiskered bat, Myotis mystacinus and long eared bats Plecotus auritus which make use of the many crevices and rock piles throughout the system. Other Information 1. New Site Notification. 2. This site is one of a series of Sites of Special Scientific Interest within the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire notified for the lesser and greater horseshoe bat populations. This suite of sites includes both breeding and hibernation roosts and contributes to the conservation of bat populations of European importance. Other sites which form part of this series in Gloucestershire include, Breeding sites, Caerwood and Ashberry Goose House SSSI, Blaisdon Hall SSSI, Sylvan House Barn SSSI and Dean Hall Coach House and Cellar SSSI Hibernation sites, Devil’s Chapel Scowles SSSI, Buckshraft Mine and Bradley Hill Railway Tunnel SSSI, Wigpool Ironstone Mine SSSI and Westbury Brook Ironstone Mine SSSI. 3. The mines are subject to the Awards of Mines Act 1841. This contains the rules governing the practice of the rights of the traditional Free Miners of the Forest of Dean.

Species mentioned