Newton Court Stable Block

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 51.8263, -2.6946

Also within

Gwent County

Description

Description The Newton Court Stable Block site which is of special interest for its breeding colony of the greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum is located on a south-east facing bluff above the town of Monmouth, overlooking the River Wye and immediately adjacent to the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The site comprises a stable block, courtyard and an area of adjacent woodland. The roof space of the stable block is an important breeding site for the rare and endangered greater horseshoe bat. For the period 1991/1996 the roost regularly supported between 50 and 100 adults and flighted juveniles. The site includes the emergence cover provided by a line of trees alongside an adjacent court, and a small area of woodland. Newton Court Stable Block is the only breeding roost for this species in Monmouthshire and one of only three known in Wales. The greater horseshoe bat has declined substantially in numbers and range in Britain and Europe this century and has now disappeared from much of its former range in southern Britain. In view of the recent decline of the species in western Europe, it has been given special protection by the Habitats and Species Directive. The site is also used by a small number of lesser horseshoe bats Rhinolophus hipposideros. Remarks: Greater horseshoe and lesser horseshoe bats are listed in Annex II of the Habitats and Species Directive and on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum LC bat vespertillonidae
lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros LC bat vespertillonidae

Plant communities

A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream

Potamogeton natans community

Schoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium angustifolium, Sparganium erectum, Sparganium minimum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Glyceria fluitans, Chara subspinosa

A14 — Fast flowing river and stream

Myriophyllum alterniflorum community

Isolepis fluitans, Juncus bulbosus, Fontinalis antipyretica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton filiformis, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus peltatus, Chara spp., Nitella hyalina

A17 — Chalk river and stream, Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans community

Berula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans

A18 — Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus fluitans community

Fontinalis antipyretica, Fontinalis squamosa var. curnowii, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus fluitans, Glyceria fluitans, Phalaris arundinacea