Park House Outbuildings, Stackpole

Also within

Dyfed County Arfordir Penfro / Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Climate exposure

This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.

Geology & landscape

Landscape processes: Coastal

Birds & fish recorded

Birds

Description

Description The site is located to the south-west of the village of Stackpole, approximately 4km south of Pembroke, and is of special interest as the largest known nursery roosts of lesser horseshoe bats Rhinolophus hipposideros in Pembrokeshire. The population of lesser horseshoe bats in Britain has suffered recent serious declines such that it is now restricted to Western Britain with its main concentrations being in Wales and the South West of England. The widely dispersed South Pembrokeshire/West Carmarthenshire population is distinct from the nearest neighbouring population on the Gower Peninsula. This roost is one of only nine known nursery roosts for this species in Pembrokeshire. It is very likely that close links exist between this population and that at the nearby SSSI at Stackpole Courtyard Flats; there is probably interchange of adults between the two roosts. It was not until June 1987 that lesser horseshoe bats was confirmed at the site, when 32 were counted. Numbers of adults have been increasing steadily since regular annual counts began in late May/early June of 1993, with peaks of 85 in 1993, 99 in 1994, 103 in 1995, 102 in 1996, and 141 in 1997. In comparison, peak numbers at Stackpole Courtyard Flats have fluctuated between 42 and 97 since 1993 with 63 adults being recorded in 1997. The combined total of 204 adults in 1997 indicates that the feeding opportunities in the vicinity of Stackpole NNR are abundant. This complex of stone outbuildings was built during the late nineteenth century when it was used as a stable and coach house, and was once part of the Stackpole Estate owned by the Earl of Cawdor. The buildings now comprise a double garage with an open roof space adjacent to a covered archway and workshop/store with continuous lofts above. The bats breed in these open loft areas, entering the roost via access points in an open passageway adjacent to the double garage. When emerging, the bats often circle the open areas within and around the building prior to flying off towards adjacent woodland and other sheltered edges. Greater horseshoe bats Rhinolophus ferrumequinum have been recorded using these outbuildings for roosting as an adjunct to the main Pembrokeshire breeding colony at Stackpole Courtyard Flats half a kilometre to the west. Highest figures recorded so far were in June 1997 when approximately 18 used the outbuildings at dusk shortly after leaving the Stackpole nursery. Other bat species observed emerging from the roost include pipistrelle bat Pipistrellus pipistrellus and brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus. Swallows Hirundo rustica also breed here. Remarks: The site lies within the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. R hipposideros is listed on Schedules 5 and 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), and on Annex IIa and VIa of the Habitats and Species Directive. R.ferrumequinum is listed on Schedules 5 and 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended).

Species mentioned