Orielton Stable Block and Cellars

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Dyfed County

Description

Description The site is of special interest as one of the largest nursery roosts of lesser horseshoe bats Rhinolophus hipposideros in Pembrokeshire. It is located approximately 3 km south-west of Pembroke. The population of R. hipposideros 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. This roost is one of only eleven known nursery roosts for this species in Pembrokeshire. The first records of R. hipposideros within the Stable Block are from the late 1960s. A maximum count of 45 bats was recorded between 1980 and 1985. Regular monitoring since 1993 has shown a general upward trend in numbers, but fluctuations have occurred. Numbers peaked at 130 in June 2000. Both greater horseshoe bats Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and R. hipposideros have been recorded using the cellars adjacent to the main house throughout the year in small numbers. The stable block was constructed at least 150 years ago, later than the main house which is circa 300 years old, with an older basement. The stable block was converted to laboratories approximately 30 years ago. The grounds around the stable block and main house are well wooded and there are a number of ponds on the property, as well as farmland nearby, all of which provide ample sheltered feeding opportunities for these bats. The cellars are located underground behind the main house and are known to support small numbers of both greater horseshoe bats R. ferrumequinum and R. hipposideros throughout the year, and they are used as a hibernacula for both species during the late autumn/winter. First records of R. ferrumequinum are from the renowned local natural historian Ronald Lockley in the 1950s, who was resident at Orielton prior to this period. There are strong links between the horseshoe bats at this site and the Stackpole Estate which lies approximately 4km away: R. ferrumequinum has been radio-tracked from Stackpole to Orielton, and the cellars are used as a night roost for feeding. Small numbers of brown long-eared bats Plecotus auritus have been observed emerging from the stable block, and whiskered bats Myotis mystacinus are occasionallly seen. The largest colony of soprano pipistrelle bat Pipistrellus pygmaeus known in Pembrokeshire also breeds within another property located on the Orielton Estate, and noctule bats Nyctalus noctula are known to use the bat boxes which have been erected in the woodland on the Estate. Remarks: 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