Pembrokeshire Ecology
Report Title:
WILLIAMSTON FARM HOUGHTON PEMBROKESHIRE SA73 1NL
OS Grid reference: SM 98784 06897
25 AUGUST 2020
Prepared by: Anna Sutcliffe Pembrokeshire Ecology Mullock Cottages, Dale, Haverfordwest Pembrokeshire SA62 3AS 01646 636 754 07866 457 088 [email protected] [email protected]
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Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 1 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon Table of Contents
A.EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 4
B. INTRODUCTION: BACKGROUND TO ACTIVITY / DEVELOPMENT ...... 5
C. FIELD SURVEY RESULTS...... 9
D.INTERPRETATION AND ASSESSMENT OF RESULTS ...... 37
APPENDIX 1: LOCATION, SITE PLANS & PHOTOGRAPHS ...... 52
APPENDIX 2: METHODS OF HOW AND WHY A BAT SURVEY IS DONE FOLLOWED BY THE ACTUAL RESULTS ...... 70
APPENDIX 3: LEGAL FRAMEWORK CONNECTED TO BATS AND THE PROTECTION OF WILDLIFE ...... 91
APPENDIX 4: BAT ROOST POTENTIAL TABULATED NOTES ...... 93
APPENDIX 5: MITIGATION IDEAS ...... 98
APPENDIX 6: CONTACT DETAILS...... 114
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 2 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon This is a Report on a protected species survey with particular reference to bats. Lead Surveyor: Anna Sutcliffe BSc. Hons. MCIEEM Author: as above Survey Date/s: Scoping survey– 12TH May 2020 Desktop: 29th May 2020 Static detector deployment: 12-20thMay (8 nights) 20th-24thJune (4 nights) 16th-21st July (nights) Active monitoring: Presence-Absence survey: 12th May 2020(dusk emergence) Presence –Absence survey: 22nd June 2020 (dawn re-entry) Client/owner: David Dixon Architect: Acanthus Holden – James Stroud THE PROPERTYADDRESS: WILLIAMSTON FARM HOUGHTON PEMBROKESHIRE SA73 1NL
National Grid Ref: SM 98784 06897 Easting(x), Northing(y): 198784, 206897
Description of property: Semi-detached two storey (200+ year old) Pembrokeshire cottage and barn, joined together with single storey chicken shed (north end) and the office& dairy (south end including the tractor shed) and all constructed with thick stone walls. All except the old office and dairy (corrugated concrete sheeting) were re-roofed with slate and breathable membrane lining in 1998.Surveys included everything north of the old office which shares a party wall with the barn. General location: rural, sheltered and of high quality for bat foraging and commuting. The project buildings are confirmed bat roosts for these 7 species: Soprano and common pipistrelle; brown long eared; whiskered and natterers; lesser and greater horseshoe bats. The barns were previously surveyed in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Location and site plans are provided in Appendix 1 Planning Reference Number: None available. Reference 2020 05 31 /Williamston Farm barns/ Dixon/SA731NL Sent date: 2020 Records submitted to yes WWBIC Draft report 30/06/2020 V1; 28/07/20 V2: Final report 25/08/2020 25TH August
Fig1: views of the front (east) and rear (west) N> with north N N E gable end of W chicken shed
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 3 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon A. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Owner: David Dixon Architect: James Stroud of Acanthus Holden Site and location: National Grid Ref: SM 98784 06897and postcode: SA73 1NL Situated east of the Burton Road on the edge of the village of Houghton in a sheltered situation High quality bat feeding habitat all around especially on the north, south and east. Wide range of roosting sites in mature trees and old farms and good quality housing on site and towards the Cleddau River. Yes, bat records for this site. Last surveyed in 2014. Target buildings for the 2020 bat survey from the north end: chicken shed: cottage (2-storey): barn (2- storey): office & toilet: dairy attached to the southern tractor shed. Evidence of bat roosting–urine, droppings and presence of bats. Confirmed roost features were located primarily in the first floor of the two storey barn and cottage, scattered droppings on the ground floor of barn, cottage, dairy and chicken shed. Small numbers of bats in crevices on the west and east sides, plus small roost of soprano pipistrelle bats on the wall top on the south west side of the office-dairy accessed from outside. Brown long-eared bats in the Dairy and over the office above the false ceiling. Greater and Lesser horseshoe bats present on most nights and occasional day roosts.
Roost characterization-before & after activity surveys: confirmed roosts.
Conclusion and Recommendations: Proposed works will disturb and move the bats away from existing roosts. The mitigation plan is to give the 7 species of bats that night roost and day roost in the various parts of the barns a portion of the southern end on the first floor of the 2-storey long barn with the arches. The only maternity roost of brown long-eared bats (No=14) use the Dairy in the single storey barn south of the 2-storey barn with arches – there is a thick party stone wall between them with no internal access. The material changes to this Dairy section are that the concrete block extensions on the east side will be lost (no roost potential), the location of the brown long-eared bat apex roost site will be undisturbed, the main swarming area in the main barn will also be unchanged. The changes will be to improve the space for bats by blacking out/covering the roof skylights over to darken the whole barn area i.e. Dairy and the roof space over the office area. The bats will continue to access from the east side over a new outer door into the Dairy barn with the same dimension as they are using currently. The south eastern tractor door will remain unchanged (i.e. open with no door) and accessible to bats entering the barn and flying to roost. Additionally the office area between the Dairy wall and the office wall 1 x cool tower will be constructed to allow for horseshoe bats and crevice bats to roost, this will compensate the bats for other parts of the barns that will not be accessible to them once the development is finished. Another cool tower will also be located in the North West corner of workshop/Dairy.
A Natural Resources Wales (NRW) protected species licence will be required at this site.
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 4 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon B. INTRODUCTION: Background to activity / development Ecologist: Anna Sutcliffe was employed as lead ecologist. All the surveys and the report were carried out by Anna, she holds a Natural Resources Wales bat licence (Licence No: available on request) and has done since 2008. She is an experienced field ecologist (35years of surveys) working for Oxford and Sheffield Universities as a seasonal researcher. Biodiversity solution and then Pembrokeshire Ecology span a period of 15years of intense survey work as a consultant (Phase 1 ecology surveys, bats, barn owls, seabirds, sea mammals, reptiles and amphibians). Anna has a BSc. Hons. Degree in Botany, Ecology, Soil science and Geography.
Anna is a full member of the Chartered Institute of Ecology & Environmental Management and the Bat Conservation Trust. All the information in this report is written with due regard to: BS42020:2013 “Biodiversity – Code of practice for planning and development” Bat Conservation Trust publication (3rd Ed) Good Practice Guidelines The members of the surveying team that were used at this site are shown in the results tables in Appendix 2.4
General notes on bat surveys and reasons for assessing a site for bat roost activity Notes of bat surveys Bat Population 1. Bat populations have declined over the last 30 Years; Bats and their roosts are protected by information law even when the bats are not present. (See Appendix 4 ) Bat information 2. Bats are small flying mammals that can be very difficult to survey as they area active at night and when roosting in the daytime may be tucked deep down in a crevice or between roofing felt and slates or in expansion joints of a concrete structure etc. etc. So they can be easily missed. Things to look out 3. To find out whether a building or buildings are being used by bats we use their signs to for: determine their presence e.g. droppings; urine spots; insect prey remains; greasy marks around an access hole where bats’ grease from their fur rubs off or, of course, their scratching or squeaking or the presence of live or dead bats Assessment of bat 4. To assess the bat use of a building or buildings we have to do bat surveys at dusk and two use hours before and up to dawn. Final notes about 5. The bat diversity and numbers are relatively high in Pembrokeshire and West Wales. This is West Wales and due to the diverse landscape and the quality of the habitat for bats. These habitats range from mature trees, ancient woodland, wet valleys, thick hedgerows, biodiverse cliffs and islands and its bat also caves and historic buildings. populations
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 5 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon B1 Site name and description of Target buildings (see plan below. North is at the top of the plan: SITE NAMES: Williamston Farm barns Description: A line of barns running north to south (not to scale): plan to show names and location of each section of the barns.
Plan of the barn and attached buildings
Chicken Shed - Single storey
Cottage – two storeys
Barn two storeys. 2 rooms – south of the barn on the Fuel tank ground floor are door-less
Dairy Old Office (& toilet) single – extensions storey with large void above the office and skylights
Former Dairy with party wall into workshop and tractor shed (south end of single storey barn)
B2 Survey aims: using survey observations and local records centre information on species and habitats.
Reasons for these surveys: Bats are the only mammals which can fly. They are warm blooded; they suckle their babies and are intelligent, social animals. British bats feed only on insects, of which they consume vast numbers to sustain their energetic lifestyles. A pipistrelle bat can eat up to 3000 midges in a single night! We have 12 species of bat breeding in Wales. Many of these have suffered severe declines, not just in Britain but throughout Europe.
All British bat species are protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, known as the ‘Habitats Regulations’. Bats have a unique relationship with humans, sometimes sharing our homes for part of the year. For this reason, thorough surveys of the bats and their roosts are required in order to protect the bats and to pass the stringent tests that planning authorities and the government body called the Natural Resources Wales have tosupport their protection and continued ecological functionality within our landscape.
All building potential roost features (PRF’s) are recorded on a Table in C1 and C1.1. These and habitat details were used in order to provide an assessment of the overall suitability of the site for bats, and to inform any further survey requirements.
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 6 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon B3 Proposed development: develop and renovate all the buildings from the Dairy northwards (see B1) into living accommodation. Reason: currently the barns are roofed (1998), the thick stone walls are in a variety of different states of repair with no doors or windows in place (except on the extensions to the Dairy on the east side) and office and toilet doors and glazed window. The restoration of the barns and conversion in to living accommodation will save a beautiful set of buildings from disrepair with the worst case scenario being that the set of buildings will eventually fall down and the bat roosts will be lost. The renovation of these buildings conforms to the LDP for the village.
B3Desk Study Previous surveys: Year Dates of surveys Survey type – presence –absence surveys 2012 9th September Pre-Dawn re-entry 2013 16th May Dusk emergence 2013 18th June Pre-Dawn re-entry 2013 1st July Pre-Dawn re-entry 2014 13th August Pre-dawn re-entry
Local records centre information: not applied for as author and bat ecologists’ knowledge is good for this area. Other information resources: previous surveys and knowledge of bat roosts in the village, bat group and fellow workers with knowledge of the area.
Online resources using satellite and aerial imagery, Google earth, Bing maps and MAGIC maps (DEFRA) are used to assess ‘HABITAT IN THE CONTEXT OF BATS:’ showing protected species and connected habitats from MAGIC maps. These are located in Appendix 1 section 1.
B3.1 Designated sites and good habitat close to the site. The MAGIC interactive map (magic.defra.gov.uk) was used to search for statutory designated sites within the vicinity of the development. Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………. 1,400m SE Milford Haven Waterway SSSI ………………………………………………………………………………………………...... 1,600m E Local or nationally important sites and habitats will not be affected by the proposed development. Broad leaved woodland – pale green patches on aerial Magic image in Appendix 1 section 1 - 10m and in patches down the stream valley from Mill Cottage down to the Daucleddau river where the river banks are cloaked in broad-leaved woodland and excellent connective bat habitat <1,00mdistant. B3.3Bat records search to 2km from the site was investigated and the results are seen below Bats Distance from site [m] Bats Distance from site [m] On site maternity in Mill Cottage plus Soprano pipistrelle many satellite roosts on site and in Natterers bats On site and within 500m Houghton Maternity in Houghton and many Common pipistrelle Serotine satellite roosts On site and within Houghton and On site, roosts 50m east Brown long- eared Noctule properties along the Daucleddau river of the site Present on site, suspected breeding in Day and night roosts Greater Horseshoe Whiskered /Brandt’s 2014 within 650m of the site 35m E of the site is a In bridges over the Daucleddau River Lesser Horseshoe Daubenton’s large breeding colony
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 7 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon B3.4 Site and Habitat assessment in the context of bats: Description of site Rural Altitude 57m above sea level Sheltered in wooded habitat on the east and north sides, more exposed on the west and Exposure/shelter south side Good through the connected woodland along the stream valley west to east down to the River Cleddau where the river banks provide the best connectivity along much of the Connectivity river’s path. In other directions (West, South and North) there are thick hedgerows and Cloddiau that provide good commuting and sheltered areas for bats to forage & commute along. Mature broad leaved trees along wet valleys with streams and river and ponds providing water bodies excellent for attracting insect life and thence birds and bats. The landscape Habitats east of the site is at least 33% woodland with arable and pasture farmed fields adding to the mix with good hedgerows interspersed with mature trees. High and confirmed on site, Bat roost potential High in neighbouring buildings e.g. farms, old houses towards the river.
Bat foraging potential Good to excellent – see habitats
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 8 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon C.FIELD SURVEY RESULTS Location: address see B1 Project buildings: (names): the whole set of barns’ orientation is north to south. (The southern end of the barns will remain as a tractor shed and will not being developed. (See B1)
Buildings surveyed – their names which are referred to on the plans: Chicken shed Cottage Barn Office Dairy& Dairy extensions Tractor shed/workshop this is joined to and south of the Dairy and office part of the barn and under the same roof with stone walls between sections but with no door on any opening within the barn Buildings scoping survey (PRA) – see C1 tables and photos Surveyor effort and equipment used: see Table C1.3
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 9 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon C1Buildings survey table Buildings scoping survey /PRA results [Photographs in Appendix 1.5 & B1] Date of PRA: 12th May 2020
Wall Loft Building No of Roof void Windows/doors Roof furniture construction hatch floors Fascia/barge
Chimney Roof boards C1.1a Chicken 1 0 Clean stone Slates and BRM liner none All doors (only on Dairy no No fascia boards Shed (painted white extension and toilet) & or barge boards inside) windows –not in place
Condition of the buildings: mediocre C1.1aPotential Roost Features (PRF): Nos 1-4 external
1.
3.
2.
KEY- North gable end and both front and rear of chicken shed of features and potential roost features (PRF’s) 1. Holes in the stone walls 2 of many 2. Doorway and window provide free flight access. 4. 3. Wall top crevice and gaps, 4. Corner NW-crevices near wall top,
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 10 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
Internal images:
5. 6.
7.
KEY- inside the Chicken shed of features and potential roost features (PRF’s) 5. Holes/crevices in the blocked up gable end window and some gaps between roof beams and stone wall top 6. Chicken nest shelves – potential night roost sites? Some bat droppings but no piles to indicate a perch 7. Scattered droppings on the white goods and stored items indicating flying /feeding by bats, mainly pipistrelle bats.
C1.1b Cottage ground and first floor - Photographs in Appendix 1.5 Date of PRA: 12th May 2020
Wall Loft Building No of Roof void Windows/doors Roof furniture construction hatch floors Fascia/barge
Chimney Roof boards C1.1b Cottage 2 0 Clean stone Slates and BRM liner none Door on ground floor east side & no No fascia boards windows open. or barge boards Door between 2-storey barn and cottage 1st floor in party wall.
Condition of the buildings: mediocre
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 11 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
C1.1b Potential Roost Features (PRF): Nos 1-7 external
7.
1.
6.
5.
1.
4. 2.
3. KEY to potential roost features: cottage
1. Upper floor window-gaps potential for access for bats 2.1st arch of barn, stairway leads up to cottage 3. Window and door flight in and out 4. Rear door open access 5. Crevice roost PRF’s in stone wall and partially blocked vents 6. Upper floor window west side 7. Crevices in stone wall and wall top, droppings at the foot of the down pipe
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 12 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon Internal images:
9.&6. 8.&1.
10.& 3. 11.
KEY to potential roost features: inside the cottage 8. 1st floor west window 12. st 9.1 floor east window and gable end window facing North. (note: no wall top inside as concreted and sealed 10.Ground floor door north of the window in 3. Free flight access 11. Ground floor beam into stone wall- gaps and crevices around beams Rear door open access 12. SW corner of cottage 13. Party wall with barn door through from barn to cottage-1st floor only-no image floor unsafe
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 13 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon C1.1c Barn -Photographs in Appendix 1.5 Date of PRA: 12th May 2020
Roof Building No of Wall construction Roof void Windows/doors Loft hatch floors furniture
Fascia/barge
Chimney Roof boards C1.1c Barn – 2 0 Clean stone. Slates and none Arched Doorways on no No fascia stairway up to 1st Party wall with cottage on north BRM liner ground floor east side. boards or floor on north side and office on south side Windowx1 open on barge end east side. boards
C1.1d Office & 1 0 Clean stone on west & east sides Concrete Yes above the office opening up Closed doors and no no Dairy (see C1.1e) with concrete block (single skin) sheet roof: into single storey dairy with no laminated windows dairy extensions -East skylights roof void (east side) Condition of the buildings: mediocre
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 14 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 15 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 16 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
C1.1f Summary: Potential Roost Features and access points:
Open doors Open windows Holes in floors Crevices in walls–potential and confirmed roost features were crevices - external walls Gaps between double doorway lintels – cottage to barn – 1st floor Gaps between beams -1st floor barn and big beams into stone walls – Cottage both floor and Chicken shed Apex of southern single storey barn on top of the stone wall and below the metal roofing sheet Roof Apex -1st floor of 2 storey barn southern end
Signs of bat use:
Droppings – scattered (in each building section) to piles – droppings map below showing that there are bat droppings and urine splashes in parts of the buildings where stored items accumulate evidence. Concentrations of droppings below holes in the floor in the main barn ground floor and below sections in the barn below the roof apex and where major wooden beams meet. Droppings below lintels with gaps between them e.g. between the 1st floors of the barn and the cottage
No bats found dead or alive during PRA
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 17 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
SCATTERED DROPPINGS -LOW Nos
C1.1f Map of droppings distribution
The habitat is of good quality for commuting and for quality foraging with a good variety of habitats close to the site.
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 18 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon Presence / Absence surveys /Bat activity surveys will establish the patterns of the bat movements and where they are both accessing the buildings and where they are going to roost. Bat species and numbers will also be recorded.
Additionally, static bat detectors were deployed in the various sections to determine activity during the night for periods of more than 5 consecutive nights during relatively good weather.
C1.2 Site Lighting: Current There is no site lighting currently on the barns even though lights are seen on e.g. the north gable end apex outside the chicken house. Lighting can put many species of bats off from accessing buildings to roost and will also interrupt flight pathways/corridors travelling between honey pot feeding areas and therefore also stop foraging around a site if it is flood lit. There are lights on the inner L-shape of nearby Mill cottage on all walls and on the North West corner of the barn east of the chicken shed. Lighting is referred to E: Recommendations.
C1.3 Survey Effort Surveyor Licensed bat Years of experience Equipment surveyor/or accredited Bat detector used Torch Binoculars Endoscope & thermal imager Anna Licensed and suitably 10 years of bat surveys and 40 Anabat Walkabout and digital Head and yes no Sutcliffe experienced years of ecology surveys video recorder hand torch Accredited agent 8 years Anabat SD2 plus thermal Head and yes imager -Flir hand torch Head and Assistant 3 years Anabat SD2 & heterodyne yes hand torch Trainee 2years Head and yes Anabat SD2 & heterodyne hand torch Assistant 4years Anabat SD2 & heterodyne Trainee x 1 training 1 year Head and yes Anabat SD1&heterodyne hand torch
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 19 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
C1. 3aSurveyor coverage of the site
KEY
Black outline 6 surveyors during the emergence survey 4 during the dawn re-entry survey
Dusk presence-Absence survey
Dawn Presence-Absence survey
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 20 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon C2 Bat Presence/Absence activity surveys results
Summary of surveys: 2020 from most recent back in time Month date survey Location No of observers Bat Detectors Other Equipment type Chicken shed: cottage ( ground floor): July 16-21st statics SMZCx2 + Anabat Express barn & cottage (1st floor only)
st Batbox duet Flir Infracam -Thermal imager, - Re-entry Chicken shed: cottage (ground & 1 June 22nd 4 -Petterson, torch, (pre-dawn) floor): barn (1st floor); office: dairy -Anabat SD2 &1, Walkabout and Scout -video camera + infra red lamp 20-24/25th Chicken shed; -cottage (ground floor); Night watch camera in cottage and June statics [4nights] -barn (1st floor only with cottage) barn -1st floors
Chicken shed: cottage: barn: office: -Batbox duet -Flir Infracam -Thermal imager, - Emergence May 12th Dairy 6 -Petterson, torch, (Dusk) -Anabat SD2&1, Walkabout and Scout -video camera + infra red lamp
12-20th Detectors that produced results: Anabat Express: failures on SM2 double May statics [8nights] cottage and barn -1st floor only microphone & SD1 with external battery
Building Digital measuring device; May 12th All barns north to south 2 Anabat Walkabout inspection endoscope; torch
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 21 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon th C2.1 Survey 1 – Summary of the Dusk Emergence/Presence-Absence survey: 12 May - sunset= 2102hours: Survey times=2040-2240 Bat survey results: bat passes = numbers next to the time of the first pass or the time Sunset each bat pass was recorded. Survey: time [ actual bat Nos in Square brackets]
Surveyor location
Greater Dusk Soprano Common Myotis Brown long eared horseshoe SUMMARY RESULTS emergence [2102] pipistrelle pipistrelle (natterers) bat(GHS)
Soprano pipistrelle bat roost in Mill cottage, bats forage around 1 pass SW 2132 = 3x garden and pond and also head south along project barns on west N to NE bat and east sides to habitat further south and east. @2237 2119 Emergence 1 x soprano pipistrelle (west) door.
2132 Cottage door west= 2 (additional) x soprano pipistrelle bats emerged 2132=3 2132 = 3xSoprano pipistrelle bat from crevice just below wall top- SW bats level with the office on SW side & flew North.2141=2 x 55 bats emerged and re-entered: 2150=3 x 55 pip emerged and re-entered
2123= 1 x Soprano pipistrelle bat out of vertical vent in west side of cottage wall. NW 2142 = 2 x soprano pipistrelle out of cottage door west side. General trend soprano pipistrelle bats north to south feeding. Silent bat out of 1st floor cottage window, - possible natterers bat
Inside Dairy & Scattered droppings (3 types pipistrelle bat, Myotis and brown ground floor long-eared) but no bats seen or recorded during dusk survey barn 2155: SNH-5x silent bats out Soprano pipistrelle bats occasional passes east side an hour into of east side of Dairy lean-to 2217=Possible the survey- i.e. leaving maternity roost and returning. over sliding door. natterers bat Brown long eared bats emergence out over sliding door east side E 2217= SNH 3 bats out of out of tractor into woodland. 3xBLE out of tractor end of barn. tractor end South shed 2217=1 x natterers bat out of tractor shed open door
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 22 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon C2.1a Survey -Summary of the Dawn re-entry or presence absence bat survey: 22nd June - sunset=0501hours: Survey Times: 0300-0515 Surveyor Soprano Common Brown long- Myotis spp. Myotis spp. Greater Lesser SUMMARY RESULTS locations pipistrelle pipistrelle eared (whiskered) (natterers) horseshoe horseshoe N (looking down W No bat re-entry noticed at this end side) 0403=2 bats 0320=3 bats Soprano pipistrelle bats into external wall top crevice behind down 0347-0348= bat into ground floor pipe of cottage wall including the common pipistrelle bat 0417=1xbat, 0436=1 x bat on heterodyne cottage>out E (N end) cottage & 2 in Natterers bat x 1 re-entry over dairy sliding side door 0433-2bats in feeding & into & into barn. Greater horseshoe bats x 2 flew in low from NW direction into east Dairy Barn> side doors stayed S (west 0440-0444= 3 0439- Soprano & common pipistrelle bats into same roost area at south
side) bats 0441=2bats west end of Office/Dairy back wall top Myotis spp (north end apex) plus brown long eared bats roost Dairy-East 0347-0450: 14 0356=1bat to between the top of the stone wall apex south of the Dairy leading to S end to roost roost the workshop/tractor shed
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 23 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
C2.1b Static Bat detectors- May, June and July 2020 (Plan of static bat detectors in C2.1.3)
th th i. Year: 2020 Month: May – dates: 12 -20 sunset= 2114-2102 sunrise=0518-0529 Detector Common Myotis spp. Myotis spp. Soprano pipistrelle Brown long-eared Greater horseshoe Lesser horseshoe Notes locations pipistrelle (whiskered) (natterers) Visits from the 17th Active all night from Activity increases as ambient temperatures Short calls as bats May @0103: 18th 14th May @2207 just the 17th May, satellite increase, signs of day roosting from 17th May. 5 species of bat. Not breeding but st pass the doors and 0125: 19th 0004:20th one record of Cottage -1 floor roosts in the wall Myotis species no specific species-calls not low numbers night roosting windows. C & F 0004 & 0158: night potential night roost crevices NE corner distinct roosting 12-18th May increasing activity Short calls as bats which stops later and 4 species of bats using this 1st floor pass the doors and later in the night 14th May last pass barn space, temperature in this windows. Some late =0100 and 0200. record 0427 possible Occasional single passes every night of barn is 8-10 degrees warmer than calls indicating day st 18-20th activity most day roost. detector recordings except 13/14th May when the outside. Day roosting for 3 Barn – 1 floor roosting inside or just of the night, more 19th May last pass there was a frost species pipistrelles and brown long outside the 1st floor than the cottage: day 0445=day roost eared bats once the weather barn = 0530 last roosting from the 18th warmed up record May and last records at 0519 Cottage –ground floor Detectors failed Chicken shed No detector left in the Dairy as this part of the building was not planned to be materially changed at this stage.
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 24 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon ii. Year: 2020 Month: June Dates: 20-24th sunset= 2142-3: sunrise=0500-0502 Myotis Detector Brown long-eared Myotis spp. Greater horseshoe Lesser horseshoe Soprano pipistrelle Common pipistrelle spp. Summary locations (whiskered) BLE (natterers) GHS LHS Low numbers of calls but these bats do not call necessarily, Lower number of calls especially at mid from this species of summer when it is Low numbers of passes 9-19 per pipistrelle bat over 3 of Common pipistrelle x 1 day roost quite light and they Only one night when 8 – night from mostly bats passing or 4 nights. No of passes=3- occasional are familiar with their passes were recorded on Inside occasionally visiting to feed on 3 8 per night, 2146 record Brown Long-eared - maternity surroundings seen the 21/22nd June, the out of 4 nights. Most visits around might indicate an early – roost here: No=14 bats (camera Dairy going to roost in roof calls are most likely midnight (0000, 0010) and no early evening visit or more count)- not seen in May apex above stone wall natterers bat evening or data near dawn likely a single satellite between Dairy and day roosting bat once in workshop= Day mid June Roosting=No:14. 4 calls only recorded at 0318. Low numbers of calls and activity Total 13- 85 passes per 15-23 passes for each night, short night increasing as the BLE: Only early calls passing barn & visiting briefly nights go on. Low evening record 2245 to forage en route to main feeding number of individual – Occasional roosts: = indicates a bat grounds south and east of barn and bats. Times: 2122, 2135, Soprano & common pipistrelle bats emerging from the Barn Mill Cottage maternity roost. indicate single bat 21st June @0444 Myotis x No=1/species - day roost. – roost. Very occasional st Times: 2021, 2023, 2156,- possible emerging from day roost spp Brown long-eared two records of 1 floor calls were on each – indication of single bat day roosting 2 out of the 4 nights. day roosting 2 days. – morning at: 0421, – occasionally. 2156 & 2213 bats flying Myotis spp night roost only once 0426, and 0452 = day – Times: 2227, 0302 & 0441 past from another roost – roosting bat. indicate visiting/feeding soprano and 0305, 0440 indicates pipistrelle. fly pasts Early evening calls – Common and soprano pipistrelle 2140, 2134, - indicate bats – satellite roosting on the top Generally, the same as day roost for single bat. GHS: Visited with passes north east corner of the cottage= the barn 1st floor but 2251 indicates a visit recorded between 1 which is a No = 3 pipistrelle bats (personal BLE: Recorded on 3 of more passes during the from a natterers bat and flight in and out, to 28 passes count during survey) Recorded every night but very low the 4 nights, not on LHS: 10 passes (2242) night from 14 up to 133 2330 night roost. which is potentially a night Brown long-eared bat day roosting. numbers of passes 4- 19. the 20/21st June. Low – recorded on the 20/21st June low numbers or single Low numbers of calls 8- roost (2350, 0019, 0051, 0214, No=1. Cottage Low numbers of individuals passing – numbers of passes with times suggesting night bats feeding. 0449 only 23 for both whiskered and 0322). On the 24th there Myotis spp (whiskered) No=1 bat st the barns after emerging from Mill from 3-11; times roosting. – – 1 time indicating that the and natterers bats but was the most activity and it day roosting Cottage maternity roost and (0426, 0433, 0448, No day roosting other floor bats that roost on the calls are not distinct and was noted that there were no Myotis spp (natterers) bats - No=1 satellite roosting on the top north 0452) suggests a timings on different nights north east corner of the therefore called Myotis records of lesser horseshoe day roosting. east corner of the cottage. single bat day roosting brief: 2243, 0109. cottage occasionally fly spp. Early morning bats. One night record time Greater horseshoe bat night on occasion in and out of the records were 0444 for was 2125 which would point to roosting minimum bats 1, most cottage. whiskered bat and 0504 a day roost once by the GHS seen together flying in =2 but for Myotis spp of bat individual timings may be same bats which will be day or different bats so NO Max=5 bats
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 25 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon roosting more frequently than lesser horseshoe bats. Lesser Horseshoe bats – night roost once only. Between very low=1 pass Generally the same as Common pipistrelle one bat day from a visiting bat flying in – the barn 1st floor but roosting once Low numbers of calls and activity and out to 69 passes more passes from 5 up BLE: Only 2-3 passes Brown long-eared x No=1 11-68 passes for each night (max 8 (~11passes per hour) – to 269 over two nights out of occasional day roost passes/hour), short calls passing MYOTIS: Only 2 passes recorded. Times indicate LHS (max33passes/hour) 4. Myotis spp x No=1 occasional day Cottage cottage door and windows and – on 1 night out of 4. Only 3-6 passes every night: are night roosting (0347, – still low numbers of Two records 0347 & roost occasional feeding visits in and out. 2 records: 2142 & 2243 Times: 0020-0318 most likely 0354)and sometimes day – ground individuals most likely 0412, the latter Greater horseshoe night roost Earliest time recorded = 2131 and Most likely indicating night roost roosting (2147, 2147) and – floor one bat feeding and possibly a bat going to Lesser horseshoe night roost and in the morning 0430 which may be occasional day roosting occasionally using as a – then roosting. Only one day roost. Use occasional day roost activity linked a roosting single bat but more likely satellite roost after time indicating a occasional. to maternity roost next door to the early emergence from Mill Cottage. emerging from the possible day roost = barn in the Williamston nursing maternity roost next door ( 0431 home 2210 twice) Brown long-eared: number varies but visits brief and linked to maternity at the other end of the Recorded every night Between very low=1 pass from Only 2-15 passes per night barns. times of passes(0407, Recorded every night but very, very Recorded 3 of 4 nights a visiting bat flying in and out out of 4, most likely using Greater horseshoe night roost 0411) indicate use of 2 passes on one night – – Chicken low numbers of short calls from but very low numbers of to 77 (0309-0350) passes the shed as a stop off after occasional: No=1 bat the chicken shed 22nd/23rd most likely passing bats as they emerge from short calls (2-32 passes) recorded. Times (2341, 0309- leaving the maternity roost Lesser horseshoe night roost brief shed before they go to from a visiting bat – Mill Cottage roost. from passing bats. 0350, 0312) indicate GHS night and before going off to feed. stop off before feeding and roost to night roost roost occasionally. (2202, 2214, 2220, 2233) returning to Williamston nursing wash etc home roost. No of bats will vary with weather conditions and requirements of the season
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 26 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon iii. Year: 2020 Month: July Dates: 16th-21st Sunset=2130-2124 : Sunrise= 0522-0529
Detector Brown long- Myotis Common Myotis spp. Greater horseshoe Lesser horseshoe locations Soprano pipistrelle eared spp. Summary pipistrelle (whiskered) GHS LHS BLE (natterers) Inside No deployment No deployment No deployment No deployment No deployment No deployment No deployment Dairy Soprano pipistrelle day roosting 1.3passes/hour this – inside and outside the 2 storey from a species that is and single storey barn walls- silent at times, two 0.7passes/hour 4 nights – No=min 9 record times indicate when single passes recorded 1pass/hour, passes Common pipistrelle - day Low No of passes of bats flying past 5.2passes/hour- higher day roosting out of at 2202-2237, one in the recorded each night, roosting inside and outside the the barns from the roost in Mill pass rate relates to small the 5 days and nights. middle of the night so Barn & one timing indicates day 5.3 passes/hour, all at times barn wall- No=min 5 cottage. 0.4 passes/hour: very low number of day roosting No more than 1-2 bats occasional night roosting, roosting natterers bat that indicate night roosting bat Brown long-eared day roost cottage – activity. Late calls at 0456 relate to bats in the roof apex and can be estimated as a timings would allow the bats – st and possibly 3 day or bats. No=2 1 floor the roosting bats in the top NE also externally on the satellite roost for the to return to another roost roosting Myotis bat, Natterers 1 very occasionally 1 corner of the cottage. wall top maternity in the site nearby most likely the – most likely Whiskered. – x bat day roosting (once in this southern end of the Williamston nursing home period) No=1 single storey barn. 4 next door Whiskered 3 time this species out of the 5 night had – day roosted: low numbers or records single bats No=1 Common pipistrelle- No=1: day roost Brown long-eared – No=1: day roost very occasionally 3.8passes/hour: 2142, 2147, Greater horseshoe day roosting 0.8passes/hour: 3 out – Myotis spp most likely 2152 early arrivals of bats or in main barns, not roosting here 1.6passes/hour: 4th of 5 the times 2.3passes/hour: times indicate Cottage whiskered bats swarm in day roosting bats emerging, but displaying pre-roosting 0.2passes/hour very very low night no records, recorded indicate pre-roosting behaviour before – the cottage before timings at the end of the behaviour : very occasional night – ground pass rate, no roosting possibly one night of a potential for day roosting in the 1st floor barn & roosting No=1 bat on 3 night indicate that they may roost No=1 floor single bat day roosting roosting for a single – cottage out of 5 days just be visiting and returning Lesser horseshoe not day bat. – to Williamston nursing home roosting, occasionally night roosting Noctule - recorded outside the cottage most likely in the mature trees to the east. General comment: Lower numbers of passes for all species 0437 only pass, One potential 2.9 passes/hour: early except Greater horseshoe bats, 2 indicating potential Chicken emergence at 2130 on 5.5passes/hour: night roosting evening night roost just as have been seen flying in to this Feeding passes Feeding passes for feeding roost or one night only. No other each night they emerge from the chicken shed at ground level from shed cleaning roost before records nursing home roosts. the north west. roosting elsewhere Greater horseshoe – night roost each night. No=2
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 27 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
C2.1.1Dusk Foraging areas and bat flight corridors are marked on the plan/map below: 12thMay (SUMMARY FROM ALL SURVEYORS)
All species of bats
KEY TO BAT ACTIVITY RED = Soprano pipistrelle bat BLUE = Common pipistrelle bat BLACK = Greater horseshoe bat WHITE = Lesser horseshoe bat BROWN = Brown long-eared bat PURPLE = Natterers bat LILAC = Whiskered bat
(Straight line= direct flight and dotted line=feeding)
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 28 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon C2.1.2 Dawn re-entry survey - foraging areas and bat flight corridors are marked on the plan/map below: 22nd June 2020
Pipistrelle and Myotis species of bats Brown Long-eared, plus greater & lesser horseshoe bats
KEY to Activity RED = Soprano pipistrelle bat BLUE = Common pipistrelle bat BLACK = Greater horseshoe bat WHITE = Lesser horseshoe bat BROWN = Brown long-eared bat PURPLE = Natterers bat LILAC = Whiskered bat
(Straight line= direct flight and dotted line=feeding)
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 29 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon C2.1.3 Static Detector deployment All parts of the barns identified as having potential for bat roosting and access.
KEY Static detectors that failed in May: re- deployed in June
Statics that worked for both surveys
Additional detector in June GROUND FIRST
FLOOR FLOOR Wildlife camera
Thermal Imager – Flir Infra cam The results are summarized in the table and discussed in the interpretation and recommendations paragraphs all below this.
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 30 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon C2.1.4 PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE ROOST LOCATIONS
See results tables in INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 31 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
a. North east corner of cottage –wall top crevice& inspection flight by greater
GHS x 2: 0403 horseshoe bats x 2
55 x 3: 0417 & 0433
BLE x 3: 0320
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 32 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
b. East elevation of barn over the arches – crevices for roosting pipistrelle bats
45 x1: 0436
BLE x 2: 0320
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 33 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
Party wall between Dairy and
workshop/tractor shed south of the Dairy
S False ceiling over the offices, area is boxed in a sealed in from any bat access
E
Apex of the stone wall right up next to the metal profile roof sheet roost for – S brown long-eared bats. Natterer x1+: 0347-8 BLE x 5: 2155
Natterer x1: 2217 BLE x 3 2217 E &2231 Sliding side door (East), bats fly in over the top of the door from eastern
wooded habitat. Green arrow indicates Tractor shed bat access entrance
Sliding side door (East), bats fly in over the top of the sliding door on the dairy extension but also fly in straight from the eastern woodland habitat over the tractor into the open barn
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 34 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
55 x3: 0440-44
45 X 2: 0439- SILENT BATS BLE 0441 X 3+ 0346-51
55 x1: 2123
SILENT BAT: X 1 2145 [BLE]
Bat crevice on
55 x5: west wall of the 2119, tractor shed 2132&2142
Cottage – west side = crevice roost and access points from and to inside of the cottage on both floors
West elevation of the whole barn
N.B. 55 = shorthand for soprano pipistrelle bat 55 x 8: 2132, 2141& 2150
South West end of barns- Dairy and tractor shed
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 35 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon C2.2 Other species noted during the surveys Breeding birds: barn swallows, house sparrows, wrens, dunnock, pied wagtail
C.2.3 LIMITATIONS OF THIS SET OF SURVEYS ACCESS: Access was not allowed into the first floor of the barn or the cottage as the floors are not safe but from the top of the staircase with binoculars, telescope and torch it is possible to pick up good detail of bat signs.(See bat droppings map: C1.1f)
SURVEYS – CHANGES FROM GUIDELINES: Two presence-absence surveys were completed in May and June accompanied by two deployments of static detectors in key areas of the barns (Chicken shed, cottage and barn both floors, Dairy). In May the survey temperatures dropped from 9.5 to 6oC (much lower than expected) but despite this bat activity was recorded but with a low diversity of bats species.
STATIC FAILURE: The statics in May failed in the cottage and the chicken shed.
SHORT DEPLOYMENT: In June temperatures and conditions were ideal and the statics all worked but were taken in after 4 consecutive nights.
LONG DEPLOYMENT: therefore in July the statics were re-deployed for a third time for 5 consecutive nights. This amount of survey work (2 presence – absence surveys) on such a big important set of bat roosts is more than the minimum requirement when combined with the previous 5 bat surveys between May and September, indeed the patterns of bat use of the buildings has been demonstrated robustly.
Year Survey type Date 2012 Buildings survey: 10th September Pre-Dawn survey: 9th September 2013 Emergence survey: 16th May Pre-dawn survey: 18th June Pre-Dawn survey: 1St July 2014 Pre-Dawn survey: 13th August 2020 Buildings survey now called PRA# May Emergence survey+ statics 12th May Pre-dawn survey + statics 22nd June #PRA=Preliminary Roost Assessment
Night vision camera deployments and the use of a thermal imager improved the facts for the site showing up crevice roosts and behaviour in the Dairy, Barn inside and outside stone walls and in the cottage.
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 36 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon D.INTERPRETATION AND ASSESSMENT OF RESULTS (see summaries of results C2 surveys and C2.1b statics) The Buildings survey assessments (PRA’s) and a suite of surveys have been done previously in 2012 and then again before and after surveys depending on the timings in 2014 and 2015. This year, 2020, found bat activity similar to the previous records although the piles of droppings that had obviously accumulated over years of bat use have gone along with the stored items (veteran cars) on the ground floor of the barn.
Otherwise droppings in 2020 continue to be deposited: under the gap in the lintels between the barn and cottage 1st floor beneath the timber joints of the roof in Barn -1st floor in corners of the 1st floor cottage and barn scattered from flying bats in the cottage – both floor, barn both floors especially the 1st floor, the chicken shed and the Dairy/office roof void above the false ceiling
D1 MAY SURVEYS –EMERGENCE SUMARY The results in May show that the cool temperatures at night times had quite an effect on the bat activity generally and this was reflected in the barn activity. The survey had very few emerging bats and the roost that had the most activity was on the South West side and there the bats emerged straight towards the woodland or came out and went straight back in again. Common pipistrelle were active on each of the eight nights of the static deployment in May; Myotis species of bats in the barns were busy 5 out of the eight with the other species touching in less consistently into the graph records.
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 37 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon Brown Long-eared Brown Long-eared 200 300 180 160 250 Lesser Horseshoe Lesser Horseshoe 140 200 120 100 150 80 Greater Horseshoe Greater Horseshoe 60 100 40 50 20 Natterers (where Natterers (where 0 distinct) 0 distinct) Myotis species Myotis species
Soprano Pipistrelle Soprano Pipistrelle
Graph - cottage 1st floor (May) Graph - Barn – 1st floor (May)
D2 The JUNE SURVEYS showed more activity, with increasing numbers and bat species seen & recorded in the surveys, supported by the static detector deployment. Noctule bats were recorded but these are roosting and hunting in the mature trees to the east of the barns.
D2 JUNE Surveyors detectors DAIRY
80 60 Myotis 40 20 Common 0 Pipistrelle Soprano Pipistrelle
The Dairy had 14 brown long-eared bats enter their roost inside the barn–none of the bats called.
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 38 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon NORTH EAST
30 6 25 Noctule 5 Noctule 20 4 15 Myotis 3 Myotis 10 2 5 1 Common Common 0 Pipistrelle 0 Pipistrelle Soprano Soprano
0315 3030 0345 0400 0415 0430 0445 0500
0315 3030 0345 0400 0415 0430 0445 0500
------Pipistrelle Pipistrelle
0309 0315 0330 0345 0400 0415 0430 0445
0312 0315 0330 0345 0400 0415 0430 0445
SOUTH
30 25 Noctule 20 15 Myotis 10 5 0 Common Pipistrelle
0315 3030 0345 0400 0415 0430 0445 0500 Soprano
------Pipistrelle
0309 0315 0330 0345 0400 0415 0430 0445
This site has 7 species of bats using the various nooks, crannies, sections and features of this classic string of barns; they use the site through the year and for some also most likely in the winter as well. The site has brown long-eared bats breeding in 2014 and this was confirmed also in 2020, this breeding roost has moved from the north to the south end of the barns. Natterers bats are in small numbers currently which is the same as recorded before; greater horseshoe bats are using it mainly as a night roost and occasional day roost. Houghton has several barn locations that are used peripatetically by the greater and lesser horseshoe bats. The neighbouring Williamston Nursing Home has one of the largest lesser horseshoe bat maternity roosts in the county so it is not surprising that lesser horseshoe bats use the Williamston farm barns as a satellite roost sites to go to just
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 39 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon after they have emerged from the maternity roost next door to Williamston Barns, behaviour that has been noted at Orielton bat Special Area of Conservation where the lesser and greater horseshoe bats emerge and visit several locations in small numbers before they disperse to forage (perhaps to communicate where the best concentration of food is located).
D3 Total numbers of bats in crevices, barns and through windows and doors – 2020 with additions from previous surveys (see D4 previous years)
Bat species Dusk emergence- Dawn re-entry- Inside Max actually seen Roost May July characterisation Soprano pipistrelle bat: 14 6 14 Day Common pipistrelle bat: 3 3 Day &night Brown long-eared bat#: 14 Day for 1-2 bats, 4 5 14 & maternity Natterers bat##: 3 Day roost for 1 1 1 3 occasional Whiskered bat 5 seen in 2014 Night & day, June possible maternity in 2014 Greater horseshoe bat~: 8 Night roost- frequent but not 5 (2014) 2 (did not roost) every night: 8 (2013) occasional day roost Lesser horseshoe bat 1 (2013/14) 1 Night roost~~~
Key to symbols #breeding Brown long-eared bats-Evidence: previous and current surveys ## Natterers bats = breeding ?????– No evidence of any numbers larger than 3 bats. Natterers bats use a large number of different sites during the breeding season, the mothers move their babies we think in response to weather and temperature and food source availability. ~~~ Lesser horseshoe bats seem to emerge from the Williamston Nursing Home roost and use the barns for a brief roost before dispersing to feed. ~ Greater horseshoe bats utilise the barns in different locations on a regular basis
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 40 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon D4 CONCLUSONS from surveys from 2012 to 2020 (see D3)
It is the ecologist’s professional opinion that suitable and sufficient evidence has been obtained and collated to draw the necessary conclusions from the surveys and that Williamston Farm barns provide bat roosting for breeding brown long eared bats with night and day roosting satellite roosts for individual brown long-eared bats.
Day roosting for relatively small numbers of Myotis spp (whiskered: natterers), soprano and common pipistrelle, plus night roosting lesser and night roosting and occasional day roosting for greater horseshoe bats.
Species and Numbers of bats over the past surveys to current year: Name of bat 2012 2013 2014 2020 Type of roost Time of year – presence confirmed Soprano 4 4b/out o/out: Day/night May, June, July pipistrelle b/out b/out: c1: c Common 4 2b/out b/out: b1: Day/night May, June, July pipistrelle b/out c/out Brown long- 1(cs) 1(c) 5 d cs:c:c1:b1:d Day/maternity May, June, July eared Myotis spp c1: b1 Day/Night May, June Natterers 3(b1) b1 Day /night May, June, July Whiskered 5 d b1 Day/ night/ June, july maternity? Lesser 1(b1) b1: c: c1 Day/ Night May, June, July horseshoe September Greater 8 (b1) b1: c: c1 Day/ night May, June, July & horseshoe September Key cs=chicken shed c=cottage ground floor c1=cottage 1st floor c/out = cottage outside b1=barn 1st floor b/out=outside d = dairy o/out = office outer wall
D5 The PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT will prevent bats from using their existing roost locations in all places except the dairy and the space above the office in the southern single barn section adjoining the two storey barn. (there is no interconnection of the two barns for bats internally). The bat roosts in the whole of the 1st floor of the barn and cottage will be changed and moved to the southern end of the same 2-storey barn.
Mitigation plus enhancement have been included as compensation for the loss and changes to the bat roosts.
Details:
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 41 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon This 1st floor of the barn leaving a space which will be: 1.8m high x 5.9m wide x 3.5m high (floor to 3 wall plate = 1.8m): volume=28m As seen below:
Research and advice taken from Henry Schofield with reference to the size of the bat loft for the multiple species of bats that include his lesser horseshoe bats, and greater horseshoe bats also.
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 42 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
The lime green rectangle shows the location of the bat loft in the 2-storey barn:
D5.1 Access will be a fly-in through the eastern stone wall just below eaves level and 0.5m above the wooden floor – letter box style with dimensions: 400mm x 300mm Height with a light baffle inside the bat space to deflect light and bird ingress.
Bat space Sound and temperature insulated partition between humans’ space and bat space
Light baffle – painted black
Stone wall –east side
D5.2 Plan to show the layout of the light baffle (painted matt black) which will serve to ensure the bat space is dark and that birds are dis-encouraged from entering the bat roof space.(Appendix 1.4.2)
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 43 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon D5.3 The breathable membrane roof lining will be completely sealed off from any access for the bats using. Research to ensure that this is done correctly was with reference to the Bat licence work at Abergwilli in the Bishops Palace. 12mm or more plywood, wide wood battening to support it lengthwise and around the edges. 6mm Netlon will be used to create grippy surface over the whole surface around the edges of the roof void and across the ridge/apex enabling bats to relocate in the bat loft depending on temperature and humidity outside. Expanding foam can be used inside and outside the roof area to additionally stopper all gaps. The supports across the ply wood will be used to create curtains of bitumen Type 1 BS747 hessian backed felt that bats can use as roost spaces.
Lesser horseshoe bats have been seen to use these micro roosts in a roost where greater horseshoe bats have moved in. A photograph of this is seen below:
Lesser horseshoe bat in
corner behind flap of
bitumen felt
See proposed plans – A2120-P101, 102 and 103.
The ply will be inserted to ensure that the boarding does not warp and that the edges are tight to the stone and wooden partition so no access to breathable membrane whatsoever
Under the boarding bitumen felt will be left in curtains in corners of the ceiling and 2 squeeze boxes will be attached to the bumpy southern stone wall, thus providing a 2 chambered bat box for crevice bats.
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 44 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon D6 Southern single storey barn
1
2
Workshop/tractor shed Dairy Office Bat loft mitigation in 2-storey barn>>
Single storey barn
Bat roosting over the office area with the false ceiling and the Dairy will be changed by blacking out the skylight windows making the area darker and more attractive to bats.
Dimensions over the office false roof: 4.2m x 3.9m x 2.8m high
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 45 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
D6.1 Southern Barn (single storey) dimensions of the section for bats:
Dairy: 15.08m x 4.45m x 5.795m high
Tractor and workshop area: (also accessible for bats) 11.36m x 4.45m x 5.795m
Entrance over the internal door and the new eastern door which replaces the sliding Dairy door in the new eastern wall - 900mm x 25mm (see photo in the Appendix 1.6.3)
D7 – Cool Towers x 2
FULL TOWER. Insulation can be increased by filling the hollow sections and covering the roof with suitable material, i.e. earth. ©The Vincent Wildlife Trust 2010
Hollow concrete blocks – drill 25mm x 20mm holes in upper blocks on the outside to provide crevice bat roost spaces
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 46 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
Cool tower sections showing dry stacking of hollow concrete blocks with wooden baffles in each layer with a top and a fly in entrance
E: RECOMMENDATIONS - LIGHTING Artificial lighting is known to cause disturbance to bats – it has been shown to be particularly harmful if used along river corridors, near woodland edges, along sunken lanes and near hedgerows and large reflective surfaces like solar panels and large glass windows. With this in mind, it is recommended that any additional lighting forming part of the development be kept to a minimum whilst also providing lighting for humans to access safely along paths.
Care with lighting in these areas:
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 47 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
E1 The sun sign shows the lighting on site, there is very bright light that is on all night south of the development site on new barns
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 48 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon E1.1 Existing lit areas: only two bright lights as seen in E1.1 Lights on the inner elevations of Mill Cottage
Lights on the large barn South of the site & south of the site
Lighting on the barns that are subject to this planning application must be directed away from linear features (e.g. waterways, hedgerows) and adjacent trees/woodland edges should not be illuminated. Furthermore, down lighting should be the preferred choice of any external lights to minimise glare or additional light pollution. Further information in relation to bats and lighting and types of lighting examples are noted in Appendix 5, however the developer/owner should also refer to the Bat Conservation Trust’s ‘Guidance Note 8: Bats and Artificial Lighting’ in conjunction with The Institute of Lighting Professionals, available to download at https://www.theilp.org.uk/documents/guidance-note-8- bats-and-artificial-lighting/ These measures will allow the development to conform to current protective legislation as laid out in the Habitat Regulations 2010.Pembrokeshrie County Council and Natural Resources Wales are very keen on lighting issues currently.
Lighting must be detailed on your plans. (See excerpt below from P101 and Appendix 1.4.4)
Lighting designs must include: Cowl or other design feature to stop light up spillup the wall or on to vegetation and trees. Quality of lighting is also important – see references above and Appendix 5. Triggers for lighting or PIR timed lighting– sensitivity set for large bodies like humans and vehicles Length of time the lights stay on = 15seconds max. Obviously, paths must be lit for humans but the ground can be lit without the illumination bouncing onto walls or vegetation or over spilling into areas used by bats e.g. the hedge line from the north or south sides and the large trees.
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 49 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
Details on the plans A2120 P101
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 50 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon GENERAL ADVICE: E.1 LONGEVITY of the survey and report: If development has not proceeded with in 2 years then a repeat bat survey will be required to check to see if bats continue to use the site in the same way.
E2.4 OTHER SPECIES (see C2.3) Timing Constraints: a note of caution for birds in the buildings or in vegetation closeby Any vegetation clearance required must be done outside the bird breeding season i.e. not in these months: March to end of August. If this work will destroy vegetation and trees in the bird breeding season then written confirmation should be provided to confirm no nesting birds are present/likely to be harmed. If nesting is found to be occurring, works will need to be delayed until any young have fledged, unless it is possible for suitable measures to be put in place to prevent harm while development occurs. Such measures should be agreed in advance of work starting. These measures will allow the development to conform to current protective legislation as laid out in the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (plus amendments).Note of Caution: If bats are found, stop work in that area and call your ecologist. (01646 636754/07866 457088)
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 51 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon Appendix 1: LOCATION, SITE PLANS & PHOTOGRAPHS 1.0Location Plan (1:25,000/1:50,000 scale). Site shown with red arrow. North is at the top of the page.
Mixed woodland
1.0 Young Aerial map of the area showing woodland location of the site under the trees Coniferous red arrow. (Base map source: woodland MAGIC or Bing Maps Scale (white areas) – Pale green is broad leaved 1:25,000 Year: 2019) woodland Pembrokeshire Pink stripes represents the Marine SAC Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area for Conservation (SAC) Scale
1.0MAGIC MAP (Defra) with OS overlay showing the site and location in a rural setting west south west of the Cleddau river and Pembrokeshire Marine SAC
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 52 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
1.1Location and habitats around the site (red rectangle) plus location of good bat habitat (green lines and arrows) for commuting and feeding(Base map sources: MAGIC maps 2019)
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 53 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
1.3 Architects plan of the area showing location of the site and the area surveyed within the red outline.
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 54 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon BUILDINGS – EXISTING PLANS
1.3.1Existing plans - Elevation A2120 S-100
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 55 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon BUILDINGS – PROPOSED PLANS
1.4 Proposed drawings: site P002
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 56 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
Proposed development
Proposed bat mitigation – southern single storey barn and part of the 2-storey barn on the 1st floor
1.4.1 Proposed site plan – view of the roofs: see A2120 P001 site roof plan (above and below this title)
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 57 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon Letterbox bat fly-in access
1.4.2 Proposed elevations - east (A2120 P100) and west elevations (A2120 P102
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 58 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
1.4.3 Proposed Sections (A2120 P102) – bat space shown in bright yellow
Bat mitigation Strategy for greater and lesser horseshoe bats night and occasional day roosting, plus satellite roosting crevice bats (soprano and common pipistrelle: whiskered and natterers bats)
Bat loft Space left in the southern end of the first floor of the 2-storey barn
Dimensions: 1.8m x 5.9m(wide) x 3.5m (high) wall plate to floor = 1.4m. Volume= 28m3 Letterbox gap in the stone wall which is 400mm long and 300mm deep. Location on the east side at a level that is 0.5m above the wooden floor boards of the 1st floor.
Light baffle to be installed to detract from bird access and light ingress.
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 59 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
Bat fly-in letterbox
6. Refers to the key in the plans –A2120 P100 All lighting to be low level down lights. 1.4m and illuminating the ground not upwards.
Low level lighting – AEG Rectangular LED outdoor wall lights with nano coating – 1 x 3w LED www.lights.co.uk
No changes to the landscaping
1.4.4 Proposed lighting and landscaping plan
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 60 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
1.5.1 –above and below this title to illustrate the Bat mitigation in the southern end of the 2-storey barn on the first floor and the mitigation and compensation in the single storey barn
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 61 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 62 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon 1.6 PHOTOGRAPHS –EXTERNAL (See Preliminary Roost Assessment photos in the text – C1)
1.6.1 – North gable end of chicken shed and the slightly higher cottage
1.6.2 East elevations - chicken shed cottage and barn with the office section on the far left (South) side of the arches
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 63 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon a.
b.
1.6.3 South end of barn complex on the east side looking north. This photo shows the tractor shed section that is open to the work shop and Dairy and the void over the office. Bats access through this open door (b.) as they do over the sliding (a.) door of the Dairy on the east side (see red arrows). None of this end of the stone barn will change. The concrete block lean-to extension however is going to be removed and doors put in place to allow the bats to continue to access from the same side of the building (East) with the same gap available over the dairy door – 900mm x 25mm (a.)
Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 64 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon 2-storey 2-storey Barn-South Barn-North
Cottage Office
S E> Tractor workshop & shed
Dairy
1.6.4 South end of barns on the west side looking north showing sections of the barns Dairy (south end is a Office workshop and tractor shed) Barn Cottage Chicken shed 1.6.5 North West corner of the barns with the smallest section being the Chicken shed Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 65 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon Breathable membrane in roof that was replaced 20 years ago Chicken shed Dairy Barn Cottage Barn -1st floor Barn east side arches Barn - Ground floor Hole in floor of the barn looking up from the ground floor into 1st floor above with the white breathable membrane roof lining Stairs on the north end of the barn leading from ground floor to the 1st floor cottage and barn 1.6.6 Images of the barn with arrows linking the features of the barn, including the stairs which is a commuting entry point Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 66 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon HABITAT 1.6.7 North ponds. Valley woodland Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 67 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon 1.6.8 Habitat east showing woodland and Williamston Nursing Home site for one of the largest lesser horseshoe bat maternity roosts in Pembrokeshire Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 68 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon 1.6.9 Habitat South 1.6.10 Habitat west showing Mill Cottage with soprano pipistrelle bat roost in Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 69 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon Appendix 2: METHODS of how and why a bat survey is done followed by the actual RESULTS Note on bat surveys – Reasons for Bats being protected species In recent history bat populations have declined to such an extent that all species, along with their roosting places, are now protected by law [European and UK] Bats are small and nocturnal animals. They can be very difficult to survey, are secretive in behaviour and frequently roost in long inaccessible cracks and crevices. This means that even when they are present, they can easily be missed. Bat detectors are used to bring their calls down to the level where a human can hear them which gives us an additional tool for location. Some bats however do not call when they emerge from their roost. West Wales has relatively high numbers of most of the species that occur in Britain; the rural landscape with its abundance of wooded, river valleys and hedgerows means that buildings and trees, caves and manmade structures like tunnels or dungeons are commonly used as roosting sites by bats. This is particularly the case for older buildings that are located close to good feeding areas, on the edge of settlements or that are rarely disturbed. In order to determine whether a building is being used by bats, any survey will frequently rely on the signs they leave behind; droppings, the remains of insect prey or stains made around a frequently used entrance hole. To understand the bat use within a building, a survey will also involve dawn and/or dusk observations, which may need to be repeated at different times throughout the year. METHODOLOGY: 2.1 Bat Scoping Survey or PRA-Preliminary Roost Assessment Prior to visiting the development site pre-existing information relevant to the site was assessed as part of the desk study. 2.1.1 Desk Study NBN Atlas (https://nbnatlas.org/) – for additional species records that may be relevant Magic (www.magic.gov.uk) – For information on protected sites (e.g. SSSIs, SACs) Google Maps (www.googlemaps.com) – for aerial photographs UK Grid Reference Finder (www.gridreferencefinder.com/) OR Bing maps (www.bingmaps)– for OS maps and similar data Historical and other information specific to the site was also taken from the following sources: Coflein (http://www.coflein.gov.uk/) produced by the Royal Commission on The Ancient & Historical Monuments in Wales (RCAHMW). 2.1.2 Scoping Survey The scoping survey uses the “Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines (3rd Ed)” as the guide to surveying, along with following CIEEM’s Guidelines for Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (2nd Ed, 2017). The scoping survey involved a detailed search (where possible) of all relevant, accessible, sections of the house to look for evidence of use by bats. Evidence searched for consisted of: Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 70 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon The building and roof were thoroughly inspected both internally and externally for bats and signs of bats [if safely accessible and relevant to the proposed development]. The bat signs that are looked for: 1. Bat droppings, 2. Urine splashes 3. Remains of food - moth wings, 4. Claw scratch marks on roost sites or where the bats access the building, 5. Bat fur greasy or oil staining on wood or stone where the bats slip in and out of a roost through a hole or crevice. 6. Areas clear of cobwebs and dust 7. Live and/or dead bats Places to search externally: Gaps behind fascias and barge boards Loose slates, tiles or ridge tiles Raised sections of tiles and lead flashing e.g. in roof valleys and around chimneys Gaps or cracks between bricks where the render has fallen out Gaps behind weather boarding or external cladding Equipment: 1. Torch 2. Close focussing binoculars 3. Camera 4. Endoscope 5. Clip board and plans 6. Bat detector to record bat calls if a bat is disturbed in the roof void 7. Sample tube for droppings [if found] 2.1.3 Survey aims and objectives B3 Reason for the survey: To survey the building as part of a planned development on site. a.The survey objectives are to assess the buildings for current and potential usage by bats through direct observation. b To determine the species of bat using the buildings, their numbers and identify roost sites and access points where possible. c Assess the potential impact of any material changes of these buildings to any resident bats and recommend appropriate mitigation measures in order to minimize disturbance to any bats that may be present at the time. Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 71 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon 2.1.4 Dusk Emergence Activity Surveys A dusk activity survey is used to identify bat activity around the site and to identify species and numbers and the level and type of activity present. The survey also attempts to identify any/all access points used by bats. TIMING: The surveyors are in position from 15 minutes before sunset and will concentrate on a particular section or a site until it is too dark to visually establish any activity. Surveyors’ positions on site are shown in Appendix 2. WEATHER: Survey weather conditions are recorded and are tabulated in the Appendices to the report. The temperature is recorded at the start and finish of the survey. All surveys must be done in temperatures that exceed 9oC and in dry, relatively calm weather. d. RECORDS: All recorded data is analysed later using AnalookW Software or in the case of the Anabat walkabout and Swift or Express, Insight software may also be used. The raw data files are held on disk by Anna Sutcliffe. 2.1.5 Pre-dawn Activity Survey (a repeat of the above but for a dawn activity survey) A pre-dawn roost re-entry survey is carried at least 14 days after the first survey. SURVEYORS: are in position from 2 hours before sunrise to sunrise or whenever the bat activity finishes. Their positions around the site are mapped and found in Appendix E. WEATHER: The weather conditions are also tabulated for this survey and recorded in Appendix 2. RECORDS: All recorded data were later analysed using AnalookW or Insight software. The raw data files are held on disk by Anna Sutcliffe. 2.1.6 Remote Recording (Static detectors) When required remote recording using static Anabat Express or Song Meter ZC units may be deployed on a site where it is suspected that activity takes place during the night and not at the times of the surveys. The weather and locations of the detectors plus the results are recorded in Appendix 2. 2.1.7 Equipment : Surveyors use a range of equipment including sophisticated recorders, which save all calls to SD cards for later analysis, but which also provide surveyors with audio signals (slowed down ultrasound) to provide them with clues which enhance the chances of actually seeing the bats. Surveyors may use several different sorts of recorders at the same time. If required an infra red video camera is used to aid detection of species that emerge late or re-enter while it is still dark. The table in Appendix 2 list the equipment used on this survey Bat detectors record a bat call in a short burst which is referred to as a “pass” in all reports. A bat pass is defined as a sequence of greater than two echolocation calls made as a single bat flies past the microphone. Many bat passes recorded on one detector in one location provide an indication of the level of bat activity but may not be an indicator of the numbers of bats passing the microphone. Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 72 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon 2.1.8 A team of surveyors always includes a fully qualified bat surveyor with helpers who are usually either qualified or very experienced. Trainees may accompany a more experienced surveyor. When surveying a property surveyors will seek to observe all elevations, roof areas and chimneys between them (locations shown in the Dusk and Dawn Activity Survey Map(s) in Appendix 2). The names, qualifications and experience/competence of each of the personnel/surveyors involved are also tabulated in the appendices. APPENDIX 2 2.2 The Results of the surveys are collated and all data is processed and recorded in table form with clear/ annotated and cross-referenced maps/plans/photographs to show surveyor locations, roost locations, flight lines, access points, dimensions of existing roosts, emergence and re-entry times with each different species etc) and foraging areas. Examples of species sonograms, results of DNA analysis of droppings are included in Appendix B. 2.2.1 The report includes a summary of the results and an impact assessment of the proposed development which may include both positive and negative assessments i.e. potential impacts as a result of , or in the absence of, mitigation/compensation. See Bat Mitigation Guidelines (section 6.2) and Wray et al (2010)1. 2.2.2 Impact Assessment Impacts may include summaries of:- Short-term impacts: disturbance E.g. noise, vibration, dust, lighting, access, or obstruction due to scaffolding and plastic sheeting. Long-term impacts: roost modification E.g. new entrances (including human access e.g. for servicing/maintenance), change in size of roost space, changes in airflow etc., temperature, and humidity. Long-term impacts: roost loss. Impact on different species populations to be taken into account at local, regional, and national level. Long-term impacts: fragmentation and isolation. E.g. loss of linear features such as hedges, tree lines, increased lighting, severance of flight lines by roads/rail lines. Post-development interference impacts.E.g. Extra street lighting, use of loft space as storage. Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 73 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon 2.3 Interpretation/evaluation of survey results (See Bat Mitigation Guidelines section 5.8 and Bat Survey Guidelines Ch11& Appendix 4). This is an important section bringing together the results in a form which seeks to provide a clear understanding of the use of a site by bats and will include :- Counts/estimates of bat numbers and species, Status of site (e.g. hibernation, maternity or feeding roost, swarming site etc), Roost significance in a local and wider context Any constraints on the survey (e.g. time of year, cold weather, access problems etc. Some mitigation and compensation suggestions where appropriate for loss of bat roost/roosts. Examples of bat houses, bat boxes, soffit boxes, roof voids/ lighting and landscaping are provided - these in turn MUST be transferred once agreed on to the plans. 2.3.1 Limitations The results and recommendations of the report are based on findings as they were at the time of the surveys. The surveyors cannot be held responsible for any base line changes that may have occurred since the surveys were conducted that may have any effect on the results and recommendations. All efforts were made to accurately survey the site, during good survey conditions. The aim of a bat survey is to build as complete a picture as possible of how a site is being used by bats. This report’s interpretations are based on the evidence collected on the survey dates and can only provide a snapshot of the site’s use by bats. However, from this it is possible to assess the site’s potential use by bats at other times of the year. Bats are a difficult group to survey for and it may be just signs of their activity rather than their actual presence that indicates the existence of a bat roost. Many species of bat in the UK are crevice dwelling and can hide away in the smallest of cracks. Signs of bats and the bats themselves can be difficult to find within a building and they frequently leave no signs of occupation, especially if they are cool roosting (See Appendix 4). They can also remain hidden for prolonged periods of time if conditions are not favourable or if they do not need to feed. Bats use a wide range of roosting places throughout the year and may move between one roost and others, sometimes as frequently as every few days. Such a roost may be only used once a year, but for that particular time or spell of weather, it may be important. Such roost sites can be especially difficult to find. The assessment provided here is therefore based on the surveyors’ knowledge and experience as to how bats may be using the site. The buildings are surveyed for features that could be exploited by each bat species and are assessed in the context of their immediate environs and the wider landscape. Any additional constraints affecting this survey are highlighted in the Results section. Any justifications for departures from best practice are discussed in the text of the report under Interpretation and Assessment. Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 74 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon 2.4 RESULTS (TABLES OF RESULTS AND DATA FROM ALL THE BAT SURVEYS) 2.4.1 Bat surveyors, qualifications and equipment used - see text C1.3 Surveyor Licensed bat surveyor/or accredited Years of experience Equipment Bat detector used Torch Binoculars Endoscope Anna Licensed and suitably experienced – lead 10 years of bat surveys and 40 Anabat Walkabout + Head and hand yes yes Sutcliffe surveyor and author of the report years of ecology surveys Batbox Duet torch 2.4.1a Weather conditions for all surveys x 2 Location of survey/ General Date: Sunset/ Survey Temperature Cloud Survey detector weather Dry/Wet Wind speed & direction 2020 rise times oC % description Dusk 12th All areas covered emergence/presence - May 2102 2040-22 Good but cool 9.5-6 dry 67-80 N F3 decreasing absence Dawn re- 22nd All areas covered Good, entry/presence-absence including inside 0300- June 0501 sheltered on 15 dry 5-90 SWF4 Dairy 0515 site Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 75 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon 2.4.1b Weather during Static deployments x 3 DEPLOYMENTS: ALL DETECTORS IN THE SAME PLACES = chicken shed; cottage-ground & 1st floors; barn-1st floor only; Dairy Date: 2020 Night Cloud Location of survey/ Temperature Survey type: May / Sunset/rise Survey times Dry/Wet Wind speed & direction detector % June / oC July 30minutes WEATHER All detectors 12th before sunset during static deployed in barn 0529-2102 15-9 dry 2 NWF3 May and after deployment sections sunrise 13th all 0527-2104 6-0 dry 89-3 NEF5-6 th 14 all 0525-2106 7-3 dry 0 NNEF6 15th all 0526-2106 7-4 dry 0-11 NNE-NF3-2 16th all 0523-2109 8-6 dry 16 SWF2-3 17th all 0522-2110 14-11 dry 75 SSW-WSW F2-0 18th all 0520-2112 13-10 dry 100 NNW F1 19th all 0519-2113 17-14 dry 77 NNE-NE F4-5 20th all 0518-2114 18-14 dry 86 SE F2 2020 JUNE 20th all 0500-2142 14-11 20/21=drzl &rain 90-100 SSE F5-6 June 21st all 0500-2142 12-10 dry 90-44 WF1 22nd all 0501-2142 13-9 Drzl-dry 100 SF5 23rd all 0501-2143 14-13 dry 4 SSE F2-4 24th all 0502-2143 20-19 dry 0 NNE F4-5 Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 76 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon Date: 2020 Night Cloud Location of survey/ Temperature Survey type: May / Sunset/rise Survey times Dry/Wet Wind speed & direction detector % June / oC July statics 16 all 0521-2130 30minutes 15 dry 94-57 WF4-3 (sheltered on all but before sunset west side and after sunrise 17 all 0522-2129 15 Dry 51-84 NF5 to SWF5 18 all 0524-2128 14-12 Drizzle-dry 78 NNEF3-NF5 19 all 0525-2127 12-11 dry 100-5 NNE FF4-NF3 20 all 0526-2125 11-12 dry 12-9 NF2-SEF2 21 all 0528-2124 13-13 dry 23-20 WSWF1-SWF1-2 Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 77 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon 2.4.2Table of 2bat activity /Presence-Absence survey results with static results from that same period of time –See C2 summary th 2.4.2a Dusk emergence survey – 12 May 2020 Sunset = 2102; survey times = 2045 –2240 Notes: SNH seen not heard: HNS heard not seen: F feeding: C commuting. Numbers of bats seen in square brackets North end of barns Soprano Common TIME Location Greater horseshoe NOTES: pipistrelle pipistrelle NORTH 2113, 2119, 2[3] Emergence from North - F 2131 3 C North to South 2132 3[2] Emergence from cottage door west side 2152 2 C & F 2153 1 C 2204-7 7 F 2207 2 C 2308-15 5 F 2216-2330 15 F 2237 1 C- SNH flying from the west eastwards past the north end South west location Soprano TIME Location NOTES pipistrelle 2132-45 SW 12 2146-2100 8 3 soprano pipistrelle bats out of crevice below the wall plate on back wall of office. Both bats flew 2132 [3] North. 2 additional bats emerged and went straight back into roost 2141 [2] Soprano pips emerged and re-entered immediately 2150 [3] Soprano pips emerged and re-entered immediately 2245 No more activity Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 78 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon North East Notes NS=not seen; F=feeding: C = commute past TIME Location Soprano pipistrelle Common pipistrelle NE& E 1 2111 2 C-over barn; 2115-2119 C 2125 SNH: Silent bat -BLE into chicken shed & up into apex south end 2130 3 Bats out from under barge board/wall crevice/ wall top above 13[3] 2131-2145 middle archway 13 2 F 2146-2200 Common pipistrelle bats from the North pond and mature trees 3 – 2201-2215 C and F 4 F& C 2216-2230 Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 79 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon North West Soprano MYOTIS SPP/ TIME Location NOTES pipistrelle NATTERERS NORTH WEST Soprano pipistrelle bat emerged out of vertical vent in 1st floor of 2123 [1] cottage Emergence from ground floor cottage west side through door; 2145-2200 2[2] other bats N>S C & F 2203-2215 8 2216-2230 17 2231 1[1] Emergence cottage window South East Soprano Common Brown Greater Myotis spp./ TIME Location pipistrelle pipistrelle long-eared horseshoe Natterers SOUTH EAST 2051? 1[1] C from N to S 2108 3[2] C from N to S 2150-54 2[1] C from N to S 2206 1[1] C from N to S 2215 SNH[1] SNH[4] Out of the dairy sliding door and back in Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 80 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon 2.4.2b Static results –12th-20th May 2020 (8 consecutive nights) 1.Chicken shed: detector failed 2. Cottage – ground floor: detector failed 3.Dairy detector – failed st Cottage – 1 floor: statics Natterers Notes Common Soprano Myotis (where Greater Lesser Brown Long- Cottage - 1st floor Pipistrelle Pipistrelle species distinct) Horseshoe Horseshoe eared 12th/13th May 1 2 13th/14th May 4 1 1 14th/15th May 4 2 no activity after 15th/16th May 19 0200hrs 16th/17th May 35 4 13 1 1 17th/18th May 19 19 18th/19thMay 13 15 1 19th/20th May 121 8 58 2 Active all night 17/20 but Visits from the relatively Activity increases as 17th May 0103: low Short calls 14th May 2207 12th May 0520 temperatures increase, 18th 0125: Summary numbers of of passing Visit/night 15th May 0502 signs of day roosting from 19th 0004: calls: bats roost Day roost 17th May 20th 0004 & 0158 satellite Visit/night roost roost in wall crevices Natterers Common Soprano Myotis Greater Lesser Brown Long- Cottage - 1st floor (where Notes Pipistrelle Pipistrelle species Horseshoe Horseshoe eared distinct) Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 81 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon st Barn – 1 floor: statics continued (Pipistrelle bat calls short as they pass the barn windows and doors and openings heading from Mill Cottage roost to feed (N to S) and return (S to N). Natterers Common Soprano Myotis Greater Lesser Brown Long- Barn - 1st floor (where Notes Pipistrelle Pipistrelle species Horseshoe Horseshoe eared distinct) 12th/13th May 1 2 5 1 13th/14th May 4 14th/15th May 6 4 2 no activity after 0133 15th/16th May 25 15 4 1 except GHS at 0321 probably many of 16th/17th May 48 7 47 4 7 2 1 Myotis are Natterers 17th/18th May 45 36 12 58 18th/19thMay 140 35 104 8 19th/20th May 86 46 81 8 23 1 12th-18th increasing Short calls of Occasional single passes all activity stopping Visits from the passing bats nights except 13/14th May. later and later, 12th 2233 but also late From the 16th early (2115) around 1 or 13th 0053 calls to midnight of 0120 latest 0200. 16th 0321 16/17thth May 14th May 0427- indicating and then 17th onwards from Active most of Multiple visits from 2137 indicating possible day roost Summary some 2115 to 0530 night 18-20th 17thMay 0103: 18th night roost and 19th May 0445 roosting in more passes 0125: 0228 Day roost the barn 1st Activity increases as than in the 19th 0004: floor last temperatures increase, cottage: day 20th 0004 & 0158 pass time: signs of day roosting from roosting from the Visit/night roost 0530 17th May 18thwith last pass at 0446 & 0519. Natterers Common Soprano Myotis Greater Lesser Brown Long- Barn - 1st floor (where Notes Pipistrelle Pipistrelle species Horseshoe Horseshoe eared distinct) Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 82 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon nd 2.4.2c Pre-Dawn Survey results with static detector results for the same month in tables after the activity survey results– 22 June 2020 Sunrise = 0501; survey times = 0250-0500 NB - a lot of activity between 0415 and 0430hrs was flight without calling with bats swooping low over the detectors without being picked up Inside Dairy Brown Long- Soprano Common Myotis eared Pipistrelle Pipistrelle spp. (14-15oC constant temperature) 0300-0315 1 0309hrs[1] 0310hrs[6] 0315-3030 11[2] 3 5 2+ brown long-eared bats flying around mostly silent 0330-0345 38[4] 3 4 Brown long eared bats flying around First 2 brown long-eared bats to roost above wall at ridge- apex. See 0345-0400 23[2 of 6] 3 photo in results. 0400-0415 33 Up to 7 brown long-eared bats flying at any one time - at least 3 to roost 0415-0430 75[7] on wall at ridge- apex. 0430-0445 25[4] 4 going to roost at 0435 0445-0500 7[1] Final bat flying in over dairy door at 0450 & straight in. DAIRY TOTALS Total 14 x BLE North Brown Long- Soprano Common North Side eared Pipistrelle Pipistrelle Myotis Noctule 0300 2 (SNH) Activity as soon as detector turned on 0312-0315 3 9 0315-3030 16 13 0330-0345 1 16 2 1 1 HNS:Myotis most likely Natterers 0345-0400 17 0400-0415 4 4 0415-0430 1 3 0430-0445 2 6 8 SNH:Last seen soprano pipistrelle 0449:last 0445-0500 [2] [1] common pipistrelle 0446hrs – no roosting N TOTAL -0 No bat re-entry seen Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 83 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon Brown Soprano Common Myotis East Side Long-eared Pipistrelle Pipistrelle spp. Noctule 0309-0315 2 4 first common pipistrelle bat at 0309hrs 0315-3030 1 1 0330-0345 1 0345-0400 5 Soprano pips feeding East side in trees 0400-0415 1 2 1 First soprano pipistrelle in to wall top crevice just below the 0415-0430 [1] 1 wall top NE corner of cottage by drain pipe 3rd soprano pipistrelle in to wall top crevice just below the wall 0430-0445 1[2] 1 top NE corner of cottage by drain pipe + 1 x common pipistrelle 0445-0500 E TOTALS 3 1 Brown Long- Soprano Common South Side Myotis Noctule eared Pipistrelle Pipistrelle 0309-0315 0315-3030 5 10 0317hrs first 45 Pip 0330-0345 3 8 0345-0400 4 0400-0415 3[6] 3 5 0415-0430 1 1 3/3 Last soprano pip into wall top by drain pipe on NE corner of cottage at 0444hrs and last 1 0430-0445 11[3] 9[2] 6 of 2 common pipistrelle bat at 0441hrs 0445-0500 S TOTAL 3 2 Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 84 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon 2.4.2d Static results -20th-24th June (4 nights)- passes recorded for each species of bat Brown Soprano Common Long Greater Lesser Inside the Dairy Pipistrelle Pipistrelle eared Horseshoe Horseshoe Myotis 20th/21st 3 21st/22nd # 9 8 2 8 22nd/23rd 19 1 23rd/24th 9 7 4 last at 0318hrs # June 22nd was the date of the survey, brown long-eared bats were swarming in the Dairy (up to 7 at any one time) but no calls recorded on the SD2 Static Brown Soprano Common Long Greater Lesser st Barn – 1 floor Pipistrelle Pipistrelle eared Horseshoe Horseshoe Myotis First Pip at 2021 Myo last at 20th/21st 23 13 1 1 2 8 0444hrs 21st/22nd 28 36 38 15 23 last BLE at 0452hrs 22nd/23rd 17 31 21 7 1 17 last BLE at 0426hrs 23rd/24th 15 85 7 28 10 45pip at 2148, last 55pip at 0440hrs Brown Soprano Common Long Greater Lesser Cottage = 1st floor Pipistrelle Pipistrelle eared Horseshoe Horseshoe Myotis 20th/21st 19 14 10 4 Noctule passing at 2151hjrs 21st/22nd 11 43 7 2 12 22nd/23rd 15 30 11 5 1 4 23rd/24th 4 133 3 9 9 Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 85 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon Brown Soprano Common Long Greater Lesser Cottage – ground floor Pipistrelle Pipistrelle eared Horseshoe Horseshoe Myotis 20th/21st 11 5 3 69 21st/22nd 59 144 2 6 1 7 22nd/23rd 27 35 3 3 6 2 23rd/24th 68 269 4 20 2 Brown Soprano Common Long Greater Lesser Chicken shed Pipistrelle Pipistrelle eared Horseshoe Horseshoe Myotis 20th/21st 3 2 1 2 first LHS at 2233 21st/22nd 3 14 7 11 7 22nd/23rd 1 2 1 9 2 2 Noctule pass at 0440hrs 23rd/24th 4 32 8 77 15 Many of the pipistrelle bat calls recorded on the static detectors were very short indicating that the bat are passing the building and the call is only recorded as they pass the door. Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 86 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon July Static bat detector deployment th st st 16 -21 July 2020 – statics deployed in the 1 floor covering the 2-storey barn and cottage + cottage-ground floor + chicken shed Common Soprano Lesser Greater Cottage Ground floor Pipistrelle Pipistrelle Horseshoe Horseshoe Natterers Myotis 2147, 2201, 2350, 0303, 16th/17th 24 0310 55 0329 14 0319 3 0042hrs,0338 4 0505 2131. 2320, 2326, 17th/18th 4 2320, 2 0521 11 2147, 24 0351 1 9 0521 2157, 2212, 18th/19th 18 0456 3 0450 16 2154, 16 0117, 6 2155, 19th/20th 1 2312, 28 0434 21 2324, 1 0515, 2152, 0208, 20th/21st 10 2122, 1 2312 23 0304 4 0348 1 2311 Average per hour 1.6 0.2 3.8 2.3 n/a 0.6 Cottage and Barn 1st floor Common Soprano Lesser Greater Pipistrelle Pipistrelle Horseshoe Horseshoe Natterers Myotis 2133, 0052, end 16th/17th 51 0501 8 0507 1 2213, 49 0349 7 2310, 1 2150, 2301, 17th/18th 26 2129, 4 2256, 2 2218, 14 2357, 3 2301, 16 0524 2123, 0017, 18th/19th 55 0455 3 0054, 36 0014, 12 0501 2115, 2311, 19th/20th 24 0502 11 2237, 81 0403 2 2128, 1 502 2122, 2311, 20th/21st 26 0448 1 0500, 6 2202, 4 0030, 5 0508 Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 87 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon Average per hour 5.2 0.4 0.7 5.3 n/a 1.0 Common Soprano Lesser Greater Chicken Shed Pipistrelle Pipistrelle Horseshoe Horseshoe Natterers Myotis 2150, 16th/17th 7 0501 2 2130, 31 2154, 33 2342, 1 2130, 17th/18th 4 1 7 2152 9 0106, 18th/19th 5 2126, 9 0012, 13 2148, 55 2341, 19th/20th 6 3 2132, 42 2145, 85 2330 2154, 0022, 20th/21st 4 2141 1 7 0008 12 0327 Average per hour 0.7 0.5 2.9 5.5 n/a 0.0 Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 88 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon Previous survey results from 2013 and 2014 Tables of results from each surveyor: 18th June 2013 Sunrise=0500: (12-13oC: ENE 9Knots/hour: dry) and 2nd July 2013. Sunrise=0515: (10-13oC: SSW-S17-21Km/hr: dry) 18th June 2013 (EM3) North 55 Pip 45 Pip Noctule GHS LHS BLE Myotis side 3:30:00 AM 1 3:45:00 AM 7 1 2 4:00:00 AM 1 1 1 4:15:00 AM 43 1 4:30:00 AM 32 24 1 4:45:00 AM 9 2 SM2 18th June 2013 Dawn - in 55 Pip 45 Pip Noctule GHS LHS BLE Myotis roof area 4:00:00 AM 4:15:00 AM 2 1 4:30:00 AM 2 2 4:45:00 AM 18th June 2013 - Dawn - 55 Pip 45 Pip Noctule GHS LHS BLE Myotis SM2 North Side 4:00:00 AM 4 2 1 1 2 4:15:00 AM 4 6 2 4:30:00 AM 15 4:45:00 AM 2nd July 2013 Dawn - roof 55 Pip 45 Pip Noctule GHS LHS BLE Myotis 3:30:00 AM 3:45:00 AM 1 2 4 4:00:00 AM 4:15:00 AM 3 1 4:30:00 AM 2 4:45:00 AM 2 Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 89 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon 2nd July 2013 55 Pip 45 Pip Noctule GHS LHS BLE Myotis ID Dawn- East side 3 Wh, 1 9 3 4 3:30:00 AM Nat 3:45:00 AM 1 2 1 Wh 4:00:00 AM 2 1 4 Wh 1 2 1 1 Nat 4:15:00 AM 4:30:00 AM 4 4 2 Nat 4:45:00 AM Dawn Survey 13th August 2014 Brown Soprano Common Myotis East Side Noctule long- Natterers Pipistrelle Pipistrelle sp. eared 0430-0445 2 2 1 0445-0500 1 1 1 0500-0515 1 1 1 0515-0530 1 1 2 1 0530-0545 0545-0600 32 Brown Soprano Common Myotis Noctule long- Natterers Pipistrelle Pipistrelle sp. North West Side eared 0430-0445 1 1 1 0445-0500 2 2 1 0500-0515 0515-0530 0530-0545 6 2 0545-0600 Brown Soprano Common Myotis Noctule long- Natterers Pipistrelle Pipistrelle sp. South West eared 0415-0430 2 1 0430-0445 1 1 0445-0500 1 1 1 0500-0515 1 0515-0530 2 10 2 0530-0545 0545-0600 Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 90 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon Appendix 3: LEGAL FRAMEWORK connected to bats and the protection of wildlife BATS All British bat species their roosts, resting places and breeding sites are protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, known as the ‘Habitats Regulations’. They are also protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 plus amendments through inclusion in Schedule 5. Bats are legally protected because they have declined throughout Europe and the UK in recent decades. Bats have a unique relationship with humans, with some of them sharing our homes for part of the year. For this reason, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) deals with many hundreds of bat enquiries each year from householders. This information is focused on bat licensing in Wales and is not a comprehensive review of bat ecology or the law relating to bats. 3. 1 The laws concerning bats Under the Habitats Regulations, it is an offence if you: Deliberately capture, injure or kill any wild animal of an EPS, Deliberately disturb wild animals of any such species, Damage or destroy a breeding site or resting place of such an animal Disturbance is defined as that which is likely: To impair their ability— To survive, to breed or reproduce, or to rear or nurture their young, or In the case of animals of a hibernating or migratory species, to hibernate or migrate; or To affect significantly the local distribution or abundance of the species to which they belong In Court “deliberately” is most likely interpreted as someone who, although not intending to capture, injure or kill a bat, has performed an action whilst being sufficiently informed and aware of the consequences the actions will most likely have. Similarly, under the Wildlife and Countryside Act bats are protected against disturbance and destruction of their resting places. The defence in regulation 40, that covered acts which were the incidental result of a lawful operation and could not have been reasonably avoided (commonly known as the “incidental result defence”), was removed in 2007. This means there is no defence to the strict liability offence of damaging or destroying a breeding site or resting place of any bat. Anyone who commits this offence, even by accident, is open to prosecution. Several bat species are afforded greater levels of protection under European Union Habitats Directive and Welsh Government laws through being listed on Annex II e.g. the greater and lesser horseshoe bats. 3. 2 Bat Licensing NRW issues licences under Regulation 55 of the Habitats Regulations to allow you to work within the law. We issue them for specific purposes stated in the Regulations, if the following three tests are met: The purpose of the work meets one of those listed in the Habitats Regulations (see below); that there is no satisfactory alternative; Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 91 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon that the action authorised will not be detrimental to the maintenance of the population of the species concerned at a favourable conservation status (FCS) in their natural range 3. 3 Bat Licensing purposes The Habitats Regulations permits licences to be issued for a specific set of purposes including: include preserving public health or public safety or other imperative reasons of over-riding public interest including those of a social or economic nature and beneficial consequences of primary importance for the environment; scientific and educational purposes, ringing or marking conserving wild animals RULE OF THUMB: BATS ARE PROTECTED AS ARE THEIR ROOSTS OR RESTING PLACES EVEN WHEN THE BAT OR BATS ARE NOT PRESENT 3.4 BIRDS In the UK all wild birds, their nests and their eggs are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside act: A wild bird is defined as any bird of a species which is resident in or is a visitor to the European Territory of any member state in a wild state (with certain exceptions). For the purposes of a development the following four of eight basic protections apply: o Intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird. o Intentionally take, damage or destroy the nest of any wild bird while it is in use or being built. o Intentionally take or destroy the egg of any wild bird. o Intentionally or recklessly disturb any wild bird listed on Schedule 1 while it is nest building, or at a nest containing eggs or young, or disturb the dependent young of such a bird. Exceptions exist around: ‘Pest species’ under licence Incidental result from lawful operations Public health & safety Disease or agricultural damage Game birds in season (schedule2, part 1 species) Care of or humane destruction of sick/injured birds. Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 92 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon Appendix 4: BAT ROOST POTENTIAL TABULATED NOTES Potential Description of Buildings Description of Trees Known or Confirmed signs of bat presence/occupation (droppings, oily staining around Confirmed signs of bat presence/occupation confirmed entry points, insect remains, odour, scratching) and actual bat presence. (droppings, oily staining around entry points, insect remains, odour, scratching) and actual bat presence. High A structure with one or more potential roost sites that are obviously suitable A tree with one or more potential roost sites that for use by larger numbers of bats on a more regular basis and potentially for are obviously suitable for use by larger numbers longer periods of time due to their size, shelter, protection, conditions (e.g. of bats on a more regular basis and potentially for temperature, humidity, height above ground level, light levels or levels of longer periods of time due to their size, shelter, disturbance) and surrounding habitat. Can include structures with points of protection, conditions (e.g. temperature, access to the interior of the building and poorly maintained fabric providing humidity, height above ground level, light levels ready access points for bats into structures, but at the same time not or levels of disturbance) and surrounding habitat. draughty. Structures of traditional stone, brick or timber construction. Structures with large (>20 cm) roof timbers with mortice joints, cracks and holes. Structures of pre or early 20th century construction. Structures with large complicated and/or uncluttered roof spaces providing unobstructed flying spaces. Structures with weather boarding and/or hanging tiles with gaps. Structures with accessible south facing roofs. Structures with proximity to good foraging habitat such as woodland, wetland, water and /or good hedgerows. Moderate A structure with one or more potential roost sites that could be used by bats A tree with one or more potential roost sites that due to their size, shelter, protection, conditions (e.g. temperature, humidity, could be used by bats due to their size, shelter, height above ground level, light levels or levels of disturbance) and protection, conditions and surrounding habitat surrounding habitat but unlikely to support a roost of high conservation but unlikely to support a roost of high status. Can include structures with some potential to support roosting bats, conservation status. but fewer features than a high-risk building. Features may include areas suitable for crevice dwelling and/or access points into structures. Some proximity to foraging habitat. Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 93 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon Low A structure with one or more potential roost sites that could be used by Tree of sufficient size and age to contain potential individual bats opportunistically. However, these potential roost sites do not roost features but with none seen from the provide enough space, shelter protection, appropriate conditions and/or ground or features seen have only very limited suitable habitat to be used on a regular basis or by large numbers of bats (i.e. appropriate conditions and/or suitable habitat to unlikely to be suitable for maternity or hibernation). be used on a regular basis or by large numbers of bats (i.e. unlikely to be suitable for maternity or hibernation Negligible No features suitable for roosting bats. Can include structures constructed Trees with no potential to support bats. from unsuitable materials e.g. prefabricated with steel and sheet material. Structure is draughty, light and cool buildings with no roosting opportunities. High levels of regular disturbance including external and/or internal lighting. Building is isolated from areas of foraging habitat. Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 94 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon 4. 1 - Commuting and Foraging Habitat Potential Categories Commuting and Descriptions Foraging Potential High Continuous high quality habitat that is well connected to the wider landscape that is likely to be used regularly by commuting bats such as river valleys, streams, hedgerows, lines of trees and woodland edge. High Moderate Continuous habitat connected to the wider landscape that could be used by bats for commuting such as lines of trees and scrub or linked back gardens. Habitat that is connected to the wider landscape that could be used by bats for foraging such as trees, scrub, grassland or water. Low Habitat that could be used by small numbers of commuting bats such as a gappy hedgerow or un-vegetated stream, but isolated, i.e. not very well connected to the surrounding landscape by other habitat. Suitable, but isolated habitat that could be used by small number of foraging bats such as a lone tree (not in a parkland situation) or a patch of scrub. Negligible Negligible habitat features on site likely to be used by commuting or foraging bats. Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 95 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon 4.2 GLOSSARY Transitional roosts April-September/October. These sites are usually used by small groups of bats prior to taking up residence in, or after dispersal from, the maternity roost before and after hibernation. They are likely to be in or close to good feeding areas. Maternity roosts May–August. Predominantly warm sites where female bats congregate to give birth and rear their young and stay there until the young are weaned and independent [late July –August]. The sites are frequently traditional with the same individuals returning year after year. Enclosed roof spaces, wall cavities, soffit boxes, spaces under roofing materials and a variety of tree holes and crevices are all examples. These tend to disperse between August and September. Adult males are rarely found with the females. Satellite Roost May–August. Breeding females may have alternative roost sites in close proximity to the main nursery colony. Mating Roosts September–November. All bats in the UK are Polygamous i.e. males mate with several females. A roost site that a male bat will occupy and attempt to attract females to for mating and will defend against other males. Sometimes these occur in groups known as ‘leks’ and include cavities in stonework, underground sites, trees and buildings. Hibernation roosts October-March. Sheltered and undisturbed places with relatively high humidity and stable temperatures throughout the winter. For example: underground sites (caves, mines, adits etc.), deep cracks and crevices in built structures (houses, bridges etc.), hollows, cracks and crevices in trees. Night roosts March-November. Places away from the day roosts where bats rest after feeding during the night. These roosts vary in their conservation significance. Night roosts may be used by a single animal or the whole colony. Particular species depend on night roosts in key foraging areas e.g. lesser horseshoe bats. Day Roosts March-November. Daytime roosts for bats to rest in. Males of most species spend the summer roosting alone or in small groups. Bats regularly use a number of day roosts switching from one to the other depending on food sources and weather but conversely they can be resident for weeks. Feeding Roost May-November. These roosts can be occupied by a single animal or a few individuals throughout the active season. They vary in significance as they may be used by one or many bats to hang up and feed, shelter from the weather, or to rest temporarily. Feeding roosts are often used by Plecotus and Rhinolophus species. Swarming Sites August-November. Large numbers of bats from several different species swarm around caves and mines. The bats are often Myotis species and appear to be important for mating. Bats travel many kilometres to attend and a good proportion will also hibernate at these sites. 4.3 STATUS OF BATS IN THE UK Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 96 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon Bats are a European Protected Species – the two species of bats using the main house are some of the more common bats found in the UK. Species Distribution Status of population Greater horseshoe* Confined to south west England and south and west Wales Very rare and threatened Lesser horseshoe* Wales, south west England and western Ireland Rare (but currently increasing in No’s: threatened Bechsteins* Confined to central to southern England and Wales Very rare: threatened Natterer’s Widespread throughout much of the UK, except the far north of Common: not threatened Scotland Daubenton’s Widespread throughout the majority of the UK Common: not threatened Whiskered/Brandt’s Common in north and west England, rare elsewhere. Locally common: not threatened Alcathoe’s First recorded in caves in Yorkshire & Sussex in 2010 – Status currently unknown Distribution currently unknown, but likely to be under-recorded due to similarities with whiskered/Brandt’s Greater mouse- Single individual currently known from southern England Status currently unknown: at eared one time Considered extinct in Britain Serotine Restricted to southern England and Wales Uncommon Noctule* Found as far north as Central Scotland, but absent from Uncommon: threatened northern Scotland and Ireland Leisler’s Scattered throughout England and into south West Scotland. Scarce in Great Britain: Common in Ireland. Common pipistrelle Widespread throughout the UK Common: not threatened Soprano pipistrelle* Widespread throughout the UK Common: not threatened Nathusius’ Found throughout Britain and Ireland, but not common Rare pipistrelle Brown long-eared* Widespread throughout the UK Common: threatened Grey long-eared Restricted to south Devon and coastal areas of Dorset and West Very rare Sussex. More common on the Isle of Wight and Channel Islands Barbastelle* Restricted to southern England and Wales Rare: threatened Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 97 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon Appendix 5: MITIGATION IDEAS 5.1 BAT EXCLUSION with supervision from your ecologist Bat exclusion [these items cannot be purchased unless you have a valid personal bat licence]. Thin plastic around the base of the tube allows snug fit on to wall or area exit point. The plastic can be stuck on with duck tape and left in situ over all potential or actual holes. Exclusion devices that under the bat ecologists’ supervision allows bats to exit but not return Exclusion using a frame to hold a collapsible plastic tube or plastic bag with the bottom cut off a plastic bag over a crevice hole or several holes which allows the bat to fly out but not to fly back. The bag can be taped to the wall as long as the duck tape stickiness is exposed in any way as bats could get stuck Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 98 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon Pinned or taped onto fascia board or soffit. Exclusion using a piece of heavy duty polythene or sheet of acetate material that is thick but flexible enough to allow bats to crawl down the stone or rough wood and then squeeze out under the plastic or sheet of acetate. This is a one way valve. This is a Constantine device. 5.2. TIMING OF THESE EXCLUSION DEVICES: 5 days and nights continuously, during good warm weather which is also dry and relatively calm. At the end of the deployment check the crevice and proceed with the work on the wall. DO NOT REMOVE THE DEVICE UNTIL WORK IS TO PROCEED TO CHIP OUT AND THEN FILL THE WALL ON THE SAME DAY. Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 99 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon 5.3 BAT BOXES& BRICKS and crevice bat mitigation ideas. All prices were correct at the time of the search which was August 2019 – please always check the websites as products and prices can change from time to time. N.B. all costs are correct for June 2019 Bat boxes may be installed on the building, on outbuildings or in trees. Alternatively, bat bricks can be installed as part of the development. The Bat Conservation Society produces a useful guide to the different types with advice on positioning etc.http://www.bats.org.uk/ www.Wildcare and www.habibat E.g. Integrated Eco Bat box made from recycled plastic with crevice or cavity sections Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 100 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon See image below of a wall brick bat box installed to match the outer walls of a house: Once installed all you see is a slit on the outer walls and as long as it’s away from noise and disturbance and lighting and close to trees and lines of hedgerows then this type of mitigation is robustly made and will not allow any ingress of wet or wind in to the house and it also self-cleaning. Bats are contained inside the brick and exit through the slit at will 2FR bat bricks are made by Schwegler - Schwegler products are not currently available so the Ecobox is very similar and fills that niche as do Ibstock products. Gable end of a bungalow as an example of locating the bat or bird box away from windows and doors. In this instance the house martin box could be where the red circle is located. All bat and bird boxes must be at least 2m above the ground level Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 101 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon 2FR bat bricks are made by Schwegler - Schwegler products are not currently available so the Ecobox is very similar and fills that niche as do Ibstock products. Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 102 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon 5.4 Bat boxes that can be mounted on poles [wooden] near or in amongst good sheltered habitat and amongst trees are seen below: A pole mounted bat box £298.00 excluding VAT 5.5 Bat boxes mounted on outer walls And the Chillon Woodcrete bat box that can be wall mounted inside bat house or roof mitigation or on the outside on a gable end of a house. If a box is located on a south wall the bats can get too hot in summer better aspects are: south west, east and north. Price approx: £26.00 + VAT Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 103 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon 5. 4Maternity bat box For best results, site your Causa maternity bat box: approx £86.00 + VAT In a sturdy tree or building where bats have been seen or are known to feed. As high as possible (at least 2-5m), with a clear 'flight-path' for access. In a sheltered area, ideally south or southwest facing to ensure a few hours of sun. Near a wet area, such as a pond or marshy environment which will attract the insects favoured by bats and also provides somewhere for them to drink. N.B. Due to the size of this box, delivery will be made on a pallet Dimensions: 51cm x 78cm x 16.5 cm. Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 104 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon This electrically heated bat box was developed to mitigate for the loss of a Pipistrelle maternity roost. It provides a thermostatically controlled artificially heated roost space with ceramic heat sinks and black external colouration to help it warm up and maintain a stable temperature. Its 1.7cm entrance slot is ideal for bats but deters birds. Comes in two sizes, the smaller Maternity Box and the larger Colony Box. Easy to install and operate, simply plugs into a conventional socket. It is also suitable if you are looking to provide a heated bat roost and potentially encourage a maternity colony to use the box. The box has 3 large crevices and an internal waterproof heater, which enhances the temperatures inside the box with the temperature thermostatically controlled and set by the user. Dimensions: 49cm x 26cm x 13 cm. Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 105 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon 5.5 Crevice bat roosts within stone or concrete block walls[self made] can be made by this method on site and at little extra cost using a banana or a piece of wood to insert into the bat access hole in to the loose rubble in the centre of the wall (or into the centre of a hollow concrete block). Re- pointing around the wood or banana stops assiduous builders filling in the hole by mistake. Please not that it is best if the insertion is in and upwards in to the wall so that there is no chance of water entering the crevice or hollow. Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 106 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon Other species to add enhancements to a site or mitigation for: Common swift- https://www.swift-conservation.org/Nestboxes&Attraction.htm and www.bristolswift.co.uk) House martins- https://www.nhbs.com/house-martin-nests) House sparrows- www.nhbs.co.uk; www.ebay.com; or www.nestbox.co.uk Barn swallows – www. Gardennature.co.uk; www.RSPB.co.uk; www. Amazon.co.uk See the Ibstock examples above in 5.3 and the websites named in the list House Sparrows House Sparrows are red listed as a bird of high conservation concern and artificial nest box colonies are well received by sparrows and this sort of design is popular. A house sparrow terrace installed on the side of the house will add to the enhancement of the site. Measures 48 x 23 x 17cm House Martin boxes Widespread declines in house martin numbers have been reported from central and northern Europe since 1970. They currently have Amber status. Their numbers have also been impacted by reduction in suitable nesting habitat. These recommended installations can be built by hand or purchased from Natural History Bookshop, Schwegler, Habibat or Wildcare - www.wildcare.com. Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 107 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon LIGHTING EXAMPLES: COACH LIGHT WITH COWL HOOD EYELID LIGHT Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 108 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon 1.6m OFF THE GROUND Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 109 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon BOLLARD LIGHT WITH COWL IN HEDGE Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 110 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon BOLLARD LIGHT ON A DRIVE WAY Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 111 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon EXTERNAL DOWN LIGHTS DIRECTED AT GROUND LEVEL AT SHORT INTERVALS ALONG THE PATH TO ENSURE SAFE PASSAGE FOR HUMANS DETAIL OF DOWN LIGHT Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 112 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 113 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon Appendix 6: CONTACT DETAILS Emergency contact numbers for bat help and advice: Anna Sutcliffe 01646 636754 – always try this number first 07866 457088 Steve Sutcliffe 07975 821698 Sally Archer Thomson 07398 116365 Debbie Kearsley-Evans 07901 732255 Sian Williams (Kite Ecology) 07867 805055 Urgent and if no one from the list above can be contacted– Natural Resources Wales (NRW): Tel: 0300 065 3000 Pembrokeshire Ecology Mullock Cottages, Dale, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire SA62 3AS 01646 636754 07866 457 088 Williamston Farm Houghton PembrokeshireSA73 1NL 114 of 1152020/Bat Report/Dixon