STATE OF WILDLIFE IN PEMBROKESHIRE
A study on the current state of the flora and fauna in Pembrokeshire 1 CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Pembrokeshire is internationally and Over the last 10 years since the original numbers are increasing. Other habitats are nationally renowned for its biodiversity. Local Biodiversity Action Plan was declining in quality and some species Executive summary ...... 1 Many of the coastal, marine, heathland and published, greater emphasis has been populations are decreasing. To be able to woodland habitats support species for placed not only on the intrinsic value but comprehensively assess the status of Background to the report ...... 2 which the county is one of only a handful also the economic value of wildlife. It is Pembrokeshire’s species and habitats of sites in the UK, or Europe. understood that for Wales to develop more research, surveys and ultimately Safeguarding biodiversity...... 3 sustainably we must value the funding is needed. In this context the report has been jointly environment, as it provides essential Biodiversity assessment map...... 4 commissioned by the Pembrokeshire functions such as pollination of food plants, Key observations include: Environment Forum under the water purification, climate regulation and • Otter numbers and sites with three- Looking ahead...... 6 Pembrokeshire Community Planning flood alleviation. This directly affects our lobed water-crowfoot are increasing. Leadership Partnership and the quality of life, any further degradation of • The condition of heathland and State of wildlife assessment ...... 7 Pembrokeshire Biodiversity Partnership. these functions or the environment could coastal cliffs and slopes has The aim of the report is to identify some of impact our wellbeing. As a result of this improved on selected sites. Heathland ...... 9 Southern damselfly ...... 10 Pembrokeshire’s foremost species and increased awareness it is hoped greater • Southern damselfly, skylark, Three-lobed water crowfoot...... 11 habitats and examine their distribution, consideration and protection will be placed yellowhammer and starlings are Ponds and lakes...... 12 status, management and importance within on biodiversity, and the natural environment particularly under threat. Rivers, streams and ditches ...... 13 the overall biodiversity of the county. will feature more strongly in decision • The condition of grassland and Otters ...... 14 Flagship species and habitats have been making. hedgebanks are generally declining Hedgebanks...... 15 chosen that provide an indication of the in the wider environment. Bats...... 16 general health of Pembrokeshire’s wildlife. The findings of this report (having • The status of dormice and marsh Oak woodland ...... 17 The purpose of this snapshot is to provide considered a total of 10 species, 4 groups fritillaries is unclear and further Hazel dormouse...... 18 a realistic view of the state of wildlife in of species and 9 habitats across the research is required. Arable field margins...... 19 Pembrokeshire. It is hoped that it will help county) highlights the need for better Farmland birds...... 20 inform the general public and decision baseline data. Of these species and Grassland ...... 21 makers alike, and will aid the integration of habitats some conservation management Marsh fritillary ...... 22 biodiversity issues into other plans and improvements have been made and Grassland fungi ...... 23 strategies within the County. certain sites are recovering and species Kestrel ...... 24 Coastal maritime cliff and slopes ...... 25 Chough ...... 26 Wetland birds...... 27 Mudflats ...... 28 Native oyster ...... 29 Pink sea-fan ...... 30 Grey seal ...... 31
Acknowledgements ...... 32
Appendix A: Pembrokeshire Biodiversity Partners. . . . 32 2 3 INTRODUCTION
Background to the report The Pembrokeshire Biodiversity Partnership Pembrokeshire has increased The West Wales Biodiversity Information was formed in 1998 to develop and through a coordinated effort by Brown long-eared bats © Annie Haycock Centre (WWBIC) collates information on 2010, International Year of Biodiversity, implement the LBAP for Pembrokeshire. conservation partners organising wildlife across the counties of was the year the Welsh Assembly The partnership includes statutory agencies public events and encouraging Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Government (WAG) along with other and local authorities, and non-statutory volunteers to record and report Pembrokeshire. It is then able to provide European Governments aimed to halt conservation, farming and land-owning sightings. comprehensive records to decision makers, biodiversity loss. It also marks 10 years organisations. A list of the partnership conservation organisations and the general since the launch of Pembrokeshire’s Local organisations and groups helping to deliver Safeguarding biodiversity public for use to preserve and enhance Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP), which set the LBAP is available in Appendix A. biodiversity across west Wales. WWBIC has out information on Pembrokeshire’s The national and international importance of been heavily relied on for this report and biodiversity and detailed actions to Partner organisations and individuals have, Pembrokeshire's biodiversity is reflected by many of the status assessments and maps safeguard wildlife. over the last 10 years, been working on a the number of sites designated in the were based on the Centre’s data. range of projects to deliver biodiversity county for their wildlife value. A number of This report is in response to these events, actions across Pembrokeshire. A few of European protected sites, Special Protection In 2010 PCNPA commissioned WWBIC to which considers the status of biodiversity, the highlights of work undertaken between Areas (SPA) and Special Areas of (SNCOs) and relevant Authorities consider which has over the last 10 years become produce a Biodiversity Assessment for the updates baseline information from the 2000 and 2010 include: Conservation (SAC) have been established the conservation of biodiversity whilst an essential part of successful conservation whole of Pembrokeshire (figure 1). The LBAP and reflects on actions undertaken in in Pembrokeshire which contribute to the undertaking their duties. management throughout the county. assessment was made by scoring terrestrial the last 10 years. This publication also • The designation of several new sites European Natura 2000 network. The Several schemes have worked with farmers features with different biodiversity values. looks forward at actions which may help for their wildlife value including county supports several European The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) to enhance biodiversity including Tir Gofal The final map is a result of the sum of stabilise and enhance wildlife in Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), Protected Species including bats, dormouse places considerable emphasis on and projects with the Environment Agency values for four component layers: species, Pembrokeshire it therefore complements Special Protection Areas (SPA), Sites and marsh fritillaries. At a UK level there are compliance with the NERC Act and other and WAG such as catchment sensitive habitats, designated sites and connectivity. the revised LBAP, which will be launched in of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) eight National Nature Reserves (NNR), international and national legislation and this farming schemes and advisory services. The areas shown in red have the highest 2011. and Local Nature Reserves (LNR). wholly or partly within the county, together provides protection to many of the species biodiversity value. Caution should be • Large scale habitat re-creation and with Wales’ only Marine Nature Reserve and habitats in Pembrokeshire. There are Pembrokeshire has a long history of exercised when studying the map as the The species and habitats have been restoration projects, for example (MNR), one of only three to be designated also several local plans and strategies that biological recording and many organisations information available is heavily dependent chosen to give an overview of the diversity Pembrokeshire Living Heathland in the UK. Overall about 6% of the total help reduce negative impacts on and agencies have collaborated on survey on recorder effort. Details of the full and trends within Pembrokeshire’s unique restored 30 neglected and/or land area is within Sites of Special Scientific biodiversity such as the Marine SAC work, contributing to the knowledge and methodology can be accessed from and iconic environment. This report covers abandoned heathland sites and a Interest (SSSI). Approximately a third of the management plan, and Pembrokeshire understanding of biodiversity in the county. WWBIC. This map will be used to help some but not all of the species and total of 600 hectares of heathland county is designated as National Park with County Council (PCC) and Pembrokeshire Volunteers are involved with recording inform decisions in land use and provides a habitats included in the Pembrokeshire are now grazed. the dual purpose to conserve and enhance Coast National Park Authority’s (PCNPA) wildlife and specialist County Recorders tool to investigate potential connectivity LBAP. There is a great deal of work being • Species protection projects have the natural beauty, wildlife and cultural Local Development Plans (LDP). collate and validate this information. projects. undertaken on the species and habitats, successfully maintained or increased heritage of the National Park and to Several groups have been established not covered here, which is crucial to populations of brown hairstreak promote opportunities for the understanding Much conservation work is achieved locally which encourage the observation CCW has devised a similar mapping conservation of biodiversity within butterflies, bastard balm and the and enjoyment of the special qualities of the through the collaboration between and recording of wildlife including the system, LANDMAP, but it does not Pembrokeshire. numbers of pools supporting pilwort National Park by the public. conservation agencies, land owners and Pembrokeshire Bird Group, Bat Groups, interrogate biodiversity data in as much and three-lobed water crowfoot. managers. Management agreements Invertebrate Group, Sea Trust of South and detail as the Biodiversity Assessment of This report has been produced by the • Biological data sets have improved, The Natural Environment and Rural protect and enhance biodiversity both on West Wales, Pembrokeshire Fungus Pembrokeshire. LANDMAP is a Wales wide Biodiversity Implementation Officer in most notably the Atlas of Breeding Communities (NERC) Act 2006 ensures designated sites and in the wider Recording Network (PFRN), and the West information system which can also be used consultation with members of the Birds in Pembrokeshire 2003-2007. public bodies, such as Local Authorities, environment. Projects include the Wales Butterfly and Moth Group. in decision-making; this considers several Pembrokeshire Biodiversity Partnership. • Awareness of biodiversity issues in Statutory Nature Conservation Organisations Pembrokeshire Grazing Network (PGN), landscape features, including biodiversity. 4 5 BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT MAP
Figure 1 Biodiversity Assessment of Pembrokeshire based on West Wales Biodiversity Information Centre data holdings as of September 2010
Map produced by West Wales Biodiversity Information Centre © WWBIC. All rights reserved. Countryside Council for Wales. 100018813 (2011) 6 7
Looking ahead In the past, development, when not made materials, particularly plastic, in the State of wildlife assessment site reports, the Water Framework Directive Further research and surveys are needed Biodiversity in Pembrokeshire is affected by mitigated for, has resulted in the marine environment. Awareness of this The report has been produced to raise and the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP). to give a truer and clearer representation of many human influenced and natural factors, degradation and fragmentation of some problem is improving, manufacturers are awareness of Pembrokeshire’s wildlife species and habitat status. which are often interconnected and habitats causing species to become reducing the amount of non-biodegradable reinforce each other. Specific factors which isolated. It is hoped the recent changes in packaging used, and WAG has introduced amongst all sectors of society and to One of the main limitations, highlighted by could have an impact on the future status of planning guidance and the adoption and legislation to ensure retailers will soon have inform decision makers and members of the report, is the lack of consistent data It should also be noted that species and particular habitats and species are development of new Local Development to charge for single-use carrier bags. Even the general public. The report is available across the county. Resources are limited habitats are surveyed and recorded using highlighted in this report, but there are also Plans will help protect wildlife from these with these new measures the prolific use of for all to download from and funding is not freely available for different techniques for different scenarios. a number of factors that are common to all negative impacts. There is potential for plastic over the last 40 years will be a www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk. The document targeted surveys. Volunteers are heavily Some data may be from individual wildlife in Pembrokeshire. species and habitat requirements to be legacy that stays with us for many more mitigated for and built into schemes and years. should be read as a whole for clear relied upon but even with this huge effort sightings, or it may be based on the Climate change has the potential to changes in land use, enhancing rather than interpretation of the information but each scientific data is still insufficient. Where presence of a species within an ordnance significantly impact wildlife and the wider degrading biodiversity. Pollution also affects water quality species and habitat page can be used there is a lack of data for a species or survey grid square. The records are landscape of Pembrokeshire. The potential throughout the county, both in freshwater individually for reference. habitats, the status and trend assessments reported in the same format for a species effects of this are relatively unknown but Some native species are very adaptable to and marine environments and has the have been provided by local experts, who or habitat across the UK to allow for with the likelihood of more extreme climatic changes in the landscape and populations potential to impact wildlife and habitats. It is conditions and changes in seasonal may increase as a result. This can be influenced by a number of factors which The status assessments are based on the have been working in the county for many comparison. Details are given of the format patterns and sea level, populations already detrimental to other native species, which include increases in nutrients, pesticides best available information at this time and years and have been witness to the of the records where figures have been struggling to survive will be placed under struggle to survive with the increase in and suspended sediment from soil erosion. data has been gathered from a variety of changes. Some map data is also reported. more pressure. Changes in species are competition from the more adaptable sources including WWBIC, County ambiguous as it is based on limited survey already evident: the Dartford warbler and species. There is also competition from Faced with increasing challenges to the Recorders, targeted surveys, designated records that do not cover the entire county. little egret are now breeding in non-native, invasive species which are natural environment, a new sustainable Pembrokeshire, benefiting from some of the causing significant changes to native flora approach is needed to address these warmest winters on record in the early part and fauna, for example Japanese issues. The traditional focus on small sites of the last decade. More recently the severe knotweed, Himalayan balsam, and and species protection needs to be winters of 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 wireweed. With no natural predators these developed to look at protecting and have significantly affected the wintering species can take over areas unless they are enhancing areas of habitat connecting the chough populations which have struggled to manually removed or treated with herbicide. wider landscape. find sufficient food in the frozen ground. With stricter environment controls in place, WAG are developing a Natural Environment Intensification of farming practice, driven by pollution incidents are fortunately reduced Framework called A Living Wales. The European and National Policy have and are compared to 30 years ago. There are framework aims to provide a more holistic continuing to have a detrimental impact on however still major problems with man- approach to the environment with a wildlife. Over the last 10 years agri- stronger focus on sustainable land and environment schemes have, in some areas, marine management in Wales. As part of been a key factor in delivering biodiversity this framework they are reviewing how gain on farmland, helping to redress these Assembly sponsored agencies that deal trends. Glas Tir will be offering grants to with environmental issues (Countryside farmers to manage their land, one of the Council for Wales, Environment Agency most significant changes from Tir Gofal, the Wales, Forestry Commission for Wales) previous scheme, is the inclusion of currently deliver their work, and have additional funding for targeted elements. proposed the development of a single These elements will be designed to focus environmental body. The framework will on actions including biodiversity, carbon potentially influence how conservation work storage and flood alleviation. is carried out across Wales and in
Pembrokeshire and it is hoped that this
approach will help to meet future
biodiversity targets. Little egret © Annie Haycock Little egret © Annie 8 9 STATE OF WILDLIFE ASSESSMENT HEATHLAND
Pembrokeshire supports 36% of the total heathland projects. With these changes the Conservation Management lowland heathland in Wales of which two status of the quantity and quality of Since 2000 various projects have thirds is found within Sites of Special Pembrokeshire heathland is unknown. enhanced Pembrokeshire’s heathland such Scientific Interest (SSSI)¹. Heathland as the re-introduction of burning and forms a mosaic of habitats which supports Threats affecting status grazing and the re-creation of heathland in a wide variety of rare species of plants, • Neglect has resulted in many sites areas including St. Davids airfield and lichens, mosses and invertebrates. Bird not being burnt or grazed and some Marloes Coast. Other sites, such as species including linnets, skylark, that are being grazed, are suffering Penlan, that were planted with coniferous stonechat and more recently the Dartford as a result of too much or too little. trees in the 1960’s have now been warbler are found on Pembrokeshire’s • Nutrient enrichment, particularly harvested and the restoration of the heathland. runoff from adjacent fields. heathland is underway. Projects like Cig Tir • Illegal dumping of waste is Comin – Pembrokeshire Heathland Beef Distribution in Pembrokeshire associated specifically with areas of managed by the National Trust, promotes Pembrokeshire supports some large areas Common Land. and provides economic benefits to of heathland particularly along the coast • Coastal heathland is also affected by conservation grazing. around Strumble, St. Davids Peninsula, extreme climatic conditions Marloes Deer Park and Castlemartin. influencing erosion rates and Getting Involved Heathland is also found further inland on vegetation growth. • Volunteer with the National Trust to and around the Preseli Hills and other help manage some of their smaller areas of Common Land. heathland sites. ¹ Jones, P.S., Stevens, D.P., Blackstock, T.H., www.nationaltrust.org.uk Status Burrows, C.R., & Howe, E.A. (2003). • Further information: Heathland Some lowland heathland is being lost to Priority habitats of Wales: a technical guide. Countryside Council for Wales Project, Natur Cymru, issue 6, spring scrub encroachment in Pembrokeshire as a ² Biodiversity Action Reporting System. 2003 and issue 38, spring 2011 result of neglect ². There are however sites (2008). Status and trends of species and coming into management through active habitats. www.naturcymru.org.uk
Lowland heathland © National Trust / Andrew Tuddenham 10 11 SOUTHERN DAMSELFLY THREE-LOBED WATER CROWFOOT
Southern damselflies were once Threats affecting status Getting Involved The conservation of three-lobed water Status Conservation Management widespread across northern • Inappropriate grazing stock and • Report sightings of southern crowfoot is a major international The status of three-lobed water crowfoot is Positive heathland management and the damselflies to Stephen Coker, Pembrokeshire but today the main quantity on the Common Land responsibility for Wales. Over half the areas improving, it has benefited from targeted re-introduction of processes such as fire [email protected] population is found around Mynydd supporting southern damselflies. management and over the last 10 years break cutting, pond creation and especially • Further information: British Dragonfly in Wales which support three-lobed water the re-introduction of cattle and pony Preseli. Many thousands of individuals still • Fragmentation and destruction of Society, crowfoot are found in Pembrokeshire, this the populations have been found at 13 grazing has helped populations spread. fly here in summer and this is one of its wetland habitat. www.dragonflysoc.org.uk/comer.htm represents 26% of the total UK sites¹. The new sites (36% of the total sites in Creating pinch points for cattle in suitable UK strongholds ¹ . They rely on slow • Destruction of the fine network of • Further information: Conservation of Pembrokeshire)². Projects such as species is associated with seasonal pools, habitat has also helped in re-establishing flowing streams and flushes, found on runnels and flushes that occur on the southern damselfly in Britain, Plantlife’s ‘back from the brink’ and Pond Environment Agency, trackways and pinch points, where populations. heathland, which are well vegetated in stream entrainment and land Conservation Trusts Million Ponds Project www.dragonflysoc.org.uk livestock movement is concentrated, sections but also have small peaty open drainage. have all helped contribute to this particularly on grazed heathland. This Getting Involved pools for breeding. Grazing by heavy • Increased water extraction from ¹ Arkive (2001). Southern damselfly species achievement. Restoration work has been fact sheet species has a remarkable ability to re- • Volunteer to survey existing stock at the right time of year helps to streams as more springs are being ² Stephen Coker (2011). pers. comm. successful at a number of sites most appear from seeds buried in the mud of populations with Stephen Evans, maintain this specialised habitat. used as a local supply for farms. notably Dowrog, Tretio and the St. David's Botanical Society of the British Isles Distribution of southern damselfly / overgrown pools. • Nutrient enrichment from agricultural Coenagrion mercuriale in Airfield. (BSBI) Recorder for Pembrokeshire, Distribution in Pembrokeshire runoff. Pembrokeshire [email protected] There are numerous colonies to the north (post 2007). Distribution in Pembrokeshire Threats affecting status • Further information: Briefing sheet, of the Preseli Hills, on the Commons west Conservation Management Three-lobed water crowfoot populations • Reduction or loss of livestock Plantlife, www.plantlife.org.uk/ of the B4329 to the eastern end of the Many former and potentially suitable sites are concentrated around St. Davids and grazing. range and in the south around Mynachlog- in private ownership are being managed to Marloes Peninsulas. There are also some • Loss and fragmentation of heathland ¹ Plantlife (2010) Three-lobed water crowfoot sites. briefing sheet. ddu. Although Mynydd Preseli supports create specialised habitats for southern more isolated populations found on the largest population of southern • Deepening or infilling of seasonal ² Stephen Evans (2010) pers. comm. damselflies. Most breeding sites are also Ramsey, Skomer and Skokholm islands damselflies, a smaller but still healthy pools. designated as Sites of Special Scientific and inland on some Common Land sites. population can be seen at Waun Fawr – Interest (SSSI). • Draining or in filling of tracks or Puncheston and tiny colonies persist at pinch-points with hardcore. Carningli and Hayscastle Cross. Map produced by PCC derived from data provided by Stephen Coker, County Distribution of three-lobed water Status Recorder Odonata. © All rights reserved. crowfoot / Ranunculus tripartitus It is thought that the status of the core PCC 100023344 (2011). in Pembrokeshire population of southern damselfly on (2000 - 2010). Pembrokeshire’s Common Land is in long term decline, a result of about a 50% reduction in the niche habitat the species needs². Remaining areas of suitable habitat on Common Land Southern damselfly © Stephen & Anne Coker are also often below optimum condition. However smaller colonies, Three-lobed water crowfoot © Lliam Rooney located on the private land around the edges of the core population, are more Map produced by PCC derived from data provided by Stephen Evans, BSBI stable due to targeted management Recorder for Pembrokeshire. © All rights undertaken in agreement with the land reserved. PCC 100023344 (2011). owners. Brynberian Three-lobed water crowfoot © Jon Hudson 12 13 PONDS AND LAKES RIVERS, STREAMS AND DITCHES
Open freshwater habitats support a huge Status management the Water Framework Pembrokeshire’s watercourses are water quality, as a result of the Water Conservation Management amount of wildlife and can range from The number of new clean water ponds has Directive has established a new, integrated particularly important spawning grounds Framework Directive (WFD). The change Grant schemes in Pembrokeshire have small ponds to large lakes. Pembrokeshire increased over the last 10 years as a approach to the protection, improvement for fish including lamprey, bullhead, in methodology makes the status of water provided assistance and advice which has is recognised as an ‘important area for result of specifically targeted pond creation and sustainable use of surface waters. salmon and brown trout. Common aquatic quality in Pembrokeshire unclear as rivers lead to the enhancement and protection of ponds’¹ as there are many clean water, projects. However many other ponds are vegetation such as fresh water crowfoot are now classed as failing, where as pre rivers around the county. Improvements seasonal ponds that dry out for a few of low wildlife interest due to poor water Getting Involved creates a very important habitat which is 2008 the rivers were classed as good or have also been made to fish spawning • Report any pollution incidents to the 1 months during the year. Several rare quality or over stocking with fish. With used as a nursery area for fish. Rivers, excellent . Significant issues still need to areas for salmon on the Western Cleddau. Environment Agency 0800 807060. streams and ditches also support otters be addressed to improve the status of species are associated with this type of these considerations the status of the • Create a wildlife pond using advice and historically supported rare water quality. Key species within the river Getting Involved habitat including scarce blue-tailed and quantity and quality of Pembrokeshire from the Pond Creation Toolkit invertebrates such as freshwater pearl system are also monitored, which helps • Report any pollution incidents to the small red damselfly, pilwort, floating water ponds and lakes is unclear. www.pondconservation.org.uk mussel, freshwater white-clawed crayfish give an indication of the health of the river. EA 0800 807060. plantain and three-lobed water crowfoot. Threats affecting status • Avoid disturbing areas of invasive and iron blue mayfly. The Environment Agency (EA) has been • Volunteer with the Pembrokeshire Permanent water bodies provide very • Neglect causes many ponds to in-fill weeds; seek advice on how to monitoring juvenile salmon and trout in the Rivers Trust (PRT) on various important food sources for birds and particularly, where cattle are not control them near a watercourse. Distribution in Pembrokeshire Cleddau and Nevern rivers since 1984, projects, www.pembsrt.org/. otters. • Further information: Be plant wise grazing. There are hundreds of small streams all the densities of which have fluctuated over • Seek advice from the Countryside and help prevent the spread of over Pembrokeshire forming the larger the last ten years2. Council for Wales (CCW) or PRT • Increased amount of soil in rivers Distribution in Pembrokeshire invasive aquatic plants, Directgov, network of rivers and streams. These before undertaking works in, or and streams brings more nutrients Throughout Pembrokeshire there are www.direct.gov.uk/beplantwise. include the Eastern and Western Cleddau, Threats affecting status alongside a river. and sediment into ponds and lakes. hundreds of small water bodies which are Nevern, Gwaun, Solva, Alun and Ritec. • Disturbance of soil in, or close to • Avoid disturbing areas of invasive • Risk of competition from invasive ¹ Nicolet, P., Weatherby, A., Biggs, J., Williams, essential for some of the specialist species Parts of the rivers Teifi and Taf also lie water bodies increases the amount weeds; seek advice on how to species such as Australian swamp P., & Hatton-Ellis, T. (2007) A preliminary mentioned above. There are also several assessment of Important Areas for Ponds within the county boundary. of sediment in the water. control them near a watercourse. stonecrop, water fern and parrots man-made lakes in Pembrokeshire such (IAPs) in Wales. Pond Conservation. • Nutrient enrichment from agricultural • Further information: Rivers and feather. as Westfield Pill and Bosherston Lily Status intensification is causing algal ponds explorer guide, CCW, Scarce blue tailed damselfly The general water quality assessment in blooms. www.ccw.gov.uk Ponds, which are both very important for Conservation Management Wales has shown significant improvements • Competition from invasive species their wildlife value. In addition to these During the last 10 years several new between 1990 and 2010¹ . From 2008 such as Japanese knotweed, other man-made lakes including Llys-y- ponds have been created to support ¹ Environment Agency Wales (2008). new, tougher methodology has been Australian swamp stonecrop and Biological quality - an indicator of overall fran, Rosebush and Pembroke Millpond some of the rare species found in used to assess Himalayan balsam. health of rivers 2 support a variety of species. Pembrokeshire. Along with this positive • Abstraction and lowering of Environment Agency Wales (2010). South West Wales Juvenile Salmonid Monitoring groundwater levels. Programme, Annual Report.
Western Cleddau © Chris Lawrence
Dowrog Common © Nathan Walton Brown Trout © Environment Agency 14 15 OTTERS HEDGEBANKS
Otters use most of the rivers and streams Site specific monitoring is also undertaken • Discuss land management works Field boundaries are important for wildlife • Invasion by non-native species e.g. in Pembrokeshire. They are also known to at the Welsh Wildlife Centre, Stackpole, alongside rivers (including scrub throughout the UK. Traditional Japanese knotweed, winter use the marine environment extensively, Pembroke Millpond and sites within the clearance) with the Environment Pembrokeshire field boundaries are earth heliotrope, Himalayan balsam. searching for prey not only where streams Afonydd Cleddau SAC. Agency and Countryside Council for banks either with or without hedges. run into the sea, but also on more remote Wales. These hedgebanks are of significant Conservation Management stretches of coast and even the offshore Threats affecting status • Volunteer with Pembroke Millpond archaeological and cultural importance and Agri-enviornment schemes such as Glas Action Group to help monitor islands. • Development along the river are legally protected, although this Tir (previously Tir Gofal) work alongside species, www.pembroke21c.org/. legislation is limited. Depending on their landowners to help them manage their fragmenting otter’s territories. • Further Information: Predatory location and management, hedgebanks boundaries sympathetically for the benefit Distribution in Pembrokeshire • Disturbance of breeding sites by Mammals in Wales, CCW, can support a wider variety of habitats and of wildlife. Training courses are available to All freshwater and marine habitats in people and dogs or through loss of www.ccw.gov.uk species than a hedgerow without a bank. teach the traditional skills of building and Pembrokeshire could support otters. habitat. • Further information: Coastal Otter managing hedgebanks. Several Otters are elusive but can be seen at • Water pollution. Survey Reports, Pembrokeshire Distribution in Pembrokeshire development schemes in various locations including Stackpole, Marine SAC, Traditional field boundaries are found Pembrokeshire have also Conservation Management Pembroke Millpond and Westfield Pill. www.pembrokeshiremarinesac.org.uk throughout the county, their wildlife value successfully translocated and Management has been carried out across Signs of otters using an area are relative and health will however depend on how designed hedgebanks to easy to find, as they mark their territory the county and include projects such as Otter spraint they are managed. complement and preserve with spraints (faeces). habitat enhancement, surveying and road the surrounding landscape. scheme improvements to incorporate Status Status underpasses and bolt on ledges to bridges It is thought that the overall quality of Getting Involved The status of otters has improved across to reduce otter road fatalities. hedgebanks is in decline, as the species • Support hedgebank key monitoring sites on the Cleddau river diversity is reducing. However in some conservation by taking Getting Involved from 54% in 1984; 78% in 1991 to 97% areas where hedgebanks are managed part in training days to learn about • Report sightings to the 1 sympathetically they form vital links (wildlife managing field boundaries in 2002 . Across the UK otter numbers Pembrokeshire County corridors) for lots of species such as bats, traditionally. declined between the 1950’s and 1970’s, Mammal Recorder, dormice and brown hairstreak butterflies. • Volunteer with Butterfly Conservation thought to have been caused by chemical Annie Haycock, to survey blackthorn hedges for pollution (pesticides) in rivers. The fact that [email protected] Threats affecting status brown hairstreak eggs, Richard otters have returned to rivers and their • Removal of hedgebanks due to Smith [email protected] or numbers are increasing indicates an Otter © Annie Haycock development and land use changes. Russel Hobson improvement in water quality and suitable • Intensive management resulting in [email protected] natural vegetation cover along hedges and banks being cut too • Volunteer with the Wildlife Trust of watercourses. Coastal studies conducted often. South and West Wales (WTSWW) to through the Pembrokeshire Marine Special • Nutrient enrichment from cut manage blackthorn hedges for Area of Conservation (SAC) relevant vegetation which has been left on brown hairstreak. authority group in 2002, 2007, and 2008 the banks to rot, this favours [email protected] provided evidence that otters are dominant grasses over delicate • Further information: Hedgebank extensively using the marine environment2. flowers. management advice, Countryside • Chemical or nutrients sprayed on Council for Wales, RSPB, People’s ¹ Jones, T., Jones, D. (2004). fields can drift onto hedgebanks. Trust for Endangered Species, Otter Survey of Wales, Environment Agency Wales. Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group. 2 Pembrokeshire Marine SAC (2010). Coastal Otter Survey Reports. Coastal hedgebank © Annie Haycock 16 17 BATS OAK WOODLAND
Pembrokeshire is home to at least 15 of other species; greater horseshoe bats are Conservation Management Oak woodland is the most abundant type Threats affecting status ancient woodland sites around Britain’s 17 resident species of bat. The also thought to be increasing. Barbastelle Survey and monitoring work is undertaken of woodland in Pembrokeshire, covering • Low diversity of age class and Pembrokeshire. county's specialities include greater and and lesser horseshoe bats status is in Pembrokeshire coordinated through the 3,000 hectares1. Oak dominated structure within the woodland. Getting Involved lesser horseshoe bats, two of Europe's unknown, further monitoring work is Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) and woodland is largely a result of past • Lack of woodland edges and canopy • Volunteer as a tree warden with rarest species and Barbastelle bats, required to give an accurate assessment the Pembrokeshire Bat Group. CCW also management practices and the gaps. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park another rarity with a stronghold in of their status. Brown long eared bats are monitor bat Special Area of Conservation requirement for oak to produce charcoal • Inappropriate or lack of woodland Authority. Pembrokeshire. thought to be declining, which may be as a (SAC) sites and currently have auto and tanbark. Pembrokeshire's oak management. • Visit the Woodland Trust website to result of the loss of roost sites. counters present at two sites. woodlands support a variety of mosses, • Overgrazing results in poor support woodland conservation, ferns and liverworts and many sites are understorey and ground flora, Woodland Trust, www.british- Distribution in Pembrokeshire nationally important for lichens. Bird encouraging invasion by dominant trees.com/takepart Bats are found all over Pembrokeshire. Threats affecting status Getting Involved species associated with oak woodland grasses. A complete absence of • Further information: General Although their roosts are protected, • Development in and around bat • Participate in a bat walk to find out include spotted and pied flycatchers, grazing results in the loss of lichen woodland management, Forestry individuals also need large areas of roosts which may damage or destroy more about these fascinating woodwarblers and song thrush. species, as shading increases. Commission, www.forestry.gov.uk suitable habitat, connected by hedgerows a roost through the blocking up of creatures. Depending on the soil type within the • Insufficient deadwood habitats, • Further information: Woodlands and other linear corridors, in order to feed access points, re-roofing with • Support bat conservation by wood, flowers such as bluebells, violets, particularly standing deadwood. explorer guide, CCW, and move between roosts. Some bat inappropriate materials or the entire installing bat boxes, advice available wood sorrel and wood anemone may be • Invasive species such as laurel, www.ccw.gov.uk. species can travel up to 16km from their loss of the roost due to demolition. from the Bat Conservation Trust found, whilst more acidic soils support Japanese knotweed and Ty-canol Wood roosts to feed, so their use of the wider • Artificial lighting close to roost (BCT) www.bats.org.uk/. shrubs such as heather and bilberry. rhododendron damage shrub layers. countryside needs to be considered when entrances or along flight lines can • Volunteer with Pembrokeshire Bat planning landscape changes. deter some species of bats. Group www.pembs bats.org.uk/ and Distribution in Pembrokeshire Conservation Management • Changes in the landscape can BCT www.bats.org.uk/ to undertake Oak woodland is found throughout the Grants and advice have helped Status disturb flight lines and may result in surveys. majority of the county, and is most encourage woodland owners to manage The status of bats depends greatly on the the loss of feeding habitat. • Further information: Bats’ and Bats in common on marginal land i.e. steep oak woodland sustainably and species. Species of pipistrelle bats are • Reduction in numbers of insect prey Roofs booklet, CCW, slopes. Notable woodland sites are found sympathetically for wildlife and increasing as they tend to adapt more due to pesticide use. www.ccw.gov.uk in the more inaccessible boulder-strewn recreation. Positive habitat easily to habitat changes compared with slopes of the Gwaun and Nevern Valleys management is carried out on ancient and in the upper Daugleddau Estuary. woodland sites and conservation partners are working to restoration Greater horseshoe bats © Annie Haycock Status It is thought that oak woodland is probably increasing in quantity across Wales2. The status in Pembrokeshire is unclear, as the quality of oak woodland varies between sites; it is thought that in general, sites are decreasing in wildlife value due to changes in management. There are however a few well managed sites which are maintaining their quality (e.g. Pengelli Forest and Ty- canol Wood).
¹ Jones, P.S., Stevens, D.P., Blackstock, T.H., Burrows, C.R., & Howe, E.A. (2003). Priority habitats of Wales: a technical guide. Countryside Council for Wales. 2 Biodiversity Action Reporting System.(2008). Status and trends of species and habitats. Pengelli Forest © Nathan Walton 18 19 HAZEL DORMOUSE ARABLE FIELD MARGINS
The dormouse is largely restricted to the population health or size. The population • Further information: Dormouse Pembrokeshire has 24% of the Welsh some improvement in the status. This practice farms where training events and south of England and Wales. The at Pengelli Forest is monitored annually as ecology, surveys and management resource of arable land ¹ . Arable field corresponds to the trend across Wales. It is guided walks take place run by the dormouse is nocturnal and travels above part of the National Dormouse Nestbox of habitats, PTES www.ptes.org/ margins when uncropped or unsprayed thought that it is mainly due to targeted agri- Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group ground, as such they depend on habitats Monitoring Programme. Results from this support a vast range of wildlife including environment schemes encouraging farmers (FWAG), the Soil Association and private where the shrub layer, especially hazel is survey may however be misleading as a rare species such as annual knawel, small to leave field margins unmanaged ². farmers (e.g. Trefrane National Trust Farm, allowed to form a continuous canopy. large amount of habitat improvement work Bramble rich woodland and scrub edge has been undertaken at this site; therefore flowered catchfly, skylark, tree sparrow, Southwood Estate; Knapps Farm, provides excellent habitat for breeding. a reduction in individuals using boxes yellowhammer, harvest mouse, rare Threats affecting status Martletwy; Great Nash, Llangwm). doesn’t necessarily correspond to a mosses and ground beetles. Arable field • Changes in grant payments may lead Distribution in Pembrokeshire reduction in the population size. margins and hedges can form important to the cultivation of existing margins Getting Involved There are at least three significant wildlife corridors, linking one habitat with or may not support the creation of • Leave field margins to regenerate Threats affecting status populations of dormice in Pembrokeshire. another. new margins. naturally where possible, advice The largest population is found around • Loss of links between populations as • Application of nutrients, pesticides available from FWAG Newport to Tycanol, and it is possible there a result of hedgerow degradation Distribution in Pembrokeshire and herbicides, which may spread www.fwag.co.uk are links to the separate Gwaun valley and development. area. A further population is found in • Changes in woodland habitat Several farms around the county onto field margin. • Further information: Managing field Pengelli Forest. There are limited records structure, due to neglect e.g. lack of encourage wildlife, specifically in the arable margins, Buglife, www.buglife.org.uk of dormice outside these areas, however coppicing or no stock in the field margins. Key areas include the Conservation Management and the RSPB, www.rspb.org.uk recent anecdotal sightings suggest woodland or intensive management Marloes Peninsula, Mathry and St. Davids Grant aid has increased the amount of dormice may be elsewhere in the county. e.g. annual flailing of hazel–rich Peninsula. field margins being managed for wildlife, hedges. particularly through schemes like Tir Gofal ¹ Jones, P.S., Stevens, D.P., Blackstock, T.H., • Poor breeding success as a result of Distribution of hazel Status (now Glas Tir). Conservation headlands Burrows, C.R., & Howe, E.A. (2003) Priority dormice/Muscardinus avellanarius small isolated populations habitats of Wales: a technical guide. Although there has been a decline in the have also been created on some farms in in Pembrokeshire Countryside Council for Wales. (1978 - 2007). Conservation Management quantity of field margins over the last 50 Pembrokeshire through management ² Biodiversity Action Reporting System. Across Pembrokeshire conservation years, it is thought to have increased over agreements with Countryside Council for (2008). Status and trends of species and partners raise awareness of the the last decade, therefore there has been Wales (CCW). There are some best habitats. requirements of the dormouse with woodland owners and undertake additional Arable field margin © Jon Hudson surveys to determine a more accurate picture of dormouse distribution. More specific management work in Pengelli Forest has focused on reinstating coppicing to create the optimum habitat Map produced by PCC derived from data for the dormouse. provided by the County Mammal Recorder. © All rights reserved. PCC Getting Involved 100023344 (2011). • Volunteer with the People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) to take Status part in a dormouse nut survey The status of the dormouse in www.ptes.org/ Pembrokeshire is unclear although surveys • Report sightings to the have been carried out at key sites, it is Pembrokeshire county mammal very difficult to get accurate information on recorder, Annie Haycock, [email protected] Dormouse © Nathan Walton Arable field margin © Maureen Gardiner-Plantlife 20 21 FARMLAND BIRDS GRASSLAND
There are several species of birds • Loss of nesting habitat through Atlas of wintering and breeding birds in the Pembrokeshire supports 6% of Wales’ Threats affecting status Park Authority (PCNPA) or the Welsh associated with farmland in unfavourable hedgerow UK. species rich, lowland grassland, equivalent • Changes in the level of grazing or Assembly Government (WAG) through Pembrokeshire, including the 10 key management including removal of to 7400 hectares1, of which the complete abandonment. Glas Tir. Pembrokeshire Grazing Network mature hedgerow trees and the species listed in figure 2. In addition to Getting Involved predominant habitat type is purple moor • Agricultural intensification (e.g. re- (PGN) provide stock at the right time and conversion of farm buildings. these species swallows are possibly the • Volunteer in a local or BTO survey, grass and rush pastures (figure 3). A large seeding and draining). level for some grassland sites. most iconic lowland farmland bird, they • Unusual weather conditions affect Annie Haycock • Damage to the grassland as a proportion of species rich grassland is rely heavily on high numbers of insects food availability and breeding [email protected] consequence of nutrient enrichment Getting Involved found within Sites of Special Scientific and farm outbuildings for nesting. success which will impact fragile • Further information: Atlas of Breeding from livestock excrement or runoff • Manage grassland you own, or a populations of birds. Farmland birds are monitored through Birds in Pembrokeshire, 2003 – Interest (SSSI) but roadside verges are from adjacent land. communal space in your area with various schemes across the UK and are Conservation Management 2007 and 1984 – 1988. also an important refuge for grassland advice from PGN and PCNPA 0845 Conservation Management used as an indicator of the wildlife health Agri-environmental schemes support farmers Pembrokeshire Bird Group species which may have been lost from 3457275. Many of these sites are managed for with financial incentives to plant winter stubble • Further information: Birds of the surrounding countryside. • Further Information: Saving our of the wider environment. wildlife by landowners in agreement with crops, manage hedgerows for wildlife and magnificent meadows project, Flora Pembrokeshire, 1994. Donovan & either Countryside Council for Wales leave margins of fields unsprayed. Volunteers Locale’s www.floralocale.org/ Distribution in Pembrokeshire Rees Distribution in Pembrokeshire (CCW), Pembrokeshire Coast National The species of farmland birds identified in have been co-ordinating and undertaking bird • Further information: Managing There are some extensive areas of lowland ¹Jones, P.S., Stevens, D.P., Blackstock, T.H., Burrows, C.R., & Howe, E.A. (2003) figure 2 are found across the whole surveys in Pembrokeshire for several years, farmland habitats for wildlife, RSPB. grassland supporting a rich variety of county, however some of the species are collecting data for local and national surveys. www.rspb.org.uk Priority habitats of Wales: a technical guide. Countryside Council for Wales, species and micro-habitats including 2Biodiversity Action Reporting System. (2008). Status and trends of species and habitats. becoming more dependant on designated Currently data is being gathered for the Castlemartin Range, areas around sites for their survival. Survey evidence latest British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) ¹ Pembrokeshire Bird Group, (2007) Atlas of Breeding Birds in Pembrokeshire. Brynberian, Yerbeston, Commons near St. Figure 3. shows the distribution of breeding Proportion of grassland habitat of wildlife value in Pembrokeshire (hectares)¹. farmland birds has declined particularly in David’s and the Preseli Hills. 1988 2007 100 Coastal and floodplain areas dominated by intensive dairy Figure 2. 500 0 450 1 grazing marsh Status 3 7 farming¹. 6 )
2 9 400 1 Lowland calcareous Farmland 7 The overall assessment of these grassland 1 Birds 350 0 grassland Status 300 habitats in Wales is that they are declining Occupied Lowland dry acid Since the mid 1970’s there have been 250 in quality and quantity 2, it is believed that
5 grassland
Tetrads 1988 200 1 alarming declines in the farmland birds 0 1 the status is also declining in and 2007 150 Lowland meadows across the UK, the status in Occupied tetrads (2km 100 Pembrokeshire. The condition of individual Pembrokeshire varies according to the Purple moor grass and 50 sites will vary depending on the level of rush pastures species being considered. House sparrow 0 protection and management undertaken. and linnet are reported to have declined Grassland heathland Skylark Starling Whitchat Dunnock mosaic across the UK but surveys undertaken 3200 Tree Sparrow Tree Reed bunting Yellowhammer House Sparrow over the last 20 years, indicate that they Common Linnet Common Bullfinch Farmland Birds are stable in Pembrokeshire (figure 2). The survey results also show that dunnock appear to be stable and reed buntings Yellowhammer have increased. Other species such as whinchat, starling, yellowhammer, tree sparrow and skylark have declined dramatically over the last 20 years1.
Threats affecting status • Changes in agricultural practice such as the reduction of winter food sources, the move from mixed farming to intensive dairy farming and the production of silage. Grassland © Flora Locale 22 23 MARSH FRITILLARY GRASSLAND FUNGI
The marsh fritillary was once widespread • Agricultural improvement which Getting Involved Records gathered show that 112 species Sites with one or more grassland seven years. Over 4,800 individual across Pembrokeshire but has declined reduces habitat available and leads • Volunteer with Countryside Council from the waxcap-grassland assemblage of species of conservation concern. grassland fungus records have been severely over the last century, a decline to fragmentation of populations for Wales to undertake butterfly and fungi have been recorded in collected across Pembrokeshire, the vast mirrored throughout Britain and Europe. leaving small/isolated colonies. larval web surveys, – Jon Hudson, Pembrokeshire compared with a total of majority since 2003. 10 sites with three or Marsh fritillaries are specialist butterflies • Weather, food supply and parasitism [email protected], 01646 188 known to occur in the UK¹. 13 of more species of conservation concern 2 that form metapopulations which need a by certain wasp species cause 624000. these species are of conservation concern . have been identified, with the prospect of Key habitats for grassland fungi include network of several sites close to one population fluctuations and threaten • Further Information: Priority Species further sites being added as more undisturbed, unimproved and semi- 2 another to ensure their long term survival. local extinctions. Factsheet, Butterfly Conservation, information is gathered . Recording improved grassland, dune grassland and Historically marsh fritillary habitats were • Isolation of populations may lead to www.butterfly-conservation.org/ presents particular challenges due to the heathland. Important grassland fungus larger and more connected allowing genetic declines and fertility sporadic and unpredictable production of sites have several features in common, populations to mingle and spread. problems. fruiting bodies, and the lack of UK they are unfertilized, regularly grazed by expertise for verification of some of the livestock and/or rabbits, and/or mown with more difficult species. Distribution in Pembrokeshire the grass removed. Map produced by PCC derived from data The marsh fritillary strong hold is Marsh Fritillary © Alan Barnes provided by David Harries, Pembrokeshire Threats affecting status Castlemartin, with smaller populations Fungus Recording Network. © All rights Distribution in Pembrokeshire reserved. PCC 100023344 (2011). • Loss of suitable habitat as a result of found around Yerbeston Moors and Grassland fungi are found in these changes in grassland management Ambleston / Puncheston. Marsh fritillaries specialised habitats as mentioned above. leading to an increase in nutrient are still found in low numbers on the St. Status Sites which support a high diversity of levels. Davids Peninsula, in particular Dowrog The status of grassland fungi in species include Castlemartin Range • Encroachment of scrub. Common and also at Mynachclog-ddu. Pembrokeshire is unclear due to (West), Stackpole Warren and a range of • The physical disturbance of soils. cemeteries including Honeyborough, insufficient data, although the amount of data available has increased in the last Status Crymych and Milford Haven. Conservation Management It is thought that there are still five Management of semi-improved grasslands metapopulations in Pembrokeshire. The through grazing and mowing is supporting general status is considered to be grassland fungi populations in declining1, but there is insufficient data to Pembrokeshire. confirm this. It is difficult to estimate population size as it changes each year Getting Involved depending on weather, predation, Conservation Management • Report sightings to the parasitism, and number of volunteers Management agreements are in Pembrokeshire Fungus Recording surveying. Surveys that took place place to create optimum habitat Network (PFRN) between 2005 and 2009 show only four opportunities for marsh fritillaries on • Further information: Managing 10km squares compared with thirteen some designated sites. Butterfly Grassland for Waxcaps - Land 10km squares between 2000 and 20052. Conservation have also developed a managed by grazing and Managing This is hoped to be linked to a lack of new monitoring programme for Grassland for Waxcaps - Lawns, data, rather than a loss of the population marsh fritillaries across Wales. Cemeteries and Parks, PFRN from these grid squares. www.pembsfungi.org.uk ¹Biodiversity Action Reporting System. (2008). Status and Threats affecting status trends of species and habitats. ¹Griffith G.W et al. (2006). Mycological survey • Abandonment of traditional rough ²Butterfly Conservation. of selected semi-natural grasslands in Wales, grazing by cattle and horses (2007). Butterflies of the New Countryside Council for Wales report 743. Millennium (BNM). ²Pembrokeshire Fungus Recording Network. reducing suitable breeding habitat. (2010). Pers Comms Wallis Moor Pink Waxcap © David Harries 24 25 KESTRELS COASTAL CLIFFS AND SLOPES
Kestrels were once found all over kestrel numbers declining by 30-40%². In to try to gain a better understanding of 38% of maritime cliff and slopes in Wales habitat are considered to be improving Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Pembrokeshire but in the last 50 years addition to this work, in 2008 a dedicated kestrel behaviour. Large areas of the are found in Pembrokeshire (1400 from a poor state. Over the last 10 years Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) has their numbers have declined and they survey found the breeding population to coastal strip are also being managed for hectares)¹. Much of this is found within some areas of coastal slope habitats have positively impacted on coastal slope have become more restricted in their be 20 to 25 pairs; 31 occupied territories wildlife which may increase the number of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park started to recover, through positive habitats. Grazing schemes and selective management undertaken by conservation distribution. They are a familiar sight to were found however a few of which were voles, the kestrel’s preferred food. (PCNP), parts of which are designated as scrub clearance continue to be agencies and landowners. However much many as they hover over open ground thought to contain either late staying Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). implemented to further aid recovery. of the coastline requires further work to aid hunting for small prey. They prefer to feed migrants or non-breeding birds³. Getting Involved The Pembrokeshire coast is of high wildlife recovery and ensure that habitats are on voles but will take other small • Report sightings of kestrels to West interest and it forms an important green Getting Involved corridor linking up sites which enables stabilised. • Volunteer with the NT work parties to mammals, large invertebrates and ground Threats affecting status Wales Biodiversity Information Centre species to move around the wider carry out practical management on nesting birds. They are one of the smallest • Changes in agricultural practices www.wwbic.org.uk and on the Threats affecting status countryside. coastal habitats. breeding raptors and were formerly the such as lack of winter stubbles, Pembrokeshire Bird Group blog • Disturbance and erosion due to www.nationaltrust.org.uk commonest in the UK. decrease in arable tillage, increase in www.pembsbirds.blogspot.com. public access and recreation. Distribution in Pembrokeshire • Coastal development and changes in • Report any wildlife sightings and grazing pressure, and pasture Distribution in Pembrokeshire The cliffs and slopes of Pembrokeshire land use including coastal defence observations to West Wales improvement. ¹ British Trust for Ornithology. (2010). In Pembrokeshire kestrels are found Breeding Birds in the Wilder Countryside. form key habitats which are locally structures. Biodiversity Information Centre mainly along the coastal strip, but there are • With greater land use pressures the ² Pembrokeshire Bird Group (2007). Atlas of distinctive, supporting a huge range of • Intensification or abandonment of www.wwbic.org.uk also a few pairs nesting inland. areas suitable for kestrel breeding Breeding Birds in Pembrokeshire. flora and fauna. The habitat formed on agriculture land. • Further information: Walking the and feeding is reduced, the density ³ Paddy Jenks. (2010). A Report on breeding • Extreme climatic events such as soil kestrels in Pembrokeshire 2010. cliffs and slopes will depend greatly on the Butterfly Coast, Butterfly Distribution of breeding Kestrel/ of birds of prey has therefore geology and soil types, varying from acidic and cliff destabilisation and erosion, Conservation www.butterfly- Falco tinnunculus in Pembrokeshire increased leading to a higher soils supporting heathland on the Strumble salt scorch from storms, changing conservation.org/ (2000 - 2010). seasonality of vegetation growth and risk of predation from larger Peninsula to lime rich grassland on the • Further information: Coastal slopes accelerated vegetation growth. raptors. Castlemartin coastline. management, PCNPA, www.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk Conservation Management Conservation Management Status Management undertaken by the ¹ Jones, P.S., Stevens, D.P., Blackstock, T.H., Across Wales it is thought that coastal Burrows, C.R., & Howe, E.A. (2003). Priority A nest box scheme was initiated Pembrokeshire Coast National Park slopes are declining in quality2. In habitats of Wales: a technical guide. in Pembrokeshire in 2007, in Authority (PCNPA), National Trust (NT), Countryside Council for Wales. an attempt to alleviate potential Pembrokeshire most of the SSSI coastal ² Biodiversity Action Reporting System. (2008). Status and trends of species and nest site competition. Radio habitats. Skomer tagging projects are planned
Map produced by PCC derived from data provided by Paddy Jenks Recorder for Pembrokeshire. © All rights reserved. PCC 100023344 (2011).
Status The status of kestrels in the UK and Pembrokeshire is declining; UK kestrel surveys show a 25% decline between 1988-1991 and 1994-2006¹ . In Pembrokeshire between the survey
periods of 1984–1988 and 2003–2007
the local Breeding Atlas also showed Deer Park, Marloes Kestrel © Annie Haycock 26 27 CHOUGH WETLAND BIRDS
Pembrokeshire is home to about 15% of • High mortality rate of young choughs through awareness raising and liaison with The Daugleddau Estuary – Milford Haven need to be looked at in a national context, Conservation Management the UK breeding population of chough ¹. due to predation or starving. their ranger and site wardens to limit the Waterway complex is of international the status in Pembrokeshire therefore Much of the good quality feeding habitat Choughs are specialist feeders and they • High levels of chemicals in animal impact on chough habitat. importance as it holds a minimum of varies according to the species being and high tide roosts within the estuarine obtain most of their invertebrate food by dung affects the invertebrates 25,000 wetland birds each winter, some considered. Declines in dunlin, curlew, systems are designated as Sites of Special probing the upper soil levels and ant hills chough feed on. Getting Involved 13.5% of the total on Welsh Wetland Bird redshank, mallard, teal and shelduck; Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Areas with their tough, down-curved bill. Their • Human disturbance through • Report sightings of chough to Survey (WeBS) sites¹. Llys-y-Fran increases in wigeon, little egret and of Conservation (SAC). Volunteers have preferred feeding habitats are sunny recreation, particularly rock climbing. PCNPA or Countryside Council for Reservoir is also of national importance for greenshank in Pembrokeshire correspond been co-ordinating and undertaking slopes with short, open turf and bare soil. Wales (CCW). the thousands of lesser black-back gulls with national trends2. annual surveillance of wetland birds Conservation Management • Further information: Pembrokeshire roosting there at night. Pasture land away wintering in Pembrokeshire since 1982. The Milford Haven Waterway and Distribution in Pembrokeshire The Pembrokeshire Chough Conservation Breeding Birds Atlas (2003-2007) from these roosts also support large Daugleddau Estuary supports the majority Choughs are found along much of the Strategy has initiated projects, such as the and Birds of Pembrokeshire numbers of lapwing, golden plover and Getting Involved of breeding shelducks in Pembrokeshire. Pembrokeshire coastline and on the introduction of grazing schemes, to (Donovan and Rees, 1994) snipe. • Volunteer in a WeBs scheme or The numbers and sizes of broods seen in offshore islands. There are several manage the coastal habitat. The • Further information: Species fact British Trust of Ornithology (BTO) bird the Estuary system fluctuates from year to important areas where the population Pembrokeshire Coast National Park sheets, RSPB www.rspb.org.uk Distribution in Pembrokeshire survey, Annie Haycock year, although number of broods recorded occurs at locally higher concentrations, Authority (PCNPA) and Ministry of Defence ¹ Thorpe, R.I. & Johnstone, I. (2003) The Almost all parts of the Daugleddau [email protected] between 2007 & 2010 have been these include Castlemartin Peninsula, (MoD) manage recreational activities status of the chough (Pyrrhocorax complex support some roosting and • Further information: WeBS counters pyrrhocorax) in Wales 2002. feeding wetland birds, depending on the disappointingly low3. handbook, BTO, www.bto.org/ Marloes Coast and Skomer Island, Welsh Birds 3: 354 - 362 state of tide. Areas with extensive mudflats Birds www.rspb.org.uk St. David’s Peninsula and Ramsey Island, Little grebe, Canada goose and mallard or saltmarsh, (e.g. Pembroke River, Carew- Strumble Peninsula and Cemaes to Ceibwr Figure 4. Chough territory occupancy in Pembrokeshire 2000 to 2010 have expanded their breeding range since Cresswell, Western Cleddau) hold the ¹ Haycock A (2008). A review of the status of coast. 80 the mid-1980s, taking advantage of wetland birds in the Milford Haven Waterway highest numbers of birds. Elsewhere the 75 irrigation reservoirs that have now matured and Daugleddau Estuary. A report to the Nevern and Teifi Estuaries and Fishguard Milford Haven Waterway Environmental Status 70 as ponds and provided suitable nesting Harbour are important, along with a Surveillance Group. Annual breeding population records are 65 sites. number of freshwater sites including ² Pembrokeshire Bird Group (2007). collated each year, however data is patchy 60 Atlas of Breeding Birds in Pembrokeshire. Bosherston Lakes, Castlemartin Corse, and and there is much less information on the 55 Threats affecting status ³ Hodges, J E. (1992-2010). Daugleddau
No of territories Bicton and Llys-y-Fran reservoirs. Estuary and Milford Haven Waterway: An Pembrokeshire non-breeding and 50 • Predation will affect breeding and wintering birds. annual surveillance of summer shelduck wintering population. The status of 45 populations. In-house reports for Status breeding chough has improved over the 40 • Poor weather during nesting period. Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority. 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 Numbers of wetland birds visiting last decade, with some annual fluctuations, • Localised disturbance from people Pembrokeshire are influenced by a variety however the population appears to have and dogs will affect breeding and of external factors, and local fluctuations levelled off, and it is believed it may now wintering birds. be in decline (figure 4).
Threats affecting status • Loss of available nest sites and winter foraging habitats through land use changes. • Weather conditions affect their ability to find sufficient food. Frozen ground conditions contribute to high mortality; dry soils and conversely, waterlogged soils can reduce invertebrate prey availability. Chough © Annie Haycock Shelduck © Annie Haycock 28 29 MUDFLATS NATIVE OYSTER
7.5% of Wales’s mudflats are found in observations, and limited monitoring. An Conservation (SAC) addresses issues About 150 years ago Pembrokeshire than was previously known. No clear will lead to the restoration of native oysters Pembrokeshire ¹. Despite first estimate of the current extent of mudflat relevant to mudflats e.g. bait digging, supported a thriving oyster industry, evidence of live oysters was provided by to South Wales waters in the future. appearances, a close look underneath the habitat in Pembrokeshire is just over 1000 cockling and physical damage. however over-harvesting of the beds has the video footage, which is backed up by a mud surface reveals that mudflats are hectares¹. There has been a great deal of led to a depleted population, and many of limited number of Seasearch dives. Getting Involved teeming with life – large numbers of loss and degradation of mudflat habitat in Getting Involved the historic beds no longer support • Volunteer with Seasearch to Threats affecting status worms (some obvious and some Pembrokeshire as a result of industrial and • Ring the EA to report suspected oysters. Pembrokeshire is one of the few • Continued commercial fishing of undertake survey dives in microscopic) and molluscs. Mudflats are commercial development. One study pollution events (e.g. oil, sewage, areas in Wales where the native oyster native oysters over an increasing Pembrokeshire not only important as a wildlife haven but indicates that over the last 50 years there chemical, fly tipping) remains in its natural habitat. area in the Haven. www.seasearch.co.uk. they also act as a natural filter system for has been a 31% loss of intertidal habitat in 0800 807060. Bonamia ostreae • Submit records online of shore Distribution in Pembrokeshire • (a parasite), which coastal waters, play a vital part in the Cosheston Pill, 45% loss in Hubberston • Ring the CCW to report suspected sightings of the native oyster to Oysters were once found along the west has been present in the Haven estuarine and marine food chain, Pill and 11% loss in Pembroke River ³. damage to mudflats (e.g. physical population since 2005. This infection MarLIN, contribute to the economy via recreational damage) 01646 624000. coast of Wales between Pembrokeshire and Swansea Bay. In Pembrokeshire is known to cause mortality in oyster • Further information: Native oyster fishing and commercial fishing and act as Threats affecting status • Visit a mudflat near you to discover oyster beds are now restricted to the populations. fact file, MarLIN. www.marlin.ac.uk/ a natural form of sea defence. • Marina development and land claim the amazing variety of life they Milford Haven waterway, where a small • Competition from the invasive non- resulting in loss of mudflat habitat. support. ¹ Biodiversity Action Reporting System. fishery still exists. native slipper limpet which is Distribution in Pembrokeshire • Nutrient enrichment of waters in the • Further information: booklet on widespread in the Haven. (2008). Status and trends of species and habitats. Mudflats in Pembrokeshire are found in Haven causing surface algal blooms, Marine Mudflats, leaflet on bait Distribution of native oyster / the major river estuaries including the tidal making underlying mud anoxic. digging good practice, CCW Ostrea edulis in Pembrokeshire Conservation Management Native Oyster © Aethne Cooke areas of the Western and Eastern Cleddau, • High concentrations of hydrocarbon www.ccw.gov.uk. (1981-2002) Management of the Pembrokeshire the Nevern and the south side of the Teifi. and metal contaminants in mudflats. Marine Special Area of Conservation Mudflats are also found along the length of • Commercial cockling and ¹ Brazier, P., Birch, K., Brunstrom, A., Bunker, (SAC) addresses issues relevant to the Milford Haven Waterway and in large inappropriate bait digging have A., Jones, M., Lough, N., Salmon, L. & Wyn, G, the native oyster e.g. fishing and CCW. (2007). When the tide goes out: the bays such as Angle Bay and the Gann. resulted in physical damage to water quality. A feasibility study is biodiversity and conservation of the shores of Most of the pills in the Haven and smaller mudflat habitat, including sensitive Wales – results from a 10 year intertidal being undertaken by CCW into the inlets such as Solva, Porth Clais, Poppit seagrass bed habitat. survey of Wales. restoration of oyster beds in and Lower Town Fishguard also support ² Biodiversity Action Reporting System. South Wales, including areas of mudflats. Conservation Management (2008). Status and trends of species and Pembrokeshire. It is hoped this The Environment Agency (EA) monitor habitats. ³ Howell, Sarah. (2002). Coastal Change Status growth of intertidal macro-algal and within the Milford Haven Waterway. SAC Map produced by PCC derived from data Mudflats in Pembrokeshire are not Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) Placement report to Relevant Authorities provided by Countryside Council for monitored routinely but they are thought to analyse mudflat samples, for levels of Group. Wales. © All rights reserved. PCC be declining in quantity and quality ². This contaminants. Management of the 100023344 (2011). assessment is based on visual Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Black tailed godwit Status The population of native oysters in Pembrokeshire is considered to be declining¹. Baseline surveys of oysters in the Haven were undertaken by Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) in 2002 and Seasearch in 2007. In 2010, CCW used drop down video to identify the location of historic oyster beds off Stackpole and Tenby. This survey identified Llangwm the historic beds with greater precision Native Oyster © Aethne Cooke 30 31 PINK SEA-FAN ATLANTIC GREY SEAL
Pink sea-fans are colonies of tiny polyps, Threats affecting status Getting Involved which occur on seabed habitats such as • Physical disturbance from fishing • Volunteer with Seasearch to boulder fields, rocky substrates and activities including bottom trawling undertake pink sea-fan survey dives wrecks. Pembrokeshire is the only location and potting. or submit records of sightings from in Wales to support pink sea-fan colonies • Disease caused by the bacteria, recreational dives. and is the most northerly known Vibrio splendidus. • Further information: Seasearch population in the UK. • Entanglement in discarded angling Reports for Wales and pink sea-fan fishing lines. surveys, www.seasearch.co.uk Distribution in Pembrokeshire • Further information: Skomer MNR Pink sea-fans are found around Conservation Management Annual Reports, Countryside Council Pembrokeshire in the shallow coastal The pink sea-fan is a component part of for Wales, www.ccw.gov.uk. The west Wales grey seal breeding Status protect breeding seals from recreational waters, from depths ranging between 15- the reef habitat for the Pembrokeshire • Further information: West Wales population is the largest in southern Grey seal pupping numbers and adult disturbance. The Pembrokeshire Outdoor 50 meters. Notable sites include Skomer Marine Special Area of Conservation Marine Conservation, Britain, representing about 4% of the UK photo-monitoring occurs annually in the Charter also has agreements in place to population and around 2% of the world Marine Nature Reserve (MNR), Wales’ only (SAC). Within the SAC management www.wwmc.org.uk Skomer Marine Nature Reserve (MNR). protect seals. population ¹. Breeding occurs in late MNR and one of only three in the UK. scheme, measures are developed and Periodically, pupping numbers are also ¹ Biodiversity Action Reporting System. summer and the autumn. During the They are also found around Skokolm, the implemented to protect reef habitat and recorded at a selection of sites on Ramsey Getting Involved (2008). Status and trends of species and winter, bulls and cows come ashore for an • Ring the RSPCA to report any injured North Pembrokeshire Coast, Milford Haven sensitive features. Measures are also in annual moult and to rest. This is when the Island and on the north Pembrokeshire habitats. grey seals 0300 1234999. approaches, Grassholm and The Smalls. place to prevent impacts such as largest assemblies are found on remote coast. Pupping data collected from these • Ring Marine Environmental smothering from dredge spoil dumping. beaches and offshore islands where 150- locations indicate that the number of pups Monitoring to report any dead grey Distribution of pink sea-fan / 200 grey seals can be located at one site. born each year is stable. Eunicella verrucosa in Pembrokeshire seals 01348 875000. • Support Pembrokeshire’s Voluntary (2000 - 2009) Distribution in Pembrokeshire Threats affecting status Marine Code to avoid disturbing Grey seals can be seen around the • Potential disturbance from wildlife on the water or choose a Pembrokeshire coast and offshore islands recreational activities close to seal WiSe accredited boat operator for throughout the year. During the pupping pupping beaches. trips. season (from August to November) the • Entanglement in fishing lines and • Visit Skomer MNR information centre seals concentrate around pupping sites. nets. at Martins Haven, near Marloes. Pupping sites of Atlantic grey seal / • Intensive fishing practices resulting in • Attend a Pembrokeshire Coast Halichoerus grypus in a reduction of fish stocks and National Park Authority or National Pembrokeshire available food. Trust seal watching walk. (2002) • Disease spreads rapidly between Map produced by PCC derived from data • Further information: Seal watching provided by Countryside Council for populations. leaflet, Skomer Marine Nature Wales. © All rights reserved. PCC • Pollution (e.g. oil spills) and build-up Reserve, Countryside Council for 100023344 (2011). of pollutants in body tissue. Wales, www.ccw.gov.uk. Status Conservation Management • Further information: Seal fact sheet, Pink sea-fans are annually monitored at The Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Wildlife Trust of South and West the Skomer MNR and Seasearch also Conservation (SAC) management scheme Wales, www.welshwildlife.org record sightings of the species from contributes to management of the SAC’s grey seal population by addressing issues ¹ Pembrokeshire Biodiversity Partnership. Pembrokeshire dive surveys. It is thought Map produced by PCC derived from data such as water quality and fisheries. The (2000). A local Biodiversity Action Plan for that the population of pink sea-fans is provided by the Countryside Council for Pembrokeshire Marine Code has a specific Pembrokeshire. Pembrokeshire Biodiversity declining¹. Wales. © All rights reserved. PCC Partnership. 100023344 (2011). Seal Code and Restricted Areas maps to Pink Sea Fan © Skomer Marine Nature Reserve 32 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS / APPENDIX A
Several organisations and individuals have Cardigan Bay Marine Special Area of Royal Society for the Protection of Birds contributed to the production and editing Conservation Relevant Authorities Group Sea Trust of South and West Wales of this report and many more Pembrokeshire Research Ornithological Seasearch organisations were involved with providing Committee The National Trust evidence used in the report. The main Carmarthen Bay and Estuaries Special Wales Biodiversity Partnership contributors include: Butterfly Area of Conservation Relevant Welsh Assembly Government Conservation; Countryside Council for Authorities Group West Wales Biodiversity Information Centre Wales; County Recorders; Environment Chevron West Wales Butterfly and Moth Group Agency Wales; Pembrokeshire Coast Country Landowners Association Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales National Park Authority; Pembrokeshire Dwr Cymru Welsh Water County Council; Pembrokeshire Fungus Farmers Union of Wales Recording Network; Pembrokeshire Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group Marine Special Area of Conservation Field Studies Council Relevant Authorities Group; Forestry Commission Pembrokeshire Rivers Trust; The National Keep Wales Tidy Trust; West Wales Biodiversity Information Marine Conservation Society – Centre; Wildlife Trust of South and West Pembrokeshire branch Wales. Marine Environmental Monitoring Ministry of Defence Pembrokeshire National Farmers Union – Wales Biodiversity Partners Pembroke 21 C Organisations and groups Pembrokeshire Bat Group helping to deliver the Pembrokeshire Bird Group Local Biodiversity Action Plan. Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum Pembrokeshire College Funding Partners Pembrokeshire Darwin Science Festival Countryside Council for Wales Pembrokeshire Fungus Recording Network Pembrokeshire Coast Pembrokeshire Invertebrate Group National Park Authority Pembrokeshire Local Action Network for Pembrokeshire County Council Enterprise and Development (PLANED) Environment Agency Wales Pembrokeshire Marine Codes Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Report produced by Bethan Cox Biodiversity Implementation Officer Organisations and Groups Conservation Relevant Authorities Group Pembrokeshire Biodiversity Partnership Botanical Society of the British Isles Pembrokeshire Outdoor Charter Group March 2011 British Bryological Society Pembrokeshire Rivers Trust For further information contact [email protected] Butterfly Conservation Plantlife Cymru West Wales Biodiversity Information Centre