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