Priority Species and Habitats

Wildthings action is targeted at species and habitats of greatest conservation value, delivering both national and local conservation targets.

In autumn 2003 an audit of all rare species and habitats within the Bath & North East Somerset area was carried out by the Species and Habitats group. This information was considered necessary to help promote targeted protection and monitoring of rare habitats and species within the area. More information is contained in the Summary Leaflet.

The audit resulted in a full list of priority rare species and habitats and this was published in 2004 as the 'Long list'. The list includes 11 habitats and over 450 species and forms a framework for action across the area.

Download the Long List of Priority Species in Bath & North East Somerset (Excel spreadsheet):

Long List (265KB)


From this Long List, a Short List of 11 priority species and 5 priority habitats was produced and this now provides the focus for local activity across the area.

Species and habitats on the Short List are:

Species
All bats
Bath asparagus
Bee-fly
Blue Carpenter Bee
Chalkhill Blue Butterfly
Dormouse
Great Crested Newt
Red Hemp-nettle
Skylark
Watervole
White-clawed Crayfish

Habitats
Ancient and/or Species-rich Hedgerows
Broadleaf Woodlands
Post-industrial Sites
Species-rich Arable Farmland
Species-rich Grassland


B&NES specific, 3 year action plans are being produced for all of the 'Short list' species and habitats and to date there are 7 priority species plans and 3 priority habitat plans.