Short List of Priority Species and Habitats

Priority Species

All Bat species - see feature (right) (Download Action Plan)
The UK is home to 17 species of bat, 16 of which have been recorded in the south west region. 7 species are classified as endangered, including the greater mouse eared bat, which until recently was considered extinct in this country. 6 other species are classified as vulnerable. Of these, 11 have been recorded in the Bath & North East Somerset area, and the district forms part of the national stronghold for a number of rare and endangered species.

Bath Asparagus (Download Action Plan)
Also known as the spiked star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum pyrenacium), this is a nationally scarce plant found in its greatest numbers around the Bath area. It is a tall, elegant plant of shady roadside verges, open woodlands and hedgerows. It is related to the bluebell having long strap like leaves that emerge in the spring, but it has greenish-white star-shaped flowers on tall flowers spikes, that can reach 1m high.

Bee-fly (Download Action Plan)
Calcareous grassland or woodland edge grassland are the favoured habitat. The lifecycle is not known but it is thought likely that the larvae are parasitoids of other insect larvae, principally lepidopterous or aculeate hymenopteran larvae. Adults appear in July and August.

Blue Carpenter Bee
The Blue Carpenter Bee, Ceratina cyanea is a small solitary bee that nests in stems, mainly of bramble and rose. It is an easily recognisable small bee that appears black at a glance, but when more closely inspected is revealed to have an attractive reflective blue sheen. It occurs in colonies of individual nests as well as occurring separately where the opportunity arises. Although using a wide variety of pollen sources, the bee is rare because it requires specialised conditions that do not occur commonly. It over-winters as an adult, usually in the nesting cells from which it emerged.


Chalkhill Blue Butterfly
The male Chalkhill blue, pictured here is paler and, apart from the large blue, larger than other blue butterflies seen in Britain and Ireland. At some sites many hundreds may be seen in August, flying just above the vegetation, searching for females. Large numbers of males may also congregate on animal dung and other sources of moisture and minerals. Females are much less conspicuous, being duller in colour, more secretive in their habits, and spending less time than the males in flight.

Dormouse (Download Action Plan)
The dormouse, Muscardinus avellanarius, is strictly nocturnal, and except for hibernation, rarely descends to the ground. It is reluctant to cross open spaces and is therefore very rarely seen, despite its attractive golden-brown fur, long bushy tail and prominent black eyes.

These mice do not normally travel far from their nest and need to be able to travel from tree to tree without having to cross the ground.

Great Crested Newt (Download Action Plan)
The great crested newt is still quite widespread with the British population amongst the largest in Europe, where it is threatened in several countries. At a local level the Avon Reptile and Amphibian Group was re-launched in 1999. One of the main projects was to survey ponds in Avon to find out where great crested newts are to protect them through planning and land management functions.

Red Hemp-nettle
Red hemp-nettle is a summer annual pollinated by bees. It is covered in soft hairs, and has narrow, weakly toothed leaves which occur in opposite pairs on the stem. It produces flowers in small whorls on the stem, which are dark red or pinkish in colour with yellow flecks on the lower lip. Once a locally common weed of arable land, it is now rare.

Skylark
The skylark is a small, streaky brown bird with a small crest, which can be raised when the bird is excited or alarmed. it has and a white-sided tail and the wings also have a white rear edge, visible in flight. It is renowned for its display flight, vertically up in the air. Often inconspicuous on the ground, it is easy to see when in its distinctive song flight.

Water Vole (Download Action Plan)
The water vole is Britain’s largest vole, easily recognised by its hairy tail, rounded face and body, and short ears that extend just beyond the fur. It is a skilled swimmer. Breeding occurs between April and September in underground tunnels, and a female water vole may have as many as five litters a year, each with five young.

White-clawed Crayfish (Download Action Plan)
The white-clawed crayfish is the only species of freshwater crayfish native to the UK. It is widespread in clean, calcareous streams, rivers and lakes throughout England and Wales. The whiteclawed crayfish prefers rivers and streams without too much sediment and is particularly sensitive to biocides and other pollutants.