Press release: For immediate release
Greater Horseshoe Bat Conservation at Berry Head
Greater Horseshoe Bats are one of the rarest mammals in the UK,
having declined in number by a massive 90% in recent decades. The
need to secure their long-term survival as a crucial part of Devon’s
landscape, is greater than ever. Berry Head National Nature Reserve
is one of the few remaining sites in the whole of Northern Europe
where this critically endangered species can still be found.
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Devon Wildlife Trust, Vincent Wildlife Trust and Natural England
have all been working together to ensure their survival in South Devon. Trust Countryside Manager Chris
Lingard said “The Greater Horseshoe Bat colony at Berry Head is already fragile, due to changing
conditions inside the caves where they roost and the loss of foraging habitat to development and
changes in farming. We have to be much more careful now not to jeopardise the colony’s ongoing
survival.”
The greater horseshoe bat is actually an indicator of the health of the countryside. The work that many
organisations undertake to improve their habitat has benefits for many other species that call Devon
home. Good numbers of bats tell us that we have a healthy countryside, something of benefit for both
wildlife and people.
Due to their conservation importance they are highly protected and any activity that has the potential to
affect the bat colony must be properly assessed before it can go ahead. As a result of concerns about
the potential impact on the colony, restrictions have been placed on the evening events at Berry Head’s
Guardhouse Café until the necessary assessment has been completed.
The UK government’s advisor on the environment is Natural England, which in turn advises Torbay
Coast and Countryside Trust on the management of wildlife and conservation interests at the National
Nature Reserve.
Trust Director Damian Offer said; “After Guardhouse Café managers Alex and Lucy Foley spoke with us
about their plans for evening events in 2015, we sought advice from Natural England. Natural England’s
advice was that there was significant potential for evening events to have an adverse impact on the rare
bat colony, so they could not give consent for the evening programme proposed by the Café. Once this
conclusion had been made, the Trust worked with both Natural England and Alex and Lucy Foley to
seek a compromise.”
Alex and Lucy Foley who manage the Cafe added; "We feel privileged to work so close to the Greater
Horseshoe bat colony, and feel that it is one of the many draws of the headland. We would be loath to do
anything which would have a detrimental effect on the health of the colony. Clearly much more research
is required in order to understand the interaction between the bats and humans, and we look forward to
collaborating in this project. We are continuing to work with the TCCT and Natural England to find a
solution which will ensure that bats and humans on Berry Head can exist in harmony.”
A Natural England spokesperson said: “We are working with the Trust and café owners to come up with
a plan for events which are sympathetic to this extremely special location. We have already consented
some events and - with further information - hope to be able to find a solution which will assist the café,
as well as increasing understanding of the need to conserve the special wildlife at Berry Head.”
Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust remain in talks with both Natural England and the Guardhouse Café
in an effort to achieve a compromise, particularly in the light of the risks to jobs. The Trust is also
endeavouring to find a means to fund the additional surveys for Natural England to decide whether future
evening events at the café can go ahead.
To find out more about the conservation of Greater Horseshoe Bats at Berry Head National Nature
Reserve, please visit: http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/greater-horseshoe-bat-project/
- Ends Notes to editors:
Photo credit: (c) John J Kaczanow
Laura Murch, Marketing Officer
Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust
laura.murch@countryside-trust.org.uk
01803 696253
The Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust is an independent charity dedicated to looking after Torbay's most
important wildlife and heritage sites, including Berry Head, Cockington Country Park, Occombe Farm, the
South West Coast Path and the English Riviera Geopark. For more information about Torbay Coast and
Countryside Trust visit www.countryside-trust.org.uk