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Farm Buildings
DEFINITION
Farm buildings are found on almost every farm. They range from old stone and
slate steadings to old dwelling houses or modern purpose built metal sheds.
Of particular interest in terms of wildlife conservation are the older steadings
and cottages, especially those no longer inhabited, as they can provide both
ideal nesting and roosting sites for bats and a wide range of bird species. However,
any farm buildings may be utilised if conditions are suitable. Features important
to wildlife include eaves, access holes, roof spaces, beams and ledges. Adjacent
rough ground, together with nearby trees and hedges are likely to be important
for feeding and collecting nest material.
CURRENT STATUS AND EXTENT OF HABITAT
Farm steadings and old cottages are increasingly being renovated, demolished
or converted for development purposes. Subsequently, there is a loss of traditional
farm buildings on farms. As such there is a loss of suitable shelter and habitat
for the bat species and birds such as Barn owl Tyto alba, Swift Apus apus, House
martin Delichon urbica, Swallow Hirundo rustica, and House sparrow Passer domesticus.
Newly constructed farm buildings tend to provide less niches for wildlife. Existing
farm buildings are often up-graded in some instances to exclude birds in order
to comply with Farm Assurance Schemes, especially where buildings are used for
the storage of grain. As far as is known there is no up-to-date information available
on the number or condition of farm buildings in Tayside. |
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KEY SPECIES
P = UK Priority species C = UK species of conservation concern |
| Mammals |
Pipistrelle bat |
Pipistrellus pipistrellus |
P |
| Brown long-eared bat |
Plecotus auritus |
C |
| Natterer’s bat |
Myotis nattereri |
C |
| Daubenton’s bat |
Myotis daubentoni |
C |
| Birds |
Barn owl |
Tyto alba |
C |
| House martin |
Delichon urbica |
C |
| Swallow |
Hirundo rustica |
C |
| Swift |
Apus apus |
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| House sparrow |
Passer domesticus |
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NATURE
CONSERVATION IMPORTANCE
Owing to the substantial decline
in Barn owl numbers in the past two decades, the key sites for
the species in Tayside are probably those which are already in
use as roost sites or nest sites, and those within the vicinity
of remaining Barn owl populations.
With woodland clearance over the years bats have adapted to, and rely heavily
upon, farm buildings for roosting. As many of the species utilising farm buildings
are in decline it is important that farm buildings are retained and maintained
in a wildlife friendly condition wherever possible.
ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
Species Action Plans will be available for the various species that utilise farm
buildings, including Barn owl, Swift and Bats. |
Barn
Owl
The Barn Owl is a UK Species of Conservation Concern.
Although the exact Tayside population is not known, declines
have been reported linked to the disappearance of traditional
farm buildings and the subsequent loss of nesting and roosting
sites.
The population decline is also linked to loss of hunting
areas and the indiscriminate use of
rodentcides around farm buildings. |
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CURRENT FACTORS CAUSING LOSS OR DECLINE
A number of factors affect the availability and suitability of farm buildings
for wildlife:
Many traditional steadings are
no longer suited to modern agricultural purposes and there is no
reason to maintain them. Consequently the buildings deteriorate
and eventually become unsafe; in many cases this leads to either
demolition or conversion to housing;
Unless traditional farm buildings are classified as Listed Buildings there
is no grant assistance available to maintain or restore them;
Many timber treatments are toxic to bats;
Building restoration may eliminate essential features such as holes, cracks
and lofts used by wildlife;
Entrances to farm buildings may be deliberately blocked to exclude wildlife
in order to comply with Farm Assurance Schemes;
Rodenticides used in and around farm buildings can be detrimental to owls and
other birds of prey, particularly red kites;
New farm buildings tend not to be wildlife-friendly. |
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