Stackpole is one of the largest Greater Horseshoe bat roosts in the UK, with over 600 individuals. We were in position for about 9:15pm, and almost immediately saw the first bat emerge from what looked like a trap door in the roof of an archway. It looked huge in comparison to the Lesser Horseshoe bats which we have become accustomed to seeing at Orielton, but like the lesser, these bats came out, flew around for a few seconds, but then went back into the trap door. Soon we had three bats flying around above our heads, until at last one broke ranks and flew away under the nearby trees and was lost to sight.
By 9:45pm there were ay least 10 bats flying around under the arch, and many were now flying away, but were swiftly replaced by others emerging from the trap door. On at least two occasions we heard the slap of wings as they clashed. As the bats left the archway they would drop low and fly no more than about 0.5m above the ground for as far as we could see in the fading light. A memorable experience!
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