Glyn Cywarch

Also within

Gwynedd County Eryri / Snowdonia National Park

Description

Description Glyn Cywarch is of special interest as a breeding roost of the lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros. In Britain a European stronghold for this species, the lesser horseshoe bat, is confined to Wales, the Welsh borders and south-west England. In Europe it has disappeared from most of its northern range since 1950 and colonies appear to be declining by up to 90%. The decline in numbers of this species has been caused by loss of breeding and hibernation sites. The site is situated on the Glyn Estate 1.5 km south of Talsarnau. It comprises a potting shed which supports the breeding roost, and an adjacent wall which is used by bats as a flight route to gain access to feeding habitat in the nearby woodland of Coed y Glyn. Glyn Cywarch is used during the summer months by the bats in order to raise their young. Lesser horseshoe bats return annually to the same site and Glyn Cywarch has been used for many years. Since 1993 the site has been used by over 100 bats annually. Small numbers of pipistrelle bats Pipistrellus pipistrellus and brown long-eared bats Plecotus auritus also roost in the building. Remarks: All bats are listed under Annex IV of the Habitats and Species Directive and protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), and Schedule 2 of the Habitats Regulations 1994.

Species mentioned