Mwyngloddfa Mynydd-Bach
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Geology & landscape
Rock Type: Sandstone
Description
Description Mwyngloddfa Mynydd-bach is of special interest for its hibernaculum of the lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros. The site consists of a disused mine adit cut through Old Red Sandstone rocks. The single entrance faces north-east. The entrance is in a narrow strip of woodland to the north of the Carpenter’s Arms Public House at Mynydd-bach. The horizontal adit passes under the B4235 Usk to Chepstow Road to the south west and continues into the hillside along a straight line, for a total length of about 70 metres. The bats are found mainly from 14 m to 20 m from the entrance with smaller numbers scattered along the length of the adit and at the furthest end. Up to 75 lesser horseshoe bats have been recorded using the roost. The site is used throughout the year by smaller numbers of adult and immature lesser horseshoe bats. Remarks: The lesser horseshoe bat is listed on Annex II (a) of the EC Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora). The lesser horseshoe bat is also fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Mwyngloddfa Mynydd-bach is partly within the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Mwyngloddfa Mynydd-bach is in close proximity to several other sites that form part of the Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Bat Sites/ Safleoedd Ystlumod Dyffryn Gwy a Fforest y Ddena Special Area of Conservation.
Species mentioned
Show the 1 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
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IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lesser horseshoe bat | Rhinolophus hipposideros | LC | bat | vespertillonidae |