Penmaenuchaf Hall

Also within

Gwynedd County Eryri / Snowdonia National Park

Description

Description Penmaenuchaf Hall is of special interest as a breeding roost of the lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros. The Hall is a 19th century country house situated 3 km west of Dolgellau at an altitude of 40 m overlooking the Afon Mawddach. In Britain, which is 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 comprises the roof space of the Hall and a five metre buffer zone around the building. The bats exit and enter the roof space through two purpose built dormer entrances. One leads into a roof space which is used as the main breeding roost, while the other leads to a roof space used as an occasional roost. Penmaenuchaf Hall 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 Penmaenuchaf Hall has been used by the species for many years. Since 1994 the site has been used by over 100 bats annually. The building also supports a breeding roost of brown long-eared bats Plecotus auritus. Natterer’s bats Myotis nattereri, pipistrelle bats Pipistrellus pipistrellus and whiskered/Brant’s bats Myotis mystacinus/brandtii have also been recorded at the site. 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