Ciliau

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 52.0772, -3.3038

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Powys County

Description

Description Ciliau is of special interest as an important breeding roost of the lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros. The building is a grade II* listed late 15th century hall house with 17th/18th century remodelling, situated 1km east of Erwood and 8 km south east of Builth Wells, overlooking the River Wye. 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 main house, which supports the nursery roost, and the grounds and associated woodland, which are used as feeding habitat by lesser horseshoe bats, and as a corridor to adjacent feeding habitats. The house is used during the summer months by the bats in order to raise their young. The bats occupy both the roof space and parts of the first floor. Lesser horseshoe bats return annually to the same site and Ciliau has been used for many years. Recent counts suggest a population of between 150 and 200. In addition, Ciliau also supports populations of soprano pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus and whiskered/Brandt’s bat Myotis mystacinus/brandtii. Remarks: All bats are listed under Annex IV and lesser horseshoe bat is also listed on Annex II of the Habitats and Species Directive. All bats are protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), and Schedule 2 of the Habitats Regulations 1994.

Species mentioned

English name
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Latin name
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IUCN / Red List Type Family
whiskered bat Myotis mystacinus DD bat vespertillonidae
Soprano pipistrelle bat Pipistrellus pygmaeus LC bat vespertillonidae
lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros LC bat vespertillonidae

Plant communities

A9 — Fast flowing river and stream, Marginal and inundation, Pond ditch and canal, Sluggish river and stream

Potamogeton natans community

Schoenoplectus lacustris, Juncus bulbosus, Sparganium angustifolium, Sparganium erectum, Sparganium minimum, Alisma plantago-aquatica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Lemna trisulca, Nymphaea alba, Callitriche platycarpa, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Glyceria fluitans, Chara subspinosa

A14 — Fast flowing river and stream

Myriophyllum alterniflorum community

Isolepis fluitans, Juncus bulbosus, Fontinalis antipyretica, Lobelia dortmanna, Equisetum fluviatile, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Littorella uniflora, Potamogeton filiformis, Potamogeton gramineus, Potamogeton natans, Ranunculus peltatus, Chara spp., Nitella hyalina

A17 — Chalk river and stream, Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans community

Berula erecta, Nasturtium officinale, Elodea canadensis, Lemna minor, Callitriche stagnalis, Veronica beccabunga, Polygonum amphibium, Polygonum hydropiper, Potamogeton crispus, Potamogeton pectinatus, Ranunculus penicillatus ssp. pseudofluitans

A18 — Fast flowing river and stream

Ranunculus fluitans community

Fontinalis antipyretica, Fontinalis squamosa var. curnowii, Myriophyllum alterniflorum, Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Mentha aquatica, Lemna gibba, Lemna minor, Potamogeton perfoliatus, Ranunculus fluitans, Glyceria fluitans, Phalaris arundinacea