Felin Llwyngwair

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 52.0180, -4.8146

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Also within

Dyfed County Arfordir Penfro / Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

Climate exposure

This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.

Coastal

Coastal habitats are exposed to sea-level rise and storm erosion. Where hard sea defences sit behind them, there's nowhere landward to retreat to — a squeeze that keeps compressing the habitat no matter how well it's managed.

Habitats

Fast flowing river and stream

Geology & landscape

Landscape processes: Coastal

Description

Description The site is of special interest as one of only three known nursery roosts for the greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum in Pembrokeshire. It is located approximately 1 km east of the coastal town of Newport. The greater horseshoe bat has a predominantly southern Palaearctic distribution, and the Welsh population is at the extreme north-western extremity of this species’ range. This site is the most northerly breeding location known in Europe. The British population has suffered a severe decline during the past 30 years. The site was first discovered in 1997 and consists of a disused stone built mill building, circa 200 years in age. The corrugated metal roofed mill currently has two floors which are open, but the bats utilise only the upper storey. The mill is situated within an area with ample feeding habitat, including pastures with tall wooded hedges, the wooded valley of the River Nevern which flows through the saltings at Newport Estuary, and moorland on Carn Ingli Common. Records of bat numbers indicate that this summer roost was first used by greater horseshoe bats as an intermediate roost, breeding was not confirmed here until July 2000, when 53 adult bats were found with approximately 30 young. Greater horseshoe bats appear to use the mill loft space throughout the year, peaking during the summer months. There are often wide fluctuations in numbers which appear to be linked to extremes in weather and temperature, indicating that other unknown roosts in the vicinity are used when conditions dictate. Little is known at present regarding winter hibernacula for this species in the area. Lesser horseshoe bats Rhinolophus hipposideros in small numbers also use adjacent buildings. Brown long-eared bats Plecotus auritus and the common pipistrelle bat Pipistrellus pipistrellus have both been recorded at this site. Remarks: The site lies within Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. Greater horseshoe bat is listed on Schedules 5 and 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), and on Annex IIa and VIa of the Habitats and Species Directive. Lesser horseshoe bat is listed on Schedules 5 and 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), and on Annex IIa and VIa of the Habitats and Species Directive.

Species mentioned

English name
search for this in other sites		 Latin name
search with Google		 IUCN / Red List Type Family
common pipstrelle bat Pipistrellus pipistrellus LC bat vespertillonidae
brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus LC bat vespertillonidae
greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum 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