Rose Cottage, Llethrid

Also within

West Glamorgan County GOWER Scenic Area

Geology & landscape

Landscape processes: Glacial

Description

Description Rose Cottage is of special interest as an important breeding roost of the lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros. It is situated alongside the B4271 at the head of the extensively wooded valley of Llethrid Cwm, on the Gower Peninsula. 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, the decline in numbers of this species being attributed to loss of breeding and hibernation sites. The site comprises the building itself and the associated grounds, which includes a small area of woodland that is used by the bats as a flight line as they exit the building. The woodland in Llethrid Cwm probably provides much of the feeding habitat required by the bats. Rose Cottage is used during the summer months by the bats as a nursery roost where they raise their young. Lesser horseshoe bats return annually to the same site and the cottage is believed to have been used by them for many years. Since the bat roost was first monitored in 1997, it has been used by between 120 and 200 bats annually. Remarks: The lesser horseshoe bat is listed under Annex II and IV of the Habitats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora) and protected under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended), and Schedule 2 of the Habitats Regulations (The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations, 1994).

Species mentioned