Mwyngloddiau Wnion a Eglwys Sant Marc
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Climate exposure
This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.
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.
Geology & landscape
Landscape processes: Coastal
Description
Description The site is selected for its biological interest and is located in the Afon Wnion valley near Brithdir, Dolgellau. The site consists of two adits and a church and is of special interest for hibernating and breeding bats, particularly lesser horseshoe bats Rhinolophus hipposideros. The complex of mines around Brithdir was worked during the 19th Century for various metals including gold, lead, silver, copper and zinc. St Mark’s church, Brithdir was built in the 19th century by owners of the Caerynwch estate and was fashioned on the lines of a Northern Italian country church. Biology: The disused mine workings are of importance for colonies of hibernating lesser horseshoe bats R. hipposideros, which are considered to be rare and endangered across Europe. A major hibernaculum of lesser horseshoe bats R. hipposideros occurs in an abandoned adit on the banks of the Afon Wnion at Dolserau, with a smaller hibernaculum in a second adit at Nant y Cnydyw. A nursery roost of lesser horseshoe bats R. hipposideros uses the roofspace above the altar in St Mark’s church, Brithdir. The population is one of several linked colonies within the Wnion valley and to the north and south of the Mawddach estuary, this area being one of the most important areas for lesser horseshoe bats in Wales. Broadleaved woodland and a mature wooded churchyard are included within the site. Brown long-eared bats Plecotus auritus and Soprano pipistrelles Pipistrellus pygmaeus also use St Mark’s church for breeding, with Daubenton’s bat Myotis daubentonii using the church porches as night roosts. Remarks: The site lies within the Snowdonia National Park. The lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros, brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus, the Soprano pipistrelle bat Pipistrellus pygmaeus and Daubenton’s bat Myotis daubentonii are listed on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). The lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros is listed on Annex II of the EC Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) and the pipistrelle bat, Daubenton’s bat Myotis daubentonii and the brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus on Annex IVa. The lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros and the pipistrelle bat Pipistrellus pygmaeus are UK Biodiversity Action Plan species.
Species mentioned
Show the 4 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
Latin name search with Google |
IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daubenton's bat | Myotis daubentonii | LC | bat | vespertillonidae |
| Soprano pipistrelle bat | Pipistrellus pygmaeus | LC | bat | vespertillonidae |
| brown long-eared bat | Plecotus auritus | LC | bat | vespertillonidae |
| lesser horseshoe bat | Rhinolophus hipposideros | LC | bat | vespertillonidae |