Sylvan House Barn facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Example - Lesser Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros)
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| Area of Search | Gloucestershire |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°43′05″N 2°40′31″W / 51.717933°N 2.675229°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 0.005 hectare |
| Notification | 1995 |
Sylvan House Barn is a small stone barn located near the village of St Briavels. This village is found in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England. The barn is very important because it is home to a special type of bat. Because of these bats, the barn was named a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1995. This means it is a protected area.
The barn provides a safe breeding place for Lesser horseshoe bats. About one-fifth of all the known Lesser horseshoe bats in Gloucestershire live here. This makes Sylvan House Barn a nationally important site for these bats. The protected area includes the roof space of the barn and the roof of a small building next to it. In total, this area is about 0.005 hectares, which is very small but vital for the bats.
Why This Area is Perfect for Bats
The Wye Valley and Forest of Dean areas are ideal for Lesser horseshoe bats. These places have many deciduous woodlands, which are forests where trees lose their leaves in autumn. They also have sheltered valleys. These features provide great places for bats to find food. The area also has many underground caves and old mines. These dark, quiet places are perfect for bats to rest, hibernate, and raise their young.
Other Important Bat Sites Nearby
Sylvan House Barn is one of several Sites of Special Scientific Interest in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. These sites are located in both Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire. Together, these protected areas provide homes for both Lesser and Greater horseshoe bats. These sites are so important that they are recognized across Europe.
Other SSSIs in Gloucestershire that help these bats include:
- Blaisdon Hall (a breeding site)
- Caerwood and Ashberry Goose House (a breeding site)
- Dean Hall Coach House & Cellar (a breeding site)
Places where bats go to sleep for the winter (hibernate) include:
- Buckshraft Mine & Bradley Hill Railway Tunnel
- Devil's Chapel Scowles
- Old Bow and Old Ham Mines
- Westbury Brook Ironstone Mine
These sites are all part of a larger network. This network, called Wye Valley and Forest of Dean Bat Sites/Safleoedd Ystlumod Dyffryn Gwy a Fforest y Ddena, is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). This is a special title given under European rules to protect important natural habitats.
