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Mice go bats about Ruperra Conservation Trust’s new trees

News | | Published: 12:00, Tuesday December 2nd, 2014.
Last updated: 12:02, Tuesday December 2nd, 2014

SPECIAL SITE: Trees were planted near Ruperra Castle
SPECIAL SITE: Trees were planted near Ruperra Castle

Dozens of trees have been planted to help dormice and bats living in woodland in Ruperra.

The rare dormice need the trees for their diet of hazelnuts as well as to scurry around in at night.

Up to 30 dormice have been recorded in nest boxes on Ruperra Conservation Trust’s 60 hectares of woodland.

Ruperra is classed as Site of Special Scientific Interest and is home to one of just 5 colonies of Greater Horseshoe bats in Wales, which roost in the crumbling 17th century castle near the site.

The trees were supplied by the Woodland Trust and funded by Ikea.

Austin Brady, of the Woodland Trust, said: “Home to dormice and Greater Horseshoe bats, Ruperra is a wonderful site from a conservation point of view.

“Trees are essential for the survival of both. Dormice spend most of their waking hours in trees and shrubs looking for food and can make long detours through the branches.

“They love to feed on hazelnuts, which is why native trees such as hazel are so essential to them.

“Bats meanwhile use echo location to navigate around trees and hunt for prey. Some bats use rotholes and hollow trunks to roost in.”

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