Saturday 30th August 2025, 7pm -10pm.
Greater Horseshoes at Ruperra
The greater horseshoe bat is one of the UK’s largest bat species and also one of its rarest. In Wales there are five major maternity roosts. Four of them are in west Wales, but the fifth is located at Ruperra Castle, north west of Newport. We are planning to visit the roost on Saturday August 30th, in conjunction with the Ruperra Conservation Trust and we will have ultrasound detectors so that we can listen to the bat echolocation calls as the bats leave at dusk. We will meet in the Ruperra car park just outside Draethen (ST 22838 87034) at 7.15 pm. We will then walk to the roost which is about one mile away and involves walking up a moderately steep track through the woodland. Please wear stout shoes/boots and bring warm clothing, a torch and insect repellant.
Afterwards we will listen out for other bat species as we walk back through the woods.
Please note that in the event of rain, this event will be cancelled. Information will be posted on this website earlier in the day if this happens, so, if in doubt, please check here before leaving home.
Click on this link for a location map: Ruperra car park
For further information email: wtswwcardiff@gmail.com