Mynydd y Gwair Wind Farm - RWE.com

P a g e | 136
Mynydd y Gwair Wind Farm
and a search buffer that extends 2km from the main wind farm site and 500m from the access
track route.
9.3.6 For the wind farm site itself, there are relatively few records, most relating to bird species
such as skylark, meadow pipit and red kite, although there are third party (i.e. non-Bioscan)
records for hen harrier (2008), cuckoo, golden plover (flock of c.400 in April 2008) and
common lizard (2004). Common lizard records from Mynydd Garn Fach were also provided,
along with recent records for grasshopper warbler for that site (although not the higher, more
exposed and heavily grazed parts crossed by the access route). Old records for grayling and
wall butterflies from Mynydd Garn Fach were also provided, with other invertebrate records of
note including old records for the dragonflies black darter, keeled skimmer and golden ringed
dragonfly.
9.3.7 Uncommon or scarce plant species attributed to locations on Mynydd y Gwair and/or Mynydd
Garn Fach include oblong-leaved sundew, ivy-leaved bellflower and whorled caraway, but in
all instances the locations of these are known to be outside the application site. Indeed a
disproportionate number of the notable species records for Mynydd y Gwair or Mynydd Garn
Fach appear to relate to areas of high quality mire north-east of the Upper Lliw reservoir
(immediately north of Brynllefrith Plantation) and at the foot of the slopes west of the reservoir
that were identified early in the ecological studies for the wind farm project and specifically
avoided in the design process. Oblong-leaved sundew was reconfirmed at the former site by
Bioscan in 2008.
9.3.8 Amongst the records for land within 500m of the remaining sections of the access route
(Blaennant Ddu to the A48 at Pontarddulais) are numerous uncommon or declining bird
species, including barn owl, as well as species such as marsh fritillary and common lizard. No
records have been received of any protected or notable species from the common land at
Gopa Hill or the holding at Bolgoed-uchaf where the greatest levels of intervention will be
required for farm track or path upgrades.
9.4 Habitat and Botanical Survey Results
9.4.1 Although the Main Study Area has been covered by habitat and botanical surveys at various
times between 2004 and 2008, the following paragraphs focus on the habitats present within
the current application redline and the proposed exchange land, these areas having been the
focus of more recent studies and update work. Reference is however made to the wider MSA
in places for context.
9.4.2 The main wind farm site is first described (with reference to Figures 9.2 and 9.3) followed by
the access road. The access route descriptions relate to „segments‟ of the route (labelled on
Figure 9.1), in order to distinguish them from the access road „sections‟ referred to elsewhere
in this ES. Finally, the baseline habitat conditions on the proposed exchange land at Blaen
Gerdinen and Blaen yr Olchfa Fach are described with reference to the habitat maps shown
on Figure 9.4.
Main Wind Farm Site
Overview
9.4.3 The wind farm site occupies an extensive area of relatively gently undulating upland, with a
predominantly south-facing aspect, which is incised by two main stream courses and some