Our progress with our ongoing work to support local bat populations has increased above last year’s record achievement. The Woodland, Flora & Fauna Group’s bat box conservation area initiative which began in 2009, has proved to be even more successful this year. This 2021 result is a considerable boost for our group volunteers who have worked so hard in erecting and maintaining boxes within local woodland. These boxes provide bat roosting and hibernation opportunities in areas most likely to provide suitable survival conditions.

 

Licenced teams visit all boxes in the group conservation area.

 

We already had score of boxes in suitable habitat locations around the local area but last year invested group funds to further enhance this provision in additional woodlands. This work is not easy as a great deal of preparatory work is usually required to ensure maximum utilisation of the boxes.

Teams of volunteers energetically undertook this work and their reward is reflected in the continuously improving number of bat occupants being recorded each year. Thanks are extended to them for their effort and the wonderful family of group registered supporters and friends who continue to generously offer financial donations to help us with our voluntary nature conservation work.

 

Additional woodland locations were selected and new boxes installed.

 

This year we found a welcome new species of bat occupying several boxes in three of our woodland locations. These were Bechstein’s bats, a species with a conservation status officially described as ‘restricted and rare’.

 

The first Bechstein’s bat discovered in our annual inspection.

 

This is a great addition to the various other species we normally attract like Natterer’s, Common Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle, Noctule and Brown Long-eared bats. The survey findings included a family of eight Bechstein’s bats and other individuals found in a woodland which has proved very popular with all species for many years. Additional Bechstein’s bats were found in other locations.

 

A group of Bechstein’s bats found in another box.

 

This one was found in a different woodland.

 

This was a Bechstein’s bat found in yet another location.

 

Where groups of Bechstein’s bats were found, some were tightly clustered in the roof dome of the box.

 

The many other bats found were more common species but equally as valuable to our conservation effort. The pictures below show some of our box occupants.

 

A lively Soprano Pipistrelle bat reacting to the sudden influx of light as the door was opened.

 

One of the many boxes found containing Common Pipistrelle bats.

 

This box housed a beautiful Noctule bat.

 

Most bats, even of the same species, often differ slightly in appearance from one bat to another, as seen with this Common Pipistrelle when comparing with some of the other pictures.

 

Many boxes had lone residents, some housed several and others contained group clusters. Note the delicate structure and wing membrane of this Common Pipistrelle bat and the finger clasping the rough surface of the box interior above it and the foot below.

 

A cluster of Common Pipistrelles gathered in another box. Note the bared teeth as they expressed their displeasure at being disturbed.

 

We are very sensitive to the welfare of the bats we find and do limit their disturbance as much as possible.

 

We often find families of three or four especially with the Common Pipistrelle bats shown here.

 

In these cases they are always roosting in close proximity to each other to maximise thermal insulation and security benefits.

 

Different types of boxes as this one, often house just a single occupant and usually Common or Soprano Pipistrelle’s.

 

Each bat found regardless of number or species are always rewarding and a great boost to our conservation endeavour. 

 

The overall total of bats found reached a record number this year and proves our work is now a significant factor in sustaining and improving local bat populations. It is therefore vitally important that we continue this effort to maintain the improvements achieved to date.

 

The work to achieve this is physically hard….

 

….and relies on the valued support of our team of helpers.

 

Even though the task is a long one and requiring considerable physical effort to visit every woodland and box….

 

….there remains a good spirit amongst members with always a chance to have a little fun, as shown here with our team leader keeping her troops in order.