Bat detector, taken by Charlotte Timerick |
Our second visit took place two weekends later. This time we had lost Lisa but gained two new volunteers, therefore enabling us to spread out and cover more possible exit points to the roost. After a quick search of window ledges, which revealed evidence of bat droppings, we settled down facing two sections of the building. Five minutes after sunset, our first bat emerged from close to the previously identified exit point. This was the only bat to emerge from this side of the building. Five minutes later, two Pipistrelles emerged together from the second section of the building, proving that our identification of other exit points had been successful. These were the last bats to emerge from this roost.
We will return again next year, to see whether the use of the roost remains limited to lone individuals or becomes much busier.
By Sam Devine-Turner
National Bat Monitoring Programme (NBMP)
Bat numbers in the UK have declined dramatically over the last century. The NBMP aims to monitor the numbers of bats and help work towards establishing a stable population. To find out how you can participate in the programme or to find out more about these amazing flying mammals, please click on the following link: http://www.bats.org.uk/pages/nbmp.html.