Bat ‘ouses..

Day 282 #365DaysWild

Bats are too frequently overlooked and they shouldn’t be - they’re fascinating.

20%of all mammal species around the world are bats!!

Our bats come out as dark approaches and as our TV’s go on. We miss ‘em!

They need a plentiful supply of invertebrates …. and places to roost, mate, overwinter and rear their young.

And too frequently our buildings and trees provide insufficient of these living and breeding places.

Bat boxes then come into their own. They can be made from untreated wood or from man made materials. I want lots more bat boxes (or bat ‘ouses as Chris once called them)..

Another strategy is to plunge a chain saw 20-30cm diagonally upwards into standing deadwood. 1-2cm thick gaps ideal. Instant bat gaps!

Boxes are best sited in clusters of boxes to provide lots of choice for bats as the seasons turn and their life cycle demands.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Today, members of Notts Bat Group joined us to

position a bat detector.

John will be back in a fortnight to download the data.