Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project
Due to their nocturnal activity and special status as the only flying mammal, bats have sometimes received a less than flattering representation in fiction. However if you have always wanted to know a bit more about these fascinating mammals then now is your chance to take part in a bat survey, become a Bat Champion or visit your local mobile West Devon Bat Beacon.
The five-year Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat project aims to work with landowners and communities to promote a better understanding of bat- friendly environments, enhance knowledge of the UK bat population and conserve and restore habitats, including 11 priority bat roosts. The project is being led by Devon Wildlife Trust, in a partnership of 19 organisations and is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The greater horseshoe bat is named after itshorseshoe shaped nose 'leaf', used as part of the bat's echolocation system distinctive horseshoe shaped nose 'leaf' which is used as part of its echolocation system. Unfortunately the species has declined by up to 90% in the last 100 years in North West Europe so that it is now extinct in the Netherlands and there are only very isolated populations in much of Europe. Its UK range has also declined by 50% but Devon remains one of three main 'hubs' along with Pembrokeshire and the Mendips/ Southern Cotswolds, and has the largest maternity roost in northern Europe with more than 2000 bats, representing a third of the UK population. Ed Parr Ferris, project manager explained that previous work with landowners has proved very successful in building up the population and the current schedule aims to raise the profile of the bats in local communities, ensuring they have a sustainable future beyond the completion of the project.
So why is Devon the 'des res' for one of the UK's largest bats?
The lumpy Devon landscape is perfect for greater horseshoe bats because it provides everything the discerning bat is looking for - the wildflower meadows and sheltered woodlands offer an all-weather menu of food options while the presence of cows ensures a continuous supply of their staple requirement of dung beetles; vast networks of mines and caves provide the right accommodation for winter hibernation while cosy barns are the perfect birthing place for mothers-to-be; and finally the ubiquitous Devon hedges mean that the bats have no trouble navigating from A to B.
How can people get involved in the project?
Tamar Valley AONB will be organising a number of activities for volunteers to take part in. You can also visit the new Bat Beacon information centre as it travels around the area – keep an eye out for it at a venue near you from September. If you would like to take part in the Devon Bat Survey (April-Oct 31st) visit the website and apply to borrow a static bat detector for a few days from a local centre. Just put it out in the countryside near you - after you return it the results will be analysed to find out which bats were detected and you will receive a copy of the results.
How are landowners helping bats?
The project is running a number of workshops for farmers and landowners to help them improve and conserve bat-friendly landscape features as well as give advice on effective parasite management which is beneficial for both cattle and bats. The project team is also carrying out one-to-one farm visits to discuss access to stewardship schemes and capital works programmes to help farmers make long-term improvements to their land.
How are schools and communities getting involved?
The project team is currently working with a number of schools to help organise ‘bat’ related activities to improve the children’s understanding of a bat-friendly environment – there is also an accreditation scheme to recognise the work schools are doing such as planting projects and spreading the word about bats.
Whole communities can also get involved in helping to create bat-friendly ‘pockets’ by reducing lighting, planting wild flowers, community orchards and woodland areas. Starter packs and grants are available for interested communities to assist in buying gardening equipment or setting up roosts. It is hoped that the project will create a series of pockets that bats can travel through in the important areas where they roost and feed including the Tamar Valley, the Avon Valley, Berry Head, Branscombe, Bovey Tracey, and Southleigh.
For more information visit http://devonbatproject.org