Page 12 - August 2016 WN complete final version
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souf tmhemer night
Still summer evenings offer the best chance
of catching a glimpse of darting bats as they
head out to feed. And as BBOWT’s bat expert
Karen Haysom explains, these awe-inspiring
mammals deserve our support.
Small, brown, fast-moving or transport the seeds of among existing spaces such as preservation of landscape
and active in the dark – features and the natural
all reasons why for too tropical fruits, or produce gaps behind cladding or tiles. connections between
many years people have them vital.
misunderstood or even feared natural fertiliser for crops. Brown long-eared bats
these fascinating creatures A boost for bats
that live so close to us yet have Some, like the millions of roost along ridge beams in
such hidden lives. BBOWT helps bats by
Mexican free-tailed bats lofts. This species is so quiet establishing and managing
Now, thanks to modern hedgerows, planting
technology and the dedication of Austin, Texas, are even a we call them ‘whispering native species, maintaining
of the many biologists and wetlands and retaining dead
bat-loving volunteers, we major tourist attraction. But bats’; sometimes they are or damaged wood, which
know that these marvellous are potentially important
mammals play essential roles you don’t have to travel far guests for years without being for bat roosts or food for
in ecosystems, even bringing invertebrates. These are all
benefits to people. to experience the excitement discovered. In summer, females things you can do in your
garden (see box, right).
Bats are not blind but use of watching bats for yourself group together in ‘maternity
echolocation to make a ‘sound All our nature reserves
picture’ of the world around because “The best hunting roosts’ to give support bats, though some
them. By using bat detectors BBOWT’s grounds are birth to single are especially notable because
we can eavesdrop on these nature young. The they are great sites to watch
high-frequency calls. Equally them on bat walks, or they
remarkable is the fact that bats reserves are often sites with mothers then host studies to improve our
are the only mammals capable havens for abundant trees, leave their understanding of bat ecology.
of powered flight. these magical shrubs and water” babies in the Some reserves support rare
mammals. nursery while and vulnerable species.
Around the world there
are more than 1,100 species, Home to roost they go out to Finemere Wood in
including some that help Buckinghamshire, a remnant
control insect pests, pollinate feed at night, returning later to of the royal hunting forest
There are 17 species of bat suckle their baby on milk.
living and breeding in the The best hunting grounds
UK. All of them eat insects are often sites with abundant
and other invertebrates, so trees, shrubs and water – all
no vampires here! Around places rich in insects, like
your house or garden you are our nature reserves. To get
most likely to find common or there, bats often commute
soprano pipistrelles, or brown along natural corridors such
long-eared bats. These roost as hedgerows, treelines
(shelter or rest) in buildings and waterways. This makes
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