Bats may save the day!

Extract from report on recent bat survey- sept 07,this is very important as the law was changed August 21 this year to protect the habitats of all British bats and not just their roosts Regulation 39- a person commits an offence if he deliberately disturbs any European Protected Species in such a way as to be likely to affect the ability of any significant group of such animals to survive, breed, or rear their young

‘As soon as the survey commenced two bats were seen and heard (I was using a bat detector which picks up the ultra-sound signals that bats emit) which were probably whiskered bats (Myotis mystacinus). Soon after this another 4 or 5 bats, probably of the same species, were detected. At least 3 other bats, probably Common Pipistrelles ( Pipistrellus pipistrellus) were detected. A total of at least 10 bats were observed . This is a high level of bat activity considering the time of the year and it is thought that this field is an important habitat for foraging bats. Whiskered bats are relatively uncommon in south-west Lancashire and our bat group has only 3 records of the roosts of this species in this area.

All bats are protected by law under the Wildlife and Countryside act of 1981 and its amendments in 1985. All British species of bats are further covered as European protected species under the Conservation (Natural Habitats, & c) Regulations 1994 and its amendments 2007. In my opinion the conversion of this field into a giant greenhouse would have a deleterious effect on the bat populations in this area, since it would deprive them of an area which is rich in foraging opportunities.’

Charles Liggett M.I.Biol. C.Biol.
Merseyside and West Lancashire Bat Group