Bat Walk Cannon Hill Common 23.9.23

 

                                   Ancient Oak



 

There was a good turn out for the bat walk on Saturday evening (23.9.23). Three species were recorded on bat detection equipment: 

  • Common Pipistrelle bat,
  • Soprano Pipistrelle bat, and
  • Nathusius’ Pipistrelle bat.


The activity was slightly down on previous years, but we were still able to see:

  • foraging bats in the old orchard,
  • commuting bats along the tree lines, and 
  • detect many social calls at the end of the evening by the lake.


The lower activity level was surprising due to the warm evening temperature, lack of wind and at a time of year when bats normally require stocking up on food for the colder months ahead.

We had a good discussion on the problems faced by bats with climate change, light pollution, insect loss and loss of habitat.


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