New site: Daubenton's bat maternity colony located
Daubenton's bats Earlier this week three of us went to an undisclosed location in Barnes to assess an area thought to be used by Daubenton's bats. The bats were heard chittering during a survey by two Project officers working for the Friends of Barnes Common. They withdrew until someone with the requisite license could join them. Nineteen bats were counted at three locations, including smaller fluffy individuals deemed to be juveniles. Judging by droppings and staining found elsewhere at the site, the nursery was slightly further to the south. There are not many maternity colonies of this species known in the Greater London area and hopefully we can monitor this roost using thermal cameras and static bat detection equipment. The location is naturally dark and we want to keep it that way by writing to the adjacent landowners. Daubenton's bats require no/low levels of light to move along river corridors to foraging areas and alternative roos...