BAT SURVEYING IN THE THAMES VALLEY GIVEN A BOOST!
Northmoor Trust set to aid the protection of important bat species through new funding.
The Northmoor Trust has secured funds to purchase state-of-the-art bat surveying equipment designed to add to local population data and aid the protection of bats within the Thames Valley.
The Northmoor Trust, who promote the link between land, people and ecology, will be embarking upon a bat survey across its 300ha estate.
In partnership with Oxfordshire Bat Group, the aim is to engage volunteers who will be trained to use the recording equipment. The monitoring will begin in early summer 2007 and will take place on an annual basis between May and September. Groups of around 10 individuals will have the opportunity to join our Bat Survey Co-ordinator on fortnightly recording activities. If you would like to be involved with bat surveying, you can get in touch using our contact form.
Bat Monitoring
Locally based special interest groups will be invited to take part and see at first-hand the work underway. The Trust is also keen for groups to make use of the equipment, should they wish to undertake surveys within their own locality. The data collected can identify the conservation needs of the UK’s species, show rapid declines, inform conservation policy and ensure resources are directed where most needed. Volunteers across the country have been recording activity since 1996.
UK bat species in decline
The UK has 17 native species of bat, and due to a dramatic decrease in populations over the last 60 years, all remaining species are now protected by law. The Bat Conservation Trust highlights the importance of monitoring populations across a range of habitats, in order to track changes. The data collected elsewhere has already mapped changes in population and is helping to indicate whether these are long-term trends or short-term fluctuations.
Young People's involvement with monitoring
The Northmoor Trust will continue to engage young people through its existing Countryside Stewardship programme, many of whom have helped to construct the bat boxes located on the estate. The project will enable us to explain the techniques of the recording process and for the pupils to learn about the importance of monitoring our native species.
This state-of-the-art equipment will enable detailed and accurate population surveys, be user-friendly and will help train new Northmoor Trust volunteers. The project has been made possible through funding from the John Spedan Lewis Foundation, South Oxfordshire District Council, Thames Valley Environmental Records Centre and Natural England.
Mike Rogers, the Northmoor Trust’s ornithologist, says “Ever since bats started to use the nest boxes on our site, I have been fascinated by these little creatures. Little is know about bats, but with the help of local volunteers and the new equipment, we will begin to learn a lot more.“
Dominic Lamb, Countryside Officer for South Oxfordshire District Council, added "Bats are some of our most elusive mammals, yet they are often associated very closely with the places we live and work. The surveys that will be carried out with this new equipment will be vital in helping us to understand more about where they live and what the populations are like around Little Wittenham".
