Bat
Group
We have recently had two unusual bat species
picked up while grounded with injuries. The first, another barbastelle, found
on a fire engine in Camborne, may have been a traffic accident. This species lives
mainly in cracks and splits in trees and is very difficult to find. We have no
known roosts in Cornwall, although they probably breed here. This is the farthest
record west. |
The second was
a Nathusius' pipistrelle found in a corn bin at Varfell, Ludgvan. This is the
fourth Cornish record. The status of this species is still unclear in Britain.
It is thought to be mainly an autumn or winter migrant from the continent, although
recently two breeding colonies have been located: one in Lincolnshire and one
in Northern Ireland. |
Apart from these, it was also good to see
two male noctules using a bat box at the Trust's Armstrong Wood reserve in October.
Bat boxes are ideal for seeing bats that are rarely found in houses, and a wide
range of species will use them. You will be less likely to have them occupied
than bird boxes but it is well worth putting small groups of boxes in any area
of woodland.
Daniel Eva
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