WO - we checked. There are no bats roosting in our barn and I've been in touch with the RSPB and had a visit form some Swift experts about how to leave suitable space for birds such as owls and swifts plus inviting swallows and house martins to set up home when the walls are finished.
In the house part, we have sectioned off the corners of the attics at the eaves so birds can nest in peace behind the guttering and now have a colony of sparrows and tits who live there all year round, produce 2 or 3 broods a year and have conferences in the hedges we've planted when they're not hoovering up aphids and caterpillars in my garden. I have a large pond and try and grow flowers to attract a variety of insects and all that's working well.
Just not with the bats.
Nut, I hope the lurgy clears soon.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
I wasn't getting at you; you know how to attract wildlife, but there are many people who don't get the connection.
Which of these forums was it that had a post asking what to do about a blackthorn hedge attracting bees and other insects, and how to get rid of it? Because it was annoying !!
It's OK. I didn't feel got at. I was surprised we had no bats roosting or birds nesting in the barn but it does at least mean we're not disturbing any wildlife with the renovations and when it's all done there'll be nesting boxes and ledges to try and attract birds and bats.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
I just wanted to add that if you don't already, it's really helpful to let your local biological records office have any bat (or any other) records you have collected, so that they can be aware if any future planning applications come in, and most of all so populations can be monitored.
My garden is right next to a site of special scientific and biological interest so there is a list of all the vertebrates and invertebrates and flroa to be found. Most of the birds listed actually feed in my garden and many of the insects too and invertebrates live and feed here too. No bats on the list though they also don't list all the birds I see.
The list was complied by th elocal eclology and conservation group so I might just join and get them to do another one from my garden instead of the boggy pasture and wood and scrub land next door.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Hi Pipistrelle, love the name. Yes,we have a good colony. haven't seen many yet this year though and wonder if the long hard winter has affected them. There are a few long eared about the garden as well, we find evidence of feeding in the summerhouse.
Saw pips flasing past the window yesterday evening as they left the roost under the fascia boards. They are about! The earliest I have seen them was on a February evening a couple of years ago. But not this year.
Thanks, nutcutlet. Yours made me smile . The ongoing colder weather does delay their waking from hibernation and in theory the longer the hibernation, the more energy is used and the greater the risk of them not waking up at all, or not being in as good condition when they do. I think the biggest risk is them waking a little too early and there not being enough insect prey around. Waking uses up a burst of energy. I've heard the odd pip over the last few nights but I know that our pre survey training session isn't happening as early as planned because the bats were not around when the session was being organised.
Hi obelixx, if you can put up more than one bat box and place them at different orientations (see BCT web site) then that will increase the likelihood of them using your garden as a roost site.
Posts
WO - we checked. There are no bats roosting in our barn and I've been in touch with the RSPB and had a visit form some Swift experts about how to leave suitable space for birds such as owls and swifts plus inviting swallows and house martins to set up home when the walls are finished.
In the house part, we have sectioned off the corners of the attics at the eaves so birds can nest in peace behind the guttering and now have a colony of sparrows and tits who live there all year round, produce 2 or 3 broods a year and have conferences in the hedges we've planted when they're not hoovering up aphids and caterpillars in my garden. I have a large pond and try and grow flowers to attract a variety of insects and all that's working well.
Just not with the bats.
Nut, I hope the lurgy clears soon.
I wasn't getting at you; you know how to attract wildlife, but there are many people who don't get the connection.
Which of these forums was it that had a post asking what to do about a blackthorn hedge attracting bees and other insects, and how to get rid of it? Because it was annoying !!
It's OK. I didn't feel got at. I was surprised we had no bats roosting or birds nesting in the barn but it does at least mean we're not disturbing any wildlife with the renovations and when it's all done there'll be nesting boxes and ledges to try and attract birds and bats.
I just wanted to add that if you don't already, it's really helpful to let your local biological records office have any bat (or any other) records you have collected, so that they can be aware if any future planning applications come in, and most of all so populations can be monitored.
Nutcutlet your roost sounds like a significant maternity roost, you lucky thing!
My garden is right next to a site of special scientific and biological interest so there is a list of all the vertebrates and invertebrates and flroa to be found. Most of the birds listed actually feed in my garden and many of the insects too and invertebrates live and feed here too. No bats on the list though they also don't list all the birds I see.
The list was complied by th elocal eclology and conservation group so I might just join and get them to do another one from my garden instead of the boggy pasture and wood and scrub land next door.
Hi Pipistrelle, love the name. Yes,we have a good colony. haven't seen many yet this year though and wonder if the long hard winter has affected them. There are a few long eared about the garden as well, we find evidence of feeding in the summerhouse.
In the sticks near Peterborough
Saw pips flasing past the window yesterday evening as they left the roost under the fascia boards. They are about! The earliest I have seen them was on a February evening a couple of years ago. But not this year.
Thanks, nutcutlet. Yours made me smile
. The ongoing colder weather does delay their waking from hibernation and in theory the longer the hibernation, the more energy is used and the greater the risk of them not waking up at all, or not being in as good condition when they do. I think the biggest risk is them waking a little too early and there not being enough insect prey around. Waking uses up a burst of energy. I've heard the odd pip over the last few nights but I know that our pre survey training session isn't happening as early as planned because the bats were not around when the session was being organised.
Hi obelixx, if you can put up more than one bat box and place them at different orientations (see BCT web site) then that will increase the likelihood of them using your garden as a roost site.