Roost Monitoring

A core objective of BaTML is to locate, protect and monitor any bat roosts found within the survey area. The directional information obtained from the Habitat Use Profiling Model helps us to establish the likely locations of bat roosts. We have been able to begin to develop a picture of where we think the major roost sites are. As importantly we are also able to eliminate long stretches of canal as probably not holding a significant roost. It should be noted, however, that all sections of the canal are used by foraging/commuting bats.

Our ongoing work involves various methods and areas of research which, when brought together, help us build a much stronger picture as to how the bats in this area are interacting with their habitat.

We are involved with the following areas of study, sometimes in conjunction with other researchers who have similar areas of interest:-

• Harp Trapping bats as they leave their roost, thus allowing bats to be properly identified along with gathering additional data.
• Ringing of bats in order to establish longer-term information about individuals, including foraging behaviour and roost usage.

We have already discovered a number of previously unknown roosts that have now been protected. As a result of this activity we have also been able to show that there are at least 5 species of bat present in the area, all of which have been found roosting.

If you are aware of any bat roosts in close proximity to the canal please contact us.