In this bat group newsletter, we have:
- A reminder of membership renewal.
- A bumper set of reports from all the batty events held recently.
- Details of the bat group events coming up soon.
- The latest edition of the Bat Group bulletin includes news of the publication of the latest NBMP report, and news of the EU retained law bill.
- Welcome to our new Lifetime members of the Bat Group
Membership Renewal.
If you last filled in your annual membership form in 2022, a reminder that your subscription to the bat group lapsed at our recent AGM, and you are no longer a member of the Bat Group.
If that is the case please complete our membership form to rejoin now: https://somersetbat.group/join/
Reports from recent Bat Group Events
Fri 12th May – Frome Big Bat Count
A large group of nearly 40 people met in Frome Town Hall for a somewhat cold night of bat counting. A total of 101 bats were recorded, with Soprano and Common Pipistrelle being the most common. Several Noctule were heard, along with a possible 6 other species which will need more verification.
Full results are in iNaturalist.
Fri 19th May – Buckland St Mary Big Bat Count
A superb turnout for our first rural count of the year. Approx 25 people across 7 teams recorded 148 bats across 12 auto-Ided species.
A huge thank you to all who came along, and especially to Jolyon and Jo for the hosting and warm welcome.
Common Pipistrelle and Noctule were the most frequently recorded, with the first Nocule being seen 3 minutes before sunset near the church.
Serotine was also common, but there were three exciting species all with over a dozen sightings
- Leisler’s
- Barbastelle
- Nathusius Pipistrelle.
Obviously, all three will need more verification before they can be confirmed. This also applies to the other species recorded:
- Brown Long-Eared
- Soprano Pipistrelle
- Bechstein’s
- Whiskered
- Brandt’s
- Daubenton’s
The full results can be viewed in iNaturalist
SAT 20TH MAY – GT.BREACH AND HAM WALL BAT BOX CHECKS
Josh reports “We had a good day at Meath Heath Loxtons Plot, with a colony of Natterers and Daubentons. Not as many pips elsewhere though – 1 at Great Breach and a few across Ham Wall.”
Paul reported: “The Daubs didn’t disappoint at least, the only site in Somerset where we get Daubentons using boxes. And a suprise box of Natterers next to them too! Some Adder’s Tongue, a few tit nests completed the long hot day.”
SUN 21ST MAY – HARRIDGE BAT BOX CHECKS
Adel reports: “A great day for checking the Bat Boxes in Harridge. Not many bats have found the boxes in their new locations yet, but 7 Brown Long-eared were using one of the older 1FF’s.
Keepers Cottage did have 2 Lesser and 1 Greater Horseshoe, to make up for it.
Many thanks to those who came to help!”
SAT 27TH MAY – LEVELS BAT BOX CHECKS
Paul reports: “A relaxed amble around Canada Farm, Shapwick and Catcott reserve. It’s May so Catcott delivered it’s usual Natterers box with pups, well grown by now. More tit nests and a nice Southern Marsh Orchid hybrid to boot.
SUN 28TH MAY – EDFORD BAT BOX CHECKS
Andy reports: “Another great day for checking the bat boxes in Edford Woods, and many thanks to everyone for the help putting up new boxes.
Only birds nests were found in the Edford boxes, but 26 Greaters in Wadbury bat house were a great compensation.”
Bat Group events coming up!
There are lots of events planned for the summer, come along and get involved!:
- Late May to early July – NBMP Roost emergence surveys
- Sat 8th July – Castle Cary Big Bat Count
- Fri 14th July – Drayton Big Bat Count
- August – NBMP Waterways Surveys
- Wed 2nd Aug – Kingsdon Big Bat Count
- Fri 18th Aug – Yeovil Big Bat Count
- Tues 22nd Aug – Wells Bat walk for WDWG
- Weds 23rd Aug – Frome Big Bat Count
- Thur 24th Aug – Charlton Mackrell Big Bat Count
- Sat 26th Aug – International Bat Night – Bridgewater Big Bat Count and Walk
For details on how to join these events please see the Upcoming Events page on our website: https://somersetbat.group/events/upcoming/
Bat group bulletin
The latest edition includes news of the publication of the latest NBMP report, and news of the EU retained law bill.
Welcome to our new Lifetime members
At our recent AGM, we agreed that we would offer lifetime membership of the Somerset Bat Group. Lifetime membership numbers are now been to issued members in order of payment of their £50 lifetime membership fee.
The group would like to welcome the following Lifetime members:
- SBG 0001 – Lucy
- SBG 0002 – Helen W
- SBG 0003 – Edward
- SBG 0004 – Helen H
Thank you all for becoming lifetime members!