Welcome to the second Somerset Bat Group Newsletter of 2024. In this issue its all about Natterer’s:
- A new study report has just been published on a Somerset Natterer’s roost, possibly the largest in the UK.
- A new record number of bats recorded at Keepers Cottage in Harridge Woods reserve.
- Details of other Bat Group events coming up.
- Can you help with …? Recent requests to the Bat Group.
- The latest BCT Bat Group Bulletin which includes news of a change to the Schedule of English Regional Conferences.
- A reminder that it is time for most members to renew their membership.
- Welcome to our new lifetime members.
New report on possibly the largest Natterer’s roost in the UK
A new report has been added to the Reference Library on the SBG website, following a ten year, ongoing, study of a Somerset Natterer’s bat roost by member, Nick Bentley.
An emergence count is carried out each week. Starting at the beginning of April, when bats start to occupy the roost, through to early October, when the last of the bats leave. Graphs, summarising the results are included, and show a very gradual rise in the number of bats over time.
Natterer’s bats are considered of least concern by the IUCN, but BCT states this is a scarce and poorly known species and the UK population is of international importance.
With a peak count of 368 Natterer’s this may be the largest roost in the UK, and probably one of the most studied roosts of any bat species in Somerset. Read all about it below:
Record number of Bats at Keepers Cottage
Recent NBMP roost hibernation counts at Keepers Cottage in Harridge Woods near Shepton Mallet have revealed a new record totals of 21 bats in residence, mostly Natterer’s.
There were 15 Natterer’s, 2 lesser horseshoe 3 brown long-eared and one “mystery bat”. Deep in a crevice, all that could be seen was a patch of dark looking fur on a medium sized bat.
One of the brown long-eared was back in it’s favourite milk bottle roost, another in the wooden stair box, whilst the new spot was in the west loft in a crevice above the fireplace.
Returning later in the week, there were still 21 bats, but a greater horseshoe had arrived in the west top loft and another lesser in the cellar. A Natterer’s and brown long-eared had left. It’s unusual to see a greater using Keeper’s at all during the classic “Hibernation period”, we haven’t seen a greater between November-March for at least the past 5 years. It has been an unusual year, with a BLE and Greater using the top loft this week, which we never usually find bats in during January… perhaps a side effect of the changing weather?
Fortunately the “mystery bat” had shuffled around slightly, enabling a clearer photo, and a better look and more certain ID of a long-eared.
Upcoming Bat Group Events
There are lots of events planned, come along and get involved!
- Dec’23 to Mar’24 – NBMP Winter Hibernation Counts
- Thurs 22nd Feb’24 7.30PM – Zoom Talk – Emma Stone, Bath Uni
- Sat 23rd Mar’24 – SBG visit to Heal rewilding
- Sun 21st April ’24 – Edford Bat Box Checks
- BAT GROUP AGM – Sat 27th APRIL 2024 2PM
- Sun 5th May ’24 – Harridge Bat Box Checks
- Sun 12th May ’24 – Great Breach and Ham Wall Bat Box Checks
- Fri 17th May – Highbridge Big Bat Count
- Sat 25th May ’24 – Levels Bat Box Checks
For details on how to join these events please see the Upcoming Events page on our website: https://somersetbat.group/events/upcoming/
Can you help with …?
The bat group receives far more requests for help, than the committee can do. Hence please do let us know if you think you could help out with these recent requests: somersetbatgroup@gmail.com
- A member between Chard and Wellington would like help to find a bat friendly building or roofing contractor. They say “I’m trying to find someone to do some repairs. I’ve tried a number of companies, but following the mention of bats I never hear from them again!” Can you help them with a local recommendation?
Bat group bulletin
The latest BCT Bat Group Bulletin which includes news of a change to the Schedule of English Regional Conferences.
All past editions of the Bulletin can be found on this page of our website:
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL time.
It’s the time of the year to think about membership of the bat group. There are currently:
- 74 members who last paid membership in 2023, and can renew now.
- 36 ex.members who last paid membership in 2022, and we would welcome them to re-join.
We will send an email to each member detailing your current membership status, so please check your inbox (and spam).
It costs just £5 per household to rejoin the bat group (free for students/unwaged), and your renewed membership would then run until our April 2025 AGM, on 26/4/25.
For regular members, you might like to consider taking out lifetime membership, which is just £50 per household.
Please pay your membership subs by BaCs or Paypal then complete our online membership form to update your information. Full details on our website: https://somersetbat.group/join/
Welcome to our new Lifetime members
The group would like to warmly welcome the following members who have taken up lifetime membership in the last month:
- SBG0014 – Caroline
- SBG0015 – Liz
- SBG0016 – Ronan
- SBG0017 – Nicholas
- SBG0018 – Max
- SBG0019 – Dave
- SBG0020 – Belinda