Bat brigade: Volunteers needed to monitor Midlands mammals
23 July 2010
A call has gone out for real-life bat men and women interested in monitoring the bat populations across the Midlands canal network.
A field survey of various bat species has been organised on Tuesday 27th July at Stewponey near Stourbridge to give bat buffs the opportunity to accompany a British Waterways ecologist as he searches for some of our most elusive and fascinating creatures.
Those attending will have the chance to look for several different species including Serotine, Noctule and Pipistrelle bats as they fly overhead searching for food.
The walk, which will last approximately one hour, will take place along the towpath of the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal as well as nearby woodlands. The ecologist will use a special bat detector to identify the distinctive ultra-sonic noises that each species make as they hunt for insects.
The findings from the survey will be fed into the Bat Conservation Trust’s National Bat Monitoring Programme (NBMP). The surveys will help inform conservation management for the remaining population by helping to identify trends, species distribution and population dynamics.
The field surveys have to be completed by more experienced bat surveyors but, for those wanting the opportunity to complete NBMP surveys of their own, training is also set to take place in the coming weeks to give them the skills to do so during August. The training will enable them to complete NBMP waterway surveys which are more suitable for those with less experience of carrying out such monitoring.
The waterway survey focuses on just one species of bat, the Daubenton’s bat, and the course will introduce those taking part to the techniques used to identify the bat’s calls as they skim over the water searching for food. Locations for the training will be finalised according to demand and, once completed, those taking part will be able to adopt existing survey sites or to set up new ones near their local canal. It is hoped that those taking part in the training will be able to use their new found knowledge to form small groups responsible for surveying their own sections of canal or reservoirs each year.
British Waterways ecologist, Paul Wilkinson, said; “Canals and rivers are great places to spot wildlife at any time of the day and I’m looking forward to people joining me on the survey at Stewponey. The survey is incredibly important as it will help to conserve these precious animals but it’s also a great excuse for a healthy walk and an opportunity to see other nocturnal wildlife such as badgers, foxes and owls. Hopefully after seeing these fascinating creatures people will want to know more about how they can get involved in completing surveys on their local canal”.
Dr Kate Barlow, Development Manager for BCT’s National Bat Monitoring Programme, said, “By taking part in surveys volunteers are contributing to a conservation programme of national importance. The information gathered by volunteers is used by the Bat Conservation Trust, government and scientists to see how bats and our environment are faring.”
For wildlife spotting at any hour British Waterways runs an annual wildlife survey encouraging families to record sightings of all wildlife they see on the waterways. As part of the survey British Waterways is also running a photography competition for adults and children, with prizes of up to £100 available. To find out more and to download a wildlife survey guide, visit www.waterscape.com/wildlifesurvey.
Details of the initial training courses are:
The field survey at Stewponey takes place on 27th July 2010 at 21.15 to 23.00pm
For more information or to enquire about taking part in training for waterway surveys contact Paul Wilkinson on 01827 252000 or paul.wilkinson@britishwaterways.co.uk
ENDS
For further press information please contact:
Stephen Hardy, British Waterways Communications Manager (Midlands) on 07920 077190 or email stephen.hardy@britishwaterways.co.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS:
British Waterways cares for 2,200 miles of the nation's canals and rivers. Rich in heritage, abundant in British Waterways (BW) is the guardian of 2,200 miles of historic canals, rivers and docks in England, Scotland and Wales. The 200-year old network, one of the finest examples of industrial heritage in the world, comprises the country’s third largest collection of listed structures and a wealth of important urban and rural habitats that support a variety of familiar and endangered wildlife.
The waterways are busier than ever, attracting over 13 million people each year for walking, cycling, angling, boating or simply for peace and relaxation. BW works with local communities, businesses and councils to unlock the potential of the waterways to benefit waterside areas and to secure the funds needed to maintain and repair the system.
BW is a public corporation responsible to Defra and to the Scottish Government. It has proposed moving the waterway network out of direct state control and into the third sector as a way of giving stakeholders a greater role in the running of their local canal or river and opening up new funding streams.
www.britishwaterways.co.uk