Population changes of brown long-eared bats (Plecotus auritus) in bat boxes at Thetford Forest
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Published source details
Boyd I.L. & Stebbings R.E. (1989) Population changes of brown long-eared bats (Plecotus auritus) in bat boxes at Thetford Forest. Journal of Applied Ecology, 26, 101-112.
Published source details Boyd I.L. & Stebbings R.E. (1989) Population changes of brown long-eared bats (Plecotus auritus) in bat boxes at Thetford Forest. Journal of Applied Ecology, 26, 101-112.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Provide bat boxes for roosting bats Action Link |
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Provide bat boxes for roosting bats
A replicated study in 1975–1987 in a mature coniferous forest in Suffolk, UK (Boyd & Stebbings 1989) found that the total population of brown long-eared bats Plecotus auritus (males, females and juveniles) occupying bat boxes doubled over the study period. The number of bats occupying the boxes increased from 73 to 140 bats. A total of 480 bat boxes were installed, but the proportion of boxes occupied is not reported. Bats roosted in the boxes both individually and in clusters of up to 20 bats. Bat boxes (10 x 15 x 15 cm internal dimensions) were constructed from untreated wood and installed in 1975. Two groups of four boxes (each facing north, south, east, and west) were installed on each of 60 trees at a height of 3 or 5 m. In 1984 and 1985, the boxes were redistributed across 10 new sites within the forest. Boxes were checked and bats removed for identification and ringing 2–4 times/year in 1976–1987.
(Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)
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