Designing a new access point for lesser horseshoe bats, Gloucestershire, UK
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Published source details
Reason P.F. (2017) Designing a new access point for lesser horseshoe bats, Gloucestershire, UK. Conservation Evidence, 14, 52-57.
Published source details Reason P.F. (2017) Designing a new access point for lesser horseshoe bats, Gloucestershire, UK. Conservation Evidence, 14, 52-57.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Relocate access points to bat roosts within developments Action Link |
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Relocate access points to bat roosts within developments
A before-and-after study in 1993–2016 of one building development in the UK (Reason 2017) found that an alternative access point with a ‘straight’ design resulted in an increase in lesser horseshoe bats Rhinolophus hipposideros using the basement of the building as a roost, but an access point with a ‘bend’ resulted in a decrease in bats re-entering the roost. Up to 35 bats were counted emerging from the roost prior to the installation of an alternative access point. After installation of the access point with a ‘bend’ in 2000, a similar number of bats exited the roost (data not reported), but only two were observed re-entering. In 2001, the access point was modified to a ‘straight’ design and the number of bats using the roost increased over a 15-year period (2002: 27 bats; 2016: 416 bats). The ‘bend’ design consisted of a 90° turn at the base of a short vertical shaft and was in place for 11 months. The ‘straight’ design consisted of a sloped chute enclosing the original flight route with a clear flight line into the roost. The building was a large manor house converted into a hotel in 2000–2001. Counts of emerging bats were carried out at least once/year between May and July in 1993–2000. Emergence and re-entry counts were carried out three times/year in 2000–2001. Biennial counts were carried out in July in 2002–2016.
(Summarised by: Anna Berthinussen)
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