Scotland is home to ten different species of bat. How do they use woodlands in Dumfries & Galloway and how can a bat box help?
On Saturday 16th August we will be hosting a bat evening at the Bennel Wood ‘Woodland Laboratory’ site, near Dalbeattie. The event will include a short walk around the site discussing bats, their likes and dislikes. This will be a multi-sensory experience and an opportunity to use bat detectors to reveal how bats echolocate in the dark.
We'll then turn our attention to the topic of bat boxes. The Species on the Edge project has been working with Dalbeattie Men's Shed team to make a batch of bat boxes. We'll be putting the finishing touches to these boxes on site and then attendees get to take one box away with them for install at home.
We will also provide further information on how to hang your box and how to complete a sunset bat survey.
When considering whether you have space for a bat box, the best things to aim for are:
• A location (tree or building) that is sheltered from the wind but unshaded for most of the day (SW to SE aspect).
• Away from artificial light sources such as streetlights, which bats can find disturbing.
• Some good foraging habitat nearby, such as trees and hedgerows.
• The box must be erected at least 3m high.
Event logistics:
Please bring a torch and wear suitable outdoor clothing.
The walk will be less than 2 miles in total length, with frequent stops.
There is no toilet at Bennel Wood (not by August, there will be one soon though!)
Event venue is a recently clearfelled site, the walk will be on unmade paths. hazards.
This event is a partnership between Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands and Species on the Edge.
Dumfries & Galloway Woodlands a membership organisation established to support trees, habitats and the people that depend upon them in the region. For more information, visit www.dgwoodlands.org.uk or follow us on social media.
For more information about Species on the Edge, visit https://speciesontheedge.co.uk/.
Image: Brown long-eared bat (c) Hugh Clark