Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2012

COUNTRY LIFE xxxxxx Brown long-eared This medium-sized bat with long ears roosts in roof spaces in older buildings, barns, churches and trees, usually in villages and rural towns near woodland. Predominately a woodland bat, it feeds under the canopy of open deciduous trees and coniferous woodland on dung flies, grasshoppers, moths and nut weevils. It is found across the British Isles, but is becoming rare in the far north of Scotland. Grey long-eared This medium-sized bat with long ears is much rarer than its ‘brown’ cousin. It roosts in houses in lightly wooded areas and feeds by gleaning prey from trees and taking moths in mid-air. It is found only in Dorset, Sussex, south Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Bechstein’s A medium-sized bat, this species roosts in tree holes and cracks in old trees. It feeds in woodland and prefers to hunt in a coppice canopy for moths and flies. It was thought to be extremely rare; in 1986 the author recorded only the 60th British record for this species when he extracted a Bechstein’s skull from a barn owl pellet. These days it is found more commonly, but is still restricted to southern England with a stronghold in Sussex, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Bechstein’s are recorded at a number of locations in 90 www.visitislandlife.com the New Forest and it has been found at St Lawrence Undercliff Woods reserve on the Island. Barbastelle One of Britain’s rarest mammals, this medium-sized bat with black, glossy fur frequents wooded riverside habitats. It feeds on moths and other insects in the woodland canopy and hedgerows within 200m of water. Barbastelles are found in southern England and south Wales. This species has been recorded at the Wildlife Trust’s St Lawrence Undercliff Woods reserve. Greater horseshoe This is one of Britain’s largest bat species and is restricted to south-west England and Wales, but known from Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. It roosts in old buildings, caves and disused tunnels and feeds along hedges and woodland edges on large prey including beetles, such as cockchafers and dung beetles, and moths. The foot-and-mouth outbreak reduced the numbers of dung beetles, which had a profound effect on the numbers of greater horseshoe bats. With roost disturbance and loss of permanent pasture too, this species has declined by 90% in the past 100 years. Where to see bats Bats are best seen in the summer, around water bodies, such as large ponds, canals and slow moving rivers, and along well-lit rural roads in villages and small towns. Bats are strictly nocturnal, so do take care when looking for them at night near water. To find out more about bats and how you can help, visit the Bat Conservation Trust's website at www. bats.org.uk and discover the many ways you can get involved to do your bit for bats! The free National Bat Helpline can be reached on 0845 1300 228. The Wildlife Trust runs many events and guided walks throughout the year and you can find full details in the Wildlife Trust’s Events Diary and at www.hwt.org.uk/ events.php If you are interested in finding out more about all the mammals found throughout the counties why not join our species group, more details can be found at www. hwt.org.uk/pages/about-us2-speciesgroups-745.html

Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2012 | Page 90