Bat to the future

Scientist holding bat The Moor than meets the eye Barbastelle Bats project in the Bovey Valley Woods (part of East Dartmmor NNR) is still helping scientists understand more about bats to help with future conservation.

Last year researchers from Bristol University led a bat radio tracking project to look at these rare creatures.

This summer Dr. Orly Razgour, a research fellow from the University of Southampton has started to survey these East Dartmoor bats as part of her European-wide genetic research project on bat responses to global climate change. So far, Dr. Razgour has gathered information on barbastelles from Morocco to Sweden and, for a few nights in August, she brought her survey equipment to the Bovey Valley Woods.

You can read the whole story on our blog eastdartmoorwoods.org

In other bat news

We had hoped to run a Bat walk in the Bovey Valley on Saturday 3^rd September as part of the Dartmoor Walking Festival. Sadly the summer came to a very abrupt end on the Saturday afternoon with torrential rain and strong winds so we decided that in the interests of both bats and humans to cancel the event.

Don’t worry though if you still want to get your bat fix! The Greater Horseshoe Bat Project is running Batfest throughout September– a series of bat related exhibitions, talks and walks across Devon. For more details about these events please visit their website http://devonbatproject.org/events/

Discovering the nature of the Bovey Valley

This project aims to protect and conserve key species, habitats and historic features of the Bovey Valley, part of the East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve. Together with other projects in the scheme it aims to foster deeper understanding and life-long interest in the area’s natural and cultural heritage, and engage local communities in all aspects of management.

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Bat Diary part 6

While the sun descended over Trendlebere Down one August evening a small group of naturalists gathered. Along with Andy Carr, bat researcher from the University of Bristol, Barry Henwood and Bob Heckford brought their specialist knowledge of moths. Andy and his team of volunteers has previously revealed some of the foraging habits of the rare barbastelle bats of the Bovey Valley and now he needs to know more about the range and availability of their food. It’s well known that the bats tend to feed on moths but specific information would require further work. A species list of around 20 night flying moths had previously been produced and needed updating.

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Champions of a miniature world

From a lichen’s perspective the Bovey Valley in East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve is an ideal home. In fact, Hisley Wood is a Site of Special Scientific Interest recognised for its assemblages of lichen, but having legal protection is only part of the story. To sustain these precious and rare species, more information is needed about the local lichen present in the woods. This is where the Lichen Lovers come in-to champion this miniature world. The Lichen Lovers are a group of enthusiastic and committed Devon naturalists who, between them, have a vast knowledge of hundreds of species of lichen and associated woodland wildlife. Their aim is to map their findings for Natural England and the Woodland Trust to develop habitat management plans.

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Last update: 31 Jan 2017 11:17am

Bat to the future

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