The reserves currently with bat boxes include Chew Valley and Blagdon Lake (Bristol Water), Folly Farm & Brown's Folly (Avon Wildlife Trust), Conham River Park, Bickely Wood & Golden Valley nature reserve (South Gloucestershire Council) and Eastwood Farm (Bristol City Council), all of which are fantastic sites in their own right and a host to wider range of wildlife in addition to bats.
To date eight species have been recorded roosting on these reserves, with six having been recorded in boxes and many more using the sites. The species recorded include some fascinating rarities: greater and lesser horseshoe, Bechstein's, Natterer's, noctule, brown long-eared as well as common and soprano pipistrelle.
Checks are usually undertaken once a month in April, May, August, September and October. If you are a member and haven't been out on one of these checks, get in touch with Jim or Laura the bat box co-ordinators and you will soon have a chance to attend one of these events and try your hand at identifying, sexing and ageing bats in the
field face to face.
If you are not a member, just a reminder that membership is only £5 per household per year – a bargain price for all the events and training run by the group.
ABG strongly recommends that anyone handling bats wears suitable gloves and is vaccinated against rabies. Further information on this can be obtained from the group.
To get involved email: Box Check Coordinator