Saturday, 26 September 2009

Bats at Savernake Forest

Went with Tom to Savernake Forest to go ‘batting’ on a trip led by the Steve Ward. We checked boxes during the day, finding Common Pipistrelle, Brown Long-eared, Noctule, and Natterer’s Bat. In the evening we used mist nets in the evening (until 2am) where we caught mostly Natterer’s, a few Brown Long-eared, and a single Daubenton’s Bat.

Birds in the ancient Oak and Beech woodland included a number of Buzzards, Nuthatches, and Treecreepers. A Red Kite was also seen nearby.

Brown Long-eared BatBrown Long-eared BatPipistrelle Bat Tom by Beech

Tom by Oak
Noctule BatNatterer's BatNatterer's (left hand) and Daubenton's (right hand) Tom and Brown Long-eared Bat

Tom 
Natterer's Bat released by Tom (photo by Mark Hows) Natterer's Bat 
Tom and Brown Long-eared Bat
  
Tom, Steve, and Natterer's BatTom and Natterer's BatTom and Daubenton's Bat

Bats by Tom 
Natterer’s and Daubenton’s Bats by Toms