Results from the last two pip counts

The 6th of July results are a bit weird so any coment would be appreciated! Although the weather was fair; no rain, only a light breeze and 15c, there was quite confusing behaviour. The first bats were already emerging at 9:20 and continued to exit until after dark. The total count however was only 162 bats yet there was still plenty of activity in the roost to be heard. The count on the 14th was more clear cut despite the heavy rain for the first 20 mins. 434 bats were counted out between 9:15 and 10:15 after which the bats began to return and it grew too dark to see.

We still hope to revisit the Long Eared roost in Aug and try to get together for a bit of fun later in the summer so keep your eyes on the blog.
Net

Cwm Rheidol tonight

In theory we are still on for the count tonight, however, I am not aware of anybody wanting to come along. If you are planning on coming, could you please get in touch, otherwise we will have to cancel the count tonight!! We would need at least 3 people, including me!

BCT Bat Worker Bulletin no.31 - 3rd July 2009

1. SNH releases latest bat lyssavirus monitoring result  

The latest results of SNH’s European bat lyssavirus (EBLV) active surveillance programme have been released today. In 2008, EBLV type 2 was detected in a single, live Daubenton’s bat in Perthshire for the first time. A second Natterer’s bat also tested positive for EBLV type 1 antibodies. The presence of antibodies indicates exposure to the virus, but no live EBLV type 1 virus has been found in the UK.  

SNH press release and BCT’s response the finding can be found at:
http://www.snh.org.uk/press/detail.asp?id=2104 and
http://www.bats.org.uk/news.php/54/bct_response_to_the_latest_snh_bat_lyssavirus_monitoring_results.

2. Results from the 08/09 white-nose syndrome surveillance forms 

Thanks to everyone who retuned white nose syndrome forms to Sarah Ford following the 08-09 hibernation checks. We received feedback from 42 bat workers covering 114+ sites around the UK.  

In SW England, we received two separate reports of dead bats with white fungus over the winter season. In both cases, bats were submitted for testing and, in both cases, results where negative (the fungus was not of the genus Geomyces).  White fungus was found on small number of dead bats in isolated cases elsewhere in the country, but the specimens were too decomposed to test. In expert opinion, these cases were very unlikely to have been associated with white-nose syndrome. We still have no confirmed cases of white nose syndrome in the UK or Europe.  

More survey work coming up

Two more counts at Cwm Rheidol are planned for the 6th and 14th July – let me know if you can make it please. aes@aber.ac.uk