Update on fat Batty the Bat

Hi all,

I think you all know that I've had a small and very fluffy little pip staying with me over the winter. He arrived sick and thin in the middle of December but now, I'm glad to tell you, he is as fat as butter, has a lovely glossy coat and a roll of fat around his neck like a lions mane - he eats up to 25 meal worm a night! In order to get him fit for release I've been giving him flying lessons over the last few evenings. He flits off my hand and does about 100, yes 100 I've counted, circuits of my bedroom. (I have to pick the poop off the wall once he's back in his bed). I must admit the bedroom is small but it's a beginning!

I'm still interested to hear if anyone else wants to go for a 'jolly' to Brithdir later this month or early in May.

Net

Annual Report from BCT

As you know the surveys the Group undertakes during the summer are, in the main, for The Bat Conservation Trust. The latest species population trends based on the data we and others collect during 2010 will be published in the 2010 BCT Annual Report, which should be available in May. In the mean time, maps showing the distributions of survey sites and bat species recorded last year can be found on the BCT website at: -

http://www.bats.org.uk/pages/summer_survey_summary_2010.html

I've just had confirmation of the sites that we'll do again this year during June and July but I wondered if anyone wanted to get involved with doing a Woodland Survey in Aug/September. Details for this can be found at the following website: -

http://www.bats.org.uk/pages/woodland_survey.html

I have explored the possibility of going to Brithdir in the early summer - like April/May and we have permission to do this if you like. If you feel that this is too far away we could go to Ynys Hir RSPB Reserve and undertake our own woodland survey and get some practice in. Please let me know you feelings on this so I can either get down to organising something or just relax and enjoy the warm spring weather. I'm out here working on your behalf!!!!!

Net :)

Lyme's Disease Awareness!

This link has just been pointed out to me. For anyone working out and about in the field it might be worth having a look. It surprised me to hear that a friend of a friend has recently had Lyme's Disease which was contracted from ticks in the dunes at Harlech! A great many of my assumptions about the disease have been very wrong!

http://www.tickbitepreventionweek.org/

Net

Great bit about Horseshoe bats on The One Show

For those who missed it there was a great little film about horseshoe bats on the One Show last week:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1b3O6SC_3E

Is there anyone who would be interested in a trip to Brithdir in April or May? I know it's a long way to go but we could find our own horseshoe bats perhaps.

Net