This weeks surveys - amendment

Hello everyone,

Just looked at the weather forecast for Friday (24th) evening - it's awful! So we'll do the last Natt's count on Saturday instead - same time, same place. Hope this change doesn't mess up too many peoples plans.

Thanks again for all your help this summer.

Still three to go in July though

Net

This weeks surveys

Hi All,

This week is going to be a busy one I am afraid. Just to reconnoitre, Monday is the pips, Thursday the Long Eared and Friday for the Natts. I think,as my mum use to say:-

'we'll have to weather the weather, whatever the weather, whether we like it or not'

since we really don't have very much leeway. All the surveys have to be done this year by the 25th!

The pips came out very early last time so please be there for 20:46

Long-ears never come out until after dark, so be ready there for 21:30

The Natterer's were very late and didn't emerge until 22:55- well, those few that did bother - so please be there for 21:45 and expect a long wait. This one then is not for the faint hearted - don't forget to bring a chair and something to keep you warm!

The scores on the door for the count for those of you who would like to know are:-

pips - 656

long-eared - 25

natts - 4!

Is there anyone who can offer a lift from Aber please?

As per usual, please let me know if you intend to come along to any or all.

See you next week

net

Thursday 16th, Natts survey resheduled

Hi everyone, sorry to muck about with everyone plans but I have decided to reschedule the Natterer's survey for Thursday 16th.

There is a couple of reasons. The first natts survey did not go well - no bats present! Reading the survey notes again I see that BCT have slightly changed their instructions - no survey should go ahead if the temperature is less than 7c at sunset. It was only 6c that first night so we should write that one off. In view of this and the bad weather expected Thursday night Aline and Cinzia have offered to go tonight instead. We can count tonight's survey as the first visit and then I'll reschedule another one before the 25th September which is the end of this surveying period.

I hope I haven't disappointed anyone too much but there will be another chance to see the Natts in about 10 days time. I am aware that it will be a busy week next week but I'm sure we can squeeze something in. If anyone has any preference to day let me know but in reality we need to leave it as late as possible - maybe even Friday 24th. If you can't make next week and would really like to see and hear the Natts please pop along tonight by all means. You'll need to be there for start at 21:40.

Thanks for all your help again this year.

Net

Learn about Bats at Denmark Farm

Hello All, I've just been to Old College and spotted a notice about a three day course being held in August at Denmark Farm. It's run by Education and Life Long Learning and is about identifying British bats. I can't seem to find it on their web pages but I've checked with the office and there are at the moment 6 places left. It costs £70 (or£60 concession) If you are interested you should contact SELL at:-

Tel: 01970 621580Fax: 01970 622258Email: learning@aber.ac.uk

Net

Summer survey programme

Hi all,

I shouldn't need to remind you that it all starts next week, see the programme by clicking on the link just to the right of this text. The sites and the grid references of all are included. I seems to have make a bo bo with the sun set times - we need to add an hour - I've a feeling I did that last year too - that's what comes of leaving me in charge!

I hope by now everyone has each others contact addresses and that you will make your own arrangements to get to the sites; if there is anyone who can not find a lift, please let me know and I'll do my best to sort things out. However I would like to know who intends to turn up, especially for the Long Eared and the Natterer's sites where we need to keep numbers down and also cars to a minimum for parking.

We'll start on Monday 6th with the Natterer's bats - the weather looks promising. Of course you all spotted that the picture in the last post was one of them! We'll do the Pips on Thursday as planned and the Longeared on the Monday 13th. We need to be on site and waiting at least a half an hour before sun set.

As per usual, if the weather looks grim please check this blog before leaving home.

Just for interest, based on the surveys done for BCT last year the latest species population trends collected are now online in their 2010 Annual Report, available at

www.bats.org.uk

Looking forward to seeing you all over the summer and thanks again for all you help and support.

Net