Devon and Somerset Wildlife Trusts win bat project funding from Blackdown Hills AONB - The Blackdown Hills
Devon and Somerset Wildlife Trusts win bat project funding from Blackdown Hills AONB
( Last Updated: 31-08-2010 )
Two bat survey projects will go ahead in the Blackdowns Hills, thanks to support from the AONB's Sustainable Development Fund.
Both Devon Wildlife Trust and Somerset Wildlife Trust have been successful in their bids for funding to carry out surveys of bat populations.
While it is known that the mosaic of habitats found in the Blackdowns is favourable to bats, there is a lack of data about current numbers, species and locations.
Bats require extensive, varied territories and thrive in areas rich in insects and beetles. Knowledge of bat populations can therefore tell conservationists a lot about the health of the natural environment.
Devon Wildlife spokesman David Ireland said:
"This grant will help us complete our set of baseline bat surveys for our Blackdown Hills nature reserves and allow us to increase bat records from the Blackdown Hills held by the Devon Biodiversity Records Centre. We also plan to construct and install bat boxes at Ashculm Turbary".
Bat numbers in the UK have plummeted in recent times as a result of pesticide use, habitat loss, and the destruction of roosts and hibernation sites. The surveys should give an indication of whether work to improve habitats in the Blackdown Hills in recent years has been successful.
It is hoped that following initial work at specific locations, the projects will be extended to cover the whole of the AONB.
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