ISLES OF SCILLY BAT GROUP Affiliated to: Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust and Bat Conservation Trust
Secretary: Mike Gurr Vale View Cottage, Maypole, St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly TR21 0NU Tel:01720 422 224 e-mail:mike.i.gurr8@gmail.com
NEWSLETTER OCTOBER 2016 The Isles of Scilly Bat Group has had another successful year. Eight Bat Walks have been held on St Mary’s. Although the numbers on each walk were relatively small, visitors have been enthusiastic and appreciative. The walks have raised £195 in funds for the Group, raising the amount in our account to £1027. At the AGM in July, members present authorized the purchase of an ‘Echo Meter Touch’ – advanced equipment that records bat calls in real time onto an iPad. The information is stored and can be analysed, allowing species identification and the timing and location of bat calls. The equipment cost a total of £750 and will be an invaluable aid in research and conservation. Members wanting more technical detail can consult www.nhbs.com or www.wildlifeacoustics.com The Summer Meeting was devoted to an inspiring talk by Lisa Worledge, BCT’s Head of Conservation Services and also Coordinator of Bat Groups in the UK. Lisa outlined current views on bat evolution posing such questions as: what ancestor did bats evolve from? What was the first bat? Which came first: flight or echolocation? How are the bat species around today related to one another? Fossil evidence for bats goes back many millions of years and it is likely that the earliest bats were around when dinosaurs roamed the earth. Lisa’s presentation considered all the above questions and looked at what the latest research tells us about the evolutionary history of these amazing animals. Eight Bat Surveys in response to planning applications were conducted by the licensed bat wardens during the year to date.
BCT’s National Bat Monitoring Programme surveys (Roost Counts and Field Surveys) were conducted on St Mary’s and Tresco in June and July, as well as members’ surveys on St Mary’s. There was a suggestion that bat numbers might have decreased slightly but this may have been a reflection of changes in distribution of bats across the Islands as the animals seek the best feeding places. Several more years’ recordings will be needed to be sure of any significant trends. The Annual Report is currently in preparation and will be dispatched to members in early November. Note to members from the Secretary: I am always pleased to receive records of members’ observations of bats, suggestions for activities and offers to participate in projects but, with a few notable exceptions, I receive very little communication from members, which is disappointing. I do hope that in 2017, we might have a more active Group!