03 May 2018

Farmers instrumental to the recovery of bats?

Belinda Bown .Research Assistant FEU.setting Sticky Traps .bat Project

ENVIRONMENTAL measures farmers are putting in place for birds and bees could be aiding a popular farmland creature, a new study has revealed.

Over the past 12 months, scientists at the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) have been studying bats across Dorset and Hampshire to understand how farming practices affect them.

AgriBats - a project funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund - has shown that providing agri-environment scheme (AES) habitats, such as wild bird seed plots or pollen and nectar plots, can benefit a range of foraging bat species.

All 18 species of bat found in Britain feed on insects such a midges, beetles and moths so AES habitats that support a wealth of insects should, in turn, help our bat populations.

Over the study more than 10,000 bat recordings were taken on 15 farms.

Recordings included several uncommon species such as barbastelles, Nathusis’ pipistrelles, lesser horseshoe and greater horseshoe bats.  Additionally, over 90,000 insects were identified from the same habitats, to understand why bats might be attracted to specific AES.

During the 20th century several European bat species experienced declines due to a combination of factors including loss of roost and feeding sites. Bat roosts in Britain are protected under legislation, but feeding sites are not, making them susceptible to land use change. As over 25% of land in Britain is arable farmland, GWCT were keen to understand how the impacts of agriculture on potential bat feeding sites can be reduced.

Talking at the end-of-year project workshop, chief executive Teresa Dent CBE said: “This study ticks all the boxes.”

“We love working with farmers and relish the chance to look at things for the first time. Seeing a wonderful team of young scientists taking steps to further the work of their predecessors is what we pride ourselves on.”

Since 2008, Defra has included eight bat species within its set of indicator species, with their presence used to gauge biodiversity success.

Despite this, no AES measures currently exist to specifically help Britain’s bat populations. As we move towards a post-Brexit farming policy, it is important to recognise the variety of species our farms support.

GWCT postdoctoral ecologist Niamh McHugh, who managed the project, said: “We hope to take these findings to government to showcase and champion what farmers can deliver.”

“Bats are often overlooked when people think of farmland, but we hope this project will help landowners to learn how to better conserve these fascinating creatures and will result in positive changes in land management practices nationwide.”

To find out more, follow the team on Twitter @AgriBats or visit http://www.agribats.com/

About the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF)

Thanks to National Lottery players, we invest money to help people across the UK explore, enjoy and protect the heritage they care about - from the archaeology under our feet to the historic parks and buildings we love, from precious memories and collections to rare wildlife. www.hlf.org.uk.  Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and use #HLFsupported


Notes to editors

The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust – providing research-led conservation for a thriving countryside. The GWCT is an independent wildlife conservation charity which has carried out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife since the 1930s. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats. We employ 22 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming, fish and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.

For information, contact:
Eleanor Williams
Telephone: 07592 025476
Email: press@gwct.org.uk