 |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Site Last Updated |
||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
|
|
Latest Reports from the Bat Group can be found here or on the Orchard Group website. |
|
|
Bats in the parish of Lynstead with Kingsdown Species recorded by KBG 1983-2004 within the parish:
Although we have no records of our two largest bats, the serotine bat Eptesicus serotinus and the noctule bat Nyctalus noctula, we are sure they are present, given the excellent habitat in the parish Since 1983, when Kent Bat Group was formed, we have been collecting records of bats in Kent. Inevitably the bulk of these records is in towns and villages where residents are more likely to be aware of bats. As a result, there are bats in the wider countryside, including species rarely found in towns, which are very much under recorded. In Kent, since records began, we have found thirteen of the UK’s sixteen resident species, though some very rarely. It is encouraging that in the comparatively small and rural parish of Lynstead with Kingsdown we have six species on our database. Our commonest bat, the pipistrelle, surprised us all only a few years ago when it was discovered to be not one, but two totally different species. It is impossible to separate them by casual observation in flight, but by using a bat detector, which reduces their ultrasonic calls to a level within our hearing, with practice it is often possible to distinguish them. The common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus echolocates most strongly at 45 kilohertz (kHz), whilst the soprano pipistrelle P. pygmaeus is strongest at 55 kHz. We usually refer to them 45’s and 55’s! Both emerge at dusk, and can be seen clearly in the evening light as they dart about, performing impressive aerobatics as they chase their insect prey. Daubenton’s bats Myotis daubentonii also fly and feed regularly over rivers and large ponds after dark. Watch for them skimming close to water, rather like miniature hovercraft. They may take insects from the surface with their large feet, or even scoop them up in their tail membrane. The brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus is known as a ‘whispering bat’. They call very quietly, or not at all, relying on their huge ears to pick up quiet sounds. Even using bat detectors we can only hear these if they are flying within about two metres, so there is a good chance of missing them, especially as they usually keep very close to trees. During the winter months, when their insect food is in short supply, bats spend most of their time in hibernation, though they do occasionally fly to feed on a mild evening, or to move to another roost. This parish is one of the most important areas in Kent for known hibernation sites. Three deneholes within the parish have been grilled by KBG to safeguard them, and specially licensed members of the group regularly monitor these. We would be grateful for any further records to add to our knowledge of bats. If you have bats roosting in your house, outbuildings or trees, or if you see them flying and feeding regularly, please let us know. If possible, we would like an approximate date, an OS map reference or location, and a note on what the bat was doing at the time. We know there are many more bats in the parish than we have recorded so far – the habitat is perfect for bats. We would like to know more about them and which places are most important to them. At a Lynsted with Kingsdown Society event in August 2004, by using bat detectors, we identified both pipistrelle species mentioned above as flying and feeding there. Shirley Thompson, Kent Bat Group Note: The Orchard Group of Lynsted with Kingsdown Parish Council has taken on the mantle of setting up a means of surveying bat activity throughout the summer. Volunteers will be needed to complete a set ‘circuit’ in the Orchard, on foot, at dusk, making a note of any bats detected. This will need to be done at least every two weeks, on a set day. Equipment and simple training will be provided. Shirley has kindly offered to act as our adviser. Please watch this space, or the Parish Council website, www.lkpc.org.uk for further details. |
