Snowy Basin
Posted on May 28, 2013Allotment in the snow
Posted on May 28, 2013Winter coal boat delivery
Posted on May 28, 2013Kingsland Basin Bat Survey
Posted on May 26, 2013Chug commissioned a bat survey of Kingsland Basin in 2012, to discover more about our local bat population.
Here it is for all to see:
Courtesy of the RSPB:
Pipistrelle bat
MammalPipistrellus pipistrellus
Pipistrelles are tiny bats with reddish-brown coats and blackish-brown ears, nose and wing membranes. They are common throughout Britain. Like other bats, pipistrelles are nocturnal. They emerge at dusk to feed for a couple of hours before returning to their roosts.In the winter they hibernate in trees and buildings. In the summer they use trees, buildings and bat boxes to roost. Pipistrelles are agile, fast fliers.
During the breeding season males defend a territory, Females visit these territories and after mating give birth in June and July, usually to a single baby. Bats are mammals and feed their young milk. After about three or four weeks the young bats are able to fly and leave the roosts in August.
IMPORTANT: if you find a sick or ailing bat, you should not approach or handle the animal but seek advice from the Bat Conservation Trust.
What does it eat?
Small insects, such as moths and gnats. A single pipistrelle can eat 3,000 gnats in one night.When will I see it?
At dusk and during the night from April until September.Where will I see it?
Flying throughout the garden at night. Also in parks, open woodland, marshes, farmland and urban areas.