BATTY ABOUT BATS

For the last 20 years Fife Bat Group has been the focus for a small number of people concerned to try and stop the declines in bat populations. National initiatives and changes such as wildlife law, and Local Biodiversity Action Plans have helped and yet there is still much to be achieved! I could say that the aim of the group is to achieve an increasing population of each of our bats and ever more good quality bat habitat. But, we are also out to enjoy looking for bats, helping bats and helping those who live with bats.

As Fife’s insect-eating bats become active in the spring, we begin to receive enquiries for information and advice about bats, and this can continue sometimes into late autumn. Alongside this we try and visit known sites to monitor numbers, track individual bats, and improve habitats. Many community groups are fascinated by bats and both guided walks and illustrated talks are very popular.

Fife Rangers gave advice to over 50 households, and also led public Bat Walks across Fife. At Tentsmuir, there has been radio-tracking of the scarce Natterer’s bats to see where they fly, roost and feed in the forest. At Craigencalt Ecology Centre the enchanting Bat Garden is a demonstration ‘wildlife-garden’ well worth a visit through the summer. Bat box schemes in several sites have been visited and checked. Through the summer, a series of public talks and walks will be held including one on European Bat Night, along with batty people all across Europe – details from the numbers below.

Please send me any records you have of bats in Fife, include date, grid reference and location, type of bats (if known) and whether it was a roost /flying bat/ etc. Tel: 07811 333 643, email: batkeith@kcohen.fsnet.co.uk.

Keith Cohen, Fife Bat Recorder