Robert and Lisa checking boxes. Photo Chantelle Kerr

We managed to get all the boxes checked before the rain came and found two boxes occupied by bats (several  had birds nests in them)

One contained a brown long eared and another had two common pipistrelles – whether they were the same ones as those found in the same box in October we have no way of knowing, but the plan is to start ringing bats soon.

Common pipistrelle. Photo Chantelle Kerr

And as a bonus the bluebells in the wood were gorgeous. We’ll be back next month

Photo Chantelle Kerr

Bob and Simon introduce the bats to the children. Photo Jude Hirstwood

Today we headed off to do a bat talk for Eaton Bray Academy. For weeks now Jude has been moaning  (very quietly) about her hay fever which has made her cough and splutter and effects her voice, so the house has been unusually quiet.

Today, armed with Fisherman’s Friends,Jude toddled off to give a talk to these youngsters. Simon brought the Noctule mum and her pup along, and after the talk he and Bob showed the bats to the children, who was usual were fascinated.

Jude’s voice just about lasted but has gone on strike tonight! Mum is looking happy and relaxed.

Young noctule bat. Photo Jude Hirstwood

The pup continues to thrive. He is changing his appearance quite quickly now.

We noticed that last season that bat detectors placed at 8.5 m ( atop a window cleaaners pole and a debristled brush) gave us very different results from what we heard at ground level, but as we only  had one Griffin we could not  record at two levels at the same time  with a time expansion detector)( We used . batbox Duets  instead which , not being time expansion detectors, can’t give such high definition recordings)

The first Griffin was mounted on the lower part of the window cleaner’s pole. Photo Bob Cornes

Using a Petterson  time expansion detector which was handheld, Bob only reported a few common pips, , the Griffijn placed on the pole  low down  picked up a Noctule pass, while the Griffin at canopy height picked up both common and soprano pips, a serotine, a barbastelle, and what was possibly aLeisler’s  (though it might just have been a Noctule playing silly devils.

The opuble Griffin se4t up. You can just about see the 2nd Griffin at canopy height right at the top of the photo. The object on the tree trunk is a bat box (unoccupied) Photo Bob Cornes

The plan is to repeat this methodology at a number of sites this season, and to return here later in the yer when the canopy is denser.

Photo Geraldine Hogg

Geraldine Hogg one of the survey leaders for Wardown Park reports:

A very pleasant stroll around Wardown Park took place on Tuesday 7th May, (we ) were probably outnumbered by the Common Pipistrelles.

The bat boxes were bedecked with spiders webs, at least the boxes are
providing homes for wildlife even if it’s not the intended residents.

First Pipistrelles were heard between the museum building and the tennis
courts. As we neared the lake the number of bats increased. There was
obviously a good supply of bat food on the menu, as feeding buzzes were
frequently heard.

The suspension bridge is still blocked off, awaiting funds for the
necessary repairs. The southern bridge which we were able to stand upon
gave us the usual excellent views of bats showing off their acrobatic
flying skills.

If you fancy coming along to thee surveys which are open to anyone   check on the Wardown Park survey page ( under surveys/open surveys) for the other dates this season.

Photo Jude HIrstwood

The pair of bats that were rescued on Valentine’s day- one of which is shown on he left- ( see http://www.bedsbatgroup.org.uk/wordpress/?p=6994) were finally released back where they were found last night as this good weather continued The pair flew off together. “How romantic” you might feel. Unlikely, as the males and females do not usually hang out together – but let.s us not spoil a happy ending

Nature abhors a vacuum and Aidan was called out to another grounded pip the same day.As one door opens another one closes.

Noctule mum and pup. Photo Simon Pidgeon

Noctule pup thinking about flying Photo Simon Pidgeon

 Simon Pidgeon who is taking care of the female Noctule and her pup posted the following  on our facebook page last night

“First test flight for mum and pup Noctule on Wednesday night, thanks to Steve Freeman and co at the research centre in Harpenden. Mum did a couple of single lengths which I am happy with considering she has not flown since probably October last year. Pup was not so interested, still a little under weight for my liking, however lively and happily grooming as mum tries to show him what to do. Intensive training I think…. D minus must try harder!”

We will keep you posted

mum about to take flight . Photo Simon Pidgeon

Illustration Joan Childs

Angie posted the following on our facebook page

Well what a busy night it was at Stockgrove Monday night. All started quiet with no activity in Baker’s wood, the pine plantation was a different story. Box’s 1 & 2 occupied with 1 or more BLEB’s too shy to come out. Box 5 also home to BLEB’s (brown long eareds), 7 came out to play but 2 or more of their friends remained inside, Box 8 again home to BLEB’s 1 was brave enough to leave the box but 2 or more stayed inside. A Noctule and common pip were also heard in the pine plantation as was a yet to be identified bat which was recorded by a group member.
Box 10 again BLEB’s were in residence with 1 leaving and 2 or more active but not hungry enough to take flight. And box 11 – no not BLEB’s this time, just for a change a big bat, most likely a Daubenton’s bat but this is not confirmed.
Meanwhile over the lake we had a Soprano Pip. The Daubenton’s count was very amusing with 34 passes through the light, most of which were what appeared to be a pair of Daubenton’s chasing each other across the beam and zig zagging around. All in all a great evening. Thank you to those who came along.

This is an all time record for activity in the bat boxes here. I do wonder if word got round that those present last time we were there got to be movie stars
See http://www.bedsbatgroup.org.uk/wordpress/?p=7153

Art work by Janet Treby- who used to live in Bedfordshire

In addition to this, 5 Noctules flew over  and common pipistrelles and Daubenton’s were heard nearby. To cap it all Dave saw 11 hares in a nearby field., found a large badger sett, saw a hobby and spottted a little owl o the way home

Oh pretty please let this be a start of a good season.

Photo Jude Hirstwood

Last night the good weather continued so Hedj and Kel took the opportunity to return the now podgier Natterer’s bat to the wild.  They were joined by the people who found her and by Bob and I.

Kel has reported that the bat was very keen to be free, having wriggled out of Hedj’s grip the previous night and played “Catch me if you can”. It was one very perky bat who sat in the vivarium prior to release. Her finders commented that she looked a totally different creature from the dehydrated beast they first rescued.

Hedj was given the honour of releasing her and she went off, as Kelly described it, like a greased ferret, and so thwarted my attempt to get a picture of the actual moment of liberation. In a flash she headed back into the wood and all too soon the sounds of her echolocation had gone.

So often when we get bats there injuries are such that they don’t make it,but there is nothing quite as fine as watching one that does and heads off back to the wild, freedom and a mealworm free diet

This year would seem to be one in which a lot of bats are found grounded.so far .If you find a grounded bat ,please contact the Bat Conservation Trust  24 hour bat helpline on 0845 1300 228 and they will pass the information on to the relevant bat group.