A hiatus in reporting activities as Bob and Jude went up to the welsh bat conference and spent a couple of says before hand with friends.
Last Tuesday evening was fascinating. The rain stopped just in time, but
there was too much water dripping from the trees to use the sub-canopy
Griffin set-up. We used three mist nets (a triple-high and two singles),
and two harp traps (one from BCT and the Aidan special). The ultrasonic
lure was used by each harp trap in turn. The twiddler failed to perform
and, perhaps as a result, we caught only two Soprano Pips, one in a mist
net and one in a harp trap. We were joined by several people who live localy and they helped us to navigate he wood.
However, the wood lived up to its promise. We heard lots of Soprano Pip
activity and some Common Pips, a couple of Myotis passes and a number of
Barbastelle passes. The Barbs started 20 minutes after sunset,
suggesting that they are roosting very close by and probably in the
wood. A further survey will take place later, ideally on a warmer and
drier night
Here’s one we caught ear;lierBarbastelle Photo Bob Cornes
Bob and Dave are going back tonight with the Griffins