Quote:
Originally Posted by canis.rufus  Hiya,
I don't like to disagree with Henrya's advice, but depending on what type of bat box you are using you might find that putting tit boxes next to the bat boxes is beneficial.
All the bat box schemes I am involved in (in Bucks) use Schwegler, which are the gold standard for boxes; very successful, but rather expensive. Recently we have started putting basic wooden tit boxes next to them. The tits prefer the bird boxes, and because they are territorial they stop other birds from using the bat box next door, leaving it free for bats! We need a few more years to be sure, but there has been a marked change in the couple of years since we put them up.
There is a small cravat that this has worked for the 2F and 2FN type boxes, but the birds seems to prefer the 1FD boxes over the bird boxes. I also don't know if it would work for other types of bat boxes.
Good luck with what sounds to be a very worthwhile project.
- Toby. |
Hi Toby,
Thanks for the info I think that sounds a good Idea to use tit boxes next door to the batboxes I think I will try this Idea, If it works on other bat sites it should work on our site too then.
There are many types of Bat boxes out there and choosing the right one for the job looks like it going to be trial and error. As we will most likely not be checking batboxes other than looking for droppings to tell if they are being used by bats. Also as we are only visiting the site for maintainance once or twice a year. We will most likely trial a solid type of bat box as no access door for inspection would be required.
We also hope to plant wildflowers in our plot to help the insect life providing the Bats & the Birds with more food by plant wild flowers like bluebells etc.
Putting up insect houses for insects, Butterfly boxes & Insect Theatres for inspecting insects.
Insect House providing shelter for insects.
Butterfly House to provide winter roost sites for butterflies.
Insect Theatre for inspecting what insects are using the area.
Hopefully by adding these other projects to our site will help our chances of creating a perfect environment for the Bats.
Regards John