Bat monitors

[Jean Farmer]

There have been bats here for at least 40 years (to my knowledge )
I have volunteered to do an evening and morning survey for the bat group.
Can anyone advise on bat monitors, as I would like to do a larger survey , covering more of the parish, as I know loads more locations.
2 folk came from our local ecology unit last autumn, and identified our bats as long eared brown, and soprano pipistrelle.

[The Woodman]

Hi Jean
You could always sign up for the Bat Conservation Trusts National Bat Monitoring Programme, details from their website. It involves the recording of basic bat data whilst walking transects with a bat detector in a one kilometre square.

If you're not familiar with basic bat detectors, the BCT runs courses as well or you could get someone from the bat group to help you.

They have also run car surveys where bats are recorded on supplied equipment whilst driving a preplanned route at night.

Good luck.

[ron1863]

Hi Jean, they seem to have some reasonably priced one's here:

Alana Ecology Heterodyne Bat Detectors

[JonSadler]

Hi Jean

There are three types of detectors (in order of cost cheapest to v expensive):
1. Heterodyne (lots of these at around £40 - you can buy kits to make for about £20 or so).
2. Frequency division (e.g. Batbox duet) about £200.
3. Time expansion (£1000+).

Using number 1 you select a frequency and listen to the clicks. Works well for a lot of species but (a) you only hear the frequency it is set to, (b) you need to scan up and down to check out the ranges. Using no 2 you can 'listen' to all frequencies usually sliced in chunks of ten. The detectors let you record the sound using an MP3 player or minidisk. You can then 'view' the sounds in software as sonograms. Makes identification easier. The last ones cost a fortune and let you record and view and are usually used by consultants and academics. Many units do two or more things at once (e.g. Heterodyne and Frequency Division).

You can do a lot with the cheapest units, especially if you hook up with a local Bat Group. Warwickshire is a good one. If I have missed anything someone else will fill in the missing bits (and any errors I have added in).

These are great animals.

Regards
Jon

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

I can recommend the Magenta Bat5 , the digital frequency readout is far better for reading and it's not bright enough to ruin your eye's dark-vision.

neil

[Jean Farmer]

Thanks folk. You,ve provided me with a lot of useful information to work on . My son said he,ll solder one of the D.I.Y ones for me. I,ll see how I get on with that for starters. I presume you would get details of the individual frequencies with the unit ?
I know that one of the roosts of bats that was found here was registering on the 55 frequency.

Jean

[The Woodman]

Those heard at 55 kHz will probably be Soprano Pipistrelles.

This link will take you to Bristol Universities bat website that contains some very useful information on all aspects of bat biology.

The Bats of Britain

[Jean Farmer]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

Those heard at 55 kHz will probably be Soprano Pipistrelles.

This link will take you to Bristol Universities bat website that contains some very useful information on all aspects of bat biology.

The Bats of Britain

Thanks Woodman,
I,ve bookmarked that site. If 55 kHs is the Soprano Pipistelle, then I,ve got those in the barn, and the long eared brown are occupying the house roof. The main body of the house roof is about 55 ft long, so they,ve got plenty of practice flying space for the young. I,m used to them flying up and down the halls. Lovely to have them about. Mind you they can give you quite a nip as I discovered when trying to rescue one from the bedroom floor !

Jean

[The Woodman]

Please don't forget to wear your gloves or use a cloth to handle bats Jean. There was time when I was too gung ho about the risk of EBL2 but not anymore.
I know the risk is so small and pips havn't come into the equation but it's good practice to handle with gloves.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

Please don't forget to wear your gloves or use a cloth to handle bats Jean.

I thought you needed a license to handle bats. Also, bear in mind a bat handler died of rabies a few years ago after being bitten by a daubenton's.

Jim