I had a terrific day yesterday.
A phonecall came through via the RSPCA to our Centre. A chap had found a bat clinging to pallettes in the back of a large container holding 500 wooden pallettes.
That in itself isn't all that interesting, and I must admit I thought it had probably sought shelter from the recent rains. However, after speaking to the said gent, he described a fairly good sized bat, and then said that the container had been sealed in Denmark two days previously!
My heart started beating a little faster. (Only fellow bat enthusiasts will probably appreciate this
)
I then proceeded to tell said gent to shut the doors of the container and leave well alone until I contacted English Nature.
There are various laws protecting bat species, however as this was in all likelihood a non~native bat, I had to find out for sure.
English nature assured me that the laws would be the same as if it was a native bat. This meant a licensed bat worker would have to go and identify the bat first before anything could happen.
The chap was willing to wait and if needs be unload each pallette seperately (this is a very understanding man I hasten to add). I am not yet licensed so I asked a couple of our Bat group members who are, if they would drop everything and go and check this bat out.
Eventually the Vetrinary Advisory Service became involved, and if it turned out to be a native species then we could confine and observe for 7 days and then release.
I waited at the centre for confirmation and was initially told it was a Soprano Pipistrelle.
Once it arrrived at the centre (only until I could take it home for isolation purposes for the 7 day period) I took a peek.
It wasn't a Soprano but it was a Nathusius!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We do have Nathusius Piistrelles here breeding in this country, but I have never seen one with the venation that is required for official recognition. Yesterday I did and boy am I happy.
This bat is 8.2 grammes, a veritable whopper when it comes to pipistrelles. After feeding he expanded to 9.4 grammes and at the moment is residing in a bat cage, complete with heated pad on my living room table.
My only dilemma is..........I speak no Danish!!!!!!
Luckily we do have in a juvenile Nathusius from a local colony and eventually the two can go in together prior to release.
The photo's have been uploaded tonight, so if anyone is interested go take a look!!!!!!
Needless to say I can't wait for bat training to begin again this winter.. I sooooo want my license!
Jo
)
Linear Mode
