A haven for bats or just plain batty?

[Dorts]

Great potential nest sites for Woodpeckers, and feeding posts for Nuthatch's, Treecreepers etc.?
Don't think they could be classed as 'Woodland Art' surely?
Dorts.

[Deb London]

Originally Posted by Dorts

Great potential nest sites for Woodpeckers, and feeding posts for Nuthatch's, Treecreepers etc.?
Don't think they could be classed as 'Woodland Art' surely?
Dorts.

No, but we did wonder briefly.

There is one trunk that shows the hollow without the "wedge" as I call it being nailed back in (I think they used nails). Almost like the wedge had fallen out, but unfortunately it wasn't on the floor, or I could have described the dimensions of the cavity. Sorry no picture of that.

On the subject of notice boards for bats. Is there some reason why people would keep information about local bat quiet? This strange structure here has no information, that's true. And I know of a nature reserve that has recorded 7 species of this fascinating animal, but I only know this by word of mouth. On the reserve board it doesn't mention bats at all. They are protected, so are they're whereabouts sometimes not described in small parks were they might be more vulnerable?

[nightshade]

There are weak minded people that will harm Bats through fear or just plain ignorance, then there are those that just hurt or harm from choice.
Best is to keep quiet and one or two trusted people keep watch

[Gill Catton]

Yes it looks like they have chopped a section out of the trunk hollowed out behind it and then pinned the exterior of the trunk back in front of the hollow does that sound right deb?

Its great because you could vary the size of the hollow up and down the trunk making it suitable both for just one or two bats that want to cram into a tight space when its cold or a maternity roost with room for lots of bats to excersize their wings before venturing out for the night.

Probably the work of minutes with a chainsaw!

[Deb London]

Originally Posted by nightshade

There are weak minded people that will harm Bats through fear or just plain ignorance, then there are those that just hurt or harm from choice.
Best is to keep quiet and one or two trusted people keep watch

Cheers Rod.

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

Yes it looks like they have chopped a section out of the trunk hollowed out behind it and then pinned the exterior of the trunk back in front of the hollow does that sound right deb?

Its great because you could vary the size of the hollow up and down the trunk making it suitable both for just one or two bats that want to cram into a tight space when its cold or a maternity roost with room for lots of bats to excersize their wings before venturing out for the night.

Probably the work of minutes with a chainsaw!

Yes that sounds exactly right.

[artdemole]

Wanstead Wildlife .org.uk Has a piece Bat Roosts in Wanstead Park.....This should explain it......aDm...Wabaholic Social Group Promoter.

[artdemole]

Just looked round the site and links.Lots of good info there.

[Deb London]

Great aDm. Here's the quote:

Bat roosts in Wanstead Park

Three unusual bat roosts were erected at the north end of Wanstead Park in early 2008. These are oak trunks, hollow, and split in such a way as to encourage bats to roost therein. They are lashed to living tree trunks, appearing somewhat like gigantic garden canes as if to support the trees! (photos)
These were erected, it is supposed, in compensation for the destruction of natural bat roosts nearby in preparation for Thames Water Authority's pipe-laying operation over the last year. (see here)
As well as these, two others were provided at the same time. One is again a log from a tree, but his time it is strapped above a branch of a living tree that overhangs (and indeed leans towards!) the Ornamental Water at its North-east corner. The other - midway along the golf-course fence - is attached to the side of a tree and looks somewhat like a plastic dustbin.