In a new development for Sharphill Wood, and with thanks to the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust, we now have 8 bat boxes in the wood.
Bat boxes come in a range of designs; however, with the Wildlife Trust we have opted for two specific types: crevice and hollow (cavity). The crevice type is favoured by pipistrelle bats (though other species will also use them) which may roost singularly or in small clusters, whereas the cavity boxes are designed to support larger clusters of bats and appear to attract a wider range of species. Lorna Griffiths and Michael Walker, experts from the Wildlife Trust, installed 5 hollow and 3 two-crevice boxes in carefully chosen locations (on mature oaks in Zone 2). At this time of year, bats are usually hibernating, therefore uptake may be delayed until they become more active, around the end of April / early May.
Only licensed persons can undertake inspections of bat boxes, so Lorna and Michael will be involved in ongoing monitoring. Watch this space…
