Summer Bat Surveying with the Vincent Wildlife Trust

Bee Orchid
Originally uploaded by Mike Maunsell

The VWT is planning two radio tracking studies of the lesser horseshoe bat at two of its reserves this summer, one based near Cahernacon, Co. Mayo, from June 2nd to 12th, and one based near Gort, Co. Galway, from August 18th to 27th. We are seeking assistance from anyone living in these areas who can spare two or more nights to help with this work. We are in a position to pay volunteers mileage, and training in all aspects of the catching, handling, tagging and tracking of the bats will be provided. All we would ask volunteers to supply is their own mobile phone and head torch.
Background:
The aim of the radio tracking study is to determine how the bats make their way to their foraging areas and what foraging areas they use, so that this information can input into broader landscape conservation measures. We intend to catch the bats as they fly away from the roosts, allowing two nights for this, as the lesser horseshoe bat is notoriously hard to catch. We will be using mist nets set up along their flight paths. When we catch the bats we shall attach small radio transmitters to the eight heaviest females, we have already obtained the necessary licences to do this. Then, for the following eight nights, we shall work in two teams of two, each team following four bats, probably by car but possibly on foot, depending on what the bats choose to do. Essentially we be aiming to gather as much data on their movements as possible; it may be that three bats spend the whole night in one location all night, while others move between areas frequently during the night, so how we work on a particular night will need to be flexible.
We are carrying out similar studies in the UK, where some consultancies have offered to allow staff to assist, in return for the training aspect of the work.
Dr Kate Mc Aney,
Mammal Development Manager (Ireland),
The Vincent Wildlife Trust,
Donaghpatrick,
Headford,
County Galway,
Republic of Ireland.
Tel: 00 353 93 35304 Mobile: 00 353 86 8308849
www.vwt.org.uk