Bat Box building and schemes

Bat Box building and schemes

In 2018 NBG decided to begin a programme of bat box building to create a number of new schemes across the county to explore which species are roosting within our woodlands. This goes hand in hand with our other key project – Miner to Major which is also focused on finding out what bat species we have in woodlands with a focus on Sherwood Forest.

We looked at various designs of bat boxes and their construction and decided to make a mix of Kent, Standard, CJM and hibernation boxes in the hope that providing a mix of box types would maximise the chances of creating conditions the bats require and increase species diversity in our schemes.

A variety of boxes ready to be installed

A variety of boxes ready to be installed

As well as checking for bat occupancy, as part of the monitoring for each box installed, we record the location of wide and narrow slots, box height, box aspect, canopy cover and density of under storey with the hope that after a few years of data collection we can start to build a picture of bats preferences.

We have installed new bat box schemes at Martin’s Pond, Stoney Plantation, Bramcote Hills Park, Foxcovert Plantation and Besthorpe Nature Reserve (Mons Pool). We have added to RSPB Langford Lowfields boxes and are working with Friends of Moor Pond Woods and Friends of Cotgrave Country Park to develop schemes there.

Bat Box installation (before Covid)

Bat Box installation (before Covid)

We are very encouraged that two schemes had bats using the boxes within 10 months of installation. Whilst covid restrictions are in place, boxes are being checked by torch only from the ground by licenced members working alone. Hopefully later in the year some group checks may be able to take place.

Brown Long Eared Bat in a Kent Box at Foxcovert Plantation