BAT CONSERVATION
A TALK BY JENNY CLARK ON MONDAY, 21 JUNE 2010 AT THE DAY CENTRE.
Bats are quite harmless and do NOT go for people’s hair ! This, and many other interesting facts, were made known to the audience attending the talk by Jenny Clark of Forest Row, well known for her work in saving and conserving bats.
Jenny had brought a variety of different bats which she was currently tending. Not all bats can be released, as many are brought to her only a few days old and in such a poor condition they would not be able to survive in their natural world. In her hospital she endeavours to get as many as possible strong enough to release back into their natural environment.
The audience was privileged to see these tiny, intelligent creatures in close up a rare opportunity as Jenny was able to handle them individually and show each visitor their tiny faces, different shaped ears, feet and other unique features which make it easier (for those who know!) to distinguish one species from another. Jenny showed Pipistrelle, Serotine, Noctule, Brown long-eared bats and Daubenton’s bat - explaining the latter’s large feet designed to help diving to pick up insects off the ground or surface of ponds. Pipistrelle are known to fly regularly over the Nature Reserves.
Every bat in Jenny’s care is given its own name as, one of the most important facts now known about rescuing bats, is their need for feeling safe - often after a traumatic experience plus their need for a diet of special worms.
David Hadley, Chairman of the Nature Reserves, thanked Jenny for her fascinating talk - highlighting the views being expressed by everyone present that it had given them a completely different insight into bats. They would be looking out carefully in future for bats in the night sky.
Julie Hearn 30.6.10
For further information:
Bat Conservation Trust
Sussex Bat Group
Following the success of projects held in 2008 and 2009, the final project funded by the Lingfield Eco Awareness Group, which was set up to encourage Lingfield and other local residents to become more aware of the environment, involved Lingfield Primary School.
Alan Holloway and Paul Collins from Surrey Wildlife Trust visited the Nature Reserves on Tuesday, 15 June, and organised two practical sessions for 60 pupils from Keystage 1, Year 2 (6-7 year olds) featuring Minibeasts - part of the school’s National Curriculum and particularly relevant as 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity.
The children used nets to ‘sweep’ the trees, bushes and various hidey holes to see what they could find. They then studied the insects and their habitats, watching them greatly enlarged on a special video microscope screen. Surrey Wildlife Trust enjoys working with the local school to encourage the pupils’ interest in wildlife and natural history and the local environment.
The children and teachers thoroughly enjoyed their active day.
David Hadley, Anne Richards, Sally Cole and Julie Hearn represented the Nature Reserves.
Julie Hearn, Publicity Officer
15 June 2010
For pictures see slideshow on Home Page
The Reserves are now in their 15th year and many of the capital projects are nearly complete. Bridges, culverts, paths, signage and interpretation have been important building projects. Hedges and thousands of native trees have been planted by volunteers. We now need to take stock of the biodiversity of the area, study our wildlife surveys and see how we can begin to further improve the habitats. One aim is to identify wildlife species that are in decline and plant or modify the landscape. It promises to be an exciting and rewarding new phase.