Hibernation Surveys – Winter 2018

As spring begins, we thought we would catch you up on what we have been up to
over winter. Nottinghamshire Bat Group was able to join neighbouring groups on
several hibernation surveys this winter which was really good as we do not presently
know of many sites we can access to survey in our own county.

Rushcliffe CP Hibernation Survey

In late February we surveyed the man-made hibernation tunnel at Rushcliffe CP,
although the weather was not suitable for hibernation conditions (10’C the evening
before! Warm enough to do an emergence survey). Since our last check, the humidity
in the tunnel has improved and we found signs of bats using the structure despite no
bats seen. We also collected droppings from the tunnel which we will send off for
DNA analysis!

Don Gorge Hibernation Tunnel

Nottinghamshire Bat Group was able to join South Yorkshire Bat Group on a few of
their hibernation surveys at two different sites…
Members of our group attended the survey at Don Gorge and had the choice of
which team and tunnels to visit. One team visited 13 tunnels under the mainline
railway and found 7 bats including brown long-eared, Natterer’s, Daubentons,
Whiskered bats and the other team 7 bats including brown long-eared, Natterer’s,
Daubenton’s bats. We had a great day with the leaders letting us try to find the bats
and identify them before confirming or describing how identification was achieved
and pointing out bats we had missed. 

Withcall and South Willingham Tunnels

On a very wet Sunday morning in early February we joined Lincolnshire Bat Group
for a hibernation survey lead by Dave Hughes. Bats were both free hanging and
perched within the brickwork. Bat species seen were brown long-eared, Natterer’s,
Daubenton’s, Whiskered/Brandt’s bats, with a total of 141 bats in the Withcall tunnel
and 19 in the other! Some of these were quite a challenge to identify with telling
feature hidden away. We had a great day and saw so many bats.

Posted in News.