Enhanced
survey method for Bechstein's bat.
Our
main use of the AutoBat as an acoustic lure has been to survey
woodlands in the south of England for Bechstein's bat, which
has been described as one of Britain's rarest mammals. This
woodland specialist is extremely difficult to detect using other
methods. It rarely emerges from the woodland interior and its
echolocation calls are very quiet. Even when detected, the calls
may be difficult to distinguish from those of other Myotis
species, making it impractical to survey for Bechstein's using
bat detectors. This species is also relatively difficult to
catch, as it does not use flyways as frequently as many other
species.
We
have replicated a social call of Bechstein's bat using the AutoBat
and have found that bats are strongly attracted to it. Using
the AutoBat as a survey tool, we have more than doubled the
number of known maternity colonies of Bechstein's in Britain
in less than two years.
We
have also attracted a great variety of other bat species using
the AutoBat. Brown long-eared and Natterer's bats respond particularly
well, although Natterer's are frequently able to avoid the net.
We are continuing to develop the system to increase the range
of species we can attract, and the degree of accuracy with which
we can attract particular species.
NB.
The use of these methods to attract bats in England requires
a special license from English Nature whether the bats are captured
or not.
