Bat Watch/Survey 9th and 11th April 2010 at Maple Lodge (April 15, 2010, 03:37:45 PM)
Bat Watch/Survey 9th and 11th April 2010
Summary:-
A large amount of Pipistrelle activity was observed. Both Soprano and Common Pipistrelles were present. On both nights more Sopranos were present and this was more noticeable on the 11th. I probably identified a Daubenton Bat on the 9th but only a few appeared to be present. I was surprised to find so much Pipistrelle activity this early in the year. (I am sure we will pick up the Daubentons later in the year).
We went to Maple Lodge 9th and 11th April to see which species of Bats we could find and identify.
Equipment.
We used a Petterson D100 heterodyne Bat Detector and and Ecotranquility II Time Expansion
Bat detector attached to a laptop computer to analyse the sonograms produced by the bats. Nearly all the observation of the bats involved listening to their ultrasound and we did all of these in situ.
David Seilly is a fairly experienced bat observer, a member of the Cambridgeshire Bat Group, and has done Bat Surveys for the Cambridgeshire Wildlife Trust.
Friday 9th April 2010 8pm to 10 pm
After the long and cold winter the spring was arriving late. Friday the 9th April was the warmest day of the year so far and it was anicipated that this would cause the bats to be active at Maple Lodge Nature Reserve. A lot of leaves were breaking bud.
We arrived in the Clubhouse at dusk (20.00hrs) set up to study Bats. Weather-wise conditions were good for (flying insects and therefore) bats, mild, with little wind. We heard a lot of Soprano and Common Pipistelle sonar calls and these bats were also vocalising (making) social calls. (The cacophony of Pipestrelle calls was enough to make it difficult to detect other species of bats). We spent approx an hour in the hide.
We headed to the Rotunda Hide on the path on the way we heard considerable Pipistrelle activity, but the hides' gave no increase in signal. Essentially the Pipistrelle activity was concentrated around the tree canopy and scrub not out over the open and water. We then walked to the Long Hedge Hide In the Long Hedge Hide we heard Pipistrelles and what appeared to be Daubenton’s bats. At this time, 9.30 ish the bat activity was diminishing & we had insufficient time to survey the Shell Hide.
It needs to be noted that the edge of the reserve is highly illuminated by the light of the Water Company Buildings and Security Lights. Also the general light pollution of the surroundings prevents the reserve from being properly dark. This has ecological consequences.
We did not hear any Owls calls. ( which occur regularly at bat surveys in Cambridge .)
Sunday Evening 11 April 8pm to 10pm
Weather Clear then cloudy, cold, windy - Not ideal for bat watching.
1 Quick check in Clubhouse Hide showed little bat activity. Still daylight
2 Walked to (and inside) Teal hide, some Pipistrelle activity
3 On to Wild Flower Meadow- Pipistrelles heard & up to 10 seen flying -- 20.10 hrs
4 On to Shell Hide pipistrelles heard and seen on the path.
5 In Shell Hide - About 2020hrs heard lots of to Pipistrelle activity. Analysis of time expanded echolocation calls on the sonograms showed mainly Soprano pipistrelles with some Common pipistrelles. The bats were making lots of social calls (in ultrasound).
We were surprised at any bat activity with gusting wind (Up 20 mph) & cold weather --- less than 10°C
Activity reduced but pipistrelles still flying till 2200hrs as we returned to Club Hide.
We did not hear any Owls calls
Bill Seilly & David Seilly P.S David is a Warden of 2 Cambridge reserves.
Status: logged off
