Sam_Dyer_The_North_Wales_Serotine_Bat_Project_2

The North Wales Serotine Bat Project
An Investigation of Serotine (Eptesicus serotinus) Bat
Populations in North Wales.
By Sam Dyer
2010
2011
April 2012
4 Detector Evenings & 6 COLD Trapping Nights Later…..
20th April 2012 = 17 Serotines
24th April 2012 = 21 Serotines (possibly 1 noctule)
Samantha
Simone
Discussion Points Following Spring Radio-tracking:
• Parous females caught and numbers of bats in the roost suggests
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a breeding colony!
Insights into serotine behaviour during spring during cold weather.
Usage of cliff roosts identified
MORE QUESTIONS!
A total of 34 different bat workers/volunteers, both local and from
various other parts of the country have assisted with field work
giving up 130 nights of their time this April, and hopefully all
gaining personally from the experience.
Genetic and Stable Isotope
Sampling – June 2012
9th June 2012
= 76 Serotines, 27 Noctules
5th Biggest Roost in UK, 100km North of Known Roost
August 2012
Stephanie
Sasha
Scarlett
Stephanie
Scarlett
Sasha
Discussion Points Following Summer Radio-tracking:
• Peak Emergence Count = 76 Serotines, 27 Noctules
• Peak Cliff Roost Emergence Count = 7 Serotines
• Lactant and post-lactant females caught suggested successful
breeding in 2012
• Cliff Roost continued usage ….
• Far more insights into foraging and roosting behaviour gained in
August than April!
• A total of 13 different bat workers/volunteers, both local and from
various other parts of the country have assisted with field work giving
up 42 nights of their time this August, and again hopefully they all
gain personally from the experience.
WHATS NEXT???
Future Project Work
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Swarming Studies of Sites in the Dulas Valley
Spring Cliff Emergence Surveys in the Dulas Valley
Winter Cliff Hibernation Surveys in the Dulas Valley
MSc. Habitat Suitability Modelling of North Wales for Serotine Bats
Dietary Analysis
Dietary Analysis
• April =
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– Brown Lacewing (Hemerobiidae)
– Leaf Beetle (Chrysomelidae)
– Psocoptera
June =
– Lesser Water Boatman (Corixididae)
– Dung-fly (Scatophaga stercoraria)
August =
– Dung Beetle (Aphodius rufipes)
Big Question…
‘What is true breeding distribution of
serotine bats in North Wales?’
Thanks To:
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Clwyd Bat Group
South Lancs Bat Group
Gwynedd Bat Group
Merseyside Bat Group
Daniel Hargreaves
Eric Palmer
Dr. James Aegerter
Dr. Caro Moussey
Andy Harmer