I'M NOT BATMAN...

...but I am a Bat-FAN!

Bats account for more than a quarter of mammal species in the UK and they play an important role for the environment. Some plants depend on bats to pollinate their flowers or spread their seeds, while other bats also help control pests by eating insects.

Nature's Racer with Bat box from Wildlife World

Today, with help from 3 Nature's Racers, we've been putting up our new Bat box from Wildlife World. Based on the instructions provided we've elected to mount it on the south east facing side of our well established Beech tree, with a clear flight path for easy access.

In the UK, bat numbers have declined significantly in recent years due to threats from loss of habitat, deforestation, reduced insect populations, new building work and the extension of our urban environments.

Bats struggle with the artificial light sources we use for street lighting and the chemicals we use in our homes. Bats are nocturnal animals and changes in natural lighting can confuse them and lead them not to be sure when it's safest to emerge from their roosts. Chemicals in building materials, pesticide sprays, fly papers, and cleaning products can all be dangerous to Bats and the food they rely on.

Mum and several other adults were on hand to carefully supervise this activity

Other things you can do in your garden to help Bats (and other wildlife) include -

- Letting an area go wild (See We are the Ark for more great ideas on this)

- Add a pond

- Create hedgerows or lines of trees for them to follow

- Reduce or remove artificial lighting

- Attract insects that come out at night (Seeds available from Wildlife World)

Whilst installing our Bat box today, we were delighted to spot some visitors returning to our pond. This common frog was one of 2 frogs we saw today, but judging by all the noise we heard overnight, we suspect many more might be in the area!

Common frog

Please be aware of the law regarding Bats as all UK Bats, and their roosts are now protected by both UK and international law. If you add a bat box yourselves, and are lucky enough to attract some roosting bats to your garden, DO NOT disturb or move the box without seeking expert advise from a professional -

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1981/69

You can find just about everything you could ever want to know about Bats via the Bat Conservation Trust website - www.bats.org.uk

BREAKING THE ICE..

The UK is experiencing a cold snap at the moment, with snow and ice affecting many areas (nothing as dramatic as the 'Polar Vortex' which some folks in the US Midwest are currently experiencing mind you!). In conditions like this, it's a good idea to make water available for wildlife wherever you can - and remember with sub-zero temperatures it's a process to repeat several times a day if you can.

If you have a pond, VERY GENTLY break the ice with a stick (go steady and try to avoid falling in - as I almost did!). Try to avoid pouring boiling water onto the ice as this can harm fish and other pond residents. Also, remember to ensure there's a ramp or means for any animals that might fall in to be able to climb back out again. Ideally it's best to build in a shallow end to your pond where possible.

As well as making water available to animals by breaking the ice, Toxic gases can build up in the water of a frozen pond, and these may kill any fish or frogs that are hibernating at the bottom.

Adding a tennis ball to the pond water can sometimes help prevent the surface of the water from freezing over completely. This only works if the ball keeps moving, so if the air is still and there's no wind or other reason for the ball to move, you may find this doesn't work - it's certainly worth trying though.

If you don't have a pond, it's important to provide water which is shallow enough for birds and other animals to be able to drink - unfortunately this does mean that the water will freeze more quickly than deeper water, so frequently changing it is even more important.

You may also find this page and downloadable PDF by the RSPCA interesting and helpful when caring for Hedgehogs and other visitors to your garden during the winter months.Hedgehogs should be hibernating between November and March so despite the decline in Hedgehog numbers don't be alarmed if you haven't seen one in your garden for a while - hopefully they're tucked up nice and warm somewhere safe.

Alternatively the BBC 'Discover Wildlife' Magazine suggests these '5 ways you can help wildlife this winter'.

HELP HEDGE-HOGS

The name hedgehog came into use around the year 1450, derived from the Middle English heyghoge, from heyg, hegge ("hedge"), because it frequents hedgerows, and hoge, hogge ("hog"), from its piglike snout. Other names include urchin, hedgepig and furze-pig. The collective noun for a group of hedgehogs is 'array'.

(Source - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedgehog ).

Juvenile Hedgehog

During the winter months from late October onwards, many people celebrate Guy Fawkes, night and various religious / cultural festivals, by lighting bonfires and letting off fireworks.

Both these activities make life hard for animals - both domestic pets, and those it's easier to forget about living in our limited hedgerows. The most obvious and widely affected of these is probably the hedgehog.

To a hedgehog a well built bonfire looks like a perfect place to live. Many people make bonfires well in advance of their celebration, giving hedgehogs time to move in and set up home, but sadly in the excitement of their final preparations people often forget to check what's living in their bonfire before setting it alight. The result can be terrifying and fatal.

The plight of the hedgehog in Britain appears to be worsening, with a new survey revealing a further decline in garden sightings.

(Source - https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/feb/06/hedgehogs-now-a-rare-garden-sight-as-british-populations-continue-to-decline ).

• PLEASE avoid building your bonfire in advance if you can, if not, please check for any animals living in it (as late as possible but during daylight) on the day you intend to ignite it, and again at the very last moment.

• If you're interested in knowing more about hedgehogs or would like to help those who have been injured or are without homes, there are many charities you can contact. Here is one a respected friend of Nature's Racers does a lot with personally... https://www.facebook.com/Hedgehogrescuesouthgloucestershire/