Bat Night at Victoria Park. Ecologist, Alex Morss, led a recent bat survey in Victoria Park. As well as eight bat species identified over recent years, other nocturnal creatures in Victoria Park are hedgehogs and tawny owls. Alex suggests some simple measures that will support a strong night-time ecology: less mowing; longer grass areas; more native wild flowers; less light pollution and enhanced green corridors connecting wildlife areas across the city.
The BS3/4 Bat Group is also gearing up. Their next expedition will be to the Western Slopes. The aim is to circulate a special Bat Edition of Wildlife News at some point, but this depends on people sending in their observations. Email: MyWildBedminster@virginmedia.com
It’s likely that bats will be among the creatures monitored via the new, city-wide ‘index’ group (Bristol Wildlife Index Working Group). It will be gathering information about Bristol’s bats from recent years and comparing this to observation in future years. Is the number going up or down? Are some species doing better than others? Are some parts of Bristol good for bats and others not? Why are things changing? What can be done to change them in the right direction?