Projects > Chedworth and Midger Woods
Erection of 180 bat boxes to search for, survey and monitor Bechstein and Barbestelle bats
Posted: 20th December 2010
Funding: £5,000
Scheme Type: Normal Grants
Project Type: Wildlife & Environmental Projects
Area: Cotswold District Council
Chedworth and Midger Woods, Robinswood Hill Country Park, Reservoir Road, Gloucester, GL4 6SX
The aim of this project was to erect 180 woodcrete bat boxes to search for, survey and monitor Bechstein and Barbestelle bats at two of Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust's ancient woodland nature reserves in Chedworth and Midger Woods.
The boxes were put up on both reserves by volunteers from the Gloucestershire Bat Group and staff from the Trust. Since September 2009, a number of box checking surveys have been carried out using mist nets and a new harp trap, which was partially purchased with funding from The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust.
In May, an event was held to raise public awareness of the bats, which was very well attended. Bat activity was high, with a number of different bat species being caught in the harp trap. As a result, the public had many opportunities to view live bats and were treated to a successful demonstration of bat catching, measuring and handling.
