Lend bats a hand for International Bat Week
24th-31st October is the epitome of spooky season, so it makes sense that International Bat Week takes place at this time, too. This annual celebration was created to raise awareness about the vital role bats play in maintaining healthy ecosystems around the world – and to highlight just how wonderful these mammals are.
Bats are the second largest group of mammals on earth, with over a whopping 1,400 different species of bats across the globe, 18 of which are found in the UK. Whilst we might not see or hear much of these winged creatures (as they're nocturnal) the impact they have on our ecosystems is massive. Bats are important seed dispersers and pollinators – over 500 species of plant rely on bats to pollinate them so that they can reproduce - and they’re also excellent at pest control, therefore reducing the need for harsh pesticides.
Unfortunately, bat populations across the UK, and the globe, have suffered severe declines over the last century. Habitat loss, climate change, disease and human disturbance has meant that their numbers have dropped significantly, and bats need our help more than ever.
Thankfully, there are lots of ways we can support bats, even from the comfort of our own homes. Putting up a bat box is one of the simplest ways to lend them a hand, as it provides them with a secure place to safely shelter.
Bat boxes
At RSPB Shop we have a few different bat boxes available, depending on your budget and preference. All our bat boxes are made from solid and durable FSC® certified timber, providing great insulation as well as longevity.
Our Single chamber bat box is our most affordable option, and as the name suggests, provides a single chamber for bats to roost in. For those wanting to attract a few different species, the Burford bat box is great – it features two different-sized chambers that make it ideal for species of varying sizes to nest – Brown Long-eared Bats and Noctule Bats may choose to roost in the larger chamber, whilst the smaller chamber is perfect for Pipistrelle Bats. Only one species per box at any time will roost.
Finally, for the ultimate nature lover, our Conservation bat box has been created with conservationists in mind. It has been designed to accommodate multiple species and features twin vertical chambers, each with an angled cut-away front and ladder-style grooves for bats to easily climb into their chamber of choice. Conservation professionals and licensed bat workers can easily access the chambers for inspection via the handy hinged roof, which is secured by a removable screw. Please be aware that all bat species are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife & Countryside Act, therefore it is illegal for any member of the public to disturb a roost, handle or kill any bat. Bat boxes, therefore, must only be inspected by licensed bat workers. However, you can monitor your bat box without disturbing its occupants: look for mouse-sized droppings beneath the box as a clue to occupation or observe from a distance at dusk to see if bats are exiting the box to hunt.
Bat boxes should ideally be placed as high as possible on trees but can also be attached to buildings. It’s often worthwhile having more than one bat box up, as bats like to switch from one box to another throughout the day.
Other ways to help bats
While putting up a bat box is perhaps the best way to help these important creatures, there are other things you can do to help too. Spreading wildflower seeds in your garden is great for bats as once the wildflowers grow, they’ll attract insects which bats love to feed on. Creating a pond in your garden is great for this reason too – many insects start out their lives in freshwater, so a pond is sure to attract lots of insects, and therefore bats.
You can also keep an ear out for bats visiting your garden with the help of a Magenta bat detector. Bat calls are ultrasonic sounds, therefore too high for humans to hear. However, this handy little gadget converts ultrasonic bat calls into sounds that are audible to humans, allowing you to hear these brilliant creatures when they are flying nearby. It definitely makes for a fun evening activity!
How will you be helping bats out for International Bat Week?
