28 October 2009

By Dr Dellwyn Kane, Countryside Management Delivery Branch, DARD

Bats are often associated with Halloween, as creatures of the night, striking terror into the hearts of many. However, contrary to popular belief, bats are not blind and will not get caught in your hair. Indeed they have remarkable navigational skills utilising high frequency sound waves, known as echolocation. Being so small they can roost in the smallest of cracks and holes present in both old and new buildings and in many trees. They play an important role in our environment through controlling insect populations including many agricultural pests. Despite their size they have a ghoulish appetite. Tiny pipistrelle bats may be only about 4cm long but can feed on 3,000 insects in a single night.

However the real frightening truth about bats though is that they are under threat. Insect-rich forage habitats such as woodlands, meadows, waterways, and ponds have been declining and have become more fragmented. Many hedgerows, used by bats for navigation, have disappeared in recent times, and the increased use of pesticides has also contributed to a general decline in numbers of insect prey. Works carried out on many buildings and mature trees also have led to the destruction of bat roosts.

By providing more insect-rich habitats, regenerating hedgerows, reducing pesticide use, and erecting bat boxes in suitable places can help in halting their decline. Remember that all bats and their roosts are legally protected.  It is an offence to capture, kill, injure or disturb any species of bat, or disturb, damage or destroy their roosts even if bats are not present. You must therefore, prior to commencing any works on buildings or trees which may contain bats or their roosts, seek advice / permission from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA).

Positive management of farmland habitats under DARD agri-environment schemes can help our bats. If you are interested in conserving bats on your farm, please contact Countryside Management Staff at your local DARD office.

Notes to Editors

1. All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, tel: 028 9052 4619.

2. A copy of the photo that issued with this article is available on request from the Press Office.