BRILLIANT BATS Welcome bats


There are estimated to be over 15 million gardens in the UK, covering an area greater than all the national nature reserves combined, making our gardens really important places for wildlife, including bats.


Looking aſter bats in your garden


n Lay on a banquet to atract night- flying insects by planting night- scented flowers, such as hemp agrimony, evening primrose, jasmine and night-scented stock.


n Build a pond to atract water- loving insects.


n Let the grass (or a patch of it) grow long to provide habitat for insects.


n Reduce or remove artificial lighting as this can disrupt the time they roost and come out to feed.


n Avoid using pesticides and encourage these natural predators instead.


n Plant trees, hedges and shrubs to encourage insects and provide cover for bats.


n Build a bat box. Visit www.cumbriawildlifetrust.org.uk/ actions/how-build-bat-box for inspiration.


Spring


Bats begin to emerge and become more active as the weather starts to warm, feeding most nights. By May females start to form maternity colonies. Males roost alone or in small groups.


Help by: planting nectar-rich plants Summer


Females give birth, usually to a single pup, which they feed on milk. At around three weeks the young start to fly. At six weeks young bats start to catch insects and the maternity colonies begin to disperse.


Help by: taking part in the National Bat Monitoring Programme


Autumn


Mating season begins in September with males making calls to atract females. Bats begin to build up essential fat stores for the winter and by late autumn begin to spend periods torpid (sluggish and cold).


Help by: puting up a nest box Winter


Hibernation time! Bats spend most of the winter hibernating to conserve energy as there aren’t many insects around.


Help by: leaving hollow stems for overwintering insects


Cumbrian Wildlife | September 2019 25 A YEAR OF BATS


MAIN PHOTO: JACK PERKS. NOCTULE : TOM MARSHALL . COMMON PIPISTRELLE: AMY LEWIS. DAUBENTON’S: DALE SUTTON/2020VISION


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