24 Mar Supporting Professional Development: Bat identification, Ecology and Handling
As many of our ecologists are actively working towards bat survey licences or assist in bat survey work, we run in-house training to address typical gaps in their knowledge and experience. The training also helps ensure that our bat fieldwork is of a very high standard, and our commercial work is robust.
The latest of these training events was a bat handling course held in our Oxford office in Spring 2023. The course was run by David Endicott of Oxfordshire Bat Group and covered bat identification, bat ecology and biology. There was handling experience for those attendees who had had rabies jabs and were aiming to secure their Level 2 Class Licences.
Handling Experience
Live common and soprano pipistrelles, brown long-eared bat, noctule and Leisler’s bats held under licence were brought in. As well as instruction and practice in safe handling of these bats (which are all animals that cannot be returned to the wild), this provided an opportunity to study identification features. BSG is grateful to David for giving us his time and for bringing in the bats.
Noctule (left) and Leisler’s bat (right)
Purpose of Training
Bat identification is technically challenging, and to become proficient requires considerable experience. Part of the course therefore involved instruction on the key identification features of UK bats.
Designing and undertaking robust bat surveys goes beyond identification, however, and requires an understanding of bat biology and ecology. For example, understanding the thermoregulatory requirements of male, female and juvenile bats at different times of the year will enable a good surveyor to think about the sort of roosting conditions that bats will need at a given time. A knowledgeable surveyor will adapt their survey to ensure all possible roost sites are considered.
Feedback
“This session allowed me to gain sign off for my Level 2 Bat Licence, which I’ve been working towards for three years. It was an incredibly valuable session for me. I’m grateful that BSG were able to arrange it, and grateful to David for facilitating it. As an early career bat ecologist it’s brilliant to be able to interact with such experienced bat workers and to learn as much as I can from them.” – Natalie Sabin, Ecologist.
“I am looking to progress towards my level 1 licence, and the bat handling session was a really valuable way to broaden my skills and build experience. David was excellent, talking us through the identification of bats in the hand and the proper handling technique for small, medium and large bat species.” – Louise Morton, Ecologist.
“I was slightly nervous as this was my first time handling bats. However, David was excellent at instructing and showing me the best way of safely handling varying sized species from pipistrelle to noctule. Great experience seeing bats close up and looking for specific characteristics with an experienced person to confirm you are looking at the correct thing, specifically the ‘Y’ shape in soprano pipistrelle wings. A great session for some initial handling experience in a calm environment with no pressure of letting the bat escape, and with bats that are used to being handled.” – Jamie Peacock, Ecologist.
If you would like to discuss bat surveys, licencing and mitigation on your project please contact one of our offices.