Newsletter Newsletter 13 December 2020 #

Bats at risk from climate change receive a helping hand New funding from the Green Recovery Challenge Fund p3

The rise and rise of the pine marten in Wales Reflections on VWT's innovative Pine Marten Recovery Project p10

Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 1 Our staff Head Office (Ledbury, Herefordshire) Welcome Dr Lucy Rogers Chief Executive [email protected] from Vincent Wildlife Trust's CEO, Lucy Rogers Hilary Macmillan Head of Communications recovering pine marten populations [email protected] in Scotland and suggest a road map Tim Bennett of staged releases to a series of the Finance Manager most optimal regions in England [email protected] and Wales in priority order, and in Helen Henderson such a way that reintroduced Operations Manager [email protected] populations have the highest probability of establishing, Lizzie Croose spreading and ultimately linking up. Senior Carnivore and Conservation Officer [email protected] Look out for that in 2021.

Dr Patrick Wright Senior Science and Research Officer Our volunteers too, were asked to [email protected] engage with desk top activity, including analysing over 80,000 Julia Bracewell Senior Design and Communications Officer camera trap images from the [email protected] Trust’s European mink camera trap Welcome to the 13th issue of analysis project. The project was Jane Able Business and Administration Officer our newsletter – and what an based in Spain and undertaken in [email protected] eventful year it’s been! October 2019 alongside partner Laura Lawrance-Owen organisation MITECO-Tragsatec from Volunteering and Community Engagement Despite the gravity of the Spain. By June, with the help of 29 Officer pandemic and its repercussions [email protected] volunteers from England, Wales and unfolding around us, VWT has Ireland who shared over 200 hours Tom Kitching weathered the storm well and of their time between them, all Bat Conservation Officer finished the year in good shape. [email protected] 81,655 camera trap images had After the initial readjustment to been analysed! Marina Bollo Palacios work programmes, meetings and Bat Conservation Officer [email protected] travel, we have made great Then in July, as restrictions eased, progress this year in what is the staff were at last able to get out in Gloucestershire first year of our Ten-Year Strategy. Dr Steve Carter the field and catch up in a number Carnivore Programme Manager of areas, including catching up on [email protected] With many of our plans on hold, our summer bat counts. Our bat very early on we decided to use the Worcestershire reserves were also highlighted in an Dr Anita Glover time normally spent out in the field excellent programme transmitted Bat Programme Manager as an opportunity to catch up with this autumn — Inside the Bat Cave. [email protected] desk work, including developing some exciting new projects. I hope N England We recruited three new staff this Kevin O'Hara to share these developments with year — Jane Abel took up the post Pine Marten Project OfficerBack from the Brink you in the future as new projects [email protected] of part-time 'Business and come on board. Administration Officer' in March Wales 2020 after our Head of Finance, Dr Henry Schofield One of our most successful projects, Head of Conservation Angie Powell-Stevens, moved on to [email protected] The Pine Marten Recovery Project, is another role. Thankfully, Angie in its final year and while end of remains engaged with VWT to Dr Jenny MacPherson project celebrations will have to Science and Research Programme Manager mentor the current Finance Team. [email protected] wait until 2021, we have still made progress with a National Pine Marten We appointed Dr Patrick Wright to Ireland Recovery Plan for Britain. Working in Dr Kate McAney work in the Conservation Team as a partnership with Scottish Natural Head of Conservation Development – Ireland Senior Science and Research Officer [email protected] Heritage, Natural England and to support the whole Conservation Forestry England, this outlines a Team with experimental design, Ruth Hanniffy recovery plan for pine martens in Species Conservation Officer– Ireland modelling, and feasibility studies. [email protected] Britain. The strategy will emphasise We also appointed a new the importance of conserving the 2 Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 Volunteering and Community were very lucky to recruit two In this issue Engagement Officer, Laura excellent new Trustees this year, Lawrance-Owen, in October after Shelly Moledina joining with A warm welcome to new Staff and Gemma Fisher left us to pursue a expertise in investments and Sarah Trustees p4 new career direction. Binstead with expertise in risk management and finance. The 2019 All-Ireland Squirrel and Pine Marten Survey p6 We also sadly said goodbye to two long-standing Trustees, Sally Ford- Finally, an enormous thank-you to Bats on the web p8 Hutchinson and Matt Norman, who all our staff, volunteers and Trustees have both written about their time who have worked so brilliantly this The impact of traffic noise on with VWT. While it is always sad to year to keep the show on the road. bat activity p9 say goodbye to any of our team, we The rise and rise of the pinemarten in Wales p10

People and pine martens p12

Stop Press... Stop Press... Stop Press... VWT leaving thoughts p13

Bats at risk from climate change receive a helping hand Tracking pathways for bats p14

On the trail of pine martens in The site of western Europe’s largest colony of greater horseshoe bats is just northern England p16 one of a number of bat roosts in England to benefit from vital new funding aimed at reducing the impact of climate change. My time as a Trustee for Vincent WIldlife Trust p17 Vincent Wildlife Trust (VWT) has just been awarded £180,000 from the Green Recovery Challenge Fund to future-proof its greater and lesser VWT and the Irish Environmental horseshoe bat reserves. The roosts cared for by the Trust are used by Network p18 around 50% of Britain’s greater horseshoe bats and a significant proportion of our lesser horseshoe bats, so the potential impact of this funding on the A privileged peek into the hidden world future of our horseshoe bat populations is significant. of greater horseshoe bats p20

Bats play a vital role in a healthy ecosystem as they are natural pest Working together to safeguard the controllers. They are also useful indicator species: eg, a drop in our bat future of the greater horseshoe bat p22 numbers may indicate that all is not well in the insect world. Unfortunately, PhD research roundup p24 bats are also vulnerable to the extremes of weather associated with climate change. This comes on top of catastrophic declines in all of Britain’s bat A team effort: searching for the populations in the last century. elusive barbastelle p28

Rather than sitting back and watching the 20th century decline in our bat Can genetics help us uncover the secret species unfold, Vincent Wildlife Trust set about acquiring, managing and life of Bechstein's bats? p30 protecting roost sites of the rare horseshoe bats and has continued to do National Heritage Week 2020 and an so for more than 30 years. Helped by the Trust’s expertise and its innovative award-winning film p32 roost management techniques, both horseshoe bat species have started to show good signs of recovery, but this could be reversed by the current climate New ways to volunteer in the crisis and the likely increase in frequency of extreme weather events. New Year p33

During the milder and wetter winters more commonly experienced in recent A virtual walk on the wild side p34 years, bats will often remain in the cool areas of their summer roosts rather than heading for their winter hibernation sites. Unfortunately, summer roosts are often less well-insulated and offer less protection. As a result, the bats that remain are vulnerable to sudden cold snaps. More frequent cold and wet weather in the spring affects roosting and foraging conditions, reducing the birth rate and the survival rates of young bats. In addition, many roof spaces become uninhabitable for bats during Photo: ©Andrew McCarthy Contact us hotter and drier summers. Vincent Wildlife Trust, By enhancing roosts using proven 3-4 Bronsil Courtyard, techniques such as the installation of Eastnor, Ledbury, hot and cool boxes to provide a range of Herefordshire HR8 1EP stable microclimates, we can significantly reduce the negative impacts of climate 01531 636441 change and so this funding could not have [email protected] come at a better time to help us ensure www.vwt.org.uk the current recovery of our horseshoe bats is sustained. Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 3 A warm welcome to new VWT Staff and Trustees

Dr Patrick Wright on different aspects of their threatened species and to make a Senior Science and research. Despite spending all contribution through my role. I am also looking forward to meeting Research Officer my time working from home, I’ve been lucky enough to somewhat every member of the organisation immerse myself into the life of in person... one day! pine martens, European minks, barbastelles, horseshoe bats and Bechstein’s bats through my research. I look forward to Laura Lawrance-Owen contribute towards many more Volunteering and Community exciting projects with VWT. Engagement Officer

Jane Able Business and Finance Administration Officer

During my PhD interview, Henry Schofield, Vincent Wildlife Trust’s Head of Conservation and PhD supervisor to be, asked me where I saw myself in ten years. I joined Vincent Wildlife Trust I remember specifically saying (VWT) as Volunteering and that I wasn’t driven by academia, Community Engagement Officer but more by the conservation (VCEO) in September. Working as of threatened species through a volunteer and with volunteers research. Who would have thought has been a core part of my own that six years down the line, I experience and so I am excited would be doing exactly that for to be working on a great volunteer Vincent Widlife Trust. I joined the Trust in March 2020 programme, enabling people to Indeed, I joined the Trust as the as Business and Administration get involved in mammal research Senior Science and Research Officer Officer just as the first lockdown and conservation. amidst the lockdown frenzy in April started. Instead of a first day I have a love of wildlife and the 2020. My work with VWT, however, at the office, I had the office natural world and studied Zoology goes right back to the start of my delivered to me in the form of a laptop and various necessary at the University of Liverpool. Since PhD on the Bechstein’s bat which items of stationery. Despite this graduating, I have spent the last was funded by the Trust. During my unusual start to my new role ten years volunteering and working PhD at the University of Exeter, I with Vincent WIldlife Trust, I in the wildlife conservation sector. tried to disentangle some aspects was soon getting to know staff I joined the RSPB as a warden of this species’ biology through via email and virtual meetings, intern to gain experience of the use of genetics and landscape if not in person, as I dealt with conservation work in the UK. modelling. After this, in 2018, various aspects of financial This led to other roles in the sector, I joined Fiona Mathews at the administration. I have worked for including a year with Chester Zoo, University of Sussex as a postdoc a variety of organisations within Cheshire Wildlife Trust and rECOrd and worked on more bat projects, both the charity and retail sectors, as a biodiversity trainee. I joined hedgehogs and even water voles! including the NHS, but it is good VWT after working as a Ranger for My role with VWT is mainly to assist to be working with an organisation focused on the conservation of six years with the National Trust. the carnivore and bat programmes

4 Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 A warm welcome to new VWT Staff and Trustees

Day-to-day, as VCEO, I have been This is my first Trustee role so I am of managing pension funds. I also have co-ordinating our volunteering and on a steep learning curve but, with a keen interest in environmental community engagement behind the help from the other Trustees, Lucy conservation and in restoring the scenes, planning how we return to and Tim, I am finding my way. balance in nature, as well as volunteering safely with COVID-19 My background is in finance, risk wildlife photography. and learning about volunteering and control and, having qualified as a chartered accountant, I have with VWT. VWT is in the first year of its Ten spent my working life to date in I have been inspired when reading the accountancy and financial Year Strategy and I am very much about different volunteer roles and services areas. looking forward to working with projects, past and present, and Looking back over my first year, I Lucy Rogers, the VWT team and visiting some of the project areas have heard about some wonderful the other Trustees to help it deliver and VWT sites and getting involved work that is being done as well as on its strategy to support mammal with fieldwork has shown me how future plans, all in support of the conservation. I find VWT's aims to be essential volunteers are to the Ten Year Strategy. I know we all keep ambitious but balanced, and I hope success of VWT work. I am looking saying it, but it has been a strange the impact we will be able to have in forward to working with a great year and the situation has had some the coming years will be meaningful team of staff and volunteers to impact on what the Trust wanted to and very long lasting. deliver future projects for VWT. do. Despite all this, people remain This is also my first Trustee role and committed and keen to do what I am on an extremely steep learning they can. I had been really looking curve as I try and understand the forward to the site visit that had been planned for September and am work of and the possibilities for VWT, Sarah Binstead keeping things crossed for next year alongside finding the best way to use Trustee so I can get out there and see what my voice and contribute effectively. is being done firsthand. I have only been a Trustee for a few weeks and with the Coronavirus Wishing you all a safe and well restrictions in place, my contact Christmas and here’s to 2021. with the team and its work has been extremely limited. That said, the professionalism and passion of those I have encountered has been Shelly Moledina impressive and their willingness to Trustee answer questions and to share insight and experience has made my early days in this role really enjoyable. I am looking forward to getting to know the team better and spending time in the field visiting bat reserves and pine marten habitats. I hope to grow my knowledge in mammal I was very pleased to have been conservation alongside being able accepted onto the Board of Trustees to contribute to the stewardship of last December and am not sure the Trust in what promises to be an where the year has gone. exciting and eventful time for VWT.

I was introduced to Vincent Wildlife Trust by my former boss who had worked with Lucy in the past and having had some conversations with David and Lucy, it was clear that there was real passion and I am thrilled to have been asked to commitment to the goals and aims join the Trustee team at VWT. I love of the Trust — and I wanted to be a being able to contribute to the wider part of that. community away from my day job

Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 5 The 2019 All-Ireland Squirrel and Pine Marten Survey Ruth Hanniffy, Species Conservation Officer – Ireland Photo: ©Lizzie Croose

Recording in Northern Ireland. It was Community Groups systematically funded by the National Parks and monitored forests using trail Wildlife Service. cameras and squirrel feeders.

During 2019, promotional flyers and Red and grey squirrel distribution posters, newspaper ads, radio and in Ireland has been the subject of a television were used to encourage series of surveys since the middle of the public to submit sightings of the 20th century. It was during the these species. As with previous 2007 survey that the disappearance Citizen science was surveys, dedicated social media of grey squirrels from parts of the fundamental to the 2019 pages were set up and proved Midlands was first highlighted, and invaluable in communicating the All-Ireland Squirrel and Pine

ongoing results of the survey on a Photo: ©Ruth Hanniffy Marten Survey, which was county by county basis. Updating published this year, thanks to participants as a survey progresses members of the public who follows the Citizen Science principles submitted their sightings of and was a key component of the red and grey squirrels and project. In areas of particular pine martens during 2019. interest, for example the Midlands, grey squirrel sightings were likely, yet the species appeared to be The 2019 All-Ireland Squirrel and absent. In these instances the team Pine Marten Survey was published undertook dedicated searches, in June of this year and was made interviewed residents and used possible by members of the public camera traps to confirm these who submitted their sightings of absences. This was also the case for red and grey squirrels and pine unusual outlier records and those martens across the island of Ireland at the frontiers of grey squirrel during 2019. The project was led distribution. In other areas, non- by NUI Galway in partnership with invasive monitoring using hair VWT, Ulster Wildlife, the National tubes helped to provide records. Biodiversity Data Centre and the In Northern Ireland, Red Squirrel Centre for Environmental Data and

6 Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 research over the past decade has proven its strong association with the pine marten presence. Recent studies have revealed that the grey squirrel does not show the same caution as the red squirrel in the presence of pine marten, termed a ‘predator naïve reaction’. The 2012 survey showed a gap in grey squirrel distribution across the Midlands covering an area of approximately six counties, whilst in 2019 this gap has expanded to nine counties in the Midlands. The pine marten was granted legal protection in 1976, and this, in addition to afforestation, has led to its return to woodlands from which it had long vanished. We are not out of the woods yet however, because sightings have shown that the grey squirrel has continued to spread, including being recorded in Co. Kerry, a first for the county. The silver lining this time is that such invasions are not accompanied by a second wave of the species to bolster new populations. Currently the east coast cities of Dublin and Belfast have the highest densities and are likely to remain the species strongholds. Increasing our understanding of suitable habitat types and landscape characteristics for the species is essential. Recent research by Flaherty & Lawton found that the presence of pine areas from which the grey squirrel Environmental Data and Recording marten, waterbodies, peatland has disappeared for the longest in Belfast, whose online recording and coniferous forests represented time, recorded the highest platforms and expertise in data significant differences between increases in red squirrel sightings. collection and robust validation are a region with high grey squirrel the backbone of citizen science occurrence records and one where Results of the 2012 and 2019 All- in Ireland. Dr Colin Lawton from they are now rare. Ireland Squirrel and Pine Marten NUI Galway who coordinated the Surveys led to the Irish population 2019 survey, as well as the previous What does the picture look like of red squirrel recently being surveys, said ‘The survey was very for the native red squirrel? They downgraded from Near Threatened successful and underlined the are largely absent from areas in 2009, to Least Concern, a benefits of citizen science and using along the Atlantic coast with significant step for a species listed the collective knowledge of an little connectivity to join the as ‘decreasing’ on the IUCN Red List informed and enthusiastic public.' sparse blocks of woodland. Most and classed as Endangered in Britain. He also felt that the ‘collaborative recordings came from counties Cork From a citizen science perspective, nature of the study, bringing and Wicklow — good news for the the 2019 survey received 19.5% together colleagues from institutions latter where they were previously more records than its predecessor, across both parts of the island, was considered under threat. The survey emphasising the role of citizen very productive.’ also demonstrated the lag period science as a cost-effective survey between the disappearance of method for certain species. This The full report is available at: http:// grey squirrel populations and the approach was made possible by the bit.ly/All-IrelandSquirrelSurvey arrival of red squirrels. Counties National Biodiversity Data Centre Westmeath, Offaly and Laois — in Waterford and the Centre for

Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 7 Photo: ©Andrew McCarthy

Bats on the Web Kate McAney, Head of Conservation Development – Ireland

normally encountered on a bat Our final digital presentation in walk and interspersed these with 2020 was at the Mayo Dark Sky echolocation calls from the bats Festival in October, with a talk on we would expect to find, eg, the lesser horseshoe bat, a wholly Daubenton’s bat at a lake edge and appropriate setting for one of a lesser horseshoe bat flying along Ireland’s most photophobic species. a hedgerow. We were also able to The Dark Sky Festival is an annual include excellent footage of bats in event that normally brings together flight, thanks to Crossing The Line a range of speakers to the towns of Although COVID-19 put a Productions, the award-winning County Mayo to highlight that the stop to engaging with documentary production company. region is internationally recognised volunteers and the public, it While watching and listening as one of the best places in the to a virtual bat walk will never world to view the night sky. encouraged new ways of compensate for participating in a thinking and engaging. walk, there is the advantage that The Dark Sky Park http://www. the midges do not bite! The video mayodarkskypark.ie is located Although the restrictions on is still available to view at https:// between the Nephin Mountain movement during 2020 due to bit.ly/virtualbatwalk and we are Range and the Atlantic coastline, COVID-19 prevented us engaging thrilled that over 800 people borders Ballycroy National Park and with volunteers on projects and have viewed it since it was first is 150km2 in extent. It is Ireland’s running events attended by the broadcast on 5 June. Find out what first International Dark Sky Park. public, it encouraged us to explore was involved in creating this video In previous years, the festival has alternative ways of keeping our on page 34. featured talks on physics, culture work to the fore. The first of these and the environment, family- was accepting an invitation from Limerick City and County Council friendly science workshops, as well Limerick City and County Council also provided us with the as walks and stargazing sessions. to create a virtual bat walk for opportunity to create our first Although the workshops and them as part of their programme Webinar, which was broadcast on outdoor events were not possible to celebrate Limerick’s European 24 September and focused on the this year, a varied programme was Green Leaf City 2020 designation. lesser horseshoe bat. This species organised and included our talk; http://bit.ly/EuropeanGreenLeaf is found in just six counties in ‘Woodlands and ruins under dark skies Ireland, and Limerick occupies a — why County Mayo is so important We devised a 30-minute walk based strategic position between what is for the lesser horseshoe bat’. at Curragh Chase Forest Park, a now considered to be a northern location where we had previously subpopulation in Mayo, Galway and held ‘actual’ bat walks. In the Clare and a southern subpopulation video we featured the habitats in Kerry and Cork.

8 Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 The impact of traffic noise on bat activity Photo: ©Domnhall Finch Domhnall Finch, former VWT PhD student

to replay traffic noise through When the sonic and ultrasonic speakers along hedgerows and spectrums were played on separate treelines to mimic the effect of nights, we demonstrated that it is passing cars on bat species, and the sonic spectrum that has the monitored potential changes in highest impact on bat activity. These We are well aware that driving our their activity levels. This two-year results suggest that traffic noise isn’t cars around, perhaps in pre study initially examined the effects jamming or masking bat echolocation COVID-19 times, can have negative of both the sonic and ultrasonic calls but rather it is causing an effects on the environment by spectrums of traffic noise together. avoidance behaviour in bats. increasing the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, Our results demonstrated that Further research is required to reducing air quality, and increasing traffic noise can cause a reduction identify effective mitigation the likelihood of pollution in in total bat activity by approx. two strategies, to delineate the zone waterways; all of which can have thirds. This negative impact was of influence of road noise, and to significant effects on human also recorded 20m away from the assess whether there is any health. But what about impacts on source of the traffic noise. These habituation over time. However, as biodiversity? As part of my recent effects were seen across a broad many bats are of high conservation PhD research at the University of spectrum of bat species that have concern, Environmental Impact Sussex, jointly funded by VWT, I varied foraging strategies and Assessments need to consider the carried out investigations into the frequencies at which they potential effects of road noise on effect of traffic noise on the echolocate, including the greater habitat quality, landscape activity of bats. horseshoe bat, common and soprano connectivity, and population pipistrelles, noctule and the genus viability. These effects need to be In areas previously undisturbed by Myotis, which includes Bechstein’s considered in combination with heavy traffic noise, we used a bat and Daubenton’s bat. These those of street lighting, collision phantom road playback experiment effects were not just limited to the and direct habitat loss and number of bat passes; we prioritised accordingly. also saw a reduction in the number of feeding These assessments are not just buzzes — calls that are important when new roads are emitted by bats just due to be built but also need to before they capture their be considered if there is to be an prey — for both common increase in the volume of vehicles and soprano pipistrelles using a road, eg, through road during the experiment. widening schemes. Photo: ©Mark Williams

Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 9 Photo: ©Robert Cruickshanks/Ootmahoosewindae.com The rise and rise of the pine marten in Wales – reflections on the Pine Marten Recovery Project Jenny MacPherson, Science and Research Programme Manager

with only a few isolated animals some of these issues and help remaining in the remote uplands of restore the species to suitable areas northern England and Wales. throughout England and Wales. Initially, a detailed study was Since the latter half of the 20th carried out to look at the feasibility century, the pine marten population of using translocations as part of in Scotland has made a significant the conservation strategy for this recovery, with an expansion south species (MacPherson, 2014). IUCN and eastwards from the core areas guidelines for conservation in the North West Highlands. translocations were followed The pine marten, Bele’r However, the species is still rare in throughout the process and habitat coed (marten of the wood), Britain with the most recent suitability and population viability was once on the verge of population estimate of around 3,700 models were used to classify regions extinction in Wales but is now martens, most of which are in according to their potential to back in healthy numbers. Scotland. In England and Wales, support a viable breeding there was no discernible natural population. Central Wales was recovery of pine martens by 2014, identified as having high biological Between autumn 2015 and 2017, and the species remained very rare suitability because of the large a total of 51 pine martens were or absent altogether. Because pine amount of well-connected, suitable translocated from the Highlands martens do not usually breed until woodland habitat and relatively low of Scotland to the forests of the their third year and only have one risk to pine martens of road Cambrian Mountains in Mid Wales to annual litter of two to four kits, it mortality. There was also recent save the species from going extinct. takes a long time for populations to DNA evidence (in 2007 and 2012) This was all part of Vincent Wildlife recover once diminished. Records, that there could still have been Trust's (VWT) Pine Marten Recovery mainly in the form of sightings, extremely small numbers of pine Project (PMRP). were still reported from parts of martens still present.

England and Wales, but it was Pine martens were once common thought unlikely these represented The social acceptability of and widespread throughout Britain. viable populations. As the translocating pine martens to Wales However, during the 19th century population in Scotland continued to was as important as the biological the species suffered one of the most expand southwards, it was highly feasibility. The results of a wide- dramatic declines of any British likely that pine martens would scale public opinion survey mammal. This was largely due to naturally recolonise parts of suggested that the majority of increases in predator control to northern England, but the road people would be in favour of action protect game birds, compounding the and rail networks criss-crossing effects of habitat loss, with urbanised areas, as well as the woodland cover in Britain having large distances involved would Camera traps and volunteers are vital in helping declined to a low of around 5% by to monitor the pine marten population growth probably have made natural the beginning of the 20th century. recolonisation further south well By this time, pine martens had nigh impossible. disappeared from almost all of southern Britain. The majority of So, VWT’s Pine Marten Recovery the remnant population was Project began in 2014 to address restricted to North West Scotland,

10 Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 to prevent the pine marten from conspecifics, therefore they may sites that they found, including becoming extinct in Wales. not settle in suitable habitat at the tree holes, squirrel dreys, rocky However, crucially, more detailed release site, choosing instead to ledges and derelict buildings. consultations with stakeholders and disperse to another area in search By early April, following the first communities in the prospective of conspecifics. release, some of the radio-tracked release areas were carried out so

that we could answer any questions, Photo: ©Lizzie Croose discuss specific issues and ensure that there was local input to, and Radio-tracking results show that the first pine martens support for, the project (https:// besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/ released in 2015, into 'empty' habitat, initially made some doi/full/10.1002/pan3.10139). All relatively long distance exploratory movements, often using the feedback gathered in these wooded river valleys to travel around, before tracking back early stages was taken into account to the release area. It took approximately four months when making the final decision to before they established stable home ranges. However, those proceed, and in deciding where released in the second year, when there were other martens releases should take place. We were already present, settled much more quickly and established very fortunate that the local territories within about two months of being released. communities in and around north https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ece3.6265 Ceredigion were very keen to get involved in the project and have been absolutely crucial to its ongoing success. We also had help and support from key landowners and forest managers, including Natural Resources Wales, as well as several Extensive mature conifer woodland, females began staying very close to local businesses in Mid Wales. like much of the plantation forestry a chosen den site, which suggested in the release area, provides that they might have had kits, but Following the preparation work, martens with plenty of cover; it we had to wait until the middle translocations began in autumn has been shown in previous radio- of May to find out for certain. By 2015. Twenty healthy, adult pine tracking studies that they spend this time the kits are quite well martens were released into a large much of their time in these sorts of developed and the females start area of well-connected woodlands, areas. However, while they may be to leave the den for longer periods with a further 20 animals in autumn used by pine martens as habitat and of time so we were able, under 2016 and another 12 the following for feeding, even-aged plantations licence, to check the dens. It was year. These were all taken from often do not provide good denning certainly one of the high points of robust populations on Forestry and opportunities, generally due to the project when we confirmed Land Scotland sites spread across the lack of deadwood habitat and that at least four of our females the northern Highlands. All the cavity trees. Pine martens prefer had successfully bred in the first pine martens were radio collared tree holes for breeding dens so they year of release and we counted five and were studied intensively for a can safely rear their kits above healthy looking, Welsh-born pine long period following release. The ground for the first weeks after marten kits in 2016. From March data collected has provided a huge birth. Woods with ‘old growth’ onwards every year, monitoring of amount of information, which will attributes, such as large old trees the females was intensified to see inform subsequent reintroductions grown to maturity, deadwood if any of them were showing signs elsewhere. Some of the research, habitat, cavity trees and natural of breeding. Camera traps were which has now been published, areas, generally offer more suitable also used at den sites, along with focused on the martens’ ranging sites for denning. These are likely a combination of other evidence. behaviour and habitat use in the to be semi-natural woods, riparian All this detective work confirmed days and months following release. zones, or natural reserves where that at least five females bred in All translocations are essentially old-growth characteristics have had spring 2017, resulting in at least exercises in forced dispersal, but time to develop. To ensure that ten Welsh-born pine marten kits, Camera traps and volunteers are vital in helping dispersing animals in many, even there were enough suitable dens four of which were born to PM16 to monitor the pine marten population growth relatively anti-social, species rely available, a network of artificial who was released in autumn 2015. on the presence of others of the den boxes was put up throughout This meant that hers were the first same species (conspecifics) to assess the release area and some of known pine marten kits conceived habitat suitability. Translocated these have certainly been used by and born in Wales for decades and individuals invariably face an martens. However, we also tracked was another big project milestone. environment with no, or very few, animals to the many natural den

Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 11 People and pine martens... benefits beyond biodiversity Jenny MacPherson, Science and Research Programme Manager Photo: ©Rachel Alexander

in pine marten release sites in Wales did suggest that the martens had an effect on how the squirrels behaved https://besjournals. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/ doi/abs/10.1111/1365- 2664.13598

There is also the prospect The return of a healthy of pine martens benefiting pine marten population has local businesses through potential to provide benefits ecotourism, as is the case in some parts of Scotland. beyond biodiversity. The Rheidol Railway has actively supported the The interaction between pine project and there is now martens and grey squirrels has a Pine Marten Information been a subject of great interest Den at the station in Devil’s since a study in Ireland showed Bridge, which (prior to COVID declines in grey squirrel numbers restrictions) was very well as the pine marten recovered in used by visitors to the area. some areas. It is still not known if a similar effect will be observed in Britain but some research carried Collaboration with and involvement out by Catherine McNicol, looking by local communities were crucial into the behaviour of grey squirrels to the success of the Pine Marten Recovery Project.

12 Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 Engagement with people and Ultimately, this communities continues to be local involvement key to the project. Many local and support is volunteers were directly involved as important to with radio-tracking the martens, the long-term and continue to monitor the health integration of of the population using more pine martens back non-invasive monitoring methods into the natural such as camera, scat and hair tube landscape as all surveys. These have all together the science and provided up to date information on preparation that how far the martens have spread led up to the return out and given us valuable insights of the pine marten into how the population is faring. to Wales. Volunteers helped to cover huge areas of Wales in last year's Pine Marten Expansion Zone survey.

VWT leaving thoughts

Sally Ford-Hutchinson shares her thoughts on her role as a Trustee

commercial. While I would never scientific research. If this could be want VWT to be a commercial communicated to a wider, relevant organisation, I do hope that I have audience then there would be more had an influence on the steady overall impact. This was definitely move towards an approach which an area in which I did have some always ensures that VWT is as relevant experience. professional in finance and in marketing as it has always been in Hopefully some of that experience everything it does in the world of helped the Communications Team Over my career in advertising and conservation and wildlife. develop the brand, develop the market research, I have always communications and develop VWT’s been involved in voluntary work for The challenge for me was balancing position in the world of conservation. the professional organisations; it my attitudes from the commercial Very much their work not mine, but was always about giving back. I world with the world of a charity, I still look on it proudly. arrived at a point in my life when I but I always felt that made for thought I would really like to give more interesting debates about Joining VWT was always about the back in a different way, in an area strategy: back again to my slightly conservation of wildlife and so that would reflect my personal different way of looking at issues. some of the most enjoyable times interests and passions — and that Since the time when I started on were visiting the bat roosts and was wildlife. I started doing some the Board of Trustees I think there watching all the wonderful videos work with Herefordshire Wildlife has been a change in the make-up of the pine marten translocations. Trust where I met the then Chief of the board. For a start I was the Just being a distant part of that Executive of Vincent Wildlife Trust first female Trustee, now I think it success story was very rewarding (VWT). I had never heard of VWT is 50/50. Also, there is now a very and I am thankful for the but I really liked the sound of the good balance between the opportunity I was given by VWT. organisation’s work. I was conservation world and the encouraged to apply to be a commercial world. This means that All I can say as a parting thought Trustee. I did and there I was, the board can contribute in a really is just keep on doing the great part of this wonderful organisation wide range of areas and that makes work. Share it proudly with as with the hope that my strategic for good governance. many organisations as possible so and marketing experience could that you can positively influence prove useful. In many ways there was a time the work they are doing. As VWT when VWT perhaps ‘hid its light goes forward this means you will I did indeed find that the way I under a bushel’. It was doing have more and more impact and approached issues was perhaps fantastic work, always based on the world will be a better place. different and in many ways more absolutely sound and innovative

Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 13 Photo: ©www.andrewmccarthyphotography.co.uk Tracking Pathways for Bats Kate McAney, Head of Conservation Development — Ireland

in 2019. As there was no evidence tracks, we placed six SM4 static of disturbance at the other three bat detectors at a variety of roosts and bats were present, we locations by day, all within 2km estimate the Trust’s Irish reserves of the reserve. In total we have may have held approximately 4,000 76 randomly generated spots to bats this year in the weeks leading visit over two summers and these up to the first births. include a range of habitat types and quality at varying distances Tracking the movement of bats from roads and artificial lighting. from Fiddaun Cottage While this leaves our nights free, Our Galway reserve, Fiddaun the days are spent contacting Cottage, straddles the boundary landowners to ask permission to with neighbouring County Clare, enter their land to place a detector Our lesser horseshoe bat which has many large and along a hedgerow, or sometimes on work this year in Ireland has important lesser horseshoe bat a post in the middle of a field been a healthy mixture of roosts. This small cottage was on the brink of collapse when The detectors are well hidden monitoring our reserves, the Trust acquired it in 1998, yet when placed along public areas and researching bat activity in 30 bats were using it, probably only positioned in a field when we the vicinity of one of them because they had no alternative and desktop modelling for roost. Although the colony has the entire Irish population. increased since then — this summer 150 adult bats emerged Despite travel restrictions due to one evening in June — we always COVID-19, which meant we were wondered where the colony went unable to provide our helpers in at night because the habitat Kerry with the necessary equipment surrounding the cottage is quite to enable them to conduct poor. So, over the years, we have emergence counts, we were still followed the bats at dusk for able to monitor the number of adult short distances using hand-held bats emerging from nine of our detectors. This research was twelve reserves. This was possible greatly helped by 24 volunteers due to help from the Conservation in 2019 who on one night walked Rangers of National Parks and transects within 2km of the roost Wildlife Service (NPWS), for which listening for the bats. we are very grateful. The 3,059 bats counted at the nine sites This year we adopted a different either reflected an increase or were approach. Rather than walking similar to the numbers recorded at night along minor roads and

14 Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 know that cattle will not be grazing Desktop modelling and the Modelling was conducted at a more there during our study week. Irish lesser horseshoe bat detailed level for Limerick and Cattle are very curious animals We received a grant from NPWS north Kerry and predicted that and, although the detectors are this summer to conduct a modelling there are corridors of connectivity robust and waterproof, they are study for the lesser horseshoe bat the bats could use, specifically to not bovine proof! The requirement and who better to undertake this bridge the gap of over 55km which to contact every landowner is time than Dr Domhnall Finch, who had is between roosts in Rathkeale consuming but a very rewarding just completed his PhD on the (Limerick) and Castleisland (Kerry). part of the project because it gives greater horseshoe bat in Britain. Before any practical work is us an opportunity to talk to the The aim of our study was to undertaken in this area, however, farmers and to learn about their identify potential pathways and fieldwork is needed to verify the farming practices. A key to our barriers to movement of lesser predictions of the model and we success to date in tracking down horseshoe bats across their are now looking to see how we the names and contact details for known range in Ireland. Previous can fund and achieve this. farmers has been our neighbour at research has shown that the Irish Fiddaun, Killian Forde, who farms population, approximately 13,000 close to the cottage, and also to bats, is now fragmented into local volunteers, so we extend a big three regions or subpopulations, thank you to them for all the help probably due to landscape changes they have given us. and urbanisation.

Knowledge of potential pathways and barriers is the first step in developing a targeted approach to conserving the species at a landscape scale, which could be achieved by landowners under future funding streams, such as a LIFE project or the next Common Agricultural Policy. Although we have Map showing areas of high and low carried out desktop studies functional connectivity for the lesser before on this topic, this horseshoe bat across its entire range in Map showing records of lesser horseshoe is the first time we have the Republic of Ireland. bat activity around Fiddaun Cottage incorporated data on roads and between 2015 and 2018 using volunteers artificial lighting. We are grateful walking with bat detectors and records of to all the local authorities for activity in 2019 using static recorders.. providing us with data on the level of artificial lighting in their regions.

It will be interesting to see how The report is available to download our study of lesser horseshoe bat from www.vincentwildlife.ie but in activity on farms around Fiddaun summary, we found that while compares to the results obtained there are areas of relatively high by Dr Domhnall Finch during his functional connectivity between research on greater horseshoes roosts in each of the three regions, bats. Domhnall found that 29% of there is limited connectivity calls were recorded in the centre between these regions at a of fields, an unexpected result for landscape scale. This may be due a species which, like the lesser to the level of urbanisation horseshoe bat, prefers to fly along associated with the cities of linear landscape features Galway and Limerick. These two (Finch et al. Animals 2020, 10, 1856; cities are responsible for the doi:0.3390/ani10101856). highest streetlight density across Map showing The locations of the eight the study area, which could be additional roosts in the counties of Kerry and Limerick. acting as a barrier to this photophobic bat species.

Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 15 Photo: ©Robert Cruickshanks/Ootmahoosewindae.com

On the trail of pine martens in northern England Kevin O'Hara, Pine Marten Project Officer (BftB)

The long-term aim is to see the and commitment of volunteers and establishment of a viable self- local communities who have done sustaining population of pine martens so much and have helped to put the in northern England. Working with region and the species on the map. volunteers, landowners and land managers, we surveyed woodlands As a quick recap, it’s worth in Northumberland and Cumbria considering what everyone has to collect information on the achieved during the BftB project. presence and distribution of these We captured, using trail cameras, The occurrence of occasional records elusive mammals. We also enhanced the very first pictures and videos of of pine martens in Northumberland woodland habitat for martens by naturally colonised and wild living suggested that martens might be installing artificial den boxes to pine martens in England. Since then, re-colonising parts of northern provide resting and breeding sites. we have identified the presence of England by spreading south over pine marten in northern England the Scottish border. However, prior As the Back from the Brink Pine (in Northumberland and Cumbria) to this Back from the Brink Pine Marten project comes to an end with over 80 records so far. We have Marten Project, very little was known after 3.5 years, Kevin O'Hara, VWT’s also been able to identify several about the presence, distribution and Pine Marten Project Officer (BftB), individual martens from camera conservation status of pine martens in reflects on what has been achieved. trap images, that appear to be northern England. resident across the region, and we As we eased out of the first have shared these findings with The aim of the Back from the Brink lockdown, we looked forward to many people through social media project was to facilitate and monitor getting out and about once again and through the press. Through the natural recovery of pine martens and continuing to monitor the these findings, we have ultimately in northern England, in order to presence of pine martens as they brought the presence of pine marten develop a better understanding of make their own way from Scotland into the public eye and have been their status and distribution in this into northern England. We also able to open the discussion on their region. This work will inform future spent time pursuing a legacy project presence in the environment. conservation and management plans to help maintain the momentum and feed into the overall recovery of we have gained through the BftB So, it is a big Thank You to everyone the pine marten nationally. project, thanks to the dedication for their patience and for their

16 Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 efforts prior to lockdown, and we other organisations during the Photo: ©Robert Cruickshanks/Ootmahoosewindae.com optimistically look forward to a project. Additionally, plans are continued pine marten presence in being developed for a wider legacy the north of England. project to secure the future of pine martens in northern England Whilst the pine marten population and further facilitate the species’ is in early stages of re-establishment recovery nationally. in northern England, ongoing monitoring is recommended to keep Thanks to the collaboration of track of changing distribution and local communities and landowners, range expansion. facilitated by the Back from the Brink programme, the pine marten Although funding for the Back now has a stronger chance of from the Brink project has come recovery in northern England. to an end, we hope that some monitoring efforts will continue, thanks to partnerships established with volunteers, landowners and

My time as a Trustee for Vincent Wildlife Trust

Matt Norman reflects on his time as a trustee with VWT.

In 2010 I spotted an advert online placed by a charity seeking a new Trustee with investment experience. There soon followed a cup of coffee with the CEO and Chairman, a meeting with the remaining Trustees to see if there was a fit… and before you know it, ten years serving as aTrustee flashed by! In spite of joining the Trust in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis and at a time when some difficult board decisions had to be made for the longevity of the VWT, the quality and togetherness of everyone involved from Trustees and management through to staff and volunteers, was (and indeed remains) something quite special to behold. VWT’s family-like culture and science-led approach still continues and enables it to continue to punch well above its weight.

Visiting Bronsil each year to hear in person how the various projects have advanced and seeing how the staff develop has been an absolute pleasure and become a part of my annual year end routine, alongside the Trust Christmas parties. My favourite memory however is clear — the Board’s decision to 'go for it' with regards to the ambitious and indeed costly pine marten recovery plan. That decision well and truly put Vincent Wildlife Trust on the map and is something we should be so proud of.

But the highlights of being a Trustee have been many and it has been a wonderful experience helping the Trust to develop over these years — and it has been such an honour. Hopefully I am safely passing the baton on and leaving VWT a little bit better than I found it. The great thing is that the Board continues to attract fantastic experienced people willing to volunteer their time.

The next ten years will be bright for the Trust as it works with more and more partners, leading by example and spreading the very special VWT way of doing things. I’ll be looking forward to reading about those next adventures — long may they continue.

Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 17 VWT and the Irish Environmental Network Kate McAney, Head of Conservation Development – Ireland

supporters and annually contribute member is that a representative over six million unpaid hours on of their organisation serves on environmental work (www.ien.ie). The the network’s Board of Directors importance and value of this network for a three-year period, which was recognised by our President, ensures that a range of talents and Michael D. Higgins in 2015 when experiences govern the operation he invited the network to a special of the network. Having recently celebration of civil society in June. stepped down as a Director, I very much valued this experience. Financial support for the network is provided by the Department VWT first applied to join the of Environment, Climate and network in January 2014 and Communications, and represents we were delighted to have one of the few sources of funding our application accepted. The Vincent Wildlife Trust in Ireland available to environmental membership process is a detailed undertakes what you might call NGOs in Ireland. Unfortunately, one and each application is a soul-searching exercise in the lottery funding is not available reviewed by independent assessors. first quarter of every year. to the environmental sector in Funding is then allocated based Ireland, as it is in the UK. An on this assessment. There is quite important responsibility of each a long list of eligibility criteria, This has nothing to do with setting New Year’s resolutions but relates to our completing an annual application form to join the Irish Environmental Network (IEN). The IEN is an umbrella network that supports Irish environmental NGOs by providing funding to cover core costs, grants for projects and training. The groups that make up the network represent a broad range of environmental issues, everything from wildlife conservation to climate change, and they undertake practical conservation work, education, IEN funding enabled us research, campaigns, lobbying and to create our first artificial raising public awareness. hibernation site for lesser horseshoe bats. Thirty-two organisations comprised the network in 2019, representing over 35,000 members and

18 Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 which includes the requirements that the organisation’s primary objectives and activities are environmental protection and/ or environmental sustainability, is not for profit, has a demonstrable national remit and has an up-to-date website and social media presence.

Apart from access to funding and a sense of solidarity with other NGOs, I believe a major benefit of being part of the IEN is being forced to take time out to reflect on the previous year’s work, because it is so easy to become absorbed with issues on a day-to- day or week-to-week basis. We undertake quarterly reporting as an organisation within the Trust, but it is good to have an opportunity to reflect just on our work in Ireland and to ensure we are meeting our objectives. When we first applied in 2014, our only source of funding County Council and, thanks to using a den box in Ireland. was that provided directly by the funding from National Parks and Ruth has since teamed up with Trust. In the intervening years, the Wildlife Service this year, Domhnall BirdWatch Ireland, Irish Wildlife core funding provided through the Finch is continuing this. Trust, Irish Whale and Dolphin IEN has become significant, both as Group and Bat Conservation core funding and in direct grants Financial assistance from the IEN Ireland, all IEN members, on many for specific projects, such as our was also an important catalyst occasions to run public events. first artificial hibernation site. We for our work here on the pine The largest of these is the now have also used IEN grants to secure marten, because this funded annual Go Wild in Galway event additional funding from other field trials into how to keep this during National Biodiversity Week sources for projects. species out of pheasant pens. in May, when the network works This predation was becoming a hard to create awareness about One of the Trust’s major concerns problem for small gun clubs and so, all aspects of biodiversity. The in Ireland is the ability of the in partnership with the Kilcormac IEN provided us with additional lesser horseshoe bat to freely move Game and Conservation Club, we funding for a special event in May between its roosts that are dotted designed a release pen that is both 2015 that enabled a small group along the west coast because this mammalian and avian predator of local people to witness lesser ensures gene flow between colonies proof. Instructional notes and a horseshoe bats emerge from their to sustain a healthy population. video about this are available on summer roost at Coillte’s Curragh Habitat fragmentation, however, www.pinemarten.ie Chase House, County Limerick. has created gaps in this distribution We ran this event with help from and already we can detect slight Our membership of the IEN volunteers and the NPWS. genetic differences in bats between coincided with Ruth Hanniffy counties. We believe the best way joining the Trust so we then had It has been easy to write about the to counteract this is to identify the capacity to work with other IEN in this blog, not least because the optimum routes along which organisations within the network. I didn’t have to restrict myself to connectivity could be reinstated Ruth worked with The Native 5,000 characters as is the case in using modelling techniques. An Woodland Trust to erect pine many sections of the multi-paged membership application form! IEN grant in our first year as a marten den boxes, including one member enabled us to undertake But this demand for brevity is a at its reserve in Westmeath. On a small price to pay for the many our first piece of research, which trip there in 2017, they discovered benefits of membership, and I hope was conducted by Fionnuala Lyons. through examining trail camera we will continue to be part of this This then led to a second study in footage that a pine marten had important network for many years 2017 carried out by Patrick Lenihan been using the boxes. This was the to come. while he was an Intern with Kerry first time we had filmed martens

Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 19 Photo: ©Julia Bracewell

A privileged peek into the hidden world of greater horseshoe bats Julia Bracewell, Senior Design and Communications Officer

sleep off a night of feasting on and surfaces that they can suspend insects. Their favourites include from. As with most bats, they have the cockchafer, a large crunchy different habitat needs during the beetle, and the equally chunky year: a warm, safe space for pups yellow underwing moth… but most in a maternity roost and a cooler insects unfortunate enough to miss space for winter hibernation. And the swift and silent wing beats of of course, a surrounding habitat these bats will be taken. that can provide them with a good supply of insects. The Old Kitchens Sadly, during the last century, the fulfils these needs. It is an old It’s 3am on a Monday morning in abundance and variety of insects sandstone building in the grounds of June 2019 and I’m perched on a along with suitable habitats Bryanston School and was once the box in the cold dark of a small declined drastically with changes catering quarters for a large country room, grateful for the many items in agricultural practices and with house. The house has long since of branded clothing I’d been issued the increased use of pesticides. gone, but this building remains and with when I joined Vincent Wildlife And with these losses came the now belongs to the bats. Trust (VWT). I’m wearing them inevitable decline in greater all now… and still I’m cold. I’m horseshoe bats. Some estimates put With me in this small space are also struggling to keep my eyes it at over a 90% loss by the 1980s, Anita Glover, VWT’s Bat Programme open. With their heads together leaving a sparse population of only Manager, and Andrew Thompson, and hunched over the only light in 5,000 individuals in Britain. Film Director with BBC Scotland. the room, which is coming from a We are here to capture footage tiny screen, I’m certain the two With such catastrophic figures, the of the normally hidden world of other people here wouldn’t notice founder of Vincent Wildlife Trust, a greater horseshoe bat roost for if I close my eyes and sleep. But Vincent Weir, took the costly steps Andrew’s latest project: Inside the there’s nowhere to sleep. of acquiring buildings where the Bat Cave. The aim of this and a greater horseshoe bat was clinging further four visits to this reserve is Suddenly, there’s excitement as a on and funding research into how to spend weekly eight-hour shifts small, rotund figure flies across the buildings and the surrounding staring into the monitor and to screen and comes to rest, hanging habitats could be enhanced to record life inside the roost. Andrew upside down and slowly swaying provide maximum protection and is hoping to capture footage of a with ever-diminishing momentum the most appropriate conditions for live birth during these sessions. I’m until it stops. I’m wide awake now. the different stages of a year in the just hoping I can survive the next life of a bat. These sites are now few weeks of nocturnal living. We are in a small room at Bryanston managed by VWT as bat reserves to Old Kitchens, one of VWT’s largest provide safe and suitable havens. But for now, I’m captivated by greater horseshoe bat roosts, the sight of this round ball — a watching and waiting for the bats Unlike other species, horseshoe heavily pregnant bat. We are able to return from their nocturnal bats can’t crawl into crevices to peek into this unseen world of feeding trips and to settle into and need to have roosts with bat roosts thanks to an infra-red their roost. I assume that they will openings large enough to fly into camera, which was installed in 20 Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 the roof space earlier in the year, sure he would be delighted to know We realise that the hotbox is long before the breeding season that the reserves he established getting quite crowded now with began in order to avoid disturbing are now host to around 50% of huddles of bats dotted across the the bats. The camera is linked this total population, with one ceiling. In between these huddles to a small monitor on the ground of the roosts being home to the are individuals grooming and floor, which we are now glued to largest known greater horseshoe stretching or occasionally sidling as the bats are starting to return. bat maternity colony in western up to each other to ‘converse’. Our fingers are poised to hit record Europe. While the majority of the As we zoom in on one huddle of and soon this single bat is joined British population is still found in around 15 bats, we can see that by others as they fly in and hang in the southwest of England and in they are tightly packed together ones and twos. But sleep seems to south Wales, there are early signs and seem to be finally resting until be the last thing on their minds. that they are expanding their range the next evening’s feeding flight… into the southeast of England and or so I thought. The whole group A privileged peek into the hidden We watch these ethereal creatures north Wales. All of this is good suddenly jolts, as if a pulse started of the night start the mundane news, but there is still much more by one travels through the whole. world of greater horseshoe bats task of grooming. Although I’ve to do in order to bring greater As we watch, it happens again and Julia Bracewell, Senior Design and Communications Officer seen countless animals cleaning horseshoe bats back up to their again. A regular beat. Our trance at themselves, this seems different, previous population levels. this pulsing collective is suddenly almost choreographed. Suspended broken as a bat flies in from the from the ceiling mesh by the Suddenly the mother unfolds her right and barges its way into the tiniest toes, they stretch out long wings and starts to clean her young bundle. There are the inevitable elegant and almost translucent pup… it is the equivalent of spit moments of disgruntled fidgeting wings. Ballet dancers of the bat and rub as the pup is thoroughly to accommodate this incomer and world, they sway and spin as their cleaned all over, including behind then the group settles once again cleaning creates momentum. the ears. Maybe in a bid to escape into its rhythmic heartbeat… until Having licked every millimetre this attention, the pup suddenly one of the bats decides to leave and maybe more, this fastidious drops down, hanging by its feet to and sets off another round of bat suddenly envelops herself in the mother. At this stage it seems fidgeting and settling and pulsing. her wings and transforms into an all angles and skin, and somewhat I realise now that my view of a bat origami kite that hangs. We move baby dragon-like as it is yet to fill roost as a still place of sleep has on and scan the area for other out and fluff up. It starts to stretch been hugely altered as we continue bats. While we’ve been engrossed and flap its wings, rest and then to scan and watch the pulsing by the cleaning, more bats repeat. Although this youngster huddles, the grooming individuals have flown into this roof space, probably won’t start flying until and those just stretching or known as a hot box. Designed August, it is already flexing muscles flapping or fidgeting. specially for maternity roosts, and preparing for independence. it is a thermostatically heated This vigorous movement causes And then it is time to switch off and insulated box where mothers the young pup to swing right round the camera and monitor. The last can leave young pups at optimal on its feet in both directions and hours have disappeared in minutes temperatures for growth and I wonder out loud how these bats and, although there wasn’t a live survival while they go out to feed. are able to cling on for so long. birth to capture on camera, as I Anita explains that bats, like birds, stumble out into the daylight, I We carry on slowly scanning, when have a specialised tendon locking feel so privileged to have had this Anita spots something. She takes mechanism that locks the feet into peek into the hidden world of the the control and zooms in on an a grip with very little muscular greater horseshoe bat. odd-shaped bat. It’s a mother with effort. This means that the muscles a young pup and we can just see are in a ‘relaxed’ state while they the tip of it clinging on, tucked are hanging on. beneath its mother’s folded wing cocoon. This is the first sighting this summer of a young greater horseshoe bat and is something to celebrate. Vincent’s strategy of taking on buildings and enhancing them as safe roosts seems to be paying off as the number of this species has been slowly rising — the latest estimate in 2018 is a British population of around 13,000. I’m

Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 21 Photo: ©Julia Bracewell Photo: ©Andrew McCarthy

Working together to safeguard the future of the greater horseshoe bat Tom Kitching, Bat Project Officer

documented record bat numbers at So what’s next for greater four of our six nature reserves for horseshoes? It’s been quite clear for this species. some time now that their numbers are increasing across the UK. We’ve We’ve been busy on a number seen an average annual increase of of projects for the horseshoe around 7% in the number of adults bats, including some exciting at our bat reserves since 2000, and prospects for enhancing our across the UK this figure is around nature reserves, researching the 4-5%. This is brilliant news, and you impact greater horseshoes have might be forgiven for thinking this It’s been another exciting on lesser horseshoes in roosts species is largely out of the woods. year working on greater and developing new monitoring But species recovery is a long road horseshoe bats, despite the methods using infrared equipment and it’s important that we don’t for our volunteers. We were also become complacent. unexpected challenges this contributors to the documentary year has brought us. Inside The Bat Cave, filmed in Despite the marked population 2019, which aired on BBC2 in increase, greater horseshoe bats Whilst we’ve all had to adapt our October 2020. The programme, have not recovered in some parts working lives, it’s good to see that which is available on iPlayeruntil of their historical range across these cave-dwelling mammals are September 2021, featured bats southern Britain. The longstanding still showing encouraging signs of from our greater horseshoe bat national strongholds of this species population recovery; this year we reserve in Dorset. are in South Wales, the West Midlands, and South West England, whilst there are relatively few

We are seeing increasing numbers We are seeing increasing numbers of adult of adult and juvenile bats at our and juvenile bats at our nature reserves. nature reserves.

22 Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 records in the southern counties beyond the long-established roosting sites in East Dorset. Historical records show that greater horseshoes were once found across Hampshire, West Sussex, Surrey and even Our initial modelling work shows there is suitable habitat in eastern counties, but as far as Kent. There are, however, large gaps in contiguity. promising signs that greater horseshoe bats are not completely makes todays figure of 13,000 look with the potential to support absent from these counties, with much less favourable than it does greater horseshoe bats alongside low numbers regularly recorded in the context of the last 30 years. areas of unsuitable habitat, which in West Sussex at hibernation So what else can we do to aid may impede dispersal. Large sites, indicating that there is still this recovery? It’s evident that swathes of arable land with poorly potential for them to re-establish protecting and enhancing roost developed field boundaries and in this part of the UK. sites has played a vital role few trees are more difficult for thus far, but we are increasingly greater horseshoes to navigate and, More recently, greater horseshoe interested in what is happening in therefore, these areas show up as bats were recorded via acoustic the wider landscape at much larger low suitability, as do urban areas detectors in coastal Kent, although scales. Much of the information with lots of lighting. Conversely, there is some debate as to whether we have on the population trends well vegetated riparian corridors, these are from a British bat or a of greater horseshoe bats relies broadleaf/mixed woodland and French bat that somehow made it on roost monitoring data, but cattle pasture show up as areas across the English Channel. Greater these sites are lacking in the of high suitability where they horseshoe bats haven’t been eastern parts of their range. In cover a high combined proportion recorded in Surrey since 1996 and order to figure out whether this of the land. numbers on the Isle of Wight are species might be able to recover greatly diminished. in the southeast, we need to know These tools allow us to focus It is well documented that both whether the habitat is suitable to our groundwork to look for new horseshoe bat species in Britain support them since the landscape records of these bats in areas underwent massive declines in has surely changed dramatically where the habitat is better. They the mid-20th century; by some since the species were present in can also help us to work with local estimates, 300,000 greater any great numbers. landowners to improve landscape horseshoe bats are thought to have features at the edge of the current inhabited Britain in 1900, which As well as suitable summer and range and potentially to develop or winter roosts, horseshoe bats improve roosting sites. With so few require a network of suitable roosting sites known in the eastern foraging habitats, primarily counties, it is important that we broadleaf woodland and cattle- do what we can to protect any grazed pasture, connected remaining roosting sites, however by corridors of linear woody small. Without safe roosting vegetation that are unpolluted by sites, it is impossible for greater artificial light. More recently, it has horseshoes to recolonise this part been shown that noise pollution of the country. from road traffic can also inhibit foraging activity. By using maps of Over the next few years, we landscape features and land-use hope to work closely with other types, we are able to quantify conservation organisations, these factors to generate spatial volunteers and landowners in South models that predict the extent and East England, so that we location of suitable habitat, based can facilitate the return of on the location of existing records greater horseshoe bats and of greater horseshoe bats. safeguard the future of this The current distribution of greater recovering, but ultimately still horseshoe bats indicates there is These kinds of predictions show rare species. potential for range expansion into South East England. different parts of the landscape Map ©Mammal Society, 2018 Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 23 PhD Research Round Up Kieran O'Malley

understanding of how bats interact they cross the road is a bit more with roads is now needed to improve of a challenge. Studies relying road management for bats. on observers can be useful but will inevitably lead to a loss of Many people presume bats are information, as well as being subject similar to rats or mice, short lived to human error. A more direct but also with the ability to produce approach is therefore needed if many offspring. Yet bats are one of we are to get a more in-depth look the longest-lived mammals for their of bat movements during these size. At 41 years, the Brandt’s bat, vulnerable moments. a common species in Britain, holds How did the bat the record for the longest lived bat. cross the road? On the other hand, bats reproduce slowly, giving birth to just a single Roads can act as a barrier for many pup a year. This unusual life history species, either through avoidance strategy (normally associated with behavior or by means of direct much larger species) makes bat collisions with traffic. It is not colonies vulnerable to any process uncommon to see mammal or bird that will lead to a population carcasses on the side of the road, a decline, given the limited ability grisly reminder of how our everyday they have to rapidly recover. lifestyle has an impact on our environment. Whilst the profound As roads may act as a significant effects of roads on other wildlife source of mortality for bats it is are now well documented, bats important to understand how the are often an overlooked casualty. two interact. For the most part Previous attempts to provide safe we can discern why a bat may passage for bats across roads using have crossed a road (to reach 'bat gantries' have been costly foraging sites or during migration) and ineffective, and a better but determining exactly how

24 Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 Therefore, as part of my PhD research, I spent the summer along the roads of West Sussex in order to establish exactly how at risk bats may be based on their flight patterns. To circumnavigate the issue of human-observer bias, I used multiple infrared cameras in combination with a network of bat detectors to record bats crossing roads. It is the use of a complementary pair of infrared cameras, one on either side of the Bat commuting along a road. road, that will allow me to obtain unprecedented detail of bat movements such as height, speed, and flight paths in 3D space. Using a software developed specifically for reconstructing bat flight paths, I am working on getting this data Bat likely to be foraging along a road. for a species that is of particular interest to me, the barbastelle. Bat likely to be foraging.

The barbastelle is one of our rarest species of bat in Britain and is the main focus of my PhD research. By directing my efforts on road sections that intersected known commuting routes of two well-established colonies of barbastelles, I hope to obtain enough data to establish just how much of a risk roads pose to the persistence of these colonies. Through a better understanding of how bats cross or utilise roads, we can in turn help manage our roads to better protect not only the Bat crossing the road. barbastelle, but all bat species.

A combination of infra red cameras and bat detectors placed on either side of a road helps to capture the movements and journeys of bats along and across roads (left). These are plotted to show how bats interact with roads. (above right)..

Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 25 PhD Research Round Up Tom Dando and Keziah Hobson

Fieldwork permissions may have of case studies from around the been a challenge this year, but world and understand what best thankfully desk-based work is just as practice looks like in terms of the fun (maybe not). The piece of work social side of reintroductions. within my PhD at the most advanced stage is my literature review, which While reintroduction might seek an aims to evaluate the application and ecological outcome, social aspects guidance of social feasibility in of these projects are vitally reintroduction projects. While not important to achieving any success. directly linked to wildcats, this work The review highlights the has enabled me to collate hundreds importance of constructive and Photo: ©Helen Haden Finding positives in a pandemic

It’s been a year of disruption and having to adapt some of even the best-laid plans. As I enter the second year of my PhD study into the social and ecological feasibility of reintroducing wildcats into England and Wales, I certainly haven’t been immune to it all. But the show must go on, and over the past 12 months, the PhD and project certainly feel like they’re moving forward at quite a pace.

26 Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 committed stakeholder opportunity for me and, if anything, the new submission date set for late relationships, multi-disciplinary just as valuable as the technical 2022. Since returning, I have been approaches and local involvement in skills learnt through the research analysing the data collected through achieving reintroduction success and itself. It feels like it’s going to be a an online questionnaire survey which the pitfalls of under-resourcing busy winter of work and, hopefully, was running whilst I was on leave. This social actions, and unaddressed there will be more exciting progress aims to identify drivers of tolerance public concerns. to report soon. towards recovering predators in the UK. The protected predators included It hasn’t all been tapping away at a in the survey were pine marten, keyboard... I have also begun the polecat, otter, buzzard, red kite and process of interviewing individuals golden eagle, which were chosen due from some of the key stakeholder to the differences in their level of groups concerning wildcat recovery and distribution across the reintroductions. These interviews UK. The potential drivers included in provide the first opportunity to the study are experience, impacts, understand some of the common wildlife orientations values, and concerns of different stakeholders interests. The questionnaire was and can inform any future shared with members and volunteers stakeholder engagement work. of organisations with interests in shooting, forestry and wildlife Specifically, the research is examining conservation, and over 800 responses the perceptions these groups have of were received. conservation and by extension, conservationists, and to understand Another chapter of my PhD is what, if any, barriers exist that might looking at the effect of land use influence their involvement in the Analysing attitudes on pine marten population density, reintroduction process. around recovering connectivity, and survival over time. The genotyping of the remaining pine There will hopefully be fieldwork on predators marten hair samples from my 2nd and the horizon in the New Year as well, 3rd spatial capture-recapture surveys with applications submitted to Following maternity leave, I returned for this study had to be put on hold, conduct an intensive camera to studying for my PhD at Aberdeen as the NERC Biomolecular Analysis Lab trapping survey of some of the at the beginning of April this year, (NBAF) at the University of Sheffield candidate landscapes, to understand investigating the ecological and social was closed for several months due to the presence, behaviour and aspects of pine marten recovery. lockdown. The lab has just recently breeding status of feral/wild-living And then lockdown happened. I will opened and so the genotyping has and domestic cats. Hybridisation continue on a part-time basis with started up again. with domestic cats is one of the main threats posed to wildcats and these surveys can help to build a picture of how much of a factor this is likely to be.

Knowledge of the catscape of Wales and England is something that is poorly understood and of significant conservation concern for many species. It’s going to be another busy 12 months as this work continues, and there is still space to develop another chapter or two.

As part of my personal development, it’s also been fascinating to observe and partake in the development of the wider project and see its progress.

Working with VWT, Durrell and Photo: ©RObert Cruickshanks Wildwood is a great learning

Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 27 A team effort: searching for the elusive Photo: ©Johnny Birks barbastelle Kieran O'Malley, VWT PhD Student

here in the UK, which is in line with Wales. This presents a problem, VWT’s conservation-led research not only because it is likely to be and landscape-scale delivery of an unfair representation of their conservation actions. current distribution and density,

The main challenge Photo: ©Kieran O'Malley for this PhD, whilst theoretically Last year I started my PhD at Sussex simple, is somewhat University, in collaboration with difficult to address Vincent Wildlife Trust, to study one in practice… How do of Britain’s rarest mammals, the we determine if a barbastelle. Considered to be ‘Near woodland is occupied Threatened’ by the International by a barbastelle Union for the Conservation of colony? Identifying Nature, as well as being an Annex woodlands that II species (meaning it has special provide important areas of conservation designated roosting habitat can to it), the barbastelle has become be a time-consuming one of our most beloved bats. Until process and has recently, however, barbastelles traditionally been have received a surprising lack of reliant on the capture attention in the literature, despite and/or radio-tracking being a species of conservation of individual bats. The concern. This PhD is therefore limited opportunities focused on gaining a better for conducting understanding of the distribution barbastelle radio- of barbastelle maternity colonies tracking studies, and how this relates to the wider along with the rarity landscape. The research not only of this species, has aims to improve our understanding Barbastelles rely on mature woodlands consequently meant of the elusive barbastelle but also for their maternity roosts. only a handful of hopes to provide landscape-scale colonies are known conservation advice for this species across England and

28 Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 I started to better half of the year due to the current understand the role that pandemic, I had no choice but to acoustic data can have suspend the roll out of this scheme in determining woodland for 2020. Whilst this was a huge occupancy. Importantly, I disappointment, my aim now is to was able to establish the continue this work in the coming minimum survey effort, spring. Therefore, I hope I will be in terms of number of able to work with many of you in the static detectors, needed not-too-distant future. to ensure a high level of confidence in any conclusions drawn about woodland occupancy by barbastelle colonies. Get involved This research has now led to the establishment of a Although this project will protocol for the monitoring continue in spring 2021, of woodlands for the the exact survey period presence of barbastelle maternity colonies. With may be subject to change the assistance of dedicated in order to adhere with Static detectors captured more than bat groups and volunteers, both local/national 5,500 barbastelle recordings.

Photo: ©Kieran O'Malley the hope now is to government and university implement this protocol guidelines. If you wish to to survey woodlands on express an interest in the but because the sparsity of data a large-scale. Volunteer project or volunteer, please on colony sites will make any contributions will form an essential landscape-scale analysis of habitat aspect of the research but also contact me directly. preference more challenging. provide opportunities to expand and utilise survey skills. Surveys will be limited to Therefore, last summer I spent my the counties of Wiltshire, time exploring how acoustics may be Unfortunately, this is where we Herefordshire, West Sussex, utilised to help identify woodlands hit our problem. With the initial and Norfolk; so please containing maternity colonies. The uncertainty surrounding the basic principle is something already reopening of universities in the first only contact to volunteer widely recognised if you are able to reach amongst bat workers these locations. Surveys

but an aspect which Photo: ©Kieran O'Malley will involve the deployment has not been formally and collection of detectors investigated is that at specified locations in if you record a high woodlands. We may be number of echolocation calls near sunset then able to loan equipment a roost is likely nearby. if needed. To determine the relationship between Contact me if you are colony presence and pass interested in taking part rate, I deployed static in this aspect of the detectors at a number of ancient woodland research project. sites across Wiltshire, Herefordshire, and Email: [email protected] West Sussex. The work culminated in more than 5,500 barbastelle recordings spread over 40 nights. By comparing The barbastelle is thought to be one activity levels across of Britain’s rarest mammals. different woodlands,

29 Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 Can genetics help us uncover the secret life of Bechstein’s bats? Patrick Wright, Senior Science and Research Officer Photo: ©Henry Schofield

species have unknown population of the issues we come across trends and almost a quarter of when studying and monitoring species are Data Deficient by the bat populations. IUCN Red List (Frick et al., 2019). Conservationists, therefore, are My association with Vincent Wildlife continuously challenged to develop Trust began in 2015 when I started new techniques to better understand a PhD, co-funded by VWT, at Exeter and protect bats. University. The focus of my research was the Bechstein’s bat (Myotis While the first human genome took bechsteinii), a species recognised It is well known that bats are unique over 13 years to be fully sequenced as one of Europe’s most elusive amongst mammals. Their ability to and cost 3 billion US dollars, rapid bats. It is found primarily in ancient fly has allowed them to establish advances in the field mean that woodlands and colonies tend to themselves in most continents and these technologies are now a lot roost in woodpecker-made cavities. habitats, with the exception of faster and cheaper. The Bat1K The species was first recorded in Antarctica. Bats have also evolved genome project intends to sequence Britain in 1837. This, however, was a distinctive ability among land the full genome of all bat species in not followed by a deluge of records mammals to use echolocation order to uncover the secret of as they had only been recorded from as a tool for orientation. Both longer health-spans, flight, 14 sites before 1989 (Stebbings, adaptations have allowed them echolocation and disease resistance 1989). It was only when the Bat to take advantage of an aerial hidden in the bat genome. These Conservation Trust's Bechstein’s nocturnal lifestyle and utilise a molecular tools are also useful in Bat Survey started in 2007 that we vast diversity of ecological niches. the field of conservation genetics to began to understand the habitat This diversity is reflected by a better understand and protect requirements of the species and its wide variety of roosting, feeding, wildlife, and can be used to detect distribution in Britain. and social behaviours, as well as a hybridisation, resolve taxonomic range of reproductive strategies. uncertainties and, most importantly, The high level of legal protection Due to their lifestyle, they are to assess the genetic health of rare for the species makes it essential extremely hard to study and monitor species. Recent access to latest to quantify population size and — indeed, a review published in genetic techniques has also led to structure, detect changes and 2019 indicated that 57% of bat new opportunities to answer some protect key habitats. In the case of

Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 30 elusive species like the Bechstein’s found, unsurprisingly, that woodland methods could facilitate prompt bat, conventional approaches for fragmentation was an important conservation action when required monitoring cannot be applied. Indeed, factor influencing connectivity as we would not be dependent on the species' echolocation calls are between different populations. any long-term ringing information. hard to differentiate from other This helped us understand why we Myotis species and roost count, along found some separation between the with trapping, are both particularly northern and southern part of the time consuming. The use of molecular species range in Britain. In this case, techniques, however, can help Salisbury Plain seems to be a major elucidate some of these mysteries! reason behind the break!

With the help of several bat groups, New opportunities for bat conservation I managed to collect hundreds of may also arise from unexpected DNA samples from all over southern avenues. For example, forensic Britain and western Europe. Then, scientists often come up with new I headed straight to the lab to do ways to study crime scenes. The link some genetic analysis on these between bat conservation and crime samples. I found that the British scenes may not be obvious at first,

population showed signs of isolation but this all changed when I found Photo: ©Patrick Wright from the continental populations, out that age estimates of victims or Bechstein's bat meaning that there is probably suspects could be made from a bit very little movement occurring of DNA. Imagine applying these One could argue that developing between Britain and the continent. methods to age bats — it could be an ageing assay for such an elusive This discovery could have led us ground breaking! Indeed, bats live species, like the Bechstein’s bat, to believe that British populations substantially longer than other was very ambitious and that it may would be inbred, but this was not mammals of similar size and have been easier to develop this the case. In fact, inbreeding levels metabolic rate (Wilkinson & South, assay on a more common species. remained low throughout their range 2002) with certain species, such as However, woodland species are in with the exception of a small isolated Brandt’s bat (Myotis brandtii), greater need of novel monitoring population found in Buckinghamshire recorded as surviving in the wild for techniques. Still today, we have (Wright et al., 2018a). over 40 years (Gaisler et al., 2003). no information on the population trends of woodland bats in Britain Any additional information and the few species trends available on the age structure of a from the IUCN red list are solely colony can provide insight inferred from the state of their on the health of the habitat. With the use of molecular population. For example, ageing techniques alongside other a bat colony comprised of genetic measures, such as effective a majority of very old bats population size estimates, we have, and few young bats may for the first time, the tools to fill suggest that the colony is on this data gap. the edge of collapse, while Photo: ©Patrick Wright the opposite would suggest There is still much to be discovered Members of Dorset Bat Group were among those a growing population. about the Bechstein’s bat. For who helped to collect hundreds of DNA samples example, we still know very little However, up until recently, any about their swarming behaviour and For the case of Bechstein’s bats, trustworthy estimate on the age of where they all go in winter. While population genetics alone can bats depended solely on long-term the use of genetic techniques will provide insight on major barriers, ringing studies. Using methods very not answer all our questions, it such as mountain ranges and similar to those deployed by forensic can however provide new insight seas. However, the structure and scientists, which involved identifying on populations in order to better composition of most landscapes areas in the genome where levels of monitor and protect the species. affect populations in a more DNA methylation would increase or complex way. The field of landscape decrease with age, I published a Article based on one originally produced genetics was introduced to fill in novel method in 2018 to age for the Bat Conservation Trust. these gaps by providing a robust Bechstein’s bats (Wright et al. way to measure the relationship 2018b). By providing information on References between gene flow and the species the age structure of an entire colony habitat. For Bechstein’s bats, we from a single sampling session, our

Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 31 National Heritage Week 2020 and an award-winning film Ruth Hanniffy, Species Conservation Officer – Ireland

pine marten, lesser horseshoe bat, native Irish mammals using our hedgehog, badger and wood specimens, whilst discussing the mouse. The film is illustrated with importance of providing cover photographs and also with stunning and fruit and seed-bearing plants footage from Crossing the Line for wildlife. Productions, and is a helpful Who’s Who of native Irish mammals! Instead of being joined by members https://vimeo.com/ of the public as with previous vincentwildlife/irishmammals years, Colin and Caroline filmed my work whilst interviewing me about National Heritage Week took place VWT partnered with the Friends of the techniques I used, how the from 15-23 August. This week, Merlin Woods in a film titled different habitats might be used by which is the biggest celebration of ‘Exploring the Mammals of Merlin mammal species, and how to natural, cultural and built heritage Woods’. We were thrilled when it recognise them. I used the in the Irish calendar, has long been recently won the award for Galway Longworth traps to study small a highlight for sharing our work and City at the National Heritage Week mammals like bank voles and wood engaging with communities. This Awards 2020! We are hopeful this mice, outlining the interesting year the theme was ‘Heritage and will help to promote the backgrounds of these underrated Education: Learning from our importance of Merlin Woods and small mammals. During filming, Heritage' and we decided to create other natural habitats, particularly we spotted a passing fox and set a short film highlighting 12 native those on the outskirts of urban up a trail camera on its path. It mammals from dawn to dusk, areas like Galway City. Despite captured footage later that night, packed full of facts on their their proximity to built-up demonstrating how useful a tool ecology and habits. environments, they can still trail cameras have become in provide key habitats for protected non-invasive monitoring. Using We narrowed down our selection to species like red squirrel, pine insights from Rob Strachan’s book, Irish hare, Irish stoat, red squirrel, marten and Irish stoat. Mammal Detective, the film pygmy shrew, otter, fox, bank vole, explores how to become skilled at Colin and Caroline knowing where and how to look for Stanley from Friends of mammals, and that by learning Merlin Woods wished to their habits, we can get a glimpse create a film replicating into their world. It also provided the type of mammal an ideal opportunity to promote event we have often run mammal research projects that are during Heritage week. currently underway across the On these occasions, I country, particularly those suitable have set Longworth Live for citizen scientists. Capture Traps, looked for mammal tracks, This award-winning film can be trails and signs and viewed at: https://bit.ly/ highlighted elusive MerlinWoods.

32 Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 National Heritage Week 2020 Photo: ©Julia Bracewell and an award-winning film Ruth Hanniffy, Species Conservation Officer – Ireland New ways to volunteer in the New Year Anita Glover, Bat Programme Manager

and edging closer to the exit as COVID-19 measures allow, we points as they determine whether are aiming to expand the network it is dark enough to emerge. Once of volunteers involved in taking emergence starts, the bats come care of the bat reserves and their thick and fast. Tally counters horseshoe bats. enable volunteers to keep track of the number exiting and as light We are keen to involve volunteers levels fall, infra-red cameras from all walks of life, especially In recent years, volunteers become invaluable in completing from local communities around have played a vital and ever- the count. The roosts in question our reserves and people who may increasing role in Vincent are some of VWT’s bat reserves and not already be engaged in wildlife Wildlife Trust’s mammal the annual summer counts provide conservation. We also welcome conservation efforts. data essential for monitoring long- the skills of professional ecologists term population trends. looking to contribute to the charity When it comes to our pine marten sector, as well as students and projects, volunteers have Monitoring the colonies is not the graduates seeking early career contributed thousands of hours of only way in which volunteers can conservation experience. In their time: walking forest tracks help look after these rare bats. addition, we will be offering a looking for evidence of marten The reserves themselves require number of corporate volunteering presence in the form of scats; building maintenance and habitat days. All training, equipment and maintaining camera traps and management to keep them in good PPE will be provided. trawling through collected footage; condition and every year there is putting up den boxes to provide plenty of practical conservation Whilst the current situation females with safe places to give work that needs to be undertaken. presents challenges for running birth and raise their young; and This requires donning some old volunteer activities, we will make even spending long nights tracking clothes and work gloves, grabbing every effort to reinstate them the radio-collared individuals that some tools and getting stuck in, when and where safe to do so. had been translocated from but many hands make light work. The health and wellbeing benefits Scotland to Wales. There is also something very of conservation volunteering are rewarding about spending a day well documented, and I would Volunteers who prefer mammals working outdoors amongst nature urge anyone who has experienced of the winged variety spend their with a bunch of like-minded people isolation as a result of lockdown summer evenings sat outside and achieving a physical task. to give it a go. churches, barns, cottages and stables, batting away the midges In 2020, COVID-19 restrictions If you would like to get involved, and waiting patiently for the sound have severely limited the amount or for more information on of faint warbles on an ultrasonic of volunteer activities that volunteering, please email detector. This is a sign that the have been able to go ahead — a VWT's Volunteer and Community horseshoe bats that roost inside disappointment to VWT and its Engagement Officer, Laura are stirring, making looping flights volunteers alike. However, in 2021, Lawrance-Owen at [email protected]

Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 33 ©Crossing the Lnes Productions

A ‘virtual’ walk on the wild side Ruth Hanniffy, Species Conservation Officer – Ireland

In April, Limerick City and County eyes skyward towards the glow of Council approached us with the first their bat detectors. Could a virtual opportunity to channel our inner bat walk recreate this, woven ‘Spielberg’. They had been awarded through with the sounds of the woods A passing couple shot me an amused the European Green Leaf for 2020, and streams, and overlaid with a glance as I stood in the middle of an but needed to replace their planned Daubenton’s feeding buzz and the area of dense undergrowth talking celebratory events with online melodic warble of a lesser horseshoe to myself — well, talking to the versions, and we were invited to bat? It was worth a try. The idea took Dictaphone app on my phone to be collaborate. During a brainstorming flight and Kate set to work on the precise. I was on a mission to gather phone call with Sinead McDonnell, script that would not only delight forest sounds like branches crunching Environment Awareness Officer with newcomers, but satisfy the serious underfoot and the wind rustling the Limerick City and County Council, enthusiast. It detailed the power of a leaves. This soundscape would create memories of my favourite audiobooks bat wing on its downbeat, supported one layer of our virtual bat walk, and floated past, where I’d escaped by tiny wing bones. It described the I was in full director’s mode. reality in stories set to music or marvel of echolocation, outlining nature sounds, lost in a world inside how we can learn to recognise the The year 2020 has been the ‘Year of those tiny headphones. tonal quality and repetition rate Film’ for VWT Ireland as we moved Could we achieve the same with a of a bat call; the subtle difference many aspects of our work online in bat walk... and transport the listener between the pipistrelle call which response to COVID-19. to a forest at dusk, perhaps even sounds like a wet slap, compared to experiencing their first ever bat the dry click of a Daubenton’s bat. walk! And it explored how bats feed — which species catch insects mid-flight A traditional bat walk is rich in using aerial hawking and which glean atmosphere. People gather before insects from the surface of the water. dusk whilst birds are still singing as they settle for the night, The film was made possible by the passing the baton to nocturnal generosity of contributors and we mammals before regrouping for are indebted to them. Award-winning the dawn chorus. People murmur Crossing the Line Productions sent us in anticipation as sky darkens and footage of lesser horseshoe, brown they walk in shadowy procession, long-eared and Daubenton’s bats in

34 Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 mesmerising slow motion flight. included the poet Tennyson. It is Martin Pine’s journey These frames let us see into their now a Special Area of Conservation of self-discovery world, one which is off-limits even to and the most important site in Co. Things took an delightful turn when those of us who study them. Frank Limerick for the lesser horseshoe bat. we were approached by the National Greenaway, Daniel Hargreaves and The colony inhabits a slated stone- broadcaster, RTÉ, to feature on their Daniel Whitby’s photographs capture built outbuilding to the rear of the children’s channel RTÉ Junior. Their bats in flight with awesome house in summer, using the abundant show ‘Martin’s Shed’ is hosted by precision. And Bat Conservation woodland and aquatic habitats to none other than Martin Pine, a pine Ireland and Philip Briggs from London feed, and retreating to the ruins of marten with a difference, whose Bat Group were on hand with more the basement in winter to hibernate. weekly show airs from the garden rare images and echolocation calls. While those on our virtual bat walk shed he calls home. For his first ever may never get to Curragh Chase, they Zoom call he went on a journey of All this coincided with government will be transported there through self-discovery with me to learn more restrictions confining me to within photographs, particularly the aerial about his favourite foods, habitats, 2km and then 5km of where I lived. photography from Arc Images . and why he likes to spend so much On the plus side, I had a beautiful time alone (I reminded him that he woodland next door. On the minus, Creating a film must feel a little like is solitary!). Being interviewed by my WiFi connection was frustratingly writing a symphony. The photographs this witty puppet was a new and very poor and, as I couldn’t travel to the and diagrams are clearly the main enjoyable experience, and I look office, dealing with large video files melody, with stunning slow motion forward to hopefully speaking to was a struggle. But I won’t forget footage like a soaring soprano; the lively Martin Pine in the future! the morning I awoke to an email recordings of woodland and river http://bit.ly/RTE_MartinPine from Michel Barataud, a French soundscapes form the steady bass; research scientist and author of the narration is the accompanying During this time, RTÉ Junior ran ‘Wild books, including the Acoustic Ecology pianist, leaving the echolocation calls Week’ where the website profiled of European Bats, allowing us to use as a violin virtuoso stealing the show. Ireland’s wildlife in partnership his beautiful echolocation calls on Our virtual bat walk, the first of its with the organisations who work to our film. I can’t remember a happier kind in Ireland, launched on Friday protect it. We were delighted to lockdown moment! 5 June and has since had almost 900 shine the spotlight on Irish mammals views! We look forward to hearing and each day the website featured a The Virtual Bat Walk is set in Curragh the bird song and feeling the late new species covering pygmy shrew, Chase Forest Park, undoubtably the evening breeze in real life, but in Irish hare, hedgehog, Irish stoat, fox, most important place in Limerick for the meantime, our hope is that the pine marten and of course, the lesser bats. It is a Coillte-owned jewel in virtual version may bring a whole horseshoe bat. https://www.rte.ie/ the west Limerick countryside with new experience to newcomers, and learn/vincent-wildlife-trust/ over 300 hectares of rolling parkland, bat enthusiasts can enjoy these mixed woodland, lakes and an exceptional creatures from a new arboretum. Its literary past is perspective! Watch it at: impressive — the poet and author Sir https://bit.ly/virtualbatwalk Aubrey de Vere and his family lived in Curragh Chase House where visitors

Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020 35 Contact us

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Cover photograph: Pine marten ©Robert Cruickshanks/Ootmahoosewindae.com

36 Vincent Wildlife Trust Newsletter | December 2020