Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan for The

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Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan for the Bats of Prespa Elena Papadatou, Xavier Grémillet, Ferdinand Bego, Svetozar Petkovski, Emilija Stojkoska, Oliver Avramoski & Yannis Kazoglou Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan for the Bats of Prespa

Elena Papadatou, Xavier Grémillet, Ferdinand Bego, Svetozar Petkovski, Emilija Stojkoska, Oliver Avramoski & Yannis Kazoglou

Prespa May 2011 CONTENTS

Foreword ...... 6 Acknowledgements ...... 7 List of acronyms ...... 9 Executive summary ...... 12 Introduction ...... 13

Reproduction of this publication for educational or other 1. Classification, diversity and distribution...... 19 purposes is authorised without prior written permission 2. Biology and ecology of European bats ...... 19 from the copyright holder provided the source is fully 3. Threats and conservation considerations...... 26 acknowledged. 4. Legal protection and conservation ...... 31 5. Education ...... 33 Citation: Papadatou E, Grémillet X, Bego F, Petkovski S, Stojkoska E, Avramoski O, Kazoglou Y (2011) Status survey and PART II. Background: Bats in Greece ...... 37 conservation action plan for the bats of Prespa. Society for the Protection of Prespa, Agios Germanos, pp 170 6. Species diversity, distribution and population status ...... 39 7. Ecology ...... 39 Cover photo: Medium sized Rhinolophus bat emerging from its cave 8. Threats, legal protection and conservation...... 40 roost. Philippos Katsiyiannis. PART III. Bats in Prespa ...... 43 Photo credits in document: Christian Dietz, Torsten Pröhl, Xavier Grémillet/GMB, Ferdinand Bego, Emilija Stojkoska, Yannis Kazoglou, 9. Study area – The Prespa Lakes basin...... 45 Thomas Dubos, Aggela Georganda, Philippos Katsiyian- 10. History of bat research at Prespa ...... 57 nis, Sébastien Puechmaille, John D. Altringham, E. Pa- 11. Data collection: field techniques and analysis methods...... 59 padatou 12. Bats on the Greek side of Prespa ...... 61 13. Bats on the Albanian side of Prespa ...... 98 Produced by: Society for the Protection of Prespa (SPP) 14. Bats on the side of the FYR of Macedonia ...... 102 15. Synthesis: bats in the transboundary Prespa Park and its surroundings ...... 109 Design: Defrost design Printed by: Technograph PART IV. Research, survey and conservation recommendations ...... 113

Available from: Society for the Protection of Prespa 16. Recommended research and survey actions ...... 115 Ag. Germanos 53077, Greece 17. Recommended conservation actions ...... 118 E-mail: [email protected] 18. Advisory, communication, public awareness and training ...... 133 http://www.spp.gr 19. Cooperation at the transboundary level ...... 136 20. Useful websites ...... 137 References ...... 139 Appendices ...... 145 Foreword Acknowledgements   It was over four years ago when SPP received one ple not only of the importance and wealth of the This work would have never been achieved with- Myotis brandtii and Plecotus austriacus respec- of Xavier’s most enthusiastic e-mail messages Prespa area but also of the high quality results that out the help of numerous field assistants and we are tively. We thank Zoran Velickov for providing free informing that he had succeeded in gathering a good cooperation among different partners and grateful to all of them: V. Arabatzis, J. Boireau, T. of charge the GIS background for the bat distri- group of French volunteers to work for the bats scientists can produce. Cheyrezy, S. Declercq, N. Deguines, F. Doleson, J. bution maps. The authors and the SPP are grate- in Prespa, following a similar voluntary expedi- Besides giving us new scientific data on these L. Dubois, T. Dubos, N. Galand, P. Georgiakakis, ful to the Elliniki Etairia (Hellenic Society for the tion in 2004. The results were surprisingly good, largely unknown species, this Action Plan also T. Le Campion, M. C. Navet, S. Puechmaille, V. Protection of the Environment and the Cultural new species were found, unknown roosting and provides important information on conservation Papadopoulos, A. Trasias, J. Vernusse, N. Xega, A. Heritage) for providing accommodation to the hunting places were placed on the map and this activities and mitigation measures that should be Bojadzi, P. Katsiyiannis, S. Bilionis, many inhabit- French team of bat researchers in 2009 and 2010 encouraged SPP to launch an almost two-year taken to preserve bats and their habitats. Obvi- ants of Prespa who willingly opened their buildings at the Biological Station at Mikrolimni. We thank project aiming at the completion of a Bat Action ously, these activities cannot be confined within to see bats (especially E. Chatzaras) or gave useful P. Katsigiannis for providing the wonderful cover Plan at the transboundary level. The group of the Greek Prespa borders. Cooperation among the information on bat sites (esp. D. Pitoulis), as well photo and Irini Koutseri for reading through the people involved increased from year to year; first three countries and implementation of specific as volunteers from the SPP and WWF Greece. J. entire manuscript to make final comments and cor- there was Xavier and the French colleagues and conservation activities in the field are needed in Boireau, T. Cheyrezy, S. Declercq, N. Deguines, T. rections. The present work was funded by the SPP volunteers with Yannis in 2004, then came Elena, order to ensure that this excellent production will Dubos, N. Galand, P. Georgiakakis, T. Le Campion through its programs titled “Conservation-orient- followed by Svetozar, Oliver, Emilija, Ferdinand, be put to use. and S. Puechmaille assisted with echolocation call ed research on Priority Species and Habitats in the and Panayotis along with many others. Bat work Finally, and above all, it should be stressed that, recordings and species identification. We thank Transboundary Prespa Park” and “Development of continued and expanded to the wider Prespa re- reading between the lines in this Action Plan, you F. Mayer (Natural History Museum, Berlin, Ger- a Transboundary Monitoring System for the Prespa gion. They embarked on a journey with quite feel the enthusiasm and dedication of all partici- many), and the genetics laboratory of the Natural Park Area”. However, it should not be forgotten that harsh conditions entering into sometimes deep pants to their field of expertise and to Prespa. Let’s History Museum of Crete for analyzing genetics a large part of the data was collected through activi- caves and spending many nights out in the field hope that this work and spirit will inspire all of us samples that helped confirm the identification of ties and expeditions on a voluntary basis. trying to detect new species or pinpoint threats towards the protection of our little, silent, night- and propose mitigation measures. flying friends, which bear a heavy share of respon- Through these long efforts and rather difficult sibility for keeping a balance in nature for us and endeavour, an exemplary Action Plan has been for our children. produced, which has significantly increased our – until now – limited knowledge on bats in the Myrsini Malakou Transboundary Prespa Park. For the countries Managing Director of the Society for the Protection sharing the Prespa Basin, this work is an exam- of Prespa List of acronyms  EIA Environmental Impact Assessment Study Galicica NP Galicica National Park GEF/SGP Global Environment Facility/Small Grants Program GMB Groupe Mammalogique Breton IR cameras Infrared cameras m a.s.l. Meters above sea level NGO Non Governmental Organisation NPs National Parks Prespa NP (AL) Prespa National Park in Albania Prespa NP (GR) Prespa National Park in Greece SPP Society for the Protection of Prespa TMS Transboundary Monitoring System TPP Transboundary Prespa Park VWT Vincent Wildlife Trust “There is a persistent and widely held, homocentric view of the world, that if an animal has no apparent economic value then it is not worth preserving, and if it is perceived to be a pest, then it can be eradicated. A more enlightened view is becoming more prevalent, as is an appreciation of the importance of intact, functional ecosystems to human survival. Sadly, despite widespread acceptance of the concepts of ecosystem services and the economic value of natural habitats, this homocentric view of the world is still widespread and bats, like many other animals, continue to be persecuted” ~ J. D. Altringham, 2011. E. PAPADATOU Executive Summary Introduction

In the last years, researchers and naturalists in col- Prespa, threats include current forest manage- The Prespa Basin has long been known for its bio- favourable conservation status for them to ensure laboration with the Society for the Protection of ment practices, intensive agricultural practices, diversity value. Although bats comprise an impor- their long-term survival. Prespa (SPP) have conducted bat surveys in the area including monocultures and uncontrolled use of tant component of biodiversity, only few attempts to The document is structured in four different parts. of Prespa to determine the distribution and status pesticides and fertilisers, the partial abandonment study the bats of the area had been made until re- In PART I, background information is given, includ- of bat species, and to identify conservation and re- of the traditional agro-pastoral and agro-forestry cently (see PART III, chapter 10), one of the main ing a brief account of the classification and diversity search needs. Surveys originally took place in the systems, the disturbance of roosts through uncon- reasons being the inherent difficulties that the study of bats in general, and of the distribution and ecology Greek part of Prespa but later expanded to include trolled public access, the collapse or restoration of these cryptic animals present. of European bats in particular. Conservation con- all three countries surrounding the Prespa Basin, practices of old traditional houses and the devel- Between 2004 and 2011, a number of intensive ex- cerns and considerations, threats, legal protection   12 namely Greece, Albania and the FYR of Macedonia, opment of wind farms on surrounding mountain peditions in the area were conducted by researchers and education issues are presented. This information 13 in the Transboundary Prespa Park as well as at sites ridges. Currently, it is internationally recognised and naturalists in collaboration with the Society for is essential for the reader to understand why conser- to the north and south of the park and in the Ohrid that wind farms pose a more significant threat to the Protection of Prespa aiming at the development vation of bats is an imperative need on a global and Lake basin. This document summarises the results bats than to birds, killing hundreds or even thou- of the bat species inventory, the mapping of their on a local scale, especially in areas supporting high of these expeditions and defines a list of conserva- sands of bats every year especially when built distribution, the identification of important roosts, species diversity such as the Transboundary Prespa tion and research priorities to ensure a favourable within or close to sensitive areas. The lack of en- the establishment of basic biological knowledge Park and its adjacent areas. PART II provides fur- conservation status for Prespa bats. forcement of existing legislation protecting bats with regards to annual use of bat roosts and hunt- ther background information dealing with the same Expeditions revealed that more than half of the is an additional problem. It is therefore crucial to ing habitats, and the identification of research and issues as applied in Greece in particular, since this European bat species roost and hunt in the Prespa preserve the Prespa habitats and improve the con- conservation needs and priorities. In the first years, work was initially established in the Greek Prespa Basin and the surrounding areas in habitats varying ditions at certain locations. expeditions were only run in the Prespa National National Park, later involving Albania and the FYR of from the lakes and associated wetlands to broad- To allow for appropriate regionally adapted con- Park of Greece by Greek and French researchers Macedonia. PART III provides all currently available leaf woodlands and subalpine meadows. Bats roost servation management recommendations and for and naturalists, but it was soon realised that bats information on the bats of Prespa separately for each in caves and rock crevices along the shores of the targeted use of resources, we need to have a solid un- move across the three countries as it was natural country associated with the Prespa basin, including lakes, in old or abandoned traditional buildings and derstanding of the bats’ ecological requirements and and expected. In 2009 some important caves in the the description and ecology of species present, their presumably in trees. Many commuting bats cross threats they face. Because details of the distribution Albanian Prespa National Park were therefore in- known distribution and status at Prespa, important mountain passes at high altitudes up to 2000 m a.s.l., and status of many species are currently unclear, and cluded in the expeditions. In 2010 and 2011, expedi- roosts and feeding areas, threats and legal protection flying above subalpine meadows and forests near the little is known on their ecology, we first recommend tions expanded to include other important roosts issues. PART III ends with a synthesis of informa- tree line were they may also forage. Bats appear to research and survey actions to increase our knowl- in Albania and in the FYR of Macedonia, within tion from the 3 countries linking it with the fourth commute from areas outside the Prespa Basin such edge and understanding of bats in the area of Prespa. the boundaries of the transboundary Prespa Park and final part, PART IV, where research, survey, and as the Florina plain and the Pisoderi valley to forage However, accumulating knowledge is a long-term and in adjacent areas, including some key sites in conservation recommendations including advisory, in the rich in habitats and insect prey Prespa area. procedure, we therefore further recommend ap- the basin of Ohrid Lake, in collaboration with local communication and education actions for the bats Prespa and the surrounding areas host a uniquely propriate conservation management actions based scientists and Galicica National Park. Until 2009, of Prespa are listed and discussed. Research, survey large population of the Lesser horseshoe bat Rhi- on currently available knowledge and experience. expeditions were conducted in summer, while the and monitoring actions underlie conservation rec- nolophus hipposideros, one of the most threatened The results of these actions should be monitored first autumn and winter roost surveys were car- ommendations and are much needed, since details European bats already extinct in some areas of Eu- and conservation recommendations be adapted to ried out in late 2010 – early 2011. These expeditions of the status and ecological requirements of many rope. The high bat diversity and abundance presum- monitoring and research results. We finally provide revealed a unique and highly diverse bat fauna in species are unclear. Education is among the key tools ably reflect the highly heterogeneous environment, recommendations on the development of education Prespa, comprising 26 species (27 including the in conservation and therefore forms an essential part the lakes and their associated wetlands, offering a programmes and the dissemination of information Ladopotamos valley which is adjacent to the south of the recommendations. Many of the recommended wide variety of habitat types both for roosting and to increase public awareness and support towards of the Prespa Basin in Greece), i.e. almost 65% of actions are applicable in each of the three countries for foraging, coupled with the unique geomorphol- the conservation of Prespa bats. Because bats know species occurring in Europe, with a wide range of separately but most should ideally be applied on a ogy and the climate of the area. no borders, research and survey work, conservation roosting and foraging requirements. This docu- transboundary level. Despite the generally well preserved condition management actions and education projects ideally ment provides the results of all expeditions to date: Overall, this document summarises all currently of the Prespa area, a number of factors are threats should be done on a transboundary level and with it is the first comprehensive review of the status and available information on the bats of Prespa and pro- to the bats and their habitats. The degradation, de- the participation of local people. All recommenda- distribution of bat species in the area of Prespa and vides a framework for the development of further struction and loss of roosting and hunting habitats tions will need financial support and political will provides a list of research and conservation priori- more specific actions for the study and protection of is the most significant threat to bats worldwide. In to be implemented. ties and recommendations for the preservation of a particular bat species, assemblages, and habitats.   14 15 E. STOJKOSKA Part I Background: Bats in Europe 1. Classification, diversity ears (e.g. Plecotus species and Myotis bechsteinii, and distribution Vespertilionidae). Wing and tail membranes vary in shape and size, and with echolocation charac- 1.1 Classification and diversity teristics, they are related to prey type, foraging strategy and habitat (Altringham 2011). Bats are included in the order Chiroptera, the second largest mammalian order in the world following rodents. They are the only mammals that have 1.2 Distribution developed powered flight and only one of three mammalian orders (the others being cetaceans and In Europe, the number of species decreases with lati- insectivores) that use ultrasound. Until recently, tude. In countries in the north of the continent, such  they were traditionally divided into the suborders as the U.K. or Scandinavian countries, fewer than 19 Megachiroptera (megabats) and Microchiroptera 20 species are found on average. As we move to the (microbats). However, according to new molecular south, the number of species increases. For example, phylogenies, two new suborders have emerged and Spain hosts 33 and Greece 34 species. Some species are now replacing the traditional ones: the Yango- are confined to the south of Europe (e.g.Myotis ca- chiroptera and the Yinpterochiroptera. Some mi- paccinii and Tadarida teniotis) whereas some other crobat families are now included along with the bats are only distributed or are more widespread in megabats in the same suborder, the Yinpterochi- central and northern Europe (e.g. Myotis brandtii) roptera (Teeling et al. 2005, Eick et al. 2005) or are comparatively less abundant in the Mediter- To date, over 1100 bat species have been recorded ranean part of the continent (e.g. Myotis daubento- worldwide and almost 80% are found in the trop- nii) (Dietz et al. 2009). In overlap zones, these species ics. The megabats all belong to the same family, the may be found in sympatry (e.g. Myotis capaccinii Pteropodidae, the fruit bats or flying foxes that are and M. daubentonii in the National Parks of Prespa only found in the Old World tropics. All remain- and of Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli, Galandet al. 2010 and ing bat species fall into the old sub-order Micro- Papadatou 2010 respectively). Some endemic island chiroptera (microbats), a large, very diverse and species have recently been described, such as Pleco- widespread group distributed in 18 families, most tus sardus in Sardinia (Dietz et al. 2009), whereas of which are also tropical. In Europe there are four species occurring in the north of Africa have re- microbat families: the Vespertilionidae (8 genera, cently been identified in Europe, such as Eptesicus ~ 33 species), the Rhinolophidae (1 genus, 5 spe- isabellinus (García-Mudarra et al. 2009). cies), the recently defined family Miniopteridae (1 genus, 1 species) and the Molossidae (1 genus, 1 species). The Vespertilionidae is one of the largest 2. Biology and ecology families in the world and the number of European of European bats species is still being revised given the rapid evolution of molecular studies that keep revealing new 2.1 Echolocation and other senses species (e.g. Mayer et al. 2007). European microbats weigh anything between Perhaps the most important feature of microbats approximately 3 and 60 g and their forearm length distinguishing them from megabats is the use of la- (a typical measure of their skeletal size) ranges ryngeal echolocation. Only members of the genus from 28 to 70 mm. All species have the ability to Rousettus (Pteropodidae) have the ability to echolo- navigate, orientate and hunt by echolocation (see cate but sound is not produced in the larynx and it is section 2.1). However, they are not blind and even less complex (Holland et al. 2004). Echolocation is the

T. CHEYREZY though they generally have small eyes, their visual analysis by an animal of the echoes of its own emitted capability is good. Some species often locate their sounds, by which it builds a sound-picture of its im- prey by listening for prey generated sounds and/or mediate environment. Bats use echolocation for ori- Lesser Horseshoe bats, Rhinolophus hipposideros by using vision; these species usually have large entation and short-range navigation between roosts combinations of the two (Fig. 2.2). The terms broadband (for mostly FM calls) and narrowband (for

C. DIETZ mostly CF calls) are often used instead (Altringham 2011). Broadband calls are short and cover a broad range of frequencies whereas narrowband calls are longer, they cover a short range of frequencies and usually most of their energy is concentrated in a single frequency. These and other features are closely associated with hunting habitat and prey type. Microbats may use other senses except echolocation to navigate, orientate and hunt (Altringham   20 2011). Species such as the gleaning bats (e.g. genus 21 Plecotus) and the sibling mouse-eared bats Myotis myotis and M. blythii rely largely on prey-generated sounds to forage (Anderson and Racey 1991, Arlet- taz et al. 2001). This is aided by their large external ears (Fig. 2.1b). A number of bats such as Plecotus auritus may also use vision when hunting. Sight may even be more important than echolocation in navigation over long journeys, since many insectivorous bats have good low light eyesight and echolocation works only over short ranges. Very recently, evidence has been found for a magnetic navigational sense in bats (Holland et al. 2006). J. D. ALTRINGHAM

Fig. 2.1 a) A Mehelyi’s horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus 2.2 Torpor and hibernation mehelyi, b) a brown-long eared bat, Plecotus auritus Bats fly out of their roosts at night to forage and spend most of the daylight hours in their roosts in torpor and/or in various social activities including and foraging sites and for hunting their prey. They grooming, care of young and mating. Torpor is emit echolocation sounds in pulses (calls) from their an energy-saving strategy used by bats on a daily open mouth or their nostrils. Species emitting sound basis or for longer periods in the winter when they through the nostrils often have complex folds of skin may stay mostly inactive (see section 2.3). It is an and cartilage extending around their nose, a forma- important and integral component of the life his- tion called the nose-leaf. In Europe, only members of tory strategy of bats in temperate regions including the family Rhinolophidae have a nose-leaf (Fig. 2.1a). Europe, where it is used by members of the families All other species have a plain muzzle. Vespertilionidae, Rhinolophidae and Miniopteri- Bats show considerable variation in their call de- dae. When in torpor, animals reduce their body sign, both between and within species, which most temperature and slow down their metabolism. likely reflects adaptations to the wide range of eco- Hibernation is an extended form of torpor, logical niches they occupy (Kalko and Schnitzler which may last for many days, weeks or months and 1993). Because of these differences, echolocation occurs on a seasonal basis, in winter, in response to calls have been widely used for species identifica- a prolonged fall in ambient temperature or reduc- Fig. 2.2 Oscillograms (SPL = relative Sound Pressure Level) and sonograms (time versus frequency plots) of one to tion (e.g. Papadatou et al. 2008a). Calls are usually tion in food supply. Bats do not usually spend their four echolocation calls per species from 20 species recorded in Dadia National Park, Greece (from Papadatou et al. described as being frequency modulated (FM) or entire time in continuous hibernation and they may 2008a). Gaps between calls are not true inter-pulse intervals. constant frequency (CF), but most species of bat use arouse to feed or drink when the weather conditions are favourable for insects; in a maritime climate they layed implantation). Late summer and autumn mat- 2.4 Habitat use: roosts and food often substitute for natural roosts, especially in ar- may be active in a mild winter (Altringham 2011). ing involves swarming behaviour at underground eas where natural sites have decreased because of ex- Bats usually require hibernation sites with a lim- sites for several bat species mainly of the genera Myo- Microbats use a variety of habitats for roosting and panding human activities (see section 3.2). Natural ited range of temperature and humidity but with tis and Plecotus: large, transient, male-biased popula- foraging, but arguably, forests are key habitats for roost structures include underground sites (caves), a temperature low enough to allow them to drop tions arrive at swarming sites often from consider- both. Aquatic habitats (e.g. rivers, streams, lakes and rock crevices, tree cavities and places under exfo- their body temperature at ambient levels (usually < able distances during the night and their behaviour canals) are important feeding areas as they are typi- liating bark of tree trunks and branches. Bats may 6-10oC, depending on the species). is characterised by intense chasing and emission of cally rich in insect prey. Some species have adapted use tree cavities created naturally or through the social calls (Altringham 2011). well to urban environments and bats can feed and activities of other animals such as woodpeckers or Bats face increased energy demands during specific roost within urban areas too (Hutson et al. 2001). through the traditional pruning (pollard trees in W 2.3 Life cycle stages of their life cycle. Prior to hibernation, i.e. over Europe). Gales, storms, lightning, rains and strong late summer and in the autumn months, they depos- frost make different kinds of holes or injuries on the   22 Bats have an unusual life cycle compared to other it fat reserves for consumption during hibernation. 2.4.1 Roosts trunk or the main branches and these maybe used 23 terrestrial mammals of similarly small size. They Fat depletion and starvation at the end of hiberna- Bats spend over half of their lives in their roosts. A by the bats. Mature trees, including standing dead have a relatively long life-span (at least 30 years for tion may be the most important cause of mortality. roost is a physical structure or location but some- trees or “snags”, typically have more available cavi- some bats) with multiple reproductive events and Mating may be energetically demanding for males times it refers to the group of roosting bats them- ties and are of greater importance for bats (Hutson low reproductive rates with long gestation periods that seek to mate with as many females as possible selves (Altringham 2011). A group of roosting bats et al. 2001). Bats may use a wide variety of artificial (Barclay and Harder 2003). Most European bats and may limit their ability to lay down fat (Senior behaviourally and/or genetically related to each structures through the year (as summer roosts, au- typically produce one pup per litter, once a year, et al. 2005). In the female life cycle, pregnancy and other that share one or more roosting sites over a tumn shelter, and/or hibernacula) including build- but they do not give birth every year. Only in the lactation are the most energetically expensive stages long period are defined as a colony. Colonies vary ings (e.g. abandoned or used houses, churches, Vespertilionidae are multiple births at all common: (Racey and Entwistle 2000). Energetically demand- in space and time (seasonally) in terms of sex and barns, stone walls, historical castles, etc.), under- some species such as Nyctalus noctula and Hypsugo ing life stages are generally the most important for the age ratios, size and composition depending on the ground sites (e.g. tunnels, mines, cellars, quarries, savii may produce twins (Dietz et al. 2009). Figure survival of adult bats. However, mortality is highest stage of their life cycle, and they can be anything bunkers etc.) and bridges. Within buildings they 2.3 shows the typical annual cycle of a European in young individuals that are less experienced com- between small, cohesive groups and large, fluid as- may use crevices in walls, attic spaces, chimneys, or temperate bat. In the Mediterranean part of Eu- pared to adults and may not deposit enough fat re- semblages. spaces under roofing materials such as tiles, reeds rope however, the annual cycle may slightly differ. serves to survive the winter. The selection of optimal Roosts generally provide bats with shelter from or thatch. Underground sites, some rock crevices The year of a typical temperate bat comprises three roosting and foraging habitats throughout their cycle adverse weather conditions and predation, and an and buildings provide permanent roost locations, main phases: a) wintering, b) parturition and lac- is therefore crucial to their survival and welfare. appropriate microclimate for their physiological and but they are often less abundant and patchily dis- tation, and c) mating (Fig. 2.3). energetic requirements, and facilitate social interac- tributed. Bats are therefore typically faithful to these Most temperate bats hibernate in winter usually tions and information transfer (Altringham 2011, roost sites, whereas tree-roosting bats are faithful in mixed-sex colonies. At the end of hibernation, Kunz 1982, Kunz and Lumsden 2003). Bats gener- rather to particular roost-tree areas. Some bats use nursery colonies (pregnant females, future moth- ally use roost sites for hibernation, rearing young, only one roost type (e.g. Myotis capaccinii is a strict ers) form between April and May, and females give mating and as transitional sites during migration cave-dweller using both natural and artificial un- birth to young at the end of spring or early summer (section 2.5). They may also use roosts during the derground sites), while others may vary their roost that are weaned by late summer. Females are usually night, for consumption and digestion of food, as type seasonally (e.g. Plecotus auritus roosting in highly philopatric, returning to their natal roost or feeding perches and as resting places between for- trees/attic spaces in summer and in trees/under- roost area of birth every year to breed. Males usu- aging bouts. ground sites in winter). ally roost separately during summer in most Euro- The physical structure and the microclimate in Many species change roost site frequently within pean bats and disperse away from their natal roost. the roost are significant factors in roost selection. seasons and although roost switching is most com- They produce sperm from early to late summer, and Some species are morphologically adapted to roost monly seen in tree-roosting bats, e.g. in Myotis when nursery colonies (mothers and young) disperse in crevices, while others are better suited to hang in bechsteinii (Kerth et al. 2006) and Nyctalus lasiopt- around August, mating begins. Males store sperm for more open spaces. Bats also select roosts that reduce erus (Popa-Lisseanu et al. 2008), it is probably not several months after spermatogenesis, so that they are their energy expenditure for thermoregulation: in uncommon in cave-roosting bats that form larger capable of mating from late summer through to au- summer, they roost in warm sites, while in winter roosting groups (e.g. Myotis capaccinii, Papadatou tumn and possibly winter (Figure 2.3) or even spring they prefer sites with cool, relatively stable tempera- et al. 2008b, 2009). Roost switching may be related Fig. 2.3 The typical annual life cycle of European (Crichton 2000). Females store sperm until ovulation, insectivorous bats (from Altringham 2003). The figure tures and humidity. to changes in roost microclimate, avoidance of ec- which takes place on arousal from hibernation in the is only an approximation, because the cycle depends A wide variety of both natural and artificial struc- toparasites, abundance and permanency of roost spring when they become pregnant (Crichton 2000) on species, weather, geographical location and the tures are used as roost sites (Altringham2011, Kunz type, the bats’ life cycle stage, social organization, with the exception of Miniopterus schreibersii (de- physiological status of bats. 1982, Kunz and Lumsden 2003). Artificial sites most mating systems, the proximity of the roost to foraging habitat, predator pressure and disturbance. for nursery colonies or too warm for hibernation. and flying rapidly and almost directly to their for- location system (Barclay and Brigham 1991). Most As bats move from roost to roost, roosting groups Bats in high latitudes use caves to hibernate but in aging sites (Altringham 2003), though they may European species are exclusively insectivorous frequently fragment and reform many times within warmer climates such as in the Mediterranean, bats occasionally feed while commuting. Bats frequent- with the exception of Nyctalus lasiopterus, a spe- seasons moving around a set of shared roost sites may use caves all-year round. Caves and sometimes ly commute along linear features in the landscape, cies that also feeds on nocturnal migrating birds (Altringham 2011). Also, members of a colony may other underground sites usually host the largest ag- including hedgerows, woodland edges, tree lines, (Popa-Lisseanu et al. 2007) and Myotis capaccinii, use alternative day roosts in the vicinity of the main gregations of bats counting from a few hundred up tracks and waterways such as streams. These are an insectivorous trawler that may occasionally take roost, known as “satellite” roosts. to tens of thousands of animals. followed as a predator-avoidance strategy, as an fish (Aihartzaet al. 2003). Not all underground sites can provide bats with aid to orientation and navigation, as protection a suitable microclimate, physical dimensions and from adverse weather and as sources of food (par- structure. The distribution and availability of suit- 2.4.2 Food ticularly over windy, rainy or cool nights). Linear 2.5 Seasonal movements and able caves for roosting thus affects the distribution After leaving their roost at dusk, bats commute landscape elements therefore provide vital links migration   24 of cave-dwelling bats (Kunz 1982). In temperate to their foraging areas where they may feed until between roosting and feeding habitat (Hutson et 25 and Mediterranean climates, many caves may be dawn. Usually, commuting and foraging are sepa- al. 2001). Bats may switch roosts between a number of fa- unsuitable as bat roosts, e.g. they may be too cold rate behaviours, with most bats leaving their roost Feeding habitats include open space (e.g. at voured roosts in their home range within seasons, high altitudes, above tree canopy or in large for- but they may also move on a seasonal basis on est clearings), spaces between vegetation (e.g. a larger scale between warm summer roosts and woodland edge and openings), within and around cool hibernation sites. Migration in bats can be vegetation, and high above or just over water sur- defined as these twice-annual, seasonal move- faces (Schnitzler and Kalko 1998). Insects may be ments in response to changes in climate and food caught in flight (aerial hawking), taken from foli- abundance. The driving force for migration is age or the ground (gleaning) or from water sur- strong, because at a time when the bats’ energy faces (trawling). Food may be eaten on the wing or demands increase due to lower environmental taken to a perch to be consumed. Feeding perches temperatures, prey becomes scarce (Altringham may be regularly used and rejected food remains 2011). In Europe, some bats hibernate locally, but such as moth wings discarded beneath the site many migrate at short or longer distances to find often reveal the presence of bats (Hutson et al. suitable hibernation sites. Fleming and Eby (2003) 2001). Although bat species are adapted to par- define three categories of bats according to the ticular foraging strategies associated with their scale of their migratory movements. These are: (a) diet, wing morphology and echolocation patterns, sedentary bats, (b) regional (short-distance), and they may nevertheless be flexible in their foraging (c) long-distance migrants. Sedentary species typ- strategy depending on habitat type and availabil- ically move less than 50 km between their sum- ity of insect prey. Most species use a mosaic of mer and winter roosts (e.g. Rhinolophus, Plecotus habitats but some are restricted to specific habitat and some Myotis species). Regional migrants are types, e.g. Myotis capaccinii that forages low over bats that travel over moderate distances, on av- water surfaces (see PART III, section 12.1.5). The erage between 100 and 500 km (e.g. Miniopterus quality of feeding habitats near breeding colonies schreibersii and Myotis capaccinii). Long-distance is important to their success and survival, since migrants may travel over 1000 km (e.g. Nyctalus lactating females need to regularly return to the noctula and Pipistrellus nathusii). Long-range mi- roost through the night to feed their young and gration is most commonly seen in tree roosting young bats feed close to the roost during their bats, whereas regional migrants and sedentary first flights. species typically hibernate in underground sites Insects are the dominant component of Europe- such as caves, mines, or tunnels, at least at higher an bats’ diet, but other arthropods such as spiders latitudes (Fleming and Eby 2003, Strelkov 1969). and crustacean are also eaten. Most insectivorous Migrants usually show a high degree of fidelity to bats are small (the term insectivorous hereafter in- both their summer and winter habitats and even

E.PAPADATOU cludes other arthropods) and catch their food on to specific roosts. the wing. Their small size enables them to catch Long-range migrants in the genera Nyctalus, Treni Cave, Albania flying insects detected by their short-range echo- Pipistrellus and Vespertilio may migrate seasonally over 1000 km in a generally north-south direction 3. Threats and conservation and foraging habitat. In Western Europe, natu- 3.2.2 Disturbance and destruction of (Fleming and Eby 2003). These bats may hibernate considerations ral tree cavities have been reduced by extensive roosts in tree cavities which are too cold for hibernation deforestation and misguided forest management Underground sites. Cave roosts may be under threat in the longer and more extreme winters at high 3.1 Why conserve bats? practices (Kunz and Lumsden 2003). This has led from tourist exploitation turning them into show latitudes and hence they look for areas with rela- many bat species into manmade structures such caves, frequent uncontrolled random visits of the tively milder winters. Other bats, such as members Bats are part of the global ecosystem, along with as attic spaces in buildings, whereas bat boxes public or from being used as dumps in areas where of the genus Myotis, usually migrate over shorter all other organisms, with a significant part to play are a common practice to attract forest bats oth- they are not strictly protected. Caves opened up for distances, probably because “local” caves offer in its continuing evolution (Altringham 2011). erwise unable to find suitable sites for roosting, tourism have their entrances or even interiors modi- suitable hibernation conditions: caves are better Their role in ecosystems functioning is crucial for example in Germany and the UK. Extensive fied, sometimes destructively. Walkways, railing and buffered than tree-cavities against environmen- (e.g. control of insect populations), consider- forest clearance, road construction (see section lighting often installed and the exposure to a con- tal extremes. The movements of short-range mi- ing their diversity and widespread distribution. 3.2.4) and other activities often result in forest stant stream of people constitute major disturbance   26 grants are not necessarily north-south, but may be Bats can further be effective indicators of the fragmentation. However, small forest fragments if bats are present (Altringham 2011). Several very 27 in random directions, probably depending on the health of biodiversity and the natural environ- support small bat population sizes and fewer spe- important hibernacula have already been lost or local availability of suitable caves for hibernation ment, because of their widespread distribution, cies. If, further, forest fragments are isolated (e.g. damaged and others are under threat from tourism. (Strelkov 1969, Altringham 2011). Migratory dis- high ecological diversity and because they can surrounded by urbanised or intensive single-crop For example, none of the biologically rich caves of tance may also depend on the availability of suit- be sensitive to environmental change through agricultural areas), their connection with other Turkey which are used as hibernacula and summer able hibernation sites and is probably something changes in their prey. However, in common with source populations may be limited (no population roosts have adequate protection and some are under of a continuum, with considerable variation even all threatened animals and plants, bats face nu- exchange possible) and hence these small popula- serious threat (Furman and Ozgul 2002, 2004), with within species (Altringham 2011). Not all bats in merous pressures resulting by the continuously tions risk to die out. In general, the smaller and two of them having tourist walkways directly under a particular population migrate, and they often expanding human activities. A number of over- the more isolated are forest fragments, the smaller hibernation and nursery sites. Frequent visits by any- disperse to different locations. Migrating bats will lapping mechanisms of loss apply not just to bats, and less viable are bat populations and the lower one making noise and using lights without respect- often stopover to refuel and rest using transitional but to biodiversity in general (Altringham 2011). the species diversity they can support. In particu- ing bat roosts also constitute disturbance that may roosts. Bats are therefore subject to the same threats and lar, bats adapted to cluttered environments such even lead to roost abandonment. Abandoned mines conservation concerns as other animals, but they as Plecotus species and Myotis bechsteinii are rath- used by bats may collapse as old timber props de- also face some unique conservation problems. In er confined in forested areas and largely excluded cay, or be sealed for safety reasons or be re-used (Al- 2.6 Predators: bats as prey recent decades, several European bat species have from urban and intensely cultivated agricultural tringham 2011). Recently, in France, the state mining experienced dramatic population declines lead- environments (e.g. Safi and Kerth 2004). Forest authorities destroyed many of the abandoned mines There are relatively few observations of animals ing to the contraction of their ranges. cover is therefore critical to these and other bat and quarries by sealing or bombing the entrances that feed on bats. Their main predators include species and forest should be mature and structur- despite their known use as bat roosts, using as an birds of prey such as owls (e.g. Tawny Owls, Strix ally diverse. Forest management practices should official reason the liability. The French state did not aluco and Barn Owls, Tyto alba), hawks and fal- 3.2 Threats clearly account for bat requirements. accept alternative ways proposed by wildlife con- cons (e.g. Peregrine Falcon, Falco peregrinus), but Many other bats depend on rich and structur- servation groups at the time such as special grilles, other birds such as Magpies, Pica pica, have also 3.2.1 Habitat degradation, ally diverse agricultural landscapes for foraging. strong safety fences, etc. Finally, through the differ- been observed feeding on bats. Snakes and a few fragmentation and loss The extensive use of pesticides, herbicides and ent EC conservation directives, the use of alternative mammals such as Stone Martens (Martes foina) Arguably, the primary cause of threat to bats and fertilisers, as well as the pollution from industrial security grilles against disturbance by humans was may include bats in their diet. Remains of bats can biodiversity in general is the reduction in size animal farms, the removal of hedges and the ho- promoted, favouring bat conservation, although it is be found in owl pellets. Predators of bats are not and quality degradation of their vital habitat for mogenisation of the landscape through intensifi- still difficult to implement this measure in practice. generally considered to have significant impacts shelter, food and reproduction because of human cation of agriculture damage habitat diversity and In the south of Europe, bats use underground sites on bat populations unless they are introduced activities expanding at an alarming pace. For- quality and clearly affect bats among other ani- year round (see section 2.4.1). Bats are particularly (see section 3.2.5). However, in the U.K. and in ests are the most important source of roosts and mals. Bats use tree lines and hedges to commute vulnerable during both hibernation and breeding, Brittany, France, Barn Owls have been reported food for many (if not most) bat species, and one and often forage (see section 2.4.2), hence the re- first because they often form very large aggregations to have a strong impact on some of the nursery of the most threatened habitats. Most European moval of these features from the landscape may over these periods. This means that large numbers colonies of Rhinolophus ferrumequinum roosting forests are managed/exploited, often containing have detrimental effects on their use of habitat. of bats can be exposed to potential sources of dis- in the attics of churches and castles: several of the many young immature trees densely structured Chemical pollution by herbicides and pesticides turbance or the risk of destruction. Second, dur- main colonies (up to 600 bats) have disappeared with only a few, if any, old trees, whereas natural is specifically dealt with in section 3.2.3. ing hibernation in particular, bats are in deep because of barn owl predation. To protect bats pristine forests are rare. Some harvesting tech- torpor and therefore helpless until fully aroused, at these sites, bat conservationists place special niques can be particularly damaging to the forest and they have little or no opportunity to replenish grilles (45° angle, round large section bars). structure. This leads to the loss of both roosting fat reserves if disturbed (Altringham 2011). Some population declines because of disturbance at hi- ing their prey or indirectly by killing and hence re- the risk of predation and to interfere with the navi- between different foraging sites or between summer bernacula have been well documented (e.g. Wegiel ducing invertebrate prey. In conventional farming, gation system of migrating bats, since vision is used and mating roosts, and hibernacula, preventing bats and Wegiel 1998). In France, cave explorers have the quantities of chemicals applied may still be ex- in navigation (Altringham 2011). Some bat species from accessing parts of their vital habitat or forcing dramatically disturbed underground roosts in the cessive and many chemicals persist in the environ- feed on insects attracted by artificial light but these them to make longer journeys needing more time past. In the 1950s, some of the main large bat colo- ment. Indirectly, pesticides may reduce insect abun- are not many. Insects attracted by artificial lights and energy; they may directly kill animals through nies declined or even disappeared because of inten- dance and diversity, and herbicides the abundance may also benefit a few species at a cost to other bats, collision with moving vehicles; and they may lead to sive uncontrolled ringing in the winter. Third, large and diversity of plants that insects rely on. Organic because insect abundance away from lights may be degradation and loss of vital bat habitat. Many bats nursery colonies especially in underground sites are farms have been found to have higher insect species reduced. It has been suggested that increased com- are vulnerable to collision because they fly at low vulnerable: if seriously disturbed or if their roost is richness and abundance, as well as higher bat ac- petition for food due to the population expansion speeds (< 20 km/h) and close to the ground (0-4 m), damaged, they risk dropping their young or even tivity and bat species richness compared to conven- of Pipistrellus pipistrellus which forage upon insects in particular when they cross open spaces includ- abandoning the site. However, failure to reproduce tional farms (Wickramasinghe et al. 2003, 2004). For attracted by street lights may have contributed to the ing roads. Annual mortality due to collision with   28 will have severe consequences to their populations example, in organic farms where moth diversity and decline of R. hipposideros in Western Europe (Arlet- passing vehicles has been estimated to 5% of bats 29 because of their low reproductive rates. abundance was higher, more bats feeding on moths taz et al. 2000). at a local roost in the UK (Altringham 2011). Road Buildings. Many bats may form colonies in build- such as Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and R. hip- construction further reduces natural habitat (e.g. ings. Older buildings may be more frequently used, posideros were present. Overall, insects important removal of trees, water bodies etc.). probably because of the traditional architecture in the diet of bats were more abundant on organic 3.2.4 Infrastructure: wind turbines and building materials which provide a greater farms. Chemical pollutants may kill or weaken bats, and roads number of potential roosting places (cracks on or impair reproduction, as they accumulate in their Wind turbines. Wind turbines, a technology with 3.2.5 Introduced predators: cats walls, attic spaces, spaces underneath the tiles, bodies. Unless the use of pesticides and herbicides real potential for sustainable, environmentally- Cats are among the most numerous introduced etc.). Currently, the changes in the way of life, the is very carefully targeted and strictly controlled and friendly energy generation, have become highly predators in many parts of the world including building materials and technology including for reduced there is an inevitable loss of biodiversity controversial because increasing evidence shows Europe and are widely acknowledged as a serious example the use of concrete walls and floors, the including bats. Anti-parasite treatment of livestock that they kill high numbers of birds and bats. Bats conservation concern. For instance, 10.3 million use of insecticides and fungicides to preserve tim- may make animals’ faeces toxic to dung-feeding in- are killed through direct collision with wind tur- pet cats and about two million feral cats were esti- ber, the absence of attic spaces, etc., make modern sects to the detriment of bat species foraging upon bines or barotrauma (rapid expansion of the air in mated in the UK in 2007 (Altringham 2011). Many buildings much less suitable as bat roosts. Bats in them. In particular the avermectin-based wormers the lungs that leads to internal injuries and eventual island populations of animals outside Europe have houses may cause problems such as smell, noise, remain active in the dung, preventing colonisation death caused by air pressure changes around the been extinct because of introduced predators in- and accumulation of guano and cause concerns to by dung-beetles (English Nature 2003). rotating blades). Barotrauma is a significant cause cluding cats. There is good evidence that this pre- homeowners. However, homeowners may want to Light pollution. Villages, towns, cities, transport of death because of the bats’ highly sensitive respi- dation extends to bats (e.g. Woods et al. 2003) and get rid of bats as a result of their misconception systems, industrial areas and other human con- ratory system (Baerwald et al. 2008). Blades may that the effects can be significant. Cats may kill (see section 3.2.6). If bats do need to be excluded structions are illuminated at night. Artificial light rotate even at low wind speeds (< 5 m/s), but it has thousands of bats every year (Altringham 2003). from properties, there are various non-destructive may have significant effects on bats among other now been widely documented that it is at those wind methods that can be used but many owners prefer animals, especially in highly urbanised areas. Light speeds that bats are most likely to be killed (e.g. Rod- to kill bats. Abandoned houses used for roosting avoidance may exclude bats from roosting and for- rigues et al. 2008). Extensive literature from around 3.2.6 Persecution and the negative image may collapse, or be demolished. Houses may be aging habitats and may prevent them from travel- Europe mostly in the form of unpublished reports of bats renovated without considering their bat-inhabit- ling freely about their home range (Altringham increasingly shows that hundreds or even thousands Bats may be killed by humans because they are per- ants, often trapping them in the interior or poison- 2011). For example, it has been shown that street of bats are killed every year at wind turbines. Not ceived as pests, as a threat or even because of igno- ing them through the use of chemical substances. lights lead to a major reduction in the activity of all turbines are equally responsible for the death of rant prejudice. For example, bats are associated with Bridges. The restoration of old stone bridges may Rhinolophus hipposideros (Stone et al. 2009), which bats (e.g. Georgiakakis and Papadatou 2011), but the the devil in the Roman Catholicism (Fig. 3.1); books, inadvertently affect bats through blocking off crev- avoid light and are thus probably led to longer com- likely causes are currently under investigation. comic strips and the film industry have associated ices and other openings that serve as bat roosts. muting journeys wasting time and energy and may Roads. Longer, wider, faster and more complex bats with blood and the Dracula. Humans often lose suitable foraging habitat. A large colony of bats road systems are currently being built around the think that bats are vermin, carriers of disease or that did not use the main entrance to emerge at a cave world, despite the acknowledged conservation they destroy buildings. Bats may indeed transmit a 3.2.3 Chemical and light pollution in NE Greece when the entrance was artificially lit; concerns and the need to make better use of pub- small number of diseases, most seriously rabies, but Chemical pollution. There are forms of chemical pol- however, they did use it over a period when the lights lic transport and reduce fossil fuel use (Altringham in reality their impact on humans is very small and lution that can affect bats directly, while others con- had been damaged (Papadatou, unpublished data). 2011). In Germany, only 2% is made up of landscape does not justify their persecution. Rabies is no more tribute to habitat degradation and can affect them Floodlighting on church roofs may have disastrous fragments greater than 100 km2 (Jaeger et al. 2007). prevalent in bats than in other animal-eating mam- indirectly. Pesticides and herbicides are chemical impacts on the bat colonies (Grémillet/GMB, un- Roads can affect bats in different ways: they may act mals and humans are far more likely to catch ra- pollutants that may directly poison bats by poison- published data). Artificial light is likely to increase as barriers between their roosts and foraging sites, bies from domestic or wild carnivores (Altringham 2011). Increasing human populations, ignorance weather events (Altringham 2011). Further, species sites may be defined on the basis of important bat and the ease with which wild animals can now be may not have the same ability to move and adapt populations present in any area. killed have put enormous pressure on bats. Bats to climate change. Potential new habitats may be The Species Survival Commission of IUCN form large aggregations and by using buildings as fragmented and key resources such as hibernac- (World Conservation Union) has a Chiroptera roosts, they come into close proximity to humans. ula may not become available. Rebelo et al. (2010) Specialist Group, a network of bat authorities. They are therefore particularly vulnerable to human modelled future distributions of 28 European bat The group deals with bat conservation issues and misconception. Although they do not cause any sig- species based on current distributions and climatic prepares broad policies and strategies for bat con- nificant problems and their droppings do not con- data and found that any climate change model re- servation. Within this framework, the Chiroptera stitute a major health hazard, their roosts are often sulted in a decline in species richness. Specialist Group produced an action plan for all excluded by buildings or bats can even be killed. microbat species of the world including Europe’s bats (Hutson et al. 2001). This action plan exam-   30 ined particular conservation issues and recom- 31 3.2.7 White Nose Syndrome 4. Legal protection and mended actions for species and habitats, aiming at White Nose Syndrome (WNS) is an emerging dis- conservation key decision makers at the governmental level and ease with real conservation concern in the United at those promoting bat conservation at internation- States, but not yet well understood. WNS was first European bats are protected by a number of na- al, regional and national levels (Mickleburgh et al. revealed in a show cave in New York State in the tional and international laws, conventions and 2002). Species-specific action plans have also been north-eastern US in 2006 (Turner and Reeder agreements. International legislation includes: produced for a number of bat species in Europe, 2009) and it is suspected that it got there through a e.g. the pond bat, Myotis dacycneme (Limpens et human carrier from Europe. It is caused by a fun- • The Convention on the Conservation of Eu- al. 2000) or the greater horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus gus, Geomyces destructans, forming a conspicuous ropean Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern, ferrumequinum (Ransome and Hutson 2000). Fi- growth on the face, ears and wings of six cave-hi- 1982). nally, species specific action plans have been pro- bernating bat species (genera Eptesicus, Myotis and • The Convention on the Conservation of Mi- duced on a local scale, often within the framework Perimyotis) and is typically found in individuals gratory Species of Wild Animals (Bonn, 1983). of European funded projects, focusing on particu- with minimal fat reserves. WNS has killed over Under the Bonn Convention, the Agreement on lar bat species; e.g. a guide recommending specific one million bats in the US since 2006 and has now the Conservation of Populations of European Bats, conservation and habitat management actions was been discovered in five species of cave-hibernating known as EUROBATS, came into force in 1994. To published in 2008 on three rare cave-dwelling bats Myotis species in four European countries (France, date, 33 countries have signed the agreement. The in the south of France (Rhinolophus euryale, Myotis Fig. 3.1 Bats are associated with the devil in the Roman Germany, Switzerland and Hungary, Puechmaille EUROBATS secretariat has been set up to help Eu- capaccinii and Miniopterus schreibersii) following Catholicism (“Tableau de Mission”, Archives of Boshop et al. 2010). However, in Europe the infection does ropean governments fulfil their obligations under an extensive 3-year study within the framework Palace, Quimper, France). not appear to cause death to bats that may be resist- the agreement, promoting information exchange, of a LIFE-Nature project (Némoz and Brisorgueil ant to it (Fig. 3.2). co-ordinating research and monitoring initiatives, 2008). and stimulating public awareness. Through these The legal protection and conservation status of actions, a series of publications have been produced bats have led many countries to include them in 3.2.8 Climate change dealing with various aspects of bat conservation, e.g. the designation of protected areas (e.g. national Climate change is expected to affect bat popula- guidelines for surveillance and monitoring of bats, parks, nature reserves etc.). In many countries, tions. Other flying animals, such as birds and but- for management and protection of underground impacts on bat populations are considered in en- terflies, are already changing their distributions in and overground roosts, and for considering bats in vironmental impact assessments (EIAs). However, response to climate change. There is still not much wind farm projects. post-construction monitoring for the evaluation evidence on the effects of climate change on bats • EC Directive 92/43/EEC on the Conservation of the proposed mitigation measures is often lack- and even good past and present distribution data of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora ing. are lacking. As temperatures rise, bats may ex- (1992, known as the Habitats Directive). Many bat In many countries, organisations and volunteer pand their ranges to higher latitudes and altitudes, species are included in Annex II (Animal and plant groups have been set up specifically to promote and may be forced out of their habitats at lower species of community interest whose conservation bat conservation and they are usually a mixture latitudes and altitudes. Consequences of climate requires the designation of special areas of conser- of amateur and professionals. Their activities in- change will most possibly be more complex than vation) and all in Annex IV (Animal and plant spe- clude practical conservation, survey and moni- Fig. 3.2 In Europe, WNS has not yet been proven this, since changes in temperature will probably be cies of community interest in need of strict protec- toring, research, education that promotes a more to kill bats. accompanied by changes in rainfall and in extreme tion) of the Habitats Directive. Hence, Natura 2000 informed and publicly acceptable image for bats, professional guidance to encourage good prac- ond they survey the site and write an expert’s report. tice, policy, lobbying and consultations. They may They also assess possible damages by bats. Third they produce reports in specific projects, conservation propose technical solutions to stop or prevent these plans, newsletters, handbooks, brochures, project damages and the best solutions to preserve or restore reports, guides to survey techniques, manuals for the bat colonies without inconvenience to the owners.

bat house construction and installation, and even Public owners (e.g. schools, city councils, museums, Y. KAZOGLOU educational and professional guides to bats. They historical castles, churches, etc.) may implement offi- may also run public and professional courses, and cially more ambitious projects, such as the ecological training seminars and workshops. management of the properties concerned (buildings, gardens, etc.), school education programs, events about bats in summer, and even a bat museum with   32 4.1 Examples of bat conservation infrared (IR) cameras showing bats in their roost to 33 in practice the public (see section 5.1).

Examples come from W and N Europe. Non governmental conservation organisations (e.g. the Bat 4.2.3. Restoration of artificial roosts Conservation Trust or the Vincent Wildlife Trust Bat groups and NGOs may purchase ruins or aban- in the U.K.) and volunteer groups (e.g. the Groupe doned sites or ask other partners such as the city Mammalogique Breton in Brittany, France) lead council to purchase them in order to create new many small or large-scale projects for the protec- alternative bat roosts. Sites may be suitable as hiber- tion and the conservation of bats and their habitats. nacula, summer roosts, autumn shelters or simple These projects may be financed by private, govern- night roosts, whereas some may be used throughout mental or local authority funds, sponsorships or the year. Enhancement works are site-specific, but European funds. Project design and implementa- the general rule is that the bat workers should be tion strategies vary depending on the local condi- able to understand the behaviour and requirements tions. of the bats (see Box 17.5 in PART IV, section 17). Creating artificial bat roosts depends on the lo- 4.2.1. SOS bat helplines cal availability: traditional rural buildings, disused Bat groups and NGOs often run bat telephone hel- bunkers, tunnels or mines, bridges, drainage pipes, plines. For example, the Groupe Mammalogique abandoned shepherd shelters, private castles, cel- Roti Cave, Greece Breton (GMB) in France and the Bat Conservation lars or attics may be used to create new alternative Trust (BCT) in the U.K. run bat helplines where a roosts. Often, bat roosts are created in ruined or dis- network of local bat workers answer to the general used buildings, but currently bat refuges may even license card and control of their rabies serology. pact bats both in the natural and urban environ- public or professionals that may need advice, in- be created in used or new buildings in countries Appropriate solutions are sought when a colony is ments: the general public, investors, professionals formation, help or intervention. People most fre- such as the U.K., France, Belgium and Germany found infected with rabies to avoid the destruction such as foresters, miners, archaeologists, architects, quently call in the warm summer months when without inconvenience or disturbance to the people. of the colony. farmers, the building industry, carpenters and roof- bats are mostly active. Often, a gentle talk may be A number of publications provide useful guidelines ers, cave explorers, policy and decision makers, the enough to soothe people concerned by the pres- and relevant case studies (e.g. EUROBATS Publica- local and national governments, even other conser- ence of bats in their house, but in other cases, bat tions No. 4 and The Bat Workers’ Manual, section 5. Education vationists, and of course children and their teachers. workers visit the place to find a solution on site. 20, or the Bat Refuge guide of GMB, http://www. Each audience should be approached in different and refugespourleschauves-souris.com/). Education programmes lie in the heart of effective appropriate ways. Education can thus help overcome bat conservation. Education can dispel the negative prejudice, ignorance and conflicts of interest. 4.2.2. Bat refuges human perception of bats, stress the bats’ key roles in In many European countries, bat NGOs and Bat groups and NGOs may propose to private or pub- 4.2.4 Bats and rabies natural ecosystems and address conservation con- groups design and implement bat training and ed- lic owners a “bat refuge” project through a free agree- Recently in France, bat workers have been incorpo- cerns. Where educational programmes have been ucation programs for the general public, schools, ment to manage lands and buildings in favour of bats rated in the official bat rabies network of the Health applied, views of bats have often changed dramati- professionals, and authorities, often with input using their property, estate or town. First, bat groups Department of the state. Bat workers should get an cally (Mickleburgh et al. 2002). Targeted audiences from bat scientists. Some examples are given in the inform owners on bat biology and behaviour. Sec- official agreement and they need a valid annual need to include all people whose activities may im- following sections. 5.1 The general public Therefore, outdoor activities for children may be the building industry should be informed and pro- 5.2.5 Farming organised outside school programs (e.g. nature vided with appropriate guidelines, this is not easy In some European countries, organic farming is It is possible to show bats to the public without dis- clubs for children). because many people are involved, there is not an promoted through farming courses. Some very turbing them and at low cost. For example, during adequate amount of time to talk on site, and many motivated teachers may include information events such as the European Bat Nights organised builders are not interested in bat conservation. In- on bats. Examples of bat and other biodiversity- by bat workers for the local inhabitants, bats may 5.3 Professionals and local authorities formation diffusion specifically on this issue is still friendly farming practices include: be watched while they emerge from their roosts not very widespread – even in W and N Europe • The use of alternative less toxic wormers in in churches, historical castles, private properties 5.3.1 Forestry where there is a relatively long tradition in bat con- livestock (e.g. moxidectin is less toxic than aver- hosting “bat refuges” and caves. Bats may simulta- Forest management practices should account for servation – and there is a lack of technical leaflets, mectin to non-target insects such as Diptera and neously be heard on bat detectors. The public and bats roosting and foraging in forests. It is therefore booklets, and training. Some good examples come Coleoptera). especially the children become very enthusiastic important to inform public and private owners, from the Joint Nature Conservation Committee • The use of bat and bird boxes in orchards that   34 during night walks where they discover the forag- forest managers, workers and engineers on bat bi- (http://www.jncc.gov.uk) and the Bat Conserva- may help increase bat populations, therefore con- 35 ing flight paths of bats through the bat detectors. ology, behaviour and ecological requirements, tree tion Trust (http://www.bats.org.uk) in the U.K., trolling insect pests through an alternative more Information centres help dispel the myths about roosts, legal protection and conservation, and to and the GMB (http://www.gmb.asso.fr) in France natural way. This practice has been successfully bats not only through relevant exhibitions but also provide them with appropriate guidelines. Infor- who provide information for the construction in- used in organic arboriculture (e.g. Apple tree farm, through activities. Activities may include bat watch- mation and guidelines may be diffused through dustry on bat conservation issues in building con- P. Mercier, Aude, France. http://www.agrienviron- ing in the dusk, observing bats in their roosts through various forms of material such as leaflets (e.g. Bats struction and maintenance. Conservation actions nement.org/ae/fiches/04.htm). IR cameras (everyday behaviour in the colonies, and Forestry), forest biodiversity booklets (e.g. may include alternative and safe remedial timber birth of young, etc.). Some examples are the abbey St the French Forestry Commission, Biodiversité treatments, timber quality, and the conservation 5.2.6 Local authorities Maurice and the “Maison de la Chauves-souris” in n°3- 2010, ONF, www.onf.fr), and bat and forestry of bat roosts in buildings, avoiding damage, smell, It is important to regularly meet and inform policy Brittany, France (see section 20). Information centres training courses for lumberjacks and forest en- or noise by the bats. A very useful textbook with and decision makers, the local and regional poli- may include shops with bat related objects (e.g. toys, gineers (e.g. ONF, www.onf.fr; GMB, www.gmb. specific guidelines and practical advice for survey- ticians, and the main planning departments and games, puppets, videos, books, clothes, etc.). asso.fr). ing, enhancing or constructing Rhinolophus hip- management authorities to promote alternative Mass media such as the radio, television, news- posideros roosts was recently published (Schofield solutions in favour of bats and prevent potential papers and more recently the internet are very ef- 2010). detrimental effects on bat colonies. Annual meet- ficient ways to inform the public and promote bat 5.2.2 Roads and bridges ings are an opportunity to inform these partners conservation, e.g. through regular columns in the Many bat species roost in crevices of old stone on bat-friendly practices, works and plans. In Brit- local newspapers or spots on the local radio or TV bridges and some even in the joints of modern 5.2.4 Pest control in buildings tany, France, each year the GMB invite the local, stations. Sometimes, however, it is difficult to find bridges. The maintenance or strengthening works Often there are large wasp or hornet colonies in regional and state administrations and politicians journalists able to understand the difference be- of bridges may therefore destroy these bat roosts. attics that may also be used by bat colonies. Pest for a one-day outdoor trip to show the new achieve- tween bats and the Dracula! New roads may act as barriers between roosts and control companies are usually not aware of bats ments and bat projects in progress. In this way, the foraging sites cutting tree lines, hedges or other and often use very toxic pesticides. Bat workers authorities discover an unknown world! These bat bat corridors (see section 3.2.4). Therefore, part- inform pest control companies and other people trips are an opportunity to plan with them the fu- 5.2 School programs ners involved in the maintenance of bridges, and involved. ture projects and policy for bat conservation. the road construction and management should There are many possibilities at low cost but they be informed and provided with appropriate depend on the national and local legislation which guidelines. For this purpose, a number of reports may be different among countries. In the school and other material have been published includ- and during day time, bat workers may use vide- ing leaflets, e.g. “Bats and Bridges” (GMB, www. os, drawings, puppet or theatre shows, and other gmb.asso.fr) (for other material see examples in forms of teaching with or without the participation section 20). of the teachers. Activities depend on the available budget, age of children, time, and official teaching programs. Currently many ideas are available on the internet. Because bats are nocturnal animals, 5.2.3 The building industry outdoor activities for schools may be difficult to Treatments for the preservation of timber (orga- implement. Nevertheless, children are very at- nochlorine insecticides, fungicides, etc.) have a tracted by listening to bats through bat detectors. strong impact on bat roosts in buildings. Although Part II Background: Bats in Greece 6. Species diversity, distribution 2007), the National Park of Tzoumerka (Papadatou and population status & von Helversen 2007), the island of Crete (Benda et al. 2008, Georgiakakis 2009), the National Park Greece is located at the southernmost tip of the of Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli (Papadatou 2010) and the Balkan Peninsula, being on the crossroads of three National Park of Prespa (Grémillet and Dubos continents: Europe to the North, Asia to the east 2008, Grémillet et al. 2010, this document). Much and Africa to the south. European, Anatolian and information had been collected by Professor O. Mediterranean African species may therefore have von Helversen (University of Erlangen, Germany, the southern, western and northern limit of their deceased in 2009) over the course of many years, distributions in Greece, e.g. Myotis brandtii (von but most of this information remains unpublished Helversen, Papadatou-SPP and Georgiakakis, un- with few exceptions (e.g. von Helversen and Weid T. CHEYREZY  published data), Eptesicus anatolicus (Dietz et al. 1990). Available but sparse distributional data of 39 2009, E. bottae in von Helversen 1998) and Pip- all species were more recently revised in the latest istrellus hanaki (Benda et al. 2008) respectively. The version of the Greek Red Data Book of Threatened country hosts all four European bat families and Animals (Legakis and Maragkou 2009). 34 out of the approximately 40 bat species occur- The population status of bat species in Greece is ring in the European continent (Dietz et al. 2009), mostly unknown, though we do have some idea of i.e. almost 85% of all European bats. In addition, 1 the relative abundance across species. For exam- in 3 “land” mammals in Greece are bats. Even rela- ple, Barbastella barbastellus and Hyspugo savii are tively small areas may host over half of the species among the rarest and most frequently encountered encountered in the country: e.g. the National Park bats in the country respectively. Also, the population of Tzoumerka, at least 18 species (Papadatou & von status of colonial animals aggregating in buildings Helversen 2007), the National Park of Dadia-Lef- or underground sites is easier to assess relatively to kimi-Soufli, 24 species (Papadatou 2010), and the those that are widely dispersed and roost in less ac- National Park of Prespa, 26 species (Galand et al. cessible sites such as trees. Therefore, we have some 2010, this document). idea on the number of bats inhabiting underground Despite its high bat diversity, Greece remains sites or buildings at certain locations: e.g. less than among the parts of the world where even basic data 5000 M. capaccinii and up to several hundred Rhi- on the species distributional ranges and popula- nolophus euryale inhabit caves and mines in and tion status are limited. Even the number of species around the National Park of Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli keeps increasing, including newly discovered spe- throughout the year (Papadatou et al. 2008b, 2009 cies on a global scale. In the last decade, the follow- and unpublished data), and several hundred of Rhi- ing bat species have been added in the list: Myotis nolophus hipposideros inhabit mostly abandoned or brandtii (von Helversen, Papadatou-SPP and Geor- not frequently used buildings and some rock cavities giakakis, unpublished data), Myotis alcathoe (von and caves in the area of Mt Grammos (Papadatou, Helversen et al. 2001), Plecotus kolombatovici, P. unpublished data) and the National Park of Prespa macrobullaris and Pipistrellus hanaki, the latter (Grémillet and Dubos 2008, Grémillet et al. 2010, being found only on the island of Crete (Benda et this document). al. 2008). In 2001, Hanák et al. published the most comprehensive compilation of distributional and taxonomical data on Greek bats available at the 7. Ecology time. Until recently, such data were mostly collected by foreign researchers on an occasional ba- The ecology of most Greek bats, whether with a sis. In the last decade, studies on a more systematic largely European or Mediterranean distribution, basis both by local and foreign researchers have has generally been poorly documented. We know allowed increasingly more comprehensive spe- little on their annual cycle, roosting behaviour, cies inventories at several locations in the country, feeding ecology, habitat use, migration and popu- Savi’s Pipistrelle, Hypsugo savii for example the island of Zakynthos (Davy et al. lation biology. Until recently, most information on the ecology and habitat use of temperate bat spe- earlier in the south of Greece compared to bats in wind farm development in the near future in many Book of Threatened Animals (Legakis and Marag- cies came from western, northern and central Eu- northern and central Europe (Georgiakakis 2009, mountainous areas including still inaccessible lands kou 2009), based on available data and their expert rope, but their ecology may differ in the warmer Papadatou, unpublished data). in the country, posing a significant problem to wild- judgment. Using IUCN (2009) criteria, 2 species south. In the last decade, published information Clearly, there is more need for bat research, sur- life in general and to bats in particular, given that were assessed as endangered (EN), 6 as vulnerable on bats from the south of Europe has been increas- vey and monitoring in the country. An upcoming bats do not even constitute a component in environ- (VU), 8 as near threatened (NT), 8 species as least ing, including Italy and the Mediterranean parts of monitoring project for the reporting on the Habi- mental impact assessment studies! Deliberate per- concern (LC) and 10 as data deficient (DD). Data France and Spain, as well as Greece. In Greece, the tats Directive (92/43/EEC)/Natura 2000 sites will secution due to ignorance and prejudice is another deficient species means that neither available data ecology and habitat use of a few species has been take place in the next few years and is expected to threat. On several occasions, Greek wildlife hospi- nor the experts’ judgment allowed their inclusion recently studied in a systematic manner at certain form the basis for more systematic bat surveys and tals, pest control companies and the main author of in any of the IUCN threat categories (Legakis and areas, for example Thrace Myotis( capaccinii, Papa- research in a relatively large part of the territory this document have been contacted by people asking Maragkou 2009). Similarly to their distribution datou et al. 2008b, 2009), the island of Crete (Geor- of Greece. for advice on how to exclude bats from their houses and ecology, much research is needed to better as-   40 giakakis 2008, Georgiakakis et al. 2010), and the or kill them, but there are certainly people that take sess their conservation status. 41 island of Zakynthos (Davy et al. 2007). Some ear- initiative without asking for advice. In some pri- Bats are legally protected in Greece mainly lier studies have focused on particular features of 8. Threats, legal protection and vate discussions, homeowners have confessed that through international laws reported in PART I, bat ecology related to echolocation, e.g songflights conservation they exterminated whole bat colonies roosting in section 4. They are also legally protected by the and display behaviour in Vespertilio murinus the attics of their houses by burning them or that Presidential Decree 67/1981 (“On the protection of (Weid 1988) and in Nyctalus leisleri (von Helversen 8.1 Threats they killed individual bats trapped in rooms using autochthonous flora and fauna and the definition and von Helversen 1994). The systematic inventory a newspaper! of a procedure for the coordination and control of of bat species in the National Park of Prespa (see We know very little on the specific threats bats Despite the threats, Greece still preserves a rich their research”), which declared as protected all PART III) has provided some valuable information face in Greece, although they are not expected to bat fauna. This is probably because the country is bat species known at the time. This means that spe- on the habitat use by bats in the area. be very different from those European bats are fac- largely not industrialized, because many moun- cies recently included in the species list are not for- Some ecological features of Greek bats. In cen- ing in general. The effects of the most important tainous and rocky areas are still inaccessible and mally protected. In practice, however, none of the tral and northern Europe, bats only hibernate in threat worldwide, habitat degradation and loss, because there are still highly structured and habi- Greek bats are protected: they are not considered caves but in Greece and the Mediterranean parts have not been sufficiently documented apart from tat-rich areas where humans and nature co-existed in EIAs and very rarely are they considered in any of Europe in general, many species use under- some scarce information, but as a developed coun- in a relatively harmonious manner until recently other types of environmental studies (e.g. special ground sites all year round throughout their life try, Greece must not be an exception to the rule. For (and they still do to an extent). However, the future environmental studies prior to the declaration of cycle. However, they may not use the same sites but example, chemicals have been used in agricultural is uncertain given that more laws allowing “devel- an area as protected). This is primarily because, for may switch between different winter and summer lands over many years without strict control by the opment” without strict control of its effects on the the moment, bat conservation is not taken serious- underground roosts. Some bats may spend part of government and there is a tendency for further in- natural environment and wildlife are currently be- ly by politicians and policy and decision makers, their annual cycle in Greece; for example Myotis tensification of farming in many areas. Forest man- ing voted by the Greek parliament, and bats are for and there is lack of funding for wildlife conserva- capaccinii appears to migrate between summer agement practices do not account for bats. In earlier the moment neglected. tion in general. In addition, Greece has not signed sites in Greece and Turkey, and winter sites in Bul- years, some caves hosting important bat colonies in the EUROBATS agreement despite being a party garia (Papadatou et al. 2009). A few thousand Myo- the Peloponnese and in the north of Greece were of the Bonn Convention. Conservation organisa- tis emarginatus females only appear in spring time exploited to attract tourists without accounting for 8.2 Legal protection and conservation tions therefore concentrate their efforts into more at some underground sites in Thrace and it is un- bats, resulting in the loss of these colonies. There is apparently urgent issues. Greece has very limited known were they spend the rest of the year (Papa- currently a tendency in the country to exploit more The conservation status of bats in Greece remains human and funding resources to gather the infor- datou, unpublished data). Primarily males of Nyc- caves some of which host large colonies of many largely unclear. An effort was made by the local bat mation that is essential for effective bat conserva- talus noctula, N. leisleri, Vespertilio murinus and bat species (e.g. Maronia Cave, Thrace, Paragam- scientists to assess the bats’ conservation status for tion planning and the resources to fully implement Pipistrellus nathusii have been found in summer in ian et al. 2004). Although these bats and caves are the recently revised version of the Greek Red Data conservation plans that may be developed. Greece with the exception of areas in the NE, sug- strictly protected under the European legislation, gesting that these bats rather reproduce in north- they are not yet adequately protected under the lo- ern areas and migrate through Greece, where they cal legislation posing a significant threat to the bats. may also hibernate. There is some evidence that Wind farms currently pose another very significant bats do not remain in deep torpor for long through threat to Greek bats: it has now been documented the winter at least in the lowlands and in the south that large wind farms in Thrace kill hundreds if not of the country: they appear to emerge and feed on thousands of bats from many species every year and warm nights and they may remain mostly active throughout the year except winter (Georgiakakis through mild winters. Females appear to give birth and Papadatou 2011). There are plans for large-scale Part III Bats in Prespa 9. Study area – The Prespa Lakes and St. Naum in the FYR of Macedonia. The low- Basin land part of the valley is composed of clastic complex of sediments (clay sediments, fluvioglacial res- 9.1 Geographic and climatic features idues, alluvial sediments, lake-swamp sediments and proluvial deposits). Physical features. The Prespa Lakes basin is a natu- Climatic features. The climate of the Prespa Basin ral geographic entity located in the Balkan Penin- is under Mediterranean and continental influences sula, around the meeting point of the borders of the and could be characterized as Continental-Central FYR of Macedonia (Municipality of Resen), Greece European. The main climatic modifier of the - en (Municipality of Prespa) and Albania (Communes vironment is the water mass of the Greater Prespa of Bilisht Qender, Proger and Liqenas, all includ- Lake. The water mass with its thermodynamic iner-   44 ed in the Prefecture of Korça). Geographically, it tia influences the entire Prespa watershed area. The 45 is divided into two sub-basins: the Lesser Prespa average annual air temperature was 10.2°C for the Lake basin (lake level around 853-854 m above sea period 1931 - 1960 and 9.6°C for the period 1961- level over the last years), and the Greater Prespa 1987. The warmest month in the year is July, with Lake basin (lake level around 843-845 m a.s.l.). The an average monthly temperature of 19.2°C, while two lakes are linked by a small channel located at the coldest is January, with an average temperature the westernmost part of the 4 km long and 100- of +0.2°C. The earliest freezing temperatures come 500 m wide alluvial isthmus that separates them. in October and the latest in May. The average freez- The largest portion of the Greater Prespa Lake ing period is 167 days. Rainfalls are under the influ- sub-basin is situated in the FYR of Macedonia and ence of the Mediterranean pluviometric regime. The smaller portions in Albania and Greece, while the main rainfall period is during late autumn and win- Lesser Prespa Lake sub-basin is situated in Greece ter, while the least amount of rainfall is recorded in (approx. 80% of the basin) and in Albania (Fig. 9.1). July and August. The average rainfall quantity from The Greater Prespa Lake has a surface area of 253.6 1961 to 1991 was 730 mm/m2. According to the av- km2, the Lesser Prespa Lake is 47.4 km2 and the to- erage annual isohyetic maps (Ristevski 2000, based tal area of the combined drainage basins and lakes on data from eight rainfall stations in the Greater is 1218.1 km2 (Perennou et al. 2009). The Prespa Prespa Lake region), the Greater Prespa Lake itself Basin is surrounded by high mountains: the Baba accepts 600 mm rainfalls annually. For the lower Mountain Range (with the highest peak Pelister parts of the Prespa valley, precipitation ranges be- at 2601 m) and Mt. Varnous (2330 m) border the tween 600 and 700 mm, while in the mountain belt lakes to the east, Plakenska Planina (1998 m) and it increases to 800-900 mm, and at the high-moun- Bigla (1656 m) to the north, Galicica (2287 m) and tain belt 1000 mm. The Prespa valley is character- Mali Thate / Suva Gora (2284 m) to the west, Mt ized by a unique regime of local winds conditioned Ivan (1770 m) and Triklario / Sfika (1750 m) to the mainly by the Greater Prespa Lake’s water mass and south-southeast. by the unequal warming of the air over the lake sur- Geology. The rock masses that make up the ter- face and above the ground. rain of Prespa Basin belong to the West-Macedo- nian geotectonic unit (Klincarov 1997). The mountains to the east of the watershed are composed of 9.2 Hydrological features silicate rocks (schist, magmatic and volcanic rocks), while the mountains to the north, south and west, The Greater Prespa Lake has an area of 253.6 km2 are mainly carbonaceous (limestone complex). Due (Hollis and Stevenson 1997), of which 176.8 km2 to the porous limestone rocks to the west there is belong to the FYR of Macedonia, 49.4 km2 to Al- a well-documented underground water flow from bania and 47.8 km2 to Greece. Its length is 28.6 the Prespa Lakes to the lower Ohrid Lake, where km and its width 16.9 km. It has a total volume of 3 Fig. 9.1. The study area. water appears as numerous sub-lacustrine springs 4.8 billion m . Its greatest depth is 54 m, its aver- and mighty surface springs, like Drilon in Albania age depth is 18.8 m and the length of the shoreline is 100.1 km. Because a portion of the water and Kurbinska Reka River. On the Greek side, TABLE 9.2 Population age classes and economically active population in the Municipality of Prespa in 2001 migrates downward through the limestone into the largest provider of water to the Greater Pre- (adapted from Koutretsi et al. 2006) Ohrid Lake near the locality of Vragodupka, the spa Lake is Ag. Germanos River, while several water level – as well as the lake surface – fluctuates smaller watercourses flow on the eastern side of Women (number and Men (number and Total (number and Age classes considerably annually and through the years. the basin. River Devolli in Albania, which was proportion (%)) proportion (%)) proportion (%)) In the period 1986-1995 a notable decline of the seasonally diverted into the Lesser Prespa Lake 10-19 4 (1%) 21 (4%) 25 (3%) water level of the Greater Prespa Lake was record- from 1976 to 2000, is not affecting the Prespa 20-24 28 (9%) 50 (8%) 78 (9%) ed. The constant reduction of the water level has water system anymore (Kazoglou et al. 2010). 25-29 45 (15%) 80 (13%) 125 (14%) adversely affected the state of the floating vegeta- 30-44 120 (39%) 254 (42%) 374 (41%) tion and faunal communities in the littoral zone 45-64 95 (31%) 174 (29%) 269 (30%) of the lake. The presence of large quantities of or- 9.3 Agronomic and socio-economic  >65 13 (4%) 19 (3%) 32 (4%)  46 ganic silt on the lake bottom is accelerating the data 47 process of eutrophication, which manifests itself Total 305 (100%) 598 (100%) 903 (100%) with the appearance of phytoplankton blooms 9.3.1 Greece during the summer periods. However, due to fa- Population. According to the National census of Economic sectors vourable hydrologic conditions over the last 4-5 2001, the Municipality of Prespa (which since Jan- Primary 187 (61%) 359 (60%) 546 (60%) years, the water level of the lake is increasing. uary 2011 also includes the area of Krystallopigi, Secondary 9 (3%) 53 (9%) 62 (7%) The Lesser Prespa Lake has a maximum length Vatochori and Kotas located outside the Prespa Tertiary 77 (25%) 138 (23%) 215 (24%) of 13 km, maximum width of 6 km, maximum Lakes basin) has a population of 2511 people liv- depth of 8.4 m, and an area of 47.4 km2 of which ing in 20 settlements. Of these, 1604 people live in Not clearly belonging 2 to one of the above 32 (10%) 48 (8%) 80 (9%) approximately 4 km (8.5%) belong to Albania the 13 settlements located inside the lakes basin, sectors and 43.4 km2 to Greece (Hollis and Stevenson but it is estimated that less than 1000 people are Total 305 (100%) 598 (100%) 903 (100%) 1997). The total catchment area is approx. 208 permanent inhabitants. The majority of the popu- km2 without the lake and 255 km2 with the lake lation of the Municipality of Prespa belongs to the (GKP et al. 2005). Since 1975, the water level of age classes of 25-39 and 40-54 years (Table 9.1). Land use. Land cover types of Prespa National TABLE 9.3 Main land cover types in the Prespa the Lesser Prespa Lake has remained higher than Park, i.e. the whole area of the Prespa Basin in watershed in Greece (Argyropoulos and Giannakis that of the Greater Prespa Lake (Hollis and Ste- TABLE 9.1 Population age classes in the Greece, are shown in Table 9.3. From the total 2001) venson 1997). Water outflows from the former to Municipality of Prespa in 2001 (Koutretsi et al. 2006) area of agricultural land, 56% is found within the the latter are controlled by a sluice gate – road irrigation network and presently 41% (1150 ha) is Land use Surface bridge system originally built in 1969 (first gate Age Women Total actually irrigated (Local Land Reclamation Or- type (ha) Proportion (%) Men (%) positioned in 1987) on the channel connecting classes (%) (%) ganization, pers. comm.). Forests 11 973 40.0 the two lakes, and restored in 2004 to allow for 0-14 7 7 14 Pastures, control of the water level of the lake (Kazoglou 15-24 4 9 14 et al. 2010). meadows, 25-39 9 14 23 shrublands, 6198 20.7 The Prespa Lakes basin has a developed hydro- 40-54 7 12 19 rocky habi- graphic network mainly in the eastern and north- tats 55-64 5 5 10 ern parts, and a less developed such network in Agricultural 2781 9.3 the western and southern (limestone) parts. All 65-79 7 6 13 land major watercourses are formed on the foothills >80 4 4 7 River beds, of the mountains Pelister, Bigla, Plakenska and Total 43 57 100 stream out- lets, sandy 175 0.6 Varnous. The Golema Reka River (sourcing from shores the Plakenska and Bigla Mountains), including The economically active population in 2001 com- Reedbeds, its tributary Leva Reka River, has the largest prised 903 people (305 women and 598 men) wet mead- catchment area and plays a significant role in the mainly occupied in agriculture, stock-breeding, ows 760 2.5 water balance of the Greater Prespa Lake. Three tourism, fishing and forestry (Table 9.2). An up- Open water 7880 26.4 more perennial rivers are found in the FYR Mac- date of the population data is expected from the Urban land 133 0.5 edonian side and source from the Pelister Moun- publication of the current National census (May Total 29 900 100 tain: Brajcinska Reka River, Kranska Reka River 2011). Agriculture. The cultivation of beans (1000 ha of of Vrondero has 40 members (23 active). Forestry Agriculture. Most of the households are engaged within the community (lambs and kids within the 1150 ha of irrigated land) is by far the most im- seems to provide an important supplementary in agriculture (farming and livestock produc- the community and calves to traders). Although portant economic activity on the Greek part of Pre- income to the families involved in forest logging tion). Farming is labor intensive, with women’s there is a general trend of decrease in goat and spa. Middle-size, “giant” and “elephant” dry white (Giannakis et al. in preparation). labor particularly important in crop production, sheep numbers, people still keep animals for dif- beans are the main cultivated varieties in the area, Tourism. This form of the tertiary economic and men’s labor crucial in animal husbandry. ferent uses. labelled as products with “Protected Geographic sector has been steadily growing over the last 15 Livestock husbandry is integral to the farming A few villages in the park close to the border Origin” for farmers following the processes of or- years mainly at the villages of Psarades, Agios system. Thus, almost all of the households hold with Greece have different stockbreeding prac- ganic farming (approx. 15 farmers with a total of 45 Germanos, Laimos and Agios Achilleios. In 2001, one or two cows for milk, ten to fifteen chickens tices. People do not only keep livestock for sub- ha) or integrated production management (approx. 215 people were working in the tourism sector and a few sheep and goats. sistence production, but mainly for trading. Re- 120 farmers with a total area of 750 ha). Bean culti- representing 24% of the economically active pop- The total number of agricultural holdings is cently, people in these villages have started to sell vation occupies more than 120 families in the area. ulation (Table 9.2). 1448 (all mixed holdings, i.e. practicing agri- meat to traders at the farm gate for the market   48 Other crops are alfalfa, maize and cereals, while Protection status. Prespa National Park (Prespa culture and stock-breeding) with almost 2185 in Tirana. Meat from the region is known for its 49 fallow lands represent approx. 14% of arable land. NP) was established in July 2009 (Common Minis- ha of total land. Cereals (i.e. wheat, corn, barley high quality and good taste (“organic” produc- Livestock breeding. Stock-breeding is practiced by terial Decision no. 28651, dt. 23.07.2099) and cov- and rye) are the main crops covering 69.7% of tion, no vaccinations, etc.). 88 people in Prespa National Park. Cattle breeding ers the whole of the lakes’ basin in the Greek part the total land. The remaining 30% of agricul- Honey production. There are about 20 profes- (1308 animals in 2009) is developed in the eastern of the transboundary Prespa Park. Prespa NP in- tural land is cultivated with potatoes (1.4%), dry sional beekeepers in the park, while 5-10% of part of the Park (mainly in the villages of Agios cludes both Natura 2000 sites of the Prespa Lakes beans (3.2%), vegetables (8.2%), alfalfa (9.6%), inhabitants have beehives for home consump- Germanos and Kallithea) and has been showing in- Basin, i.e. the “Prespa National Forest” coded GR fruit trees (0.9%) and vineyards (6.9%). Arable tion. Honey is either sold to traders or within the creasing trends over the last 10 years, while sheep- 1340001 and the “Varnous Mt” coded GR 1340003 land is not cultivated intensively. Agricultural communities. goat breeding (8401 animals in 2009) is mostly (Fig. 9.1). Lesser Prespa Lake is a Wetland of Inter- production is produced for livestock and home Fishing. Fishing is one of the main economic practiced in the western part (villages of Vrondero, national Importance (Ramsar Convention). consumption and it is not included in the annual activities in the area. Currently, there are totally Pyli) showing decreasing trends (Giannakis et al. income generated in Prespa NP (AL). 100 fishermen who are organized and their fish- in prep., data from the Municipality of Prespa). Livestock breeding. Livestock breeding is the ing activity is carried out on an individual basis. Honey production. Apiculture is practiced by 9.3.2 Albania most important source of income for local com- Half of them are licensed, while the other 50 are less than five farmers living permanently in the Population. A population of approx. 5300 inhab- munities and directly depends on the park’s re- unlicensed and thus their activity is considered area. The officially recorded number of beehives itants lives in settlements inside the Prespa Na- sources. Goats and sheep are predominant and illegal. It has been reported (Grazhdani 2008) is only 20 (in Agios Germanos), but this is cer- tional Park (Prespa NP) territory, with a distance cattle play also an important role. Actually, the that the numbers of economically valuable fish tainly an underestimation. However, in summer of 3-5 km between settlements. The Albanian part animal production is taking priority in the total species, such as the carp (Cyprinus carpio), have many (unrecorded number) honey producers of the Prespa watershed is not very densely popu- agricultural production and in the future this decreased while those of smaller fish species that come to Prespa from other areas of the country, lated (estimated density ca. 20 people per km2). tendency may become even more important, in are less demanded have increased. The average e.g. Chalkidiki, and keep their beehives in the Land use. Following Decision no. 80, dt. particular given the potential tourism develop- daily catch of fishermen is 25 kg of small fish area until early to mid autumn. 18.02.1999, Prespa National Park has the follow- ment and space organization in the park condi- (only a small quantity of carp) between April Fishing. The total number of fishermen in the ing land categories (Table 9.4): tions. and October. Between November and March, last years is 130 with 65 fishing boats in both The breeding systems for small ruminants the average daily catch is 1.5 kg of carp (only lakes. Eighty fishermen come from the villages TABLE 9.4 Main land use types in the Prespa are still traditional: exploitation of the summer a small quantity of small fishes). In most fish- of Mikrolimni, Karyes, Lefkonas, Platy, Laimos, watershed in Albania and winter meadows and low forests, grazing in ing households, at least two people are involved. Agios Achilleios and Pyli, and fish in Lesser Pre- Surface Propor- considerable area of non-cultivated agricultural While the men go fishing by boat, many women Land use type spa Lake (40 boats), while approx. 50 professional (ha) tion (%) lands, tree lopping and a relatively limited use of take the bus to the closest city of Korça to sell the fishermen (25 boats) come mainly from the vil- Forests 13 500 48.6 concentrated and dry feed. However, in the future fish in the streets. lage of Psarades and fish in Greater Prespa Lake. it is estimated that the total sheep and goat num- Forestry. The total surface of forest lands in Pastures, meadows 1828 6.6 Most of the fishermen are also doing other jobs bers will decrease, cow numbers may increase or Prespa NP is 13 500 ha, of which 9399 ha (69.6%) to supplement their income, such as offering boat Agricultural land remain stable and some farmers will specialize belong to the state, 3721 ha (27.6%) are commu- (arable, vineyards, trips to visitors in the Greater Prespa Lake, keep- and enlarge their herd size, but rather in cows nal and 380 ha (2.8%) are private. Three factors orchards) 2100 7.6 ing restaurants and small hotels, and farming and sheep than in goats (Grazhdani 2008). Al- impact the condition of forests in the park: lop- Water 4950 17.8 (Malakou et al. 2007, Kazoglou et al. 2001). most 100% of dairy products and 80% of meat ping for fodder (branches and leaves) for live- Forestry. Two forestry cooperatives are active in Unproductive surfa- is used for home consumption. Small quantities stock, grazing (goats, sheep, and cows) and fire- the area of Prespa National Park: the one based ces, urban land etc. 5372 19.4 of milk and cheese are sold locally and 20% of wood extraction. These practices are carried out at Pyli has 33 members (20 active), while the one Total 27 750 100 meat is sold to traders “at the farm gate” and by the local population as subsistence economy activities, but also for income generation (selling TABLE 9.5 Main land use types in the Prespa TABLE 9.6 Animal farming in some of the villages of firewood) and have led to the severe degrada- watershed in the FYR of Macedonia in the Prespa watershed tion of the forest areas. More than 50% of the Surface Proportion Land use type forests are coppice. Dry foliage of oak branches (ha) (%) Village Cattle Sheep Goats Chicken Pigs cut in August and September comprise up to Forests 23 625 32.0 Brajcino 20 4 - 50 30 80% of the winter diet of goats and sheep. The to- Pastures 8195 11.1 Arvati & Krani 20 1500 200 150 - tal firewood production in the park is estimated Arable land 11 932 16.1 Ljubojno 7 - 165 - 8 at 20 000 m3. Unproductive Nakolec 6 - - 100 - Tourism. In the Prespa area, there is small- surfaces 30 132 40.8 Leva Reka 6 20 - 120 - scale rural and family tourism, based on a few Total 73 884 100 small hotels, private accommodation and restau- Source: BIOECO (NGO) interviews (2006)   50 rants. Capacities in hotels are up to 34 beds and Agriculture. Favourable natural conditions and 51 in private accommodation up to 500 beds, and long-term tradition have established the apple culti- there are 11 restaurants with 345 seats. The occu- vation as the most important agricultural activity in given incentives to farmers for organic production, Forests”. Approximately 400 hunters hunt in the pancy rate for the few hotels ranges from 9-20% the Prespa Basin with the majority of lowland areas which have already been well accepted by farmers in area. and for private accommodation between 0.02 occupied by apple orchards. In 1998, orchards cov- other regions of the country. Protection status. Three protected areas are lo- and 3%. Restaurants are reported to have 200- ered an area of 2771 ha or 23.7 % of the cultivated Livestock breeding. Data on animal farming are cated within the Prespa Lakes Basin: a) the Galic- 1000 visitors per day at the weekends during the land. The total number of fruit trees was 1 642 800 presented only for a few villages on the basis of BI- ica National Park (Galicica NP), established in main summer season (July and August), result- of which 1 611 000 (98.1%) was apple trees (Ristevski OECO interviews conducted in 2006 (Table 9.6). 1958, which extends to Ohrid Lake and up to the ing in about 2400-12 000 visitors per year. et al. 2000). Orchards with apple trees of native, lo- Fishing. The annual yield collected between 2003- city of Ohrid, b) the Pelister National Park (Pelis- Protection status. The Prespa National Park, cal provenance were dominant in Prespa up to the 2004 amounts to 107 317 Kg (Z. Djurovski, pers. ter NP), established in 1948, a large part of which established in 1999, covers the entire Prespa wa- 1960s. In the following years, old apple orchards comm.). Greater Prespa Lake is far less productive also covers part of the Bitola watershed, and c) the tershed in its Albanian part (Fig. 9.1). with apple trees of native origin were gradually up- compared to Lake Ohrid and Lake Dojran. Ezerani Nature Reserve on the northern shore of rooted and replaced by apple trees of internationally Forestry. The Prespa watershed is classified as the Greater Prespa Lake, established in 1996 (Fig. accepted varieties with higher commercial value. an area with moderate forestation. Forests out- 9.1). The Greater Prespa Lake was designated as 9.3.3 FYR of Macedonia Currently, the lowland areas of Prespa are covered side the borders of Galicica and Pelister National the first Ramsar Site in the FYR of Macedonia in Population. In the Greater Prespa Lake basin by large scale apple monocultures with heavy use Parks (NPs) are mainly managed by the Public 1995, including the wetland of Ezerani. there is one town, Resen, and 43 villages. The to- of fertilizers and pesticides. Fertilization is gener- Enterprise “Makedonski shumi”. The annual cut tal number of inhabitants is 32 994, about half of ally performed in three phases: a) the main autumn is 67% of the allowed harvest. Clear cuts in oak which are permanent residents and the rest are application with complex NPK fertilizer is usually forests are common practice and massive logging 9.4 Habitat types irregular residents or present only in the sum- applied in amounts of 700 kg/ha, b) the early spring occurs in beech forests. Only a small portion in mer months, with a dwelling period shorter than application is applied at a rate of 500 kg/ha, and c) the northwest of the Pelister Mountain is managed 9.4.1 Greece six months. From the 1980s, the population in the late spring application with Nitrogen fertilizers, by the forest unit from Bitola named “Kajmak- The geomorphological character of the Prespa area the basin started to decrease, particularly due such as ammonium nitrate, is applied at a rate of 400 chalan”. The annual cut is 29.8 % of the allowed is primarily determined by the presence of the two to emigration waves from the rural areas and kg/ha. In the last few decades, intensive apple culti- harvest. The forests on the Galicica Mountain are lakes, Lake Greater Prespa and Lake Lesser Prespa, decrease in birth rates. With regards to the age vation is coupled by heavy use of pesticides with 15 managed by the Galicica National Park manage- as well as of the surrounding mountain ranges not structure, the young population (0-19 years) and to 20 sprayings per year. Recently, traps for attracting ment body. Annual timber volume cut is 52% of very far from the shores of the lakes: Mt Vronde- people in the second age class (20-59 years) de- harmful insects (pests) have been established at sev- the allowed harvest. Actually, this represents the ro and Mt Devas in the west, Mt Triklarion/Sfika creased, whereas the number of people in the eral locations, indicating their development cycles to main income of the Galicica NP’s management in the south and Varnous in the east-northeast third age class (> 60 years) increased. activate an early warning system for the best period authority. reaching altitudes of over 2000 m a.s.l. Therefore, Land use. The area of the Greater Prespa Lake of spraying with pesticides. Consequently, the fre- Hunting. Hunting grounds in the Prespa water- the area is characterised by two basic ecosystems, watershed is almost the same as the administra- quency of spraying has been reduced to a maximum shed cover an area of 54 350 ha of which 5930 ha the lake and littoral ecosystems, and the forested tive border of the Municipality of Resen. The of 10 times per year in the lower belt and up to 5 belong to the Galicica and Pelister NPs. The rest mountainous and subalpine ecosystems. The two structure of the main land use types is presented times in the higher belt (e.g. Brajcino village). Even of the surface is divided into six hunting grounds lakes comprise 30% of the Prespa Basin in Greece. in Table 9.5. though organic farming in apple production has not of which four are for hunting large game and two Lake Lesser Prespa is located at an average alti- been applied to date, the Government has generally for small game. Concessionaires of these hunting tude of 853 m a.s.l. with a northeast to southwest . NPK is a widely accepted code for macronutrient fertilizer grounds are the Hunting Society “Prespa” from main axis and has an average depth of 4 m. The compounds of Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K). Resen and the Public Enterprise “Macedonian length of its shore in the Greek part reaches 46 km and is largely surrounded by reedbeds of Phrag- 15 of these caves (Petrochilou et al. 1977; section Natura Habitat type Remarks 2000 mites australis and Typha angustifolia and, to a 12.2.1). Parts of the north-western, south-eastern (Min. of Environment 2001) (SPP unpublished data, 2011) lesser extent, wet meadows. In the lake, there are and western coast of Lesser Prespa Lake are also Code two small islands, Ag. Achilleios (ca. 55 ha) and rocky with crevices and cavities. * Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on siliceous Vidronisi (ca. 4 ha). Lake Greater Prespa is much The habitat types of Prespa NP in Greece (which 6230 substrates in mountain areas (and submoun- Probably covers extensive areas on Mt Varnous larger than Lesser Prespa and only 17% of its sur- corresponds to the combined territory of the Na- tain areas in continental Europe) face is located in the Greek part. tura 2000 sites “Prespa National Forest” and “Mt Mediterranean tall-herb and rush meadows Related to the very valuable wet meadow areas 6420 The rock beds on the east of the area are primari- Varnous”) have been recorded and described in (Molinio-Holoschoenion) on the littoral zone of Lesser Prespa Lake ly granitic, whereas on the west they are primarily the framework of the EU Habitats Directive 92/43/ 6430 Eutrophic tall herbs Present only on Mt Varnous calcareous. In the limestone parts, the coastline of EEC (Ministry of Environment 2001). Table 9.5 Present only at two localities of Mt Varnous [one the lakes is largely rocky and corroded, forming includes relevant data with notes (for some of the 6432 Subalpine and alpine tall herb communities  of them including the habitat type (*) 7130]  52 numerous crevices, cavities and caves. Specifically, 32 habitat types) stemming from ongoing research 53 the Greater Prespa Lake is surrounded by largely for the recording of habitat types in the same area Very important habitat type for wetland wildlife 72A0 Reed beds steep and rocky shores with many crevices and 10 years after the original mapping (SPP, unpub- and associated habitat types cavities, and a number of caves of various sizes lished data). With “*” are marked the priority on the shore or higher up on inaccessible cliffs. habitats. New findings suggest that currently one 72Β0 Large Sedge communities Includes important plant communities Some of the small and almost inaccessible caves of the 32 habitat types recorded in 2001 does not Calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic Includes unique combinations of plant commu- 8210 were used as hermitages in the past centuries. All exist, and that there are potentially another eight vegetation nities at specific localities of these caves are found close to the village of Psa- habitat types to be added in the list, thus totaling Vegetated silicicolous inland cliffs with cas- 8220 rades in the south of the lake. The founder of the 39 habitat types. Whether 32 or 39 habitat types, mophytic vegetation Hellenic Speleological Society, A. Petrochilou vis- Prespa NP is one of the most diverse and habitat- ited Prespa with colleagues in 1977 and described rich protected areas in the country. 8310 Caves not open to the public 9110 Acidophilous (Luzulo-Fagetum) beech forests

TABLE 9.5 Habitat types in Prespa National Park, Greece (Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC) Neutrophilous (Asperulo-Fagetum) beech Probably not as extensive as presented in the 9130 forests 2001 maps Natura Habitat type Remarks Subalpine beech woods with Acer and Rumex 2000 9140 Found on high altitudes of Mt Varnous (Min. of Environment 2001) (SPP unpublished data, 2011) arifolius Code Calcareous beech forests (Cephalanthero-Fa- 9150 1020 Arable land gion) 1050 Settlement * Residual alluvial forests (Alnion glutinoso- New localities of this habitat type have recently 91Ε0 incanae) been found Natural euthrophic lakes with Magnopotami- 3150 Present in the area with > 15 plant communities Eastern white oak woods and balkanic ther- on or Hydrocharition-type vegetation 924A mophilous oak woods 3170 * Mediterranean temporary ponds Probably not present 9250 Quercus trojana woods (Italy and Greece) 3190 Open water-pelagic zone of lakes Hop-hornbeam, oriental hornbeam and 925A Probably not as extensive as presented in the mixed thermophilous forests 4060 Alpine and subalpine heaths 2001 maps 9270 Hellenic beech forests with Abies borisii-regis Hosts important plant taxa Stable Buxus sempervirens formations on 5110 calcareous rock slopes (Berberidion p.) 9280 Quercus frainetto woods More extensive than presented in the 2001 maps 5150 Bracken fields 92A0 Salix alba and Populus alba galleries Partially converted to 91E0 (*) Great importance of the area for the conserva- * Semi-natural dry grasslands on calcareous Although this habitat type is recorded as such 6210 tion of particular plant communities of this substrates (Festuco Brometalia) 951A Greek silver Fir forests (Fir forests), the dominant species is Abies habitat type borisii-regis * Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals * Grecian juniper woods (Juniperetum excel- Prespa NP is the only Natura 2000 site in the 6220 9562 (Thero-Brachypodietea) sae) country with that particular habitat type 9.4.2 Albania creased year after year, whereas waters season- • 91G0* Pannonic woods with Quercus petraea ests. The Albanian National Park of Prespa is charac- ally covered by floating vegetation have slightly and Carpinus betulus, The Oak forest belt (up to 1300 m). This is the terised by a high diversity of habitat types, repre- increased (1.98 km2). • 91H0* Pannonian woods with Quercus pubes- lowest forest zone in Prespa watershed: 41.7. Ther- sented by the following hierarchical levels accord- The vegetation of the Greater Prespa Lake ap- cens, and mofilous and supra-Mediterranean oak woods. It ing to the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC, 2003 pears almost unchanged over the last years and • 9560* Endemic forests with Juniperus spp. includes several distinctive communities, some of & TPVS (96) 102, 1996): a) Freshwater habitats, its surface area is negligible compared to the The terrestrial vegetation of the Lesser Prespa which have zonal distribution. b) Temperate heath and scrub, c) Sclerophyllous open water surface area. It is different from the Lake watershed generally appears unchanged. The Beech forest belt (1100-1650 m). At least scrub (Matorral), d) Natural and semi-natu- vegetation of the Lesser Prespa Lake and it is Degradation trends of the oak and beech forests three distinctive sub-belts can be distinguished ral grassland formations, e) Rocky habitats and composed mainly of three vegetation types: the have created brushes or brushwood forests, espe- and numerous extra-zonal communities: 31.46 caves, and f) Forests. Freshwater habitats repre- floating, emergent and submerged vegetation of cially in Buzëlliqen (Zagradeç) and around Liqenas Bruckenthalia heaths, 41.1 Beech forests, 41.4 sent the water body of the lakes, while the other the classes: a) Lemnetea Tx. 1955, b) Potametea villages up to the Wolf gorge. The high presence of Mixed ravine and slope forests, 42.17 Balkano-   54 habitat types are found in the terrestrial zone of Klika in Klika et Novak 1941, and c) Phragmiti- Crataegus sp., Cornus sp., Rosa sp. and Coryllus sp., Pontic fir forests. 55 the catchment area. Magnocaricetea Klika in Klika et Novak 1941 and extended brushwood of Buxus sempervirens, Sub-alpine mountain belt (1650-2250 m). The Aquatic vegetation is very important for its (Dring et al. 2002). The largest part in the low- are examples (and indicators) of this trend. The sub-alpine belt represents the highest belt of the floristic elements and wildlife, especially water lands around the basin is covered by the follow- lowest slopes are the most exploited as agricultural forest vegetation. It occupies a wide mountain birds. In the Lesser Prespa Lake, the main habi- ing main categories or subcategories of habitats lands; hence, the degradation of the vegetation is belt in the Prespa watershed at high altitudes: tats types are (Directive 92/43/EEC, 2003; Res. (Habitats Directive): observed, i.e. of mixed oaks, pastures, forests and 31.46 Bruckenthalia heaths, and 42.7. High Oro- No. 4, 1996): • 5110 Stable xerothermophilous formations thermophilous shrubs. Overexploitation of the for- Mediterranean pine forests. Several climate- • 3150 Natural eutrophic lakes with Magno- with Buxus sempervirens on rocky slopes (Berbe- ests and shrubs combined with overgrazing and zonal forest communities (Sub-alpine Beech, Fir potamion or Hydrocharition-type vegetation, ridion p.), fires in the upper part are the main reasons for the and Macedonian Pine forest) are developing in • 72A0 Reed beds, • 5130 Juniperus communis formations on decrease of vegetation cover of the Prespa water- this belt: • 22.41 Free-floating vegetation, heaths or calcareous grasslands, shed in the Albanian part. a) the sub-alpine Macedonian Pine forest (Myr- • 22.43 Rooted floating vegetation, • 9110 Luzulo-Fagetum beech forests, tillo-Pinetum peucis subass. subalpinum) is con- • 22.431 Floating broad-leaved carpets, • 9130 Asperulo-Fagetum beech forests, sidered as primary habitat for the Macedonian • 22.432 Shallow water floating communities. • 41.2 Oak-hornbeam forests, 9.4.3 FYR of Macedonia Pine on Mt Pelister, from where it spreads down- Aquatic vegetation in Lesser Prespa Lake has • 42.7 Mixed thermophilous forests, The elevation difference between the lake (843 m wards on secondary habitats; b) the forests of drastically changed over the last decades with • 91K0 Illyrian Fagus sylvatica forests (Aremo- a.s.l.) and the highest peak (Pelister, 2601 m a.s.l.) is White-bark Pine (Pinion heldreichii) are develop- floating leaved macrophytes expanding to the nio-Fagion), 1758 m. Habitat types are presented below into belts ing only as fragments on calcareous bedrocks on expense of free/ open water areas, as suggested • 9280 Quercus frainetto woods. corresponding to the vertical distribution of various Mt Galicica; c) heathlands of the plant communi- by the comparison of satellite images with maps. The higher parts of natural and semi-natural biomes and in accordance with the Bern Conven- ty Bruckenthalio-Juniperetum usually appear after This change was accelerated by the high sedi- grasslands are dominated by: tion Habitat Types listed in Resolution No 4 (1996): forest destruction as secondary habitats, adjacent mentation rate of the Devolli River to the Lesser • 6170 Alpine and subalpine calcareous grass- The belt of Lake Prespa aquatic and marsh to the secondary pastures (grasslands). Prespa Lake in 1970-1990 (Pano et al. 1997). lands, vegetation. Aquatic vegetation in the lake itself Alpine mountain belt (2250-2601 m). It is the From 1982 to 2000 (on a total area of 4 km2), the • 34.51 West Mediterranean xeric grasslands, and the marshes and wet meadows around the area of climate-zonal high-mountain grassland lake surface covered by aquatic vegetation (float- • 6210 Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrub- lake: 22.412 Frogbit rafts, 22.415 Salvinia covers, communities which develop on altitudes higher ing and emergent/reedbeds) increased from 2.06 land facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Bro- 22.416 Aldrovanda communities, and 44 Temper- than 2250 m asl. Conditions for the development km2 to 2.63 km2, while the open water surface metalia), ate riverine and swamp forest and brush. of these communities in the Prespa watershed areas decreased from 1.94 km2 to 1.37 km2. The • 6432 (37.8) Subalpine and alpine tall herb The belt of lowland meadows. A great portion exist only on Mt Pelister. All grassland commu- analyses of satellite images (Image © Terremet- communities, of the areas under former meadows is currently nities recorded up to date are included in the class rics, Europa Technologies, 2006-7) showed a • 6520 Mountain hay meadows, abandoned and they are not mowed or are being Caricetea curvulae (alpine pastures on siliceous further drastic increase of the floating vegeta- • 8140 Western Mediterranean and thermophil- transformed into apple orchards. bedrock). The habitats of European importance tion with 1.25 km2 (together with reedbeds 3.29 ous scree. The belt of hill pastures. Hill pastures are de- (bogs, peat-bogs) on Mt Pelister have not been in- km2), whereas the open water surfaces were es- Some habitat types are listed as priority habitat veloping on the foothills of the mountains Pe- vestigated yet. timated at ca. 0.73 km2. More recent data show types: lister, Galicica and Bigla, and on secondary habi- Vegetation cover described according to the that the open water surfaces of the lake have de- • 6110* Rupicolous calcareous or basophilic tats produced by degradation of former forest Habitats Directive habitat types with % of cov- grasslands of the Alysso-Sedion albi, (mainly oak) ecosystems: 134.3 Dense perennial erage in the FYR of Macedonia portion of the . The habitat codes used above, correspond to the NATURA 2000 and Bern Convention (Resolution No. 4) codes, whereas “*” • 6220* Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals grasslands and middle European steppes, 142.A Transboundary Prespa Park watershed is present- indicates priority habitat types. (Thero-Brachypodietea), Western Palearctic cypress, juniper and yew for- ed in Table 9.6. TABLE 9.6 Habitat types in the FYR of Macedonian part of the Prespa Basin (Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC) 9.5 The Prespa Lakes Basin as Area”, signed by the Ministers of the Environment Transboundary “Prespa Park” (TPP) of the three countries and the European Commis- Code Habitat Type Surface in % sioner for the Environment (2 February, 2010). The The description of the study area in the previous sec- latter aims at further supporting transboundary Priority habitat types tions is based on the presentation of the biotic and conservation issues through specific principles and 3170 * Mediterranean temporary ponds 0.1 abiotic environmental features in each of the three mechanisms of cooperation, such as the establish- * Semi-natural dry grasslands on calcareous substrates (Festuco Brometa- (national) parts of the Prespa Basin. However, even ment of the Prespa Park Management Committee 6210 5 lia) if one describes only one of the three parts of Prespa, (with its Secretariat) and the Working Group on the most prominent characteristic of the wider area Water Management. 6220 * Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals (Thero-Brachypodietea) 1 (the “study area” in this case) is its transboundary Transboundary cooperation between the three * Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on siliceous substrates in mountain 6230 1 nature, which is manifested in various manners e.g. countries in Prespa has been achieved at high and  areas  through the account of similarities and links below political levels (e.g. PPCC, Municipalities), 56 91E0 * Alluvial forests (Alnion-glutinoso-incanae) <1 57 tween the three sides of Prespa related to its geogra- but also at the level of nature conservation mainly 9562 * Grecian juniper woods <1 phy, geology, hydrology, climate, biological features, through small-scale projects involving protected nature conservation aspects, but also when studying area management authorities, local NGOs and sci- Important habitat types human-related issues in the older times or in con- entists active in Prespa. Of course, a lot more needs Natural euthrophic lakes with Magnopotamion or Hydrocharition-type 3150 1 temporary history. This important element of the to be done, but it is very important to know that the vegetation Prespa Basin has been the basis for the commitment basis of such cooperation has been created, and spe- 4060 Alpine and Boreal heaths 5 of the three states to support sustainable develop- cific organizations and people have the will to fur- 6170 Alpine and subalpine calcareous grasslands < 1 ment in the area. ther promote it. 6420 Mediterranean tall-herb and rush meadows (Molinio-Holoschoenion) <1 The political will of the governments was officially 6430 Eutrophic tall herbs <1 expressed through the “Declaration on the creation 6432 Subalpine and alpine tall herb communities <1 of the Prespa Park and the Environmental Protection Bats may travel long distances within and be- 8210 Calcareous rocky slopes with chasmophytic vegetation <1 and Sustainable Development of the Prespa Lakes tween seasons and they do not recognise national and their surroundings”, signed by the Prime Min- borders. Therefore, in the present work, except 8220 Vegetated silicicolous inland cliffs with casmophytic vegetation <1 isters of Albania, Greece and the FYR of Macedonia the TPP, we included roosting and feeding sites 8310 Caves not open to the public <1 on 2 February 2000. With that declaration, the entire in and near the basin of Ohrid Lake located in the 9110 Acidophilous (Luzulo-Fagetum) beech forests 10 Prespa Lakes basin forms the Transboundary “Pre- Galicica NP, as well as a few sites in the north of 9130 Neutrophilous (Asperulo-Fagetum) beech forests 10 spa Park” (TPP), the first transboundary protect- the Greater Prespa Lake, and some sites in the ad- 9140 Subalpine beech woods with Acer and Rumex arifolius <1 ed area in the Balkans. Based on that declaration, jacent area of Prespa NP (GR) (Fig. 9.1). 9150 Calcareous beech forests (Cephalanthero-Fagion) <1 the Prespa Park Coordination Committee (PPCC) 9250 Quercus trojana woods (Italy and Greece) 3 and its Secretariat were established, and forwarded 9270 Hellenic beech forests with Abies borisii-regis 1 important actions to support transboundary coop- 10. History of bat research 9280 Quercus frainetto woods 8 eration in Prespa. The TPP includes: the two Prespa at Prespa 92A0 Salix alba and Populus alba galleries <1 National Parks (GR and AL), parts of the Galicica and Pelister NPs and the Ezerani Nature Reserve 10.1 Greece Other habitat types (FYR of Macedonia), both Prespa lakes (Wetlands 1020 Arable land 13.2 of International Importance, Ramsar Convention), First, Catsadorakis and Kollaros (1986), von as well as the remaining territories in the Prespa Ba- Helversen and Weid (1990) and later Catsadorakis 1050 Settlement 0.5 sin which are not protected by other conventions or (1995) reported up to eight species of bats in Pre- 3190 Open water - pelagic zone of lakes 17 national legislations. spa. Prof. O. von Helversen visited the area a few 5150 Bracken fields 1 Among other agreements between the three times between 1981 and 1990, but only part of his 72A0 Reed beds 2 states concerning Prespa, it is important to note data was reported in the 1990 publication. In 2007, 72B0 Large Sedge communities <1 the two most recent ones: a) the “Joint Statement of he visited Prespa for the last time, adding one more 924A Eastern white oak woods and balkanic thermophilous oak woods 7 the Prime Μinisters of the three States sharing the species to the list (see Table 12.1). 925A Hop-hornbeam, oriental hornbeam and mixed thermophilous forest 2 Prespa Lakes Basin” of 27 November 2009 (Pyli, In the early 2000s, X. Grémillet, president of the Greece), and b) the “Agreement on the Protection Groupe Mammalogique Breton (GMB), a French and Sustainable Development of the Prespa Park NGO for the study and protection of the mammals of Britanny, France, visited Prespa to observe birds, on bats including fieldwork in Albania and the euryale, Tadarida teniotis and Plecotus sp.). With- tus, Pipistrellus kuhlii, P. pipistrellus, P. pygmae- otters Lutra lutra, and bears Ursus arctos. He then FYR of Macedonia was held at Stenje, Galicica NP, in the framework of this project, the rocky shore us, Nyctalus leisleri, Eptesicus serotinus, Plecotus discovered rock cavities with bat colonies of horse- in July 2010, leading to the production of the first of the Greater Prespa Lake was explored and new auritus and Tadarida teniotis (Boshamer et al. shoe bats (Rhinolophus species) and Bent-winged guidelines for future bat surveys and monitoring roosting sites including some important caves for 2006). The list of bat species hitherto recorded in bats Miniopterus schreibersii. In 2004, X. Grémillet in and around the TPP (Papadatou, Grémillet & bats were discovered (see section 13.2). the FYR of Macedonian part of the Prespa Park and members of the GMB attempted the first ex- Kazoglou 2010). During summer 2010, bat surveys includes 19 species (20 including the ambiguous pedition to the Prespa NP (GR) aiming specifically continued on the Greek side of Prespa and in au- species M. aurascens). at studying bats in collaboration with Y. Kazoglou tumn 2010 and winter 2011, surveys of bat roosting 10.3 FYR of Macedonia from the Society for the Protection of Prespa (SPP), sites were conducted in all three countries with the and with the help of V. Arabatzis. Their expedition participation of all authors of this document. Au- The first data on bats were published by Karaman 10.4 Conservation Action Plan for the increased the number of bat species in Prespa to 13 tumn and winter bat roost surveys were the first to (1929) who recorded the presence of six bat spe- bats of Prespa   58 (Grémillet and Boireau 2004). The team identified be conducted in the area, since all previous work cies in the whole territory of the FYR of Macedo- 59 and mapped important sites used by bats for roost- had been carried out in summer. nia, of which only one (Rhinolophus blasii) was In the following sections we present in detail and ing (rock crevices and cavities, caves and man-made reported from the Prespa region (Meckina Dupka synthesise all currently available knowledge on structures). Larger teams were later formed by X. Cave near Ohrid Lake). Much later, Felten (1977) bats in the three countries sharing the Prespa Ba- Grémillet, members of the GMB, and independent 10.2 Albania reported another three bat species (Rhinolophus sin: Greece, Albania and the FYR of Macedonia. French and Greek researchers (including the main euryale, R. ferrumequinum and Myotis blythii) at This information along with information provid- author of this document) and naturalists, and expe- The first study on bats in the Albanian part of Leskoec Cave. Hackethal & Peters (1987) reported in PARTS I and II forms the basis for research, ditions were organised in 2007 (Grémillet and Du- Prespa was conducted in May 1991 by Czech reed R. euryale at Meckina Dupka and three spe- survey and conservation recommendations pre- bos 2008, Grémillet et al. 2010), 2009, 2010 and 2011 searchers (Chytil & Vlašin 1994). Their most im- cies (R. euryale, Myotis myotis and Miniopterus sented in the fourth and final part (PART IV). with the help and collaboration of Y. Kazoglou and portant discovery was a large colony of approx. schreibersii) at Jaorec Cave near Velmej. In his In section 11, we present the techniques for data the SPP. The teams continued the inventory of bat 10 000 Myotis capaccinii in Treni Cave, the larg- study on the distribution and taxonomy of Myotis collection and analysis applied during our expe- species and the exploration of roosting and feeding est known colony of the species in Europe at the daubentonii in Europe, Bogdanowicz (1990) re- ditions. Species accounts and other information sites, eventually increasing the number of species in time. In April 1995, a joint expedition of Slovak, ported the presence of the species at Trpejca, Lake presented in sections 12, 13 and 14 are derived by the territory of the Prespa NP (GR) to 26 in autumn Czech and Albanian researchers was organised in Ohrid. Krystufek et al. (1992) further improved both the results of our field expeditions and bib- 2010 (27 species in the wider area). During these the Prespa area and other important sites in Al- the knowledge on bats of the area: they confirmed liographical resources. relatively short but intensive expeditions, data were bania (Uhrin et al. 1996). This survey resulted in the presence of most formerly recorded species, collected on species distribution, status and habitat new records on bat species in the Albanian part of except Myotis daubentonii, and added another use (see section 12 for details). Prespa, raising the number of known bat species four species in the list: Rhinolophus hipposideros, 11. Data collection: field In 2009, SPP launched a project aiming at the to eight (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, R. blasii, R. Myotis capaccinii, M. mystacinus and Hypsugo techniques and analysis completion of a Conservation Action Plan for the hipposideros, Eptesicus serotinus, Myotis myotis, savii. Overall, 11 species had been reported in the methods bats of Prespa on a transboundary level. In the same M.capaccinii, M.daubentoni, Hyspugo savii and Prespa region by the early 1990s. year, the “bat” team visited the most widely known Miniopterus schreibersii). Of these, seven were in In summer 2006, the field group of the Dutch Fieldwork was carried out in the summers of cave on the Albanian side of Prespa near the village Treni Cave, thus making it the most important Society for the Study and Conservation of Mam- 2004, 2007, 2009 and 2010, in the autumn of 2010 of Treni (hereafter called Treni Cave) and explored known underground roost in this side of Prespa, mals in cooperation with the management body and in the winter of 2010-2011. Each field visit Mali Grad Island for caves with the participation and one of the most important caves in Albania. of Galicica NP, the NGO Bioeco and the Mace- lasted a fortnight on average , during which usu- of the local forester N. Xega and F. Doleson from However, researchers counted only 1000 M. ca- donian Museum of Natural History organized a ally a combination of complementary techniques the SPP. In summer 2010, the first official trans- paccinii over that visit. In 2008, the Treni Cave Summer Camp to investigate small mammals and were applied in both day- and night-time to col- boundary collaboration was established between was surveyed in the framework of a project con- bats in the region. For the bats, researchers ap- lect as much data as possible within the available researchers from Greece, Albania and the FYR of ducted by the Albanian Society for the Protection plied acoustic sampling and mist netting, and vis- time framework. Methods were complementary Macedonia within the framework of a project for of Birds and Mammals (ASPBM), entitled “Biodi- ited roosts in caves and old abandoned or disused because bats may escape one method or the other the development of a Transboundary Monitoring versity Protection of Treni Cave, Prespa National buildings. Overall, 17 bat species were recorded, (for example many bats escape nets and traps or System (TMS) in the Prespa Park area (Perennou et Park”, funded by the GEF/SGP. During that time, of which nine were recorded in the Prespa region they may escape echolocation call recordings be- al. 2009), implemented by the SPP in collaboration the cave was fully explored by speleologists. More for the first time:Myotis aurascens, M. emargina- cause they emit low intensity sounds). The follow- with the GEF/UNDP Prespa Park project, and in recently (2009-2011), the Treni Cave was surveyed ing methods were applied (see also Appendix I): . Because we finally adopted the view by Mayer et al. (2007), we collaboration with Galicica NP. A TMS workshop by the French and local researchers and natural- have not included this species in the final list presented in Table ists in collaboration with the SPP (see section 12.1, accepting that only the morphologically similar Myotis . “Integrated Ecosystem management in the Prespa Lakes mystacinus bulgaricus is present in the area. basin of Albania, FYR of Macedonia and Greece” 10.1), adding new species in the list (Rhinolophus 11.1 Day-time surveys a short time (less than 30 minutes on average). As did not allow emergence counts), in which case size of bats. We further provide all currently soon as species, sex, age, reproductive condition we roughly estimated the order of magnitude of available information on each species distribu- Many buildings such as old houses, churches, and biometric data were recorded, the bat was re- bats present in the cave. To count emerging bats, tion (Appendix II), status and habitat use in the barns and other structures in the villages of Pre- leased on site. In some cases, DNA samples from two observers were placed at each side of the en- Prespa NP (GR) and adjacent area. To date, 17 spa are used by bats, in particular by colonies the wings were collected according to standard in- trance (more observers for more entrances) and a out of the 26 species (65%) have been confirmed of the lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hippo- ternational methodologies (Worthington Wilmer third person noted the two simultaneous counts, to breed within the National Park (Table 12.2). sideros. We first checked buildings potentially and Barratt 1996). When a bat detector was avail- calculating the average. Bats crossed through the For some species, mainly or only males and non used by bats under permission of the owners, able, bats were usually recorded on release to allow light of a soft torch not shining directly against the reproductive females have been encountered, unless the building was abandoned and open to for the construction of an echolocation call refer- entrance but from an angle so that emergence was while for a few others their presence has been access. We subsequently checked each house or ence library for bat species present at Prespa. not disturbed. Heterodyne bat detectors placed at confirmed through visual observations and/or other structures containing colonies of at least the exit helped observers by announcing emerging echolocation call recordings without the possi-   60 a few individuals on a regular basis, i.e. once on bats. Species identification was possible through vi- bility to identify sex and age (Table 12.2). Au- 61 every visit of the team at Prespa. We performed 11.3 Echolocation call recordings sual observations (inside the roost during the day) tumn swarming behaviour has been confirmed these visits in day-time. On each visit, we iden- and heterodyne or time-expansion bat detectors. for at least five species. Hibernating bats have tified species, if possible sex and age (usually Bats were recorded in free flight at roosting, for- generally not been found except a few tens of mothers with young R. hipposideros) and count- aging and commuting sites, particularly in open medium sized Rhinolophids (R. euryale and R. ed individuals roosting in the building using spaces and high altitudes (e.g. subalpine mead- 12. Bats on the Greek side blasii) and a few Rhinolophus ferrumequinum. torches. To avoid disturbance to the colony, a ows) or on release from captures. We used time- of Prespa minimum number of people entered each site expansion detectors (Pettersson Elektronik, mod- but they were most often at least two to cross- els D240X, D980, D1000X) and a recording device 12.1 Species accounts check counts. We sometimes used bat-detectors (Edirol, minidisc recorders) unless the detec- to verify species identification or to identify any tor had a built-in recording system to store data Overall, 26 species have been recorded within the other species that could have escaped our atten- (compact flash card, model D1000X). Calls were boundaries of the Prespa NP (GR) (Tables 12.1 tion. Some bats may further use small buildings subsequently downloaded on a computer and and 12.2), i.e. almost 80% of all species found in or other man-made structures as night roosts analysed using appropriate sound analysis soft- Greece, a particularly high proportion for an area and some of these sites were regularly checked ware (BatSound, Pettersson Elektronik). Species that only covers ca. 300 km2. An additional spe- over the course of summer visits. were identified using echolocation experts’ judge- cies has been recorded commuting or foraging in The rocky shores of the Greater Prespa Lake ment and bibliographical resources (Papadatou et the valley of Ladopotamos (located to the south of were investigated for rock crevices, cavities and al. 2008a, Russo and Jones 2002) for species for Mt Sfika in Greece), the Parti-coloured bat, Ves- caves potentially used by bats. These sites were which identification is relatively easy (e.g. Pipist- pertilio murinus, which is likely to occur within checked for bats or signs of bat use such as drop- rellus pipistrellus). However, for species whose call the boundaries of the park, since it offers suit- pings and urine stains on the walls and ceilings. characteristics overlap, more elaborate statistical able habitats for the species. Therefore, the overall Parts of the eastern rocky shores of the Lake Less- techniques were applied (Papadatou et al. 2008a, number of species that occur in and around the er Prespa were also surveyed in summer 2007. Russo and Jones 2002). Prespa Basin adds up to 27 (Table 12.1). The area has a unique bat fauna, hosting a large number of species with a wide range of roosting and foraging 11.2 Captures 11.4 Roost emergence counts requirements. This most possibly reflects the presence of the lakes and associated wetlands along We captured bats using mist nets, a harp trap, hand The method was applied when the structure of a with the highly heterogeneous and structured en- nets or flip nets (Appendix I) where appropriate, at cave entrance allowed the count of emerging bats vironment offering a wide variety of habitat types

roosts during evening emergence, and at commut- in the evening and when it was otherwise difficult both for roosting and for foraging, where insect E.PAPADATOU ing or foraging sites above water surfaces (streams, or impossible to count bats inside the cave during prey is presumably still very abundant. river estuaries, artificial pools, etc.), along forest the day (e.g. because they were agitated and flying In this section, we briefly describe some gener- edge or across forest roads, from the level of the or because we did not want to disturb a mater- al features of the bat species that live in the area lakes up to 1800 m a.s.l. Nets and traps were regu- nity colony). On certain occasions both methods of Prespa, mostly based on Dietz et al. (2009) and larly checked for trapped individuals. Whenever were applied to cross-check counts. In some caves on our personal experience, unless stated other- a bat was captured, it was immediately removed, counting bats in the cave or during emergence was wise. Forearm measurements reflect the skeletal placed in a cloth bag and hung in a safe place for not possible (e.g. because the entrance structure TABLE 12.1 The 27 bat species found to date in and around the Transboundary Prespa Park, including TABLE 12.2 The 26 bat species in the National Park of Prespa (GR) and their status the two National Parks of Prespa (Greece and Albania), and the Galicica National Park (FYR of Macedonia). Common names are given in the 3 local languages and in English. Autumn Species Breeding Males only Autumn swarming presence Species (scientific name) Common names Rhinolophus hipposideros √ - - √ Greece FYR of Macedonia Albania U.K. R. ferrumequinum √ ? - √ Family Rhinolophidae Lakuriq nate hund- R. euryale √ - - √ 1 Rhinolophus hipposideros Μικρορινόλοφος Mal Potkovichar patkua i vogel Lesser Horseshoe Bat Lakuriq nate hund- R. blasii √ - - √ 2 R. ferrumequinum Τρανορινόλοφος Golem Potkovichar patkua i madh Greater Horseshoe Bat Lakuriq nate hund- Mediterranean Horse- Myotis daubentonii √ √ √ √ 3 R. euryale Μεσορινόλοφος Juzhen Potkovichar patkua i Mesdheut  shoe Bat M. capaccinii √ - √ √  62 4 R. blasii Ρινόλοφος του Blasius Blasiev Potkovichar Lakuriq nate hund- Blasius Horseshoe Bat 63 patkua i Blasius-it M. brandtii √ - - - Family Vespertilionidae Lakuriq nate i M. mystacinus √ - - - 5 Myotis daubentonii Μυωτίδα του Daubenton Voden Nokjnik Daubenton-it Daubenton’s Bat 6 M. capaccinii Ποδαρομυωτίδα Dolgoprst Nokjnik Lakuriq nate gisht-gjate Long-fingered Bat M. nattererii √ - - - 7 M. brandtii Μυωτίδα του Brandt Brantov Nokjnik - Brandt’s Bat M. emarginatus √ - - - Mustakjest Nokjnik Lakuriq nate me 8 M. mystacinus Μουστακονυχτερίδα mustaqe Whiskered Bat M. bechsteinii √ - - - 9 M. nattererii Μυωτίδα του Natterer Chetinest Nokjnik Lakuriq nate i Natterer-it Natterer’s Bat Μ. myotis - √ √ √ 10 M. emarginatus Πυρρομυωτίδα Troboen Nokjnik Lakuriq nate i Geoffroy-it Geoffroy’s Bat M. blythii (oxygnathus) √ √ - √ 11 M. bechsteinii Μυωτίδα του Bechstein Dolgoushest Nokjnik Lakuriq nate i Bechstein’s Bat Bechsteini-it Nyctalus leisleri - √ - - Greater Mouse-eared 12 Μ. myotis Τρανομυωτίδα Golem Nokjnik Lakuriq nate vesh-miu i madh Bat N. noctula ? ? - - Lakuriq nate vesh-miu 13 M. blythii (oxygnathus) Μικρομυωτίδα Ostroushest Nokjnik i vogel Lesser Mouse-eared Bat Pipistrellus pipistrellus √ - - √ 14 Nyctalus leisleri Μικρονυκτοβάτης Shumski Vechernik Noktule e Leisler-it Lesser Noctule P. pygmaeus - √ - - 15 N. noctula Νυκτοβάτης Lisest Vechernik Noktule Noctule 16 Pipistrellus pipistrellus Νανονυχτερίδα Dzudzest Liljak Pipistrel i zakonshem Common Pipistrelle P. nathusii - √ - √ Kafeav Dzudzest 17 P. pygmaeus Μικρονυχτερίδα Liljak - Soprano Pipistrelle P. kuhlii √ - - - 18 P. nathusii Νυχτερίδα του Nathusius Natusiev Liljak Pipistrel i Nathusius-it Nathusius’ Pipistrelle Hypsugo savii √ √ - √ 19 P. kuhlii Λευκονυχτερίδα Beloraben Liljak Pipistrel i Kuhl-it Kuhl’s Pipistrelle 20 Hypsugo savii Βουνονυχτερίδα Saviev Liljak Pipistrel i Savi-it Savi’s Pipistrelle Eptesicus serotinus - √ - - Shirokokrilest P. auritus √ - - - 21 Eptesicus serotinus Τρανονυχτερίδα Severnik Lakuriq nate serotine Serotine Ushest Liljak Lakuriq nate veshgjate i P. macrobullaris ? ? - - 22 Plecotus auritus Καφέ ωτονυχτερίδα zakonshem Brown Long-eared Bat 23 P. macrobullaris Ορεινή ωτονυχτερίδα - - Alpine Long-eared Bat Plecotus austriacus √ - √ √ Lakuriq nate vesh- Miniopterus schreibersii - √ √ √ 24 P. austriacus Σταχτιά ωτονυχτερίδα Siv Ushest Liljak gjate i hirte Grey Long-eared Bat 25 Vespertilio murinus Παρδαλονυχτερίδα Sharen Polnokjnik Lakuriq nate dy ngjyresh Parti-coloured Bat Tadarida teniotis ? ? - √ Family Miniopteridae Lakuriq nate i 26 Miniopterus schreibersii Πτερυγονυχτερίδα Dolgokrilest Liljak Schreiber-it Bent-winged Bat NOTES: recorded; T. teniotis have been observed in or emerging from Family Molossidae - Data are from the 2004-2011 surveys. their roosts in rock crevices; only one male P. macrobulla- 27 Tadarida teniotis Νυχτονόμος Opashest Liljak Lakuriq nate bisht-lire Long-tailed Bat - “Males only” refer either to male only roosts or to spe- ris has been recorded to date (O. von Helversen 2007, pers. cies for which only (or mainly) males have been recorded at comm.). NOTES: All 27 species have been found in and around the National Park of Prespa in Greece. In bold are the common names hunting/commuting sites in the area. In some species, male - Individual R. ferrumequinum have regularly been observed of species that have been observed in the Prespa area of the FYR of Macedonia and Albania. Plecotus macrobullaris was roosts may include some non reproductive females, e.g. M. roosting singly in caves and buildings: these are presumably recorded by O. von Helversen in 2007 (pers. comm.). Vespertilio murinus has not been found in the National Park of Prespa daubentonii. In turn, some breeding colonies may contain male individuals. (GR), but in the immediate surroundings (Ladopotamos valley). For M. blythii we provide the scientific name adopted by Dietz adult males. - Autumn presence has only been confirmed for species in et al. (2009) in brackets. The presence ofNyctalus noctula has been identified only through sound. - Only the echolocation calls of Nyctalus noctula have been underground sites and in buildings. rows, tree lines, forest edges and riparian vegetation. which are now extinct in certain areas. For exam- 930 m a.s.l.) and Mikrolimni (> 50 bats; 860-900 Their key foraging habitats are broadleaf woodlands, ple, in Germany and Belgium, only 2000 and 200 m a.s.l.). Colonies were found in old or abandoned but they also feed in agro-pastoral landscapes pref- bats remain respectively (for comparison, up to 200 traditional houses and chapels. An old isolated erably near water, and along hedgerows and ripar- bats are found in an old building in Prespa). Some house made of mud bricks (rough bricks made ian vegetation. Nursery colonies are generally found good populations are still preserved in the Balkans of soil and straw) in Seltsa (Appendix II) hosting at altitudes below 1200 m a.s.l., but the species may (from Slovenia to Greece and Bulgaria), where hu- approx. 15 bats is currently in the process of col- reach up to 2000 m a.s.l. in summer. It is a sedentary man activities have not yet been radically changed. lapse. In Oxya village, an abandoned house made bat, spending its annual cycle in an area of 10-20 In the UK recent indications are that the dramatic of mud bricks and an old chapel host > 30 bats km2 that includes all the roosts (breeding, transi- decline in the species population levels recorded in each, whereas some other abandoned houses < 10 tional and hibernation) and feeding habitats. the middle of the last century has slowed down and bats. The biological station near Mikrolimni vil- Roosts. They typically hibernate in natural is reversing (Schofield 2010). In western Europe, lage hosts < 50 bats and a few individuals have   64 or artificial underground structures. In sum- the high mortality of the species is related to pesti- been found in the rock cavities nearby. 65 mer, they look for the warmest sites in an area. cides and chemicals used for the treatment of tim- - Agathoto. A nursery colony of up to 200 bats is Summer and autumn roosts are mostly artificial ber. The destruction of feeding habitats and roosts found in a single site (approx. 45 bats in autumn).

E. STOJKOSKA (mines, old and/or abandoned traditional houses, (e.g. closure of attic and other roof spaces) consti- It is likely that the colony uses various small cavi- disused barns, chapels, attic rooms, roof spaces, tutes another major factor for the disappearance of ties and buildings in the adjacent areas of Vronde- chimneys, etc.) but they may also be natural (rock certain populations. In Mediterranean Europe, the ro (GR) and Shueç (AL). cavities and crevices, caves, trees). Maternity col- species is threatened by the abandonment of tra- - The island of Ag. Achilleios in Lesser Prespa Rhinolophus hipposideros onies are typically formed in warm roof spaces or ditional agro-pastoral and agro-forestry practices, Lake (< 100 bats in total). There are only a few other warm parts of buildings free of draughts. pesticides, intensive agriculture, and the destruc- suitable sites including Panagia Porphyra ruins They prefer buildings in which they may roost at tion of traditional houses. (up to 32 bats before repairing the window, now < 12.1.1 Rhinolophus hipposideros different locations in relation to optimal ambient 10), two old houses with > 10 and > 65 bats each, (Bechstein, 1800) temperatures. Their preferred buildings are often Prespa and a rock cavity with < 10 individuals at Mikros located near ponds, riparian forest and streams. The ecological features of the species here appear to Kampos (Appendix II). General features Maternity colonies usually count between 10 to be similar to the Bulgarian populations, with hunt- - The Greater Prespa Lake. Some small groups or This is the smallest rhinolophid bat and one of over 150 females with their young. In the natu- ing sites in or near traditional villages. The species single individuals use cavities on the rocky cliffs the smallest and most sensitive European species ral environment, they are found in well heated presumably forms a large population in the Prespa along the shore in the southwest, from Psarades (forearm 36.1-39.6 mm, weight 4-7 gr). In Europe cavities. In the absence of direct disturbance, R. Basin, comprising many sub-populations, colonies village to the border with Albania where a vault in it is found from Ireland to Romania and from the hipposideros may tolerate human presence. Rhi- or groups related to the topography, and the location the cliff has been found to host > 12 bats. Groups Iberian Peninsula to Greece. It prefers warm ar- nolophus hipposideros and R. ferrumequinum can of suitable roosts and hunting sites. Specifically: of bats have also been found in the hermitages of eas and therefore its populations are more dense coexist within the same roost, but at different Roosts. In the Greek part of Prespa, the main Metamorphosis, Analipsi and Eleousa. Bats may and numerous in the south of Europe. Today, its places. known subgroups are distributed in the following also be present in buildings in Psarades village, distributional range and population densities are Hunting habitats. Half of the times hunting areas (Appendix II): but these have not been examined. strongly related to human activities (agro-pasto- takes place in the vicinity of the roost (600 m) and - Valley of Ag. Germanos (approx. 300 bats in to- Population size. The total size of the summer ral areas and forests for feeding; traditional build- 90% up to 2.5 km from the roost, sometimes up tal) comprising the villages of Ag. Germanos (> 100 population on the Greek side of Prespa is esti- ings for roosting), particularly nursery colonies. to 4 to 8 km if there are secondary roosting sites bats; 1000-1185 m a.s.l.), Laimos (< 100 bats), and mated to approx. 700 individuals. For compari- Preferred habitat and movements. These bats are connected to the primary roost. Hunting sites Milionas (< 100 bats; 900 m a.s.l.). Colonies were son, only about 200 R. hipposideros remain in the typically found in areas of extensive agriculture and typically include: found in old or abandoned traditional houses and entire territory of Belgium! a mosaic of landscapes, well connected with a net- - Trees near their roosts, forest edge, hedgerows, disused barns. Some nursery roosts disappeared Hunting habitats. Because the species roosts at work of linear landscape elements such as hedge- tree lines, old-growth broadleaf woodland with following the renovation of buildings. Colonies are sites located within its hunting habitats, we esti- rich understory vegetation, riparian forest, and threatened either by the collapse of roofs and walls mate that it hunts: . Rhinolophus hipposideros is generally treated in more detail relatively to the rest of the species both with regards to its they may generally prefer sites near water. of abandoned houses or by their reconstruction/ - Near the lakes, and along streams and rivers, general features as well as specifically for Prespa, as it is the best - A mosaic of traditional agro-pastoral / agro- renovation without consideration of bats. in riparian vegetation, reed beds and traditional known species in the area inhabiting almost exclusively most forestry systems (forested patches, orchards, small - The area of Oxya, comprising the villages of irrigation networks. artificial sites (buildings) examined to date, as well as a number of natural roosts (rock cavities); some of the details (e.g. with agricultural fields, pastures, etc.). Oxya (< 100 bats; 880 m a.s.l.), Karyes (> 10 bats; - Along tree lines, hedgerows and forest edge. regards to roosting spaces in buildings or specific hunting sites) Threats. The modern way of life in Europe has - In broadleaf woodland with pastures and mead- . Numbers only refer to summer and are minima because many may also apply to other species. Specific sections with proposed resulted in the decrease of R. hipposideros popu- potential roosts were not visited as they are in private properties ows. actions are devoted to the species in PART IV and these are for which permission was not obtained. based in the more detailed descriptions provided here. lations in western and northern Europe, some of - Generally in the mosaic of agro-pastoral and agro-forestry landscapes present in the area, including irrigated gardens, orchards, riparian vegetation, streams and wetlands, meadows, pastures, broadleaf woodland, etc. Bats have most probably been recorded hunting at 1300 m in the riparian vegetation of Gaidhouritsa stream (Appendix II), at a site surrounded by mountain pastures and beech forest. Some echolocation C. DIETZ call recordings suggest that the species may hunt at higher altitudes (see section 12.3, Table 12.4).  Rhinolophus ferrumequinum  66 Annual cycle. In the autumn colonies progressive- 67 ly disperse from their summer roosts. The warmest

among summer sites are still used in the autumn lines and orchards. Livestock grazing in the open T. PRÖHL (better exposure to the sun, low altitude, and ab- provides the species with an important source of sence of draught). The species appears to spend the food: dung beetles. Riparian vegetation becomes winter not far from its summer roosts, probably an important foraging habitat in cool weather mostly staying at Prespa all year round, scattered during the massive emergence of cockchafers. The in small groups (1 - 10 bats) at many sites that are species hunts on average at 5 km from the roost, often inaccessible to humans (e.g. very small caves, chasing moths low above the ground or vegeta- rock cavities, burrows, small holes or pipes), perhaps tion and close to livestock where dung beetles are also in some ruins or cellars. Several bats were found abundant. It regularly hunts by a perch. Rhinolophus euryale in caves and small cavities around Prespa in winter Roosts. The bat uses underground sites all year 2010-2011 in all three countries. According to other round, but in northern Europe as well as in areas studies, these bats may travel up to 20 km between without suitable underground sites in the south, known from the Greek side of Prespa, in Tcherna 12.1.3 Rhinolophus euryale summer and winter roosts and it is generally difficult summer maternity colonies roost in buildings. Cave (Appendix II). Lactating individuals have been (Blasius, 1853) to locate winter roosts, given the diversity of poten- Seasonal movements. It is a sedentary species captured at Devas mountain, hunting or commut- tial sites that the species may use in winter. Nursery with short-range movements (usually a few tens ing in oak forest, a few kilometres to the southeast General features roosts are already occupied at the beginning of May of km) between summer roosts and hibernacula. of the cave. Individual bats (males?) roosting singly This is one of the three medium-sized Rhinolo- (even at an altitude of 1050 m a.s.l.) Conservation status and threats. The species has have been observed in several rock cavities along the phids (forearm 45.0-51.0 mm, weight 9-14 gr). It experienced dramatic declines in northwest Europe lakes’ shore, in old or abandoned houses, old chapels has a Mediterranean distribution. within the last 100 years (e.g. UK, The Netherlands, or other disused buildings often where R. hipposi- Roosts and movements. The species roosts in 12.1.2 Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and Belgium) and it is now almost extinct in Ger- deros colonies are present, but roosting at different underground sites throughout the year (some- (Schreber, 1774) many. In some European countries however, there places within the same site. The species uses regular- times in buildings in the northern border of its are signs of recovery (Hutson et al. 2001). The most ly a small building near the Mikrolimni Biological distribution), though it moves between different General features important factor for these declines were highly toxic Station as a night roost (Appendix II). In autumn, roosts in summer and winter with recorded dis- This is the largest of the five European rhinolo- pesticides (DDT etc.) used in agricultural practices some individuals appear to use Zachariadis’ Cave as tances usually up to 100 km. Maternity colonies phid bats (forearm 53.0-62.4 mm, weight 18-24 and for the treatment of timber, decreasing insect a mating site: in October 2010 three adult bats (one generally occur in areas below 800 m a.s.l. and are gr). In Europe, the species distribution extends prey and accumulating in the bats’ bodies. Today, the male and two females) all sexually active were found often mixed with other Rhinolophids, cave dwell- from the Iberian Peninsula through to the centre greatest threats are hunting habitat degradation and roosting together in the cave. In the same month, ing Myotis species and Miniopterus schreibersii. of the continent (including the south of England loss, but pesticides still constitute a threat, as well as five more individuals were found roosting in a cave Preferred hunting habitats. Oak and mixed for- to the north) and the Mediterranean basin, the cave tourism and the use of anti-parasitic drugs in on the coast of Greater Prespa Lake, in the west of ests, riparian forests and often scrubland. They core of its European distribution. It is generally livestock leading to a decrease in dung beetles. Psarades village, near Cape Roti, hereafter called can hunt in very dense vegetation, along forest found in warm lowlands and in the Mediterra- the “Flea” Cave (Appendix II; large numbers of fleas edge and in tree canopy up to 20 m high or close nean in mountains up to 1500 m a.s.l. Prespa were in the cave in summer and autumn 2010). We to the ground. Open areas and conifer woodlands Preferred hunting habitats. Highly structured The species breeds in the Prespa area (Table 12.2). do not know where the species goes in winter, al- are avoided. Recorded distances between roosts environments with a mosaic of habitats includ- A single breeding colony of up to a few hundred in- though two individuals were found torpid in a small and foraging grounds vary between 1.5 and 24 ing broadleaf forests, pastures, hedgerows, tree dividuals and mixed with other rhinolophid bats is narrow cave to the north of Tcherna Cave. km on average. species hibernates: in February 2011, only a small fore the species breeds in the area (Table 12.2), but colony (< 50 bats) of medium sized Rhinolophids to date no breeding roost has been found. It has fur- including R. euryale were found in the Mikrolimni ther been recorded visiting some of the known caves Cave but they were not in deep torpor. (Kokkalis’, Zachariadis’, and Tcherna) in summer and autumn. Echolocation call recordings at Zachari-

adis’ Cave suggest its regular use by the species prob- C. DIETZ 11.1.4 Rhinolophus blasii (Peters, 1866) ably as a night roost. Several hundred bats roost in T. PRÖHL Mikrolimni Cave in a mixed colony with R. euryale General features in autumn, probably using it as a transitional site be- This is another medium-sized rhinolophid (fore- tween their summer and winter roosts which to date Rhinolophus blasii arm 42.6-50.1 mm, weight 10-14 gr) and it is mor- remain unknown. In February 2011, a small colony of

 Myotis capaccinii  68 phologically similar to R. euryale. It is confined medium sized Rhinolophids including R. blasii were 69 to the south-east of Europe and it is a typical spe- found in Mikrolimni Cave but they were not in deep Conservation status and threats. Major de- cies of Mediterranean landscapes with a mosaic torpor. The species has also been recorded foraging tunnels, mines, etc., throughout the year. Indi- clines of the species were observed in the 1950s of small open habitats and shrubland. It usually near the stream of Ag. Germanos in summer. vidual bats may roost singly in rock crevices, and in France, where only a small proportion of the occurs at lower altitudes. cracks in walls or bridges. Because of the limita- original population remains and it is now extinct Preferred hunting habitats. Scrublands, oak tions posed by its roost choice, M. capaccinii may in parts of Slovakia. Important factors leading to forests, and hedgerows in a highly structured en- 12.1.5 The “trawling” bats,Myotis travel longer distances up to a few tens of km to these declines were most possibly roost distur- vironment, preferably at areas with sparse trees, daubentonii (Kuhl, 1817) and find suitable foraging habitats, whereas M. daub- bance (cave tourism, winter ringing) and chemi- open spaces, forest and shrubland, catching prey M. capaccinii (Bonaparte, 1837) entonii may be able to find suitable roosting sites cal spraying of pesticides in forests, riparian veg- on the wing or close to the vegetation. closer to water relatively more easily. Both species etation for mosquito control and orchards. It is Roosts and movements. Maternity colonies are General features use a network of roosting sites, frequently switch- very sensitive to roost disturbance and disappears in underground sites, often mixed with other These are medium-sized bats but M. capaccinii is ing roosts within seasons (spring, summer and from caves opened to tourism. cave-swelling species (other Rhinolophids, Myotis slightly larger than M. daubentonii (forearm 38.4- autumn; trees/bridges/rock crevices for M. daub- species, Miniopterus schreibersii). It is a sedentary 44.0 mm, weight 7-10 gr; forearm 33.1-42.0 mm, entonii, and underground sites for M. capaccinii). Prespa bat, but hibernacula may be in different under- weight 6-10 gr, respectively). Myotis daubentonii They are short-distance migrants travelling up to The species breeds in the Prespa area (Table 12.2). It ground sites from summer roosts. The bats fly up is found in most of Europe but its distribution is 150 km distance on average between summer and forms a mixed species breeding colony in Tchena to 10 km from their roost to foraging areas and up fragmented in the Mediterranean part where it is winter roosts. In late summer and autumn they Cave along with R. ferrumequinum. The two species to 100 km between summer and winter roosts. mostly found on mountainous and hilly areas. In often travel several km to their swarming sites. roost separately from Myotis capaccinii, M. emar- Conservation status and threats. European popu- contrast, M. capaccini is almost confined in the Conservation status and threats. Myotis capacci- ginatus and Miniopterus schreibersii which form lations are particularly threatened and are probably Mediterranean part of the continent. nii has experienced dramatic declines at the north- mixed species clusters in a different part of the same extinct in the northern border of the species distri- Hunting habitats. Both species possess large ern limit of its distributional range and it is now cave. Echolocation call recordings inside the cave in bution (Dalmatia, Slovenia, Romania and northern feet to “scoop” insect prey from water surfaces, extinct in Switzerland and parts of northern Italy. 2007 revealed the absence of the species during that Bulgaria) with the distribution limit having been hence the term “trawling”. However, M. dauben- Recently, aerial spraying of pesticides over agricul- year but the colony was present both in 2009 and pushed 250-300 km to the south. In the south of tonii may also hunt in forest, parks or above wet tural areas and for control of mosquitoes was fol- 2010. This suggests that the colony use alternative Bulgaria and in Greece populations appear to be meadows. A basic habitat requirement therefore lowed by the abandonment of some important cave roosting sites for breeding which for the moment stable but are particularly threatened by cave tour- for both species is clean and calm water surfaces roosts in the north of Bulgaria. Hunting habitats remain unknown. In autumn, a large colony mixed ism. It is therefore an urgent need to establish an (streams, rivers, lakes, artificial water pools, etc.) (water bodies) of both species may be polluted with with R. blasii (about 760 bats in total) used a small international programme for the conservation of relatively near their roosts. toxic substances because of pesticides mixed with cave behind Mikrolimni village (hereafter called the European populations of the species. Roosts and movements. Myotis daubentonii water used for irrigation. Mikrolimni Cave; Appendix II). The summer col- roost primarily in trees and may also use cracks ony was no longer present in Tcherna Cave during Prespa in bridges; in the south of their distribution they Prespa the autumn, suggesting the possibility that the same The typical echolocation calls emitted by the spe- also use rock crevices and cavities usually near In Prespa, M. daubentonii and M. capaccinii are bats may move to Mikrolimni Cave where the con- cies were first recorded during day-time in Tcherna the entrance of larger caves. In winter they may found in sympatry. Trawling bats have been observed ditions may be more suitable. The species has also cave in 2009. However, it was not until 2010 that its use trees, rock crevices and underground sites. In hunting above the lakes’ surface and near wet mead- been found foraging in oak forest at Devas Moun- presence was confirmed through the capture of a ju- contrast, M. capaccinii is a strict cave-dwelling ows, and M. daubentonii has been captured at Lesser tain, and visiting Kokkalis’ and Zachariadis’ caves venile female night roosting in a small building near bat forming colonies from a few tens up to sev- Prespa Lake (Appendix II). Myotis daubentonii has at night (Appendix II). We do not know where the Mikrolimni Biological Station (Appendix II). There- eral hundred or thousand individuals in caves, the southern limit of its distribution in northern Greece and M. capaccinii is a more common species records of the species in Greece; it has not been re- from beech and oak to pine and fir. Open spaces are with a patchy distribution throughout the country, corded at Prespa since, suggesting that it is a rare used when in the vicinity of forest and orchards. In particularly in areas with caves and water. bat in the area, rarer than M. mystacinus. This is no the Mediterranean, other forest types in the broader Both species are privileged in the area of Prespa, surprise given that Prespa is located in the southern sense may also be used such as olive groves. since suitable roosting sites are found right next to limit of its distribution. In contrast, M. mystacinus Roosts and movements. It roosts in trees and the lakes. Small groups of M. daubentonii roost in appears to be much more common in the area (Ap- buildings in northern and central Europe and rock crevices on cliffs along the lakes’ shore (e.g. pendix II): a few adult males have been captured near rather in rock and wall cavities and crevices in the

near Mikrolimni village and Tcherna Cave; Ap- C. DIETZ oak and beech forest and stream at 1200 and 1300 south, frequently switching between a number pendix II); at least some of these are male roosts m a.s.l. respectively, in sub-alpine meadows hunting of alternative sites within seasons. Hunting sites including a few non reproductive females, as it has above water (a large livestock drinking site) at 1500 are usually up to 4 km from the roost. Autumn been confirmed through captures. Breeding colo- m a.s.l. and in beech-fir forest at 1700 m a.s.l.; one swarming at caves takes place in September and   70 nies roost in small cavities near the entrance of the Myotis brandtii male was captured along forest edge near wetlands October; along with Myotis myotis and M. daub- 71 Cape Roti Cave (Table 12.2; Appendix II). Myotis at the level of the lake. Most other bats were breeding entonii it is the most frequently captured bat at capaccinii forms large breeding colonies of several tribution. Myotis mystacinus is a more common females and juveniles found exclusively near water swarming sites in central Europe. It hibernates in hundred individuals in Tcherna and Cape Roti bat with a wider distribution, occurring from the mostly at the level of the lake, and at wetlands and underground sites. It is a sedentary species and caves (Table 12.2; Appendix II), roosting in the Iberian Peninsula through to northern, central streams up to 1450 m a.s.l. in beech forest. It is the recorded distances between summer, swarming large domes of the ceiling. The breeding colony in and eastern Europe being quite common in the most frequently encountered bat along the stream of and hibernation sites usually do not exceed 60-90 Tcherna is mixed with other species (M. emargina- Balkans including Greece down to Crete. Ag. Germanos (Appendix II). km (Fleming and Eby 2003, Dietz et al. 2009). tus, Miniopterus schreibersii). By the autumn these Preferred hunting habitats. Myotis brandtii de- colonies from both species have mostly dispersed; pends on forested areas with water: in the south-east Prespa only a few tens of individuals are left (Cape Roti it hunts almost exclusively in mountainous forests 12.1.7 Myotis nattererii (Kuhl, 1817) Although a common species in the rest of Europe, Cave) or males swarming (Tcherna Cave). We do up to the tree line, more rarely in riparian vegetation; it is rather rare in Greece and Prespa appears to not know if they swarm at Cape Roti Cave. in contrast, M. mystacinus in the Balkans appears to General features be no exception: two females were observed in a The colouration of the fur ofM. daubentonii found be dependent for hunting on riparian vegetation and A medium-sized Myotis species (forearm 34.4- cavity in August 1988 by von Helversen & Weid in Prespa is paler and more greyish-brown compared water at all altitudes from the lowlands up to the tree 44.0 mm, weight 7-10 gr) with relatively large ears. (1990). An adult female and an adult male were to its conspecifics in northern and central Europe, line. In the north of their distribution, both species It occurs throughout Europe. further captured by the authors in a beech forest in accordance with von Helversen and Weid (1990) use a wider range of habitats. Preferred hunting habitats. It typically hunts near at 1450 m a.s.l. in 2007 and a juvenile male in for- and Hanak et al. (2001) who report a difference in Roosts and movements. In summer, M. brandtii vegetation often gleaning from foliage and uses a va- est at ca. 980 m a.s.l. in 2009 (Appendix II). The fur colouration between bats in the uplands and roosts in trees and artificial structures. Myotis riety of habitats from the lowlands up to the tree line: species therefore breeds in the park (Table 12.2). those found in the lowlands, as well as between the mystacinus roosts in buildings and behind the ex- forests and areas with sparse trees such as orchards We know nothing further about specific roosts southern marginal populations and the populations foliating bark, and in the Balkans often in bridges, and parks, also near water. All forest types are used, and hunting sites of the species. in other parts of the species distribution. However, frequently switching between alternative roosting these differences have not been studied in detail. sites. Both species hibernate in underground sites and are sedentary, travelling less than 100 km between summer and winter roosts. Myotis mys- M. brandtii 12.1.6 Whiskered bats tacinus is among the most frequently encountered bats at caves during the swarming season. General features Threats. Important threats are intensive forest Myotis brandtii (Eversmann, 1845) and M. management practices, forest clearings, and de- mystacinus (Kuhl, 1817) are morphologically very forestation. similar species often very difficult to be distin-

guished even in the hand. They are small bats M.( Prespa T. DUBOS brandtii, forearm 33.0-38.2 mm, M. mystacinus, Both species breed at Prespa NP (Table 12.2). Ge- 32.0-36.5 mm; weight 4-7 gr). Myotis brandtii oc- netic analysis (F. Mayer, pers. comm.) confirmed the curs in central and north-northeastern Europe, presence of M. brandtii in the park in 2007. A male with some isolated records from mountainous re- juvenile bat was captured in beech forest at 1300 m gions in the south including the north of Greece a.s.l., and a male adult in beech-fir forest at 1700 m which appears to be the southern limit of its dis- a.s.l. (Appendix II). This is the second out of three Myotis nattererii 12.1.8 Myotis emarginatus Roosts and movements. Colonies roost in tree (Geoffroy, 1806) cavities and bat boxes (where tree cavities are not abundant), frequently switching between differ- General features ent trees. Hunting habitats are generally at up to 1 A medium-sized Myotis species (forearm 36.1- km from the roost, less frequently at up to 2.5 km. 44.7 mm, weight 6-9 gr) with a characteristically It is a sedentary species. T. PRÖHL ginger-red colouration of fur occurring from the Threats. Because it is primarily adapted to old Iberian Peninsula through to central and Medi- growth broadleaf forest habitats that are stable in terranean parts of Europe, down to the Balkans the long-term, it was most possibly more abun- and Asia Minor. dant prior to the human intervention in forest Preferred hunting habitats. It hunts close to the ecosystems. Crossing open spaces including roads  Myotis bechsteinii  72 vegetation, often in the tree canopy gleaning in- may pose a substantial risk because it flies low 73 sects from foliage, in broadleaf forests, orchards, near the ground: it has been shown that it is re- parks and gardens. In central Europe it hunts flies Conservation status and threats. Since the 1950s, luctant to cross roads (Safi and Kerth 2009). For- in barns and in Bulgaria bats have been observed it has experienced dramatic declines in the north est fragmentation and clearings are therefore an hunting at sheep pens. In general, the species pre- of its distribution up to 90% in Poland, because of important threat to the species. T. PRÖHL fers a highly heterogeneous environment with habitat loss and pesticide use. Its populations are many trees and shrubs, while it avoids conifer stable in Germany but increasing habitat fragmen- Prespa woodlands and open areas. tation because of road construction is a serious Myotis bechsteinii is a rare bat in Greece and in Roosts and movements. Roosts are in buildings in threat. the area of Prespa. Its presence was confirmed for the north of its distribution and most often in caves the first time in 2009, when three breeding adult and rock cavities in the south; the species uses a net- Prespa females were captured near the lake and at ap- work of roosting sites within seasons. Single individ- The species breeds (Table 12.2) in Tcherna Cave in prox. 1200 m a.s.l. near beech forest (Appendix uals may also be found in trees. Colonies mainly in mixed species clusters and possibly in Cape Roti II). The species therefore breeds in the Prespa NP the Mediterranean are often mixed with other spe- Cave, since a juvenile bat has been captured in the (Table 12.2), but we lack any further knowledge cies (Rhinolophids, other Myotis species and Mini- latter. The species has also been observed in a rock with regards to specific breeding roosts, as well as opterus schreibersii). Recorded distance between crevice along the shore of Greater Prespa (Appen- roosting sites used in the autumn or winter. foraging and roosting sites does not exceed 12.5 km. dix II). Some bats were flying near Zachariadis’ Autumn swarming behaviour at caves is typical for Cave (capture records), but it is not clear whether this bat, similarly to other Myotis species. It is sed- they use the cave as a night roost or whether they 12.1.10 Mouse-eared bats entary with a recorded distance among winter and hunted/commuted in the surrounding forest. summer sites generally of less than 40 km. General features Myotis myotis (Borkhausen, 1797) and M. blythii Myotis emarginatus 12.1.9 Myotis bechsteinii (Kuhl, 1817) (Tomes, 1857) are large bats (M. myotis, forearm 55.0-66.9 mm, weight 20-27 gr; M. blythii, General features forearm 50.5-62.1 mm, weight 19-26 gr). They A medium-sized Myotis species (39.0-47.1 mm, are sibling and morphologically similar species weight 7-10 gr) with characteristically long ears, not easily separated in the field unless identi-

S. PUECHMAILLE present in western, central and eastern Europe. fied in the hand and even then, it may be dif- Preferred habitats. It is a typical forest-dwell- ficult. Myotis blythii was until recently classified ing bat inhabiting broadleaf (beech and oak) and as the sub-species M. b. oxygnathus of a species mixed forests, more rarely coniferous woodland, described in India. Although it has been recently from the lowlands up to the mountains. In the re-classified as Myotis oxygnathus (Monticelli, south it is rarer and is generally found up on the 1855) because of clear differences in the DNA mountains or in riparian forest. The species flies of Asian and European sub-species (Dietz et al. slowly hunting at 1-5 m from the ground and 2009), we continue to use the traditional scien- gleaning insects from substrates (foliage from the tific name Μ. blythii, as it is currently still more ground level to the tree canopy). widely applied. Myotis blythii In Europe, Myotis myotis occurs from the Ibe- Prespa the height of the moving rotor blades when com- rian Peninsula and the Mediterranean up to the Many large Myotis bats have been observed roost- muting, hunting and migrating. north of the continent reaching the Black Sea to ing singly in rock crevices in and outside caves. C. DIETZ the east; M. blythii is found in the Mediterranean These bats apparently belong to one of these species Prespa up to the centre of the continent. but in most cases, it has not been possible to iden- Nyctalus noctula is less frequently encountered Preferred habitats. Myotis myotis typically lives tify them at species level. These were most possibly in Greece than N. leisleri. The range of Nyctalus below 800 m a.s.l. but if the climate is favourable males, since it is known that males usually roost noctula appears to be confined to the north of it may be found at higher altitudes. Broadleaf singly in summer and autumn. On one occasion, the country, whereas N. leisleri is found all the deciduous or mixed forests with little under- we confirmed the presence of an adult M. blythii way down to Crete (Hakak et al. 2001, Benda story cover are preferred, but often coniferous male in a rock crevice near Mikrolimni (Appen- et al. 2008). Mostly males in summer and a few forests are used. They forage in the forest, and dix II). To date, no breeding colonies have been females over the spring and autumn migration   74 also at meadows, pastures and freshly grazed or recorded from either species. However, M. blythii periods have been recorded from both species in 75 mown fields, usually 5-15 km from their roost appears to breed in the area (Table 12.2), since a Greece, although N. noctula appears to breed at (up to 26 km). Myotis blythii is found in warm juvenile bat was captured in beech forest at 1400 least in the northeast of the country (C. Dietz, un- and open landscapes, wet and other meadows, m a.s.l. in 2010. Apart from that, M. blythii males published data). Males are most possibly present pastures, karstic plateaus, and extensive agricul- and a non reproductive female have been captured year-round, whereas females may be present from tural lands. Both species typically hunt close to near the lake (Ag. Germanos stream estuary) and Nyctalus leisleri late summer and autumn to spring. Males of both the ground looking for ground-dwelling arthro- at Kokkalis’ Cave; they utilise this cave most pos- species appear to set up mating roosts on the mi- pods, but they may also hunt on the wing, e.g. sibly as a night roost and probably as a swarming gration routes of the females. The area of Prespa is along forest edge. site. Only adult male M. myotis have been captured, number of trees at any location within a forest and probably no exception: N. noctula has only been Roosts and movements. Both species are cave- mostly swarming at Kokkalis’ Cave; individuals they switch between these trees within seasons. In located from echolocation call recordings, where- dwellers throughout the year in the south of Eu- were further captured in the forest near Zachari- some parts of their disributional range, maternity as N. leisleri appears to be more common and has rope, usually forming mixed species maternity adis’ Cave and near forest at almost 1000 m a.s.l. colonies may be found in buildings. Male N. noc- been located both through captures and echolo- colonies in underground sites (with Rhinolo- (Appendix II). tula may also form colonies in rock crevices and in cation recordings at sites in and around forested phids, other Myotis bats and Miniopterus schreib- artificial structures such as concrete bridges where areas (beech and oak) and in sub-alpine meadows ersii) but they use buildings to breed in summer traffic is not very frequent, or in buildings. In win- (Appendix II). Only adult males N. leisleri have in the north of their distribution. Single males 12.1.11 Nyctalus leisleri (Kuhl, 1817) ter they roost in trees or artificial structures, and been captured in summer, conforming to the gen- roost in small cavities in and near the entrance and N. noctula (Schreber, 1774) N. noctula may also use rock crevices. eral pattern observed in Greece. of caves and rock overhangs, in buildings, bridges Preferred habitats and movements. Both spe- Both species have been recorded from the lev- and even tree cavities. Hibernacula are in under- General features cies fly fast (40-50 km/h) and may forage from a el of the lake up to the sub-alpine meadows at ground sites. They are both sedentary bats cover- These are large bats:Nyctalus leisleri is the small- few km up to more than 20 km (N. noctula) away almost 2000 m a.s.l. (Appendix II) apparently ing less than 100 km between summer sites and est (forearm: 38.0-47.1 mm, weight: 13-18 gr) and from their roost usually at 10-50 m but often at commuting through or foraging in the park, but hibernacula. N. noctula the medium-sized (forearm: 47.3-58.9 several hundred meters from the ground. Nyc- they may well use the area for roosting. Nyctalus Conservation status and threats. The destruc- mm, weight: 21-30 gr) among the three European talus noctula hunts above water, meadows, forest leisleri was among the most frequently encoun- tion of roosts, the use of pesticides (DDT etc.) Nyctalus species. Nyctalus noctula occurs from and even street lights; N. leisleri often prefers to tered bats at Mazi-Kirko (Appendix II). Because in agriculture and forestry and of toxic prod- the north of the Iberian peninsula to the north- hunt just above forest canopy, along forest edges echolocation call characteristics of these two ucts for timber treatment in buildings, and east and the Mediterranean part of Europe and and forest trails, above large water bodies and species may partly overlap with those of other agricultural intensification led to dramatic further to Asia. However, it is rare or not found also meadows. Both species are adapted for long- species (Vespertilio murinus, Eptesicus serotinus) declines of M. myotis colonies in Germany in in the south of Italy and Greece and it is absent range migration, and may cover more than 1000 as well as between them, several calls recorded the 1970s (down to 10% of the population). Al- from the islands. Nyctalus leisleri occurs in most km between summer roosts and hibernacula. throughout the area were not identified to spe- though populations are stable at the moment, of Europe, but there are large differences in the Threats. Roost loss primarily due to intensive cies level; this means that their presence is most they are still threatened by increasing habitat densities of occurrence across the continent. It is forest clearing especially of old mature trees, de- probably more widespread than that presented in fragmentation from roads, by renovation of absent from some parts of the Mediterranean. forestation and generally intensive forest man- Appendix II and their frequency of occurrence buildings and accumulation of chemical toxic Roosts. Both species are typical forest-dwellers, agement practices are important threats to both may be higher. Future detailed studies may re- substances in the environment. In the south, i.e. they use tree cavities for roosting through- bats. They are currently particulalry threatened veal the relative proportion of the two species in cave tourism, increasing use of pesticides and out the year particulalry in beech and oak forest by wind farms, mainly during migration but the National Park and aid species identification the decrease of extensively managed grasslands and are often found in trees near forest edges or also in summer (e.g. Rodrigues et al. 2008, Geor- from echolocation call recordings with more are serious threats for both species. along forest paths and openings. They often use a giakakis and Papadatou 2011), because they fly at certainty. 12.1.12 Small pipistrelles: Pipistrellus pipistrellus (Schreber, 1774) and P. pygmaeus (Leach, 1825)

General features T. PRÖHL These are the smallest European bats (forearm: P. C. DIETZ pipistrellus, 28-34.5 mm, P. pygmaeus, 27.7-32.3 mm; weight 3-7 gr). Pipistrellus pygmaeus was only recently defined as a separate species (Bar- ratt et al. 1997). The two species occur in sympatry throughout Europe, but P. pipistrellus is   76 more common than P. pygmaeus except in Greece 77 where the opposite is true. Pipistrellus pipistrellus is one of the most common bats in Europe. Preferred habitats. Pipistrellus pipistrellus is very P. pipistrellus flexible in terms of habitat preferences and may therefore be found in almost all habitat types; it prefers, however, forests and water when these are available. Along with P. kuhlii (see below), it is the most frequently encountered bat hunting in urban environments usually around street lamps. Pipist- rellus pygmaeus is less of an opportunistic bat and depends a lot more on riparian forests, wetlands Pipistrellus pygmaeus Pipistrellus kuhlii and water bodies than P. pipistrellus, avoiding agricultural lands and grasslands. Roosts and movements. In summer, P. pipistrel- around villages, along riparian vegetation, and along with other pipistrelle bats, in gardens, lus roosts in buildings, rock crevices, behind the in sub-alpine meadows and beech forest up to 12.1.13 Pipistrellus nathusii (Keyserling parks and often close to water, and adapts very exfoliating bark of trees and in bat boxes (where almost 2000 m a.s.l. (Appendix II). In contrast, & Blasius, 1839) and P. kuhlii well in landscapes transformed by human (e.g. suitable trees are limited), frequently switching P. pygmaeus has mainly been found near water, (Kuhl, 1817) agricultural lands and forest clearings). Pipist- between a number of different sites. It hibernates commuting or hunting along riparian vegeta- rellus nathusii hunts in natural and highly struc- in buildings and underground sites. It is rather tion at streams, but also near caves and beech General features tured broadleaf and conifer forests, along ripar- considered as a sedentary bat, despite the records forest up to approx. 1170 m a.s.l. (Appendix II). These are generally small and morphologically ian vegetation and streams, in parks, and near of some long-range migrations (Dietz et al. 2009). Pipistrellus pipistrellus breeds at Prespa, whereas similar bats but the largest among pipistrelle spe- or above water, a few kilometers away from the Pipistrellus pygmaeus roosts in buildings and only male P. pygmaeus have been detected (Ta- cies (forearm length approx. 32-37.1 mm, weight roost. It usually flies at 3-20 m from the ground, other artificial structures, in tree holes and in bat ble 12.2) similarly to other parts of Greece (e.g. 5-10 gr). Pipistrellus nathusii occurs throughout often lower above water. During migration, it boxes. Papadatou et al. 2010). As with Nyctalus species, Europe and exhibits long range migrations of up to may hunt in human settlements. Threats. Both species are among those most- their echolocation call characteristics may part- 2000 km all the way down to the south of the con- Roosts, movements and threats. Roosts of P. ly killed by wind farms (Rodrigues et al. 2008, ly overlap with those of other bats (Miniopterus tinent, generally covering 29-48 km every night. kuhlii are in rock crevices and very often in any Rydell et al. 2010, Georgiakakis and Papadatou schreibersii, other Pipistrellus species), so that It generally breeds primarily in the northeast of cavity type sites in buildings (e.g. wall crevices, 2011). many calls recorded throughout the area have its distribution and hibernates more to the south- under tiles, etc.); sometimes in bird nests or tree not been identified to species level. This means southwest. In contrast, the distribution of P. kuh- cavities. The species has generally been recorded Prespa that their presence is most probably more wide- lii extends from the Iberian Peninsula through to below 1000 m a.s.l. Maternity colonies of P. nath- The typical echolocation calls emitted by P. spread than that presented in Appendix II and mainly the Mediterranean part of the continent usii roost in tree cavities or bat boxes if cavities pipistrellus, an opportunistic species roosting their frequency of occurrence may be higher. Fu- and is a sedentary bat. The northern border of its are not available, and in buildings with wooden and feeding in a wide range of habitats, have ture studies may reveal the relative proportion distribution is currently expanding. parts, in the lowlands, generally below 500 m a.s.l. also been recorded in a wide range of habitats of these species in the park in more detail and Preferred habitats. Pipistrellus kuhlii is a spe- Individuals may also roost in rock crevices and and altitudes in the area of Prespa: near caves, aid species identification from echolocation call cies very frequently encountered hunting in bridges. In winter, they may roost in trees, wood above the lakes, wetlands and reed beds, in and recordings with more certainty. urban environments often around street lamps piles, rock crevices and buildings. In autumn, relative proportion of the two species occurring Prespa Preferred habitats. The bat occupies many habi- in the area is known: social calls are species-spe- The species appears to be common and widespread tat types and does not depend on forest. It hunts cific and help distinguish betweenP. nathusii and in the Prespa NP (Appendix II). Small colonies are above agricultural lands, parks, orchards, pas- P. kuhlii whose echolocation calls largely overlap. present in crevices on rocky cliffs along the lakes’ tures, along forest edges and trails, water bod- Pipistrellus kuhlii was discovered in the area in shore. These are possibly male groups as confirmed ies, in and near human settlements often around C. DIETZ 2009 and 2010 (Appendix II). From capture data, through captures near Tcherna Cave. The capture street lamps, and in open space. The presence of it appears to be less common than P. nathusii, but of lactating and post-lactating females at hunt- broadleaf trees appears to be an important ele- further studies need to confirm the relative pro- ing/commuting sites has confirmed that the spe- ment for the species hunting habitat, as they may portion of the two species at Prespa. Pipistrellus cies breeds in the area (Table 12.2), but no specific hunt around isolated trees. kuhlii breeds in the area, but to date no specific breeding colonies are known. The bats also inhabit Roosts, movements and threats. In central Eu- breeding colonies are known (Table 12.2). cracks and crevices on stony walls of buildings in rope the species forms maternity colonies almost   78 Hypsugo savii the villages. They hunt or commute along the rocky exclusively in buildings, but in the Mediterra- 79 cliffs of the Greater Prespa Lake, above wetlands, nean, besides buildings and bridges, porches at 12.1.14 Hypsugo savii streams and the lakes, along the riparian vegeta- caves and rock crevices are used. Maternity colo-

male P. nathusii occupy mating roosts on the mi- (Bonaparte, 1837) tion of streams and beech forest edge surrounding nies may switch roosts within seasons. Distance gration routes of females often close to nursery pastures, and at sub-alpine meadows up to 2000 m between roosts and feeding sites varies between 4 roosts or hibernacula, attracting passing females General features a.s.l. Many adult individuals use Kokkalis’ Cave as a and 12 km on average. It is generally a sedentary with display calls. When migrating, they fol- Hypsugo savii is a small bat with variable coloura- night roost and/or for mating in summer. bat. E. serotinus is among the species frequently low the coast and river valleys, and fly high over tion of fur throughout Europe. It is of similar found dead under wind turbines. mountains: P. nathusii is among the main victims size with the larger pipistrelle species (forearm of wind farms with hundreds if not thousands of length 31.4-37.9 mm, weight 5-9 gr). In Europe, 12.1.15 Eptesicus serotinus Prespa them being killed every year across Europe main- it is one of the most commonly encountered bats (Schreber, 1774) The species is known to occur in summer at Prespa ly during migration but also at other seasons of and occurs from the Iberian Peninsula through to since 2004, but to date breeding has not been con- the year (Rodrigues et al. 2008, Rydell et al. 2010, Greece and Asia Minor, covering the entire Medi- General features firmed. Only three adult males have been captured Georgiakakis and Papadatou 2011). terranean region, up to the south of Switzerland, Eptesicus serotinus is a large and robust bat (fore- at Ag. Germanos stream (Table 12.2; Appendix II), Austria and Hungary. arm length 48-58 mm, weight 18-25 gr). It is a suggesting that it is rather a rare bat in the area. Prespa Roosts and movements. The species roosts in widely spread species throughout most of Europe. The presence of males only is not surprising given The two species occur in sympatry at Prespa. rock crevices often near cave entrances and in Pipistrellus nathusii was one of the first species buildings (cracks on walls, under the tiles etc.). Eptesicus serotinus recorded in the area by O. von Helversen in the Distances between roosts and feeding sites vary 1980s (von Helversen, unpublished data, von between a few km up to ca. 20 km. The migratory Helversen & Weid 1990). To date, only male in- status of the bat is unknown. dividuals have been captured, conforming to the Preferred habitats and threats. It is found in a va- male-only pattern observed generally in Greece riety of habitat types from the coast to the moun- in summer (Hanák et al. 2001, O. von Helversen, tains up to 3300 m a.s.l., generally in karstic areas pers. comm.). A rock crevice along the shore of with a mosaic of agricultural lands and Mediterra- the Greater Prespa Lake has been confirmed to nean scrub (macquis, garrigue), and it is relatively host a small male colony of P. nathusii (Appen- rare in densely forested areas (in Greece often found dix II), suggesting that the species may generally in open pine forests). It frequently hunts above use rock crevices along the lakeshore for roosting. water, alpine and other meadows, in and near hu-

The species has been detected flying in villages, man settlements usually around street lamps, un- S. PUECHMAILLE above streams, near caves, in beech forest and der tree canopy, lands with sparse vegetation, and sub-alpine meadows up to almost 2000 m .a.s.l. along rocky cliffs. When hunting, it can fly up to (Appendix II). Its echolocation calls have proba- over 100 m from the ground, above rocky valleys, bly been more widely recorded over wetlands and forests and scrub. This is perhaps the reason why reed beds, beech forest and sub-alpine meadows. so many individuals have been found dead under However, recordings cannot be identified with operating wind farms across Europe (Rodrigues et certainty unless social calls are included and the al. 2008, Georgiakakis and Papadatou 2011). that maternity colonies are rarely found above 800 Prespa of the continent. Delayed implantation of the em- m a.s.l. and that males are regularly found at higher Although Plecotus auritus is fairly common in bryo occurs between autumn mating and spring altitudes. Some echolocation calls recorded in the northwest and central Europe, it is relatively un- foetal development, in contrast to the sperm stor- park may belong to the species, but because its call common in Greece where it appears to have its age and delayed fertilization in most temperate characteristics largely overlap with those of calls southern limit of its distribution. The species zone bats (Hutson et al. 2001). emitted by N. leisleri and V. murinus, no record- breeds in the Prespa NP (Table 12.2) and breeding Roosts and movements. It is a cave-dwelling ings have been used to confirm its presence in the colonies are found up to at least 1700 m a.s.l.: we species, often forming large colonies of up to tens park until a better idea of the species distribution have captured breeding females and juveniles for- of thousands of individuals in Europe, more in and frequency of occurrence is obtained through a aging in mixed beech-fir forest at 1450 and 1700 m other parts of its distribution. Individuals may be more intensive study. a.s.l. (Appendix II). An adult male P. macrobullaris packed to a density of about 2000 per m². Females was recorded in the park by O. von Helversen in are highly philopatric and in common with many   80 June 2007 (O. von Helversen, pers. comm.) and it other species they generally show high individual 81 12.1.16 Plecotus species is probably one of the rarest bats in the area. Three fidelity to their roosting sites. Maternity colonies male P. austriacus and one female were recorded have been found roosting up to 1200 m a.s.l. but

General features T. PRÖHL swarming at Kokkalis’ Cave in autumn 2010 (Ap- non reproductive animals (males and females) The Prespa area is located within the distribu- pendix II): these were the first records of the spe- may be found much higher. They practically nev- tional range of all four Plecotus species present in cies in the park. To date, no summer records of the er roost alone forming mixed species colonies. In the European continent and three of them have species exist, but it is highly likely that it roosts and temperate regions they migrate between summer so far been recorded: P. auritus (Linnaeus, 1758), Plecotus austriacus forages in the area throughout the year. sites and hibernacula at an average distance of up P. macrobullaris (Kuzjakin, 1965) and P. austria- to 100 km, but migrations of over 800 km have cus (Fischer, 1829). These are medium-sized bats been recorded in France. Males often migrate less, (forearm length, P. auritus 35.5-42.8 mm, P. mac- north of its distribution and often in roof spaces. 12.1.17 Miniopterus schreibersii but their movements and summer behaviour are

robullaris 37.3-46.0 mm, P. austriacus 36.5-43.5 In contrast, in the Mediterranean part of its distri- (kuhl, 1817) poorly understood (Hutson et al. 2001). mm; weight 6-10 gr, all species) which mainly bution, maternity colonies are often in rock crev- Preferred hunting habitats. The bats use a va- glean insects from foliage using passive listening ices, often near the entrance of caves. Males can General features riety of habitats to hunt, often in open areas un- aided by their large ears (Fig. 2.1b), although they be found in a range of other sites such as bridges This is a medium sized bat (forearm length 42.4- der, around or above broadleaf forest and other also hunt on the wing. and other artificial structures. It hibernates in 48.0 mm, weight 10-14 gr). In Europe, it is found vegetation, above water surfaces but also in drier Plecotus auritus occurs in the whole of Europe underground sites and rock crevices. The species in the Mediterranean countries up to the centre areas. They fly fast up to 10–20 m or more above but its distribution is fragmented in the south. It hunts up to a few km from its roost, further than is a typical forest-dwelling species: from central P. auritus. Both species frequently switch between Miniopterus schreibersii Europe to the east it occupies trees in summer a number of different roosting sites in summer, and winter, but in western Europe it mainly occu- and are sedentary bats. Swarming occurs from pies buildings and bat boxes in summer and un- August through to October and often in spring. derground sites in winter. In the south of Europe, Plecotus macrobullaris is a newly described spe- it inhabits forested mountains often above 1000 cies (Spitzenberger et al. 2003) and its distribution m a.s.l. and usually hunts a few hundred meters is patchily known from the south of Europe. Most away from its roost. records of the species come from mountainous Plecotus austriacus occurs from the Iberian Pe- and alpine regions over 800 m a.s.l. but some ma- A. GEORGANDA ninsula through to central Europe and the Medi- ternity colonies have been found at lower altitudes, terranean, except the south of Italy and the centre in a mosaic of agricultural lands and forests. In and south of Greece. In central Europe, its habitat the Pyrenees the species has been found in alpine is rather linked to human settlements and agri- meadows and rocky surfaces with sparse vegeta- cultural landscapes. In the south of the continent tion of over 2800 m a.s.l. To date, only maternity it is more linked to natural habitats including and male colonies in buildings are known. forested and rocky areas, as well as open spaces. Threats. Plecotus species suffer from road kills Most maternity colonies have been recorded be- because of their slow flight low above the ground. low 550 m, although there are a few records above Plecotus auritus in particular suffers from deforest- 1000 m a.s.l. The species roosts in buildings in the ation and intensive forest management practices. ground, feeding on moths, small Diptera and bee- may pose a significant threat to these bats, since Greater Prespa Lake, as well as crevices and cavi- tles. Because of their particularly large colonies, they commute and hunt high above the ground ties on the rocky slopes along parts of the north- individuals may be obliged to feed quite far from near the moving rotor blades. western and western coast of Lesser Prespa Lake their roost, even more than 40 km (10-20 km on may host small (crevices) or large (caves) bat colo- average). Prespa nies. Petrochilou et al. (1977) identified 15 caves Conservation status and threats. In the north- Colonies roost in crevices in the rocky cliffs along along the rocky shore of Greater Prespa. In 1963, ern limits of their distribution, major declines the lakes’ shore and they appear to be relatively both lakes had approximately the same level, but have been recorded because of pesticide use (DDT common. A small colony roosts in a rock crevice the level of Greater Prespa has been generally de- etc.), chemical treatment of oak forests (Slovenia) at a quarry near Mirkolimni village (Appendix creasing since (Hollis & Stevenson 1997). By the and the loss of hunting habitats and roosts (e.g. II). Because these rock crevices are inaccessible, end of December 2010, the level of Greater Pre- cave tourism). it has not been possible to identify sex and age of spa was ca. 844.70 m.a.s.l. (records of the SPP on   82 these groups (Table 12.2). The species emits loud the water levels of the Prespa Lakes, unpublished 83 Prespa calls in the audible range (10-14 kHz). No other data), being about 5-6 m lower compared to the A large colony of several thousand M. schreiber- bat emits calls at that frequency in the park, hence lake level in 1977 when A. Petrochilou and col- sii roosts in Tcherna Cave in summer. Only a few its identification has been fairly easy: the species leagues published their report (Petrochilou et al. hundred bats roost in the cave in the autumn, but hunts above the lakes, near streams, beech forest 1977). Therefore the caves’ situation must have many more arrive during autumn nights with a and above sub-alpine meadows up to 2000 m a.s.l. been very different at the time, with some lacus- typical swarming behaviour, chasing each other (Appendix II). trine caves currently having dried out and other, in and outside the cave. The vast majority of these new caves, as well as rock crevices having been

bats both in summer and autumn are adult males T. PRÖHL revealed. Indeed, the 1977 description of some of (Table 12.2). The species utilises Kokkalis’ Cave 12.2 Important roosting sites the caves that we visited during this project does as a night roost in summer and as a swarming not fit with the current situation; for example, the site in autumn. It has also been detected at hunt- 12.2.1 Natural sites: caves, cavities and location and description of a cave called “Roti” in ing sites (Appendix II). Of 149 bats captured in rock crevices Petrochilou et al. (1977) fits with the “flea” cave Tadarida teniotis both seasons in total, only 7 were adult females A number of key natural sites for roosting have been which is now a dry cave about 4 m above the level representing only 0.05% of the sample and these identified so far in all three countries surrounding of the lake (Table 12.3; Appendix II). On the other were either non reproductive individuals or they 12.1.18 Tadarida teniotis the Prespa Basin (see sections 13.2 and 14.2 for sites hand, the lacustrine cave on the tip of Cape Roti were captured outside the breeding season. No (Rafinesque, 1814) in Albania and the FYR of Macedonia respectively), (Table 12.3; Appendix II) must have been covered adult females have so far been recorded in the hosting a minimum of one and a maximum of 10 in water at the time, as it is not reported by Petro- neighbouring countries (Bimbilova Cave, FYR General features species depending on roost type (rock crevice or chilou et al. (1977) and therefore it was probably of Macedonia; Treni Cave, Albania). Where do Tadarida teniotis is among the largest European cave) and on seasons (specifically for caves see Ta- not used by the bats. the adult female M. schreibersii roost and breed? bats (forearm length 54.7-69.9 mm, weight 20-30 ble 12.3). No tree roosts have been located to date, as Rock crevices and cavities. Many rock crev- Many echolocation calls of the species have gr). In Europe, it occurs from the Iberian Penin- this needs a much more intensive study (see PART ices along the steep rocky limestone slopes of been recorded at several hunting sites, but be- sula through to the Balkans and can be found IV, section 16). Caves are used by breeding colonies, the Greater Prespa Lake are used in summer by cause it was not always clearly separated from from the sea level up to over 2000 m a.s.l. as night roosts, for autumn swarming and mating, groups of bats from several species including Myo- Pipistrellus pipistrellus and P. pygmaeus often These bats typically roost inside mostly inac- as stop-over (transitional) sites, possibly as satellite tis daubentonii, Hypsugo savii, Pipistellus nathusii emitting calls with overlapping frequency pa- cessible rock crevices and fly fast (often over 65 sites, as autumn shelter and for hibernation. Rock and Tadarida teniotis (see bat species distribution rameters, only a proportion of calls recorded km/h) between 10-300 m from the ground. They crevices are used by small male groups that may maps in Appendix II). Myotis daubentonii also use was used to assess the species distribution in the may cover up to 100 km from their roost to their include non reproductive females (e.g. M. dauben- crevices on the southern coast of Lesser Prespa park (Appendix II). From capture and echoloca- feeding grounds in a single night, hunting in the tonii); we do not know whether they are used by near Mikrolimni village (Appendix II) and gen- tion call data combined, we have found hunting open, high above forest canopy, water bodies, cit- breeding groups. In winter, most caves on the Greek erally shows a preference for crevices within rock and/or commuting M. schreibersii in a variety of ies, pastures, agricultural lands and meadows. side are not used probably because they are relatively overhangs or cave entrances. We do not know the habitats including wetlands and streams near the It is believed that it is not a migratory species, small and hence temperature is low and unstable (it autumn and winter use of these rock crevices. lake, oak and beech forest and sub-alpine mead- but rather sedentary and faithful to its roosts all is influenced by ambient temperature fluctuations) Some small caves or cavities along the south coast ows up to almost 2000 m a.s.l. (Appendix II). year-round: ringed individuals in Switzerland or because their temperature may not be low enough of the Greater Prespa Lake in the west of Psarades and Spain were found in the same roosting sites for hibernation (e.g. Mikrolimni Cave). village may host single R. ferrumequinum and/or throughout the year. However, they may switch Specifically, crevices, cavities and caves formed small groups of R. hipposideros in summer, e.g. in roosts within and between seasons. Wind farms in the steep and rocky slopes surrounding the and behind Analipsi chapel, in Panagia Eleousa (hermitages and chapel), near St. Nikolaos mu- far from Tcherna (Table 12.3; Appendix II) was ral or Giaintsa (Appendix II), some of which may confirmed to be used by important breeding colo- also host M. daubentonii. nies of Myotis capaccinii and M. daubentonii. The Caves. Perhaps the most important among presence of a male juvenile Myotis emarginatus caves in the area for breeding in summer and for suggests that this species may also breed in the autumn swarming, mating or generally shelter in cave, but confirmation requires further study. It autumn is Tcherna Cave on the south coast of the was not possible to estimate the size of the colo- Lake Greater Prespa (Table 12.3, Appendix II), nies, since they roost in a dome high up in the ceil- half lacustrine in 1977 (Tcherna 2, Petrochilou ing at ca. 10 m half hidden by rocks, and smaller et al. 1977). In summer, the cave hosts important groups roost inside deep crevices. The structure breeding mixed-species colonies of Rhinolophus and the location of the entrance on the lakeshore   84 euryale, R. ferrumequinum, Myotis capaccinii, did not allow emergence counts either. However, 85 Myotis emarginatus and a male colony of Mini- the cave must roughly host many hundred up to a opterus schreibersii. Male Hypsugo savii have also few thousand bats in the summer. In the autumn been found in summer near the cave entrance. the large maternity colonies have dispersed and Summer colonies comprise several thousand in- a few hundred individuals from the same spe- dividuals. Myotis bats and male Miniopterus sch- cies remain roosting in groups mostly inside rock reibersii roost in the large chamber of the cave, whereas most Rhinolophids roost separately in a different chamber. The large piles of droppings on the cave floor and the large stains on the ceiling are a proof of its long term use by the bats. Numbers of bats seem to fluctuate across years, suggesting that they may switch among a number of different underground sites forming a network, similarly for example to Myotis capaccinii in Greek Thrace (Papadatou et al. 2008b, 2009). This is not surprising given the number of known underground sites suitable for roosting across the whole territory of Prespa (Table 12.3; sections 13.2 and 14.2) and perhaps a number of potentially unknown sites. In autumn, most bats have left the Tcherna Cave, but there are still several hundred male M. schreibersii, and other species also roost in the cave in smaller numbers. The cave is also used by a large number of swarming/mating bats or bats using it simply as a night roost (Rhinolo- phus ferrumequinum, R. euryale, R. blasii, Myotis

capaccinii, M. daubentonii, Pipistrellus pipistrel- A. GEORGANDA lus, P. nathusii). It is therefore used by at least 10 bat species (Table 12.3). The cave is too cold and temperature fluctuates to a large extent to be suit-

Y. KAZOGLOU able for hibernation. Only two torpid R. ferrumequinum were found in winter 2011 (February) in a small very narrow but deep cave to the north of the main cave. Where do all these bats go in winter? In 2010, the cave at Cape Roti which is not too Mikrolimni Cave at about 19:55 most R. blasii had already emerged swarming (small entrance surrounded by densely from the cave and most R. euryale started to structured vegetation) and is rather used at night emerge. In winter 2011 (February) the site was as a night roost in summer and autumn by several used by up to 50 medium sized Rhinolophids that species including Rhinolophus euryale, R. blasii, were not in deep torpor, suggesting that this cave Plecotus species and possibly Myotis emarginatus. may not be typically used as an hibernation site However, it is possible that at least R. ferrumequi- (winter 2010-2011 was mild and at least some bats num use it as a mating site in the autumn: three may have not been in hibernation for at least some reproductively active adult individuals, two fe- of the time). males and one male were observed in the cave At least two more caves are important for bats: roosting together during day-time and subse- Kokkalis’ Cave (Civil War Hospital Cave) at ca. quently captured on their return to the roost later   86 1120 m a.s.l. and Zachariadis’ Cave at ca. 1050 m on the same night. A male adult Nyctalus leisleri 87 a.s.l., both surrounded by oak forests. These caves was further captured among oak trees near the have great historical value related to the Greek cave entrance in October 2010, presumably forag- civil war in the late 1940s and hence an effort for ing or commuting, not using the cave. mild tourist development has been made by the More caves are present along the shore of the local authorities. They are used by only a fewRhi - Greek Greater Prespa Lake (Petrochilou et al. nolophus hipposideros or R. ferrumequinum indi- 1977). A significant proportion of them has been viduals during day-time. At night, however, many explored by X. Grémillet and colleagues on foot bats utilise them: Kokkalis’ Cave is an important or by boat up to the Albanian border but no large swarming site, i.e. it is used by bats with a typi- bat colonies were found other than small colo- cal swarming behaviour in autumn. Many bats nies or singly roosting individuals. More caves

X. GRÉMILLET also visit the site throughout the night presum- must generally be present in the west and south ably using it as a night roost in summer. Overall, of the Prespa Basin, some of which are known. 10 species have been recorded at Kokkalis’ Cave We explored a few of these sites during this (Table 12.3). Zachariadis’ Cave is not suitable for project. With the aid of a local inhabitant (Mr Large stains on the ceiling of Tcherna Cave are a proof of its long term use by the bats.

crevices around the cave. The “flea” cave between on the southern shore of the Lesser Prespa Lake is Cape Roti and the hotel opposite Psarades village an important underground roost (Table 12.3; Ap- (Appendix II) has signs of past heavy use (stains pendix II). In summer, only a few individual R. on the walls and ceiling and large quantities of bat ferrumequinum have been found in the cave, but droppings mixed with the soil) but it was not used large piles of bat droppings suggest its heavy and in summer whereas only five R. ferrumequinum long-term use by bats, apparently in other sea- were found inside the cave in deep torpor in au- sons. In spring 2008, over 650 bats were counted tumn 2010. Is the lack of current use especially emerging from the roost, whereas on an autumn in summer related to the large numbers of fleas night of 2010, at least 760 bats emerged: these were in the cave and/or is it related to the gradual dry- all medium-sized Rhinolophids, Rhinolophus ing out of the cave since the 1970s that may have euryale and R. blasii. During autumn emergence, altered the cave’s microclimate? In winter, no bats the latter species appeared to be more numerous were found in the cave. and emerged first, followed by the former (Fig. Except the three caves on the south rocky shore 12.1). Species identification was confirmed both of Greater Prespa described above, a few more im- by visual observations and call recordings inside portant underground sites for bats were identified the cave during day-time and the use of two bat over the course of this project, not very far from detectors alongside emergence counts. Although Fig. 12.1 Evening emergence of Rhinolophus blasii and R. euryale on an autumn night of 2010 the lakes. The cave near the village ofMikrolimni not very obvious in Fig. 12.1, exit was bimodal: at Mikrolimni Cave (see text for details). Number of bats emerging is the average from two observers. TABLE 12.3 Known important cave roosts in or near the Prespa Basin, bat species that use them, their annual function and approximate size of colonies. The “flea” cave (Greece), Jaorec and Meckina Dupka (FYR of Macedonia), and Gollomboç and Zaroshka (Albania) caves are not included in the table (see text for details).

Cave Location and description Species Annual use Colonies size Greece Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Several thousand R. euryale, R. blasii, Miniopterus Partly lacustrine cave in the south Summer breeding; autumn in summer;

T. DUBOS schreibersii, Myotis capaccinii, M. Tcherna of the Lake Greater Prespa, west shelter, mating & swarming; several hundred in emarginatus, M. daubentonii, of Psarades village male only M. schreibersii colony autumn; unknown Hypsugo savii, Pipistrellus number swarming pipistrellus, P. nathusii Several hundred  Lacustrine cave, in the south of  M. capaccinii, M. daubentonii, Summer breeding, autumn (autumn) up to 88 Cape Roti the Lake Greater Prespa, west of 89 M. emarginatus shelter a few thousand Psarades village (summer) Warm cave on the east coast Spring and autumn shelter; Mikrolimni of the Lake Lesser Prespa, near R. euryale, R. blasii > 700 individuals winter use Ruins of abandoned traditional house near Oxya village hosting a maternity colony of R. hipposideros. Mikrolimni village H. savii, P. pipistrellus, Myotis Dry cave with historical impor- capaccinii, M. blythii, M. myotis, tance in the west of Lesser Prespa Tens up to a few Kokkalis’ Miniopterus schreibersii, Plecotus Night roost; autumn swarming Lake, near the village of Vrondero hundred bats austriacus, R. blasii, R. euryale, surrounded by oak forest D. Pitoulis) two vertical shafts were located and also roost, usually singly (a maximum of six non R. ferrumequinum, R. hipposideros examined on the slope to the south-south west reproductive individuals have been observed). Dry cave with historical impor- Rhinolophus hipposideros, of Vrondero village, but these appeared not to be These artificial roosting sites (range: 1-200 bats) tance in the southwest of Lake R. ferrumequinum, R. blasii, Summer roosting; night roost; Zachariadis’ A few tens of bats used by bats (Georgiakakis 2010). With the aid of apparently offer ideal thermal conditions: they Lesser Prespa, near the village of R. euryale, M. emarginatus, autumn mating? the then Chairman of Krystallopigi village (Mr are exposed to the sun for much of the day and Pyli surrounded by oak forest M. myotis, Plecotus sp A. Trasias), two more vertical shafts were located they have roofs made of roman tiles on a mixture Albania and explored on Mt. Malimadi, to the south and of reeds and dried earth or occasionally of galva- Miniopterus schreibersii, Several thousand Myotis capaccinii, M. myotis, Summer breeding; autumn in summer; several Cave in the southern tip of the east of the village. Only a few bat droppings were nised steel. Roof and other spaces have insulat- M. daubentonii, Plecotus species, shelter, mating & swarming; hundred in autumn Treni Lake Lesser Prespa, near reed- found near the entrance of one of the two shafts ing walls made of wood, reeds and mud bricks. R. blasii, R. euryale, R. hipposideros, male only M. schreibersii colony; and winter; beds and the Treni village (Georgiakakis 2010), suggesting its use as a night The roof and walls absorb heat and act as a heat R. ferrumequinum, Eptesicus M. capaccinii hibernation unknown number roost. sink during the day radiating warmth back into serotinus swarming Dry cave on the eastern shore the roost at night, when no solar heating occurs. Autumn and probably spring Mali Grad of Mali Grad Island, Lake Lesser Miniopterus schreibersii > 2000 individuals shelter Bats may also roost in cellars where there are Prespa 12.2.2 Artificial sites: buildings boilers and heating pipes. FYR of Macedonia Rhinolophus hipposideros appears to be depend- The distribution of summer colonies shows Summer breeding; autumn > 10 000 in Miniopterus schreibersii, ing on the traditional housing practices for that the limiting factor for the R. hipposideros Cave on Golem Grad Island, shelter, mating & swarming; summer; > 7000 in Bimbilova Myotis capaccinii, Lake Greater Prespa male only M. schreibersii colony; autumn; > 3000 in roosting from about mid to late spring through population at Prespa is rather the availability of Rhinolophus ferrumequinum to mid to late autumn. Summer roosts are found such favourable constructions and not the rich hibernation winter both in the karstic and in the granitic zones and productive hunting habitats: nursery colo- Cave to the west of the Mountain Samotska R. hipposideros, Myotis blythii, > 80 individuals in Hut Asan Gura surrounded by Hibernation; other use? from the level of the lakes up to 1185 m a.s.l. nies are rare in villages where old or abandoned Dupka M. myotis winter Some bats roost in natural sites, i.e. rock cavities traditional buildings are rare. Furthermore, the beech forest on the rocky cliffs in the south of Greater Prespa species largely depends on habitats that are glo- Dry and warm cave in the north- Leskoec west of Lake Greater Prespa, near Autumn and probably spring Lake, where a few small nursery groups (up to 12 bally threatened: mosaics of broadleaf forests, Rhinolophus euryale, R. blasii > 500 individuals bats) and individuals roosting singly have been agro-pastoral landscapes and wetlands, where Leskoec village surrounded by shelter oak forest found. However, the vast majority of breeding their roosting sites are located. These are gener- Rhinolophus hipposideros, > 600 in summer; Cave on the eastern shore of Lake colonies are in man-made structures such as old ally well preserved at the Greek side of Prespa, R. ferrumequinum, R. euryale, Summer breeding; autumn 10-100 in autumn Naumova Ohrid, approx. 700 m to the south or abandoned traditional houses, old chapels, but many abandoned houses are in the process of Myotis emarginatus, M. capaccinii, shelter; hibernation? & early winter; a of the village of Trpejca sheep barns, rarely some modern buildings, etc., collapse, whereas others are or have been recon- Miniopterus schreibersii few bats in winter where often individual R. ferrumequinum may structed without considering bats.   90 91 Y. KAZOGLOU

Forest and subalpine meadows at Mazi-Kirko, Mt. Varnous Fig. 12.2 Study sites (in capital letters) at high altitudes (white lines are acoustic transects)

12.3 Bat activity at high altitudes (Rodrigues et al. 2008; Georgiakakis and Papa- We used acoustic transects, acoustic point sam- of passing bats. When point sampling, observers datou 2011) and the fact that bats may travel long pling and mistnetting to study bat habitat use in stood at fixed points for specific time to record To date, habitat use by bats at high altitudes has distances to commute and forage. The National summer at the following mountainous and sub-al- bat calls. Finally, observers used mistnets to cap- not been systematically studied in Greece. How- Park of Prespa has a particularly rich bat fauna as pine areas: Bella Voda, Mazi-Kirko and Moutsara ture bats at specific locations of the study sites in ever, such studies are currently an imperative need described earlier, including species at high risk of (Mt. Varnous), and Sfika (Mt. Triklarion) (Table summer 2010. For further details on the acoustic because of the death of many bats caused by colli- collision with wind turbines. Many of these bats 12.4; Fig. 12.2); these sites are proposed for wind methods, see Galand et al. (2010). sion with wind turbines on or near mountain tops will not be confined within the borders of the park farm development except Moutsara. Specifically Table 12.4 shows the study areas and respective worldwide. More recently this has been confirmed to forage or even roost. Bats often cross moun- at Bella Voda, because the proposed wind farm species or species groups identified commuting or at wind farms in Thrace, Greece (Georgiakakis tain ridges and passes when commuting between is under construction and the environmental foraging at these areas. Specifically: and Papadatou 2011). Within the framework of roosting and foraging sites, and when they move impact assessment ignored bats (ADK 2009-10), Bella Voda. Detailed accounts of the 2009 survey the project at Prespa, we studied the use by bats seasonally (migrate). In addition, some bats may we performed repeated surveys: once in summer are given in Galand et al. (2010) and in Vrahnakis of subalpine meadows and beech forests near the forage at very high altitudes: Tadarida teniotis is 2009 (22/7/2009) and three times in 2010, twice in et al. (2010). Repeated acoustic transects showed tree line at high altitudes (up to ca. 2000 m a.s.l.) among the open-space foragers and fast-flyers summer and once in autumn (30/07/2010, 2/8/2010 that the site is generally heavily used by commut- at the borders of and near the National Park of that may fly up to more than 2000 m a.s.l. when and 30/9/2010). Our goal was to make a prelimi- ing and foraging Tadarida teniotis throughout the Prespa, where large-scale wind farms are under foraging (Rydell and Arlettaz 1994; pers. obs.). nary assessment of bat diversity and activity across summer and apparently in both years. Repeated construction or planned without prior impact Except the direct risk of death posed by wind tur- the years, as well as within and between seasons. acoustic point sampling in both years on the assessment studies accounting for bats. This is bines at these altitudes, the construction of wind We also repeated the survey at Mazi-Kirko in Oc- mountain pass next to where the first wind tur- particularly worrying given the devastating effects farms alters the landscape in ways that may affect tober 2010. All other sites were surveyed once in bine is being constructed showed that the specific on the bat fauna at areas where little or no impact bat populations indirectly, e.g. by affecting insect summer 2010. During acoustic transects, observ- location is heavily used by bats from several spe- assessment on bats has been carried out prior to populations or fragmenting the habitats with the ers walked along some pre-defined routes along cies (Table 12.4; Appendix II) mostly commuting the construction and operation of wind farms construction of roads and other infrastructures. the study areas recording the echolocation calls from other areas (e.g. Florina plain and Pisoderi valley) to forage in the rich in habitats and insect activity of most species (Table 12.4) was recorded TABLE 12.4 Study sites at high altitudes (subalpine meadows and beech forest near the tree-line) prey Prespa Basin. The list includes species at high towards the lower and less exposed locations. and respective species or species groups identified. risk of collision with wind turbines, such as Pip- Our results generally suggest that subalpine mead- istrellus pipistrellus, Nyctalus noctula and Tadari- ows and forests near the tree line are used by many Study site Altitude (m a.s.l.) Species da teniotis (Table 12.4). In the autumn, activity commuting and/or foraging bats: both bat diversity Bella Voda 1900-2000 1 Pipistrellus pipistrellus decreases but there are still bats commuting over and activity were important. The establishment of 2 Nyctalus noctula the mountain ridge, even on cold nights. wind farms may therefore negatively influence bats, Mazi-Kirko. The site (Fig. 12.2) is heavily used as it has been shown in other areas of Europe includ- 3 Miniopterus schreibersii in summer by commuting and foraging bats from ing Greece (Rodrigues et al. 2008, Rydell et al. 2010, 4 Tadarida teniotis several species including species at high risk of col- Georgiakakis and Papadatou 2011). The risk may 5 Hypsugo savii lision with wind turbines, such as P. pipistrellus, be particularly important for species at high risk 6 P. nathusii   92 H. savii, Nyctalus leisleri, N. noctula and Tadarida of collision with the turbines, such as T. teniotis, N. 7 Myotis species 93 teniotis (Table 12.4). In autumn, bats still cross the leisleri, N. noctula, P. pipistrellus, P. nathusii and H. 8 Myotis myotis/M. blythii sub-alpine meadows to commute or hunt. savii which are present in these areas. More detailed Moutsara. Only N. noctula was recorded near and long-term impact assessment studies on the bat 9 N. leisleri/ E. serotinus/ V. murinus the highest point of the ridge, whereas all other fauna are therefore a prerequisite prior to and cer- Mazi-Kirko 1900-2000 1 P. pipistrellus species were found lower, foraging near the tree tainly after the establishment of wind farms at these 2 Hypsugo savii line and along beech forest edge. altitudes. The importance of subalpine meadows for 3 Nyctalus leisleri Sfika. We covered a large area outside the Prespa bats should be further assessed by more detailed 4 N. noctula Basin, i.e. in the basin of Krystallopigi. The highest and long-term research studies. 5 M. schreibersii 6 T. teniotis 7 Myotis species 8 Myotis myotis/M. blythii 9 P. nathusii/P. kuhlii 10 N. leisleri/ E. serotinus/ V. murinus 11 M. schreibersii/P.pygmaeus Moutsara 1700-2000 1 N. noctula 2 Myotis blythii 3 Rhinolophus hipposideros 4 Myotis species Sfika 1400-1700 1 Myotis mystacinus 2 P. pipistrellus 3 P. kuhlii 4 H. savii 5 M. schreibersii 6 Myotis myotis/M. blythii 7 P. nathusii/P. kuhlii 8 N. leisleri/ E. serotinus/ V. murinus

NOTES: Altitudinal ranges are approximate. In bold are species at high risk of collision with wind turbines. Some bats were not identified at species level (indicated in grey), so it is likely that one or more may be present in the respective area, hence number P. P. KATSIYIANNIS of actually identified species is the minimum. Data collected by: T. Cheyrezy, S. Declercq, N. Deguines, N. Galand, P. Geor- giakakis, E. Papadatou, S. Puechmaille, X. Grémillet, Y. Kazoglou. Setting up the field survey at Bella Voda, Mt Varnous TABLE 12.5 Species found in and around the National Park of Prespa (GR), and their conservation and legal 12.4 Conservation status pean species at Prespa, Hutson et al. (2001) state: protection status. “In mainland Europe, R. ferrumequinum is now All bat species are protected by national and in- rare in many countries. For example, fewer than Red Data Red Data Bern Bonn ternational laws, conventions and agreements (see 250 individuals are thought to occur in Belgium, it Scientific name 92/43/ P.D. Book Book GR Con Con- PART I, section 4). Table 12.5 shows the legal pro- is considered critically endangered in Israel, only EEC 67/1981 IUCN 2009 2009 vention vention tection status of all species present in the Prespa one nursery colony remains in Luxembourg, and it area according to the European and Greek legis- is probably the most endangered species in Hunga- Rhinolophus ferrumequinum LC LC II, IV II II + lation, and their conservation status according to ry. The species is the subject of a European Action R. hipposideros LC LC II, IV II II + the IUCN (2009) Red Data List and the Greek Red Plan prepared under the Bern Convention. There R. euryale NT NT II, IV II II + Data Book of Threatened Animals (Legakis and are similar concerns about Rhinolophus hipposi- R. blasii LC NT II, IV II II + Maragkou 2009). Several species classified as LC deros, although in the UK the population appears Myotis daubentonii LC VU IV II II +   94 on a global scale are classified as NT or VU or DD to be stable or increasing. R. hipposideros is thought M. capaccinii VU NT II, IV II II + 95 in Greece, because of their limited distribution to be extinct in the Netherlands and Luxembourg, M. brandtii LC DD IV II II - or very limited data available (for explanations of and critically endangered in Germany. In Switzer- M. mystacinus LC DD IV II II + these abbreviations, see Table 12.5). The majority land, a drastic decline has been seen since 1940”. M. nattererii LC NT IV II II + of species present at Prespa are either not suffi- Rhinolophus blasii and R. euryale are similarly ciently known in Greece or are under a threatened thought to be extinct or seriously threatened in a M. emarginatus LC NT II, IV II II + status. Ten species are in Annex II of the Habitats number of countries. It is therefore important to M. bechsteinii NT NT II, IV II II + Directive and all are in Annex IV (Table 12.5). preserve their populations at Prespa where they Μ. myotis LC NT II, IV II II + In particular, with regards to the family Rhino- appear to be relatively abundant. The same applies M. blythii (oxygnathus) LC LC II, IV II II + lophidae represented by four out of the five Euro- for all other species of conservation concern. Nyctalus leisleri LC LC IV II II + N. noctula LC DD IV II II + Pipistrellus pipistrellus LC DD IV III II + P. pygmaeus LC DD IV II II - P. nathusii LC DD IV II II + P. kuhlii LC LC IV II II + Hypsugo savii LC LC IV II II + Eptesicus serotinus LC LC IV II II + Plecotus auritus LC VU IV II II + P. macrobullaris LC VU IV II II - P. austriacus LC DD IV II II + Vespertilio murinus LC DD IV II II + Miniopterus schreibersii NT NT II, IV II II + Tadarida teniotis LC LC IV II II +

Red Data Books, IUCN and Greece (GR) VU = Vulnerable; NT = Near Threatened; LC = Least Concern; DD = Data Deficient Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC)

X. GREMILLET Annex II: Animal and plant species of community interest whose conservation requires the designation of special areas of conservation; Annex IV: Animal and plant species of community interest in need of strict protection Bern Convention: “Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats” Annex II: Strictly protected fauna species; Annex IIΙ: Protected fauna species Bonn Convention: “Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)” Appendix II: Migratory species conserved through Agreements P.D. 67/1981 “On the protection of native flora and fauna”: Presidential Decree 67/1981 (Greek legislation) Kokkalis’ Cave (Civil War Hospital Cave) 12.5 Threats 12.5.2 Roosts even killing bats from old inhabited houses based 12.6 Protection Natural cavities and crevices on the rocky cliffs on misconception may be a threat, but there are To date, threats faced by bats on the Greek side of Greater Prespa are generally considered safe. no such reports from the area to date (there are Are bats in the Greek Prespa protected? Legally of the Prespa Basin are not sufficiently known. This may not be the case for caves. In 1977, Petro- many cases however in other parts of Greece). yes, especially those within the borders of the Here, the known (currently existing, potential chilou et al. published a report on 15 caves of the National Park; however, with a few exceptions, and predicted) threats are examined with regards area funded by the Greek Tourism Organisation they are not actively protected. First, they are to groups of species or sites (i.e. not examined at (Ε.Ο.Τ.) with the aim of future exploitation of 12.5.3 Wind farm development flying animals with a wide range of ecological species specific level) except Rhinolophus hipposi- caves for tourists, mostly using a boat. Nothing Subalpine meadows and forests near the tree line requirements and the ability to cover long dis- deros. Threats generally concern the modification has been implemented since, but in case of future on Bella Voda (Mt. Varnous) and Mazi-Kirko in the tances through their life cycle. Some bats may or destruction of feeding habitats and commut- exploitation, particular care should be taken for east of Prespa and on or within the border of the therefore spend their entire annual cycle within ing corridors; the disturbance, modification or key roosting sites, such as Tcherna Cave: these National Park are used by many bats. These largely the borders of the National Park; others, howev-   96 destruction of natural and artificial roosting sites; sites should not be visited (as well as others that include species at high risk of collision with wind er, may roost outside the park and forage over the 97 and the development of wind farms. may be discovered in future) as they host sensitive turbines such as T. teniotis, N. leisleri, N. noctula, P. prey-rich habitats of the lakes, as it was suggested breeding colonies from many legally protected pipistrellus, P. nathusii and H. savii (Rodrigues et al. for example by our results on Mt Varnous (sec- species. Cave tourism is a real threat for other very 2008, Rydell et al. 2010, Georgiakakis and Papada- tion 12.3) or they may generally move between 12.5.1 Feeding habitats and commuting important bat caves in the north of Greece (see tou 2011). Wind farms are planned to be established the park and adjacent areas for roosting and for corridors e.g. Paragamian et al. 2004). Shot cartridges have at these sites. Specifically, at Bella Voda the wind feeding. Second, within the park, knowledge on Threats include: been found at Tcherna Cave, suggesting that hunt- farm is under construction. However, the impact as- bats was until recently insufficiently known and - The abandonment of traditional agro-pas- ers shoot animals near the site (probably ducks in sessment study and therefore the placement of the therefore management decisions did not account toral and agro-forestry systems and practices, winter from inside the cave); if they shoot when turbines did not account for bats: turbines are being for bats in most cases, for example with regards leading to the loss of important feeding habitats, bats are present, they certainly disturb them, not installed on the mountain pass used heavily by bats to the forest management practices or access to decrease in insect prey, and hedgerows used by to mention that such shooting may provoke col- commuting between the plains to the east of Mt. important caves for bats. Specifically for R. hip- the bats for hunting and for commuting. lapse of rocks and damages to the cave structure. Varnous and the Prespa lakes by many species and posideros, renovation of most old traditional - The development of intensive agriculture, Uncontrolled visits of caves are a problem for bats; many of the turbines are further planned to be houses used by colonies of the species did not ac- such as the large-scale bean monocultures near bats. Changing the configuration of the land- placed on feeding sites of T. teniotis. The impacts on count for the bats until recently, leading to their the lakes where often (and in some cases inappro- scape near the entrance may also affect the bats bats are therefore expected to be important, espe- exclusion from the sites. A few important excep- priate) pesticides and chemical fertilizers may be utilising the caves (e.g. Mikrolimni or Kokkalis’ cially given the fact that often the species and bats tions are the Biological Station near Mikrolimni heavily used, probably leading to a decrease in in- Caves, both mapped as Natura 2000 habitat types recorded at the observers’ level are fewer compared village, an agricultural shed at Milionas village sect populations or directly poisoning bats as it has “Caves not open to the public”). There is current- to those flying at greater heights, especially near and a barn at Ag. Germanos village (see PART been observed in intensively managed agricultural ly a mild tourist exploitation of the two historic the moving rotor blades, hence monitoring from IV, section 17 for details). landscapes elsewhere. Agrochemicals in intensive caves, Kokkalis’ and Zachariadis’, without major the ground may not indicate the true risk (Barclay agriculture may accumulate in the animals’ bod- changes in or outside the caves; heavier use could and Baerwald 2007). Many bats are expected to be ies impairing reproduction and even killing bats. affect the configuration and microclimate of the killed because of direct collision with the moving Overall, to truly protect a bat population all sites Therefore, impacts may not be immediately per- caves and hence their use by bats. blades or barotrauma (Baerwald et al. 2008) as it used by the population must be protected, i.e. ceived. Agrochemicals may end up in the lakes and The gradual collapse of old and abandoned has already been shown at similar situations in other winter, summer, transitional and autumn roosts, presumably affect insect fauna on which bats feed. houses at villages in the Prespa Basin is an im- parts of Europe including Greece (Rodrigues et al. feeding habitats, as well as commuting and mi- In particular, the trawling bats M. capaccinii and portant threat for the colonies of Rhinolophus 2008, Rydell et al. 2010, Georgiakakis and Papada- gratory corridors. The prerequisite for effective M. daubentonii may be directly poisoned since they hipposideros as breeding colonies depend on these tou 2011). Indirect impacts from other wind farm conservation and protection is good knowledge feed directly above water often collecting dead in- sites. Similarly, the reconstruction or renova- infrastructures on the bats populations are not suffi- of all of these sites, as well as of the movement sects. Spraying agrochemicals in a site in Bulgaria tion of old houses and chapels may be a threat, ciently known. More detailed and long-term impact patterns of bats, their specific ecological require- led to the abandonment of some roosts by impor- by excluding the bats, closing access to attic and assessment studies on the bat fauna are a prerequi- ments and the particular threats they face in the tant M. capaccinii colonies (Dietz et al. 2009). other spaces or using chemicals for the treatment site prior to and following the establishment of wind area. - Current forest management practices have led of timber that may poison the bats. Excluding or farms at these altitudes. to extensive areas covered by densely structured . The non-modification of the entrance of Kokkalis’ Cave (i.e. young oak and beech forests that are unsuitable vegetation preserved) and the installation of non-continuous both for roosting and for hunting. Most bats are not lighting were made possible after recommendations of the able to hunt in densely forested areas, whereas the second author of this document and SPP efforts – contacts with the Municipality of Prespa and the company that undertook the remaining old and dead standing trees are few. restoration works (Grémillet and Kazoglou 2006). 13. Bats on the Albanian side 13.1.4 Rhinolophus blasii mas village, the “Badger’s cave” in Gollomboç pe- of Prespa Similarly to R. ferrumequinum, R. blasii was record- ninsula and Zaroshka Cave near Zaroshka village ed for the first time on the Albanian side of Prespa (Appendix II), as it was suggested by some large 13.1 Species accounts in 1995, at Treni Cave (1 male and 1 female netted in bat droppings under crevices observed in some of April 1995; Uhrin et al. 1996). We further captured these caves in autumn 2010. Ten species of bat were known to occur until re- a few individuals at the cave including yearlings in To date, it is uncertain whether M. blythii has

cently in the Albanian part of the Prespa lakes: F. BEGO October 2010 (1 female, 2 males), suggesting that the been recorded in the area. In autumn 2010, the Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, R. blasii, R. hipposi- species breeds in the area similarly to R. euryale. biometric measurements of an adult male cap- deros, Myotis capaccinii, M. daubentoni, M. myotis, tured at Treni Cave fell in the overlap zone of the Pipistrellus kuhlii, Eptesicus serotinus, Hypsugo savii two sibling species. In July 2009, an individual of and Miniopterus schreibersii. Another three spe- 13.1.5 Myotis myotis & M. blythii one of the two species was observed in a vertical  cies were added in the list during our autumn field Myotis myotis was recorded on the Albanian crevice on Mali Grad Island (Appendix II).  98 Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Treni Cave 99 survey at Treni Cave (October 2010): Rhinolophus side of Prespa in 1995 (2 males and 3 females, all euryale, Tadarida teniotis and a species belonging adults, netted at Treni Cave in April 1995; Uhrin to the genus Plecotus. Myotis blythii was also prob- 13.1.2 Rhinolophus hipposideros et al. 1996). One individual was observed in the 13.1.6 Myotis daubentonii ably recorded but because biometric data fell in the This species was recorded for the first time on the -Al first chamber of the Treni Cave in autumn 2008 Myotis daubentonii is another species among those overlap zone with M. myotis, further records will banian side of Prespa in 1995 (1 male and 1 female, (F. Bego, pers. obs.). More recently, in October recorded for the first time in the Albanian side of be needed to confirm the presence of the species both torpid sub-adults in one of the caves located ca. 2010, we captured six adult bats (4 males and 2 Prespa in spring 1995, when two adult females on the Albanian side of Prespa. Pipistrellus kuhlii 1 km east of Gollomboç village, April 1995; Uhrin females) that were in apparent oestrus, whereas were netted in one of the small caves ca. 1 km SE was first observed in Albania and subsequently in et al. 1996; Appendix II). The species was also ob- a number of bats were observed roosting in deep of Gollomboç village (Appendix II) and 12 males Greece in summer 2009. Overall, to date, 13 spe- served in a number of other caves in the areas of the crevices in the cave earlier in the day, singly or were netted at the entrance of Treni Cave (Uhrin cies of bat are known in the area. Detailed species Greater and Lesser Prespa lakes, including the Treni with another individual. This suggests that Treni et al. 1996). We further captured two adult males accounts are given below, while their distribution Cave, in late autumn 2007, 2008 (F. Bego pers. obs.), Cave is used by the bats for swarming/mating and each in summer 2009 and in autumn 2010 at Tre- is given in Appendix II. Because of lack of system- 2010 and winter 2011 (Bego 2011). In particular, over shelter in autumn. Breeding bats may be present ni Cave. Since the lakes offer suitable habitats for atic research and monitoring, little is known on the our last field surveys (Nov. 2010 and Feb. 2011), sev- in mixed species summer colonies, but this re- the species, it is highly likely to be present in other status and function of roosting sites for most bats eral torpid individuals of the species were observed mains to be confirmed. The species may also be caves and rock crevices along the lakes’ shoreline, (for example, breeding has been confirmed for only in two of the Gollomboç caves, in Zaroshka Cave present at other recently discovered underground such as Golema Dupka, Gollomboç and Zaroshka a few species), whereas almost nothing is known and in Treni Cave (Appendix II). Apparently, these sites along the rocky shore of the Greater Prespa caves (Appendix II). about their hunting sites. sites are used for hibernation by these bats. It is likely Lake, such as “Golema Dupka”, a cave near Kalla- that the species uses other caves, as well as deeper parts of the known caves as hibernacula. To date, the 13.1.7 Myotis capaccinii 13.1.1 Rhinolophus ferrumequinum presence of the species in traditional buildings has The first record of Myotis capaccinii for the Prespa This is one of the most common bats in the karst only been confirmed in an old traditional house in area was on 30 May 1991, when the largest nurs- regions of Albania, similarly to the neighbour- Buzëlliqen (Zagradeç) village. Bat droppings in the ery colony of the species known in Europe at the ing countries (Horáček et al. 1974, Červený & Shueç pumping station most likely belong to R. hip- time (ca. 10 000 individuals) was observed in the Kryštufek 1988, Kryštufek 1991, Kryštufek et al. posideros (see section 13.2.2). deepest part of the Treni Cave (Chytil and Vlasin 1992, Uhrin et al. 1996, Hanák et al. 2001). It was 1994). Four years later, during the 1995 expedi- recorded in the Prespa area of Albania for the tion (20 and 21 April; Uhrin et al. 1996) an adult first time in 1995, at Treni cave (2 males and 1 fe- 13.1.3 Rhinolophus euryale male and an adult female were netted at one of the male netted in April 1995; Uhrin et al. 1996), and The species was only recently recorded on the Alba- Gollomboç caves (Appendix II), whereas a colony it was observed in the cave in subsequent years nian side of the Prespa area: a yearling female was of only ca. 1000 individuals was observed at Treni F. BEGO (1998, 2007, 2008 and 2010, F. Bego pers. obs.). caught in October 2010 at Treni Cave. It is likely that Cave (54 bats netted, of which 17 males and 37 fe- We further netted an adult female at the cave in it forms mixed species colonies with R. ferrumequi- males; Uhrin et al. 1996). The species was regularly October 2010. A few individuals were also ob- num and R. blasii in the cave. The species may use observed in the cave in the following years (1998, served in Shueç tunnel in autumn 2010. Although other roosting sites in the areas of both Prespa lakes. 2007 and 2008, F. Bego, pers. obs.). Our more re- the species has only been recorded in the area of The presence of the yearling may imply thatR. eury- cent surveys of 2009, 2010 and 2011 have con- the Lesser Prespa Lake, it may well roost in caves ale breeds in the area, but further surveys in sum- firmed the importance of Treni Cave not only as a along the Greater Prespa Lake. mer are needed to confirm this hypothesis. Myotis myotis, Treni Cave nursery site for the species, but also as a swarming and hibernation site. Several bats, mainly males in 13.1.12 Miniopterus schreibersii suggesting a strong social activity near the cave oestrus, were captured in October 2010, whereas The first record ofMiniopterus schreibersii in the Al- (involving mating?). Tadarida teniotis may be chasing and social calls typical of swarming be- banian part of Prespa dates back to 30 May 1991, at common in the area (similarly to the Greek side), haviour were observed. In February 2011, several Treni Cave, along with the Myotis capaccinii (Chytil since there is an abundance of roosting sites for

hundred bats were roosting singly or in clusters of and Vlasin 1994). Four years later, in April 1995, 8 this species that typically roosts in rock crevices. F. BEGO a few tens up to a few hundred bats in the cave. It individuals were appears that the species is well established in the netted at the cave Prespa region. The population of M. capaccinii in (5 males and 3 fe- 13.2 Important roosting sites the Albanian part of Prespa may roughly fluctuate males), represent- between 2000-10 000 individuals. ing 37.3% of the 13.2.1 Natural sites: caves, cavities bats netted at the and rock crevices   100 cave at the time Arguably, the most important cave on the Albani- 101 13.1.8 Pipistrellus kuhlii (Uhrin et al. 1996). an side of Prespa is Treni Cave: it is used all year Pipistrellus kuhlii was first recorded in the Alba- In the following F. BEGO round by large summer colonies, swarming/mating nian part of Prespa in July 2009. It was a lactating years (1998, 2007 bats, hibernating populations and bats simply using View of Greater Prespa Lake from a cave female hunting above the reedbeds at the lake- and 2008), it was it as an autumn shelter. Along with Bimbilova and shore, near the village of Buzëlliqen (Zagradeç). the dominant spe- Samotska Dupka caves (Table 12.3; section 14.2), cies in the colonies they are the most important known winter sites. observed in the Miniopterus schreibersii, Some thousand Myotis capaccinii spend their en- Treni Cave 13.1.9 Eptesicus serotinus cave in summer tire year in the cave, breeding, swarming and later Eptesicus serotinus was recorded in the Albanian and early autumn (F. Bego pers. obs.). In particular, hibernating. In the summer, the cave hosts several part of Prespa for the first time in April 1995, in July and September 2008, a large mixed species thousand bats from breeding Μyotis capaccinii and when two adult males were netted at one of the colony of ca. 5000 individuals dominated by M. sch- male Miniopterus schreibersii. Other species may

Gollomboç caves (Appendix II) and another adult reibersii was observed. Our recent surveys of 2009, breed in the cave, such as Myotis myotis. In the au- X. GREMILLET male was netted at Treni Cave (Uhrin et al. 1996). 2010 and 2011 have confirmed the importance of the tumn, several hundred mostly male M. schreiber- Similarly to the Greek side of Prespa, only males Treni Cave for the species in summer and autumn. sii roost in the cave, whereas another eight species have been detected to date. In summer, a few thousand male M. schreibersii roost utilize the cave as a roost and/or a swarming/mat- in the cave, whereas in autumn a few hundred still ing site (Table 12.3). In winter, several hundred M. remain using the site as a shelter. We do not know capaccinii hibernate in the cave, whereas only a few 13.1.10 Hypsugo savii where these bats hibernate, since they are no longer other bats have been found from three species (R. Pumping station southeast of Shueç village Hypsugo savii is among the species recorded for the present in winter. We also do not know whether the ferrumequinum, R. hipposideros, Plecotus sp). first time in April 1995, when two adult males were species breeds at any of the underground sites on Some more caves appear to be important for bats netted at one of the Gollomboç caves (Appendix the Albanian side of Prespa, since mostly males have along the Albanian shore of the Greater Prespa 2008 (W. Fremuth, pers. com.) suggest that the II). The Prespa area provides suitable habitats for been detected to date, similarly to the Greek caves. Lake near the villages of Gollomboç, Zaroshka cave may be used only as an autumn shelter and the species (e.g. the rocky shores of the Greater Pre- Finally, a cave on Mali Grad Island was used by over and Kallamas (Golema Dupka) (Appendix II). The perhaps in spring (Table 12.3). The quantities of bat spa Lake), so it is likely that more systematic stud- 2000 individuals in September 2008 (W. Fremuth, quantities of bat droppings and urine stains on the droppings and urine stains on the ceiling suggest ies in the future may increase the records of this pers. com.), but no bats were found in summer 2009 walls and ceiling suggest their relatively heavy use its long term use by the bats. frequently encountered bat at other sites of Prespa. nor in late November 2010 (Bego 2011), suggesting by bats presumably in spring (confirmed for at least that the cave may be used only as an autumn (and one of these sites, where Myotis daubentonii, M. ca- probably spring) shelter. paccinii, Eptesicus serotinus and Hypsugo savii were 13.2.2 Artificial sites: tunnels and 13.1.11 Plecotus species found in 1995; Appendix II; Uhrin et al. 1996) and buildings A bat belonging to the genus Plecotus was record- summer, since no bats were found in autumn and A tunnel with two entrances near the village of ed for the first time in the Albanian part of Prespa 13.1.13 Tadarida teniotis winter, with the exception of a few Rhinolophus Shueç was used by a few R. ferrumequinum in in October 2010 at the Treni Cave. In the follow- Tadarida teniotis is a new species for the Albanian hipposideros. A few bat droppings at some other October and in November 2010 (Bego 2011). The ing winter (2011) we observed another individual part of Prespa, detected through its audible echo- shallower caves suggest their use by only a few bats tunnel is currently exposed to draught, but if one in deep torpor in the cave, near the entrance. In location calls at Treni Cave in October 2010 for as night or satellite roosts. entrance is sealed, it may become an important both cases it was not possible to determine the the first time. At the time, bats presumably also Finally, the cave on Mali Grad Island used by bat roosting site. Southeast of Shueç and on the species. emitted what appeared as very loud social calls over 2000 Miniopterus schreibersii in September shore of the Lesser Prespa Lake, there is a pumping station that has not been used in the last 20 use of pesticides coupled with the abandonment small caves/cavities at the Monastery St. Spas (12 of bats, 10 October 2010); Leskoec Cave (4 indi- years. Droppings found in autumn 2010 suggested of traditional agro-pastoral practices constitute individuals, 27 July 2010); Zandana Cave (small viduals counted, 11 January 2011); Leskoec Cave the presence of bats in the building at other times an important threat for the hunting habitats of cave – rock cavity) close to the Albanian border (3 individuals counted, 20 February 2011); Crna of the year, despite the draught (no door and open bats. (3 individuals, 10 October 2010); Naumova Cave Pest Cave near Trpejca (approx. 30 individuals, 28 windows under the roof). This small building sit- Finally, given the importance of some roost- near Trpejca (5 individuals, 11 October 2010); July 2010); Naumova Cave near Trpejca (approx. uated close to the border with Greece is probably ing sites such as the Treni Cave and the current Crna Pest Cave (1 individual, 11 January 2011); 600 individuals, mainly Rhinolophus ferrume- used as a satellite and/or night roost by bats that lack of effective protection (see section 13.4), “bat Jaorec Cave near Velmej (5 individuals, 19 Feb- quinum and R. euryale, mixed with a few Myotis may be connected to the largest known colony in tourists” may be attracted. If uncontrolled, they ruary 2011); Meckina Dupka Cave near Ohrid (4 emarginatus and Miniopterus schreibersii, 28 July Prespa, at Agathoto (Appendix II). The building may constitute a threat through disturbance of individuals, 19 February 2011); Samotska Dupka 2010); Naumova Cave near Trpejca (9 individuals, can be renovated to host roosting bats (see Part nursery and hibernating colonies. Cave (38 individuals roosting singly, 10 March 11 October 2010). IV). Military tunnels (bunkers) along the roads 2011); tunnels near Skrebatno (2 individuals, 23   102 cannot host large bat colonies because of their February 2011). 103 small size; however, many of them appear to be 13.4 Conservation and legal 14.1.4 Rhinolophus blasii used as night roosts by hunting bats or as tempo- protection Published data: Karaman (1929): Meckina Dupka rary shelters (Bego 2011). 14.1.2 Rhinolophus ferrumequinum Cave near Ohrid (9 individuals, October 1923). All bat species are protected according to the Al- Published data: Felten (1977): Leskoec Cave. Krys- Krystufek et al. (1992): Leskoec Cave (2 individu- banian legislation. The Law on Protection of Bio- tufek et al. (1992): Leskoec Cave (8 individuals, 17 als, 02 May 1986). 13.3 Threats diversity and the Law on Hunting and Wildlife September 1989). Boshamer et al. (2006): Shur- Original data: Leskoec Cave (approx. 100 indi- Conservation are both providing legal protection lenci village; Gorno Konjsko village near Ochrid viduals in mixed colony with more than 400 indi- The primary threat to the bats on the Albanian for bats and their roosting sites throughout the (02 August 2006). viduals of Rhinolophus euryale, 10 October 2010). side of the Prespa lakes is the disturbance of im- country. However, the main problem remains the Original data: Leskoec Cave (main cave: 1 indi- portant roosting sites, such as the Treni, Gol- enforcement of the laws. This is partially due to vidual, 26 July 2010); Crna Pest Cave near Trpe- lomboç and Golema Dupka caves (Appendix II). low performance of the forest service and envi- jca (a few individuals, 28 July 2010); Naumova 14.1.5 Myotis daubentonii These sites are frequently used by shepherds dur- ronmental inspectors that are responsible for the Cave near Trpejca (several hundred individu- Published data: Bogdanowicz (1990): Trpejca vil- ing summer to shelter their animals (large herds legal enforcement and implementation of the laws als in a mixed colony with Rhinolophus euryale, lage (Ohrid). Boshamer et al. (2006): Surlenci vil- of sheep and goats). Shepherds sometimes even and regulations. Miniopterus schreibersii and Myotis emargina- lage (identified by bat detector). make fire in the caves, disturbing bat colonies in tus, 28 July 2010); Naumova Cave near Trpe- the deepest parts. Uncontrolled and unauthorised jca (2 individuals, 09 December 2010); Meckina visits by people in the caves may even involve ritu- 14. Bats on the side of the FYR Dupka Cave near Ohrid (2 individuals, 28 July 14.1.6 Myotis capaccinii als: in February 2011 the grille gate recently placed of Macedonia 2010); Bimbilova Cave (Golem Grad Island) (1 Published data: Krystufek et al. (1992): Golem at the entrance of the Treni Cave (Kazoglou et al. individual, 08 December 2010; 2 individuals, 20 Grad (one mummified individual). 2010, WAMP et al. 2011) was forced open and ob- 14.1 Species accounts February 2011). Original data: Bimbilova Cave on Golem Grad jects, such as a mirror and candles, were found in Island (mixed colony with Miniopterus schreib- the cave. The gate has been repeatedly forced open Bat species distribution maps in Appendix II ersii, June 2010 and 27 July 2010); Bimbilova in the past. include the distribution of species in the entire 14.1.3 Rhinolophus euryale Cave on Golem Grad Island (a cluster of up to Bat roosting sites in buildings are threatened Prespa Basin including the FYR of Macedonia. Published data: Felten (1977): Leskoec Cave. Hack- a few thousand Myotis capaccinii were counted by reconstruction of old traditional houses with Table 12.3 summarises the most important un- ethal & Peters (1987): Meckina Dupka Cave near during the day visit and several thousand indi- modern techniques without accounting for bats. derground sites, the respective species roosting in Ohrid (20 individuals); Jaorec Cave near Velmej, viduals of Miniopterus schreibersii; counts/cap- Another important threat is the severe degra- them and their annual function. 1010 m a.s.l. (30-40 individuals). Krystufek et al. tures of emerging bats with a harp-trap was dation of the forested areas because of overex- (1992): Leskoec Cave (2 individuals, 09 May 1975); generally not appropriate, since bats emerged in ploitation and uncontrolled practices (lopping for 14.1.1 Rhinolophus hipposideros Jaorec Cave near Velmej, 1010 m a.s.l., (data after large clusters; 09 October 2010); Bimbilova Cave fodder, grazing and firewood extraction). Overex- Published data: Krystufek et al. (1992): Leskoec Felten and Hackethal & Peters). Boshamer et al. on Golem Grad Island (approx. 350 individuals ploitation of forests and shrubs combined with the Cave. Boshamer et al. (2006): Leskoec village, (2006): Naumova Cave near Trpejca (500 indi- counted, 08 December 2010); Bimbilova Cave on overgrazing and fires in the uplands have lead to Shurlenci village, Leva Reka village (31 July 2006), viduals, 28 July 2006); Leva Reka (31 July 2006); Golem Grad Island (> 2000 individuals, 20 Feb- a decrease of the vegetation cover which is highly Gorno Konjsko village (02 August 2006). Shurlentsi village. ruary 2010); Naumova Cave near Trpejca (ap- likely to affect bat roosts and hunting habitats. Original data: Leskoec Cave (small cave: 1 in- Original data: Leskoec Cave (more than 500 in- prox. 150-200 individuals, 09 December 2010); The intensification of agricultural practices (e.g. dividual, main cave: 2 individuals, 26 July 2010); dividuals, of which 400 Rhinolophus euryale were Naumova Cave near Trpejca (18 individuals, 11 to increase apple production) including heavier Leskoec Cave (1 individual, 11 January 2011); counted through emergence counts and capture January 2011). 14.1.7 Myotis emarginatus Gorno Konjsko near Ohrid, 1100 m a.s.l. (mist net- Published data: Boshamer et al. (2006): Naumova ted, 02 August 2006); Bolnska Reka Stream, 937 m Cave near Trpejca (50 individuals, July 28, 2006). a.s.l. (mist netted, 02 August 2006). Original data: Naumova Cave near Trpejca (numerous individuals in a mixed colony with Rhi- nolophus ferrumequinum, R. euryale and Mini- 14.1.11 Pipistrellus kuhlii opterus schreibersii, 28 July 2010); Crna Pest Cave Published data: Boshamer et al. (2006): Si- near Trpejca (2 individuals, 28 July 2010). monchevska Lokva Pond, 1481 m a.s.l. (mist net-

ted and recorded by bat detector, 29 and 31 July E. STOJKOSKA 2006, 03 August 2006), Gafa Pond, 1460 m a.s.l. 14.1.8 Myotis myotis (29 July 2006), Velmej springs, 876 m a.s.l. (01 Au-   104 Published data: Hackethal & Peters (1987): Jaorec gust 2006). 105 Cave near Velmej (600 adult females, 27 May 1984 Mixed species colony in Bimbilova Cave and 23 June 1985). Krystufek et al. (1992): Jaorec Cave near Velmej (100 individuals, 16 September 14.1.12 Pipistrellus pipistrellus 1989). Boshamer et al. (2006): Jaorec Cave near Published data: Boshamer et al. (2006): Bolnska 14.1.15 Nyctalus leisleri m a.s.l. (2 individuals netted across the pond, 16 Velmej (approx. 2000 individuals, 27 July 2006); Reka Stream, 937 m a.s.l. (mist netted, 02 August Published data: Boshamer et al. (2006): Asan Gura September 1989); Jaorec Cave near Velmej (approx. Velmej springs (mist netted, 01 August 2006); Asan 2006), Shurlentsi (recorded by bat detector), Asan Pond, 1473 m a.s.l. (recorded by bat detector, 02 1000 individuals, 16 September 1989). Boshamer Gura Pond, 1473 m a.s.l. (mist netted, 27 July 2006). Gura Pond, 1473 m a.s.l. (mist netted, 27 July 2006, August 2006), Simoncevska Lokva Pond, 1481 m et al. (2006): Naumova Cave near Trpejca (235 in- Original data: Samotska Dupka Cave (45 indi- 02 August 2006), Mountain Hut Asan Gura, 1450 a.s.l. (recorded by bat detector, 27 and 31 July 2006, dividuals, 28 July 2006); Jaorec Cave near Velmej viduals mixed with M. blythii, roosting singly or m a.s.l. (recorded by bat detector and mist netted, 03 August 2006), Gafa Pond, 1460 m a.s.l. (record- (approx. 2000 individuals, 27 July 2006); Velmej in small groups, 10 March 2011). 02 August 2006). ed by bat detector, 29 July 2006), Velmej springs, springs, 3 km east of Velmej, 876 m a.s.l. , (mist Original data: Golem Grad Island (at least 2 in- 3 km east of Velmej, 876 m a.s.l. (mist netted, 01 netted, 01 August 2006); Leva Reka Stream, 963 dividuals in wall crevices of the Chapel St. Peter, 1 August 2006), Leva Reka Stream, 963 m a.s.l. (mist m a.s.l. (mist netted, 31 July 2006), Gorno Studino 14.1.9 Myotis blythii individual in the neighbouring abandoned build- netted, 31 July 2006), Bolnska Reka Stream, 937 m Pond, 1400 m a.s.l. (mist netted, 28 July 2006). Published data: Felten (1977): Leskoec Cave. Krys- ing, 27 July 2010). a.s.l. (mist netted, 02 August 2006). Original data: Bimbilova Cave (approx. 7000 tufek et al. (1992): Leskoec Cave. Boshamer et al. individuals counted in June 2010); Bimbilova (2006): Studino Pond, 1400 m.a.s.l. (mist net, 28 Cave (several thousand individuals mixed with July 2006); Leva Reka Stream, 963 m a.s.l. (mist 14.1.13 Pipistrellus pygmaeus 14.1.16 Eptesicus serotinus Myotis capaccinii, 27 July 2010); Bimbilova Cave net, 31 July 2006); Velmej springs, 876 m a.s.l. Published data: Boshamer et al. (2006): Cavka- Published data: Boshamer et al. (2006): Si- (several thousand individuals counted during (mist netted, 01 August 2006); Simonchevska lica Pond, 1065 m a.s.l. (recorded by bat detector, monchevska Lokva Pond, 1481 m a.s.l. (3 individ- the day; counts/captures of emerging bats with Lokva Pond, 1481 m a.s.l. (mist netted, 29 and 31 01 August 2006), Leva Reka Stream, 963 m a.s.l. uals mist netted, 31 July 2006, 03 August 2006). a harp-trap was generally not appropriate, since July 2006; 03 August 2006). (recorded by bat detector, 31 July 2006), Bolnska bats emerged in large clusters; 09 October 2010); Original data: Samotska Dupka Cave (45 indi- Reka Stream, 937 m a.s.l. (recorded by bat detec- Bimbilova Cave (approx. 3000 individuals count- viduals mixed with M. myotis, roosting singly or tor, 02 August 2006). 14.1.17 Plecotus auritus ed, 08 December 2010); Bimbilova Cave (approx. in small groups, 10 March 2011). Published data: Boshamer et al. (2006): Asan Gura 300-400 individuals counted, 11 January 2011); 14.1.14 Hypsugo savii Pond, 1473 m a.s.l. (mist netted, 27 July 2006); Bimbilova Cave (> 1000 individuals, 20 February Published data: Krystufek et al. (1992): Velmej Gorno Studino Pond, 1481 m a.s.l. (mist netted, 2010); Naumova Cave near Trpejca (1 individual 14.1.10 Myotis mystacinus springs, 3 km eastwards from the village of 28 July 2006), Simonchevska Lokva Pond, 1481 flying in the cave, 11 October 2010). Published data: Krystufek et al. (1992): Velmej Velmej, 876 m a.s.l. (mist netted, 16 September m a.s.l. (mist netted, 29 July 2006); Leva Reka springs, 3 km east of the village Velmej (mist net- 1989), Kurbinovo Stream, 980 m a.s.l. (mist net- Stream, 963 m a.s.l. (mist netted, 31 July 2006). ted, 16 September 1989); Kurbinovo Stream (mist ted, 17 September 1989). Boshamer et al. (2006): 14.1.19 Tadarida teniotis netted, 17 September 1989). Boshamer et al. (2006): Mountain Hut Asan Gura, 1450 m a.s.l. (record- Published data: Boshamer et al. (2006): Mountain Simonchevska Lokva Pond, 1481 m a.s.l. (mist net- ed by bat detector, 02 August 2006); Gafa Pond, 14.1.18 Miniopterus schreibersii Hut Asan Gura (1450 m a.s.l.), Asan Gura Pond ted, 29 July 2006), Bolnska Reka Stream, 937 m a.s.l. 1460 m a.s.l. (recorded by bat detector, 02 August Published data: Hackethal & Peters (1987): Jaorec (1473 m a.s.l.). (mist netted, 02 August 2006). [Myotis aurascens]: 2006). Cave near Velmej, 1010 m a.s.l. (60-70 individu- Original data: Leskoec village (a few individuals Boshamer et al. (2006): Simonchevska Lokva Pond, Original data: Golem Grad Island (one dead in- als, 27 May 1984 and 23 June 1985). Krystufek et identified by their audible calls and the use of a 1481 m a.s.l. (mist netted, 29 July 2006); Pond at dividual, Gojdarica Port, June, 2010). al. (1992): Velmej springs, 3 km east of Velmej, 876 bat detector, 10 October 2010). at least in the autumn months, since it is used by Boshamer et al. 2006). The cave is only used by a over 500 bats for roosting and most probably mat- few R. hipposideros in winter. The relation of bats ing. In winter 2011, a few medium sized Rhinolo- between this cave and the caves within the Pre- phids and R. hipposideros were found torpid in the spa Basin is unknown. Only male Myotis myotis cave. A few R. hipposideros actually use the cave and Miniopterus schreibersii have been detected throughout the year, whereas a R. ferrumequinum to date within Prespa in summer. Do female M. was roosting singly in the cave in summer 2010. myotis and M. schreibersii breed in Jaorec Cave Naumova and Meckina Dupka are important forming at least part of the missing breeding pop- caves near Ohrid (Table 12.3; Appendix II). Nau- ulation and if so, why? mova hosts a large mixed species breeding colony Finally, the cavities at Sv. Spas Monastery (Ap- of many hundreds of bats in summer from four pendix II) appear to be important for some small   106 species (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, R. euryale, breeding colonies of R. hipposideros. These cavi- 107 Miniopterus schreibersii and Myotis emarginatus; ties apparently offer suitable thermal conditions Table 12.3). Rhinolophus ferrumequinum and R. to breeding bats and serve as natural roosting euryale are the most numerous in the summer sites for the species. Some bats use them as night colony but most of them are no longer present in roosts (e.g. Plecotus species). A tunnel near Skre- the autumn: are these the same R. euryale that use batno village (Appendix II), at approx. 10 km Leskoec Cave in that season? In autumn 2010, only from Ohrid near the northern border of Galicica a few R. euryale, R. hipposideros and M. schreibersii NP, has a gate that almost completely blocks the were observed in the cave, but in December of the entrance except a small window with a grille that

E. STOJKOSKA same year, approx. 150 bats from another species allowed 2 bats (R. hipposideros) to enter the site in appeared, Myotis capaccinii: where did these bats winter 2011. come from? A few R. ferrumequinum were also present at that time. Later on in winter however, 14.3 Threats Golem Grad Island most of these bats were gone. Therefore the cave is used by at least six species and bats are present throughout the year with their numbers fluctuat- The emigration waves especially at the rural ar- ing among and within seasons. A small cave next eas caused dramatic demographic declines in the 14.2 Important natural roosts: among different locations in the cave even during to Naumova (Crna Pest Cave) seems to act as a sat- past decades (1970-2000), resulting in the aban- underground sites this season. Samotska Dupka Cave is the largest ellite cave in summer; this cave is not used in the donment of the traditional practices of livestock known cave in Galicica NP. It was used by over 80 autumn; in winter a single R. hipposideros was ob- herding in the upland areas of the Galicica and Pe- At least three important caves for bats on this side hibernating bats from three species (Rhinolophus served in deep torpor. Meckina Dupka on the other lister Mountains. In the past, herds counting tens of the Prespa Basin have been identified to date: hipposideros, Myotis blythii, M. myotis) in winter hand has been used by up to a few tens of bats from of thousands of sheep were grazing in the moun- Bimbilova Cave on Golem Grad Island, Leskoec 2011, whereas droppings suggest its use by most all four Rhinolophus species in the past (Karaman tainous rural areas, roosting in the upland grazing Cave near Leskoec village and Samotska Cave to possibly large numbers of bats at other times of the 1929; Hackethal & Peters 1987; Krystufek, unpub- farms during the summer and in barns in the vil- the west of Mountain Hut Asan Gura (Table 12.3; year. It is the most important known hibernacu- lished data). We recently found two R. ferrume- lages during the winter. These traditional land-use Appendix II). Bimbilova Cave has only recently lum for R. hipposideros in the area (almost 40 in- quinum (summer 2010) and four R. hipposideros patterns were maintaining the specific grassland been discovered (June 2010). It is used by many dividuals counted in winter 2011). The cave is cold (winter 2010-2011) in the cave, whereas there were ecosystems into a form of hilly and mountain pas- thousands of bats in summer and autumn, whereas and offers good conditions for hibernation. A gate almost no bat droppings on the cave floor. Presum- tures, also providing plenty of animal droppings several thousand hibernate in the cave, making it placed at the entrance of the cave in 2005 prohib- ably the cave is very little used by bats because of that attract insect prey for bats. In addition, stock- one of the most important known hibernacula in ited uncontrolled public visits; however, it was not disturbance and habitat changes surrounding the farm buildings, buildings for grain storage, as well the entire Prespa along with Samotska Dupka and designed specifically for bats leaving a relatively cave (but see section 14.3 below). as the village houses built in vernacular style were Treni caves. Breeding has not been confirmed; nev- small opening at its upper part. The replacement of Jaorec Cave near the village of Velmej in the important roosting sites for certain bat species. ertheless it hosts large bat colonies from at least two the gate by a “bat-friendly” grille may help attract north of the Prespa Basin (Appendix II) appears Currently, the traditional stock-breeding is almost species (Myotis capaccinii and Miniopterus schreib- more bats in the cave (see section 14.5). Leskoec to be an important cave hosting several thousand completely abandoned. On both mountains only a ersii) throughout the year. Two torpid R. ferrume- Cave is used by all four Rhinolophus species present bats in summer from at least three species (R. few hundred sheep and black cattle are still bred in quinum were also observed in February 2011. Dif- in the Prespa area. It is an important cave for me- euryale, Myotis myotis, Miniopterus schreibersii; a traditional way, resulting in slow natural succes- ferent visits in winter suggested that bats may move dium sized Rhinolophids (R. euryale and R. blasii) Hackethal & Peters 1987; Krystufek et al. 1992; sion of the former pastures by shrubbery and forest ecosystems and the landscape evolved through the Meckina Dupka Cave may cause disturbance to 14.4 Legal protection 14.4 Conservation in practice interaction of local people and nature over centu- the bats, as the recent observations of only a few ries, using traditional, sustainable land-use pat- bats in the cave coupled with the presence of gar- Bat protection in this part of Prespa is regulated In Galicica NP there were no direct actions to pro- terns is gradually disappearing. bage and writings on its walls suggest. The cave is by the national legislation, as well as by inter- tect bat species until recently. However, a series of Current forest management practices such as located on the outskirts of the City of Ohrid and national Conventions, EU Directives and Agree- measures to protect all habitats have been under- clear cuts in oak forests, thinning and massive recently, new private houses were built near the ments. The Law on Nature Protection adopted in taken by the park’s authorities, which may also logging in beech forests outside Galicica and Pe- cave. The signs of disturbance were a warning for 2004 (Official Gazette of the Republic of Mac- benefit bats. For example, it is an established prac- lister NPs are an important threat to forest bats. In the authorities of the Galicica NP to undertake edonia No. 67/2004) follows the IUCN criteria tice to preserve large old and standing dead trees. Pelister NP there are still old growth forests, some mitigation measures for the protection of the cave for the Categories of Protected Areas, as well as In 2005, the entrance of the Samotska Dupka Cave pristine oak and beech woodlands and ancient fir and fit a grille gate at its entrance. The grille was the rules of the EU Habitats Directive (Directive was closed in an effort to control public visits and forests, including old and standing dead trees, designed in accordance with the standards given 92/43/EEC) and the EU Birds Directive (Direc- protect it. Because the gate was not designed at the   108 such as those commonly used by bats for roost- by EUROBATS. On the other hand, the placement tive 79/409/EEC) for the conservation of wild time specifically for bats, and following more recent 109 ing. In Galicica NP however only small patches of gates at cave and mine entrances not account- animal and plant species and natural habitats. revelations of its importance as a bat roost, it is now of old growth forests are still preserved. In forests ing for bats may prohibit bats to enter and roost in The Law regulates the system of protected areas being considered by the park’s authorities to replace outside the parks, old and standing dead trees and these sites (e.g. Samotska Dupka Cave and Skre- and the protection of biodiversity in and outside it by a new grille gate according to the EUROBATS old growth patches are not preserved. batno tunnel). the protected areas. standards. In 2010, the entrance of the Meckina The intensification of apple growth is a threat Visits and interviews of local people at four vil- The area is largely covered by a system of pro- Dupka Cave, another much visited cave in the park, to hunting bats. Traditional apple orchards have lages (Brajcino, Arvati, Dolno Dupeni, Kurbinovo) tected areas. The Greater Prespa Lake itself is was closed by a grille. The park’s authorities recently largely been replaced by intensive monocultures in December 2010 revealed that the reconstruc- proclaimed as Protected Area in the category of developed and are currently implementing system- heavily using fertilizers and pesticides with many tion of old and/or abandoned houses and other Monuments of Nature and it is a Ramsar Site. atic long-term monitoring of bats and their habitats sprayings per year. These intensive apple monoc- buildings such as old mills to be used for apple The north-eastern shoreline belt of the lake that for the first time in the park and its vicinity, starting ultures now cover the lowland areas of Prespa to storage has resulted in the exclusion of bats from encompasses various wetland ecosystems with in 2010. This systematic monitoring provides valu- a great extent. these sites. On one occasion bats were actively ex- wide areas of reedbeds, the lower flow and the able information on bat populations and for best Frequent, uncontrolled visits by humans in cluded by the owner of an abandoned house. mouth of Golema Reka River, located between practice on their protection. the villages of Asamati and Sirhan is a Strict Na- ture Reserve (Ezerani Nature Reserve). A large portion of the Mt Galicica belongs to Galicica 15. Synthesis: bats in the NP. The upper basin of the Brajcinska River is Transboundary Prespa Park included in the borders of the Pelister NP. and its surroundings The FYR of Macedonia is a Member Party of the Agreement on the Conservation of Popula- Knowledge on the bats of Prespa is recent and in- tions of European Bats (EUROBATS) since Sep- complete. Surveys have mainly been implement- tember 15, 1999. It is also Contracting Party to ed in summer. More recently, the first surveys at the following International Conventions, which swarming sites and generally autumnal shelters are directly or indirectly related to bat conserva- were undertaken, as well as the first winter sur- tion: veys. • Ramsar Convention on Wetlands since Oc- A number of limestone caves, rock crevices and tober 08, 1991. cavities in all three countries surrounding the Pre- • The Convention on Biological Diversity spa Basin host important summer, autumn and/or (CBD) since December 02, 1997. winter bat colonies (see Table 12.3 for the most im- • The United Nations Framework Convention portant known caves). Cave-dwelling bats in the

E. STOJKOSKA on Climate Change since April 28, 1998. south of Europe switch between different under- • The Bonn Convention on Migratory Species ground sites both within and between seasons (e.g. (CMS) since January 11, 1999. Papadatou et al. 2008b, 2009, SFEPM 2008). This • The Bern Convention on the Conservation of may well be the case for bats at Prespa: because bor- European Wildlife and Natural Habitats since ders between countries are not physical barriers to April 01, 1999. bats, they may move among roosting sites across Greece, Albania and the FYR of Macedonia, along the shore of the Greater Prespa Lake, the islands of reasons for roost switching have been discussed in bat hunting sites. To date, no detailed studies on lakes, wetlands and the remaining traditional live- Golem Grad and Mali Grad, and in inland areas. section 2.4.1. The annual use of these sites by bats feeding habitats in Prespa have been implemented stock breeding (e.g. Greece and Albania) are valu- These sites probably form a network used by the bats and the movement patterns among them can be in- and the current knowledge is patchy. Neverthe- able resources of insect prey for bats. Extensive old throughout the year and may also include other lo- vestigated through long-term studies using a variety less, the lakes and their associated wetlands ap- growth forest areas in the FYR of Macedonia part cations that to date are unknown and may even be of methods; e.g. Miniopterus schreibersii and Myotis pear to be the most important hunting sites for of Prespa (particularly in Pelister NP) presumably found away from the Prespa Basin. This hypothesis capaccinii between Bimbilova, Naumova, Tcherna, many if not most bats, whereas many bats from offer an ideal habitat for forest bat species. It is is supported by the fact that the size of colonies fluc- Treni, Gollomboç and Mali Grad caves; Rhinolo- populations outside the Prespa Basin appear to therefore crucial to preserve the area and improve tuates among years, seasons and even months. Some phus euryale and R. blasii between Naumova and arrive each night to feed near the lakes. Forests the conditions at certain locations. caves may not be used on certain years (e.g. Tcherna Leskoec caves or between Tcherna and Mikrolimni and subalpine meadows are also used by the bats However, a number of factors are threats to Cave was not used by R. euryale in 2007). Similarly, caves (see Research and Survey Recommendations, for hunting. Similarly to using a network of roost- these bats and their habitats. These include current movements of bats may occur among rock crevices Part IV). ing sites, bats may also cross the countries’ bor- forest management practices, intensive bean and ap-   110 depending on microclimatic conditions in relation Jaroec Cave is at a ca. 50-70 km straight distance ders to forage at a variety of habitats. ple monoculutures using increased amounts of (in 111 to the bats annual ecological requirements. Further from caves in the Prespa Basin such as Tcherna and The biology and exact ecological requirements some cases inappropriate) pesticides and fertilisers, Treni. These are distances easily travelled by spe- are not sufficiently known for the majority of spe- the partial abandonment of the traditional agro- cies such as Miniopterus schreibersii; therefore it is cies in the Prespa area. We do not attempt to pro- pastoral and agro-forestry systems, the disturbance likely that the cave is part of the network of under- vide an estimate of their population status (size of roosts through uncontrolled public access, the ground sites used by the bats in the Transboundary and trends) other than the rough colony estimates collapse or restoration practices of old traditional Prespa Park and its adjacent areas. The same may in cave roosts (Table 12.3), since such estimates houses and the development of wind farms. apply for other caves surrounding the TPP. require more systematic and long-term studies. Only Bimbilova, Samotska and Treni caves have An exception is R. hipposideros for which we cur- to date been confirmed as important hibernacula rently have a more specific idea with regards to its To preserve a favourable conservation status for for Myotis capaccinii (Bimbilova and Treni), M. population size, roosting preferences and hunting bat populations in the area, we need to design and blythii, M. myotis and Rhinolophus hipposideros areas. Our current knowledge about this bat al- apply conservation management and monitoring (Samotska) and Miniopterus schreibersii (Bim- lows some species-specific conservation recom- plans encompassing both their roosts and their bilova). We do not know where most other bats mendations (see PART IV, section 17). foraging habitats. Because bats know no borders, go in winter. Because bats tend to hide in deep Despite the limitations, we have now con- scientific research, survey and monitoring work inaccessible crevices in underground sites or in firmed that the Transboundary Prespa Park and (PART IV, section 16), and associated conserva- inaccessible sites in general (e.g. vertical shafts), its surroundings host a unique bat fauna and im- tion and habitat management actions and educa- we may get a limited answer to this question even portant bat roosting sites and hunting habitats. tion projects (PART IV, sections 17 and 18) require after systematic studies in the future. The area shows an incredibly high bat diversity the transboundary cooperation of researchers, Rock crevices in the Prespa area are used by bat including species with a wide range of roosting naturalists, local authorities, management bod- species known to regularly use trees, bridges and and foraging requirements. The high bat diversity ies of protected areas and NGOs. Conservation other man-made structures in north, west and presumably reflects the highly heterogeneous and projects should be community-based, with the central Europe. For example, Myotis daubentonii structured environment, the lakes and their asso- participation of local people at both the plan- roost in crevices in rock overhangs and in caves ciated wetlands, offering a wide variety of habitat ning and execution stages. The pilot transbound- along the shore of the Prespa lakes. These may be types both for roosting and for foraging, coupled ary monitoring system of bat roosts elaborated either breeding (e.g. Cape Roti Cave) or male/non- with the unique geomorphology and the climate in 2010 (Papadatou, Grémillet & Kazoglou 2010) reproductive roosts. of the area. These habitats are still relatively well and this Action Plan form the basis for future col- We know little about forest bats. Many forest spe- preserved despite the various forms of threats and laboration of the three countries in the TPP and cies are present in the area (e.g. Myotis bechsteinii, insect prey is presumably still very abundant. The the surrounding area. Plecotus auritus) up to the tree line (approx. 1700 m a.s.l.) but these appear to be rare compared to

E. STOJKOSKA other bats in the area. We know little on their distribution and status. We do not know their roosting sites and the exact impacts of current forest management practices on their populations and View of Greater Prespa Lake and Golem Grad Island behaviour in any of the three countries. from a cave We know little about the use and importance of Part IV Research, survey and conservation recommendations Recommended actions are defined along three ices along the shore of the Greater Prespa Lake) axes, all of which are essential in bat conservation and are presented in Boxes 16.1-16.5. Because bats and inter-connected: know of no borders, research and surveys should 1. Improving knowledge; ideally be done on a transboundary level. Surveys 2. Protection; for species or species assemblages whose con- 3. Raising public awareness. servation status is unfavourable (e.g. threatened, More than one axis may be involved in the same vulnerable, endangered) on a national or interna- action, nevertheless we present actions in three tional level should be given priority. There may be different sections (15, 16 and 17 respectively). Ac- some overlap between certain actions or groups of tions primarily concern species assemblages or bat actions. habitats and they are not species specific with the  exception of R. hipposideros. Although there is of- 115 ten good reason to focus on particular species that Box 16.1. Rock crevices and underground sites have specific ecological requirements and are faced with unique or at least clearly definable threats, in Rock crevices, cavities and caves many cases it is more appropriate to look at an along the shores of the Prespa assemblage of bats or bat habitats (Altringham lakes 2011), since several species may simultaneously ▷ Investigate the rocky shores of both Prespa benefit from the latter approach. In addition, our lakes to update and complete the current knowledge on the ecology of the majority of bat knowledge on the presence and location of species in the Prespa area is still limited to allow us rock crevices, cavities and caves [speleologi- to define species-specific conservation actions. cal research]; identify any further sites that may be important to bats. ▷ Assess their annual bat use by carrying out 16. Recommended research seasonal surveys through the year; in par- and survey actions ticular, assess species, sex and age structure, size of colonies and fluctuations. Objective: To increase our knowledge and un- ▷ Determine the main function of roosts derstanding of bats, their ecological requirements, through these seasonal surveys: maternity, their roosting and feeding habitats and the specific mating, satellite, transitional, night roost, hi- threats they face in the area of Prespa to form ap- bernation, autumn shelter, male-only roosts. propriate conservation measures and priorities. Concentrate effort on caves and if possible This section is primarily concerned with the on selected rock crevices and cavities. Tim- first axis. Research and survey recommendations ing and frequency of surveys is the key to are directly linked to protection and conservation roost determination. actions, since their ultimate aim is bat conserva- ▷ Monitor the annual use of key sites (e.g. tion. We need to have sound evidence-based in- Bimbilova, Tcherna and Treni caves, etc.) formation and a solid understanding of their ec- on a long-term basis, across years; assess the ological requirements and threats they face in the natural fluctuations and population trends particular area, should we proceed with recom- of colonies roosting in caves (see Papadatou, mending and applying appropriate and effective Grémillet & Kazoglou 2010 for details on conservation measures and management plans. monitoring plans). Greater understanding of the bats’ ecological requirements and threats will allow for man- Other underground sites agement plans that are regionally adapted and ▷ Investigate the bat use to update and com- for targeted use of resources. Recommendations plete the current knowledge on known un- X. GREMILLET generally concern all three countries surround- derground sites (e.g. Samotska Dupka). ing the Prespa Basin (e.g. caves and rock crev- ▷ Investigate the Prespa area for other unknown underground sites that may be used ▷ Assess the importance of old trees and stand- fauna constituting bat prey at these sites; tion NGOs, and the management bodies of by the bats [speleological research]. ing dead wood for different selected (target) compare to other less intensively managed NPs and TPP) in relation to bat research, ▷ Assess their annual use by bats through sea- bat species. agricultural lands in the area including or- survey and monitoring actions. sonal surveys. ▷ Identify important and key roosting areas ganic bean fields; apply to apple monocul- ▷ Train and permanently equip local conser- ▷ Monitor the annual use of target sites on a and trees within forests. tures as appropriate. vation NGOs and the parks’ management long-term basis. ▷ Investigate the roosting requirements and ▷ Study the habitat associations of bat prey bodies with the appropriate skills and tools ▷ Search for hibernation sites. behaviour of target tree-roosting bat spe- [surveys of insect and other arthropod fau- for bat research, survey and monitoring ac- ▷ Investigate caves and assess their annual use cies. na constituting bat prey]. tions. by bats in areas adjacent to the Prespa Basin ▷ Assess the degree and importance of roost ▷ Investigate the use of subalpine meadows by ▷ Promote transboundary (trans-national) re- (e.g. Jaroec Cave). switching and the number of trees used by bats as feeding and as commuting sites. search, survey and monitoring plans. the target tree-roosting bats. ▷ Implement pre-construction studies of bat ▷ Establish common systems (methods, pro-   116 Movement patterns ▷ Assess the impacts of current forest manage- diversity and activity at areas proposed for tocols, etc.) of research, survey and moni- 117 ▷ Assess the movement patterns among caves ment practices on bats roosting in trees and/ wind farm development; study in detail the toring in the three countries involved (see (and rock crevices where possible) within or foraging in forest habitats (the latter may potential impacts of proposed wind farms e.g. Papadatou, Gremillet & Kazoglou 2010) and between seasons and years. Annual and include species not roosting in the forest). on bats. Investigate a full annual cycle of bat so that results are comparable. seasonal fluctuations in colonies size may diversity and activity at each of these sites ▷ Develop national and transboundary (com- provide basic information on movement pat- to be used as a reference and as a guide for mon) bat data bases; organise a centralised terns but other methods such as ringing, ge- Box 16.3. Feeding habitats, commuting corridors developers for the definition of turbine lo- system of data management. netics and stable isotopes may provide more and home range cations and periods of halted operation (see detailed assessments. Box 17.2). ▷ Some specific recommendations. Tcherna and ▷ Investigate the commuting corridors and Box 16.5. Rhinolophus hipposideros Mikrolimni caves: Verify whether it is the large the feeding habitat preferences at species as- breeding colony of Rhinolophus euryale us- semblages / landscape level (using e.g. bat Box 16.4. General recommendations Priority actions: ing Tcherna Cave in summer that moves to detector surveys and captures) in the differ- ▷ Investigate potential roosting sites in Alba- Mikrolimni Cave where the conditions may ent habitat types (e.g. wetlands, forests, pas- ▷ Assess the population status (size and nia and the FYR of Macedonia to obtain a be more suitable in the autumn, before the bats tures, etc.). trends) of target species (cave- and forest- global vision of the species in all three coun- move to their (unknown) hibernation sites. ▷ Investigate the commuting corridors and the dwelling). tries surrounding the Prespa Basin. Similarly, with regards to the large mixed feeding habitat preferences at species-specif- ▷ Provide baseline data against which ongoing ▷ Record all buildings (old or abandoned tra- colony of Rhinolophus euryale and R. fer- ic level for target species (e.g. using radio- presence of bat species can be monitored for ditional houses, chapels, etc.) used by the rumequinum using Naumova Cave in sum- telemetry). Target species may be selected future conservation status assessments. species and assess their annual use. mer no longer present in the cave in the au- depending on population and conservation ▷ Update bat species distribution maps fol- ▷ Determine the true function of roosts tumn: Verify whether these are the same R. status. lowing survey work. through seasonal surveys: maternity, satel- euryale that move to Leskoec Cave in the au- ▷ Assess the home range of target species. ▷ Map the distribution of core breeding lite, transitional, night roost, hibernation. tumn, before they move to their (unknown) ▷ Identify key hunting areas at species assem- maternity colonies and generally of core ▷ Identify the key roosts. hibernation sites. blages and species specific levels. roosting sites and update following survey ▷ Identify hibernation sites. ▷ Assess specifically the importance of - wet work. lands and the lakes as bat hunting habitats. ▷ Record weather data alongside research and Further actions: Box 16.2. Forest bats ▷ Make a list of agrochemicals currently used survey actions, as weather conditions may ▷ Investigate commuting corridors, hunting and their effects on bats from bibliographi- affect bat findings; this will ensure that re- habitats and home range of summer colo- ▷ Investigate the presence, diversity and distri- cal resources; investigate the impacts of cur- sults reflect the true situation. nies. bution of forest-dwelling bat species through rent pesticide use on bat populations as ap- ▷ Identify key areas for integrated conserva- ▷ Identify key feeding sites. intensive field surveys. plied in practice at e.g. apple monoculutures tion management of habitats (e.g. forest for ▷ Investigate the relations and exchange ▷ Assess the diversity, abundance, activity and in the FYR of Macedonia and bean monoc- roosting and wetlands for feeding). among different colonies in the Prespa Ba- structure of forest bat communities in rela- ultures in Greece. ▷ Assess the migratory movements of target sin. tion to: ▷ Investigate the use of areas in and around species among countries. ▷ Investigate the relations of Prespa colonies - Altitude, bean monocultures including drainage ▷ Investigate sites used for hibernation (other with external colonies, e.g. on the Greek - Forest type (oak, beech, mixed, etc.), channels with reed beds and hedgerows as than underground). side, the valleys of Melas-Kranionas-Gavros - Forest age structure. bat feeding habitats; investigate the insect ▷ Define the role of local partners (conserva- and of Pisoderi-Gavros. 17. Recommended conservation • Conservation recommendations concern all Box 17.1. Roosts ▷ Include legal protection measures of impor- actions three countries. tant bat roosts and habitats in the manage- • Bats may use a network of roosts and feed- ▷ Ensure the legal and physical protection of ment plans of the NPs and the TPP. Objectives: To develop appropriate conservation ing habitats beyond the countries’ borders (see important sites for breeding, hibernation, ▷ Include legal protection measures of impor- management actions in order to ensure the long- PART III and in particular section 15). In ad- autumn shelter and swarming/mating; these tant bat roosts in the future update of the term survival and favourable conservation status dition, threats to bats may be shared among the include all the important caves known to date Common Ministerial Decision (“KYA”) or of bat species in Prespa based on their distribu- three countries surrounding the Prespa Basin. (Table 12.3 and other) and buildings used by Presidential Decree of the Prespa NP (GR); tion, ecological requirements, habitat preferences For example, uncontrolled pesticide use may af- breeding colonies of R. hipposideros (see Box- protection measures of key roosting sites and threats to them. fect the water quality of both lakes further than es 17.5 & 17.6). More sites may be added in have recently been incorporated in the Man- “Perhaps the first step in conservation is identi- each countries’ borders. The transboundary the list following future investigations. agement Plan of the park. fying that there is, or will be, a problem. The de- cooperation among scientists, naturalists, and ▷ Monitor core roosting sites on a long-term ▷ Incorporate bat requirements in the for-   118 cline or disappearance of a species from a locality the local authorities, management bodies and basis. est management practices (see Box 17.3 for 119 clearly indicates that there is cause for concern on a NGOs is important in the design of larger scale ▷ Restrict access to vulnerable caves by plac- more specific recommendations on forest local scale and suggests we should look to see if the conservation measures. ing grilles at their entrances or constructing bats). decline is more widespread. We must then identify • Bats are very faithful to their roosts especial- fences around their entrances where appro- ▷ Restore existing or create new artificial the cause of this decline and take appropriate ac- ly with regards to more permanent sites such priate; grilles with horizontal bars allow bats roosts; reopen abandoned mines and other tion. Even without evidence of decline, if we un- as the caves. Tree-roosting bats are faithful to to fly between them (guidelines have been artificial underground sites, and secure them derstand a species’ particular ecological needs, roost areas. The same applies to their foraging published by EUROBATS and other sourc- from public access; e.g. bunkers, Shueç tun- such as a dependence on a scarce and vulnerable sites: bats may forage to the same sites every es). nel and pumping station in Albania (see Box type of roost or food, we can anticipate problems night across the years through their lifetime. ▷ Monitor the sites for potential impacts of 17.6). and try to avoid them. Applying the ‘precaution- Bats use a network of roosting places and follow the grilles or fences on bat populations and ary principle’ may be necessary before population specific commuting corridors to their hunting make appropriate adjustments if needed; data are available. We can also plan at a more stra- territories. It is extremely important to account a specific example is the Meckina Dupka Box 17.2. Feeding habitats and commuting tegic level: some ecological traits or suites of traits, for these facts when designing conservation Cave that is monitored by the Galicica NP corridors widespread within a particular genus or even fam- management plans for these animals: to main- following the installation of the grille at its ily, may make them unusually vulnerable (e.g. those tain bats, we must also maintain the natural entrance for any beneficial or adverse effects ▷ Consider bat requirements in the manage- of slow-flying, gleaning specialists). This knowledge ecosystems that make up their habitats. to the bats roosting in the cave. ment and development plans of habitats can be used for longer term, more global planning, • Conservation projects should be community- ▷ Replace old gates unsuitable for bats at cave important to bats. as well as in local decision making” (Altringham based and have the full participation of local entrances by “bat-friendly” grilles according ▷ Inform and establish links and long-term 2011). people at both the planning and execution to the recommended guidelines provided by management agreements between the This section is concerned with the second axis: stages, ensuring that the benefits are made EUROBATS and other bat professionals; ex- parks’ management bodies/ conservation protecting bats and their habitats. We recommend available to local people. Recommended ac- ample: the Samotska Dupka Cave. NGOs and the local municipalities, stake- conservation management actions (Boxes 17.1- tions should be implemented within the frame- ▷ Closely monitor the sites where it is inappro- holders, landowners, professionals and 17.7) based on currently available knowledge and work of co-existence of humans and bats. Bats priate to install grilles or fences to prevent authorities whose actions may affect the experience. The results of these actions should be should therefore not only be linked to ecosystem potential impacts of uncontrolled public ac- bats feeding habitats (forest service, farm- monitored and conservation recommendations be health, but also to human community prosperity cess. ers, etc.). adapted to the results of the monitoring as well as with projects that focus on the needs of bats, hu- ▷ Leave the configuration of the habitat at the ▷ Maintain habitat heterogeneity (the mosaic of the research and survey actions. More specific mans and their shared resources. Raising public cave entrances unaltered; e.g. the trees in of habitats). conservation action plans targeting at particular awareness (section 18) will play a significant role front of Mikrolimni or Naumova caves, un- ▷ Restore the connectivity of the landscape species and/or habitats may then be produced. in dissolving the misunderstandings and shed- less the entrance is blocked. among areas rich in insect prey (the lakes Conservation management actions will help stabi- ding light into the importance of the ecological ▷ Inform and establish links and long-term and associated wetlands, forests, agricul- lise or increase populations of vulnerable species role of bats and the need to protect and preserve management agreements between the Na- tural lands, meadows, pastures, riparian and improve their conservation status on a local them. tional Park management bodies/conserva- woodlands, etc.) where necessary, e.g. by level. The protection, preservation or enhance- • Any restoration or protection works should be tion NGOs and the local municipalities, planting hedgerows or gapping up existing ment of bat roosts and foraging habitats are the implemented when the bats are absent from the stakeholders, landowners, professionals and ones. key actions in achieving favourable conservation sites. authorities whose actions may affect the bats ▷ Maintain or create hedgerows, tree lines status. There may be some overlap between pro- roosts (e.g. forest service,, tourism, histori- with diverse structure, reed beds, etc. posed actions. Important points: cal monuments, etc.). among cultivations; maintain isolated trees. ▷ Maintain or restore riparian forests, e.g. legal protection and appropriate manage- ▷ Stop firing practices near wooded areas (e.g. Box 17.4. General recommendations replant broadleaf woodland or fence river ment practices for bats. Vrondero). and stream banks to encourage riparian ▷ Produce good practice guidelines and in- ▷ Preserve the trees near the entrances of bat ▷ Use the research and survey results to assist vegetation to grow naturally. form wood workers/ loggers on their impor- roosts (e.g. Mikrolimni and Kokkalis’ caves, in the development of guidelines and policies ▷ Promote agro-forestry systems. tance. etc.). for habitat protection and management. ▷ Promote traditional orchards. ▷ Replace extensive forest clearings by selec- ▷ Introduce bat boxes to complement the ▷ Ensure the statutory protection of key roost- ▷ Monitor the impact of pesticide use on bats; tive logging. natural bat habitat where it appears to offer ing sites and other important bat habitats; reduce pesticide use; inform policy makers. ▷ Create a network of suitable tree-roosts by limited roosting sites to forest bats given the generally incorporate protection measures ▷ Encourage, promote and support extensive preserving all currently old and standing current management practices. of important bat habitats in the local leg- agricultural and traditional practices, and dead trees, including trees near forest edge ▷ Create sanctuary areas (e.g. “Heritage For- islations, e.g. in the future update of the organic cultivations. In the Greek Prespa, (forest openings, forest roads, etc.) as well est”) without any human intervention, i.e. Common Ministerial Decision (“KYA”) or   120 organic cultivations have been established as groups of old trees; avoid extensive for- management, grazing or logging to become Presidential Decree of the Prespa NP (GR). 121 since the early 1990s, whereas in the FYR of est clearings around them and preserve a “wilderness areas” in each of the main for- Recently, the protection of some key roost- Macedonia incentives for organic produc- number of old trees at various distances to est zones: e.g. Psarades - Devas , Agathoto, ing sites and some forest management prac- tion given by the government have already act as connectivity points in the network. Latsista, Giovanitsa, Sfika. tices accounting for bats were incorporated been well accepted by the farmers in other ▷ Create and preserve new stands of mature in the Management Plan of the Prespa NP regions of the country. forest. (GR). ▷ Maintain or develop the breeding of buffalo ▷ Preserve fallen dead wood. ▷ Promote an integrated approach to bat con- and local cattle races. ▷ Produce an inventory of the trees or groups servation looking at the range of roosting ▷ Incorporate bat requirements in the forest of trees with potential bat-hosting interest sites and hunting habitats used by the bats management practices (see Box 17.3 for (identification and mapping); regularly up- throughout the year. specific recommendations). date the inventory (e.g. every 10 years). ▷ Establish long term monitoring plans. ▷ Inform wind farm developers with regards ▷ Produce an inventory of known roost trees; ▷ Establish links and promote trans-national to the necessity of pre- and post-construc- regularly update the inventory. management agreements between the three tion impact assessment studies on bats to ▷ Mark known roost trees for protection and/ countries surrounding the Prespa Basin; take appropriate action (e.g. remove wind or educational purposes. promote integrated conservation and man- turbines from sites with high bat diversity ▷ Integrate protection of important bat roost agement plans on a transboundary level. and activity, etc.). trees in the law, e.g. the future update of the ▷ Define the role of local partners (conserva- Common Ministerial Decision (“KYA”) or tion NGOs, and the NPs and TPP manage- Presidential Decree of the Prespa NP (GR). ment bodies) in relation to bat monitoring, Box 17.3. Forest bats ▷ Preserve or increase variation in forest struc- management and conservation.

ture. X. GREMILLET ▷ Promote common systems of bat surveys As mentioned in Boxes 17.1 and 17.2, bat re- ▷ Preserve forest openings (e.g. small pastures Preserved trees near the entrances of Kokkalis’ Cave and monitoring (see e.g. Papadatou, Grémil- quirements should be integrated in the forest through grazing and meadows) but reduce (above) and Agathoto chapel (below). let & Kazoglou 2010). management practices. Forest recommen- extensive clear-cuts and monitor for over- ▷ Train and permanently equip local conser- dations should be adapted on the findings grazing in wooded areas. vation NGOs and the parks’ management of research and survey actions as recom- ▷ Preserve or restore (e.g. Platy) hedgerows bodies with the appropriate skills and tools mended in section 16 (Box 16.2). However, and tree-lines to connect wooded areas and for bat monitoring, management and con- some recommendations and guidelines can the lakes. servation. be provided here for forest management ap- ▷ Preserve riparian forests. ▷ Prepare and promote conservation manage- propriate for bats based on our current ex- ▷ Promote native species and avoid exotic and ment guidelines for landowners, the park’s perience from Prespa and the international mono-specific plantations. management bodies, professionals, etc. for experience. Specifically: ▷ Prohibit the use of insecticides in the forest; targeted bat species, species assemblages X. GREMILLET use biodegradable lubricating oil for saw- and important bat habitats. ▷ Inform and establish agreements with the chains. ▷ Produce and promote guidelines to be used local forest services. ▷ Create small ponds in dry forests, in partic- across Greece, FYR of Macedonia and Alba- ▷ Educate and train foresters with regards to ular areas at a long distance from the lakes nia in bat conservation initiatives. bat biology, habitat requirements, threats, (e.g. Devas, Sfika, etc.). Roosts, feeding habitats, commuting Public information and link with the corridors and forest bats: some details local inhabitants and authorities Landscape management may strongly impact the Landscapes are primarily the result of the inter- density of insect populations mainly through agri- action of geological and climatic factors, and hu- cultural, livestock farming and forestry practices. man land use. Therefore we must not forget that Therefore, because European bats are insectivorous, habitats suitable for bats may also be suitable they depend on these practices. The local practices and used by the local inhabitants. The first and and habitat management are apparently different in perhaps most important objective for bat con- the three countries sharing the Prespa Basin. Some servationists is to establish links with the local of the local or national landscape management inhabitants and authorities. However, many local practices are suitable for bats, but others may have inhabitants in the area may not be concerned by   122 negative impacts. Some bat species have small home bat conservation. Therefore, conservation man- 123 ranges and their roosts are located within their for- agement should provide them with some benefits X. GREMILLET X. GREMILLET aging habitats (e.g. Rhinolophus hipposideros, Pleco- from bat conservation projects. Here, the “bat tus auritus). Others have much larger home ranges mediator” may play a significant role (see section covering several kilometres from their roosts to their 18). foraging sites. Irrespectively of the size of their home range, bats often use linear landscape elements (for- The valley of Ag. Germanos River ests edge, tree-lines and other hedges, streams, riv- The valley of Ag. Germanos River is used by many ers, etc.) as commuting corridors. Bat survival is ul- bats as a commuting corridor and as a feeding timately linked to the quality of their roosting sites, habitat from the uplands down to its estuary at their feeding habitats and commuting corridors. the Greater Prespa Lake. It acts as an important Old hollow trees used as bat roosts marked as “Veteran trees” by GMB in Brittany, France.

Hundred years old oak in broadleaf forest, valley of Brajcinska Reka River link between the lakes, wetlands, agricultural low- Psarades, Latsista, Agathoto, etc.), extending up to lands, gardens, orchards, broadleaf forests, sub- an elevation of 900 to 1200 m a.s.l. The forest in alpine meadows and the mountain passes towards the valley of Brajcinska Reka River in the FYR of the valleys and lowlands outside the Prespa Basin. Macedonia shelters many hundred years old often A number of species have been found foraging hollow oaks. and/or commuting through the different sections In the valley of Ag. Germanos River, it is impor- of the valley (Appendix II). Many of these bats tant to restore such a vegetation zone through: may roost in or near these sites: • Surveys, identification, recording, mapping and • Estuary-Laimos: H. savii, Pipistrellus spp, E. se- marking the last old hollow trees e.g. as “Nature rotinus, N. noctula, M. schreibersii, T. teniotis, … Heritage Trees” or “Veteran trees” and preserv- • Laimos - Ag. Germanos: R. hipposideros, H. savii, ing them. Pipistrellus spp, E. serotinus, M. schreibersii, … • Informing land owners and the local inhabit- • Gaidouritsa valley: M. daubentonii, H. savii, Pip- ants. The bat mediator can include such trees in istrellus spp, … educational outdoor activities (see section 18). • Giovanitsa forests (Fagus and Abies forests): M. • Control of cutting, grazing and other activities mystacinus, M. brantii M. nattererii, M. bechstei- around these trees. X. GREMILLET nii, Pipistrellus spp, Pl. auritus, … • Establishment of some “no-grazing areas” in Despite the importance of the bat diversity and the most suitable sites for bats as an objective to abundance in the valley, broadleaf forests impor- launch a spontaneous forest recovery. tant to bats (e.g. Quercus, Carpinus and Ostrya Further conservation recommendations may species) have largely disappeared at the lower al- vary depending on the different sections. The titude. In contrast, these forests still constitute a main principles which should lead specific man- remarkable vegetation zone in other valleys (e.g. agement plans are:   124 125 X. GREMILLET X. GREMILLET

Estuary - Laimos in the valley, intensive agricultural fields, large There are three main objectives: preserve the housing estates, etc.) stream and its associated wetlands and riparian • Preserve or enhance the riparian forest along forest, cease any direct pollution and reform ag- the stream. ricultural practices. Specifically: • Preserve the traditional irrigation network and • Preserve or restore the network of hedgerows X. GREMILLET the hedgerows along this network. X. GREMILLET especially along the ditches and channels. • Control the dumping and improve the collec- • Preserve or restore the estuary. tion of rubbish. • Control the dumping and improve the collec- • Control the dumping of dung in the stream tion of rubbish. banks; promote manure use in close gardens • Prevent the direct chemical pollution: bean and fields. Ag. Germanos: hedgerows near the watermill Ag. Germanos valley: riparian forest, gardens and (R. hipposideros roost). farmers mix biocides and water in the tank sheep folds. • Limit the use of biocides and promote organic sprayers near the stream. It is easy and low cost and traditional farming practices. to set up safe and efficient sprayer filling sta- • Control for eventual overgrazing. tions away from the stream. Laimos - Ag. Germanos • Inform and establish links with the different land • Develop and support organic bean farming. This area is a remarkable mosaic of habitats includ- users, land owners, stakeholders and authorities, Gaidouritsa valley • Diversify agricultural methods and produc- ing the mountain streams, riparian forests, irriga- farmers and breeders. • Preserve hedgerows and riparian forest. tions (e.g. hay, alfalfa, permanent meadows, tion network, hedgerows, bushes, woods, small • Establish volunteer or official agreements with • Preserve isolated groves, trees and bushes. etc.) which need only a few mild or not any orchards, gardens, agricultural fields, meadows users or owners of buildings to preserve bat • Survey, record, map and preserve old hollow biocides. and pastures with scattered ruins, livestock barns, roosts in roof spaces, cellars or other parts of trees; identify and mark them as e.g. “Nature • Encourage and support traditional agricultural cowsheds and sheep folds, offering a wide range of their buildings (e.g. “bat refuges”). Heritage Trees” or “Veteran trees”. practices. roosting and foraging sites to many bats. • Restore ruins as bat roosts through official or • Maintain summer grazing but avoid and moni- • Maintain sheep, cattle and buffalo grazing, but The area needs a conservation project aiming at private funds, sponsoring funds, volunteer tor overgrazing; if necessary protect overgrazed control for eventual overgrazing. preserving or enhancing habitat heterogeneity: work, etc.; build a bat information centre and an sections using fences. • Prevent large-scale plans (e.g. a dam or road alternative bat roost (see Boxes 17.6 and 17.7). • Prefer extensive breeding practices (rotation of • Preserve standing dead trees and decomposing fallen dead wood. • Preserve the riparian forest. • Select and preserve a sanctuary area (e.g. “Her- itage Forest”) without any management to become a “wilderness area”; for instance the forest between Kaloneri and Giovanitsa streams between 1400 and 1800 m a.s.l. which combines beech, fir and mixed forests. Access to the area is difficult and several trees with potential bat- hosting interest are present. X. GREMILLET  126

Subalpine meadows at Mt. Varnous X. GREMILLET • Maintain summer grazing, but monitor for eventual overgrazing. • Prefer extensive breeding practices (rotation of pastures, local cattle breeds, balanced diet, etc.) as chemical anti-parasite treatments of livestock have an impact on non-target bat insect prey such as the dung beetles; replace very toxic compounds (e.g. avermectin) in anti-parasite treatments by less toxic compounds (e.g. moxi- Giovanitsa forest, a potential “wilderness area”. dectin) and apply wormers indoors (not when Inset: “Tree roost” mark used in Brittany, France. animals are on mountain pastures). • Prevent the construction of new roads.

Lands proposed for windfarms X. GREMILLET (Mt. Varnous, Mazi-Kirko, Sfika and T. DUBOS Giovanitsa forests others) They comprise beech, fir and mixed beech-fir forests Wind turbines on mountain passes and generally (1500 – 1800 m a.s.l.) and they provide an excellent ridges may dramatically impact the bat popula- habitat for forest bats. Conservation recommendations of the Prespa Basin, as well as those of Flo- Gkortse Toumpa, Mt Varnous (above), and Varnous tions will not only benefit bats but also birds and rina lowlands and other valleys (e.g. Pisoderi, Ko- ridge and Pisoderi valley (below): subalpine meadows other mammals. The recommendations provided restia, Krystallopigi, etc.) that cross the mountains threatened by wind farm projects in Box 17.3 apply here but more specifically: to forage and/or roost in Prespa: Cow herds in the Gaidouritsa meadows • Inform forest services and workers about the bat • Avoid wind farm development on mountain biology and diversity in the area. ridges around the Prespa Basin and, in particu- • Plan with the forest management services a for- lar, exclude the installation of wind turbines on activity periods (e.g. mating and migration in est conservation project (sustainable manage- mountain passes. late summer to mid autumn). ment, sanctuary area, etc.) • Exclude the installation of wind turbines near • Implement pre- and post-construction stud- pastures, local cattle breeds, balanced diet, etc.) • Survey all forests from 1400 up to 2000 m a.s.l. ponds, streams, in or near forests and forest ies of bat diversity and activity and monitor bat as chemical anti-parasite treatments of live- between Potistres and Elatia to identify, record edge, hedges and valleys. mortality at wind farms; take any appropriate stock have an impact on non-target bat insect and map the old forest zones and trees suitable • Avoid construction of wind farms at less than mitigation measures if necessary. prey such as the dung beetles; replace very toxic as bat roosts. 30 km away from Miniopterus schreibersii • Monitor the effects of the construction of- ac compounds (e.g. avermectin) in anti-parasite • Preserve recorded old trees and mark them as roosts. companying infrastructure, such as soil erosion treatments by less toxic compounds (e.g. moxi- e.g. “Nature Heritage Trees” or “Veteran trees”. • In case of an operating wind farm near the area, and water pollution. Restore habitats destroyed dectin) and apply wormers indoors (not when • Avoid clear cutting around these trees; replace stop wind turbine operation at low wind speeds by the construction works e.g. underground animals are on mountain pastures). extensive clear cutting by selective logging. (<6.5 m/s) and during all nights of intensive bat electricity lines. Farming of buffalo and the local cattle breed The development of the farming of buffalo and the local shorthorn cattle breed would provide un- questionable benefits to the Prespa area: conservation of historical and valuable genetic resources, appropriate wetland management and conserva-

X. GREMILLET tion, biodiversity conservation and local economy development (farming and tourism). Buffalo and

local cattle eat rough vegetation and do not need X. GREMILLET toxic anti-parasite treatment. Furthermore, they   128 create openings in the reed beds that are suitable 129 for insects and attract foraging bats.

Box 17.5. Creation, restoration and maintenance of artificial roosts (Appendix III)

General recommendations ▷ Plant shrubs or trees to create vegetation cover and/or place fences or grilles at entrances to prevent uncontrolled access to the roost and to provide protection by predators. ▷ Plant or preserve vegetation cover (e.g.

X. GREMILLET hedgerows) around the roost to connect the roost and the feeding areas. Plant orchards X. GREMILLET and trees that attract insects where possible. ▷ Clean the future roost from garbage, toxic X. GREMILLET Karyes-Mikrolimni (above) and Laimos (below left): objects, chemicals, etc. Sheep in Vrondero dry meadows (above) and local intensive bean monocultures are less suitable as bat ▷ Prevent draughts and maintain relatively hunting areas cattle race in Ag. Achilleios wetland (below): traditional stable levels of temperature, humidity and agro-pastoral systems provide good hunting habitat light in the roost. for bats. ▷ Provide alternative roosting places inside the roost with a range of micro-climates (tem- Agricultural lands, pastures and wet perature and humidity levels) so that bats meadows have access to warm or cool areas depend- Recommended actions proposed above for the ing on roost function (season) and time of old or abandoned buildings, and authorities valley of Ag. Germanos River from the level of the day. managing public or historical buildings (e.g. the lakes up to the mountains may be applied in ▷ Provide a range of roosting places in the old historical chapels). other agricultural areas in the Prespa Basin (e.g. X. GREMILLET roost adapted to different species. ▷ Conserve or make new crevices in the walls; Platy, Lefkonas, Karyes – Oxya – Mikrolimni and ▷ Avoid illumination of bat entrances and fix structures such as bat boxes or hollow Pyli). Current management practices of the wet Oxya, wet meadows and Narcissus poeticus (above flight paths. bricks that favour certain species (e.g. small meadows around the Lesser Prespa Lake (Ag. right) and Koula- Slogi- Viro-Slatina wetlands (below): Myotis bats). Achilleios, Koula, Slatina, Plati, Kale, Mikrolimni) these areas are highly favourable for bat hunting Buildings ▷ Make the roost as large as possible and incor- generally benefit biodiversity (vegetation, fish, -ar ▷ Establish and maintain points of contact porate a range of micro-climates so that bats thropods, birds, etc.) and presumably bats using and cooperation between bat conservation- have access to warm or cool areas depending them as hunting areas. ists and organisations associated with the on roost function or in times of intense sun- care and restoration of buildings, owners of shine. This may be achieved through con- serving or building several levels: basement, priate positive management of sites, includ- ▷ Have the entrance close to vegetative cover iii. Restoration of a sheep barn in the valley ground floor and roof space. ing adjacent feeding habitat. and unlit by external lighting. of Ag. Germanos (Appendix III): ▷ Roof spaces will be attractive to bats if ▷ Restore or modify existing roosts in old and ▷ Have cool rooms to expand the range of mi- There are numerous ruins of sheep barns in they are warm and the temperature shows abandoned traditional buildings or create croclimates provided for the colonies. These this area, directly connected to the species small fluctuations between day and night. new using traditional practices to replace should be on the ground floor of buildings hunting habitats. Any of them could be re- The roof should therefore be warmed up those in the process of collapse (e.g. in Oxya or in the cellar and have, where possible, an stored according to the traditional building by the solar energy, e.g. using roman tiles. village and Seltsa, Appendix II). earth floor. methods and be transformed into a themat- Temperature may remain stable using the ▷ Renovate buildings by employing the general ▷ Be close to blocks of broadleaf or mixed ic information centre on the bats of Prespa. local traditional practices e.g. sarkings, principles described in Box 17.5 combined woodland. Roof space and/or basement may allow the wood planks or mud and reeds between the with an understanding of the bats’ roosting ▷ Be connected to the nearest woodlands by establishment of a breeding colony. It is es- frames and tiles. requirements to transform them into opti- continuous vegetative cover such as hedge- sential to preserve wooded cover or to plant   130 ▷ Create roof openings for the entrance and mal roosts; roost function is a key factor in rows and tree lines. trees near the roost to ensure connectivity 131 exit of bats (e.g. dormer in the lower part of determining the range of conditions suitable ▷ Provide alternative entrances not accessible to the fields and the river. The public may be the roof for the Rhinolophus ferrumequinum for the bats. to predators or humans (e.g. galvanised steel able to observe the colony without disturb- or at the level of wall plates for R. hipposi- ▷ Integrate bat requirements in the preserva- grilles over large entrances and entrances ing it through specific openings or through deros and Myotis species). tion and restoration works of traditional high above the ground). infrared (IR) cameras. buildings that are used by important colonies (e.g. sheep barns, the Biological Station iv. Restoration of a building at the abandoned Box 17.6. Rhinolophus hipposideros (Appendix III) at Mikrolimni, traditional houses, chapels, Box 17.7. Some specific recommendations on village of Agathoto: etc.). For example, create spaces (e.g. in the Rhinolophus hipposideros colonies by country The current situation is the best for this A very useful textbook under the title “The roof spaces) reserved to bats and ensure an nursery colony (~ 200 bats). However, it is Lesser Horseshoe Bat: Conservation Hand- appropriate opening to be used as an en- Greece necessary to save the colony by establishing book”, written by H. Schofield and pub- trance and exit by the bats. Four projects are under study: an alternative bat roost, e.g. a house among lished by VWT in 2010, provides specific ▷ Create or preserve roosts in other disused arti- i. Nursery colony in the roof space of the new the old village ruins and near the edge of the guidelines and practical advice for survey- ficial sites (bunkers, pumping stations, etc.). SPP building at Laimos (Appendix III): forest may be reconstructed using the tradi- ing, enhancing or constructing R. hipposi- ▷ Restore a traditional building as a roosting Similarly to the Biological Station of Mikrolim- tional building methods and proper setting/ deros roosts. site for the species and as a bat information ni (see below), the roof space can be reserved orientation according to sunlight, winds, ▷ Preserve an adequate number of appropriate centre (see Box 17.7). for a colony of R. hipposideros. What is needed etc. roosting sites, since the population at Prespa ▷ Monitor the reaction of the colonies and adis an opening under the eave (removing a sin- uses a network of roosts. just the restoration works if necessary. gle wall plate may be enough) close to vegeta- More information: ▷ Inform owners and farmers and create for- ▷ Generally define measures depending on tive cover, a half-waterproof tarpaulin on the - Groupe Mammalogique Breton: www.gmb. mal or informal agreements between own- the local conditions. This involves the sensi- floor to protect it from the bat droppings and asso.fr/ ers and local naturalists, conservation NGOs tisation of the local inhabitants, the respect to be more easily cleaned, and a vegetative or - AMIKIRO: www.maison-delachauvesouris. and the parks’ management bodies. See as of the socioeconomic condition of the local wooded cover to ensure connectivity to the com/ a model, the “Refuges for the bats” (http: communities, and the preservation of the riparian vegetation of the river of Ag. Ger- - Saint-Maurice abbey: www.saint-maurice. //www.gmb.asso.fr/PDF/PlaquetteRefuge. traditional architectural heritage. manos located near by. These works are simple clohars-carnoet.fr pdf), agreements signed between private ▷ Maintain the trees close to the roosts and to implement and low cost. or public owners and the GMB in Brittany, preserve the corridors (hedgerows, tree Albania France). lines, etc.) among roosts and hunting areas. ii. Nursery colony in the roof space of the old SPP Some simple and low-cost projects can be im- ▷ Inform and establish links with authorities ▷ Maintain and promote the mosaic of traditional building at Ag. Germanos (Appendix III): plemented in Albania for specific roosting sites: responsible for the preservation, protection agro-pastoral and agro-forestry landscape (or- The amounts of bat droppings under the and restoration of public buildings includ- chards, pastures with isolated trees, forest edge, roof structure suggest that the roof space i. Restoration of Shueç tunnel (Appendix III): ing historical monuments, chapels, etc. riparian vegetation, sheep barns, etc.). may be used as a transitional or satellite site An old tunnel near the village of Shueç can ▷ Inform the professionals involved in build- by the species. Placing plywood panels and be transformed into a bat roost which may ing works (builders, carpenters, roofers, ar- In summary, roost buildings should building a “hot-box” (Schofield 2010) will also benefit other species: one of the two en- chitects, civil engineers, etc.); provide them (adapted from Schofield 2010): trap warm air to allow the establishment of a trances should be completely blocked using with good practice guidelines. ▷ Have access points easily identifiable by the nursery colony (dimensions of roost exit 20 material available on site (rocks and earth) ▷ Work with roost owners to promote appro- bats. cm x 60 cm). to prevent draughts. The second entrance can be partly blocked using the same mate- Three projects have already been owners restored the buildings within their prop- Box 18.1. General recommendations (see rial leaving a relatively small opening. In the implemented on the principles described erties and preserved a small shed (1.5 x 2 m) for Appendix IV for illustrations) absence of draughts, the tunnel will become in Boxes 17.5 & 17.6: R. hipposideros which lived in the different parts suitable as a bat roost. Rubbish should be re- of the abandoned buildings. In 2010, the nursery ▷ Develop public awareness campaigns in all moved from the area to prevent toxic smoke a) Biological Station near the village of colony was successfully established in the shed. three local languages. from fires going into the tunnel. This project Mikrolimni (Appendix III): The protection of this colony is the result of the ▷ Educate the general public through events, can be part of the sensitisation of the pub- Having been abandoned for many years this sensitisation of the owners who appreciated its and the production and diffusion of educa- lic to the protection of bats which in turn building was utilized as a roosting site by a breed- importance. tional material including brochures, hand- can be part of a larger-scale environmental ing colony of R. hipposideros (approx. 50 bats). books, film, etc. awareness project. The building was renovated in 2009. After agree- c) Sheep barn near Ag. Germanos village (Ap- ▷ Include information on the bats of Prespa in ment with its owner, the Elliniki Etairia (Hel- pendix IV): the information centres of the Prespa NPs,   132 ii. Restoration of the old pumping station at lenic Society for the Protection of the Environ- A traditional barn hosts a nursery colony of ap- SPP (GR) and Galicica NP. 133 Shueç (Appendix III): ment and the Cultural Heritage), and based on prox. 40-50 R. hipposideros. The GMB and SPP ▷ Install outdoor information panels. This disused small building situated close to proposals by the GMB and SPP, a small opening informed the owner on the importance of the ▷ Inform policy and decision makers, civil the border with Greece is probably used as a under the roof eave was created in July 2009 by colony and the need to avoid disturbance. A ver- services, landowners, municipalities, au- transitional or satellite roost by bats that may removing a wall plate to allow the bats to re-en- bal agreement has currently ensured the mainte- thorities and professionals (e.g. forest serv- be connected to the largest known colony in ter in the attic space. The trees close to the open- nance of the colony. ices, farmers, architects, authorities respon- Prespa, at Agathoto (Appendix II). A simple ing were preserved. By 2010, the entire breeding sible of historical monuments, etc.) on the restoration project would aim at minimis- colony had returned to the building, roosting in role and significance of bats in local eco- ing disturbance by placing a door and at the renovated attic space. There was no financial In general, restoration works to improve artifi- systems, their ecological requirements (e.g. improving the thermal conditions by pre- cost to these works. cial bat roosts should be a positive element of the needs of tree-roosting species), as well venting the draughts. A wooden inner floor progress. Projects should be perceived alongside as the national and international laws and with a trap door can provide a range of mi- b) Agricultural shed at Milionas village: the local inhabitants, and be implemented by lo- agreements that protect them, through the croclimates. The door can have a bat-open- A number of traditional buildings were recently cal artisans. The implementation of any restora- production and diffusion of information ing, in which case both windows should be bought to be restored as a principal residence. tion projects should be linked to the socioeco- material designed specifically for each tar- closed, otherwise only one window can be After discussions of the sensitised new own- nomic conditions of the local villages. get group, e.g. handbooks with best practice closed. Trees should be planted to shelter the ers with people from the GMB and the SPP, the guidelines and techniques for forest man- building. The site should be further protect- agers, information brochures for owners of ed by a fence to prevent access by livestock. 18. Advisory, communication, houses and other buildings, etc. The project should be part of a larger-scale public awareness and training ▷ Establish agreements with policy and deci- project in consultation with the local inhab- sion makers, landowners, local stakeholders, itants, e.g. construction of barns alongside Objective: To increase public awareness on municipalities and authorities and encour- the restoration of the pumping station. the ecological role and significance of bats, the age them to implement bat conservation ac- threats to their survival and the necessity of man- tions. FYR of Macedonia agement measures for their protection and con- ▷ Organise training courses for professionals In this part of the Prespa Basin, there are servation; to increase public support towards the for best practice, e.g. foresters, architects, many old and abandoned buildings. How- conservation of Prespa bats through the dissemi- etc. ever, these are unfavourable for the estab- nation of information. ▷ Create a webpage on the bats of Prespa as lishment of Rhinolophus hipposideros colo- This section is concerned with the third axis: part of the websites of the NPs and the SPP nies because there is no insulation beneath raising public awareness. The general public, lo- to ensure an effective diffusion of informa- the tiles. Thus, the basic recommendation cal authorities and professionals whose actions tion through the internet addressed to the

for that area, e.g. within Galicica and Pe- X. GREMILLET are involved in bat conservation are considered different audiences. lister NPs, is the construction of one or (Box 18.1). For conservation management to be ▷ Restore a traditional building as a roosting several favourable buildings following the effective, it should be implemented with the site and use it as an information centre on instructions presented in Boxes 17.5 & full support of the local community. bats; roost spaces may be observable through 17.6. IR cameras and projection screens (see e.g. Wall plate removed in the roof of Mikrolimni http://www.maisondelachauvesouris.com/). Biological Station ▷ Organise school programs on bats (e.g. bat games for children, annual bat events such professionals including the forest service, land- • Develop local bat events for the public (e.g. Eu- ing to be bat workers and using lamps they may as “Bats in Our Village”). owners, shepherds, breeders and farmers, the ropean Bat Night, “Bats in Our Village”, “Bats in search in the dark for the different bat species ▷ Organise conferences, symposia and work- building industry, etc., as well as authorities such Your Property”, etc.). present in the Prespa area (“Your challenge: find shops at national, transboundary and inter- as the departments in charge of the historical and • Promote bat refuges in private or public proper- the bats of Prespa”). Another room may be de- national levels on bat research and conser- cultural heritage. Because mediators will gener- ties. voted to the projection of videos. Infrared cam- vation (see e.g. Papadatou, Grémillet and ally be in charge of informing policy and deci- • Monitor protected roosting sites to prevent dis- eras may also be placed in natural roosts (e.g. Kazoglou 2010). sion makers, local stakeholders and the different turbance or destruction. Treni cave in Albania). ▷ Distribute press releases and give interviews authorities, they should be able to speak the local • Remedy damages or disturbance in buildings • Interactive games are a very useful educational to the local and public mass media (newspa- languages and to understand the rural behaviour. used as roosting sites. tool that may be included in the centres. pers, television, radio, etc.). To be successful in their work, they should build • Survey local bat sites if necessary outside the ▷ Recruit and train local people with the nec- good social relations with the local inhabitants regular transboundary surveys. It is desirable that:   134 essary skills and tools to organise and be who do not know about bats and may not care • Bat mediators manage the bat information cen- 135 in charge of education and mediation pro- about their protection. They will not necessarily Information centre on the bats of Prespa tres in each country. grams (see details below). be scientists, but they should be trained with the There are several examples of bat information • The resource centre or technical library concern- ▷ Recruit and train volunteers to aid local me- necessary qualifications and skills as bat workers. centres in Europe (Belgium, France, Ireland, U.K., ing bats is located in the bat information centre. diators and guarantee future monitoring. More specifically mediators should: etc.). In Prespa, it is recommended to create a “Bat • Know bat biology and be regularly trained and Information Centre” in each of the three coun- School education programs consulted by bat experts. tries, presenting the different aspects of the bats’ Educational activities may vary depending on sea- Geomorphologic, climatic and other environmen- • Be in contact with bat scientists for updated life linked to the local conditions. Bat information son, the age of the children, as well as the local tal features may act as limits on biodiversity. Hu- scientific information and evidence-based solu- centres should: social conditions and legal framework. They may man borders, however, cannot limit the wandering tions. • Be easily accessible by local inhabitants and visi- include: colouring bat drawings, singing, playing of bears or the flight of bats. In Prespa, the flora and • Act as a connection point between bat experts, tors (potential locations are e.g. the Treni village theatrical games, creating stories, bat watching, lis- fauna (e.g. butterflies, birds, bears, foxes, and bats) and local inhabitants and authorities. in Albania and Ag. Germanos or Milionas in tening to bats using bat detectors, volunteer work know only one Prespa ecosystem. Consequently, • Propose restoration projects of ruins to archi- Greece). (e.g. restoring ruins as bat roosts), etc. If bat me- research, survey and conservation projects for bat tects in favour of bats. • Provide educational and other bat material to diators are not allowed by law to enter the schools populations in Prespa need transboundary plans • Inform the building industry on how to inte- the public (e.g. brochures, handbooks, photos, during the school times, they may design and pro- and cooperation, although they may be adapted to grate bats into their work and supervise the res- posters, videos, bat mock-ups, bat boxes, etc.), duce educational activities to be implemented by the local conditions. The same applies to the advi- toration works. advice to schools on bat education programs the teachers, as well as organise outdoor activities sory, communication, public awareness and train- • Inform forest services (workers, engineers and and to professionals. outside the school programs. ing projects that may vary according to the local administration) on how to integrate bats into • Provide an example of an artificial bat roost socioeconomic situation even if the main ideas forest management practices; inform them on through the restoration of a traditional building Conferences, symposia and workshops on and objectives are the same. site e.g. show suitable trees and habitats for the (Boxes 17.6 and 18.1; e.g. ruins of a traditional bat research and conservation bats in the forest. sheep barn). They should therefore comprise two The network of bat roosts and hunting habitats Permanent local bat mediators (bat • Manage the bat information centre in Prespa distinct parts, one open to the public for the ex- shared between the three countries at Prespa call workers) (Boxes 17.6 and 18.1). hibition and the bat shop, and one used as a roost for transboundary symposia, workshops and meet- Raising public awareness on the ecological signifi- • Create and manage a centre οr technical library by the bats (attic and basement) not open to the ings. Prespa is also suitable for the organisation of cance of bats should be based on the development to provide information material on bats for local public. Infrared cameras can allow bats to be seen conferences, symposia and workshops on bat re- of public education campaigns. It should be a long inhabitants and for professionals whose work by the public without being disturbed. The roost search and conservation at national and interna- term purpose for which permanent local media- may have an impact on bat populations or who entrance should be located on the quietest side tional levels, since it hosts important bat popula- tors with an official mission and status should be are involved in education (teachers, architects, near bushes and trees and connect the colony tions and habitats at European level and therefore assigned in each of the three countries surround- conservationists, foresters, builders, etc.). This directly to foraging sites with a wooded corridor. the different aspects, issues and challenges of bat ing the Prespa Basin (e.g. employees in NGOs and/ may be part of a bat information centre. Bat emergence at dusk may be watched by people conservation can be well illustrated. Conferences or the management bodies of NPs and the TPP). • Design and prepare information material (bro- from a hide; bat detectors may be used simultane- are a good way to “advertise” bat conservation. Sci- Permanent local bat mediators will be in charge chures, handbooks, guides for professionals etc.). ously to “listen” to bats as they emerge. entific workshops and meetings is a good oppor- of establishing links with the local inhabitants • Develop training programs for professionals. • A room devoted to a life-size artificial cave with tunity for students, professionals, administration, and authorities, the design and implementation • Design education programs for schools and bat mock-ups may introduce the public to the stakeholders and authorities to discover bats and to of school teaching and other education programs, children in general, e.g. outdoor and indoor bat bat cave environment and may serve as an edu- appreciate and integrate bat conservation into their and the design and diffusion of information for games. cational tool for species identification: pretend- work. Bat Research and Conservation Centre Through the application of research, surveys and According to the study on the development of 20. Useful websites (National Museum of Natural History, Bulgaria) conservation recommendations, as well as the im- the transboundary monitoring system (TMS) http://www.nmnhs.com/bat-research-and-con- plementation of public awareness activities, Pre- for the Transboundary Prespa Park (Perennou et EUROBATS http://www.eurobats.org/ servation-centre-en.html spa may serve as a model for bat conservation on al. 2009), the TMS at its first stage of application a national level (Greece, FYR of Macedonia and should be realistic, low-cost and applicable. One of The Bat Workers’ Manual Bat information centres : Albania), as well as a model of trans-national co- the aims of the bats’ workshop in July 2010 at Sten- http://jncc.defra.gov.uk/page-2861 operation for the conservation of bats. je was to identify and propose scientifically-based http://www.maisondelachauvesouris.com/ and practical methods to monitor bats in trans- Bat or mammal research and conservation http://www.museum-bourges.net/ boundary Prespa from a wide variety of methods organizations: 19. Cooperation at the and techniques. However, resources necessary to Bat Conservation International http://www.comblainaupont.be/ancien_site/de- transboundary level: TMS implement such monitoring in the future have not cou/index.html  http://www.batcon.org/  136 been secured or defined yet, so it is very probable 137 The Transboundary Prespa Park offers ample that its implementation in the near future may BatLife Europe http://www.saintmaurice.clohars-carnoet.fr/ ground for cooperation on conservation and sci- include collection of relatively simple data (i.e. http://www.batlife-europe.info/ entific work on bats (section 15). The basis for not demanding highly skilled personnel or com- Bats, other wildlife and roads: such cooperation has already been established plex methods and equipment) based on common Bat Conservation Trust http://www.bats.org.uk/ through this work and the workshop organized at methodologies and field protocols for the three http://english.verkeerenwaterstaat. Stenje (Galicica NP, July 2010; Papadatou, Grémil- sides of Prespa to be implemented by well-trained Lubee Bat Conservancy nl/kennisplein/page_kennisplein. let and Kazoglou 2010) in the framework of the local people. In addition, bat monitoring should http://www.batconservancy.org/ aspx?DossierURI=tcm:195-17870-4&Id=273409 SPP-UNDP project on the development of a trans- require resources comparable to those allocated boundary monitoring system for the Transbound- for the other thematic areas and elements of the Bat Conservation Ireland http://www.cbm.slu.se/iene/ ary Prespa Park. In parallel to priorities set at na- TMS, such as bird midwinter counts which do not http:// batconservationireland.org/ tional levels, the need to conduct transboundary require large funds. In brief, based on these pre- http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol12/iss1/ art11/ work and cooperation was underlined during the conditions and the existing experience on trans- Société Française pour l’Etude et la Protection workshop by all three sides. Based on these initial boundary bat monitoring, a bat TMS should be des Mammifères (SFEPM) http://www.sfepm.org/chiropteres.htm steps of transboundary cooperation on the moni- initiated with the following activities (Papadatou, Bats and IR cameras: toring, the following activities have been consid- Grémillet and Kazoglou 2010): Groupe Mammalogique Breton ered essential for the near future: • Identify common methods and protocols to be http://www.gmb.asso.fr/ http://www.muluparkbatcam.com/ • Establish working groups on bats and appoint a applied on the three sides of Prespa for a period coordinator in each country, of 3-5 years, Russian Bat Research Group LIFE projects on bats: • Organize regular contacts, exchange of informa- • Train staff involved in bat monitoring by experts http://zmmu.msu.ru/bats/ tion/findings of bat surveys, and meetings, already acquainted with the area so as to achieve http://www.lifechiromed.fr/ • Plan and implement joint monitoring and re- the best possible results in terms of quality of Slovak Bat Conservation Group http://www.netopiere.sk/ search efforts based on commonly agreed meth- data and compliance with code of ethics, http://www.sfepm.org/LifeChiropteres/Re- odologies, • Monitor nursery colonies at sites of major im- sultats.htm • Train the staff of the NPs, portance around the Prespa and Ohrid Lakes • Use the already established collaboration of bat by means of visual observations of presence-ab- experts in the three countries as a model for sence of bats and emergence/roost counts, transboundary conservation and monitoring • Carry out winter counts at selected sites pro- work in the Transboundary Prespa Park. vided that all precautions are met for minimal disturbance of bats. 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Bat Research News 37: 1-3 503-512 Region, 23-25 June 2000, Oteševo, Macedonia Papadatou E, Butlin RK, Pradel R, Altringham JD (2009) Ristevski B, Popovski H, Damevski K, Georgievski D Sex-specific roost movements and population dynamics of (2000) Fruit production in a function of sustainable devel- the vulnerable long-fingered bat, Myotis capaccinii. Biologi- opment of Prespa Region. Proceedings of the International cal Conservation 142: 280-289 Symposium on the Sustainable Development of the Prespa Papadatou E (2010) Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera): species Region, 23-25 June 2000, Oteševo, Macedonia diversity, distribution and abundance. In: Catsadorakis G, Rodrigues L, Bach L, Dubourg-Savage M-J, Goodwin J, Appendix I Bat study techniques P. P. KATSIYIANNIS   146 147 E. PAPADATOU

1. Setting up mistnets over river (left) and a harp trap in front of a cave (right) E. PAPADATOU

3. Looking for bats in rock crevices T. DUBOS E. PAPADATOU P. P. KATSIYIANNIS

4. Identifying species and taking measurements before 5. Preparing equipment for echolocation call 2. Flip-net over water releasing the bat on site recordings Appendix II The distribution of bats in and around the Prespa Lakes Basin The following maps show the currently known ters in particular within rock crevices. Further, distribution of bat species occurring in the Prespa locations do not indicate the frequency of occur- Lakes Basin and its surroundings, including the rence, i.e. how often a species has been found at Transboundary Prespa Park, adjacent areas (the any site. Therefore, a species that may have ap- valley of Ladopotamos and Sfika in Greece and peared many times at a site is not distinguished areas to the north of the Prespa Park near Velmej by a species that has only appeared only once or in the FYR of Macedonia), and the rest of Galici- a few times at that site (this mainly refers to feed- ca National Park including areas in Ohrid Lake ing/commuting areas). basin. Distribution maps include roosts (mater- Distribution maps are not provided for: (a) bats nity, day, night, satellite, transition, hibernation) identified at genus level comprising bats of the ge- and/or foraging sites where bats have been de- nus Plecotus detected twice at Treni Cave (October   150 tected. Notice that the number of locations does 2010, February 2011) and Myotis found in one of 151 not correspond to population abundance, but the Gollomboç caves (November 2010); (b) Pleco- only indicate the presence of the species. For ex- tus macrobullaris, as there is only 1 unpublished ample, the locations of M. capaccinii appear to record from this species in the Prespa NP (GR) by be fewer compared to M. daubentonii; however, O. von Helversen (2007); (c) Vespertilio murinus, concentrations of M. capaccinii at the majority as this species has not been detected within the of these locations (cave roosts) are greater com- Prespa Basin. pared to M. daubentonii that forms smaller clus- All maps were prepared by O. Avramoski.

Fig. 1 The distribution of all study sites where bats have been detected at Prespa and adjacent areas   152 153

Fig. 2 The distribution of Rhinolophus hipposideros at Prespa and adjacent areas Fig. 3 The distribution of Rhinolophus ferrumequinum at Prespa and adjacent areas   154 155

Fig. 4 The distribution of Rhinolophus euryale at Prespa and adjacent areas Fig. 5 The distribution of Rhinolophus blasii at Prespa and adjacent areas   156 157

Fig. 6 The distribution of Myotis daubentonii Fig. 7 The distribution of Myotis capaccinii   158 159

Fig. 8 The distribution of Myotis brandtii Fig. 9 The distribution of Myotis mystacinus   160 161

Fig. 10 The distribution of Myotis nattererii Fig. 11 The distribution of Myotis emarginatus   162 163

Fig. 12 The distribution of Myotis bechsteinii Fig. 13 The distribution of Myotis myotis   164 165

Fig. 14 The distribution of Myotis blythii Fig. 15 The distribution of Myotis myotis and M. blythii with uncertain identification at species level   166 167

Fig. 16 The distribution of Nyctalus leisleri Fig. 17 The distribution of Nyctalus noctula   168 169

Fig. 18 The distribution of Pipistrellus pipistrellus Fig. 19 The distribution of Pipistrellus pygmaeus   170 171

Fig. 20 The distribution of Pipistrellus nathusii Fig. 21 The distribution of Pipistrellus kuhlii   172 173

Fig. 22 The distribution of Hypsugo savii Fig. 23 The distribution of Eptesicus serotinus   174 175

Fig. 24 The distribution of Plecotus auritus Fig. 25 The distribution of Plecotus austriacus   176 177

Fig. 26 The distribution of Miniopterus schreibersii Fig. 27 The distribution of Tadarida teniotis Appendix III A brief history of artificial bat roosts at Prespa. Roost creation, restoration and maintenance.

(text by Xavier Grémillet; photos by X. Grémillet and GMB) Originally, bats only In this way, some bats, especially Rhinolophus hipposideros, discovered more suitable thermal conditions roosted naturally in to establish their nursery colonies in the roof spaces of these buildings (e.g. roman tile roofing, wood caves, cavities, vaults and or reed-adobe laths): crevices in the rocky cliffs, and in trees:  181

People created an agro-sylvo-pastoral landscape in the native forest. There, R. hipposideros and other species discovered a number of suitable habitats for hunting and spaces offering excellent conditions for the establishment of nursery colonies (e.g. in the attics of houses):

Then people built shelters and hermitages in some of these cliffs as well as houses and barns in other habitats Today, many suitable buildings used by the bats for roosting are in the process of collapse or are reconstructed and locations: without considering bats: Renovated buildings could still be used as bat roosts without inconvenience to their human inhabitants through Disused buildings and other artificial sites can be easily transformed into summer and/or winter roosts for bats (e.g. simple and low cost solutions. Some examples are the old SPP building at Ag. Germanos village (above left), the Shueç tunnel and pumping station in Albania): Biological Station at Mikrolimni village (above right) and the new SPP building at Laimos village (below left and right):   182 183

To transform artificial sites into suitable bat roosts, toxic waste must be collected, some openings should be closed against draughts and disturbance must be prevented (e.g. through bat grilles or partly closed doors; GMB bat refuges, Brittany, France):

In Ag. Germanos village, the ruined sheep barn seen below is located near bat feeding sites. This is an example of a site that can be rebuilt using traditional techniques and transformed into a suitable bat roost and information centre within the framework of a bat conservation project: Appendix IV Disseminating information on bats – education – public awareness

(text by Xavier Grémillet; photos by X. Grémillet and GMB unless stated otherwise) 1. St Maurice Abbey, Clohars-Carnoët, France Behind the wall of the bat roost, the bat mediator shows the location of the colony on the abbey plan to the public This is a historical site. The attic space is partly reserved to a nursery colony of Rhinolophus ferrumequinum. (above) and the bat colony through an infrared camera (below): the public can see directly the bats through In the picture below, a group of visitors is standing in front of the wooden roof door that was especially the camera and therefore can watch the birth and the suckling of young, daily and nightly activities of bats, etc. converted into an entrance for the bat colony. without disturbing them.   186 187 3. Outdoor bat education programs for the public, France   188 189

2. AMIKIRO and Kernascleden church, France AMIKIRO is a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) established and run by bat workers. The NGO has a museum where schools, the general public, Learning about professionals and administration can find exhibition echolocation using rooms, books, a shop, a library, and education games, bat detectors during and see bats directly through infrared cameras. bat night public events. This historical church (left) shelters 650 R. ferrumequinum. The Bat Museum AMIKIRO (right) is located just on the other side of the street. Informing the public in a County Council estate on how to create a bat refuge in In the museum, there are: their property. - A video room to watch directly (or through recorded video material) the life of the bat colony in the attic space of the church (left). - A “large bat ear bike”, a funny but effective illustration of a bat’s hearing system (right).

Logo “Bat Refuge” for the private or public properties whose owners sign a bat protection agreement with the GMB. 4. Examples of education tools 5. Informing stakeholders about bats: owners of buildings, professionals, workers, etc. in Prespa

Bat workers inform barn owners, farmers and shepherds.   190 191 Y. KAZOGLOU

Bat mock-up Bat workers and architects plan some works in favour of the bat nursery colony in the attic of the Biological Station at Mikrolimni.

Bat colouring page Y. KAZOGLOU