N A T I O N A L P A R K S A N D W I L D L I F E S ERVICE THE IRISH BAT MONITORING PROGRAMME 2015-2017 Tina Aughney, Niamh Roche and Steve Langton I R I S H W I L D L I F E M ANUAL S 103 Front cover, small photographs from top row: Coastal heath, Howth Head, Co. Dublin, Maurice Eakin; Red Squirrel Sciurus vulgaris, Eddie Dunne, NPWS Image Library; Marsh Fritillary Euphydryas aurinia, Brian Nelson; Puffin Fratercula arctica, Mike Brown, NPWS Image Library; Long Range and Upper Lake, Killarney National Park, NPWS Image Library; Limestone pavement, Bricklieve Mountains, Co. Sligo, Andy Bleasdale; Meadow Saffron Colchicum autumnale, Lorcan Scott; Barn Owl Tyto alba, Mike Brown, NPWS Image Library; A deep water fly trap anemone Phelliactis sp., Yvonne Leahy; Violet Crystalwort Riccia huebeneriana, Robert Thompson. Main photograph: Soprano Pipistrelle Pipistrellus pygmaeus, Tina Aughney. The Irish Bat Monitoring Programme 2015-2017 Tina Aughney, Niamh Roche and Steve Langton Keywords: Bats, Monitoring, Indicators, Population trends, Survey methods. Citation: Aughney, T., Roche, N. & Langton, S. (2018) The Irish Bat Monitoring Programme 2015-2017. Irish Wildlife Manuals, No. 103. National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Culture Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Ireland The NPWS Project Officer for this report was: Dr Ferdia Marnell; [email protected] Irish Wildlife Manuals Series Editors: David Tierney, Brian Nelson & Áine O Connor ISSN 1393 – 6670 An tSeirbhís Páirceanna Náisiúnta agus Fiadhúlra 2018 National Parks and Wildlife Service 2018 An Roinn Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta, 90 Sráid an Rí Thuaidh, Margadh na Feirme, Baile Átha Cliath 7, D07N7CV Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, 90 North King Street, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 N7CV Contents Contents ................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Executive Summary .............................................................................................................................................. i Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................................................. ii 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Alert Levels ............................................................................................................................................................1 1.2 Developing the Irish Bat Monitoring Programme ............................................................................................2 1.3 Factors Impacting Measured Bat Population Trends .......................................................................................2 1.4 Weather 2015-2017 ................................................................................................................................................3 2 Car-based Bat Monitoring ........................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Method ...................................................................................................................................................................5 2.1.1 Sound Analysis & Data Handling..................................................................................................................6 2.1.2 Methodology Changes ....................................................................................................................................6 2.1.3 Statistical Analysis ...........................................................................................................................................7 2.1.4 Batlogger Trial ..................................................................................................................................................7 2.2 Results ....................................................................................................................................................................8 2.2.1 Bat Dataset Generated ................................................................................................................................... 10 2.2.2 Common Pipistrelle ....................................................................................................................................... 13 2.2.3 Soprano Pipistrelle ......................................................................................................................................... 15 2.2.4 Leisler’s Bat ..................................................................................................................................................... 17 2.2.5 Nathusius’ Pipistrelle .................................................................................................................................... 19 2.2.6 Myotis bat species .......................................................................................................................................... 21 2.2.7 Brown Long-eared Bat ................................................................................................................................... 23 2.2.8 Phenological Changes ................................................................................................................................... 24 2.2.9 Batlogger Trial ................................................................................................................................................ 25 2.2.10 Analysis of Weather Data ............................................................................................................................. 28 2.2.11 Other Vertebrates ........................................................................................................................................... 28 2.2.12 Oral and Poster Presentations & Scientific Papers .................................................................................... 30 3 Daubenton’s Bat Waterways Monitoring ................................................................................................ 31 3.1 Method ................................................................................................................................................................. 31 3.1.1 Volunteer Recruitment .................................................................................................................................. 32 3.1.2 Statistical Analysis ......................................................................................................................................... 32 3.2 Results .................................................................................................................................................................. 33 3.2.1 Volunteer Participation ................................................................................................................................. 33 3.2.2 Volunteer Recruitment, Training & Support .............................................................................................. 35 3.2.3 Bat Detector Models ....................................................................................................................................... 36 3.2.4 Waterway Sites Surveyed ............................................................................................................................. 36 3.2.5 Number of Completed Surveys ................................................................................................................... 43 3.2.6 Trend Analysis 2006-2017 ............................................................................................................................. 44 3.2.7 Relationship with Other Variables 2006-2017 ............................................................................................ 50 3.2.8 Oral and Poster Presentations ...................................................................................................................... 51 3.2.9 Data Handling ................................................................................................................................................ 51 3.2.10 Additional Wildlife Records ......................................................................................................................... 51 4 Brown Long-eared Roost Monitoring ...................................................................................................... 52 4.1 Method ................................................................................................................................................................. 52 4.1.1 Survey Methods ............................................................................................................................................. 52 4.1.2 Methodology Changes .................................................................................................................................. 52 4.1.3 Statistical Analysis ......................................................................................................................................... 52 4.1.4 Additional Technology ................................................................................................................................. 53 4.1.5