Bat Boxes

Bat boxes are artificial roosts designed to encourage bats into areas where there are few roosting sites. There are various designs of bat box from wooden boxes you can make yourself to external ready-assembled boxes and even integrated bat boxes that can be built into walls. Different bat species need different spaces.

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For advice on choosing your bat box and where to put it visit the Bat Conservation Trust page here.

Devon Wildlife Trust also has a handy how to build a bat box guide

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In summary, locate boxes:

• Where bats are known to feed and navigate (close to hedges and tree lines);
• Ideally at least 4m above the ground (where safe installation is possible);
• Away from artificial light sources (to protect them from predation); and
• Sheltered from strong winds and exposed to the sun for part of the day (usually south, south-east or south-west).

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Please note, as bats are vulnerable to disturbance and fully protected under UK law, boxes must only be opened by a licensed bat worker.

Devon Greater Horseshoe Bat Project

Working across Devon, the project is looking to secure the future of this species in the county. Ensuring the habitats needed are present, that our bat knowledge is better and that the people of Devon know about the species and so are better able to look after it.

Working with Landowners

Securing a future for greater horseshoes in Devon relies on those who own and manage the habitats where these bats live. Farmers and landowners have been managing these for centuries, but this is getting harder as new challenges are faced. The project will help them with this – from ensuring roosts are looked after to helping farmers manage parasitic worms, from recreating flower-rich grasslands and hedges to financial support for long-term management.

Education

How much do you know about greater horseshoes? The people of Devon have helped this fantastic species to thrive here for centuries, whether they knew it or not. The project will help Devon’s communities to learn about their night time neighbour, and offer opportunities to celebrate and support the bats; from classroom activities to sowing a wildflower meadow, surveying to building a roost.

Improving Knowledge

We know a lot about this enigmatic mammal, but there is so much still to learn. Citizen science surveys will give local communities and individuals the opportunity to play a leading role in increasing our understanding of how the greater horseshoe uses the landscapes around its roosts. The project will also commission habitat analysis to understand more clearly what features the bats are using and then use this information to guide our work with landowners.

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Visit their website to find out more and to get involved.

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