The Lesser Horseshoe Bat
Wednesday 10 March 2010
Location: Carnacon, Co. Mayo, Ireland
Tutors: Henry Schofield and Kate McAney
Level: Intermediate
An introduction to the range of practical measures that can be employed to safeguard, replace or enhance the roosting and foraging needs of the lesser horseshoe bat. The workshop will consist of a morning of theory and discussions exploring the ways buildings can be successfully adapted for lesser horseshoe bats, as well as looking at the specific landscape needs of this species and how these can be enhanced or provided. Following a working lunch, the afternoon will be spent visiting two of The Vincent Wildlife Trust’s bat reserves in Mayo to see at first hand some of this theory in practice.
IEEM Members £80 (£70 if booked before 10 January 2010).
Non-members £160 (£140 if booked before 10 January 2010).
Further Information
For the past 30 years The Vincent Wildlife Trust has focused much of its resources on the management and protection of horseshoe bat roosts. In late 2008 the Trust published a handbook describing this work for the lesser horseshoe bat and is now running workshops to help others implement these successful guidelines.
The aims of this workshop is to:
- Provide a background to its roosting, commuting and foraging ecology.
- Show how to survey for this species in buildings and in the field.
- Work through a check list of key points to consider when modifying a roost.
- Supply clear and practical advice on how to improve roost buildings and their environs.
- Present case studies of successful enhancement works.
- Give advice on providing artificial roost sites.
- Facilitate discussion on issues that arise during mitigation works.
- Visit roosts at which works have been carried out.
Who should attend this workshop?
The workshop is aimed at ecological consultants who come across the lesser horseshoe bat whilst surveying for bats and who subsequently need to provide mitigation during development work.
Anything participants need to know/read before coming on the training event, or need to have with them?
Bring:
- Head or hand held torches.
- Outdoor shoes and jackets.
- Images on a memory stick of any lesser horseshoe roosts you have worked on or are planning to work on.
- Camera.
What will participants learn from the workshop (learning outcomes)?
Participants will learn about the special roosting and foraging requirements of the lesser horseshoe bat and the measures that can be put in place to safeguard this species, either relating to development work or conservation projects.