Soprano pipistrelle

1

18

Common pipistrelle

46

697

Whiskered/Brandt’s

8

178

Brown long-eared

2

35

Soprano pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pygmaeus) aren’t common in this area. The table states whiskered/Brandt’s Myotis mystacinus/ Brandtii) because the two species are impossible to separate by their call and so they have been regarded as a single species. In fact, it is more likely that they are whiskered bats because of the habitat types to be found during the survey. Brandt’s bats are more closely affiliated with true woodland.  Brown Long-eared Bats  (Plecotus auritus) are rarely recorded on bat recorders since their signals are extremely quiet and the observer needs to be within 5 metres of so of the animal, so it is likely that there were more of this species flying over the area, and I did see some bats that didn’t register on the recorder, which were almost certainly this species.

Summary. Since this land is situated in a landscape that is principally comprised of land intensively managed for agriculture,  it is evident from the results of this brief survey that this small plot is “punching above its weight” in terms of providing foraging opportunities for bats.  Since all British bats feed on insects, then there must be plenty of insect prey present. It is especially interesting and gratifying to record whiskered/Brandt’s bats. I have been working on bats in this general area for 35 years and I do not record these species very frequently and most of those recordings haven’t been close to Shore Farm. It is wonderful to see the hard work of local people and Flavourfresh Salads Ltd being rewarded in this way. If only more companies were so wildlife friendly. I will try to keep a close eye on what happens in the future.

Charlie Liggett     C.Biol., M.I. Biol.

Merseyside and West Lancashire Bat Group