Bats booming at historic sites

One of the biggest ever bat roosts on National Trust for Scotland property has been discovered as part of a project by the conservation charity to count and catalogue bats.

One of the biggest ever bat roosts on National Trust for Scotland property has been discovered as part of a project by the conservation charity to count and catalogue bats.

More than 350 bats were observed at the roost at Hill of Tarvit in Fife, making it the most populated site discovered during the conservation charity’s eight week survey for bats at 17 of its historic sites. Four roosts were found at the Fife property during a two-day census.

During the project, which was part-funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, conservation specialists found plenty of evidence of healthy bat populations. The Trust discovered 14 new roosts that house a total if 515 bats at eight historic properties, including Culross in Fife and Harmony Garden in Melrose.

In total, bat experts and volunteers recorded over 1200 bat passes from different species including soprano pipistrelle, bandit pipistrelle and brown long-eared during the census which is part of the conservation charity’s ongoing work to protect and conserve the legally-protected mammals and their roosts.

Mr Lindsay Mackinlay, Nature Conservation Adviser said:

“Bats are vulnerable creatures and need our care and protection to ensure that they survive and thrive. Many bat populations have been in decline in Scotland for some time because of roost destruction and changes to their food supply, but there are now signs that some bat species are starting to recover.

“The results of our survey are very positive, showing that the Trust cares for some very healthy populations of bats. In fact, many of the bats spotted were feeding so there is clearly a ready supply of insects for them to eat.

“This shows that our approach of trying to conserve roosts whilst working around them is working. We also think that many of our wildlife conservation projects on our land, such as planting new wildflower meadows and managing our trees and woodland, is increasing the food available to bats and boosting populations, which is great news and will help us in our future work to conserve these fascinating creatures.”

Bat counts took place at Balmerino Abbey, Fife , Falkland Palace, Fife, Hill of Tarvit, Fife, Culross Palace, Fife, Alloa Tower, Clackmannanshire, Provan Hall, nr Easterhouse, Glasgow, Holmwood House, Glasgow, Greenbank Garden, Glasgow, Pollok House, Glasgow, Weaver’s Cottage, Kilbarchan, Geilston Garden, Cardross, Pineapple, Falkirk, Bannockburn, Stirling, Priorwood Garden, Melrose, Harmony Garden, Melrose, Moirlanich Longhouse, Killin and Hill House, Helensburgh.

Roosts were found at Culross, Geilston, Greenbank, Harmony, Hill of Tarvit (4 roosts), Holmwood, Moirlanich Longhouse, Provan Hall.