|
|
"The
individuals which are so common in South London,
even in thickly populated neighbourhoods like Battersea
and Chelsea and Vauxhall, must, I think, be principally
the pipistrelle·We see [them] from the spring months
until the early winter, both in our open spaces
and in the busy street"
(Johnson, 1930) |
Download
this Action Plan in full,
including the Bat Audit
1. Aims
 |
To
reverse the current population declines in London's
bats. |
|
To
change Londoners' misconceptions about bats and secure
their status as a culturally valued species.
|
2. Introduction
Bats are highly adapted nocturnal mammals · the only mammals
to have evolved powered flight. Often called flying mice,
they are in fact more closely related to humans than to
rodents, and form a special group of their own: the Chiroptera,
meaning 'hand-wing'. Bats are generally only seen briefly
at dusk and their seemingly furtive nocturnal habits have,
over generations, resulted in popular misconceptions and
even misplaced fear of them. Modern horror stories, films
and the media quoting fiction as fact have not helped to
improve this tainted public image.
Britain's sixteen species of bat only eat insects. Serving
as natural insecticides, they consume huge numbers and variety
of prey · a single pipistrelle can eat 3000 midges in a
night. With the loss of natural roost sites such as trees,
bats have adapted to living in buildings and many Londoners
are surprised to discover unexpected lodgers for a few weeks
during the summer when females need somewhere warm to raise
their young. Their reliance on buildings for roosting greatly
focuses conservation efforts on people's tolerance and goodwill.
Bats are an excellent indicator of the quality of our environment,
as their complex ecological requirements leave them highly
sensitive to environmental changes. Their serious decline
should be a wake-up call to us all.
All of London's bat species are dealt with collectively
in this plan because:
|
Those
currently concerned with the conservation of bats deal
with all species; |
|
All
bat species and their roosts are equally protected by
law; |
|
The
conservation problems faced by all bats are believed
to be generally similar, so measures proposed here are
likely to be of benefit to a number of species.
|
3. Current
Status
At least eight species are known to
be breeding in Greater London (see Species Audit in the
Annex). The two pipistrelles are by far the most common
and still occur in all London Boroughs. Noctule and Daubenton's
bats are regularly recorded and widespread.
Little is known about the current status of most species
nationally, although the available evidence suggests an
overall decline in populations. The pipistrelle (both species)
is thought to have declined by an estimated 70% between
1978 and 1993 (Harris et.al. 1995).
A recent repeat survey in London found that there has been
a statistically significant decline in the bat population
of Greater London since the mid-1980s, particularly for
noctules, Leisler's bats and serotines (Jones, et al.
2000 in prep). Further information on the status of London's
bats can be found in the Annex.
4. Specific
Factors Affecting the Species
4.1 Loss of maternity
roost sites in buildings or trees
Disturbance, damage or destruction to roosts can occur
as a result of a lack of public awareness and understanding
of bats, and ignorance of the legislation protecting bats,
which often leads to the legal consultation process being
ignored.
4.2 Loss of
and disturbance to other roost sites
Hibernation and other seasonal roost sites can be disturbed
or damaged for the same reasons as above. These sites include
buildings, trees, bridges and underground roosts.
4.3 Loss of
feeding habitats
Changes in land use can result in the loss of insect-rich
feeding habitats such as wetlands, woodlands and grasslands.
4.4 Disturbance
to commuting routes
Flight paths to and from feeding areas and roosts may be
disturbed through the loss of flight line features such
as green corridors, or through introduction of new features
such as artificial lighting.
5
Current Action
5.1 Legal status
All species of bat are protected in the UK on Schedule
5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981, as amended)
and on Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats
&c.) Regulations (1994). The latter further implements
European legislation protecting bats. Bats are also protected
by the Wild Mammals (protection) Act,1996.
The UK is a signatory to the Agreement on the Conservation
of Bats in Europe which came into force in 1994, set up
through the Bonn Convention on the Conservation of Migratory
Species of Wild Animals (1979). While this is not strictly
a legal instrument, as a signatory the UK is obliged to
abide by such agreements.
5.2 Mechanisms
targeting the species
These current actions are
ongoing. They need to be supported and continued in addition
to the new action listed under Section 7.
5.2.1 Bat wardens
The London Bat Group co-ordinates a network of licensed
bat wardens, working in liaison with English Nature to safeguard
bat roosts, particularly in houses.
5.2.2 Awareness-raising
The place of bats in London life is promoted regionally,
locally and London-wide by organisations such as the London
Bat Group, London Wildlife Trust and Local Authorities through
a leaflets and other publications, as well as a programme
of guided walks, illustrated talks, training and articles.
5.2.3 Survey and Research
London Bat Group volunteers participate in national and
local surveys and research, including the Bat Conservation
Trust's National Bat Monitoring Programme.
6.
Objectives, Actions and Targets
Most of these actions
are specific to this species. However, there are other,
broader actions that apply generically to a number of habitats
and species. These are located in a separate 'Generic
Action' section
which should be read in conjunction with this document.
There are generic actions for Site Management, Habitat Protection,
Species Protection, Ecological Monitoring, Biological Records,
Communications and Funding.
Please note that the partners
identified in the tables are those that have been involved
in the process of forming the plan. It is not an exclusive
list and new partners are both welcomed and needed. The
leads identified are responsible for co-ordinating the actions
· but are not necessarily implementers.
Objective 1 To raise awareness
among key audiences, specifically planners, land managers
and tree contractors.
Target: Disseminate best practice advice by 2001.
|
Action
|
Target
Date
|
Lead
|
Other
Partners
|
|
Ensure that suitable
sites for bats are in optimal condition to receive
colonists by encouraging land managers and owners
to follow good practice
|
Ongoing
|
LBG
|
LA, GLA,
FC, BTCV, Groundwork
|
|
Produce and promote a
Bat Advice Note for all local authority planners
|
2001
|
GLA
|
EN, WLOs
|
|
Promote best practice
to all major tree contractors/wardens through written
letters and the existing Bats In Trees leaflet
|
2001
|
LTOA
|
BTCV,
BCT, LBG, LA
|
Objective 3 To increase knowledge of bat distribution and
population change.
Target: Monitoring programme initiated by 2001; collation
of existing data completed by 2003.
|
Action
|
Target
Date
|
Lead
|
Other
Partners
|
|
Establish a long-term
pipistrelle monitoring programme
|
2001
|
LBG
|
RP, CoL,
LA, GLA
|
|
Collate current and historical
records for all bats in London
|
2003
|
LBG
|
BCT, LNHS,
EN, RP, LWT
|
Objective 2 To protect and create roost sites and suitable
feeding habitat.
Target : Establish 40 new roosting opportunities by 2006
|
Action
|
Target
Date
|
Lead
|
Other
Partners
|
|
Identify potential sites
for roost creation opportunities
|
2001
|
GLA
|
Land owners
and managers
|
|
Create new roost opportunities
on 40 identified sites
|
2006
|
LBG
|
LA, BTCV,
Groundwork, TW, Railtrack, RP
|
Objective 4 To increase public awareness of and involvement
in bat conservation.
Target: 20 licensed bat workers by 2005; 2 Hibernation
Licence holders by 2002; Training Licence Holder by 2005.
|
Action
|
Target
Date
|
Lead
|
Other
Partners
|
|
Maintain co-ordinated
programme of guided walks, illustrated talks and popular
written articles
|
Ongoing
|
LBG
|
BCT, LWT,
WWT, LA, RP, CoL. General Media
|
|
Run training courses
in bat detection for potential leaders of bat walks
|
2003
|
LBG
|
RP, CoL
|
|
Recruit a London-specific
bat licence trainer
|
2005
|
LBG
|
EN
|
|
Set up a programme of
training for bat box inspection licences
|
2002
|
LBG
|
EN, RP
|
Objective 5 To make a significant contribution to urban
bat conservation through new ecological research.
Target: One research topic completed and disseminated by
2008.
|
Action
|
Target Date
|
Lead
|
Other Partners
|
|
Complete a desk-top study of current research on
artificial light and mammal ecology
|
2003
|
LBG
|
EN, LWT, GLA
|
|
Commission and complete new research into links between
urban bat ecology and artificial light
|
2005
|
LBG
|
LWT, GLA
|
Relevant Action Plans
London Plans
Woodland; The Tidal Thames;
Canals; Private Gardens; Wasteland; Open Landscapes with
Ancient/Old trees; Grassland, Meadows and Pasture; Grazing
Marsh and Floodplain Grassland; Marshland; Reedbed; Ponds,
Lakes and Reservoirs; Churchyards and Cemeteries; Railway
Linesides; Farmland; Parks, Amenity Grasslands and City
Squares; Hedgerows
National Plans
Pipistrelle bat
Key References
Harris, S., Morris, P., Wray,
S. & Yalden, D. (1995). A Review of British Mammals:
population estimates and conservation status of British
mammals other than cetaceans. JNNC, Peterborough.
Johnson, Walter. FGS. 1930.
Animal Life in London. The Sheldon Press, London.
Jones, K. Guest, P. Tovey,
J. In preparation. The status of London's bats (Mammalia:
Chiroptera) 15 years on.
JNCC (1999). Bat Worker's
Manual - 2nd Edition.
Mickleburgh, Simon (1987).
Distribution and status of bats in the London area:
The London Naturalist, no.66. LNHS
Abbreviations
|
BCT - Bat Conservation
Trust
CoL · Corporation of London
EN - English Nature
FC · Forestry Commission
GLA - Greater London Authority
LA · Local Authorities
|
LBG - London Bat Group
LNHS · London Natural History Society
LWT - London Wildlife Trust
WWT - Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust
RP - Royal Parks
TW · Thames Water
WLOs - Wildlife Liaison Officers
|
Contact
The Lead for this species
is the London Bat Group. Please note that although
the London Bat Group will co-ordinate these actions on a
London-wide scale with the support of the Partnership, it
unfortunately cannot currently resource action at a Borough
or Local Level.
pipistrelle © John Kaczanow
for the London Bat Audit, download
the full PDF
Home
|
