We recently embarked on a series of expeditions through the scenic landscapes of North Wales, where we engaged with landowners overseeing Lesser Horseshoe bat roost sites. Our objective? To assess accessibility, foster partnerships, and develop effective strategies for collecting crucial data that will underpin the BATMAN project.
Under the guidance of Dr. Christina Stanley, members of our research team visited several roost locations in person for the first time, connecting with passionate landowners along the way. These interactions placed the groundwork for effective and vital partnerships. Landowner insights and cooperation are instrumental to the success of our research, and it was heartening to witness the local community’s active involvement in the preservation of bats and their habitats.
Each landowner shared valuable observations of the bats' behavior, detailing how they came to know and appreciate the roost they protect, challenges that they faced along the way and unique observations of the day-to-day lives of bats. These discussions played a pivotal role in tailoring our approach to each unique roosting site. By physically being at each site, we were able to plan our data collection methods to maximise efficiency and minimise disturbance. Understanding the lay of the land is crucial for planning effective data collection methods that respect the bats' habitat when the sun sets.
Stay tuned as we transition from daylight discussions to moonlit discoveries, sharing more insights, challenges, and triumphs from our ongoing research. Together, let's unravel the mysteries of Lesser Horseshoe bat behaviour and celebrate the wonders that both daylight and darkness reveal!
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