All sightings were recorded without entering people’s allotments

Bat Transect 4 June 2024

Haredean allotment site, Lewes, 8.00 to 10.00pm

The weather was cool, damp and windy which meant there were fewer insects about and so fewer bats out feeding.

Surveyor: Perry Hockin accompanied by Topsy, and allotment holders

Following a fascinating introduction by Perry on bats and bat surveying a bat transect was made. Bat detectors were used to locate and identify bats by their sound frequency.

The following species were identified. Numbers are difficult to pin down.

Species identified

Soprano pipistrelle

Common pipistrelle

Myotis species

Bat boxes

Bat boxes have an 80-90% occupation rate in the first year of installation. This is much higher than bird boxes. Ideally locate the box on a tree with a clear ‘flight path’ about 4.5m high, facing north or east.