Simply batty about results of survey along river
29 June 2010
A stretch of river in Lincolnshire is helping to provide a vital habitat for one of Britain's most enigmatic creatures.
A series of surveys by the Environment Agency on the River Witham has found the waterway to be an important habitat for three species of bat. All bats are protected by law as a result of a dramatic decline in their numbers over the past 20 years caused by habitat loss and a reduction in the number of insects.
The surveys, which took place over two nights, covered a stretch of river between Lincoln and Boston and resulted in 1,430 recordings. Two surveys were carried out between Bardney Lock and Lincoln with a further one between Bardney Lock and Boston.
They were conducted using an Anabat detector - a device which records the sonar echolocation calls of the creatures - mounted on the Environment Agency's fisheries acoustic survey boat. Each recorded call is automatically tagged with a time and date and can then be studied to identify what species of bat it belongs to.
Ruth Snelson, of the Environment Agency's Fisheries, Recreation and Biodiversity Team, said: "The survey found that the River Witham supports bats including the Common Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle and Daubenton's. In addition, small numbers of Noctule bat were also found to be present along a limited stretch of the river.
"These results show that the River Witham is an important area for feeding and provides a corridor which links urban areas such as Lincoln and Boston with the wider countryside. It is important that habitats such as this are protected because intensive farming and the use of pesticides have led to a reduction in the insects which bats rely on as their only source of food.
"The Environment Agency's work to improve water quality in our rivers and reduce the impact of farming and industry will help to ensure the River Witham continues to support a healthy bat population."
The results of the bat surveys will be used to help conservation projects and encourage improvements to the river.
Ruth said: "We will be carrying out another survey in the autumn to monitor the bat population and identify changes in their behaviour.
"Works of this nature help us to gain a wider understanding of bats, where they can be found and what they are using the river for. This knowledge will help us to ensure that the works we carry out along the river take into consideration the creatures and their needs to further enhance this important habitat."