Latest news with #bats
The Sun
20 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
The little-known reason Scots should love BATS and why they're a lifesaver in the garden this summer
KING Charles is to provide a new home for bats at his Scottish mansion so work can go ahead. Surveys found evidence of potential roosting sites after he applied for permission to build a luxury wedding venue in Dumfries House near Cumnock, Ayrshire, where bat boxes have now been installed in the grounds of the A-listed building. 4 4 4 But The King isn't the only one to be left in a flap over bats with a £100million 'bat tunnel' also constructed for the controversial HS2 rail line in Buckinghamshire. Chief Features Writer MATT BENDORIS speaks to a top conservationist about why we need to help these nocturnal flying mammals. DOCTOR Joe Nunez-Mino has many reasons why a thriving bat population is good for the environment but one should endear them to Scots more than others - their voracious appetite for midges. As the biting insects continue to cause havoc at family barbecues and day-trips this summer, the one thing helping to keep them at bay are Scotland's airborne mammals. And Dr Joe from the Bat Conservation Trust insists that our nine species of resident bats help in many other ways too. He said: 'We can only estimate but we do know bats eat a lot of insects, each individual bat eating hundreds or even thousands (of midges) every night. 'Different bat species specialise in eating different insects, from biting insects like midges through to moths, including some insects that damage crops and gardens. 'To give one example, a study published last year estimated that bats in apple orchards reduce the total weight of apples damaged by codling moths by 50 per cent.' In the UK all bat species and their roosts are legally protected by both European legislation and domestic laws including Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations (2017). But since the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 it has been a criminal offence to disturb a structure or place bats use for shelter or protection. 'He is spooked' - Moment The Open commentator hides under his jacket as BAT invades broadcasting booth at Portrush It means DIY and commercial builders have to carry out expensive bat surveys costing several thousands - or more if the mammals are found and need to be removed. Dr Joe said: 'There is a cost associated with protecting the environment just like there is with health and safety or protecting historical heritage. 'While we as an organisation don't have any control or influence on the costs of bat surveys, we have worked with some Statutory Nature Conservation Organisations (SNCO) to streamline the process where possible. 'To avoid delays, it's important to take bats into account from the earliest stages of planning work.' He adds: 'Having a bat roost does not prevent developing a property, bats just need to be taken into account as part of the process. Householders should seek advice from their SNCO.' However Dr Joe believes that bats get a bad press including the 1km long bat tunnel in Buckinghamshire that added an extra £100million to the runaway cost of the HS2 rail line. He said: 'We were not involved in the process. However, we do know that multiple cross-party inquiries have found that HS2's delays and cost overruns stem from mismanagement, not nature protections. 'HS2 did not carry out a timely strategic environmental assessment which could have identified viable alternatives that could have avoided significant expenditure and delay.' While in 2002 Scottish wildlife artist David McRae, 56, from Tayside, died from rabies after being bitten by a bat - it was the first case of indigenous rabies in the UK in 100 years. Dr Joe said: 'Two rabies-related viruses have been detected in two bat species in the UK and in only a very small number of individuals. 'If someone is bitten, licked, nipped or scratched by a bat they should wash and disinfect the area and urgently seek medical treatment. 'The NHS has said prompt post-exposure vaccinations have been 100 per cent effective in preventing the disease.' But Dr Joe believes that work done by organisations like his and the stringent laws are helping bats, which have been in decline, to slowly make a recovery. LAST March my wife and I bought an uninhabitable bungalow on Scotland's West Coast and wanted to pull it down before it fell down and replace it with a shiny new build. But 16 months on there hasn't even been a spade in the ground because late on in the planning process it was suddenly announced we needed a bat survey. The problem was by the time we were informed last year, the flying mammals would be hibernating for the winter and a dusk survey - with infrared cameras and sound equipment - couldn't be carried out until the spring. In the end we didn't have any roosting bats, but it has added a £1,800 bill to the project we hadn't budgeted for. Someone else in the area wasn't so lucky and it cost them £5,000 to have their bats removed by an ecologist. But surely with all the technology now available there has to be a quicker - and far cheaper - way of checking where they are roosting, so people can get on with their projects? And when I do finally get my new house built any neighbourhood bats are more than welcome to come and live rent free. He explains: 'All bat species have suffered historical declines in population numbers but we have seen signs of initial recovery in some species. 'We are currently able to monitor five of the nine resident bat species in Scotland through the National Bat Monitoring Program. 'Of these five, four species - Daubenton's bat, Natterer's bat, common pipistrelle and brown long-eared bat - show no significant change since the base line year of 1999 and one species has increased - soprano pipistrelle. 'Bat conservation is important because they are a vital part of our natural heritage which make up around a quarter of our mammal species and they also play a critical role in the ecosystem. 'There is very good evidence that bat populations help to reduce the need for pesticides which ultimately harms the health of other wildlife and people too.' He adds: 'Scotland would have a lot more midges and other insects without them.' *For more information on the Bat Conservation Trust visit 4
Times
3 days ago
- General
- Times
Invasion of 1,200 bats forces taxi driver to sleep in her cab
One night earlier this summer Anne-Marie Murchie sleepily went to the bathroom. The taxi driver reached out for some paper and got a surprise so terrifying she started sleeping in her car. 'Half asleep, I grabbed the toilet roll holder and a bat came out and held on to my hand.' Murchie's home in Dyce near Aberdeen has been invaded by a colony of up to 1,200 soprano pipistrelles. Soprano pipistrelles one of the most common bat species in Britain. The weight up to 8 grammes and have a wingspan of about 200mm ALAMY Because the animals are protected, there is nothing the 41-year-old can do until they move on at the end of the summer maternity season, which could be next month or even September. The bats are everywhere. 'They're above the spotlights in the kitchen and they've popped them out a few times as well,' she said. 'I'm scared to come in the house. Sometimes I actually sleep outside in the car. I'm just petrified.'
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Science
- Daily Mail
Bats could scupper plans to cut into a 4,000-year-old historic mound to allow further research
An influx of bats could scupper plans for a 4,000-year-old historic mound to be partially demolished for further research. At 62ft high, the Castle Mound, also known as Marlborough Mound, is the second-largest Neolithic mound in Europe. Located in the grounds of Marlborough College, Wiltshire, it is even rumoured to be the burial place of the legendary wizard Merlin. In March, Marlborough College applied for planning permission to try and 'enhance its setting' by demolishing structures that 'cut into' the west side of it. The partial demolition is set to aid further archaeological research, with the ultimate goal of installing a new curved stone-faced revetment to support it. But now, concerns have been raised that the buildings located on the historic site have become 'a haven for bats', generating doubts about whether they should be removed. Wiltshire Council's ecology team said that they submitted a Preliminary Roost Assessment which uncovered that 'the buildings on site are of moderate and high potential for roosting bats'. They added: 'The buildings on site appear to have some potential for roosting bats and there are records of bats, including roosting bats, in the local area. 'The assessment recommends that further surveys are carried out to determine the roosting status of each building and the requirement for mitigation (if any). 'The ecology team should be reconsulted once the results for all the surveys are available.' They added that compensation / mitigation measures must be incorporated into the proposals, with the Local Planning Authority (LPA) needing to be 'reasonably sure that the proposal will not result in significant adverse effects on proposed habitats or species.' In documents published in 2024 to support the application, Marlborough College described the Mound as a 'nationally important scheduled monument' with its significance ranging from its prehistoric use, the artistic interest and the historic links to the Seymour family. Since 2022, with Historic England consent, various works have been carried out on the historic site. These including movement monitoring, felling of mature trees to preserve the embankment stability, a footpath upgrade, planting of hawthorn to footpath edge and new stone retaining walls. The newly proposed works, carried out on behalf of the Marlborough Mound Trust, are set to enable archaeologists to investigate a particular cross-section, while also creating a more 'visually pleasing' monument. It is also hoped that the partial demolition will help to enhance the visitor experience of the new Mound Information Centre being completed in the college grounds. Often celebrated throughout the history of Marlborough College, where the Princess of Wales, went to school, the site has been carbon dated to 2,400BC. It also contains part of a medieval castle and also some 17th and 18th Century garden features. The buildings imbedded into the mound include a decommissioned plant room, disused toilet block and a carpentry workshop which all have 'very little or no heritage value.' The supporting statement added that demolishing the buildings will allow 'the setting of the Mound to be enhanced with 360 degree visibility'. They added: 'It is proposed to demolish these buildings which partially block the viewing of the Mound as they are either redundant or in the case of the workshop relocate the activities to elsewhere in the college. 'The demolition work will provide a great opportunity for further archaeological surveys to be carried out and provide more insight into the Mound build up and its history.' The application insisted that special care will be taken to ensure there is no digging into the Mound's bank or earth pulled away. Green foliage between the Mound and the redundant buildings will also be carefully removed. At present, opportunities to see the mound are limited to certain open days and pre-arrangement. Alongside being located in a school, the limited hours are also due to conservation risks and the spiral path at the top having a limited weight capacity. Wiltshire Council is expected to make a decision on the application in August.
CTV News
5 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Bat tests positive for rabies in Chatham-Kent, prompting public health warning
This is an undated photo of a silver-haired bat, the species most often associated with human rabies. (AP Photo/Merlin D. Tuttle, Bat Conservation International). Chatham-Kent Public Health is urging residents to take precautions after a bat recently tested positive for rabies in the region. Officials are reminding the public to avoid wild, aggressive or stray animals and to take simple preventative steps to protect themselves, their families and pets. 'Rabies remains nearly 100 per cent fatal once clinical symptoms develop, and without immediate medical intervention following an exposure, the outcome is almost always tragic,' said Dr. Shanker Nesathurai, acting medical officer of health for Chatham-Kent. 'That's why prompt reporting of any bite or scratch and timely post-exposure treatment is extremely important.' Rabies is a viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals, including humans. It is most commonly spread through the saliva of infected animals via bites or scratches. Bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, coyotes, dogs and cats can all carry and transmit the virus. Dr. Nesathurai said although human rabies cases in Canada are rare, any exposure carries serious risk. 'Rabies prevention is a shared responsibility,' he said. 'By vaccinating pets, avoiding wildlife contact and reporting animal exposure incidents to CK Public Health, we can all play a part in keeping our community safe.' The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) is also highlighting the ongoing risk of rabies in the region. 'This disease is 100 per cent preventable,' said Dr. Mehdi Aloosh, medical officer of health for Windsor-Essex. Officials stress the importance of avoiding physical contact with all wild animals — even those that appear healthy. 'The best approach is to call Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources if you see any wild animals acting strangely, and get help from experts to deal with wildlife,' Aloosh said. Residents are encouraged to seek medical attention right away if they have contact with a bat or are bitten or scratched by any animal. 'People can call us 24 hours, seven days per week. They can call their health care provider, family physician, to get an assessment. And if there's a risk, then we go to the next step with prevention, which is completely free and prevents this deadly disease.' Dr. Aloosh says the virus continues to circulate in local wildlife populations. 'We know that rabies is circulating in wildlife in our region and in Ontario. We know that bats carry the virus. We know that skunks, raccoons, fox, and other species that carry virus. So we should consider all of them, an exposure, a potential exposure for humans and make sure that we are away from the wildlife.' 'We haven't had any cases for decades,' the Aloosh added. 'We haven't had a human case for decades and that shows the importance of awareness of our population, of our community that when they're exposed, they reach out for help.' According to the health unit, over 1,000 human exposures were investigated last year, with 627 bite investigations so far this year — most involving dogs and cats. 'We have seen bats in houses or even when you try to get to be away from wildlife, the wildlife might expose you to the virus and that's when you need to get help of the professionals. Don't touch that bat. Make sure that you're not exposed when you're trying to guide that animal outside of your house. I think that that's really important,' the spokesperson said. 'The other fact about having a circulating virus in the wildlife and zero human cases shows the awareness of our community, and getting help. It talks also about the effectiveness of the vaccine and the treatment that we have available. That's 100 per cent saved lives.' As officials work to raise awareness about rabies, bats are also getting attention of a different kind at Point Pelee National Park. Dan Riskin, CTV's science and technology specialist, is in the region Saturday night to host a talk called 'The Wonderful World of Bats.' 'People shouldn't be scared of bats because they're part of a natural, healthy ecosystem. So when you see a great blue heron, you don't get freaked out. That's just an animal that lives in your world. Bats are like that,' said Riskin. 'If you see bats flying around, you're not in any danger at all. If you touch a bat, you're vulnerable to rabies because if the bat does have the disease, that's how you're going to get it. It's either going to scratch you or bite you. Even the smallest little bite can pass on the virus.' 'And the thing about rabies is, if you wait until you get symptoms, you're almost certain to die. You have to get treated right away. So here's my advice. If you see bats, it's great. If they're flying around, it's great. Nothing to worry about. If someone comes into contact with a bat or a kid, you suspect it came into contact with a bat. Take them to a doctor. Make sure they get rabies shots as a preventative measure. And that way if they do get the virus, they're going to be totally fine.' Meantime, CK Public Health and WECHU are asking anyone who comes into contact with a bat — or who finds one in their home — to contact a licensed pest control professional to safely remove the animal and seal up any entry points. Officials say exposure incidents should be reported to the health unit immediately.
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
'I have hundreds of bats in my house - and I can't do a thing about it'
A woman has been forced to sleep in her car after discovering hundreds of bats roosting in her home - and being told there is nothing she can do to remove them. Anne-Marie Murchie says she is "living in fear every day" after discovering a colony of more than 500 of the protected animals in the walls and roof of her house in Aberdeen. She first heard flapping noises in the walls and later discovered a bat hiding in her toilet roll holder. She has since found more in the living room and kitchen. The NatureScot agency says it cannot remove bats from homes and has advised Ms Murchie that the animals will leave of their own accord at the end of the "maternity season" in August or September. That has been of no comfort to Ms Murchie, who says her anxiety is "through the roof" from the sound of the bats' constant movement. She told BBC Scotland News: "They're above the spotlights in the kitchen and they've popped them out a few times as well. "I'm scared to come in the house. Sometimes I actually sleep outside in the car. I'm just petrified. "The noise is horrendous, it's like running water. But I think it's all the wings going together, like flapping. "It never stops. They get louder at about five or six at night and then when they come in at five in the morning. But they're constantly making noise. I wonder if they sleep." The bats colonising Ms Murchie's home are soprano pipistrelles, which are among the most common and widespread of British bat species. They are known to form colonies well in excess of 200 adult animals - plus their offspring. NatureScot said these bats are usually seasonal visitors to houses and are present for four or five months of the year. They form maternity colonies in May and June and leave in August and early September, once the young bats are independent. NatureScot's bat workers can collect information and advise homeowners on problems they have with the animals. But it says they "cannot carry out any works to your building or exclude/take away the bats". The agency's Kevin Giles told BBC Scotland News: ''With regard to what you can do with them, actually nothing, because they are a protected species under European protection laws and Scottish and UK laws. "So the bats themselves can't be touched, nor can the roosts.'' Ms Murchie first became concerned about a constant noise in her house a few months ago and believed it must be down to a wasps' nest. But a pest control officer told her it was actually bats after looking at doorbell camera footage and seeing them outside. "We found out they were protected so we went through the proper channels and called Nature Scotland," Ms Murchie said. "They then came out with thermal cameras and that gave them an idea of how many bats there are and all the entry points in the house. "It was about 500 bats at least and about 200 to 300 babies. But now we've found another site so they're coming back next week to see how many are there. "It's absolutely awful. I actually moved out because I couldn't bear to live in the house. You can't come in or out at certain times because there's hundreds of them." Ms Murchie returned to her house after a few weeks in the hope that the bats had left. "I thought, they're definitely not in the house," she said "but then I got up one night and went to the loo. "Half asleep, I grabbed the toilet roll holder and one came out and held on to my hand. I just flipped." She added: "I phoned Nature Scotland and they came straight out. She (the bat expert) took her outside and put it back up beside the roost so she could go back up to her home." Ms Murchie, who is a taxi driver, says she now spends as much time as possible working in her car to get away from the sights, sounds and smells in her house. "The smell comes through the fan. It's like a musty, dirty smell. "It's sad that you can't do anything about it in your own home. "I feel like the rules should change a bit. Surely someone can come in that's licensed and take them away to somewhere humanely?" Licence to seal NatureScot has told Ms Murchie an officer will return to her house next week to update the situation. She said: "Once they've checked that the bats are gone, I can get a special licence and it's confirmation that I can seal up all the potential entry points. So that when they come back next year they won't be able to get in." NatureScot says people affected can call its Bats in Houses helpline on 01463 725 165 or email batsinhouses@ Anyone who finds a grounded bat in their property can also call either the Bat Conservation Trust Bat Helpline (0345 1300 228) or the SSPCA Animal Helpline (03000 999 999) for advice on how to best handle and remove the bat.
