paradisenaturereserve

Two new species of bat in Paradise

We’re pleased to say that two new species of bat have recently been confirmed in Paradise, bringing the total to 8. These are 6 Nathuseus’ Pipistrelle and Barbastelle bats. 

Nathusius’ pipistrelle is a rare bat in the UK, though records have increased in recent years. It is a migratory species, and most bats are encountered in autumn, although some do remain all year and breed in the UK. 

It is similar in appearance to, but slightly larger than, the much more commonly found common and soprano pipistrelles, and the fur on its back is longer, sometimes giving a shaggy appearance. Head & body length: 46mm – 55mm; Forearm length: 32mm – 38mm; Wingspan: 228mm – 250mm; Weight: 6g – 16g. Colour: Fur reddish-brown, occasionally with frosted tips on the belly. The ears, membranes and face are usually very dark. Nathusius’ pipistrelle feeds on medium-sized flying insects such as aquatic flies, midges, mosquitoes and caddis flies.

The scientific name of the Nathusius’ pipistrelle is Pipistrellus nathusii.

Source: Bat Conservation Trust: https://www.bats.org.uk/about-bats/what-are-bats/uk-bats/nathusius-pipistrelle

The barbastelle is a scarce bat that lives in woodland and forages over a wide area. It has a distinctive ‘pug-like’ appearance because of its upturned nose. Length: 4-5.5cm; Wingspan: 26-29cm; Weight: 6-13g; Average lifespan: up to 23 years.

The barbastelle has long and silky fur that is blackish-brown in colour, but with white tips. It has rounded ears that meet on the forehead, and a short, upturned nose, giving it a pug-like appearance.

An elusive bat, the barbastelle lives in woodland and roosts in crevices in trees. All UK bats are nocturnal, feeding on midges, moths and other flying insects that they find in the dark by using echolocation. Barbastelles forage over a variety of habitats and are fast and agile fliers. They mate in autumn, hibernate over the winter (usually underground), and give birth to a single pup in summer.

The scientific name Barbastella comes from the Latin for ‘star beard’ and is a reference to the white tips present on the barbastelle’s fur.

Source: The Wildlife Trusts https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/mammals/barbastelle-bat

paradisenaturereserve

Autumn 2020

Autumn is nearly here! Pam says that the Tawny Owls are calling in the night. I know this because the Swallows and House Martins have gone and the Jackdaws and Rooks are beginning to flock together in the tall trees of Paradise Island, morning and evening.

The newly planted Black Poplar near the Owlstone Rd gate is thriving. Earlier in the year, Victoria was worried it was dying of drought and asked us to water it. Now there has been enough rain to rescue it. The lake has not dried out this summer, unlike the last couple of years. Jeff drew my attention to the Southern Migrant Hawkers holding territory over the water : these medium/small dragonflies were first recorded in UK in 2006 and are steadily moving north. Paul took this picture in Paradise – really difficult, as they never seem to settle.

  • Southern Migrant Hawker Paul Rule

I came across an interesting article in Nature in Cambridgeshire about the Bats on Coe Fen and Sheep’s Green. Entitled, “Impact of Bat-Friendly Lighting on Bat Activity and Bat Species Diversity at Coe Fen and Sheep’s Green, Cambridge”, it investigated the impact of the low-level lighting studs provided for cyclists in 2017. Studs were provided with “Bat Hats” – a central opaque disc designed to minimise light spill upwards.

Surveys were done before (2017) and after (2020) the studs were put in place, to see whether there had been any adverse effect. Results interestingly showed that before the studs were inserted, there were 4 bat species, while afterwards 8 species were recorded. There was also a non-significant increase in overall bat activity.

The 8 species identified by the second survey were Common Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle, Nathuseus’ Pipistrelle, Brown Long-Eared Bat, Serotine, Noctule, Barbastelle and Daubenton’s Bat.  This diversity makes Newnham a veritable Bat Hot Spot!  Daubenton’s bat flies low over the Cam and for this reason, lights were not placed over the bridge. Common Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle and Noctule were all relatively common, with Common Pipistrelle increasing at the expense of Soprano after the lighting.  The other species are rarer; Nathuseus’ Pipistrelle and Barbastelle had not been previously recorded here. This Brown Long-Eared Bat turned up in Owlstone Rd in 2018.

  • Brown Long-Eared Bat Olwen Williams
  • Brown Long-Eared Bat Olwen Williams

This survey confirmed that there had been no adverse affect and that the objective of preserving bat-friendly territory had been achieved.  However, we need to stay alert to the danger of light pollution around Paradise and the adjoining green spaces.

Chesham, J. (2020) Impact of Bat-Friendly Lighting on Bat Activity and Bat Species Diversity at Coe Fen and Sheep’s Green, Cambridge. Nature in Cambridgeshire, 62:56-61.

Someone asked me whether the “Mile-a-Minute” Russian Vine on the edge of the wood, near Queens’ Hostel should be cut back. What do you think? It’s an invasive alien. Is it taking over too much?

PS  It is soon going to be fungus season again and there is already a new Chicken of the Woods. Overheard was an argument between a foraging couple and another passer-by. He calmly maintained that the fungus should be left for others to admire and she angrily defended her right to harvest wild food. Not sure where I stand on this! But they are stunningly beautiful.

  • Chicken of the Woods August 2020 Pam Gatrell

Olwen Williams September 2020