BATS
Bats are amazing and are the only true flying mammal. Did you know that in the UK, bats account for more than a quarter of mammal species? If an environment is healthy, then bat populations are healthy. Unfortunately, the impact of humans has generally been negative on bat populations, but they can be supported by us too.
In the UK, bat populations have declined considerably over the last century. They are still threatened because they lose roosts through building and development work, and their food supply can be negatively affected by loss of habitat. Lighting at night near where they roost or fly can affect them, and the they are at risk from cats, being caught in flypaper, and can be affected by some chemicals in building materials.
What’s happening to bats in Maidenhead?
The situation in the Wild Maidenhead area reflects the national situation, which is one of overall decline. This page sets out the status of the many types of bat still found, or no longer found, in Berkshire.
There is an active local bat group, www.berksbats.org.uk, which supports bats in the area, including the installation and monitoring of bat boxes in two National Trust areas: the Brick and Tile Works and the Thicket.
What can I do?
- Grow night-scented flowers in gardens and parks
- Have a wild area in part of your garden or add a pond
- Put up a bat box
- Create linear features such as hedgerows or treelines which help bats to navigate
- Reduce or remove artificial light at night
There is a huge amount of information at www.bats.org.uk, the Bat Conservation Trust.
Please remember that in Britain, bats and bat roosts are protected by law under both domestic and international legislation.
If you find an injured or grounded bat, or if a cat brings one in, then please see https://www.bats.org.uk/advice/help-ive-found-a-bat/bats-in-need-of-rescue/assess-the-situation for detailed help or call 0345 1300 228 which is the national bat helpline.