Rare bat species found in Ayrshire

Senior News Reporter

Tuesday 27 September 2011

TWO rare bat species have been discovered in one location by National Trust for Scotland conservation workers and volunteers.

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BRIAN DONNELLY

The team found the rarely recorded Nathusius’ pipistrelle and Leisler’s bat at Culzean Country Park in Ayrshire, and evidence was found for the first time that Leisler’s bats are breeding in this part of Scotland.

Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Developing Ecological Surveying Skills (DESS) training team joined volunteers from the NTS Ranger service, Ayrshire Bat Group, the NTS Bat Group, Central Scotland Bat Group and other keen bat surveyors at Culzean Country Park.DESS programme leader Claudia Gebhardt said: “Finding these rare bats in Ayrshire is a real achievement. “Before this discovery, nobody knew if these species actually occurred in this part of Scotland. “Using mist nets and an acoustic lure, we managed to attract the high-flying Leisler’s bats down to our level.“We radio-tagged the three Leisler’s bats caught and followed their nocturnal movements over the following nights.”

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Rare bat species found in Ayrshire

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