VIDEO: Making space for nature

Published by Ross McCann on January 23, 2017January 23, 2017

[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 45px 0px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text class=”cs-ta-justify”]Bats are often vilified as ghoulish creatures straight from the pages of a Gothic horror novel. When many people think of bats they think of Transylvania and Dracula. However, bats are found throughout the world and are far from the dreaded creatures of the night which they are often portrayed as.

Bats are a magnificent and diverse group of animals. They can be found everywhere, from the depths of the Amazon jungle, to far north in Canada and Alaska. Bats are the only group of mammals which have the ability of true flight. Most species of bat have developed a complex biological sonar system called echolocation. Bats use echolocation to find their way through the dark and hunt pray.

The majority of bats feed on insects. However, in the tropics some species of bats feed on fruit, small animals and even blood.

You may not know this, but there are nine species of bat found in Ireland. Eight of these species belong to the family Vespertilionidae, including the brown long-eared bat and the common pipistrelle. The ninth species of bat, the lesser horseshoe bat belongs to the family Rhinolophidae. All nine are protected under Irish and EU law.

Throughout Europe, a number of bat species have seen a decline in population numbers. It is important that we make an effort to help reverse this decline and ensure the survival of these wonderful creatures

Brian Keeley, ecologist and chair of Bat Conservation Ireland recently gave a talk about making space for nature.

Brian speaks from his own experiences and it is clear he is very passionate about bat conservation. Brian discusses a range of strategies, some cheap and others dear, which can be used to encourage bats in your garden, your farm and your home. From bat boxes to building adaptations to your house, he presents some great ideas.

In addition to bats, Brian also talks about ideas for helping badgers, pine-martens and hedgehogs.

If you’re interested in animal conservation and want to help make space for wildlife be sure to give this video a watch![/cs_text][x_author title=”About the Author” author_id=””][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]