Bats and Roadside Mammals Survey
The Bats & Roadside Mammals Survey began in 2005 as a partnership project of the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) and the Mammals Trust UK (MTUK). The survey involves groups of volunteers driving up to 50 km of roads per night using ultrasonic detectors attached to a car window to record bats, while simultaneously recording encounters of all other mammals seen. A GPS unit allows geo-referencing of all records. Data collected extends and complements existing National Bat Monitoring Programme (NBMP) and MTUK projects and, in the longer term, will enable statistical monitoring of selected species at the regional and county level. In addition, research to identify roadside habitats that are preferred/avoided by mammals will lead to future improvements of roadside habitats that enhance mammal biodiversity. At the end of each season all records obtained on the survey are uploaded to the National Biodiversity Network.
Click here to see an example county map showing bat records from this survey.
In 2008 the project will be integrated into the iBats programme, a partnership project between the Zoological Society of London and BCT, which aims to track changes in bat biodiversity.
The survey is primarily aimed bat groups, or small groups of volunteers, who have access to a time expansion bat detector, a recording device and a Personal Digital Assistant with built in GPS. A full equipment list can be viewed here. Monitoring transects are carried out in July and August with the majority of bat groups taking part surveying two separate routes in July and repeating them in August. However, some groups may wish to improve coverage of their area by carrying out extra surveys within the May to September period.
How to take part
If you or your group would like to take part in the survey, you can:
- Visit the iBats website (register and then click on ‘Join a Project' under the ‘Projects' menu)
- Email the project coordinator
Reports
Bats and Roadside Mammals Survey annual reports.