Woodland Survey results 2010

The NBMP Woodland Survey was piloted in 2004 as a new method to assess the presence of and monitor barbastelles in woodlands. Following this pilot study a Woodland Survey method was devised by BCT and tested more widely in 2005. The survey and analysis methods were refined in 2006 and surveys have been completed and analysed following the revised methods since 2006. Currently, Natural England fund monitoring of barbastelles using the Woodland Survey method at sites that have been designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) for this species’ presence as part of the NBMP. The Woodland Survey is also carried out at other woodland sites to detect presence of barbastelles.

The surveys are completed in three periods as follows:

• Period 1: 25th July to 8th August
• Period 2: 9th to 23rd August
• Period 3: 24th August to 7th September

In 2010 a total of 30 sites were surveyed following the Woodland Survey method, including six SAC sites. The results presented here are from the SAC sites, as analysis of the data collected from the other woodland sites is still ongoing. Click here for a map of the distribution of Woodland Survey sites.

A total of 34 Woodland Survey transects were completed in 2010 at seven SAC sites. This is a 100% increase in survey effort from 2009, when 17 transects were completed at six SAC sites. The surveys completed in 2010 confirmed the presence of barbastelle in all seven of the SAC sites monitored: Ebernoe, The Mens, Eversden and Wimpole Woods, Exmoor and Quantocks Woodland (Quantocks area), Mottisfont, North Pembrokeshire Woodlands and Briddlesford Copses.

Summary of Woodland Survey results 2010