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Caledonian Canal Nature Watch

Bat Nights on the Caledonian Canal

The Waterways Trust Scotland is running some exciting workshops along the Caledonian Canal to help people discover more about bats. Suitable for all the family, the evenings are a fantastic opportunity to explore the canal with an expert guide whilst recording species observed and numbers.

The first Bat Survey Night is from 8.30pm – 9.30pm on 24 August at Inverness, meet at the lowest lock on the Muirtown flight.

People in Fort Augustus can take part in the initiative on 31 August. Meet at 8pm at the lowest lock on the Fort Augustus flight.

Finally on 7 September, from 8-9pm, people in Corpach can make their recordings. Meet at the lowest lock on Neptune’s Staircase.

The workshops are part of the Trust’s ambition to encourage more people living near the Caledonian Canal unlock the amazing secrets and mysteries of this spectacular waterway. For more information contact Stephen Wiseman

stephen.wiseman@thewaterwaystrust.org.uk

or phone: 07917 676786.

or visit www.thewaterwaystrust.org.uk

UPDATE

Bat Survey Success As Calls Recorded

A recording of the bat’s audio calls as translated through a heterodyne bat detector can be heard HERE

17 intrepid wildlife lovers ventured out along the Caledonian Canal in Inverness with Caledonian Canal Heritage Officer, Stephen Wiseman, last night (Wednesday 24 August) on a mission to record evidence of bats.

The first Bat Survey night was led by Katy Martin from Highland Council Ranger Service and Inverness Bat Group. During the evening, Stephen and his band of volunteers carried out a survey for bats in the Muirtown Locks area of the canal.

Stephen explains: “It was a really good evening. We heard and saw around five Pipstrelle bats. There may have also been a single Daubentons bat at the end of the evening, but it was too distant and fleeting to confirm.”

Stephen continues: “The Pips we saw and heard make noises at 45Hz, we can only hear up to about 20Hz. The bat detectors takes the noise and makes it audible to us.”

Stephen is hoping for another successful bat survey night next Wednesday, 31 August, at Fort Augustus. The evening is suitable for all the family and anyone interested should meet Stephen at the lowest lock on the Fort Augustus flight at 8pm.

There will be a final survey night on Wednesday 7 September at Banavie, nr Fort William. Meet at Neptune’s Staircase car park at 8pm.

Working with national waterways charity, The Waterways Trust Scotland, Stephen is running a series of projects and activities over the next two years to help people get out and discover the Caledonian Canal’s wonderful wildlife and heritage.

Editors Note:

Only nine of the sixteen or seventeen bat species found elsewhere in Britain are present in Scotland.

Widespread species are:

Common and Soprano Pipistrelles

Brown Long-eared Bat

Daubenton's Bat

Natterer's Bat.

Those with a more restricted distribution are:

Whiskered Bat

Noctule

Leisler's Bat

Nathusius Pipistrelle

Absences include:

Greater and Lesser Horseshoe Bat

Greater Mouse-eared Bat

Bechstein's Bat.