Press Release 21^st June 2010

Bat Conservation Ireland

www.batconservationireland.org

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It is the 5^th year of the All Ireland Daubenton’s Bat Waterway Survey and we are seeking Wexford Volunteers. Are you interested in surveying your local waterway for Daubenton’s bat on 2 nights during the month of August? If so, join us on Tuesday 6^th July 2010 for free training at the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve at 8.30 pm. This training will involve an indoor lecture followed by a practical session using bat detectors on a local river.

This survey is part a monitoring scheme recording the activity of the Daubenton’s bat. These yearly surveys allow us to determine whether the population of this bat species is increasing or decreasing. The more volunteer teams we have the more accurate our information is. Currently there are six teams in County Wexford but there is plenty room for more. In 2009, 209 waterways were surveyed across the island. Your help is needed to increase coverage for County Wexford.

The Daubenton’s bat is known as the water bat because of its preference to roost and feed close to water such as rivers and lakes. It is easy to identify because of all of our 10 species of bat, it is the only species that will be seen continuously skimming the water surface as it is feeding on insects. Surveyors will be in teams of 2 people. Bat Conservation Ireland will provide the use of a bat detector for the survey.  No prior experience is needed.

The All Ireland Daubenton’s Bat Waterway Survey is funded by the NPWS, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

If you would like more information or would like to register, please click onto the following internet web link:

http://www.batconservationireland.org/php/monitoring_daub.php