Today we had our first bat of the year brought into the Shelter. Thankfully there was nothing wrong with the little mammal that we could find. The bat was found by a caring builder who discovered it during his day when removing a sign.
This time of year bats are hibernating to save energy during the winter months.
Guernsey has a number of bats and the dense housing population affords many roost sites, particularly fascia boards over rough granite for pipistrelles and barns for all species.
The bat that came to visit was a pipistrelle and was taken into the caring hands of Pat Colsen who represents The Guernsey Bat Group which is affiliated to the Bat Conservation Trust of Great Britain. The Guernsey Bat Group operates under the aegis of the Nature Conservation Section
The Bailiwick has a number of species of bats that live and visit the island including the common pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) which are very common and widespread, the grey long-eared bat (Plecotus austriacus) which are fairly common and widespread. Also there have been a few reports of nathusius’ pipistrelle (Pipistrellus nathusii), the brown long-eared bat (Plecotus auritus), kuhl’s pipistrelle (Pipistrellus kuhli) and the natterer’s bat (Myotis nattereri)
If you find a bat we strongly advise you contact the GSPCA or The Guernsey Bat Group representative on the numbers below for advice.
Please do not handle a bat unless absolutely necessary, if you do always wear protective gloves. Common sense should be applied in all instances and, if unsure, additional advice or assistance should be sought. Personal hygiene should be taken into consideration after handling any animal, whether it’s domestic, wild, dead or alive.
Handling of any animal either domestic, wild, dead or alive may be potentially hazardous. Obvious dangers include bites, scratches and general hygiene issues.
For more information
Group Leader - Pat Costen
Contact - 01481 264500 (eves)
Sick or injured bats - 07781 461648
Additional advice can be obtained from:
Bat Conservation Trust (BCT)
Helpline: 0845 1300 228
Email: [email protected]
Bat Conservation Trust - http://www.bats.org.uk/pages/uk_bats.html
La Société Guernesiaise - http://www.societe.org.gg/sections/bats.html
Or call the GSPCA on 01481 257261
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