Friends of Carpenters Wood have set up bat, owl and small bird boxes in the woodland.
“Two ‘Friends’ volunteers, Malcolm Green and Steve Hall, spent the winter months making bird boxes to RSPB specifications.” says Barbara Green, “ All twelve boxes have been ‘sponsored’ by local residents who will, hopefully keep an eye out for any birds taking up residence! The owl boxes, in particular, are unmissable as they are nearly a metre in height. The bat boxes have little specially-made steps for the bats to crawl up so they can get into their boxes, and wood-shaving have been added inside for extra comfort.”
During April bats are active on all but the coldest nights. When there are insects flying they will be actively foraging. They often change their more settled winter hibernation sites for temporary roosts and females begin to return to often long-established maternity roosts in which they form colonies. There are at least three species of bats in Carpenters Wood – Common Pipistrelle and two woodland specialists – Brown Long-eared and Natterers – both these are especially adept at flying between the trees
There are a large number of old trees with old woodpecker holes cracks and loose bark which bats love to use for roosting but the special bat and bird boxes are welcomed by experts.
“It’s hard to predict which species exactly will use a box” says Carol Smith of Chorleywood RSPB, “Open boxes tend to be used by Robins, Spotted Flycatchers. Treecreepers like triangular shaped entrance holes. Barn Owls and Kestrels happily use boxes too, especially those near the edge of the woodland. It’s great that Friends of Carpenters Wood have custom-made so many boxes – it will be interesting to see who takes up residence!”
www.carpenterswood.org.uk
All bats are protected in the UK
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