VOLUNTEER VACANCIES - Radio tracking research assistants required

We are currently conducting two research projects investigating the impact of exclusions on soprano pipstrelles Pipistrellus pipistrellus and developing mitigation strategies for bats occupying churches. We are looking to recruit voluntary radio tracking research assistants for two periods one early summer (April - May 2012) and one late summer (approx mid July to mid Sept 2012). In early summer we will be working in North Yorkshire and the North West and in late summer we will be based in Norfolk. Contact Emma for further details and to request an application pack (updated 22/12/11).

Emma gave local talk to CPRE

Emma gave a talk about the results of the B&L project at Cleeve Village Hall on May 21st to the members of the Campaign to Protect Rural England. The CPRE are campaigning for control of light pollution at local and governmental level, find out more about their campaign for dark skies here (updated 24/05/11).

B&L Project was at the 2011 Festival of Nature

The B&L project hosted a stall again at the festival of nature in June 2011. The Festival of Nature is the biggest event of its kind in the UK celebrating the natural world with a vast array of interactive activities, talks, screenings, and workshops. We had a fantastic time discussing bats and lighting with the public, click here to see what we got up to and find out more about the festival here (updated 22/12/11).

One World Wildlife has pledged more support to the Bats and Lighting Project

One World Wildlife (OWW) has stepped in to support the project once again. OWW has pledged a generous grant to assist the B&L Project produce the Bats and Lighting Guidance Document which is being written in collaboration with The Countryside Council for Wales, Natural England, The Bat Conservation Trust, Tom Webster from DW Windsor and ARUP. OWW was one of our first supporters and we are very grateful for their continued commitment to the project and assistance in achieving our aims. Find about more about OWW and the other great projects they support here (updated 10/1/11).

2011-2012 is the Year of the Bat

The UNEP Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and The Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats (EUROBATS) have joined together to celebrate the Year of the Bat 2011-2012. Click here to find out more about these facinating creatures and the year of the bat campaign (updated 10/12/10).

Emma Stone was been awarded the Vincent Weir Scientific Award, June 2010.

The Vincent Wier Scientific Award aims to reward and encourage research on the conservation biology of bats by young researchers. It is awarded annually to a student at a UK-based institution who has made a significant contribution to the conservation biology of bats. Emma has been awarded the prize for her research on bats and lighting!

The bats and lighting project has recently been covered by BBC news online!.Read the article here

New IDA Press Release: Blue/White Light Threatens Animals and People. The International Dark Sky Association (IDA) has issued a press release about the negative impacts of Bluish/White LED and induction lamps.They state that these lights have significant environmental impacts and urge light developers to limit blue light to wavelengths shorter than 500nm. Click here to see the full press release.

Ever wandered how lesser horseshoe bats gave birth, check out this amazing footage!

Polak, T., Korine, C., Yair, S. & Holderied, M.W. (2011) Differential effects of artificial lighting on flight and foraging behaviour of two sympatric bat species in a desert. Journal of Zoology (London), In press.View abstract online here.

Kyba, C.C.M., Ruhtz, T., Fischer, J. & Holker, F. (2011) Cloud coverage acts as an amplifier for ecological light pollution in urban ecosystems. PLoS ONE, 6, e17307. Open access article online here.

Orbach, D.N. & Fenton, B. (2010) Vision impairs the abilities of bats to avoid colliding with stationary obstacles. PLoS ONE, 5, e13912. Open access article online here.

Kerth, G., Perony, N., & Schweitzer, F. (2011) Bats are able to maintain long-term social relationships despite the high fission fusion dynamics of their groups.Proc Royal B. In press View abstract online here.

Knight, T., & Jones, G. (2009) Importance of night roosts for bat conservation: roosting behaviour of the lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros. Endangered Species Research, 8, p79-86.

Jones G., Jacobs, D.S., Kunz, T.H., Willig, M.R., & Racey P,A. (2009) Carpe noctem: the importance of bats as bioindictators. Endangered Species Research, 8, p93-115.

Weinberger, I.C., Bontadina, F., & Arlettaz, R. (2009) Translocation as a conservation tool to supplement relict bat colonies: a pioneer study with endangered horseshoe bats. Endangered Species Research. 8, p41-48.

Ruffell, J., Guilbert, J., Parsons, S. (2009) Translocation of bats as a conservation strategy: previous attempts and potential problems. Endangered Species Research. 8, p 25-31.

Hooper, J.H.D., & Hooper, W.M. (2009) Habits and movements of cave-dwelling bats in Devonshire. Journal of Zoology, 127, p1-26. View the abstract online here.

Smallwood, K.S., & Karas, B. (2009) Avian and Bat Fatality Rates at Old-Generation and Repowered Wind Turbines in California. Journal of Wildlife Management, 73, p1062-1071. Get the abstract here

Baerwald, E.F., Edworthy, J., Holder, M., & Barclay, R.M.R. (2009) A large-scale mitigation experiment to reduce bat fatalities at wind energy facilities. Journal of Wildlife Management, 73, p1077-1081. Get the abstract here.

Freeman, P.W., & Lemen, C.A. (2009) Puncture-resistance of gloves for handling bats. Journal of Wildlife Management, 73, p1251-1254. Get the abstract here.

Racey, P.A. (2009) Bats: status, threats and conservation successes. Endangered Species Research, 8, p1-3.