Su and Bats

Bats are lovely little animals and are a delight to watch as they swoop, twist and turn in pursuit of gnats, moths and other insects. Because they are often only ever seen at night; they are considered by many to be somewhat mysterious, and to some people, even frightening.

As can be seen from my photos, nothing could be further from the truth. Bats are cute little critters, come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are an invaluable asset to us. One bat alone can eat up to 3,000 gnats in a night. Without bats, our world would be infested with insects and pretty miserable.

Just a few of the little rescued bats I’ve cared for over the years and released back to the wild.
Rescued Daubenton's bat sleeping in faunarium. Reg. Bat Carer Susan Shimeld
Three rescued Pipistrelle pups waiting to be weighed. Cared for by Susan Shimeld
Three rescued Pipistrelle pups waiting to be weighed. Cared for by Susan Shimeld
Rescued Pipistrelle bat cared for by Susan Shimeld
Rescued Daubenton's bat having a drink. Carer Susan Shimeld
Bat flight in Susan Shimeld's garden for rehabilitating her rescued bats
Rescued Pipistrelle bat cared for by Susan Shimeld
Susan Shimeld's Greater Horseshoe Bat Coasters and Presentation Box
Susan Shimed and Colin Morris bat survey early 2001
Greater Horseshoe Bat greetings card. Artwork by Susan Shimeld

1994 – Member of Dorset Bat Group
Involved in BCT roost site, waterway and bat surveys

1999 – Bechstein Bat Data Collection, Dorset. Working with good friend and respected bat aficianado, Colin Morris, from the Vincent Wildlife Trust.
2000 – 2010 Daubenton Waterway surveys. Counting the number of Daubenton’s bat passes along a waterway.
2003 – Bat Rescuer & Carer
2006 – Registered Bat Carer
2011 – July – Received 5 of 50 baby Pips found abandoned in a cardboard box in the middle of a field.  The bats plus a couple of female adults were obviously from a maternity roost: presumably removed after the roost had been destroyed during illegal work in a roof space.

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust received them late one evening and gallantly cared for them for 12hrs, until we were able to distribute the pups to bat carers willing to take them.  I cared for and trained my little group until they were ready for release the following Spring.

2011 – Winter – Training for Bat License, sadly not completed due to family illness.
2013 – Member of Wiltshire Bat Group

As with most wildlife, bat populations have also declined considerably over the last century. Bats are under threat from many directions: building and development work that affects roosts, the severing of traditional bat flight routes through extensive road developments, the installation of wind turbines sited on key bat habitat or near roosts, and the loss of habitat through the use of pesticides and intensive farming practices; that has led to a reduction in the abundance of insects which bats rely on as their only food source.

Threats in the home including cat attacks, the widespread use of sticky flypaper, and some chemical treatments of building materials; all these factors are having a severe and detrimental effect on our bats.

BATS NEED OUR HELP: Putting up bat boxes and growing bat-friendly plants in gardens will help encourage bats in your neighbourhood.

NEED HELP WITH A BAT: Please visit the Bat Conservation Trust www.bats.org.uk/pages/help.html or call 0345 1300 228

  If you feel you can help support our bats it would be much appreciated.  All donations go to helping the bats I rescue!