EchoLocation Location: producing Nottinghamshire's 'Batlas' Provisional Bat Atlas September
Contents Page... Species distribution maps - all species Page... Distribution maps - whiskered, Brandt's, Daubenton's, Natterer's Page... Distribution maps - Leisler's, noctule, common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle Page... Distribution maps - Nathusius' Pipistrelle, serotine, Barbastelle, brown long-eared Page... Tetrad - explanation Page... Survey methods Page... Getting involved Page... Additional maps - number of species per tetrad Page... Additional maps - tetrads allocated to surveyors Page... Additional maps - selected place name What's new in this update All records maps and text on page updated to include all records on database by September. Individual species maps updated for noctule, common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle and Daubenton's Updated number of species per tetrad map on page Updated allocated tetrad map on page Next update The next issue of this atlas will be published once all the data from the surveys this year have been added to the database. There will also be more information on how we progress our surveys next year. Provisional Bat Atlas - Version, September Nottinghamshire Bat Group
Species Distribution Maps The following maps show our current knowledge of bat distribution in Nottinghamshire and should be used to target areas where we have no, or very few records. Over the next three years the Nottinghamshire Bat Group will be intensively recording bats throughout the county and aim to record as many empty tetrads as possible. At the end of the project we will produce a 'State of Nottinghamshire Bats' report and atlas which will inform landowners, local authorities and conservation organisations about the conservation issues faced by these remarkable animals. Each dot on the map shows a tetrad (see page ) where a species has been recorded. Nottinghamshire contains tetrads which makes our recording project seem a daunting task but with the help of modern bat detector technology and survey techniques together with a large number of surveyors, we should be able to achieve good coverage. We currently have records from tetrads making up % of the county during the period - and tetrads, covering % of Nottinghamshire, from to. Following the map section there are some survey methods suitable for all levels of bat detector experience. You don't need to have the very latest expensive bat detector to take part as valuable records can be obtained using a fairly inexpensive heterodyne detector costing -. The bat group will also have detectors available to borrow including the more advanced type suitable for static monitoring and transects. Map. All records from the Nottinghamshire Bat Group database from to Map. Only shows records since Number of species - () - () - () Number of species - () - () - () Provisional Bat Atlas - Version, September Nottinghamshire Bat Group
Whiskered Brandt's = - = Pre = - = Pre Daubenton's Natterer's = - = Pre = - = Pre Provisional Bat Atlas - Version, September Nottinghamshire Bat Group
Leisler's Noctule = - = Pre = - = Pre Common Pipistrelle Soprano Pipistrelle = - = Pre = - = Pre Provisional Bat Atlas - Version, September Nottinghamshire Bat Group
Nathusius' Pipistrelle Serotine = - = Pre = - = Pre Barbastelle Brown Long-eared = - = Pre = - = Pre Provisional Bat Atlas - Version, September Nottinghamshire Bat Group
Tetrads There are tetrads within a km grid square each measuring km x km. They are named using the km grid reference letters which for just about all of Nottinghamshire is SK (there is a small area of SE at the most northerly tip of the county), the digit km square reference and the correct tetrad letter from the table. For example the map for Serotine shows our only record in SKP, and our most northerly Barbastelle is in SKH. Soprano Pipistrelle Tetrad letter codes The map detail left shows the km square SK. Tetrads A, C, F, J, P, U, V, W, X have recent Soprano Pipistrelle records and K and M have older records. The grid dots on the map will help to find the correct tetrad. Finding a tetrad on a map A really easy method in to use this website - www.bnhs.co.uk/focuson/grabagridref/html/index.htm Ensure that this box is ckecked Select grid reference, add the tetrad reference and click Go Provisional Bat Atlas - Version, September Nottinghamshire Bat Group
How to survey a tetrad Heterodyne detector survey This is the simplest method and only requires a basic heterodyne detector such as the Magenta or a Batbox D. Use the distribution maps to identify an empty tetrad and view on a map to look for a suitable publically accessible area. Sites near water usually have the most bat activity but any habitat with the exception of intensely arable areas should record a few bats. Within the majority of tetrads there is often some good habitat close to a safe spot to park a car which cuts down the amount of walking required and perhaps will allow for a couple or more extra tetrad surveys on the same night. With practice at least five species can be indentified using a heterodyne detector including all three pipistrelle species, noctule and if you have a good torch Daubenton's are quite easy to find. We will be arranging several training sessions over the course of the project so there will be plenty of opportunity to improve your detecting skills. Walked and driven transects Many modern bat detectors have the facility to record bat calls together with a GPS reference for later analysis on a computer. This removes the need for good heterodyne skills as all the identification work is done later sat in front of a PC and the location of each bat is accurately recorded. The disadvantage is that these types of detectors are much more expensive and can be more complicated to set up. The lottery funding has enabled us to buy a number of Anabat Express detectors which will be available for volunteer surveyors to use. Training will be given to volunteers who can give time to analyse all the data that this type of survey can generate. A walked transect usually takes from to hours and can cover more than one tetrad. With careful planning and ideal footpath routes it is possible to cover four tetrads in a fairly short walk. As with all surveys it is recommended that you don't do them on your own for your own safety. It is also possible to fit a detector microphone to a car using a special mount and to drive slowly along a prearranged route. This method has the advantage of being able to cover large distances in a single evening and will be one of our principle tools in the more remote areas of the county. Static Detectors We will also be using static detectors which will be left on site for several days to record every bat that passes within range. This constant recording method will give us the best chance to record as many species as possible and will help to identify important areas for bats. Trapping and Radio Tracking We will also be using very specialised techniques including harp traps and mist nets under licence from Natural England. Two projects are currently ongoing in the county. One is part of the BCT Nathusius' pipistrelle Monitoring Project and the other is a Nottinghamshire only project to locate barbastelle bats. Both projects will also add extremely valuable data to our atlas project. Provisional Bat Atlas - Version, September Nottinghamshire Bat Group
Getting Involved The EchoLocation Location project presents one of the best opportunities to get involved in bat recording in Nottinghamshire that we have ever had. If you have ever thought of getting into bat detecting or have had a detector for a while but don't really know how to use it then this is the project for you! There is so much that can be achieved with just a basic detector, some training and a few evening surveys. Our aim is to train at least volunteers in bat detecting which would make our target to record the whole county a very realistic objective More details will be given as the project progresses through updates to this atlas and via the Nottinghamshire Bat Group website and email list. Dates for training events will be published via the project newsletter and website. For more details please visit our website or email echolocationlocation@gmail.com Provisional Bat Atlas - Version, September Nottinghamshire Bat Group
Provisional Bat Atlas - Version, September Nottinghamshire Bat Group Additional maps These maps may be useful to identify areas which should be targeted for survey. The map below shows the number of species recorded from each tetrad since. A visit to a square with only one or two species recorded should produce further species records especially if near water. All species since () () () () () () () () () Number of species
The map below shows tetrads which have been allocated to individual surveyors. If you would like a square (or squares) to survey please contact us via the email address on page. Bat detectors are available to borrow which will record bat calls for later analysis to confirm species. Please mention in your email that you would like to book a detector. Allocated tetrads Finding a tetrad grid reference First find the two letter km square grid reference. This is easy for Nottinghamshire as it's all in grid square SK except for one tetrad at the northern tip which is in SE (the tetrad above the black cross on the map opposite). Then you need to find the km square grid reference and add this to the km letter reference. The map is divided into km squares so this reference is easy to find. First read the number of the vertical line from the bottom of the map followed by the number of the horizontal line on the left edge of the map. Always use the vertical line to the left of the tetrad you are trying to locate and the vertical line below. e.g. The black X at the top of the map is in SK You will then need the tetrad reference table (see page ) to find the correct tetrad reference. e.g. The black cross is tetrad SKE Provisional Bat Atlas - Version, September Nottinghamshire Bat Group
Map with selected place names Provisional Bat Atlas - Version, September Nottinghamshire Bat Group