Rare bat found during Hibernation surveys

The East Lancashire Bat Group are undertaking surveys of potential bat hibernation sites and have already discovered one rare bat.

 A Lesser Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros), a cave dwelling bat thought to be found only in Wales and South west England, has been discovered during a preliminary survey of potential hibernation sites in the autumn of 2008. Historic distribution of this bat included Lancashire and Yorkshire with the last known records dating back to the 1890's.

In October/November 2009 we again recorded a Lesser Horseshoe, survey work is ongoing to identify where the bat spends summer.

We are now undertaking DNA research on droppings to confirm whether this individual is a recent arrival or from a residual population that has managed to remain undetected for over 100 years.

Descending into an Air Raid Shelter in an urban park.

Surveying underground sites for hibernating bats.