Radipole Lake has a number of bats recorded on the site including Daubenton's (some times known as the Water Bat), Serotine, Noctule, Common Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle and Nathusius' Pipistrelle. Daubenton's is one of our common species, mainly found in woodlands but roosts close to areas of water including lakes, rivers and canals. Obviously Radipole Lake is an ideal location with large areas of open water. The chances of you seeing and hearing them with a bat detector on the concrete bridge in summer is very high.
Image copyright: Nick Tomlinson, Bat Ecologist
The Nathusius Pipistrelle is one of Radipole Lake's rarer bats first recorded here back in 2009. Though these bats are common in Europe, the Nathusius is considered rare in the UK but it could be that they are under recorded. The National Nathusius' Pipistrelle Project was launched in 2014 to help determine the resident and breeding status and their migratory origins in the UK. As part of this project, our former Site Manager, Nick Tomlinson, now a licensed Bat Ecologist, came over to Radipole Lake with a group of bat volunteers to conduct a survey as part of this project.
The Nathusius' Pipistrelles were lured into humane Harp traps (see pics below) by using recordings of Nathusius Pipistrelle bat calls.
Images copyright: Nick Tomlinson, Bat Ecologist
On this occasion, a record 19 Nathusius' Pipistrelles were caught. Though the recordings were male social calls, it lured in good numbers of both males and females. The caught bats were ringed, not on their legs as in birds. A small ring with a unique identifier is placed on their wing. In future surveys at Radipole Lake and further afield, Nick and his team of volunteers will be building up their knowledge on the movements of the Nathiusus' Pipistrelle and discover their migration routes and breeding colonies. They will also discover if the bats are more common than is currently thought. We'll keep you posted.
Further information on the Nathusius' Pipistrelle bat project: http://www.bats.org.uk/pages/national_nathusius_pipistrelle_project.html
Note: All bats are protected species, bat licences are required for handling and surveying bats.
For all the latest sightings, contact Radipole Lake Discovery Centre, details below or pop in and see us. Hot and cold refreshments, sandwiches and snacks available.
Telephone: 01305 778313
E-mail: Weymouth.reserves@rspb.org.uk
Website: www.rspb.org/radipolelake