Bat Bridges

I think it is a good dea, but can understand the comment about it being alot of money at a time when the economy is not great. 

Wouldn't it have been better (environmentally and for the bats) to have replanted a hedgerow rather than building a bat bridge?  How many animals that used to use the hedgerow will have lost their home and would have benefitted from a replacement hedgerow that aren't going to benefit from steel and concrete?

I've edited my last post, having had another think about it . Must have been reasons why they couldn't as you are right, the remaining wildlife would have suffered too.

KatTai said:

Wouldn't it have been better (environmentally and for the bats) to have replanted a hedgerow rather than building a bat bridge?  How many animals that used to use the hedgerow will have lost their home and would have benefitted from a replacement hedgerow that aren't going to benefit from steel and concrete?

The bats would have followed the hedgerow to their hunting grounds, the hedgerow had been broken because of the road so the bat bridge linked the two halves of the hedge together. The bats follow the hedge using sonar so when the hedge stops so do they.

If the hedge was an important hedge for wildlife they would have moved it rather than destroyed it.

I'm all for conservation but, my initial thoughts without knowing much about the subject, is  that its a bit OTT    I need to read up on the benefits and who funds it etc, but stuff like this gets my goat

All over the world, Every night,  there's children going to bed, (if they have one) hungry ?? and NO I don't think we're more important than Wildlife, just think thousands of pounds could be far better spent.

I feel I should respond to this thread but I am not sure how as I have only the 'facts' reported in the press and I really need to investigate further before commenting but bearing that in mind, I shall make a guarded reply now and then again later if I find out any more information.  I am only replying from a personal point of view and not in any way on behalf of any official body.

I am a NE licenced Bat Warden and so I am very interested in the protection and conservation of bats but even I can see that (if correct) the sums of money quoted are extreme for only a few bats (again, if correct).  The report is however correct in saying that bats follow hedgerows to navigate and it is known that destruction of hedgerows has in part contributed to their decline over the years. 

The reports also state that badger and otter tunnels and a river run to help spawning fish have been incorporated into this new road so clearly the road planners are trying to lessen the impact on wildlife which is surely a good thing.  I note that no sums of money have been quoted in relation to these other wildlife protection measures.  Maybe these were included in the sum quoted?  Hundreds of thousands of pounds spent for the benefit of a few bats makes sensational headlines but would people be so outraged at the same sum spent for the benefit of badgers and otters?  Maybe I'm just being cynical but I think perhaps not.  Just think of the money spent on conserving habitat for birds or for saving whales or pandas.  Nobody makes a fuss about this and yet bats are in just as much danger of extinction.

If the details of the report are correct, then I agree that this is an outrageous waste of money particularly in the current economic climate when so many people are experiencing hardship but sadly the money involved would probably not have been used to ease their lives anyway.

I would be interested to know how much this initiative really cost, who funded it and exactly what it covered.  If I find out I shall report back.

Hi WF,

I am delighted to hear that you have a pipistrelle colony and that you are happy about it.  Unfortunately not everybody is so pleased to have one and many roosts are destroyed by people who do not understand these delightful creatures.  As you know they are very easy house guests.  They don't bring in food or nesting materials, they don't chew on anything and they only stay for a few weeks each year.  The only problem might be droppings but they don't carry disease and they are easily swept up and make very good fertiliser. 

I hope your pips continue to return to you for many years to come.

Best wishes, SB

I don't know the full facts, BUT, when one considers and puts into context the costs of building a new road, which can run in the millions or even billions, I think a few thousand put aside to help our already struggling wildlife is a good thing...

I heartily agree MarJus.