This presentation Northern Ireland Bat Group What does

This presentation: ©Northern Ireland Bat Group

What does the NI Bat Group do? Voluntary work l Rescue grounded bats l Treat injured bats l Deliver talks and events to raise awareness l Surveys to obtain species records l Training volunteers to help protect bats l Advise Councils, planners and public on bats l

All About Bats

WHAT IS A BAT? l l l Bats are the only mammal in the world capable of true flight. A bat rests in a roost during the day before flying out at dusk to feed on insects. Bats are more closely linked to dogs than they are to rats and mice. Bats are not rodents. They do not build nests, chew wires or bring food into their roost. A female bat will give birth to one baby each year, it is called a pup. Mum feeds her baby with milk.

Bat Wings A bat’s wing is made up of fingers, a thumb, wrist and elbow

Bats and the Law Bats and their roosts are protected by law in the UK and Ireland A bat crime happens when someone hurts or kills a bat or destroys the place where they live

Batty Myths l Bats do not get tangled in your hair l Bats don’t drink your blood Blind as a bat? All bats can see perfectly – they are not blind l

Pipistrelles Common and Soprano are often encountered bats especially in gardens Common Soprano Nathusius’s Pipistrelle

Leisler’s Bat The Leisler’s Bat is Ireland’s biggest bat

Whiskered Bat Natterer’s Bat Daubenton’s Bat Also known as the ‘water bat’ they hunt for their prey over rivers and lakes

Brown Long Eared Bat Their ears are almost as long as their body They eat moths, beetles, flies, earwigs and spiders and often roost in trees or in barns or attics.

Echolocation Bats use echolocation to hunt for prey and find their way around l Lets see how good we are at being bats l

Why are Bats Important? They keep insect populations under control. One pipistrelle bat can eat over 3000 midges in a night!!! Great news if you like BBQ’S, angling, canoeing, camping, outdoor pursuits…. .

Why are Bats Important? In hotter countries Bats keep mosquitos under control which prevents the spread of diseases

Why are Bats Important? In South America the Fruit Bats are important for pollinating flowers and dispersing seeds without them we wouldn’t have certain fruits or flowers!

What you can do to help bats l l l Join or donate to the NI Bat Group Introduce native planted/wet areas in your garden to attract insects Plant night scented plants such as lavender or honeysuckle Let the grass grow longer in your school garden or at home Put up bat boxes around your school – we could try making our own!

BATS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Bats and Trees

Bats and Buildings Brown Long Eared bats in an attic Lets look at how much woodland there is in Northern Ireland

Bats in Urban Environment Bats forage for insects in gardens and sometimes roost in houses in urban areas l Look for bats in your garden just after sunset l Bats use Creggan Country Park and surrounding urban areas

The Water Bat l Water is important for bats especially Daubenton’s bat

BATS AROUND THE WORLD

Bats found on every continent except North and South Poles and some remote islands

BATS FROM AROUND THE WORLD World’s biggest bat: Giant Golden Crowned Flying Fox eats figs and leaves and is important for seed dispersal helping regenerate forests in Philippines They are gentle mammals and their wing span can reach over 1. 5 m! World’s smallest bat: Kitti’s Hog Nosed Bat or Bumblebee Bat eats spiders and flies Their body is only 1. 1 - 1. 3 inches long

BATS FROM AROUND THE WORLD The Banana Bat helps pollinate banana plant giving us this delicious fruit! The Tube Lipped Nectar Bat pollinates flowers using its long tongue!

BATS AND CULTURE

A misunderstood bat…. I do not turn into Dracula! I am intelligent and have even helped humans

Halloween

Bats are good luck In China, bats are a symbol of good luck l We will make our own bat totem l

Batman Bruce Wayne was once scared of bats l Once he understood them he was no longer afraid! l He even uses the bat as his symbol l

Still think bats are scary? Presentation ©Northern Ireland Bat Group for use in schools only Photos courtesy of Bat Conservation Trust and Bat Conservation International