This autumn NHBS has set up shop at various meetings and conferences across the UK.

Anneli and Karen were presenting some of our latest books and field kit at the Butterfly Conservation Meeting at Cheltenham Race Course last Saturday, whilst Anneli will be at the BTO Annual Conference in early December. We always love the chance to meet customers old and new in person, so please do come and say hello if you see us!

Anneli also attended the Sherborn Meeting at the Natural History Museum in London two weeks ago. The meeting commemorated the 150th anniversary of Charles Davies Sherborn’s birth with extremely stimulating talks on the current state and future of taxonomy. The book Priority! The Dating of Scientific Names in Ornithology was launched at this meeting.

Earlier this month, Nigel and Steaphan went up to the IEEM autumn conference in Liverpool, the BCT National Bat Conference in September, and the Scottish Bat Workers Conference in Sterling last weekend. Bat workers and ecologists are agreed that the new edition of John Altringham’s Bats is a must – read an interview with John here.

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Popularity: 4% [?]

Introducing the Triple Chamber Bat Box

NHBS’s new Triple Chamber Bat Box is available for the first time this autumn. The new bat box has three large chambers providing its inhabitants with a huge living area (compared with most other wooden bat boxes). Consequently, they are particularly well-suited to large colonies, including maternity colonies. Most crevice-dwelling bat species are likely to be attracted including Pipistrelles, Brown long-eared bats, and Daubentons. Species which may sometimes use these boxes include other Myotis species and Noctules.

The boxes are very deep, providing the bats with a stable draught-free environment and plenty of space for individuals to cluster together or disperse, and for the sexes to mingle or separate. Triple chamber boxes have proved to be a success in the U.S. where it is thought that the extra space provided gives bats the room to interact more normally. The boxes open at the top and are 60 cm high with a small aperture at the base of the box for bats to enter and exit. They are narrow (14 cm) and can easily be hung on both trees and buildings. The Triple Chamber Bat Box is constructed from European Redwood harvested from a sustainably managed forest.

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Popularity: 7% [?]

John Altringham, author of Bats: From Evolution to Conservation, discusses the appeal of bats, what they are, and how we should think about their conservation needs.

How did you first become interested in studying bats?

I was taken to a Natterer’s bat roost, almost 30 years ago now, and saw my first bat close up. I was a research scientist in biomechanics – trying to understand evolution’s engineering problems and solutions. This tiny bundle of energy in my hand was an engineering marvel I’d never really thought about, so I went away and read about bats. However, I didn’t read just about flight and echolocation, the subjects that came immediately to mind. As a zoologist and conservationist, I read more and more widely and became increasingly fascinated. Bats became an important ‘extra-curricular’ activity, but it was many years before they displaced biomechanics in my work. However, the seeds were most definitely sown during that very first encounter.

We all know what bats are, but – what exactly is a bat?

A bat is the only flying mammal and one of nature’s few echolocators. With these ‘skills’ it has evolved and radiated into the most diverse, the most widespread and the second most speciose group of mammals on the planet. A bat is a small mammal with the lifestyle of its much bigger cousins. It lives a long time, but only produces one baby a year. It lives within often complex social units, exhibiting complex behaviours, and makes use of the landscape on a grandiose scale through the seasons. It shows a bewildering range of ways that an animal can makes its way in the world. It is an important cog in many ecosystems, as predator, pollinator, seed disperser. Its contributions to the human economies of the world are only now being determined and appreciated. Likewise its value as an indicator of the planet’s health. It is a source of endless fascination, study and appreciation.

Why do you think there is such popular interest at this time in bat detection and conservation, and what can we learn from studying their ecology?

I really think that bats sell themselves. The formation of the bat conservation movement, some knowledgeable and enthusiastic activists and some cracking documentary footage are the catalysts in the bat conservation movement – the bats themselves do the rest, if we just show the world something of them.

Bats are also surprisingly accessible. It is relatively easy, even in suburban areas, to see and hear bats, sometimes at fairly close quarters – you can’t say that about many wild mammals. They often live in close proximity to humans, you don’t have to be particularly stealthy, and they just get on with life while you watch – they have a lot to offer the casual naturalist. However, there are plenty of challenges for the more dedicated naturalist.

The need for conservation is pretty self-evident. Bats need large home ranges in connected landscapes, they rely on threatened habitats for both roosting and feeding and they are slow to recover from population setbacks. However, there are modest things we can do to help them, from practical conservation to education, which encourages widespread involvement – and success fuels further effort. Conservation needs passion and commitment – bats appear to have the charisma to generate them.

Conservation gets a big chapter in the book – it is the focus of a large and growing proportion of ecological research. There has been a lot of bridge building between research ecologists and conservation practitioners in recent years, but we still have some way to go. I’ve tried to highlight some of the issues in this chapter – evidence-based conservation is the future!

What can we learn from bats? Where do I start?! Science is all about understanding how the natural world works. Everything we learn, from the ecology of individual species to the general processes that govern the way ecosystems function, comes from the study of appropriate ‘models’. The sheer diversity of bats means that they offer useful models to study all sorts of things – just look at the topics I cover in the book.

How do you see the future for bats?

I have no idea what the future holds, for bats or the rest of biodiversity. I do think bats are among the more vulnerable animals, so looking after bats is a good way to protect other animals and plants that share their habitats. We have a growing knowledge about what we are doing wrong to our environment and what we need to do to begin to put things right. However, there is a lack of will among politicians and the ‘captains’ of commerce and industry to provide the conditions and the resources to do it. Lots of talking the talk, little walking the walk. Conservation will always be a compromise – but the balance point is far from the right place. Too many people still think of conservation in terms of what we sacrifice to achieve it, not what we gain from it. We need more objective science in conservation, alongside the passion and hard work. They provide the evidence that forces people to act and they help us to decide how to use most effectively the limited resources we have at our disposal.

NHBS stock an extensive range of bat conservation equipment, supplying a range of customers from ecological consultants needing bulk stock for a construction project, to amateur naturalists keen to investigate their local bat population and do their bit for conservation.

Browse our range of bat detection equipment

Browse our range of bat boxes

NHBS Customer Services will happily discuss your needs and advise you on the best purchase for your project.

Phone: +44(0) 1803 865913

Email: customer.services@nhbs.co.uk

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Popularity: 9% [?]

Continuing our selection of the very best titles available through NHBS:

Bats: From Evolution to Conservation

by John D. Altringham

What?

2nd edition of John Altringham’s 1996 OUP publication, Bats: Biology and Behaviour

Why?

This rigorous and authoritative textbook is updated to reflect the current state of research on all aspects of bat biology, ecology and and conservation.  Popular interest in bats is at an all-time high with many amateurs becoming involved monitoring their local bat populations and the construction industry legally bound to take their conservation needs into account, reflecting the vulnerability of this diverse and unique group.

Bats: From Evolution to Conservation is a global study covering evolutionary biology, ecology, flight, migration, physiology and much more – and whilst presented as a text for students and researchers, its accessible and enthusiastic style means it also holds appeal for amateur naturalists and anyone interested in bat conservation.

Review of the previous edition:

“This is an excellent book from one end to the other and I highly recommend it to students and colleagues. It is a book that meets its stated goal … to use bats to illustrate processes and concepts in biology. When it comes to ecology and behaviour, he has more than succeeded … Bravo!”  Journal of Animal Ecology

Who?

John D. Altringham is Professor of Animal Ecology and Conservation at the University of Leeds, UK, where he has been since 1989. He completed his BSc at the University of York, and his PhD at St. Andrews University, where he returned as a research fellow from 1983-1989. During his career he has travelled widely, studying animals as varied as tuna fish and tarantulas before focusing on bat ecology and conservation. He has published over 100 scientific papers, numerous book chapters, and two previous books: Bats: Biology and Behaviour (OUP, 1996), and British Bats (Harper Collins, 2003). He is also a regular advisor and contributor to BBC Natural History Unit productions for TV and radio, and is a member of a number of conservation advisory groups, including the Nature Conservation Panel of the National Trust. John lives on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales with his wife, Kate, and two children, Alex and Anne.

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Popularity: 8% [?]

EcoObs’ Batcorder is the first of a new generation of autonomous bat recording devices designed to produce higher quality recording and automated identification. The key benefits of the Batcorder system are:

1 .Save time and reduce costs

By automatically analysing bat calls, the Batcorder will save you significant amounts of time.  The exceptional quality of recordings made by the Batcorder means you can be more certain of correctly identifying a species either automatically or manually.  Automatic species identifications can be carried out in a few minutes (watch our short video to see the process in action).

2. Higher quality recordings

The unique omni-directional microphone, as well as the reduction in echoes from the main body of the unit, ensure a clear picture of bat activity at the recording site.  The sensitive bat call trigger ensures that the vast majority of recordings made by the Batcorder are from bats.  Recordings of other sounds (crickets, rustling leaves, water, wind and wind turbine movements) are under most circumstances not recorded at all.

3. Consistent results

In contrast to other bat detectors, each Batcorder and its microphone are calibrated for a fixed sensitivity.  Thus, the comparison of bat activity recorded at different locations is guaranteed to be unbiased.

4. Flexible autonomous use

The Batcorder is a weatherproof autonomous recording device designed to be left in the field for multiple nights.  It has a typical battery life of 6-10 nights (based on the level of activity at the site), and space for 30,000 calls (when using a 32GB SDHC card).  A special Wind Turbine Extension Kit allows continuous deployments in excess of 30 days to minimise the need to access the in situ Batcorder.

5. Designed by bat workers

The entire Batcorder System has been designed by bat workers for bat workers.  It’s user-friendly with an intuitive powerful call management system, allowing you to download, analyse, catalogue and search for calls easily.  You don’t need to go on a training course to get started with the Batcorder.

The Batcorder is distributed in the UK & Ireland by NHBS. If you’d like to find out more, please contact Dr Adrian Gude, NHBS Wildlife Equipment Specialist.

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Popularity: 17% [?]

To find out how the Batcorder System works, watch the 6 minute demonstration video.  This video will revolutionise your bat work!  CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

The Batcorder and associated software is the most advanced bat detection and identification system available.  Fast becoming the most popular choice in continental Europe, the Batcorder is set to revolutionise your bat work.  Read on for a brief introduction to the Batcorder system and how it could benefit you.

Step 1.  Batcorder – advanced data recorder

The Batcorder is the most advanced sound recorder available; such a high quality recording is essential for later analysis using the automatic recognition software.  It records bat calls in real-time, whilst excluding other sounds such as crickets, rustling leaves, etc.  Simply leave the Batcorder out in the field (battery life is 8 to 10 nights) and it will make high quality recordings (500kHz / 16 bit) of every bat call.  Calls are recorded on an SDHC card (up to 32GB).  The Batcorder is waterproof and fully programmable.  Most importantly, the Batcorder features an omnidirectional microphone mounted on an extender.  This eliminates reflection from the main body of the device whilst maintaining 360 degree coverage.  The slim microphone tip minimises distortion, which can be a problem with other detectors that have wider microphone membranes.

Step 2. bcAdmin – call management software

Once you’ve got your recordings, bcAdmin provides an intuitive software package to manage the data.  Individual calls are stored in connection with location, call length, time and other information.  Search functions exist to aid in finding individual calls.  Most importantly, bcAdmin automatically prepares the data for analysis using batIdent.  Once the analysis is complete, bcAdmin can present the data in a variety of forms to provide instant graphical representation of bat activity.

Step 3. batIdent – free analysis software

At a click of the button, bcAdmin will import bat calls into batIdent, the freely available call analysis software.  batIdent has a call library of 77,000 bat calls (and counting!) which can be used to identify 27 species from 11 genera (with some species only to genus).  Utilising the freely available statistical package R, batIdent performs single call analysis in a multi step process.  Illustrated below is the decision tree which it uses to identify bats.  The tree also shows which bats can be identified by batIdent to species and which bats to genus.  Currently the call library covers all mid and northern European species and most Mediterranean species.  During a typical analysis, batIdent will identify 85% of the calls recorded.  The remaining 15% will be excluded as the recording is of insufficient quality or duration to make a positive identification.  Up to three species can be identified in any one recording and a percentage probability is provided for each species identification.

Step 4. bcAnalyse – manual analysis software

For those wanting to perform additional manual analysis on calls, the additional software package bcAnalyse is also available.  bcAnalyse lets you view the oszillogram, spectrum and sonogram of the sound file.  The user friendly design means you can quickly browse calls and select sound to be transformed into a sonogram or spectral display.  bcAnalyse allows you to manually confirm batIdent results or analyse recordings made using other systems.

Step 5. Economies of Scale

The Batcorder system scales effortlessly for large projects.  Each microphone is supplied with a correction factor, so recordings from different Batcorders can be directly compared.  Check out the Wind Turbine Extension to find out how the Batcorder can be deployed for wind farm studies.  bcAdmin and batIdent eliminate the time taken for lengthy call analysis.  Both the Batcorder and software packages have a proven track record and are on their second or third versions following improvements from earlier versions. 

Click on the relevant link for more information on the Batcorder, Software and Accessories.

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Popularity: 22% [?]

Please note, the sale of mist nets is restricted to those with an appropriate licence or permit. Please provide a copy when ordering.

NHBS offers a range of mist nets to meet specific requirements when catching bats or birds.  All of our mist nets are manufactured to high standards and feature the following advantages;

• Net design is based on more than 30 years experience.
• All nets are made from the highest quality nylon and polyester netting.
• All nets are black and UV sun-protected; the material and colours are durable and long-lasting.
• The special knots used in all our nets help to prevent the loops and shelf strings from moving.
• The construction with positioning strings prevents wind shift of the netting.
• Each net comes with a cotton bag.

New Loops

All designs of net have recently been upgraded with new loops.  Net loops are now marked with an indelible serial number to help track nets used illegally.  The serial number is placed on one of the colour loops and on the product label as well.  The new mist net loops are longer and stronger than previous designs.  Top loops are colour-coded and equipped with stoppers to make fast setting easier.  The new loops are also compatible with the telescopic mist net pole .

Understanding the Terminology

Net Dimensions

All net dimensions are given without loops and stretched to a standard tension.  Nets of 3m are ideal for paths and small clearings, whilst nets in excess of 15m in length require careful setting.  You should also ensure enough competent helpers are on hand to deal with large numbers of catches experienced by large nets.

Mesh Size

This is measured by one side of the square mesh, e.g. 16mm refers to a 16 x 16mm square mesh.  The mesh size should be ideally suited to your chosen target species.  If the mesh size is too small, the bat or bird may escape.  If the mesh size is too large, the bat or bird may become overly tangled in the net.  You also risk catching non-target species.  Target species for each net are provided in the product description.

Shelves

The number of shelves (given in the product description) refers to the number of rows of shelves on the net.  Nets of up to three shelves are tethered on a single shelf strand to prevent wind bunching the netting.  Nets with four or five shelves feature two tethered strands.

Denier and Ply

The denier and ply of a net provide an indication of the thickness, visibility and strength of the net.  Denier refers to the weight in grams of 9000 metres of thread.  Ply refers to the number of threads of a given denier wound round one another to make the fibre of the net.  The smaller the denier and ply, the lighter and thinner the net, e.g. a 70 denier/2 ply net is lighter, less visible, but normally less strong than a 210 denier/3 ply net.  However, differing materials can confound this relationship, e.g. polyester is heavier than nylon so the same denier net will be finer in polyester than in nylon.

Choosing a Mist Net

A mist net must be ideally suited to the target species, location and conditions of use.  To select the appropriate mist net, follow the stages below;

1. WHAT DO YOU INTEND TO CATCH?

Search the product pages to find all the nets suited to your chosen group.  Mist nets have been divided into four groups;

Mist Nets for Bats: includes all species of bats

Mist Nets for Small Birds: includes all small passerines

Mist Nets for Medium-sized Birds: includes medium-sized passerines, waders, small ducks, small to medium terns, small owls, small raptors

Mist Nets for Large Birds: includes medium to big waders, owls, medium to big raptors, medium to big ducks, geese and cormorants.

2. CHOOSE BETWEEN NET TYPES

There are several net types to choose between, although not every net type will be found in every group of target individuals.

Ultra Thin Series M Mist Net

These nearly invisible ultra-thin monofilament nylon nets are perfect for catching the smallest birds (e.g. hummingbirds) and small bat species such as Pipstrellus sp.  They are available in two mesh sizes (14 and 20mm).

Series 700P (polyester) Mist Net

These polyester nets are recommended for catching small bats and birds.  They are barely visible and can be used in any habitat, including open areas.  The polyester fibre in UV resistant and does not absorb moisture.  In the morning or after rain, just shake the net to remove droplets.  A well-stretched net has only one layer (no pockets) and bats are less likely to echolocate it than a nylon net.  The polyester is also stronger and more durable than nylon.

Series 700 Mist Net

This classic design of net is deep black, UV stable and softer than polyester.  They can be used for catching birds and bats in all kinds of habitat, including open areas.  They are both popular and effective.

Series 1000 Mist Net

These nets are stronger and more durable than the Series 700 mist nets.  They are ideal for long term use; they remain as strong and as black as new after 500 days of continuous exposure in the field.  They are more visible than the Series 700 nets, so we recommend that they be set in front of trees or bushes to decrease visibility and to increase their effectiveness.  They are very safe for birds and effectively catch small to medium-sized species.

Series 2000 Mist Net

These nets are very strong and durable and are primarily designed to catch relatively big birds.  They are more visible than the Series 700 and 1000 nets so are most effective when used in shadow when the netting is less visible.  The 19mm mesh size nets are most suited to catching birds at night, such as when using recorded calls.

3. CHOOSING SPECIFIC NETS

Once you’ve settled on your chosen net type to catch your target species, you should then consider the dimensions of the net.  The mesh size should be ideally suited to the target species (see above).  The length of the net should suit its location (e.g. path, clearing, open habitat) and the size of catch required.  Make sure there are helpers to properly monitor the whole net.  Consider the height of the net and number of shelves, the type and height of the vegetation in your sample area, as well as light conditions.

4.  ERECTING THE NET

Finally, ensure the net is erected properly on suitable poles, such as the telescopic mist net pole.  Nets may stretch over time so if left in place for prolonged periods, they must be tightened to keep the net taut.  Ensure the nets are protected from overstretching – using a Mounting Set with rubber rope can help prevent this.

If you require any further information then please contact us.  Mist nets are for use by trained ringers; you will need to supply a copy of your appropriate licence or permit when ordering.

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Popularity: 51% [?]

This weekend NHBS are heading up to Loughborough for the Bat Conservation Trust’s annual National Bat Conference. We are proud to be involved with bat conservation through the provision of the latest books and equipment for everyone from ecological consultants to amateur bat lovers. Our range is always expanding to keep up with developments in technology and research, and our wildlife equipment team are always chasing the most up-to-date information to help kit out those working in bat conservation.

Our catalogue is a guide to everything you’ll need for bat detecting and conservation. We’ve included information about choosing the right bat detector and accessories, as well as a comprehensive list of the field kit and reference books we think you will find most useful. You can read it in the window below, or click here to view it as a pdf.

We are always coming across new innovations and updating our stock so don’t forget to check our bat equipment pages on the website.

NHBS | Explore the World of Bats

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Popularity: 8% [?]

Mammals of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East is the hot new bestseller at NHBS this month.

Covering over 400 species, this work presents all of the terrestrial mammal species of the Western Palearctic, serving as an excellent guide to the great wealth of fauna in this region. Species accounts are concise and authoritative, giving information on size, distribution, habitat, behaviour, reproduction and feeding. Each account is supported by distribution maps and superb illustrations. The book features over 100 plates, comprising of over 600 colour species artworks. Variation between the sexes is illustrated and anatomical diagrams are provided to assist identification. See sample pages and illustrations from this book

Get your copy today – and save 15%!

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Popularity: 14% [?]

We are at the National Bat Conference this weekend at Reading University. There’s a packed programme:

Saturday 13th September
Assessing species diversity of bats in woodlands (David Hill, University of Sussex & Frank Greenaway)
Ideal homes for lesser horseshoe bats (Henry Schofield, Vincent Wildlife Trust)
A contractor’s view of mitigation for bats (David Mason, Skanska)
Autumn swarming and the implications for the restoration of underground sites (Jon Flanders, University of Bristol)
Building a future for bats (Amy Coyte, BCT)
Bats in Greece: past, present and future (Eleni Papadatou, University of Leeds)
Modelling the distribution of rare species: an example with barbastelles in Portugal (Hugo Rebelo, University of Bristol)
Plants that echo in the night: sensory ecology of bat pollination (Mark Holdereid, University of Bristol)
Dumfries and Galloway nightjar radio-tracking project (Stuart Spray, Stuart Spray Wildlife Consultancy)
Social calls in brown long-eared bats (Stephanie Murphy, University of Sussex)
Why bats should join CPRE (Tom Oliver, Campaign to Protect Rural England)
Annual General Meeting of the Bat Conservation Trust
Conference dinner and ceilidh
Sunday 14th September
Count Bat and engaging new groups in bat conservation (Dan Merrett, BCT)
The Isles of Scilly Bat Group – a voyage of discovery (Mike Gurr, Isles of Scilly Bat Group)
Bat rehabilitation – why bother? (Gail Armstrong, North Lancs Bat Group)
Latest developments in BCT conservation work and NBMP (Karen Haysom, BCT)
Bat activity patterns and habitat use in agricultural landscapes (Danielle Linton, WildCRU)
Bat conservation management in agri-environment schemes in Wales (Ann Humble, Welsh Assembly Government)

The Bat Conservation Trust publishes the Bat Surveys: Good Practice Guidelines. You can find out more about joining the Bat Conservation Trust on their website.

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Popularity: 54% [?]