Jersey bat group
To survey and monitor bat populations, roosts, hibernacula and foraging sites in Jersey and provide information and education regarding bats to the Jersey public. Where possible to take steps to help protect local bat populations, in line with recommendations from the Species Action Plan.
Report back from the 'Bats for Building Professionals' training day held at the International Training Centre, Durrell.
Roger Martindale, BCT trainer, talking on BBC Radio Jersey.
The training day occurred on 21st Oct 2011 as a Jersey Bat Group initiative. It came about to try and inform architects and other professionals after changes to the exempted development list and the implementation of the Island Plan 2011. The JBG identified a need to try and clarity potentially conflicting policies such as protecting the needs of protected species whilst meeting proposals for modern low-energy construction techniques.
The training was attended by 20 individuals from architectural and design companies, different areas of government, ecological consultants and NGOs. The day was well advertised through both targeted publicity and the wider media.
The day opened with a welcome by Lee Durrell with a succinct introduction on the importance of local and urban initiatives in the global battle to protect biodiversity. Her delivery gave a perspective and credibility to the day.
The course followed the following format:
- Introduction to bats – biology, flight, echolocation, ecology & local species
- Bats in buildings – where, when, which bats, evidence of bats
- Taking account of bats – the law and bats (Conservation of Wildlife (Jersey) 2000 Law)
- Practical – daylight look at a local bat roost
- Case studies – bats in your planning applications
- Best practice – mitigation, compensation and new builds
Instruction was given by Roger Martindale with Lindsey Napton presenting local wildlife law. Both instructors delivered comprehensive training. The diverse mix of interests and backgrounds made for a challenging and instructive day that was laced with quirky humour, in the comfortable and appropriate surrounds of the International Training Centre.
Practical training sessions identified evidence of bats (droppings), roosting possibilities and even bats themselves. Unfortunately, due to clear bright weather the evening temperatures were forecast as low so the evening roost visit was cancelled.
Participants were given the opportunity to join the JBG as part of the package so there are now additional members to the group with professional skills and contacts. An added bonus and potential resource to the group.
Due to the transport costs the training was not self-funding however the event was given an additional grant from the Channel Islands Co-operative Society Eco-fund that both supported it and enabled some subsidised places to NGOs
Bats for Building Professionals – Bat Conservation Trust training
Target audience: Architects, surveyors, structural engineers, building control officers, and other professionals from the building industry
The Jersey Bat Group invites you to participate in a day of training which has been arranged for the benefit of Jersey professionals in the construction and development industry. This one day training event will be run on Friday 21st October 2011 and again on Saturday 22nd October 2011 for those who are unable to take time out of their normal working week at such short notice.
This bespoke training will be delivered by a UK Bat Conservation Trust trainer and has been designed as an introduction to the issues of bats in relation to building renovation, development, design and maintenance within a Jersey context. The Conservation of Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2000 protects all species of bats and their roosts. Any work affecting bats or roosts, regardless of whether a planning permit is required, needs to take account of this law. This training will help participants to understand these legal provisions and their implications for development and to appreciate the wide range of options for working within the law.
This invitation extends to any professional who is either responsible for, or involved in the process of: identifying, designing or commissioning work on all sorts of commercial structures, historic buildings and communal/private housing sites. The training is of particular relevance to those working with the 2011 Jersey Island Plan policies and recent changes to exempted development and the relation to statutory protected species.
Course content includes:
- Introduction to bats – biology, flight, echolocation, ecology & local species
- Bats in buildings – where, when, which bats, evidence of bats
- Taking account of bats – the law and bats (Conservation of Wildlife (Jersey) 2000 Law)
- Practical – daylight look at a local bat roost
- Case studies – bats in your planning application
- Best practice – mitigation and new builds
- Weather permitting – evening visit to a local bat roost
It is hoped that this opportunity for training and subsequent liaison and networking will involve representatives not only from local companies but also from government departments and NGOs
Due to the difficulties in staging such a customised training event and the limited amount of potential participants, this opportunity is unlikely to be repeated in the foreseeable future. It is hoped that this initiative will be recognised and supported by your organisation as a valuable opportunity for staff professional development/training.
Dates, venues and costs
- Venue: International Training Centre, Durrell, Les Noyers, Trinity
- Dates: Choose either Friday 21 October 2011 or Saturday 22 October 2011
- Time: 9.30 am to 4.30 pm
- Cost: £135 per person
For further information or to apply for a place on this course e-mail jerseybatgroup@yahoo.co.uk. A downloadable flyer and an introductory letter are available here.
Spring 2011
The Jersey Bat Group is gently coming out of winter hibernation and beginning the season with a training day facilitated by Dr Penelope Angold. This will enable new members to become more actively involved in this year's surveys, will improve our knowledge of the local bat species for education and outreach, and will also allow old hands to brush up their knowledge. The training day starts with coffee at 9.30 am, breaks for lunch at 12.00 and finishes at 3.30 pm.
The surveys are being planned at this moment, and if you are keen to help, please get in touch as always.
This year we are starting an outreach programme for children. Activities have been planned to help children understand more about our local bat populations. If you would like to be part of the outreach team, or have a group of young people who would like to take part, please contact us.
Trees and hedgerows
Bats are getting some direct help in the island this winter. Jersey Dairy and Jersey Trees for Life are running a 'Days on the Hedge' campaign in conjunction with National Tree Week. They will be clearing, planting and maintaining hedgerows in the island for the benefit of five species of bats identified in those areas. As Ani Binet told Channel Television, "We have worked together to pinpoint priority areas for hedgerow planting that will link up areas of prime habitat for bats. Hedgerows are particularly important for bats, as they provide shelter and security for bats as they fly through the countryside." Hedgerows are also an important source of food for bats, as several species forage on the rich insect life associated with them, Ani said.
Initiatives like this benefit not only bats, but also red squirrels and many other species including small mammals, birds, insects and other invertibrates that depend on and thrive in continuous corridors of rich cover and dense native vegetation. For more details follow the links above as well as in Conrad's corner of the Jersey Trees for Life Newsletter.
Bats and the law in Jersey
We were pleased to welcome Lindsey Napton, an ecologist with the States of Jersey Planning and Environment Department,[1] to talk to the Jersey Bat Group at the November meeting. She explained that most of the protection of bats in Jersey derives from the Conservation of Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2000, the Planning and Building (Jersey) Law 2002 and the Biodiversity Strategy for Jersey.
Under the two laws all bats and their roosts have protected status. Planning applications that may affect known roosts are given detailed consideration. They may require an ecological survey to confirm the presence or absence of bats, which may lead to requiring that the new development protects, replaces or enhances any bat-friendly features that it may affect. We discussed the fact that bat roosts appear in newer as well as older buildings, and the importance of maintaining up-to-date records of the locations of known and active roosts in the island. Around 150 bat roosts are recorded in the States' GIS digital mapping service, which is used to evaluate planning requests. The Jersey Bat Group can continue a vital role in helping to update and maintain that database.
We discussed the damage that can be done to roosts during routine maintenance to properties. Replacing guttering, redecorating and replacing barge and fascia boards can interfere with or destroy large bat roosts. The same is true of work inside lofts such as improving and replacing loft insulation. None of this involves planning permission, and so is not likely to be picked up by the existing planning processes. The builders, decorators and contractors who do these kinds of work may not be familiar with the signs that identify an active bat roost; property owners and tenants may not be aware that there are bats on their property. Education and awareness-raising among those involved in this kind of work is one good way that more roosts can be protected, as well as helping people to avoid inadvertently breaking the local laws. We discussed the possibility of the bat group bringing over a suitable tutor and laying on a bat-awareness training course for builders and decorators in the island in the New Year. There are further problems with identifying an 'active' roost during winter months when the bats are hibernating. The locations of no bat hibernacula are known in the island, but roosts are usually re-used from year to year.
We have further information, including a leaflet to download, on this website. Bats are protected by Jersey's laws and strategies, but our help is still needed to identify their roosts and habitats, and to help increase general awareness of their existence and their needs in the wild.
Annual General Meeting
The Jersey Bat Group held its AGM at ATC, Durrell, on 6th October 2010. As well as the usual AGM business, we decided that regular meetings should continue on the first Wednesday of every month and that a few social events, such as a Tennerfest meal and the occasional meet-up in a pub would help to move things along. The theme for the first meeting, on the 3rd November, is 'Bats and the Law' at the Member's Room, Société Jersiaise.
We also acquired a new volunteer to look after this website, and any suggestions, copy and ideas should go to Nigel for the time being.
We discussed offering the opportunity for young people staying at Crabbé to take part in bat walks next year, which seems like a good idea.
