Bat boxes on the River Mole

The River Mole Plantation Woodlands have great potential as habitat for many bat species, including the rare Bechstein’s bats which have been recorded at another nearby woodland. We have so far recorded several species of bat at the woodlands, including Common & Soprano Pipistrelle, Daubentons, Whiskered/Brandt’s and Serotine.

We will enhance the River Mole Plantation Woodlands for bats by erecting 24 bat boxes, with the help of volunteers. We will then organise bat box checking sessions (in the presence of a Natural England licensed bat surveyor) which will determine usage of these bat boxes. We will involve volunteers with checking the bat boxes and teach them about bat species ecology. Data collected will be passed to the county Biodiversity Records Centre.