Daubenton Bat Species Action Plan

The daubentons bat is a species of conservation concern as determined by the UK biodiversity audit process.  Daubentons bat are widely spread through river valleys in North Lanarkshire and are primarily associated with slow flowing water courses with wooded bankside vegetation.

Ecology and habitat requirements

Rarely found away from riparian habitats, daubentons bats forage over open water, taking insects from on or near the water surface.  The main prey items are small flying insects.

On rivers it shows strong preference for smooth flowing water with tree cover on both banks.  It typically forages over a short stretch of river, but can be found up to 5-10km from the roost.  Daubentons bat also feed over canals, lochs and small ponds.  Summer roosts are found in tree holes, the stonework of bridges and in buildings close to open water.  Known hibernation sites are primarily in caves, mines and bridges as well as large trees.

National status

The most recent pre breeding population count estimates numbers at 150,000 individuals.  National population levels have been classified as remaining stable over the period 1975-1995. (Harris 1995)

The location of daubentons bat roosts is very hard to determine and only two tree roosts have been found to date in the Council area.

Population estimates will be determined over the course of the plan to aid in setting realistic targets at the next plan revision stage.

Legal status

Daubenton bats are protected nationally by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, Schedules 5b, and under Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats) Regulations 1994.  Internationally there are several obligations.  Firstly the EC habitats and Species Directive 1992, Annex IV a. The Bern Convention 1979 Appendices II and III.  The daubentons bat is also included in Appendix II of the Convention of the Conservation of migratory species of wild animals (Bonn 1980), including its Agreement on the Conservation of Bats in Europe (1991).

On a local level negative impact can be reduced by activities in accordance with NPPG14 Natural Heritage 1998 and PAN 60 Planning for Natural Heritage, Environmental Impact Assessment (Scotland) Regulations 1999 and via the Local Agenda 21 and Biodiversity Action Plan process.

For instance the presence of daubentons bat is a material consideration where a planning authority is considering a development proposal which would be likely to result in significant harm to the species.

2. Current factors causing loss or decline

Reduction in insect prey abundance, due to high intensity farming practices and inappropriate riparian management e.g. river engineering practices, heavy grazing pressures and water pollution.

Loss of maternity roost sites through damage or destruction resulting from factors such as a lack of public understanding of bats, and due to a misunderstanding of the legislative process, often leading to consultation not occurring.  Roosts may be in buildings, bridges or in trees.

Loss of hibernation and other seasonally important roost sites for the same reasons.  These sites include buildings, trees and underground sites.

Lack of professional understanding in housing, arboricultural and planning and environment staff resulting in accidental roost destruction.

Loss of insect rich feeding habitats and flyways, due to loss or degradation, isolation of wetlands, riparian, hedgerow and woodland habitats.

Climate seriously affects both wintering bats and foraging females.  Wet weather in spring is a major factor in reducing breeding viability in certain years.  Predators such as grey squirrels have had a major impact on a North Lanarkshire tree roost.

Current actions

3. Objectives and targets

Objective 1. Maintain existing populations and range of daubentons bat in North Lanarkshire.

Target ongoing - Action 1-19

Objective 2. Achieve a 5% increase in the population of daubentons bat.

Target 2010 - Action 1-10/11/12/14/15-19

Objective 3. Assist in the development and implementation of monitoring procedures for the identification of population trends.

Target 2002 - Action 8/12/3/14/18/19

Objective 4. Improve public understanding and appreciation of bats.

Ongoing  - Action 1/3/8/9/10/11/12/13/14/15/17/18/194.

4. Proposed actions with lead agencies

Policy and legislation

1. Encourage water quality levels for aquatic insects (SEPA, SAC, FWAG, WoSW.)

2. Ensure the needs of the daubentons bat are included in RSS, WGS, set aside etc. (FC, SERAD, SNH, SAC, FWAG, SWT).

3. Ensure the needs of bats are fully considered in local development plans and policies (NLC, SNH, SWT, CBG).

Site safeguard and management

4. Encourage favourable management of land adjacent to known breeding sites to benefit foraging bats by 2002 (SNH, SWT, FC, CBG).

5. Ensure that development schemes do not affect the integrity of roost sites.  (NLC, SNH, SWT, CBG).

6. Increase number of bat box schemes by 2003 (CSCT, SNH, NLC, FE, SWT, CBG).

7. Survey for hibernacula and create five new sites by 2005 (CBG, SNH, SWT, NLC).

8. Maintain current licensing procedures for bat workers and train up to 5 bat workers for NLC authority area by 2004 (CBG, SNH, SWT, NLC).

9. Ensure that police wildlife liaison officers receive training related to bats by 2002 (CBG).

10. Review 10% of SNH case work to assess the effectiveness of current management and protection policies and advice and amend if required.  Ongoing (SNH, CBG).

11. Develop best practice relationships with professionals whose activities could affect bats, eg. vets, pest control firms, building industry, arboriculturalists, planners, professional contractors, developers and road engineers.  Ongoing (NLC, SNH, CBG).

12. Ensure that advice is available on conservation management of roosts and foraging habitats by 2002(SNH, CBG).

Future research and monitoring

13. Expand on effectiveness of CBG database for bat records, feed this onto relevant organisations by 2002 (SNH, NLC, CBG, BCT).

14. Continue to assist in NBMP and new schemes as they become active and begin nathusius pipistrelle survey.  Ongoing (CBG, BCT, NLC, SNH).

15. Implement standard monitoring techniques to identify population changes at important roosts by 2002 (SNH, BCT, CBG).

Communication and publicity

16. Maintain and build up a programme of publicity and education activities aimed at Council departments, building trades, community groups, children, conservation organisations and arboriculturalists (CBG, SNH, BCT, NLC).

17. Encourage agencies responsible for planning issues to develop GIS by 2005 (NLC,SNH,BCT, CBG).

18. Provide CBG with weekly planning lists and continue with the support of the group (NLC, SNH).

19. Ensure daubentons bat requirements are built into NLC + Partners Habitat Action Plans as they are reviewed (NLC + Partners).

Abbreviations

BCT Bat Conservation Trust
CBG Clyde Bat Group
FC Forestry Commission
FE Forest Enterprise
FWAG Farm and Wildlife Advisory Group
HAP Habitat Action Plan
NLC North Lanarkshire Council
PAN Planning Advice Note
SAC Scottish Agricultural College
SAP Species Action Plan
SEPA Scottish Environment Protection Agency
SERAD Scottish Executive Rural Affairs Department
SNH Scottish Natural Heritage
SWT Scottish Wildlife Trust
WACA Wildlife and Countryside Act
WoSW West of Scotland Water

Acknowledgements

This plan written by Ian Cornforth SWT and CBG. January 2002.  Produced with thanks to Ian Davidson Watts (English Nature), Keith Cohen (Fife Bat Group) and BCT.

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