My smart wall by sophie and niamh https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv Made with a dash of wit en-us 2018-01-28 15:36:29 UTC 2024-11-13 03:55:08 UTC hello@padlet.com Greater Horseshoe Bat sophie_titchen https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225392029 In 1997 the population of this bat was extremely low, much lower than that of other species in the same area, by 1999 their population did however rise to around the same as other species however as these other species then continued to either dip or rise slightly the greater horseshoe’s population dropped dramatically and between 2012-2013 the population was below what the numbers where in 1997. By 2006 the greater horseshoes numbers recovered and they then remained steady. A reason for these fluctuating population numbers could be caused by disturbance of their roosting sites, which are normally buildings that have large entrance holes and have access to open roof spaces that are warmed by the sun. Or another could be the intensification of farming which would cause a loss of the bats permanent pastures that the bats would use to find food.]]> 2018-01-28 15:38:53 UTC https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225392029 Lesser Horseshoe Bat sophie_titchen https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225392332 The population numbers for this bat in 1997 were steady and gently rose until they evened out between 2005 and 2007. After 2008 the numbers then rose again dramatically. Reasons behind the increasing numbers of these bats could be the laws that are in place to protect them and their roosts, these laws make it illegal in the UK to disturb or harm bats. Another reason that the population could be increasing could be the work to secure, maintain and improve roosts and the fact that they feed on cattle grazed grassland and semi natural woodland which are in abundance in the areas in which the bats choose to live.]]> 2018-01-28 15:40:54 UTC https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225392332 sophie_titchen https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225392403 A possible reason for the difference in the population numbers between these too bats could be related to their size. They both have very similar diets, however the lesser horseshoe is considerable lighter (5-9grams) than the greater horseshoe (17-34grams) so wouldn’t need to catch as much food in order to be able to thrive in an environment. If the food types that these bats eat are in short supply the greater horseshoe would be more effected as it needs much more of this food in order to keep its weight up and survive and without being able to do this its numbers would decrease.]]> 2018-01-28 15:41:27 UTC https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225392403 sophie_titchen https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225392982 2018-01-28 15:46:20 UTC https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225392982 sophie_titchen https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225393643 Comparison of the size of a greater horseshoe and a lesser horseshoe.]]> 2018-01-28 15:51:06 UTC https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225393643 sophie_titchen https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225393902 horseshoe-bat-leaflet.pdf]]> 2018-01-28 15:52:56 UTC https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225393902 The lesser horseshoe bat are known for being cave dwellers but in recent years these bats have been found in buildings, large rural houses and barns as they like large void spaces so these places are ideal for the bats to inhabit. The lesser horseshoe bat can be commonly found in woodland edges, pastures and wetland. The college woods would be an ideal place for these bats to be released as there is both woodland and wetland areas. The woodland has plenty of trees and places for the bats to hide and there is a pond which helps attract this bats main food source which is insects. sophie_titchen https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225566735 2018-01-29 11:37:58 UTC https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225566735 The lesser horseshoe bat has two main predators which are domestic cats and sparrow hawks, both of which can be commonly found within the woodlands. Sparrow hawks are diurnal animals which means they will spend there days awake and their nights asleep, even though the sparrow hawk is a top predator for these bats they shouldn’t cause much harm as bats are nocturnal animals which means they are mainly awake at night so these two animals will rarely cross paths with each other. However, domestic cats are very common in the woodland area as they like to explore the large space when let out by their owners, cats tend to go out at night so there is more chance of the cats and bats crossing each other at night times so domestic cats would be the main predator of these bats within the woodland area. Insecticides would be an issue for these bats as it would kill their main food source, insecticides being used in gardens across the uk can affect the population of certain insects which will then have a knock on effect for the lesser horseshoe bats as their food source will decrease. sophie_titchen https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225566834 2018-01-29 11:38:21 UTC https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225566834 Ecological features such as the pond that is located at the top of smallbridge/bottom on the woodland area, will help attract the lesser horseshoe bats food source, such as moths, spiders, small wasps and beetles. The woodland area including the pond create the perfect environment to attract these food sources which would be enough for the bats to survive within the forest. The chapel which is located on the college campus would be a good roosting place for the bats as it is not currently being used and is quite isolated so there isn’t much human interference. sophie_titchen https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225566970 2018-01-29 11:38:50 UTC https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225566970 At Hopwood hall college Middleton campus we help the conservation of all animals as much as we can. Within the college we help bat conservation by installing bat boxes around the campus. There are boxes in the woodland area, on the technology centre building and around the back of Littleborough building. These boxes give the bats somewhere to shelter and feel safe and possibly mate. sophie_titchen https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225567069 2018-01-29 11:39:14 UTC https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225567069 Within the woodland area at college there is a low human disturbance as the majority of the woods is undisturbed, there is only a fraction of the woods that is on college grounds which is pretty isolated anyway and students rarely go up to the woods unless during a lesson. The woodland area can be accessed by the general public but it is very uncommon that people will venture far into the woods so human interference within the woods is very minimal. sophie_titchen https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225567173 2018-01-29 11:39:38 UTC https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225567173 Greater horseshoe bats are also commonly found in caves but during summer months these bats like to relocate. They seek large abandoned buildings, usually with no roof so the sun can peer through and warm up some spaces and act as a heat source for the bats. During winter the bats will seek hibernation and will return to caves or will find tunnels, somewhere dark and dry for them to hibernate. These bats can also be found on the edge of woodland areas, along hedge rows and often close to water bodies. The woods at college have a large pond which is a water body so will attract not only the bats but the bats main food sources of insects as well. On campus is also the unused chapel which would be an ideal roosting place for the bats, if there is a large enough opening for the bats to get in. sophie_titchen https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225567547 2018-01-29 11:41:02 UTC https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225567547 The greater horseshoe bats main predators are, barn and tawny owls, sparrowhawks and domestic cats. The woodland area provides the perfect environment for all these predators to survive, all of these predators are common to the woods. Owls are nocturnal just like bats so there is a high chance that these two animals will cross paths in the night, along with the domestic cats. Greater horseshoe bats are at a great risk of being caught by one of these predators if they choose the settle within the woodland areas. The sparrowhawk is a diurnal animal so there is less chance of the sparrowhawk catching a nocturnal bat. sophie_titchen https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225567712 2018-01-29 11:41:48 UTC https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225567712 A greater horseshoes main food sources has been seriously affected by the use of pesticides as they are killing off creatures such as moths and beetles. If people continue to use pesticides then just like the insecticide with the lesser horseshoe bat, it will decrease the greater horseshoe bats food supply which could then possibly effect the population of the greater horseshoe bat. sophie_titchen https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225567903 2018-01-29 11:42:32 UTC https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225567903 Locally there are no bat conservation groups around so college has done there part in helping bat conservation by setting up bat boxes around campus. These spots include the technology centre, littleborough building and in the forest at smallbridge. These boxes give the bats somewhere to hide from predators and take shelter in harsh weather. sophie_titchen https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225568064 2018-01-29 11:43:12 UTC https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225568064 Within the woodland area at college there is a low human disturbance as the majority of the woods is undisturbed, there is only a fraction of the woods that is on college grounds which is pretty isolated anyway and students rarely go up to the woods unless during a lesson. The woodland area can be accessed by the general public but it is very uncommon that people will venture far into the woods so human interference within the woods is very minimal. sophie_titchen https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225568207 2018-01-29 11:43:46 UTC https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225568207 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idhuC0C3Gl8 sophie_titchen https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225572628 2018-01-29 12:03:55 UTC https://padlet.com/sophie_titchen/c0arm468leiv/wish/225572628