We are working to help rare species of bats in
North Somerset.
We have an action plan for greater horseshoe bats
within North Somerset Action for Nature Local Biodiversity
Action Plan (LBAP) and have developed planning policies to
protect important landscape features within the bat foraging areas
around an important greater horseshoe bat maternity roost.
North Somerset is a stronghold for many species of bats, to
include the rare greater and lesser horseshoe bats. This is due to
the landscape character of the district, which includes habitats
that provide an abundance of insect food, such as wetlands, cattle
grazed pastures; and woodlands linked by extensive hedgerow
networks.
Tall and wide hedgerows are particularly important for greater
horseshoe bats to provide navigation routes for the bats from their
maternity roosts into wetland areas; and also to provide a
sheltered microclimate for bats forgaing for moths and other
airborne insects that are an important component of their diet.
For more information about bats and conservation visit the
Bat Conservation Trust or
Avon Bat Group
website, or download our factsheets:
