Return of Dark Knight 2

Once again Maurice was unable to make what will be the last bat 'visual' count of the season. However Paul the bat expert from 'up in the grim north' was present with Mike leading and the new assistant ranger {Ellie?} in attendance. Paul has been carrying out an audio bat survey in the Northfields barn area and has discovered a number of different bat species resident here. This data along with the audio surveys in the Sherborne roosts and at the 'bat cave' will all contribute to the Springwatch filming of bats later in May. The hope is to capture video and audio {if Paul can arrange it} of bat pups, especially in the Kennel nursery roost.

Stella, Ospreys 'have now left the building'

RIchard Tyler pic, the one I'd wish I'd captured

Given the very changeable weather we have been experiencing it was going to be challenging predicting the number of bats to be found in the various roosts. It was good to see Paul was quite enthusiastic/competitive about this and especially good that he had brought a ladder so we could see into the enclosed loft area in the Bothy {Maurice to note plus picture is available of Mike scaling the ladder!}. Anyway after discussions on the 4 Ospreys which had visited Sherborne finally ended {interesting to note 2 common sandpipers also seen}, we set off to the bat cave to start the count. So once again only lesser horseshoes were observed, 57 in the bat cave,  70-100 in the kennels {we couldn't stay long since some bats started to fly around}, 58 in the Bothy {8 were outside the door of the inner roost and a couple started flying around}, 9 in the cellar making a grand total of 194-214 {200 total last count}. External temperature 20C and internal 7C-9C.

Couldn't resist another dig at the ineptitude of NE {DEFRA lead} with this RSPB blog on brood management, 'chance would be a fine thing'  if hen harriers could speak !