The Manx Bat Group is marking its 25th anniversary in 2015 by holding The Big Bat Count, with the aim of verifying all the Island’s bat roosts identified since the Group’s inception in 1990 and counting the number of bats using each roost.

This is a mammoth task and we hope that members of the public, and especially the owners of any houses in which bats have chosen to roost, will be inspired to join in and help.

Chris Packham is President of the Bat Conservation Trust in the United Kingdom (of which the Manx Bat Group is a Partner organisation) and on his recent visit to the Isle of Man he commented: “Bats are an important indication of our landscape’s health and intrinsically fascinating creatures. They need looking after and I would urge you to get to know your bats better! The Manx Bat Group are the best way to do this, so try to get involved in 2015.”

Volunteers will be out and about around the Island on summer evenings counting bats as they emerge from their roosts. The Bat Group has counts going back many years for some roosts and an up-to-date and comprehensive picture will help assess how bats are faring in the Isle of Man today.

Most of the bat roosts known in the Isle of Man are in houses, which provide the warmth and security mother bats need to rear their young. Bats are not rodents and do not gnaw or take nest material into houses, and their faeces are largely dry and not noxious. Bats are inoffensive creatures, which are welcomed by most homeowners once the facts are explained. Bat roosts are protected by law.

Anyone wishing to help with The Big Bat Count, or to report a bat roost, can get in touch with the organiser Nick Pinder at The Old Chapel, Jurby East IM7 3HD, by telephoning 897499 or by email to records@manxbatgroup.org.  Check the group’s website for further details: www.manxbatgroup.org.