AN APOLOGY

I am very concerned that you may not have been receiving copies of theBat e-Bulletin even though you have signed up for them via the BCT website.

Because of the number of subscribers (around 4000 at present) we have mailed the bulletins via a third-party e-mail and this is where problems may have occurred. I can only apologise for this.

We have now established a new way of mailing the bulletin so hopefully there should be no problems in the future. All the bulletins and associated files can be downloaded from our website.

BAT E-BULLETIN

Issue 3: May 2006

The new-look Bat e-Bulletin is a Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) initiative aimed at providing a regular and up-to-date source of information on a wide range of bat-related topics. Short news items in this bulletin are linked to more detailed articles in PDF format on the BCT website. Future issues will include something for everyone: research, mitigation, bat group news, bat care, rabies, wind farms, licensing, training, biodiversity information and links to other sites.

These are just a few ideas - we welcome thoughts and suggestions on future articles and most importantly contributions!
To subscribe or unsubscribe to this free email service visit
http://www.bats.org.uk/sendmail_list.asp
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What are bats doing in May?
Female bats are beginning to form maternity colonies and are looking for suitable nursery sites, such as buildings, trees or bat boxes. Male bats of most species will roost on their own or in smaller groups.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In this issue:
* Bats and the law
* A bat reading list
* Bats of Egypt
* Ashbourne Animal Welfare Gala Day
* Bat Recording Device
* Cats and bats
* EUROBATS assistance needed
* Help with pipistrelle colony counts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Bats and the law
Bats are protected by law and BCT's new leaflets explain the legislation in the UK as well as what to do if you think a bat offence has been committed. Copies of these leaflets can also be obtained by contacting the BCT office.
http://www.bats.org.uk/news_events/BateBulletinDownloads.asp
* A bat reading list
Just starting your interest in bats but don't know where to learn more? This reading list should help. It includes books that will give you a broad understanding of bat biology and conservation as well as websites that will provide more background information.
http://www.bats.org.uk/news_events/BateBulletinDownloads.asp
* Bats of Egypt
Egypt is a country with an interesting mix of European and African bat species. A new publication provides detailed accounts of all the species that occur in Egypt and is illustrated with many photographs.
http://www.bats.org.uk/news_events/BateBulletinDownloads.asp
* Ashbourne Animal Welfare Gala Day
Are you interested in bat welfare and have a free day on Sunday 30th July? The Ashbourne Animal Welfare Gala Day in Derbyshire is looking for people who could introduce the general public to the welfare of bats and conservation issues in general. Around 3000 people normally attend the event and most have an interest in animal welfare and the countryside. If you would like to help, please contact Wanda Mielczarek by e-mail on ashbourneanimalwelfare@yahoo.co.uk. There is no charge for any bat group or individual who might wish to attend.
* Bat Recording Device
Are you not sure which recording device you should use with your bat detector? Richard Fox of the North Notts Bat Group reviews one possible setup and shows an example spectrogram.
http://www.bats.org.uk/news_events/BateBulletinDownloads.asp
* Cats and bats
Do cats mainly catch male bats? That is what apparently happens in Cheshire but is it the case elsewhere? Ged Ryan of the Cheshire Bat Group would like to hear about other people's experiences with bats that are caught by cats. If you have information please contact Ged on gedryan@cheshirebat.fsnet.co.uk.
* EUROBATS assistance needed
Internship position open at the EUROBATS Secretariat
The EUROBATS Secretariat based in Bonn in Germany is looking for an enthusiastic person to work with them for a period in the summer of 2006 (roughly mid-July to mid-September, dates to be confirmed).You would help with various tasks, including support for the preparation of the EUROBATS Publication Series and the 5th Session of Meeting of Parties to be held in Slovenia in early September.An academic background in biodiversity and bat conservation would be an asset. Knowledge of German is not essential.To state your interest, please send a short covering letter and a CV to dkrueger@eurobats.org by 15 June 2006.
For more information about the EUROBATS Agreement please see
www.eurobats.org.
* Help with pipistrelle colony counts
Could you help with this year's pipistrelle colony counts that are part of BCT's National Bat Monitoring Programme? Here are the details.
http://www.bats.org.uk/news_events/BateBulletinDownloads.asp
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bat e-Bulletin is compiled and written by Simon Mickleburgh at the Bat Conservation Trust.
Bat Conservation Trust, 15 Cloisters House, 8 Battersea Park Road, London SW8 4BG Bat Helpline: 0845 1300 228 (local rate)
E-mail: enquiries@bats.org.uk
Website:
www.bats.org.uk
The next issue of Bat e-Bulletin will be circulated in July 2006. Any contributions, comments and feedback should be sent to BCT by Friday 30th June 2006 at the latest.
To subscribe or unsubscribe to this email visit
http://www.bats.org.uk/sendmail_list.asp