Devon Mammal Group

Barba-stealth

tomw — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:11:33 +0000

New research from Bristol University's School of Biological Sciences has shown how Barbastelle bats keep one step ahead of the moths they feed on. Many moth species can detect the ultrasonic echolocation calls that bats use to navigate and home in on prey, allowing them to take avoiding action as the bat approaches. The researchers discovered that Barbastelles can lower the volume of their calls, making them up to 100 times quieter than other bat species and allowing them to sneak up on the moths undetected.

For more information: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/news/2010/7174.html

Marsland Otters

tomw — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 20:24:37 +0000

One of our readers recently sent in this superb video of two Otter cubs playing in a stream at the Devon Wildlife Trust's Marsland reserve - hope you enjoy it!

White-nose Syndrome – guidance for UK bat workers

tomw — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 19:28:23 +0000

White-nose syndrome is a fungal condition which has been associated with over 1 million bat deaths in the North-Eastern United States. Last year the same fungus was identified within European bat populations, although so far it hasn't caused significant mortality. Given the potential for the disease to spread to the UK, the Bat Conservation Trust has issued revised guidelines for bat workers. These guidelines are intended to ensure swift identification of the fungus if it should arrive here, and to prevent the transfer of spores between roosts. They can be viewed on the BCT site here: http://www.bats.org.uk/pages/about_bats-white-nose_syndrome-586.html

Paignton Zoo Evening

tomw — Sun, 16 May 2010 11:59:25 +0000

**UPDATE**

The badger watch is now fully booked, but there are still spaces free for anyone wishing to attend the talks beforehand.

Just a reminder that there are still several spaces available on the badger watch at Paignton Zoo on Wednesday, June 16th. Before the badger watch there will be two short talks on the zoo's dormouse breeding programme and general conservation work.

This is a brilliant chance to watch badgers foraging from a custom-built hide, highly recommended! The talks begin at 7:30PM and the badger watch should finish around 10PM.

Talks are free for DMG members, £3 for non-members. The badger watch costs £6.50 for members and non-members alike.

Hope to see you there!

Pips and Pints II this Tuesday…

tomw — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 12:19:39 +0000

The Devon Mammal Group/Devon Wildlife Trust annual "Bat Night" will be held this Tuesday (May 4th) at Cricklepit Mill, Commercial Road, Exeter.

The event will begin with a brief talk, and hopefully the chance to get a close-up look at some captive bats. After this there will be a gentle circular walk taking in Exeter Quay, Haven Banks and Trews Weir, where if we're lucky we may see Daubenton's Bats feeding over the surface of the water.

Back at the Mill you'll be able to relax with a well-earned drink from the nearby pub while watching a demonstration of moth-trapping and looking for field signs of the otter who regularly passes through the Mill. For younger members there will also be a colouring competition.

There's no need to book, just turn up on the night for an 8:15pm start. Cricklepit Mill is located on Commercial Road, Exeter - just off Exeter Quay. There will be some bat detectors available to borrow on the night, but if you have one of your own please bring it along.

New bat species in the UK

liliw — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 21:28:45 +0000

The Alcathoe’s bat Myotis alcathoe has recently been identified in England, bringing the number of UK breeding bat species to 17. Until now, it was presumed that the English Channel acted as a barrier to prevent the Alcathoe's bat from reaching the UK. It is relatively new to science, as it was first identified as a new species in Greece in 2001.

The Alcathoe’s bat is very similar in appearance to the UK’s Brandt’s bat and Whiskered bat which mostly feed in wooded areas. It is not the first new bat species to have been identified in the UK. I n 1997 one of Britain’s most widespread bat species the pipistrelle was found to be 2 separate species; common pipistrelle and soprano pipistrelle.

Find out more at http://www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/786/bat_species_discovered_for_the_first_time_in_uk

A Prickly Affair…

tomw — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 16:33:52 +0000

Our AGM speaker, Hugh Warwick, recently had his latest book reviewed by The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/mar/27/prickly-affair-charm-hedgehog-warwick

Hugh promises to be a very entertaining speaker, so please do come along to the AGM, which will be in the upstairs room of the Pitcher and Piano, Queen Street, Exeter at 7pm on Tuesday April 20th.

Spring events programme and AGM details now online

tomw — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 23:05:52 +0000

Please check out our events page for details of all the events we have planned between now and July - featuring bats, dormice, badgers, hedgehogs and otters!

First Spring 2010 event announced!

tomw — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 15:09:53 +0000

We are pleased to announce that the first event in our Spring 2010 calendar will be a talk by Norman Healy from The Deer Initiative, an organisation dedicated to the management of wild deer populations in England and Wales. Norman will cover the ecology and management of the different deer species in Devon.

The talk will be on Tuesday 23rd March at 7:30pm in our usual talk venue, the function room at the Ley Arms in Kenn.

Upcoming event – Royal Forestry Society Red Squirrel talk

tomw — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 01:00:26 +0000

This isn't a DMG event, but some of our members may well find it interesting. The talk will be on Monday 25th January starting at 7:15pm - for more details see the events page.