Bat roosting

Keris82

Keris82

Member
Where can one find out which caves are closed for bat roost? I have searched the web and can't find anything useful. I believe MU5 says to check the CSCC website but there isn't much detail on there and the website seems quite out of date. It surprises me that it isn't well documented anywhere or easily available  :-\  :confused:
 
Alex

Alex

Well-known member
I have not heard of any caves in the UK closed due to bat roosting, but I may be wrong. Oh wait this is Mendip section, so ignore me I can only comment around my way.
 
J

JohnMCooper

Member
MU5 lists some in Fairy Cave Quarry - see Appendix 1
MU5 also list Reservoir Hole (to tourist trips only I believe)
Tween Twins (aka Fester Hole) see their web site

Probably others that I don't know about.
 
Duncan Price

Duncan Price

Active member
JohnMCooper said:
MU5 lists some in Fairy Cave Quarry - see Appendix 1
Click to expand...

Balch and Fairy/Hilliers are supposed to be closed 1st October-31st March though I am not sure how well this is adhered to.  Most of the bats in Fairy/Hilliers roost out of the way (e.g. in the vicinity of the old entrance to Fairy Cave or the Fernhill Boulder Choke).  In Balch Cave there are significant roosts along Pool Passage so its best to avoid the area by using the upper entrance.
 
The Old Ruminator

The Old Ruminator

Well-known member
Reservoir Hole is closed to tourist trips October to March though some maintenance trips may be done. A bat log is kept at the end of the entrance passage to record bat numbers. They seem to like the white farm tape we have used.  From memory the highest number of roosting bats noted was 60.
 
Keris82

Keris82

Member
The Old Ruminator said:
They seem to like the white farm tape we have used.  From memory the highest number of roosting bats noted was 60.
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I was down RH a couple of months ago. I noticed they seem to like the tape but then that creates its own issues as there is now a line of bat poo lining all the taped off pathways which kind of ruins the aesthetics
 
The Old Ruminator

The Old Ruminator

Well-known member
Maintenance trips in Winter months in Reservoir are mainly concerned with carefully sweeping up the bat poo. At least that's our excuse.
 
Roger W

Roger W

Well-known member
"Blooming annoying  it is - every time we get a nice poo pile going, some old geezer comes along and sweeps it up!"

"You're bats, you are!"
 
K

Kenilworth

New member
The Old Ruminator said:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/manures/bat-guano-fertilizer.htm
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I collect a sackful every year for my garden.

It seems that UK and US cavers differ in their "official" attitude concerning bats. Is this because of differences in climate and bat behavior or simply in priority or understanding? Many many caves here are "closed" during hibernation. Many more maternity roosts are closed again later in the year. No one in this thread has differentiated between hibernaculum, maternity roost, or summertime roost, but are these treated differently?

While US caving organizations often have very strict bat policies, I have not seen much evidence that they are ecologically meaningful. They are regularly ignored if vehemently preached. Anyway, an overabundance of fabricated and illogical concern for a few specific species of spelean creature is one of the hallmarks of ignorant caver hypocrisy both here and there.
 
wormster

wormster

Active member
Compton martin Ocher Mine is closed to cavers during the month of January each year to protect the 'fasands of bats hibernating!!
 
Les W

Les W

Active member
wormster said:
Compton martin Ocher Mine is closed to cavers during the month of January each year to protect the 'fasands of bats hibernating!!
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This isn't true, it is closed for the month of January at the landowners request. It has nothing to do with bats or the closure would be 6 months, not one...  :sneaky: :tease:
 
Duncan Price

Duncan Price

Active member
Kenilworth said:
Many more maternity roosts are closed again later in the year. No one in this thread has differentiated between hibernaculum, maternity roost, or summertime roost, but are these treated differently?
Click to expand...

Saye's Hole in Cheddar Gorge (just down from Gough's Show cave  - big entrance behind National Trust Shop) is closed for the winter and also when the bats are breeding.  There's a narrow window in the late Spring and late summer when visits are permitted - even then there is a bat lover who lives opposite who will come out are harass you.  Despite the impressive entrance its not much of a cave beyond what you can see from the road so you are not missing out.
 
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