The Forest and surrounding landscape is of significant importance for Horseshoe bats, with approximately 26% and 6% of the UK breeding population of Lesser (LHB) and Greater (GHB) Horseshoe bats respectively being concentrated within the area. Whilst a number of the most important roost sites are protected, the surrounding countryside is not. This includes a range of other roosts, foraging grounds and flyways (including hedges, lines of trees, woodland edges, walls) used by the bats to get around the landscape.
Through this project we aim to better understand the sites and features which make up the Horseshoe ‘batscape’ and take positive action to conserve them.
The project will provide us with a better understanding of the ‘batscape’ sites and features. This will be achieved by carrying out:
We will take action to help increase the resilience of the Horseshoe ‘batscape’, which includes:
Click here to go to the Natural England website.
You might be surprised what you find!
From creating habitats for our wildlife or improving our waterways, to recording oral histories or finding old photos, there’s always something going on to get involved in!