It's all about bats this #BatmanDay
What better way to launch a newsletter than to coincide our first article with #NationalBatmanDay this week, giving us the perfect opportunity to share some insights into #batcare.
The #RSPCA rehabilitates around 250 bats every year. Bats can be injured by discarded or casting fishing lines, or found trapped, grounded, or orphaned. As a protected species, bats need a special type of care, and it's not just RSPCA staff and volunteers who give up their time to ensure that they get it.
We recently opened a dialogue with a local volunteer bat rehabilitator, and they kindly agreed to give us more insight into what's involved with bat care.
An Interview with Gwynevere - local bat carer.
Gwynevere is a local, freelance proof-reader and copy-editor, who dedicates their free time to caring for bats in need.
To get the ball rolling in as typical a way as you might imagine from an RSPCA branch, we first asked them about their favourite animal.
"Tough question! I like animals in general and there are some types of animal I like more than others (i.e. Brown long-eared, Barbastelle, Hoary bat, snakes) but I don't really put one on a pedestal above the others."
We can certainly relate.
How did you first get interested in caring for bats?
"I first got interested in bats through my spouse who had done some bat care through their job at the time while at Durham Cathedral. I first tried bat surveying, and while it is enjoyable, it is the caring side of bat work that has proven to be the most interesting."
What kind of things are involved in being a volunteer bat carer?
"Outreach is definitely involved, which due to the current IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) guidelines is limited to social media posts and very limited finder engagement."?
How often do you find yourself caring for bats throughout the?year?
"Most weeks, honestly, although it does tend to get a little quieter in winter. New bats tend to come in a lot over the summer during pup season and then a little later into the breeding season, then there are often longer-term care cases over the winter as well most years."?
Are there any particular peak times for bats needing a little extra TLC from carers?
"In our experience, although this is definitely a 'carer by carer basis' type thing, definitely around summer. Spring when they are starting to wake up from hibernation is also a common period for bats needing help as they have worked through their food reserves."
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Do you have any funny stories or moments that have stood out to you during your time caring for bats?
"Too many to list!?One that comes to mind is Harry the adult male Whiskered bat. He had to be put on a diet at one point as he was taking full advantage of the mesh he was in and not flying to get to his food. He took great umbrage to our lessening of his mealworms, and we think he managed to work his way out between the closure of the two zips and made a bid for freedom. He was missing for 5 days before he made himself known by flying into the living room. Absolutely none the worse for wear for his absence, so we think that he was happily tucking into the local bug life in the house.?
Another was Doublet the Daubenton's bat. Doublet was originally found in Bishop Auckland hospital, and he needed a bit of TLC to get back ready for release. He very quickly picked up on self-feeding (which is a godsend as a carer) and even learned how to tap on the food dish when it was empty to demand more food.?
While I do have more that come to mind, I'll share one last one. Boo, the adult female Common pipistrelle, had a minor wing tear that was repairing - she was one of our overwinter 'residents'. We used to exercise her by letting her out of the mesh flexarium. She would hilariously fly a couple of laps around the room and then go back into the mesh when she had decided that she had had enough."
What sort of reactions do you get from people who find out you?have cared for / do care for bats?
"Surprise! Wildlife care in general isn't that common, although I'd say it isn't uncommon either, but bat care seems to be quite a niche in itself."
How might someone reading this find out more about becoming a bat carer?
"I would recommend looking up your local bat group. So, type in your location followed by 'bat group' in Google tends to work. Durham Bat Group, Northumberland Bat Group, and Cleveland Bat Group are the north-east ones nearest to me that I can recommend through direct experience but there are also carers who aren't affiliated with groups. Here are a few links to help"?
What is your favourite thing about bats?
"Their personalities! Each bat is an individual. You've got the chirpy ones who are constantly 'talking', those who are grumpy... think of the variations of human personality and you can probably see a degree of parallel with bats."
And is there anything more you would like to add?
"As much as caring for bats can sound on the surface like it is rainbows, puppies and unicorns, there are a lot of times when it is difficult, hard-going, and emotionally draining. It is important to remember that if a bat is at the point of needing to come into care, it generally isn't doing so well in the first place."
You can find out more about Gwynevere and bat care by searching Nacht Bat Care on Facebook/Twitter.