Our batty friends need you

Do you want to help wildlife in your area?  Would you like to make a home for a European Protected Species?  If the answer is yes, then why not come along and help the Strathspey Bat Group erect some bat boxes at a local woodland in Nethy Bridge between 10am and 12 noon on Saturday 17th March. 

There was a good turn-out to a bat box making evening held a couple of weeks ago the Nethy Bridge Community Centre and help is now wanted to get the boxes erected to provide the bats with a decent summer home in which to rear some baby bats successfully. The boxes will be put up high, almost facing south, to make sure the conditions are just right.

The Strathspey Bat Group is currently a partnership between the Highland Council Countryside Rangers, Explore Abernethy, various volunteers and the Cairngorms National Park Authority Ecologist

The Highland Council’s Countryside Ranger Saranne Bish said:  “Bats have a vital role to play in keeping the number of insects like midges down. Bat boxes can help these midgy munching creatures to find shelter either during the day for resting or as a ‘pit stop’ when foraging at night.

“Strathspey has some fabulous woodland but bats require older trees with rougher bark and lots of nooks and crannies for bats to hide in. Bat boxes can help make the woodlands more bat friendly.”

You don’t have to be a member of the Bat Group to come along but if you are it is a free event. Otherwise the cost is £3 for adults and £2 children and concessions.

Why not come and make a difference?.  Accompanied children are welcome.  Anyone interested should meet up at the Nethy Bridge Community Centre on Saturday 17th at 10am

The aim of the Highland Council Countryside Rangers is to promote public enjoyment and appreciation of the countryside and to conserve wildlife.