Survey finds castle is home-sweet-home for bats

A year long study of bats in Kielder Water & Forest Park has discovered that the creature likes to hang-out in real style – at historic 18^th century Kielder Castle!

The former hunting lodge of the Dukes of Northumberland, built in 1776 and now a popular visitor centre and also haunt of paranormal investigators, was found to be home to thriving colonies of the nocturnal mammal tucked away in its nooks and crannies. 

Forestry Commission rangers carried out regular internal inspections of the building to complete the survey as well as deploying low light cameras and ultra-sound detectors. They identified two maternity roosts, comprising 70 brown long eared bats and over 100 soprano pipistrelles. Other bats found in the castle grounds included Daubenton’s and noctules, the largest bat in the UK, with a body as big as a clenched fist and with a wingspan up to 16 inches.

The results have delighted conservationists. Tom Dearnley, Forestry Commission Ecologist, said:

“The castle is reputedly haunted so perhaps we shouldn’t be too surprised to find it was choc full of bats.  But even so it proves that the local habitat is very good for the creature.  The discovery of maternity roosts, which are rarer than normal roosts, is excellent news given that across the UK bats have been on the decline, often due to habitat loss.”

Nature lovers can celebrate the survey's findings by joining a public bat night at Kielder Castle Visitor Centre on 23 May from 9pm when experts will use electronic detectors to record the creature's high frequency echo-location call.  The event is being staged as part of Wild About Kielder season, organised by the Kielder Partnership to showcase the area’s stunning wildlife.  

Booking is required on 01434 250209 and the cost is £5 adults, £3 concessions and £12 family ticket. For further details visit www.visitkielder.org.uk

Kielder Water & Forest Park is home to the largest forest in England and the largest man-made lake in Northern Europe. It was recently voted the most tranquil place in England by the Campaign to Protect Rural England. As part of its drive to broaden wildlife habitats the Forestry Commission has erected nearly 120 bats boxes in the 155,000-acre beauty-spot.

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NOTES TO EDITOR

1. The Kielder Partnership is a public, voluntary and private sector collaboration working to develop Kielder Water & Forest Park as an inspirational place for leisure, exploration and fun.  Partners are the Calvert Trust, Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Northumberland County Council, Northumbrian Water, plus representation from community groups.
   
   
2. Media calls to Richard Darn on 01226 246351.  Mobile: 0775 367 0038.