Bat Survey at the Windmill

JBA Consulting have been conducting a bat survey at Alford Windmill as part of pre planning site contract works and a small number of brown long-eared bats (Plecotus Auritus) have been discovered roosting within Alford Windmill.

Surveys have identified roosting locations, night-time activity and entry and exit points within the Windmill. This information will be used to ensure bats are protected on site as the project progresses. We will continue to work with JBA Consulting and the team of ecologists regarding the bats to ensure safety on site and to monitor them. We will now work with JBA to work out any risks and allow us to further plan works on site.

These bats are native to Britain and are one of the most common bats in Britain, they prefer woodland areas and visit gardens for food but will avoid built up areas. Typically, they roost in both buildings and trees, as well as using caves, railway tunnels and other underground sites during the winter months for hibernation! Brown Long-Eared Bat’s diet consists of invertebrates like moths, earwigs, flies, and beetles. They eat small prey mid-flight but take bigger prey to a perch where they eat upside-down. These bats typically hibernate during November and April.