Dorset Bunkers Get New Grilles to Protect Rare Bat Populations

Hey, guess what I just read? They added metal grilles to some old buildings. It keeps people out of bat roosting spots. Fort Henry’s viewing area is still open, though.

The National Trust and Dorset Bat Group worked together. Michelle Brown is a National Trust ecologist. She said the bat group volunteers are a huge help. They found five bat types in the bunkers. Now, those bats are safe.

They spotted common and soprano pipistrelles. Also, they saw long-eared and mouse-eared bats.

Fort Henry shelters greater horseshoe bats. The bunkers are great for hibernation. Bats like cold, damp, and stable spots. They need protection from weather.

They’ll check the bunkers in summer, too. Purbeck has fifteen of the UK’s seventeen bat species.

Michelle said bats face threats nationwide. Building, pesticides, and less food hurt them. They want to protect these creatures.

Colin Morris designed and put in the grilles. People call him “bat man” because of his work. He built grilles with gaps for big bats. Even greater horseshoe bats can fly through them.

Colin said the bunkers were often broken into. Repaired gates had narrow gaps. This made it hard for bats to enter. The new grilles keep people out but let bats in. Five bat types were seen quickly. They have been installed since December.