Bat-tastic Time Had at Moat Park, Dundonald
December 6, 2016
Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council held a Halloween event at Moat Park, Dundonald for children who got to meet Ralph, a bat that was brought along by Northern Ireland Bat Group.
This event was arranged as part of the Council’s Biodiversity programme to raise awareness and educate young people in the key facts about bats. The importance of their protection, the importance of trees to provide a safe roosting place and habitats for them to feed such as hedges, grassland and farmland,. Also to provide useful information on what the public can do to help bats if they find a roost or a grounded bat in or around their home.
Councillor Tim Morrow, Chairman of the Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee, speaking about the event, said: “This event was unique and the Council was very pleased with the turnout of young families and the high level of interest shown by the young people about nature and biodiversity. I would like to thank Robin Moffitt MBE for her very interesting talk on bats and Richard Ayre for bringing little Ralph, the largest of our native species, the microbat along for us to meet.
“Around my farm there would be bats and I was as interested as the young people to hear how they fly in the dark, are able to hang upside down and that microbats consume 3,500 midges per night to get the energy to fly. The questions asked and statement made by the young people at the end of the talk were very appropriate and showed that they cared about nature. This is a great trait to have in all generations and to hear it from the young generation is heart-warming as it will play a part in protecting both our environment and the microhabitats for our insects and mammals like bats,” concluded Councillor Morrow.
After the talk from Northern Ireland Bat Group the young people did some arts and craft activities followed by a short nature trail in Moat Park.
A few bat myths were dispelled including they do not fly into your hair and they are not blind. Bats can see as well as humans but as they fly at night they use sound to help them find their prey and get to their location safely.
Councillor Morrow added: “Bats may come into houses to hibernate or to have their babies and afterwards they will leave the houses. Bat boxes are easily made and will provide safe shelter for bats either in the wild or in your garden.” They pose no risk to us, they do not bring bedding materials into their roosts or chew wiring with many home owners being entirely unaware that they have a roost in their home.
Should you have bats in your home and have a good reason for not being able to let them stay please contact the Northern Ireland Bat Group on 028 9039 5264 or email: cedar.info@nmni.com