Bournemouth Water installs dozens of bat boxes to improve local environment
22nd March 2024
Bournemouth Water has installed dozens of new bat boxes in a bid to provide more roosting opportunities for the local bat population and enhance the natural environment.
The water company has worked with South West Lakes Trust to increase the number of bat boxes on trees dotted around its sites, including Alderney, Wimborne and Woodgreen treatment works, as well as at Longham Lakes reservoir.
Bats are a protected species and play an essential role in supporting a healthy ecosystem, particularly around water treatment works. They help control insect numbers to reduce the need for chemical controls - making them an ideal, nature-based solution.
Over the last two years a total of 57 new bat boxes - artificial roosts designed to encourage bats into areas - have been installed at Bournemouth Water’s sites, taking the overall tally up to 102.
Bats are indicators of healthy habitats, so by providing these new boxes and monitoring bat numbers the company can learn more about local ecosystems to help it identify future issues that may impact water quality and existing habitats.
Gemma Morgan, Bournemouth Water’s Environment Officer, said: "Bat populations have significantly declined over the past century due to the loss of roosting spaces from urban development and changes to farming practices, such as the increased use of pesticides.
“This has impacted the number of aerial insects which are an essential food source for UK bats. Therefore, installing bat boxes at our sites can help attract bats to areas with limited roosting opportunities, helping to safeguard local populations."
Nicola Morris, Head of Environment at South West Lakes Trust, added: “South West Lakes Trust are delighted to be working with Bournemouth Water on a number of biodiversity enhancement projects, including this work to protect bats and enhance their habitat.”
“Emma Scotney, one of our Ecologists, has worked alongside the team in Bournemouth for a number of years and it is great to see this work continuing and expanding.”