By James Bonthron
The volunteer group behind Ramsgate’s only dedicated woodland is again putting on their very popular twilight walks.
Summer is the season for getting out in nature, and with the days long, it’s a great time to take a walk on the wild side.
The woodland itself is steeped in history, and the dedicated wooded area is full of wildlife. It’s also full of dedicated volunteers keen to keep the area nice, with regular voluntary work parties being held throughout the year.
During the summer, the group offers an unusual experience: an evening with the bats.
Chairperson Lisa Hunt explains how it works: “Following a short introduction discussing the woodland, our reasons for conservation within this area, its wildflower meadow, birds, bees, butterflies, moths and particularly the bats, their life cycle and reasons why they can be found here and our reasons for surveying them.
“Explaining that bats are in decline primarily as a result of loss of habitat, the plants and trees attract insects, particularly moths which is a main food for bats, we then show and explain to our visitors our bat detectors and how to use them to assist in the monitoring of numbers”.
The group takes a stroll through Montefiore woodland, through to King George VI Park, towards the children’s playground and finally returning to the woodlands via the public footpath. The footpaths and the gardens in the area are surprisingly popular with bats. The woodland is also a great place to find them, with the several bat boxes having been installed previously.
Secretary Sue Smith said: “Many are totally unaware there are Common Pipistrelle Bats living so close to us, and some have never actually seen a bat before! Hopefully, they will also learn more about these nocturnal creatures and their mysterious lives.
“It’s an opportunity to inform residents of the wonders of nature that surround us, make them aware of the beauty and tranquillity of this beautiful small oasis which is so important to wildlife particularly with the incredible speed climate change seems to be affecting our world.”
There’s plenty of opportunity for people to join in, with the group having 10 detectors. Detectors are certainly a fun way to learn a bit about identifying species, and they also provide interactivity along the way. As well as being fun, the activity is very important, it contributes to the Sunset Survey which helps to monitor the health of bat populations. It’s not just woodland volunteers that can help, in fact citizen scientists are very much welcome to count the bats as well.
Lisa said: “We welcome everyone from the young to the not so young! The walk is free although at the end, we welcome donations for the Kent Bat Group. Looking at nature after dark is a wonderful experience, especially for children!”
The August stroll tends to be the most popular, as children are on school holidays, although all the walks go down well with youngsters.
Sue said: “Being a retired primary teacher I know how naturally inquisitive and excited youngsters can be when surrounded by nature. The joy on their faces when they hear the approaching bat triggered on their detector and then seeing it, is delightful and gives me personal immense satisfaction.
“After all, young people are the custodians of our planet and will be responsible for their children and our grandchildren to be able to see and appreciate the wonders of nature that we experienced when we were children!”
More information about the Sunset Survey can be found here.
Bat walks start this month, on 26 July at 8.45pm, then Friday 30th. August at 7:30pm (sunset 7:46pm) and Friday 27th September at 6:30pm (sunset 6:42pm).. The group meets in the clearing in Montefiore Woodland.
Find out more at http://www.montefiorewoodland.org.uk/
