AnnualReportfor20251SeptCOMP2026 - Flipbook - Page 14
By 2030, VWT will have:
4
developed, tested and implemented a number of cutting-edge
techniques and e昀昀ective conservation interventions that integrate
social science and ecology for VWT priority mammal populations.
Main achievements during 2025
A Identifying landscape permeability for horseshoe bats
B Seeing in the dark — trialling new equipment and monitoring
methods to improve the accuracy of bat counts
A VWT is working with several organisations in Britain and
Ireland to identify landscape permeability for horseshoe
bats using predictive modelling. The models identify
potential key pathways and pinch points to better inform
conservation practitioners to target habitat improvement
around bat roosts and planners on local development.
Photo: ©Daniel Hargreaves
As part of this work, Natural Resources Wales
commissioned VWT to carry out modelling at all the
major roosts and areas used by lesser horseshoe bats in
Wales. The 昀椀rst stage, covering more than 160 summer
roosts, has been completed and the results will be
used by planners and area ecologists to inform future
developments. There will also be training for NRW staff
to understand how to interpret the data.
VWT also worked with Bat Conservation Ireland to model
landscape permeability for lesser horseshoe bats, which
was funded by the Irish Environmental Network. The
project identi昀椀ed pathways that link known roosts with
areas that may be able to support the recovery and range
expansion of the species throughout its range. The results
provide a robust spatial framework to support targeted
conservation actions for the lesser horseshoe bat in Ireland.
B VWT has been trialling new camera technology and
techniques to improve the monitoring at our bat reserves.
Thermal imaging cameras make it much easier to see
and record emerging bats, while high-quality infrared
video cameras allow us to identify species. Several of
our bat reserves are home to a range of species, making
it especially dif昀椀cult to obtain accurate counts. Using a
combination of these cameras provides greater accuracy
for our volunteers, and the footage can be reviewed in
slow motion when required.
VWT has also been trialling ‘Re昀氀ex’ cameras, speci昀椀cally
designed to monitor bat tree roosts. Many camera traps are
too slow to react to 昀氀ying bats but these cameras have a
pre-record function ensuring that activity is recorded before
and after the trigger event. These cameras have allowed
us to investigate entrance preferences and behaviour in
hibernacula, and they are being used on the Landscape for
Lessers project to help monitor a wide range of sites.
We would like to thank all the supporters who donated
through the Big Give Green Match Fund to help us
purchase new equipment to make monitoring easier for
our volunteers and provide more accurate records for the
National Bat Monitoring Programme.
14 Vincent Wildlife Trust Annual Report and Financial Statements 2025
