The people working to help Scotland’s bats bounce back
Scotland has about 10 varieties of bats, all of which are legally protected from disturbance.
Volunteers in Aberdeenshire have been trying to raise awareness of their importance by organising guided walks along the River Ythan in Ellon, which is a stronghold for bats.
Plans are being drawn up to replace existing LED lights along the bank with red lighting which would decrease light pollution but allow people to see the bats more clearly.
Nature groups believe that helping people make a connection with nature is crucial to the protection of wildlife.
James Davidson, an ecologist who runs the walks for the Scottish Wildlife Trust, says bats are like the ”canary in the coal mine” because they indicate whether an ecosystem is balanced.
He added: “They need the places to roost, the complex environment to be able to move around in, they need the insects to feed on.
“They need all these things to be able to live so if they’re in trouble it suggests we have widespread problems in our landscape that we need to address.”
The Scottish government insists it continues to invest in nature with nearly £40m distributed through its Nature Restoration Fund since 2021.
A spokesman added: “Further nature protection and restoration will be a key consideration in the upcoming Programme for Government, alongside the future legislative programme, including any plans for a Natural Environment Bill.”
