RARE bats in Studland have been given an additional layer of protection to ensure they are left alone while roosting.

The National Trust says five species of bats reside at Fort Henry and three other World War Two bunkers in Studland, but their habitat has been threatened due to people breaking into the bunkers.

In a bid to protect these rare species, the trust has worked with the Dorset Bat Group to install new defences that allow bats to enter and leave the bunkers- but not humans.

Metal grilles have been added to the historic structures to prevent people from entering the areas where bats are roosting.

This doesn’t include the main observation platform at Fort Henry.

READ MORE: Butterfly numbers soar on Studland heaths

READ MORE: Despair after human faeces, broken glass and litter dumped at Upton Heath Nature Reserve

READ MORE: Restoration project will help amplify nature’s chorus in Purbeck

Bat man helps protect rare species

The grilles were designed and installed by Colin Morris, known as the ‘bat man’ because of his dedication to these protected animals.

He constructed the grilles with horizontal bars, with enough space between them for one of the biggest of the bats, the greater horseshoe, to fly through.

Colin, from Blandford, said: “The bunker behind the observation platform at Fort Henry had been broken into on several occasions, but the repairs to the gates, with vertical bars and narrow gaps, made it difficult for bats to fly through.

“The new grilles allow bats to enter but keep people out. They have only been in place since December, which is the hibernation period, so to have already recorded five species is quite astonishing.”

The grille installed at Fort Henry Picture: Beulah Corben/National Trust

The species identified in the Godlingston Heath bunkers are the common pipistrelle, soprano pipistrelle, long-eared bat and a type of mouse-eared bat (the detectors didn’t identify exactly which one).

Fort Henry is being used by greater horseshoe bats. The concrete bunkers are ideal hibernation sites because bats need cold, humid places with a stable temperature and sheltered from the rain and wind.

Regular monitoring will also establish if the bunkers are being used in the summer.

Bats are under threat

Michelle Brown, National Trust ecologist, said: “This is one of many projects across Dorset that volunteers from the bat group are helping us with – and we are hugely grateful for their support.

She added: “Purbeck is already an important place for bats, with 15 of 17 breeding UK bats found here.

“But bats are under threat nationally from many things including building work, pesticides and lack of insects (their food source).

“So, we want to be doing all we can to understand and protect these fascinating creatures.”

Bat detectors have been used to collect the data and many bats can be identified by their sounds.

But the detectors can’t determine the number of bats using the bunkers, just the amount of activity.

This information is gathered by monthly check-ups when members of the Dorset Bat Group go into the bunkers, under licence, and do a count.

Colin added: “It’s fantastic that all these people are working together for the benefit of bats.

“There has been little research into how bats use these ‘smaller’ sites, so now we have the chance to do some robust long-term monitoring.

“The scientific data we gather will help inform conservation and landscape management practices across Dorset.”

People can help bats in their own homes and gardens by planting night-scented flowers, such as evening primrose and honeysuckle, that will attract moths (a favourite food for bats).

Garden ponds give bats a source of drinking water and flying insects. Installing bat boxes can also provide them with safe roosting sites.

Find out more about the Dorset Bat Group and how you can get involved here: www.dorsetwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-do/dorset-bat-group