24
weeks later from a Galleywood bathroom.
This bat was starving as a result of the
poor spring, fed ravenously on mealworms,
and was released after two days' captivity.
Another Leisler's from Ongar came to light
in July, so perhaps this elusive species
which had only been recorded on a handful
of occasions in Essex previously is more
common than we think. Leisler's have been
seen in flight at both Wanstead and Felstead -
this during an Essex Field Club field
meeting.
Most attention during the summer is paid to
Pipistrelles in domestic properties and a
lot of new colonies have been reported this
year. Unfortunately at established colonies
the numbers seem to be down on previous
years, and with late breeding this year and
a wet autumn, there will probably be a high
mortality rate for young bats hibernating for
the first time.
Of other species, two new Serotine roosts
in Wickford and Hullbridge have been found
and a Noctule roost in an ash tree in Little
Baddow had 53 bats during August.
As previously, all records of roosts or corpses
should be reported to John Dobson on
Danbury 4408.
JOHN DOBSON