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Objectives
- To maintain all known current populations.
- To safeguard all known roost sites.
- To retain and enhance suitable habitat to increase the distribution and population density.
Targets
- To maintain the current population of Pipistrelle within the County from 2001 onwards.
Total achievements to date (November 1998 - March 2001)
- Records of Pipistrelle have now been entered onto the biological database, giving year 2000 base-line data for this species.
- 38 bat walks and 32 talks / presentations and displays have been held via various sources.
- 49 new Pipistrelle roosts have been found.
Current Action
Protection and Policy
- Bats and their roosts are protected by national and European legislation including the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) and the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc) Regulations 1994, the Berne and Bonn conventions, CRoW Act 2000 and the EC Habitats and Species Directive.
- The Staffordshire Bat Group and the South East Staffordshire Bat Group are the lead organisations for this species.
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Pipistrelle has been listed as a costed, key species in the UK Steering Group Report.
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The Bat Conservation Trust is the Lead Organisation for this species in the UK.
Management, Research and Survey
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Action Plan
UK Lead Organisation:
Bat Conservation Trust
County Lead Organisations:
Staffordshire Bat Group
South East Staffordshire Bat Group
Policy
- Seek support for SBG and SEB to continue monitoring of roosts, survey of areas affected by proposed development and the provision of advice to householders. (SBAP Partnership)
- Continue to develop the current training procedures for bat workers and other people whose occupational activities may bring them into contact with bats. (BCT, SBG, SEB)
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Liaison with local authorities to ensure the guidelines in PPG9 are followed and considered in local plans and development control. (BCT, SBG, SEB, SWT)
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Target developers, planning authorities and other key decision makers regarding the current procedures concerning developments that may affect bats. (BCT, SBG, SEB, SWT)
Management
- Promote the use of timber treatment chemicals that are non-toxic to bats. (Building Materials Suppliers, SBG, SEB)
- Provide advice on the integration of bat-compatible design features in appropriate buildings (EN, SBG, SEB)
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Seek to encourage sympathetic management of land near to known roosts so as to support foraging bats. (Householders, SWT, SBG, SEB, LAs)
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Use bat boxes where appropriate, to enhance suitable habitat e.g. coniferous woodland. (Landowners)
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Consider providing potential hibernacula by converting pillboxes and ice-houses on sites. (Landowners)
Monitoring and Research
- Continue participation in the National Bat Monitoring Programmes. Increase survey work to identify summer roosts. (SBG, SEB)
- Improve species determination and data collection to distinguish both phonotypes. (SBG, SEB)
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Carry out a review of current collection, handling and dissemination of bat distribution and roost data with the aim to improve the current database and access to the data it holds. (SER, SBG, SEB)
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Investigate habitat requirements and ecology in Staffordshire to assist in the formulation of management plans and enable appropriate advice. (BCT, SBG, SEB)
Advisory
- Increase species awareness for the public and landowners through education, promotion and events. (SBAP Partnership)
- Undertake 15 promotional events and walks each year promoting the conservation of Pipistrelle by 2010. (SBG, SEB)
- Improve the communication process for people waiting to contact national / local batline and registered bat workers. (SBG, SEB, CT)
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Complementary Plans
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