News

Monday 28 October 2024

To celebrate Bat Week, you can build your own bat box at home! These homemade roosting sites are designed to provide a safe space for local bat species to rest and shelter. 

Here at Durrell, we are working alongside Jersey Bat Group, who recommend the Kent Bat Box design developed by the UK’s Kent Bat Group.  

Jersey Zoo Mammal Keeper Nicola, who works closely with our Livingstone’s fruit bats, will guide you through how to build your very own bat box.

Where should you put your bat box? 

• As high as possible, at least four meters above the ground. 

• In a sheltered, wind-free position that is exposed to the sun for part of the day. 

• Keep away from strong artificial lights, which can affect the nocturnal habits of bats. 

• Avoid areas accessible to predators such as cats. 

• The box needs a clear flight line to the entrance. 

• We recommend outside your house, under the eaves of your roof, or on a tree.  

• Iron or copper nails can be used to fix the box to trees whilst allowing the trees to grow. 

Keep an eye on your bat box attachments over time but make sure to leave the box alone, as it’s illegal to open a bat box without a licence. Bats like to be safe and undisturbed. 

If you’re curious to see if any bats have moved into your bat box, look for faeces and urine stains on the box to see if anything calls it home! 

Thank you so much for getting involved in Bat Week and supporting your local bat species.