Scientists from QMUL and the University of Bristol have found that, instead of searching for prey directly, certain neotropical bat species have an intimate knowledge a their home environment. This includes a detailed acoustic profile of individual leaves! When an insect lands on a familiar leaf, the normal echoes are interrupted. This creates an "acoustic shadow", which provides a very strong signal to the hunting bat (previous studies had concluded that these bats must detect prey by sight, smell and sound).
Gleaning bats use acoustic shadows to detect insect prey
Posted in:
Bats, Biodiversity, Dormouse, Research
Date posted: 25 August 2015
Smart Images
Posted in:
Biodiversity, Birds, Wildlife Photography
Date posted: 31 July 2015
This months’ news item showcases the work of Oliver Smart, an award-winning wildlife photographer. Most of the images used on this website are Oliver’s work and they demonstrate a rare ability to capture wildlife from behind the lens of a camera. Oliver will be at the Birdfair - otherwise known as the "The Birdwatcher’s Glastonbury" - held at Rutland Water, from 21 to 23 August. You'll find him in Marquee 6 at Stand 35.
Habitat management for Nightingales |New guidelines published by BTO
Posted in:
Biodiversity, Birds, Protected Species, Surveys and Assessment
Date posted: 30 June 2015
Earlier this year, the British Trust for Ornithology published Managing Scrub for Nightingales: A BTO Guide for Land Managers and Conservation Practitioners. This followed a period of research jointly funded by Anglian Water to understand why the Nightingale population has declined by 90% since the 1960s.
VETree Videos: Practical management of veteran trees
Posted in:
Biodiversity, Trees
Date posted: 7 May 2015
A series of videos has been produced by the Ancient Tree Forum to encourage good practice in the management of ancient and other veteran trees.
Birds benefit local economies
Posted in:
Biodiversity, Birds, Urban Ecosystems
Date posted: 15 April 2015
Results of a new study published in the journal Urban Ecosystems found that city residents value having common birds around their homes. In turn, birds benefit local economies as residents invest in food and nesting structures.
BS 8583: Biodiversity guidance for business
Posted in:
Biodiversity
Date posted: 30 March 2015
In February 2015, the British Standards Institution (BSI) published "BS 8583:2015 Biodiversity. Guidance for businesses on managing the risks and opportunities".