About 25 people recently enjoyed a late evening bat walk and talk in Astley Park led by expert Harold Green of the Merseyside and West Lancs Bat Society. He brought along two ‘captive’ bats for the participants to see close-up and answered a wide range of questions. Then equipped with shared-around sound emitting bat detectors, the group first went to the ‘Green Pond’ area behind the Lost Fountain where numerous Pipistrelle bats were electronically heard and actually seen. There were also Daubenton’s bats flying under the nearby river bridge and further bats were encountered at the lake next to Astley Hall. Pictured below is one of the two new bat detectors bought by the Friends this year (with funding from Astley Village Parish Council) displayed on a bat box that is used for demonstration purposes. Ninety of these roosting boxes have been installed by the Friends in the Park.
Friends of Astley Park 