The Helford River - a Haven for Bats
Many British bat species have declined drastically in the last 100 years. Although we do not have clear figures for the number of bats present historically, it is clear that they are now much less common than they used to be. Often people say 'There used to be hundreds round here but now I never see them'.
There are several reasons for this general decline in bat numbers. Some of these are to do with the loss of roost sites such as can happen when barns are converted, when building work blocks access to a roost, the use of certain chemicals to treat wood in roof spaces and old trees with rot holes or other roosting opportunities being felled. There are other changes, mostly connected to changing practices in agriculture, which have affected the bats ability to find food. These include the loss of flight paths with the removal of hedgerows, lines of trees or other linear features; the use of insecticides and herbicides that directly or indirectly reduce the supply of insects on which the bats feed; and the use of chemicals to treat livestock that persist in the dung, thereby affecting the natural cycle of decomposition carried out by dung fauna.
But being on the Helford can sometimes seem rather like turning the clock back with a concentration and diversity of bats not commonly found. So why are we so fortunate on the Helford? It is likely to be due to a number of factors such as the myriad of leafy, sheltered lanes with splendid Cornish hedges and the large areas of semi-natural ancient woodlood. Several small rivers lead into the Helford and all areas of open or running water where clouds of insects gather will be good places for bats to feed. There are still cattle and other stock grazing the fields that maintain the vital dung fauna. There are old decaying trees that are valued in their own right. Also there are properties where the presence of bats has been known for years and the owners or occupiers of those properties are rightly proud of their trouble free and fascinating tenants.
The Helford River is a special place for many reasons and the presence of a good population of bats indicates an ecosystem where the important balance of nature is still largely intact.
Dr Carol Williams