1611 individuals, representing seven bat species, were observed in Kampinos National Park, the 2022/2023 winter season summary stated.
“The brown long-eared bat was the most numerous species with 578 individuals (35.9 per cent). In second place was the Barbastella with 505 individuals (31.3 per cent), followed by the Natterer’s bat with 264 individuals (16.4 per cent). Further species were Daubenton’s bat – 233 individuals, grey long-eared bat – 13 individuals, greater mouse-eared bat – 12 individuals and Serotine bat – 6,”
the Kampinos National Park (KPN) informs on its Facebook page.
The small records, i.e., the maximum numbers so far, concerned three species: the brown long-eared bat – 5 more individuals than the previous record, the Daubenton’s bat – 11 more individuals and the greater mouse-eared bat – 5 more individuals.
“Such a good result is the aftermath of extensive active bat conservation activities in Kampinos Park,”
the author of the study, dr inż. Adam Olszewski, chief conservation officer, and head of the Science and Nature Monitoring team at KPN, emphasises.
Around 200 wintering sites were prepared for the bats and 600 boxes were installed, which are used by the animals from summer to autumn. A total of 183 earthen cellars from farms purchased by the KPN and a bunker in the complex of buildings of the former Warsaw Pact reserve command post on Luzowa Mountain were adapted as hibernacula or winter lairs.
Bats were also counted in two forts of the Modlin Fortress and a complex of five powder magazines, which are located on the KPN’s territory. However, several hundred earth cellars used by residents of Kampinos villages, where large numbers of bats can also be expected, were not inspected.
“Thanks to adequate bat protection, the Kampinos Forest is currently the largest bat wintering site among Polish national parks,”
dr inż. Olszewski points out.
Bats are among the most endangered mammals on Earth. They are important regulators of insect abundance. All domestic bat species are subject to species protection in Poland.