Practical workshop "Bat - We build a shelter for the night hunters"
The fascination of bats – you rarely see them, and usually only for a short time. Although there are so many and different species of them, many know little about the flying mammals.
Natural pest controllers and pollinators
Bats play a crucial role in our ecosystems and provide multiple benefits to nature and agriculture. Of the more than 1428 bat species worldwide, there are currently 28 species in Austria. As insectivorous mammals, they are extremely effective hunters and contribute significantly to the regulation of insect populations. A single bat alone can consume hundreds of insects, including pests such as mosquitoes and moths, in one night. In addition, bats are also important pollinators for many plant species, including some fruit and crop plants. They carry pollen from flower to flower, promoting pollination and fruiting. Not only can they help to secure crop yields and reduce the need for pesticides, they also have a positive impact on the environment and human and animal health.
The plight of bats
Bats are increasingly threatened and face a variety of challenges that threaten their survival. In addition to diseases and climate change-related problems, the ongoing loss of habitat due to the expansion of human settlements, agriculture and infrastructure is a main reason for this. The destruction of natural habitats results in bats finding fewer suitable places to forage and raise their young, severely reducing their chances of survival. They need near-natural and richly structured green areas, hedges, natural meadows and bodies of water for their foraging or old trees, piles of wood, caves and attics as vital hiding places. In Austria, bats are now among the most threatened mammals and are under special protection.
The WOERLE farmers as active living space designers
As part of the ÖKL project "We build for diversity", funded by the federal government, the federal states and the EU, in which WOERLE is a project partner, the participants were able to explore the world together with the bat expert Maria Jerabek in July 2023 explore the "baobab" and Co. After a short introduction, the practical part was diligently built and screwed, the result was a flat nesting board for the night hunters. At the onset of dusk there was another highlight: During a tour of the yard, everyone used ultrasonic detectors to look for bats. A few even let themselves be heard.
