The New Forest Bechstein's & Barbastelle Research Project: We set this project up in 2005 through the Hampshire Bat Group to establish the distribution of these rare woodland bat species throughout the New Forest area.  Secondary objectives are to involve and train local volunteers, raise awareness of bats amongst the general public, land managers, planning authorities and decision makers. 

Monthly bat detector transects (survey routes) are walked by trained volunteers; bats are also captured and some are radio tracked so that roost sites can be located and given additional protection.  Since 2005 we have found 4 Bechstein's and 3 barbastelle maternity colonies averaging 20-40 adult bats each.   All capture and radio tracking surveys are supervised by ourselves as licence holders for the project and all data is shared with appropriate organisations.  A number of training courses have been run for volunteers and talks for the general public. 

Research into the Swarming & Hibernation Behaviour at Greywell Tunnel:  Greywell Tunnel is a disused canal tunnel near Basingstoke, Hampshire.  It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and supports the second highest winter population of Natterer's bats in Europe.  Paul has been studying swarming and hibernation behaviour of bats at Greywell Tunnel since 1992 is currently studying their hibernal ecology part-time for a  PhD through Bristol University. 

Data loggers record temperature and humidity;  Anabat detectors and passive infra-red beams record bat activity levels.  Thermistor radio tags are used to monitor bouts of torpor.  Other aspects of study include analysis of feeding remains in bat droppings collected in the tunnel, video monitoring, winter bat detector transects and invertebrate sampling.