FOUR species of bats appear to be regular visitors to the Minquiers, it has emerged.
Unique research carried out by the Société Jersiaise Zoology Section, Jersey Bat Group and Jersey Marine Conservation was conducted to investigate bat activity at the offshore reef.
Conservation groups used passive acoustic monitoring technology to detect bat activity on the reefs.
The findings revealed that both migratory and sedentary bat species could be found at the Minquiers, including Nathusius’s pipistrelle, Leisler’s bat, the common pipistrelle and the serotine bat.
Amy Louise Hall, chair of Société Jersiaise’s Zoology Section, said: “The initial findings are fascinating.
“To see that bats seem to be regularly using the reefs, with numbers seeming to increase on nights with low tides at the locality is of great interest.
“It was initially envisaged that the project would provide details on mainly migratory bats, but to see other species foraging at the site, and such frequent use, is fascinating.”
She added: “Not enough is known about the bat use of our shoreline, marine environment or reefs, and we hope this research will help to fill that gap.”
The study will continue for at least a year, with additional monitoring planned at the Ecréhous.
