Project reports, a selection ...
PROJECT 1
Kaitsealused loomaliigid (nahkhiired jt) Haapsalu piirkonnas
Protected animal species (bats and others) in Haapsalu area (Estonia)
From June 2011 till November 2012 protected animals (amphibians, reptiles and bats) were studied in Haapsalu area, western Estonia. Environmental Investment Centre (Keskkonnainvesteeringute Keskus) supported the work of this project financially from February 2012 till June 2013.
The project report, including text and general tables, is in Estonian and can be found here.
Finding places of 4 species of amphibians, 4 species of reptiles and 10 species of bats are shown here.
Haapsalu, June 2013
Matti Masing
PROJECT 2
Learning bats within a European Lifelong-learning Programme project LENA
(LEarning NAtural values in Europe), 2012–2014
In this educational project, conducted by Sicista Development Centre, we had five partners from four European countries (Estonia, Finland, Italy and Romania). During two years we carried out learning events in nature, gathered hundreds of learners, invited local experts, visited partner countries, exchanged educational information and produced LENA learning tools in the form of presentations, articles, topical learning sheets, photo albums and films. -->
http://www.learning-nature.eu
http://lena-estonia.blogspot.com.ee
After LENA, similar activites are continuing in partner countries. Thus, lifelong learning about nature is happily on its way.
PROJECT 3
Nahkhiired ja nende elupaigad Ülemiste järve piirkonna metsades 2016. a suvel
(Nahkhiirte uuring Tallinnas, Ülemiste terviseradade planeeringualal juulist septembrini 2016)
Bats and their habitats in the forests of Ülemiste Lake area (Tallinn, Estonia) in the summer of 2016
Fig. 1. Study area at Ülemiste in 2016.
From July till September 2016 bats were counted at seventy-seven counting points situated in the forests by Lake Ülemiste in Tallinn, Estonia. During 8 observation nights a total of 10 bat species were found.
Small Myotis bats (probably, Myotis mystacinus) had a summer colony in a hollow oak. Pond Bat, Daubenton's Bat and Northern Bat were common in these forests, while Natterer's Bat and Brown Long-eared Bat were rare. From migratory species Pipistrellus nathusii, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Vespertilio murinus and Nyctalus noctula were present, and they also had a late-summer migration corridor in this forest.
Basing on observations, bat mapping and bat counts, expert recommendations were given to area planners so they can act in a bat-friendly way. -->
Masing, M. 2016. Nahkhiirte uuring Tallinnas, Ülemiste terviseradade planeeringualal juulist septembrini 2016. Kokkuvõte. Sicista Arenduskeskus MTÜ. 19 lk. (Tellija: Teedeprojekt OÜ)
PROJECT 4
Bats of Högnäs and South Bodom (Espoo, Finland) in the summer of 2016
Fig. 1. Study area at Högnäs and South Bodom in 2016.
Small Myotis bats (probably, Myotis mystacinus) had a summer colony in a hollow oak. Pond Bat, Daubenton's Bat and Northern Bat were common in these forests, while Natterer's Bat and Brown Long-eared Bat were rare. From migratory species Pipistrellus nathusii, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Vespertilio murinus and Nyctalus noctula were present, and they also had a late-summer migration corridor in this forest.
Basing on observations, bat mapping and bat counts, expert recommendations were given to area planners so they can act in a bat-friendly way. -->
Masing, M. 2016. Nahkhiirte uuring Tallinnas, Ülemiste terviseradade planeeringualal juulist septembrini 2016. Kokkuvõte. Sicista Arenduskeskus MTÜ. 19 lk. (Tellija: Teedeprojekt OÜ)
PROJECT 4
Bats of Högnäs and South Bodom (Espoo, Finland) in the summer of 2016
Fig. 1. Study area at Högnäs and South Bodom in 2016.
Finland – 100 years of independence. Högnäs – 8000 years of natural history!
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, together with independent Finland's 100-year events, Sicista Development Centre proudly presents this new product to scientific and local communities. By doing this it tries to lift boreal nature conservation to the next level. -->
Summary
In the summer of 2016 bats (Chiroptera, Mammalia) were studied at Högnäs and South Bodom (Espoo, Finland) using an ultrasound detector, digital camera and detector-based bat counting methods.
Six bat species and species groups were found of which Eptesicus nilssonii, Myotis brandtii/mystacinus and Myotis daubentonii were numerous having summer colonies in this area. Other species found were Plecotus auritus, Pipistrellus nathusii and (probably) Vespertilio murinus. The latter two are migratory species, which use this area as feeding place and migration corridor in the second half of summer. Maximum abundance of bats occurred in the second half of July and in August when great numbers of bats, among them those belonging to a vulnerable species group of small Myotis (Myotis brandtii/mystacinus) were observed flying and feeding in forests, over meadows and by the shore of Lake Bodom.
To prove the occurrence of sibling species Myotis brandtii and Myotis mystacinus these bats must be caught to identify their species. It is highly probable that both species live in the area as their habitats are present.
This study shows that the area of Högnäs and South Bodom is an important habitat for bat populations in southern Finland. It should be protected as a nature reserve. Further bat research is required to reveal more details of bat life in this area. To better understand the value of Högnäs and South Bodom for bat populations living in southern Finland extensive bat mapping should be carried out. That work would reveal important bat sites which should be protected as areas where natural values are preserved.
A special learning event to introduce both the topic and the project ...
Bat talk in Espoo,
18th of May 2017
On Thursday, 18th of May 2017 at 19.00
Villa Apteekki, Pappilantie 5, Espoo
Bats of Estonia and North Espoo (habitat requirements and ways of protection).
A presentation and a night walk guided by Dr. Matti Masing, expert of European boreal bats. -->
Masing 2017-05-11 Bats of Estonia and Espoo - FLAIER
A special film about learning bats at Högnäs, North Espoo is shown to the participants. -->
Bats of Högnäs - happy and free. Sicista Videos, 2017.
Other project materials
Masing, M. 2017. Bats of Högnäs and South Bodom. Final Report. Sicista PDF. Haapsalu and Tartu: 70 pp.
Masing, M. 2017. Bats of Estonia and North Espoo. Part 3. Bat survey in Espoo in 2016. PowerPoint presentation, Espoo, 18.5.2017: 54 pp.
PROJECT 5
Nahkhiirte detektor-uuring Jägala jõe alamjooksu piirkonnas 2018. aasta suvel
Detector-based study on bats at the lower basin of Jägala river in the summer of 2018
Fig. 1 Pond Bats flying over friendly waters of Linnamäe Reservoir – almost 100 years of independent life.
It is one of the shortest and lightest nights of the year. I am Pond Bat (Myotis dasycneme), flying over the surface of Linnamäe Reservoir, the best place I know at the lower basin of Jägala River, northern Estonia.
I like this place very much! I feel here like at home. And I AM here at home! This is the place where I can find my insect food during the short early summer nights. I am flying here together with my bat-mates, my brothers and my sisters, my grandmothers and grandfathers. We are all happy here! And we hope this place will last long, so our grand-children can see, feel and taste its glory ... just like we do now.
We have heard, with our long ears of course, that some bad people wish to destroy our habitat at Linnamäe. But we also know that there are some good people around who walk along the shores of Jägala River during the night, with ultrasound detector in hand, so they can listen to what we have to say. Those people have heard us, Pond Bats, long-term citizens of this country. And we hope that they act well so our home will be safe.
Estonia – 100 years of independence.
Estonian Bat Group – 27 years of detector-based batwork.
Sicista Development Centre – 20 years of learning and teaching nature in Europe.
I like this place very much! I feel here like at home. And I AM here at home! This is the place where I can find my insect food during the short early summer nights. I am flying here together with my bat-mates, my brothers and my sisters, my grandmothers and grandfathers. We are all happy here! And we hope this place will last long, so our grand-children can see, feel and taste its glory ... just like we do now.
We have heard, with our long ears of course, that some bad people wish to destroy our habitat at Linnamäe. But we also know that there are some good people around who walk along the shores of Jägala River during the night, with ultrasound detector in hand, so they can listen to what we have to say. Those people have heard us, Pond Bats, long-term citizens of this country. And we hope that they act well so our home will be safe.
Estonia – 100 years of independence.
Estonian Bat Group – 27 years of detector-based batwork.
Sicista Development Centre – 20 years of learning and teaching nature in Europe.
Fig. 2. Since August 2018 this information board is proudly standing on the northern bank of Linnamäe Reservoir. It tells people a story ... A story about BATS, long-term citizens of this bat-friendly environment.
This board tells people about this special site which is one of the few places where summer colonies of Pond Bat, animal species strictly protected in Europe, are able to live on the northern border of their distribution area in Europe.
This board tells people about this special site which is one of the few places where summer colonies of Pond Bat, animal species strictly protected in Europe, are able to live on the northern border of their distribution area in Europe.
Other project materials
Masing, M. 2018. Bats of the lower basin of Jägala River during the summer of 2018. Poster 04. – 7th SECEMU Conference on Bat Research & Conservation, 7th & 8th of December 2018 at the University of Gibraltar.
Masing, M. 2018. Nahkhiirte detektor-uuring Jägala jõe alamjooksu piirkonnas 2018. aasta suvel. Vahearuanne. Sicista Arenduskeskus MTÜ. Rebala ja Haapsalu, 8 lk. 30.9.2018. (Tellija: Jõelähtme Vallavalitsus)
Valdmann, S. & Masing, M. 2018. Maailmas ainulaadne eluvorm: nahkhiired. Jõelähtme valla leht, nr 254, august 2018.
Masing, M. 2019. Tiigilendlase eluviisist seoses suvekolooniaga Jägala jõe alamjooksul, selgitus. 18.1.2019. (Tellija: Jõelähtme Vallavalitsus)
Masing, M. 2019. Nahkhiirte detektor-uuring Jägala jõe alamjooksu piirkonnas 2018. aasta suvel (looduskaitselise uurimistöö kokkuvõte). Sicista Arenduskeskus MTÜ. 118 lk. 10.3.2019 (Tellija: Jõelähtme Vallavalitsus)
Masing, M. 2019. Nahkhiirte detektor-uuring Jägala jõe alamjooksu piirkonnas 2018. aasta suvel. LISA 1.
Masing, M. 2019. Nahkhiirte detektor-uuring Jägala jõe alamjooksu piirkonnas 2018. aasta suvel. LISA 2.
Masing, M. 2019. Nahkhiirte detektor-uuring Jägala jõe alamjooksu piirkonnas 2018. aasta suvel. LISA 3.
PROJECT 6
Nahkhiirte inventuur parkides 2018. aasta suvel
(nahkhiirte inventuur 12 pargis)
(looduskaitselise uurimistöö kokkuvõte)
Detector-based study on bats in 12 parks in the summer of 2018
Masing, M. & Lutsar, L. 2019. Nahkhiirte inventuur parkides 2018. aasta suvel (nahkhiirte inventuur 12 pargis) (looduskaitselise uurimistöö kokkuvõte), var 3. Sicista Arenduskeskus MTÜ. Tartu, 59 lk. (Tellija: Keskkonnaamet)
PROJECT 7
Study on bats (Chiroptera) in Berlin in 2019
Part 1
Detector-based study on bats in Berlin with the aim of monitoring their populations
Report by Matti Masing
Fig. 1. 142 point counting points established in 5 study areas of Berlin to monitor changes in bat populations.
Masing, M. 2020. Study on bats (Chiroptera) in Berlin in 2019. Part 1. Detector-based study on bats in Berlin with the aim of monitoring their populations. – Sicista PDF. App. 1–3, 75 pp.
Masing, M. 2020. Study on bats (Chiroptera) in Berlin in 2019. Part 1. Detector-based study on bats in Berlin with the aim of monitoring their populations. – Sicista PDF. App. 4, 28 pp.
Study on Bats in Berlin in 2019 (Photo album).
Part 2
Additional data on bats in Berlin from 2019
Report by Matti Masing
Fig. 1. Locations of additional study places of a detector-based bat research in Berlin in 2019.
Brief summary of bat work done in Berlin in 2019
Preparation for bat work, and bat counts at 202 selected points situated in six study areas of Berlin (Tegel, Spandau, Charlottenburg, Tiergarten, Treptow and Grünau).
Field work period: April, June and August 2019; total of 36 days.
Cameral work period: 3 months (January – March 2020).
Equipment: Pettersson D240x detector, Zoom H2 sound recorder, earphones, hand torch, Sony DSC-HX90 and Sony DSC-RX100 M4 photo cameras, maps, notebooks, computer, BatSound 4.1 sound analysis software to analyse bat sounds collected during bat counts.
Bat sound samples collected: about 2,100.
I used bicycle and local trains to reach the study areas every night, and I lived in hotels in Alt-Tegel, Berlin-Mitte and Grünau, to shorten field work period as much as possible. During the night I used rented bicycles to move between the counting points.
Fig. 2. Wohnsitz in Potsdam ...
