EWS Batcorder measurements provide clarity about bat populations on wind farm sites

Did you know that bats are the only mammals that can actively fly and that some bat species reach an age of over 30 years?

Bats play a central role in the ecosystem and are therefore particularly worthy of protection. EWS biologists use “batcorders” to monitor bat activity, for example to find out more about the seasonal spatial use of planned wind farm areas or the acceptance of compensatory measures by bats. These devices are a valuable tool for uncovering the invisible world of bat calls and making them audible and capable of analysis..

“Batcorder measurements are used for wind farm projects as ground or nacelle measurements or are conveniently mounted on wind measurement masts during wind measurement campaigns in order to generate data from the height relevant for expert opinions,” explains Christiane Steinbacher, Biology Team Leader at EWS. "Each bat species has a specific call pattern that can be used for identification.This allows us to identify whether endangered species are present in the project area, how frequently they use the surveyed areas and what ecological measures we need to take to protect them."

Bat calls can be recorded without human presence with the help of “Batcorders” for recording the bat fauna at the respective location. The best time for bat detection is from mid-March to mid-November.

Christiane Steinbacher: “Think about bats in good time for your wind farm projects and you will benefit from early data collection on bat fauna during wind measurements.We will be happy to make you a suitable offer and ensure optimal timing."