Eddie Buckley, Mid-West Regional Manager of Veon explained that as the theme of Heritage Week was “built heritage,” it was decided to use the lovely old stone bridge across the river Brosna – a perfect bat roosting habitat – as the ideal location to observe Daubentons bats for the evening’s entertainment.
“We put in a “Bat-friendly” garden full of perennials which attract the sorts of insects bats feed on, Lavender, Sage, Thyme, Jasmine, Honeysuckle, Echinacea etc.
The garden was decorated with rings of timber with mosaics inset into the top. The mosaics were designed by kids in the local schools especially those in special needs classes. We also put in three small log benches around the new flower bed.
On the day, between 2pm and 5pm we had face painting and a treasure hunt which added great colour and excitement for the young attendees! There were workshops where the kids could paint rocks to add to the garden, make bat-themed wind chimes and stencil work.
The face painters were very busy all day making us all look sensational!
We gave a demonstration on how to make seed bombs from wildflower seeds and clay and then let the kids spread a load of seed bombs we had pre-made along the riverside walk.
A selection of plants was prepared for the kids to transplant into little pots to bring home to start their own little bat-friendly areas in their own gardens”.
Local biodiversity officer Ricky Whelan and Anna Collins from Kildare Bat Group gave a talk about what bat species we have in Ireland, how they live and about all the benefits they provide for the ecosystems they live in. The talk was informative for children and engaging for the adults and underscored the urgent need to engender an appreciation and understanding of our natural environment which is under continuous threat from climate change and biodiversity loss.
The day’s event concluded with a few prizes for the best artwork, winning the treasure hunt and best fancy dress.
“Later that night around 8.30 we met back up for a bat walk around the village, we came across numerous Pipistrelle (common and soprano) bats, Leislers bats and possibly some Myotis bat species in and around the village and then when we returned to the river beside the bridge the Daubentons bats were out in force to put on a display for us”.
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