Resources

The first edition of The Lesser Horseshoe Bat Conservation Handbook was published in 2008 and has been widely used by ecological consultants and planning authorities in Britain and Ireland, as well as further afield in mainland Europe. The work of Vincent Wildlife Trust (VWT) on this species has continued and developed following the original publication, and has led to the production of this second edition of the handbook.

Vincent Wildlife Trust has just published its Annual Report for 2024. This report gives an overview of the past year’s highlights, its projects, its partners and its audited financial statements.

This form can be used to highlight opportunities to improve and safeguard horseshoe bat roosts for conservation purposes. For optimal use, it should be completed with guidance from the Lesser Horseshoe Handbook (Schofield, H. 2025) and EUROBATS publication series 4: Protection of overground roosts for bats (Marnell, F. and Prestnik, P., 2010).

The following guidance document describes how to construct a Vincent Wildlife Trust (VWT) pine marten den box. This guidance document, and the construction plans contained within it, is an update of previous VWT guidance and replaces and supercedes all previous material published by VWT relating to the construction of den boxes. References made by third parties to VWT guidance or specifications may not reflect this updated guidance, even if they are made after the date of this document.

The specifications, plans and other material in this document are for information only. VWT does not accept any liability or responsibility arising from reliance on this document. Use of materials and accessories other than those recommended may affect the performance, safety and durability of the den box.

The CJM bat box was designed to imitate niches where crevice dwelling bats might roost; such as a split in a tree trunk or behind loose bark. The three vertical ‘slots’ each of a different width, offers a choice that several species of bat, depending on their size, might use.

This ‘quick-start’ guide shows the distinguishing features of members of the small mustelid family in Britain and Ireland, which includes the otter, pine marten, polecat, polecat-ferret, mink, stoat and weasel. It also shows common small mustelid tracks and signs.