Some more results and dates for your diary

Hello everyone, I've been a bit remiss lately in updating you all with the results from the different counts we've been doing. It's been great to have so many new people with us this year, showing so much interest. Here we go then.

The Brown Long Eared bats were as predictable as usual in Comin Coch and we counted 25 out on the 24th , just one more than last time, and you'll be glad to know that the tea was accompanied by HobNobs this time and only a few midges. We've been asked by BCT to do two follow up counts there in July. However, I think that if we do this, we are setting a president for following years and wonder if it's a good idea. We could, of course, go and count them if there is anyone out there who would like to go, especially if you have not been before; it would be good to see what happens to numbers later, but perhaps not send the result up. We do rather commit ourselves to doing it every year if we start. What is you feelings? Please comment.

The number of pips on Monday was up on the last count by 215, giving a total of 469. However, when I took some friends there on Saturday we saw only 317 leave. All very confusing! It's probably mums just staying home, and not leaving babies 'home alone'. The feeding has been so good this year. You could still hear bats in the roof later but they didn't seem to want to come out. Those that did come out did so in great numbers, all at once like falling leave, scattering in all directions, some nearly hitting us as we sat on the bench. The children that were in the group had a great fun - what a sight. We noticed a couple of bats leaving from around by the other door too. I think that's it for results.

Don't forget we do have scheduled two more pip counts at Cwm Rheidol, that's the 5th and the 19th. The other exciting news is that the ecologist who is dealing with the horseshoe site has asked if he could have help on the 27th July from the Group. He would like to do an emergence count but take particular notice of the flight lines - this could be really interesting everyone. The more of us there the better. Same pack drill as usual - let me know if you're coming to any of these or if you need a lift.

Net