Learning how to erect a mist net
This new course seeks to provide:
- Handling experience to be signed by a referee such that a handling endorsement on an existing NE Survey licence can be obtained (providing sufficient bats are caught during the three nights of the course) or;
- Mist netting and harp trapping experience that would provide part only of the experience required for a mist netting and harp trapping licence endorsement* or;
- General handling experience (for anyone including unlicensed persons)
* A licence to harp trap and mist net is usually issued by NE when a suitable project proposal is presented and relevant experience signed by a referee has been obtained. A recent unofficial communication with NE has indicated that the three nights of mist netting and harp trapping that we would offer in this course would only count partly towards that experience. A further 7 nights of trapping may be necessary.
There can be no guarantee into the number of bats or species that we will trap, but every opportunity will be taken to allow you to handle as many bats as possible. There will also be the opportunity to handle captive bats brought in by two bat carers (depending on live bats available at the time.)
For course dates please check the course schedules.
Assembling a harp trap
Rabies
As this is specifically a bat handling course all participants must provide suitable bat handling gloves and proof of up-to-date rabies inoculation. All bat handlers, licensed or not, are entitled to free immunisation from the NHS, although your GP may sometimes charge an admin fee.
Visit http://archive.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/atoz/rabies/bat/handlers.htm for further information.
