The clock had been ticking to remove the club’s summer bat roost before expiry of our NatureScot licence (near end February) and pipistrelles began moving back in to have this year’s babies. If we missed this chance, demolition would definitely be put back a year.
With this in mind, Reigart vans rolled in on 17 February, a lorry with access platform arrived, and bat experts from Wild Surveys prepared for Operation Roost Removal.
An accumulation of bat droppings told the experts where the roost had been: behind the fascia boards on the outside of the building (ideally situated for natural solar warmth).
Removal was swift, as was blocking up entry points to similar spaces, and then it was time to put up alternative bat accommodation in an equally sunny spot.
When the bats wake up from hibernation (in their cracks, crevices and holes in trees), they should be delighted with their new summer nurseries.
Bat work complete, Reigart moved on an asbestos survey, as the asbestos must be removed safely before the club comes down – hopefully later in the year as more funding comes in.
Enormous thanks are due to the Kelvin CLLD Fund, without whose funding the bat roost relocation, asbestos survey and asbestos removal (all part of the demolition operation) would not yet be taking place.
