October 2nd, 1998

Bats continue to be active around the school grounds and a few days ago the Natural History society spent an evening observing them with the use of bat detectors. In the past, a local bat expert has helped us to identify a number of species, including pipistrelles, noctules, and whiskered bats. There is also a colony of natterers bats near the school and the students believe that they managed to detect these last week. As well as the usual sightings of bats at dusk, the other signs of their presence at school are the bat droppings that can be found on windowsills.

Bird nesting boxes constructed by members of the Natural History Society have been quite successful this year and a number of pairs of bluetits and great tits have used them. Metal plates used to reinforce them and protect the chicks from grey squirrels and woodpeckers seemed to be working but recently I heard the sound of woodpecker drumming and saw a green woodpecker flying away. On examination of the boxes, I found that two of the boxes have been attacked from the base and now have holes in them.