Breathable roofing membranes (BRM) have been used for many years, with the benefit of reduced heat loss and not having to incorporate ventilators making them more popular. They are suitable for use as a full supported or unsupported underlay beneath tiled or slated pitched roofs, in warm or cold non-ventilated and cold ventilated roofs

Building regulations have encouraged the development of more energy efficient building construction techniques. However, some species of UK bat now rely predominantly on man-made structures for shelter and roosting and research is suggesting that BRMs have a negative impact on bats. [Read more...]

White Nose Syndrome (WNS) describes a series of abnormal behavioural and infectious disease symptoms that have been linked to the deaths of over 6 million bats in North America. The condition was first identified in bat specimens in 2006-2007 in the North-eastern USA, and is named because of the white fungus (Pseudogymnoascus destructans), that infects the skin on the nose, ears, tail and wings of hibernating bats. The infection can spread quickly through physical bat-to-bat contact and results in very high mortality rates within colonies. The disease is spreading rapidly and has now been confirmed in 22 North American states and 5 Canadian provinces.

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The only otter found in the UK is the European otter Lutra lutra. They have been recorded on virtually every type of water body, from rivers through to ponds and lakes. They will also make use of coastal habitats, particularly in Scotland where they easier to see because they are more active during the day. In England and Wales they are mostly nocturnal, being active from dusk to dawn.

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The European badger Meles Meles belongs to the Mustelidae family of mammals . Other species in this group include stoats, weasels, otter, pine marten, polecat and ferret. It is found across most of Europe and is particularly abundant in the UK. Badgers are protected under The Protection of Badgers Act 1992. This was brought into force in order to protect badgers from heavy persecution. [Read more...]

The future of the native red squirrel is a little uncertain in Britain because of the expansion of the introduced grey squirrel. Grey squirrels out compete the red, being larger, living in higher densities and being able to eat seeds such as acorns before they are ripe (while a red can’t).  Greys also carry the squirrel-pox virus which will kill reds but not greys.  Habitat loss is also a factor in the decline of the red squirrel. [Read more...]