Project summary

In order to counteract the loss of the target species (greater horseshoe bat, Geoffroy’s bat, great grey shrike, red-backed shrike, little owl and wryneck), and thus also many other species, several measures are implemented in the course of the Life Bats & Birds project. These include planting of woody plants, resumption of use and extensification of the use of arable land and grassland. The aim of the measures is to improve both the food supply, especially insects, of the target species and the quality of the habitats in which they live. In order to secure the implementation in the long term, agricultural land is to be purchased on which the measures are to be implemented. To improve the habitat situation of the target species, individual trees and fruit trees as well as linear hedges and extensive field copses are to be planted. This helps to better connect the individual landscape elements and create corridors. Furthermore, agricultural land where use has been abandoned is to be brought back into extensive use. This also includes the maintenance of scrubby or abandoned orchards. Further maintenance work will be carried out on over-aged hedges, fruit trees and pollarded willows, thus preserving them for longer. Fences will be erected on restored areas to encourage grassland grazing, which promotes insect diversity and mass. Also to promote insect and small vertebrate diversity, rock and deadwood piles will be constructed to serve as refugia for many specialised species. The roosting possibilities of bats will be improved by adapting buildings to their needs. In addition, intensively used farmland and grassland will be restored and upgraded with the help of native seeds. The management of the purchased areas is then to be adapted to the needs of the species. This measure also promotes insect biomass by avoiding pesticides and excessive fertilisation. In order to be able to track the success of the measures, they are monitored with the help of insect mass, plant biodiversity and the occurrence of the target species. The aim is also to inform and involve farmers as much as possible, as well as to inform the public about the problem of unfavourable conditions for the target species and about the measures of the project.