End of decline of bats in Britain?

This video is called Common Pipistrelle bats emerging from the TWM building in Tilburg, The Netherlands.

This one is not from the Google cache.

From The Independent in Britain:

End of the horror show for bats as numbers stage dramatic comeback

By Paul Kelbie

Published: 30 December 2006

After decades of decline some of Britain’s most endangered bat populations appear to be making a comeback.

Ever since Bela Lugosi flapped his cloak and flew off into the night as Count Dracula, the humble bat has suffered an image problem of almost catastrophic proportions, and these environmentally sensitive mammals have suffered as a result.

Throughout the 20th century, all 17 species of bat found in Britain saw their numbers fall dramatically as changes in farming methods, loss of habitat and human ignorance played a part in their downfall.

However, according to the latest figures from the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT), it appears the tiny creatures are at last managing to shed their ghoulish image.

Through a concerted effort to create greater public awareness of bats as gentle, harmless creatures, as well as the protection of more roosting sites and improved agricultural practices, the BCT says there has been a slight rise in at least four bat species – the lesser horseshoe bat, Daubenton’s bat, Natterer’s bat and the common pipistrelle bat.

Funding boost for Great horseshoe bats in Somerset: here.

Genetic work carried out as part of a research project on the National Trust Purbeck Estate in Dorset has found that the population of greater horseshoe bats in the UK originated from west Asia around 40,000 – 60,000 years ago: here.

Tracking Greater horseshoe bats in the Forest of Dean: here.