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Roger Williams MP |
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MOTHS AND BATS UNDER THREAT IN WALES
October 20, 2009 2:23 PM
On Monday 19th October, Roger Williams, Member of Parliament for Brecon and Radnorshire, got up close and personal with some of Britain's most threatened moths and bats. At an event held at the Houses of Parliament led by naturalist and broadcaster Nick Baker and leading conservationist Chris Baines, Mr. Williams heard that both moths and bats are in significant decline in the UK.
Wales is home to some of the country's rarest bat species including the Lesser and Greater Horseshoe bats, both of which roost hanging upside down in buildings and caves. Caernarfonshire is also home to one of the UK's biggest bat roosts, with local volunteers counting over 1500 pipistrele bats in just one location. The country also has a rich moth fauna and is home to Ashworth's Rustic and Weaver's Wave, these species being found nowhere else in Britain. Meanwhile the Belted Beauty hangs on at one site in Wales, its long term survival being threatened by coastal erosion.
The fourth Moth and Bat Evening was hosted by Madeleine Moon MP in conjunction with the Heritage Lottery Fund - one of the largest supporters of the UK's natural heritage - along with Butterfly Conservation and the Bat Conservation Trust. The evening aimed to highlight the plight of these threatened creatures that are an essential part of the UK's delicate eco-system. The futures of these two groups of species are entwined, with many bats relying on moths as part of their diet.
Roger Williams, Member of Parliament for Brecon and Radnorshire commented: "When thinking about sustainability and green issues, it is all too easy to focus on the global picture and forget that it is our local habitats and wildlife that are the building blocks to a healthy planet. Seeing these fascinating creatures up close and learning how endangered they have become was saddening. It is important that we act now and thanks to the hard work of local conservationists and volunteers and with the continued support of organisations such as the Heritage Lottery Fund, Butterfly Conservation and the Bat Conservation Trust we can hopefully reverse the fortunes of local moth and bat populations for future generations to enjoy."
Speaking on behalf of the HLF, leading environmentalist Chris Baines said: "Anyone who remembers the long lost summer ritual of scraping moths of car windscreens will realise how much their numbers have declined and what important environmental indicators they can be. Anyone concerned with the conservation of old buildings or veteran trees will know how often it is a threatened bat colony that provides the stay of execution. These are immensely important creatures and through their conservation the Heritage Lottery Fund is helping a great many people to participate in practical environmental action."
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