Describes research observing fewer foraging bats near radars and during a small-boat-radar experiment, an…

I first became aware of the possible negative effect of radar on foraging bats when a student returning from nocturnal fieldwork who kept a bat detector wedged in his car window reported no bat activity as he passed Aberdeen airport radar. Together with Dr Barry Nicholls we then positioned bat detectors close to a series of airport radars which are often conveniently situated close to the airport perimeter. Significantly fewer bats were recorded in the vicinity of the radars compared with nearby control sites. We then purchsed a Furuno small boat radar and set it up close to a pond which was a well used bat foaraging site. When the radar was switched on a maximum of 40% fewer bats were recorded over the water. We were unable to change the parameters of the radar emissions and despite attempts to do so were unable to engage the collaboration of radar experts who could do so. Nicholls, B. & Racey, P. A. (2009) The aversive effect of electromagnetic radiation on foraging bats – a possible means of discouraging bats from approaching wind turbines. PLoS ONE .4:1-10 Issue 7 e6246