Disused treehouse in Worcestershire to be turned into a bat hotel
The Worcestershire Wildlife Trust is converting the structure near Alfrick
Last updated 7th Oct 2024
Staff from Worcestershire Wildlife Trust are converting an old treehouse into a deluxe bat hotel. The treehouse was used by the previous owners of the woodland, which is now part of the local charity’s The Knapp and Papermill nature reserve near Alfrick.
Dominique Cragg, reserves officer for the Trust who is overseeing the project, commented “We know from regular surveys that 11 of the UK’s 17 breeding species of bat use the nature reserve so it’s great to get funding to provide more roosting spaces for them.
The treehouse is in a 10-acre area of the wood that became the Trust’s 100th patch of land when it was bought in 2018.
More than 50 bat boxes are already scattered throughout the nature reserve and are regularly surveyed, under licence, by volunteers from Worcestershire Bat Group.
The project to convert the treehouse is being funded by Natural Networks, a partnership project between Worcestershire County Council and Worcestershire Wildlife Trust to create and enhance areas for wildlife. The project provides up to 70% of costs, distributed from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Lucy Mayo, Natural Networks Programme Manager for Worcestershire County Council, said “We’re really excited to be involved in this unusual and inventive project, which is part of a wider Natural Networks scheme at The Knapp and Papermill nature reserve.
“The conversion of the treehouse will breathe new life into this derelict structure and will be a great addition to the bat habitats at this special place for wildlife.”