Work has this month been completed to secure and enhance an important site for the conservation of bats in Devon thanks to £9,552 from Devon County Council's RockETS Fund – The Rock Environmental Treatment Scheme. Devon Wildlife Trust's (DWT) Higher Kiln Quarry nature reserve – part of the Buckfastleigh SSSI – is home to one of the most important colonies of greater horseshoe bats. Until this work was carried out the caves that make up the reserve were extremely dangerous due to the risk from falling rock. The new funding has provided the charity with support to remove loose rock on the rockface which hangs above the caves along with trees on the quarry top which were under threat from windfall. The grant has also enabled new fencing to be erected around the front of the quarry to protect the public, the planting of a hedge in the pastures above the quarry which will provide additional flight paths for the bats along with being a good habitat in its own right. Charlie Taylor, DWT's havens manager, said: 'This is such a great site for bats and cavers alike and it was always an important mission to improve the safety of the caves for permitted users. 'We thank Devon County Council along with the local volunteers that have also helped remove brambles, clear paths and salvage the pond. With their help we hope that the bat colony and other interests of the site will go from strength to strength in the coming years.' Although the nature reserve is closed to the public, the William Pengelly Cave Studies Trust, which runs the adjoining caves studies centre, runs guided walks during the summer. These take place every Wednesday and Thursday in August at 11am and 2pm. There is a small fee per person. Group visits to the caves at other times can be made by arrangement by contacting Mrs S Philips on 01752 775195. DWT also runs regular volunteer work days helping to manage the site. For more information about how to get involved, contact Jackie Gage on 01392 279244. For more information about the work of DWT, visit http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org">www.devonwildlifetrust.org.
