Highgate cemetery bat surveys

Highgate Cemetery, a venerable London landmark, recently underwent a crucial ecological assessment. Last summer, in preparation for its 30-year conservation and management plan, the MKA team conducted a detailed bat activity survey. This survey informs the balance between preserving the cemetery's historic structures – including the iconic Egyptian Avenue and the Circle of Lebanon—and managing the impact of environmental challenges like ash dieback, which necessitates strategic tree removal.

To ensure the long-term protection of Highgate Cemetery's bat populations, a detailed habitat assessment is underway. By pinpointing areas of critical importance, conservation strategies can be precisely tailored to preserve and enhance these vital ecosystems. This involves a dual approach: real-time monitoring via Elekon Batlogger Ms along designated transects, and extended background activity recording using Full Spectrum Anabat Express Static Detectors, deployed for five nights each season.

Renowned wildlife photographer Matthew Maran, celebrated for his intimate portrayals of London's urban fauna, particularly his long-term study of Highgate Cemetery and Hampstead Heath's foxes, recently joined our bat activity surveys. Matthew, a multi-award-winning photographer with accolades from the European and British Wildlife Photography Awards, is embarking on a new project documenting North London's bat populations. His participation provided valuable insight into bat survey techniques, crucial for his transition from fox photography to capturing the elusive world of nocturnal flight.