In the city of Salzgitter in particular, the numerous existing tunnels and bunkers are ideal for this due to their special microclimatic conditions inside. Projects that have already been successfully implemented in the area of the Salzgitter ridge prove that if suitable hunting habitats are available in the immediate vicinity, the newly created or restored roosts can be expected to be "occupied" after a short time and thus also improve the overall habitat.
The measures to date have been supported by the Forest Youth, the Technical Relief Organization, the Salzgitter Goods Administration, community service workers and also financially by means of state grants from the Braunschweig district government.
In Salzgitter, suitable roosts were usually selected at the suggestion of the regional bat conservation officer on the basis of current survey data collected with a special detector. However, the location and size of the tunnels and bunkers, their frost resistance and a sufficiently high level of humidity inside were also decisive factors.
Most of the selected properties first had to be cleared and cleared out before additional slopes in the form of hollow blocks could be installed if necessary. In some cases, however, the creation of smaller wall openings was sufficient.
For better thermal insulation and final protection, the only existing entrance to all roosts was then walled up and sealed "burglar-proof" apart from an approximately window-sized barrier suitable for bats. If there was insufficient humidity inside, it was also possible in individual cases to flood the floor slabs of the bunkers to a depth of a few centimetres once before commissioning.
The prepared roosts should then only be entered to check their success, which in Salzgitter is carried out almost exclusively by the regional bat protection officer.
This is the only way to avoid unnecessary disturbance and at the same time gather important information for future protection measures.
