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| 1991 - | This was a very interesting year, bat numbers in both Tattynure Bridge and the Old Mill Bridge were up on any previous record, and included the first female Daubenton - a juvenile. All the bridges with the exception of Cullion Bridge were visited during the last week of August and weather and conditions were similar at all five Bridges.
Tattynure Bridge. No 741 had the greatest increase in the number of Daubentons using the bridge as a hibernation site. On 25th August, at 2120 hours three bats were already flying in typical Daubenton feeding patterns, seven were caught over a half hour period, and two more flew over the net, making a total of twelve, all Daubentons. Of those examined three were adult males and four were juvenile males. All were in good condition although not fat. Unfortunately, without scaffolding it is not possible to confirm whether the new concrete slab in the arch of the Bridge is being used. Former old cracks certainly are. There was a successful dipper’s nest in their old hole 3’ from the apex of the upstream arch. A fully-grown mink was aggressive for a while during the net watch, but soon disappeared up a field drainpipe. The Old Mill Bridge. No 96 was also being used by more Daubentons than in 1990 when only two were counted. On 28th August at 2105 hours the first Daubenton was caught, and six more were examined in the following half hour, of these two were juvenile males, three were adult males, and the last Daubenton was the first female (a juvenile) caught since autumn studies began. One bat was not caught. The condition of the animals was similar to those using Tattynure Bridge. A "wicked" ram in the field beside the burn was looked after by owner and his wife while work was going on. They were very interested, very observant, most helpful, and a great moral support! A Dippers nest was also successful at this bridge. At Dunbreen Bridge. No 91 and at Donnelly’s Bridge. No 1887. Cullion bridge, No 101 and Gormley’s Bridge. No 1159 no bats were caught or seen despite plenty of insect life and perfect weather conditions. Both Dunbreen Bridge and Donnelly’s Bridge had successful dippers nest. |
| 1992 - | Due to unforeseen circumstances, no work was done on any of the six bridges on Cappagh Burn in 1992. This was disappointing as information about bat numbers and condition might have been very interesting following a very long cold spring, a hot summer with low water in the burn, and a wet and windy autumn when the burn ran in spate for many successive days. However, dippers seem to have had a successful year with two nests used simultaneously in Tattynure Bridge.
Continuing credit is due to the engineers of the Bridge maintenance team, DOE Western Area, for their scrupulous attention to the additional paragraphs in the Roads Manual, 2nd edition, chapter 9, Bats and Dippers in Bridges. Their work has been complicated by the new safeguards, and I would like to pay tribute in particular to the Chief engineer, Mr Jan Harvey, and Mr Pat Doherty for their unprompted supervision of provision of suitable habitat for bats in bridges and care during repairs. Aureole Archdale. |