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Scientist awarded for research into bat behaviour

David DixonChannel Islands
Société Jersiaise Hannah Le Morvan holds a bat wing out in front of her, the background is dark, she is wearing a facemask, a headtorch and round glasses. She wears gloves to protect the delicate wings. Société Jersiaise
Hannah Le Morvan was given the Nigel Quérée Environment Award for her research into bat behavious

A researcher has won an award for her research into bat behaviour.

The Société Jersiaise gave Hannah Le Morvan the 2026 Nigel Quérée Environment Award.

The science group said her research had been aimed at identifying which habitats and seasons were the most important to different species of bat in Jersey.

A Société Jersiaise spokesperson said her research would provide "valuable new knowledge about one of the island's most important and least understood groups of mammals".

Société Jersiaise Hannah and a colleague gently handle a pair of bats one of the researchers has a white light head torch and the other has a red light. They hold bats very gently with gloves. Both of the researchers are also wearing face masks. Société Jersiaise
It is hoped the research will enable conservation efforts to be targeted

Le Morvan used listening devices at places across the island to monitor the acoustic activity of the nocturnal creatures.

She also monitored how activity patterns changed throughout the seasons.

The science group said most bat surveys had previously focused on a limited number of summer nights at individual sites.

Le Morvan said: "This dataset offers a unique opportunity to understand Jersey's bats in far greater detail than has ever been possible before.

"By looking at activity across an entire year and across multiple habitats simultaneously, we can begin to answer important questions about how different species use the island's landscape and how best to protect them."

It is hoped the data will help to target conservation efforts.

Société Jersiaise Hannah looks at a listening device to examine the data it has recorded. She stands next to a gatepost and is surrounded by cows. Société Jersiaise
Le Morvan placed listening devices all over the island to monitor the bats

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