Rare bat variety found in survey

Whiskered bats have been found for the first time on NTS property

Rare bats have been discovered in a survey by the National Trust for Scotland near Castle Douglas.

The examination of the Threave Estate has found five types of bat, including evidence of the whiskered bats never previously found on NTS property.

The NTS said the Threave project is the most ambitious survey of its kind ever undertaken by the organisation.

It has uncovered eight out of the 10 possible species including Scotland's largest variety of bat - the noctule.

NTS Nature Conservator Lindsay Mackinlay said she was delighted with the project.

"In time, we hope to make the NTS Threave Estate one of the best places for the public to go and see bats in Scotland," she said.

"In turn, we hope they will leave with a greater appreciation for this wonderful but endangered group of mammals and that they too will work towards conserving them and their habitats.

"Without the public on their side, bats will not have an easy future."