bats-n-trees

Thanks for that.I am a BCT member so should have realized where you got the info from. Of course If I had used the link I would not have wasted your time. Humble apologies Richard Crompton used to be the trainer on these courses.He was one of my trainers for my Natural England Scientific bat licence. He is a great guy.One of the best in the bat world in my opinion. Wealth of knowledge on bats and trees.No ego, no put downs, never tires of answering questions and imparting knowledge.

Hi Hama, Any chance I can have that pic as my Avatar.Quote."Now which bloody tree did that bat go in" !! Great shot of the fung Lad.!!

Sorry to be a pain but who was that with please ?

where do you get your £700 figure from ?

Was that one of them in the pot before you started ? !!!

Wow. I do actually look like a fungi fanatic there.So there's obviously hope for me yet !! Shame about the diminishing brain cells though !!

Much better for my bats !!

Great idea ! When I was in British Columbia many moons ago I cam across quite a few books about the history of the Canadian lumber industry Full of fabulous old pics a bit like your avatar.One I rememer had about ten guys sat along the edge of a hand cut gob eating their sandwiches. I so wish I had bought them but will try and track them down. Giant circular saw blades,log flumes, sixteen horse lumber carts ,etc etc.

Suggest google Moccas Park/join Ancient Tree Forum/Buy book about Moccas Park.Read all and inwardly digest.Then post on forum so that all of us will know. Happy Hunting !!

Any course that leads to a greater awareness of the world we work in is worthwhile.But in reality you will not be an expert on the subject of bats in trees in a day.Just think. Are you safe to swing a chainsaw after a day ? One day will give you a level of awareness that you did not have before, and anybody that hands over their own money to go on a course is obviously interested in the subject matter and will usually readily absorb information. Sadly any certificate of attendance on a day bat course will not cut too much mustard with Natural England. I reckon to date it has cost me the best part of £7,000 to get my Natural England and CCW (Wales ) scientific bat licences. Plus the many hours of voluntary bat work.and so on. Having attended a good many courses over a wide variety of subjects ,whilst most have brought heightened awareness of the subject matter ,very few have enabled me to bring in extra work and a led directly to increased earnings. Being cynical the usual 10-15 attendees paying £120 each looks quite a good earner to me. Maybe I should think about running bat awareness courses myself. Thinks ! 20 really interested guys @ £90 each-not a bad days work -and fun !!. and I could find really good sites around the country with actual roosts etc. I could go on. Anyone interested ?

Dear Mr Humpfries. I thought bullying wasn't allowed on the forum.I shall have to bring you name to the attention of one of those moderation fellows ! Anyway I posted my pics last night when you were in snoozalums !!!!! The Moccas thread wasn't up then though. But I knew you guys had lots of shots to load up today and brilliant they are too. Not just in photographic terms but for the insight you give us into our beloved trees. Thanks to both of you. I'm sure I speak for most of the forum members when I say "keep it coming ".

Wots oop lad.Can thee no keep oop ? I see thee've only got one peg in one of them ther footograffs too.E Ba gum .

I'm a petrolhead-does that count ??!!

Well it isn't available now.Your office closed at 5pm before I could get there.I reckon I should get a free copy anyway all the publicity I've got you on here and all the hits it has got !!!!!!!!!

If I can get back there for a bat evening I shall pop over and see if it has laid the golden egg.........Could retire early then perhaps and just concentrate on making people laugh on the forum !!!!!!!!!

Hi Hama, Unbeknowns to you while you were stood on that big recently shed limb taking the picture of the nest there was a remark from among the learned brethren along the lines of " look at that chappie over there away from the group. Is obviously completely oblivious to the fact that he is disturbing one of this years goose nests "!! Did make me chuckle !!!!!!

That's interesting.They are now based just outside Cheltenham and I rang to see If I could collect a copy as I am often over that way.They said they had no stock but were taking orders for delivery in a couple of weeks time.Perhaps they did a limited print run and have already sold out.Do you know someone who actually has a copy of the third edition ?

Thanks David. I did mention this in one of the threads recently. It is written by Andrew Cowan and is available from the Arb Association,details are on their website. They are taking orders but when I spoke to them a few days ago they were quoting early April delivery. So as yet no chance to see what has been updated.

I would say it is pure tit -elation.Any chance you can slip a bat box in among them ??

Sadly I think not.Too addicted to the fung methinks !!!!! But in fairness I thought you were very attentive. Now open brackets-close brackets . Get it ????? !!!

Off the stretcher now......Alive and kicking !! Ready for more....!! Please don't Moccas country boys too much.

it was posted on the forum !!

I will leave the best for the boys to load up tomorrow.but here's a few more from Granddad. Anyone recognise the two guys in the last photo? Up from the big smoke by all accounts.....Desperately looking for a large ash pollard the one was........ So I told them where to go.-They seemed like fungi's.

Ah Brings back memories !!!! Also helped if you find a couple of really tough bits to put down the side of the blade. They would "chankle " about for ages.Always got people wondering whether anyone was being injured !!

No stamina these youngsters !!!! Some of the oldsters on the trail at Moccas.