Bats and Road Traffic

Although people have frequently considered the impacts of proposed new roads on bat roosts and factored in potential collisions with vehicles, they have not previously considered whether traffic noise per se  has an impact on these flying mammals (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2020/apr/15/traffic-noise-reduces-bats-ability-to-feed). A new study suggests that the sound of traffic produces a dramatic decline in the foraging activity of these beasts. Bats use ultrasounds and echolocation to find their insect prey, so traffic noise must interfere with their hunting. Roosts are relatively well-protected by legislation but sound pollution could make substantial areas non-viable for bats.