Bat population in Manresa triples in three years 

A new study by the City Council of Manresa has revealed that the city's bat population has tripled since 2021.  

Pol Huguet, the city’s Climate Action Councilor told the Catalan News Agency (ACN) that the increase coincides with initiatives taken to improve the biodiversity in different areas of the city, such as the installation of nesting boxes.

At the same time, Huguet highlights improved weather conditions as another contributing factor. Rainfall has encouraged the presence of insectivores.

Biodiversity measures

In 2021, the Manresa City Council installed 13 bat nesting boxes around the city - nine in the Cardener Park and four in the Piugterrà Park.

Three years later, the study found that the number of bats in these specific areas grew, from 2,792 bats to 8,582.

But measures did more than just increase the bat population. In fact, the study found an increase in the number of tree sparrows over the same period, from just a few in 2021 to about 30 in 2024.

Additionally, the city council has stopped using weedkillers in all the city parks, as well as designated areas for spontaneous vegetation, which then has encouraged the presence of other animals.

Other measures to improve biodiversity in the city and provide shelters for animals have included selective harvests or allowing dead branches to accumulate in designated areas.

According to Huguet, these initiatives have shown increased vegetation, which serves as food for insects or birds.