Whether you are a bat-beginner or an expert you are sure to find an event to interest you in the listings below. Year round the Bat Conservation Trust, local bat groups and others arrange bat events across the UK from training courses to bat walks for families.
To stay updated on all BCT's upcoming events, sign up to our events mailing list here.
Further information about the Bat Conservation Trust's Training Courses and Conferences & Symposia. You can also check out our e-learning platform here.
You will soon be able to add your events on our website yourself but for the time being please do email comms@bats.org.uk with details of your event: name of event, date, time and location, who is it aimed for, is it a paid event (if so how much per person), do people need to book (and where), contact details for the organiser for people who have question, website of the event if there is one.
Certificate of Bat Acoustics Analysis - online, available to start now
9th September 2024
“Superb training, with really illuminating illustrations and everything explained in a clear and accessible way.” - Philip Briggs, Monitoring Manager, Bat Conservation Trust
Bats and Artificial Lighting Guidance CPD - E-learning
9th September 2024
An opportunity to hear the talks given by the experts who spoke at the Bats and Artificial Guidance Note Update Launch in February 2023.
Online CPD - 4th edition Bat Surveying Guidelines - Exploring the changes Webinar
9th September 2024
Introduction to bats and artificial lighting - e-learning module
9th September 2024
Independent e-learning that can be completed at your convenience. Learn about the latest research and guidance on bats and artificial lighting. A good foundation module for anyone wanting to develop their understanding of basic bat ecology, the impacts of artificial lighting and the latest mitigation techniques.
The 11th European Bat Detector Workshop (Spain)
6th September 2024
In connection to the European Bat Research Symposium every three years, since 1991, it has been a tradition to organise a bat detector workshop just before or after the conference. This year's workshop will be located in the village Mura, which is in the edge of Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park, just north of Barcelona. The objective of the workshop is to improve training and knowledge of the latest technology and experience on field identification of flying European bats. This includes the use of various detectors, both active and passive, but also to improve your skills around bat call analysis software. The mixture of novice and well experienced bat workers (and everything between) enhances the learning process by self awareness and development. This workshop is aimed at idealistic bat workers (enthusiasts/idealists, NGO's, scientists and students) who will work with bats in the future. Students and NGO's may apply for a reduced registration fee. Commercial bat workers will be accepted if there is space. The workshop stretches over four nights, giving three full days with lectures, training on software and workshops. The workshop is organised on a self-cost basis, where expenses cover only physical costs, such as material, food and accommodation. If you use the opportunity of the offers some of the manufacturers are giving to the participants, you might even end up getting a net free trip from most of Europe.
European Protected Species for Foresters – Presentation & field walk
10th September 2024
This course is designed to raise awareness of European Protected Species and Bats when undertaking forestry operations. There will be a classroom-based presentation led by industry experts & then you will be taken on a field walk to further raise awareness of species habitat indicators, field signs and management challenges. Tom Fairfield and BCT (Sonia Reveley) will act as speakers for the event. Guest speakers from The Forestry Commission & Natural England will also be in attendance to provide an update on EPS legislation and good practice guidance.
10th September 2024
Join H&F Ecologists and Friends of Parks to discover what Bats live in our local area! This event will begin with a talk before dusk and followed by a walk with special equipment to listen to bats. If you have your own bat detector, please bring it along. Well behaved dogs and children are very welcome but must be under parent/guardian supervision at all times. Dress appropriately for the weather & bring a torch as we will be walking in unlit places. This walk will be cancelled, possibly on short notice, if there is rain. This is because bats don't like to get wet and will not fly in rain. Therefore, keep an eye on the weather forecast and you will receive an email if this needs to be cancelled. For any questions, please email ecology@lbhf.gov.uk.
European Protected Species for Foresters – Presentation & field walk
11th September 2024
This course is designed to raise awareness of European Protected Species and Bats when undertaking forestry operations. There will be a classroom-based presentation led by industry experts & then you will be taken on a field walk to further raise awareness of species habitat indicators, field signs and management challenges. Tom Fairfield and BCT (Sonia Reveley) will act as speakers for the event. Guest speakers from The Forestry Commission & Natural England will also be in attendance to provide an update on EPS legislation and good practice guidance.
12th September 2024
Online training course developed and delivered by Maggie Brown (West Yorkshire Bat Hospital). This 6 session course will provide an introduction to bat care for anyone interested in bat rehabilitation.
National Bat Conference 2024 - virtual tickets only now
13th September 2024
The programme will include a great selection of talks, a topical panel discussion, 2 workshop sessions as well as lots of networking opportunities.
Royal Mid Surrey Golf Club Bat Walk
16th September 2024
Join bat expert, Philip Briggs, on Royal Mid-Surrey's first bat walk to learn about these amazing nocturnal animals. Please book your ticket via Reception on 0208 940 1894 or reception@rmsgc.co.uk.
Advanced Bat Survey Techniques - fully booked!
17th September 2024
Combining 1 theory day online with three days and two nights in Dorset, attendees will be given theoretical and practical experiences of acoustic lures, harp traps, mist nets and radio tracking. The course will investigate the application of these techniques in line with the BCT’s Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines. The course is suitable for experienced bat surveyors wishing to gain practical experience towards obtaining advanced bat survey licences. It is also possible to just book the online theory day if you are already involved with practical activities locally. Data collected from the course will feed into current research taking place in the area. The field sites are in Dorset and 13 species of bats have been caught in the area.
Advanced Bat Survey Techniques - online theory day
17th September 2024
1 day of training online covering the theoretical details of how to use acoustic lures, harp traps, mist nets and radio tracking. The course will investigate the application of these techniques in line with the BCT’s Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines. The course is suitable for experienced bat surveyors wishing to gain practical experience towards obtaining advanced bat survey licences. The online theory day is a great way to grow your knowledge if you are already involved with practical activities locally.
Connect Cafe: Dormice and connecting landscapes
18th September 2024
For September's Connect Café we’ll be focussing on dormice - the habitats, habits and threats to these small nocturnal mammals
22nd September 2024
Join us at Springwater Farm, nr Killerton, Exeter to try out your tree ID skills, help collect tree seeds and nuts, and search for signs of dormice.
Introduction to Sound Analysis Workshop, online via Zoom
9th October 2024
This session provides an introduction to bat call analysis using sound analysis software. We will use Wildlife Acoustics Kaleidoscope software as this can be downloaded free of charge, but the analysis techniques covered will be applicable to a range of different programs. As well as species ID we will look at the links between species’ ecology and call characteristics. Attendees will be given a library of recordings of bat calls to work through which they can keep afterwards for their own use.
Woodlands for Nature: an introduction to management
16th October 2024
The Bat Conservation Trust would like to welcome you to our free woodland management training session. This one day event will focus on how best to manage and increase our native woodland cover and hosted at the wonderful Dartington Estate. Whether you actively manage woodlands, are in the process of converting your land to woodlands, or are just interested in the steps needed to support our trees and the nature they host, this day is for you!
29th October 2024
A fun, interactive event where both teams share fun facts to try and prove their animal is the best - but ultimately the final vote is by the audience - who will you vote for? Already joining Team Beetle this year we have Suzanne Burgess, Ashleigh Whiffen and Sally Morris from Buglife as well as author and beetle enthusiast MG Leonard. And assembling for Team Bat, we have Naomi Webster, Philip Briggs from BCT and Gail Armstrong and her bats from North Lancashire Bat Group. This free online event is open to all ages. There is an optional donation which will be split between BCT and Buglife.
British bats, their ecology and conservation - 6 session course
7th November 2024
Online course with 6 live, weekly workshops lasting 60-90 minutes online with opportunities to interact with the tutors on Zoom and ask your questions. Recordings of each session will be available afterwards for 1 month. You can book individual sessions if you are particularly interested in one or two topics, or book all six for a full overview of British bats.
Bat Tracking Methodologies Conference - Booking open!
8th November 2024
The Bat Tracking Methodologies Conference is an opportunity for bat tracking practitioners to share their methods, experience and knowledge of bat tracking and how the data is analysed and presented, with the aim of collating information and insights to improve our understanding of best practice when tracking bats and presenting the results.
Secondary Roost Surveys for Arborists
28th November 2024
This in-person course follows on from our Scoping surveys for arborists course and teaches participants how to undertake a secondary roost survey including use of an endoscope. You will explore in more depth the practical skills needed in the field, the methods that can be used to rule out the potential of features as suitable bat roosts, learn the appropriate use of endoscopes and be given guidance on what can and cannot be done without a bat licence.
