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 as well as conservation and community organisations 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.
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.
Further information about the Bat Conservation Trust's Training Courses and Conferences & Symposia.
Certificate of Bat Acoustics Analysis - online, available to start now
27th May 2022
“Superb training, with really illuminating illustrations and everything explained in a clear and accessible way.” - Philip Briggs, Monitoring Manager, Bat Conservation Trust
Scoping surveys for Arborists - online
24th May 2022
"Very good introduction to bats in relation to ecology, the law and tree use." Course participant, 2017 Adapted for online delivery, this Lantra-accredited course, developed by the Bat Conservation Trust and supported by the Arboricultural Association, will enable participants to carry out tree works with consideration for the potential effects on bats and their habitats. Enquire for discount details: training@bats.org.uk
NBMP Level 2 Using your ears bat detector workshop, Bury, Greater Manchester
28th May 2022
The workshop will equip you with the skills to be able to take part in the highly important National Bat Monitoring Programme with BCT which helps monitor bats nationwide and take on a survey site and this would be a great outcome, and the skills you gain will also be useful to join in with bat group events, like the Millponds survey and BATlas and even do your own surveys and start you on the journey of being able to identify bats using a heterodyne bat detector.
NBMP Level 2 Workshop - 'Using Your Ears' Bat Detector Workshop, Online
31st May 2022
This bat detector workshop involves an evening classroom session run online via Zoom. Bat sounds are broken down into four elements in order to train people's sonic memory and aid species identification using a heterodyne bat detector in the field. The focus is on pipistrelles, noctule, serotine and Daubenton's bat as these illustrate a range of different bat sounds. The training also includes an introduction to the National Bat Monitoring Programme and how you can take part.
Tonbridge River Trips Bat Experience
31st May 2022
A 2-hour cruise with hot drink and snack provided on an electric launch to see and hear bats, often up to 6 different species. Our ecologist will provide information about bats and help with bat identification as we go. Bat detectors are provided. This event is aimed at anyone over the age of 12 years.
NBMP Level 2 Workshop - Using your ears, East Lothian
4th June 2022
This introductory bat detector workshop involves an evening classroom session followed by a practical field session starting around dusk. Bat sounds are broken down into four elements in order to train people's sonic memory and aid species identification using a heterodyne bat detector in the field. The focus is on pipistrelles, noctule, serotine and Daubenton's bat as these illustrate a range of different bat sounds.
Tonbridge River Trips Bat Experience
9th June 2022
A 2-hour cruise with hot drink and snack provided on an electric launch to see and hear bats, often up to 6 different species. Our ecologist will provide information about bats and help with bat identification as we go. Bat detectors are provided. This event is aimed at anyone over the age of 12 years.
10th June 2022
Join UK Active Outdoors' stand-up paddle boarding sessions at dusk on the Bristol Avon to see some of its local Bats and elusive wildlife. £10 of each ticket booked is very kindly donated to Bat Conservation Trust! You will paddle from their slipway to a few areas to see a range of bats. As the light fades, watch these amazing creatures glide inches above the waters surface. Listen to them communicate and hunt on our bat detectors while you immerse yourselves in to their world.
Tonbridge River Trips Bat Experience
25th June 2022
A 2-hour cruise with hot drink and snack provided on an electric launch to see and hear bats, often up to 6 different species. Our ecologist will provide information about bats and help with bat identification as we go. Bat detectors are provided. This event is aimed at anyone over the age of 12 years.
Scoping surveys for Arborists - online
27th June 2022
"Very good introduction to bats in relation to ecology, the law and tree use." Course participant, 2017 Adapted for online delivery, this Lantra-accredited course, developed by the Bat Conservation Trust and supported by the Arboricultural Association, will enable participants to carry out tree works with consideration for the potential effects on bats and their habitats. Enquire for discount details: training@bats.org.uk
NBMP Level 2 Bat Detector Workshop - "Using Your Ears", West Glamorgan, Wales
27th June 2022
This bat detector workshop involves an evening classroom session followed by a walk in the grounds of the centre. Bat sounds are broken down into four elements in order to train people's sonic memory and aid species identification using a heterodyne bat detector in the field. The focus is on pipistrelles, noctule, serotine and Daubenton's bat as these illustrate a range of different bat sounds. The training also includes an introduction to the National Bat Monitoring Programme and how you can take part.
Introduction to Sound Analysis Workshop, Online
29th June 2022
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.
British bats, their ecology and conservation - 6 session course
12th July 2022
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.
Tonbridge River Trips Bat Experience
14th July 2022
A 2-hour cruise with hot drink and snack provided on an electric launch to see and hear bats, often up to 6 different species. Our ecologist will provide information about bats and help with bat identification as we go. Bat detectors are provided. This event is aimed at anyone over the age of 12 years.
22nd July 2022
Join UK Active Outdoors' stand-up paddle boarding sessions at dusk on the Bristol Avon to see some of its local Bats and elusive wildlife. £10 of each ticket booked is very kindly donated to Bat Conservation Trust! You will paddle from their slipway to a few areas to see a range of bats. As the light fades, watch these amazing creatures glide inches above the waters surface. Listen to them communicate and hunt on our bat detectors while you immerse yourselves in to their world.
Advanced Bat Survey Techniques - fully booked, register for waiting list
3rd August 2022
Over three days and two nights, 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.
Tonbridge River Trips Bat Experience
11th August 2022
A 2-hour cruise with hot drink and snack provided on an electric launch to see and hear bats, often up to 6 different species. Our ecologist will provide information about bats and help with bat identification as we go. Bat detectors are provided. This event is aimed at anyone over the age of 12 years.
Tonbridge River Trips Bat Experience
25th August 2022
A 2-hour cruise with hot drink and snack provided on an electric launch to see and hear bats, often up to 6 different species. Our ecologist will provide information about bats and help with bat identification as we go. Bat detectors are provided. This event is aimed at anyone over the age of 12 years.
Advanced Bat Survey Techniques - fully booked, register for waiting list
30th August 2022
Over three days and two nights, 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. 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.
Tonbridge River Trips Bat Experience
3rd September 2022
A 2-hour cruise with hot drink and snack provided on an electric launch to see and hear bats, often up to 6 different species. Our ecologist will provide information about bats and help with bat identification as we go. Bat detectors are provided. This event is aimed at anyone over the age of 12 years.
Tonbridge River Trips Bat Experience
8th September 2022
A 2-hour cruise with hot drink and snack provided on an electric launch to see and hear bats, often up to 6 different species. Our ecologist will provide information about bats and help with bat identification as we go. Bat detectors are provided. This event is aimed at anyone over the age of 12 years.
Around the bat world in 8 sessions!
17th September 2022
Bats without Borders is excited to host this event, where we will be hearing about diversity of work carried out by different bat groups. We are lucky to have a wonderful line up of speakers to showcase some of the great work carried out by bat groups around the world. We have speakers based in Australia, Asia, South Africa, Zambia, Ghana and Europe. Our speakers will give you a snapshot of the work they do and some lessons they have learned along the way. This event is open to all (everyone is very welcome), but is targeted towards inspiring people across southern Africa to find out more about bats and to consider setting up a bat group. There will be opportunities for networking, and we welcome those involved in bat groups to join in and share their experiences.
24th September 2022
The National Bat Conference is the biggest event in the bat calendar and booking is now open! This year we are going hybrid so you can join us online or in person for a weekend of exciting talks, workshops and there is the option of the conference dinner on Saturday evening. The conference is an opportunity to learn about the new discoveries in the world of bat conservation, catch up with old friends and meet new ones. A range of packages are available for online or in person, with or without accommodation.