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.
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.
Bat Handling and Identification
1st June 2019
This one-day course provides an introduction to bat identification skills, bat handling and collection of biometric data. The course includes both classroom learning and practical handling and identification of both education bats and preserved specimens. This course uses a combination of presentations and practical sessions to provide participants with the skills necessary to identify British bat species and to safely and competently handle live bats. Attendees will also learn how to sex a bat, age as adult or juvenile, weigh and measure, and establish a bat’s reproductive status. The practical sessions will include live education bats, and use a minimum of three different species. The use of live bats will be subject to the on-the-day welfare of the individual bats. Participants will learn how to use identification keys and have the opportunity to practice using these on a wider range of preserved specimens. This course WILL NOT cover species identification using bat detectors or sound analysis, or from droppings.
NBMP Introductory Bat Detector Workshop, 8th June, Bury
8th June 2019
This introductory bat detector workshop involves an evening classroom session for the first 3.5 hours followed by a practical field session in the park, starting around dusk. Bat sounds are broken down into four elements in order to train sonic memory and aid species identification using a heterodyne bat detector in the field. You’ll get used to listening to the different elements of sound from the detector and interpreting what this means, before heading out around the park to put the new skills into practice. Tea and coffee will be provided, as well as a pasty later on, but you may want to bring something extra to eat due to the timing of the workshop. The workshop is in a café so cake will be available. Please arrive in plenty of time to find a parking place and get to the venue. The workshop will be led by Steve Parker. For booking, contact Steve at enquiry@slbg.org.uk or 0161 7648850.
Gardening for bats and other wildlife
14th June 2019
This one-day course is led by Jim and Joel Ashton aka the Butterfly Brothers and is designed for anyone with an interest in gardening, bats or wildlife. Course content includes: · Bats and other garden wildlife · Garden design for wildlife · The role of ponds and wet areas · Choosing plants to encourage wildlife · Bat boxes and other bat friendly features · Case studies · Wildflower walk and exploration of nature reserve
NBMP Introductory Bat Detector Workshop, 22nd June, Isle of Barra
22nd June 2019
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. The workshop will be led by Elisabeth Ferrell.
Scoping surveys for Arborists - Rutland
1st July 2019
"Very good introduction to bats in relation to ecology, the law and tree use." Course participant, 2017 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
Bat and moth event at Fryent Country Park
1st August 2019
2 events in 1. Bat walk and moth trapping at Fryent County Park. All moths released afterwards! This event is open to the public and it's free (although donations welcome). Please bring a torch and a bat detector if you have one. Meeting point at the Car Park at OS Grid Reference TQ19550 87698.
10th August 2019
Join us for the 4th year of handling bats in the tranquil setting of Culzean Castle Country Park. There are opportunities to use different capturing equipment and handle various bat species that inhabit Scotland. Entries are only confirmed with proof of up to date rabies vaccination.To book your place or for further information please contact Joanne on joanne_e_king@hotmail.com; 07749 103711 The event if free but we ask a donation is made to BCT for the evenings activities.
Bat event at Bentley Old Vicarage Nature Reserve
12th August 2019
This event is open to the public and it's free (although donations welcome). Please bring a torch and a bat detector if you have one. The meeting point is the car park at OS Grid Reference TQ15341 91736.
Advanced Bat Survey Techniques
21st August 2019
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.
Advanced Bat Survey Techniques
21st August 2019
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.
Night safari - A search for spiders, moths and bats.
22nd August 2019
Night safari in Aberford park, Borehamwood. A search for spiders, moths and bats. Please bring a torch and a bat detector if you have one. Meet in the Car Park of Aberford Park Community Centre off Brook Road WD6 1PF (TQ19278 97319).
Going Batty at Grimsdyke and Gilbert's Orchard
28th August 2019
Going Batty at Grimsdyke and Gilbert's Orchard. An evening walk for our flying furry friends. Bring torches and bat detectors if you have them. Meet in the Hotel Car Park HA3 3SH TQ14197 92883. £5 charge per person at the gate.
Conservation and Technology Conference
6th September 2019
A one-day conference exploring conservation and technology for all wildlife (not just bats!) The conference will: - bring together wildlife conservationists, ecological consultants, researchers and technology experts to network and share their knowledge, products and techniques. - showcase new technologies, new applications of existing technologies and new developments in best practice
7th September 2019
The National Bat Conference is the biggest event in the bat calendar and booking is now open! A weekend of exciting talks, workshops and a conference dinner (with ceilidh!) on the 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.
13th September 2019
Join the Cassiltoun Housing Association's Community Woodland Officer on this atmospheric walk as they use bat technology to listen to the sounds of bats, spot them swoop amongst the trees, and find out the lots of amazing facts about these creatures. **No booking required**
Bat walk at Harrow Weald Common
1st October 2019
Bat walk. Meet in Old Redding Car Park TQ14339 92588
7th October 2019
"Very good introduction to bats in relation to ecology, the law and tree use." Course participant, 2017 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
Secondary Roost Surveys for Arborists
8th October 2019
This follow-on course 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.
26th October 2019
QGIS is a freely available Geographic Information System (GIS) software package that can prove invaluable for bat groups and particularly Bat Group Recorders. This one-day hands-on workshop will provide an introduction to what the software can offer and how to use it, enabling bat groups to more effectively identify what they know and where they need to go to get more data.
13th November 2019
This one day course is for anyone wanting to improve their skills in recognising and reporting wildlife crime or when acting as a witness. This course is part of the Bearing Witness for Wildlife Conservation Wildlife Crime Project. The project recognises that wildlife crime is currently not always recorded, investigated or prosecuted effectively and this training course will help us to start addressing this need. Course content includes: - Recognising wildlife crime - Reporting wildlife crime - Assisting police investigations - Acting as a witness of fact and an expert witness – what to expect during police investigations and in court - Conservation impact statements - Wildlife crime sentencing and Proceeds of Crime Act.
Bats for Building Professionals
21st November 2019
This awareness course is for anyone who is responsible for buildings and their renovation, development, maintenance or design, including builders, surveyors, architects and pest controllers. It is approved by CITB and eligible for a Tier 1 grant. The course is also suitable as RIBA CPD. By the end of the course, attendees will be able to:- - Identify, by visual inspection, any features in buildings that could be a potential bat roost site - Summarise the life cycle of bats in the UK and describe the best time for carrying out works in relation to the bat calendar - Exercise judgement about when to contact appropriate specialists for assistance at a suitable stage in the building inspection/work process - Recognise the consequences of acting without due consideration when carrying out works on buildings, which results in bat or roost destruction or disturbance. Course content includes: - Bat biology and ecology - Bats in buildings: where, when, which bats, evidence of bats - Taking account of bats - Best practice and case studies