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.
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.
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).
International Bat Night event with Norwich Bat Group
24th August 2019
The chance to meander through our beautiful garden at dusk with local bat expert Lindsey. Discover the magical twilight world that normally visitors don't get to see. With over 8 species of bats recorded at Fairhaven, who knows which ones you will encounter. With Lindsey's expert knowlege and bat detectors to help us these fascinating creatures in action, it will be an evening to remember! Run by Norwich Bat Group at Fairhaven Water Gardens, School Road, South Walsham, Norfolk, NR13 6DZ. 7.30pm - children's activities, 8.00pm talk followed by walk around the gardens and down to South Walsham Broad. Adults £8, Adult members of Fairhaven £6, Children - 5 years and above only £5, Child members £4 Cafe partially open for take away hot drinks. Please book via education@fairhavengarden.co.uk or bookngs@fairhavengarden.co.uk (Note the incorrect spelling of bookngs!)
Isle of Wight International Bat Weekend event
24th August 2019
Guided bat walk at Appley Park, Ryde, Isle of Wight. Free of charge (donations welcome). Registration event, please register via info@iowbats.org or 07867774104 (places will be limited) More details will be on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Nonprofit-Organization/Isle-of-Wight-Bat-Group-401162136936857/
Warwick Bat Walk for International Bat Night
24th August 2019
Come for a walk at dusk in central Warwick to look and listen for bats. We’ll start at 8:15pm under the tower at St Mary’s and walk through the churchyard and Priory Park. The walk will be led by a representative of the Warwickshire Bat Group who will give a short introductory talk about bats. Tickets £7.50 can be purchased in St Mary’s shop (numbers limited, booking essential). Proceeds will go to bat conservation and St Mary’s church fund.
25th August 2019
Enjoy a pint and complimentary buffet from 6.30pm at Rutland’s oldest inn, The Blue Ball, Braunston-in- Rutland, LE15 8QS www.theblueballbraunston.co.uk Then join an expert from the Leics. & Rutland Bat Group for a bat talk and walk at All Saints Church, Braunston, 7.45-9.30pm. This event is FREE and accompanied children are welcome.
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.
Introductory Bat Detector Workshop
30th August 2019
Come on an evening of discovery into the noisy nocturnal world of bats with the Bat Conservation Trust and Cairngorms Nature. This introductory bat detector workshop involves an evening classroom session followed by a practical field session from around dusk in local woodlands. The focus will be on pipistrelle, noctule and Daubenton bats. Bat sounds are broken down into four elements in order to train your sonic memory to aid identification, using a heterodyne bat detector, when out in the field.
31st August 2019
This event is open to the public and costs £2 for Adults, £1 for children paid on the night. Sorry no dogs on this walk. The meeting point is outside the Woodland Centre by the beach at Ruislip Lido at 8:00pm and we will finish around 10pm. (Ruislip Lido car park closes at 9pm so please make alternative parking arrangements). Bring a torch and a bat detector if you have one. Check twitter for updates: @RuislipWoods in case it has rained 2 hours prior to the walk.
Bat walk with Gwynedd Bat Group (International Bat Night Event)
31st August 2019
Join our Countryside Warden for an evening all about bats, as we welcome a member of the Gwynedd Bat Group to the Dingle Local Nature Reserve, here in Llangefni, to celebrate International Bat Night. Of the 16 species of bat found in the UK, previously 8 have been found at dusk at the Dingle, a favourite haunt of the Pipistrelle and the high flying Noctule. The rare Lesser Horsehoe Bat is a skilful flier, along with the Whiskered, Natterer’s and Long Eared Bat, can be found flying through the woodland or over the main lake, Llyn Pwmp. Starting with a short introduction, we will then head out in search of bats as they emerge after sunset in the Dingle. During the introduction we will be briefed on how to use bat detectors before heading out with one to detect the presence of bats. The talk starts just after sunset at 20.15pm. Children with adult supervision are welcome. Warm clothes are advised. A torch/head torch would be useful but not mandatory.
4th September 2019
Discover and learn about our native bat species and have a go at being a bat detector! The Twycross Zoo Bat walk and talk will offer attenders the chance to learn about our native bat species, have a go at being a bat detector and learning how to find bats. We will have a range of bat detectors available for use on the evening, and local experts to guide visitors through how to use them. We hope to use these to not only hear the bats feeding calls but to be able to identify which species of bats we have feeding at our Wetland Nature Reserve on site at Twycross Zoo. You will get the chance to hopefully see and hear the bats* and learn about these amazing native species with a talk from our Learning and Discovery team prior to the walk. Local bat expert Jools Partridge will be joining us to help us locate the bats and share his knowledge about the lives of bat and the threat to these species here in the UK. Refreshments included in entry price. £5.50 non members £3.50 for members *As bats are wild animals we cannot guarantee that they will be out on the evening of the bat walk and talk. Book online (follow the link below) or contact 01827883140, bookings@twycrosszoo.org
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**
13th September 2019
A beginner's guide to bats involves an indoor session on bat ecology, followed by a practical field session (including utilising bat detectors). Wrap up warm and bring your (head)torch to look at these elusive creatures through the eyes of a bat expert. This event is intended for adults and children of 10 years and above and runs in corporation with the Bat Conservation Trust. The indoor session will look into bats as woodland indicator species, their ecology and conservation whilst on the walk we'll venture out at dusk into the woods, around the lower slopes of Glen Finglas, using bat detectors and interrogating the moth trap.
Bat and Moth Walk at St Peter’s Church
14th September 2019
Find out all about the bats in and around St Peter’s Church and the insects they like to eat from the Gloucestershire Bat Group! Have fun using bat detectors and see what turns up in the moth trap! This is a free event for all the family, supported by the Bats in Churches project.
Climate Change: its impact on Scotland's Wildlife & Landscapes - CIEEM 2019 Scottish Conference
24th September 2019
The 2019 Scottish conference will focus on climate change and the potential impacts on Scotland’s wildlife and landscapes. The conference will focus on species distribution change in response to climate change and habitats of particular concern (montane and coastal habitats). There will be a practical aspect looking at long-term monitoring and ecological surveying and learning from each other how climate change risks and adaptation can be incorporated into EIAs. Effectiveness of management approaches in the light of climate change including natural flood management and peatland restoration will be considered.
Bat walk at Harrow Weald Common
1st October 2019
Bat walk. Meet in Old Redding Car Park TQ14339 92588
15th October 2019
This one day course builds on participants' existing knowledge and provides an understanding of trees and the techniques needed to survey them for bats effectively. The course combines theoretical classroom sessions with a practical exercise outside. Course content includes: - Legislation regarding trees and bat roosts - Use of trees by bats - Survey methodologies - H&S requirements for safe tree surveys - How to recognise signs of bat usage in trees - Evaluate potential tree roosts - An initial tree survey for bat roosts and use of appropriate survey equipment Prior knowledge: Please note that this is not a basic level course. It is assumed that participants will have attended Bat Ecology and Conservation, Surveying for Bats and Interpreting Your Bat Surveys, or have the equivalent skills and knowledge. Professional Training Standards met by course: Foundation Knowledge 1.5, Legislation, Licensing & Planning: 2.2 & 2.4, Preparation & Planning of Surveys 3.1-3.2, Survey Techniques & Equipment 4.3, Mitigating for Developmental Impacts 7.1-7.2
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.
Introduction to Bats and Bat Survey
6th November 2019
This course will provide a look at the primary legislation in relation to bats (focused on Scotland), important bat identification features and key aspects of bat ecology. A range of roost types for different species will be discussed and pointers will be given on what to look out for in roost identification. Key bat survey requirements and methods will be reviewed, to allow delegates to gain a greater understanding of required methods in relation to current good practice guidance.
7th November 2019
The course will look at how and when to apply for a bat development licence (Scotland), writing a Species Protection Plan, potential impacts to bats and mitigation and compensation options. Various development types will be considered including buildings, new roads and wind farms. There will be examples of case studies and participants will be encouraged to take part in group discussion with their own examples.
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.
Planning for Success: Maximising Biodiversity Through Planning and Strategic Land Use Management
19th November 2019
Arguably there has never been more emphasis on the environment in the planning and land use system. This is a time of opportunity. Green infrastructure planning, biodiversity net gain, natural capital assets, ecosystem services assessment, nature recovery networks – these are just some of the strategic approaches designed to make space for nature but how can we ensure that they are used to best effect? How can ecologists and environmental management professionals influence their development and delivery to achieve the best outcomes for biodiversity at a range of spatial scales? This two-day Autumn Conference will explore these themes through a varied programme designed to explore the new approaches offered at a national, regional and local scale, identifying critical success factors and the role of our profession in successful implementation.
Bats for Building Professionals
21st November 2019
This awareness course is aimed at anyone who is responsible for buildings and their renovation/development/maintenance, and those who carry out such work, including builders, surveyors, architects and pest controllers. This course will ensure that participants are aware of their responsibilities with regard to bats and are able to recognise the basic signs of potential roosts.