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.
Bats for Building Professionals
5th April 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
North of England Bat Conference
6th April 2019
Now fully booked. To register for the waiting list please email: nwebster@bats.org.uk The North of England Bat Conference is an opportunity for volunteer and professional bat workers in the North of England to spend time together: updating their knowledge, sharing best practice, developing their skills and catching up on the latest 'bat chat'. The day will include spotlight talks from various bat groups in the region, longer talks on projects or sharing new knowledge and a choice of practical workshops. There will also be plenty of time for catching up with batty friends or making some new batty acquaintances.
Sound Analysis and Species Identification
12th April 2019
This one-day course focuses on the analysis of calls recorded on full spectrum, broadband time expansion or frequency division bat detectors using BatSound as the primary software, though the illustrated identification features will apply to a range of different software.
13th April 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.
Wildlife Acoustics Kaleidoscope Pro
15th April 2019
A one day course aimed at ecological consultants, the course will focus on both the free and full versions of Kaleidoscope and its ability to analyse large data sets. The course will be led by Wildlife Acoustics' Paul Howden-Leach, an expert in Kaleidoscope Pro. All profits from the course will go to the Bat Conservation Trust.
25th April 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
26th April 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.
Bat walk at Stanmore Common Local Nature Reserve
2nd May 2019
This event is open to the public and it's £5/person at the gate. Bring torches and bat detectors if you have them. The meeting point is Warren Lane Car Park at OS Grid Reference TQ15972 93545
9th May 2019
This one day course offers an introduction to the use of bat detectors for professional bat surveys with an optional bat walk in the evening.
10th May 2019
This one-day course is designed for those new to bat work. You will be given a comprehensive foundation to bat biology, ecology and conservation.
NBMP Introductory Bat Detector Workshop
10th May 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 Ian Cornforth.
NBMP Introductory Bat Detector Workshop
10th May 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.
11th May 2019
An exciting programme of talks, workshops and evening fieldwork on Saturday night features new technologies, community engagement projects and other insights into bat conservation and research.
Bat Walk Leader Training – Planning and leading a bat walk
14th May 2019
A fun session in which you will learn how to plan and run a bat walk. This session is suitable for all levels, including those with little or no experience of bat identification. You will have the chance to use a range of bat detectors and get practical experience of identification and taking part in a group session.
16th May 2019
This 2 day course will give you the knowledge and skills to plan professional bat surveys, as well as developing practical survey skills and field sign identification.
NBMP Introductory Bat Detector Workshop
18th May 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 Denbeigh Vaughan.
NBMP Introductory Bat Detector Workshop
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.
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.
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.
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