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
22nd October 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
22nd October 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.
Introduction to bats and artificial lighting - e-learning module
22nd October 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.
Connect Cafe - Woodlands and night time wildlife
23rd October 2024
Woodlands are key strongholds for wildlife, but what happens at night? We will be joined by Simeon Johnson from Bat Conservation Trust to discover how vital woodlands are for the UK’s bat species and why.
Celtic Rainforest & Woodland Management for bats
24th October 2024
A FREE landowner workshop for landowners and the conservation management sector. The day will consist of talks in the morning from Woodland Hope, Plantlife, Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) and others covering Celtic Rainforest, Woodland Conditioning and Woodland Management in the presence of bat species. Followed by a Woodland Walk, an opportunity to talk about species needs and interaction with woodland habitats and woodland management. PLEASE NOTE: This day features a walk along rough ground including slopes, steps and the potential for wet/muddy areas. For further information about site accessibility, please email ebastos@bats.org.uk. This event is only suitable for those aged 18 and older. Refreshments and lunch provided. Sorry, no dogs allowed.
In conversation about bats - Nils Bouillard and Shirley Thompson
25th October 2024
In 2019, Nils Bouillard undertook the challenge of a Big Bat Year - travelling around the world to see as many bat species as he could (over 400 species across 30 countries!) sharing some of his experiences in his book Big Bat Year - A Conservation Story. Shirley Thompson also has a fund of bat stories gathered over more than 40 years of bat work, both in the UK and on overseas trips. You are invited to join them online on Friday 25th October as they swap tales and share experiences in conversation about bats. This is a free event, with optional donations towards BCT's bat conservation work.
Tree Afternoon at Ramsland Farm
27th October 2024
Join us at Ramsland Farm for an afternoon of hands-on activities to improve the landscape for wildlife & build your tree knowledge.
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 and Sally Morris from Buglife as well as author and beetle enthusiast MG Leonard and Ashleigh Whiffin an entomology curator from Edinburgh National Museums. 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.
Landscaping for Nature and People
31st October 2024
BCT are excited to announce a brand-new course with co-tutors and hosts the RHS at their flagship garden research centre at Wisley, with their showcase wildlife garden. Join a cross sector of industry professionals involved in the design and build of landscapes in this fantastic setting, to share knowledge and ideas on creating multifunctional biodiverse places that connect people to nature. This course is for professionals working in this space, such as ecologists, architects, landscape architects and horticulturists, who want to have better conversations about achieving real wins for nature and people.
6th November 2024
This workshop will look at the theory of signal processing, tips on making more precise measurements when analysing bat sounds, and species identification including some more unusual/challenging calls. Techniques will be demonstrated in Anabat Insight, BatSound, Kaleidoscope and Sonobat. Although some knowledge of sound analysis is helpful this workshop will also have information included for beginners.
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
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.
Caring for bats over winter - online training
12th November 2024
An online session led by Maggie Brown of West Yorkshire Bat Hospital, this session will explore the challenges of caring for bats over winter. There will be lots of opportunities to interact, ask questions and discuss case studies.
27th November 2024
"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
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.
Halloween, Christmas, and Bats
4th December 2024
Join us to celebrate Halloween, Christmas, and Bats! A FREE talk exploring the link between bats and our favourite winter holidays. Book your space to find out why we associate bats with Halloween, what bats have to do with Christmas treats and how UK bats will be spending the winter months! Spend an hour learning fun facts and interesting connections to share with your friends and family over the festive period, spreading the joy of bats whilst they're busy hibernating for the winter.
Britbats - The 7th British Bat Research Symposium
24th January 2025
BritBats is a one-day conference for undergraduate, postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers working with bats anywhere in the world to share their work, whatever stage of their project they are at. The conference is open to students and non-students alike and we welcome attendees from a variety of disciplines. Tickets on sale now Early bird prices available until 31st October
National Bat Conference 2025 - Save the date!
5th September 2025
The biggest event in the bat calendar! More details to follow as they are confirmed. Tickets will go on sale April 2025.
