29th April 2025
The Sunset Survey Weekend is 16-18 May 2025, join in and find out if you have bats near you. Anyone, anywhere in the UK can take part – no experience needed.
What is a Sunset Survey?
As the evenings get warmer and the days get longer, it’s the perfect time to watch the sunset and spot bats flying at dusk. Whether you live in the middle of a city or the middle of nowhere, your observations can help us build a clearer picture of how bats are doing across the UK.
That’s what the Sunset Survey is all about. It’s a simple citizen science activity where you spend a little time watching the sky, and record whether you see any bats (and other wildlife). You don’t need any prior knowledge or equipment – just a bit of curiosity and a spare evening.
You can take part at any time between April – October but we hope you can take part on the official Sunset Survey Weekend, on 16-18 May!
Can anyone really take part?
Yes! Whether you are nine or 90, live in the city or deep in the countryside, know lots about bats or nothing at all.
No garden? No problem! If you don’t have a garden or a green space near you, that’s ok. You can look out the window and do some bat watching from the comfort of your home.
Also, if you spot any other wildlife, we’d love to hear about it! From urban foxes to elusive hedgehogs, our participants have recorded all sorts.
Why do the Sunset Survey?
Bats are an important part of our ecosystems, but they’re also under threat from habitat loss, light pollution and changing climates.
The more we know about where bats are still being seen, the better we can protect them. That’s especially true in areas that don’t usually get surveyed – so wherever you are, your data matters.
We’re especially keen to hear from you if:
- You live in an under-surveyed area
- You’ve never done a bat survey before
- You’re part of a community that’s under-represented in conservation science
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