BatFest 2024 events

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.

When: Friday 25th October 2024 at 7:00pm (online)

Cost: FREE but booking required.

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?

When: Tuesday 29th October 2024 at 6:00pm (online)

Speakers: 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 National Museums Scotland.

And assembling for Team Bat, we have Naomi Webster, Philip Briggs from BCT and Gail Armstrong and her bats from North Lancashire Bat Group.

Cost: FREE but booking required. There is an optional donation which will be split between BCT and Buglife.

Want to develop your creativity further? Try your hand at some creative writing inspired by bats and enter the Batty Laureate writing competitions (Adult and 6-12 year olds categories). Deadline November 2024.

Nominate someone for a unique award as we celebrate a range of people, their skills and the contribution they have made to the world of bats.

We will also be inducting two significant figures to the BCT Hall of Fame in recognition of their contribution to bat conservation.