Updated 1st April 2021
Bat monitoring activities are currently restricted in order to comply with government guidance on controlling the COVID-19 pandemic
In these difficult times the health and well-being of our volunteers is our top priority. It is vital that we follow the latest government instructions to help control the spread of the virus.
The government instructions vary for each country/island, so please ensure you click on the relevant link below and carefully read the current guidance in order to ascertain whether you can survey your site(s) this year. Please also ensure you follow any local lockdown guidance in your survey area.
You should not feel that you have to carry out surveys this year if you have any concerns about the health and safety of yourself or other people.
Please be reassured that the NBMP is a long-term monitoring scheme; reduced survey coverage during the current pandemic is not detrimental to the long-term value of your surveys. Thank you for your continued commitment to the NBMP.
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Our current position is as follows:
England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Isle of Man and Channel Islands:
You may take part in NBMP surveys, provided you follow government instructions for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, Jersey, Guernsey or Alderney as appropriate, and our survey-specific guidance below.
The Hibernation Survey and National Nathusius' Pipistrelle Project are currently completely suspended until further notice.
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Survey-specific guidance
Click below for our current guidance for taking part in each specific NBMP survey this year. We will keep the situation under review and will release updated guidance in accordance with government instructions as the situation evolves. If you have any questions please contact us at nbmp@bats.org.uk.
Sunset/Sunrise Survey (April-Sept)
National Nathusius’ Pipistrelle Project (May-October)
Field Survey (July) / Waterway survey (August) / Woodland Survey (July to September)
Hibernation Survey (December-March)
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NBMP bat detector workshops
We are running training workshops online. Details can be found at https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/national-bat-monitoring-programme/workshops