Advanced Bat Survey Techniques
Are you ready to level up in your career as a bat ecologist?
Upcoming course: This course runs at the end of the bat survey season every year.
Email training@bats.org.uk to register your interest in future dates.
About our 'Advanced Bat Survey Techniques' course:
You want to build on your existing experience to gain advanced bat surveying skills. Delivered by expert ecologists, Colin Morris and Nick Tomlinson, who have a wealth of experience in the field, this course will coach you through a variety of advanced bat survey skills including handling bats, acoustic lures, harp traps, mist nets and radio tracking. The course will investigate the best practices in the application of these techniques in line with the BCT’s Bat Surveys for Professional Ecologists: Good Practice Guidelines.
As this course involves handling bats we make sure to not cause unnecessary levels of disturbance to the local bat populations. To warrant bat handling, the data collected in the course is used to further a long-term research project.
This is the fourth of a series of four courses designed to train bat workers to a professional standard. The course is suitable for experienced bat surveyors wishing to gain practical experience towards obtaining advanced bat survey licenses. Participants should already have a good working knowledge of bats and some experience of handling a variety of bat species of different sizes.
Reviews:
Still undecided? Hear from our previous course participants:
“Spectacular location and an unforgettable experience!”
“I think the course was great. The amount of classroom and field based work was a good balance.”
“[The tutors] Colin and Nick were extremely knowledgeable, very patient and helpful, and full of hilarious anecdotes”
'Advanced Bat Survey Techniques' course content:
Combining 1 theory day online with three days and two nights, attendees will learn advanced skills through classroom sessions and practical experiences. As data from this course is used for ongoing research, this course always takes place in Dorset. 13 species of bats have been caught in the field sites we use. The course involves bat handling and participants will be required to wear gloves and masks and any other Covid PPE and precautions. They must also be able to provide proof of their rabies vaccinations (where applicable).
It is also possible to just book the online theory day if you are already involved with practical activities locally.
Lessons:
- Health and safety while working with bats
- Bat ID
- Harp traps and acoustic lures – theory and practice
- Mist nets – theory and practice
- Radio-tracking – theory and practice
- 2 Evening practical sessions
Pricing:
£125 - online theory only
£580 - whole course. includes refreshments, does not include dinner or accommodation. Accommodation suggestions - you may wish to do your own research for more options and current prices
Discounts: £5 for BCT members, 10% multi-buy discount if booking 3 or more course places
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Why us?
The Bat Conservation Trust is the leading bat charity in the UK. Our courses are designed by our team of passionate bat experts who work hard to protect bats year-round. With every person we train we get one step closer to achieving our goal: a world where people and wildlife can thrive together.
