2026 Somerset Big Bat Counts

As part of the Great Somerset Wildlife Count, the Bat Group is helping people to find and count the bats of their local area with our new community mapping project.

If you are a community group (wildlife, gardening, church …etc), or just a group of friends or neighbours, in Somerset who would like help to do a Big Bat Count on your patch then please do get in touch – somersetbatgroup@gmail.com

The current list of Big Bat Counts currently planned for 2026 is listed below:

  1. Fri 1st May – Frome1 Big Bat Count
  2. Tue 12th May – Axevale
  3. Fri 5th June – Highbridge
  4. Mon 8th June – Berrow
  5. Sat 13th June – Shepton Beauchamp
  6. Sat 27th June – Heal rewilding
  7. Sat 18th July – Otterhead
  8. Sat 1st Aug – Castle Cary
  9. Tue 4th Aug – Frome2 Big Bat Count
  10. Fri 7th Aug – Blagdon Hill, near Taunton
  11. Sat 8th Aug – SANHG, Taunton
  12. Fri 14th Aug – Drayton
  13. Sat 22nd Aug – Bridgwater
  14. W’end 28 Aug – Kingsdon
  15. Fri 11th Sept – Charltons

The results FAQ aims to answer many common questions about the results. Including explanations of why:

  • Some observations end up miles away
  • The numbers of the “on the night” observations, and verified records added later differ. 

Fri 1st May – Frome Big Bat Count

Frome never fails to disappoint, and we had another fully booked Big Bat Count, with many people new to bats. So around 60 people in 11 teams set off into a warm still night. Our thanks once again to Jo from Frome Town Council for superb organising.

A total of 138 bat observations were made across 11 Species. The two Pipistrelle species were again the most commonly seen, then Serotine and Noctule. There were a couple of Greater Horseshoes recorded, but only one added as an observation. As usual the EMT’s auto IDed a number of Leisler’s (lesser Noctule), but these usually turn out to be noise or Serotines after verification.

Initial unverified observations from the night of 1st May 2026 are in iNaturalist:

Frome Big Bat Count, on the night results - 1st May 2026
Frome Big Bat Count, on the night results – 1st May 2026
Frome Big Bat Count, in the Council Chamber - 1st May 2026

The recordings made on the night have now been downloaded and analysed. There were a total 568 bat passes recorded across 7 species. The majority being Common Pipistrelle (33%) and Soprano Pipistrelle (32%). Serotine (12%) were also common, and there were a surprising number of Lesser Noctule (Leisler’s) 6% identified, which will need more verification. A handful of Daubenton’s (1%), a similar small number of Noctule, and lastly one recording of a Greater Horseshoe.

Tues 12th May – Axevale Big Bat Count

Around 21 people met in Cross Village Hall for a Big Bat Count organised by Axevale Climate Action.

A chilly and quite windy night saw 5 teams head out to survey Cross and Badgworth. A total of 63 bat observations were made across 10 species, with Common Pipistrelle and Soprano Pipistrelle being the most frequently observed. There was one observation of Greater Horseshoe near North Quarry. The other 7 species observed will need more verification.

Initial unverified observations from the night of 12th May 2026 are in iNaturalist:

The recordings made on the night have now been downloaded and initial analysis done. There were a total 168 bat passes recorded across 7 species. The majority being Common Pipistrelle (40%) and Soprano Pipistrelle (36%). Serotine (8%) were also seen frequently. The remaining species were a small number of Noctule and Daubenton’s (2%), a possible Natterer’s, and lastly two recordings of Greater Horseshoes.

Fri 5th June – Highbridge Big Bat Count

Our third big bat count for Our Highbridge, as part of the Brue Green pathways project. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 21:21 so meet at 9 PM for the briefing, and to allow for the open western skys: 9:45 PM count start, 10:45PM end.
  • Booking via will bee via Our Highbridges eventbrite shortly.

Mon 8th June – Berrow Big Bat Count

Returning to the coast for another Big Bat Count for the Berrow Conservation Group. The aim is to cover Berrow Dunes Local Nature reserve, and the Holiday Resort, Unity. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 21:24 PM, so meet at 9PM for the briefing. 9:45 PM count start & 10:45 PM count end.

The results will appear here on the night:

Sat 13th June – Shepton Beauchamp Big Bat Count

A Big Bat Count hosted by the Cowleaze Meadow community group. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 21:27, so meet at 9PM for the briefing. Count starts at 9:45, ends at 10:45PM

The results will appear here on the night:

Sat 27th June – Heal Rewilding Big Bat Count

An event for Heal rewilding near Witham Friary. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 21:01, so people meet at 8:30PM for the briefing. Count starts at 9:15, ends at 10:15PM.

The results will appear here on the night:

Sat 18th July – Otterhead Lakes Big Bat Count

An event for the Otterhead Estate Trust in the Blackdowns. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 21:17, so meet for the briefing at 8:50PM, count starts at 9:35 and ends at 10:35 PM

The results will appear here on the night:

Sat 1st August – Castle Cary Big Bat Count

Returning to the location of our first Big Bat Count, this time being run by group member Neville. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact Neville if you can help.

  • Sunset is 20:58, so meet at 8:30PM for the briefing. Count starts at 9:15 ends at 10:15PM

The results will appear here on the night:

Tues 4th August – Frome Big Bat Count #2

A Big Bat Count hosted by Frome Town Council. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 8:53 PM, so meet at 8:30 PM for the briefing, and a 9:15 PM count start, 10:15 end

The results will appear here on the night:

Fri 7th August – Blagdon Hill Big Bat Count

A Big Bat Count hosted by a community group in Blagdon Hill. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 20:44, so meet at 8:15PM for the briefing. Count starts at 9 ends at 10PM

The results will appear here on the night:

Sat 8th August – SANHG Big Bat Count

A Big Bat Count hosted by Somerset Archaeological and Natural History Group, in central Taunton. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 20:43, so meet at 8:15PM for the briefing. Count starts at 9 ends at 10PM

The results will appear here on the night:

Fri 14th August – Drayton Big Bat Count

A Big Bat Count hosted by a community group in Drayton. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 20:35, so meet at 8PM for the briefing. Count starts at 8:45, ends at 9:45PM

The results will appear here on the night:

Sat 22nd Aug – Bridgwater Big Bat Count

A repeat Big Bat Count hosted for the friends of Wilstock and Stockmoor Country Park. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 8:19 PM, so meet at 8PM for the briefing. 8:40 PM count start & 9:40 PM count end.

The results will appear here on the night:

W’end 28th Aug – Kingsdon Big Bat Count

A Big Bat Count being run by the community in Kingsdon, using Bat Group equipment. Help from bat group members to answer batty questions would be welcome, contact Ian directly if you can help.

Fri 11th Sept – Charltons Big Bat Count

A Big Bat Count being run by Dave a bat group member in Charlton Mackrell, using Bat Group equipment. Help from bat group members would be welcome, contact Dave directly if you can help.

The results will appear here on the night: