Somerset Bat Reference Library

Listed below are a collection of Somerset bat reports and survey findings collected by Cath Shellswell over the last decade+. We hope members find this useful.

If you are aware of any other Somerset Bat information, then please do email us the details so we can add it to the library: somersetbatgroup@gmail.com

Somerset Bat Distribution

• Edward and Helen Wells (1998) The Distribution of Bats in Somerset
• Knight Ecology (2011) Somerset Econet Bat Surveys Taunton and Wellington, Somerset County Council
  • Taunton transects – Wellington transects – Anabat locations
• Somerset Environmental Record Centre (2012) Somerset Species Occurrence Mapping

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By Species

Barbastelle’s

• Hinkley Point C Barbastelle Bat Radio Tracking Study Preliminary Results Summary (2012), AMEC
  • Hinkley Point C Barbastelle Bat Radio Tracking Results Map (2012), AMEC

Bechstein’s

• AF Serjeant and P Kennedy (2011) National project shows Somerset to be a “Hotspot” for Britain’s rarest bat – Bechstein’s bat (Myotis Bechsteinii), Somerset archaeology and natural history.

Greater horseshoe

• R D Ransome (1997) The management of greater horseshoe bat feeding areas to enhance population levels, English Nature Research Reports No. 241
  • Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4
• R D Ransome (1998) The impact of maternity roost conditions on populations of greater horseshoe bats, English Nature Research Reports No. 292
• Dr Garath Jones and Geoff Billington (1999) Radio tracking study of greater horseshoe bats at Cheddar North Somerset, English Nature contract No: F14/01/572
• Geoff Billington (2000) Radio tracking study of greater horseshoe bats at Mells near Frome, English Nature Research Reports No. 403
• Geoff Billington (2000) Combe Down Greater Horseshoe Bats: radio tracking study
• Katie Parsons (2000) Bat activity at Combe Down mines during summer and autumn 2000
• English Nature (2003) (Devon) Greater Horseshoe bat Project 1998-2003, Report Number 532
• Geoff Billington (2013) Cheddar Reservoir2 Radio tracking studies of greater horseshoe and lesser horseshoe bats June and August 2013, Greena Ecological Consultancy

Natterer’s

• Long-Term Study of a Natterer’s Bat Roost in the Blackdowns (2024 report)
  • 2023 report

Noctule

• Macey Racey (2007) Habitat use varies with reproductive state in noctule bats (Nyctalus noctula), sciencedirect.com

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By Survey Type

Big Bat Surveys

Mendip Hills 2007 to 2012

• Mendip Hills Big Bat Survey Report 2007
• Mendip Hills Big Bat Survey Report 2008
• Mendip Hills Big Bat Survey Report 2009
• Mendip Hills Big Bat Survey Report 2010
• Mendip Hills Big Bat Survey Report 2011
• Mendip Hills Big Bat Survey Report 2012
• Juliet Reid (2012) Can the presence or abundance of bats be predicted by habitat features and characteristics? Bath Spa BSc Environmental Science dissertation
• C Shellswell et all (2013) Mendip Hills Big Bat Survey – Assessing Bat Distribution across a landscape, Somerset archaeology and natural history

Blackdowns 2011 to 2016

• Blackdowns 2011 Big Bat Survey Report
• Blackdowns 2012 Big Bat Survey Report
• Blackdowns 2013 Big Bat Survey Report
• Blackdowns 2014 Big Bat Survey Report
• Blackdowns 2015 Big Bat Survey Report
• Blackdowns 2016 Big Bat Survey Report

Brue Valley 2013 to 2017

• Brue Valley 2013 Big Bat Survey Report
• Brue Valley 2014 Big Bat Survey Report
• Brue Valley 2015 Big Bat Survey Report
• Brue Valley 2016 Big Bat Survey Report
• Brue Valley 2017 Big Bat Survey Report

Bats in Churches

• Claire Boothby et al. (2025) Understanding bats in English churches: A citizen science approach

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By Location

Lundy

• Billington, G. (2025). Bat Research on Lundy Island 2014-2018 Greena Ecological Consultancy