Events

The group runs many surveys, talks, training and events throughout the year. Scroll down to see our full list of our upcoming events, and see this page for our guidelines for field hygiene during the groups bat work.

Alternatively, click the links below if you would like to see what we have been up to in the past!

2026 NBMP WINTER HIBERNATION COUNTS – Jan & Feb ’26

Many licenced bat workers carry out surveys of hibernation sites in January and February each year, although these can be extended from December to March.
They often need assistance or are willing to take others along.

28th Feb 2026 – Bat Detector Workshop

This is a private workshop for Norton and Chiselborough Nature Network. However depending on the numbers taking part from the group, there may be spaces available to Bat Group members. Email us to be added to the waiting list.

  • Local village hall at 1:30 to 4:30PM

SPRING 2026 – Bat Detector Workshops x4

We are planning more workshops at Somerset Wildlife Trust Offices in Taunton and Avalon Marshes in March/April 2026. Details will be published early in 2026

Sat 18th April – 2026 BAT GROUP Annual meeting

We will hold our 2026 AGM, in Othery Village Hall, central Somerset. Come along and get involved!

Agenda and pre-meeting notes will be published here in early April.

If there is anything you would like to raise at the meeting, or you would like to send your apologies, please email us: somersetbatgroup@gmail.com

Sat 25th April – BCT SW Bat Conference.

The next South West of England Regional Conference will be on the 25th of April 2026. Location is to be confirmed.

Tues 12th May ’26 – Axevale Big Bat Count

An event for Axevale Climate Action, near Axebridge. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 20:54, 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:

Sat 16th May ’26 – 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 21:01, 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:

NATIONAL BAT MONITORING PROGRAM (NBMP)

For many years, lots of group members have collected and contributed data to these national monitoring programs run by the BCT.  Each survey site is allocated to a volunteer, and in many cases, they need lots of help.  Hence there any many opportunities to learn more while doing your bit to help bat conservation.

The surveys happen at the same time every year, so watch out for the emails and Facebook messages nearer the time for details of when, where and who the lead contact is.

LATE MAY TO EARLY JULY – NBMP ROOST SURVEYS

Sunset emergent counts at roosts across Somerset.  Click here for more details

JULY – NBMP FIELD SURVEYS

The field survey takes place in July and monitors noctule, serotine, common pipistrelle and soprano pipistrelle. It is done by two 1km recording walks, starting 20mins after sunset.  Click here for more details

AUGUST – NBMP WATERWAYS SURVEYS

Monitoring the activity of Daubenton’s bats along Somersets waterways. Two waterside recording walks, starting 40mins after sunset. Click here for more details

Fri 14th August ’26 – 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:

W’end 28TH Aug ’26 – 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.

W’end 4tH Sept ’26 – Somerton Bat Walk

A Bat walk being run by the local community, using Bat Group equipment. Help from bat group members to answer batty questions would be welcome, contact Patricia or Ian directly if you can help.