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!

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.

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 – 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

Sat 22th 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.

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.

W’end 4th Sept – 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.

Sat 5th Sept – Ham Wall bat box checks

Josh Butterworth will be leading the checks of the bat boxes at Ham Wall and Loxton’s Plot on the levels.

  • 10:30AM start. Bring packed lunch
  • Please email Josh if you would like come along.

Sun 6th Sept – Levels bat box checks

Dani Smith will be leading the checks of the bat boxes at Canada Farm, Shapwick and Catcott.

  • 10:30AM start. Bring packed lunch, or it might be possible to buy lunch at the Avalon Marshes Centre
  • Please email Dani if you would like to reserve a space, and for info on the meeting location

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.

Sat 12th Sept – Great Breach bat box checks

Josh Butterworth will be leading the checks of the bat boxes at Great Breach Wood (just south of Street)

  • 10:30AM start. Bring packed lunch
  • Please email Josh if you would like come along.

Sat 19th Sept – Kings Castle Bat box checks

Josh will be leading the checks of the boxes at the SWT reserve Kings Castle Wood near Wells.

  • We will be checking the older boxes, and seeing if the boxes newly erected in May have any residents.
  • This will involve 2-3km of walking to access, 10:30 AM start.
  • email Josh if you would like to come along.

Sat 3rd October ’26 – PippyG-athon – Bat Recorder Building Workshop

In a world first* we’ll be running a PippyG-athon. This is for anyone who wants to build one or more of the PippyG ultrasound recorders. The PippyG is a AudioMoth alike reorder, but with the huge advantage of triggering for bats (or birds).
We’ll start in the morning and just keep going until everyone has built as many as they want!

email to enquire if there are spaces – somersetbatgroup@gmail.com
Full details: https://somersetbat.group/advice/which-bat-detector/build-detector/

“*” = “probably”

2027

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.

NBMP WINTER HIBERNATION COUNTS – Jan & Feb ’27

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.

Sat 3rd April ’27 – Heal – Bat Detector Workshop

A private workshop for Heal rewilding near Witham Friary. However depending on the numbers taking part from Heal, there may be spaces available to Bat Group members. Email us to be added to the waiting list.

  • 10AM to 1PM and possibly 2 to 5 PM if demand

Sat 17th April – 2027 Bat Group Annual meeting

We will hold our 2027 annual meeting in Othery Village Hall, central Somerset. Come along and get involved!

Agenda and pre-meeting notes are published here.

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

Tues 18th May 2027 – 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 20:59, so meet at 8:30PM for the briefing.  Count starts at 9:15, ends at 10:15PM.

Sat 3rd October – PippyG-athon – Bat Recorder Building Workshop

In a world first* we’ll be running a PippyG-athon. This is for anyone who want to build one or more of the PippyG ultrasound recorders. The PippyG is a AudioMoth alike reorder, but with the huge advantage of triggering for bats (or birds).
We’ll start in the morning and just keep going until everyone has built as many as they want!

Costs are:

  • Each PippyG = £15
  • You can make a weather proof case (we have 2 designs) = £2.50 each
  • Optional soft shell carry case (if available) = £1 each
  • We’ll have to cover venue hire, so £5 for the first PippyG made, then £2.50 extra for each subsequent one.

There are only 2 spaces left, so please email to book ASAP – somersetbatgroup@gmail.com

If there is more demand we may run PippyG-athons or Bat Detector making workshops nearer to you. Simply drop us a email to register your interest, and say which model of detector you are interested in building – somersetbatgroup@gmail.com

“*” = “probably”

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