Events

Our calendar for upcoming 2019 events is below, we will be
adding more throughout the year so please do check back

Bat Box checks Taunton  – Sat 18th May 2019

Checking the boxes in  Comeytrowe Park and Longrun Meadow, Taunton. Contact leader if attending

Levels Bat Box checks – Sat 25th May 2019

Checking bat boxes in Westhay, Catcott SWT reserves, Shapwick Heath & Canada Farm (NE).  Last year we found the earliest pups in the country, what will this year bring?

  • Contact leader if coming: Paul Kennedy 0757 2594096
  • 10am > 3pm.  All day event, bring packed lunch.
  • Westhay SWT, Daggs Lane Drove ST456437/Catcott SWT ST399414

Shepton Mallet Bat walk – Fri 31st May 2019

A public bat walk for Darshill and Bowlish Conservation Group.  Help from Bat group members appreciated, please let Adel know if coming as parking is “challenging”.

  • Leader: Adel Avery
  • Approx. 2 hours – Meet 1/2 hour after sunset (sunset is 9:15PM)

National Bat Monitoring Programs

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 experienced bat worker, and in most cases they need lots of help.  Hence there any many opportunities learn more while doing you 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

July – NBMP Field Surveys

  • Monitoring noctule, serotine, common pipistrelle and soprano pipistrelle.
  • Two 1km recording walks, starting 20mins after sunset.

25th July to 7th September – NBMP Woodland Surveys

  • Monitoring barbastelles at sites designated as Special Areas of Conservation.
  • One hour recording transects in mature broadleaved Somerset woodlands.

August – NBMP Waterways Surveys

  • Monitoring activity of Daubenton’s bats along Somersets waterways.
  • Two waterside recording walks, starting 40mins after sunset

Holnicote, Exmoor Bat Survey – June to Sept

Basil Stow the National Trust Area Ranger for the Holnicote estate on Exmoor, has been in touch to ask for bat group members help with an exciting bat survey this summer.   More details here

Bruton Bat Walk – Monday 26th August 2019

Public walk  lead by Adel for Brue Crew event along the river in Bruton.  Bat group members support welcome, please email Adel  if attending.

  • 7:30 to 9:30 PM
  • Leader: Adel Avery
  • Meet:  Godminster Cheese Shop Car Park (near station)

Wells Bat Walk –  Tuesday 27th August 2019

Dave’s hugely popular walk for Wells and Mendip SWT group, round Bishop’s  Palace, Wells.  Public event, but due to the large numbers attending bat group support welcome, email leader if coming to help

  • 8 to 10pm  Meet: by gatehouse over moat.
  • Leader: David Cottle (01749 674257) 
  • Bishop’s Palace, Wells, BA52PD, parking nearby Market Square or Silver St.

Frome Bat Walk – Sat 7th September 2019 (tbc)

Another popular public walk this time lead by Adel for Frome Outdoor Open Spaces Group event at Welshmill Park, Frome.  Bat group members support welcome, please email Adel  if attending. £2 pp. (non members)

  • 7:30 to 9:30 PM
  • Leader: Adel Avery
  • Meet:  Cheese and Grain Car Park by Canoe Club in Frome.

Bat Box checks Taunton  – Sat 21st Sept 2019

Checking the boxes in  Comeytrowe Park and Longrun Meadow, Taunton. Contact leader if attending

Ham Wall Bat Box Checks  – Saturday in early September 2019 (tbc)

At both Ham Wall & Shapwick Heath NNR

Harridge Bat Box Checks  – Saturday early October 2019 (tbc)

Probably starting  in Edford before moving on to Harridge.  We regularly find a few Noctules which seem to over-winter in their box.