Archive – 2026 Events

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.

Sat 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

Sat 28th March – Bat Detector Building Workshop, Levels

You can build your own LOW cost, and HIGHLY capable bat detector from the Pipistrelle family of devices.

Click here for full details of how the workshops work, and what you need to bring.

Sat 11th April – Bat Detector Building Workshop, Taunton

You can build your own LOW cost, and HIGHLY capable bat detector from the Pipistrelle family of devices.

Click here for full details of how the workshops work, and what you need to bring.

Sat 11th APRIL – Ultrasound Recorder Building Workshop, Taunton

You can build your own LOW cost, and HIGHLY capable ultrasound recorder from the Pipistrelle family of devices. This is a more advanced workshop for those with some electronics experience, such as attending a bat detector workshop before.

Click here for full details of how the workshops work, and what you need to bring.

Sat 18th April – 2026 Bat Group Annual meeting

We will hold our 2026 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

Sat 25th April – BCT SW Bat Conference – Barnstaple

Booking is now open for the South West of England Bat Conference 2026, which is being held on the 25th of April at North Devon College (Petroc), Barnstaple, EX31 2BQ.

This one-day event is an opportunity for anyone interested in bats, from hobbyists and volunteers to professional bat workers, to spend time together updating their knowledge, sharing best practice, developing their skills and catching up on the latest ‘bat chat’. The day includes a mixture of short and long talks on projects and new knowledge, and a choice of practical workshops. There will also be plenty of time for catching up with friends or making some new acquaintances among the other bat enthusiasts!

To book your place at the conference, please see our website: https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/conferences-symposia/english-regional-bat-conferences/south-west-of-england-bat-conference/

Fri 1st May – Frome Big Bat Count

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

Sat 2nd May – 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 existing boxes, and hopefully erecting 14+ new ones.
  • This will involve 2-3km of walking to access, 10 AM start.
  • email Josh if you would like to come along.

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