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.

Sun 10th May – 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

Tues 12th May – 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

Sat 16th May – 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 24th May – Great Breach bat box checks

Josh Butterworth will be leading the checks of the bat boxes at Great Breach Woods, south of Street.

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

Thurs 28th May – Bat Walk for Green Ilminster

Join a guided walk along the Stop Line Way and discover the bats of Ilminster: 8.30pm-approx.10.30pm. Email info@greenilminster.org.uk to register. Experienced members are welcome to help.

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

Sat 13th June – Shepton Beauchamp Big Bat Count

New date due to weather. 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 21:27, so meet at 9PM for the briefing. Count starts at 9:45, ends at 10:45PM

Sat 20th June – 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.

  • 10:30AM to 1:30 PM

Weds 24th June – Berrow Big Bat Count

Returning to the coast for another Big Bat Count for the Berrow Conservation Group. The aim is to cover Berrow Dunes Local Nature reserve, and the Holiday Resort, Unity. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 21:32, so meet at 9:05PM for the briefing. 9:50 PM count start & 10:50 PM count end.

Sat 27th June – Heal Rewilding Big Bat Count

Rescheduled due to weather. An event for Heal rewilding near Witham Friary. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 21:29 PM, so meet at 9PM for the briefing. 9:45 PM count start & 10:45 PM count end.

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