Our 2021 events were limited by Covid. Click here for the latest SBG risk level and protect strategies.
Somerset Bat Group AGM – Saturday 24th April 2021
We held virtual Zoom AGM for 2021. Click here for minutes of the meeting.
National Bat Monitoring Programs
29/5/20 – BCT have issued updated advice regarding which NBMP surveys can be undertaken, more details here.
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 many 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 – more details
July – NBMP Field Surveys
- Monitoring noctule, serotine, common pipistrelle and soprano pipistrelle.
- Two 1km recording walks, starting 20mins after sunset. – more details
August – NBMP Waterways Surveys
- Monitoring activity of Daubenton’s bats along Somersets waterways.
- Two waterside recording walks, starting 40mins after sunset – more details
12th Aug – 25th Sept+ – Mendips Swarming project
Group member Lewis Hillier is organising a 2021 survey using recording devices at the entrances of Mendip caves, with the hope of tracking swarming behavior of myotis species.
In except from his post on the SBG facebook page Lewis said:
I’m looking for volunteers to help with the deployment/collection, and as much of the data analysis as you’d like to. I’m hoping that this data will inform a future trapping project where we can gather further data on species assemblage at the sites of interest.
On the 12th August 2021 at 6pm I will be doing a Zoom session to give a more detailed introduction about the project, talk about how to use the audiomoths and discuss how it will all work. This doesn’t mean you have to help, you can just listen in and see what its all about.
– On the 21st August we will deploy the Audiomoths for the first session.
– Then the 25th September we will deploy them again for the second session.Collection of audiomoths can happen any time after 5 days of them being in the field.
If you’re interested, please email me – lewishillierecologist@gmail.com
Tues 24th August 2021 – Wells BAT WALK
Dave’s hugely popular Bat walk round the Bishops Palace moat for the local SWT group. Experienced members welcome to help, email Dave for details. 8PM start.
Sat 4TH Sept 2021 – Brent Knoll BAT WALK
Public event for St. Michaels Church. Experienced members welcome to help – email Dave for details, and to offer to assist.
Fri 17TH Sept 2021 – GLASTONBURY BAT WALK
Public event for the Rural Life Museum. Experienced members welcome to help – email Adel to assist.
- 7PM to 8:30PM
- Glastonbury Rural Life Museum.
SAt 18TH Sept 2021 – Frome BAT WALK
Public event for Frome FROGS group during Big Green Week. Experienced members welcome to help – email Adel to assist.
- 7PM to 8:30PM
- Frome Market Yard.
TUES 5TH October 2021 – WELLS BAT WALK
Bat walk round the Bishops Palace moat for Wells Cubs pack. Experienced members are welcome to help, email Dave for details.