Archive – 2023 events

NBMP WINTER HIBERNATION COUNTS – Dec22 to Mar23

Many licenced bat workers carry out surveys of hibernation sites from December to March each year. They often need assistance or are willing to take others along.

SAT 18TH MARCH – TALK ON GREATER HORSESHOES IN SOMERSET

Researcher Tom Foxley from the Ecology and Conservation Research Lab at the University of the West of England will present his research on Greater Horseshoes across greater Somerset.

A novel, integrated approach to landscape-level strategic conservation planning for the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) in Somerset

“The aim of my PhD research is to build a detailed picture of how greater horseshoe bats use the landscape in Somerset. I’m using spatial modelling, ground-truthed with acoustic and telemetry studies, to map areas of important habitat and understand how they connect. I will be providing my results to local authorities in Somerset, enabling local decision makers to develop a regional conservation strategy that minimises the impact of development on greater horseshoe bats.”

Sat 25th March – SOUTH WEST REGIONAL BAT CONFERENCE 2023

The hybrid one day conference will be held by BCT on Saturday 25th March at Tiverton campus of Petroc College, and online via zoom.

A draft version of the programme is at: https://www.bats.org.uk/our-work/conferences-symposia/english-regional-bat-conferences/south-west-of-england-bat-conference.

  • In-person tickets, that include a vegetarian lunch and morning and afternoon refreshments are £45 for BCT/Somerset bat group members and £50 for non-members.
  • Virtual tickets are £25 for BCT/Somerset bat group members and £30 for non-members.

You can find the booking links for both ticket types on the website above

BAT GROUP AGM – Sat 22nd APRIL 2023

We will hold our AGM 2023, in Othery Village Hall again, central Somerset

If you would prefer not to attend in person, we hope to stream the meeting via Zoom.

However, it is worth pointing out, that as we found last year, trying to Zoom a meeting where many people in the same room are all online, can be a frustrating (and deafening) view. Hence please do come along in person if you would like to fully contribute.

The following documents are ready for review:

Last years 2022 AGM minutes and accounts can be found on this page.

If you would like to:

  • raise any matter as AOB at the AGM,
  • stand for the committee of SBG, 
  • or send your apologies if you can’t attend

Then please email us ASAP:  somersetbatgroup@gmail.com

Sat 22nd April – Yeovil Big Bat Count

To celebrate Earth Day along with the Wildlife Trust we are running a Big Bat Count across Yeovil. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact Andy for details if you can assist.

Fri 12th May – Frome Big Bat Count

A Big Bat Count hosted by the Wild Bunch with support from Frome Town Council. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 8:50 PM, so meet at 8 PM for the briefing, and a 8:50 PM count start.
  • Meeting at Frome Town Hall.

Fri 19th May – Buckland St Mary Big Bat Count

A private big bat count on the Blackdowns for Buckland St Mary parish environment group. Backup date in case of weather is 20th May.

Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 9:01 PM, so meet at 8:15 PM for the briefing, and a 9 PM count start.
  • Contact Jolyon for details.

Sat 20th May – Gt.Breach and Ham Wall Bat box Checks

Josh Butterworth will be leading the checks of the bat boxes at Great Breach Wood (just south of Street), and Ham Wall on the levels.

  • 10AM start. Bring packed lunch
  • Please email Josh if you would like to reserve a space, and for info on the meeting location

Sun 21st May – Harridge Bat Box Checks

Ash die-back and recent storms have had a huge impact on the Harridge woods (north of Shepton). Hence many of the bat boxes have been moved recently under licence. We will be checking bat boxes in their new locations and perhaps rehanging a few new, and some repaired ones. If time, we may also check the Keepers Bat house as well.

  • 11AM start. Bring packed lunch
  • Contact Adel if you would like to reserve a place, and for info on the meeting location

Sat 27th May – Levels Bat box Checks

Dani Smith will be leading the checks of the bat boxes at Canada Farm, Shapwick and Catcott. Backup date is 28th May for any that are missed on 27th.

  • 10:30AM start. Bring packed lunch, or 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

Sun 28th May – Edford Bat Box Checks

Clearance works due to Ash die-back have also had a significant impact on the ride through Edford Woods (north of Shepton), and most of the bat boxes had to be moved. We will check the existing bat boxes and hang new ones to double the number in the woods. If time allows we may also check the Wadbury Bat house.

  • 11AM start. Bring packed lunch
  • Contact Adel if you would like to reserve a place, and for info on the meeting location