Archive – 2024 events

NBMP WINTER HIBERNATION COUNTS – Jan & Feb’24

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.

Winter Zoom talks’24

Our friends in the Avon Bat group have organised a series of winter Zoom online talks. In the spirit of collaboration, they have extended the invitation to these events to Somerset (and Wilts) Bat group members. They promise to be very interesting so please do attend if you can.

Thurs 18th Jan 2024 7.30PM – Thomas Foxley, UWE – Greater Horseshoes

Tom is a Post Graduate Researcher in the Ecology & Conservation Research Lab at UWE. Those who caught Toms presentation to SBG in March this year will recall the fascinating early insights he was gaining into the Greater Horseshoe populations in North Somerset. He was presenting very early results to us last spring so expect a full update now, with another years GPS and radio tracking data and modelling results.

Cancelled Thurs 22nd Feb 2024 7.30PM – Emma Stone, Bath Uni

Unfortunately, cancelled due to illness.
Emma needs no introduction to SBG members. She is now the Senior Lecturer, Assistant Professor in the Milner Centre for Evolution at the University of Bath where she leads the Bat Conservation Research Lab. She will be updating us on her latest research.

Sat 23rd Mar 2024 – SBG visit to Heal rewilding.

There will be an initial presentation and talk in the farmhouse, before a short walk around part of the site, including teas, coffees, and biscuits of course.

  • Sat 23rd Mar 2024 at 11 AM.
  • Lower West Barn Farm, Bindon Lane, Witham Friary, Frome, BA11 5HH
  • They appear on Google Maps as ‘Heal Somerset’
  • what3words is ///units.rollers.eyepieces
  • Please bring a pair of wellies or sturdy walking boots for the walk around the site as it can be incredibly wet, muddy, and slippery.

Park in the signed visitor parking (under barns approx. 100m from the main house) as there won’t be enough space by the farmhouse. Find out more about Heal on their website: https://www.healsomerset.org.uk/

No need to book, just turn up. We have opened this event up to members of the Wilts (and Avon) Bat groups as well.

Sun 21st April ’24 – 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. If time allows we may also check the Wadbury Bat house.

  • 11AM start. Bring packed lunch
  • This event is now full, please contact Amber if you would like go on the waiting list.

BAT GROUP AGM – Sat 27th APRIL 2024

We will hold our AGM 2024, in Othery Village Hall again, central Somerset. Come along and get involved!

Full details: https://somersetbat.group/about/meet/

Fri 10th May – FROME BIG BAT COUNT #1

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

Sun 12th May ’24 – Harridge Bat Box Checks

Note: change of date. Ash die-back and storms have had a huge impact on the Harridge woods (north of Shepton). Hence many of the bat boxes have been moved in recent years under licence. If time, we may also check the Keepers Bat house as well.

  • 11AM start. Bring packed lunch
  • This event is now full, Contact Adel if you would like go on the waiting list..

Sun 12th May ’24 – 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
  • This event is now full, please email Josh if you would like go on the waiting list.

Fri 17th May ’24 – Highbridge Big Bat Count

A big bat count for Our Highbridge, as part of the Brue Green pathways project. 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.

Fri 17th May onwards – Grey Long-eared Trapping and Radio tracking 1

The plan is to set up a couple of hours before sunset, and trap for two nights, with a small team of 6-8 people. If any GLE are trapped and radio tagged then we will track them until we have located all their roosts, or their tags run out of battery/fall off (about 9 days).

We wouldn’t trap or track in periods of poor weather, so bearing this in mind, the current plan (which may change) is:

  • Trapping 1 – Fri 17th and Sat 18th May 2024 at Montacute National Trust
    • Update: Over 25 people have already offered to help with this trapping session, hence we will contact directly only those best placed to help.
  • Radio tracking 1 – IF we catch any GLE, then possible from Sat 18th May right though to Mon 27th May.
    • Update: No bats were radio tagged at the weekend, and so no tracking
    • Most of the radio tracking will be done during the day to locate the roosts, and then, if possible, arrange to do emergence counts in the evening.
    • If there are enough keen people, then night time tracking might show good foraging areas and night roosts.

It’s proving very popular so preference will be given to local members who can do some trapping and radio tracking. If you would like to offer to help please say what dates you can do: somersetbatgroup@gmail.com.

More details about the GLE project on our website: https://somersetbat.group/bats/gle/

PostponeD Sat 25th May ’24 – Levels Bat box Checks

Sadly the Dani Smith is not able to lead this now. She would have been leading the checks of the bat boxes at Canada Farm, Shapwick and Catcott.

Sat 25th May ’24 – East Mendips Bat box Checks

Josh will be leading the checks of the boxes of the SWT reserves, Kings Castle Wood (near Wells) and Withial Combe (nearest Pilton).

  • At Kings Castle we will be checking the 11 existing boxes and erecting 3 new ones. Will involve 2-3km of walking to access.
  • Withial Combe has 6 boxes to check, with nocule resident the last time we looked
  • 10AM start. Parking is very tight at each site so numbers will be limited.
  • There may be one space left, email Josh to enquire.

Fri 31st May onwards – Grey Long-eared Trapping and Radio tracking 2

The plan is to set up a couple of hours before sunset, and trap for two nights with a small team of 6 to 8 people. If any GLE are trapped and radio tagged then we will track them until we have located all their roosts, or their tags run out of battery/fall off (about 9 days).

We wouldn’t trap or track in periods of poor weather, so bearing this in mind, the current plan (which may change) is:

  • Trapping 2 – Fri 31th and Sat 1st June 2024 – Montacute, then Tintinhill National Trust.
  • Radio tracking 2 – IF we catch any GLE, possible from Sat 1st June right though to Mon 10th June
    • Update: No GLE were radio tagged at the weekend, and so no tracking.

More details about the GLE project on our website: https://somersetbat.group/bats/gle/

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

Fri 12th July – CHARLTON’s BIG BAT COUNT

A repeat Big Bat Count for a local group in Charlton Mackrell. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 21:23.  Meet at 8:45PM for a 9:30 count start, 10:30 count end

JULY – NBMP FIELD SURVEYS

The field survey takes place in July and monitors noctule, serotine, common pipistrelle and soprano pipistrelle. It is done by two 1km recording walks, starting 20mins after sunset.  Click here for more details

Fri 19th July – “Using Your Ears” Bat Detector Workshop

The Group is hosting an in-person workshop: NBMP Level 2 “Using Your Ears” Bat Detector Workshop, Avalon Marshes, Somerset, 19th July 2024, 7.30pm to 11pm. The event is free to Somerset Bat Group members.

This introductory bat detector workshop involves an evening classroom session followed by a practical field session starting around dusk. 

Bat sounds are broken down into four elements in order to train people’s sonic memory and aid species identification using a heterodyne bat detector in the field. The focus is on pipistrelles, noctule, serotine and Daubenton’s bat as these illustrate a range of different bat sounds.
The workshop will be led by Edward Wells.

AUGUST – NBMP WATERWAYS SURVEYS

Monitoring the activity of Daubenton’s bats along Somersets waterways. Two waterside recording walks, starting 40mins after sunset. Click here for more details

Fri 2nd Aug onwards – GREY LONG-EARED TRAPPING AND RADIO TRACKING 3 – Exmoor

The plan is to set up a couple of hours before sunset, and trap for two nights with a small team of 6 to 8 people.  If any GLE are trapped and radio tagged then we will track them until we have located all their roosts, or their tags run out of battery/fall off (about 9 days).

We wouldn’t trap or track in periods of poor weather, so bearing this in mind, the current plan is:

  • Trapping 3 – Fri 2nd Dunster Castle, and Sat 3rd August at Holnicote
  • Radio tracking 3 – IF we catch any GLE, then possible for the following 9 days
    • Update: No GLE were radio tagged at the weekend, and so no tracking.

It’s proving very popular, and this session is full.

More details about the GLE project on our website: https://somersetbat.group/bats/gle/

Fri 9th August – Beggearn Huish Big Bat Count

A Big Bat Count for a community group in this village, and our first one on the borders of Exmoor National Park. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 8:43 PM, so meet at 8 PM for the briefing, and a 8:50 PM count start.

Sat 10th August – Castle Cary Big Bat Count

The location of our first Big Bat Count, and our now our third one in Cary. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 8:42 PM, so meet at 8 PM for the briefing, and a 8:50 PM count start.

Fri 16th AUG – FROME BIG BAT COUNT #2

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

  • Sunset is 8:30 PM, so meet at 7:45 PM for the briefing, and a 8:45 PM count start.
  • Steve Roe, BCT Trustee, will be visiting to record an episode of the podcast Bat Chat.

Fri 16Th August ONWARDS – GREY LONG-EARED TRAPPING AND RADIO TRACKING 4

The plan is to set up a couple of hours before sunset, and trap for two nights with a small team of 6 to 8 people. If any GLE are trapped and radio tagged then we will track them until we have located all their roosts, or their tags run out of battery/fall off (about 9 days).

We wouldn’t trap or track in periods of poor weather, so bearing this in mind, and that fact we didn’t catch any GLE the previous weekend on Exmoor, the plan is:

  • Trapping 4
  • Fri 16th August 2024 @ Highbridge
    • Update: 3 male GLE were trapped, two of which were radio tagged
  • Sat 17 @ Kewstoke (W-s-M)
    • Update: No GLE trapped on a colder night with occasional rain
  • Radio tracking 4 – Near Highbridge, from Sat 17th right though to Mon 26th Aug
    • Most of the radio tracking will be done during the day to locate the roosts, and then, if possible, arrange to do emergence counts in the evening.
    • If there are enough keen people, then night time tracking might show good foraging areas and night roosts.

It’s proving very popular so preference will be given to local members who can do some trapping and radio tracking. If you would like to offer to help please say what dates you can do: somersetbatgroup@gmail.com

More details about the GLE project on our website: https://somersetbat.group/bats/gle/

Sat 17th AUG – Bridgwater BIG BAT COUNT

A Big Bat Count hosted for the friends of Wilstock and Stockmoor Country Park. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 8:28 PM, so meet at 8PM for the briefing, and a 8:45 PM count start.

Tues 20th AUGUST 24 – Bat Walk for WDWG

Back by popular demand, Adel will be leading Dave’s bat walk around the Bishops Palace Moat for Wells & District Wildlife Group. 8pm – 9:30pm.

Experienced members are welcome to help – email Adel for details, and to offer to assist.

Fri 30tH Aug – Lytes Cary Bat Walk

A Bat walk being run for the National Trust by the community in Kingsdon. Help from bat group members to answer batty questions would be welcome, contact Ian directly if you can help.

Sunset and likely count start is 8:15 PM to 8PM

Sat 31st Aug – Kingsdon Big Bat Count

A Big Bat Count being run by the community in Kingsdon. Help from bat group members to answer batty questions would be welcome, contact Ian directly if you can help.

Sunset and likely count start is 8:15 PM to 8PM

W’end 6/7/8 Sept – Stoke St Gregory Big Bat Count

Cancelled due to weather: A SWT promoted Big Bat Count for Stoke St Gregory environment group. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact Bryony if you can help.

Fri 13th Sept – Ham Hill Big Bat Count

Big Bat count being organised by Helen Hawke among the villages around Ham Hill, west of Yeovil.

  • Sunset is 7:30 PM, so meet at 6:45 PM for the briefing, and a 7:30 PM count start
  • Contact Helen for count details.

SAt 14th Sept – 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 15th Sept – Harridge Bat Box Checks

Ash die-back and storms have had a huge impact on the Harridge woods (north of Shepton). Hence many of the bat boxes have been moved in recent years under licence. 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 21st Sept – East Mendips Bat box Checks

Josh will be leading the checks of the boxes of the SWT reserves, Kings Castle Wood (near Wells) and Withial Combe (nearest Pilton).

  • At Kings Castle we will be checking the 14 existing boxes and erecting 3 new ones. Will involve 2-3km of walking to access.
  • Withial Combe has 6 boxes to check,
  • 10AM start. Parking is very tight at each site so numbers will be limited.
  • Please email Josh for details.

Sat 21st Sept – Taunton Big Bat Count

Cancelled due to weather: Returning to Taunton to repeat our 2022 Big Bat Count launch event. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

Sun 22nd Sept – Edford Bat Box Checks

Cancelled due to weather: 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. If time allows we may also check the Wadbury Bat house.

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

Sat 28th Sept – Levels Bat box Checks

Note: new date. 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