Archive – 2019 events

Burrington Coombe – Sun 13th Jan 2019

Pete Banfield is doing Burrington Coombe cave hibernation surveys on Sunday 13th Jan 2019.

There are 3 spaces left, if you would like to attend please let me know asap as it is first come first served, contact Pete directly at pete.banfield@btinternet.com or call 07774454266.

Burrington Coombe cave hibernation survey – Sun 10 Feb 2019

Pete Banfield is doing Burrington Coombe cave hibernation surveys again.  If you would like to attend please let me know asap as it is first come first served, contact Pete directly at pete.banfield@btinternet.com or call 07774454266.

Cave checks for bats – 12th March 2019

AGM – Saturday 27th April 2019 – Callow Rock, SWT offices

Come find about our plans for 2019, and have a say in the running of the group.

Bat Box checks Taunton  – Sat 18th May 2019

Checking the boxes in  Comeytrowe Park and Longrun Meadow, Taunton. Contact leader if attending

Levels Bat Box checks – Sat 25th May 2019

Checking bat boxes in Westhay, Catcott SWT reserves, Shapwick Heath & Canada Farm (NE).  Last year we found the earliest pups in the country, what will this year bring?

  • Contact leader if coming: Paul Kennedy 0757 2594096
  • 10am > 3pm.  All day event, bring packed lunch.
  • Westhay SWT, Daggs Lane Drove ST456437/Catcott SWT ST399414

Shepton Mallet Bat walk – Fri 31st May 2019

A public bat walk for Darshill and Bowlish Conservation Group.  Help from Bat group members appreciated, please let Adel know if coming as parking is “challenging”.

  • Leader: Adel Avery
  • Approx. 2 hours – Meet 1/2 hour after sunset (sunset is 9:15PM)

National Bat Monitoring Programs

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 most 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

25th July to 7th September – NBMP Woodland Surveys

  • Monitoring barbastelles at sites designated as Special Areas of Conservation.
  • One hour recording transects in mature broadleaved Somerset woodlands.

August – NBMP Waterways Surveys

  • Monitoring activity of Daubenton’s bats along Somersets waterways.
  • Two waterside recording walks, starting 40mins after sunset – more details

Holnicote, Exmoor Bat Survey – June to Sept

Basil Stow the National Trust Area Ranger for the Holnicote estate on Exmoor, has been in touch to ask for bat group members help with an exciting bat survey this summer.   More details here

Wells Bat Walk –  Tuesday 20th August 2019

Join Wells Museum for “a fascinating bat walk using bat detectors, led by David Cottle of the Wells Natural History & Archaeological Society (WNHAS).   NO BOOKING NECESSARY.  Price: £2 per person.  All money raised will be split between Wells & Mendip Museum and the Bat Club.”

  • 8.15pm  Setting off from the Bishop’s Palace drawbridge
  • Leader: David Cottle (01749 674257) 
  • Bishop’s Palace, Wells, BA52PD, parking nearby Market Square or Silver St.

Wells Bat Walk –  Tuesday 27th August 2019

Dave’s hugely popular walk for Wells and Mendip SWT group, round Bishop’s  Palace, Wells.  Public event, but due to the large numbers attending bat group support welcome, email leader if coming to help

  • 8 to 10pm  Meet: by gatehouse over moat.
  • Leader: David Cottle (01749 674257) 
  • Bishop’s Palace, Wells, BA52PD, parking nearby Market Square or Silver St.

Frome Bat Walk – Sat 7th September 2019

Another popular public walk this time lead by Adel for Frome Outdoor Open Spaces Group event at Welshmill Park, Frome.  Bat group members support welcome, please email Adel  if attending. £2 pp. (non members)

  • 7pm for 7:15 start, to 9 pm ish
  • Leader: Adel Avery
  • Meet:  Cheese and Grain Car Park by Canoe Club in Frome.

near Frome, Bat Walk – Weds 11th September 2019

Walk for Beacon Hill Society at Liz Eley’s meadows near Frome.  Bat group members support welcome, please email Adel or Liz if offering to help.

Bat Box checks Taunton  – Sat 21st Sept 2019

Checking the boxes in  Comeytrowe Park and Longrun Meadow, Taunton. Contact leader if attending

Bat Box Checks  – Saturday 19th October 2019

Starts 10am at Great Breach (Reynald’s Way put the following lat/long into google maps and it’ll show you the meeting point 51.089525, -2.70539). This will comprise the morning visit.

For the afternoon we’ll visit Ham Wall/Loxton’s Plot and meet at the Ham Wall car park (5636+59 Glastonbury).

You can come to both/either, but do let me know if you’re coming especially to Great Breach as there’s no phone signal – so if you can’t find the meeting point you won’t be able to phone me!  Expect to see some Soprano pips, plus random bonus other species if we’re really lucky. And a nice walk through the trees!