Current Status of bat events in Somerset
Please see this page for full details of the current event risk level, and our strategies to protect bats.
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.
- Keep an eye on our Facebook group for requests for help from Surveyors
- More details about the hibernation survey on BCTs website
- Find results of previous years surveys on our website
BAT GROUP AGM – 22nd APRIL 2023
We will hold our AGM 2023, in Othery Village Hall again, central Somerset
- Sat 22nd April @ 2PM
- Othery Village Hall, Fore Street, Othery, Somerset TA7 0QU
- Google Map link – OS map link
If you would prefer not to attend in person, we hope to stream the meeting via Zoom, and will add meeting details nearer the time. 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 contribute
Agenda and officers pre-meeting reports will be posted here in the first week of April 2023.
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 before 1st April 2023: somersetbatgroup@gmail.com
Fri 19th May 2023 – 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.
- Sunset is 9:01 PM, so meet at 8:20 PM for 9:05 PM count start.
- Contact Jolyon for details.
Sat 20th May 2023 – Levels Bat box Checks
Dani Smith will be leading the checks of the bat boxes at Canada farm, Shapwick, Catcott and possibly if time Meare Heath Loxtons plot. Backup date is 27th May for any that are missed on 20th.
- 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 21st May 2023 – Harridge Bat Box Checks
Ash die-back and recent storms have had a huge impact on the woods. Hence many of the bat boxes have been moved in 2022 under licence. We will be checking bat boxes in their new locations and perhaps rehanging a few repaired ones. If time we may also check the 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
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 an experienced bat worker, 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 – 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
Sat 10th June 2023 (tbc) – Wedmore Bioblitz – Big Bat Count
As part of the Wilder Wedmore festival, we hope to be taking part in their Bioblitz this weekend.
Help from bat group members would be very welcome.
- Sunset is 9:24 PM, so meet at 8:45 PM for briefing, and 9:30 PM count start.
- Contact Andy for details of the bat count, or Steve Mewes for wider bioblitz/festival details.
Sat 16th Sept 2023 – Levels Bat box Checks
Dani Smith will be leading the checks of the bat boxes at Canada farm, Shapwick, Catcott and possibly if time Meare Heath Loxtons plot. Backup date is 23rd Sept for any that are missed on 16th.
- 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 17th Sept 2023 – Harridge Bat Box Checks
We will be checking the 30 bat boxes in Harridge Woods west, and if time, we may also check the Keepers Cottage bat house.
- 11AM start. Bring packed lunch
- Contact Adel if you would like to reserve a place, and for info on the meeting location