Upcoming Bat Group events

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.