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.

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

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

Sat 17th June – potential NBMP Field Survey Training workshop

Potential training workshop focusing on the NBMP Field Survey methods. The date and location are to be confirmed

Sat 8th July – Castle Cary Big Bat Count

The location of our first Big Bat Count, and our first return visit for a repeat! Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 21:26PM, so meet at 8:45PM for the briefing, and a 9:30PM count start.

Fri 14th July – Drayton Big Bat Count

A Big Bat Count in Drayton near Langport. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 21:22 PM, so meet at 8:40 PM for the briefing, and a 9:25PM count start.

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 28th July – potential NBMP Waterways Survey Training workshop

Potential training workshop focusing on Daubenton’s and the NBMP Waterway Survey. The date and location are to be confirmed

Weds 2nd Aug – Kingsdon Big Bat Count

Returning to the lovely people in Kingsdon, for our second Big Bat Count there. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 20:57PM, so meet at 8:15PM for the briefing, and a 9PM count start.

Fri 18Th AUGUST – YEOVIL BIG BAT COUNT

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. Backup date in case of rain is Sat 20th.

  • Sunset is 8:28 PM, so meet at 7:45 PM for the briefing and a 8:30 PM count start, 9:30 count end
  • Contact Helen Hawke for details of the bat count.
  • Public booking forms will be on the SWT website shortly

TueS 22nd AUGUST 2022 – BAt WAlk for WDWG

Back by popular demand, Dave’s bat walk around the Bishops Palace Moat for Wells & District Wildlife Group. 8pm – 10pm.

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

Weds 23rd Aug – 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 8:17 PM, so meet at 7:30 PM for the briefing, and a 8:15 PM count start.

Thurs 24th Aug – Charlton Mackrell Big Bat Count

A Big Bat Count for a local group in Charlton Mackrell. Backup date is 25th Aug. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 8:15 PM, so meet at 7:30 PM for the briefing, and a 8:15 PM count start.

Sat 26th Aug – Bridgwater Big Bat Count for International Bat Night

As part of International Bat Night, we are running a public Big Bat Count and Bat Walk promoted by SWT in Bridgwater. The event may be live-streamed as part of the BatFest Virtual Bat Walk. Help from bat group members is needed, both in front of and behind the camera, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 8:11 PM.
  • Meet at 7:15 PM for the count briefing, and a 8:10 PM count start.
  • Bat walk meeting time is 7:45. for an 8:15 PM start to the walk.

Sat 2nd Sept – Stoke St Gregory Big Bat Count

A private big bat count for Stoke St Gregory environment group. Backup date in case of weather is Friday 1st or Sun 3rd Sept. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 7:56 PM, so meet at 7:15 PM for the briefing, and a 8:00 PM count start
  • Contact Bryony for count details.

Sun 10th 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

Tues 12th Sept – Brompton Ralph Big Bat Count

A Big Bat Count for Brompton Ralph wildlife group with support from residents of Tolland. Help from bat group members would be very welcome, contact us if you can help.

  • Sunset is 7:34 PM, so meet at 7 PM for the briefing, and a 7:40 PM count start.

Sat 16th Sept – 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 – 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

SUN 24TH Sept – EDFORD BAT BOX CHECKS

We will be checking the Bta Boxes on the ride through Edford woods, just north of Shepton. We may also visit any boxes in Harridge not surveyed the previous weekend, and if time allows, 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

2024

NBMP WINTER HIBERNATION COUNTS – Dec23 to Mar24

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.

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
  • Contact Adel if you would like to reserve a place, and for info on the meeting location

BAT GROUP AGM – Sat 27th APRIL 2024

We will hold our AGM 2024, in Othery Village Hall again, central Somerset

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

Sun 4th May ’24 – 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