UNEP/EUROBATS

Part of Somerset Wildlife Trust’s Great Somerset Wildlife Count, and in partnership with the Somerset Bat Group, the Big Bat Count Bridgwater is your chance to get involved in real-time, night-time monitoring of bat species and use the very latest, cutting edge bat detecting technology to collect data about bat activity in our urban environments. The more data we collect about the county’s bats, the better we can conserve the habitats they call home.

There are two ways to get involved, please read these details in full before booking:

1. Guided bat survey walk:

Starting out at Bridgwater Town Hall (approx 7.45pm exact time tbc) you will join an expert bat ecologist for a guided session around Bridgwater. You’ll be tracking the bats you come across using a bat detector, at the same time get insights from the expert about what to look out for on your own patch and some things you can do to support their habitats.

Please book a ticket for each person who would like to attend. Suitable for ages 8+. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

2. Group survey:

First you need to recruit a team! This could be your friends, family, scout group or colleagues. Then, have a think about the area you'd like to survey, such as your street, park or school grounds.

Starting out at Bridgwater Town Hall (approx 7.15pm exact time tbc) you’ll get a short briefing, collect a bat detector and your group will head out to a chosen area of Bridgwater. We have divided Bridgwater into 9 ‘zones’ and when checking out your ticket purchase, you will be asked to select your preferred zone. You could survey near your street or local park, or ask the experts for tips on where to explore within your zone. Then head back to base to return your kit and find out the results.

Groups must contain at least 3 adults (18+), one whom must have use of an iNaturalist account on their phone. Please be aware your team will not be accompanied by a member of staff or volunteer during the survey. At least one member of the group must attend the briefing and debrief at Bridgwater Town Hall.

Group ‘leads’ should book ONE GROUP TICKET per group.

Can't make the date or want to record elsewhere? Find out more about running your own Big Bat Count: https://somersetbat.group/bats/count/