Thermal Vision for Bats: Practical Applications in Ecology

Thermal imaging is rapidly becoming a valuable tool in ecological surveying, allowing wildlife to be detected and tracked based on heat rather than visible light. In bat ecology, thermal cameras offer significant advantages for emergence surveys, enabling surveyors to identify bats leaving roosts in low light or complete darkness, reduce observer bias, and improve confidence in results.

This 90-minute webinar showcases the Thermal Ecology Toolkit and explores how advanced thermal imaging and radiometric data are being applied in modern bat surveys, from survey planning and field deployment through to efficient post-survey analysis.

The event will consist of two presentations followed by a live Q&A session:

• Introduction to Advanced Thermal Imaging for Bat Emergence Surveys with Andy Milner (Thermal Vision Ecology)
• Thermal Vision Ecology Kit: Best Practice and Guidance for Bat Surveys with Dr Liat Fernando (nee Wicks) (Thermal Vision Ecology)

This session is ideal for ecologists and ecological consultants involved in planning, undertaking, or reviewing bat emergence and activity surveys.

Introduction to Advanced Thermal Imaging for Bat Emergence Surveys

Andy Milner (Thermal Vision Ecology)

Thermal imaging is becoming an increasingly important tool in bat emergence surveys, offering improved detection and greater confidence in survey outcomes. In this presentation, Andy introduces the fundamentals of thermal imaging and demonstrates how the Thermal Ecology Kit can be applied specifically to bat survey work.

The session will clarify the differences between infrared and thermal imaging before exploring radiometric data and its importance for accurately detecting and tracking bats as they emerge. Attendees will also learn how radiometric data can be used to automate and speed up video analysis, reducing review time while maintaining robust, repeatable results. This presentation is aimed at bat ecologists seeking to understand how advanced thermal technology can enhance emergence surveys and survey efficiency.

Andy Milner MSc is thermal imaging expert and has been supporting FLIR’s academic and R&D customers in the UK. After assisting on a bat survey in 2023, he identified problems ecologists faced that could be fixed by advanced thermal cameras. In 2024 he formed Thermal Vision Ecology which has so far supported over 100 customers across the UK.

Thermal Vision Ecology Kit: Best Practice and Guidance for Bat Surveys

Dr Liat Fernando (nee Wicks) (Thermal Vision Ecology)

Successful use of thermal imaging in bat surveys relies on careful planning, effective field deployment, and structured data analysis. This presentation provides practical best practice guidance for using the Thermal Vision Ecology Kit throughout the full bat survey workflow.

Liat will cover key pre-survey considerations, including how to plan camera numbers, positioning, and coverage for bat emergence surveys. The session will then focus on on-site tips to ensure surveys run smoothly and data quality is maximised, before outlining a clear post-survey analysis workflow. Real-world bat survey case studies will be used to demonstrate how these principles are applied in practice and how thermal imaging can support confident interpretation of bat activity.

Dr Liat Fernando (nee Wicks) has over 20 years’ professional experience as a bat specialist and has over 10 years' experience in using thermography to detect bats, undertake research in thermoregulation and monitor the health of animals. Her perfect blend of knowledge in these areas makes her an invaluable addition to Thermal Vision Ecology as Head Ecologist. As well as managing large projects, she oversees all aspects of training, including on-site support and video-analysis.

This webinar is delivered by the Biological Recording Company in partnership with Thermal Vision Ecology.