Are you an ecologist or graduate ecologist currently working towards your Class 2 bat survey licence? Or perhaps a volunteer or trainee bat worker working towards your Voluntary Bat Roost Visitor Licence? In order to attain either of these licences, you need to have experience and training in the use of endoscopes to survey for bats. Even if you already have a class 2 licence, you are not covered to use endoscopes unless you have been trained to do so.

This workshop introduces you to the basics, theory and principles of endoscope surveys for bats, and gives you the chance to practice your field skills, all under the licences of the course leaders, Morgan Hughes and Scott Brown from the Birmingham and Black Country Bat Group.

So why not join us for the day for this course which we run yearly as a fundraiser for our Urban Bat Project. All proceeds go to buying equipment and materials for this important conservation project. This year, a full buffet lunch is provided (as well as tea and coffee). Our survey site is the beautiful Gumslade Wood, Sutton Park - an area of ancient woodland full of veteran oak and holly trees (also frequented by Exmoor ponies!).

Attendees of last year's course said:

“Very informative, a good amount of opportunity to practice with equipment.”

“Very inclusive and welcoming course.”

“Great teaching, really good to split into small groups for the practical, almost had one to one tuition.”

“Really informative and pitched well at all levels”

“Great to get so much practice/experience of endoscoping and hear from experienced ecologists on the topic.”

“Very friendly and helpful group members and team leaders. Very engaging and informative!”

All equipment is provided. Here's the run-down on the course:

Workshop Itinerary

10:00 - Arrival, welcome and introductions

10:15 - Indoor Theory Part I

• Licensing and legislation
• Ethics and disturbance
• Roosting Ecology
• Survey planning

11:15 - Coffee Break (Included in ticket price)

11:30 - Indoor Theory Part II

• Potential Roost Features (PRFs) in Trees
• Potential Roost Features in Structures
• Biological Recording Principles
• Equipment

12:30 - Buffet Lunch (Included in ticket price)

13:00 - Walk to the Survey Site

13:15 - Equipment Briefing

• Ladder Safety
• Using a handheld GPS
• Using torches and mirrors
• Setting up your endoscope
• Planning your approach

13:45 - Outdoor practical (two hours of endoscope practice in teams, supervised by an experienced volunteer)

15:45 - Return and roundup

16:00 - Workshop ends

What you need to Bring

• Notebook
• Stout footwear
• Appropriate clothing (warm/waterproof)

What you need to know:

Using an endoscope to survey for bats is a licensable activity, and during this course, you will be working under the survey licences of the course leaders. This course does NOT give you a bat licence, and you will NOT receive a reference for a bat licence application as part of this course. You will, however, receive a certificate of attendance, and we will sign logbooks. We also encourage you to add a full day of training to your CPD record.

You will need to be a member of the Birmingham and Black Country Bat Group (BrumBats) in order to be covered by our events insurance.

You can join on the day or anytime prior to the course by going to www.brumbats.org.uk and click on the membership tab. Any questions, email info@brumbats.org.uk