Local Volunteer Event: Evening Bat Walk

Join bat expert Nik Knight, County Recorder from Hampshire Bat Group, to learn more about the ecology of these fascinating animals. We will then have an evening stroll of about 2km in total alongside the Itchen navigation as the skies darken and bats begin to emerge from their roosts to hunt for insects. Bat calls are usually pitched at too high a frequency for humans to hear naturally. We should be able to detect the various calls using bat detectors kindly loaned to us for the evening by Hampshire Bat Group. Historically the public perception of bats has been largely negative but bats are an important part of our ecosystem. Bats are now in need of our help as they face many threats including from loss of habitat and the decline in the abundance of nocturnal insects. Nik will talk about current work in raising people's awareness of bats and the importance of their conservation.

PLEASE NOTE in the event of a very wet or very windy evening this event will be cancelled.

Image credit: Amy Lewis