We share the results of our North Somerset Bat Survey

Over 6 nights this autumn, two ultrasonic bat detectors were deployed at Riverside Holiday Village in Bleadon, capturing more than 6,000 recordings in total!

With our riverside location and close proximity to the Mendips, it's safe to say that we were expecting evidence of some bat activity, but the results were way beyond our expectations!

Of the 16 known breeding bat species found in Somerset, 15 appear to have been detected on our recordings - including the rare Grey Long-eared Bat! But that's not all! We also appear to have detected evidence of Alcathoe Bats - a species which, according to the Somerset Bat Group, has yet to be found in Somerset - although further verification would be needed to confirm their presence.

As well as being incredibly cute, these tiny creatures play a crucial role in pest control, pollination and seed dispersal. Their presence (or absence) can reflect the overall health of an ecosystem, so it's fantastic to know that there are so many species present in the area.

This year’s North Somerset Bat Survey will take place until the 1st November 2025, so there's still time to get involved.

Visit batconservationresearchlab.co.uk for more information.