Bats aren't just extremely cute, they also play a key role in pest control, pollination and seed dispersal. Their presence (or absence) can reflect the overall health of an ecosystem, which is why protecting these wonderful creatures is so important.
Led by the Bat Conservation Lab at the University of Bath and in partnership with BTO, North Somerset Council and the Avon Wildlife Trust, the North Somerset Bat Survey aims to collect data on bats across the county, whilst engaging the public with bat conservation.
The North Somerset Bat Survey is a 'citizen science project' and it relies on members of the public to conduct bat monitoring surveys. So, for 6 nights in September, we will be deploying two ultrasonic bat detectors at Riverside Holiday Village near Weston-super-Mare to collect data on the activities of any bat species around our holiday park.
Joining the effort is easy; volunteers can select a 1km square 'survey site' from the project survey map and reserve a survey kit from one of the many Detector Housing Centres in the region (including Weston-super-Mare library).
Dozens of squares across North Somerset have already been selected, but more volunteers are still needed; including 'priority' squares around Locking, Hutton and Haywood Village.
This years North Somerset Bat Survey will take place from 1st May - 1st November 2025. To register, book equipment or learn about the project, visit batconservationresearchlab.co.uk
We look forward to sharing the results of our survey!
