Residents of East Devon are being invited to become ‘bat detectives’ to help the Devon Wildlife Trust survey the local population of the nocturnal creatures.
Participants will borrow an electronic bat detector from the Trust and place it in their gardens for three consecutive nights. The detectors record the ultrasonic signals made by bats as they fly around in the dark.
The 2024 Devon Bat Survey begins on Tuesday, May 7, and will run until early October. Bat detectors for taking part in the survey can be picked up at the Younghayes Centre in Cranbrook, St Bridget Garden Centre in Clyst St Mary, The Garden Shop in Colyton and the Devon Wildlife Trust's HQ at Cricklepit Mill in Exeter.
Lindsay Mahon from the Devon Wildlife Trust coordinates the bat survey as part of her work for Saving Devon’s Treescapes project. She said: “Last year our wonderful volunteer bat detectives recorded more than 350,000 bat passes – that is, records of bats flying by. Many of these were common kinds of bat such as pipistrelles, but the surveys also turned up several rarities including threatened greater horseshoe bats.
“The results of the bat survey provide us with an invaluable insight into the habits of these fascinating animals. We use its results to help direct our work to where it’s needed most – protecting the homes and feeding grounds of Devon’s bat populations.”
To sign up a volunteer bat detective, visit the Devon Wildlife Trust website https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/devon-bat-survey-2024 Participants book the dates on which they want to undertake their survey and then arrange to pick up their bat detector from one of 12 host centres dotted around the county. After three nights of recording, they return their bat detector and upload their survey recordings to an online system which analyses the sounds and returns the results showing which types of bats were detected.
Bookings for bat detectors will open on Tuesday, May 7.
Lindsay Mahon said: “We encourage people of all ages, in all parts of the county, to join in and take part in the Devon Bat Survey. All we ask is that you place your detector in a secure location, such as a private garden, follow the instructions we provide, and then enjoy your results. My top tip is to sign up early to take part as bookings fill up fast.”
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