Charity seeks ‘Bat Detectives’ to aid in Devon conservation

Their annual Devon Bat Survey is gearing up for its ninth year, and they're looking for volunteers to join the cause.

Starting May 7, the survey asks volunteers to host special bat detectors in their gardens for three nights.

These detectors pick up the sounds bats make as they fly around at night.

Last year, volunteers recorded over 350,000 bat flights, helping scientists learn about different bat species in the area.

This information is crucial for protecting bat habitats.

The survey runs until October, and anyone can join in for free.

Just sign up on the Devon Wildlife Trust website and choose your survey dates.

Then, pick up your bat detector from one of 12 locations around the county.

Host Centres for Borrowing Bat Detectors around North Devon:

• Puffing Billy Café, Great Torrington, North Devon
• Northam Burrows Country Park, Northam, North Devon
• Braunton Burrows Countryside Centre, Braunton, North Devon

Additional locations include:

• Avon Mill Garden Centre, Loddiswell, South Devon
• St Bridget Garden Centre, Clyst St. Mary, East Devon
• Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust, Occombe Farm, Paignton
• The Garden Shop, Colyton, East Devon
• Churchinford & District Community Shop, Blackdown Hills
• Becky Falls, Manaton, Dartmoor
• The Tamar Valley Centre, Gunnislake, West Devon
• Devon Wildlife Trust, Cricklepit Mill, Exeter
• Younghayes Centre in Cranbrook, East Devon

For more info and to sign up, visit the Devon Wildlife Trust website.

Bookings open on May 7.

Remember, you must book your participation before collecting a bat detector.

Book here: https://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/devon-bat-survey-2024