Our guide to...a Sunset Bat Search
The Bat Conservation Trust's sunset survey is ideal if you've never done any bat recording before - you don't even need a bat detector!
All you need to do is spend an hour at dusk or dawn looking for bats, in your garden, watching from your window, or in your local neighbourhood. You might be surprised to learn that the vast majority of people who do this survey end up seeing bats - it's almost guaranteed! You can also take this opportunity to look for other nocturnal wildlife, like tawny owls, hedgehogs and foxes.
Useful Resources:
The Bat Conservation Trust has a 'Simple Species ID Tips' sheet specifically for the sunset bat survey. It's a great way of learning the key features of each common bat species, including the way they fly, their favourite habitats and how to use a bat detector to find them.
Top Tips for Bat Watching:
- Bats eat insects, which are often more numerous in vegetated areas - so head towards trees or gardens for the best chance of finding them.
- Using a bat detector to pick up bat calls is a great way of letting you know whether there are bats in the area.
- If you're bothered by midges, wear some midge repellent
You can visit the Bat Conservation Trust's website for more information.