BatChat
VitenskapTaking you into the field to discover the world of bat conservation. BatChat is for anyone who loves bats or has an interest in the conservation of these fascinating mammals. Ecologist and Bat Conservation Trust Trustee Steve Roe takes you on-location, talking to the experts as well as local heroes to bring you the latest from the world of bats. Series 6 is out now with episodes released every other Wednesday. In this series we travel to Northumberland to visit the UK's largest-known winter hibernation roost of pipistrelle bats, to Pembrokeshire to talk to the woman who discovered the first barbastelle bats in Wales and to the creator of a groundbreaking bat detector that's making waves in the bat conservation community. Get in touch with feedback and ideas for stories you’d like to hear: comms@bats.org.uk Bats are magical but misunderstood mammals. At the Bat Conservation Trust we have a vision of a world rich in wildlife where bats and people thrive together.
Siste episoder av BatChat podcast
- Big News – Behind the Mic (00:19:33)
We’ve hit a milestone - and it’s all thanks to you! In this special bonus episode, host Steve Roe takes you behind the scenes of BatChat: from the podcast’s beginnings in 2018 to the present day. Discover how the show came to be created, what goes into producing each episode, and enjoy a previously unreleased gem from one of our most loved guests: Dr Bob Stebbings. What’s Inside: 🦇 The origin story: How a passion for bats (and a well-timed compliment about a “Radio 4 voice”) sparked the idea ...
- Frome After Dark: A Town on the Hunt for Bats (00:35:42)
S6E66 In this episode, we're in the charming market town of Frome in Somerset, where the locals take part in a hands-on citizen science event. Armed with bat detectors, participants are sent out around town to record any bats they spot. What makes this event even more exciting is the use of iNaturalist – a popular platform that collects and shares real-time wildlife data. As participants venture out at dusk, their bat sightings are immediately transmitted to the town hall chambers, where the ...
- Restore Nature Now (00:27:29)
S6E65 In this noisy episode, we’re taking you to the heart of the Restore Nature Now march in Central London, where 60,000+ passionate individuals gathered on June 22nd 2024, to demand stronger action for nature. The Bat Conservation Trust formed part of the march in the 'air' block which started adjacent to Hyde Park where Biggles the bat flew high above the crowds. Steve speaks to people as the march progresses to Downing Street and onto Parliament Square to find out what caused them to tra...
- NightWatch: Breaking Barriers to Bat Conservation (00:24:00)
S6E64 In this episode of BatChat, we’re shining a spotlight on NightWatch, a groundbreaking community science project from the Bat Conservation Trust. Launched in 2021, NightWatch is the only initiative of its kind in the UK, helping people uncover the hidden world of nighttime wildlife while breaking down barriers that prevent communities from connecting with nature. Join host Steve Roe as he chats with Siobhan Dempsey at the Restore Nature Now march, where they discuss how NightWatch i...
- Farms, Bats & Climate: Connecting Communities (00:43:22)
S6E63 Climate change is shifting the landscape—literally. But what does that mean for wildlife, especially bats? This episode takes us into the Connecting People and Landscapes in a Changing Climate project, a hands-on effort bringing farmers, landowners, and communities together across the South-West to make the countryside work for both people and nature. Thanks to support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project is digging into how nature-friendly farming can help wildlife surv...
- The Bat Night Market (00:40:01)
S6E62 🌙 The Bat Night Market Imagine a world without bats. Ever heard of a market that comes alive at night—just like bats? We visit the Bat Night Market, an immersive event blending art, science, and nature. Inspired by bats and nocturnal life, this market offers a unique experience like no other. Find out more about what’s in store! 🔗 More about the Bat Night Market 🦇 Nene Valley Bat Group Update Juliette Butter joins us to share the latest updates from Nene Valley Bat Group. From survey r...
- Where Do Pipistrelles Go? A Winter Mystery (00:23:58)
S6E61 Recorded in the winter of 2024, in this episode we travel to the Northumberland coastline to a National Trust property called Seaton Delaval Hall. We’re there because this property is home to the UK’s largest-known pipistrelle bat hibernation roost. For many years we haven’t really known where pipistrelle bats go to hibernate. Traditional hibernation surveys in underground structures rarely turn up pipistrelles and when they do they’re in very small numbers. Our guest this week, Tina Wi...
- Into the Forest: Barbastelle Bats of Pembrokeshire (00:33:48)
S6E60. In this episode, we venture into the ancient Pengelli Forest in Pembrokeshire to uncover the story behind one of the region's most remarkable bat discoveries. Back in 2000, Margaret Clarke discovered presence of barbastelle bats, a species known for its elusive nature. Joined by Margaret Clarke and Den Vaughn, we revisit the discovery that changed our understanding of bats in Pembrokeshire and discuss how barbastelles have fared in the region since then. From the fascinating hist...
- An Evening with Somerset's Rarest Bat (00:38:34)
S6E59 This week, we’re diving into an evening adventure at the stunning Tintinhull Gardens in Somerset, owned by the National Trust. Joining the Somerset Bat Group, we’re on the hunt for one of the UK’s rarest bats – the elusive grey long-eared bat. In this episode, you’ll hear: 🦇 What makes the grey long-eared bat so rare and fascinating 🦇 The Somerset Bat Group’s efforts to discover more about this species within the County 🦇 A behind-the-scenes look at their bat survey in the beautiful gar...
- Batting on a Budget: Phil Atkin’s Game-Changing Bat Detector (00:34:49)
S6Ep58 In this episode of BatChat, Steve sits down with Phil Atkin, the creator of a groundbreaking bat detector that’s making waves in the bat conservation community. Using the Raspberry Pi Pico computer, Phil has designed a cost-effective way for people to build their own bat detectors—for just £15! Join us as we delve into: 🦇 How Phil’s love for bats sparked his innovative journey. 💻 The tech behind the Raspberry Pi Pico bat detector. 💡 Why affordable bat detectors are a game-changer for c...
- Into the Knapp: A Night Walk with Worcestershire Bat Group (00:28:56)
Step into the nocturnal world of the Knapp and Papermill Reserve with the Worcestershire Bat Group! In this immersive field recording, join us for a unique bat walk through the varied habitats of this Worcestershire Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve. This episode captures a real-time adventure as we explore the reserve at night, listening in on bat detectors and identifying an impressive array of bat species, including common and soprano pipistrelles, Daubenton's, noctule, barbastelle, serotine, ...
- Megan McCubbin (00:43:45)
S6E56 We’re back with a brand new series! At the 2024 National Bat Conference at the University of Reading, zoologist and wildlife TV presenter Megan McCubbin joined us to chair a thought-provoking debate on ethical conservation. In between sessions, Megan sat down with Steve to chat about her career, her encounters with bats, and her involvement in the Restore Nature Now march earlier this summer. Plus, we’ll bring you a couple of key updates from regional bat conservation activities over th...
- Our 6th Series is just around the corner... (00:01:41)
Get ready for an action-packed Series 6 of BatChat! This season, we're bringing you breaking news from the bat world, and that’s just the beginning. We’ll take you on a twilight bat walk, explore a buzzing night market with a twist and head deep into Somerset’s countryside in search of the elusive grey long-eared bat. Plus, we’ll venture into the heart of Pembrokeshire to uncover the secrets of a legendary woodland. Series 6 is filled with adventure, discovery, and a few surprises you won’t w...
- How to get a bat licence - with Richard Crompton (00:40:13)
S5E55 Sat in the entrance to a cave in Wales, hidden amongst temperate rainforest, Richard Crompton gives you his insight into the best way to go about getting your bat licence. Richard has been training ecologists for many years now with around 400 people coming to his courses over the years. In this episode you'll hear about the different bodies that give licences, the different levels of licences and what they allow you to do, which one you should aim for as a consultant ecologist and the ...
- Bats at the National Trust (00:24:49)
S5E54 This week Steve sits down with Joanne Hodgkins, nature conservation advisor for the National Trust. Sitting in the hot August sunshine at The Vyne near Basingstoke, Steve finds out how the National Trust cares not just for it's special places, but for it's special wildlife. Jo explains how bats are now a day to day part of her role at the Trust, how bats are at the centre of most projects on their Estates and how bat groups are an important part of the story. Find the National Trust on ...
- The sonic success of David King; Inventor of BatBox detectors (00:29:01)
S5E53 This week we join David King who created the BatBox III and BatBox Duet detectors amongst several others for four decades. David tells Steve of how it all came about and they delve into the history of bat detecting, how the Bat Detective book and CD was created and we get an insight into his views on the future of technology used by ecologists and conservationists alike. Find David on twitter and InstagramBatBox Ltd for their range of bat detectorsThe Bat Detective book and CDWan...
- Bat Tracking; the drones changing the way we can undertake research (00:32:19)
S5E52 Steve calls in to Canberra, Australia to chat with Dr Debbie Saunders. For over 20 years Debbie has worked as an ecologist and studied the movements of small migratory birds. This includes the Swift Parrot, one of Australia’s most endangered birds. Like many small animals, Swift Parrots could only be tracked with tiny, very high frequency (VHF) radio-tags. This meant that in order to understand their movements, researchers would have to regularly trek vast distances with handheld ...
- Bats in the Channel: Jersey Bat Group (00:33:06)
S5E51 Join Steve in early summer on the Island of Jersey as he sits down with a trio from the bat group. In this interview we hear about the historic work of the group and the sort of survey work being done at the moment on the Island. With 18 bat species recorded on this 46 square miles of land just off the French coast, we hear there's still plenty more to be discovered. Discover more about Jersey Bat Group and follow them on twitter, facebook and InstagramWatch the Jersey Bat Project...
- Boathouse to Bat House (00:32:05)
S5E50 On the edge of Kidderminster lies Hurcott Pool and Wood Nature Reserve. An old boathouse on the edge of the pool has been repurposed by Worcestershire Bat Group and a few minutes away lies Lea Castle Village where the street lighting has been designed with bats at the forefront of its design. We join bat group members Cody Levine and Matthew Terry on a summer evening at the end of July. Watch a video of the boathouse on YouTubeDiscover more about Worcestershire Bat Group and follo...
- Walking with bats (00:32:06)
S5E49 This week we join BCT member Mark Ferguson who has just released his latest album; Walking With Bats. What does it sound like to go bat detecting? From start to finish, this question has underpinned Walking with Bats. Mark's main goal throughout the album's development has been simple: to transport listeners directly to the field, placing their ears where his are so they can experience the excitement of bat detecting through their own headphones. Find the album on Mark's website ...
- The Lifesaving Legacy of Livingstone's Fruit Bats at Jersey Zoo (00:34:17)
S5E48 Jersey Zoo in the Channel Islands is home to 90% of the world's captive population of Livingstone's fruit bats. With an estimated 1300 in the wild, this captive breeding programme is vital to the survival of the species in a disaster event. We join Dominic Wormell inside the bat enclosure as he explains how they care for the colony and how the bats are received by the visiting public. Discover more about the colony here Have a listen to our other zoo episode from Chester Zoo More about ...
- Gargoyle Guardians: A Bat Count at Lacock Abbey with the Wiltshire Bat Group (00:23:24)
S5E47 On the edge of the Cotswolds lies Lacock Abbey, home to Professor Quirrel's classroom and the Mirror of Erised. But whilst millions of people will recognise the Cloisters of the Abbey used in the filming of the Harry Potter franchise, a rather special spectacle can be found here once the sun goes down. A soprano pipistrelle bat roost hidden in the roof of Sharrington's tower is regurgitated each evening from the mouths of the gargoyles that surround the tower. We join Wendy Priest as sh...
- The Bechstein's of Bracketts (00:41:14)
S5E46 Hidden in west Dorset is a nature reserve which holds a very special secret. A bat box scheme which was installed in the late 1990's is home to one of the most well-studied colonies of Bechstein's bats. Join Steve as he spends the day with the Vincent Wildlife Trust and Dorset Wildlife Trust as they undertake one of their monthly inspections of the boxes, adding to this really important data which has been collected over the last quarter of a century. We hear from Patrick Wright, VWTs s...
- It's time for Series 5! (00:02:04)
BatChat Series 5 is set to kick off on Wednesday November 1st, with an exciting lineup of guests and fascinating interviews. Stay tuned for more great content and enriching conversations. Don't forget to check out the accompanying video on YouTube for more batty content. Mark your calendars, set your reminders and get ready for the return of BatChat! If you're new to BatChat, episodes are released every second Wednesday throughout each series taking listeners through autumn, winter and early...
- A new exhibition of wildlife sound at the British Library (00:27:56)
S4E45 - Bonus! This summer, in a major new exhibition, you can see how documenting the animal world has resulted in some of humankind’s most awe-inspiring art, science and sound recordings: Animals: Art, Science and Sound is now open at the British Library Part of the exhibition is dedicated to darkness and Steve got to have a preview of what's on show a couple of days before the exhibition opened. In this interview with Cheryl Tipp, curator of Wildlife and Environmental Sounds, Steve discov...