Specialist Bat Trapping, Handling and Identification

This workshop is aimed at those who want to build on their existing bat work to gain experience in advanced trapping & handling skills. The workshop will be led by one of Ireland's foremost bat ecologists, Tina Aughney with assistance from Bat Conservation Ireland staff, David Clarke and Karen Healy. The tutors will cover advanced skills such as handling bats - first with dead specimens then with live bats in the field. The course will also cover setting up and manning of various traps and nets such as hand nets, mist nets and harp traps, as well as how to use an acoustic lure. Daytime lectures and demonstrations will take place in the Virginia Show Centre (Virginia, Co. Cavan) while field work will take place at a number of locations near Virginia and Killeshandra. Car-share lifts to field work sites can be arranged for participants arriving to Virginia via public transport.

Participants will need to provide proof of in-date rabies inoculation.

Handling and trapping will be carried out in line with best practice guidelines and prioritising bat welfare.

There will be an option of carrying out field work in Navan on Friday morning August 29th depending on conditions the previous two evenings, participants may want to consider this if booking accommodation or work leave for the course. This Friday field work will not take place if sufficient bat activity and/or weather conditions are optimal on the previous days of the course.

Apart from tea and coffee breaks and light lunches on both days, hot meals are not included in the cost of the course. Because options for meals for large numbers are limited in Virginia and Killeshandra, Bat Conservation Ireland will make group bookings for dinner on both days (approx €30 for two courses incl tea/coffee) that will be payable to the restaurants by participants on the day. Should you wish to opt out of these bookings please inform us at least two weeks in advance of the course.

Course Content

Irish bat species

Bat welfare and human health and safety when bat trapping and handling 

Handling and identification

Trapping methods

Daytime practical sessions to include setting up traps, investigating bat box schemes

Evening practical sessions to include trapping at known roost(s) & trapping at a lakeshore habitat