Twilight Hunters: the Secret Lives of Bats

Join us at Heal Somerset for a magical evening learning about the fascinating world of bats with local expert Jacquie Billington.

The event will open with a talk from Jacquie about these remarkable flying mammals, where you'll hear about their lives and habits plus learn about the vital role bats play in our ecosystem.

As it gets dark,  we'll head outside to use bat detectors to listen for their ultrasonic calls and witness these incredible creatures in action, foraging in their natural habitat. We are awaiting verification on our baseline bat surveys but initial indications show that Heal Somerset, in particular its woodland edge, hedgerow and watercourses, support commuting routes and also foraging opportunities for a number of bat species including lesser horseshoe, long-eared, pipistrelle, serotine, noctule, soprano pipistrelle, common pipistrelle and myotis.

Whether you're a wildlife enthusiast or simply curious about bats, this is a perfect opportunity to connect with nature at night while learning how rewilding is allowing new opportunties for the wildlife around us.

About Jacquie Billington 

Jacquie has been involved in bat ecology for over 45 years. She began working with bats before bat detectors were easily available, doing surveys using flick netting and mist nets were the only way to ID a bat. She was part of the original Bats in Churches project conducted in Northampton with Phil Richardson in the late 1970s (Jacquie is listed on the research paper from this study as J Brown, her maiden name). She now helps her husband Geoff Billington with his company Greena Ecological Consultancy with his various bat surveys, radio tracking and teaching courses. They used advanced technology to assist with reliable bat identification and Jacquie is able to talk about different detectors and which she finds particularly effective in different settings.

LOCATION

Heal Somerset is in a very rural location, a few miles from Bruton, Frome, the A303 and the Wiltshire border, at Lower West Barn Farm, Bindon Lane, Witham Friary, BA11 5HH. Directions will be sent in a confirmation email.

TIMINGS

Arrival and refreshments: 7.30pm

Talk begins: 7.40pm

Attendees will head outside: approximately 8.30pm

Event ends: 9.30pm

CLOTHING AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

We recommend you bring a camping chair for when you are outside.

It is not likely to be wet underfoot at this time of year but we do recommend that you wear sturdy waterproof shoes or walking boots suitable for rough, uneven ground. If the forecast is wet, bring a waterproof jacket and a hat and dress warmly.

[We give this level of detail to encourage wider participation in our tours by people who may be unfamiliar with being out in nature and we hope this is useful for them as well as a reminder to those already aware.]

ACCESSIBILITY

The site is not yet wheelchair-accessible, but we do have one all-terrain mobility scooter available. If you would like to use this, please let us know ahead of the event.

If you use an assistance dog, your dog will be welcome.

If you have any additional questions about accessibility please email events@healrewilding.org.uk.

OTHER THINGS

Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel this tour and either refund you or book you into an alternative date. This would be due to a very poor weather forecast or illness and will be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Please note, tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled.

Children and babies

Children over 14 are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Please contact events@healrewilding.org.uk for more information about bringing children.

Dogs

We welcome assistance dogs but you can't bring a pet dog or any other pets to the site.

Supporting Heal

Please note, the proceeds from this event will go towards supporting the work of Heal.

You'll also have the chance to become a Friend of Heal and to donate to support our work.

Special ticketing

If you are unwaged, a student or living on a very low income and the cost of attending is prohibitive, please email events@healrewilding.org.uk as we may be able to support your attendance. Please note this may not always be possible.

Local accommodation

We can't offer accommodation yet at Heal Somerset. There are lots of places to stay in and around Frome and Bruton.

Travel

The remote rural location means that travelling here by car is the most practical option and there will be car parking available for all participants.